Search Results (2,924)

Background/Objectives: Fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Accurate surveillance and timely delivery are critical to improving outcomes. This narrative review examines the role of computerized cardiotocography (cCTG) and short-term variation (STV) interpretation in the monitoring of FGR and its integration with Doppler velocimetry and the biophysical profile (BPP). Methods: A comprehensive literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was performed for studies published up to 2021 using combinations of terms related to FGR, CTG, STV, and Doppler surveillance. Eligible sources included original studies, systematic reviews, and international guidelines. Case reports, intrapartum-only monitoring, and studies involving major anomalies were excluded. Results: Reduced STV consistently correlates with fetal compromise, abnormal Doppler findings, and adverse perinatal outcomes. In early-onset FGR (<32 weeks), ductus venosus abnormalities often coincide with or precede STV reduction; combined use supports optimal timing of delivery. In late-onset FGR (≥32 weeks), STV changes are less pronounced and require integration with cerebroplacental ratio, variability indices, and trend-based interpretation. Longitudinal evaluation offers greater prognostic value than isolated measurements. However, heterogeneity in thresholds, fragmented outcome data, and system-specific definitions limit standardization and comparability across studies. Conclusions: cCTG provides an objective and adjunct to Doppler and BPP in the surveillance of FGR, a tool for obstetrician needs. Its greatest utility lies in serial, integrated assessment, supported by gestational age-specific reference ranges. Future advances should include standardized STV thresholds, large outcome-linked databases, and artificial intelligence-driven tools to refine decision-making and optimize delivery timing. Full article

β-thalassemia is a chronic genetic blood disorder characterized by defective β-globin synthesis, requiring frequent transfusions and resulting in iron overload, immune dysfunction, and increased susceptibility to infections. In these immunocompromised patients, altered immune responses lead to significant changes in the human virome, promoting viral persistence, reactivation, and expansion of pathogenic viral communities. This review explores the intricate relationship between β-thalassemia and the human virome, focusing on how clinical interventions and immune abnormalities reshape viral dynamics, persistence, and pathogenicity. Patients with β-thalassemia exhibit profound innate and adaptive immune dysregulation, including neutrophil dysfunction, T cell senescence, impaired B cell and NK cell activity, and expansion of myeloid-derived suppressor cells. These alterations create an immunological niche that favors viral reactivation and virome expansion. Iron overload enhances viral replication, while chronic transfusions introduce transfusion-transmitted viruses. Splenectomy and allo-HSCT further compromise viral surveillance. Additionally, disruptions in the gut virome, particularly bacteriophage-driven dysbiosis, may exacerbate inflammation and impair host–virus homeostasis. The human virome is not a passive bystander but a dynamic player in the pathophysiology of β-thalassemia. Understanding virome–immune interactions may offer novel insights for infection monitoring, risk stratification, and precision therapies in thalassemic patients. Full article

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious viral disease with significant impacts on domestic pigs and wild boar populations. This study applies GIS-based spatial analysis to monitor ASF outbreaks in northwestern Italy (Piedmont and Liguria) and identify areas at increased risk. Key factors considered include pig density, wildlife proximity, and environmental conditions. The spatial analysis revealed that central–western municipalities exhibited higher risk due to favorable environmental conditions and dense wild boar populations, while peripheral areas showed a temporal delay in outbreak emergence. Mapping the spreading rate and habitat interfaces allowed the development of a spatial risk model, which was further analyzed using geostatistical techniques to understand disease dynamics. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of geospatial modeling in identifying high-risk zones, characterizing spatio-temporal patterns, and supporting targeted prevention and surveillance strategies. These findings provide actionable insights for ASF management and resource allocation. Future studies may refine these models by integrating additional datasets and environmental variables, enhancing predictive capacity and applicability across different regions. Full article

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) remains a leading cause of pneumonia in young children in Mexico and worldwide. To investigate RSV dynamics in Mexico, we conducted a multicenter study from August 2021 to July 2023 in six hospitals across five States, analyzing respiratory samples from children under five years with pneumonia. Multiplex RT-PCR identified 203 RSV-positive cases, of which 123 were RSV-B and 80 RSV-A. Interestingly, 77% of the collected samples showed evidence of coinfection with other respiratory pathogens, with rhinovirus, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae being the most common. Also, RSV-B dominated in 2021–2022, whereas RSV-A prevailed in 2022–2023, mirroring trends observed in the United States. Sequences of the genes encoding G and F proteins showed that RSV-A lineages were more diverse, with A.D.1, A.D.1.8, and A.D.5.2 being frequently detected. In contrast, nearly all RSV-B sequences belonged to lineage B.D.E.1. Finally, ancestral state inference suggests repeated introductions from the USA and other North American countries, with limited evidence of sustained local circulation. These findings show different trends in RSV circulation between two consecutive seasons and the importance of genomic surveillance to monitor RSV diversity, evaluate vaccine impact, and inform public health strategies in Mexico’s evolving post-pandemic respiratory virus landscape. Full article

Antimicrobial resistance is a global health issue, and the WHO has made significant efforts in the development of tools for its monitoring. However, such tools are underutilized, due to limited knowledge, technical capacity, and scarcity of economic resources. AMR surveillance can be conducted using WHOnet and R, two free-of-charge software tools widely adopted in both clinical practice and scientific research. WHOnet is designed for managing laboratory data and antimicrobial susceptibility test results, while R is a programming language dedicated to statistical computing and data visualization. The combined use of these tools enables a reproducible workflow for retrospective AMR trend analysis. This paper provides step-by-step instructions on how to perform such analysis and also provides the respective R code. The described code and software results are shown using real-world data from an Italian hospital as an example. The standardization of the analysis process and the rapid availability of data on antimicrobial resistance are critical for both clinicians and public health professionals. They would allow for empirical decisions on antimicrobial treatment based on the specific epidemiological characteristics of the hospital or community setting. Full article

This pilot study uses Raman spectroscopy and SERS to monitor monthly water composition changes in two adjacent hypersaline lakes (L1 and L2) at a balneary resort, during the peak tourist season (May–October 2023). In situ pH and electrical conductivity (EC) measurements, along with evaporite analyses, complemented the spectroscopic data. Although traditionally considered similar, the lakes frequently raise public questions about their relative bathing benefits. While not directly addressing the therapeutic effects, the study reveals distinct physicochemical profiles between the lakes. Raman data showed consistently higher sulfate levels in L2, a trend also observed in winter monitoring. pH levels were higher in L1 (8–9.8) than in L2 (7.2–8), except for one October depth reading. This trend held during winter, except in April. Surface waters showed more variability and slightly higher values than those at 1 m depth. SERS spectra featured β-carotene peaks, linked to cyanobacteria, and Ag–Cl bands, indicating nanoparticle aggregation from inorganic ions. SERS intensity strongly correlated with pH and EC, especially in L2 (r = 0.96), suggesting stable surface–depth chemistry. L1 exhibited more monthly variability, likely due to differing biological activity. Although salinity and EC were not linearly correlated at high salt levels, both reflected seasonal trends. The integration of Raman, SERS, and physicochemical data proves effective for monitoring hypersaline lake dynamics, offering a valuable tool for environmental surveillance and therapeutic water quality assessment, in support of evidence-based water management and therapeutic use of salt lakes, aligning with goals for sustainable medical tourism and environmental stewardship. Full article

Monitoring contamination in soil and food systems remains vital for ensuring environmental and public health, particularly in agriculture-intensive regions. Existing laboratory-based techniques are often time-consuming, equipment-dependent, and impractical for rapid on-site screening. In this study, we present a portable, non-faradaic electrochemical impedance-based sensing platform capable of simultaneously detecting Salmonella Typhimurium (S. Typhi) and Aflatoxin B1 in spiked soil run-off samples. The system employs ZnO-coated electrodes functionalized with crosslinker for covalent antibody immobilization, facilitating selective, label-free detection using just 5 µL of sample. The platform achieves a detection limit of 1 CFU/mL for S. Typhi over a linear range of 10–10⁵ CFU/mL and 0.001 ng/mL for Aflatoxin B1 across a dynamic range of 0.01–40.96 ng/mL. Impedance measurements captured with a handheld potentiostat were strongly correlated with benchtop results (R² > 0.95), validating its reliability in field settings. The duplex sensor demonstrates high precision with recovery rates above 80% and coefficient of variation below 15% in spiked samples. Furthermore, machine learning classification of safe versus contaminated samples yielded an ROC-AUC > 0.8, enhancing its decision-making capability. This duplex sensing platform offers a robust, user-friendly solution for real-time environmental and food safety surveillance. Full article

Background: Air pollution is a well-established risk factor for cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. Although Southern Switzerland is considered a relatively low-pollution area, levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and particulate matter (PM₁₀) still exceed the latest WHO air quality guidelines. This study aimed to assess the association between long-term exposure to air pollutants, vascular aging, and body composition in a Swiss population sample. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 1202 participants from the Ticino Epidemiological Stiffness Study (2017–2018). Vascular health was assessed via pulse wave velocity (PWV), used to estimate vascular age. Body composition was evaluated through bioimpedance analysis, yielding fat mass index (FMI), body cellular mass (BCM), and body cellular mass index (BCMI). Individual exposure to NO₂ and PM₁₀ was estimated, using geocoded residential data and environmental monitoring records from 2002 to 2017. Statistical models were adjusted for major cardiovascular risk factors. Results: Higher exposure to NO₂ was significantly associated with increased vascular age (mean delta age: +0.53 years in the high exposure group) and adverse body composition markers, including higher FMI and lower BCM/BCMI. These associations remained significant after adjusting for confounders. PM₁₀ showed weaker associations, significant only in unadjusted models. Conclusions: Even in a relatively clean environment, exposure to NO₂ is linked to early vascular aging and unfavorable body composition. These findings reinforce the need for stricter air quality standards and underline the importance of continuous environmental health surveillance, even in regions considered low risk. Full article

Cyber-physical infrastructures such as hospitals and smart campuses face hybrid threats that target both digital and physical domains. Traditional security solutions separate surveillance from network monitoring, leaving blind spots when attackers combine these vectors. This paper introduces ARGUS, an autonomous robotic platform designed to close this gap by correlating cyber and physical anomalies in real time. ARGUS integrates computer vision for facial and weapon detection with intrusion detection systems (Snort, Suricata) for monitoring malicious network activity. Operating through an edge-first microservice architecture, it ensures low latency and resilience without reliance on cloud services. Our evaluation covered five scenarios—access control, unauthorized entry, weapon detection, port scanning, and denial-of-service attacks—with each repeated ten times under varied conditions such as low light, occlusion, and crowding. Results show face recognition accuracy of 92.7% (500 samples), weapon detection accuracy of 89.3% (450 samples), and intrusion detection latency below one second, with minimal false positives. Audio analysis of high-risk sounds further enhanced situational awareness. Beyond performance, ARGUS addresses GDPR and ISO 27001 compliance and anticipates adversarial robustness. By unifying cyber and physical detection, ARGUS advances beyond state-of-the-art patrol robots, delivering comprehensive situational awareness and a practical path toward resilient, ethical robotic security. Full article

Coronaviruses (CoVs) were first described in poultry in the early 1930s and formally recognized as pathogens of both animal and human populations in the late 1960s. They are now considered among the most abundant viral families in the world. Though their distribution and diversity remain understudied in wild animals, representatives from 13 orders of wild birds worldwide have tested positive for CoVs of the gamma and delta genera over the last 25 years. Many of these wild bird species are in the orders Charadriiformes (shorebirds and their relatives) and Anseriformes (waterfowl including ducks, geese, and swans). Waterfowl are particularly concerning as potential reservoirs for CoVs because they are globally distributed; often congregate in large, mixed-species flocks; and may exist in close proximity to humans and domesticated animals. This review describes the history and current knowledge of CoVs in birds, provides an updated list of global detections of CoVs in 124 species of wild birds as reported in the peer-reviewed literature since 2000, and highlights topics for future research that would help elucidate the role of waterfowl in CoV transmission. Our review reiterates the need for continuous surveillance to detect and monitor CoVs across all bird species and for standardization in data reporting and analysis of both negative and positive results. Such information is critical to understand the potential role of free-ranging birds in the maintenance, evolution, and transmission of the virus. Further, we believe that research on the potential impacts of coronavirus infections and coinfections on avian demographics, especially reproduction in waterfowl, is warranted given known consequences in domestic poultry. Full article

Virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a major global health burden despite effective antiviral therapies. Chronic infection with hepatitis B (HBV), hepatitis C (HCV), and hepatitis D (HDV) promotes malignant transformation through overlapping pathways of fibrosis, immune dysregulation, and microenvironmental remodeling. YKL-40, a glycoprotein secreted by hepatic stellate cells, hepatocytes under stress, macrophages, and endothelial cells, has emerged as a marker that reflects stromal activation rather than direct hepatocyte injury. Its expression is reinforced by profibrotic and angiogenic circuits, and circulating concentrations correlate with advanced fibrosis, residual risk after viral suppression, and oncologic outcomes. This review synthesizes current evidence on YKL-40 across HBV, HCV, and HDV cohorts, with emphasis on its role in bridging molecular mechanisms to clinical applications. We examine its utility in non-invasive fibrosis assessment, longitudinal monitoring after antiviral therapy, and prognostic modeling in HCC. Particular attention is given to its potential in the liver transplant pathway, where YKL-40 may refine eligibility beyond morphology, inform bridging therapy response, and predict post-transplant recurrence or graft fibrosis. Remaining challenges include its lack of disease specificity, assay variability, and limited multicenter validation. Future integration of YKL-40 into multimarker, algorithm-based frameworks could enable risk-adaptive strategies that align surveillance and transplant decisions with the evolving biology of virus-associated liver disease. Full article

Submarine cable systems, serving as the critical backbone of global communications, face evolving resilience threats. This work proposes a novel sensing attack that utilizes ultra-narrow-linewidth lasers to surveil these infrastructures. First, the Narrowband Jamming Attack (NJA) is introduced as an evolution of conventional physical-layer jamming. NJA is divided into three categories according to the spectral position, and the non-overlapping class represents the proposed sensing attack. Its operational principles and the key parameters determining its efficacy are analyzed, along with its deployment strategy in submarine cable systems. Finally, the sensing capability is validated via OptiSystem simulations. Results demonstrate successful localization of vibrations within the 50–200 Hz range on a 1 km fiber, achieving a spatial resolution of 1 m, and confirm the influence of vibration parameters on sensing performance. This work reveals that the proposed sensing attack has the potential to covertly monitor environmental data, thereby posing a threat to information security in submarine cable systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains a persistent challenge for transfusion safety. Although testing for hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and nucleic acid testing (NAT) reduces transmission risk, antibodies to hepatitis B core antigen (anti-HBc) and antibodies to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) provide additional insight into past infection and vaccine-induced immunity. We aimed to determine their seroprevalence among blood donors in southern Croatia and assess associations with age, occupation, and time since vaccination. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between February and November 2024 at two regional transfusion centers in southern Croatia. A total of 1008 voluntary blood donors, all HBsAg- and NAT-negative, were tested for anti-HBc and anti-HBs using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Demographic and vaccination data were collected through verified medical records. Results: Anti-HBc was detected in 0.5% of donors, exclusively among the unvaccinated. Protective anti-HBs levels were found in 38.1% overall and 70.6% of vaccinated donors, with significant declines by age and more than 15 years post-vaccination (p = 0.024). Healthcare workers showed higher seroprotection than non-healthcare donors (67.0% vs. 35.1%; p < 0.001), although one-third still lacked protective levels. Conclusions: HBV exposure was rare, but waning vaccine-induced immunity was evident, with protective anti-HBs levels in 70.6% of vaccinated donors, declining with age and time since vaccination. These findings highlight the need for periodic monitoring of anti-HBs and targeted booster strategies, especially in older and occupationally exposed groups. HBsAg and NAT provide a high level of transfusion safety, while the role of routine anti-HBc testing in this low-endemic context should be carefully evaluated in view of its potential benefits and drawbacks. Donor-based surveillance is a valuable tool for evaluating long-term vaccine effectiveness and guiding public health policy. Full article

This study investigated the distribution of pine wood nematodes (PWNs, Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and their co-occurrence with B. mucronatus in recently dead pine trees across coastal and inland regions while monitoring the seasonal emergence patterns of Monochamus alternatus from 2021 to 2023. Nematodes were extracted from felled trees and beetle bodies using the Baermann funnel method. Aggregation pheromone traps were used to monitor vector activity and to assess temperature-dependent emergence. The results showed a negative correlation between PWN and B. mucronatus density (r = −0.73, p < 0.01), which prompted tests on interspecific interactions. M. alternatus emergence was positively associated with average temperature (r = 0.74–0.78), supporting the temperature-informed surveillance timing in this dataset. These findings highlight the role of climate-driven dynamics in shaping vector behavior and nematode population structures. This study supports the development of sustainable temperature-responsive management strategies for controlling pine wilt disease. These strategies provide a foundation for climate-resilient forest health and long-term ecosystem sustainability. Full article

Methylphenidate (MPH) and its active enantiomer, dexmethylphenidate, are widely prescribed as first-line therapies for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), yet their increasing non-medical use highlights significant clinical and toxicological challenges. MPH blocks dopamine (DAT) and norepinephrine (NET) transporters, thereby elevating synaptic catecholamine levels. While this underpins therapeutic efficacy, prolonged or abusive exposure has been associated with mitochondrial impairment, disrupted bioenergetics, and excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which collectively contribute to neuronal stress and long-term neurotoxicity. Growing evidence suggests that the gut–brain axis may critically influence MPH outcomes: diet-induced shifts in microbiome composition appear to regulate oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and drug metabolism, opening potential avenues for dietary or probiotic interventions. From a forensic perspective, the detection and monitoring of MPH misuse require advanced methodologies, including enantioselective LC–MS/MS and analysis of alternative matrices such as hair or oral fluids, which enable retrospective exposure assessment and improves abuse surveillance. Despite its established therapeutic profile, MPH remains a compound with a narrow balance between clinical benefit and toxicological risk. Future directions should prioritize longitudinal human studies, biomarker identification for abuse monitoring, and the development of mitochondria-targeted therapies to minimize adverse outcomes and enhance safety in long-term treatment. Full article