Search Results (35,614)

Inflammatory diseases are common in companion dogs. Although white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) are routinely used to assess systemic inflammation, their individual prognostic value remains limited. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), reflecting red blood cell aggregation driven by plasma proteins, has long been applied in human medicine as both an inflammatory and prognostic marker. This study evaluated the prognostic utility of ESR in dogs, including clinically healthy and diseased populations. Associations between ESR, other inflammatory markers, and age were examined, and its role as an independent predictor of mortality and optimal clinical cut-off were determined. A subgroup of dogs meeting the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were also analyzed to assess the latter’s usefulness in acute settings. A total of 350 dogs were enrolled: 241 diseased and 109 healthy. ESR was measured using an automated analyzer. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, expressed as the area under the curve (AUC), evaluated diagnostic accuracy, followed by Kaplan–Meier survival and Cox proportional hazard analyses. ESR values were significantly higher in the disease group than in the healthy group (p < 0.0001). ESR showed fair to good prognostic accuracy for mortality in both the overall cohort (AUC = 0.776 [95% CI: 0.709–0.842]) and the SIRS subgroup (AUC = 0.846 [95% CI: 0.747–0.946]). An ESR cut-off of 18 mm/h was associated with mortality in SIRS dogs with 87.5% specificity. In the multivariate analysis, ESR showed an independent association with mortality (hazard ratio 1.013 [95% CI: 1.004–1.022], p = 0.004). These findings support ESR as a practical and independent prognostic marker for risk stratification in dogs with systemic inflammation. Full article

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a frequent and clinically significant comorbidity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), with a reported prevalence ranging from 20% to 50% depending on the cohort and definition applied. The high burden of CKD in RA reflects the complex interplay between traditional risk factors (aging, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia) and RA-specific factors such as persistent systemic inflammation, immune complex deposition, and long-term exposure to nephrotoxic agents, including older DMARDs (gold, D-penicillamine) and calcineurin inhibitors. Histopathologically, RA-associated kidney involvement encompasses a broad spectrum of conditions, including mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis, membranous nephropathy, AA amyloidosis, and drug-induced interstitial nephritis. Recent advances in RA therapy, particularly the widespread use of biologic DMARDs, have markedly reduced the incidence of AA amyloidosis and may exert indirect renoprotective effects through stringent inflammation control. However, targeted synthetic DMARDs such as Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors require careful dose adjustment in CKD and heightened infection vigilance. CKD in RA is a strong predictor of cardiovascular events, serious infections, and all-cause mortality. Importantly, recent data indicate that even low-grade albuminuria below the traditional microalbuminuria threshold is associated with excess mortality in RA. Early detection through routine monitoring of eGFR and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (uACR), combined with individualized pharmacologic adjustment and close collaboration with nephrologists, is essential for optimizing long-term outcomes. This review provides an updated synthesis of the epidemiology, pathophysiological mechanisms, therapeutic strategies, and prognostic implications of CKD in RA, with a particular focus on both Japanese and international evidence. Full article

Background and Objectives: Pemphigus vulgaris (PV) is a rare autoimmune blistering disease caused by IgG autoantibodies against desmoglein 3 and/or desmoglein 1, leading to flaccid blisters on the skin and mucous membranes. The course of PV during pregnancy represents a special clinical challenge due to immunological changes accompanying physiological immunosuppression and the need to protect the developing fetus. Materials and Methods: To analyze the current state of knowledge, a literature review was performed covering the years 2015–2025. Publications describing PV diagnosed during pregnancy or in neonates were screened, and nine case reports discussing ten patients meeting the inclusion criteria were selected for detailed analysis. In this study, we also present our own clinical case of PV in pregnancy to complement the literature review and provide practical insight into disease management. Results: In most cases, the disease was diagnosed in the first trimester of pregnancy, and the most common symptoms were flaccid blisters and erosions of the oral mucosa. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence (DIF) and ELISA testing. The first-line treatment remained systemic glucocorticosteroids (GCS), mainly prednisolone, which is considered the safest. In resistant cases, intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) were used, which were considered effective and safe, though their use may limit the transplacental transfer of autoantibodies to the fetus. In newborns, the symptoms rarely occurred, were mild, and resolved spontaneously. Drugs with proven teratogenic effects, such as methotrexate, cyclophosphamide, and mycophenolate mofetil, are contraindicated during pregnancy. In the case of rituximab therapy, it is recommended to postpone pregnancy for at least 12 months after the completion of treatment to minimize the potential risk of immunosuppression in the newborn. Conclusions: The treatment of PV during pregnancy requires close interdisciplinary cooperation. Therapy should be carefully individualized, taking into account both therapeutic efficacy and fetal safety. Perhaps then, pregnancy-related pemphigus diseases, given their peculiarities, should be classified as a distinct variety within the desmosomal type of autoimmune blistering diseases. Full article

The high penetration rate of renewable energy poses significant challenges to the planning and operation of power systems in regions with scarce data. In these regions, it is impossible to accurately simulate the complex nonlinear dependencies among hydro–wind–solar energy resources, which leads to huge operational risks and investment uncertainties. To bridge this gap, this study proposes a new data-driven framework that embeds the natural climate cycle (24 solar terms) into a physically consistent scenario generation process, surpassing the traditional linear approach. This framework introduces the Comprehensive Similarity Distance (CSD) indicator to quantify the curve similarity of power amplitude, pattern trend, and fluctuation position, thereby improving the K-means clustering. Compared with the K-means algorithm based on the standard Euclidean distance, the accuracy of the improved clustering pattern extraction is increased by 3.8%. By embedding the natural climate cycle and employing a two-stage dimensionality reduction architecture: time compression via improved clustering and feature fusion via Kernel PCA, the framework effectively captures cross-source dependencies and preserves climatic periodicity. Finally, combined with the simplified Vine Copula model, high-fidelity joint scenarios with a normalized root mean square error (NRMSE) of less than 3% can be generated. This study provides a reliable and computationally feasible tool for stochastic optimization and reliability analysis in the planning and operation of future power systems with high renewable energy grid integration. Full article

Plastic pollution, particularly the widespread presence of microplastics, has emerged as a global environmental threat. Conventional plastics are highly resistant to degradation and can persist in ecosystems for decades, posing a serious long-term risk to wildlife, habitats, and human health. Increasing evidence suggests that insects and their gut microbiota may play a significant role in the degradation of these plastics. This review examines the mechanisms by which insects and their associated microorganisms contribute to microplastic biodegradation. Plastivorous insect larvae such as Spodoptera frugiperda, Galleria mellonella, Tenebrio molitor and Zophobas atratus have demonstrated the ability to ingest and partially degrade diverse polymers. The initial mechanical breakdown caused by insect mandibles increases the surface area, which allows gut microbes to colonize the material. Once these microbes are established, they form biofilms that help with adhesion, create localized redox environments, and concentrate degradative enzymes at the polymer interface. The enzymatic machinery of insect-associated microbes plays a crucial role in breaking down polymers. Oxidative enzymes, including DyP-type peroxidases, multicopper oxidases, alkane monooxygenases, and laccases, initiate the oxidation of polymers, while hydrolases and esterases further break down the resulting fragments. Co-metabolic processes and microbial consortia improve degradation efficiency by primary degraders by producing oxidized intermediates, which are then consumed and mineralized by secondary fermenters. Despite significant progress, the complete biochemical pathways of microplastic mineralization remain unclear. Degradation rates are slow, and scalability challenges hinder practical applications, with incomplete mineralization in insect biodegradation potentially causing secondary microplastics. Understanding these mechanisms will lay the groundwork for developing insect-microbe systems as potential biotechnological solutions to mitigate plastic pollution in terrestrial environments. Full article

Limb wounds in horses represent a significant therapeutic challenge due to poor vascularization, reduced skin elasticity, and high risk of complications such as exuberant granulation tissue. Conventional treatments sometimes fail to provide satisfactory healing outcomes, leading to prolonged recovery and increased costs. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical ozone therapy using the bagging method in promoting the epithelialization and contraction of chronic distal limb wounds in horses refractory to conventional management. Eight horses, aged 3–21 years, with chronic wounds averaging 48.79 ± 21.20 cm², were treated exclusively with ozone (50 μg/mL) administered by bagging for 30 min every 48 h until complete healing. All cases achieved full wound closure within 27–91 days without systemic medication or major complications. Macroscopic evaluation showed favorable healing, with the restoration of skin pigmentation and hair growth in most cases, while only minimal fibrous scarring was observed in a few patients. Statistical analysis revealed significant improvements in epithelialization, particularly during the last four weeks of treatment. These findings suggest that ozone bagging therapy is a simple, cost-effective, and well-tolerated method that may enhance the healing of chronic distal limb wounds in horses. Further controlled trials are needed to standardize treatment protocols and compare ozone with conventional therapies. Full article

During voltage dips, wind turbines must remain connected to the electrical grid and contribute to voltage stabilization. This study analyzes the impact of voltage dips arising from grid faults on Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG) based Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECSs). This paper presents a review of the technical regulations for integrating the Algerian electricity grid with the Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) system, along with specific requirements for renewable power generation installations. Additionally, the modeling and control strategy of DFIG based WECS has been outlined. Voltage dips can induce excessive currents that threaten the DFIG rotor and may cause harmful peak oscillations in the DC-link voltage, and can lead to turbine speed increase due to the sudden imbalance between the mechanical input torque and the reduced electromagnetic torque. To counter this, a modified vector control and crowbar protection mechanism were integrated. Its role is to mitigate these risks, thereby ensuring the system remains stable and operational through grid faults. The proposed system successfully meets the stringent Algerian LVRT requirements, with voltage dipping to zero for 0.3 s and recovering gradually. Simulations confirm that rotor and stator currents remain within safe limits (peak rotor current at 0.93 $pu$, and peak stator current at 1.36 $pu$). The DC-link voltage, despite a transient rise due to the continued power conversion from the rotor-side converter during the grid fault, was effectively stabilized and maintained within safe operating margins (with less than 14% overshoot). This stability was achieved as the crowbar ensured power balance by managing active and reactive power. Notably, the turbine rotor speed demonstrated stability, peaking at 1.28 $pu$ within mechanical limits. Full article

Objectives: Varicella is a highly contagious viral disease affecting children. The SV-1 cell line-based varicella attenuated live vaccine (SV-1VarV) is the first vaccine produced using the human diploid SV-1 cell substrate. This study evaluated the real-world safety of SV-1VarV among school-aged children in Jiangsu Province, China. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted using data from the Jiangsu Provincial Immunization Program Information System and the Chinese National Adverse Event Following Immunization Information System (CNAEFIS). Children aged 7–12 years who received SV-1VarV between July 2024 and March 2025 were included. The incidence, clinical characteristics, and demographic patterns of Adverse Events Following Immunization (AEFI) were analyzed. Reporting rates were calculated per 100,000 doses. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests, Cochran–Armitage trend tests, and Poisson regression analyses (α = 0.05). Results: A total of 366 AEFI cases were reported following 1,096,117 administered doses (33.4/100,000 doses), of which 364 were adverse reactions (33.2/100,000). General reactions accounted for 97.8% (mainly fever and local reactions), and abnormal reactions accounted for 2.2% (0.73/100,000). No serious adverse events or vaccine quality-related events occurred. Adverse reaction reporting rates declined with increasing age (p < 0.001) and were higher in males than females (36.7 vs. 29.2/100,000; p = 0.001). Poisson regression indicated that older age was independently associated with a lower risk of adverse reaction reporting, whereas sex and dose number were not significantly associated. Conclusions: SV-1VarV demonstrated a favorable safety profile during large-scale use in children aged 7–12 years. Most reactions were mild, self-limiting, and consistent with expected post-vaccination responses. These findings provide robust real-world evidence supporting the continued and expanded use of SV-1VarV in school-aged children to optimize varicella immunization strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) can affect both the liver, where clotting factors are synthesized, and the coagulation system, which prevents acute bleeding. Methods: This study included 451 inpatients undergoing addiction detoxification and 150 healthy controls. Patients were stratified by substance type: Alcohol (n = 110), Cannabinoid (n = 71), Methamphetamine (n = 110), Multiple-Substance (Methamphetamine + Cannabinoid, n = 110), and Opioid (n = 50) users. Age-matched control groups (mean ages 45, n = 50; 30, n = 100) were used. Serum levels of Ca, INR, PT, APTT, PLT, AST, and ALT, alongside sociodemographic variables, were assessed. Results: Significant group differences were observed in ALT, AST, PT, APTT, and PLT (p < 0.001). Notably, PT was lower in Multiple Substance and Methamphetamine users; APTT was elevated in Cannabinoid users; AST was higher in Alcohol users; and Methamphetamine and Opioid users exhibited both decreased AST and ALT. Post hoc analyses confirmed substance-specific effects (p < 0.001). Regular cigarette use was significantly more prevalent among alcohol and substance user groups compared to controls; however, smoking did not exert a significant effect on the evaluated biochemical or coagulation parameters. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that liver enzymes and coagulation parameters can vary significantly by substance type. Observed alterations in AST, ALT, PT, APTT, and PLT suggest that substance use may exert substance-specific effects on hepatic and haemostatic function, highlighting potential risks for bleeding or thrombotic complications. Monitoring these parameters in AUD and SUD patients could provide valuable clinical insights, allowing for more tailored and proactive management strategies. While the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated, these results emphasize the importance of considering substance-specific physiological impacts when assessing liver and coagulation health in addicted populations. Full article

Elderly patients with femoral fractures need specific rehabilitation after surgery that aims to improve their self-reliance and life quality, reducing their mortality rate. Although worsening patient body composition increased the risk of an unfavourable prognosis, it remains unclear whether evaluating bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) parameters can predict any functional recovery. A longitudinal design was conducted on 45 elders (84.59 ± 7.18 years, 75.6% female) who underwent femoral surgery to examine BIA features as rehabilitation biomarkers. The patient’s body composition, assessed by anthropometry and bioimpedance analysis (BIA), and self-reliance were evaluated three times during follow-up in both healthy and surgical lower limbs. The ANCOVA test, adjusted for gender and side of surgery, found improvements in daily living activities, while only thigh circumferences decreased over time. Regarding the BIA, the surgical leg showed a wider decrement in bioelectrical resistance (R), whereas the bioelectric reactance (Xc) exhibited similar trends. Females who underwent surgery on their dominant leg showed significant changes (p < 0.001) in bioimpedance vectorial analysis (BIVA), with a linear trend from baseline to postoperative time, while males exhibited beneficial variations only between baseline and time 2 (p < 0.01). Geriatric patients exhibit characteristic traits that require additional attention. BIA may be a feasible and non-invasive method for monitoring patient prognosis and reducing national health system costs. Full article

Background/Objectives: Shift-working healthcare professionals are exposed to high psychophysiological demands associated with occupational stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms. Salivary chromogranin A (sCgA) and secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) are non-invasive biomarkers reflecting sympathetic nervous system activation and mucosal immune function, respectively, and are increasingly used to assess biological stress responses. This study examined changes in these biomarkers and their associations with anxiety and depression. Methods: This cross-sectional comparative observational study was conducted among healthcare professionals working 12-h shifts (n = 95) and non-shift-working controls (n = 95) and included a within-shift pre-post assessment, with saliva samples collected before and after the work shift. Salivary biomarkers were determined using ELISA methods. Anxiety and depression were assessed using the State–Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale. Data were analyzed with t-tests, correlation, and multiple linear regression. Statistical analyses included between- and within-group comparisons, correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression models to examine independent associations between salivary biomarkers and psychological outcomes. Results: After a 12-h shift, healthcare professionals showed increased sCgA (3.82 ± 0.95 vs. 4.68 ± 1.02 ng/mL; p < 0.001) and decreased sIgA (165.3 ± 32.4 vs. 142.6 ± 29.8 mg/dL; p < 0.001). Psychological scores were higher in healthcare professionals than in controls (p < 0.001). Salivary sCgA correlated positively with anxiety and depression (r = 0.41 to 0.45), while sIgA correlated negatively (r = −0.29 to −0.36). Regression analysis confirmed occupational group (healthcare professionals vs. controls) as the strongest predictor, with independent contributions of sCgA and sIgA to psychological scores. Conclusions: A 12-h work shift in healthcare professionals leads to increased salivary chromogranin A, indicating sympathetic activation, and decreased secretory IgA, reflecting reduced mucosal immune activity. The combined assessment of sCgA and sIgA provides a sensitive and non-invasive approach for monitoring occupational stress and identifying early risks of anxiety and depressive symptoms among shift-working healthcare professionals. Full article

As the deployment of Automated Driving Systems (ADS) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS-L2) expands, understanding their real-world safety performance becomes essential. This study examines the severity and contributing factors of crashes involving vehicles equipped with ADS and ADAS-L2 technologies using NHTSA data. Using machine learning models on crash datasets from 2021 to 2024, this research identifies patterns and risk factors influencing injury outcomes. After data preprocessing and handling missing values for severity classification, four models were trained: logistic regression, random forest, SVM, and XGBoost. XGBoost outperformed the others for both ADS and ADAS-L2, achieving the highest accuracy and recall. Variable importance analysis showed that for ADS crashes, interactions with other road users and poor lighting were the strongest predictors of injury severity, while for ADAS-L2 crashes, fixed object collisions and low light conditions were most influential. From a policy and engineering perspective, this study highlights the need for standardized crash reporting and improved ADS object detection and pedestrian response. It also emphasizes effective human–machine interface design and driver training for partial automation. Unlike previous research, this study conducts comparative model-based evaluations of both ADS and ADAS-L2 using recent crash reports to inform safety standards and policy frameworks. Full article

Infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) remains a common pathogen in poultry production. Although its clinical and economic impact in Europe has markedly declined in recent decades due to extensive vaccination, ongoing viral circulation continues to pose risks to animal health and provides opportunities for viral evolution. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of GI-19 and related strains in Spain using samples collected between 2008 and 2025. Partial S1 sequencing revealed a complex scenario involving three major clades and several minor ones, the latter likely resulting from independent introduction events from north-western Europe, particularly Denmark. Six distinct recombination events involving GI-13 and GI-19 parental strains—some apparently vaccine derived—were also identified, several of which showed wide geographical spread and long-term persistence. Both recombinant and non-recombinant variants were detected across multiple regions and production systems, indicating strong epidemiological connectivity among broilers, layers, and breeders. Although overall viral population size appeared stable over time, shifts in the predominance of specific clades and recombinant groups were observed, possibly reflecting fitness advantages of newly introduced or evolved variants and reduced cross-protection from existing immunity. These findings highlight the susceptibility of the poultry sector to repeated introductions, mixing, and the dissemination of IBV variants. Strengthened molecular surveillance and tailored control strategies, together with the periodic evaluation of vaccination practices and population immunity, are needed to limit viral circulation, reduce recombination opportunities, and mitigate the impact of IBV. Full article

Objective: This study evaluated the association of the uric acid/albumin ratio (UAR) and platelet indices—mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW), and platelet large cell ratio (P-LCR)—in predicting hypervascularization in placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) and compared clinical and perinatal characteristics among PAS, placenta previa, and healthy pregnancies. Methods: This retrospective study included 229 pregnant women managed and delivered at a tertiary hospital (PAS, n = 76; previa, n = 77; healthy controls, n = 76) between January 2023 and January 2025. Hypervascularization was staged using the ultrasonographic PAS scoring system: PAS0 (placenta previa without hypervascularization), PAS1 (abnormal placental findings without hypervascularization), PAS2 (uterovesical hypervascularization), and PAS3 (extensive vascularity to the parametrial area). The final diagnosis and severity of PAS were confirmed intraoperatively according to the FIGO clinical classification criteria. Platelet indices and UAR were obtained from preoperative blood tests. Results: Compared with placenta previa (PAS0) and control groups, PAS1–3 cases had higher gravidity, parity, previous cesarean history, postpartum hemorrhage, hysterectomy, and transfusion rates (all p < 0.001). In the high hypervascularization subgroup (PAS2–3, n = 38), MPV (median 10.3 fL) and PDW (11.6%) were significantly lower than in low/absent hypervascularization cases (PAS0–1) (p = 0.001, p = 0.001, respectively). UAR showed no significant difference (p = 0.891). Conclusions: Lower MPV and PDW were associated with hypervascularization in PAS and may serve as non-invasive adjunctive markers for risk stratification. Their predictive performance was modest, and UAR had no diagnostic value, likely due to physiological changes in pregnancy. Further prospective, multicenter research is needed to validate these findings. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women, primarily driven by persistent infections with high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly HPV-16. Vaccines based on plasmid DNA encoding the viral oncogenes E6 and E7 represent a promising immunotherapeutic strategy, but their efficacy remains limited due to poor cellular uptake. Cell-penetrating peptides such as RALA improve intracellular delivery, and functionalization with octa-arginine peptide conjugated to mannose (R8M) further enhances targeting of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). This study aimed to obtain the minicircle DNA (mcDNA) encoding mutant HPV-16 E6 and/or E7 antigens, and optimize its complexation with mannosylated RALA-based nanoparticles to improve vector delivery and consequently antigen presentation. Methods: Nanoparticles were formulated at different concentrations of RALA, with and without R8M functionalization. Their characterization included hydrodynamic diameter, polydispersity index, zeta potential, complexation efficiency (CE), stability, morphology, and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. In vitro assays in JAWS II dendritic cells (DCs) assessed biocompatibility, transfection efficiency and target gene expression. Results: Optimal conditions were obtained at 72.5 µg/mL of RALA, producing nanoparticles smaller than 150 nm with high CE (>97%) and uniform size distribution. Functionalization with R8M at 58 µg/mL preserved these characteristics when complexed with all mcDNA vectors. The formulations were biocompatible and effectively transfected DCs. Mannosylated formulations enhanced antigenic expression compared to non-mannosylated counterparts, evidencing a mannose-receptor-mediated uptake, while increasing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Conclusions: Nanoparticles based on the RALA peptide and functionalized with R8M significantly improved mcDNA transfection and gene expression in APCs. These findings support further investigation of this system as a targeted DNA vector delivery platform against HPV-16. Full article