Search Results (53)

Skin nerve activity (SKNA), extracted from electrocardiograms, is a noninvasive surrogate of sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity. We evaluated whether complexity-based metrics derived from integrated SKNA (iSKNA; 500–1000 Hz) and time-varying SKNA (TVSKNA; 160–1140 Hz) discriminate SNS activation in experimental (n = 23) and clinical dental datasets (n = 49). Experimental tasks included the Valsalva maneuver and thermal grill stimulation; clinical recordings involved cold testing, with exploratory subgroup analyses based on anxiety status. Pain intensity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS); clinically significant pain (CSP+) was defined as a VAS score ≥ 4. Approximate entropy, sample entropy, Hjorth mobility and complexity, Katz fractal dimension, and standard deviation were computed. In the experimental dataset, the Valsalva maneuver produced large-to-huge effects (Cohen’s d = 1.93–3.46, p < 0.001). Thermal grill tasks showed moderate-to-large effects for adjacent pain levels (|d| = 0.63–0.71). ROC analysis showed strong discrimination for baseline vs. pain (AUC 0.80–0.99) but limited separation between adjacent pain levels (AUC 0.56–0.64). In the clinical dataset, discrimination was strongest for no pain vs. CSP+ (|d| = 0.86–1.17), with higher AUC in severe-anxiety participants (0.81–0.96) than non-severe (0.64–0.75). Complexity measures generally decreased during SNS activation, complementing amplitude-based changes. These findings support combined magnitude- and complexity-based descriptors for characterizing short-term sympathetic activation. Full article

During reservoir stimulation and long-term operation of Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGSs), repeated injection of cold fluids induces cyclic thermal shock in the surrounding rock mass, leading to progressive modification of mechanical properties and fracture behavior. However, the combined effects of cyclic thermal shock and true-triaxial stress conditions on granite strength and failure characteristics remain inadequately quantified. In this study, a series of true-triaxial compression tests were conducted on granite specimens subjected to cyclic thermal shock at 400 °C. Thermal shock cycles of 0, 1, 5, 10, and 15 were considered in conjunction with intermediate principal stress levels of 5, 20, 30, and 50 MPa to systematically evaluate their coupled influence on characteristic stresses and macroscopic failure behavior. The results show that the peak intensity increases with the rise of the intermediate principal stress, but with the increase in the number of thermal shocks, it first increases and then decreases. Macroscopic failure is dominated by asymmetric V-shaped fracture surfaces, roughly oriented along the ${\sigma }_2$ direction. As the intermediate principal stress increases, the failure mode transitions from tensile–shear mixed failure to shear-dominated failure, whereas thermal cycling promotes the persistence of tensile–shear cracking even under relatively high ${\sigma }_2$ conditions. Based on these observations, a modified Mogi–Coulomb strength criterion that accounts for thermal shock-induced damage is proposed to describe granite strength under true-triaxial stress conditions. The research results can provide a theoretical basis for optimizing the design of hydraulic fracturing in hot dry rock and evaluating reservoir stability. Full article

Non-thermal or cold plasma is an innovative agricultural technology used for the treatment of seeds, producing physicochemical and biochemical changes without thermal damage and stimulating germination and plant growth. The interaction of reactive species generated in cold plasma modifies the morphology of the seed surface, increasing porosity, producing microcracks, removing material or producing other physical changes, and chemically modifying it. The changes induced positively influence the rate, speed, and uniformity of germination, as it is believed that these changes take place as a result of activated metabolic pathways, regulated hormone balance, and stimulated production of enzymes involved in the mobilisation of nutrient reserves needed for seedling growth. Plasma sources, electrical parameters, feed gas, and processing time are some of the essential factors involved in tuning the effects on seeds. Optimising the outcomes and their adaptation for specific species is crucial to maximise the benefits and avoid inhibitory effects. In the frame of ecological and sustainable agriculture, with the benefits given by cold plasma, this review follows the modifications produced by different sources on the seeds, starting from morphological changes to biochemical ones, up to germination, aiming to facilitate the understanding of the interaction and outcomes. We also address the challenges, including variability of biological responses, the need for standard procedures and parameters, and development of scalable technologies. A thorough examination of the changes induced in seeds as a result of non-thermal plasma treatment not only facilitates the improvement of experimental designs and reproducibility but also plays an important role in advancing seed treatment technologies and, ultimately, enhancing crop yields in a sustainable manner. Full article

Non-thermal technologies (NTTs) such as ultrasound (US), pulsed electric fields (PEF), high-pressure processing (HPP), cold plasma (CP), and pulsed light (PL) are emerging as versatile tools in food fermentation, offering microbial control and process enhancement without the detrimental heat effects of conventional methods. Operating at ambient low temperatures, these techniques preserve heat-sensitive compounds, modulate microbial activity, and improve mass transfer, enabling both quality retention and functional enrichment. Recent studies highlight their potential to stimulate metabolic pathways and enhance the release of bioactive compounds, opening new opportunities for fermented food production. The bibliometric analysis of the recent literature further reveals a growing interest in NTT applications in fermentation, with HPP and PEF showing the highest industrial maturity. Each technology exhibits distinct mechanisms and optimal niches across upstream, midstream, and downstream stages: HPP for uniform volumetric treatment, US for fermentation intensification, CP for surface-selective oxidative chemistry, PEF for membrane permeability control, and PL for rapid, residue-free decontamination. While the degree of industrial readiness varies, critical barriers such as scale-up limitations, high capital costs, energy distribution uniformity, process standardization, and techno-economic feasibility remain to be overcome. Beyond technical aspects, the successful commercialization of NTTs will also depend on addressing regulatory approval pathways, ensuring consumer trust and acceptance, and demonstrating their contribution to sustainability goals through lower energy use, reduced food waste, and environmentally responsible processing. Strategic, stand-alone, or hybrid applications of NTTs can therefore act not only as technological alternatives but also as enablers of a more sustainable, consumer-centered, and innovation-driven food system. Full article

Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain and tenderness, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, and insomnia. Electroacupuncture (EA) has documented efficacy against FM-associated pain, while cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) plays a critical role in endogenous analgesia. Herein, we examined whether pain relief initiated by EA was linked with differing cerebellar CB1 levels and signaling in an intermittent cold stress (ICS) mouse model of FM. FM-like hyperalgesia and recovery were assessed by measuring mechanical and thermal nociceptive thresholds. Compared to control mice, ICS-induced FM-model mice exhibited a significantly reduced mechanical withdrawal threshold (2.3 ± 0.1 g) and shorter thermal withdrawal latency (4.0 ± 0.5 s), indicative of mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia. Both conditions were reversed by 2 Hz EA but not sham EA. Hyperalgesia was associated with reduced CB1 receptor expression and the enhanced activity of multiple nociceptive signaling pathways (PKA, PI3K, Akt, mTOR, ERK, and NF-kB) in the mouse cerebellum. The 2 Hz EA treatment reliably reversed these abnormalities, while the sham EA treatment did not. Intracerebroventricular injection of the CB1 agonist anandamide (AEA) recapitulated the effects of EA on pain thresholds, while the analgesic effects of EA were blocked by the CB1 antagonist AM251. Precise chemogenetic stimulation at the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus reliably induced FM pain. Chemogenetic inhibition at the PVN diminished FM through the CB1 pathway in the cerebellum. Our findings suggest that dysregulation of CB1 expression and aberrant hyperactivity of nociceptive signaling pathways in the cerebellum contribute to the etiology of FM and that the upregulation of CB1 signaling mediates the analgesic efficacy of EA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain syndrome with unclear etiology, meaning that it is difficult to treat effectively. The stimulation of cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1) suppresses neuronal excitability and synaptic transmission in nociceptive pathways via reducing activity in the calcium channel and promoting the opening of the potassium channel. Methods: In this study, we examined whether CB1 activity contributes to the antinociceptive efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) in a mouse fibromyalgia (FM) pain model established using intermittent cold stress (ICS). The model mice demonstrated both mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia measured using the von Frey and Hargreaves tests, respectively. Results: Electroacupuncture effectively reduced both forms of hyperalgesia and enhanced CB1 expression in the dorsal root ganglia, spinal cord, hypothalamus, and periaqueductal gray. In addition, EA attenuated the fibromyalgia-associated reactive transformation of microglia and astrocytes and the activation of the pain-related TLR4–MyD88–TRAF6 signaling pathway. The effects of ICS were also mitigated by the deletion of Trpv1, the gene encoding the transient receptor potential cation channel TRPV1 (capsaicin channel) implicated in nociceptive and inflammatory signaling. Further, the antinociceptive efficacy of EA was partially recapitulated by the acupoint injection of a CB1 agonist and abolished by the injection of a CB1 antagonist, suggesting that activating CB1 is essential for this therapeutic effect. Conclusions: Electroacupuncture can effectively alleviate mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in a mouse model affected by fibromyalgia pain by activating the CB1 pathway, highlighting the therapeutic potential of CB1 agonism as a therapeutic strategy. Full article

Dynamic ventilation has proven effective in enhancing indoor thermal comfort. However, previous studies often expose participants to inconsistent thermal environments, potentially compromising the accuracy of subjective evaluations. To address this limitation, this study implemented dynamic ventilation with fluctuating air velocity in an accurately controlled environmental chamber. Objective measurements of indoor air velocity and air temperature distribution are conducted, and subjective thermal sensation votes are collected under thermally consistent environments among participants. During the experiment, all participants experience similar dynamic thermal environments. The results show that participants experience thermal comfort under dynamic ventilation. Dynamic ventilation enhances convective heat transfer between the human body and the surrounding air and stimulates cutaneous cold receptors. The pronounced cooling effect of dynamic airflow contributes to a reduction in skin temperature on the head, chest, upper arm, forearm, hand, and thigh, with a temperature drop ranging from 1.3% to 2.8%. In addition, dynamic ventilation significantly reduces draft risk, with the proportion of participants reporting a dissatisfied sensation decreasing from 10% to 0%. This study demonstrates the advantages of dynamic ventilation in improving thermal comfort and minimizing draft risk under controlled and uniform environmental conditions for all participants. Full article

The application of non-thermal (cold) plasmas is considered an environmentally friendly method that could affect plant metabolism and cellular development or can be used for the commercial production of natural products that cannot be chemically synthesized. In the present study, the non-embryogenic callus of iris (Iris reichenbachii Heuff.) was treated with a Radio Frequency (RF) plasma needle device using He as a working gas. We investigated short-term (up to seven days) and long-term (up to one year) changes on morphological, physiological and biochemical levels. An increased production of O₂⁻ and H₂O₂ was observed in the callus tissue after plasma treatment. The enzymes SOD and CAT represented the frontline in the antioxidant defense against reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during the first hour of treatment, while POX was the leading antioxidant enzyme seven days after plasma treatment. Significant long-term morphological changes were observed in the calli due to the increased mitotic activity of the plant cells. In addition, three flavonoids (naringenin, apigenin and acacetin) and two isoflavonoids (irisolidone and irilone) were detected only in the plasma-treated tissue even one year after plasma treatment. The present study emphasizes the application of the plasma technique to promote meristematic activity and stimulate the production of specialized metabolites in iris calli. Full article

Background/Objectives: Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often have cold hands and experience frostbite. The diagnostic criteria for multiple system atrophy (MSA) also describe cold and discolored hands; however, in our clinical experience, the hands are relatively warm. These symptoms are thought to be caused by autonomic dysfunction; however, the detailed mechanisms and differences in cold hands between MSA and PD remain unclear. We aimed to identify an appropriate cold stimulation test to differentiate patients with PD and MSA using finger surface temperature (FST). Methods: We included a total of 34 patients, 27 with PD and 7 with MSA diagnosed at least 5 years after disease onset. After 15 min in a room with constant temperature and humidity, the patient’s hand was placed in cold water at 4 °C for 10 s as the cold water stress test (10sec-CWST). FST was captured using a thermal imaging camera every minute for 15 min, and the recovery of FST was analyzed. The association between the clinical characteristics of each patient and the degree of FST recovery was examined. Results: All patients completed the 10sec-CWST without adverse events. Patients with PD showed a significantly slower recovery of FST after 7 min compared to those with MSA, with a maximum difference at 11 min (PD: 8.1 ± 0.6 °C; MSA: 10.5 ± 0.3 °C; p < 0.01). FST recovery at 11 min was negatively correlated with the degree of resting hand tremor (r = −0.585, p < 0.01). Conclusions: FST after 10sec-CWST may be a safe and efficient test to differentiate PD and MSA. Full article

Controlling low ambient temperatures and ammonia levels is critical for effective environmental management in poultry houses during winter, as both represent persistent stressors affecting bird health and productivity. However, evidence regarding their combined long-term effects on the physiological responses of laying hens remains limited. In this study, 576 eighteen-week-old Hy-Line Brown hens were randomly assigned to six treatments (8 replicates with 12 birds per replicate each treatment) and housed in environmentally controlled chambers for 20 weeks: T1 (8 °C, ≤5 ppm ammonia), T2 (8 °C, 20 ppm ammonia), T3 (8 °C, 45 ppm ammonia), T4 (20 °C, ≤5 ppm ammonia; control), T5 (20 °C, 20 ppm ammonia), and T6 (20 °C, 45 ppm ammonia). Plasma samples were collected at 22, 26, 30, 34, and 38 weeks to evaluate physiological stress biomarkers (corticosterone, CORT; total antioxidant capacity, T-AOC), immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, and IgA), and reproductive hormones (luteinizing hormone, LH; follicle-stimulating hormone, FSH; estradiol, E2). At 38 weeks, hypothalamus, pituitary, and spleen tissues were collected to assess the relative mRNA expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), FSH, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-10). Results showed that both cold and ammonia stress reduced antioxidant capacity, disrupted immune homeostasis, and altered reproductive hormone profiles. Cold exposure induced acute immunoendocrine alterations with partial physiological adaptation over time, whereas ammonia exerted progressive and cumulative damage, including elevated immunoglobulins (IgG and IgM) and downregulation of GnRH and FSH expression. Combined exposure significantly upregulated TNF-α and IL-1β expression, suggesting a synergistic inflammatory response. These results highlight complex, parameter-specific interactions between cold and ammonia stressors, emphasizing the need for targeted environmental strategies. Stage-specific interventions—thermal regulation in early laying and ammonia control in later phases—are recommended to safeguard hen health and optimize productivity under winter conditions. Full article

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) causes a lifelong infection due to latency established in the trigeminal ganglia, which is the source of recurrent outbreaks of cold sores. The lifelong persistence of HSV-1 is further facilitated by the lack of cure strategies, unsuccessful vaccine development, and the inability of the host immune system to clear HSV-1. Despite the inefficiencies of the immune system, the course of HSV-1 infection remains under strict immunological control. Specifically, HSV-1 is controlled by a CD8⁺ T cell response that is cytotoxic to HSV-1-infected cells, restricts acute infection, and uses noncytolytic mechanisms to suppress reactivation in the TG. When this CD8⁺ T cell response is disrupted, reactivation of latent HSV-1 occurs. With antiviral therapies unable to cure HSV-1 and prophylactic vaccine strategies failing to stimulate a protective response, we propose non-thermal plasma (NTP) as a potential therapy effective against recurrent HSV-1 infection. We have demonstrated that NTP, when applied directly to HSV-1-infected cells, has antiviral effects and stimulates cellular stress and immunomodulatory responses. We further propose that the direct effects of NTP will lead to long-lasting indirect effects such as reduced viral seeding into the TG and enhanced HSV-1-specific CD8⁺ T cell responses that exert greater immune control over HSV-1 infection. Full article

Non-bovine dairy animals, commonly referred to as non-traditional dairy species, include goats, sheep, yaks, buffalo, donkeys, alpacas, llamas, and other less commonly farmed species. These animals have been integral to livestock systems since ancient times, providing milk and other essential products. Despite their historical significance, dairy production from many of these species remains predominantly confined to rural areas in developing countries, where scientific advancements and technical improvements are often limited. As a consequence of this, the scientific literature and technological developments in the processing and characterization of dairy products from these species have lagged behind those for cow’s milk. This review aims to compile and analyze existing research on dairy products derived from non-traditional animals, focusing on their molecular characteristics, including proteins (alpha, beta, kappa, and total casein), fats (cholesterol and total fat), lactose, albumin, ash, total solids, and somatic cell count, among others, for each of these species. Additionally, we discuss emerging technologies employed in their processing, encompassing both non-thermal methods (such as high-pressure processing, pulsed electric fields, ultrasound processing, UV-C irradiation, gamma radiation, microfiltration, and cold plasma processing) and thermal methods (such as ohmic heating). This review also explores the specific potential applications and challenges of implementing these technologies. By synthesizing recent findings, we aim to stimulate further research into innovative technologies and strategies that can enhance the quality and yield of non-bovine dairy products. Understanding the unique properties of milk from these species may lead to new opportunities for product development, improved processing methods, and increased commercialization in both developing and developed markets. Full article

Traditional cancer treatments have not significantly improved the survival rates for individuals with colorectal cancer. As a result, there is a dire need to explore novel treatment modalities that can target cancer-specific niches, transform cold colorectal tumors into hot ones, and disrupt the tumor niche. Therapeutic focused ultrasound, recognized for its capacity to induce thermal and mechanical impacts on tissue, can potentially eliminate cancer cells and elicit the body’s anticancer reaction by disrupting the tumor microenvironment. This article provides an overview of recent developments in employing therapeutic focused ultrasound (TFUS) to enhance the body’s natural defenses against colorectal cancers. It also discusses studies examining the utility of TFUS in treating colorectal cancer patients and recent research indicating its potential to stimulate the body’s anticancer response in various in vitro and in vivo colorectal cancer models. Furthermore, it explores the therapeutic effects of TFUS on the immune system in colorectal cancers. This article also highlights the safety and effectiveness of TFUS in managing colorectal cancer, providing relief from pain, and potentially improving survival rates. Given the indications that TFUS may bolster the body’s immune response and augment the impacts of TFUS therapy in clinical and preclinical colorectal cancer models, it has the potential to emerge as a pivotal tool in clinical settings. Full article

Thermal comfort is a significant factor in maintaining a satisfactory perception of the body temperature and influences behavioral thermoregulation. This pilot study aimed to investigate regional differences in thermal comfort in the head and neck areas by applying a surgical helmet equipped with cooling pads containing octadecane (CAS 593-45-3) as a phase change material (PCM) in healthy volunteers. Forty-three surgeons and nurses were enrolled. Octadecane is an odorless alkane hydrocarbon with an appearance of white crystal and a melting point of 28 °C. The PCM pads, each with a diameter of 5 cm and containing 7 g of octadecane, were placed between the helmet and the wearer’s head directly in contact with the skin. To identify the areas of the head and neck investigated, the surface was sampled and numbered, with the identification of a total of 38 different locations. A climate chamber maintained at 23–26 °C was used for the experiment. Thermal comfort of the stimulated area was reported by the subjects in an evaluation questionnaire at the end of the local stimulation conducted for 1 h. The sensations were reported as 1 (maximum uncomfortable) to 7 (maximum cold comfort), with 4 indicating a neutral sensation. The duration of the thermal comfort effect was also recorded. The highest mean value reported was 6 in five areas. The frontal region, the frontotemporal region, and the neck region were the areas sensitive to thermal comfort. A neutral sensation was reported in 13 areas. No uncomfortable sensation was reported in any area. This pilot study provides preliminary evidence of the feasibility and potential benefits of integrating PCM cooling pads into surgical helmets to enhance thermal comfort. Full article

A 7-year-old neutered Maltese dog weighing 5.1 kg was presented, with a tibial plateau-leveling osteotomy (TPLO) on the right hindlimb 42 days prior. The patient’s right hind limb showed lameness, intermittent limping, and atrophy, and the patient had not experienced rehabilitation since TPLO surgery. The patient showed a pain reaction at the end of the stifle extension, and an increased body temperature was identified on the medial side of the right hindlimb when compared with the left hindlimb using a digital thermal imaging device. In addition, a type of lameness, only partial weight bearing in the right hindlimb, was also identified during the gait analysis. The pain was relieved by applying a cold pack and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, and the patient’s weak muscles were strengthened through treadmill exercises. In this study, physical therapy and rehabilitation exercises controlled pain and induced rapid recovery, indicating that rehabilitative intervention is required after TPLO surgery. Full article