Search Results (45,146)

A strain of human adenovirus type C1 was isolated from multiple anatomical compartments in a pediatric patient with late-onset Pompe disease. Over a period of 23 days from the appearance of fever and respiratory symptoms until death, disease progression was rapid with severe disseminated disease and complications that included respiratory distress, liver failure, cardiac dysfunction, and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis. Detected viral DNAemia peaked at log₁₀ 9.52 copies/mL on the last hospitalization day. Next-generation whole-genome sequencing with depth > 2700 reads/position identified the virus as closely related to the prototype strain Adenoid 71 isolated in the US in 1953, and to strains circulating worldwide in recent years. Sequence data analysis revealed the presence of intra-host single nucleotide variants (iSNV) at low frequency in the isolates recovered from a nasopharyngeal swab, blood, urine, and stool specimens obtained during the last three days of life and from lung, liver, and kidney tissue obtained at autopsy. Evidence of iSNVs was found in only three coding regions (E1A, DNA polymerase, and pVII). Different variant combinations were found in different anatomical compartments. The contribution of intrahost genetic diversity to HAdV-associated disease development and progression warrants investigation. Full article

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasingly recognized as a highly heterogeneous disorder. Although the person-based similarity index (PBSI) provides a useful framework for characterizing individualized brain structural similarity, existing studies in MDD remain limited by either small samples or a lack of integration across different morphological features. Methods: We used structural MRI data from 1442 patients with MDD and 1277 healthy controls to calculate PBSI scores of cortical morphology measures based on cortical thickness (CT), cortical volume (CV), cortical surface area (SA), and sulcal depth (SD). Group comparisons of whole-brain PBSI and regional contributions to PBSI scores were then performed, and a subgroup analysis in 243 first-episode, drug-naive (FEDN) patients with MDD was further conducted. Results: Patients with MDD showed significant alterations in PBSI. Specifically, PBSI scores were significantly reduced for CT, CV, and SD, whereas no significant group difference was observed for SA in the main analysis. Analyses of regional contributions to PBSI further revealed significant between-group differences across multiple cortical regions. These alterations were mainly distributed in the default mode, ventral attention, and visual networks for CT; in the default mode, ventral attention, sensorimotor, and visual networks for CV; and in the default mode, dorsal attention, frontoparietal, and sensorimotor networks for SD. Similar patterns were also observed in the FEDN MDD subgroup. Conclusions: These findings provide neurobiological evidence for the marked structural heterogeneity of MDD and highlight the potential of PBSI as an individualized neuroimaging marker for more precise diagnosis and personalized intervention. Full article

Gelsemium elegans is a traditionally utilized medicinal plant in China, renowned for its well-documented therapeutic properties and substantial economic potential. The primary bioactive components in this plant are indole alkaloids. It is used clinically to treat conditions including rheumatoid arthritis, neuropathic pain, and some cancers. Additionally, the whole plant can be processed into livestock feed. Climate change is anticipated to substantially impact the future suitable habitat of this species. Utilizing the Biomod2 ensemble model and 18 environmental variables (bio01, bio03, bio04, bio05, bio06, bio09, bio11, bio17, hf, elev, aspect, slope, gm_lc, gm_ve, ph_water, usda, d1_swr, annual_mean_uv-b) this study projected the geographical distribution of G. elegans under current and future climate scenarios; the periods of the 2050s, 2070s, and 2090s were analyzed using SSP1-2.6, SSP2-4.5, and SSP5-8.5. Current ecological niche modeling predicts that G. elegans is predominantly distributed in southern China, with its climatically and edaphically most suitable habitats concentrated in Guangxi, Guangdong, Fujian, and Hainan provinces. Across the three future time periods under various scenarios, the overall extent of suitable habitat is projected to increase, with a northward expansion of the suitable distribution range. Key environmental factors shaping the distribution of G. elegans include Isothermality (bio03), Max Temperature of Warmest Month (bio05), Min Temperature of Coldest Month (bio06), Precipitation of Driest Quarter (bio17), and Annual Average UV Radiation. The study aims to develop a scientifically grounded theoretical framework to support the conservation-oriented management and climate-resilient utilization of G. elegans resources under ongoing climate change. Full article

Parking infrastructure is an important yet often inconsistently treated element in whole-life carbon footprint assessments and broader building sustainability evaluation. With the revised Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) introducing mandatory global warming potential (GWP) reporting, the influence of methodological choices on GWP results requires a clearer understanding. This study examines six multi-apartment residential (MAR) projects featuring four distinct parking typologies to quantify how parking infrastructure affects calculated GWP outcomes. Using EN 15804-compliant life cycle assessment (LCA) data, we evaluate four methodological approaches for including parking infrastructure in GWP calculations and the approach mandated by the delegated act supplementing the EPBD (DA-EPBD). The results show that parking infrastructure can account for up to 39% of embodied and up to 25% of whole life cycle emissions. Methodological approaches significantly influenced the GWP results, leading to differences of up to 32% in sample median values. An inconsistency in the DA-EPBD approach is identified, resulting in better GWP performance for projects including large-area attached parking infrastructure, while leading to higher GWP values for projects with detached parking. The findings highlight the sensitivity of GWP outcomes to methodological assumptions regarding parking infrastructure and underscore the need for clear national GWP calculation rules when integrating DA-EPBD requirements. Full article

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) affects not only patients but also their relatives, who often carry substantial emotional and practical responsibilities. Family psychoeducation has shown benefits in several psychiatric conditions, yet its effects on relatives of adults with MDD remain insufficiently documented. Aim: We aimed to examine whether a brief group-based family psychoeducation program improves relatives’ well-being and perceived family functioning compared with an active social-support control condition and to explore whether intervention response varies across caregiver subgroups. Methods: Relatives of patients with MDD were enrolled in a two-center randomized controlled trial and allocated to either a four-week psychoeducation program or a structurally matched social-support group. Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-intervention, and 9-month follow-up using the WHO-5 Well-Being Index (WHO-5), the Family Attitude Scale (FAS), and the Family Assessment Device (FAD). Repeated-measures ANCOVA models tested time × group interactions, with and without adjustment for age and gender. Results: Eighty-nine relatives were included (n = 43 intervention; n = 46 control). No significant intervention effects were observed on well-being (WHO-5) or family attitudes (FAS). A significant time × group interaction was found only for the FAD affective involvement subscale, with short-term improvement in the intervention group compared with deterioration in the control group. Subgroup analyses suggested a heterogeneous pattern of response, with more consistent patterns of improvement among older relatives (≥50 years), non-partner relatives, and those with a history of psychiatric treatment, while effects appeared more limited among partners and younger participants. Women showed worsening communication in the intervention group, whereas men demonstrated improvements in selected well-being and general functioning outcomes. Conclusions: The intervention showed limited effects at the whole-sample level, but exploratory subgroup analyses suggested that responsiveness to brief family psychoeducation may vary according to caregiver characteristics. These findings support further investigation of more targeted psychoeducational approaches for relatives of adults with MDD. Full article

Highly virulent African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II strains have been responsible for the global epidemic in domestic pigs and are typically characterized by a hemadsorption (HAD)-positive phenotype mediated by the CD2v protein encoded by the EP402R gene. Here, we report the detection and genetic characterization of three non-HAD genotype II ASFV isolates (VNUA/ASFV/VP2023-isolate1, VNUA/ASFV/TB2024-isolate2, and VNUA/ASFV/HY2024-isolate3) recovered from whole-blood samples collected from pigs exhibiting prolonged clinical signs in northern Vietnam. Whole-genome analysis revealed nonsense mutations in the EP402R gene (G57A in isolates VNUA/ASFV/TB2024-isolate2 and VNUA/ASFV/HY2024-isolate3, and G132A in VNUA/ASFV/VP2023-isolate1), resulting in premature stop codons and a HAD-negative phenotype. Furthermore, additional genetic alterations, including deletions and frameshift mutations, were identified within multigene families (MGF110, MGF360, and MGF505), which are known to play critical roles in virulence, host range, and immune evasion. Notably, VNUA/ASFV/VP2023-isolate1 harbored a partial deletion of the I177L gene along with the insertion of an mCherry marker gene, suggesting possible evolution of the modified live ASFV-G-ΔI177L vaccine strain under field conditions. Collectively, these findings underscore the ongoing evolution and genomic plasticity of ASFV strains circulating in Vietnam. Full article

The comparative analysis of calculated and experimental one-bond ³¹P-³¹P indirect nuclear spin–spin couplings for a wide range of structures, including P-P bonds, has shown that, on the whole, it is possible to estimate ¹J_PP fairly accurately using even modest levels of theory. However, in order to reduce systematic errors, it is necessary to carry out a linear correction procedure specific to different groups of compounds. Certain difficulties may arise only for diphosphanes (R₁R₂P–PR₁R₂) that are in solution in fast (in NMR time scale) exchange of conformers with close populations. In practice, a relatively simple PBE0/6-31G(d)//PBE0/6-31G(d) combination is sufficient for calculating the ¹J_PP with practically reliable accuracy. The efficiency of the proposed protocol is demonstrated using the example of more subtle structural features—the isomeric structure. The proposed approach allowed for the absolute sign of ¹J_PP in a number of cases where it is unknown experimentally. Full article

Vertical ground reaction force is an important parameter for describing the developmental characteristics of young children’s vertical jumping. However, its application in large-scale physical fitness monitoring and routine teaching practice is greatly limited. Previous studies have used OpenCap to estimate vertical ground reaction force during adult jumping tasks and have provided preliminary validation, but its effectiveness in young children remains unclear. To examine the correlation and agreement of vertical ground reaction force (GRF) estimated by the OpenCap markerless motion capture system during young children’s vertical jumping and to explore the characteristics of vertical GRF estimated by OpenCap during the vertical jump. Kinematic and kinetic data during vertical jumping were synchronously collected from 16 young children using the OpenCap markerless motion capture system and a three-dimensional force platform, with each child completing three trials. Kinematic data were acquired using the OpenCap markerless motion capture system, and the vertical acceleration of the whole-body center of mass was calculated to estimate vertical GRF based on Newton’s second law. Pearson linear correlation analysis and Bland–Altman analysis were used to examine the differences in characteristics between the estimated vertical GRF and the measured vertical GRF. The vertical GRF characteristics estimated by OpenCap showed moderate-to-high correlations with the measured values. Specifically, the time and mean impulse during the push-off phase, flight phase, and landing stabilization phase were highly correlated (r > 0.85), while the peak force and mean force during the push-off phase showed moderate-to-high correlations (r > 0.7). Bland–Altman analysis showed that the bias in time and impulse during the vertical jump was less than 15%, indicating relatively high agreement; however, the bias in peak force during the landing phase exceeded 40%, indicating weak agreement. These results suggest that the OpenCap markerless motion capture system can effectively estimate vertical GRF characteristics during young children’s vertical jumping, with the best performance observed for vertical GRF variables in the push-off phase. The method used in this study may be applied to obtain vertical GRF during young children’s vertical jumping in non-laboratory settings and to assist in evaluating the developmental level of young children’s vertical jump performance. Nevertheless, OpenCap-derived rapid impact variables, particularly landing peak force, should be interpreted with caution. Full article

Objective: The objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of various warm-up strategies on volleyball-specific physical performance. Background: Warm-ups in volleyball aim to enhance performance and reduce injury risk, but no standardized approach exists and evidence on effectiveness is inconsistent. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed and Google Scholar was conducted through 12 November 2025. Two reviewers independently screened records and assessed risk of bias. A systematic search identified 108 records; 13 met inclusion criteria. Eligible studies examined the effects of different warm-up methods on volleyball-related physical performance. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 (RoB 2) tool and visualized with the robvis package. Warm-up protocols were categorized into dynamic and static stretching, resisted warm-ups, foam rolling and vibration techniques, whole-body vibration, Raise Activate Mobilize Potentiate (RAMP), joint distraction methods, and volleyball-specific routines. Results: Dynamic, resisted, high-intensity, volleyball-specific, and whole-body vibration warm-ups showed the most consistent improvements in jump performance, agility, and reaction time. Static stretching provided minimal benefits, with occasional gains in agility or flexibility. Foam rolling and vibration foam rolling were largely ineffective, except for one study showing improved reactive strength. The results varied due to differences in athlete level, protocol duration/intensity, sample size, and measurement methods. Conclusion: Warm-ups appear to meaningfully influence volleyball performance. Dynamic, resisted, and sport-specific routines appear to be the most effective. More research is needed to define optimal, standardized protocols. Full article

Background: Dysregulated myeloid responses are central to severe COVID-19, but the contribution of host genetics to this “emergency myelopoiesis” is poorly understood. Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing in 77 hospitalized COVID-19 patients to analyze the impact of the cumulative burden of rare, high-impact variants (qualifying variants, QVs) in hemopoietic and inflammatory gene sets on longitudinal leukocyte counts. Predictive models were validated using repeated internal cross-validation (1000 resamples) and external population-scale exome data (Genebass, n > 380,000). Results: The QV burden was a significant predictor of peak neutrophil and monocyte counts, independent of age, sex, and clinical severity. This association remained robust in a microbiologically confirmed “pure viral” subcohort (n = 54) and was stable across internal cross-validation resamples. External validation revealed an 11.2-fold enrichment of myeloid-associated genes within our candidate gene sets (p ≈ 2.2 × 10⁻⁶³). Patients with a high QV burden exhibited significantly worse outcomes, including a four-fold increase in mortality (p = 0.00065), and a genetic profile linked to hyper-inflammation and thrombosis. Conclusion: These findings suggest that host genetic architecture may contribute to the magnitude of myeloid dysregulation in acute viral infection. Genetic stratification could identify patients predisposed to a hyperactive myeloid response, potentially guiding early, targeted immunomodulation to mitigate severe complications. Full article

In this paper, recent advances (2016–2026) in bacterial separation and enrichment from blood for diagnosis of bloodstream infection (BSIs) through pathogen identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) are reviewed. The review centers on sample processing as an indispensable front-end of biosensor and lab-on-chip platforms, since most sensors cannot operate directly in whole blood. Efficient separation and enrichment concentrate extremely low bacterial burdens, remove blood components that interfere with detection, and deliver bacteria in a sensor-compatible format; consequently, diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, turnaround time, and robustness are strongly determined by this step. We first summarize the clinical impact of BSIs and the value of rapid AST for guiding timely, targeted therapy, emphasizing that efficient bacterial isolation from blood is a prerequisite for accurate testing. We then discuss key challenges and recent progress in bacterial separation and enrichment from blood with major approaches, including filtration, centrifugation, functionalized magnetic beads, and microfluidic technologies. These strategies serve as core building blocks that interface with downstream identification and AST methods, supporting integrated biosensors and point-of-care devices. Finally, we outline future directions of bacterial separation and enrichment approaches to improve recovery, purity, integration, standardization, and overall diagnostic performance for BSI workflows. Full article

The foundation of nuclear power plants is special as large-scale earth filling is often required. The properties of the backfill soil differ significantly from naturally deposited soils with regard to deformation and bearing capacity. For pile foundations, a thick backfill layer near the top may change the bearing mode around the pile. In this paper, six cast-in-place rock-socketed piles were tested, with three vertical loading tests and three horizontal loading tests. The lengths of four piles are 35–40 m, while the other two piles reach 55 m. The results show that shorter piles with more parts in the backfill layer can endure a hoop-tightening effect that caused by dilatancy at the upper part of the pile, resulting in very little frictional resistance being provided by the lower soil and smaller vertical displacement of the whole pile. The typical mechanism of transition from static to dynamic friction between soil and piles that leads to shaft resistance is more apparent for longer piles, but inhomogeneous soil like the backfill layer will make the transition complex. When subjected to lateral loading, piles with better integrity show more pronounced elastic features, smaller maximum horizontal displacement, and less residual horizontal displacement. The selection of the proportional coefficient for determining piles’ horizontal bearing capacity should correspond to the specific load and displacement in backfill soil. The results and in-depth analysis of the piles’ bearing capacity in backfill soil will provide intuitive experience for the analysis of pile foundations, thus offering references for the design and construction in similar engineering. Full article

Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex syndrome associated with chronic widespread pain and with various other symptoms, including sleep and mood disturbances. Its underlying causes are not fully understood, and the lack of diagnostic blood tests and imaging, along with the absence of definitive treatments, makes management challenging. Recent studies showed that passive transfer of immunoglobulins from FM patients into mice activated satellite glial cells (SGCs) in mouse dorsal root ganglia (DRG), leading to pain behaviors. Here, we aimed to determine whether whole serum from FM patients activates mouse SGCs in DRGs and other ganglia that may be involved in FM’s diverse symptoms. Serum from FM patients (N = 15) and healthy controls (HCs, N = 8) was collected. Sera were incubated with different types of mouse sensory ganglia: DRG, trigeminal ganglion (TG), the nodose ganglion (NG), and the superior cervical sympathetic ganglion (Sup-CG). SGC activation was assessed by immunostaining of SGCs for the glial activation marker glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). All the ganglia tested, DRG, TG, NG, and Sup-CG, displayed induced upregulation of GFAP labeling in SGCs after incubation with FM serum compared with HCs, indicating SGC activation by the serum. Similar responses were observed in both male and female mice. We conclude that serum from FM patients contains factors that can activate SGCs across various types of mouse ganglia, which may reflect the diverse symptom profile of FM. These findings provide evidence for pathogenic factors that could serve as a foundation for a diagnostic method for FM and require further purification and identification, hopefully paving the way for future targeted FM therapy. Full article

Background: Body contouring surgery is a critical aspect of reconstructive and esthetic care, addressing both functional and psychosocial needs. As the global prevalence of obesity and related metabolic disorders is constantly on the rise, it is inevitable that patients presenting for body contouring procedures would display comorbid cardiometabolic conditions that can negatively impact surgical outcomes. Clustered cardiometabolic abnormalities have been linked to increased rates of surgical complications, medical adverse events, prolonged hospitalization, and need for revision procedures. However, its impact on body contouring surgery outcomes remains insufficiently characterized. Materials and Methods: TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, comprising deidentified electronic medical records from over 170 healthcare organizations was utilized for this study. Adults undergoing body contouring surgery were stratified by the presence of a composite cardiometabolic burden, defined as the combination of obesity, diabetes mellitus and hypertension, in the year preceding surgery. Cohorts were matched 1:1 using propensity score matching based on baseline demographics, comorbidities, and substance use. Risk ratios with 95% confidence intervals were calculated, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05. Outcomes were assessed at 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively. Results: Among 188,164 body contouring patients, 6892 with composite cardiometabolic burden were propensity score–matched to controls. The study group was associated with significantly higher wound complications, surgical site infections, antibiotic use, and emergency department visits at 30, 60, and 90 days postoperatively, with no difference in hypertrophic scarring. Conclusions: Composite cardiometabolic burden, as defined in the study, demonstrated a significantly increased risk of adverse events following body contouring surgery, including wound-related morbidity, surgical site infection and increased healthcare utilization. These risks are evident from the early postoperative period and persist through at least the first 90 days after the procedure. Full article

Purpose: This paper aimed to identify dosimetric, clinical, and CT-based densitometric predictors of radiation-induced pulmonary events in breast cancer patients treated with moderately hypofractionated radiotherapy. Materials and Methods: A single-institution cohort of 1172 consecutive patients treated with 3D conformal whole-breast radiotherapy (40 Gy/15 fractions) before 2017 was analyzed. Ipsilateral lung DVHs and CT densitometry metrics were extracted. Clinical variables and cardiac calcification (CAC) scores (Agatston_score, CAC_volume, Max_HU_Heart) were included. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed; collinearity was assessed via Spearman correlation and VIF. Optimal thresholds were derived using the Youden index. Internal validation used bootstrap resampling. Results: After a median follow-up of 6.5 years, 18 patients developed moderate/severe pulmonary events. The univariable analysis showed associations with lung densitometric features (median/mean HU, 10th percentile, the lung volume with HU < −850 (V850)), V37 Gy, lung volume, and CAC scores. Lower lung HU values and larger lung volumes were linked to higher risk. The best models combined V850 (or lung volume) with a CAC metric. The model including V850 > 175 cc and continuous Max_HU_Heart achieved an optimism-corrected AUC of 0.68, with good fit and calibration (Hosmer–Lemeshow p = 0.33, R² = 0.847). Conclusions: The baseline cardiopulmonary status, captured by lung and heart densitometry, predicts pulmonary toxicity better than dosimetry. V850 > 175 cc was associated with a 4-fold higher risk, consistent with air trapping, known as a marker of emphysema. Full article