Search Results (2,010)

Background/Objectives: Frailty is a multidimensional syndrome characterized by diminished physiological reserves, reduced mobility, and increased fall risk. While clinical assessments are commonly used to screen for frailty, they may not capture minor deficits in postural control. Center-of-pressure (CoP) metrics from force plates provide objective markers of postural control, yet their role in frailty screening remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the associations between functional performance measures and CoP-based metrics to identify predictors of frailty among older adults. Methods: Eighty-three adults aged ≥ 55 years with a history of falls were classified as frail or pre-frail based on modified Fried criteria. Functional assessments (Timed Up and Go (TUG), grip strength, Berg Balance Scale [BBS], Falls Efficacy Scale [FES]) and CoP metrics (mean velocity, sway path; eyes open/closed) were evaluated. Both unadjusted and age-adjusted logistic regression models were used to identify independent predictors of frailty. Results: Increased TUG time and number of falls were the strongest risk factors for frailty, while increased sway path and CoP velocity were protective. In particular, sway path under eyes-closed conditions showed the strongest protective association (OR = 0.323, p < 0.001). Additionally, fear of falling (OR = 1.078, p = 0.013) emerged as a significant psychological factor, consistently associated with increased frailty risk regardless of physical performance. Correlation analysis supported these findings, showing that better functional performance was linked to lower frailty risk. Conclusions: CoP sway path and mean velocity independently predict frailty status and offer added value beyond traditional clinical tools. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating instrumented balance assessments into frailty screening to capture nuanced postural control deficits and guide early intervention strategies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is linked to muscle loss and fat changes in older adults, but data regarding palliative patients are limited. Ultrasound offers a practical tool to assess these changes. This study explores the relationship between vitamin D levels and ultrasound-measured muscle, fat, and their ratio in older adult palliative patients. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary palliative care unit (June–September 2024). A total of 187 patients were grouped by serum vitamin D levels (<50 vs. ≥50 nmol/L). Demographic and clinical variables included sex, BMI, Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), calf circumference (CC), and comorbidities. Ultrasonography assessed muscle thickness (MT), subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), and cross-sectional area (CSA) of Rectus Femoris (RF) and Biceps Brachii (BB). MT/SFT ratio was calculated. Logistic regression identified independent predictors. Results: Mean age was 75.1 ± 14.4 years; 55.6% of participants were female. Vitamin D deficiency (67.9%) was significantly associated with female sex (p = 0.037), ADL dependency (p < 0.001), lower BMI (p = 0.020), and reduced CC (p = 0.006). RF-MT, RF-SFT, RF-CSA, BB-MT, and BB-CSA were lower in the deficient group. RF-MT/SFT ratio was higher (p = 0.049). ADL dependency (p = 0.002) and RF-MT/SFT (p = 0.015) were independent predictors. Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was linked to a higher muscle-to-fat ratio, mainly due to fat loss rather than muscle gain. This may misrepresent muscle preservation and should be interpreted cautiously. Although vitamin D levels appear to be associated with physical function, additional prospective cohort and interventional supplementation studies are warranted to determine whether routine screening and targeted vitamin D supplementation can effectively support physical function in this population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Inherited platelet disorders (IPDs) are diverse conditions characterized by abnormalities in platelet count and function. Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) shows promise as a diagnostic tool in the diagnosis of IPDs. This study aims to assess the clinical value and limitations of using a targeted NGS panel in diagnosing children with suspected IPDs. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of 93 children evaluated for suspected IPDs. A targeted NGS panel of 14 IPD-associated genes (RUNX1, WAS, ADAMTS13, ANKRD26, CYCS, GATA1, GP1BA, GB1BB, GP9, ITGA2B, ITGB3, MASTL, MPL, MYH9) was performed. Results: Genetic variants were identified in 30 patients (32.3% of the cohort). A total of 37 variants, of which 15 (40.5%) were novel, were found across 11 of the 14 genes on the panel (all except MPL, CYCS, and RUNX1). Variants were most frequently found in ITGB3 (18.9% of variants), GP1BA (16.2%), and ADAMTS13 (16.2%) genes. The majority of variants (64.9%) were classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS), followed by likely pathogenic (LP) (27%) and pathogenic (8.1%) variants. Most variants were in a heterozygous state (73%). Specific cases highlighted complex genetic scenarios, such as co-occurring variants, and the identification of pathogenic and LP variants in patients initially presenting with immune thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: NGS helps to identify genetic causes, assess risk, manage, and provide genetic counseling in the management of IPDs. However, the prevalence of VUS underscores the need for a multidisciplinary approach to evaluate NGS results accurately. Full article

Many industries release untreated synthetic dye effluents into water bodies, harming ecosystems and human health. Therefore, an economical and sustainable solution for treating dye-contaminated water must be developed. In this study, mulberry leaves (Morus nigra L.), as a cost-effective and sustainable adsorbent, were prepared to remove Basic Yellow 28 (BY28) and Basic Blue 3 (BB3) cationic dyes from industrial dye wastewater using adsorption. Batch experiments with key variables such as initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, stirring speed, and pH were conducted to find optimal conditions. The effectiveness of mulberry leaves as an adsorbent after multiple regeneration cycles was examined. The adsorbent was characterized through various instrumental methods, including FTIR, SEM, XRD, and BET analysis. Adsorption performance was analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results showed that the mulberry leaf adsorbent best fits the Langmuir model, with R² values of 0.999 for BY28 and 0.973 for BB3. The maximum adsorption capacities were 0.15 mg/g for BY28 and 7.19 mg/g for BB3, indicating their upper limits for dye uptake. The optimal conditions achieving removal efficiencies of over 99% were 1.5 g, 50 mL, 15 min, 180 rpm, and 10 mg/L at 30 °C for BY28 in neutral pH (7) and 1.5 g, 50 mL, 45 min, 100 rpm, and 30 mg/L at 40 °C for BB3 in basic pH (10). The regeneration of mulberry leaves as an adsorbent through acid treatment with 0.1 M HCl and 0.1 M CH₃COOH solutions maintained a high performance, achieving up to 98% dye removal efficiency after two regeneration cycles. It has been observed that successful results can be achieved in terms of reusability. Additionally, the removals of BB3 and BY28 performed in an ultrasonic-bath-assisted environment successfully achieved removal efficiencies of 84.87% and 75.41%, respectively. According to the results, mulberry leaves can effectively be used in wastewater treatment to remove dyes, can be reused multiple times, and thus serve as an environmentally friendly and sustainable adsorbent. Full article

Background: The gut microbiota and the gut epithelium play a central role in maintaining systemic and brain homeostasis from early life. Stressful experiences during sensitive developmental windows can disrupt this balance, increasing long-term susceptibility to psychiatric disorders. However, the mechanisms through which early-life alterations in the microbiota influence brain development and function remain poorly understood. Here, the sex-specific impact of prenatal stress (PNS) on gut integrity and microbial composition in adult offspring was explored. Methods: Thirty dams were mated and randomly assigned to PNS or control. Offspring microbiota was analysed through 16S rRNA sequencing, intestinal morphology with morphometric analyses, and tight junctions using qPCR and immunofluorescence. Results: Exposure to PNS was associated with reduced intestinal surface area in males and shortened crypts in females. In both sexes, PNS caused a decrease in the expression of ZO-1, suggesting impaired gut barrier integrity. 16S rRNA sequencing revealed, furthermore, that PNS exposure was associated with a decrease in beneficial genera, including Akkermansia in males and Clostridia vadinBB60 in females, along with an increase in the pro-inflammatory genus Anaerotruncus, regardless of sex. Notably, some of these alterations were more pronounced in PNS-exposed animals that showed impaired sociability, highlighting gut microbiota inter-individual variability in the response to early-life adversity. Moreover, selected microbial changes show significant correlations with the behavioural outcomes, as well as with intestinal morphology or brain inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Together, these findings pinpoint the gut as a central player in stress vulnerability and highlight specific microbial signatures as promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets for stress-related disorders. Full article

With the rapid development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the research on the throttling effect of high-pressure hydrogen is crucial to the safety of hydrogen circulation systems for fuel cells. This paper studies the Joule-Thomson coefficients (${\mathrm{\mu }}_{\mathrm{J}\mathrm{T}}$) of ten gas state equations. The four equations, Van Der Waals (VDW), Redlich-Kwong (RK), Soave-Redlich-Kwong (SRK), and Beattie Bridgeman (BB), were selected for calculation. These were compared with the database of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), aiming to determine the optimal state equation under different temperature and pressure conditions. The empirical formula of the ${\mathrm{\mu }}_{\mathrm{J}\mathrm{T}}$ pressure and temperature was compounded, and the temperature rise effect was further calculated using the empirical formula of compounding. The results show that the calculated value of ${\mathrm{\mu }}_{\mathrm{J}\mathrm{T}}$ by using the VDW equation in the low-pressure range (0–2 MPa) is closer to the value in the NIST database with an error less than 0.056 $\mathrm{K}·{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}}^{-1}$. The tendency of ${\mathrm{\mu }}_{\mathrm{J}\mathrm{T}}$ described by the RK equation corresponds to the NIST database; meanwhile, the maximum error in the SRK equation is 0.143916 $\mathrm{K}·{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}}^{-1}$. The BB equation is more applicable within the pressure range of 20 to 50 MPa with a maximum error of 0.042853 $\mathrm{K}·{\mathrm{M}\mathrm{P}\mathrm{a}}^{-1}$. The fitting error of the empirical formula is within 9.52%, and the relative error of the calculated temperature rise is less than 4%. This research might provide several technical ideas for the study of the throttling effect of hydrogen refueling stations and the hydrogen circulation system of on-board hydrogen fuel cells. Full article

Background: Pancreatic cystic lesions may be benign and require observation or cancerous, with high mortality, requiring risky surgery. Diagnosis is often difficult, and the search for biomarkers to differentiate pancreatic cancer from other lesions is ongoing. Methods: 60 consecutive patients, operated on due to histopathologically confirmed pancreatic cancer or due to pancreatic cystic lesions, were analyzed. The concentrations of 16 immunological factors (sHER-2neu, sEGFR, sIL-6Ra, follistatin, FGF-basic, sVEGFR-2, PECAM-1, PDGF-AB BB, prolactin, G-CSF, HGF, sTIE-2, SCF, sVEGFR-1, osteopontin, and leptin) were assessed in both serum and cystic fluid and compared between the groups. Results: Lower PDGF-AB/BB and leptin concentrations in serum, as well as lower sTIE-2, osteopontin, and leptin levels, were associated with cancer. In cystic tumors, for some factors, significant differences between cancerous and benign lesions were found when the differences in cystic fluid and serum concentrations were compared. Conclusions: PDGF-AB/BB, leptin, sTIE-2, and osteopontin, as well as the comparison of serum/cystic fluid concentrations of immunological factors, might be useful for pancreatic cystic tumor diagnosis. However, this requires confirmation in a larger study. Full article

Against the backdrop of the growing popularity of blockchain technology, this study investigates blockchain adoption strategies for the fresh food supply chain (FFSC) under a carbon cap-and-trade (CAT) policy. Taking a two-echelon supply chain consisting of a supplier and a retailer as an example, we designed four blockchain adoption modes based on the supplier’s strategy (adopt or not) and the retailer’s strategy (adopt or not). Combining influencing factors such as consumers’ low-carbon preference, consumers’ freshness preference, and carbon trading price (CTP), we established four game-theoretic models. Using backward induction, we derived the equilibrium strategies for the supplier and retailer under different modes and analyzed the impact of key factors on these equilibrium strategies. The analysis yielded four key findings: (1) BB mode (both adopt blockchain) is the optimal adoption strategy for both FFSC parties when carbon prices are high, and consumers exhibit strong dual preferences. It most effectively mitigates the negative price impact of rising carbon prices by synergistically enhancing emission reduction efforts and freshness preservation efforts, thereby increasing overall profits and achieving a Pareto improvement in the benefits for both parties. (2) Consumers’ low-carbon preference and freshness preference exhibit an interaction effect. These two preferences mutually reinforce each other’s incentive effect on FFSC efforts (emission reduction/freshness preservation). Blockchain’s information transparency makes these efforts more perceptible to consumers, forming a synergistic “emission reduction-freshness preservation” cycle that further drives sales and profit growth. (3) The adoption of blockchain by either the supplier or the retailer significantly lowers the cost threshold for the other party to adopt blockchain, thereby increasing their willingness to adopt. (4) CAT and consumer preferences jointly influence the adoption strategies of suppliers and retailers. Additionally, the adoption strategies of FFSC participants are also affected by the other party’s blockchain adoption status. Drawing on the above conclusions, this study provides actionable guidance for suppliers and retailers in selecting optimal blockchain adoption strategies. Full article

While the cause of preterm birth (PTB) (i.e., delivery before 37 weeks of gestation) is likely multifactorial, ambient exposure to environmental chemicals has been postulated to play a role in its etiology. Our prior studies of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in pregnancy have shown an increased level of placental PAH-induced bulky DNA adducts with increasing levels of PAH exposures. In this investigation, we hypothesized that higher levels of placental PAHs would be associated with an increased risk of PTB. Using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS), we measured levels of benzo(a)pyrene (BaP), benzo(b)fluoranthene (BbF) and dibenz(a,h)anthracene (DBA) from n = 323 subjects. We found higher levels of BbF in placentae collected from preterm compared with term deliveries (mean 100.3 vs. 84.14 ng/mL, p = 0.038). Placental BbF levels negatively correlated with gestational age at delivery (r_s = −0.171, p = 0.002) and placental DBA levels were higher in placentae from spontaneous PTBs compared to those that were medically indicated (mean 743.7 vs. 599.9 ng/mL, p = 0.049), suggesting a potentially causal role in spontaneous preterm birth. Lastly, we analyzed placental levels of each PAH in male (n = 164) and female (n = 159) gestations and found that levels of BaP are significantly higher in males (mean 204.4 vs. 169.9 ng/mL, p = 0.049). These studies show a potential causal role of PAH exposure in the etiology of spontaneous preterm birth. Full article

In recent years, the bidirectional regulatory mechanism of the bone-brain axis has become a hotspot for interdisciplinary research. In this paper, we systematically review the anatomical and functional links between bone and the central nervous system, focusing on the regulation of brain function by bone-derived signals and their clinical translational potential. At the anatomical level, the blood–brain barrier permeability mechanism and the unique structure of the periventricular organs establish the anatomical basis for bone-brain information transmission. Innovative discoveries indicate that the bone cell network (bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and bone marrow monocytes) directly regulates neuroplasticity and the inflammatory microenvironment through the secretion of factors such as osteocalcin, lipid transporter protein 2, nuclear factor κB receptor-activating factor ligand, and fibroblast growth factor 23, as well as exosome-mediated remote signaling. Clinical studies have revealed a bidirectional vicious cycle between osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s disease: reduced bone density exacerbates Alzheimer’s disease pathology through pathways such as PDGF-BB, while AD-related neurodegeneration further accelerates bone loss. The breakthrough lies in the discovery that anti-osteoporotic drugs, such as bisphosphonates, improve cognitive function. In contrast, neuroactive drugs modulate bone metabolism, providing new strategies for the treatment of comorbid conditions. Additionally, whole-body vibration therapy shows potential for non-pharmacological interventions by modulating bone-brain interactions through the mechano-osteoclast signaling axis. In the future, it will be essential to integrate multiple groups of biomarkers to develop early diagnostic tools that promote precise prevention and treatment of bone-brain comorbidities. This article provides a new perspective on the mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of neuroskeletal comorbidities. Full article

Massive wildfires release enormous amounts of biomass-burning (BB) aerosols into the atmosphere, which might have a major impact on its thermal and radiative budget, as well as the environment and human health. This work presents the results of a study and characterization of a long-range transport episode of smoke aerosols from Canadian forest fires towards the entirety of Europe, as observed over Sofia, Bulgaria, in early October 2023. This study makes use of data from combined lidar, ceilometer, and sun-photometer measurements, supported by model and forecast data, meteorological radiosonde profiling, and (re)analyses, together with tracking and mapping of the aerosol air transport. A distinctive feature of the considered episode over Europe is the downward movement of the air masses, entraining smoke aerosols from the continental mid-troposphere down to the near-surface layers. The driving mechanism of the long-range transport of BB aerosols and their spread over Europe is revealed. Optical parameters of the registered aerosols are determined and vertically profiled with a high range resolution by lidar data analysis. A wide set of columnar optical and microphysical aerosol characteristics is also provided by sun-photometer measurements. The results show a dominance of relatively fine modes of dry smoke particles in the submicron size range, with a predominantly low degree of non-sphericity, indicating minimal up-size aging during the BB aerosol transport from Canada to the Sofia region. The average daily aerosol radiative forcing is determined by sun-photometer measurements and briefly discussed. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether prior use of a beta blocker (BB) is associated with the three-year risk of total hip arthroplasty after being diagnosed with osteoarthritis of the hip and compare risks across BB subtypes. Methods: Through the TriNetX database, patients with hip OA were included and further divided into the with- and without-BB cohorts. BB users were defined as patients with prescriptions between 1 day and 1 year before hip OA diagnosis and at least one refill afterward. The index date was defined as the diagnosis date of hip OA. Moreover, the BB cohorts were split to evaluate the difference between different types of beta-blocking agents. After propensity score matching, a three-year risk of undergoing THA was calculated. Results: A total of 313,430 patients were involved in this study, including 23,580 with BB usage, and 289,850 without. After propensity score matching, 23,096 patients remained in each cohort. For the with- and without-BB cohort, the average ages were 69 ± 11.9 and 63.3 ± 11.4, with a majority being female (52.4% vs. 56%). After the three-year follow-up, the use of BBs (2333 vs. 1539, HR = 1.494; 95% C.I. = 1.4–1.593) was associated with a higher risk of undergoing THA. Furthermore, among the three types of BBs, the use of alpha-BBs showed the highest hazard ratio when compared to the without-BB cohort (788 vs. 470, HR = 1.639; 95% C.I. = 1.462–1.837). Conclusions: These findings suggest a potential association between BB use and hip arthroplasty in OA patients, warranting further investigation rather than immediate changes in clinical practice. Exploration into the detailed mechanisms is warranted and merits investigation in future studies. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eupatorium lindleyanum DC (Eup), a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, is widely used for treating inflammation-mediated diseases, including pneumonia. However, its potential therapeutic effects on inflammation-driven liver fibrosis remain to be elucidated. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Eup on carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced liver fibrosis and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. Methods: The chemical constituents of Eup were analyzed using ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-LC/MS). A CCl₄-induced liver fibrosis murine model and LX-2 cells were used in study. Serum biochemical assays, histological analysis, qRT-PCR, ELISA, and Western blot were used to assess Eup’s anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to identify potential mechanisms, with validation by Western blot. Results: 89 and 49 compounds were identified in Eup under positive and negative ion modes, respectively. In vivo, Eup treatment decreased collagen deposition and expression levels of fibrosis-related genes, including collagen I and α-smooth muscle actin. Additionally, Eup alleviated hepatic inflammation. In vitro, Eup inhibited FBS-induced hepatic stellate cell (HSCs) activation. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated that Eup significantly downregulated the platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-beta (PDGFR-β) signaling pathway, which was further validated in both CCl₄-induced fibrotic livers and PDGF-BB-activated HSCs using western blot. Conclusions: Eup attenuated liver fibrosis by inhibiting inflammation and suppressing HSCs activation via downregulating PDGF/PDGFR-β signaling pathway. Full article

In this study, typical haze pollution influenced by biomass burning (BB) activities in Changsha in the autumn of 2024 was investigated through the mixing state and evolution process of BB particles via the real-time measurement of single-particle aerosol mass spectrometry (SPAMS). From the clean period to the haze period, the PM_2.5 concentration increased from 25 μg·m⁻³ at 12:00 to 273 μg·m⁻³ at 21:00 on 12 October, and the proportion of total BB single particles in the total detected particles increased from 17.2% to 54%. This indicates that the rapid increase in PM_2.5 concentration was accompanied by a concurrent increase in the contribution of particles originating from BB sources. The detected BB particles were classified into two types based on their mixing states and temporal variations: BB1 and BB2, which accounted for 71.7% and 28.3% of the total BB particles, respectively. The analysis of backward trajectories and fire spots suggested that BB1 particles originated from straw burning emissions at northern Changsha, while BB2 particles were primarily related to local nighttime cooking emissions in Changsha. In addition, a special type of K-containing single particles without K cluster ions was found closely associated with BB1 type particles, which were designated as secondarily processed BB particles (BB-sec). The BB-sec particles contained abundant sulfate and ammonium signals and showed lagged appearance after the peak of BB1-type particles, which was possibly due to the aging and formation of ammonium sulfate on the freshly emitted particles. In all, this study provides insights into understanding the substantial impact of BB sources on regional air quality during the crop harvest season and the appropriate disposal of crop straw, including conversion into high-efficiency fuel through secondary processing or clean energy via biological fermentation, which is of great significance for the mitigation of local haze pollution. Full article

CAR-T cell therapy represents a breakthrough in cancer treatment, yet its implementation in developing countries remains challenging due to technical and infrastructural barriers. This study aimed to establish clinical-scale CAR-T production in Kazakhstan, a country with no prior experience in advanced cell and gene therapies. We implemented a complete CAR-T manufacturing pipeline, including in-house lentiviral vector (LV) production and automated CAR-T cell processing using the CliniMACS Prodigy system. Two anti-CD19 CAR LVs were used, one modeled after FDA-approved Kymriah (4-1BB costimulation) and another replicating Yescarta (CD28 costimulation). The vector produced locally achieved functional titers of 1.5 × 10¹⁰ TU/mL after concentration. Twelve clinical-scale CAR-T products were manufactured, exhibiting a memory-skewed T-cell phenotype. Functional assessments revealed that CD28-based CAR-T cells produced significantly higher Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-2; p < 0.05) than 4-1BB-based cells, though both demonstrated comparable cytotoxicity against CD19+ targets. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of establishing CAR-T production in resource-limited settings using a decentralized manufacturing framework. This work provides a scalable model of CAR-T therapy production in developing regions, suitable for clinical implementation using the hospital exemption framework. Critical gaps in access to advanced immunotherapies, including CAR-T, in the Central Eurasia region are addressed. Full article