Search Results (79,222)

Chlorogenic acid (CGA)-rich extracts from Eucommia ulmoides Oliver (CAE) are known for their gut health and antioxidant benefits in livestock. This study examines the effects of CAE supplementation during the peri-implantation period on sow reproductive performance and the gut microbiota. Sixty Dongliao black sows were randomized to receive either no supplementation (control) or CAE at 600 or 2000 mg/kg daily from gestation day −5 through day 15. High-dose CAE intake significantly increased total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels in sow serum but decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. Fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) also increase significantly. These changes correlate with improved reproductive performance, including a larger litter size, higher numbers of live-born piglets, a greater individual birth weight of live-born piglets, a higher total litter birth weight of live-born piglets, and a lower mortality rate. 16S rRNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota revealed that CAE markedly altered microbial diversity and composition, reducing the abundance of potentially harmful bacteria but increasing the abundance of beneficial bacteria. In conclusion, supplementation with CAE during the peri-implantation phase can reduce oxidative stress, alter the gut microbiota composition, and improve sow reproductive performance, thus potentially increasing breeding farm profitability. Full article

Background: Radiation-induced salivary gland (SG) hypofunction is mediated via microvascular dysfunction and radical oxygen species. N-acetylcysteine amide (NACA) has shown antioxidant properties with low toxicity. We explored NACA’s potential as a radioprotector of SG function. Methods: Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) were treated with NACA before irradiation with a single 10 Gy dose. Apoptosis was assessed by bis-benzimide staining and quantified via fluorescence microscopy. In vivo, NACA was administered to mice prior to a single 15 Gy head and neck irradiation. Eight weeks post-irradiation, saliva production was measured using pilocarpine stimulation; lysozyme levels were analyzed by ELISA. SGs were collected for immunohistochemistry. Results: BAEC apoptosis was substantially lower in NACA-treated cells vs. radiation-only (10% vs. 23%). In vivo, mice lost significant weight and developed severe hair loss eight weeks post-irradiation—attenuated by NACA pretreatment. Saliva production was reduced by 72% post-radiation, with a corresponding drop in lysozyme. NACA increased salivary flow by 42% and prevented lysozyme reduction. Post-radiation decline in microvessel density was also prevented by NACA. Conclusions: These outcomes suggest NACA may serve as a radioprotector of SG function in patients undergoing radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. Full article

Effective containment of contaminant plumes in heterogeneous aquifers is critically challenged by the inherent uncertainty in hydraulic conductivity (K). Conventional, deterministic optimization approaches for pump-and-treat (P&T) system design often fail when confronted with real-world geological variability. This study proposes a novel robust simulation-optimization framework to design reliable hydraulic containment systems that explicitly account for this subsurface uncertainty. The framework integrates the Karhunen–Loève Expansion (KLE) for efficient stochastic representation of heterogeneous K-fields with a Genetic Algorithm (GA) implemented via the pymoo library, coupled with the MODFLOW groundwater flow model for physics-based performance evaluation. The core innovation lies in a multi-scenario assessment process, where candidate well configurations (locations and pumping rates) are evaluated against an ensemble of K-field realizations generated by KLE. This approach shifts the design objective from optimality under a single scenario to robustness across a spectrum of plausible subsurface conditions. A structured three-step filtering method—based on mean performance, consistency (pass rate), and stability (low variability)—is employed to identify the most reliable solutions. The framework’s effectiveness is demonstrated through a numerical case study. Results confirm that deterministic designs are highly sensitive to the specific K-field realization. In contrast, the robust framework successfully identifies well configurations that maintain a high and stable containment performance across diverse K-field scenarios, effectively mitigating the risk of failure associated with single-scenario designs. Furthermore, the analysis reveals how varying degrees of aquifer heterogeneity influence both the required operational cost and the attainable level of robustness. This systematic approach provides decision-makers with a practical and reliable strategy for designing cost-effective P&T systems that are resilient to geological uncertainty, offering significant advantages over traditional methods for contaminated site remediation. Full article

Congenital ichthyoses, now grouped under the acronym EDD (Epidermal Differentiation Disorders), include nonsyndromic forms (nEDD) that may be caused by loss-of-function mutations in the CDSN gene encoding corneodesmosin (CDSN-nEDD, formerly Peeling skin syndrome type 1). It is characterized by skin peeling, inflammation, itching and food allergies, while no specific therapy is currently available. High levels of KLK5, the serine protease that initiates the desquamation cascade, are found in the epidermis of CDSN-nEDD patients. Thus, we hypothesized that KLK5 inhibition would alleviate the symptoms of CDSN-nEDD and could serve as a new pharmacological target. A human epidermal equivalent (HEE) model for CDSN-nEDD was developed using shRNA-mediated CDSN knockdown. This model was characterized and used to assess the role of KLK5 knockdown on CDSN-nEDD. Also, Klk5^−/− mice were crossed with Cdsn^epi−/− mice, the murine model of CDSN-nEDD, to examine in vivo the effect(s) of Klk5 deletion in CDSN-nEDD. Both models recapitulated the CDSN-nEDD desquamating phenotype. Elimination of KLK5 aggravated the CDSN-nEDD phenotype. Epidermal proteolysis was surprisingly elevated, while severe ultrastructural (corneo)desmosomal alterations increased epidermal barrier permeability and stratum corneum detachment was manifested. Based on these results, we concluded that targeting epidermal proteolysis with KLK5 ablation cannot compensate for the loss of corneodesmosin and rescue over-desquamation of the CDSN-nEDD. Possibly, in the absence of KLK5, other proteases take over which increases the severity of over-desquamation in CDSN-nEDD. The translational outcome is that over-desquamation may not always be rescued by eliminating epidermal proteolysis, but fine protease modulation is more likely required. Full article

In the context of the urgent green transformation of China’s transportation sector, environmental regulation (ER) provides an essential opportunity to promote the green development of the transportation sector. This paper proposes a research framework to elucidate the spatial impacts of ER on transportation’s green transformation. First, the green total factor productivity (GTFP) level of China in 2018–2022 is assessed using the super efficiency SBM-GML model that considers non-desired outputs, and the spatial heterogeneity characteristics of transportation’s green transformation are analyzed. Then, the level of ER is quantified, and the spatial Durbin model is applied to reveal the spatial–regional heterogeneous linkage effect of ER on the green transformation of transportation. The results of the study are as follows: (1) The green level of China’s transportation has been increasing, but regional disparities are still obvious. Specifically, the spatial pattern of greening level is the Eastern region > Northeastern region > Central region > Western region. (2) The transportation’s green level of Chinese provinces, in general, shows strong spatial correlation, exhibiting increasingly obvious ‘high-high’ and ‘low-low’ clustering patterns. (3) Environmental regulation has a positive spatial spillover effect and a non-linear impact on the green development of transportation, showing an inverted ‘U’-shaped relationship. Further analysis reveals that there is obvious heterogeneity in the impact of ER on the green transformation of transportation in the eastern, central, and western regions. The results of the study provide reference values and suggestions for the formulation of more targeted regional transport development policies and dynamic environmental impact policies. Full article

Background: Sense of coherence constitutes a significant personal resource that underpins the harmonious professional functioning of nurses employed in psychiatric inpatient wards. It serves as a protective factor, enabling effective coping with the psychophysical burden arising from a demanding and stress-inducing work environment, while also supporting the maintenance of a high level of job satisfaction. Regular assessment of the sense of coherence among psychiatric nursing staff is essential for the early identification of individuals at risk of developing occupational burnout. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the level of sense of coherence and the degree of occupational burnout among nurses working in inpatient psychiatric units. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design and utilized standardized psychometric instruments, including The Sense of Coherence Questionnaire (SOC-29) to assess the level of coherence, and the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) to measure occupational burnout. Additionally, a self-developed questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic data. The research was conducted in five psychiatric hospitals in Poland between January and June 2023. The sample consisted of 555 nurses (449 women and 106 men) employed in inpatient psychiatric wards. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation coefficients to examine relationships between variables, and multiple linear regression to identify predictors of burnout dimensions. Significance level set at p < 0.05. Results: The mean global sense of coherence score among psychiatric nurses was 124.68 (SD = 45.81), with manageability scoring highest among subscales (43.83, SD = 16.28). Average occupational burnout scores were emotional exhaustion 28.75 (SD = 16.39), depersonalization 13.55 (SD = 9.71), and reduced personal accomplishment 23.61 (SD = 11.11). Significant negative correlations were found between sense of coherence (and its components) and all burnout dimensions (p < 0.001). Manageability was the strongest predictor of lower emotional exhaustion (β = −0.73), depersonalization (β = −0.65), and reduced personal accomplishment (β = −0.65), while meaningfulness predicted depersonalization (β = 0.37, p = 0.012). These results indicate that higher sense of coherence, especially manageability, is linked to reduced burnout among psychiatric nurses. Conclusions: The study revealed significant negative associations between sense of coherence and all dimensions of occupational burnout, with manageability emerging as the strongest protective factor. Nurses with higher levels of sense of coherence reported lower emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and reduced personal accomplishment. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating sense of coherence assessment into strategies for identifying individuals at increased risk of burnout. Full article

Background: Asthma is the most prevalent chronic illness in children worldwide, contributing to significant morbidity, health care utilization, and economic burden. In the United States, approximately five million children are affected by asthma. This review explores the environmental contexts and lifestyle determinants of pediatric asthma, with a focus on the Inland Empire (IE) region of Southern California. The IE’s unique geographic landscape and importance as a major transportation hub highlights its critical role for understanding how both environmental and structural factors exacerbate asthma burden within the pediatric population. Variables such as household income, parental education levels, and lack of community-based asthma programs were explored. Despite significant burdens, the IE remains under-represented in asthma research, contributing to persistent disparity. Methods: A narrative literature review and regional data analysis were conducted via PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2000–2025), alongside data from the CDC, CDPH, and American Lung Association. Key words used included “pediatric asthma, Inland Empire, air pollution, asthma disparity, emergency department utilization, socioeconomic status.” Inclusion criteria were: (1) studies or reports focusing on pediatric asthma (ages 0–17), (2) articles addressing environmental, socioeconomic, or health care-related risk factors, and (3) research with either national, state-level, or IE-specific data. Exclusion criteria were: (1) articles not in English, adult-only asthma studies, and (3) publications without original data or reference to pediatric asthma burden, management, or outcomes. Titles and abstracts were screened for relevance, and full texts were reviewed when abstracts met inclusion criteria. A total of 61 studies, reports, and data sources met this criterion and were included into this review. Results: The IE—comprised of San Bernardino (SB) and Riverside Counties— is home to four of the top five most polluted cities in North America. Vehicle emissions and industrial waste are concentrated in the region due to limited air circulation from surrounding mountains that entrap pollutants. Pediatric asthma ED visit rates in SB and Riverside were 60.5% and 59.3%, compared to California’s average of 56.7%. Hospitalization rates for children aged 0–4 were also higher in SB (24.4%) compared to the state average (17.3%). The elevated rates among school-aged children underscore the crucial need for interventions aimed at improving air quality, enhancing asthma management, and increasing access to preventive health care. Conclusions: Pediatric asthma in the IE reflects heightened environmental risks, socioeconomic barriers, and gaps in health care access. Addressing these disparities requires targeted interventions, policies, and region-specific research to enhance long-term management strategies and outcomes for vulnerable pediatric populations. Full article

This study evaluates the impact of using biogas slurry (BS) instead of nitrogen fertilizer (NF) on wheat soil, and aims to provide an optimized fertilization strategy for green wheat production. Five fertilization modes were tested: basal fertilizer only (CK), NF at the full-bearing stage (CF), BS at the jointing stage + NF at the grouting period (S1), NF at the jointing stage + BS at the grouting period (S2), and BS at the full-bearing stage (S3). Wheat yield in S3 treatment was not significantly different from CF (9632.57 kg·ha⁻¹), but significantly increased starch content by 23.39% (p < 0.05). Analysis of soil nutrient content showed that S3 treatment elevated ammonium nitrogen (AN) content by 98.30% during the harvest period and maintained the highest urease activity (686.45 μg·g⁻¹·d⁻¹). Microbial community analysis showed that the bacterial Shannon index under S3 treatment reached 7.09, and the abundance of Actinomycetes reached 39.40%. The fungal Simpson index was 0.02, lower than that of other treatments (p < 0.01). A comprehensive evaluation led to the conclusion that a complete replacement of BS with NF synergistically improves soil quick-acting nutrient levels, enhances soil enzyme activities, and sustains high microbial diversity, whilst maintaining wheat yield. Full article

Porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) is a highly contagious coronavirus that causes severe diarrhea, dehydration, and high mortality in piglets, leading to significant economic losses in the swine industry. The spike (S) protein of PEDV is the primary target for neutralizing antibodies and is critical for vaccine development. In this study, the pUC57-S01 and pUC57-S02 plasmids carrying the codon-optimized truncated S gene sequence were constructed. The mRNA S01 showed higher protein expression in vitro than mRNA S02, as confirmed by Western blotting. The safety and immunogenicity of mRNA S01 were evaluated in animal experiments. The results indicated that the mRNA S01 vaccine was safe for piglets and pregnant sows. Immunogenicity was assessed by a neutralization assay, which revealed that encapsulated mRNA S01 induced high levels of neutralizing antibody titers in pigs. Challenge protection efficiency tests showed that the mRNA S01 vaccine conferred immunity to newborn piglets, protecting them from a homologous PEDV strain challenge. This study provides a foundation for the clinical application of PEDV mRNA vaccines and offers a reference for the development of novel vaccines against PEDV. Full article

In the race for industrialization and urbanization, the concentration of greenhouse gases like CO₂ and CH₄ is growing rapidly and ultimately resulting in global warming. An Ni-based catalyst over MgO support (Ni/MgO) offers a catalytic method for the conversion of these gases into hydrogen and carbon monoxide through the dry reforming of methane (DRM) reaction. In the current research work, 1–4 wt% strontium is investigated as a cheap promoter over a 5Ni/MgO catalyst to modify the reducibility and basicity for the goal of excelling the H₂ yield and H₂/CO ratio through the DRM reaction. The fine catalytic activities’ correlations with characterization results (like X-ray diffraction, surface area porosity, photoelectron–Raman–infrared spectroscopy, and temperature-programmed reduction/desorption (TPR/TPD)) are established. The 5Ni/MgO catalyst with a 3 wt.% Sr loading attained the highest concentration of stable active sites and the maximum population of very strong basic sites. 5Ni3Sr/MgO surpassed 53% H₂ yield (H₂/CO ~0.8) at 700 °C and 85% H₂ yield (H₂/CO ratio ~0.9) at 800 °C. These outcomes demonstrate the catalyst’s effectiveness and affordability. Higher Sr loading (>3 wt%) resulted in a weaker metal–support contact, the production of free NiO, and a lower level of catalytic activity for the DRM reaction. The practical and cheap 5Ni3Sr/MgO catalyst is scalable in industries to achieve hydrogen energy goals while mitigating greenhouse gas concentrations. Full article

This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy of clear aligner therapy (CAT) in leveling the curve of Spee (CoS) in adult patients with permanent dentition. The clinical relevance of CoS correction lies in its impact on overbite reduction, occlusal function, and overall treatment outcomes. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science), supplemented by grey literature. Eligible studies were retrospective clinical investigations assessing changes in CoS with CAT. Two reviewers independently performed data extraction and risk of bias assessment using the ROBINS-I tool, while the quality of evidence was graded using the GRADE approach. Seven retrospective studies met the inclusion criteria. All reported a reduction in CoS depth after CAT, ranging from 0.01 mm to 2.2 mm. Anterior intrusion was achieved to a limited extent, while posterior extrusion was inconsistent and often poorly expressed. Overbite reduction was observed in some studies, but none provided data on long-term stability. The predictability of CoS correction varied widely from 35% to 72%. All studies were judged to have a serious risk of bias, and the certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low. CAT appears capable of reducing CoS depth with outcomes comparable to fixed appliances; however, vertical control, especially posterior extrusion, remains unpredictable. In clinical practice, aligners may be considered for mild to moderate CoS correction, provided limitations are acknowledged. Further high-quality prospective trials with standardized protocols and long-term follow-up are required to strengthen the evidence base. Full article

Background: Trust in information sources is essential to enhance an individual’s understanding of the message and boost their willingness to change or act on specific health behavior, including vaccine uptake. This study explores the association between trust in information sources and parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding their children’s 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) uptake across seven cities in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region in China. Methods: A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted from May to June 2023. Adult parents (N = 1304) who had at least one child aged 24 months or less and lived in the YRD region were recruited. The Adjusted Ordinary Least Squares (OLSs) regression model was applied to estimate the association between participants’ level of trust in different information sources and their knowledge, attitudes, and practices of children’s PCV13 vaccination. Results: Information from the Disease Control and Prevention Center (CDC) source received the highest trust score. Age, gender, education, and annual household income were related to varied trust levels in specific sources. Trust in the health service provider source was significantly associated with a better command of PCV13 knowledge, acceptance of PCV13, and a higher likelihood of vaccination. Trust in online community sources was positively associated with vaccine uptake. Conclusions: The study participants highly trusted information from health service provider sources. These sources may be effective channels with potential to enhance parents’ vaccine knowledge and acceptance of PCV13. Public health workers could utilize trusted sources to disseminate the benefits of the PCV13 and encourage the uptake of the vaccine. Full article

Our previous study examined the stratosphere-troposphere exchange (STE) of air mass and ozone using ERA5 and MERRA2 reanalysis data and observations for 2007–2010. Their analysis applied a lower stratosphere mass budget approach, with the 380 K isentropic surface serving as the upper boundary of the lowermost stratosphere. This study employs a dynamic isentropic surface fitted to the tropical tropopause, providing an update to the results using the static 380 K boundary. Additionally, we improve the numerical scheme for deriving the mass of the lowermost stratosphere. Under this new framework, the air mass upward flux at the isentropic surface in the tropics increases from 19.3 × 10⁹, 19.3 × 10⁹, and 22.0 × 10⁹ kg s⁻¹ in our previous study to 21.9 × 10⁹, 20.9 × 10⁹, and 26.3 × 10⁹ kg s⁻¹ in the present study for ERA5, MERRA2, and observations, respectively. The global ozone fluxes across the fitted isentrope become −347.6, −362.5 and −368.4 Tg yr⁻¹ as compared to −345.7, −359.5 and −335.6 Tg yr⁻¹ at the 380 K level from our previous study for ERA5, MERRA2 and observations, respectively. The corresponding extratropical ozone fluxes are −539.3, −541.3 and −565.5 Tg yr⁻¹ versus previous estimates of −538.1, −542.5 and −527.8 Tg yr⁻¹. The increased role of tropical cirrus clouds near the tropopause is also highlighted under the updated framework in observations. The contribution of cloud heating to tropical air mass flux increases from 2.0% in our previous study to 8.2% in the present analysis, while for ozone, the corresponding contribution increases from 1.8% to 8.1%. We further show that the improved estimate of the change rate of mass in the lowermost stratosphere has an impact on seasonal ozone STE results from chemistry climate models presented in another of our previous studies. These findings provide new insights into the processes governing stratosphere-troposphere exchange. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate quality of life in children and adolescents with normal variants of short stature compared to age- and sex-matched individuals with normal stature and to assess the agreement between children/adolescents-reported and parent-reported outcomes. Methods: A total of 65 child–parent dyads were enrolled, including 29 children and adolescents with short stature (15 males, 14 females; mean age: 11.2 + 2.0 years; mean height standard deviation score, HSDS: −2.10 + 0.57) and 36 children and adolescents with normal stature (19 males, 17 females; mean age: 11.3 + 1.93 years; mean HSDS: 0.56 + 0.78). Quality of life was assessed using the Quality of Life in Short Stature Youth (QoLISSY) questionnaire. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, and effect sizes were computed using Cohen’s d. Results: Among short-statured children and adolescents, no significant correlations were found between HSDS and all domains of quality of life. Short-statured children and adolescents exhibited significantly lower QoL across all domains compared to their normal-statured peers. Coping was higher in children and adolescents with short stature compared to their peers of normal stature. Similarly, parents of short-statured children and adolescents perceived a lower QoL for their sons and daughters and reported greater concern about the future and a more perceived personal impact than parents of normal-statured children and adolescents. No statistically significant differences were found between sons/daughters and parent reports, indicating a relatively high level of agreement in quality of life (QoL) perceptions. Conclusions: These findings underscore the psychosocial impact of short stature and highlight the importance of incorporating both child and parent perspectives in the clinical assessment. Full article

This work presents a stabilized Nitsche-type Cut Finite Element Method (CutFEM) for simulating two-phase flows with complex interfaces. The method addresses the challenges of capturing discontinuities in material properties and governing equations that arise from implicitly defined interfaces. By employing a Continuous Interior Penalty (CIP) method, Nitsche’s method for weak interface coupling, and Ghost Penalty (GP) terms for stability, the formulation enables an accurate representation of abrupt changes in physical properties across cut elements. A stability analysis and a priori error estimation, utilizing Oseen’s formulation, demonstrate the method’s robustness. At the same time, a numerical convergence study incorporating adaptivity and a best-fit quadratic level-set interpolation validates its accuracy. Finally, the method’s efficacy in mitigating spurious currents is confirmed through the Spurious Current Test, demonstrating its potential for reliable simulation of multi-phase flow phenomena. Full article