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Search Results (196)

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Keywords = acute phase reactions

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20 pages, 4385 KB  
Article
Artemisia argyi Levl.et Vant Extract (AALE) and Parthenolide Suppress Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) via the RIG-I/TLR3 Pathway In Vivo and In Vitro
by Zeting Tan, Rongshun Liang, Adam Junka, Haoxuan Sun, Jie Jiang, Haojia Ma, Shisong Fang and Yanfang Sun
Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(4), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19040640 (registering DOI) - 18 Apr 2026
Abstract
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading global pathogen of acute lower respiratory tract infection, posing significant risks to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. Artemisia argyi Levl.et Vant Extract (AALE) and its active components have a variety of pharmacological effects, [...] Read more.
Background: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading global pathogen of acute lower respiratory tract infection, posing significant risks to infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients. Artemisia argyi Levl.et Vant Extract (AALE) and its active components have a variety of pharmacological effects, but their anti-RSV potential remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate the anti-RSV activity of AALE and parthenolide and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay was used to determine the anti-RSV activities of AALE and parthenolide. Time-of-addition assay and phase of action analysis were used to explore the effect of drugs on the viral replication cycle. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRCR), immunofluorescence (IF) and Western blot (WB) were used to investigate the effects of AALE and parthenolide on RSV-F gene and protein and on RIG-I/TLR-3 pathway related molecules in vitro. In vivo antiviral efficacy was verified by hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining for lung histopathology, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) quantification of RSV-F, RIG-I, TLR-3, IRF3, IL-6, and IFN-β gene expression in lung tissues, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for serum IL-6 and IFN-β levels. Results: AALE exhibited the strongest anti-RSV activity among the extracts (SI = 27.6), while parthenolide was the most potent monomeric compound (SI = 8.19). In vitro, both AALE and parthenolide were effective in the co-treatment and post-treatment models, reducing RSV-F gene and F protein levels in infected cells. Furthermore, they alleviated RSV infection by regulating RIG-I and TLR-3 pathway-related genes and proteins. In vivo, AALE and parthenolide suppressed lung index and RSV proliferation, attenuated lung injury, and down-regulated RIG-I, TLR-3, IRF3, IL-6, and IFN-β expression in the lungs of RSV-infected mice. Conclusions: AALE and its component parthenolide can inhibit the invasion and replication of RSV, making it a potential candidate for the treatment of RSV-related diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
18 pages, 5036 KB  
Case Report
Neurological Aspects of COVID-19, Post-Acute-COVID and Post-COVID Syndromes: A Case Series of Single-Center Experiences
by Stanisław Słyk, Jan Kochanowski, Michał Białobrzewski, Katarzyna Stopińska, Viktor Lipko, Patryk Sochań, Joanna Cegielska and Izabela Domitrz
COVID 2026, 6(4), 57; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid6040057 - 27 Mar 2026
Viewed by 370
Abstract
The neuroinvasive and neurotropic character of coronaviruses is a likely reason for neurological complications which may occur during acute COVID illness and sometimes persist or newly emerge in the post-acute phase. Terminology and temporal classification remain heterogeneous. A retrospective case series was conducted [...] Read more.
The neuroinvasive and neurotropic character of coronaviruses is a likely reason for neurological complications which may occur during acute COVID illness and sometimes persist or newly emerge in the post-acute phase. Terminology and temporal classification remain heterogeneous. A retrospective case series was conducted in a single center (Department of Neurology, Bielański Hospital, Warsaw, Poland). Medical records from March 2020 to December 2023 were screened. Inclusion criteria: (1) confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (polymerase chain reaction or antigen test and radiological findings), (2) new neurological syndrome within acute, post-acute, or post-COVID interval, and (3) diagnostic documentation. Exclusion criteria: alternative established etiology fully explaining the neurological condition. Six cases were selected for detailed analysis due to diagnostic completeness as well as etiological and temporal diversity. Cases included: (1) persistent neurocognitive and sensory symptoms (post-COVID), (2) acute ischemic stroke with internal carotid artery dissection during severe COVID-19, (3) cytotoxic lesion of the corpus callosum (CLOCC) during acute COVID-19, (4) Guillain–Barré syndrome (post-acute), (5) longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (post-acute), and (6) delayed autoimmune cerebral vasculitis (post-COVID). Neurological presentations ranged from mild persistent symptoms to fatal outcome. Neurological complications span inflammatory, vascular, and autoimmune mechanisms across distinct temporal phases of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Precise temporal classification and systematic diagnostic protocols are essential. Prospective longitudinal studies integrating biomarkers and standardized neuroimaging are required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Neuropathology in the Post-COVID-19 Era)
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13 pages, 313 KB  
Review
How Inflamed Is the Horse in Training? Insights into Exercise-Induced Acute Phase Response in Endurance Horses
by Alicja Rakowska, Anna Biazik, Magdalena Sobuś and Anna Cywińska
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(5), 2328; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27052328 - 2 Mar 2026
Viewed by 546
Abstract
The article aimed to review the current literature analysing the complexity of an exercise-induced acute phase response in athletic horses undergoing intense training and endurance competitions. Since the endurance discipline demands physical fitness, exceptional health and excellent adaptation to an increasing workload, diagnostic [...] Read more.
The article aimed to review the current literature analysing the complexity of an exercise-induced acute phase response in athletic horses undergoing intense training and endurance competitions. Since the endurance discipline demands physical fitness, exceptional health and excellent adaptation to an increasing workload, diagnostic methods of assessing the factors mentioned above are highly required. Athletic horses in endurance training undergo numerous metabolic but also immune adaptations, including changes in pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokine levels. The inflammatory reaction resembles typical inflammation only to some extent; therefore, the term exercise-induced acute phase response (APR) has been introduced. Among many biomarkers, acute phase proteins (APPs), like serum amyloid A (SAA) and different types of cytokines, especially interleukin 1 (IL-1), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and tumour necrosis factor α (TNF-α), appear to play a key role. These markers may be modulated by many factors; however, proper training seems to result in the occurrence of an “anti-inflammatory state”, which is beneficial for the horse’s health and highly required in high-performance equine athletes. Further understanding of the inflammatory reaction associated with extreme physical effort is crucial for ensuring the long-term career and welfare of endurance horses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cytokines and Other Biomarkers of Health Status)
27 pages, 4842 KB  
Article
Diurnal Regulation and Gene-Specific Vulnerability of Oxidative Alcohol-Metabolizing Enzymes to Circadian Disruption
by Yool Lee, Ali Keshavarzian and Byoung-Joon Song
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(4), 2041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27042041 - 22 Feb 2026
Viewed by 843
Abstract
Oxidative alcohol metabolism in the liver relies on sequential enzymatic reactions involving alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes. However, the circadian regulation of these enzymes, their susceptibility to genetic, environmental, and metabolic disruption, and their functional implications [...] Read more.
Oxidative alcohol metabolism in the liver relies on sequential enzymatic reactions involving alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), and aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) isozymes. However, the circadian regulation of these enzymes, their susceptibility to genetic, environmental, and metabolic disruption, and their functional implications toward alcohol-mediated tissue injury remain incompletely defined. To address this gap, we performed a comprehensive integrative analysis of the publicly available circadian transcriptome datasets spanning genetic clock disruption, acute sleep deprivation, chronic high-fat diet feeding, and occupational shift work to systematically characterize the temporal regulation and disruption vulnerability of the major alcohol-metabolizing enzymes. Mouse tissue-cycling analyses revealed pronounced gene- and tissue-specific diurnal regulation, with Adh1 oscillating primarily in adipose tissues; Cyp2e1 and mitochondrial Aldh2 cycling broadly across kidney, aorta, lung, adrenal gland, and liver; and cytosolic Aldh1b1 being uniformly arrhythmic. In the liver, Cyp2e1 and Aldh2 exhibited robust ~24 h oscillations that peaked during the light/resting phase, while Adh1 showed inconsistent rhythmicity and Aldh1b1 remained arrhythmic. Notably, Cyp2e1 and Aldh2 rhythms persisted in Bmal1 knockout and Clock mutant livers under light–dark conditions, despite complete loss of core clock gene oscillations, yet were abolished in constant darkness, revealing that systemic zeitgeber cues can mask the loss of intrinsic clock function to maintain apparent rhythmicity in these metabolic genes. Systematic cross-paradigm comparison established a novel gene-specific vulnerability hierarchy. Aldh2 was found to be most disrupted by environmental and metabolic perturbations, with acute sleep deprivation eliminating its rhythmicity and temporal expression pattern and a Western-style high-fat diet inducing pronounced phase delays and rhythm loss relative to low-fat diet controls. Both disruptions paralleled alterations in hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α (Hnf4a), newly implicating HNF4α as a potential mediator of ALDH2 circadian instability. In humans, ALDH2 and CYP2E1 exhibited conserved but phase-inverted circadian rhythms across multiple tissues relative to mice, and, importantly, night-shift workers showed markedly dampened and phase-shifted ALDH2 rhythms in peripheral blood mononuclear cells, providing the molecular link between occupational circadian misalignment and impaired acetaldehyde detoxification. Collectively, our detailed and innovative analytical approach reveals gene- and tissue-specific circadian regulation of alcohol-metabolizing enzymes, identifies ALDH2 as uniquely vulnerable to circadian misalignment, underscores the importance of circadian timing for optimal hepatic detoxification and resistance to tissue injury, and suggests that monitoring circadian rhythms could help tailor individualized advice on alcohol consumption for shift workers and populations with irregular sleep schedules, informing precision medicine approaches for alcohol-related disorders. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring the Impact of the Biological Clock on Health and Disease)
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19 pages, 1407 KB  
Article
Long-Term Parasitological Clearance and Cardiac Progression in Trypanosoma cruzi TcI: A Phase-Stratified Cohort from Colombia
by Mario J. Olivera, Adriana Arévalo and Alejandro Marcel Hasslocher-Moreno
Trop. Med. Infect. Dis. 2026, 11(2), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed11020059 - 19 Feb 2026
Viewed by 583
Abstract
Clinical trajectories following Trypanosoma cruzi infection are heterogeneous, and the determinants of post-treatment parasitological dynamics and cardiac progression remain incompletely characterized, particularly in TcI-predominant regions. This study assessed, in both the acute phase and the indeterminate chronic form, the association between TcI infection [...] Read more.
Clinical trajectories following Trypanosoma cruzi infection are heterogeneous, and the determinants of post-treatment parasitological dynamics and cardiac progression remain incompletely characterized, particularly in TcI-predominant regions. This study assessed, in both the acute phase and the indeterminate chronic form, the association between TcI infection and molecular clearance kinetics, cardiac progression, and the prognostic value of early molecular response. An ambispective cohort in Colombia included patients with acute or indeterminate chronic infection followed between 2000 and 2023. Sustained clearance was defined as two consecutive negative quantitative polymerase chain reaction results obtained at separate visits. Time-to-event analyses were conducted using Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models. TcI infection was consistently associated with delayed molecular clearance in both clinical presentations. Although long-term clearance was achieved in most patients, TcI infection was independently associated with a higher risk of cardiac progression. In contrast, quantitative polymerase chain reaction negativity at 12 months was associated with reduced subsequent progression risk, indicating that sustained molecular response is a clinically meaningful prognostic marker. Collectively, these findings support the incorporation of early molecular monitoring into risk-stratified follow-up strategies in TcI-predominant settings and reinforce the need for phase-specific clinical management approaches. Full article
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10 pages, 825 KB  
Article
Knee Joint Mechanics with a Tensioned Cable Brace During Lateral Shuffle Movements: An Exploratory Study
by Ashna Ghanbari, Patrick Milner, Sandro R. Nigg and Matthew J. Jordan
Biomechanics 2026, 6(1), 13; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomechanics6010013 - 2 Feb 2026
Viewed by 731
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Noncontact knee ligament injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains, are prevalent in sports that involve frequent cutting and pivoting. Conventional rigid knee braces can offer stability but often compromise comfort and performance, whereas soft [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Noncontact knee ligament injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and medial collateral ligament (MCL) sprains, are prevalent in sports that involve frequent cutting and pivoting. Conventional rigid knee braces can offer stability but often compromise comfort and performance, whereas soft sleeve-type supports provide minimal mechanical protection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute biomechanical effects of a tensioned cable knee bracing system on peak knee valgus angle and external knee abduction moment during a controlled lateral shuffle task. Methods: Ten physically active adults (mean age 21.7 ± 3.8 years) performed submaximal lateral shuffle movements under three conditions: unbraced, sleeve-only (zero-tension), and a novel tensioned cable brace. Three-dimensional knee kinematics and ground reaction forces were collected, and peak knee valgus angle and external abduction moment were calculated during the eccentric phase of each movement. Results: Wearing the knee brace under tension significantly reduced knee valgus angle (4.5° vs. 7.9°) and peak external knee abduction moment (1.6 vs. 2.0–2.1 Nm/kg) compared to the unbraced condition. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the tensioned cable brace effectively reduced frontal plane knee loading during a lateral shuffle task, indicating its potential as an effective bracing approach. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Sports Biomechanics)
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19 pages, 1111 KB  
Article
Retrospective Evaluation of Patients Admitted to the Emergency Department Due to Anaphylaxis in Children: A Single-Center Study from Türkiye
by Emre Aygün, Ezgi Yalçın Güngören, İrem Çırpıcı and Sevgi Sipahi Çimen
Children 2026, 13(2), 203; https://doi.org/10.3390/children13020203 - 31 Jan 2026
Viewed by 678
Abstract
Background: Management of pediatric anaphylaxis in the emergency department remains clinically important. The research investigated pediatric anaphylaxis medical indicators together with physician adherence to international treatment protocols at a Turkish tertiary medical center. Methods: Between September 2014 and July 2025, 166 pediatric anaphylaxis [...] Read more.
Background: Management of pediatric anaphylaxis in the emergency department remains clinically important. The research investigated pediatric anaphylaxis medical indicators together with physician adherence to international treatment protocols at a Turkish tertiary medical center. Methods: Between September 2014 and July 2025, 166 pediatric anaphylaxis patients were retrospectively reviewed for triggering factors, clinical findings, treatment approaches, and quality indicators. Results: The mean age of the patients was 7.4 ± 5.6 years. Food allergy was the main cause with 53%, followed by drugs with 24.7%. Food allergy in infants was 85.7%, while drug reactions in adolescents reached 37.2% (p < 0.001). Skin findings were present in 93.4% of the patients, and respiratory symptoms were present in 67.5% of the patients. Epinephrine was administered to 97.6% of patients, 95.2% of whom were given intramuscularly. The rate of epinephrine administration in the first 30 min was 61.1%. Drug-induced anaphylaxis showed the highest proportion of severe cases (81.6%, p < 0.001). A biphasic reaction was seen in 6%. The auto-injector prescription rate was 7.8%, and the allergist referral rate was 15.7%. No deaths were observed. Conclusions: While acute-phase management largely adheres to international guidelines, significant gaps persist in post-discharge care with low auto-injector prescription and allergist referral rates. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Addressing Challenges in Pediatric Critical Care Medicine)
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10 pages, 347 KB  
Article
Comparison of Diagnostic Performance of Commercially Available Serological and Molecular Tests for Detection of Orientia tsutsugamushi in South Korea: A Single-Center Prospective Study
by Seulki Kim, Myoung Gyu Kim, Juho Jang, Jinkwan Lee, Namheon Kim, Yeji Yu, A Reum Kim, Seungjin Lim, Yong Shin and Moonsuk Bae
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(3), 1085; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15031085 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 452
Abstract
Background: Scrub typhus is commonly misdiagnosed because of nonspecific clinical features and limited data on the performance of diagnostic tests. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of commercially available serological and molecular assays for diagnosing scrub typhus. Methods: Adult patients [...] Read more.
Background: Scrub typhus is commonly misdiagnosed because of nonspecific clinical features and limited data on the performance of diagnostic tests. This study aimed to evaluate the accuracy of commercially available serological and molecular assays for diagnosing scrub typhus. Methods: Adult patients with suspected scrub typhus who visited a tertiary-care hospital in South Korea from July 2022 to December 2024 were prospectively enrolled. Scrub typhus was confirmed by either a positive real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) result for Orientia tsutsugamushi or a ≥ four-fold increase in the O. tsutsugamushi-specific total immunoglobulin (Ig) antibody titer on an immunofluorescence assay (IFA). The diagnostic performances of the serial IFA, an immunochromatography-based rapid diagnostic test (ICT), and multiplex real-time PCR targeting the groEL and 47-kDa genes were compared. Results: Among 159 patients, 81 had scrub typhus and 78 did not. The sensitivity and specificity were 64% and 100% for the serial IFA, 75% and 91% for the ICT, and 95% and 100% for multiplex PCR, respectively. The area under the curve was significantly higher for the ICT (0.819) than for the acute-phase IFA (0.743, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Multiplex real-time PCR provided rapid and highly accurate confirmation of scrub typhus, and an acute-phase ICT may be an alternative to a single acute-phase IFA for early clinical decision-making. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Infectious Diseases)
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22 pages, 6575 KB  
Article
Study on Phase I Metabolic Processes and Metabolite Biomarker Identification of Synthetic Cannabinoids 5F-ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADBICA in Human Liver Microsomes and Zebrafish Model
by Huan Li, Hui Zheng, Shihao Zhong, Yanbiao Zhao, Jiaman Lin, Hongliang Su, Zhenhua Qian and Yuanfeng Wang
Molecules 2026, 31(2), 250; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31020250 - 12 Jan 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 561
Abstract
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a rapidly developing kind of novel psychoactive substance, frequently associated with acute intoxication and public health concerns. This study aimed to elucidate and compare the phase I metabolic pathways of two structurally related SCs, 5F-ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADBICA, using in [...] Read more.
Synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) are a rapidly developing kind of novel psychoactive substance, frequently associated with acute intoxication and public health concerns. This study aimed to elucidate and compare the phase I metabolic pathways of two structurally related SCs, 5F-ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADBICA, using in vitro and in vivo models. Temporal metabolic profiling was performed to identify potential signature metabolites. Temporal abundance patterns and correlation cluster analysis of metabolites were analyzed to determine metabolite biomarkers. The two SCs were incubated with pooled human liver microsomes for 24 h and were also evaluated in vivo in zebrafish. Metabolite profiles were characterized using UHPLC-QE Orbitrap-MS. HLM analysis identified 21 5F-ADB-PINACA metabolites and 28 5F-ADBICA metabolites. Metabolites of 5F-ADBICA were detected for the first time in vitro and in a zebrafish model. Zebrafish studies confirmed the presence of all key metabolites observed in HLM. Comparative analysis of their metabolic pathways revealed differences in metabolism driven by structural differences between the indazole and indole cores. This is the first time that correlation analysis has been used in the temporal metabolic profiling of SCs. This study comprehensively characterized the metabolism of 5F-ADB-PINACA and 5F-ADBICA, identifying M13 (hydrolytic defluorination) as a potential metabolite biomarker for 5F-ADB-PINACA and M19 (hydrolytic defluorination) as a potential metabolite biomarker for 5F-ADBICA. The metabolic reactions of the main metabolites of the two synthetic cannabinoids are consistent. However, their metabolic processes (i.e., the overall metabolic pathways and temporal progression of these reactions) are different, which illustrates the metabolic similarity of structurally similar synthetic cannabinoids and the impact of different structures on the metabolic processes. Full article
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10 pages, 5014 KB  
Case Report
Unveiling the Hidden Risk: Ticagrelor-Induced Bradyarrhythmias and Conduction Complications in ACS Patients—Case Series
by Aleksandra Gorzynska-Schulz, Damian Stencelewski, Ludmiła Daniłowicz-Szymanowicz, Monika Lica-Gorzynska, Agata Firkowska and Elżbieta Wabich
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2026, 13(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd13010007 - 22 Dec 2025
Viewed by 767
Abstract
Background: Ticagrelor is a reversible, direct inhibitor of the platelet adenosine diphosphate (P2Y12) receptor, widely used in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to prevent cardiovascular events. Despite its well-established efficacy, ticagrelor [...] Read more.
Background: Ticagrelor is a reversible, direct inhibitor of the platelet adenosine diphosphate (P2Y12) receptor, widely used in combination with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) as dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to prevent cardiovascular events. Despite its well-established efficacy, ticagrelor may cause adverse effects ranging from common ones (e.g., bleeding, dyspnea) to rare but potentially serious reactions such as bradyarrhythmias. These rare events are likely related to elevated adenosine levels secondary to inhibition of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (hENT1). Methods: We describe two clinical cases of ticagrelor-associated bradyarrhythmia observed in patients following ACS. Both cases were analyzed in terms of clinical presentation, ECG findings, management strategy, and outcomes after discontinuation of the drug. Results: The first case concerns a 67-year-old woman with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) who developed complete atrioventricular block (third degree) with a 45 s asystolic pause and syncope. The second case involves a 67-year-old man with anterior ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who experienced recurrent sinus pauses lasting up to 5 s. In both cases, symptoms resolved following ticagrelor discontinuation and theophylline administration. No recurrence of arrhythmia was observed after switching to prasugrel. Conclusions: Ticagrelor-induced bradyarrhythmias, although rare, represent an important and reversible adverse effect that clinicians should be aware of, particularly during the early post-ACS phase. Prompt recognition and drug withdrawal may prevent severe outcomes and avoid unnecessary interventions such as pacemaker implantation. Further studies are warranted to identify patient-specific risk factors predisposing to ticagrelor-related conduction disturbances. Full article
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26 pages, 5734 KB  
Article
AI-Based Quantitative HRCT for In-Hospital Adverse Outcomes and Exploratory Assessment of Reinfection in COVID-19
by Xin-Yi Feng, Fei-Yao Wang, Si-Yu Jiang, Li-Heng Wang, Xin-Yue Chen, Shi-Bo Tang, Fan Yang and Rui Li
Diagnostics 2025, 15(24), 3156; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics15243156 - 11 Dec 2025
Viewed by 766
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Quantitative computed tomography (CT) metrics are widely used to assess pulmonary involvement and to predict short-term severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it remains unclear whether baseline artificial intelligence (AI)-based quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) metrics of pneumonia burden provide [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Quantitative computed tomography (CT) metrics are widely used to assess pulmonary involvement and to predict short-term severity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, it remains unclear whether baseline artificial intelligence (AI)-based quantitative high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) metrics of pneumonia burden provide incremental prognostic value for in-hospital composite adverse outcomes beyond routine clinical factors, or whether these imaging-derived markers carry any exploratory signal for long-term severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) reinfection among hospitalized patients. Most existing imaging studies have focused on diagnosis and acute-phase prognosis, leaving a specific knowledge gap regarding AI-based quantitative HRCT correlates of early deterioration and subsequent reinfection in this population. To evaluate whether combining deep learning-derived, quantitative, HRCT features and clinical factors improve prediction of in-hospital composite adverse events and to explore their association with long-term reinfection in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods: In this single-center retrospective study, we analyzed 236 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR)-confirmed COVID-19 patients who underwent baseline HRCT. Median follow-up durations were 7.65 days for in-hospital outcomes and 611 days for long-term outcomes. A pre-trained, adaptive, artificial-intelligence-based, prototype model (Siemens Healthineers) was used for pneumonia analysis. Inflammatory lung lesions were automatically segmented, and multiple quantitative metrics were extracted, including opacity score, volume and percentage of opacities and high-attenuation opacities, and mean Hounsfield units (HU) of the total lung and opacity. Patients were stratified based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC)-derived optimal thresholds, and multivariable Cox regression was used to identify predictors of the composite adverse outcome (intensive care unit [ICU] admission or all-cause death) and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection, defined as a second RT-PCR-confirmed episode of COVID-19 occurring ≥90 days after initial infection. Results: The composite adverse outcome occurred in 38 of 236 patients (16.1%). Higher AI-derived opacity burden was significantly associated with poorer outcomes; for example, opacity score cut-off of 5.5 yielded an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.62–0.79), and similar performance was observed for the volume and percentage of opacities and high-attenuation opacities (AUCs up to 0.71; all p < 0.05). After adjustment for age and comorbidities, selected HRCT metrics—including opacity score, percentage of opacities, and mean HU of the total lung (cut-off −662.38 HU; AUC 0.64, 95% CI 0.54–0.74)—remained independently associated with adverse events. Individual predictors demonstrated modest discriminatory ability, with C-indices of 0.59 for age, 0.57 for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), 0.62 for opacity score, 0.63 for percentage of opacities, and 0.63 for mean total-lung HU, whereas a combined model integrating clinical and imaging variables improved prediction performance (C-index = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.57–0.80). During long-term follow-up, RT-PCR–confirmed reinfection occurred in 18 of 193 patients (9.3%). Higher baseline CT-derived metrics—particularly opacity score and both volume and percentage of high-attenuation opacities (percentage cut-off = 4.94%, AUC 0.69, 95% CI 0.60–0.79)—showed exploratory associations with SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. However, this analysis was constrained by the very small number of events (n = 18) and wide confidence intervals, indicating substantial statistical uncertainty. In this context, individual predictors again showed only modest C-indices (e.g., 0.62 for procalcitonin [PCT], 0.66 for opacity score, 0.66 for the volume and 0.64 for the percentage of high-attenuation opacities), whereas the combined model achieved an apparent C-index of 0.73 (95% CI 0.64–0.83), suggesting moderate discrimination in this underpowered exploratory reinfection sample that requires confirmation in external cohorts. Conclusions: Fully automated, deep learning-derived, quantitative HRCT parameters provide useful prognostic information for early in-hospital deterioration beyond routine clinical factors and offer preliminary, hypothesis-generating insights into long-term reinfection risk. The reinfection-related findings, however, require external validation and should be interpreted with caution given the small number of events and limited precision. In both settings, combining AI-based imaging and clinical variables yields better risk stratification than either modality alone. Full article
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13 pages, 341 KB  
Article
Effects of Shyness and Adiposity on Heart Rate Reactivity to Psychomotor Challenge in Adolescent Athletes: A Laboratory Study with AI-Supported Data Analysis
by Attila Rausz-Szabó, Veronika Vass, Piroska Béki, Beatrix Faragó and Attila Szabo
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(24), 13026; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152413026 - 10 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1101
Abstract
Background: Elevated heart rate (HR) reactivity to psychomotor challenge mirrors greater proneness to acute stress, which is a disadvantage in competitive sports. This study investigated whether temperament and adiposity predict HR reactivity during a reaction time (RT) task in adolescent athletes, with a [...] Read more.
Background: Elevated heart rate (HR) reactivity to psychomotor challenge mirrors greater proneness to acute stress, which is a disadvantage in competitive sports. This study investigated whether temperament and adiposity predict HR reactivity during a reaction time (RT) task in adolescent athletes, with a focus on identifying their role in psychophysiological vulnerability. Participants and procedure: The participants were 20 adolescent canoe athletes (15 boys, 5 girls; mean age = 14.3 ± 1.88 years). They were volunteers recruited from a canoe club, with the permission of their coaches and parents. The study was conducted in a controlled laboratory setting, where participants underwent anthropometric tests, completed a questionnaire, had a HR monitor fitted, and rested in an armchair until a relatively stable HR (±5 beats per minute) was recorded. Subsequently, their HR was monitored across three 5 min phases: baseline, RT task, and recovery. Reactivity was calculated as the difference between task and recovery, because pre-task HR was influenced by anticipation. Data analyses were performed using AI-assisted and verified Bootstrapped Spearman correlations, Lasso regression with five-fold cross-validation, and stability analysis with 25 repeated cross-validations. Results: Shyness and body fat percentage were positively related to HR reactivity, whereas other temperament traits and RT performance showed no statistically significant associations. The Lasso regression results revealed shyness and adiposity as significant predictors, with their interaction consistently identified as the strongest effect (selected in 76% of models). The independent measures did not affect HR in the recovery phase. Conclusions: Shy adolescents with higher adiposity demonstrate heightened stress responses, as evidenced by HR reactivity, underscoring the importance of addressing stress vulnerability in young athletes and extending this line of inquiry to a broader spectrum of junior athletes. Full article
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13 pages, 1587 KB  
Article
Acute Effects of Accelerated Eccentrics and Accentuated Eccentric Loading on Squat Performance and Lower-Limb Biomechanics
by Mingrui Zhang, Hao Zhou, Xiaoyan Xiang and Ran Wang
Sports 2025, 13(12), 418; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13120418 - 1 Dec 2025
Viewed by 1555
Abstract
This study aimed to compare the acute effects of three eccentric training strategies—constant resistance (CR), accentuated eccentric loading (AEL), and accelerated eccentrics (AE)—on the performance and biomechanical characteristics of the concentric phase of the squat, while maintaining a consistent squat depth. Twenty-four experienced [...] Read more.
This study aimed to compare the acute effects of three eccentric training strategies—constant resistance (CR), accentuated eccentric loading (AEL), and accelerated eccentrics (AE)—on the performance and biomechanical characteristics of the concentric phase of the squat, while maintaining a consistent squat depth. Twenty-four experienced resistance-trained male collegiate athletes (age: 21.92 ± 2.66 years; height: 175.88 ± 4.39 cm; body mass: 73.18 ± 8.08 kg) were recruited. A randomized crossover design was employed, where participants completed three squat protocols (eccentric load/concentric load/eccentric duration): AEL (90% 1RM/60% 1RM/2 s), CR (60% 1RM/60% 1RM/2 s), and AE (60% 1RM/60% 1RM/as fast as possible). Throughout the squats, kinematic and kinetic data were synchronously collected using an 8-camera 3D infrared motion capture system and two 3D force plates. The mean concentric barbell velocity in the AE condition was significantly higher than in both the AEL and CR conditions (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the AE condition demonstrated significant advantages in multiple biomechanical variables, including peak ground reaction force, as well as peak angular velocity and peak joint moments of the three lower limb joints (p < 0.05). With identical concentric loads and range of motion, increasing the velocity of the eccentric phase significantly enhances subsequent concentric performance and force output. In contrast, while the AEL strategy increases the mechanical load during the eccentric phase, its potentiating effect on concentric performance is relatively limited. These findings suggest that eccentric velocity may be a more critical variable than eccentric load in strength training. Full article
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22 pages, 18413 KB  
Article
The Effect of Bilayered Bioactive Coating on Polycaprolactone Electrospun Scaffold Biocompatibility, Bioabsorption and Cellular Properties
by Victor I. Sevastianov, Evgeniy A. Nemets, Alexey M. Grigoriev, Aleksandra D. Belova, Vyacheslav Yu. Belov, Lyudmila A. Kirsanova, Anna S. Ponomareva, Nikita V. Grudinin, Vladimir K. Bogdanov, Alla O. Nikolskaya, Eugenia G. Kuznetsova, Ekaterina A. Guseva, Yulia B. Basok and Sergey V. Gautier
Polymers 2025, 17(21), 2813; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym17212813 - 22 Oct 2025
Viewed by 860
Abstract
Bioabsorbable scaffolds from synthetic polyesters are widely used in the field of tissue engineering. However, their hydrophobic surface and lack of suitable functional groups are the main limitations related to cell attachment. The aim of this research was to modify the surface of [...] Read more.
Bioabsorbable scaffolds from synthetic polyesters are widely used in the field of tissue engineering. However, their hydrophobic surface and lack of suitable functional groups are the main limitations related to cell attachment. The aim of this research was to modify the surface of polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds using a bioactive coating containing heparin bound via albumin spacer and platelet lysate over heparin. Porous scaffolds were produced by electrospinning from 10% PCL (w/w) solution in methylene chloride (25 kV voltage, 100 mm distance between electrodes and 4 mL/h feedrate), which demonstrated 5.5 ± 1.1 MPa Young’s modulus, 2.5 ± 0.4 MPa tensile strength and 321 ± 29% elongation at break. Bioactive coating does not change the structure and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. Treated scaffolds are biocompatible and have no cytotoxic effect in direct contact with cells. Functionalization also promotes the in vitro adhesion and proliferation of human adipose mesenchymal stromal cells. After 7 days of incubation, the PCL scaffold modified with the heparin–platelet lysate complex had a cell density of 185.6 ± 15.7 cells/mm2 compared to 79.5 ± 7.8 cells/mm2 for nontreated control. The intramuscular implantation of scaffolds revealed that immobilization of heparin alone prolongs the acute phase of the inflammatory reaction. However, subsequent treatment with platelet lysate minimizes the inflammatory reaction, slows the rate of implant absorption, and accelerates vascularization. The results obtained show that the developed bioactive coating improves the cellular properties of PCL electrospun scaffolds and can be used to form in vivo tissue-engineered constructs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymer Innovations in Biomedicine)
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23 pages, 1289 KB  
Article
Development and Clinical Validation of a Skin Test for In Vivo Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Specific T-Cell Immunity
by Tikhon V. Savin, Vladimir V. Kopat, Elena D. Danilenko, Alexey A. Churin, Anzhelika M. Milichkina, Edward S. Ramsay, Ilya V. Dukhovlinov, Andrey S. Simbirtsev and Areg A. Totolian
Viruses 2025, 17(9), 1186; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17091186 - 29 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1467
Abstract
A novel skin test for an in vivo assessment of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell immunity was developed using CoronaDermPS, a multiepitope recombinant polypeptide encompassing MHC II–binding CD4+ T-cell epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins (S, E, M) and full length nucleocapsid (N). In silico epitope [...] Read more.
A novel skin test for an in vivo assessment of SARS-CoV-2-specific T-cell immunity was developed using CoronaDermPS, a multiepitope recombinant polypeptide encompassing MHC II–binding CD4+ T-cell epitopes of the SARS-CoV-2 structural proteins (S, E, M) and full length nucleocapsid (N). In silico epitope prediction and modeling guided antigen design, which was expressed in Escherichia coli, was purified (>95% purity) and formulated for intradermal administration. Preclinical evaluation in guinea pigs, mice, and rhesus macaques demonstrated a robust delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) response at optimal doses (10–75 µg), with no acute or chronic toxicity, mutagenicity, or adverse effects on reproductive organs. An integrated clinical analysis included 374 volunteers stratified by vaccination status (EpiVacCorona, Gam-COVID-Vac, CoviVac) prior to COVID-19 infection (Wuhan/Alpha, Delta, Omicron variants), and SARS-CoV-2–naïve controls. Safety assessments across phase I–II trials recorded 477 adverse events, of which >88% were mild and self-limiting; no severe or anaphylactic reactions occurred. DTH responses were measured at 24 h, 72 h, and 144 h post-injection by papule and hyperemia measurements. Overall, 282/374 participants (75.4%) exhibited a positive skin test. Receiver operating characteristic analysis yielded an overall AUC of 0.825 (95% CI: 0.726–0.924), sensitivity 79.5% (95% CI: 75.1–83.3%), and specificity 85.5% (95% CI: 81.8–88.7%), with comparable diagnostic accuracy across vaccine, and variant subgroups (AUC range 0.782–0.870). CoronaDerm-PS–based skin testing offers a simple, reproducible, and low-cost method for qualitative evaluation of T-cell–mediated immunity to SARS-CoV-2, independent of specialized laboratory equipment (Eurasian Patent No. 047119). Its high safety profile and consistent performance across diverse cohorts support its utility for mass screening and monitoring of cellular immune protection following infection or vaccination. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Viral Immunology, Vaccines, and Antivirals)
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