Search Results (1,694)

Background: Patients with early-stage (I–IIIA) resectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) often experience reduced physical activity (PA) after surgery. PA telecoaching may support a more active lifestyle, but evidence in this population is limited. Objective: To evaluate acceptability, feasibility, safety, and actual usage of an automated and manual PA telecoaching program following surgery for NSCLC. Methods: In this multicenter, single-blind study, patients received either an eight-week automated coaching program (ACP) with a customized smartphone app or a manual coaching program (MCP) with weekly phone calls from a coach. Both groups used an activity tracker, linked to their smartphone, to monitor steps and receive feedback. Primary outcomes included acceptability, feasibility, safety and usage, assessed via questionnaires and interviews. Secondary outcomes included objectively measured PA (accelerometry), functional exercise capacity (six-minute walk distance) and symptoms (dyspnea, fatigue) and quality of life, evaluated via questionnaires. Results: Nineteen patients (12 males; 68 ± 6 years; baseline daily steps 7820 ± 2799) were included. The majority (18/19) found the intervention enjoyable, and a minority (6/19) reported minor smartphone issues. All patients wore the activity tracker consistently. No adverse events occurred. The ACP required significantly less coach contact time compared to the MCP (25 ± 14 vs. 54 ± 15 min, p = 0.0003). No other differences in primary outcomes were observed between groups. Changes in secondary outcomes were limited in both groups. Conclusion: PA telecoaching is feasible, well accepted, and safe in patients with NSCLC post-surgery, with excellent activity tracker adherence. The ACP required less coach involvement. However, increasing PA remains challenging, and no conclusions can be made about the effectiveness of telecoaching. Future research should explore longer interventions in larger populations to assess efficacy and long-term outcomes. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to compare the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of a fully customized elastodontic appliance with those of the traditional Twin Block appliance in growing patients with Class II malocclusion during the mixed dentition phase. Methods: A total of 35 patients were included: 18 treated with a customized elastodontic appliance (C-Ela group) and 17 with a Twin Block appliance (TB group). Digital dental models and lateral cephalometric radiographs were obtained at baseline (T1) and after 12 months of treatment (T2). All patients were treated by experienced clinicians according to standardized appliance protocols. Data analysis was performed by a blinded operator using Ortho Analyzer and Dolphin Imaging software. The Shapiro–Wilk test was applied to verify the normal distribution of the data. Paired-sample t-tests were used to assess within-group changes between T1 and T2. For intergroup comparisons two-tail independent-sample t-tests were used, and chi-square tests were used for categorical variables. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Both groups showed significant intragroup improvements in overjet (C-Ela: −2.77 ± 2.07; TB: −2.30 ± 2.72 mm), overbite (C-Ela: −1.79 ± 1.95; TB: −1.40 ± 2.65 mm), and sagittal molar relationship (p < 0.05) after treatment. The C-Ela group exhibited a significantly greater reduction in anterior dental crowding (p < 0.05) and better control of upper (C-Ela: −4.93 ± 7.65°; TB: −1.80 ± 5.72°) and lower incisor inclination (C-Ela: +1.70 ± 4.80°; TB: +4.35 ± 6.22°). In intergroup comparisons, the TB group showed a significantly greater proclination of the lower incisors at T2 (L1/Go-Gn: +4.35°; L1/A-Pog: +1.44 mm), whereas the C-Ela more effectively limited these changes (L1/Go-Gn: +1.70°; L1/A-Pog: +1.18 mm). Skeletal analysis revealed an increase in ANB angle in both groups (C-Ela: −1.49 ± 2.62°; TB: −1.78 ± 2.78°), with no statistically significant intergroup differences, and no other skeletal parameters showed significant between-group changes. Conclusions: Both appliances effectively corrected Class II malocclusions. However, the customized elastodontic device provided better dentoalveolar control, particularly in managing anterior crowding and incisor inclination. Its individualized fit may enhance biomechanical precision and improve overall treatment outcomes in growing patients. Full article

Background/Objectives: The complementary feeding period is a critical window for shaping infant diet, gut microbiota, and immune development. While allergic symptoms often emerge in the first year of life, the effects of specific foods, such fruits, on infant allergy symptoms, inflammation, immunity and associated microbiota remain unclear. This study aimed to assess the impact of daily blueberry consumption during the complementary feeding period on allergy-related symptoms, immune biomarkers, and gut microbiota in breastfed U.S. infants. Methods: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, infants from the Denver metro area were assigned to receive up to 10 g/day of freeze-dried blueberry powder or an isocaloric placebo from 5 to 12 months of age. Stool, blood, and caregiver-reported allergy-related symptom data were collected at baseline and study end. Results: Of the 76 infants enrolled, 61 completed the study (Blueberry: n = 30; Placebo: n = 31). While more infants in the blueberry group had allergy-related symptoms at baseline, they had significantly different longitudinal symptom trajectories than the placebo (p = 0.05), showing a greater resolution rate of symptoms by study end. Pro-inflammatory serum IL-13 levels were significantly reduced (p = 0.035) and anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels borderline increased (p = 0.052) in the blueberry group. However, changes in allergy symptoms were not significantly associated with IL-10 or IL-13. The relative abundances of Lacticaseibacillus, Blautia, and Peptostreptococcaceae at 12 months were negatively correlated with IL-10, while Lactobacillus, Clostridiaceae, and Megasphaera were positively associated. IL-13 was positively associated with Citrobacter and negatively associated with Anaerostipes and Blautia. Conclusions: The consumptio9n of blueberries as an early complementary food may improve resolution of allergy symptoms, modulate immune biomarkers, and promote beneficial shifts in gut microbiota during infancy. Future research should aim to identify the specific bioactive components of blueberries responsible for these effects and explore the potential of other complementary foods to favorably influence developing biological systems involved in microbiota and immune development. Full article

Background: L-carnitine supplementation is thought to enhance exercise performance, particularly in moderate and high-intensity activities, but evidence supporting this is mixed. This study aimed to assess whether acute L-carnitine tartrate supplementation could improve CrossFit^® performance, specifically during the “Cindy” workout, a high-intensity exercise protocol. Methods: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design, 20 trained male recreational CrossFit^® athletes completed the “Cindy” workout within a 20 min period after ingesting either 3 g of L-carnitine tartrate or a placebo 90 min before exercise. Performance was measured by total repetitions completed. Secondary outcomes included ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), gastrointestinal issues, and blood pressure (BP) measurements. Results: The results showed that L-carnitine supplementation did not significantly affect the number of repetitions performed (202.4 ± 69.9 vs. 204.5 ± 78.8, p = 0.810) compared to the placebo. There were also no significant differences in RPE (6.3 ± 1.5 vs. 6.9 ± 1.4, p = 0.180) or BP changes between groups. However, 10% of participants reported difficulty sleeping after L-carnitine supplementation. Conclusions: The findings suggest that 3 g of L-carnitine tartrate does not enhance CrossFit^® performance in recreational athletes. Further research is needed to clarify its potential benefits, especially with larger samples and consideration of factors like sex and carbohydrate co-ingestion. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fecal peritonitis following penetrating abdominal trauma is a serious condition that often results in sepsis and organ failure. The aim of our study was to develop a novel conscious porcine model of sepsis and organ dysfunction caused by multiple penetrating injuries to the small and large intestines. Methods: Twelve female Yorkshire pigs (average weight 50.6 ± 6.5 kg) were divided into two groups: Penetrating Abdominal Trauma (PAT) (n = 8) and Control (n = 4). All surgical procedures were performed under anesthesia with adequate analgesia. In the PAT group, the small and large intestines were punctured, and feces mixed with saline were introduced into the abdominal cavity to induce peritonitis. The Control group received sham surgery with only saline solution. The animals were observed in a conscious state over a period of 72 h, vital parameters were recorded, and blood samples were taken regularly. We adapted a pig-specific SOFA score and developed pig-specific SIRS criteria and NEWS2 score to assess organ function. The model was validated by independent investigators. Results: The survival rate in the PAT group was 75%, with an average survival time of 58.5 h, while all animals in the Control group survived to euthanasia. Monitoring showed pathophysiological changes, such as tachycardia, leucopenia, and thrombocytopenia, indicative of sepsis and organ dysfunction. Blinded investigators independently confirmed the model’s validity. Conclusions: A new swine model of penetrating abdominal trauma and sepsis has been successfully developed that demonstrates significant physiological and immunologic changes comparable to human sepsis. This new model provides a realistic platform for future research into sepsis, its diagnostics, and the evaluation of therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background: Identifying compounds with neuroprotective properties that target the neurogenic process will have a considerable impact on dementia prevention. Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a 24-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled anthocyanin supplementation trial in 181 participants. Using blood-derived serum collected during this trial, we treated hippocampal progenitor cells and analysed the ensuing cellular changes in the context of the participant’s clinical and blood-based biomarker data. Results: We show that anthocyanin supplementation impacts hippocampal progenitor cells and that this can impact hippocampal-dependent cognition. We also show for the first time that blood-based dementia biomarkers correlate with human in vitro neurogenesis markers. Conclusions: Our data demonstrates moderator effects of BMI and ApoE4 carrier status and supports the need for more individualised trials. Further studies are warranted to explore the mechanism of action of anthocyanins and the use of blood-based biomarkers for clinical trial enrichment, trial individualization, and therapy development. Trial registration: NCT03419039; date first registered: 15/01/2018. Full article

Background: Chronic chlorella intake combined with high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) has been shown to accelerate aerobic and anaerobic capacities in rodents. This study aimed to clarify the effects of combining chlorella intake with short-term HIIT on exercise performance in humans, and to investigate the impact of chlorella intake on cardiac adaptation. Materials and Methods: In Study 1, twelve healthy young men completed a 3-week exhaustive HIIT, comprising 6–7 bouts of 20 s of cycling on a leg ergometer at an intensity of 170% maximal oxygen uptake ($\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2max), with a 10 s rest between each bout, 3 days/week. They were orally administered either placebo or chlorella during the 3 weeks in a double-blinded, randomized crossover trial (RCT). In Study 2, six healthy young men were orally administered either placebo or chlorella during 4 weeks in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled RCT. We measured $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2max and cardiac function (stroke volume [SV], heart rate [HR], and cardiac output [CO]) during maximal exercise. In Study 3, chlorella-induced changes in molecular markers of maladaptation of the heart were measured in healthy rats. Results: [Study 1] After each HIIT, $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2max significantly increased in the placebo and chlorella groups (p < 0.05). Changes in $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$O_2max were significantly higher in the chlorella group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05). [Study 2] Changes in SV and CO during maximal exercise were significantly higher in the chlorella group than in the placebo group (p < 0.05 each), but HR_max did not change. [Study 3] Chronic chlorella intake did not change the molecular markers of pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Conclusions: Chronic chlorella intake, which improves aerobic capacity by enhancing cardiac function without causing cardiac maladaptation, combined with short-term HIIT, further enhanced aerobic capacity. Thus, the chlorella-induced increase in cardiac function may further enhance aerobic capacity through HIIT. Full article

Background: Immediate implant placement in the esthetic zone, particularly in Class II extraction sockets with partial facial bone loss, presents challenges in achieving soft and hard tissue stability. Customized computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) titanium abutments may offer advantages over prefabricated stock abutments. This study compared the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of customized CAD/CAM titanium abutments versus stock Laser-Lok stock abutments. Materials and methods: In a single-center, double-blind randomized clinical trial, 48 patients received immediate maxillary anterior implants restored with either customized CAD/CAM titanium abutments (n = 24) or stock titanium abutments (n = 24). Primary outcomes included peri-implant probing depth (PD), mucosal height, Pink Esthetic Score (PES), crestal bone level changes, and patient satisfaction assessed at baseline, 6, and 12 months post-loading. Statistical analysis included effect sizes and 95% confidence intervals. Results: At 12 months, the customized abutment group showed significantly shallower PD (mean difference: −0.54 mm; 95% CI: −0.72 to −0.35; p < 0.001), higher PES (12.21 ± 0.35 vs. 10.41 ± 1.17; p < 0.0001; Cohen’s d = 2.08), and less crestal bone loss (1.75 ± 0.36 mm vs. 2.33 ± 0.52 mm; p < 0.0001). Patient satisfaction scores were also higher in the customized group (p = 0.003). Within-group improvements were observed in both groups over time. No implant failures occurred. Conclusions: At 1-year follow-up, customized CAD/CAM titanium abutments demonstrated improved peri-implant soft tissue parameters, esthetics, and patient satisfaction compared to stock abutments. While these findings support their use in esthetically demanding immediate implant cases, the short-term duration and single-center design warrant further long-term multicenter studies to confirm durability. Trial registration: Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on 19/01/2025 (NCT06791655). Full article

Background/Objectives: This study evaluated the applicability of B-mode ultrasound, Doppler, and elastography in the early diagnosis of non-azotemic acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats induced with cyclophosphamide. Methods: The prospective, randomized, and blinded experiment involved groups receiving cyclophosphamide (CG, n = 12) and saline (control, SG, n = 9). Serum biomarkers (urea, creatinine, and symmetric dimethylarginine) were assessed, along with renal histological analysis to classify AKI severity and distribution. Results: B-mode ultrasound revealed a significantly higher corticomedullary ratio at 24 and 72 h and increased renal width at 48 h in the cyclophosphamide group compared to controls. Biochemical analyses showed no significant differences between groups in early stages. Although B-mode ultrasound detected early morphological changes—specifically in corticomedullary ratio and renal size—Doppler and elastography demonstrated limited diagnostic utility in early AKI detection. Conclusions: Overall, B-mode ultrasound provided valuable early indicators of renal injury, whereas Doppler and elastography showed minimal clinical benefit at this stage. Full article

Background: Uterine leiomyomas, commonly known as fibroids, are the most prevalent benign tumors in women of reproductive age and a major contributor to gynecological morbidity. Although surgery and hormonal therapies are standard treatments, their associated side effects have prompted the search for safer, non-hormonal alternatives. Oligo-fucoidan, a sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed, has demonstrated anti-fibrotic and estrogen-regulating effects in preclinical models, but its clinical potential remains largely unexplored. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot trial, 16 women diagnosed with uterine leiomyomas by ultrasound were enrolled and randomly assigned to receive either oligo-fucoidan (4 g/day) or placebo for six months (n = 8 per group). The primary endpoints were changes in the number of leiomyomas and quality of life, assessed using the World Health Organization Quality-of-Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF) and Menstrual Distress Questionnaire (MDQ). Hormonal and safety parameters were also monitored. Results: Compared with the placebo group, participants receiving oligo-fucoidan exhibited a statistically significant reduction in fibroid number and reported improvements in quality-of-life domains. No serious adverse events occurred, and no clinically significant changes were noted in safety-related laboratory parameters. Conclusions: This pilot study provides preliminary clinical evidence that oligo-fucoidan may be a safe, well-tolerated, and potentially effective functional food-based approach for managing uterine fibroids. Larger trials are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

This paper presents a blind source separation (BSS)-based framework for joint communication and sensing (JCAS) in in-band full-duplex (IBFD) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems operating under time-varying channel conditions. Conventionally, self-interference (SI) in IBFD systems is a major obstacle to recovering the signal of interest (SOI). Under the JCAS paradigm, however, this high-power SI signal presents an opportunity for efficient sensing. Since each transceiver node has access to the original SI signal, its environmental reflections can be exploited to estimate channel conditions and detect changes, without requiring dedicated radar waveforms. We propose a blind source separation (BSS)-based framework to simultaneously perform self-interference cancellation (SIC) and extract sensing information in IBFD MIMO settings. The approach applies the Fast Independent Component Analysis (FastICA) algorithm in dynamic scenarios to separate the SI and SOI signals while enabling simultaneous signal recovery and channel estimation. Simulation results quantify the trade-off between estimation accuracy and channel dynamics, demonstrating that while FastICA is effective, its performance is fundamentally limited by a frame size optimized for the rate of channel variation. Specifically, in static channels, the signal-to-residual-error ratio (SRER) exceeds 22 dB with 500-symbol frames, whereas for moderately time-varying channels, performance degrades significantly for frames longer than 150 symbols, with SRER dropping below 4 dB. Full article

This study is devoted to the analysis of the perception of colour schemes of web resources by users with different types of colour blindness (colour vision deficiency). The purpose of this study is to develop recommendations for choosing the optimal colour scheme for web resource design that will ensure the comfortable perception of content for the broadest possible audience, including users with colour vision deficiency of various types (deuteranopia and deuteranomaly, protanopia and protanomaly, tritanopia, and tritanomaly). This article presents the results of a survey of people with different colour vision deficiencies regarding the accessibility of web resources created using different colour schemes. The colour deviation value ∆E was calculated to objectively assess changes in the perception of different colour groups by people with colour vision impairments. The conclusions of this study emphasise the importance of taking into account the needs of users with colour vision impairments when developing web resources. Specific recommendations for choosing the best colour schemes for websites are also offered, which will help increase the accessibility and effectiveness of web content for users with different types of colour blindness. Full article

Objective: Irritability and reactive aggression are transdiagnostic features that are predictive of adverse long-term outcomes. This investigation examined whether intranasal oxytocin administration impacts the interaction between irritability and reactive aggression, and whether these effects can be detected at a neural level via a facial expression processing task during functional MRI (fMRI). Methods: In this study, 40 children and adolescents with severe irritability and psychiatric diagnoses of disruptive mood and behavioral disorders were assigned to either intranasal oxytocin or placebo administration over a 3-week period in a randomized, double-blind trial (ClinicalTrials, NCT02824627). Clinical measures and fMRI during a facial expression processing task were collected pre- and post-intervention. Brain regions sensitive to oxytocin administration were determined using whole-brain statistical analyses, with post hoc analyses to determine whether changes in the neural activity mediated the relationship between changes in irritability and reactive aggression across the intervention period. Results: Youth who received intranasal oxytocin administration exhibited significant decreases in irritability and reactive aggression compared to their counterparts in the placebo group. Further, oxytocin administration was associated with significant increases in neural activity in the right superior prefrontal cortex, which fully mediated the relationship between improvements in irritability and improvements in reactive aggression. Conclusions: Intranasal oxytocin significantly reduced irritability and reactive aggression in youth, as well as neural activity in the prefrontal cortex, such that increases in the cortical activity fully mediated the relationship between changes in irritability and reactive aggression. Taken together, these findings may reflect oxytocin-related enhancements in emotional regulation in youth with severe irritability, a potential therapeutic mechanism for mitigating reactive aggression. Full article

Background: Diaper dermatitis (DD) frequently occurs following pediatric gastrointestinal surgery and may lead to severe morbidity despite preventive measures. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of potato-derived protease enzyme inhibitor cream (PPEIC) in preventing DD after gastrointestinal surgery in children. Methods: In this double-blinded, single-center RCT, 30 patients under three years of age undergoing gastrointestinal surgery were randomized 1:1 to prevention using PPEIC or Panthenol cream (PC). The creams were applied after each diaper change for four weeks postoperatively. At two and four weeks, two observers evaluated photographs of the perianal region for the presence and severity of DD. The primary outcome was the severity of DD four weeks after surgery. Results: From November 2020 to March 2023, 30 patients were included. Two patients withdrew directly after randomization, resulting in 13 PPEIC and 15 PC patients. In total, nineteen patients (73.1%) developed DD—eight (66.7%) in the PPEIC group and 11 (78.6%) in the PC group (p = 0.665)—of whom twelve (63.2%) suffered severe DD. All DD cases developed within the first two weeks, resulting in half of the patients discontinuing the preventive cream before the four-week endpoint. Conclusions: This study highlights the significant issue of DD after gastrointestinal surgery, which affects 73.1% of diapered children despite prevention with PPEIC or PC. Although the study was unable to identify a superior preventive method, it offers valuable insights and goals for future research. Full article

Electrophysiological studies reveal significant organizational and functional differences in the cortex of blind individuals compared to sighted individuals. These differences result from the nervous system’s reorganization to adapt to new sensory modalities used in daily life. Cortical visual prostheses offer a means to restore visual sensations in blind individuals by generating phosphenes, luminous perceptions that provide information about their surroundings. This study investigates the cortical changes associated with the use of a visual neuroprosthesis, focusing on how the brain adapts to the restored visual input. Our findings aim to contribute to understanding neuroplasticity in sensory restoration processes. Full article