Search Results (3,791)

In bovine embryo transfer (ET) using in vitro-produced (IVP) embryos, recipient factors and embryo grade are well-established predictors of pregnancy success, but the impact of the laboratory-level developmental competence of IVP embryos remains insufficiently characterized. This retrospective study evaluated factors affecting pregnancy rates following the transfer of IVP beef embryos to dairy recipients. Medical records from 462 ETs were analyzed across three categories: (1) recipient-related factors (parity, body condition, estrus synchronization, corpus luteum characteristics); (2) laboratory factors (cleavage, blastocyst formation, degeneration, embryo grade, developmental stage, cryopreservation); and (3) environmental factors (temperature–humidity index, transport time). Mean comparison and chi-square analyses revealed significant differences in pregnancy rates based on corpus luteum volume, cleavage rates, blastocyst formation rates, degeneration rates, and embryo grade. In binary logistic regression, categorized increases in blastocyst formation rate, degeneration rate, and embryo grade were associated with a 1.45-fold increase, 0.74-fold decrease, and 0.56-fold decrease in pregnancy odds, respectively; no recipient or environmental variables were independent predictors. These findings indicate that developmental competence of IVP embryos is more critical for pregnancy success than recipient or environmental factors, suggesting that optimizing IVP systems to maximize embryo quality is the most effective strategy to improve reproductive efficiency in ET. Full article

Background/Objectives: Low back pain (LBP) is a major public health problem that contributes substantially to disability and impaired quality of life. Methods: Using nationally representative data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), this study evaluated the epidemiology of LBP among Korean adults aged 50–79 years and explored factors associated with LBP in relation to lumbar radiographic findings. Weighted analyses corresponding to an estimated 8,464,167 individuals were performed. Multivariable logistic regression was used to explore factors associated with LBP. In addition, to explore patterns of association under comparable demographic and radiographic conditions, we conducted analyses stratified by age, sex, and lumbar radiographic grade as a descriptive, exploratory approach. Results: In weighted estimates, 25.1% of participants reported LBP and 28.3% demonstrated radiographic lumbar spondylosis (Kellgren–Lawrence grade ≥ 2). LBP was consistently associated with depressive mood, osteoporosis, lower household income, and lifestyle-related factors, even under similar age and radiographic conditions. Conclusions: These findings suggest that LBP in Korea may reflect multidimensional health factors beyond lumbar radiographic severity alone. Full article

Aging-related muscle dysfunction has been conceptualized through the model of sarcopenia, but it embraces several other characteristics, e.g., dynapenia, myosteatosis, and powerpenia. Our perspective reframes muscle aging from a different point of view, the Skeletal Muscle Function Deficit (SMFD), a unifying approach that integrates muscle quality and mass into a single functional definition. An SMFD score has been adopted in the InCHIANTI study against many geriatric outcomes, such as risk of disability, physical performance, hospitalizations and falls, and incidence of major diseases, highlighting its potential value as a primary indicator of muscle failure and/or of healthy aging. At the core of SMFD lies inflammaging, the chronic, low-grade, age-related inflammation, linking functional outcomes to muscular and neural aging. Inflammatory mediators alter the anabolic/catabolic balance, accelerate myosteatosis, impair neuromuscular junction, and influence denervation. These findings support the idea of a common pathway that links neuro-muscular deficit and inflammation, which simultaneously targets cortical motor circuits, spinal motor neurons, peripheral nerves, and muscle fibers. The SMFD approach facilitates early detection, risk stratification, and possible intervention for muscle deterioration with aging. Full article

Vanadium–titanium magnetite is a strategically important resource for iron, vanadium, and titanium production, yet its utilization in conventional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace routes is limited by the dilution of titanium into low-value slag. This study investigates an integrated process route combining pellet preparation, hydrogen-based shaft furnace reduction conducted in the temperature range of 800–1000 °C, and subsequent electric furnace smelting for efficient recovery of Fe, V, and Ti. Pellets prepared from 100 wt.% vanadium–titanium magnetite exhibited sufficient mechanical strength but showed poor reducibility and severe low-temperature reduction disintegration, rendering them unsuitable for hydrogen-based shaft furnace operation. To overcome these limitations, systematic ore blending was applied. An optimized pellet composition comprising 40 wt.% vanadium–titanium magnetite, 50 wt.% high-grade iron ore, and 10 wt.% titanium concentrate achieved reduction degrees above 90%, acceptable swelling and bonding behavior, and low reduction disintegration indices meeting industrial HYL requirements. Industrial trials in a hydrogen-based shaft furnace demonstrated stable operation and consistent product quality, producing direct reduced iron with controlled metallization and enrichment of titanium and vanadium. Subsequent electric furnace smelting achieved clear slag–metal separation, yielding hot metal with high iron and vanadium recovery and a TiO₂-rich slag containing approximately 45 wt.% TiO₂. Recovery rates of Fe, V, and Ti exceeded 90%, confirming the technical feasibility of the proposed process route. Full article

Background and Objectives: Tubal reanastomosis is an alternative option for women seeking fertility after sterilization. Thus, anastomosis healing quality and peri-tubal adhesions play a crucial role. TISSEEL^® fibrin sealant may enhance tissue repair and reduce foreign-body reaction. We evaluated the effect of TISSEEL^®, used alone or with sutures, on anastomotic healing and adhesion formation in a rat uterine horn model. Materials and Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were randomized to Suture, TISSEEL^®, or Suture + TISSEEL^® groups (n = 10 each). After bilateral uterine horn transection, reanastomosis was performed with sutures alone, fibrin sealant alone, or combined sutures and sealant. On postoperative day 14, reanastomosis segments were collected for blinded histologic assessment and evaluation of modified Ehrlich–Hunt score parameters (inflammation, fibrosis, neovascularization and collagen production). Intra-abdominal adhesions were also macroscopically assessed. Results: Two animals died perioperatively and 56 uterine horns were included in the final analysis (Suture n = 18, TISSEEL^® n = 18, Suture + TISSEEL^® n = 20). The distribution of inflammation and fibrosis severity grades, as assessed by the modified Ehrlich–Hunt scoring system, did not differ significantly between the study groups (p = 0.208 and p = 0.652, respectively). In contrast, high-grade neovascularization (grades 3–4) was more common in TISSEEL^® groups (77.8% TISSEEL^®, 80.0% Suture + TISSEEL^®, 33.3% Suture, p = 0.004), while increased collagen deposition was also more common in the TISSEEL^® groups (p = 0.011), after binary analysis. Severe adhesions were more common in the Suture group (66.7% vs. 11.1% in the TISSEEL^® group and 30.0% in the Suture + TISSEEL^® group, p = 0.037). Conclusions: TISSEEL^®, alone or as an adjunct to sutures, improves neovascularization and collagen production and is associated with milder adhesions without increased inflammation or fibrosis. The use of fibrin sealant TISSEEL^® may be a useful tool in tubal reconstructive surgery. Full article

To achieve accurate identification of early subcutaneous bruising regions in fragrant pears, this study developed a detection system based on Structured-Illumination Reflectance Imaging (SIRI) and integrated it with both machine learning and deep learning models. Structured-illumination images were acquired at six spatial frequencies (50, 100, 150, 200, 250, and 300 cycle·m⁻¹) and evaluated after demodulation through both visual assessment and contrast index (CI) analysis. The optimal spatial frequency of 150 cycle·m⁻¹ was selected for subsequent analysis. Texture features were extracted from AC, DC, and RT images based on the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), and classification was performed using three machine learning models KNN, PLS-DA, LightGBM and the deep learning Mask R-CNN model. The results showed that the classification performance of RT images was superior to that of AC and DC images. Among them, the PLS-DA model achieved an accuracy of 95.00% on the test set for RT images. The Mask R-CNN model achieved a recognition accuracy of 99.17% on the RT image test set. These results demonstrate that the combination of SIRI and deep learning enables highly sensitive and nondestructive detection of early subcutaneous bruising in Korla pears, providing an efficient and reliable technical approach for fruit quality grading and postharvest intelligent inspection. Full article

Nishijin weaving in Kyoto developed as a luxury textile for kimono, yet sustaining the district requires expansion toward contemporary apparel and markets. Within a silk-centred culture and quality regime, polyester has been adopted as a versatile option, and its use has increased, especially for kimono-related products, partly because its filament form can substitute for silk and fit existing processes. From this trajectory, we explore a craft–code–craft pathway by integrating a biodegradable polyester grade into Nishijin’s code-based Jacquard production (CGS). Through practice-based research, we trace how design intent is encoded (Houdini → CGS → Jacquard) and how shop-floor constraints reconfigure design (Jacquard → CGS → Houdini), revealing institutional constraints that shape which materials become usable. We report three case studies: (A) 3D woven structures informed by pleat parameterisation, (B) a zero-waste garment using a 25 cm repeat logic, and (C) a fashion show that makes translation processes legible to the public in an exhibition context. While biodegradable polyester can fit existing infrastructure, apparel-grade warp use remains under development due to warping and warp-joining requirements; yarn specifications and design parameters are being revised. By foregrounding translation across tools, roles, and standards, the study proposes pathways for material transition and circularity within a craft system. Full article

Xinjiang is an arid and semi-arid region where ecosystems are fragile, and monitoring how its ecology changes over time is critical for its sustainable development. In this study, a Remote Sensing Ecological Index (RSEI) was established for Xinjiang from 2000 to 2025. To understand temporal and spatial changes in ecological quality, we conducted spatial autocorrelation analysis, Theil–Sen median trend analysis, a Mann–Kendall trend test, and Hurst exponent analysis. We also used Geodetector to determine which factors affect the RSEI. The main results were as follows: (1) The RSEI in Xinjiang remained low, with a mean value between 0.285 and 0.336. Mountainous areas had higher values, basins had lower values, and spatial clustering was strong (Moran’s I index: 0.81–0.86). (2) H-H clusters expanded and then shrank, while L-L clusters grew after 2015. Areas with excellent ecological grades increased, but so did areas with poor grades, indicating that improvement and degradation both exist. (3) Most areas were stable, but 19.13% showed persistent degradation, indicating that these areas need more attention. (4) Land surface temperature (q = 0.624) and land cover (q = 0.576) were the main driving factors, and factor interactions showed enhanced effects. The results of this study could provide a scientific basis for ecosystem protection and restoration in Xinjiang. Full article

Background: Postoperative bladder drainage is commonly required following major pelvic or abdominal surgery. Existing evidence indicates substantial variation in urinary tract infection (UTI) risk across different catheterization methods. However, the comparative effectiveness of indwelling Foley catheterization (IFC), suprapubic catheterization (SPC), and intermittent catheterization (IC) remains uncertain. Methods: We conducted a Bayesian network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare UTI incidence associated with different urinary drainage methods, including IFC, SPC, and IC. PubMed and the Cochrane Library were searched to identify eligible RCTs published from January 2010 to November 2025. Trials comparing at least two of the three catheterization routes following major pelvic or abdominal surgery were included. The primary outcome was the rate of UTI. A Bayesian network meta-analysis with a random-effects model was conducted using the gemtc package in R 4.5.1 and RStudio2026.01.0. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Results: Ten RCTs involving 1242 patients met the eligibility criteria. Both IC and SPC demonstrated a reduced risk of UTI compared with IFC. Based on indirect evidence, SPC was not associated with a statistically significant reduction in postoperative UTI compared with IC, with considerable uncertainty in the effect estimate (OR = 0.53, 95% CrI 0.09–2.69). Overall, IC and SPC showed favorable trends in reducing catheter-related complications compared with IFC. Conclusions: This network meta-analysis suggests that SPC and IC may be more effective than IFC in reducing the risk of postoperative UTI following major pelvic or abdominal surgery. However, further high-quality randomized controlled trials that integrate urinary drainage methods with bladder rehabilitation interventions are needed to identify the optimal management strategy for this patient population. Full article

Background/Objectives: To mine single-cell sequencing data for colorectal cancer (CRC), identify CRC epithelial cell subtypes, and explore the heterogeneity of epithelial cells and their impact on the tumor microenvironment (TME). Methods: The GSE201348 dataset, including normal, colorectal adenoma, high-grade colorectal intraepithelial neoplasia, and CRC tumor tissue samples, was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus. The Seurat package of R software was used for data quality control, data integration, normalization, and clustering. The Feature Plot and the Recode function were executed to annotate and group the epithelial cells. Finally, genetic differences, copy number variant heterogeneity, pseudotime, cell–cell communication, and Gene Set Variation Analysis (GSVA) were further conducted. Results: In total, 26,335 gene matrices from 263,872 cells were obtained for subsequent analyses. Four cell clusters, including immune cells, fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and epithelial cells, were identified. Epithelial cells were further divided into 11 subgroups characterized by MKI67, SLC27A6, PLCE1, NKD1, KCNMA1, GDA, CLCA4, BEST4, LRMP, ACTG2, and ASPM. GSVA enrichment analysis suggested a role of the “P53 pathway,” “Wnt–β-catenin signaling,” and “MYC targets V1” pathways in epithelial cells during the malignant progression of tumors. Survival analysis indicated that downregulation of KCNMA1 and upregulation of MKI67 were associated with poor prognosis. Cell–cell communication analysis suggested a bidirectional regulatory role between epithelial and fibroblast subsets. Conclusions: This study analyzed the gene expression characteristics of 11 types of epithelial cells during the malignant progression of CRC. KCNMA1⁺ and MKI67⁺ epithelial subpopulations are important indicators for the malignant progression of CRC. Full article

As the raw material for tea making, the quality of fresh tea leaves directly affects the quality of finished tea. Traditional manual sorting and machine sorting struggle to meet the requirements for high-quality tea processing. Based on machine vision and deep learning, intelligent grading technology has been applied to the automated sorting of fresh tea leaves. However, when faced with machine-picked tea leaves, the characteristics of complex morphology, small target recognition size, and dense spatial distribution can interfere with accurate category recognition, which in turn limits classification accuracy and consistency. Therefore, we propose an enhanced YOLOv12 detection framework that integrates three key modules—C3k2_EMA, A2C2f_DYT, and RFAConv—to strengthen the model's ability to capture delicate tea bud features, thereby improving detection accuracy and robustness. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves precision, recall, and mAP@0.5 of 81.2%, 90.6%, and 92.7% in premium tea recognition, effectively supporting intelligent and efficient tea harvesting and sorting operations. This study addresses the challenges of subtle fine-grained differences, small object sizes, variable morphology, and complex background interference in premium tea bud images. The proposed model not only achieves high accuracy and robustness in fine-grained tea bud detection but also provides technical feasibility for intelligent fresh tea leaves classification and production monitoring. Full article

Background: Phase angle (PhA), derived from bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), is a non-invasive parameter that reflects cellular integrity and nutritional status. Although PhA is increasingly used in pediatric settings, evidence on modifiable determinants in healthy adolescents remains limited. Methods: This study was conducted in 56 adolescents (median age 16 years) who underwent BIA measurement including PhA at 50 kHz. Lifestyle and diet were assessed using the validated questionnaire and included physical activity level (school and free time), sleep length, and diet quality indices together with selected food intake frequencies. Results: The median PhA was 5.16° (IQR 4.88–5.46). In multivariable models, male sex (B = 0.96, p < 0.001) and higher free-time physical activity were independently associated with higher PhA, with graded effects for moderate (B = 0.42, p = 0.004) and high activity (B = 0.55, p = 0.001) versus low. Dietary indices and individual food items did not retain significance after adjustment. Penalized logistic models confirmed lower odds of low PhA with moderate (OR: 0.13, 95% CI: −3.66 to −0.56) and high (OR: 0.01, 95% CI: −9.15 to −1.87) versus low free-time activity. Conclusions: In healthy adolescents, habitual free-time physical activity is the main factor of PhA. These findings support the promotion of physical activity in youth as a modifiable determinant of cellular health. Full article

Conservation of historic buildings has long relied on traditional, reactive methods that address deterioration only after it occurs, often leading to irreversible damage. This study introduces an innovative approach that integrates Digital Twin (DT) technology with advanced machine learning algorithms to enable predictive and data-driven conservation. Focusing on Nottingham Cathedral, a Grade II listed Gothic Revival building, this research developed a 3D Historic Building Information Model (HBIM) enhanced with real-time environmental monitoring of temperature, humidity, and air quality. The collected data were analysed using MATLABR2024a to train and evaluate several predictive algorithms, including Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Backpropagation Neural Network (BPNN), Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS), and Nonlinear Autoregressive Exogenous (NARX) models. The NARX model achieved the highest accuracy (Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) = 0.19) in forecasting indoor environmental conditions. Findings indicate that maintaining an indoor temperature increase of 4–6 °C can effectively reduce relative humidity below 60%, minimising deterioration risks. The study demonstrates how integrating DT and machine learning offers a proactive framework for environmental optimisation and long-term preservation of heritage assets, moving conservation practice from reactive restoration toward predictive conservation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Evidence regarding the effect of malocclusion on periodontal health is contradictory. This systematic review with meta-analysis seeks to summarize the available scientific evidence on the relationship between malocclusion and periodontal health in children and adolescents. Methods: A review of four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Web of Science) was performed. Observational studies were included if they investigated the link between malocclusion and periodontal health in children and adolescents. The quality of the studies included in the review was determined using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS). A meta-analysis was conducted on binary outcomes using random-effect models. The Grading Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) tool was used to determine the certainty of the evidence for each outcome. Results: The initial search yielded 774 potential articles. Nineteen articles were selected for the final qualitative analysis, and four of these were included in the meta-analysis. Certain malocclusion traits appear to be associated with less favorable periodontal health indicators in children and adolescents. Quantitative synthesis restricted to studies using the Gingival Bleeding Index (GBI) suggests that malpositioned teeth, such as crowding or lack of spacing, and Class II or Class III molar relationships may be associated with a higher odds of gingivitis in individuals under 18 years of age. The overall quality of evidence of the studies was very low, according to the GRADE criteria. Conclusions: Observational cross-sectional evidence of very low certainty suggests an association between certain malocclusions (crowding, lack of spacing, Class II or Class III molar relationships) and increased odds of gingivitis in children and adolescents. Evidence regarding dental plaque accumulation is inconsistent and limited by substantial heterogeneity across studies. Causality cannot be inferred, and further high-quality longitudinal studies are required. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and psychological symptoms. Aquatic exercise offers the benefits of physical activity with reduced mechanical stress. This meta-analysis evaluated the effectiveness of AE on pain, functional physical status, and health-related quality of life. Methods: A PRISMA-guided systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO CRD42025115158) included randomized and non-randomized trials up to October 2025 from MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, PEDro, CINAHL Complete, SPORTDiscus, and Academic Search Ultimate. Eligible participants were adults diagnosed with FMS undergoing AE programs, alone or combined with other modalities. Standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals were pooled using random- or fixed-effects models. Methodological quality, risk of bias, and certainty of evidence were evaluated using the PEDro scale, the RoB 2.0 tool, and the GRADE approach. Results: 27 trials (n = 1785; >95% women; mean age 44–62 years) were included. AE significantly improved pain (SMD = −0.92; 95% CI: −1.03 to −0.80; p < 0.00001), physical function (SMD = −0.74; 95% CI: −0.84 to −0.63; p < 0.00001), and HRQoL (SMD = 0.57; 95% CI: 0.42 to 0.72; p < 0.00001). Effects were consistent across time frames, though overall heterogeneity was considerable (Tau² = 4.93; I² = 97%). The mean PEDro score was 5.2/10, and RoB 2.0 indicated moderate methodological limitations mainly due to a lack of blinding. Evidence certainty was low for the main outcomes and moderate for adverse events. Conclusions: Aquatic exercise is an effective and safe complementary therapy for patients with FMS, alleviating pain while enhancing function and quality of life. However, methodological variability and small sample sizes warrant further high-quality trials to confirm these findings and explore underlying mechanisms. Full article