Search Results (43,839)

Diagnostic imaging, particularly MRI, plays a key role in the evaluation of many spine pathologies. Recent progress in artificial intelligence and its subset, machine learning, has led to many applications within spine MRI, which we sought to examine in this review. A literature search of the major databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials.gov) was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The search yielded 1226 results, of which 50 studies were selected for inclusion. Key data from these studies were extracted. Studies were categorized thematically into the following: Image Acquisition and Processing, Segmentation, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, and Patient Selection and Prognostication. Gaps in the literature and the proposed areas of future research are discussed. Current research demonstrates the ability of artificial intelligence to improve various aspects of this field, from image acquisition to analysis and clinical care. We also acknowledge the limitations of current technology. Future work will require collaborative efforts in order to fully exploit new technologies while addressing the practical challenges of generalizability and implementation. In particular, the use of foundation models and large-language models in spine MRI is a promising area, warranting further research. Studies assessing model performance in real-world clinical settings will also help uncover unintended consequences and maximize the benefits for patient care. Full article

This prospective study aimed to (1) compare the diagnostic performance of ⁶⁸Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT with respect to conventional imaging (computed tomography (CT) and bone scintigraphy (BS)) in the primary staging of high-risk prostate cancer (PCa) patients and (2) validate PSMA-PET/CT accuracy in pelvic nodal staging in comparison with postoperative histopathology and assess PSMA-PET/CT’s impact on patient management. Sixty castration-sensitive high-risk (ISUP 4–5 and/or PSA > 20 ng/mL and/or cT3) PCa patients eligible for radical prostatectomy were enrolled (median PSA 10.10 [IQR: 6.22–17.95] ng/mL). PSMA-PET/CT, compared with CT, identified nodal (N) and/or distant metastases (M1) in 56.7% (34/60) vs. 13.3% (8/60) (p < 0.001) of patients: N + 45% vs. 13.3% (p < 0.001), M1a 11.7% vs. 1.7% (p = 0.03), M1b 23.3% vs. 1.7% (p < 0.001). Compared with BS, PSMA-PET/CT localized unknown skeletal metastases in 15% (9/60) of cases, with no false negative findings. Overall, PSMA-PET/CT led to a TNM upstaging in 45.0% (27/60) of cases, with no evidence of downstaging, resulting in a change in management in up to 28.8% (17/59) of patients. Compared with histopathology data (n = 32 patients), the per-patient accuracy of PSMA-PET/TC for detecting pelvic nodal metastases was 90.6%. Overall, the above evidence supports the use of PSMA-PET/CT in the diagnostic workup of high-risk prostate cancer staging. Full article

A reference material (RM), as defined by the International Vocabulary of Metrology (VIM 2012), must be homogeneous, stable, and suitable for use in measurements. Certified reference materials (CRMs) are RMs with documented property values, uncertainties, and traceability. ISO 17034:2018 outlines the requirements for RM producers, ensuring that CRMs meet standards for stability, uniformity, and reproducibility. In Europe, CE marking, from French “conformité Européenne”, which means European conformity, has been mandatory for thermal insulation products since 2002, ensuring their thermal performance is verified by accredited laboratories using RMs like IRMM440 and ERM FC440. Annually, European manufacturers produce over 200 million cubic meters of thermal insulation, necessitating thousands of thermal conductivity measurements daily to maintain CE marking compliance. Key characteristics of Reference Materials include long-term stability, thermal conductivity within specified ranges, and minimal dependence on density, thickness, and applied load. Sample thickness must conform to apparatus specifications, and homogeneity must be quantified. Reference Materials must also have appropriate dimensions, surface smoothness, and manufacturability. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) Geel has produced two Reference Materials, IRMM 440 and ERM FC 440, with specific characteristics to meet these requirements. Both are glass wool fibers with low thermal conductivity and specific density and thickness. The qualification of RMs involves inter-laboratory comparisons to ensure the accuracy and traceability of thermal conductivity measurements. The European market’s organization, including the use of Reference Materials and CE marking, has significantly improved measurement consistency and product quality. This system has led to lower uncertainties in thermal conductivity measurements compared to North America, highlighting the impact of standardized RMs on industry practices. Future needs include developing RMs with lower conductivity and increased thickness to accommodate market trends towards super insulation materials and bio-based components, enhancing energy performance calculations for buildings. This paper will present the process of defining a reference material and how it affects the uncertainty level of the calculation of building energy performance. This level depends on the characteristics of the materials used, their implementation, and external factors, such as the weather, as well as the reference material used for calibration of all European thermal conductivity measurement devices. Full article

Global climate change has prompted all sectors of society to take urgent action to reduce carbon emissions. Electric vehicles are the key to low-carbon transportation transformation, but their popularity has led to difficulties in disposing of used batteries. Improper handling will pollute the environment and violate the original goal of promoting low-carbon practices. Therefore, it is crucial to establish a sustainable battery-recycling and disposal system. This study uniquely incorporates the concept of battery echelon utilization into its analytical framework using a Stackelberg game model, exploring the equilibrium strategies for stakeholders in a closed-loop supply chain under carbon emission constraints. We analyzed the impact of multiple factors in the recycling process, as well as the influence of digital technology, on enterprise pricing, recycling efficiency, and the choice of recycling channels. The study found that the market pricing of batteries and electric vehicles is not influenced by recycling participants, but is instead related to the application of digital technology. Numerical simulations further reveal that the battery’s echelon utilization rate and carbon emission limit policies jointly motivate enterprises to be more proactive in recycling. In the joint recycling model, battery suppliers can achieve more substantial profit growth compared to electric vehicle manufacturers, providing new insights and directions for innovation and the development of collaborative models within the supply chain. Full article

DUNE is a next-generation long-baseline neutrino oscillation experiment. It is expected to measure, with unprecedented precision, the atmospheric oscillation parameters, including the CP-violating phase δCP. Moreover, several studies have suggested that its unique features should allow DUNE to probe several new physics scenarios. In this work, we explore the performances of the DUNE far detector in constraining new physics if a high-energy neutrino flux is employed (HE-DUNE). We take into account three different scenarios: Lorentz Invariance Violation (LIV), Long-Range Forces (LRFs) and Large Extra Dimensions (LEDs). Our results show that HE-DUNE should be able to set bounds competitive to the current ones and, in particular, it can outperform the standard DUNE capabilities in constraining CPT-even LIV parameters and the compactification radius RED of the LED model. Full article

With the increase in human activities and the acceleration of urbanization, over-exploitation of natural resources has led to a decline in ecosystem services (ESs), subsequently affecting the achievement of sustainable development goals (SDGs). As the key ecological zone of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the stability and enhancement of ESs in the Hehuang Valley are crucial for achieving SDGs and biodiversity conservation. This study quantifies nine SDGs for the Hehuang Valley in the last twenty years. Four ecological models were utilized to compute key ESs: net primary productivity (NPP), water yield, soil retention, and sand fixation. Panel data were analyzed using a coupling coordination model to quantify the relationship between ESs and sustainable development level (SDL) in each county. Additionally, the Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression (GTWR) model was employed to examine the correlation between ESs and SDL. The results indicate the following: (1) During the period, NPP and water yield first increased and then decreased. The capacity for soil retention and sand fixation showed an overall increase, highlighting substantial variability among counties in their ability to deliver these ESs. (2) The SDL of counties in the Hehuang Valley increased, with Xining City showing slightly higher SDL than other counties. (3) The overall coupling coordination degree among NPP, water yield, soil retention, sand fixation, and SDL in the Hehuang Valley exhibited an upward trend in the last twenty years. SDL demonstrated the highest coordination degree with NPP, followed by soil retention, water yield, and sand fixation. (4) Most counties in the Hehuang Valley exhibited a lag in SDL relative to NPP, water yield, and soil retention in the last twenty years. In the early stage, sand fixation and SDL were primarily lagging in SDL, while in the late stages, sand fixation lagged behind SDL. (5) During the period, there was an increasing negative correlation observed between the four ESs and SDL. The positive contribution of NPP and sand fixation in some counties gradually shifted to a negative effect, and the negative effect of water yield and soil retention on SDL intensified. The impact of human activities on ecosystem function hindered local SDL. This study offers scientific theoretical backing and practical recommendations for promoting SDL and biodiversity conservation in the Hehuang Valley. Full article

Cancer continues to be a major global health issue, ranking among the top causes of death worldwide. To develop novel antitumor agents, this study focused on the synthesis of a series of 21 novel furanopyridinone derivatives through structural modifications and functional enhancements. The in vitro anti-tumor activities of these compounds were investigated through the cytotoxicity against KYSE70 and KYSE150 and led to the identification of compound 4c as the most potent compound. At a concentration of 20 µg/mL, compound 4c demonstrated a remarkable 99% inhibition of KYSE70 and KYSE150 cell growth after 48 h. IC₅₀ was 0.655 µg/mL after 24 h. Additionally, potential anti-tumor cellular mechanisms were explored through molecular docking, which was used to predict the binding mode of 4c with METAP2 and EGFR, suggesting that the C=O part of the pyridone moiety likely played a crucial role in binding. This study provided valuable insights and guidance for the development of novel anticancer drugs with novel structural scaffolds. Full article

Marine-derived fungi are assuming an increasingly central role in the search for natural leading compounds with unique chemical structures and diverse pharmacological properties. However, some gene clusters are not expressed under laboratory conditions. In this study, we have found that a marine-derived fungus Aspergillus sp. SYPUF29 would survive well by adding an exogenous nitric oxide donor (sodium nitroprusside, SNP) and nitric oxide synthetase inhibitor (L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester, L-NAME) in culture conditions. Moreover, using the LC-MS/MS, we initially assessed and characterized the difference in metabolites of Aspergillus sp. SYPUF29 with or without an additional source of nitrogen. We have found that the metabolic pathway of Arginine and proline metabolism pathways was highly enriched, which was conducive to the accumulation of alkaloids and nitrogen-containing compounds after adding an additional source of nitrogen in the cultivated condition. Additionally, the in vitro anti-neuroinflammatory study showed that the extracts after SNP and L-NAME were administrated can potently inhibit LPS-induced NO-releasing of BV2 cells with lower IC₅₀ value than without nitric oxide. Further Western blotting assays have demonstrated that the mechanism of these extracts was associated with the TLR4 signaling pathway. Additionally, the chemical investigation was conducted and led to nine compounds (SF1–SF9) from AS1; and six of them belonged to alkaloids and nitrogen-containing compounds (SF1–SF6), of which SF1, SF2, and SF8 exhibited stronger activities than the positive control, and showed potential to develop the inhibitors of neuroinflammation. Full article

Sphaerococcenol A is a cytotoxic bromoditerpene biosynthesized by the red alga Sphaerococcus coronopifolius. A series of its analogues (1–6) was designed and semi-synthesized using thiol-Michael additions and enone reduction, and the structures of these analogues were characterized by spectroscopic methods. Cytotoxic analyses (1–100 µM; 24 h) were accomplished on A549, DU-145, and MCF-7 cells. The six novel sphaerococcenol A analogues displayed an IC₅₀ range between 14.31 and 70.11 µM on A549, DU-145, and MCF-7 malignant cells. Compound 1, resulting from the chemical addition of 4-methoxybenzenethiol, exhibited the smallest IC₅₀ values on the A549 (18.70 µM) and DU-145 (15.82 µM) cell lines, and compound 3, resulting from the chemical addition of propanethiol, exhibited the smallest IC₅₀ value (14.31 µM) on MCF-7 cells. The highest IC₅₀ values were exhibited by compound 4, suggesting that the chemical addition of benzylthiol led to a loss of cytotoxic activity. The remaining chemical modifications were not able to potentiate the cytotoxicity of the original compounds. Regarding A549 cell viability, analogue 1 exhibited a marked effect on mitochondrial function, which was accompanied by an increase in ROS levels, Caspase-3 activation, and DNA fragmentation and condensation. This study opens new avenues for research by exploring sphaerococcenol A as a scaffold for the synthesis of novel bioactive molecules. Full article

A disordered sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) environment to facilitate Na⁺ mobility was achieved by partially hydrolyzing NaBH₄ and this significantly improved Na⁺ ionic conductivity to 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 75 °C. The reaction rate of NaBH₄ self-hydrolysis, however, is determined by several parameters, including the reaction temperature, the molar ratio between NaBH₄ and H₂O, and the pH value; but these factors are hard to control. In this paper, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), capable of retaining H₂O through hydrogen bonding, was used in an attempt to better control the amount of H₂O available for NaBH₄ self-hydrolysis. This strategy led to the ionic conductivity of 1.6 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at 45 °C with a Na⁺ transference number of 0.54. The amorphous nature of the PEO matrix in hydrolyzed NaBH₄ is also believed to provide a conduction path for fast Na⁺ conduction. Full article

In the present study, the densification behavior, microstructural evolution, mechanical properties, and friction behavior of a TiB₂/Al8SiCu composite and Al8SiCu alloy manufactured by laser powder-bed fusion (PBF-LB) were systematically investigated. The results confirm that the addition of in situ TiB₂ particles into Al8SiCu alloys reduce the volumetric energy density required for a high-density TiB₂/Al8SiCu composite. The TiB₂ particles promoted a transformation of columnar to equiaxed crystals and the formation of high-angle grain boundaries. The grains on the vertical direction of the PBF-LBed TiB₂/Al8SiCu composite were much finer than those of the PBF-LBed Al8SiCu alloy. The addition of TiB₂ promoted the grain refinement of the Al8SiCu alloy, of which the average grain size decreased from 15.31 μm to 7.34 μm. The yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and elongation (El) of the PBF-LBed Al8SiCu alloy were 296 ± 6 MPa, 517 ± 6 MPa, and 11.7 ± 1.0%, respectively. The PBF-LBed TiB₂/Al8SiCu composite achieved a balance between strength and ductility with a yield strength of 328 ± 8 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 541 ± 3 MPa, and an elongation of 9.1 ± 0.7%. The increase in strength mainly resulted from grain boundary strengthening, dislocation strengthening, load-bearing strengthening, solid-solution strengthening, and Orowan strengthening, of which the dislocation strengthening and Orowan strengthening were critical. The enhanced hardness associated with the grain refinement and the formation of the in situ TiB₂ particles also led to an enhanced tribological performance, of which reductions in the average friction coefficient from 0.655 to 0.580 and wear rate from 1.76 × 10⁻³ mm³/Nm to 1.38 × 10⁻³ mm³/Nm were found. Full article

Meningiomas are the most common primary intracranial tumors in adults and typically have a slow-growing and benign nature. However, there is also a substantial subset of meningiomas that shows aggressive clinical behavior and is refractory to standard treatment modalities, which are still limited to surgery and/or radiotherapy. Despite intensive research, no systemic treatment options are yet available in the clinic for these challenging tumors, resulting in poor patient outcome. Intensive research on the molecular pathogenesis of meningiomas has led to improved diagnostic tools, but so far there is no standardized implementation for the molecular profiling of these tumors for clinical practice. Recent research advances have also focused on the immunophenotyping of meningiomas, leading to several clinical trials examining the use of immune checkpoint blockade therapy in patients with clinically aggressive subtypes. In this review, we aim to summarize the current knowledge on the molecular and immunological landscape of meningiomas in detail and provide current and progressive ideas for future directions. Full article

Accessing plant resources to extract compounds of interest can sometimes be challenging. To facilitate access and limit the environmental impact, innovative cultivation strategies can be developed. Forskolin is a molecule of high interest, mainly found in the roots of Coleus forskohlii. The aim of this study was to develop aeroponic cultivation methods to provide a local source of Coleus forskohlii and to study the impact of abiotic stress on forskolin and bioactive metabolite production. Three cultivation itineraries (LED lighting, biostimulant, and hydric stress) along with a control itinerary were established. The forskolin content in the plant roots was quantified using HPLC-ELSD, and the results showed that LED treatment proved to be the most promising, increasing root biomass and the total forskolin content recovered at the end of the cultivation period threefold (710.1 ± 21.3 mg vs. 229.9 ± 17.7 mg). Statistical analysis comparing the LED itinerary to the control itinerary identified stress-affected metabolites, showing that LEDs positively influence mainly the concentration of phenolic compounds in the roots and diterpenes in the aerial parts of Coleus forskohlii. Moreover, to better define the phytochemical composition of Coleus forskohlii cultivated in France using aeroponic cultivation, an untargeted metabolomic analysis was conducted using UHPLC-HRMS/MS analysis and molecular networks on both the root and aerial parts. This study demonstrates that aeroponic cultivation, especially with the application of an LED treatment, could be a very promising alternative for a local source of Coleus forskohlii leading to easy access to the roots and aerial parts rich in forskolin and other bioactive compounds. Full article

The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of nutrient starvation on the growth, biochemical, metabolomic, and biological traits of Lavandula viridis L’Hér and Thymus lotocephalus G. López and R. Morales in vitro cultures. In both species, a reduction in shoot growth and in the production of chlorophyll and carotenoids was observed in cultures grown under nutrient-deficient media (especially Fe and N) compared to those grown under control conditions. The highest levels of hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation, two indicators of oxidative stress, were observed in L. viridis cultures grown under N deficiency and in T. lotocephalus under P and Fe limitation. The results demonstrated that nutrient deficiency led to a 72% and 62% increase in the quantified phenolic compounds in L. viridis and T. lotocephalus, respectively. The highest concentrations of the major compound in both species—rosmarinic acid—were observed in cultures grown under Mg-deficient (60.7 ± 1.0 mg/g_DW) and Fe-deficient (50.0 ± 0.4 mg/g_DW) conditions in L. viridis and T. lotocephalus, respectively. Furthermore, nutrient starvation enhanced the capacity of green extracts to inhibit three enzymes (tyrosinase, elastase, and hyaluronidase) associated with anti-aging and their antioxidant properties. Full article

Skin bioprinting has the potential to revolutionize treatment approaches for injuries and surgical procedures, while also providing a valuable platform for assessing and screening cosmetic and pharmaceutical products. This technology offers key advantages, including flexibility and reproducibility, which enable the creation of complex, multilayered scaffolds that closely mimic the intricate microenvironment of native skin tissue. The development of an ideal hydrogel is critical for the successful bioprinting of these scaffolds with incorporated cells. In this study, we used a hydrogel formulation developed in our laboratory to fabricate a 3D-bioprinted skin model. The hydrogel composition was carefully selected based on its high compatibility with human skin cells, incorporating alginate, methyl cellulose, and nanofibrillated cellulose. One of the critical challenges in this process, particularly for its commercialization and large-scale production, is ensuring consistency with minimal batch-to-batch variations. To address this, we explored methods with which to preserve the physicochemical properties of the hydrogels, with a focus on freezing techniques. We validated the pre-frozen hydrogels’ printability, rheology, and mechanical and surface properties. Our results revealed that extended freezing times significantly reduced the viscosity of the formulations due to ice crystal formation, leading to a redistribution of the polymer chains. This reduction in viscosity resulted in a more challenging extrusion and increased macro- and microporosity of the hydrogels, as confirmed by nanoCT imaging. The increased porosity led to greater water uptake, swelling, compromised scaffold integrity, and altered degradation kinetics. The insights gained from this study lay a solid foundation for advancing the development of an in vitro skin model with promising applications in preclinical and clinical research. Full article