Search Results (196,802)

(1) Background: Fibromyalgia (FM) is a syndrome marked by chronic widespread pain, fatigue, sleep issues, and other symptoms. Interventions like physical exercise can potentially enhance physical function in individuals with FM. This study aimed to assess physical function, perceived physical fitness, balance confidence, and fear of falling in women with FM based on their levels of pain, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems. (2) Methods: Participants underwent a series of tests and questionnaires to evaluate physical and perceptual aspects. These included the Time Up and Go, Four Step Square Test, 6-Minute Walking Test, Maximum Handgrip Strength, Back Scratch, International Fitness Scale, Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale, and Fall Efficacy Scale—International. Participants were categorised by the severity of their pain, depression, fatigue, and sleep problems (mild, moderate, severe). A Kruskal–Wallis test assessed intergroup differences, while Spearman’s rho evaluated correlations between the study variables and symptom levels. (3) Results: Perceived physical condition varied significantly with symptom severity. Symptoms and sleep problems were notably linked to fear of falling, though no significant differences emerged in the physical tests. (4) Conclusions: In women with fibromyalgia, symptom severity was primarily related to perceptual and subjective aspects of physical condition and fall safety. Full article

The intricate relationship between chronic lung diseases and viral infections is a significant concern in respiratory medicine. We explore how pre-existing lung conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and interstitial lung diseases, influence susceptibility, severity, and outcomes of viral infections. We also examine how viral infections exacerbate and accelerate the progression of lung disease by disrupting immune responses and triggering inflammatory pathways. By summarizing current evidence, this review highlights the bidirectional nature of these interactions, where underlying lung diseasesincrease vulnerability to viral infections, while these infections, in turn, worsen the clinical course. This review underscores the importance of preventive measures, such as vaccination, early detection, and targeted therapies, to mitigate adverse outcomes in patients with chronic lung conditions. The insights provided aim to inform clinical strategies that can improve patient management and reduce the burden of chronic lung diseases exacerbated by viral infections. Full article

The interruption of transportation on the way to Tibet has brought great losses to the Tibetan region. The work proposed a model that integrated the entropy weight-TOPSIS method with the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm to discuss the causes and characteristics of traffic interruptions on the four main highways to Tibet. This approach aimed to quantify and grade traffic interruption states. First, the entropy weight-TOPSIS method was used to mitigate dimensions among various indices and quantitatively evaluate the status values of traffic interruptions. Then, the fuzzy C-means clustering algorithm was employed to grade these values. The proposed model graded traffic interruption states into four levels by evaluating the duration, mileage, and severity of traffic interruptions. Moreover, the four-level classification scheme can reflect the severity of traffic blocking events more precisely while maintaining a lower PE (Partition Entropy) value. In the four-level classification, the Sichuan–Tibet Highway and Xinjiang–Tibet Highway experienced more level-3 and level-4 serious interruptions, while most high-level interruptions on the Qinghai–Tibet Highway were classified as level-2 ordinary interruptions. The Yunnan–Tibet Highway, with limited data and primarily level-1 classification, was not analyzed in detail. These findings provide a reference for highway management departments to formulate targeted maintenance and emergency measures, especially the Sichuan–Tibet highway, which needs more attention and resource investment to improve its disaster resistance and reduce the impact of traffic interruptions Full article

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Canada, with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for the majority of cases. Timely access to comprehensive molecular profiling is critical for selecting biomarker-matched targeted therapies, which lead to improved outcomes in advanced NSCLC. Tissue biopsy samples are the gold standard for molecular profiling; however, several challenges can prevent timely and complete molecular profiling from being performed, causing delays in treatment or suboptimal therapy selection. Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive method for molecular profiling by analyzing circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA) and RNA (cfRNA) in plasma, potentially overcoming these barriers. This paper discusses the outcomes of a multidisciplinary working group in Ontario, which proposed three eligibility criteria for liquid biopsy reimbursement: (1) insufficient tissue for complete testing or failed tissue biomarker testing; (2) suspected advanced NSCLC where tissue biopsy is not feasible; and (3) high-risk patients who may deteriorate before tissue results are available. The group also addressed considerations for assay selection, implementation, and economic impact. These discussions aim to inform reimbursement and implementation strategies for liquid biopsy in Ontario’s public healthcare system, recognizing the need for ongoing evaluation as technology and evidence evolve. Full article

After reviewing important historical and present day ideas about the concept of time, we develop some instances of mathematical examples where, from the interaction of concepts that model interactions of things in the observable world, time flow emerges in an intuitive and local interpretation. We present several instances of emergence of time flow in mathematical contexts, to wit, by specific parametrisation of deterministic and stochastic curves or of geodesics in Riemann manifolds. Full article

Plasmopara viticola (Berk.et Curtis) Berl. Et de Toni is the pathogen that causes grape downy mildew, which is an airborne disease that severely affects grape yield and causes huge economic losses. The usage of effective control methods can reduce the damage to plants induced by grape downy mildew. Biocontrol has been widely used to control plant diseases due to its advantages of environmental friendliness and sustainability. However, to date, only a few comprehensive reviews on the biocontrol of grape downy mildew have been reported. In this review, we summarize the biological characteristics of P. viticola and its infection cycle, followed by a detailed overview of current biocontrol agents, including bacteria and fungi that could be used to control grape downy mildew, and their control effects. Furthermore, potential control mechanisms of biocontrol agents against grape downy mildew are discussed. Lastly, suggestions for future research on the biocontrol of grape downy mildew are provided. This review provides the basis for the application of grape downy mildew biocontrol. Full article

Background: In this study, we examined and compared ex vivo mechanical properties of aortic walls in patients with bicuspid (BAV) and tricuspid (TAV) aortic valve aortopathy to investigate if the anatomical peculiarities in the BAV group are related to an increased frailty of the aortic wall and, therefore, if a different surgical cutoff point for ascending aortic replacement could be reasonable in such patients. Methods: Ultimate stress tests were performed on fresh aortic wall specimens harvested during elective aortic surgery in BAV (n. 33) and TAV (n. 77) patients. Three mechanical parameters were evaluated at the failure point, under both longitudinal and circumferential forces: the peak strain (Pstr), peak stress (PS), and maximum elastic modulus (EM). The relationships between the three mechanical parameters and preoperative characteristics were evaluated, with a special focus on evaluating potential risk factors for severely impaired mechanical properties, cumulatively and comparatively (BAV vs. TAV groups). Results: The patient populations were inhomogeneous, as BAV patients reached surgical indication, according to the maximum aortic dilatation, at a younger age (58 ± 15 vs. 64 ± 13; p = 0.0294). The extent of the maximum aortic dilatation was, conversely, similar in the two groups (52 ± 4 vs. 54 ± 7; p = 0.2331), as well as the incidences of different phenotypes of aortic dilatation (with the ascending aorta phenotype being the most frequent in 81% and 66% of the BAV and TAV patients, respectively (p = 0.1134). Cumulatively, the mechanical properties of the aortic wall were influenced mainly by the orientation of the force applied, as both PS and EM were impaired under longitudinal stress. An age of >66 and a maximum dilatation of >52 mm were shown to predict severe Pstr reduction in the overall population. Comparative analysis revealed a trend of increased mechanical properties in the BAV group, regardless of the position, the force orientation, and the phenotype of the aortic dilatation. Conclusions: BAV aortopathy is not correlated with impaired mechanical properties of the aortic wall as such. Different surgical cutoff points for BAV aortopathy, therefore, seem to be unjustified. An age of >66 and a maximum aortic dilatation of >52 mm, however, seem to significantly influence the mechanical properties of the aortic wall in both groups. These findings, therefore, could suggest the need for more accurate monitoring and evaluation in such conditions. Full article

The growing emergence of multi-drug resistant microbial strains has kept the scientific world searching for novel bioactive compounds with specific chemical characteristics. Accordingly, researchers have started exploring the understudied metabolites from endophytes as a new source of bioactive compounds. In this context, the current study was designed to evaluate the bioactive properties of endophytic fungi from the Mokrzański forest in Wrocław, Poland that have not yet been fully researched. Forty-three endophytic fungi were isolated from twelve distinct plants. Following their cultivation, fungal extracts were separately prepared from biomass and cell-free filtrates, and their antibacterial, antifungal (against human and plant pathogens), and antioxidant properties were examined. Five promising fungi after screening were identified to possess all of these activities. These strains and their respective plant hosts were Trichoderma harzianum BUK-T (Fagus sylvatica), Aspergillus ochraceus ROB-L1 (Robinia pseudoacacia), Chaetomium cochliodes KLON-L1, Fusarium tricinctum KLON-L2 (Acer platanoides), and Penicillium chrysogenum SOS-B2 (Pinus sylvestris). Moreover, gamma irradiation at several doses (Gy) was separately applied to the fungal cultures to study their effects on the recorded activities. Finally, compounds after preparative thin-layer chromatography fractionation of the five fungal strains were identified by GC-MS. These findings suggest that the isolated endophytic fungi could serve as novel sources of bioactive metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, and antioxidant properties, potentially paving the way for future research and the development of new bioactive compounds. Full article

Several studies have proposed a potential role for oxidative stress in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). For this reason, it seems tentative to think that treatment with antioxidant substances could be useful in the treatment of this disease. In this narrative review, we provide a summary of the current findings on antioxidant treatments, both in experimental models of MS, especially in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) and in the cuprizone-induced demyelination model, and clinical trials in patients diagnosed with MS. Practically all the antioxidants tested in experimental models of MS have shown improvement in clinical parameters, in delaying the evolution of the disease, and in improving histological and biochemical parameters, including decreased levels of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in the central nervous system and other tissues. Only a few clinical trials have been carried out to investigate the potential efficacy of antioxidant substances in patients with MS, most of them in the short term and involving a short series of patients, so the results of these should be considered inconclusive. In this regard, it would be desirable to design long-term, randomized, multicenter clinical trials with a long series of patients, assessing several antioxidants that have demonstrated efficacy in experimental models of MS. Full article

The 15q11.2q13 chromosomal region is particularly susceptible to chromosomal rearrangements due to low-copy repeats (LCRs) located inside this area. Specific breakpoints (BP1-BP5) that lead to deletions and duplications of variable size have been identified. Additionally, this specific region contains several imprinted genes, giving rise to complex syndromes (Prader–Willi, Angelman and 15q11-q13 duplication syndromes). 15q11.2-q13 duplication syndrome has been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (hypotonia, developmental delay, speech delay and seizures) and ASD but is characterized by variable expressivity and reduced penetrance, features that make genetic counseling a complex procedure especially in prenatal cases. In the present study, a total of 14 pre- and postnatal cases were diagnosed as 15q11.2q13 duplication carriers using Affymetrix CytoScan 750 K array-CGH, and our analysis combined these with 120 cases existing in the literature. The inheritance pattern of the cases of this study is unknown, but as a review of the literature revealed, 62.96% of the affected carriers inherited the duplicated area from their mother. The combined results of this analysis (the present study and the literature) show that in the majority of the cases, the phenotype is a compound phenotype, with clinical characteristics that include ASD, intellectual disability, developmental delay and an absence of speech. The aim of this paper is to deliver new possibilities to genetic counseling that can be provided in prenatal and postnatal cases as the phenotype of 15q11.2q13 microduplication carriers cannot be fully predicted; so, clinical diagnoses should be a combination of molecular findings and clinical manifestations that are present. Full article

Background/Objectives: Periodontitis (P), a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the supportive tissues around the teeth, is three to four times more prevalent in individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM), with a direct correlation between its severity and the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). This study aimed to evaluate the periodontal clinical parameters following non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) in P patients with or without type 2 DM. Methods: Forty patients with P were divided into two groups: Group DM/P and Group P. All the patients were assessed at baseline and at 90 and 180 days after receiving NSPT. The parameters evaluated included the HbA1c level, plaque index (PI), probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), and bleeding on probing (BoP). A statistical analysis was performed with a significance level set at α = 5%. Results: There were significant differences in the HbA1c levels between the DM/P and P groups at baseline, 90, and 180 days, as expected. Importantly, the HbA1c levels did not change after NSPT. Group P showed a significant reduction in both the PI and the BoP values at 90 and 180 days (p < 0.05). In contrast, Group DM/P demonstrated a significant increase in the percentage of sites with a PPD ≥ 5 mm at 180 days (p < 0.05). Additionally, Group P exhibited an increase in sites with a PPD ≤ 4 mm and a decrease in sites with a PPD ≥ 5 mm at both 90 and 180 days (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that DM may compromise the effectiveness of NSPT, potentially hindering favorable outcomes during the follow-up period. Full article

Over the past few decades, synthetic petroleum-based packaging materials have increased, and the production of plastics has surpassed all other man-made materials due to their versatility. However, the excessive usage of synthetic packaging materials has led to severe environmental and health-related issues due to their nonbiodegradability and their accumulation in the environment. Therefore, bio-based packages are considered alternatives to substitute synthetic petroleum-based packaging material. Furthermore, the choice of packing material in the food industry is a perplexing process as it depends on various factors, such as the type of food product, its sustainability, and environmental conditions. Interestingly, due to proven mechanical, gas, and water vapor barrier properties and biological activity, polysaccharide-based bioplastics show the potential to expand the trends in food packaging, including edible films or coatings and intelligent and active food packaging. Various chemical modifications, network designs, and processing techniques have transformed polysaccharide materials into valuable final products, particularly for large-scale or high-value applications. Transitioning from petroleum-based resources to abundant bio-based polysaccharides presents an opportunity to create a sustainable circular economy. The economic viability of polysaccharide-based bioplastics is determined by several factors, including raw material costs, production technologies, market demand, and scalability. Despite their potential advantages over traditional plastics, their economic feasibility is affected by continuous technological advancements and evolving market dynamics and regulations. This review discusses the structure, properties, and recent developments in polysaccharide-based bioplastics as green and sustainable food packaging materials. Full article

Centrifugal pumps (CPs) are widely utilized in many different industries, and their operations are maintained by their reliable performance. CPs’ most common faults can be categorized as mechanical or flow-related faults: the first ones are often associated with damage at the impeller, while the second ones are associated with cavitation. It is possible to use computational algorithms to monitor both failures in CPs. In this study, two different problems in pumps, the defective impeller and cavitation, have been considered. When a CP is working in a faulty condition, it generates vibrations that can be measured using piezoelectric sensors. Collected data can be analyzed to extract time- and frequency-domain data. Interpreting the time-domain data showed that distinguishing the type of defect is not possible. However, indicators like kurtosis, skewness, mean, and variance can be used as input for the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) algorithm to classify pump faults. This study presents a detailed discussion of the vibration-based method outcomes, emphasizing the benefits and drawbacks of the multi-layer perceptron method. The results show that the suggested algorithm can identify the occurrence of different faults and quantify their severity during pump operation in real time. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early identification of complications in chronic and infectious diseases can reduce clinical deterioration, lead to early therapeutic interventions and lower morbidity and mortality rates. Here, we aimed to assess the feasibility of a novel clinical decision support system (CDSS) based on the automatic generation of alerts through remote patient monitoring and to identify the patient profile associated with the likelihood of severe medical alerts. Methods: A prospective, multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial was conducted. Patients with COVID-19 in home isolation were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive either conventional primary care telephone follow-up plus access to a mobile app for self-reporting of symptoms (control group) or conventional primary care telephone follow-up plus access to the mobile app for self-reporting of symptoms and wearable devices for real-time telemonitoring of vital signs (case group). Results: A total of 342 patients were randomized, of whom 247 were included in the per-protocol analysis (103 cases and 144 controls). The case group received a more exhaustive follow-up, with a higher number of alerts (61,827 vs. 1825; p < 0.05) but without overloading healthcare professionals thanks to automatic alert management through artificial intelligence. Baseline factors independently associated with the likelihood of a severe alert were having asthma (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.22–2.48, p = 0.002) and taking corticosteroids (OR: 2.28, 95% CI: 1.24–4.2, p = 0.008). Conclusions: The CDSS could be successfully implemented and enabled real-time telemonitoring of patients’ clinical status, providing valuable information to physicians and public health agencies. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic has overwhelmed healthcare systems and triggered global economic downturns. While vaccines have reduced the lethality rate of SARS-CoV-2 to 0.9% as of October 2024, the continuous evolution of variants remains a significant public health challenge. Next-generation medical therapies offer hope in addressing this threat, especially for immunocompromised individuals who experience prolonged infections and severe illnesses, contributing to viral evolution. These cases increase the risk of new variants emerging. This study explores miniACE2 decoys as a novel strategy to counteract SARS-CoV-2 variants. Using in silico design and molecular dynamics, blocking proteins (BPs) were developed with stronger binding affinity for the receptor-binding domain of multiple variants than naturally soluble human ACE2. The BPs were expressed in E. coli and tested in vitro, showing promising neutralizing effects. Notably, miniACE2 BP9 exhibited an average IC₅₀ of 4.9 µg/mL across several variants, including the Wuhan strain, Mu, Omicron BA.1, and BA.2 This low IC50 demonstrates the potent neutralizing ability of BP9, indicating its efficacy at low concentrations.Based on these findings, BP9 has emerged as a promising therapeutic candidate for combating SARS-CoV-2 and its evolving variants, thereby positioning it as a potential emergency biopharmaceutical. Full article