Radiologic reconstruction technology allows the wide use of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT) images in thoracic surgery. A minimally invasive surgery has become one of the standard therapies in thoracic surgery, and therefore, the need for preoperative and intraoperative simulations has increased. Three-dimensional CT images have been extensively used, and various types of software have been developed to reconstruct 3D-CT images for surgical simulation worldwide. Several software types have been commercialized and widely used by not only radiologists and technicians, but also thoracic surgeons. Three-dimensional CT images are helpful surgical guides; however, in almost all cases, they provide only static images, different from the intraoperative views. Lungs are soft and variable organs that can easily change shape by intraoperative inflation/deflation and surgical procedures. To address this issue, we have developed a novel software called the Resection Process Map (RPM), which creates variable virtual 3D images. Herein, we introduce the RPM and its development by tracking the history of 3D CT imaging in thoracic surgery. The RPM could help develop a real-time and accurate surgical navigation system for thoracic surgery. Full article

In fair-skinned populations worldwide, skin cancer is a serious public health threat. A significant percentage of all reported occupational diseases fall back on skin cancer. Over the past few decades, there has been a rise in the frequency of skin cancer diagnoses among outdoor workers. The main cause of non-melanoma skin cancer is solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which is also the most common occupational carcinogenic exposure in terms of the number of exposed workers (i.e., outdoor workers). Sun protection—and concomitantly the prevention of occupational skin cancer—is a component of workplace safety. The risks of solar UVR exposure at work are often disregarded in practice, despite the recent recognition of the need for measures to support outdoor workers’ sun protection behavior. It is anticipated that occupational dermatology will become increasingly focused on sun safety in the coming decades. To handle current hurdles in a sustainable manner, the full range of preventive measures should be utilized. Existing strategies for the prevention of occupational skin cancer might be evolved and enriched by new (educational) concepts, methods, and/or technologies. In this, not only components of general prevention and individual prevention but also setting-based prevention and behavior-based prevention might be freshly thought through. Full article

L-theanine, a unique non-protein amino acid, is an important bioactive component of green tea. Previous studies have shown that L-theanine has many potent health benefits, such as anti-anxiety effects, regulation of the immune response, relaxing neural tension, and reducing oxidative damage. However, little is known concerning whether L-theanine can improve the clearance of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) damage in organisms. Here, we reported that L-theanine treatment increased ATP production and improved mitochondrial morphology to extend the lifespan of UVC-exposed nematodes. Mechanistic investigations showed that L-theanine treatment enhanced the removal of mtDNA damage and extended lifespan by activating autophagy, mitophagy, mitochondrial dynamics, and mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPR^mt) in UVC-exposed nematodes. In addition, L-theanine treatment also upregulated the expression of genes related to mitochondrial energy metabolism in UVC-exposed nematodes. Our study provides a theoretical basis for the possibility that tea drinking may prevent mitochondrial-related diseases. Full article

As the quality of public space has become significant for urban development, the creation of high-quality public spaces is becoming increasingly important. Since the implementation of urban renewal policies, an increasing number of buildings have emerged, creating new types of public spaces. Compared to original public spaces, new public spaces are more open, flexible, and diverse. The design of public spaces is closely related to users and the flâneur can precisely serve as a user and observer to conduct in-depth research. So, our study was conducted under the identity of the flâneur, focusing on two cases in Guangzhou. The flâneur completes the data collection through two methods. Static research involves observing and taking photos, whereas dynamic research involves interviews and questionnaires. This study analysed three aspects: the group category, behavioural diversity, and activity time and evaluated the public space using the NPS scale. The study found that the recommendation rate of new urban public spaces is higher than that of original public spaces. The study also found that original public spaces need to be improved in four ways: equipping furniture facilities, improving traffic congestion, increasing blue-green spaces, and establishing artistic spaces. New urban public spaces need to make efforts to create more interactive spaces and increase stagnation points. Full article

Local agri-food disruptive innovations are becoming increasingly crucial for the transformation of agri-food regimes towards sustainability. This study incorporates a systemic approach to explore the relevance of various capacities available at the city region level to prepare, initiate, and lead a change in the sustainability trajectory of local agri-food systems. It explores the city of Valdivia, Chile, which has a large movement of sustainable cooperatives and diverse disruptive private and public agri-food initiatives that are challenging the deep free-market economic and social model with an agro-exporting, competitive, and centralist focus. Through the systemic approach of sustainability transition studies, themes of emergence and development of local agri-food transition processes are being developed, and the findings are linked to studies of social movements and the social and solidarity economy. Full article

Chorea is a hyperkinetic movement disorder frequently observed in the pediatric population, and, due to advancements in genetic techniques, an increasing number of genes have been associated with this disorder. In genetic conditions, chorea may be the primary feature of the disorder, or be part of a more complex phenotype characterized by epileptic encephalopathy or a multisystemic syndrome. Moreover, it can appear as a persistent disorder (chronic chorea) or have an episodic course (paroxysmal chorea). Managing chorea in childhood presents challenges due to its varied clinical presentation, often involving a spectrum of hyperkinetic movement disorders alongside neuropsychiatric and multisystemic manifestations. Furthermore, during infancy and early childhood, transient motor phenomena resembling chorea occurring due to the rapid nervous system development during this period can complicate the diagnosis. This review aims to provide an overview of the main genetic causes of pediatric chorea that may manifest during infancy and early childhood, focusing on peculiarities that can aid in differential diagnosis among different phenotypes and discussing possible treatment options. Full article

Research into bird habitat selection can unveil the impact of specific habitat characteristics on bird survival. However, empirical information on the environmental factor preferences and differences within the yew ecological garden for birds is still lacking. This study was conducted in a yew ecological garden located in the southern experimental area of the Meihua Mountain National Nature Reserve, Fujian Province, China. We selected three commonly occurring bird species for analysis to discern the factors influencing habitat selection and interspecific differences and the impact of habitat environmental factors. Canopy density and coverage were identified as dominant factors influencing habitat selection for the Red-billed Blue Magpie (Urocissa erythrorhyncha), Black Bulbul (Hypsipetes leucocephalus), and Orange-bellied Leafbird (Chloropsis hardwickii). The height of perching trees, average tree height, and average diameter at breast height were all important determinants for the habitat selection of Red-billed Blue Magpie and Black Bulbul. These dominant factors were consistent with logistic regression analysis results. Both one-way ANOVA and stepwise discriminant analysis revealed significant differences in habitat selection among three commonly occurring bird species. Our results provide important insights into avian habitat selection in patchy habitats, which can be used as a guideline for future conservation and habitat management. Full article

Canonical transient receptor potential channel 3 (TRPC3) is the most abundant TRPC channel in the brain and is highly expressed in all subfields of the hippocampus. Previous studies have suggested that TRPC3 channels may be involved in the hyperexcitability of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and seizures. Genetic ablation of TRPC3 channel expression reduced the intensity of pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus (SE). However, the underlying cellular mechanisms remain unexplored and the contribution of TRPC3 channels to SE-induced neurodegeneration is not determined. In this study, we investigated the contribution of TRPC3 channels to the electrophysiological properties of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and hippocampal synaptic plasticity, and the contribution of TRPC3 channels to seizure-induced neuronal cell death. We found that genetic ablation of TRPC3 expression did not alter basic electrophysiological properties of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and had a complex impact on epileptiform bursting in CA3. However, TRPC3 channels contribute significantly to long-term potentiation in CA1 and SE-induced neurodegeneration. Our results provided further support for therapeutic potential of TRPC3 inhibitors and raised new questions that need to be answered by future studies. Full article

In this study, we propose a polarized electron blocking layer (EBL) structure using Al_xGa_1−xN/Al_xGa_1−xN to enhance the internal quantum efficiency (IQE) of AlGaN-based ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs). Our findings indicate that this polarized EBL structure significantly improves IQE compared to conventional EBLs. Additionally, we introduce an electric-field reservoir (EFR) optimization method to maximize IQE. Specifically, optimizing the polarized EBL structure of Al_xGa_1−xN/Al_xGa_1−xN enhances the hole drift rate, resulting in an IQE improvement of 19% and an optical output power increase of 186 mW at a current of 210 mA. Full article

Bisphenol-A (BPA), a synthetic compound ubiquitously present in the environment, can act as an endocrine disruptor by binding to both canonical and non-canonical estrogen receptors (ERs). Exposure to BPA has been linked to various cancers, in particular, those arising in hormone-targeted tissues such as the breast. In this study, we evaluated the effect of BPA intake through drinking water on ErbB2/neu-driven cancerogenesis in BALB–neuT mice, transgenic for a mutated ErbB2/neu receptor gene, which reproducibly develop carcinomas in all mammary glands. In this model, BPA accelerated mammary cancerogenesis with an increase in the number of tumors per mouse and a concurrent decrease in tumor-free and overall survival. As assessed by immunohistochemistry, BALB–neuT tumors were ER-negative but expressed high levels of the alternative estrogen receptor GPR30, regardless of BPA exposure. On the other hand, BPA exposure resulted in a marked upregulation of progesterone receptors in preinvasive tumors and of Ki67, CD31, and phosphorylated Akt in invasive tumors. Moreover, based on several infiltration markers of immune cells, BPA favored an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Finally, in vitro cell survival studies performed on a cell line established from a BALB–neuT breast carcinoma confirmed that BPA’s impact on cancer progression can be particularly relevant after chronic, low-dose exposure. Full article

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive chronic disease affecting the articular joints, leading to pain and disability. Unlike traditional views that primarily link OA to aging, recent understanding portrays it as a multifactorial degenerative disease of the entire joint. Emerging research highlights metabolic and immune dysregulation in OA pathogenesis, emphasizing the roles of obesity, dyslipidemia, and insulin resistance in altering joint homeostasis. Recent studies have increasingly focused on the complex role of white adipose tissue (WAT) in OA. WAT not only serves metabolic functions but also plays a critical role in systemic inflammation through the release of various adipokines. These adipokines, including leptin and adiponectin, have been implicated in exacerbating cartilage erosion and promoting inflammatory pathways within joint tissues. The overlapping global crises of obesity and metabolic syndrome have significantly impacted joint health. Obesity, now understood to contribute to mechanical joint overload and metabolic dysregulation, heightens the risk of developing OA, particularly in the knee. Metabolic syndrome compounds these risks by inducing chronic inflammation and altering macrophage activity within the joints. The multifaceted effects of obesity and metabolic syndrome extend beyond simple joint loading. These conditions disrupt normal joint function by modifying tissue composition, promoting inflammatory macrophage polarization, and impairing chondrocyte metabolism. These changes contribute to OA progression, highlighting the need for targeted therapeutic strategies that address both the mechanical and biochemical aspects of the disease. Recent advances in understanding the molecular pathways involved in OA suggest potential therapeutic targets. Interventions that modulate macrophage polarization, improve chondrocyte function, or normalize adipokine levels could serve as preventative or disease-modifying therapies. Exploring the role of diet, exercise, and pharmacological interventions in modulating these pathways offers promising avenues for reducing the burden of OA. Furthermore, such methods could prove cost-effective, avoiding the increase in access to healthcare. Full article

This article presents the design of a smart three-wheeled unit for the manufacturing industry with the aim of optimizing and automating internal logistical processes. It presents an innovative solution that combines the advantages of mobility, intelligent transportation technology, and smart devices to ensure the efficient movement of materials and raw materials in manufacturing facilities. The article describes the design, production, and testing of the tricycle in a real manufacturing environment of the production system and the testing of the proposed smart devices. It evaluates the advantages of the electric smart tricycle, including increased efficiency, reduced costs, and more flexible production processes. The results of this study suggest that the intelligent three-wheeled unit represents a promising technological innovation with the potential to increase competitiveness and productivity in manufacturing enterprises. Full article

Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (Mecp2) is an epigenetic modulator and numerous studies have explored its impact on the central nervous system manifestations. However, little attention has been given to its potential contributions to the peripheral nervous system (PNS). To investigate the regulation of Mecp2 in the PNS on specific central regions, we generated Mecp2^fl/flAdvillin^cre mice with the sensory-neuron-specific deletion of the Mecp2 gene and found the mutant mice had a heightened sensitivity to temperature, which, however, did not affect the sense of motion, social behaviors, and anxiety-like behavior. Notably, in comparison to Mecp2^fl/fl mice, Mecp2^fl/flAdvillin^cre mice exhibited improved learning and memory abilities. The levels of hippocampal synaptophysin and PSD95 proteins were higher in Mecp2^fl/flAdvillin^cre mice than in Mecp2^fl/fl mice. Golgi staining revealed a significant increase in total spine density, and dendritic arborization in the hippocampal pyramidal neurons of Mecp2^fl/flAdvillin^cre mice compared to Mecp2^fl/fl mice. In addition, the activation of the BDNF-TrkB-CREB1 pathway was observed in the hippocampus and spinal cord of Mecp2^fl/flAdvillin^cre mice. Intriguingly, the hippocampal BDNF/CREB1 signaling pathway in mutant mice was initiated within 5 days after birth. Our findings suggest a potential therapeutic strategy targeting the BDNF-TrkB-CREB1 signaling pathway and peripheral somasensory neurons to treat learning and cognitive deficits associated with Mecp2 disorders. Full article

In the treatment process of brain tumors, it is of great importance to develop a set of MRI image segmentation methods with high accuracy and low cost. In order to extract the feature information for each region of the brain tumor more effectively, this paper proposes a new model Ga-U-Net based on Gabor convolution and an attention mechanism. Based on 3D U-Net, Gabor convolution is added at the shallow layer of the encoder, which is able to learn the local structure and texture information of the tumor better. After that, the CBAM attention mechanism is added after the output of each layer of the encoder, which not only enhances the network’s ability to perceive the brain tumor boundary information but also reduces some redundant information by allocating the attention to the two dimensions of space and channel. Experimental results show that the model performs well for multiple tumor regions (WT, TC, ET) on the brain tumor dataset BraTS 2021, with Dice coefficients of 0.910, 0.897, and 0.856, respectively, which are improved by 0.3%, 2%, and 1.7% compared to the base network, the U-Net network, with an average Dice of 0.887 and an average Hausdorff distance of 9.12, all of which are better than a few other state-of-the-art deep models for biomedical image segmentation. Full article

Fabry disease is a lysosomal storage disorder caused by a significant decrease in the activity or absence of the enzyme α-galactosidase A. The diagnostics of Fabry disease during newborn screening are reasonable, due to the availability of enzyme replacement therapy. This paper presents an electrochemical method using complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS)-compatible ion-sensitive field effect transistors (ISFETs) with hafnium oxide-sensitive surfaces for the detection of α-galactosidase A activity in dried blood spot extracts. The capability of ISFETs to detect the reaction catalyzed by α-galactosidase A was demonstrated. The buffer composition was optimized to provide suitable conditions for both enzyme and ISFET performance. The use of ISFET structures as sensor elements allowed for the label-free detection of enzymatic reactions with melibiose, a natural substrate of α-galactosidase A, instead of a synthetic fluorogenic one. ISFET chips were packaged with printed circuit boards and microfluidic reaction chambers to enable long-term signal measurement using a custom device. The packaged sensors were demonstrated to discriminate between normal and inhibited GLA activity in dried blood spots extracts. The described method offers a promising solution for increasing the widespread distribution of newborn screening of Fabry disease. Full article

The reliable exchange of data is a crucial issue for the loose coupling of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and computational structural mechanics (CSM) modules in fluid–structure interaction (FSI) applications. This paper presents a comparison between two methods for mapping the traction field across mismatching grids, namely the RIBES method and the preCICE algorithm, both based on radial basis function (RBF) interpolation. The two methods demonstrate different degrees of control over balance preservation during mapping, with the RIBES algorithm exhibiting greater efficacy. Test benches are a parametric double curved geometry and a wind tunnel mock-up. In this second case, forces from mapping are used to load a CSM model to retrieve stress and displacement fields. Differences in FEM results are appreciable although not significant, showing a correlation between the accuracy of balance preservation during data mapping and the structural output. Full article

Background: The rates of obesity, undernutrition, and other non-communicable diseases are on the rise among Lebanese adults. Therefore, it is crucial to evaluate the food consumption habits of this population to understand diet quality, analyze consumption trends, and compare them to healthy diets known to reduce risks of non-communicable diseases. Aim: To evaluate the food consumption patterns, energy intake, as well as macro- and micro-nutrient intake among a nationally representative sample of Lebanese adults aged 18−64 years old. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out from May to September 2022 involving 444 participants from all eight Lebanese governorates. Sociodemographic and medical information was gathered through a questionnaire, food consumption was evaluated using a validated FFQ and 24 h recall, and anthropometric measurements were recorded. Results: There was a notable lack of adherence to three healthy diets (Mediterranean, EAT-Lancet, USDA) among Lebanese adults. Their dietary pattern is characterized by high energy, added sugars, sodium, and saturated fat intake while being low in healthy fats, vitamin A, D, and E. Adult women are falling short of meeting their daily calcium, vitamin D, iron, and vitamin B12 requirements, putting them at increased risk of anemia, osteoporosis, and other health issues. Grains and cereals were the most consumed food groups, and most participants were found to be overweight or obese. Conclusions: In conclusion, the results highlight the need for public health policies and interventions aimed at encouraging Lebanese adults to make healthier food choices and transition towards diets like the Mediterranean, EAT-Lancet, or USDA diet. These diets have been shown to promote overall health and wellbeing. Full article

The modeling method of unbonded effects is a challenging and hot topic for the structural performance analysis of unbonded and partially bonded post-tensioned concrete beams. The main concerns accounting for the unbonded effects are the longitudinal free-slip behaviors and the vertical deformation compatibility relationship between the unbonded tendon and concrete beam. Three modeling schemes, namely, the beam–truss element model, the slipping cable element model, and the slack spring model, are presented in this paper. These modeling schemes are, for the first time, systematically compared regarding applicability, convenience, and accuracy. Then, these modeling schemes are applied to experimental beams with different tendon layouts and bonding conditions, including external tendons, internal unbonded tendons, and partially bonded tendons. The beam–truss element model and the slipping cable element model are only applicable to the fully bonded and unbonded members, respectively. The slack spring model is recommended as the generally applicable model for analyzing post-tensioned concrete beams with different bonding conditions. Crucial suggestions are put forward as to the zero-length slack spring element, which have the potential to improve the prediction accuracy for tendon stress. In addition, parametrical analysis is conducted to determine the influence of unbonded length on flexural performance. With the increase of unbonded length, the flexural capacity of the beam will decrease, but the self-centering performance can be improved. Interestingly, the effects of unbonded length on the structural deformability are not monotonic, and the reasons for this are clarified. Full article

Background: DNA methylation may be a link between HIV, aging, and the increased risk of lung comorbidities. We investigated whether bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells of people living with HIV (PLWH) demonstrate epigenetic disruptions and advanced epigenetic aging. Methods: BAL cell DNA methylation from 25 PLWH and 16 HIV-uninfected individuals were tested for differential methylation of Alu and LINE-1 sites, markers of aging. We used a weighted gene correlation network analysis to identify HIV- and age-associated co-methylation networks. We tested the effect of HIV on DNA methylation using a robust linear model (false discovery rate < 0.10). Results: The BAL cells of PLWH were marked by global hypomethylation in both Alu and LINE-1 elements. Six co-methylated CpG networks were identified that were significantly associated with age; of these, the red module was significantly differentially methylated in PLWH and enriched pathways (e.g., Ras signaling and T-cell receptors). We identified 6428 CpG sites associated with HIV. Conclusions: We have shown here for the first time that alterations in the DNA methylation of BAL cells in the lung with HIV show a pattern of advanced aging. This study strongly supports that HIV may contribute to an increased the risk of lung comorbidities through the epigenetics of aging. Full article

Rare earth bisphthalocyanines (MPc₂) are of particular interest because of their behavior as single-molecular magnets, which makes them suitable for applications in molecular spintronics, high-density data storage and quantum computation. Nevertheless, MPc₂ are not commercially available, and the synthesis routes are mainly focused on obtaining substituted phthalocyanines. Two preparation routes depend on the precursor: synthesis from phthalonitrile (PN) and the metalation of free or dilithium phthalocyanine (H₂Pc and Li₂Pc). In both options, byproducts such as free-base phthalocyanine and in the first route additional PN oligomers are generated, which influence the MPc₂ yield. There are three preparation methods for these routes: heating, microwave radiation and reflux. In this research, solvothermal synthesis was applied as a new approach to prepare yttrium, lanthanum, gadolinium and terbium unsubstituted bisphthalocyanines using Li₂Pc and the rare earth(III) acetylacetonates. Purification by sublimation gave high product yields compared to those reported, namely 68% for YPc₂, 43% for LaPc₂, 63% for GdPc₂ and 62% for TbPc₂, without any detectable presence of H₂Pc. Characterization by infrared, Raman, ultraviolet–visible and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis revealed the main featuresof the four bisphthalocyanines, indicating the success of the synthesis of the complexes. Full article

Clean tillage frequently causes the loss of soil nutrients and weakens microbial ecosystem service functions. In order to improve orchard soil nutrient cycling, enhance enzyme activities and microbial community structure in a “Jiro” sweet persimmon orchard, sod culture management was carried out to clarify the relationship among soil nutrient, microbial communities, and fruit yield and quality in persimmon orchard. The results showed that sod culture management increased the content of organic matter, total organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the soil, thus improving soil fertility. Compared with clean tillage orchards, sod culture methods significantly increased soil enzyme activities and microbial biomass carbon (MBC) content. The abundance-based coverage estimator (ACE) and the simplest richness estimators (Chao l) indices of the bacterial community and all diversity and richness indices of the fungal community significantly increased in the sod culture orchard, which indicated that sod culture could increase the richness and diversity of the soil microbial community. The dominant bacterial phyla were Proteobacteria (32.21~41.13%) and Acidobacteria (18.76~23.86%), and the dominant fungal phyla were Mortierellomycota (31.11~83.40%) and Ascomycota (3.45~60.14%). Sod culture drove the composition of the microbial community to increase the beneficial microbiome. Correlation analyses and partial least squares path modeling (PLS-PM) comparative analyses showed that the soil chemical properties (mainly including soil organic matter content, total organic carbon content, total potassium content, and total nitrogen content), soil enzyme activities and soil microorganisms were strongly correlated with fruit yield and quality. Meanwhile, soil nutrient, soil enzyme, and soil microbes had also influenced each other. Our results showed that long-term ryegrass planting could improve soil fertility, enzyme activities, and microbial community compositions. Such changes might lead to a cascading effect on the fruit yield and quality of “Jiro” sweet persimmons. Full article

This study investigates the association between body mass index (BMI) and the composition of the endometrial microbiota in infertile women of childbearing age. This is a retrospective clinical study comparing the endometrial microbiota across body weight in 132 patients presenting for care at an infertility clinic. The reason for infertility was recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) or implantation failure with a prior IVF cycle. Microbe analysis was completed by Igenomix Laboratory (Valencia, Spain) using two comprehensive panels. Patients were separated into three groups based on their results: normal, dysbiotic, and pathogenic. Prevalence of these groups was compared across BMI categories and statistical analysis was used to determine significance. Of the 132 endometrial samples collected, 80 (60.6%) were normal, 16 (12.1%) were dysbiotic, and 36 (27.3%) were pathogenic. Patients with a BMI ≥ 30 showed a statistically significant increase in pathogenic endometrium compared to normal weight controls (p = 0.029). Our conclusion is that the prevalence of pathogenic endometrium was significantly higher in the obese group compared with normal weight controls. There is a possible association between obesity and the endometrial microbiome. Full article