On the Measurement of Laser Lines in 3D Space with Uncertainty Estimation.

Laser-based systems, essential in diverse applications, demand accurate geometric calibration to ensure precise performance. The calibration process of the system requires establishing a reliable relationship between input parameters and the corresponding 3D description of the outgoing laser beams. The quality of the calibration depends on the quality of the dataset of measured laser lines.

Sex-Specific Sensory Profiles Discriminate Between Sensitization at Twelve Weeks in Patients with Acute Low Back Pain: A Retrospective Study.

Low back pain (LBP) is the leading cause of disability worldwide, resulting in enormous socio-economic and personal consequences. Sensory profiles during the acute back pain stage will predict central sensitization symptoms in the chronic pain stage, as central sensitization is the main mechanism behind nociplastic pain and pain chronicity. Therefore, our objective was to establish overall and sex-specific sensory profile cut-off points that distinguish symptoms of central sensitization at 12 weeks, using a retrospective prognostic cohort study design.

Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor for Complicated Urinary Tract Infections in Kidney Transplant Recipients.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a common complication after kidney transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of pre-existing diabetes mellitus and post-transplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) on the occurrence of pyelonephritis in kidney transplant recipients. We performed a retrospective analysis which included 299 adult patients transplanted with a kidney between 2018 and 2022.

Alcohol, Tobacco and Illicit Drug Use During Pregnancy in the Longitudinal BELpREG Cohort in Belgium Between 2022 and 2024.

Substance use during pregnancy is associated with adverse outcomes for both mother and child. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and determinants of alcohol, tobacco and illicit drug use before and during pregnancy in Belgium. An observational study was conducted using data from the longitudinal BELpREG registry.

Supervised or Home-Based? Exploring the Best Exercise Approach for Knee Osteoarthritis Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a common and debilitating condition affecting older adults, often progressing to advanced stages and requiring total joint replacement. Exercise therapy is widely recognized as the first-line approach for the prevention and initial management of OA. This systematic review assessed the effectiveness of home-based exercises (HBEs) compared to supervised exercises in alleviating pain and reducing disability among patients with knee OA.

Gastrointestinal Disease in Common Variable Immunodeficiency Disorder (CVID): Histological Patterns, Diagnostic Clues and Pitfalls for the Pathologist and Gastroenterologist.

: Gastrointestinal diseases are a major cause of morbidity in common variable immunodeficiency disorder (CVID), clinically often mimicking other conditions including celiac disease and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Hence, diagnosis of CVID remains challenging. This study aims to raise awareness and highlight histopathological clues for CVID in intestinal biopsies, emphasizing diagnostic pitfalls for the pathologist/gastroenterologist.

The Effect of Visual Feedback on Plaque Control: An RCT Comparing Toothbrushing Methods in Periodontitis Patients.

As gingivitis prevalence is closely related to plaque accumulation, effective oral hygiene is mandatory for maintaining healthy gingival tissues. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of different toothbrushing methods (a manual toothbrush (group 1 = MTB, the control); an electric toothbrush (group 2 = ETB); and an electric toothbrush with daily visual feedback (group 3 = ETBV)) on the plaque levels and periodontal health in patients after receiving initial periodontal treatment. : A total of 67 patients were initially screened in this study, and 60 patients were randomly allocated into 1 of the 3 groups, with 53 patients completing this study.

Autoimmune Type 1 Diabetes: An Early Approach Appraisal for Spain by the AGORA Diabetes Collaborative Group.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by the destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells, leading to lifelong insulin dependence. This review explores the current understanding of T1D pathogenesis, clinical progression, and emerging therapeutic approaches. We examined the complex interplay between genetic predisposition and environmental factors that could trigger the autoimmune response as well as the immunological mechanisms involved in beta-cell destruction.

Evidence in Lager Yeasts of β-Lyase Activity Breaking Down γ-GluCys-Conjugates More Efficiently Than Cys-Conjugates to Odorant Beer Polyfunctional Thiols.

The prevalence of glutathionylated (G-) precursors of polyfunctional thiols (PFTs) over their free forms has prompted investigating how to optimize the enzymatic breakdown of these precursors with yeast during lager, ale, and non-alcoholic/low-alcoholic beer (NABLAB) fermentation trials. Some yeasts have been selected for their higher β-lyase activity on the cysteinylated (Cys-) conjugates (up to 0.54% for SafAle K-97), yet some strains and one maltose-negative var.

Structural, Morphological, and Antibacterial Attributes of Graphene Oxide Prepared by Hummers' and Brodie's Methods.

Graphite oxidation to graphene oxide (GO) is carried out using methods developed by Brodie (GO-B) and Hummers (GO-H). However, a comparison of the antibacterial properties based on the physicochemical properties has not been performed. Therefore, this paper outlines a comparative analysis of GO-H and GO-B on antibacterial efficacy against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial cultures and biofilms in an aqueous environment and discusses which of the properties of these GO nanomaterials have the most significant impact on the antibacterial activity of these materials.

Synthesis and Advanced NMR Characterization of Ordered 3D Reticular Materials with PolySilicate Nodes and Hydrophobic OrganoSilicone Linkers.

This work describes the synthesis of ordered 3D siloxane-silsesquioxane reticular materials with silicate D4R cubes (SiO), harvested from a sacrificial tetrabutylammonium cyclosilicate hydrate (TBA-CySH) precursor, interlinked with octyl and dicyclopentyl (Cp) hydrocarbon functionalities in a one-step synthesis with organodichlorosilanes. Advanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy allowed us to unravel the molecular order of the nodes and their interconnection by the silicone linkers. In the case of octyl-methyl silicone linkers, changing the silane-to-silicate ratio in the synthesis allowed for tuning the length of the linker between the nodes.

A Bis-Glycosylamine Strategy for the Synthesis of Dimeric Iminosugars Based on a DAB-1 Scaffold.

A straightforward synthetic route towards DAB-1 scaffolded dimeric iminosugars is described here, starting from readily available bis-glycosylamines. The method allows the integration of a variety of linkages (aryl, alkyl, polyethyleneglycol chains) between both iminosugars through the choice of the bis-amine used in the first step. Moreover, an additional substituent (allyl, ethynyl) may be inserted into the structure via nucleophilic addition of an organometallic reagent to the starting bis-glycosylamine.

Correlation Between Spinopelvic Parameters, Body Mass Index, Waist Circumference, and Chronic Non-Specific Low Back Pain.

Study Design: This is an observational study.

Objectives: In general practice, it is noted that some people can deal more easily with a prominent belly than others. Recent use of spinopelvic parameters in the analysis of the spine might explain this observation.

Review of the Microstructural Impact on Creep Mechanisms and Performance for Laser Powder Bed Fusion Inconel 718.

Inconel 718 (IN718) is a polycrystalline nickel-based superalloy and one of the most widely used materials in the aerospace industry owing to its excellent mechanical performances at high temperatures, including creep resistance. Interest in additively manufactured components in aerospace is greatly increasing due to their ability to reduce material consumption, to manufacture complex parts, and to produce out-of-equilibrium microstructures, which can be beneficial for mechanical behavior. IN718's properties are, however, very sensitive to microstructural features, which strongly depend on the manufacturing process and subsequent heat treatments.

Computational Fluid Dynamics as a Digital Tool for Enhancing Safety Uptake in Advanced Manufacturing Environments Within a Safe-by-Design Strategy.

In modern manufacturing environments, pollution management is critical as exposure to harmful substances can cause serious health issues. This study presents a two-stage computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model to estimate the distribution of pollutants in indoor production spaces. In the first stage, the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) method was used to simulate airflow and temperature.

Alkali-Activated Mineral Residues in Construction: Case Studies on Bauxite Residue and Steel Slag Pavement Tiles.

This research aimed to investigate the potential of using alkali activation technology to valorize steel slag and bauxite residue for the production of high-performance pavement blocks. By utilizing these industrial by-products, the study seeks to reduce their environmental impact and support the development of sustainable construction materials. Lab-scale testing showed that bauxite pavers showed a decrease in mechanical strength with increasing replacement of ordinary Portland cement.

Macronutrient-Based Predictive Modelling of Bioconversion Efficiency in Black Soldier Fly Larvae () Through Artificial Substrates.

This study explores the optimisation of rearing substrates for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). First, the ideal dry matter content of substrates was determined, comparing the standard 30% dry matter (DM) with substrates hydrated to their maximum water holding capacity (WHC). Substrates at maximal WHC yielded significantly higher larval survival rates ( = 0.

Thermal Development, Mortality, and Fertility of an Apulian Strain of at Different Temperatures.

This study explored the thermal response of , an injurious insect pest present in many countries worldwide, at different controlled conditions. This species is responsible for several economic losses in soft fruit cultivations, develops on ripening fruits, and has the capability to quickly adapt to new territories and climates, closing multiple generations per year. Given its high invasive potential and the increasing need for low-impact control strategies, an in-depth exploration of the biology of this species and of the stage thermal response is fundamental.

Evaluation of a Simple Antibiotic-Free Cryopreservation Protocol for Drone Semen.

The increasing reliance of modern agriculture on honey bee () pollination has driven efforts to preserve and enhance bee populations. The cryopreservation of drone semen presents a promising solution for preserving genetic diversity and supporting breeding programs without live animal transport risks. This study aimed to evaluate a one-step dilution antibiotic-free drone semen slow-freezing protocol under field conditions with in vitro and in vivo parameters.

Antiplasmodial Activity of a New Chemotype of Hochst. Ex C. Krauss Essential Oil.

, a tropical African plant, is traditionally used to treat several diseases, including fever, inflammation, and malaria. Essential oils (EOs) from the plant's leaves, roots, and trunk bark were obtained by hydrodistillation, and their chemical composition was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major constituents identified were virdiflorene (18.

Transcriptome and Neuroendocrinome Responses to Environmental Stress in the Model and Pest Insect .

The fall armyworm, , is one of the most notorious pest insects, causing damage to more than 350 plant species, and is feared worldwide as an invasive pest species since it exhibits high adaptivity against environmental stress. Here, we therefore investigated its transcriptome responses to four different types of stresses, namely cold, heat, no water and no food. We used brain samples as our interest was in the neuroendocrine responses, while previous studies used whole bodies of larvae or moths.

Optimization of SARS-CoV-2 M Inhibitors by a Structure-Based Multilevel Virtual Screening Method.

With the aim of developing novel anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs to address the ongoing evolution and emergence of drug-resistant strains, the reported SARS-CoV-2 M inhibitor was selected as a lead to find novel, highly potent, and broad-spectrum inhibitors. Using a fragment-based multilevel virtual screening strategy, 15 hit compounds were identified and subsequently synthesized. Among them, (IC = 1.

Synthetic GPR84 Agonists in Colorectal Cancer: Effective in THP-1 Cells but Ineffective in BMDMs and MC38 Mouse Tumor Models.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in the colorectal cancer (CRC) microenvironment promote tumor progression but can be reprogrammed into a pro-inflammatory state with anti-cancer properties. Activation of the G protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) is associated with pro-inflammatory macrophage polarization, making it a potential target for CRC therapy. This study evaluates the effects of the GPR84 agonists 6-OAU and ZQ-16 on macrophage activation and anti-cancer efficacy.

Changes to the Autophagy-Related Muscle Proteome Following Short-Term Treatment with Ectoine in the Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Mouse Model mdx.

The most severe form of muscular dystrophy (MD), known as Duchenne MD (DMD), remains an incurable disease, hence the ongoing efforts to develop supportive therapies. The dysregulation of autophagy, a degradative yet protective mechanism activated when tissues are under severe and prolonged stress, is critically involved in DMD. Treatments that harness autophagic capacities therefore represent a promising therapeutic approach.

Risk Factors and Circulating Subtypes of spp. and in Hospitalized Children in Mozambique.

spp. and are important diarrheal agents in children in developing countries. Little is known about their molecular epidemiology; as such, the objective of this study was to determine the risk factors and genetic diversity of both parasites in diarrheal samples in Mozambique.