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Comparison of posterior cellular bonegraft options for single-level lumbar spinal fusion: a randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Iliac bone autograft (IBG) is osteoinductive/osteogenic/osteoconductive but requires an additional harvesting procedure with known morbidities. Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) is osteoinductive and effective in obtaining fusion but is used off label for posterior fusion, has multiple side effects, and is expensive. Stem cell bone products, both auto- and allograft are attractive osteoinductive alternatives that avoid morbidity related to the graft donor site and may have a better safety profile than BMP. Morcelized allograft bone is osteoconductive but not osteoinductive or osteogenic. PURPOSE: Evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 6 types of viable or osteoinductive bone graft material in obtaining a solid posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for single level anterior/posterior lumbar spinal fusion. The bone grafts were IBG, BMP, autogenous stem cells (MSC) from concentrated bone marrow aspirate (BMA), allograft MSC from bone marrow, adipose tissue, or amniotic fluid, combined with inert cancellous allograft (Allo). STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective, single-blinded randomized study of 6 cohorts and inert historical control. PATIENT SAMPLE: Elective anterior-posterior lumbar spinal fusion of 175 patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Assessments included pre and postoperative back and leg pain (VAS) scores, pain drawing, disability (ODI) scores, pain medication usage, and 1-year postoperative thin-cut CT scans (read by blinded radiologists). METHODS: Patients who were surgical candidates for a 1-level anterior/posterior lumbar fusion were randomized to 1 of 6 types of posterior bone graft alternatives: IBG, BMP, BMA, allograft MSC derived from bone marrow combined with morcelized Allo (cAlloBone), adipose derived MSC combined with morcelized Allo (cAlloFat), or amnion derived MSC combined with morcelized Allo (cAlloAm). Historical Allo patients served as a negative control group. Each group (n 27) had prospective outcomes and were followed for a minimum of 2 years. Fusion rate and outcomes were compared and referenced to Allo group. RESULTS: All but 5 patients had a solid ASF. The posterior fusion rates were 98% for IBG, 94% for BMP, 85% for BMA, 67% for cAlloBone, 64% for cAlloFat, 62% for cAlloAm, and 50% for Allo. Outcomes were significantly improved for all measures for all groups and there was no difference between groups except cAlloFat had slightly greater improvement in back pain in the 7-12 month follow-up period. BMP was the most expensive graft material; cellular allografts had a high-cost relative to fusion rate. CONCLUSIONS: For single level ASF/PSF, the PSF fusion rate was significantly greater for IBG and BMP followed by BMA. Various allograft MSC bone graft options resulted in lower fusion rates but may be greater than Allo. Outcomes were uniformly improved regardless of the type of graft used or the fusion status of the posterior fusion as long as the interbody fusion was solid. If bone graft cost savings is a consideration for PSF, then IBG has the greatest radiographic value, and Allo the greatest clinical value as long as the anterior interbody fusion is solid.

Humans

Long-term outcomes of non-operative compared to operative management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated long-term outcomes of non-operative management (NOM) versus surgical management of acute uncomplicated appendicitis. METHODS: Systematic review of studies comparing NOM versus surgery with ≥2 years follow-up. Primary outcome was long-term failure rate. RESULTS: 9/1635 studies were included (3 RCTs; 6 non-RCT studies), involving 3883 patients; 5 were in pediatric populations. Median follow-up was 33.6 (range 24-312) months. NOM pooled long-term failure rate was 38.9% (95% CI: 31.1%-46.7%), increasing to 44.4% (95% CI: 41.4%-47.4%) in RCTs. Pooled appendectomy rate after NOM was 36.3% (95% CI: 28.9%-43.7%). Incidence of appendiceal neoplasms was approximately 0.3%. Non-operative management had cost savings of €1535 (95% CI: -€1892 to -€1178) versus surgery. CONCLUSIONS: NOM of acute uncomplicated appendicitis was associated with high long-term failure rates and significant risk of subsequent appendectomy.

Humans

Biological mechanisms of atropine in myopia control (Review).

Myopia is now recognized as a progressive, potentially sight‑threatening disease rather than just a refractive error, with its prevalence rising rapidly worldwide due to its high occurrence, major vision losses and huge public health cost. The World Health Organization estimates that 2.6 billion individuals in the world were myopic in 2020 this figure is projected to increase to 3.364 billion by 2030. Although myopia may be better controlled in its early stages, it may not be completely reversed at this time. Of all of the methods for controlling myopia, atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, remains an effective pharmacological option for slowing myopia progression in children. However, the mechanisms of action of atropine remain to be fully elucidated. This review provided a systematic review for myopia epidemiology, pathogenesis, the effects and side effects, as well as up‑to‑date possible mechanisms, in the hope of facilitating that researchers in this field elucidate its underlying mechanisms so that clinical ophthalmologists may be able to better control this disease.

Humans

A point-of-use SERS assay for rapid detecting difenoconazole and flusilazole residues in fruit juices using Au/COF substrate.

We developed a ready-to-use surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for rapid, pretreatment-free detection of difenoconazole (DIF) and flusilazole (FLU) in peach and lychee juices. The substrate combines Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) with covalent organic frameworks (COF) and is implemented on a portable 25-well plate, enabling in situ testing. Juices can be directly applied to the SERS-active Au/COF composite, allowing simultaneous adsorption and signal generation. The correlation between SERS intensity and logarithmic concentration yielded R-values between 0.925 and 0.986, meeting the monitoring needs of non-laboratory scenarios. The entire workflow completes within 12 min, offering a faster alternative to conventional methods while maintaining high sensitivity and reproducibility. Detection limits reach 0.96-1.22 ppb for DIF and FLU, both of which are below the regulatory maximum residue limits. Distinct SERS fingerprints enable reliable discrimination of mixed residues across juice matrices, supporting rapid on-site monitoring and cost-effective pesticide surveillance.

Triazoles

Self-healing materials for food packaging: Design principles, activation mechanisms and implications for food safety.

Self-healing materials (SHMs), originally developed to restore mechanical integrity, have recently attracted growing interest in food packaging. By autonomously repairing physical damage, SHMs help preserve packaging integrity, barrier performance, food safety, and shelf-life during storage and transportation. This review summarizes recent advances in the design principles, activation mechanisms, material systems and food packaging applications of SHMs. Key healing strategies, including microencapsulation, dynamic covalent bond exchange, reversible non-covalent interactions and responsiveness to external stimuli such as temperature, pH, and humidity, are discussed. Representative material systems, including biopolymer-based films, hydrogels, nanocomposites, and stimuli-responsive polymers are evaluated with respect to their relevance to packaging animal-derived foods, fruits, and vegetables. Performance evaluation methods, sustainability implications, and food-contact safety concerns are addressed. Despite promising healing efficiency and mechanical resilience, challenges remain regarding production cost, food-grade safety, migration risks, trigger compatibility and stability under fluctuating environmental conditions. Future research should focus on scalable manufacturing, standardized evaluation protocols, repeated damage-healing safety assessment, regulatory compliance, and integration with intelligent packaging technologies.

Food Packaging

CAR-T Cell Therapy: Manufacturing Platforms and Clinical Consequences.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has transformed hematological cancer care, yet variability in efficacy, durability, and safety cannot be explained solely by antigen selection or patient factors. We propose that manufacturing platforms are active biological determinants of outcome. Viral vectors, used in all licensed products, provide stable genomic integration and durable expression but are limited by cost, cargo capacity, and centralized production. Nonviral strategies, including transposons, CRISPR knock-ins, and messenger RNA delivery, enable faster, less-expensive manufacturing with larger payloads, while introducing distinct safety and persistence profiles. This review presents a three-layer mechanistic framework that reframes manufacturing as biology: integration biology determines genomic risk and transgene stability; clonal fitness shapes persistence, dominance, and exhaustion; and epigenomic imprinting, influenced by gene transfer method, cytokines, and culture stress, preconfigures functional trajectories. Clinical observations link platform choice to immune recovery, where prolonged B-cell aplasia and delayed T-cell reconstitution contribute to infection-related nonrelapse mortality, and hematopoietic reserve at apheresis emerges as a practical predictor. Finally, manufacturing is positioned as the key to democratizing cell therapy. Decentralized, nonviral production aligned with regulatory standards may enable equitable access and transition CAR-T therapy from innovation to sustainable global care.

Humans

Leveraging environmental applications and risks of coal gangue: A critical review on authigenic inorganic heavy metals, organic contaminants, and the removal of exogenetic contaminants.

Coal gangue (CG) as bulk solid waste has seriously threatened the ecosystem. Therefore, identifying the key risk drivers and exploring feasible disposal methods for CG are essential for developing a sustainable strategy. However, there is currently a lack of comprehensive information that balances the contamination risks with the valuable constituents present in CG, which hinders its full potential for sustainable use without negative environmental impacts. Given the complex composition and associated risks, we propose that addressing the critical properties related to contamination is crucial for the efficient utilization of CG. On this premise, we summarized several practical resource pathways (ecological multifunctional materials, extraction of rare elements, and soil additives) that are more favorable for sustainable development relative to conventional disposals. Meanwhile, we also propose that coupling disposals could intensely reduce CG's environmental footprints and capital costs. Consequently, regardless of the number of challenges to be solved, we believe the CG has broad application prospects, and we hope this review will promote the conversion of CG into an asset with lower ecological and social impacts.

Metals, Heavy

Hepatotoxicity of OBS: A review of the emerging PFOS substitute.

As an alternative to perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), sodium perfluorononenyl oxobenzene sulfonate (OBS) is widely used due to its cost-effectiveness. Multiple studies have shown that the liver is a classic target organ for OBS. However, there is currently no systematic review on the hepatotoxic effects of OBS. This review systematically summarizes the exposure characteristics of OBS in the environment and human populations, as well as its mechanisms of liver toxicity. In vivo studies consistently demonstrate that OBS induces hepatotoxic effects, such as hepatomegaly, vacuolization, elevated serum transaminases, and lipid dysregulation, though the manifestation of these phenotypes varies across species and exposure routes. In vitro evidence further shows that OBS reduces cell viability and survival, and triggers necrosis accompanied by inflammation. Mechanistically, oxidative stress, inflammatory signaling, and metabolism disorder are implicated. Critically, most existing work addresses subacute or subchronic exposure, leaving a gap in chronic risk assessment for long-term, low-dose OBS exposure. Moreover, mechanistic studies have focused predominantly on downstream transcriptional and signaling changes, with limited exploration of upstream epigenetic controls. Overall, this study aims to provide a comprehensive reference for future toxicological investigations and liver injury risk assessments related to OBS exposure.

Humans

Proteomics in environmental pollution research: Advances, challenges, and future directions.

Environmental proteomics has emerged as a powerful approach for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying pollutant-induced biological effects. Although this field has developed rapidly, the systematic review of recent proteomics applications in environmental pollution research remains limited. This review explored the emerging roles of toxicoproteomics in biomarker discovery and mechanistic elucidation, as well as ecotoxicoproteomics in ecological risk assessment and bioremediation strategies. Here, we review the field, highlighting recent trends such as the integration of proteomics with genomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics to provide a comprehensive view of biological responses to environmental stressors. We further discuss the growing application of artificial intelligence in improving proteomics data interpretation and accelerating biomarker discovery. In addition, recent technological advances in environmental proteomics are highlighted, including next-generation tissue microarray proteomics, nanoscale proteomics, single-cell proteomics, and spatial proteomics. Despite its potential, proteomics faces challenges, such as high operational costs, computational complexity in analysis, and technical limitations in low-abundance protein detection. We propose that the convergence of proteomics with artificial intelligence and multi-omics approaches offers promising solutions to these challenges, enhancing the practical application of proteomics in environmental monitoring and risk assessment.

Proteomics

Ancient DNA and Human Physiology.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) enables the reconstruction of chronologically sampled genomes from ancient humans, animals, plants, pathogens, and microorganisms, as well as environmental DNA, providing a record of biological changes through time. Improvements in short and degraded DNA extraction methods and low-cost sequencing now enable the generation of broad, cross-regional datasets that expand evolutionary analyses from past population demography to biological mechanisms. By tracking temporal shifts of allele frequencies, integrating functional genomics resources (e.g., gene expression, chromatin structure variation), modeling population demography to separate selection from genetic drift, and aligning genetic changes with archaeological, cultural, and climatic data, aDNA has the potential to link sequence variation to physiological function within their temporal and environmental contexts. In this review, we summarize illustrative case studies from aDNA research spanning complex traits, dietary adaptations, and responses to pathogens and other environmental changes, showing how human biology has evolved under multiple selective pressures through time. These dated signals help triage experimental work and expose mechanisms that are rare or absent in living cohorts. Although some challenges remain, such as geographic and temporal sampling disparities, limitations in data resolution and variant detection, and genotype-phenotype uncertainties, rapid methodological progress and stronger ethical frameworks are expanding what can be inferred, making aDNA a promising tool for refining physiological pathways, their timing, and their drivers.

Humans

Review: The African turquoise killifish as a model for the integrative physiology of vertebrate aging.

With increasing emphasis on extending healthy lifespan, aging research requires vertebrate models that permit efficient mechanistic investigation and intervention testing within practical time and cost constraints. The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) has attracted growing attention because it combines an exceptionally short life cycle with an intact vertebrate physiological context and an expanding genetic toolkit, enabling relatively rapid evaluation of candidate aging interventions and mechanistic analysis across molecular, tissue, and organismal levels. This review assesses N. furzeri from an integrative-physiology perspective, focusing on germline-soma interactions, gut microbiota-host crosstalk, nutrient sensing and metabolic remodeling, temperature responsiveness, and AMPK-mTOR-linked programs. It also examines expanding genome-engineering and reporter approaches that support mechanistic and tissue-resolved investigation of these physiological processes. Building on recent reviews of killifish biology, disease modeling, regeneration, and the hallmarks of aging, we synthesize evidence across major intervention domains, distinguish established phenotypic effects from incompletely resolved mechanisms, and highlight functional endpoints, methodological standardization, and the appropriate interpretation of the model's translational relevance. Together, these features position N. furzeri as a strategically useful vertebrate platform for rapid mechanistic testing, intervention evaluation, and prioritization of aging-related pathways. Future progress will require improved methodological standardization, tissue-resolved causal studies, and question-driven cross-species validation where appropriate.

Animals

Mul-PheG2P: decoupled learning and prediction-space fusion enables robust and interpretable multi-phenotype genomic prediction.

Genomic prediction of multiple phenotypes is crucial in modern plant breeding; however, existing methods struggle with negative transfer and lack interpretability, particularly across high-dimensional small-sample data and diverse species. To address this, we propose Mul-PheG2P, a novel paradigm based on decoupled learning and predictive space fusion. It employs a two-stage design: first training phenotype-specific encoders using genetic data, then decoupling phenotype-specific learning from cross-phenotype aggregation via an interpretable prediction layer. Mul-PheG2P outperforms existing methods across diverse crop datasets, including maize (Zea mays), wheat (Triticum aestivum), and tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). It provides a multi-scale interpretability chain: at the macro level, it quantifies phenotypic contributions via attention-based weighting; at the micro level, Integrated Gradients reveal the genetic basis of predictions. Notably, the model successfully identified the CCT (CONSTANS, CO-like, and TOC) motif regulating photoperiodism and the SQUAMOSA (SQUAMOSA promoter binding protein) promoter for inflorescence development, confirming its ability to capture functional biological mechanisms. These results highlight the high performance and interpretability of Mul-PheG2P, showcasing its value for low-cost, large-scale screening to advance precision breeding.

Phenotype

K-wire versus screw fixation in Scarf-Akin osteotomy for hallux valgus: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Retention of metal implants after Scarf-Akin osteotomy (SAO) may cause irritation and psychological discomfort, often necessitating a hardware removal procedure. This study aimed to introduce K-wire fixation, allowing for outpatient removal, and to compare it with screw fixation. METHODS: This retrospective study included 64 patients with hallux valgus, comprising 32 in the K-wire fixation group and 32 in the screw fixation group. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, visual analogue scale (VAS), and patient satisfaction. Radiographic parameters included hallux valgus angle(HVA), intermetatarsal angle(IMA), and distal metatarsal articular angle(DMAA). RESULTS: Both groups showed significant clinical and radiographic improvement (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.01). No significant between-group differences were observed in the other clinical or radiographic outcomes (P&#x202f;>&#x202f;0.05). Treatment costs were significantly lower in the K-wire group (P&#x202f;<&#x202f;0.001). CONCLUSIONS: K-wire fixation provides clinical and radiographic outcomes comparable to screw fixation, while avoiding the need for an additional procedure to remove the implant. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Humans

Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Technologies in Neurosurgical Training: Enhancing Skills and Surgical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the role of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) in neurosurgical education and training. DESIGN: Systematic review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. SETTING: A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language studies published between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2026. PARTICIPANTS: Studies involving neurosurgeons, fellows, residents, and medical students (maximum sample size: n = 48) were included. RESULTS: Of 7,204 initially identified studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. VR was primarily used for surgical simulation (100% of VR studies) and anatomical education (62.5%). AR demonstrated broader applications, including preoperative planning (40%) and intraoperative support (30%). MR was evenly distributed across simulation, planning, and intraoperative support (40% each). The most frequently improved outcomes were training effectiveness (52%) and technical proficiency (44%). Methodological quality scores, assessed using the Modified Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MMERSQI), ranged from 39.5 to 84.5, indicating varied rigor. CONCLUSION: VR, AR, and MR technologies show potential to enhance surgical precision, technical skills, and educational outcomes in neurosurgical training. However, standardization of methodologies and cost-effective solutions remain essential. Future research should focus on long-term clinical impact and integration of AI-driven training models.

Virtual Reality

AI-driven snapshot hyperspectral imaging for on-line sorting systems in food industry: From real-time sensing to intelligent decision-making.

High-throughput food sorting requires rapid, non-destructive detection of external defects, foreign materials, and internal quality attributes in heterogeneous food matrices. Conventional scanning hyperspectral imaging may suffer from motion-induced spatial-spectral mismatches, whereas snapshot hyperspectral imaging (S-HSI) captures spectral images within a single integration time. However, its advantage is limited by trade-offs in resolution, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reconstruction uncertainty, and calibration stability, which are further amplified by variable tissue structure, surface reflection, moisture, and fat distribution in foods. This review critically examines artificial intelligence (AI)-driven S-HSI for on-line food sorting within a sensing-representation-decision-execution framework. Compact architectures are compared according to their physical constraints, food-sorting suitability, and ability to support mapping between spectral responses and physicochemical quality attributes. AI strategies are reviewed for spectral reconstruction, image restoration, spatial-spectral representation, band selection, uncertainty-aware decision-making, and edge implementation. AI can partially compensate for snapshot-specific limitations, but current evidence remains largely limited to laboratory or prototype studies. Future work should link system performance to food safety and quality outcomes by reporting throughput, decision latency, calibration drift, missed-detection risk, false-rejection cost, and closed-loop sorting success.

Hyperspectral Imaging

Effectiveness of digital health technologies for post-discharge follow-up and management in older adults: a systematic review.

Older adults (&#x2265;65 years) are a rapidly growing population that are experiencing a higher number of hospitalisation admissions, longer hospital stays, and greater hospitalisation-related costs than younger adults. There is an important gap in post-discharge care for older adults, and digital technologies, such as video visits, mobile health apps, and remote patient monitoring, may support follow-up and management after hospital discharge. This systematic review examined the effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability, and impact (ie, effects on rehospitalisation, quality of life, mental health, adherence, and patient satisfaction) of technology-based interventions used for the follow-up and management of older adults after hospital discharge. MEDLINE (via PubMed), Scopus, and Web of Science were searched from database inception to January, 2026. The search identified 1972 records, of which 46 studies met the inclusion criteria: older adult populations (aged &#x2265;65 years), a technology-based intervention, post-discharge follow-up or management, and empirical data. Overall, digital post-discharge interventions were reported to be feasible, with good engagement, adherence, compliance, and retention; low dropout rates; and positive patient satisfaction. However, mixed findings were reported regarding rehospitalisation rates and mental health outcomes for virtual care compared with those for traditional care. Digital health technologies might represent a promising step towards improving post-discharge health care and continuity of care for older adults.

Journal Article

Three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxyapatite@gelatin composite as efficient adsorbent for uranyl ion removal from low-level radioactive wastewater.

The contamination of water resources by uranyl (UO22+) ions poses significant environmental and health risks, requiring the development of efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Adsorption-based techniques have emerged as promising approaches in the field of UO22+ removal, but the design of cost-effective, high-capacity, and environmentally friendly adsorbents remains challenging. In this study, a three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxyapatite@gelatin (nHAP@Ge) composite was synthesized through glutaraldehyde cross-linking, combining the structural stability of Ge with the high uranium affinity of nHAP. The optimized nHAP@Ge, with a nHAP:Ge mass ratio of 1:0.5, exhibited exceptional UO22+ removal efficiency (97 %), along with high adsorption capacity (364.03 mg/g). Systematic characterizations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods revealed that the porous structure and surface functional groups (-OH, Ca2+, and PO43-) of the material synergistically contributed to binding UO22+ species. Furthermore, the incorporation of nHAP into the Ge framework resulted in enhanced thermal stability while significantly improving the UO22+ adsorption performance. This work presents a scalable, eco-friendly, and recyclable strategy for the effective treatment of uranium-contaminated water, with potential applications in nuclear wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Adsorption

Direct background subtraction LC-MS/MS assay for human plasma progesterone: Full validation and comparative application.

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method based on direct background subtraction for the quantification of endogenous progesterone in human plasma. METHODS: Protein precipitation was used for sample preparation with deuterated progesterone as the internal standard. Chromatographic separation was performed on an ACQUITY C18 column using gradient elution with 0.1% formic acid in water and acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.3&#xa0;mL/min. Mass spectrometry was operated in positive electrospray ionization mode with multiple reaction monitoring. Instead of using analyte-stripped matrix or surrogate matrix, authentic plasma was directly used for all validation experiments. Quantitation was achieved by subtracting the background signal, and results were compared with those from the classical method using stripped matrix. RESULTS: Excellent linearity was achieved over 0.1-100&#xa0;ng/mL (R2&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.99). Precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability all met FDA and ICH M10 acceptance criteria. Compared with the classical method, the bias in Cmax and AUC0-t was within &#xb1;15%, indicating no significant difference between the two methods. CONCLUSION: The direct background subtraction method avoids laborious preparation of blank matrix, eliminates matrix effect discrepancies, and is simple, efficient, and low-cost. It can serve as a general strategy for endogenous substance determination.

Humans