Non-invasive bladder cancer detection: Identification of a urinary volatile biomarker panel using GC-MS metabolomics and machine learning.

Early detection of bladder cancer (BC) remains a major clinical challenge due to the limitations of current diagnostic methods, which are often invasive, expensive, or insufficiently sensitive, particularly for early-stage disease. Metabolomics approaches, when integrated with machine learning (ML) techniques, offer a powerful platform for identifying novel, non-invasive biomarkers. In this study, urinary volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were analysed from 87 BC patients and 90 age- and sex-matched cancer-free controls using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPME/GC-MS).

Bacterial cellulose-FucoPol composite hydrogel dressings for advanced wound treatment.

Effective wound management relies on dressings that prevent infection and facilitate healing, which has driven research into advanced, cost-effective therapeutic dressings. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is highly valued for use in wound dressings given its mechanical strength, nanoporous structure, high water-holding capacity, and excellent biocompatibility. While BC promotes debridement and maintains moisture for wound healing, it lacks essential bio-functional properties, which can be addressed through incorporation of other compounds.

Evaluation of chirality descriptors derived from SMILES heteroencoders.

Molecular representations of chirality, derived from latent space vectors (LSVs) of SMILES heteroencoders, were explored to train machine learning models to predict chiral properties, and were compared to conventional circular fingerprints. Latent space arithmetic was applied to enhance the representation of chirality, by calculating differences between the original descriptor of a molecule and the descriptor of its enantiomer, or the difference between the original descriptor and the descriptor obtained with the stereochemistry-depleted SMILES string. Machine learning was performed with the Random Forest algorithm applied to a dataset of 3858 molecules extracted from the literature (1929 pairs of enantiomers) to predict the elution order observed on the Chiralpak® AD-H column, as well as intrinsic structural chirality labels (R/S or canonical SMILES @/@@).

Genomic Characterization of Multidrug-Resistant and ESBL-Producing Isolated from Healthy Rabbits Intended for Human Consumption.

is an important pathogen associated with multidrug resistance and virulence in both human and animal populations. While its prevalence and resistance patterns are well documented in clinical settings, data on in food-producing animals remain scarce. This study aimed to isolate and characterize multidrug-resistant strains from healthy rabbits raised for human consumption, with a focus on antimicrobial resistance genes, plasmid content, and associated mobile genetic elements.

Biomechanical Characterisation of Gait in Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Inertial Sensor-Based Motion Capture.

The ageing of the global population, especially in developed countries, is driving significant societal changes. In Portugal, demographic data reflect a marked increase in the ageing index. Understanding gait alterations associated with ageing is essential for the early detection of mobility decline and fall risk.

Neuronal Count, Brain Injury, and Sustained Cognitive Function in 5×FAD Alzheimer's Disease Mice Fed DHA-Enriched Diets.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, affecting over 50 million people globally. Since 1906, efforts to understand this neurodegenerative disease and to develop effective treatments have continued to this day. Recognizing docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) as a safe, inexpensive and vital nutrient for brain health and cognitive protection due to its key role in brain development and function, this study explores novel, sustainable non-fish sources as potential dietary supplements to prevent or mitigate AD, within a blue biotechnology framework.

Copper-Catalyzed Electrophilic Amination of Aryl and Pyridylzinc Pivalates Mediated by N-Based Hypervalent Iodine(III) Reagents.

We describe a new Cu-catalyzed electrophilic amination of rapidly prepared, air-stable polyfunctional organozinc compounds using hypervalent iodine reagents bearing transferable aryl/alkyl amines. A wide range of aryl, heteroaryl, and alkyl amines were prepared. The mechanism of the reaction was investigated using density functional theory calculations.

Phosphate Transport Through Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Anion-Exchange Membranes: A Chronopotentiometric Study for Electrodialytic Applications.

This study investigates the behavior of phosphate ion transport through two structurally distinct anion-exchange membranes-AMV (homogeneous) and HC-A (heterogeneous)-in an electrodialysis system under both static and stirred conditions at varying pH levels. Chronopotentiometric and current-voltage analyses were used to investigate the influence of pH and hydrodynamics on ion transport. Under underlimiting (ohmic) conditions, the AMV membrane exhibited simultaneous transport of HPO and HPO ions at neutral and mildly alkaline pH, while such behavior was not verified at acidic pH and in all cases for the HC-A membrane.

Recent Advancements and Perspectives of Low-Dimensional Halide Perovskites for Visual Perception and Optoelectronic Applications.

Low-dimensional (LD) halide perovskites have attracted considerable attention due to their distinctive structures and exceptional optoelectronic properties, including high absorption coefficients, extended charge carrier diffusion lengths, suppressed non-radiative recombination rates, and intense photoluminescence. A key advantage of LD perovskites is the tunability of their optical and electronic properties through the precise optimization of their structural arrangements and dimensionality. This review systematically examines recent progress in the synthesis and optoelectronic characterizations of LD perovskites, focusing on their structural, optical, and photophysical properties that underpin their versatility in diverse applications.

Heat up, silence on: IDO1 gene silencing in THP-1-derived dendritic cells triggered by magnetic hyperthermia.

Dendritic cells (DCs) are well-known antigen-presenting cells which have an important role in cancer immunomodulation due to the effective regulation of immune responses in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 gene (IDO1) is upregulated in many types of cancers and associated with a poor prognosis, contributing to an immunosuppressive TME. IDO1 silencing in DCs is considered a promising new strategy in gene therapy owing to their capability to regulate T cells function and activation.

Advances in Antimicrobial Applications of Ag, Cu, and AgCu Nanoparticle-Doped Polymeric Composite Materials: A Comprehensive Review.

The growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has driven the search for alternative strategies to conventional antibiotics, with metallic nanoparticles (NPs), particularly silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and their bimetallic hybrids (AgCu), emerging as promising candidates. These nanoparticles exhibit strong, multifaceted antimicrobial activity and, when integrated into polymeric matrices, form composite materials that offer enhanced stability, controlled release, and broad applicability across healthcare, food safety, and industrial sectors. This review highlights the major synthetic routes for the production of Ag, Cu, and AgCu nanoparticles and discusses their integration into polymeric systems.

How microsampling is impacting pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies: volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS).

Microsampling, using minute amounts of biological specimen, is uniquely suited for carrying out human and animal pharmacokinetic and toxicokinetic studies. Indeed, it provides important advantages over common blood-drawing procedures (e.g.

Multidecadal water quality trends across 15 European river basins along a Mediterranean climate gradient.

Water quality degradation is a major issue in Mediterranean regions, but identifying the key natural and human drivers remains challenging, requiring large-scale studies for meaningful synthesis and comparison. This study analyzed a vast Mediterranean dataset spanning 89,015 km across 15 Iberian river basins along a climate gradient (cooler-wetter north to warmer-drier south), 3 decades, 3441 stations, 19 parameters, and ∼15 million observations. It is the first study of this scale in the region, utilizing custom scripts for automated data compilation and processing.

Unravelling the role of environmentally realistic concentrations of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in altering gametogenesis and gonadal health of female Pacific oysters (Magallana gigas): a histopathological approach.

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO NPs) raise environmental concerns due to their potential adverse effects on marine bivalves. However, research on females, particularly their gonad quality and reproduction, remains limited. Despite the availability of numerous health status biomarkers, histopathological analysis remains crucial for assessing toxicological effects.

Key factors to improve the management of household hazardous waste.

Household Hazardous Waste (HHW), although produced in small quantities, is often mixed with other municipal waste, disrupting treatment processes and contaminating products such as compost from organic recycling. In this context, as of January 2025 European Union Member States have been required to implement separate collection for HHW. This research aims to address gaps in the scientific literature by examining citizens' knowledge and perceptions, which are key to the success of such systems, regarding the hazardous products they acquire and store at home.

Organic Salts Based on Streptomycin: A New Approach for an Old Drug.

The growing threat of bacterial resistance is expected to become a leading cause of global mortality in the coming decades. Currently, the pharmaceutical industry is focused on the discovery of new efficient antibiotics as well as the reintroduction of discontinued drugs under the hypothesis that resistance to them may have declined. Another strategy is to use enhancers or adjuvants to counteract the current resistance mechanisms.

Decolorization of Corn Fiber Arabinoxylan Extract with (MN102) Resin: Adsorption Performance and Film-Forming Capacity.

Arabinoxylan is a polysaccharide with film-forming properties, present in corn fiber, and a low-value by-product. The extract has a deep brown color, producing films of the same shade, which may not be appealing. This study addresses, for the first time, the adsorption of colored compounds present in an arabinoxylan extract using resin MN102.

Emerging Trends in Active Packaging for Food: A Six-Year Review.

The development of active food packaging has evolved rapidly in recent years, offering innovative solutions to enhance food preservation and safety while addressing sustainability challenges. This review compiles and analyzes recent advancements (2019-2024) in release-type active packaging, focusing on essential oils, natural extracts, and phenolic compounds as active agents. Primarily plant-derived, these compounds exhibit significant antioxidant and antimicrobial activities, extending shelf life and enhancing food quality.

Extension of Poultry Meat Shelf Life Using L. Leaf Extracts as a Natural Preservative.

Food additives are used to prevent food spoilage and extend its shelf life. However, concerns regarding the potential health implications associated with some synthetic additives have prompted research efforts aimed at identifying natural alternatives, such as plant extracts. L.

Ring Opening upon Valence Shell Excitation in β-Butyrolactone: Experimental and Theoretical Methods.

The valence-shell electronic state spectroscopy of β-butyrolactone (CHCHCHCO) is comprehensively investigated by employing experimental and theoretical methods. We report a novel vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) absorption spectrum in the photon wavelength range from 115 to 320 nm (3.9-10.

Analyzing Heart Rate Variability for COVID-19 ICU Mortality Prediction Using Continuous Signal Processing Techniques.

Heart rate variability (HRV) has been widely investigated as a predictor of disease and mortality across diverse patient populations; however, there remains no consensus on the optimal set or combination of time and frequency domain nor on nonlinear features for reliable prediction across clinical contexts. Given the relevance of the COVID-19 pandemic and the unique clinical profiles of these patients, this retrospective observational study explored the potential of HRV analysis for early prediction of in-hospital mortality using ECG signals recorded during the initial moments of ICU admission in COVID-19 patients. HRV indices were extracted from four ECG leads (I, II, III, and aVF) using sliding windows of 2, 5, and 7 min across observation intervals of 15, 30, and 60 min.

Laser-Induced Graphene: A Promising Conductive Platform for Cell Culture.

Cardiovascular mortality remains a major health challenge. Cardiomyocyte (CM)-based tissue engineering (TE) offers promising alternatives for developing therapies via in vitro models. However, the immature phenotype of CM in engineered tissues hampers progress.

Features of Remote Patient Monitoring Systems That Implement Integrated Care: A Perspective Aligned With Current Challenges for Digital Health Technologies Comment on "Towards A Framework for Implementing Remote Patient Monitoring From an Integrated Care Perspective: A Scoping Review".

This commentary elaborates on the model proposed by Miranda et al for implementing remote patient monitoring (RPM) from an integrated care perspective. It stresses the complexity of RPM deployment as a digital health technology (DHT) and discusses essential features that developers and procurement managers should take into consideration in RPM systems to facilitate the implementation of integrated care practices. Furthermore, three major challenges for DHT implementation that align with the proposed RPM-based integrated care model are discussed: (1) the success of DHT in implementing a healthcare strategy requires elements of service innovation that align to the context of care delivery; (2) evidence generation methods influence the adoption of DHT and need an evolutive and multi-stakeholder perspective; (3) governance and policy strategies are crucial since they profoundly influence digital health priorities, investments, and resource allocation within organizations and healthcare systems.

Characterising 12 NiTi Reciprocating Systems: An Integrative Laboratorial Analysis of Design, Mechanics, Metallurgy, Fluid Dynamics and Finite Element Analysis.

Aim: To comprehensively compare 12 nickel-titanium (NiTi) reciprocating single-file systems from eight manufacturers by integrating geometric, mechanical, metallurgical and in silico analyses.

Methodology: A total of 276 NiTi reciprocating instruments, representing 12 types across 8 brands, were selected, including Easy-File Flex Regular 25, EdgeOne Fire Primary, Flash 25.06vt, One Files R25 and Blue R25, One RECI N25, Perfect RC R25 (Blue, Gold and Silver), Reciproc R25 (Blue and M-Wire) and WaveOne Gold Primary.

Mechanical and Metallurgical In Vitro Evaluation of Electropolished Versus Non-Electropolished Rotary and Reciprocating Instruments.

Aim: To evaluate the effect of electropolishing on the mechanical properties of One RECI and One Curve mini nickel-titanium (NiTi) instruments by comparing electropolished and non-electropolished versions of each instrument type.

Methodology: Electropolished and non-electropolished One RECI (reciprocating) and One Curve mini (rotary) NiTi instruments, all manufactured with identical geometry and heat treatment, were evaluated. Instrument design was analysed by light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, while metallurgical characterisation was performed using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).