Zinc (Zn) deficiency in soils not only reduces the productivity of forage crops, but also results in inadequate dietary zinc intake for livestock. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of different rates and methods of applying ZnSO₄ to both soil and foliage on the yield and quality of fodder maize grown in a sandy loam soil testing low in DTPA-extractable Zn. A 2-year field experiment was conducted with six treatments including control, foliar application of 0.3% ZnSO₄ at 30 days after sowing (DAS) (F₁), foliar application of 0.3% ZnSO₄ at 30 and 40 DAS (F₂), soil application of 16 kg ha⁻¹ ZnSO₄ (S₁₆) and a combination of both soil and foliar ZnSO₄ application (S₁₆ + F₁ and S₁₆ + F₂). Increase in green herbage yield by 25%, dry matter yield by 47% and Zn content by 79% was observed under S₁₆ + F₂ treatment over the control. Zinc application improved N, K, Cu and crude protein content of herbage significantly over the control. Thus, the study shows that significant improvement in growth parameters, herbage yield and quality of maize can be achieved with soil Zn application + two foliar sprays of ZnSO₄ at 30 and 40 DAS, thereby ensuring availability of improved fodder Zn to the livestock. Full article

Background: Gene rearrangements affecting KMT2A are frequent in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and are often associated with a poor prognosis. KMT2A gene fusions are often detected by chromosome banding analysis and confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization. However, small intragenic insertions, termed KMT2A partial tandem duplication (KMT2A-PTD), are particularly challenging to detect using standard molecular and cytogenetic approaches. Methods: We have validated the use of a custom hybrid-capture-based next-generation sequencing (NGS) panel for comprehensive profiling of AML patients seen at our institution. This NGS panel targets the entire consensus coding DNA sequence of KMT2A. To deduce the presence of a KMT2A-PTD, we used the relative ratio of KMT2A exons coverage. We sought to corroborate the KMT2A-PTD NGS results using (1) multiplex-ligation probe amplification (MLPA) and (2) optical genome mapping (OGM). Results: We analyzed 932 AML cases and identified 41 individuals harboring a KMT2A-PTD. MLPA, NGS, and OGM confirmed the presence of a KMT2A-PTD in 22 of the cases analyzed where orthogonal testing was possible. The two false-positive KMT2A-PTD calls by NGS could be explained by the presence of cryptic structural variants impacting KMT2A and interfering with KMT2A-PTD analysis. OGM revealed the nature of these previously undetected gene rearrangements in KMT2A, while MLPA yielded inconclusive results. MLPA analysis for KMT2A-PTD is limited to exon 4, whereas NGS and OGM resolved KMT2A-PTD sizes and copy number levels. Conclusions: KMT2A-PTDs are complex gene rearrangements that cannot be fully ascertained using a single genomic platform. MLPA, NGS panels, and OGM are complementary technologies applied in standard-of-care testing for AML patients. MLPA and NGS panels are designed for targeted copy number analysis; however, our results showed that integration of concurrent genomic alterations is needed for accurate KMT2A-PTD identification. Unbalanced chromosomal rearrangements overlapping with KMT2A can interfere with the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of copy-number-based KMT2A-PTD detection methodologies. Full article

This study presents a biosensor fabricated based on integrated passive device (IPD) technology to measure microbial growth on solid media in real-time. Yeast (Pichia pastoris, strain GS115) is used as a model organism to demonstrate biosensor performance. The biosensor comprises an interdigital capacitor in the center with a helical inductive structure surrounding it. Additionally, 12 air bridges are added to the capacitor to increase the strength of the electric field radiated by the biosensor at the same height. Feasibility is verified by using a capacitive biosensor, and the change in capacitance values during the capacitance detection process with the growth of yeast indicates that the growth of yeast can induce changes in electrical parameters. The proposed IPD-based biosensor is used to measure yeast drop-added on a 3 mm medium for 100 h at an operating frequency of 1.84 GHz. The resonant amplitude of the biosensor varies continuously from 24 to 72 h due to the change in colony height during vertical growth of the yeast, with a maximum change of 0.21 dB. The overall measurement results also fit well with the Gompertz curve. The change in resonant amplitude between 24 and 72 h is then analyzed and reveals a linear relationship with time with a coefficient of determination of 0.9844, indicating that the biosensor is suitable for monitoring yeast growth. Thus, the proposed biosensor is proved to have potential in the field of microbial proliferation detection. Full article

Fiber–particle-reinforced silica aerogels are widely applied in thermal insulation. Knowing their effective thermal conductivity (ETC) and radiative characteristics under high temperatures is necessary to improve their performance. This article first analyzes the radiation characteristics of silica aerogels doped with opacifier particles and reinforced fibers, and then a universal model is established to predict the ETC. Furthermore, the impacts of different parameters of opacifier particles and reinforced fibers on the thermal insulation performance of silica aerogels are investigated. The results indicate that SiC exhibits comparatively strong absorption characteristics, making it a good alternative for opacifiers to improve thermal insulation performance under high temperatures. For the given type and volume fraction of opacifier particles, there exists an optimal diameter and volume fraction to achieve the best insulation performance of silica aerogel under a certain temperature. Considering that SiO₂ fibers exhibit a limited extinction capability and higher conductive thermal conductivity under high temperatures, for fiber–particle-reinforced silica aerogels, it is beneficial for their insulation performance to reduce the fiber volume fraction when the required mechanical properties are satisfied. Full article

Background: Up to 34% of patients with schizophrenia are resistant to several treatment trials. Lack of continuous and adequate treatment is associated with relapse, rehospitalization, a lower effect of antipsychotic therapy, and higher risk of side effects. Long-acting injectables antipsychotics (LAI APs) enhance compliance and improve clinical outcomes and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia, and thus it may be advisable to administer two LAI APs at the same time in cases of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The purpose of this review is to summarize the available literature regarding the combined use of two LAI APs in patients with schizophrenia or other psychotic spectrum disorders. Methods: An extensive literature search for relevant articles regarding any combination of two long-acting injectable antipsychotics has been performed from inception up to 9 February 2024, on PubMed, Scopus and APA PsycInfo, according to the PRISMA statement. Only studies reporting combination of two LAI APs and its clinical outcome in patients with schizophrenia and related disorders were selected. Results: After the selection process, nine case reports, four case series and two observational retrospective studies were included in the final analysis. All patients treated with dual LAI APs reported a good response, and no new or unexpected adverse effects due to the combination of two LAIs were reported. Different drug combinations were used, and the most frequent association resulted in aripiprazole monohydrate + paliperidone palmitate once monthly (32 times). Conclusions: Our review highlights that the treatment regimen with two concurrent LAI APs is already widely used in clinical practice and is recognized as providing a promising, effective, and relatively safe therapeutic strategy for treating the schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Full article

In response to the global megatrends of digitalization and transportation automation, Turku University of Applied Sciences has developed a test platform to advance autonomous maritime operations. This platform includes the unmanned surface vessel eM/S Salama and a remote operations center, both of which are detailed in this article. The article highlights the importance of collecting and annotating multi-modal sensor data from the vessel. These data are vital for developing deep learning algorithms that enhance situational awareness and guide autonomous navigation. By securing relevant data from maritime environments, we aim to enhance the autonomous features of unmanned surface vessels using deep learning techniques. The annotated sensor data will be made available for further research through open access. An image dataset, which includes synthetically generated weather conditions, is published alongside this article. While existing maritime datasets predominantly rely on RGB cameras, our work underscores the need for multi-modal data to advance autonomous capabilities in maritime applications. Full article

Introduction: Psychological vulnerability is a relevant component of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), but it is still under-explored, especially during adolescence. The aim of this study was to describe a selection of psychometric characteristics in a clinical sample of Italian adolescents with PCOS. Moreover, we reported the associations of body image, eating attitudes, and mood with metabolic features. Methods: Our sample included 128 adolescent girls (age range: 14–19 years) with PCOS. Validated psychometric questionnaires were administered: State Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Body Attitude Test (BAT), Bulimia Investigation Test (BITE), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT), and Perceived Stress Scale (PSS). Results: Anxiety was the most prevalent mood disorder (63.1% trait anxiety and 57% state anxiety). Our cohort also showed a high prevalence of depression (39.1%), body image dissatisfaction (49.2%), disordered eating (11.7%), and bulimic risk (41.4%). PCOS adolescents with obesity and insulin resistance (IR) had statistically significant higher body image distress compared to those with normal weight and without IR (p < 0.001). The Sobel test for mediation showed that body image dissatisfaction mediates the relationship between state anxiety and bulimic risk (Z = 3.42, p < 0.001) and between depression and bulimic risk (Z = 4.59, p < 0.001). Conclusions: A considerable number of patients with PCOS experience psychological disorders during adolescence. IR and obesity play a role in the distress associated with body image, further contributing to psychological vulnerability, especially in the bulimic domain. A comprehensive biopsychosocial approach in adolescents with PCOS represents the basis for effectively managing and preventing complications arising from both psychological and biological disorders in adulthood. Full article

This study investigated the bactericidal effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation, a high-voltage electric field (HVEF), and their combination on Escherichia coli. The results indicated that UV and combined disinfection were more effective with longer exposure, leading to significant reductions in microbial activity. Specifically, the single UV disinfection alone reduced activity by 3.3 log after 5 min, while combined disinfection achieved a 4.2 log reduction. In contrast, short-term HVEF treatment did not exhibit significant bactericidal effects, only achieving a reduction of 0.17 log in 5 min. Furthermore, prolonged exposure to both UV disinfection and an HVEF was found to damage cell membranes, ultimately causing cell death, while shorter durations did not. Despite rapid cell count decreases, flow cytometry did not detect apoptotic or necrotic cells, likely due to rapid cell rupture. This study suggests that combining UV radiation and an HVEF could be a promising approach for inhibiting bacterial reproduction, with HVEF enhancing UV effects. These findings provide insights for using combined HVEF and UV disinfection in food safety and preservation. Full article

Myocardial ischemia is the leading cause of health loss from cardiovascular disease worldwide. Myocardial ischemia and hypoxia during exercise trigger the risk of sudden exercise death which, in severe cases, will further lead to myocardial infarction. The Nrf2 transcription factor is an important antioxidant regulator that is extensively engaged in biological processes such as oxidative stress, inflammatory response, apoptosis, and mitochondrial malfunction. It has a significant role in the prevention and treatment of several cardiovascular illnesses, since it can control not only the expression of several antioxidant genes, but also the target genes of associated pathological processes. Therefore, targeting Nrf2 will have great potential in the treatment of myocardial ischemic injury. Natural products are widely used to treat myocardial ischemic diseases because of their few side effects. A large number of studies have shown that the Nrf2 transcription factor can be used as an important way for natural products to alleviate myocardial ischemia. However, the specific role and related mechanism of Nrf2 in mediating natural products in the treatment of myocardial ischemia is still unclear. Therefore, this review combs the key role and possible mechanism of Nrf2 in myocardial ischemic injury, and emphatically summarizes the significant role of natural products in treating myocardial ischemic symptoms, thus providing a broad foundation for clinical transformation. Full article

Finding environmentally friendly solutions for crop growth and productivity has been gaining more attention recently. This meta-analysis aims to understand the combined application of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and hydroponic systems compared to AMF in conventional (soil) systems. The analysis of up-to-date studies revealed that the root colonization, calculated as the proportion of colonized root segments relative to the total root length, by AMF in conventional (soil-based) culture exceeded hydroponic (or soilless) culture systems by 16.8%. The mean root colonization by AMF was determined to be 52.3% in hydroponic systems and 61.1% in conventional systems. Within hydroponic systems, the root colonization ranged from 2% to 20% after 10 days of inoculation, and notably, it exceeded 50% after 30 to 65 days, depending on the growing substrate and species. Under hydroponics, AMF application had a higher (compared to none-inoculated) positive effect on crop biomass and yield than fruit and leaf quality (antioxidants, phenols, and sugars) as well as leaf nutrients. However, AMF do not always have the potential to improve crop growth, quality and productivity in hydroponics. Among the studies analyzed in this review, approximately 34% (no effect: 29%; negative: 5%) reported no discernible positive effect on biomass or yield, 37% (no effect: 16%; negative: 21%) on fruit or leaf quality, and 60% (no effect: 47%; negative: 13%) on nutrient levels within plant tissues. To improve the performance of AMF in hydroponic systems, the meta-analysis recommended maintaining phosphorus levels in the nutrient solution within the range of 0.15 to 15.5 mg L⁻¹ as elevated levels (40–75 mg L⁻¹) were found to significantly reduce AMF colonization. Additionally, it was observed that certain hydroponic techniques, such as the presence of air bubbles generated by air pumps in floating hydroponic systems (Deep Flow technique) and continuous circulation of the nutrient solution (Ebb and Flow systems), may create dynamic conditions that could potentially hinder the introduction of AMF spores into hydroponic systems and potentially compromise the integrity of the spores and hyphae. Full article

Map-matching is a core functionality of pedestrian navigation applications. The localization errors of the global positioning systems (GPSs) in smartphones are one of the most critical factors that limit the large-scale deployment of pedestrian navigation applications, especially in dense urban areas where multiple road segments exist within the range of GPS errors, which can be increased by tall buildings neighboring each other. In this paper, we address two issues of practical importance for map-matching based on the Hidden Markov Model (HMM) in pedestrian navigation systems: large localization error in the initial phase of map-matching and HMM breaks in open field traversals. A heuristic method to determine the probability of initial states of the HMM based on a small number of GPS data received during the short warm-up period is proposed to improve the accuracy of initial map-matching. A simple but highly practical method based on a heuristic evaluation of near-future locations is proposed to prevent the malfunction of the Viterbi algorithm within the area of open fields. The results of field experiments indicate that the enhanced HMM constructed via the proposed methods achieves significantly higher map-matching accuracy compared to that of state of the art. Full article

Apart from being utilized as a commercial fiber at maturity, kenaf shoots have potential as a food and feed source because of their diverse bioactivities. Previous studies have focused on mature stems because of their high biomass, whereas the antioxidant activities (AA) and the destination of AA contributors of kenaf stems and their high-yielding byproduct leaves during the growth stage have rarely been studied. Therefore, we investigated changes in AA and its relative components in kenaf leaves and stems during the four vital growth stages. Higher ABTS radical cation and DPPH radical scavenging abilities and ferric reducing antioxidant power, total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and total polysaccharide content were observed at all leaf stages and in the late stem stages. Chlorogenic acid (CGA) and kaempferol glycosides, especially kaempferitrin (Kfr), were identified as representative phenolic acids and flavonoids in both kenaf leaves and stems. The content of CGA in both leaves and stems increased corresponding to the plant’s growth stage, whereas kaempferol glycosides were enhanced in leaves but declined in stems. The highest correlation was observed between TPC and AA in all organs. Further evaluation of CGA and Kfr verified that CGA was the predominant contributor to AA, surpassing Kfr. These findings suggest that kenaf leaves increase antioxidant levels as they grow and can be a useful source of stem harvesting byproducts. Full article

Jacques Heyman’s 1966 article “The Stone Skeleton” has been influential in the assessment of masonry arches in general, including masonry bridges and gothic architecture. Heyman’s article relies on limiting assumptions about arch behavior, and concludes that an arch can be declared stable based on the location of a statically admissible thrust line within the arch. In the following commentary, we assess the validity of the assumptions made by Heyman and the uses that have been made of his application of the lower bound theorem of plasticity. We conclude that Heyman’s methods have enduring value, but that the user needs to recognize the limitations of the assumptions made and the limits on the validity of conclusions imposed by these assumptions. Full article

Cyperus esculentus is a hard-to-control, destructive perennial weed propagating and spreading through rhizomes and tubers. Currently, a combination of mechanical, cultural, and chemical measures sustained over time is required for satisfactory control of arable crops. Hood steaming is a promising thermal technique for rapid depletion of the soil tuber bank. The effect of hood steaming on C. esculentus tuber vitality was investigated using a dose–response experiment on two localities in Belgium. Steaming was performed for five durations (2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 min). Moreover, the effects of tuber burial depth (5, 15, and 25 cm), genetic C. esculentus clone (three different clones), and pedohydrological parameters (sandy and sandy, loamy soil) on hood steaming efficacy were determined. Additionally, the heat sensitivity of genetically diverse C. esculentus tubers was investigated in a laboratory incubator experiment in which incubation temperature and duration varied. To control tubers at depths of 5, 15, and 25 cm, treatment durations of 8, 16, and 32 min were required, respectively. In general, clones producing large tubers showed lower heat sensitivity. As pedohydrological parameters may affect heat transfer into the soil, they may affect steaming efficacy as well. To obtain complete control of C. esculentus tubers, soil temperature should be 50 °C or more for at least 42 min. Hood steaming is a highly suitable alternative technique for a rapid and strong depletion of the soil tuber bank in small well-delineated C. esculentus patches. Full article

The amount of rainfall in different regions is influenced by various factors, including time, place, climate, and geography. In the Lake Urmia basin, Mediterranean air masses significantly impact precipitation. This study aimed to model precipitation in the Lake Urmia basin using monthly rainfall data from 16 meteorological stations and five machine learning methods (RF, M5, SVR, GPR, and KNN). Eight input scenarios were considered, including the monthly index, longitude, latitude, altitude, distance from stations to Lake Urmia, and distance from the Mediterranean Sea. The results revealed that the random forest model consistently outperformed the other models, with a correlation rate of 0.968 and the lowest errors (RMSE = 5.66 mm and MAE = 4.03 mm). This indicates its high accuracy in modeling precipitation in this basin. This study’s significant contribution is its ability to accurately model monthly precipitation using spatial variables and monthly indexes without measuring precipitation. Based on the findings, the random forest model can model monthly rainfall and create rainfall maps by interpolating the GIS environment for areas without rainfall measurements. Full article

Malaria is a severe disease that presents a significant threat to human health. As resistance to current drugs continues to increase, there is an urgent need for new antimalarial medications. Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (aaRSs) represent promising targets for drug development. In this study, we identified Plasmodium falciparum tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase (PfTyrRS) as a potential target for antimalarial drug development through a comparative analysis of the amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures of human and plasmodium TyrRS, with particular emphasis on differences in key amino acids at the aminoacylation site. A total of 2141 bioactive compounds were screened using a high-throughput thermal shift assay (TSA). Okanin, known as an inhibitor of LPS-induced TLR4 expression, exhibited potent inhibitory activity against PfTyrRS, while showing limited inhibition of human TyrRS. Furthermore, bio-layer interferometry (BLI) confirmed the high affinity of okanin for PfTyrRS. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations highlighted the stable conformation of okanin within PfTyrRS and its sustained binding to the enzyme. A molecular docking analysis revealed that okanin binds to both the tyrosine and partial ATP binding sites of the enzyme, preventing substrate binding. In addition, the compound inhibited the production of Plasmodium falciparum in the blood stage and had little cytotoxicity. Thus, okanin is a promising lead compound for the treatment of malaria caused by P. falciparum. Full article

In addressing the challenge of assessing healthy brain aging across diverse interventions, this study introduces the use of MRI-derived Brain Healthcare Quotients (BHQ) for comprehensive evaluation. We analyzed BHQ changes in 319 participants aged 24–69, who were allocated into dietary (collagen peptide, euglena, matcha, isohumulone, xanthophyll) and physical activity (hand massage with lavender oil, handwriting, office stretching, pink lens, clinical art) groups, alongside a control group, over a month. These interventions were specifically chosen to test the efficacy of varying health strategies on brain health, measured through BHQ indices: GM-BHQ for gray matter volume, and FA-BHQ for white matter integrity. Notably, significant improvements in FA-BHQ were observed in the collagen peptide group, with marginal increases in the hand massage and office stretching groups. These findings highlight BHQ’s potential as a sensitive tool for detecting brain health changes, offering evidence that low-intensity, easily implemented interventions can have beneficial effects on brain health. Moreover, BHQ allows for the systematic evaluation of such interventions using standard statistical approaches, suggesting its value in future brain healthcare research. Full article

In an era dominated by conventional agricultural practices, underutilized legumes termed “Forgotten Gems” represent a reservoir of untapped benefits with the unique opportunity to diversify agricultural landscapes and enhance global food systems. Underutilized crops are resistant to abiotic environmental conditions such as drought and adapt better to harsh soil and climatic conditions. Underutilized legumes are high in protein and secondary metabolites, highlighting their role in providing critical nutrients and correcting nutritional inadequacies. Their ability to increase dietary variety and food security emerges as a critical component of their importance. Compared to mainstream crops, underutilized legumes have been shown to reduce the environmental impact of climate change. Their capacity for nitrogen fixation and positive impact on soil health make them sustainable contributors to biodiversity conservation and environmental balance. This paper identifies challenges and proposes strategic solutions, showcasing the transformative impact of underutilized legumes on agriculture, nutrition, and sustainability. These “Forgotten Gems” should be recognized, integrated into mainstream agricultural practices, and celebrated for their potential to revolutionize global food production while promoting environmental sustainability. Full article

Bi³⁺-doped sesquioxides exhibit dual emissions, marked by distinct Stokes shift and bandwidth, meaning unraveling their underlying origins is particularly intriguing. In this study, we employ first-principles calculations to investigate the luminescence mechanisms within the M₂O₃:Bi³⁺ (M = Sc, Y, Gd, Lu) series, with the goal of addressing the posed inquiry. Our investigation commences with the analysis of the site occupancy and charge state of bismuth ions in the two cationic sites through formation energy calculations. Additionally, we examine the local coordination environments for various excited states of Bi³⁺ dopants, including the ³P_0,1 state and two types of charge transfer states, by evaluating their equilibrium geometric structures. The utilization of the hybrid functional enables us to obtain results of electronic structures and optical properties comparable with experiments. Importantly, the calculated energies for the 6s-6p transitions of Bi³⁺ dopants in the M₂O₃ series align well with the observed dual-emission energies. This alignment challenges the conventional spectroscopic sense that emission bands with large Stokes shifts can be exclusively ascribed to charge transfer transitions. Consequently, the integration of experimental and theoretical approaches emerges as the optimal strategy for designing novel Bi³⁺-doped phosphors. Full article

This review offers a synthesis of the current understanding of the impact of low-dose thallium (Tl) on public health, specifically emphasizing its diverse effects on various populations and organs. The article integrates insights into the cytotoxic effects, genotoxic potential, and molecular mechanisms of thallium in mammalian cells. Thallium, a non-essential heavy metal present in up to 89 different minerals, has garnered attention due to its adverse effects on human health. As technology and metallurgical industries advance, various forms of thallium, including dust, vapor, and wastewater, can contaminate the environment, extending to the surrounding air, water sources, and soil. Moreover, the metal has been identified in beverages, tobacco, and vegetables, highlighting its pervasive presence in a wide array of food sources. Epidemiological findings underscore associations between thallium exposure and critical health aspects such as kidney function, pregnancy outcomes, smoking-related implications, and potential links to autism spectrum disorder. Thallium primarily exerts cellular toxicity on various tissues through mitochondria-mediated oxidative stress and endoplasmic reticulum stress. This synthesis aims to shed light on the intricate web of thallium exposure and its potential implications for public health, emphasizing the need for vigilant consideration of its risks. Full article

The study of the phenomena occurring in the plantar region is remarkably intriguing, especially when performing a normal gait cycle where the foot is under loading conditions. The effects presented in the foot while walking provide relevant indicators regarding clinical means for enhancing regular performance or rehabilitation therapies. Nevertheless, more than traditional methods are needed to biomechanically evaluate foot structural conditions, leading to an incomplete database for determining the patient’s needs so that advanced methodologies provide detailed medical assessment. Therefore, it is necessary to employ technological engineering tools to optimize biomechanical plantar pressure evaluations to reach suitable personalized treatments. This research initially evaluated numerically the pressure points in the foot sole region in each one of the five stance phases in a normal gait cycle. Medical imaging techniques were utilized to construct an anatomically accurate biomodel of the soft tissues of the right foot. The Finite Element Method was employed to predict peak plantar pressure in barefoot conditions for all stance phases; results from this case study presented a close alignment with gait experimental testing implemented to analyze the feasibility and validation of all mechanical considerations for the numerical analyses. Hence, having a solid foundation in the biomechanical behavior from the first case study close estimates, a 3D-printable patient-specific insole was designed and numerically analyzed to observe the mechanical response in the plantar critical zones utilizing a personalized orthotic device. Results from the second case study notably demonstrated a crucial decrement in excessive pressure values. Employing morphological customization orthopedics modeling combined with 3D-printable materials is revolutionizing assistive device design and fabrication techniques. The fundamental contribution of this research relies on deepening the knowledge of foot biomechanics from an interdisciplinary approach by numerically analyzing pressure distribution in critical regions for all five stances phases; thus, based on the methods employed, the results obtained contribute to the advances of patient-specific foot orthopedics. Full article

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a multi-functional cell surface receptor, has several variants and is ubiquitously expressed in various cells and tissues. CD44 is well known for its function in cell adhesion and is also involved in diverse cellular responses, such as proliferation, migration, differentiation, and activation. To date, CD44 has been extensively studied in the field of cancer biology and has been proposed as a marker for cancer stem cells. Recently, growing evidence suggests that CD44 is also relevant in non-cancer diseases. In liver disease, it has been shown that CD44 expression is significantly elevated and associated with pathogenesis by impacting cellular responses, such as metabolism, proliferation, differentiation, and activation, in different cells. However, the mechanisms underlying CD44’s function in liver diseases other than liver cancer are still poorly understood. Hence, to help to expand our knowledge of the role of CD44 in liver disease and highlight the need for further research, this review provides evidence of CD44’s effects on liver physiology and its involvement in the pathogenesis of liver disease, excluding cancer. In addition, we discuss the potential role of CD44 as a key regulator of cell physiology. Full article