Authors: Nazgol Hafizi Gokce Tuna Sadiye Müjdem Vural
The incorporation of innovative contemporary façade materials has fundamentally transformed architectural practice, driven by increasing demands for sustainability, building performance, and aesthetic expression. Despite substantial technical advancements in materials science, a critical gap persists in linking material innovation to tectonic expression — the relationship between material properties, construction logic, and architectural form. This study presents a systematic meta-analysis and a taxonomic framework for innovative façade materials, with a particular focus on their tectonic-aesthetic implications in contemporary architecture. A two-phase methodology was employed: keyword co-occurrence network analysis using VOS Viewer, followed by a Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) protocol applied to Web of Science publications (2010-2025). From an initial pool of 175 records, 123 were screened, 31 met eligibility criteria, and 19 studies addressing tectonic implications underwent detailed full-text analysis. Findings confirm that the majority of existing research prioritizes performance-related topics such as energy efficiency and thermal comfort, leaving the tectonic consequences of material innovation largely underexplored. To address this gap, this study proposes a novel taxonomical framework comprising seven categories: Smart Materials, Bio-based Materials, Modified Traditional Materials, Composite Materials, Nano-engineered Materials, Biomimetic Materials, and Digital Fabrication Materials — each analyzed in terms of its structural logic, assembly potential, and aesthetic expression. This framework represents the first systematic attempt to classify innovative façade materials through a tectonic lens, offering architects and designers a structured tool for material selection that balances technical performance with creative design intent. ]]>Authors: Abdul Rahman Y. Wahoud Salim F. Bamsaoud Mohammed F. Bamatraf Qamar Al Zammar
Preparation and characterization of an iron-tin bimetallic nanocatalyst supported on activated carbon (AC) prepared from papaya seeds, which was previously available in the surrounding environment, were performed. Different characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), FT-IR spectrometry, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry were used. Many properties were characterized, and the resulting activated carbon could serve as an inexpensive catalytic support with a high surface area and a large micropore volume, even at a (20%) loading ratio of (Fe2O3-SnO2/AC). Adsorption of methylene blue dye (MB) onto (Fe2O3-SnO2/AC) surface was studied and optimal conditions were determined. The adsorption of methylene blue best fit the traditional Tempkin isotherm model, and the maximum capacity were 294.11 mg/g. ]]>Authors: Damir Istamov Asliddin Komilov
Copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) thin-film solar cells remain among the most promising photovoltaic technologies due to their high absorption coefficient, tunable bandgap, and compatibility with low-temperature processing. This manuscript presents a comprehensive numerical investigation of performance enhancement strategies for CIGS-based solar cells using one-dimensional and multidimensional simulation frameworks. Device optimization is analyzed by systematically varying absorber composition, bandgap grading, defect density, and doping concentration, as well as through engineering of buffer, window, and back-surface-field (BSF) layers. SCAPS-1D simulations are employed to evaluate steady-state optoelectronic behavior. At the same time, advanced TCAD tools such as Silvaco Atlas and Synopsys Sentaurus provide spatially resolved insight into heterojunction band alignment, interface recombination, and module-level effects including laser scribing. The impact of alkali post-deposition treatments, grain-boundary passivation, tuning of the conduction-band offset, and alternative non-toxic buffer materials is assessed. Advanced architectures—including double-absorber layers, multi-junction stacks, bifacial designs, and perovskite/CIGS tandems—are examined to identify pathways beyond single-junction efficiency limits. The results indicate that coordinated optimization of composition gradients, carrier-selective contacts, and interface passivation can enable power conversion efficiencies exceeding 30% in numerical simulations under idealized conditions. However, these values represent theoretical upper bounds, while experimentally certified efficiencies remain significantly lower, underscoring the importance of incorporating realistic material properties and recombination mechanisms in modeling. Overall, this work highlights the central role of multi-physics simulation in guiding the design and experimental realization of next-generation high-efficiency CIGS solar cells. ]]>Authors: Jozélio Freire de Carvalho Rosangela Passos de Jesus
Plant-based diets have attracted increasing interest in the context of rheumatic diseases due to their potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. However, there is an important conceptual distinction between a vegan diet, which completely excludes animal-derived products, and a plant-based diet, which prioritizes plant foods but may include small amounts of animal-derived foods. This differentiation is essential to understand the variability in clinical outcomes reported across studies. To critically and comparatively evaluate the available evidence regarding the effects of vegan and plant-based diets on major rheumatic diseases: rheumatoid arthritis (RA), psoriatic arthritis (PsA), axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA), gout, and fibromyalgia—with an emphasis on clinical, laboratory, and metabolic outcomes. A structured narrative review with systematic elements was conducted, with searches performed in PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases up to October 6, 2025. Meta-analyses, systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and prospective cohort studies investigating vegan, vegetarian, or plant-based diets in adults with rheumatic diseases were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the AMSTAR-2, RoB 2, and Newcastle–Ottawa Scale tools, and the certainty of evidence was graded according to GRADE criteria. A total of 21 relevant studies were identified, including seven clinical trials, four systematic reviews, and ten observational studies. In RA, vegan diets—particularly gluten-free and low-fat patterns—demonstrated significant reductions in pain, CRP, and DAS28, along with improvements in lipid profile and gut microbiota. In PsA and axSpA, data are limited but suggest a modest benefit with whole-food plant-based patterns, possibly mediated by modulation of the gut-immunity axis. Cohort studies indicated up to a 40% reduction in gout risk among vegetarians. In fibromyalgia, plant-based dietary patterns were associated with improvements in pain, fatigue, and quality of life. Overall evidence quality ranged from low to moderate depending on study design and dietary control. Vegan and plant-based diets may have potentially beneficial effects as adjunctive strategies in the management of rheumatic diseases, supporting inflammatory and metabolic control. Distinguishing between a strict vegan diet and a healthy plant-based pattern is essential, as the quality of plant foods appears to determine the magnitude of benefit. Despite methodological limitations in the existing literature, the evidence is biologically plausible. It supports the need for longer and more rigorously designed clinical trials to strengthen evidence-based dietary recommendations in rheumatology. ]]>Authors: Shahriar Abubakri Gilson R. Lomboy Douglas B. Cleary
The use of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) offers a sustainable alternative to traditional virgin aggregates in concrete production, helping mitigate the environmental impacts associated with mining and construction waste disposal. RCA is characterized by the presence of attached mortar from previous concrete applications, which significantly influences the mechanical properties of the aggregates, as well as mix design and the overall performance of new concrete incorporating these recycled materials. This paper provides a comprehensive review of various aspects related to RCA, encompassing its production, inherent properties, and economic considerations. It provides a detailed analysis of specific attributes of recycled concrete aggregates such as shape, particle density, water absorption, abrasion resistance, and mortar content, and reveals their implications on mix design processes. Furthermore, the paper critically examines and discusses both the fresh and hardened properties of concrete utilizing recycled concrete aggregate. ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2602339
Authors: Farhad Mashayekhi Masoumeh Khalili Zivar Salehi
Research has demonstrated the significant role of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in synaptic plasticity and the pathogenesis of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD). This study aimed to assess the correlation between EGF +61A/G (rs4444903) polymorphism and its serum level with ASD. Blood samples were collected from 200 ASD and 200 controls for DNA extraction, and genotyping was carried out using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP). Additionally, EGF serum concentration was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In ASD, the frequencies of GG, AG, and AA genotypes were 15%, 41%, and 44%, respectively, while in controls, they were 5%, 30%, and 65%. The genotypes of rs4444903 demonstrated an influential contribution to the susceptibility to ASD under co-dominant (GG versus AA), recessive (GG versus AA+AG), and dominant (AG+GG versus AA) models. Additionally, the frequencies of A and G alleles were 68.8% and 31.2% in ASD, and 79.8% and 20.2% in controls, respectively (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the G allele was found to be associated with an increased risk of ASD (P = 0.0001). Notably, the EGF concentration in the serum samples of the ASD group was lower than in controls (792.65 ± 178.19 and 1265 ± 213.32 pg/ml, respectively; P = 0.0001). In ASD patients, the GG genotype is connected to lower serum EGF levels. The serum concentrations for carriers of GG, AG, and AA were measured at 515 ± 109.63, 716.22 ± 102.26, and 886.11 ± 119.69 pg/ml, respectively. The results of this project suggest that there may be a relationship between the EGF +61A/G (rs4444903) polymorphism and its serum levels with the risk of ASD. Furthermore, the GG genotype seems to be linked to decreased EGF expression in individuals with ASD. ]]>Authors: Ashok Chakraborty Smita Guha
Neuro degenerative diseases involve protein aggregation that causes neural cell death or loss of neural communication that affects body balance, movement, talking, breathing, and heart function. Aggregation of proteins, like α-synuclein, are found in Parkinson’s disease (PD), while tau, amyloid-β42 and TDP-43, are aggregated in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Besides, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB); dystrophic neuritis (DN); corticobasal degeneration (CBD); argyrophilic grain disease (AGD); astrocyte plaque (AP); facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN); Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE); neurofibrillary tangles (NFT); neuronal intranuclear inclusions (NII); neutrophil threads (NPT); chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE); glial cytoplasmic inclusions (GCI); Guadeloupean Parkinsonism (GP); idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD); Nodding Syndrome (NS); oligodendrocytes glial cells coiled bodies (OCB); muscle cells (MC); multiple system atrophy (MSA); multisystem proteinopathy (MSP); neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI); are several neurodegenerative diseases name according to their involved protein factor(s). In this review we will focus only on AD and PD, and how they can be managed by cereals and pseudo-cereals, as they contain several anti-neurodegenerative factors. ]]>GERIATRICS 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2602339
Authors: Cassandra R. Hatt Aaron M. Eakman Allison A. M. Bielak
Multiple theories from the psychological and occupational therapy sciences suggest that there may be reciprocity between activity selection and the meanings we draw from them. As such, meaningfulness may be an important contextual mechanism through which activity engagement positively influences cognition, but no research has examined these links in healthy middle-aged and older adults. This study examined the predictive ordering of the associations between activity engagement, meaningfulness, and cognition. Eighty-one individuals aged 41-94 years old completed questionnaires on activity participation, engagement in meaningful activities, and a range of cognitive tests. Structural equation modeling controlling for age and education was used to test multiple mediation pathways linking activity and meaningfulness to cognition. There was a significant positive direct effect of meaningfulness on activity, where individuals who had higher ratings of meaningfulness also engaged more frequently in activity. However, neither activity nor meaningfulness significantly mediated the pathway to cognition, and direct effects between activity engagement with cognition and meaningfulness with cognition were unexpectedly not significant. Correlational results showed the strongest connection occurred between social activity and meaningfulness, highlighting domain specific effects, and suggesting that social health, a key part of successful aging, is linked to the perceived value of an activity. It remains possible that the links between activity, meaningfulness, and cognition may exist longitudinally or at the daily level. ]]>GERIATRICS 10.21926/obm.geriatr.2602338
Authors: Julia Baumann Eva Bönzli Franziska Wandrey Torsten Grothe
The complex process of skin aging results in noticeable changes, including decreased collagen content, reduced elasticity, and decreased hydration. Interventions to preserve or restore collagen, a key structural protein, may help counteract these signs. The concept of "beauty from within” through nutritional supplements is of growing interest, particularly the use of plant-based alternatives to animal-derived or synthetic collagen. This study investigated the anti-aging potential of an extract from Moldavian dragonhead (Dracocephalum moldavica L.), a natural plant-based compound. In vitro studies have shown that the extract stimulates genes crucial for skin structure. Further, a double-masked, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in female volunteers demonstrated that oral supplementation with the extract significantly improves skin hydration and increases dermal and full-skin thickness. These findings suggest that the Moldavian dragonhead extract is a promising natural alternative to traditional interventions, offering a holistic approach to improve the skin's dermal network and combat skin aging. ]]>Authors: Diwakar Singh Anita Singh
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale, lipid-bilayer carriers that mediate intercellular communication by transporting proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, thereby influencing physiological and pathological processes. This review integrates current knowledge on milk-derived and human extracellular vesicles, highlighting their multifunctional roles in therapy, diagnostics, and regenerative medicine. Milk-derived EVs (MEVs), small EVs (sEVs), and human milk EVs (hMEVs) demonstrate unique stability, biocompatibility, and cross-barrier transport, enabling oral and systemic therapeutic applications. These vesicles exhibit immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and drug-delivery potential, making them promising platforms for tissue repair, intestinal integrity, metabolic regulation, and microbiota modulation. In oncology, EVs contribute to tumor progression, metastasis, and immune regulation, while engineered or milk-derived vesicles provide biocompatible platforms for targeted therapy and diagnostics. Integration with biomaterials, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence enhances EV engineering, cargo optimization, and therapeutic precision. Despite their translational promise, clinical applications remain constrained by heterogeneity, inefficiencies in isolation, lack of standardized protocols, and incomplete mechanistic understanding. Scalable production, reproducible purification workflows, cargo-loading strategies, and safety assessments are essential for advancing EV-based therapeutics from preclinical studies to clinical interventions. Continued exploration of cross-species and biofluid-derived EVs, along with improved characterization and functional analyses, will facilitate their integration into regenerative medicine, drug delivery, nutritional interventions, and minimally invasive diagnostics. Overall, this review highlights extracellular vesicles as versatile nanoscale platforms with significant translational potential in both pediatric and adult medicine, offering new avenues for precision therapeutics, functional nutrition, and biomarker discovery. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602345
Authors: Frederick H. Silver Tanmay Deshmukh
Skin cancer is a major disease that affects older subjects in the US. There are 56 million Americans 65 years and older in the US and the median age for melanoma diagnosis in the United States is 66 years. Each year 6 M patients are treated for skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Both melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma can metastasize with melanoma being more likely to metastasize compared to squamous cell carcinoma and lead to death. The need to screen older subjects for skin cancer is critical. In this paper the probability of classifying lesions as either melanoma or squamous cell carcinoma using a convolutional neural network model is reported to be between 92% and 100%. These results are based on OCT gray scale images and AI and can be used as part of a telemedicine session to evaluate skin cancers. Individual areas of cancerous lesions were classified with probabilities of between 90% and 99%. Using this approach, large numbers of patients can be rapidly classified and evaluated, especially in remote areas using mobile healthcare units. In these areas dermatologist visits are difficult to schedule and larger screening efforts are needed. ]]>Authors: Bianca Gonçalves Rodrigues Elaine Alves de Faria Braga Marccus Victor Almeida Martins Jocélia Pereira de Carvalho Oliveira
This study reports the synthesis of magnetic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) supported on silica (SiO2), obtained from the chemical and thermal treatment of coconut mesocarp. The spectroscopic and morphological properties of this nanocomposite composed of magnetite and silica (Np-Fe3O4/SiO2) were investigated using Infrared (FTIR), Ultraviolet and Visible (UV-Vis), X-ray Diffraction (XDR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FEG-SEM), and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques. The synthesized material was applied in heterogeneous catalytic reactions to photodegrade the tartrazine yellow dye in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (Fenton reaction). FTIR spectra showed that treatment in a basic medium (NaOH) promotes the rupture of lignocellulosic fiber units, thereby decreasing the intensity of the chemical bonds. Heat treatment at 800°C generates silica, confirmed by the presence of the Si–O–Si band stretching vibration. Morphologically, the generated silica presented a random geometry, with particles larger than 10 µm filled with pores. The magnetite synthesized by basic co-precipitation on the silica presented an average diameter of 10 nm, as confirmed by FEG-SEM images and the Scherrer equation. The photocatalytic performance of the Np-Fe3O4/SiO2 was analyzed, achieving nearly 100% degradation of the tartrazine dye in 75 minutes of reaction in the presence of H2O2. In the absence of H2O2, the dye concentration decreases by only 18% over the same reaction time, probably due to saturation of the dye molecules at the nanocatalyst interface. The adsorption equilibrium parameters were investigated using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, which revealed that the adsorption capacity of the Np-Fe3O4/SiO2 system is approximately twice that of the SiO2 system: the maximum amount of dye adsorbed on the nanomaterial’s (qm) surface was 0.35 mg/g for SiO2 and 0.79 mg/g for Fe3O4/SiO2. This photodegradation efficiency is associated with an increase in the nanoparticle’s surface area, which enhances the adsorption capacity for dye molecules. Furthermore, the excess radicals generated by the Fenton reaction also catalyze the degradation of the dye. ]]>Authors: Bimenyimana Jean-Claude Meisheng Dong
This study examines the effects of stock market development (SMC) and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions in nine African economies over the period 2000-2024. It also tests whether domestic credit to the private sector (DC) moderates the relationship between stock market development and CO2 emissions. Panel data econometrics, including Feasible Generalized Least Squares (FGLS) for the main estimates and Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) for robustness checks, are used as the primary analytic technique in this study. The results of this study suggest that a one percent increase in SMC results in about a 0.09‐0.14 percent increase in CO2 emissions; conversely, DC contributes an additional amount of CO2 emissions of about 0.20‐0.34 percent. On the other hand, a one percent increase in renewable energy consumption reduces CO2 emissions by about 0.44 to 0.54 percent. The research also found a statistically significant positive interaction term, indicating that greater credit market depth contributes to higher-carbon outputs driven by stock market activity. To support the sustainable economy, African governments should incentivize the development of “green finance” instruments such as green bonds, sustainability-linked equity instruments, and require that investors include climate risk assessments in their lending portfolios. In addition, governments should require that publicly traded corporations disclose information related to their climate-related vulnerabilities and should provide market-wide incentives such as carbon pricing, tax credits for companies that implement green initiatives, and subsidized lending to companies that invest in low-carbon initiatives. Overall, the findings of this study indicate that the financial sector is and will continue to influence the ability of African economies to effectively transition to and utilize renewable energy sources, while also impacting the formulation of their energy policies and how they will achieve their respective decarbonization strategies. ]]>Authors: Trong Hung Dinh Trung Hieu Dinh
Integrating Life Cycle Cost (LCC), Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), and Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) has emerged as a pivotal approach for evaluating the multi-dimensional performance of construction materials. However, existing studies often treat these dimensions in isolation, failing to provide a holistic representation of sustainable development. Furthermore, while material selection in the preliminary design phase fundamentally dictates the sustainability trajectory of a project, there remains a critical research gap regarding standardized frameworks that integrate Triple Bottom Line (TBL) analysis for this early stage. To address this, the study employs a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) methodology, analyzing 28 relevant publications from ScienceDirect and Scopus between 2012 and 2025 to identify current trends, criteria, and methodological barriers. The main contribution of this paper is the development of an integrated Big Data Life Cycle framework. By leveraging Building Information Modeling (BIM) data from previous projects, the proposed framework utilizes analogous and parametric estimating to address data scarcity during the preliminary design phase. This framework enables decision-makers to conduct comprehensive Life Cycle Sustainability Assessments (LCSA) through Multi-Criteria Decision Making (MCDM), ensuring that material selection aligns with economic, environmental, and social goals from the project's inception. ]]>Authors: Dudu Mertgenç Yoldaş Senai Yalçinkaya Mehmet Fatih Yoldaş
The increasing demand for sustainable energy has accelerated the development of high-performance wind turbine systems. In this context, material selection for turbine blades plays a critical role in ensuring structural efficiency, fatigue resistance, and long-term reliability. This study evaluates the mechanical and structural advantages of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites over glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP) materials in wind turbine blade applications. Results from the literature indicate that CFRP provides significantly higher stiffness-to-weight and strength-to-weight ratios, enabling weight reductions of 20-30% in critical blade components such as spar caps. This reduction improves aeroelastic stability, decreases fatigue loading, and enhances overall energy capture efficiency. Furthermore, CFRP exhibits superior fatigue resistance under cyclic loading conditions exceeding 108 cycles, which is essential for the typical 20-30 years service life of wind turbines. However, the higher cost of CFRP remains a limiting factor, leading to its selective use in load-critical regions. The findings suggest that hybrid material strategies combining GFRP and CFRP offer an optimal balance between cost and performance. ]]>Authors: Rick Sá Robison José Quitério Godofredo Pignataro Neto
Biofield therapies (BTs) including Reiki, Therapeutic Touch (TT), Healing Touch (HT), and External Qigong Treatment (EQT) are non-pharmacological interventions proposed to modulate putative energy fields surrounding the human body. Despite growing clinical interest, the evidence base remains methodologically heterogeneous. This study aimed to provide a rigorous synthesis of randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence on the efficacy of BTs for pain reduction and for the alleviation of symptoms associated with mental disorders (SAMD), including anxiety, depression, stress, and aggressiveness. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA 2020 guidelines (PROSPERO: CRD42024618260). RCTs published between 2003 and 2023 were identified in PubMed, Scopus, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Effect sizes were calculated as Hedges’ g under an inverse-variance weighting framework, and random-effects models were fitted using the REML estimator (metafor, R v4.3.2). A three-level multilevel model was applied to the SAMD group to account for nested outcomes. Influence diagnostics and pre-specified sensitivity models were used to address statistically influential observations. Publication bias was assessed via funnel plots, Egger’s test, and trim-and-fill. Risk of bias was evaluated with the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Twenty-eight RCTs were included (Pain: k = 14, N = 918; SAMD: k = 22, N = 1,581). Risk of bias was low in 10.7% of trials, of some concern in 64.3%, and high in 25.0%. For the Pain group, the primary model yielded g = 0.72 (95% CI: 0.27-1.16; I2 = 88.2%); the sensitivity model, excluding two influential studies, yielded g = 0.27 (95% CI: 0.10-0.44; I2 = 9.8%). For the SAMD group, primary and sensitivity estimates were g = 0.66 (95% CI: 0.37-0.94; I2 = 82.6%) and g = 0.42 (95% CI: 0.26-0.57; I2 = 34.1%), respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed consistent small-to-moderate effects for anxiety (g = 0.32; I2 = 13.4%) and depression (g = 0.39; I2 = 0.0%), whereas stress showed a larger but less stable estimate (g = 0.68; I2 = 73.1%). Session duration was the only moderator with a negative trend, though with limited explanatory power (pseudo-R2 < 12%). Funnel plot asymmetry in sensitivity models suggested small-study effects, with trim-and-fill estimates of g = 0.16 (Pain) and g = 0.27 (SAMD). Biofield therapies are associated with statistically significant but small effects on pain (g = 0.27) and SAMD (g = 0.42) in methodologically robust models. Evidence is most consistent for anxiety and depression. The findings support BTs as potential complementary adjuncts in integrative care, though clinical impact is modest and context-dependent. Future trials should prioritize adequate sample sizes, active or sham controls, standardized outcomes, and pre-registered protocols. ]]>GENETICS 10.21926/obm.genet.2602344
Authors: Stephanie Liana Ferdy Kurniawan Cayami Annang Giri Moelyo Ratna Dewi Artati Muhammad Faizi Nur Rochmah Rusdi Andid Yulisnawati Hasanah Aditiawati Agustini Utari
Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations in genes that encode collagen, with varying clinical presentations. While some studies in Indonesia have reported OI’s clinical features and treatments, there is a lack of comprehensive national data, with limited awareness and access to specialized care for affected individuals. This collaborative study, involving multiple centres across Indonesia, aims to address data fragmentation by analyzing patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, and radiographic features of OI. This multi-centre study included 85 patients diagnosed with OI by expert clinicians across eight centres in Indonesia. Patients with alternative possible diagnoses were excluded. Data were collected through interviews, clinical evaluations, and medical records, focusing on patient characteristics, clinical manifestations, and radiographic features. Of 85 patients (43 males, 42 females), the most common age group was 0-5 years. Low birth weight ( ]]>NEUROBIOLOGY 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2602338
Authors: Erika Iacona Matteo Rigo Sara Moroni Letizia Bosetti Ines Testoni
Death Education is an emerging field aimed at developing psychological and social competencies for engaging with death and dying. This qualitative study explored the experiences of 17 professionals—including psychologists, teachers, and spiritual counselors—implementing Death Education interventions in schools. Semi-structured interviews were analyzed thematically, revealing four key domains: (1) facilitators’ personal relationship with death and motivation; (2) children’s and adolescents’ representations of death; (3) perceived benefits and cultural or institutional resistance; and (4) essential elements for effective Death Education. Spirituality emerged as a central factor in fostering open, meaningful, and culturally sensitive discussions. Findings suggest that Death Education can support young people’s mental health by helping them process grief and engage with the reality of human finitude. However, cultural and familial resistance, along with limited teacher training, impede widespread implementation. Overall, the study underscores Death Education’s potential to enhance resilience and psychological well-being during developmental years. ]]>Authors: Raquel Ricci Luana Romão Nogueira Priscila Maximino William Cabral de Miranda Karina Rizzardo Sella Nathalia Gioia de Paula Mauro Fisberg
This study descriptively investigates the food acceptance patterns and dietary profiles of neurotypical infants, children, and adolescents with Feeding Difficulties (FD) at a Brazilian pediatric reference center. It further examines whether a broader food repertoire translates into improved nutritional quality. The research, an observational, analytical cross-sectional study, analyzed data from 237 patients aged 10 to 204 months with FD. Findings revealed a discrepancy between family perceptions and professional assessments, with families underestimating the variety of foods their children accept. While the average number of accepted foods increased with age (from 19.68 items in infants to 29.46 in adolescents), suggesting an expansion of food exposure, this did not necessarily lead to improved nutritional quality. Infants’ diets, despite being smaller in repertoire, showed a more favorable nutritional profile with more fruits and vegetables and fewer snacks and sweets. However, from preschool age onwards, the dietary profile worsened, marked by increased intake of ultra-processed foods, snacks, sweets, and sugary drinks. The study identified a predominance of sweet-tasting, light-colored, solid, and “dissolvable” hard-solid texture foods among accepted items, reflecting sensory preferences. Ultra-processed and hyperpalatable foods, particularly sweets, showed increased acceptance from preschool age onward, while less chewing-demanding consistencies and infant formulas were characteristic of younger ages. This highlights the critical role of parental attitudes and early interventions to promote healthy eating habits, emphasizing that sensory preferences often guide food choices in children with FD, leading to a diet rich in less nutritious options. ]]>Authors: Ahmad M. Khalil
Worldwide, the incidence of allergenicity is rising rapidly, making it an ongoing clinical challenge and public health concern. The current treatment options for allergies include allergen avoidance, medications to improve symptoms, and immunotherapy to desensitize affected individuals to specific allergens. However, these approaches have limitations, and there is an urgent need for novel and more effective therapies. Allergies are a compelling candidate for gene editing (GE) given their prevalence and the inadequacies of existing treatments. Repurposing present allergy medications and emerging novel therapies may be possible with the aid of genomics-guided determination of prospective therapeutic targets for the illness. The emergence of the Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-GE technology, which uses RNA to guide DNA targeting, has allowed the generation of customized organisms for specific traits. The novel genome-editing tools have shown promising potential to transform allergy research and treatment, offering new hope for patients with severe allergies. By allowing accurate alterations of the genome, GE can be used to delete, correct specific allergen gene (s) that make a person susceptible to allergies, or interfere with the transcription of those genes. Gene editing may be used to engineer immune cells to become more tolerant of particular allergens. This review goes beyond traditional disease therapies by highlighting the latest breakthroughs in this revolutionary field. The applications exemplified in this review reveal how CRISPR can be used to identify the function of allergen proteins and engineer allergen-free plants to develop hypoallergenic foods. But some allergens play vital roles in physiological processes, such as ameliorating biotic and abiotic stress in plants and disease in animals. Just targeting their genes with CRISPR to abolish expression is not always feasible. The benefits and limitations of CRISPR-Cas9-based GE technology are compared with current treatment options. ]]>