Abstract: Rising numbers of wolf populations make traditional, resource-intensive methods of wolf monitoring increasingly challenging and often insufficient. This study explores how wolf howls can be used as a new monitoring tool fro wolves by applying AI methods to detect and classify wolf howls from acoustic recordings, thereby improving the effectiveness of wolf population monitoring. Three AI approaches are evaluated: BirdNET, Yellowstone's Cry-Wolf project system, and BioLingual. Data were collected using SM4 audio recorders in a known wolf territory in Klelund Dyrehave, Denmark, and manually validated to establish a ground truth of 260 wolf howls. Results demonstrate that while AI solutions currently do not achieve the complete precision or overall accuracy of expert manual analysis, they offer tremendous efficiency gains, significantly reducing processing time. BirdNET achieved the highest recall at 78.5% (204/260 howls detected), though with a low precision of 0.007 (resulting in 28,773 false positives). BioLingual detected 61.5% of howls (160/260) with 0.005 precision (30,163 false positives), and Cry-Wolf detected 59.6% of howls (155/260) with 0.005 precision (30,099 false positives). Crucially, a combined ap-proach utilizing all three models achieved a 96.2% recall (250/260 howls detected). This suggests that while AI solutions primarily function as powerful human-aided data re-duction tools rather than fully autonomous detectors, they represent a valuable, scalable, and non-invasive complement to traditional methods in wolf research and conservation, making large-scale monitoring more feasible.

Abstract: Dosage accuracy is a critical requirement for medical devices based on cannabidiol microemulsions. Some users of NegEnt Micellar Drops, CE Medical Device, reported a shorter-than-expected duration of the bottle equipped with a pipette dropper, suggesting possible variability in drop formation. This study compares the precision and homogeneity of drops delivered by a pipette dropper versus a pharmaceutical-grade gravity dropper. Twenty subjects participated in a controlled drop-weight test, followed by a 30-day longitudinal assessment. Results show significantly lower variability with the gravity dropper (SD ±2 mg) compared to the pipette dropper (SD ±5 mg), with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The second phase confirms the stability of the gravity system over time. We conclude that the gravity dropper ensures more accurate and reproducible dosing, improving the clinical reliability of the medical device.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The genus Tristerix comprises at least ten species, found from southern Chile to Colombia in South America. In Chile, several species of these hemiparasitic plants are commonly known as quitral or quintral. Traditionally, quitral, mainly T. corymbosus (syn. T. tetrandus), has been used in alternative medicine for its anti-inflammatory, digestive, hemostatic, hypocholesterolemic, wound-healing, and astringent properties. Due to its wide distribution in central and southern Chile and its frequent collection for ethnopharmacological purposes, this study aimed to investigate the phytochemical composition and antimicrobial properties of T. corymbosus. Methods: A hydroalcoholic extract of T. corymbosus was prepared from powdered leaves and small branches. Subsequently, the addition of methanol produced a precipitation to isolate three different fractions: a methanol-soluble fraction that was rotovaped, a brown powder obtained after filtration, and a tar-like residue that remained at the bottom of the flask. These fractions were resuspended in 70% ethanol or water and tested for antimicrobial activity. Results: All fractions showed activity against Streptococcus pyogenes, but not E. coli, with the brown powder exhibiting the strongest potency against S. pyogenes and other Gram-positive bacteria. Qualitative phytochemical characterization, followed by HPLC-MS analysis, revealed the presence of key compounds, including lipidic compounds with surfactant properties. Conclusions: the abundant lipidic molecules present in the analyzed fraction likely account for the antimicrobial effects through affecting membrane structure of Gram-positive bacteria, some Gram-negative and yeast Candida albicans supporting the traditional wound-healing uses of T. corymbosus in ancestral and alternative medicine.

Abstract: The human body consists of multiple joints with many degrees of freedom that open the context for biomechanical interventions in the form of recommendations and feedback, with the purpose of improving performance, reducing the risk of injuries, and so forth. These interventions sometimes involve loading trade-offs between joints or loading redistribution. Removing the load from one joint or segment (“native” joint) and transferring it to another joint (“step” joint) seem to need more consideration. Therefore, the aim of the current paper is to highlight the necessity of scientific communication from data collection to conclusions in the form of recommendations, presentations, and publications. The tendency to focus on specific joints and develop expertise hides the trade-off between joint loads, and sometimes, recommendations or feedback on the basis of biomechanical loading simply shift the risk of injury. To address this concern, several approaches are suggested, including improved marker sets, dataset availability, departmental diversity, research team collaboration, and the sharing of conferences and sessions.

Abstract:

Spectral clustering is a powerful methodology rooted in graph theory, linear algebra, and probability theory, and is highly effective for unsupervised learning in complex, non-linear data. This article serves as a comprehensive tutorial and guide for interdisciplinary researchers, building a clear connection between the rigorous mathematical framework of spectral clustering, beginning with the continuous Laplacian operator, progressing to its discrete, graph-based counterpart, and finally culminating in a real-world application. We detail the theory through practical examples and apply the framework to bulk RNA-seq data analysis in breast cancer cell lines, demonstrating the method's unique ability to uncover both broad trends and nuanced molecular subtypes. By providing intuitive knowledge on both the theory and the application, this work aims to facilitate collaboration across mathematics, computational science, and life sciences to support robust and sound scientific research.

Abstract:

The increasing resistance to antibiotics resulting from their indiscriminate use in humans and animals is a serious public health concern recognized by the WHO and WOAH. In this context, phytotherapy based on medicinal plants represents a promising alternative, particularly due to the presence of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids and alkaloids with antimicrobial potential. The Fabaceae family stands out for its remarkable diversity and pharmacological relevance. This review integrates available information on the 347 species recorded in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Only 64 species have been subjected to phytochemical studies, and 46 are traditionally used in medicine, mainly to treat digestive disorders (32%), dermatological conditions (18%), and parasitic infections (15%). The most frequently reported metabolites are tannins and flavonoids, which support their empirical use and therapeutic potential. The main extraction techniques identified were maceration (47.7%) and Soxhlet (10.8%), employing solvents such as methanol (21.5%), water, ethanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane. Herbaceous and arboreal plants were the most investigated. Phenols and flavonoids exhibited antioxidant properties with antibacterial and antifungal activity, whereas alkaloids showed antibacterial, antifungal, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory effects. The greatest metabolic diversity was found in leaves. Microbiological studies highlight notable activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Candida albicans, mainly evaluated through the disk diffusion method.

Abstract: Millions of women around the world rely on cosmetics and hygiene products every day, however, they often have no idea about the exposure to dangerous chemicals in their everyday usage. Chemicals present in many of these products, such as parabens, phthalates and PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are known to act as endocrine disruptors which could potentially affect the body's hormonal systems. In addition to acting as endocrine disruptors, some of these chemicals have been shown to cause cancer when used in certain applications, such as formaldehyde releasing preservatives and asbestos contaminated talc. As a result of using these products, it is essential to understand the biochemical characteristics of the chemicals so we can begin to understand how they can affect our bodies. This study uses the bioinformatics software program SwissADME to identify key properties related to the absorption of three representative chemicals from three classes of chemicals, including DEP (diethyl phthalate), butylparaben, PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid), based on publicly available molecular information. Using this molecular data, SwissADME was able to predict several key biochemical characteristics of the studied chemicals including lipophilicity, skin permeability, gastrointestinal absorption and other ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion)-related parameters. Based on the predictions of SwissADME, this study provides an estimate of the ability of each chemical to penetrate biological barriers, reach the bloodstream and interact with target tissues involved in the mechanism of endocrine disruption and carcinogenesis.SwissADME predictions indicate that both phthalates and parabens have molecular properties that would allow them to easily pass through the skin, thereby supporting previous epidemiological studies indicating that users of cosmetic and hygiene products have measurable levels of internal exposure. Although PFAS were predicted to have lower skin permeability, previous studies have shown that PFAS bind to proteins and remain in the body for long periods of time, allowing them to accumulate in the body over time. Due to its size and high reactivity, formaldehyde has the highest predicted capacity to rapidly interact with tissues. Since talc had low predicted permeability, the health risk associated with talc is most likely due to the presence of asbestos contamination and not to the chemical composition of the talc itself. Overall, the results of the SwissADME study provide a link between molecular properties and the observed exposure patterns of humans and support toxicological and epidemiological evidence, and therefore emphasize the need to conduct further research on the mixture-based toxicity of these chemicals, require companies to disclose all of the ingredients used in their products, and modify existing regulations regarding chemical safety in order to better regulate and control the risks posed by these chemicals in the cosmetic and hygiene products marketed to women.

Abstract: Effective exchange of health data is crucial in the modern healthcare landscape, most notably for advancing research and clinical care on rare diseases where patient populations are small and often geographically dispersed. While numerous approaches to health data exchange exist, substantial challenges persist in achieving convergence and selecting technologies that address the diverse requirements of stakeholders. The Joint Action on Integration of European Reference Networks (ERNs) into National Healthcare Systems (JARDIN) aims to tackle these issues by fostering alignment around shared solutions. To explore practical strategies for automating secure data exchange among healthcare providers, national registries, and ERNs, a hackathon was organised by JARDIN, inspired by the software-oriented “Bring Your Own Data” workshop format, which promotes the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability (FAIR) of research resources. The event brought together over 50 experts from across Europe. Participants tackled three core challenges: data harmonization, querying, and the FAIR description of data services. Key proposed solutions included leveraging semantic models for data harmonization, adapting existing infrastructures for (federated) querying, and extending the FAIR Data Point (FDP) metadata model to better describe data services. This paper outlines the methodologies and outcomes of the hackathon. The findings presented herein provide insights for JARDIN’s future work in developing recommendations for a robust, scalable, and secure data exchange ecosystem for rare diseases.

Abstract: Blood groups in the ABO system and the RhD factor is of great clinical importance, as it is related to susceptibility to various diseases caused by oxidative stress. The use of antioxidants such as C-phycocyanin (a phycobiliprotein) could be an alternative to mit-igate oxidative stress in the blood. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant and erythroprotective activity of C-phycocyanin (C-PC) from Spirulina sp. against oxidative stress caused by peroxyl radicals, before and after in vitro digestion, comparing susceptibilities between blood groups. C-phycocyanin from Spirulina sp. was obtained commercially. The antioxidant capacity by ABTS+•, DPPH•, and FRAP assays of the bioaccessible fraction of C-PC increased compared to baseline in all assays. Samples appear to have high hydrogen atom transfer. C-PC is not cytotoxic in most blood groups. The AAPH hemolysis assays showed differences between blood groups, yielding results of 27.90, 22.60, 26.94, 27.66, 28.16, 28.34, and 24.91% hemolysis for O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, AB+, and AB-, respectively. Furthermore, in vitro digestion increased the erythropro-tective effect in the bioavailable fraction in most blood groups, showing 37.12, 80.13, 5.48, 92.38, 67.93, 80.30, and 76.49% inhibition of hemolysis in O+, O-, A+, A-, B+, AB+, and AB-, respectively. These results demonstrate the biotechnological and biomedical po-tential of phycobiliproteins as safe candidates for the development of nutraceuticals and functional foods aimed at preventing oxidative damage.

Abstract: Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are still the most common healthcare-associated infections globally. Although catheter designs have improved, based on the duration of use, such as indwelling catheters, substantial numbers of infections are still caused by contamination from the collection bag (intraluminal) and from the external catheter's surface (extraluminal). This study assessed the safety and practicality of a novel silver-based device designed for external attachment between a catheter outlet and a urine collection bag to stop bacteria from traveling up from the urine bag into the bladder through the inside of the tube. Methods: The accessory features a silver ion-releasing polymer matrix with a synergistic formulation and an anti-reflux valve to prevent urine backflow. Laboratory tests included microbial adherence, 10-day biofilm formation, and MIC assays against common uropathogens. Biocompatibility was assessed by ISO 10993-5. A pilot clinical trial randomized 157 catheterized patients (80 received the antiseptic accessory, 77 were controls) to evaluate safety and initial efficacy. Results: Laboratory studies showed that the matrix material reduced all tested microbes by at least 5 log and had minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 0.15–0.3 ppm for silver ions. Cytotoxicity testing found it to be non-cytotoxic (Grade 0–2). In clinical assessments, the accessory was evaluated for CAUTI-related organisms by comparing urine samples from the bag and catheter port. The accessory reduced intraluminal infection incidence in half (5.6% vs. 9.6%) and no device-related adverse events were reported. Conclusions: The accessory device was biocompatible, well tolerated, and showed strong antimicrobial activity against common CAUTI pathogens. It may help prevent intraluminal infections, but not overall CAUTI due to extraluminal infection via the catheter surface. More research is needed to confirm the benefits of this concept.

Abstract: The high attrition rates in glioblastoma (GB) therapeutic development stem largely from preclinical models that fail to adequately recapitulate the dynamic tumor-host ecosystem. Unlike previous reviews that characterize glioma cell lines in isolation, this article integrates tumor biology with the distinct neuro-immune-endocrine landscapes of major laboratory rat strains. We critically evaluate standard rat malignant glioma cell lines (C6, F98, RG2, 9L) alongside transplantable tissue models (GB 101.8, GB 15/47), which offer enhanced translational relevance, demonstrating that the predictive value of any model is contingent upon the specific "glioma model and host strain" pairing and the individual physiological characteristics of the host. We provide evidence that strain-specific hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis reactivity (e.g., hyper-reactive Fischer 344 versus normo-reactive Wistar) acts as a decisive, yet often overlooked, modulator of the tumor microenvironment and therapeutic response. The review delineates the utility and limitations of these models, specifically addressing the MHC incompatibilities of the widely used C6 model in immunotherapy research, while contrasting it with the immune-evasive phenotypes of RG2 and the GB 101.8 tissue model. Furthermore, we highlight the superiority of tissue transplants in preserving cellular polyclonality and diffuse infiltration patterns compared to the circumscribed growth often observed in cell line-derived tumors. Consequently, we propose a strategic selection paradigm wherein immunogenic models serve as bioindicators of host immunocompetence, while invasive, non-immunogenic systems (F98, RG2, GB 101.8) are utilized to investigate therapeutic resistance and systemic host-tumor interactions.

Abstract: This study, conducted jointly by diagnostic institutes from Italy and the Republic of Ko-sovo/Albania, aimed to determine the occurrence of relevant infectious and parasitic agents (IPAs) in managed honeybees from these geographical areas to assess the overall health status of local apiaries. Paenibacillus larvae, Melissococcus plutonius, Nosema ceranae, Nosema apis, acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), black queen cell virus (BQCV), chronic bee paralysis virus (CBPV), deformed wing virus variants DWV-A and DWV-B, and the para-sitoid flies Megaselia scalaris and Senotainia tricuspis were detected by quantitative poly-merase chain reaction (qPCR) and reverse transcriptase qPCR (RT-qPCR) in clinically healthy adult honeybees collected from 131 and 56 apiaries in the Abruzzo and Molise re-gions of Central Italy in 2022 and 2023, respectively, from 140 apiaries in the Republic of Kosovo and 18 in Albania in 2022, and from 66 apiaries in the Republic of Kosovo in 2023. The percentages of positive samples and abundance levels for N. ceranae, P. larvae and DWV-B were significantly higher in the Republic of Kosovo and Albania, while the per-centages of samples positive for M. plutonius, CBPV, DWV-A, and the parasitoid flies were higher in Central Italy. Additionally, P. larvae and some viruses showed significantly dif-ferent occurrence rates between the two years in Italy and the Republic of Kosovo. The co-occurrence of IPAs also differed between the two geographic areas. Their varying dis-tribution could depend on epidemiological dynamics, climatic factors, and management practices specific to each country, whose relative impact should be defined to guide tar-geted interventions to reduce honeybee mortality.

Abstract:

Familial cancers are caused by inherited mutations in specific genes that regulate cell growth, division, and repair. Approximately 5–10% of all cancer cases have a hereditary component, where germline mutations in certain genes increase an individual’s susceptibility to developing cancer. Two major categories of genes are involved in cancer development: tumour suppressor genes and oncogenes. Both play critical roles in regulating normal cell behaviour, and when mutated, they can contribute to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumour formation. In addition to genetic mutations, epigenetic alterations also play a significant role in familial cancer. Epigenetics refers to changes in gene expression due to DNA methylation, histone modifications, and the dysregulation of non-coding RNAs without alter the underlying DNA sequence. Familial cancer syndromes follow various inheritance patterns, including autosomal dominant, autosomal recessive, X-linked, and mitochondrial inheritance, each with distinct characteristics. Identifying genetic mutations associated with familial cancers is a cornerstone of genetic counselling, which helps individuals and families navigate the complex intersection of genetics, cancer risk, and prevention. Early identification of mutations enables personalized strategies for risk reduction, early detection, and, when applicable, targeted treatment options, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Abstract:

Background and Objectives: Dichrostachys glomerata and Cissus quadrangularis, two species traditionally used in Cameroon, are recognized for their weight-reducing potential. This study examined the effects of standardized extracts of these botanicals on glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), and key metabolic outcomes in individuals with excess body weight. Materials and Methods: In this 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 248 adults (126 women and 122 men; mean age 41.3 ± 0.3 years; BMI 25–34.9 kg/m²) were assigned to receive 400 mg D. glomerata extract (DGE), 300 mg C. quadrangularis extract (CQE), semaglutide (dose-escalated from 3 mg to 14 mg), or placebo, administered once daily. Primary assessments included changes in GLP-1 levels and DPP-4 activity. Secondary evaluations included body composition, caloric intake, satiety response, fasting glucose levels, and lipid profiles. Results: Participants receiving DGE or CQE displayed notable elevations in circulating GLP-1 (+38.6 pg/mL and +42.2 pg/mL, respectively; p < 0.01) and significant reductions in DPP-4 activity (−15.3% and −17.8%; p < 0.01) compared with placebo. Both extracts produced substantial improvements in body weight (−5.2% and −5.8%), body fat (−10.3% and −10.9%), energy intake (−16.2% and −17.5%), and satiety (+25.6% and +27.4%) (p < 0.01). Significant changes in fasting glucose and serum lipid levels were also observed (p < 0.05). These responses are similar to those of semaglutide. Moreover, GLP-1 increments showed strong negative correlations with body fat percentage (r = −0.91 to −0.92; p < 0.001) and DPP-4 activity (r = −0.97 to −0.98; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Supplementation with D. glomerata and C. quadrangularis extracts enhanced GLP-1 secretion and reduced DPP-4 activity, yielding significant benefits for body composition and metabolic parameters. These findings indicate that both botanicals are promising natural agents for managing obesity through incretin-based mechanisms.

Abstract: Background Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a severe complication of diabetes mellitus (DM), contributing significantly to morbidity and healthcare burden. Kerala, a South Indian state, has a high prevalence of diabetes, yet limited data exist on the genetic risk factors for DFU in this population. Vitamin D, beyond its role in calcium homeostasis, is crucial for immune regulation and wound healing. Methods In this study, plasma vitamin D levels were evaluated in individuals with DFU (n=112), DM without ulcers (n=112), and non-diabetic controls (n=112). We also assessed the association of four common vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms—rs7975232 (ApaI), rs731236 (TaqI), rs1544410 (BsmI), and rs2228570 (FokI)—with DFU and DM. Results The arithmetic mean 25(OH)D levels were 17.7 ± 14.2 ng/mL (DFU), 19.5 ± 12.4 ng/mL (DM), and 20.6 ± 13.9 ng/mL (controls). Geometric means were lower across all groups, with 12.7 ng/mL (DFU), 15.4 ng/mL (DM), and 15.7 ng/mL (controls), indicating widespread vitamin D deficiency, especially in DFU cases. Among the SNPs studied, rs731236 and rs1544410 showed statistically significant associations with DFU. The AG genotype of rs731236 was significantly associated with a reduced risk of DFU compared to both DM patients and non-diabetic controls (p < 0.05, OR ≈ 0.5), indicating a strong protective effect. Similarly, the TC genotype of rs1544410 showed a protective association against DFU (p = 0.0219, OR = 0.51). In contrast, the AA genotype of rs731236 and TT genotype of rs1544410 were marginally associated with increased DFU risk. No significant associations were found for rs2228570 and rs7975232. However, the ff genotype of rs2228570, which is associated with a less active VDR protein, was predominantly observed among study participants. VDR polymorphisms, especially rs731236 and rs1544410, may significantly influence DFU susceptibility in the Kerala population and hold promise as genetic risk markers. Routine vitamin D screening could aid early risk assessment in diabetic individuals.

Abstract:

Background: Precise delineation of the rectum is crucial in treatment planning for cancers in the pelvic region, such as prostate and cervical cancers. Manual segmentation is also still time-consuming and suffers from inter-observer variability. Since there are meaningful differences in rectal anatomy between males and females, incorporating sex-specific anatomical patterns can be used to enhance the performance of segmentations. Furthermore, recent deep learning advancements have provided promising solutions for automatically classifying patient sex from CT scans and leveraging this information for enhancing the accuracy of rectal segmentation. However, their clinical utility requires comprehensive validation against real-world standards. Methods: In this study, a two-stage deep learning pipeline was developed using CT scans from 186 patients with either prostate or cervical cancer. First, a CNN model automatically classified the patient’s biological sex from CT images in order to capture anatomical variations dependent on sex. Second, a sex-aware U-Net model performed automated rectal segmentation, allowing the network to adjust its feature representation based on the anatomical differences identified in stage one. The internal validation had an 80/20 train-test split, and 15% of the training portion was held out for validation to ensure balanced distribution regarding sex and diagnosis. Model performance was evaluated using spatial similarity metrics, including the Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC), Hausdorff Distance, and Average Surface Distance. Additionally, a radiation oncologist conducted a retrospective clinical evaluation using a 3-point Likert scale. Statistical significance was examined using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, Welch’s t-tests, and Mann-Whitney U test. Results: The sex-classification model attained an accuracy of 94.6% (AUC = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.96–0.99). Incorporation of predicted sex into the segmentation pipeline improved anatomical consistency of U-Net outputs. Mean DSC values were 0.91 (95% CI: 0.89–0.92) for prostate cases and 0.89 (95% CI: 0.87–0.91) for cervical cases, with no significant difference between groups (P=0.12). Surface distance metrics calculated on resampled isotropic voxels showed mean HD values of 3.4±0.8 mm and ASD of 1.2±0.3 mm, consistent with clinically acceptable accuracy. On clinical evaluation, 89.2% of contours were rated as excellent, while 9.1% required only minor adjustments. Automated segmentation reduced the average contouring time from 12.7±2.3 minutes manually to 4.3±0.9 minutes. Conclusion: The proposed sex-aware deep learning framework offers accurate, robust segmentation of the rectum in pelvic CT imaging by explicitly modeling sex-specific differences in anatomical characteristics. This physiologically informed approach enhances segmentation performance and supports reliable integration of AI-based delineation into radiotherapy workflows to improve both contouring efficiency and clinical consistency.

Abstract: Transposable elements (TEs) constitute a significant portion of eukaryotic genomes and play crucial roles in genome evolution, yet their diverse and complex sequences pose challenges for accurate classification. Existing tools often lack reliability in TE classification, limiting genomic analyses. Here we present TEclass2, a software employing a deep learning approach based on a linear Transformer architecture with k-mer tokenization and sequence-specific adaptations to classify TE consensus sequences into sixteen superfamilies. TEclass2 demonstrates improved classification performance and offers flexible model training on custom datasets. Accessible via a web interface with pre-trained models, TEclass2 facilitates rapid and reliable TE classification. These advancements provide a foundation for enhanced genomic annotation and support further bioinformatics research involving transposable elements.

Abstract: Mastitis is one of the major diseases affecting dairy cattle worldwide. Antibiotic therapy remains the most widely used treatment. However, its effectiveness has been com-promised due to the selection of antibiotic-resistant and biofilm-producing pathogenic bacteria. This promotes the search for alternatives that increase the antibacterial and anti-biofilm efficacy of antibiotics such ceftiofur (CFT). Biocompounds that, combined with antibiotics, exhibit these characteristics are gaining attention. Nisin (N) and chi-tosan (CH) may possess these properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether N+CFT and CH+CFT enhance the antibacterial activity of the antibiotic on Staphylococcus aureus associated with bovine mastitis, as well as its anti-biofilm effect. Two clinical isolates of S. aureus (AMC-43 and AMC-48) and the reference strain ATCC 27543 re-sistant to CFT were used. The combination of sub-inhibitory concentrations of N (320 µg/mL) and CH (400 µg/mL) with CFT (1, 2, 4, and 8 µg/mL) significantly reduced bac-terial growth (expressed in logarithmic units); however, the CH+CFT mixtures were the most efficient. Anti-biofilm activity was also detected, both in biofilm synthesis and in the reduction of living bacterial cells located inside this preformed structure. These results highlight N and CH as potential agents for the prevention or control of bovine mastitis.

Abstract: This paper details the development and validation of a novel computational framework to address critical brain tissue shifts encountered during image-guided neurosurgery for tumor resection. Utilizing Dynamic Data-Driven Non-Rigid Registration (NRR), this system integrates advanced distributed computing and machine learning paradigms to significantly enhance registration accuracy and speed. We present a robust methodology demonstrating the capability to deliver precise intra-operative image updates within demanding clinical timelines, thereby supporting more complete and safer tumor excisions. Key challenges inherent to real-time integration in the operating room are identified and discussed, providing foundational insights for future advancements in adaptive neurosurgical navigation.

Abstract: Background/Objectives:Calcified thoracic disc herniations are a formidable surgical challenge due to their proximity to the spinal cord and the heightened risk of iatrogenic neurological injury. Traditional anterior and posterolateral approaches, while effective in select scenarios, may not provide adequate exposure for large, centrally located calcified discs.. Methods:We conducted a retrospective case series of seven patients who underwent transpedicular-transdural thoracic discectomy for central or centrolateral calcified disc herniations at our institution over the past years. All patients were followed clinically for a minimum of three months postoperatively. Surgical technique and intraoperative nuances were also documented. Results: The transdural approach enabled direct access to the ventral thoracic spine, allowing for effective decompression of calcified herniations in all cases. No major intraoperative complications were reported, and all patients demonstrated clinical improvement or neurological stability at three-month follow-up. Technical aspects of the microsurgical approach were critical to minimizing risk.Conclusions: The transpedicular-transdural approach is a viable and effective surgical option for select cases of central or centrolateral calcified thoracic disc herniation. When executed with precise microsurgical technique, it offers safe decompression with favorable short-term outcomes.