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Microenvironmental Succession and Host Immune Responses in Peri-Implantitis
No full textPeri-implantitis (PI) is a prevalent complication following dental implant therapy, characterized by progressive bone resorption, peri-implant tissue destruction, and potential implant failure. Its management poses substantial challenges for long-term oral health. Current diagnostic and therapeutic approaches mainly depend on clinical examination and imaging techniques, which often detect the disease only after progression. Moreover, treatment methods frequently lack long-term stability, highlighting the need for early biomarkers and mechanistic insights. Recent studies demonstrate that plaque biofilms undergo a microbial succession, shifting from early facultative anaerobes to late strict anaerobes, while extracellular polysaccharides and proteases contribute to the stability of the pathogenic community. In parallel, dysregulation of the IL-23/Th17 axis and macrophage M1/M2 polarization amplify local immune imbalance and chronic inflammation. Bone resorption is further accelerated by disruption of the RANKL/OPG pathway and matrix metalloproteinase-mediated extracellular matrix degradation. Emerging biomarkers in peri-implant crevicular fluid, such as IL-17, RANKL/OPG, and MMP-8, together with imaging modalities including CBCT, hold promise for early diagnosis and risk prediction. This review aims to elucidate the interplay between biofilm succession, host immunity, and bone metabolism in PI, while evaluating potential biomarkers and diagnostic strategies for clinical application
Cosmology in generalized hybrid metric-Palatini with matter-geometry coupling
No full textCosmological implications of a class of hybrid metric-Palatini gravity with a non-minimal matter-geometry coupling is considered. The theory contains a metric curvature tensor, together with a curvature tensor constructed from an independent affine connection. We will show that the model could be written as a bi-scalar–tensor gravity with a non-minimal coupling between matter sector and a scalar field. The theory will then be confronted with observational data from Cosmic Chronometers, BAO dataset from DESI and the Pantheon dataset. We will show that the theory could be a good alternative to the CDM model with the difference that the conservation of the baryonic matter sector holds only at the background level. The statefinder analysis will also be applied to the theory and it is observed that the DE behavior of the theory exhibits a quintessence to phantom transition occurs at redshifts around
Targeted Therapies for Lung Cancer: Molecular Drivers, Resistance Mechanisms, and Clinical Integration (2015–2025)
No full textLung cancer is a particularly serious form of cancer that garners significant attention worldwide. While there have been advancements in surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy, survival rates remain low, especially in advanced stages. Key genes, such as mutations in EGFR and gene fusions involving ALK, have transformed treatment through the development of targeted therapies. Mutations in EGFR activate signalling pathways that promote tumour growth, support the formation of new blood vessels, and help the tumour evade the immune system. Similarly, ALK fusions keep the kinase active, leading to rapid cell proliferation. However, resistance to treatment continues to pose a significant challenge. For example, the tumours will trigger secondary mutations, or there are some alternative signalling pathways activated. The target of the drug might be lost at this stage. A deeper understanding of how tumours grow and develop resistance at the molecular level is essential for creating more effective drugs and devising innovative combination therapy strategies
Generation method for adversarial strategies in underwater incomplete information games
No full textThe Nash differential strategy is suitable for complete information scenarios, but in the underwater environment with incomplete information, the complexity of obtaining solutions and the associated computational cost increase significantly. Therefore, the paper proposes a generation method to seek the solutions for the game adversarial strategy in the underwater environment. First, the relative motion relationship in a bilateral pursuit-evasion game was established, and the incomplete information characteristics were described using discrete and non-uniform time sequences, thus providing a foundation for constructing the expressions of the strategy. Secondly, based on the separation theorem of the secondary payment function and its minimum and maximum principles, the forms of the strategy within discrete time intervals were derived, and the strategy expressions for state estimation is presented. Finally, the Markov method was employed to construct the state transfer payment function, and key state transfer nodes were selected using threshold conditions, effectively reducing strategy update frequency and achieving efficient approximate solutions. The simulation results demonstrate that the proposed generation method exhibits good game effects in the underwater environment with incomplete information, which can quickly generate adversarial strategies
Neutronic and thermal-hydraulic performance analysis of a novel thorium-based fuel in dual-cooled annular assemblies for SMR applications
No full textA coupled neutronic and thermal-hydraulic assessment is performed for a dual-cooled annular fuel concept applied to light-water SMR conditions. A mixed thorium-based oxide, (Th-233U-235U)O2, is evaluated against conventional UO2 and solid-pin benchmarks while sweeping the inner moderator radius (0.05-0.43165 cm) at constant fuel volume. The thorium annular cases sustain an infinite multiplication factor (kinf) of 1.002-1.003 at EOC and achieve 3-batch discharge burnups of 166.3-173.5 GWd/t, compared with 142.4 GWd/t for solid UO2. Radial peaking remains low (maximum PPF ≈ 1.056, well below the 1.65 Westinghouse-types PWR design limit). All configurations exhibit negative FTC and MTC, with stronger negative feedback at larger inner radii. Thermal-hydraulic results show smooth coolant heating and robust DNBR margins (minimum ∼ 2.3) with negligible sensitivity to inner radius. These outcomes support the feasibility of thorium-based annular fuel for SMR deployment with improved fuel utilization and preserved safety margins
Post-fire vegetation regeneration patterns under climatic and topographic constraints in the Moroccan High Atlas
No full textForest fires represent one of the major ecological threats to Mediterranean ecosystems, where increasing climatic variability and human pressures intensify disturbance regimes. This study assesses post-fire vegetation regeneration in the Ighil N'Oumaarad forest massif (Central High Atlas, Morocco) using the Normalized Regeneration Index (NRI) derived from Sentinel-2 imagery for the period 2014-2023. Multiple linear regression was applied to analyze the relationships between vegetation recovery, fire severity, altitude, and slope. The results revealed strong spatial variability in regeneration dynamics, with fire severity emerging as the dominant factor, while slope and altitude exerted secondary influences. Temporal analysis showed a positive response of vegetation to rainfall peaks, although annual precipitation alone did not fully explain regeneration patterns. The integration of remote sensing and statistical modeling provides an effective framework for understanding post-fire recovery and supports the development of adaptive management strategies aimed at enhancing the resilience of mountain forests under increasing climatic stress
Therapeutic enhancement of
No full textNatural bioresources are increasingly explored as safer and more sustainable alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals, particularly in response to antimicrobial resistance and inflammatory side effects. This study examines the impact of medicinal plant-enriched diets on the bioactive composition and therapeutic potential of Cornu aspersum snail slime. Slime from plant-fed snails was compared with that from wild specimens using GC-MS/MS analysis, alongside evaluations of antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and wound-healing activities through in vitro and in vivo assays. Slime derived from plant-fed snails exhibited significantly enhanced bioactivity, characterized by stronger antibacterial effects, increased antioxidant capacity, and improved anti-inflammatory and wound-healing responses. These findings demonstrate that dietary supplementation with medicinal plants is an effective strategy for enhancing the pharmacological value of Cornu aspersum snail slime
Sustainable Renovation of Educational Buildings using Date Palm Fiber Insulation under Csa-Type Climate
No full textThe purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of date palm fiber-based bio-insulation material on energy and environmental performance of educational buildings in Meknes (Morocco). A multi-objective optimization was performed to minimize energy consumption, life-cycle cost, and CO2 emissions with simultaneous consideration for the acceptable indoor thermal comfort. Optimization was performed with the NSGA-II genetic algorithm and dynamic thermal simulations by TRNSYS in a Pareto front of optimal design solutions. Results show that both the thickness and position of the insulation layer are crucial for obtaining high performance. The use of the date palm fiber as insulation material decreases 47% energy consumption per year, reducing the environmental impact greatly. These results reveal the potential of local bio-based materials to support a sustainable and cheap building design adapted to the Moroccan climate
Hemorrhagic Activity and Hemostatic Alterations Caused by Cerastes cerastes and
No full textSnakebite envenoming is a major global public health problem, causing approximately 5 million bites and 150,000 deaths each year, particularly in North Africa, where viper bites lead to significant morbidity and mortality. In Morocco, Cerastes cerastes and Daboia mauritanica are responsible for most severe viper envenomations. Their venoms are complex mixtures of bioactive proteins capable of inducing hemorrhage and profound disturbances in hemostasis. This study aimed to comparatively evaluate the hemorrhagic potential and coagulation effects of C. cerastes and D. mauritanica venoms using an experimental mouse model. Venoms were collected, processed, and quantified spectrophotometrically. Systemic toxicity was assessed via intraperitoneal LD50 assays, while local hemorrhagic activity was evaluated by measuring skin lesions following intradermal injection. Hemostatic alterations were analyzed two hours after administration of sublethal venom doses, including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen concentration, and platelet counts. Results showed that C. cerastes venom exhibited higher systemic toxicity, stronger local hemorrhagic activity, and more pronounced coagulation disturbances than D. mauritanica. These effects correspond with proteomic data indicating a higher abundance of metalloproteinases and serine proteases in C. cerastes venom. Overall, the findings confirm that C. cerastes envenomation is generally more severe than D. mauritanica bites and provide experimental evidence linking venom composition to hemorrhagic and hemostatic effects. This information may aid in clinical assessment of envenomation severity and support the development of more targeted antivenoms
Potential of Clay-Based Geomaterials for Passive Treatment of Brackish and Saline Waters
No full textThe increasing salinity and water scarcity of water resources are major problems in semi-arid or arid regions. This study examines the possibilities of a hybrid geomaterial based on clay to treat passively water bodies that are brackish or saline made from locally available Moroccan clays. A quaternary composite was developed by combining ghassoul with kaolinite as well as red ferruginous and illite and green ferruginous illite, to benefit from their complementary physicochemical characteristics. Chemical and mineral analyses reveal the synergistic impact of a high cation exchange capacity as well as iron oxide-driven anionic interaction as well as the stability of the structure. Simulated batch adsorption tests were carried out at beginning NaCl dosage of 1100 mg/L and using different weights of adsorbents. The results demonstrate a gradual reduction in equilibrium salinity as increasing clay dosage, and the maximum capacity for adsorption of 18 mg/g. Adsorption behavior was studied with the help of Langmuir as well as Freundlich isotherm model. While Langmuir analysis yields reliable estimates of the adsorption capacity however, the Freundlich model gives more accurate results, which indicates the multilayer and heterogeneous adsorption that is controlled by several active sites. The results confirm the fact that the composite of hybrid clay permits simultaneous reduction of sodium and chloride ions by combining Ion exchange and surface adsorption processes. With a potential desalination efficiency of 20–30 %, this low-tech solution is a viable and economical alternative for saline water pre-treatment or partial desalination to support ecologically responsible water management strategies in water-poor regions