Parabiotics (also termed paraprobiotics) are defined as non-viable microbial cells or their components, including peptidoglycans, teichoic acids, surface proteins, that confer health benefits without requiring viability which distinguishes them from traditional probiotics. Their non-viable nature eliminates risks such as microbial translocation, bacteremia, and sepsis, making them suitable for vulnerable populations including immunocompromised, critically ill, paediatric and elderly individuals. In addition, parabiotic exhibit improved thermal stability, extended shelf life, and easier incorporation into functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceutical formulations without cold-chain requirements. Mechanistically, parabiotics retain immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and have barrier-enhancing activities through interactions with host pattern recognition receptors, including Toll-like receptors, modulation of cytokine responses, and reinforcement of gut epithelial integrity. Preclinical and clinical studies support their therapeutic potential such as in case of heat-killed Lactobacillus acidophilus LB (L. acidophilus) has shown efficiency in managing acute paediatric diarrhoea, while heat-inactivated Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PS23 (Lcb. paracasei) has demonstrated improvements in muscle strength and inflammatory markers, including reduced C-reactive protein and interleukin-6 and increased interlukin-10 in elderly individuals. Similarly, inactivated Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (Lpb. plantarum) and Bifidobacterium strains have been associated with benefits in irritable bowel syndrome, atopic dermatitis, respiratory infections, visceral fat reduction, and antibiotic-associated dysbiosis. Synergistic combinations with prebiotics, postbiotics and related bioactives further enhance therapeutic outcomes in inflammatory, metabolic and infectious conditions. Advances in metagenomics, next-generation sequencing, proteomics, metabolomics, CRISPR-Cas systems, and synthetic biology are accelerating strain characterization, functional evaluation, and scalable production. Despite ongoing challenges in standardization and regulated harmonization, parabiotics represent a safe and effective approach for microbiome-targeted interventions. This review synthesizes current evidence on their therapeutic applications, technological advancements, and translational potential, highlighting their role in precision health and next-generation functional nutrition.
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized the field of genomics by providing rapid, high-throughput, and cost-effective platforms for analyzing genomes, transcriptomes, and epigenomes. Its application spans cancer genomics, infectious disease research, rare disease diagnostics, and precision medicine, enabling comprehensive detection of genetic variants and their functional implications. The advent of advanced methods such as single-cell sequencing, long-read technologies, and multi-omics integration has further expanded the scope of NGS, allowing unprecedented insights into cellular heterogeneity, structural variations, and systems-level interactions. These innovations have facilitated the identification of actionable mutations, supported biomarker discovery, and enhanced our understanding of complex biological processes in both research and clinical contexts. Despite these advancements, several challenges remain. The vast volume of sequencing data necessitates robust computational infrastructures for storage, processing, and interpretation. Sequencing error rates, though improving, continue to impact variant detection and clinical reliability. Ethical concerns regarding privacy, data sharing, and equitable access are also critical barriers that must be addressed, particularly in resource-limited settings. Moreover, translating genomic findings into clinically actionable outcomes requires standardized frameworks and interdisciplinary collaboration among clinicians, geneticists, and bioinformaticians. Looking ahead, the integration of artificial intelligence, machine learning, and automation into NGS data pipelines promises to significantly enhance accuracy, scalability, and clinical utility. These emerging innovations, coupled with global efforts to ensure accessibility and ethical implementation, position NGS as a cornerstone of precision medicine, paving the way for individualized treatment strategies and transformative improvements in healthcare delivery.
Vaccine adjuvants shape the magnitude and quality of adaptive immune responses by engaging innate sensing pathways. Among emerging platforms, agonists of the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway have gained significant attention due to their capacity to induce type I interferon responses, enhance antigen cross-presentation, and promote robust CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cell immunity. This review outlines the major classes of natural and synthetic STING agonists, their mechanisms of action, and their applications as vaccine adjuvants and stand-alone immunoprophylactic agents, with a particular focus on viral infections and virus-associated cancers. We also discuss their roles in cancer immunotherapy and highlight key translational challenges, including species-specific differences, human STING polymorphisms, and safety considerations related to excessive or prolonged pathway activation. Finally, we summarize emerging strategies aimed at optimizing STING agonist design, delivery, and precision targeting to improve safety and efficacy in next-generation vaccine and immunotherapy development.
RET fusions and activating mutations drive multiple human cancers, while resistance mutations limit the efficacy of current selective RET inhibitors. Here, we report CN-3, a potent RET inhibitor active against clinically relevant mutants, including solvent-front (G810R/S/C), gatekeeper (V804M), hinge (Y806H), and catalytic loop (M918T) variants. CN-3 inhibited all tested RET mutants (IC50 < 5 nM) and selectively suppressed proliferation of RET-driven cellular models, including TT (IC50 = 2.48 ± 0.78 nM) and LC-2/ad (IC50 = 17.05 ± 4.90 nM) cells, as well as Ba/F3 cells expressing RET fusions or mutations, without affecting RET-independent or normal cells. Mechanistically, CN-3 blocked RET autophosphorylation and downstream SHC/AKT/ERK signaling, inducing G0-G1 arrest and apoptosis. In RET-driven xenografts, CN-3 showed dose-dependent antitumor efficacy with good tolerability. Kinase profiling revealed moderate selectivity, with off-target activity mainly restricted to a limited group of receptor tyrosine kinases. These results support CN-3 as a promising lead for next-generation RET-targeted therapies.
Neurological disorders are often devastating and notoriously difficult to repair, creating an urgent need for novel research models and therapeutic strategies. Neural organoids-three-dimensional, self-assembling structures derived from stem cells-have emerged as a powerful platform to address this challenge. Supported by enabling technologies like bioreactors and 3D printing, advanced maturation protocols have significantly enhanced their cellular diversity and functional utility. This progress has paved the way for their widespread application in developmental studies, disease modelling, and notably, regenerative medicine. Focusing specifically on the latter, this article reviews how neural organoid transplantation opens new avenues for treating CNS injuries and degeneration. We first elaborate on the development, characteristics, and maturation strategies of neural organoids. We then summarise the translational applications and achievements of transplanting both whole neural organoids and their derived vesicles, analyse the prevailing challenges in the field, and finally, outline future directions to advance the therapeutic potential of this technology.
The demand for advanced automotive applications necessitated the development of 5G/6G multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) antennas. This work presents a low-profile antenna resonating at 5.9 GHz, suitable for vehicle-to-vehicle communication applications. The resonance is achieved through the use of a defected ground structure and geometric modifications to the radiator. The single element antenna is converted into a MIMO antenna by employing the elements perpendicular to each other. The unit cell antenna has dimensions of 12 mm × 11 mm, and the MIMO antenna measures 42.44 mm × 43.56 mm. The antenna reflection coefficient has been evaluated and is found to be less than -10 dB across the operating band. The tetra-port MIMO antenna achieves greater than 20 dB isolation without the use of any isolation structures. The proposed antenna shows the gain of 3.8 dBi, and efficiency of 87% at the operating frequency. Diversity parameters are evaluated to better understand the performance of the suggested MIMO antenna. The proposed MIMO antenna exhibits an envelope correlation coefficient below 0.1, a diversity gain above 9.9 dB, a total active reflection coefficient below -10 dB, channel capacity loss below 0.4 bits/s/Hz and MEG ratio is close to unity. When installed in the vehicle, the antenna is unaffected by interference from nearby radiators and the metal body of the car.
Diagnostic pathology has long relied on the morphological interpretation of hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained tissues to guide diagnosis and assess prognostic features. While pathologists intuitively recognize spatial patterns and architectural organization, these assessments remain largely qualitative and difficult to quantify systematically. Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence have introduced molecular specificity but are limited in multiplexing capacity, whereas bulk genomic and transcriptomic assays provide high molecular depth but lose spatial context by averaging signals across heterogeneous cell populations. Recent advances in spatial proteomics-including mass spectrometry-based imaging and cyclic immunofluorescence-now enable multiplexed, single-cell protein analysis within intact tissue architecture. These technologies have revealed complex immune and stromal microenvironments, spatially organized biomarkers predictive of therapeutic response, and molecular gradients underlying disease progression. By integrating histological and molecular information, spatial proteomics bridges traditional microscopy with high-dimensional omics, allowing quantitative, spatially resolved insights into tissue organization and disease mechanisms. This review summarizes recent developments in multiplexed spatial proteomics from both scientific and pathological perspectives, highlighting how these technologies extend beyond morphology to quantify histologic patterns, refine biomarker discovery, and facilitate clinical translation. The review also examines translational challenges and barriers to clinical implementation, including costs, standardization requirements, and workflow integration.
The article reviews the rapid expansion of office-based anesthesia driven by rising outpatient procedure volumes, cost savings, and patient and provider preference. It highlights the 6 P's: Patient, Procedure, Place, Personnel, Policies, and Practice Management as the core framework for safe practice. As more complex patients undergo ambulatory procedures, thoughtful patient and procedure selection, standardized protocols, accreditation, and robust emergency preparedness are essential. The authors emphasize the need for updated medical education and consistent regulatory oversight to ensure safety across diverse outpatient settings.
Myelofibrosis (MF) is a chronic myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by progressive cytopenias, splenomegaly, and constitutional symptoms. The hallmark of MF pathophysiology is constitutive activation of JAK/STAT signaling, which, in the majority of cases, is associated with an acquired mutation in one of three driver mutations, JAK2, CALR, or MPL. Our growing understanding of the molecular biology of MPNs has resulted in regulatory approval of four JAK inhibitors (JAKi), which have demonstrated efficacy in improving symptom burden and reducing spleen size. Despite clear benefits of JAKi therapy, including evidence of improved survival, these therapeutic interventions have not established an ability to modify disease in terms of resolution of bone marrow fibrosis or molecular remissions. Therefore, recent emphasis has been on the development of novel therapies with informed targets outside of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Moreover, combination approaches utilizing JAK and non-JAK targeting agents underscore the potential for disease modification along with deeper and more durable clinical responses. Emerging combination strategies and their clinical development will be reviewed here, including investigations that pair JAKi therapy with BCL-2 family inhibitors, BET inhibitors, restored p53 cell death signals, telomerase inhibitors, PIM1 kinase inhibitors, and mutant CALR targeted therapies. While several combination clinical trials suggest improved spleen and symptom responses and the possibility of disease modification, toxicity profiles and optimal sequencing remain areas of active investigation.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) has a broad range of symptoms and heterogenous trajectory that requires individualised care. To optimise shared decision-making between healthcare professionals (HCPs) and people with MS (PwMS), it is important to understand communication needs from the patient perspective at diagnosis and throughout their care journey. Two multinational online surveys were conducted to explore (1) communication needs around the time of diagnosis, and (2) PwMS empowerment in communicating their specific needs and symptoms. Questionnaires included ten close-ended questions and were shared among 100 PwMS aged 18-50 years in Australia, Spain, the UK and the USA. Anonymised data were analysed by a core panel of HCPs, PwMS and patient advocacy group representatives, and key recommendations were agreed. The majority of respondents were female (65-80%) and from the UK (80-87%). PwMS and caregivers are often overwhelmed and feel 'lost' at the time of diagnosis. Early regular contact is critical for effective delivery of key information and building a trusting relationship. PwMS value a clear explanation of the healthcare team and next steps, but only around a quarter (26%) had HCP roles clearly explained. PwMS are often uncertain if health changes are related to MS and 42% reported not feeling comfortable discussing 'invisible' symptoms such as cognitive, mood and emotional changes. Most respondents (54%) reported that their MS nurse was the person they were most likely to consult. Support services were not routinely offered; only 26% were informed about patient support groups. The most reported benefit of an MS-specific patient group was 'feeling less alone'. Regular HCP contact after diagnosis, peer group support for PwMS and their caregivers, signposting of reliable and accurate online resources and the timely offer of support services, including psychological support, should be routine elements of care from the point of diagnosis. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a long-lasting illness that affects the brain and spinal cord. In MS, the body’s own defence system attacks a coating around the nerves, which causes damage. This leads to many symptoms. Some are easy to see, like trouble walking or speaking. Others are ‘hidden’, such as feeling very tired, changes in mood, bladder problems or trouble remembering things. These hidden symptoms can impact quality of life, but they are often missed or ignored. The MS in the 21st Century (MS21) group works with people who have MS, doctors, nurses and patient support groups to make care better. To learn more about what people need, MS21 talked to 30 people recently diagnosed with MS in five European countries. They also did two online surveys with 100 people each in Australia, Spain, the UK and the USA. One survey asked about needs at diagnosis. The other asked about helping patients feel comfortable speaking with their care team. Four important needs came up: first, clear communication about what will happen next and who is in the care team; second, helpful information given at the right time, including for families; third, trusted resources like reliable websites and MS nurses; fourth, support services, such as counselling and patient groups to help with feelings of loneliness. Many people wanted more time with their doctors, more discussion about hidden symptoms and regular offers of emotional support. Meeting these needs early could help people manage MS better and feel more confident about their care.
Monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are promising materials for next-generation optoelectronic devices owing to their strong excitonic responses and atomic thickness. Controlling their light emission electrically is a crucial step toward realizing practical nanoscale optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes and optical modulators. However, photoluminescence (PL) quenching in van der Waals TMDC/metal heterostructures, caused by ultrafast interlayer charge or energy transfer, impedes such electrical modulation. Here, we investigate monolayer MoSe2/bulk NbSe2 heterostructures and demonstrate that a vertical electric field tunes the PL intensity by nearly 3 orders of magnitude in bare MoSe2 and by about 1 order of magnitude in the MoSe2/NbSe2 heterostructure. First-principles calculations with spin-orbit coupling reveal stronger electronic coupling and band hybridization in the MoSe2/NbSe2 heterostructure than in conventional graphene-based counterparts. This enhances the sensitivity to a perpendicular electric field and enables a transition between direct and indirect bandgaps, strongly affecting the photoluminescence response. Unlike bare MoSe2, the heterostructure exhibits a pronounced thermal dependence of the enhancement factor, implying that the exciton lifetime dominates over interfacial transfer processes. Our findings demonstrate reversible, electric-field-driven PL control at a TMDC/metal interface, providing a pathway to electrically tunable light emission and improved contact engineering in two-dimensional optoelectronic devices.
Respiratory epidemics often place substantial pressure on intensive care units (ICU), which are continuously challenged to managing acute and life-threatening conditions under unpredictable workloads. During these periods, ICUs usually exhibit inefficient patient flows, treatment delays, and critical resource shortages. Proactive decision-making and precise interventions are therefore pivotal for patient survival and minimizing long-term sequelae. This paper proposes a robust approach combining Artificial Intelligence (AI), Bayesian Optimization, and Digital Twin (DT) to support ICU patient flow management. An eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) algorithm is used to predict the patient transfer probability from the emergency department (ED) to the ICU within the next 24 h. Bayesian optimization is employed for efficient hyperparameter tuning of the XGBoost model. Then, the transfer predictions are inserted into a DT to verify ICU capacity for timely care and design interventions for process mismatches. A case study from a European healthcare group validates the proposed approach. The specificity of the prediction XGBoost model was 94.90% (CI 95% 91.72% - 97.11%), whereas the sensitivity was 81.55% (CI 95% 72.70% - 88.51%). Finally, the median ICU bed waiting time decreased to between 66.74 and 69.38 h after implementing a patient transfer policy with a partner hospital having available ICU beds. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of AI-DT in predicting the probability of ICU transfers, assessing the operational response of emergency wards and intensive care units, and crafting practical scenarios for enhancing patient flow management.
Soft electronic devices require durability to endure their inherent exposure to diverse mechanical deformations, including scratches, punctures, and repeated bending. Without intrinsic damage recovery mechanisms, such deformations inevitably compromise mechanical integrity and limit device lifetime. To address this issue, the strategic incorporation of reversible dynamic bonds enables autonomous self-healing while simultaneously achieving high mechanical toughness through energy dissipation during bond rupture. To this end, optimizing the glass transition temperature and bond exchange kinetics is essential to ensure sufficient chain mobility for rapid interfacial diffusion and autonomous mechanical recovery. Building on the reversible bond nature, this review presents emerging self-healable and tough soft electronics applications in three major areas: (1) Multimodal electronic skins capable of comprehensive physiological signal sensing; (2) modularly reconfigurable systems with adhesive-free interlayer bonding that enable user-on-demand device assembly; (3) optoelectronic devices that seamlessly integrate light-emitting and pressure-sensing capabilities. These applications demonstrate that dynamic bond engineering enables elastomeric devices to simultaneously achieve mechanical robustness, functional adaptability, and autonomous self-healing. Such advancements position them as durable platforms with extended operational lifetimes, paving the way for next-generation wearable and implantable bioelectronics in real-world applications.
Targeted delivery of drugs and hyperthermia in cardiovascular disease demand the accurate delivery of nanoparticles in complex arterial geometries. This paper introduces combined hybrid computational model that concomitantly examines the combined impact of nanoparticle radius and interparticle spacing on the thermal and mass transport characteristics of ternary bio-nanofluid flow under magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect. The ternary fluid is composed of blood fluid with suspended nanoparticles such as gold (Au), silver (Ag) silica (SiO2). The mathematical model accounts for geometric properties of nanoparticles such as nanoparticles radius and interparticle spacing for their practical utility for several medical interventions. The numerical analysis is based on hybrid computational strategy, where the solutions are determined through the bvp4c numerical solver and then a novel supervised multi hidden layers Artificial neural network (ANN) is integrated. The proposed model has a high predictive capability with an exceptionally high accuracy with the lowest Mean squared error and ideal regression coefficient MSE=9.6327×10-11, Gradient=9.5681e-08, Mu=1e-09, and R2=1.0. Some of the main findings indicate that less spacing between particles (h=0.1) leads to continuous networks of thermal percolation, which enhance the thermal conductivity by up to 35% to improve the efficiency of hyperthermia, whereas the larger nanoparticles (radius ≥1.5) offer a higher drug-loading capacity, yet the rate of heat transfer decreases by 15-20%. Optimization of the magnetic parameter (M=0.1-0.7) also decreases flow velocity by 28% and extends the nanoparticle residence time at the stenosis by 35% which allows sustained drug delivery, results directly applicable to clinical-strength (1.5-3T) MRI-guided interventions. Radiation parameter (Rd=0.5-2.5) increases temperature of the arteries by 15-20% giving controllable thermal modulation to applications of hyperthermia. The proposed model predicts that optimal nanoparticle preparations (50 nm radius, 20 nm spacing) have to potential to lower the rate of restenosis by 30-40% in relation to traditional drug-eluting stents. The purpose of such an integrated computational-machine learning systems is to give quantitative advice to stent coating design, nanoparticle formulation, and optimization of treatment protocols, and has been directly used in biomedical interventions. The results can be used to offer practical advice to stent manufactures, interventional radiologist and pharmaceutical developers to create evidence-based cardiovascular therapy of the next generation.
DNA hydrogels that integrate programmable DNA into three-dimensional networks offer unique advantages in precise target recognition and efficient signal transduction. These properties enable them to overcome critical limitations of conventional platforms, such as poor stability, matrix interference, and high cost, thereby making them highly attractive for biomedicine. Recent research has focused on customizing DNA hydrogels to enhance sensing performance and expand therapeutic potential. This review systematically summarizes recent advances of DNA hydrogels in biosensing and drug delivery. We first introduce major synthesis routes and design principles. These include crosslinking density regulation and stability protection. Then, we analyze the mechanisms of DNA hydrogels in biosensing and drug delivery. Next, we review their applications in medical detection, disease treatment, and theranostic platforms. Finally, we discuss current challenges and future directions. This review aims to provide a reference for rational design and translational application of DNA hydrogel systems.
MET amplification/overexpression is a key resistance mechanism to EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, real-world evidence remains limited regarding the efficacy of vebreltinib plus an EGFR-TKI. This single-center retrospective study enrolled patients with EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC and MET amplification/overexpression after prior EGFR-TKI failure, who received vebreltinib plus an EGFR-TKI. MET alteration was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (MET gene copy number of ≥ 5 or MET/CEP7 ratio of ≥ 2.0), next-generation sequencing (MET gene copy number of ≥ 5), or immunohistochemistry (c-MET 3 + ). The efficacy was assessed by RECIST 1.1 and safety by CTCAE 5.0. Among the 49 patients, the combination therapy reported an objective response rate (ORR) of 46.9%, disease control rate of 91.8%, median progression-free survival (PFS) of 8.5 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 4.5-10.2], and median overall survival (OS) of 16.0 months (95% CI: 14.7-not reached). Patients with brain metastases (n = 23) reported an intracranial ORR of 69.6% and intracranial PFS of 9.7 months (95% CI: 5.12-not reached). Strong c-MET expression (immunohistochemistry 3 + ) was associated with significantly longer OS (not reached vs. 14.7 months,p = 0.033). Treatment-related adverse events occurred in 67.3% of patients (mostly grade 1-2), with peripheral edema as the most common type (30.6%). No permanent therapy discontinuation occurred. Vebreltinib plus an EGFR-TKI demonstrates favorable efficacy and manageable safety in real-world NSCLC patients with MET-driven resistance, with notable intracranial activity. Immunohistochemistry 3 + may serve as a practical predictive biomarker.
Genetically engineered bacterial protein nanoparticles (GVs-E.coli) enhance the therapeutic efficacy of high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) by virtue of their intrinsic tumor tropism, favorable biosafety profile, and inherent cavitation activity. However, the cavitation behavior of GVs-E.coli has not been systematically characterized, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain poorly elucidated presenting a critical knowledge gap that limits their optimal theranostic application. Herein, we investigated the cavitation behaviors of GVs-E.coli within a wall-free flow channel embedded in tissue-mimicking agarose phantoms using a customized ultrasound platform. Passive cavitation detection (PCD) was performed under varying peak negative pressures (PNPs) and bacterial concentrations, with acoustic emissions analyzed in both time and frequency domains. Our results revealed that the stable cavitation (SC) threshold of GVs-E.coli was 1.6 MPa and the inertial cavitation (IC) threshold was 2.2 MPa. Cavitation dose was positively correlated with PNP, yet harmonics and sub-harmonics exhibited distinct growth patterns.A critical concentration threshold of OD600 (optical density at 600 nm) = 1.0 was identified for robust cavitation activity. These findings lay the groundwork for optimizing GVs-E.coli-mediated ultrasound therapies and accelerate their clinical translation as next-generation sonosensitizers.
The fast-evolving IT sector necessitates intelligent electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials capable of real-time, environment-responsive. While current approaches based on reconstructing conductive networks through mechanical strain enable dynamically responsive shielding, but face a narrow tuning range, inadequate stability, and practical limitations. To address this, we propose an electric/magnetic field synergistic regulation strategy. This approach enables precise control over the alignment angle between reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and nickel nanowires (NiNWs) by manipulating the external field direction, producing rGO@NiNWs/polyimide aerogels with 3D ordered networks. Leveraging this design, the aerogels achieve reversible, wide-range tuning of EMI shielding performance through simple physical rotation, enabling reliable "on/off" switching capability. The oriented structure also optimizes both filler interconnection efficiency and interfacial polarization. With an rGO@NiNWs content of 80 wt.% and an inter-phase angle of 90°, the aerogels demonstrate excellent ultra-wideband EMI shielding performance across gigahertz and terahertz bands, with an average shielding effectiveness of 85 dB in the terahertz band, alongside good stability in extreme environments. Finite element simulations further reveal how the spatial configuration of rGO@NiNWs governs the shielding behavior and intelligent response mechanism. This study paves the way for next-generation intelligent electromagnetic protection materials, with promising potential for aerospace and wearable applications.
Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance is widely used to assess explosive lower-limb function in football players. Although knee isokinetic strength is frequently measured in elite sport environments, the extent to which it relates to CMJ performance remains unclear, particularly when CMJ is performed with free arm movement. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between knee isokinetic muscle strength characteristics and CMJ performance in elite male football players. Twenty-four elite male football players (age 23.83 ± 5.98 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. CMJ height was assessed using an optical measurement system (Optojump Next). Concentric knee extensor and flexor peak torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s and expressed as peak torque/body weight% (PT/BW,%). Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between isokinetic strength variables and CMJ performance. Bilateral differences, hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) ratios, and inter-limb asymmetries were also analyzed. Significant positive correlations were observed between CMJ height and knee extensor peak torque expressed as PT/BW (%) at both angular velocities. Stronger relationships were found at 180°/s (r = 0.558-0.642, p ≤ 0.005) compared with 60°/s (r = 0.483-0.500, p < 0.05). Regression analyses showed that knee extensor strength at 180°/s explained up to 41.2% of the variance in CMJ height. Hamstring strength demonstrated weaker and less consistent associations with CMJ performance, while H/Q ratios and inter-limb asymmetries were not significantly related to jump height. Quadriceps isokinetic strength expressed as PT/BW (%) was significantly associated with CMJ performance in elite male football players, with stronger relationships observed at higher angular velocity. These findings suggest that knee extensor strength assessed at higher angular velocity is meaningfully associated with explosive lower-limb performance and may provide useful complementary information within routine neuromuscular monitoring in professional football.
Autologous grafts remain the clinical gold standard for vascular reconstruction; however, their use is limited by donor site morbidity, poor availability, and long-term failure. Synthetic alternatives, while effective in large-caliber vessels, fail in small-diameter applications (<6 mm) due to thrombosis, intimal hyperplasia, and biomechanical mismatch. In this context, tissue-engineered vascular grafts (TEVGs) emerge as a solution, requiring biomaterials that closely replicate the structural, mechanical, and hemocompatible properties of native vessels. Aliphatic polyesters such as polylactic acid, polyglycolic acid, and poly(ε-caprolactone) are extensively studied but show poor endothelialization and mechanical deficiency. In contrast, poly(butylene trans-1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylate) (PBCE) attracts interest for its biocompatibility, thermal stability, and processability. Its copolymerization with Pripol 1009, a commercial fatty diacid, enables modulation of mechanical properties and degradation rate, two of the key parameters for vascular engineering. In this work, electrospun scaffolds based on these copolymers are fabricated in flat and tubular formats and characterized in terms of morphology, mechanical behavior, hemocompatibility, and endothelialization potential. Certain formulations display mechanical properties comparable to native vessels, support endothelialization and smooth muscle cell adhesion, and do not trigger coagulation pathways in in vitro assays. These results identify PBCE/Pripol copolymers as promising candidates for next-generation TEVGs, bridging the gap between synthetic reliability and biological performance in small-diameter vascular applications.