Nihoul's vertically averaged equation remains widely used for operational oil spill modeling because it offers a simple, computationally efficient formulation and an analytical similarity solution that serves as a robust benchmark for validating numerical schemes. However, its reliance on a predefined parabolic slick profile introduces systematic errors at the slick periphery. Relative to laboratory observations, the parabolic profile underestimates the slick radius and overestimates thickness near the tail end. The simulated slick thickness fields, spatial extent, and spreading persistence represent physical hazard-related indicators describing the intensity and footprint of surface contamination. To address these limitations, we enhanced Nihoul's spreading equation and applied to a spill problem where surface tension forces oppose the late stage spreading. The new formulation admits both a closed form analytical solution and a numerical solution, representing, to our knowledge, the first joint analytical-numerical treatment of this extension. From these solutions, we derived new practical expressions for the slick extent and thickness distribution near termination, yielding an improved representation of the tail end profile. Comparisons with laboratory-scale spill experiments demonstrate improved agreement relative to the classical parabolic similarity solution, particularly for outer-radius growth and thinning behavior. The proposed approach provides a computationally efficient extension of existing spreading models, improving physical realism without the prohibitive cost of fully multiphase simulations.

This paper traces the evolution of the biological standard of living in Switzerland using anthropometric evidence from approximately 22,000 Swiss mercenaries born between c. 1725 and c. 1865. The data reveal a marked decline in average height beginning in the 1770s and persisting throughout the first half of the nineteenth century, with no clear signs of recovery. Mercenaries born before 1800 were on average 2.5 cm taller than those born thereafter, pointing to a sustained deterioration in net nutritional status and health conditions. We account for variations in recruitment standards by estimating minimum height thresholds and potential selection effects across regiments. Although the mercenary sample represents a specific population group, the results are consistent with the economic difficulties of the late eighteenth century, the strains associated with early industrialization, and existing anthropometric evidence from Switzerland and other parts of Europe. Together, the findings suggest a prolonged decline in biological living standards during a critical phase of economic and social transformation.

Despite advancements in assisted reproductive technologies, such as preimplantation genetic testing, clinical success rates have plateaued, thereby increasing the clinical focus on the endometrial factor. Chronic endometritis (CE), a persistent and often asymptomatic mucosal inflammation, is an underdiagnosed condition associated with reproductive failure, particularly in cohorts with repeated implantation failure (RIF) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). This review examines the evolving understanding of CE pathophysiology, transitioning from a traditional infection model toward a framework involving endometrial dysbiosis and potential bacterial biofilm formation. These microbial alterations are hypothesized to trigger maladaptive immune activation and may induce persistent epigenetic modifications that desynchronize endometrial receptivity. We critically evaluate current diagnostic modalities, addressing controversies regarding CD138 immunohistochemistry thresholds and the interpretive limitations of molecular microbiome screening associated with relic DNA. Therapeutically, while antibiotic regimens remain the standard of care, there is conflicting evidence regarding their universal clinical efficacy. Consequently, we review the rationale for transitioning from generalized broad-spectrum microbial eradication toward antibiotic stewardship and targeted ecological restoration using biotherapeutics. Synthesis of current evidence, including data from euploid embryo transfers, suggests that resolving histopathological inflammation improves live birth rates in specific high-risk cohorts. The future management of CE necessitates the implementation of risk-stratified algorithms and therapeutic strategies that focus on functional endometrial recovery rather than isolated histological clearance.

Recent studies employing advanced technologies have supported the notion that definitive hematopoiesis, including the generation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), originates from hemogenic endothelial cells (HECs). However, controversies persist regarding the nature, origin, and fate of HSC-generating HECs. This review synthesizes recent studies utilizing high-precision techniques, including single-cell transcriptomics, low-input epigenomics, and single-cell functional assays, to summarize advances in the enrichment markers, functional characteristics, and developmental trajectory of HSC-generating HECs. It further details the continuum nature of multiple refined cellular stages, ranging from the upstream arterial endothelial cells in the aorta as precursors of HECs to the downstream pre-hematopoietic stem cells. Additionally, this review addresses existing controversies by synthesizing relevant evidence and proposes directions and strategies for future research.

Edwardsiella piscicida is an intracellular bacterial pathogen that causes intestinal injury and hemorrhagic sepsis in marine and freshwater animals. VgrG (valine-glycine repeat protein G) has been identified as a crucial virulence factor in the type VI secretion system (T6SS) of the bacterium, but its role and mechanism involved in E. piscicida-host interactions remain unclear. In this study, we found that the wild-type E. piscicida strain markedly induced host cell ferritin degradation and elevated intracellular Fe²⁺ levels, but a vgrG deletion mutant (ΔvgrG) strain failed to induce similar effects in fish cells, indicating the role of VgrG in the regulation of iron metabolism. However, in the NCOA4 (nuclear receptor coactivator 4, a selective cargo receptor that binds ferritin)-knockout fish cells, VgrG did not alter ferritin protein expression and E. piscicida-promoted intracellular Fe²⁺ levels, suggesting that VgrG caused iron storage disorders via NCOA4-dependent ferritinophagy. In support of this notion, VgrG overexpression was found to facilitate the co-localization of ferritin with autophagosomes and lysosomes, and also drove the interaction of NCOA4 with lysosomes, strengthening the involvement of this effector in mediating NCOA4-dependent ferritinophagy. Notably, in NCOA4-knockout cells, the inhibitory effect of VgrG on the intracellular growth of E. piscicida was further magnified, particularly highlighting the role of VgrG-induced ferritinophagy in augmenting bacterial intracellular survival. Moreover, zebrafish infected with the ΔvgrG strain had a much higher survival rate than those infected with the wild-type strain. In summary, our data revealed a new function of VgrG in maintaining the persistence of E. piscicida within host cells, which advanced our understanding of how intracellular pathogens target ferritinophagy to evade the host's immune surveillance. Moreover, this work also supported the potential for developing defense strategies against E. piscicida based on the VgrG-induced ferritinophagy response in fish.

Study DesignRandomized controlled trial.ObjectivesTo characterize postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP) trajectories as predictors of surgical site infection (SSI) following lumbar spine surgery, to determine optimal CRP thresholds, and to assess whether intrawound vancomycin powder affects postoperative CRP kinetics.MethodsData were drawn from a prospective randomized controlled trial enrolling 292 patients undergoing posterior lumbar interbody fusion. Patients received intrawound vancomycin powder (1 g) plus standard prophylaxis or standard prophylaxis alone. CRP was measured preoperatively and on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. SSI was classified as overt (CDC criteria) or subclinical. ROC analysis evaluated prediction of any SSI at each time point.Results22 patients (7.5%) developed any SSI: 9 overt (3.1%) and 13 subclinical (4.5%). CRP peaked at day 5 in the overall cohort. SSI patients showed persistently elevated CRP through day 7, while uncomplicated patients declined after day 3. Day 7 CRP showed the highest discriminatory ability (AUC = 0.813; cutoff ≥79 mg/L; sensitivity 61.1%; specificity 91.4%; NPV 95.2%). Vancomycin did not alter CRP kinetics at any time point (all P > 0.08).ConclusionsIn 292 spine surgery patients, day 7 CRP (AUC = 0.813) was the strongest predictor of any SSI. A cutoff of 79 mg/L on day 7 provided NPV of 95.2%, supporting CRP as a rule-out biomarker. Day 3 CRP ≥92 mg/L (AUC = 0.761) offers early warning capability. CRP trajectories did not differ significantly between the vancomycin and control groups. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02631408; EudraCT: 2014-002096-29.

Lens-induced uveitis is an adaptive, immune-mediated reaction to lens proteins that are exposed to the anterior chamber. Although uncommon, its clinical presentation and management remain variable, and no standardized care algorithm exists. We aim to review the clinical characteristics, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies for lens-induced uveitis as reported in the literature.

Health care innovation is essential for improving patient outcomes, enhancing system efficiency, and preparing for future challenges; however, meaningful progress is often hindered by entrenched barriers such as resistance to change, fragmented interdisciplinary collaboration, and constrained financial and human resources. These persistent obstacles make it difficult for health care systems to translate creative ideas into sustainable, real-world improvements, underscoring the need for structured approaches that support collaboration and reduce implementation friction. To address these challenges, we developed the Actionable Innovation Day (AID) approach, a structured, participatory model designed to generate consensus-based, low-cost recommendations that are feasible for system improvement. The first regional AID event in Eastern Ontario gathered 57 multidisciplinary participants, including clinicians, administrators, patient partners, and industry leaders, for a full-day series of presentations, facilitated discussions, and targeted breakout sessions focused on critical care. Through guided deliberation and collaborative analysis, participants synthesized diverse perspectives into a prioritized set of improvement opportunities. The process yielded 28 actionable recommendations across 4 domains: health care innovation, regionalized care, critical care practices, and the use of artificial intelligence. A postevent survey (86% response rate) showed strong agreement, with 23 recommendations rated above 4 on a 5-point scale. The highest-ranked proposals emphasized the value of strengthening research-industry-clinical partnerships, integrating families more intentionally into intensive care unit rehabilitation and recovery processes, and implementing centralized regional coordination to optimize critical care capacity. Together, these findings illustrate not only the feasibility of the AID model but also the AID model's ability to surface strategic, context-appropriate solutions that resonate across stakeholder groups. The AID process offers a scalable and adaptable template for advancing health care innovation through collaborative, real-world problem-solving. While this initial event focused on critical care, the underlying principles of structured engagement, iterative consensus building, and interdisciplinary co-design are broadly applicable to many sectors of health care. We encourage institutions, regional networks, and health system leaders to adopt and tailor the AID framework to their own local priorities, recognizing that inclusive innovation processes can accelerate system improvement even in resource-limited settings. Ultimately, the AID approach serves as both a methodology and a call to action: by empowering teams to collectively identify, refine, and champion actionable ideas, health care organizations can build the capacity and culture necessary to drive meaningful and sustained innovation across diverse clinical and operational domains.

Extended Reality (XR) technologies offer growing potential to support accessibility and inclusion for individuals with disabilities. While XR has been widely applied in rehabilitation, its role in assisting daily tasks remains underexplored. This study aims to systematically examine how XR can enhance autonomy and inclusion in everyday life for people with disabilities. A systematic review was conducted using PRISMA methodology. Peer-reviewed articles published through August 2025 were selected from Scopus, IEEE, Embase, and PMC. Inclusion criteria focused on XR interventions aimed at assisting individuals with disabilities in performing daily activities. XR applications demonstrated strong potential to enhance independence, skill development, and social participation across areas such as navigation, vocational training, education, and communication. Positive user feedback was common, especially for systems offering personalisation and adaptability. However, limitations were also noted, including high hardware costs, lack of inclusive design, limited personalisation, and insufficient long-term validation. XR technologies can effectively enhance daily living for individuals with disabilities, but their broader impact depends on overcoming persistent barriers in accessibility, cost, and scalability. Future development should focus on adaptive, user-centered solutions that are inclusive, affordable, and validated in real-world contexts.