The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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46 pages, 2878 KiB  
Article
A Stratal Phonological Analysis of Stem-Level and Word-Level Effects in Old French Compensatory Vowel Lengthening upon Coda /s/ Deletion
by Francisco Antonio Montaño
Languages 2024, 9(5), 177; https://doi.org/10.3390/languages9050177 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The well-known deletion of coda sibilants in Old French (11th–14th centuries) induced a compensatory lengthening effect on the preceding vowel, generally described as applying uniformly where coda /s/ was lost. This study highlights and analyzes phonological contexts where lengthening likely did not occur, [...] Read more.
The well-known deletion of coda sibilants in Old French (11th–14th centuries) induced a compensatory lengthening effect on the preceding vowel, generally described as applying uniformly where coda /s/ was lost. This study highlights and analyzes phonological contexts where lengthening likely did not occur, examining their interaction with stress assignment, vowel quality, schwa adjustment, prothesis, and morphological structure. The Stratal OT analysis formalizes the proposed pattern differentiating the long and short vowel reflexes identified especially for mid vowels: while categorical in tonic syllables and low vowels /a, ɑ/ irrespective of stress, lengthening only prevails in atonic mid vowels when coda /s/ deletion impacts a syllable assigned stress within the specific stratal phonological cycle when /s/ is deleted from input. The resulting length is transmitted and preserved in subsequent stratal cycles regardless of eventual word-level stress reassignment, especially (but not exclusively) because of word-level schwa adjustment, allowing a shift to word-final stress and producing an opacity effect of a long atonic mid vowel inherited from an earlier cycle. The stratal account formalizes observed analogical effects between lexical items and derived forms with respect to vowel quality and length and proposes them to result instead from the interplay of morphology and phonology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Phonetic and Phonological Complexity in Romance Languages)
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12 pages, 669 KiB  
Article
Sarcopenia Prevalence among Hospitalized Patients with Severe Obesity: An Observational Study
by Raffaella Cancello, Ettore Brenna, Davide Soranna, Antonella Zambon, Valentina Villa, Gianluca Castelnuovo, Lorenzo Maria Donini, Luca Busetto, Paolo Capodaglio and Amelia Brunani
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(10), 2880; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102880 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is the combination of excess fat, skeletal muscle and muscular strength/function deficit. The ESPEN/EASO have proposed new diagnostic criteria, but the SO prevalence in patients with severe obesity remains to be established. The aim of this study was [...] Read more.
Background: Sarcopenic obesity (SO) is the combination of excess fat, skeletal muscle and muscular strength/function deficit. The ESPEN/EASO have proposed new diagnostic criteria, but the SO prevalence in patients with severe obesity remains to be established. The aim of this study was to establish the SO prevalence in a large cohort of inpatients with obesity, considering sex, age, BMI, type, and number of concomitant diseases. Methods: Patient data of both genders aged between 18 and 90 years with a body mass index (BMI) of ≥30 kg/m2 underwent hospital evaluation including bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and handgrip strength (HS). QoL scores were obtained by the Psychological General Well-Being Index questionnaire. The study was approved by the institutional Ethic Committee. Results: Among the 3858 patients, 444 (11.51%) exhibited a strength deficit, while 3847 (99.71%) had skeletal muscle mass deficit. The prevalence of SO was then 11.48%, with higher rates in women (12.39%), in individuals aged >70 years (27%), and in those reporting a ‘poor’ QoL (12.6%). No significant difference in SO prevalence was found when stratifying by BMI (30–40 kg/m2 vs. >40 kg/m2, p = 0.1710). In SO patients, osteoarticular diseases (57%), hypertension/heart failure (38%), type 2 diabetes mellitus (34%), and obstructive sleep apnea (32%) were the more frequent comorbidities. Conclusions: The application of ESPEN/EASO-SO criteria in a cohort of inpatients with severe obesity revealed 11.48% SO prevalence, which was associated with age (particularly > 70 years), gender (women), but not BMI, as determinants. Disease staging and QoL screening may improve the identification of SO high-risk patients. Full article
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32 pages, 15061 KiB  
Article
Assessing the Sound and Heat Insulation Characteristics of Layered Nonwoven Composite Structures Composed of Meltblown and Recycled Thermo-Bonded Layers
by Emel Çinçik and Eda Aslan
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1391; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101391 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Sound and heat insulation are among the most important concerns in modern life and nonwoven composite structures are highly effective in noise reduction and heat insulation. In this study, three layered nonwoven composite structures composed of a recycled polyester (r-Pet)-based thermo-bonded nonwoven outer [...] Read more.
Sound and heat insulation are among the most important concerns in modern life and nonwoven composite structures are highly effective in noise reduction and heat insulation. In this study, three layered nonwoven composite structures composed of a recycled polyester (r-Pet)-based thermo-bonded nonwoven outer layer and meltblown nonwovens from Polypropylene (PP) and Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) as inner layers were formed to provide heat and sound insulation. Fiber fineness and cross-section of the thermo-bonded outer layer, fiber type (PP/PBT), areal weight (100/200 g/m2) and process conditions (calendared/non-calendared) of the meltblown inner layer were changed systematically and the influence of these independent variables on thickness, bulk density, air permeability, sound absorption coefficient and thermal resistance of composite structures were analyzed statistically by using Design Expert 13 software. Additionally, the results were compared with composite structures including an electrospun nanofiber web inner layer and with structures without an inner layer. It was concluded that comparable or even better sound absorption values were achieved with the developed nonwoven composites containing meltblown layers compared to nanofiber-included composites and the materials in previous studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Progress in Polymer Applications)
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25 pages, 2538 KiB  
Review
Related Work and Motivation for Electric Vehicle Solar/Wind Charging Stations: A Review
by Radwan A. Almasri, Talal Alharbi, M. S. Alshitawi, Omar Alrumayh and Salman Ajib
World Electr. Veh. J. 2024, 15(5), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj15050215 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The shift towards sustainable transportation is an urgent worldwide issue, leading to the investigation of creative methods to decrease the environmental effects of traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative, but the issue lies in establishing efficient and environmentally friendly charging [...] Read more.
The shift towards sustainable transportation is an urgent worldwide issue, leading to the investigation of creative methods to decrease the environmental effects of traditional vehicles. Electric vehicles (EVs) are a promising alternative, but the issue lies in establishing efficient and environmentally friendly charging infrastructure. This review explores the existing research on the subject of photovoltaic-powered electric vehicle charging stations (EVCSs). Our analysis highlights the potential for economic growth and the creation of robust and decentralized energy systems by increasing the number of EVCSs. This review summarizes the current knowledge in this field and highlights the key factors driving efforts to expand the use of PV-powered EVCSs. The findings indicate that MATLAB was predominantly used for theoretical studies, with projects focusing on shading parking lots. The energy usage varied from 0.139 to 0.295 kWh/km, while the cost of energy ranged from USD 0.0032 to 0.5645 per kWh for an on-grid system. The payback period (PBP) values are suitable for this application. The average PBP was demonstrated to range from 1 to 15 years. The findings from this assessment can guide policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders in shaping future advancements toward a cleaner and more sustainable transportation system. Full article
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32 pages, 430 KiB  
Article
Mild Solutions for w-Weighted, Φ-Hilfer, Non-Instantaneous, Impulsive, w-Weighted, Fractional, Semilinear Differential Inclusions of Order μ ∈ (1,2) in Banach Spaces
by Zainab Alsheekhhussain, Ahmed Gamal Ibrahim, M. Mossa Al-Sawalha and Khudhayr A. Rashedi
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(5), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8050289 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this work is to obtain novel and interesting results for mild solutions to a semilinear differential inclusion involving a w-weighted, Φ-Hilfer, fractional derivative of order μ(1,2) with non-instantaneous impulses in Banach spaces [...] Read more.
The aim of this work is to obtain novel and interesting results for mild solutions to a semilinear differential inclusion involving a w-weighted, Φ-Hilfer, fractional derivative of order μ(1,2) with non-instantaneous impulses in Banach spaces with infinite dimensions when the linear term is the infinitesimal generator of a strongly continuous cosine family and the nonlinear term is a multi-valued function. First, we determine the formula of the mild solution function for the considered semilinear differential inclusion. Then, we give sufficient conditions to ensure that the mild solution set is not empty or compact. The desired results are achieved by using the properties of both the w-weighted Φ-Laplace transform, w-weighted ψ-convolution and the measure of non-compactness. Since the operator, the w-weighted Φ-Hilfer, includes well-known types of fractional differential operators, our results generalize several recent results in the literature. Moreover, our results are novel because no one has previously studied these types of semilinear differential inclusions. Finally, we give an illustrative example that supports our theoretical results. Full article
29 pages, 8038 KiB  
Article
Pore Fractal Characteristics between Marine and Marine–Continental Transitional Black Shales: A Case Study of Niutitang Formation and Longtan Formation
by Shitan Ning, Peng Xia, Fang Hao, Jinqiang Tian, Yong Fu and Ke Wang
Fractal Fract. 2024, 8(5), 288; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract8050288 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Marine shales from the Niutitang Formation and marine–continental transitional shales from the Longtan Formation are two sets of extremely important hydrocarbon source rocks in South China. In order to quantitatively compare the pore complexity characteristics between marine and marine–continental transitional shales, the shale [...] Read more.
Marine shales from the Niutitang Formation and marine–continental transitional shales from the Longtan Formation are two sets of extremely important hydrocarbon source rocks in South China. In order to quantitatively compare the pore complexity characteristics between marine and marine–continental transitional shales, the shale and kerogen of the Niutitang Formation and the Longtan Formation are taken as our research subjects. Based on organic petrology, geochemistry, and low-temperature gas adsorption analyses, the fractal dimension of their pores is calculated by the Frenkel–Halsey–Hill (FHH) and Sierpinski models, and the influences of total organic carbon (TOC), vitrinite reflectance (Ro), and mineral composition on the pore fractals of the shale and kerogen are discussed. Our results show the following: (1) Marine shale predominantly has wedge-shaped and slit pores, while marine–continental transitional shale has inkpot-shaped and slit pores. (2) Cylindrical pores are common in organic matter of both shale types, with marine shale having a greater gas storage space (CRV) from organic matter pores, while marine–continental transitional shale relies more on inorganic pores, especially interlayer clay mineral pores, for gas storage due to their large specific surface area and high adsorption capacity (CRA). (3) The fractal characteristics of marine and marine–continental transitional shale pores are influenced differently. In marine shale, TOC positively correlates with fractal dimensions, while in marine–continental shale, Ro and clay minerals have a stronger influence. Ro is the primary factor affecting organic matter pore complexity. (4) Our two pore fractal models show that the complexity of the shale in the Longtan Formation surpasses that of the shale in the Niutitang Formation, and type I kerogen has more complex organic matter pores than type III, aiding in evaluating pore connectivity and flow effectiveness in shale reservoirs. Full article
11 pages, 692 KiB  
Article
Economic Rationality in Decision-Making Regarding Newborn Screening: A Case Study in Quebec
by Van Hoa Ho, Yves Giguère and Daniel Reinharz
Int. J. Neonatal Screen. 2024, 10(2), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijns10020036 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Health systems in high-resource countries recognize the importance of making decisions about the services offered to the population based on scientific evidence. Producing this evidence is especially challenging in areas such as newborn care where the frequency of conditions is rare. However, methodological [...] Read more.
Health systems in high-resource countries recognize the importance of making decisions about the services offered to the population based on scientific evidence. Producing this evidence is especially challenging in areas such as newborn care where the frequency of conditions is rare. However, methodological advances in the field of economic evaluation could change how this evidence is used in decision-making. This study aimed to investigate how decision-makers in the Canadian province of Quebec perceive the value of recent advances in economic evaluations for perinatal studies and how these advances might affect the offer of neonatal interventions in the public health care system. A qualitative study was conducted. A total of 10 policymakers were interviewed. A neo-institutional conceptual framework highlighting three dimensions, structure, power, and interpretive schemes, was used for data collection and analyses. Structural factors, interpretative schemes, and power management between the groups concerned concur to ensure that providing services to newborns is not hindered by the difficulty of producing evidence. They also ensure that the decisions regarding which disease to screen for take into consideration the specificity of neonatology, in particular, the social value given to children not captured by available evidence. Full article
28 pages, 1514 KiB  
Article
Intelligent Learning-Based Methods for Determining the Ideal Team Size in Agile Practices
by Rodrigo Olivares, Rene Noel, Sebastián M. Guzmán, Diego Miranda and Roberto Munoz
Biomimetics 2024, 9(5), 292; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9050292 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
One of the significant challenges in scaling agile software development is organizing software development teams to ensure effective communication among members while equipping them with the capabilities to deliver business value independently. A formal approach to address this challenge involves modeling it as [...] Read more.
One of the significant challenges in scaling agile software development is organizing software development teams to ensure effective communication among members while equipping them with the capabilities to deliver business value independently. A formal approach to address this challenge involves modeling it as an optimization problem: given a professional staff, how can they be organized to optimize the number of communication channels, considering both intra-team and inter-team channels? In this article, we propose applying a set of bio-inspired algorithms to solve this problem. We introduce an enhancement that incorporates ensemble learning into the resolution process to achieve nearly optimal results. Ensemble learning integrates multiple machine-learning strategies with diverse characteristics to boost optimizer performance. Furthermore, the studied metaheuristics offer an excellent opportunity to explore their linear convergence, contingent on the exploration and exploitation phases. The results produce more precise definitions for team sizes, aligning with industry standards. Our approach demonstrates superior performance compared to the traditional versions of these algorithms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature-Inspired Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms 2024)
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22 pages, 7387 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Energy Harvesting Efficiency of Flapping Wings with Leading-Edge Magnus Effect Cylinder
by Huaqiang Zhang, Bing Zhu and Weidong Chen
Biomimetics 2024, 9(5), 293; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9050293 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
According to the Magnus principle, a rotating cylinder experiences a lateral force perpendicular to the incoming flow direction. This phenomenon can be harnessed to boost the lift of an airfoil by positioning a rotating cylinder at the leading edge. In this study, we [...] Read more.
According to the Magnus principle, a rotating cylinder experiences a lateral force perpendicular to the incoming flow direction. This phenomenon can be harnessed to boost the lift of an airfoil by positioning a rotating cylinder at the leading edge. In this study, we simulate flapping-wing motion using the sliding mesh technique in a heaving coordinate system to investigate the energy harvesting capabilities of Magnus effect flapping wings (MEFWs) featuring a leading-edge rotating cylinder. Through analysis of the flow field vortex structure and pressure distribution, we explore how control parameters such as gap width, rotational speed ratio, and phase difference of the leading-edge rotating cylinder impact the energy harvesting characteristics of the flapping wing. The results demonstrate that MEFWs effectively mitigate the formation of leading-edge vortices during wing motion. Consequently, this enhances both lift generation and energy harvesting capability. MEFWs with smaller gap widths are less prone to induce the detachment of leading-edge vortices during motion, ensuring a higher peak lift force and an increase in the energy harvesting efficiency. Moreover, higher rotational speed ratios and phase differences, synchronized with wing motion, can prevent leading-edge vortex generation during wing motion. All three control parameters contribute to enhancing the energy harvesting capability of MEFWs within a certain range. At the examined Reynolds number, the optimal parameter values are determined to be = 0.0005, R = 3, and = 0°. Full article
30 pages, 3558 KiB  
Article
Multi-Strategy Improved Dung Beetle Optimization Algorithm and Its Applications
by Mingjun Ye , Heng Zhou, Haoyu Yang, Bin Hu and Xiong Wang
Biomimetics 2024, 9(5), 291; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics9050291 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The dung beetle optimization (DBO) algorithm, a swarm intelligence-based metaheuristic, is renowned for its robust optimization capability and fast convergence speed. However, it also suffers from low population diversity, susceptibility to local optima solutions, and unsatisfactory convergence speed when facing complex optimization problems. [...] Read more.
The dung beetle optimization (DBO) algorithm, a swarm intelligence-based metaheuristic, is renowned for its robust optimization capability and fast convergence speed. However, it also suffers from low population diversity, susceptibility to local optima solutions, and unsatisfactory convergence speed when facing complex optimization problems. In response, this paper proposes the multi-strategy improved dung beetle optimization algorithm (MDBO). The core improvements include using Latin hypercube sampling for better population initialization and the introduction of a novel differential variation strategy, termed “Mean Differential Variation”, to enhance the algorithm’s ability to evade local optima. Moreover, a strategy combining lens imaging reverse learning and dimension-by-dimension optimization was proposed and applied to the current optimal solution. Through comprehensive performance testing on standard benchmark functions from CEC2017 and CEC2020, MDBO demonstrates superior performance in terms of optimization accuracy, stability, and convergence speed compared with other classical metaheuristic optimization algorithms. Additionally, the efficacy of MDBO in addressing complex real-world engineering problems is validated through three representative engineering application scenarios namely extension/compression spring design problems, reducer design problems, and welded beam design problems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nature-Inspired Metaheuristic Optimization Algorithms 2024)
17 pages, 2990 KiB  
Article
Green Valorization of Waste Plastics to Graphene as an Upcycled Eco-Friendly Material for Advanced Gas Sensing
by Prince Oppong Amoh, Marwa Elkady, Mahmoud Nasr and Hassan Shokry
Recycling 2024, 9(3), 38; https://doi.org/10.3390/recycling9030038 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
 The valorization technique successfully transformed waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into valuable carbon nanomaterial (CN)/graphene, while doped and undoped ZnO nanopowders were synthesized via sol–gel methods. Utilizing XRD, BET, TEM, EDX, FTIR, and TGA analyses, the synthesis of sp2 2D sheet, pristine, and [...] Read more.
 The valorization technique successfully transformed waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into valuable carbon nanomaterial (CN)/graphene, while doped and undoped ZnO nanopowders were synthesized via sol–gel methods. Utilizing XRD, BET, TEM, EDX, FTIR, and TGA analyses, the synthesis of sp2 2D sheet, pristine, and doped ZnO nanostructures was confirmed. Solid-state gas sensor devices, tested under 51% relative humidity (RH), 30 °C ambient temperature, and 0.2 flow rate, exhibited a 3.4% enhanced response to H2 gas compared to CO2 at 50 ppm concentrations over time. Notably, the ZnO/CN sensor surpassed CN and ZnO alone, attributed to CN dopant integration with decreasing order of response performance as ZnO/CN > CN > ZnO. This study underscores the efficacy of valorization techniques in generating high-value carbon nanomaterials and their efficacy in bolstering gas sensor performance, with ZnO/CN demonstrating superior response capabilities. Full article
12 pages, 2474 KiB  
Article
Development of Improved Confined Compression Testing Setups for Use in Stress Relaxation Testing of Viscoelastic Biomaterials
by Anthony El Kommos, Alicia R. Jackson, Fotios Andreopoulos and Francesco Travascio
Gels 2024, 10(5), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels10050329 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The development of cell-based biomaterial alternatives holds significant promise in tissue engineering applications, but it requires accurate mechanical assessment. Herein, we present the development of a novel 3D-printed confined compression apparatus, fabricated using clear resin, designed to cater to the unique demands of [...] Read more.
The development of cell-based biomaterial alternatives holds significant promise in tissue engineering applications, but it requires accurate mechanical assessment. Herein, we present the development of a novel 3D-printed confined compression apparatus, fabricated using clear resin, designed to cater to the unique demands of biomaterial developers. Our objective was to enhance the precision of force measurements and improve sample visibility during compression testing. We compared the performance of our innovative 3D-printed confined compression setup to a conventional setup by performing stress relaxation testing on hydrogels with variable degrees of crosslinking. We assessed equilibrium force, aggregate modulus, and peak force. This study demonstrates that our revised setup can capture a larger range of force values while simultaneously improving accuracy. We were able to detect significant differences in force and aggregate modulus measurements of hydrogels with variable degrees of crosslinking using our revised setup, whereas these were indistinguishable with the convectional apparatus. Further, by incorporating a clear resin in the fabrication of the compression chamber, we improved sample visibility, thus enabling real-time monitoring and informed assessment of biomaterial behavior under compressive testing. Full article
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13 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
Genome Mining of Fungal Unique Trichodiene Synthase-like Sesquiterpene Synthases
by Zhanren Cong, Qiang Yin, Kunhong Tian, Njeru Joe Mukoma, Liming Ouyang, Tom Hsiang, Lixin Zhang, Lan Jiang and Xueting Liu
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 350; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050350 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Sesquiterpenoids served as an important source for natural product drug discovery. Although genome mining approaches have revealed numerous novel sesquiterpenoids and biosynthetic enzymes, the comprehensive landscape of fungal sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) remains elusive. In this study, 123 previously reported fungal STSs were subjected [...] Read more.
Sesquiterpenoids served as an important source for natural product drug discovery. Although genome mining approaches have revealed numerous novel sesquiterpenoids and biosynthetic enzymes, the comprehensive landscape of fungal sesquiterpene synthases (STSs) remains elusive. In this study, 123 previously reported fungal STSs were subjected to phylogenetic analysis, resulting in the identification of a fungi-specific STS family known as trichodiene synthase-like sesquiterpene synthases (TDTSs). Subsequently, the application of hidden Markov models allowed the discovery of 517 TDTSs from our in-house fungi genome library of over 400 sequenced genomes, and these TDTSs were defined into 79 families based on a sequence similarity network. Based on the novelty of protein sequences and the completeness of their biosynthetic gene clusters, 23 TDTS genes were selected for heterologous expression in Aspergillus oryzae. In total, 10 TDTSs were active and collectively produced 12 mono- and sesquiterpenes, resulting in the identification of the first chamipinene synthase, as well as the first fungi-derived cedrene, sabinene, and camphene synthases. Additionally, with the guidance of functionally characterized TDTSs, we found that TDTSs in Family 1 could produce bridged-cyclic sesquiterpenes, while those in Family 2 could synthesize spiro- and bridged-cyclic sesquiterpenes. Our research presents a new avenue for the genome mining of fungal sesquiterpenoids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Genomics, Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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19 pages, 3595 KiB  
Article
Four New Species and a New Combination of Boletaceae (Boletales) from Subtropical and Tropical China
by Rou Xue, Lin-Jie Su, Tai-Jie Yu, Chang Xu, Hong-Yan Huang, Nian-Kai Zeng, Guo-Li Zhang and Li-Ping Tang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 348; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050348 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Previous studies have shown that boletes are abundant and diverse in China, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, morphological, ecological, host relationship, and a four-locus (28S, tef1, rpb1, and rpb2) molecular phylogenetic analyses were used to [...] Read more.
Previous studies have shown that boletes are abundant and diverse in China, especially in tropical and subtropical regions. In the present study, morphological, ecological, host relationship, and a four-locus (28S, tef1, rpb1, and rpb2) molecular phylogenetic analyses were used to study the family Boletaceae in subtropical and tropical China. Four new bluing species are described from three genera, viz. Boletellus verruculosus (Chinese name疣柄条孢牛肝菌), Xerocomellus tenuis (Chinese name细柄红绒盖牛肝菌), Xer. brunneus (Chinese name褐盖红绒盖牛肝菌), and Xerocomus zhangii (Chinese name张氏绒盖牛肝菌). Moreover, the genus Nigroboletus is treated as a synonym of Xerocomellus, and a new combination, namely Xer. roseonigrescens (Chinese name玫瑰红绒盖牛肝菌), is proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Taxonomy, Systematics and Evolution of Forestry Fungi, 2nd Edition)
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18 pages, 1883 KiB  
Article
The Autophagy-Related Protein ATG8 Orchestrates Asexual Development and AFB1 Biosynthesis in Aspergillus flavus
by Qingru Geng, Jixiang Hu, Pingzhi Xu, Tongzheng Sun, Han Qiu, Shan Wang, Fengqin Song, Ling Shen, Yongxin Li, Man Liu, Xue Peng, Jun Tian and Kunlong Yang
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 349; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050349 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Autophagy, a conserved cellular recycling process, plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis under stress conditions. It also regulates the development and virulence of numerous filamentous fungi. In this study, we investigated the specific function of ATG8, a reliable autophagic marker, in the [...] Read more.
Autophagy, a conserved cellular recycling process, plays a crucial role in maintaining homeostasis under stress conditions. It also regulates the development and virulence of numerous filamentous fungi. In this study, we investigated the specific function of ATG8, a reliable autophagic marker, in the opportunistic pathogen Aspergillus flavus. To investigate the role of atg8 in A. flavus, the deletion and complemented mutants of atg8 were generated according to the homologous recombination principle. Deletion of atg8 showed a significant decrease in conidiation, spore germination, and sclerotia formation compared to the WT and atg8Cstrains. Additionally, aflatoxin production was found severely impaired in the ∆atg8 mutant. The stress assays demonstrated that ATG8 was important for A. flavus response to oxidative stress. The fluorescence microscopy showed increased levels of reactive oxygen species in the ∆atg8 mutant cells, and the transcriptional result also indicated that genes related to the antioxidant system were significantly reduced in the ∆atg8 mutant. We further found that ATG8 participated in regulating the pathogenicity of A. flavus on crop seeds. These results revealed the biological role of ATG8 in A. flavus, which might provide a potential target for the control of A. flavus and AFB1 biosynthesis. Full article
14 pages, 1347 KiB  
Article
Sequential Induction of Drug Resistance and Characterization of an Initial Candida albicans Drug-Sensitive Isolate
by Setrida El Hachem, Nour Fattouh, Christy Chedraoui, Marc Finianos, Ibrahim Bitar and Roy A. Khalaf
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 347; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050347 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Background: The pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is a leading agent of death in immunocompromised individuals with a growing trend of antifungal resistance. Methods: The purpose is to induce resistance to drugs in a sensitive C. albicans strain followed by whole-genome sequencing to determine [...] Read more.
Background: The pathogenic fungus Candida albicans is a leading agent of death in immunocompromised individuals with a growing trend of antifungal resistance. Methods: The purpose is to induce resistance to drugs in a sensitive C. albicans strain followed by whole-genome sequencing to determine mechanisms of resistance. Strains will be assayed for pathogenicity attributes such as ergosterol and chitin content, growth rate, virulence, and biofilm formation. Results: We observed sequential increases in ergosterol and chitin content in fluconazole-resistant isolates by 78% and 44%. Surface thickening prevents the entry of the drug, resulting in resistance. Resistance imposed a fitness trade-off that led to reduced growth rates, biofilm formation, and virulence in our isolates. Sequencing revealed mutations in genes involved in resistance and pathogenicity such as ERG11, CHS3, GSC2, CDR2, CRZ2, and MSH2. We observed an increase in the number of mutations in key genes with a sequential increase in drug-selective pressures as the organism increased its odds of adapting to inhospitable environments. In ALS4, we observed two mutations in the susceptible strain and five mutations in the resistant strain. Conclusion: This is the first study to induce resistance followed by genotypic and phenotypic analysis of isolates to determine mechanisms of drug resistance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Genomics, Genetics and Molecular Biology)
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17 pages, 16504 KiB  
Article
Transcriptome Sequencing and Analysis of Trichoderma polysporum Infection in Avena fatua L. Leaves before and after Infection
by Haixia Zhu and Yushan He
J. Fungi 2024, 10(5), 346; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10050346 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Biological control is a scientific management method used in modern agricultural production, and microbially derived biopesticides are one effective method with which to control weeds in agricultural fields. In order to determine the key genes for weed control by Trichoderma polysporum, transcriptome [...] Read more.
Biological control is a scientific management method used in modern agricultural production, and microbially derived biopesticides are one effective method with which to control weeds in agricultural fields. In order to determine the key genes for weed control by Trichoderma polysporum, transcriptome sequencing was carried out by high-throughput sequencing technology, and the strains of T. polysporum HZ-31 infesting Avena fatua L. at 24, 48, and 72 h were used as the experimental group, with 0 h as the control group. A total of 690,713,176 clean reads were obtained, and the sequencing results for each experimental group and the control group (0 h) were analyzed. In total, 3464 differentially expressed genes were found after 24 h of infection with the pathogen, including 1283 down-regulated genes and 2181 up-regulated genes. After 48 h of infection, the number of differentially expressed genes was 3885, of which 2242 were up-regulated and 1643 were down-regulated. The number of differentially expressed genes after 72 h of infection was the highest among all the groups, with 4594 differentially expressed genes, of which 2648 were up-regulated and 1946 were down-regulated. The up-regulated genes were analyzed by GO and KEGG, and the results showed that the up-regulated differentially expressed genes were mainly enriched in the biosynthesis of phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan; the degradation of aromatic compounds; methane metabolism; and other pathways. Among them, the PHA2, GDH, ADH2, and AROF genes were significantly enriched in the above-mentioned pathways, so they were hypothesized to play an important role in the synthesis of the herbicidally active substances of T. polysporum HZ-31. The results of this study can provide a theoretical basis for further studies on the pathogenicity of T. polysporum to A. fatua L., and accelerate the development and utilization of new and efficient bioherbicides. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Fungal Diseases and Crop Protection)
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9 pages, 13907 KiB  
Case Report
Ultrasound, Histomorphologic, and Immunohistochemical Analysis of a Cardiac Tumor with Increased Purkinje Cells Detected in a Canine Fetus 42 Days into Pregnancy
by Enrico Giordano, Ignazio Ponticelli, Simona Attard, Teresa Bruna Pagano and Maria Carmela Pisu
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(5), 216; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11050216 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
A seven-year-old healthy female Chow Chow was referred for pregnancy monitoring. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate all pregnancy and fetus parameters, and they were found to be normal. During the examination of the 42 day pregnant bitch, an unusual mass was seen in [...] Read more.
A seven-year-old healthy female Chow Chow was referred for pregnancy monitoring. Ultrasonography was used to evaluate all pregnancy and fetus parameters, and they were found to be normal. During the examination of the 42 day pregnant bitch, an unusual mass was seen in a fetus’s heart. This fetus had a cardiac frequency of 273–300 beats, while the others had heart rates of 220–240 beats. Natural vaginal birth occurred at 63 days pregnant: the first two puppies were stillborn but perfectly formed, and the other three were alive and had optimal APGAR. In one of two deceased puppies, an unusual, reddish, smooth mass occupying the space in the heart was found through necroscopy. The organ was submitted for histological examination. Histopathology, immunohistochemical, and histochemical analyses all indicated a cardiac tumor with increased Purkinje cells. This type of tumor has been described in infants, swine, bearded seals, and deer but never in fetuses and neonates of dogs. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported in veterinary medicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Reproduction and Obstetrics)
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12 pages, 3190 KiB  
Article
Japanese Encephalitis Virus and Schizophyllum commune Co-Infection in a Harbor Seal in Japan
by Marina Fujii, Soma Ito, Etsuko Katsumata, James K. Chambers, Hiromichi Matsugo, Akiko Takenaka-Uema, Shin Murakami, Kazuyuki Uchida and Taisuke Horimoto
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(5), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11050215 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has a wide host range, extending from pigs and ardeid birds to opportunistic dead-end hosts, such as humans and horses. However, JEV encephalitis infections in aquatic mammals are rare, with only two cases in seals [...] Read more.
The Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), a mosquito-borne flavivirus, has a wide host range, extending from pigs and ardeid birds to opportunistic dead-end hosts, such as humans and horses. However, JEV encephalitis infections in aquatic mammals are rare, with only two cases in seals reported to date. Here, we report a lethal case of JEV and Schizophyllum commune co-infection in an aquarium-housed harbor seal in Japan. We isolated JEV from the brain of the dead seal and characterized its phylogeny and pathogenicity in mice. The virus isolate from the seal was classified as genotype GIb, which aligns with recent Japanese human and mosquito isolates as well as other seal viruses detected in China and Korea, and does not exhibit a unique sequence trait distinct from that of human and mosquito strains. We demonstrated that the seal isolate is pathogenic to mice and causes neuronal symptoms. These data suggest that seals should be considered a susceptible dead-end host for circulating JEV in natural settings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
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19 pages, 7555 KiB  
Article
Ribosomal Dysregulation in Metastatic Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Proteomic Insights and CX-5461’s Therapeutic Promise
by Miao Gao, Ting Liu, Kairui Hu, Songling Chen, Shixin Wang, Di Gan, Zhihan Li and Xiaohuang Lin
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050363 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
One of the main barriers to the successful treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is postoperative progression, primarily due to tumor cell metastasis. To systematically investigate the molecular characteristics and potential mechanisms underlying the metastasis in laryngeal cancer, we carried out a [...] Read more.
One of the main barriers to the successful treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is postoperative progression, primarily due to tumor cell metastasis. To systematically investigate the molecular characteristics and potential mechanisms underlying the metastasis in laryngeal cancer, we carried out a TMT-based proteomic analysis of both cancerous and adjacent non-cancerous tissues from 10 LSCC patients with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and 10 without. A total of 5545 proteins were quantified across all samples. We identified 57 proteins that were downregulated in LSCC with LNM, which were enriched in cell adhesion pathways, and 69 upregulated proteins predominantly enriched in protein production pathways. Importantly, our data revealed a strong correlation between increased ribosomal activity and the presence of LNM, as 18 ribosomal subunit proteins were found to be upregulated, with RPS10 and RPL24 being the most significantly overexpressed. The potential of ribosomal proteins, including RPS10 and RPL24, as biomarkers for LSCC with LNM was confirmed in external validation samples (six with LNM and six without LNM) using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, we have confirmed that the RNA polymerase I inhibitor CX-5461, which impedes ribosome biogenesis in LSCC, also decreases the expression of RPS10, RPL24, and RPS26. In vitro experiments have revealed that CX-5461 moderately reduces cell viability, while it significantly inhibits the invasion and migration of LSCC cells. It can enhance the expression of the epithelial marker CDH1 and suppress the expression of the mesenchymal markers CDH2, VIM, and FN at a dose that does not affect cell viability. Our study broadens the scope of the proteomic data on laryngeal cancer and suggests that ribosome targeting could be a supplementary therapeutic strategy for metastatic LSCC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug Metabolism and Toxicological Mechanisms)
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15 pages, 1283 KiB  
Article
Bioreactor Expansion Affects Microbial Succession of Mixotrophic Acidophiles and Bioremediation of Cadmium-Contaminated Soils
by Xiaodong Hao, Ping Zhu, Xueduan Liu, Luhua Jiang, Huidan Jiang, Hongwei Liu and Zhiqun Chen
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 362; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050362 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Microbial scale-up cultivation is the first step to bioremediating cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils at the industrial scale. However, the changes in the microbial community as the bioreactor volume expands and their associations with soil Cd removal remain unclear. Herein, a six-stage scale-up cultivation process [...] Read more.
Microbial scale-up cultivation is the first step to bioremediating cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soils at the industrial scale. However, the changes in the microbial community as the bioreactor volume expands and their associations with soil Cd removal remain unclear. Herein, a six-stage scale-up cultivation process of mixotrophic acidophiles was conducted, scaling from 0.1 L to 10 m3, to remediate Cd-contaminated soils. The findings showed that bioreactor expansion led to a delay in sulfur and glucose oxidations, resulting in a reduced decline in solution pH and cell density. There were minimal differences observed in bacterial alpha-diversity and community structure as the bioreactor volume increased, except for the 10 m3 scale. However, bioreactor expansion decreased fungal alpha-diversity, changed the community structure, and simplified fungal community compositions. At the family level, Acidithiobacillaceae and Debaryomycetaceae dominated the bacterial and fungal communities throughout the scale-up process, respectively. Correlation analysis indicated that the indirect effect of mixotrophic acidophiles played a significant role in soil Cd removal. Bacterial community shifts, driven by changes in bioreactor volume, decreased the pH value through sulfur oxidation, thereby indirectly enhancing Cd removal efficiency. This study will contribute to the potential industrial application of mixotrophic acidophiles in bioremediating Cd-contaminated soils. Full article
15 pages, 1150 KiB  
Article
Transformation and Degradation of PAH Mixture in Contaminated Sites: Clarifying Their Interactions with Native Soil Organisms
by Xiaoyu Li, Shengnan Zhang, Ruixue Guo, Xuejing Xiao, Boying Liu, Rehab Khaled Mahmoud, Mostafa R. Abukhadra, Ruijuan Qu and Zunyao Wang
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 361; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050361 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Soil contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially caused by the mixture of two or more PAHs, raised great environmental concerns. However, research on the migration and transformation processes of PAHs in soils and their interactions with native communities is limited. In this [...] Read more.
Soil contamination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), especially caused by the mixture of two or more PAHs, raised great environmental concerns. However, research on the migration and transformation processes of PAHs in soils and their interactions with native communities is limited. In this work, soil samples from uncontaminated sites around the industrial parks in Handan, Hengshui, and Shanghai were artificially supplemented with three concentrations of anthracene (Ant), 9-chloroanthracene (9-ClAnt), benzopyrene (BaP), and chrysene (Chr). Ryegrass was planted to investigate the degradation of PAHs and its interaction with native soil organisms in the constructed ryegrass–microbe–soil microcosmic system. The bacterial and fungal communities in soil were affected by PAHs; their species diversity and relative abundance changed after exposure to different concentrations of PAHs, among which Lysobacter, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Massilia bacteria were correlated to the degradation of PAHs. On the 56th day, the contents of BaP, Chr, and Ant decreased with the degradation process, while the degradation of 9-ClAnt was limited. Nineteen intermediates, including hydroxylation and carboxylated compounds, were identified. The present research would help clarify the potential interactions between PAHs and native organisms in contaminated sites, providing fundamental information for evaluating the transformation risks of PAHs in the natural environment. Full article
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11 pages, 2934 KiB  
Article
Study on the Environmental Impact and Benefits of Incorporating Humus Composites in Anaerobic Co-Digestion Treatment
by Ke Zhao, Qiang Wei, Mingxuan Bai and Mengnan Shen
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 360; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050360 - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study evaluated the environmental impact and overall benefits of incorporating humus composites in the anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen waste and residual sludge. The life cycle assessment method was used to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of the entire anaerobic co-digestion treatment process [...] Read more.
This study evaluated the environmental impact and overall benefits of incorporating humus composites in the anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen waste and residual sludge. The life cycle assessment method was used to quantitatively analyze the environmental impact of the entire anaerobic co-digestion treatment process of waste, including garbage collection, transportation, and final product utilization. Moreover, the comprehensive assessment of the environmental impact, energy-saving and emission-reduction abilities, and economic cost of using humus composites in the anaerobic co-digestion treatment process was conducted using a benefit analysis method. The results showed that the anaerobic co-digestion of kitchen waste and residual sludge significantly contributed to the mitigation of global warming potential (GWP), reaching −19.76 kgCO2-eq, but had the least impact on the mitigation of acidification potential (AP), reaching −0.10 kgSO2-eq. In addition, the addition of humus composites significantly increased the production of biogas. At a concentration of 5 g/L, the biogas yield of the anaerobic co-digestion process was 70.76 m3, which increased by 50.62% compared with the blank group. This amount of biogas replaces ~50.52 kg of standard coal, reducing CO2 emissions by 13.74 kg compared with burning the same amount of standard coal. Therefore, the anaerobic co-digestion treatment of kitchen waste and residual sludge brings considerable environmental benefits. Full article
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