The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
36 pages, 11478 KiB  
Article
Extreme Treatment Effect: Extrapolating Dose-Response Function into Extreme Treatment Domain
by Juraj Bodik
Mathematics 2024, 12(10), 1556; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12101556 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The potential outcomes framework serves as a fundamental tool for quantifying causal effects. The average dose–response function μ(t) (also called the effect curve) is typically of interest when dealing with a continuous treatment variable (exposure). The focus of this work [...] Read more.
The potential outcomes framework serves as a fundamental tool for quantifying causal effects. The average dose–response function μ(t) (also called the effect curve) is typically of interest when dealing with a continuous treatment variable (exposure). The focus of this work is to determine the impact of an extreme level of treatment, potentially beyond the range of observed values—that is, estimating μ(t) for very large t. Our approach is grounded in the field of statistics known as extreme value theory. We outline key assumptions for the identifiability of the extreme treatment effect. Additionally, we present a novel and consistent estimation procedure that can potentially reduce the dimension of the confounders to at most 3. This is a significant result since typically, the estimation of μ(t) is very challenging due to high-dimensional confounders. In practical applications, our framework proves valuable when assessing the effects of scenarios such as drug overdoses, extreme river discharges, or extremely high temperatures on a variable of interest. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Computational Statistical Methods and Extreme Value Theory)
9 pages, 259 KiB  
Article
Assessing Disparities about Overweight and Obesity in Pakistani Youth Using Local and International Standards for Body Mass Index
by Muhammad Asif, Hafiz Ahmad Iqrash Qureshi, Saba Mazhar Seyal, Muhammad Aslam, Muhammad Tauseef Sultan, Maysaa Elmahi Abd Elwahab, Piotr Matłosz and Justyna Wyszyńska
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(10), 2944; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13102944 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Obesity is currently considered a public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Gender- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) growth standards or references are particularly effective in monitoring the global obesity pandemic. This study aimed to report disparities in age-, gender- [...] Read more.
Obesity is currently considered a public health problem in both developed and developing countries. Gender- and age-specific body mass index (BMI) growth standards or references are particularly effective in monitoring the global obesity pandemic. This study aimed to report disparities in age-, gender- and ethnic-specific statistical estimates of overweight and obesity for 2–18 years aged Pakistani children and adolescents using the World Health Organization (WHO), the Center for Disease Control (CDC) 2000 references, the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) and Pakistani references for BMI. Methods: The study used secondary data of 10,668 pediatric population, aged 2–18 years. Demographic information like age (years), gender, city and anthropometric examinations, i.e., height (cm) and weight (kg) were used in this study. The recommended age- and gender-specific BMI cut-offs of the WHO, CDC 2000 and the IOTF references were used to classify the children sampled as overweight and obese. For the Pakistani reference, overweight and obesity were defined as BMI-for-age ≥ 85th percentile and BMI-for-age ≥ 95th percentile, respectively. Cohen’s κ statistic was used to assess the agreement between the international references and local study population references in the classification of overweight/obesity. Results: The statistical estimates (%) of the participants for overweight and obesity varied according to the reference used: WHO (7.4% and 2.2%), CDC (4.9% and 2.1%), IOTF (5.2% and 2.0%) and Pakistan (8.8% and 6.0%), respectively; suggesting higher levels of overweight and obesity prevalence when local study references are used. The Kappa statistic shows a moderate to excellent agreement (κ ≥ 0.6) among three international references when classifying child overweight and obesity and poor agreement between local references and the WHO (0.45, 0.52), CDC (0.25, 0.50) and IOTF references (0.16, 0.31), for overweight and obesity, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the study showed a visible difference in the estimates of excess body weight after applying the WHO, CDC, IOTF and local BMI references to the study population. Based on the disparity results and poor agreement between international references and the local study reference, this study recommends using local BMI references in identifying children with overweight and obesity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Prevalence and Risk Factors of Obesity and Hypertension)
37 pages, 1662 KiB  
Review
Novel Drug Delivery Systems: An Important Direction for Drug Innovation Research and Development
by Qian Chen, Zhen Yang, Haoyu Liu, Jingyuan Man, Ayodele Olaolu Oladejo, Sally Ibrahim, Shengyi Wang and Baocheng Hao
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(5), 674; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050674 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The escalating demand for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced adverse effects in the pharmaceutical domain has catalyzed a new frontier of innovation and research in the field of pharmacy: novel drug delivery systems. These systems are designed to address the limitations of conventional [...] Read more.
The escalating demand for enhanced therapeutic efficacy and reduced adverse effects in the pharmaceutical domain has catalyzed a new frontier of innovation and research in the field of pharmacy: novel drug delivery systems. These systems are designed to address the limitations of conventional drug administration, such as abbreviated half-life, inadequate targeting, low solubility, and bioavailability. As the disciplines of pharmacy, materials science, and biomedicine continue to advance and converge, the development of efficient and safe drug delivery systems, including biopharmaceutical formulations, has garnered significant attention both domestically and internationally. This article presents an overview of the latest advancements in drug delivery systems, categorized into four primary areas: carrier-based and coupling-based targeted drug delivery systems, intelligent drug delivery systems, and drug delivery devices, based on their main objectives and methodologies. Additionally, it critically analyzes the technological bottlenecks, current research challenges, and future trends in the application of novel drug delivery systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drug Delivery and Controlled Release)
24 pages, 2337 KiB  
Review
Formation and Application of Starch–Polyphenol Complexes: Influencing Factors and Rapid Screening Based on Chemometrics
by Yingying Wu, Yanan Liu, Yuanqiang Jia, Huijuan Zhang and Feiyue Ren
Foods 2024, 13(10), 1557; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13101557 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Understanding the nuanced interplay between plant polyphenols and starch could have significant implications. For example, it could lead to the development of tailor-made starches for specific applications, from bakinag and brewing to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. In addition, this knowledge could contribute to the [...] Read more.
Understanding the nuanced interplay between plant polyphenols and starch could have significant implications. For example, it could lead to the development of tailor-made starches for specific applications, from bakinag and brewing to pharmaceuticals and bioplastics. In addition, this knowledge could contribute to the formulation of functional foods with lower glycemic indexes or improved nutrient delivery. Variations in the complexes can be attributed to differences in molecular weight, structure, and even the content of the polyphenols. In addition, the unique structural characteristics of starches, such as amylose/amylopectin ratio and crystalline density, also contribute to the observed effects. Processing conditions and methods will always alter the formation of complexes. As the type of starch/polyphenol can have a significant impact on the formation of the complex, the selection of suitable botanical sources of starch/polyphenols has become a focus. Spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics is a convenient and accurate method for rapidly identifying starches/polyphenols and screening for the desired botanical source. Understanding these relationships is crucial for optimizing starch-based systems in various applications, from food technology to pharmaceutical formulations. Full article
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14 pages, 1164 KiB  
Article
Microbial Detoxification of Sediments Underpins Persistence of Zostera marina Meadows
by Yuki Nakashima, Takumi Sonobe, Masashi Hanada, Goushi Kitano, Yoshimitsu Sonoyama, Katsumi Iwai, Takashi Kimura and Masataka Kusube
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5442; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105442 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Eelgrass meadows have attracted much attention not only for their ability to maintain marine ecosystems as feeding grounds for marine organisms but also for their potential to store atmospheric and dissolved CO2 as blue carbon. This study comprehensively evaluated the bacterial and [...] Read more.
Eelgrass meadows have attracted much attention not only for their ability to maintain marine ecosystems as feeding grounds for marine organisms but also for their potential to store atmospheric and dissolved CO2 as blue carbon. This study comprehensively evaluated the bacterial and chemical data obtained from eelgrass sediments of different scales along the Japanese coast to investigate the effect on the acclimatization of eelgrass. Regardless of the eelgrass habitat, approximately 1% Anaerolineales, Babeliales, Cytophagales, and Phycisphaerales was present in the bottom sediment. Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) were present at 3.69% in eelgrass sediment compared to 1.70% in bare sediment. Sulfur-oxidizing bacteria (SOB) were present at 2.81% and 1.10% in the eelgrass and bare sediment, respectively. Bacterial composition analysis and linear discriminant analysis revealed that SOB detoxified H2S in the eelgrass meadows and that the larger-scale eelgrass meadows had a higher diversity of SOB. Our result indicated that there were regional differences in the system that detoxifies H2S in eelgrass meadows, either microbial oxidation mediated by SOB or O2 permeation via the physical diffusion of benthos. However, since bacterial flora and phylogenetic analyses cannot show bias and/or causality due to PCR, future kinetic studies on microbial metabolism are expected. Full article
13 pages, 720 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of Room Temperature Curable Polymer Binder Mixed with Polymethyl Methacrylate and Urethane Acrylate for High-Strength and Improved Transparency
by Ju-Hong Lee, Won-Bin Lim, Jin-Gyu Min, Jae-Ryong Lee, Ju-Won Kim, Ji-Hong Bae and Pil-Ho Huh
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1418; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101418 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Urethane acrylate (UA) was synthesized from various di-polyols, such as poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTMG, Mn = 1000), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, Mn = 1000), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG, Mn = 1000), for use as a polymer binder for paint. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and UA were blended [...] Read more.
Urethane acrylate (UA) was synthesized from various di-polyols, such as poly(tetrahydrofuran) (PTMG, Mn = 1000), poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG, Mn = 1000), and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG, Mn = 1000), for use as a polymer binder for paint. Polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and UA were blended to form an acrylic resin with high transmittance and stress-strain curve. When PMMA was blended with UA, a network structure was formed due to physical entanglement between the two polymers, increasing the mechanical properties. UA was synthesized by forming a prepolymer using di-polyol and hexamethylene diisocyanate, which were chain structure monomers, and capping them with 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate to provide an acryl group. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to observe the changes in functional groups, and gel permeation chromatography was used to confirm that the three series showed similar molecular weight and PDI values. The yellowing phenomenon that appears mainly in the curing reaction of the polymer binder was solved, and the mechanical properties according to the effects of the polyol used in the main chain were compared. The content of the blended UA was quantified using ultravioletvisible spectroscopy at a wavelength of 370 nm based on 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt%, and the shear strength and tensile strength were evaluated using specimens in a suitable mode. The ratio for producing the polymer binder was optimized. The mechanical properties of the polymer binder with 5–10 wt% UA were improved in all series. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Progress in Polyurethane and Composites)
14 pages, 1993 KiB  
Article
Deep Learning Insights into the Dynamic Effects of Photodynamic Therapy on Cancer Cells
by Md. Atiqur Rahman, Feihong Yan, Ruiyuan Li, Yu Wang, Lu Huang, Rongcheng Han and Yuqiang Jiang
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(5), 673; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050673 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise in tumor treatment, particularly when combined with nanotechnology. This study examines the impact of deep learning, particularly the Cellpose algorithm, on the comprehension of cancer cell responses to PDT. The Cellpose algorithm enables robust morphological analysis of cancer [...] Read more.
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) shows promise in tumor treatment, particularly when combined with nanotechnology. This study examines the impact of deep learning, particularly the Cellpose algorithm, on the comprehension of cancer cell responses to PDT. The Cellpose algorithm enables robust morphological analysis of cancer cells, while logistic growth modelling predicts cellular behavior post-PDT. Rigorous model validation ensures the accuracy of the findings. Cellpose demonstrates significant morphological changes after PDT, affecting cellular proliferation and survival. The reliability of the findings is confirmed by model validation. This deep learning tool enhances our understanding of cancer cell dynamics after PDT. Advanced analytical techniques, such as morphological analysis and growth modeling, provide insights into the effects of PDT on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells, which could potentially improve cancer treatment efficacy. In summary, the research examines the role of deep learning in optimizing PDT parameters to personalize oncology treatment and improve efficacy. Full article
13 pages, 477 KiB  
Article
SCLpred-ECL: Subcellular Localization Prediction by Deep N-to-1 Convolutional Neural Networks
by Maryam Gillani and Gianluca Pollastri
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105440 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The subcellular location of a protein provides valuable insights to bioinformaticians in terms of drug designs and discovery, genomics, and various other aspects of medical research. Experimental methods for protein subcellular localization determination are time-consuming and expensive, whereas computational methods, if accurate, would [...] Read more.
The subcellular location of a protein provides valuable insights to bioinformaticians in terms of drug designs and discovery, genomics, and various other aspects of medical research. Experimental methods for protein subcellular localization determination are time-consuming and expensive, whereas computational methods, if accurate, would represent a much more efficient alternative. This article introduces an ab initio protein subcellular localization predictor based on an ensemble of Deep N-to-1 Convolutional Neural Networks. Our predictor is trained and tested on strict redundancy-reduced datasets and achieves 63% accuracy for the diverse number of classes. This predictor is a step towards bridging the gap between a protein sequence and the protein’s function. It can potentially provide information about protein–protein interaction to facilitate drug design and processes like vaccine production that are essential to disease prevention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)
17 pages, 13196 KiB  
Article
Curved Linear Diode Array Imaging of a Historic Anchor Recovered from East Anglia ONE Offshore Wind Farm
by Brandon Mason, James Finch, Sarah Paynter, Heather Anderson and Lauren Nagler
Heritage 2024, 7(5), 2552-2568; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7050122 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The Industrial Metrology Business Unit of Nikon Corporation, on behalf of ScottishPower Renewables and Maritime Archaeology (MA), Southampton, UK, has employed X-ray CT (computed tomography) to visualise the internal structure of an anchor found in the North Sea. The non-destructive method of internal [...] Read more.
The Industrial Metrology Business Unit of Nikon Corporation, on behalf of ScottishPower Renewables and Maritime Archaeology (MA), Southampton, UK, has employed X-ray CT (computed tomography) to visualise the internal structure of an anchor found in the North Sea. The non-destructive method of internal inspection and measurement has helped to determine approximately when it was made. The results indicate that the artefact, initially thought to be potentially Roman, is probably more recent, likely dating to between the late 16th and early 17th centuries CE. This paper presents the discovery, recovery, analysis and interpretation of a significant find from a UK offshore wind farm and underscores the valuable role that non-destructive X-ray CT played in the investigation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Non-invasive Technologies Applied in Cultural Heritage)
15 pages, 1909 KiB  
Article
Fluocinolone Acetonide Implant for Uveitis: Dissecting Responder and Non-Responder Outcomes at a Tertiary Center
by Jasmin Abu Arif, Vitus André Knecht, Anne Rübsam, Vanessa Lussac, Zohreh Jami, Dominika Pohlmann, Bert Müller and Uwe Pleyer
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 1106; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12051106 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Macular edema (ME) remains a primary cause of visual deterioration in uveitis. Visual acuity (VA) can often be maintained using corticosteroid depot systems. This study evaluated the efficacy of a fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®) in treating non-infectious uveitis using [...] Read more.
Macular edema (ME) remains a primary cause of visual deterioration in uveitis. Visual acuity (VA) can often be maintained using corticosteroid depot systems. This study evaluated the efficacy of a fluocinolone acetonide (FAc) intravitreal implant (ILUVIEN®) in treating non-infectious uveitis using real-world data. This retrospective analysis included 135 eyes subdivided into responders and non-responders. Central retinal thickness (CRT), VA, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were followed over time. A significant decrease in CRT and an increase in VA were observed in all eyes throughout the follow-up period (p < 0.01). An IOP increase (p = 0.028) necessitated treatment in 43% of eyes by Month 6. Non-responders were older (p = 0.004) and had been treated with more dexamethasone (DEX) implants (p = 0.04); 89.3% had a defect in the external limiting membrane (ELM) and inner/outer segment (IS/OS) zone (p < 0.001). Immunomodulatory therapy had no impact on treatment response. Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) patients had a mean CRT reduction of 47.55 µm and a reduced effect by Month 24 (p = 0.046) versus non-PPV patients. We conclude that the FAc implant achieves long-term control of CRT and improves VA. Increases in IOP were manageable. Eyes with a previous PPV showed milder results. Data showed a correlation between older age, a damaged ELM and IS/OS zone, frequent DEX inserts, and poorer outcome measures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Steroids and Their Derivatives as Potential Drugs for Medicine)
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22 pages, 647 KiB  
Review
Postbiotics as Metabolites and Their Biotherapeutic Potential
by Emília Hijová
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5441; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105441 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This review highlights the role of postbiotics, which may provide an underappreciated avenue doe promising therapeutic alternatives. The discovery of natural compounds obtained from microorganisms needs to be investigated in the future in terms of their effects on various metabolic disorders and molecular [...] Read more.
This review highlights the role of postbiotics, which may provide an underappreciated avenue doe promising therapeutic alternatives. The discovery of natural compounds obtained from microorganisms needs to be investigated in the future in terms of their effects on various metabolic disorders and molecular pathways, as well as modulation of the immune system and intestinal microbiota in children and adults. However, further studies and efforts are needed to evaluate and describe new postbiotics. This review provides available knowledge that may assist future research in identifying new postbiotics and uncovering additional mechanisms to combat metabolic diseases. Full article
14 pages, 6699 KiB  
Article
Research on the Design of Recessed Balconies in University Dormitories in Cold Regions Based on Multi-Objective Optimization
by Weidong Ji, Jian Sun, Huiyi Wang, Qiaqing Yu and Chang Liu
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1446; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051446 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Thermal comfort and daylighting are vital components of dormitory environments. However, enhancing indoor lighting conditions may lead to increased annual energy consumption and decreased thermal comfort. Therefore, it is crucial to identify methods to reduce buildings’ energy costs while maintaining occupants’ thermal comfort [...] Read more.
Thermal comfort and daylighting are vital components of dormitory environments. However, enhancing indoor lighting conditions may lead to increased annual energy consumption and decreased thermal comfort. Therefore, it is crucial to identify methods to reduce buildings’ energy costs while maintaining occupants’ thermal comfort and daylighting. Taking the dormitory building of Songyuan No. 2 at Shandong Jianzhu University of Architecture, which is located in a cold region, as an example, a field measurement analysis was conducted on the recessed balconies within the dormitory. The measured data were analyzed and utilized to simulate the annual energy consumption, thermal comfort predicted mean vote (PMV), and useful daylight illuminance (UDI) values of the dormitory units using the Grasshopper platform with the Ladybug and Honeybee plugins. The different depths of the balconies and window-to-wall ratios have a significant impact on the indoor physical environment and energy consumption, leading to the design of independent variables and the construction of a simplified parametric model. The simulation results underwent multi-objective optimization using genetic algorithm theory through the Octopus platform, resulting in a Pareto optimal solution set. Comparisons between the final-generation data and simulations of the original Song II dormitory unit indicate potential energy savings of up to 2.5%, with a 25% improvement in indoor thermal comfort satisfaction. Although there was no significant improvement in the UDI value, all the solution sets meet the minimum requirement of 300 lux specified by relevant regulations, according to the simulated average illuminance levels on the indoor work plane. Finally, the 60 optimal solution sets were further screened, filtering out sets deviating excessively from certain objectives, to identify 6 optimal solutions that are more balanced and exhibit a higher overall optimization rate. These findings offer detailed data references to assist in the design of dormitory buildings in cold regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Energy, Physics, Environment, and Systems)
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18 pages, 4076 KiB  
Article
Identification of Genes Crucial for Biological Processes in Breast Cancer Liver Metastasis Relapse
by Tyler Kwok, Suneetha Yeguvapalli and Kumaraswamy Naidu Chitrala
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105439 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Breast cancer, when advancing to a metastatic stage, involves the liver, impacting over 50% of cases and significantly diminishing survival rates. Presently, a lack of tailored therapeutic protocols for breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) underscores the need for a deeper understanding of molecular [...] Read more.
Breast cancer, when advancing to a metastatic stage, involves the liver, impacting over 50% of cases and significantly diminishing survival rates. Presently, a lack of tailored therapeutic protocols for breast cancer liver metastasis (BCLM) underscores the need for a deeper understanding of molecular patterns governing this complication. Therefore, by analyzing differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between primary breast tumors and BCLM lesions, we aimed to shed light on the diversities of this process. This research investigated breast cancer liver metastasis relapse by employing a comprehensive approach that integrated data filtering, gene ontology and KEGG pathway analysis, overall survival analysis, identification of the alteration in the DEGs, visualization of the protein–protein interaction network, Signor 2.0, identification of positively correlated genes, immune cell infiltration analysis, genetic alternation analysis, copy number variant analysis, gene-to-mRNA interaction, transcription factor analysis, molecular docking, and identification of potential treatment targets. This study’s integrative approach unveiled metabolic reprogramming, suggesting altered PCK1 and LPL expression as key in breast cancer metastasis recurrence. Full article
25 pages, 2089 KiB  
Article
The Rotation of Classical Bulges in Barred Galaxies in the Presence of Gas
by Rubens E. G. Machado, Kenzo R. Sakamoto, Andressa Wille and Gustavo F. Gonçalves
Universe 2024, 10(5), 223; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10050223 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Barred galaxies often develop a box/peanut pseudobulge, but they can also host a nearly spherical classical bulge, which is known to gain rotation due to the bar. We aim to explore how the presence of gas impacts the rotation of classical bulges. We [...] Read more.
Barred galaxies often develop a box/peanut pseudobulge, but they can also host a nearly spherical classical bulge, which is known to gain rotation due to the bar. We aim to explore how the presence of gas impacts the rotation of classical bulges. We carried out a comprehensive set of hydrodynamical N-body simulations with different combinations of bulge masses and gas fractions. In these models, both massive bulges and high gas content tend to inhibit the formation of strong bars. For low-mass bulges, the resulting bar is stronger in cases of low gas content. In the stronger bar models, bulges acquire more angular momentum and thus display considerable rotational velocity. Such bulges also develop anisotropic velocity dispersions and become triaxial in shape. We found that the rotation of the bulge becomes less pronounced as the gas fraction is increased from 0 to 30%. These results indicate that the gas content has a significant effect on the dynamics of the classical bulge, because it influences bar strength. Particularly in the case of the low-mass bulges (10% bulge mass fraction), all of the measured rotational and structural properties of the classical bulge depend strongly and systematically on the gas content of the galaxy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Universe: Feature Papers 2024—"Galaxies and Clusters")
20 pages, 5271 KiB  
Article
Neem Leaf Extract Exhibits Anti-Aging and Antioxidant Effects from Yeast to Human Cells
by Jinye Dang, Gongrui Zhang, Jingjing Li, Libo He, Yi Ding, Jiaxiu Cai, Guohua Cheng, Yuhui Yang, Zhiyi Liu, Jiahui Fan, Linfang Du and Ke Liu
Nutrients 2024, 16(10), 1506; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101506 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Neem leaves have long been used in traditional medicine for promoting longevity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their anti-aging effects remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the impact of neem leaf extract (NLE) extracted from a 50% ethanol solution on the chronological [...] Read more.
Neem leaves have long been used in traditional medicine for promoting longevity. However, the precise mechanisms underlying their anti-aging effects remain elusive. In this study, we investigated the impact of neem leaf extract (NLE) extracted from a 50% ethanol solution on the chronological lifespan of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, revealing an extension in lifespan, heightened oxidative stress resistance, and a reduction in reactive oxygen species. To discern the active compounds in NLE, LC/MS and the GNPS platform were employed. The majority of identified active compounds were found to be flavonoids. Subsequently, compound-target pharmacological networks were constructed using the STP and STITCH platforms for both S. cerevisiae and Homo sapiens. GOMF and KEGG enrichment analyses of the predicted targets revealed that “oxidoreductase activity” was among the top enriched terms in both yeast and human cells. These suggested a potential regulation of oxidative stress response (OSR) by NLE. RNA-seq analysis of NLE-treated yeast corroborated the anti-oxidative effect, with “oxidoreductase activity” and “oxidation-reduction process” ranking high in enriched GO terms. Notably, CTT1, encoding catalase, emerged as the most significantly up-regulated gene within the “oxidoreductase activity” cluster. In a ctt1 null mutant, the enhanced oxidative stress resistance and extended lifespan induced by NLE were nullified. For human cells, NLE pretreatment demonstrated a decrease in reactive oxygen species levels and senescence-associated β-galactosidase activity in HeLa cells, indicative of anti-aging and anti-oxidative effects. This study unveils the anti-aging and anti-oxidative properties of NLE while delving into their mechanisms, providing novel insights for pharmacological interventions in aging using phytochemicals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nutritional Regulation of Aging and Age-Related Diseases)
20 pages, 2572 KiB  
Review
3D-Networks Based Polymer Composites for Multifunctional Thermal Management and Electromagnetic Protection: A Mini Review
by Houbao Liu, Xiaohu Ji, Wei Wang and Lihua Zhou
Materials 2024, 17(10), 2400; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102400 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The rapid development of miniaturized, high-frequency, and highly integrated microelectronic devices has brought about critical issues in electromagnetic compatibility and thermal management. In recent years, there has been significant interest in lightweight polymer-based composites that offer both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal [...] Read more.
The rapid development of miniaturized, high-frequency, and highly integrated microelectronic devices has brought about critical issues in electromagnetic compatibility and thermal management. In recent years, there has been significant interest in lightweight polymer-based composites that offer both electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and thermal conductivity. One promising approach involves constructing three-dimensional (3D) interconnection networks using functional fillers in the polymer matrix. These networks have been proven effective in enhancing the thermal and electrical conductivity of the composites. This mini-review focuses on the preparation and properties of 3D network-reinforced polymer composites, specifically those incorporating metal, carbon, ceramic, and hybrid networks. By comparing the effects of different filler types and distribution on the composite materials, the advantages of 3D interconnected conductive networks in polymer composites are highlighted. Additionally, this review addresses the challenges faced in the field of multifunctional thermal management and electromagnetic protection materials and provides insights into future development trends and application prospects of 3D structured composites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Polymer Matrix Nanocomposite Materials (2nd Edition))
17 pages, 3232 KiB  
Article
SARFNet: Selective Layer and Axial Receptive Field Network for Multimodal Brain Tumor Segmentation
by Bin Guo, Ning Cao, Peng Yang and Ruihao Zhang
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4233; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104233 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Efficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmentation, which is helpful for treatment planning, is essential for identifying brain tumors from detailed images. In recent years, various convolutional neural network (CNN) structures have been introduced for brain tumor segmentation tasks and have performed well. However, [...] Read more.
Efficient magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) segmentation, which is helpful for treatment planning, is essential for identifying brain tumors from detailed images. In recent years, various convolutional neural network (CNN) structures have been introduced for brain tumor segmentation tasks and have performed well. However, the downsampling blocks of most existing methods are typically used only for processing the variation in image sizes and lack sufficient capacity for further extraction features. We, therefore, propose SARFNet, a method based on UNet architecture, which consists of the proposed SLiRF module and advanced AAM module. The SLiRF downsampling module can extract feature information and prevent the loss of important information while reducing the image size. The AAM block, incorporated into the bottleneck layer, captures more contextual information. The Channel Attention Module (CAM) is introduced into skip connections to enhance the connections between channel features to improve accuracy and produce better feature expression. Ultimately, deep supervision is utilized in the decoder layer to avoid vanishing gradients and generate better feature representations. Many experiments were performed to validate the effectiveness of our model on the BraTS2018 dataset. SARFNet achieved Dice coefficient scores of 90.40, 85.54, and 82.15 for the whole tumor (WT), tumor core (TC), and enhancing tumor (ET), respectively. The results show that the proposed model achieves state-of-the-art performance compared with twelve or more benchmarks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Computer Vision and Image Processing in Medicine)
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14 pages, 4816 KiB  
Article
A Polarization-Based Method for Maritime Image Dehazing
by Rui Ma, Zhenduo Zhang, Shuolin Zhang, Zhen Wang and Shuai Liu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4234; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104234 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The accurate identification of target imagery in the presence of sea fog is essential for the precise detection and comprehension of targets situated at sea. To overcome the issues encountered when applying traditional polarimetric dehazing methods to sea fog imagery, this paper proposes [...] Read more.
The accurate identification of target imagery in the presence of sea fog is essential for the precise detection and comprehension of targets situated at sea. To overcome the issues encountered when applying traditional polarimetric dehazing methods to sea fog imagery, this paper proposes an improved polarimetric dehazing method. Initially, the methodology employs quartile-based selection on polarization difference images to ascertain atmospheric light at an infinite distance. Subsequently, the study describes a segmentation approach for sea–sky background images based on the degree of polarization. The results show that the image information entropy of the segmentation process improves by more than 6% compared to that of alternative methodologies, and the local contrast of the image is increased by more than 30% compared to that of the original foggy image. These outcomes confirm the effectiveness of the proposed dehazing methodology in addressing the challenges associated with sea fog imagery. Full article
17 pages, 1293 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Conditions of Fog Generation and the Change Rule of Fog Zone Length in Air Intake Roadway
by Yan Wu, Hongqing Zhu, Baozhen Zhang, Lintao Hu, Shuwei Wang and Jiuli Liu
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4192; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104192 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Fog in mine air intake roadways is a non-negligible disaster that seriously reduces the visibility of the roadway, affects vehicle transportation and the safe passage of personnel, and jeopardizes the safe production of the mine. This paper applies both field testing and numerical [...] Read more.
Fog in mine air intake roadways is a non-negligible disaster that seriously reduces the visibility of the roadway, affects vehicle transportation and the safe passage of personnel, and jeopardizes the safe production of the mine. This paper applies both field testing and numerical simulation to explore fog formation conditions and the effects of inlet air temperature and humidity on the fog zone length within the Wangjialing Mine’s air intake roadway in Shanxi, China. First, based on the consideration of the relationship between the moisture gain of surrounding rock and the temperature with humidity of the air flow, the fog generation and distribution law model of the air intake roadway was established. Based on this model, the critical inlet air temperature and the critical inlet air relative humidity for fogging in the Wangjialing Mine air intake roadway were determined. In addition, we found that the fogging point inside the roadway shifted forward continuously with the increase in inlet air temperature and inlet air relative humidity, and the length of the fog zone expands parabolically in response to these rising conditions. Full article
25 pages, 10099 KiB  
Article
Antifungal Activities of Biogenic Silver Nanoparticles Mediated by Marine Algae: In Vitro and In Vivo Insights of Coating Tomato Fruit to Protect against Penicillium italicum Blue Mold
by Ragaa A. Hamouda, Fatimah Q. Almaghrabi, Ohoud M. Alharbi, Abla D. M. Al-Harbi, Rahaf M. Alsulami and Abrar M. Alhumairi
Mar. Drugs 2024, 22(5), 225; https://doi.org/10.3390/md22050225 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
In an attempt to reduce such decay induced by pathogenic causes, several studies investigated the effectiveness of nanoparticles (NPs) that play a vital role in saving food products, especially fruits. Current research delves into biogenic silver nanoparticles (using marine alga Turbinaria turbinata (Tt/Ag-NPs) [...] Read more.
In an attempt to reduce such decay induced by pathogenic causes, several studies investigated the effectiveness of nanoparticles (NPs) that play a vital role in saving food products, especially fruits. Current research delves into biogenic silver nanoparticles (using marine alga Turbinaria turbinata (Tt/Ag-NPs) and their characterization using FT-IR, TEM, EDS, and zeta potential. Some pathogenic fungi, which cause fruit spoilage, were isolated. We studied the impact of using Tt/Ag-NPs to protect against isolated fungi in vitro, and the influence of Tt/Ag-NPs as a coating of tomato fruit to protect against blue mold caused by Penicillium italicum (OR770486) over 17 days of storage time. Five treatments were examined: T1, healthy fruits were used as the positive control; T2, healthy fruits sprayed with Tt/Ag-NPs; T3, fruits infected with P. italicum followed by coating with Tt/Ag-NPs (pre-coating); T4, fruits coated with Tt/Ag-NPs followed by infection by P. italicum (post-coating); and T5, the negative control, fruits infected by P. italicum. The results displayed that Tt/Ag-NPs are crystalline, spherical in shape, with size ranges between 14.5 and 39.85 nm, and negative charges. Different concentrations of Tt/Ag-NPs possessed antifungal activities against Botrytis cinerea, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, Penicillium expansum, Alternaria alternate, and Stemphylium vesicarium. After two days of tomatoes being infected with P. italicum, 55% of the fruits were spoilage. The tomato fruit coated with Tt/Ag-NPs delayed weight loss, increased titratable acidity (TA%), antioxidant%, and polyphenol contents, and decreased pH and total soluble solids (TSSs). There were no significant results between pre-coating and post-coating except in phenol contents increased in pre-coating. A particular focus is placed on the novel and promising approach of utilizing nanoparticles to combat foodborne pathogens and preserve commodities, with a spotlight on the application of nanoparticles in safeguarding tomatoes from decay. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoparticle Synthesis with Marine Substances 2.0)
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14 pages, 561 KiB  
Article
Effects of Transport Duration and Pre-Transport Fasting on Blood Biochemistry in Dorper × Mongolian Sheep
by Jin Xiao, Zhipeng Han, Xintong Li, Clive J. C. Phillips and Binlin Shi
Animals 2024, 14(10), 1482; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14101482 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Transport is a high-risk time for sheep, especially if the distances are long and sheep are fasted for a long time beforehand. Two experiments were conducted to compare transport durations of 1 hour (1 h) and 3 hours (3 h) and the effects [...] Read more.
Transport is a high-risk time for sheep, especially if the distances are long and sheep are fasted for a long time beforehand. Two experiments were conducted to compare transport durations of 1 hour (1 h) and 3 hours (3 h) and the effects of feeding before transport using Dorper × Mongolian sheep, which are typical of the region and may be tolerant of the high temperatures in the Inner Mongolian summer. Thirty 4-month-old male sheep were randomly divided into two treatment groups, with 15 sheep/treatment in each experiment, to evaluate the effects on blood biochemical indicators, stress hormone levels, rectal temperatures, and antioxidant status of lambs in summer. In Experiment 1, the levels of triglycerides and free fatty acids after 3 h transport were significantly lower than after 1 h transport (p < 0.05). The levels of thyroxine and malondialdehyde in blood were greater after 3 h transport than 1 h transport (p < 0.05). Creatine kinase levels after 3 h transport tended to be lower than after 1 h transport (p = 0.051). In Experiment 2, the levels of urea and superoxide dismutase in the group fasted pre-transport was significantly lower than those of the group fed pre-transport (p < 0.05). The serum cortisol level in the pre-transport fed group was higher compared to the group fed pre-transport (p = 0.04). Total antioxidant capacity in the pre-transport fasted group tended to be lower compared to that in the pre-transport fed group (p < 0.0001). We conclude that the reduction in nutritional status of sheep transported for longer and without feed pre-transport suggests that transporting sheep in hot conditions in northern China after fasting for a long period should be restricted. However, a decrease in the stress induced by transport following fasting is worthy of further study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Small Ruminants)
23 pages, 5506 KiB  
Article
An Adaptive Control Scheme Based on Non-Interference Nonlinearity Approximation for a Class of Nonlinear Cascaded Systems and Its Application to Flexible Joint Manipulators
by Zhangxing Liu, Hongzhe Jin and Jie Zhao
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3178; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103178 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Control design for the nonlinear cascaded system is challenging due to its complicated system dynamics and system uncertainty, both of which can be considered some kind of system nonlinearity. In this paper, we propose a novel nonlinearity approximation scheme with a simplified structure, [...] Read more.
Control design for the nonlinear cascaded system is challenging due to its complicated system dynamics and system uncertainty, both of which can be considered some kind of system nonlinearity. In this paper, we propose a novel nonlinearity approximation scheme with a simplified structure, where the system nonlinearity is approximated by a steady component and an alternating component using only local tracking errors. The nonlinearity of each subsystem is estimated independently. On this basis, a model-free adaptive control for a class of nonlinear cascaded systems is proposed. A squared-error correction procedure is introduced to regulate the weight coefficients of the approximation components, which makes the whole adaptive system stable even with the unmodeled uncertainties. The effectiveness of the proposed controller is validated on a flexible joint system through numerical simulations and experiments. Simulation and experimental results show that the proposed controller can achieve better control performance than the radial basis function network control. Due to its simplicity and robustness, this method is suitable for engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Sensing and Control Technologies for Autonomous Robots)
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16 pages, 1971 KiB  
Article
Extraction and Biological Activity of Lignanoids from Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson Residual Waste Biomass using Deep Eutectic Solvents
by Ying Lu, Haishan Tang, Feng Chen, Wufei Tang, Wubliker Dessie, Yunhui Liao and Zuodong Qin
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2352; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102352 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Lignanoids are an active ingredient exerting powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of many diseases. In order to improve the efficiency of the resource utilization of traditional Chinese medicine waste, Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson residue (MOR) waste biomass was [...] Read more.
Lignanoids are an active ingredient exerting powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the treatment of many diseases. In order to improve the efficiency of the resource utilization of traditional Chinese medicine waste, Magnolia officinalis Rehder & E.H.Wilson residue (MOR) waste biomass was used as raw material in this study, and a series of deep eutectic solvents (ChUre, ChAce, ChPro, ChCit, ChOxa, ChMal, ChLac, ChLev, ChGly and ChEG) were selected to evaluate the extraction efficiency of lignanoids from MORs. The results showed that the best conditions for lignanoid extraction were a liquid–solid ratio of 40.50 mL/g, an HBD-HBA ratio of 2.06, a water percentage of 29.3%, an extract temperature of 337.65 K, and a time of 107 min. Under these conditions, the maximum lignanoid amount was 39.18 mg/g. In addition, the kinetics of the extraction process were investigated by mathematic modeling. In our antioxidant activity study, high antioxidant activity of the lignanoid extract was shown in scavenging four different types of free radicals (DPPH, ·OH, ABTS, and superoxide anions). At a concentration of 3 mg/mL, the total antioxidant capacity of the lignanoid extract was 1.795 U/mL, which was equal to 0.12 mg/mL of Vc solution. Furthermore, the antibacterial activity study found that the lignanoid extract exhibited good antibacterial effects against six tested pathogens. Among them, Staphylococcus aureus exerted the strongest antibacterial activity. Eventually, the correlation of the lignanoid extract with the biological activity and physicochemical properties of DESs is described using a heatmap, along with the evaluation of the in vitro hypoglycemic, in vitro hypolipidemic, immunomodulatory, and anti-inflammatory activity of the lignanoid extract. These findings can provide a theoretical foundation for the extraction of high-value components from waste biomass by deep eutectic solvents, as well as highlighting its specific significance in natural product development and utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Extraction and Chemical Constituents of Natural Extracts)

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