The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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16 pages, 4738 KiB  
Article
Liquid Biopsy Profiling with Multiple Tests in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer
by Nikki Higa, Lisa Welter, Liya Xu, Anand Kolatkar, Kelli S. Bramlett, Ole V. Gjoerup, Ryon Graf, Richard S.P. Huang, Rebecca J. Leary, Young Lee, Jeremy Perkins, Adam Riker, Angad P. Singh, Lorraine Tafra, Carol K. Tweed, Craig D. Shriver, James Hicks and Peter Kuhn
J. Mol. Pathol. 2024, 5(2), 199-214; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmp5020013 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The chief goal of the Blood Profiling Atlas in Cancer (BloodPAC) consortium is to promote collaborative efforts that support the development and implementation of liquid biopsy tests. Here, we report the results of a pilot study conducted by three BloodPAC members that aimed [...] Read more.
The chief goal of the Blood Profiling Atlas in Cancer (BloodPAC) consortium is to promote collaborative efforts that support the development and implementation of liquid biopsy tests. Here, we report the results of a pilot study conducted by three BloodPAC members that aimed to demonstrate a multisite liquid biopsy testing framework using longitudinal blood specimens from 38 patients with metastatic breast cancer. Three laboratories receiving identical samples from two clinical sites each applied a different targeted sequencing platform to analyze mutations in cell-free DNA (cfDNA). The resulting mutational profiles reflected common breast cancer alterations, including clinically actionable mutations for 40% of hormone- receptor-positive patients. In 12 genes with shared target regions across sequencing panels, perfect inter-assay concordance was also observed for mutations detected above the lowest common assay limit of detection. Whole-genome copy number profiling of cfDNA and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) further revealed marked heterogeneity in copy number alterations and cfDNA tumor fractions across patients. Additionally, comparison of tumor fraction and CTC abundance demonstrated the complementary nature of cfDNA and CTC analyses. Overall, the framework described in this study may serve as a resource for future trials aiming to identify multimodal liquid biopsy biomarkers to guide clinical care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in Journal of Molecular Pathology)
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20 pages, 270 KiB  
Article
Study on the Impact of Delayed Retirement on the Sustainability of the Basic Pension Insurance Fund for Urban Employees in China
by Guiling Zhao, Deyu Zhou and Yunpeng Fu
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 3969; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16103969 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
With the aging of China’s population, the problem of pension security has become more and more prominent, and whether delayed retirement can effectively alleviate the pension fund gap and ensure the sustainability of the pension fund has become the focus of social concern. [...] Read more.
With the aging of China’s population, the problem of pension security has become more and more prominent, and whether delayed retirement can effectively alleviate the pension fund gap and ensure the sustainability of the pension fund has become the focus of social concern. This study predicts the income and expenditure of urban workers’ basic pension insurance fund from 2021 to 2050 by constructing an actuarial model of pension insurance fund income and expenditure, and simulates the effect of delayed retirement policy. The prediction results show that under the existing system, the basic pension insurance fund for urban workers will have a shortfall for the first time in 2027, and the shortfall will expand year by year. Compared with the non-implementation of delayed retirement policy, the simulation of the implementation of a delayed retirement program delayed the emergence of the fund gap until 2029, and the forecast period of the pension fund gap significantly narrowed, indicating that delayed retirement policy has a certain positive impact on alleviating the pressure of pension payments, but delayed retirement cannot completely eliminate the pension fund gap. In view of this, this paper suggests that a progressive and flexible delayed retirement policy should be introduced as soon as possible to better adapt to the needs of different groups. At the same time, differentiated policies should be formulated for different groups of people and a pension incentive mechanism for delayed retirement should be set up to improve public acceptance of delayed retirement policy. In addition, delayed retirement policy should be combined with other measures, such as lowering the corporate contribution rate and enhancing the value-added capacity of the pension fund, so as to ensure the sustainability of the pension fund. Full article
20 pages, 7300 KiB  
Article
A Novel Multi-Scale Feature Map Fusion for Oil Spill Detection of SAR Remote Sensing
by Chunshan Li, Yushuai Yang, Xiaofei Yang, Dianhui Chu and Weijia Cao
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1684; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101684 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The efficient and timely identification of oil spill areas is crucial for ocean environmental protection. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is widely used in oil spill detection due to its all-weather monitoring capability. Meanwhile, existing deep learning-based oil spill detection methods mainly rely on [...] Read more.
The efficient and timely identification of oil spill areas is crucial for ocean environmental protection. Synthetic aperture radar (SAR) is widely used in oil spill detection due to its all-weather monitoring capability. Meanwhile, existing deep learning-based oil spill detection methods mainly rely on the classical U-Net framework and have achieved impressive results. However, SAR images exhibit high noise, blurry boundaries, and irregular shapes of target areas, as well as speckles and shadows, which lead to the loss of performance in existing algorithms. In this paper, we propose a novel network architecture to achieve more precise segmentation of oil spill areas by reintroducing rich semantic contextual information before obtaining the final segmentation mask. Specifically, the proposed architecture can re-fuse feature maps from different levels at the decoder end. We design a multi-convolutional layer (MCL) module to extract basic feature information from SAR images, and a feature extraction module (FEM) module further extracts and fuses feature maps generated by the U-Net decoder at different levels. Through these operations, the network can learn rich global and local contextual information, enable sufficient interaction of feature information at different stages, enhance the model’s contextual awareness, and improve its ability to recognize complex textures and blurry boundaries, thereby enhancing the segmentation accuracy of SAR images. Compared to many U-Net based segmentation networks, our method shows promising results and achieves state-of-the-art performance on multiple evaluation metrics. Full article
20 pages, 5223 KiB  
Article
High-Speed Spatial–Temporal Saliency Model: A Novel Detection Method for Infrared Small Moving Targets Based on a Vectorized Guided Filter
by Aersi Aliha, Yuhan Liu, Guangyao Zhou and Yuxin Hu
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1685; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101685 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Infrared (IR) imaging-based detection systems are of vital significance in the domains of early warning and security, necessitating a high level of precision and efficiency in infrared small moving target detection. IR targets often appear dim and small relative to the background and [...] Read more.
Infrared (IR) imaging-based detection systems are of vital significance in the domains of early warning and security, necessitating a high level of precision and efficiency in infrared small moving target detection. IR targets often appear dim and small relative to the background and are easily buried by noise and difficult to detect. A novel high-speed spatial–temporal saliency model (HS-STSM) based on a guided filter (GF) is proposed, which innovatively introduces GF into IR target detection to extract the local anisotropy saliency in the spatial domain, and substantially suppresses the background region as well as the bright clutter false alarms present in the background. Moreover, the proposed model extracts the motion saliency of the target in the temporal domain through vectorization of IR image sequences. Additionally, the proposed model significantly improves the detection efficiency through a vectorized filtering process and effectively suppresses edge components in the background by integrating a prior weight. Experiments conducted on five real infrared image sequences demonstrate the superior performance of the model compared to existing algorithms in terms of the detection rate, noise suppression, real-time processing, and robustness to the background. Full article
16 pages, 1426 KiB  
Article
Multi-User Detection Based on Improved Cheetah Optimization Algorithm
by Shuang Chen, Yuanfa Ji and Xiyan Sun
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1842; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101842 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Targeting the issues of slow speed and inadequate precision of optimal solution calculation for multi-user detection in complex noise environments, this paper proposes a multi-user detection algorithm based on a Hybrid Cheetah Optimizer (HCO). The algorithm first optimizes the control parameters and individual [...] Read more.
Targeting the issues of slow speed and inadequate precision of optimal solution calculation for multi-user detection in complex noise environments, this paper proposes a multi-user detection algorithm based on a Hybrid Cheetah Optimizer (HCO). The algorithm first optimizes the control parameters and individual update mechanism of the Cheetah Optimizer (CO) algorithm using a nonlinear strategy to improve the uniformity and discretization of the individual search range, and then dynamically introduces a differential evolutionary algorithm into the improved selection mechanism of the CO algorithm, which is utilized to fine-tune the solution space and maintain the local diversity during the fast search process. Simulation results demonstrate that this detection algorithm not only realizes fast convergence with a very low bit error rate (BER) at eight iterations but also has obvious advantages in terms of noise immunity, resistance to far and near effects, communication capacity, etc., which greatly improves the speed and accuracy of optimal position solving for multi-user detection and can achieve the purpose of accurate solving in complex environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Circuit and Signal Processing)
21 pages, 533 KiB  
Review
Clinical Studies Using Topical Melatonin
by Giovanni Greco, Ritamaria Di Lorenzo, Lucia Ricci, Teresa Di Serio, Eleonora Vardaro and Sonia Laneri
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5167; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105167 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Melatonin is ubiquitously present in all animals and plants, where it exerts a variety of physiological activities thanks to its antioxidant properties and its key role as the first messenger of extracellular signaling functions. Most of the clinical studies on melatonin refer to [...] Read more.
Melatonin is ubiquitously present in all animals and plants, where it exerts a variety of physiological activities thanks to its antioxidant properties and its key role as the first messenger of extracellular signaling functions. Most of the clinical studies on melatonin refer to its widespread oral use as a dietary supplement to improve sleep. A far smaller number of articles describe the clinical applications of topical melatonin to treat or prevent skin disorders by exploiting its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. This review focuses on the clinical studies in which melatonin was applied on the skin as a photoprotective, anti-aging, or hair growth-promoting agent. The methodologies and results of such studies are discussed to provide an overall picture of the state of the art in this intriguing field of research. The clinical studies in which melatonin was applied on the skin before exposure to radiation (UV, sunlight, and high-energy beams) were all characterized by an appropriate design (randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled) and strongly support its clinical efficacy in preventing or reducing skin damage such as dermatitis, erythema, and sunburn. Most of the studies examined in this review do not provide a clear demonstration of the efficacy of topical melatonin as a skin anti-aging or as a hair growth-promoting agent owing to limitations in their design and/or to the use of melatonin combined with extra active ingredients, except for one trial that suggests a possible beneficial role of melatonin in treating some forms of alopecia in women. Further research efforts are required to reach definitive conclusions concerning the actual benefits of topical melatonin to counteract skin aging and hair loss. Full article
20 pages, 347 KiB  
Article
Canonical Metrics on Twisted Quiver Bundles over a Class of Non-Compact Gauduchon Manifold
by Shi-Fan Cai, Sudhakar Kumar Chaubey, Xin Xu, Pan Zhang and Zhi-Heng Zhang
Axioms 2024, 13(5), 312; https://doi.org/10.3390/axioms13050312 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this paper is to prove a theorem for holomorphic twisted quiver bundles over a special non-compact Gauduchon manifold, connecting the existence of (σ,τ)-Hermite–Yang–Mills metric in differential geometry and the analytic (σ,τ) [...] Read more.
The aim of this paper is to prove a theorem for holomorphic twisted quiver bundles over a special non-compact Gauduchon manifold, connecting the existence of (σ,τ)-Hermite–Yang–Mills metric in differential geometry and the analytic (σ,τ)-stability in algebraic geometry. The proof of the theorem relies on the flow method and the Uhlenbeck–Yau’s continuity method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Differential Geometry and Mathematical Physics)
40 pages, 1777 KiB  
Review
Non-Integrated and Integrated On-Board Battery Chargers (iOBCs) for Electric Vehicles (EVs): A Critical Review
by Fatemeh Nasr Esfahani, Ahmed Darwish, Xiandong Ma and Peter Twigg
Energies 2024, 17(10), 2285; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102285 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The rising Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions stemming from the extensive use of automobiles across the globe represent a critical environmental challenge, contributing significantly to phenomena such as global warming and the deterioration of air quality. To address these challenges, there is a critical [...] Read more.
The rising Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions stemming from the extensive use of automobiles across the globe represent a critical environmental challenge, contributing significantly to phenomena such as global warming and the deterioration of air quality. To address these challenges, there is a critical need for research and development in electric vehicles (EVs) and their associated charging infrastructure, including off-board and on-board chargers (OBCs). This paper aims to bridge the gaps in existing review literature by offering a comprehensive review of both integrated and non-integrated OBCs for EVs, based on the authors’ knowledge at the time of writing. The paper begins by outlining trends in the EV market, including voltage levels, power ratings, and relevant standards. It then provides a detailed analysis of two-level and multi-level power converter topologies, covering AC-DC power factor correction (PFC) and isolated DC-DC topologies. Subsequently, it discusses single-stage and two-stage non-integrated OBC solutions. Additionally, various categories of integrated OBCs (iOBCs) are explored, accompanied by relevant examples. The paper also includes comparison tables containing technical specifications and key characteristics for reference and analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section D2: Electrochem: Batteries, Fuel Cells, Capacitors)
19 pages, 16408 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Impact of Campus Landscape Visual Elements Combination on Short-Term Stress Relief among College Students: A Case from China
by Hui He, Tong Zhang, Qinghao Zhang, Sheng Rong, Yihe Jia and Fengqian Dong
Buildings 2024, 14(5), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14051340 - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Although the effect of campus landscape space on stress relief among college students has been confirmed, few existing studies have considered the impact on stress recovery from the perspective of factor combination, and the key visual elements and the most effective combination of [...] Read more.
Although the effect of campus landscape space on stress relief among college students has been confirmed, few existing studies have considered the impact on stress recovery from the perspective of factor combination, and the key visual elements and the most effective combination of visual elements to relieve stress are still unclear. This study attempts to conduct a natural experiment within Chinese campuses, measuring physiological indicators of stress such as heart rate (HR), frequency domain index of heart rate variability (LF/HF), skin conductance level (SCL), skin temperature (SKT), and respiratory rate (RESP) using physiological instruments. It explored the effects of visual elements and their combinations in campus landscape spaces on short-term stress relief among college students through semantic segmentation, multifactorial analysis of variance, and post hoc multiple comparison methods. Research results demonstrate that the presence of water elements in the field of vision can effectively improve the stress relief effects of landscape spaces. Reasonable combinations of natural landscape elements and artificial landscape elements in the design can also effectively promote stress relief among students. Building facade area and sky area, water area and sky area, and plant species and pavement area are three combinations of factors with the strongest interactive effects. “Natural water scenery” and “exquisite artificial” are two campus landscape design patterns most conducive to short-term stress relief. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances of Healthy Environment Design in Urban Development)
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13 pages, 3615 KiB  
Article
Microstrip Quasi-Elliptic Absorptive Bandpass Filter with Ultra-Wide Reflectionless Range and Compact Size
by Awei Zhang, Jinping Xu, Zhiqiang Liu and Yuwei Zhang
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1841; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101841 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Absorptive bandpass filters (ABPFs) are highly attractive in modern microwave communication systems due to their ability to internally absorb the harmful stopband RF-power reflections. This paper reports an approach to designing quasi-elliptic ABPFs with ultra-wide reflectionless range, enhanced selectivity, and compact size. The [...] Read more.
Absorptive bandpass filters (ABPFs) are highly attractive in modern microwave communication systems due to their ability to internally absorb the harmful stopband RF-power reflections. This paper reports an approach to designing quasi-elliptic ABPFs with ultra-wide reflectionless range, enhanced selectivity, and compact size. The method is realized based on a fourth-order quasi-elliptic absorptive lowpass filter (ALPF) prototype with a simplified structure. This ALPF prototype exhibits both good impedance-matching over the whole normalized frequency domain and an adjustable transmission zero close to the passband. By applying an equivalent impedance transformer model, a coupled-line-based ABPF scheme is devised from the ALPF prototype, which eliminates conventional dispersive transmission line inverters, resulting in an ultra-wide reflectionless range and a compact size. Closed-form equations are derived to support the filter synthesis. A 2.45 GHz microstrip ABPF with 30% fractional bandwidth is designed for verification. The measured minimum in-band insertion loss is 0.83 dB and the reflectionless range of return loss better than 10 dB is from DC to 12.88 GHz. Both the upper and lower stopband suppression exceed 20 dB, with the upper stopband extending up to 6.80 GHz. The upper and lower out-of-band roll-off rates are 93.9 and 121.4 dB/GHz, respectively. The overall circuit size is 0.12 λg2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Microwave and Wireless Communications)
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18 pages, 4425 KiB  
Review
Research Progress of Heavy-Metal-Free Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes
by Ruiqiang Xu, Shi Lai, Youwei Zhang and Xiaoli Zhang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 832; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100832 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
At present, heavy-metal-free quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) have shown great potential as a research hotspot in the field of optoelectronic devices. This article reviews the research on heavy-metal-free quantum dot (QD) materials and light-emitting diode (LED) devices. In the first section, we [...] Read more.
At present, heavy-metal-free quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) have shown great potential as a research hotspot in the field of optoelectronic devices. This article reviews the research on heavy-metal-free quantum dot (QD) materials and light-emitting diode (LED) devices. In the first section, we discussed the hazards of heavy-metal-containing quantum dots (QDs), such as environmental pollution and human health risks. Next, the main representatives of heavy-metal-free QDs were introduced, such as InP, ZnE (E=S, Se and Te), CuInS2, Ag2S, and so on. In the next section, we discussed the synthesis methods of heavy-metal-free QDs, including the hot injection (HI) method, the heat up (HU) method, the cation exchange (CE) method, the successful ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method, and so on. Finally, important progress in the development of heavy-metal-free QLEDs was summarized in three aspects (QD emitter layer, hole transport layer, and electron transport layer). Full article
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10 pages, 484 KiB  
Article
The Optimal Cut-Off Point of Physical Activity for the Prevention of Childhood Overweight and Obesity
by Shuxian Wu, Yu Huang, Lei Wang, Xiang Zhao, Qiaohong Lv and Qingqing Wu
Children 2024, 11(5), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11050569 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Childhood obesity might threaten children’s current and adulthood health outcomes. Previous studies have illustrated the positive effects of physical activity on weight control; however, there is a lack of evidence on the optimal dose of physical activity. Therefore, we aimed to explore the [...] Read more.
Childhood obesity might threaten children’s current and adulthood health outcomes. Previous studies have illustrated the positive effects of physical activity on weight control; however, there is a lack of evidence on the optimal dose of physical activity. Therefore, we aimed to explore the relationship between physical activity and overweight and obesity, as well as the optimal threshold for physical activity. The median (interquartile range) and number (proportion) were used to describe the statistics. The Mann–Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for an univariable analysis. The generalized additive model with a smooth function was used to depict the preliminary relationship between physical activity and overweight and obesity. The cut-off level of physical activity was identified using AddFor algorithms, and a logistic regression model was applied to explore the multivariable relationship between physical activity and overweight and obesity after adjusting for control variables. According to the statistical analyses, 24.3% of 842 children and adolescents had overweight and obesity. The average number of days that the participants engaged in more than one hour of physical activity was three days a week. The optimal cut-off level of physical activity for the prevention of childhood overweight and obesity was 4 times a week. The participants who exercised more than four times a week (AOR(95% CI) = 0.56(0.38, 0.83), p = 0.004) were less likely to be overweight and obese. In the context of the general lack of physical activity among children and adolescents, we recommend that children and adolescents engage in 60 min of physical activity more than four times a week for a healthy weight. Full article
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21 pages, 2528 KiB  
Article
Identification of Novel Loci Precisely Modulating Pre-Harvest Sprouting Resistance and Red Color Components of the Seed Coat in T. aestivum L.
by Svetlana D. Afonnikova, Antonina A. Kiseleva, Anna V. Fedyaeva, Evgenii G. Komyshev, Vasily S. Koval, Dmitry A. Afonnikov and Elena A. Salina
Plants 2024, 13(10), 1309; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13101309 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The association between pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and seed coat color has long been recognized. Red-grained wheats generally exhibit greater PHS resistance compared to white-grained wheat, although variability in PHS resistance exists within red-grained varieties. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study on a [...] Read more.
The association between pre-harvest sprouting (PHS) and seed coat color has long been recognized. Red-grained wheats generally exhibit greater PHS resistance compared to white-grained wheat, although variability in PHS resistance exists within red-grained varieties. Here, we conducted a genome-wide association study on a panel consisting of red-grained wheat varieties, aimed at uncovering genes that modulate PHS resistance and red color components of seed coat using digital image processing. Twelve loci associated with PHS traits were identified, nine of which were described for the first time. Genetic loci marked by SNPs AX-95172164 (chromosome 1B) and AX-158544327 (chromosome 7D) explained approximately 25% of germination index variance, highlighting their value for breeding PHS-resistant varieties. The most promising candidate gene for PHS resistance was TraesCS6B02G147900, encoding a protein involved in aleurone layer morphogenesis. Twenty-six SNPs were significantly associated with grain color, independently of the known Tamyb10 gene. Most of them were related to multiple color characteristics. Prioritization of genes within the revealed loci identified TraesCS1D03G0758600 and TraesCS7B03G1296800, involved in the regulation of pigment biosynthesis and in controlling pigment accumulation. In conclusion, our study identifies new loci associated with grain color and germination index, providing insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying these traits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cereal Genetics and Molecular Genetics)
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15 pages, 3961 KiB  
Article
Edible Paper Sheets from Alternanthera philoxeroides and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix: Smart Biomass Valorization
by Sharmin Suraiya, Mst. Ayesha Siddika Mohona, Mst Fatema, Monjurul Haq, Md. Anisur Rahman and Subrata Mondal
Biomass 2024, 4(2), 414-428; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomass4020020 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Alternanthera philoxeroides and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix offer significant nutritional benefits. This study evaluates the proximate composition, amino acid profile, GC-MS analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and EDX, and color values of edible paper sheets (EPSs) derived from Alternanthera philoxeroides incorporating different levels of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix [...] Read more.
Alternanthera philoxeroides and Hypophthalmichthys molitrix offer significant nutritional benefits. This study evaluates the proximate composition, amino acid profile, GC-MS analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM and EDX, and color values of edible paper sheets (EPSs) derived from Alternanthera philoxeroides incorporating different levels of Hypophthalmichthys molitrix flesh. The protein content in the EPSs varied based on fish flesh incorporation, peaking at 52.66% in Ap100/Hm300 (Non-boil). Protein and carbohydrate contents showed an inverse correlation across EPSs, with the highest carbohydrate content of 60.89% in sample Ap400/Hm0 (Boil). Lipid content was also found to correlate with H. molitrix flesh content in EPSs, ranging from 1.59% to 18.41%. Amino acid analysis identified 11 types, with methionine as the most prevalent, followed by leucine, phenylalanine, and lysine. GC-MS analysis revealed 51 bioactive compounds, including carbonic acid, hentriacontane, and various fatty acids. FT-IR analysis showed characteristic bonds, while color analysis displayed L* values ranging from 24.37 to 30.97. SEM analyses depicted the microstructure, surface view, and elemental composition of the EPSs, and EDX showed an abundance of Ca, N, K, O, C, Mg, Na, P, Cl, Mn, and Fe. Therefore, EPSs prepared from A. philoxeroides and H. molitrix could offer a promising approach for effectively utilizing aquatic biomass and providing both plant and animal nutrients to consumers. Full article
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16 pages, 1968 KiB  
Article
DNA-Binding Proteins and Passenger Proteins in Plasma DNA–Protein Complexes: Imprint of Parental Cells or Key Mediators of Carcinogenesis Processes?
by Oleg Tutanov, Aleksei Shefer, Evgenii Shefer, Pavel Ruzankin, Yuri Tsentalovich and Svetlana Tamkovich
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5165; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105165 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Knowledge of the composition of proteins that interact with plasma DNA will provide a better understanding of the homeostasis of circulating nucleic acids and the various modes of interaction with target cells, which may be useful in the development of gene targeted therapy [...] Read more.
Knowledge of the composition of proteins that interact with plasma DNA will provide a better understanding of the homeostasis of circulating nucleic acids and the various modes of interaction with target cells, which may be useful in the development of gene targeted therapy approaches. The goal of the present study is to shed light on the composition and architecture of histone-containing nucleoprotein complexes (NPCs) from the blood plasma of healthy females (HFs) and breast cancer patients (BCPs) and to explore the relationship of proteins with crucial steps of tumor progression: epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell proliferation, invasion, cell migration, stimulation of angiogenesis, and immune response. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometric analysis of NPCs isolated from blood samples using affine chromatography was performed. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the shares of DNA-binding proteins in the compositions of NPCs in normal and cancer patients are comparable and amount to 40% and 33%, respectively; in total, we identified 38 types of DNA-binding motifs. Functional enrichment analysis using FunRich 3.13 showed that, in BCP blood, the share of DNA-binding proteins involved in nucleic acid metabolism increased, while the proportion of proteins involved in intercellular communication and signal transduction decreased. The representation of NPC passenger proteins in breast cancer also changes: the proportion of proteins involved in transport increases and the share of proteins involved in energy biological pathways decreases. Moreover, in the HF blood, proteins involved in the processes of apoptosis were more represented in the composition of NPCs and in the BCP blood—in the processes of active secretion. For the first time, bioinformatics approaches were used to visualize the architecture of circulating NPCs in the blood and to show that breast cancer has an increased representation of passenger proteins involved in EMT, cell proliferation, invasion, cell migration, and immune response. Using breast cancer protein data from the Human Protein Atlas (HPA) and DEPC, we found that 86% of NPC proteins in the blood of BCPs were not previously annotated in these databases. The obtained data may indirectly indicate directed protein sorting in NPCs, which, along with extracellular vesicles, can not only be diagnostically significant molecules for liquid biopsy, but can also carry out the directed transfer of genetic material from donor cells to recipient cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Analysis and Applications of Mass Spectrum in Biochemistry 2.0)
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9 pages, 701 KiB  
Article
Effect of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy on the Tongue Dorsum on Reducing Halitosis and the Duration of the Effect: A Randomized Clinical Trial
by Takayuki Maruyama, Daisuke Ekuni, Aya Yokoi, Junichiro Nagasaki, Nanami Sawada and Manabu Morita
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 980; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12100980 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that is gaining popularity in modern clinical medicine. However, little is known about the effect of PDT alone on reducing oral halitosis and the duration of the effect. This trial examined the effect of PDT on [...] Read more.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a treatment that is gaining popularity in modern clinical medicine. However, little is known about the effect of PDT alone on reducing oral halitosis and the duration of the effect. This trial examined the effect of PDT on the tongue dorsum on reducing oral halitosis and the duration of the effect. This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Okayama University Graduate School of Medicine, Dentistry, and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Okayama University Hospital (CRB20-015), and it was registered in the Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs061200060). Twenty-two participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an intervention group and control group. PDT was performed in the intervention group using red laser emission and methylene blue gel on the middle and posterior area of the tongue dorsum. The concentration of volatile sulfur compounds, bacterial count on the tongue dorsum, probing pocket depth, bleeding on probing, and simplified oral debris index score were determined before and 1 week after PDT. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to assess the significance of the differences in each parameter between the two groups. We found that the hydrogen sulfide concentration and bacterial count on the tongue dorsum were decreased in the intervention group, but there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups. These results indicated that performing only PDT on the tongue dorsum may not contribute to reducing halitosis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preventive Care in Healthcare—2nd Edition)
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23 pages, 933 KiB  
Review
Reprogramming Tumor-Associated Macrophage Using Nanocarriers: New Perspectives to Halt Cancer Progression
by Alyona B. Kuznetsova, Ekaterina P. Kolesova, Alessandro Parodi, Andrey A. Zamyatnin, Jr. and Vera S. Egorova
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(5), 636; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050636 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Cancer remains a significant challenge for public healthcare systems worldwide. Within the realm of cancer treatment, considerable attention is focused on understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME)—the complex network of non-cancerous elements surrounding the tumor. Among the cells in TME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play [...] Read more.
Cancer remains a significant challenge for public healthcare systems worldwide. Within the realm of cancer treatment, considerable attention is focused on understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME)—the complex network of non-cancerous elements surrounding the tumor. Among the cells in TME, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play a central role, traditionally categorized as pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages or anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. Within the TME, M2-like TAMs can create a protective environment conducive to tumor growth and progression. These TAMs secrete a range of factors and molecules that facilitate tumor angiogenesis, increased vascular permeability, chemoresistance, and metastasis. In response to this challenge, efforts are underway to develop adjuvant therapy options aimed at reprogramming TAMs from the M2 to the anti-tumor M1 phenotype. Such reprogramming holds promise for suppressing tumor growth, alleviating chemoresistance, and impeding metastasis. Nanotechnology has enabled the development of nanoformulations that may soon offer healthcare providers the tools to achieve targeted drug delivery, controlled drug release within the TME for TAM reprogramming and reduce drug-related adverse events. In this review, we have synthesized the latest data on TAM polarization in response to TME factors, highlighted the pathological effects of TAMs, and provided insights into existing nanotechnologies aimed at TAM reprogramming and depletion. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanomaterials and Its Potential in Health Concern Treatment)
15 pages, 6665 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Apple Vinegar Addition on the Quality and Shelf Life of Cooked Sausage during Chilling Storage
by Anna Okoń, Dorota Zielińska, Piotr Szymański, Anna Łepecka, Urszula Siekierko, Katarzyna Neffe-Skocińska, Monika Trząskowska, Katarzyna Kajak-Siemaszko, Barbara Sionek, Marcelina Karbowiak, Danuta Kołożyn-Krajewska and Zbigniew J. Dolatowski
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4027; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104027 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
As more and more consumers are becoming conscious of the safety and taste of meat products, the use of natural additives and innovative processing techniques has gained significant attention. Naturally fermented fruit vinegar is rich in organic acids and antioxidant phenolic compounds. In [...] Read more.
As more and more consumers are becoming conscious of the safety and taste of meat products, the use of natural additives and innovative processing techniques has gained significant attention. Naturally fermented fruit vinegar is rich in organic acids and antioxidant phenolic compounds. In addition, it contains amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and provitamin beta-carotene, and the presence of acetic acid bacteria may have a positive effect on consumer health. The study aimed to assess the impact of different concentrations of apple vinegar addition on the quality of cooked sausage, focusing on physicochemical parameters, including fatty acid profile and oxidative stability, as well as microbiological quality and sensory changes after production and during chilling storage. Four variants of sausage were prepared: C—sausage without apple vinegar; V1—sausage with 1% of apple vinegar; V3—sausage with 3% of apple vinegar; and V5—sausage with 5% of apple vinegar. All of the tests were carried out after production, as well as after 7 and 14 days of refrigeration storage. The addition of apple vinegar decreased the pH value and increased the oxidation-reduction potential and lipid oxidation in the samples V1, V3, and V5. The sausage with the 5% addition of apple vinegar (V5) was characterized by significantly more intensive brightness (parameter L* = 54.67) in comparison to the C sample (parameter L* = 52.78). The sausages that were tested showed good microbiological quality concerning the total number of microorganisms, lactic acid bacteria, and the absence of pathogenic bacteria. The addition of apple vinegar contributed to the reduction in the intensity of the cured meat flavor and the fatty flavor. Therefore, according to the results presented in this work, it can be concluded that 3% of vinegar is the optimal addition, which may be used in the next step of investigation, taking into account color formation abilities as well as microbiological quality and lipid oxidation processes. Full article
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11 pages, 1360 KiB  
Article
A Study on the Effect of New Surfactant Proportions on the Recovery Improvement of Carbonate Reservoir
by Pengfei Li and Mingyi Hu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4028; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104028 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The strategy of integrating water injection and chemical additives in combining secondary and tertiary oil recovery techniques has been widely investigated in enhancing oil recovery efficiency. Nevertheless, there is a lack of sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of a mixture of cationic and [...] Read more.
The strategy of integrating water injection and chemical additives in combining secondary and tertiary oil recovery techniques has been widely investigated in enhancing oil recovery efficiency. Nevertheless, there is a lack of sufficient evidence on the effectiveness of a mixture of cationic and nonionic surfactants combined with water injection techniques in enhancing recovery in the application of carbonate reservoirs. Therefore, it is particularly critical to explore the impact of this combination strategy in enhancing recovery in fractured carbonate reservoirs. The recovery enhancement effect can be assessed by conducting phase behavior experiments and determining interfacial tension and contact angle. Further, the effectiveness of specific surfactant ration solutions in enhancing recovery can be verified by performing drive-off experiments. The results show that low mineralization water and surfactants have a significant synergistic effect in enhancing the recovery efficiency of carbonate reservoirs, with the optimal ratio of cationic to non-ionic surfactants being 2.5:1. The optimized surfactant ratio is able to increase the recovery of carbonate reservoirs by 20% compared to the original recovery rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)
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11 pages, 730 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Gastroprotective Activity of the Methanolic Extract of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (Acanthaceae)
by Ismael Aureliano Rosa Júnior, Dionys de Souza Almeida, Hamilton Barbosa Napolitano, Josana de Castro Peixoto, Lucimar Pinheiro Rosseto, Emerith Mayra Hungria Pinto, Lucas Danilo Dias, James Oluwagbamigbe Fajemiroye, Elson Alves Costa, Rodolfo P. Vieira and José Luis Rodrigues Martins
Nutrients 2024, 16(10), 1430; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101430 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Introduction: Justicia pectoralis Jacq. is traditionally applied in folk medicine in Brazil and in several Latin American countries. The leaves are used in tea form, especially in the treatment of respiratory disorders, acting as an expectorant. It also has activity in gastrointestinal disorders, [...] Read more.
Introduction: Justicia pectoralis Jacq. is traditionally applied in folk medicine in Brazil and in several Latin American countries. The leaves are used in tea form, especially in the treatment of respiratory disorders, acting as an expectorant. It also has activity in gastrointestinal disorders, and it is anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, sedative, and estrogenic, among others. Aims: To investigate the gastroprotective activity of the methanol extract of the leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. (MEJP) in different experimental models of gastric ulcers. Materials and methods: The adult leaves of Justicia pectoralis Jacq. were collected and cultivated in beds, with an approximate spacing of 40 × 40 cm, organic fertilization, irrigation with potable water and without shelter from light. The MEJP was prepared from the dried and pulverized leaves and concentrated under reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator. For the experimental model of gastric ulcer, Swiss male albino mice were used. The inputs used in the experiment were MEJP at three different concentrations (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.), cimetidine (50 mg/kg p.o.), indomethacin (50 mg/kg s.c.) and vehicle (10 mL/kg p.o.). Results: MEJP (250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg p.o.) demonstrated gastroprotective activity, with levels of protection of 45.65%, 44.80% and 40.22%, respectively, compared to the control (vehicle). Compared with cimetidine (48.29%), MEJP showed similar gastroprotective activity. Conclusions: This study demonstrated the gastroprotective activity of MEJP and contributes to validate the traditional use the species for gastric disorders and provides a pharmacological basis for its clinical potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Nutrition on Gastrointestinal Health)
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27 pages, 1645 KiB  
Article
Numerical Simulation and Modeling of Mechano–Electro–Thermal Behavior of Electrical Contact Using COMSOL Multiphysics
by Andrei Andras, Florin Dumitru Popescu, Sorin Mihai Radu, Dragos Pasculescu, Ildiko Brinas, Mirela Ancuta Radu and Daniela (Furdui) Peagu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(10), 4026; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14104026 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Electrical contacts are important circuit components with diverse industrial applications, and their failure can lead to multiple unwanted effects. Hence, the behavior of electrical contacts is a widely studied topic in the scientific literature based on various approaches, tools, and techniques. The present [...] Read more.
Electrical contacts are important circuit components with diverse industrial applications, and their failure can lead to multiple unwanted effects. Hence, the behavior of electrical contacts is a widely studied topic in the scientific literature based on various approaches, tools, and techniques. The present study proposes a new approach to numerical modeling and simulation based on the Holm contact theory, aiming to study the dependence between the electric potential and the temperature within an electrical contact. Structured in five sections, the research was conducted using COMSOL Multiphysics software and its solid-state mechanics, electric current, and heat transfer modules in order to highlight contact behavior from mechanical, electrical and thermal points of view: the von Mises stress, contact force, electric field amplitude, variation of the electrical potential along the current path, temperature gradient, and dependence of temperature along the contact elements edges were obtained by simulation, and are graphically represented. The results show that the temperature increase follows a parabolic curve, and that for values higher than 4 mV of voltage drop, the temperature of the contact increases to 79.25 degrees (and up to 123.81 degrees for 5 mV) over the ambient temperature, thus the integrity of insulation can be compromised. These values are close (10–12%) to the analytically calculated ones, and also in line with research assessed in the literature review. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Studies on Optimization in Electric Energy Systems)
26 pages, 675 KiB  
Article
A Usable Encryption Solution for File-Based Geospatial Data within a Database File System
by Pankajeshwara Sharma, Michael Govorov and Michael Martin
J. Cybersecur. Priv. 2024, 4(2), 298-323; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcp4020015 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
Developing a security solution for spatial files within today’s enterprise Geographical Information System (GIS) that is also usable presents a multifaceted challenge. These files exist in “data silos” of different file server types, resulting in limited collaboration and increased vulnerability. While cloud-based data [...] Read more.
Developing a security solution for spatial files within today’s enterprise Geographical Information System (GIS) that is also usable presents a multifaceted challenge. These files exist in “data silos” of different file server types, resulting in limited collaboration and increased vulnerability. While cloud-based data storage offers many benefits, the associated security concerns have limited its uptake in GIS, making it crucial to explore comparable alternative security solutions that can be deployed on-premise and are also usable. This paper introduces a reasonably usable security solution for spatial files within collaborative enterprise GIS. We explore a Database File System (DBFS) as a potential repository to consolidate and manage spatial files based on its enterprise document management capabilities and security features inherited from the underlying legacy DBMS. These files are protected using the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) algorithm with practical encryption times of 8 MB per second. The final part focuses on an automated encryption solution with schemes for single- and multi-user files that is compatible with various GIS programs and protocol services. Usability testing is carried out to assess the solution’s usability and focuses on effectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction, with the results demonstrating its usability based on the minimal changes it makes to how users work in a collaborative enterprise GIS environment. The solution furnishes a viable means for consolidating and protecting spatial files with various formats at the storage layer within enterprise GIS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Usable Security)
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25 pages, 6878 KiB  
Article
Improved Mechanical Performance in FDM Cellular Frame Structures through Partial Incorporation of Faces
by Mahan Ghosh and Nandika Anne D’Souza
Polymers 2024, 16(10), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16101340 (registering DOI) - 9 May 2024
Abstract
The utilization of lattice-type cellular architectures has seen a significant increase, owing to their predictable shape and the ability to fabricate templated porous materials through low-cost 3D-printing methods. Frames based on atomic lattice structures such as face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), or [...] Read more.
The utilization of lattice-type cellular architectures has seen a significant increase, owing to their predictable shape and the ability to fabricate templated porous materials through low-cost 3D-printing methods. Frames based on atomic lattice structures such as face-centered cubic (FCC), body-centered cubic (BCC), or simple cubic (SC) have been utilized. In FDM, the mechanical performance has been impeded by stress concentration at the nodes and melt-solidification interfaces arising from layer-by-layer deposition. Adding plates to the frames has resulted in improvements with a concurrent increase in weight and hot-pocket-induced dimensional impact in the closed cells formed. In this paper, we explore compressive performance from the partial addition of plates to the frames of a SC-BCC lattice. Compression testing of both single unit cells and 4 × 4 × 4 lattices in all three axial directions is conducted to examine stress transfer to the nearest neighbor and assess scale-up stress transfer. Our findings reveal that hybrid lattice structure unit cells exhibit significantly improved modulus in the range of 125% to 393%, specific modulus in the range of 13% to 120%, and energy absorption in the range of 17% to 395% over the open lattice. The scaled-up lattice modulus increased by 8% to 400%, specific modulus by 2% to 107%, and energy absorption by 37% to 553% over the lattice frame. Parameters that emerged as key to improved lightweighting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Applications)

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