The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
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12 pages, 242 KiB  
Article
Associations between Social Capital and Self-Rated Health among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Japan
by Adam O. Hill, Noriyo Kaneko, Carl M. Page, Natalie Amos, Kohta Iwahashi, Adam Bourne and Stuart Gilmour
Healthcare 2024, 12(10), 997; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12100997 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are significantly more likely to report poor health compared to the general population in Japan and internationally. Social capital has been observed as an important component of positive health and well-being outcomes among MSM. However, there [...] Read more.
Men who have sex with men (MSM) are significantly more likely to report poor health compared to the general population in Japan and internationally. Social capital has been observed as an important component of positive health and well-being outcomes among MSM. However, there is limited research investigating how alter sexuality (possessors of actual resources embedded in social capital networks) mitigates health outcomes. In an online survey of 1564 MSM in Japan, we investigated social correlates of poor self-rated health among MSM, including MSM and heterosexual social networks. Multiple logistic regression revealed that poor health was associated with older age, lower education, and part-time and unemployment. Poor health was inversely correlated with bisexual behavior and high MSM or heterosexual social capital. In order to decrease health disparities among MSM in Japan, interventions focusing on increasing social capital among deprived groups, such as those with lower socio-economic status, older MSM, and those whose sex partners are exclusively male, may be effective. Full article
12 pages, 6984 KiB  
Interesting Images
Stony Corals and Their Associated Fauna Residing in Marine Lakes under Extreme Environmental Conditions
by Leontine E. Becking, Stephanie J. Martinez, Ludi Parwadani Aji, Awaludinnoer Ahmad, Adriana Alzate, Mainah Folkers, Dea Fauzia Lestari, Beginer Subhan and Bert W. Hoeksema
Diversity 2024, 16(5), 295; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16050295 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Tropical marine lakes are small land-locked marine waterbodies occurring in karstic coastal areas. During biodiversity surveys in 12 marine lakes in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua province, Indonesia, we recorded at least 37 species belonging to 29 genera of hard corals. Their observed associated [...] Read more.
Tropical marine lakes are small land-locked marine waterbodies occurring in karstic coastal areas. During biodiversity surveys in 12 marine lakes in Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua province, Indonesia, we recorded at least 37 species belonging to 29 genera of hard corals. Their observed associated symbiont fauna consisted of bivalve molluscs and polychaete worms. Marine lake temperature ranged from 30.0 to 32.5 °C, acidity from pH 7.6 to 8.1, and salinity from 26.4 to 33.2 ppt. This study provides the first inventory of the marginal coral communities in the extreme habitat of marine lakes, under chronic extreme environmental conditions of higher temperatures, land-based nutrient loads, and sedimentation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Interesting Images from the Sea)
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20 pages, 2759 KiB  
Article
Excessive Eutrophication as a Chemical Barrier for Fish Fauna Dispersion: A Case Study in the Emblematic Tietê River (São Paulo, Brazil)
by Bruna Urbanski and Marcos Nogueira
Water 2024, 16(10), 1383; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101383 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The Tietê River receives most of the effluents and diffuse wastes from the São Paulo metropolis (21.9 million inhabitants). The study aimed to assess the extent to which environmental changes affected the fish fauna. We compared, in rainy and dry seasons, three sites [...] Read more.
The Tietê River receives most of the effluents and diffuse wastes from the São Paulo metropolis (21.9 million inhabitants). The study aimed to assess the extent to which environmental changes affected the fish fauna. We compared, in rainy and dry seasons, three sites in Tietê and three in tributaries with much better water quality conditions. No physical barriers exist between the sites. Fish were sampled with gillnets (exposed overnight) and the assemblage’s ecological attributes calculated. Water depth, transparency, temperature, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, total dissolved solids, pH, redox potential, total phosphorus, total nitrogen, and chlorophyll were simultaneously determined. Low oxygen concentrations (near zero in the rainy period), and the opposite for nutrients and total solids, separated the predominantly hypereutrophic Tietê from the tributaries (PCA). Differences in the fish assemblages were also evidenced (nMDS), including a higher richness per sample in tributaries (11 to 14 spp.) compared to Tietê (3 to 4 spp.). Siluriformes with accessory breathing dominated in Tietê and the highly tolerant detritivorous Prochilodus lineatus (the main commercial fish) was the only species found in all sites. The species correlated positively with oxygen in the tributaries and with turbidity, redox potential, and nutrients in Tietê (DistLM) (rainy season). Recovery measures are urgently required. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Aquatic Ecosystems: Biodiversity and Conservation)
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20 pages, 1510 KiB  
Article
Fintech: Evidence of the Urgent Need to Improve Financial Literacy in Portugal
by Mariana Costa, Manuel Au-Yong-Oliveira and Ana Moreira
Adm. Sci. 2024, 14(5), 99; https://doi.org/10.3390/admsci14050099 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Fintech has revolutionized the financial sector, providing a new way of providing banking services. Since Fintech can provide the same services as traditional banks but entirely online, it is a competitor. As a result, consumers’ relationships with banking have inevitably changed, and it [...] Read more.
Fintech has revolutionized the financial sector, providing a new way of providing banking services. Since Fintech can provide the same services as traditional banks but entirely online, it is a competitor. As a result, consumers’ relationships with banking have inevitably changed, and it is therefore relevant to analyze these changes. The main objective of this study is to understand people’s perceptions of Fintech, their level of knowledge about it, and the impact of its emergence on traditional banking. The study sample consisted of 174 participants. A quantitative methodology was used to test the hypotheses formulated. The results show that participants who know about Fintech and perceive it as safe have a greater intention of changing banks. On the other hand, they perceive that supervision and regulation in traditional banks is higher than in Fintech. Among the reasons for becoming a Fintech customer, the most mentioned were lower costs and the fact that they provide greater convenience and ease of use. It will be in Fintech’s interest to continue working with regulators so that the sector makes progress in this area and consumers can recognize greater equality between traditional banks and Fintech in the future. Full article
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10 pages, 884 KiB  
Article
Carbon Mineralization Dynamics of Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) Biochar in a Northern Florida Soil
by Yuch-Ping Hsieh and Kristina Hatakka
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4060; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104060 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Biochar has been considered one of the viable solutions for atmospheric carbon sequestration because of its resistance to mineralization in soils. However, our knowledge of the mineralization rates of biochar in soils is still inconclusive due to the drawbacks of either the study [...] Read more.
Biochar has been considered one of the viable solutions for atmospheric carbon sequestration because of its resistance to mineralization in soils. However, our knowledge of the mineralization rates of biochar in soils is still inconclusive due to the drawbacks of either the study methods or insufficient characterization of the studied materials or both. The objectives of this study were (1) to characterize switchgrass (SG) biochar by multi-element scanning thermal analysis (MESTA), and (2) to determine the mineralization rates of the SG biochar carbon (BC) in soil by the 13C tracer method. The results indicated that the 400 °C and the 600 °C SG biochars were not significantly different in chemical composition or thermal stability. A MESTA thermogram of the SG feedstock can predict the yield and thermal stability of the resulting biochar. The 13C tracer determined the mineralization rates and deduced the corresponding mean residence times (MRTs) of the BC, SG-C, and native SOC to be 347 years, 4 years, and 65 years, respectively. The MRT of BC should be a minimal estimate because of the limited incubation period. Even so, the MRT was already two orders of magnitude greater than that of the SG feedstock indicating the carbon sequestration potential of the biochar in soil. Full article
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17 pages, 3510 KiB  
Article
A Hybrid Model Based on CEEMDAN-GRU and Error Compensation for Predicting Sunspot Numbers
by Jianzhong Yang, Song Liu, Shili Xuan and Huirong Chen
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1904; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101904 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
To improve the predictive accuracy of sunspot numbers, a hybrid model was built to forecast future sunspot numbers. In this paper, we present a prediction model based on complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN), gated recurrent unit (GRU), and error [...] Read more.
To improve the predictive accuracy of sunspot numbers, a hybrid model was built to forecast future sunspot numbers. In this paper, we present a prediction model based on complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN), gated recurrent unit (GRU), and error compensation for predicting sunspot numbers. CEEMAND is applied to decompose the original sunspot number data into several components, which are then used to train and test the GRU for the optimal parameters of the corresponding sub-models. Error compensation is utilized to solve the delay phenomenon between the original sunspot number and the predictive result. We compare our method with the informer, extreme gradient boosting combined with deep learning (XGboost-DL), and empirical mode decomposition combined long short-term memory neutral network and attention mechanism (EMD-LSTM-AM) methods, and evaluation metrics, such as RMSE and MAE, are used to measure their performance. Our method decreases more than 2.2813 and 3.5827 relative to RMSE and MAE, respectively. Thus, the experiment can demonstrate that our method has an obvious advantage compared to others. Full article
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13 pages, 1903 KiB  
Article
Amphistome Infection and Species Diversity of Freshwater Snails Collected from Selected Wildlife Drinking Water Sources in Matebeleland Region of Zimbabwe
by Madeline Siyazisiwe Sibula, Mokgadi Pulane Malatji, Cosmas Nyahunda and Samson Mukaratirwa
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(5), 211; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11050211 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study aimed at determining the identity of freshwater snails collected from selected water habitats frequented by wildlife as source of drinking water in the Matebeleland region of Zimbabwe and further screening the identified snails for natural infections with amphistomes using PCR. A [...] Read more.
This study aimed at determining the identity of freshwater snails collected from selected water habitats frequented by wildlife as source of drinking water in the Matebeleland region of Zimbabwe and further screening the identified snails for natural infections with amphistomes using PCR. A total of 487 freshwater snails were collected from six areas in the Matebeleland region of Zimbabwe for identification and screening of amphistome infection. Eight freshwater snail species were morphologically identified and Biomphalaria pfeifferi, Bul. tropicus, Bul. truncatus, Bul. globosus, and L. (R.) natalensis were confirmed using the COI gene. Bulinus tropicus and Phy. acuta were the most abundant species at 33.9% (165/487) and 31.2% (155/487), respectively. DNA of amphistome was detected in 11.9% (58/487) of the collected snails. The highest infection rate was detected in Bul. globosus (44.4%). West Nicholson recorded the highest infection rate (33.9%), and infection was not detected in L. (R.) natalensis, Phy. acuta, and Bellamya spp. Amphistome DNA from M. tuberculata was successfully sequenced and identified as Calicophoron microbothrium. An additional band was detected in M. tuberculata, Bul. tropicus, and Bul. trancatus, which showed a 96.42% similarity to Paragonimus sp. sequence in the GenBank. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Veterinary Microbiology, Parasitology and Immunology)
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19 pages, 3371 KiB  
Article
Oncolytic Tanapoxvirus Recombinants Expressing Flagellin C or Mouse Interleukin-2 Are Capable of Regressing Human Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Xenografts in Immuno-Competent BALB/c Nude Mice
by Michael L. Monaco, Grace A. Filpi, Steven L. Kohler, Robert Eversole, Omer A. Idris and Karim Essani
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 402; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050402 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in humans is the most aggressive and deadly form of BC. Although TNBCs are about 15 percent of the total number of BC cases, they are associated with the highest mortalities. Current treatment options are limited, and most modalities [...] Read more.
Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) in humans is the most aggressive and deadly form of BC. Although TNBCs are about 15 percent of the total number of BC cases, they are associated with the highest mortalities. Current treatment options are limited, and most modalities are toxic and have not increased the 5-year survival rates of TNBC. Many oncolytic viruses are emerging as potential therapies for TNBC. In this study, two Tanapoxvirus (TPV) recombinants, one expressing FliC and the other expressing mouse interleukin-2 (mIL-2), were assessed for their efficacy in an immuno-competent xenograft mouse model. MDA-MB-231 tumors were planted in BALB/c nude mice, treated, made immuno-competent via adoptive transfer of splenocytes from healthy BALB/c donors, and then monitored for 40 days. TPV/Δ2L/66R/FliC and TPV/Δ66R/mIL-2 demonstrated significant tumor reduction (p = 0.01602 and p = 0.03890, respectively) compared to the reconstituted control (RC), whereas wtTPV did not. Pathological analyses of treated tumors revealed cells consistent with lymphocyte and plasma cell morphology in reconstituted mice treated with TPV recombinants. Anti-viral plaque reduction assays conducted using harvested serum from treated animals indicated the presence of anti-TPV antibodies in mice reconstituted and treated with TPV that were missing from immune-deficient nude mice, including those exposed to TPV and of statistically equivalent serum concentrations to normal BALB/c mice immunized against TPV. The results suggest immuno-deficient BALB/c nude mice can become immuno-competent via adoptive transfer of splenocytes from genetically identical donors and allow for testing of tumor xenografts in a competent model system. The TPV recombinants tested should be further studied for the potential treatment of human TNBC. Full article
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15 pages, 1651 KiB  
Article
Using Generative Pre-Trained Transformers (GPT) for Electricity Price Trend Forecasting in the Spanish Market
by Alberto Menéndez Medina and José Antonio Heredia Álvaro
Energies 2024, 17(10), 2338; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17102338 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The electricity market in Spain holds significant importance in the nation’s economy and sustainability efforts due to its diverse energy mix that encompasses renewables, fossil fuels, and nuclear power. Accurate energy price prediction is crucial in Spain, influencing the country’s ability to meet [...] Read more.
The electricity market in Spain holds significant importance in the nation’s economy and sustainability efforts due to its diverse energy mix that encompasses renewables, fossil fuels, and nuclear power. Accurate energy price prediction is crucial in Spain, influencing the country’s ability to meet its climate goals and ensure energy security and affecting economic stakeholders. We have explored how leveraging advanced GPT tools like OpenAI’s ChatGPT to analyze energy news and expert reports can extract valuable insights and generate additional variables for electricity price trend prediction in the Spanish market. Our research proposes two different training and modelling approaches of generative pre-trained transformers (GPT) with specialized news feeds specific to the Spanish market: in-context example prompts and fine-tuned GPT models. We aim to shed light on the capabilities of GPT solutions and demonstrate how they can augment prediction models by introducing additional variables. Our findings suggest that insights derived from GPT analysis of electricity news and specialized reports align closely with price fluctuations post-publication, indicating their potential to improve predictions and offer deeper insights into market dynamics. This endeavor can support informed decision-making for stakeholders in the Spanish electricity market and companies reliant on electricity costs and price volatility for their margins. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimization of Energy Systems Using Intelligent Methods)
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15 pages, 3629 KiB  
Article
Characterization of FOLH1 Expression in Renal Cell Carcinoma
by Eric Ovruchesky, Elizabeth Pan, Melis Guer, Andrew Elliott, Shankar Siva, Praful Ravi, Bradley McGregor, Aditya Bagrodia, Ithaar Derweesh, Pedro Barata, Elisabeth I. Heath, Emmanuel S. Antonarakis, Sourat Darabi, Dave S. B. Hoon, Amir Mortazavi, Toni K. Choueiri, Chadi Nabhan, Shuanzeng Wei and Rana R. McKay
Cancers 2024, 16(10), 1855; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16101855 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Purpose: Given the emergence of PSMA-targeted diagnostic agents and therapeutics, we sought to investigate patterns of FOLH1 expression in RCC and their impacts on RCC outcomes. Methods: We conducted a pooled multi-institutional analysis of patients with RCC having undergone DNA and RNA next-generation [...] Read more.
Purpose: Given the emergence of PSMA-targeted diagnostic agents and therapeutics, we sought to investigate patterns of FOLH1 expression in RCC and their impacts on RCC outcomes. Methods: We conducted a pooled multi-institutional analysis of patients with RCC having undergone DNA and RNA next-generation sequencing. FOLH1-high/low expression was defined as the ≥75th/<25th percentile of RNA transcripts per million (TPM). Angiogenic, T-effector, and myeloid expression signatures were calculated using previously defined gene sets. Kaplan–Meier estimates were calculated from the time of tissue collection or therapy start. Results: We included 1,724 patients in the analysis. FOLH1 expression was significantly higher in clear cell (71%) compared to non-clear cell RCC tumors (19.0 versus 3.3 TPM, p < 0.001) and varied by specimen site (45% primary kidney/55% metastasis, 13.6 versus 9.9 TPM, p < 0.001). FOLH1 expression was correlated with angiogenic gene expression (Spearman = 0.76, p < 0.001) and endothelial cell abundance (Spearman = 0.76, p < 0.001). While OS was similar in patients with FOLH1-high versus -low ccRCC, patients with FOLH1-high clear cell tumors experienced a longer time on cabozantinib treatment (9.7 versus 4.6 months, respectively, HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.35–0.93, p < 0.05). Conclusions: We observed differential patterns of FOLH1 expression based on histology and tumor site in RCC. FOLH1 was correlated with angiogenic gene expression, increased OS, and a longer duration of cabozantinib treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Renal Cell Carcinoma: From Pathology to Therapeutic Strategies)
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17 pages, 3280 KiB  
Article
Key Aroma Differences in Volatile Compounds of Aged Feng-Flavored Baijiu Determined Using Sensory Descriptive Analysis and GC×GC–TOFMS
by Jinmei Ren, Zhijian Li and Wei Jia
Foods 2024, 13(10), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13101504 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Sensory descriptive analysis of aged feng-flavored Baijiu liquor indicated notable differences in samples of different ages. The samples of freshly distilled Baijiu and those with shorter storage times exhibit bran and fresh green flavors, whereas, with increasing storage time, honey, sweet, and floral [...] Read more.
Sensory descriptive analysis of aged feng-flavored Baijiu liquor indicated notable differences in samples of different ages. The samples of freshly distilled Baijiu and those with shorter storage times exhibit bran and fresh green flavors, whereas, with increasing storage time, honey, sweet, and floral fragrances are gradually enhanced. Samples of feng-flavored Baijiu were prepared using headspace solid-phase microextraction, followed by comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography time-of-flight mass spectrometry. A total of 496 compounds were identified in all samples, mainly categorized as 14 groups of substances, including esters and aldehydes. Interestingly, 42 of these substances were found in Feng-flavored Baijiu for the first time. Chemometrics was used to analyze the key differential compounds. First, 143 differential compounds closely related to aging were preliminarily screened, and principal component analysis revealed that these compounds were separated by baijiu age. Then, 65 differential compounds were selected by partial least squares discriminant analysis. Furthermore, 43 key differential compounds were selected by combined analysis with variable importance in projection and Pearson correlation coefficients. Partial least squares regression was used to study the correlation between the sensory properties and key differential compounds, and the results indicated that most compounds were closely related to the aging period of the Baijiu. The results of this study provide a theoretical basis and reference for flavor research on feng-flavored Baijiu. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Analytical Methods)
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18 pages, 7097 KiB  
Article
The Quasi-Resonant Structure and Control Strategy of a Photovoltaic Flyback Grid-Connected Microinverter
by Zipei Cao, Annisa binti Jamali, Abdullah Yassin and Ya Huang
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1903; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101903 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study proposes a topology structure for a flyback grid-connected inverter with a compensation capacitor. The addition of the compensation capacitor structure increases the harmonic oscillation period and reduces the switching frequency. Additionally, a control strategy for the microinverter is proposed. By using [...] Read more.
This study proposes a topology structure for a flyback grid-connected inverter with a compensation capacitor. The addition of the compensation capacitor structure increases the harmonic oscillation period and reduces the switching frequency. Additionally, a control strategy for the microinverter is proposed. By using an accurate peak current reference curve, the system ensures precise turn-off signals, thus reducing the harmonic content of the grid-connected current. Simultaneously, the multi-valley turn-on strategy is employed to address the issue of high switching frequency, minimising the impact of energy. The proposed topology structure and control methods are modelled, simulated, and tested to validate the feasibility of the microinverter topology structure and the effectiveness of the control strategy, achieving a maximum efficiency of 95.2% and controlling the total harmonic distortion (THD) below 2.39%. Compared to other microinverter products, it is more efficient and stable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Solar Energy Conversions)
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21 pages, 7074 KiB  
Article
Fire Vulnerability, Resilience, and Recovery Rates of Mediterranean Pine Forests Using a 33-Year Time Series of Satellite Imagery
by Esther Peña-Molina, Daniel Moya, Eva Marino, José Luis Tomé, Álvaro Fajardo-Cantos, Javier González-Romero, Manuel Esteban Lucas-Borja and Jorge de las Heras
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(10), 1718; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16101718 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The modification of fire regimes and their impact on vegetation recovery, soil properties, and fuel structure are current key research areas that attempt to identify the thresholds of vegetation’s susceptibility to wildfires. This study aimed to evaluate the vulnerability of Mediterranean pine forests [...] Read more.
The modification of fire regimes and their impact on vegetation recovery, soil properties, and fuel structure are current key research areas that attempt to identify the thresholds of vegetation’s susceptibility to wildfires. This study aimed to evaluate the vulnerability of Mediterranean pine forests (Pinus halepensis Mill. and Pinus pinaster Aiton) to wildfires, analyzing two major forest fires that occurred in Yeste (Spain) in 1994 and 2017, affecting over 14,000 and 3200 hectares, respectively. Four recovery regions were identified based on fire severity—calculated using the delta Normalized Burn Ratio (dNBR) index—and recurrence: areas with high severity in 2017 but not in 1994 (UB94-HS17), areas with high severity in 1994 but not in 2017 (HS94-UB17), areas with high severity in both fires (HS94-HS17), and areas unaffected by either fire (UB94-UB17). The analysis focused on examining the recovery patterns of three spectral indices—the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Normalized Moisture Index (NDMI), and Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR)—using the Google Earth Engine platform from 1990 to 2023. Additionally, the Relative Recovery Indicator (RRI), the Ratio of Eighty Percent (R80P), and the Year-on-Year average (YrYr) metrics were computed to assess the spectral recovery rates by region. These three spectral indices showed similar dynamic responses to fire. However, the Mann–Kendall and unit root statistical tests revealed that the NDVI and NDMI exhibited distinct trends, particularly in areas with recurrence (HS94-HS17). The NDVI outperformed the NBR and NDMI in distinguishing variations among regions. These results suggest accelerated vegetation spectral regrowth in the short term. The Vegetation Recovery Capacity After Fire (VRAF) index showed values from low to moderate, while the Vulnerability to Fire (V2FIRE) index exhibited values from medium to high across all recovery regions. These findings enhance our understanding of how vegetation recovers from fire and how vulnerable it is to fire. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Land Use/Cover Mapping and Trend Analysis Using Google Earth Engine)
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22 pages, 3341 KiB  
Article
Biological Activity and Phytochemical Characteristics of Star Anise (Illicium verum) Essential Oil and Its Anti-Salmonella Activity on Sous Vide Pumpkin Model
by Miroslava Kačániová, Nenad L. Vukovic, Natália Čmiková, Alessandro Bianchi, Stefania Garzoli, Rania Ben Saad, Anis Ben Hsouna, Joel Horacio Elizondo-Luévano, Hussein A. H. Said-Al Ahl, Wafaa M. Hikal and Milena D. Vukic
Foods 2024, 13(10), 1505; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13101505 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Illicium verum, commonly known as star anise, represents one of the notable botanical species and is recognized for its rich reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds. Beyond its culinary application as a spice, this plant has been extensively utilized in traditional medicine. Given [...] Read more.
Illicium verum, commonly known as star anise, represents one of the notable botanical species and is recognized for its rich reservoir of diverse bioactive compounds. Beyond its culinary application as a spice, this plant has been extensively utilized in traditional medicine. Given the contemporary emphasis on incorporating natural resources into food production, particularly essential oils, to enhance sensory attributes and extend shelf life, our study seeks to elucidate the chemical composition and evaluate the antibacterial (in vitro, in situ) and insecticidal properties of Illicium verum essential oil (IVEO). Also, microbiological analyses of pumpkin sous vide treated with IVEO after inoculation of Salmonella enterica were evaluated after 1 and 7 days of study. GC/MS analysis revealed a significantly high amount of (E)-anethole (88.4%) in the investigated EO. The disc diffusion method shows that the antibacterial activity of the IVEO ranged from 5.33 (Streptococcus constellatus) to 10.33 mm (Citrobacter freundii). The lowest minimal inhibition concentration was found against E. coli and the minimum biofilm inhibition concertation was found against S. enterica. In the vapor phase, the best antimicrobial activity was found against E. coli in the pears model and against S. sonei in the beetroot model. The application of the sous vide method in combination with IVEO application decreased the number of microbial counts and eliminated the growth of S. enterica. The most isolated microbiota identified from the sous vide pumpkin were Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, B. cereus, B. licheniformis, and Ralstonia picketii. Modifications to the protein composition of biofilm-forming bacteria S. enterica were suggested by the MALDI TOF MS instigations. The IVEO showed insecticidal potential against Harmonia axyridis. Thanks to the properties of IVEO, our results suggest it can be used in the food industry as a natural supplement to extend the shelf life of foods and as a natural insecticide. Full article
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13 pages, 2032 KiB  
Review
Integrin-Targeting Strategies for Adenovirus Gene Therapy
by Glen R. Nemerow
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050770 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Numerous human adenovirus (AdV) types are endowed with arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) sequences that enable them to recognize vitronectin-binding (αv) integrins. These RGD-binding cell receptors mediate AdV entry into host cells, a crucial early step in virus infection. Integrin interactions with adenoviruses not only [...] Read more.
Numerous human adenovirus (AdV) types are endowed with arginine–glycine–aspartic acid (RGD) sequences that enable them to recognize vitronectin-binding (αv) integrins. These RGD-binding cell receptors mediate AdV entry into host cells, a crucial early step in virus infection. Integrin interactions with adenoviruses not only initiate receptor-mediated endocytosis but also facilitate AdV capsid disassembly, a prerequisite for membrane penetration by AdV protein VI. This review discusses fundamental aspects of AdV–host interactions mediated by integrins. Recent efforts to re-engineer AdV vectors and non-viral nanoparticles to target αv integrins for bioimaging and the eradication of cancer cells will also be discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Clinical Application of Adenovirus (AdV), Volume II)
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12 pages, 4785 KiB  
Article
Production of PEGylated Vancomycin-Loaded Niosomes by a Continuous Supercritical CO2 Assisted Process
by Lucia Baldino, Domenico Riccardi and Ernesto Reverchon
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 846; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100846 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Niosomes are arousing significant interest thanks to their low cost, high biocompatibility, and negligible toxicity. In this work, a supercritical CO2-assisted process was performed at 100 bar and 40 °C to produce niosomes at different Span 80/Tween 80 weight ratios. The [...] Read more.
Niosomes are arousing significant interest thanks to their low cost, high biocompatibility, and negligible toxicity. In this work, a supercritical CO2-assisted process was performed at 100 bar and 40 °C to produce niosomes at different Span 80/Tween 80 weight ratios. The formulation of cholesterol and 80:20 Span 80/Tween 80 was selected to encapsulate vancomycin, used as a model active compound, to perform a drug release rate comparison between PEGylated and non-PEGylated niosomes. In both cases, nanometric vesicles were obtained, i.e., 214 ± 59 nm and 254 ± 73 nm for non-PEGylated and PEGylated niosomes, respectively, that were characterized by a high drug encapsulation efficiency (95% for non-PEGylated and 98% for PEGylated niosomes). However, only PEGylated niosomes were able to prolong the vancomycin release time up to 20-fold with respect to untreated drug powder, resulting in a powerful strategy to control the drug release rate. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanosomes in Precision Nanomedicine)
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16 pages, 1678 KiB  
Article
Exposure to a Combination of Fusarium Mycotoxins Leads to Lipid Peroxidation and Influences Antioxidant Defenses, Fatty Acid Composition of Phospholipids, and Renal Histology in Laying Hens
by Szabina Kulcsár, Janka Turbók, György Kövér, Krisztián Balogh, Erika Zándoki, Omeralfaroug Ali, András Szabó and Miklós Mézes
Toxins 2024, 16(5), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins16050226 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The effects of combined short-term (3 days) exposure to Fusarium mycotoxins at both the EU recommended limit (T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.25 mg/kg; DON/3-AcDON/15-AcDON: 5 mg/kg; FB1: 20 mg/kg) and twice the dose (T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.5 mg/kg, DON/3-AcDON/15-AcDON: 10 mg/kg, and FB1 [...] Read more.
The effects of combined short-term (3 days) exposure to Fusarium mycotoxins at both the EU recommended limit (T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.25 mg/kg; DON/3-AcDON/15-AcDON: 5 mg/kg; FB1: 20 mg/kg) and twice the dose (T-2/HT-2 toxin: 0.5 mg/kg, DON/3-AcDON/15-AcDON: 10 mg/kg, and FB1: 40 mg/kg feed) on the kidneys of laying hens were examined. Our study aimed to investigate how these mycotoxins interacted with membrane lipid fatty acid (FA) composition and lipid peroxidation processes. It was observed that the levels of conjugated dienes and trienes were higher than the control in the low-mix group on day 3, and malondialdehyde concentration was higher on days 2 and 3. The proportion of phospholipid (PL) FAs showed that saturated and monounsaturated FAs increased. Still, both n3 and n6 polyunsaturated FAs decreased significantly on day 2 of exposure in the high-mix group. Among the n3 FAs, the level of docosahexaenoic (C22:6 n3) and among n6 FAs, arachidonic (C20:4 n6) acids decreased mainly on day 2 in the high-mix group. The results suggest that the combined exposure to Fusarium mycotoxins induced lipid peroxidation in the kidneys of laying hens, which resulted in marked changes in the PL FA profile. Histological examination revealed time- and dose-dependent increases as consequences of mycotoxin exposure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mycotoxins)
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24 pages, 4577 KiB  
Article
Manganese and Vanadium Co-Exposure Induces Severe Neurotoxicity in the Olfactory System: Relevance to Metal-Induced Parkinsonism
by Hilary Afeseh Ngwa, Alejandra Bargues-Carot, Huajun Jin, Vellareddy Anantharam, Arthi Kanthasamy and Anumantha G. Kanthasamy
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5285; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105285 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
Chronic environmental exposure to toxic heavy metals, which often occurs as a mixture through occupational and industrial sources, has been implicated in various neurological disorders, including Parkinsonism. Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) typically presents along with manganese (Mn), especially in welding [...] Read more.
Chronic environmental exposure to toxic heavy metals, which often occurs as a mixture through occupational and industrial sources, has been implicated in various neurological disorders, including Parkinsonism. Vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) typically presents along with manganese (Mn), especially in welding rods and high-capacity batteries, including electric vehicle batteries; however, the neurotoxic effects of vanadium (V) and Mn co-exposure are largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the neurotoxic impact of MnCl2, V2O5, and MnCl2-V2O5 co-exposure in an animal model. C57BL/6 mice were intranasally administered either de-ionized water (vehicle), MnCl2 (252 µg) alone, V2O5 (182 µg) alone, or a mixture of MnCl2 (252 µg) and V2O5 (182 µg) three times a week for up to one month. Following exposure, we performed behavioral, neurochemical, and histological studies. Our results revealed dramatic decreases in olfactory bulb (OB) weight and levels of tyrosine hydroxylase, dopamine, and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid in the treatment groups compared to the control group, with the Mn/V co-treatment group producing the most significant changes. Interestingly, increased levels of α-synuclein expression were observed in the substantia nigra (SN) of treated animals. Additionally, treatment groups exhibited locomotor deficits and olfactory dysfunction, with the co-treatment group producing the most severe deficits. The treatment groups exhibited increased levels of the oxidative stress marker 4-hydroxynonenal in the striatum and SN, as well as the upregulation of the pro-apoptotic protein PKCδ and accumulation of glomerular astroglia in the OB. The co-exposure of animals to Mn/V resulted in higher levels of these metals compared to other treatment groups. Taken together, our results suggest that co-exposure to Mn/V can adversely affect the olfactory and nigral systems. These results highlight the possible role of environmental metal mixtures in the etiology of Parkinsonism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Toxicity Mechanism of Emerging Pollutants)
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18 pages, 936 KiB  
Article
BPA: A Novel Blockchain-Based Privacy-Preserving Authentication Scheme for the Internet of Vehicles
by Jie Li, Yuanyuan Lin, Yibing Li, Yan Zhuang and Yangjie Cao
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1901; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101901 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) connects an isolated individual on the road to share information, which can improve traffic efficiency. However, the promotion of information sharing brings the critical security issues of identity authentication, followed by privacy protection issues in the authentication process [...] Read more.
The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) connects an isolated individual on the road to share information, which can improve traffic efficiency. However, the promotion of information sharing brings the critical security issues of identity authentication, followed by privacy protection issues in the authentication process in the IoV. In this study, we designed a blockchain-based conditional privacy-preserving authentication scheme for the IoV (BPA). Our scheme implements zero-knowledge proof (ZKP) to verify the identities of vehicles, which moves the authentication process down to the Roadside Units (RSUs) and achieves decentralized authentication at the edge nodes. Moreover, blockchain technology is utilized to synchronize a consistent ledger across all RSUs for recording and disseminating vehicle authentication states, which enhances the overall authentication process efficiency. We provide a theoretical analysis asserting that the BPA ensures enhanced security and effectively protects the privacy of all participating vehicles. Experimental evaluations confirm that our scheme outperforms existing solutions in terms of the computational and communication overhead. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Techniques in Computing and Security, 2nd Edition)
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17 pages, 4224 KiB  
Article
The Church Museums’ Evolution of the Idea and Methods of Missionary Work in China: A Study of Tsinanfu Institute
by Taiheng Li, Yingyi Zhang and Jun Wei
Religions 2024, 15(5), 598; https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15050598 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
This study explores the role of church museums represented by the Tsinanfu Institute in the spread of Christianity in modern China. Established in 1887, Tsinanfu Institute, formerly Tsingchowfu Museum, stands as an early pioneer of church museums in China with the mission of [...] Read more.
This study explores the role of church museums represented by the Tsinanfu Institute in the spread of Christianity in modern China. Established in 1887, Tsinanfu Institute, formerly Tsingchowfu Museum, stands as an early pioneer of church museums in China with the mission of spreading Christianity. It has taken exhibition and knowledge dissemination and social education as its core functions, indirect evangelization and expansion of religious influence as its fundamental purpose, and the Chinese way of localization and the promotion of harmonious relations with the community as its important working guidelines. It has established a new operational concept as a “public cultural museum”, realizing the transformation of the church museum from a missionary venue for the intellectuals to a new type of missionary venue for the general public. The development stages of the church museum operational concept represented by Tsinanfu Institute are mainly socialization, education, localization, and the popularization of higher education, which is a microcosm of the development trend of the Christian Endeavour Movement, Social Gospel, and vernacularization thought. Tsinanfu Institute shows significant research value in studying new missionary concepts and exploring the new way of missionary work in the church during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Full article
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10 pages, 1250 KiB  
Article
Mortality in Community-Acquired Sepsis and Infections in the Faroe Islands—A Prospective Observational Study
by Marija Todorovic Markovic, Mirjana Todorovic Mitic, Aleksandra Ignjatovic, Magnús Gottfredsson and Shahin Gaini
Infect. Dis. Rep. 2024, 16(3), 448-457; https://doi.org/10.3390/idr16030033 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to collect data and analyze mortality among patients hospitalized with community-acquired infections in the Faroe Islands. A prospective observational study was conducted in the Medical Department of the National Hospital of the Faroe Islands from October 2013 [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to collect data and analyze mortality among patients hospitalized with community-acquired infections in the Faroe Islands. A prospective observational study was conducted in the Medical Department of the National Hospital of the Faroe Islands from October 2013 to April 2015. Cumulative all-cause, in-hospital, short-term, intermediate-term and long-term mortality rates were calculated. Kaplan–Meier survival curves comparing infection-free patients with infected patients of all severities and different age groups are presented. A log-rank test was used to compare groups. Mortality hazard ratios were calculated for subgroups using Cox regression multivariable models. There were 1309 patients without infection and 755 patients with infection. There were 51% female and 49% male patients. Mean age was 62.73 ± 19.71. Cumulative all-cause mortality and in-hospital mortality were highest in more severe forms of infection. This pattern remained the same for short-term mortality in the model adjusted for sex and age, while there were no significant differences among the various infection groups in regard to intermediate- or long-term survival after adjustment. Overall and short-term mortality rates were highest among those with severe manifestations of infection and those with infection compared to infection-free patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Diseases)
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16 pages, 1676 KiB  
Article
What Is a Sarcoma ‘Specialist Center’? Multidisciplinary Research Finds an Answer
by Roger Wilson, Denise Reinke, Gerard van Oortmerssen, Ornella Gonzato, Gabriele Ott, Chandrajit P. Raut, B. Ashleigh Guadagnolo, Rick L. M. Haas, Jonathan Trent, Robin Jones, Lauren Pretorius, Brandi Felser, Mandy Basson, Kathrin Schuster and Bernd Kasper
Cancers 2024, 16(10), 1857; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16101857 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
The management of sarcomas in specialist centers delivers significant benefits. In much of the world, specialists are not available, and the development of expertise is identified as a major need. However, the terms ‘specialist’ or ‘expert’ center are rarely defined. Our objective is [...] Read more.
The management of sarcomas in specialist centers delivers significant benefits. In much of the world, specialists are not available, and the development of expertise is identified as a major need. However, the terms ‘specialist’ or ‘expert’ center are rarely defined. Our objective is to offer a definition for patient advocates and a tool for healthcare providers to underpin improving the care of people with sarcoma. SPAGN developed a discussion paper for a workshop at the SPAGN 2023 Conference, attended by 75 delegates. A presentation to the Connective Tissue Oncology Society (CTOS) and further discussion led to this paper. Core Principles were identified that underlie specialist sarcoma care. The primary Principle is the multi-disciplinary team discussing every patient, at first diagnosis and during treatment. Principles for optimal sarcoma management include accurate diagnosis followed by safe, high-quality treatment, with curative intent. These Principles are supplemented by Features describing areas of healthcare, professional involvement, and service provision and identifying further research and development needs. These allow for variations because of national or local policies and budgets. We propose the term ‘Sarcoma Intelligent Specialist Network’ to recognize expertise wherever it is found in the world. This provides a base for further discussion and local refinement. Full article
15 pages, 2374 KiB  
Article
The Effect of Low HBV-DNA Viral Load on Recurrence in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients Who Underwent Primary Locoregional Treatment and the Development of a Nomogram Prediction Model
by Yiqi Xiong, Ziling Wang, Jiajun Liu, Kang Li and Yonghong Zhang
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 976; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050976 (registering DOI) - 13 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: HBV-DNA is an essential clinical indicator of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. Our study aimed to investigate the prognostic implication of a low load of HBV-DNA in HCC patients who underwent local treatment. Additionally, we developed and validated a nomogram to [...] Read more.
(1) Background: HBV-DNA is an essential clinical indicator of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) prognosis. Our study aimed to investigate the prognostic implication of a low load of HBV-DNA in HCC patients who underwent local treatment. Additionally, we developed and validated a nomogram to predict the recurrence of patients with low (20–100 IU/mL) viral loads (L-VL). (2) Methods: A total of 475 HBV-HCC patients were enrolled, including 403 L-VL patients and 72 patients with very low (<20 IU/mL) viral loads (VL-VL). L-VL HCC patients were randomly divided into a training set (N = 282) and a validation set (N = 121) at a ratio of 7:3. Utilizing the Lasso–Cox regression analysis, we identified independent risk factors for constructing a nomogram. (3) Results: L-VL patients had significantly shorter RFS than VL-VL patients (38.2 m vs. 23.4 m, p = 0.024). The content of the nomogram included gender, BCLC stage, Glob, and MLR. The C-index (0.682 vs. 0.609); 1-, 3-, and 5-year AUCs (0.729, 0.784, and 0.783, vs. 0.631, 0.634, the 0.665); calibration curves; and decision curve analysis (DCA) curves of the training and validation cohorts proved the excellent predictive performance of the nomogram. There was a statistically significant difference in RFS between the low-, immediate-, and high-risk groups both in the training and validation cohorts (p < 0.001); (4) Conclusions: Patients with L-VL had a worse prognosis. The nomogram developed and validated in this study has the advantage of predicting patients with L-VL. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research on Relevant Clinical Infections)
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