The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
12 pages, 2689 KiB  
Article
Electron Microscopy for the Stability Assessment of Parenteral Nutrition Admixtures: Focus on Precipitation
by Luis Otero-Millán, Brais Bea-Mascato, Jose Luis Legido Soto, Noemi Martínez-López-De-Castro and Natividad Lago Rivero
Nutrients 2024, 16(9), 1390; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16091390 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) is indispensable for patients unable to receive oral or enteral feeding. However, the complexity of PN solutions presents challenges regarding stability and compatibility. Precipitation reactions may occur. The most frequent is the formation of calcium phosphate (Ca-P). The [...] Read more.
(1) Background: parenteral nutrition (PN) is indispensable for patients unable to receive oral or enteral feeding. However, the complexity of PN solutions presents challenges regarding stability and compatibility. Precipitation reactions may occur. The most frequent is the formation of calcium phosphate (Ca-P). The different factors influencing these reactions must be considered to ensure patient safety. (2) Methods: eight paediatric PN solutions were prepared, following standard protocols. Samples were stored at room temperature and in a refrigerator. Electron microscopy, coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), was employed. Precipitates were analysed for composition and morphology. (3) Results: precipitates were observed in all samples, even at day 0. Crystalline structures, predominantly composed of calcium or magnesium, sometimes associated with chlorine or phosphorus, were detected. Additionally, amorphous precipitates, contained heterogeneous compositions, including unexpected elements, were identified. (4) Conclusions: various precipitates, primarily calcium- or magnesium-based, can form in PN solutions, although it is not expected that they can form under the real conditions of use. Calcium oxalate precipitation has been characterised, but the use of organic calcium and phosphate salts appears to mitigate calcium phosphate precipitation. Electron microscopy provides interesting results on NP precipitation, but sample preparation may present technical limitations that affect the interpretation of the results. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Nutrition for Preterm Newborns)
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12 pages, 6497 KiB  
Article
A Modeling-Based Flammable Risk Treatment of Refrigerant Leakage from a Commercial R-290 Refrigeration Machine
by Mingkan Zhang, Vishaldeep Sharma and Praveen Cheekatamarla
Inventions 2024, 9(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions9030053 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Because of serious concerns about global warming, manufacturers have started phasing out high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment (e.g., R-134a). As a potential replacement, propane (R-290) is an environmentally friendly refrigerant for commercial refrigeration equipment because its GWP is [...] Read more.
Because of serious concerns about global warming, manufacturers have started phasing out high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment (e.g., R-134a). As a potential replacement, propane (R-290) is an environmentally friendly refrigerant for commercial refrigeration equipment because its GWP is only three. However, propane is flammable and is therefore classified as a Class A3 refrigerant per ASHRAE Standards, so safety is a very important consideration when propane-based equipment is designed and deployed in buildings. In the event of a refrigerant leak, flammability of the refrigerant depends on the refrigerant’s local concentration, which is highly affected by the indoor air environment, including temperature and air flow. In this study, a ventilation system attached to a commercial R-290 refrigeration device was designed to eliminate the flammability risk. Moreover, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to investigate the refrigerant leak, thereby evaluating effects of the ventilation system. The CFD model can visualize the flammable zones owing to the leak. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thermodynamic and Technical Analysis for Sustainability (Volume 3))
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16 pages, 15116 KiB  
Article
Impact of Hydrostatic Pressure on Molecular Structure and Dynamics of the Sodium and Chloride Ions in Portlandite Nanopores
by Run Zhang, Hongping Zhang, Meng Chen, Laibao Liu, Hongbin Tan and Youhong Tang
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2151; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092151 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
In order to address the issues of energy depletion, more resources are being searched for in the deep sea. Therefore, research into how the deep-sea environment affects cement-based materials for underwater infrastructure is required. This paper examines the impact of ocean depth (0, [...] Read more.
In order to address the issues of energy depletion, more resources are being searched for in the deep sea. Therefore, research into how the deep-sea environment affects cement-based materials for underwater infrastructure is required. This paper examines the impact of ocean depth (0, 500, 1000, and 1500 m) on the ion interaction processes in concrete nanopores using molecular dynamics simulations. At the portlandite interface, the local structural and kinetic characteristics of ions and water molecules are examined. The findings show that the portlandite surface hydrophilicity is unaffected by increasing depth. The density profile and coordination number of ions alter as depth increases, and the diffusion speed noticeably decreases. The main cause of the ions’ reduced diffusion velocity is expected to be the low temperature. This work offers a thorough understanding of the cement hydration products’ microstructure in deep sea, which may help explain why cement-based underwater infrastructure deteriorates over time. Full article
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24 pages, 4755 KiB  
Article
Systemic LPS Administration Stimulates the Activation of Non-Neuronal Cells in an Experimental Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy
by Eleni Karafoulidou, Evangelia Kesidou, Paschalis Theotokis, Chrystalla Konstantinou, Maria-Konstantina Nella, Iliana Michailidou, Olga Touloumi, Eleni Polyzoidou, Ilias Salamotas, Ofira Einstein, Athanasios Chatzisotiriou, Marina-Kleopatra Boziki and Nikolaos Grigoriadis
Cells 2024, 13(9), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13090785 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Although SMA is a genetic disease, environmental factors contribute to disease progression. Common pathogen components such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are considered significant contributors to inflammation [...] Read more.
Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Although SMA is a genetic disease, environmental factors contribute to disease progression. Common pathogen components such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are considered significant contributors to inflammation and have been associated with muscle atrophy, which is considered a hallmark of SMA. In this study, we used the SMNΔ7 experimental mouse model of SMA to scrutinize the effect of systemic LPS administration, a strong pro-inflammatory stimulus, on disease outcome. Systemic LPS administration promoted a reduction in SMN expression levels in CNS, peripheral lymphoid organs, and skeletal muscles. Moreover, peripheral tissues were more vulnerable to LPS-induced damage compared to CNS tissues. Furthermore, systemic LPS administration resulted in a profound increase in microglia and astrocytes with reactive phenotypes in the CNS of SMNΔ7 mice. In conclusion, we hereby show for the first time that systemic LPS administration, although it may not precipitate alterations in terms of deficits of motor functions in a mouse model of SMA, it may, however, lead to a reduction in the SMN protein expression levels in the skeletal muscles and the CNS, thus promoting synapse damage and glial cells’ reactive phenotype. Full article
(This article belongs to the Collection Feature Papers in 'Cells of the Nervous System' Section)
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16 pages, 2501 KiB  
Article
Pharmacologically Induced Accommodation Palsy and the Bioelectrical Activity of the Muscular System: A Preliminary Investigation
by Grzegorz Zieliński, Beata Pająk-Zielińska, Anna Woźniak, Michał Ginszt, Nicola Marchili, Piotr Gawda and Robert Rejdak
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 961; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090961 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to pharmacologically induce accommodative paralysis and evaluate its effects on the bioelectrical activity of the muscular system. The study included two participant groups: those with myopia and those with normal vision (emmetropes). Electromyographic assessments were performed using [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to pharmacologically induce accommodative paralysis and evaluate its effects on the bioelectrical activity of the muscular system. The study included two participant groups: those with myopia and those with normal vision (emmetropes). Electromyographic assessments were performed using the Noraxon Ultium DTS 8-K MR 3 myo Muscle Master Edition system. The muscles analyzed in this study were the temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, abdominal muscles, biceps brachii, and the external oblique muscles of the abdomen. It is important to acknowledge that, based on the current findings, it cannot be definitively stated that the observed effects have clinical significance, and additional studies are encouraged. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pathology and Molecular Diagnostics)
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12 pages, 915 KiB  
Article
Exploring End-of-Life Care for Patients with Breast Cancer, Dementia or Heart Failure: A Register-Based Study of Individual and Institutional Factors
by Terje P. Hagen and Erika Zelko
Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090943 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Objective: To examine variations in end-of-life care for breast cancer, heart failure, and dementia patients. Data and methods: Data from four Norwegian health registries were linked using a personal identification number. Longitudinal trends over 365 days and the type of care [...] Read more.
Objective: To examine variations in end-of-life care for breast cancer, heart failure, and dementia patients. Data and methods: Data from four Norwegian health registries were linked using a personal identification number. Longitudinal trends over 365 days and the type of care on the final day of life were analyzed using descriptive techniques and logistic regression analysis. Results: Patients with dementia were more commonly placed in nursing homes than patients in the two other groups, while patients with heart failure and breast cancer were more frequently hospitalized than the dementia patients. Breast cancer and heart failure patients had a higher likelihood of dying at home than dementia patients. The higher the number of general practitioners, the higher was the probability of home-based end-of-life care for cancer patients, while an increasing non-physician healthcare workers increased the likelihood of home-based care for the other patient groups. Conclusions: Diagnoses, individual characteristics, and service availability are all associated with the place of death in end-of-life care. The higher the availability of health care services, the higher also is the probability of ending the life at home. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances in Palliative Care)
12 pages, 4388 KiB  
Article
Terahertz Biosensor Engineering Based on Quasi-BIC Metasurface with Ultrasensitive Detection
by Jun Peng, Xian Lin, Xiaona Yan, Xin Yan, Xiaofei Hu, Haiyun Yao, Lanju Liang and Guohong Ma
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(9), 799; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14090799 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Terahertz (THz) sensors have attracted great attention in the biological field due to their nondestructive and contact-free biochemical samples. Recently, the concept of a quasi-bound state in the continuum (QBIC) has gained significant attention in designing biosensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. QBIC-based metasurfaces (MSs) [...] Read more.
Terahertz (THz) sensors have attracted great attention in the biological field due to their nondestructive and contact-free biochemical samples. Recently, the concept of a quasi-bound state in the continuum (QBIC) has gained significant attention in designing biosensors with ultrahigh sensitivity. QBIC-based metasurfaces (MSs) achieve excellent performance in various applications, including sensing, optical switching, and laser, providing a reliable platform for biomaterial sensors with terahertz radiation. In this study, a structure-engineered THz MS consisting of a “double C” array has been designed, in which an asymmetry parameter α is introduced into the structure by changing the length of one subunit; the Q-factor of the QBIC device can be optimized by engineering the asymmetry parameter α. Theoretical calculation with coupling equations can well reproduce the THz transmission spectra of the designed THz QBIC MS obtained from the numerical simulation. Experimentally, we adopt an MS with α = 0.44 for testing arginine molecules. The experimental results show that different concentrations of arginine molecules lead to significant transmission changes near QBIC resonant frequencies, and the amplitude change is shown to be 16 times higher than that of the classical dipole resonance. The direct limit of detection for arginine molecules on the QBIC MS reaches 0.36 ng/mL. This work provides a new way to realize rapid, accurate, and nondestructive sensing of trace molecules and has potential application in biomaterial detection. Full article
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9 pages, 1503 KiB  
Article
Early Animal Origin of BACE1 APP/Aβ Proteolytic Function
by James A. Langeland, Lillian Baumann, Eva M. DeYoung, Raphaela Angelina Varella, Nkatha Mwenda, Alejandro Aguirre and D. Blaine Moore
Biology 2024, 13(5), 320; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13050320 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized, in part, by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ is produced via the proteolysis of APP by BACE1 and γ-secretase. Since BACE1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Aβ, and a target for therapeutics, [...] Read more.
Alzheimer’s disease is characterized, in part, by the accumulation of β-amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Aβ is produced via the proteolysis of APP by BACE1 and γ-secretase. Since BACE1 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the production of Aβ, and a target for therapeutics, it is of interest to know when its proteolytic function evolved and for what purpose. Here, we take a functional evolutionary approach to show that BACE1 likely evolved from a gene duplication event near the base of the animal clade and that BACE1 APP/Aβ proteolytic function evolved during early animal diversification, hundreds of millions of years before the evolution of the APP/Aβ substrate. Our examination of BACE1 APP/Aβ proteolytic function includes cnidarians, ctenophores, and choanoflagellates. The most basal BACE1 ortholog is found in cnidarians, while ctenophores, placozoa, and choanoflagellates have genes equally orthologous to BACE1 and BACE2. BACE1 from a cnidarian (Hydra) can cleave APP to release Aβ, pushing back the date of the origin of its function to near the origin of animals. We tested more divergent BACE1/2 genes from a ctenophore (Mnemiopsis) and a choanoflagellate (Monosiga), and neither has this activity. These findings indicate that the specific proteolytic function of BACE1 evolved during the very earliest diversification of animals, most likely after a gene-duplication event. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
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16 pages, 1052 KiB  
Article
FedSKF: Selective Knowledge Fusion via Optimal Transport in Federated Class Incremental Learning
by Minghui Zhou and Xiangfeng Wang
Electronics 2024, 13(9), 1772; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13091772 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Federated learning has been a hot topic in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years due to its distributed nature and emphasis on privacy protection. To better align with real-world scenarios, federated class incremental learning (FCIL) has emerged as a new research [...] Read more.
Federated learning has been a hot topic in the field of artificial intelligence in recent years due to its distributed nature and emphasis on privacy protection. To better align with real-world scenarios, federated class incremental learning (FCIL) has emerged as a new research trend, but it faces challenges such as heterogeneous data, catastrophic forgetting, and inter-client interference. However, most existing methods enhance model performance at the expense of privacy, such as uploading prototypes or samples, which violates the basic principle of only transmitting models in federated learning. This paper presents a novel selective knowledge fusion (FedSKF) model to address data heterogeneity and inter-client interference without sacrificing any privacy. Specifically, this paper introduces a PIT (projection in turn) module on the server side to indirectly recover client data distribution information through optimal transport. Subsequently, to reduce inter-client interference, knowledge of the global model is selectively absorbed via knowledge distillation and an incomplete synchronization classifier at the client side, namely an SKS (selective knowledge synchronization) module. Furthermore, to mitigate global catastrophic forgetting, a global forgetting loss is proposed to distill knowledge from the old global model. Our framework can easily integrate various CIL methods, allowing it to adapt to application scenarios with varying privacy requirements. We conducted extensive experiments on CIFAR100 and Tiny-ImageNet datasets, and the performance of our method surpasses existing works. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Trends and Applications of Artificial Intelligence)
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11 pages, 276 KiB  
Article
From Field to Waste Valorization: A Preliminary Study Exploring the Impact of the Wine Supply Chain on the Phenolic Profile of Three Sardinian Pomace Extracts
by Ines Castangia, Matteo Aroffu, Federica Fulgheri, Rita Abi Rached, Francesco Corrias, Giorgia Sarais, Gianluigi Bacchetta, Francesca Argiolas, Maria Barbara Pinna, Mariano Murru, Maria Letizia Manca, Maria Manconi and Amparo Nácher
Foods 2024, 13(9), 1414; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13091414 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
The winemaking process generates an annual global production of about 10 million tons of waste consisting of stalks, skin, and seeds. The possible reutilization of wine pomace is strictly linked to its chemical composition. In this preliminary study, three different Sardinian white grapes [...] Read more.
The winemaking process generates an annual global production of about 10 million tons of waste consisting of stalks, skin, and seeds. The possible reutilization of wine pomace is strictly linked to its chemical composition. In this preliminary study, three different Sardinian white grapes (Malvasia, Vermentino and Nasco) grown in the same area were evaluated through a whole wine production chain. To reduce environmental impact, all the grapes were treated following the integrated production practice (IPP) strategies. The adopted agronomic methods and the main physico-chemical parameters of the fresh fruits and musts were evaluated. A fully qualitative and quantitative characterization of the phenolic fraction of the pomace extracts was performed by HPLC-DAD after a post-winemaking process. Water and ethanol were utilized as green solvents in the extraction process. Additionally, the entire pomace post-winemaking process was carried out within the winery facilities to reduce energy loss and road transportation. The findings demonstrated that large amounts of beneficial polyphenols are present in pomace extracts, and that the type of grape used, agronomic practices, and winemaking method all influence the quantity and quality of the extracts. The polyphenol concentrations in the Vermentino (28,391.5 ± 7.0 mg/kg) and Malvasia pomace (11,316.3 ± 6.5 mg/kg) were found to be the highest and lowest, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Drinks and Liquid Nutrition)
10 pages, 3506 KiB  
Article
Effect of Cu Film Thickness on Cu Bonding Quality and Bonding Mechanism
by Tsan-Feng Lu, Kai-Ning Hsu, Ching-Chi Hsu, Chia-Yu Hsu and YewChung Sermon Wu
Materials 2024, 17(9), 2150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17092150 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
In the hybrid bonding process, the final stage of chemical mechanical polishing plays a critical role. It is essential to ensure that the copper surface is recessed slightly from the oxide surface. However, this recess can lead to the occurrence of interfacial voids [...] Read more.
In the hybrid bonding process, the final stage of chemical mechanical polishing plays a critical role. It is essential to ensure that the copper surface is recessed slightly from the oxide surface. However, this recess can lead to the occurrence of interfacial voids between the bonded copper interfaces. To examine the effects of copper film thickness on bonding quality and bonding mechanisms in this study, artificial voids were intentionally introduced at the bonded interfaces at temperatures of 250 °C and 300 °C. The results revealed that as the thickness of the copper film increases, there is an increase in the bonding fraction and a decrease in the void fraction. The variations in void height with different copper film thicknesses were influenced by the bonding mechanism and bonding fraction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Welding, Joining, and Additive Manufacturing of Metals and Alloys)
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15 pages, 1297 KiB  
Review
Intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT): An Intelligent Laboratory Approach to Identifying Chronic Liver Disease
by Jennifer Nobes, Damien Leith, Sava Handjiev, John F. Dillon and Ellie Dow
Diagnostics 2024, 14(9), 960; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14090960 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
The intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT) pathway is a novel, algorithm-based system which provides automated laboratory investigations and clinical feedback on abnormal liver function test (LFT) results from primary care. iLFT was introduced to NHS Tayside, Scotland, in August 2018 in response to [...] Read more.
The intelligent Liver Function Testing (iLFT) pathway is a novel, algorithm-based system which provides automated laboratory investigations and clinical feedback on abnormal liver function test (LFT) results from primary care. iLFT was introduced to NHS Tayside, Scotland, in August 2018 in response to vast numbers of abnormal LFTs, many of which were not appropriately investigated, coupled with rising mortality from chronic liver disease. Here, we outline the development and implementation of the iLFT pathway, considering the implications for the diagnostic laboratories, primary care services and specialist hepatology clinics. Additionally, we describe the utility, outcomes and evolution of iLFT, which was used over 11,000 times in its first three years alone. Finally, we will consider the future of iLFT and propose areas where similar ‘intelligent’ approaches could be used to add value to laboratory investigations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Laboratory Medicine: Extended Roles in Healthcare Delivery)
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11 pages, 1014 KiB  
Protocol
A Protocol for Comprehensive Analysis of Gait in Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury
by Emelie Butler Forslund, Minh Tat Nhat Truong, Ruoli Wang, Åke Seiger and Elena M. Gutierrez-Farewik
Methods Protoc. 2024, 7(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/mps7030039 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
This is a protocol for comprehensive analysis of gait and affecting factors in individuals with incomplete paraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI). A SCI is a devastating event affecting both sensory and motor functions. Due to better care, the SCI population is [...] Read more.
This is a protocol for comprehensive analysis of gait and affecting factors in individuals with incomplete paraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI). A SCI is a devastating event affecting both sensory and motor functions. Due to better care, the SCI population is changing, with a greater proportion retaining impaired ambulatory function. Optimizing ambulatory function after SCI remains challenging. To investigate factors influencing optimal ambulation, a multi-professional research project was grounded with expertise from clinical rehabilitation, neurophysiology, and biomechanical engineering from Karolinska Institutet, the Spinalis Unit at Aleris Rehab Station (Sweden’s largest center for specialized neurorehabilitation), and the Promobilia MoveAbility Lab at KTH Royal Institute of Technology. Ambulatory adults with paraplegia will be consecutively invited to participate. Muscle strength, sensitivity, and spasticity will be assessed, and energy expenditure, 3D movements, and muscle function (EMG) during gait and submaximal contractions will be analyzed. Innovative computational modeling and data-driven analyses will be performed, including the identification of clusters of similar movement patterns among the heterogeneous population and analyses that study the link between complex sensorimotor function and movement performance. These results may help optimize ambulatory function for persons with SCI and decrease the risk of secondary conditions during gait with a life-long perspective. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biomedical Sciences and Physiology)
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13 pages, 608 KiB  
Article
Risk Factors for Eating Disorders in University Students: The RUNEAT Study
by Imanol Eguren-García, Sandra Sumalla-Cano, Sandra Conde-González, Anna Vila-Martí, Mercedes Briones-Urbano, Raquel Martínez-Díaz and Iñaki Elío
Healthcare 2024, 12(9), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12090942 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
The purpose of the study is to assess the risk of developing general eating disorders (ED), anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN), as well as to examine the effects of gender, academic year, place of residence, faculty, and diet quality on that [...] Read more.
The purpose of the study is to assess the risk of developing general eating disorders (ED), anorexia nervosa (AN), and bulimia nervosa (BN), as well as to examine the effects of gender, academic year, place of residence, faculty, and diet quality on that risk. Over two academic years, 129 first- and fourth-year Uneatlántico students were included in an observational descriptive study. The self-administered tests SCOFF, EAT-26, and BITE were used to determine the participants’ risk of developing ED. The degree of adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) was used to evaluate the quality of the diet. Data were collected at the beginning (T1) and at the end (T2) of the academic year. The main results were that at T1, 34.9% of participants were at risk of developing general ED, AN 3.9%, and BN 16.3%. At T2, these percentages were 37.2%, 14.7%, and 8.5%, respectively. At T2, the frequency of general ED in the female group was 2.5 times higher (OR: 2.55, 95% CI: 1.22–5.32, p = 0.012). The low-moderate adherence to the MD students’ group was 0.92 times less frequent than general ED at T2 (OR: 0.921, 95%CI: 0.385–2.20, p < 0.001). The most significant risk factor for developing ED is being a female in the first year of university. Moreover, it appears that the likelihood of developing ED generally increases during the academic year. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food, Health and Society: Determinants of Eating Behavior)
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9 pages, 659 KiB  
Article
Analyzing the Thermal Characteristics of Three Lining Materials for Plantar Orthotics
by Esther Querol-Martínez, Artur Crespo-Martínez, Álvaro Gómez-Carrión, Juan Francisco Morán-Cortés, Alfonso Martínez-Nova and Raquel Sánchez-Rodríguez
Sensors 2024, 24(9), 2928; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24092928 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Introduction: The choice of materials for covering plantar orthoses or wearable insoles is often based on their hardness, breathability, and moisture absorption capacity, although more due to professional preference than clear scientific criteria. An analysis of the thermal response to the use of [...] Read more.
Introduction: The choice of materials for covering plantar orthoses or wearable insoles is often based on their hardness, breathability, and moisture absorption capacity, although more due to professional preference than clear scientific criteria. An analysis of the thermal response to the use of these materials would provide information about their behavior; hence, the objective of this study was to assess the temperature of three lining materials with different characteristics. Materials and Methods: The temperature of three materials for covering plantar orthoses was analyzed in a sample of 36 subjects (15 men and 21 women, aged 24.6 ± 8.2 years, mass 67.1 ± 13.6 kg, and height 1.7 ± 0.09 m). Temperature was measured before and after 3 h of use in clinical activities, using a polyethylene foam copolymer (PE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and PE-EVA copolymer foam insole with the use of a FLIR E60BX thermal camera. Results: In the PE copolymer (material 1), temperature increases between 1.07 and 1.85 °C were found after activity, with these differences being statistically significant in all regions of interest (p < 0.001), except for the first toe (0.36 °C, p = 0.170). In the EVA foam (material 2) and the expansive foam of the PE-EVA copolymer (material 3), the temperatures were also significantly higher in all analyzed areas (p < 0.001), ranging between 1.49 and 2.73 °C for EVA and 0.58 and 2.16 °C for PE-EVA. The PE copolymer experienced lower overall overheating, and the area of the fifth metatarsal head underwent the greatest temperature increase, regardless of the material analyzed. Conclusions: PE foam lining materials, with lower density or an open-cell structure, would be preferred for controlling temperature rise in the lining/footbed interface and providing better thermal comfort for users. The area of the first toe was found to be the least overheated, while the fifth metatarsal head increased the most in temperature. This should be considered in the design of new wearables to avoid excessive temperatures due to the lining materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wearable Sensors for Continuous Health Monitoring and Analysis)
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14 pages, 5193 KiB  
Article
Ibrutinib Modulates Proliferation, Migration, Mitochondrial Homeostasis, and Apoptosis in Melanoma Cells
by Fernanda Vitelli Lins, Elizabete Cristina Iseke Bispo, Naomí Souza Rodrigues, Maria Victória Souto Silva, Juliana Lott Carvalho, Guilherme Martins Gelfuso and Felipe Saldanha-Araujo
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 1012; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12051012 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Ibrutinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a broad spectrum of action, has been successfully explored to treat hematological and solid cancers. Herein, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Ibrutinib on melanoma cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane [...] Read more.
Ibrutinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor with a broad spectrum of action, has been successfully explored to treat hematological and solid cancers. Herein, we investigated the anti-cancer effect of Ibrutinib on melanoma cell lines. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. Apoptosis, mitochondrial membrane potential, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, cell proliferation, and cell cycle stages were determined by flow cytometry. LDH release and Caspase 3/7 activity were determined by colorimetric and luminescent assays, respectively. Cell migration was evaluated by wound scratch assay. Gene expression was determined by real-time PCR. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of melanoma clinical samples was performed using the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). MTT assays showed that Ibrutinib is toxic for MeWo, SK-MEL-28, and WM164 cells. The annexin V/PI staining, Caspase 3/7 activity, and LDH release in MeWo cells revealed that apoptosis is the primary mechanism of death caused by Ibrutinib. Corroborating such observation, we identified that Ibrutinib treatment impairs the mitochondrial membrane potential of such cells and significantly increases the transcriptional levels of the pro-apoptotic factors ATM, HRK, BAX, BAK, CASP3, and CASP8. Furthermore, Ibrutinib showed antimetastatic potential by inhibiting the migration of MeWo cells. Finally, we performed a functional enrichment analysis and identified that the differential expression of Ibrutinib-target molecules is associated with enrichment of apoptosis and necrosis pathways in melanoma samples. Taken together, our results clearly suggest that Ibrutinib can be successfully explored as an effective therapeutic approach for melanomas. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Biology and Oncology)
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10 pages, 1044 KiB  
Article
Asymmetric Synthesis of Three Alkenyl Epoxides: Crafting the Sex Pheromones of the Elm Spanworm and the Painted Apple Moth
by Yun Zhou, Jianan Wang, Beijing Tian, Yanwei Zhu, Yujuan Zhang, Jinlong Han, Jiangchun Zhong and Chenggang Shan
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2136; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092136 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
A concise synthesis of the sex pheromones of elm spanworm as well as painted apple moth has been achieved. The key steps were the alkylation of acetylide ion, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and Brown’s P2-Ni reduction. This approach provided the sex pheromone of the [...] Read more.
A concise synthesis of the sex pheromones of elm spanworm as well as painted apple moth has been achieved. The key steps were the alkylation of acetylide ion, Sharpless asymmetric epoxidation and Brown’s P2-Ni reduction. This approach provided the sex pheromone of the elm spanworm (1) in 31% total yield and those of the painted apple moth (2, 3) in 26% and 32% total yields. The ee values of three final products were up to 99%. The synthesized pheromones hold promising potential for use in the management and control of these pests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Organic Chemistry)
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13 pages, 8883 KiB  
Article
Dielectric Properties and Magnetoelectric Effect of Bi7Fe3Ti3O21 Ceramic Material Doped with Gadolinium Ions
by Diana Szalbot, Joanna A. Bartkowska, Jolanta Makowska, Maciej Chrunik, Katarzyna Osińska and Małgorzata Adamczyk-Habrajska
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3920; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093920 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Pure Bi7Fe3Ti3O21 ceramic material and gadolinium ion (Gd3+)-doped ones were prepared by solid-state reaction method using simple oxides. The findings of the XRD measurements confirmed the initial author’s assumption that the dopant ions substituted [...] Read more.
Pure Bi7Fe3Ti3O21 ceramic material and gadolinium ion (Gd3+)-doped ones were prepared by solid-state reaction method using simple oxides. The findings of the XRD measurements confirmed the initial author’s assumption that the dopant ions substituted in perovskite blocks influenced the dimensions of the unit cell parameters. All obtained materials are single-phase and show an orthorhombic structure with the Fm2m space group. Microstructure studies show that the admixture gadolinium doping changes the microstructure of the base material, changing grain shapes from plate-like to rounded. The temperature dependences of the electric permittivity have shown the existence of a maximum, the temperature location of which depends on both the frequency and the concentration of Gd3+ ions. The highest values of electric permittivity were characteristic of the material with an admixture of Gd3+ ions in the amount of x = 0.6 (f = 1 kHz), and the lowest values were for material with x = 0.2 (f = 1 kHz). Studies of the magnetoelectric effect have shown that the strongest coupling between magnetic and electrical properties was demonstrated by a material doped with Ga3+ ions in the amount of x = 0.2, for which the magnetoelectric coupling coefficient is equal to α = 12.58·10−9 s/m. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Ceramic Materials: Processes, Properties and Applications)
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19 pages, 1428 KiB  
Review
An Overview on Atopic Dermatitis, Oxidative Stress, and Psychological Stress: Possible Role of Nutraceuticals as an Additional Therapeutic Strategy
by Clara Alessandrello, Serena Sanfilippo, Paola L. Minciullo and Sebastiano Gangemi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(9), 5020; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25095020 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life. Its etiology is multifactorial and, among the predisposing factors, a role is played by oxidative stress. Pollution, recurrent infections, and psychological stress contribute to oxidative [...] Read more.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life. Its etiology is multifactorial and, among the predisposing factors, a role is played by oxidative stress. Pollution, recurrent infections, and psychological stress contribute to oxidative stress, amplifying the production of proinflammatory cytokines and worsening barrier damage. There are various oxidative stress mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of AD. Moreover, AD often appears to be associated with psychological disorders such as alexithymia, depression, and anxiety due to severe itching and related insomnia, as well as social distress and isolation. The increasing incidence of AD requires the evaluation of additional therapeutic approaches in order to reduce the psychological burden of this condition. Our review aims to evaluate the role of some nutraceuticals in AD treatment and its related psychological comorbidities. The combination of some natural compounds (flavonoids, alkaloids, terpenes, isothiocyanates) with traditional AD treatments might be useful in improving the effectiveness of therapy, by reducing chronic inflammation and preventing flare-ups, and in promoting corticosteroid sparing. In addition, some of these nutraceuticals also appear to have a role in the treatment of psychological disorders, although the underlying oxidative stress mechanisms are different from those already known for AD. Full article
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18 pages, 5203 KiB  
Article
From Recharge to Cave to Spring: Transmission of a Flood Pulse through a Complex Karst Conduit Network, Castleton, Derbyshire (UK)
by John Gunn and Chris Bradley
Water 2024, 16(9), 1306; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16091306 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Storm Babet (18–21 October 2023) brought heavy and persistent rain (80–100 mm) to the English Peak District, causing widespread surface and underground flooding. The village of Castleton experienced groundwater flooding from springs that drain a complex mixed allogenic–autogenic karst catchment. Transmission of the [...] Read more.
Storm Babet (18–21 October 2023) brought heavy and persistent rain (80–100 mm) to the English Peak District, causing widespread surface and underground flooding. The village of Castleton experienced groundwater flooding from springs that drain a complex mixed allogenic–autogenic karst catchment. Transmission of the flood pulse was monitored using high-resolution (2 and 4 min intervals) logging of (a) the hydraulic head at five underground locations in the karst conduits and (b) the water depth at three springs and in the surface river fed by the springs. Underground, there were large increases in the hydraulic head (9–35 m), which resulted in two types of flow switching. Firstly, the increased head at the input end of a phreatic (water-filled) conduit system removed an underwater permeability barrier in a relatively low-elevation conduit, resulting in a dramatic increase in flow out of the conduit and a corresponding decrease in flow from a linked higher-elevation conduit that had dominated before the storm. Secondly, the increased head upstream of two conduits with limited hydraulic conductivity allowed water to spill over into conduits that were inactive prior to the storm. As expected, the conduits fed by sinking streams from the allogenic catchment responded rapidly to the recharge, but there was also a rapid response from the autogenic catchment where there are no surface streams and only a small number of dolines. The complex signals measured underground are not apparent from the spring hydrographs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Hydrogeology)
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27 pages, 1710 KiB  
Article
Amended Vegetation Filters as Nature-Based Solutions for the Treatment of Pharmaceuticals: Infiltration Experiments Coupled to Reactive Transport Modelling
by Raisa Gabriela Salvi-Taga, Raffaella Meffe, Virtudes Martínez-Hernández, Angel De Miguel Garcia and Irene De Bustamante
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050334 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
In small populations and scattered communities, wastewater treatment through vegetation filters (VFs), a nature-based solution, has proved to be feasible, especially for nutrient and organic matter removal. However, the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater and their potential to infiltrate through the vadose zone [...] Read more.
In small populations and scattered communities, wastewater treatment through vegetation filters (VFs), a nature-based solution, has proved to be feasible, especially for nutrient and organic matter removal. However, the presence of pharmaceuticals in wastewater and their potential to infiltrate through the vadose zone and reach groundwater is a drawback in the evaluation of VF performances. Soil amended with readily labile carbon sources, such as woodchips, enhances microbial activity and sorption processes, which could improve pharmaceutical attenuation in VFs. The present study aims to assess if woodchip amendments to a VF’s soil are able to abate concentrations of selected pharmaceuticals in the infiltrating water by quantitatively describing the occurring processes through reactive transport modelling. Thus, a column experiment using soil collected from an operating VF and poplar woodchips was conducted, alongside a column containing only soil used as reference. The pharmaceuticals acetaminophen, naproxen, atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, ketoprofen and sulfamethoxazole were applied daily to the column inlet, mimicking a real irrigation pattern and periodically measured in the effluent. Ketoprofen was the only injected pharmaceutical that reached the column outlet of both systems within the experimental timeframe. The absence of acetaminophen, atenolol, caffeine, carbamazepine, naproxen and sulfamethoxazole in both column outlets indicates that they were attenuated even without woodchips. However, the presence of 10,11-epoxy carbamazepine and atenolol acid as transformation products (TPs) suggests that incomplete degradation also occurs and that the effect of the amendment on the infiltration of TPs is compound-specific. Modelling allowed us to generate breakthrough curves of ketoprofen in both columns and to obtain transport parameters during infiltration. Woodchip-amended columns exhibited Kd and μw values from one to two orders of magnitude higher compared to soil column. This augmentation of sorption and biodegradation processes significantly enhanced the removal of ketoprofen to over 96%. Full article
13 pages, 1778 KiB  
Article
Resilient Stress Reactivity Profiles Predict Mental Health Gains from Online Contemplative Training: A Randomized Clinical Trial
by Malvika Godara and Tania Singer
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(5), 493; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14050493 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Low-dose app-based contemplative interventions for mental health are increasingly popular, but heterogeneity in intervention responses indicates that a personalized approach is needed. We examined whether different longitudinal resilience–vulnerability trajectories, derived over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, predicted differences in diverse mental health [...] Read more.
Low-dose app-based contemplative interventions for mental health are increasingly popular, but heterogeneity in intervention responses indicates that a personalized approach is needed. We examined whether different longitudinal resilience–vulnerability trajectories, derived over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, predicted differences in diverse mental health outcomes after mindfulness and socio-emotional dyadic online interventions. The CovSocial project comprised a longitudinal assessment (phase 1) and an open-label efficacy trial (phase 2). A community sample of 253 participants received 12 min daily app-based socio-emotional dyadic or mindfulness-based interventions, with weekly online coaching for 10 weeks. Before and after the intervention, participants completed validated self-report questionnaires assessing mental health. Stress reactivity profiles were derived from seven repeated assessments during the COVID-19 pandemic (January 2020 to March/April 2021) and were categorized into resilient (more plasticity) or vulnerable (less plasticity) stress recovery profiles. After both interventions, only individuals with resilient stress reactivity profiles showed significant improvements in depression symptomatology, trait anxiety, emotion regulation, and stress recovery. Those with vulnerable profiles did not show significant improvements in any outcome. Limitations of this study include the relatively small sample size and potential biases associated with participant dropout. Brief app-based mental interventions may be more beneficial for those with greater levels of stress resiliency and plasticity in response to stressors. More vulnerable individuals might require more intense and personalized intervention formats. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Personalized Medicine in Psychiatry: Challenges and Opportunities)
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23 pages, 2697 KiB  
Article
Evaluation of Silybin Nanoparticles against Liver Damage in Murine Schistosomiasis mansoni Infection
by Daniel Figueiredo Vanzan, Ester Puna Goma, Fernanda Resende Locatelli, Thiago da Silva Honorio, Priscila de Souza Furtado, Carlos Rangel Rodrigues, Valeria Pereira de Sousa, Hilton Antônio Mata dos Santos, Flávia Almada do Carmo, Alice Simon, Alexandre dos Santos Pyrrho, António José Ribeiro and Lucio Mendes Cabral
Pharmaceutics 2024, 16(5), 618; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics16050618 (registering DOI) - 04 May 2024
Abstract
Silybin (SIB) is a hepatoprotective drug known for its poor oral bioavailability, attributed to its classification as a class IV drug with significant metabolism during the first-pass effect. This study explored the potential of solid lipid nanoparticles with (SLN-SIB-U) or without (SLN-SIB) ursodeoxycholic [...] Read more.
Silybin (SIB) is a hepatoprotective drug known for its poor oral bioavailability, attributed to its classification as a class IV drug with significant metabolism during the first-pass effect. This study explored the potential of solid lipid nanoparticles with (SLN-SIB-U) or without (SLN-SIB) ursodeoxycholic acid and polymeric nanoparticles (PN-SIB) as delivery systems for SIB. The efficacy of these nanosystems was assessed through in vitro studies using the GRX and Caco-2 cell lines for permeability and proliferation assays, respectively, as well as in vivo experiments employing a murine model of Schistosomiasis mansoni infection in BALB/c mice. The mean diameter and encapsulation efficiency of the nanosystems were as follows: SLN-SIB (252.8 ± 4.4 nm, 90.28 ± 2.2%), SLN-SIB-U (252.9 ± 14.4 nm, 77.05 ± 2.8%), and PN-SIB (241.8 ± 4.1 nm, 98.0 ± 0.2%). In the proliferation assay with the GRX cell line, SLN-SIB and SLN-SIB-U exhibited inhibitory effects of 43.09 ± 5.74% and 38.78 ± 3.78%, respectively, compared to PN-SIB, which showed no inhibitory effect. Moreover, SLN-SIB-U demonstrated a greater apparent permeability coefficient (25.82 ± 2.2) than PN-SIB (20.76 ± 0.1), which was twice as high as that of SLN-SIB (11.32 ± 4.6) and pure SIB (11.28 ± 0.2). These findings suggest that solid lipid nanosystems hold promise for further in vivo investigations. In the murine model of acute-phase Schistosomiasis mansoni infection, both SLN-SIB and SLN-SIB-U displayed hepatoprotective effects, as evidenced by lower alanine amino transferase values (22.89 ± 1.6 and 23.93 ± 2.4 U/L, respectively) than those in control groups I (29.55 ± 0.7 U/L) and I+SIB (34.29 ± 0.3 U/L). Among the prepared nanosystems, SLN-SIB-U emerges as a promising candidate for enhancing the pharmacokinetic properties of SIB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nanomedicine and Nanotechnology)
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