The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
13 pages, 9978 KiB  
Article
The Eye in the Sky—A Method to Obtain On-Field Locations of Australian Rules Football Athletes
by Zachery Born, Marion Mundt, Ajmal Mian, Jason Weber and Jacqueline Alderson
AI 2024, 5(2), 733-745; https://doi.org/10.3390/ai5020038 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The ability to overcome an opposition in team sports is reliant upon an understanding of the tactical behaviour of the opposing team members. Recent research is limited to a performance analysts’ own playing team members, as the required opposing team athletes’ geolocation (GPS) [...] Read more.
The ability to overcome an opposition in team sports is reliant upon an understanding of the tactical behaviour of the opposing team members. Recent research is limited to a performance analysts’ own playing team members, as the required opposing team athletes’ geolocation (GPS) data are unavailable. However, in professional Australian rules Football (AF), animations of athlete GPS data from all teams are commercially available. The purpose of this technical study was to obtain the on-field location of AF athletes from animations of the 2019 Australian Football League season to enable the examination of the tactical behaviour of any team. The pre-trained object detection model YOLOv4 was fine-tuned to detect players, and a custom convolutional neural network was trained to track numbers in the animations. The object detection and the athlete tracking achieved an accuracy of 0.94 and 0.98, respectively. Subsequent scaling and translation coefficients were determined through solving an optimisation problem to transform the pixel coordinate positions of a tracked player number to field-relative Cartesian coordinates. The derived equations achieved an average Euclidean distance from the athletes’ raw GPS data of 2.63 m. The proposed athlete detection and tracking approach is a novel methodology to obtain the on-field positions of AF athletes in the absence of direct measures, which may be used for the analysis of opposition collective team behaviour and in the development of interactive play sketching AF tools. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence-Based Image Processing and Computer Vision)
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15 pages, 14887 KiB  
Article
Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Induce Maternal Preeclampsia-like Syndrome and Adverse Birth Outcomes via Disrupting Placental Function in SD Rats
by Haixin Li, Dandan Miao, Haiting Hu, Pingping Xue, Kun Zhou and Zhilei Mao
Toxics 2024, 12(5), 367; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics12050367 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The escalating utilization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) in everyday products has sparked concerns regarding their potential hazards to pregnant females and their offspring. To address these concerns and shed light on their undetermined adverse effects and mechanisms, we established a [...] Read more.
The escalating utilization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) in everyday products has sparked concerns regarding their potential hazards to pregnant females and their offspring. To address these concerns and shed light on their undetermined adverse effects and mechanisms, we established a pregnant rat model to investigate the impacts of TiO2 NPs on both maternal and offspring health and to explore the underlying mechanisms of those impacts. Pregnant rats were orally administered TiO2 NPs at a dose of 5 mg/kg body weight per day from GD5 to GD18 during pregnancy. Maternal body weight, organ weight, and birth outcomes were monitored and recorded. Maternal pathological changes were examined by HE staining and TEM observation. Maternal blood pressure was assessed using a non-invasive blood analyzer, and the urinary protein level was determined using spot urine samples. Our findings revealed that TiO2 NPs triggered various pathological alterations in maternal liver, kidney, and spleen, and induced maternal preeclampsia-like syndrome, as well as leading to growth restriction in the offspring. Further examination unveiled that TiO2 NPs hindered trophoblastic cell invasion into the endometrium via the promotion of autophagy. Consistent hypertension and proteinuria resulted from the destroyed the kidney GBM. In total, an exposure to TiO2 NPs during pregnancy might increase the risk of human preeclampsia through increased maternal arterial pressure and urinary albumin levels, as well as causing fetal growth restriction in the offspring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Environmental Chemicals Exposomics and Metabolomics)
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18 pages, 1262 KiB  
Systematic Review
Uncommon Adverse Events of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Systematic Review of Case Reports
by Eunso Lee, Jeong Yun Jang and Jinho Yang
Cancers 2024, 16(10), 1896; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16101896 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to systematically review case reports documenting rare adverse events in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) following the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify case reports detailing previously unreported [...] Read more.
Background: This study aimed to systematically review case reports documenting rare adverse events in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) following the administration of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted to identify case reports detailing previously unreported adverse drug reactions to ICIs in patients with SCLC. The scope of the literature reviewed was restricted to case studies on SCLC published up to 31 December 2023. Results: We analyzed twenty-four studies on ICI use for patients with SCLC. There were six reports on atezolizumab, four on durvalumab, and three on adverse events from monotherapy with nivolumab. Reports involving combination treatments were the most frequent, with a total of six, predominantly involving using nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab. Additionally, there was one report each on using pembrolizumab, nofazinilimab, sintilimab, tislelizumab, and toripalimab. We collected detailed information on the clinical course, including patient and disease characteristics, symptoms, treatment for each adverse event, and recovery status. Among the patients included in the case reports, 21 out of 24 (87.5%) had extensive-stage SCLC when initiating ICI therapy, with only 1 patient diagnosed with limited-stage SCLC. Respiratory system adverse events were most common, with seven cases, followed by neurological, endocrinological, and gastroenterological events. Three case reports documented adverse events across multiple systems in a single patient. In most cases, patients showed symptom improvement; however, four studies reported cases where patients either expired without symptom improvement or experienced sequelae. Conclusions: Efforts to develop reliable biomarkers for predicting irAEs continue, with ongoing research to enhance predictive precision. Immunotherapy presents diverse and unpredictable adverse events, underscoring the need for advanced diagnostic tools and a multidisciplinary approach to improve patient management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy)
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17 pages, 3160 KiB  
Article
Antioxidant and Anti-Inflammatory Properties of Hydrolyzed Royal Jelly Peptide in Human Dermal Fibroblasts: Implications for Skin Health and Care Applications
by Chang-Yu Yan, Qian-Qian Zhu, Cheng-Xi Guan, Gui-Lan Xiong, Xin-Xing Chen, Hai-Biao Gong, Jia-Wei Li, Shu-Hua Ouyang, Hiroshi Kurihara, Yi-Fang Li and Rong-Rong He
Bioengineering 2024, 11(5), 496; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11050496 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Hydrolyzed royal jelly peptide (RJP) has garnered attention for its health-promoting functions. However, the potential applications of RJP in skincare have not been fully explored. In this study, we prepared RJP through the enzymatic hydrolysis of royal jelly protein with trypsin and investigated [...] Read more.
Hydrolyzed royal jelly peptide (RJP) has garnered attention for its health-promoting functions. However, the potential applications of RJP in skincare have not been fully explored. In this study, we prepared RJP through the enzymatic hydrolysis of royal jelly protein with trypsin and investigated its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). Our results demonstrate that RJP effectively inhibits oxidative damage induced by H2O2 and lipid peroxidation triggered by AAPH and t-BuOOH in HDFs. This effect may be attributed to the ability of RJP to enhance the level of glutathione and the activities of catalase and glutathione peroxidase 4, as well as its excellent iron chelating capacity. Furthermore, RJP modulates the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated inflammatory response in HDFs, suppressing the mRNA expressions of NLRP3 and IL-1β in the primer stage induced by LPS and the release of mature IL-1β induced by ATP, monosodium urate, or nigericin in the activation stage. RJP also represses the expressions of COX2 and iNOS induced by LPS. Finally, we reveal that RJP exhibits superior antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties over unhydrolyzed royal jelly protein. These findings suggest that RJP exerts protective effects on skin cells through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory mechanisms, indicating its promise for potential therapeutic avenues for managing oxidative stress and inflammation-related skin disorders. Full article
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13 pages, 929 KiB  
Review
Review: Deep Learning-Based Survival Analysis of Omics and Clinicopathological Data
by Julia Sidorova and Juan Jose Lozano
Inventions 2024, 9(3), 59; https://doi.org/10.3390/inventions9030059 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The 2017–2024 period has been prolific in the area of the algorithms for deep-based survival analysis. We have searched the answers to the following three questions. (1) Is there a new “gold standard” already in clinical data analysis? (2) Does the DL component [...] Read more.
The 2017–2024 period has been prolific in the area of the algorithms for deep-based survival analysis. We have searched the answers to the following three questions. (1) Is there a new “gold standard” already in clinical data analysis? (2) Does the DL component lead to a notably improved performance? (3) Are there tangible benefits of deep-based survival that are not directly attainable with non-deep methods? We have analyzed and compared the selected influential algorithms devised for two types of input: clinicopathological (a small set of numeric, binary and categorical) and omics data (numeric and extremely high dimensional with a pronounced p >> n complication). Full article
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18 pages, 4121 KiB  
Article
A Combined UWB/IMU Localization Method with Improved CKF
by Pengfei Ji, Zhongxing Duan and Weisheng Xu
Sensors 2024, 24(10), 3165; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24103165 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Aiming at the problem that ultra-wide band (UWB) cannot be accurately localized in environments with large noise variations and unknown statistical properties, a combinatorial localization method based on improved cubature (CKF) is proposed. First, in order to overcome the problem of inaccurate local [...] Read more.
Aiming at the problem that ultra-wide band (UWB) cannot be accurately localized in environments with large noise variations and unknown statistical properties, a combinatorial localization method based on improved cubature (CKF) is proposed. First, in order to overcome the problem of inaccurate local approximation or even the inability to converge due to the initial value not being set near the optimal solution in the process of solving the UWB position by the least-squares method, the Levenberg–Marquardt algorithm (L–M) is adopted to optimally solve the UWB position. Secondly, because UWB and IMU information are centrally fused, an adaptive factor is introduced to update the measurement noise covariance matrix in real time to update the observation noise, and the fading factor is added to suppress the filtering divergence to achieve an improvement for the traditional CKF algorithm. Finally, the performance of the proposed combined localization method is verified by field experiments in line-of-sight (LOS) and non-line-of-sight (NLOS) scenarios, respectively. The results show that the proposed method can maintain high localization accuracy in both LOS and NLOS scenarios. Compared with the Extended Kalman filter (EKF), unbiased Kalman filter (UKF), and CKF algorithms, the localization accuracies of the proposed method in NLOS scenarios are improved by 25.2%, 18.3%, and 11.3%, respectively. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Multi-Sensor Integrated Navigation Systems)
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22 pages, 3332 KiB  
Article
Identification of Sex-Associated Genetic Markers in Pistacia lentiscus var. chia for Early Male Detection
by Evangelia Stavridou, Ioanna Karamichali, Evangelos Siskas, Irini Bosmali, Maslin Osanthanunkul and Panagiotis Madesis
Genes 2024, 15(5), 632; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes15050632 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Pistacia lentiscus var. chia is a valuable crop for its high-added-value mastic, a resin with proven pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical properties harvested from the male tree trunk. To achieve the maximum economic benefits from the cultivation of male mastic trees, it is important to [...] Read more.
Pistacia lentiscus var. chia is a valuable crop for its high-added-value mastic, a resin with proven pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical properties harvested from the male tree trunk. To achieve the maximum economic benefits from the cultivation of male mastic trees, it is important to develop early sex diagnosis molecular tools for distinguishing the sex type. Thus far, the work on sex identification has focused on Pistacia vera with promising results; however, the low transferability rates of these markers in P. lentiscus necessitates the development of species-specific sex-linked markers for P. lentiscus var. chia. To our knowledge, this is the first report regarding: (i) the development of species-specific novel transcriptome-based markers for P. lentiscus var. chia and their assessment on male, female and monoecious individuals using PCR-HRM analysis, thus, introducing a cost-effective method for sex identification with high accuracy that can be applied with minimum infrastructure, (ii) the effective sex identification in mastic tree using a combination of different sex-linked ISSR and SCAR markers with 100% accuracy, and (iii) the impact evaluation of sex type on the genetic diversity of different P. lentiscus var. chia cultivars. The results of this study are expected to provide species-specific markers for accurate sex identification that could contribute to the selection process of male mastic trees at an early stage for mass propagation systems and to facilitate future breeding efforts related to sex-linked productivity and quality of mastic resin. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Plant Genetics and Genomics)
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15 pages, 10803 KiB  
Article
A CMOS Rectifier with a Wide Dynamic Range Using Switchable Self-Bias Polarity for a Radio Frequency Harvester
by Boon Chiat Terence Teo, Wu Cong Lim, Navaneethan Venkadasamy, Xian Yang Lim, Chiang Liang Kok and Liter Siek
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1953; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101953 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This paper presents a switchable self-bias polarity on the CMOS complementary cross-coupled rectifier to improve the rectifier’s power conversion efficiency (PCE) profile across a wide input power (PIN) dynamic range. This technique achieves this by adaptively switching the polarity of the [...] Read more.
This paper presents a switchable self-bias polarity on the CMOS complementary cross-coupled rectifier to improve the rectifier’s power conversion efficiency (PCE) profile across a wide input power (PIN) dynamic range. This technique achieves this by adaptively switching the polarity of the bias on the n-MOS to overdrive it during low PIN to improve the sensitivity and underdrive it during high PIN to suppress the shoot-through loss and the unnecessary discharge of the coupling capacitor. The popular self-biased p-MOS is also implemented further to reduce the reverse conduction loss during high PIN. The proposed rectifier is fabricated in a 40 nm CMOS process and operates at 900 MHz with a load of 50 kΩ. The proposed rectifier achieved a peak PCE of 72.1% and maintained a 0.8xPCEPEAK across a PIN dynamic range of 11.5 dB. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Circuit and Signal Processing)
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22 pages, 5214 KiB  
Article
Understanding and Assessing Climate Change Risk to Green Infrastructure: Experiences from Greater Manchester (UK)
by Jeremy Carter, S.M. Labib and Ian Mell
Land 2024, 13(5), 697; https://doi.org/10.3390/land13050697 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The existing body of research into the environmental and socio-economic benefits of green infrastructure supports the case for it to be positioned as a form of critical infrastructure, particularly in urban settings. It is broadly recognized that extreme weather and climate change pose [...] Read more.
The existing body of research into the environmental and socio-economic benefits of green infrastructure supports the case for it to be positioned as a form of critical infrastructure, particularly in urban settings. It is broadly recognized that extreme weather and climate change pose significant risks to critical infrastructure systems linked to the provision of services, including electricity, water, communications, and transport, and consequently risk assessments and associated adaptation strategies are common practice. However, although green infrastructure is also at risk from extreme weather and climate change, threatening the realization of benefits that it can deliver in urban settings, associated risks to green infrastructure are not widely understood or assessed in practice. This paper discusses the status of existing research on this topic and uses this as a foundation for a Greater Manchester (UK) case study that assesses the risk of low water availability to grassed areas, which represent a key element of the city-region’s green infrastructure. In doing so, the paper demonstrates how risks linked to extreme weather and climate change can be assessed spatially to inform green infrastructure planning. In summary, this paper aims to raise awareness of extreme weather and climate change risk to urban green infrastructure, present an empirical case study and associated methodological approach on this topic, and ultimately support efforts to enhance the resilience of urban green infrastructure to extreme weather and climate change. Full article
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20 pages, 14597 KiB  
Article
Exploring the Mechanism of Fufang Danshen Tablet against Atherosclerosis by Network Pharmacology and Experimental Validation
by Yuling Liu, Weiwei Su, Peibo Li, Xuan Zeng, Yuying Zheng, Yonggang Wang, Wei Peng and Hao Wu
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(5), 643; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17050643 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Fufang Danshen Tablet (FDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used to treat CVDs for more than 40 years. Nevertheless, owing to the complexity of the ingredients, the pharmacological mechanism [...] Read more.
Atherosclerosis is the main pathological basis of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Fufang Danshen Tablet (FDT) is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been clinically used to treat CVDs for more than 40 years. Nevertheless, owing to the complexity of the ingredients, the pharmacological mechanism of FDT in the treatment of CVDs has not been fully elucidated. In this study, an integrated strategy of UFLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, network pharmacology, molecular biology, and transcriptomics was used to elucidate the mechanisms of action of FDT in the treatment of atherosclerosis. In total, 22 absorbed constituents were identified in rat serum after oral administration of FDT. In silico, network pharmacology studies have shown that FDT regulates four key biological functional modules for the treatment of atherosclerosis: oxidative stress, cell apoptosis, energy metabolism, and immune/inflammation. In animal experiments, FDT exerted protective effects against atherosclerosis by reducing the plaque area and lipid levels in ApoE−/− mice. Furthermore, we found that FDT inhibited inflammatory macrophage accumulation by regulating the expression of Selp and Ccl2, which are both involved in monocyte adhesion and migration. The inhibition of monocyte recruitment by FDT is a new perspective to elucidate the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of FDT, which has not been adopted in previous studies on FDT. Our results may help to elucidate the therapeutic mechanism of FDT against CVDs and provide potential therapeutic targets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
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14 pages, 6251 KiB  
Article
Slope Gradient Effects on Sediment Yield of Different Land Cover and Soil Types
by Yu War Nang, Shin-ichi Onodera, Kunyang Wang, Yuta Shimizu and Mitsuyo Saito
Water 2024, 16(10), 1419; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101419 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Water majorly contributes to soil erosion. Considering Japan’s humid and rainy climate, severe soil erosion challenges persist even though forests are the country’s dominant land type. Although numerous studies have emphasized the impact of factors such as land use, soil type, and slope [...] Read more.
Water majorly contributes to soil erosion. Considering Japan’s humid and rainy climate, severe soil erosion challenges persist even though forests are the country’s dominant land type. Although numerous studies have emphasized the impact of factors such as land use, soil type, and slope steepness on sediment yield, the synergetic effects of slope gradient with varying land cover and soil types are underexplored. Herein, we used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) on a steep catchment to identify high sediment yield areas—as well as factors influencing high sediment yield—and evaluate the effect of slope gradient on the sediment yield of different land cover and soil types. The findings reveal an average annual sediment yield of 0.55 tons ha−1 yr−1 in the Takahashi catchment, with yields tripling in some western subbasins under heavy rainfall. Furthermore, the slope gradient effect is most considerable in bare land, agriculture, and rice land cover, with the average sediment yield of bare land resulting in 2.2 tons ha−1 yr−1 at slope > 45%. Meanwhile, deciduous forests on steep slopes exhibit extreme sediment yield, peaking at 7.2 tons ha−1 yr−1 at slope > 45%. The regosol soil type has one of the highest sediment yield variations in all soil types due to slope gradient. Full article
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22 pages, 3491 KiB  
Review
Genomic Diversity and Geographic Distribution of Newcastle Disease Virus Genotypes in Africa: Implications for Diagnosis, Vaccination, and Regional Collaboration
by Charlie F. Amoia, Jean N. Hakizimana, Augustino A. Chengula, Muhammad Munir, Gerald Misinzo and James Weger-Lucarelli
Viruses 2024, 16(5), 795; https://doi.org/10.3390/v16050795 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously evolving in different geographic locations across the globe, including throughout Africa, where NDV is an important veterinary pathogen. Expanding [...] Read more.
The emergence of new virulent genotypes and the continued genetic drift of Newcastle disease virus (NDV) implies that distinct genotypes of NDV are simultaneously evolving in different geographic locations across the globe, including throughout Africa, where NDV is an important veterinary pathogen. Expanding the genomic diversity of NDV increases the possibility of diagnostic and vaccine failures. In this review, we systematically analyzed the genetic diversity of NDV genotypes in Africa using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Information published between 1999 and 2022 were used to obtain the genetic background of different genotypes of NDV and their geographic distributions in Africa. The following genotypes were reported in Africa: I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, XI, XIII, XIV, XVII, XVIII, XX, and XXI. A new putative genotype has been detected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, of 54 African countries, only 26 countries regularly report information on NDV outbreaks, suggesting that this number may be vastly underestimated. With eight different genotypes, Nigeria is the country with the greatest genotypic diversity of NDV among African countries. Genotype VII is the most prevalent group of NDV in Africa, which was reported in 15 countries. A phylogeographic analysis of NDV sequences revealed transboundary transmission of the virus in Eastern Africa, Western and Central Africa, and in Southern Africa. A regional and continental collaboration is recommended for improved NDV risk management in Africa. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Newcastle Disease and Other Avian Orthoavulaviruses 1)
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17 pages, 1371 KiB  
Review
Notch Signaling: An Emerging Paradigm in the Pathogenesis of Reproductive Disorders and Diverse Pathological Conditions
by Sreesada Parambath, Nikhil Raj Selvraj, Parvathy Venugopal and Rajaguru Aradhya
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5423; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105423 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The highly conserved Notch pathway, a pillar of juxtacrine signaling, orchestrates intricate intercellular communication, governing diverse developmental and homeostatic processes through a tightly regulated cascade of proteolytic cleavages. This pathway, culminating in the migration of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to the nucleus [...] Read more.
The highly conserved Notch pathway, a pillar of juxtacrine signaling, orchestrates intricate intercellular communication, governing diverse developmental and homeostatic processes through a tightly regulated cascade of proteolytic cleavages. This pathway, culminating in the migration of the Notch intracellular domain (NICD) to the nucleus and the subsequent activation of downstream target genes, exerts a profound influence on a plethora of molecular processes, including cell cycle progression, lineage specification, cell–cell adhesion, and fate determination. Accumulating evidence underscores the pivotal role of Notch dysregulation, encompassing both gain and loss-of-function mutations, in the pathogenesis of numerous human diseases. This review delves deep into the multifaceted roles of Notch signaling in cellular dynamics, encompassing proliferation, differentiation, polarity maintenance, epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), tissue regeneration/remodeling, and its intricate interplay with other signaling pathways. We then focus on the emerging landscape of Notch aberrations in gynecological pathologies predisposing individuals to infertility. By highlighting the exquisite conservation of Notch signaling in Drosophila and its power as a model organism, we pave the way for further dissection of disease mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions through targeted modulation of this master regulatory pathway. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Notch Signaling in Health and Disease 2.0)
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16 pages, 9563 KiB  
Article
Antimicrobial and Antibiofilm Potential of Green-Synthesized Graphene–Silver Nanocomposite against Multidrug-Resistant Nosocomial Pathogens
by Preeti Negi, Jatin Chadha, Kusum Harjai, Vijay Singh Gondil, Seema Kumari and Khem Raj
Biomedicines 2024, 12(5), 1104; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines12051104 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) pose a significant risk to global health, impacting millions of individuals globally. These infections have increased rates of morbidity and mortality due to the prevalence of widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Graphene-based nanoparticles (GBNs) are known to possess extensive antimicrobial properties [...] Read more.
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) pose a significant risk to global health, impacting millions of individuals globally. These infections have increased rates of morbidity and mortality due to the prevalence of widespread antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Graphene-based nanoparticles (GBNs) are known to possess extensive antimicrobial properties by inflicting damage to the cell membrane, suppressing virulence, and inhibiting microbial biofilms. Developing alternative therapies for HAIs and addressing AMR can be made easier and more affordable by combining nanoparticles with medicinal plants harboring antimicrobial properties. Hence, this study was undertaken to develop a novel graphene–silver nanocomposite via green synthesis using Trillium govanianum plant extract as a reducing agent. The resulting nanocomposite comprised silver nanoparticles embedded in graphene sheets. The antibacterial and antifungal properties of graphene–silver nanocomposites were investigated against several nosocomial pathogens, namely, Candida auris, Candida glabrata, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The nanocomposite displayed broad-range antimicrobial potential against the test pathogens, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging between 31.25 and 125.0 µg/mL, and biofilm inhibition up to 80–96%. Moreover, nanocomposite-functionalized urinary catheters demonstrated hemocompatibility towards sheep erythrocytes and imparted anti-fouling activity to the biomaterial, while also displaying biocompatibility towards HEK 293 cells. Collectively, this investigation highlights the possible application of green-synthesized GBNs as an effective alternative to conventional antibiotics for combating multidrug-resistant pathogens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections and Alternative Therapies)
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13 pages, 6281 KiB  
Article
The Enhanced Performance of NiCuOOH/NiCu(OH)2 Electrode Using Pre-Conversion Treatment for the Electrochemical Oxidation of Ammonia
by Xuejiao Yin, Jiaxin Wen, Jujiao Zhao, Ran An, Ruolan Zhang, Yin Xiong, Yanzong Tao, Lingxin Wang, Yuhang Liu, Huanyu Zhou and Yuanyuan Huang
Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2339; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102339 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Electrochemical oxidation of ammonia is an attractive process for wastewater treatment, hydrogen production, and ammonia fuel cells. However, the sluggish kinetics of the anode reaction has limited its applications, leading to a high demand for novel electrocatalysts. Herein, the electrode with the in [...] Read more.
Electrochemical oxidation of ammonia is an attractive process for wastewater treatment, hydrogen production, and ammonia fuel cells. However, the sluggish kinetics of the anode reaction has limited its applications, leading to a high demand for novel electrocatalysts. Herein, the electrode with the in situ growth of NiCu(OH)2 was partially transformed into the NiCuOOH phase by a pre-treatment using highly oxidative solutions. As revealed by SEM, XPS, and electrochemical analysis, such a strategy maintained the 3D structure, while inducing more active sites before the in situ generation of oxyhydroxide sites during the electrochemical reaction. The optimized NiCuOOH-1 sample exhibited the current density of 6.06 mA cm−2 at 0.5 V, which is 1.67 times higher than that of NiCu(OH)2 (3.63 mA cm−2). Moreover, the sample with a higher crystalline degree of the NiCuOOH phase exhibited lower performance, demonstrating the importance of a moderate treatment condition. In addition, the NiCuOOH-1 sample presented low selectivity (<20%) towards NO2 and stable activity during the long-term operation. The findings of this study would provide valuable insights into the development of transition metal electrocatalysts for ammonia oxidation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Water Electrolysis Technology)
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15 pages, 5215 KiB  
Article
Afforestation Enhances Potential Bacterial Metabolic Function without Concurrent Soil Carbon: A Case Study of Mu Us Sandy Land
by Yang Zheng, Jiuying Pei, Zhun Tian, Pingxing Wan and Danfeng Li
Forests 2024, 15(5), 867; https://doi.org/10.3390/f15050867 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Elucidating the impact of afforestation on soil bacterial community composition and its potential function in afforestation is imperative for comprehending the biochemical processes of land use change. This study employed high-throughput genomic sequencing to determine the bacterial phylogenetic assembly and assess functional groups [...] Read more.
Elucidating the impact of afforestation on soil bacterial community composition and its potential function in afforestation is imperative for comprehending the biochemical processes of land use change. This study employed high-throughput genomic sequencing to determine the bacterial phylogenetic assembly and assess functional groups following afforestation encompassing shrubland and woodland. Compared with non-afforested cropland, the soil organic carbon (SOC) remained unchanged, but significant alterations were observed in the bacterial composition and potential functions under afforestation. Afforestation enhanced bacterial diversity and even shifted the bacteria from the r- to K-strategy, as indicated by higher oligotroph/copiotroph ratios. Soil properties explained 66.45% and 68.9% of the total variation in bacterial community composition at the phylum level and the functional group. A 60.44% decrease in soil water content, a 3.82% increase in pH, a 7.5% increase in bulk density, and a 66.8% decrease in available phosphorus (AP) were the main soil factors affecting both bacterial community composition and functional traits in afforestation. In particular, lower available nutrients, AP, and nitrate nitrogen in afforestation drive the bacterial life history strategies. We conclude that changes in bacterial metabolic functions due to reduced soil available nutrients from dryland afforestation might be the main driver for microbial-inhibited SOC accumulation. These results could provide strong microbiological evidence to help further evaluate the importance of dryland afforestation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Forest Soil Carbon in a Changing World)
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18 pages, 1560 KiB  
Review
Pharmacovigilance Strategies to Address Resistance to Antibiotics and Inappropriate Use—A Narrative Review
by Valcieny Sandes, Albert Figueras and Elisangela Costa Lima
Antibiotics 2024, 13(5), 457; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13050457 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge. Close and continuous surveillance for quick detection of AMR can be difficult, especially in remote places. This narrative review focuses on the contributions of pharmacovigilance (PV) as an auxiliary tool for identifying and [...] Read more.
The spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global challenge. Close and continuous surveillance for quick detection of AMR can be difficult, especially in remote places. This narrative review focuses on the contributions of pharmacovigilance (PV) as an auxiliary tool for identifying and monitoring the ineffectiveness, resistance, and inappropriate use of antibiotics (ABs). The terms “drug ineffective”, “therapeutic failure”, “drug resistance”, “pathogen resistance”, and “multidrug resistance” were found in PV databases and dictionaries, denoting ineffectiveness. These terms cover a range of problems that should be better investigated because they are useful in warning about possible causes of AMR. “Medication errors”, especially those related to dose and indication, and “Off-label use” are highlighted in the literature, suggesting inappropriate use of ABs. Hence, the included studies show that the terms of interest related to AMR and use are not only present but frequent in PV surveillance programs. This review illustrates the feasibility of using PV as a complementary tool for antimicrobial stewardship activities, especially in scenarios where other resources are scarce. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antibiotics Use and Antimicrobial Stewardship)
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27 pages, 12841 KiB  
Article
The Influence of the Aggregate Configuration on the Seismic Assessment of Unreinforced Masonry Buildings in Historic Urban Areas
by Valentina Cima, Valentina Tomei, Ernesto Grande and Maura Imbimbo
Sustainability 2024, 16(10), 4172; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16104172 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in historic urban areas of European countries are generally clustered in an aggregate configuration and are often characterized by façade walls mutually interconnected with adjacent ones. As a result, the seismic performance of buildings in an aggregate configuration can [...] Read more.
Unreinforced masonry (URM) buildings in historic urban areas of European countries are generally clustered in an aggregate configuration and are often characterized by façade walls mutually interconnected with adjacent ones. As a result, the seismic performance of buildings in an aggregate configuration can be affected by the mutual interaction between the adjacent units. This interaction, often called the aggregate effect, could significantly influence the level of the seismic vulnerability of URM buildings in aggregate configuration toward in-plane and out-of-plane mechanisms, the latter being the object of the present paper. Traditional methods for assessing the seismic vulnerability of URM buildings neglect the interactions between adjacent buildings, potentially underestimating the actual vulnerability. This study aims to derive fragility curves specific for UMR buildings in aggregate configuration and proposes an innovative methodology that introduces the aggregate effect into an analytical approach, previously developed by the authors for isolated URM buildings. The aggregate effect is modeled by accounting for the friction forces arising among adjacent facades during the development of out-of-plane overturning mechanisms by considering different scenarios, based on how façade walls interact with neighboring structures (e.g., whether they are connected to transverse and/or lateral coplanar ones). The proposed approach is applied to a real case study of an Italian historical center. The obtained results demonstrate that the aggregate effect significantly influences the fragility curves of URM buildings arranged in aggregate configurations. This highlights the importance of considering this effect and the usefulness of the proposed approach for large-scale assessments of seismic vulnerability in historic urban areas, contributing to sustainable disaster risk prevention. Full article
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8 pages, 2349 KiB  
Communication
Transfer Learning with Multi-Sequence MRI for Segmentation of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease Using U-Net
by Min-Seok Kwon, Yeon-Soon Jung, Jung-Gu Park and Yeh-Chan Ahn
Electronics 2024, 13(10), 1950; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13101950 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
In recent studies, the measurement of total kidney volume, a primary indicator for the diagnosis and treatment of renal diseases, has been advanced through artificial-intelligence-driven automated segmentation. However, the limited quantity of medical data remains a persistent challenge, with its scarcity negatively impacting [...] Read more.
In recent studies, the measurement of total kidney volume, a primary indicator for the diagnosis and treatment of renal diseases, has been advanced through artificial-intelligence-driven automated segmentation. However, the limited quantity of medical data remains a persistent challenge, with its scarcity negatively impacting the outcomes of machine learning algorithms. In this study, we have enhanced the accuracy of machine learning for disease diagnosis by employing various MRI sequences commonly used during renal imaging. We created a model for kidney segmentation using U-Net and performed single training, joint training, and transfer learning using MRI images from two sequences based on SSFP and SSFSE. Ultimately, during transfer learning, we achieved the highest accuracy with a Dice coefficient of 0.951 and a mean difference of 2.05% (−3.47%, 7.57%) in Bland–Altman analysis for SSFP. Similarly, for SSFSE, we obtained a Dice coefficient of 0.952 and a mean difference of 4.33% (−7.05%, 15.71%) through Bland–Altman analysis. This demonstrates our ability to enhance prediction accuracy for each sequence by leveraging different sequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Artificial Intelligence in Image and Video Processing)
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18 pages, 6239 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Low-Energy Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) Removal in Aeration-Free Conditions through Pulse-Rotating Bio-Contactors Enriched with Glycogen-Accumulating Organisms
by Liang Cheng, Guihuan Deng, Chaoqun Zhang, Yao Yang, Abdallah Abdelfattah, Reham Eltawab and Hui Jia
Water 2024, 16(10), 1417; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16101417 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This study presents an innovative pulse-rotating biological contactor (P-RBC) designed to enrich glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs), thereby facilitating low-energy chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. It then investigates the impact of rotational speed and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on GAO enrichment and COD removal efficiency. [...] Read more.
This study presents an innovative pulse-rotating biological contactor (P-RBC) designed to enrich glycogen-accumulating organisms (GAOs), thereby facilitating low-energy chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal. It then investigates the impact of rotational speed and hydraulic retention time (HRT) on GAO enrichment and COD removal efficiency. Optimized conditions at lower speeds and longer HRTs significantly enhance GAO proliferation and Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthesis, the key to COD removal. Noteworthy findings include a maximum GAO abundance of 21.34% at a half round per hour (rph) rotating speed, which correlates with a 90.2% COD removal rate and an HRT of 6 h, yielding a 21.23% GAO abundance and 89.8% COD removal. This study also explores various carbon sources for PHA synthesis, with sodium acetate proving the most effective. Compared to other wastewater treatment methods, P-RBC demonstrates minimal energy consumption (0.09 kWh per ton of wastewater), highlighting its potential as a sustainable and effective approach for wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Wastewater Treatment and Reuse)
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12 pages, 4568 KiB  
Article
Comparison of the Effects of Pilates and Yoga Exercise on the Dynamic Balancing Ability and Functional Movement of Fencers
by So-Jung Lim, Hyun-Jin Kim, Yong-Su Kim, Eunkuk Kim, Inyoung Hwang and Ju-Seop Kang
Life 2024, 14(5), 635; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14050635 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
This study was conducted to compare and analyze whether Pilates exercise and yoga exercise help improve the performance of female fencers and prevent injury, and the dynamic balance test (LQ-YBT) and functional movement screening (FMS) test score of the elite adult female fencers [...] Read more.
This study was conducted to compare and analyze whether Pilates exercise and yoga exercise help improve the performance of female fencers and prevent injury, and the dynamic balance test (LQ-YBT) and functional movement screening (FMS) test score of the elite adult female fencers were compared and analyzed as evaluation indicators. Participants were randomly classified into Pilates (n = 10) and yoga groups (n = 10), members of which took part in 50 min of exercise (5 min of warm-up, 40 min of main exercise, and 5 min of cool-down) twice weekly for eight weeks. The results obtained from this study were analyzed via independent t-test and 2-way ANOVA. The results were as follows: LQ-YBT measures (reaching distance) increased significantly for both groups, as did FMS scores (deep squat, hurdle step, inline lunge, shoulder mobility, active straight-leg raise, trunk-stability push-up, and rotary stability). These results suggest that Pilates exercise and yoga exercise might be likely effective in improving the performance of adult female fencers and injury prevention by increasing their dynamic balance ability and functional movement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Effects of Exercise Training on Muscle Function)
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16 pages, 8031 KiB  
Article
Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Pattern Analysis of TIFY Family Genes Reveal Their Potential Roles in Phalaenopsis aphrodite Flower Opening
by Yunxiao Guan, Qiaoyu Zhang, Minghe Li, Junwen Zhai, Shasha Wu, Sagheer Ahmad, Siren Lan, Donghui Peng and Zhong-Jian Liu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(10), 5422; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25105422 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
The TIFY gene family (formerly known as the zinc finger proteins expressed in inflorescence meristem (ZIM) family) not only functions in plant defense responses but also are widely involved in regulating plant growth and development. However, the identification and functional analysis of TIFY [...] Read more.
The TIFY gene family (formerly known as the zinc finger proteins expressed in inflorescence meristem (ZIM) family) not only functions in plant defense responses but also are widely involved in regulating plant growth and development. However, the identification and functional analysis of TIFY proteins remain unexplored in Orchidaceae. Here, we identified 19 putative TIFY genes in the Phalaenopsis aphrodite genome. The phylogenetic tree classified them into four subfamilies: 14 members from JAZ, 3 members from ZML, and 1 each from PPD and TIFY. Sequence analysis revealed that all Phalaenopsis TIFY proteins contained a TIFY domain. Exon–intron analysis showed that the intron number and length of Phalaenopsis TIFY genes varied, whereas the same subfamily and subgroup genes had similar exon or intron numbers and distributions. The most abundant cis-elements in the promoter regions of the 19 TIFY genes were associated with light responsiveness, followed by MeJA and ABA, indicating their potential regulation by light and phytohormones. The 13 candidate TIFY genes screened from the transcriptome data exhibited two types of expression trends, suggesting their different roles in cell proliferation and cell expansion of floral organ growth during Phalaenopsis flower opening. Overall, this study serves as a background for investigating the underlying roles of TIFY genes in floral organ growth in Phalaenopsis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research on Orchid Plants)
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19 pages, 1140 KiB  
Article
A Self-Assembling Pfs230D1-Ferritin Nanoparticle Vaccine Has Potent and Durable Malaria Transmission-Reducing Activity
by Nichole D. Salinas, Rui Ma, Holly McAleese, Tarik Ouahes, Carole A. Long, Kazutoyo Miura, Lynn E. Lambert and Niraj H. Tolia
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 546; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050546 (registering DOI) - 16 May 2024
Abstract
Malaria is caused by eukaryotic protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. There are 249 million new cases and 608,000 deaths annually, and new interventions are desperately needed. Malaria vaccines can be divided into three categories: liver stage, blood stage, or transmission-blocking vaccines. [...] Read more.
Malaria is caused by eukaryotic protozoan parasites of the genus Plasmodium. There are 249 million new cases and 608,000 deaths annually, and new interventions are desperately needed. Malaria vaccines can be divided into three categories: liver stage, blood stage, or transmission-blocking vaccines. Transmission-blocking vaccines prevent the transmission of disease by the mosquito vector from one human to another. Pfs230 is one of the leading transmission-blocking vaccine antigens for malaria. Here, we describe the development of a 24-copy self-assembling nanoparticle vaccine comprising domain 1 of Pfs230 genetically fused to H. pylori ferritin. The single-component Pfs230D1-ferritin construct forms a stable and homogenous 24-copy nanoparticle with good production yields. The nanoparticle is highly immunogenic, as two low-dose vaccinations of New Zealand White rabbits elicited a potent and durable antibody response with high transmission-reducing activity when formulated in two distinct adjuvants suitable for translation to human use. This single-component 24-copy Pfs230D1-ferritin nanoparticle vaccine has the potential to improve production pipelines and the cost of manufacturing a potent and durable transmission-blocking vaccine for malaria control. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Vaccines against Arthropods and Arthropod-Borne Pathogens)
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