bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-traditional small companion mammals in Spain as reservoirs of antimicrobial-resistant Staphylococci
Authors: Marco-Fuertes Ana , Marin Clara , Villora-Gonzalez José , Gimeno-Cardona Concepción , Artal-Muñoz Violeta , Vega Santiago , Montoro-Dasi Laura
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and multidrug resistance (MDR) in microorganisms poses a significant concern in both human and veterinary medicine. Non-traditional companion animals (NTCAs), particularly popular amongst households with children, play a crucial role in AMR epidemiology due to their rising population. Indeed, it is known that some of these animals may act as reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens and thus be able to spread and transmit them to family members, along with their AMR, through their shared environment. It is therefore imperative to address this concern with the involvement of human, animal and environmental health professionals. This pilot study aimed to assess the prevalence and AMR patterns of Staphylococcus spp. strains obtained from commensal mucosal and skin infection samples in NTC small mammals, with a focus on strains like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus spp. (MRS) that are critical in public health.

Methods

For this purpose, 81 animals of different small mammal species were sampled, assessing antimicrobial susceptibility to 27 relevant antimicrobial agents (AMAs) in human health using minimum inhibitory concentration assays, and interpreting them according to EUCAST and CLSI guidelines. The isolated Staphylococci strains were identified by MALDI-TOF, with the predominant species being Mammalicoccus sciuri and Staphylococcus aureus.

Results and discussion

Including all strains isolated, AMR was observed against all 27 AMAs, including six last-resort AMAs in human medicine. Additionally, over 85% of the strains exhibited MDR. These findings underscore the need to monitor AMR and MDR trends in companion animals and emphasise the potential role of NTCAs in spreading resistance to humans, other animals, and their shared environment, calling for a comprehensive “One Health” approach.
Assessment of Flyby Methods as Applied to Close Encounters among Asteroids
Authors: Stronati Nicolò , Fenucci Marco , Micheli Marco , Ceccaroni Marta
Published: August 2024

Orbital flybys have been extensively studied for spacecraft missions, resulting in effective mathematical and physical models. However, these models’ applicability to natural encounters involving asteroids has not been explored. This paper examines the applicability of two such theories, patched conics (PC) and the Keplerian map (KM), to asteroid encounters. A review of the two methods will be provided, highlighting their assumptions and range of applicability. Simulations of asteroid–asteroid encounters will then be performed to evaluate their effectiveness in these scenarios. The simulation parameters are set by collecting data on actual asteroid–asteroid encounters, hereby presented, generally characterised by high close approach distances and small masses of the perturbing bodies, if compared to those used to build the flyby theories. Results show that the PC theory’s effectiveness diminishes with increasing approach distances, aligning with its assumptions. Moreover, the prediction of the model is better in the geometric configurations where the flyby has major effects on the orbital energy change. The KM theory has shown good effectiveness for encounters occurring outside the sphere of influence of the perturbing body, even for very high distances. This research investigates flyby models’ strengths and weaknesses in asteroid encounters, offering practical insights and future directions.
Impact of Monensin Sodium and Essential Limonene Oil on the Fermentation and Chemical Composition of Total Mixed Ration Silages with Moisture Variations
Authors: de Andrade Ronnie Coêlho , Orrico Junior Marco Antonio Previdelli , da Silva Yara América , Retore Marciana , Fernandes Tatiane , Orrico Ana Carolina Amorim , Vargas Junior Fernando Miranda de , Amaral Isabele Paola de Oliveira
Published: August 2024

Monensin and essential oils have antimicrobial properties that may impact silage fermentation. The present study was divided into two trials to evaluate the effects of monensin (MON) and essential limonene oils (ELO) as additives in the ensiling of total mixed ration (TMR). In the first assay, TMR was tested with sheep in growth (65% dry matter—DM) using the following treatments: control (no additive), MON35 (35 mg of monensina per kg of DM), MON45 (45 mg of monensina per kg of DM), ELO300 (300 mg of essential limonene oil per kg of DM), and ELO600 (600 mg of essential limonene oil per kg of DM). In the second assay, the same treatments were used in TMR for lactating cows under two moisture conditions (30% and 40% DM). The parameters assessed included fermentative losses, short-chain fatty acid profiles, aerobic stability (hours needed for silage to reach 2 °C above ambient), chemical composition, and in vitro DM digestibility of the silages. Treatment averages were compared using the Scott–Knott test at 5% significance. In the first assay, the treatments with ELO had the lowest (p < 0.05) pH values and the highest (p < 0.05) lactic acid concentrations, with treatment ELO600 leading to the highest (p < 0.05) aerobic stability (297.88 h). Only the starch contents of the ELO treatments were lower (p < 0.05) than the others. In the second assay, the silages with the highest moisture contents and ELO600 exhibited the lowest (p < 0.05) values of DM recovery, lactic acid, and pH. The highest (p < 0.05) lactic acid:acetic acid ratios were observed in the silages with the most moisture added with MON35 and MON45. The use of MON and ELO increased aerobic stability, with the highest (p < 0.05) values observed for ELO600 and MON35. The treatments with MON and ELO resulted in silages with the lowest (p < 0.05) fiber contents and highest ether extract and starch contents when compared with control. Thus, MON and essential oils improve fermentative quality but ELO should be used in lower doses in humid silages to avoid negative fermentation impacts.
The Distribution and Pollution Pathway Analysis of Perfluoroalkyl Acids (PFAAs) in a Typical Agricultural Plastic Greenhouse for Cultivated Vegetables
Authors: Zhou Yiran , Wang Mingzhen , Xin Junhong , Wu Yongning , Wang Minglin
Published: August 2024

Plastic greenhouses play an important role in vegetable cultivation in China. While evaluations have attributed perfluoroalkyl acid contamination in greenhouse vegetables primarily to irrigation water, the potential contribution from greenhouse plastic films has consistently been overlooked, despite PFAAs’ long-standing use as anti-fogging agents. In this study, a comprehensive assessment of PFAA contamination was conducted in greenhouses at the Shouguang vegetable base in China, based on extensive environmental and crop sample collection, followed by analysis using LC-MS/MS. PFAAs are still used in greenhouse plastic film, and their migration to the surface water mist and the air inside the greenhouse was also observed. Elevated levels of PFAA pollution were found near the corner areas of greenhouses with longer service times, leading to further pollution of the soil and nearby vegetables. This is considered as the primary source which may have been caused by PFAAs migrating with condensation from the plastic film and accumulating for decades. However, polluted irrigation water still remains the dominate source of PFAAs in other areas inside the greenhouse. Based on our analysis, we conclude that PFAAs present in plastic films could be the primary contaminant source for vegetables in specific zones. This underscores the urgent need for heightened vigilance towards environmental pollution within agricultural facilities, which currently represent the most prevalent mode of intensive vegetable cultivation in China.
Review of the Report on the Nutritional and Health-Promoting Values of Species of the Rubus L. Genus
Authors: Buczyński Kamil , Kapłan Magdalena , Jarosz Zbigniew
Published: August 2024

The genus Rubus encompasses over 1000 species, including raspberries and blackberries, known for their rich nutritional and health-promoting properties. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the nutritional values, health benefits, and potential medical and pharmaceutical applications of Rubus species. The fruits, roots, shoots, and leaves of these plants are distinguished by their high content of polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to their potent anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-neurodegenerative, and anti-cancer effects. The diverse phytochemical profiles of the Rubus species support their use in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain cancers. Additionally, the Rubus species are valuable as pharmaceutical raw materials due to their bioactive compounds. Despite the focus on a few widely cultivated species, numerous wild and lesser-known Rubus species offer significant untapped potential as functional foods, nutraceuticals, and pharmaceuticals. Future research should explore the detailed mechanisms of their bioactivities, develop effective extraction and formulation techniques, and integrate these findings into public health strategies. The genus Rubus represents a promising resource for enhancing human health and nutrition, as well as for pharmaceutical and medical applications, justifying increased cultivation and utilization of species from this genus.
Remediating Severely Salt-Affected Soil with Vermicompost and Organic Amendments for Cultivating Salt-Tolerant Crops as a Functional Food Source
Authors: Petmuenwai Nattakit , Srihaban Pranee , Kume Takashi , Yamamoto Tadao , Iwai Chuleemas Boonthai
Published: August 2024

Salt-affected soils are a prevalent issue globally, resulting in a severe degradation of soil sustainability and plant productivity, reducing the area of agricultural land, and affecting food security. Therefore, eco-solutions and remediation approaches are needed. The needed remediation for salt-affected soil can be addressed via engineering, physical, chemical, or biological techniques. Salt-tolerant crops are normally used for the remediation of slight and moderate saline soil conditions. However, no crops, including salt-tolerant crops, can be cultivated in areas with extreme salinity levels (ECe 8–16 dS/m). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vermicompost and organic amendment on the cultivation of salt-tolerant crops (Sesbania rostrata) in severely salt-affected soil under field conditions in order to improve saline soil and crop productivity. The design of the experiment followed a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments and four replications: T1, severely salt-affected soil (control); T2, severely salt-affected soil + vermicompost at a ratio of 25:75; T3, severely salt-affected soil + vermicompost + rice husk biochar + coconut coir at a ratio of 25:25:25:25. The results found that using vermicompost and organic amendment improved the soil quality, increased the soil fertility (organic matter and plant nutrients N, P, and K), and reduced the soil salinity. Sesbania rostrate could not grow in severely salt-affected soil (T1) alone, but could grow in the treatments with vermicompost and organic amendments (T2 and T3). The percentage of Sesbania survival per plot was also high in the treatments with vermicompost and organic amendments (T2 and T3). The highest growth rate, flower production, biomass, and root morphology of Sesbania rostrata were found in T3, with severely salt-affected soil + vermicompost + rice husk biochar + coconut coir at a ratio of 25:25:25:25 with a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05). Moreover, the Sesbania flowers treated with vermicompost and organic amendments have a higher nutritional value due to their minerals and vitamins than Sesbania flowers grown without using vermicompost and organic amendments. This study’s findings suggest that incorporating vermicompost and organic amendments is a feasible and economical method for enhancing the quality of salt-affected soils in a sustainable manner. The results of this study demonstrate that utilizing vermicompost and organic amendments is a sustainable and economical strategy for enhancing the quality of salt-affected soils and improving yields in severely salt-affected areas, thereby increasing crop production and the nutritional value of the plants as well as helping to increase farmers’ income.
Effect of Irrigation and Cultivation Modes on Growth, Physiology, Rice Yield Parameters and Water Footprints
Authors: Zhang Shuxuan , Rasool Ghulam , Wang Shou , Guo Xiangping , Zhao Zhengfeng , Zhang Yiwen , Wei Zhejun , Xia Qibing
Published: August 2024

Under the background of the worsening global food and water crisis, efficient agricultural practices have become increasingly important. This study investigated the impact of different irrigation and cultivation modes on rice growth parameters, gas exchange, rice yield components, and water footprints in Jiangsu, China. Four treatments were employed in a randomized complete block design with three replications: (i) transplanted rice with frequent shallow irrigation (T-FSI), (ii) transplanted rice with rain-catching and controlled irrigation (T-RCCI), (iii) direct-seeded rice with frequent shallow irrigation (D-FSI), (iv) and direct-seeded rice with rain-catching and controlled irrigation (D-RCCI). The results revealed that the D-RCCI treatment significantly improved growth and physiological parameters. The D-FSI treatment drastically increased rice yield whereas T-RCCI increased the stem bending resistance and reduced lodging risk. The water footprint analysis showed significant water savings by optimized management practices. Compared to T-FSI, the T-RCCI, D-FSI, and D-RCCI treatments reduced the blue-green water footprint by 33%, 25%, and 25%, respectively. Additionally, water production efficiency increased by 13%, 106%, and 154% for T-RCCI, D-FSI, and D-RCCI respectively. The water footprint per unit yield of T-RCCI, D-FSI, and D-RCCI treatments was significantly reduced by 12%, 5,3%, and 63% compared to T-FSI. Overall, D-RCCI is the optimal strategy for rice cultivation in Jiangsu province and similar climatic areas due to its positive impact on yield, water savings, and environmental benefits.
Anti-HIV Activity of Philippine Crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) Serum on Infected Human Mononuclear Cells
Authors: Hinay Alfredo A. , Cadotdot Nelyn Mae T. , Tablizo Marilou V. , Francisco Aprilyn F.
Published: August 2024

The search for effective inhibitors of HIV-1 replication remains a critical research area of research in virology and immunology. Natural products have emerged as promising candidates for antiviral therapies. In the present study, we assessed the potential inhibitory activity of Philippine crocodile serum at both pre- and post-infection stages of the HIV-1 replication cycle. Freshly collected crocodile serum samples were used in a cell culture-based assay with peripheral blood mononuclear cells. HIV-1 reverse transcriptase activity in the treated cell culture system was assessed using colorimetric enzyme immunoassay. The crocodile serum at 0.5% and 0.25% vol/vol concentrations showed an inhibitory activity against HIV-1 replication both in pre-infection interactions (68.61 ± 1.67% and 69.95 ± 2.24%, respectively) and post-infection interactions (65.68 ± 2.93% and 69.92 ± 0.45%, respective). These findings suggest that Philippine crocodile serum may have potential as a natural inhibitor of HIV-1 replication and warrant further investigation into its therapeutic use.
Plant-Derived Antimicrobials and Their Crucial Role in Combating Antimicrobial Resistance
Authors: Angelini Paola
Published: August 2024

Antibiotic resistance emerged shortly after the discovery of the first antibiotic and has remained a critical public health issue ever since. Managing antibiotic resistance in clinical settings continues to be challenging, particularly with the rise of superbugs, or bacteria resistant to multiple antibiotics, known as multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria. This rapid development of resistance has compelled researchers to continuously seek new antimicrobial agents to curb resistance, despite a shrinking pipeline of new drugs. Recently, the focus of antimicrobial discovery has shifted to plants, fungi, lichens, endophytes, and various marine sources, such as seaweeds, corals, and other microorganisms, due to their promising properties. For this review, an extensive search was conducted across multiple scientific databases, including PubMed, Elsevier, ResearchGate, Scopus, and Google Scholar, encompassing publications from 1929 to 2024. This review provides a concise overview of the mechanisms employed by bacteria to develop antibiotic resistance, followed by an in-depth exploration of plant secondary metabolites as a potential solution to MDR pathogens. In recent years, the interest in plant-based medicines has surged, driven by their advantageous properties. However, additional research is essential to fully understand the mechanisms of action and verify the safety of antimicrobial phytochemicals. Future prospects for enhancing the use of plant secondary metabolites in combating antibiotic-resistant pathogens will also be discussed.
The Effect of Antibiotics on the Eradication of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Intestinal Carriers—A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Knudsen Maja Johanne Søndergaard , Rubin Ingrid Maria Cecilia , Petersen Andreas Munk
Published: August 2024

Objectives: The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effect of antibiotics on the eradication of multidrug-resistant organisms (MRO) in intestinal carriers. We defined multidrug-resistant organisms as vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm), and multidrug-resistant Gram-negative Enterobacterales. Methods: We searched the EMBASE, Cochrane Central, and PubMed databases from inception to medio November 2023. We included randomised and controlled clinical trials (RCTs), that investigated the effect of antibiotics on the eradication of multidrug-resistant organisms in intestinal carriers. Finally, we performed a meta-analysis. Results: We included five RTCs in the systematic review. In four studies an effect of antibiotics on the eradication of MRO was shown at the end of intervention, but it was not sustained at follow-up. In the fifth study, the effect at the end of intervention was not reported, and there was no observed effect of the intervention at follow-up. We included four studies in the meta-analysis, and it suggests an effect of antibiotics on the eradication of MRO in intestinal carriers at the end of follow-up with a p-value of 0.04 (95% confidence interval 1.02–1.95). None of the studies reported a significant increase in resistance to the study drug. Gastrointestinal disorders were the most frequent non-severe adverse event. Conclusions: The effect of antibiotics on the eradication of multidrug-resistant organisms in intestinal carriers was not statistically significant in any of the five included studies; however, we found a significant effect in the pooled meta-analysis. As the confidence interval is large, we cannot determine the clinical importance of this finding, and it should be further investigated.
Identification and Validation of the miR/RAS/RUNX2 Autophagy Regulatory Network in AngII-Induced Hypertensive Nephropathy in MPC5 Cells Treated with Hydrogen Sulfide Donors
Authors: Ye Qing , Ren Mi , Fan Di , Mao Yicheng , Zhu Yi-Zhun
Published: August 2024

The balanced crosstalk between miRNAs and autophagy is essential in hypertensive nephropathy. Hydrogen sulfide donors have been reported to attenuate renal injury, but the mechanism is unclear. We aimed to identify and verify the miRNAs and autophagy regulatory networks in hypertensive nephropathy treated with hydrogen sulfide donors through bioinformatics analysis and experimental verification. From the miRNA dataset, autophagy was considerably enriched in mice kidney after angiotensin II (AngII) and combined hydrogen sulfide treatment (H2S_AngII), among which there were 109 differentially expressed miRNAs (DEMs) and 21 hub ADEGs (autophagy-related differentially expressed genes) in the AngII group and 70 DEMs and 13 ADEGs in the H2S_AngII group. A miRNA–mRNA–transcription factors (TFs) autophagy regulatory network was then constructed and verified in human hypertensive nephropathy samples and podocyte models. In the network, two DEMs (miR-98-5p, miR-669b-5p), some hub ADEGs (KRAS, NRAS), and one TF (RUNX2) were altered, accompanied by a reduction in autophagy flux. However, significant recovery occurred after treatment with endogenous or exogenous H2S donors, as well as an overexpression of miR-98-5p and miR-669b-5p. The miR/RAS/RUNX2 autophagy network driven by H2S donors was related to hypertensive nephropathy. H2S donors or miRNAs increased autophagic flux and reduced renal cell injury, which could be a potentially effective medical therapy.
Dynamics of Redox Metabolism during Complete Metamorphosis of Insects: Insights from the Sunflower Caterpillar Chlosyne lacinia (Lepidoptera)
Authors: Moreira Daniel C. , Hermes-Lima Marcelo
Published: August 2024

Complete insect metamorphosis requires substantial metabolic and physiological adjustments. Although oxidative stress has been implicated in metamorphosis, details on redox metabolism during larva-to-pupa and pupa-to-adult remain scarce. This study explores redox metabolism during metamorphosis of a lepidopteran (Chlosyne lacinia), focusing on core metabolism, antioxidant systems and oxidative stress. The larva-to-pupa transition was characterized by increased lactate dehydrogenase and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activities, coupled with depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH), high disulfide-to-total-glutathione ratio (GSSG/tGSH), and increased lipid peroxidation. As metamorphosis progressed, metabolic enzyme activities, citrate synthase and glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase increased, indicating heightened oxidative metabolism associated with adult development. Concurrently, GSH and GPX levels returned to larval levels and GSSG/tGSH reached its most reduced state right before adult emergence. Adult emergence was marked by a further increase in oxidative metabolism, accompanied by redox imbalance and enhanced antioxidant mechanisms. These findings highlight a fluctuation in redox balance throughout metamorphosis, with periods of oxidative eustress followed by compensatory antioxidant responses. This study is the first to identify concurrent changes in metabolism, antioxidants, redox balance and oxidative stress throughout metamorphosis. Our findings extend knowledge on redox metabolism adjustments and highlight redox adaptations and oxidative stress as natural components of complete insect metamorphosis.
Antioxidants Hydroxytyrosol and Thioredoxin-Mimetic Peptide CB3 Protect Irradiated Normal Tissue Cells
Authors: Borrmann Katrin , Troschel Fabian Martin , Brücksken Kathrin Annemarie , Espinoza-Sánchez Nancy Adriana , Rezaei Maryam , Eder Kai Moritz , Kemper Björn , Eich Hans Theodor , Greve Burkhard
Published: August 2024

Reducing side effects in non-cancerous tissue is a key aim of modern radiotherapy. Here, we assessed whether the use of the antioxidants hydroxytyrosol (HT) and thioredoxin-mimetic peptide CB3 (TMP) attenuated radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity in vitro. We used primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT) as normal tissue models. Cells were treated with HT and TMP 24 h or immediately prior to irradiation. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) were assessed via luminescent- and fluorescence-based assays, migration was investigated using digital holographic microscopy, and clonogenic survival was quantified by colony formation assays. Angiogenesis and wound healing were evaluated via time-dependent microscopy. Secreted cytokines were validated in quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) studies. Treatment with HT or TMP was well tolerated by cells. The application of either antioxidant before irradiation resulted in reduced ROS formation and a distinct decrease in cytokines compared to similarly irradiated, but otherwise untreated, controls. Antioxidant treatment also increased post-radiogenic migration and angiogenesis while accelerating wound healing. HT or TMP treatment immediately before radiotherapy increased clonogenic survival after radiotherapy, while treatment 24 h before radiotherapy enhanced baseline proliferation. Both antioxidants may decrease radiation-induced normal tissue toxicity and deserve further pre-clinical investigation.
The Dietary Inflammatory Index and Its Associations with Biomarkers of Nutrients with Antioxidant Potential, a Biomarker of Inflammation and Multiple Long-Term Conditions
Authors: Mulligan Angela A. , Lentjes Marleen A. H. , Skinner Jane , Welch Ailsa A.
Published: August 2024

We aimed to validate the Dietary Inflammatory Index (DII®) and assess the cross-sectional associations between the DII® and multiple long-term conditions (MLTCs) and biomarker concentrations and MLTCs using data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer (EPIC-Norfolk) study (11,113 men and 13,408 women). The development of MLTCs is associated with low-grade chronic inflammation, and ten self-reported conditions were selected for our MLTC score. Data from a validated FFQ were used to calculate energy-adjusted DII® scores. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and circulating vitamins A, C, E, β-carotene and magnesium were available. Micronutrient biomarker concentrations were significantly lower as the diet became more pro-inflammatory (p-trend < 0.001), and hs-CRP concentrations were significantly higher in men (p-trend = 0.006). A lower DII® (anti-inflammatory) score was associated with 12–40% higher odds of MLTCs. Lower concentrations of vitamin C and higher concentrations of hs-CRP were associated with higher odds of MLTCs. The majority of the associations in our study between MLTCs, nutritional biomarkers, hs-CRP and the DII® were as expected, indicating that the DII® score has criterion validity. Despite this, a more anti-inflammatory diet was associated with higher odds of MLTCs, which was unexpected. Future studies are required to better understand the associations between MLTCs and the DII®.
A Structure–Activity Relationship Study on the Antioxidant Properties of Dithiocarbamic Flavanones
Authors: Birsa Mihail Lucian , Sarbu Laura Gabriela
Published: August 2024

The antioxidant properties of 3-dithiocarbamic flavanones have been investigated. The influence of the halogen substituents on ring A of the flavanones and the nature of the secondary amine from the dithiocarbamic moiety have been accounted. The results indicated that the presence of a halogen substituent at the C-8 position of the benzopyran ring induce better antioxidant properties against DPPH and ABTS than butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and ascorbic acid. The presence of a halogen substituent at the mentioned position appears to induce a higher stability for a free radical intermediate at the C-3 position of the benzopyran ring. A free radical enolate is most likely to be involved in the antioxidant activity of this dithiocarbamic flavanone. It is a stable intermediate that supports the influence of dithiocarbamic moiety on the antioxidant properties of the reported flavanones.
The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Glutathione Synthesis in Individuals with Severe Obesity
Authors: Tan Hong Chang , Hsu Jean W. , Tai E Shyong , Chacko Shaji , Kovalik Jean-Paul , Jahoor Farook
Published: August 2024

Glycine is deficient in individuals with obesity but improves following bariatric surgery. Glycine deficiency could impair glutathione (GSH) synthesis and worsen oxidative stress. We examined the impact of obesity-associated glycine deficiency and bariatric surgery on GSH synthesis. Twenty-one participants with severe obesity and twenty-one healthy weight controls were recruited. [1,2-13C2] glycine was infused to measure the erythrocyte (RBC) GSH synthesis rate. Participants with obesity underwent bariatric surgery, and 19 were restudied six months post-surgery. Compared to healthy weight controls, individuals with obesity had significantly lower concentrations of RBC GSH (2.43 ± 0.23 vs. 2.63 ± 0.26 mmol/L, p < 0.01). However, there were no differences in GSH fractional synthesis rate [78.0 (51.4–123.7) vs. 76.9 (49.3–110.1) % pool/day, p = 0.58] or absolute synthesis rate [1.85 (1.25–3.32) vs. 1.92 (1.43–3.03) mmol/L RBC/day, p = 0.97]. Despite a post-surgery increase in glycine concentration, no statistically significant changes in RBC GSH concentration or synthesis rates were detected. Further, the significant correlation between plasma glycine and RBC GSH concentration at baseline (r = 0.46, p < 0.01) was also lost following bariatric surgery. GSH concentration was significantly lower in participants with obesity, but bariatric surgery did not significantly increase GSH concentrations or synthesis rates.
Structural Design and Static Stiffness Optimization of Magnetorheological Suspension for Automotive Engine
Authors: Rao Zhi , Tang Lingfeng , Shi Yifang
Published: August 2024

In light of the limitation that passive suspension can only provide vibration isolation within a specific range, a magnetorheological suspension in extrusion mode was developed. The reliability of structural parameters was ensured through theoretical analysis and numerical simulation, building upon traditional hydraulic suspension. A model linking static stiffness to the diameter of the upper extrusion plate, as well as the heights of the upper and lower liquid chambers, was established using Simulink as an evaluation index. The static stiffness performance of the magnetorheological suspension was then optimized using this model. Results indicate that while meeting the static stiffness requirements, the optimized Magnetorheological Suspension demonstrated a 29.22% increase in static stiffness (approximately 57.71 N/mm) compared to its previous state, validating the effectiveness of stiffness optimization for this system.
A Parallel Algorithm Based on Regularized Lattice Boltzmann Method for Multi-Layer Grids
Authors: Liu Zhixiang , Zhao Yunhao , Zhu Wenhao , Wang Yang
Published: August 2024

The regularized lattice Boltzmann method (RLBM) is an improvement of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM). The advantage of RLBM is improved accuracy without increasing computational overheads. The paper introduces the method of multi-layer grids, the multi-layer grids have different resolutions which can accurately solve problems in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) without destroying the parallelism of RLBM. Simulating fluid flow usually requires a large number of grid simulations. Therefore, it is necessary to design a parallel algorithm for RLBM based on multi-layer grids. In this paper, a load-balancing-based grid dividing algorithm and an MPI-based parallel algorithm for RLBM on multi-layer grids are proposed. The load balancing-based grid dividing algorithm ensures that the workload is evenly distributed across processes, minimizing the discrepancies in computational load. The MPI-based parallel algorithm for RLBM on multi-layer grids ensures accurate and efficient numerical simulation. Numerical simulations have verified that the proposed algorithms exhibit excellent performance in both 2D and 3D experiments, maintaining high stability and accuracy. The multi-layer grids method is significantly better than single-layer grids in terms of CPU runtime and number of grids required. Comparative analysis with the OpenMP multi-threading method on the multi-layer grid RLBM shows that the proposed algorithm in this paper achieves superior speedup and efficiency.
Reinforcement-Learning-Based Trajectory Learning in Frenet Frame for Autonomous Driving
Authors: Yoon Sangho , Kwon Youngjoon , Ryu Jaesung , Kim Sungkwan , Choi Sungwoo , Lee Kyungjae
Published: August 2024

Autonomous driving is a complex problem that requires intelligent decision making, and it has recently garnered significant interest due to its potential advantages in convenience and safety. In autonomous driving, conventional path planning to reach a destination is a time-consuming challenge. Therefore, learning-based approaches have been successfully applied to the controller or decision-making aspects of autonomous driving. However, these methods often lack explainability, as passengers cannot discern where the vehicle is headed. Additionally, most experiments primarily focus on highway scenarios, which do not effectively represent road curvature. To address these issues, we propose a reinforcement-learning-based trajectory learning in the Frenet frame (RLTF), which involves learning trajectories in the Frenet frame. Learning trajectories enable the consideration of future states and enhance explainability. We demonstrate that RLTF achieves a 100% success rate in the simulation environment, considering future states on curvy roads with continuous obstacles while overcoming issues associated with the Frenet frame.
BSTCA-HAR: Human Activity Recognition Model Based on Wearable Mobile Sensors
Authors: Yuan Yan , Huang Lidong , Tan Xuewen , Yang Fanchang , Yang Shiwei
Published: August 2024

Sensor-based human activity recognition has been widely used in various fields; however, there are still challenges involving recognition of daily complex human activities using sensors. In order to solve the problem of timeliness and homogeneity of recognition functions in human activity recognition models, we propose a human activity recognition model called ’BSTCA-HAR’ based on a long short-term memory (LSTM) network. The approach proposed in this paper combines an attention mechanism and a temporal convolutional network (TCN). The learning and prediction units in the model can efficiently learn important action data while capturing long time-dependent information as well as features at different time scales. Our series of experiments on three public datasets (WISDM, UCI-HAR, and ISLD) with different data features confirm the feasibility of the proposed method. This method excels in dynamically capturing action features while maintaining a low number of parameters and achieving a remarkable average accuracy of 93%, proving that the model has good recognition performance.
Design of Exergaming Platform for Upper Limb Rehabilitation Using Surface Electromyography
Authors: Panagiotopoulos Nikolaos , Lampropoulou Sofia , Avouris Nikolaos , Skodras Athanassios
Published: August 2024

This study explores the development and pilot testing of an exergame designed for the rehabilitation of individuals with upper limb deficits. While traditional physiotherapy is effective, it often fails to fully engage patients due to its repetitive nature. This research integrates a novel exergame into physiotherapy regimens, aiming to enhance patient motivation through a gaming experience that complements conventional sessions. The exergame is structured around a narrative-driven adventure, with exercises embedded in gameplay that mirror adjustable physiotherapy routines. It utilizes the Myo armband, a wearable electromyography device, to capture muscle activity and movement. The system, part of a web-based platform, is easily deployable in various settings, including home environments. Comprehensive evaluations with health professionals and neurological patients indicate that the exergame significantly improves patient engagement. This study not only demonstrates the potential of exergames in enhancing traditional therapy but also underscores the importance of patient-centered therapeutic tools.
Energy-Optimized 3D Path Planning for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Authors: Nagy Istvan , Laufer Edit
Published: August 2024

Drone technology has undoubtedly become an integral part of our everyday life in recent years. The business and industrial use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) can provide advantageous solutions in many areas of life, and they are also optimal for emergency situations and for accessing hard-to-reach places. However, their application poses numerous technological and regulatory challenges to be overcome. One of the weak links in the operation of UAVs is the limited availability of energy. In order to address this issue, the authors developed a novel trajectory planning method for UAVs to optimize energy consumption during flight. First, an “energy map” was created, which was the basis for trajectory planning, i.e., determining the energy consumption of the individual components. This was followed by configuring the 3D environment including partitioning of the work space (WS), i.e., defining the free spaces, occupied spaces (obstacles), and semi-occupied/free spaces. Then, the corresponding graph-like path(s) were generated on the basis of the partitioned space, where a graph search-based heuristic trajectory planning was initiated, taking into account the most important wind conditions including velocity and direction. Finally, in order to test the theoretical results, some sample environments were created to test and analyze the proposed path generations. The method eventually proposed was able to determine the optimal path in terms of energy consumption.
Product Demand Prediction with Spatial Graph Neural Networks
Authors: Li Jiale , Fan Li , Wang Xuran , Sun Tiejiang , Zhou Mengjie
Published: August 2024

In the rapidly evolving online marketplace, accurately predicting the demand for pre-owned items presents a significant challenge for sellers, impacting pricing strategies, product presentation, and marketing investments. Traditional demand prediction methods, while foundational, often fall short in addressing the dynamic and heterogeneous nature of e-commerce data, which encompasses textual descriptions, visual elements, geographic contexts, and temporal dynamics. This paper introduces a novel approach utilizing the Graph Neural Network (GNN) to enhance demand prediction accuracy by leveraging the spatial relationships inherent in online sales data, named SGNN. Drawing from the rich dataset provided in the fourth Kaggle competition, we construct a spatially aware graph representation of the marketplace, integrating advanced attention mechanisms to refine predictive accuracy. Our methodology defines the product demand prediction problem as a regression task on an attributed graph, capturing both local and global spatial dependencies that are fundamental to accurate predicting. Through attention-aware message propagation and node-level demand prediction, our model effectively addresses the multifaceted challenges of e-commerce demand prediction, demonstrating superior performance over traditional statistical methods, machine learning techniques, and even deep learning models. The experimental findings validate the effectiveness of our GNN-based approach, offering actionable insights for sellers navigating the complexities of the online marketplace. This research not only contributes to the academic discourse on e-commerce demand prediction but also provides a scalable and adaptable framework for future applications, paving the way for more informed and effective online sales strategies.
Seasonal Contributions and Influencing Factors of Urban Carbon Emission Intensity: A Case Study of Tianjin, China
Authors: Xiang Tianchun , Bian Jiang , Li Yumeng , Gu Yiming , Wang Yang , Zhang Yahui , Wang Junfeng
Published: August 2024

The escalating concern over global warming has garnered significant international attention, with carbon emission intensity emerging as a crucial barrier to sustainable economic development across various regions. While previous studies have largely focused on annual scales, this study introduces a novel examination of Tianjin’s quarterly carbon emission intensity and its influencing factors from 2012 to 2022 using quarterly data and the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index (LMDI) model. The analysis considers the carbon emission effects of thermal power generation, the power supply structure, power intensity effects, and economic activity intensity. The results indicate a general decline in Tianjin’s carbon emission intensity from 2012 to 2020, followed by an increase in 2021 and 2022. This trend, exhibiting significant seasonal fluctuations, revealed the highest carbon emission intensity in the first quarter (an average of 1.4093) and the lowest in the second quarter (an average of 1.0019). Economic activity intensity emerged as the predominant factor influencing carbon emission intensity changes, particularly notable in the second quarter (an average of −0.0374). Thermal power generation and electricity intensity effects were significant in specific seasons, while the power supply structure’s impact remained relatively minor yet stable. These findings provide essential insights for formulating targeted carbon reduction strategies, underscoring the need to optimize energy structures, enhance energy efficiency, and account for the seasonal impacts of economic activity patterns on carbon emissions.
Study on CO2 Emission Forecast of “Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers” Based on Time-SeriesMachine Learning
Authors: Zhou Xiaoting , Liu Zhiqiang , Wu Lang , Wang Yangqing
Published: August 2024

CO2 emissions prediction plays a key role in atmospheric environment management and regional sustainable development. Taking the Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers (Henan, Hebei, Shandong, and Shanxi) in China as an example, the Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average Model (ARIMA) and random forest importance analysis were used to calculate the future trend of the CO2 emission–influencing factors and obtain the main influencing factors. Based on the above, BP neural network (BPNN), support vector machine (SVR), and random forest (RF) models were used to predict the future apparent CO2 emissions of the four provinces. The results show that, in general, population, coal consumption, and per capita GDP are the main factors influencing CO2 emissions. The RF model has the best prediction performance; for instance, RMSE (81.86), R2 (0.905), and MAE (64.69). The prediction results show that the total apparent CO2 emissions of the Four Provinces of Mountains and Rivers will peak in 2028 (with a peak of about 4500 Mt). The apparent CO2 emissions of Henan, Hebei, and Shandong Province peaked in 2011 (with a peak of about 654 Mt), 2013 (with a peak of about 657 Mt), and 2020 (with a peak of about 1273 Mt), respectively. Shanxi is forecast to reach its peak (with a peak of about 2486 Mt) in 2029. The apparent CO2 emissions of all provinces showed an obvious downward trend after reaching their peak. Henan, Hebei Shandong, and Shanxi showed a significant downward trend in 2018, 2023, and 2032, respectively.
Combined Exposure to High-Cholesterol Diet and PM2.5: Brain Injury and Regulatory Mechanism of HIF-1α in ApoE−/− Female Mice
Authors: Chen Wenqi , Chen Shanshan , Bai Lirong , Li Ruijin
Published: August 2024

High-cholesterol diet (HCD) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) are related to stroke. However, little is known about the combined effects of stroke, especially for females. This study investigated the brain injuries in Apolipoprotein E−/− (ApoE−/−) female mice exposed to HCD plus PM2.5 for 6 months. The protein levels of the genes related to stroke and the blood–brain barrier (BBB) in different groups of mice were measured. The molecular regulation mechanisms were explored. The results showed that HCD and PM2.5 co-exposure altered brain–body weight ratio, behavior, brain pathology, and inflammatory markers in mice relative to exposure to HCD or PM2.5 alone. Co-exposure significantly changed the expressions of HIF-1α and the key genes in its signaling pathway in the brains of mice compared to the single exposure. It suggests that the HIF-1α pathway exerts an important regulatory role in brain injury and behavioral abnormality in female mice after 6-month exposure to HCD plus PM2.5, which are potential mechanisms for HCD and PM2.5-triggering stroke in female individuals.
The A226D Mutation of OmpC Leads to Increased Susceptibility to β-Lactam Antibiotics in Escherichia coli
Authors: Zhu Jiaming , Guo Peng , Zheng Yuting , Xiang Shiqing , Zhao Yang , Liu Xinyu , Fu Chengzhang , Zhang Youming , Xu Hai , Li Ling , Wang Wenjia , Wang Mingyu
Published: August 2024

Bacterial resistance to antibiotics can lead to long-lasting, hard-to-cure infections that pose significant threats to human health. One key mechanism of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is to reduce the antibiotic permeation of cellular membranes. For instance, the lack of outer membrane porins (OMPs) can lead to elevated AMR levels. However, knowledge on whether mutations of OMPs can also influence antibiotic susceptibility is limited. This work aims to address this question and identified an A226D mutation in OmpC, a trimeric OMP, in Escherichia coli. Surveillance studies found that this mutation is present in 50 E. coli strains for which whole genomic sequences are available. Measurement of minimum inhibition concentrations (MICs) found that this mutation leads to a 2-fold decrease in MICs for β-lactams ampicillin and piperacillin. Further survival assays confirmed the role this mutation plays in β-lactam susceptibility. With molecular dynamics, we found that the A226D mutation led to increased overall flexibility of the protein, thus facilitating antibiotic uptake, and that binding with piperacillin was weakened, leading to easier antibiotic penetration. This work reports a novel mutation that plays a role in antibiotic susceptibility, along with mechanistic studies, and further confirms the role of OMPs in bacterial tolerance to antibiotics.
Microglia: The Drunken Gardeners of Early Adversity
Authors: Ahmed Sahabuddin , Polis Baruh , Kaffman Arie
Published: August 2024

Early life adversity (ELA) is a heterogeneous group of negative childhood experiences that can lead to abnormal brain development and more severe psychiatric, neurological, and medical conditions in adulthood. According to the immune hypothesis, ELA leads to an abnormal immune response characterized by high levels of inflammatory cytokines. This abnormal immune response contributes to more severe negative health outcomes and a refractory response to treatment in individuals with a history of ELA. Here, we examine this hypothesis in the context of recent rodent studies that focus on the impact of ELA on microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain. We review recent progress in our ability to mechanistically link molecular alterations in microglial function during a critical period of development with changes in synaptic connectivity, cognition, and stress reactivity later in life. We also examine recent research showing that ELA induces long-term alterations in microglial inflammatory response to “secondary hits” such as traumatic brain injury, substance use, and exposure to additional stress in adulthood. We conclude with a discussion on future directions and unresolved questions regarding the signals that modify microglial function and the clinical significance of rodent studies for humans.