bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kinetics and Kinematics of Shape Tracing in Children with Probable Developmental Coordination Disorder (pDCD)
Authors: Hochhauser Michal , Ben Refael Yfat , Adi-Japha Esther , Bartov Rachel
Published: January 2025

Background: Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) exhibit visual–motor deficits affecting handwriting. Shape tracing, a key prerequisite for handwriting, supports motor and cognitive development but remains underexplored in research, particularly in objectively studying its role in children with DCD. Objectives: To compare the kinetics (pressure applied to the writing surface) and kinematics (spatial and temporal aspects) of shape tracing in children with pDCD to those of typically developing (TD) peers utilizing a digitized tablet. Methods: A total of 27 children with pDCD aged 7 to 12 years and 27 TD children matched by age and gender traced five unique shapes resembling print letters onto a digitized tablet. Participants’ performance measurements included precision, time, smoothness, velocity, and pressure. Results: The findings revealed lower precision, longer duration, more smoothness but less consistency, lower velocity, and less pressure application in the pDCD group. Conclusions: This research underlies the mechanisms of shape-tracing difficulties in children with DCD. Insights into early shape-tracing processes beyond product outcomes are essential for therapeutic and educational interventions, with digitized tablets offering a novel tool for assessing graphomotor skills in children with DCD.
Toward an Efficient Differentiation of Two Diaporthe Strains Through Mass Spectrometry for Fungal Biotyping
Authors: Hernández-Torres Kathleen , Torres-Mendoza Daniel , Navarro-Velasco Gesabel , Cubilla-Rios Luis
Published: January 2025

Considering that fungi display a great morphological, ecological, metabolic, and phylogenetic diversity, their taxonomic identification is extremely important because it helps us establish important information about each species and its possible biochemical and ecological roles. Traditionally, the identification of fungi at the species level has been carried out with molecular tools such as DNA sequencing, but it still represents a huge challenge today due to the heterogeneity of the fungal kingdom, making the task of identification a complex and difficult process. Biotyping, a type of chemotaxonomy, has been developed in the field of the identification/differentiation and classification of micro-fungi through tools such as mass spectrometry (MS). Here, two endophytic strains isolated from two different hosts were cultivated and studied regarding their morphology and molecular biology. Morphology analysis determined the strains as Diaporthe, and the molecular analysis results grouped them as D. melongenae. We sought a faster and less complex way of differentiating these fungal strains of interest through an MS chemical profile and MS/MS data using a low-resolution mass spectrometer. Additionally, we linked this information with the structure of compounds previously isolated in the genus Diaporthe. Studies conducted using this technique allowed us to propose the structure of distinctive molecules that are unique to each strain and share compounds common to this genus (13 compounds in total). In addition, this is the first report of secondary metabolites in D. melongenae. The dataset demonstrates that the two strains under investigation can be distinguished via mass spectrometry, suggesting host affinity; both exhibits pronounced differences in their chemical profiles across all culture media and incubation periods with the parameters described herein.
Use of Hybrid Flame Retardants in Chemically Foamed rPET Blends
Authors: Szabó Veronika Anna , Jakab Sándor Kálmán , Kovács András , Böcz Tamara Zsuzsanna , Dogossy Gábor
Published: January 2025

The foamed structure of recycled polyethylene-terephthalate (rPET) is a promising solution for industrial applications; however, the remedy for its inherent melt-dripping property is still a challenging topic. In our research, we were able to improve the flame retardancy of the endothermic–exothermic hybrid rPET foam by adding a different mixture of flame retardants to the formula. Three different kinds of halogen-free flame retardant agents were used: ammonium polyphosphate-based Exolit AP 422 (AP), organic aluminum phosphate in the form of Exolit OP 1240 (OP), and Budit 342 containing melamine polyphosphate (MPP). The hybrid flame retardant mixture, by combining the swelling and charring mechanism, increased the flame retardancy of the samples. The sample made with 15 phr OP and 5 phr MPP displayed outstanding performance, where five samples were capable of self-extinguishing in 5 s, while only slightly decreasing the tensile and flexural strength properties and simultaneously increasing the Young and flexural modulus compared to the reference sample. The addition of MPP reduced the porosity in many cases, while preventing cell coalescence. Our results prove that the hybrid flame retardant agent frameworks efficiently increase the flame retardancy of rPET foams, facilitating their application in industrial sectors such as the aerospace, packaging, renewable energy, and automotive industries to realize sustainability goals. The utilization of halogen-free flame retardants is beneficial for better air quality, reducing toxic gas and smoke emissions.
Clinical Outcome Differences in Mucinous Versus Non-Mucinous Colonic Adenocarcinoma: A Comparative Study
Authors: Cote Adrian , Negrut Roxana Loriana , Salem Hany Abdulateif , Feder Bogdan , Pop Mircea Gheorghe , Maghiar Adrian Marius
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Colon cancer is one of the main causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Among its histopathological subtypes, mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) is characterized by a more aggressive behavior than non-mucinous adenocarcinoma (non-MAC). This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes and postoperative recovery between MAC and non-MAC cases in order to better understand the treatment implications and optimize therapeutic strategies. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients diagnosed and treated at the Bihor County Emergency Hospital between January 2019 and December 2022. Data were collected from the medical records. Patients were divided into two groups, based on the histopathological results: mucinous adenocarcinoma and non-mucinous adenocarcinoma. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, t-tests, Chi-square tests, and ANOVA where appropriate. Results: A total of 191 patients were enrolled in this study, grouped in 36 cases of MAC and 155 cases of non-MAC. No significant statistical differences were found regarding hematological parameters. However, MAC was associated with higher rates of local invasion and a predominant right-sided colonic location, necessitating more frequent right colectomies. The overall mortality rate was significantly higher for MAC, indicating its aggressive nature. Conclusions: MAC presents higher local invasion rates and overall mortality. The aggressiveness of MAC underscores the need for tailored treatment approaches to optimize patient outcomes. Future large-scale studies are recommended to validate these findings and refine the therapeutic strategies.
Multiple Sessions of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy Improve Periodontal Outcomes in Patients with Down Syndrome: A 12-Month Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Ferreira Rafael , Greghi Sebastião Luiz Aguiar , Sant’Ana Adriana Campos Passanezi , Zangrando Mariana Schutzer Ragghianti , Damante Carla Andreotti
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Individuals with Down syndrome (DS) often present with severe periodontal disease at a young age. Adjuvant treatments to scaling and root planing (SRP), such as antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), may benefit this population. This study evaluated the effectiveness of aPDT as an adjunct to SRP in individuals with DS. A randomized, double-blind, parallel trial was conducted with 37 individuals with DS. Methods: The test group (aPDT; n = 18) received SRP + aPDT, while the control group (C group; n = 19) received SRP only. For aPDT, a red laser (658 nm; 0.1 W; 2229 J/cm2; 40 s sweeping with optical fiber) combined with methylene blue (MB) (100 µg/mL) was applied across repeated sessions (on days 3, 7, and 14). Clinical parameters, such as plaque index (PI), clinical attachment level (CAL), probing depth (PD), and bleeding on probing (BOP), were recorded at baseline and after 3, 6, and 12 months of treatment. Statistical analyses were performed using parametric and non-parametric tests (p < 0.05). Results: Both treatments promoted improvements in all clinical periodontal parameters (p < 0.05). The aPDT group showed a statistically significant reduction in CAL at 3 months (aPDT = 4.58 mm vs. C = 4.72 mm; p < 0.05) and 12 months (aPDT = 4.59 mm vs. C = 4.84 mm; p < 0.05). Conclusions: aPDT improved periodontal health in the long term through a stable gain in attachment.
Underwater DVL Optimization Network (UDON): A Learning-Based DVL Velocity Optimizing Method for Underwater Navigation
Authors: Zhang Feihu , Zhao Shaoping , Li Lu , Cao Chun
Published: January 2025

As the exploration of marine resources continues to deepen, the utilization of Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) for conducting marine resource surveys and underwater environmental mapping has become a common practice. In order to successfully accomplish exploration missions, AUVs require high-precision underwater navigation information as support. A Strapdown Inertial Navigation System (SINS) can provide AUVs with accurate attitude and heading information, while a Doppler Velocity Log (DVL) is capable of measuring the velocity vector of the AUVs. Therefore, the integrated SINS/DVL navigation system can furnish the necessary navigational information required by an AUV. In response to the issue of DVL being susceptible to external environmental interference, leading to reduced measurement accuracy, this paper proposes an end-to-end deep-learning approach to enhance the accuracy of DVL velocity vector measurements. The utilization of the raw measurement data from an Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU), which includes gyroscopes and accelerometers, to assist the DVL in velocity vector estimation and to refine it towards the Global Positioning System (GPS) velocity vector, compensates for the external environmental interference affecting the DVL, therefore enhancing the navigation accuracy. To evaluate the proposed method, we conducted lake experiments using SINS and DVL equipment, from which the collected data were organized into a dataset for training and assessing the model. The research results show that the DVL vector predicted by our model can achieve a maximum improvement of 69.26% in terms of root mean square error and a maximum improvement of 78.62% in terms of relative trajectory error.
Autonomous Landing Guidance for Quad-UAVs Based on Visual Image and Altitude Estimation
Authors: Mu Lingxia , Cao Shaowei , Zhang Youmin , Zhang Xielong , Feng Nan , Zhang Yuan
Published: January 2025

In this paper, an autonomous landing guidance strategy is proposed for quad-UAVs, including landing marker detection, altitude estimation, and adaptive landing commands generation. A double-layered nested marker is designed to ensure that the marker can be captured both in high and low altitudes. A deep learning-based marker detection method is designed where the intersection of union is replaced by the normalized Wasserstein distance in the computation of non-maximum suppression to improve the detection accuracy. The UAV altitude measured by inertial measurement unit is fused with vision-based altitude estimation data to improve the accuracy during the landing process. An image-based visual servoing method is designed to guide the UAV approach to the landing marker. Both simulation and flight experiments are conducted to verify the proposed strategy.
Advancing Rice Grain Impurity Segmentation with an Enhanced SegFormer and Multi-Scale Feature Integration
Authors: Qiu Xiulin , Yao Hongzhi , Liu Qinghua , Liu Hongrui , Zhang Haozhi , Zhao Mengdi
Published: January 2025

During the rice harvesting process, severe occlusion and adhesion exist among multiple targets, such as rice, straw, and leaves, making it difficult to accurately distinguish between rice grains and impurities. To address the current challenges, a lightweight semantic segmentation algorithm for impurities based on an improved SegFormer network is proposed. To make full use of the extracted features, the decoder was redesigned. First, the Feature Pyramid Network (FPN) was introduced to optimize the structure, selectively fusing the high-level semantic features and low-level texture features generated by the encoder. Secondly, a Part Large Kernel Attention (Part-LKA) module was designed and introduced after feature fusion to help the model focus on key regions, simplifying the model and accelerating computation. Finally, to compensate for the lack of spatial interaction capabilities, Bottleneck Recursive Gated Convolution (B-gnConv) was introduced to achieve effective segmentation of rice grains and impurities. Compared with the original model, the improved model’s pixel accuracy (PA) and F1 score increased by 1.6% and 3.1%, respectively. This provides a valuable algorithmic reference for designing a real-time impurity rate monitoring system for rice combine harvesters.
Pathways to Progress: Unveiling Structural Change in Africa Through Economic Transformation, Technology, Talent, and Tourism
Authors: Pinto Hugo , Odoi Evans , Nogueira Carla , Viana Luiz Fernando Câmara
Published: January 2025

African economies are undergoing significant structural transformation, transitioning from agriculture to manufacturing, services, and technology-driven industries. Driven by urbanization, technological innovation, and global trade, this shift offers opportunities for sustainable growth but faces challenges such as infrastructure gaps and institutional hurdles. This paper examines the dynamics of structural change in 54 African countries, focusing on the roles of technology, talent, and tourism. Using World Bank data, factor and cluster analyses reveal five latent components: structural conditions, public sector capacities, dynamic conditions, urbanization, and growth. The analysis categorizes countries into six clusters, from Developing Economies to African Powerhouses. The findings emphasize the critical role of technology in boosting productivity, the importance of talent development through education and workforce integration, and the potential of sustainable tourism to drive transformation. This research provides a comprehensive framework for understanding Africa’s structural transformation, offering actionable insights to address disparities and promote equitable development across the continent.
RETRACTED: Xiang, M.; Teo, T.H. Implementation of Binarized Neural Networks in All-Programmable System-on-Chip Platforms. Electronics 2022, 11, 663
Authors: Xiang Maoyang , Teo Tee Hui
Published: January 2025

The journal retracts the article “Implementation of Binarized Neural Networks in All-Programmable System-on-Chip Platforms” [...]
Customer Electronic Word of Mouth Management Strategies Based on Computing with Words: The Case of Spanish Luxury Hotel Reviews on TripAdvisor
Authors: Shu Ziwei , Llorens-Marin Miguel , Carrasco Ramón Alberto , Romero Mar Souto
Published: January 2025

The rapid growth of the internet and social media has made electronic word of mouth (eWOM) a key element of modern marketing. In the hospitality industry, nowadays, effective eWOM management is essential for developing impactful strategies and fostering customer satisfaction. This paper introduces an enhanced approach to strategic customer base management based on online reviews by extending the Recency, Frequency, and Monetary (RFM) model with three novel dimensions, the Helpfulness, Promoter Score, and Stability of the customer, thereby forming the RFHPS model. It also includes the 2-tuple linguistic model, one of the most popular computing with words models, to improve precision in the RFHPS score’s computation and the findings’ interpretability. Using K-means clustering, customers are segmented across these five dimensions. The data on luxury hotels in Spain gathered from TripAdvisor demonstrate the model’s applicability. By integrating this framework into customer relationship management systems, managers can tailor marketing strategies for distinct segments, facilitating deeper customer understanding and bolstering eWOM generation.
An Enhanced Second-Order Terminal Sliding Mode Control Based on the Super-Twisting Algorithm Applied to a Five-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator for a Grid-Connected Wind Energy Conversion System
Authors: Douara Ben ouadeh , Kouzou Abdellah , Hafaifa Ahmed , Rodriguez Jose , Abdelrahem Mohamed
Published: January 2025

This paper presents the application of a proposed hybrid control strategy that is designed to enhance the performance and robustness of a grid-connected wind energy conversion system (WECS) using a Five-Phase Permanent Magnet Synchronous Generator (FP-PMSG). The proposed approach combines the second-order terminal sliding mode control technique (SO-STA) with the super-twisting algorithm (STA), with the main goal of benefitting from both their advantages while addressing their limitations. Indeed, the sole application of the SO-STA ensures rapid convergence and robust performances in nonlinear systems, but it leads to chattering and reduces the whole system’s efficiency. Therefore, by incorporating the STA, the obtained hybrid control can mitigate this issue by ensuring smoother control actions and a superior dynamic response. This designed hybrid control strategy improves the adaptability of the control system to wind fluctuations and enhances the system’s robustness against external disturbances and uncertainties, leading to higher reliability and efficiency in the wind energy conversion system. Furthermore, the proposed hybrid control allows optimizing the power extraction and boosting the WECS’s efficiency. It is worth clarifying that, besides this proposed control, a sliding mode controller is used for the grid side converter (GSC) and DC link voltage to ensure stable power transfer to the grid. The obtained simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed strategy in improving the stability, robustness, and efficiency of the studied WECS under dynamic conditions, creating a promising solution for control in renewable energy systems operating under severe conditions.
Artificial Intelligence in Special Education
Authors: Harkins-Brown Andrea R. , Carling Linda Z. , Peloff David C.
Published: January 2025

This entry examines the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in special education. The authors discuss applications of AI in the field, including its uses for personalized learning, adaptive technologies, teacher support, and AI’s potential to address issues related to student accessibility and engagement. The entry draws on recent syntheses of literature, highlighting studies that reveal AI’s capacity to improve educational outcomes for students with disabilities, mitigate teacher workload, and foster inclusion. Despite these promising developments, the authors address ethical considerations, potential biases, and privacy concerns surrounding the use of AI, as well as the need for high-quality research that validates AI’s effectiveness in special education. The authors conclude that while AI can offer substantial support, it should be integrated thoughtfully, guided by empirical research, and accompanied by skilled professional oversight to ensure that it truly benefits students with disabilities.
Effects of Forestry Transformation on the Species Level of Biodiversity in Poland’s Forests
Authors: Referowska Ewa
Published: January 2025

Forest biodiversity is of particular importance for the world’s natural resources and for humans, so it is essential to observe the impact of forest management on its state. In this paper, the effects of Poland’s forestry evolution after 1945 on the forest biodiversity at the species level are interpreted based on four indicators (deadwood, species composition of forest stands, introduced tree species, and common forest bird species) and considering the two politically and economically different eras. In the era of socialism (1945–1989), the area share of broadleaved tree species increased intensively, with a steady predominance of single-species stands, the ongoing removal of deadwood, and a relatively slow increase in the area occupied by alien tree species. In the era of democracy (ongoing since 1990), there was a less intensive increase in the proportion of broadleaved species, an intensive increase in the stock of deadwood, an increase in the area of multi-species stands over that of single-species stands, as well as an increase in the value of the Forest Bird Index. However, an intensive increase in the area occupied by alien tree species, especially invasive ones, which negatively impact native wildlife, was also noticeable in the era of democracy. The dilemmas and problems related to the amount of deadwood in forests; the continued conversion of stands towards more complex ones; the presence of other invasive species; the consequences of climate change; the reduction in migration barriers for forest animals; and the provision of funding for biodiversity conservation activities need to be discussed and resolved or implemented further.
Enhancing Bioactive Cordycepin Production via Precision Fermentation with an Engineered Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Anantayanon Jutamas , Chamkhuy Warinthon , Rattanaphan Nakul , Panchanawaporn Sarocha , Laoteng Kobkul , Jeennor Sukanya
Published: January 2025

An optimal culture medium and highly stable biometabolites are important in industrial production processes. The response surface methodology with a Box–Behnken design was performed to determine the optimal culture medium of an engineered Aspergillus oryzae strain for cordycepin production by submerged fermentation. The influences of glucose, yeast extract, and adenine concentrations on cordycepin production were explored, and their concentrations were used for experimental design. The results reveal that the optimal culture components involved 30.0 g/L of glucose, 9.8 g/L of yeast extract, and 1.5 g/L of adenine. As predicted, the maximum cordycepin concentration (1724.53 ± 18.30 mg/L) was obtained with a short fermentation time (2 days). A significant increase in cordycepin yield (>50% increase) was observed in the culture grown in the optimized culture medium compared to that grown in the basal medium. A xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity assay demonstrated that the cordycepin product had a pharmacological function. It exhibited strong stability under high thermal and acidic conditions, with over 95% product recovery. The findings of this study are valuable for developing cost-effective processes for producing health-benefiting products.
Valorization of Poultry Waste Oils Recovered from Water Treatment Through the Degumming–Transesterification Process to Produce Biodiesel
Authors: Gutiérrez-Casiano Nayeli , Cobos-Murcia José Angel , Ortiz-Sánchez César Antonio , Pérez-Guzmán Solmaría Mandi , Hernández-Aguilar Eduardo
Published: January 2025

The growing demand for chicken meat products has increased the amount of wastewater associated with their production; their treatment has increased the generation of sludge and oils trapped in the trap process treatment. This work presents a process for the valorization of this residual oil recovered through the production of biodiesel. An oil degumming process was applied, and the quality of the treated oil was evaluated. This was transesterified with alkaline conditions and a homogeneous catalyst (KOH); a 3k experimental design was applied with two factors: the temperature at 50, 60, and 70 °C and the molar ratios of 5, 6, and 7 moles of methanol per mole of recovered chicken oil. The biodiesel quality parameters were evaluated based on the ASTM standard. The process achieved a yield of 90.2%. The biodiesel obtained met all the quality parameters; however, only the process conditions with a molar ratio of 6:1 and a temperature of 60 °C achieved a kinematic viscosity of 5.64 ± 0.15 mm2 s−1, meeting the limits of 1.9–6.0 mm2 s−1 of the ASTM regulation. The fluidity of this biodiesel in mixtures of 25, 50, and 75% v with petroleum diesel was also evaluated, and a better adjustment of the Bingham mixing rule model and rheological analysis revealed that the mixtures did not lose their Newtonian behavior. This allows for the application of this biodiesel in internal combustion engines, achieving the valorization of residual oil.
Influence of Synthesis Conditions on the Capacitance Performance of Hydrothermally Prepared MnO2 for Carbon Xerogel-Based Solid-State Supercapacitors
Authors: Ilcheva Vania , Boev Victor , Dimitrova Mariela , Mladenova Borislava , Karashanova Daniela , Lefterova Elefteria , Rey-Raap Natalia , Arenillas Ana , Stoyanova Antonia
Published: January 2025

In this study, the potential to modify the phase structure and morphology of manganese dioxide synthesized via the hydrothermal route was explored. A series of samples were prepared at different synthesis temperatures (100, 120, 140, and 160 °C) using KMnO4 and MnSO4·H2O as precursors. The phase composition and morphology of the materials were analyzed using various physicochemical methods. The results showed that, at the lowest synthesis temperature (100 °C), an intercalation compound with composition K1.39Mn3O6 and a very small amount of α-MnO2 was formed. At higher temperatures (120–160 °C), the amount of α-MnO2 increased, indicating the formation of two clearly distinguished crystal structures. The sample obtained at 160 °C exhibited the highest specific surface area (approximately 157 m2/g). These two-phase (α-MnO2/K1.39Mn3O6) materials, synthesized at the lowest and highest temperatures, respectively, and containing an appropriate amount of carbon xerogel, were tested as active mass for positive electrodes in a solid-state supercapacitor, using a Na+-form Aquivion® membrane as the polymer electrolyte. The electrochemical evaluation showed that the composite with the higher specific surface area, containing 75% manganese dioxide, demonstrated improved characteristics, including 96% capacitance retention after 5000 charge/discharge cycles and high energy efficiency (approximately 99%). These properties highlight its potential for application in solid-state supercapacitors.
Cytogenomics of Frieseomelitta varia (Hymenoptera: Apidae) and the Sharing of a Satellite DNA Family in Several Neotropical Meliponini Genera
Authors: Vignati Zulemara B. M. , Teixeira Gisele A. , Cunha Marina S. , Pereira Jaqueline A. , Lopes Denilce M.
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: A striking feature of the karyotypes of stingless bees is the large amount of heterochromatin present in most species. Cytogenomic studies performed in some Meliponini species have suggested that evolutionary events related to the diversification and amplification of satellite DNA families in the heterochromatin may reflect the structuring of phylogenetic clades in this tribe. In this study, we performed a genomic analysis in Frieseomelitta varia to characterize different satDNA families in its genome. We also investigated the presence of the most abundant satDNA family of F. varia in its own chromosomes, in two other Frieseomelitta species, and in other Meliponini genera encompassing the three main clades of Neotropical Meliponini, according to the available molecular phylogeny. Methods: Genomic analyses were performed using RepeatExplorer2 on the Galaxy platform, and chromosomal investigations were conducted using fluorescent in situ hybridization. Results: Seven satDNA families were recovered, which together totaled an abundance of 11.223% of the analyzed F. varia genomic fraction. The most abundant satDNA family, FvarSat01-306, predominates in the analyzed repetitive fraction (representing around 89%) and was recently amplified and homogenized in almost all the heterochromatin of F. varia. In addition, the data revealed an unprecedented sharing of this satDNA family in the centromeric/pericentromeric heterochromatin among different Meliponini genera, with independent amplifications and loss of this sequence in some taxa. Conclusions: One family of satellite DNA makes up most of the heterochromatin in this species and is shared with other Meliponini.
Complete Mitochondrial Genome of King Threadfin, Polydactylus macrochir (Günther, 1867): Genome Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis
Authors: Wen Jiufu
Published: January 2025

Background: Polydactylus macrochir (Günther; 1867) is a member of the family Polynemidae. The placement of Polynemidae among teleosts has varied over the years. Methods: Therefore, in this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial genome of P. macrochir, analyzed the characterization of the mitochondrial genome, and investigated the phylogenetic relationships of Polynemidae. Results: The length of the P. macrochir mitogenome was 16,738 bp, with a typical order. Nucleotide composition analysis showed that the P. macrochir mitogenome was AT-biased (54.15%), and the PCGs tended to use A and C rather than T and G at the third codon. All the PCGs started with the regular codon ATG, except for cox1, which started with GTG. The termination codon varied across the PCGs. It was shown that the ka/ks ratios of all the PCGs were less than one. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) methods, indicated that eight threadfins formed a well-supported monophyletic cluster. Polynemidae and Sphyraenidae clustered together as a monophyletic group. According to TimeTree analyses, the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of Polynemidae was traced back to about 52.81 million years ago (MYA), while six species within Polynemidae diverged from 11.70 MYA to 20.05 MYA. Conclusions: The present study provides valuable mitochondrial information for the classification of P. macrochir and new insights into the phylogenetic relationships of Polynemidae.
The Effects of Endurance Training and High-Intensity Resistance Training on Pulse Wave Velocity and QT Dispersion
Authors: İşler Selma , Çoksevim Metin , Akman Tülin , Ünver Şaban , Öner Burçin , Bilgici Ayhan
Published: January 2025

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the effects of endurance and high-intensity resistance training on arterial stiffness and ventricular repolarization in elite athletes. Methods: A total of 50 male athletes from different sports disciplines (volleyball, football, judo, and wrestling) and a sedentary group of 30 males participated in this study. Data collected from all participants included age, height, body weight, cardiovascular hemodynamic parameters, arterial stiffness parameters, and ECG measurements. Results: There was no significant age difference between the athlete group (20.42 ± 1.903 years) and the control group (20.97 ± 1.771 years) (p > 0.05). However, body mass index (BMI) values in the control group (24.83 ± 2.22 kg/m2) were significantly different from those in the athlete group (22.39 ± 2.663 kg/m2) (p < 0.05). Significant differences were found between the athlete and control groups in QT dispersion, systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and central pulse pressure values (p < 0.05), while similar results were obtained for arterial stiffness parameters (p > 0.05). Conclusions: The lack of a difference in pulse wave velocity and augmentation index (AIx) values between the athletes and the control group suggests that athletes do not bear additional risks regarding arterial stiffness. However, increased systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, and central pulse pressure, among the hemodynamic parameters, indicate potential variations in vascular wall compliance and hemodynamic responses in the cardiovascular system. The increase in QT dispersion suggests that athletes may exhibit a heterogeneous repolarization process and an elevated risk of ventricular arrhythmias compared to the general population.
Establishing a General Atomistic Model for the Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix Based on Experimental Data for Skin Permeation Studies
Authors: Radhakrishnan Navaneethan , Kaul Sunil C. , Wadhwa Renu , Yang Lee-Wei , Sundar Durai
Published: January 2025

Understanding the permeation of drugs through the intercellular lipid matrix of the stratum corneum layer of skin is crucial for effective transdermal delivery. Molecular dynamics simulations can provide molecular insights into the permeation process. In this study, we developed a new atomistic model representing the multilamellar arrangement of lipids in the stratum corneum intercellular space for permeation studies. The model was built using ceramides in extended conformation as the backbone along with free fatty acids and cholesterol. The properties of the equilibrated model were in agreement with the neutron scattering data and hydration behavior previously reported in the literature. The permeability of molecules, such as water, benzene and estradiol, and the molecular mechanism of action of permeation enhancers, such as eucalyptol and limonene, were evaluated using the model. The new model can be reliably used for studying the permeation of small molecules and for gaining mechanistic insights into the action of permeation enhancers.
Urokinase Plasminogen Activation System Modulation in Transformed Cell Lines
Authors: Culej Bošnjak Diana , Balent Tihana , Korać Petra , Antica Mariastefania , Matulić Maja
Published: January 2025

The role of the plasminogen activation system is to regulate the activity of the extracellular protease plasmin. It comprises the urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), a specific extracellular protease which activates plasminogen, its inhibitor PAI1, and the urokinase plasminogen activator receptor, uPAR, which localizes the urokinase activity. The plasminogen activation system is involved in tissue remodeling through extracellular matrix degradation, and therefore participates in numerous physiological and pathological processes, which make it a potential biomarker. To investigate the role of these molecules in the cellular processes, we cloned human uPA, PAI1, and uPAR and overexpressed them in two cell lines, the glioblastoma line A1235 and the transformed human embryonal kidney cells HEK 293. We analyzed the urokinase activity and the expression of plasminogen activation system elements on the protein and RNA level by Western blot analysis and RTqPCR. Cell proliferation was followed up by cell counting, cell migration and invasion by wound-healing and the transwell assays, respectively, and cell adhesion and dispersal by spheroid formation. The cells transfected with urokinase sequence had increased urokinase activity and uPA expression, while the PAI1-transfected cells decreased urokinase activity, increased PAI1 expression, and decreased cell migration. HEK 293 cells expressing PAI formed only small spheroids. The effects of the uPA system molecules depended on their interactions with each other and with other molecules in the microenvironment, as well as on the cell-type-specific signaling.
Establishment of a Yeast Two-Hybrid-Based High-Throughput Screening Model for Selection of SARS-CoV-2 Spike-ACE2 Interaction Inhibitors
Authors: Li Dongsheng , You Baoqing , Guo Keyu , Zhou Wenwen , Li Yan , Wang Chenyin , Chen Xiaofang , Wang Zhen , Zhang Jing , Si Shuyi
Published: January 2025

The recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has exerted considerable impact on global health. To prepare for rapidly mutating viruses and for the forthcoming pandemic, effective therapies targeting the critical stages of the viral life cycle need to be developed. Viruses are dependent on the interaction between the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the viral Spike (S) protein (S-RBD) and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor to efficiently establish infection and the following replicate. Targeting this interaction provides a promising strategy to inhibit the entry process of the virus, which in turn has both preventive and therapeutic effects. In this study, we developed a robust and straightforward assay based on the Yeast-Two Hybrid system (Y2H) for identifying inhibitors targeting the S-RBD-ACE2 interaction of SARS-CoV-2. Through high-throughput screening, two compounds were identified as potential entry inhibitors. Among them, IMB-1C was superior in terms of pseudovirus entry inhibition and toxicity. It could bind to both ACE2 and S-RBD and induce conformational change in the S-RBD+ACE2 complex. This is the first study to verify the feasibility of utilizing the Y2H system to discover potent SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors targeting the receptor recognition stage. This approach may also be applied in the discovery of other virus receptor recognition inhibitors.
Genetic Background of Macular Telangiectasia Type 2
Authors: Kunčič Ajda , Urbančič Mojca , Dobovšek Divjak Darja , Hudler Petra , Debeljak Nataša
Published: January 2025

Macular telangiectasia type 2 (MacTel) is a slowly progressive macular disorder that is often diagnosed late due to the gradual onset of vision loss. Recent advances in diagnostic techniques have facilitated earlier detection and have shown that MacTel is more common than initially thought. The disease is genetically complex, and multiple variants contribute incrementally to the overall risk. The familial occurrence of the disease prompted the investigation of the genetic background of MacTel. To better understand the molecular milieu of the disease, a literature review of the clinical reports and publications investigating the genetic factors of MacTel was performed. To date, disease-associated variants have been found in genes involved in amino acid (glycine/serine) metabolism and transport, urea cycle, lipid metabolism, and retinal vasculature and thickness. Variants in genes implicated in sphingolipid metabolism and fatty acid/steroid/retinol metabolism have been found in patients with neurological disorders who also have MacTel. Retinal metabolism involves complex biochemical processes that are essential for maintaining the high energy requirements of the retina. Genetic alterations can disrupt key metabolic pathways, leading to retinal cell degradation and the subsequent vision loss that characterizes several retinal disorders, including MacTel. This review article summarizes genetic findings that may allow MacTel to be further investigated as an inherited retinal disorder.
Nrf2 Regulates Basal Glutathione Production in Astrocytes
Authors: He Jiali , Hewett Sandra J.
Published: January 2025

Astrocytes produce and export glutathione (GSH), an important thiol antioxidant essential for protecting neural cells from oxidative stress and maintaining optimal brain health. While it has been established that oxidative stress increases GSH production in astrocytes, with Nrf2 acting as a critical transcription factor regulating key components of the GSH synthetic pathway, the role of Nrf2 in controlling constitutive GSH synthetic and release mechanisms remains incompletely investigated. Our data show that naïve primary mouse astrocytes cultured from the cerebral cortices of Nrf2 knockout (Nrf2−/−) pups have significantly less intracellular and extracellular GSH levels when compared to astrocytes cultured from Nrf2 wild-type (Nrf2+/+) pups. Key components of the GSH synthetic pathway, including xCT (the substrate-specific light chain of the substrate-importing transporter, system xc−), glutamate-cysteine ligase [catalytic (GCLc) and modifying (GCLm) subunits], were affected. To wit: qRT-PCR analysis demonstrates that naïve Nrf2−/− astrocytes have significantly lower basal mRNA levels of xCT and both GCL subunits compared to naïve Nrf2+/+ astrocytes. No change in mRNA levels of glutathione synthetase (GS) or the GSH exporting transporter, Mrp1, was found. Western blot analysis reveals reduced protein levels of both subunits of GCL, while (seleno)cystine uptake into Nrf2−/− astrocytes was reduced compared to Nrf2+/+ astrocytes, confirming decreased system xc− activity. These findings suggest that Nrf2 regulates the basal production of GSH in astrocytes through constitutive transcriptional regulation of GCL and xCT.
Synthesis of Resorcinol and Chlorophenol from Irradiation of 1,3-Dichlorobenzene in a Water Ice Environment by Low-Energy Electrons
Authors: Abdoul-Carime Hassan , Kopyra Janina
Published: January 2025

Dichlorobenzene is beneficial to industries, however, the release of this compound into the environment causes significant damage to ecosystems and human health, as it exhibits resistance to biodegradation. Here, we show that chlorophenol and resorcinol are synthesized from 1,3-dichlorobenzene in a water ice environment (1) directly on a poly-crystalline gold surface and (2) after low-energy (<12 eV) electron irradiation of admixture films. For the latter, at energies below 5.5 eV, the electrons solely decompose the chlorinated compound into radicals that further undergo reaction with surrounding water molecules. At higher energies (i.e., >5.5 eV) additional fragments, e.g., hydroxyl radicals, produced from the dissociation of water molecules, may also be involved in the chemistry. The present results may suggest strategies for potential eco-friendly, sustainable, and scalable processes for the mitigation of these halogenated compounds such as cold plasma and radiation, in which low-energy (<10 eV) electrons are predominantly produced.
Transcriptome and Neuroendocrinome Responses to Environmental Stress in the Model and Pest Insect Spodoptera frugiperda
Authors: Gong Wei , Lubawy Jan , Marciniak Paweł , Smagghe Guy , Słocińska Małgorzata , Liu Dongdong , Liu Tongxian , Gui Shunhua
Published: January 2025

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is one of the most notorious pest insects, causing damage to more than 350 plant species, and is feared worldwide as an invasive pest species since it exhibits high adaptivity against environmental stress. Here, we therefore investigated its transcriptome responses to four different types of stresses, namely cold, heat, no water and no food. We used brain samples as our interest was in the neuroendocrine responses, while previous studies used whole bodies of larvae or moths. In general, the responses were complex and encompassed a vast array of neuropeptides (NPs) and biogenic amines (BAs). The NPs were mainly involved in ion homeostasis regulation (ITP and ITPL) and metabolic pathways (AKH, ILP), and this was accompanied by changes in BA (DA, OA) biosynthesis. Cold and no-water stress changed the NP gene expression with the same patterns of expression but clearly separated from each other, and the most divergent pattern of expression was shown after no-food stress. In conclusion, our data provide a foundation in an important model and pest insect with candidate NPs and BAs and other marker candidate genes in response to environmental stress, and also potential new targets to manage pest insects.
Comparative Efficacy of Melatonin and Brassinolide in Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Cadmium on Wolffia arrhiza
Authors: Chmur Magdalena , Bajguz Andrzej
Published: January 2025

Melatonin (MT) and brassinolide (BL) are phytohormones that regulate various physiological processes in plants. This study investigates their effects on Wolffia arrhiza when exposed to cadmium (Cd). Plant hormones were quantified using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, while photosynthetic pigments and phytochelatins (PCs) were analyzed through high-performance liquid chromatography. Protein, monosaccharide levels, and antioxidant activities were also spectrophotometrically measured. The findings reveal that MT and BL treatment decreased Cd accumulation in W. arrhiza compared to plants only exposed to Cd. MT was particularly effective in reversing Cd-induced growth inhibition and reducing stress markers more significantly than BL. It also enhanced antioxidant activity and maintained higher levels of photosynthetic pigments, proteins, and sugars. Although BL was less effective in these aspects, it promoted greater synthesis of glutathione and PCs in Cd-exposed duckweed. Overall, both MT and BL alleviate the negative impact of Cd on W. arrhiza, confirming their crucial role in supporting plant health under metal stress conditions.
Liquid-Based Diagnostic Panels for Prostate Cancer: The Synergistic Role of Soluble PD-L1, PD-1, and mRNA Biomarkers
Authors: Žvirblė Margarita , Vaicekauskaitė Ieva , Survila Žilvinas , Bosas Paulius , Dobrovolskienė Neringa , Mlynska Agata , Sabaliauskaitė Rasa , Pašukonienė Vita
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic potential of soluble Programmed Death Ligand 1 (sPD-L1) and Programmed Death 1 (sPD-1) molecules in plasma, along with urinary mRNA biomarkers—Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen (PSMA), Prostate Cancer Antigen 3 (PCA3), and androgen receptor (AR) genes—for identifying clinically significant prostate cancer (PCa), defined as pathological stage 3. In a cohort of 68 PCa patients, sPD-L1 and sPD-1 levels were quantified using ELISA, while mRNA transcripts were measured by RT-qPCR. Results highlight the potential of integrating these liquid-based biomarkers. In particular, the combination of sPD-L1, sPD-1, and AR demonstrated the most significant improvement in diagnostic performance, increasing the area under the curve (AUC) from 0.65 to 0.81 and sensitivity from 60% to 88%, compared to AR alone. PSMA demonstrated an AUC of 0.82 and a specificity of 52.8%, which improved to an AUC of 0.85 and a specificity of 94.4% with the inclusion of sPD-L1 and sPD-1. Similarly, PCA3 achieved an AUC of 0.75 and a specificity of 53.8%, increasing to an AUC of 0.78 and a specificity of 76.9% when combined with these biomarkers. Incorporating sPD-L1 into a three-gene panel further elevated the AUC from 0.74 to 0.94. These findings underscore the value of multimodal liquid-based diagnostic panels in improving the management of clinically significant PCa.
A Real-Time PCR Assay for Detecting Codling Moth Cydia pomonella on Material Intercepted at U.S. Ports of Entry—A Valuable Tool for Specimen Identification
Authors: Timm Alicia E. , Tembrock Luke R. , Zink Frida A. , Mollet Kayla A.
Published: January 2025

Codling moth Cydia pomonella is well established nearly everywhere apples are grown. Due to this almost global distribution, larvae are often intercepted at U.S. ports of entry where immature specimens cannot be identified accurately to species leading to unnecessary quarantine actions. To assist with identifying intercepted C. pomonella from port inspections, we developed a probe-based real-time PCR assay to amplify the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region 2 of C. pomonella. The assay was tested for inclusivity using 110 C. pomonella specimens from six continents. Analytical specificity was examined by testing related species intercepted at U.S. ports of entry, as well as non-targets with the same geographic distribution and host species as C. pomonella. The assay developed here identified all C. pomonella individuals correctly and produced appropriately negative results for all non-target species. These results ensure that the assay provides a rapid and accurate tool for unambiguously identifying C. pomonella among material intercepted at U.S. ports of entry. Since C. pomonella is not actionable, the ability to identify all life stages of C. pomonella conclusively will save time, effort, and money while also directing identification efforts towards species of current quarantine concern.