bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pipeline-Related Residential Benzene Exposure and Groundwater Natural Attenuation Capacity in the Eastern Niger Delta, Nigeria
Authors: Aleku Dogo Lawrence , Biester Harald , Pichler Thomas
Published: October 2024

This study was conducted to investigate the presence of benzene in the ground and drinking water in the eastern Niger Delta, where multiple oil and gas production facilities are present. Samples from drinking water wells were collected for measurements of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes (BTEX). Additionally, the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentration was determined for the first time to establish the groundwater’s total hydrocarbon and non-hydrocarbon load. The groundwater BTEX and benzene levels were up to 3904 µg/L and 3500 µg/L, respectively. DOC concentrations were up to 49 mg/L. The highest benzene concentrations were detected in wells near an underground petroleum pipeline. However, the concentrations decreased with distance from the pipeline to levels less than 0.1 µg/L. Despite benzene contamination, the aquifer has shown promising aerobic attenuation potential, having up to a 7.5 (95%) mg/L DO level and 2.11 mg/L BTEX biodegradation capacity for DO. However, the high groundwater temperature of up to 32.5 °C may weaken attenuation. The benzene and BTEX point attenuation rates ranged from 0.128 to 0.693 day−1 and 0.086 to 0.556 day−1, respectively. Hence, by natural attenuation alone, up to 66.5 and 85 years would be required to reach Nigeria’s groundwater benzene and BTEX remediation goals, respectively.
The Effects of Forest Gaps on the Physical and Ecological Stoichiometric Characteristics of Soil in Pinus densiflora Sieb. and Robinia pseudoacacia L. Forests
Authors: Dun Xingjian , Liu Yuchen , Lian Fengjie , Zhao Wentai , Su Wei , Zhao Wei , Tian Zhihao , Qiao Yanhui , Gao Peng , Zhang Zhenxiang
Published: October 2024

Forest gaps alter the environmental conditions of forest microclimates and significantly affect the biogeochemical cycle of forest ecosystems. This study examined how forest gaps and non-gap areas affect soil’s physical properties and eco-stoichiometric characteristics. Relevant theories and methods were employed to analyze the impact of forest gaps on nutrient cycling in Pinus densiflora Sieb. (PDS) and Robinia pseudoacacia L. (RPL) forests located in the Taishan Mountains. The results revealed that (1) forest gaps significantly enhanced the soil physical properties of PDS and RPL forests compared to non-gap areas (NPs). Notably, the bulk density of the soil decreased by 53%–12%, particularly in the surface layer (0–20 cm). Additionally, its non-capillary porosity increased by 44%–65%, while the clay and silt content rose by 39%–152% and 24%–130%, respectively. Conversely, the sand content decreased significantly, by 24%–32% (p < 0.05). (2) The contents of C, N, and P in the gap soil of PDS forests showed a significant increase compared to those in non-gap soil, with increases of 56%–131% for carbon, 107%–1523% for nitrogen, and 100%–155% for phosphorus. There was a significant drop of 10%–33% and 39%–41% in their C:N and C:P ratios, respectively (p < 0.05). The contents of C and P in the gap soil of the Robinia pseudo acacia L. Forest increased significantly, by 14%–22% and 34.4%–71%, respectively. Its C:P and N:P ratios significantly increased, by 14% to 404% and 11% to 41%, respectively (p < 0.05). (3) Compared with NPs, the forest gap significantly reduced the soil electrical conductivity and increased the soil pH. Additionally, compared to the soil at the gap’s edge, the surface soil in the gap’s center had noticeably higher concentrations of C, N, and P. (4) Key variables affecting the soil pH, silt content, bulk density, and overall porosity in forest gaps include the concentrations of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) present and their ecological stoichiometric ratios. The findings showed that forest gaps had a considerable impact on the soil’s physical characteristics and ecological stoichiometry. They also had a high potential for providing nutrients, which might aid in the establishment of plantation plants.
Numerical Study on the Influence of the Slope Composition of the Asymmetric V-Shaped Tunnel on Smoke Spread in Tunnel Fire
Authors: Tu Dengkai , Li Junmei , Li Yanfeng , Xu Desheng
Published: October 2024

Asymmetrical V-shaped tunnels often appear in tunnels crossing the river or urban underground road tunnels. The smoke flow inside is affected by a lot of factors. A full understanding of the smoke flow in this kind of tunnel is the basis of the smoke control. In this study, the effects of slope composition and fire heat release rate (HRR) on the longitudinal induced airflow velocity, the smoke back-layering length at the small slope side, and the maximum ceiling temperature were studied by the numerical method. The results show that when the fire occurs at the slope change point of the V-shaped tunnel, the maximum ceiling temperature decreases with the increase in the slope of the large-slope side tunnel. The longitudinally induced velocity is primarily related to the slope of the large-slope side tunnel and the fire HRR. When the slope difference between the side tunnels or the slope of the large-slope side tunnel is large, the smoke in the small-slope side tunnel flows back toward the fire source after reaching its maximum dispersion distance and then reaches a quasi-steady state. The smoke back-layering length is mainly affected by the slope and length of the large-slope side tunnel. When the slope of the large-slope side tunnel is 9%, the induced airflow velocity from the small-slope side can prevent the spread of smoke. The empirical models of the smoke back-layering length and the longitudinal induced airflow velocity in the small-slope side tunnel are drawn, respectively, by the theoretical analysis and the numerical results. This study can provide technical support for the design and operation of smoke control systems in V-shaped tunnels.
Prediction and Simulation of Biodiesel Combustion in Diesel Engines: Evaluating Physicochemical Properties, Performance, and Emissions
Authors: Bousbaa Hamza , Kaid Noureddine , Alqahtani Sultan , Maatki Chemseddine , Naima Khatir , Menni Younes , Kolsi Lioua
Published: October 2024

Environmental and energy sustainability concerns have catalyzed a global transition toward renewable biofuel alternatives. Among these, biodiesel stands out as a promising substitute for conventional diesel in compression-ignition engines, providing compatibility without requiring modifications to engine design. A comprehensive understanding of biodiesel’s physical properties is crucial for accurately modeling fuel spray, atomization, combustion, and emissions in diesel engines. This study focuses on predicting the physical properties of PODL20 and EB100, including liquid viscosity, density, vapor pressure, latent heat of vaporization, thermal conductivity, gas diffusion coefficients, and surface tension, all integrated into the CONVERGE CFD fuel library for improved combustion simulations. Subsequently, numerical simulations were conducted using the predicted properties of the biodiesels, validated by experimental in-cylinder pressure data. The prediction models demonstrated excellent alignment with the experimental results, confirming their accuracy in simulating spray dynamics, combustion processes, turbulence, ignition, and emissions. Notably, significant improvements in key combustion parameters, such as cylinder pressure and heat release rate, were recorded with the use of biodiesels. Specifically, the heat release rates for PODL20 and EB100 reached 165.74 J/CA and 140.08 J/CA, respectively, compared to 60.2 J/CA for conventional diesel fuel. Furthermore, when evaluating both soot and NOx emissions, EB100 displayed a more balanced performance, achieving a significant reduction in soot emissions of 34.21% alongside a moderate increase in NOx emissions of 45.5% compared to diesel fuel. In comparison to PODL20, reductions of 20.4% in soot emissions and 3% in NOx emissions were also noted.
Physicochemical, Textural, and Antioxidant Attributes of Yogurts Supplemented with Black Chokeberry: Fruit, Juice, and Pomace
Authors: Pădureţ Sergiu , Ghinea Cristina , Prisacaru Ancuta Elena , Leahu Ana
Published: October 2024

The fruit, juice, and pomace of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) are a rich source of phenolic compounds and can be used to obtain enriched dairy products. Chokeberry fruit, due to its astringent taste, is less favorable or even unacceptable to consumers and is usually processed into juice, resulting in large quantities of pomace, which is often discarded as waste. The aim of this study is to valorize chokeberry fruit, juice, and pomace by incorporating them in different percentages (1, 2, and 3%) into yogurt as functional ingredients. The physicochemical (total solids content, fat, protein, titratable acidity, pH, color), textural (hardness, adhesion, cohesiveness, springiness, gumminess, and chewiness), antioxidant (DPPH scavenging activity and total phenolic content), and sensory characteristics of supplemented yogurts were investigated. The results showed that the addition of chokeberry pomace in yogurt increased their total solids content (from 11.46 ± 0.18% for the plain yogurt sample to 13.71 ± 0.18% for the yogurt sample with 3% chokeberry pomace), while the addition of fruit and juice decreased the protein content of the yogurt samples (from 4.35 ± 0.11% for the plain yogurt sample to 3.69 ± 0.15% for the yogurt sample with 3% chokeberry fruit and to 3.84 ± 0.1% for the yogurt sample with 3% chokeberry juice). There was no statistically significant change in the fat content of all samples of chokeberry-supplemented yogurt compared to plain yogurt. The pH of the yogurt samples decreased with the increase in the percentage of chokeberry fruit, juice, and pomace added to the yogurt (from 4.50 for the plain yogurt samples to 4.35, 4.30, and 4.20 for the yogurt samples supplemented with 1, 2, and 3% black chokeberry pomace). Inhibition of DPPH radical formation was higher in the yogurt samples with chokeberry fruit (57.84 ± 0.05%, 73.57 ± 0.11%, and 75.38 ± 0.05% inhibition for the samples with 1, 2, and 3% fruit) and pomace (up to 64.8 ± 0.11% inhibition for the sample with 3%), while total phenolic content decreased (from 392.14 ± 2.06 to 104.45 ± 2.63 µg/g) as follows: yogurt with chokeberry pomace > yogurt with chokeberry fruit > yogurt with chokeberry juice. The yogurt samples with the highest acceptance scores were the samples with 3% and 2% black chokeberry fruit, while the lowest acceptance score was obtained for the yogurt sample with 3% black chokeberry pomace. Chokeberry fruit, juice, and pomace can improve the physicochemical, textural, and antioxidant characteristics of yogurt, emphasizing that the antioxidant effect of yogurt could be substantially improved by the addition of chokeberry pomace due to its high phenolic content, while incorporation into yogurt is another way to valorize this by-product.
HPLC-MS/MS and ICP-MS for Evaluation of Mycotoxins and Heavy Metals in Edible Insects and Their Defatted Cakes Resulting from Supercritical Fluid Extraction
Authors: Ramos Lucia Cuesta , Rodríguez-García Aroa , Castagnini Juan M. , Salgado-Ramos Manuel , Martínez-Culebras Pedro V. , Barba Francisco J. , Pallarés Noelia
Published: October 2024

Edible Insects (EIs) are an alternative source of bioactive compounds such as proteins or fatty acids and micronutrients as vitamins or minerals, thus showing potential to replace traditional foodstuffs in an economical and environmentally friendly way. Nonetheless, EIs can accumulate hazardous chemicals such as mycotoxins and heavy metals. The aim of the present study is to determine mycotoxins and heavy metal content in raw insect samples and those resulting products obtained after supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). Insect samples included Acheta domesticus (cricket) meal, Tenebrio molitor (mealworm) meal, Alphitobius diaperinus (buffalo worm), and Locusta migratoria (locust). For this purpose, a QuEChERS method followed by LC-MS/MS analysis was optimized with good results for the analysis of mycotoxins, principally Aflatoxins (AFs), Ochratoxin A (OTA), and Enniatins (ENNs). In contrast, heavy metals (As, Cd, Hg, Pb) were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). The results obtained revealed that Locust was positive for AFG2 at a level of 115.5 μg/kg, and mealworm was only contaminated with OTA at 58.1 μg/kg. Emerging mycotoxins (ENNA, ENNA1, ENNB, and ENNB1) were detected at lower levels < 2.2 µg/Kg. Concerning heavy metals, limits exceeding regulation were detected for Cd in the insect species studied, with levels up to 219 μg/kg, and for Pb in crickets (100.3 μg/kg). Finally, the analysis of the post-extraction solids after SFE processing revealed that heavy metals remained in the resulting SFE cakes, while mycotoxins were detected at negligible levels (up to 1.3 µg/Kg).
Plant-Based Beverages: Consumption Habits, Perception and Knowledge on a Sample of Portuguese Citizens
Authors: Anjos Ofélia , Pires Patrícia C. P. , Gonçalves Joana , Estevinho Letícia M. , Mendonça António G. , Guiné Raquel P. F.
Published: October 2024

Plant-based beverages (PBB) consumption has increased significantly worldwide due to an interest in vegetarian/vegan diets, taste preferences, health and ethical and environmental issues. Therefore, this study intends to investigate consumption habits, consumer preferences and consumers’ level of knowledge about PBB. In this study, a voluntary, anonymous questionnaire survey was applied to a sample of participants from Portugal. The sample was recruited by convenience, and therefore, the distribution among the groups was not even. Data analysis involved different statistical techniques: basic statistics, chi-square tests, factor analysis, cluster analysis and tree classification analysis. The results indicated that the most consumed PBB were almond, soy and oat beverages. The majority of consumers chose these beverages for nutritional and health reasons, while a smaller number consumed them as part of a vegetarian or vegan diet. The main motivations for consuming PBB are mainly associated with sustainability and health benefits. The results regarding the respondents’ knowledge about PBB revealed that a health-related profession was the most significant predictor. These results allowed us to conclude that the factors of nutrition, health, ethics and practice of a vegetarian/vegan diet influence the consumption of PBB. It was also concluded that being in a healthcare profession, along with age and professional status within this field, were significant factors influencing the level of knowledge about PBB.
Physicochemical and Functional Properties of DND358 (A Hypocholesterolemic Soybean) Protein Isolate
Authors: Luo Tingting , Fan Yuanhang , Fan Mengmeng , Li Ming , Qiu Zhendong , Du Qiuyan , Ma Chongxuan , Liu Chang , Peng Yuhan , Zhang Shuzhen , Liu Shanshan , Song Bo
Published: October 2024

The properties and applications of soybean protein isolates (SPIs) have been extensively investigated. In this study, we determined the optimal conditions for the preparation of the DND358 soybean protein isolate (DND358-SPI), assessed its physicochemical and functional properties, and investigated its potential applications in the food industry. According to the results, the highest extraction rate of DND358-SPI was observed when the pH was 9.5, the temperature was 55 °C, the duration was 80 min, and the material-to-liquid ratio was 1:20 (w/v). With regard to the functional properties, the water-holding capacity (WHC) and oil-binding capacity (OBC) of DND358-SPI were higher than those of other varieties, reaching 4.73% and 11.04%, respectively. In addition, the hardness, adhesiveness, chewiness, and resilience of DND358-SPI were higher than those of other varieties, reaching 159.27 g, 186.07 g, 6.78 mj, and 1.88, respectively. These findings indicate that DND358-SPI can reduce cholesterol levels and may be used to produce cholesterol-lowering food products.
Modeling Ebola Dynamics with a Φ-Piecewise Hybrid Fractional Derivative Approach
Authors: Alraqad Tariq , Almalahi Mohammed A. , Mohammed Naglaa , Alahmade Ayman , Aldwoah Khaled A. , Saber Hicham
Published: October 2024

Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe and often fatal illness posing significant public health challenges. This study investigates EVD transmission dynamics using a novel fractional mathematical model with five distinct compartments: individuals with low susceptibility (S1), individuals with high susceptibility (S2), infected individuals (I), exposed individuals (E), and recovered individuals (R). To capture the complex dynamics of EVD, we employ a Φ-piecewise hybrid fractional derivative approach. We investigate the crossover effect and its impact on disease dynamics by dividing the study interval into two subintervals and utilize the Φ-Caputo derivative in the first interval and the Φ-ABC derivative in the second interval. The study determines the basic reproduction number R0, analyzes the stability of the disease-free equilibrium and investigates the sensitivity of the parameters to understand how variations affect the system’s behavior and outcomes. Numerical simulations support the model and demonstrate consistent results with the theoretical analysis, highlighting the importance of fractional calculus in modeling infectious diseases. This research provides valuable information for developing effective control strategies to combat EVD.
Forecasting Carbon Dioxide Emission Regional Difference in China by Damping Fractional Grey Model
Authors: Gu Haolei
Published: October 2024

The emission of carbon dioxide is the main reason for many global warming problems. Although China has made tremendous efforts to reduce carbon emission, the space–time dynamics of the carbon emission trend is still imbalanced. To forecast CDED in China, the Dagum Gini coefficient was applied to measure regional CDED. Then, a grey correlation model was used to select potential influence factors and a wrapping method for selecting the optimal subset. DGMC is proposed to forecast CDED. The research results showed that the DGMC generalization performance is significantly superior to other models. The MAPE of DGMC in six cases are 1.18%, 1.11%, 0.66%, 1.13%, 1.27% and 0.51%, respectively. The RMSPEPR of DGMC in six cases are 1.08%, 1.21%, 0.97%, 1.36%, 1.41% and 0.57%, respectively. The RMSPEPO of DGMC in six cases are 1.29%, 0.69%, 0.02%, 0.58%, 0.78% and 0.32%, respectively. In future trends, the eastern carbon dioxide emission intraregional differences will decrease. Additionally, the intraregional differences in western and middle-region carbon dioxide emissions will expand. Interregional carbon emission difference will display a narrowing trend. Compared with the traditional grey model and ANN model, integrating the influence factor information significantly improved forecasting accuracy. The proposed model will present better balanced historical information and accurately forecast future trends. Finally, policy recommendations are proposed based on the research results.
Experiencing Cerebrovascular Diseases like Stroke and Fear of Falling: Longitudinal Results from the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe
Authors: Tahiraj Agon , König Hans-Helmut , Hajek André
Published: October 2024

Objective: The aim of this study was to clarify the link between experiencing cerebrovascular diseases (strokes as an explicit example) and fear of falling (FOF) among middle-aged and older adults in Europe. Methods: Longitudinal data were used from wave 5 to wave 7 of the representative Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE). Self-reported tools were used to quantify the key variables. Fear of falling was similarly assessed using a dichotomous yes or no question, “For the past six months at least, have you been bothered by any of the health conditions on this card”, with fear of falling being one of the options. It was adjusted for various sociodemographic and health-related factors. In particular, to account for unobserved heterogeneity, conditional fixed effect regressions (FE) were used. Accordingly, change in an individual’s FOF status over the included waves was analysed and correlated with the reported change of all the included time-varying independent variables within the same individual, including experiencing stroke or other cerebrovascular diseases. The final analytical sample equalled n = 22.071 observations. Results: Conditional logistic FE regressions showed that the onset of a stroke or other forms of cerebrovascular disease was not associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing fear of falling (OR = 1.25, p = 0.095). However, stratified by sex, such an association was present in men (OR = 1.79, p = 0.006), though not in women (OR = 0.94, p = 0.732). Conclusions: The onset of a stroke or other cerebrovascular diseases was associated with an increased likelihood of experiencing FOF in men but not women. Efforts are required to assist older men in avoiding FOF after the onset of stroke or other cerebrovascular pathologies.
Stress and Coping Behavior Exhibited by Family Members Toward Long-Term Care Facility Residents While Hospitalized
Authors: Kuo Han-Lin , Chiu Yi-Wen
Published: October 2024

Background: With the increase in the elderly population, institution-based care has become another option for elderly people. In Changhua, Taiwan, the number of long-term institutions has doubled in the past decade, and more families are choosing to send their elders to institutions for care. However, there is stress induced by having to care for these elders when they come back to their family members when hospitalized. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the stress and coping behaviors of family members in regard to hospitalized long-term care facility residents and identify relevant factors that affect and predict the stress and coping behaviors exhibited by these family members. Method: In this study, a quantitative and cross-sectional survey was conducted using the convenience-sampling method; family members of long-term care facility residents hospitalized in a regional hospital in central Taiwan were selected as the research participants and a total of 162 family members were admitted. The data were collected in the form of questionnaires including basic information and data on the stress and coping behaviors of the family members. The data were collected and coded by using SPSS 22.0 to perform descriptive and inferential statistical analysis. Results: The standard average score of total stress for family members was 57.03 points, which corresponds to a moderate level. The four perceptions of stress by family members were, in order, physiological, life, psychological, and economic. Furthermore, family income, work status, and the relationship between residents of the family members and physiological, psychological, and economic factors had predictive power for their problem-oriented coping behaviors, with an explanatory power of 59.6%. Life aspects, gender, marital status, and the number of hospitalizations in half a year had significant predictive power for the family members’ emotion-oriented coping behaviors, with an explanatory power of 19.0%. Conclusions: The family members had high levels of stress, especially physical stress, and the total scores of stress perception were higher for those who were younger than 39 years old and had no rotating family members. Additionally, the coping behavior of the main caregiver was mainly problem-oriented. The results of this study may serve as a reference that can help nursing staff in clinical or long-term care facilities to provide or develop effective and individualized services for family members of facility residents.
Evaluating the Impact of the Level of Robustness in Operating Room Scheduling Problems
Authors: Addis Bernardetta , Carello Giuliana , Tanfani Elena
Published: October 2024

Managing uncertainty in surgery times presents a critical challenge in operating room (OR) scheduling, as it can have a significant impact on patient care and hospital efficiency. Objectives: By incorporating robustness into the decision-making process, we can provide a more reliable and adaptive solution compared to traditional deterministic approaches. Materials and methods: In this paper, we consider a cardinality-constrained robust optimization model for OR scheduling, addressing uncertain surgery durations. By accounting for patient waiting times, urgency levels and delay penalties in the objective function, our model aims to optimise patient-centred outcomes while ensuring operational resilience. However, to achieve an appropriate balance between resilience and robustness cost, the robustness level must be carefully tuned. In this paper, we conduct a comprehensive analysis of the model’s performance, assessing its sensitivity to robustness levels and its ability to handle different uncertainty scenarios. Results: Our results show significant improvements in patient outcomes, including reduced waiting times, fewer missed surgeries and improved prioritisation of urgent cases. Key contributions of this research include an evaluation of the representativeness and performance of the patient-centred objective function, a comprehensive analysis of the impact of robustness parameters on OR scheduling performance, and insights into the impact of different robustness levels. Conclusions: This research offers healthcare providers a pathway to increase operational efficiency, improve patient satisfaction, and mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty in OR scheduling.
A Scoping Review of Patient Health-Related Quality of Life Following Surgery or Molecular Testing for Individuals with Indeterminate Thyroid Nodules
Authors: Brouillette Khadija , Chowdhury Raisa , Payne Kayla E. , Pusztaszeri Marc Philippe , Forest Véronique-Isabelle
Published: October 2024

Background: Molecular testing can reduce the need for diagnostic thyroidectomy in cytologically indeterminate thyroid nodules. However, the health-related quality of life in patients managed with molecular testing is not well studied. Objective: The objective of this scoping review was to identify and analyze the health-related quality of life outcomes in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules who are expected to undergo or have undergone surgery or molecular testing. Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, PsychINFO, and Embase to identify relevant studies. The search terms included “thyroid neoplasms” or “thyroid nodule” and “molecular testing” or “surgery” and “quality of life”. The included articles were analyzed for their main study objective, study design, participant characteristics, and main results. Results: Eight studies were included in this scoping review. Four evaluated the quality-adjusted life years for patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Three of these studies found that molecular testing slightly improved quality-adjusted life years compared to surgery, while one study found no difference. Two studies assessed surgical health-related quality of life outcomes and reported that patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules who were expected to undergo surgery favored surgical procedures, while those who underwent surgery experienced impaired health-related quality of life. Two studies evaluated molecular testing in patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules and found that the final molecular test result significantly impacted health-related quality of life outcomes. Patients with suspicious/positive molecular test results had worse symptoms of goiter, anxiety, and depression, while those with benign results had preserved health-related quality of life scores. Patients with benign results from molecular testing experience better health-related quality of life within the first year compared to those with benign surgical outcomes. Conclusions: This scoping review highlights the importance of considering health-related quality of life outcomes in the management of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules. Benign molecular testing results yield better quality of life than benign surgical outcomes within the first year, suggesting molecular testing as a preferable option. Further research comparing the impact of surgery and molecular testing on health-related quality of life is needed to improve shared decision-making and patient outcomes.
Applicability Analysis of Peanut Addition to Button Mushroom Substrate Supplement Formulation
Authors: Caitano Cinthia Elen Cardoso , Vieira Júnior Wagner Gonçalves , Alves Lucas da Silva , Teixeira Pedro Afonso Gomes , de Paula Laura Cristina , Zied Diego Cunha
Published: October 2024

This study evaluated the agronomic response of Agaricus bisporus strains supplemented with various formulations containing soybean meal and peanut grain residue, which has traces of aflatoxins. Six supplement formulations were developed, starting with 100% soybean meal and no peanuts and gradually increasing peanut inclusion by 10% while proportionally reducing soybean meal until reaching a 50% soybean and 50% peanut ratio. The substrate was produced using the traditional method and supplemented at two points: during inoculation and when adding the cover layer. The strains ABI 22/01 and ABI 22/02 were utilized. After the supplementation and incubation periods in a controlled environment (19 ± 2 °C and 85 ± 5% humidity), the fungus was cultivated. Three production cycles were conducted, evaluating yield, weight, number of mushrooms, biological efficiency, and precocity. The concentrations of aflatoxins in the supplements and mushrooms were determined, along with the nutritional characterization of the substrate and supplements. The inclusion of up to 30% peanuts in the supplement formulation was beneficial for yield, particularly for ABI 22/01. The formulation with 80% soybean meal and 20% peanuts resulted in a 53% yield increase compared to the control. Traces of aflatoxin were found in the supplement but not in the mushrooms.
Studies on Distant Hybridization Compatibility between the Azalea (Rhododendron × hybridum hort.) and the Rhododendron decorum Franch. Native to China
Authors: Hao Ziyao , Li Yefang , Yang Yingying , Song Jie , Meng Jing , Guan Wenling
Published: October 2024

Rhododendron resources are abundant in China, and hybridization breeding technology is the primary method for cultivating Rhododendron varieties. In order to optimize the utilization of wild Rhododendron resources for distant hybridization, this study took three horticultural varieties of Rhododendron subgenus Tsutsusi and the Rhododendron decorum Franch. of the subgenus Hymenanthes as the research objects, and the cross-compatibility between subgenera was analyzed from the aspects of pollen tube growth and ovary and seed development. At the same time, the statistics of ovary swelling rate and fruit bearing rate, numbers of capsule seeds, 1000 seed weight of hybrid seeds, germination rate, green seedling rate, and other indexes were analyzed to comprehensively evaluate hybrid fertility. The results showed that there was obvious pre-fertilization and post-fertilization barriers existing in the hybridization of Rhododendron × hybridum hort. and R. decorum. During the growth of pollen tubes, a large amount of callus appeared, which led to the entanglement, distortion, and abnormal development of the pollen tubes; only part of the pollen tubes entered into the ovary or ovule. The pre-fertilization barriers can be overcome by early pollination and delayed pollination. According to the observation of the ovary paraffin section, 45 d after pollination, the seed was shriveled and developed abnormally. The comprehensive evaluation of hybrid fertility showed that ‘Sima’ × R. decorum was fertile, ‘Yin Taohong’ × R. decorum was a weakly fertile, and ‘Little Taohong’ × R. decorum was sterile. This study provided a scientific basis for intergeneric hybridization breeding between the subgenus Tsutsusi and the subgenus Hymenanthes.
Spring Water pH in Forest Catchments Is Modified through Fluctuating Discharge under Climate Change
Authors: Beierkuhnlein Carl , Djordjevic Bojan , Höger Johannes , Wilkens Vincent , Shrestha Samip Narayan , Smith Timothy , Weiser Frank
Published: October 2024

Over the course of industrialization in the 20th century, vast emissions of air pollutants have occurred. The exhaust gasses contain sulfur and nitrogen oxides, which are converted to sulfuric acid and nitric acid in the atmosphere. This causes acid rain to enter aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, the most serious consequence of which is large-scale forest dieback across Europe and North America. However, through various political measures, the exhaust gasses have been reduced and, thus, acid rain and forest dieback were stopped. Nevertheless, the lingering effects of this pollution are still present today and are reflected in hydrochemistry. More recently, fluctuating precipitation regimes are causing additional stress to ecosystems in Central Europe. Climatic extremes are becoming more pronounced with climate change. Substantial differences between drought years and years with regular precipitation are directly altering the discharge of springs. Now, two overlapping and interacting syndromes of environmental pressures can be studied in these small catchments at a landscape scale: (1) acidification and (2) climate change. In this long-term study, the waters of 102 forest springs, located in two neighboring forest landscapes in north-eastern Bavaria, Germany (Frankenwald and Fichtelgebirge), were investigated over 24 years (1996 to 2020). By linking changes in pH values with changes in precipitation and spring discharge, we found that pH increases with decreasing discharge and decreasing precipitation. This effect was strongest in the Frankenwald compared to the Fichtelgebirge. We hypothesize that this temporal pattern reflects the longer residence time and, in consequence, the increased buffering of acidic interflow in small catchments during periods of drought. However, this should not be misinterpreted as rapid recovery from acidification because this effect fades in times of enhanced precipitation. We recommend that fluctuations in weather regimes be considered when investigating biogeochemical patterns throughout forest landscapes.
Unveiling the Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Muscle Elasticity in the Large Yellow Croaker: Insights from Transcriptomics and Metabolomics
Authors: Liu Mengyang , Qiao Guangde , Wang Yabing , Liu Shengyu , Wang Xiaoshan , Yue Yanfeng , Peng Shiming
Published: October 2024

The large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an important economic fish in China. However, intensive farming practices, such as high stocking densities, suboptimal water quality, and imbalanced nutrition, have led to a decline in muscle quality. Muscle elasticity is a key texture property influencing muscle quality. Herein, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed on four groups: male high muscle elasticity (MEHM), female high muscle elasticity (MEHF), male low muscle elasticity (MELM), and female low muscle elasticity (MELF), to explore the molecular regulation underlying muscle elasticity in the large yellow croaker. Transcriptomics identified 2594 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) across the four groups, while metabolomics revealed 969 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs). Association analysis indicated that the valine, leucine, and isoleucine biosynthesis pathways were significantly enriched between the MELF and MEHF groups; 2-Oxoisovalerate and L-Valine were DEMs; and the gene encoding L-threonine ammonia-lyase was a DEG. In the MELM and MEHM groups, pathways such as arginine biosynthesis; arginine and proline metabolism; and valine, leucine, and isoleucine degradation were significantly enriched. 4-guanidinobutanoate, L-aspartate, N-acetylornithine, and L-leucine were among the DEMs, while the DEGs included glul, gls, srm, hmgcs, and aacs. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms controlling muscle elasticity, representing a theoretical foundation to breed high-quality large yellow croakers.
Unlocking the Luminescent Potential of Fish-Scale-Derived Carbon Nanoparticles for Multicolor Conversion
Authors: Abdulla II Najeeb S. , Fernandez Marvin Jose F. , Baptayev Bakhytzhan , Balanay Mannix P.
Published: October 2024

This study introduces a novel approach to addressing environmental issues by developing fish-scale carbon nanoparticles (FSCNPs) with a wide range of colors from discarded fish scales. The process involves hydrothermally synthesizing raw tamban (Sardinella) fish scales sourced from Universal Canning, Inc. in Zamboanga City, Philippines. The optimization of the synthesis was achieved using the response surface methodology with a Box–Behnken design. The resulting FSCNPs exhibited unique structural and chemical properties akin to carbonized polymer dots, enhancing their versatility. The solid-state fluorescence of these nanoparticles can be modulated by varying their concentration in a polyvinylpyrrolidone matrix, yielding colors such as blue, green, yellow, and red-orange with Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage coordinates of (0.23, 0.38), (0.32, 0.43), (0.37, 0.43), and (0.46, 0.48), respectively. An analysis of the luminescence mechanism highlights cross-linking emissions, aggregation-induced emissions, and non-covalent interactions, which contribute to concentration-dependent fluorescence and tunable emission colors. These optical characteristics suggest that FSCNPs have significant potential for diverse applications, particularly in opto-electronic devices.
Selected Interleukins Relevant to Multiple Sclerosis: New Directions, Potential Targets and Therapeutic Perspectives
Authors: Mado Hubert , Stasiniewicz Artur , Adamczyk-Sowa Monika , Sowa Paweł
Published: October 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that progresses with demyelination and neurodegeneration. To date, many studies have revealed the key role of interleukins in the pathogenesis of MS, but their impact has not been fully explained. The aim of the present study was to collect and review the results obtained so far regarding the influence of interleukins on the development and course of MS and to assess the potential for their further use. Through the platform “PubMed”, terms related to interleukins and MS were searched. The following interval was set as the time criterion: 2014–2024. A total of 12,731 articles were found, and 100 papers were subsequently used. Cells that produce IL-10 have a neuroprotective effect, whereas those that synthesize IL-6 most likely exacerbate neuroinflammation. IL-12, IL-23 and IL-18 represent pro-inflammatory cytokines. It was found that treatment with an anti-IL-12p40 monoclonal antibody in a study group of MS patients showed a beneficial effect. IL-4 is a pleiotropic cytokine that plays a significant role in type 2 immune responses and inhibits MS progression. IL-13 is an anti-inflammatory cytokine through which the processes of oligodendrogenesis and remyelination occur more efficiently. The group of interleukins discussed in our paper may represent a promising starting point for further research aimed at finding new therapies and prognostic markers for MS.
Oxytocin/Oxytocin Receptor Signalling in the Gastrointestinal System: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Liu Huiping , Yang Gangqiang , Wang Hongbo
Published: October 2024

The neuropeptide hormone oxytocin (OT) is involved in various physiological and pathological processes via the oxytocin receptor (OTR). While OT is most widely known as a reproductive system hormone and a nervous system neurotransmitter, the OT/OTR system has gradually gained much attention for its role in the gastrointestinal (GI) system, such as the GI motility, secretion, and bowel inflammatory reactions. Its importance in GI cancers has also been reported in the past few decades. The promising clinical observations have revealed OT’s anti-nociceptive effect, protective effect over gut injury, and the potential of using microbiota to naturally increase endogenous OT levels, which shed a light on the management of GI disorders with lower side effects. However, no current comprehensive review is available on the actions of OT/OTR in the GI tract. This review aims to present the lesser-known role of the OT/OTR system in the GI tract, and the most recent findings are discussed regarding the distribution and functional role of OTR signalling in regulating (patho)physiological functions of the GI tract. Special emphasis is placed on its therapeutic potential for clinical management of GI disorders, such as GI pain, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The recent characterisation of the OTR’s crystal structure has advanced research for designing and identifying new OTR-specific molecules. Future in-depth basic and clinical research is needed to further elucidate the involvement and detailed mechanism of OT/OTR in GI disorders, and the development of OTR-specific ligands.
Fusion of Raman and FTIR Spectroscopy Data Uncovers Physiological Changes Associated with Lung Cancer
Authors: Hano Harun , Suarez Beatriz , Lawrie Charles H. , Seifert Andreas
Published: October 2024

Due to the high mortality rate, more effective non-invasive diagnostic methods are still needed for lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. In this study, the integration of Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with advanced data-fusion techniques is investigated to improve the detection of lung cancer from human blood plasma samples. A high statistical significance was found for important protein-related oscillations, which are crucial for differentiating between lung cancer patients and healthy controls. The use of low-level data fusion and feature selection significantly improved model accuracy and emphasizes the importance of structural protein changes in cancer detection. Although other biomolecules such as carbohydrates and nucleic acids also contributed, proteins proved to be the decisive markers found using this technique. This research highlights the power of these combined spectroscopic methods to develop a non-invasive diagnostic tool for discriminating lung cancer from healthy state, with the potential to extend such studies to a variety of other diseases.
Influence of Donor-Specific Characteristics on Cytokine Responses in H3N2 Influenza A Virus Infection: New Insights from an Ex Vivo Model
Authors: Huang Chung-Guei , Hsieh Ming-Ju , Wu Yi-Cheng , Huang Po-Wei , Lin Ya-Jhu , Tsao Kuo-Chien , Shih Shin-Ru , Lee Li-Ang
Published: October 2024

Influenza A virus (IAV) is known for causing seasonal epidemics ranging from flu to more severe outcomes like pneumonia, cytokine storms, and acute respiratory distress syndrome. The innate immune response and inflammasome activation play pivotal roles in sensing, preventing, and clearing the infection, as well as in the potential exacerbation of disease progression. This study examines the complex relationships between donor-specific characteristics and cytokine responses during H3N2 IAV infection using an ex vivo model. At 24 h post infection in 31 human lung explant tissue samples, key cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) were upregulated. Interestingly, a history of lung cancer did not impact the acute immune response. However, cigarette smoking and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression on macrophages significantly increased IL-2 levels. Conversely, age inversely affected IL-4 levels, and diabetes mellitus negatively influenced IL-6 levels. Additionally, both diabetes mellitus and programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) expression on CD3+/CD4+ T cells negatively impacted TNF-α levels, while body mass index was inversely associated with IFN-γ production. Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) expression emerged as crucial in mediating acute innate and adaptive immune responses. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between individual physiological traits and immune responses during influenza infection, underscoring the importance of tailored and personalized approaches in IAV treatment and prevention.
Tomographic and Electron Microscopy Description of Two Bone-Substitute Xenografts for the Preservation of Dental Alveoli
Authors: Barba-Rosado Lemy Vanessa , Realpe Maria-Fernanda , Valencia-Llano Carlos-Humberto , López-Tenorio Diego , Piñeres-Ariza Ismael Enrique , Grande-Tovar Carlos David
Published: October 2024

After tooth extraction, bone levels in the alveoli decrease. Using a bone substitute can help minimize this bone loss. The substitute can be sourced from a human or animal donor or synthetically prepared. In this study, we aimed to address the following PICOS question: In patients needing dental alveolar preservation for implant placement, how does alveolar preservation using a bovine hydroxyapatite bone xenograft with collagen compare to a xenograft without collagen in terms of changes in alveolar height and width, bone density, and the characteristics of the bone tissue observed in biopsies taken at 6 months? We evaluated two xenograft-type bone substitutes for preserving post-extraction dental sockets using tomography and microscopy to answer that question. A total of 18 dental alveoli were studied: 11 preserved with a xenograft composed of apatite (InterOss) and 7 with a xenograft composed of apatite–collagen (InterOss Collagen). Tomographic controls were performed at 1 and 6 months, and microscopic studies were performed on 13 samples. The biopsies were examined with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). A Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) was conducted in the statistical analysis, revealing a significant increase in bone density over time (p = 0.04). Specifically, bone density increased from an average of 526.14 HU at 30 days to 721.96 HU at 60 days in collagen-free samples. However, no statistically significant differences in height or width were found between groups. The MANOVA results indicated that the overall model had a low predictive ability for height, width, and density variables (R-squared values were low), likely due to sample size limitations and the complexity of bone tissue dynamics. On the other hand, FTIR analysis revealed the presence of phosphate groups, carbonates, and amides I, II, and III, indicative of inorganic (hydroxyapatite) and organic (type I collagen) materials in the xenografts. TGA and DSC showed high thermal stability, with minimal mass loss below 150 °C. Finally, both xenografts were influential in alveolar bone regeneration after extraction without significant differences. The trend of increasing collagen density suggests an effect that requires further investigation. However, it is recommended that the sample size be increased to enhance the validity of the results.