bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lowland Sedge Meadows as a Potential Source of Macro and Micronutrient Supplementation
Authors: Janyszek-Sołtysiak Magdalena , Murawski Maciej , Majchrzak Leszek , Waliszewska Bogusława
Published: February 2025

From the point of view of farming utilization, investigations on the recognition of the mineral composition of sedges appears important, appropriate and useful. Sedges are often found in many meadow and pasture communities. It is therefore worth paying attention to the mineral content of their tissues and their possible impact on the organisms of farm animals such as pigs. The basic objective of this study was to determine the concentration of selected macro and microelements: phosphorus (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na), iron (Fe), silicon (Si), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), chrome (Cr) and nickel (Ni) in the biomass of seven sedge species, potentially used as fodder, commonly occurring in natural sites in Central Europe. The material was collected twice during one growing season in the Krześniczka (N 52°37′14′ E 14°46′06′)—lubuskie voivodeship. The first harvest was carried out at the beginning of May, during the shooting and earring phase. The collected plant material included stems and leaves. The second harvest—the end of June—was collected at a time when the seedlings were developing flowers and young fruits, and their vegetative organs were developing dynamically. In June, the collected material represented organs in all possible development phases. The collected material was dried at a temperature of 65 °C, ground, and analyzed. The obtained results showed a difference in the content of microelements between the May and June harvest dates in the dry matter of all analyzed sedge species, which differed statistically significantly only in relation to copper. The harvest date had a statistically significant impact on the change in the content of macroelements in the dry matter of all analyzed sedge species and was associated with a decrease in the content of phosphorus, magnesium and calcium, while in the case of silicon, the delay in mowing resulted in an increase in the content of this element.
Detoxification Effect of Selenium: Alleviating the Inhibition of Cadmium Stress on the Growth of Rape (Brassica napus L.) by Regulating Photosynthetic Pigments, Metal Complexation Reaction, and Antioxidant System
Authors: He Cixing , Zhao Yuanyuan , Zhang Hua , Wang Zhen , Lü Jiliang , Ge Liqiang , Zhao Xiaohu , Xu Chao
Published: February 2025

Cadmium is considered a highly toxic metallic element that does not have any beneficial biological functions for humans or plants. It has been reported that the antagonism of selenium to heavy metal stress has been observed in a variety of plants, and appropriate selenium could alleviate heavy-metal-induced oxidative damage and reduce the accumulation of heavy metals in plants. Changes in physiological characteristics, root tip cells, cadmium concentration, and accumulation of rape under cadmium stress were investigated in this study through pot experiment. Results showed that selenium could alleviate the inhibitory effect of cadmium on the growth of rape seedlings. The concentration and accumulation of cadmium were decreased after the selenium application in rape seeds, ranging from 19.93 to 22.97% and 27.96 to 43.88%, respectively, and the decrease in photosynthetic pigment content induced by cadmium was significantly improved. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that exogenous selenium and cadmium had metal complexation reaction and formed black precipitation, which may be related to the detoxification effect of selenium on cadmium. More critically, with the addition of selenium, the plasma membrane damage and free radical accumulation in root tips induced by cadmium stress were gradually alleviated in the histochemical staining experiment of rape root tips. These results may provide evidence for exploring effective measures to reduce cadmium accumulation in rape under cadmium-contaminated areas.
A Reliable Molecular Diagnostic Tool for CA90 (Castanea sativa × Castanea crenata) Hybrid Identification Through SSR
Authors: Yussif Toufiq Soale , Evora da Cruz Nadine , Coelho Valentim , Gouveia Eugénia , Choupina Altino Branco
Published: February 2025

Chestnut trees are an essential source of both food and timber. However, the severe threats from invasive pests and diseases compromise their existence and productivity. In Europe, chestnut hybridization programs have been initiated to produce resilient rootstocks in response to ink disease. However, the gap in the identification of these hybrid plants is typically based on field observations and morphological features and remains a challenge. Our study presents a marker set for distinguishing between chestnut hybrid CA90 (Castanea sativa × Castanea crenata), a hybrid with demonstrated resistance to Phytophthora cinnamomi, and other varieties using microsatellite (SSR) markers and bioinformatics tools. We used 35 chestnut samples, including three CA90 controls, hybrids sampled within Portugal, with an aim to define the profiles of the chestnut hybrids and varieties in this study based on band patterns and SSR motifs. We selected and modified nine distinct SSR primers with null allelic features from 43 already developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. PCR amplification and agarose gel electrophoresis were used to amplify and visualize the DNA bands. To confirm genetic variations, 27 amplified bands were sequenced by Sanger sequencing. This analysis identified 31 SSRs across 22 SSR-containing sequences, with trinucleotide (67.74%) repeats being the most common, followed by repeats of dinucleotide (22.58%), mononucleotide (6.45%), and hexanucleotide (3.23%). A total of 18 alleles were observed for the nine loci. The alleles ranged from one to three per locus for the 35 samples. The novel locus CP4 could only be found in CA90 hybrids. This tool can aid in identifying and selecting disease-resistant hybrids, thereby contributing to chestnut production and management strategies.
Using Low-Cost Proximal Sensing Sensors for Detecting the Water Status of Deficit-Irrigated Orange Orchards in Mediterranean Climatic Conditions
Authors: Toscano Sabrina , Consoli Simona , Longo-Minnolo Giuseppe , Guarrera Serena , Continella Alberto , Modica Giulia , Gentile Alessandra , Las Casas Giuseppina , Barbagallo Salvatore , Vanella Daniela
Published: February 2025

Water scarcity in the Mediterranean significantly affects the sustainability of citrus cultivation in eastern Sicily, a key production area in Italy. Innovative monitoring approaches are crucial for assessing citrus water status and applying precise irrigation strategies. This study evaluates the potential of low-cost proximal sensors based on thermal infrared (TIR) (e.g., canopy temperature, Tc; ΔT; crop water stress index, CWSI) and visible near-infrared (VNIR) (e.g., normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) data, combined with stem water potential (SWP), for determining citrus water status proxies across four fields under different water regimes (full irrigation, FI, and deficit irrigation, DI) and cultivar/rootstock combinations. Temporal and spatial differences were detected for most variables during the irrigation season. A 6% decrease in NDVI corresponded to higher Tc values in July (up to 37.6 °C). CWSI highlighted cumulative water deficits, reaching 0.65 ± 0.15 in September. More negative SWP values (−1.91 ± 0.38 MPa) were found under DI compared to FI (−1.70 ± 0.17 MPa) conditions. Microclimatic differences influenced ΔT, with lower values in fields 3–4, despite site-specific SWP, NDVI, and Tc variations. The use of VNIR and TIR tools provided valuable insights for describing the spatial and temporal variability of citrus water status indicators under Mediterranean conditions, supporting their sustainable irrigation management.
Residue Depletion and Withdrawal Interval Estimations of Sulfamonomethoxine or Doxycycline Residues in Chinese Taihe Black-Bone Silky Fowls
Authors: Ye Mengjun , Yuan Lijuan , Liao Qiegen , Xiang Jianjun , Zhang Li , Ai Qiushuang , Qiu Suyan , Dong Yifan , Yu Xiren , Zhang Dawen
Published: February 2025

Black-bone fowls are rich in melanin and regarded as being rich in nutritional value. However, the metabolism of antibiotics in black-bone fowls remains poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the tissue residue depletion kinetics of Sulfamonomethoxine (SMM) or Doxycycline in Taihe black-bone silky fowls. The tissue residue experiments involved a total of two hundred and forty Taihe black-boned silky fowls. The birds were raised to 100 days old in the same laboratory conditions and divided into a control group, SMM group, and Doxycycline group (80 birds for each group). The control group was provided normal drinking water. The SMM group was oral-administered SMM at concentrations of 50 mg/kg bw per day, and the Doxycycline group was oral-administered Doxycycline at concentrations of 40 mg/kg bw for 5 days, respectively. After the last dose, liver, kidney, muscle, and skin/fat were collected at various time points (0.16, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 20, 30, and 40 days, eight birds for each time point). Concentrations of SMM or Doxycycline were analyzed using the UPLC–MS/MS method. The terminal elimination half-lives of SMM in muscle, skin/fat, liver, and kidney were 1.82 ± 1.24, 15.3 ± 4.97, 4.36 ± 1.49, and 5.42 ± 3.46 days, respectively, and 8.62 ± 2.82, 6.88 ± 2.06, 4.12 ± 1.28, and 1.53 ± 0.28 days for Doxycycline. The estimated withdrawal times (WDIs) of SMM were 4, 27, 10, and 12 days, while the estimated WDIs of Doxycycline were 18, 15, 4, and 6 days for muscle, skin/fat, liver, and kidney, respectively. The SMM or Doxycycline bioaccumulate in the skin/fat and may cause antimicrobial residues to be absorbed by human when the skin/fat is used in the diet. Doxycycline persists in muscle for a longer duration compared to SMM. This highlights the significance of muscle and skin/fat as a target organ for future food safety research.
Gut Metabolome in Companion Animal Nutrition—Linking Diets to Health
Authors: Lyu Yang , Pu Junning , Deng Baichuan , Wu Caimei
Published: February 2025

Tailoring diet to support a healthy gut microbiome is key for animal well-being. The gut metabolome, including all small molecules in the gut, is central to diet–microbiome–health interactions. While comprehension of the gut metabolome in companion animal nutrition is emerging, a substantial number of studies have been undertaken to elucidate the metabolomic shifts and identify specific marker metabolites influenced by diverse dietary interventions. By employing various metabolomic approaches, researchers have extensively documented the effects of different diet types, nutrient compositions, and dietary supplements on the gut metabolome in dogs and cats. Despite these advancements, there remains several notable limitations, including a lack of integrated microbiome analysis, incomplete understanding of specific marker metabolites, and an over-reliance on extrapolating findings from human studies. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the current understanding of the canine and feline gut metabolome, while exploring future possibilities and challenges for the field.
Feasibility Study of Single-Port Laparoscopic Techniques for Pancreatic Exploration, Ultrasound, and Biopsy in Dogs
Authors: Jeong Changwoo , Yi Kangwoo , Lee Sangjun , Yu Yong , Heo Suyoung
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of single-port laparoscopic pancreatic exploration, laparoscopic ultrasonography, and pancreatic biopsy in dogs. Six clinically healthy Beagles (median age: 13 months; range: 12–30 months; median weight: 8.81 kg; range: 7.82–10.64 kg) with normal findings upon physical examination and no history of systemic disease underwent a single-port laparoscopic procedure via a paramedian incision. In all cases, pancreatic exploration was performed visually through laparoscopy but was limited to the right lobe and body of the pancreas due to anatomical constraints; the left lobe remained inaccessible. The median exploration time was 239 s for the right lobe and 370 s for the pancreatic body. After exploration, a laparoscopic ultrasound was performed on the parenchyma of the explored regions, successfully identifying major anatomical structures, including the cranial pancreaticoduodenal artery, vein, and major duodenal papilla. The median laparoscopic ultrasound evaluation time was 838 s (range: 729–878 s). A pancreatic biopsy was performed on the distal portion of the right lobe, yielding tissue samples of approximately 10 × 10 mm in size. No intra- or postoperative complications were observed. However, this study was conducted in healthy dogs; further validation is necessary to confirm its diagnostic utility. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of single-port laparoscopic exploration and laparoscopic ultrasonography-guided anatomical assessment.
The Molecular Monitoring of an Invasive Freshwater Fish, Brown Trout (Salmo trutta), Using Real-Time PCR Assay and Environmental Water Samples
Authors: Kim Su-Hwan , Lee Soo-In , Lee Sang-Hun , Jo So-Eun , Kim Keun-Yong
Published: February 2025

Salmo trutta, commonly known as brown trout, is an invasive species that has established itself in various regions, including South Korea, where it poses ecological risks to native freshwater fish populations. To enable natural habitat restoration, S. trutta needs to be monitored, but traditional monitoring techniques are associated with several limitations. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to apply a sensitive and specific real-time PCR (qPCR) assay using a set of primers and a hydrolysis probe specific to the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of S. trutta. Environmental DNA (eDNA) was extracted from river-water samples collected downstream of the Soyang Reservoir and around the Uiam Reservoir between January and March 2023. The qPCR assays successfully detected S. trutta eDNA in 11 of the 24 samples, with high concentrations found upstream and downstream of the Soyang River. Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of qPCR assay for the S. trutta detection in aquatic environments and highlight its potential for monitoring the spread of this species, especially in areas that are difficult to survey using traditional methods. This molecular approach offers a more efficient tool for S. trutta population management, mitigating its impact on native biodiversity.
High-Risk VREfm Clones and Resistance Determinants in a Thai Hospital
Authors: Chopjitt Peechanika , Kansaen Rada , Chaisaeng Sumontha , Phongchaiwasin Sawarod , Boueroy Parichart , Jenjaroenpun Piroon , Wongsurawat Thidathip , Kerdsin Anusak , Sunthamala Nuchsupha
Published: February 2025

Background/Objective: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), particularly Enterococcus faecium (VREfm), are significant healthcare-associated infections, especially bloodstream infections (BSIs). Method: This study explored the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of 29 VREfm isolates causing BSIs in Thailand. Bacterial species, sequence types (STs), virulence genes, and vancomycin antimicrobial-resistance genes were identified by multiplex PCR, multilocus sequence typing, and whole-genome sequencing (WGS). Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion, while an E-test or broth microdilution were used for daptomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, and tigecycline. Biofilm formation was assessed using a microtiter plate assay. Results: All isolates harbored the vanA gene and exhibited resistance to ampicillin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, vancomycin, and rifampin. Resistance to ciprofloxacin, tigecycline, and nitrofurantoin was widespread as well. All isolates remained susceptible to chloramphenicol and linezolid. The majority of isolates belonged to clonal complex 17, with ST17 being predominant (21/29, 72.4%), followed by ST80 (6/29, 20.7%), ST761 (1/29, 3.4%), and ST117 (1/29, 3.4%). WGS analysis confirmed the presence of various antimicrobial resistance genes, including aac(6′)-Ii, ant-Ia, erm(B), and vanA. Additionally, virulence genes such as acm (collagen adhesin) and esp (enterococcal surface protein), which are involved in biofilm formation, were detected. Conclusion: This study provides insights into the genomic characteristics and clonal dissemination of invasive VREfm in Thailand, which is crucial for infection control and public health surveillance.
A Spatiotemporal-Adaptive-Network-Based Method for Predicting Axial Forces in Assembly Steel Struts with Servo System of Foundation Pits
Authors: Liu Weiwei , Sheng Jianchao , Zhou Jian , Fu Jinbo , Yao Wangjing , Chang Kuan , Wang Zhe
Published: February 2025

The axial force in assembly steel struts with servo systems is a critical indicator of stability in foundation pit support systems. Due to its high sensitivity to temperature variations and direct influence on the lateral deformation of the foundation pit enclosure structure, accurate prediction is essential for safety monitoring and early warning. This study proposes a novel method for predicting the axial force in assembly steel struts with servo systems based on a spatiotemporal adaptive network. The method begins by feeding historical axial force data from multiple steel struts into an LSTM network to extract temporal sequence features. A self-attention mechanism is then employed to capture the global dependencies within the axial force data, enhancing the feature representation. Concurrently, a convolutional neural network (CNN) is utilized to extract local spatial features. Additionally, excavation depth and excavated soil stratification data are processed through convolutional operations to derive stratification-related features. Subsequently, the temporal and spatial features of axial force are fused with stratification-related features derived from excavation data and further refined through a CNN, enabling more accurate predictions. Validation using deep foundation pit data from a metro station in Zhejiang Province demonstrated the method’s reliability and improved performance across multiple metrics compared to the existing approaches.
Named Entity Recognition in the Field of Small Sample Electric Submersible Pump Based on FLAT
Authors: Gong Faming , Tong Siyuan , Du Chengze , Wan Zhenghao , Qiu Shiyu
Published: February 2025

In special industrial fields such as electric submersible pump (ESP) wells, named entity recognition (NER) often suffers from low accuracy and incomplete entity recognition due to the scarcity of high-quality corpora and the prevalence of rare words and nested entities. To address these issues, this study introduces a character-level convolutional neural network (char-CNN) into the Flat-Lattice Transformer (FLAT) model and constructs nested entity matching rules for the ESP well domain, forming the char-CNN-FLAT-CRF model. This model achieves NER in the low-resource context of ESP wells. Through multiple experiments, the char-CNN-FLAT-CRF model demonstrates superior performance in this NER task compared to mainstream models and shows good recognition capabilities for rare words and nested entities. This research provides a methodological and conceptual reference for NER in other industrial fields that lack sufficient high-quality corpora.
Automatic Extraction of Water Body from SAR Images Considering Enhanced Feature Fusion and Noise Suppression
Authors: Gao Meijun , Dong Wenjie , Chen Lifu , Wu Zhongwu
Published: February 2025

Water extraction from Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) images is crucial for water resource management and maintaining the sustainability of ecosystems. Though great progress has been achieved, there are still some challenges, such as an insufficient ability to extract water edge details, an inability to detect small water bodies, and a weak ability to suppress background noise. To address these problems, we propose the Global Context Attention Feature Fusion Network (GCAFF-Net) in this article. It includes an encoder module for hierarchical feature extraction and a decoder module for merging multi-scale features. The encoder utilizes ResNet-101 as the backbone network to generate four-level features of different resolutions. In the middle-level feature fusion stage, the Attention Feature Fusion module (AFFM) is presented for multi-scale feature learning to improve the performance of fine water segmentation. In the advanced feature encoding stage, the Global Context Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling (GCASPP) is constructed to adaptively integrate the water information in SAR images from a global perspective, thereby enhancing the network’s ability to express water boundaries. In the decoder module, an attention modulation module (AMM) is introduced to rearrange the distribution of feature importance from the channel-space sequence perspective, so as to better extract the detailed features of water bodies. In the experiment, SAR images from Sentinel-1 system are utilized, and three different water areas with different features and scales are selected for independent testing. The Pixel Accuracy (PA) and Intersection over Union (IoU) values for water extraction are 95.24% and 91.63%, respectively. The results indicate that the network can extract more integral water edges and better detailed features, enhancing the accuracy and generalization of water body extraction. Compared with the several existing classical semantic segmentation models, GCAFF-Net embodies superior performance, which can also be used for typical target segmentation from SAR images.
Is Precision Therapy in Infantile-Onset Epileptic Encephalopathies Still Too Far to Call Upon?
Authors: Falsaperla Raffaele , Sortino Vincenzo , Pavone Piero
Published: February 2025

Epileptic and developmental encephalopathies (EDEs) are a group of severe, genetically various neurological conditions characterized by early-onset seizures and developmental impairments. Recent advances in molecular genetics and diagnostic tools have led to the development of precision therapies, aiming to address the deep causes of these disorders. Examples, such as pyridoxine for pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy and the ketogenic diet for GLUT1 deficiency syndrome illustrate the potential of presumed tailored treatments. However, challenges persist, as current therapies often fail to fully mitigate neurodevelopmental impairments. Moreover, traditional phenotype-based management strategies, while effective for seizure control, do not address the root causes of these disorders, underscoring the limitations of existing approaches. This article explores the evolving landscape of precision medicine in EDEs, emphasizing the importance of genetic insights in therapy design and the need for a multidisciplinary approach. It also highlights the barriers to widespread implementation, including diagnostic delays, accessibility, and a lack of robust clinical evidence. To fully realize the potential of precision therapies, comprehensive genetic integration, innovation in treatment, and global collaboration are essential. The future of EDE management lies in therapies that not only control symptoms but also correct genetic and molecular defects, offering a more effective, individualized approach to care.
Evaluating the Antifungal Activity of Volatilized Essential Oils on Fungi Contaminating Artifacts from a Museum Collection
Authors: Fernandes Luís , Paiva Diana Sofia , Pereira Emília , Rufino Ana Cristina , Landim Euclides , Marques Mário Pedro , Cabral Célia , Portugal António , Mesquita Nuno
Published: February 2025

As is the case for all forms of cultural heritage, museum collections are under a serious threat of biodeterioration, with fungi playing a significant role in this phenomenon, compromising the preservation and dissemination of past knowledge, artifacts and traditions. As part of the ongoing efforts to study the fungal contaminations observed in the artifacts that compose the collection of the Science Museum of the University of Coimbra, non-invasive sampling of four objects present in the archive was conducted and 43 fungal isolates were retrieved. These isolates were subjected to a comprehensive analysis based on molecular and morphological characteristics and were identified as belonging to 15 different species. Of the 15 isolated species, 5 were selected for in vitro antifungal essential oil assays, based on their relative abundance and biodeteriorative potential. For these, essential oils of Cymbopogon citratus, Lavandula angustifolia, Thapsia gummifera, Mentha pulegium, Mentha suaveolens, Thapsia villosa, Thymus mastichina and Agastache foeniculum were obtained via hydrodistillation, in accordance with the European Pharmacopeia. Of the tested oils, most impacted fungal growth, with Cymbopogon citratus and Lavandula angustifolia being able to fully inhibit the growth of most fungi even at the lowest tested concentrations.
Optimal Allocation of Water Resources in Irrigation Areas Considering Irrigation Return Flow and Uncertainty
Authors: Jie Feilong , Fei Liangjun , Peng Youliang , Li Sheng , Ge Yanyan
Published: February 2025

To improve the utilization rate of water resources in irrigation areas, this study established an uncertain water resource optimal allocation model considering the reuse of return flow, and it analyzed the impact of return flow reuse on irrigation efficiency, crop planting structure, and water resource allocation in irrigation areas. If only the optimal allocation of irrigation diversion is carried out, the net profit for the current years, short-term (2021–2040) planning years, and long-term (2041–2060) planning years will increase by USD [18.27, 24.18], [2.20, 2.47], and [3.02, 3.43] million, respectively, and the total planting area in the current years, short-term planning years, and long-term planning years will increase by 900 ha, 700 ha, and 1000 ha, respectively. Restricted by the total amount of irrigation water diversion, the irrigation water resources in the current years and the planning years are in deficit. When the channel return flow is optimized, the net profit of the current years and the short-term and long-term planning years will increase by USD [7.14, 7.97], [5.08, 5.63], and [4.4, 4.81] million, respectively. The total planting area in the current years and short-term and long-term planning years will increase by 2.6, 1.9, and 1.6 thousand ha, respectively, and the amount of irrigation water diversion will decrease by [12, 18], [18, 24], and [20, 26] million m3, respectively. Reasonable and optimized use of channel return flow can not only improve the irrigation efficiency of irrigation areas and avoid the impact of return flow discharge on the water quality of the Yellow River, but it can also reduce the cost of water extraction and save water resources.
Review of Shape-Memory Polymer Nanocomposites and Their Applications
Authors: Islam Rafiqul , Maparathne Sugandika , Chinwangso Pailinrut , Lee T. Randall
Published: February 2025

Shape-memory polymer nanocomposites (SMPNCs) have emerged as a transformative class of smart materials, combining the versatility of shape-memory polymers (SMPs) with the enhanced properties imparted by nanostructures. Integrating these nanofillers, this review explores the pivotal role of SMPNCs in addressing critical limitations of traditional SMPs, including low tensile strength, restricted actuation modes, and limited recovery stress. It comprehensively examines the integration of nanofillers, such as nanoparticles, nanotubes, and nanofibers, which augment mechanical robustness, thermal conductivity, and shape-recovery performance. It also consolidates foundational knowledge of SMPNCs, covering the principles of the shape-memory phenomenon, fabrication techniques, shape-recovery mechanisms, modeling approaches, and actuation methods, with an emphasis on the structural parameters of nanofillers and their interactions with polymer matrices. Additionally, the transformative real-world applications of SMPNCs are also highlighted, including their roles in minimally invasive medical devices, adaptive automotive systems, 4D printing, wearable electronics, and soft robotics. By providing a systematic overview of SMPNC development and applications, this review aims to serve as a comprehensive resource for scientists, engineers, and practitioners, offering a detailed roadmap for advancing smart materials and unlocking the vast potential of SMPNCs across various industries in the future.
Chronotropic Incompetence Does Not Impede Attainment of High-Intensity Exercise During Non-Contact Boxing in Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Benevides Panassollo Tone Ricardo , Rashid Usman , Lord Sue , Taylor Denise , Mawston Grant
Published: February 2025

Recent evidence points to the effect of chronotropic incompetence (CI), which refers to a blunted heart rate (HR) response to exercise, influencing physiological outcomes in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study explores the effect of CI on physiological responses and examines whether a high-intensity training zone is attained during non-contact boxing training in people with PD. In total, 11 PD participants with CI (PDCI), 13 without CI (PD non-CI), and 14 age-matched controls performed two non-contact boxing sessions on different days. The primary outcomes were the maximum HR (HRmax), average HR (HRavg), percentage of the highest HR from cardiopulmonary exercise test (%HR-CPET) and predicted maximum HR (%MA-PHR), time exercising above 85%HRmax (HI-85%), and second ventilatory threshold (HI-VT2). PDCI participants displayed significantly lower HRavg and HRmax values during all rounds than PD non-CI participants and controls for both sessions (p ≤ 0.001). No significant differences were observed between PD non-CI participants and controls (p ≥ 0.05). Although all participants exercised at approximately 100% of %HR-CPET, PDCI participants showed a significantly lower %MA-PHR than PD non-CI participants and controls (p ≤ 0.001). HI-85% and HI-VT2 were not significantly different between PDCI and PD non-CI participants. Despite exhibiting a lower absolute HRmax and HRavg during boxing compared to PD non-CI participants and aged-match controls, PDCI participants exercise at a similar intensity within the high-intensity training zone when expressed as a percentage of the individualized HRmax.
Long-Term Outcomes Following Cochlear Implantation: Device “Aging” and Hearing Performance
Authors: Soloperto Davide , Confuorto Gennaro , Dallari Virginia , Sacchetto Luca , Carner Marco , Monzani Daniele , Nocini Riccardo
Published: February 2025

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and audiological outcomes in long-term cochlear implant (CI) users, focusing on hearing performance and device failures. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on patients who underwent CI surgery, with a minimum follow-up of 10 years. Device survival was analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves, and failure rates were classified as device failure explants or medical-related explants. The time to revision and causes of reimplantation were assessed. Statistical analyses included Pearson correlation for audiological outcomes, Student’s t-test for group comparisons, and the log-rank test for survival comparisons among implant brands. Results: In this study, data from a total of 211 CIs were collected. Fourteen major postoperative complications were reported in this series, resulting in a global major complication rate of 6.6%: 5.2% due to hard failure and 1.4% due to medical problems and soft failure. The revision rate was 4.1% for the children’s group and 10% for the adult group. The overall device survival rates were more than 96% at 10 years and 91% at 20 years. The median postoperative follow-up was 16.3 years. Moreover, a highly significant correlation was observed (r = 0.669, p < 0.0001) between pure tone average (PTA) thresholds at implant activation and those at the last follow-up, as analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Conclusions: The CI is a lifelong device; however, the technology is constantly evolving. Therefore, careful patient counseling (or counseling of parents in the case of pediatric patients) is necessary. The device may wear out over time, requiring revision surgery. These data are essential for audiologists and ENT specialists when selecting patients and determining surgical indications.
An Improved Analytical Approximation of the Bessel Function J2(x)
Authors: Mahmoud Mansour , Almuashi Hanan
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we derive an analytical and explicit approximation for the Bessel function J2(x) for positive real x with a maximum absolute error of approximately 0.004, which refines some new published analytic approximation. The absolute errors for large x decrease logarithmically, according to our analysis of these errors in the interval [0,103]. The power series and the asymptotic series are used in the process to produce this analytic approximation. Additionally, extremely minor relative errors are shown for the values of x at which the zeros of our approximation function and the function J2(x) occur. The first positive zero has the biggest relative error equal to 0.00219574. The relative errors then steadily drop, reaching 9.13302×10−7 for the eleventh zero.
On Coefficient Inequalities for Functions of Symmetric Starlike Related to a Petal-Shaped Domain
Authors: Abbas Muhammad , Alhefthi Reem K. , Breaz Daniel , Arif Muhammad
Published: February 2025

The research on coefficient inequalities in various classes of univalent holomorphic functions focuses on interpreting their coefficients through the coefficients associated with Carathéodory functions. Therefore, researchers can investigate the behavior of coefficient functionals by applying the known inequalities for Carathéodory functions. This study will explore various coefficient inequalities employing the techniques developed for the previously discussed family of functions. These coefficient inequalities include the Krushkal, Zalcman, and Fekete-Szegö inequalities, along with the second and third Hankel determinants. The class of symmetric starlike functions linked with a petal-shaped domain is the primary focus of our study.
Chemometric Validation of a High-Performance Liquid Chromatography Method to Detect Ochratoxin A in Green Coffee
Authors: Mancusi Andrea , Seccia Serenella , Izzi Alessandra , Coppola Daniele , Tessieri Mario , Santini Antonello , Dini Irene
Published: February 2025

Green coffee beans and their derivatives are employed in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic formulations owing to their antioxidant properties and secondary metabolites, which may play a role in preventing metabolic syndrome. Mycotoxins, particularly ochratoxin A (OTA), present a considerable contamination risk and are regulated under strict guidelines established by the European Union and various food safety authorities. This study validates a reverse-phase HPLC method with a fluorimetric detector for quantifying OTA in green coffee beans, following the ISO 17025:2018 standard. The OTA recovery rate (≥70%) met European Union (EU) Regulation No. 2023/2782. The calibration curve showed perfect linearity (r-value = 1). As EU legislation requires, the application field detected OTA levels between 3 µg/kg and 5 µg/kg. Precision (sr = 0.0073) and accuracy (±0.76 µg/kg) were statistically acceptable, with a 95% confidence level indicating reliable results.
Challenges and Opportunities in Quantifying Bioactive Compounds in Human Breastmilk
Authors: Ghith Amna , Maleki Reza , Grzeskowiak Luke E. , Amir Lisa H. , Ingman Wendy V.
Published: February 2025

Breastmilk is a complex biological fluid containing over a thousand bioactive proteins, lipids, cells and small molecules that provide nutrition and immunological protection for infants and children. The composition of breastmilk is unique to each individual and can also vary within individuals according to breastfeeding duration, maternal health, time of day, and other factors. As such, the composition of breastmilk can be considered a “fingerprint” that could be interrogated to identify biomarkers of breast health and disease. However, accurate quantification of bioactive components in breastmilk remains a significant challenge. Approaches such as immunoassays and mass spectrometry have been largely applied to study blood or other biological fluids and require validation and optimisation before these techniques can be used to accurately quantify bioactive compounds in breastmilk. Development of protocols specific to breastmilk should be carried out with high precision, confidence, and sensitivity. This review explores the challenges and opportunities associated with different techniques for quantification of breastmilk bioactive components.
From Molecular Therapies to Lysosomal Transplantation and Targeted Drug Strategies: Present Applications, Limitations, and Future Prospects of Lysosomal Medications
Authors: Alhowyan Adel A. , Harisa Gamaleldin I.
Published: February 2025

Lysosomes are essential intracellular organelles involved in plentiful cellular processes such as cell signaling, metabolism, growth, apoptosis, autophagy, protein processing, and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Their dysfunction is linked to various diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders, inflammation, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and aging. This review focuses on current and emerging therapies for lysosomal diseases (LDs), including small medicines, enzyme replacement therapy (ERT), gene therapy, transplantation, and lysosomal drug targeting (LDT). This study was conducted through databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Science Direct, and other research engines. To treat LDs, medicines target the lysosomal membrane, acidification processes, cathepsins, calcium signaling, mTOR, and autophagy. Moreover, small-molecule therapies using chaperones, macro-therapies like ERT, gene therapy, and gene editing technologies are used as therapy for LDs. Additionally, endosymbiotic therapy, artificial lysosomes, and lysosomal transplantation are promising options for LD management. LDT enhances the therapeutic outcomes in LDs. Extracellular vesicles and mannose-6-phosphate-tagged nanocarriers display promising approaches for improving LDT. This study concluded that lysosomes play a crucial role in the pathophysiology of numerous diseases. Thus, restoring lysosomal function is essential for treating a wide range of conditions. Despite endosymbiotic therapy, artificial lysosomes, lysosomal transplantation, and LDT offering significant potential for LD control, there are ample challenges regarding safety and ethical implications.
Comparative Analysis of Proximal Tubule Cell Sources for In Vitro Studies of Renal Proximal Tubule Toxicity
Authors: Sakolish Courtney , Tsai Han-Hsuan D. , Lin Hsing-Chieh , Bajaj Piyush , Villenave Remi , Ferguson Stephen S. , Stanko Jason P. , Becker Richard A. , Hewitt Philip , Chiu Weihsueh A. , Rusyn Ivan
Published: February 2025

Background/Objectives: The kidneys are essential for eliminating drugs and chemicals from the human body and renal epithelial cells are particularly vulnerable to damage caused by xenobiotics and their metabolites. Drug-induced kidney toxicity is a major cause of drug attrition during preclinical and clinical development and the ability to predict renal toxicity remains a pressing challenge, necessitating more predictive in vitro models. However, the abundance of commercially available renal proximal tubule epithelial cell (RPTEC) sources complicates the selection of the most predictive cell types. Methods: This study compared a wide range of RPTEC sources, including primary cells (Lonza) and various RPTEC lines from different vendors, such as ciPTECs (Cell4Pharma), TERT1/RPTECs (ATCC), and HEK293 (GenoMembrane), including OAT1-overexpressing variants. HepG2 cells were included for a comparison of organ specificity. The different cells were cultured in 96- or 384-well plates and exposed to 12 drugs for 72 h at a concentration yielding a response (0.3–300 µM) to evaluate their ability to predict clinical outcomes. The CellTiterGlo® assay was used to measure cell viability, and transcriptome data from unexposed cells was analyzed using the TempO-seq® S1500+ platform. Results: Gene expression data showed that the primary kidney cells most closely matched the transcriptome of the human kidney medulla, followed by the TERT1 and ciPTEC lines, with the HEK lines showing the lowest similarity. The RPTEC sources showed clustering by cell type, with OAT1 overexpression driving changes in metabolic, detoxification, and immune pathways, especially in TERT1 cells. Cell viability data were used to determine points of departure (PODs) which were compared to human serum Cmax values to assess safety margins. The TERT1 and ciPTEC RPTEC lines demonstrated the highest predictive performance for nephrotoxicity, with OAT1 overexpression significantly enhancing sensitivity, accuracy, and overall predictive power (MCC scores: 0.764 and 0.667, respectively). In contrast, HepG2 cells showed the lowest performance across all metrics, highlighting the critical role of cell type and transporter expression in nephrotoxicity prediction. Conclusions: This study highlights important differences among RPTEC sources and their utility in drug safety studies of the renal proximal tubule. We show that while improved cell options for renal proximal tubule are needed, OAT1-overexpressing RPTECs are a superior model to the background cell type.
Insulin-like Growth Factor-I Reduces Collagen Production by Hepatic Stellate Cells Through Stimulation of Collagen Degradation System via mTOR-Dependent Signaling Pathway
Authors: Nishikawa Takako , Ohtomo Natsuko , Inoue Yukiko , Takahashi Mami , Ikeda Hitoshi , Koike Kazuhiko , Yamamichi Nobutake , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro , Tomiya Tomoaki
Published: February 2025

Aim: The liver is the major source of circulating insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I. Serum IGF-I levels are decreased in cirrhotic patients depending on severity. IGF-I administration was shown to improve liver function in patients and animal models of liver cirrhosis. However, controversy exists as to whether IGF-I stimulates or reduces fibrosis in the liver. The effects of IGF-I on collagen accumulation by hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and its mechanisms were studied. Methods: A moderately activated HSC clone was used to determine the effect of IGF-I administration on the collagen production system, including its degradation. The intracellular signaling system was also studied in the cells stimulated by IGF-I. Results: IGF-I treatment reduced total amounts of collagen deposition in a dose-related manner, while DNA synthesis was stimulated by IGF-I. IGF-I treatment did not affect transforming growth factor-beta levels and type I procollagen mRNA expression. Expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 was upregulated, and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1 expression was downregulated by IGF-I treatment. Rapamycin, an inhibitor of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), suppressed phosphorylation of 70 kDa ribosomal protein S6 kinase and eukaryotic initiation factor 4E-binding protein 1, and abrogated IGF-I-induced increase in MMP-2 and -9 expression and decrease in TIMP-1 expression. Conclusions: IGF-I has the ability to stimulate the collagen degradation system by HSCs through an mTOR-dependent pathway independent of modulation of the activation state of HSCs.
Polyphenol–Inorganic Sulfate Complex-Enriched Straightening Shampoo for Reinforcing and Restoring Reduced Hair Integrity
Authors: Kim Tae Min , Bae Heung Jin , Park Sung Young
Published: February 2025

Conventional hair-straightening methods that use chemical treatments to break disulfide bonds cause severe damage to the hair shaft, leading to weakened hair that is prone to reverting to its curly form in high humidity. Therefore, a unique haircare coating technology is required to protect hair integrity and provide a long-lasting straightening effect. Herein, we designed a hair-straightening technology by integrating a nature-inspired polyphenol–inorganic sulfate (PIS) redox agent into formulated shampoo, which achieves a desirable straightening effect through sulfate-induced disulfide breakage while preserving hair integrity through a polyphenol-reinforced structure. The interaction between polyphenols and residual thiols from the straightening process maintained a long-lasting straight hair structure and hair strength. Ellman’s assay showed a lower free thiol content from reductant-induced damaged keratin in PIS shampoo-treated hair than in sulfate-treated hair as the polyphenol–thiol bond was formed through the Michael addition reaction, thereby restoring the natural structure of the hair and enhancing its mechanical properties. Owing to the polyphenol coating, PIS shampoo-treated hair exhibited an antistatic effect and high hydrophobicity, indicating healthy hair. Furthermore, the polyphenol coating effectively scavenged radical oxygen species (ROS) in the hair, thereby improving damage protection. Thus, PIS shampoo offers an alternative approach for effective hair straightening.
Design and Control of Dual-Segment Multi-Wire Driven Bionic Soft Arm with Integrated Suction Cups
Authors: Wu Zhaosheng , Wu Qiuxuan , Du Fulin , Zhao Zikai , Xiang Shoucheng , Zhou Hongkun , Luo Yanbin , Hu Zhiyuan
Published: February 2025

Given the growing complexity of underwater operation tasks, particularly in confined spaces, turbulent environments, and dynamic object manipulation, the limitations of traditional rigid robotic arms are becoming ever more evident. To tackle these challenges, this paper proposes the development of a soft robotic arm modeled after octopus tentacles, incorporating biomimetic suckers. To tackle these challenges, this paper proposes the development of a soft robotic arm modeled after octopus tentacles, incorporating biomimetic suckers. By imitating the functional structure and suction cups of an octopus arm, a soft arm with a dual-segment continuous structure and eight-wire drive control is designed, integrating a flexible suction cup at the distal segment. A three-dimensional, dual-segment eight-wire driven segmented constant curvature motion model is developed to enable precise bending and rotational movements. In underwater grasping experiments, the soft robotic arm exhibited enhanced grasping stability, particularly in underwater environments, where it effectively copes with fluid disturbances and the capture of dynamic objects. This substantially increased the reliability and efficiency of underwater operations.
Development of a Wire-Driven Robotic Fish Based on Double Sine Mechanism
Authors: Yang Qian , Wang Qixin , Cao Zihao , Zhao Zeyue , Chen Ye , Zhong Yong
Published: February 2025

Wire-driven robotic fish can effectively simulate the movement of real fish, but research on high-frequency wire-driven robotic fish is limited. This paper introduces the development of wire-driven robotic fish based on a double-sine mechanism. The appearance of the fish body is designed based on the morphology of tuna, and a mechanism that can support the high-frequency movement of the wire-driven mechanism is designed. The swimming speed and turning performance of the robotic fish are experimentally tested at various swing frequencies. The experimental results show that within the range of 1 to 4 Hz, the swimming speed of the robotic fish with different tail stiffness increases as the frequency increases. However, when the frequency exceeds 4 Hz, the swimming speed decreases. The tail joint with lower stiffness performs better at low frequencies, but as frequency increases, higher stiffness results in better swimming performance. Experimental tests show that the turning radius increases with higher swing frequencies and lower stiffness, resulting in a larger turning radius. This experiment will help to improve the application of high-frequency wire-driven mechanisms in the study of robot fish movement and carry out more in-depth bionic research in the future.