bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caries Status in People with Dementia: A Systematic Review
Authors: Cheng Weigao , Zhang Dongmin , Li Qiwen , Jiang Han , Guo Haiying , Du Minquan
Published: February 2025

Background and Objective: People living with dementia typically have poor oral health. However, studies of caries status in this population have revealed different results. This systematic review aimed to assess caries status in old adults with dementia. Method: The PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to 13 February 2025. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the risk of bias in case–control studies, and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Checklist was used to assess the risk of bias in cross-sectional studies. Caries status was measured by the decayed, missing, filled teeth (DMFT) index, decayed, missing, filled surfaces (DMFS) index, or the component of DMFT/S. A random effects model was used to pool the included data. The weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to analyze the effect of dementia on caries. Results: A total of 5363 studies were retrieved, and 20 studies were included in this study. Meta-analysis showed the DMFT index (WMD: 3.76, p < 0.0001; 13 studies), decayed teeth (DT) index (WMD: 0.40, p < 0.0001; 10 studies), and missing teeth (MT) index (WMD: 3.67, p = 0.04; 7 studies) values were higher in the dementia group than the control group. There were no differences in the filled teeth (FT) index (WMD: −0.66, p = 0.09; 9 studies) between the dementia group and the control group. Conclusions: Caries status was poorer in people with dementia than the controls. These findings suggest that medical staff and caregivers need to pay more attention to the oral health of dementia patients.
7 Tesla MRI Reveals Brain Structural Abnormalities and Neural Plasticity in RPGR-Related Retinitis Pigmentosa
Authors: Nowomiejska Katarzyna , Baltaziak Katarzyna , Czarnek-Chudzik Aleksandra , Toborek Michał , Niedziałek Anna , Wiśniewska Katarzyna , Midura Mateusz , Rejdak Robert , Pietura Radosław
Published: February 2025

Objectives: The purpose was to quantitatively examine brain structures using 7 Tesla MRI in the presence of visual loss caused by retinitis pigmentosa (RP) related to retinitis pigmentosa GTPase regulator (RPGR) gene pathogenic variants. Methods: Twelve male patients with RP (mean visual acuity 0.4) related to confirmed RPGR pathogenic variants and fifteen healthy volunteers were examined with 7 Tesla MRI of the brain. Measures of the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) volume were performed manually by three independent investigators (radiologists) using ITK-SNAP (Insight Segmentation and Registration Toolkit) software. Other brain structures were evaluated using the open-source automated software package FreeSurfer. Prior to the 7 Tesla MRI, patients underwent an ophthalmic examination and a 1.5 Tesla MRI. Results: The mean LGN volume (right—100 mm3, left—96 mm3) and left lingual gyrus volume (6162 mm3) were significantly lower in RPGR patients in comparison to the control group (129 mm3, 125 mm3, and 7310 mm3, respectively), whilst some brain regions related to other sensory information such as the left isthmus cingulate (3690 mm3) and entorhinal cortex (right—1564 mm3, left 1734 mm3) were significantly or almost significantly higher in the RPGR group than in the control group (2682 mm3, 960 mm3, and 1030 mm3, respectively). Moreover, compared to the control group, the RPGR group’s thalamus-to-LGN ratio was substantially higher. Conclusions: The use of the 7 Tesla MRI revealed numerous structural abnormalities of the visual pathway in patients with RPGR-related RP. The reorganization of the structures of the brain demonstrated in patients with RPGR-related RP reveals a certain degree of plasticity in response to visual loss. These findings may help improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for RP patients and contribute to the development of precision medicine.
Can Ecosystem Transformations by Non-Indigenous Mussel Introductions Inform Shellfish Reef Restoration?
Authors: Cottingham Alan , Newsome Rachel , Gillies Chris , Tweedley James R.
Published: February 2025

Shellfish reefs were once common features in temperate coastal waters and estuaries. However, anthropogenic impacts have resulted in significant declines in these ecosystems globally. Whilst a growing body of scientific literature and restoration projects have demonstrated the success of restoration using oysters, at both local and ecosystem-wide scales, restoration initiatives using mussels are relatively new. Due to the lack of long-term data on the ecological impact of restored mussel reefs, information to assist restoration practitioners in identifying potential positive and negative outcomes is limited. However, introductions of mussels have occurred on every continent, and detailed documentation exists on their impacts on local ecosystems. Such information is thus invaluable as these long-term studies can contribute knowledge on predicting ecosystem changes following mussel introductions. Through compiling information derived from 318 published articles, unplanned mussel introductions were found to have both positive and negative impacts, and these were context- and species-specific. In eutrophic water bodies, the impacts were typically considered positive, particularly on shallow-water benthic communities. It was also found, however, that mussels can reduce zooplankton biomass, impact native mussels and were occasionally implicated in increasing cyanobacteria concentrations. Despite these instances, this review presented multiple lines of evidence that mussel introductions, when undertaken intentionally at suitable locations, would have a considerable positive impact at the ecosystem-wide scale.
Effective Strategies for Automatic Analysis of Acoustic Signals in Long-Term Monitoring
Authors: Diego-Tortosa Dídac , Bonanno Danilo , Bou-Cabo Manuel , Di Mauro Letizia S. , Idrissi Abdelghani , Lara Guillermo , Riccobene Giorgio , Sanfilippo Simone , Viola Salvatore
Published: February 2025

Hydrophones used in Passive Acoustic Monitoring generate vast amounts of data, with the storage requirements for raw signals dependent on the sampling frequency, which limits the range of frequencies that can be recorded. Since the installation of these observatories is costly, it is crucial to maximize the utility of high-sampling-rate recordings to expand the range of survey types. However, storing these large datasets for long-term trend analysis presents significant challenges. This paper proposes an approach that reduces the data storage requirements by up to 85% while preserving critical information about Power Spectral Density and Sound Pressure Level. The strategy involves generating these key metrics from spectrograms, enabling both short-term (micro) and long-term (macro) studies. A proposal for efficient data processing is presented, structured in three steps: the first focuses on generating key metrics to replace space-consuming raw signals, the second addresses the treatment of these metrics for long-term studies, and the third outlines the creation of event detectors from the processed metrics. A comprehensive overview of the essential features for analyzing acoustic signals is provided, along with considerations for the future design of marine observatories. The necessary calculations and processes are detailed, demonstrating the potential of these methods to address the current data storage and processing limitations in long-term acoustic monitoring.
Effect of Flow Field with Baffles on Performance of High Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Li Shian , Zhang Shuqian , Shen Qiuwan
Published: February 2025

With the implementation of strict emission regulations, new energy technologies are widely used in the field of maritime transportation. Fuel cells can be used as the power sources of ships due to the advantages of high efficiency, low noise and zero emissions. In this study, a three-dimensional non-isothermal numerical model of a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) is established and used to investigate the effect of a flow field with baffles on cell performance. The effects of the number, height and length of baffles in the flow field on the species concentration distribution, current density and power density are comprehensively studied. Compared with the traditional straight channel, the baffles in the channel can effectively improve cell performance. When the number of baffles is nine, the height of the baffles is 0.75 mm and the length of the baffles is 1 mm, the current density is increased from 1.390 A/cm2 to 1.524 A/cm2 at a voltage of 0.4 V, which is an increase of 9.64%. This study can provide guidelines for flow channel design.
Identifying Behaviours Indicative of Illegal Fishing Activities in Automatic Identification System Data
Authors: Zhou Yifan , Davies Richard , Wright James , Ablett Stephen , Maskell Simon
Published: February 2025

Identifying illegal fishing activities from Automatic Identification System (AIS) data is difficult since AIS messages are broadcast cooperatively, the ship’s master controls the timing, and the content of the transmission and the activities of interest usually occur far away from the shore. This paper presents our work to predict ship types using AIS data from satellites: in such data, there is a pronounced imbalance between the data for different types of ships, the refresh rate is relatively low, and there is a misreporting of information. To mitigate these issues, our prediction algorithm only uses the sequence of ports the ships visited, as inferred from the positions reported in AIS messages. Experiments involving multiple machine learning algorithms showed that such port visits are informative features when inferring ship type. In particular, this was shown to be the case for the fishing vessels, which is the focus of this paper. We then applied a KD-tree to efficiently identify pairs of ships that are close to one another. As this activity is usually dangerous, multiple occurrences of such encounters that are linked to one ship sensibly motivate extra attention. As a result of applying the analysis approach to a month of AIS data related to a large area in Southeast Asia, we identified 17 cases of potentially illegal behaviours.
Quantum-Inspired MoE-Based Optimal Operation of a Wave Hydrogen Microgrid for Integrated Water, Hydrogen, and Electricity Supply and Trade
Authors: Fayek Hady H. , Fayek Fady H. , Rusu Eugen
Published: February 2025

This research explores the optimal operation of an offshore wave-powered hydrogen system, specifically designed to supply electricity and water to a bay in Humboldt, California, USA, and also sell it with hydrogen. The system incorporates a desalination unit to provide the island with fresh water and feed the electrolyzer to produce hydrogen. The optimization process utilizes a mixture of experts in conjunction with the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR) algorithm traditionally used in drug design, to achieve two main objectives: minimizing operational costs and maximizing revenue from the sale of water, hydrogen, and electricity. Many case studies are examined, representing typical electricity demand and wave conditions during typical summer, winter, spring, and fall days. The simulation, optimization, and results are carried out using MATLAB 2018 and SAM 2024 software applications. The findings demonstrate that the combination of the QSAR algorithm and quantum-inspired MoE results in higher revenue and lower costs compared to other current techniques, with hydrogen sales being the primary contributor to increased income.
Comment on Zieliński, G.; Gawda, P. Analysis of the Use of Sample Size and Effect Size Calculations in a Temporomandibular Disorders Randomised Controlled Trial—Short Narrative Review. J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14, 655
Authors: Spavieri Juliana Homem Padilha , de Lima Thamiris Costa , Garcêz Luiz Ricardo , Pereira Roger Berg Rodrigues , Claudio Ana Carolina de Jacomo , Chaves Thais Cristina
Published: February 2025

We have thoroughly reviewed the article titled “Analysis of the Use of Sample Size and Effect Size Calculations in a Temporomandibular Disorders Randomised Controlled Trial—Short Narrative Review” by Zieliński G and Gawda P, recently published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine (2024; 14: 655) [...]
Reply to Spavieri, J.H.P. et al’s Comment on “Zieliński, G.; Gawda, P. Analysis of the Use of Sample Size and Effect Size Calculations in a Temporomandibular Disorders Randomised Controlled Trial—Short Narrative Review. J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14, 655”
Authors: Zieliński Grzegorz , Gawda Piotr
Published: February 2025

We have received a request to respond to a comment on our article published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine (2024; 14: 655) [...]
A Study on the Factors Influencing Chinese Costume Consumers Utilizing Live Streaming Platforms to Purchase Products: A Case Study of Douyin
Authors: Liu Hui , Liang Jingwen
Published: February 2025

A dominant marketing paradigm has appeared in the form of live streaming e-commerce, which holds a significant user base and exhibits an upward trend in sales figures. Based on the technology acceptance model (TAM) and perceived value theory, combined with KANO and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP), this study extracts consumer demand characteristics through a questionnaire survey of 402 Chinese Douyin consumers who watch clothing live streaming online and participate in purchases. The study categorizes consumer demands into five dimensions with 17 indicators: perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived emotional value, perceived economic value, and e-commerce anchor characteristics, and a hierarchical framework for consumer demands in clothing-focused live streaming e-commerce is constructed. Four critical deep influence factors were indicated by the findings: information acquisition, after-sales support, smooth communication, and emotional experience. These indicators are the primary factors for future optimization of live streaming e-commerce platforms. The results of this study provide effective data analysis and suggestions related to consumer purchasing needs in clothing-based live streaming e-commerce platforms so as to improve customer satisfaction and thus turnover, as well as to provide a theoretical method for reference in subsequent consumer research on live streaming e-commerce platforms.
Is There an Effect of Initial and 24-Hour Blood Gas Lactate and Methemoglobin Levels on Predicting Mortality of Patients in the Intensive Care Unit?
Authors: Doğan Serhat , Aslan Sefer , Börta Tayfun , Sarıaydın Mehmet , Sayıner Hakan Sezgin
Published: February 2025

In intensive care units (ICUs), serum lactate and methemoglobin (metHb) levels are considered significant biomarkers for predicting mortality in critically ill patients. This study investigates the relationship between lactate and metHb levels in blood gas analyses at admission and 24 h later, as well as their association with mortality in ICU patients. The study was conducted retrospectively between March and December 2022 at Adıyaman Training and Research Hospital, evaluating 114 patients, with statistical analyses performed on the collected data. The results indicated a statistically significant decrease in lactate levels between admission and 24 h after (p = 0.004). However, no significant change was found in metHb levels (p > 0.05). Lactate clearance was significantly lower in deceased patients compared to survivors (p = 0.037), whereas metHb clearance showed no statistically significant association with mortality. Lactate is highlighted as a key indicator of tissue hypoxia and plays a critical role in managing critically ill patients. Elevated lactate levels are associated with impaired oxygenation and worse prognoses. The literature consistently supports the association between high lactate levels and increased mortality in conditions such as sepsis and hemorrhagic shock. Similarly, this study confirms the prognostic value of lactate, particularly in the early phases of ICU admission. In contrast, metHb levels were not found to significantly impact mortality. Although some studies suggest a potential role of metHb as a biomarker for oxidative stress in inflammatory diseases, this relationship was not supported by the current findings. In conclusion, serum lactate levels serve as a crucial tool for mortality prediction and patient management in ICUs, while metHb levels have limited prognostic value. These findings suggest that greater emphasis should be placed on lactate monitoring in the management of critically ill patients.
Micro-Alloying Effects on Microstructure and Weldability of High-Strength Low-Alloy Steel: A Review
Authors: Chen Jian , Shi Zhongran , Luo Xiaobing , Chai Feng , Pan Tao , Feng Guanghong , Yang Caifu
Published: February 2025

High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steels have garnered significant attention owing to their widespread applications across various industries, with weldability being a particularly critical aspect. However, the impact toughness of the coarse-grained heat-affected zone (CGHAZ) remains a notable challenge under high-heat-input welding conditions. Despite existing research acknowledging the beneficial effects of micro-alloying elements on steel properties, there are still numerous uncertainties and controversies regarding the specific influence of these elements on the microstructure and impact toughness of the CGHAZ under specific welding conditions. To address this issue, this study presents a comprehensive review of the impact of common micro-alloying elements on the microstructure and toughness of the CGHAZ during high-heat-input welding. The results indicate that elements such as cerium, magnesium, titanium, vanadium, nitrogen, and boron significantly improve the toughness of the CGHAZ by promoting intragranular nucleation of acicular ferrite and inhibiting the coarsening of austenite grains. In contrast, the addition of elements such as aluminum and niobium adversely affect the toughness of the CGHAZ. These findings offer crucial theoretical guidance and experimental evidence for further optimizing the welding performance of HSLA steels and enhancing the impact toughness of the CGHAZ.
Influence of Cold Plasma Treatment on Cellulose Modification with Different Oxidizing Agents
Authors: Panaitescu Denis Mihaela , Vizireanu Sorin Ionuţ , Oprică Gabriela Mădălina , Uşurelu Cătălina Diana , Stancu Cristian , Sătulu Veronica , Ghiurea Marius , Nicolae Cristian-Andi , Raduly Monica Florentina , Frone Adriana Nicoleta
Published: February 2025

Cellulose is a versatile biopolymer increasingly applied in medicine and industry due to its biodegradability and biocompatibility, along with the renewability and large availability of source materials. However, finding simple, eco-friendly, and effective methods to modify cellulose to provide it with new functionalities remains a challenge. This work presents a new, inexpensive, and eco-friendly method to chemically modify microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by the submerged cold plasma treatment of an aqueous suspension of MCC containing different oxidizing agents, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), sodium hypochlorite (NaClO), or sodium periodate (NaIO4). Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed that plasma treatment intensified the oxidizing effect of H2O2, NaClO, and NaIO4, with plasma-assisted NaClO treatment yielding the highest MCC oxidation level. XPS indicated that the plasma-assisted oxidations also resulted in different degrees of chemical degradation of MCC, a finding further supported by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results. X-ray diffraction (XRD) data revealed a different effect of the oxidizing agents on the crystalline and amorphous regions in MCC. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the combined treatment with plasma and chemical oxidizing agents led to MCC fragmentation and varying degrees of defibrillation into nanofibers.
Numerical Simulation Analysis of the Bending Performance of Straw–Concrete Combined Floor Slabs
Authors: Li Shuoran , Chen Yufei , Wang Haibiao , Liu Jida , Li Lin , Liu Jingyi
Published: February 2025

Straw–concrete combined floor slabs consist of straw boards, shear-resistant connectors, and concrete slabs. These slabs offer various advantages over traditional reinforced concrete slabs due to the straw boards’ properties of excellent insulation and sound absorption. Research using ABAQUS software created 15 composite floor models to study the impact of connection methods, bond strength, connector spacing, and thickness of straw and concrete on the flexural performance. Results indicated that the composite floor slab with adhesive bonding had a 7.34% and 17.34% higher load-carrying capacity than the bolt-connected and self-tapping screw-connected composite floor slabs, respectively. Increasing bond strength from 40 MPa to 60 MPa improved the load-carrying capacity of self-tapping nail-connected slabs by 80.84%. Connector spacing negatively correlated with slab capacity, while increasing the thickness of straw boards or concrete slabs enhanced the ultimate load-carrying capacity, with the latter having a more significant effect. Midspan deflection and flexural capacity were calculated using the converted cross-section method and static calculation formulas, with theoretical and simulated values showing good agreement, offering guidance for engineering applications.
Geometric Accuracy Design and Tolerance Allocation of Precision Horizontal Machining Centers
Authors: Wang Lina , Liu Xingxing , Tian Wenjie , Zhang Dawei
Published: February 2025

As the structural complexity of machined components increases and the pace of product updates accelerates, the demands for machining precision in CNC machine tools are becoming increasingly rigorous. Consequently, the continuous enhancement of machining accuracy in machine tools presents a significant challenge that must be addressed within the realms of machine tool innovation and the development of manufacturing equipment. This paper conducts a comprehensive investigation into the tolerance optimization allocation method for geometric accuracy in precision horizontal machining centers utilizing interval theory. Initially, a mapping model is developed to represent each source of geometric error and the overall spatial error, drawing upon multi-body system theory. Subsequently, the global maximum interval sensitivity of each geometric error source in relation to the overall spatial model is analyzed. Finally, an interval optimization model for geometric accuracy is formulated based on interval optimization theory, employing a genetic algorithm to address the accuracy allocation problem associated with various error sources in machine tools.
Patterns of Open Innovation Between Industry and University: A Fuzzy Cluster Analysis Based on the Antecedents of Their Collaboration
Authors: Băban Marius , Băban Călin Florin
Published: February 2025

Competing in a complex and interconnected environment, firms are increasingly employing open innovation to search for and collaborate with different partners for better performance. While universities are considered an important source of knowledge for industry, there has been limited literature that investigates patterns of their collaboration in an open innovation context. Moreover, the influence of contextual characteristics such as size and industry classes on these patterns has also received little attention. Aiming to address these research gaps, a research framework was developed from the extant literature. Taking into account the main antecedents integrated into this framework, a fuzzy c-means clustering approach was employed to find a typology of open innovative firms in their collaboration with universities. Using the typical value of the fuzzifier factor of this algorithm equal to 2, three distinct clusters were identified with respect to these antecedents as low, insecure, and responsive open innovators. Then, an econometric model using a multinomial logistic regression was constructed to explore the influence of firms’ size and industry type on the identified patterns of such collaboration. Based on the marginal effects analysis, mixed evidence was found regarding the influence of the firm’s size on the identified clusters, while the impact of industry intensity was in line with other prior studies in the extant literature. The results of our study lead to some meaningful implications from both an empirical and managerial point of view that are discussed alongside with future research recommendations.
Möbius Transformations in the Second Symmetric Product of ℂ
Authors: Hinojosa Gabriela , Morales-Fuentes Ulises , Valdez Rogelio
Published: February 2025

Let F2(C) denote the second symmetric product of the complex plane C endowed with the Hausdorff topology, i.e., F2(C)={A⊂C:|A|≤2,A≠∅}. In this paper, we extended the concept of Möbius transformations to F2(C). More precisely, given a Möbius transformation T of C, we define the map T˜({z,w})={T(z),T(w)} within F2(C). We describe some general properties of these maps, including the structure of their generators, characteristics related to transitivity, and the geometry of the conjugacy classes.
Malnutrition and Disability: A Retrospective Study on 2258 Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Spine Surgery
Authors: Briguglio Matteo , Campagner Andrea , Langella Francesco , Cecchinato Riccardo , Damilano Marco , Bellosta-López Pablo , Crespi Tiziano , De Vecchi Elena , Latella Marialetizia , Barone Giuseppe , Scaramuzzo Laura , Bassani Roberto , Luca Andrea , Brayda-Bruno Marco , Wainwright Thomas W. , Middleton Robert G. , Lombardi Giovanni , Cabitza Federico , Banfi Giuseppe , Berjano Pedro
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: Malnutrition’s prevalence and its relationship with functional ability in patients with end-stage spine pathologies, i.e., any disease of the vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, and associated joints requiring surgical intervention, are yet to be explored. This retrospective study aimed to investigate the association between malnutrition, disability, and physical health in patients undergoing elective spine surgery in our Italian hospital. Materials and Methods: Data between 2016 and 2019, recorded at pre-admission visits, were extracted from our institutional spine registry (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT03644407), excluding minor patients or those undergoing emergency or oncological surgery. The measures were the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and the physical health (PH) summary of the 36-item Short-Form Health Survey. Clinical data were linked to nine laboratory parameters from pre-operative routine blood tests, and equations to ascertain the risk of malnutrition and its diagnosis were attributed. Results: The study sample included 2258 spine patients (58.15% females) who underwent surgery in our Italian hospital. The ODI and PH significantly varied across body weight difference (BWd) strata in younger adults (adjusted-p = 0.046, η2 = 0.04; adjusted-p = 0.036, η2 = 0.06) and adults (adjusted-p = 0.001, η2 = 0.02; adjusted-p = 0.004, η2 = 0.02). Protein malnutrition with acute/chronic inflammation (PMAC) in both adults (adjusted-p < 0.001, η2 = 0.04; adjusted-p < 0.001, η2 = 0.04) and older adults (adjusted-p = 0.010, η2 = 0.04; adjusted-p = 0.009, η2 = 0.05) had also a discernible impact in determining the ODI and PH. In older adults, the ODI was associated with iron deficit malnutrition (IDM) (adjusted-p = 0.005, η2 = 0.06) and both the ODI and PH were associated with vitamin B deficit (VBD) (adjusted-p = 0.037, η2 = 0.01; adjusted-p = 0.049, η2 = 0.01). Trend monotonicity was diagnosis- and sex-specific, with meaningful ordered patterns being observed mostly in young males and older females. Conclusions: Functional ability showed an association with malnutrition in younger adults and adults when using BWd, in adults and older adults when using PMAC, and in older adults when using IDM and VBD. The authors advocate for the inclusion of nutritional management in the pre-operative evaluation to potentially enhance recovery after spine surgery.
The Protective Role of Folic Acid in Biochemical and Histopathological Changes Induced by Azithromycin in the Livers of Pregnant Albino Rats
Authors: Hanafy Safaa M. , Zakaria Soha S.
Published: February 2025

Background and Objectives: We evaluated the impact of the second-generation macrolide azithromycin on pregnant albino rats’ livers and assessed the protective role of folic acid. Materials and Methods: For this study, forty pregnant rats were treated and then examined. Forty pregnant albino rats were divided into four equal groups (I–IV). In Group I, each pregnant rat was gavaged with 1 mL distilled water on day 16 of pregnancy, then 0.5 mL from day 16 of pregnancy to day 20. In Group II, each pregnant rat was gavaged with 0.45 mL distilled water containing 9 mcg folic acid from day 17 of pregnancy to day 20. In Group III, each pregnant rat was gavaged with 1 mL distilled water containing 9 mg azithromycin on the 16th day, then 0.5 mL distilled water containing 4.5 mg azithromycin from day 17 of pregnancy to day 20. In Group IV, each pregnant rat was gavaged with 1 mL of distilled water containing 9 mg azithromycin and 0.45 mL distilled water containing 9 mcg folic acid on the 16th day, then 0.5 mL of distilled water containing 4.5 mg azithromycin and 0.45 mL distilled water containing 9 mcg folic acid from day 17 of pregnancy to day 20. At the end of the experiments, blood samples and the livers of the studied groups were subjected to biochemical, histological, and morphometric analysis. Results: Azithromycin induced pathological changes in the livers, as evidenced by disturbed lobular architecture, cytoplasmic vacuoles, deeply stained hepatic nuclei, and elevated liver enzymes. The co-administration of folic acid ameliorated most pathological changes. Conclusions: Azithromycin caused pathological alterations in the livers of pregnant rats, and the co-supplementation of folic acid with azithromycin is encouraged, to minimize these changes.
A Review on Recent Trends in Bacteriophages for Post-Harvest Food Decontamination
Authors: Braz Márcia , Pereira Carla , Freire Carmen S. R. , Almeida Adelaide
Published: February 2025

Infectious diseases resulting from unsafe food consumption are a global concern. Despite recent advances and control measures in the food industry aimed at fulfilling the growing consumer demand for high-quality and safe food products, infection outbreaks continue to occur. This review stands out by providing an overview of post-harvest food decontamination methods against some of the most important bacterial foodborne pathogens, with particular focus on the advantages and challenges of using phages, including their most recent post-harvest applications directly to food and integration into active food packaging systems, highlighting their potential in providing safer and healthier food products. The already approved commercial phage products and the numerous available studies demonstrate their antibacterial efficacy against some of the most problematic foodborne pathogens in different food products, reinforcing their possible use in the future as a current practice in the food industry for food decontamination. Moreover, the incorporation of phages into packaging materials holds particular promise, providing protection against harsh conditions and enabling their controlled and continuous release into the food matrix. The effectiveness of phage-added packaging materials in reducing the growth of pathogens in food systems has been well-demonstrated. However, there are still some challenges associated with the development of phage-based packaging systems that need to be addressed with future research.
Role of Bacillus sp. TF-1 in the Degradation and Detoxification of Trifluralin
Authors: Ni Haiyan , Ye Yue , He Weiwei , Chen Qing , Long Zhong’er , Huang Yunhong , Zou Long , Fu Xueqin
Published: February 2025

Trifluralin, a widely utilized dinitroaniline herbicide, has emerged as a prevalent environmental contaminant that poses significant risks both to ecosystems and to human health. Microbial degradation represents the primary pathway for preventing trifluralin accumulation in the environment. Although much work has been conducted on the microbial breakdown of trifluralin, numerous challenges persist regarding the identification of efficient degrading strains, the elucidation of the metabolic pathways involved, and the application of bioremediation techniques. In this study, Bacillus sp. TF-1, a strain isolated from a paddy field that can utilize trifluralin as a source of carbon and energy, was applied. Remarkably, it eliminated 86.7% of 100 mg/L trifluralin within 6 h, and 99.7% of trifluralin was eliminated within 48 h. UPLC–MS analysis suggested that trifluralin degradation occurred first through mono-nitroreduction, followed by further nitroreduction and trifluoromethyl oxidation; trifluralin could also be metabolized through complete nitroreduction and N-dealkylation. Furthermore, Bacillus sp. TF-1 effectively mitigated the severe toxicity of trifluralin to sensitive crops. These findings not only expand the repertoire of efficient trifluralin-degrading microorganisms but also increase our understanding of trifluralin biodegradation pathways and highlight the biological importance of employing microbes to eradicate trifluralin residues from the environment.
Relevancy Prediction of the Emerging Pathogens with Porcine Diarrhea by Logistic Regression Model
Authors: Li Benqiang , Tao Jie , Li Xin , Cheng Jinghua , Shi Ying , Tang Pan , Liu Huili
Published: February 2025

Porcine viral diarrhea has always been one of the main obstacles to the healthy development of the pig industry in China with its variety of pathogens and complexity of co-infections. Analysis of the dominant mixed-infection model is a fundamental step in boosting the prevention and control of porcine diarrhea. In this study, 3256 porcine fecal samples were collected from 17 pig herds in Shanghai, China, from 2015 to 2023 to identify novel pathogenic infection patterns. The results confirmed that porcine astrovirus (PAstV), porcine sapelovirus (PSV), and porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) were the top three agents with positive rates of 28.47%, 20.71%, and 20.23%, respectively. Porcine rotavirus (PoRV) and transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV) accounted for only 8.12% and 1.12%, respectively. Importantly, mixed infection rates were high and complicated. The double infection rate was higher than that of a single infection. Next, the mixed-infection model of PEDV and emerging diarrheal pathogens was explored. The predominant dual-infection models were PEDV/PKoV (porcine kobuvirus) (14.18%), PEDV/PAstV (10.02%), and PEDV/PSV (9.29%). The predominant triple infection models were PEDV/PKoV/PAstV (18.93%), PEDV/PSV/PAstV (10.65%), and PEDV/PKoV/PSV (7.10%). The dominant quadruple-infection model was PEDV/PAstV/PSV/PKoV (46.82%). In conclusion, PEDV is mainly mix-infected with PAstV, PSV, and PKoV in clinical settings. Furthermore, multiple-factor logistic regression analysis confirmed that PAstV, PKoV, bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV), and PEDV were closely related to porcine diarrhea. PEDV/PKoV, PEDV/porcine sapovirus (PoSaV), PKoV/BVDV, PoSaV/BVDV, and porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV)/PoSaV had great co-infection dominance, which will be helpful for porcine co-infection research.
The Role of Physical Examination and Clinical Scores in Distinguishing Streptococcal Colonization from Pharyngitis in Pediatric Patients: Insights from a Common Clinical Scenario
Authors: Miron Victor Daniel , Pleșca Doina Anca , Bilașco Anuța , Filimon Claudiu , Covaci Sigrid , Drăgănescu Anca Cristina
Published: February 2025

The accurate differentiation between asymptomatic carriage with group A streptococcus (GAS) and active streptococcal pharyngitis is a complex task with important clinical and public health implications. This work aims to highlight the key strategies necessary for optimizing the diagnostic and therapeutic management of pediatric pharyngitis. Clinical scores are essential tools for improving diagnostic accuracy. When combined with laboratory tests such as throat cultures and rapid antigen detection tests, these systems enable effective risk stratification of patients, supporting more precise treatment decisions. In addition to diagnostic strategies, the article underscores the importance of patient-centered communication, particularly with the families of pediatric patients. Clear, empathetic discussions about the condition, diagnostic rationale, and treatment plan help foster trust, enhance adherence to medical recommendations, and reduce anxiety related to potential complications. A critical outcome of these combined strategies is the reduction of unnecessary antibiotic use, which plays a pivotal role in preventing both overdiagnosis and overprescription. This, in turn, mitigates the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, one of the most significant global health challenges. By integrating clinical expertise, standardized protocols, and effective communication, healthcare providers can promote judicious and effective management of streptococcal pharyngitis or asymptomatic carriage, contributing to improved individual and population health outcomes.
Itaconate: A Nexus Metabolite Fueling Leishmania Survival Through Lipid Metabolism Modulation
Authors: Kihel Ayyoub , El Filaly Hajar , Darif Dounia , Assouab Aicha , Riyad Myriam , Nait Irahal Imane , Akarid Khadija
Published: February 2025

Leishmaniasis, caused by the Leishmania parasite, is a neglected public health issue. Leishmania mainly infects macrophages, where metabolic reprogramming shapes their plasticity (M1/M2), affecting the host’s resistance or susceptibility to infection. The development of this infection is influenced by immune responses, with an excessive anti-inflammatory reaction linked to negative outcomes through the modulation of various mediators. Itaconate, produced by the Acod1 gene, is recognized for its anti-inflammatory effects, but its function in leishmaniasis is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of itaconate in leishmaniasis. Using transcriptomic data from L. major-infected BMDMs, we assessed the expression dynamics of Il1b and Acod1 and performed pathway enrichment analysis to determine the profile of genes co-expressed with Acod1. Early Acod1 upregulation followed by later Il1b downregulation was noted, indicating a shift towards an anti-inflammatory response. Among the genes co-expressed with Acod1, Ldlr, Hadh, and Src are closely associated with lipid metabolism and the polarization of macrophages towards the M2 phenotype, thereby creating a favorable environment for the survival of Leishmania. Overall, these findings suggest that Acod1 and its co-expressed genes may affect the outcome of Leishmania infection by modulating host metabolism. Accordingly, targeting itaconate-associated pathways could provide a novel therapeutic strategy for leishmaniasis.
A High-Throughput Screening Strategy for Bacillus subtilis Producing Menaquinone-7 Based on Fluorescence-Activated Cell Sorting
Authors: Yang Lina , Tang Can , Cui Yan , Zhang Jianhua
Published: February 2025

Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) is recognized for its important biological activity, and Bacillus subtilis is the preferred strain for its fermentative production. However, the limited phenotypic diversity among high-yielding strains complicates the development of rapid screening methods. To address this, we utilized the effect of MK-7 on transmembrane potential to develop a high-throughput screening (HTS) strategy for efficiently identifying strains with improved MK-7 production. Among various membrane potential fluorescent dyes tested, Rhodamine 123 was selected for quantifying intracellular MK-7 levels due to its effective staining and minimal impact on cell growth. By optimizing pretreatment protocols and staining conditions, we established an HTS protocol that combines fluorescence-activated cell sorting with HPLC to identify strains with increased MK-7 production. A linear correlation was observed between mean MK-7 content and average fluorescence intensity (R2 = 0.9646). This approach was applied to mutant libraries generated through atmospheric room temperature plasma mutagenesis. After three cycles of mutagenesis and screening, the mutant AR03-27 was identified, showing an 85.65% increase in MK-7 yield compared to the original SJTU2 strain. Resequencing analysis revealed that the top three mutants contained mutations in genes related to membrane transport, suggesting their potential role in enhancing MK-7 yield.
Microbial Interactions in Rearing Systems for Marine Fish Larvae
Authors: Paralika Vasiliki , Makridis Pavlos
Published: February 2025

This article reviews the scientific literature discussing the microbial interactions between water microbiota, live food microbiota, fish larvae immune system and gut microbiota, and biofilm microbial communities in rearing systems for marine fish larvae. Fish gut microbiota is the first line of defense against opportunistic pathogens, and marine fish larvae are vulnerable to high mortalities during the first weeks after hatching. The bacterial colonization of fish larvae is a dynamic process influenced by environmental and host-related factors. The bacteria transferred to larvae from the eggs can influence the composition of the gut microbiota in the early stages of fish. Fish larvae ingest free-living microorganisms present in the water, as marine fish larvae drink water for osmoregulation. In marine aquaculture systems, the conventional feeding–rearing protocol consists of zooplankton (rotifers, Artemia, and copepods). These live food organisms are filter-feeders. Once transferred to a new environment, they quickly adopt the microflora of the surrounding water. So, the water microbiota is similar to the microbiota of the live food at the time of ingestion of live food by the larvae. In aquaculture rearing systems, bacterial biofilms may harbor opportunistic pathogenic bacteria and serve as a reservoir for those microbes, which may colonize the water column. The methods applied for the study of fish larvae microbiota were reviewed.
Development of a Scalable Extraction Process for Anthocyanins of Haskap Berry (Lonicera caerulea)
Authors: Costa Damith , Rupasinghe H.P. Vasantha
Published: February 2025

Haskap (Lonicera caerulea) berry is rich in anthocyanins, particularly cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G). In this investigation, a response surface methodology was applied to optimize the anhydrous ethanol-based extraction parameters to obtain the maximum yield of anthocyanins from haskap berry and to compare the recovery of anthocyanins from different extraction methods. The central composite design was employed to study the effect of three independent variables (XA = ultrasonic bath power, XB = extraction temperature, and XC = extraction time) which were found to significantly affect the response variable total anthocyanin content (TAC) and fit to the second-order polynomial model. The optimum process parameters of XA = 536 W, XB = 62.3 °C, and XC = 63.5 min provided a predicted TAC of 16.5 mg C3G equivalence (C3GE)/g dry weight (DW), which was experimentally validated with 16.1 mg of C3GE/g DW. The optimized ultrasonication-assisted extraction process using anhydrous ethanol was also effective in recovering quercetin glycosides, catechin, procyanidin B2, and iridoids, as determined by ultra-pressure liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. Though the anthocyanin recovery was the highest (17.6 mg of C3GE/g DW) when a deep eutectic solvent consisting of citric acid and D-(+)-maltose was used, this solvent system has limitations when preparing dehydrated extracts for industrial applications. This study concludes that the effective extraction of anthocyanins and other phytochemicals from haskap berries can be performed using food-grade anhydrous ethanol.
A Luminescent Proton Conductor Based on Dy2 SMM
Authors: Lu Yingbing , Lei Yu , Cheng Danpeng , Long Lu , He Xiaoxuan , Liu Caiming , Wen Herui , Liu Suijun , Zhu Shuidong
Published: February 2025

Multifunctional materials bearing photoluminescence, single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior, and proton conduction have been particularly attractive for various promising applications in optics, molecular spintronics, high-density data storage, and fuel cells. However, these kinds of multifunctional systems have rarely been reported. Herein, a DyIII-SMM together with luminescent and proton-conducting properties, [Dy2(1-tza)4(phen)4]∙(ClO4)2∙(H2O)2 (1, 1-tza = 2-(1H-tetrazol-1-yl)acetic, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), was prepared and structurally characterized. Complex 1 features a dinuclear structure bridged by carboxylate oxygen atoms of the 1-tza− ligands, and its supramolecular network contains a 1D stacking channel. Complex 1 exhibits strong room-temperature DyIII characteristic emissions and SMM behaviors. In addition, complex 1 shows a moderate proton conductivity with 4.00 × 10−6 S cm−1 at 37 °C and 100% R.H. (R.H. = Relative Humidity), which may be ascribed to the 1D-extended H-bonds in the 1D stacking channel of 1.
Welcome to a New Open Access Journal for Multimedia
Authors: Nappi Michele
Published: February 2025

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce Multimedia, the new MDPI journal dedicated to the ever-evolving and multidisciplinary field of multimedia [...]
Capsaicin’s Role in Mitigating Muscle Soreness and Enhancing Futsal Players’ Recovery After Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage
Authors: Rashki Mina , Hemmatinafar Mohammad , Safari Kousar , Imanian Babak , Rezaei Rasoul , Koushkie Jahromi Maryam , Suzuki Katsuhiko
Published: February 2025

Background: Capsaicin, known for its antioxidant and antibacterial properties, may mitigate oxidative stress and inflammation associated with exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD). This study evaluates the efficacy of capsaicin supplementation in reducing delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) and enhancing strength and power in collegiate male futsal players. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was used. Twelve male futsal players participated in three testing sessions: baseline (BL), followed by capsaicin (12 mg) or placebo (PLA), with a 7-day washout period. Participants consumed the supplement 45 min before completing an EIMD protocol of 200 plyometric jumps with a 10% body-weight vest. Metrics including vertical jump height (VJH), pressure pain threshold (PPT), thigh circumference (TCM), and isokinetic and isometric strengths were assessed 48 h post-EIMD. DOMS was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS) at baseline and 12, 24, and 48 h post-EIMD. Results: Capsaicin supplementation significantly improved VJH (p = 0.009), PPT (p = 0.004), and reduced TCM (p = 0.015) compared to baseline, with superior performance in PPT and TCM reduction (p < 0.05). Capsaicin also significantly decreased VAS scores for DOMS immediately, 12, 24, and 48 h post-EIMD (p < 0.001) compared to PLA and BL. No significant differences were found in isokinetic and isometric strength metrics (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Acute capsaicin supplementation can mitigate DOMS and enhance performance markers such as VJH and PPT in collegiate futsal players. Its benefits suggest a viable nutritional strategy for recovery and performance optimization in high-intensity sports.