bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparative Impact Assessment of Hail Damage to Tile and Built-Up Roofing Systems: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Thakre Gayatri , Kaushal Vinayak , Najafi Mohammad
Published: January 2025

Hail causes damage to property, including roofs, automobiles, and crops, with an average annual loss of USD 850 million. In residential structures in the southern U.S., tile roofing systems are common due to their resistance to the impact of hail and their long service life. Commercial low-slope roof systems are equally prone to hail-strike damages as steep residential roof systems. The objective of this paper is to present a literature review, inspection protocol, and case studies on a comparative assessment of the hail threshold for built-up roof (BUR) and tile roof (TR) systems. More than 90 published papers determining the hail impact assessment of different roofing systems from 1969 through 2024 were studied and analyzed. This study develops a comparative hail damage assessment study between BUR and TR systems and provides detailed statistical data and hail thresholds for various built-up roof composition systems. In addition, the different failure modes and their causes, the characteristics of hail impacts, and the variables influencing the impact resistance of these roofing systems were examined using field studies. To better understand the effects, it is recommended that an intelligent model be developed to predict the hail resistance threshold of various configurations of BUR and TR systems with critical variables.
Comparison of the Passive Behavior of NiTi and CoNiCrMo in Simulated Physiological Solutions
Authors: Pound Bruce G.
Published: January 2025

Biomedical alloys in general, except for the biodegradable type, exhibit passive behavior in neutral chloride solutions. Two commonly used biomedical alloys are nitinol (NiTi) and Co-35Ni-20Cr-10Mo (CoNiCrMo). In this work, the passive behavior of electropolished NiTi and CoNiCrMo in a simulated physiological solution (phosphate-buffered saline) was compared using data largely obtained from our previous studies involving potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The potentiodynamic results showed a marked difference in passive behavior between the alloys, with NiTi remaining completely passive up to the oxidation of water and CoNiCrMo, in contrast, undergoing solid-state oxidation and then transpassive dissolution. Both alloys exhibited Tafel-type behavior over the initial part of the passive range. A small but distinct difference in the apparent Tafel slopes was found between the two alloys and can be attributed to the difference in their predominant oxide; that is, TiO2 versus Cr2O3. The EIS results also showed marked differences between the alloys in terms of the oxide thickness and resistivity. The thickness was greater for NiTi—consistent with surface analytical results—and differed in potential dependence between the two alloys in the passive region. The oxide resistivity, conversely, was substantially lower for NiTi and showed a similar potential dependence for the two alloys.
Identification, Localization, and Expression Analysis of 5-HT6 Receptor, and Primary Role in Sepiella japonica, Based on Sex and Life Stage
Authors: Cui Wen-Bo , Issangya Prisca John , Li Shuang , Zhou Xu , Zheng Li-Bing , Chi Chang-Feng
Published: January 2025

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) plays a vital role in the reproductive process of vertebrates and is also present in many invertebrates. The cDNA of the Sepiella japonica 5-HT6 receptor (Sj5-HT6r) was first cloned by RACE (Rapid Amplification of cDNA Ends). The length was 1450 bp, and the predicted open reading frame (ORF) was 1116 bp, which encoded 371 amino acids. Sequence characteristics analysis showed that Sj5-HT6r shares a high degree of identity with 5-HT6r from other cephalopods and forms a sister branch to bivalves. Subcellular localization showed that Sj5-HT6r protein was localized on the HEK293T cell membrane surface. Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis demonstrated that Sj5-HT6r was highly expressed in reproductive organs of both sexes. In particular, transcripts with significant expression were observed at stage III of female gonadal development in tissues of the ovary and nidamental gland, and at stage IV in tissues of the accessory nidamental gland. In situ hybridization (ISH) experiment results indicated that Sj5-HT6r mRNA was primarily distributed in all regions of the optic lobes except the plexiform zone. These results may provide a basis for the future exploration of the reproductive regulation of 5-HT and 5-HT6 receptors in S. japonica.
Dynamics of Lingulodinium polyedra Development in the Bulgarian Part of Black Sea (1992–2022)
Authors: Klisarova Daniela , Gerdzhikov Dimitar , Dragomirova Petya , Nikolova Nina , Gera Martin , Veleva Petya
Published: January 2025

Long-term data on the phytoplankton of the Bulgarian Black Sea (BBS) coast describe three states for the ecosystem: a “pristine” reference phase (1954–1970 years); an intensive anthropogenic eutrophication (1970–1992 years) phase; and a post-eutrophication phase after the early 1990s of the 20th century. The eutrophication period is characterised by ecosystem degradation and intense phytoplankton blooms, some of which were formed by the potentially toxic species Lingulodinium polyedra. This warm-water species is a red tide former that is associated with fish and shellfish mortality events. In the 1980s, L. polyedra reached the highest biomass of 84.4 g·m−3 in Varna Bay, BBS. The aim of this study (1992–2022) was to provide an overview of the development of L. polyedra in the phytoplankton biocenosis in the Bulgarian part of the Black Sea, taking into account the influence of anthropogenic stress and the climatic variables NAO and SST on the development of the species population. An analysis of the distribution of the dinoflagellate L. polyedra is based on a total of 5126 phytoplankton samples collected during the period between 1992 and 2022 under projects led by the Institute of Fish Resources, Varna. The samples were analyzed using standard methods validated for the Black Sea, and phytoplankton abundance and biomass were determined. The species are most abundant in summer in the coastal marine areas exposed to anthropogenic influence. During the analyzed period, a decrease in the abundance and biomass of L. polyedra in Bulgarian Black Sea waters were observed. It was found that the influence of climatic factors such as NAO and SST on the species population is from weak to moderate, and the correlation with NAO cycles is better expressed.
Wearables in Chronomedicine and Interpretation of Circadian Health
Authors: Gubin Denis , Weinert Dietmar , Stefani Oliver , Otsuka Kuniaki , Borisenkov Mikhail , Cornelissen Germaine
Published: January 2025

Wearable devices have gained increasing attention for use in multifunctional applications related to health monitoring, particularly in research of the circadian rhythms of cognitive functions and metabolic processes. In this comprehensive review, we encompass how wearables can be used to study circadian rhythms in health and disease. We highlight the importance of these rhythms as markers of health and well-being and as potential predictors for health outcomes. We focus on the use of wearable technologies in sleep research, circadian medicine, and chronomedicine beyond the circadian domain and emphasize actigraphy as a validated tool for monitoring sleep, activity, and light exposure. We discuss various mathematical methods currently used to analyze actigraphic data, such as parametric and non-parametric approaches, linear, non-linear, and neural network-based methods applied to quantify circadian and non-circadian variability. We also introduce novel actigraphy-derived markers, which can be used as personalized proxies of health status, assisting in discriminating between health and disease, offering insights into neurobehavioral and metabolic status. We discuss how lifestyle factors such as physical activity and light exposure can modulate brain functions and metabolic health. We emphasize the importance of establishing reference standards for actigraphic measures to further refine data interpretation and improve clinical and research outcomes. The review calls for further research to refine existing tools and methods, deepen our understanding of circadian health, and develop personalized healthcare strategies.
Session Rating of Perceived Exertion Is a Valid Method to Monitor Intensity of Exercise in Adults with Acute Burn Injuries
Authors: Page Joanne S. , Edgar Dale W. , Grisbrook Tiffany L. , Jacques Angela , Gittings Paul M. , Wood Fiona M. , Brade Carly J.
Published: January 2025

Measuring exercise intensity for safety and to inform prescription in acute burn survivors, is challenging. This study aimed to assess the validity of adult patient end-of-workout rating of session perceived exertion (sRPE); and calculated training load (TL) (sRPE × session duration) as measures of exercise intensity. Secondly, the study aimed to compare clinician and patient perception of exercise effort during physiotherapist-led sessions. Repeated RPE data were collected every 5-min during two resistance exercise sessions completed by 25 burns patients. Physiological (heart rate [HR], blood lactate [BLa]) and perceptual measures (sRPE, ratings of pain, fatigue, delayed onset muscle soreness, sleep quality and stress) were also captured. Adjusted, multivariable linear regression models were used to determine the associations between sRPE and TL and significant predictor variables. Paired t-tests were performed to compare clinician and participant sRPE. Results: Average RPE calculated from 5-min repeats, after adjustment for age and %TBSA, was significantly associated with sRPE, F(1, 45) = 100.82, (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.64) and TL, F(1, 45) = 33.66, (p < 0.001, adjusted R2 = 0.39). No significant differences between patient and clinician sRPE were apparent (p = 0.948). Thus, one-off reporting of sRPE and calculated TL may be appropriate markers to monitor exercise intensity and aid prescription in individuals with burn injuries, regardless of patient and burn characteristics or time since burn. There was also no difference between patient and clinician’s perceptions of exercise effort.
Predicting the Dynamic Response of Transmission Tower–Line Systems Under Wind–Rain Loads
Authors: Yang Bo , Luo Yifan , Li Yingna , Wang Lulu , Zhang Jiawen
Published: January 2025

This study, based on existing research on the dynamic response of transmission tower–line systems under wind and rain loads, proposes a method for predicting these responses using the TimesNet deep learning surrogate model. Initially, a numerical model of the tower–line system is developed to generate dynamic response time series data under the influence of wind velocity and rainfall forces. Wind velocity and precipitation intensity are used as inputs for the surrogate model, with the tower’s maximum displacement and the highest tension in the line serving as the corresponding outputs. Afterward, the fast Fourier transform (FFT) is used to transform the original one-dimensional input signals into their corresponding two-dimensional representations. Feature extraction is then performed using an Inception module with 2D convolutional kernels of varying sizes. Finally, based on the amplitude-weighted information obtained through the FFT, the two-dimensional tensors are transformed back into one-dimensional output signals. The experimental results show that the proposed surrogate model provides highly accurate dynamic response predictions, even under complex conditions involving the interaction between transmission towers and lines, as well as the combined effects of wind and rainfall.
A Miniaturized Eight-Port MIMO Antenna for 5G Ultra-Slim Smartphones
Authors: Miao Youming , He Lei , Liu Gui
Published: January 2025

This paper presents the design of a miniaturized eight-port multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. Each proposed antenna element occupies only 6.2 × 7 × 0.8 mm³, making it ideal for integration into ultra-slim 5G smartphones. The proposed MIMO antenna offers a −10 dB impedance bandwidth of 1.7 GHz (3.3 to 5.0 GHz), covering the N77 (3.3–4.2 GHz), N78 (3.3–3.8 GHz), and N79 (4.8–5.0 GHz) bands. The isolation between the antenna elements is larger than 16 dB. The envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) of the designed antenna is lower than 0.09. Meanwhile, the peak gain exceeds 2.2 dBi, the efficiency surpasses 70%, and the diversity gain (DG) is higher than 9.95. This innovative design addresses the demands of ultra-slim mobile devices while maintaining high performance.
Energy Burden in the United States: An Analysis Using Decision Trees
Authors: Chun Jungwoo , Ortiz Dania , Jin Brooke , Kulkarni Nikita , Hart Stephen , Knox-Hayes Janelle
Published: January 2025

The concept of energy burden (EB) continues to gain prominence in energy and associated policy research as energy prices rise and electricity and heating options diversify. This research offers a deeper understanding of EB dynamics and how EB can be addressed more effectively by discerning the interplay between regional environmental, social, and economic factors. Using decision trees (DTs), a powerful machine learning technique, we explore the multifaceted dynamics that shape EB across the United States (U.S.) by examining how factors like housing quality, demographic variations, access to energy sources, and regional economic conditions interact, creating distinct EB profiles across communities. Following a comprehensive review of existing literature and DT analysis, we map the results to identify the most significant factors influencing EB. We find that no single variable has a determinant effect on EB levels. While there is no uniform regional pattern, regions with higher population density exhibit a stronger correlation between EB and socioeconomic and other demographic factors such as educational attainment levels and racial segregation. Our findings underscore the significance of regional ecologies in shaping EB, revealing how localized environmental and economic contexts amplify or mitigate systemic inequities. Specifically, our analysis reveals significant regional disparities, highlighting the need for localized policies and interventions. We find that a one-size-fits-all approach is insufficient and that targeted, place-based strategies are necessary to address the specific needs of different communities. Policy interventions should prioritize energy democracy, address systemic inequities, and ensure universal energy access through participatory planning, financial assistance, and targeted initiatives such as housing rehabilitation, energy efficiency improvements, and incentives for underrepresented communities.
Supporting a Lithium Circular Economy via Reverse Logistics: Improving the Preprocessing Stage of the Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Supply Chain
Authors: Atitebi Oluwatosin S. , Dumre Kalpana , Jones Erick C.
Published: January 2025

The clean energy transition is a paradigm shift from a carbon-intensive energy system to a renewable energy one. The new energy system requires large amounts of critical minerals, including lithium. However, the mining and extraction of these minerals introduces environmental challenges. Recycling critical minerals, a critical step for a circular economy, is a potential solution that could reduce the need for new mining, lowering the overall environmental impact. In this experimentally based work, we evaluate the lithium recycling labor- and cost-intensive preprocessing stage that is currently performed by large-scale recycling systems, reducing the efficiency and raising the costs of the downstream stages. We investigate multiple inexpensive and distributed alternatives to the preprocessing tasks that produce black mass (separation, grinding, and shredding techniques) in order to identify methods that improve the efficiency of the downstream recycling process. This work finds that shredding and grinding end-of-life batteries with equipment that can be purchased for under USD 1000 produces viable black mass for a fraction of the cost. Therefore, this work contributes toward the goal of a circular economy for battery energy storage by identifying the technical requirements and measuring the efficacy of redistributing the labor- and time-intensive preprocessing tasks to small-scale recyclers in order to enhance the efficiency of the downstream stages in the lithium-ion battery recycling reverse supply chain.
Probabilistic Forecasting of Provincial Regional Wind Power Considering Spatio-Temporal Features
Authors: Li Gang , Lin Chen , Li Yupeng
Published: January 2025

Accurate prediction of regional wind power generation intervals is an effective support tool for the economic and stable operation of provincial power grid. However, it involves a large amount of high-dimensional meteorological and historical power generation information related to massive wind power stations in a province. In this paper, a lightweight model is developed to directly obtain probabilistic predictions in the form of intervals. Firstly, the input features are formed through a fused image generation method of geographic and meteorological information as well as a power aggregation strategy, which avoids the extensive and tedious data processing process prior to modeling in the traditional approach. Then, in order to effectively consider the spatial meteorological distribution characteristics of regional power stations and the temporal characteristics of historical power, a parallel prediction network architecture of a convolutional neural network (CNN) and long short-term memory (LSTM) is designed. Meanwhile, an efficient channel attention (ECA) mechanism and an improved quantile regression-based loss function are introduced in the training to directly generate prediction intervals. The case study shows that the model proposed in this paper improves the interval prediction performance by at least 12.3% and reduces the deterministic prediction root mean square error (RMSE) by at least 19.4% relative to the benchmark model.
Wood Species Differentiation: A Comparative Study of Direct Analysis in Real-Time and Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Isak Ilena , Newson Harriet Laura , Singh Tripti
Published: January 2025

This study reports for the first time the fingerprinting extractives analysis of the indigenous wood species of Podocarpus totara from New Zealand, Eucalyptus saligna from Australia and Pinus radiata imported from California, USA and grown in New Zealand. We evaluated the use of analytical techniques for wood species discrimination. We compared the chemical fingerprinting of extractive compounds obtained using traditional chromatographic techniques with direct analysis in real-time–time of flight-mass spectrometry (DART-TOF-MS) with the auxiliary of chemometrics and principal component analysis. The traditional wet chemistry analysis of wood extracts provided a comprehensive characterisation of all extractive components. However, the more eco-friendly, sustainable and faster DART-TOF-MS technique effectively distinguished between wood species when heartwood and sapwood samples were combined. Notably, neither wet chemistry nor DART-TOF-MS could clearly differentiate between heartwood and sapwood within the same wood species. DART-TOF-MS analysis demonstrates potential as a reliable quality control tool for identifying wood species necessary in commercial and timber trading markets as well as for detecting the illicit trade of counterfeit wood products.
Super-Fast Detection of Bacillus cereus by Combining Cellulose Filter Paper-Based DNA Extraction, Multienzyme Isothermal Rapid Amplification, and Lateral Flow Dipstick (MIRA-LFD)
Authors: Yi Shuqiong , Zhou Nali , Ma Yan , Yi Lunzhao , Shang Ying
Published: January 2025

Bacillus cereus is a widespread foodborne pathogen that can cause food poisoning when present in food at certain levels. Ingesting contaminated food may lead to symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and, in severe cases, life-threatening conditions. In this study, a simple and super-fast method for detecting B. cereus was developed, which combines cellulose filter paper-based DNA extraction, multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification (MIRA), and lateral flow dipstick (LFD) technology. Initially, PCR was adopted to evaluate the DNA extraction efficiency of the filter paper, followed by the optimization of the lysis formula and extraction conditions. With the above optimization, DNA that can be used for subsequent nucleic acid amplification can be obtained within 3 min. Then, the isothermal amplification of MIRA–LFD was established and optimized to evaluate the detection specificity and sensitivity. Finally, the developed method was applied to detect B. cereus in cooked rice samples. The results indicated that the entire amplification procedure of MIRA-LFD only takes 15 min at 39 °C. The whole super-fast detection system could be completed in less than 20 min, from DNA extraction to result interpretation, which achieved a detection limit of 12 fg/μL of DNA concentration, corresponding to approximately 115 CFU/mL in actual samples.
Terrestrial Adaptation in Chelonoidis vicina as Revealed Based on Analysis of the Complete Mitochondrial Genome
Authors: Chen Yao , Wang Xibao , Wu Xiaoyang , Shang Yongquan , Wei Qinguo , Cai Haotian , Sha Weilai , Qi Yan , Liu Shuli , Zhang Honghai
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Mitochondrial genomes are widely used in phylogenetics and evolutionary and ecological research. Methods: In this study, the newest mitochondrial genome of Chelonoidis vicina was assembled and annotated. The comparative mitochondrial genome and selection pressure analyses were used to examine the terrestrial adaptive evolution characteristics of C. vicina and other terrestrial reptiles. Results: The results reveal that the mitochondrial genome of the tortoise C. vicina is consistent with that of other tortoise species, comprising 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 2 rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and 1 noncoding control region (CR). The analysis of selection pressure reveals the presence of positive selection sites in the COX2, COX3, Cytb, ND3, ND4, ND4L, ND5, and ND6 genes of terrestrial reptiles. Of these, the COX2 and ND3 genes exhibited faster evolutionary rates. The mitochondrial genome structure of C. vicina is consistent with that of different terrestrial reptiles. The positive selection sites of COX2 and ND3 in terrestrial reptiles are closely related to a change in mitochondrial energy metabolism, which is possibly related to terrestrial adaptability. Conclusions: The results of this study provide new insights into the adaptive evolution of C. vicina to terrestrial niches from a mitogenomic perspective, as well as genetic resources for the protection of C. vicina.
A Health-Sector-Specific Occupational Health and Safety Management System Model
Authors: Yeşilgöz Pınar , Arga Kazım Yalçın
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: The health sector is one of the most important sectors, and occupational accidents and occupational diseases that health workers are exposed to are more important compared to those in other sectors. Especially, the increase in health and safety problems faced by hospital workers necessitates the development of an occupational health and safety (OHS) management system model specific to the health sector. Existing health and safety management systems generally do not sufficiently take sectoral dynamics into account, and the adaptation of these standards to the sectors is left to the individual efforts of the users. This situation leads to management systems that lack a sector-specific approach and do not adopt a common language and methodology. Methods: The aim of this study was to create an OHS management system specific to the health sector. While developing the model, AHP and DEMATEL, which are multi-criteria decision-making methods that help people to make complex decisions, were used. Results: By applying these methods, important criteria for the proposed model were determined. The criteria, including “Improvement of the management system of the health institution”, “Determination of control measures”, “Assessment of risks specific to the health institution”, “Identifying hazards specific to the health institution” and “Determining its context”, have been determined as priority criteria and weighted using the AHP and DEMATEL methods. Conclusions: As a result of the findings of this research, designing a unique occupational health and safety (OHS) management system that takes into account the dynamics of the health sector will contribute to the prevention of occupational accidents and occupational diseases in the health sector.
Quercetin and Silybin Decrease Intracellular Replication of Piscirickettsia salmonis in SHK-1 Cell
Authors: Parra Mick , Izquierdo Katherin , Rubio Meraiot , de la Fuente Antonia , Tello Mario , Modak Brenda
Published: January 2025

Piscirickettsia salmonis is the pathogen that has most affected the Chilean salmon industry for over 30 years. Considering the problems of excessive use of antibiotics, it is necessary to find new strategies to control this pathogen. Antivirulence therapy is an alternative to reduce the virulence of pathogens without affecting their growth. Polyphenolic compounds have been studied for their antiviral capacity. In this study, the capacity of quercetin and silybin to reduce the intracellular replication of P. salmonis in SHK-1 cells was evaluated. For this, three different infection protocols in Salmon Head Kidney-1(SHK-1) cells were used: co-incubation for 24 h, pre-incubation for 24 h prior to infection, and post-incubation for 24 h after infection. In addition, the effect of co-incubation in rainbow trout intestinal epithelial cells (RTgutGC) and the effect on the phagocytic capacity of SHK-1 cells were evaluated. The results obtained showed that quercetin and silybin decreased the intracellular replication of P. salmonis in SHK-1 cells when they were co-incubated for 24 h; however, they did not have the same effect in RTgutGC cells. On the other hand, both compounds decreased the phagocytosis of SHK-1 cells during co-incubation. These results are promising for the study of new treatments against P. salmonis.
Combinatorial Effects of Cisplatin and PARP Inhibitor Olaparib on Survival, Intestinal Integrity, and Microbiome Modulation in Murine Model
Authors: Matsumura Mitsuki , Fujihara Hisako , Maita Kanna , Miyakawa Moeko , Sakai Yushi , Nakayama Ryoko , Ito Yumi , Hasebe Mitsuhiko , Kawaguchi Koji , Hamada Yoshiki
Published: January 2025

This study investigated the effects of the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor Olaparib, alone and in combination with cisplatin, on intestinal integrity, survival, and microbiome composition using a murine model. Statistical analyses were conducted using one-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons, considering p-values of <0.05 as statistically significant. Microbiome profiling was performed using Qiime 2 software. Histopathological and microbiome analyses revealed Olaparib’s protective effects on intestinal integrity, mitigating cisplatin-induced damage. The single administration of cisplatin caused significant histological damage, biochemical disruptions, and dysbiosis, characterized by an increase in pro-inflammatory microbiome, such as Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and a decrease in beneficial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing microbiome. Conversely, the single administration of Olaparib was associated with an increase in SCFA-producing microbiome, such as Lachnospiraceae NK4A136, and exhibited minimal toxicity. The combination administration showed complicated outcomes, as follows: reduced cisplatin-induced cytotoxicity and increased SCFA-producing microbiome ratios, yet the long-term effects revealed reduced survival rates in the cisplatin group and sustained weight gain suppression. These findings emphasize Olaparib’s potential in enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, reducing inflammation, and positively modulating microbiome diversity. However, the entangled pharmacodynamic interactions in the combination administration underscore the need for further investigation. The study highlights the potential of microbiome-targeted interventions in improving therapeutic outcomes for both cancer treatment and inflammatory bowel disease management.
Measurement of the Infection and Integrity of Monkeypox Virus: A New Method Using PMAxx-ddPCR
Authors: Sberna Giuseppe , Specchiarello Eliana , Mija Cosmina , Carletti Fabrizio , Belladonna Sara , Girardi Enrico , Mazzotta Valentina , Maggi Fabrizio
Published: January 2025

Mpox, caused by the Monkeypox virus (MPV), is a global public health threat. Virus isolation is the gold standard to confirm MPV infection, but this process can face many challenges. As an alternative, a new method was developed in in vitro settings using 50 µM of propidium monoazide (PMAxx, a DNA-binding agent) coupled with digital droplet PCR (ddPCR). Frozen clinical samples analyzed by PMAxx-ddPCR had a median of 0.8 copies/µL, while untreated samples had a median of 29.8 copies/µL. Since a substantial percentage of reduction was observed in these samples (>80%), it was verified whether this reduction could be due to the freezing process. This hypothesis was confirmed both in vitro and using clinical samples. A gradual increase in the mean percentage of reduction was observed after freezing–thawing cycles of MPV-isolate (59.5−81.4%). Moreover, a different percentage of reduction was observed before (68.2%) and after freezing (97.4%) the specimens, suggesting that the freezing process could reduce the number of complete viral particles. Our study shows strong evidence of the usefulness of PMAxx in clinical settings. PMAxx ensures the detection of intact MPV particles, which improves the accuracy of MPV load measurements. This method not only increases the reliability of MPV diagnosis but also overcomes virus isolation limitations.
Cetuximab-Immunoliposomes Loaded with TGF-β1 siRNA for the Targeting Therapy of NSCLC: Design, and In Vitro and In Vivo Evaluation
Authors: Shi Yanan , Zhang Houqian , Chen Hao , Guo Jianwei , Yuan Ranran , Tian Yu , Xin Quanlin , Mu Zhen , Tao Yuping , Chu Yongchao , Wang Aiping , Zhang Zhiwen , Tian Jingwei , Wang Hongbo
Published: January 2025

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) promotes the growth and metastasis of lung cancer cells. Therefore, TGF-β1 siRNA (siTGF-β1) gene therapy was introduced to inhibit the expression of TGF-β1 at the nucleic acid level to avert tumor growth and metastasis. However, the delivery of naked siRNA is typically restricted by a short half-life in vivo, difficulties in delivery in vivo, and safety issues. Using siTGF-β1 as a model drug, we established an actively targeted immunoliposome delivery system to investigate the role of siTGF-β1 in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results showed that the constructed immune liposomes were in a position to deliver siTGF-β1 to tumor cells, thus achieving a series of effects such as improving the poor stability and short half-life of naked siRNA. RNA interference of siTGF-β1 reduced the cell viability, growth, and migration potential of human non-small cell lung cancer cells (A549). Moreover, in an A549 tumor-bearing nude mouse model, siTGF-β1 transfection markedly reduced tumor growth and tumor volume. Inhibiting TGF-β1 diminished cancer cell viability and migration and promoted apoptosis in NSCLC, as confirmed by the findings of this study. Therefore, targeting siTGF-β1 with immunoliposomes may be a new therapeutic strategy for treating non-small-cell lung cancer.
HCoV-229E Mpro Suppresses RLR-Mediated Innate Immune Signalling Through Cleavage of NEMO and Through Other Mechanisms
Authors: Martiáñez-Vendrell Xavier , van Kasteren Puck B. , Myeni Sebenzile K. , Kikkert Marjolein
Published: January 2025

In order to detect and respond to invading pathogens, mammals have evolved a battery of pattern recognition receptors. Among these, RIG-I-like receptors (RLR) are cytosolic RNA sensors that play an essential role in the innate immune response against RNA viruses, including coronaviruses. In return, coronaviruses have acquired diverse strategies to impair RLR-mediated immune responses to enable productive infection. Viral innate immune evasion mechanisms have been well studied for highly pathogenic human coronaviruses (HCoVs), and often, these activities are thought to be linked to the severe symptoms these viruses can cause. Whether other coronaviruses, including human common cold coronaviruses, display similar activities has remained understudied. Here, we present evidence that the main protease (Mpro) of common cold HCoV-229E acts as an interferon (IFN) and NF-κB antagonist by disrupting RLR-mediated antiviral signalling. Furthermore, we show that HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43 and MERS-CoV Mpros are able to directly cleave NEMO. We also show that HCoV-229E Mpro induces the cleavage and/or degradation of multiple other RLR pathway components, including MDA5, TBK1 and IKKε. Finally, we show that HCoV-229E infection leads to a delayed innate immune response that is accompanied by a decrease in NEMO protein levels. Our results suggest that NEMO degradation during HCoV-229E infection could be mediated, in part, by cellular degradation pathways, in addition to viral Mpro-mediated cleavage. Altogether, our research unveils innate immune evasion activities of the Mpros of low-pathogenic coronaviruses, which, despite their low pathogenicity, appear to share functionalities previously described for highly pathogenic HCoVs.
Immunophenotypic and Functional Interindividual Variability in Banked Cord Blood Cells: Insights for Advanced Therapies
Authors: Vanegas Lozano Diana María , Devia Mejia Bellaneth , Machuca Acevedo Catalina , Jaramillo Mejia Valentina , Moreno González Andrea Marisol , Krisko Anita , Quijano Gómez Sandra Milena , Perdomo-Arciniegas Ana María
Published: January 2025

Umbilical cord blood (UCB) is an alternative therapeutic resource for treating both hematological and non-hematological diseases, especially for pediatric patients. However, UCB transplantation faces challenges, including delayed engraftment, increased risk of graft failure, and slower immune recovery. To maximize its clinical potential, it is essential to understand the variability and functionality of its nucleated cells. This study focused on characterizing UCB cellular populations, viability, and functionality at three key processing stages: freshly collected, post-volume reduction, and post-thawing. Using EuroFlow-based flow cytometry, significant changes were observed in granulocyte and T-cell populations during processing. Additionally, integrating EuroFlow data with hematology counts revealed variability that could affect the yield of specific cell populations, potentially influencing therapeutic decisions. An in vitro migration assay, designed to mimic the vascular niche, was employed to study donor variability in cellular migratory patterns. Notably, thawed UCB cells displayed two distinct migration profiles, distinguishing lymphocyte-like cells from monocyte-like cells. These findings underscore the importance of reproducible cellular quality control measures, such as immunophenotypic and functional donor characterization, to ensure the integrity of UCB composition. A better understanding of these parameters could improve the consistency and reliability of UCB as a starting material for the development of advanced therapies.
A Narrative Review: Syndecans in Aortic Aneurysm Pathogenesis and Course—Biomarkers and Targets?
Authors: Pisano Calogera , Asta Laura , Sbrigata Adriana , Balistreri Carmela Rita
Published: January 2025

The maintenance of the integrity of the entire endothelium, glycocalyx included, and, therefore, of tissue aorta’s homeostasis, depends on the expressions of several molecular pathways and their interactions, such as syndecan molecules. Alterations in syndecans, i.e., quantitative alterations or linking to their shedding, contributes to invoking endothelium dysfunction, which causes damage to the vessel wall due to the increased production of growth-stimulating and pro-inflammatory gene products. Inflammatory processes negatively affect the integrity of the endothelial glycocalyx, a dynamic layer of the luminal portion of endothelial cells composed of proteoglycans, glycoproteins, and glycosaminoglycans, i.e., syndecans. In turn, structural alterations in the endothelial glycocalyx influence the coagulative state, increasing pro-thrombotic processes. The family of syndecans constitutes a major component of glycocalyx or, more accurately, the major source of cell surface heparan sulfate. It encompasses four components: syndecan-1, syndecan-2, and syndecan-4 (with syndecan-3 only expressed in neural tissue), which have a fundamental role in regulating the events of acute and chronic aorta damage subsequently correlated with the formation of aneurysms. As such, the aim of our review is to highlight the current knowledge on the roles of syndecans and to analyze their relationship with the pathological processes of the aortic wall based on the most recent literature.
Lignin-Based Coatings: A Sustainable Approach to Produce Antibacterial Textiles
Authors: Ferreira Sílvia , Pais Vânia , Bessa João , Cunha Fernando , Hsia Laura de Araújo , Mai Estevão Frigini , Sborchia Giullia , Fangueiro Raul
Published: January 2025

The growing interest in developing antibacterial textiles using natural functional agents is largely driven by their sustainable and eco-friendly attributes. Lignin, a highly available biopolymer with a polyphenolic structure, has drawn attention due to its potential as a bioactive antibacterial agent. However, its inherent heterogeneity poses challenges, particularly regarding its antibacterial efficacy. In this study, unmodified kraft lignin sourced directly from the paper industry was applied to cotton and polyester fabrics, using a knife-coating technique with varying concentrations (0%, 5%, 10%, 20%, and 30% w/v), to assess its potential as an antibacterial coating. The lignin-coated fabrics demonstrated hydrophobic properties, with water contact angles reaching up to 110.3° and 112.6°, for polyester and cotton fabrics, respectively, alongside significantly reduced air permeability and water vapor permeability indexes, regardless of lignin concentration. Antibacterial evaluations also revealed that lignin-based coatings, with at least 10% w/v concentration, allowed cotton fabrics with a bacterial reduction surpassing 96%, according to ASTM E2149-2013, particularly for Gram-positive S. aureus, highlighting the potential of lignin as an antibacterial agent. Despite their limited resistance to domestic washing, the lignin-coated fabrics demonstrated exceptional stability under hot-pressing conditions. Therefore, this stability, combined with the hydrophobic and antibacterial properties observed, particularly on coated cotton fabrics, highlights the potential application of lignin-based coatings for the development of antibacterial and water-repellent textiles, with these coatings being particularly suited for single-use applications or scenarios where washing resistance is not a requirement. This approach offers a sustainable and efficient method for producing functional textiles while enabling value-added utilization of lignin, showcasing its potential as an eco-friendly solution in textile functionalization.
Impact of Cold Stress on Hepatopancreas Transcriptomic and Metabolomic in Red Swamp Crayfish Procambarus clarkii
Authors: Zhu Xiaochen , Peng Aidi , Zou Yueying , Li Yingdong , Wei Hua , Zheng Xianhu , Zhao Yingying
Published: January 2025

The aquaculture industry of red swamp crayfish (RSC), Procambarus clarkii, has grown significantly in recent decades due to increasing market demand. In China, low water temperatures, particularly during overwintering, pose a challenge, hindering the development of the RSC aquaculture industry in northern regions. Understanding the molecular mechanism of RSCs’ responses to cold stress could be beneficial for its aquaculture practices. In this study, we exposed RSCs to 4 °C (T4) and 22 °C (T22: control) for 96 h. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses of hepatopancreas tissues were performed to identify key genes and metabolites that participate in cold stress response. A total of 787 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 198 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified between T4 and T22. DEGs were significantly enriched in KEGG pathways related to carbohydrate, lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism, immunity, and signaling, while DEMs were significantly enriched in pathways associated with lipid and amino acid metabolism and membrane transport. The results indicated that cold stress altered RSCs’ metabolism and their innate immune system. This study provides valuable information to increase our understanding of cold stress responses in RSCs.
Anti-Oxidant and Anti-Cancer Properties of Flaxseed
Authors: Stepień Agnieszka Ewa , Trojniak Julia , Tabarkiewicz Jacek
Published: January 2025

Bioactive molecules present in plant products determine their very valuable health-promoting properties. Among the plants, due to these properties, particular attention is paid to the seeds of common flax (Linum usitatissimum L.), which have been used for over 6000 years and are known for their benefits. A review of 117 scientific articles indexed in PubMed/MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, and Wiley Online Library, published between 1997 and 2024, was conducted. These seeds are characterized by a high content of valuable nutrients, such as essential omega-3 fatty acids, including α-linolenic acid (ALA), lignans, isoflavones, phytoestrogens, flavonoids, vitamins, and minerals that influence the digestive system function and have anti-cancer properties. The presence of these bioactive compounds in flaxseeds provide anti-cancer properties.
TSLP and TSLPR Expression Levels in Peripheral Blood as Potential Biomarkers in Patients with Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps
Authors: Moreno-Jiménez Emma , Morgado Natalia , Gómez-García Manuel , Sanz Catalina , Gil-Melcón María , Isidoro-García María , Dávila Ignacio , García-Sánchez Asunción
Published: January 2025

TSLP is an alarmin released upon activation of epithelia in response to various external stimuli and is involved in type 2 cytokine-mediated pathological disorders. The formation of a high-affinity heterodimeric receptor complex, comprising the thymic stromal lymphopoietin receptor (TSLPR) chain and IL-7Rα, is required for signaling. This study investigated whether TSLP and TSLPR expression in peripheral blood or nasal polyps could provide a valuable approach for the molecular phenotyping of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). The study population comprised 156 unrelated Caucasian individuals, including 45 controls and 111 patients with CRSwNP. Quantitative PCR analysis of TSLP and TSLPR was performed on the population study’s peripheral blood and nasal biopsy. The data were analyzed for potential associations, and possible use as a biomarker was studied. Significant differences were observed in TSLP and TSLPR blood expression between the control group and patients. Similarly, the expression of TSLP observed in biopsy samples was statistically significantly elevated in the polyp tissue of the patient compared with healthy controls. The combination of TSLP and TSLPR expression testing with peripheral blood eosinophils represents a more specific biomarker in patients exhibiting low eosinophil values. Further investigation of TSLP/TSLPR mRNA levels in peripheral blood may yield new minimally invasive biomarkers.
Identification of Salivary Exosome-Derived miRNAs as Potential Biomarkers of Bone Remodeling During Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Authors: Kazanopoulos Nikolaos , Sideris Constantinos D. , Xu Yong , Konstantonis Dimitrios , Vastardis Heleni , Balmayor Elizabeth R. , Wolf Michael , Apel Christian
Published: January 2025

Orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) is a complex process involving bone remodeling, and is regulated by various molecular factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs). These small, non-coding RNAs are critical in post-transcriptional gene regulation and have been implicated in the modulation of osteoclast and osteoblast activity during OTM. This study aimed to explore the expression profiles of salivary exosome-derived miRNAs during OTM to identify potential biomarkers that could provide insights into the biological processes involved in orthodontic tooth movement. Saliva samples were collected from 15 patients at three time points: before treatment (Day 0), 7 days after the treatment’s onset (Day 7), and 40 days after the treatment’s onset (Day 40). The exosomes were isolated, and the miRNAs were extracted and sequenced. A differential expression analysis and gene ontology (GO) enrichment were performed to identify the miRNAs involved in osteoblast and osteoclast differentiation. Out of the 1405 detected miRNAs, 185 were analyzed. Several miRNAs were associated with bone-remodeling processes. The statistically significant finding was the downregulation of hsa-miR-4634 after 40 days of treatment. These findings contribute to the understanding of miRNA regulation in orthodontics and may have broader implications for skeletal disorders, such as osteoporosis.
Connexin 43 Expression as Biomarker of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Association with Human Papillomavirus 16 and 18
Authors: Gutierrez-Camacho Jose Roberto , Avila-Carrasco Lorena , Garza-Veloz Idalia , Monárrez-Espino Joel , Martinez-Vazquez Maria Calixta , Araujo-Espino Roxana , Trejo-Ortiz Perla M. , Martinez-Flores Rosa B. , Gurrola-Carlos Reinaldo , Troncoso-Vazquez Lorena , Martinez-Fierro Margarita L.
Published: January 2025

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the main form of head and neck cancer. Gap junctions (GJs) are communication channels involved in cell proliferation control; they consist of hemichannels formed by connexin (Cx) proteins. The abnormal expression/function of Cx43 has been associated with tumor progression. Also, some human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been linked to squamous cell cancer. Therefore, this study aimed at assessing Cx43 as a potential OSCC biomarker and exploring its association with histopathological differentiation and HPV infection. OSCC samples were inspected using hematoxylin and eosin staining, and Cx43 expression and HPV 16/18 were tested by immunofluorescence. Pearson correlation tests, ANOVA, and Kaplan–Meier curves were used in the analysis. Samples from 39 patients with OSCC were studied. Most had well-differentiated histology and 61.5% were HPV+. Cx43 expression was significantly associated with HPV infection (p = 0.047), differentiation (p < 0.001), and survival (p = 0.009), and HPV positivity was also associated with the degree of differentiation (p = 0.012). Cx43 shows potential as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC. Lower Cx43 expression, correlated with poorer differentiation, is associated with an unfavorable prognosis. Further studies are needed to confirm its clinical utility.