bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kidney Stones as Minerals: How Methods from Geology Could Inform Urolithiasis Treatment
Authors: Popova Elena , Tkachev Sergey , Shapoval Artur , Karpenko Anastasia , Lee Yuliya , Chislov Pavel , Ershov Boris , Golub Danila , Galechyan Gevorg , Bogoedov Daniil , Akovantseva Anastasiya , Gafarova Elvira , Musaelyan Roman , Schekleina Maria , Clark Stuart , Ali Stanislav , Dymov Alim , Vinarov Andrey , Glybochko Petr , Timashev Peter
Published: February 2025

Despite the recent advances in minimally invasive surgery, kidney stones still pose a significant clinical challenge due to their high recurrence rate of 50% in 5–10 years after the first stone episode. Using the methods of geosciences and biology, the GeoBioMed approach treats kidney stones as biogenic minerals, offering a novel perspective on their formation and dissolution processes. In this review, we discuss kidney stones’ structural and mechanical properties as emerging biomarkers of urolithiasis, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive stone analysis in developing personalized treatment strategies. By focusing on unexplored properties like crystalline architecture, porosity, permeability, cleavage, and fracture, alongside the conventionally used composition and morphology, we show how these stone characteristics influence the treatment efficacy and the disease recurrence. This review also highlights the potential of advanced imaging techniques to uncover novel biomarkers, contributing to a deeper understanding of stone pathogenesis. We discuss how the interdisciplinary collaboration within the GeoBioMed approach aims to enhance the diagnostic accuracy, improve the treatment outcomes, and reduce the recurrence of urolithiasis.
Role of Mirikizumab in the Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease—From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Colwill Michael , Baillie Samantha , Clough Jennifer , Pollok Richard , Poullis Andrew , Patel Kamal , Honap Sailish
Published: February 2025

Mirikizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against the p19 subunit of interleukin (IL)-23 to inhibit its interaction with the IL-23 receptor. IL-23 is a key cytokine involved in initiating and perpetuating the inflammatory cascade in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Mirikizumab is the first agent from the novel anti-IL-23p19 drug class to be licensed for ulcerative colitis and the first to present long-term endoscopic, histologic, symptomatic, and quality-of-life outcomes. More recently, the VIVID trial programme has led to the approval of mirikizumab in moderate to severe Crohn’s disease. This review explores the history of its development, discusses key immunopharmacological properties unique to the drug, and details the available clinical trials and real-world evidence supporting its use in IBD.
MitraClip Procedure in Advanced Heart Failure and Severe Mitral Regurgitation: Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: Cirelli Camilla , Merlo Anna , Calabrese Alice , Fazzini Luca , Fiocca Luigi , Senni Michele , Iacoviello Massimo , Gori Mauro
Published: February 2025

Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a common valvular disorder often seen in a severely dilated left ventricle (LV) and reduced LV function. In chronic heart failure (HF), severe functional MR increases preload, wall tension, LV workload, and worsening prognosis. The MitraClip device offers a percutaneous treatment option in HF, although its safety and efficacy in advanced and acute HF remain a gray zone. We present a successful case of the emergent MitraClip intervention in a patient with advanced HF and review the relevant literature.
Evaluation of Thrombomodulin, Heart-Type Fatty-Acid-Binding Protein, Pentraxin-3 and Galectin-3 Levels in Patients with Myocardial Infarction, with and Without ST Segment Elevation
Authors: Misirlioglu Naile Fevziye , Orucoglu Gulbahar Guler , Bıcakhan Burcu , Kucuk Suat Hayri , Himmetoglu Solen , Sayili Sena Baykara , Ozen Gulenay Defne , Uzun Hafize
Published: February 2025

Background: Medical history, ECG findings and cardiac markers are used in the diagnosis of myocardial infarction (MI). Biomarkers used especially for the diagnosis of MI include high-sensitivity troponins (hsTns), creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), myoglobin, cardiac myosin-binding protein C and new cardiac biomarkers. This study evaluated the levels of serum thrombomodulin (TM), heart-type fatty-acid-binding protein (H-FABP), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3) and galectin-3 (Gal-3) to determine their utility in distinguishing between ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Methods: This study included a total of 180 patients (90 patients with acute STEMI and 90 patients with NSTEMI) who presented to the Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Cardiovascular Surgery and Emergency Department, with ischemic chest pain lasting longer than 30 min. Ninety healthy volunteers were included as the control group. Results: Serum levels of N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), TM, H-FABP, PTX-3 and Gal-3 were significantly different across the STEMI, NSTEMI and control groups (p < 0.001). Strong positive correlations were observed between NT-proBNP and TM, H-FABP, PTX-3 and Gal-3 in the STEMI group. ROC analysis demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for these biomarkers in distinguishing STEMI from NSTEMI and control groups. Conclusions: Vascular inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of STEMI and NSTEMI. A comprehensive cardiac biomarker panel enhances diagnostic accuracy and risk stratification, particularly when distinguishing between STEMI and NSTEMI. The biomarkers hs-TnI, CK-MB, NT-proBNP, TM, H-FABP, PTX-3 and Gal-3 offer complementary information when used together as a panel. Further research and validation are essential to establish standardized protocols for their widespread use.
The Utilization of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) Filaments for the Three-Dimensional Printing of Water-Soluble Patterns for Investment Casting
Authors: Bazhenov Viacheslav E. , Krutsky Alexander A. , Lyskovich Anastasia A. , Rizhsky Andrey A. , Kovyshkina Elena P. , Tselovalnik Yuri V. , Bazlov Andrey I. , Nikitina Anna A. , Ten Denis V. , Koltygin Andrey V. , Belov Vladimir D. , Shchedrin Evgenii Yu.
Published: February 2025

In the domain of metal casting, investment casting is recognized for its proficiency in producing high-quality castings. This method involves the utilization of a melt out, burnout, or soluble patterns to create ceramic molds. The present investigation explored the potential of utilizing fused deposition modeling (FDM) patterns fabricated from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). An examination of the structural characteristics and properties of several commercially available PVA filaments, along with an evaluation of the as-printed samples, were provided in this study. It was demonstrated that commercial PVA filaments may contain additives that can lead to elevated ash content following pattern burnout and reduced strength in as-printed samples. Experiments on PVA dissolution in water revealed that, for high dissolution rates of the pattern, not only high temperature, but also water medium mixing was necessary. The colloidal silica binder, a common component in ceramic mold manufacturing, exhibited effective wetting properties of the patterns, while generally preventing significant dissolution, which can adversely impact pattern quality. The PVA filaments under investigation were utilized to fabricate patterns for the impeller cast parts. Subsequent to this, ceramic molds were obtained, and castings made of nickel superalloy were produced. The investigation revealed that the Bambu Lab filament, which is PVA without additives, exhibited the lowest defect rate in both the mold and the casting. In summary, this study demonstrates that the 3D printing of investment casting patterns holds considerable promise as a rapid casting technique.
Remote Sensing Tools for Monitoring Marine Phanerogams: A Review of Sentinel and Landsat Applications
Authors: Campillo-Tamarit Noelia , Molner Juan Víctor , Soria Juan M.
Published: February 2025

Seagrasses play a pivotal role in maintaining marine ecosystems, supporting biodiversity, and preventing sediment loss during storms. Their capacity for photosynthesis and growth is linked to light availability in the continental shelf waters. Satellite platforms such as Landsat (USGS) and Sentinel (ESA) provide accessible imagery for the monitoring of these submerged plants. This study employed the PRISMA methodology to conduct a systematic review of the literature, with the objective of identifying articles focused on these seagrasses and their detection via satellite imagery. The identified methodologies included the use of vegetation and water indices, which were validated through empirical observations, as well as supervised classification algorithms, such as Random Forest, Maximum Likelihood, and Support Vector Machine. These approaches were applied to Mediterranean and other coastal regions, revealing changes in seagrass cover due to anchor damage in tourist areas and trawling scars that resemble plough marks. Such tools are vital for informing management actions, such as the implementation of restrictions on anchoring and bottom trawling, in order to protect these vulnerable ecosystems. By enabling targeted interventions, this approach facilitates the preservation of seagrass meadows, which are also critical for carbon sequestration and the sustainability of marine habitats.
Contact and Non-Contact Measurements of Chlorophyll-a in Water Based on Laser Spectroscopy
Authors: Dong Xiuyue , Che Xiaohua , Tian Zhaoshuo
Published: February 2025

Chlorophyll-a fluorescence detection is an important technique for monitoring water quality. In this paper, we proposed an approach that employs the ratio of fluorescence to Raman obtained from contact and non-contact laser-induced fluorescence detection methods as the key for the detection of Chlorophyll-a in water. At first, extracted Chlorophyll-a solutions were prepared, and each sample was tested using two detection methods. The true values of the samples were measured in the laboratory using spectrophotometry. Then, the detection system was calibrated through the linear fitting of Chlorophyll-a and the fluorescence–Raman ratio. The linear correlation coefficients of contact and non-contact detection were 0.9453 and 0.9401, respectively. Finally, we tested the actual water samples in two ways, and compared the test results with the value measured using the national standard method. The root mean square error (RMSE) of contact and non-contact detection was 0.16 and 0.23, respectively. The results show that the two detection methods have high accuracy and sensitivity, and preliminary preparation of samples is not required. Compared with contact detection, the non-contact detection results had higher accuracy and stronger anti-interference, but the maintenance cost was higher because the probe is vulnerable to wear. The advantage of non-contact detection is that it avoids sample contamination and is easy to apply over large areas of water. In the future, it can be used for the real-time monitoring of algal biomass in water by selecting the appropriate detection method according to the requirements of the application.
A Two-Decade Overview of the Environmental Carrying Capacity in Bahía Santa Maria–La Reforma Coastal Lagoon System
Authors: Calvario-Martínez Omar , Medina-Galvan Julio , Domínguez-Jiménez Virginia P. , Alonso-Rodríguez Rosalba , Sánchez-Rodríguez Miguel A. , Reyes-Velarde Paulina M. , Betancourt-Lozano Miguel , Serrano-Hernández David
Published: February 2025

Santa María Bay–La Reforma (SMBLR), with its 58,300 ha is one of Mexico’s most extensive estuarine lagoon systems. It is made up of islands, estuaries, and mangrove areas, which provide a vital part of the habitat and refuge of a significant number of birds, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The fishing of blue and brown shrimp, marine and estuarine fish, as well as the exploitation of crab and bivalve mollusks, represent an important economic value for the communities that live there and for the state of Sinaloa, Mexico. This state ranked second in fisheries production and first in aquaculture production by 2023. However, the biological richness of this ecosystem has historically been threatened by economic activities such as agriculture, livestock, and aquaculture that, via watersheds, translate into continuous inputs of nutrients and other pollutants. This has led to modifications to the system such as changes in the structure of pelagic and benthic communities, mainly in response to eutrophication. To understand the dynamics of nutrient inputs to the ecosystem, this work presents a comparative analysis of the system’s carrying capacity and the magnitude of the main economic activities from 2007 to 2019. We found that during each season of the year and its transitions, the system functions as a nitrogen and phosphorus sink, which is associated with autotrophic net ecosystem metabolism and nitrogen fixation processes. We suggest that while water residence times in SMBLR are short, these are strongly influenced by the high volumes of water and nutrient loads determined by the spatio-temporal variations in hydrological drainage from the basins of influence of the system. The discharge of agriculture and aquaculture drains into SMBLR are areas of concern due to the high amount of nutrients. Although SMBLR is mostly an autotrophic system, there are signs that the carrying capacity during some seasons has been exceeded, and adverse ecological and socioeconomic effects in the basin are evident.
Pantoea–Bacillus as a Composite Microbial Community: Inhibition and Potential Mechanism Against Potato Anthracnose Disease
Authors: Zhang Haojie , Shi Huiqin , Luo Mingkai , Li Yanan , Li Wei , Wang Jian , Shen Shuo
Published: February 2025

The potato (Solanum tuberosum), an important component of global food security, often faces threats from various diseases during its growth process, especially potato anthracnose (Colletotrichum coccodes), which severely affects crop yield and quality. In this study, we successfully isolated and identified two bacteria with potential for biological control, (Pantoea agglomerans) and (Bacillus subtilis). The experimental results indicate that the bacterial suspensions of strains JZ-1-1-1 and JZ-2-2-2 had a significant inhibitory effect on the pathogen ZL-7, with the inhibition rate of JZ-1-1-1 reaching as high as 55.21%. The inhibition rate of JZ-2-2-2 was 53.48%. When these two strains were mixed at a 4:6 ratio, the inhibitory effect on pathogenic bacteria was even more significant, reaching 68.58% inhibition. In addition, the composite microbial community produced biofilms with their yield gradually increasing within 24 h and showing a slight decrease after 72 h. The efficacy test further indicated that the composite bacterial suspension was highly effective in controlling the spread of lesions, with an efficacy rate as high as 81.40%. In the analysis of defense enzyme activity, peroxidase (POD) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels peaked on day seven, while the composite bacterial suspension significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Quantitative real-time PCR confirmed that these two strains effectively colonized the surface of potato tubers. In summary, this study provides an important theoretical basis and practical guidance for the application of biological methods for the prevention and control of potato anthracnose.
Vegetation, Architecture, and Human Activities: Reconstructing Land Use History from the Late Yangshao Period in Zhengzhou Region, Central China
Authors: Wang Xia , Xu Junjie , Mo Duowen , Wang Hui , Lu Peng
Published: February 2025

In recent decades, a large number of houses from the Late Yangshao period have been excavated in Zhengzhou. They are basically single-level buildings with wood skeletons and mud walls and use a huge amount of timber resources. Nevertheless, there are still a lot of questions about the uncertain relationship between plants, architecture, and human activities. In this study, we complete the reconstruction of a Holocene vegetation community around the Dahecun site via pollen analysis of the Z2 core. We take house F1 in Dahecun as an example to estimate the wood consumption of a single house and collect the published data of all houses from the Late Yangshao period in the study area to estimate the wood consumption of houses built in Zhengzhou during this period. Combining the above two approaches, this study explores the relationship between plants, architecture, and human activities in Zhengzhou in the Late Yangshao period, as well as the history of land use. The results are as follows: (1) After 4.9 ka BP, the number of trees and shrubs such as Pinus (falling from 58.8% to 46.9%) decreased rapidly, and the number of herbaceous plants increased. (2) Excluding the influence of the Holocene climate change, the large-scale decline in trees and shrubs in the region is likely to have been human-driven. The number of excavated houses in 11 of the 236 Late Yangshao sites in the Zhengzhou area reached 362, while the minimum wood consumption reached 1270.62 m3. In addition, the rapid expansion of the population size and the large-scale development of new arable land and forest clearance in the Late Yangshao period show that humans had a strong influence on the surrounding vegetation and land cover/use. The trend of regional deforestation was so obvious and irreversible that the inhabitants had to adopt techniques using less wood or no wood to build houses during the subsequent Longshan culture period.
Design and Heat Transfer Analysis of Graphene-Based Electric Heating Solid Wood Composite Energy Storage Flooring
Authors: Guan Bo , Qu Wen , Tian Xinchi , Zhang Zihao , Sun Guoyu , Zhou Siman , Feng Xiaoyu , Sun Chengwen , Yang Chunmei
Published: February 2025

Due to severe global energy issues and the widespread demand for high-quality winter heating, this study designed a new type of graphene-based electrically heated solid wood composite floor. This flooring maintains the convenience of a traditional floor installation while providing users with a more comfortable living experience. Additionally, the low-temperature heating and temperature regulation system further reduces energy consumption, offering a new perspective for green home living. This paper introduces the overall structure and temperature control system of the graphene-heated solid wood composite flooring. Based on the above reasons, the working mechanism and heat transfer process of the graphene-heated flooring were analyzed, and a mathematical model was established. Furthermore, simulations of flooring with different thicknesses were conducted to determine temperature rise curves and corresponding times. Finally, a comparative experimental verification was conducted on the thermodynamic performance of the solid wood composite graphene flooring. The results showed that in the case of a floor with an 18 mm thickness, the time for the surface layer of the floor to reach 22 °C is 27 min; the time to reach 26 °C is 56 min; and that the time to reach 28 °C is 109 min. The time required to return to 22 °C after the power has been switched off is 25 min. The results also showed that one hour after the power was turned off, the surface temperature of the floor was still above 20 °C. The study shows that the graphene-heated flooring can be used to achieve high-quality heating.
Modeling and Analysis of the Turning Performance of an Articulated Tracked Vehicle That Considers the Inter-Unit Coupling Forces
Authors: Li Ningyi , Liu Xixia , Chen Hongqian , Zhang Yu
Published: February 2025

The interactions between ground reaction forces and inter-unit coupling forces add complexity to the study of the turning motion of articulated tracked vehicles (ATVs). To accurately analyze the turning performance of an ATV, this study developed a steady-state steering model that captures the effects of load transfer caused by coupling and centrifugal forces. First, based on vehicle kinematics under skidding conditions, formulas that incorporate parameters for the lateral track displacement were derived to calculate the turning radii of the front and rear units. Then, the track traction forces and turning resistance moments were calculated using the shear stress–shear displacement relationship. Finally, a steady-state steering model on firm ground conditions was developed for the vehicle according to mechanical equilibrium conditions, and the model was validated using previously reported data. Analyses of the results revealed that the coupling forces provided the driving moments for the turning motion by the transfer of the centrifugal and ground reaction forces that acted on the front and rear units. During turning, the rear unit had a larger radius than the front unit, and the minimum swept radius of the ATV was dependent upon the radius of the outer track trajectory of the rear unit. Specifically, at a speed of 3.1 m/s and a steering angle of 35°, the vehicle exhibited a minimum outer swept radius of 8.8 m, requiring a turning space equivalent to a 3.1-m-wide road. The required turning space increased as both the steering angle and speed increased.
Symmetries, Reductions and Exact Solutions of Nonstationary Monge–Ampère Type Equations
Authors: Aksenov Alexander V. , Polyanin Andrei D.
Published: February 2025

A family of strongly nonlinear nonstationary equations of mathematical physics with three independent variables is investigated, which contain an arbitrary degree of the first derivative with respect to time and a quadratic combination of second derivatives with respect to spatial variables of the Monge–Ampère type. Individual PDEs of this family are encountered, for example, in electron magnetohydrodynamics and differential geometry. The symmetries of the considered parabolic Monge–Ampère equations are investigated by group analysis methods. Formulas are obtained that make it possible to construct multiparameter families of solutions based on simpler solutions. Two-dimensional and one-dimensional symmetry and non-symmetry reductions are considered, which lead to the original equation to simpler partial differential equations with two independent variables or ordinary differential equations or systems of such equations. Self-similar and other invariant solutions are described. A number of new exact solutions are constructed by methods of generalized and functional separation of variables, many of which are expressed in elementary functions or in quadratures. To obtain exact solutions, the principle of the structural analogy of solutions was also used, as well as various combinations of all the above-mentioned methods. In addition, some solutions are constructed by auxiliary intermediate-point or contact transformations. The obtained exact solutions can be used as test problems intended to check the adequacy and assess the accuracy of numerical and approximate analytical methods for solving problems described by highly nonlinear equations of mathematical physics.
Investigating an Approximate Solution for a Fractional-Order Bagley–Torvik Equation by Applying the Hermite Wavelet Method
Authors: Zhang Yimiao , Afridi Muhammad Idrees , Khan Muhammad Samad , Amanullah
Published: February 2025

In this paper, we introduce the Hermite wavelet method (HWM), a numerical method for the fractional-order Bagley–Torvik equation (BTE) solution. The recommended method is based on a polynomial called the Hermite polynomial. This method uses collocation points to turn the given differential equation into an algebraic equation system. We can find the values of the unknown constants after solving the system of equations using the Maple program. The required approximation of the answer was obtained by entering the numerical values of the unknown constants. The approximate solution for the given fractional-order differential equation is also shown graphically and numerically. The suggested method yields straightforward results that closely match the precise solution. The proposed methodology is computationally efficient and produces more accurate findings than earlier numerical approaches.
N-Bipolar Soft Expert Sets and Their Applications in Robust Multi-Attribute Group Decision-Making
Authors: Musa Sagvan Y. , Alajlan Amlak I. , Asaad Baravan A. , Ameen Zanyar A.
Published: February 2025

This paper presents N-bipolar soft expert (N-BSE) sets, a novel framework designed to enhance multi-attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) by incorporating expert input, bipolarity, and non-binary evaluations. Existing MAGDM approaches often lack the ability to simultaneously integrate positive and negative assessments, especially in nuanced, multi-valued evaluation spaces. The proposed N-BSE model addresses this limitation by offering a comprehensive, mathematically rigorous structure for decision-making (DM). Fundamental operations of the N-BSE model are defined and analyzed, ensuring its theoretical consistency and applicability. To demonstrate its practical utility, the N-BSE model is applied to a general case study on sustainable energy solutions, illustrating its effectiveness in handling complex DM scenarios. An algorithm is proposed to streamline the DM process, enabling systematic and transparent identification of optimal alternatives. Additionally, a comparative analysis emphasizes the advantages of the N-BSE model over existing MAGDM frameworks, highlighting its capacity to integrate diverse expert opinions, evaluate both positive and negative attributes, and support multi-valued assessments. By bridging the gap between theoretical development and practical application, this paper contributes to advancing DM methodologies.
Sulfide-Responsive Transcription Control in Escherichia coli
Authors: Hori Koichi , Balasubramanian Rajalakshmi , Masuda Shinji
Published: February 2025

To elucidate the mechanism of large-scale transcriptional changes dependent on sulfide in Escherichia coli, a large-scale RNA-sequencing analysis was performed on wild-type and sulfide-responsive transcription factor YgaV deletion mutants grown under three conditions: aerobic, semi-aerobic, and semi-aerobic with sulfide. The resulting dataset from these six conditions was subjected to principal component analysis, which categorized the data into five principal components. Estimation of the typical gene expression regulatory mechanisms in each category suggested the presence of mechanisms that are dependent on sulfide but independent of YgaV, as well as those that depend on YgaV but not on sulfide. In YgaV-dependent transcriptional regulation, YgaV was found to function as both a repressor and an activator. These results support the previous hypothesis that YgaV acts as a global regulator responsible for redox homeostasis.
Autologous Human Dendritic Cells from XDR-TB Patients Polarize a Th1 Response Which Is Bactericidal to Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Londt Rolanda , Semple Lynn , Esmail Aliasgar , Pooran Anil , Meldau Richard , Davids Malika , Dheda Keertan , Tomasicchio Michele
Published: February 2025

Extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) is a public health concern as drug resistance is outpacing the drug development pipeline. Alternative immunotherapeutic approaches are needed. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from pre-XDR/XDR-TB (n = 25) patients and LTBI (n = 18) participants. Thereafter, monocytic-derived dendritic cells (mo-DCs) were co-cultured with M. tb antigens, with/without a maturation cocktail (interferon-γ, interferon-α, CD40L, IL-1β, and TLR3 and TLR7/8 agonists). Two peptide pools were evaluated: (i) an ECAT peptide pool (ESAT6, CFP10, Ag85B, and TB10.4 peptides) and (ii) a PE/PPE peptide pool. Sonicated lysate of the M. tb HN878 strain served as a control. Mo-DCs were assessed for DC maturation markers, Th1 cytokines, and the ability of the DC-primed PBMCs to restrict the growth of M. tb-infected monocyte-derived macrophages. In pre-XDR/XDR-TB, mo-DCs matured with M. tb antigens (ECAT or PE/PPE peptide pool, or HN878 lysate) + cocktail, compared to mo-DCs matured with M. tb antigens only, showed higher upregulation of co-stimulatory molecules and IL-12p70 (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). The matured mo-DCs had enhanced antigen-specific CD8+ T-cell responses to ESAT-6 (p = 0.05) and Ag85B (p = 0.03). Containment was higher with mo-DCs matured with the PE/PPE peptide pool cocktail versus mo-DCs matured with the PE/PPE peptide pool (p = 0.0002). Mo-DCs matured with the PE/PPE peptide pool + cocktail achieved better containment than the ECAT peptide pool + cocktail [50%, (IQR:39–75) versus 46%, (IQR:15–62); p = 0.02]. In patients with pre-XDR/XDR-TB, an effector response primed by mo-DCs matured with an ECAT or PE/PPE peptide pool + cocktail was capable of restricting the growth of M. tb in vitro.
Siderophore Production Capability of Nitrogen-Fixing Bacterium (NFB) GXGL-4A Regulates Cucumber Rhizosphere Soil Microecology
Authors: Zhang Yating , Wang Erxing , Feng Baoyun , Xu Lurong , Xue Yanwen , Chen Yunpeng
Published: February 2025

Many nitrogen-fixing bacteria can produce siderophores for iron acquisition in soil, but the impact of their siderophore-producing capabilities on the rhizosphere soil microecology is not well understood. To explore the effects of root inoculation with NFB strains with different siderophore-producing capabilities on the rhizosphere soil microecology and deeply evaluate the application value of a high-yielding siderophore strain in promoting crop growth, the wild-type nitrogen-fixing bacterial strain Kosakonia radicincitans GXGL-4A and its Tn5 mutants M107 (high siderophore-producing ability) and M246-2 (deficient in siderophore production) were used as biofertilizers in cucumber rhizosphere soil. Iron is important for the growth of bacterial cells, and the mutant M246-2 showed the slowest growth rate compared to the other strains when incubated in an A15 nitrogen-free medium supplied with different levels of iron. The mutant M107 had the strongest chelating ability for iron, with the largest yellow halo on the CAS detection plate. There were statistically significant differences in the halo diameters among the three NFB groups. Compared with the control group, the application of NFB significantly increased the activities of soil peroxidase and dehydrogenase and altered the soil nitrogen contents. Fertilization with the mutant M107 significantly improved the cucumber biomass and reduced the abundance and diversity of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil compared to the other groups. The contents of soil ammonium nitrogen and total nitrogen and soil dehydrogenase showed significant correlations with the abundance of the top 50 dominant genera in the soil. The soil TN content was the essential factor affecting the abundance of Kosakonia bacteria in the cucumber rhizosphere.
Determinants Driving the Uptake of Biodegradable Plastics: A Sequential Exploratory Mixed-Methods Research Approach
Authors: Moshood Taofeeq Durojaye , Mahmud Fatimah , Nawanir Gusman , Ahmad Mohd Hanafiah , Mohamad Fazeeda , AbdulGhani Airin
Published: February 2025

Biodegradable materials are emerging as a sustainable alternative to conventional petroleum-based plastics across packaging, sanitation, and agriculture sectors. These materials naturally decompose into harmless substances within a specified period, completing an eco-friendly lifecycle. However, the widespread adoption of biodegradable plastics depends on building confidence among consumers, manufacturers, and regulators regarding their effectiveness. This study employed a mixed-methods approach to investigate the key factors influencing biodegradable plastics’ sustainability, integrating theoretical frameworks with survey data collected from Malaysian plastic users aged 15 and above. Results revealed that individual characteristics, particularly environmental self-identity, significantly influence behavioural intentions toward sustainable practices, such as choosing eco-friendly packaging. The findings contribute to the theoretical understanding of biodegradable plastics adoption in developing markets while providing actionable insights for government and corporate stakeholders. This study recommends targeted awareness campaigns emphasising environmental self-identity to reduce conventional packaging use and promote biodegradable alternatives. By incorporating these identity-focused messages into marketing communications, organisations can enhance public awareness and market perception of biodegradable products.
A Study of Temperature and Humidity Conditions in a New Energy-Efficient Design of a Wall Structure with Air Gaps
Authors: Zhangabay Nurlan , Tursunkululy Timur , Utelbayeva Akmaral , Abdikerova Uliya , Sultanov Murat
Published: February 2025

This manuscript presents a theoretical study of a newly developed energy-efficient external wall structure in comparison with a traditional ventilated facade. To conduct numerical studies based on mathematical models of the heat transfer of water vapor filtration through a multilayer filler structure with ventilated and non-ventilated air gaps, a calculation method was developed that additionally considers the presence of heat-reflecting screens and different variations in the geometric parameters of air gaps and thermal insulation layers. The study results demonstrated that the new energy-efficient multilayer wall structure was 6.1–7.2% more efficient in terms of heat transfer resistance than the traditional one, and due to the presence of heat-reflecting screens, the efficiency increased to 15.2–16.3% depending on the geometric parameters of the air and thermal insulation layers of the wall structure. In addition, in all the considered variants of the filler structure geometry (i.e., with closed and ventilated air gaps), there were water vapor condensation zones, but it was established that according to the value of the inadmissibility of moisture accumulation in multilayer wall structures, over the annual period of operation, the structures complied with the standard climatic conditions of Shymkent. The results of this study thus positively complement the existing catalog of energy-efficient wall structures, and the new wall structure can be used while considering the necessary geometric parameters of air and heat-insulating layers when designing buildings in the corresponding climatic conditions.
Microbial Trojan Horses: Virulence Factors as Key Players in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Grahl Matheus V. C. , Hohl Kelvin Siqueira , Smaniotto Thiago , Carlini Célia R.
Published: February 2025

Changes in population demographics indicate that the elderly population will reach 2.1 billion worldwide by 2050. In parallel, there will be an increase in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s. This review explores dysbiosis occurring in these pathologies and how virulence factors contribute to the worsening or development of clinical conditions, and it summarizes existing and potential ways to combat microorganisms related to these diseases. Microbiota imbalances can contribute to the progression of neurodegenerative diseases by increasing intestinal permeability, exchanging information through innervation, and even acting as a Trojan horse affecting immune cells. The microorganisms of the microbiota produce virulence factors to protect themselves from host defenses, many of which contribute to neurodegenerative diseases. These virulence factors are expressed according to the genetic composition of each microorganism, leading to a wide range of factors to be considered. Among the main virulence factors are LPS, urease, curli proteins, amyloidogenic proteins, VacA, and CagA. These factors can also be packed into bacterial outer membrane vesicles, which transport proteins, RNA, and DNA, enabling distal communication that impacts various diseases, including Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Development and Validation of Targeted Metabolomics Methods Using Liquid Chromatography–Tandem Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) for the Quantification of 235 Plasma Metabolites
Authors: Xu Kangkang , Berthiller Franz , Metzler-Zebeli Barbara U. , Schwartz-Zimmermann Heidi E.
Published: February 2025

Plasma contains metabolites with diverse physicochemical properties, ranging from highly polar to highly apolar, and concentrations spanning at least nine orders of magnitude. Plasma metabolome analysis is valuable for monitoring health and evaluating medical interventions but is challenging due to the metabolome’s diversity and complexity. This study aims to develop and validate targeted LC-MS/MS methods for quantifying 235 mammalian metabolites from 17 compound classes in porcine plasma without prior derivatization. Utilizing reversed-phase and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry, each analyte is identified and quantified using two selected reaction monitoring (SRM) transitions. Fast polarity switching and scheduled SRM enhance the metabolome coverage and throughput, enabling the analysis of one sample in about 40 min. A simple “dilute and shoot” sample preparation protocol was employed, with samples injected at two dilution levels to align metabolite concentrations within calibration curve ranges. Validation in porcine plasma included assessments of carryover, linearity, detection and quantification limits, repeatability and recovery. The method was further applied to plasma samples from various animal species, demonstrating its applicability to human and animal studies. This study establishes two robust LC-MS/MS methods for comprehensive porcine plasma metabolome quantification, advancing large-scale targeted metabolomics in biomedical research.
Correction: Choudhary et al. Encapsulation Engineering of Sulfur into Magnesium Oxide for High Energy Density Li–S Batteries. Molecules 2024, 29, 5116
Authors: Choudhary Sunny , Oli Nischal , Shweta Shweta , Kumar Satyam , Bhattarai Mohan K. , Malca-Reyes Carlos Alberto , Katiyar Rajesh K. , Tripathi Balram , Díaz-Vázquez Liz M. , Morell Gerardo , S. Katiyar Ram
Published: February 2025

In the original publication [...]
High-Resolution LC-MS Simultaneous Quantification of Forty-Six Compounds from Jatropha podagrica Fruit Recommends Four Top Antioxidant Contributors as Q-Markers
Authors: Cai Rongxin , Li Xican , Liang Honghong , Chen Shaoman , Huang Yuting , Chai Hanxiao , Lin Rongrong , Jiang Guihua
Published: February 2025

There has been no chemical analysis of the fruit of medicinal plant Jatropha podagrica until now. The current study aimed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the J. podagrica fruit using a high-resolution LC-MS strategy, i.e., library-comparison ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-Quadrupole-Orbitrap-tandem mass spectrometry. The strategy putatively identified 46 compounds from fresh fruit. During the putative identification, 10 isomers (e.g., (vitexin vs. isovitexin) were completely distinguished from each other. Thereafter, all 46 compounds were simultaneously quantified using authentic standard comparison method. Finally, they were also subjected to the 2,2′-azino bis (3-ethylbenzothiazolin-6-sulfonic acid radical (ABTS+•)-scavenging assay to characterize their relative antioxidant capacities. Their antioxidant capacities were thus multiplied by chemical contents to calculate their antioxidant contribution values, respectively. Corilagin, gallic acid, ellagic acid, and phillygenin exhibited the highest antioxidant contribution percentages and thereby were suggested as the four top antioxidant contributors. The four are recommended to build up a quality-markers (Q-markers) system of J. podagrica fruits. All these findings can help to develop J. podagrica fruits as a potential resource of natural medicine.
miRNA Library Preparation Optimisation for Low-Concentration and Low-Volume Paediatric Plasma Samples
Authors: Rodgers Oenone , Watson Chris , Waterfield Thomas
Published: February 2025

Background: Analysing circulating miRNAs in paediatric plasma is challenging due to typically low sample volumes. The QIAseq miRNA UDI Library Kit (Qiagen, Hilden, Germany) was selected as it has a proven track record with a specific protocol for plasma and serum. The protocol, however, required optimisation for use with low-volume paediatric plasma samples before generating acceptable yields in our cohort. Methods: The miRNeasy Serum/Plasma kit (Qiagen) and the MagMAX miRVana Total Isolation kit (ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA) were assessed following the manufacturer’s instructions with 100 µL and 200 µL of paediatric plasma. Libraries were prepared using the QIAseq miRNA UDI Library Kit (Qiagen). Optimisations were made for the QIAseq miRNA UDI Library Kit (Qiagen) using total RNA extracted with the miRNeasy Serum/Plasma kit (Qiagen) from 100 µL of plasma. Results: Prior to optimisation, both RNA extraction kits underperformed with the QIAseq miRNA UDI Library kit, producing low miRNA library yields ranging between 0 and 1.42 ng/µL. Plasma input volumes of 100 µL and 200 µL demonstrated no significant differences. Adjusting the QIAseq protocol for low RNA concentrations improved miRNA library yields, an average of 5.6 ng/µL and a maximum of 24.3 ng/µL across 92 samples. The optimised protocol showed no age or gender biases with the QIAseq kit. Conclusions: Failure rates in miRNA library preparations are rarely reported, making it hard to gauge whether the 8.7% failure rate observed here is typical. However, given the challenges of using low-concentration, low-volume paediatric plasma, this represents a significant improvement over previous attempts, supporting further research in the field.
Latent Association Between Diets and Glioma Risk: A Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Zhao Jixiang , He Changjia , Xie Haoqun , Zou Yunzhi , Yan Zeming , Deng Jingen , Du Yizhi , Yang Wenzhuo , Zhang Xiangheng
Published: February 2025

Background: Gliomas, particularly high-grade gliomas such as glioblastoma, represent a major challenge due to their poor prognosis. While dietary factors have been proposed as potential modulators of glioma risk, causal inference has been hindered by confounding and reverse causality in observational studies. This study employs Mendelian randomization to investigate the causal relationship between dietary factors and glioma risk. Methods: A two-sample MR framework was applied, utilizing genome-wide association study data for 22 dietary exposures and glioma risks, including both GBM and non-GBM subtypes. Instrumental variables (genetic variants) were identified for each dietary factor to address confounding and pleiotropy. Causal inference was conducted using inverse-variance weighted regression, complemented by MR-Egger and MR-PRESSO analyses to assess and correct for potential pleiotropy. Results: A positive causal association was observed between the intake of cooked vegetables and the GBM risk (OR = 6.55, 95% CI: 1.86–23.12, p = 0.00350). While alcohol intake demonstrated a protective effect for non-GBM risk (OR = 0.770, 95% CI: 0.61–0.97, p = 0.029), beer was substantially linked to an increased risk of non-GBM gliomas (OR = 4.82, 95% CI: 1.84–12.59, p = 0.0014). Other dietary factors did not exhibit significant causal associations. Conclusions: These findings suggest that certain dietary factors, including cooked vegetable intake, beer consumption, and alcohol intake, may exert a causal influence on glioma risk. This study provides new insights into the potential dietary determinants of glioma and underscores the need for further investigation into modifiable risk factors for glioma prevention.
Multicenter Retrospective Analysis of 702 Pediatric Cases of Bone and Joint Infections: Definition of Clinical and Biological Features to Discriminate K. kingae, S. aureus, and Other Bacterial Infections
Authors: Roversi Marco , Pignatelli Francesca , De Marco Giacomo , Vazquez Oscar , Ceroni Dimitri , Musolino Antonio , Cirillo Marco , Lancella Laura , Villani Alberto , Krzysztofiak Andrzej ,   on behalf of the Osteomyelitis Collaborative Study Group
Published: February 2025

This study aimed to identify key differences between K. kingae infections and those caused by S. aureus or other pathogens. Differentiating these infections is crucial due to their nonspecific clinical presentations and overlapping laboratory and radiological findings, particularly when isolates are unavailable. We retrospectively analyzed data from 702 pediatric patients with bone and joint infections from 2010 to 2023 across two hospitals. The most common diagnoses were osteomyelitis (35.3%) and arthritis (29.6%), with fever present in 46.0% of cases. Pathogen identification showed K. kingae (40.9%) and S. aureus (36.5%) as the most frequent. Patients with K. kingae were significantly younger (median age 1.5 years) than those with S. aureus (10.4 years) or other pathogens (6.8 years) (p < 0.001). Fever was more common in S. aureus (64.3%) and other pathogens (57.5%) than in K. kingae (26.4%) (p < 0.001). CRP levels were lower in K. kingae infections (median 1.5 mg/dl) compared to S. aureus (6.1 mg/dl) and other pathogens (5.0 mg/dl) (p < 0.001). K. kingae infections were predominantly treated with penicillin–clavulanate and had shorter treatment durations and lower sequelae rates (2.3%) compared to other pathogens (19.0%). These findings emphasize K. kingae’s distinct clinical profile and milder course compared to S. aureus and other pathogens.
VM-YOLO: YOLO with VMamba for Strawberry Flowers Detection
Authors: Wang Yujin , Lin Xueying , Xiang Zhaowei , Su Wen-Hao
Published: February 2025

Computer vision technology is widely used in smart agriculture, primarily because of its non-invasive nature, which avoids causing damage to delicate crops. Nevertheless, the deployment of computer vision algorithms on agricultural machinery with limited computing resources represents a significant challenge. Algorithm optimization with the aim of achieving an equilibrium between accuracy and computational power represents a pivotal research topic and is the core focus of our work. In this paper, we put forward a lightweight hybrid network, named VM-YOLO, for the purpose of detecting strawberry flowers. Firstly, a multi-branch architecture-based fast convolutional sampling module, designated as Light C2f, is proposed to replace the C2f module in the backbone of YOLOv8, in order to enhance the network’s capacity to perceive multi-scale features. Secondly, a state space model-based lightweight neck with a global sensitivity field, designated as VMambaNeck, is proposed to replace the original neck of YOLOv8. After the training and testing of the improved algorithm on a self-constructed strawberry flower dataset, a series of experiments is conducted to evaluate the performance of the model, including ablation experiments, multi-dataset comparative experiments, and comparative experiments against state-of-the-art algorithms. The results show that the VM-YOLO network exhibits superior performance in object detection tasks across diverse datasets compared to the baseline. Furthermore, the results also demonstrate that VM-YOLO has better performances in the mAP, inference speed, and the number of parameters compared to the YOLOv6, Faster R-CNN, FCOS, and RetinaNet.