bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vanillin Has Potent Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Anti-Inflammatory Activities In Vitro and in Mouse Colitis Induced by Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli
Authors: Wang Jiaxue , An Wei , Wang Zhenlong , Zhao Ya , Han Bing , Tao Hui , Wang Jinquan , Wang Xiumin
Published: December 2024

A large number of cases of infectious colitis caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, can result in colon damage and severe inflammation. Vanilla, a widely utilized flavor and fragrance compound, is extensively used in various food. However, the effect of vanilla on MDR E. coli-induced infectious colitis has received less attention. In this study, the antibacterial activity of vanillin against MDR E. coli and other bacteria was determined by the microtiter broth dilution method. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity of vanillin was assessed in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cells and MDR E. coli-induced mouse colitis. The results demonstrated that vanillin exhibited potent antibacterial activity against various strains of MDR E. coli, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus aureus, with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 1.25–2.5 mg/mL and a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of 5–10 mg/mL; it effectively inhibited cell division in E. coli. Vanillin also displayed remarkable antioxidant activity by suppressing the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 cell; it significantly reduced the production of inflammatory mediators including nitroxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6), and interleukin 1β (IL-1β), while increasing interleukin 10 (IL-10). In an MDR E. coli-induced mouse colitis model, vanillin effectively inhibited inflammation by suppressing inflammatory cytokines, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and nuclear factor κ-B (NF-κB) cell signaling pathway activation; it ameliorated changes in intestinal microflora characterized by decreased Firmicutes richness alongside increased Bacteroides richness, rebalancing the dysbiosis caused by E. coli. These findings highlight the potential pharmacological applicability of vanillin as a promising bioactive molecule for treating infectious colitis.
Development and Application of Digital Twin Technique in Steel Structures
Authors: Shi Linze , Ding Yong , Cheng Bin
Published: December 2024

Steel structures face significant challenges in long-term maintenance because of complex and unstable service environments. Fortunately, the digital twin technique offers an excellent solution by creating a digital model and continuously updating it with real-time monitoring data. To determine the development and application status of the digital twin technique in steel structures, a review drawn on the latest literature from the past fifteen years was conducted. The bibliometric analysis and innovation discussion of these studies primarily focused on publication details, keyword information, and application specifics. Additionally, significant attention was given to the evolution of digital twin definitions, modeling methodologies, and application fields. The analysis results indicate that the digital twin technique in steel structures has made significant advancements in both its definition and modeling methodologies, thanks to worldwide contributions. Meanwhile, this technique also demonstrates advantages in the applications of material deformation, structural monitoring, infrastructure maintenance, and fatigue assessment. Based on this review of the existing literature, the future development of the digital twin technique in steel structures should focus on model innovation, application expansion, and performance optimization.
MIPART: A Partial Decision Tree-Based Method for Multiple-Instance Classification
Authors: Balbal Kadriye Filiz
Published: December 2024

Multi-instance learning (MIL) is a critical area in machine learning, particularly for applications where data points are grouped into bags. Traditional methods, however, often face challenges in accurately classifying these bags. This paper presents the multi-instance partial decision tree (MIPART), a method that incorporates the partial decision tree (PART) algorithm within a Bagging framework, utilizing the simple multi-instance classifier (SimpleMI) as its base. MIPART was evaluated on 12 real-world multi-instance datasets using various performance metrics. Experimental results show that MIPART achieved an average accuracy of 84.27%, outperforming benchmarks in the literature. Notably, MIPART outperformed established methods such as Citation-KNN, MIBoost, MIEMDD, MILR, MISVM, and MITI, demonstrating a 15% improvement in average accuracy across the same datasets. The significance of these improvements was confirmed through rigorous non-parametric statistical tests, including Friedman aligned ranks and Wilcoxon signed-rank analyses. These findings suggest that the MIPART method is a significant advancement in multiple-instance classification, providing an effective tool for interpreting complex multi-instance datasets.
Characterization of Grape Extract-Colored SiO2 Synthesized via the Sol–Gel Method
Authors: Fiorentino Marika , D’Angelo Antonio , Vertuccio Luigi , Khan Humaira , Catauro Michelina
Published: December 2024

Numerous studies have focused on the development of active packaging using plastics, but glass-based active packaging represents a more sustainable alternative, offering advantages in terms of recyclability, durability, and reduced environmental footprint. This study proposes a glass-based active packaging system by incorporating anthocyanins-rich grape extract (GRE) into a silica (SiO2) matrix using the sol–gel method. GRE was added at two concentrations, 5% (S5GRE) and 15% (S15GRE). During synthesis, color brightening occurred as anthocyanins shifted to colorless chalcone and pseudo-base forms, but colorimetric analysis confirmed that the hybrid materials retained a red hue after gel drying. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG) investigated the stability of the GRE within the silica matrix and showed that both hybrids formed hydrogen bonds with the inorganic matrix. However, S5GRE exhibited better thermal stability compared to that of S15GRE, possibly due to a greater proportion of the extract being fully entrapped rather than surface-bound. The encapsulation efficiency analysis supported this, showing that 98.12% of the GRE was successfully entrapped in S5GRE, whereas S15GRE retained only 54.62%. These results indicate that, while S5GRE exhibits higher encapsulation efficiency and allows for faster release, S15GRE releases less efficiently due to extract aggregation within the matrix.
Research on the Detection Method for Feeding Metallic Foreign Objects in Coal Mine Crushers Based on Reflective Pulsed Eddy Current Testing
Authors: Meng Benchang , Zhuang Zezheng , Ma Jiahao , Zhao Sihai
Published: December 2024

In response to the difficulties and poor timeliness in detecting feeding metallic foreign objects during high-yield continuous crushing operations in coal mines, this paper proposes a new method for detecting metallic foreign objects, combining pulsed eddy current testing with the Truncated Region Eigenfunction Expansion (TREE) method. This method is suitable for the harsh working conditions in coal mine crushing stations, which include high dust, strong vibration, strong electromagnetic interference, and low temperatures in winter. A model of the eddy current field of feeding metallic foreign objects in the truncated region is established using a coaxial excitation and receiving coil with a Hall sensor. The full-cycle time-domain analytical solution for the induced voltage and magnetic induction intensity of the reflective field under practical square wave signals is obtained. Simulation and experimental results show that the effective time range, peak value, and time to peak of the received voltage and magnetic induction signals can be used to classify and identify the size, thickness, conductivity, and magnetic permeability of feeding metallic foreign objects. Experimental results meet the actual needs for removing feeding metallic foreign objects in coal mine sites. This provides core technical support for the establishment of a predictive fault diagnosis system for crushing equipment.
Current Status and Future Directions for Combined Tillage and Sowing Technology and Equipment
Authors: Yang Hanyu , Wang Qingjie , He Jin , Wang Chao , Li Hui , Li Yumei , Lin Han , Wang Quanyu , Li Hang , Wang Longbao
Published: December 2024

As the focus of the development of mechanized tillage and sowing, combined tillage and sowing machines have a variety of functions, such as seedbed preparation, fertilizer sowing, and pressing. Compared with the traditional single-function planter, these machines effectively shorten the operation cycle, reduce production costs, and promote increased production and income. This paper categorizes the machines into these combined rotary tillage and sowing machine, the combined disk harrow and sowing machine, and the combined multi-link tillage and sowing machine according to the form of the tillage and operation. It also systematically elaborates on the technical characteristics, application scenarios, and operational requirements of different types of combined tillage and sowing machines. Additionally, this paper outlines key technologies, such as seedbed preparation and precision sowing. Considering the current state of scientific and technological advancements and the practical needs of agricultural production, it also suggests future research directions and trends, offering valuable insights for subsequent studies in this field.
Prevalence of Reported Temporomandibular Disorders in Children and Adolescents: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Alvear Miquilena Ana , Velepucha Torres Robert , Chauca-Bajaña Luis , Carrera Trejo Mayra , Loayza Lara Susana , Pérez-Jardón Alba , Suarez-Palacios Juan , Ron Byron Velásquez
Published: December 2024

The prevalence of temporomandibular disorders during childhood and adolescence reported until 2019 was between 7 and 68%. The aim of the present study is to determine the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in children. This study, registered in The International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022378908), assessed the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in children and adolescents through the Research Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders. Information was restricted based on the age and language of publication. In total, 985 records were identified through databases (EBSCO, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library) and 45 through grey literature sources (SciELO, Google Scholar, and Latindex). After removing duplicates and irrelevant records, 285 studies were screened, of which 32 had their full text assessed. Eight were included for qualitative and quantitative synthesis. The prevalence of muscle pain ranged from 0% to 31%; arthralgia ranged from 0.8% to 3.5%; disc displacement with reduction ranged from 0.4% to 14.4%; disc displacement without reduction ranged from 0% to 0.3%; osteoarthritis ranged from 0% to 0.6%; and osteoarthritis (in another context) ranged from 0% to 2.2%. This review highlights the varying prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) in children and adolescents, with muscle pain as the most common symptom. Despite advancements in diagnostic criteria, gaps in imaging and psychological evaluation persist.
Studying Pupil-Size Changes as a Function of Task Demands and Emotional Content in a Clinical Interview Situation
Authors: Gugerell Daniel , Gollan Benedikt , Stolte Moritz , Ansorge Ulrich
Published: December 2024

The human pupil changes size in response to processing demands or cognitive (work)load and emotional processing. Therefore, it is important to test if automatic tracking of cognitive load by pupil-size measurement is possible under conditions of varying levels of emotion-related processing. Here, we investigated this question in an experiment simulating a highly relevant applied context in which cognitive load and emotional processing can vary independently: a clinical interview. Our participants conducted a live clinical interview via computer monitor with a confederate as an interviewee. We used eye-tracking and automatic extraction of participants’ pupil size to monitor cognitive load (single vs. dual tasks, between participants), while orthogonally varying the emotional content of the interviewee’s answers (neutral vs. negative, between participants). We ensured participants’ processing of the verbal content of the interview by asking all participants to report on the content of the interview in a subsequent memory test and by asking them to discriminate if the answers of the interviewee referred to only herself or to somebody else (too). In the dual-task condition, participants had to monitor additionally if the facial emotional expressions of the interviewee matched the content of her verbal responses. Results showed that pupil-size extraction reliably discriminated between high and low cognitive load, albeit to a lower degree under negative emotional content conditions. This was possible with an algorithmic online measure of cognitive load as well as with a conventional pupil-size measure, providing proof of the external validity of the algorithm/online measure.
Effects of the Fruit Harvest Date and Shelf-Life Nexus of Apples on Different Quality Perspectives
Authors: Sredojevic Ana , Radivojevic Dragan , Levic Steva M. , Aksic Milica Fotiric , Milivojevic Jasminka , Djekic Ilija
Published: December 2024

Apples are considered one of the most extensively consumed fruits worldwide, prized for their superior nutritional profile, bioactive compounds, and sensory characteristics. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the physical and sensory characteristics of two apple varieties, Braeburn and Golden Delicious, based on different harvest dates and during a 15-day shelf life period, using multiple quality assessment perspectives. The first part focused on key textural attributes and their changes over time. Golden Delicious fruit exhibited fewer alterations in texture, with only firmness showing significant changes during shelf life. In contrast, Braeburn fruit experienced alterations in multiple textural parameters, including fracturability, springiness, average peak load, and firmness, indicating a higher sensitivity to shelf life effects. Both apple varieties were significantly influenced by the harvest date. From a Kano model perspective, the quality attributes of apples were categorized as one-dimensional and attractive features, while oral processing requirements fell into three distinct categories: attractive, reverse, and indifferent. For the Braeburn variety, firmness was the dominant sensory attribute at the start of the shelf life at each harvest date, decreasing gradually over time. In contrast, the Golden Delicious apple maintained dominance in both firmness and juiciness across all harvest dates and shelf life testing days. Emotional responses during mastication were similarly distributed for all three harvest dates for the Golden Delicious variety, highlighting the stability of sensory experiences for this variety. These findings provide valuable insights into the complex interplay of textural, sensory, and emotional responses to apple varieties, offering practical implications for apple breeding and post-harvest management.
Slot Occupancy-Based Collision Avoidance Algorithm for Very-High-Frequency Data Exchange System Network in Maritime Internet of Things
Authors: Lee Sol-Bee , Kwon Jung-Hyok , Kim Bu-Young , Shim Woo-Seong , Shon Taeshik , Kim Eui-Jik
Published: December 2024

The maritime industry is undergoing a paradigm shift driven by rapid advancements in wireless communication and an increase in maritime traffic data. However, the existing automatic identification system (AIS) struggles to accommodate the increasing maritime traffic data, leading to the introduction of the very-high-frequency (VHF) data exchange system (VDES). While the VDES increases bandwidth and data rates, ensuring the stable transmission of maritime IoT (MIoT) application data in congested coastal areas remains a challenge due to frequent collisions of AIS messages. This paper presents a slot occupancy-based collision avoidance algorithm (SOCA) for a VDES network in the MIoT. SOCA is designed to mitigate the impact of interference caused by transmissions of AIS messages on transmissions of VDE-Terrestrial (VDE-TER) data in coastal areas. To this end, SOCA provides four steps: (1) construction of the neighbor information table (NIT) and VDES frame maps, (2) construction of the candidate slot list, (3) TDMA channel selection, and (4) slot selection for collision avoidance. SOCA operates by constructing the NIT based on AIS messages to estimate the transmission intervals of AIS messages and updating VDES frame maps upon receiving VDES messages to monitor slot usage dynamically. After that, it generates a candidate slot list for VDE-TER channels, classifying the slots into interference and non-interference categories. SOCA then selects a TDMA channel that minimizes AIS interference and allocates slots with low expected occupancy probabilities to avoid collisions. To evaluate the performance of SOCA, we conducted experimental simulations under static and dynamic ship scenarios. In the static ship scenario, SOCA outperforms the existing VDES, achieving improvements of 13.58% in aggregate throughput, 11.50% in average latency, 33.60% in collision ratio, and 22.64% in packet delivery ratio. Similarly, in the dynamic ship scenario, SOCA demonstrates improvements of 7.30%, 11.99%, 39.27%, and 11.82% in the same metrics, respectively.
Molecular Insights into the Interactions Between Human Serum Albumin and Phospholipid Membranes
Authors: Przybyłek Maciej , Bełdowski Piotr , Ledziński Damian , Lutowski Zbigniew , Mazurkiewicz Adam , Raczyński Przemysław , Dedinaite Andra , Claesson Per M.
Published: December 2024

In this study, molecular dynamics simulations were employed to analyze interactions between phospholipid membranes and human serum albumin (HSA) in the presence of mono- and divalent cations. Two types of membranes, composed of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DPPE), were utilized. The results revealed that both systems exhibited high stability. The DPPE complexes displayed a greater affinity for albumin compared to DPPC. The high stability of the complexes was attributed to a high number of ionic contacts and hydrogen bonds. The presence of mono- and divalent metal cations significantly influenced the membrane’s capacity to bind proteins. However, these effects varied depending on the phospholipid composition of the bilayer. The studies confirmed the relatively low ability of DPPC to bind potassium ions, as previously observed by others. Consequently, the DPPC/HSA/K+ complex was found to be the least stable among the systems studied. While DPPC interactions were limited to HSA domains I and II, DPPE was able to interact with all domains of the protein. Both lipid bilayers exhibited substantial structural changes and characteristic curvature induced by interactions with HSA, which confirms the formation of relatively strong interactions capable of influencing the arrangement of the phospholipids.
Statistical and Clustering Analysis of Safety Profiles of FDA-Approved Protein Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Radulian Ioana Lavinia , Nitulescu Georgiana , Zanfirescu Anca , Nitulescu George Mihai
Published: December 2024

Protein kinases are vital regulators in cell biology, modifying protein functions through phosphorylation. Protein kinase inhibitors (PKIs), which impede these kinases’ activities, have broadened their therapeutic scope from cancer treatment to autoimmune and viral diseases. Despite their clinical success, challenges such as drug resistance and tolerability of adverse events persist. This article used the Protein Kinase Inhibitor Database (PKIDB) and major pharmacovigilance databases to assess the adverse events (AEs) linked to FDA-approved protein kinase inhibitors. Methods were adopted to statistically identify outliers and construct a prototypical profile to generalize AE occurrences. A total of 66 inhibitors were analyzed, revealing substantial variability in the safety profiles. Cluster analysis identified distinct patterns of AEs based on kinase target classes, highlighting the importance of tailored therapeutic approaches. Statistical methods such as Tukey’s fences were used to identify drugs with unusual safety profiles, offering insights into both frequent and rare severe reactions. Real-world evidence complements clinical trial data, capturing AEs that might not be fully identified pre-approval.
Investigating the Effect of Human Factors on the Underground Mine Evacuation Process Using Agent-Based Simulation
Authors: Augustine Peter Chidi , Moniri-Morad Amin , Shahsavar Mahdi , Sattarvand Javad
Published: December 2024

Human factors play a critical role in underground mine evacuations, significantly impacting performance during emergencies. Traditional mine evacuation strategies rely on predetermined routes and static signs, but these methods do not account for the dynamic and unpredictable nature of real emergencies or the diverse behaviors of individuals. This research addresses these limitations by using agent-based simulations to explore evacuation behavior and performance in underground mines. The study involved three key steps. First, agent-based simulations were deployed to model both individual and group behaviors during emergencies. Second, evacuation performance was compared across three scenarios: miners following traditional passive signage, those making decisions in chaotic conditions, and miners equipped with smart evacuation devices. Finally, evacuation times were quantified to assess the effectiveness of each approach. The results revealed that miners using smart devices improved evacuation efficiency by 35% compared with those relying on passive signage and by 37% compared with chaotic decision-making scenarios. The median evacuation time was reduced from 10.8 min with passive signage to 7 min when using smart devices, taking varying stamina levels into account. These findings underscore the importance of integrating intelligent systems that account for pre-evacuation and wayfinding behaviors, offering new insights and setting a higher standard for emergency protocols in underground mining.
Review of Fast Computation Methods for Finite-State Predictive Control of Multi-Phase Drives
Authors: Marsal Esteban , Arahal Manuel R. , Satué Manuel G. , Perales Manuel
Published: December 2024

Optimizing the cost function in predictive control of multi-phase drives is computationally intensive. This poses a challenge since the required sampling period for drives falls within the microsecond range. Numerous methods have been proposed in the literature to address this computational demand. This paper reviews recent proposals for multi-phase drives of various kinds. A structured classification of the proposals is provided. Furthermore, an integrated framework is employed to cohesively present and connect previously unrelated methods. Key elements such as Allowed Control Set, inter-sample modulation, and weighting factor use are identified. New developments in multi-vector and single-vector approaches are discussed. Practical limitations for each approach are also considered.
Spatio-Temporal and Mechanical Analysis of Bench Press Phases: Barbell Kinematics and Dynamics Across Different Load Intensities
Authors: Rodal Miguel , Franco-García Juan Manuel , Carlos-Vivas Jorge , García-Muro San José Francisco , Pérez Gosálvez Arturo , Charneco Salguero Guillermo , Gianikellis Kostas , Pérez-Gómez Jorge
Published: December 2024

This study aimed (1) to explore the spatio-temporal phases of the execution of the bench press (BP) exercise based on barbell acceleration and power; (2) to describe barbell velocity, acceleration, mechanical power, and mechanical work at different load intensities; and (3) to analyse differences in kinematic and mechanical parameters. Twenty-one men (21.4 ± 1.5 years; 175.1 ± 6.7 cm; 75.8 ± 7.7 kg; 1RM: 91.7 ± 13.7 kg) and nine women (21.7 ± 2.3 years; 163.3 ± 10.8 cm; 57.2 ± 6.8 kg; 1RM: 38.9 ± 10.5 kg) were evaluated during the eccentric and concentric phases of the BP at different load intervals: interval 1 (55 to 75% 1RM), interval 2 (>75 to 85% 1RM) and interval 3 (>85 to 100% 1RM). Both temporal (duration) and mechanical variables (velocity, acceleration, mechanical power and mechanical work of the barbell) were determined using the Xsens MVN Link System. Mechanical variables were compared among the three different intervals. Interval 3 displayed greater duration compared to intervals 1 and 2. Barbell acceleration and power showed four different phases of BP movement, corresponding to the second and third phases of the exercise, bar braking (eccentric) and bar acceleration (concentric), respectively; the first and fourth phases are mainly determined by gravity instead of muscle intervention. Velocity and acceleration were different among the three different intervals during both the eccentric and concentric phases (p < 0.05). No differences were found between intervals 2 and 3 in mechanical power or mechanical work during the eccentric phase. In conclusion, the BP exercise has four phases considering barbell acceleration and power. The maximum and mean velocity and acceleration during BP performance decrease as load intensity increases. Maximum and mean mechanical power, and mechanical work, decrease progressively in the second and third intervals for both the eccentric and concentric phases. Thus, kinematics and mechanical parameters vary depending on load intensities.
Risk Assessment for Cyber Resilience of Critical Infrastructures: Methods, Governance, and Standards
Authors: Aghazadeh Ardebili Ali , Lezzi Marianna , Pourmadadkar Mahdad
Published: December 2024

As future infrastructures increasingly rely on digital systems, their exposure to cyber threats has grown significantly. The complex and hyper-connected nature of these systems presents challenges for enhancing cyber resilience against adverse conditions, stresses, attacks, or compromises on cybersecurity resources. Integrating risk assessment with cyber resilience allows for adaptive approaches that can effectively safeguard critical infrastructures (CIs) against evolving cyber risks. However, the wide range of methods, frameworks, and standards—some overlapping and others inadequately addressed in the literature—complicates the selection of an appropriate approach to cyber risk assessment for cyber resilience. To investigate this integration, this study conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) of relevant methodologies, standards, and regulations. After conducting the initial screening of 173 publications on risk assessment and cyber resilience, 40 papers were included for thorough review. The findings highlight risk assessment methods, standards, and guidelines used for cyber resilience and provide an overview of relevant regulations that strengthen cyber resilience through risk assessment practices. The results of this paper will offer cybersecurity researchers and decision-makers an illuminated understanding of how risk assessment enhances cyber resilience by extracting risk assessment best practices in the literature supported by relevant standards and regulations.
Tropospheric and Stratospheric Ozone: Scientific History and Shifts in Early Perspectives Regarding the Impact on Human Health
Authors: Alvim-Ferraz Maria C. M. , Sousa Sofia I. V. , Martins Fernando G. , Ferraz Maria P.
Published: December 2024

This publication aimed at the revision of scientific publications on the discovery of ozone, tracing its scientific history and how the early perspectives of the beneficial ozone impact on respiratory diseases and how they shifted with advancements in scientific knowledge: once considered a health index, ozone is now recognized as an atmospheric pollutant with detrimental effects on human health. The global increase in tropospheric ozone exposure, along with the associated rise in morbidity and mortality, highlights the urgent need to reduce emissions of ozone precursors to protect public health. Given the large at-risk population, tropospheric ozone exposure poses a significant public health concern. To address this, it is crucial to implement strategies that mitigate the harmful effects of tropospheric ozone, especially for vulnerable individuals. If these measures are not effectively implemented, a worsening of health impacts can be expected. The October 2024 update on stratospheric ozone recovery reveals its fragility and erratic behaviour, underscoring the need for continued and stringent control measures to protect human health. To our knowledge, no prior publications have addressed such a comprehensive time frame as we have in this study.
Assessment of the Cloud Seeding Efficiency over Tom Green County Texas, USA
Authors: Al Homoud Marya , Logothetis Stavros-Andreas , Elnaggar Yosra SR , Farahat Ashraf
Published: December 2024

The efficiency of cloud seeding in enhancing precipitation is a subject of active debate within the scientific community. This work examines the impacts of cloud seeding in changing cloud properties and dynamics over Tom Green County in West Texas, USA, from 2015 to 2020. Several cloud categories including small, large, and type B are considered. The effect of cloud-seeding missions in changing clouds’ lifetime, area, volume, and precipitation mass is investigated. The results show that the average increase in the lifetime of small, large, and type B is 53.6, 27, and 3.5%, respectively, while the average area increased by 47.1, 27.5, and 5.0% respectively, and their average volume increased by 63.6, 33, and 5.6% respectively. A significant increase in the precipitation mass of the small, large, and type B clouds is observed after the seeding missions. From 2015 to 2020, the precipitation rates in seeded clouds are higher than the unseeded clouds. Comparing precipitation rates during the 2015–2020 cloud-seeding campaigns to the period from 2010 to 2014 before the campaigns shows no trend of increasing precipitation except during 2015 and 2016.
arterioscope.sim: Enabling Simulations of Blood Flow and Its Impact on Bioimpedance Signals
Authors: Krispel Thomas , Badeli Vahid , Jafarinia Alireza , Reinbacher-Köstinger Alice , Tronstad Christian , Ranftl Sascha , Martinsen Ørjan Grottem , Kalvoy Håvard , Hisdal Jonny , Kaltenbacher Manfred , Hochrainer Thomas
Published: December 2024

Objectives: Early detection of cardiovascular diseases and their pre-existing conditions, arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis, is crucial to increasing a patient’s chance of survival. While imaging technologies and invasive procedures provide a reliable diagnosis, they carry high costs and risks for patients. This study aims to explore impedance plethysmography (IPG) as a non-invasive and affordable alternative for diagnosis. Methods: To address the current lack of large-scale, high-quality impedance data, we introduce arterioscope.sim, a simulation platform that models arterial blood flow and computes the electrical conductivity of blood. The platform simulates bioimpedance measurements on specific body segments using patient-specific parameters. The study investigates how introducing arterial diseases into the simulation affects the bioimpedance signals. Results: The simulation results demonstrate that introducing atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis leads to significant changes in the computed signals compared to simulations of healthy arteries. Furthermore, simulation of a patient-specific healthy artery strongly correlates with measured signals from a healthy volunteer. Conclusions and significance: arterioscope.sim effectively simulates bioimpedance signals in healthy and diseased arteries and highlights the potential of using these signals for early diagnosis of arterial diseases, offering a non-invasive and cost-effective alternative to traditional diagnostic methods.
Synergistic Effect of Lactobacillus Mixtures and Lagerstroemia speciosa Leaf Extract in Reducing Obesity in High-Fat Diet-Fed Mice
Authors: Lee Kippeum , Kim Hyeon-Ji , Kim Joo Yun , Shim Jae Jung , Lee Jae Hwan
Published: December 2024

In this study, we describe the anti-obesity effects of a novel combination of Lactobacillus mixture (Lactobacillus curvatus HY7601 and Lactobacillus plantarum KY1032) and leaf extract of Lagerstroemia speciosa (L. speciosa) in mice. The administration of the probiotic mixture of HY7601 and KY1032 in combination with the leaf extract of L. speciosa significantly attenuated fat tissue formation and body weight gain in mice fed a high-fat diet. The white adipose fat mass, comprising the inguinal and epididymal fat pads, was most effectively reduced when the probiotic mixture and L. speciosa leaf extract was orally administered to the mice in combination. This combination also reduced the mRNA expression of adipogenic genes (those encoding CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein alpha, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma, and fatty acid-binding protein 4) in inguinal and epididymal white adipose tissue depots and the liver. Finally, the combination of reduced blood glucose concentrations regulated the insulin resistance of high-fat diet-fed obese mice. These findings provide insight into the mechanisms underlying the effect of this combination and suggest that using Lactobacillus mixture (HY7601 and KY1032) is as safe as microbial monotherapy, but more effective at preventing obesity.
Potential Interactions Between Soil-Transmitted Helminths and Herpes Simplex Virus Type II: Implications for Sexual and Reproductive Health in Sub-Saharan African
Authors: Pillay Roxanne , Naidoo Pragalathan , Duma Zamathombeni , Bhengu Khethiwe N. , Mpaka-Mbatha Miranda N. , Nembe-Mafa Nomzamo , Mkhize-Kwitshana Zilungile L.
Published: December 2024

Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) bears a disproportionate and overlapping burden of soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) and sexually transmitted viral infections. An estimated 232 million pre-school and school-aged children in SSA are vulnerable to STH infections. Together with this, SSA has a high prevalence of herpes simplex virus type II (HSV-2), the primary cause of genital herpes. Studies have examined the immunological interactions between STHs and human immunodeficiency virus and human papillomavirus during co-infections. However, epidemiological and immunological studies on STH-HSV-2 co-infections are lacking, therefore their impact on sexual and reproductive health is not fully understood. STH-driven Th2 immune responses are known to downregulate Th1/Th17 immune responses. Therefore, during STH-HSV-2 co-infections, STH-driven immune responses may alter host immunity to HSV-2 and HSV-2 pathology. Herein, we provide an overview of the burden of STH and HSV-2 infections in SSA, and host immune responses to STH and HSV-2 infections. Further, we emphasize the relevance and urgent need for (i) focused research into the interactions between these important pathogens, and (ii) integrated approaches to improve the clinical detection and management of STH-HSV-2 co-infections in SSA.
Foodborne Pathogen Prevalence and Biomarker Identification for Microbial Contamination in Mutton Meat
Authors: Muthusamy Gayathri , Karthikeyan Subburamu , Arun Giridhari Veeranan , Alhimaidi Ahmad R. , Balachandar Dananjeyan , Ammari Aiman A. , Paranidharan Vaikuntavasan , Maruthamuthu Thirunavukkarasu
Published: December 2024

Microbial contamination and the prevalence of foodborne pathogens in mutton meat and during its slaughtering process were investigated through microbial source tracking and automated pathogen identification techniques. Samples from mutton meat, cutting boards, hand swabs, knives, weighing balances, and water sources were collected from four different retail sites in Coimbatore. Total plate count (TPC), yeast and mold count (YMC), coliforms, E. coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella, and Staphylococcus were examined across 91 samples. The highest microbial loads were found in the mutton-washed water, mutton meat, and cutting board samples. The automated pathogen identification system identified Staphylococcus species as the predominant contaminant and also revealed a 57% prevalence of Salmonella. Further analysis of goat meat inoculated with specific pathogens showed distinct volatile and metabolite profiles, identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Multivariate statistical analyses, including principal component analysis (PCA), orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), and sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis (sPLS-DA), identified potential biomarkers for pathogen contamination. The results highlight the significance of cross-contamination in the slaughtering process and suggest the use of volatile compounds as potential biomarkers for pathogen detection.
Redefining Biomedicine: Artificial Intelligence at the Forefront of Discovery
Authors: Le Nguyen Quoc Khanh
Published: December 2024

The rapid evolution of artificial intelligence (AI) is redefining biomedicine, placing itself at the forefront of groundbreaking discoveries in molecular biology, genomics, drug discovery, diagnostics, and beyond [...]
Characterization of Loss-of-Imprinting in Breast Cancer at the Cellular Level by Integrating Single-Cell Full-Length Transcriptome with Bulk RNA-Seq Data
Authors: Amin Muhammad Talal , Coussement Louis , De Meyer Tim
Published: December 2024

Genomic imprinting, the parent-of-origin-specific gene expression, plays a pivotal role in growth regulation and is often dysregulated in cancer. However, screening for imprinting is complicated by its cell-type specificity, which bulk RNA-seq cannot capture. On the other hand, large-scale single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) often lacks transcript-level detail and is cost-prohibitive. Here, we address this gap by integrating bulk RNA-seq with full-length transcript scRNA-seq to investigate imprinting dynamics in breast cancer. By analyzing scRNA-seq data from 486 cancer cells across subtypes, we identified multiple SNPs in imprinted genes, including HM13, MEST (PEG1), SNHG14 and PEG10, showing consistent biallelic expression. Bulk RNA-seq, however, revealed that this biallelic expression arises from transcript-specific imprinting, rather than loss-of-imprinting (LOI). The imprinted SNPs identified in bulk RNA-seq predominantly demonstrate proper monoallelic expression in scRNA-seq. As a clear exception, an HER2+ breast cancer sample exhibited distinct LOI of MEST. Previous bulk RNA-seq-based observations about MEST LOI in breast cancer could not exclude a non-cancer cell impact, but our results validate that MEST LOI is cancer-specific. This study demonstrates the complementary utility of bulk and scRNA-seq in imprinting studies, confirming MEST LOI as a genuine event in breast cancer.
Approaches and Challenges in Characterizing the Molecular Content of Extracellular Vesicles for Biomarker Discovery
Authors: Kumari Suman , Lausted Christopher , Scherler Kelsey , Ng Alphonsus H. C. , Lu Yue , Lee Inyoul , Hood Leroy , Wang Kai
Published: December 2024

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are lipid bilayer nanoparticles released from all known cells and are involved in cell-to-cell communication via their molecular content. EVs have been found in all tissues and body fluids, carrying a variety of biomolecules, including DNA, RNA, proteins, metabolites, and lipids, offering insights into cellular and pathophysiological conditions. Despite the emergence of EVs and their molecular contents as important biological indicators, it remains difficult to explore EV-mediated biological processes due to their small size and heterogeneity and the technical challenges in characterizing their molecular content. EV-associated small RNAs, especially microRNAs, have been extensively studied. However, other less characterized RNAs, including protein-coding mRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, circular RNAs, and tRNAs, have also been found in EVs. Furthermore, the EV-associated proteins can be used to distinguish different types of EVs. The spectrum of EV-associated RNAs, as well as proteins, may be associated with different pathophysiological conditions. Therefore, the ability to comprehensively characterize EVs’ molecular content is critical for understanding their biological function and potential applications in disease diagnosis. Here, we set out to provide an overview of EV-associated RNAs and proteins as well as approaches currently being used to characterize them.
Hippocampal Viral-Mediated Urokinase Plasminogen Activator (uPA) Overexpression Mitigates Stress-Induced Anxiety and Depression in Rats by Increasing Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) Levels
Authors: Bahi Amine , Dreyer Jean-Luc
Published: December 2024

Emerging evidence suggests the serine protease, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), may play an important role in the modulation of mood and cognitive functions. Also, preliminary evidence indicates that uPA modulates BDNF activity that is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of mood disorders. However, the physiological functions of uPA in specific brain regions for mediating stress-related emotional behaviors remain to be elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the role of ectopic uPA expression on anxiety- and depression-like behaviors following social defeat stress in rats. For this purpose, we inspected the behavioral outcomes following bilateral stereotaxic delivery of uPA-overexpressing lentiviral vectors in the hippocampus using a series of behavioral tests. Results show that hippocampal uPA gain-of-function prevented stress-elicited anxiogenic-like effects, as determined in the marble burying, open field, and elevated plus maze tests, with no alterations in spontaneous locomotor activity. Also, ectopic uPA overexpression resulted in anti-depressant-like effects in the sucrose splash, tail suspension, and forced swim tests. Most importantly, uPA overexpression increased hippocampal BDNF levels, and a strong positive correlation was found using the Pearson test. Moreover, the same correlation analysis revealed a strong negative relationship between uPA mRNA and parameters of anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Taken together, this work highlights the importance of considering uPA activation and provides new insights into the mechanisms involved in the pathophysiology of stress-elicited mood illnesses, which should help in the development of new approaches to tackle depression and anxiety disorders.
Dissecting Cytophagalysin: Structural and Biochemical Studies of a Bacterial Pappalysin-Family Metallopeptidase
Authors: Estevan-Morió Eva , Ramírez-Larrota Juan Sebastián , Bushi Enkela , Eckhard Ulrich
Published: December 2024

Cytophaga is a genus of Gram-negative bacteria occurring in soil and the gut microbiome. It is closely related to pathogenic Flavobacterium spp. that cause severe diseases in fish. Cytophaga strain L43-1 secretes cytophagalysin (CPL1), a 137 kDa peptidase with reported collagenolytic and gelatinolytic activity. We performed highly-confident structure prediction calculations for CPL1, which identified 11 segments and domains, including a signal peptide for secretion, a prosegment (PS) for latency, a metallopeptidase (MP)-like catalytic domain (CD), and eight immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domains (D3–D10). In addition, two short linkers were found at the D8–D9 and D9–D10 junctions, and the structure would be crosslinked by four disulfide bonds. The CPL1 CD was found closest to ulilysin from Methanosarcina acetivorans, which assigns CPL1 to the lower-pappalysin family within the metzincin clan of MPs. Based on the structure predictions, we aimed to produce constructs spanning the full-length enzyme, as well as PS+CD, PS+CD+D3, and PS+CD+D3+D4. However, we were successful only with the latter three constructs. We could activate recombinant CPL1 by PS removal employing trypsin, and found that both zymogen and mature CPL1 were active in gelatin zymography and against a fluorogenic gelatin variant. This activity was ablated in a mutant, in which the catalytic glutamate described for lower pappalyins and other metzincins was replaced by alanine, and by a broad-spectrum metal chelator. Overall, these results proved that our recombinant CPL1 is a functional active MP, thus supporting the conclusions derived from the structure predictions.
Irisin Predicts Poor Clinical Outcomes in Patients with Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction and Low Levels of N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide
Authors: Berezina Tetiana A. , Berezin Oleksandr O. , Novikov Evgen V. , Lichtenauer Michael , Berezin Alexander E.
Published: December 2024

Background: Despite existing evidence of the high predictive value of natriuretic peptides (NPs) in patients with heart failure (HF), patients treated with guideline-directed therapy who have low or near-normal NP levels are unlikely to be correctly stratified for risk of clinical outcomes. The aim of this study is to detect plausible predictors for poor one-year clinical outcomes in patients with HFpEF and low NT-proBNP treated with in accordance with conventional guidelines. Methods: A total of 337 patients with HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) who had low levels of N-terminal natriuretic pro-peptide (NT-proBNP) at discharge due to optimal guideline-based therapy were enrolled in the study. The course of the observation was 3 years. Echocardiography and the assessment of conventional hematological and biochemical parameters, including NT-proBNP, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), adropin, irisin, visfatin, and fetuin-A, were performed at baseline and at the end of the study. Results: Three-year cumulative clinical endpoints (cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction or unstable angina or acute coronary syndrome, worsening HF, sudden cardiac death, or cardiac-related surgery or all-cause death) were detected in 104 patients, whereas 233 did not meet the endpoint. After adjusting for an age ≥ 64 years and a presence of atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1–3 and dilated cardiomyopathy, the multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that an irisin level of ≤7.2 ng/mL was an independent predictor of cumulative clinical endpoint. Moreover, patients with levels of irisin > 7.2 ng/mL had a better Kaplan–Meier survival rate than those with a lower serum irisin level (≤7.2 ng/mL). Conclusions: Multivariable analysis showed that an age ≥ 64 years; the presence of atrial fibrillation, diabetes mellitus, CKD stages 1–3 and dilated cardiomyopathy; an LAVI ≥ 39 mL/m2; and serum levels of hs-CRP ≥ 6.10 mg/L, irisin ≤ 7.2 ng/mL, and visfatin ≤ 1.1 ng/mL were predictors of poor clinical outcomes in HFpEF with low levels of NT-proBNP. A serum level of irisin ≤ 7.2 ng/mL could emerge as valuable biomarker for predicting long-term prognosis among HFpEF patients with low or near-normal levels of NT-proBNP.