bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Overview of Transgenic Mouse Models for the Study of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Lopes Paula Alexandra , Pádua Mafalda Soares , Guil-Guerrero José L.
Published: January 2025

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, and no cure is currently available. The β-amyloid cascade of AD and neurofibrillary tangles are the basis of the current understanding of AD pathogenesis, driving drug investigation and other discoveries. Up until now, no AD models have entirely validated the β-amyloid cascade hypothesis. AD models must be capable of recapitulating the critical events of this pathology, including β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. The development of plaques is probably derived from the amyloid precursor protein (APP) and presenilin 1 (PS1) familial Alzheimer’s disease (FAD) mutations, while the tangle-like pathology is determined by tau mutations. Transgenic mouse models struggle to replicate the entire spectrum of AD, particularly neuronal death stemming from β-amyloid and tau pathologies. Furthermore, the success of these transgenic mice often relies on the overexpression of APP transgenes enclosing FAD-associated mutations at levels beyond physiological. Ultimate species-specific discrepancies in genome and protein composition between the human and the mouse may hinder the accurate recapitulation of AD pathological events in mouse models. Although none of the AD models fully mirrors human pathology, these experimental in vivo animal models have provided valuable insights into β-amyloid toxicity and the overall pathophysiological basis of AD. Therefore, these experimental models have been widely used in the preclinical evaluation of therapeutic strategies and have played a pivotal role in the development of immunotherapies for AD. In this review, we sum up the main transgenic mouse models used for AD research, whether they are APP mutation-based mice, APP plus presenilin mutation-based mice, or tau mutation-based mice. The specific characteristics of each mouse model and the significance of their use for AD research, focusing on their current advantages and disadvantages, as well as on the progress made and the forthcoming challenges in replicating this neurodegenerative disease, are also highlighted.
Accident Data-Driven Consequence Analysis in Maritime Industries
Authors: Shi Jiahui , Liu Zhengjiang
Published: January 2025

Maritime accidents are significant obstacles to the development of shipping industries. Their consequences are another important issue because they often involve significant economic losses and human casualties. Accident consequences do not occur randomly, but are triggered by a series of influential factors. To determine the critical factors contributing to accident consequences, a data-driven research framework is proposed. Firstly, 198 maritime accident investigation reports from the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) and Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) are collected to build a database. Secondly, relevant influential factors are identified based on a literature review. Thirdly, a TAN (Tree Augmented Network)-based BN (Bayesian network) model is developed. Fourthly, a model validation process, including a comparative analysis, Kappa test, and scenario analysis are performed. The five critical factors are determined as accident type, ship type, ship age, ship length and gross tonnage. Valuable implications are generated through this research framework and can be a valuable reference for the safety management of concerned parties. In addition, the TAN model can be a predictor for developing mitigation measures to minimize accident consequences.
Adaptive Coverage Path Planning for Underwater Sonar Scans in Environments with Changing Currents
Authors: Kim Jonghoek
Published: January 2025

This article considers underwater sonar scans that utilize a sonar-equipped Autonomous Marine Ship (AMS). The AMS finds an underwater object by towing a tow fish, having active sonars for imaging the sea bottom. This paper tackles the autonomous generation of the AMS’s coverage path, such that the AMS scans the entire survey region once it moves along the generated path. The presence of currents introduces undesired vehicle motion that can greatly complicate sonar data collection, especially when sonar data are to be processed into high-resolution SAS imagery. If the tow fish moves opposite to the current’s direction, then the tow fish can move straight along its intended course without using crabbing motions. In this situation, one can derive a clear sonar image appropriate for finding underwater objects. We planned the AMS’s coverage path so that the tow fish’s heading is opposite to the current’s changing direction, while covering the entire workspace. As far as we know, this paper is novel in planning the AMS’s coverage path adaptively, such that the tow fish’s heading is opposite to the current’s changing direction. Using computer-based simulations, we verify the outperformance of the proposed adaptive path planner by comparing it with a case where varying sea current was not considered by the path planners.
Assessment of Environmental Suitability for the Spatial Distribution of Minority Villages in Mountainous Areas—Taking Fujian Province as an Example
Authors: Genovese Paolo Vincenzo , Xu Xiang , Wu Hong , Hao Daxun , Wang Hantao
Published: January 2025

The geographical environment and economic conditions that influence the spatial distribution of minority villages vary significantly, particularly in mountainous regions where they face different levels of disaster risks. Environmental suitability assessment can help us gain a deeper understanding of the differences and degrees of differences among different villages and provide a basis for resource allocation and planning. This study focuses on 499 national level and 68 provincial level minority villages in Fujian province and evaluates the environmental suitability of their spatial distribution using analysis tools such as ArcMap and GeoDetector. The research findings indicated: (1) The ratio between the influence strengths of natural geographical, socioeconomic, and disaster constraint indicators on the environmental suitability of minority villages in mountainous areas is 5:10:7, with the highest influence being the regional gross domestic product (RGDP) in the socioeconomic indicator (0.509) and the lowest influence being flood sensitivity (0.011). (2) Areas with high suitability values are in the southeast coastal and central regions. From east to west, the suitability values gradually decrease. The suitable areas cover 87.2% of the total region, including 91.9% of the minority villages. (3) The geographical correlation coefficient between the spatial distribution of minority villages and environmental suitability is 86.87, indicating a high degree of spatial interaction and fit between the two. This validates the rationality of the multi-factor evaluation model for assessing the environmental suitability of ethnic village spatial distribution in mountainous areas. (4) There is an inverse “U” relationship between environmental suitability and the distribution of national and provincial level minority villages. With the increase in the suitability index, the number of national level minority villages tends to increase, while the number of provincial level minority villages tends to decrease. The research findings have significant implications for promoting the sustainable development of minority villages in Fujian province and provide reference for the regional development and protection of minority villages in other mountainous areas.
Unique Subclavian Vascular Ring Anomaly: Insights from CT Angiography
Authors: Baz Radu Octavian , Enyedi Mihaly , Scheau Cristian , Didilescu Andreea Cristiana , Baz Radu Andrei , Niscoveanu Cosmin
Published: January 2025

Aortic arch anomalies represent a range of congenital vascular malformations resulting from disruptions in the typical embryological development of the aortic arch and its branches. These anomalies, which vary widely in their presentation, can lead to significant clinical symptoms depending on their structure and position. We report the case of a 75-year-old male with intermittent hypertension, palpitations, and episodic warmth in the upper body. Computed tomography (CT) angiography revealed an atypical aortic arch anatomy with a unique right subclavian artery anomaly. The aortic arch displayed a typical orientation but included an additional arterial branch arising from the medial wall of the descending aorta. This aberrant branch with a tortuous aspect coursed posteriorly around the esophagus and merged with the subclavian branch of the brachiocephalic trunk, forming a vascular ring. A possible embryological hypothesis requires the persistence of both the distal segment of the right dorsal aorta and the right seventh intersegmental artery, as well as the right fourth aortic arch; however, the imaging aspect of our patient is not that of a classic double aortic arch. This case emphasizes the importance of advanced imaging techniques, such as CT angiography, in identifying and managing rare vascular anomalies that may influence patient care and clinical outcomes.
The Role of Atmospheric Composition in Defining the Habitable Zone Limits and Supporting E. coli Growth
Authors: Kuzucan Asena , Bolmont Emeline , Chaverot Guillaume , Ferreira Jaqueline Quirino , Ibelings Bastiaan Willem , Bhatnagar Siddharth , McGinnis Daniel Frank
Published: January 2025

Studying exoplanet atmospheres is essential for assessing their potential to host liquid water and their capacity to support life (their habitability). Each atmosphere uniquely influences the likelihood of surface liquid water, defining the habitable zone (HZ)—the region around a star where liquid water can exist. However, being within the HZ does not guarantee habitability, as life requires more than just liquid water. In this study, we adopted a two-pronged approach. First, we estimated the surface conditions of planets near the HZ’s inner edge under various atmospheric compositions. By utilizing a 3D climate model, we refined the inner boundaries of the HZ for planets with atmospheres dominated by H2 and CO2 for the first time. Second, we investigated microbial survival in these environments, conducting laboratory experiments on the growth and survival of E. coli K-12, focusing on the impact of different gas compositions. This innovative combination of climate modeling and biological experiments bridges theoretical climate predictions with biological outcomes. Our findings indicate that atmospheric composition significantly affects bacterial growth patterns, highlighting the importance of considering diverse atmospheres in evaluating exoplanet habitability and advancing the search for life beyond Earth.
Test-Retest Reliability and Validity of TecnoBody D-Wall to Assess the Range of Motion During Overhead Squat in Healthy Individuals
Authors: Soylu Caglar , Acar Gorkem , Uzumcu Berkay , Demir Pervin , Seyhan Sinan , Biyikli Turker
Published: January 2025

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of the TecnoBody D-Wall system in assessing joint range of motion (ROM) during overhead squat movements in healthy individuals, using Kinovea as a reference tool for data comparison. A total of 29 participants (16 males, 13 females) with a mean age of 28.41 ± 6.66 years were included. Measurements were conducted for hip and knee joint angles in the sagittal plane, with three repetitions per participant analyzed using both systems. The D-Wall system employed a 3D Kinect V2 camera and force platform, while Kinovea used 2D video-based motion analysis. The results demonstrated excellent agreement between the two systems, with intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC) ranging from 0.79 to 0.99. For the knee joint, the test-retest ICC values were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.95–0.99) for the D-Wall on the right side, and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.79–0.94) for the D-Wall on the left side. For the hip joint, test-retest ICC values were 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.88–0.97) for the D-Wall on the right side, and 0.98 (95% CI: 0.97–0.99) for Kinovea and 0.93 (95% CI: 0.87–0.97) for the D-Wall on the left side. Bland–Altman plots confirmed good agreement, with no significant systematic bias observed. Both systems showed statistically insignificant differences (p > 0.05) between measurements, and correlation values ranged from 0.83 to 0.99, indicating strong associations. These findings highlight the high validity and reliability of both TecnoBody D-Wall and Kinovea systems in measuring joint angles during dynamic movements. The comparable accuracy between systems suggests that either system can be effectively utilized in clinical or research settings, depending on specific needs and resource availability.
Tribological Investigation of the Surface Protective Layer-Forming Effect of a Nano-Sized Yttria–Silica Mixture as a Lubricating Oil Additive
Authors: Szabó Ádám István , Csík Attila , Fodor Tamás , Vad Kálmán , Marsicki Márk , Tóth Álmos Dávid
Published: January 2025

Nanoparticles exhibit diverse effects when added as additives to oily medium, enhancing tribological properties and surface characteristics. Studies have shown that many oxide ceramic nanoparticles improve friction and wear, while mixtures also demonstrate favorable tribological properties. This study explores the tribological effect of an yttria–silica (Y2O3, SiO2) nanoparticle mixture in a Group III base oil medium. The results reveal that the yttria–silica mixture significantly reduces friction (−8–17%), mean wear scar diameter (−32%), and wear volume (−94%), while increasing load-bearing capacity (+114%) by creating a durable boundary layer. Observations from scanning electron microscopy revealed the original surface is protected. EDX analyses highlight the boundary layer’s elemental composition, which is high in yttrium, silicon, and oxygen and found in higher areas. XRD analysis could not detect the yttria nanoparticle additive within the boundary layer, suggesting that it fragmented due to sliding stress, resulting in an amorphous structure for the new boundary layer. TEM imaging confirmed that the boundary layer thickness is 40–45 nm. These findings demonstrate significant potential for industrial applications in developing advanced, high-performance lubricants for demanding mechanical systems.
Optimization of Plasma Welding Sequence and Performance Verification for a Fork Shaft: A Comparison of Same-Direction and Reverse-Direction Welding
Authors: Yang Jianguang , Cao Peigang , Yao Jiaqing , Wang Junyong , Mao Qilin , Yang Yu
Published: January 2025

The shift fork shaft is a key component in transmissions, connecting the shift fork in order to adjust the gear engagement. This study investigates the effects of different welding sequences on deformation and residual stress during plasma welding of the shift fork shaft. A temperature-displacement coupled finite element method, using ABAQUS simulation software and a double ellipsoid heat source model, was employed for the numerical analysis. The simulation results show that welding in the same and opposite directions leads to opposite deformation directions but similar deformation magnitudes. However, opposite-direction welding generates more significant stress concentration. After determining an optimal welding process, experimental welding was conducted. Microstructural observations of the weld seam and critical areas, along with mechanical property tests, revealed that the welds were well formed with no surface defects. The heat-affected zone (HAZ) exhibited a mixture of martensitic and non-martensitic phases, while the fusion zone (FZ) underwent phase transformation and recrystallization, forming fine-grained ferrite with martensite. Microhardness (HRC) in the weld seam ranged from 35 to 50, with the FZ and HAZ hardness higher than that of the base material (BM). The second weld pass showed significantly higher hardness in the FZ than the first pass. The tensile strength of the weld joint reached 94% of the base material strength, though plasticity and toughness were reduced. Fracture surface analysis indicated a combination of brittle cleavage and localized plastic deformation.
Determination of the Entire Existence Composition Range of CrMnFeCoNi High-Entropy Alloys Using Sintered Diffusion Multiple Method
Authors: Yurishima Ryuta , Ikeda Ayako , Ikeda Teruyuki
Published: January 2025

The sintered diffusion multiple (SDM) method, which has been developed in our research group, has been applied to determine the entire composition range of the CrMnFeCoNi high-entropy alloy stereoscopically and continuously over nearly the entire range. The samples were prepared by sintering mixed elemental powders and were annealed at 970 °C or 800 °C. Several hundreds of thousands of points were analyzed at random within the samples for chemical compositions using electron probe microanalysis. With the assumption that ideally, only chemical compositions of existing phases at the temperature of annealing are obtained, the compositional data thus obtained were analyzed to estimate the phase boundaries of the high-entropy phase, including the Cantor alloy composition, assuming local equilibrium within the samples. The analysis includes the determination of point densities and their slopes in the space of chemical composition. The results are shown in the tetrahedral compositional space, with vertices for the Cr, Mn, and Fe atomic fractions and the sum of the Co and Ni fractions. One of the features found in this work is that the high-entropy phase exhibits a wide compositional range in the Fe-CrMnCoNi direction. The estimated phase boundary compositions are found to be in good agreement, within an error range 3 at.%, with those obtained using samples prepared by the conventional method, where the samples with uniform compositions are equilibrated by annealing, and the compositions of their existing phases are analyzed using EPMA. Thus, the sintered diffusion multiple method is effective in providing an overview of the quinary phase diagrams.
High-Temperature Optoelectronic Transport Behavior of n-TiO2 Nanoball–Stick/p-Lightly Boron-Doped Diamond Heterojunction
Authors: Ge Shunhao , Sang Dandan , Li Changxing , Shi Yarong , Wang Cong , Yu Chunshuai , Wang Guangyu , Xi Hongzhu , Wang Qinglin
Published: January 2025

The n-TiO2 nanoballs–sticks (TiO2 NBSs) were successfully deposited on p-lightly boron-doped diamond (LBDD) substrates by the hydrothermal method. The temperature-dependent optoelectronic properties and carrier transport behavior of the n-TiO2 NBS/p-LBDD heterojunction were investigated. The photoluminescence (PL) of the heterojunction detected four distinct emission peaks at 402 nm, 410 nm, 429 nm, and 456 nm that have the potential to be applied in white-green light-emitting devices. The results of the I-V characteristic of the heterojunction exhibited excellent rectification characteristics and good thermal stability at all temperatures (RT-200 °C). The forward bias current increases gradually with the increase in external temperature. The temperature of 150 °C is ideal for the heterojunction to exhibit the best electrical performance with minimum turn-on voltage (0.4 V), the highest forward bias current (0.295 A ± 0.103 mA), and the largest rectification ratio (16.39 ± 0.005). It is transformed into a backward diode at 200 °C, which is attributed to a large number of carriers tunneling from the valence band (VB) of TiO2 to the conduction band (CB) of LBDD, forming an obvious reverse rectification effect. The carrier tunneling mechanism at different temperatures and voltages is analyzed in detail based on the schematic energy band structure and semiconductor theoretical model.
Research into the Possibilities of Improving the Adhesion Properties of a Locomotive
Authors: Ishchuk Vadym , Kravchenko Kateryna , Blatnický Miroslav , Lovska Alyona , Dižo Ján
Published: January 2025

Locomotives are important vehicles, which serve for towing wagons, i.e., trains. Many factors influence the safe and cost-effective operation of locomotives and trains in general. One of these factors is adhesion at the wheel/rail contact. The adhesion determines how much power the locomotive can deliver and how the braking system will ensure that the train stops. The main way to improve adhesion is to use sand at the wheel/rail contact point. The aim of this study is to improve the efficiency of the sand system of the locomotive. For this purpose, a new sand system nozzle mounting design was proposed. The newly proposed sanding system is equipped with a nozzle mounted to the axlebox unlike the original one, which uses the nozzle attached to the bogie frame. To compare the proposed and existing design, simulation calculations were performed in Simpack software 2024.3. For the simulation computation of the locomotive bogie, two types of railway tracks were chosen. A straight track section with two angular frequencies and three amplitudes of track irregularities was created, and a real track section corresponding to several kilometers of track was modeled in the Simpack software. During the simulations, it was determined that the proposed nozzle mounting design has a smaller amplitude of motion, compared to the existing one; therefore, there is a more accurate and efficient operation of the sand system. This in turn has a favorable effect on the adhesion of the wheel with the rail. It was found out that the newly designed sanding system has a significant positive economic effect regarding saving sand. There is no sand loss during sandblasting compared with the original sanding system. This directly relates to saving costs during locomotive operation.
An Adaptive Large Neighborhood Search for a Green Vehicle Routing Problem with Depot Sharing
Authors: Wu Zixuan , Lou Ping , Hu Jianmin , Zeng Yuhang , Fan Chuannian
Published: January 2025

In urban logistics distribution, vehicle carbon emissions during the distribution process significantly contribute to environmental pollution. While developing green logistics is critical for the sustainable growth of the logistics industry, existing studies often overlook the potential benefits of depot sharing among enterprises. By enabling depots belonging to different enterprises to be shared, it would shorten the distance traveled by vehicles returning to depots and reduce carbon emissions. And it would also reduce the number of depots being built. Therefore, a green vehicle routing problem with depot sharing is presented in the paper. To solve this problem, an improved adaptive large neighborhood search algorithm is presented, in which the Split strategy and two new operators are proposed to enhance solution quality and computational efficiency. Extensive numerical experiments are conducted on instances of varying scales to evaluate this algorithm, and also demonstrate its effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, the experimental results demonstrate that depot sharing significantly reduces carbon emissions, achieving an average optimization rate of 10.1% across all instances compared to returning to the original depot.
Interaction Between Two Rigid Hydrophobic Spheres Oscillating in an Infinite Brinkman–Stokes Fluid
Authors: Algatheem Azza M. , Taha Hala H. , El-Sapa Shreen
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the dynamics of two oscillating rigid spheres moving through an infinite porous medium saturated with Stokes fluid flow, addressing the problem of how fluid properties, permeability, frequency, and slip length influence the system. The objective is to model the interactions between the spheres, which differ in size and velocity as they move along the axis connecting their centers while applying slip boundary conditions to their surfaces. We derive the governing field equations using a semi-analytical method and solve the resulting system of equations numerically through a collocation technique. Our novel quantitative results include insights into the drag force coefficients for both in-phase and out-of-phase oscillations of each hydrophobic sphere, considering parameters such as diameter ratio, permeability, frequency, velocity ratios, slip lengths, and the distances between the spheres. Notably, when the spheres are sufficiently far apart, the normalized drag force coefficients behave as if each sphere is moving independently. Additionally, we present streamlines that illustrate the interactions between the spheres across a range of parameters, highlighting the novelty of our findings. A purely viscous medium and no-slip conditions are used to validate the numerical approach and results.
Extracting Implicit User Preferences in Conversational Recommender Systems Using Large Language Models
Authors: Kim Woo-Seok , Lim Seongho , Kim Gun-Woo , Choi Sang-Min
Published: January 2025

Conversational recommender systems (CRSs) have garnered increasing attention for their ability to provide personalized recommendations through natural language interactions. Although large language models (LLMs) have shown potential in recommendation systems owing to their superior language understanding and reasoning capabilities, extracting and utilizing implicit user preferences from conversations remains a formidable challenge. This paper proposes a method that leverages LLMs to extract implicit preferences and explicitly incorporate them into the recommendation process. Initially, LLMs identify implicit user preferences from conversations, which are then refined into fine-grained numerical values using a BERT-based multi-label classifier to enhance recommendation precision. The proposed approach is validated through experiments on three comprehensive datasets: the Reddit Movie Dataset (8413 dialogues), Inspired (825 dialogues), and ReDial (2311 dialogues). Results show that our approach considerably outperforms traditional CRS methods, achieving a 23.3% improvement in Recall@20 on the ReDial dataset and a 7.2% average improvement in recommendation accuracy across all datasets with GPT-3.5-turbo and GPT-4. These findings highlight the potential of using LLMs to extract and utilize implicit conversational information, effectively enhancing the quality of recommendations in CRSs.
Series and Connections Among Central Factorial Numbers, Stirling Numbers, Inverse of Vandermonde Matrix, and Normalized Remainders of Maclaurin Series Expansions †
Authors: Qi Feng
Published: January 2025

This paper presents an extensive investigation into several interrelated topics in mathematical analysis and number theory. The author revisits and builds upon known results regarding the Maclaurin power series expansions for a variety of functions and their normalized remainders, explores connections among central factorial numbers, the Stirling numbers, and specific matrix inverses, and derives several closed-form formulas and inequalities. Additionally, this paper reveals new insights into the properties of these mathematical objects, including logarithmic convexity, explicit expressions for certain quantities, and identities involving the Bell polynomials of the second kind.
MeTa Learning-Based Optimization of Unsupervised Domain Adaptation Deep Networks
Authors: Lin Hsiau-Wen , Ho Trang-Thi , Tu Ching-Ting , Lin Hwei-Jen , Yu Chen-Hsiang
Published: January 2025

This paper introduces a novel unsupervised domain adaptation (UDA) method, MeTa Discriminative Class-Wise MMD (MCWMMD), which combines meta-learning with a Class-Wise Maximum Mean Discrepancy (MMD) approach to enhance domain adaptation. Traditional MMD methods align overall distributions but struggle with class-wise alignment, reducing feature distinguishability. MCWMMD incorporates a meta-module to dynamically learn a deep kernel for MMD, improving alignment accuracy and model adaptability. This meta-learning technique enhances the model’s ability to generalize across tasks by ensuring domain-invariant and class-discriminative feature representations. Despite the complexity of the method, including the need for meta-module training, it presents a significant advancement in UDA. Future work will explore scalability in diverse real-world scenarios and further optimize the meta-learning framework. MCWMMD offers a promising solution to the persistent challenge of domain adaptation, paving the way for more adaptable and generalizable deep learning models.
Recent Advances in Natural Products Derived from Marine Echinoderms and Endophytic Microbes: Chemical Insights and Therapeutic Potential
Authors: Li Shuangyu , Xiao Yan , Li Qiang , Su Mingzhi , Guo Yuewei , Jin Xin
Published: January 2025

Echinoderms, a diverse group of marine invertebrates including starfish, sea urchins, and sea cucumbers, have been recognized as prolific sources of structurally diverse natural products. In the past five years, remarkable progress has been made in the isolation, structural elucidation, and pharmacological assessment of these bioactive compounds. These metabolites, including polysaccharides, triterpenoids, steroids, and peptides, demonstrate potent bioactivities such as anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antimicrobial effects, providing valuable insights and scaffolds for drug discovery. This review highlights the structural diversity and biological activities of natural products derived from echinoderms over the last five years, with a particular focus on their structure–activity relationships and therapeutic potential. It also outlines the prospects and challenges for future research, aiming to stimulate further exploration in marine drug discovery.
Untargeted Metabolomics Reveals the Metabolic Characteristics and Biomarkers of Antioxidant Properties of Gardeniae Fructus from Different Geographical Origins in China
Authors: Jiang Wu , Jiang Lingling , Yin Xiaoli , Zhang Shuhui , Duan Xiaojing , Chen Jiadong , Liu Yingying , Zheng Hong , Tao Zhengming
Published: January 2025

Background/Objectives: Gardeniae Fructus (GF) has been widely used as both food and medicinal purposes for thousands of years, but their antioxidant properties and potential metabolite biomarkers remain unclear. Methods: The purposes of this study were to examine antioxidant activities of 21 GF varieties from different geographical origins in China and identify potential biomarkers of antioxidant properties using an untargeted LC–MS-based metabolomics approach. Results: The results demonstrate that metabolomics had the ability to trace the geographical origins of GF. We found that antioxidant activities varied with different varieties of GF, which was dependent on their chemical compositions. The key chemical categories were obtained as the primary contributors of the antioxidant activity, including prenol lipids, flavonoids, coumarins and derivatives, as well as steroids and steroid derivatives. In addition, adouetine Y, coagulin R 3-glucoside and epicatechin 3-glucoside were identified as potential biomarkers for the antioxidant activity of GF. Conclusions: Therefore, our study sheds light on the metabolic characteristics and biomarkers of the antioxidant properties of GF, contributing to the selection and cultivation of a high antioxidant variety.
Isolation and Characterization of Lactobacillus gasseri Strains from Women for Potential Vaginal Health Applications
Authors: Chung Eui-Chun , Lee Jong Seo , Lim Hye Ji , Kim Seok-Jin , Chung Youn-Jee , Shin Kum-Joo
Published: January 2025

Lactobacillus, a genus of lactic acid bacteria, is known to coexist symbiotically in the female vaginal microbiota and has gained attention as a potential probiotic with benefits for female reproductive health. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic potential of Lactobacillus gasseri BELG74(BELG74), isolated from the vaginal microbiota of Korean women, in promoting vaginal health through growth ability, pH reduction, lactic acid production, and antimicrobial activity. Among 36 Lactobacillus gasseri strains, BELG74 demonstrated the highest growth capacity at 1.84 × 109 CFU/mL and the lowest pH of 3.84. BELG74 produced the most lactic acid at a concentration of 20.12 g/L, which correlated with anti-pathogenic activity against Gardnerella vaginalis, Fannyhessea vaginae, and Candida albicans of more than 90%. It also showed high acid resistance (92.2%) and bile resistance (25.3%), ensuring its survival through the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, BELG74 exhibited strong biofilm formation and adhesion capacity of 28.7% to HeLa cells, making it effective in colonizing the vaginal environment and suppressing pathogenic bacteria. The reduction of IL-1β by 63% suggested anti-inflammatory effects. Additionally, BELG74 effectively neutralized trimethylamine and ammonia by over 99.9%, suggesting its ability to reduce unpleasant vaginal odors. These findings indicate that BELG74 could be a promising probiotic for improving vaginal health, with further clinical studies needed to confirm these benefits.
Massive Sequencing of V3-V4 Hypervariable Region in Pyogenic Liver Abscesses Reveals the Presence of Unusual Bacteria Not Detected by Classical Culture Methods
Authors: Fernández-Sánchez Verónica , Plascencia-Nieto Estibeyesbo Said , Cureño-Díaz Mónica Alethia , Durán-Manuel Emilio Mariano , Rodríguez-Tovar Aida Verónica , Calzada-Mendoza Claudia Camelia , Cruz-Cruz Clemente , Loyola-Cruz Miguel Ángel , Álvarez-Sánchez María Elizbeth , Bravata-Alcántara Juan Carlos , Vásquez-Jiménez Enzo , Gutiérrez-Muñoz Víctor Hugo , Blanco-Hernández Dulce Milagros Razo , Nicolás-Sayago Liliana , Rojas-Bernabé Araceli , García-Hernández Omar , Gómez-Zamora Erika , Ruíz-Valdés Mireya , Castro-Escarpulli Graciela , Bello-López Juan Manuel
Published: January 2025

Pyogenic liver abscesses (PLAs) are serious infections in which doctors often fail in identifying the causative agent due to microbiological limitations. These limitations in detecting uncommon pathogens complicate the treatment and recovery. Molecular techniques, like massive sequencing, enable the detection of uncommon pathogens and highlight the shortcomings of traditional cultures. The aim of this work was to characterise the bacterial composition of PLAs through massive sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S rRNA gene in cases where conventional culture methods were negative. Purulent material was collected from three patients with PLAs at Hospital Juárez de México. Classical and molecular microbiological cultures were performed in parallel. Metagenomic DNA was extracted and massively sequenced (16S rRNA gene) using the Illumina MiSeq platform. A bioinformatic analysis was performed to determine the diversity at six different taxa levels and the relative abundances. The culture methods were not sufficient to detect the causative agent of the PLAs. However, the massive sequencing revealed the causative agents of the monomicrobial and polymicrobial infectious foci, with Gardnerella vaginalis, Lactobacillus iners, and Prevotella timonensis as the dominant bacteria. The massive sequencing revealed the presence of unusual pathogens that traditional culture failed to detect. There is an immediate need for molecular or comprehensive microbiological culture techniques to search for unusual bacteria in the diagnosis of PLAs.
Comparative Genomics Reveals Evidence of the Genome Reduction and Metabolic Potentials of Aliineobacillus hadale Isolated from Challenger Deep Sediment of the Mariana Trench
Authors: Yang Shaofeng , Liu Jie , Liu Yang , Wu Weichao , Wang Jiahua , Wei Yuli
Published: January 2025

Hadal zones account for the deepest 45% of oceanic depth range and play an important role in ocean biogeochemical cycles. As the least-explored aquatic habitat on earth, further investigation is still required to fully elucidate the microbial taxonomy, ecological significance, metabolic diversity, and adaptation in hadal environments. In this study, a novel strain Lsc_1132T was isolated from sediment of the Mariana Trench at 10,954 m in depth. Strain Lsc_1132T contains heterogenous 16S rRNA genes, exhibiting the highest sequence similarities to the type strains of Neobacillus drentensis LMG 21831T, Neobacillus dielmonensis, Neobacillus drentensis NBRC 102427T, Neobacillus rhizosphaerae, and Neobacillus soli NBRC 102451T, with a range of 98.60–99.10% identity. The highest average nucleotide identity (ANI), the highest digital DNA-DNA hybridization (DDH) values, and the average amino acid identity (AAI) with Neobacillus sp. PS3-40 reached 73.5%, 21.4%, and 75.54%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids of strain Lsc_1132T included iso-C15:0, Summed Feature 3 (C16:1ω6c and/or C16:1ω7c), iso-C17:0, anteiso-C15:0, and iso-C17:1ω5c. The respiratory quinone of strains Lsc_1132T was MK-7. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 40.9%. Based on the GTDB taxonomy and phenotypic data, strain Lsc_1132T could represent a novel species of a novel genus, proposed as Aliineobacillus hadale gen. nov. sp. nov. (type strain Lsc_1132T = MCCC 1K09620T). Metabolically, strain Lsc_1132T demonstrates a robust carbohydrate metabolism with many strain-specific sugar transporters. It also has a remarkable capacity for metabolizing amino acids and carboxylic acids. Genomic analysis reveals a streamlined genome in the organism, characterized by a significant loss of orthologous genes, including those involved in cytochrome c synthesis, aromatic compound degradation, and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) synthesis, which suggests its adaptation to low oxygen levels and oligotrophic conditions through alternative metabolic pathways. In addition, the reduced number of paralogous genes in strain Lsc_1132T, together with its high protein-coding gene density, may further contribute to streamlining its genome and enhancing its genomic efficiency. This research expands our knowledge of hadal microorganisms and their metabolic strategies for surviving in extreme deep-sea environments.
Albumin as an Effective Auxiliary Agent for the Enriched Extraction of Anthraquinones and Curcumin from Plant Matrices
Authors: Collevecchio Chiara , Genovese Salvatore , Epifano Francesco , Marchetti Lorenzo , Fiorito Serena
Published: January 2025

Nowadays, several processes to enrich desired bioactive compounds in plant extracts have been developed. The objective of the present study was to assess the performance of bovine serum albumin in increasing the extractive yields of anthraquinones and diarylheptanoids from their respective raw plant powder extracts. Aloe emodin, rhein, emodin, and chrysophanol, from Polygonum cuspidatum, Senna alexandrina, Rhamnus frangula, and Rheum palmatum, and curcumin from Curcuma longa were analyzed in parent dry extracts, solubilized either with water, ethanol, or hydro-alcoholic mixtures, and in ones treated with aqueous solutions of bovine serum albumin by HPLC with UV/Vis detection. The different ratios between the volumes of solvents, powdered plant extracts, and bovine serum albumin were tested. The addition of albumin provided an increase in the yields of aloe emodin in the range 7.8–50.4-fold; of rhein in the range 6.1–14.1-fold; of emodin in the range 19.7–39.7-fold; of chrysophanol in the range 15.1–28.7-fold; and, finally, of curcumin of 32.1-fold. The addition of bovine serum albumin in the processing of plant extracts has been shown to be a novel and a valid alternative, comparing favourably to already reported methodologies. The easy-to-handle procedures, readily accessible facilities, and the employment of cheap substrates and reagents represent the most evident advantages of the methodology described herein.
Iron-Catalyzed Cross-Dehydrogenative Coupling
Authors: Diao Haiyan , Chen Yujia , Liu Feng
Published: January 2025

This review highlights significant advances in iron-catalyzed cross-dehydrogenative coupling (CDC), a method pivotal for forming carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds directly from C-H bonds. This technique uses iron—a naturally abundant, inexpensive, and environmentally benign transition metal—as a catalyst to facilitate the coupling of two unfunctionalized C-H bonds. This method stands out for avoiding pre-functionalized substrates, reducing both waste and cost in organic synthesis. The discussion includes a variety of CDC methodologies involving combinations of C(sp3)-H with C(sp3)-H, C(sp3)-H with C(sp2)-H, and C(sp3)-H with C(sp)-H bonds. These methods have been successfully applied in synthesizing complex molecules and pharmaceuticals, highlighting the versatility and efficiency of iron catalysis.
Preliminary Research on the Health-Promoting Value of Honeydew Honey Enriched with Bee Bread
Authors: Sęk Alicja , Olszak Sara , Jaśkiewicz Katarzyna , Szczęsna Teresa
Published: January 2025

Since the imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body plays a significant role in the physiology of common, often dangerous diseases, an emphasis is placed on enriching the daily diet with compounds characterized by antioxidant activity. Good sources of natural antioxidants are bee products such as honey, bee pollen, bee bread and propolis, and the best path for introducing the latter products into the diet is mixing them with honey. However, the characteristics of bee product mixtures are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the aim of this study is to verify the health-promoting properties of a mixture of honeydew honey and multifloral bee bread. The profile of phenolic compounds, radical scavenging activity, total phenolic content, diastase number, and also proline and HMF content were determined. The obtained results indicated the improved health-promoting value of this mixture, as increases in radical scavenging activity (from 82.7 to 88.4%), in the total content of phenolic compounds (from 74.6 to 118.8 mg·100 g−1), and also in the proline content (from 64.0 to 95.5 mg·100 g−1) and diastase activity (from 22.6 to 38.8 Schade units) were observed when 5% of bee bread (w/w) was added. Moreover, the bee bread addition provided two important flavonoids to the honeydew honey, i.e., rutin and kaempferol.
Autophagy-Enhancing Properties of Hedyotis diffusa Extracts in HaCaT Keratinocytes: Potential as an Anti-Photoaging Cosmetic Ingredient
Authors: Zheng Qiwen , Jin Xiangji , Nguyen Trang Thi Minh , Yi Eun-Ji , Park Se-Jig , Yi Gyeong-Seon , Yang Su-Jin , Yi Tae-Hoo
Published: January 2025

The decline in autophagy disrupts homeostasis in skin cells, leading to oxidative stress, energy deficiency, and inflammation—all key contributors to skin photoaging. Consequently, activating autophagy has become a focal strategy for delaying skin photoaging. Natural plants are rich in functional molecules and widely used in the development of anti-photoaging cosmetics. Hedyotis diffusa (HD), as a medicinal plant, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and anticancer properties; however, its effects on skin photoaging remain unclear. This study investigates HD’s potential to counteract skin photoaging by restoring mitochondrial autophagy in keratinocytes. We used HPLC to detect the main chemical components in HD and, using a UVB-induced photoaging model in HaCaT keratinocytes, examined the effects of HD on reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, Ca2+ concentration, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), apoptosis, and the cell cycle. Cellular respiration was further evaluated with the Seahorse XFp Analyzer, and RT-PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the impact of HD on mitochondrial autophagy-related gene expression and signaling pathways. Our findings indicate that HD promotes autophagy by modulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR and PINK/PARK2 pathways, which stabilizes mitochondrial quality, maintains MMP and Ca2+ balance, and reduces cytochrome c release. These effects relieve cell cycle arrest and prevent apoptosis associated with an increased BAX/BCL-2 ratio. Thus, HD holds promise as an effective anti-photoaging ingredient with potential applications in the development of cosmetic products.
Optical Properties of Thick TiO2-P25 Films
Authors: Politano Grazia Giuseppina
Published: January 2025

In this study, TiO2-P25 films on FTO substrates were synthesized using the sol-gel process and studied using Variable Angle Spectroscopy Ellipsometry (VASE) to determine their optical constants and thickness. The measurements were carried out at room temperature in the wavelength range of (300–900) nm at incident angles varying from 55° to 70°. The resulting thicknesses were found to be around 1000 nm. A graded layer model, which allowed for accurate representation of the depth-dependent optical variations, was employed to model the properties of these TiO2-P25 films. This modeling approach provided deeper insights into the internal structure of the films, particularly how the graded structural characteristics impact the overall optical behavior. Understanding these depth-dependent variations is essential for optimizing the use of TiO2-P25 films in technologies such as solar cells and optical devices.
Endocrine Outcome and Quality of Life After Transsphenoidal Resection of Pituitary Adenoma—A Prospective Randomized Single-Blinded Study Comparing Endoscopic Versus Microscopic Resection
Authors: Pala Andrej , Grübel Nadja , Mayer Benjamin , Becker Ralf , Sommer Fabian , Schmitz Bernd , Etzrodt-Walter Gwendolin , Wirtz Christian Rainer , Hlavac Michal
Published: January 2025

Background: Endoscopic pituitary surgery might yield better endocrine outcomes compared to microscopic resection. We conducted a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study to compare the endocrine outcome and quality of life (QoL) of patients with newly diagnosed pituitary adenoma who underwent either endoscopic or microscopic transsphenoidal surgery (NCT03515603). Methods: Due to slow recruitment, this study had to be stopped prematurely. Out of 170 transsphenoidal pituitary surgeries performed during the study period, 36 patients were enrolled in this study. The primary endpoint was based on the development of a new hypopituitarism. Secondary endpoints included the extent of resection, complications, and QoL. Results: Endoscopic surgery was performed in 47.2% (n = 17). A new hypopituitarism was found in 8.3% (n = 3). All these cases underwent microscopic resection. Arginine vasopressin deficiency was found in 2.7% (n = 1) after microscopic resection. Gross total resection was achieved in 94.4% (n = 34). No surgical complications or new neurological deficits were observed. QoL improved significantly after the surgery, as measured by EQ-VAS (p = 0.003). According to EQ-5D3L, QoL improved or remained unchanged in almost all patients. No significant difference was found in QoL between the endoscopic and microscopic groups. Conclusion: The endoscopic technique appears to offer benefits in the treatment of pituitary adenomas, particularly in terms of achieving a favorable endocrine outcome.
Effects of Xylitol on Tumor Progression in Syngeneic Mice Cancer Models
Authors: Cannon Mark , Cosantino Ashlee , Tran Lori , Chandel Navdeep S. , Ghoreishi Nayereh
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the effects of xylitol, a natural sugar alcohol, on tumor progression in syngeneic mouse cancer models. Xylitol is known for its dental health benefits, but emerging evidence suggests broader biological roles, including potential anti-cancer properties. We explored xylitol’s impact on two mouse cancer models: 4T1 mammary carcinoma and B16F10 melanoma. Xylitol’s efficacy in inhibiting cancer cell lines and modulating tumor progression was assessed using immunocompetent female mice. The experiments involved intratumoral and peritumoral administration of a 20% xylitol solution in two mouse strains: BALB/c (4T1 mammary carcinoma) and C57BL/6 (B16F10 melanoma). Tumor volume, histopathology, and metabolomic analyses were conducted to gauge xylitol’s influence. The study revealed that xylitol administration initially reduced tumor growth in the B16F10 melanoma model, accompanied by alterations in tumor metabolism. However, similar effects were not observed in the 4T1 mammary carcinoma model, and melanoma tumor growth re-commenced in the melanoma model after stroma deterioration caused xylitol solution leakage. These findings suggest that xylitol may have potential as an adjunct therapy in cancer treatment, specifically in melanoma. The differential response between the two cancer models underscores the complexity of cancer biology and the need for further investigation into xylitol’s mechanisms of action and its role in cancer therapy.