bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pre-Transplant Hypoalbuminemia Is Not Associated With Early Key Outcomes Among Simultaneous Pancreas and Kidney Transplant Recipients
Authors: Fedorova Ekaterina , Nehring Firmino Sofia , Kaufman Dixon B. , Odorico Jon S. , Aufhauser David , Thiessen Carrie , Al-Adra David P. , Mandelbrot Didier , Astor Brad C. , Parajuli Sandesh
Published: January 2025

The role of pre-transplant hypoalbuminemia and its impact on post-transplant outcomes in patients undergoing simultaneous pancreas-kidney (SPK) transplantation remains unclear. We analyzed all SPK recipients at our center, who had at least 2 weeks of pancreas and kidney graft survival and had serum albumin measured within 45 days pre-transplant. Recipients were categorized based on pretransplant albumin level as normal (≥4.0 g/dL, N = 222, 42%), mild hypoalbuminemia (≥3.5–<4.0 g/dL, N = 190, 36%), and moderate hypoalbuminemia (<3.5 g/dL, N = 120, 23%). Kidney delayed graft function (DGF), length of stay (LOS) after transplant, re-hospitalization within 30 days after discharge, and need for a return to the operating room (OR) related to transplant surgical complications, acute rejection, and uncensored and death-censored graft failure, within the first years post-transplant were outcomes of interest. A total of 532 SPK recipients were included. Mild or moderate hypoalbuminemia was not associated with DGF, LOS, re-hospitalization, or return to the OR in unadjusted or adjusted analyses. Similarly, mild or moderate hypoalbuminemia was not associated with a risk of graft rejection or graft failure. Among SPK recipients, pre-transplant hypoalbuminemia was not associated with worse outcomes and should not be the determining factor in selecting patients for SPK transplant.
Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Equivalent Ratio on Detonation Characteristics and Performance of CH4/O2 Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine
Authors: Xu Xiao , Han Qixiang , Zhang Yining
Published: January 2025

Equivalent ratio (ER) is an important factor affecting detonation characteristics and propulsion performance of rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE). In this paper, the effects of different equivalent ratios detonation characteristics and thrust performance of methane-oxygen RDRE were studied by 2D numerical simulation. The premixed reactants were injected through the injection holes to simulate the discrete injection of reactants on the injection panel in actual RDRE, the number of injection holes was 60 and 120. The results show that there is hybrid detonation mode (HDM), co-direction multi-wave detonation mode (CMM) and unstable detonation mode (UDM) in detonation combustion due to the influence of equivalent ratio and the number of injection holes, and the co-directional multi-wave detonation mode is beneficial to the thrust stability of RDRE. At the last, the number of detonation waves in RDRE decreases with the increase in the equivalent ratio, and the specific impulse (Isp) increases with the increase of the equivalent ratio.
Effect of Solid-to-Gas Ratio on Powder Fuel Mixing in a Cavity-Based Supersonic Combustion Chamber with Induced Shock: A Numerical Study
Authors: Liang Zuodong , Jiang Ming , Hu Shaoqing , Ma Kai , Xu Guiyang , Wang Wenjie , Miao Yuezu , Li Hongyan
Published: January 2025

The development of powder-fueled ramjets is challenged by the mechanisms of flow mixing for the combustion of powder fuel in supersonic airflows. This paper describes a series of numerical simulations on the injection process of boron powder fuel in a cavity-based supersonic combustion chamber with induced shock. Under different solid-to-gas ratios ranging from 20 to 0.1, this study explored the evolution of supersonic flow fields with strong shear and discontinuities. It also discusses the flow processes and mixing characteristics of powder fuel within them. The study found that the enhancement of powder fuel mixing is mainly related to the rotational regions of large-scale vortex structures. Vortex structures with the required intensity and area can be obtained by adjusting the appropriate solid-to-gas ratio. Moreover, reasonable induction methods can enhance the interaction between particles and vortex structures, thereby achieving mixing enhancement. The interaction between powder fuels and the peripheral rotating regions of these vortices significantly improves the mixing efficiency, with the highest average mixing efficiency increased by 30%. This research lays a foundation for developing mixing enhancement strategies and supports the advancement of efficient and stable powder-fueled ramjets.
Accumulation and Transport of Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in Different Maize Varieties in Southwest China
Authors: Liu Qi , Wang Sheng , Zhou Jijiang , Bao Li , Zhou Wenbing , Zhang Naiming
Published: January 2025

The southwestern region of China is one of the major maize (Zea mays L.)-producing areas and a concentrated zone of farmland contaminated by heavy metals (HMs). Selection of maize varieties with low accumulation of HMs under complex HM pollution conditions is one the most feasible and effective ways for safe utilization of HM-polluted farmland. In this study, we conducted field experiments to investigate the differences in biological traits among 28 local maize varieties under combined soil pollution with Cd, Pb, As, Cr, and Hg. We analyzed the absorption, accumulation, and transport characteristics of Cd, Pb, As, and Cr in various parts of the maize plant (Hg was not detected in any part of maize plants) and explored the relationships of HM contents in different parts of maize with soil HM contents through cluster analysis, correlation analysis, and principal component analysis. The results indicated that among different biological traits of maize, root length, root dry weight, and plant height were the most significantly influenced by soil HM content, while stem dry weight was the least affected. The accumulation capacity of various maize parts for HMs followed the order of grains < stems < cobs < leaves < roots, while the transport capacity followed the order of root–grain < root–stem < cob–grain < stem–cob < stem–leaf. In addition, the accumulation capacity of maize grains for HMs followed the order of As < Cr < Pb < Cd. Different HMs exhibited synergistic effects in various maize parts, except for the stem, particularly in the grains. A synchronous transport mechanism was observed for As and other HMs in different parts. The accumulation of HMs in maize was primarily derived from human activities such as the extraction, storage, and smelting of non-ferrous metals, while the HMs in soil parent material and weathering products played a secondary role. The yield of the tested maize varieties ranged from 7377.6 to 11,037.0 kg·hm−2, with M5 (Haoyu 1511) achieving the highest yield. M2, M4, M5, M9, M10, M21, and M25–28 were identified as suitable varieties with low Cd, Pb, As, and Cr accumulation for popularization in HM-contaminated soils in southwestern China due to their low accumulation of HMs.
WED-YOLO: A Detection Model for Safflower Under Complex Unstructured Environment
Authors: Zhang Zhenguo , Wang Yunze , Xu Peng , Shi Ruimeng , Xing Zhenyu , Li Junye
Published: January 2025

Accurate safflower recognition is a critical research challenge in the field of automated safflower harvesting. The growing environment of safflowers, including factors such as variable weather conditions in unstructured environments, shooting distances, and diverse morphological characteristics, presents significant difficulties for detection. To address these challenges and enable precise safflower target recognition in complex environments, this study proposes an improved safflower detection model, WED-YOLO, based on YOLOv8n. Firstly, the original bounding box loss function is replaced with the dynamic non-monotonic focusing mechanism Wise Intersection over Union (WIoU), which enhances the model’s bounding box fitting ability and accelerates network convergence. Then, the upsampling module in the network’s neck is substituted with the more efficient and versatile dynamic upsampling module, DySample, to improve the precision of feature map upsampling. Meanwhile, the EMA attention mechanism is integrated into the C2f module of the backbone network to strengthen the model’s feature extraction capabilities. Finally, a small-target detection layer is incorporated into the detection head, enabling the model to focus on small safflower targets. The model is trained and validated using a custom-built safflower dataset. The experimental results demonstrate that the improved model achieves Precision (P), Recall (R), mean Average Precision (mAP), and F1 score values of 93.15%, 86.71%, 95.03%, and 89.64%, respectively. These results represent improvements of 2.9%, 6.69%, 4.5%, and 6.22% over the baseline model. Compared with Faster R-CNN, YOLOv5, YOLOv7, and YOLOv10, the WED-YOLO achieved the highest mAP value. It outperforms the module mentioned by 13.06%, 4.85%, 4.86%, and 4.82%, respectively. The enhanced model exhibits superior precision and lower miss detection rates in safflower recognition tasks, providing a robust algorithmic foundation for the intelligent harvesting of safflowers.
Impact of On-Farm Demonstrations on Technology Adoption, Yield, and Profitability Among Small Farmers of Wheat in Pakistan—An Experimental Study
Authors: Hussain Nadia , Maharjan Keshav Lall
Published: January 2025

Do the intensive demonstrations result in consistent technology adoption and yield enhancement? While extension methods show significant immediate effects of an intervention, their impact may fade over time. In a government-led natural experiment in Pakistan, a long-lasting adoption of certified seeds, fertilizers, and pesticides/herbicides in post-treatment years were observed by employing difference–indifferences with a fixed effect method on panel data. The intervention increased the technology adoption in terms of certified seeds by 34%, fertilizers by 15 kg/ha, and pesticides/herbicides by 0.22 L/ha among adopters for four years. Similarly, the wheat yield increased by 0.41 tons per hectare, and profit increased by 12% among the treatment group compared to the control group. In view of these findings, this study suggests continuing this supervised method of extension to other crops in Pakistan.
Pre-Season Precipitation and Temperature Have a Larger Influence on Vegetation Productivity than That of the Growing Season in the Agro-Pastoral Ecotone in Northern China
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Wang Qingtao , Zhang Xueyuan , Guo Zecheng , Guo Xiaonan , Ma Changhui , Wei Baocheng , He Lei
Published: January 2025

Climate change and human activities are reshaping the structure and function of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in vulnerable regions such as agro-pastoral ecotones. However, the extent to which climate change impacts vegetation growth in these areas remains poorly understood, largely due to the modifying effects of human-induced land cover changes on vegetation sensitivity to climatic variations. This study utilizes satellite-derived vegetation indices, land cover datasets, and climate data to investigate the influence of both land cover and climate changes on vegetation growth in the agro-pastoral ecotone of northern China (APENC) from 2001 to 2022. The results reveal that the sensitivity of vegetation productivity, as indicated by the kernel Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (kNDVI), varies depending on the land cover type to climate change in the APENC. Moreover, ridge regression modeling shows that pre-season climate conditions (i.e., pre-season precipitation and temperature) have a stronger positive impact on growing-season vegetation productivity than growing season precipitation and temperature, while the effect of vapor pressure deficit (VPD) is negative. Notably, the kNDVI exhibits significant positive sensitivity (p < 0.05) to precipitation in 34.12% of the region and significant negative sensitivity (p < 0.05) to VPD in 38.80%. The ridge regression model explained 89.10% of the total variation (R2 = 0.891). These findings not only emphasize the critical role of both historical and contemporary climate conditions in shaping vegetation growth but also provide valuable insights into how to adjust agricultural and animal husbandry management strategies to improve regional climate adaptation based on climate information from previous seasons in fragile regions.
Effects of Serendipita indica on the Morphological and Physiological Characteristics of Agrostis stolonifera L. Under Drought Stress
Authors: Lin Chuhong , Hu Wenxu , Qin Xin , Fei Yongjun , Hu Die
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the effect of Serendipita indica inoculation on the growth, structural characteristics of leaf epidermis, photosynthetic parameters, and antioxidant and osmoregulation capacities of Agrostis stolonifera L. under different drought stresses (normal moisture management: at 70–75% of the field capacity, low drought: at 55–60% field capacity, moderate drought: at 40–45% of the field capacity, and severe drought: at 25–30% of the field capacity). The results showed that inoculation with S. indica significantly enhanced the growth potential of A. stolonifera compared to uninoculated controls, and then under drought stress conditions, inoculation with S. indica significantly alleviated the inhibition of the growth and development of A. stolonifera, especially under mild and moderate drought stresses. These improvements were evident in both aboveground and underground parts, leaf relative water content, total root length, and root surface area after 25 days of drought treatments. Inoculated plants also exhibited higher levels of photosynthetic pigments, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and transpiration rate (Tr) under drought conditions. Additionally, S. indica inoculation significantly increased the activities of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX), as well as the soluble sugar, soluble protein, and proline levels under drought-stressed and non-stressed conditions. In addition, the increases in the malondialdehyde (MDA) content and relative conductivity (RC) of leaves were significantly lower in the inoculated group compared to the control group. In conclusion, the symbiosis with S. indica promotes the growth of A. stolonifera under drought stress, likely by enhancing photosynthesis, osmoregulatory substances, and antioxidant enzyme activities.
Performance Responses and Fillet Quality of Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) to Increasing Addition Levels of Dietary Supplementation of Guanidinoacetic Acid
Authors: Sessegolo Ferzola Pedro Henrique , Ringel Judith , Beneder Elena , Schulz Carsten , Gierus Martin
Published: January 2025

Guanidinoacetic acid (GAA) plays an important role in cellular energy use and protein synthesis. The objectives of this study were to determine the optimal level of dietary GAA regarding the growth performance and fillet characteristics of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). A total of 300 trout (initial weight, 66.84 ± 7.82 g) were fed isonitrogenous (34%) and isocaloric (20.6 MJ kg−1) diets with increasing levels of GAA (0.00, 0.06, 0.12, 0.18%) for 90 days. The results showed that trout fed GAA (either 0.06, 0.12, or 0.18%) yielded better (p < 0.05) performance (BW, BWG, FCR, and SGR) than trout fed the control diet (0.00% GAA inclusion). No differences (p > 0.05) were observed for BW, BWG, nor FCR among trout fed GAA. Nonetheless, trout fed a diet with a 0.12% GAA inclusion had the highest (p < 0.01) SGR. Fillet quality was not affected by GAA supplementation (p > 0.05) for cook loss, shear force, nor colour. Trout fed 0.06% GAA inclusion tended (p = 0.08) to have a higher WHC. Moreover, trout fed 0.12 and 0.18% GAA had lower (p < 0.05) pH values than trout fed the control diet and 0.06% GAA. Our findings give insights for the growth promotion and fillet quality of trout fed diets supplemented with GAA, especially at the level of 0.12%.
Transcriptome Analysis Reveals the Molecular Mechanism of PLIN1 in Goose Hierarchical and Pre-Hierarchical Follicle Granulosa Cells
Authors: He Hua , Lin Yueyue , Zhang Xi , Xie Hengli , Wang Zhujun , Hu Shenqiang , Li Liang , Liu Hehe , Han Chunchun , Xia Lu , Hu Jiwei , Wang Jiwen , Liao Lin , Yuan Xin
Published: January 2025

PLIN1, a member of the PAT family, is expressed in both adipocytes and steroidogenic cells. In this study, we used cell transfection technology combined with transcriptome sequencing to investigate the regulatory mechanism of PLIN1 in goose follicular GCs. Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that in the four groups (phGC: over_vs_over-NC; hGC: over_vs_over-NC; phGC: si_vs_si-NC; hGC: si_vs_si-NC), most differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched (p < 0.05) in pathways related to biological processes (BPs), particularly those associated with the regulation of cellular lipid metabolism and oxidative stress. KEGG analysis further identified significant enrichment (p < 0.05) in pathways related to cell apoptosis and the cell cycle. A joint analysis of KEGG and PPI on the upregulated and downregulated DEGs revealed that the TGF-β signaling pathway was the only pathway significantly enriched among both upregulated and downregulated DEGs after PLIN1 overexpression in hGCs and phGCs. Based on these findings, we hypothesize that PLIN1 overexpression may promote granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis by activating the TGF-β signaling pathway in goose follicular GCs. Additionally, nine potential candidate genes were identified: PPARγ, MGLL, PTEN, BAMBI, BMPR2, JUN, FST, ACSF3, and ACSL4. These results address a significant research gap concerning the role of this gene in granulosa cells and contribute to the understanding of its molecular regulatory mechanisms.
Oxidative Stress and the Central Nervous System
Authors: D’Ascenzo Marcello , Colussi Claudia
Published: January 2025

Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (ROS; RNS) are natural bioproducts of cellular metabolism, particularly produced within the mitochondria during energy production [...]
Structural Characterization of Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) Polysaccharides and Evaluation of Its Antioxidant and Immunostimulatory Activities
Authors: Zhang Haiying , Peng Chengyu , Zhang Wei , Liu Huatao , Liu Xiaodong , Sun Changqing , Cao Xiaoning
Published: January 2025

A water-soluble polysaccharide from foxtail millet (FM-D1) was isolated and purified through gradient ethanol precipitation and column chromatography. Size-Exclusion Chromatography–Multi-Angle Light Scattering–Refractive Index (SEC-MALLS-RI) and high-performance anion-exchange chromatography (HPAEC) analyses revealed that FM-D1 constitutes a highly purified neutral polysaccharide exclusively composed of glucose as the sugar unit, with a molecular weight of 14.823 kDa. The structural characterization results obtained from gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) spectra suggest that FM-D1 primarily consists of a main chain linked by →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ and minor quantities of →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ to form the main chain, with branching mainly composed of α-D-Glcp-(1→ attached to the O-6 position of →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→ sugar residues. Based on these findings, the antioxidant and immunomodulatory activities of FM-D1 were evaluated in vitro. The results indicated that FM-D1 exhibited moderate 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azinobis-(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity and total antioxidant capacity (TAOC). Furthermore, FM-D1 stimulated macrophage proliferation and inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 246.7 cells. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that foxtail millet holds promise as a potential antioxidant agent and immunologic substance in functional foods.
Tracing the Evolution of the Emission Properties of Carbon-Rich AGB, Post-AGB, and PN Sources
Authors: Tosi Silvia , Marini Ester
Published: January 2025

Understanding the transition from the Asymptotic Giant Branch (AGB) to the Planetary Nebula (PN) phase is crucial for advancing our knowledge of galaxy evolution and the chemical enrichment of the universe. In this manuscript, we analyze 137 carbon-rich, evolved low- and intermediate-mass stars (LIMSs) from both the Magellanic Clouds (MCs) and the Milky Way (MW). We focus on AGB, post-AGB, and PN sources, tracing the evolution of their emission through spectral energy distribution (SED) modeling. Consistent with previous studies, we observe that more evolved LIMSs exhibit cooler dust temperatures and lower optical depths. Amorphous carbon (amC) is the dominant dust species in all the evolutionary stages examined in this work, while silicon carbide (SiC) accounts for 5–30% of the total dust content. Additionally, we analyze color–color diagrams (CCDs) in the infrared using data from IRAC, WISE, and 2MASS, uncovering significant evolutionary trends in LIMS emission. AGB stars evolve from bluer to redder colors as they produce increasing amounts of dust. Post-AGB and PN sources are clearly differentiated from AGB stars, reflecting shifts in both effective stellar and dust temperatures as the stars transition through these evolutionary phases.
Characterizing Industrial VOC Hotspots in One of Eastern China’s Largest Petrochemical Parks Using Mobile PTR–ToF–MS Measurements
Authors: Fang Jie , Zhang Zihang , Liang Zeye , Wang Ming , Zhang Yunjiang , Ge Xinlei
Published: January 2025

The industrial emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a major contributor to air pollution in urban areas. Previous studies on VOC emissions in industrial zones have primarily relied on in situ monitoring techniques, which pose significant challenges in capturing high emissions peaks and near-source measurements on regional scales. In this study, we employed mobile proton transfer reaction–time-of-flight–mass spectrometry (PTR–ToF–MS) to identify and characterize industrial VOC hotspots in a petrochemical park in eastern China, from June to September 2021. The average total VOC concentrations in the industrial zone were 131.5 ± 227.7 ppbv, approximately 48% higher than those in the background area (88.9 ± 63.3 ppbv), reflecting the substantial emissions from industrial hotspots. Oxygenated VOCs were the most abundant components in the industrial zone (83.2 ppbv). The overall OH reactivity, aerosol formation potential, and lifetime cancer risk of the industrial zone were also substantially higher than those in the background zone. These findings emphasize the need for targeted VOC emissions controls in industrial hotspots to mitigate air quality and health risks.
Unilateral Versus Bilateral Cochlear Implants in Adults: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire Study Across Multiple Hearing Domains
Authors: Pantaleo Alessandra , Curatoli Luigi , Cavallaro Giada , Auricchio Debora , Murri Alessandra , Quaranta Nicola
Published: January 2025

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the subjective experiences of adults with different cochlear implant (CI) configurations—unilateral cochlear implant (UCI), bilateral cochlear implant (BCI), and bimodal stimulation (BM)—focusing on their perception of speech in quiet and noisy environments, music, environmental sounds, people’s voices and tinnitus. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 130 adults who had undergone UCI, BCI, or BM was conducted. Participants completed a six-item online questionnaire, assessing difficulty levels and psychological impact across auditory domains, with responses measured on a 10-point scale. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the subjective experiences of the three groups. Results: Patients reported that understanding speech in noise and tinnitus perception were their main concerns. BCI users experienced fewer difficulties with understanding speech in both quiet (p < 0.001) and noisy (p = 0.008) environments and with perceiving non-vocal sounds (p = 0.038) compared to UCI and BM users; no significant differences were found for music perception (p = 0.099), tinnitus perception (p = 0.397), or voice naturalness (p = 0.157). BCI users also reported less annoyance in quiet (p = 0.004) and noisy (p = 0.047) environments, and in the perception of voices (p = 0.009) and non-vocal sounds (p = 0.019). Tinnitus-related psychological impact showed no significant differences between groups (p = 0.090). Conclusions: Although speech perception in noise and tinnitus remain major problems for CI users, the results of our study suggest that bilateral cochlear implantation offers significant subjective advantages over unilateral implantation and bimodal stimulation in adults, particularly in difficult listening environments.
From Topological Optimization to Spline Layouts: An Approach for Industrial Real-Wise Parts
Authors: Beccari Carolina Vittoria , Ceruti Alessandro , Chudy Filip
Published: January 2025

Additive manufacturing technologies have allowed the production of complex geometries that are typically obtained by applying topology optimization techniques. The outcome of the optimization process is a tessellated geometry, which has reduced aesthetic quality and unwanted spikes and cusps. Filters can be applied to improve the surface quality, but volume shrinking and geometry modification can be noticed. The design practice suggests manually re-designing the object in Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software, imitating the shape suggested by topology optimization. However, this operation is tedious and a lot of time is wasted. This paper proposes a methodology to automate the conversion from topology optimization output to a CAD-compatible design for industrial components. Topology optimization usually produces a dense triangle mesh with a high topological genus for those objects. We present a method to automatically generate a collection of spline (tensor-product) patches joined watertight and test the approach on real-wise industrial components. The methodology is based on the use of quadrilateral patches which are built on the external surface of the components. Based on the tests carried out, promising results have been obtained. It constitutes a first step towards the automatic generation of shapes that can readily be imported and edited in a CAD system.
Application of the Averaging Method to the Optimal Control of Parabolic Differential Inclusions on the Semi-Axis
Authors: Kasimova Nina , Feketa Petro
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we use the averaging method to find an approximate solution for the optimal control of parabolic differential inclusion with fast-oscillating coefficients on a semi-axis.
Different Metal–Air Batteries as Range Extenders for the Electric Vehicle Market: A Comparative Study
Authors: Shabeer Yasmin , Madani Seyed Saeed , Panchal Satyam , Mousavi Mahboubeh , Fowler Michael
Published: January 2025

Metal–air batteries represent a category of energy storage system that leverages the reaction between metal and oxygen from the atmosphere to produce electricity. These batteries, known for their high energy density, have attracted considerable attention as potential solutions for extending the range of electric vehicles. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of metal-air batteries as range extenders is crucial for advancing electric vehicle technology, as these batteries could offer the additional energy needed to overcome current range limitations. This review paper provides a detailed overview of various metal-air battery technologies, delving into their design, functionality, and inherent challenges. By analyzing key theoretical and practical parameters, the study highlights how these factors influence overall battery performance. Additionally, the review addresses critical cost considerations, particularly the relationship between vehicle cost and driving range, uncovering the significant trade-offs involved in adopting metal-air batteries. Through an examination of nearly all the existing metal-air batteries, this paper sheds light on their potential to serve as effective range extenders, thereby facilitating the transition to a cleaner, more sustainable transportation landscape.
AI-Driven Mental Health Surveillance: Identifying Suicidal Ideation Through Machine Learning Techniques
Authors: Allam Hesham , Davison Chris , Kalota Faisal , Lazaros Edward , Hua David
Published: January 2025

As suicide rates increase globally, there is a growing need for effective, data-driven methods in mental health monitoring. This study leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI), particularly natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML), to identify suicidal ideation from Twitter data. A predictive model was developed to process social media posts in real time, using NLP and sentiment analysis to detect textual and emotional cues associated with distress. The model aims to identify potential suicide risks accurately, while minimizing false positives, offering a practical tool for targeted mental health interventions. The study achieved notable predictive performance, with an accuracy of 85%, precision of 88%, and recall of 83% in detecting potential suicide posts. Advanced preprocessing techniques, including tokenization, stemming, and feature extraction with term frequency–inverse document frequency (TF-IDF) and count vectorization, ensured high-quality data transformation. A random forest classifier was selected for its ability to handle high-dimensional data and effectively capture linguistic and emotional patterns linked to suicidal ideation. The model’s reliability was supported by a precision–recall AUC score of 0.93, demonstrating its potential for real-time mental health monitoring and intervention. By identifying behavioral patterns and triggers, such as social isolation and bullying, this framework provides a scalable and efficient solution for mental health support, contributing significantly to suicide prevention strategies worldwide.
Analysis on Bacterial Community of Noctiluca scintillans Algal Blooms Near Pingtan Island, China
Authors: Liu Yunguang , Zhang Yutong , Yao Haiyan , Zheng Zewen , Zhao Wenbo , Lin Gang
Published: January 2025

Noctiluca scintillans, known as a global red tide species, is a common red tide species found in Pingtan Island. To examine the bacterial community structure in different environments during the red tide period of N. scintillans on Pingtan Island, samples were collected from the Algal Bloom Area (ABA), Transition Area (TA), and Non-Algal Bloom Area (NBA) on 6 April 2022, and the environmental physicochemical factors and bacterial community were determined. The outbreak of N. scintillans red tide significantly impacted the water quality and bacterial community structure in the affected sea area. The water quality in the ABA has deteriorated markedly, with the contents of COD, NH4+-N, and PO43− in the ABA being significantly higher than those in the TA and NBA, while the pH is significantly lower than that in the TA and NBA. The richness, diversity, and evenness of the bacterial community in the ABA are all lower than those of the TA and NBA. For instance, the Shannon index values of the three sampling points are 4.41, 5.41, and 6.37, respectively. At the phylum level, the dominant bacterial phyla in the ABA are Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Cyanobacteria; in the TA, they are Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes; and in the NBA, they are Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Cyanobacteria. At the genus level, the dominant bacterial genera in the ABA are Vibrio, Carnobacterium, Candidatus_Megaira, Planktomarina, and Pseudoalteromonas; in the TA, they are Vibrio, Planktomarina, Lentibacter, Glaciecola, and Jannaschia; and in the NBA, they are Planktomarina, Amylibacter, NS5_marine_group, Aurantivirga, and marine_metagenome. In the ABA, the combined proportion of Vibrio and Carnobacterium exceeds 50%, with Vibrio_splendidus accounting for 93% of the total Vibrio population. These research results can provide a scientific basis for clarifying the environmental characteristics and bacterial composition during the large-scale N. scintillans red tide in Pingtan Island.
From Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) to Polynucleotides (PNs): Bridging the Gap Between Scientific Definitions, Molecular Insights, and Clinical Applications of Multifunctional Biomolecules
Authors: Marques Cíntia , Porcello Alexandre , Cerrano Marco , Hadjab Farid , Chemali Michèle , Lourenço Kelly , Hadjab Basste , Raffoul Wassim , Applegate Lee Ann , Laurent Alexis E.
Published: January 2025

Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) and polynucleotides (PNs) are similar DNA-derived biopolymers that have garnered significant scientific attention since the 1990s for their potential applications in wound healing and skin rejuvenation. These biopolymers exhibit a broad molecular weight (MW) range, typically spanning from 50 to 1500 kDa. However, recent studies have expanded this range to encompass fragments as small as 1 kDa and as large as 10,000 kDa. Clinically, PDRN/PN formulations, commercially available in various galenic forms (gels, creams, serums, masks, and injectables), have demonstrated promising effects in significantly promoting skin regeneration, reducing inflammation, improving skin texture, preventing scar formation, and mitigating wrinkles. Importantly, despite their widespread use in cosmetology and aesthetic dermatology, the interchangeable use of the terms “PDRN” and “PN” in the scientific literature (to describe polymers of varying lengths) has led to considerable confusion within the medical and scientific communities. To specifically address this PDRN/PN ambiguity, this narrative review proposes a standardized structure-based nomenclature for these DNA-derived polymers, the “Marques Polynucleotide Cutoff”, set at 1500 kDa. Thus, we propose that the term “PDRN” should be exclusively reserved for small- and medium-chain polymers (MW < 1500 kDa), while the term “PN” should specifically be used to denote longer-chain polymers (MW ≥ 1500 kDa). In a broader perspective, this classification is based on the distinct physicochemical properties and therapeutic effects of these DNA fragments of various MWs, which are comprehensively discussed in the present review.
The Role of Quercetin, a Flavonoid in the Management of Pathogenesis Through Regulation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Biological Activities
Authors: Alharbi Hajed Obaid A. , Alshebremi Mohammad , Babiker Ali Yousif , Rahmani Arshad Husain
Published: January 2025

Quercetin, a flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits, has been extensively studied for its health benefits and disease management. Its role in the prevention of various pathogenesis has been well-documented, primarily through its ability to inhibit oxidative stress, inflammation, and enhance the endogenous antioxidant defense mechanisms. Electronic databases such as Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, Medline, and Web of Science were searched for information regarding quercetin and its role in various pathogeneses. The included literature comprised experimental studies, randomized controlled trials, and epidemiological studies related to quercetin, while editorials, case analyses, theses, and letters were excluded. It has been reported to have a wide range of health benefits including hepatoprotective, antidiabetic, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, wound healing, antimicrobial, and immunomodulatory effects, achieved through the modulation of various biological activities. Additionally, numerous in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that quercetin’s efficacies in cancer management involve inhibiting cell signaling pathways, such as inflammation, cell cycle, and angiogenesis, activating cell signaling pathways including tumor suppressor genes, and inducing apoptosis. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the health benefits of quercetin in various pathogeneses. Additionally, this review outlines the sources of quercetin, nanoformulations, and its applications in health management, along with key findings from important clinical trial studies. Limited clinical data regarding quercetin’s safety and mechanism of action are available. It is important to conduct more clinical trials to gain a deeper understanding of the disease-preventive potential, mechanisms of action, safety, and optimal therapeutic dosages. Furthermore, more research based on nanoformulations should be performed to minimize/overcome the hindrance associated with bioavailability, rapid degradation, and toxicity.
Effects of Hyaluronic Acid on Three Different Cell Types of the Periodontium in a Novel Multi-Culture Cell Plate: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Barbieri Alessio , Pitzurra Luciano , Loos Bruno , Jansen Ineke D. C.
Published: January 2025

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has received considerable attention in the reconstruction of lost periodontal tissues. HA has been proposed to play a role in cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and cell–matrix as well as cell–cell interactions. Although various studies have been conducted, further research is needed to expand our knowledge based on HA such as its effects on cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. The aim of this study is to assess, in single- and multi-culture plate models, the effect of HA on the proliferation, viability, and function of periodontal ligament fibroblasts, osteoblasts, and gingival epithelial cells. A novel multi-culture cell plate was chosen to simulate a cell–cell communication as close as possible to a real clinical condition in an in vitro setting. We found that HA exclusively enhanced epithelial cell proliferation, while intercellular communication stimulated the proliferation and osteogenic potential of the osteoblasts, independently from HA use. The proliferation and function of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts were not changed by HA or the cellular interplay. The use of multi-culture plates could represent a promising method to investigate and compare dental biomaterials in experiments mimicking an in vivo environment.
Environmental Pollutants as Emerging Concerns for Cardiac Diseases: A Review on Their Impacts on Cardiac Health
Authors: Kumar Vinay , S Hemavathy , Huligowda Lohith Kumar Dasarahally , Umesh Mridul , Chakraborty Pritha , Thazeem Basheer , Singh Anand Prakash
Published: January 2025

Comorbidities related to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and environmental pollution have emerged as serious concerns. The exposome concept underscores the cumulative impact of environmental factors, including climate change, air pollution, chemicals like PFAS, and heavy metals, on cardiovascular health. Chronic exposure to these pollutants contributes to inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction, further exacerbating the global burden of CVDs. Specifically, carbon monoxide (CO), ozone, particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), heavy metals, pesticides, and micro- and nanoplastics have been implicated in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality through various mechanisms. PM2.5 exposure leads to inflammation and metabolic disruptions. Ozone and CO exposure induce oxidative stress and vascular dysfunction. NO2 exposure contributes to cardiac remodeling and acute cardiovascular events, and sulfur dioxide and heavy metals exacerbate oxidative stress and cellular damage. Pesticides and microplastics pose emerging risks linked to inflammation and cardiovascular tissue damage. Monitoring and risk assessment play a crucial role in identifying vulnerable populations and assessing pollutant impacts, considering factors like age, gender, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle disorders. This review explores the impact of cardiovascular disease, discussing risk-assessment methods, intervention strategies, and the challenges clinicians face in addressing pollutant-induced cardiovascular diseases. It calls for stronger regulatory policies, public health interventions, and green urban planning.
Bacterial Diversity in Native Heart Valves in Infective Endocarditis
Authors: Sinitskaya Anna , Kostyunin Alexander , Asanov Maxim , Khutornaya Maria , Klyueva Anastasia , Poddubnyak Alyona , Tupikin Alexey , Kabilov Marsel , Sinitsky Maxim
Published: January 2025

Background: Infective endocarditis (IE) is an infectious disease caused by the hematogenous dissemination of bacteria into heart valves. Improving the identification of pathogens that cause IE is important to increase the effectiveness of its therapy and reduce the mortality caused by this pathology. Methods: Ten native heart valves obtained from IE patients undergoing heart valve replacements were analyzed. Bacterial invasion in the heart valves was studied by Gram staining of histological sections. Histopathological changes accompanied with bacterial invasion were studied by immunohistochemical analysis of pan-leukocyte marker CD45, platelet marker CD41, and neutrophil myeloperoxidase. The taxonomic diversity of the bacteria was analyzed using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. Results: Gram staining of the histological sections revealed bacterial cells localized on the atrial surface at the leaflet’s free edge or on the ventricular surface at the leaflet’s base within fibrin deposits in only three of the studied heart valves. Bacterial colonies were co-localized with microthrombi (CD41+ cells) containing single leucocytes (CD45+ cells), represented by segmented neutrophils. As a result of 16S rRNA metabarcoding, we detected the following bacterial genera: Pseudomonas (70% of the studied heart valves), Roseateles (60%), Acinetobacter (40%), Sphingomonas (40%), Enterococcus (30%), Reyranella (20%), Sphingobium (20%), Streptococcus (20%), Agrobacterium (20%), Ralstonia (10%), and Bacillus (10%). Conclusions: A number of opportunistic microorganisms that could not be detected by routine laboratory tests and were not eliminated during antibiotic therapy were identified in the IE-affected heart valves. The obtained results show the importance of 16S rRNA metabarcoding of heart valves removed due to IE not only as an independent diagnostic method but also as a highly accurate approach that complements routine tests for pathogen identification.
Assessment of IL-6 Pathway Inhibition in Gastrointestinal Behçet’s Disease from Immunological and Clinical Perspectives
Authors: Naganuma Makoto , Takeno Mitsuhiro , Çelik Aykut Ferhat , Moots Robert , Pinton Philippe , Hisamatsu Tadakazu
Published: January 2025

Behçet’s disease is an autoinflammatory disorder characterized by relapsing and remitting vasculitis that can manifest in various forms, including gastrointestinal Behçet’s disease (GIBD). Its complications (e.g., intestinal perforation) are among the primary causes of morbidity and mortality. GIBD pathogenesis involves the enhanced production of certain cytokines, e.g., tumor necrosis factor α and interleukin-6 (IL-6), which could serve as a target for potential therapies. This review provides an overview of GIBD, including the diagnosis and immunopathogenesis as it is currently understood, and evaluates the emerging role of the inhibition of IL-6 (classic and trans-signaling) as an alternative treatment option for patients with GIBD. Given the current paucity of data, we reflected on the potential of IL-6 inhibitors such as tocilizumab and olamkicept based on immunopathogenic considerations and available clinical data in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in whom clinical response or remission was induced. The selective inhibition of IL-6 trans-signaling may bring new impetus to the development of this drug class, particularly regarding safety. Still, the benefits of IL-6 inhibitors for patients with GIBD need to be evaluated in appropriate proof-of-concept studies. The clinical outcomes of IL-6 inhibitors in IBD are promising and may suggest their potential relevance in GIBD.
Evaluation of Internal and Marginal Accuracy (Trueness and Precision) of Laminates Using DLP Printing and Milling Methods
Authors: Noh Mijun , Lee Habin , Lee Wansun , Kim Jaehong , Kim Jihwan
Published: January 2025

This study evaluated the internal and marginal accuracy (trueness and precision) of zirconia laminate veneers fabricated using the DLP printing and milling method, employing 3D analysis software program. The maxillary central incisor tooth of a typodont model was prepared by a dentist and scanned using a desktop scanner. An anatomical zirconia laminate was designed using computer-aided design (CAD) software and saved in a standard tessellation language (STL) format. Thirty zirconia laminates were manufactured using a milling machine (MLL group) and a DLP printer (PTL group). All the specimens were scanned, and their internal and marginal areas were edited accordingly. The root-mean-square value was used to assess the accuracy of the internal and marginal areas of the zirconia laminates. Statistical significance was evaluated using the Mann–Whitney U test. Statistically significant differences were found in RMS values for both groups in the internal and marginal areas (p < 0.001 and p = 0.034, respectively). The MLL and PTL groups differed significantly in terms of precision (p = 0.017), but not at the margin (p = 0.361). DLP-printed zirconia laminates demonstrated stable and consistent performance, making the technique a reliable option for producing esthetic prostheses.
Sensitive Detection of Biomarker in Gingival Crevicular Fluid Based on Enhanced Electrochemiluminescence by Nanochannel-Confined Co3O4 Nanocatalyst
Authors: Zhu Changfeng , Zhao Yujiao , Liu Jiyang
Published: January 2025

The sensitive detection of inflammatory biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) is highly desirable for the evaluation of periodontal disease. Luminol-based electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensors offer a promising approach for the fast and convenient detection of biomarkers. However, luminol’s low ECL efficiency under neutral conditions remains a challenge. This study developed an immunosensor by engineering an immunorecognition interface on the outer surface of mesoporous silica nanochannel film (SNF) and confining a Co3O4 nanocatalyst within the SNF nanochannels to improve the luminol ECL efficiency. The SNF was grown on an indium tin oxide (ITO) electrode using the simple Stöber solution growth method. A Co3O4 nanocatalyst was successfully confined within the SNF nanochannels through in situ electrodeposition, confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electrochemical measurements. The confined Co3O4 demonstrated excellent electrocatalytic activity, effectively enhancing luminol and H2O2 oxidation and boosting the ECL signal under neutral conditions. Using interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a proof-of-concept demonstration, the epoxy functionalization of the SNF outer surface enabled the covalent immobilization of capture antibodies, forming a specific immunorecognition interface. IL-6 binding induced immunocomplex formation, which reduced the ECL signal and allowed for quantitative detection. The immunosensor showed a linear detection range for IL-6 from 1 fg mL−1 to 10 ng mL−1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.64 fg mL−1. It also demonstrated good selectivity and anti-interference capabilities, enabling the successful detection of IL-6 in artificial GCF samples.