Dietary fibers regulate intestinal barrier function; however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigated the effects of psyllium fibers on antimicrobial protein expression, focusing on the type II immunity and tuft cell-group 2 innate lymphoid cell (ILC2) circuit in the small intestine of the mouse. Supplemental psyllium fiber upregulated antimicrobial proteins, such as small proline-rich protein 2A (SPRR2A) and resistin-like beta (RELMβ), in mouse small intestine, evidently affecting cecal microbiota composition. The psyllium fibers also increased the RNA and protein expression of molecules related to ILC2 and tuft cells, such as IL-13, IL-25, DCLK1, Gfi-1b, SH2 domain-containing protein 3C, and Spi-B. In addition, ILC2 inhibitor (disulfiram) and bitter taste receptor blocker administration reduced psyllium-induced SPRR2A and RELMβ expression. Collectively, psyllium supplementation upregulates antimicrobial proteins such as SPRR2A and RELMß via the type II immune response and tuft cell-ILC2 circuit in the mouse small intestine. Full article

Cancer remains a significant global health challenge despite advancements in diagnosis and treatment. Traditional cancer therapies often face limitations such as toxicity and drug resistance. Drug repurposing has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these challenges by identifying new therapeutic uses for existing drugs. This review explores the potential of repurposing positive inotropic agents, which are traditionally used in cardiovascular medicine, for cancer therapy. Positive inotropic agents, including cardiac glycosides, β-agonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, and calcium sensitizers have shown preclinical evidence of anti-tumor activity through various mechanisms, such as modulation of the intracellular signaling pathways, increasing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, the production of nitric oxide, and decreasing reactive oxygen species levels. Despite the absence of specific clinical trials in this area, these findings suggest a promising avenue for further research and development of combination therapies to improve cancer treatment outcomes. However, challenges such as elucidating specific anti-tumor mechanisms, identifying predictive biomarkers, and optimizing safety profiles need to be addressed to fully realize the therapeutic potential of positive inotropic agents in oncology. Full article

(1) Introduction: Cancer diagnosis has been related to depression, anxiety, and distress, as well as to post-traumatic growth (PTG). One of the mediating variables for emotional response is thought style (rumination, cognitive avoidance, and cognitive engagement). (2) Aim: To identify the relationship between thought style and emotional responses to cancer. A secondary aim was to identify the relationship between emotional responses and inflammatory immunological biomarkers. (3) Method: A total of 115 patients with cancer were included in the study. Before initiating cancer treatment, patients were assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), distress thermometer, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI). Patients provided their most recent blood biometry. (4) Results: Rumination correlated with anxiety, depression, and distress. Cognitive avoidance correlated with PTG (−0.240) and distress (−0.209). Cognitive engagement correlated with PTG (0.393). Regarding thought style and biomarkers, a negative correlation was observed for absolute neutrophils with cognitive avoidance (−0.271) and rumination (0.305). Regarding biomarkers and emotional responses, there was a negative correlation between PTG and absolute lymphocytes (−0.291). There was also a correlation between PTG and neutrophils (0.357) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (0.295). (5) Conclusions: Thought style is related to the emotional response to a cancer diagnosis; rumination is related to depression, distress, and anxiety; and cognitive engagement is related to PTG. PTG is related to inflammation and immunological biomarkers. Full article

In this study, we report the successful development of a novel high-sensitivity intensity-based Surface Plasmon Resonance imaging (SPRi) biosensor and its application for detecting molecular interactions. By optimizing the excitation wavelength and employing a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) algorithm, the system can determine the optimal excitation wavelength based on the initial refractive index of the sample without adjusting the incidence angle. The experimental results demonstrate that the refractive index resolution of the system reaches $1.77\times {10}^{-6}$ RIU. Moreover, it can obtain the optimal excitation wavelength for samples with an initial refractive index in the range of 1.333 to 1.370 RIU and accurately monitor variations within the range of 0.0037 RIU without adjusting the incidence angle. Additionally, our new SPRi technique realized real-time detection of high-throughput biomolecular binding processes, enabling analysis of kinetic parameters. This research is expected to advance the development of more accurate SPRi technologies for molecular interaction analysis. Full article

This study explored, for the first time, the chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of a caper leaf essential oil (EO) emulsion for possible food applications as a natural preservative. The EO was extracted by hydrodistillation from the leaves of Capparis spinosa growing wild in the Aeolian Archipelago (Sicily, Italy) and exhibited a pungent, sulphurous odour. The volatile fraction of the emulsion, analysed by SPME-GC-MS, consisted of over 100 compounds and was dominated by compounds with recognised antibacterial and antioxidant properties, namely dimethyl tetrasulfide (18.41%), dimethyl trisulfide (12.58%), methyl isothiocyanate (7.97%), and terpinen-4-ol (6.76%). The emulsion was effective against all bacterial strains tested (Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Enteritidis, Pseudomonas fluorescens), with L. monocytogenes exhibiting the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC = 0.02 mg/mL) while E. coli had the highest (MIC = 0.06 mg/mL). The emulsion had a good DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine) radical scavenging activity that was dose-dependent and equal to 42.98% at the 0.08 mg/mL level with an IC₅₀ value of 0.099 mg/mL. Based on the results, the caper leaf EO emulsion has the potential to be proposed as a natural alternative to chemical preservatives in the food industry. Full article

A prerequisite for continuous transport systems’ operation is their digital transformation, which interprets operating conditions based on the availability of a wide range of data and information in the form of measured quantities that can be obtained, for example, by experimental measurement. To implement digital transformation in continuous transport systems, it is necessary to examine and analyze the informative value of individual measured quantities in detail. Research in this area must focus on identifying addressable quantities with a clear, informative value. Such an approach enables the monitoring of continuous transport systems operation and performance of operational diagnostics, the objective of which should be identifying undesirable operating conditions. Within this paper, research will be presented aiming to verify the hypothesis that, based on a measurement of selected parameters, it is possible to identify belt mistracking in a continuous transport system. Belt mistracking is an undesirable condition that can cause a conveyor belt to converge and thus seriously turn off an entire transport system. The research results confirmed the established hypothesis. Based on this, an evaluation algorithm was created for on-time evaluation. The proposed algorithm is also suitable for the needs of a digital twin of a continuous transport system. Full article

The efficacy of hyaluronic acid instillations as therapy for patients with Interstitial Cystitis/Bladder Pain Syndrome (IC/BPS) has been demonstrated in some clinical studies, with response rates up to 70%. The aim of the study is to investigate the change in symptoms and quality of life in female patients with IC/BPS after intravesical instillations of hyaluronic acid used as first-line treatment. A retrospective single-center cohort study was conducted. Female patients, whose symptoms were compatible with the diagnosis of IC/BPS as defined by the International Continence Society, were treated with a variable number of intravesical instillations of a hyaluronic acid-based drug. Three validated questionnaires were administered by telephone to all patients, before the beginning of the treatment and 6 months after the last administration of the drug. A total of 50 patients with symptoms compatible with the diagnosis of IC/BPS were included in the study. The median number of instillations performed is 4. For all questionnaires, the median value was significantly reduced following treatment with intravesical instillations (p = 0.000). The present study has shown that intravesical hyaluronic acid treatment results in both statistically and clinically significant symptomatic improvement, thereby improving the quality of life of patients with IC/BPS. Full article

Breast cancer poses a global health challenge, yet the influence of ethnicity on the tumor microenvironment (TME) remains understudied. In this investigation, we examined immune cell infiltration in 230 breast cancer samples, emphasizing diverse ethnic populations. Leveraging tissue microarrays (TMAs) and core samples, we applied multiplex immunofluorescence (mIF) to dissect immune cell subtypes across TME regions. Our analysis revealed distinct immune cell distribution patterns, particularly enriched in aggressive molecular subtypes triple-negative and HER2-positive tumors. We observed significant correlations between immune cell abundance and key clinicopathological parameters, including tumor size, lymph node involvement, and patient overall survival. Notably, immune cell location within different TME regions showed varying correlations with clinicopathologic parameters. Additionally, ethnicities exhibited diverse distributions of cells, with certain ethnicities showing higher abundance compared to others. In TMA samples, patients of Chinese and Caribbean origin displayed significantly lower numbers of B cells, TAMs, and FOXP3-positive cells. These findings highlight the intricate interplay between immune cells and breast cancer progression, with implications for personalized treatment strategies. Moving forward, integrating advanced imaging techniques, and exploring immune cell heterogeneity in diverse ethnic cohorts can uncover novel immune signatures and guide tailored immunotherapeutic interventions, ultimately improving breast cancer management. Full article

This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on potential years of life lost (PYLL) in Romania’s counties in 2020 and 2021. PYLL highlights the burden of premature deaths in a community and is a useful tool for prioritizing community health issues. The study compares the PYLL variation between different counties, identifying disparities in premature mortality rates and highlighting areas that require specific public health interventions. The results indicate that COVID-19 has had a significant impact on potential years of life lost across the country. For the year 2020, the total number of deaths from confirmed COVID-19 cases was 19,455, of which 14,152 premature deaths caused 193,489 PYLL, with a crude rate of 1053.28 PYLL per 100,000 inhabitants. In 2021, there were 39,966 deaths from confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 28,777 premature deaths, 386,061 PYLL, and a crude rate of 2116.63 PYLL per 100,000 population. This study reveals significant variations only in some counties, based on BYLL rates, and in the two years analyzed. The proportion of premature deaths (<80 years) varied by county and gender. PYLL’s analysis by gender shows that men experienced a higher number of premature deaths than women in most counties, and this trend persisted in both years. The results are presented in the form of thematic maps, highlighting standardized PYLL rates for both genders in each county, facilitating a visual understanding of regional disparities. The identified variations can serve as a basis for developing and implementing more effective public health policies, based on the specifics of each county. Full article

The separation of cenospheres is an important method for fly ash recycling, and there is no efficient and less polluting method available for separating cenospheres. This paper proposes the dry separation of cenospheres using a cyclone separator, which utilizes the small density of cenospheres as a feature to separate them. The corresponding numerical simulations of the cyclone separator model used to separate the cenospheres were carried out by a CFD analysis, after which the size of the radius of the upper discharge opening and the height of the sloping wall of the cyclone separator were analyzed by simulation; the effect of the incident velocity on the Newton’s efficiency of the separation of the cenospheres was also analyzed. The simulation results indicate that the Newton’s efficiency can reach 0.55 when the radius of the upper feed port is 90 mm, the height of the inclined wall is 400 mm, and the incident speed is 2.5 m/s. Full article

The characteristics of gap plasmon formed by nanoparticle-on-mirror (NPOM) structures composed of metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and metal thin films have aroused interest for use in various optoelectronic devices. The resonance enhancement characteristics in the gap region of an NPOM structure composed of gold nanoparticles and gold thin films are simulated theoretically by the finite element method (FEM). The resonant spectrum obtained by the internal coupling effect of the gap can be flexibly controlled by the polarization of incident light and the thickness of the dielectric layer between the MNPs and the metal thin films. We study the resonance spectra of polarization-dependent gold ellipsoidal nanoparticles (GENPs) and gold thin films in the gap region of an NPOM structure. The GENPs and gold thin films are separated by a dielectric layer with a refractive index of 1.36. We observe that the intensity of the resonance electric field in the gap region is inversely proportional to the polarization angle. Similarly, the intensity of the local electric field resonance peak in the gap region is inversely proportional to the thickness of the dielectric layer. When the thickness of the dielectric layer is 0.3 nm and the polarization angle is 0°, the best resonant electric field intensity of 2200 V/m is obtained in the gap region of the NPOM structure (the power of incident light is 1 mW). Finally, the resonant peak wavelength of the electric field in the gap region of the NPOM structure is also controlled by the polarization angle of the incident light and the thickness of the dielectric layer. Full article

This study proposes a method for classifying economic activity descriptors to match Nomenclature of Economic Activities (NACE) codes, employing a blend of machine learning techniques and expert evaluation. By leveraging natural language processing (NLP) methods to vectorize activity descriptors and utilizing genetic algorithm (GA) optimization to fine-tune hyperparameters in multi-class classifiers like Naive Bayes, Decision Trees, Random Forests, and Multilayer Perceptrons, our aim is to boost the accuracy and reliability of an economic classification system. This system faces challenges due to the absence of precise target labels in the dataset. Hence, it is essential to initially check the accuracy of utilized methods based on expert evaluations using a small dataset before generalizing to a larger one. Full article

The pristine CMK-3 carbon was ozonized and then chemically modified by the Zr and Fe compounds. The synthesized carbonaceous materials were characterized with physicochemical methods. The obtained carbons had a high specific surface area (ca. 800 m² g⁻¹) and an acidic surface. The Cr(VI) adsorption properties of the oxidized and Zr/Fe-modified carbon were studied. The highest static adsorption capacity towards Cr(VI) ions was evaluated for Zr/Fe-modified carbon (50.1 mg g⁻¹) at pH_eq = 5.8 after 240 min. The Elovich and Freundlich theoretical models were well fitted to the Cr(VI) adsorption kinetic and isotherm data on the Zr/Fe-modified CMK-3-type carbon. The leading Cr(VI) adsorption mechanism acting on the Zr/Fe-modified carbon was probably based on the redox reactions between Cr(VI) and the carbonaceous surface. Electrostatic attraction and surface complexation processes could also occur during Cr(VI) adsorption in the studied system. The effect of the competitive anions on the concentration level, such as in the galvanic wastewater for Cr(VI) adsorption onto chemically modified carbon, was negligible. The HCl and HNO₃ media were insufficient for the Zr/Fe-modified carbon regeneration after Cr(VI) adsorption. The Zr/Fe-modified carbon was successfully applied for the efficient (>90%) Cr(VI) removal from the model galvanic wastewater. Full article

Aim: Cytokines are crucial low-molecular-weight proteins involved in immune responses. This systematic review highlights the need for in-depth studies on cytokines’ biological mechanisms, providing insights into disease onset and potential therapeutic strategies. Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature search identified 18 relevant articles, emphasizing the multifaceted role of cytokines in orthodontic treatment (OT). The quality assessment using the ROBINS-I tool ensures a rigorous evaluation of the included studies, contributing to the overall reliability of the findings. Results and Conclusions: This systematic review explores the intricate relationship between cytokines and OT. Cytokines exhibit different properties, influencing cellular activities through autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine activities. OT, aimed at achieving stable occlusion, induces tension and compression in the periodontal ligament (PDL), triggering cytokine release. Proinflammatory cytokines play a role in inflammation, influencing bone and soft tissue metabolism. Studies show elevated cytokine levels in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) after orthodontic force application. The choice of orthodontic devices, such as self-ligating brackets, influences cytokine concentrations, indicating the importance of attachment design. Further research promises to enhance orthodontic practices, and optimize patient care. Full article

In absorption spectroscopy, it is challenging to detect absorption peaks with significant differences in their intensity in a single measurement. We enable high-dynamic-range measurements by dispersing scatterers within a sample to create a broad distribution of path lengths (PLs). The sample is placed within an integrating sphere (IS) to capture all scattered light of various PLs. To address the complexities of PLs inside the IS and the sample, we performed a ray-tracing simulation using the Monte Carlo (MC) method, which estimates the measured absorbance $A$ and PL distribution from the sample’s absorption coefficient µ_a and scattering properties at each wavelength λ. This method was validated using dye solutions with two absorption peaks whose intensity ratio is 95:1, employing polystyrene microspheres (PSs) as scatterers. The results confirmed that both peak shapes were delineated in a single measurement without flattening the high absorption peak. Although the measured peak shapes A(λ) did not align with the actual peak shapes µ_a(λ), MC enabled the reproduction of µ_a(λ) from A(λ). Furthermore, the analysis of the PL distribution by MC shows that adding scatterers broadens the distribution and shifts it toward shorter PLs as absorption increases, effectively adjusting it to µ_a. Full article

The excess consumption of a high-fat diet has been identified as one of the factors contributing to obesity. Women are at higher risk of adult obesity than men, predisposing them to a different set of detrimental disease conditions. Furthermore, aging studies show that physiological decline also has a serious impact on changes in the endocrine properties of white adipose tissue. However, there is still relatively little known about the factors associated with obesity and aging and their compounding impacts on women’s health. To investigate changes in adipocytokine secretion profiles, obesity was induced in female C3H/HeJ mice through the long-term consumption of a high-fat diet. Weight gain measurements and the Echo MRI analysis of fat composition showed that increases were due solely to the high fat content in the diet. Adipocytokine secretions were analyzed in media conditioned from harvested visceral fat tissue that was organ-cultured ex vivo. Adipocytokine analysis performed across diets and ages showed that there were significant increases in Adiponectin and Leptin secretion in high-fat diets, accelerating increases in Resistin secretion in high-fat diets. Aging induced the increased secretion of Lipcalin-2, Pentraxin-3, Serpin E1, MCP-1, and ICAM-1, regardless of diet. Furthermore, the comparisons of organoid-cultured protein secretions and flash-frozen tissue samples differed greatly, suggesting the WAT organoid cultures may yield information that is more reflective of in situ conditions. Taken together, our results show that high-fat diets and aging in C3H/HeJ female mice significantly impact secretions from adipose tissue, which may contribute to women’s health issues. Full article

The successful implementation of effective data governance in universities is crucial in complementing the massive information technology (IT) developments in higher education institutions globally. Hence, to identify the enablers of IT governance, this study examined the effects of knowledge value, knowledge-oriented culture, and knowledge-sharing process on the integration of IT governance in the curriculum and the latter’s effects on academic performance and perceived employability among university students in Saudi Arabia. We used a cross-sectional approach to collect quantitative data from 280 university students and employed structural equation modelling and partial least squares to conduct the data analysis. Our results confirmed the significant positive effects of knowledge value and the knowledge-sharing process on IT governance, along with a positive significant effect of IT governance on academic performance and perceived employment. Moreover, the results revealed a direct, positive, and significant effect of academic performance on perceived employment, as well as the significant mediating effects of IT governance and academic performance between these two. Apart from extending the relevant literature, this study offers several policy implications. Full article

This article presents a review of the research into the use of virtual reality (VR) for preservice teacher education. In addition to generating a description of the nature of VR, the analysis of the 24 included studies showed that the use of VR in preservice teacher education can have several benefits for student teachers and their educators, such as practicing professional competence in safe and diverse VR environments, the possibility of monitoring student development with VR, the use of learning environments that would not be accessible, and distance education for student teachers when schools for internships are located too far away from a teacher training institute. Although research into the effects of the use of VR in preservice teacher education is still limited, the results thus far indicate positive effects on student teachers’ motivation, self-efficacy, and various classes of teacher skills. We reflect on the challenges with respect to designing VR environments for preservice teacher education and on studying VR effects on teaching quality and student learning outcomes. Full article

Substance P (SP), encoded by the Tac1 gene, has been shown to promote leukocyte infiltration and organ impairment in mice with sepsis. Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) is the major receptor that mediates the detrimental impact of SP on sepsis. This investigation studied whether SP affects the expression of adhesion molecules, including intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM1) on vascular endothelial cells in the liver and lungs, contributing to leukocyte infiltration in these tissues of mice with sepsis. Sepsis was induced by caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) surgery in mice. The actions of SP were inhibited by deleting the Tac1 gene, blocking NK1R, or combining these two methods. The activity of myeloperoxidase and the concentrations of ICAM1 and VCAM1 in the liver and lungs, as well as the expression of ICAM1 and VCAM1 on vascular endothelial cells in these tissues, were measured. The activity of myeloperoxidase and the concentration of ICAM1 and VCAM1 in the liver and lungs, as well as the expression of ICAM1 and VCAM1 on vascular endothelial cells in these tissues, increased in mice with CLP surgery-induced sepsis. Suppressing the biosynthesis of SP and its interactions with NK1R attenuated CLP surgery-induced alterations in the liver and lungs of mice. Our findings indicate that SP upregulates the expression of ICAM1 and VCAM1 on vascular endothelial cells in the liver and lungs, thereby increasing leukocyte infiltration in these tissues of mice with CLP surgery-induced sepsis by activating NK1R. Full article

This study examines the impact of reminiscence therapy on cognitive and emotional well-being in institutionalized older patients with dementia. Conducted at the Long-Term Care Health Facility for the Elderly, the research involved 34 participants who underwent therapy sessions that included personalized discussions of past experiences. Using physiological markers such as electroencephalography alpha and beta waves, along with psychological measures such as the Hasegawa Dementia Scale—Revised, the study aimed to quantify the effects of the therapy. Although the results indicated positive correlations between alpha and beta waves, suggesting enhanced relaxation and cognitive engagement, improvements in Hasegawa Dementia Scale—Revised scores were not statistically significant, pointing to variability in therapeutic effectiveness among patients. Despite these mixed outcomes, the findings support the potential of reminiscence therapy as a non-pharmacological intervention to improve the quality of life of dementia patients, though they also underscore the necessity for further research to refine therapy protocols and enhance applicability. Full article

The undercutting process is a technique employed to initiate the caving of the ore mass in block caving, achieved by creating a basal cut on the block scheduled to be submerged. The effective execution of the undercutting process involves numerous variables, such as the undercut height and the vertical section’s undercut geometry, whose influence has often been overlooked. This research presents a methodology for determining the undercut height in a post-undercutting scenario, including variables such as the undercut level design, the extraction level design, and the air gap. Integral to this methodology is a parameterization that estimates the undercut height, from which design abacuses can be created to aid the assessment of present and future operations for any block/panel caving operation that employs the post-undercutting variant. Additionally, two examples demonstrate the application of this methodology, revealing how alterations in the dimensions of the crown pillar and drawbells significantly influence the undercut height. The calculation methodology outlined in this document delivers an undercutting height, providing an evaluation methodology for ongoing operations. Consequently, any height exceeding this suggests a conservative approach, potentially offering an opportunity for design improvement and alignment with the described parameters. Full article

Struvite crystallization can recover nitrogen and phosphorus simultaneously from various kinds of wastewaters as a slow-release fertilizer. However, the enhancement of the removal efficiency of NH₄-N is challenging because the molar concentration of NH₄-N is higher than that of PO₄-P in many types of sewage including digested sludge filtrate. In this study, phosphorus eluate was recovered from sewage sludge incineration ash (SSA) and applied to the struvite crystallization process to increase the removal efficiency of NH₄-N for the digested sludge filtrate. Under acidic conditions, a maximum of 98.4% of phosphorus was eluted from SSA; in alkaline conditions, a maximum of 51.2% was eluted; and in sequential elution conditions with (NaOH+H₂SO₄), a maximum of 98.0% was eluted. Jar tests were performed by injecting three types of eluates (H₂SO₄ 1 N_elulate, NaOH 1 N_elulate, and (NaOH+H₂SO₄)_eluate), and PO₄-P was stably removed (>86%) under all tested conditions. When the NaOH 1 N_eluate was injected, the NH₄-N removal efficiency was highest at 84.4%, followed by 78.4% with the (NaOH+H₂SO₄)_eluate, and 58.7% with the H₂SO₄ 1 N_eluate at the molar ratio of Mg:P:N of 1.5:1.5:1. In addition, the sequential jar tests were conducted by injecting both the NaOH 1 N_eluate and (NaOH+H₂SO₄)_eluate. In the pH range of 8.5–9.5, the PO₄-P and NH₄-N removal efficiencies reached 92.3–94.5% and 97.9–99.1%, respectively. X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed that the majority of the crystal phases were struvite forms. Therefore, the combined application of both the NaOH 1 N_eluate and (NaOH+H₂SO₄)_eluate was adequate to enhance not only the phosphorus recovery but also the removal efficiencies of PO₄-P and NH₄-N. SSA recovering PO₄-P could be utilized as a new phosphorus source in the struvite crystallization process. Full article