The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
14 pages, 3697 KiB  
Article
The Effect of a Limited Underactuated Posterior Joint on the Speed and Energy Efficiency of a Fish Robot
by Yanic Heinen, Ivan Tanev and Tatsuaki Kimura
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(12), 5010; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14125010 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) commonly use screw propellers to move in a water environment. However, compared to the propeller-driven AUV, bio-inspired AUVs feature a higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan (due to a lack of cavitation), and better eco-friendliness (due to lower noise, a [...] Read more.
Autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) commonly use screw propellers to move in a water environment. However, compared to the propeller-driven AUV, bio-inspired AUVs feature a higher energy efficiency, longer lifespan (due to a lack of cavitation), and better eco-friendliness (due to lower noise, a lack of vibrations, and a weaker wake). To generate propulsion, the design of fish robots—viewed as a special case of a bio-inspired AUV—comprise multiple actuated joints. Underactuated joints have also been adopted in bio-inspired AUVs, primarily for the purpose of achieving a simpler design and more realistic and biologically plausible locomotion. In our work, we propose a limitedly underactuated posterior (tail) joint of a fish robot with the intention of achieving a higher swimming speed and better energy efficiency of the robot. The limited underactuation is achieved by allowing the joint to move freely but only within a limited angular range. The experimental results verified that, for relatively small angular ranges, the limitedly underactuated joint is superior to both fully actuated and fully underactuated joints in that it results in faster and more energy-efficient locomotion of the fish robot. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Underwater Vehicles)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Natural Prevalence, Molecular Characteristics, and Biological Activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) Isolated from Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) Larvae in Mexico
by Yordanys Ramos, Samuel Pineda-Guillermo, Patricia Tamez-Guerra, Alonso Alberto Orozco-Flores, José Isaac Figueroa de la Rosa, Selene Ramos-Ortiz, Juan Manuel Chavarrieta-Yáñez and Ana Mabel Martínez-Castillo
J. Fungi 2024, 10(6), 416; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof10060416 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi have been considered potential biological control agents against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the world’s most important pest of maize. In this study, we evaluated the natural infection, molecular characteristics, and biological activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) isolated [...] Read more.
Entomopathogenic fungi have been considered potential biological control agents against the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), the world’s most important pest of maize. In this study, we evaluated the natural infection, molecular characteristics, and biological activity of Metarhizium rileyi (Farlow) isolated from S. frugiperda larvae of this insect, collected from maize crops in five Mexican locations. Natural infection ranged from 23% to 90% across all locations analyzed. Twenty-four isolates were evaluated on S. frugiperda second instars at a concentration of 1.0 × 108 conidia/mL, causing 70% to 98.7% mortality and 60.5% to 98.7% sporulation. Isolates T9-21, Z30-21, PP48-21, and L8-22 were selected to determine their phylogenetic relationships by β-tubulin gene analysis and to compare median lethal concentration (CL50), median lethal time (LT50), and larval survival. These isolates were grouped into three clades. The T9-21, PP48-21, and J10-22 isolates were closely related (clade A), but phylogenetically distant from Z30-21 (clade B) and L8-22 (clade C) isolates. These genetic differences were not always reflected in their pathogenicity characteristics since no differences were observed among the LC50 values. Furthermore, isolates T9-21, J10-22, and L8-22 were the fastest to kill S. frugiperda larvae, causing lower survival rates. We conclude that native M. rileyi isolates represent an important alternative for the biocontrol of S. frugiperda. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungal Pathogenesis and Disease Control)
24 pages, 9325 KiB  
Review
Clinching of Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Composite and Aluminum Alloy
by Daxin Han and Chengliang Hu
Metals 2024, 14(6), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14060681 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
The extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced composites and aluminum alloys represents the highest level of automotive body-in-white lightweighting. The effective and secure joining of these heterogeneous materials remains a prominent and actively researched topic within the scientific community. Among various joining techniques, clinching [...] Read more.
The extensive use of carbon fiber-reinforced composites and aluminum alloys represents the highest level of automotive body-in-white lightweighting. The effective and secure joining of these heterogeneous materials remains a prominent and actively researched topic within the scientific community. Among various joining techniques, clinching has emerged as a particularly cost-effective solution, experiencing significant advancements. However, the application of clinching is severely limited by the properties of the joining materials. In this work, various clinching processes for the joining of composites and aluminum alloys reported in recent research are described in detail according to three broad categories based on the principle of technological improvement. By scrutinizing current clinching technologies, a forward-looking perspective is presented for the future evolution of clinching technology in terms of composite–aluminum joints, encompassing aspects of tool design, process analysis, and the enhancement of joint quality. This work provides an overview of current research on clinching of CFRP and aluminum and serves as a reference for the further development of clinching processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Welding and Joining Processes for Automotive Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 645 KiB  
Article
Into a Deeper Understanding of CYP2D6’s Role in Risperidone Monotherapy and the Potential Side Effects in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
by Mariana Bondrescu, Liana Dehelean, Simona Farcas, Patricia Alexandra Dragan, Carla Andreea Podaru, Laura Popa and Nicoleta Andreescu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6350; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126350 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are a group of diseases characterized by one or more abnormal features in perception, thought processing and behavior. Patients suffering from SSD are at risk of developing life-threatening complications. Pharmacogenetic studies have shown promising results on personalized treatment of [...] Read more.
Schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) are a group of diseases characterized by one or more abnormal features in perception, thought processing and behavior. Patients suffering from SSD are at risk of developing life-threatening complications. Pharmacogenetic studies have shown promising results on personalized treatment of psychosis. In the current study, 103 patients diagnosed with SSD treated with risperidone as antipsychotic monotherapy were enrolled. Socio-demographics and clinical data were recorded, and laboratory tests and genotyping standard procedure for cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6*4 were performed. Patients were evaluated by the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) on admission and at discharge. Based on the reduction in the PANSS total score, subjects were divided into non-responders, partial responders and full responders. Only 11 subjects had a full response to risperidone (10.67%), 53 subjects (51.45%) had a partial response, and 39 participants (37.86%) were non-responders. Patients at first episode psychosis showed significantly higher levels of blood glucose and prolactin levels, while chronic patients showed significantly higher LDL levels. Adverse drug reactions (ADR) such as tremor and stiffness significantly correlated with genetic phenotypes (p = 0.0145). While CYP2D6 showed no impact on treatment response, ADR were significantly more frequent among poor and intermediate metabolizers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Skin and Proximity Effect Calculation of a System of Rectangular Conductors Using the Proper Generalized Decomposition Technique
by Barzan Tabei, Aniruddha M. Gole and Behzad Kordi
Energies 2024, 17(12), 2828; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17122828 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
This paper presents the application of a numerical approach known as proper generalized decomposition (PGD) to calculate the per-unit length (PUL) ac resistance of rectangular conductors. PGD has been successfully used in areas such as fluid mechanics and biomedical applications. It solves a [...] Read more.
This paper presents the application of a numerical approach known as proper generalized decomposition (PGD) to calculate the per-unit length (PUL) ac resistance of rectangular conductors. PGD has been successfully used in areas such as fluid mechanics and biomedical applications. It solves a partial differential equation (PDE) by decomposing the answer into a set of unknown one-dimensional (1D) functions in an iterative approach until it reaches a predetermined convergence. In this paper, a frequency-dependent meshing scheme is employed in the PGD technique at each frequency to properly take skin and proximity effects into account. One of the main advantages of PGD over traditional numerical approaches such as finite element or finite difference methods is that it confines the answers within a set of one-dimensional functions, which require fewer computational resources. Different examples of single and multiple rectangular conductors are considered to study skin and proximity effects. The PGD results are compared with those obtained using a commercial finite element method (FEM) software to verify the accuracy of the model. This approach can be used in applications such as white box modeling of transformers, EMC analysis, hairpin winding design used in electric vehicles, and busbar simulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section F3: Power Electronics)
Article
Fuzzy Mathematical Model of Photosynthesis in Jalapeño Pepper
by Luz del Carmen García-Rodríguez, Joel Artemio Morales-Viscaya, Juan Prado-Olivarez, Alejandro Israel Barranco-Gutiérrez, José Alfredo Padilla-Medina and Alejandro Espinosa-Calderón
Agriculture 2024, 14(6), 909; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14060909 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Photosynthesis is one of the essential processes for life on the planet. Photosynthesis cannot be measured directly because this complex process involves different variables; therefore, if some variables of interest are integrated and measured, photosynthesis can be inferred through a mathematical model. This [...] Read more.
Photosynthesis is one of the essential processes for life on the planet. Photosynthesis cannot be measured directly because this complex process involves different variables; therefore, if some variables of interest are integrated and measured, photosynthesis can be inferred through a mathematical model. This article presents a fuzzy mathematical model to estimate photosynthesis. This approach uses as input variables: Soil moisture, ambient temperature, incident radiation, relative humidity, and leaf temperature. The fuzzy system was trained through data obtained from experiments with jalapeño pepper plants and then validated against the LI−COR Li−6800 equipment. The correlation coefficient (R2) obtained was 0.95, which is a higher value than some published in the literature. Based on the Takagi−Sugeno method, the proposed model was designed and implemented on the MATLAB platform using ANFIS (adaptive neuro−fuzzy inference system) to determine the parameters, thus achieving a high−precision model. In addition, the fuzzy model can predict photosynthesis at different temperature changes, soil moisture levels, and light levels. The results of this study indicate the possibility of modeling photosynthesis using the fuzzy logic technique, whose performance is much higher than other methods published in recent articles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Machine Learning and Data Analysis in Agriculture)
Review
Advancing Tissue Culture with Light-Driven 3D-Printed Microfluidic Devices
by Xiangke Li, Meng Wang, Thomas P. Davis, Liwen Zhang and Ruirui Qiao
Biosensors 2024, 14(6), 301; https://doi.org/10.3390/bios14060301 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing presents a compelling alternative for fabricating microfluidic devices, circumventing certain limitations associated with traditional soft lithography methods. Microfluidics play a crucial role in the biomedical sciences, particularly in the creation of tissue spheroids and pharmaceutical research. Among the various 3D [...] Read more.
Three-dimensional (3D) printing presents a compelling alternative for fabricating microfluidic devices, circumventing certain limitations associated with traditional soft lithography methods. Microfluidics play a crucial role in the biomedical sciences, particularly in the creation of tissue spheroids and pharmaceutical research. Among the various 3D printing techniques, light-driven methods such as stereolithography (SLA), digital light processing (DLP), and photopolymer inkjet printing have gained prominence in microfluidics due to their rapid prototyping capabilities, high-resolution printing, and low processing temperatures. This review offers a comprehensive overview of light-driven 3D printing techniques used in the fabrication of advanced microfluidic devices. It explores biomedical applications for 3D-printed microfluidics and provides insights into their potential impact and functionality within the biomedical field. We further summarize three light-driven 3D printing strategies for producing biomedical microfluidic systems: direct construction of microfluidic devices for cell culture, PDMS-based microfluidic devices for tissue engineering, and a modular SLA-printed microfluidic chip to co-culture and monitor cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microfluidics for Biomedical Applications (Volume II))
14 pages, 3103 KiB  
Article
Chemical Profile and Aroma Effects of Major Volatile Compounds in New Mulberry Leaf Fu Brick Tea and Traditional Fu Brick Tea
by Yuezhao Deng, Cheng Li, Yineng Chen, Zhuoyang Zou, Junyao Gong, Chengwen Shen and Kui Fang
Foods 2024, 13(12), 1808; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13121808 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the aroma effects of key volatile compounds in a new type of mulberry leaf Fu brick teas (MTs) and traditional Fu brick teas (FTs). Headspace solid–phase microextraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), sensory evaluation, and chemometrics were used [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the aroma effects of key volatile compounds in a new type of mulberry leaf Fu brick teas (MTs) and traditional Fu brick teas (FTs). Headspace solid–phase microextraction (HS-SPME), gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), sensory evaluation, and chemometrics were used to determine the differences in key flavour qualities between the two. The results showed that a total of 139 volatile components were identified, with aldehydes, ketones, and alcohols dominating. Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA) combined with the odour activity value (OAV) showed that seven aroma compounds had an OAV > 10, including 2-(4-methylcyclohex-3-en-1-yl) propan-2-ol with floral and fruity aroma and green attributes, 6-methylhept-5-en-2-one, (E)-6,10-dimethyl-5,9-Undecadien-2-one, (3E,5E)-octa-3,5-dien-2-one, Benzaldehyde, and (E)-3,7,11,15-tetramethylhexadec-2-en-1-ol, which were more abundant in MTs than FTs; Cedrol with sweet aroma attributes was more consistent in MTs than FTs, and we suggest that these odour compounds are important aroma contributors to MTs. Taken together, these findings will provide new insights into the mechanism of formation of the characteristic attributes of aroma in MTs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Study on Aroma Components and Bioactive Compounds of Tea)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Article
Research on the Ghost Cell Immersed Boundary Method for Compressible Flow
by Bo Yang, Moru Song and Guoming Zhu
Processes 2024, 12(6), 1182; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12061182 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
In this paper, a kind of immersed boundary method, the discretized force with ghost cell method, is introduced to study compressible flow. Meanwhile, an adaptive mesh refinement scheme and a wall treatment for turbulent flow are proposed. With the help of in-house code, [...] Read more.
In this paper, a kind of immersed boundary method, the discretized force with ghost cell method, is introduced to study compressible flow. Meanwhile, an adaptive mesh refinement scheme and a wall treatment for turbulent flow are proposed. With the help of in-house code, the accuracy of the method is verified based on several classic tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Process Control and Monitoring)
20 pages, 3462 KiB  
Article
Transwell Culture with Adipose Tissue-Derived Stem Cells and Fertilized Eggs Mimics the In Vivo Development of Fertilized Eggs to Blastocysts in the Fallopian Tube: An Animal Study
by Toyofumi Hirakawa, Kazuhiko Nakabayashi, Noriko Ito, Kenichiro Hata, Shiori Imi, Mami Shibata, Daichi Urushiyama, Kohei Miyata, Fusanori Yotsumoto, Shin’ichiro Yasunaga, Tsukasa Baba and Shingo Miyamoto
Antioxidants 2024, 13(6), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13060704 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Many countries, including Japan, are experiencing declining birth rates. Assisted reproductive technologies have consistently demonstrated good results in resolving infertility. Although the development of fertilized eggs into blastocysts has been recognized as a crucial step in assisted reproductive technologies, the involved mechanisms are [...] Read more.
Many countries, including Japan, are experiencing declining birth rates. Assisted reproductive technologies have consistently demonstrated good results in resolving infertility. Although the development of fertilized eggs into blastocysts has been recognized as a crucial step in assisted reproductive technologies, the involved mechanisms are currently unclear. Here, we established a new culture system for the in vitro development of fertilized eggs into blastocysts. In the Transwell culture system, the rate of blastocysts hatching from fertilized eggs cultured with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) was significantly higher than that of blastocysts cultured only with fertilized eggs. Gene ontology analysis revealed that the developed blastocysts displayed essential gene expression patterns in mature blastocysts. Additionally, when cultured with 3rd-passage ASCs, the developed blastocysts expressed the core genes for blastocyst maturation and antioxidant properties compared to those cultured only with fertilized eggs or cultured with 20th-passage ASCs. These results suggest that the Transwell culture system may imitate the in vivo tubal culture state for fertilized eggs. Exosomes derived from stem cells with stemness potential play a powerful role in the development of blastocysts from fertilized eggs. Additionally, the exosomes expressed specific microRNAs; therefore, the Transwell culture system resulted in a higher rate of pregnancy. In future, the extraction of their own extracellular vesicles from the culture medium might contribute to the development of novel assisted reproductive technologies. Full article
17 pages, 2030 KiB  
Article
Exploring Texture and Biomechanics of Food Oral Processing in Fork-Mashable Dishes for Patients with Mastication or Swallowing Impairments
by Kovan Ismael-Mohammed, Mireia Bolívar-Prados, Laura Laguna, Adrian Nuñez Lara and Pere Clavé
Foods 2024, 13(12), 1807; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13121807 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Texture-modified diets (TMDs) are a primary compensatory treatment for hospitalized older patients with swallowing and mastication disorders. Nevertheless, the lack of a protocol for evaluating their objective textural properties hampers their industrialization and optimal patient care. Objectives: This study aimed (a) to evaluate [...] Read more.
Texture-modified diets (TMDs) are a primary compensatory treatment for hospitalized older patients with swallowing and mastication disorders. Nevertheless, the lack of a protocol for evaluating their objective textural properties hampers their industrialization and optimal patient care. Objectives: This study aimed (a) to evaluate the textural properties (maximum force, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness) and biomechanics of food oral processing (mastication cycles, time, and frequency) of ten fork-mashable dishes (Texture E BDA/IDDSI level 6), (b) to explore the impact of oral processing on texture, and (c) to measure the properties of the ready-to-swallow bolus (RSB) in healthy adults. Methods: The textural properties (maximum force, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness) of ten dishes were analyzed with a texture analyzer before and after oral processing (RSB) in five healthy adults (30 ± 3.9, 3 women). Surface electromyography was used to measure mastication cycles, time, and frequency. Results: The pre-mastication Texture Profile Analysis (TPA)-averaged values of maximum force ranged from 0.65 to 2.73 N, cohesiveness was 0.49–0.87, and adhesiveness was 0.01–0.95 N·s. Masticatory Cycles (46.87–19.13 MC) and time (36.73–15.80 S) from whole samples to RSB greatly and significantly differed among dishes, although frequency did not (1.68–1.11 MC/T). Post-mastication RSB TPA-averaged values of maximum force ranged from 0.70 to 2.24 N; cohesiveness, 0.49–0.73; and adhesiveness, 0.01–1.14 N·s. Conclusions: Despite all dishes being classified by the same qualitative descriptor (BDA level E/IDDSI level 6), there was a large and significant variation in their textural properties (maximum force, cohesiveness, and adhesiveness) when measured in SI units. In addition, in healthy adults, the masticatory cycles and time to achieve RSB greatly differed, whereas masticatory frequency remained quite constant. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Food Engineering and Technology)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

14 pages, 4084 KiB  
Article
Regional Hydro-Chemistry of Hydrothermal Springs in Northeastern Algeria, Case of Guelma, Souk Ahras, Tebessa and Khenchela Regions
by Ibtissem Djaafri, Karima Seghir, Vincent Valles and Laurent Barbiero
Earth 2024, 5(2), 214-227; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth5020011 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Hydrothermal units are characterized by the emergence of several large-flow thermo-mineral springs (griffons), each with varying temperature and physico-chemical characteristics depending on the point of emergence. It seems, however, that there is variability between the different systems, although it is not easy to [...] Read more.
Hydrothermal units are characterized by the emergence of several large-flow thermo-mineral springs (griffons), each with varying temperature and physico-chemical characteristics depending on the point of emergence. It seems, however, that there is variability between the different systems, although it is not easy to characterize it because the variability within each system is high. The regional dimension of the chemical composition of thermal waters is, therefore, an aspect that has received very little attention in the literature due to the lack of access to the deep reservoir. In this study, we investigated the spatial variability, on a regional scale, in the characteristics of thermal waters in northeastern Algeria, and more specifically the hydrothermal systems of Guelma, Souk Ahras, Khenchela and Tébessa. Thirty-two hot water samples were taken between December 2018 and October 2019, including five samples of low-temperature mineral spring water. Standard physico-chemical parameters, major anions and cations and lithium were analyzed. The data were log-transformed data and processed via principal component analysis, discriminant analysis and unsupervised classification. The results show that thermal waters are the result of a mixture of hot waters, whose chemical profile has a certain local character, and contaminated by cold surface waters. These surface waters may also have several chemical profiles depending on the location. In addition to the internal variability in each resource, there are differences in water quality between these different hydrothermal systems. The Guelma region differs the most from the other thermal regions studied, with a specific calcic sulfate chemical profile. This question is essential for the rational development of these regional resources in any field whatsoever. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 400 KiB  
Article
Numerical Approach Based on the Haar Wavelet Collocation Method for Solving a Coupled System with the Caputo–Fabrizio Fractional Derivative
by Bachir Dehda, Fares Yazid, Fatima Siham Djeradi, Khaled Zennir, Keltoum Bouhali and Taha Radwan
Symmetry 2024, 16(6), 713; https://doi.org/10.3390/sym16060713 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
In the present paper, we consider an effective computational method to analyze a coupled dynamical system with Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivative. The method is based on expanding the approximate solution into a symmetry Haar wavelet basis. The Haar wavelet coefficients are obtained by using [...] Read more.
In the present paper, we consider an effective computational method to analyze a coupled dynamical system with Caputo–Fabrizio fractional derivative. The method is based on expanding the approximate solution into a symmetry Haar wavelet basis. The Haar wavelet coefficients are obtained by using the collocation points to solve an algebraic system of equations in mathematical physics. The error analysis of this method is characterized by a good convergence rate. Finally, some numerical examples are presented to prove the accuracy and effectiveness of this method. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Iterative Numerical Functional Analysis with Applications, Volume 3)
35 pages, 774 KiB  
Review
Turning Points in Cross-Disciplinary Perspective of Primary Hyperparathyroidism and Pancreas Involvements: Hypercalcemia-Induced Pancreatitis, MEN1 Gene-Related Tumors, and Insulin Resistance
by Mara Carsote, Claudiu Nistor, Ana-Maria Gheorghe, Oana-Claudia Sima, Alexandra-Ioana Trandafir, Tiberiu Vasile Ioan Nistor, Bianca-Andreea Sandulescu and Mihai-Lucian Ciobica
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6349; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126349 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
We aimed to provide an in-depth analysis with respect to three turning points in pancreas involvement in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP): hypercalcemia-induced pancreatitis (HCa-P), MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia)-related neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and insulin resistance (IR). This was a comprehensive review conducted via a PubMed [...] Read more.
We aimed to provide an in-depth analysis with respect to three turning points in pancreas involvement in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHP): hypercalcemia-induced pancreatitis (HCa-P), MEN1 (multiple endocrine neoplasia)-related neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), and insulin resistance (IR). This was a comprehensive review conducted via a PubMed search between January 2020 and January 2024. HCa-P (n = 9 studies, N = 1375) involved as a starting point parathyroid NETs (n = 7) or pancreatitis (n = 2, N = 167). Case report-focused analysis (N = 27) showed five cases of pregnancy PHP-HCa-P and three reports of parathyroid carcinoma (female/male ratio of 2/1, ages of 34 in women, men of 56). MEN1-NET studies (n = 7) included MEN1-related insulinomas (n = 2) or MEN1-associated PHP (n = 2) or analyses of genetic profile (n = 3), for a total of 877 MEN1 subjects. In MEN1 insulinomas (N = 77), the rate of associated PHP was 78%. Recurrence after parathyroidectomy (N = 585 with PHP) was higher after less-than-subtotal versus subtotal parathyroidectomy (68% versus 45%, p < 0.001); re-do surgery was 26% depending on surgery for pancreatic NETs (found in 82% of PHP patients). MEN1 pathogenic variants in exon 10 represented an independent risk factor for PHP recurrence. A single pediatric study in MEN1 (N = 80) revealed the following: a PHP rate of 80% and pancreatic NET rate of 35% and 35 underlying germline MEN1 pathogenic variants (and 3/35 of them were newly detected). The co-occurrence of genetic anomalies included the following: CDC73 gene variant, glucokinase regulatory protein gene pathogenic variant (c.151C>T, p.Arg51*), and CAH-X syndrome. IR/metabolic feature-focused analysis identified (n = 10, N = 1010) a heterogeneous spectrum: approximately one-third of adults might have had prediabetes, almost half displayed some level of IR as reflected by HOMA-IR > 2.6, and serum calcium was positively correlated with HOMA-IR. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher rate of metabolic syndrome (n = 1). Normocalcemic and mildly symptomatic hyperparathyroidism (n = 6, N = 193) was associated with a higher fasting glucose and some improvement after parathyroidectomy. This multilayer pancreas/parathyroid analysis highlighted a complex panel of connections from pathogenic factors, including biochemical, molecular, genetic, and metabolic factors, to a clinical multidisciplinary panel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism)
31 pages, 3647 KiB  
Systematic Review
Impact of Nirsevimab Immunization on Pediatric Hospitalization rates: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (2024)
by Matteo Riccò, Antonio Cascio, Silvia Corrado, Marco Bottazzoli, Federico Marchesi, Renata Gili, Pasquale Gianluca Giuri, Davide Gori and Paolo Manzoni
Vaccines 2024, 12(6), 640; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12060640 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
A systematic review with a meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases (LRTDs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children and newborns (CRD42024540669). Studies reporting on real-world [...] Read more.
A systematic review with a meta-analysis was performed to gather available evidence on the effectiveness of monoclonal antibody nirsevimab in the prevention of lower respiratory tract diseases (LRTDs) due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children and newborns (CRD42024540669). Studies reporting on real-world experience and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched for in three databases (PubMed, Embase, and Scopus) until 1 May 2024. Our analysis included five RCTs, seven real-world reports, and one official report from the health authorities. Due to the cross-reporting of RCTs and the inclusion of multiple series in a single study, the meta-analysis was performed on 45,238 infants from 19 series. The meta-analysis documented a pooled immunization efficacy of 88.40% (95% confidence interval (95% CI) from 84.70 to 91.21) on the occurrence of hospital admission due to RSV, with moderate heterogeneity (I2 24.3%, 95% CI 0.0 to 56.6). Immunization efficacy decreased with the overall length of the observation time (Spearman’s r = −0.546, p = 0.016), and the risk of breakthrough infections was substantially greater in studies with observation times ≥150 days compared to studies lasting <150 days (risk ratio 2.170, 95% CI 1.860 to 2.532). However, the effect of observation time in meta-regression analysis was conflicting (β = 0.001, 95% CI −0.001 to 0.002; p = 0.092). In conclusion, the delivery of nirsevimab was quite effective in preventing hospital admissions due to LRTDs. However, further analyses of the whole RSV season are required before tailoring specific public health interventions. Full article
8 pages, 3374 KiB  
Case Report
Genetic Profiling of Sebaceous Carcinoma Arising from an Ovarian Mature Teratoma: A Case Report
by Sumika Zaitsu, Yoko Aoyagi, Haruto Nishida, Kohei Nakamura, Mitsutake Yano and Eiji Kobayashi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(12), 6351; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25126351 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Ovarian mature teratomas (OMTs) originate from post-meiotic germ cells. Malignant transformation occurs in approximately 1–2% of OMTs; however, sebaceous carcinoma arising from OMTs is rare. This is the first report of a detailed genomic analysis of sebaceous carcinoma arising from an OMT. A [...] Read more.
Ovarian mature teratomas (OMTs) originate from post-meiotic germ cells. Malignant transformation occurs in approximately 1–2% of OMTs; however, sebaceous carcinoma arising from OMTs is rare. This is the first report of a detailed genomic analysis of sebaceous carcinoma arising from an OMT. A 36-year-old woman underwent evaluation for abdominal tumors and subsequent hysterectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy. Pathologically, a diagnosis of stage IA sebaceous carcinoma arising from an OMT was established. Eight months post-surgery, the patient was alive without recurrence. Immunohistochemically, the tumor was negative for mismatch repair proteins. A nonsense mutation in TP53 (p.R306*) and a deletion in PIK3R1 were identified. Single nucleotide polymorphisms across all chromosomes displayed a high degree of homozygosity, suggestive of uniparental disomy. Herein, the OMT resulting from the endoreduplication of oocytes underwent a malignant transformation to sebaceous carcinoma via TP53 as an early event and PIK3R1 as a late event. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Oncology)
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 5028 KiB  
Article
Research on the Propagation Model of Unsafe Behaviors among Construction Workers Based on a Two-Layer NAN-SIRS Network
by Yunfei Hou and Qi Zhao
Buildings 2024, 14(6), 1719; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14061719 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Unsafe behaviors among construction workers are a leading cause of safety accidents in the construction industry, and studying the mechanism of unsafe behavior propagation among construction workers is essential for reducing the occurrence of safety accidents. Safety attitude plays a pivotal role in [...] Read more.
Unsafe behaviors among construction workers are a leading cause of safety accidents in the construction industry, and studying the mechanism of unsafe behavior propagation among construction workers is essential for reducing the occurrence of safety accidents. Safety attitude plays a pivotal role in predicting workers’ behavioral intentions. We propose a propagation model of unsafe behaviors based on a two-layer complex network, in which the upper layer depicts the change in construction workers’ safety attitudes, and the lower layer represents the propagation of unsafe behaviors. In this model, we consider the impact of individual heterogeneity and herd mentality on the transmission rate, establishing a partial mapping relationship based on behavioral feedback. After that, by building a probability transition tree, we establish the risk state transition equation in detail using the microscopic Markov chain approach (MMCA) and analyze the established equations to deduce the propagation threshold of unsafe behaviors analytically. The results show that enhancing the influence of individual heterogeneity and behavioral feedback increases the threshold for the spread of unsafe behaviors, thereby reducing its scale, while herd mentality amplifies the spread. Furthermore, the coexistence of safety education and behavioral feedback may lead to one of the mechanisms fails. This research enhances understanding of the propagation mechanism of unsafe behaviors and provides a foundation for managers to implement effective measures to suppress the propagation of unsafe behaviors among construction workers. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

32 pages, 1440 KiB  
Review
Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species in Infection and Immunity
by Arunima Mukherjee, Krishna Kanta Ghosh, Sabyasachi Chakrabortty, Balázs Gulyás, Parasuraman Padmanabhan and Writoban Basu Ball
Biomolecules 2024, 14(6), 670; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14060670 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contain at least one oxygen atom and one or more unpaired electrons and include singlet oxygen, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, and free nitrogen radicals. Intracellular ROS can be formed as a consequence of several factors, including [...] Read more.
Reactive oxygen species (ROS) contain at least one oxygen atom and one or more unpaired electrons and include singlet oxygen, superoxide anion radical, hydroxyl radical, hydroperoxyl radical, and free nitrogen radicals. Intracellular ROS can be formed as a consequence of several factors, including ultra-violet (UV) radiation, electron leakage during aerobic respiration, inflammatory responses mediated by macrophages, and other external stimuli or stress. The enhanced production of ROS is termed oxidative stress and this leads to cellular damage, such as protein carbonylation, lipid peroxidation, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) damage, and base modifications. This damage may manifest in various pathological states, including ageing, cancer, neurological diseases, and metabolic disorders like diabetes. On the other hand, the optimum levels of ROS have been implicated in the regulation of many important physiological processes. For example, the ROS generated in the mitochondria (mitochondrial ROS or mt-ROS), as a byproduct of the electron transport chain (ETC), participate in a plethora of physiological functions, which include ageing, cell growth, cell proliferation, and immune response and regulation. In this current review, we will focus on the mechanisms by which mt-ROS regulate different pathways of host immune responses in the context of infection by bacteria, protozoan parasites, viruses, and fungi. We will also discuss how these pathogens, in turn, modulate mt-ROS to evade host immunity. We will conclude by briefly giving an overview of the potential therapeutic approaches involving mt-ROS in infectious diseases. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mitochondrial ROS in Health and Disease)
15 pages, 1537 KiB  
Article
The Lipidomic Profile Is Associated with the Dietary Pattern in Subjects with and without Diabetes Mellitus from a Mediterranean Area
by Marina Idalia Rojo-López, Maria Barranco-Altirriba, Joana Rossell, Maria Antentas, Esmeralda Castelblanco, Oscar Yanes, Ralf J. M. Weber, Gavin R. Lloyd, Catherine Winder, Warwick B. Dunn, Josep Julve, Minerva Granado-Casas and Dídac Mauricio
Nutrients 2024, 16(12), 1805; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16121805 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Lipid functions can be influenced by genetics, age, disease states, and lifestyle factors, particularly dietary patterns, which are crucial in diabetes management. Lipidomics is an expanding field involving the comprehensive exploration of lipids from biological samples. In this cross-sectional study, 396 participants from [...] Read more.
Lipid functions can be influenced by genetics, age, disease states, and lifestyle factors, particularly dietary patterns, which are crucial in diabetes management. Lipidomics is an expanding field involving the comprehensive exploration of lipids from biological samples. In this cross-sectional study, 396 participants from a Mediterranean region, including individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and non-diabetic individuals, underwent lipidomic profiling and dietary assessment. Participants completed validated food frequency questionnaires, and lipid analysis was conducted using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (UHPLC/MS). Multiple linear regression models were used to determine the association between lipid features and dietary patterns. Across all subjects, acylcarnitines (AcCa) and triglycerides (TG) displayed negative associations with the alternate Healthy Eating Index (aHEI), indicating a link between lipidomic profiles and dietary habits. Various lipid species (LS) showed positive and negative associations with dietary carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. Notably, in the interaction analysis between diabetes and the aHEI, we found some lysophosphatidylcholines (LPC) that showed a similar direction with respect to aHEI in non-diabetic individuals and T2D subjects, while an opposite direction was observed in T1D subjects. The study highlights the significant association between lipidomic profiles and dietary habits in people with and without diabetes, particularly emphasizing the role of healthy dietary choices, as reflected by the aHEI, in modulating lipid concentrations. These findings underscore the importance of dietary interventions to improve metabolic health outcomes, especially in the context of diabetes management. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Impacts of the Mediterranean Diet on Metabolic Diseases)
Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2522 KiB  
Article
Molecular Mechanism Underlying ROS-Mediated AKH Resistance to Imidacloprid in Whitefly
by Jingjing Li, Chaoqiang Zhu, Yunhao Xu, Haifang He, Chenchen Zhao and Fengming Yan
Insects 2024, 15(6), 436; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects15060436 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Synthetic insecticides used to control Bemisia tabaci include organophosphorus, pyrethroids, insect growth regulators, nicotinoids, and neonicotinoids. Among these, neonicotinoids have been used continuously, which has led to the emergence of high-level resistance to this class of chemical insecticides in the whitefly, making whitefly [...] Read more.
Synthetic insecticides used to control Bemisia tabaci include organophosphorus, pyrethroids, insect growth regulators, nicotinoids, and neonicotinoids. Among these, neonicotinoids have been used continuously, which has led to the emergence of high-level resistance to this class of chemical insecticides in the whitefly, making whitefly management difficult. The adipokinetic hormone gene (AKH) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) play roles in the development of insect resistance. Therefore, the roles of AKH and ROS in imidacloprid resistance in Bemisia tabaci Mediterranean (MED; formerly biotype Q) were evaluated in this study. The expression level of AKH in resistant B. tabaci MED was significantly lower than that in sensitive B. tabaci (MED) (p < 0.05). AKH expression showed a decreasing trend. After AKH silencing by RNAi, we found that ROS levels as well as the expression levels of the resistance gene CYP6CM1 and its upstream regulatory factors CREB, ERK, and P38 increased significantly (p < 0.05); additionally, whitefly resistance to imidacloprid increased and mortality decreased (p < 0.001). These results suggest that AKH regulates the expression of resistance genes via ROS in Bemisia tabaci. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Monitoring and Management of Invasive Insect Pests)
Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 407 KiB  
Article
Meta-Analytic Gene-Clustering Algorithm for Integrating Multi-Omics and Multi-Study Data
by Ulrich Kemmo Tsafack, Kwang Woo Ahn, Anne E. Kwitek and Chien-Wei Lin
Bioengineering 2024, 11(6), 587; https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11060587 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Gene pathways and gene-regulatory networks are used to describe the causal relationship between genes, based on biological experiments. However, many genes are still to be studied to define novel pathways. To address this, a gene-clustering algorithm has been used to group correlated genes [...] Read more.
Gene pathways and gene-regulatory networks are used to describe the causal relationship between genes, based on biological experiments. However, many genes are still to be studied to define novel pathways. To address this, a gene-clustering algorithm has been used to group correlated genes together, based on the similarity of their gene expression level. The existing methods cluster genes based on only one type of omics data, which ignores the information from other types. A large sample size is required to achieve an accurate clustering structure for thousands of genes, which can be challenging due to the cost of multi-omics data. Meta-analysis has been used to aggregate the data from multiple studies and improve the analysis results. We propose a computationally efficient meta-analytic gene-clustering algorithm that combines multi-omics datasets from multiple studies, using the fixed effects linear models and a modified weighted correlation network analysis framework. The simulation study shows that the proposed method outperforms existing single omic-based clustering approaches when multi-omics data and/or multiple studies are available. A real data example demonstrates that our meta-analytic method outperforms single-study based methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gene Clustering in Microbiological and Biotechnological Research)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

32 pages, 7734 KiB  
Article
A Competitive Newsvendor Problem with Product Substitution under the Carbon Cap-and-Trade System
by Yuheng Ren, Wenliang Bian, Haicheng Li and Yingjie Ju
Systems 2024, 12(6), 201; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems12060201 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
This study investigates the competitive issues of the newsvendor problem with product substitution under the carbon cap-and-trade system. Building on existing research, this paper introduces the carbon cap-and-trade system under uncertain market demand and considers that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can choose [...] Read more.
This study investigates the competitive issues of the newsvendor problem with product substitution under the carbon cap-and-trade system. Building on existing research, this paper introduces the carbon cap-and-trade system under uncertain market demand and considers that the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) can choose to procure raw materials from the contract manufacturer (CM), with both final products being substitutable. Furthermore, we explore the different substitution relationships between OEM and CM products under both pure competitive and co-opetitive modes. For this problem, decision models are developed for various scenarios, and optimal solutions satisfying given conditions are provided. We find that in one-way substitution, under pure competition, an increase in the OEM’s (or CM’s) green investment and substitution rate only leads to an increase in OEM’s (or CM’s) yields, while an increase in the OEM’s (or CM’s) green investment does not necessarily reduce CM’s (or OEM’s) yields. In the co-opetitive mode, an increase in the substitution rate and green investments of both manufacturers may lead to an increase in the yields of both manufacturers. Furthermore, an increase in carbon trading prices does not necessarily inhibit the manufacturer’s yields. Moreover, we find that under the same competition mode, under certain conditions, two-way substitution between OEM and CM can bring better profits to both manufacturers and the entire supply chain. When the two modes are in the same substitution scenario, and the CM cannot substitute for the OEM, the optimal decisions and total supply chain profits of the two modes are equal. Finally, through numerical analysis, we find that neither mode is necessarily optimal when CM can substitute for OEM. Additionally, it is observed that when the same mode is in different substitution scenarios, total supply chain profits may be enhanced in the presence of product substitution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Supply Chain Management)
15 pages, 1298 KiB  
Article
Insect Protein as a Component of Meat Analogue Burger
by Anna Krawczyk, Juana Fernández-López and Anna Zimoch-Korzycka
Foods 2024, 13(12), 1806; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13121806 (registering DOI) - 8 Jun 2024
Abstract
Researchers are exploring solutions to meet the growing demand for protein due to the expected increase in global population by 2050. Interest in alternative protein sources like insects has risen, driven by concerns about environmental impact and the need for sustainable food production. [...] Read more.
Researchers are exploring solutions to meet the growing demand for protein due to the expected increase in global population by 2050. Interest in alternative protein sources like insects has risen, driven by concerns about environmental impact and the need for sustainable food production. This study aimed to develop and evaluate the physicochemical properties of soy-protein-based burgers enriched with insect protein from Alphitobius diaperinus. Three formulations were developed: a control (B0) and burgers with 5% (B5) and 10% (B10) insect protein—Whole Buffalo Powder (WBP). The results showed that adding insect protein decreased the burger analogue’s pH. A clear trend was observed of increasing total lipids and saturated fatty acids (SFA) and decreasing monounsaturated (MUFA) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) as the WBP concentration increased from 0% to 10%. No significant differences with increasing WBP concentration in the protein content of the burger analogue, as well as the cooking yield, were noted. The WBP addition had a notable effect on the color change, especially a decrease in brightness (L*). It was shown that as the WBP concentration increased, there were no significant differences in the texture profile of the burger analogues. The formulation with 5% WBP concentration was the most acceptable in sensory analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutraceuticals, Functional Foods, and Novel Foods)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Open Access Journals

Browse by Indexing Browse by Subject Selected Journals
Back to TopTop