The protection of ecological systems is currently a trending topic. Numerous countries have implemented various measures to safeguard ecosystems. Evaluating the effectiveness of regional ecological protection and cooperative conservation is of paramount importance. In this paper, Hainan Island, China, was taken as an example to construct an evaluation framework of the ecosystem change characteristics and conservation effects of different types of protected areas. In this way, the study evaluated the ecological status of important protected areas and the effects of collaborative management and control, and it discussed the changes in ecological status and protection effects. The results revealed the following. (1) Important protected areas occupy a large proportion of natural ecological space, reaching 76.33%, more than twice the proportion of ecological space on Hainan Island. In the past 20 years, the ecological space retention rate has increased by 0.57%. (2) The contribution of excellent-quality and good-quality ecosystems is the greatest, accounting for 82.65% of the whole island. In the past 20 years, the ec7osystem quality has improved in more than 80% of the areas. The proportion of excellent-quality and good-quality ecosystems is as high as 96.75% in these conservation areas, and their contribution to Hainan Island is 44.29%, while conservation areas only account for about 38%. (3) The ecosystem services of Hainan Island have improved and become stable in the past 20 years. The contribution of all types of protected areas to the ecosystem services of Hainan Island is more than 53.22%. In general, the ecological quality and service function has increased in Hainan Island, and the ecological space tends to be stable. Different types of protected areas have effectively protected various ecosystems on Hainan Island with different protection and management mechanisms. Full article

This research investigates the suitability of printed polyamide 12 (PA12) and its dyed version to support cells in bioengineering applications. For this purpose, human gingival fibroblasts (hGF06) were cultured on PA-12 scaffolds that were 3D-printed by Multi Jet Fusion (MJF). The study examined the direct cultivation of cells on MJF-printed cell culture scaffolds and the effect of leachate of PA-12 printed by MJF on the cultured cells. The article presents research on the surface treatment of PA12 material used in 3D printing and the effect of automatic staining on cell vitality and proliferation in vitro. The study presents a unique device designed exclusively for staining prints made of the biocompatible material PA12 and demonstrates the compatibility of 3D-printed polyamide 12 parts stained in the novel device with a nutrient culture medium and cells. This novel PA12 surface treatment for biomedical purposes does not affect the compatibility with the culture medium, which is essential for cell viability and proliferation. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that mitochondrial fitness and cell survival were not affected by prolonged incubation with clear or dyed PA12 3D-printed parts. Full article

Liver fibrosis, characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition, can progress to cirrhosis and increases the risk of liver cancer. Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) play a pivotal role in fibrosis progression, transitioning from a quiescent to activated state upon liver injury, wherein they proliferate, migrate, and produce ECM. Calcium signaling, involving the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R), regulates HSC activation. This study investigated the efficacy of a novel IP3R inhibitor, desmethylxestospongin B (dmXeB), in preventing HSC activation. Freshly isolated rat HSCs were activated in vitro in the presence of varying dmXeB concentrations. The dmXeB effectively inhibited HSC proliferation, migration, and expression of fibrosis markers without toxicity to the primary rat hepatocytes or human liver organoids. Furthermore, dmXeB preserved the quiescent phenotype of HSCs marked by retained vitamin A storage. Mechanistically, dmXeB suppressed mitochondrial respiration in activated HSCs while enhancing glycolytic activity. Notably, methyl pyruvate, dimethyl α-ketoglutarate, and nucleoside supplementation all individually restored HSC proliferation despite dmXeB treatment. Overall, dmXeB demonstrates promising anti-fibrotic effects by inhibiting HSC activation via IP3R antagonism without adverse effects on other liver cells. These findings highlight dmXeB as a potential therapeutic agent for liver fibrosis treatment, offering a targeted approach to mitigate liver fibrosis progression and its associated complications. Full article

Entomocomposting is fast and environmentally friendly, boosts soil quality and crop production, and improves resilience to climate change. The black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) catalyze the composting process, but their efficiency is highly influenced by environmental factors and the quality of the substrate. This study employs response surface methodology to discern physical–chemical factors that influence the nutrient quality of BSF frass fertilizer. Internet of Things (IoT) sensors were deployed to monitor in real-time both independent variables (air temperature, moisture content, humidity, and substrate temperature) and dependent variables (nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium); the data were relayed to the cloud. A non-linear regression model was used to study the relationship between the dependent and independent variables. Results showed that air humidity and air temperature did not have a significant effect on nitrogen and phosphorus accumulation in frass fertilizer, respectively, but phosphorus was significantly influenced by air humidity. On the other hand, neither air temperature nor moisture content has a significant effect on potassium concentration in frass fertilizer. We found that an air temperature of 30 °C and 41.5 °C, substrate temperature of 32.5 °C and 35 °C, moisture content between 70 and 80%, and relative humidity beyond 38% can be conducive for the production of high-quality BSF frass fertilizer. Model validation results showed better robustness of prediction with $R^2$ values of 63–77%, and $R_{\mathrm{adj}}^2$ values of 62–76% for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Our findings highlight the potential for the application of digital tools as a fast and cost-effective decision support system to optimize insect farming for the production of high-quality frass fertilizer for use in sustainable agriculture and crop production. Full article

This comprehensive review explores the potential of using lactobacilli as a probiotic in the management of COVID-19. Our findings suggest that lactobacilli show promise in reducing the risk of death, gastrointestinal and overall symptoms, and respiratory failure, as well as in lowering cytokines and inflammatory markers associated with the disease. The molecular mechanisms by which lactobacilli protect against COVID-19 and other viral infections may be related to the reduction in inflammation, modulation of the immune response, and direct interaction with viruses to produce antiviral substances. However, the selected studies demonstrate the presence of mixed findings for various clinical, biochemical, hematological, and immunological parameters, which may be attributed to methodological differences among studies. We highlight the importance of clearly describing randomization processes to minimize bias and caution against small sample sizes and inappropriate statistical tests that could lead to errors. This review offers valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of lactobacilli in the context of COVID-19 and identifies avenues for further research and applications. These findings hold promise for the development of novel approaches to managing COVID-19 and warrant further investigation into the potential benefits of lactobacilli in combating the disease. Full article

The adipose organ adapts and responds to internal and environmental stimuli by remodeling both its cellular and extracellular components. Under conditions of energy surplus, the subcutaneous white adipose tissue (WAT) is capable of expanding through the enlargement of existing adipocytes (hypertrophy), followed by de novo adipogenesis (hyperplasia), which is impaired in hypertrophic obesity. However, an impaired hyperplastic response may result from various defects in adipogenesis, leading to different WAT features and metabolic consequences, as discussed here by reviewing the results of the studies in animal models with either overexpression or knockdown of the main molecular regulators of the two steps of the adipogenesis process. Moreover, impaired WAT remodeling with aging has been associated with various age-related conditions and reduced lifespan expectancy. Here, we delve into the latest advancements in comprehending the molecular and cellular processes underlying age-related changes in WAT function, their involvement in common aging pathologies, and their potential as therapeutic targets to influence both the health of elderly people and longevity. Overall, this review aims to encourage research on the mechanisms of WAT maladaptation common to conditions of both excessive and insufficient fat tissue. The goal is to devise adipocyte-targeted therapies that are effective against both obesity- and age-related disorders. Full article

Excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition is a defining feature of cardiac fibrosis. Most notably, it is characterized by a significant change in the concentration and volume fraction of collagen I, a disproportionate deposition of collagen subtypes, and a disturbed ECM network arrangement, which directly affect the systolic and diastolic functions of the heart. Immune cells that reside within or infiltrate the myocardium, including macrophages, play important roles in fibroblast activation and consequent ECM remodeling. Through both direct and indirect connections to fibroblasts, monocyte-derived macrophages and resident cardiac macrophages play complex, bidirectional, regulatory roles in cardiac fibrosis. In this review, we discuss emerging interactions between fibroblasts and macrophages in physiology and pathologic conditions, providing insights for future research aimed at targeting macrophages to combat cardiac fibrosis. Full article

Anthocyanins are colored water-soluble plant pigments. Upon consumption, anthocyanins are quickly absorbed and can penetrate the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Research based on population studies suggests that including anthocyanin-rich sources in the diet lowers the risk of neurodegenerative diseases. The copigmentation caused by copigments is considered an effective way to stabilize anthocyanins against adverse environmental conditions. This is attributed to the covalent and noncovalent interactions between colored forms of anthocyanins (flavylium ions and quinoidal bases) and colorless or pale-yellow organic molecules (copigments). The present work carried out a theoretical study of the copigmentation process between cyanidin and resveratrol (CINRES). We used three levels of density functional theory: M06-2x/6-31g+(d,p) (d3bj); ωB97X-D/6-31+(d,p); APFD/6-31+(d,p), implemented in the Gaussian16W package. In a vacuum, the CINRES was found at a copigmentation distance of 3.54 Å between cyanidin and resveratrol. In water, a binding free energy ∆G was calculated, rendering −3.31, −1.68, and −6.91 kcal/mol, at M06-2x/6-31g+(d,p) (d3bj), ωB97X-D/6-31+(d,p), and APFD/6-31+(d,p) levels of theory, respectively. A time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) was used to calculate the UV spectra of the complexes and then compared to its parent molecules, resulting in a lower energy gap at forming complexes. Excited states’ properties were analyzed with the ωB97X-D functional. Finally, Shannon aromaticity indices were calculated and isosurfaces of non-covalent interactions were evaluated. Full article

It has been demonstrated that benzene, toluene, and xylene are carcinogens. Its combined effects with other contaminants have the potential to harm several ecosystem components. Since most human benzene exposure takes place inside, it is important to understand how outdoor benzene emissions from traffic and industry affect interior concentrations. However, this area of study has not received enough attention to date. Herein, we examine the outdoor concentrations of benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX) in a Steelpoort mining area. BTX pollutants were passively sampled on the first seven days of the month, from January to December 2021 using Radiello samplers. The effects of meteorological parameters such as temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, and solar radiation on BTX concentrations were also statistically tested. For all seasons, BTX concentrations were greater in the winter than in the summer with concentrations of 0.69 µg/m³, 2.97 µg/m³ and 0.80 µg/m³ for benzene, toluene and xylene, respectively. In addition, toluene was the most common BTX compound with the highest concentrations when compared to benzene and xylene. Benzene, toluene and xylene, had yearly average concentrations of 0.61 µg/m³, 1.48 µg/m³ and 0.64 µg/m³, respectively. The benzene and xylene concentrations were below international exposure limits (annual, 5 µg/m³ for benzene; weekly, 260 µg/m³ for toluene), as in comparison to the World Health Organization, as well as within South African exceedance limits. Both positive and negative correlations between BTX and meteorological parameters were demonstrated by statistical models. Temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity depicted a weak negative correlation with benzene of 0.003, 0.019 and 0.006, respectively. Toluene showed a positive correlation with wind speed (1.90) and relative humidity (0.041). Overall, the concentration of benzene is of major concern since it is an agent of cancer and it is there in the atmosphere. Full article

The growing integration of distributed energy resources underscores the critical importance of having precise insights into the dynamics of an electrical power system (EPS). Consequently, an estimator must align with the EPS dynamics to enhance the overall reliability, safety, and system stability. This alignment ensures that operators can make informed decisions during system operations. An initial step in gaining insight into the system’s state involves examining its state vector, which is represented by voltage phasors. These results are derived through the application of a distributed state-estimation process in large-scale systems. This study delved into the effectiveness of Bayesian filters, with a particular emphasis on the extended Kalman filter (EKF) algorithm in the context of distributed state estimation. To analyze the outcomes, the nodal partitioning process was incorporated within the distributed state-estimation framework. The synergy between the EKF algorithm and the partitioning method was evaluated using the IEEE118 test system. Full article

In recent years, CAD/CAM technology has allowed indirect ceramic restorations to become a part of everyday chairside clinical practice. Therefore, the impact of different cavity-preparation designs on the fracture resistance of CAD/CAM fabricated ceramics was assessed in this study. Three designs of cuspal covering (none, palatal, and entire) and two widths of the occlusal isthmus (75% and 100% of the intercuspal distance) were used for the preparation of inlays and onlays to form six groups (n = 10/group). Moreover, thermomechanical cyclic loading was applied to every tooth under a chewing simulator. A universal testing machine was used to measure each group’s fracture resistance. The tested specimens were inspected for any signs of fractures and cracks to categorize failure patterns. Thereby, the values of fracture strength showed that there were statistically nonsignificant differences between the tested groups (p < 0.05). However, a significant difference (p = 0.01) was found between group 1 (inlays) (1950 ± 405) and group 6 (onlays) (3900 ± 770). Type III or type IV fracture modes were seen in the majority of the specimens. In conclusion, inlays and onlays made of zirconia using CAD/CAM technology were deemed reliable for restoring premolars, irrespective of the cavity-preparation design, except for inlays with a 75% intercuspal distance. Full article

While the current literature on Niceness in higher education has examined the discourses and practices of Niceness in academic spaces, making it more identifiable, less is known about how minoritized faculty navigate and disrupt the culture of Niceness. The purpose of this article is to offer a resistance-based framework to combat academia’s Niceness culture through the lens of the authors. Using theory in the flesh as theory and methodology, we use collaborative autoethnography to conceptualize Whisper Care to give language and articulate an orientation and philosophy rooted in Kindness. Our findings present a process to confront Niceness while guiding, supporting, and protecting each other in higher education institutions. We conclude with implications for future research and practice for faculty and higher education leaders. Full article

Implementing approaches based on process mining in inter-organizational collaboration environments presents challenges related to the granularity of event logs, the privacy and autonomy of business processes, and the alignment of event data generated in inter-organizational business process (IOBP) execution. Therefore, this paper proposes a complete and modular data-driven approach that implements natural language processing techniques, text similarity, and process mining techniques (discovery and conformance checking) through a set of methods and formal rules that enable analysis of the data contained in the event logs and the intra-organizational process models of the participants in the collaboration, to identify patterns that allow the discovery of the process choreography. The approach enables merging the event logs of the inter-organizational collaboration participants from the identified message interactions, enabling the automatic construction of an IOBP model. The proposed approach was evaluated using four real-life and two artificial event logs. In discovering the choreography process, average values of 0.86, 0.89, and 0.86 were obtained for relationship precision, relation recall, and relationship F-score metrics. In evaluating the quality of the built IOBP models, values of 0.95 and 1.00 were achieved for the precision and recall metrics, respectively. The performance obtained in the different scenarios is encouraging, demonstrating the ability of the approach to discover the process choreography and the construction of business process models in inter-organizational environments. Full article

This study investigates the association between epigenetic age acceleration (EAA) derived from DNA methylation and the risk of incident colorectal cancer (CRC). We utilized data from a random population sample of 9,360 individuals (men and women, aged 45-69) from the HAPIEE Study who had been followed up for 16 years. A nested case–control design yielded 35 incident CRC cases and 354 matched controls. Six baseline epigenetic age (EA) measures (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, Skin and Blood (SB), BLUP, and Elastic Net (EN)) were calculated along with their respective EAAs. After adjustment, the odds ratios (ORs) for CRC risk per decile increase in EAA ranged from 1.20 (95% CI: 1.04-1.39) to 1.44 (95% CI: 1.21-1.76) for the Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and BLUP measures. Conversely, the SB and EN EAA measures showed borderline inverse associations with ORs of 0.86-0.87 (95% CI: 0.76-0.99). Tertile analysis reinforced a positive association between CRC risk and four EAA measures (Horvath, Hannum, PhenoAge, and BLUP) and a modest inverse relationship with EN EAA. Our findings from a prospective population-based-case-control study indicate a direct association between incident CRC and four markers of accelerated baseline epigenetic age. In contrast, two markers showed a negative association or no association. These results warrant further exploration in larger cohorts and may have implications for CRC risk assessment and prevention. Full article

In the context of the Chinese market, foreign cross-border venture capitalists have devised specific strategies to mitigate the challenges associated with the liabilities of foreignness, such as risks and information asymmetry. They have strategically leveraged social capital to not only decrease investment risk but also to influence their investment preferences and behaviors. To investigate the influence of different types of social capital on the investment decisions of cross-border venture capitalists, hypotheses are proposed and tested using regression analysis. Our research reveals several key findings in this regard. Firstly, cross-border venture capitalists with a robust structural social capital network exhibit a greater propensity to invest in early-stage companies. This suggests that well-established connections and partnerships within the Chinese entrepreneurial ecosystem provide a level of comfort and confidence when investing in ventures at their infancy. Interestingly, relational and cognitive social capital, though undoubtedly valuable, do not significantly impact the decision to make early-stage investments. Furthermore, we have observed that venture capitalists with higher levels of structural and cognitive social capital are more inclined to form syndications. Collaborative partnerships and shared knowledge networks seem to be crucial factors that drive syndication decisions. Lastly, venture capitalists endowed with substantial structural and relational social capital tend to allocate larger investment amounts, signifying the influence of business or personal relationships and network connections on the scale of their investments. Full article

Water and soil salinization significantly reduce crop yields. Among the strategies developed to counteract salt stress, biostimulants can maintain crop productivity, reversing its impact. In this context, there is interest in finding new substances that could act as biostimulants. Recently, the biostimulatory potential of Lemna minor L. (duckweed) extracts has been shown. This work aimed to highlight whether an extract from duckweed (Lemna extract—LE) could protect maize grown in salinity, exploring the mechanisms induced to improve crop resistance. Plants were grown by applying two concentrations of NaCl (150 and 300 mM), and some physiological, morphological, and biochemical traits were studied in control and salt-stressed samples, treated or not with LE. Salinity decreased shoots, roots, pigment, and soluble protein. LE prompted ameliorative changes at the root level and increased photosynthetic pigment and soluble protein. Furthermore, concerning the oxidative impairment provoked by salt stress, LE enhanced the cellular redox state, contrasting H₂O₂ and MDA accumulation and positively affecting the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD—EC 1.15.1.1) and catalase (CAT—EC 1.11.1.6). The assessment of some mineral nutrients showed that LE stimulated their acquisition, especially for the highest salt dosage, explaining some benefits found for the parameters investigated. Full article

Discovered as inflammatory cytokines, MIF and DDT exhibit widespread expression and have emerged as critical mediators in the response to infection, inflammation, and more recently, in cancer. In this comprehensive review, we provide details on their structures, binding partners, regulatory mechanisms, and roles in cancer. We also elaborate on their significant impact in driving tumorigenesis across various cancer types, supported by extensive in vitro, in vivo, bioinformatic, and clinical studies. To date, only a limited number of clinical trials have explored MIF as a therapeutic target in cancer patients, and DDT has not been evaluated. The ongoing pursuit of optimal strategies for targeting MIF and DDT highlights their potential as promising antitumor candidates. Dual inhibition of MIF and DDT may allow for the most effective suppression of canonical and non-canonical signaling pathways, warranting further investigations and clinical exploration. Full article

The European Union’s initiative to reduce carbon dioxide emissions has paved the way for the exploration of innovative building materials that are environmentally friendly and meet all requirements of durability and strength. These criteria can be met by combining natural resources used in the production of building materials with waste materials that would otherwise be landfilled, having a negative impact on the environment. This study focuses on such materials and presents the results of recent research conducted at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The aim was to develop a new generation of materials fully compliant with the principles of the circular economy and sustainable development. Simultaneously, these materials should have no adverse effects on human health and be strong enough to carry the required loads. This study proposes the combination of a natural raw material—in the form of clay—with fly ash from the incineration of sewage sludge to produce a new generation of materials. Several samples were prepared using fly ash from two sources and then were fired at 950 °C. The resulting composites underwent physico-chemical and strength tests. These tests not only confirmed the high strength and durability of the obtained product but also the neutralization of the heavy metals originally present in the fly ash. Full article

Sortase A (SrtA) is responsible for anchoring surface proteins to the cell wall, and has been identified as a promising target developing anti-infective drugs of Gram-positive bacteria. The aim of the study was to identify inhibitors of Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) SrtA from natural compounds to overcome the spread of antibiotic resistance in aquaculture. Here, we found that the MIC of fraxetin against S. agalactiae was higher than 256 μg/mL, indicating that fraxetin had no anti- S. agalactiae activity. But fraxetin could dose-dependently decrease the activity of SrtA in vitro at concentrations ranging between 4–32 μg/mL by a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) assay. Moreover, the inhibition of SrtA by fraxetin decreased the anchoring of surface proteins with the LPXTG motif to the cell wall by detecting the immunofluorescence change of serine-rich repeat protein 1 (Srr1) on the bacterial cell surface. The results of fibronectin binding and cell adhesion assays indicated that fraxetin could significantly decrease the adhesion ability of S. agalactiae in a dose-dependent manner. The results were further proven by immunofluorescence staining. Animal challenge results showed that treatment with fraxetin could reduce the mortality of tilapia infected with S. agalactiae to 46.67%, indicating that fraxetin could provide a significant amount of protection to tilapia by inactivating SrtA. Taken together, these findings provided a novel inhibitor of S. agalactiae SrtA and a promising candidate for treating S. agalactiae infections in aquaculture. Full article

HCC remains one of the leading causes of cancer-related death globally. The main challenges in treatments of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) primarily arise from high rates of postoperative recurrence and the limited efficacy in treating advanced-stage patients. Various signaling pathways involved in HCC have been reported. Among them, the Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling pathway is crucial. The presence of SHH ligands is identified in approximately 60% of HCC tumor tissues, including tumor nests. PTCH-1 and GLI-1 are detected in more than half of HCC tissues, while GLI-2 is found in over 84% of HCC tissues. The SHH signaling pathway (including canonical and non-canonical) is involved in different aspects of HCC, including hepatocarcinogenesis, tumor growth, tumor invasiveness, progression, and migration. The SHH signaling pathway also contributes to recurrence, metastasis, modulation of the cancer microenvironment, and sustaining cancer stem cells. It also affects the resistance of HCC cells to chemotherapy, target therapy, and radiotherapy. Reappraisal of the roles of the SHH signaling pathway in HCC may trigger some novel therapies for HCC. Full article