The 2023 MDPI Annual Report has
been released!
 
12 pages, 547 KiB  
Article
Total Dealcoholisation of Wines by Very Low Temperature Vacuum Distillation Technology Called GoLo
by José Manuel Veiga-del-Baño, Juan José Cuenca-Martínez, José Oliva, Miguel Ángel Cámara and Pedro Andreo-Martínez
Beverages 2024, 10(2), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages10020032 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The use of wine dealcoholisation has multiplied in recent years as a result of various factors, including the increase in alcohol content due to global warming and changes in consumer drinking habits. There are several post-fermentation dealcoholisation methods in the literature which allow [...] Read more.
The use of wine dealcoholisation has multiplied in recent years as a result of various factors, including the increase in alcohol content due to global warming and changes in consumer drinking habits. There are several post-fermentation dealcoholisation methods in the literature which allow for the partial or total elimination of the alcohol content of wine. However, there are no studies on the patented very low temperature vacuum wine distillation technology called GoLo. Therefore, for the first time, this paper evaluates the quality of dealcoholised white, rose and red wines using GoLo technology. For this purpose, alcohol content, pH, total SO2, free SO2, total acidity and volatile acidity were measured. There were no significant differences in the variations in pH, total acidity and volatile acidity after the dealcoholisation process using GoLo technology and dealcoholised wines showed a reduction of 22.1% in total SO2 and a complete absence of ethanol and free SO2. A model for predicting the total SO2 content of dealcoholised wines and a model for predicting the amount of sulphites to be added after dealcoholisation were found after the statistical treatment of the data. GoLo dealcoholisation delivers 100% removal of alcohol and free SO2 in less time, with less loss and energy than other dealcoholisation technologies. The verification and extension of these results will be the focus of future studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Beverage Technology Fermentation and Microbiology)
39 pages, 1459 KiB  
Review
Recent Therapeutic Gene Editing Applications to Genetic Disorders
by Eric Deneault
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(5), 4147-4185; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46050255 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Recent years have witnessed unprecedented progress in therapeutic gene editing, revolutionizing the approach to treating genetic disorders. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the progression of milestones leading to the emergence of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based technology as a [...] Read more.
Recent years have witnessed unprecedented progress in therapeutic gene editing, revolutionizing the approach to treating genetic disorders. In this comprehensive review, we discuss the progression of milestones leading to the emergence of the clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)-based technology as a powerful tool for precise and targeted modifications of the human genome. CRISPR-Cas9 nuclease, base editing, and prime editing have taken center stage, demonstrating remarkable precision and efficacy in targeted ex vivo and in vivo genomic modifications. Enhanced delivery systems, including viral vectors and nanoparticles, have further improved the efficiency and safety of therapeutic gene editing, advancing their clinical translatability. The exploration of CRISPR-Cas systems beyond the commonly used Cas9, such as the development of Cas12 and Cas13 variants, has expanded the repertoire of gene editing tools, enabling more intricate modifications and therapeutic interventions. Outstandingly, prime editing represents a significant leap forward, given its unparalleled versatility and minimization of off-target effects. These innovations have paved the way for therapeutic gene editing in a multitude of previously incurable genetic disorders, ranging from monogenic diseases to complex polygenic conditions. This review highlights the latest innovative studies in the field, emphasizing breakthrough technologies in preclinical and clinical trials, and their applications in the realm of precision medicine. However, challenges such as off-target effects and ethical considerations remain, necessitating continued research to refine safety profiles and ethical frameworks. Full article
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16 pages, 1401 KiB  
Article
A Comparison between Powder Bed Fusion of Polyamide 12 and Aluminum Computer Numeric Control Machining: A Carbon Footprint and Energy Assessment
by Samuel Sipert, Edna dos Santos Almeida, Bruno Caetano dos Santos Silva, Hamilton de Araújo Silva Neto, André Souza Oliveira, Diego Russo Juliano and Rodrigo Santiago Coelho
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3767; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093767 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of two manufacturing scenarios for a camera housing: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) using polyamide 12 (PA-12) and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining using aluminum, for a cradle-to-gate boundary. The selected impact categories were cumulative [...] Read more.
This study presents a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) of two manufacturing scenarios for a camera housing: Powder Bed Fusion (PBF) using polyamide 12 (PA-12) and Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining using aluminum, for a cradle-to-gate boundary. The selected impact categories were cumulative energy demand (CED) and global warming potential (GWP). The key findings indicate that the PA-12 PBF part outperformed the aluminum CNC machining one in terms of environmental and energy performance, showing a significant reduction of approximately 90% in equivalent carbon emissions and 84% in cumulative energy demand. Sensitivity analyses revealed that the PBF process was highly sensitive to changes in the proportion of virgin/recycled material for the printing process, variations in the life cycle inventory (LCI) data sources for PA-12 powder production, and changes in the transportation system for imported materials, as is the case for the main input in the process (PA-12 powder). Sensitivity analysis also showed less impact for the PBF camera housing even considering a lifespan of one-fifth that of the aluminum for the impact categories considered. However, it should be noted that this analysis did not include considerations for the usage and end-of-life phases, which may have significant contributions to the overall environmental impact. Full article
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15 pages, 694 KiB  
Article
Astaxanthin Added during Post-Warm Recovery Mitigated Oxidative Stress in Bovine Vitrified Oocytes and Improved Quality of Resulting Blastocysts
by Linda Dujíčková, Lucia Olexiková, Alexander V. Makarevich, Alexandra Rosenbaum Bartková, Lucie Němcová, Peter Chrenek and František Strejček
Antioxidants 2024, 13(5), 556; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13050556 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Various antioxidants are tested to improve the viability and development of cryopreserved oocytes, due to their known positive health effects. The aim of this study was to find whether astaxanthin (AX), a xanthophyll carotenoid, could mitigate deteriorations that occurred during the vitrification/warming process [...] Read more.
Various antioxidants are tested to improve the viability and development of cryopreserved oocytes, due to their known positive health effects. The aim of this study was to find whether astaxanthin (AX), a xanthophyll carotenoid, could mitigate deteriorations that occurred during the vitrification/warming process in bovine oocytes. Astaxanthin (2.5 µM) was added to the maturation medium during the post-warm recovery period of vitrified oocytes for 3 h. Afterward, the oocytes were fertilized in vitro using frozen bull semen and presumptive zygotes were cultured in the B2 Menezo medium in a co-culture with BRL-1 cells at 38.5 °C and 5% CO2 until the blastocyst stage. AX addition significantly reduced ROS formation, lipid peroxidation, and lysosomal activity, while increasing mitochondrial activity in vitrified oocytes. Although the effect of AX on embryo development was not observed, it stimulated cell proliferation in the blastocysts derived from vitrified oocytes and improved their quality by upregulation or downregulation of some genes related to apoptosis (BCL2, CAS9), oxidative stress (GPX4, CDX2), and development (GJB5) compared to the vitrified group without AX. Therefore, the antioxidant properties of astaxanthin even during short exposure to bovine vitrified/warmed oocytes resulted in improved blastocyst quality comparable to those from fresh oocytes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Health Outcomes of Antioxidants and Oxidative Stress)
15 pages, 698 KiB  
Article
Computational Fluid Dynamics Heat Transfer Analysis of Double Pipe Heat Exchanger and Flow Characteristics Using Nanofluid TiO2 with Water
by Abdulaziz S. Alhulaifi
Designs 2024, 8(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/designs8030039 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
A device called a heat exchanger is used to exchange heat transfer between two fluids with different temperatures. Because of its durability and ability to handle high-pressure application, the concentric double pipe heat exchangers are widely utilized for numerous industrial applications. To conserve [...] Read more.
A device called a heat exchanger is used to exchange heat transfer between two fluids with different temperatures. Because of its durability and ability to handle high-pressure application, the concentric double pipe heat exchangers are widely utilized for numerous industrial applications. To conserve pumping power energy, many researchers were involved in study of the nanoparticles to be embedded in the fluid, which will enrich the fluid thermal conductivity and surface area. This article demonstrates the flow characteristics and convective heat transfer of nanofluids containing 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 of vol% TiO2 nanoparticles dispersed in water under turbulent conditions, which mainly can be used for cooling nuclear reactors applications. Reynolds numbers varying from 4000 to 18,000 are examined numerically. The convective heat transfer coefficient results of the nanofluid agree well against experimental data, which are slightly more than that of base water at 1.94%. The results of the numerical model showed that the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids will increase when the Reynolds and volume fraction increases. By increasing the temperature of the annular hot water, the heat transfer rate will increase, showing no major impact to the convective heat transfer coefficient of nanofluids. A generalised solution predicting the convective heat transfer coefficient for extensive nanoparticle materials is proposed. The conclusion of the empirical equation is tested among published data and the results are highly congruent, confirming the strength of the gamma equation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Thermal Energy Transfer and Storage)
13 pages, 1359 KiB  
Article
The Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Patients with Severe Chronic Pulmonary Hypertension: A Prospective Study from a Single Referral Center
by Virginija Rudienė, Lina Kaplerienė, Monika Laukytė-Slėnienė, Dovilė Žebrauskienė, Vaida Averjanovaitė, Virginija Šileikienė, Ingrida Zeleckienė, Mindaugas Matačiūnas, Lina Gumbienė and Eglė Grigonienė
Medicina 2024, 60(5), 750; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60050750 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Background and Objectives. COVID-19 infection has a significant burden on global morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly people and in patients with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on patients [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives. COVID-19 infection has a significant burden on global morbidity and mortality, especially in elderly people and in patients with chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, such as pulmonary hypertension (PH). We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 infection on patients diagnosed with severe chronic PH. Materials and Methods. A single-center prospective cohort study was performed. Patients were enrolled from 1 November 2020 to 31 December 2022. Follow-up was until 31 December 2023. Data were collected on PH diagnosis, clinical presentation, outcomes, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels, pulmonary function test with lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO), and computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) analysis. Results. During the 26 months of our study, 51 PH patients were diagnosed with COVID-19 infection. The majority, 44 (86.3%) of all COVID-19 infected patients, were treated on an outpatient basis, and 7 (13.7%) required hospitalization. During the follow-up period, 8 (15.7%) patients died: 4 (7.8%) due to complications of COVID-19 infection, and the other 4 (7.8%) died in the later stages of the follow-up period after recovery from acute COVID-19 infection. Therefore, the in-hospital mortality in our study was 43% (n = 3). As mentioned above, the overall mortality was 7.8% (n = 4). Higher BNP levels in the third month after COVID-19 were associated with higher mortality rates (p = 0.028). Lung function, including DLCO, did not significantly worsen with COVID-19. In our study, 24 patients (47.1%) were referred for a follow-up CTPA scan and one of them developed typical fibrotic lung changes after COVID-19. Conclusions. The incidence of COVID-19 infection in patients diagnosed with PH was 34%. In our patients with severe chronic PH, the overall mortality rate due to COVID-19 infection was low. Pulmonary fibrosis was a rare complication in our cohort. COVID-19 infection in severe PH may increase the risk of worsening chronic heart failure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pulmonary Hypertension: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Management)
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16 pages, 6663 KiB  
Article
Nanofibrous ε-Polycaprolactone Matrices Containing Nano-Hydroxyapatite and Humulus lupulus L. Extract: Physicochemical and Biological Characterization for Oral Applications
by Jaime Villanueva-Lumbreras, Ciro Rodriguez, María Rosa Aguilar, Hamlet Avilés-Arnaut, Geoffrey A. Cordell and Aida Rodriguez-Garcia
Polymers 2024, 16(9), 1258; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16091258 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Oral bone defects occur as a result of trauma, cancer, infections, periodontal diseases, and caries. Autogenic and allogenic grafts are the gold standard used to treat and regenerate damaged or defective bone segments. However, these materials do not possess the antimicrobial properties necessary [...] Read more.
Oral bone defects occur as a result of trauma, cancer, infections, periodontal diseases, and caries. Autogenic and allogenic grafts are the gold standard used to treat and regenerate damaged or defective bone segments. However, these materials do not possess the antimicrobial properties necessary to inhibit the invasion of the numerous deleterious pathogens present in the oral microbiota. In the present study, poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL), nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp), and a commercial extract of Humulus lupulus L. (hops) were electrospun into polymeric matrices to assess their potential for drug delivery and bone regeneration. The fabricated matrices were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), tensile analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), FTIR assay, and in vitro hydrolytic degradation. The antimicrobial properties were evaluated against the oral pathogens Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. The cytocompatibility was proved using the MTT assay. SEM analysis established the nanostructured matrices present in the three-dimensional interconnected network. The present research provides new information about the interaction of natural compounds with ceramic and polymeric biomaterials. The hop extract and other natural or synthetic medicinal agents can be effectively loaded into PCL fibers and have the potential to be used in oral applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Smart and Functional Polymers)
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38 pages, 6475 KiB  
Article
Theory of Majorana-Type Heavy Ion Double Charge Exchange Reactions by Pion–Nucleon Isotensor Interactions
by Horst Lenske, Jessica Bellone, Maria Colonna and Danilo Gambacurta
Universe 2024, 10(5), 202; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10050202 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The theory of heavy ion double charge exchange (DCE) reactions proceeding by effective rank-2 isotensor interactions is presented. Virtual pion–nucleon charge exchange interactions are investigated as the source for induced isotensor interactions, giving rise to the Majorana DCE (MDCE) reaction mechanism. MDCE is [...] Read more.
The theory of heavy ion double charge exchange (DCE) reactions proceeding by effective rank-2 isotensor interactions is presented. Virtual pion–nucleon charge exchange interactions are investigated as the source for induced isotensor interactions, giving rise to the Majorana DCE (MDCE) reaction mechanism. MDCE is of a generic character, proceeding through pairs of complementary (π±,π) reactions in the projectile and target nucleus. The dynamics of the elementary processes is discussed, where the excitation of pion–nucleon resonances are of central importance. Investigations of initial and final state ion–ion interactions show that these effects are acting as vertex renormalizations. In closure approximation, well justified by the finite pion mass, the second-order transition matrix elements reduce to pion potentials and effective two-body isotensor DCE interactions, giving rise also to two-body correlations in either of the participating nuclei. Connections to neutrinoless Majorana double beta decay (MDBD) are elucidated at various levels of the dynamics, from the underlying fundamental electro-weak and QCD scales to the physical scales of nuclear MDBD and MDCE physics. It is pointed out that heavy ion MDCE reactions may also proceed by competing electro-weak charge exchange processes, leading to lepton MDCE by electrons, positrons, and neutrinos. Full article
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15 pages, 809 KiB  
Article
Epidemiology Tools to Evaluate the Control of Proliferative Enteropathy in Commercial Pig Herds
by Alison Collins and Cherie Collins
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1357; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091357 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is characterized by diarrhea and reduced weight gains in growing pigs and intestinal hemorrhage in finishers. Vaccination, antibiotic medication, and improved hygiene can control PE, but their efficacy depends upon the epidemiology of PE. This study monitored the timing and [...] Read more.
Proliferative enteropathy (PE) is characterized by diarrhea and reduced weight gains in growing pigs and intestinal hemorrhage in finishers. Vaccination, antibiotic medication, and improved hygiene can control PE, but their efficacy depends upon the epidemiology of PE. This study monitored the timing and severity of PE in 84 commercial pens across seven treatments, including disinfection, vaccination, no treatment, medication with olaquindox (50, 25 and 12.5 ppm), and combined disinfection and vaccination. Vaccination with or without lime disinfection suppressed clinical signs of PE and reduced the number of excreted L. intracellularis relative to untreated pigs housed in cleaned or cleaned and disinfected pens between 9 and 17 weeks of age. Continuous olaquindox mediation to 17 weeks of age prevented L. intracellularis infection, leaving finisher pigs naïve. These finisher pigs suffered an outbreak of hemorrhagic enteropathy with significant reductions in weight gain, feed intake, and mortalities of 4.6%. Over the 13 week grow/finish period, vaccinated pigs housed in disinfected pens showed significantly higher weight gain and feed intake relative to all other treatments, equating to a weight gain difference of between 3.6 and 3.9 kg per pig. Monitoring the immune response and fecal excretion of L. intracellularis in pens of pigs enabled effective PE control strategies to be evaluated on the farm. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disease Epidemiology in Farm Animal Production)
11 pages, 403 KiB  
Review
Targeting Plasmodium Life Cycle with Novel Parasite Ligands as Vaccine Antigens
by Shan Khan, Manas Paresh Patel, Aleem Damji Patni and Sung-Jae Cha
Vaccines 2024, 12(5), 484; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12050484 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The WHO reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries in 2022. A total of 94% of malaria deaths occurred in Africa, 80% of which were children under 5. In other words, one child dies every minute [...] Read more.
The WHO reported an estimated 249 million malaria cases and 608,000 malaria deaths in 85 countries in 2022. A total of 94% of malaria deaths occurred in Africa, 80% of which were children under 5. In other words, one child dies every minute from malaria. The RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, which uses the Plasmodium falciparum circumsporozoite protein (CSP) to target sporozoite infection of the liver, achieved modest efficacy. The Malaria Vaccine Implementation Program (MVIP), coordinated by the WHO and completed at the end of 2023, found that immunization reduced mortality by only 13%. To further reduce malaria death, the development of a more effective malaria vaccine is a high priority. Three malaria vaccine targets being considered are the sporozoite liver infection (pre-erythrocytic stage), the merozoite red blood cell infection (asexual erythrocytic stage), and the gamete/zygote mosquito infection (sexual/transmission stage). These targets involve specific ligand-receptor interactions. However, most current malaria vaccine candidates that target two major parasite population bottlenecks, liver infection, and mosquito midgut infection, do not focus on such parasite ligands. Here, we evaluate the potential of newly identified parasite ligands with a phage peptide-display technique as novel malaria vaccine antigens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Malaria Vaccine Development)
17 pages, 9162 KiB  
Article
MFACNet: A Multi-Frame Feature Aggregating and Inter-Feature Correlation Framework for Multi-Object Tracking in Satellite Videos
by Hu Zhao, Yanyun Shen, Zhipan Wang and Qingling Zhang
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1604; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091604 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Efficient multi-object tracking (MOT) in satellite videos is crucial for numerous applications, ranging from surveillance to environmental monitoring. Existing methods often struggle with effectively exploring the correlation and contextual cues inherent in the consecutive features of video sequences, resulting in redundant feature inference [...] Read more.
Efficient multi-object tracking (MOT) in satellite videos is crucial for numerous applications, ranging from surveillance to environmental monitoring. Existing methods often struggle with effectively exploring the correlation and contextual cues inherent in the consecutive features of video sequences, resulting in redundant feature inference and unreliable motion estimation for tracking. To address these challenges, we propose the MFACNet, a novel multi-frame features aggregating and inter-feature correlation framework for enhancing MOT in satellite videos with the idea of utilizing the features of consecutive frames. The MFACNet integrates multi-frame feature aggregation techniques with inter-feature correlation mechanisms to improve tracking accuracy and robustness. Specifically, our framework leverages temporal information across the features of consecutive frames to capture contextual cues and refine object representations over time. Moreover, we introduce a mechanism to explicitly model the correlations between adjacent features in video sequences, facilitating a more accurate motion estimation and trajectory associations. We evaluated the MFACNet using benchmark datasets for satellite-based video MOT tasks and demonstrated its superiority in terms of tracking accuracy and robustness over state-of-the-art performance by 2.0% in MOTA and 1.6% in IDF1. Our experimental results highlight the potential of precisely utilizing deep features from video sequences. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section AI Remote Sensing)
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14 pages, 811 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Organic Food Purchase Intention on Household Food Waste: Insights from Brazil
by Lucas Rodrigues Deliberador, Alexandre Borges Santos, Geandra Alves Queiroz, Aldara da Silva César and Mário Otávio Batalha
Sustainability 2024, 16(9), 3795; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16093795 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
An emerging trend among consumers is the pursuit of healthier eating habits while minimizing environmental damage, thus increasing the intention for consumption of organic foods. In this context, this study hypothesizes that household food waste is influenced by organic food purchase intention, which, [...] Read more.
An emerging trend among consumers is the pursuit of healthier eating habits while minimizing environmental damage, thus increasing the intention for consumption of organic foods. In this context, this study hypothesizes that household food waste is influenced by organic food purchase intention, which, in turn, is influenced by environmental concern, health consciousness, hedonic shopping, and negatively affected by price. Hence, the objective of this study is to propose and empirically test a theoretical framework with Brazilian consumers. Data from 240 respondents were electronically collected and analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results suggest that environmental concern, price consciousness, and health consciousness significantly influence organic food purchase intention, while hedonic shopping value does not. Furthermore, although organic food purchase intention reduced household food waste, the effect size of this relationship was found to be extremely low, suggesting it to be a poor predictor. This paper contributes to the existing literature on consumer behavior and waste management further by not only examining the relationship between two research streams but also by shedding light on unique aspects of an emerging country. Full article
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4 pages, 224 KiB  
Editorial
In Vitro Growth of Mammalian Follicles and Oocytes
by Kenichiro Sakaguchi
Animals 2024, 14(9), 1355; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14091355 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Mammalian ovaries contain a large number of immature follicles, most of which are destined to degenerate before ovulation [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue In Vitro Growth of Mammalian Follicles and Oocytes)
28 pages, 3586 KiB  
Article
Delineating Source and Sink Zones of Trip Journeys in the Road Network Space
by Yan Shi, Bingrong Chen, Jincai Huang, Da Wang, Huimin Liu and Min Deng
ISPRS Int. J. Geo-Inf. 2024, 13(5), 150; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijgi13050150 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Source–sink zones refer to aggregated adjacent origins/destinations with homogeneous trip flow characteristics. Current relevant studies mostly detect source–sink zones based on outflow/inflow volumes without considering trip routes. Nevertheless, trip routes detail individuals’ journeys on road networks and give rise to relationships among human [...] Read more.
Source–sink zones refer to aggregated adjacent origins/destinations with homogeneous trip flow characteristics. Current relevant studies mostly detect source–sink zones based on outflow/inflow volumes without considering trip routes. Nevertheless, trip routes detail individuals’ journeys on road networks and give rise to relationships among human activities, road network structures, and land-use types. Therefore, this study developed a novel approach to delineate source–sink zones based on trip route aggregation on road networks. We first represented original trajectories using road segment sequences and applied the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) model to associate trajectories with route semantics. We then ran a hierarchical clustering operation to aggregate trajectories with similar route semantics. Finally, we adopted an adaptive multi-variable agglomeration strategy to associate the trajectory clusters with each traffic analysis zone to delineating source and sink zones, with a trajectory topic entropy defined as an indicator to analyze the dynamic impact between the road network and source–sink zones. We used taxi trajectories in Xiamen, China, to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. Full article
8 pages, 289 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of the Oral Corticosteroid Exposure and Excessive Use in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Data from Four French Referral Centers of the International DICE Study
by Stéphane Nancey, Xavier Hébuterne, Cyrielle Gilletta, Evguenia Hacques and Xavier Roblin
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2652; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092652 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Corticosteroids used to induce a response in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) may cause adverse reactions. The DICE study aimed to quantify and investigate factors associated with their use. Methods: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study conducted in seven countries allowed us [...] Read more.
Corticosteroids used to induce a response in Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) may cause adverse reactions. The DICE study aimed to quantify and investigate factors associated with their use. Methods: This cross-sectional, non-interventional study conducted in seven countries allowed us to collect data on oral corticosteroid exposure and excessive use (cf. British Society of Gastroenterology) over the past 12 months in adult patients with CD or UC for more than a year. The factors associated with these practices were investigated using marginal logistic models. We present the results from the four participating French expert centers. Results: Corticosteroid exposure over the past 12 months was observed in 20.1% of 324 CD patients and 30.2% of 205 UC patients. Excessive use was reported in 13.3% and 17.1% of patients, respectively. Corticosteroid exposure and excessive use were less frequently observed in CD than in UC (OR: 0.56, p < 0.0001, and 0.69, p = 0.0042). A disease activity assessment at patient’s last visit was the main factor (p < 0.01) associated with the risk of corticosteroid exposure and excessive use in CD (OR: 3.41 and 3.44) and UC (OR: 7.29 and 6.90). Conclusions: Corticosteroid exposure and excessive use continue to be frequently observed in CD and UC in France. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Gastroenterology & Hepatopancreatobiliary Medicine)
12 pages, 751 KiB  
Article
Relationship between Preoperative Maxillomandibular Transverse Discrepancy and Post-Surgical Stability in Class II Malocclusion
by Chae-kyung Lee, Kyung-Ho Kim, Kee-Joon Lee, Jung-Yul Cha, Sang-Sun Han and Hyung-Seog Yu
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(9), 3866; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14093866 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the presurgical maxillomandibular transverse index and post-surgical stability one year after mandibular advancement. For the material and methods, twenty-two subjects who were treated with mandibular advancement were enrolled in this study. Postsurgical [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the presurgical maxillomandibular transverse index and post-surgical stability one year after mandibular advancement. For the material and methods, twenty-two subjects who were treated with mandibular advancement were enrolled in this study. Postsurgical stability was defined as the horizontal mandibular position change of <2 mm in lateral cephalogram 1 year after surgery. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the maintenance of postsurgical stability: a stable group (group S) and a less stable group (group LS). Presurgical maxillomandibular transverse index was determined as Yonsei transverse index (YTI) one month before surgery. A logistic analysis was performed on the postsurgical stability according to the YTI value. The presurgical, post-expansion target YTI value was obtained using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. There were no notable differences in the baseline characteristics of the two groups except for vertical positions of point A, B, and gender distribution. Before surgery, however, there was a significant difference in YTI at both the fossa and CR level between the groups. The amount of mandibular advancement did not show a significant difference. The odds ratio for YTI was 0.35 (p = 0.024). The prediction of stability of presurgical YTI yielded an area under the ROC curve of 0.88. The cut-off value for YTI was 1.45 mm. It can thus be concluded that presurgical transverse index showed a correlation with postsurgical stability, and correcting it in the presurgical phase to a certain level appears to aid in securing postsurgical stability. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Biotechnology Applied to Orthodontic TSADs and CBCT)
15 pages, 3154 KiB  
Article
Synthetic Peptides Selected by Immunoinformatics as Potential Tools for the Specific Diagnosis of Canine Visceral Leishmaniasis
by Gabriel Moreira, Rodrigo Maia, Nathália Soares, Thais Ostolin, Wendel Coura-Vital, Rodrigo Aguiar-Soares, Jeronimo Ruiz, Daniela Resende, Rory de Brito, Alexandre Reis and Bruno Roatt
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050906 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil faces challenges due to the limitations regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the current diagnostic protocol. Therefore, it is urgent to map new antigens or enhance the existing ones for future diagnostic techniques. Immunoinformatic tools are [...] Read more.
Diagnosing canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) in Brazil faces challenges due to the limitations regarding the sensitivity and specificity of the current diagnostic protocol. Therefore, it is urgent to map new antigens or enhance the existing ones for future diagnostic techniques. Immunoinformatic tools are promising in the identification of new potential epitopes or antigen candidates. In this study, we evaluated peptides selected by epitope prediction for CVL serodiagnosis in ELISA assays. Ten B-cell epitopes were immunogenic in silico, but two peptides (peptides No. 45 and No. 48) showed the best performance in vitro. The selected peptides, both individually and in combination, were highly diagnostically accurate, with sensitivities ranging from 86.4% to 100% and with a specificity of approximately 90%. We observed that the combination of peptides showed better performance when compared to peptide alone, by detecting all asymptomatic dogs, showing lower cross-reactivity in sera from dogs with other canine infections, and did not detect vaccinated animals. Moreover, our data indicate the potential use of immunoinformatic tools associated with ELISA assays for the selection and evaluation of potential new targets, such as peptides, applied to the diagnosis of CVL. Full article
27 pages, 3083 KiB  
Article
Design and Experimental Tests of a Four-Way Valve with the Determination of Flow Characteristics for Building Central Heating Installations Using Solid Modeling
by Mariusz Niekurzak and Jerzy Mikulik
Energies 2024, 17(9), 2152; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17092152 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The article presents the design of a four-way valve, implemented in SolidWorks software (SOLIDWORKS® i 3DEXPERIENCE® Works Simulation) and used for central heating installations in buildings. The project was carried out in order to examine the innovative design of the medium [...] Read more.
The article presents the design of a four-way valve, implemented in SolidWorks software (SOLIDWORKS® i 3DEXPERIENCE® Works Simulation) and used for central heating installations in buildings. The project was carried out in order to examine the innovative design of the medium mixing mechanism and to conduct strength and FMEA analysis. The innovative solutions proposed by the authors in this work will allow valves of this type to meet stringent environmental standards. These standards are currently being introduced for this type of structural element of machine parts as part of the energy transformation of buildings. Potential failures occurring in individual elements of the four-way valve were also tested using Failure mode and effects analysis. In addition, strength tests were performed in SolidWorks software using static analysis, and optimization tests were performed on the refrigerant in terms of its impact on the environment. The characteristics of the tested materials in the valve design show that the best materials are brass and stainless steel. Brass has a Poisson’s ratio of 0.33, a tensile strength of 478.4 MPa and a yield strength of 239.7 MPa. In turn, stainless steel is characterized by the following parameters: Poisson’s ratio of 0.27, tensile strength of 685 MPa and yield strength of 292 MPa. The designed valve reduces energy consumption by 30% through a properly designed medium flow with the appropriate selection of materials. Moreover, the design reduces the thickness of the contaminant layer by 0.17 mm, with a capacity factor of −2.50% and an evaporator Δp of 3.10% (53 kPa). The performed research provides knowledge on the subject selection of appropriate material, a description of the potential failures of the structural elements of the designed four-way valve and methods of counteracting these failures. The article presents the optimization role of the tested component in the context of sustainable development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Latest Research on Heat and Mass Transfer in Buildings)
9 pages, 264 KiB  
Communication
Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia in Human and Animal Stool Samples
by María Teresa Gómez-Romano, Manuel Antonio Rodríguez-Iglesias and Fátima Galán-Sánchez
Microorganisms 2024, 12(5), 918; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12050918 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are opportunistic microorganisms with remarkable zoonotic transmission potential due to their capacity to infect humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these microorganisms in stool samples of animal and human origin. In [...] Read more.
Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are opportunistic microorganisms with remarkable zoonotic transmission potential due to their capacity to infect humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these microorganisms in stool samples of animal and human origin. In total, 369 stool samples (205 from human patients with diarrhea and 164 of animal origin) were included in the study. Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia presence were determined by using multiplex nested PCR. Positive results were analyzed by using Sanger sequencing of the amplicon, utilizing BLASTN and ClustalX software to confirm identification. Cryptosporidium spp. were found in 0.97% and 4.26% of human and animal samples, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in human and animal stools in 6.82% and 3.05% of the samples, respectively. No associations were found when analyzing the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi and the demographic and clinical variables of patients and animals. This study demonstrates the presence of these microorganisms in human and animal samples from different species, and the most interesting findings are the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in pets (e.g., rodents) that are not usually included in this type of study, and the identification of E. bieneusi in patients with diarrhea without underlying disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Parasitology)
17 pages, 9400 KiB  
Article
The Study on Anomalies of the Geomagnetic Topology Network Associated with the 2022 Ms6.8 Luding Earthquake
by Zining Yu, Xilong Jing, Xianwei Wang, Chengquan Chi and Haiyong Zheng
Remote Sens. 2024, 16(9), 1613; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs16091613 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
On 5 September 2022, the Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake occurred at 29.59°N and 102.08°E in China. To investigate the variations in geomagnetic signals before the earthquake, this study analyzes the geomagnetic data from nine stations around the epicenter. First, we apply the Multi-channel [...] Read more.
On 5 September 2022, the Ms 6.8 Luding earthquake occurred at 29.59°N and 102.08°E in China. To investigate the variations in geomagnetic signals before the earthquake, this study analyzes the geomagnetic data from nine stations around the epicenter. First, we apply the Multi-channel Singular Spectrum Analysis to reconstruct the periodic components of the geomagnetic data from multiple stations. Second, we employ K-means clustering to rule out the possibility of occasional anomalies caused by a single station. Subsequently, we construct a geomagnetic topology network considering the remaining stations. Network centrality is defined as a measure of overall network connectivity, where the higher the correlation between multiple stations, the greater the network centrality. Finally, we examine the network centrality 45 days before and 15 days after the Luding earthquake. The results show that several anomalies in network centrality are extracted about one week before the earthquake. We further validate the significance of the anomalies in terms of time as well as space and verify the utility of the centrality anomalies through the SEA technique. The anomalies are found to have a statistical correlation with the earthquake event. We consider that this study provides a new way and a novel observational perspective for earthquake precursor analysis of ground-based magnetic data. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Remote Sensing Data Application for Early Warning System)
10 pages, 398 KiB  
Article
Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among HIV Positive Patients under Surveillance in Greek Infectious Disease Units: A Screening Study with Comparative Evaluation of Serological Methods
by Chrysa Voyiatzaki, Apollon Dareios Zare Chormizi, Maria E. Tsoumani, Antonia Efstathiou, Konstantinos Konstantinidis, Dimitrios Chaniotis, Georgios Chrysos, Aikaterini Argyraki, Vasilios Papastamopoulos and Marika Kotsianopoulou
Pathogens 2024, 13(5), 375; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13050375 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
This study aims to screen for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the sera of 155 newly diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients under surveillance in Greek Infectious Disease Units. Additionally, risk factors based on patient demographics were [...] Read more.
This study aims to screen for IgG antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) in the sera of 155 newly diagnosed Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients under surveillance in Greek Infectious Disease Units. Additionally, risk factors based on patient demographics were examined, and a comparative evaluation of commercially available serological methods was conducted. Three methods were employed to detect IgG antibodies against T. gondii: Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Indirect Immunofluorescence Antibody Test (IFAT), and Western Blot (WB), which was used as a reference here. Forty-nine sera samples were true-positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii, resulting in a 31.61% positivity rate, and the immunoassay test statistical reliability analysis resulted in higher IFAT accuracy (90.97%) compared to ELISA (76.26%). Furthermore, statistical analysis of demographic and immunological data included in the study placed female and foreign/non-Greek individuals at 2.24 (p = 0.0009) and 2.34 (p = 0.0006) times higher risk of positive T. gondii IgG testing compared to their male and Greek counterparts, respectively. Our findings on positivity rates and comparative serology underscore the importance of early and suitable screening measures for newly diagnosed HIV+ patients to mitigate the life-threatening outcomes that may arise from a potential subsequent T. gondii activation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue One Health: New Approaches, Research and Innovation to Zoonoses)
14 pages, 273 KiB  
Article
Examining Variability in Intra-Hospital Patient Referrals to Specialized Palliative Care: A Comprehensive Analysis of Disciplines and Mortality
by Claudia Fischer, Katharina Dirschmid and Eva Katharina Masel
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2653; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092653 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
In Austria, specialized palliative care (SPC) access is limited, with unclear referral criteria, making it challenging to identify hospitalized patients requiring SPC and determine referral timing and mortality at the palliative care unit (PCU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients who underwent [...] Read more.
In Austria, specialized palliative care (SPC) access is limited, with unclear referral criteria, making it challenging to identify hospitalized patients requiring SPC and determine referral timing and mortality at the palliative care unit (PCU). Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed patients who underwent a palliative care (PC) needs assessment between March 2016 and November 2021 and were subsequently admitted to the PCU of Austria’s largest academic hospital. Demographic, clinical, and standardized referral form data were used for analysis, employing descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Out of the 903 assessed patients, 19% were admitted to the PCU, primarily cancer patients (94.7%), with lung (19%) and breast cancer (13%) being most prevalent. Common referral reasons included pain (61%) and nutritional problems (46%). Despite no significant differences in referral times, most patients (78.4%) died in the PCU, with varying outcomes based on cancer type. Referral reasons like pain (OR = 2.3), nutritional problems (OR = 2.4), and end-of-life care (OR = 6.5) were significantly associated with the outcome PCU mortality. Conclusions: This study underscores Austria’s SPC access imbalance and emphasizes timely PC integration across disciplines for effective advance care planning and dignified end-of-life experiences in PCUs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Management of Palliative Medicine)
14 pages, 1477 KiB  
Article
Fabrication of an Fe-Doped ZIF-67 Derived Magnetic Fe/Co/C Composite for Effective Removal of Congo Red
by Yu Cao, Zeming Dai, Xuan Zhou, Yuting Lin and Jianhua Hou
Molecules 2024, 29(9), 2078; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29092078 (registering DOI) - 30 Apr 2024
Abstract
The dyes in printing and dyeing wastewater are harmful to the human body and the environment. It is essential to develop practical and effective adsorbents to deal with them. In this study, an Fe-doped, ZIF-67 derived Fe/Co/C composite material with strong magnetism was [...] Read more.
The dyes in printing and dyeing wastewater are harmful to the human body and the environment. It is essential to develop practical and effective adsorbents to deal with them. In this study, an Fe-doped, ZIF-67 derived Fe/Co/C composite material with strong magnetism was successfully synthesized. The effects of pH, initial concentration, and adsorption time on the properties of the adsorbent were investigated. To further improve the removal efficiency and enhance the practicality, potassium peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was added to the system due to its Fenton-like effect. Then, an Fe/Co/C composite was used with PMS to remove Congo red (CR) with a 98% removal of 250 mg·L−1. Moreover, for its high saturation magnetization of 85.4 emu∙g−1, the Fe/Co/C composite can be easily recovered by applying a magnetic field, solving the problem that powdery functional materials are difficult to recover and, thus, avoiding secondary pollution. Furthermore, since the composite material was doped before carbonization, this synthetic strategy is flexible and the required metal elements can be added at will to achieve different purposes. This study demonstrates that this Fe-doped, ZIF-67 derived magnetic material has potential application prospects for dye adsorption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Adsorbents for Environmental Pollutants' Removal)

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