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14 pages, 3873 KiB  
Article
Analysis of Hybrid Ship Machinery System with Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells and Battery Pack
by Jure Penga, Tino Vidovi?, Gojmir Radica and ?eljko Penga
Appl. Sci. 2024, 14(7), 2878; https://doi.org/10.3390/app14072878 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
As marine traffic is contributing to pollution, and most vessels have predictable routes with repetitive load profiles, to reduce their impact on environment, hybrid systems with proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC-s) and battery pack are a promising replacement. For this purpose, the [...] Read more.
As marine traffic is contributing to pollution, and most vessels have predictable routes with repetitive load profiles, to reduce their impact on environment, hybrid systems with proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC-s) and battery pack are a promising replacement. For this purpose, the new approach takes into consideration an alternative to diesel propulsion with the additional benefit of carbon neutrality and increase of system efficiency. Additionally, in the developed numerical model, control of the PEMFC–battery hybrid energy system with balance of plant is incorporated with repowering existing vessels that have two diesel engines with 300 kWe. The goal of this paper is to develop a numerical model that analyzes and determines an equivalent hybrid ship propulsion system for a known traveling route. The developed numerical model consists of an interconnected system with the PEMFC stack and a battery pack as power sources. The numerical model was developed and optimized to meet the minimal required power demand for a successful route, which has variable loads and sees ships sail daily six times along the same route—in total 54 nautical miles. The results showed that the equivalent hybrid power system consists of a 300 kWe PEMFC stack and battery pack with 424 kWh battery and state of charge varying between 20 and 87%. To power this new hybrid power system, a hydrogen tank of 7200 L holding 284.7 kg at pressure of 700 bar is required, compared to previous system that consumed 1524 kg of diesel and generated 4886 kg of CO2. Full article
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20 pages, 4793 KiB  
Article
A Comprehensive Study on the Optimization of Drilling Performance in Hybrid Nano-Composites and Neat CFRP Composites Using Statistical and Machine Learning Approaches
by Tanzila Nargis, S. M. Shahabaz, Subash Acharya, Nagaraja Shetty, Rashmi Laxmikant Malghan and S. Divakara Shetty
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2024, 8(2), 67; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp8020067 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have gradually replaced metals due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio compared to metallic materials. However, the drilling process often reveals various defects, such as surface roughness, influenced by different drilling parameters. This study explores the drilling quality of [...] Read more.
Carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites have gradually replaced metals due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio compared to metallic materials. However, the drilling process often reveals various defects, such as surface roughness, influenced by different drilling parameters. This study explores the drilling quality of uni-directional CFRP composites, as well as hybrid Al2O3 alumina and hybrid SiC silicon carbide nano-composites, through experimental exploration using step, core, and twist drills. Response surface methodology (RSM) and statistical tools, including main effect plots, ANOVA, contour plots, and optimization techniques, were used to analyze the surface roughness of the hole. Optimization plots were drawn for optimal conditions, suggesting a spindle speed of 1500 rpm, feed of 0.01 mm/rev, and a 4 mm drill diameter for achieving minimum surface roughness. Furthermore, two machine learning models, artificial neural network (ANN) and random forest (RF), were used for predictive analysis. The findings revealed the robust predictive capabilities of both models, with RF demonstrating superior performance over ANN and RSM. Through visual comparisons and error analyses, more insights were gained into model accuracy and potential avenues for improvement. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Composites Manufacturing and Plastics Processing)
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11 pages, 1698 KiB  
Article
Intraoral Soft Tissue Lesions in 6-Year-Old Schoolchildren in Regions of Southern Ecuador. An Epidemiological Study
by Eleonor Vélez-León, Alberto Albaladejo, Emilia Guerrero, Ginger Galván and María Melo
Children 2024, 11(4), 406; https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040406 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Oral Mucosal Lesions (OMLs) are conditions of the oral mucosa that cause alterations in their presentation and pain in the affected patient, highlighting their importance for study. The aim of this research is to determine the prevalence of oral lesions in the Ecuadorian [...] Read more.
Oral Mucosal Lesions (OMLs) are conditions of the oral mucosa that cause alterations in their presentation and pain in the affected patient, highlighting their importance for study. The aim of this research is to determine the prevalence of oral lesions in the Ecuadorian Austro. Descriptive statistics were used to associate variables, yielding statistically significant findings based on oral lesions, sex, and geographical environment. This study was conducted under the appropriate bioethical permissions. The results obtained correspond to the prevalence of lesions by province. Morona Santiago displays a rate of 17% for abscesses, surpassing the provinces of Azuay (13.50%) and Cañar (10.67%). However, gingivitis for pathology, Azuay stands out with 13.17%, while Cañar and Morona Santiago present 10.50% and 8.33%, respectively. There is also a predominant occurrence of abscesses in rural areas (41.17%) compared to urban ones (26.33%). Regarding sex, girls show a higher percentage of abscesses (41.17%) compared to boys who have a clear tendency to present GUM lesions (22.33%). The data indicates that in the studied provinces, geographical environment and sex are key variables to understand the distribution of oral lesions. These findings encourage us to continue pursuing this type of research, which contributes to improving the quality of life for children. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pediatric Dentistry)
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15 pages, 2935 KiB  
Article
A Sustainable Approach to Asthma Diagnosis: Classification with Data Augmentation, Feature Selection, and Boosting Algorithm
by Zne-Jung Lee, Ming-Ren Yang and Bor-Jiunn Hwang
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 723; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070723 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Asthma is a diverse disease that affects over 300 million individuals globally. The prevalence of asthma has increased by 50% every decade since the 1960s, making it a serious global health issue. In addition to its associated high mortality, asthma generates large economic [...] Read more.
Asthma is a diverse disease that affects over 300 million individuals globally. The prevalence of asthma has increased by 50% every decade since the 1960s, making it a serious global health issue. In addition to its associated high mortality, asthma generates large economic losses due to the degradation of patients’ quality of life and the impairment of their physical fitness. Asthma research has evolved in recent years to fully analyze why certain diseases develop based on a variety of data and observations of patients’ performance. The advent of new techniques offers good opportunities and application prospects for the development of asthma diagnosis methods. Over the last few decades, techniques like data mining and machine learning have been utilized to diagnose asthma. Nevertheless, these traditional methods are unable to address all of the difficulties associated with improving a small dataset to increase its quantity, quality, and feature space complexity at the same time. In this study, we propose a sustainable approach to asthma diagnosis using advanced machine learning techniques. To be more specific, we use feature selection to find the most important features, data augmentation to improve the dataset’s resilience, and the extreme gradient boosting algorithm for classification. Data augmentation in the proposed method involves generating synthetic samples to increase the size of the training dataset, which is then utilized to enhance the training data initially. This could lessen the phenomenon of imbalanced data related to asthma. Then, to improve diagnosis accuracy and prioritize significant features, the extreme gradient boosting technique is used. The outcomes indicate that the proposed approach performs better in terms of diagnostic accuracy than current techniques. Furthermore, five essential features are extracted to help physicians diagnose asthma. Full article
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14 pages, 346 KiB  
Review
Interval from Oestrus to Ovulation in Dairy Cows—A Key Factor for Insemination Time: A Review
by Fabio De Rensis, Eleonora Dall’Olio, Giovanni Maria Gnemmi, Padet Tummaruk, Melania Andrani and Roberta Saleri
Vet. Sci. 2024, 11(4), 152; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci11040152 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This review describes the oestrus-to-ovulation interval, the possibility of predicting the time of ovulation, and the optimum time for insemination relative to oestrus in dairy cows. The duration of oestrus in dairy cows is approximately 8–20 h, with differences possibly related to the [...] Read more.
This review describes the oestrus-to-ovulation interval, the possibility of predicting the time of ovulation, and the optimum time for insemination relative to oestrus in dairy cows. The duration of oestrus in dairy cows is approximately 8–20 h, with differences possibly related to the methods of oestrus detection and the frequency of observations. Most cows ovulate approximately 24–33 h after the onset of oestrus and 15–22 h after the end of oestrus. The interval from the preovulatory luteinising hormone (LH) surge to ovulation is approximately 4–30 h. Ovulation occurs when follicle diameter averages 18–20 mm. When it is possible to correctly determine the beginning of oestrus, artificial insemination can be performed utilizing the “a.m.–p.m. rule”, and only one insemination may be applied. In cows with too long or too short oestrus-to-ovulation intervals, fertility can be compromised. One important factor that can alter the oestrus-to-ovulation interval is acute or chronic heat stress during the warm season. When there is a risk that insemination may occur too early or too late with respect to the time of ovulation, GnRH administration can be considered. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Reproduction and Fertility in Dairy Cows)
12 pages, 643 KiB  
Article
Longterm Outcome of Therapeutic Vaccination with a Third Generation Pre-S/S HBV Vaccine (PreHevbrioR) of Chronically HBV Infected Patients
by Hedwig Roggendorf, Daniel Shouval, Michael Roggendorf and Guido Gerken
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(4), 364; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14040364 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Several antiviral treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection have been shown to be effective in suppressing viral load and reducing the risk of hepatocellular injury and its complications. It has been hypothesized that high levels of circulating HBV surface antigen(s) [...] Read more.
Several antiviral treatment regimens for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus infection have been shown to be effective in suppressing viral load and reducing the risk of hepatocellular injury and its complications. It has been hypothesized that high levels of circulating HBV surface antigen(s) may lead to immune tolerance against HBV and contribute to chronic carriership. Conversely, low-level HBsAg may create a window for the reconstitution of an HBV-specific immune response through vaccination and control of infection. Previous studies in non-responders to yeast-derived HBV vaccines, using a third-generation pre-S/S vaccine, have led to up to 95% anti-HBs seroconversion. This report evaluates the long-term outcome after experimental vaccination with a pre-S/S HBV vaccine intended as a therapeutic intervention in chronic HBV carriers. Four low-level HBsAg carriers (<500 IU/mL) were vaccinated three to seven times with 20 μg PreHevbrioR. Three out of four carriers eliminated HBsAg completely and seroconverted to anti-HBs. One patient seroconverted to anti-HBs but remained with a borderline HBsAg titer (10 IU/mL). Serum anti-HBs levels following repeated vaccination varied between 27 and >1000 IU/L, respectively. Long-term observation (>6 years) showed that after discontinuing NUC treatment for at least two years, HBsAg and HBV DNA remained negative with anti-HBs positive titers ranging between 80 and >1000 IU/L. Based on our preliminary observations, there is a rationale to further evaluate the role of this vaccine as a therapeutic agent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Challenges and Therapeutic Options for Liver Diseases)
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17 pages, 3361 KiB  
Article
Modeling Stability of Alfalfa Yield and Main Quality Traits
by Vasileios Greveniotis, Elisavet Bouloumpasi, Adriana Skendi, Athanasios Korkovelos, Dimitrios Kantas, Stylianos Zotis and Constantinos G. Ipsilandis
Agriculture 2024, 14(4), 542; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040542 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is used to support livestock. A stability study was carried out over three years. The stability indices for yield and main quality characteristics such as plant height, number of nodes, the yield of green mass and dry matter, [...] Read more.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is used to support livestock. A stability study was carried out over three years. The stability indices for yield and main quality characteristics such as plant height, number of nodes, the yield of green mass and dry matter, crude protein and fiber (%), and ash (%), were examined. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences that indicated the presence of high genotype–year interactions. Heritability was higher in the case of qualitative traits than quantitative traits. The most intriguing correlation was between green mass yield and crude protein content because positive correlations may lead to indirect and simultaneous selection. According to the statistical biplot models AMMI and GGE, the best genotypes for almost all traits to use, regardless of the environment and cultivation type, were the G8 (Population 2) followed by cultivar G3 (Yliki). Despite the high index values shown by the parameter number of nodes, the latter and yield showed low heritability. Full article
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12 pages, 6658 KiB  
Article
A Novel Asymmetric Trench SiC Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor with a Poly-Si/SiC Heterojunction Diode for Optimizing Reverse Conduction Performance
by Yiren Yu, Zijun Cheng, Yi Hu, Ruiyi Lv and Shengdong Hu
Micromachines 2024, 15(4), 461; https://doi.org/10.3390/mi15040461 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In this paper, a novel asymmetric trench SiC MOSFET with a Poly-Si/SiC heterojunction diode (HJD-ATMOS) is designed to improve its reverse conduction characteristics and switching performance. This structure features an integrated heterojunction diode, which improves body diode characteristics without affecting device static characteristics. [...] Read more.
In this paper, a novel asymmetric trench SiC MOSFET with a Poly-Si/SiC heterojunction diode (HJD-ATMOS) is designed to improve its reverse conduction characteristics and switching performance. This structure features an integrated heterojunction diode, which improves body diode characteristics without affecting device static characteristics. The heterojunction diode acts as a freewheeling diode during reverse conduction, reducing the cut-in voltage (Vcut-in) to a lower level than conventional asymmetric trench SiC MOSFET (C-ATMOS), while maintaining a similar breakdown voltage. Meanwhile, the split gate structure reduces gate-to-drain charge (Qgd). Through TCAD simulation, the HJD-ATMOS decreases Vcut-in by 53.04% compared to the C-ATMOS. Both Qgd and switching loss are reduced, with a decrease of 31.91% in Qgd and 40.29% in switching loss. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Power Semiconductor Devices and Applications, 2nd Edition)
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27 pages, 8160 KiB  
Article
Liquid Hot Water (LHW) and Hydrothermal Carbonization (HTC) of Coffee Berry Waste: Kinetics, Catalysis, and Optimization for the Synthesis of Platform Chemicals
by Alejandra Sophia Lozano-Pérez and Carlos Alberto Guerrero-Fajardo
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2854; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072854 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Colombia is the world’s leading producer of mildly washed arabica coffee and produces 12.6 million bags of green coffee, but at the same time, 784,000 tons of waste biomass are dumped in open fields, of which only 5% is recovered or used. The [...] Read more.
Colombia is the world’s leading producer of mildly washed arabica coffee and produces 12.6 million bags of green coffee, but at the same time, 784,000 tons of waste biomass are dumped in open fields, of which only 5% is recovered or used. The objective of this project was to evaluate the production of platform chemicals from these coffee wastes for sustainable resource management. To achieve this, biomass characterization was carried out using proximate analysis, ultimate analysis, and structural analysis. Hydrothermal valorization was carried out at a temperature range of 120–180 °C (LHW) and 180–260 °C (HTC) for one hour. The platform chemicals obtained were quantified by HPLC-RI and monitored by pH and conductivity, and the solid fraction was characterized by monitoring the functional groups in IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Hydrolysis processes were obtained at 150 °C, production of platform chemicals at 180 °C, and maximum concentration at 180 °C-4 h; over 200 °C, degradation of the products in the liquid fraction starts to take place. Homogeneous basic and acid catalysts were used to improve the yields of the reaction. The kinetics of the hydrolysis of lignocellulosic structures to sugars were also analyzed and described, and reaction orders of 1 (LHW), 3 (HTC), and their respective reaction rate equations were reported. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Biomass Transformation: Sustainable Development)
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12 pages, 1956 KiB  
Article
Evaluating Global and Temporal Trends in Pancreas and Islet Cell Transplantation: Public Awareness and Engagement
by Oscar A. Garcia Valencia, Charat Thongprayoon, Caroline C. Jadlowiec, Shennen A. Mao, Napat Leeaphorn, Pooja Budhiraja, Nadeen Khoury, Pradeep Vaitla, Supawadee Suppadungsuk and Wisit Cheungpasitporn
Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(2), 590-601; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14020046 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Pancreas transplantation is a crucial surgical intervention for managing diabetes, but it faces challenges such as its invasive nature, stringent patient selection criteria, organ scarcity, and centralized expertise. Despite the steadily increasing number of pancreas transplants in the United States, there is [...] Read more.
Background: Pancreas transplantation is a crucial surgical intervention for managing diabetes, but it faces challenges such as its invasive nature, stringent patient selection criteria, organ scarcity, and centralized expertise. Despite the steadily increasing number of pancreas transplants in the United States, there is a need to understand global trends in interest to increase awareness of and participation in pancreas and islet cell transplantation. Methods: We analyzed Google Search trends for “Pancreas Transplantation” and “Islet Cell Transplantation” from 2004 to 14 November 2023, assessing variations in search interest over time and across geographical locations. The Augmented Dickey–Fuller (ADF) test was used to determine the stationarity of the trends (p < 0.05). Results: Search interest for “Pancreas Transplantation” varied from its 2004 baseline, with a general decline in peak interest over time. The lowest interest was in December 2010, with a slight increase by November 2023. Ecuador, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia showed the highest search interest. “Islet Cell Transplantation” had its lowest interest in December 2016 and a more pronounced decline over time, with Poland, China, and South Korea having the highest search volumes. In the U.S., “Pancreas Transplantation” ranked 4th in interest, while “Islet Cell Transplantation” ranked 11th. The ADF test confirmed the stationarity of the search trends for both procedures. Conclusions: “Pancreas Transplantation” and “Islet Cell Transplantation” showed initial peaks in search interest followed by a general downtrend. The stationary search trends suggest a lack of significant fluctuations or cyclical variations. These findings highlight the need for enhanced educational initiatives to increase the understanding and awareness of these critical transplant procedures among the public and professionals. Full article
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12 pages, 2288 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs) Risk among Adolescent Acrobatic Gymnasts
by Omri Besor, Noam Redlich, Naama Constantini, Michal Weiler-Sagie, Efrat Monsonego Ornan, Shira Lieberman, Lea Bentur and Ronen Bar-Yoseph
J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(4), 363; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14040363 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Energy imbalance exposes athletes to relative energy deficiency in sports (REDs) syndrome. Data on energy consumption, REDs, and bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent acrobatic gymnasts, especially in males, are scarce. Our aim was to examine the eating habits, energy balance, body composition, [...] Read more.
Energy imbalance exposes athletes to relative energy deficiency in sports (REDs) syndrome. Data on energy consumption, REDs, and bone mineral density (BMD) in adolescent acrobatic gymnasts, especially in males, are scarce. Our aim was to examine the eating habits, energy balance, body composition, and BMD of these athletes. In this study, 18 healthy adolescents participating in competitive acrobatic gymnastics completed a questionnaire, underwent a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan (DXA), received a food log, and had their activities monitored for 3 days. Eighteen acrobats were enrolled (mean age: 14.3 ± 1.2 years; males: 6/18). The mean total body BMD Z-score was 0.4 ± 1.0. Top-position acrobats (7/18) had significantly lower total body BMD Z-scores than base-positioned acrobats (−0.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.8 ± 0.3, p = 0.032), though their forearms were not significantly different (0.2 ± 0.5 vs. 0.8 ± 0.7, p = 0.331). No sex differences were found for BMD Z-scores, BMI, or energy availability. The BMD parameters of the acrobats were within the normal range for a healthy pediatric population, although three had low BMDs (<−1 SD) for healthy athletes. Total body and LS BMD Z-scores were significantly lower in top-position athletes compared to base-position athletes. These findings suggest personalized (top vs. base) training programs (high-impact training) that may achieve better health outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Epidemiology)
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19 pages, 5663 KiB  
Article
Preparation of Edible Colorant Lake Using Calcium Carbonate and β-Carotene: Structural Characterization and Formation Mechanism Study
by Yuhan Liu, Le Jing, Jiaqi Cui, Dongdong Yuan and Chengtao Wang
Foods 2024, 13(7), 1050; https://doi.org/10.3390/foods13071050 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
This study prepared a novel β-carotene colorant lake using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and investigated the lake formation process and its basic characteristics. Kinetic adsorption analysis confirmed that medium pH (9.3) and medium temperature (40 °C) were more suitable for lake preparation, [...] Read more.
This study prepared a novel β-carotene colorant lake using calcium carbonate (CaCO3) and investigated the lake formation process and its basic characteristics. Kinetic adsorption analysis confirmed that medium pH (9.3) and medium temperature (40 °C) were more suitable for lake preparation, while desorption occurred, possibly due to crystalline transformation of CaCO3. The isothermal analysis and model fitting results suggested that the β-carotene and CaCO3 particles combined via a monolayer adsorption process driven by physical force. Electrostatic attraction likely participated in the process due to the net negative surface charges of β-carotene dispersion and positively charged groups on the CaCO3 particle surfaces. Ethanol, ultrasonic treatment, and drying method significantly influenced the immobilization efficiency (IE) of β-carotene in the lake and light stability of the lake, without affecting its crystal form. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) curves confirmed absorption of β-carotene onto CaCO3. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses indicated no obvious chemical bonds between β-carotene and CaCO3. Energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed the presence of β-carotene on surfaces but not in the interior of the CaCO3 particles. The adsorption of β-carotene by calcium carbonate was further confirmed to be a physical adsorption on surface. Full article
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11 pages, 2938 KiB  
Communication
Ultrahigh-Q Polarization-Independent Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber Using Pattern-Free Graphene for Sensing Applications
by Youxin Chen, Guotao Sun, Jiang Wei, Yan Miao, Wenqian Zhang, Kaiyu Wu and Qingkang Wang
Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 605; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070605 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
In contrast to noble metals, graphene exhibits significantly lower loss, especially useful for optical sensing applications that require ultrahigh Q factors, and offer wide range tunability via an adjustable Fermi level. However, precise graphene patterning is difficult, especially for large areas, severely limiting [...] Read more.
In contrast to noble metals, graphene exhibits significantly lower loss, especially useful for optical sensing applications that require ultrahigh Q factors, and offer wide range tunability via an adjustable Fermi level. However, precise graphene patterning is difficult, especially for large areas, severely limiting its applications. Here, a tunable terahertz metamaterial absorber (TMMA) with ultrahigh Q factors consisting of a continuous, pattern-free graphene is demonstrated. A graphene sheet is overlaid on an Al metal array, forming a structure that supports strong localized surface plasmon polaritons (LSPPs) with fields tightly confined in the graphene, minimizing loss. Theoretical results show that this TMMA exhibits an ultrahigh Q factor of 1730, a frequency sensitivity of 2.84 THz/RIU, and an excellent figure of merit (FoM) of 365.85 RIU−1, independent of polarization. A tunability from ~2.25 to ~3.25 THz is also achieved by tuning Ef of graphene from 0.3 to 0.7 eV. The proposed graphene-based TMMA holds many potential applications, particularly in the field of sensing. Full article
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14 pages, 2859 KiB  
Article
The Xanthine Derivative KMUP-1 Inhibits Hypoxia-Induced TRPC1 Expression and Store-Operated Ca2+ Entry in Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells
by Zen-Kong Dai, Yi-Chen Chen, Su-Ling Hsieh, Jwu-Lai Yeh, Jong-Hau Hsu and Bin-Nan Wu
Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(4), 440; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17040440 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Exposure to hypoxia results in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). An increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is a major trigger for pulmonary vasoconstriction and proliferation. This study [...] Read more.
Exposure to hypoxia results in the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). An increase in the intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) is a major trigger for pulmonary vasoconstriction and proliferation. This study investigated the mechanism by which KMUP-1, a xanthine derivative with phosphodiesterase inhibitory activity, inhibits hypoxia-induced canonical transient receptor potential channel 1 (TRPC1) protein overexpression and regulates [Ca2+]i through store-operated calcium channels (SOCs). Ex vivo PASMCs were cultured from Sprague-Dawley rats in a modular incubator chamber under 1% O2/5% CO2 for 24 h to elucidate TRPC1 overexpression and observe the Ca2+ release and entry. KMUP-1 (1 μM) inhibited hypoxia-induced TRPC family protein encoded for SOC overexpression, particularly TRPC1. KMUP-1 inhibition of TRPC1 protein was restored by the protein kinase G (PKG) inhibitor KT5823 (1 μM) and the protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor KT5720 (1 μM). KMUP-1 attenuated protein kinase C (PKC) activator phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA, 1 μM)-upregulated TRPC1. We suggest that the effects of KMUP-1 on TRPC1 might involve activating the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)/PKG and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/PKA pathways and inhibiting the PKC pathway. We also used Fura 2-acetoxymethyl ester (Fura 2-AM, 5 μM) to measure the stored calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and calcium entry through SOCs in hypoxic PASMCs under treatment with thapsigargin (1 μM) and nifedipine (5 μM). In hypoxic conditions, store-operated calcium entry (SOCE) activity was enhanced in PASMCs, and KMUP-1 diminished this activity. In conclusion, KMUP-1 inhibited the expression of TRPC1 protein and the activity of SOC-mediated Ca2+ entry upon SR Ca2+ depletion in hypoxic PASMCs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology)
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21 pages, 3636 KiB  
Review
Rapid Nucleic Acid Diagnostic Technology for Pandemic Diseases
by Yu Lei and Dawei Xu
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1527; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071527 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The recent global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has enormously promoted the development of diagnostic technology. To control the spread of pandemic diseases and achieve rapid screening of the population, ensuring that patients receive timely treatment, rapid diagnosis has become the top [...] Read more.
The recent global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has enormously promoted the development of diagnostic technology. To control the spread of pandemic diseases and achieve rapid screening of the population, ensuring that patients receive timely treatment, rapid diagnosis has become the top priority in the development of clinical technology. This review article aims to summarize the current rapid nucleic acid diagnostic technologies applied to pandemic disease diagnosis, from rapid extraction and rapid amplification to rapid detection. We also discuss future prospects in the development of rapid nucleic acid diagnostic technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biosensors for Molecules Detection)
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10 pages, 609 KiB  
Article
Which Factors Are Associated with Persistence of Depressive and Anxiety Symptoms in Patients Affected by Atopic Dermatitis despite 2-Year Treatment with Dupilumab?
by Silvia Mariel Ferrucci, Simona Tavecchio, Alessandro Ceresa, Luisa Angileri, Emilio Berti, Angelo Valerio Marzano and Massimiliano Buoli
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(7), 1980; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13071980 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disease whose course is often complicated by the presence of concomitant anxiety and depressive disorders. Dupilumab has been demonstrated to be largely effective in AD. The aims of the present study were to [...] Read more.
Background: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent inflammatory skin disease whose course is often complicated by the presence of concomitant anxiety and depressive disorders. Dupilumab has been demonstrated to be largely effective in AD. The aims of the present study were to (1) to verify the effectiveness of 2-year dupilumab treatment on the depressive and anxiety symptoms of patients affected by AD and (2) to identify predictors of the persistence of psychiatric symptoms despite maintenance treatment with dupilumab. Methods: A total of 331 patients with severe AD were assessed at baseline and at different times over 2 years by a large set of rating scales, including the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI). Paired sample t-tests were performed to verify the effectiveness of dupilumab on the severity of AD and mental health items. Two binary logistic regression models were then used to identify the predictors of the persistence of clinically significant depression and anxiety, defined by a score ≥ 8 on each sub-scale of the HADS. Results: After 2 years of treatment with dupilumab, the patients benefited, showing a significant improvement in both the dermatological disease and comorbid depression/anxiety (p < 0.001 for all scales). Overall, 17.5% and 13% of patients, respectively, reported residual depressive and anxiety symptoms after the 2-year treatment with dupilumab. The baseline predictors of the persistence of clinically significant depressive symptoms after the 2-year treatment with dupilumab were found to be a higher body mass index (BMI) (p = 0.012), a lower impact of dermatological disease on quality of life (p = 0.015), and more severe depressive symptoms (p < 0.01), while for anxiety, the only predictor was found to be female gender (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Using a multidisciplinary approach, at baseline, dermatologists should more closely monitor patients who are at a greater risk of maintaining residual psychiatric symptoms despite therapy, such as those with more severe depressive symptoms and those who are overweight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mental Health)
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19 pages, 6016 KiB  
Article
Clinical, Epidemiological, Morphological, and Immunohistochemical Aspects of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma—4-Year Retrospective Study in the Western Part of Romania
by Maria Alina Marin, Raluca-Maria Closca, Aurel Marin, Marina Rakitovan, Adrian Nicoara, Marioara Poenaru, Marius Militaru and Flavia Baderca
Diagnostics 2024, 14(7), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14070722 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck region. The carcinogenesis is a complex process stimulated by many factors. Although the etiological factors and pathogenic mechanisms are not elucidated, the genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and association [...] Read more.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors in the head and neck region. The carcinogenesis is a complex process stimulated by many factors. Although the etiological factors and pathogenic mechanisms are not elucidated, the genetic susceptibility, environmental factors, and association with latent infection with Epstein–Barr Virus play an important role. The aim of this study was to present the main clinical and epidemiological data, as well as the morphological aspects and the immunohistochemical profile, of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma diagnosed in western Romania. The study was retrospective and included 36 nasopharyngeal carcinomas. The histopathological diagnosis was completed using immunohistochemical reactions for the following antibodies: p63, p53 and p16 protein, cytokeratins (CK) AE1/AE3, CK5, CK7, CK20 and 34βE12, epithelial membrane antigen (EMA), Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), leukocyte common antigen (LCA), CD20, CD4, CD8, CD68, CD117, and CD1a. The squamous malignant component of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with positivity for cytokeratins AE1/AE3, CK5, 34βE12, and p63. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma was positive for EMA in 67% of cases, and 28% of cases showed an immunoreaction for CD117 in the malignant epithelial component. Also, the p53 protein was positive in all the cases. One case of undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma was p16-positive, and two cases were positive for EBV. A peri- and intratumor cellular infiltrate rich in lymphocytes, with a predominance of CD20-positive B lymphocytes, interspersed with T lymphocytes, was observed. The T cells were CD4- and CD8-positive, predominantly intratumoral, and the CD4:CD8 ratio was 1:1 for 75% of the undifferentiated subtype and 89% for differentiated non-keratinized squamous cell carcinoma. All subtypes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma presented with an inflammatory infiltrate with numerous plasma cells, eosinophils, and dendritic cells, presenting as antigen CD1a- and CD68-positive, as well as in CD117-positive mast cells. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Head and Neck Cancers: Diagnosis and Management)
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23 pages, 537 KiB  
Review
HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer and Antibody Treatment: State of the Art and Future Developments
by Magdalena K. Scheck, Ralf D. Hofheinz and Sylvie Lorenzen
Cancers 2024, 16(7), 1336; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16071336 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Despite a decreasing incidence in Western countries, gastric cancer is among the most common cancer subtypes globally and is associated with one of the highest tumor-related mortality rates. Biomarkers play an increasing role in the treatment against gastric cancer. HER2 was one of [...] Read more.
Despite a decreasing incidence in Western countries, gastric cancer is among the most common cancer subtypes globally and is associated with one of the highest tumor-related mortality rates. Biomarkers play an increasing role in the treatment against gastric cancer. HER2 was one of the first biomarkers that found its way into clinical practice. Since the ToGA trial, trastuzumab has been part of first-line palliative chemotherapy in metastatic or unresectable gastric cancer. HER2-targeting agents, such as the tyrosine kinase inhibitor lapatinib, the antibody drug conjugate (ADC) trastuzumab-emtansine or dual HER2 inhibition (pertuzumab and trastuzumab), have been investigated in the second-line setting but led to negative study results. More recently, the ADC trastuzumab-deruxtecan was authorized after the failure of trastuzumab-based treatment. However, further improvements in HER2-directed therapy are required as resistance mechanisms and HER2 heterogeneity limit the existing treatment options. This review aims to give an overview of the current standard-of-care HER2-directed therapy in gastric cancer, as well as its challenges and future developments. Full article
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8 pages, 378 KiB  
Brief Report
The Clinical Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
by Danish Saleh, Zhiying Meng, Nicholas Johnson, Abigail Baldridge, Allison R. Zielinski and Lubna Choudhury
J. Cardiovasc. Dev. Dis. 2024, 11(4), 104; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcdd11040104 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Background: This study aims to understand and describe the clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: A data repository of over 6.6 million patients in a large metropolitan (Chicago IL) healthcare system was queried to identify adults [...] Read more.
Background: This study aims to understand and describe the clinical impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) infection in patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM). Methods: A data repository of over 6.6 million patients in a large metropolitan (Chicago IL) healthcare system was queried to identify adults with a history of HCM and COVID-19 infection between 2019 and 2021. Propensity score-matched analysis was performed based on age, sex, BMI, and elements of the cardiovascular history, including tobacco use, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, myocardial injury, and heart failure. Results: Individuals with HCM and COVID-19 infection had more total hospitalizations (41.6 v 23 per 100 persons, p < 0.01), more heart-failure-related hospitalizations (24.2 v 8.7 per 100-persons, p < 0.01), more non-ST elevation myocardial injury (NSTEMI) hospitalizations (8.6 v 4.6 per 100-persons, p < 0.01), and increased mortality (10.8 v 5 per 100-persons, p < 0.01) compared to HCM patients without a history of COVID-19 infection. Patients with HCM and COVID-19 were also noted to have a higher peak CRP when compared to those without prior COVID-19 (Inter-quartile range of 9.0–106.9 v 1.8–21.3, p < 0.01). Conclusions: In patients with HCM, COVID-19 infection is associated with increased incidence of myocardial injury, increased number of total and heart-failure specific hospitalizations, and increased mortality. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis and Management)
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15 pages, 911 KiB  
Article
A New and Lightweight R-Peak Detector Using the TEDA Evolving Algorithm
by Lucileide M. D. da Silva, Sérgio N. Silva, Luísa C. de Souza, Karolayne S. de Azevedo, Luiz Affonso Guedes and Marcelo A. C. Fernandes
Mach. Learn. Knowl. Extr. 2024, 6(2), 736-750; https://doi.org/10.3390/make6020034 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
The literature on ECG delineation algorithms has seen significant growth in recent decades. However, several challenges still need to be addressed. This work aims to propose a lightweight R-peak-detection algorithm that does not require pre-setting and performs classification on a sample-by-sample basis. The [...] Read more.
The literature on ECG delineation algorithms has seen significant growth in recent decades. However, several challenges still need to be addressed. This work aims to propose a lightweight R-peak-detection algorithm that does not require pre-setting and performs classification on a sample-by-sample basis. The novelty of the proposed approach lies in the utilization of the typicality eccentricity detection anomaly (TEDA) algorithm for R-peak detection. The proposed method for R-peak detection consists of three phases. Firstly, the ECG signal is preprocessed by calculating the signal’s slope and applying filtering techniques. Next, the preprocessed signal is inputted into the TEDA algorithm for R-peak estimation. Finally, in the third and last step, the R-peak identification is carried out. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed technique, experiments were conducted on the MIT-BIH arrhythmia database (MIT-AD) for R-peak detection and validation. The results of the study demonstrated that the proposed evolutive algorithm achieved a sensitivity (Se in %), positive predictivity (+P in %), and accuracy (ACC in %) of 95.45%, 99.61%, and 95.09%, respectively, with a tolerance (TOL) of 100 milliseconds. One key advantage of the proposed technique is its low computational complexity, as it is based on a statistical framework calculated recursively. It employs the concepts of typicity and eccentricity to determine whether a given sample is normal or abnormal within the dataset. Unlike most traditional methods, it does not require signal buffering or windowing. Furthermore, the proposed technique employs simple decision rules rather than heuristic approaches, further contributing to its computational efficiency. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Bioinformatics and Intelligent Information Processing)
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14 pages, 4903 KiB  
Article
Ensemble Forecasts of Extreme Flood Events with Weather Forecasts, Land Surface Modeling and Deep Learning
by Yuxiu Liu, Xing Yuan, Yang Jiao, Peng Ji, Chaoqun Li and Xindai An
Water 2024, 16(7), 990; https://doi.org/10.3390/w16070990 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Integrating numerical weather forecasts that provide ensemble precipitation forecasts, land surface hydrological modeling that resolves surface and subsurface hydrological processes, and artificial intelligence techniques that correct the forecast bias, known as the “meteo-hydro-AI” approach, has emerged as a popular flood forecast method. However, [...] Read more.
Integrating numerical weather forecasts that provide ensemble precipitation forecasts, land surface hydrological modeling that resolves surface and subsurface hydrological processes, and artificial intelligence techniques that correct the forecast bias, known as the “meteo-hydro-AI” approach, has emerged as a popular flood forecast method. However, its performance during extreme flood events across different interval basins has received less attention. Here, we evaluated the meteo-hydro-AI approach for forecasting extreme flood events from headwater to downstream sub-basins in the Luo River basin during 2010–2017, with forecast lead times up to 7 days. The proposed meteo-hydro approach based on ECMWF weather forecasts and the Conjunctive Surface-Subsurface Process version 2 land surface model with a spatial resolution of 1 km captured the flood hydrographs quite well. Compared with the ensemble streamflow prediction (ESP) approach based on initial conditions, the meteo-hydro approach increased the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency of streamflow forecasts at the three outlet stations by 0.27–0.82, decreased the root-mean-squared-error by 22–49%, and performed better in reliability and discrimination. The meteo-hydro-AI approach showed marginal improvement, which suggested further evaluations with larger samples of extreme flood events should be carried out. This study demonstrated the potential of the integrated meteo-hydro-AI approach for ensemble forecasting of extreme flood events. Full article
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13 pages, 30277 KiB  
Article
Structural Evolution and Fracture Mechanism of WC-Particle-Reinforced FeCoCrNiMn High-Entropy Alloy Coatings
by Xinbo Wang, Shihan Zhang, Fei Zhao, Zhisheng Wu and Zhiwen Xie
Coatings 2024, 14(4), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings14040403 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
A hard-particle-reinforced high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating shows significant potential for tribological applications, but relatively little work on the fracture mechanism of the coating has been reported. In this work, the FeCoCrNiMn HEA coatings, doped with varying contents of WC, were fabricated using a [...] Read more.
A hard-particle-reinforced high-entropy alloy (HEA) coating shows significant potential for tribological applications, but relatively little work on the fracture mechanism of the coating has been reported. In this work, the FeCoCrNiMn HEA coatings, doped with varying contents of WC, were fabricated using a plasma surfacing technique. The structure, mechanical properties, and fracture behaviors of these coatings were investigated through X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and hardness and tensile tests. The addition of WC particles significantly altered the growth mode of the coating texture from large coarse grains to fine grains. The coating without WC doping had a hardness of 198.8 ± 15.6 HV, a yield strength of 225 MPa, a tensile strength of 478 MPa, and a strain of 53.7%. The hardness, yield strength, tensile strength, and strain were 222.3 ± 34.4 HV, 353 MPa, 704 MPa, and 42.6% for the coating with 10% WC doping and 355.6 ± 51.6 HV, 454 MPa, 627 MPa, and 9.4% for the coating with 20% WC doping. Meanwhile, the coating with 40% WC doping showed the greatest hardness of 514.9 ± 48.1 HV and had the highest yield strength of 457 MPa, but its tensile strength and strain decreased to 517 MPa and 2.7%, respectively. In this article, the detailed structural evolution, strengthening, and fracture failure mechanisms of the coatings are discussed systematically. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Surface Characterization, Deposition and Modification)
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24 pages, 8882 KiB  
Article
Short-Term Power-Generation Prediction of High Humidity Island Photovoltaic Power Station Based on a Deep Hybrid Model
by Jiahui Wang, Mingsheng Jia, Shishi Li, Kang Chen, Cheng Zhang, Xiuyu Song and Qianxi Zhang
Sustainability 2024, 16(7), 2853; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16072853 (registering DOI) - 29 Mar 2024
Abstract
Precise prediction of the power generation of photovoltaic (PV) stations on the island contributes to efficiently utilizing and developing abundant solar energy resources along the coast. In this work, a hybrid short-term prediction model (ICMIC-POA-CNN-BIGRU) was proposed to study the output of a [...] Read more.
Precise prediction of the power generation of photovoltaic (PV) stations on the island contributes to efficiently utilizing and developing abundant solar energy resources along the coast. In this work, a hybrid short-term prediction model (ICMIC-POA-CNN-BIGRU) was proposed to study the output of a fishing–solar complementary PV station with high humidity on the island. ICMIC chaotic mapping was used to optimize the initial position of the pelican optimization algorithm (POA) population, enhancing the global search ability. Then, ICMIC-POA performed hyperparameter debugging and L2-regularization coefficient optimization on CNN-BIGRU (convolutional neural network and bidirectional gated recurrent unit). The L2-regularization technique optimized the loss curve and over-fitting problem in the CNN-BIGRU training process. To compare the prediction effect with the other five models, three typical days (sunny, cloudy, and rainy) were selected to establish the model, and six evaluation indexes were used to evaluate the prediction performance. The results show that the model proposed in this work shows stronger robustness and generalization ability. K-fold cross-validation verified the prediction effects of three models established by different datasets for three consecutive days and five consecutive days. Compared with the CNN-BIGRU model, the RMSE values of the newly proposed model were reduced by 64.08%, 46.14%, 57.59%, 60.61%, and 34.04%, respectively, in sunny, cloudy, rainy, continuous prediction 3 days, and 5 days. The average value of the determination coefficient R2 of the 20 experiments was 0.98372 on sunny days, 0.97589 on cloudy days, and 0.98735 on rainy days. Full article
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