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15 pages, 4944 KiB  
Article
The Geochemical Characteristics of the Fatty Acids in the Core Sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea
by Jinxian He, Xiaoli Zhang, Ruihua Ma, Zhengxin Huang, Juhao Li, Peilin Sun and Jiayao Song
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(8), 1511; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13081511 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
The geochemistry of the fatty acids in the modern sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea is still poorly studied, and studies on the geochemistry of the fatty acids in relatively long-core sediment samples are lacking. Thus, the fatty acids in the core [...] Read more.
The geochemistry of the fatty acids in the modern sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea is still poorly studied, and studies on the geochemistry of the fatty acids in relatively long-core sediment samples are lacking. Thus, the fatty acids in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea were separated and identified to study their components and distribution characteristics, and the sources of organic matter and the early diagenetic evolution of the fatty acids in the sediments were discussed. The results show that saturated straight-chain fatty acids (methyl ester) have the highest content in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea, which account for 83.89% of the total fatty acids (methyl ester). nC16:0 is dominant, accounting for 30.48% of the n-saturated fatty acids (methyl ester). Unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) account for 7.59% of the total fatty acids (methyl ester). Binary unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) can only be detected in some samples, which are low in content and dominated by C18:2. Based on the components and distribution of the fatty acids (methyl ester) in the core sediments in the Northern South Yellow Sea, combined with the characteristics of other lipid biomarker compounds, the actual geological background, and previous research results, it is considered that the sources of organic matter in the core sediments are marine–terrestrial mixed materials, with terrestrial materials dominating. The fatty acids’ (methyl ester) CPI, the relative content of short-chain saturated fatty acids (methyl ester), and the unsaturated fatty acids (methyl ester) in the core sediments show non-obvious variation as the burial depth increases, reflecting that the fatty acids in the core sediments are strongly degraded at the early diagenetic stage, and this degradation is controlled by various complicated factors. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Geological Oceanography)
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19 pages, 618 KiB  
Article
Effect of a Nutritional Education Intervention on Sports Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Intake, and Body Composition in Female Athletes: A Pilot Study
by Macarena Veloso-Pulgar and Andreu Farran-Codina
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2560; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152560 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Studies have reported that female athletes often exhibit low levels of nutritional knowledge and inadequate dietary intake to meet their nutritional needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutritional education intervention on nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Studies have reported that female athletes often exhibit low levels of nutritional knowledge and inadequate dietary intake to meet their nutritional needs. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutritional education intervention on nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, and body composition in female handball players (n = 45; age, 17.6 ± 2.1 years). Methods: A quasi-experimental intervention design was implemented, consisting of a 3-week educational program delivered through six in-person sessions led by a registered dietitian. Nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, adherence to the Mediterranean diet, and anthropometric and body composition measurements were assessed. Results: Nutrition knowledge levels were significantly higher both immediately post-intervention and three months later compared to baseline (p < 0.05, ES > 0.8). A total of 36 participants completed a 3-day dietary record at baseline and at follow-up. Initial assessments revealed insufficient energy (31 kcal/kg/day) and carbohydrate intake (3.0 g/kg/day) and a high intake of total fats (1.4 g/kg/day). During follow-up, a significant decrease in the consumption of foods rich in sugar was observed (p = 0.0272). A total of 82.2% of the players needed to improve their adherence to the Mediterranean diet. No significant changes were found in Mediterranean diet adherence or body composition following the intervention. Conclusions: The nutritional education intervention significantly improved athletes’ nutritional knowledge and significantly decreased their consumption of sugary foods; however, further studies are needed to evaluate its impact on dietary intake and body composition, considering the study’s limitations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Food Habits, Nutritional Knowledge, and Nutrition Education)
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4 pages, 173 KiB  
Editorial
Reactive Oxygen Species and the Lung Cancer Tumor Microenvironment: Emerging Therapeutic Opportunities
by Kostas A. Papavassiliou, Amalia A. Sofianidi and Athanasios G. Papavassiliou
Antioxidants 2025, 14(8), 964; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14080964 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Lung cancer is the principal cause of cancer-related mortality globally, accounting for the high number of cancer-associated deaths amongst both men and women [...] Full article
18 pages, 6413 KiB  
Article
A Recognition Method for Marigold Picking Points Based on the Lightweight SCS-YOLO-Seg Model
by Baojian Ma, Zhenghao Wu, Yun Ge, Bangbang Chen, He Zhang, Hao Xia and Dongyun Wang
Sensors 2025, 25(15), 4820; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25154820 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Accurate identification of picking points remains a critical challenge for automated marigold harvesting, primarily due to complex backgrounds and significant pose variations of the flowers. To overcome this challenge, this study proposes SCS-YOLO-Seg, a novel method based on a lightweight segmentation model. The [...] Read more.
Accurate identification of picking points remains a critical challenge for automated marigold harvesting, primarily due to complex backgrounds and significant pose variations of the flowers. To overcome this challenge, this study proposes SCS-YOLO-Seg, a novel method based on a lightweight segmentation model. The approach enhances the baseline YOLOv8n-seg architecture by replacing its backbone with StarNet and introducing C2f-Star, a novel lightweight feature extraction module. These modifications achieve substantial model compression, significantly reducing the model size, parameter count, and computational complexity (GFLOPs). Segmentation efficiency is further optimized through a dual-path collaborative architecture (Seg-Marigold head). Following mask extraction, picking points are determined by intersecting the optimized elliptical mask fitting results with the stem skeleton. Experimental results demonstrate that SCS-YOLO-Seg effectively balances model compression with segmentation performance. Compared to YOLOv8n-seg, it maintains high accuracy while significantly reducing resource requirements, achieving a picking point identification accuracy of 93.36% with an average inference time of 28.66 ms per image. This work provides a robust and efficient solution for vision systems in automated marigold harvesting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Smart Agriculture)
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9 pages, 391 KiB  
Article
Meconium and Amniotic Fluid IgG Fc Binding Protein (FcGBP) Concentrations in Neonates Delivered by Cesarean Section and by Vaginal Birth in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy
by Barbara Lisowska-Myjak, Kamil Szczepanik, Ewa Skarżyńska and Artur Jakimiuk
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7579; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157579 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
IgG Fc binding protein (FcGBP) is a mucin-like protein that binds strongly to IgG and IgG–antigen complexes in intestinal mucus. FcGBP presence and its altered expression levels in meconium accumulating in the fetal intestine and amniotic fluid flowing in the intestine may provide [...] Read more.
IgG Fc binding protein (FcGBP) is a mucin-like protein that binds strongly to IgG and IgG–antigen complexes in intestinal mucus. FcGBP presence and its altered expression levels in meconium accumulating in the fetal intestine and amniotic fluid flowing in the intestine may provide new knowledge of the mechanisms responsible for the immune adaptation of the fetus to extrauterine life. FcGBP concentrations were measured by ELISA in the first-pass meconium and amniotic fluid samples collected from 120 healthy neonates delivered by either vaginal birth (n = 35) or cesarean section (n = 85) at 36 to 41 weeks gestation. The meconium FcGBP concentrations (405.78 ± 145.22 ng/g) decreased (r = −0.241, p = 0.007) over the course of 36 to 41 weeks gestation, but there were no significant changes (p > 0.05) in the amniotic fluid FcGBP (135.70 ± 35.83 ng/mL) in the same period. Both meconium and amniotic fluid FcGBP concentrations were higher (p < 0.05) in neonates delivered by cesarean section. Decreases in the meconium FcGBP concentrations correlated (r = −0.37, p = 0.027) with the gestational age in neonates delivered by vaginal birth but not in those delivered by cesarean section (p > 0.05). No association was found between the FcGBP concentrations in meconium and amniotic fluid and the birth weight (p > 0.05). With the development of the mucosal immune system in the fetal intestine over the course of the third trimester of gestation, the meconium FcGBP concentrations decrease. Increased FcGBP concentrations measured in the meconium and amniotic fluid of neonates delivered by cesarean section may possibly indicate altered intestinal mucosal function. Intrauterine growth is not associated with the intestinal mucosal barrier maturation involving FcGBP. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Female Infertility and Fertility)
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16 pages, 1466 KiB  
Article
A Discrete Element Model for Characterizing Soil-Cotton Seeding Equipment Interactions Using the JKR and Bonding Contact Models
by Xuyang Ran, Long Wang, Jianfei Xing, Lu Shi, Dewei Wang, Wensong Guo and Xufeng Wang
Agriculture 2025, 15(15), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15151693 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Due to the increasing demand for agricultural water, the water availability for winter and spring irrigation of cotton fields has decreased. Consequently, dry seeding followed by irrigation (DSSI) has become a widespread cotton cultivation technique in Xinjiang. This study focused on the interaction [...] Read more.
Due to the increasing demand for agricultural water, the water availability for winter and spring irrigation of cotton fields has decreased. Consequently, dry seeding followed by irrigation (DSSI) has become a widespread cotton cultivation technique in Xinjiang. This study focused on the interaction between soil particles and cotton seeding equipment under DSSI in Xinjiang. The discrete element method (DEM) simulation framework was employed to compare the performance of the Johnson-Kendall-Roberts (JKR) model and Bonding model in simulating contact between soil particles. The models’ ability to simulate the angle of repose was investigated, and shear tests were conducted. The simulation results showed that both models had comparable repose angles, with relative errors of 0.59% for the JKR model and 0.36% for the contact model. However, the contact model demonstrated superior predictive accuracy in simulating direct shear test results, predicting an internal friction angle of 35.8°, with a relative error of 5.8% compared to experimental measurements. In contrast, the JKR model exhibited a larger error. The Bonding model provides a more accurate description of soil particle contact. Subsoiler penetration tests showed that the maximum penetration force was 467.2 N, closely matching the simulation result of 485.3 N, which validates the reliability of the model parameters. The proposed soil simulation framework and calibrated parameters accurately represented soil mechanical properties, providing a robust basis for discrete element modeling and structural optimization of soil-tool interactions in cotton field tillage machinery. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Technology)
15 pages, 1241 KiB  
Article
Triplet Spatial Reconstruction Attention-Based Lightweight Ship Component Detection for Intelligent Manufacturing
by Bocheng Feng, Zhenqiu Yao and Chuanpu Feng
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8676; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158676 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Automatic component recognition plays a crucial role in intelligent ship manufacturing, but existing methods suffer from low recognition accuracy and high computational cost in industrial scenarios involving small samples, component stacking, and diverse categories. To address the requirements of shipbuilding industrial applications, a [...] Read more.
Automatic component recognition plays a crucial role in intelligent ship manufacturing, but existing methods suffer from low recognition accuracy and high computational cost in industrial scenarios involving small samples, component stacking, and diverse categories. To address the requirements of shipbuilding industrial applications, a Triplet Spatial Reconstruction Attention (TSA) mechanism that combines threshold-based feature separation with triplet parallel processing is proposed, and a lightweight You Only Look Once Ship (YOLO-Ship) detection network is constructed. Unlike existing attention mechanisms that focus on either spatial reconstruction or channel attention independently, the proposed TSA integrates triplet parallel processing with spatial feature separation–reconstruction techniques to achieve enhanced target feature representation while significantly reducing parameter count and computational overhead. Experimental validation on a small-scale actual ship component dataset demonstrates that the improved network achieves 88.7% mean Average Precision (mAP), 84.2% precision, and 87.1% recall, representing improvements of 3.5%, 2.2%, and 3.8%, respectively, compared to the original YOLOv8n algorithm, requiring only 2.6 M parameters and 7.5 Giga Floating-point Operations per Second (GFLOPs) computational cost, achieving a good balance between detection accuracy and lightweight model design. Future research directions include developing adaptive threshold learning mechanisms for varying industrial conditions and integration with surface defect detection capabilities to enhance comprehensive quality control in intelligent manufacturing systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Artificial Intelligence on the Edge for Industry 4.0)
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12 pages, 598 KiB  
Article
Mechanistic Insights and Real-World Evidence of Autologous Protein Solution (APS) in Clinical Use
by Jennifer Woodell-May, Kathleen Steckbeck, William King, Katie Miller, Bo Han, Vikas Vedi and Elizaveta Kon
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7577; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157577 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Autologous therapies are currently being studied to determine if they can modulate the course of knee osteoarthritis symptoms and/or disease progression. One potential therapeutic target is the polarization of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to pro-healing M2 macrophages. The autologous therapy, Autologous Protein Solution (APS), [...] Read more.
Autologous therapies are currently being studied to determine if they can modulate the course of knee osteoarthritis symptoms and/or disease progression. One potential therapeutic target is the polarization of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages to pro-healing M2 macrophages. The autologous therapy, Autologous Protein Solution (APS), was incubated with donor-matched human peripheral-derived macrophages for 10 days. M1 pro-inflammatory macrophages were determined by the percentage of CD80+ and M2 pro-healing macrophages were determined by CD68+ and CD163+ by epifluorescent microscopy. To determine clinical effectiveness, an APS-specific minimal clinically important improvement (MCII) using an anchor-based method was calculated in a randomized controlled trial of APS (n = 46) and then applied to a real-world registry study (n = 78) to determine the percentage of pain responders. Compared to control media, APS statistically increased the percentage of M2 macrophages and decreased the percentage of M1 macrophages, while platelet-poor plasma had no effect on polarization. In the randomized controlled trial (RCT), the MCII at the 12-month follow-up visit was calculated as 2.0 points on the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) pain scale and 7.5 points on the WOMAC function scale. Applying this MCII to the real-world registry data, 62.5% of patients met the MCII with an average of 4.7 ± 2.5 points of improvement in pain. Autologous therapies can influence macrophage polarization and have demonstrated clinical effectiveness in a real-world patient setting. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches to Osteoarthritis)
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18 pages, 1632 KiB  
Article
Impact of an Eight-Week Plyometric Training Intervention on Neuromuscular Performance, Musculotendinous Stiffness, and Directional Speed in Elite Polish Badminton Athletes
by Mariola Gepfert, Artur Gołaś, Robert Roczniok, Jan Walencik, Kamil Węgrzynowicz and Adam Zając
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(3), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030304 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on lower-limb explosive strength, jump performance, musculotendinous stiffness, reactive strength index (RSI), and multidirectional speed in elite Polish badminton players. Methods: Twenty-four athletes were randomly assigned to [...] Read more.
Background: This study aimed to examine the effects of an 8-week plyometric training program on lower-limb explosive strength, jump performance, musculotendinous stiffness, reactive strength index (RSI), and multidirectional speed in elite Polish badminton players. Methods: Twenty-four athletes were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 15), which supplemented their regular badminton training with plyometric exercises, or a control group (n = 15), which continued standard technical training. Performance assessments included squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), single-leg jumps, sprint tests (5 m, 10 m), lateral movements, musculotendinous stiffness, and RSI measurements. Results: The experimental group showed statistically significant improvements in jump height, power output, stiffness, and 10 m sprint and lateral slide-step performance (p < 0.05), with large effect sizes. No significant changes were observed in the control group. Single-leg jump improvements suggested potential benefits for addressing lower-limb asymmetries. Conclusions: An 8-week plyometric intervention significantly enhanced lower-limb explosive performance and multidirectional movement capabilities in young badminton players. These findings support the integration of targeted plyometric training into regular training programs to optimize physical performance, improve movement efficiency, and potentially reduce injury risk in high-intensity racket sports. Full article
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33 pages, 3416 KiB  
Review
Harnessing an Algae–Bacteria Symbiosis System: Innovative Strategies for Enhancing Complex Wastewater Matrices Treatment
by Wantong Zhao, Kun Tian, Lan Zhang, Ye Tang, Ruihuan Chen, Xiangyong Zheng and Min Zhao
Sustainability 2025, 17(15), 7104; https://doi.org/10.3390/su17157104 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Complex wastewater matrices hinder the efficacy of conventional treatment methods due to the presence of various inorganic and organic pollutants, along with their intricate interactions. Leveraging the synergy between algae and bacteria, algal–bacterial symbiosis (ABS) systems offering an evolutionary and highly effective approach. [...] Read more.
Complex wastewater matrices hinder the efficacy of conventional treatment methods due to the presence of various inorganic and organic pollutants, along with their intricate interactions. Leveraging the synergy between algae and bacteria, algal–bacterial symbiosis (ABS) systems offering an evolutionary and highly effective approach. The ABS system demonstrates 10–30% higher removal efficiency than conventional biological/physicochemical methods under identical conditions, especially at low C/N ratios. Recent advances in biology techniques and big data analytics have deepened our understanding of the synergistic mechanisms involved. Despite the system’s considerable promise, challenges persist concerning complex pollution scenarios and scaling it for industrial applications, particularly regarding system design, environmental adaptability, and stable operation. In this review, we explore the current forms and operational modes of ABS systems, discussing relevant mechanisms in various wastewater treatment contexts. Furthermore, we examine the advantages and limitations of ABS systems in treating complex wastewater matrices, highlighting challenges and proposing future directions. Full article
19 pages, 2998 KiB  
Article
Coordination Polymers Bearing Angular 4,4′-Oxybis[N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)benzamide] and Isomeric Dicarboxylate Ligands: Synthesis, Structures and Properties
by Yung-Hao Huang, Yi-Ju Hsieh, Yen-Hsin Chen, Shih-Miao Liu and Jhy-Der Chen
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3283; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153283 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Reactions of the angular 4,4′-oxybis[N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)benzamide] (L) with dicarboxylic acids and transition metal salts afforded non-entangled {[Cd(L)(1,3-BDC)(H2O)]∙2H2O}n (1,3-BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid), 1; {[Cd(L)(1,4-HBDC)(1,4-BDC)0.5]∙2H2O}n (1,4-BDC = [...] Read more.
Reactions of the angular 4,4′-oxybis[N-(pyridin-3-ylmethyl)benzamide] (L) with dicarboxylic acids and transition metal salts afforded non-entangled {[Cd(L)(1,3-BDC)(H2O)]∙2H2O}n (1,3-BDC = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylic acid), 1; {[Cd(L)(1,4-HBDC)(1,4-BDC)0.5]∙2H2O}n (1,4-BDC = 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid), 2; {[Cu2(L)2(1,3-BDC)2]∙1.5H2O}n, 3; {[Ni(L)(1,3-BDC)(H2O)]∙2H2O}n, 4; {[Zn(L)(1,3-BDC)]∙4H2O}n, 5; {[Zn(L)(1,4-BDC)]∙2H2O}n, 6; and [Cd3(L)2(1,4-BDC)3]n, 7, which have been structurally characterized by using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 15 and 7 are 2D layers, giving (64·8·10)(6)-2,4L3, (42·82·102)(42·84)2(4)2, (4·5·6)(4·55·63·7)-3,5L66, (64·8·10)(6)-2,4L3, interdigitated (84·122)(8)2-2,4L2 and (36·46·53)-hxl topologies, respectively, and 6 is a 1D chain with the (43·62·8)(4)-2,4C3 topology. The factors that govern the structures of 17 are discussed and the thermal properties of 17 and the luminescent properties of complexes 1, 2, 5 and 6 are investigated. The stabilities of complexes 1 and 5 toward the detection of Fe3+ ions are also evaluated. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Functional Polymers and Their Applications)
9 pages, 497 KiB  
Article
Ultra-Weak Photon Emission from Crown Ethers Exposed to Fenton’s Reagent Fe2+-H2O2
by Michał Nowak, Krzysztof Sasak, Anna Wlodarczyk, Izabela Grabska-Kobylecka, Agata Sarniak and Dariusz Nowak
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3282; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153282 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
We hypothesized that compounds containing ether linkages within their backbone structures, when exposed to hydroxyl radicals (•OH), can generate ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) as a result of the formation of triplet excited carbonyl species (3R=O*). To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated [...] Read more.
We hypothesized that compounds containing ether linkages within their backbone structures, when exposed to hydroxyl radicals (•OH), can generate ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) as a result of the formation of triplet excited carbonyl species (3R=O*). To evaluate this hypothesis, we investigated the UPE of four compounds, each at a final concentration of 185.2 µmol/L: EGTA (ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid), a potent chelator of divalent cations, and three crown ethers—12-crown-4, 15-crown-5, and 18-crown-6—containing two, four, five, and six ether bonds, respectively. •OH was generated using a modified Fenton reagent—92.6 µmol/L Fe2+ and 2.6 mmol/L H2O2. The highest UPE was recorded for the Fe2+–EGTA–H2O2 (2863 ± 158 RLU; relative light units), followed by 18-crown-6, 15-crown-5, and 12-crown-4 (1161 ± 78, 615± 86, and 579 ± 109 RLU, respectively; p < 0.05), corresponding to the number of ether groups present. Controls lacking either H2O2 or Fe2+ exhibited no significant light emission compared to the buffer medium. These findings support the hypothesis that ether bonds, when oxidatively attacked by •OH, undergo chemical transformations resulting in the formation of 3R=O* species, the decay of which is associated with UPE. In crown ethers exposed to Fe2+-H2O2, the intensity of UPE was correlated with the number of ether bonds in their structure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insights into Bioluminescence and Chemiluminescence)
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18 pages, 899 KiB  
Article
Biomarkers of Metabolism and Inflammation in Individuals with Obesity and Normal Weight: A Comparative Analysis Exploring Sex Differences
by Eveline Gart, Jessica Snabel, Jelle C. B. C. de Jong, Lars Verschuren, Anita M. van den Hoek, Martine C. Morrison and Robert Kleemann
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7576; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157576 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Blood-based biomarkers allow monitoring of an individual’s health status and provide insights into metabolic and inflammatory processes in conditions like obesity, cardiovascular, and liver diseases. However, selecting suitable biomarkers and optimizing analytical assays presents challenges, is time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, knowledge of potential [...] Read more.
Blood-based biomarkers allow monitoring of an individual’s health status and provide insights into metabolic and inflammatory processes in conditions like obesity, cardiovascular, and liver diseases. However, selecting suitable biomarkers and optimizing analytical assays presents challenges, is time-consuming and laborious. Moreover, knowledge of potential sex differences remains incomplete as research is often carried out in men. This study aims at enabling researchers to make informed choices on the type of biomarkers, analytical assays, and dilutions being used. More specifically, we analyzed plasma concentrations of >90 biomarkers using commonly available ELISA or electrochemiluminescence-based multiplex methods, comparing normal weight (BMI < 25; n = 40) with obese (BMI > 30; n = 40) adult blood donors of comparable age. To help choose optimal biomarker sets, we grouped frequently employed biomarkers into biological categories (e.g., adipokines, acute-phase proteins, complement factors, cytokines, myokines, iron metabolism, vascular inflammation), first comparing normal-weight with obese persons, and thereafter exploratively comparing women and men within each BMI group. Many biomarkers linked to chronic inflammation and dysmetabolism were elevated in persons with obesity, including several adipokines, interleukins, chemokines, acute-phase proteins, complement factors, and oxidized LDL. Further exploration suggests sex disparities in biomarker levels within both normal-weight and obese groups. This comprehensive dataset of biomarkers across diverse biological domains constitutes a reference resource that may provide valuable guidance for researchers in selecting appropriate biomarkers and analytical assays for own studies. Moreover, the dataset highlights the importance of taking possible sex differences into account. Full article
14 pages, 504 KiB  
Article
Comparative Efficacy of pHA130 Haemoadsorption Combined with Haemodialysis Versus Online Haemodiafiltration in Removing Protein-Bound and Middle-Molecular-Weight Uraemic Toxins: A Randomized Controlled Trial
by Shaobin Yu, Huaihong Yuan, Xiaohong Xiong, Yalin Zhu and Ping Fu
Toxins 2025, 17(8), 392; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins17080392 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUTs), such as indoxyl sulphate (IS) and p-cresyl sulphate (PCS), are poorly cleared by conventional haemodialysis (HD) or haemodiafiltration (HDF). Haemoadsorption combined with HD (HAHD) using the novel pHA130 cartridge may increase PBUT removal, and this trial aimed to compare [...] Read more.
Protein-bound uraemic toxins (PBUTs), such as indoxyl sulphate (IS) and p-cresyl sulphate (PCS), are poorly cleared by conventional haemodialysis (HD) or haemodiafiltration (HDF). Haemoadsorption combined with HD (HAHD) using the novel pHA130 cartridge may increase PBUT removal, and this trial aimed to compare its efficacy and safety with HDF in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). In this single-centre, open-label trial, 30 maintenance HD patients were randomized (1:1:1) to HDF once every two weeks (HDF-q2w), HAHD once every two weeks (HAHD-q2w), or HAHD once weekly (HAHD-q1w) for 8 weeks, with the primary endpoint being the single-session reduction ratio (RR) of IS. The combined HAHD group (n = 20) demonstrated a significantly greater IS reduction than the HDF-q2w group (n = 10) (46.9% vs. 31.8%; p = 0.044) and superior PCS clearance (44.6% vs. 31.4%; p = 0.003). Both HAHD regimens significantly reduced predialysis IS levels at Week 8. Compared with HDF, weekly HAHD provided greater relief from pruritus and improved sleep quality, with comparable adverse events among groups. In conclusion, HAHD with the pHA130 cartridge is more effective than HDF for enhancing single-session PBUT removal and alleviating uraemic symptoms in patients with ESRD, with weekly application showing optimal symptomatic benefits. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Uremic Toxins)
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16 pages, 3103 KiB  
Article
Resin Composites with Anti-Biofouling Zwitterionic Polymer and Silica/Zirconia Filler for Digital Light Processing (DLP) of Dental Protheses
by Yun-Hee Lee, Jae-Min Jung, Gyu-Nam Kim and Young-Hag Koh
Materials 2025, 18(15), 3677; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18153677 - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
This study aimed to develop an innovative resin composite with anti-biofouling properties, tailored to prosthesis fabrication in dentistry using a digital light processing (DLP) 3D-printing technique. The resin composite was formulated using a blend of dental monomers, with the integration of 2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine [...] Read more.
This study aimed to develop an innovative resin composite with anti-biofouling properties, tailored to prosthesis fabrication in dentistry using a digital light processing (DLP) 3D-printing technique. The resin composite was formulated using a blend of dental monomers, with the integration of 2-methacryloyloxylethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) with anti-biofouling behavior and γ-MPS-treated silica-zirconia powder for simultaneous mechanical reinforcement. The overall characterization of the resin composite was carried out using various contents of MPC incorporated into the resin (0–7 wt%) for examining the rheological behavior, photopolymerization, flexural strength/modulus, microstructure and anti-biofouling efficiency. The resin composite demonstrated a significant reduction in bacterial adhesion (97.4% for E. coli and 86.5% for S. aureus) and protein adsorption (reduced OD value from 1.3 ± 0.4 to 0.8 ± 0.2) with 7 wt% of MPC incorporation, without interfering with photopolymerization to demonstrate potential suitability for 3D printing without issues (p < 0.01, and p < 0.05, respectively). The incorporation and optimization of γ-MPS-treated silica-zirconia powder (10–40 vol%) enhanced mechanical properties, leading to a reasonable flexural strength (103.4 ± 6.1 MPa) and a flexural modulus (4.3 ± 0.4 GPa) at 30 vol% (n = 6). However, a further increase to 40 vol% resulted in a reduction in flexural strength and modulus; nevertheless, the results were above ISO 10477 standards for dental materials. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Innovative Restorative Dental Materials and Fabrication Techniques)
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