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Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused by a dysregulated immune response to infection, characterized by an initial hyperinflammatory phase frequently followed by compensatory immunosuppression (CARS). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical, biphasic role: inadequate suppression during early hyperinflammation fails to control cytokine storms, while excessive/persistent activity in late-phase immunosuppression drives immune paralysis and secondary infection susceptibility. This review explores advances in targeting Treg immunoregulation across bacterial, viral, and fungal sepsis, where pathogenic type critically influenced the types of immunoresponses, shaping Treg heterogeneity in terms of phenotype, survival, and function. Understanding this multifaceted Treg biology offers novel therapeutic avenues, highlighting the need to decipher functional heterogeneity and develop precisely timed, pathogen-tailored immunomodulation to safely harness beneficial Treg roles while mitigating detrimental immunosuppression. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cutting-Edge Insights into Bacterial Infection and Host Immune Response)

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32 pages, 4311 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Proteomics-Based Prediction of Candidate Effectors in the Interaction Secretome of Trichoderma harzianum and Pseudocercospora fijiensis

by Jewel Nicole Anna Todd, Karla Gisel Carreón-Anguiano, Gabriel Iturriaga, Roberto Vázquez-Euán, Ignacio Islas-Flores, Miguel Tzec-Simá, Miguel Ángel Canseco-Pérez, César De Los Santos-Briones and Blondy Canto-Canché

Microbiol. Res. 2025, 16(8), 175; https://doi.org/10.3390/microbiolres16080175 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Microbe–microbe interactions have been explored at the molecular level to a lesser degree than plant–pathogen interactions, primarily due to the economic impact of crop losses caused by pathogenic microorganisms. Effector proteins are well known for their role in disease development in many plant–pathogen pleinteractions, but there is increasing evidence showing their involvement in other types of interaction, including microbe–microbe interactions. Through the use of LC-MS/MS sequencing, effector candidates were identified in the in vitro interaction between a banana pathogen, Pseudocercospora fijiensis and a biological control agent, Trichoderma harzianum. The diverse interaction secretome revealed various glycoside hydrolase families, proteases and oxidoreductases. T. harzianum secreted more proteins in the microbial interaction compared to P. fijiensis, but its presence induced the secretion of more P. fijiensis proteins that were exclusive to the interaction secretome. The interaction secretome, containing 256 proteins, was screened for effector candidates using the algorithms EffHunter and WideEffHunter. Candidates with common fungal effector motifs and domains such as LysM, Cerato-platanin, NPP1 and CFEM, among others, were identified. Homologs of true effectors and virulence factors were found in the interaction secretome of T. harzianum and P. fijiensis. Further characterization revealed a potential novel effector of T. harzianum. Full article

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17 pages, 5703 KiB

Open AccessReview

IFN γ and the IFN γ Signaling Pathways in Merkel Cell Carcinoma

by Lina Song, Jinye Guan, Qunmei Zhou, Wenshang Liu, Jürgen C. Becker and Dan Deng

Cancers 2025, 17(15), 2547; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17152547 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Recent preclinical and clinical studies have confirmed the essential role of interferons in the host’s immune response against malignant cells. Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare, aggressive skin cancer strongly associated with Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV). Despite progress in understanding MCC pathogenesis, the role of innate immune signaling, particularly interferon-γ (IFN γ) and its downstream pathways, remains underexplored. This review summarizes recent findings on IFN-γ in MCC, highlighting its dual role in promoting both antitumor immunity and immune evasion. IFN-γ enhances cytotoxic T cell responses, upregulates MHC class I/II expression, and induces tumor cell apoptosis. Transcriptomic studies have shown that IFN-γ treatment upregulates immune-regulatory genes including PD-L1, HLA-A/B/C, and IDO1 by over threefold; it also activates APOBEC3B and 3G, contributing to antiviral defense and tumor editing. Clinically, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) such as pembrolizumab and avelumab yield objective response rates of 30–56% and two-year overall survival rates exceeding 60% in advanced MCC. However, approximately 50% of patients do not respond, in part due to IFN-γ signaling deficiencies. This review further discusses IFN-γ’s crosstalk with the STAT1/3/5 pathways and emerging combination strategies aimed at restoring immune sensitivity. Understanding these mechanisms may inform personalized immunotherapeutic approaches and guide the development of IFN-γ–based interventions in MCC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Histopathology and Pathogenesis of Skin Cancer)

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16 pages, 1219 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Salicylic Acid with NaCl Acts as a Stressor and Alters Root Traits and the Estimated Root Surface Area of Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) Genotypes in Hydroponic Culture

by Jannatul Afrin, Nikunjo Chakroborty, Rebeka Sultana, Jobadatun Naher and Arif Hasan Khan Robin

Stresses 2025, 5(3), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/stresses5030048 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Understanding the alterations to the shoot and root traits of rapeseed (Brassica napus) in response to salt stress is vital for improving its ability to thrive in saline-prone regions. This research aims to evaluate the responses of shoot and root traits of rapeseed at the vegetative stage under salt- and salicylic acid-induced stress in hydroponic culture. Five parents and ten F₃ segregants of rapeseed were subjected to three treatments: T1: control, T2: 8 dSm⁻¹ salt, and T3: 8 dSm⁻¹ salt + 0.1 mM salicylic acid at 21 days of age. Salinity stress significantly reduced the estimated root surface area by 54% compared to control, highlighting the plasticity of roots under stress. The simultaneous application of salt and SA did not alleviate the salinity stress, but rather reinforced the degree of stress and decreased the number of leaves, diameter of the main axis, chlorophyll content, and estimated root surface area by 18.5%, 15.4%, 38.8%, and 23%, respectively, compared to T2. The parental genotype M-245 followed by F₃ genotype M-232×M-223 accounted for the higher overall estimated root surface area. These results provide novel insights into the responses of root traits in rapeseed breeding lines under dual treatment, which hold promising implications for future rapeseed breeding efforts focused on sustainable rapeseed production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant and Photoautotrophic Stresses)

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16 pages, 1134 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Neural Correlates of Loudness Coding in Two Types of Cochlear Implants—A Model Study

by Ilja M. Venema, Savine S. M. Martens, Randy K. Kalkman, Jeroen J. Briaire and Johan H. M. Frijns

Technologies 2025, 13(8), 331; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies13080331 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Many speech coding strategies have been developed over the years, but comparing them has been convoluted due to the difficulty in disentangling brand-specific and patient-specific factors from strategy-specific factors that contribute to speech understanding. Here, we present a comparison with a ‘virtual’ patient, by comparing two strategies from two different manufacturers, Advanced Combination Encoder (ACE) versus HiResolution Fidelity 120 (F120), running on two different implant systems in a computational model with the same anatomy and neural properties. We fitted both strategies to an expected T-level and C- or M-level based on the spike rate for each electrode contact’s allocated frequency (center electrode frequency) of the respective array. This paper highlights neural and electrical differences due to brand-specific characteristics such as pulse rate/channel, recruitment of adjacent electrodes, and presence of subthreshold pulses or interphase gaps. These differences lead to considerably different recruitment patterns of nerve fibers, while achieving the same total spike rates, i.e., loudness percepts. Also, loudness growth curves differ significantly between brands. The model is able to demonstrate considerable electrical and neural differences in the way loudness growth is achieved in CIs from different manufacturers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue The Challenges and Prospects in Cochlear Implantation)

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13 pages, 292 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Molecular Detection of Multiple Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Helicobacter pylori-Positive Gastric Samples from Patients Undergoing Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy with Gastric Biopsy in Algarve, Portugal

by Francisco Cortez Nunes, Catarina Aguieiras, Mauro Calhindro, Ricardo Louro, Bruno Peixe, Patrícia Queirós, Pedro Castelo-Branco and Teresa Letra Mateus

Antibiotics 2025, 14(8), 780; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics14080780 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a common gastric pathogen linked to gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, and gastric cancer. Rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses challenges for effective treatment and has prompted the WHO to classify H. pylori as a high-priority pathogen. This study aimed to detect the prevalence of AMR genes in H. pylori-positive gastric samples from patients in Algarve, Portugal, where regional data is scarce. Methods: Eighteen H. pylori-positive gastric biopsy samples from patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy were analyzed. PCR and sequencing were used to identify genes associated with resistance to amoxicillin (Pbp1A), metronidazole (rdxA, frxA), tetracycline (16S rRNA mutation) and clarithromycin (23S rRNA). Sequence identity and homologies were verified using tBLASTx and the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD). Results: Out of the 18 H. pylori-positive samples, 16 (88.9%) contained at least one AMR gene. The most frequent genes were rdxA (83.3%) and frxA (66.7%) for metronidazole resistance, and the 16S rRNA mutation (66.7%) for tetracycline. Resistance to amoxicillin and clarithromycin was detected in 27.8% and 16.7% of cases, respectively. Most samples (72.2%) had multiple resistance genes. A significantly strong association was found between female sex and the presence of the rdxA gene (p = 0.043). Conclusions: The study reveals a high prevalence of H. pylori resistance genes in Algarve, particularly against metronidazole and tetracycline. These findings highlight the need for local surveillance and tailored treatment strategies. Further research with larger populations is warranted to assess regional resistance patterns and improve eradication efforts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Epidemiology and Genomics of Antimicrobial Resistance of Difficult-to-Treat Pathogens)

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Graphical abstract

25 pages, 9193 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Antibiotic-Loaded Bioglass 45S5 for the Treatment and Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Infections in Orthopaedic Surgery: A Novel Strategy Against Antimicrobial Resistance

by Humera Sarwar, Richard A. Martin, Heather M. Coleman, Aaron Courtenay and Deborah Lowry

Pathogens 2025, 14(8), 760; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080760 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study explores the potential of biodegradable Bioglass 45S5 formulations as a dual-function approach for preventing and treating Staphylococcus aureus infections in orthopaedic surgery while addressing the growing concern of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research focuses on the development and characterisation of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 formulations, assessing parameters such as drug loading efficiency, release kinetics, antimicrobial efficacy, and dissolution behaviour. Key findings indicate that the F2l-BG45S5-T-T-1.5 and F2l-BG45S5-T-V-1.5 formulations demonstrated controlled antibiotic release for up to seven days, with size distributions of D(10): 7.11 ± 0.806 µm, 4.96 ± 0.007 µm; D(50): 25.34 ± 1.730 µm, 25.20.7 ± 0.425 µm; and D(90): 53.7 ± 7.95 µm, 56.10 ± 0.579 µm, respectively. These formulations facilitated hydroxyapatite formation on their surfaces, indicative of osteogenic potential. The antimicrobial assessments revealed zones of inhibition against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA, ATCC-6538) measuring 20.3 ± 1.44 mm and 24.6 ± 1.32 mm, while for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, ATCC-43300), the inhibition zones were 21.6 ± 1.89 mm and 22 ± 0.28 mm, respectively. Time-kill assay results showed complete bacterial eradication within eight hours. Additionally, biocompatibility testing via MTT assay confirmed cell viability of >75%. In conclusion, these findings highlight the promise of antibiotic-loaded BG45S5 as a multifunctional biomaterial capable of both combating bone infections and supporting bone regeneration. These promising results suggest that in vivo studies should be undertaken to expedite these materials into clinical applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Antimicrobial Resistance in the Post-COVID Era: A Silent Pandemic)

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12 pages, 1302 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Relationship Between Insulin Resistance, Liver Health, and Restrictive Lung Diseases in Type 2 Diabetes

by Mani Roshan, Christian Mudrack, Alba Sulaj, Ekaterina von Rauchhaupt, Thomas Fleming, Lukas Schimpfle, Lukas Seebauer, Viktoria Flegka, Valter D. Longo, Elisabeth Kliemank, Stephan Herzig, Anna Hohneck, Zoltan Kender, Julia Szendroedi and Stefan Kopf

J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(8), 340; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15080340 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: Restrictive lung disease (RLD) is a potential complication in type 2 diabetes (T2D), but its relationship with insulin resistance and liver-related metabolic dysfunction remains unclear. This study evaluated the association between lung function and metabolic markers in T2D and retrospectively assessed whether metabolic improvements from dietary intervention were accompanied by changes in lung function. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 184 individuals (101 with T2D, 33 with prediabetes, and 50 glucose-tolerant individuals). Lung function parameters—vital capacity (VC), total lung capacity by plethysmography (TLC-B), and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (TL_CO)—were assessed alongside metabolic markers including HOMA2-IR, fatty liver index (FLI), NAFLD score, and Fibrosis-4 index (FIB-4). In a subset of 54 T2D participants, lung function was reassessed after six months following either a fasting-mimicking diet (FMD, n = 14), Mediterranean diet (n = 13), or no dietary intervention (n = 27). Results: T2D participants had significantly lower VC and TLC-B compared to glucose-tolerant and prediabetic individuals, with 18–21% falling below clinical thresholds for RLD. Lung volumes were negatively correlated with HOMA2-IR, FLI, NAFLD score, and FIB-4 across the cohort and within the T2D group. Although the FMD intervention led to significant improvements in HOMA2-IR and FLI, no corresponding changes in lung function were observed over the six-month period. Conclusions: Restrictive lung impairment in T2D is associated with insulin resistance and markers of liver steatosis and fibrosis. While short-term dietary interventions can improve metabolic parameters, their effect on lung function may require a longer duration or additional interventions and targeted follow-up. These findings highlight the relevance of pulmonary assessment in individuals with metabolic dysfunction. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Diabetes Mellitus: Current Research and Future Perspectives, 2nd Edition)

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9 pages, 1157 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Center Degenerated Walking-Primer PCR: A Novel and Universal Genome-Walking Method

by Dandan Gao, Zhenkang Pan, Hao Pan, Yinwei Gu and Haixing Li

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(8), 602; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47080602 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Enhancing the specificity and applicability of PCR-based genome-walking methods is highly desirable. A new and universal genome-walking tool, called center degenerated walking-primer PCR (CDWP-PCR), is presented in this study. CDWP-PCR involves adopting a center degenerated walking primer (cdWP) in the secondary/tertiary round of amplification. This cdWP is generated by degenerating the seven central nucleotides of the normal walking primer (nWP) used in primary PCR to NNNNNNN (where N includes the bases A, T, C, and G). Clearly, a partially complementary structure is formed between the two primers. Accordingly, the primary CDWP-PCR non-target products defined by the nWP are diluted in secondary/tertiary CDWP-PCR, as these non-targets have difficulty in annealing with the cdWP; conversely, the primary target product can still be efficiently amplified. The working performance of the proposed CDWP-PCR is verified through cloning of the unknown flanks of three known genes. All the clear DNA bands in the tertiary CDWP-PCRs are confirmed to be correct, and the largest DNA band is 8.0 kb. Overall, CDWP-PCR can be considered as a reliable supplement to existing genome-walking methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Technological Advances Around Next-Generation Sequencing Application)

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17 pages, 1027 KiB

Open AccessArticle

AI-Driven Security for Blockchain-Based Smart Contracts: A GAN-Assisted Deep Learning Approach to Malware Detection

by Imad Bourian, Lahcen Hassine and Khalid Chougdali

J. Cybersecur. Priv. 2025, 5(3), 53; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcp5030053 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

In the modern era, the use of blockchain technology has been growing rapidly, where Ethereum smart contracts play an important role in securing decentralized application systems. However, these smart contracts are also susceptible to a large number of vulnerabilities, which pose significant threats to intelligent systems and IoT applications, leading to data breaches and financial losses. Traditional detection techniques, such as manual analysis and static automated tools, suffer from high false positives and undetected security vulnerabilities. To address these problems, this paper proposes an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based security framework that integrates Generative Adversarial Network (GAN)-based feature selection and deep learning techniques to classify and detect malware attacks on smart contract execution in the blockchain decentralized network. After an exhaustive pre-processing phase yielding a dataset of 40,000 malware and benign samples, the proposed model is evaluated and compared with related studies on the basis of a number of performance metrics including training accuracy, training loss, and classification metrics (accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score). Our combined approach achieved a remarkable accuracy of 97.6%, demonstrating its effectiveness in detecting malware and protecting blockchain systems. Full article

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16 pages, 1651 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Modular Pipeline for Text Recognition in Early Printed Books Using Kraken and ByT5

by Yahya Momtaz, Lorenza Laccetti and Guido Russo

Electronics 2025, 14(15), 3083; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics14153083 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Early printed books, particularly incunabula, are invaluable archives of the beginnings of modern educational systems. However, their complex layouts, antique typefaces, and page degradation caused by bleed-through and ink fading pose significant challenges for automatic transcription. In this work, we present a modular pipeline that addresses these problems by combining modern layout analysis and language modeling techniques. The pipeline begins with historical layout-aware text segmentation using Kraken, a neural network-based tool tailored for early typographic structures. Initial optical character recognition (OCR) is then performed with Kraken’s recognition engine, followed by post-correction using a fine-tuned ByT5 transformer model trained on manually aligned line-level data. By learning to map noisy OCR outputs to verified transcriptions, the model substantially improves recognition quality. The pipeline also integrates a preprocessing stage based on our previous work on bleed-through removal using robust statistical filters, including non-local means, Gaussian mixtures, biweight estimation, and Gaussian blur. This step enhances the legibility of degraded pages prior to OCR. The entire solution is open, modular, and scalable, supporting long-term preservation and improved accessibility of cultural heritage materials. Experimental results on 15th-century incunabula show a reduction in the Character Error Rate (CER) from around 38% to around 15% and an increase in the Bilingual Evaluation Understudy (BLEU) score from 22 to 44, confirming the effectiveness of our approach. This work demonstrates the potential of integrating transformer-based correction with layout-aware segmentation to enhance OCR accuracy in digital humanities applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Electronics and Computer Science for Cultural Heritage: Advancements, Preservation, and Applications, 2nd Edition)

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28 pages, 13735 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Immunohistopathological Analysis of Spongiosis Formation in Atopic Dermatitis Compared with Other Skin Diseases

by Ryoji Tanei and Yasuko Hasegawa

Dermatopathology 2025, 12(3), 23; https://doi.org/10.3390/dermatopathology12030023 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Whether the spongiotic reaction caused by the interaction of keratinocytes, T-lymphocytes, inflammatory dendritic epidermal cells (IDECs), and Langerhans cells (LCs) observed in atopic dermatitis (AD) represents a common feature of spongiosis in various skin diseases remains unclear. We analyzed the characteristics of spongiosis in AD compared with those in other eczematous dermatitis and inflammatory skin diseases by using immunohistochemical methods. Infiltration of IDECs (CD11c+ cells and/or CD206+ cells) and T-lymphocytes, accompanied by degenerated keratinocytes and aggregated LCs (CD207+ cells), was frequently observed as a common feature of spongiosis in multiple conditions. However, IDECs expressing IgE were identified exclusively in IgE-mediated AD. Aggregation of IDECs was predominantly observed in the spongiosis of adaptive immune-mediated eczematous disorders, such as AD and allergic contact dermatitis. These IDEC aggregations constituted the major components of the epidermal dendritic cell clusters seen in AD and other eczematous or eczematoid dermatoses, and may serve as a useful distinguishing marker from Pautrier collections seen in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. These findings suggest that IDECs, in cooperation with other immune cells, may play a pivotal role in spongiosis formation in AD and various skin diseases, although the underlying immunopathological mechanisms differ among these conditions. Full article

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9 pages, 999 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Assessment of Long-Term Knowledge Retention in Children with Type 1 Diabetes and Their Families: A Pilot Study

by Lior Carmon, Eli Hershkovitz, David Shaki, Tzila Gratzya Chechik, Inna Uritzki, Itamar Gothelf, Dganit Walker, Neta Loewenthal, Majd Nassar and Alon Haim

Children 2025, 12(8), 1016; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12081016 - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Background: The education process for newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) patients and their families, primarily led by diabetes specialist nurses, is essential for gaining knowledge about the disease and its management. However, few assessment tools have been employed to evaluate long-term knowledge retention among T1D patients years after diagnosis. Methods: We developed a 20-question test to assess the knowledge of patients and their families at the conclusion of the initial education process and again 6–12 months later. Demographic and clinical data were also collected. Statistical analyses included comparisons between the first and second test results, as well as evaluation of potential contributing factors. The internal consistency and construct validity of the questionnaire were evaluated. Results: Forty-four patients completed both assessments, with a median interval of 11.5 months between them. The average score on the first test was 88.6, which declined to 82.7 on the second assessment (p < 0.001). In univariate analysis, factors positively associated with higher scores included Jewish ethnicity, lower HbA1c levels, and shorter hospitalization duration. Multivariate analysis revealed that parents had lower odds of experiencing a significant score decline compared to patients. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.69, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) identified eight components accounting for 67.1% of the total variance. Conclusions: Healthcare providers should consider offering re-education to patients and their families approximately one year after diagnosis, with particular attention to high-risk populations during the initial education phase. Further studies are needed to examine this tool’s performance in larger cohorts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Optimizing Glycemic Management in Pediatric Populations with Type 1 Diabetes: Challenges and Advances)

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15 pages, 1758 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Optimized Si-H Content and Multivariate Engineering of PMHS Antifoamers for Superior Foam Suppression in High-Viscosity Systems

by Soyeon Kim, Changchun Liu, Junyao Huang, Xiang Feng, Hong Sun, Xiaoli Zhan, Mingkui Shi, Hongzhen Bai and Guping Tang

Coatings 2025, 15(8), 894; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings15080894 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

A modular strategy for the molecular design of silicone-based antifoaming agents was developed by precisely controlling the architecture of poly (methylhydrosiloxane) (PMHS). Sixteen PMHS variants were synthesized by systematically varying the siloxane chain length (L1–L4), backbone composition (D₃T₁ vs. D₃₀T₁), and terminal group chemistry (H- vs. M-type). These structural modifications resulted in a broad range of Si-H functionalities, which were quantitatively analyzed and correlated with defoaming performance. The PMHS matrices were integrated with high-viscosity PDMS, a nonionic surfactant, and covalently grafted fumed silica—which was chemically matched to each PMHS backbone—to construct formulation-specific defoaming systems with enhanced interfacial compatibility and colloidal stability. Comprehensive physicochemical characterization via FT-IR, ¹H NMR, GPC, TGA, and surface tension analysis revealed a nonmonotonic relationship between Si-H content and defoaming efficiency. Formulations containing 0.1–0.3 wt% Si-H achieved peak performance, with suppression efficiencies up to 96.6% and surface tensions as low as 18.9 mN/m. Deviations from this optimal range impaired performance due to interfacial over-reactivity or reduced mobility. Furthermore, thermal stability and molecular weight distribution were found to be governed by repeat unit architecture and terminal group selection. Compared with conventional EO/PO-modified commercial defoamers, the PMHS-based systems exhibited markedly improved suppression durability and formulation stability in high-viscosity environments. These results establish a predictive structure–property framework for tailoring antifoaming agents and highlight PMHS-based formulations as advanced foam suppressors with improved functionality. This study provides actionable design criteria for high-performance silicone materials with strong potential for application in thermally and mechanically demanding environments such as coating, bioprocessing, and polymer manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Functional Polymer Coatings and Films)

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Graphical abstract

11 pages, 245 KiB

Open AccessReview

The Impact of Insulin Resistance on Lung Volume Through Right Ventricular Dysfunction in Diabetic Patients—Literature Review

by Daniel Radu, Oana-Andreea Parlițeanu, Andra-Elena Nica, Cristiana Voineag, Octavian-Sabin Alexe, Alexandra Maria Cristea, Livia Georgescu, Roxana Maria Nemeș, Andreea Taisia Tiron and Alexandra Floriana Nemeș

J. Pers. Med. 2025, 15(8), 336; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm15080336 (registering DOI) - 1 Aug 2025

Abstract

Insulin resistance (IR), a core component in the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), is increasingly recognized for its role in cardiovascular and pulmonary complications. This review explores the relationship between IR, right ventricular dysfunction (RVD), and decreased lung volume in patients with T2DM. Emerging evidence suggests that IR contributes to early structural and functional alterations in the right ventricle, independent of overt cardiovascular disease. The mechanisms involved include oxidative stress, inflammation, dyslipidemia, and obesity—factors commonly found in metabolic syndrome and T2DM. These pathophysiological changes compromise right ventricular contractility, leading to reduced pulmonary perfusion and respiratory capacity. RVD has been associated with chronic lung disease, pulmonary hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea, all of which are prevalent in the diabetic population. As RVD progresses, it can result in impaired gas exchange, interstitial pulmonary edema, and exercise intolerance—highlighting the importance of early recognition and management. Therapeutic strategies should aim to improve insulin sensitivity and cardiac function through lifestyle interventions, pharmacological agents such as SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1/GIP analogs, and routine cardiac monitoring. These approaches may help slow the progression of RVD and its respiratory consequences. Considering the global burden of diabetes and obesity, and the growing incidence of related complications, further research is warranted to clarify the mechanisms linking IR, RVD, and respiratory dysfunction. Understanding this triad will be crucial for developing targeted interventions that improve outcomes and quality of life in affected patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Mechanisms of Diseases)

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