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13 pages, 1780 KiB  
Article
The Use of Sound Recorders to Remotely Measure Grass Intake Behaviour in Horses
by Daisy E. F. Taylor, Bryony E. Lancaster and Andrea D. Ellis
Animals 2025, 15(15), 2273; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15152273 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 351
Abstract
Visual observation to record grass intake is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Technological methods, such as activity monitors, have been used but only record head position. This study aimed to evaluate sound recorders attached to headcollars to acoustically measure grass intake behaviour in horses as [...] Read more.
Visual observation to record grass intake is time-consuming and labour-intensive. Technological methods, such as activity monitors, have been used but only record head position. This study aimed to evaluate sound recorders attached to headcollars to acoustically measure grass intake behaviour in horses as a low-cost alternative method. Pilot Study 1 assessed 6 × 11 min periods comparing bites/min and chews/min between video footage (VD) and sound recorders (SR). Grazing was identified audibly (SRear) and visually through soundwave pattern software (SRwav). Chew rates (SRear: 47 ± 5 chews/min, VD: 43 ± 4 chews/min) were similar between methods. Pilot Study 2 compared hourly grass intake times between SRwav and visual observation (VO) for two horses during a 3 h period. Results showed significant correlation between methods (rho = 0.99, p < 0.01, Spearman). The main study measured intake behaviour using SRwav and VO methods for three free-ranging horses during 3 h observation periods over multiple days, adding up to 3 × 24 h in winter and in spring (n = 48). Mean differences per period between SRwav and VO were 1.8% ± 3 s.d. Foraging duration per period measured with SRwav closely matched VO (r2 = 0.99, p < 0.001). Sound recorders accurately recorded grass intake time and chews in grazing horses during moderate weather conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Equids)
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14 pages, 506 KiB  
Article
How Accurate Is Multiple Imputation for Nutrient Intake Estimation? Insights from ASA24 Data
by Nicolas Woods, Jason Gilliland, Louise W. McEachern, Colleen O’Connor, Saverio Stranges, Sean Doherty and Jamie A. Seabrook
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2510; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152510 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 191
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Accurate dietary assessment is crucial for nutritional epidemiology, but tools like 24 h recalls (24HRs) face challenges with missing or implausible data. The Automated Self-Administered 24 h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) facilitates large-scale data collection, but its lack of interviewer input [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Accurate dietary assessment is crucial for nutritional epidemiology, but tools like 24 h recalls (24HRs) face challenges with missing or implausible data. The Automated Self-Administered 24 h Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24) facilitates large-scale data collection, but its lack of interviewer input may lead to implausible dietary recalls (IDRs), affecting data integrity. Multiple imputation (MI) is commonly used to handle missing data, but its effectiveness in high-variability dietary data is uncertain. This study aims to assess MI’s accuracy in estimating nutrient intake under varying levels of missing data. Methods: Data from 24HRs completed by 743 adolescents (ages 13–18) in Ontario, Canada, were used. Implausible recalls were excluded based on nutrient thresholds, creating a cleaned reference dataset. Missing data were simulated at 10%, 20%, and 40% deletion rates. MI via chained equations was applied, incorporating demographic and psychosocial variables as predictors. Imputed values were compared to actual values using Spearman’s correlation and accuracy within ±10% of true values. Results: Spearman’s rho values between the imputed and actual nutrient intakes were weak (mean ρ ≈ 0.24). Accuracy within ±10% was low for most nutrients (typically < 25%), with no clear trend by missingness level. Diet quality scores showed slightly higher accuracy, but values were still under 30%. Conclusions: MI performed poorly in estimating individual nutrient intake in this adolescent sample. While MI may preserve sample characteristics, it is unreliable for accurate nutrient estimates and should be used cautiously. Future studies should focus on improving data quality and exploring better imputation methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition Methodology & Assessment)
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18 pages, 6694 KiB  
Article
Effects of a ROCK Inhibitor on Retinal Ganglion Cells In Vivo and In Vitro
by Wanjing Chen, Yoko Iizuka, Fumihiko Mabuchi and Kenji Kashiwagi
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(15), 5344; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14155344 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 237
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of a Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: For in vivo studies, a unilateral optic nerve crush mouse model was established. Then, 100 mM Y-27632 (a [...] Read more.
Objective: To investigate the neuroprotective effects of a Rho-associated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vitro and in vivo. Methods: For in vivo studies, a unilateral optic nerve crush mouse model was established. Then, 100 mM Y-27632 (a ROCK inhibitor) or saline was applied to the experimental eyes once a day for 14 days. The effects of the ROCK inhibitor were evaluated by counting the surviving RGCs in the enucleated flat retina tissues and measuring the inner retinal thickness using optical coherence tomography (OCT), the amplitude of the electroretinogram (ERG), and the change in intraocular pressure (IOP). For the in vitro study, RGCs were isolated from five-day-old mice using a modified immunopanning method with magnetic beads. The isolated RGCs were incubated for 72 h with various concentrations of Y-27632, after which TUNEL assays were performed to determine the number of surviving RGCs. Results: Y-27632 has neuroprotective effects, as it significantly increased the number of surviving RGCs by approximately 6.3%. OCT and ERG data also revealed that Y-27632 induced neuroprotective effects in vivo; furthermore, Y-27632 reduced IOP by approximately 18.3%. The in vitro study revealed the dose-dependent neuroprotective effects of Y-27632, with the highest dose of Y-27632 (1000 nM) increasing the RGC survival rate after 72 h of incubation compared with that of the control. Conclusions: The ROCK inhibitor Y-27632 may exert some neuroprotective effects on RGCs when it is used as an eye drop through an IOP-independent mechanism. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
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21 pages, 3528 KiB  
Article
Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Light-Independent ROS in Arabidopsis thaliana (L.) Heynh. TROL-FNR Mutants
by Ena Dumančić, Lea Vojta and Hrvoje Fulgosi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(14), 7000; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26147000 - 21 Jul 2025
Viewed by 270
Abstract
Thylakoid rhodanese-like protein (TROL) serves as a thylakoid membrane hinge linking photosynthetic electron transport chain (PETC) complexes to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) synthesis. TROL is the docking site for the flavoenzyme ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR). Our prior work indicates that the TROL-FNR [...] Read more.
Thylakoid rhodanese-like protein (TROL) serves as a thylakoid membrane hinge linking photosynthetic electron transport chain (PETC) complexes to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) synthesis. TROL is the docking site for the flavoenzyme ferredoxin-NADP+ oxidoreductase (FNR). Our prior work indicates that the TROL-FNR complex maintains redox equilibrium in chloroplasts and systemically in plant cells. Improvement in the knowledge of redox regulation mechanisms is critical for engineering stress-tolerant plants in times of elevated global drought intensity. To further test this hypothesis and confirm our previous results, we monitored light-independent ROS propagation in the leaves of Arabidopsis wild type (WT), TROL knock-out (KO), and TROL ΔRHO (RHO-domain deletion mutant) mutant plants in situ by using confocal laser scanning microscopy with specific fluorescent probes for the three different ROS: O2·−, H2O2, and 1O2. Plants were grown under the conditions of normal substrate moisture and under drought stress conditions. Under the drought stress conditions, the TROL KO line showed ≈32% less O2·− while the TROL ΔRHO line showed ≈49% less H2O2 in comparison with the WT. This research confirms the role of dynamical TROL-FNR complex formation in redox equilibrium maintenance by redirecting electrons in alternative sinks under stress and also points it out as promising target for stress-tolerant plant engineering. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Insight into Oxidative Stress in Plants)
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13 pages, 1784 KiB  
Article
Dark Rearing Does Not Alter Developmental Retinoschisis Cavity Formation in Rs1 Gene Knockout Rat Model of X-Linked Retinoschisis
by Zeljka Smit-McBride, In Hwan Cho, Ning Sun, Serafina Thomas and Paul A. Sieving
Genes 2025, 16(7), 815; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16070815 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 316
Abstract
Background/Objective: The Rs1 exon-1-del rat (Rs1KO) XLRS model shows normal retinal development until postnatal day 12 (P12) when small cystic spaces start to form in the inner nuclear layer. These enlarge rapidly, peak at P15, and then collapse by P19. These events overlap [...] Read more.
Background/Objective: The Rs1 exon-1-del rat (Rs1KO) XLRS model shows normal retinal development until postnatal day 12 (P12) when small cystic spaces start to form in the inner nuclear layer. These enlarge rapidly, peak at P15, and then collapse by P19. These events overlap with eye opening at P12–P15. We investigated whether new light-driven retinal activity could contribute to the appearance and progression of schisis cavities in this rat model of XLRS disease. Methods: For dark rearing (D/D), mating pairs of Rs1KO strain were raised in total darkness in a special vivarium at UC Davis. When pups were born, they were maintained in total darkness, and eyes were collected at P12, P15, and P30 (n = 3/group) for each of the D/D and cyclic light-reared 12 h light–12 h dark (L/D) Rs1KO and wild-type (WT) littermates. Eyes were fixed, paraffin-embedded, and sectioned. Tissue morphology was examined by H&E and marker expression of retinoschisin1 (Rs1), rhodopsin (Rho), and postsynaptic protein 95 (Psd95) by fluorescent immunohistochemistry. H&E-stained images were analyzed with ImageJ version 1.54h to quantify cavity size using the “Analyze Particles” function. Results: Small intra-retinal schisis cavities begin to form by P12 in the inner retina of both D/D and L/D animals. Cavity formation was equivalent or more pronounced in D/D animals than in L/D animals. We compared Iba1 (activation marker of immune cells) distribution and found that by P12, when schisis appeared, Iba1+ cells had accumulated in regions of schisis. Iba1+ cells were more abundant in Rs1KO animals than WT animals and appeared slightly more prevalent in D/D- than L/D-reared Rs1KO animals. We compared photoreceptor development using Rho, Rs1, and Psd95 expression, and these were similar; however, the outer segments (OSs) of D/D animals with Rho labeling at P12 were longer than L/D animals. Conclusions: The results showed that cavities formed at the same time in D/D and L/D XLRS rat pups, indicating that the timing of schisis formation is not light stimulus-driven but rather appears to be a result of developmental events. Cavity size tended to be larger under dark-rearing conditions in D/D animals, which could be due to the decreased rate of phagocytosis by the RPE in the dark, allowing for continued growth of the OSs without the usual shedding of the distal tip, a key mechanism behind dark adaptation in the retina. These results highlight the complexity of XLRS pathology; however, we found no evidence that light-driven metabolic activity accounted for schisis cavity formation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Advances in Inherited Retinal Disease)
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12 pages, 247 KiB  
Article
Restoring Control: Real-World Success with Imipenem–Relebactam in Critical MDR Infections—A Multicenter Observational Study
by Andrea Marino, Giuseppe Pipitone, Emmanuele Venanzi Rullo, Federica Cosentino, Rita Ippolito, Roberta Costa, Sara Bagarello, Ylenia Russotto, Chiara Iaria, Bruno Cacopardo and Giuseppe Nunnari
Pathogens 2025, 14(7), 685; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14070685 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 441
Abstract
Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections, particularly those caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and difficult-to-treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa (DTR-Pa), present a growing global healthcare challenge, especially in critically ill populations. Imipenem–relebactam (I/R), a novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination, has shown efficacy in clinical trials, but [...] Read more.
Background: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Gram-negative infections, particularly those caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) and difficult-to-treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa (DTR-Pa), present a growing global healthcare challenge, especially in critically ill populations. Imipenem–relebactam (I/R), a novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combination, has shown efficacy in clinical trials, but real-world data remain limited. Methods: We conducted a multicenter, retrospective–prospective observational study across tertiary-care hospitals in Italy between January 2020 and May 2025. Adult patients (≥18 years) treated with I/R for ≥48 h for suspected or confirmed MDR Gram-negative infections were included. Primary endpoints were clinical success at the end of therapy and 30-day all-cause mortality. Secondary endpoints included microbiological eradication, recurrence, safety, and predictors of treatment failure. Statistical analysis involved descriptive methods and correlation analysis for mortality predictors. Results: Twenty-nine patients were included (median age 66 years; 58.6% ICU admission; 71.4% mechanical ventilation). Clinical success was achieved in 22/29 patients (75.9%), while 30-day mortality was 24.1% (7/29). The most common pathogen was Klebsiella pneumoniae (62.1%), with 41.4% of infections being polymicrobial. Microbiological eradication was confirmed in all the BSIs. Parenteral nutrition (p = 0.016), sepsis at presentation (p = 0.04), candidemia (p = 0.036), and arterial catheter use (p = 0.029) were significantly more frequent in non-survivors. Survivors showed significant reductions in CRP, PCT, and bilirubin at 48 h, while non-survivors did not. Parenteral nutrition (rho = 0.427, p = 0.023), sepsis (rho = 0.378, p = 0.043), and arterial catheter use (rho = 0.384, p = 0.04) were significantly correlated with mortality. Conclusions: In this Italian multicenter cohort of critically ill patients, imipenem–relebactam demonstrated high clinical success and acceptable mortality rates in the treatment of severe MDR Gram-negative infections, particularly those caused by KPC-producing K. pneumoniae. Early biomarker dynamics may aid in monitoring treatment response. Larger prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings and define optimal treatment strategies. Full article
25 pages, 12149 KiB  
Article
Total Flavones of Rhododendron Protect Against Ischemic Cerebral Injury by Regulating the Phosphorylation of the RhoA-ROCK2 Pathway via Endothelial-Derived H2S
by Xiaoqing Sun, Xingyu Zhang, Yuwen Li, Jiyue Wen, Zhiwu Chen and Shuo Chen
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(7), 513; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47070513 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 414
Abstract
This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which the total flavones of Rhododendron (TFR) protect against cerebral ischemic injury through the endothelial-derived H2S-mediated regulation of RhoA phosphorylation at the Ser188 and Rho kinase 2 (ROCK2) phosphorylation at Thr436. [...] Read more.
This study aims to investigate the mechanism by which the total flavones of Rhododendron (TFR) protect against cerebral ischemic injury through the endothelial-derived H2S-mediated regulation of RhoA phosphorylation at the Ser188 and Rho kinase 2 (ROCK2) phosphorylation at Thr436. For experimental design, mouse or rat cerebrovascular endothelial cells (ECs) were cultured with or without neurons and subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury. The vasodilation of the cerebral basilar artery was assessed. Cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury was induced in mice by bilateral carotid artery ligation, followed by Morris water maze and open field behavioral assessments. The protein levels of cystathionine-γ-lyase (CSE), 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (3-MST), RhoA, ROCK2, p-RhoA (RhoA phosphorylated at Ser188), and p-ROCK2 (ROCK2 phosphorylated at Thr436) were quantified. Additionally, the activities of RhoA and ROCK2 were measured. Notably, TFR significantly inhibited H/R-induced H2S reduction and suppressed the increased expression and activity of RhoA and ROCK2 in ECs, effects attenuated by CSE or 3-MST knockout. Moreover, TFR-mediated cerebrovascular dilation was reduced by RhoA or ROCK2 inhibitors, while the protective effect of TFR against cerebral I/R injury in mice was markedly attenuated by the heterozygous knockout of ROCK2. In the ECs-co-cultured neurons, the inhibition of TFR on H/R-induced neuronal injury and decrease in H2S level in the co-culture was attenuated by the knockout of CSE or 3-MST in the ECs. TFR notably inhibited the H/R-induced upregulation of neuronal RhoA, ROCK2, and p-ROCK2 protein levels, as well as the activities of RhoA and ROCK2, while reversing the decrease in p-RhoA. However, the knockout of CSE or 3-MST in the ECs significantly attenuated the inhibition of TFR on these increases. Furthermore, 3-MST knockout in ECs attenuated the TFR-mediated suppression of p-RhoA reduction. Additionally, CSE or 3-MST knockout in ECs exacerbated H/R-induced neuronal injury, reduced H2S level in the co-culture system, and increased RhoA activity and ROCK2 expression in neurons. In summary, TFR protected against ischemic cerebral injury by endothelial-derived H2S promoting the phosphorylation of RhoA at Ser188 but inhibited the phosphorylation of ROCK2 at Thr436 to inhibit the RhoA-ROCK2 pathway in neurons. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology)
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26 pages, 4569 KiB  
Article
Orbit Determination for Continuously Maneuvering Starlink Satellites Based on an Unscented Batch Filtering Method
by Anqi Lang and Yu Jiang
Sensors 2025, 25(13), 4079; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25134079 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 451
Abstract
Orbit determination for non-cooperative low Earth orbit (LEO) objects undergoing continuous low-thrust maneuvers remains a significant challenge, particularly for large satellite constellations like Starlink. This paper presents a method that integrates the unscented transformation into a batch filtering framework with an optimized rho-minimum [...] Read more.
Orbit determination for non-cooperative low Earth orbit (LEO) objects undergoing continuous low-thrust maneuvers remains a significant challenge, particularly for large satellite constellations like Starlink. This paper presents a method that integrates the unscented transformation into a batch filtering framework with an optimized rho-minimum sigma points sampling strategy. The proposed approach uses a reduced dynamics model that considers Earth’s non-spherical gravity and models the combined effects of low-thrust and atmospheric drag as an equivalent along-track acceleration. Numerical simulations under different measurement noise levels, initial state uncertainties, and across multiple satellites confirm the method’s reliable convergence and favorable accuracy, even in the absence of prior knowledge of the along-track acceleration. The method consistently converges within 10 iterations and achieves 24 h position predictions with root mean square errors of less than 3 km under realistic noise conditions. Additional validation using a higher-fidelity model that explicitly accounts for atmospheric drag demonstrates improved accuracy and robustness. The proposed method can provide accurate orbit knowledge for space situational awareness associated with continuously maneuvering Starlink satellites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Remote Sensors)
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19 pages, 1241 KiB  
Systematic Review
Therapeutic Potential of Rho Kinase Inhibitors in Corneal Disease: A Systematic Review of Preclinical and Clinical Studies
by Laura Andreea Ghenciu, Diana Andrei, Claudia Borza, Roxana Iacob, Emil Robert Stoicescu, Sorin Lucian Bolintineanu, Daniela Iacob and Ovidiu Alin Haţegan
Biomedicines 2025, 13(7), 1602; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13071602 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 652
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase inhibitors (ROCKis) have now become known as modulators of corneal endothelial wound repair and cell survival. However, evidence remains fragmented across laboratory and clinical reports. We performed a systematic review to synthesize preclinical and clinical data on ROCKis [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Rho-associated coiled-coil-containing protein kinase inhibitors (ROCKis) have now become known as modulators of corneal endothelial wound repair and cell survival. However, evidence remains fragmented across laboratory and clinical reports. We performed a systematic review to synthesize preclinical and clinical data on ROCKis in corneal disease, assess their efficacy and safety, and identify research gaps. Methods: We searched PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar (until May 2025) for English-language original studies evaluating ROCKis in corneal models or patients. Inclusion criteria encompassed in vitro, ex vivo, in vivo, and clinical trials reporting functional outcomes (endothelial cell density, wound closure, visual acuity). Results: Thirty-one studies met criteria: 14 preclinical studies and 17 clinical studies. Preclinical models (rabbit, porcine, human explants) uniformly showed ROCKis (Y-27632, Ripasudil, Netarsudil, H-1152) accelerate corneal endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and restoration of a hexagonal monolayer with improved barrier and pump function over days to weeks. In 17 clinical investigations, topical Ripasudil or Netarsudil and cultured cell injections achieved significant corneal thinning, endothelial cell density and central corneal thickness changes, and visual acuity improvements (≥2 lines) with minimal adverse events. Overall bias was moderate in non-randomized studies and low in the RCTs. Conclusions: ROCKis demonstrate consistent pro-regenerative effects on corneal endothelium in multiple models and show promising clinical efficacy in Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and pseudophakic endothelial failure. Future work should explore novel delivery systems and larger controlled trials to optimize dosing, safety, and long-term outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research in Ocular Pathology)
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17 pages, 5312 KiB  
Article
Positive Behavioral, Morphophysiological, and Gene Expression Effects of the Administration of Virgin Coconut Oil in an Ischemic Stroke Surgical Rat Model
by Rodel Jonathan S. Vitor, Ryota Tochinai, Shin-Ichi Sekizawa and Masayoshi Kuwahara
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136215 - 27 Jun 2025
Viewed by 304
Abstract
Stroke is still considered a predominant cause of morbidity and mortality, for which research on prevention and cure has been sought to prevent neuronal damage after a stroke incident. In this research, we evaluated the protective effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) using [...] Read more.
Stroke is still considered a predominant cause of morbidity and mortality, for which research on prevention and cure has been sought to prevent neuronal damage after a stroke incident. In this research, we evaluated the protective effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) using behavioral, morphophysiological, and gene expression parameters using an ischemic stroke surgical rat model using Sprague Dawley (SD) rats. Eight-week-old SD rats were subjected to repeated oral administration (5 mL/kg/day) of either 1% Tween 80 or VCO. For behavioral and morphophysiological parameters, surgery was performed for each group, after which neurological scoring was performed at 4 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 d, and 10 d. Further, hematological and brain morphology assessment was performed after euthanasia and necropsy of the animals. For gene expression studies, surgery was performed with animals sacrificed at different time points (baseline, before surgery, 4 h, 24 h, and 48 h after surgery) to collect the brain. Results of the study showed that there are differences in the neurological scores between the two treatments 24 h, 48 h, and 5 d after surgery. Brain morphology assessment also showed favorable results for VCO for infarct size, edema, and hypoxic neurons. Gene expression studies also showed positive results with an increase in the relative expression of angiogenin (Ang), angiopoietin (Angpt 1), Parkin, dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp 1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn 2), and mitochondrial rho (Miro) and decreased relative expression of caspase 3, receptor for advanced glycation end-product (Rage), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh). In summary, the current study shows that VCO may have protective effects on the brain after stroke, which may be explained by the results of the gene expression studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Stroke: Novel Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Approaches)
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15 pages, 7618 KiB  
Article
Effect of Filler Type, Content, and Silanization on the Flexural Strength, Elastic Modulus, Shore D Hardness, and Two-Body Wear of PAEK Compounds
by Felix Schmeiser, Wofgang Schramm, Felicitas Mayinger, Uwe Baumert and Bogna Stawarczyk
Materials 2025, 18(12), 2736; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18122736 - 11 Jun 2025
Viewed by 411
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of filler type, filler content, and filler silanization on the flexural strength (FX), elastic modulus (Em), shore D hardness (SDH), and two-body wear (2BW) of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) compounds. Specimens (40 wt% [...] Read more.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of filler type, filler content, and filler silanization on the flexural strength (FX), elastic modulus (Em), shore D hardness (SDH), and two-body wear (2BW) of polyaryletherketone (PAEK) compounds. Specimens (40 wt% PEEK, 40 wt% PEK) with different filler types: 20 wt%: fumed silica (FS), calcium silicate (CS), feldspar (FP), magnesium silicate hydrate (MSH), no filler (NF); different filler content: 20, 25 or 30 wt% CS; different filler silanization: 20 wt% CS silanized with alkylsilane/aminosilane, FP silanized with methylsilane/ vinylsilane, no silanization; and PEEK20 (BioHPP) or PEEK25 (BioHPP plus) controls were fabricated and tested for FX, Em, and SDH. Two-body wear (4 × 100,000 cycles, 50 N, 2.5 Hz) with composite resin antagonists was measured with PAEKi (35 wt% PEEK, 35 wt% PEK, 30 wt% CS), PAEKii (70 wt% PEEK, 30 wt% CS), PAEKiii (70 wt% PEEK, 25 wt% CS, 5 wt% FP), and PEEK20 controls. Data were analyzed with Kolmogorov–Smirnov-, Kruskal–Wallis-H-, post hoc Scheffé test, pairwise comparisons, Bonferroni correction, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman rho (α = 0.05). An abrasion area analysis was performed. Adding filler increased FX, Em, and SDH, with CS and MSH showing the highest values for FX and Em. Adding 30 wt% CS increased FX, Em, and SDH compared with 20 wt%. Silanization with methylsilane increased FX, Em, and SDH. Silanization with aminosilane increased FX and SDH. PEEK20 showed the lowest 2BW compared with all EPCs. No material losses were detected on the antagonists. PAEK compounds with 25 to 30 wt% CS increased FX and Em compared to lower contents, no filler, or PEEK20. Higher values of FX and Em did not lead to lower 2BW. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Advanced Composites)
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12 pages, 896 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Corneal Morphological and Optical Parameters in Predicting DSAEK Surgery Outcome
by Antonela Geber, Sanja Masnec, Miro Kalauz, Iva Bešlić, Ivan Škegro, Dina Lešin Gaćina, Sonja Jandroković, Ana Meter and Tomislav Kuzman
Medicina 2025, 61(6), 1022; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61061022 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 366
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is a widely used surgical technique for treating corneal endothelial dysfunctions such as Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK). This study aimed to investigate the association between postoperative visual [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) is a widely used surgical technique for treating corneal endothelial dysfunctions such as Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) and pseudophakic bullous keratopathy (PBK). This study aimed to investigate the association between postoperative visual acuity and various corneal morphological and optical parameters, including corneal densitometry (CD) and higher-order aberrations (HOAs), measured using the Pentacam (OCULUS Optikgeräte GmbH, Wetzlar, Germany), as well as graft thickness, which was assessed by anterior segment optic coherence tomography (AS-OCT), (Optovue Inc., Fremont, CA, USA), and corneal thickness, assessed by both AS-OCT and Pentacam. Materials and Methods: This prospective, observational cohort study included 17 eyes from 13 patients who underwent DSAEK. Data on preoperative visual acuity were collected, while postoperative parameters were assessed during follow-up visits. Corneal measurements included the total corneal and corneal graft thickness, corneal densitometry in 20 defined subregions, and corneal higher-order aberrations. Associations between these parameters and postoperative visual acuity were evaluated using nonparametric statistical tests. Results: The postoperative visual acuity improved significantly (p < 0.001). Strong correlations were found between poorer visual acuity and higher CD values. The strongest correlations with visual acuity were found for CD 2–6 mm total (Rho = 0.795; p < 0.001), CD central 2–6 mm (Rho = 0.791; p < 0.001), and CD central 0–2 mm (Rho = 0.730; p < 0.001). Significant associations were also observed with anterior and posterior HOAs (Rho = 0.624, p = 0.01; and Rho = 0.556, p = 0.02, respectively). No correlation was found between visual outcomes and graft thickness measured by AS-OCT (Rho = 0.051; p = 0.85), nor with total corneal thickness measured by AS-OCT (Rho = −0.227; p = 0.38) or Pentacam (Rho = −0.369; p = 0.14). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that CD and HOAs are more strongly associated with postoperative visual acuity after DSAEK than traditionally monitored parameters such as graft or corneal thickness. The results highlight the value of detailed corneal imaging and support the use of advanced optical diagnostics in postoperative evaluation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Corneal Management)
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11 pages, 577 KiB  
Article
Circulating N-Acetylaspartate Levels Associate with Measures of Peripheral and Tissue-Specific Insulin Sensitivity
by Eleni Rebelos, Miikka-Juhani Honka, Aino Latva-Rasku, Johan Rajander, Paulina Salminen, Ioanna A. Anastasiou, Dimitris Kounatidis, Nikolaos Tentolouris, Beatrice Campi, Angela Dardano, Giuseppe Daniele, Alessandro Saba, Ele Ferrannini and Pirjo Nuutila
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5107; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115107 - 26 May 2025
Viewed by 550
Abstract
N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is the second most abundant metabolite in the human brain. Quantifiable amounts of NAA are also present in the blood, but its role in the peripheral tissues is largely unknown. First, we determined the acute effects of insulin administration on NAA [...] Read more.
N-acetylaspartate (NAA) is the second most abundant metabolite in the human brain. Quantifiable amounts of NAA are also present in the blood, but its role in the peripheral tissues is largely unknown. First, we determined the acute effects of insulin administration on NAA concentrations; second, we assessed whether circulating NAA levels associate with markers of central and peripheral insulin sensitivity. A total of 24 persons living with obesity and 19 healthy, lean controls, without neurological disorders, underwent a euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp combined with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG-PET) imaging of the brain, abdomen, and femoral area. Plasma concentrations of NAA were measured at baseline and ~2 h into the clamp using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS). Glucose uptake (GU) rates were analysed using a fractional uptake rate. Serum acetate levels were also assessed using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) metabolomics. From baseline to steady-state, insulin levels increased from a mean level of 66 to 447 pmol/L (p < 0.0001). Over this period, circulating NAA concentrations decreased by 5% (p = 0.01), similarly in both groups. The change in NAA was inversely related with the change in plasma acetate (r = −0.36, p = 0.048). Circulating NAA was associated with waist–hip ratio (rho = −0.54, p = 0.0002), steady-state free fatty acids (rho = −0.44, p = 0.003), and directly with HDL cholesterol (rho = 0.54, p = 0.0002), adiponectin (rho = 0.48, p = 0.003), and whole-body insulin sensitivity (rho = 0.34, p = 0.03). Circulating NAA was directly related with skeletal muscle (rho = 0.42, p = 0.01) and visceral adipose tissue GU (rho = 0.41, p = 0.02). Insulin administration leads to a small decrease in circulating NAA levels, and NAA associates consistently with markers of insulin sensitivity. While plasma NAA may be relevant to aspects of whole-body homeostasis, mechanistic insights are needed. Full article
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21 pages, 8909 KiB  
Article
Isolation, Sphalerite Bioleaching, and Whole Genome Sequencing of Acidithiobacillus ferriphilus QBS3 from Zinc-Rich Sulfide Mine Drainage
by Kan Wang, Yuandong Liu, Run Liu, Wissal Belqadi, Weimin Zeng, Runlan Yu and Xueling Wu
Life 2025, 15(5), 792; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15050792 - 15 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 533
Abstract
The genus Acidithiobacillus has been widely used in bioleaching, and novel strains in this genus, such as A. ferriphilus, have also been confirmed to possess bioleaching capabilities. In this study, an Acidithiobacillus ferriphilus strain, QBS3, was isolated from zinc-rich sulfide mine drainage [...] Read more.
The genus Acidithiobacillus has been widely used in bioleaching, and novel strains in this genus, such as A. ferriphilus, have also been confirmed to possess bioleaching capabilities. In this study, an Acidithiobacillus ferriphilus strain, QBS3, was isolated from zinc-rich sulfide mine drainage using the gradient dilution method. QBS3 is a Gram-negative, 1.3 µm rod-shaped bacterium with small red colonies. It showed a high iron oxidation efficiency of 0.361 g/(L·h) and a sulfur oxidation efficiency of 0.206 g/(L·d). QBS3 has sphalerite bioleaching ability; using QBS3 for pure sphalerite bioleaching, 18.8% of zinc was extracted in 14 days at 1% pulp density. Whole genome sequencing was performed on QBS3. Functional prediction showed that 9.13% of the genes were involved in replication, recombination, and repair. Bioleaching-related genes were analyzed, including iron and sulfur oxidation genes, and carbon and nitrogen fixation genes. For iron oxidation, the Cyc2→RusA pathway and Iro→RusB pathway were found in QBS3. In terms of sulfur oxidation, QBS3 has an incomplete SOX system and lacks the SDO gene, but Rho and Trx may complement the SOX system, enabling QBS3 to oxidize sulfur. QBS3 has multiple sets of carbon fixation genes, and nitrogen fixation genes were also identified. A hypothetical sphalerite bioleaching model is proposed; this study provides a theoretical basis for the zinc sulfide ore bioleaching industry. Full article
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25 pages, 4637 KiB  
Article
Deepening the Modulatory Activity of Bioactive Compounds Against AFB1- and OTA-Induced Neuronal Toxicity Through a Proteomic Approach
by Alessandra Cimbalo, Massimo Frangiamone and Lara Manyes
Antioxidants 2025, 14(5), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14050571 - 9 May 2025
Viewed by 946
Abstract
The aim of this work is to highlight the beneficial effects of bioactive peptides present in fermented whey (FW) and carotenoids from pumpkin (P) against the pro-oxidant effects of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A at the neuronal level. For this purpose, SH-SY5Y human [...] Read more.
The aim of this work is to highlight the beneficial effects of bioactive peptides present in fermented whey (FW) and carotenoids from pumpkin (P) against the pro-oxidant effects of aflatoxin B1 and ochratoxin A at the neuronal level. For this purpose, SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma differentiated cells were exposed to (A) mycotoxins, (B) the digesta of mycotoxin-contaminated bread formulated with P, or (C) bread enriched with FW + P. A proteomic approach using HPLC-MS/MS-QTOF was then employed to characterize the metabolic pathways affected by the presence of these components, as well as their ability to modulate the toxic effects exacerbated by mycotoxins. Gene ontology functional analysis revealed proteins primarily associated with nucleosome structure, such as the H3-H4 tetramer, H2A-H2B dimer, and HIRA, which were overexpressed in the presence of mycotoxins and, interestingly, downregulated with the addition of the functional ingredients. Additionally, important metabolic pathways associated with the RHO GTPase family, estrogen-dependent gene expression, and androgen receptor transcription stimulated by PKN1 activation were discovered. Network interaction analysis highlighted the modulation of cytoskeletal dynamics, cell migration, and stress responses. These findings provide novel insights into the neuroprotective potential of functional food components, supporting their use in mitigating mycotoxin-induced neuronal damage and opening new avenues for dietary-based neuroprotection strategies. Full article
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