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16 pages, 3202 KiB  
Article
Gut Microbiota Composition in Rats Consuming Sucralose or Rebaudioside A at Recommended Doses Under Two Dietary Interventions
by Meztli Ramos-García, Alma Delia Genis-Mendoza, Carlos García-Vázquez, José Jaime Martínez-Magaña, Viridiana Olvera-Hernández, Mirian Carolina Martínez-López, Juan Cuauhtémoc Díaz-Zagoya, Carina Shianya Alvarez-Villagomez, Isela Esther Juárez-Rojop, Humberto Nicolini and Jorge Luis Ble-Castillo
Metabolites 2025, 15(8), 529; https://doi.org/10.3390/metabo15080529 - 4 Aug 2025
Abstract
Background: Artificial non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs), such as sucralose, have been associated with gut microbiota (GM) alterations. However, the impact of rebaudioside A (reb A), a natural NNS, on GM has received limited scrutiny. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine [...] Read more.
Background: Artificial non-nutritive sweeteners (NNSs), such as sucralose, have been associated with gut microbiota (GM) alterations. However, the impact of rebaudioside A (reb A), a natural NNS, on GM has received limited scrutiny. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the response of GM composition to sucralose and reb A in rats under two dietary conditions. Methods: Male Wistar rats (150–200 g) fed with a normal diet (ND) or a high-fat diet (HFD) were randomly assigned to receive sucralose (SCL), reb A (REB), glucose (GLU, control), or sucrose (SUC). The NNS interventions were administered in water at doses equivalent to the acceptable daily intake (ADI). After eight weeks, the GM composition in fecal samples was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing. Results: The NNSs did not modify the diversity, structure, phylum-level composition, or Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio of the GM in rats under ND or HFD. However, REB with HFD decreased Bacilli and increased Faecalibacterium abundance at the class level. SCL and REB in rats receiving ND reduced the genera Romboutsia and Lactobacillus. Conclusions: Our study suggests that when sucralose or reb A is consumed at recommended doses, there is no alteration in the diversity or the composition of the GM at the phylum level. The clinical relevance of these findings lies in the potential modifications of the GM at specific taxonomic levels by the consumption of these NNSs. Further research involving humans and including a broader range of microbial analyses is warranted. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)
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14 pages, 3410 KiB  
Article
Gut Hormones and Postprandial Metabolic Effects of Isomaltulose vs. Saccharose Consumption in People with Metabolic Syndrome
by Jiudan Zhang, Dominik Sonnenburg, Stefan Kabisch, Stephan Theis, Margrit Kemper, Olga Pivovarova-Ramich, Domenico Tricò, Sascha Rohn and Andreas F. H. Pfeiffer
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2539; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152539 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 116
Abstract
Background: Low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates like isomaltulose (ISO) are known to enhance incretin release and to improve postprandial glucose control at the following meal (an effect known as second meal effect, or SME), which is particularly beneficial for individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). [...] Read more.
Background: Low-glycemic index (GI) carbohydrates like isomaltulose (ISO) are known to enhance incretin release and to improve postprandial glucose control at the following meal (an effect known as second meal effect, or SME), which is particularly beneficial for individuals with metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study aimed to assess the most effective preprandial interval of ISO- or saccharose (SUC) snacks (1 h vs. 3 h preload) to enhance prandial incretin responses to a subsequent meal. Methods: In a randomized crossover design, 15 participants with MetS completed four experimental conditions on four non-consecutive days, combining two preload types (ISO or SUC) and two preload timings (Intervention A: 3 h preload; Intervention B: 1 h preload). Specifically, the four conditions were (1) ISO + Intervention A, (2) SUC + Intervention A, (3) ISO + Intervention B, and (4) SUC + Intervention B. The order of conditions was randomized and separated by a 3–7-day washout period to minimize carryover effects. On each study day, participants consumed two mixed meal tests (MMT-1 and MMT-2) with a standardized preload (50 g ISO or SUC) administered either 3 h or 1 h prior to MMT-2. Blood samples were collected over 9 h at 15 predefined time points for analysis of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, and incretin hormones (GLP-1, GIP, and PYY). Results: The unique digestion profile of ISO resulted in a blunted glucose ascent rate (ΔG/Δt: 0.28 vs. 0.53 mmol/L/min for SUC, p < 0.01), paralleled by synonyms PYY elevation over 540 min monitoring, compared with SUC. ISO also led to higher and more sustained GLP-1 and PYY levels, while SUC induced a stronger GIP response. Notably, the timing of ISO consumption significantly influenced PYY secretion, with the 3 h preload showing enhanced PYY responses and a more favorable SME compared to the 1 h preload. Conclusions: ISO, particularly when consumed 3 h before a meal (vs. 1 h), offers significant advantages over SUC by elevating PYY levels, blunting the glucose ascent rate, and sustaining GLP-1 release. This synergy enhances the second meal effect, suggesting ISO’s potential for managing postprandial glycemic excursions in MetS. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Metabolism)
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27 pages, 666 KiB  
Article
The Culture of Romance as a Factor Associated with Gender Violence in Adolescence
by Mar Venegas, José Luis Paniza-Prados, Francisco Romero-Valiente and Teresa Fernández-Langa
Soc. Sci. 2025, 14(8), 460; https://doi.org/10.3390/socsci14080460 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 506
Abstract
Despite extensive prevention strategies in Spain since the 1980s, gender-based violence, including among adolescents, remains prevalent, as observed in the Romance SUCC-ED Project (R&D&I Operating Programme ERDF Andalusia 2014–2020). This research study investigates the dimensions, meanings, relationships, and practices shaping the culture of [...] Read more.
Despite extensive prevention strategies in Spain since the 1980s, gender-based violence, including among adolescents, remains prevalent, as observed in the Romance SUCC-ED Project (R&D&I Operating Programme ERDF Andalusia 2014–2020). This research study investigates the dimensions, meanings, relationships, and practices shaping the culture of romance in digital Andalusian adolescence (12–16 years) and its potential impact on school trajectories in Compulsory Secondary Education. Based on the premise that equality-focused relationship education is key to preventing gender violence, the study employs an ethnographic methodology with 12 Andalusian school case studies (4 out of them are located in rural areas) and 220 in-depth interviews (126 girls, 57.3%; 94 boys, 42.7%). This article aims to empirically explain gender violence in early adolescence by analysing the culture of romance as an explanatory factor. Findings reveal an interconnected model where dimensions (love, couple, sexuality, pornography, social networks, and cultural references), meanings (constructed by adolescents within each of them), relationships (partner), and practices (control and jealousy) reinforce romanticised femininity and dominant masculinity, thus explaining the high incidence of gender-based violence among students in the study. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Revisiting School Violence: Safety for Children in Schools)
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20 pages, 994 KiB  
Article
Impact of Different Thermal Processing Techniques on the Phytochemical Composition, Antioxidant Capacity, and DNA-Protective Properties of Broccoli
by Karlo Miškec, Marta Frlin and Ivana Šola
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7469; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137469 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 421
Abstract
Vegetables are usually thermally processed before consumption to improve their flavor and safety. In this work, the effect of boiling (BO), blanching (BL), steaming (ST), air-frying (AF), and pan-frying (PF)on the nutritional value and bioactivity of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) [...] Read more.
Vegetables are usually thermally processed before consumption to improve their flavor and safety. In this work, the effect of boiling (BO), blanching (BL), steaming (ST), air-frying (AF), and pan-frying (PF)on the nutritional value and bioactivity of broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) heads was investigated, including a comparative analysis of the tissue and the cooking water remaining after the treatments. Using spectrophotometric methods, AF broccoli was found to have the highest levels (p ≤ 0.05) of hydroxycinnamic acids (1.58 ± 0.71 mg CAE/g fw), total glucosinolates (3.76 ± 2.09 mg SinE/g fw), carotenoids (6.73 ± 2.89 mg/kg fw), and lycopene (0.91 ± 0.19 mg/kg fw). Steamed and AF broccoli had the highest total phenolics (0.72 ± 0.12 mg GAE/g fw and 0.65 ± 0.15 mg GAE/g fw, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). ST broccoli also had the highest levels of soluble sugars (11.04 ± 2.45 mg SucE/g fw) and total tannins (0.46 ± 0.19 mg GAE/g fw). The water remaining after cooking broccoli (BOW) had the highest total flavonoids (2.72 ± 0.59 mg QE/g fw) and antioxidant capacity (ABTS and FRAP, 57.57 ± 18.22% and 79.34 ± 3.28%, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). The DPPH assay showed that AF (36.12 ± 15.71%) and ST (35.48 ± 2.28%) had the strongest antioxidant potential. DNA nicking assay showed that BOW and BLW were the most effective in preserving plasmid DNA supercoiled form (99.51% and 94.81%, respectively; p ≤ 0.05). These results demonstrate that thermal processing significantly affects the phytochemical composition and functional properties of broccoli, with steaming and air-frying generally preserving the highest nutritional quality. Additionally, cooking water, often discarded, retains high levels of bioactive compounds and exhibits strong antioxidant and DNA-protective effects. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate how different thermal processing techniques of vegetables influence their ability to protect plasmid DNA structure. Furthermore, this is the first study to compare the DNA-protective effects of broccoli tissue extracts and the water remaining after cooking broccoli. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Trends in the Structure Characterization of Food)
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19 pages, 1101 KiB  
Article
Clinical Characterization of Patients with Syncope of Unclear Cause Using Unsupervised Machine-Learning Tools: A Pilot Study
by María-José Muñoz-Martínez, Manuel Casal-Guisande, María Torres-Durán, Bernardo Sopeña and Alberto Fernández-Villar
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(13), 7176; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15137176 - 26 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 296
Abstract
Syncope of unclear cause (SUC) presents a significant diagnostic challenge, with a considerable proportion of patients remaining without a definitive diagnosis despite comprehensive clinical evaluation. This study aims to explore the potential of unsupervised machine learning (ML), specifically clustering algorithms, to identify clinically [...] Read more.
Syncope of unclear cause (SUC) presents a significant diagnostic challenge, with a considerable proportion of patients remaining without a definitive diagnosis despite comprehensive clinical evaluation. This study aims to explore the potential of unsupervised machine learning (ML), specifically clustering algorithms, to identify clinically meaningful subgroups within a cohort of 123 patients with SUC. Patients were prospectively recruited from the cardiology, neurology, and emergency departments, and clustering was performed using the k-prototypes algorithm, which is suitable for mixed-type data. The number of clusters was determined through cost function analysis and silhouette index, and visual validation was performed using UMAP. Five distinct patient clusters were identified, each exhibiting unique profiles in terms of age, comorbidities, and symptomatology. After clustering, nocturnal cardiorespiratory polygraphy and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters were analyzed across groups to uncover potential physiological differences. The results suggest distinct autonomic and respiratory patterns in specific clusters, pointing toward possible links among sympathetic dysregulation, sleep-related disturbances, and syncope. While the sample size imposes limitations on generalizability, this pilot study demonstrates the feasibility of applying unsupervised ML to complex clinical syndromes. The integration of clinical, autonomic, and sleep-related data may provide a foundation for future, larger-scale studies aiming to improve diagnostic precision and guide personalized management strategies in patients with SUC. Full article
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13 pages, 2763 KiB  
Communication
Comparison of Anti-Renal Fibrosis Activity of Eucommiae cortex Extract and Its Microbial Fermentation Products
by Zhengyou He, Wenyi Jiang, Ruijiao Yao, Wenyan Xiao, Zhiyang Chen, Miao Zheng, Xia Zeng, Jia Li, Zhengwen Li and Yong Jiang
Pharmaceuticals 2025, 18(5), 747; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph18050747 - 19 May 2025
Viewed by 496
Abstract
Background: Renal fibrosis is a common pathological feature of all progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Eucommiae cortex (EC) is a valuable economic tree species endemic to China. The microbial fermentation of Chinese medicines can release their active ingredients as effectively as possible or [...] Read more.
Background: Renal fibrosis is a common pathological feature of all progressive chronic kidney disease (CKD). Eucommiae cortex (EC) is a valuable economic tree species endemic to China. The microbial fermentation of Chinese medicines can release their active ingredients as effectively as possible or produce new active ingredients with enhanced efficacy and reduced toxic side effects; Methods: The microbial fermentation of EC can produce pinoresinol (Pin) and dehydrodiconiferyl alcohol (DA). In this study, C57 BL/6 mice were fed a diet containing 0.2% adenine, resulting in a model of chronic kidney disease. The effects of EC and EC ferment (ECF) on CKD were explored by the exogenous supplementation of EC and ECF; Results: The results of the study showed that exogenous supplementation with EC and ECF suc-cessfully reduced creatinine and urea nitrogen levels, down-regulated the expression levels of TGF-β1, α-SMA, Smad3, and phospho-Smad3 in the TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway, and ameliorated renal fibrosis; Conclusions: Both EC and ECF may have reno-protective effects and provide a reference for relevant clinical drug development. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Natural Products)
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13 pages, 303 KiB  
Article
Prevalence of Sleep Apnea in Patients with Syncope of Unclear Cause: SINCOSAS Study
by María-José Muñoz-Martínez, Alberto Fernández-Villar, Manuel Casal-Guisande, Enrique García-Campo, Dolores Corbacho-Abelaira, Ana Souto-Alonso and Bernardo Sopeña
Medicina 2025, 61(5), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61050887 - 13 May 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 619
Abstract
Background and Objectives: The association between syncope and sleep apnea (SA) has been scarcely investigated. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) may represent a shared pathophysiological mechanism. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SA in patients with syncope of unclear [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: The association between syncope and sleep apnea (SA) has been scarcely investigated. Dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) may represent a shared pathophysiological mechanism. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of SA in patients with syncope of unclear cause (SUC), identify potential associated factors, and evaluate nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) as a marker of ANS function. Materials and Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in adult patients diagnosed with SUC. Nocturnal cardiorespiratory polygraphy was performed to detect the presence of SA. A range of variables potentially associated with SA was collected. Both SA diagnosis and HRV parameters were assessed using the Embletta® MPR polygraph system. Results: A total of 156 patients were enrolled (57% male), with a mean age of 64 years and a mean body mass index of 27.5 kg/m2 (range: 24.8–32.2). Hypertension was present in 46% of the cohort. The overall prevalence of SA was 78.2% (95% CI: 71.7–84.4%), with 28.7% classified as severe. Age (OR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.01–1.07) and BMI (OR = 1.17; 95% CI: 1.06–1.28) were independent predictors of SA. Mean RR interval was significantly lower in patients with SA compared to those without (942 ms vs. 995 ms; p = 0.04). No significant differences in HRV parameters were observed between the two groups. Conclusions: This study found a high prevalence (nearly 78%) of SA among adult patients with SUC, particularly in individuals over 50 years of age and those who were overweight. However, this association could not be predicted based on clinical variables alone. No significant differences in nocturnal HRV were detected between patients with SUC with and without SA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pulmonology)
17 pages, 10474 KiB  
Article
Cholinium-Based Ionic Liquids Modulate Protein Stability: A Comparative Study of Enzymes and Albumins
by Artashes A. Khachatrian, Timur A. Mukhametzyanov, Ramazan Z. Salikhov, Alexandra E. Klimova, Dmitry G. Yakhvarov, Bulat F. Garifullin, Olga S. Terenteva, Pavel L. Padnya, Ivan I. Stoikov and Boris N. Solomonov
Molecules 2025, 30(7), 1574; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30071574 - 31 Mar 2025
Viewed by 655
Abstract
This work aims to assess the intermolecular interaction of choline ionic liquids (ILs) (choline malonate ([Ch][Mal]), choline succinate ([Ch][Suc]), and choline valinate ([Ch][Val]) with two enzymes (lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin). We evaluated the state of the tertiary protein structure using circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry [...] Read more.
This work aims to assess the intermolecular interaction of choline ionic liquids (ILs) (choline malonate ([Ch][Mal]), choline succinate ([Ch][Suc]), and choline valinate ([Ch][Val]) with two enzymes (lysozyme and α-chymotrypsin). We evaluated the state of the tertiary protein structure using circular dichroism (CD) spectrometry and quantified the binding parameters of the binding of the ionic liquids to the enzymes by fluorescence spectroscopy. The binding energies of the enzymes and the localization of ions on them were estimated using the molecular docking. We then analyzed the relationship between the enzymes’ thermostability and their tendency towards aggregation in the enzyme/ionic liquid systems. The obtained results were compared with previous data on albumins to identify similarities and differences between the behavior of enzymes and albumins in ionic liquid solutions. Despite the comparable values of the binding constants, the effect of ionic liquids on the thermostability of enzymes was the opposite of their effect on albumins. In addition, although these ionic liquids promoted aggregation in both enzymes and albumins, this effect was much more pronounced for albumins. Full article
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15 pages, 2042 KiB  
Article
Assessment of Undrained Bearing Capacity of Foundations on Anisotropic Clay Slope Under Inclined Load
by Xuanxuan Chu, Jiang Zhu and Hongzhen Chen
J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2025, 13(4), 681; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse13040681 - 27 Mar 2025
Viewed by 599
Abstract
The development of marine energy requires reliable foundations, which may be located near submarine slopes. This paper utilizes the lower bound limit analysis (LBLA) to analyze the undrained bearing capacity of foundations on slopes with anisotropy and linearly increasing strength with depth. The [...] Read more.
The development of marine energy requires reliable foundations, which may be located near submarine slopes. This paper utilizes the lower bound limit analysis (LBLA) to analyze the undrained bearing capacity of foundations on slopes with anisotropy and linearly increasing strength with depth. The anisotropic undrained strength (AUS) model is employed to simulate the anisotropy of the slope soil. This study considers five variables that affect the bearing capacity: the normalized foundation setback (L/B), load angle (θ), strength ratio (suc/γB), heterogeneous index (ρB/suc), and anisotropy ratio (re). Here, suc represents the soil strength obtained from triaxial compression tests, while ρ denotes the strength gradient. The results indicate that the bearing capacity increases with the increase in L/B, suc/γB, ρB/suc, and re, while the maximum bearing capacity corresponds to a load angle ranging from 75° to 90°. The failure modes of foundations under different boundary conditions were presented and discussed. To establish the relationship between the foundation bearing capacity and each variable, the multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS) is introduced. The MARS results indicate that θ is the most significant variable, while the relative importance of L/B is the lowest; neither can be neglected in practical engineering. The empirical equation based on the MARS algorithm can accurately predict the bearing capacity of foundations in non-homogeneous and anisotropic clay. These results offer critical guidance for engineering practice, enabling efficient design of marine foundations near slopes while accounting for soil anisotropy and heterogeneous strength gradients, thereby reducing risks of instability in offshore energy infrastructure. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ocean Engineering)
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20 pages, 6141 KiB  
Article
Effect of Low Nighttime Temperature on Oil Accumulation of Rapeseed Seeds (Brassica napus L.) Based on RNA-Seq of Silique Wall Tissue
by Chao Mi, Yanning Zhao, Xuetao Yang, Liangbin Lin and Jinxiong Wang
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060576 - 9 Mar 2025
Viewed by 754
Abstract
This study investigated the impact of nighttime temperature and elevation on the oil and erucic acid content of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seeds, focusing on the role of sugar synthesis in the silique wall as a substrate for oil synthesis. Field experiments [...] Read more.
This study investigated the impact of nighttime temperature and elevation on the oil and erucic acid content of rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) seeds, focusing on the role of sugar synthesis in the silique wall as a substrate for oil synthesis. Field experiments across different altitudes and controlled low nighttime temperature (LNT) treatments (20/18 °C and 20/13 °C) were conducted. Transcriptome analysis of the silique walls was performed to explore gene expression changes. The results showed that higher altitudes and lower nighttime temperatures significantly increased seed oil and erucic acid content, particularly in strong temperature-sensitive line (STSL) seeds. LNT conditions promoted sucrose synthesis and transport in the silique wall by upregulating genes involved in sugar transport (SUT, SWEET, SUC1) and transcription factors (WRKY51, NAC104). This, in turn, enhanced the substrate availability for oil synthesis in the seeds. Furthermore, genes associated with oil biosynthesis (SAD, FAD2, KAS) were significantly upregulated under LNT, promoting oil accumulation. In conclusion, nighttime temperature is a critical factor influencing oil content in rapeseed seeds. Low nighttime temperatures enhance sucrose transport and gene expression in the silique wall, leading to increased oil synthesis. These findings provide insights for breeding strategies aimed at improving seed oil content under varying climatic conditions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Crop Yield Improvement in Genetic and Biology Breeding)
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15 pages, 6556 KiB  
Article
Adaptive Resistance of Staphylococcus aureus to Cefquinome Sulfate in an In Vitro Pharmacokinetic Model with Transcriptomic Insights
by Yue Hu, Hao Zhu, Xingbo Zhang, Yuhui Wu, Jingtao Li, Nan Li, Zhanbo Cai and Yuhui Yang
Microorganisms 2025, 13(2), 329; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13020329 - 2 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 989
Abstract
Cefquinome sulfate has a strong killing effect against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), but bacterial resistance has become increasingly widespread. Experiments were conducted to investigate the pattern of adaptive resistance of S. aureus to cefquinome sulfate under different dosage regimens by using [...] Read more.
Cefquinome sulfate has a strong killing effect against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), but bacterial resistance has become increasingly widespread. Experiments were conducted to investigate the pattern of adaptive resistance of S. aureus to cefquinome sulfate under different dosage regimens by using pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamics (PK-PD) modeling, and the adaptive-resistant bacteria in different states were screened and subjected to transcriptomic sequencing. The results showed that the minimum inhibitory concentration of Staphylococcus aureus under the action of cefquinome sulfate was 0.5 μg/mL, the anti-mutation concentration was 1.6 μg/mL, and the mutation selection window range was 0.5~1.6 μg/mL. In the in vitro pharmacokinetic model to simulate different dosing regimens in the animal body, there are certain rules for the emergence of adaptive drug-resistant bacteria: the intensity of bacterial resistance gradually increased with culture time, and the order of emergence was tolerant bacteria (TO) followed by persistent bacteria (PE) and finally resistant bacteria (RE). The sequence reflected the evolution of adaptive drug resistance. Transcriptome Gene Ontology (GO) analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes were involved in cellular respiration, energy derivation by oxidation of organic compounds, and oxidation–reduction processes. The differentially expressed genes identified functioned in the synthesis of cell membranes, cytoplasm, and intracellular parts. A Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis found that 65 genes were differentially expressed after cefquinome sulfate treatment, of which 35 genes were significantly upregulated and 30 genes were significantly downregulated. Five genes, sdhB, sdhA, pdhA, lpdA, and sucC, may be involved in network regulation. This study revealed the cross-regulation of multiple metabolic pathway networks and the targets of network regulation of S. aureus to produce adaptive drug resistance. The results will provide guidance for clinical drug use in animals infected with S. aureus. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Antimicrobial Agents and Resistance)
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35 pages, 19469 KiB  
Article
Integrated Geotechnical Analysis of Allophanic Volcanic Ash Soils: SDMT and Laboratory Perspectives
by Eddy Fernando Sanchez, Jorge Albuja-Sánchez and Maritza Córdova
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(3), 1386; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15031386 - 29 Jan 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 906
Abstract
The geological study area is volcano-tectonic in nature. Microscopic observations and mineralogical analyses revealed the presence of allophane and diatom clusters whose mineral compositions coincided with weathered andesites and dacites. Edometric consolidation tests showed a high porosity and a reduction in the void [...] Read more.
The geological study area is volcano-tectonic in nature. Microscopic observations and mineralogical analyses revealed the presence of allophane and diatom clusters whose mineral compositions coincided with weathered andesites and dacites. Edometric consolidation tests showed a high porosity and a reduction in the void ratio by up to five times. These are highly compressible soils with a Cc/Cs ratio of 12 to 15 and a specific gravity (Gs) of 2.4. Low initial bulk density (1.10 Mg/m3), high plasticity, and SUCS (OH) classification are typical of soft soils, with an effective friction angle (ɸ’CD) of 25.5° to 30° and effective cohesion (c’CD) of 11.90 to 47.27 KPa. The shear wave velocity for the first 10 m (Vs10) on average ranged from 78 m/s to 120 m/s, whereas that for the first 30 m (Vs30) was 169 m/s. The permeability, which was calculated indirectly, was between 2 × 10−7 and 3 × 10−8 m/s. With an organic matter content between 5% and 25%, the Caupicho soil is an organic mineral sediment that is not considered peat (non-peat). The results of this study serve as a basis for future analyses of soil dynamics, bearing capacity, and consolidation settlements in the medium and long term in an area of high urban growth in southern Quito, Ecuador. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Geotechnical Engineering: Principles and Applications)
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12 pages, 2590 KiB  
Article
An Electrochemical Dopamine Assay with Cobalt Oxide Palatinose Carbon Dots
by Ram Chandra Nepal, Elif S. Seven, Roger M. Leblanc and Charles C. Chusuei
Molecules 2025, 30(2), 413; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30020413 - 19 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1069
Abstract
Elevated dopamine (DA) levels in urine denote neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer. Saccharide-derived carbon dots (CDs) were applied to assay DA detection in simulated urine (SU) while delineating the effects of graphene defect density on electrocatalytic activity. CDs were hydrothermally synthesized to vary graphene [...] Read more.
Elevated dopamine (DA) levels in urine denote neuroblastoma, a pediatric cancer. Saccharide-derived carbon dots (CDs) were applied to assay DA detection in simulated urine (SU) while delineating the effects of graphene defect density on electrocatalytic activity. CDs were hydrothermally synthesized to vary graphene defect densities using sucrose, raffinose, and palatinose, depositing them onto glassy carbon electrodes (GCEs). Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) were encapsulated by the CDs. Cyclic (CV) and linear sweep (LSV) voltammetry measurements were obtained, drop-casting the CDs onto GCEs and measuring DA in a phosphate-buffer solution (pH = 7). DA had an oxidation peak at +0.2 V with SucCDs, with the highest current correlating with the highest defect density. PalCD-Co3O4 exhibited the largest signal for DA detection in simulated urine (SU) using the oxidation peak at +0.5 V; the composite had a lower defect density compared to SucCD-Co3O4. The Co3O4-PalCDs had a DA detection range of 1 to 90 µM with an LOD of 0.88 μM in SU. SEM-EDX analysis of the electrode surface revealed semi-spherical structures with an average particle diameter of 80 ± 19 nm (n = 347) with PalCDs decorating the Co3O4 NPs. XRD characterization showed the incorporation of PalCD and Co3O4 within the composite. XPS showed electron density donation from the PalCD to Co3O4. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Electrochemistry)
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18 pages, 2454 KiB  
Article
Carbon Dioxide Micro-Nano Bubbles Aeration Improves Carbon Fixation Efficiency for Succinic Acid Synthesis by Escherichia coli
by Ying Chen, Hao Wu, Qianqian Huang, Jingwen Liao, Liuqing Wang, Yue Pan, Anming Xu, Wenming Zhang and Min Jiang
Fermentation 2025, 11(1), 31; https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation11010031 - 14 Jan 2025
Viewed by 1339
Abstract
The low solubility of CO2 in water leads to massive CO2 emission and extremely low CO2 utilization in succinic acid (SA) biosynthesis. To enhance microbial CO2 utilization, micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) were induced in SA biosynthesis by E. coli Suc260 [...] Read more.
The low solubility of CO2 in water leads to massive CO2 emission and extremely low CO2 utilization in succinic acid (SA) biosynthesis. To enhance microbial CO2 utilization, micro-nano bubbles (MNBs) were induced in SA biosynthesis by E. coli Suc260 in this study. The results showed that MNB aeration decreased CO2 emissions and increased CO2 solubility in the medium significantly. The CO2 utilization of MNB aeration was 129.69% higher than that of bubble aeration in atmospheric fermentation. However, MNBs showed a significant inhibitory effect on bacterial growth in the pressurized environment, although a two-stage aerobic–anaerobic fermentation strategy weakened the inhibition. The biofilm-enhanced strain E. coli Suc260-CsgA showed a strong tolerance to MNBs. In pressurized fermentation with MNB aeration, the actual CO2 utilization of E. coli Suc260-CsgA was 30.63% at 0.18 MPa, which was a 6.49-times improvement. The CO2 requirement for SA synthesis decreased by 83.4%, and the fugitive emission of CO2 was successfully controlled. The activities of key enzymes within the SA synthesis pathway were also maintained or enhanced in the fermentation process with MNB aeration. These results indicated that the biofilm-enhanced strain and CO2-MNBs could improve carbon fixation efficiency in microbial carbon sequestration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fermentation Process Design)
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17 pages, 631 KiB  
Article
Pooled Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing Performs Within CLSI Standards for Validation When Measured Against Broth Microdilution and Disk Diffusion Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing of Cultured Isolates
by Emery Haley, Frank R. Cockerill, Rick L. Pesano, Richard A. Festa, Natalie Luke, Mohit Mathur, Xiaofei Chen, Jim Havrilla and David Baunoch
Antibiotics 2024, 13(12), 1214; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics13121214 - 14 Dec 2024
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 3089
Abstract
Background/Objectives: While new methods for measuring antimicrobial susceptibility have been associated with improved patient outcomes, they should also be validated using standard protocols for error rates and other test metrics. The objective of this study was to validate a novel susceptibility assay [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: While new methods for measuring antimicrobial susceptibility have been associated with improved patient outcomes, they should also be validated using standard protocols for error rates and other test metrics. The objective of this study was to validate a novel susceptibility assay for complicated and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs): pooled antibiotic susceptibility testing (P-AST). This assay was compared to broth microdilution (BMD) and disk diffusion (DD), following Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines for assessment of error rates and agreement. Methods: This study analyzed consecutive fresh clinical urine specimens submitted for UTI diagnostic testing. Upon receipt, the urine samples were subjected in parallel to standard urine culture and multiplex polymerase chain reaction (M-PCR) for microbial identification and quantification. Specimens with the same monomicrobial non-fastidious bacteria detected by both M-PCR and standard urine culture (SUC) underwent standard antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and P-AST antibiotic susceptibility testing. Analysis was also undertaken to assess the presence of heteroresistance for specimens with P-AST-resistant and BMD/DD consensus-susceptible results. Results: The performance measures without correction for heteroresistance showed essential agreement (EA%) of ≥90%, very major errors (VMEs) of <1.5%, and major errors (MEs) of <3.0% for P-AST, all meeting the threshold guidelines established by CLSI for AST. The categorical agreement (CA%) also met acceptable criteria (>88%), as the majority of the errors were minor (mEs) with essential agreement. The very major and major error rates for P-AST decreased to <1.0% when heteroresistance was accounted for. Conclusions: The P-AST assay methodology is validated within acceptable parameters when compared to broth microdilution and disk diffusion using CLSI criteria. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Mechanism and Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance)
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