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11 pages, 335 KiB  
Opinion
The Microbiota–Gut–Brain Axis in Light of the Brain Axes and Dysbiosis Where Piezo2 Is the Critical Initiating Player
by Balázs Sonkodi
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7211; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157211 - 25 Jul 2025
Viewed by 312
Abstract
The current opinion paper puts into perspective how altered microbiota transplanted from Alzheimer’s patients initiates the impairment of the microbiota–gut–brain axis of a healthy recipient, leading to impaired cognition primarily arising from the hippocampus, dysfunctional adult hippocampal neurogenesis, dysregulated systemic inflammation, long-term spatial [...] Read more.
The current opinion paper puts into perspective how altered microbiota transplanted from Alzheimer’s patients initiates the impairment of the microbiota–gut–brain axis of a healthy recipient, leading to impaired cognition primarily arising from the hippocampus, dysfunctional adult hippocampal neurogenesis, dysregulated systemic inflammation, long-term spatial memory impairment, or chronic pain with hippocampal involvement. This altered microbiota may induce acquired Piezo2 channelopathy on enterochromaffin cells, which, in turn, impairs the ultrafast long-range proton-based oscillatory synchronization to the hippocampus. Therefore, an intact microbiota–gut–brain axis could be responsible for the synchronization of ultradian and circadian rhythms, with the assistance of rhythmic bacteria within microbiota, to circadian regulation, and hippocampal learning and memory formation. Hippocampal ultradian clock encoding is proposed to be through a Piezo2-initiated proton-signaled manner via VGLUT3 allosteric transmission at a distance. Furthermore, this paper posits that these unaccounted-for ultrafast proton-based long-range oscillatory synchronizing ultradian axes may exist not only within the brain but also between the periphery and the brain in an analogous way, like in the case of this depicted microbiota–gut–brain axis. Accordingly, the irreversible Piezo2 channelopathy-induced loss of the Piezo2-initiated ultradian prefrontal–hippocampal axis leads to Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology onset. Moreover, the same irreversible microdamage-induced loss of the Piezo2-initiated ultradian muscle spindle–hippocampal and cerebellum–hippocampal axes may lead to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease initiation, respectively. Full article
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14 pages, 10123 KiB  
Article
Construction of Microsphere Culture System for Human Mesenchymal Stem Cell Aggregates
by Chenlong Lv, Shangkun Li, Min Sang, Tingting Cui and Jinghui Xie
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(13), 6435; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26136435 - 4 Jul 2025
Viewed by 352
Abstract
Stem cells cultured in cell aggregates exhibit higher cell survival rates and enhanced anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects compared to single cells, constructing a stable and economical cell aggregate culture system that can accurately adjust the mass transfer distance of nutrients, which contributes to [...] Read more.
Stem cells cultured in cell aggregates exhibit higher cell survival rates and enhanced anti-inflammatory and angiogenic effects compared to single cells, constructing a stable and economical cell aggregate culture system that can accurately adjust the mass transfer distance of nutrients, which contributes to improving the therapeutic effects of stem cell aggregates. In this study, an alginate hydrogel microsphere culture system (Alg-HM) was prepared using electrostatic spraying technology and refined by optimizing the electrostatic spraying technology parameters, such as the sodium alginate concentration, voltage, electrospray injection speed, and nozzle inner diameter. Furthermore, by setting the Tip-dropped culture system (Tip-D culture system, created by dropping the resuspended hMSC aggregate–hydrogel solution with a tip to form the hydrogel microsphere) and Matrigel culture system (created by dropping the resuspended hMSC aggregates–Matrigel solution with a tip to form the Matrigel culture system) as the control group and Alg-HM as the experimental group, the culture effect of hMSC aggregates in the optimized Alg-HM culture system was tested; CCK-8 detection and Ki-67 immunofluorescence staining showed that the Alg-HM culture system significantly enhanced the cell proliferation activity of hMSC aggregates after 7 and 14 days of culture. The Calcein-AM/PI cell staining results showed that the Alg-HM culture system can significantly reduce the central necrosis of hMSC aggregates. The RNA sequencing results showed that the Alg-HM culture system can significantly activate the signaling pathways related to cell proliferation in hMSCs. This culture system is helpful for the culture of cell aggregates in vitro and efficient transplantation in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Biology)
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15 pages, 654 KiB  
Systematic Review
From Prehabilitation to Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review of Resistance Training as a Strategy to Combat Sarcopenia in Pre- and Post-Liver Transplant Patients
by Sooraj Vellatt and Jonathan Soldera
Livers 2025, 5(2), 25; https://doi.org/10.3390/livers5020025 - 31 May 2025
Viewed by 1405
Abstract
Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is a critical predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. In chronic liver disease, sarcopenia exacerbates adverse clinical outcomes and deteriorates quality of life. Physical activity, particularly resistance [...] Read more.
Background: Sarcopenia, defined as the progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength, is a critical predictor of morbidity and mortality in patients with cirrhosis. In chronic liver disease, sarcopenia exacerbates adverse clinical outcomes and deteriorates quality of life. Physical activity, particularly resistance training, has demonstrated beneficial effects in reversing muscle depletion in various chronic conditions. Aim: This systematic review aimed to evaluate the impact of resistance training on sarcopenia among cirrhotic patients, with a focus on both pre-liver transplant and post-liver transplant populations, to improve clinical outcomes and enhance quality of life. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed/MEDLINE databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) using a standardized search command combining MESH terms and Boolean operators. Studies meeting eligibility criteria and reporting improvements in sarcopenia following resistance training were selected for data extraction. Results: Out of 109 references identified, 12 RCTs were included—10 in pre-transplant and 2 in post-transplant populations. Across studies, resistance training led to measurable improvements in key outcomes: peak VO2 increased by up to 5.3 mL/kg/min, 6 min walk distance improved by 18–97 m, quadriceps muscle thickness increased by up to 1.05 cm, and grip strength gains ranged from 0.4 to 3.8 kg. Postoperative studies reported reductions in fatigue severity scores and length of hospital stay, along with improvements in respiratory pressures and peripheral muscle strength. Conclusions: Resistance training is effective in ameliorating sarcopenia in cirrhotic patients, thereby enhancing pre-transplant status and postoperative quality of life. Clinically, structured exercise programs should be routinely implemented. Full article
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21 pages, 4929 KiB  
Article
Physical–Mechanical Properties of Tomato Seedlings for the Design and Optimization of Automatic Transplanters
by Gaudencio Grande, Martín Hidalgo-Reyes, Pedro Cruz and Noé Velázquez-López
AgriEngineering 2025, 7(5), 138; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7050138 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 583
Abstract
This study was based on the hypothesis that the hybrid type and its physical–mechanical properties significantly influence the operational efficiency of transplanting systems. Understanding these properties is essential for optimizing the performance of semi-automatic and automatic transplanters. To test this hypothesis, a completely [...] Read more.
This study was based on the hypothesis that the hybrid type and its physical–mechanical properties significantly influence the operational efficiency of transplanting systems. Understanding these properties is essential for optimizing the performance of semi-automatic and automatic transplanters. To test this hypothesis, a completely randomized design was implemented to evaluate the physical–mechanical properties of tomato seedlings. A total of 1350 seedlings from three F1 hybrids—Natalie (H1), CID (H2), and Gavilán (H3)—cultivated in central Mexico, were analyzed. The statistical analyses included mean comparisons using Tukey’s test and multiple linear regression to estimate the center of mass (CM). The results indicate that H2 was notable for its total height (ht = 311.76 mm), canopy development in X, Y, and Z axes (170.24 mm, 106.84 mm, and 98.14 mm, respectively), stem diameter (ds = 3.65 mm), total weight (wt = 11.92 g), de (78.36 mm) and dp (233.40 mm) distances, and oscillation period (T = 0.88 s). H1 had the highest stem height (hs = 53.18 mm), wt = 11.76 g, and root ball (RB) moisture content (MC) (77.36%). H3 had the largest ds = 3.70 mm, as well as the highest MC in the stem (94.51%) and the remaining foliage (92.92%). Regarding mechanical properties, the average adhesion force (AF) was 4.606 N (H1), 7.470 N (H2), and 3.815 N (H3). The average root ball punching force (RBPF) was 0.36, 0.48, and 0.25 N, respectively. The lowest static friction coefficient (SFC) on a galvanized steel sheet was 0.936. The drop test (DT) revealed an average residual substrate mass of 0.148 g at a height of 500 mm. It can be concluded that the interaction between hybrid type, transplanting age, and MC plays a critical role in the efficient design of semi-automatic and automatic transplanting equipment. This interaction enables process optimization, ensures operational quality, reduces seedling damage, and ultimately enhances and increases the long-term profitability and sustainability of the equipment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Mechanization and Machinery)
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28 pages, 17583 KiB  
Article
Field Ridge Segmentation and Navigation Line Coordinate Extraction of Paddy Field Images Based on Machine Vision Fused with GNSS
by Muhua Liu, Xulong Wu, Peng Fang, Wenyu Zhang, Xiongfei Chen, Runmao Zhao and Zhaopeng Liu
Agriculture 2025, 15(6), 627; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15060627 - 15 Mar 2025
Viewed by 930
Abstract
Farmland boundaries distinguish agricultural areas from non-agricultural areas, providing limits for field operations and navigation paths of agricultural machinery. However, in hilly regions, the irregularity of paddy field boundaries complicates the extraction of boundary information, hindering the widespread use of GNSS-based navigation systems [...] Read more.
Farmland boundaries distinguish agricultural areas from non-agricultural areas, providing limits for field operations and navigation paths of agricultural machinery. However, in hilly regions, the irregularity of paddy field boundaries complicates the extraction of boundary information, hindering the widespread use of GNSS-based navigation systems in agricultural machinery. This paper focuses on the paddy field border prior to rice planting and utilizes machine vision and GNSS fusion technology to extract navigation line coordinates. First, the BiSeNet semantic segmentation network was employed to extract paddy field ridges. Second, the camera’s 3D attitude was obtained in real time using an Attitude and Heading Reference System (AHRS). A method and device based on the hydraulic profiling system were proposed to measure the camera’s height relative to the paddy field, providing a dynamic external reference. An improved inverse perspective transformation was applied to generate a bird’s-eye view of the paddy field ridges. Finally, a homogeneous coordinate transformation method was used to extract the navigation line coordinates, with the model and algorithms deployed on the Jetson AGX Xavier platform Field tests demonstrated a real-time segmentation speed of 26.31 fps, pixel segmentation accuracy of 92.43%, and an average intersection ratio of 90.62%. The average distance error of the extracted navigation line was 0.071 m, with a standard deviation of 0.039 m. The coordinate extraction took approximately 100 ms, meeting the accuracy and real-time requirements for navigation line extraction at the rice transplanter’s speed of 0.7 m s−1, providing path information for subsequent autonomous navigation. Full article
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24 pages, 2813 KiB  
Article
The Origin of Amerindians: A Case Study of Secluded Colombian Chimila, Wiwa, and Wayúu Ethnic Groups and Their Trans-Pacific Gene Flow
by Antonio Arnaiz-Villena, Tomás Lledo, Carlos Silvera-Redondo, Ignacio Juarez, Christian Vaquero-Yuste, José Manuel Martin-Villa and Fabio Suarez-Trujillo
Genes 2025, 16(3), 286; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16030286 - 27 Feb 2025
Viewed by 2036
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system is composed of a set of genes that codify glycoproteins presenting antigenic proteins to clonotypic T cell receptors in order to start the immune response. Class I and Class II classical loci exhibit high allelic diversity; [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) system is composed of a set of genes that codify glycoproteins presenting antigenic proteins to clonotypic T cell receptors in order to start the immune response. Class I and Class II classical loci exhibit high allelic diversity; some of them (or their specific combinations that form haplotypes) are quasi-specific or highly frequent in certain populations and thus are useful for population genetic studies. In this study, an HLA genetic comparison of Chimila, Wayúu, Wiwa, and Barranquilla Colombian nonrelated healthy individuals was carried out together with other populations from all over the world to trace their genetic origin, obtain a virtual transplantation list, and inform future epidemiology studies. Methods: HLA-A, -B, -DRB1, and -DQB1 alleles were sequenced using the PCR-SSOP–Luminex method to analyze the HLA genetic profile of each individual. The data obtained were subsequently processed with standard software to obtain HLA alleles, haplotype frequencies, and genetic distances compared with data from global populations to generate relatedness dendrograms and carry out a correspondence analysis. Results: The results obtained place the Chimila, Wayúu, and Wiwa populations phylogenetically close to the other North and South Amerindian populations included in this study. Amerindians are genetically separated from the rest of the world’s populations. Chimila, Wayúu, and Wiwa present unique extended HLA haplotypes and specific alleles, such as HLA-B*48 or HLA-A*24:01, shared with Oceanian populations. Conclusions: These genetic results and anthropological data support prehistorical trans-Pacific (bidirectional) contacts that contributed to the settlement of America and also suggest that the effects of ancient European gene flow cannot be discarded. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Population and Evolutionary Genetics and Genomics)
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27 pages, 4782 KiB  
Article
Large Fibrous Connective Tissue Reduces Oxidative Stress to Form a Living Cell Scaffold in Adipose Grafts
by Qiang Yue, Zilong Cao, Tiran Zhang, Ningbei Yin and Liqiang Liu
Antioxidants 2025, 14(3), 270; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14030270 - 26 Feb 2025
Viewed by 756
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which large fibrous connective (LFC) tissue enhances fat graft survival in fat transplantation. A block fat graft model demonstrated that intact fat containing LFC showed significantly higher survival rates compared with liposuctioned fat. In the [...] Read more.
This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which large fibrous connective (LFC) tissue enhances fat graft survival in fat transplantation. A block fat graft model demonstrated that intact fat containing LFC showed significantly higher survival rates compared with liposuctioned fat. In the center of intact grafts, viable fat cells surrounded the LFC, forming a mesh-like living tissue structure. Proteomics of the extracellular matrix (ECM) adjacent to LFC (ALFC) and distant to LFC (DLFC) revealed significant differences in mitochondrial aspects. Staining of LFC tissue showed that it contains a large number of blood vessels and mitochondria, and exhibits stronger antioxidant capacity (p < 0.05) compared with adipose tissue. By mixing LFC with liposuctioned fat and transplanting into nude mice, histological sections showed that LFC promotes SOD1 expression, enhances respiratory chain RNA expression, and reduces ROS and inflammation. Pure mitochondrial-assisted fat transplantation only reduced short-term graft inflammation without improving long-term survival rates. In conclusion, LFC enhances long-term survival rates by reducing oxidative stress in fat grafts and forming a center for fat cell survival, thereby overcoming distance limitations. This represents a novel mechanism distinct from classical fat survival models and provides a reference for clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Role of Mitochondria and ROS in Health and Disease)
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18 pages, 7580 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Social Determinants of Health on the Survival of Heart Transplants in the Pediatric Age: An Analysis of a Mexican Cohort and Its Comparison with Latin America and the Caribbean
by Horacio Márquez-González, Alejandro Bolio-Cerdán, Sergio Ruiz-González, Julio Erdmenger-Orellana, Carlos Alcántara-Noguez, Ma Pueblito Patricia Romero-Cárdenas, Diana Avila-Montiel and Solange Gabriela Koretzky
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(5), 1506; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14051506 - 24 Feb 2025
Viewed by 872
Abstract
Background/Objectives: A heart transplantation (HT) is the definitive treatment for heart failure. There is a difference in the success between national HT programs in developed countries and those in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean (LAC), and social determinants of health (SDHs) [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: A heart transplantation (HT) is the definitive treatment for heart failure. There is a difference in the success between national HT programs in developed countries and those in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean (LAC), and social determinants of health (SDHs) can directly influence this. The objectives of this study were to describe the survival since the beginning of the HT program of a national pediatric institute in Mexico City and to compare it with the results of a systematic review of LAC. Methods: A cohort study of a pediatric hospital (which performed 42% of the pediatric HTs in Mexico) was performed since the beginning of the HTs program in 2001. Clinical variables related to the transplants were identified, and the SDHs were divided into three categories: personal, family, and community. A systematic literature review was performed using keywords and a search in the medical indexes of LAC countries. The statistical analysis included descriptive statistics and a bivariate survival analysis. A risk calculation was estimated using the hazard ratio (HR) of the SDHs. Results: A total of 38 HTs were performed, the median age was 7 (4–16) years, and 22 (58%) were men. The leading cause was cardiomyopathy in 20 (53%) cases. The first-year survival rate was 76.3 per 100 HTs. The SDHs that increased the risk of death were suboptimal immunosuppression, the persistence of malnutrition, parental education, the distance from the center, the socioeconomic level, and the absence of transitional care. Conclusions: This cohort of pediatric patients with HTs resulted in the identification of risk variables of personal and community SDHs for mortality in the first and fifth years. Chronic rejection occurred in 50%, and the absence of transitional care to adulthood was the variable with the highest risk. The systematic review identified Mexico as the country with the second-highest frequency of HTs, and our cohort represented 42% of the total number of transplants in the country. Numerically, LAC has a lower frequency of transplants and survival in the first year compared to other developed countries, possibly due to a gap associated with organizational justice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Perspectives on Congenital Heart Disease from Children to Adults)
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16 pages, 1100 KiB  
Article
The Influence of Planting Method and Short-Term Organic Amendments on Rhizosphere Microbial Communities in Paddies: Preliminary Results
by Ziqi Liu, Zhiqiang Tang, Lili Wang, Li Wen, Yi Liang, Changhua Wang and Hui Wang
Agronomy 2025, 15(3), 540; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15030540 - 23 Feb 2025
Viewed by 568
Abstract
This study assessed the impact of planting techniques and short-term organic additions on soil quality, enzyme activity, and bacterial community composition. Biochar (BC) amendment substantially enhanced the ACE, Chao 1, and Shannon indices in direct-seeded rice (DS). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and dissimilarity [...] Read more.
This study assessed the impact of planting techniques and short-term organic additions on soil quality, enzyme activity, and bacterial community composition. Biochar (BC) amendment substantially enhanced the ACE, Chao 1, and Shannon indices in direct-seeded rice (DS). Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) and dissimilarity distances confirmed significant differences in the rhizosphere bacterial community composition associated with planting methods and organic applications. At the phylum level, transplanting (TT) significantly increased the abundance of Proteobacteria, Planctomycetes, Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia, whereas DS significantly reduced the abundance of Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, and WPS-2. Rice straw (RS) application was associated with increased Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Gammaproteobacteria, while BC application improved Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Verrucomicrobia. Planting methods and organic amendments were also observed to affect soil enzyme activities and physicochemical properties. DS was associated with an increase in microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) and carbon (MBC), cellulase activities (CA), total phosphorus (TP), available nitrogen (AN), and available potassium (AK), while TT significantly increased urease activities (UA). Compared to BC and the control (CK), RS significantly increased CA, AN, and available phosphorus (AP). RDA ordination plots were used to examine the interactions between soil bacterial communities and soil physicochemical properties; planting techniques and organic additions had different effects on soil bacterial communities. Compared to RS and CK, BC enhanced MBN, MBC, UA, and AK. According to Pearson’s correlation analysis, Chloroflexi levels were positively associated with those of organic carbon (OC), MBN, and MBC. OC, TP, MBN, and CA positively correlated with gemmatimonadetes. In conclusion, these data reveal that planting practices and short-term organic inputs alter soil’s physicochemical parameters, enzyme activity, and microbial community composition. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Innovative Cropping Systems)
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12 pages, 426 KiB  
Review
Corneal Allogenic Intrastromal Ring Segments: A Literature Review
by Issac Levy, Ritika Mukhija and Mayank A. Nanavaty
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(4), 1340; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14041340 - 18 Feb 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1785
Abstract
Background: Corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments (CAIRSs) offer a novel, biocompatible alternative to synthetic intracorneal ring segments (ICRSs). This review aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of CAIRS. Methods: Inclusion criteria were studies with a minimum of 20 eyes and six months of [...] Read more.
Background: Corneal allogenic intrastromal ring segments (CAIRSs) offer a novel, biocompatible alternative to synthetic intracorneal ring segments (ICRSs). This review aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes of CAIRS. Methods: Inclusion criteria were studies with a minimum of 20 eyes and six months of follow up. The primary outcome measure was uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA). The secondary outcomes were a change in corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), mean keratometry (K-mean), maximum keratometry (K-max), K1, K2, and pachymetry. Results: The primary outcome UDVA improved from 0.83 ± 0.15 to 0.40 ± 0.08 logMAR (p = 0.01), while CDVA improved from 0.52 ± 0.22 to 0.19 ± 0.09 logMAR (p = 0.01). K-max decreased from 57.8 ± 1.09 D to 53.57 ± 2.66 D (p < 0.01), and K-mean reduced from 49.27 ± 0.28 D to 45.30 ± 1.46 D (p < 0.01). An average of 84.92% ± 11.4% of eyes had an improvement in UDVA. No major complications or significant visual acuity deterioration were reported. Conclusions: CAIRSs serve as an alternative to synthetic ICRSs and even corneal transplantation in some cases. They represent a safe, effective, and biocompatible promising advancement in corneal ectasia management to improve visual acuity and corneal topography with minimal complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
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13 pages, 1504 KiB  
Article
Rap1 Guanosine Triphosphate Hydrolase (GTPase) Regulates Shear Stress-Mediated Adhesion of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
by Melanie Giesen, Erika Fleck, Jürgen Scheele, Tanja Nicole Hartmann and Reinhard Henschler
Biology 2025, 14(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14010096 - 18 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1015
Abstract
Intravenously transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to interact with endothelial cells and to migrate to tissues. However, intracellular signals regulating MSC migration are still incompletely understood. Here, we analyzed the role of Rap1 GTPase in the migration of human bone [...] Read more.
Intravenously transplanted mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) have been shown to interact with endothelial cells and to migrate to tissues. However, intracellular signals regulating MSC migration are still incompletely understood. Here, we analyzed the role of Rap1 GTPase in the migration of human bone marrow-derived MSCs in vitro and in short-term homing in mice in vivo. MSCs expressed both Rap1A and Rap1B mRNAs, which were downregulated after treatment with siRNA against Rap1A and/or B. In a flow chamber model with pre-established human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), Rap1A/B downregulated MSCs interacted for longer distances before arrest, indicating adhesion defects. CXCL12-induced adhesion of MSCs on immobilized Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule (VCAM)-1 was also decreased after the downregulation of Rap1A, Rap1B, or both, as was CXCL12-induced transwell migration. In a competitive murine short-term homing model with i.v. co-injection of Rap1A+B siRNA-treated and control MSCs that were labeled with PKH 26 and PKH 67 fluorescent dyes, the Rap1A+B siRNA-treated MSCs were detected at increased frequencies in blood, liver, and spleen compared to control MSCs. Thus, Rap1 GTPase modulates the adhesion and migration of MSCs in vitro and may increase the bio-availability of i.v.-transplanted MSCs in tissues in a murine model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Immunology)
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24 pages, 5227 KiB  
Article
Simulation Study of Deep Belief Network-Based Rice Transplanter Navigation Deviation Pattern Identification and Adaptive Control
by Xianhao Duan, Peng Fang, Neng Xiong, Muhua Liu, Xulong Wu, Li Fu and Zhaopeng Liu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(2), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15020790 - 15 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 686
Abstract
The navigation field of agricultural machinery has entered the intelligent stage, but the navigation control performance of paddy field agricultural machinery represented by rice transplanters is not stable in complex environments. Therefore, this study proposes a method to identify navigation deviation patterns based [...] Read more.
The navigation field of agricultural machinery has entered the intelligent stage, but the navigation control performance of paddy field agricultural machinery represented by rice transplanters is not stable in complex environments. Therefore, this study proposes a method to identify navigation deviation patterns based on Deep Belief Network (DBN) and designs an adaptive preview distance control method based on a driver preview model for each deviation pattern. Among them, the deviation pattern identification method is a two-stage algorithm. First, determine whether the current navigation status is abnormal. Then, the classification was refined for different abnormal states. The adaptive control method is divided into two levels. The main regulator calculates the dynamic preview distance according to the current state variable; the sub-regulator calculates the preview distance adjustment value according to the abnormal state degree. In the performance test of the identification method, all the models show excellent stability and accuracy, and the identification speed of the algorithm meets the high frequency of the rice transplanter navigation system. In the performance test of the control algorithm, compared with the static preview distance, the adaptive preview distance control method proposed in this study can effectively suppress the disturbance deviation of the rice transplanter navigation. Full article
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15 pages, 290 KiB  
Article
Decreased Physical Activity and Endurance Capacity in Patients Qualified for Haematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (HSCT)
by Michał Chmielewski, Agnieszka Szeremet, Małgorzata Stefańska, Paula Jabłonowska-Babij, Maciej Majcherek, Anna Czyż, Tomasz Wróbel and Iwona Malicka
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(1), 186; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010186 - 31 Dec 2024
Viewed by 1005
Abstract
Background: Haematological malignancies and their treatment regimens often lead to various complications that impair patients’ physical functioning. This study aimed to assess the level of physical activity and exercise capacity in patients with haematological malignancies who were qualified for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation [...] Read more.
Background: Haematological malignancies and their treatment regimens often lead to various complications that impair patients’ physical functioning. This study aimed to assess the level of physical activity and exercise capacity in patients with haematological malignancies who were qualified for haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Methods: A prospective, single-centre study was conducted on patients with haematological malignancies qualified for HSCT (study group, n = 103) and a cohort of healthy volunteers (reference group, n = 100). The assessment protocol included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). Results: The median age was 57 years in the study group and 56 years in the reference group. In the IPAQ assessment, at least 50% of the study group reported no engagement in moderate or intense physical activity. In the 6MWT, the study group demonstrated a significantly shorter walking distance compared to the reference group (p < 0.0001). Factors such as group membership (study vs. reference group), age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were found to have a significant impact on 6MWT performance. No significant differences were observed in IPAQ or 6MWT results among subgroups within the study group when categorized by diagnosis. Conclusions: Patients with haematological malignancies who qualified for HSCT often show physical activity levels below recommended standards, which can negatively impact their ability to endure physical exertion. Insufficient activity prior to transplantation may contribute to reduced exercise capacity. Therefore, prehabilitation programmes aimed at improving physical activity and structured exercise should be an integral part of their care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Clinical Rehabilitation)
13 pages, 233 KiB  
Article
Severe Microbial Keratitis in Virgin and Transplanted Cornea—Probability of Visual Acuity Improvement
by Joanna Przybek-Skrzypecka, Małgorzata Ryk-Adamska, Alina Szewczuk, Janusz Skrzypecki, Justyna Izdebska, Monika Udziela, Anna Rypniewska, Leejee H. Suh and Jacek P. Szaflik
J. Clin. Med. 2025, 14(1), 124; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14010124 - 28 Dec 2024
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 835
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate visual acuity improvement and identify contributing factors in patients with severe keratitis affecting both virgin and transplanted corneas, treated at a hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 497 patients with unilateral corneal ulcers treated at a tertiary referral [...] Read more.
Purpose: To evaluate visual acuity improvement and identify contributing factors in patients with severe keratitis affecting both virgin and transplanted corneas, treated at a hospital. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 497 patients with unilateral corneal ulcers treated at a tertiary referral center between 2008 and 2023. Data included distance (BCVA) and near best-corrected visual acuity at initial presentation and at discharge, treatments before hospital admission, demographic details, risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, ancillary test results, and management strategies. Patients were categorized into two groups: Group A (naïve corneal ulcers, 379 patients) and Group B (post-keratoplasty infectious keratitis, 118 patients). Additional analysis focused on patients with presenting visual acuity of at least 1.0 logMAR (≤5/50 Snellen charts = legal blindness) to predict final visual outcomes. Results: The median BCVA at presentation for the entire cohort was 1.9 logMAR, advancing to 1.5 logMAR at discharge (p < 0.001). At least one line improvement in BCVA was observed in 47% of patients (52% of naïve cornea and 33% of transplanted cornea patients). Significantly worse results were observed in Group B were observed for BCVA at presentation, BCVA improvement, and distance and near vision improvement. Among patients with legal blindness at presentation, vision status improved for 52/379 (14%) in Group A and 6/118 (5%) in Group B during hospital admission (p < 0.001), while 67% of the cohort was discharged with VA equal or worse than 5/50. The average hospital stay was 9 days. Near visual acuity got better in 23% of patients (27% in Group A vs. 9% in Group B). A multivariate regression model showed that older age and worse distance BCVA on admission were independent negative predictors of improvement (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively) while midperiphery ulcers were associated with better visual outcomes. Conclusions: Hospital admission leads to BCVA improvement in 47% of the patients with severe corneal ulcer, though the prognosis is significantly worse for those with post-keratoplasty microbial keratitis. At discharge, 67% of patients remained at the legal blindness level. Older age and lower BCVA at first presentation are associated with worse prognosis, while ulcers located in the corneal midperiphery are linked to better visual outcomes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
13 pages, 851 KiB  
Article
Retrospective Clinical Outcomes of Keratoplasty Using Human Donor Corneas Preserved in Eusol-C Hypothermic Storage Medium
by Rossella Anna Maria Colabelli Gisoldi, Giulio Pocobelli, Umberto Rodella, Laura Giurgola, Claudio Gatto, Gemma Lodato, Giacinta Buffon, Carlo Nucci, Jana D’Amato Tóthová and Augusto Pocobelli
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(24), 7606; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13247606 - 13 Dec 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 897
Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of cornea transplantation (penetrating keratoplasty, Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) using donor corneas stored in Eusol-C hypothermic storage medium compared to corneas stored in organ-culture. Methods: The [...] Read more.
Objective: To evaluate the clinical outcomes of cornea transplantation (penetrating keratoplasty, Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty, Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty, and deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty) using donor corneas stored in Eusol-C hypothermic storage medium compared to corneas stored in organ-culture. Methods: The clinical outcomes of 92 patients who underwent corneal transplantation with human donor corneas stored in Eusol-C medium at 2–8 °C were retrospectively evaluated. The control group consisted of 169 patients who received corneas organ-cultured at 31 °C. Donor age, sex, death-to-preservation time, and storage time were recorded. Endothelial cell (EC) density (ECD), EC mortality, and EC morphology scores were evaluated during storage in both groups. Complication rates, visual outcomes, and corneal transparency were monitored for up to six months. Results: The mean storage in Eusol-C time was 7.7 ± 2.5 days, while organ-culture time was 14.2 ± 4.0 days. In the Eusol-C group, ECD was 2398 ± 354 cells/mm2, with an average EC morphology score of 3.4 ± 0.7/4. Approximately 28% of the corneas in the Eusol-C group had no EC mortality. In the organ-culture group, ECD was 2256 ± 328 cells/mm2, with an average EC morphology score of 3.5 ± 0.5/4, and 42% were devoid of EC mortality. No complications, such as re-bubbling, were observed in both groups during surgery. Transparent corneas were achieved in 81.3% of the Eusol-C group the day after surgery. Mean corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at 3 and 6 months was 4.5 ± 4.0/10 and 5.4 ± 3.7/10 for the Eusol-C group and 5.0 ± 2.9/10 and 5.7 ± 2.8/10 for the organ-culture group, with no statistical differences observed between the groups. No graft failure was observed up to three months. Graft rejection occurred in the Eusol-C group and in the organ-culture group in, respectively, one and two cases at the six-month follow-up. Conclusions: Comparable surgical outcomes were achieved with donor corneas stored in both hypothermic Eusol-C and organ-culture media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Ophthalmology)
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