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21 pages, 686 KB

Open AccessArticle

Functional and Transcriptional Responses of Neutrophils from Dogs Living Under Different Housing Conditions Following In Vitro Lipopolysaccharide Stimulation

by Marek Kulka, Iwona Monika Szopa, Bartłomiej Różycki and Maciej Klockiewicz

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8112; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188112 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Environmental conditions have an impact on animals’ immune systems. Neutrophils, as key components of innate immunity, rapidly respond to bacterial stimuli through the activation of inflammatory and migratory pathways. This study evaluated the transcriptional and functional responses of neutrophils derived from dogs living [...] Read more.

Environmental conditions have an impact on animals’ immune systems. Neutrophils, as key components of innate immunity, rapidly respond to bacterial stimuli through the activation of inflammatory and migratory pathways. This study evaluated the transcriptional and functional responses of neutrophils derived from dogs living under different housing environments following in vitro lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Distinct transcriptional profiles were observed among groups in genes associated with leukocyte adhesion (CD11b), chemokine signaling (CXCR1, CXCR2, and CXCL8), and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6). Additional cytokine analyses confirmed neutrophil activation and revealed differences in the magnitude and duration of cytokine secretion between groups. These findings indicate that environmental background may be associated with differences in both transcriptional responsiveness and cytokine production in canine neutrophils. Dogs originating from different housing conditions exhibited distinct patterns of inflammatory activation. The combined assessment of gene expression and cytokine secretion provides valuable insight into innate immune adaptation and might represent a useful approach for monitoring immune status in dogs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Innate Immunity and Disease Resistance in Animals)

18 pages, 6441 KB

Open AccessArticle

Spatial Variation in Mycosphere Soil Bacterial Communities of Leucopaxillus giganteus and Its Environmental Drivers in Shanxi, China

by Zhen Li, Ruixuan Wu, Mingqin Luo, Yang Xiao and Fei Yu

Microorganisms 2026, 14(9), 2029; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms14092029 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Leucopaxillus giganteus, a wild saprotrophic fungus with high edible and medicinal value, has not yet achieved large-scale artificial cultivation. To elucidate the abiotic and biotic factors governing its growth, we analyzed physicochemical properties and bacterial communities of mycosphere and bulk soils from [...] Read more.

Leucopaxillus giganteus, a wild saprotrophic fungus with high edible and medicinal value, has not yet achieved large-scale artificial cultivation. To elucidate the abiotic and biotic factors governing its growth, we analyzed physicochemical properties and bacterial communities of mycosphere and bulk soils from Shanxi Province, China. We observed geographic variation in the diversity, composition, and functional profiles of dominant mycosphere soil bacterial communities. Soil organic carbon, available potassium, altitude, longitude, and latitude were the key factors affecting mycosphere soil bacterial community structure. Distance–decay analysis revealed that the beta diversity of mycosphere soil bacterial communities declined with increasing geographical distance. Bacterial diversity in the L. giganteus mycosphere was significantly lower than that in bulk soil. Genera such as Micromonospora, Streptosporangium, Paraburkholderia, Pedobacter, Caballeronia, Paenibacillus, and Flavobacterium could act as saprotrophic helper bacteria in the mycosphere of L. giganteus. LEfSe analysis revealed 72 genera that exhibited significant abundance differences among samples from six geographic regions, including Bradyrhizobium, Sphingomicrobium, and Phyllobacterium. Functional annotation detected enriched pathways for transport and catabolism, signal transduction, and carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in mycosphere soil bacterial communities. These results advance our understanding of the ecological interactions of L. giganteus and support its artificial cultivation and sustainable resource use. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Soil Microbial Ecology, 4th Edition)

17 pages, 4562 KB

Open AccessArticle

Cooperative Repair for Laser-Induced Graphene via Modified Poly-phenylamine and Fe²⁺ for Thermal-Conductive Gels

by Nan Jiang, Guomin Ding, Bowen Yang, Shuai Liu, Luyao Wang, Zihan Li, Xu Han and Qilin Mei

Gels 2026, 12(9), 835; https://doi.org/10.3390/gels12090835 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has great potential for multiple applications because of its large specific surface area, facile fabrication process, and tunable properties. However, abundant lattice defects severely degrade its conductivity. Herein, from an innovative perspective of precursor design, the poly-phenylamines (P-PAs) with improved [...] Read more.

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has great potential for multiple applications because of its large specific surface area, facile fabrication process, and tunable properties. However, abundant lattice defects severely degrade its conductivity. Herein, from an innovative perspective of precursor design, the poly-phenylamines (P-PAs) with improved solubility and strong light absorption were synthesized, which act as an intercalated polymer for graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets. On this basis, the composite precursors show remarkably enhanced photothermal conversion capability and a compact stacked structure. These bring a 60% reduction in I_D/I_G in LIG after laser irradiation. To explain the above phenomenon, an isolation effect induced by the compact stacking precursor is proposed based on experimental results. Furthermore, the cooperative effect between P-PAs and Fe²⁺ is introduced, and a fluffy LIG aerogel with the lowest I_D/I_G ratio of 0.17 is prepared, which is barely achievable in conventional LIGs. When the obtained graphene aerogel is compounded with PDMS, the as-prepared thermal-conductive composite gel reaches a thermal conductivity of 1.05 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ and an ultralow interfacial thermal resistance of 37.2 mm²·K·W⁻¹ under a low graphene loading of 3.3 wt%. This intercalation strategy in GO precursor supplies a new route for preparing high-quality LIGs and thermal-conductive gels, which show great application prospects in thermal management devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gel-Based Next-Generation Energy Storage)

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32 pages, 31502 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Nonlinear Driving Mechanisms of Spatiotemporal Evolution in Sanjiang Plain Wetlands Based on Explainable Learning Methods

by Nan Lin, Yanan Lu, Ruifei Zhu, Menghong Wu, Hao Yu, Zeyue Jing, Chenglong Xu, Botao Zhang and Ranzhe Jiang

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(18), 3132; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18183132 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Against a backdrop of global climate fluctuations and intensifying human activities, wetlands are undergoing severe degradation. Understanding the mechanisms that govern wetland evolution is essential for the sustainable development of wetland ecosystems. However, wetland evolution is highly heterogeneous across space and time, and [...] Read more.

Against a backdrop of global climate fluctuations and intensifying human activities, wetlands are undergoing severe degradation. Understanding the mechanisms that govern wetland evolution is essential for the sustainable development of wetland ecosystems. However, wetland evolution is highly heterogeneous across space and time, and existing studies have generally paid insufficient attention to nonlinear effects and interactions among driving mechanisms, limiting a comprehensive understanding of its intrinsic processes. We integrated the Light Gradient Boosting Machine model with SHapley Additive exPlanations to explain the nonlinear driving mechanisms of spatiotemporal wetland evolution across the Sanjiang Plain using multitemporal remote sensing data from 1990 to 2023. Wetland dynamics exhibited a stage-dependent pattern characterized by substantial natural-wetland loss in the early period, followed by partial marsh-wetland recovery and continued artificial-wetland expansion. Artificial wetlands expanded continuously, whereas marsh wetlands declined markedly before 2005 and showed partial recovery thereafter. From 1990 to 2005, wetland evolution was mainly controlled by topographic and climatic factors. From 2005 to 2023, the influence of socioeconomic development and proximity to the road network on wetland change intensified. Nonlinear interactions among driving factors shifted from synergistic promotion by natural factors in the early stage to inhibitory effects among natural, socioeconomic, and locational factors in the later stage. This stage-specific change in driving mechanisms was crucial to the shift in dominant drivers of wetland evolution. By characterizing single-factor nonlinear effects and multifactor interactions, this study reveals the stage-specific driving mechanisms of wetland evolution in the Sanjiang Plain and provides scientific support for regional wetland management and remote sensing monitoring. Full article

19 pages, 1061 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Cucurbita ficifolia Mitochondrial Genome: Repeat-Rich Architecture, Plastid Homology, and Synteny Turnover Across Cucurbitaceae

by Jun Yang, Xinhui Li, Huilin Cheng, Yingfeng Luo, Weifan Wu, Xin Lu and Chengcheng Ling

Genes 2026, 17(9), 1103; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes17091103 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Cucurbita ficifolia (figleaf gourd) is an agriculturally useful cucurbit germplasm and rootstock, but its mitochondrial genome has not been examined in a comparative family-level framework. We aimed to characterize its mitochondrial reference sequence and evaluate coding composition, repetitive DNA, plastid homology, [...] Read more.

Background: Cucurbita ficifolia (figleaf gourd) is an agriculturally useful cucurbit germplasm and rootstock, but its mitochondrial genome has not been examined in a comparative family-level framework. We aimed to characterize its mitochondrial reference sequence and evaluate coding composition, repetitive DNA, plastid homology, bioinformatic RNA-editing predictions, phylogenetic placement, and genome-scale synteny. Methods: PacBio Revio sequencing generated 933,158 high-fidelity (HiFi) reads totaling 14.294 Gb, with a read N50 of 15.6 kb. The 784,544-bp mitochondrial reference (GenBank accession PZ823090) was assembled with Oatk and evaluated using graph topology, competitive read-back, and junction-spanning alignments. Codon usage, repeats, mitochondrial–plastid homologous regions, bioinformatic C-to-U RNA-editing predictions, conserved-gene phylogeny, and whole-mitogenome synteny were analyzed. Results: The reference had 43.09% GC content and contained 38 distinct protein-coding genes represented by 42 loci, 26 tRNA types represented by 37 loci, and three rRNAs. Competitive read-back retained 40,971 primary mitochondrial alignments (MAPQ ≥ 20), yielding a mean depth of 547.26× and 100% breadth at ≥100×. The terminal-to-start adjacency was supported by 366 HiFi reads with ≥2-kb anchors on each side. We identified 322 simple-sequence repeats, 115 tandem repeats, and 2374 dispersed repeat pairs. For the largest 392-bp direct repeat, the two native junctions were supported by 268 and 308 reads, whereas the two reciprocal junctions were supported by one and zero reads. Ninety-one significant plastid matches collapsed to 73 mitochondrial loci and covered 74,784 unique mitochondrial bases (9.53%). Deepred-Mt generated 494 bioinformatic C-to-U RNA-editing predictions in 37 genes, and phylogenomics placed C. ficifolia as sister to the C. pepo–C. maxima pair with maximal support despite extensive synteny turnover. Conclusions: The C. ficifolia mitogenome combines a conserved coding repertoire with abundant short repeats, appreciable plastid homology, and extensive rearrangement. Read evidence supports the submitted terminal-to-start adjacency but does not establish a unique or predominant circular molecule in vivo; likewise, the largest repeat showed no robust reciprocal-junction signal. All RNA-editing sites reported here are bioinformatic predictions rather than transcript–validated events. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetic and Breeding Improvement of Horticultural Crops)

19 pages, 294 KB

Open AccessArticle

Association Between Masticatory Performance and Nutritional Risk in Older Adults Wearing Removable Dentures: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Composite Nutritional Indices

by Toshiro Hirai, Yuka Abe, Ranko Kawata, Yuriko Kusumoto, Haruka Sako, Takashi Matsumoto, Deepesh Kumar Gupta and Kazuyoshi Baba

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(18), 7074; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15187074 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Impaired masticatory function may compromise nutritional status in older adults wearing removable dentures, but its associations with nutritional risk indices remain unclear. This study aimed to examine associations between masticatory performance and risk defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Impaired masticatory function may compromise nutritional status in older adults wearing removable dentures, but its associations with nutritional risk indices remain unclear. This study aimed to examine associations between masticatory performance and risk defined by the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index (GNRI), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 179 outpatients aged ≥60 years wearing removable dentures. Masticatory performance was quantified by glucose concentration after chewing a gummy jelly. GNRI-defined risk was the prespecified primary outcome; PNI- and CONUT-defined risk were secondary. Logistic regression used Model 1 adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidity and an exploratory Model 2 with additional oral, dietary, and socioeconomic covariates. Results: Mean age was 74.1 ± 6.9 years, and 60.9% were female. Nutritional risk was identified in 21.8%, 48.6%, and 31.3% using the GNRI, PNI, and CONUT, respectively. Higher masticatory performance, indicated by higher glucose concentration, was associated with lower odds of GNRI-defined nutritional risk in both the primary parsimonious model (OR per 10 mg/dL increase, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.95; p = 0.001) and the exploratory additionally adjusted model (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.96; p = 0.002). Associations with PNI- and CONUT-defined risk were not consistent across models. Conclusions: Lower masticatory performance was consistently associated with higher GNRI-defined risk, whereas comparable associations were not consistently observed for PNI- or CONUT-defined risk. Objective assessment of masticatory performance may provide clinically relevant information regarding GNRI-defined nutritional risk in older removable denture wearers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Dentistry, Oral Surgery and Oral Medicine)

20 pages, 617 KB

Open AccessReview

Protein Therapeutic Quality Control Using Multi-Attribute Method (MAM): Challenges and Current Practice in cGMP Environments

by Zhiqi Hao, Christopher Yu, Anja Bathke, Jack Yim, Alexander Buettner, Feng Yang, Dietmar Reusch and Yi Yang

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(9), 1444; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19091444 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

The increasing complexity of modern protein therapeutics and the demand for faster development of new therapeutics require not only advanced analytical tools that provide in-depth understanding of the product quality attributes (PQAs) that are crucial for safety and efficacy but also the implementation [...] Read more.

The increasing complexity of modern protein therapeutics and the demand for faster development of new therapeutics require not only advanced analytical tools that provide in-depth understanding of the product quality attributes (PQAs) that are crucial for safety and efficacy but also the implementation of a control strategy to ensure that the released drug product meets the desired quality profile. The multi-attribute method (MAM), a liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) approach, has emerged as a transformative solution that provides site-specific monitoring of multiple critical quality attributes (CQAs) in a single workflow, replacing several conventional profile-based assays. The MAM achieves comprehensive quality oversight through two primary mechanisms: targeted attribute quantitation (TAQ) for the simultaneous quantification of predefined known modifications, and new peak detection (NPD) for identifying unforeseen impurities, thereby establishing a robust, “double-layered” control strategy. This article reviews the practical challenges and current industry practices for successfully implementing the MAM within current good manufacturing practice (cGMP) environments. The successful transition of the MAM from a specialized characterization tool to a validated quality control (QC) cornerstone relies on a framework built upon four foundational pillars: stringent instrument qualification paired with compliance-ready informatics, proactive and strictly scheduled instrument maintenance, rigorous system suitability testing (SST), and phase-appropriate method validation and transfer. The challenges of global method transfer and the solutions to mitigate inter-laboratory variability are discussed. Finally, the review explores the emerging trends shaping the future of the MAM in QC and the critical role of the MAM in facilitating real-time release testing (RTRT) in next-generation autonomous manufacturing. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Characterization and Quality Control of Biopharmaceuticals Using the Multi-Attribute Method (MAM): Advantages and Challenges)

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20 pages, 3588 KB

Open AccessArticle

Thorpe Analysis of Atmospheric Turbulence in Parts of Inner Mongolia and Guangdong, China, Based on a Round-Trip Intelligent Sounding System

by Ziyang Ye, Zheng Sheng, Yuyang Song, Yang He, Zhixuan Bai and Jincheng Wang

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(18), 3133; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18183133 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Atmospheric turbulence is a key multi-scale motion affecting numerical weather prediction, aviation safety, and atmospheric mass-energy exchange. Thorpe analysis is a classic method for turbulence retrieval, but traditional observations are limited by low spatiotemporal resolution, the absence of a stratospheric turbulence inversion framework, [...] Read more.

Atmospheric turbulence is a key multi-scale motion affecting numerical weather prediction, aviation safety, and atmospheric mass-energy exchange. Thorpe analysis is a classic method for turbulence retrieval, but traditional observations are limited by low spatiotemporal resolution, the absence of a stratospheric turbulence inversion framework, and insufficient cross-layer comparisons between northern and southern China, restricting the understanding of turbulence modulation mechanisms. Based on the domestic round-trip intelligent sounding system, atmospheric observations at 12 stations in Guangdong and Inner Mongolia from December 2022 to March 2023 are collected, with ascending-phase profiles used in the turbulence analysis and synergistically analyzed with ERA5 reanalysis data, which provide the background wind fields for westerly jet identification and precipitation data for environmental modulation assessment. Results show that turbulence in the study area shows significant layered differentiation and a latitudinal contrast between the southern and northern stations: the troposphere is the main turbulent layer, southern tropospheric turbulence is mainly associated with solar radiation, and northern tropospheric turbulence is mainly related to large-scale dynamic processes; stratospheric turbulence occurs sporadically only at northern stations under westerly jet-induced wind shear and is nearly absent in the south. Precipitation modulates southern tropospheric turbulence, while the westerly jet acts as a key dynamic factor for northern stratospheric turbulence. By integrating in situ radiosonde profiling with reanalysis data, this work supports refined turbulence detection and parameterization model optimization, and provides a scientific basis for weather forecast improvement and aviation route planning. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Atmospheric Remote Sensing)

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24 pages, 3514 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Multifractal Characteristics of Pore Structure Evolution in Thermally Damaged Coal-Seam Roof Sandstone Under O₂ and CO₂ Atmospheres: Implications for Underground Coal Gasification

by Jiaqun Zou, Jijun Tian, Daxing Wang, Shuo Feng, Hanyu Tong and Hongze Guan

Fractal Fract. 2026, 10(9), 638; https://doi.org/10.3390/fractalfract10090638 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study investigated how high-temperature reactive atmospheres associated with underground coal gasification (UCG) differentially modify the pore system of roof sandstone. Roof sandstone from the Shanghai Miao mining area, Inner Mongolia, was conditioned to simulate formation-water saturation and heat-treated at 200 °C, 400 [...] Read more.

This study investigated how high-temperature reactive atmospheres associated with underground coal gasification (UCG) differentially modify the pore system of roof sandstone. Roof sandstone from the Shanghai Miao mining area, Inner Mongolia, was conditioned to simulate formation-water saturation and heat-treated at 200 °C, 400 °C, 600 °C, and 800 °C under O₂ or CO₂ atmospheres. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) T₂ spectra, pore-size classification, multifractal analysis, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were combined to characterize pore-structure evolution. Thermal treatment shifted the pore composition from mesopore-dominated to micropore- and small-pore-dominated. Under O₂, NMR porosity increased continuously from 8.41% to 13.94%; the small-pore fraction increased with temperature, and the dominant T₂ components expanded into adjacent pore-size domains. Under CO₂, porosity peaked at 11.25% at 600 °C and decreased to 9.36% at 800 °C; micropores remained dominant, while medium and long T₂ components contracted markedly at high temperature. The normalized T₂ probability measures exhibited typical multifractal behavior under all treatment conditions. Under O₂, the singularity-spectrum width Δα ranged from 1.464 to 2.803 and H from 0.947 to 0.958, showing greater variability than under CO₂ (Δα = 1.627 − 1.776; H = 0.947 − 0.950). Porosity was strongly correlated with positive-order multifractal parameters and D₂ (r = 0.82 − 0.90), indicating that pore-volume expansion can be decoupled from the evolution of cross-scale heterogeneity. XRD showed that the raw sandstone was composed mainly of quartz (62.8%) and kaolinite (29.3%). Kaolinite and siderite diffraction peaks were not detected in representative samples treated at 600–800 °C, and the relative proportions of quartz and feldspar phases were reconfigured, providing mineralogical constraints on pore evolution. Two distinct thermal-damage pathways were identified: continuous pore accumulation with scale expansion under O₂ and medium-temperature pore expansion, followed by high-temperature reorganization under CO₂. These findings provide a quantitative basis for structural-state identification and risk zoning of UCG roof strata. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Fractal Analysis for Hydrocarbon Dynamics and Flow Modeling)

25 pages, 7173 KB

Open AccessArticle

Degradation of Multicomponent Tannery Dye Mixtures by Electrochemical Advanced Oxidation Processes

by Yessica G. López-Duran, Martín O. A. Pacheco-Álvarez, Silvia Gutiérrez-Granados, Oracio Serrano, Patricio Espinoza, Enric Brillas and Juan M. Peralta-Hernández

Environments 2026, 13(9), 504; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments13090504 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Industrial effluents containing persistent synthetic dyes represent an important environmental challenge because of their high chemical stability, low biodegradability, and potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluates electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) as remediation strategies for dye-contaminated tanery dyes, with particular [...] Read more.

Industrial effluents containing persistent synthetic dyes represent an important environmental challenge because of their high chemical stability, low biodegradability, and potential adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluates electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs) as remediation strategies for dye-contaminated tanery dyes, with particular emphasis on conditions representative of complex industrial effluents. Electrochemical oxidation (EOx), electro-Fenton (EF), and photoelectro-Fenton (PEF) processes using boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes were comparatively investigated for the degradation of Violet S4B and a multicomponent mixture containing Violet S4B, Brown DR, and Black NT2. The effects of current density and pollutant concentration were assessed through discoloration, pseudo-first-order kinetics, chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal, and HPLC analysis of oxidation intermediates. For the multicomponent system, PEF achieved approximately 99% discoloration after 120 min, compared with nearly 97% for EF and 95% for EOx, with apparent rate constants increasing in the order EOx < EF < PEF. More importantly, COD analysis demonstrated extensive mineralization during PEF treatment, while HPLC revealed negligible accumulation of oxalic acid, indicating effective oxidation of refractory intermediates. The results demonstrate that combining anodic oxidation, electrochemically generated Fenton chemistry, and photo-assisted reactions enhances the remediation of complex dye mixtures. These findings support BDD-based EAOPs, particularly PEF, as promising technologies for reducing persistent organic pollution associated with tannery dye solutions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery)

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24 pages, 1779 KB

Open AccessArticle

Study on the Quality Component Differences Among Tea Cultivars in Northern Guizhou

by Manman Gao, Kai Zhang, Huan Wang and Heng Sun

Molecules 2026, 31(18), 3216; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31183216 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

To elucidate how quality is reshaped in introduced tea varieties under Guizhou’s unique ecological conditions and to identify quality advantages and flavor differences between exotic and local germplasm resources, this study investigated the quality characteristics of tea plant germplasm from different geographic origins [...] Read more.

To elucidate how quality is reshaped in introduced tea varieties under Guizhou’s unique ecological conditions and to identify quality advantages and flavor differences between exotic and local germplasm resources, this study investigated the quality characteristics of tea plant germplasm from different geographic origins under Guizhou’s ecological conditions. Quality components and volatile aroma compounds were analyzed in four introduced cultivars (CC4H, SLX, SMCY, HJC1) and two local cultivars (QM601, GZSC). Sensory evaluation indicated that CC4H, SMCY, and HJC1 were more suitable for manufacturing premium green tea in the local area. GC-MS identified 147 volatile compounds, with alcohols present at the highest concentrations (1090.69–1499.18 μg/kg). SMCY had the highest total alcohol content. rOAV analysis confirmed that benzaldehyde, (E)-β-damascone, β-ionone, and 1-octene-3-one are the key contributors to the aroma profile. Among the introduced cultivars, SMCY stands out for its floral and aromatic compounds; SLX is notably rich in floral and fruity aldehydes and esters; CC4H has a distinct roasted sweetness, and HJC1 offers the best freshness. The local variety QM601 exhibits synergistic accumulation of tea polyphenols and fruity terpenes, while GZSC maintains its traditional advantage in the balance of phenolic and amino compounds. These findings provide a theoretical basis for the differentiated deployment of tea cultivars in Guizhou’s tea-growing regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Food Chemistry)

20 pages, 791 KB

Open AccessArticle

Analytical and Clinical Evaluation of a Fully Automated Direct-from-Whole-Blood Multiplex PCR Assay Using Large-Volume Reverse Elution for Rapid Bloodstream Infection Diagnosis

by Chi-Sheng Tai, Hsing-Yi Chung, Tai-Han Lin, Chih-Kai Chang, Cherng-Lih Perng, Hung-Sheng Shang and Ming-Jr Jian

Antibiotics 2026, 15(9), 896; https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics15090896 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Prompt identification of bloodborne pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance is critical for effective sepsis management. Direct molecular testing of blood offers faster results than blood culture; however, its clinical utility has been limited by suboptimal sensitivity and procedural complexity. This study evaluated [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Prompt identification of bloodborne pathogens and their antimicrobial resistance is critical for effective sepsis management. Direct molecular testing of blood offers faster results than blood culture; however, its clinical utility has been limited by suboptimal sensitivity and procedural complexity. This study evaluated an automated rapid multiplex PCR assay (BPID^® system) and compared its performance with gold-standard methods. Methods: This was a preliminary, single-centre diagnostic-agreement study. Forty-three whole-blood samples were collected from patients with suspected bloodstream infection at Tri-Service General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, between January 2025 and January 2026, and were analysed. Three molecular methods and two culture-based methods were compared: the BPID^® system, a Qiagen^®-based workflow, the BioFire^® FilmArray^® BCID2 panel, blood culture, and MALDI-TOF MS identification. Positive percent agreement (PPA) was calculated at the organism level against a composite reference standard. Analytical sensitivity (limit of detection, LoD) was assessed in whole blood spiked with serial dilutions of ten reference organisms. Results: The composite reference standard yielded 47 reference-positive organisms across 42 samples. The BPID^® system achieved a PPA of 95.74% (95% CI, 85.8–98.8), numerically similar to the post-culture BCID2 panel (93.62%; p = 1.00, exact McNemar test), and higher than the Qiagen^® workflow (72.34%; p = 0.001), blood culture (72.34%; p = 0.007), and MALDI-TOF MS (74.47%; p = 0.013). In a sensitivity analysis using a composite reference standard from which the index test was excluded, 46 organisms remained reference-positive and the PPA of the BPID^® system was 95.65% (44/46; 95% CI, 85.5–98.8), again numerically similar to the BCID2 panel (93.48%; p = 1.00). For antimicrobial resistance determinants covered by both panels, the BPID^® system reproduced the BCID2 determinant profile in all 16 specimens in which such a determinant was reported (100%), versus 10 of 16 specimens (62.5%) for the Qiagen^® method. Confirmed LoD values for the BPID^® system were 0.67–20.81 CFU/mL, an 8.8- to 24.3-fold improvement over the Qiagen^® method (6.51–224.61 CFU/mL). Conclusions: The automated BPID^® system substantially improves PCR-based diagnostic sensitivity for bacteremia and, by operating directly on whole blood, removes the culture-incubation step that post-culture molecular panels require. Because the study was not designed as an equivalence or non-inferiority trial and evaluated only 43 specimens, the similar agreement observed for the BPID^® system and the BCID2 panel should not be interpreted as demonstrated equivalence; these findings should be regarded as a preliminary clinical evaluation requiring confirmation in larger multicentre studies that also enrol culture-negative and uninfected controls. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surveillance of Carbapenem-Resistant Microbes and Strategies to Combat Them)

20 pages, 310 KB

Open AccessEntry

Two Poles of Natural Law in the Formation of the Political Body

by Lingkai Kong and Zeyuan Wang

Encyclopedia 2026, 6(9), 199; https://doi.org/10.3390/encyclopedia6090199 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Definition

The natural law tradition offers two fundamentally opposed answers to the question of how a political body emerges. The first, exemplified by Hobbes, treats natural law as a pre-political condition of deficiency and conflict that the political body must transcend through a single [...] Read more.

The natural law tradition offers two fundamentally opposed answers to the question of how a political body emerges. The first, exemplified by Hobbes, treats natural law as a pre-political condition of deficiency and conflict that the political body must transcend through a single contractual leap establishing an unlimited sovereign. The second, exemplified by Althusius, treats natural law as the normative foundation from which political order gradually grows through multi-layered association, beginning with the family. These two poles are analytical reconstructions of a broader contrast rather than an exhaustive classification of the tradition. This entry examines the structural tension between them through the case of Pufendorf, who departs from Hobbes by grounding natural law in sociability and granting priority to horizontal association, but ultimately returns to absolute sovereignty. His unfinished departure reveals the difficulty of sustaining the pole of generation, once political unity is identified with an absolute adjudicative center. This entry argues that the historical marginalization of the pole of generation stems from a centralization presupposition within the natural law tradition, the post-1648 consolidation of the sovereign state system, and the historiographical exclusion of the scholastic inheritance. This tension does not disappear when the vocabulary of natural law gives way to later theories of political order. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Social Sciences)

15 pages, 1704 KB

Open AccessArticle

Medoid-Based SVM-RCE: Efficient Feature Selection for High-Dimensional Gene Expression Data Analysis

by Nurten Bulut, Bahjat F. Qaqish, Burcu Bakir-Gungor and Malik Yousef

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(18), 9045; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16189045 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

High-dimensional gene expression data pose computational challenges for feature selection due to redundancy, noise, and limited sample sizes. Recursive Cluster Elimination (RCE) addresses these issues through iterative feature clustering and elimination. Conventional implementations of RCE require repeated cross-validation steps within each cluster that [...] Read more.

High-dimensional gene expression data pose computational challenges for feature selection due to redundancy, noise, and limited sample sizes. Recursive Cluster Elimination (RCE) addresses these issues through iterative feature clustering and elimination. Conventional implementations of RCE require repeated cross-validation steps within each cluster that increase the computational cost. The RCE with Center Weights (RCE-CW) framework addresses this by evaluating all clusters simultaneously through a single linear model. This study extends RCE-CW by replacing synthetic cluster centroids with medoid representatives, introducing Medoid-SVM-RCE and Medoid-RF-RCE. Experiments on 17 gene expression datasets show that Medoid-based variants select approximately 46–51% fewer genes than RCE-CW and SVM-RCE, while maintaining statistically comparable classification performance. Across 17 datasets, Medoid-based variants completed all experiments within 9 h, whereas SVM-RCE did not complete within 24 h on 11 of the 17 datasets. These results indicate that medoid-based cluster representation reduces gene subset size and computational cost within the RCE framework while preserving predictive performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)

22 pages, 1219 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Combined Effect of Mindfulness and Physical Activity on Stress: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

by Cong Liu, Wenfeng Tan, Yuyan Liu, Yuyang Nie, Wenxue Ma, Jinqi Liang, Shuqi Zeng, Fan Wu, Kangli Du and Lijia Hou

Behav. Sci. 2026, 16(9), 1630; https://doi.org/10.3390/bs16091630 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Interventions combining mindfulness and physical activity are increasingly used for stress management, but their average efficacy and incremental benefit over either component alone remain uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate combined mindfulness–physical activity interventions for stress or stress-related outcomes relative to [...] Read more.

Background: Interventions combining mindfulness and physical activity are increasingly used for stress management, but their average efficacy and incremental benefit over either component alone remain uncertain. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate combined mindfulness–physical activity interventions for stress or stress-related outcomes relative to passive or general control conditions, mindfulness alone, and physical activity alone, and to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Methods: Following PRISMA 2020, eight electronic databases were searched through November 2025. Two reviewers independently screened records. Data extraction and the initial risk-of-bias assessment were performed by the first author and checked in full by a second reviewer. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 1.0. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach. Hedges’ g values were synthesised in three separate comparator-specific meta-analyses using restricted maximum-likelihood random-effects models with Knapp–Hartung adjustment. Results: Fourteen randomised controlled trials involving 872 randomised participants were included in the systematic review, and 13 contributed to quantitative synthesis. Compared with passive or general control conditions, combined interventions produced a statistically significant average effect favouring the combined intervention (k = 12; Hedges’ g = −0.74, 95% CI −1.21 to −0.27; p = 0.006; I² = 83.1%; 95% prediction interval −2.27 to 0.79). The combined intervention was not statistically superior to mindfulness alone (k = 2; Hedges’ g = 0.49, 95% CI −1.71 to 2.69) or physical activity alone (k = 3; Hedges’ g = 0.01, 95% CI −0.50 to 0.52), although both comparisons were imprecise. No formal subgroup test identified a statistically significant moderator. Excluding the most extreme estimate reduced the pooled control-comparison effect to −0.55 (95% CI −0.79 to −0.31) and I² to 27.9%. Conclusions: Combined mindfulness and physical activity interventions may reduce stress or stress-related psychological outcomes relative to passive or general controls. The current evidence is insufficient to determine whether they provide additional benefit over well-delivered single-component interventions. Substantial heterogeneity and the small number of active-comparator trials warrant cautious interpretation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical Activity for Mental Health: The Diverse Evidence and New Avenues)

25 pages, 2425 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Buildings to the Environment: Flows, Exposure Pathways, and Toxicological Relevance of Tris(2-Chloro-1-Methylethyl) Phosphate (TCPP), Diuron, and Bis(2-(Perfluorohexyl)Ethyl) Phosphate (6:2 diPAP)

by Jolita Kruopienė, Edgaras Stunžėnas, Jenny Fäldt and Riikka K. Vainio

Toxics 2026, 14(9), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics14090811 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

The use of hazardous chemicals in construction materials raises concerns regarding their release into the environment and their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. This study investigated the flows of tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP), diuron, and bis(2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl) phosphate (6:2 diPAP) from buildings to [...] Read more.

The use of hazardous chemicals in construction materials raises concerns regarding their release into the environment and their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. This study investigated the flows of tris(2-chloro-1-methylethyl) phosphate (TCPP), diuron, and bis(2-(perfluorohexyl)ethyl) phosphate (6:2 diPAP) from buildings to environmental compartments and evaluated their toxicological relevance through environmental occurrence and exposure pathways. A quantitative substance flow analysis was performed for TCPP, while conceptual flow models were developed for diuron and 6:2 diPAP. TCPP flow analysis showed that approximately 70,804 t/year accumulated in products, primarily rigid polyurethane insulation materials, alongside continuous environmental releases into indoor dust, soils, and aquatic systems. It resulted in annual accumulation of nearly 444 t of TCPP in soils and 64 t in aquatic systems. Diuron was identified as a source of aquatic exposure through rainfall-driven wash-off, whereas 6:2 diPAP exhibited indoor and outdoor emission pathways and transformation into persistent perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids. Field measurements of Interreg NonHazCity3 project confirmed the occurrence of organophosphate esters, biocides, and PFAS in indoor dust, stormwater, and wastewater. The results demonstrate that buildings act as continuous sources of toxicologically relevant substances, pointing to the necessity of upstream source control, the prevention of regrettable chemical substitution, and enhanced transparency in construction materials to mitigate long-term environmental and health risks. Full article

9 pages, 455 KB

Open AccessHypothesis

A Disconnect Between Operational Evaluations of Larvicide Treatments to Storm Sewer Catch Basins and Findings of Larvicide Resistance in the Northwest Suburbs of Chicago, IL, USA

by Justin E. Harbison

Pathogens 2026, 15(9), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15090970 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Regular evaluations of larvicide resistance and operational control effectiveness are two basic components of the Integrated Mosquito Management approach. It is therefore important for mosquito control programs to assess both the efficacy and the effectiveness of larvicide treatments. Recent observations in 2023 and [...] Read more.

Regular evaluations of larvicide resistance and operational control effectiveness are two basic components of the Integrated Mosquito Management approach. It is therefore important for mosquito control programs to assess both the efficacy and the effectiveness of larvicide treatments. Recent observations in 2023 and 2024 within areas served by the Northwest Mosquito Abatement District (NWMAD) indicated that methoprene resistance categorized as high and extreme exist in populations of Culex pipiens (L). Despite more than 20 years of exclusive use of Altosid^® XR (2.1% methoprene) larvicide in NWMAD catch basins and associated expectations of reduced effectiveness, NWMAD’s evaluations of Altosid^® XR-treated catch basins in 2022, 2023, and 2025 with found levels of control (emergence inhibition [EI]) to be similar to those reported in studies over the past 30 years of the same or similar larvicide formulation. An extreme abundance of caution is needed when interpreting findings of NWMAD’s control evaluations as these observational findings were collected over different years and areas served by NWMAD. These findings also lack inferential statistical analyses and were not collected in a scientifically rigorous and systematic manner with a true experimental design. The reported results should not be interpreted as demonstrating that methoprene resistance does not affect operational control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Mosquito Insecticide Resistance, Vector Competence and Control Strategies)

25 pages, 1932 KB

Open AccessArticle

Climatic and Topographic Controls on Machine Learning-Based Rainfall Forecast Errors in a Tropical Monsoon Basin

by Jumadi Jumadi, Supari Supari, Munajat Tri Nugroho, Danardono Danardono, Yuli Priyana, Lam Kuok Choy, Fateen Nabilla Rasli, Ayodya Rido Nugraha, Md Enamul Huq, Farha Sattar, Muhammad Nawaz and Lee Hoong Pin

Earth 2026, 7(5), 149; https://doi.org/10.3390/earth7050149 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Conventional evaluations of rainfall prediction models rely on average accuracy, often masking the conditions, locations and causes of model failure and reduced reliability. This study proposes a paradigm shift from conventional average-accuracy benchmarking toward failure-aware forecast-error diagnosis in the Bengawan Solo River Basin, [...] Read more.

Conventional evaluations of rainfall prediction models rely on average accuracy, often masking the conditions, locations and causes of model failure and reduced reliability. This study proposes a paradigm shift from conventional average-accuracy benchmarking toward failure-aware forecast-error diagnosis in the Bengawan Solo River Basin, a tropical monsoon river basin in Indonesia with moderate topographic gradients (grid elevations span ≈ 300–650 m). Methodologically, forecasts from previously published models are treated as fixed inputs and their errors are modelled as the response variable, so the analysis diagnoses when and where models fail rather than retraining them. By treating forecast errors as response variables, rather than as random residuals, this study analyses 345,180 model–grid records–month records from ten individual models (RF, XGB, LGBM, SVR, MLP, LSTM, GRU, TCN, CNN, Transformer) and one best ensemble model (Ensemble_Q, a stacking of RF, XGB, SVR, MLP, LGBM, LSTM, GRU, TCN, CNN, Transformer) against observed CHIRPS (Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station data) precipitation, seasonal phase, ENSO and IOD regimes (El Niño–Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean Dipole, respectively), the MJO index (Madden–Julian Oscillation) as an additional analysis, and elevation as a topographic control, using log-error models, high-error logistic regression, interaction tests, and block bootstrap validation (N = 1000), false discovery rate, and spatial statistics. Results indicate that prediction errors are not random but are systematically controlled: the Transition II phase increases log-error by 245% (pooled log-error model) and raises the odds of a high-error event roughly 40-fold relative to the dry season; La Niña conditions amplify errors by 41% and the odds of a high-error event by 3.3 times (though this ENSO signal is largely entangled with co-occurring Negative-IOD months), and every 100 m increase in elevation increases errors by 26%, with errors forming distinct spatial clusters (Moran’s I = 0.78; p = 0.001). Ensemble_Q outperforms the baseline on an aggregate basis (mean absolute error, MAE = 54.10 mm) but still experiences error amplification under these conditions, while spatial deep-learning architectures (TCN, CNN, Transformer) prove most vulnerable to elevation gradients. All major patterns persisted across variations in thresholds, model subsets, ENSO definitions, multiplicity corrections, and bootstrapping. These findings confirm that superior mean accuracy does not guarantee operational reliability, and that conditional failure diagnosis is an essential complement to benchmarking rainfall predictions in tropical monsoon regions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrated Coastal Resilience and Risk Management Under Climate Change)

27 pages, 994 KB

Open AccessArticle

Does Machine Learning Outperform Simple Investment Rules? Comparative Performance and Strategy Robustness in European Equity Markets

by Flavia Mirela Barna, Anca Țăranu and Grațiela Georgiana Noja

Systems 2026, 14(9), 1140; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14091140 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in asset management, although evidence that greater model complexity consistently improves investment performance remains limited. This study examines whether machine-learning methods generate incremental value in European equity selection beyond transparent investment rules. The analysis used 562 eligible monthly [...] Read more.

Artificial intelligence is increasingly used in asset management, although evidence that greater model complexity consistently improves investment performance remains limited. This study examines whether machine-learning methods generate incremental value in European equity selection beyond transparent investment rules. The analysis used 562 eligible monthly price series drawn from the March 2026 STOXX Europe 600 constituents and applied retrospectively as a common ex post reference universe. The models were trained on observations from January 2011 to December 2020 and evaluated out of sample using signals formed from January 2021 to March 2026, with corresponding portfolio returns realized from February 2021 to April 2026. Logistic regression, random forest, XGBoost, and an equal-probability ensemble are compared with momentum, low-volatility, and equal-weight strategies under common portfolio-construction rules. Logistic regression recorded the strongest classification results and the highest gross cumulative portfolio return. The transparent momentum strategy recorded the highest observed Sharpe ratio and substantially lower target-weight turnover, while the three-model ensemble underperformed both logistic regression and momentum. Newey–West inference did not establish a statistically significant difference in mean monthly returns between logistic regression and momentum. The results indicate that additional algorithmic complexity did not generate incremental investment value under the restricted technical information set and portfolio framework considered. The findings support evaluating model complexity jointly through predictive quality, gross performance, statistical uncertainty, implementation sensitivity, interpretability, and governance requirements. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dynamics of Modern Financial Systems: Inclusion, Complexity, and Institutional Resilience)

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22 pages, 17512 KB

Open AccessArticle

Changes in Mean Annual Precipitation over the Brazilian and Nearby Regions from 1940 to 2099 Based on Weather Stations, Reanalyses, and the CMIP6 Model Ensemble

by Ilya Serykh, Svetlana Krasheninnikova, Mariia Safonova, Tatiana Gorbunova, Roman Gorbunov, Fabio L. P. Krykhtine and Osvaldo M. Rezende

Climate 2026, 14(9), 192; https://doi.org/10.3390/cli14090192 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

This study analyzes changes in precipitation over the extended Brazilian region (10° N–40° S; 75° W–25° W) based on data from meteorological stations, reanalyses (ECMWF ERA5, NASA MERRA-2), the NOAA PREC reconstruction, and an ensemble of 32 CMIP6 models. According to weather station [...] Read more.

This study analyzes changes in precipitation over the extended Brazilian region (10° N–40° S; 75° W–25° W) based on data from meteorological stations, reanalyses (ECMWF ERA5, NASA MERRA-2), the NOAA PREC reconstruction, and an ensemble of 32 CMIP6 models. According to weather station data and the ERA5 reanalysis for the period 1996–2025, a slight decrease in mean precipitation (P) is observed in the whole region (ΔP_{Weather station} = −44 mm/year, ΔP_ERA5 = −174 mm/year). A comparison of the periods 1996–2025 and 1940–1969 using CMIP6 ensemble also indicates a reduction in regional average precipitation (ΔP_Ave = −18 mm/year). The reanalyses show a decline in precipitation beginning approximately in the 1980s, accompanied by significant interannual and interdecadal variability associated with natural climate variability. Future projections under high radiative forcing scenarios (SSP3-7.0 and SSP5-8.5) indicate a continued decline in average precipitation in the study region throughout the 21st century. Low forcing scenarios (SSP1-2.6 and SSP2-4.5) suggest only weak changes in average precipitation over the period 2026–2099. However, the precipitation changes are spatially heterogeneous in the study region. According to the ERA5 reanalysis (1940–2025), precipitation has increased over the northern and southern parts of the Brazilian territory, while a decrease was observed in its central portion. All CMIP6 SSP ensemble projections considered (2026–2099) indicate a decrease in precipitation in the north and an increase in the south of the Brazilian region. Moreover, with increasing radiative forcing, the reduction in precipitation in the Amazon River basin and adjacent territories will intensify. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Climate Dynamics and Modelling)

25 pages, 2107 KB

Open AccessArticle

Oncostatin M as a Complementary Non-Invasive Marker of Endoscopic and Histological Disease Activity in Ulcerative Colitis

by Alina-Ecaterina Jucan, Carmen Atodiresei, Georgiana-Elena Sarbu, Vasile-Claudiu Mihai, Ioana-Irina Rezuș, Simona Juncu, Mariana Pavel-Tanasa, Daniela Constantinescu, Vasile Maciuc, Mihaela Dranga, Otilia Nedelciuc, Oana Barboi, Irina Ciortescu, Daniela Maria Tanase, Monica Hancianu, Vasile Drug, Cristina Cijevschi-Prelipcean and Cătălina Mihai

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(18), 8110; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27188110 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Plasma Oncostatin M (OSM) has been proposed as a biomarker of disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC). We evaluated OSM’s relationship with clinical, endoscopic, and histological activity across two follow-up visits, compared with fecal calprotectin (FC). One hundred UC patients were assessed at [...] Read more.

Plasma Oncostatin M (OSM) has been proposed as a biomarker of disease activity in ulcerative colitis (UC). We evaluated OSM’s relationship with clinical, endoscopic, and histological activity across two follow-up visits, compared with fecal calprotectin (FC). One hundred UC patients were assessed at Visit 1 (baseline) and Visit 2 (12 months) for clinical (partial Mayo score), endoscopic (Mayo Endoscopic Score), and histological (Nancy Histological Index) activity, alongside plasma OSM, FC, CRP, and fibrinogen; 30 healthy controls were included for comparison. Given the marked right-skewness of OSM and FC, associations were assessed using both Pearson and Spearman correlations, and logistic regression effect sizes are reported as odds ratios per doubling of biomarker concentration (log2 scale). OSM correlated significantly with all activity measures at both visits, most strongly with histological activity (r = 0.521–0.602), but weakly or not with CRP/fibrinogen. OSM was significantly elevated versus controls at both visits (p < 0.001) and declined significantly with treatment response (Δ = −89.06 vs. +0.50 in controls, p = 0.006). FC was the dominant predictor of clinical (AUC = 0.788) and endoscopic (AUC = 0.926) remission at Visit 2, with OSM contributing little independent value; however, for histological remission, both baseline OSM and ΔOSM were independent, complementary correlates (OR = 8.43 and 9.64 per doubling, respectively; p < 0.001 for both), yielding the strongest model overall (AUC = 0.949). OSM’s discriminative accuracy improved markedly from Visit 1 to Visit 2 for endoscopic (AUC 0.695 → 0.897) and histological (AUC 0.738 → 0.927) activity. Across two follow-up assessments, OSM consistently reflected UC activity, with its strongest and most independent signal for histological inflammation, both as a concurrent correlate and—more modestly—as a genuine prospective marker independent of baseline treatment exposure. OSM’s incremental value over FC was most apparent for histological status and for stringent (MES 0) endoscopic remission, but not for conventional clinical or endoscopic remission thresholds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Molecular Advances in Pathogenesis and Therapies, 2nd Edition)

23 pages, 8190 KB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Scenario-Guided, VR-Ready Ambulance Model for EMT Training Using Reality Capture Methods

by Nándor Bakai, Olivér Rák, Patrik Márk Máder, Dóra Erika Simon, Bálint Bachmann, Tünde Jászberényi, Gergő Szeledi, Miklós Halada, József Etlinger and Márk Balázs Zagorácz

Technologies 2026, 14(9), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/technologies14090578 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel require exceptional spatial awareness and rapid decision-making within the confined environment of an ambulance. While Virtual Reality (VR) offers a safe alternative to traditional training, the lack of high-fidelity, regionally accurate, and VR-optimized 3D ambulance models limits its [...] Read more.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) personnel require exceptional spatial awareness and rapid decision-making within the confined environment of an ambulance. While Virtual Reality (VR) offers a safe alternative to traditional training, the lack of high-fidelity, regionally accurate, and VR-optimized 3D ambulance models limits its application. This study presents a scenario-driven methodology for developing a VR-ready 3D ambulance environment prototype tailored for Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training. Utilizing reality-capture techniques, terrestrial laser scanning was performed to accurately document the interior of a standard Hungarian ambulance simulator. The resulting point cloud underwent systematic processing, manual retopology, PBR shading, and the implementation of a custom dual-rigging animation system to optimize complex mechanical movements—such as stretcher operations—for standalone VR platforms. The workflow successfully reduced the vertex count to 25,373 while maintaining millimeter-level spatial fidelity. Technical evaluation confirmed that geometrical, functional, and material objectives were fulfilled, whereas pedagogical implementation remains incomplete. Structural accuracy and animation readiness were verified through preliminary inspection within Blender’s VR viewport inspector. However, interactive game-engine integration remains future work, and educational effectiveness has not yet been tested with EMT learners. Overall, this workflow delivers a 3D asset foundation that establishes the necessary technical basis for subsequent software implementation and clinical evaluation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Assistive Technologies)

8 pages, 1554 KB

Open AccessCase Report

A Military Veteran with Pulmonary Fibrosis, Hepatic Cirrhosis, Bone Marrow Dysfunction and Shortened Telomeres Found to Have GAVE, a Potential Unsuspected Consequence of Telomere Spectrum Disorder

by Anton Uhlen, Omar A. Oudit, Darshan Patel, Niraj Shah, Lena Delorenzo and Shreya Vuchula

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(18), 7073; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15187073 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background: Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends that maintain genomic stability and shorten with age. Mutations in genes such as DKC1, TERC, TERT, NOP10, TINF2 and NHP2 cause Telomere Spectrum Disorders (TSD), leading to shortened telomeres. Acquired TSDs arise from environmental [...] Read more.

Background: Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences at chromosome ends that maintain genomic stability and shorten with age. Mutations in genes such as DKC1, TERC, TERT, NOP10, TINF2 and NHP2 cause Telomere Spectrum Disorders (TSD), leading to shortened telomeres. Acquired TSDs arise from environmental or occupational exposures and commonly affect veterans, truck drivers, and industrial workers. These exposures generate reactive oxygen species associated with cancer, liver disease, pulmonary disease, and bone marrow complications. Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF) is most common pulmonary manifestation, followed by hepatic fibrosis/cirrhosis, hematologic disorders (e.g., aplastic anemia, MDS), and rarely gastrointestinal findings. This case describes a Gulf War veteran with suspected acquired short telomeres and multisystem involvement (idiopathic cirrhosis, pulmonary fibrosis, cytopenias) and uniquely found to have gastrointestinal (Gastric Antral Vascular Ectasia, GAVE), a potential unsuspected manifestation of TSD. Methods/Case: A 76-year-old male with atrial fibrillation (post-Watchman), cryptogenic cirrhosis, COPD, IPF, diabetes, and anemia presented with severe shortness of breath and hypoxia. Admitted for Sepsis and Acute Hypoxic Respiratory Failure. Treated with AVAPS, IV Zosyn, IV Lasix, steroids, bronchodilators, and diuretics. His condition improved, and he was discharged on baseline 3L O2. His Gl history included GAVE, an unsuspected bleeding complication causing chronic iron-deficiency anemia. Hematologic findings included chronic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and a hypocellular bone marrow with 12% atypical NK cells. Discussion/Results: The patient's Gulf War exposure to oil fire pollutants (benzene, toluene, PAHs, lead, cadmium, and particulate matter) likely contributed to telomere shortening and TSD-related multisystem disease. Given his shortened telomeres, testing for TERC and TERT mutations is warranted. GAVE (“watermelon stomach”) is a rare cause of GI bleeding characterized by dilated gastric vessels and chronic anemia and has been linked to TSD but no current reports have documented this association. Its occurrence in this patient suggests an unrecognized gastrointestinal manifestation of TSD as the patient does not have known history of portal hypertension. Conclusions: This represents an potentially underreported manifestation of acquired TSD presenting with combined hepatic, pulmonary, hematologic, and gastrointestinal (GAVE) involvement. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Respiratory Medicine)

16 pages, 3479 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Computational Assessment of the Pressure–Flow Rate Relationship Within the Spiral Casing of a Hydraulic Turbine

by Muris Torlak, Adis Bubalo, Ehlimana Kamenica and Safet Isić

Int. J. Turbomach. Propuls. Power 2026, 11(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijtpp11030039 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Safety, profitability, as well as energy and resource efficiency of hydropower plants require, among others, appropriate operation of hydraulic turbines, which involves reliable estimation and monitoring of water flow rate. In this work, computer simulation is used for investigation of water flow through [...] Read more.

Safety, profitability, as well as energy and resource efficiency of hydropower plants require, among others, appropriate operation of hydraulic turbines, which involves reliable estimation and monitoring of water flow rate. In this work, computer simulation is used for investigation of water flow through the spiral casing of a hydraulic turbine under real operating conditions. The wall pressure at the pre-defined monitoring points in a radial plane, such as used in the Winter–Kennedy measurement method, is calculated for a range of water flow rates. The choice of the boundary-condition type downstream of the stay vanes and sensitivity to adopted turbulent-flow approach are also investigated. The numerical results agree well with the reference measurements. A relation is established between the computed monitoring pressure difference and the corresponding incoming flow rate. Having measured the static pressure at the given points, it can be used for continuous estimation of the water flow rate in the turbine under actual operating conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Selected Papers from the Conference on Modelling Fluid Flow (CMFF’25))

18 pages, 1034 KB

Open AccessArticle

The NUTRI-OBEDIGITHUM Pathway: Integrating Personalized Exchange-Based Nutrition into Digitally Enabled Obesity Care and a Retrospective Real-World Cohort Analysis

by Clotilde Vázquez, Jersy Cárdenas-Salas, Francisco Arrieta, Alvaro Sánchez, Mar Alcarria, Alicia Melchor, Bogdana Luca, Clara Yela, Yvonne Fernández, Ana Prieto, Amalia Paniagua, Maite Ortega, Leopoldo García-Valdecasas, Adriana Burrero, Alberto Martínez, Nerea Aguirre, Miguel Aganzo, Ana Isabel de Cos, Esmeralda Martín, Juan Gómez-Borrallo, Marbella Piñera, Roberto Sierra, Marta del Olmo, Sebastian Mas-Fontao and Teresa Montoya Show full author list Hide full author list

Nutrients 2026, 18(18), 2985; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18182985 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Obesity care requires nutritional prescriptions that are individualized, nutritionally coherent, understandable, and feasible within high-volume clinical services. We describe the NUTRI-OBEDIGITHUM pathway, which integrates multidimensional digital phenotyping, clinician-supervised exchange-based nutritional prescription, patient-oriented materials, and structured education, and we report preliminary descriptive outcomes [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Obesity care requires nutritional prescriptions that are individualized, nutritionally coherent, understandable, and feasible within high-volume clinical services. We describe the NUTRI-OBEDIGITHUM pathway, which integrates multidimensional digital phenotyping, clinician-supervised exchange-based nutritional prescription, patient-oriented materials, and structured education, and we report preliminary descriptive outcomes from a retrospective real-world cohort. Methods: This descriptive methodological and operational study included a retrospective observational analysis of anonymized routine-care data. NUTRI-OBEDIGITHUM integrates OBEDIGITHUM, a digitally enabled obesity-care pathway, with Dietcamb^®, a software-supported method that translates individualized energy and macronutrient targets into food exchanges, meal distributions, household measures, food lists, and example menus. The source database comprised 3928 unique patients. Among patients with a plausible baseline weight and an observable 6-month window, the eligible outcome was the measurement closest to day 183 within ±60 days, after prespecified plausibility checks. Baseline characteristics were compared descriptively according to outcome availability. Baseline medication exposure was assessed using free-text mentions only. Results: By the data cutoff, the 6-month window had opened for 3215 patients; 929 (28.9%) had an eligible 6-month weight and 2286 (71.1%) did not. In the analyzed cohort, mean age was 53.7 ± 14.0 years, 70.5% were women, and mean body mass index was 35.9 ± 6.3 kg/m². Mean weight changed from 98.5 ± 20.7 kg at baseline to 94.2 ± 20.3 kg at follow-up, corresponding to a descriptive paired change of −4.3 kg (95% CI −4.7 to −3.9); median total body-weight loss was 3.4%. Losses of at least 5%, 10%, and 15% were observed in 39.6%, 17.8%, and 6.4% of patients, respectively. A baseline GLP-1 receptor-agonist mention was present in 151/929 patients (16.3%); medication timing, dose, duration, dispensing, persistence, and adherence were unavailable. Conclusions: NUTRI-OBEDIGITHUM provides an operational framework for converting multidimensional obesity phenotyping into a structured, flexible, clinician-supervised, and patient-oriented nutritional prescription. The observed weight trajectories are descriptive complete-case findings from a selected, uncontrolled cohort and cannot establish the independent effectiveness of the pathway, Dietcamb^®, or pharmacotherapy. Prospective studies should evaluate reach, adoption, fidelity, usability, adherence, nutritional adequacy, safety, NUTRI-specific workload and cost, and metabolic outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Integrative Interventions for Obesity: The Central Role of Nutrition)

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15 pages, 1003 KB

Open AccessCommunication

Etcho (Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum) Fruit Juice Reduces Lipid Accumulation and Modulates CD36 and AdipoR1 mRNA Expression in Human Adipocytes Stimulated with Long-Chain Fatty Acids

by Diana Sabina Ferreira-Vázquez, Lilian Karem Flores-Mendoza, Jesús G. Arámburo-Gálvez, Oscar G. Figueroa-Salcido, Emmanuel Aispuro-Hernández, Erika Silva-Campa, Marcela J. Vergara-Jiménez and Noé Ontiveros

Beverages 2026, 12(9), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/beverages12090109 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Phytochemicals modulate lipid metabolism, but it remains unclear whether phytochemical-rich cactus fruits have a similar effect. Accordingly, the effects of Etcho (Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum) fruit juice on lipid accumulation and on the expression of CD36 and ADIPOR1 were investigated, and the potential [...] Read more.

Phytochemicals modulate lipid metabolism, but it remains unclear whether phytochemical-rich cactus fruits have a similar effect. Accordingly, the effects of Etcho (Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum) fruit juice on lipid accumulation and on the expression of CD36 and ADIPOR1 were investigated, and the potential interactions between its major betalains and the CD36 and ADIPOR1 receptors were predicted. Phytochemical content was determined by spectrophotometry. Human adipocytes were stimulated with a 2:1 (molar) oleic/palmitic acid mixture and then treated with Etcho fruit juice/its hydroethanolic extract/betanin. Lipid accumulation was measured by Oil Red O staining, and CD36 and ADIPOR1 expression were quantified by qPCR. Molecular docking was performed to assess the binding affinities and molecular interactions of betanin, indicaxanthin, and phyllocactin with CD36 and ADIPOR1. All treatments reduced long-chain fatty acid–induced lipid accumulation (p < 0.05). The juice decreased CD36 mRNA and increased ADIPOR1 mRNA levels (p < 0.05), and molecular docking revealed that its betalains bind strongly to the CD36 extracellular domain and the ADIPOR1 orthosteric pocket triad. Etcho fruit juice is a source of phenolics and betalains. It reduces lipid accumulation in human adipocytes and modulates the expression of CD36 and ADIPOR1. The juice’s major betalains may target CD36 and ADIPOR1. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant-Based Beverages: From Nutritional Value to Bioactive Functionality)

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19 pages, 473 KB

Open AccessArticle

Clinical Characteristics and In-Hospital Outcomes of Traumatic Bladder Rupture: An 11-Year Retrospective Cohort Study at a Single Regional Trauma Center

by Jaeik Jang, Myung Jin Jang, Kang Kook Choi, Soon Ki Min, Wu Seong Kang, Gil Jae Lee, Seung Hwan Lee, Jayun Cho and Byungchul Yu

J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(18), 7072; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15187072 (registering DOI) - 11 Sep 2026

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Traumatic bladder rupture often accompanies pelvic fracture, making it uncertain whether differences between extraperitoneal bladder rupture (EPBR) and intraperitoneal bladder rupture (IPBR) reflect the rupture site itself or overall trauma burden. Prior multi-institutional evidence has focused on EPBR. We therefore examined [...] Read more.

Background/Objectives: Traumatic bladder rupture often accompanies pelvic fracture, making it uncertain whether differences between extraperitoneal bladder rupture (EPBR) and intraperitoneal bladder rupture (IPBR) reflect the rupture site itself or overall trauma burden. Prior multi-institutional evidence has focused on EPBR. We therefore examined whether rupture site was associated with hospital length of stay after accounting for concomitant pelvic fracture and injury severity. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 46 adults with definite traumatic bladder rupture treated at a single regional trauma center from January 2014 through December 2024. Rupture site was the primary exposure, hospital length of stay was the primary outcome, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay was the secondary outcome. Parsimonious exploratory log-linear models included rupture site, concomitant pelvic fracture, and Injury Severity Score (ISS). Results: Twenty-one patients had IPBR, 25 had EPBR, and 26 had concomitant pelvic fracture. In the adjusted primary-outcome analysis, rupture site was not clearly associated with hospital length of stay (EPBR versus IPBR adjusted ratio, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.59–1.76). The secondary adjusted analysis likewise showed no clear association with ICU length of stay (adjusted ratio for ICU days + 1, 1.31; 95% CI, 0.77–2.21). In unadjusted comparisons, pelvic fracture was observed more frequently with EPBR (72.0% versus 38.1%; p = 0.021; FDR q = 0.078), and EPBR was associated with longer hospital stay (median, 44.0 versus 24.0 days; p = 0.024; FDR q = 0.078) and ICU stay (8.0 versus 4.0 days; p = 0.007; FDR q = 0.037). Among 42 surgically treated patients, EPBR was associated with a longer admission-to-repair interval (adjusted ratio for days + 1, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.28–3.82). Conclusions: After adjustment for concomitant pelvic fracture and ISS, rupture site was not clearly associated with hospital or ICU length of stay. The conditional admission-to-repair finding may reflect complex trauma-care pathways rather than diagnostic delay. The frequent coexistence of bladder rupture and pelvic fracture reinforces the clinical importance of careful bladder assessment in patients with severe pelvic trauma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery: 3rd Edition)

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