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Search Results (374)

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20 pages, 41724 KB  
Article
TRIC-A Facilitates Sarcoplasmic Reticulum–Mitochondrial Ca2+ Signaling Crosstalk in Cardiomyocytes
by Ang Li, Xinyu Zhou, Ki Ho Park, Jianxun Yi, Xuejun Li, Jae-Kyun Ko, Yuchen Chen, Miyuki Nishi, Daiju Yamazaki, Hiroshi Takeshima, Jingsong Zhou and Jianjie Ma
Cells 2025, 14(20), 1579; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14201579 - 11 Oct 2025
Viewed by 34
Abstract
TRIC-A is an intracellular cation channel enriched in excitable tissues that is recently identified as a key modulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ homeostasis through direct interaction with type 2 ryanodine receptors (RyR2). Given the intimate anatomical and functional coupling [...] Read more.
TRIC-A is an intracellular cation channel enriched in excitable tissues that is recently identified as a key modulator of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ homeostasis through direct interaction with type 2 ryanodine receptors (RyR2). Given the intimate anatomical and functional coupling between the SR and mitochondria, we investigated whether TRIC-A contributes to SR–mitochondrial crosstalk under cardiac stress conditions. Using a transverse aortic constriction (TAC) model, we found that TRIC-A−/− mice developed more severe cardiac hypertrophy, underwent maladaptive remodeling, and activated apoptotic pathways compared with wild-type littermates. At the cellular level, TRIC-A-deficient cardiomyocytes were more susceptible to H2O2-induced mitochondrial injury and displayed abnormal mitochondrial morphology. Live-cell imaging revealed exaggerated mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake during caffeine stimulation and increased propensity for store-overload-induced Ca2+ release (SOICR). Complementary studies in HEK293 cells expressing RyR2 demonstrated that exogenous TRIC-A expression attenuates RyR2-mediated mitochondrial Ca2+ overload, preserves respiratory function, and suppresses superoxide generation. Together, these findings identify TRIC-A as a critical regulator of SR–mitochondrial Ca2+ signaling. By constraining mitochondrial Ca2+ influx and limiting oxidative stress, TRIC-A safeguards cardiomyocytes against SOICR-driven injury and confers protection against pressure overload-induced cardiac dysfunction. Full article
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22 pages, 617 KB  
Review
Mapping the Neurophysiological Link Between Voice and Autonomic Function: A Scoping Review
by Carmen Morales-Luque, Laura Carrillo-Franco, Manuel Víctor López-González, Marta González-García and Marc Stefan Dawid-Milner
Biology 2025, 14(10), 1382; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14101382 - 10 Oct 2025
Viewed by 154
Abstract
Vocal production requires the coordinated control of respiratory, laryngeal, and autonomic systems. In individuals with high vocal demand, this physiological load may influence autonomic regulation, even in the absence of voice disorders. This scoping review systematically mapped current evidence on the relationship between [...] Read more.
Vocal production requires the coordinated control of respiratory, laryngeal, and autonomic systems. In individuals with high vocal demand, this physiological load may influence autonomic regulation, even in the absence of voice disorders. This scoping review systematically mapped current evidence on the relationship between voice production and autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity in adults, focusing exclusively on studies that assessed both systems simultaneously. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL, following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Eligible studies included adults performing structured vocal tasks with concurrent autonomic measurements. Data were extracted and synthesized descriptively. Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Most involved healthy adults with high vocal demand, while some included participants with subclinical or functional voice traits. Vocal tasks ranged from singing and sustained phonation to speech under cognitive or emotional load. Autonomic measures included heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and electrodermal activity (EDA), among others. Four thematic trends emerged: autonomic synchronization during group vocalization; modulation of autonomic tone by vocal rhythm and structure; voice–ANS interplay under stress; and physiological coupling in hyperfunctional vocal behaviours. This review’s findings suggest that vocal activity can modulate autonomic function, supporting the potential integration of autonomic markers into experimental and clinical voice research. Full article
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12 pages, 423 KB  
Article
The Criterion Validity of a Newly Developed Ballroom Aerobic Test (BAT) Protocol Against Objective Methods
by Tamara Despot and Davor Plavec
Sports 2025, 13(10), 337; https://doi.org/10.3390/sports13100337 - 1 Oct 2025
Viewed by 158
Abstract
Although laboratory testing to assess aerobic capacity has been a ‘gold standard’ in sports science, its high costs and time-consuming protocols may not be feasible for monitoring and tracking progress in limited conditions. In dancesport athletes, several field-based aerobic tests have been proposed, [...] Read more.
Although laboratory testing to assess aerobic capacity has been a ‘gold standard’ in sports science, its high costs and time-consuming protocols may not be feasible for monitoring and tracking progress in limited conditions. In dancesport athletes, several field-based aerobic tests have been proposed, but the majority of them have been developed for ballet or contemporary dancers at the individual level, while the data among dance couples engaging in standard dance styles is lacking. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to validate a newly developed Ballroom Aerobic Test (BAT) protocol against objective methods. Twelve standard dancesport couples (age: 20.4 ± 3.9 years; height: 172.1 ± 8.7 cm; weight: 60.1 ± 9.4 kg) with 8.2 ± 3.4 years of training and competing experience participated in this study. Ventilatory and metabolic parameters were generated using the MetaMax® 3B portable gas analyzer (the BAT), while the KF1 (an increase in speed by 0.5 km * h−1 by every minute) and Bruce protocols were followed in laboratory-based settings on the running ergometer. Large to very large correlations were obtained between the BAT and KF1/Bruce protocols for the absolute maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max; r = 0.88 and 0.87) and relative VO2max (r = 0.88 and 0.85), respiratory exchange ratio (RER; r = 0.78 and 0.76), expiratory ventilation (VE; r = 0.86 and 0.79), tidal volume (VT; r = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.57–0.87; p < 0.001), ventilatory equivalent for O2 (VE/VO2; r = 0.81 and 0.80) and CO2 (VE/VCO2; r = 0.78 and 0.82), and dead space (VD/VT; r = 0.70 and 0.74). The Bland–Altman plots indicated no systematic and proportional biases between the BAT and KF1 protocols (standard error of estimate; SEE = ± 3.36 mL * kg−1 * min−1) and the BAT and Bruce protocols (SEE = ± 3.75 mL * kg−1 * min−1). This study shows that the BAT exhibits satisfactory agreement properties against objective methods and is a valid dance protocol to accurately estimate aerobic capacity in dancesport athletes participating in standard dance styles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sport-Specific Testing and Training Methods in Youth)
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15 pages, 561 KB  
Article
Poor Oral Health and Risk of Respiratory Tract Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study from the UK Biobank
by Danting Yang, Hyung-Suk Yoon, Tara Hashemian, Young-Rock Hong, Shama D. Karanth, Sai Zhang, Heba El-Ahmad, Shannon M. Wallet, Qiuyin Cai, Xiao-Ou Shu, Ji-Hyun Lee and Jae Jeong Yang
Cancers 2025, 17(18), 3028; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17183028 - 16 Sep 2025
Viewed by 558
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The individual and combined effects of diverse dental problems on site-specific respiratory tract cancer remain insufficiently addressed. This study investigated the associations between six oral conditions—dentures, loose teeth, painful gums, bleeding gums, toothache, and mouth ulcers—and the risk of developing cancers of [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The individual and combined effects of diverse dental problems on site-specific respiratory tract cancer remain insufficiently addressed. This study investigated the associations between six oral conditions—dentures, loose teeth, painful gums, bleeding gums, toothache, and mouth ulcers—and the risk of developing cancers of the lung, bronchus, larynx, and trachea, both individually and collectively. Methods: This prospective cohort study, utilizing baseline data from the UK Biobank, analyzed 438,762 participants aged 40–69 years. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were employed to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for incident respiratory tract cancer associated with individual oral conditions and their cumulative impact. Effect modification by sociodemographics, lifestyle, and underlying medical conditions was further assessed. Results: During the follow-up (median = 11.0 years), 3568 participants developed respiratory tract cancer. After adjusting for confounders, including smoking history, individuals with any oral issues exhibited a 35–76% higher risk of respiratory tract cancer (HR [95% CI]: 1.35 [1.25–1.46] for the total risk, 1.34 [1.24–1.45] for bronchus/lung cancer, and 1.76 [1.23–2.52] for laryngeal cancer). Dentures (1.48 [1.36–1.60]), loose teeth (1.36 [1.20–1.54]), and painful gums (1.25 [1.04–1.50]) had a strong association with respiratory tract cancer. The overall risk escalated progressively with the number of concurrent problems (HR [95% CI] of 1.32 [1.22–1.43] for one, 1.42 [1.25–1.62] for two, 1.57 [1.23–1.98] for three, and 1.71 [1.16–2.50] for ≥four). Associations were pronounced among smokers (p-interaction = 0.002). Conclusions: Poor oral health is linked to a heightened risk of respiratory tract cancer, especially when coupled with smoking, underscoring the importance of oral health promotion in cancer prevention strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention)
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25 pages, 1496 KB  
Article
Mathematical Analysis and Optimal Control of a Transmission Model for Respiratory Syncytial Virus
by Zakaria S. Al Ajlan, Moustafa El-Shahed and Yousef Alnafisah
Mathematics 2025, 13(18), 2929; https://doi.org/10.3390/math13182929 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 277
Abstract
In this study, we develop a mathematical model to describe the transmission dynamics of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), incorporating the coexistence of two distinct strains. The global stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibria is analyzed. Bifurcation analysis reveals the occurrence of [...] Read more.
In this study, we develop a mathematical model to describe the transmission dynamics of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), incorporating the coexistence of two distinct strains. The global stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibria is analyzed. Bifurcation analysis reveals the occurrence of a forward bifurcation. To control the spread of the infection, Pontryagin’s maximum principle is applied within the framework of optimal control theory, considering intervention strategies such as isolation, treatment, and vaccination. A detailed evaluation of the effectiveness of these control strategies is conducted for a specific population based on a nonlinear optimal control model. Moreover, a cost-effectiveness analysis is performed to identify the most economically viable intervention. The findings indicate that, among the studied interventions, isolation is the most cost-effective strategy for reducing RSV prevalence. The model is numerically solved using the fourth-order Runge–Kutta method, coupled with the forward–backward sweep algorithm, to assess the impact of various control combinations on the transmission dynamics of RSV. Full article
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21 pages, 4474 KB  
Article
A Validated CFD Model for Gas Exchange in Hollow Fiber Membrane Oxygenators: Incorporating the Bohr and Haldane Effects
by Seyyed Hossein Monsefi Estakhrposhti, Jingjing Xu, Margit Gföhler and Michael Harasek
Membranes 2025, 15(9), 268; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15090268 - 4 Sep 2025
Viewed by 882
Abstract
Chronic respiratory diseases claim nearly four million lives annually, making them the third leading cause of death worldwide. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is often the last line of support for patients with severe lung failure. Still, its performance is limited by an incomplete [...] Read more.
Chronic respiratory diseases claim nearly four million lives annually, making them the third leading cause of death worldwide. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is often the last line of support for patients with severe lung failure. Still, its performance is limited by an incomplete understanding of gas exchange in hollow fiber membrane (HFM) oxygenators. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has become a robust oxygenator design and optimization tool. However, most models oversimplify O2 and CO2 transport by ignoring their physiological coupling, instead relying on fixed saturation curves or constant-content assumptions. For the first time, this study introduces a novel physiologically informed CFD model that integrates the Bohr and Haldane effects to capture the coupled transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide as functions of local pH, temperature, and gas partial pressures. The model is validated against in vitro experimental data from the literature and assessed against established CFD models. The proposed CFD model achieved excellent agreement with experiments across blood flow rates (100–500 mL/min ), with relative errors below 5% for oxygen and 10–15% for carbon dioxide transfer. These results surpassed the accuracy of all existing CFD approaches, demonstrating that a carefully formulated single-phase model combined with physiologically informed diffusivities can outperform more complex multiphase simulations. This work provides a computationally efficient and physiologically realistic framework for oxygenator optimization, potentially accelerating device development, reducing reliance on costly in vitro testing, and enabling patient-specific simulations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Membrane Applications for Gas Separation)
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12 pages, 2008 KB  
Article
Metal Enrichment in Settleable Particulate Matter Associated with Air Pollution in the Andean City of Ecuador
by David del Pozo, Bryan Valle, Daniel Maza and Ángel Benítez
Environments 2025, 12(9), 304; https://doi.org/10.3390/environments12090304 - 30 Aug 2025
Viewed by 902
Abstract
Air pollution is one of the major environmental challenges worldwide. Settleable particulate matter (SPM), related to this environmental problem, contains metals capable of producing negative effects on human health (e.g., cardiovascular and respiratory illness). For this study, continuous monitoring was carried in the [...] Read more.
Air pollution is one of the major environmental challenges worldwide. Settleable particulate matter (SPM), related to this environmental problem, contains metals capable of producing negative effects on human health (e.g., cardiovascular and respiratory illness). For this study, continuous monitoring was carried in the urban city of Loja (Ecuador), where 10 points were distributed based on different land uses. Samples were collected on a monthly basis using a passive method, by means of samplers built based on the 502 Method. The gravimetric method was then used in the laboratory to determine the concentration of SPM. The inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) technique was used to identify the presence of metals as such as Copper (Cu), Lead (Pb), Cobalt (Co), Cadmium (Cd), Chromium (Cr), Silver (Ag), Arsenic (As), and Mercury (Hg) in SPM. The results obtained showed that SPM and As differed significantly between land uses, but most metals showed significant differences in relation to temporal changes. Although 90% of the sampling points show SPM concentrations within the limits established by environmental regulations, some of the points exceed the World Health Organization (WHO) limit of 0.5 mg/cm2. Finally, the temporal changes in more metals were clearly observed, probably because of increased combustion processes (vehicular traffic), with a higher percentage of metals clearly observed during the April and August months. Furthermore, the highest levels of vegetation burning in Loja province, including the surroundings of the city of Loja, occurred in August. This analysis provides essential data to guide environmental monitoring and air quality management strategies, aiming to reduce health risks from long-term exposure to metal-enriched particulate matter. Full article
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20 pages, 1010 KB  
Article
Emergence of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Romanian Infectious Diseases Hospital
by Dragos Stefan Lazar, Maria Nica, Corina Oprisan, Maricela Vlasie, Ilie-Andrei Condurache, Simin Aysel Florescu and George Sebastian Gherlan
Pathogens 2025, 14(9), 859; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14090859 - 29 Aug 2025
Viewed by 823
Abstract
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a member of the Enterobacterales Order, often colonises the gut and causes diverse infections, including bloodstream, urinary, and respiratory infections. The rise in carbapenem-resistant sFtrains, especially those producing enzymes like K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), Oxacillinase 48 [...] Read more.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, a member of the Enterobacterales Order, often colonises the gut and causes diverse infections, including bloodstream, urinary, and respiratory infections. The rise in carbapenem-resistant sFtrains, especially those producing enzymes like K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC), New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), Oxacillinase 48 (OXA48), or combinations (NDM+OXA48-like), poses a significant threat across Europe, notably in Romania. These strains spread rapidly via mobile genetic elements, complicating treatment. Methods: A retrospective study of multidrug-resistant (MDR) K. pneumoniae strains isolated from clinical samples collected at an infectious diseases hospital in Romania. Results: We analysed the evolution of carbapenemases and their combinations from 2010 to 2024, with the rising antibiotic consumption, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) rose from 4.9% in 2010 to 41.6% in 2024. There was an overall antibiotic use increase, especially colistin (186%) between 2019–2024. Additionally, we examined the dynamics of antibiotic susceptibility that decreased in 2023–2024 and found that susceptibility of NDM+OXA48-like isolates to colistin was 16.5% and to cefiderocol 58.5%. Conclusions: The rising prevalence of K. pneumoniae strains with complex resistance mechanisms, coupled with a significant reduction in available treatment options, demands a fundamental paradigm shift in the management of these infections. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Bacterial Pathogens)
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18 pages, 2387 KB  
Article
Airway Extracellular Copper Concentrations Increase with Age and Are Associated with Oxidative Stress Independent of Disease State: A Case-Control Study Including Patients with Asthma and COPD
by Andreas Frølich, Rosamund E. Dove, Phe Leong-Smith, Mark C. Parkin, Annelie F. Behndig, Anders Blomberg and Ian S. Mudway
Antioxidants 2025, 14(8), 1006; https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox14081006 - 17 Aug 2025
Viewed by 989
Abstract
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are characterised by increased oxidative stress in the lungs. The precise contribution of this stress to COPD aetiology remains unclear, partly due to the confounding influence of physiological ageing. Previous reports of increased oxidative stress in [...] Read more.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are characterised by increased oxidative stress in the lungs. The precise contribution of this stress to COPD aetiology remains unclear, partly due to the confounding influence of physiological ageing. Previous reports of increased oxidative stress in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples from individuals with COPD may at least in part be attributable to the subjects’ age. This study investigated whether increased metal concentrations at the air–lung interface would contribute to oxidative stress in the lungs. We analysed BAL samples from young and old never-smokers, young asthmatic never-smokers, older smokers without COPD and COPD patients (both current and ex-smokers). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to quantify a range of transition metals, including iron, copper, zinc, arsenic and cadmium. BAL concentrations of copper and zinc were significantly lower in young groups compared to the older groups, irrespective of smoking status or disease (p < 0.001 for both). BAL copper was significantly associated with several markers of oxidative stress, all of which were elevated with age: glutathione disulphide (ρ = 0.50, p < 0.001), dehydroascorbate (ρ = 0.67, p < 0.001) and 4-Hydroxynonenal (ρ = 0.43, p < 0.001). These data indicate that age-related increases in respiratory tract copper concentrations contribute to elevated levels of oxidative stress at the air–lung interface independently of respiratory disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Redox Regulation in COPD: Therapeutic Implications of Antioxidants)
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19 pages, 525 KB  
Review
Nociceptin and the NOP Receptor in Pain Management: From Molecular Insights to Clinical Applications
by Michelle Wu, Brandon Park and Xiang-Ping Chu
Anesth. Res. 2025, 2(3), 18; https://doi.org/10.3390/anesthres2030018 - 11 Aug 2025
Viewed by 1058
Abstract
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a neuropeptide that activates the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor structurally similar to classical opioid receptors but with distinct pharmacological properties. Unlike μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists, NOP receptor agonists provide analgesia with a reduced risk [...] Read more.
Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is a neuropeptide that activates the nociceptin opioid peptide (NOP) receptor, a G protein-coupled receptor structurally similar to classical opioid receptors but with distinct pharmacological properties. Unlike μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists, NOP receptor agonists provide analgesia with a reduced risk of respiratory depression, tolerance, and dependence. This review synthesizes current evidence from molecular studies, animal models, and clinical trials to evaluate the therapeutic potential of the N/OFQ–NOP system in pain management and anesthesia. A literature review was conducted through a PubMed search of English language articles published between 2015 and 2025 using keywords such as “nociceptin,” “NOP receptor,” “bifunctional NOP/MOR agonists,” and “analgesia.” Primary research articles, clinical trials, and relevant reviews were selected based on their relevance to NOP pharmacology and therapeutic application. Additional references were included through citation tracking of seminal papers. Comparisons with classical opioid systems were made to highlight key pharmacological differences, and therapeutic developments involving NOP-selective and bifunctional NOP/MOR agonists were examined. In preclinical models of chronic inflammatory and neuropathic pain, NOP receptor ago-nists reduced hyperalgesia by 30–70%, while producing minimal effects in acute pain as-says. In healthy human volunteers, bifunctional NOP/MOR agonists such as cebrano-padol provided significant pain relief, achieving ≥30% reduction in pain intensity in up to 70% of subjects, with lower incidence of respiratory depression compared with morphine. Sunobinop, another NOP/MOR agent, demonstrated reduced next-day residual effects and a favorable cognitive safety profile. Clinical data also suggest that co-activation of NOP and MOR may attenuate opioid-induced hyperalgesia and tolerance. However, challenges remain, including variability in receptor signaling and limited human trial data. The N/OFQ–NOP receptor system represents a promising and potentially safer target for analgesia and perioperative care. Future efforts should focus on developing optimized NOP ligands, incorporating personalized approaches based on receptor variability, and advancing clinical trials to integrate these agents into multimodal pain management and enhanced recovery protocols. Full article
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21 pages, 604 KB  
Review
Autoantibodies in COVID-19: Pathogenic Mechanisms and Implications for Severe Illness and Post-Acute Sequelae
by Lais Alves do-Nascimento, Nicolle Rakanidis Machado, Isabella Siuffi Bergamasco, João Vitor da Silva Borges, Fabio da Ressureição Sgnotto and Jefferson Russo Victor
COVID 2025, 5(8), 121; https://doi.org/10.3390/covid5080121 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1673
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a wide range of acute and chronic disease manifestations. While most infections are mild, a significant number of patients develop severe illness marked by respiratory failure, thromboinflammation, and multi-organ dysfunction. In addition, post-acute sequelae—commonly [...] Read more.
The COVID-19 pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has led to a wide range of acute and chronic disease manifestations. While most infections are mild, a significant number of patients develop severe illness marked by respiratory failure, thromboinflammation, and multi-organ dysfunction. In addition, post-acute sequelae—commonly known as long-COVID—can persist for months. Recent studies have identified the emergence of diverse autoantibodies in COVID-19, including those targeting nuclear antigens, phospholipids, type I interferons, cytokines, endothelial components, and G-protein-coupled receptors. These autoantibodies are more frequently detected in patients with moderate to severe disease and have been implicated in immune dysregulation, vascular injury, and persistent symptoms. This review examines the underlying immunological mechanisms driving autoantibody production during SARS-CoV-2 infection—including molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, and bystander activation—and discusses their functional roles in acute and post-acute disease. We further explore the relevance of autoantibodies in maternal–fetal immunity and comorbid conditions such as autoimmunity and cancer, and we summarize current and emerging therapeutic strategies. A comprehensive understanding of SARS-CoV-2-induced autoantibodies may improve risk stratification, inform clinical management, and guide the development of targeted immunomodulatory therapies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Host Genetics and Susceptibility/Resistance)
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16 pages, 386 KB  
Article
State Space Correspondence and Cross-Entropy Methods in the Assessment of Bidirectional Cardiorespiratory Coupling in Heart Failure
by Beatrice Cairo, Riccardo Pernice, Nikola N. Radovanović, Luca Faes, Alberto Porta and Mirjana M. Platiša
Entropy 2025, 27(7), 770; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27070770 - 20 Jul 2025
Viewed by 675
Abstract
The complex interplay between the cardiac and the respiratory systems, termed cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC), is a bidirectional phenomenon that can be affected by pathologies such as heart failure (HF). In the present work, the potential changes in strength of directional CRC were assessed [...] Read more.
The complex interplay between the cardiac and the respiratory systems, termed cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC), is a bidirectional phenomenon that can be affected by pathologies such as heart failure (HF). In the present work, the potential changes in strength of directional CRC were assessed in HF patients classified according to their cardiac rhythm via two measures of coupling based on k-nearest neighbor (KNN) estimation approaches, cross-entropy (CrossEn) and state space correspondence (SSC), applied on the heart period (HP) and respiratory (RESP) variability series, while also accounting for the complexity of the cardiac and respiratory rhythms. We tested the measures on 25 HF patients with sinus rhythm (SR, age: 58.9 ± 9.7 years; 23 males) and 41 HF patients with ventricular arrhythmia (VA, age 62.2 ± 11.0 years; 30 males). A predominant directionality of interaction from the cardiac to the respiratory rhythm was observed in both cohorts and using both methodologies, with similar statistical power, while a lower complexity for the RESP series compared to HP series was observed in the SR cohort. We conclude that CrossEn and SSC can be considered strictly related to each other when using a KNN technique for the estimation of the cross-predictability markers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Entropy Methods for Cardiorespiratory Coupling Analysis)
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12 pages, 2724 KB  
Article
Non-Adiabatically Tapered Optical Fiber Humidity Sensor with High Sensitivity and Temperature Compensation
by Zijun Liang, Chao Wang, Yaqi Tang, Shoulin Jiang, Xianjie Zhong, Zhe Zhang and Rui Dai
Sensors 2025, 25(14), 4390; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25144390 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 765
Abstract
We demonstrate an all-fiber, high-sensitivity, dual-parameter sensor for humidity and temperature. The sensor consists of a symmetrical, non-adiabatic, tapered, single-mode optical fiber, operating at the wavelength near the dispersion turning point, and a cascaded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) for temperature compensation. At one [...] Read more.
We demonstrate an all-fiber, high-sensitivity, dual-parameter sensor for humidity and temperature. The sensor consists of a symmetrical, non-adiabatic, tapered, single-mode optical fiber, operating at the wavelength near the dispersion turning point, and a cascaded fiber Bragg grating (FBG) for temperature compensation. At one end of the fiber’s tapered region, part of the fundamental mode is coupled to a higher-order mode, and vice versa at the other end. Under the circumstances that the two modes have the same group index, the transmission spectrum would show an interference fringe with uneven dips. In the tapered region of the sensor, some of the light transmits to the air, so it is sensitive to changes in the refractive index caused by the ambient humidity. In the absence of moisture-sensitive materials, the humidity sensitivity of our sensor sample can reach −286 pm/%RH. In order to address the temperature and humidity crosstalk and achieve a dual-parameter measurement, we cascaded a humidity-insensitive FBG. In addition, the sensor has a good humidity stability and a response time of 0.26 s, which shows its potential in fields such as medical respiratory dynamic monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Optical Sensors)
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16 pages, 2901 KB  
Article
Analysis of Pharmacological Activities and Mechanisms of Essential Oil in Flowers of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’ by GC-MS/MS and Network Pharmacology
by Danxi Yan, Shuyi Wen, Mingxia Chen, Jinlan Huang, Guihao Zhang, Renkai Li, Jiamin Lu, Zhongxuan Yao, Fei Gao and Jieshu You
Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(7), 541; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47070541 - 11 Jul 2025
Viewed by 617
Abstract
According to our research, the flowers from Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’ contain rich biologically active essential oil components, but the chemical components and relative pharmacological properties have not been systematically studied. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the essential oil components by GC-MS/MS and [...] Read more.
According to our research, the flowers from Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’ contain rich biologically active essential oil components, but the chemical components and relative pharmacological properties have not been systematically studied. Therefore, the study aimed to identify the essential oil components by GC-MS/MS and explore the pharmacological activity and mechanism of these essential oil components by a network pharmacology approach. Finally, GC-MS/MS analysis identified 43 essential oil components, which corresponded to 739 potential targets. GO analysis results showed that 12, 18, and 12 entries were related to biological processes, cellular components, and molecular functions, respectively. A total of 120 pathways were obtained based on KEGG analysis, of which the most important was the adenylate cyclase-inhibiting G protein-coupled acetylcholine receptor signaling pathway. The “active component–target–disease” network further demonstrated these essential oil components’ potential efficacy against pain, tumors, neuropsychiatric diseases, eye diseases, and respiratory diseases, which were highly related to PPARA, GABRA1, PTGS2, and SLC6A2. Experimental validation confirmed that β-caryophyllene, a major constituent, dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of HT29 and MCF-7 cells (0–320 μM). This study provides a reliable basis for elucidating the pharmacological activity of the essential oil components and related mechanisms, which is beneficial to the comprehensive utilization and development of Citrus grandis ‘Tomentosa’. Full article
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20 pages, 3835 KB  
Article
Host RhoA Signaling Controls Filamentous vs. Spherical Morphogenesis and Cell-to-Cell Spread of RSV via Lipid Raft Localization: Host-Directed Antiviral Target
by Manoj K. Pastey, Lewis H. McCurdy and Barney S. Graham
Microorganisms 2025, 13(7), 1599; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms13071599 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 569
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major human respiratory pathogen, particularly affecting infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. RSV exists in both spherical and filamentous forms, with the filamentous morphology associated with enhanced infectivity and cell-to-cell spread. Here, we demonstrate that RhoA, a [...] Read more.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major human respiratory pathogen, particularly affecting infants, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals. RSV exists in both spherical and filamentous forms, with the filamentous morphology associated with enhanced infectivity and cell-to-cell spread. Here, we demonstrate that RhoA, a small GTPase involved in cytoskeletal regulation, is essential for filamentous RSV morphogenesis through its role in organizing lipid raft microdomains. Rhosin, a selective RhoA inhibitor developed through structure-guided screening, disrupts GEF–RhoA interactions to block RhoA activation. The pharmacological inhibition of RhoA with Rhosin significantly reduced filamentous virion formation, disrupted RSV fusion (F) protein colocalization with lipid rafts, and diminished cell-to-cell fusion, without affecting overall viral replication. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that Rhosin-treated infected HEp-2 cells exhibited fewer and shorter filamentous projections compared to the extensive filament formation seen in untreated cells. β-galactosidase-based fusion assays confirmed that reduced filamentation corresponded with decreased cell-to-cell fusion. The biophysical separation of RSV spherical and filamentous particles by sucrose gradient velocity sedimentation, coupled with fluorescence and transmission electron microscopy, showed that Rhosin treatment shifted virion morphology toward spherical forms. This suggests that RhoA activity is critical for filamentous virion assembly, which may enhance viral spread. Immunofluorescence microscopy using lipid raft-selective dyes (DiIC16) and fusion protein-specific antibodies revealed the strong co-localization of RSV proteins with lipid rafts. Importantly, the pharmacological inhibition of RhoA with Rhosin disrupted F protein partitioning into raft domains, underscoring the requirement for intact lipid rafts in assembly. These findings highlight a novel role for host RhoA signaling in regulating viral assembly through raft microdomain organization, offering a potential target for host-directed antiviral intervention aimed at altering RSV structural phenotypes and limiting pathogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Viral Diseases: Current Research and Future Directions)
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