Saved Queries

by Victor Bocoș-Bințințan, Ancuța-Maria Dodea, Tomáš Rozsypal, Adrian Pătruț, Gheorghe Roșian, Aurel-Vasile Martiniuc, Alin-Gabriel Moraru, Simina Vasc and Maria-Paula Bocoș-Bințințan

Toxics 2025, 13(10), 843; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics13100843 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Chlorpyrifos CPF (O,O-diethyl O-(3,5,6-trichloro-2-pyridyl) phosphorothioate), known also as Chlorpyrifos-ethyl, is one of the most utilized organophosphorus pesticides worldwide. Additionally, CPF could be used as a chemical warfare agent surrogate. Although its acute toxicity is not high, it is responsible for both a large number of intoxications and chronic, delayed neurological effects. In this work, it is reported for the first time the qualitative and quantitative response produced by CPF vapors, using a pocket-held Time-of-Flight Ion Mobility Spectrometer (ToF IMS) with a non-radioactive ionization source and ammonia doping, model LCD-3.2E (Smiths Detection Ltd.), operated near ambient temperature (below 30 °C). Spectra of CPF in positive ion mode included two distinct product ion peaks; thus, identification of CPF vapors by IMS relies on these peaks—the monomer M·NH₄⁺ with reduced ion mobility K₀ = ca. 1.76 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ and the dimer M₂·NH₄⁺ with K₀ = ca. 1.47 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹ (where M may be assignable to CPF molecule)—and positive reactant ions (Pos RIP) have K₀ = ca. 2.25 cm²V⁻¹s⁻¹. Excellent sensitivity, with a limit of detection LOD of 0.72 ppb_v (10.5 μg m⁻³) and a limit of quantification LOQ of 2.41 ppb_v (35.1 μg m⁻³), has been noticed; linear response was up to 100 ppb_v, while saturation occurs over ca. 1000 ppb_v (14.6 mg m⁻³). Our results demonstrate that this method provides a robust tool for both off-site and on-site detecting and quantifying CPF vapors at trace levels, which has strong implications for either industrial hygiene or forensic investigations concerning the pesticide Chlorpyrifos, as well as for monitoring of environmental contamination by organophosphorus pesticides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Agrochemicals and Food Toxicology)

25 pages, 4779 KB

Open AccessArticle

Decoding Salinity Tolerance in Salicornia europaea L.: Image-Based Oxidative Phenotyping and Histochemical Mapping of Pectin and Lignin

by Susana Dianey Gallegos Cerda, Aleksandra Orzło, José Jorge Chanona Pérez, Josué David Hernández Varela, Agnieszka Piernik and Stefany Cárdenas Pérez

Plants 2025, 14(19), 3055; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14193055 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Halophytes such as Salicornia europaea rely on biochemical and structural mechanisms to survive in saline environments. This study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and structural defense responses in four inland populations—Poland (Inowrocław, Ciechocinek), Germany (Salzgraben-Salzdahlum, Salz), and Soltauquelle (Soltq)—subjected to 0, 200, 400, and 1000 mM NaCl, using non-destructive, image-based approaches. Lipid peroxidation was assessed via malondialdehyde (MDA) detected with Schiff’s reagent, and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) accumulation was visualized with 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB). Roots and shoots were analyzed through colour image analysis and quantified using a computer vision system (CVS). MDA accumulation revealed population-specific differences, with Salz tending to exhibit lower peroxidation, characterized by lower L* ≈ 42–43 and higher b* ≈ 37–18 in shoots at 200–400 mM, which may reflect a potentially more effective salt-management strategy. Although H₂O₂ responses deviated from a direct salinity-dependent trend, particularly in the tolerant Salz and Soltq populations, both approaches effectively tracked population-specific adaptation, with German populations displaying detectable basal H₂O₂ levels, consistent with its multifunctional signalling role in salt management and growth regulation. Structural defences were further explored through histochemical mapping and image analysis of pectin and lignin distribution, which revealed population-specific patterns consistent with cell wall remodelling under stress. Non-destructive, image-based methods proved effective for detecting oxidative and structural responses in halophytes. Such a non-destructive, cost-efficient, and reproducible approach can accelerate the identification of salt-tolerant ecotypes for saline agriculture and reinforce S. europaea as a model species for elucidating salt-tolerance mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Abiotic Stress Responses in Plants—Second Edition)

26 pages, 4521 KB

Open AccessArticle

T-Cadherin Finetunes Proliferation–Differentiation During Adipogenesis via PI3K–AKT Signaling Pathway

by Polina Klimovich, Ilya Brodsky, Valentina Dzreyan, Marianna Ivleva, Olga Grigorieva, Mark Meshcheriakov, Ekaterina Semina, Veronika Sysoeva, Vsevolod Tkachuk and Kseniya Rubina

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9646; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199646 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Adipose tissue renewal requires precise coordination of stem/progenitor cell proliferation, preadipocyte commitment, and terminal adipocyte differentiation. T-cadherin (CDH13), an atypical GPI-anchored cadherin, is expressed in adipose tissue and functions as a receptor for high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin—a key adipokine produced by adipose tissue and involved in metabolic regulation. While T-cadherin is implicated in cardiovascular and metabolic homeostasis, its role in adipogenesis still remains poorly understood. In this study, we used the 3T3-L1 preadipocyte model to investigate the function of T-cadherin in adipocyte differentiation. We analyzed T-cadherin expression dynamics during differentiation and assessed how T-cadherin overexpression or knockdown affects lipid accumulation, expression of adipogenic markers, and key signaling pathways including ERK, PI3K–AKT, AMPK, and mTOR. Our findings demonstrate that T-cadherin acts as a negative regulator of adipogenesis. T-cadherin overexpression ensured a proliferative, undifferentiated cell state, delaying early adipogenic differentiation and suppressing both lipid droplet accumulation and the expression of adipogenic markers. In contrast, T-cadherin downregulation accelerated differentiation, enhanced lipid accumulation, and increased insulin responsiveness, as indicated by PI3K–AKT pathway activation at specific stages of adipogenesis. These results position T-cadherin as a key modulator of adipose tissue plasticity, regulating the balance between progenitor expansion and terminal differentiation, with potential relevance to obesity and metabolic disease. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Fundamental and Practical Perspectives in Regenerative Medicine: Proceedings of the VI National Congress of Regenerative Medicine (2024))

17 pages, 863 KB

Open AccessArticle

Longitudinal Evaluation of Humoral and Cellular Immunity After BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccination: Influence of Booster Type, Infection and Chronic Health Conditions

by Chiara Orlandi, Ilaria Conti, Davide Torre, Simone Barocci, Mauro Magnani, Giuseppe Stefanetti and Anna Casabianca

Vaccines 2025, 13(10), 1031; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines13101031 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Understanding the durability of immunity induced by mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, especially in individuals with chronic health conditions, remains essential for guiding booster strategies. We conducted a longitudinal study to evaluate humoral and cellular immune responses up to 21 months after a primary two-dose BNT162b2 vaccination followed by a booster, either homologous (BNT162b2) or heterologous (mRNA-1273). Methods: Twenty-eight adults, mostly with chronic conditions, were assessed at approximately 9, 12 and 21 months post-primary vaccination. Serum anti-trimeric Spike IgG levels were quantified, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed at 21 months for Spike-specific memory B-cell and T-cell responses by flow cytometry. Results: Participants were stratified by booster type, prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and health status. Anti-Spike IgG persisted in all participants but declined over time. The heterologous mRNA-1273 booster induced higher antibody titers at 9 months, while the homologous BNT162b2 booster led to more sustained antibody levels and higher frequencies of Spike-specific memory B cells at 21 months. Prior infection significantly enhanced antibody titers, particularly in homologous booster recipients. Surprisingly, individuals with chronic health conditions exhibited equal or higher antibody levels compared to healthy participants at all time points. At 21 months, robust Spike-specific class-switched memory B cells and polyfunctional CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T-cell responses were detected. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that BNT162b2 vaccination elicits durable, multi-layered immunity lasting nearly two years, even in individuals with chronic conditions, and support the use of both homologous and heterologous mRNA boosters to sustain protection in diverse populations. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3rd Edition: Safety and Autoimmune Response to SARS-CoV-2 Vaccination)

31 pages, 6677 KB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Experimental Process of Vertical Roller Potato–Stem Separation Device

by Hanhao Wang, Yaoming Li and Kuizhou Ji

Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10683; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910683 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

In order to solve the problem encountered by traditional potato–stem separation devices, that is, they cannot meet the requirements when installed in small-scale harvesters, a new type of vertical differential roller potato–stem separation device was developed. The device features a compact structure and simultaneously possesses both separating and conveying functions. Through the analysis of the separation force between potato and stem, the structure and parameters of the separation device were determined. The simulation and the field test of the potato–stem separation process were carried out with the vertical differential roller speed, the vertical differential roller gap width and the conveyor chain speed as the influencing factors. The simulation test analysed the influence law of different working parameters on the performance of potato–stem separation. The field test revealed the order of the effects of various factors on the impurity rate and skin-breaking rate, concluding that the optimal combination of operational parameters was a vertical differential roller rotational speed of 6 s⁻¹, a vertical differential roller gap width of 7 mm, and a conveyor chain speed of 1.4 m·s⁻¹. This experiment fills the research gap in the study of potato–stem separation devices suitable for small-scale potato harvesters and promotes the development of compact potato harvesters. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue State-of-the-Art Agricultural Science and Technology in China)

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15 pages, 2478 KB

Open AccessArticle

Research on Primary Frequency Regulation Control Strategy of the Joint Hydropower and Battery Energy Storage System Based on Refined Model

by Yifeng Gu, Fangqing Zhang, Youping Li, Youhan Deng, Xiaojun Hua, Jiang Guo and Tingji Yang

Energies 2025, 18(19), 5249; https://doi.org/10.3390/en18195249 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

This study aims to reduce reverse power and improve frequency regulation performance in hydropower systems. To achieve this objective, a refined hydropower plant (HPP) simulation model is developed and coupled with a battery energy storage system (BESS), implementing an Integrated Adaptive Virtual Droop Control (IAVDC) strategy. The refined HPP model achieves a simulation accuracy of 98.5%, representing a 26.2% improvement over conventional simplified models. With the BESS integrated under the IAVDC strategy, reverse power is completely eliminated, and frequency regulation time is substantially shortened. The results demonstrate that the joint HPP-BESS frequency regulation effectively mitigates the adverse impact of water hammer, while the proposed IAVDC strategy enhances system responsiveness and reduces frequency recovery time, thereby improving the quality of primary frequency control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Improvements of the Electricity Power System: 3rd Edition)

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19 pages, 1888 KB

Open AccessArticle

Murine Functional Lung Imaging Using X-Ray Velocimetry for Longitudinal Noninvasive Quantitative Spatial Assessment of Pulmonary Airflow

by Kevin A. Heist, Christopher A. Bonham, Youngsoon Jang, Ingrid L. Bergin, Amanda Welton, David Karnak, Charles A. Hatt, Matthew Cooper, Wilson Teng, William D. Hardie, Thomas L. Chenevert and Brian D. Ross

Tomography 2025, 11(10), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/tomography11100112 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: The recent development of four-dimensional X-ray velocimetry (4DXV) technology (three-dimensional space and time) provides a unique opportunity to obtain preclinical quantitative functional lung images. Only single-scan measurements in non-survival studies have been obtained to date; thus, methodologies enabling animal survival for repeated imaging to be accomplished over weeks or months from the same animal would establish new opportunities for the assessment of pathophysiology drivers and treatment response in advanced preclinical drug-screening efforts. Methods: An anesthesia protocol developed for animal recovery to allow for repetitive, longitudinal scanning of individual animals over time. Test–retest imaging scans from the lungs of healthy mice were performed over 8 weeks to assess the repeatability of scanner-derived quantitative imaging metrics and variability. Results: Using a murine model of fibroproliferative lung disease, this longitudinal scanning approach captured heterogeneous progressive changes in pulmonary function, enabling the visualization and quantitative measurement of averaged whole lung metrics and spatial/regional change. Radiation dosimetry studies evaluated the effects of imaging acquisition protocols on X-ray dosage to further adapt protocols for the minimization of radiation exposure during repeat imaging sessions using these newly developed image acquisition protocols. Conclusions: Overall, we have demonstrated that the 4DXV advanced imaging scanner allows for repeat measurements from the same animal over time to enable the high-resolution, noninvasive mapping of quantitative lung airflow dysfunction in mouse models with heterogeneous pulmonary disease. The animal anesthesia and image acquisition protocols described will serve as the foundation on which further applications of the 4DXV technology can be used to study a diverse array of murine pulmonary disease models. Together, 4DXV provides a novel and significant advancement for the longitudinal, noninvasive interrogation of pulmonary disease to assess spatial/regional disease initiation, progression, and response to therapeutic interventions. Full article

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20 pages, 1949 KB

Open AccessArticle

Brassinosteroid Synthesis and Perception Differently Regulate Phytohormone Networks in Arabidopsis thaliana

by Yaroslava Bukhonska, Michael Derevyanchuk, Roberta Filepova, Jan Martinec, Petre Dobrev, Eric Ruelland and Volodymyr Kravets

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(19), 9644; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26199644 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Brassinosteroids (BRs) are essential regulators of plant development and stress responses, but the distinct contributions of BR biosynthesis and signaling to hormonal crosstalk remain poorly defined. Here, we investigated the effects of the BR biosynthesis inhibitor brassinazole (BRZ) and the BR-insensitive mutant bri1-6 on endogenous phytohormone profiles in Arabidopsis thaliana. Using multivariate analysis and targeted hormone quantification, we show that BRZ treatment and BRI1 disruption alter hormone balance through partially overlapping but mechanistically distinct pathways. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering revealed that BRZ and the bri1-6 mutation do not phenocopy each other and that BRZ still alters hormone profiles even in the bri1-6 mutant, suggesting potential BRI1-independent effects. Both BRZ treatment and the bri1-6 mutation tend to influence cytokinins and auxin conjugates divergently. On the contrary, their effects on stress-related hormones converge: BRZ decreases salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA) in the WT leaves; similarly, bri1-6 mutants show reduced SA, JA, and ABA. These results indicate that BR biosynthesis and BRI1-mediated perception may contribute independently to hormonal reprogramming, with BRZ eliciting additional effects, possibly via metabolic feedback, compensatory signaling, or off-target action. Hormone correlation analyses revealed conserved co-regulation clusters that reflect underlying regulatory modules. Altogether, our findings provide evidence for a partial uncoupling of BR levels and BR signaling and illustrate how BR pathways intersect with broader hormone networks to coordinate growth and stress responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Insights into Phytohormone Signaling in Plants)

23 pages, 7104 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Patient-Derived Scaffold-Based 3D Culture Platform for Head and Neck Cancer: Preserving Tumor Heterogeneity for Personalized Drug Testing

by Alinda Anameriç, Emilia Reszczyńska, Tomasz Stankiewicz, Adrian Andrzejczak, Andrzej Stepulak and Matthias Nees

Cells 2025, 14(19), 1543; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells14191543 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is highly heterogeneous and difficult to treat, underscoring the need for rapid, patient-specific models. Standard three-dimensional (3D) cultures often lose stromal partners that influence therapy response. We developed a patient-derived system maintaining tumor cells, cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), and cells undergoing partial epithelial–mesenchymal transition (pEMT) for drug sensitivity testing. Biopsies from four HNC patients were enzymatically dissociated. CAFs were directly cultured, and their conditioned medium (CAF-CM) was collected. Cryopreserved primary tumor cell suspensions were later revived, screened in five different growth media under 2D conditions, and the most heterogeneous cultures were re-embedded in 3D hydrogels with varied gel mixtures, media, and seeding geometries. Tumoroid morphology was quantified using a perimeter-based complexity index. Viability after treatment with cisplatin or Notch modulators (RIN-1, recombination signal-binding protein for immunoglobulin κ J region (RBPJ) inhibitor; FLI-06, inhibitor) was assessed by live imaging and the water-soluble tetrazolium-8 (WST-8) assay. Endothelial Cell Growth Medium 2 (ECM-2) medium alone produced compact CAF-free spheroids, whereas ECM-2 supplemented with CAF-CM generated invasive aggregates that deposited endogenous matrix. Matrigel with this medium and single-point seeding gave the highest complexity scores. Two of the three patient tumoroids were cisplatin-sensitive, and all showed significant growth inhibition with the FLI-06 Notch inhibitor, while the RBPJ inhibitor RIN-1 induced minimal change. The optimized scaffold retains tumor–stroma crosstalk and provides patient-specific drug response data within days after operation, supporting personalized treatment selection in HNC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 3D Cultures and Organ-on-a-Chip in Cell and Tissue Cultures)

19 pages, 515 KB

Open AccessReview

The Role of Environmental Exposures in Pediatric Asthma Pathogenesis: A Contemporary Narrative Review

by Luca Pecoraro, Anna Gloria Lanzilotti, Marta De Musso, Elisabetta Di Muri, Fernanda Tramacere, Emiliano Altavilla and Flavia Indrio

Children 2025, 12(10), 1327; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101327 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Over several decades, childhood asthma has emerged as a significant global public health concern, with the highest prevalence reported in industrialized countries. The rapid rise in asthma incidence and loss of control when the diagnosis is established can be related to environmental and lifestyle changes, especially during early infancy. Current evidence indicates a potential link to an imbalance in immune system responses, influenced by tobacco smoke, traffic-related air pollution, outdoor and indoor allergens, gut microbiome, viral infection, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and dietary patterns. This narrative review aims to explore the landscape of contemporary environmental risk factors for childhood asthma, with a focus on their interplay and the relative importance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Pulmonary Function in Children with Respiratory Symptoms)

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17 pages, 1596 KB

Open AccessArticle

Striking at Survivin: YM-155 Inhibits High-Risk Neuroblastoma Growth and Enhances Chemosensitivity

by Danielle C. Rouse, Rameswari Chilamakuri and Saurabh Agarwal

Cancers 2025, 17(19), 3221; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17193221 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Neuroblastoma (NB) is an aggressive pediatric malignancy that accounts for nearly 15% of all childhood cancer-related deaths, with high-risk cases showing a poor 20% prognosis and limited response to current therapies. Survivin, encoded by the BIRC5 gene, is an anti-apoptotic protein frequently overexpressed in NB and linked to treatment resistance and unfavorable clinical outcomes. Methods and Results: An analysis of 1235 NB patient datasets revealed a significant association between elevated BIRC5 expression and reduced overall and event-free survival, highlighting survivin as an important therapeutic target in NB. To explore this strategy, we evaluated the efficacy of YM-155, a small-molecule survivin inhibitor, across multiple NB cell lines. YM-155 displayed potent cytotoxic activity in six NB cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 8 to 212 nM and significantly inhibited colony formation and 3D spheroid growth in a dose-dependent manner. Mechanistic analyses revealed that YM-155 downregulated survivin at both mRNA and protein levels, induced apoptosis by about 2–7-fold, and caused G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Moreover, YM-155 treatment enhanced p53 expression, suggesting reactivation of tumor suppressor pathways. Notably, combining YM-155 and the chemotherapeutic agent etoposide resulted in synergistic inhibition of NB growth with ED75 values ranging from 0.17 to 1, compared to either agent alone. In the xenograft mouse model, YM-155 inhibited tumor burden in contrast to controls by about 3-fold, and without any notable toxic effects in vivo. Conclusion: Overall, our findings identify YM-155 as a promising therapeutic agent for high-risk NB by directly targeting survivin and enhancing chemosensitivity. These results support continued preclinical development of survivin inhibitors as part of rational combination strategies in pediatric cancer treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Malignant Nervous System Cancers)

11 pages, 2343 KB

Open AccessArticle

Genome-Wide Identification and Expression Analysis of the CaM Gene Family in Tree Peony (Paeonia ostii) During the Pistil Pollination Process

by Guodong Zhao, Shuran Lv, Yuxin Zhao, Yuying Li and Xiaogai Hou

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2025, 47(10), 816; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb47100816 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Tree peony is an important horticultural plant with both ornamental and oil value. The tree peony genome and databases were used to search for calmodulin family genes to explore their function in the pollination of tree peony. The CaM gene family was identified, and then the basic protein characteristics of the family members, such as gene structure, isoelectric point, molecular weight, subcellular localization, and conserved protein domain, were analyzed. The expression levels of these genes in the pistil tissue of Paeonia ostii ‘Fengdan’ at different developmental stages after pollination were also analyzed. Further, qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of six PsCaMs during the development process of the pistil under bee pollination conditions. The results showed that there were six CaM family members located on three chromosomes and one non-chromosome. There were a large number of hormone response and stress response elements on the gene promoter of this family. During the development of pistil tissue after pollination, CaM family gene expression showed a trend of first increasing and then decreasing, which may be related to its function during pollination. The purpose of this study is to identify the gene characteristics and expression patterns of the CaM family during pollination, and to lay a foundation for the functional study of the CaM family in tree peony pollination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Functional Genomics and Comparative Genomics Analysis in Plants, 3rd Edition)

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18 pages, 1907 KB

Open AccessArticle

Avian Biodiversity Response Toward Ecological Restoration of Wetlands Through Farmland Abandonment Measures in the Sanjiang Plain, China

by Xueying Sun, Jingli Zhu, Qingming Wu, Muhammad Suliman, Xiaogang Lin, Lu Chen and Hongfei Zou

Diversity 2025, 17(10), 690; https://doi.org/10.3390/d17100690 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Large-scale agricultural development has led to a significant reduction in wetland areas, resulting in habitat fragmentation for birds and biodiversity loss. Recently, the implementation of farmland abandonment policies has helped in the restoration of wetland areas. In order to understand the ecological effects of farmland abandonment, this study investigated the bird communities in the Naoli River National Nature Reserve (NRNNR) in the Sanjiang Plain after abandonment. The field surveys (line transect and point count methods) of bird community diversity in the abandoned areas of the NRNNR showed 92 bird species from 37 families and 16 orders, including 4 species of national first-class protected birds and 17 species of national second-class protected birds (accounting for a combined 22.83%). Additionally, the bird community diversity displayed annual variation in individual and species richness over time, and the diversity indices order was 2019 > 2020 > 2018 > 2016 > 2015. Bird species richness and individual abundance were significantly higher in meadow habitats as compared to other habitat types. With prolonged restoration time after farmland withdrawal, the Pielou evenness index of bird communities significantly decreased, while the total number of individual birds significantly increased (p < 0.05). The abandoned time showed a positive impact on waterbird richness, while the longer abandoned duration led to higher waterbird richness. In conclusion, long-term ecological restoration measures revealed a significant enhancement in bird diversity over time. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Animal Diversity)

25 pages, 826 KB

Open AccessReview

Bioinformatics Strategies in Breast Cancer Research

by Matteo Veneziano, Isabella Savini, Elisa Cortellesi, Valeria Gasperi, Alessandra Gambacurta and Maria Valeria Catani

Biomolecules 2025, 15(10), 1409; https://doi.org/10.3390/biom15101409 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

Breast cancer is a heterogeneous disease and a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, underscoring the urgent need for effective biomarkers to guide diagnosis, prognosis, and therapeutic decisions. Bioinformatics methodologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics data analysis, are essential for deciphering the complex molecular landscape of breast cancer. Bioinformatics tools facilitate the identification of differentially expressed genes, non-coding RNAs, and proteins, unraveling crucial pathways involved in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis. By constructing and analyzing protein–protein interaction networks and signaling pathways, bioinformatics approaches can identify potential diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers. Herein, we explore the role of bioinformatics in breast cancer research and its potential application in identifying novel therapeutic targets and predicting drug response, ultimately enabling the development of tailored treatment strategies. We also address the challenges and future directions in utilizing bioinformatics for biomarker discovery and validation, emphasizing the need for robust statistical methods, standardized data analysis pipelines, and collaborative efforts to translate bioinformatics insights into improved clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Experimental and Bioinformatic Approaches for Biomarker Discovery in Disease: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Challenges)

16 pages, 2870 KB

Open AccessArticle

Coupling Rare-Earth Complexes with Carbon Dots via Surface Imprinting: A New Strategy for Spectroscopic Cu²⁺ Sensors

by Zuoyi Liu, Bo Hu and Minjia Meng

Molecules 2025, 30(19), 3967; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30193967 - 2 Oct 2025

Abstract

A surface molecularly imprinted ratiometric fluorescent sensor (Eu/CDs@SiO₂@IIPs) was constructed for the selective and visual detection of Cu²⁺. The sensor integrates blue-emitting carbon dots as an internal reference and a custom-designed Eu(III) complex, Eu(MAA)₂(2,9-phen), as both the functional and fluorescent monomer within a surface-imprinted polymer layer, enabling efficient ratiometric fluorescence response. This structural design ensured that all fluorescent monomers were located at the recognition sites, thereby reducing background fluorescence interference and enhancing the accuracy of signal changes. Under optimized conditions, the sensor exhibited a detection limit of 2.79 nM, a wide linear range of 10–100 nM, and a rapid response time of 3.0 min. Moreover, the uncoordinated nitrogen atoms in the phenanthroline ligand improved resistance to interference from competing ions, significantly enhancing selectivity. Practical applicability was validated by spiked recovery tests in deionized and river water, with results showing good agreement with ICP-MS analysis. These findings highlight the potential of Eu/CDs@SiO₂@IIPs as a sensitive, selective, and portable sensing platform for on-site monitoring of Cu²⁺ in complex water environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 5th Anniversary of the "Applied Chemistry" Section)

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