Search Results (25,883)

Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) and alopecia areata (AA) are organ-specific autoimmune diseases that frequently co-occur, suggesting shared immunological and microbial pathways. The gut microbiome has emerged as a key modulator of immune function, yet disease-specific microbial signatures remain poorly defined. Fecal samples from 51 participants (HT: n = 16, AA: n = 17, healthy controls: n = 18) aged 18–65 years were analyzed using shotgun metagenomic sequencing followed by multivariate statistical analyses. While alpha and beta diversity did not differ significantly across groups, taxonomic profiling revealed disease-specific microbial patterns. Bacteroides fragilis was significantly enriched in HT, suggesting a potential role in immune modulation; although mechanisms such as polysaccharide A production and molecular mimicry have been proposed in previous studies, their involvement in HT remains to be confirmed. Microbacterium sp. T32 was elevated in both HT and AA, indicating its potential as a shared autoimmune marker. Functional analysis showed increased fermentation and amino acid biosynthesis in AA, contrasting with reduced metabolic activity and elevated carbohydrate biosynthesis in HT. HT and AA exhibit distinct gut microbial and metabolic signatures. Bacteroides fragilis and Microbacterium sp. T32 may serve as potential microbial correlates for autoimmune activity, offering new insights into disease pathogenesis and targets for microbiome-based interventions. Full article

This study presents a machine learning-enhanced optimization framework for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), designed to address critical challenges in dynamic load adaptation and thermal management for automotive applications. A high-fidelity model of a 65-cell stack (45 V, 133.5 A, 6 kW) is developed in MATLAB/Simulink, integrating four core subsystems: PID-controlled fuel delivery, humidity-regulated air supply, an electrochemical-thermal stack model (incorporating Nernst voltage and activation, ohmic, and concentration losses), and a 97.2–efficient SiC MOSFET-based DC/DC boost converter. The framework employs the NSGA-II algorithm to optimize key operational parameters—membrane hydration (λ = 12–14), cathode stoichiometry (λO₂ = 1.5–3.0), and cooling flow rate (0.5–2.0 L/min)—to balance efficiency, voltage stability, and dynamic performance. The optimized model achieves a 38% reduction in model-data discrepancies (RMSE < 5.3%) compared to experimental data from the Toyota Mirai, and demonstrates a 22% improvement in dynamic response, recovering from 0 to 100% load steps within 50 ms with a voltage deviation of less than 0.15 V. Peak performance includes 77.5% oxygen utilization at 250 L/min air flow (1.1236 V/cell) and 99.89% hydrogen utilization at a nominal voltage of 48.3 V, yielding a peak power of 8112 W at 55% stack efficiency. Furthermore, fuzzy-PID control of fuel ramping (50–85 L/min in 3.5 s) and thermal management (ΔT < 1.5 °C via 1.0–1.5 L/min cooling) reduces computational overhead by 29% in the resulting digital twin platform. The framework demonstrates compliance with ISO 14687-2 and SAE J2574 standards, offering a scalable and efficient solution for next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) aligned with global decarbonization targets, including the EU’s 2035 CO₂ neutrality mandate. Full article

Background/Objectives: Grey zone serologic results in blood donor screening pose challenges for transfusion safety, donor management, and blood supply sustainability. In Saudi Arabia, standardized national protocols for managing grey zone outcomes remain lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and follow-up outcomes of grey zone serologic results among blood donors at a Saudi hospital over a five-year period. Methods: Serological screening results of six transfusion-transmissible infections (TTIs) markers were extracted alongside nucleic acid testing (NAT) results for HBV, HCV, and HIV. The grey zone was defined as a signal-to-cutoff (S/CO) of 0.90–0.99. Repeat and follow-up results, including subsequent donations, were assessed for seroconversion. Results: A total of 48,241 donations from 38,524 donors were analyzed. Anti-HBc showed the highest reactivity (n = 2312; 4.8%), followed by HbsAg (n = 2292; 0.31%) and syphilis (n = 218; 0.5%). Grey zone results were rare, and most frequent in anti-HBc (n = 76; 0.16%), HCV (n = 39; 0.08%), and HBsAg (n = 28; 0.06%). Grey zone-to-reactive conversion upon subsequent donation was rare. Three donors who initially tested in the grey zone for anti-HBc later tested reactive in subsequent donations, but their HBV NAT remained negative. Conclusions: While grey zone outcomes were infrequent, a subset involving HBV markers showed low-level reactivity on repeat testing. For other TTIs markers, grey zone results likely reflected assay variability rather than true infection. We propose a six-month temporary deferral with follow-up serologic and NAT testing, allowing conditional re-entry for donors with consistently non-reactive results, supporting both transfusion safety and a more sustainable donor pool. Full article

This study examines how platform-based artificial intelligence resources (PAIRs) influence sustainable performance in e-business ecosystems by shaping stakeholder cognition and behavior. Guided by the Resource-Based View (RBV), the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), and institutional theory, we examine the psychological mechanisms—particularly trust in AI and environmental identity—that mediate the relationship between PAIRs and green value co-creation (GVC), with sustainable development (SD) acting as a moderating factor. Drawing on survey data from 466 platform managers in China’s digital economy hubs (Yangtze River Delta, Pearl River Delta, Beijing-Tianjin), covering diverse industries (e-commerce, consumer goods, healthcare), our data suggest that PAIRs may influence firm performance via GVC, and that this association appears to be stronger under high-SD contexts. Our results underscore the importance of responsible and psychologically informed AI design—such as algorithmic transparency, cognitive load reduction, and ethical calibration—to facilitate stakeholder trust and pro-environmental engagement. This research contributes both theoretically and practically to elucidating how AI integration in e-business can be leveraged for responsible innovation and sustainable value creation. Full article

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is one of the most rapidly growing neurological disorders globally. The molecular relationship between common respiratory infections (RIs) and idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (iPD) remains a controversial issue. Multiple studies have linked acute respiratory infections to PD, but the molecular mechanism behind this connection is not significantly defined. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate potential molecular interactions between RIs and PD. We retrieved eight publicly available RNA-seq datasets from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (NCBI GEO) and performed extensive bioinformatics analysis, including differential gene expression (DGE) analysis, the identification of overlapped differentially expressed genes (DEGs), weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), pathway and functional enrichment analysis, the construction of protein–protein networks, and the identification of hub genes. Additionally, we applied a machine learning method, a Random Forest model (RF), to external RIs datasets to identify the most important genes. We found that ribosomal subunits, mitochondrial complex proteins, proteasome subunits, and proteins encoding ubiquitin are simultaneously downregulated and co-expressed in RIs and PD. Dysregulation of these proteins may disturb multiple pathways, such as those responsible for ribosome biogenesis, protein synthesis, autophagy, and apoptosis; the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS); and the mitochondrial respiratory chain. These processes have been implicated in PD’s pathology, namely in the aggregation of α-synuclein, mitochondrial dysfunction, and the death of dopaminergic neuron cells. Our findings suggest that there are significant similarities in transcriptional responses and dysfunctional molecular mechanisms between RIs, PD, and aging. RIs may modulate PD-relevant pathways in an age- or immune-dependent manner; longitudinal studies are needed to examine the RIs risk factor. Therefore, future studies should experimentally investigate the influence of age, vaccination status, infection type, and severity to clarify the role of RIs in PD’s pathogenesis. Full article

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs) employing Li-rich layered oxide (LLO) cathodes are regarded as promising next-generation energy storage systems owing to their outstanding energy density and intrinsic safety. Polymer-in-salt solid electrolytes (PISSEs) offer advantages such as high room-temperature ionic conductivity, enhanced Li anode interfacial compatibility, and low processing costs; however, their practical deployment is hindered by poor oxidative stability especially under high-voltage conditions. In this study, we report the rational design of a bilayer electrolyte architecture featuring an in situ solidified LiClO₄-doped succinonitrile (LiClO₄–SN) plastic–crystal interlayer between a Li_1.2Mn_0.6Ni_0.2O₂ (LMNO) cathode and a poly (vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVDF-HFP)-based PISSE. This PISSE/SN–LiClO₄ configuration exhibits a wide electrochemical stability window up to 4.7 V vs. Li⁺/Li and delivers a high ionic conductivity of 5.68 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C. The solidified LiClO₄-SN layer serves as an effective physical barrier, shielding the PVDF-HFP matrix from direct interfacial contact with LMNO and thereby suppressing its oxidative decomposition at elevated potentials. As a result, the bilayer polymer-based cells with the LMNO cathode demonstrate an initial discharge capacity of ∼206 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.05 C and exhibit good cycling stability with 85.7% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.5 C under a high cut-off voltage of 4.6 V. This work not only provides a promising strategy to enhance the compatibility of PVDF-HFP-based electrolytes with high-voltage cathodes through the facile in situ solidification of plastic interlayers but also promotes the application of LMNO cathode material in high-energy ASSLBs. Full article

This paper discusses the use of additional ultrasonic fuel treatment technology to reduce sulfur oxide emissions from marine diesel exhaust gases. The research was conducted on a Bulk Carrier vessel with a deadweight of 64,710 tons with the main engine YMD MAN BW 6S50ME-C9.7 and three auxiliary diesel generators CMP-MAN 5L23/30H. The exhaust gases from all engines were treated for sulfur impurities using a scrubber system. It was stated that the combined use of the exhaust gas scrubber system and ultrasonic fuel treatment technology (compared to scrubber-only exhaust gas cleaning) results in a reduction in carbon dioxide CO₂ and sulfur dioxide SO₂ emissions, along with their ratio SO₂/CO₂. The additional ultrasonic fuel treatment technology has had the most significant effect on sulfur-containing components, leading to a substantial decrease in SO₂ emissions from exhaust gases. For various operating conditions of ship diesel engines, a reduction in CO₂ emissions of 2.9–7.5% and a reduction in SO₂ emissions of 9.3–33.1% were established. This achieved a reduction of 6.3 to 23.7% in the SO₂/CO₂ ratio, a critical parameter for evaluating the performance of the scrubber system in exhaust gas cleaning, as mandated by the provisions of Annex VI of MARPOL. The requirements of the international conventions MARPOL and SOLAS were adhered to during the experiments. Full article

Current research on chili powder and oil has predominantly focused on cultivar selection and oil temperature, while the impact of thermal pretreatment methods on their quality and flavor profiles remains underexplored. In this study, the flavor profiles of raw untreated, stir-fried, oven-baked, and microwaved chili powders (RC, SC, OC, and MC) and their corresponding chili oils obtained through secondary flavor activation (RCO, SCO, OCO, and MCO) were analyzed using E-nose, GC-IMS, HS-SPME-GC-MS, LC-MS/MS, and sensory evaluation techniques. E-nose and GC-IMS 2D topographic plots revealed that thermal treatment increased the concentration of volatile flavor compounds. HS-SPME-GC-MS further detected 220 and 207 volatile compounds in chili powders and oils, respectively, with 74 and 35 identified as differential volatile compounds. Aldehydes ((E,E)-2,4-heptadienal, benzaldehyde), alcohols (1-nonanol, 2-furanmethanol), Maillard reaction products (ethyl pyrazine, 2,3-dimethylpyrazine, and 2-ethyl-6-methylpyrazine), and methyl acetate were significantly enhanced in SC, OC, and MC and their corresponding chili oils. Among them, OC and OCO showed the greatest increase in differential flavor substances. Additionally, all three treatments enhanced the release of taste-active substances and improved sensory overall acceptability. These findings provide new insights for the food industry in optimizing chili product processing. Full article

Introduction: Myotonic dystrophies (DM) are progressive genetic disorders with multisystemic involvement, particularly affecting the muscular, respiratory, and neuropsychological systems. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1), or Steinert’s disease, may lead to severe respiratory complications, including sleep-disordered breathing and hypercapnia, often requiring noninvasive ventilation to manage respiratory failure. However, adherence to NIV remains a major challenge, often influenced by cognitive and psychological factors such as apathy and depression. This study aims to investigate the presence of depression and SDB in patients with DM1 initiating NIV, and to evaluate factors influencing adherence to ventilatory support. Materials and Methods: We selected 13 adult patients (≥18 years) with diagnosis of Steinert’s disease with respiratory impairment who needed to start respiratory support. Dysphagia was assessed in all patients at baseline by a videofluoroscopic swallow study. Beck’s Depression Inventory II was administered for measuring the severity of depression. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment was used as a screening tool to detect signs of neurocognitive disorders. We evaluated adherence to NIV. Results: The study population presented with sleep-disordered breathing, as indicated by a median apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) of 24 events per hour (IQR: 14.2–34.5) and an oxygen desaturation index (ODI) of 25 events per hour (IQR: 18–33). Adherence to NIV was obtained in seven patients. No difference in baseline lung function was observed. Adherent subjects had moderate hypercapnia at baseline; pCO2 was 52 vs. 49 mmHg. Non-adherent patients showed a higher prevalence of depression with a median BDI-II score of 18 vs. 6 in adherent patients. The findings highlight that psychological factors, especially depression, play a crucial role in adherence to NIV. Interestingly, depression was not linked to initial respiratory measurements but showed a significant association with nocturnal oxygen desaturation. This suggests that relying solely on clinical and respiratory assessments may not be adequate to predict or improve treatment adherence. Conclusions: Incorporating psychological evaluations and addressing mental health issues, such as depression, are essential steps to enhance NIV compliance and overall DM1 patient outcomes. A multidisciplinary approach combining respiratory and psycho-emotional interventions is crucial for effective disease management. Full article

The Chinese holly (Ilex chinensis Sims.), an evergreen tree species native to China, is distributed mainly in regions south of the Qinling Mountains and Huai River. This research aimed to characterize the molecular profiles and genetic relationships of 40 Chinese holly genotypes via inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) and start codon targeted (SCoT) polymorphism markers. Genetic diversity analysis revealed that the ISSR markers detected 111 polymorphic bands from 13 primers, with a polymorphism rate of 88.10%. The analysis generated parameters such as the observed allele number (Na = 1.876), effective allele number (Ne = 1.461), Shannon’s information index (I = 0.271), and expected heterozygosity (H = 0.411). In comparison, the SCoT markers produced 65 polymorphic bands from the 6 primers, resulting in a 100% polymorphism rate, with Na = 2.000, Ne = 1.695, I = 0.393, and H = 0.575. Cluster analysis classified the 40 genotypes into two main clusters with genetic similarity coefficients of 0.69 (ISSR) and 0.55 (SCoT). The ISSR markers presented the greatest similarity between the ZSS and ZLS genotypes, whereas the ZZDH and ZWW genotypes presented lower similarity. Conversely, the SCoT markers identified ZZP and ZJDS as the most similar, with ZLJ and ZHX showing less similarity. These results provide a theoretical basis for hybrid breeding, germplasm innovation, and conservation strategies of Chinese holly in China. Full article

Recent studies showed that constitutive expression of the cerato-platanin protein EPL1 from Trichoderma atroviride in the Arabidopsis thaliana 35S::TaEPL1-3 line promotes plant growth and pathogen resistance. Here, the effect of inoculating this line with T. atroviride and T. virens on growth and defense responses was evaluated. Inoculated 35S::TaEPL1-3 plantlets exhibited increased fresh weight and more lateral roots compared to uninoculated controls. Infection assays on 28-day-old 35S::TaEPL1-3 and Col-0 (WT) leaves (pre-inoculated at 15 days with T. atroviride, T. virens, or both) revealed that dual Trichoderma inoculation compromised the transgenic line’s resistance to Pseudomonas syringae and Botrytis cinerea compared to WT. It was previously reported that the 35S::TaEPL1-3 line accumulates elevated levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Therefore, ROS levels were examined to determine whether they were further influenced by inoculation with Trichoderma species. Dual inoculation triggered higher H₂O₂ accumulation in 35S::TaEPL1-3 compared to WT. In addition, high ROS levels were observed when the 35S::TaEPL1-3 line was co-inoculated with both Trichoderma species and subsequently challenged with both pathogens. These findings showed that elevated ROS levels may compromise priming activation in the 35S::TaEPL1-3 line (constitutively expressing the Epl1 elicitor) during co-inoculation with T. atroviride (Epl1-secreting) and T. virens (Sm1-secreting), where synergistic elicitor accumulation could potentially lead to defense signal dysregulation and consequent loss of resistance in transgenic plants. Full article

In specific altitude ranges, biotic and abiotic factors can impact vector mosquitoes’ adaptation capacity, affecting their population differentiation. This study analyses if there exist morphological and genetic differences in four Anopheles (Kerteszia) populations in specific altitude ranges from the Colombian pacific coast to the premontane humid forests in Valle del Cauca, Colombia. Likewise, it is compared if the vector mosquito groups analyzed were genetically similar to the ones available in the region. Traditional and geometric morphometric analysis and the molecular marker CO-I were used. The research found that vector mosquitoes’ littoral populations differentiated morphologically according to their cross veins wing shapes compared to the other three groups in higher altitudes. Their genetic distances fluctuate between 4.95% and 6.84%, indicating that vector mosquitoes’ littoral populations belong to Anopheles neivai s.s. while the ones of higher altitudes are related to An. neivai 8—a lineage previously proposed based solely on molecular data. The study concludes that vector mosquitoes at the pacific Colombian coast from the littoral area in lower altitudes maintain a vast genetic variability with uniform populations; however, in higher altitudes, vector mosquitoes acquire molecular and morphological differences that may include the settlement of other lineages. Full article

Seed storage proteins (SSPs) play a pivotal role in determining the development, quality, and nutritional value of rice seeds. In this study, we conducted a transcriptome-based correlation analysis to identify novel transcription factors (TFs) potentially involved in the biosynthesis and accumulation of SSPs. Our analysis revealed nine TFs—OsGATA8, OsMIF1, OsMIF2, OsGZF1, OsbZIP58, OsS1Fa1, OsS1Fa2, OsICE2, and OsMYB24—that exhibit strong co-expression with key SSP genes, including those encoding glutelin and prolamin. Gene expression profiling using quantitative RT-PCR and GUS reporter assays revealed that these TFs are predominantly expressed during seed development, with peak expression observed at 10 days after flowering (DAF). Promoter analysis further demonstrated an enrichment of seed-specific and hormone-responsive cis-regulatory elements, reinforcing the seed-preferential expression patterns of these TFs. Collectively, our findings identify a set of candidate TFs likely involved in SSP regulation and seed maturation, providing a foundation for the genetic enhancement of rice seed quality and nutritional content through targeted breeding and biotechnological approaches. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have a continuously increasing prevalence and often co-exist, exacerbating cardiometabolic risk. GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are recommended as first-line therapy for patients with T2DM and excess weight, particularly when cardiovascular risk is present. This study assessed the real-world effectiveness of available GLP-1 RAs in Romania on glycemic control, body weight reduction (BWR), and waist circumference (WC) in T2DM patients with excess weight. Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted on 311 adults with T2DM (glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) > 7.2%, body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m²). Patients received exenatide, semaglutide (either oral or injectable), or dulaglutide and were monitored for a period of 6 months. Parameters assessed included HbA1c, body weight, BMI, and WC. Results: All treatments significantly improved the patients’ HbA1c, BMI, and WC (p < 0.05). Dulaglutide had the most significant impact on HbA1c (−6.69 ± 0.91%), while injectable semaglutide led to the most notable BWR (−4.60 ± 2.74 kg) and WC reduction, especially among male patients. No significant differences in treatment effect were observed concerning the patient’s age, gender, or T2DM duration. Conclusions: In real-world clinical practice, GLP-1 RAs provide significant metabolic benefits and should be considered as part of individualized treatment strategies for T2DM patients who are overweight or obese. Full article

Solid solutions of the metallocenes ferrocene (Cp₂Fe), nickelocene (Cp₂Ni), and cobaltocene (Cp₂Co) have been prepared by manually grinding the components together, or by co-crystallizing them from solution. In the solid solutions Cp₂Fe/Cp₂Ni and Cp₂Co/Cp₂Ni, the cyclopentadienyl (Cp) protons relax via dipolar electron–proton interactions, which represent the dominant relaxation mechanism. The ¹H T₁ relaxation times of the molecules Cp₂Ni and Cp₂Co, dissolved in CDCl₃, and in the solid solutions, show that the relaxation takes place intramolecularly. The relaxation of the protons is propagated exclusively via the unpaired electrons of the metal centers to which their Cp rings are coordinated, due to the large intermolecular distances that are greater than 3.91 Å. In contrast, the intramolecular distances between the electrons of the metal atoms and the protons of their coordinated Cp rings are merely 2.70 Å. Using these intramolecular distances and the ¹H T₁ relaxation times, the electron relaxation times T_1e have been determined as 17 × 10⁻¹³ s in CDCl₃ solutions and 45 × 10⁻¹³ s in the solid state for Cp₂Ni. The corresponding T_1e times for Cp₂Co are calculated as ca. 5 × 10⁻¹³ s and 20 × 10⁻¹³ s. Grinding Cp₂Fe and Cp₂Ni together leads to two different ¹H T₁ relaxation times for the protons of Cp₂Fe. The longer T₁ relaxation time indicates domains that consist mostly of Cp₂Fe molecules. The short T₁ times show a close contact of Cp₂Fe and Cp₂Ni molecules. An analysis of the short ¹H T₁ times reveals the presence of at least two to three short distances of 3.91 Å between Cp₂Fe and Cp₂Ni molecules. These results support the hypothesis that dry grinding of the metallocenes Cp₂Fe and Cp₂Ni in ratios that were changed in 10% increments from 90%/10% to 30%/70% leads to domains that mostly consist of Cp₂Fe molecules, and additionally to domains that contain a mixture of the components on the molecular level. Full article