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This study evaluates the greenhouse gas (GHG) impacts of converting municipal solid waste (MSW) into methanol, focusing on both landfill methane (CH₄) emission avoidance and the provision of cleaner liquid fuels with lower carbon intensity. We conduct a life cycle assessment (LCA) to assess potential GHG reductions from MSW gasification to methanol, enhanced with hydrogen produced via natural gas pyrolysis or water electrolysis. Hydrogen enhancement effectively doubles the methanol yield from a given amount of MSW. Special attention is given to hydrogen production through natural gas pyrolysis due to its potential for lower-cost hydrogen and reduced reliance on renewable electricity compared to electrolytic hydrogen. Our analysis uses a case study of methanol production from an oxygen-fired entrained flow gasifier fed with refuse-derived fuel (RDF) simulated in Aspen HYSYS. The LCA incorporates the significant impact of landfill methane avoidance, particularly when considering the 20-year global warming potential (GWP). Based on the LCA, the process has illustrative net GHG emissions of 183 and 709 kgCO_2e/t MeOH using renewable electricity for electrolytic hydrogen and pyrolytic hydrogen, respectively, for the 100-year GWP. The net GHG emissions using 20-year GWP are −1222 and −434 kgCO_2e/t MeOH, respectively. Additionally, we analyze the sensitivity of net GHG emissions to varying levels of fugitive methane emissions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sustainability in the Development of Renewable Energy Technologies and Thermal Engineering)

25 pages, 6578 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Regeneration of Transgenic Rice from Embryogenic Callus via Agrobacterium-Mediated Transformation: A Case Study Using GFP and Apple MdFT1 Genes

by Van Giap Do, Seonae Kim, Nay Myo Win, Soon-Il Kwon, Hunjoong Kweon, Sangjin Yang, Juhyeon Park, Gyungran Do and Youngsuk Lee

Plants 2024, 13(19), 2803; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13192803 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Genetic transformation is a critical tool for gene manipulation and functional analyses in plants, enabling the exploration of key phenotypes and agronomic traits at the genetic level. While dicotyledonous plants offer various tissues for in vitro culture and transformation, monocotyledonous plants, such as rice, have limited options. This study presents an efficient method for genetically transforming rice (Oryza sativa L.) using seed-derived embryogenic calli as explants. Two target genes were utilized to assess regeneration efficiency: green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and the apple FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT)-like gene (MdFT1). Antisense MdFT1 was cloned into a vector controlled by the rice α-amylase 3D (Ramy3D) promoter, while eGFP was fused to Cas9 under the Ubi promoter. These vectors were introduced separately into rice embryogenic calli from two Korean cultivars using Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Transgenic seedlings were successfully regenerated via hygromycin selection using an in vitro cultivation system. PCR confirmed stable transgene integration in the transgenic calli and their progeny. Fluorescence microscopy revealed eGFP expression, and antisense MdFT1-expressing lines exhibited notable phenotypic changes, including variations in plant height and grain quality. High transformation efficiency and regeneration frequency were achieved for both tested cultivars. This study demonstrated the effective use of seed-derived embryogenic calli for rice transformation, offering a promising approach for developing transgenic plants in monocot species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Plant Biotechnology: In Vitro Propagation and Plant Transformations)

18 pages, 3677 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Differential Protein Expression in Extracellular Vesicles Defines Treatment Responders and Non-Responders in Multiple Sclerosis

by Gabriel Torres Iglesias, MariPaz López-Molina, Lucía Botella, Fernando Laso-García, Beatriz Chamorro, Mireya Fernández-Fournier, Inmaculada Puertas, Susana B. Bravo, Elisa Alonso-López, Exuperio Díez-Tejedor, María Gutiérrez-Fernández and Laura Otero-Ortega

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10761; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910761 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) remains the leading cause of neurological disability among young adults worldwide, underscoring the urgent need to define the best therapeutic strategy. Recent advances in proteomics have deepened our understanding of treatment mechanisms and revealed promising biomarkers for predicting therapeutic outcomes. This study focuses on the identification of a protein profile of circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from neurons, oligodendrocytes, and B and T cells able to differentiate treatment responders and non-responders in 80 patients with MS. In the patients who responded to treatment, T cell-derived EVs were enriched in LV151, a protein involved in the promotion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, whereas Bcell-derived EVs showed elevated PSMD6 and PTPRC, related to immunoproteasome function. Oligodendrocyte- and neuron-derived EVs showed upregulated CO6A1 and COEA1, involved in extracellular matrix reorganisation, as well as LAMA5, NonO, SPNT, and NCAM, which are critical for brain repair. In contrast, non-responders showed higher levels of PSMD7 and PRS10 from B cell-derived EVs, associated with DNA damage, and increased levels of PERM and PERL from T cell-derived EVs, linked to nuclear factor kappa B activation and drug-resistant proteins such as HS90A and RASK. These findings highlight a distinct panel of proteins in EVs that could serve as an early indicator of treatment efficacy in MS. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Circulating Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Neurobiological Diseases 2.0)

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22 pages, 10196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Performance Evaluation of Metallocene Polyalphaolefins (mPAO) Base Oil with Anti-Friction and Anti-Wear Properties

by Qidi Hu, Kai Zeng, Sheng Han, Jian Xu, Wenjing Hu and Jiusheng Li

Polymers 2024, 16(19), 2828; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym16192828 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Anti-wear and anti-oxidation abilities are two key properties of lubricants that play a crucial role in ensuring long-term stable equipment operation. In this study, we aimed to develop a base oil with good anti-oxidation and anti-wear properties for use under extreme pressure. The as-prepared metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) was chemically modified using the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) catalysis through an alkylating reaction with triphenyl phosphorothioate (TPPT). During the experiments, when the reaction temperature exceeded 70 °C or the concentration of TfOH exceeded 2.67%, the

β

-scission reaction in the alkylation process became significantly more pronounced. The physical and chemical properties of TPPT-modified mPAO (T-mPAO) were evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier trans-form infrared spectroscopy, gel–permeation chromatography, and ASTM standards. T-mPAO showed significantly improved antioxidant capacity, with the initial oxidation temperature increasing by 32 °C compared to the base oil, and it exhibited the slowest increase in acid number in the 96-h oven oxidation test. The tribological tests showed that T-mPAO had the lowest friction coefficient, wear track, and wear rate (72.7% lower than that of mPAO) as well as the highest P

_{B}

(238 kg) and P

_{D}

(250 kg) among all tested samples. Compared to mPAO, the average friction coefficient of TPPT-modified mPAO in the four-ball friction test was reduced by 30.5%, and by 16.4% in the TE77 reciprocating friction test. Based on the experimental results, T-mPAO had strong anti-oxidation ability and excellent lubricating performance.The successful synthesis of multifunctional mPAO has enabled lubricant base oil additization, making it possible to use it in more demanding work scenarios, greatly broadening its application scope and making lubricant formulation blending more flexible. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Polymer Chemistry)

18 pages, 1537 KiB

Open AccessArticle

On the Potential Energy Surface of the Pyrene Dimer

by Jiří Czernek and Jiří Brus

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10762; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910762 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Knowledge of reliable geometries and associated intermolecular interaction energy () values at key fragments of the potential energy surface (PES) in the gas phase is indispensable for the modeling of various properties of the pyrene dimer (PYD) and other important aggregate systems of a comparatively large size (ca. 50 atoms). The performance of the domain-based local pair natural orbital (DLPNO) variant of the coupled-cluster theory with singles, doubles and perturbative triples in the complete basis set limit [CCSD(T)/CBS] method for highly accurate predictions of the at a variety of regions of the PES was established for a representative set of pi-stacked dimers, which also includes the PYD. For geometries with the distance between stacked monomers close to a value of such a distance in the minimum structure, an excellent agreement between the canonical CCSD(T)/CBS results and their DLPNO counterparts was found. This finding enabled us to accurately characterize the lowest-lying configurations of the PYD, and the physical origin of their stabilization was thoroughly analyzed. The proposed DLPNO-CCSD(T)/CBS procedure should be applied with the aim of safely locating a global minimum of the PES and firmly establishing the pertaining of even larger dimers in studies of packing motifs of organic electronic devices and other novel materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feature Papers in 'Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics' 2024)

17 pages, 2928 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Chimeric Oncolytic Virus Mediates a Multifaceted Cellular Immune Response in a Syngeneic B16 Melanoma Model

by Sonja Glauß, Victoria Neumeyer, Lorenz Hanesch, Janina Marek, Nina Hartmann, Gabriela M. Wiedemann and Jennifer Altomonte

Cancers 2024, 16(19), 3405; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16193405 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Oncolytic virotherapy is a promising approach in cancer immunotherapy. We have previously described a recombinant hybrid oncolytic virus (OV), VSV-NDV, which has a favorable safety profile and therapeutic immunogenicity, leading to direct oncolysis, abscopal effects, and prolonged survival in syngeneic in vivo tumor models. While OVs are known to mediate systemic anti-tumor immune responses, the detailed characterization of local and systemic immune responses to fusogenic oncolytic virotherapy remains unexplored. Methods and Results: We analyzed immune cell compartments in the spleen, blood, tumor-draining lymph nodes (TDLNs), and tumors over the course of VSV-NDV therapy in a bilateral syngeneic melanoma mouse model. Our results revealed significant local infiltration and activation of T lymphocytes in tumors and globally in the blood and spleen. Notably, in vivo CD8⁺ T cell depletion led to complete abrogation of the tumor response, highlighting the crucial role of T cells in promoting the therapeutic effects of oncolytic VSV-NDV. In vitro co-culture experiments enabled the interrogation of human immune cell responses to VSV-NDV-mediated oncolysis. Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were efficiently stimulated by exposure to VSV-NDV-infected cancer cells, which recapitulates the in vivo murine findings. Conclusions: Taken together, these data characterize a broad anti-tumor immune cell response to oncolytic VSV-NDV therapy and suggest that CD8⁺ T cells play a decisive role in therapeutic outcome, which supports the further development of this chimeric vector as a multimechanistic immunotherapy for solid cancers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Oncolytic Viruses as an Emerging Aspect of Immune Oncology)

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11 pages, 1188 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Remnant Cholesterol on Cardiovascular Risk and Mortality in Patients with Non-Functional Adrenal Incidentalomas and Mild Autonomous Cortisol Secretion: A Retrospective Cohort Study

by Fernando Sebastian-Valles, Maria Jesús Fernández-Moreno, Iñigo García-Sanz, Natalia Fernanda Pascual Gómez, Víctor Navas-Moreno, Miguel Antonio Sampedro-Núñez and Monica Marazuela

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(19), 5947; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13195947 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Background: Increased cardiovascular risk has been described in individuals with adrenal incidentalomas. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of remnant cholesterol (RC) on the cardiovascular risk and mortality of patients with adrenal incidentalomas. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted with patients with adrenal incidentalomas between 2001 and 2024. One hundred thirty-seven patients (mean age of 61.2 ± 11.5 years; 56.6% women) with non-functioning adrenal incidentalomas and with mild autonomous cortisol secretion (MACS) (cortisol post-dexamethasone suppression test ≥1.8 µg/mL) were included. The patients were divided into two groups using 30 mg/dL as the cut-off for RC. Logistic regression models were used to study the impact of RC on major adverse cardiovascular events and mortality (MACEs). Results: Patients with RC ≥ 30 mg/dL exhibited a higher prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) (p < 0.001), lower HDL-C (p < 0.001) and LDL-C (p = 0.025) levels, a higher frequency of treatment with statins (p = 0.032), and a higher rate of non-fatal major cardiovascular events (p = 0.038) and MACEs (p = 0.038). Patients with MACS showed no differences in RC or complications during the follow-up. The relative risk of high RC was 2.65 (1.04–6.77) for cardiovascular events and 2.27 (1.05–4.92) for MACEs, with p < 0.05 in both cases. The only variables independently affecting MACEs were age ([odds ratio] OR = 1.13 [p = 0.004]), female sex (OR = 0.20; p = 0.016), LDL-C (OR = 1.02; p = 0.029), and RC (OR = 1.06; p = 0.014). T2D and HDL-C were not independently associated with MACEs. Conclusions: RC ≥30 mg/dL in patients with adrenal incidentalomas was associated with a higher prevalence of T2D, lower HDL-C levels, and a higher risk of MACEs. MACS was not associated with RC or MACEs during the follow-up. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Endocrinology & Metabolism)

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16 pages, 2197 KiB

Open AccessReview

Induced Necroptosis and Its Role in Cancer Immunotherapy

by Ziyao Zhang, Fangming Zhang, Wenjing Xie, Yubo Niu, Haonan Wang, Guofeng Li, Lingyun Zhao, Xing Wang and Wensheng Xie

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(19), 10760; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms251910760 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Necroptosis is a type of regulated cell death (RCD) that is triggered by changes in the extracellular or intracellular milieu that are picked up by certain death receptors. Thanks to its potent capacity to induce immunological responses and overcome apoptotic resistance, it has garnered significant attention as a potential cancer treatment. Basic information for the creation of nano-biomedical treatments is provided by studies on the mechanisms underlying tumor necroptosis. Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1)–RIPK3-mediated necroptosis, Toll-like receptor domain-containing adapter-inducing interferon (IFN)-β (TRIF)–RIPK3-mediated necroptosis, Z-DNA-binding protein 1 (ZBP1)–RIPK3-mediated necroptosis, and IFNR-mediated necroptosis are the four signaling pathways that collectively account for triggered necroptosis in this review. Necroptosis has garnered significant interest as a possible cancer treatment strategy because, in contrast to apoptosis, it elicits immunological responses that are relevant to therapy. Thus, a thorough discussion is held on the connections between tumor cell necroptosis and the immune environment, cancer immunosurveillance, and cells such as dendritic cells (DCs), cytotoxic T cells, natural killer (NK) cells, natural killer T (NKT) cells, and their respective cytokines. Lastly, a summary of the most recent nanomedicines that cause necroptosis in order to cause immunogenic cell death is provided in order to emphasize their promise for cancer immunotherapy. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Immunology)

14 pages, 955 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Desflurane Versus Sevoflurane and Postoperative Cardiac Biomarkers in Older Adults Undergoing Low- to Moderate-Risk Noncardiac Surgery—Secondary Analysis of a Prospective, Observer-Blinded, Randomized Clinical Trial

by Alexander Taschner, Christian Reiterer, Edith Fleischmann, Barbara Kabon, Katharina Horvath, Nikolas Adamowitsch, David Emler, Thomas Christian, Nicole Hantakova, Beatrix Hochreiter, Laura Höfer, Magdalena List, Barbara Rossi, Florian W. Zenz, Giulia Zanvettor, Oliver Zotti, Melanie Fraunschiel and Alexandra Graf

J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(19), 5946; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13195946 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Background/Objectives: Previous preclinical studies have shown that desflurane might have the most significant cardioprotective effect of all volatile anesthetics. However, data regarding the cardioprotective effects of desflurane versus sevoflurane are lacking. Therefore, we evaluated the effect of the maintenance of anesthesia using desflurane versus sevoflurane on the postoperative maximum concentrations of cardiac biomarkers in older adults undergoing low- to moderate-risk noncardiac surgery. Methods: In this secondary analysis of a prospective randomized trial, we included all 190 older adults undergoing low- to moderate-risk noncardiac surgery. Patients were randomized to receive desflurane or sevoflurane for the maintenance of anesthesia. We administered desflurane or sevoflurane, aiming at a BIS value of 50 ± 5. The cardiac-specific biomarkers included troponin T, NT-proBNP, and copeptin, which were measured preoperatively, within one hour after surgery, and on the second postoperative day. Results: There were no significant differences between the desflurane and sevoflurane groups in the postoperative maximum concentrations of troponin T (11 ng.L⁻¹ [8; 16] versus 13 ng.L⁻¹ [9; 18]; p = 0.595), NT-proBNP (196 pg.mL⁻¹ [90; 686] versus 253 pg.mL⁻¹ [134; 499]; p = 0.288), or copeptin (19 pmol.L⁻¹ [7; 58] versus 12 pmol.L⁻¹ [6; 41]; p = 0.096). We also observed no significant differences in the troponin T, NT-proBNP, or copeptin concentrations between the desflurane and sevoflurane groups at any measured timepoint (all p > 0.05). Conclusions: In contrast to preclinical studies, we did not observe a significant difference in the postoperative maximum concentrations of cardiac biomarkers. It seems likely that desflurane does not exert significant clinical meaningful cardioprotective effects in older adults. Thus, our results do not support the use of desflurane in patients undergoing low- to moderate-risk noncardiac surgery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Anesthesiology)

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14 pages, 2233 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Two Western Pacific Tabernaemontana Species Contrast in Biomass Allocation and Leaf Physiological Plasticity to Sun and Shade

by Thomas E. Marler

Horticulturae 2024, 10(10), 1070; https://doi.org/10.3390/horticulturae10101070 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

The ability of plants to modify biomass allocation and leaf phenotypes to best utilize available resources has been heavily studied. No Tabernaemontana species have been included in this research agenda. Therefore, Tabernaemontana pandacaqui Poir. and Tabernaemontana rotensis (Kaneh.) B.C. Stone plants were subjected to 24% or 100% sunlight and various traits were determined to compare the relative level of plasticity. Midday net carbon dioxide assimilation was greater for T. rotensis in sun-grown plants, but greater for T. pandacaqui in shade-grown plants. Saturating light intensity and midday F_v/F_m were greater for T. rotensis in sun-grown plants, but did not differ between the species for shade-grown plants. Light compensation intensity was greater for T. rotensis than T. pandacaqui in both light treatments. Apparent quantum yield was greater for T. pandacaqui shade-grown plants but was similar for the two species in sun-grown plants. Greater relative root growth in full sun compared with shade was exhibited by T. rotensis but not by T. pandacaqui. These findings indicated that T. pandacaqui develops functional traits that improve performance in shade-grown plants, and T. rotensis develops facultative traits that enable performance in sun-grown plants. These insights into how T. pandacaqui and T. rotensis respond to sun and shade conditions add to the knowledge needed to inform the selection of niche conditions when using them in managed mixed forest plantings such as conservation and restoration sites. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biotic and Abiotic Stress)

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15 pages, 2415 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Adenosine Metabolism Pathway Alterations in Frontal Cortical Neurons in Schizophrenia

by Smita Sahay, Emily A. Devine, Christina F.-A. Vargas, Robert E. McCullumsmith and Sinead M. O’Donovan

Cells 2024, 13(19), 1657; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells13191657 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Schizophrenia is a neuropsychiatric illness characterized by altered neurotransmission, in which adenosine, a modulator of glutamate and dopamine, plays a critical role that is relatively unexplored in the human brain. In the present study, postmortem human brain tissue from the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) of individuals with schizophrenia (n = 20) and sex- and age-matched control subjects without psychiatric illness (n = 20) was obtained from the Bronx–Mount Sinai NIH Brain and Tissue Repository. Enriched populations of ACC pyramidal neurons were isolated using laser microdissection (LMD). The mRNA expression levels of six key adenosine pathway components—adenosine kinase (ADK), equilibrative nucleoside transporters 1 and 2 (ENT1 and ENT2), ectonucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolases 1 and 3 (ENTPD1 and ENTPD3), and ecto-5′-nucleotidase (NT5E)—were quantified using real-time PCR (qPCR) in neurons from these individuals. No significant mRNA expression differences were observed between the schizophrenia and control groups (p > 0.05). However, a significant sex difference was found in ADK mRNA expression, with higher levels in male compared with female subjects (Mann–Whitney U = 86; p < 0.05), a finding significantly driven by disease (t₍₁₇₎ = 3.289; p < 0.05). Correlation analyses also demonstrated significant associations (n = 12) between the expression of several adenosine pathway components (p < 0.05). In our dementia severity analysis, ENTPD1 mRNA expression was significantly higher in males in the “mild” clinical dementia rating (CDR) bin compared with males in the “none” CDR bin (F_{(2, 13)} = 5.212; p < 0.05). Lastly, antipsychotic analysis revealed no significant impact on the expression of adenosine pathway components between medicated and non-medicated schizophrenia subjects (p > 0.05). The observed sex-specific variations and inter-component correlations highlight the value of investigating sex differences in disease and contribute to the molecular basis of schizophrenia’s pathology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Applications of Biomedical Technology and Molecular Biological Approach in Brain Diseases)

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17 pages, 1289 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Digital Twin Driven by a Deep Learning Model for Fault Diagnosis of Electro-Hydrostatic Actuators

by Roman Rodriguez-Aguilar, Jose-Antonio Marmolejo-Saucedo and Utku Köse

Mathematics 2024, 12(19), 3124; https://doi.org/10.3390/math12193124 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

The first quarter of the 21st century has witnessed many technological innovations in various sectors. Likewise, the COVID-19 pandemic triggered the acceleration of digital transformation in organizations driven by artificial intelligence and communication technologies in Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0. Aiming at the construction of digital twins, virtual representations of a physical system allow real-time bidirectional communication. This will allow the monitoring of operations, identification of possible failures, and decision making based on technical evidence. In this study, a fault diagnosis solution is proposed, based on the construction of a digital twin, for a cloud-based Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) system contemplating the control of electro-hydrostatic actuators (EHAs). The system was supported by a deep learning model using Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for an effective diagnostic approach. The implemented study considers data preparation and integration and system development and application to evaluate the performance against the fault diagnosis problem. According to the results obtained, positive results are shown in the construction of the digital twin using a deep learning model for the fault diagnosis problem of an active EHA-IIoT configuration. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Applications of Mathematical Modeling and Optimization in Logistics and Manufacturing)

9 pages, 541 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The First Comprehensive Evaluation of Immuno-Inflammatory Markers for Prognosis in Esophageal Cancer Patients: A South Asian Perspective

by Sajida Qureshi, Waqas Ahmad Abbasi, Hira Abdul Jalil, Saba Mughal and Muhammad Saeed Quraishy

Clin. Pract. 2024, 14(5), 2071-2079; https://doi.org/10.3390/clinpract14050163 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) remains a significant health challenge in South Asia, with poor prognosis despite advancements in diagnostics and treatment. Identifying and validating prognostic factors is essential for improving patient outcomes. Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 146 biopsy-confirmed EC patients at the Dr. Ruth K.M. Pfau Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Clinical and laboratory data were collected and analyzed using descriptive statistics, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, and the Chi-square test. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan–Meier curves, log-rank tests, and Cox proportional hazard models for univariate and multivariate regression analyses, with statistical significance set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: Bivariate analysis showed significant associations of the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (p = 0.017), C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) (p = 0.033), red cell distribution width to platelet ratio (RPR) (p = 0.020), and systemic immune-Inflammation index (SII) (p = 0.009) with patient survival. Univariate analysis identified tumor length >10 cm (p = 0.016), T4 stage (p = 0.015), metastasis (p < 0.001), surgery not performed (p < 0.001), and SII (p = 0.022) as significant factors for survival, with higher SII linked to poorer overall survival (p = 0.020). Interestingly, in the multivariate model, only metastasis (p < 0.001) and surgery not performed (p = 0.011) remained significant. Conclusions: Immuno-inflammatory markers may be less pertinent prognostic factors for EC in the South Asian population. Full article

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23 pages, 8471 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Construction of a Growth Model and Screening of Growth-Related Genes for a Hybrid Puffer (Takifugu obscurus ♀ × Takifugu rubripes ♂)

by Chaoyu Wang, Yan Shi, Yuanye Gao, Shuo Shi, Mengmeng Wang, Yunlong Yao, Zhenlong Sun, Yaohui Wang and Zhe Zhao

Fishes 2024, 9(10), 404; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes9100404 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

The obscure puffer (Takifugu obscurus) is a popular cultured species and accounts for around 50% of the total pufferfish production in China. A hybrid puffer was generated by crossing a female obscure puffer with a male tiger puffer (T. rubripes). Its growth model has not been developed and the genetic basis underlying its growth superiority has not yet been fully investigated. In this study, the growth model and morphological traits of the hybrid puffer were explored. The results indicated that the hybrid puffer exhibited a significant growth advantage compared to the obscure puffer. There were also significant differences in their morphological traits. We conducted genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) on hybrid and obscure puffer groups, identifying 215,288 high-quality single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on 22 chromosomes. Subsequently, a total of 13 growth-related selection regions were identified via a combination of selection signatures and a genome-wide association study (GWAS); these regions were mainly located on chromosomes 10 and 22. Ultimately, the screened regions contained 13 growth-related genes, including itgav, ighv3-43, ighm, atp6v1b2, pld1, xmrk, inhba, dsp, dsg2, and dsc2, which regulate growth through a variety of pathways. Taken together, the growth models and candidate genes used in this study will aid our understanding of production characteristics and the genetic basis of growth rates. The hybrid will also be of great significance for the genome-assisted breeding of pufferfish in the future. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Genetics and Breeding in Aquaculture)

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24 pages, 1269 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Leveraging Digital Twins and Intrusion Detection Systems for Enhanced Security in IoT-Based Smart City Infrastructures

by Mohammed El-Hajj

Electronics 2024, 13(19), 3941; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13193941 (registering DOI) - 6 Oct 2024

Abstract

In this research, we investigate the integration of an Intrusion Detection System (IDS) with a Digital Twin (DT) to enhance the cybersecurity of physical devices in cyber–physical systems. Using Eclipse Ditto as the DT platform and Snort as the IDS, we developed a near-realistic test environment that included a Raspberry Pi as the physical device and a Kali Linux virtual machine to perform common cyberattacks such as Hping3 flood attacks and NMAP reconnaissance scans. The results demonstrated that the IDS effectively detected Hping3-based flood attacks but showed limitations in identifying NMAP scans, suggesting areas for IDS configuration improvements. Furthermore, the study uncovered significant system resource impacts, including high Central Processing Unit (CPU) usage during SYN and ACK flood attacks and persistent memory usage after Network Mapper (NMAP) scans, highlighting the need for enhanced recovery mechanisms. This research presents a novel approach by coupling a Digital Twin with an IDS, enabling real-time monitoring and providing a dual perspective on both system performance and security. The integration offers a holistic method for identifying vulnerabilities and understanding resource impacts during cyberattacks. The work contributes new insights into the use of Digital Twins for cybersecurity and paves the way for further research into automated defense mechanisms, real-world validation of the proposed model, and the incorporation of additional attack scenarios. The results suggest that this combined approach holds significant promise for enhancing the security and resilience of IoT devices and other cyber–physical systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Methods Applied to Security and Privacy Problems in Future Networking Technologies)

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