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Background: Low-grade appendiceal mucinous neoplasms (LAMNs) are rare lesions of the vermiform appendix and characterized by mucinous epithelial proliferation, extracellular mucin, and the absence of destructive invasion. Appendiceal diverticulum (AD) is also an uncommon condition that may be challenging to differentiate from acute appendicitis when it is superimposed by diverticulitis or perforation. Some recently published studies emphasized that complicated AD with mucosal hyperplasia can be confused with LAMNs, leading to overdiagnosis. The present study aimed to determine the histopathological features which can be used in the differential diagnosis of LAMNs and ADs, particularly complicated diverticula, in a large cohort. Methods: Cases comprising LAMNs and ADs diagnosed between 2011 and 2021 were included in the study. All cases were evaluated for the epithelial lining, the wall of the lesions, and the presence of cellular or acellular mucin, with its localization in terms of level and site of involvement within the appendix also recorded. Results: The hypermucinous epithelium characteristic of LAMNs, fibrosis, and calcification in the wall and the absence of lamina propria and muscularis mucosa proved to be the most discriminatory features in the differential diagnosis of LAMNs and ADs. Conclusions: The distinction between mucinous neoplasia and its mimics is critically important, since mucinous neoplasia requires surveillance imaging and potential surgery or chemotherapy depending on the extent of the disease, whereas non-neoplastic lesions are treated by an appendectomy and require no future intervention or surveillance. Full article

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16 pages, 2225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Comparison of Sample Preparation and Detection Methods for the Quantification of Synthetic Musk Compounds (SMCs) in Carp Fish Samples

by Jungmin Jo, Eunjin Lee, Na Rae Choi, Ji Yi Lee, Jae Won Yoo, Dong Sik Ahn and Yun Gyong Ahn

Molecules 2024, 29(22), 5444; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29225444 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

This study deals with the separation and detection methods for 12 synthetic musk compounds (SMCs), which are some of the emerging contaminants in fish samples, are widely present in environmental media, and can be considered serious risks due to their harmful effects. For the separation of co-extracted substances and the target SMCs in fish samples after ultrasonic extraction, four solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents were investigated. The recoveries of SMCs from 10 mL of eluent, as optimized by the elution profile, were within the acceptable range of 80–120% in all SPE types, and it was found that nitro musk and polycyclic musk compounds were separated more clearly in Florisil SPE than others (Aminopropyl, Alumina-N, PSA). Furthermore, the results of measuring the matrix effects by each SPE through the spiking experiments showed that Florisil SPE was superior. The comparison of a gas chromatograph-single quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-SQ/MS) with selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode and GC-triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (GC-QqQ-MS/MS) with multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) modes regarding the detection method of SMCs showed that the method detection limits (MDLs) of SMCs were on average ten times lower when GC-QqQ-MS/MS with MRM mode was used. The differences between the two methods can provide essential information for selecting an analytical method in related research fields that require appropriate detection levels, such as risk assessment or pollution control. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Mass Spectrometry of Chemical and Biological Samples)

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14 pages, 977 KiB

Open AccessReview

Enhanced CRC Growth in Iron-Rich Environment, Facts and Speculations

by Marcello Chieppa, Marianna Kashyrina, Alessandro Miraglia and Diana Vardanyan

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12389; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212389 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

The contribution of nutritional factors to disease development has been demonstrated for several chronic conditions including obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and about 30 percent of cancers. Nutrients include macronutrients and micronutrients, which are required in large and trace quantities, respectively. Macronutrients, which include protein, carbohydrates, and lipids, are mainly involved in energy production and biomolecule synthesis; micronutrients include vitamins and minerals, which are mainly involved in immune functions, enzymatic reactions, blood clotting, and gene transcription. Among the numerous micronutrients potentially involved in disease development, the present review will focus on iron and its relation to tumor development. Recent advances in the understanding of iron-related proteins accumulating in the tumor microenvironment shed light on the pivotal role of iron availability in sustaining pathological tumor hallmarks, including cell cycle regulation, angiogenesis, and metastasis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gastrointestinal Cancer: From Pathophysiology to Novel Therapeutic Approaches)

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Graphical abstract

4 pages, 611 KiB

Open AccessShort Note

trans-11-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3,8,9-tetramethoxy-6-oxo-11,12-dihydro-6H-dibenzo[c,h]chromene-12-carboxylic Acid

by Victor Angelov, Savina Stoyanova and Milen G. Bogdanov

Molbank 2024, 2024(4), M1920; https://doi.org/10.3390/M1920 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

The title compound, trans-11-(3,4-Dimethoxyphenyl)-2,3,8,9-tetramethoxy-6-oxo-11,12-dihydro-6H-dibenzo[c,h]chromene-12-carboxylic acid (4), was synthesized for the first time via a two-step protocol from 3,4-dimethoxyhomophthalic anhydride (1) and 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (DMBA). In the first step, 1 reacts with DMBA to give trans-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-6,7-dimethoxy-1-oxo-3,4-dihydro-1H-2-benzopyran-4-carboxylic acid (2), which further reacts with two additional equivalents of 1 to give 4. Compound 4 was characterized by means of spectral methods—¹H-, ¹³C-, DEPT-135-NMR, and HRMS. Full article

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19 pages, 1057 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Black Holes with a Cloud of Strings and Quintessence in a Non-Linear Electrodynamics Scenario

by Francinaldo Florencio do Nascimento, Valdir Barbosa Bezerra and Jefferson de Morais Toledo

Universe 2024, 10(11), 430; https://doi.org/10.3390/universe10110430 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

We obtain exact black hole solutions to Einstein gravity coupled with a nonlinear electrodynamics field, in the presence of a cloud of strings and quintessence, as sources. The solutions have four parameters, namely m, k, a, and

α

, corresponding [...] Read more.

α

, corresponding to the physical mass of the black hole, the nonlinear charge of a self-gravitating magnetic field, the cloud of strings, and the intensity of the quintessential fluid. The consequences of these sources on the regularity or singularity of the solutions, on their horizons, as well as on the energy conditions, are discussed. We study some aspects concerning the thermodynamics of the black hole, by taking into account the mass, Hawking temperature, and heat capacity and show how these quantities depend on the presence of the cloud of strings and quintessence, in the scenario considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Collection Open Questions in Black Hole Physics)

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23 pages, 9179 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Robust Twin Extreme Learning Machine Based on Soft Truncated Capped L₁-Norm Loss Function

by Zhendong Xu, Bo Wei, Guolin Yu and Jun Ma

Electronics 2024, 13(22), 4533; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics13224533 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

Currently, most researchers propose robust algorithms from different perspectives for overcoming the impact of outliers on a model, such as introducing loss functions. However, some loss functions often fail to achieve satisfactory results when the outliers are large. Therefore, the capped loss has become a better choice for researchers. The majority of researchers directly set an upper bound on the loss function, which reduces the impact of large outliers, but also introduces non-differentiable regions. To avoid this shortcoming, we propose a robust twin extreme learning machine based on a soft-capped

L_{1}

-normal loss function (SCTELM). It uses a soft capped

L_{1}

-norm loss function. This not only overcomes the shortcomings of the hard capped loss function, but also improves the robustness of the model. Simultaneously, to improve the learning efficiency of the model, the stochastic variance-reduced gradient (SVRG) optimization algorithm is used. Experimental results on several datasets show that the proposed algorithm can compete with state-of-the-art algorithms in terms of robustness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Control Strategies and Applications of Multi-Agent Systems)

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1 pages, 161 KiB

Open AccessCorrection

Correction: Alvarado et al. Alginate–Bentonite Encapsulation of Extremophillic Bacterial Consortia Enhances Chenopodium quinoa Tolerance to Metal Stress. Microorganisms 2024, 12, 2066

by Roxana Alvarado, Cesar Arriagada-Escamilla, Javier Ortiz, Reinaldo Campos-Vargas and Pablo Cornejo

Microorganisms 2024, 12(11), 2356; https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms12112356 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

In the original publication [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Rhizosphere Bacteria and Fungi That Promote Plant Growth)

21 pages, 6428 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Assessment of the Bearing Capacity of High-Strength-Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Columns Through Finite Element Analysis

by Leonardo André Rossato, Alexandre Rossi, Carlos Humberto Martins, Gustavo de Miranda Saleme Gidrão, Laura Silvestro and Rúbia Mara Bosse

Eng 2024, 5(4), 2978-2998; https://doi.org/10.3390/eng5040155 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

This work aimed to evaluate the accuracy of analytical models for predicting the behavior of concrete-filled steel tubular (CFST) columns via finite element analysis coupled with physical nonlinearity. The methodology involved an extensive review of experimental tests from the literature, numerical modeling of columns with different configurations, and a comparison of the results obtained with available experimental data. Several characteristics were evaluated, such as the load capacity, confinement factor, and relative slenderness. The numerical model agreed well with the experimental results, with a less than 10% relative error. The results indicated that analytical models of the Chinese (GB 50936) and European (EC4) codes overestimated some load capacity values (up to 14.9% and 8.7%, respectively). In comparison, the American (AISC 360) and Brazilian (NBR 8800) standards underestimated the ultimate loads (23.3% and 31.6%, respectively). An approach coefficient β is proposed, contributing to safer and more efficient design practices in structural engineering. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Chemical, Civil and Environmental Engineering)

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17 pages, 7847 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Electrochemical Analysis of Corrosion Resistance of Manganese-Coated Annealed Steel: Chronoamperometric and Voltammetric Study

by Francisco Augusto Nuñez Pérez

AppliedChem 2024, 4(4), 367-383; https://doi.org/10.3390/appliedchem4040023 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

Metal corrosion poses a significant challenge for industries by decreasing the lifespan of materials and escalating maintenance and replacement costs. This study is critically important, as it assesses the corrosion resistance properties of annealed steel wire electrodes coated with manganese, employing chronoamperometry and linear voltammetry techniques. The electrodes were immersed in an electrolyte solution and subjected to chronoamperometry at various voltages (−0.55 V, −0.60 V, and −0.70 V) and durations (60 s and 1800 s). Subsequently, linear voltammetry was performed over a potential range from −0.8 V to 0.8 V to generate Tafel plots. The Butler–Volmer equation was applied to the data obtained to determine the corrosion current density. The results indicate that the optimal conditions for forming a highly effective protective manganese layer occur at a potential of −0.70 V for 1800 s. Under these conditions, the electrodes exhibited superior corrosion resistance. This study also revealed that shorter durations and less negative potentials led to less-effective manganese coatings, with higher corrosion rates and reduced stability. These findings are significant for developing efficient corrosion protection methods in industrial and research applications, providing clear parameters for optimizing the manganese electrodeposition process on annealed steel. Full article

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15 pages, 517 KiB

Open AccessReview

Update on Genitourinary Syndrome of Menopause: A Scoping Review of a Tailored Treatment-Based Approach

by Ilaria Cuccu, Tullio Golia D’Augè, Ilaria Firulli, Emanuele De Angelis, Giovanni Buzzaccarini, Ottavia D’Oria, Aris Raad Besharat, Donatella Caserta, Giorgio Bogani, Ludovico Muzii, Violante Di Donato and Andrea Giannini

Life 2024, 14(11), 1504; https://doi.org/10.3390/life14111504 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

This scoping review explores the therapeutic strategies available for managing genitourinary syndrome of menopause (GSM), a condition often underdiagnosed and undertreated despite significantly affecting women’s quality of life. GSM results from decreased estrogen levels during menopause, leading to a range of symptoms including vulvovaginal atrophy and urinary tract issues. Material and Methods: we screened the literature for original studies with “menopause”, “hormonal therapy”, “vulvovaginal atrophy”, “urinary incontinence”, “urinary infections”, “genitourinary syndrome”. Results: A total of 451 relevant articles were retrieved. After screening, 19 articles were included in this scoping review. Discussion: First-line treatments typically include lubricants and moisturizers for short-term symptom relief, while unresolved or severe cases may warrant hormonal treatment. Topical hormonal treatments often have fewer side effects than systemic alternatives. Special attention is given to selective estrogen receptor modulators like ospemifene and steroid hormones like dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), which have shown beneficial effects on GSM symptoms. Moreover, innovative therapeutic approaches, such as laser treatment, are discussed in the context of their efficacy and accessibility. The safety of GSM hormonal therapy in women with a history or risk of cancer is also addressed, noting the need for more definitive research in this area. While there is a growing demand for tailored therapy, this scoping review emphasizes the importance of effective communication and counseling to allow women to make informed decisions about their treatment. Overall, this review underscores the need for increased awareness and further research into effective treatment options for GSM. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Understanding Comorbidities in Gynecologic Diseases: A Holistic Approach to Women’s Health)

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20 pages, 4098 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Deciphering the Genetic and Biochemical Drivers of Fruit Cracking in Akebia trifoliata

by Mian Faisal Nazir, Tianjiao Jia, Yi Zhang, Longyu Dai, Jie Xu, Yafang Zhao and Shuaiyu Zou

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(22), 12388; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms252212388 (registering DOI) - 19 Nov 2024

Abstract

This study investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying fruit cracking in Akebia trifoliata, a phenomenon that significantly impacts fruit quality and marketability. Through comprehensive physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic analyses, we identified key changes in cell wall components and enzymatic activities during fruit ripening. Our results revealed that ventral suture tissues exhibit significantly elevated activities of polygalacturonase (PG) and β-galactosidase compared to dorsoventral line tissues, indicating their crucial roles in cell wall degradation and structural weakening. The cellulose content in VS tissues peaked early and declined during ripening, while DL tissues maintained relatively stable cellulose levels, highlighting the importance of cellulose dynamics in fruit cracking susceptibility. Transcriptomic analysis revealed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with pectin biosynthesis and catabolism, cell wall organization, and oxidoreductase activities, indicating significant transcriptional regulation. Key genes like AKT032945 (pectinesterase) and AKT045678 (polygalacturonase) were identified as crucial for cell wall loosening and pericarp dehiscence. Additionally, expansin-related genes AKT017642, AKT017643, and AKT021517 were expressed during critical stages, promoting cell wall loosening. Genes involved in auxin-activated signaling and oxidoreductase activities, such as AKT022903 (auxin response factor) and AKT054321 (peroxidase), were also differentially expressed, suggesting roles in regulating cell wall rigidity. Moreover, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified key gene modules correlated with traits like pectin lyase activity and soluble pectin content, pinpointing potential targets for genetic manipulation. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular basis of fruit cracking in A. trifoliata, laying a foundation for breeding programs aimed at developing crack-resistant varieties to enhance fruit quality and commercial viability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Plant Sciences)

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1230 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Machine Learning G-Code Optimization

by Héctor Lasluisa-Naranjo, David Rivas-Lalaleo, Joaquín Vaquero-López and Christian Cruz-Moposita

Eng. Proc. 2024, 77(1), 32; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2024077032 (registering DOI) - 18 Nov 2024

Abstract

G-codes are essential in CNC systems, providing crucial instructions for controlling machine parameters and operations in manufacturing, including 3D printing. They may contain errors affecting product quality and increasing resource consumption. This research applies the K-means machine learning clustering algorithm to optimize G-code parameters such as extruder and heated bed temperature, deposition speed, and flow control. The objective is to reduce manufacturing time and material usage while maintaining surface quality. A line-by-line analysis and rewriting of the G-code resulted in an average 24.36% reduction in time and 5% in material use, with minimal impact on quality, validated with the Taguchi method. Full article

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5408 KiB

Open AccessProceeding Paper

Comprehensive Evaluation of LoRaWAN Technology in Urban and Rural Environments of Quito

by Ricardo Mena, Mario Ramos, Luis Urquiza and José D. Vega-Sánchez

Eng. Proc. 2024, 77(1), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/engproc2024077028 (registering DOI) - 18 Nov 2024

Abstract

The long-range wide area network (LoRaWAN) protocol is one of the most effective technologies for internet of things (IoT) applications, offering long-distance connectivity with low power consumption. This paper presents a practical approach by implementing a LoRa-based measurement prototype across urban and rural environments in the city of Quito, with the aim of assessing the performance and applicability of the technology in manifold settings. Specifically, we develop the required data collection and transmission code in the underlying network, ensuring smooth network integration. Furthermore, test environments are thoroughly characterized for numerical results, highlighting the conditions in the cities of Quito. The results obtained in both scenarios were satisfactory, allowing the comparison of the system’s performance in different contexts and providing key aspects of its practical applications and effectiveness. As the main contribution, empirical data were obtained to understand how long-range low-energy connectivity behaves, providing valuable information for comparing system performance in high-altitude cities above sea level, identifying practical applications, and optimizing its use in real IoT implementations. Full article

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17 pages, 1954 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mask-Guided Spatial–Spectral MLP Network for High-Resolution Hyperspectral Image Reconstruction

by Xian-Hua Han, Jian Wang and Yen-Wei Chen

Sensors 2024, 24(22), 7362; https://doi.org/10.3390/s24227362 (registering DOI) - 18 Nov 2024

Abstract

Hyperspectral image (HSI) reconstruction is a critical and indispensable step in spectral compressive imaging (CASSI) systems and directly affects our ability to capture high-quality images in dynamic environments. Recent research has increasingly focused on deep unfolding frameworks for HSI reconstruction, showing notable progress. However, these approaches have to break the optimization task into two sub-problems, solving them iteratively over multiple stages, which leads to large models and high computational overheads. This study presents a simple yet effective method that passes the degradation information (sensing mask) through a deep learning network to disentangle the degradation and the latent target’s representations. Specifically, we design a lightweight MLP block to capture non-local similarities and long-range dependencies across both spatial and spectral domains, and investigate an attention-based mask modelling module to achieve the spatial–spectral-adaptive degradation representationthat is fed to the MLP-based network. To enhance the information flow between MLP blocks, we introduce a multi-level fusion module and apply reconstruction heads to different MLP features for deeper supervision. Additionally, we combine the projection loss from compressive measurements with reconstruction loss to create a dual-domain loss, ensuring consistent optical detection during HS reconstruction. Experiments on benchmark HS datasets show that our method outperforms state-of-the-art approaches in terms of both reconstruction accuracy and efficiency, reducing computational and memory costs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Hyperspectral/Multispectral Sensing Technologies for Spectral Cameras and Image Sensors)

15 pages, 2144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Set of Proximal Regulatory Elements Contribute to the Transcriptional Activity of the Human Lipoprotein Lipase Promoter

by Nasmah K. Bastaki, Taybha A. Albarjes, Afnan K. Mohamed, Noorhan H. Sabri and Suzanne A. Al-Bustan

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2024, 46(11), 13209-13223; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb46110788 (registering DOI) - 18 Nov 2024

Abstract

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a multifunctional protein that catalyzes the hydrolysis of plasma triglycerides, releasing free fatty acids, which play critical roles in the metabolism and transport of lipids. The transcription of LPL in response to cell types and regulatory factors is a complex process that starts with its promoter. In previous studies, several proximal regulatory elements within the human LPL promoter were individually characterized. This study was designed to characterize the effect of 12 proximal regulatory elements as a combined unit on the transcriptional activity of the LPL promoter. The hypothesis was that these proximal regulatory elements collectively result in the optimal transcriptional activity of the human LPL promoter. Full and partial LPL promoter sequences, which contained and excluded the 12 regulatory elements, respectively, were cloned and inserted into a promoterless luciferase reporter vector. The functional activities of these constructs were tested in vitro using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. Our results showed that HEK-293 cells transfected with the full LPL promoter exhibited significantly greater luciferase activity than cells transfected with partial LPL promoters. Our results indicate that the proximal regulatory elements within the LPL promoter, including four TATA boxes, two Oct-1 sites, one CT element, two C/EBPα sites, one SP1 site, and two cis-acting regions (LP-α and LP-β), are essential for its transcriptional activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology)

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