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Federated learning (FL) and bioinspired computing (BIC), two distinct, yet complementary fields, have gained significant attention in the machine learning community due to their unique characteristics. FL enables decentralized machine learning by allowing models to be trained on data residing across multiple devices or servers without exchanging raw data, thus enhancing privacy and reducing communication overhead. Conversely, BIC draws inspiration from nature to develop robust and adaptive computational solutions for complex problems. This paper explores the state of the art in the integration of FL and BIC, introducing BIC techniques and discussing the motivations for their integration with FL. The convergence of these fields can lead to improved model accuracy, enhanced privacy, energy efficiency, and reduced communication overhead. This synergy addresses inherent challenges in FL, such as data heterogeneity and limited computational resources, and opens up new avenues for developing more efficient and autonomous learning systems. The integration of FL and BIC holds promise for various application domains, including healthcare, finance, and smart cities, where privacy-preserving and efficient computation is paramount. This survey provides a systematic review of the current research landscape, identifies key challenges and opportunities, and suggests future directions for the successful integration of FL and BIC. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Artificial Intelligence)

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14 pages, 2148 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Postoperative Acute Intracranial Hemorrhage and Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Brain Metastases Receiving Acetylsalicylic Acid Perioperatively

by Nikolay Tonchev, Anatoli Pinchuk, Claudia A. Dumitru, Belal Neyazi, Vanessa Magdalena Swiatek, Klaus Peter Stein, Ibrahim Erol Sandalcioglu and Ali Rashidi

Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(8), 4599-4612; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31080343 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Cranial operations are associated with a high risk of postoperative intracranial hemorrhage (pICH) and venous thromboembolic events, along with increased mortality and morbidity. With the use of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) for prophylaxis becoming more prevalent, the risk of bleeding when ASA is administered preoperatively is unknown, as are the effects of discontinuation upon the occurrence of thromboembolic events, especially in societies with aging demographics. To address these questions, a retrospective analysis was performed using medical records and radiological images of 1862 patients subjected to brain tumor surgery over a decade in our department. The risk of pICH was compared in patients with metastases receiving ASA treatment versus patients not receiving ASA treatment. The occurrence of venous thromboembolic events after surgery was also evaluated. The study group consisted of 365 patients with different types of brain metastases. In total, 20 patients suffered pICH and 7 of these were associated with clinical neurological deterioration postoperatively. Of the 58 patients who took ASA preoperatively, 2 patients experienced pICH, compared with 5 patients in the non-ASA impact group (p = 0.120). Patients who took ASA were not at significantly higher risk of pICH and therefore a worse outcome compared to the group without ASA. Therefore, these data suggest that in patients at high cardiovascular risk, ASA can be safely continued during elective brain tumor surgery. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Surgical Oncology)

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13 pages, 1985 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Galectin-2 Agglutinates Helicobacter pylori via Lipopolysaccharide Containing H Type I Under Weakly Acidic Conditions

by Takaharu Sasaki, Midori Oyama, Mao Kubota, Yasunori Isshiki, Tomoharu Takeuchi, Toru Tanaka, Takashi Tanikawa, Mayumi Tamura, Yoichiro Arata and Tomomi Hatanaka

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8725; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168725 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Galectins are β-galactoside-binding animal lectins involved in various biological functions, such as host defense. Galectin-2 and -3 are members of the galectin family that are expressed in the stomach, including the gastric mucosa and surface mucous cells. Galectin-3 exhibits aggregation and bactericidal activity against Helicobacter pylori in a β-galactoside-dependent manner. We previously reported that galectin-2 has the same activity under neutral pH conditions. In this study, the H. pylori aggregation activity of galectin-2 was examined under weakly acidic conditions, in which H. pylori survived. Galectin-2 agglutinated H. pylori even at pH 6.0, but not at pH 5.0, correlating with its structural stability, as determined using circular dichroism. Additionally, galectin-2 binding to the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of H. pylori cultured under weakly acidic conditions was investigated using affinity chromatography and Western blotting. Galectin-2 could bind to H. pylori LPS containing H type I, a Lewis antigen, in a β-galactoside-dependent manner. In contrast, galectin-3 was structurally more stable than galectin-2 under acidic conditions and bound to H. pylori LPS containing H type I and Lewis X. In conclusion, galectin-2 and -3 might function cooperatively in the defense against H. pylori in the stomach under different pH conditions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Galectins (Gals))

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21 pages, 6310 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Enhanced Forecasting Method of Daily Solar Irradiance in Southwestern France: A Hybrid Nonlinear Autoregressive with Exogenous Inputs with Long Short-Term Memory Approach

by Oubah Isman Okieh, Serhat Seker, Seckin Gokce and Martin Dennenmoser

Energies 2024, 17(16), 3965; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17163965 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

The increasing global reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy, underscores the critical importance of accurate solar irradiance forecasting. As solar capacity continues to grow, precise predictions of solar irradiance become essential for optimizing the performance and reliability of photovoltaic (PV) systems. This study introduces a novel hybrid forecasting model that integrates Nonlinear Autoregressive with Exogenous Inputs (NARX) with Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks. The purpose is to enhance the precision of predicting daily solar irradiance in fluctuating meteorological scenarios, particularly in southwestern France. The hybrid model employs the NARX model’s capacity to handle complex non-linear relationships and the LSTM’s aptitude to manage long-term dependencies in time-series data. The performance metrics of the hybrid NARX-LSTM model were thoroughly assessed, revealing a mean absolute error (MAE) of 9.58 W/m², a root mean square error (RMSE) of 16.30 W/m², and a Coefficient of Determination (R²) of 0.997. Consequently, the proposed hybrid model outperforms the benchmark model in all metrics, showing a significant improvement in prediction accuracy and better alignment with the observed data. These results highlight the model’s effectiveness in enhancing forecasting accuracy under unpredictable conditions, improving solar energy integration into power systems, and ensuring more reliable energy predictions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section A2: Solar Energy and Photovoltaic Systems)

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10 pages, 5281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A New Approach to Breast Specimen Orientation: Avoiding Pitfalls with the Specimen Plate Concept

by András Drozgyik, Tamás Szabó, György Kovács, Dániel Kollár and Tamás F. Molnár

Curr. Oncol. 2024, 31(8), 4589-4598; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol31080342 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Accurate specimen marking is crucial during breast cancer surgery to avoid misorientation, which can lead to inadequate re-excision and tumor recurrence. We studied the marking methods at various breast cancer centers to create a tool that would prevent specimen misorientation. An online questionnaire was used to survey marking procedures at major breast cancer centers in Hungary, and a tool was developed using a troubleshooting method. Twelve out of twenty units responded (60%). Nine use an institutionally standardized marking system. Less than half of the surgical teams found specimen mammograms to be unambiguous. In more than 70% of departments, pathologists were uncertain about breast specimen orientation. Ambiguous marking methods caused orientation errors in half of the cases, while unclear marking directions caused the rest. Most pathologists (85%) and surgeons (75%) believed that coronal plane specimen mammography would help solve the problem. A plastic specimen plate has been developed to anchor breast tissue to a coronal breast scheme as seen in mammography images, providing clear localization information throughout the surgical process. There is a lack of standardization in breast specimen orientation and marking in Hungary. An optimized orientation toolkit is being developed to ensure consistent interpretation of specimen mammograms by surgeons and pathologists. Full article

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17 pages, 8501 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation of the Electrochemical Behavior of CuO-NiO-Co₃O₄ Nanocomposites for Enhanced Supercapacitor Applications

by Karthik Kannan, Karuppaiya Chinnaiah, Krishnamoorthy Gurushankar, Raman Krishnamoorthi, Yong-Song Chen, Paskalis Sahaya Murphin Kumar and Yuan-Yao Li

Materials 2024, 17(16), 3976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17163976 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

In the present study, composites incorporating NiO-Co₃O₄ (NC) and CuO-NiO-Co₃O₄ (CNC) as active electrode materials were produced through the hydrothermal method and their performance was investigated systematically. The composition, formation, and nanocomposite structure of the fabricated material were characterized by XRD, FTIR, and UV–Vis. The FE-SEM analysis revealed the presence of rod and spherical mixed morphologies. The prepared NC and CNC samples were utilized as supercapacitor electrodes, demonstrating specific capacitances of 262 Fg⁻¹ at a current density of 1 Ag⁻¹. Interestingly, the CNC composite displayed a notable long-term cyclic stability 84.9%, which was observed even after 5000 charge–discharge cycles. The exceptional electrochemical properties observed can be accredited to the harmonious effects of copper oxide addition, the hollow structure, and various metal oxides. This approach holds promise for the development of supercapacitor electrodes. These findings collectively indicate that the hydrothermally synthesized NC and CNC nanocomposites exhibit potential as high-performance electrodes for supercapacitor applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploration of Two-Dimensional Mixed Metal Oxide Nanocomposites for the Fabrication of High Energy Density Supercapacitors)

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9 pages, 268 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Subclinical Ocular Motility Dysfunction and Extraocular Muscle Changes in Inactive Graves’ Orbitopathy

by Filippo Lixi, Alberto Cuccu, Giuseppe Giannaccare, Matteo Onnis, Mihaela Madalina Timofte Zorila, Stefano Mariotti, Rosanna Vacca, Paola Elisa Meloni, Michela Pisu, Chiara Mura and Francesco Boi

J. Pers. Med. 2024, 14(8), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm14080848 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the presence of structural and functional changes in extraocular muscles (EMs) among patients with inactive Graves’ orbitopathy (GO) classified according to the Clinical Activity Score (CAS). Sixty-seven patients with Graves’ disease (GD) and inactive GO were included. The data collected included clinical parameters, thyroid function, autoantibody levels, EOM morphology via orbital ultrasound (US), and ocular motility. Patients were stratified into Red Filter Test (RFT)-positive or RFT-negative groups based on the presence or absence of latent diplopia during the RFT examination. Thirty-three patients (49.25%) exhibited latent diplopia on the RFT, despite not reporting double vision during standard ocular motility tests. Significant differences were observed between the two groups in terms of age, disease duration, intraocular pressure (IOP) elevation in up-gaze, and medial rectus muscle thickness (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found in thyroid status, TRAb and ATA levels, CASs, exophthalmos, or lateral rectus thickness between the two groups. This study revealed that in inactive GO, subclinical EM dysfunction and morphological changes may be present, which might not be apparent through routine ocular examinations. The RFT is effective in detecting latent diplopia, highlighting its utility in identifying subtle ocular motility issues and subclinical muscle involvement. Comprehensive evaluations combining functional tests like the RFT and imaging are essential for early detection of GO-related abnormalities, enabling tailored and prompt management and improving patient outcomes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Advances and Perspectives in Ophthalmology: Progress and Modern Challenges)

19 pages, 6004 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Evaluation Model for Node Influence Based on Heuristic Spatiotemporal Features

by Sheng Jin, Yuzhi Xiao, Jiaxin Han and Tao Huang

Entropy 2024, 26(8), 676; https://doi.org/10.3390/e26080676 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

The accurate assessment of node influence is of vital significance for enhancing system stability. Given the structural redundancy problem triggered by the network topology deviation when an empirical network is copied, as well as the dynamic characteristics of the empirical network itself, it is difficult for traditional static assessment methods to effectively capture the dynamic evolution of node influence. Therefore, we propose a heuristic-based spatiotemporal feature node influence assessment model (HEIST). First, the zero-model method is applied to optimize the network-copying process and reduce the noise interference caused by network structure redundancy. Second, the copied network is divided into subnets, and feature modeling is performed to enhance the node influence differentiation. Third, node influence is quantified based on the spatiotemporal depth-perception module, which has a built-in local and global two-layer structure. At the local level, a graph convolutional neural network (GCN) is used to improve the spatial perception of node influence; it fuses the feature changes of the nodes in the subnetwork variation, combining this method with a long- and short-term memory network (LSTM) to enhance its ability to capture the depth evolution of node influence and improve the robustness of the assessment. Finally, a heuristic assessment algorithm is used to jointly optimize the influence strength of the nodes at different stages and quantify the node influence via a nonlinear optimization function. The experiments show that the Kendall coefficients exceed 90% in multiple datasets, proving that the model has good generalization performance in empirical networks. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Complex Networks and Their Applications, from COMPLEX NETWORKS 2023)

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11 pages, 1507 KiB

Open AccessCommunication

Insights on the Mechanical Properties of SARS-CoV-2 Particles and the Effects of the Photosensitizer Hypericin

by Matteo Mariangeli, Ana Moreno, Pietro Delcanale, Stefania Abbruzzetti, Alberto Diaspro, Cristiano Viappiani and Paolo Bianchini

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25(16), 8724; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms25168724 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

SARS-CoV-2 is a highly pathogenic virus responsible for the COVID-19 disease. It belongs to the Coronaviridae family, characterized by a phospholipid envelope, which is crucial for viral entry and replication in host cells. Hypericin, a lipophilic, naturally occurring photosensitizer, was reported to effectively inactivate enveloped viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, upon light irradiation. In addition to its photodynamic activity, Hyp was found to exert an antiviral action also in the dark. This study explores the mechanical properties of heat-inactivated SARS-CoV-2 viral particles using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). Results reveal a flexible structure under external stress, potentially contributing to the virus pathogenicity. Although the fixation protocol causes damage to some particles, correlation with fluorescence demonstrates colocalization of partially degraded virions with their genome. The impact of hypericin on the mechanical properties of the virus was assessed and found particularly relevant in dark conditions. These preliminary results suggest that hypericin can affect the mechanical properties of the viral envelope, an effect that warrants further investigation in the context of antiviral therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Microbiology)

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10 pages, 1144 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effect of Time of Nitrogen Fertilization on Use of Root Reserves in Megathyrsus maximus Cultivars

by Aline M. Motta, Luiz J. M. Motta, Lucas G. Mota, Lucas M. B. Assis, Anna B. O. Moura, Luis C. O. Borges, Gustavo B. A. Silva, Camila F. D. Duarte, Carla H. A. Cabral and Carlos E. A. Cabral

Nitrogen 2024, 5(3), 702-711; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen5030046 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Nitrogen is a very important nutrient in grass maintenance fertilization and therefore must be applied at the appropriate moment. The objective of this study was to identify the most responsive moment to nitrogen fertilization and to verify if root mass and the content of carbohydrates and nitrogen in roots influence the moment of fertilization in cultivars of Megathyrsus maximus (syn. Panicum maximum). This study was carried out simultaneously in a greenhouse using a completely randomized design, with sixteen treatments and five replications, in a 4×4 factorial design. The treatments consisted of four intervals between cultivar defoliation and nitrogen fertilization (0, 3, 6 and 9 days) and four Megathyrsus maximus cultivars, Mombasa, BRS Zuri, BRS Quenia and BRS Tamani, which were evaluated in five regrowth cycles. No difference in forage mass was observed among cultivars when fertilization was performed on days zero, three and nine after harvesting. On day nine, Mombasa showed a higher forage mass compared to BRS Tamani. Nitrogen content in the roots of Zuri decreased when fertilization was performed on the third day after defoliation, remaining constant in the other fertilization intervals. A linear reduction in root starch in BRS Zuri was observed, while in Mombasa cultivars, a linear increase was observed when fertilization was performed nine days after harvesting. Thus, nitrogen fertilization of BRS Tamani should be carried out closer to defoliation, while Mombasa, BRS Zuri and BRS Quenia can be fertilized up to nine days after harvesting, which results in greater flexibility regarding the moment of nitrogen fertilization. Full article

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16 pages, 1429 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigating User Feedback for Learning Space Design in Primary Schools of Shandong Province, China

by Rongrong Sun and Muhammad Firzan

Buildings 2024, 14(8), 2467; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings14082467 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

A well-designed learning environment is crucial for enhancing both the physical and mental health of students, which in turn improves their learning outcomes. However, many classrooms in China, particularly in rural areas, were constructed and designed several decades ago, so it is essential to redesign these learning spaces to align with the requirements of 21st Century education. This study aims to develop the stimulation, individuality, and naturalness (SIN) theoretical framework for identifying the learning environment of current classroom by examining the full range of sensory effects experienced by individuals. This study conducted qualitative interviews with 72 students and 18 class teachers to explore major issues with their existing learning spaces in four primary schools in Shandong Province of China. The results show that high temperatures and poor air quality are frequently raised by respondents, which directly impact students’ learning experience. This finding confirms naturalness likely underpins human comfort. Teachers and students felt that the classroom should be improved from the aspects of crowded space, imperceptible decoration, congestion and monotonous layouts. The study emphasised the important factors that designers and policymakers should consider to promote a comfortable, efficient, and healthy learning environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Architectural Design, Urban Science, and Real Estate)

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16 pages, 6013 KiB

Open AccessArticle

COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness Studies against Symptomatic and Severe Outcomes during the Omicron Period in Four Countries in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

by Manuela Runge, Zahra Karimian, Mehrnaz Kheirandish, Giulio Borghi, Natalie Wodniak, Kamal Fahmy, Carsten Mantel, Thomas Cherian, Zeinab Nabil Ahmed Said, Farid Najafi, Fatima Thneibat, Zia Ul-Haq, Sheraz Fazid, Iman Ibrahim Salama, Fatemeh Khosravi Shadmani, Ahmad Alrawashdeh, Shadrokh Sirous, Saverio Bellizzi, Amira Ahmed, Michael Lukwiya, Arash Rashidian and on behalf of the Consortium of Authors Show full author list Hide full author list

Vaccines 2024, 12(8), 906; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12080906 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) studies provide real-world evidence to monitor vaccine performance and inform policy. The WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean supported a regional study to assess the VE of COVID-19 vaccines against different clinical outcomes in four countries between June 2021 and August 2023. Health worker cohort studies were conducted in 2707 health workers in Egypt and Pakistan, of whom 171 experienced symptomatic laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Test-negative design case–control studies were conducted in Iran and Jordan in 4017 severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) patients (2347 controls and 1670 cases) during the Omicron variant dominant period. VE estimates were calculated for each study and pooled by study design for several vaccine types (BBIBP-CorV, AZD1222, BNT162b2, and mRNA-1273, among others). Among health workers, VE against symptomatic infection of a complete primary series could only be computed compared to partial vaccination, suggesting a benefit of providing an additional dose of mRNA vaccines (VE: 88.9%, 95%CI: 15.3–98.6%), while results were inconclusive for other vaccine products. Among SARI patients, VE against hospitalization of a complete primary series with any vaccine compared to non-vaccinated was 20.9% (95%CI: 4.5–34.5%). Effectiveness estimates for individual vaccines, booster doses, and secondary outcomes (intensive care unit admission and death) were inconclusive. Future VE studies will need to address challenges in both design and analysis when conducted late during a pandemic and will be able to utilize the strengthened capacities in countries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Effectiveness of COVID-19 Vaccines)

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11 pages, 1216 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Effects of Acute Beetroot Juice Intake on Glycemic and Blood Pressure Responses When Controlling for Medication in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes: A Pilot Study

by Andrew P. Tyler, Braxton A. Linder, Karina Ricart, Christian E. Behrens, Fernando Ovalle, Rakesh P. Patel and Gordon Fisher

Nutrients 2024, 16(16), 2636; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162636 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Physical inactivity and poor dietary choices contribute to the rise in cardiometabolic diseases in the United States. It remains critical to identify strategies that may mitigate the negative impact of these behaviors. Several studies have shown that the consumption of dietary inorganic nitrate may improve vascular health and glucose regulation in animal models and some human studies. However, the improvements in glucose regulation have yet to be corroborated in humans with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the acute effects of beetroot juice (BRJ) on glycemic and hemodynamic responses in individuals with T2D while controlling for medication. Seven participants with a clinical diagnosis of T2D were recruited into this study and were temporarily removed from blood pressure- and glucose-lowering medications. Hemodynamic measurements (pulsewave velocity) and an oral glucose tolerance test (glycemic response) were measured following consumption of either BRJ or a denitrolized placebo. Saliva and blood samples were collected at baseline and two and four hours post supplementation to measure changes in nitrate and nitrite concentrations. We detected significant improvements in total plasma glucose exposure (p = 0.022) and the SVR change score (p = 0.009) in the BRJ condition. This study demonstrated that BRJ consumption can improve oral glucose tolerance in individuals with T2D while controlling for medication; however, future larger-cohort randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm if BRJ is a viable treatment for glucose control in individuals with T2D. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Specialized Diet, Obesity and Associated Metabolic Diseases (Volume II))

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15 pages, 1055 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Immunological and Epidemiological Effectiveness of Pediatric Single-Dose Vaccination against Hepatitis A 9 to 11 Years after Its Implementation in the Tyva Republic, the Russian Federation

by Maria A. Lopatukhina, Karen K. Kyuregyan, Anastasia A. Karlsen, Fedor A. Asadi Mobarkhan, Ilya A. Potemkin, Vera S. Kichatova, Olga V. Isaeva, Lyudmila Yu. Ilchenko, Anna A. Saryglar and Mikhail I. Mikhailov

Vaccines 2024, 12(8), 907; https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines12080907 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Since 2012, universal single-dose HAV vaccination in children aged 3 years and older has been implemented in the Tyva Republic, a region of the Russian Federation. The aim of this prospective non-interventional observational single-center study was to determine the immunological and epidemiological effectiveness of single-dose vaccination against hepatitis A 9 to 11 years after its implementation. The anti-HAV IgG antibodies were determined in two independent cohorts of children who were vaccinated with a single dose of monovalent pediatric inactivated vaccine (HAVRIX^® 720 EU) in Tyva in 2012 and recruited 9 years (Year 9 Cohort) and 11 years (Year 11 Cohort) after immunization. The seroprotection rates defined as anti-HAV antibody concentrations ≥10 mIU/mL reached 99.4% (95% CI: 98.2–99.9% [501/504]) in the Year 9 Cohort, but decreased significantly to 75.4% (95% CI: 73.0–77.6% [1006/1335]) in the Year 11 Cohort (p < 0.0001). The anti-HAV geometric mean concentrations decreased from 1446.3 mIU/mL (95% CI: 1347.1–1545.4 mIU/mL) in the Year 9 Cohort to 282.6 mIU/mL (95% CI: 203.8–360.8, p < 0.0001) in the Year 11 Cohort. The HAV vaccination program resulted in zero rates of hepatitis A incidence in the Tyva Republic since 2016. However, the limited monitoring of HAV RNA in sewage and environmental samples demonstrated the ongoing circulation of both the regional epidemic strain of HAV genotype IA and another genotype IA strain imported recently from other parts of the Russian Federation, probably due to subclinical infections in non-vaccinated children under 3 years of age. Taken together, these data indicate the effectiveness of the single-dose HAV vaccination strategy but suggest the need to expand the vaccination program to include children aged 12 months and older to achieve maximum effectiveness. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immunology and Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases and Infection)

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17 pages, 9976 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Nifedipine Improves the Ketogenic Diet Effect on Insulin-Resistance-Induced Cognitive Dysfunction in Rats

by Nancy M. Abdel-Kareem, Shimaa M. Elshazly, May A. Abd El Fattah, Afaf A. Aldahish, Sawsan A. Zaitone, Sahar K. Ali and Enas A. Abd El-Haleim

Pharmaceuticals 2024, 17(8), 1054; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph17081054 (registering DOI) - 10 Aug 2024

Abstract

Insulin resistance, induced by high fructose consumption, affects cognitive function negatively. Nifedipine may be suggested for neurological disorders. This study aimed to assess the effect of nifedipine with either a normal diet (ND) or a ketogenic diet (KD) in cognitive dysfunction. Male Wistar rats received 10% fructose in drinking water for 8 weeks to induce insulin resistance. Rats received nifedipine (5.2 mg/kg/day; p.o.) later with ND or KD for an additional five weeks. One and two-way ANOVAs were used in analyzing the data. Reversion to the ND improved insulin resistance and lipid profile, besides brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (GSK3β), and insulin-degrading enzyme (IDE) levels. Rats fed KD alone and those that received nifedipine with KD did not show similar improvement in the previously mentioned parameters as the ND group. However, nifedipine-ND rats showed improvement in cognitive behavior and insulin resistance. Treatment with nifedipine-KD ameliorated GSK3β, amyloid β (Aβ), and tau protein levels. As the nifedipine-KD combination succeeded in diminishing the accumulated Aβ and tau protein, KD may be used for a while due to its side effects, then nifedipine treatment could be continued with an ND. This conclusion is based on the finding that this combination mitigated insulin resistance with the associated improved behavior. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology)

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