Research Perspectives Research Articles

Revered and Reviled: The Plight of the Vanishing Sea Cucumbers

Sea cucumbers paradoxically suffer from being both highly prized and commonly disregarded. As an Asian medicine and delicacy, they command fabulous prices and are thus overfished, poached, and trafficked. As noncharismatic animals, many are understudied and inadequately protected. Despite presenting a rich diversity of life histories, members of this broad taxonomic group (class Holothuroidea) are often managed simply as “sea cucumbers” in fisheries worldwide. One cannot imagine fishes (class Pisces) being given the same universal treatment. Yet this may happen for species of sea cucumber that differ on the same fundamental level as tilapia and tuna. As more sea cucumbers reach an endangered status and wild populations become depleted to the point of collapse, critical questions arise about the relevance of established conservation and governance strategies. This article reviews the main threats faced by exploited sea cucumbers, outlines conservation and governance effectiveness, identifies gaps in knowledge, and explores management and research perspectives in the context of climate change and booming fisheries crime. We stress the perilous state of harvested sea cucumbers globally and the urgent need for action.

Regulation of Flavonoid Biosynthesis by the MYB-bHLH-WDR (MBW) Complex in Plants and Its Specific Features in Cereals

Flavonoids are a large group of secondary metabolites, which are responsible for pigmentation, signaling, protection from unfavorable environmental conditions, and other important functions, as well as providing numerous benefits for human health. Various stages of flavonoid biosynthesis are subject to complex regulation by three groups of transcription regulators—MYC-like bHLH, R2R3-MYB and WDR which form the MBW regulatory complex. We attempt to cover the main aspects of this intriguing regulatory system in plants, as well as to summarize information on their distinctive features in cereals. Published data revealed the following perspectives for further research: (1) In cereals, a large number of paralogs of MYC and MYB transcription factors are present, and their diversification has led to spatial and biochemical specialization, providing an opportunity to fine-tune the distribution and composition of flavonoid compounds; (2) Regulatory systems formed by MBW proteins in cereals possess distinctive features that are not yet fully understood and require further investigation; (3) Non-classical MB-EMSY-like complexes, WDR-independent MB complexes, and solely acting R2R3-MYB transcription factors are of particular interest for studying unique regulatory mechanisms in plants. More comprehensive understanding of flavonoid biosynthesis regulation will allow us to develop cereal varieties with the required flavonoid content and spatial distribution.

Indian Millennials’ continued usage intentions toward online dating apps: the interplay between trust and perceived autonomy

Purpose This study aims to empirically examine the role of privacy, security, trust and autonomy in Millennials’ continued use of online dating applications. Emerging markets have been famous for their rapid modernization, growth and cultural shifts. Yet, consumer worries about online dating consumption need to be addressed in the literature through a better understanding of their behavioural intentions. This study examines the interplay of the underlying variables by testing a conceptual framework grounded on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), the self-determination theory (SDT) and the information systems continuance theory (ISCT) with regard to an emerging market. Design/methodology/approach A cross-sectional and quantitative research design is adopted. Using a well-designed structured questionnaire adapted from established scales, data was collected through a survey featuring 332 substantive responses from actively involved Millennial users of online dating apps in India. The data was analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling (SEM) through IBM SPSS AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structures) 24.0 to provide evidence of the reliability and validity of constructs alongside testing the hypothesis in the proposed model. Furthermore, Preacher and Hayes’ (2004) approach is used to explore mediation effects. Findings The results show that autonomy and trust positively affect the continued use of online dating apps. The study further reveals that autonomous behaviour motivates Millennials to use online dating apps, overriding their concerns for privacy and security. Furthermore, the results indicate that trust fully mediates the relationship between concern for privacy, perceived security and continued usage intention. Therefore, trust affects users’ intentions to continue using online dating apps as it bridges the effect of users’ concern for privacy and the perceived security in the online dating platform, making these dimensions relevant as a whole. Research limitations/implications This study provides critical insights into the theory and practice. The findings demonstrate that autonomy is more significant in motivating Millennials to use online dating apps than concerns about privacy and perceptions of security. In addition, trust plays a crucial role in mediating the relationship between these variables. Therefore, app developers, app marketers and app stores can use the findings to motivate Millennials to continue using their platforms by encouraging a sense of freedom and a better inner self, fostering engagement and conveying user trust. Originality/value Several studies have investigated the pre-adoption behaviour of users of online dating apps, and little attention has been paid to continuance usage. This study provides a unique theoretical research model and perspective for online dating apps that uncovers the role of concern for privacy, perceived security and trust that affect post-adoption behaviour by integrating the TRA, SDT and ISCT. This integration offers a more futuristic and refined perspective on human behaviour by considering both cognitive and motivational aspects. The study establishes that autonomy outweighs concern for privacy and perceived security.

Design Strategies, Characterization Mechanisms, and Applications of MOFs in Polymer Composite Electrolytes for Solid‐State Lithium Metal Batteries

AbstractSolid composite electrolytes (SCEs) composed of functional fillers and solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) can overcome some shortcomings of single‐phase and combine some advantages of each component, and are considered as high‐performance solid‐state electrolytes (SSEs) candidates for assembling solid‐state lithium metal batteries (SSLMBs) with high safety and high energy density. In recent years, due to high designability of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), MOFs/polymer composite electrolytes (MPCEs) have become a highly promising novel type of SCEs. Based on the above content, this article first describes the composition and mechanism of action of MPCEs, followed by a discussion on typical fabrication methods for MPCEs. In addition, the mechanisms of unmodified neat MOFs in improving performance for SSEs and enhancing interface stability are presented in detail, with a focus on the design strategies of MOFs and their applications in MPCEs, including dimensional design, ligand design, IL@MOFs design, and hybrid design. Finally, a thorough analysis is conducted on the current challenges faced by MPCEs, and corresponding future development directions are proposed. This review presents a comprehensive, systematic, and easily understandable analysis of the application and mechanism of action of different MOFs designs in MPCEs, providing a new perspective for researchers to study high‐performance SSEs.

How Can Regional Collaborative Governance Promote Public Value Through Relational Leadership? Grounded Research Based on Inter-Provincial Collaboration Between Guangdong, Hunan, and Guangxi in China

Studies on regional collaborative governance based on China's institutional context are abundant, but the leadership perspective behind regional collaborative governance has rarely been discussed in previous studies. Based on a review of relational leadership theory, this study adopts the grounded theory methodology to study the three cities bordering Guangdong, Hunan, and Guangxi provinces, condensing the components of relational leadership in regional collaborative governance and the general explanatory framework. The research found that relational leadership in regional collaborative governance is composed of mission-driven, social capital, governance resources, trust shaping, common learning, interaction mechanisms, and public value. Among them, mission-driven is the motivation, social capital and governance resources are the basic conditions, trust shaping and common learning are actions, the interaction mechanism is the carrier, and public value creation is the goal. At present, the main problem of regional collaborative governance is that the governance mechanism is "built but not run.” It is necessary to build an effective network governance system through the relational leadership of leaders, improve the overall public leadership of regional governance, and promote a governance system to operate more effectively. This research not only explores the dynamic leadership process of regional collaborative governance, but also enriches the micro perspective of regional collaborative governance research, expands the theoretical space of collaborative leadership, makes up the "leadership deficit" in the field of regional collaborative governance, and has reference significance and practical enlightenment for further promoting the performance of collaborative governance in the cross-region context.

Intelligent Finance: Emerging Applications and Challenges of Machine Learning in Asset Pricing

This paper explores in depth the impact of big data and machine learning on asset pricing. By addressing the limitations of traditional asset pricing models, it analyzes the challenges and opportunities brought by big data to the financial markets. Traditional models, due to their linear assumptions, struggle to handle the complexity of high-dimensional data. However, machine learning techniques, particularly deep learning, overcome this issue with their powerful data processing capabilities, thereby enhancing the models external validation capacity. This paper summarizes various methods of applying modern machine learning in asset pricing, including feature engineering and end-to-end deep learning, and discusses the adaptive mechanisms of AI technologies to the complexity of asset pricing. Through case analysis, the article also emphasizes the significant effects of AI in improving predictive accuracy and market efficiency. This paper provides a new perspective for asset pricing research and offers practical pathways for the intelligence and dynamic adaptability of financial markets.

Molecular switch of the dendrite-to-spine transport of TDP-43/FMRP-bound neuronal mRNAs and its impairment in ASD

BackgroundRegulation of messenger RNA (mRNA) transport and translation in neurons is essential for dendritic plasticity and learning/memory development. The trafficking of mRNAs along the hippocampal neuron dendrites remains translationally silent until they are selectively transported into the spines upon glutamate-induced receptor activation. However, the molecular mechanism(s) behind the spine entry of dendritic mRNAs under metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-mediated neuroactivation and long-term depression (LTD) as well as the fate of these mRNAs inside the spines are still elusive.MethodDifferent molecular and imaging techniques, e.g., immunoprecipitation (IP), RNA-IP, Immunofluorescence (IF)/fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), live cell imaging, live cell tracking of RNA using beacon, and mouse model study are used to elucidate a novel mechanism regulating dendritic spine transport of mRNAs in mammalian neurons.ResultsWe demonstrate here that brief mGluR1 activation-mediated dephosphorylation of pFMRP (S499) results in the dissociation of FMRP from TDP-43 and handover of TDP-43/Rac1 mRNA complex from the dendritic transport track on microtubules to myosin V track on the spine actin filaments. Rac1 mRNA thus enters the spines for translational reactivation and increases the mature spine density. In contrast, during mGluR1-mediated neuronal LTD, FMRP (S499) remains phosphorylated and the TDP-43/Rac1 mRNA complex, being associated with kinesin 1-FMRP/cortactin/drebrin, enters the spines owing to Ca2+-dependent microtubule invasion into spines, but without translational reactivation. In a VPA-ASD mouse model, this regulation become anomalous.ConclusionsThis study, for the first time, highlights the importance of posttranslational modification of RBPs, such as the neurodevelopmental disease-related protein FMRP, as the molecular switch regulating the dendrite-to-spine transport of specific mRNAs under mGluR1-mediated neurotransmissions. The misregulation of this switch could contribute to the pathogenesis of FMRP-related neurodisorders including the autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It also could indicate a molecular connection between ASD and neurodegenerative disease-related protein TDP-43 and opens up a new perspective of research to elucidate TDP-43 proteinopathy among patients with ASD.

Small firms’ motivations in offering apprenticeship training in Switzerland

ABSTRACT This paper aims to determine what motivates small firms to offer apprenticeship training. The current state of research provides various indications. While research focusing on the specificity of small firms identifies the important role of the owner and their personality, values, attitudes and experiences, economic research mainly refers to the explanatory factor of profitable cost-benefit relationships in apprenticeship training. Finally, research on the institutional embeddedness of firms points to the importance of institutional framework conditions. Our contribution links these three usually unrelated research perspectives and focuses on Switzerland as a collective skill formation system. We asked heads (owners, managers, or other collaborators) of small firms who make autonomous decisions regarding personnel and budget issues about their motivations in offering apprenticeship training using qualitative interviews. The results show that, at the individual, organisational, and societal levels, different motivations influence the provision of training positions. Furthermore, within small companies, we identified heterogeneous motivational configurations. In conclusion, if the participation of small firms in the provision of apprenticeship places is to be promoted, their heterogeneity and motivations in doing so must be addressed at various levels.

Narciclasine attenuates sepsis-associated acute kidney injury through the ESR1/S100A11 axis.

Narciclasine (Ncs) was effective in sepsis management due to its antioxidant properties. The present study dissected the protective effects of Ncs against sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) and the molecular mechanisms. The SA-AKI mice were developed using cecum ligation and puncture and pretreated with Ncs and adenoviruses. Human renal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) were induced with LPS and treated with Ncs. Ncs alleviated proximal tubular dilatation, interstitial widening, and necrosis in renal tissues and reduced the renal injury marker and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels in the serum of SA-AKI mice. Ncs promoted the expression of ZO-1, VE-cadherin, and CD31 and the activities of SOD, GSH-Px, and CAT, and inhibited the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis rate in LPS-treated RMECs. Estrogen receptor 1 (ESR1) was a target protein of Ncs, and S100 calcium-binding protein A11 (S100A11) was a target of the transcription factor ESR1. Ncs blocked transcription of S100A11 by inhibiting ESR1. Silencing of S100A11 overturned the deteriorating effects of ESR1 overexpression on SA-AKI progression in vivo and RMEC injury in vitro. These findings suggest that Ncs may ameliorate SA-AKI by repressing the ESR1/S100A11 signaling, providing a novel perspective for research on SA-AKI.

Identifying Key Nodes and Enhancing Resilience in Grain Supply Chains Under Drought Conditions

Grain supply chains remain stable in the face of natural disasters, and the resilience of the grain supply chain plays an important role. In a complex scenario of exposure to shocks, it is significant to identify the critical nodes of the grain supply chain and propose countermeasures accordingly to enhance the resilience of the grain supply chain. In this paper’s study, firstly, a triangular model of contradictory events is used to describe complex scenarios and obtain Bayesian network nodes. Secondly, the fragmentation of the scenario is based on the description of the scene, the scene stream is constructed, the event network is obtained, and the Bayesian network structure is built on the basis. Then, combining expert knowledge and D–S evidence theory, the Bayesian network parameters are determined, and the Bayesian network model is built. Finally, the key nodes of the grain supply chain are identified in the context of the 2022 drought data in the Yangtze River Basin in China, and, accordingly, a strategy for improving the resilience of the grain supply chain is proposed in stages. This study provides a new research perspective on issues related to grain supply-chain resilience and enriches the theoretical foundation of research related to supply-chain resilience.

The lactate metabolism and protein lactylation in epilepsy

Protein lactylation is a new form of post-translational modification that has recently been proposed. Lactoyl groups, derived mainly from the glycolytic product lactate, have been linked to protein lactylation in brain tissue, which has been shown to correlate with increased neuronal excitability. Ischemic stroke may promote neuronal glycolysis, leading to lactate accumulation in brain tissue. This accumulation of lactate accumulation may heighten neuronal excitability by upregulating protein lactylation levels, potentially triggering post-stroke epilepsy. Although current clinical treatments for seizures have advanced significantly, approximately 30% of patients with epilepsy remain unresponsive to medication, and the prevalence of epilepsy continues to rise. This study explores the mechanisms of epilepsy-associated neuronal death mediated by lactate metabolism and protein lactylation. This study also examines the potential for histone deacetylase inhibitors to alleviate seizures by modifying lactylation levels, thereby offering fresh perspectives for future research into the pathogenesis and clinical treatment of epilepsy.

Considering Equity in Green Infrastructure Using an Integrative Planning Framework for Green Infrastructure Implementation

In coastal communities, green infrastructure can be part of the infrastructure investment strategy to revitalize existing infrastructure and provide protection from flooding, erosion, and other coastal hazards. This article asks the question: What are key equity considerations related to green infrastructure planning for coastal resilience? We answer this question using the voices of research experts, practitioners, and community members who participated in a virtual workshop designed to identify key questions and concerns about coastal resilience and social equity. These research and practice perspectives are synthesized using an integrative planning framework for green infrastructure implementation that was developed to answer the research question. Our findings identify equity touchpoints as they relate to four cross-cutting themes: (1) stakeholder engagement and public participation, (2) trade-offs and multiple benefits, (3) resources and capacity, and (4) data, metrics, and analysis.

New venture risk management: Theoretical framework and research perspectives

ABSTRACT Managing risk is crucial for start-ups, which often struggle due to their small size, newness, and fast-paced growth. This study highlights strategies to address these issues, focusing on practical solutions. Building early financial reserves, like emergency funds or access to credit lines, can reduce the impact of unexpected setbacks. Start-ups should implement clear risk management protocols, including market research, to validate product–market fit before launching. Rigorous product testing ensures customer needs are met and regulatory compliance is achieved, minimizing costly mistakes. Flexible organizational structures, such as agile teams and adaptable processes, enable start-ups to respond quickly to market changes and growth demands. Long-term planning, such as scenario planning or creating contingency strategies, is essential to sustain growth. This research offers actionable guidance for founders, emphasizing lean, targeted risk management to optimize resources. Policy makers can use these insights to support start-ups through programs that reduce barriers, provide mentorship, and offer financial safety nets, boosting overall success rates and resilience in dynamic market conditions.

Norm expressivism and punishment in International Relations

Abstract Although expressivism has been studied in relation to criminal justice since the emergence of modern international criminal law, an expressivist perspective in norms and criminal justice research resurfaced in the past decades, inviting a new viewpoint on the dynamic interplay between norms and symbolic action in International Relations (IR). Situated as an account of punishment, expressivism has been criticised for being too abstract and lacking an immanent meaning or for its dialectic position in relation to punishment. Addressing this theoretical shortcoming, this article remediates our understanding of expressivism, establishing new knowledge of the meaning of norm expressivism in IR and clarifying the relationship between expressivism and notions of punishment in criminal justice and norm research. To this end, it hermeneutically deconstructs the rhetoric of country delegates at the United Nations in the aftermath of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It examines crucial examples of expressivism: disagreement pronouncements, denunciation of norm violation, postulation of guilt, and penal analogies. While criminal justice research posits expressivism as a distinct account of punishment, the novelty of this article consists in illustrating how, even in the absence of prosecution in the courtroom, expressivist rationales can have a reinforcing effect on the international legal order.

The Aging Chemistry of Perovskite Precursor Solutions.

A significant barrier to the commercialization of solution-processed perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is the chemical instability of the components in precursor solutions under ambient conditions. This instability leads to solution aging, which subsequently diminishes the quality and reproducibility of the resulting PSCs. Inspired by recent published works, which focused on the deprotonation of organic cations, the oxidation of iodide, and the formation of undesired byproducts, we here systematically summarize and provide an outlook on the research directions and perspectives of the origin of precursor solution aging and countermeasures, such as using stabilizing additives, redox shuttles, Schiff base reactions, and green solvents. We are aiming to provide insight into potential paths for achieving reproducible and efficient PSCs with high operational stability.

Time's Sublimest Target: Practices of Forgetting in HCI and CSCW

In our contemporary moment, there exists a hegemonic design practice and a general social desire to retain information. With the help of sociotechnical platforms and other contemporary technologies, information has changed its temporal and spatial boundaries, creating unbounded, algorithmic, and emergent forms of retention. The consequences of such retention are numerous, ranging from an overabundance of autobiographical information that cannot be fully understood by the individual to the improper use and economization of such information by state and corporation alike. Within this context, this paper investigates a counter-hegemonic practice of forgetting, specifically from the perspective of human-computer interaction and computer-supported cooperative work research, with additional insight drawn from adjacent fields. In doing so, we present forgetting as a significant area of research with HCI and CSCW, a burgeoning and contradictory space that may offer solutions to issues we face within a moment of persistence by default. This paper also explores potential directions for future research and design on forgetting in HCI and CSCW through an investigation of an art piece by Chinese artist Song Dong.

Toward collaborative artificial intelligence development for animal well-being.

This review focuses on opportunities and challenges of future AI developments in veterinary medicine, from the perspective of computer science researchers in developing AI systems for animal behavior analysis. We examine the paradigms of supervised learning, self-supervised learning, and foundation models, highlighting their applications and limitations in automating animal behavior analysis. These emerging technologies present future challenges in data, modeling, and evaluation in veterinary medicine. To address this, we advocate for a collaborative approach that integrates the expertise of AI researchers, veterinary professionals, and other stakeholders to navigate the evolving landscape of AI in veterinary medicine. Through cross-domain dialogue and an emphasis on human and animal well-being, we can shape AI development to advance veterinary practice for the benefit of all.

Layered double hydroxide modified bismuth vanadate as an efficient photoanode for enhancing photoelectrochemical water splitting.

Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has attracted significant interest as a promising approach for producing clean and sustainable hydrogen fuel. An efficient photoanode is critical for enhancing PEC water splitting. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) is a widely recognized photoanode for PEC applications due to its visible light absorption, suitable valence band position for water oxidation, and outstanding potential for modifications. Nevertheless, sluggish water oxidation rates, severe charge recombination, limited hole diffusion length, and inadequate electron transport properties restrict the PEC performance of BiVO4. To surmount these constraints, incorporating layered double hydroxides (LDHs) onto BiVO4 photoanodes has emerged as a promising approach for enhancing the performance. Herein, the latest advancements in employing LDHs to decorate BiVO4 photoanodes for enhancing PEC water splitting have been thoroughly studied and outlined. Initially, the fundamental principles of PEC water splitting and the roles of LDHs are summarized. Secondly, it covers the development of different composite structures, including BiVO4 combined with bimetallic and trimetallic LDHs, as well as other BiVO4-based composites such as BiVO4/metal oxide, metal sulfide, and various charge transport layers integrated with LDHs. Additionally, LDH composites incorporating materials like graphene, carbon dots, quantum dots, single-atom catalysts, and techniques for surface engineering and LDH exfoliation with BiVO4 are discussed. The research analyzes the design principles of these composites, with a specific focus on how LDHs enhance the performance of BiVO4 by increasing the efficiency and stability through synergistic effects. Finally, challenges and perspectives in future research toward developing efficient and stable BiVO4/LDHs photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting are described.

Research on the mechanism of eugenol in the treatment of liver cancer based on network pharmacology, molecular docking technology, and in vitro experiments.

Eugenol, a phenolic natural product with diverse pharmacological activities, remains unexplored in liver cancer. Using network pharmacology, we investigated eugenol's therapeutic mechanisms in liver cancer. We obtained eugenol's molecular structure from PubChem and screened its targets using similarity ensemble approach in Swiss Target Predictiondatabases. Overlapping genes with liver cancer-related genes from GeneCards were identified. Protein-protein interaction networks, Gene Ontology annotations, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analyses were conducted. A target-pathway network revealed eugenol's interaction with 122 liver cancer-related genes. Molecular docking confirmed eugenol's high affinity for mitochondrial nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form (NADH) dehydrogenase 1 (MT-ND1), AKT1, NDUFB7, and NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) subunit S3 (NDUFS3). Expression levels of these targets in normal liver and liver cancer tissues were examined using GEPIA2 and HPA databases. The CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay demonstrated that eugenol significantly inhibited the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cells. Western blot analysis confirmed that eugenol upregulated MT-ND1 while downregulating the expression of targets such as AKT1, NDUFB7, and NDUFS3. Furthermore, it was found that eugenol could influence the expression of the AKT1 target through the AKT/p70 S6K pathway. This study provides new insights into the potential mechanisms of eugenol in liver cancer and offers novel perspectives for network-based liver cancer research.

Genetically Engineered Bacterial Ghosts as Vaccine Candidates Against Klebsiella pneumoniae Infection

Background/Objectives Bacterial ghosts (BGs), non-living empty envelopes of bacteria, are produced either through genetic engineering or chemical treatment of bacteria, retaining the shape of their parent cells. BGs are considered vaccine candidates, promising delivery systems, and vaccine adjuvants. The practical use of BGs in vaccine development for humans is limited because of concerns about the preservation of viable bacteria in BGs. Methods: To increase the efficiency of Klebsiella pneumoniae BG formation and, accordingly, to ensure maximum killing of bacteria, we exploited previously designed plasmids with the lysis gene E from bacteriophage φX174 or with holin–endolysin systems of λ or L-413C phages. Previously, this kit made it possible to generate bacterial cells of Yersinia pestis with varying degrees of hydrolysis and variable protective activity. Results: In the current study, we showed that co-expression of the holin and endolysin genes from the L-413C phage elicited more rapid and efficient K. pneumoniae lysis than lysis mediated by only single gene E or the low functioning holin–endolysin system of λ phage. The introduction of alternative lysing factors into K. pneumoniae cells instead of the E protein leads to the loss of the murein skeleton. The resulting frameless cell envelops are more reminiscent of bacterial sacs or bacterial skins than BGs. Although such structures are less naive than classical bacterial ghosts, they provide effective protection against infection by a hypervirulent strain of K. pneumoniae and can be recommended as candidate vaccines. For our vaccine candidate generated using the O1:K2 hypervirulent K. pneumoniae strain, both safety and immunogenicity aspects were evaluated. Humoral and cellular immune responses were significantly increased in mice that were intraperitoneally immunized compared with subcutaneously vaccinated animals (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Therefore, this study presents novel perspectives for future research on K. pneumoniae ghost vaccines.