The calcium-sensing receptor (CAS), as a chloroplast thylakoid membrane protein, involved in the process of [Ca2+] ext-induced [Ca2+]cyt increase (CICI) in the plant. However, the underlying mechanism regulating this process is lacking. Furthermore, recent evidence suggests that CAS may perform additional roles in the plant. Here, we provide an update covering the multiple roles of CAS in stomatal movement regulation and calcium signaling in the plant. We also analysis the possible phosphorylation mechanism of CAS by light and discuss the role of CAS in abiotic stress (drought, salt stress) and biotic stresses (plant immune signaling). Finally, we provide a perspective for future experiments which are required to fill gaps in our understanding of the biological function of CAS in the plant.

Endo-reticular stress induces the unfolded protein response including a highly conserved set of genes crucial for cell survival against a variety of onslaughts. Among the activated stress response genes is Ire1, which undergoes auto-phosphorylation and acquires a regulated Ire1-dependent mRNA decay activity. Ire1P non-canonically splices the mRNA for Xbp1 in the cytoplasm. This spliced Xbp1 serves as mRNA encoding a transcription factor for unfolded protein response genes. Meanwhile the mRNA decay function of Ire1P degrades other cellular mRNAs and can cause changes to the translation machinery by altering regulators in a cell specific manner. Naïve splenic B cells differentiate into Antibody Secreting Cells and activate Ire1 phosphorylation early on after LPS stimulation, within 18 hrs. When Ire1 is activated in B cells, in addition to Xbp1 splicing, there are large-scale changes in mRNA; inhibition of the mRNA degradation function of Ire1 both reduces the number and changes the type of genes involved in altered splicing patterns, including factors for snRNA transcription. Some of the splicing changes seen at 18 hrs after LPS persist into the late stages of antibody secretion, up to 72 hrs, while others are supplanted by new splicing changes introduced by the induction of ELL2, a transcription elongation factor. ELL2 changes mRNA processing patterns and is necessary for Immunoglobulin secretion. RNA splicing patterns in antibody secreting cells are thus shaped by endo-reticular stress, ELL2 induction, and are associated with changes in the levels of snRNAs.

Biostimulants are materials that when applied in small amounts are capable of promoting plant growth. Nanoparticles (NPs) and nanomaterials (NMs) can be considered as biostimulants since, in specific ranges of concentration, generally in small levels, they increase the plant growth. Pristine NPs and NMS have a high density of surface charges capable of unspecific interactions with the surface charges of the cell walls and membranes of plant cells. In the same way, the functionalized NPs and NMS, and the NPs and NMs with a corona formed after the exposition to natural fluids such as water, soil solution, or the interior of organisms, presents a high density of surface charges that interact with specific charged groups in cell surfaces. The magnitude of the interaction will depend on the materials adhered to the corona, but the high-density charges located in a small volume causes an intense interaction capable of disturbing the density of surface charges of cell walls and membranes. The electrostatic disturbance can have an impact on the electrical potentials of the outer and inner surfaces, as well as on the transmembrane electrical potential, modifying the activity of the integral proteins of the membranes. The extension of the cellular response can range from biostimulation to cell death and will depend on the concentration, size, and the characteristics of the corona.

Athletes are exposed to high-intensity loads to promote athletic performance, however without appropriate evaluation for its effects. This study investigates the effects of four types of exhaustion exercises on Heart Rate Variability (HRV) and Poincaré features as markers of central fatigue; Creatine Kinase (CK) and blood lactate concentrations ([LA-]b) as biomarkers of peripheral fatigue. To achieve this purpose, ten healthy volunteers were exposed to exhaustive exercise using isotonic-, isometric-, aerobic-, and anaerobic-fatigue protocols. HRV Poincaré features, standard deviation of instantaneous beat-to-beat R-R interval variability (SD1) and standard deviation of continuous long-term R-R interval variability (SD2) variables were collected. Central fatigue was tested through the sympathetic stress index (SS) and the sympathetic and parasympathetic index (SS/SD1). Blood samples were collected at the beginning and at the end of the exercises to determine CK and [LA-]b. The SD1 decreased in each exercise protocol, while the SS and SS/SD1 increased. [LA-]b and CK increased at the end of each protocol and correlated with SD1 and SS/SD1. HRV, CK, and [LA^-]_b are acute markers to detect, both central and peripheral fatigue; sensitive to the type, duration, and intensity of exercise, being HRV a novel noninvasive marker, simple and useful for sports coaches and athletes.

Wind energy powered pumps could be an alternative to conventional fuel powered pumps for water abstraction because they rely on a free energy and they are environmentally friendly. The objective of this study was to assess the potential of wind energy to operate water abstraction systems in Teso sub-region of Uganda for livestock watering Daily mean wind speeds recorded at a height of 10 m for a period of ten years (2005–2015) were collected from Amuria and Soroti Meteorological stations in the study area. Data were analyzed using Weibull distribution to evaluate the annual wind speed frequency distributions and consequently assess their potential for water abstraction. The results indicated that warmer months (January, February and March) have higher mean wind speeds than the cold months (August, September and October). High wind speeds in the dry seasons corresponded to the periods of high water demand. The highest shape parameter (k) of 3.07 was registered in 2009 and scale parameter (c) of 3.78 in 2012. The highest wind power density of 43 W/m² was obtained the year 2012 while the lowest wind power density of 15.47 W/m² was obtained for Soroti district in the year 2009. The maximum power extractable in Amuria in 2012 was 324 W/m² which is potentially enough for water abstraction. Maximum discharges of 1.86 m³/s and 1.52 m³/s were obtained for Amuria and Soroti districts respectively at mean wind speeds of 5 m/s. Therefore, Teso sub region winds have potential for water abstraction and Amuria district better sites for livestock watering using wind energy.

Schizophrenia is characterized by an interrelated activation of the immune-inflammatory response system (IRS) and the compensatory immune-regulatory reflex system (CIRS), which downregulates the IRS. Deficit schizophrenia is characterized by a deficit in natural regulatory autoimmune responses to tryptophan catabolites. The presence and correlates of IgM isotype antibodies to oxidative specific epitopes (OSEs), nitroso (NO) and nitro (NO₂) adducts in schizophrenia remain unknown.This study measured IgM antibodies to malondialdehyde (MDA), azelaic acid, phosphatidylinositol, oleic acid, NO-tryptophan, NO-albumin, NO-cysteinyl and NO₂-tyrosine in a sample of 80 schizophrenia patients, divided into those with and those without deficit schizophrenia, and 38 healthy controls.Deficit schizophrenia was characterized by significantly lower IgM antibody levels to all OSEs as compared with non-deficit schizophrenia and controls. Lowered IgM antibodies to MDA coupled with increased IgM levels to NO-cysteinyl and NO₂-tyrosine strongly predict deficit schizophrenia versus non-deficit schizophrenia with an area under the ROC curve of 0.913. A large part of the variance (21.2 – 42.2 %) in the negative symptoms of schizophrenia and excitation is explained by IgM antibody titers to MDA (inversely) and NO-cysteinyl and/or NO₂-tyrosine (both positively). Lower IgM antibodies to MDA are significantly associated with impairments in episodic memory including direct and delayed recall.These findings further indicate that deficit schizophrenia is a distinct phenotype of schizophrenia, which is characterized by lower natural IgM antibody levels to OSEs and relative increments in nitrosylation and nitration of proteins. It is concluded that deficits in lowered IgM responses to MDA and azelaic acid (part of the CIRS) attenuate the negative immune-regulatory feedback on the primary immune response and that this process may drive negative symptoms and impairments in episodic memory and thus deficit schizophrenia.

Chronic unpredictable environmental stress (CUES) may induce predisposition to diabetes mellitus. This study investigates the role of CUES on impaired homeostasis. Stressed group mice (n = 20) were exposed to CUES for 16 weeks. Weekly body weight, feed consumption, feed efficiency ratio, fasting blood glucose were monitored. Plasma HbA1c, plasma cortisol, plasma epinephrine and plasma insulin, serum lipids, antioxidants and carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes activity were assessed along with DNA damage and histopathological examination of liver, kidney, pancreas, spleen and skeletal muscles. Fasting blood glucose levels & HbA1c in the stressed were significantly higher compared to control (p < 0.001). Serum lipids were found insignificantly higher in stressed mice compared to control. Body weights of the stressed mice and feed efficiency ratio were found significant (p < 0.001). Plasma corticosterone, plasma epinephrine, HOMA-IR was found to be significantly higher in the stressed group (p < 0.001). Plasma insulin level was found to be significantly lower in the stressed group (p < 0.001). Significant changes were observed in antioxidants level, carbohydrate metabolizing enzymes activity, peripheral tissues and DNA integrity. CUES initiates pathogenesis of diabetes.

Both fibrosis and cirrhosis of the liver are the end results of most kinds of chronic liver damage and present a common but difficult clinical challenge throughout the world. The inhibition of the fibrogenic, proliferative, and migratory effects of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) has become an experimental therapy for preventing and even reversing hepatic fibrosis. Furthermore, a complete understanding of the function of non-coding RNA-mediated epigenetic mechanisms in HSC activation may improve our perception of liver fibrosis pathogenesis. This review focuses on an evolving view of molecular mechanisms in which HSC activation by miR-29a signaling may moderate their profibrogenic phenotype, thus supporting the use of miR-29a agonists as a potential therapy for treating liver fibrosis in the future.

Education outside the classroom (EOtC) can be beneficial for students. The relationship between biological stress markers and sedentary behavior (SB) plus physical activity (PA) is insufficiently evaluated in school settings. This exploratory study aims to evaluate the association between students’ cortisol, plus circulating cell-free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) levels, and their SB, light PA (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) during outdoor and indoor classes in different seasons. We assessed data from an education outside the classroom (EOtC) program (n = 48; intervention group [IG], n = 37; control group [CG], n = 11). We sampled data on 3 school-days in three seasons (fall, spring, and summer) in normal teaching indoors (CG) and outdoor lessons (IG) in the forest. SB and PA were evaluated by accelerometry, and cortisol and cfDNA levels by saliva samples. The compositional data analysis approach analyzed SB and PA. Fitted Bayesian hierarchical linear models evaluated the association between cortisol and cfDNA, and SB/LPA/MVPA. A steady decline of cortisol in the outdoor setting is associated with relatively high levels of LPA. SB and MVPA tended to exhibit a similar effect in the indoor setting. CfDNA is positively associated with a relatively high amount of SB in the IG, the same association is likely for LPA and MVPA in both groups. LPA seems to support a healthy cortisol decrease in children during outdoor lessons. The relevance of SB/PA as a composition in relation to students stress response in school should be emphasized. This study facilitates the formulation of straightforward and directed hypotheses for further research.

Stess in laser cladding coating is an important factor affecting the safe operation of remanufacturing components. Ultrasonic testing has become a hot direction in nondestructive evaluation of stress, because it has the advantages of safety, non-destructive and on-line detection. This paper provides a review of ultrasonic testing for stress in remanufacturing laser cladding coating. It summarizes the recent research outcomes on ultrasonic testing for stress, analyzes mechanism of ultrasonic testing for stress. Remanufacturing laser cladding coating shows typical anisotropic behaviors, the ultrasonic testing signal in laser cladding coating is influenced by many complex factors, such as microstructure, defect, temperature and surface roughness, etc. At present, ultrasonic testing for stress in laser cladding coating can only be done roughly. The paper discusses active mechanism of micro / macro factors to the reliability of stress measurement and the impact of stress measurement to the quality and safety of remanufacturing components. Base on the discussion, the paper proposes strategies for acquisition of nondestructive, rapid and accurate measurement of stress in remanufacturing laser cladding coating.

Apart from their established role in embryonic development Nerve Growth Factors (NGFs) have diverse functions in the nervous system. Their role in integration of physiological functioning of the nervous system is now attracting attention. In the present analysis, we propose a novel paradigm about a novel role of NGFs: NGFs play imperative role in maintaining psychological integrity of an individual as a biological system. This function may be mediated through HPA-axis- operated homeostatic mechanisms; stress induced disruption of which may lead to psychiatric disorders. Current literature suggests existence of constitutive homeostatic regulatory mechanisms for NGFs disruption which may lead to pertinent and imperative behavioural effects. NGFs are known to play crucial role in endocrine regulation. This is especially true with the prototype ‘NGF’ and Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). These moieties have been observed to play important function in maintaining neuro-endocrine homeostasis thereby having a profound impact on the psychological health of an individual. Role of NGFs and HPA-axis activation (in separate studies) in developing psychiatric disorders - especially those born of stress - have been reported. Literature suggests their unique interplay for producing a common effect which might be implicated in stress induced genesis of psychiatric disorders. This aspect, therefore, needs to be elucidated further as a disease etiogenesis model. This model may yield important insights into the biology of psychiatric disorders and may open ways for new therapeutic approaches.

Evodiamine is a bioactive alkaloid that is specified as a biomarker for the quality assessment of Evodia rutaecarpa and for traditional Chinese medicines containing this plant. We previously reported that quantitative structure-activity modeling indicated that evodiamine may cause cardiotoxicity. However, previous investigations have indicated that evodiamine has beneficial effects in patients with cardiovascular diseases and there are no previous in vitro or in vivo reports of evodiamine-induced cardiotoxicity. The present study investigated the effects of evodiamine on primary cultured neonatal rat cardiomyocytes in vitro, and on zebrafish in vivo. Cell viability was reduced in vitro, where evodiamine had a 24-h 50% inhibitory concentration of 28.44 µg/mL. Cells exposed to evodiamine also showed increased lactate dehydrogenase release and maleic dialdehyde levels, and reduced superoxide dismutase activity. In vivo, evodiamine had a 10% lethal concentration of 354 ng/mL and induced cardiac malfunction, as evidenced by changes in heart rate and circulation, and pericardial malformations. This study indicated that evodiamine could cause cardiovascular side effects involving oxidative stress. These findings suggest that cardiac function should be monitored in patients receiving preparations containing evodiamine.

Nanopores with irregularities are promising tools for distinguishing nano-size objects by their shape, but the forces on the object that critically influence its axial and rotational movement are unclear. The physics of the situation was described using the Poisson-Nernst-Planck and Navier-Stokes equations. With uniformly charged object the axial Coulomb and dielectric pressure (which opposes it and is surprisingly important), control the object's axial movement and rotation. Even without external pressure the hydrodynamic pressure is significant (negative at its upper and positive at its lower surface), but its total value is almost zero. If the object is charged only on the upper surface the axial upper Coulomb pressure is near zero close to the center, but negative near its end (the pressure is zero at the lower surface). The total axial dielectric pressure, which is largely dominated by the pressure at the upper surface, is positive along the length of the object becoming pronounced near its end. The axial hydrodynamic pressure is negative and significant at the upper surface (zero at the lower surface), diminishes in value near the object's end, critically influencing its axial movement, which becomes much faster. At its end the axial dielectric pressure prevails, and controls its rotation.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of psychological pressure on corticospinal excitability, the spinal reflex, lower limb muscular activity, and reaction times during a task involving dominant leg movements. Ten healthy participants performed a simple reaction time task by raising the heel of their dominant foot from a switch. After 20 practice trials, participants performed 20 non-pressure and 20 pressure trials in a counterbalanced order. Stress responses were successfully induced, as indexed by significant increases in state anxiety, mental effort, and heart rates under pressure. Significant increases in motor evoked potential (MEP) amplitude of the tibialis anterior muscle (TA) occurred under pressure. In terms of task-related EMG amplitude, the co-contraction rate between the soleus (SOL) and TA muscles significantly increased along with SOL and TA EMG amplitudes under pressure. Hoffmann reflexes for SOL and reaction times did not change under pressure. These results indicate that corticospinal excitability and leg muscle-related EMG activity increase homogeneously during lower limb movements that are performed under psychological pressure.

Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall., live in Changbai Mountain being exposed to chilling temperature, high light intensities and water scarcity condition. To adapt to the harsh environment, the cold resistance mechanisms of R. chrysanthum have been successfully evolved in the long-term adaptive process. In our present work, the methods of proteomics combined with physiological and biochemical analyses were used to investigate the effects of cold stress on the photosynthesis and antioxidant system of Rhododendron chrysanthum Pall. and the molecular mechanisms involved in cold resistance of plants. A total of 153 photosynthesis related proteins were identified in present work, of which 7 proteins including Rubisco large subunit (rbcL) were up-regulated in experiment group (EG) compared with control group (CG). Simultaneously, four chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were measured in present study. The results showed that the maximum photochemical efficiency of photosystem II (Fv/Fm), actual quantum yield of PSII (Y(II)) and photochemical quenching (qP) were significantly higher in EG, whereas the non-photochemical quenching (NPQ) was notably decreased. Cold stress could lead to a significant reduction in electron transport rate (ETR) accompanied with an increase in excitation pressure (1-qP). The abundance of PetE which involved in the plants photosynthetic electron transfer was also significantly influenced by cold stress. Moreover, the up-regulated expressions and higher levels of enzymatic activities of Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Ascorbate peroxidases (APXs) were detected in EG. All these changes which can help plants to survive in low temperature are considered as the crucial parts of cold tolerance mechanisms. These results revealed that photosynthesis and redox adjustment play significant roles in the defense of cold-induced damage.

The scratch test consists in pushing a tool across the surface of a material at a given penetration depth or applied load. It has several applications in Science and Engineering including strength testing, damage and quality control of thin films and coatings. Despite numerous attempts in scientific literature, the application of scratch test to characterizations of fracture properties remains a heavily controversial topic. Therefore, this investigation arises as an experimental study in order to assess the fracture toughness using scratch test. A study on the effect of cryogenic treatment, performed after tempering, on fracture toughness, via scratch test experiments, of different tool steels has been made. A laboratory investigation on AISI D2, AISI M2 and X105CrCoMo18 steel confirms the possibility of increasing the fracture toughness by carrying out the cryogenic treatment after the usual heat treatment

The aim of this study was to examine the oxidation of human serum albumin (HSA) caused by oxidative stress after an exhaustive exercise such as ultra-marathon race. Thus, blood samples from 12 adult runners who underwent a 103 km mountain ultra-marathon race were collected pre- and 24, 48 and 72 h post race. HSA was partially purified using affinity chromatography and then was subjected to Western blot analysis for disulfide dimers determination, indicating oxidation. The results were correlated with those from a previous study in which the same samples were analyzed using different oxidative stress markers and a good correlation with protein carbonyls (PC) at all time points was observed. Moreover there was a significant correlation with static oxidation-reduction potential (sORP) at 24 h, and a negative correlation with capacity oxidation-reduction potential (cORP) at 24 and 48 h. In addition, an individual analysis of albumin dimers exhibited great inter-individual differences. This inter-individual variability in the oxidation of HSA may suggest different interventions (e.g. through diet) in order to confront the effects on athletes’ organism after a strenuous exercise. In conclusion, this study supported the importance of the assessment of albumin dimers as a predictive marker for exercise-induced oxidative stress.

With the advent of Web 3.0, the swift advancement of technology confronts an imminent threat from quantum computing. Security protocols safeguarding the integrity of Web 2.0 and Web 3.0 are growing more susceptible to both quantum attacks and sophisticated classical threats. The article introduces our novel long-distance free-space quantum secure direct communication (LF QSDC) as a method to safeguard against security breaches in both quantum and classical contexts. Differing from techniques like quantum key distribution (QKD), LF QSDC surpasses constraints by facilitating encrypted data transmission sans key exchanges, thus diminishing the inherent weaknesses of key-based systems. The distinctiveness of this attribute, coupled with its quantum mechanics base, protects against quantum computer assaults and advanced non-quantum dangers, harmonizing seamlessly with the untrustworthy tenets of the Web 3.0 age. The focus of our study is the technical design and incorporation of LF QSDC into web 3.0 network infrastructures, highlighting its efficacy for extended-range communication. LF QSDC is based on the memory DL04 protocol and enhanced with our novel Quantum-Aware Low-Density Parity Check (LDPC), Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking (PAT) technologies, and Atmospheric Quantum Correction Algorithm (AQCA). Utilizing this method not only bolsters the security of worldwide Web 3.0 networks but also guarantees their endurance in a time when quantum and sophisticated classical threats exist simultaneously. Consequently, LF QSDC stands out as a robust security solution, well-suited for Web 3.0 systems amidst the constantly evolving digital environment.

In this study, global response analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of action of Usnic acid and its synergy with Norfloxacin, a well-known quinolone antibiotic to which MRSA clinical isolates showed resistance (MIC, 500 µg/mL). Microdilution assay, growth kinetics, microscopic analysis, and cell-based assays consistently showed that Usnic acid possess strong anti-staphylococcal activity (MIC, 7.8 µg/ml), causes cell leakage, modulates efflux pump activity, and synergizes with Norfloxacin against multi-drug resistant clinical isolate MRSA 2071. Whole cell proteome profiling using gel-free based nano-LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS revealed several proteins whose expression was significantly modulated by Usnic acid and Norfloxacin alone or in combination. Usnic acid downregulated the abundance of RNA polymerase subunits (RpoB, RpoC), carbamoyl phosphate synthase large subunit (PyrAB), chaperone (GroEL), and adenylosuccinate synthetase (PurA). Interestingly, proteins found to be upregulated in the presence of Usnic acid and Norfloxacin included oxidative stress-related proteins such as peroxidase (Tpx), alkyl hydroperoxide reductase (AphC), and general stress protein (UspA). This study clearly showed that Usnic acid affects numerous cellular targets and can potentiate the action of Norfloxacin. Furthermore, an in-vivo study emphasized the use of Usnic acid to develop as a safe phytopharmaceutical to repurpose old antibiotics through combination therapy against MRSA infections.

The present article describes the synthesis of an isonicotinate-derived meso-arylporphyrin, that has been fully characterized by spectroscopic methods (including fluorescence spectroscopy), as well as by elemental analysis and by HR-MS. The structure of a n-hexane monosolvate has been determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The radical scavenging activity of this new porphyrin against the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DDPH) radical has been measured. Its antifungal activity against three yeast strains (C. albicans ATCC 90028, C. glabrata ATCC 64677 and C. tropicalis ATCC 64677) has been tested, using the disk diffusion and the microdilution methods. Whereas the measured antioxidant activity was low, the porphyrin showed moderate but encouraging antifungal activity. Finally, a study of its effect on the germination of lentil seeds revealed interesting allelopathic properties.

Sepsis is a life-threatening syndrome triggered by infection and accompanied by high mortality, with antimicrobial resistances (AMRs) further escalating clinical challenges. Rapid and reliable detection of causative pathogens and AMRs are key factors for fast and appropriate treatment, in order to improve outcome in septic patients. However, current sepsis diagnostics based on blood culture is limited by low sensitivity and specificity while current molecular approaches fail to enter clinical routine. Therefore, we developed a Suppression PCR-based selective enrichment sequencing approach (SUPSETS), providing a molecular method combining multiplex suppression PCR with Nanopore sequencing to identify most common sepsis-causative pathogens and AMRs using plasma cell-free DNA. Applying only 1 mL of plasma, we target eight pathogens across three kingdoms and ten AMRs in a proof-of-concept study. SUPSETS was successfully tested on first ten clinical samples and revealed comparable results to clinical metagenomics while clearly outperforming blood culture. Several clinically relevant AMRs could be detected additionally. Furthermore, SUPSETS provided first pathogen and AMR-specific sequencing reads within minutes of starting sequencing, thereby potentially decreasing time to results to 11 - 13 hours and suggesting diagnostic potential in sepsis.

Fast Field-Cycling (FFC) Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) relaxometry is a powerful non-destructive magnetic resonance technique that enables, among other things, the investigation of slow molecular dynamics at low magnetic field intensities. FFC-NMR relaxometry measurements provide insight into molecular motion across various timescales within a single experiment. This study focuses on a \textit{model-free} approach, representing the NMRD profile $R_1$ as a linear combination of Lorentzian functions, thereby addressing the challenges of fitting data within an ill-conditioned linear least-squares framework. Tackling this problem, we present a comprehensive review and experimental validation of three regularization approaches to implement the model-free approach to analysing NMRD profiles. These include: (1) \nameUpe, utilizing locally adapted $L_2$ regularization; (2) \nameL, based on $L_1$ penalties; and (3) a hybrid approach combining locally adapted $L_2$ and global $L_1$ penalties. Each method's regularization parameters are determined automatically, according to the Balancing and Uniform Penalty principles. % Our contributions include the implementation and experimental validation of the \nameUpe{} and \nameUp{} algorithms, and the development of a "dispersion analysis" technique to assess the existence range of the estimated parameters. The objective of this work is to delineate the variance in fit quality and correlation time distribution yielded by each algorithm, thus broadening the set of software tools for the analysis of sample structures in FFC-NMR studies. The findings underline the efficacy and applicability of these algorithms in the analysis of NMRD profiles from samples representing different potential scenarios. 1

This study evaluates audiogenic epilepsy in Krushinsky-Molodkina rats using a wireless EEG system to overcome the limitations of traditional methods that restrict animal movement. Nine male KM rats, prone to audiogenic seizures, were implanted with electrodes in areas critical for seizure activity (inferior colliculus, ventrolateral periaqueductal gray, dorsal area of the secondary auditory cortex, and motor cortex). This setup allowed for the observation of seizures without movement restriction. Results showed that targeted neural intervention via electrode implantation reduced the intensity of convulsive seizures in half of the subjects, suggesting a potential therapeutic approach. The severity of seizures was influenced by the pre-phonostimulation EEG background activity in specific brain regions, identifying them as key in the genesis and generalization of seizures. Observations of dual generalized seizure waves and induced hyperkinesis challenge conventional epilepsy models and suggest new directions for research and therapy development.

Abstract: The ever-increasing use of motor vehicles causes a number of traffic safety and community issues, which are particularly severe in cities, accompanied with scarcity of parking spaces and challenges encountered in the road layout alteration projects. The commonly applied solutions include designation of through streets and implementation of on-street parking on residential streets and retrofitted traffic calming measures (TCMs). This article presents the results of the study conducted on a two-way street where Metered Parking System MPS was implemented together with diagonal and parallel parking spaces, refuge islands, horizontal deflection and lane narrowing by a single-sided chicane. The aim of this study was to identify those TCMs that effectively helped to reduce the island approach speed. Heuristic method was applied to assess the effect of the respective TCMs on reducing the island approach speed and the key speed reduction determinants were defined using cause and effect diagram and Pareto chart. Comparative analyses were carried out to rate the respective TCMs as effective, moderately effective or ineffective. Section 1 of this article presents the output of the literature review on urban parking analyses and TCM efficacy. Section 2 presents the study site and the applied heuristic method. The study results are presented in Section 3. Section 3 defines the determinants on the cause and effect diagram and analyses the determinants using the Pareto chart. The final conclusions and comments are given in Section 5. Although the study was limited to a single street in Poland, the findings may hold true in other countries where similar TCMs are used.

Background and Objectives: C-arm free MIS techniques can offer significantly reduced rates of postoperative complications such as blood loss and hospitalization time. Another advantageous long-term aspect is the notably diminished exposure to radiation which is known to cause ma-lignant changes. This study emphasizes that, in some cases of spinal conditions which require a procedural intervention, C-arm free MIS techniques hold stronger indications than open surgeries guided by image intensifier. Materials and Methods: In this research, a retrospective analysis and review of various cervical and thoracic spinal procedures, performed in our hospital, by applying C-arm free techniques. The course of the study explains the basic steps of the procedures and demonstrating postoperative or intra-operative results. For anterior cervical surgery, we performed OPLL resection, while for posterior cervical surgery, we performed posterior fossa decompression for Chiari malformation, minimally invasive cervi-cal pedicle screw fixation (MICEPS) and modified Goel technique with C1 lateral mass screw for atlantoaxial subluxation. Re-garding the thoracic spine, we performed anterior correction for Lenke type 5 scoliosis, and transdiscal screw fixation for DISH fractures. Results: C-arm free techniques are safe procedures that offer precise and high-quality postoperative results by offering sufficient spine alignment and adequate decompression depending on the case. Blood loss, postoperative pain and wound infection are other important aspects of spine surgery that must be always taken into consideration. Conclusions: Navigated C-arm free techniques are safe and precise procedures implemented in the treatment of surgically demanding conditions. They can significantly increase accuracy while decreasing the operative time. They represent the advancement in the field spine surgery and are hailed as the future of the same

Continual learning (CL), a.k.a lifelong learning, is an emerging research topic that has been attracting increasing interest in the field of machine learning. With human activity recognition (HAR) playing a key role in enabling numerous real-world applications, an essential step towards the long-term deployment of such systems is to extend the activity model to dynamically adapt to changes in people’s everyday behavior. Current research in CL applied to HAR domain is still under-explored with researchers exploring existing methods developed for computer vision in HAR. Moreover, analysis has so far focused on task-incremental or class-incremental learning paradigms where task boundaries are known. This impedes the applicability of such methods for real-world systems. To push this field forward, we build on recent advances in the area of continual learning and design a lifelong adaptive learning framework using Prototypical Networks, LAPNet-HAR, that processes sensor-based data streams in a task-free data-incremental fashion and mitigates catastrophic forgetting using experience replay and continual prototype adaptation. Online learning is further facilitated using contrastive loss to enforce inter-class separation. LAPNet-HAR is evaluated on 5 publicly available activity datasets in terms of its ability to acquire new information while preserving previous knowledge. Our extensive empirical results demonstrate the effectiveness of LAPNet-HAR in task-free CL and uncover useful insights for future challenges.

Under the oxidative stress condition, the small RNA (sRNA) Oxys that acts as essential post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression is produced and plays a regulatory function with the assistance of the RNA chaperone Hfq protein. Interestingly, experimental studies found that the N48A mutation of Hfq protein could enhance the binding affinity with OxyS while resulting in defection of gene regulation. But, how the Hfq protein interacts with sRNA Oxys and the origin of the stronger affinity of N48A mutation are both unclear. In this paper, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed on the complex structure of Hfq and OxyS to explore their binding mechanism. The molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) and interaction entropy (IE) method were combined to calculate the binding free energy between Hfq and OxyS sRNA, and the computational result is in excellent correlation with the experimental result. Per-residue decomposition of the binding free energy revealed that the enhanced binding ability of the N48A mutation mainly comes from the increased van der Waals interactions (vdW). This research explores the binding mechanism between Oxys and chaperone protein Hfq, and revealed the origin of the strong binding affinity of N48A mutation. The results provided important insights on the mechanism of gene expression regulation affected by protein mutations.

Bioenergetics, genetic coding, and catalysis are all difficult to imagine emerging without pre-existing historical context. That context is often posed as a “Chicken and Egg” problem; its resolution is concisely described by de Grasse Tyson: “the egg was laid by a bird that was not a chicken”. The concision and generality of that answer furnish no details—only an appropriate framework from which to examine detailed paradigms that might illuminate paradoxes underlying these three life-defining biomolecular processes. We examine experimental aspects here of five examples that all conform to the same paradigm. The paradox in each example is resolved by coupling if, and only if, conditions for two related transitions between levels. One drives, and each restricts fluxes through, or “gates” the other. That reciprocally-coupled gating, in which two gated processes constrain one another, maps onto the formal structure of “strange loops”. That mapping may help unite the axiomatic foundations of genetics, bioenergetics, and catalysis. As a physical analog for Gödel’s logic, biomolecular strange-loops provide a natural metaphor around which to organize these data, linking biology to the physics of information, free energy, and the second law of thermodynamics.

Gut microbiota and its metabolites like short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are linked with pathology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD)- a debilitating public health problem in older adults. However, strategies to beneficially modulate gut microbiota and its sensing signaling pathways remain largely unknown. Here, we screened, validated and established the agonists of free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2) signaling, which senses beneficial signals from SCFAs produced by microbiota in the gut. We demonstrated that inhibition of FFAR2 signaling increases amyloid-beta (Aβ) stimulated neuronal toxicity. Thus, we screened FFAR2 agonists, using in-silico library of more than 144,000 natural compounds, and 15 compounds were selected based on binding with FFAR2 agonist sites. Further, cell culture toxicity and FFAR2 stimulatory experiments demonstrated that Fenchol (a natural compound commonly present in basil) was potent FFAR2 agonist in neuronal cells. Interestingly, we also demonstrated that Fenchol protects Aβ-stimulated neurodegeneration in FFAR2 dependent manner. In addition, Fenchol reduced AD like phenotypes such as Aβ-accumulation and, learning and memory behaviors in Caenorhabditis (C.) elegans. Fenchol increased Aβ-clearance by increasing proteasome/lysosome activity and reduced senescence in neuronal cells. These results demonstrated that the inhibition of FFAR2 signaling promotes Aβ-induced neurodegeneration, while activating it by Fenchol as a natural agonist reverse it by promoting Aβ-clearance and reducing cellular senescence; thus stimulation of FFAR2 signaling can be a therapeutic approach to prevent/ treat AD.

The Thermodynamic Formalism provides a rigorous mathematical framework to study quantitative and qualitative aspects of dynamical systems. At its core there is a variational principle and corresponding, in its simplest form, to the Maximum Entropy principle, used as a statistical inference procedure to represent, by specific probability measures (Gibbs measures), the collective behaviour of complex systems. This framework has found applications in different domains of scienThe Thermodynamic Formalism provides a rigorous mathematical framework to study quantitative and qualitative aspects of dynamical systems. At its core there is a variational principle and corresponding, in its simplest form, to the Maximum Entropy principle, used as a statistical inference procedure to represent, by specific probability measures (Gibbs measures), the collective behaviour of complex systems. This framework has found applications in different domains of science, in particular, has been fruitful and influential in neurosciences. In this article, we review how the Thermodynamic Formalism can be exploited in the field of theoretical neuroscience, as a conceptual and operational tool, to link the dynamics of interacting neurons and the statistics of action potentials from either experimental data or mathematical models. We comment on perspectives and open problems in theoretical neuroscience that could be addressed within this formalism.ce, in particular, has been fruitful and influential in neurosciences. In this article, we review how the Thermodynamic Formalism can be exploited in the field of theoretical neuroscience, as a conceptual and operational tool, to link the dynamics of interacting neurons and the statistics of action potentials from either experimental data or mathematical models. We comment on perspectives and open problems in theoretical neuroscience that could be addressed within this formalism.

Starting from December 2019, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has emerged as a once-in-a-century pandemic with deadly consequences, which urgently calls for new treatments, cures and supporting apparatuses. Remdesivir was reported by World Health Organization (WHO) as the most promising drug currently available for the treatment of COVID-19. Here, we use molecular dynamics simulations and free energy perturbation methods to study the inhibition mechanism of remdesivir to its target SARS-CoV-2 virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). In the absence of a crystal structure of the SARS-CoV-2 RdRp, we first construct the homology model of this polymerase based on a previously available structure of SARS-CoV NSP12 RdRp (with a sequence identify of 95.8%). We then build the putative binding mode by aligning the remdesivir + RdRp complex to the ATP bound poliovirus RdRp. The putative binding structure is further optimized with molecular dynamics simulations and demonstrated to be stable, indicating a reasonable binding mode for remdesivir. The relative binding free energy of remdesivir is calculated to be -8.28 ± 0.65 kcal/mol, much stronger than the natural substrate ATP (-4.14 ± 0.89 kcal/mol) which is needed for the polymerization. The ~800-fold improvement in the K_d from remdesivir over ATP indicates an effective replacement of APT in blocking of the RdRp binding pocket. Key residues D618, S549 and R555 are found to be the contributors to the binding affinity of remdesivir. These findings demonstrate that remdesivir can potentially act as a SARS-CoV-2 RNA-chain terminator, effectively stopping its RNA reproduction, with key residues also identified for future lead optimization and/or drug resistance studies.

Cellular agriculture is defined as the production of agricultural products from cell cultures rather than from whole plants or animals. With growing interest in cellular agriculture as a means to address the public health, environmental, and animal welfare challenges of animal agriculture, the concept of producing seafood from fish cell- and tissue-cultures is emerging as a means to address similar challenges with industrial aquaculture systems and marine capture. Cell-based seafood - as opposed to animal-based seafood - can combine developments in biomedical engineering with modern aquaculture techniques. Biomedical engineering developments such as closed-system bioreactor production of land animal cells create a basis for large scale production of marine animal cells. Aquaculture techniques such as genetic modification and closed system aquaculture have achieved marked gains in production that can pave the way for innovations in cell-based seafood production. Here, we present the current state of innovation relevant to the development of cell-based seafood across multiple species as well as specific opportunities and challenges that exist for advancing this science. The authors find that the physiological properties of fish cell- and tissue- culture may be uniquely suited to cultivation in vitro. These physiological properties, including hypoxia tolerance, high buffering capacity, and low-temperature growth conditions, make marine cell culture an attractive opportunity for scale production of cell-based seafood; perhaps even more so than mammalian and avian cell cultures for cell-based meats. This, coupled with the unique capabilities of crustacean tissue-friendly scaffolding such as chitosan, a common seafood waste product and mushroom derivative, presents great promise for cell-based seafood production via bioreactor cultivation. To become fully realized, cell-based seafood research will require more understanding of fish muscle culture and cultivation; more investigation into serum-free media formulations optimized for fish cell culture; and bioreactor designs tuned to the needs of fish cells for large scale production.

This paper presents an in-depth study of the stress wave behavior propagating in a Rayleigh–Love rod with a sudden cross-sectional area change. The analytical solutions of stress waves are derived for the reflection and transmission propagation behavior at the interface of the cross-sectional area change in the rod, considering inertia and Poisson’s effects. Examples solved by the finite element method are provided to verify the correctness of the analytical results. In addition to the forward analysis of Rayleigh–Love wave propagation in rods impacted by a striker rod, a nondestructive testing method is proposed to conduct the defect assessment in the rod type of the structure component with a sudden cross-sectional area change within a cover medium by using the measured signals at the measurable zone of the rod to be inspected.

Role identity theory describes the purpose and meaning in life that comes, in part, from occupying social roles. While robustly linked to health and well-being, this may become, however, when an individual is unable to fulfil the perceived requirements of an especially salient role in the way that they believe they should. Amid high rates of mental illness among public safety personnel, we interviewed a purposely selected sample of 21 paramedics from a single service in Ontario, Canada to explore incongruence between an espoused and able-to-enact paramedic role identity. Situated in an interpretivist epistemology, and using successive rounds of thematic analysis, we developed a framework for role identity dissonance wherein chronic, identity-relevant disruptive events cause emotional and psychological distress. While some participants were able to recalibrate their sense of self and understanding of the role, for others, this dissonance was irreconcilable, contributing to disability and lost time from work. In addition to contributing a novel perspective on paramedic mental health and well-being, our work also offers a modest contribution to the theory in using the paramedic context as an example to consider identity disruption through chronic workplace stress.

Perioperative acute pain management in pediatric patients is essential to reduce complications. Adenoidectomy-Tonsillectomy are surgical procedures requiring pain control, and risk minimization for postoperative bleeding, nausea, and vomiting. Despite their known secondary effects, the use of opioid analgesics remains preponderant in pediatric perioperative management. We present an updated review on perioperative pain management in children and describe the development and implementation of a multimodal analgesia protocol aimed to improve patients’ pain management while consistently reducing opioids use. Information from relevant articles was summarized, then compared to our clinical needs. Learnings were used to create and implement a multimodal analgesia protocol to be used in patients 3-9 years-old undergoing adenoidectomy/tonsillectomy. Analgesic strategies have emerged to reduce or avoid the use of opioids. Among these strategies, combining different non-opioid analgesics (Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Metamizole) has been shown to be an effective and safe pharmacological strategy when implemented as part of postoperative multimodal analgesia protocols. Significant evidence associating the use of NSAIDs with a bigger risk of postoperative bleeding does not exist. Multimodal and preventive analgesia has shown to provide significantly more effective analgesia than some opioid regimens. Ibuprofen offers highly effective analgesia for postoperative pain, particularly when combined with acetaminophen.

Understanding the structural intricacies of RNA molecules is essential for deciphering numerous biological processes. Traditionally, scientists have relied on experimental methods to gain insights and draw conclusions. However, the recent advent of advanced computational techniques has significantly accelerated and refined the accuracy of research results in several areas. A particularly challenging aspect of RNA analysis is the prediction of its secondary structure, which is crucial for elucidating its functional role in biological systems. This paper deals with the prediction of pseudoknots in RNA, focusing on two types of pseudoknots: K-type and M-type pseudoknots. Pseudoknots are complex RNA formations in which nucleotides in a loop form base pairs with nucleotides outside the loop and thus contribute to essential biological functions. Accurate prediction of these structures is crucial for understanding RNA dynamics and interactions. Building on our previous work in which we developed a framework for the recognition of H- and L-type pseudoknots, an extended grammar-based framework tailored to the prediction of K- and M-type pseudoknots is proposed. This approach uses syntactic pattern recognition techniques and provides a systematic method to identify and characterize these complex RNA structures. Our framework uses context-free grammars (CFGs) to model RNA sequences and predict the occurrence of pseudoknots. By formulating specific grammatical rules for type K and type M pseudoknots, we enable efficient parsing of RNA sequences to recognize potential pseudoknot configurations. This method ensures an exhaustive exploration of possible pseudoknot structures within a reasonable time frame. In addition, the proposed method incorporates essential concepts of biology, such as base pairing optimization and free energy reduction, to improve the accuracy of pseudoknot prediction. These principles are crucial to ensure that the predicted structures are biologically plausible. By embedding these principles into our grammar-based framework, we aim to predict RNA conformations that are both theoretically sound and biologically relevant.

Modern organic synthesis is majorly focused on developing environmentally benign synthetic protocols by employing green chemistry principles. Accordingly, in our recent research work, we herein report the use of modified supramolecular host cyclodextrin as an effective solid based green catalyst for accessing structurally diverse and medicinally relevant pyrimidone architectures. The catalyst and the synthesized compounds 4 (a-r) were characterized using FT-IR, NMR and GC-Mass spectroscopy. Major highlights of the reported work include: atom economical process, extremely milder reaction conditions, operational simplicity, high isolated yields, and excellent catalyst turnover number. The molecular docking studies suggest that the compound 4n has the hydrogen bonding, hydrophobic and π-pair interactions with the active site of active sites of CXT M 15 receptor.

This study comprehensively evaluates the DNA/RNA Defend Pro (DRDP) sample collection buffer designed to inactivate and stabilize patient samples. The primary objectives encompassed assessing DRDP's efficacy in ensuring sample stability, facilitating extraction-free polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and ensuring compatibility with rapid antigen testing.Ninety-five diagnostic nasopharyngeal swab samples tested for influenza A/B, RSV A/B, and/or SARS-CoV-2 were diluted 1/10 with DRDP and anonymized. Stability testing involved incubating 31 positive samples at 4 °C, 20 °C, and 37 °C for 7 days, with regular extraction-free nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT).Results demonstrated that DRDP guaranteed viral RNA stability at all temperatures for influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV showing stability up to 7 days at 4 °C. DRDP-diluted samples exhibited robust compatibility with direct PCR, as 72 out of 88 samples positive for cobas Liat also tested positive for direct PCR. Non-concordant results could be explained by the 200-fold lower input in the extraction-free NAAT.Compared to NAAT, rapid antigen testing demonstrated lower sensitivity, as expected, while maintaining perfect specificity. Clear cutoffs between positive and negative rapid antigen testing results were observed in both cobas Liat and direct PCR analyses, validating DRDP's compatibility with these techniques. In conclusion, DRDP is an effective stabilizing medium compatible with direct PCR and rapid antigen testing and shows great potential for optimizing diagnostic processes, particularly in resource-limited or time-sensitive scenarios.

Biochar (BC) is a carbonaceous material obtained by pyrolysis at 200−1000 °C in the limited presence of O2 of different vegetable and animal biomass feedstocks. BC has demonstrated great potential, mainly in environmental applications, due to its high sorption ability and persistent free radicals (PFRs) content. These characteristics enable BCs to carry out the direct and PFRs-mediated removal/degradation of environmental organic and inorganic contaminants. The types of PFRs possibly present in BC depend mainly on the pyrolysis temperature and the kind of pristine biomass. Since they also can cause ecological and human damage, a systematic evaluation of the environmental behavior, risks, or management techniques of BC-derived PFRs is urgent. PFRs generally could consist of a mixture of carbon- and oxygen-centered radicals, and of oxygenated carbon-centered radicals, depending on the pyrolytic conditions. Here, to promote a more productive and beneficial use of BC and related PFRs and stimulate further studies to make them environmentally safer and less hazardous to humans, we have first reviewed the most common methods used to produce BC, its main environmental applications, the primary mechanisms by which BC remove xenobiotics, as well as the reported mechanisms for PFRs formation in BCs. Secondly, we have discussed the PFRs environmental migration and transformation; we have reported the main PFRs-mediated applications of BCs to degrade inorganic and organic pollutants, the correlated environmental potential risks, and the possible strategies to limit them.

The theories of Evolution and Big Bang have brought a major impact upon the scientific and societal perception upon the origins, abilities and roles of mankind on Earth. It is conclusively evident that Mother Nature and the physical realm is autonomous and all phenomena in the world occur without an imposition against the “free will” of such events and patterns. Nevertheless, this extent of freedom does not imply that life on Earth represents an accident and has no purpose. By careful analysis of ancient religious texts, it can be suggested even otherwise, that it is especially free will that is offered as a gift from outside of the physical dimensions of existence, with the purpose of a continuous edification and improvement of the overall life conditions and of the human perception. It may be that the multi-generational focus on improvement and progress have been misattributed as a long-term evolution of species, that humans came from animal ancestors and that there is a blurred line associating humans with animals. Furthermore, it may be that scientists based their suggestions that no outside Creator would have brought the Earth into existence on physical perspectives, when the extra-dimensional process of Creation implies that all elements of the physical existence undergo a process of Creation from the outside, where time, space and physical matter do not exist, in spite of such elements possibly reflecting unseen elements of the meta-physical world. Finally, there is the following example that deserves attention within the scientific community; just because all living cells - human, animal and plant - contain DNA chromosomes, ribosomes, mitochondria and a plasma membrane, it does not indicate that humans are animals, just as this does not indicate that plants are animals. In Science, there is a golden statement, that correlation does not imply causation. This example is in complete agreement with the verses of the Book of Genesis in the Holy Scriptures regarding the origins of life; namely, that animals could have been created by an Author of all life on Earth so that man would experience companionship. Another major accordance with the teachings of the Holy Scriptures is the fact that life emerged from the water, and not from the soil, although the soil constituted the second principal means of the commencement and extension of life. Namely, after life first emerged in the seas and the oceans from bacteria, a few bacteria were passed from the marine water into the nearby soil on islands and surrounding land through the circulatory air above the sea level. Afterward, the first life forms emerged from the soil, via the transferred bacteria. Eastern Orthodox Christianity regards water as the principal environment of both physical and spiritual birth. Overall, an improved scientific perception of the timeline of life on Earth may be reached via an approach that combines molecular biology with quantum physics, given that the three layers of Science - Biology, Chemistry and Physics - together with their foundational layer of Mathematics, are in fact situated in a relationship of complete harmony.

In thermodynamic theory, free energy (i.e., available energy) is the concept facilitating the combined applications of the theory’s two fundamental laws, the first and the second laws of thermodynamics. The critical step was taken by Kelvin, then by Helmholtz and Gibbs— that in natural processes, free energy dissipates spontaneously. With the formulation of the second law of entropy growth, this may be referred to as the dissymmetry proposition manifested in the spontaneous increase of system/environment-entropy towards equilibrium. Because of Kelvin’s pre-entropy-law formulation of free energy, our concept of free energy is still defined, energy-centrally, as body’s internal energy or enthalpy, subtracted by energy that is not available within a framework on the premise of primacy of energy, in which free energy dissipates spontaneously and universally. This primacy of energy is called into question because the driving force to cause a system’s change is the purview of the second law. This paper makes a case for an engineering thermodynamics framework, instead, to be based on the premise of the primacy of dissymmetry over free energy. With Gibbsian thermodynamics undergirded with dissymmetry proposition and engineering thermodynamics with the dissymmetry premise, the two branches of thermodynamics are unified to become classical thermodynamics.

Usually, the vector control of the induction machine (IM) is done by using cascade control structures with conventional linear PI controllers, the inner loop being designed for current control, and the outer loop for rotor flux and speed control. In this paper, starting from the dq model of the IM with the rotor magnetic flux space vector aligned along the d axis, advanced control algorithms are proposed for the two control loops of the cascade structure. For the current inner loop, after the decoupling control of the two dq currents, predictive algorithms with constraints are used to control and limit the currents. Since the outer loop has a nonlinear affine multivariable plant model, a homotopy-based variant of feedback linearization is used to obtain a non-singular decoupling matrix of the feedback transformation even when the rotor flux is zero at the start-up of the motor. During the continuous variation of the homotopy parameter, the model of the plant is variable, in which case the model free algorithms are properly used to control the flux and speed of the IM. The comparative analysis obtained for the cascade structure with conventional PI controllers and advanced algorithms, respectively, shows that the last lead to improve the dynamical performance of the IM.

Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease triggered by oral ingestion of gluten, with certain gluten residues resistant to digestive tract enzymes. Within the duodenum, the remaining peptides incite immunogenic responses, including the generation of autoantibodies and inflammation, leading to irreversible damage. Our previous exploration unveiled a glutenase called Bga1903 derived from the Gram-negative bacterium Burkholderia gladioli. The cleavage pattern of Bga1903 indicated its moderate ability to mitigate the toxicity of pro-immunogenic peptides. The crystal structure of Bga1903, along with the identification of subsites within its active site, was determined. To improve its substrate specificity toward prevalent motifs like QPQ within gluten peptides, the active site of Bga1903 underwent site-directed mutagenesis according to structural insights and enzymatic kinetics. Among the double-site mutants, E380Q/S387L exhibits an approximately 38-fold increase in its specificity constant toward the QPQ sequence, favoring glutamines at the P1 and P3 positions compared to the wild type. Not only does the heightened specificity of E380Q/S387L improve the hydrolytic activity against pro-immunogenic peptides, but also holds this version of the enzyme as a promising candidate as an oral therapy enzyme for celiac disease.

Background: Glioblastoma is the most common primary brain neoplasm in adults, with still a poor prognosis despite a constant effort to improve patients’ survival. Some neuroradiological volumetric parameters seem to play a predictive role on Overall Survival (OS) and Progression Free Survival (PFS). The aim of this study is to analyze the impact that the volumetric areas of contrast-enhancing tumor and perineoplastic edema have on survival of patients treated for glioblastoma; Methods: A series of 87 patients who underwent surgery was retrospectively analyzed; OS and PFS were considered as the end points of the study. For each patient a multidisciplinary revision was conducted in collaboration with the Neuroradiology and Neuro-Oncology board. A manual and semi-automatic measurement were adopted to perform the radiological evaluation: contrast Enhancement Preoperative (CE-PTV) and Postoperative Tumor Volume (CE-RTV), Edema/Infiltration Preoperative (T2/FLAIR-PV) and Postoperative Volume (T2/FLAIR-RV); necrosis volume inside the tumor (NV); total tumor volume, including necrosis (TV); Results: The median OS value was 9 months and the median PFS value was 4 m; the mean values were respectively 12,3 m and 6,9 m. Multivariate analysis showed that the OS related factors were: adjuvant chemo-radiotherapy (p &lt; 0,0001), CE-PTV &lt; 15 cm³ (p=0,03), surgical resection &gt; 95% (p=0,004) and the presence of a “pseudo-capsulated” radiological morphology (p=0,04); Conclusions: maximal safe resection is one of the most relevant predictive factors for patients’ survival. The semi-automatic pre-operative MRI evaluation could play a key role in prognostically categorizing these tumors.

Caries are lesions caused by acidic compounds derived from the metabolism of bacteria such as streptococci. It is not merely the presence of acidogenic bacteria that causes caries but an imbalance in the oral biofilm microhabitat and its behavior. One factor underlying biofilm formation is quorum sensing (QS), that in gram-positives relies on peptidic molecules, whereas in gram-negatives is driven by small diffusible signals. Strategies based on QS inhibition have been proposed as alter-natives to antimicrobial therapies. Here, we investigate the antibiofilm potential of the lactonase enzyme Aii20J, previously reported as effective against biofilms of periodontal disease origin. We generated in vitro polymicrobial biofilms dominated by gram-positive taxa using supragingival samples from caries-free and caries-active children. The effect of Aii20J on the biofilms was evalu-ated regarding its biomass-reducing ability, as assessed with crystal violet assay, and its effects on the bacterial composition of the polymicrobial biofilms, as assessed by 16S community profiling. We describe significant biomass reductions upon Aii20J exposure without significant changes in bac-terial composition at the genus level. Our results support the use of Aii20J to prevent oral biofilm formation while highlighting the influence of the polymicrobial environment on bacterial commu-nities and their response to antibiofilm treatments.

The enteric nervous system is affected by inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Gut microbiota ferment dietary fibers and produce short-chain fatty acids, such as Butyrate, which bind to G protein-coupled receptors, such as GPR41, and contribute to maintaining intestinal health. This work aimed to study the GPR41 in myenteric neurons and analyze the effect of Butyrate in mice submitted to experimental ulcerative colitis. The 2, 4, 6 trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) was injected intrarectally in C57BL/6 mice (Colitis). Sham group received ethanol (vehicle). One group was treated with 100mg/kg of Sodium Butyrate (Butyrate), and the other groups received saline. Animals were euthanized 7 days after colitis induction. Analyzes demonstrated colocalization of GPR41 with neurons immunoreactive (-ir) to nNOS and ChAT-ir, and absence of colocalization of the GPR41 with GFAP-ir glia. Quantitative results demonstrated losses of nNOS-ir, ChAT-ir, and GPR41-ir neurons in Colitis group, and Butyrate treatment attenuated neuronal loss. The number of GFAP-ir glia increased in Colitis group, whereas Butyrate reduced the number of these cells. In addition, morphological alterations observed in Colitis group were attenuated in Butyrate group. The presence of GPR41 in myenteric neurons was identified and the treatment with Butyrate attenuated the damage caused by experimental ulcerative colitis.

A method is proposed for describing the dynamics of systems of interacting particles in terms of an auxiliary field, which in the static mode is equivalent to given interatomic potentials, and in the dynamic mode is a classical relativistic composite field. It is established that for interatomic potentials, the Fourier transform of which is a rational algebraic function of the wave vector, the auxiliary field is a composition of elementary fields that satisfy the Klein-Gordon equation with complex masses. The interaction between particles carried by the auxiliary field is nonlocal both in space variables and in time. The temporal non-locality is due to the dynamic nature of the auxiliary field and can be described in terms of functional-differential equations of retarded type. Due to the finiteness mass of the auxiliary field, the delay in interactions between particles can be arbitrarily large. A qualitative analysis of the dynamics of few-body and many-body systems with retarded interactions has been carried out, and a non-statistical mechanisms for both the thermodynamic behavior of systems and synergistic effects has been established.

Free-living amoebae (FLA) are protozoa widely distributed in the environment, found in a great diversity of terrestrial biomes. However, few genera of FLA are linked to human infections. Within these genera, Acanthamoeba spp., classified by genotypes (T1-T23), being T1, T2, T4, T5, T10, T12, and T18 as capable of causing granulomatous amoebic encephalitis (GAE) in immunocompromised patients mostly and Acanthamoeba keratitis related to genotypes T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T10, T11, T12 and T15 in apparently healthy patients. Meanwhile, Naegleria fowleri is the causative agent of an acute infection called primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), while Balamuthia mandrillaris, like some Acanthamoeba genotypes, causes GAE, differing from the latter in the description of numerous cases in patients immunocompetent. Finally, other FLA related to the pathologies mentioned above have been reported; Sappinia pedata is responsible for one case of amoebic encephalitis; Vermamoeba vermiformis has been found in cases of ocular damage, and its extraordinary capacity as endo-cytobiont for microorganisms of public health importance such as Legionella pneumophila, Bacillus anthracis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, among others. In this review, issues related to the epidemiology of each one are addressed, updating their geographic distribution and cases reported in recent years for pathogenic FLA.

Tobacco Free Nicotine (TFN) Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) are yet to be classified as tobacco products; consequently, there is ambiguity over whether Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulatory authority can be extended to include TFN e-cigarettes. In recent years, a more significant number of e-cigarette companies have been manufacturing TFN-containing e-cigarettes and e-liquids to circumvent FDA regulations. While studies have shown that aerosols generated from tobacco-derived nicotine-containing e-cigarettes contain significant Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) levels, no comparison studies have been conducted using TFN e-cigarettes. This study uses a single puff aerosol generator to aerosolize TFN and tobacco-derived nicotine-containing vape-products and subsequently involves semi-quantifying ROS generated by these vape products in H2O2 equivalents. We found that the differences between ROS levels generated from TFN and tobacco-derived nicotine-containing vape products vary by flavor. TFN tobacco flavors and fruit flavors are more toxic in terms of ROS generation than menthol/ice and drink/beverage flavored products using TFN. The type of salt nicotine used in vape products, TFN or tobacco-derived nicotine, impacts the level of ROS generated from flavored vape products. Thus, a better understanding of the type of salt nicotine used in e-cigarettes (tobacco-derived or synthetic), has modulating effect on lung oxidative stress.

The mechanisms of natural oscillations and resonance are described, considering the peculiarities of the transformation of elastic and kinetic energy in the implementation of the law of conservation of energy in local and integral volumes of the body, using the concept of mechanics based on the concepts of space, time and energy. When describing the motion in the Lagrange form, the elastic deformation energy of the particles is determined by the quadratic invariant of the tensor, whose components are the partial derivatives of Euler variables with respect to Lagrange variables. The increment of the invariant due to elastic deformation is represented as the sum of two scalars, one of which depends on the average value of the relative lengths of the edges of the particles in the form of an infinitesimal parallelepiped, the second is equal to the standard deviation of these lengths from the average value. It is shown that each of the scalars can be represented in the form of two dimensionless kinematic parameters of elastic energy, which participate in different ways in the implementation of the law of conservation of energy. One part of the elastic energy passes into kinetic energy and participates in the implementation of the law of conservation of energy for the body as a whole, considering external forces. The second part is not converted into kinetic energy but changes the deformed state of the particles in accordance with the equations of motion while maintaining the same level of the part of the elastic energy of the particles used for this. The kinematic parameters differ from the volume density of the corresponding types of energy by a factor equal to the elastic modulus, which is directly proportional to the density and heat capacity of the material and inversely proportional to the volume compression coefficient. Transverse, torsional, and longitudinal vibrations are considered free and under resonance conditions. The mechanisms of transformation of forced vibrations into their own after the termination of external influences and resonance at the superposition of free and forced vibrations with the same or similar frequency are considered. The formation of a new free wave at each cycle with an increase in the amplitude, which occurs mainly due to internal energy sources, and not external forces, is justified.

Manipulating autophagy is a promising strategy for treating cancer as several autophagy inhibitors shown to induce autophagic cell death. One of these, autophagonizer (APZ), induces apoptosis-independent cell death by binding an unknown target via an unknown mechanism. To identify APZ targets we used a label-free drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) approach with a liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) readout. Of 35 protein interactors, we identified Hsp70 as a key target protein of unmodified APZ in autophagy. Either APZ treatment or Hsp70 inhibition attenuates integrity of lysosomes, which leads to autophagic cell death exhibiting an excellent synergism with a clinical drug, temozolomide, in vitro, in vivo, and orthotropic glioma xenograft model. These findings demonstrate the potential of APZ to induce autophagic cell death and its development to combinational chemotherapeutic agent for glioma treatment. Collectively, our study demonstrated that APZ, a new autophagy inhibitor, can be used as a potent antitumor drug candidate to get over unassailable glioma and revealed a novel function of Hsp70 in lysosomal integrity regulation of autophagy.

Paenibacillus sp. tmac-D7 was isolated from coastline growing Trifolium macraei (double-head clover) root nodules from Bodega Bay, California. The draft genome is 5,567,337 bp with a G+C% of 52.4%, an N50 of 114,261 bp, and 5,282 predicted protein-coding genes. Paenibacillus, while found in many other environments, is frequently isolated from root nodules, with many acting as plant pathogen antagonists. Paenibacillus sp. tmac-D7 is the first genome of a non-rhizobial endophyte isolate from wild Trifolium macraei (double-head clover).

In this paper, we look at how Artificial Swarm Intelligence can evolve using evolutionary algorithms that try to minimize the sensory surprise of the system. We will show how to apply the free-energy principle, borrowed from statistical physics, to quantitatively describe the optimization method (sensory surprise minimization), which can be used to support lifelong learning. We provide our ideas about how to combine this optimization method with evolutionary algorithms in order to boost the development of specialized Artificial Neural Networks, which define the proprioceptive configuration of particular robotic units that are part of a swarm. We consider how optimization of the free-energy can promote the homeostasis of the swarm system, i.e. ensures that the system remains within its sensory boundaries throughout its active lifetime. We will show how complex distributed cognitive systems can be build in the form of hierarchical modular system, which consists of specialized micro-intelligent agents connected through information channels. We will also consider the co-evolution of various robotic swarm units, which can result in development of proprioception and a comprehensive awareness of the properties of the environment. And finally, we will give a brief outline of how this system can be implemented in practice and of our progress in this area.

The mutual information between the state of a neural network and the state of the external world represents the amount of information stored in the neural network that is associated with the external world. In contrast, the surprise of the sensory input indicates the unpredictability of the current input. In other words, this is a measure of inference ability, and an upper bound of the surprise is known as the variational free energy. According to the free-energy principle (FEP), a neural network continuously minimizes the free energy to perceive the external world. For the survival of animals, inference ability is considered to be more important than simply memorized information. In this study, the free energy is shown to represent the gap between the amount of information stored in the neural network and that available for inference. This concept involves both the FEP and the infomax principle, and will be a useful measure for quantifying the amount of information available for inference.

Surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) is one of the most versatile technique to modify the surface properties of material. Recent developed metal free SI-ATRP makes such technique more widely applicable. Herein photo-induced metal-free SI-ATRP of methacrylates, such as methyl methacrylate, N-isopropanyl acrylamide, and N,N- dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, on the surface of SBA-15 was reported to fabricate organic-inorganic hybrid materials. SBA-15 based polymeric composite with adjustable graft ratio was obtained. The structure evolution during the SI-ATRP modification of SBA-15 was monitored and verified by FT-IR, XPS, TGA, BET, and TEM. The obtained polymeric composite showed enhanced adsorption ability for the model compound toluene in aqueous. This procedure provides a low cost, ready availability, and facile modification way to synthesize the polymeric composites without the contamination of metal.

This study examines stress distributions in adhesive joints under various loading and temperature conditions. Finite element analysis (FEA) was employed to compute the peel and shear stresses at the adhesive interface and bondline mid-section. Dependency analysis shows that mid-section peel stress significantly impacts the experimental shear strength of SLJs more than shear stress. This insight highlights the need to carefully analyze peel stress and bending moment factors. The analytical solutions proposed by Goland and Reissner were analyzed with modifications by Hart-Smith and Zhao. Hart-Smith’s approach performed more effectively, especially when the adhesive layer thickness (t_a) is 0.5 mm and the overlap length to thickness ratio (c/t_a) is ≥20. FEA revealed stress distributions at the adhesive/adherend interface and bondline mid-section. DP490 adhesive joints exhibited lower stresses than EA9696. Temperature variations significantly affected joint behavior, particularly above the adhesive’s glass transition temperature (T_g). Both EA9696 and DP490 adhesive joints displayed distinct responses to stress and temperature changes. The parabolic and biquadratic solutions for functionally graded adhesive (FGA) joints were compared. The biquadratic solution consistently yielded higher shear and peel stress values, with an increase ranging from 15% to 71% compared to the parabolic solution at various temperatures because of larger gradient of the Young's modulus distribution near the overlap ends. The ratio of peak peel stress to peak shear stress suggests selecting an adhesive with a superior peel strength or primarily reducing the peak peel stress by functionally grading is advisable, particularly if the adhesive is brittle. Comparison of stress distributions emphasize the importance of selecting adhesives based on stress type, temperature, and solution methods in optimizing adhesive bonding applications. These findings provide valuable insights for thermomechanical applications where thermal stimuli may be used for controlled debonding.

Purpose: The impact of ethical leadership on employee emotional exhaustion has been widely analyzed. However, the effect of the leader's moral intensity on the employee's emotional state has gone unnoticed. This research seeks to show that ethical management by the leader affects employees' emotional exhaustion in accordance with the scope of the leader's moral standards. Their relationship is not necessarily linear but adopts a curvilinear pattern as a function of the leader's ethical intensity, and affective commitment acts as a mediating mechanism. Methods: A simple mediation model is used. The sample consists of 448 professionals in six organizations in the Colombian electrical sector who responded to an online questionnaire. The sampling is probabilistic by conglomerates. Findings: This research revealed that ethical behavior is voluntary in nature and develops in an environment of trust. When the ethical leader surpasses specific moral turning points, the follower's learning becomes an obligation, preventing affective fluidity. A search for acceptance implies constant consumption of resources that weakens the follower's capacity for self-regulation until it is exhausted. Furthermore, when the leader's expectations are difficult to achieve, affective commitment causes emotional ambiguity in followers, intensifying the stress associated with their role and increasing the likelihood of burnout. Originality: This research challenges conventional wisdom about the positive, linear effect of ethical leadership on employees' emotional state. It broadens the understanding of this management style and fills a crucial knowledge gap by introducing a new perspective. Practical Implications: A horizontal, balanced, and accessible leader can quickly convey a convincing ethical discourse. Emphasizing the vulnerability and importance of human beings can help prevent moral anguish and ethical distances. This, in turn, provides followers with resources to mitigate exhaustion and strengthen commitment.

Background: Oxidative stress has emerged as a key contributor to numerous NCDs (Non Communicable Diseases), including cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes. This study aims to explore the potential of targeted interventions to mitigate oxidative stress as part of a primary prevention strategy. Methods: The study included 32 healthy participants (11 men, 21 women) aged 45-65 who completed both the initial and follow-up assessments of the Healthy Days Initiative, a community-based wellness program organized by the non-profit Associazione O.R.A. ETS. Through blood analysis, vital sign assessment, lifestyle questionnaires, and individualized recommendations, participants received guidance on improving their health and reducing disease risk. The initiative also offered the opportunity for participants to consume a flavonoid supplement containing quercitrin, rutin and hesperidin, with the goal of reducing oxidative stress. Participants who opted for supplementation were instructed to take 1-2 tablets daily for two weeks. Data collected included demographic information, anthropometric measurements, vital signs, dietary and lifestyle habits, medical history, WHO-5 Well-Being Index scores, and blood parameters. Results: Significant reductions were observed in glucose levels (from 82 to 74.5 mg/dL), reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) (from 394.5 to 365.5 U.CARR), and systolic blood pressure (from 133 to 122 mmHg) after the two-week flavonoid intervention. Most participants (26/31) reported no side effects, and the majority (30/31) expressed a willingness to continue using a product combination of quercitrin, rutin and hesperidin or a similar product long-term. Conclusions: While limited in scope and duration, the PREVES-FLAVON study contributes valuable insights to the growing body of evidence suggesting that flavonoid supplementation may play a significant role in reducing risk factors associated with NCDs in primary prevention settings. By targeting novel risk factors such as oxidative stress, this intervention holds promise for mitigating the global burden of NCDs and promoting healthy aging.

Over the coming decades, global freshwater withdrawals are expected to grow, especially in low and middle-income countries. Unless there are significant improvements in the efficiency of water use by economies, freshwater stress, crises and scarcity will worsen. This paper explores further the economic relationship between water use efficiency and scarcity. Because growing scarcity of freshwater in many regions and countries is not adequately reflected in markets, there is often insufficient incentives for investment and innovation to improve the efficiency of water use. To explore further changes in water use efficiency across countries, we conduct a panel analysis of water productivity changes for 130 countries over 1995 to 2020. Countries with lower initial levels of water use efficiency tended to have higher water productivity growth, whereas more agriculturally dependent economies displayed lower improvements in water use efficiency. Better institutional quality and capacity for innovation may also increase water use efficiency. We discuss the implications of these results for improving water use productivity in economies, and in particular, the opportunities and challenges for improving water markets and trades to alleviate water scarcity. We conclude by identifying further areas of research.

This study investigates the collapse of the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) as a risk factor for medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS), hypothesizing that overuse of extrinsic foot muscles to prevent MLA collapse can lead to disability. Twenty healthy adults (39 feet) with a foot posture index score below 6 and no recent lower extremity orthopedic history participated. Ultrasonog-raphy measured foot muscle cross-sectional areas, while three-dimensional motion analysis us-ing VICON assessed foot kinematics during gait, focusing on navicular height at initial contact (ICNH) and dynamic navicular drop (DND) during the stance phase. Hierarchical cluster analy-sis based on ICNH and DND compared muscle cross-sectional areas between clusters using ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test. The analysis indicated that ICNH was lower in clusters 1 and 3 than in cluster 2, and DND was smaller in clusters 1 and 2 than in cluster 3. Although there was no significant difference in muscle cross-sectional area between the clusters, the flexor hallucis longus tended to be thicker in cluster 1 than in cluster 3 (p = 0.051). The findings suggest that the flexor hallucis longus may help prevent MLA compression during loading, indicating that over-use of extrinsic foot muscles may contribute to MTSS development.

Oxidative stress constitutes a main molecular mechanism underlying cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This pathological mechanism can be triggered by NADPH oxidases (NOXs), which produce reactive oxygen species (ROS). In fact, the different NOXs have been associated with myocardial infarction, atherothrombosis, and stroke. More specifically, we will focus on the implications of NOXs in atherothrombotic stroke. Each NOX member participates in a different way in the several stages of this disease: endothelial dysfunction, immune cell infiltration, foam cell genesis, vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation, and atherosclerotic plaque formation. Additionally, some NOXs are involved in plaque instability, thrombosis, ischemic stroke, and ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). Interestingly, the effects of NOXs in this pathology depend on the specific homologue, the cell type in which they are activated, and the stage of the disease. In this review we summarize the most up-to-date information about the implications of vascular NOXs in each of these processes. Finally, we highlight some limitations and future perspectives of the study of NOXs in CVDs.

Due to the adverse effect of prolonged drought stress on plants, accurate detection is essential for water use efficiency and maintaining productivity. Hyperspectral imaging is frequently used for non-invasive plant phenotyping, allowing for the long-term monitoring of crop health due to its sensitivity to subtle changes in leaf constituents. The broad spectrum of hyperspectral data enables the development of multiple vegetation indices (Vis) derived from the different spectral regions to estimate plant biophysical and biochemical traits. However, the known VIs often do not generalize well and perform poorly for multiple plant stresses. This study proposes new VIs combined with machine learning models to identify drought stress in wheat species under different nitrogen (N) levels. A wheat experiment was set up in the glasshouse with four treatments: well-watered high-N (WWHN), well-watered low-N (WWLN), drought-stress high N and drought-stress low-N. In addition to ensuring that plants were watered according to the experiment design, photosynthetic rate (Pn) and stomatal conductance (gs) were taken regularly, serving as the ground truth data for this study. Sensitive spectral features were selected using a custom-designed ensemble modelling technique. New drought VIs are proposed using different combinations of the selected features. Three classification models (support vector machines, random forest and deep neural network) were developed and trained using four sets of data: known VIs, proposed VIs, combined VIs (from the known and proposed VIs) and PCA-transformed features (over the whole spectral data). From the results, the proposed VIs outperformed the known VIs, yielding &gt; 0.94 accuracies for all three models, and the performance improved when they were trained with the combined VIs. The combined VIs were used to train three regression models to predict the stomatal conductances and photosynthetic rates of plants. The random forest regression model performed best, suggesting that it could be used as a stand-alone tool to forecast gs and Pn and track drought stress in wheat.

PARK7, also known as DJ-1, plays a critical role in protecting cells by functioning as a sensitive oxidation sensor and modulator of antioxidants. DJ-1 acts to maintain mitochondrial function and regulate transcription in response to different stressors. In this study, we showed that cell lines vary based on their antioxidation potential at basal conditions. The transcriptome of HEK293 cells was tested following knockdown (KD) of DJ-1 using siRNAs which reduced the DJ-1 transcripts to only 12% of the original level. We compared the expression levels of 14k protein-coding transcripts, and 4.2k non-coding RNAs relative to control cells treated with non-specific siRNAs. Among the coding genes, ~200 upregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) signified a coordinated antiviral innate immune response. Most genes were associated with regulation of type 1 interferons (IFN) and induction of inflammatory cytokines. About a quarter of these genes were also induced in cells treated by non-specific siRNAs that were used as a negative control. Beyond the antiviral response, 114 genes were specific to KD of DJ-1 with enrichment in RNA metabolism and mitochondrial functions. A smaller set of downregulated genes (58 genes) were associated with dysregulation in membrane structure, cell viability, and mitophagy. We propose that KD of DJ-1 diminish its protective potency against oxidative stress, rendering the cells labile and responsive to dsRNA signal by activation of a large number of genes, many of which drive apoptosis, cell death, and inflammatory signatures. The KD of DJ-1 highlights its crucial role in regulating genes associated with antiviral responses, RNA metabolism, and mitochondrial functions, apparently through alteration in STAT activity and downstream signaling. Given that DJ-1 is highly expressed in metastatic cancers, targeting DJ-1 could be a promising therapeutic strategy where manipulation of DJ-1 levels may reduce cancer cell viability and enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments.

Purpose: Glyphosate and glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH), extensively utilized as herbicides worldwide, have been associated with numerous health issues. Previous experimental studies have indicated their potential to disrupt selenium homeostasis by either interfering with uptake or increasing oxidative stress. However, there is a significant research gap concerning the connection between glyphosate exposure and selenium status in epidemiological studies, particularly within nationally representative samples. Methods: In this study, we examined data from the 2013-2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), involving 3011 participants aged 3 and above. Our main objective was to examine the connection between urinary glyphosate levels, whole blood selenium, and selenium intake. Results: Our analysis did not uncover an association between urinary glyphosate and selenium intake. Nevertheless, we observed a negative correlation between urinary glyphosate levels and whole blood selenium, with a ß coefficient of -1.984, S.E. = 0.639, and P = 0.003 in the final model. We also reported a notable decrease in the average concentrations of whole blood selenium as glyphosate tertiles increased, with P-values for trend of 0.033. Furthermore, the association was particularly prominent among females, non-Hispanic whites, and individuals with lower selenium intake. Conclusions: In this thorough examination of NHANES data, our study uncovers a possible detrimental connection between glyphosate exposure and whole blood selenium levels. These findings underscore the importance of further investigation into the health consequences of glyphosate exposure and its potential influence on selenium status, thereby raising awareness of potential implications for public health.

Abstract A multiple number of studies provide evidence that vasopressin (AVP) and steroid hormones are frequently secreted together and closely cooperate in the regulation of blood pressure, metabolism, water-electrolyte balance, and behavior, securing thereby survival and comfort of life. Vasopressin interacts with hormones of the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) at several levels through regulation of release of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone ACTH, and multiple steroid hormones, as well as through interactions with steroids in the target organs. The interactions are facilitated by positive and negative feedbacks occurring between specific components of the HPA axis with engagement of other regulatory molecules. Altogether AVP and HPA cooperate closely as a coordinated functional AVP-HPA system. It has been shown that cooperation between AVP and steroid hormones may be affected by the cellular stress combined with hypoxia, and by metabolic, cardiovascular and respiratory disorders, neurogenic stress and inflammation. Growing evidence indicates that central and peripheral interactions of AVP and steroid hormones are reprogrammed in cardiovascular diseases and that the rearrangements play either beneficial or harmful effects. The present review highlights specific mechanisms of interactions of AVP and steroids at cellular and systemic levels and analyses consequences of inappropriate cooperation between various components of the AVP-HPA system for the regulation of the cardiovascular system and energy balance in cardiovascular and metabolic diseases.

Methylmercury (MeHg) intoxication is a global health concern. Although MeHg neurotoxicity is well-recognized, less is known about MeHg's effects on metabolism. In this study, we evaluated MeHg intoxication (20mg/L in drinking water for 20 days) effects on liver and epididymal white fat (EWF) in young ApoE knockout (ko) and wild-type mice. The former is well-known to show spontaneous dyslipidemia. Hg levels in hair, liver, and EWF were measured to assess the degree of MeHg exposure. We also evaluated body weight gain, plasma triglycerides, total cholesterol levels, and liver injury by assessing steatosis score, AST, ALT, SOD, and TBAR levels. To evaluate EWF, we analyzed mean wet weight and adipocyte diameter, plasma leptin levels and metabolomics. Hg levels were markedly higher among intoxicated mice. ApoE ko mice showed higher Hg in the hair but lower levels in the liver and EWF than wild-type controls. Among wild-type mice, MeHg compromised weight gain and increased liver TBAR levels compared to non-challenged controls. Among non-intoxicated mice, ApoE deficiency significantly increased triglyceride, total cholesterol, and liver transaminases with reduced EWF wet weight, hepatic SOD, and plasma leptin levels. MeHg accumulation together with ApoE deficiency elevated total cholesterol, triglycerides, hepatic transaminases, and TBARS. We found distinct EWF metabolite activity in different scenarios of ApoE deficiency and MeHg intoxication, highlighting increased cardiovascular risk especially when both challenges occur. Further studies are required to elucidate the underlying mechanisms involved in these effects and the target nutritional interventions in most need to ameliorate them.

Pyrolyzed organic matter – commonly referred to as biochar – generally has positive effects on plant growth and can enhance early seedling development. Biochar-based seed coatings may thus be beneficial, specifically under adverse soil conditions such as high soil salinity. We evaluated germination and early plant development in radish (Raphinus sativa) seeds coated with conifer-feedstock slow-pyrolysis biochar; following the precedent of prior studies, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) was used as the binding agent. Biochar-based seed coatings reduced germination rates and radicle extension in Petri dish trials; however, leaching of coated seeds largely eliminated this effect. PVAc applied in solution inhibited seed germination to a similar extent, suggesting that toxicity of PVAc or chemical products derived from it is the main mechanism for germination inhibition; a meta-analysis of published literature also indicates negative effects of biochar-based seed coatings using PVAc. In greenhouse trials the same biochar seed coatings improved aspects of plant growth and physiological status relative to controls, specifically enhancing root development. We conclude that biochar-based seed coatings have promise in promoting early seedling growth, and in combating salinity stress in agronomic and restoration applications. However, our findings contraindicate PVAc use as a binding agent. Further research is needed to test non-phytotoxic, readily biodegradable binding agents and to optimize biochars and seed coating processes for specific applications in agronomy and ecological restoration.

Memory and emotion are highly vulnerable to psychiatric disorders like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which has been linked to serotonin (5-HT) metabolism disruptions. In fact, over 90% of the 5-HT precursor tryptophan (Trp) is metabolized via the Trp-kynurenine (KYN) meta-bolic pathway, producing a variety of bioactive molecules. The aadat (kat2) gene encodes mito-chondrial kynurenine aminotransferase (KAT) isotype 2, responsible for kynurenic acid (KYNA) production. Little is known about its role in behavior. In CRISPR/Cas9-induced aadat knockout (kat2−/−) mice, we examined the effects on emotion, memory, motor function, Trp and its metabolite levels, enzyme activities in the plasma and the urine of 8-week-old males compared to wild-type mice. Transgenic mice showed more depressive-like behaviors in the forced swim test, but not in the tail suspension, anxiety, or memory tests. They also had fewer center field and corner entries, shorter walking distances, and fewer jumping counts in the open field test. Plasma metabolite levels are generally consistent with those of urine: KYN, antioxidant KYNs, 5-hydroxyindolacetic acid, and indole-3-acetic acid levels are lower; enzyme activities in KATs, kynureninase, and monoamine oxidase/aldehyde dehydrogenase are lower, but kynurenine 3-monooxygenase is higher; and ox-idative stress and excitotoxicity indices are higher. Transgenic mice show depression-like behavior in a learned helplessness model, emotional indifference, and motor deficits, coupled with a decrease in KYNA, a shift of Trp metabolism toward the KYN-3-HK pathway, and a partial decrease in the gut microbial Trp-indole pathway metabolite. This is the first evidence that deleting the aadat gene causes depression-like behaviors that are unique to despair experience, which appears to be linked to excitatory neurotoxic and oxidative stresses. This may lead to the development of a double-hit preclinical model in experience-based depression, better understanding of these complex condi-tions, and more effective therapeutic strategies by elucidating the relationship between Trp me-tabolism and PTSD pathogenesis.

Retention of placenta (RP) in crossbred cattle poses health, reproductive, and economic challenges linked to oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and complex causative factors. Emphasizing the key role of mitochondria in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and hormone synthesis, our study is the first to explore differences in OXPHOS activity, mitochondrial content, and mtDNA-encoded gene expression between normal and RP. In addition, gross morphological examination of placental tissues from both groups revealed noticeable disparities in cotyledons of RP as compared to normal placenta. Moreover, OXPHOS complex I specific activity was decreased in RP, and RT-qPCR analysis unveiled a significant reduction in transcript levels of 10 mtDNA-encoded protein genes. While COX3 and ATP8 genes showed no significant changes, ND6 increased in RP. Whereas, mtDNA copy number varied between animals but showed no statistically significant differences among groups. Retained placenta manifests alterations in the transcript levels of various mitochondrial genes, complex activity, and mtDNA content, potentially linked to heightened energy demands or mitochondrial insufficiency, posing an elevated risk. Overall, our study suggests a link between mitochondrial abnormalities, gene expression, and RP. This connection could influence the removal of fetal membranes by affecting energy supply, hormonal balance, and oxidative stress. This study also offers novel insights and serves as a valuable animal model for studying placental insufficiency in humans. Moving forward, comprehensive investigations are imperative to unravel underlying mechanisms and intricate roles of mitochondria in the context of RP, paving the way for targeted interventions to mitigate health, reproductive, and economic challenges in crossbred cattle.

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) and deficit irrigation (DI) play a crucial strategic role in sustaining agricultural yield and reducing water stress in drought prone areas. The study was carried out in 2021-2022 to assess the impact of various PGRs (SA & NAA) & irrigation levels (60% Epan, 80 % Epan, and 100 % Epan) with DI & partial root drying (PRD) irrigation strategies. PGR application boosted fruit yields and demonstrated its significance in reducing water stress by lowering canopy temperature, maintaining higher relative water content in the leaves, modifying stomatal opening, and increasing photosynthetic rate. PGRs were used to assess the increased accumulation of total phenols, flavonoids, and improved antioxidant activity. Results indicated that exogenous use of PGRs like SA+NAA in conjunction with 80% irrigation levels increased fruit yield (31.97 and 40.38%) and water productivity (64.92 and 75.39%) for DI and PRD treatments, respectively. Thus standardizing irrigation and crop management practices including PGR application can be recommended to boost pomegranate productivity particularly in water-scarce environments.

Background: Nutritional status and oxidative stress have been implicated in the pathogenesis and persistence of long COVID, but data in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD) are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the association between pre-infection nutritional status, oxidative stress, and one-year long COVID persistence in HD patients. Methods: This prospective observational cohort study enrolled 115 HD patients with confirmed COVID-19. Nutritional status was assessed using the Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) score twice: before infection and three months post-infection. Oxidative markers included malondialdehyde (MDAs), ceruloplasmin, transferrin, and sulfhydryl groups. The endpoint was one-year long COVID persistence. Results: Moderate pre-infection CONUT scores were associated with heightened severe undernutrition risk (p &lt; 0.0001), elevated MDAs (p &lt; 0.0001), and reduced ceruloplasmin levels (p = 0.0009) at three months post-COVID-19 compared to light CONUT scores. Pre-infection CONUT score independently predicted post-COVID oxidative damage [OR 2.3 (95%CI 1.2; 4.6), p &lt; 0.0001] and one-year long COVID persistence [HR 4.6 (95%CI 1.4; 9.9), p &lt; 0.0001], even after adjusting for potential confounders. Conclusion: Moderate pre-infection undernutrition in patients undergoing HD associated with increased post-COVID oxidative stress intensity and heightened risk of one-year long COVID persistence.

Previous studies suggested that trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy (TF-CBT) is effective in reducing symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression in children and adolescents. However, the effects of app-assisted TF-CBT-based interventions in psychiatric clinics compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU) are under-explored. The purpose of this study was to reveal the added value of the app-assisted TF-CBT-based intervention as an add-on to TAU. The digitalized measures of the Child and Adolescent Trauma Screen (CATS), The Adolescent Dissociative Experience Scale (A-DES), Short Moods and Feelings Questionnaire (SMFQ), PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), and Children's Post-Traumatic Cognitions Inventory (CPTCI) were applied at baseline and post-treatment. The app-assisted TF-CBT-based group participants started with higher levels of negative alterations in cognition and mood compared to TAU participants but at post-treatment, no significant differences were observed between the app-assisted TF-CBT and TAU groups. Within the app-assisted TF-CBT group, post-treatment scores were significantly lower in post-traumatic stress symptoms, intrusion symptoms, alterations in arousal and reactivity, overall post-traumatic cognitions, and belief in being "a fragile person in a scary world”. Within the TAU group, post-treatment scores were notably lower just in dissociation and intrusion symptoms. The study suggests that app-assisted TF-CBT-based intervention can be effective in addressing specific trauma-related symptoms. The findings imply the necessity for screening for traumatic experiences, incorporating trauma-informed care, implementation of TF-CBT into treatment protocols, utilization of app-assisted interventions, tailoring interventions to individual needs, and comprehensive assessment and monitoring of treatment progress.

This study investigates how root environment acidification impacts tea seedlings and the role of magnesium (Mg) in mitigating these effects. We examine varying pH and Mg levels' influence on tea seedlings' resistance to abiotic stress, focusing on antioxidant capacity and nutritional content. In a hydroponic experiment, we varied root pH (3.5, 5.0, 6.5) and Mg concentrations (0.01, 0.4, 0.8 mM), assessing parameters like antioxidant capacity, peroxidative damage, and nutritional content at 1, 7, 15, and 30 days post-treatment. Root environment acidification and Mg deficiency worsened peroxidative damage in tea plant leaves and roots. Increased Mg supplementation enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity, reducing malondialdehyde and mitigating oxidative damage from root environment acid stress. Under acid stress, 0.8 mM Mg significantly increased tea leaf polyphenols, amino acids, and water-soluble extracts. Mg notably boosted chlorophyll content, surpassing lower Mg levels at pH 5. Additionally, Mg reversed root vitality inhibition induced by acid stress, leading to increased nitrogen, potassium, and Mg concentrations in leaves, promoting balanced nutrient absorption. Mg supplementation is crucial for enhancing tea plant antioxidant capacity, alleviating growth inhibition from root environment acid stress, and improving chlorophyll content and root vitality, highlighting Mg's significance in tea cultivation and broader agricultural practices.

This article describes a novel topical composition constituted by gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA) and microbial chondroitin sulfate. This composition, formulated by the author and manufactured in a certified facility in the United States of America, exhibits potential for non-invasive intervention in anxiety management, sleep quality enhancement, and promotion of brain-related functions like meditation and nonlocal consciousness. The core component comprises GABA, a key inhibitory neurotransmitter within the central nervous system, complexed with a suitable carrier molecule, microbial chondroitin sulfate. This complexation aims to enhance transdermal absorption and optimize delivery of GABA to target tissues. The proposed mechanism of action involves modulation of GABAergic signal transduction pathways. Application of the topical composition allows GABA penetration into the skin and potentially deeper tissues, where it interacts with GABA receptors. This interaction leads to mental calmness and relaxation as assessed by electroencephalography. The influence of GABAergic signaling on brain circuits demonstrated in this article, when associated with meditation and nonlocal consciousness, suggests potential for the composition to support these practices. The advantage of such an approach consists in avoiding the potential systemic side effects associated with oral or injectable administration of GABA, anxiolytics or hypnotics. Furthermore, the combination of GABA and microbial chondroitin sulfate may offer synergistic benefits, potentially enhancing the overall biological effects. In conclusion, this article presents a novel topical approach for managing anxiety, enhancing sleep quality, and potentially facilitating meditation and nonlocal consciousness through modulation of GABAergic signaling pathways. While further research is necessary, the potential for a non-invasive and potentially side-effect-free intervention in these areas is promising.

Despite the clinical significance of partial posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), research on its associated cognitive function profiles is notably lacking. This study aimed to identify distinct cognitive function profiles in patients with partial PTSD. Medical records of Vietnamese War Korean Veterans undergoing psychiatric assessments, including the Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS) and neurocognitive tests on the same day, were retrospectively reviewed. The participants were divided into partial PTSD (N = 10) and non-PTSD (N = 36) groups based on the CAPS interview. Neurocognitive test score profiles of the partial PTSD and non-PTSD groups were compared. Covariance analysis adjusted for potential confounders in cognitive function. In cognitive profiles, executive function, mental flexibility (measured by Trail Making Test B), and concentration (measured by the Mini-Mental Status Exam) were significantly poorer in the partial PTSD group. When adjusted for age, depressive symptoms, and education level, no significant differences were observed in the cognitive profiles between the partial PTSD and non-PTSD groups. In the current study, executive function and concentration showed deficits in patients with partial PTSD compared with those without PTSD. Partial PTSD cognitive profiles displayed no significant differences from non-PTSD profiles when adjusted for possible confounders such as depressive symptoms.

Endophytic fungi (EF) have emerged as promising modulators of plant growth and stress tolerance in agricultural ecosystems. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the role of EF in en-hancing crop adaptation to abiotic stress. Abiotic stresses, such as drought, salinity, and extreme temperatures, pose significant challenges to crop productivity worldwide. EF have shown re-markable potential in alleviating the adverse effects of these stresses. Through various mechanisms including synthesis of osmolytes, production of stress-related enzymes, and induction of plant de-fense mechanisms, EF enhance plant resilience to abiotic stressors. Moreover, EF promote nutrient uptake and modulate hormonal balance in plants, further enhancing stress tolerance. Recent ad-vancements in molecular techniques have facilitated the identification and characterization of stress-tolerant endophytic fungal strains, paving the way for their utilization in agricultural prac-tices. Furthermore, the symbiotic relationship between EF and plants offers ecological benefits, such as improved soil health and reduced dependence on chemical inputs. However, challenges remain in understanding the complex interactions between EF and host plants, as well as in scaling up their application in diverse agricultural systems. Future research should focus on elucidating the mechanisms underlying endophytic fungal-mediated stress tolerance and developing sustainable strategies for harnessing their potential in crop production.

The purpose of the study is to establish compliance of the design of the modernized car with the requirements for safe operation. An option has been proposed for upgrading a passenger wagon to a Mobile Diagnostic Complex for transporting a combined vehicle equipped with appropriate flaw detection equipment intended for rail diagnostics. The authors have established the most optimal option for locating the diagnostic vehicle on board the Mobile Diagnostic Complex (MDC) wagon, taking into account the additional load from the vehicle. To achieve this goal, the article developed a three-dimensional model of the supporting structure of the wagon body, proposed a methodology and presented the results of a study of the stress-strain state of the wagon body, taking into account the additional weight of the wagon. The article develops a methodology for studying the natural frequencies of vibrations of the wagon body and develops a three-dimensional model of the wagon for calculating dynamic indicators in the Universal Mechanism software package. Taking into account the previously carried out strength calculations, as well as in order to maintain the factory life cycle indicators of the supporting structure of the wagon body, it is recommended to use the model in the first version.

In steel structures, oblique thin steel plates serve as panel zones in structures spanning large spaces (e.g., warehouses and gymnasiums). Considerable research has been conducted on the shear buckling of panels due to seismic loads acting on a structure. Conversely, under snow or wind loads, the panel zone may experience compressive and tensile stresses simultaneously from two directions. Considering the economic preference for thin steel plates, evaluating the elastic critical local buckling stresses in the panel zone under biaxial normal stress may provide essential information to structural engineers. In this study, an elastic buckling analysis based on the energy method is performed to clarify the impact of panel geometry and boundary conditions on the elastic local buckling stresses of oblique panel zones. As confirmed, the buckling stresses derived from the energy method could simulate the local buckling stresses with accuracy comparable to that of finite element analysis, and an engineer-friendly design formula was proposed. Finally, we determined the correlation of the buckling stresses under biaxial stresses and presented a method for evaluating this correlation. Engineers can utilize the provided design equations to more efficiently and accurately calculate buckling loads, facilitating safer and more economical design of structures with oblique plates.

Studies have established the crucial role of sleep among the students which plays a significant role in their mood. This study aimed to examine the mood disorders and sleep quality among undergraduate students at the University of Georgia (UG) and comparison between students’ nationality.This cross-sectional study was a self-reported questionnaire comprised of demographics including age, gender, year of study, current location, lifestyle data (Exercise and smoking), the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DAS21) and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). We performed a descriptive analysis, and the Chi-square was statistically significant at p<0.05. The prevalence was at a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) as multivariate analysis examined the multicollinearity. The female students were most of the respondents, below the age of 20 years. The student's mean age was 20.20 (SD± 3.0). DAS report presented 72.7% of students with depressive symptoms, 77.8% with anxiety symptoms, and 62.2% had stress. Georgian students were more at risk of having depressive complaints (95% Cl[1.567-3.788]), anxiety (95% Cl[1.612-4.285]), and stress symptoms (95% Cl[1.743-3.831]). There was a strong relationship between the students who experienced poor sleeping patterns and depressive complaints (aOR 0.10). The students who were smokers (aOR 0.39) were more likely to report anxiety symptoms than the students that do not exercise (aOR 1.68). It was observed that students with depressive symptoms, anxiety, and complaints of stress had a significantly high risk of poor sleep quality. Further studies are recommended to curb psychological symptoms of mood changes in association with sleep disorders among students.

Purpose: The pandemic, named COVID-19, which shook global economy, production and trade has equally affected the social and domestic lives of ours. In this study the COVID-19’s impact has been investigated on lack of social interaction, financial stress and how it influences the domestic violence in a developing country like Pakistan. The study focuses on some of the important factors that are root causes of increased domestic violence in Pakistan. Design/methodology/approach: The study is quantitative and survey questionnaire has been conducted for structural equation modelling (SEM) to evaluate the hypotheses. The modified scale was validated using confirmatory factor analysis, the Purposive and snowball sampling technique is used for collecting data from 200 respondents of Punjab Pakistan for data analysis through SPSS and SmartPLS. Findings: It is revealed that Covid 19 has a significant effect on lack of social interaction and financial stress. Moreover, lack of social interaction and financial stress also enhances domestic violence. Finally, lack of social interaction and financial stress mediates COVID-19 and domestic violence. Originality/value: This study appears to be frontier research which determines the impact of COVID-19 on lack of social interaction, financial stress and domestic violence particularly in a developing country like Pakistan.

The 1060 aluminium alloy is widely applied to electronic industry, construction area, aerospace field, traffic engineering, decoration and consumption goods market for its good chemical, physical and mechanical properties. In general, excellent processing property is necessary and important for manufacturing of complicated panels. In this paper, a special 2D ultrasonic vibration incremental forming method is designed to improve its plasticity and mechanical properties. Three kind of processing methods including traditional single point incremental forming, longitudinal ultrasonic vibration incremental forming and 2D ultrasonic vibration incremental forming are conducted for flexible manufacture of conical parts of 1060 aluminium alloy sheet. Then micro-hardness tests, residual stress tests and scanning electron microscopy tests are carried out to probe its revolution of micro-structure and mechanical properties and to analysis the effects of different types of ultrasonic vibration on plasticity and fracture characteristic of 1060 aluminium alloy. It is proved that 2D ultrasonic vibration is facilitated to improvement of plasticity and surface qualities of 1060 aluminium alloy than the other two processing methods. So, the novel 2D ultrasonic vibration incremental forming possesses substantial application values on flexible and rapid manufacturing of complicated thin-walled component of aluminium alloy.

Epidemiological and clinical evidence have extensively documented the role of obesity in the develop-ment of endometrial cancer. However, the effect of fatty acids on cell growth in endometrial cancer has not been widely studied. Here we reported that palmitic acid significantly inhibited cell proliferation of endometrial cancer cells and primary cultures of endometrial cancer, and reduced tumor growth in a transgenic mouse model of endometrial cancer, in parallel with increased cellular stress and apoptosis and decreased cellular adhesion and invasion. Inhibition of cellular stress by N-acetyl-L-cysteine effec-tively reversed the effects of palmitic acid on cell proliferation, apoptosis and invasive capacity in the endometrial cancer cells. Palmitic acid increased the intracellular formation of lipid droplets in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Depletion of lipid droplets by blocking DGAT1 and DGAT2 effectively increased the ability of palmitic acid to inhibit cell proliferation and induce cleaved caspase 3 activity. Collectively, this study provides new insight into the effect of palmitic acid on cell proliferation, inva-sion and the formation of lipid droplets that may have potential clinical relevance in the treatment of obesity-driven endometrial cancer

Contamination of the environment with nano- and microplastic particles exerts a threatened impact on the aquatic ecosystems and sustainable catfish aquaculture. The presence of nanoplastics has been found to have a detrimental impact on both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The present study examines the effect of polystyrene nanoplastics on DNA, erythrocytes, oxidative status and renal of catfish in addition to the potential protective effects of Chlorella vulgaris bioremeditation and selenium to hinder this effect. Six equal groups of fish were used as follows: Group 1: served as a control group and received water free from PS NPs; Group 2: was exposed to PS NPs at a concentration of 5mg/L; Group 3: was exposed to PS NPs (5mg/L) + selenium (1mg/kg diet); Group 4: was exposed to PS NPs (5mg/L) + C. vulgaris (25g/kg diet); Group 5: was supplemented with C. vulgaris (25g/kg diet); and Group 6: was supplemented with selenium (1mg/kg diet). The results indicated that PS NPs induced oxidative stress by significantly elevating MDA activities and slightly reducing antioxidant biomarkers, resulting in DNA damage, increased frequency of micronuclei, erythrocyte alterations, and numerous histopathological alterations in kidney tissue. Selenium and C. vulgaris significantly ameliorated the oxidative/antioxidant status, reduced DNA damage, micronucleus frequency, erythrocyte alterations, and morphology of kidney tissue. Nevertheless, further research is needed to evaluate in detail the mechanism behind the toxicity with nano-microplatics in aquatic system.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a high suicide-risk mental disorder. The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between temperament and character traits with suicide probability, suicide attempt and perceived stress level in patients with BD. A total of 39 euthymic patients with bipolar disorder who had a history of suicide attempt and 39 euthymic patients without a history of suicide attempt were included in this study. Sociodemographic and clinical data form, Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS), The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-5-Clinician Version (SCID-5/CV), Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Suicide Probability Scale were used for obtaining the data. HDRS, PSS and SPS scores of the group comprised of patients who attempted suicide were higher than the other group. There was no significant difference between the group of patients who had attempted suicide and the other group in terms of temperament characteristics. In the group of patients who had attempted suicide, self-directedness (SD) and cooperativeness (CO) scores were lower and self-transcendence (ST) score was higher than the other group. HA and ST were positively and SD negatively associated with SPS scores. In the regression analysis for suicide risk, the factors most associated with suicide risk were high HDRS and low CO score. Low SD in BD, high ST with CO may be associated with suicide attempt. Alongside low SD, high HA and ST may be associated with suicidal ideation. Treating residual depressive symptoms can reduce the risk of suicide.

Tea plants (Camellia sinensis L.) are economically important horticultural crops for industrial use. The drink (tea) obtained from them is used all over the world, and its functional activity is determined by the polyphenols content and composition. Its accumulation is regulated by the action of many environmental factors. This paper presents data on the different intensity (50, 75, and 100 µmol·m−2·s−1) and duration of light exposure on tea plant in vitro cultures. Changes in morphophysiological characteristics, accumulation of carbohydrates and polyphenols, including their monomeric (phenylpropanoids, flavanols) and oligomeric (proanthocyanidins) forms, were studied. The malondialdehyde and photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll a and b) contents were also analyzed. In the calli grown in light conditions, chloroplasts and anthocyanoplasts formation was noted, which was especially pronounced under the highest illumination intensity. A significant similarity between the growth of callus cultures, the carbohydrates and polyphenols accumulation at 50 and 75 µmol·m−2·s−1 was established. Which wasn’t characteristic of the calli grown at 100 µmol·m−2·s−1. The stress reaction absence in tea callus cultures has been demonstrated, which may be a consequence of the phenolic antioxidants’ accumulation in them. The obtained data evidence that their potential ability to accumulate primary (carbohydrates) and secondary (polyphenols) metabolites depends on the light exposure intensity and duration.

Constant exposure to a variety of environmental factors has become increasingly problematic. A variety of illnesses are initiated or aided by the presence of certain perturbing factors. In the case of autism spectrum disorder, the environmental component begins to play an important part in de-termining the overall picture. Moreover, the lack of therapies to relieve existing symptoms com-plicates the fight against this condition. As a result, the use of animal models has made biomedical research easier and more suited for disease investigations. The current study used zebrafish as an animal model to mimic a real-life scenario: acute exposure to an increased dose of pesticides, fol-lowed by prospective intervention-based therapy with vitamin B12 (vit. B12). It is known that vit. B12 is involved in brain function, nerve tissue and red blood cell formation. Aside from this, the role of vit. B12 in the redox processes was recognized for its help against free radicals. To investigate the vit. B12 effect, fish were divided in four different groups and exposed to a pesticide mixture (600 μg L-1 fipronil + 600 μg L-1 pyriproxyfen) and 0.24 μg L-1 vit. B12 for 14 days. The impact of the compound was assessed daily by EthoVision software for behavioral observations, especially for sociability, quantified by the social interaction test. In addition, at the end of the study, the activities of su-peroxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and malondialdehyde (MDA) were measured. Results showed significant improvements for locomotor activity parameters and a pos-itive influence of vitamin on sociability. Regarding the state of oxidative stress, a high activity was found for SOD and GPx in the case of vit. B12, while the mixture of pesticides and vitamin had a lower level of MDA. In conclusion, the study brings new data about the effect of vit. B12 in zebrafish, highlighting the potential use of vitamin supplementation to maintain and help the organism function.

Transcription is carried out in most eukaryotes by three multimeric complexes (RNA polymerases I, II and III). However, plants contain two additional RNA polymerases (IV and V), which have evolved from RNA polymerase II. RNA polymerases II, IV and V contain both common and specific subunits that may specialize some of their functions. In this study, we conducted a search for the genes that putatively code for the specific subunits of RNA polymerases IV and V, as well as the corresponding of RNA polymerase II in olive. Based on the homology with the genes of Arabidopsis thaliana, we identified 13 genes that putatively code for the specific subunits of polymerases IV and V, and 16 genes that code for the corresponding specific subunits of polymerase II in olive. The transcriptomic analysis by RNA-Seq revealed that the expression of the RNA polymerases IV and V genes was induced during the initial stages of fruit development. Given that RNA polymerases IV and V are involved in the transcription of long non-coding RNAs, we investigated their expression and observed relevant changes in the expression of this type of RNAs. Particularly, the expression of the intergenic and intronic long non-coding RNAs tended to increase in the early steps of fruit development, suggesting their potential role in this process. The positive correlation between the expression of RNA polymerases IV and V subunits and the expression of non-coding RNAs supports the hypothesis that RNA polymerases IV and V may play a role in fruit development throughout the synthesis of this type of RNAs.

2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is a globally used herbicide and is frequently found in water samples. This fact has prompted studies on its effects in non-target organisms, revealing significant alterations on liver structure and function. In this review, we evaluated the literature on the hepatotoxicity of 2,4-D, focusing on morphological damages, biomarkers of toxicity and affected liver functions. Searches were conducted on PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus and 83 articles were selected after curation. Among the studies, 72% used in vivo models and 30% used in vitro models. Additionally, 48% used the active ingredient, and 35% used commercial formu-lations in exposure experiments. The most affected biomarkers were related to a decrease in an-tioxidant capacity, including alterations in the activities of catalase and superoxide dismutase, and in the levels of malondialdehyde. Changes in energy metabolism, lipids, liver function, and xenobiotic metabolism were also identified. Furthermore, we found studies about the effects of 2,4-D in mixtures with other pesticides, as well as hepatoprotection trials. The reviewed data in-dicate that the reduction in antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress play an important role in 2,4-D-induced hepatotoxicity. However, the mechanism of action of the herbicide is still not ful-ly understood and further research in this area is needed.

High concentrations of sodium (Na+), chloride (Cl-), calcium (Ca2+), and sulphate (SO42-) are fre-quently found in saline soils. Crop plants cannot successfully develop and produce because salt stress impairs the uptake of calcium, potassium, and water into plant cells. Different intracellular and extracellular ionic concentration changes by salinity, including those of calcium, potassium, and protons. These cations serve as stress signaling molecules in addition to being essential for ionic homeostasis and nutrition. Maintaining an appropriate K+: Na+ ratio is one crucial plant mechanism for salt tolerance, which is a complicated trait. Another important mechanism is the ability for fast extrusion of Na+ from the cytosol. Calcium is established as a ubiquitous secondary messenger, which transmits various stress signals into metabolic alterations that cause adaptive responses. When plants are under stress, the cytosolic-free Ca2+ concentration can rise to 10 times or more from its resting level of 50-100 nanomolar. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are linked to the calcium alterations, and are produced by stress. Depending on the type, frequency and intensity of the stress, the cytosolic calcium signals oscillate, are transient, or persist for a longer period and exhibit specific "signatures". Both the input and efflux of Ca2+ from the cytosol affect the length and amplitude of the signal. According to several reports, under stress calcium alterations can occur not only in the cytoplasm of the cell but also in the cell walls, nucleus and other cell organelles and the calcium waves propagate through the whole plant. Here, we will focus on how wheat and other important crops absorb Na+, K+ and Cl- when plants are under salt stress, as well as how calcium, potassium, and pH cause intracellular signaling and homeostasis. Similar mechanisms in the model plant Arabidopsis will also be considered.

Growing food autonomously on Mars is challenging due to the Martian soil's low nutrient content and high salinity. Understanding how plants adapt and evaluating their nutritional attributes are pivotal for sustained Mars missions. This research delved into the regeneration, stress tolerance, and dietary metrics of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) across different Mars Global Simulant (MGS-1) concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 75%). In our greenhouse experiment, 75% MGS-1 concentration most significantly inhibited sweet potato growth, storage root biomass, and chlorophyll content. This concentration also elevated plant tissues' H2O2, proline, and ascorbic acid levels. Higher MGS-1 exposures (50 and 75%) notably boosted vital amino acids and sugar groups in the plant's storage roots. Yet, increased MGS-1 concentrations notably diminished the total C: N ratio and elemental composition in both vines and storage roots. In summary, sweet potato exhibited optimal growth, antioxidant properties, yield, and nutrient profiles at 25% MGS-1 exposure, compared to higher concentrations. This study underscores the need for future interventions, like nutrient enhancement and controlled metal accessibility, to render it a suitable plant for space-based studies.

The CDPK family genes play crucial roles in signal transduction pathways during plant develop-ment and stress response. In this study, we comprehensively analyzed the CDPK family genes in mustard (Brassica juncea L.), resulting in the identification of 101 genes (BjuCDPK1–101) located on chromosomes AA_Chr01 to BB_Chr08. RNA-seq analysis showed that most BjuCDPK genes were predominantly expressed in the root and flower bud, suggesting their organ-specific expression patterns. Furthermore, the expression levels of most BjuCDPK genes were significantly altered by cold stress. The promoter regions of BjuCDPK genes had abundant cis-acting elements related to hormone and stress. The interaction network analysis predicted that BjuCDPK proteins respond to abiotic stress probably via interaction with ABF1, ABF4, and/or DI19. Our findings provide valu-able information for further investigation of the cold stress adaption of mustard via the CDPK signaling pathway.

Cut flowers of Gerbera jamesonii, renowned globally for their vibrant colors and extended shelf life, play a pivotal role in the flourishing floriculture industry. However, repeated fertigation in nethouses/polyhouses poses a significant challenge leading to production losses. In response to this challenge, we hypothesized that the application of Ascorbic acid (AsA), an antioxidant, in optimal concentrations could alleviate the detrimental effects of salt toxicity and enhance Gerbera production. Our objective was to investigate the impact of exogenous AsA (1.0 mM, 2.0 mM, and 4.0 mM) as a foliar spray, followed by NaCl (200 mM) treatment, across two cultivars of Gerbera: white-flowered (salt sensitive) and yellow flowered (salt tolerant) cultivars. The research employed a comprehensive approach, applying AsA and NaCl treatment to evaluate their effects on chlorophyll, proline, and total soluble protein content, MDA, H2O2, and antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, APX, GR, and POD). Following exposure to 2.0 mM AsA, treated plants displayed a notable increase in chlorophyll, Proline, and soluble protein content. Concurrently, MDA and H2O2 levels, indicator of intracellular damage, exhibited a decrement, suggesting AsA's protective role against salt stress. Moreover, enhanced antioxidant Enzyme activities were observed. The application of AsA (2.0 mM) not only induced salt tolerance in Gerbera but also showed potential benefits for its overall growth and development. This study underscores the promising role of AsA in mitigating salt-induced challenges in Gerbera cultivation.

It was of great practical significance to repair the toxicity of salt stress environment to soybean seedlings and maintain the balance between agricultural production and ecological environment in the Yellow River valley of China. ‘Xudou 20’ was used as the experimental material, a large-scale planting variety in the old Yellow River basin. Endophytes 131 and 137 isolated from soybean root nodule were taken as the research objects, and the soybean plants were cultivated by pot culture in intelligent artificial incubator. Salt stress group, bacteria suspension group and control group were set up to study the effects of inoculation treatments on the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) of soybean seedlings under different NaCl stress. The results showed that when inoculated with endophyte 131 bacterial suspension and cultured for 14 days, the SOD activity was the highest (14.89 U•g−1•FW) at the salt concentration 50 mmol•L-1. When inoculated with 131 bacterial suspension (2:1) and cultured for 28 days, the SOD activity reached the highest (0.94 ug-1FW) at the salt concentration of 50 mmol•L-1, and the CAT activity amounted to the highest (1910 U•g−1•min−1). The 16S rDNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the most similar strain of strain 137 was Bacillus cereus, and the most similar strain of strain 131 was Enterobacter ludwigii. Therefore, the activities of SOD and CAT in soybean seedlings inoculated with endophytes 131 and 137 increased at different degrees under salt stress, which could effectively alleviate the damage of salt stress environment to plants, and thus improve the stress resistance of plants.

Heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) is a transcription factor crucial for regulating heat shock response (HSR), one of the significant cellular protective mechanisms. When cells are exposed to proteotoxic stress, HSF1 induces the expression of heat shock proteins (HSPs) to act as chaperones, correcting the protein-folding process and maintaining proteostasis. In addition to its role in HSR, HSF1 is overexpressed in multiple cancer cells, where its activation promotes malignancy and leads to poor prognosis. The mechanisms of HSF1-induced tumorigenesis are complex and involve diverse signaling pathways, dependent on cancer type. With its important roles in tumorigenesis and tumor progression, targeting HSF1 offers a novel cancer treatment strategy. In this article, we examine the basic function of HSF1 and its regulatory mechanisms, focus on the mechanisms involved in HSF1’s roles in different cancer types, and examine current HSF1 inhibitors as novel therapeutics to treat cancers.

A wide variety of substances have been used to anaesthetise invertebrates, but many are not anaesthetics and merely incapacitate animals, rather than preventing pain. Much is now known about the mode of action of modern clinical and veterinary anaesthetics because of their use on human beings and other vertebrates. In essence, the role of an ideal general anaesthetic is to act as a muscle relaxant, an analgesic, an anaesthetic and an amnesic. To achieve all these properties with a single substance is difficult and various adjuvants usually need to be administered, resulting in a cocktail of drugs. In a clinical setting, the vast majority of patients are unaware of surgery being carried out and have no memory of it, so they can claim to have felt no pain, but this is much more difficult to demonstrate in invertebrates. Here we show that 1% MgCl2, a muscle relaxant, is a useful adjuvant for the clinical anaesthetic isoflurane on Octopus vulgaris when applied for 10 minutes before the clinical anaesthetic. After this, full anaesthesia can be achieved in 5 minutes using only 1% isoflurane and from which full recovery takes place rapidly in about 10 to 15 minutes. This reduces stress on the animal and minimises the quantity of anaesthetic used.

Worldwide, hypoxia-related conditions, including cancer, COVID-19, and neuro-degenerative diseases, often lead to multi-organ failure and significant mortality. Oxygen, crucial for cellular function, becomes scarce as levels drop below 10 mmHg (<2% O2), triggering mitochondrial dysregulation and activating hypoxia-induced factors (HiFs). Herein, Oxygen nanoBubbles (OnB), an emerging versatile oxygen de-livery platform, implies to offer a novel approach to address hypoxia-related pathologies. This review explores OnB oxygen delivery strategies and systems, including diffusion, ultrasound, photodynamic, and pH-responsive nanobubbles. It delves into the nanoscale mechanisms of OnB, elucidating their role in mitochondrial metabolism (TFAM, PGC1alpha), hypoxic responses (HiF-1alpha), and their interplay in chronic pathologies including cancer and neurodegenerative disorders, amongst others. By understanding these dynamics and underlying mechanisms, this article aims to contribute to our accruing knowledge of OnB and the developing potential in ameliorating hypoxia- and metabolic stress-related conditions and fostering innovative therapies.

The purported cognitive benefits associated with nicotine and its metabolites in the brain are a matter of debate. In this review, the impact of the pharmacologically active metabolite of a nicotine derivative produced by bacteria (6-hydroxy-L-nicotine) on memory, oxidative stress, and the activity of the cholinergic system in the brain was examined. A search in the PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases, limiting entries to those no later than July 2023, was conducted. The search focused specifically on articles pertaining to nicotine metabolites, memory, oxidative stress, cholinergic system activity, as well as enzymes or pathways related to nicotine degradation in bacteria. The preliminary search resulted in 696 articles, and following the application of exclusion criteria, 185 articles were deemed eligible for inclusion. This review focuses on experimental studies supporting nicotine catabolism in bacteria, and the chemical and pharmacological activities of nicotine and its metabolite 6-hydroxy-L-nicotine.

Keywords: Climate change, stress factors, Vitis spp., extreme climate events, sustainable agriculture

Photosynthesis response curves were carried out using different light intensities in 14 olive cultivars subjected to moderate and severe water deficits. For each cultivar, the electronic transfer ratio in response to light was also obtained. The mathematical adjustment of these response curves allowed calculating, with a correlation coefficient above 0.95, parameters such as photosynthetic efficiency, the slope of the curves, the number of electrons required to fix a CO2 molecule, and the number of photons to assimilate a molecule of CO2, among others, as well as their variation with the lack of water. This work represents the first contribution of the response of photosynthesis in olive cultivars to different light intensities in moderate and severe drought conditions for a considerable number of cultivars. The parameters described, and the results provided, pave the road for subsequent work related to plant physiology and other areas of science and technology, and allow the tolerance to water stress to be objectively compared in these fourteen olive cultivars.

In the evolving landscape of higher education, St. Michael's College (SMC) recognizes the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on student welfare. This paper emphasizes the critical importance of addressing mental health, time management, and stress in the college environment, underlining their influence on academic success and personal growth. The call to action urges students to prioritize their well-being. Diverse cultural and religious perspectives, including Islam, emphasize the importance of a balanced mind and body. The wide-ranging literature review uncovers empirically supported strategies for mental health, time management, and stress reduction. Personal autonomy emerges as crucial in addressing these challenges. This study underscores the importance of these dimensions, calls for student action, and highlights the diversity of perspectives contributing to holistic well-being.