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Patient-matched transcriptomics of in vivo and in vitro colonic epithelium substantiate organoids as a translational model for ulcerative colitis
Abstract Ulcerative colitis (UC) is characterized by cytokine-driven inflammation and barrier disruption in the colon, making epithelial dysfunction central to disease pathology. Intestinal epithelial organoids (IEOs) preserve donor-specific genetics and architecture, offering a promising model, but their ability to replicate patient-specific epithelial inflammation remains undetermined. To directly compare in vivo epithelial transcriptional states with defined cytokine-induced responses in vitro, we analyzed patient-matched transcriptomics from laser microdissected inflamed and uninflamed colonic epithelium and IEOs derived from uninflamed biopsies of the same UC patients. IEOs were stimulated with UC-relevant cytokines (TNF, IFNγ, IFNλ1, or TNF + IFNγ) or a cytokine cocktail (TNF, IL17, IL1β, IL22, Poly(I:C), IFNγ). Key inflammatory genes were validated by immunoblotting and immunostaining. Cytokine-stimulated IEOs recapitulated key in vivo epithelial inflammation, including interferon signaling, antigen presentation, and unfolded protein response pathways. Among the tested conditions, TNF + IFNγ combination and the cytokine cocktail most closely replicated UC epithelial inflammation, with concordance for over 350 UC-relevant genes and protein-level validation of IRF1, ERAP2, NOS2, DUOX2 confirmed patient-dependent expression between inflamed epithelium and cytokine-stimulated IEOs. Our study shows that cytokine-stimulated IEOs provide a robust, personalized platform for modeling epithelial inflammation, enabling discovery of epithelial-specific disease mechanisms and therapeutic targets.
Source apportionment of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in soils of the Huayuan Manganese Mining Area using PCA-IDW and PMF
Mapping metabolic modules to chemotypic variation in Iranian Anethum graveolens L. ecotypes under harvest times
Bio Polyhydroxybutyrate /Fiber castor Oil Hybrid Composite (CO-BPFHC) as adsorbent for simultaneous removal of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Cr(VI) from wastewater: mechanistic insights and thermodynamic evaluation
Kitchen waste-derived activated carbon from Murraya koenigii seeds as an electrode material for supercapacitors
Legume cover cropping enhances soil function and yield stability in wheat–maize systems under groundwater overexploitation in the North China Plain
Gender gap in returns to publications
Abstract Gender equity in science depends not only on who participates in research, but also on how their work is rewarded. We examine gender gaps in monetary returns to research productivity, pay, and credit attribution using a novel dataset linking salary and publication records for professors at U.S. public universities. While our main contribution shows that there is no robust evidence of a significant gender gap in monetary returns to publications, we uncover substantial heterogeneity across disciplines and authorship structures. Women in medical and health sciences experience a negative gap in returns of 10.7% relative to men for equivalent research output. The unconditional gender pay gap averages 15.4%, with variation across disciplines, ranging from 5.5% in agricultural sciences to 20.9% in social sciences. It declines to 4.9% after controls. Finally, women earn higher returns to solo-authored work but lower returns to larger co-author networks than men.
Personality development from early to middle adulthood in the general population and those with mental health difficulties
A new approach to evaluation and recalibration of the reference evapotranspiration models based on pan evaporation for Iran’s coastal regions
Tunable mechanical, corrosion, and antimicrobial performance in multifunctional Cux‑Cr-Fe-Mn-Ni high-entropy alloys and E-beam coatings
Abstract Cu x -Cr-Fe-Mn-Ni high-entropy alloys and their electron-beam-deposited coatings demonstrate a tunable balance of mechanical strength, corrosion resistance, and antimicrobial performance, offering a new paradigm for multifunctional protective materials. Dense nanocrystalline coatings with complex phase coexistence achieved exceptional hardness (~ 9.4 GPa) and a high elastic strain-to-failure ratio (H/E ≈ 0.05), indicating potential for improved resistance to wear and contact damage. Controlled Cu content governs surface oxide composition, simultaneously enhancing corrosion protection and enabling targeted bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (up to 71% reduction), mitigating microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) in saline environments. These results reveal a critical interplay between phase structure, surface chemistry, and functional performance, establishing a rational pathway for designing high-performance coatings and bulk alloys with environment-specific multifunctionality. Cu x -Cr-Fe-Mn-Ni HEAs are versatile candidates for industrial, marine, and energy applications where tailored mechanical, chemical, and antimicrobial properties are required.
Digital readiness and family support are associated with later learning engagement through digital self-efficacy among rural Chinese children
Abstract Digital technologies are increasingly embedded in primary education, yet rural children’s engagement may depend not only on access to technology but also on readiness to use digital resources for learning. This two-wave time-lagged study examined whether digital readiness was associated with later learning engagement among rural Chinese children through digital self-efficacy, and whether family support strengthened this indirect association. Participants were 768 Grade 5 and Grade 6 students from 15 rural primary schools in Sichuan Province, China. Digital readiness, family support, baseline learning engagement, and demographic variables were assessed at T1; digital self-efficacy and learning engagement were assessed three months later at T2. After controlling for baseline engagement and demographic covariates, T1 digital readiness was positively associated with T2 learning engagement. Digital self-efficacy partially accounted for this longitudinal association, and family support strengthened the association between digital readiness and digital self-efficacy. Measurement validation, attrition effect sizes, and school-clustered robustness checks supported the robustness of the findings. These results suggest that rural children’s later learning engagement is linked to readiness-related conditions and family support, but the findings should be interpreted as longitudinal associations rather than causal effects.
Hydrodynamic control of fluvial oncoid formation in a modern high-energy tropical cascade system
POTEF upregulation drives hepatocellular carcinoma progression via oncogenic signaling and immune modulation
Sustainable–resilient and climate-responsive e-waste supply chain network design under uncertainty using four-valued refined neutrosophic optimization
A model system test of trophic transmission of RNA interference effects using the milkweed bug Oncopeltus fasciatus (Hemiptera)
Nanozymatic platform for dual colorimetric and fluorimetric sensing of H₂O₂ and glucose using Ni-CoWO₄ nanoparticles
Synergistic enhancement of athletic performance and psychological resilience through AI-driven personalized exercise regimens network
Open-label placebos reduce hair cortisol concentrations and psychological distress - a randomized controlled trial
Abstract The exposure to stressful events, such as demanding university exams, is associated with psychological distress and elevated physiological stress responses, which may impair performance. Recent research suggests that open-label placebo (OLP) treatments can effectively reduce psychological distress. However, evidence regarding OLP effects on biomarkers remains limited, highlighting the need for systematic investigation. This study presents the first longitudinal randomized controlled trial examining a four-week OLP intervention on hair cortisol concentrations (HCC) and psychological distress, using oral university exams as real-life stressors. 134 healthy university students were randomized to an OLP group receiving placebo pills or a control group without treatment. Psychological distress was assessed via a latent factor derived from area under the curve (AUCi) values of negative affect, test anxiety, subjective stress, and exam-related stress, continuously measured during the intervention. Analyses revealed decreasing HCC in the OLP group, demonstrating for the first time a long-term physiological effect of OLPs comparable to other stress-management interventions. Results further indicate reduced psychological distress in the OLP group. Pre-exam negative affect mediated subsequent improvements in exam grades observed in the OLP group, compared to the controls. These findings provide first evidence that OLPs may attenuate physiological and psychological impacts of prolonged stress exposure. Trial registration: This study was registered at the German clinical trials register (DRKS00031423).
Breast cancer risk genes affecting individual radiosensitivity
Abstract Increased radiosensitivity can cause adverse radiotherapy effects. Heterozygote variants in breast cancer risk genes increase cancer risk and may affect radiosensitivity. This study assessed their impact on individual radiosensitivity to determine the radiation risk for gene carriers. Radiosensitivity was analyzed in 273 patients with breast cancer risk gene variants. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization (FiSH), chromosomal aberrations were quantified as breaks per metaphase (B/M) after ex vivo irradiation of blood lymphocytes. Results were compared with healthy controls and breast cancer cases, both without confirmed non-carrier status, limiting gene-specific conclusions. Gene carriers showed slightly increased radiosensitivity (mean 0.488 B/M ± 0.134) compared with healthy controls (0.411 B/M ± 0.088; p < 0.0001) but similar to breast cancer control group (0.498 B/M ± 0.192; p = 0.563). In BRCA1/2 carriers, radiosensitivity was slightly increased, while single cases in BARD1 , RAD51 , and MSH variants suggested a possible increase ( p < 0.003). Radiosensitivity was influenced by gene locus, variant type, age, and cancer history. 24.5% of carriers exceeded a cutoff of ≥ 0.55 B/M, where dose reduction could be considered. Radiosensitivity of breast cancer risk gene carriers varies and is slightly increased. Individuals with increased radiosensitivity risk should consider testing.