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Masked autoencoder pretraining for peripheral nerve segmentation in ultrasound images
Inhibition of red blood cell-derived small extracellular vesicles release by calpeptin attenuates neutrophil inflammation
Real-time polarization control for satellite QKD with liquid-crystal beacon stabilization
Abstract Polarization instability is a critical challenge for polarization-entangled satellite quantum key distribution (QKD), where atmospheric effects and platform motion continuously distort photon polarization. To maintain entanglement fidelity, these transformations must be accurately identified and compensated prior to detection. In this work, a compact and fast polarization-compensation approach based on liquid-crystal (LC) variable retarders is presented, using a co-propagating classical reference signal (beacon) for real-time polarization tracking. An LC-based polarimeter is implemented, and its performance is evaluated using both direct and Fourier-based Stokes parameter reconstruction. Experimental results indicate that accurate polarization estimation can be achieved with a limited number of measurements, enabling a favorable trade-off between speed and precision. The impact of liquid-crystal switching dynamics is also analyzed, highlighting the importance of selecting appropriate operating conditions for real-time applications. In addition, the effect of polarimetric inaccuracies on QKD performance is assessed through simulations of an entanglement-based protocol. The results show that only a moderate increase in quantum-bit error rate is introduced, while remaining compatible with secure key distribution. These findings demonstrate that LC-based polarization control represents an efficient and practical solution for real-time compensation in satellite QKD systems.
A new eucrocopodan archosauriform from the Middle Triassic of southern Brazil and the phylogeny of Euparkeriidae
UAV aerial image-based apparent defect detection method for embankments using an integrated framework of improved YOLOv8 and SAHI
YOLO-Ro-KCF: a lightweight gradient-guided real-time multi-object tracking framework for embedded UAV vision systems
Host-dependent variation in free amino acid profiles and physiological responses enhancing drought tolerance in Santalum album
Comprehensive genomic analysis of avian Escherichia coli from Noakhali uncovers multidrug resistance, metal resistance, and zoonotic signatures
Ambient Construction of Quinazoline-Linked Covalent Organic Frameworks via Solar-Driven Intrinsic Photochemical Aromatization
Irisquinone exerts anti-osteosarcoma activity by regulating the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway
Preparation, characterization and in-vivo evaluation of nanoemulsion based hydrogel of ferulic acid in imiquimod-induced psoriasis in rats
Abstract Psoriasis is skin inflammation caused by an immune system dysfunction, involving a complex interaction between immune cells and keratinocytes. The aim of this study was to develop nanoemulsion (NE) based hydrogel containing ferulic acid, a poorly water-soluble compound and evaluate its effect on imiquimod induced psoriasis like skin inflammation. Ferulic acid nanoemulsion (FA-NE) was prepared by ultra-sonication method. Castor oil, Tween-80 and propylene glycol were selected for NE preparation as oil phase surfactant and cosurfactant respectively based on solubility. The NE particle size (29.8 ± 0.49 nm) was within colloidal range, polydispersity index (0.21 ± 0.02) showed homogenous NE, zeta potential (28.5 ± 0.57 mV) indicated stable NE. Entrapment efficiency (96.26 ± 0.33%) and pH (6.8 ± 0.15) was also in suitable range. The rheological study results of FA-NE hydrogel indicated pseudoplastic behavior. The pH and spreadibility were 6.2 ± 0.15 and 8.2 ± 0.89 respectively, suitable for topical application. The optimized FA-NE hydrogel was tested on male Wistar rats (100–150 g) divided into five groups ( n = 5). Psoriasis like disease was induced by applying 5% imiquimod (IMQ) cream for 7 days on the shaved dorsal skin of four groups (except normal group) and psoriasis area severity index (PASI) scoring were calculated. The application of optimized FA-NE hydrogel dramatically reduced TNF-α, IL-6, IL-17 A, IL-23, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, malondialdehyde and catalase biomarkers when compared to the disease group. These results were consistent with the in-silico docking studies with highest docking score observed with TNF-α. The treatment group’s spleen index reduced significantly. Histopathological findings showed increased capillaries, skin thinning, small dermal projections, and inflammatory cells around blood vessels with 5% IMQ cream application and FA-NE hydrogel greatly reduced these psoriatic changes. Immunohistochemical Ki-67 analysis demonstrated that disease control rats expressed more protein than normal, treatment, and standard animals. The FA-NE hydrogel effectively reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in a rat model of psoriasis, suggesting its potential as a topical treatment.
Evaluating the role of silica fume and Alccofine in concrete mechanical and durability strength using machine learning models
genotype–phenotype correlation in lattice corneal dystrophy: added diagnostic value of high-resolution OCT
Endothelial SHMT2 Drives Pulmonary Vascular Remodeling Through Noncanonical Pathway in Pulmonary Hypertension
BACKGROUND: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a progressive, life-threatening disease characterized primarily by pulmonary vascular remodeling in which endothelial dysfunction plays a vital role. However, the molecular factors contributing to this pathological process remain incompletely understood. Through proteomic analysis of hypoxia-treated human pulmonary artery endothelial cells, we identified serine hydroxymethyltransferase 2 (SHMT2) as a potential target in PH, but its role in disease pathogenesis and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. METHODS: The expression and function of SHMT2 were assessed in lung samples from patients with PH and in rodent PH models, including hypoxia-exposed mice and monocrotaline- or Sugen 5416/hypoxia–induced rats. Endothelial cell–specific SHMT2 loss and gain of function were achieved by conditional knockout and adeno-associated virus 9–mediated gene modulation. In vitro studies were performed in hypoxia-treated human pulmonary artery endothelial cells and HEK-293T cells. Virtual screening was used to identify a small-molecule inhibitor targeting the nonmetabolic function of SHMT2, and its therapeutic potential was further evaluated in rodent PH models. RESULTS: SHMT2 was upregulated predominantly in pulmonary vascular endothelium of patients with PH and multiple rodent PH models. In vivo, endothelial cell–specific deletion of Shmt2 markedly attenuated pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular dysfunction in PH mice, whereas endothelial cell–specific Shmt2 overexpression aggravated PH development. Consistently, adeno-associated virus 9–mediated endothelial Shmt2 knockdown alleviated PH phenotypes in rat models. Mechanistically, SHMT2 promoted hypoxia-induced endothelial barrier dysfunction mainly through a noncanonical function by blocking the K63-ubiquitin–mediated lysosomal degradation of ras homolog family member B (RhoB). Additional in vivo studies supported an important role of the endothelial SHMT2-RhoB axis in pulmonary vascular remodeling of PH. Through virtual screening, Namodenoson was identified as a small-molecule inhibitor targeting the SHMT2-RhoB pathway. In vivo, Namodenoson showed both preventive and therapeutic effects against PH. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights endothelial SHMT2 as an important contributor to PH pathogenesis and reveals a noncanonical SHMT2-RhoB pathway that promotes endothelial dysfunction. Targeting this pathway may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for PH.
Exploring pain sensitivity changes after acceptance and attention bias modification trainings: preliminary evidence on fear of pain and attention bias
Heart Rate and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Post–Myocardial Infarction Patients Treated by β-Blockers: A Secondary Analysis of the ABYSS Trial
BACKGROUND: Heart rate (HR) is a key prognostic factor after myocardial infarction (MI), but its relevance in the modern reperfusion era is uncertain. We aim to evaluate the association between HR and β-blocker interruption on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: A prespecified secondary analysis of the ABYSS trial (Assessment of Beta-Blocker Interruption 1 Year After an Uncomplicted Myocardial Infarction), including 3698 stable post-MI patients (left ventricular ejection fraction ≥40%) randomized to continue or interrupt β-blockers, was conducted. Patients were grouped by prerandomization HR tertiles: <60 bpm (T1), 60 to <68 (T2), and ≥68 (T3). We examined associations between HR, treatment strategy, and the primary endpoint (death, MI, stroke, or cardiovascular rehospitalization), major secondary endpoints, and on-treatment HR. RESULTS: Median age in the study population was 63.5 years (55.9–71.1), and there were 621 women (17.1%). Baseline HR was not associated with the primary endpoint (22.4% versus 21.8% versus 21.6%; P= 0.867). Higher HR was associated with increased risk of death, MI, or stroke (5.5% versus 6.4% versus 9.2%; P <0.001; T3 versus T1 adjusted hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% CI, 1.14–2.12) and death, MI, stroke, or heart failure (6.5% versus 7.1% versus 10.4%; P= 0.007; T3 versus T1 adjusted hazard ratio, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.11–1.97). All-cause mortality rose across tertiles (2.9% versus 3.4% versus 5.9%; P= 0.004; P trend=0.008). β-Blocker interruption produced a dose-dependent HR increase of ≈10–13 bpm during follow-up. The association between interruption and worse outcomes was consistent across HR tertiles (no significant interaction) and LVEF categories (40% to 49% and >50%). CONCLUSIONS: In stabilized post-MI patients with preserved ejection fraction, higher HR remains associated with adverse cardiovascular events and mortality in the reperfusion era. Interrupting β-blockers substantially increases HR and is consistently linked with worse outcomes irrespective of baseline HR, supporting continuation of β-blocker therapy.
Land deformation analysis using SBAS-InSAR time series with land cover class-specific coherence filtering for the Mississippi River Delta
Tendinopathy alters the time course of free achilles tendon morphological recovery following eccentric exercise
Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate and short-term (0–3 h) effects of a single bout of eccentric plantarflexion exercise on three-dimensional (3D) Achilles tendon (AT) morphology in healthy and tendinopathic tendons. The eccentric exercise protocol consisted of six sets of 15 unilateral heel drops performed on a step. Freehand 3D ultrasound scans of the AT were acquired immediately before exercise and at 30-minute intervals over a 3-hour post-exercise recovery period to quantify tendon volume, length, and cross-sectional area (CSA). An exponential function characterized the recovery time course and calculated recovery time constants. Following eccentric exercise, both tendinopathic and healthy tendons exhibited immediate reductions in volume and CSA and increased tendon length. Tendinopathic tendons demonstrated a faster initial recovery of morphological properties, as indicated by shorter recovery time constants, compared with healthy tendons. However, this early recovery plateaued after one hour, and morphological recovery remained significantly lower than that of healthy tendons during the 2–3 h post-exercise period. These findings suggest that tendinopathic tendons exhibit an early but incomplete morphological recovery characterized by faster initial fluid reabsorption followed by a reduced capacity for sustained recovery, likely reflecting degeneration-related alterations in tendon structure and poroelastic behavior.
Green and applicable chromatographic approaches for the estimation of a multi-component cold and flu relief formulation along with in-vitro dissolution profiling
Abstract The emergence of novel pharmaceutical formulations requires the establishment of a reliable analytical method that can accurately quantify active ingredients for use in diverse quality control applications. An over-the-counter pharmaceutical combination of phenylephrine hydrochloride (PHE), chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM), and ibuprofen (IBU) is formulated to treat allergy, lessen fever, and relieve congestion. Two efficient and applicable liquid chromatographic methodologies were established, with an emphasis on ecological sustainability while preserving analytical precision and accuracy, in addition system suitability parameters were successfully determined for each method. The first approach involved high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) combined with densitometric quantification, employing silica gel HPTLC 60 F 254 aluminum sheets as the stationary phase. The developing system comprised ethyl acetate–methanol–aqueous ammonium hydroxide (8.0:2.0:0.1, by volume), and scanning was carried out at 265.0 nm. The respective resolutions (R s ) were 8.44 and 4.57 for PHE, IBU, and CPM, respectively. The second one is high-performance liquid chromatographic methodology (HPLC), whereas, efficient separation was achieved on a Kromasil 60-5-CN column using isocratic elution of 10.0 mM ammonium acetate buffer and ethanol (50: 50, v/v), adjusted with acetic acid to pH 2.5 at a flow rate of 1.3 mL/min, with DAD quantification at 265.0 nm, with overall run time about 6 min to achieve sufficient separation among the target analytes. The resolutions (Rs) were determined to be 7.62 and 3.21 for PHE, CPM, and IBU, respectively. The investigated approaches’ performance was validated in adherence to the guidelines established by the International Conference on Harmonization guidelines, confirming its reliability for analytical application. Limit of detection (LOD) values were determined to be 0.02, 0.01, and 0.22 µg/band for PHE, CPM, and IBU, respectively in HPTLC method, whilst in HPLC-DAD method, LOD values were 0.03, 0.01, and 0.24 µg/mL for PHE, CPM, and IBU, respectively. These approaches can concurrently estimate the cited drugs in their raw forms, as well as their pharmaceutical combination. In addition, HPLC can monitor their dissolution profiles. Moreover, the applicability profile and ecological sustainability of the studied approaches were verified via employing up-to-date evaluation tools, along with comparisons against official and reported methodologies.