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Efficient design and production of glycosylated PEDV spike S1 protein
Heteroatom-Engineered Covalent Organic Frameworks Break the CO <sub>2</sub> Separation Trade-Off in Mixed Matrix Membranes
Effect of six weeks of dynamic cervical PNF training on neck disability index in men with video display terminal syndrome: a randomized controlled trial
A Zeolite-MOF Synergy: Multi-Shell Nanoreactors for Tandem Catalysis
Lactobacillus yoelii Lac-2 mediates the mechanism of MAPK signaling pathway involved in the regulation of intestinal barrier and pathogen translocation by Zonulin expression
Abstract Yak is an endemic livestock on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which is prone to diarrhea caused by intestinal pathogenic bacteria. In the context of insufficient vaccines and antibiotic resistance, screening lactic acid bacterial strains adapted to high-altitude environments has become a novel approach for the prevention and treatment of diarrhea. This study explored the mechanism by which Lactobacillus yoelii Lac-2 regulates the intestinal barrier and pathogen translocation via the MAPK pathway, with a focus on zonulin expression. Zonulin up-regulation and knockdown were performed in intestinal epithelial cell lines, and a monolayer epithelial barrier was established using Transwell chambers. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, Escherichia coli (E. coli) O78 model group, low- and high-dose Lactobacillus yoelii Lac-2 groups. MAPK agonist and inhibitor were added to the corresponding groups, respectively. The expressions of zonulin, mucins (MUC1, MUC2), and tight junction proteins (ZO-1, Occludin, Claudin 1) were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. The barrier integrity was evaluated by transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER), FITC-dextran (FD4) permeability, and flow cytometry to detect bacterial translocation and cell apoptosis levels. The results confirmed that zonulin up-regulation and knockdown cell lines were successfully constructed, and the MAPK pathway was effectively intervened. Zonulin upregulation and MAPK pathway activation significantly decreased TEER, increased FD4 permeability and bacterial translocation, downregulated the expressions of MUC1, MUC2, ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin 1, and promoted cell apoptosis, thereby impairing the intestinal barrier protective effect of Lactobacillus yoelii Lac-2. Collectively, yak-derived Lactobacillus yoelii Lac-2 can reduce zonulin expression by inhibiting the MAPK signaling pathway, maintain the tight junction structure, and decrease pathogenic bacterial translocation, thereby alleviating E. coli O78 -induced intestinal epithelial barrier damage and exerting a protective effect on the intestinal barrier.
A Lens into the Cu Nanograin by <i>In Situ</i> Vibrational Spectroscopy
Prevalence, risk factors, and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus in equines in Egypt
Ketal-Bridged Rhodamines as a New Scaffold for Near-Infrared Chemigenetic Indicators with Enhanced Fluorogenicity
White Matter Damage in Multiple Sclerosis Disproportionately Targets Default Mode, Executive Control, and Salience Networks
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and several other neurodegenerative disorders affect structurally and functionally connected brain networks. However, the extent of structural damage within specific networks relative to global white matter has not been systematically explored in MS. The aims of this study were therefore to investigate white matter within six brain networks—i.e., dorsal/ventral default mode, left/right executive control, and anterior/posterior salience networks—to (1) determine whether MS white matter lesions are disproportionately prevalent in these regions compared with global white matter; (2) quantify microstructural degradation in these regions among persons with MS (pwMS) compared with healthy controls (HCs); and (3) ascertain whether network degradation is larger than expected compared with global white matter differences between pwMS and HCs. White matter lesion maps, global white matter masks, and whole-brain diffusion MRI maps of mean diffusivity from 104 pwMS (48 ± 12 years; 85 female) and 100 HCs (39 ± 16; 65 female) were analyzed using the UManitoba-JHU Functionally-Defined Human White Matter Atlases. Statistical analyses included parametric t tests and post hoc nonparametric Wilcoxon tests. Among pwMS, 4/6 white matter networks contained disproportionately high lesion volumes ( p < 0.008). All six networks exhibited lower microstructure among pwMS compared with HCs ( p < 0.008); and even after controlling for subject-specific global white matter values, 5/6 white matter networks exhibited disproportionately reduced tissue microstructure among pwMS compared with HCs ( p < 0.008). These findings suggest that MS disproportionately affects white matter structural connections underlying specific intrinsic brain networks, including the default mode, executive control, and salience networks.
Fructooligosaccharide supplementation ameliorates gut associated metabolic dysregulation in estrogen-deprived rats via targeting oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and gut microbiome
Hydrophobic Solvation-Driven Stabilization of the Fluorenone Radical for the Anolyte of All-Organic Flow Batteries under Benign pH Conditions
Architecture-driven enhancement of tribological performance, surface integrity, and hardness in magnesium-carbon fiber hybrid sandwich composites for key aerospace applications
Abstract Magnesium-carbon fiber (Mg-CF) sandwich composites are promising lightweight materials for aerospace applications; however, their tribological performance and surface durability under sliding conditions remain insufficiently understood, particularly regarding the influence of fiber architecture. This study addresses this gap by investigating the wear behaviour, surface roughness evolution, and hardness characteristics of Mg-CF sandwich composites with different fiber orientations. The composites were fabricated using filament drum winding, hand lay-up, and compression moulding, incorporating unidirectional ([0°], [45°], [90°]), bidirectional ([0°/90°], [45°/−45°]), and multidirectional ([0°/90°/45°/−45°]) stacking configurations. Tribological performance was evaluated using a pin-on-disc test under dry sliding conditions (20 N load, 300 rpm, and 848 m sliding distance) to determine the specific wear rate and coefficient of friction. Surface roughness and Vickers microhardness were analysed to support tribological performance, while scanning electron microscopy was used to identify dominant wear mechanisms. The results demonstrate that fiber architecture plays a decisive role in wear resistance, with the multidirectional laminate (Mg/CF[0°/90°/45°/−45°] 2 /Mg) exhibiting the lowest specific wear rate (0.86 × 10⁻³ mm³/N·m), corresponding to an improvement of approximately 44% compared to the unidirectional configuration. The reduced wear is supported by a lower coefficient of friction (0.145), minimal surface roughness increment (0.42 μm), and enhanced cross-sectional hardness (47.27 HV), indicating improved load distribution and interfacial stability. SEM observations revealed predominantly abrasive wear with reduced damage in multidirectional configurations. Overall, the study establishes a clear structure-tribology relationship, demonstrating that optimized fiber architectures significantly enhance wear resistance and surface integrity in Mg-CF sandwich composites.