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Controlling the structural, optical, and dielectric properties of PVP/NaAlg-MWCNT flexible nanocomposites for next-generation electronics
Central and peripheral analgesia in irradiated rats: reserpine-induced pain model
Abstract Over one-third of the world’s population suffers from persistent or recurrent pain. Thus, this study was designed to investigate the possible analgesic effect offered by a low gamma-irradiation dose, as well as to elucidate its mechanisms of action; either through central, peripheral or indirect analgesia via the attenuation of oxidative stress and/or inflammation that are the proposed components of pain induction in the reserpine-induced model. Thirty male rats were divided into: group I (Normal), group II (Reserpine), group III (Reserpine + Radiation), groups IV (Reserpine + Naloxone + Radiation), and group V (Reserpine + Diclofenac). Pain assessment by tail-flick test and Haffner’s tail clip method were performed, in addition to estimation of serum substance-P (SP) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, and brain contents of nitric oxide (NO), malondialdehyde (MDA) and dopamine (DA). Results displayed that administration of reserpine induced a significant reduction in both peripheral and central pain thresholds. However, low dose radiation induced a significant delay in pain latency in both tail-flick and Haffner’s tail clip tests, as compared to reserpine untreated group. Low dose radiation peripheral analgesic effect was similar to the analgesia offered by diclofenac. Low dose irradiation-induced analgesia revealed in Haffner’s clip test was significantly blocked upon the administration of naloxone prior to irradiation as compared to the reserpine + radiation group. Also, this study showed that the reserpine intoxication induced an elevation in rat brain MDA and NO, and serum TNF-α and SP levels, as well as a significant reduction in brain DA content as compared to the normal group. On the other hand, irradiation of reserpinized rats resulted in a restoration of all these parameters. Finally, it could be concluded that low radiation dose exerts analgesic effects through functional modulation of nociceptive pathways, potentially involving opioid-related mechanisms, as well as antioxidant and/or anti-inflammatory effects.
Development and temporal validation of 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival prediction models for hepatocellular carcinoma using the SEER database
Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for most primary liver cancers and displays substantial variability in survival outcomes. Existing staging systems, such as the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC), and China Liver Cancer Staging (CNLC) systems, often fail to capture individual heterogeneity. Additionally, many published prognostic models rely on small cohorts, predict survival at only a single timepoint, or lack temporal or external validation. Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program, we developed and temporally validated multi-timepoint Cox models to predict 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival in HCC. A total of 3850 patients diagnosed between 2018 and 2022 were included for model development and internal testing, and 2268 patients diagnosed in 2016–2017 formed an independent temporal validation cohort. Age, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level, fibrosis status, AJCC stage, and surgical treatment were identified as independent prognostic factors and incorporated into a multi-timepoint nomogram. The model achieved C-indices of 0.762, 0.760, and 0.726 in the training, test, and temporal validation cohorts. Time-dependent AUCs at 1, 2, and 3 years were 0.814, 0.801, and 0.780 in the training cohort; 0.824, 0.809, and 0.807 in the test cohort; and 0.794, 0.793, and 0.779 in the temporal validation cohort, demonstrating consistently strong discrimination. Calibration and decision curve analyses confirmed accurate agreement and clinical benefit. These findings indicate that the proposed model provides a robust tool for individualized survival prediction and risk-stratified clinical decision-making in HCC.
A hybrid decision-support framework for selecting sustainable domestic heating systems in cold climates
Ex vivo effects of low dose delayed release rapamycin on agonist-induced platelet aggregation, activation and procoagulant platelet phenotypes in domestic cats
AI enhanced optimization of college physical education programs using hybrid genetic algorithms and learning based fitness evaluation
Impact of generator replacement and other device procedures on timing of implantable cardioverter-defibrillator lead removal
New insights into the chemical composition and biological activities of Lawsonia inermis seeds and leaves: a comparative study
The impact of technostress and generative AI on EFL mathematic metacognitive reading strategies and digital classroom burnout in SDG-aligned education
A potential cis-regulatory element regulates differential expression of long wavelength-sensitive opsins in zebrafish
Abstract Human long and medium wavelength-sensitive (LWS/MWS) opsins arose from a tandem duplication event resulting in opsins with divergent spectral sensitivities. Zebrafish independently underwent tandem duplication of their lws opsin, resulting in two spectrally divergent genes, lws1/lws2. Thyroid hormone (TH) differentially regulates these opsins; increased TH causes an increase in lws1 expression at the expense of lws2 (“opsin switching”). Here we investigate a cis-regulatory sequence that may mediate the response to TH using promoter-reporter analysis in transgenic zebrafish. We show that the 2.6-kb region upstream of lws1 combined with the 1.8-kb intergenic region are sufficient for typical lws1/2 expression and regulation by TH. We identify the 0.6-kb region upstream of lws1, as the likely region of TH-responsive cis-regulatory elements and use genomic prediction tools to uncover a putative lws regulatory element (LRE), in this 0.6-kb region. When we disrupt the LRE, we find that in larvae, lws1 reporter is prematurely expressed and does not respond to TH, and lws2 reporter increases in response to TH. In juveniles and adults, however, the patterning of lws1/2 reporters largely resembles stereotypical lws1/2 expression. Therefore, the LRE appears to be involved in differential expression of lws opsins and their response to TH during development.
In vitro adventitious root culture of Withania somnifera L.: a strategy for enhanced secondary metabolite production with therapeutic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory potential
Abstract The adventitious root culture is an effective in vitro technique for producing valuable secondary metabolites. These cultures operate independently of the shoots and quickly provide a substantial raw material. This study is the first report aimed at reducing the cost of biomass production by encouraging adventitious root development and examining the potential of secondary metabolites produced from adventitious root cultures of Withania somnifera L. to kill cancer cells (Hep-G2) and reduce in vitro inflammation activity by testing their ability to prevent lipoxygenase and proteinase from performing their activities. IBA concentrations were tested to induce adventitious roots from W. somnifera L. plantlet leaves; the optimal IBA concentration was 1.0 mg/L. In addition, increasing the number of subcultures led to an increase in biomass to 5.84-fold in the fifth subculture. The macronutrient content, antioxidant tests, flavonoids, phenolic, and HPLC analysis were assessed. Anticancer and anti-inflammatory characteristics were evaluated. The results of total phenolics and total flavonoids were 27.42 ± 2.57 and 7.21 ± 0.14 mg/g Dw, respectively, and total antioxidant activities, including DPPH and ABTS, were 13.61 ± 2.21 and 18.31 ± 1.34 mg/g Dw, respectively. HPLC analysis revealed that catechin and gallic acid were the highest compounds, with concentrations of 419.26 and 249.73 µg/g, respectively, which correlated with strong anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic activities in vitro. Moreover, the IC 50 for cytotoxicity against Hep-G2 was 100 µg/ml. In conclusion, the in vitro W. somnifera L. adventitious roots have shown promising results in the synthesis of secondary metabolites. Moreover, these adventitious roots have significant nutritional value, which increases antioxidant activity, in addition to their potential application as new natural secondary metabolites.