Browse Articles

Isolation of aerobic denitrifying bacteria Stutzerimonas stutzeri and its application in coking wastewater treatment

Assessing the micromechanical architecture of joint tissues with speckle rheological microscopy

The network pharmacology prediction and experiment validation of Astragalus membranaceus for alleviating silicosis fibrosis via decreasing MMP9 and EGFR expression

NF-κB activation in astrocytes impairs wound healing after traumatic brain injury in male mice

Abstract Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a complex condition in which multiple pathophysiological mechanisms influence the course of the disease. After the initial mechanical impact, neuroinflammatory reactions of glial cells along with infiltrating peripheral immune cells determine the overall clinical outcome. However, these secondary processes and their molecular determinants promoting either beneficial or detrimental consequences are not well-defined. Here, we show that TBI-mediated NF-κB activation in astrocytes impairs their homeostatic functions, amplifies the post-traumatic neuroimmune response and disturbs the multicellular CNS scar development in a male mouse model of TBI. Our results further demonstrate a specific deficit in the formation of the glial limitans border and establish that paracrine signaling pathways induced by NF-κB-activated astrocytes can prevent a beneficial restoration of the CNS integrity after TBI. These findings enhance our understanding on the NF-κB-mediated post-traumatic pathophysiology and provide information on future targeted therapies to improve TBI outcome.

A data migration and integration approach for big data management using linked data

CPF-CF-terminated snoRNAs shuttle through the cytoplasm via an mRNA guard protein-mediated surveillance mechanism

Abstract Although small nucleolar (sno)RNAs, which guide ribosomal (r)RNA modification, are synthesized and function in the nucleus, some of them can be detected in the cytoplasm. Here, we identify Mex67 and Xpo1 as snoRNP export receptors, and Mtr10 and Cse1 as their re-import factors. Interestingly, only a fraction of snoRNAs shuttle, and we reveal that the mode of transcription determines whether or not the snoRNA is exported. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae , RNA polymerase II-transcribed RNAs are terminated either via the Nrd1-Nab3-Sen1 (NNS) complex or the cleavage and polyadenylation factor (CPF-CF) complex. NNS termination, which mostly occurs for snoRNAs, leads to nuclear retention. Conversely, fail-safe CPF-CF termination results in transcript polyadenylation and subsequent association of the guard proteins Hrp1 and Nab2, which in turn mediate Mex67–Mtr2 dependent export. Importantly, re-imported CPF-CF-terminated snoRNAs form functional snoRNPs. Together, we identified that transcription termination mode determines snoRNA export through a guard protein-controlled mechanism.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of ediacaran ceramiales (Rhodophyta) from the phosphorite doushantuo formation, South China

Abstract The Ediacaran Doushantuo Formation (551–635 Ma) is known to include excellently preserved microfossils that reveal information about early eukaryotic evolution. Here, we report the presence of Vetusceramium sinense gen. et sp. nov., a new multicellular red algal fossil from the Weng’an Phosphorite Member of the Doushantuo Formation, South China. Reconstruction of the fossils using synchrotron X-ray tomography shows that these specimens bear a multilayered uniaxial thallus comprising a large central axial cell, pericentral corticated cell filaments, and possible pit connections, which bear similarity to the branches of modern Ceramiales belonging to Rhodophyta. However, the absence of reproductive features, such as gametangia, prevents crown group classification, suggesting a stem group affinity within the Ceramiales. This evidence suggests the possibility of pushing back the occurrence of Ceramiales-like multicellularity to the late Ediacaran Period, demonstrating sophisticated developmental strategies in early photoautotrophs. This report highlights the importance of phosphatization in uncovering subcellular details and offers key insights into the evolution of red algae before the Cambrian radiation.

Optimizing spatial organization of FtsZ rings for large-scale constriction in synthetic cells

Abstract Spatially regulated membrane constriction is an important milestone in reconstituting minimal cell division. In giant lipid vesicles, bottom-up approaches have reproduced the assembly, mid-cell positioning, and the initial constriction of an FtsZ-based minimal divisome. However, progressive deformation towards giant vesicle scission by near-equatorial Z rings could so far never be observed. One obvious major limitation has been the scale mismatch, as pure reconstituted FtsZ rings typically exhibit bacterial diameters, too small to constrict typical cell-sized vesicles. Therefore, we explore the potential of other key divisome factors to scale up FtsZ-ring functionality in vitro to match the dimensions required for synthetic cell division. We here focus on cytoFtsN, the cytosolic domain of FtsN, and its effect on FtsZ self-organization. Remarkably, a molar excess of cytoFtsN promotes the formation of large, closed equatorial FtsZ rings on giant vesicle membranes, which are able to constrict to almost full closure. By fluorescence imaging and biochemical analysis, we show that cytoFtsN regulates the spatial organization of the FtsZ network primarily by aligning FtsZ filaments while reducing filament depolymerization. Our findings help to define key requirements in a minimal filament-based system for progressive membrane constriction and thus represent a major step forward towards constructing synthetic cells capable of self-division.

Contrasting effects of biochar and compost on greenhouse gas emissions and the global warming potential of semi-arid cropping systems

Abstract Agroecosystems in arid and semi-arid regions face growing risks of climate extremes and soil degradation. The addition of exogenous carbon can restore degraded soils by adding soil organic carbon, but its effects on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and global warming mitigation remain elusive. This study evaluated emissions of three major GHGs–nitrous oxide (N 2 O), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), and methane (CH 4 )–following soil amendment with biochar, compost, and a biochar + compost (BC) mixture. Biochar application reduced cumulative N 2 O–N and CH 4 –C emissions by 52% and 16%, respectively. Soil CH 4 –C emissions were generally negative, being lowest with biochar and highest with compost. During the crop season, average CO 2 –C and N 2 O–C emissions were 75% and 45% greater, respectively, while CH 4 –C was 66% less compared to the no-crop season. Increasing soil moisture content increased N 2 O–N emissions ( R 2  = 0.39), while soil temperature influenced CH 4 –C emissions ( R 2  = 0.37). Among amendments, biochar-treated soil had the lowest cumulative N 2 O–N and CH 4 –C emissions, reducing net global warming potential (GWP) by 43% and 30%, respectively, compared to compost-treated soil and control (CTRL). Biochar amendment can be a climate-smart strategy for semi-arid regions as it improves soil health and mitigates GWP by reducing N 2 O and CH 4 emissions.

Updating an allocentric goal from lateralised egocentric visual memories

Abstract Animals navigate by combining egocentric (viewpoint-dependent) and allocentric (world-referenced) spatial representations, yet how their brains achieve this integration remains unclear. Here we show how the brains of insect expert navigators, such as ants, accomplish this task. Field experiments reveal that ants recognise long-term egocentric visual memories – assumed to be encoded in the Mushroom Bodies – via a lateralized mechanism: instead of memorising views while facing their goal, ants store these memories by looking to the sides. Recognition signals inform whether to turn left or right, but do not directly drive motor responses. Instead, they are processed separately – presumably in the two brain hemispheres – and integrated to update a goal heading in an ancestral, central brain region –the central complex. This goal heading —now anchored in an allocentric frame—is then used with celestial compass cues for robust steering. Computational models based on insect neural circuits validate this two-stage process, demonstrating how noisy, viewpoint-dependent lateralized inputs are transformed into stable allocentric directional control. These findings reveal how compact brains leverage bilateral processing to combine spatial representations for visual navigation.

Thymbra spicata extracts against soilborne fungi: linking chemical composition, antifungal activity, and molecular docking insights

North American ice sheet persistence into past interglacials should inform future projections

Mapping epigenetic gene variant dynamics: comparative analysis of frequency, functional impact and trait associations in African and European populations

Synergistic aluminum dual-atom sites and nickel nanoclusters for acetylene selective hydrogenation

Abstract Synergistic catalysis, where distinct active species collaboratively activate different substrates, provides a powerful strategy for achieving chemical transformations with enhanced efficiency. Although Al 2 O 3 and bulk aluminum species are widely employed as catalyst supports, they are seldom regarded as active centers, especially in hydrogenation. Here, we show that atomically dispersed Al species can catalyze acetylene conversion at elevated temperatures. Building on this insight, we have designed a synergistic catalyst featuring precisely controlled Al dual-atom sites paired with Ni nanoclusters, synthesized via a solid-transformation-coupled gas-adsorption strategy to overcome the typical activity-selectivity trade-off. Under mild, cost-effective conditions, this catalyst achieves nearly full acetylene conversion with ~90% ethylene selectivity and excellent long-term stability. In situ spectroscopy and theoretical calculations reveal a cooperative mechanism: Ni nanoclusters efficiently dissociate H 2 into active hydrogen species (H*), while adjacent Al dual-atom sites shuttle the H* species to π-adsorbed acetylene, lowering the energy barrier for ethylene formation compared to over-hydrogenation and coke formation.

Association between stress hyperglycemia ratio and all-cause mortality in neurocritical patients

Community structure unveils the path multiplicity in complex networks

Abstract Networks with complex topologies describe numerous natural and social systems. Recent studies on path multiplicity have shown strong heterogeneity in shortest paths between node pairs in real-world networks. However, the mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unexplored. Here, we reveal that community structure is a key factor shaping path multiplicity. To explore the intrinsic factors that influence path multiplicity, we first introduce the concept of relative path multiplicity and find that community structure is more strongly correlated with path multiplicity than other network metrics. Through targeted edge-rewiring experiments, we verify the link between path multiplicity and community structure. The underlying mechanism can be interpreted as an interface-driven effect that sharply increases the number of shortest paths. Inspired by these findings, we propose a tribal-structure-based network model that reproduces phenomena observed in real-world networks. Our work enhances the understanding of network organization, with potential applications in network design and optimization.

Computational modeling for rational design of novel phenoxy tacrine derivatives targeting Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s is the leading factor behind dementia, producing steady impairments in memory, cognitive reasoning, behavioral, and social interactions. This scientific study investigates thirty-two phenoxy tacrine (PhO-THA) derivatives through an integrated computational modeling to identify potential therapeutic candidates. 3D-QSAR models were developed using comparative molecular similarity indices analysis and comparative molecular field analysis, which were subjected to rigorous internal and external validation to establish a robust quantitative relationship between molecular interaction fields and cytotoxic activities. Based on these validated structural insights, fourteen new compounds (D1-D14) were designed. Comprehensive molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, coupled with ADME-Tox profiling, were used to evaluate their pharmacological potential. Our results highlight four specific compounds (D9-D12) that exhibit favorable pharmacokinetic properties and a high safety profile, making them promising candidates for future drug development. D9 was selected for MD simulations due to its lower cytotoxic activity (pIC 50 of 3.50), which is comparable to the reference THA drug (pIC 50 of 3.52). The results demonstrated exceptional thermodynamic stability for D9 upon complexation with the NMDA receptor (PDB ID: 5EWJ) over a 100 ns simulation time.

Assessment of the causes and extent of damage to trees of Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. and G.Don) Cif. (wild olive) in the mountains of Oman

Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata (Wall. and G.Don) Cif. (wild olive) is one of the key woody species in the mountain habitats of Oman. Wild olive trees are scattered, isolated, and at risk from several threats including climate change, urbanization, browsing, human activity, and the introduction of non-native species. One hundred and eighty-four trees from eight locations in three mountain ranges (Eastern Hajar, Western Hajar, and Dhofar) in Oman were assessed. The extent of damage to trees caused by browsing, drought (dead branches), and human activity (cutting and burning) was scored between 10 June and 5 July 2020. Most olive trees in these mountain ranges exhibited moderate damage, ranging from 21% to 45%, while 29% of wild olive trees experienced high levels of damage, ranging from 45% to 64%. Wild olive trees in the Western Hajar Mountains and Dhofar Mountains showed the greatest damage. Tree height differed significantly among these eight locations across Oman. There was a negative correlation between tree damage and tree height and a positive correlation between tree damage and site slope but no correlation between tree damage and site altitude. No natural regeneration of wild olive was detected in any of the eight locations. Urbanization and over-browsing are putting wild olive at high risk. Action to protect these mountain habitats will be essential to conserve this ecologically important subspecies in these mountains.

First-of-a-kind stem-cell therapies set for approval in Japan

The mediating role of knowledge sharing behavior and the moderating role of digital mindset: Evidence in Vietnam

This study examined the mediating roles of knowledge sharing in the effect of organizational-level factors on knowledge application in Vietnamese commercial banks and the moderating role of the digital mindset. Through the application of Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), this study reveals that knowledge sharing serves as a crucial mediating mechanism linking organizational-level factors, namely, reward system, organizational commitment, organizational strategy, and organizational structure, to knowledge application. Additionally, digital mindsets directly affect knowledge applications and strengthen the impact of knowledge sharing on knowledge applications. The findings of this study contribute to consolidating fundamental theories such as social exchange theory, socio-technical system theory, and dynamic capability theory and provide important practical implications for building human resource management policies and promoting digital transformation at commercial banks in Vietnam.