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Propofol regulates METTL3-mediated PARP-1 m6A modification to promote Parthanatos to improve NSCLC chemotherapy resistance
Practical lithium–organic batteries enabled by an n-type conducting polymer
Real-world outcomes of ketogenic diet therapy in children with drug-resistant epilepsy in a prospective cohort study
Abstract The ketogenic diet (KD) is an established non-pharmacological treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in children, but data from large prospective cohorts in China remain limited. We conducted a prospective observational study of children with DRE whose caregivers elected KD treatment compared with those who continued conventional therapy. Seizure frequency, EEG findings, cognitive assessments, and adverse events were monitored over six months. A total of 136 children were enrolled (73 KD; 63 controls). At six months, children receiving KD showed a higher proportion of seizure reduction ≥ 50% compared with controls. EEG evaluations revealed improvements in background activity and reduction in epileptiform discharges, and cognitive assessments demonstrated gains in specific domains. Adverse effects were generally mild and manageable with dietary adjustments. In this single-center prospective cohort, KD was associated with improved seizure control, EEG patterns, and cognitive performance over six months compared with conventional therapy. While limited by non-randomized design and short follow-up, these findings provide real-world evidence supporting KD as a feasible and safe adjunctive therapy for pediatric DRE in China. Longer randomized studies are warranted to establish causality and evaluate long-term outcomes.
DNN-assisted waveguide width extraction via optical measurement of a single low-order Mach-Zehnder interferometer
Abstract An accurate waveguide width extraction methodology is demonstrated by developing a deep-learning neural network (DNN) framework synergized with a single low-order Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI). Utilizing its intrinsic capacity for complex nonlinear capture, the proposed DNN achieves a simulation-to-prediction accuracy of 0.15 nm on a test dataset, establishing a robust geometry mapping. By leveraging fabrication tolerance analysis and group-index estimation from C-band MZI interference spectra, our method directly extracts the as-fabricated waveguide width via a pre-trained DNN. Experimental validation on 30 devices demonstrates an experimental estimation accuracy of 3.28 nm when compared to SEM measurements. Additionally, the system operates with a single low-order MZI featuring a reduced arm-length difference of 26.672 μm, while the conventional ones exceeding 100 μm. The superior precision and miniaturization capability make our approach an effective strategy for fabrication monitoring and high-density photonic circuit characterization.
Comparative analysis of dose-response variability and severity in STZ-induced diabetes: female vs. male NSG mice
Abstract This study evaluated the dose–response relationship of streptozotocin in female NSG mice to identify a dose that reliably induces diabetes mellitus while minimizing animal burden. Although streptozotocin is widely used to model insulin-dependent diabetes in rodents, sex-specific responses are underexplored, and female mice are often excluded due to their reduced sensitivity. We tested single doses ranging from 125 to 225 mg/kg body weight. Concentrations of 125 and 150 mg/kg yielded insufficient diabetes induction, whereas 200 and 225 mg/kg caused rapid, severe hyperglycemia and dramatic weight loss requiring early termination. A dose of 175 mg/kg body weight streptozotocin emerged as optimal, inducing stable hyperglycemia in approximately 90% of the animals with acceptable weight loss and minimal mortality. Compared to males, females required ~ 25 mg more streptozotocin for comparable outcomes, reflecting lower vulnerability likely linked to estrogen signaling. We did not observe significant differences in terms of animal suffering when comparing female to male mice. Additionally, sex-specific diagnostic thresholds for hyperglycemia were identified. These results provide the first dose-response data for female NSG mice, offering refined guidance for preclinical diabetes research and supporting the inclusion of both sexes in experimental design.
The use of virtual reality to improve quality of recovery in women undergoing gynecological surgeries: a randomized controlled trial
Publisher Correction: Psychedelics elicit their effects by 5-HT2A receptor-mediated Gi signalling
Dimeric magnetic dumbbell nanoparticles with selective immobilization of chromophores for improved tumor theranostics
Abstract Recently, the development of dimeric nanoparticles has attracted much attention from researchers, since these materials make it possible to combine various properties and functions in one system. Dumbbell nanoparticles enable the integration of various components to achieve dual functionality, for example imaging and therapy. In our work, we showed that «dumbbell» type magnetite-gold dimeric nanoparticles could be used for combining Cy5 fluorophore and bacteriopheophorbide based photosensitizer for the joint use in fluorescent diagnostics and photodynamic therapy, allowing to avoid the FRET effect. Surface modification of magnetite surface by DOPAC and PEG allows selective photosensitizer binding, whereas disulfide derivative of Cy5 fluorophore was conjugated to gold surface, providing sterical separation of chromophores, thus minimizing FRET effect, and providing colloidal stability in water solutions. Nanoparticles, containing a pair of chromophores can be internalized by CT26 colon cancer cells and fluorophore and photosensitizer fluorescent signals were colocalized in cells cytoplasm and perinuclear area. Cytotoxicity tests have shown no significant negative effects on CT26 cells in vitro at concentrations up to 100 µg/mL. Finally, light induced toxicity in time dependent manner was shown. Proposed approach opens new opportunities for simultaneous fluorescent diagnostics and photodynamic therapy of tumors for photosensitizers with low intrinsic fluorescence.
Aversive responses to stereotypic science and math-based (STEM) images predict women’s long–term STEM memories and underperformance in math
Sex-specific but not urbanisation-related behavioural differences in a wolf spider, Pardosa alacris
Abstract Urbanisation, one of the main driving forces of the decline in arthropod diversity, is a global environmental problem. Urbanisation causes changes to the size, connectivity, structure, and environmental parameters of their natural habitat. Due to a host of novel conditions and situations, high exploratory and risk-taking behaviours are beneficial traits to cope with urban environments. Therefore, we hypothesised that urban spiders should display more exploratory and risk-taking behaviour than their rural conspecifics. We tested 253 individuals of a widespread, forest-associated ground-dwelling wolf spider species, Pardosa alacris , sampled from rural and urban forest sites during their peak activity period, for their locomotory activity, exploratory and risk-taking behaviour by six frequently used behavioural measures. Combining the studied behavioural measures into composite scores using redundancy analysis, we identified two composite variables, the activity-exploration-boldness and the risk-taking behavioural ones. Behaviour measured by the composite activity-exploration-boldness score was significantly repeatable, but not the composite risk-taking behavioural one. There were no urbanisation-related differences in the composite behavioural scores, suggesting that higher exploratory or risk-taking behaviour may not yield fitness benefits in this generalist predator. We found, however, significant sex-specific differences in the composite activity-exploration-boldness behavioural scores. The higher activity, exploratory and boldness in males than females may be explained by their different life-history strategies and sex-specific selective pressures.
Human versus artificial intelligence: investigating ability of young academics from research and non-research institutions to identify ChatGPT-generated dental research abstracts
Gambling disorder as a risk factor for suicidal ideation in medical students
Growth of microorganisms in a Martian regolith simulant at reduced water activity
Abstract Water activity (a w ) quantifies the free water available for microbial growth. At the cellular level, liquid water is paramount for replication and proliferation. Research on Earth-like life suggests that microbial replication is limited by an a w threshold of ≥ 0.585, below which replication ceases. On Mars, liquid water is typically unstable, but gaseous water exchanges between the atmosphere and the upper regolith are substantial. A variety of salts widespread across the Martian surface are capable of hydration and deliquescence, including sulfates that can undergo hydration–dehydration changes when exposed to different levels of a w . This study investigates microbial growth at different a w levels in a commercially available Mojave Mars Simulant 2 (MMS-2), a fine-grade basaltic soil modified with 2-4 wt% calcium sulfate and oxides (Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, MgO, CaO) to mimic Martian regolith composition. Growth was monitored by quantifying extracted deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from samples incubated at a w 1, 0.75, 0.65, 0.34 and 0.12 under Earth-like conditions (30 °C, ≈1 bar). At a w = 1, DNA mass from MMS-2 and Bacillus subtilis -spiked MMS-2 peaked on day 15 and day 3, respectively. At lower a w levels (0.75±0.02 and 0.65±0.02), DNA mass reached its peak after 20 and 30 days, respectively. Samples incubated at a w = 0.34±0.02 exhibited reduced DNA yields, with a maximum on day 30, whereas no detectable increase in DNA occurred at a w = 0.12 ± 0.02 over 60 days. Statistical comparisons with the a w = 0.12 control were significant (e.g., a w = 0.34 ± 0.02, cleanroom vs. a w = 0.12 ± 0.02 at day 30: p = 0.0098; Benjamini–Hochberg (BH) False Discovery Rate across day 20, 30, 45: q = 0.0153). These findings suggest that atmospheric water can be adsorbed into regolith grains and salts, supporting microbial persistence and DNA accumulation consistent with possible replication at reduced water activity under Earth ambient conditions.