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Aging-related severe hypertension causes prostatic gland atrophy and testicular injury in rats
Abstract The combined effects of aging and hypertension on the male reproduction system remain unclear. We investigated these effects on prostate and testis from histological and endocrinological perspectives. Male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKYs) (n = 8 per group) were evaluated at 36 weeks (adult) and 72 weeks (aged). Compared with age-matched WKYs, adult SHRs showed significantly higher prostate weight, prostate weight-to-body weight ratio and glandular epithelial area in the ventral prostate. On the contrary, aged SHRs showed significantly lower prostate weight and outer glandular perimeter than age-matched WKYs. At both ages, SHRs had significantly higher blood pressure and lower prostatic blood flow than age-matched WKYs, and aging-dependent increase in the blood pressure was observed in SHRs but not in WKYs. Aged SHRs had significantly lower serum testosterone levels, higher testicular weight-to-body weight ratios, seminiferous epithelial desquamation and neutrophil infiltration than aged WKYs, while these alterations were not obvious in adult SHRs. In conclusion, whereas adult SHRs exhibit prostatic hyperplasia, aged SHRs exhibit severe hypertension, prostatic atrophy, testicular injury, and reduced serum testosterone levels. Aging-related severe hypertension may be a risk factor for prostatic atrophy which might be related to reduced testosterone levels.
Contrary effects of soil moisture-atmosphere feedback on dry and humid heatwaves
Ginsenoside Rg1 ameliorates lipopolysaccharide-induced depressive-like behaviors in mice by attenuating neuroinflammation and neuronal damage
Mitotic microhomology-mediated break-induced replication promotes chromoanasynthesis
Abstract Chromoanasynthesis is a form of complex chromosomal rearrangement (CCR) commonly detected in cancers and congenital disorders, but the mechanism underlying its generation remain elusive. Here we develop a single-molecule long-read DNA sequencing approach to characterise ultra-complex mutational events, consistent with chromoanasynthesis, occurring at shortened telomeres and sub-telomeric DNA double-strand breaks in human cells. Our data reveal that chromoanasynthesis is generated by microhomology-mediated break-induced replication (MM-BIR), occurring specifically in mitosis. Surprisingly, this mitotic pathway involves a collaboration between microhomology-mediated end-joining (MMEJ) and BIR, where MMEJ proteins initiate a Polδ-dependent BIR pathway that is regulated by PIF1, POLD3 and PCNA. This pathway is highly prone to template switching and can generate dramatic amplification of genomic loci in a single event. Our findings help explain the extreme mutagenic nature of chromoanasynthesis and establish mitotic MM-BIR as a key driver of CCRs, with important implications for the origin of cancers and congenital disorders.
A physics-guided machine learning framework for enhancing dust storm visibility prediction in arid and semi-arid regions
Chip scale coil stabilized Brillouin laser driving a room temperature trapped ion qubit
Abstract Photonic integrated stable, ultra-low-noise lasers are essential for scalable and portable quantum information systems. Trapped ions are a leading modality for quantum computing and optical clocks, with room-temperature operation enabling portable applications. Current systems rely on free-space lasers and stabilization cavities, frequency conversion, and cryogenic infrastructure, limiting size, weight, and power. We demonstrate a chip-scale coil-stabilized 674 nm Brillouin laser driving qubit state preparation and measurement and the optical clock transition in a room-temperature surface electrode trapped 88 Sr + ion without a bulk-optic reference cavity. The CMOS compatible silicon nitride integrated 3-meter coil and Brillouin laser achieve 8.8×10 -13 stability at 20 ms, sufficient to interrogate the 0.4 Hz quadrupole optical clock transition. The ion-disciplined laser achieves 5.3 $$\times {10}^{-13}/\sqrt{\tau }$$ × 10 − 13 / τ stability, spectroscopy with 1.5 kHz linewidths, and 99.6% qubit state preparation and measurement fidelity. These results light the way towards integration of stabilized lasers with trapped-ion chips for portable and robust quantum technologies.
Mitigation of inductive coupling effects on buried pipelines using gradient control conductors of overhead line configuration and hippopotamus optimization algorithm
Abstract By electromagnetic perturbation effect, the extra-high voltage (EHV) overhead transmission lines can cause significant induced voltages and currents on buried metallic pipelines located in the immediate vicinity. These voltages can present a source of hazard both for the structural I ntegrity of the metallic pipeline and for the safety of personnel responsible for operation and maintenance. This paper proposes the quasi-static modeling of the electromagnetic interference to which a buried metallic pipeline will be subjected nearby an extra-high voltage (EHV) overhead transmission line, under steady-state operating conditions of the power electrical grid. Using the electrical network analysis method to evaluate the induced voltage levels and its effects on the buried pipeline; also, to propose a mitigation strategy if necessary. The results obtained show that the values of the AC induced voltage on the buried pipeline are significant and exceed the limits defined by the international NACE standard. They can cause a risk of electrocution for intervention personnel and accelerate the process of metal corrosion. Therefore, the gradient control mitigation technique of the conductors and their optimal geometric arrangement of EHV transmission line using Hippopotamus Optimization (HO) algorithm were proposed to reduce AC induced voltages within the permissible safety limits, according to the requirements of the NACE Standard. Finally, it should be noted that the implementation of these mitigation approaches have led to remarkable results in eliminating potential risks.
Proteomics-based machine learning model for predicting secondary infection in HBV-related liver failure
Effects of biochar amendment on rhizosphere soil available nitrogen and crop growth
HIV-seq reveals gene expression differences between HIV-transcribing cells from viremic and suppressed people with HIV
Abstract HIV-transcribing cells can perpetuate chronic inflammation in ART-suppressed people with HIV (PWH) and likely contribute to viral rebound after ART interruption. However, these cells are difficult to study using single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) due to their low frequency and low levels of HIV transcripts, which are usually not polyadenylated. By spiking in capture sequences targeting conserved regions of HIV during scRNA-seq – a new method we call “HIV-seq” - we detect double the mean number of HIV reads per cell from PWH. HIV RNA+ cells are enriched among T effector memory cells during both viremia and ART suppression but exhibit a cytotoxic signature during viremia only. In contrast, HIV-transcribing cells from ART-suppressed timepoints exhibit a distinct anti-inflammatory signature involving elevated TGF-β and diminished IFN signaling. These findings demonstrate that HIV-seq is a useful tool to better understand the mechanisms by which HIV-transcribing cells can persist during ART.
Comprehensive antigen profiling predicts post-surgical neuropathic pain in women treated for breast cancer
Abstract The importance of neuroimmune interactions in neuropathic pain (NP) has been established, but antibody-mediated mechanisms remain underexplored. In this explorative case-control study, we analyzed antibody profiles in patients with intercostobrachial nerve injury during breast cancer (BC) surgery. We compared 27 patients who developed chronic NP with 30 who remained NP-free, despite similar nerve injury. Plasma samples were collected before surgery and 4–9 years later. Mimotope variation analysis (MVA), a next generation random peptide phage display method revealed highly individual yet shared antigen profiles. We identified 1882 antibody epitopes differing between the study groups and that were associated with 79 common human pathogens. NP patients showed elevated pre-surgical antibody responses to viral epitopes of CMV (cytomegalovirus), EBV (Epstein-Barr virus), human papilloma virus-16 (HPV-16), human rhinovirus C3 (HRV C3), Herpes Simplex-1 (HSV-1), Herpes Simplex-2 (HSV-2), while antibody levels against Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) were lower. These findings persisted over time. The combination of responses to five viral epitopes (CVB3, EBV, CMV, HPV-16, HSV-2) predicted persistent NP (AUC 0.9, 95% CI 0.794–0.963). These findings implicate elevated antiviral immune responses in NP pathogenesis and encourage further clinical and basic research on the molecular mechanisms and novel treatment strategies for managing NP.
UV-activated assisted electrochemical process for mine water deep mineralization and resource recovery
Multiparametric robust sensing via readout of characteristic magnetization loops
Abstract Simultaneous measurements of multiple physical quantities under variable conditions are essential from fundamental research to application. However, multiparametric sensors often need intricate calibration procedures which can be compromised by changing environmental conditions. Here, we present a robust sensing concept based on the Fourier components of a nonlinear response of an excitation. By extracting amplitude ratios and phase differences between different harmonics, a set of characteristic shape parameters are extracted ensuring independence from external factors such as amplifier gain or instrumental delays. This principle is demonstrated using magneto-optical readout of magnetization loops in a perpendicular bismuth-substituted yttrium iron garnet indicator film. Two-dimensional parameter maps spanning both temperature and magnetic field are measured, providing a sensor-specific fingerprint for parallel detection. Using lookup-table interpolation and a random forest regressor, robust and accurate simultaneous extraction of temperature and magnetic field is demonstrated. The presented magneto-optical method offers a universal, gain and delay invariant framework for multiparametric sensing in nonlinear materials.
Clay-organic matter interactions drive microbial necromass preservation in soils
Metagenomic and gene expression patterns in declining commercial honey bee colonies
Abstract Managed honey bee colonies ( Apis mellifera ) in the US continue to experience high overwinter loss rates driven by parasites, pathogens, poor nutrition, and pesticides. To mitigate these losses, inspection and monitoring are critical for identifying traits of colonies in decline and potential causal factors. In this study, we apply molecular methods to associate potential causative agents with colonies in various stages of decline. Initially, we investigated in-hive bee metagenomic RNA isolated from 15 colonies across seven managed operations in California whose adult bee and brood populations were classified as Strong, Medium, or Weak in strength. We discovered that Weak colonies harbored 2.2- and 3.6- fold more viral species than Medium and Strong colonies, respectively, as well as larger viral read pools despite similar library sizes. They also displayed higher nucleotide variation in Varroa -vectored viruses, indicating associations with high mite populations. When investigating differences in host gene expression, we discovered an upregulation of immune-related pathways in Weak colonies relative to Strong. Specifically, Weak colonies upregulated genes related to wound healing, phagocytosis, oxidative stress resistance, apoptosis, and RNA interference. Most antimicrobial peptides were upregulated in Weak colonies, although defensin1 was significantly higher in Strong colonies, along with several detoxification enzymes and the royal jelly peptide apisimin . Weak colonies also showed an upregulation of transcripts tied to abnormal protein digestion. The low levels of viral replication and fewer species of mite-vectored viruses in Strong colonies may be due to successful Varroa management. Strong colonies also displayed upregulated levels of nine different ubiquinone transcripts, arguably reflecting increasing longevity or a younger in-hive population compared to Weak colonies. Overall, these results provide a detailed account of viral metagenomics and associated host responses, providing new insights into the mechanisms underlying honey bee colony decline under comparable management conditions.
An interfacial-intramolecular electron highway for accelerated electrocatalytic CO2 reduction by an O2-tolerant formate dehydrogenase
Association between knee angles at initial contact and post-landing knee ranges of motion in athletes with and without anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Abstract Altered knee kinematics is associated with Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury risk. Knee angle at initial contact (A IC ) and range of motion (RoM) after landing are often used interchangeably as ACL risk indicators, yet their relationship remains unclear. Moreover, no consensus exists about the time window to be considered for the RoM. This study explored the degree of association between knee A IC and two RoMs (unstandardized: from IC to maximum knee flexion angle, ARoM FULL ; standardized: within 100 milliseconds after IC, defining a Risk Time Window for ACL injury, ARoM RTW ). Eleven ACL-reconstructed soccer players and 20 healthy controls performed Single Leg Hop (SLH) and Single Leg Cross Drop Landing (SLCDL) tasks on a force plate. Knee kinematics was recorded in the sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. Correlation analysis showed moderate-to-very-high positive correlations between ARoM FULL and ARoM RTW across all tasks, limbs, and planes (r: 0.56–0.99), supporting their similarity in capturing early post-landing motion. Conversely, significant correlations between A IC and both RoMs were only found in frontal plane (r: 0.48–0.69), suggesting that A IC alone may not reliably reflect knee dynamics after impact. Since ACL injuries typically occur within 100 ms post-landing, ARoM RTW may offer a practical metric for injury screening and rehabilitation monitoring.