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Multi stage generative upscaler recovers low resolution football broadcast images through diffusion models with ControlNet conditioning and LoRA fine tuning
Cyclodextrin reduces cholesterol crystal uptake by circulating monocytes in patients undergoing coronary angiography
Background Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory disease driven by endothelial dysfunction, cholesterol accumulation, and immune activation leading to thrombosis and vascular stenosis. While LDL-lowering therapies are firmly established, targeting the underlying inflammation is still an emerging strategy. Cholesterol crystals (CC) contribute to inflammation by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome in monocytes and promoting disease progression. Cyclodextrin (CD), an FDA-approved drug carrier, has shown atheroprotective effects by enhancing cholesterol metabolism and reducing inflammation in preclinical models. This study investigated whether CC-uptake in human monocytes, a prerequisite for inflammasome activation, is also influenced by CD pretreatment. Methods Human peripheral mononuclear cells were isolated from whole blood samples provided by 76 patients undergoing coronary angiography at the University Hospital Bonn between November 2017 and February 2018. After separation, peripheral mononuclear cells were stimulated with 2-Hydroxypropyl-γ-Cyclodextrin and CC. CC-uptake by monocytes was analyzed using flow cytometry. Results CC-uptake by monocytes varied greatly between patients (8–37%), with lower uptake observed in patients with elevated leukocytes ( p = 0.0058) and diabetes mellitus ( p = 0.0448). CD-pretreatment significantly reduced CC-uptake (20.1% ± 0.8% vs. 15.0% ± 0.6%, p < 0.0001). Interindividual variability in CD response (CCΔCD) was noted; 40 patients exhibited a significant reduction in CC-uptake, while nine showed an increase. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) ( p = 0.0316), requirement for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) ( p = 0.0030), and elevated leucocyte levels ( p = 0.0135) had lower CCΔCD, suggesting a link between systemic inflammation and attenuated CD efficacy. Conclusion We demonstrated that CD significantly reduced CC-uptake in patients undergoing coronary angiography, which supports its role in inhibiting CC-phagocytosis and promoting cholesterol efflux. Interestingly, patient response to CD varied, with those exhibiting greater systemic inflammation or CAD showing a less pronounced reduction in CC-uptake. Our findings provide insight into the atheroprotective mechanisms of CD and suggest its potential utility in evaluating individual cardiovascular risk and monitoring CD-based therapeutic interventions in humans.
Correction: Comparing the performance of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude in English and Polish on medical examinations
Correction: Prognostic value of circulating tumor DNA in patients with colon cancer: Systematic review
Insight into acid generation and the release risk of Cd, Cu and Mo from a high-latitude polymetallic mine in China
Strengthening tropical cyclones are associated with more frequent hazardous material pipeline failures in the Eastern US
Psychological perspectives on robotic assisted pivotal response treatment in autism
Abstract The impact of Pivotal Response Treatment (PRT) assisted by the social robot Pepper on the emotional regulation and treatment adherence of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their caregivers is explored. Given the integration of technology and psychology, our study provides empirical evidence on the role of social robots not only as therapeutic tools but also as facilitators of family engagement and personalized ASD interventions. Our findings highlight significant improvements in children’s emotional responses with the use of a social robot and offer new insights into the variability of caregiver adherence.
Thermoring basis for the proton-driven heat activation of a cation-selective channel in myriapods
Abstract Thermo-gated ion channels undergo significant time-dependent structural rearrangements for activation. Although the tertiary noncovalent interaction networks can be constrained as thermorings to explain specific temperature thresholds and sensitivity, the timing of critical intra-subunit and inter-subunit noncovalent interactions unfolding remains poorly understood. Here the tertiary noncovalent interaction networks of the broad-range thermal receptor 1 (BRTNaC1) in myriapods were quantified by the thermoring model to estimate thermal thresholds and structural unfolding sequences. The results showed that the theoretical threshold of the weakest intra-subunit noncovalent interaction in the resting closed state of the D217N/E218Q mutant at low temperature matched the experimental activation threshold. Further, the strong inter-subunit swapping interactions at H352, although weakened before strong acid activation of the native channel below pH 4.5, were absent before weak acid-induced heat activation of the mutant at pH 7. Therefore, the different unfolding sequence from strong inter-subunit interactions to the weakest intra-subunit bridges may be required for proton-driven heat activation of BRTNaC1.
Bearing fault detection with lightweight feature extraction mechanism based on smoothed dilated convolution
Scale morphometry, geometry and ultrastructure of three Nemipterus species from the Egyptian part of the Red Sea
Abstract The present investigation aimed to document and analyze the diversity of scale characteristics in three Nemipterus species; N. zysron (12.2–18.5 cm SL), N. randalli (13–18 cm SL), and N. japonicus (8.5–17.2 cm SL) collected from the Egyptian Red Sea near Hurghada. Assessing interspecific differences in scale morphology, geometry, and morphometry provides valuable insights for taxonomy and stock identification. The results revealed pronounced interspecific variations in scale geometry, morphometrics, and radii meristics, particularly with respect to overall shape and size. Detailed structural features and surface ornamentation were examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Notable differences were observed in surface morphology, interradial and intercircular grooves, interradial tongues and circuli, denticles, inner and outer lateral circuli and caudal field segmentation and granulation pattern. The observed variation in scale form among the three species underscores the potential utility of scale morphology in stock discrimination. Collectively, these findings contribute to improved species differentiation and offer a valuable tool for fisheries management and taxonomic assessment.
Detection accuracy of an AI platform for dental treatment features on panoramic radiographs – tooth- and patient-level analyses
Efficacy and safety of home-based transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on patients with depressive disorders: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
Sustainable shear behavior of clayey sand reinforced with recycled PET strips under moisture variation
Abstract Moisture-sensitive granular soils containing fines, such as sand-clay (SC) mixtures, lose their shear strength after cycles of wetting and drying, compromising the stability of shallow foundations, embankments, and sub-base layers. Improving performance using conventional stabilisers such as cement and lime comes at a cost to the environment and the economy. This study examines recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) strips as a green reinforcement for a sand-kaolin mixture (65% sand, 35% kaolin; SC according to the unified soil classification system unified soil classification system (USCS)). Direct shear tests were performed conducted at normal stresses of 100, 200, and 300 kPa and moisture contents of ranging from 0 to 12%. The unreinforced samples suffered a loss of strength of up to 50% at 12% moisture content, while the PET-reinforced soils achieved a maximum shear stress that was 25–30% higher, 40% greater cohesion, and a 35% reduction in vertical deformation. The friction angle was slightly better (+ 1.3° at 0–4% moisture content) but decreased at higher water contents due to lubrication. Even at 12% moisture content, the reinforced soils had a cohesion of 19 kPa compared to 15 kPa for the unreinforced soils and a shear stress of 90 kPa compared to 145 kPa for the dry strength. These results confirm that PET strips act as traction elements, resisting softening due to moisture and offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to traditional stabilisers, while contributing to circular economy initiatives.
The research on water control and oil stabilization technologies in ultra-low permeability reservoirs of the Jiyuan oilfield under the control of reservoir architecture
Single copy optogenetic system for Streptomyces
Abstract LitR is a blue-green light-sensing transcriptional regulator that uses coenzyme B 12 as a chromophore. In this study, we developed a genome-integrative light-inducible expression (iLiEX) system in Streptomyces griseus NBRC 13350, a Gram-positive bacterium that produces streptomycin. The system incorporates LitR, transcriptional amplification module T7 RNA polymerase, and a serine integrase. Using iLiEX, we achieved light-dependent overproduction of catechol-2,3-dioxygenase and β-glucuronidase (GUS) at levels comparable to those from a high-copy plasmid. Notably, GUS activity was 39-fold higher than with the constitutively strong ermE * promoter. The iLiEX system was also functional in S. coelicolor , S. lividans , S. albus J1074, and S. avermitilis . We improved iLiEX in two key ways: by optimizing the ribosome-binding site of T7 RNA polymerase to increase expression, and by introducing the T7 lysozyme gene to reduce leaky transcription. The system’s versatility was improved by shortening the T7 promoter from 89 to 44 bp. For simple visualization on agar plates, light-dependent overexpression of fluorescent proteins, a chromogenic protein, and a brown pigment synthesis enzyme was demonstrated. High-level production of secreted enzymes, including laccase and transglutaminase, was also confirmed. Overall, we developed a single-copy light-inducible overexpression system with broad functionality across multiple Streptomyces species.