Browse Articles

Design, synthesis, and multi-target evaluation of 4-phenyl quinoline-8-sulfonate thiosemicarbazones as potential anti-Alzheimer agents

A porous tellurium interlayer for high-power and long-cycling garnet-based quasi-solid-state lithium-metal batteries

Green manure-induced shifts in nematode communities associated with soil bacterial and fungal biomes

Thermal responsive Rh1-Pd single-atom catalyst for controlling activity in direct formic acid fuel cells

Advanced glycation end products exacerbate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury with diabetes by promoting ferroptosis via AMP-activated protein kinase/acetyl-CoA carboxylase signaling

Abstract Diabetes increases susceptibility to acute lung injury (ALI), yet the mechanisms linking hyperglycemia to pulmonary damage remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate advanced glycation end products (AGEs)—metabolic byproducts elevated in diabetes—as promoters of ferroptosis that contribute to ALI pathogenesis. Clinical analysis of 170 patients with sepsis-related ALI showed that diabetic individuals had heightened inflammation and reduced PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios. Bioinformatic analysis revealed overlapping ferroptosis-related gene signatures between DM and ALI. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice with diabetes mellitus (DM), reducing AGEs levels attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, decreased Fe²⁺ accumulation and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). In vitro experiments suggested that AGEs exacerbate ferroptotic injury in LPS-treated bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells partly by suppressing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling, an effect mitigated by pharmacological AMPK activation. These findings support a potential mechanistic link between DM and ALI through AGEs-driven ferroptosis and raise the possibility that targeting the AMPK/ACC pathway could offer therapeutic benefit.

Birth season shapes the infant metabolome and development in Tanzania: a secondary explorative analysis of the early life interventions for childhood growth and development in Tanzania (ELICIT) trial

Abstract Rural communities in resource-limited settings are exposed to seasonal patterns in food insecurity. The pre- and early post-natal period is a key developmental window, sensitive to nutritional availability and quality. While season of birth has been associated with differences in epigenetic, developmental and health outcomes, it is unclear if this imprints on the developing metabolome and contributes to adverse phenotypic outcomes. Here we show that urinary and plasma metabolites in Tanzanian infants follow seasonal waveforms dependent upon their month of birth, persisting up to at least 18 months of life, which were related to food insecurity, breastmilk composition and rainfall. This includes developmentally relevant metabolites, including choline, trimethylamine- N -oxide, and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Cognitive measures at 18 months also followed seasonal waveforms based upon month of birth which correlated with seasonal metabolites. Additionally, variation in metabolic status modulated the effectiveness of a maternal-infant nicotinamide intervention targeting stunting. Our findings show that seasonal environmental pressures shape mother-infant dyad food insecurity with lasting ramifications for the infant metabolome and development. These findings support the need for season-dependent nutritional and lifestyle interventions targeting developmental shortfalls in these communities.

Influence of carbon free gaseous ammonia induction on combustion, performance and emissions in an agricultural diesel engine operated on dual fuel mode

Abstract The transition towards cleaner fuels is very important due to its potential to reduce greenhouse emissions and favor the decarbonized engine operation. Recently, Ammonia (NH 3 ) has emerged as a promising carbon-free energy carrier and alternative fuel, which can replace traditional fossil fuels. This study aims to showcase the procedure of using NH 3 as a primary fuel with 20% Jatropha biodiesel and 80% diesel, designated as JME20 as a pilot fuel in dual-fuel mode. Hence, a single-cylinder DI diesel engine was retrofitted to induct NH 3 into the intake manifold, whereas JME20 is being injected and sprayed into the engine cylinder to initiate the combustion. NH 3 was inducted at different proportions, such as 8, 10, 12, and 16 lpm, which are designated as DFX, DFX1, DFX2, and DFX3, respectively. Experimentation was carried out at different engine loading conditions, such as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. At each load, the corresponding engine characteristics, namely combustion, performance, and emissions, were measured, compared with standard diesel fuel and given in the paper. Results reveal that a maximum of 24.3% NH 3 was replaced for the DFX3 test fuel at full load. Increasing NH 3 share will extend the delay period from 10.9°CA to 12.6°CA for 12 lpm (DFX2); and lengthen the combustion duration (CD) from 43.3°CA to 48.3°CA for the same fuel at full load. Moreover, the peak cylinder pressure increased from 55.4 bar to 58.6 bar, also a 6.7% rise in maximum heat release rate and 4.2% improvement in BTE at 12 lpm. A percentage increase in CO & HC emissions by about 54.3% and 51.8% respectively, than diesel at full load. These findings confirm that 12 lpm (DFX2) is the most balanced and optimum condition, validating NH 3 -JME20 as a promising strategy as a sustainable pathway for agricultural engines.

An ER-resident lipid scramblase is crucial for biogenesis and function of apicomplexan parasite secretory organelles

Serum prolactin level in male type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024

Accumulation of Trehalose 6-Phosphate in Candidozyma auris results in Decreased Echinocandin Resistance and Tolerance

Assessment of soybean cultivars’responses to diverse climatic conditions in Northern Poland in terms of yield and seed composition

Inch-scale ultrahard diamond wafer with 200 GPa hardness via high-frequency pulsed local non-equilibrium growth

Phosphatidylserine exposure on tolerogenic nanoparticle correlate with oral tolerance

PhotoFiTT: a quantitative framework for assessing phototoxicity in live-cell microscopy experiments

Abstract Phototoxicity in live-cell fluorescence microscopy can compromise experimental outcomes, yet quantitative methods to assess its impact remain limited. Here, we present PhotoFiTT (Phototoxicity Fitness Time Trial), an integrated framework combining a standardised experimental protocol with advanced image analysis to quantify light-induced cellular stress in label-free settings. PhotoFiTT leverages machine learning and cell cycle dynamics to analyse mitotic timing, cell size changes, and overall cellular activity in response to controlled light exposure. Using adherent mammalian cells, we demonstrate PhotoFiTT’s ability to detect wavelength- and dose-dependent effects, showcasing that near-UV light induces significant mitotic delays at doses as low as 0.6 J/cm 2 , while longer wavelengths require higher doses for comparable deleterious effects. PhotoFiTT enables researchers to establish quantitative benchmarks for acceptable levels of photodamage, facilitating the optimisation of imaging protocols that balance image quality with sample health.

Dynamic SG-SKRDX hybrid framework for precision weather forecasting and crop suitability in the Cauvery Delta

Spatial fluorescence barcode by transiently luminescent DNA beads

Evaluation of the impact of blast damage on tunnel surrounding rock induced by C-type cumulative tube cone angle

Abstract Over-excavation and under-excavation are common issues in tunnel construction using the drilling and blasting method. In some cases, traditional blasting techniques may fail to achieve the desired results. This study systematically investigates the blasting-induced damage effects of C-type cumulative tubes with varying cone angles in different grades of tunnel surrounding rock, aiming to mitigate over-excavation and under-excavation issues while enhancing construction efficiency. First, the working principles of cumulative charges and their mechanisms in rock penetration and fragmentation were systematically analyzed based on the fundamental theory of cumulative blasting. Subsequently, numerical models of single-hole cumulative blasting were developed for both III-level and IV-level surrounding rock conditions to examine the influence of cumulative cone angles on rock crack propagation. Finally, field validation tests were conducted at a tunnel construction site in Chamdo, Tibet. Results showed that a 65° cone angle provided the best performance in III-level rock, while a 55° angle worked best in IV-level rock. Compared to traditional methods, the cumulative charge method increased contour hole spacing by 12 ~ 18% and reduced construction costs by 23.5%. It also cut over-excavation by 58.3% and improved half-hole preservation by 41.7%, ensuring better excavation profile integrity and effectively addressing excavation issues.

Ethylene promotes branch formation but inhibits tendril development in cucumber

Optimization of blasting for high-efficiency and low-damage drivage of large-section production drifts in block caving

Abstract Excavating large-section production drifts in block caving mines faces critical challenges regarding surrounding rock stability and drivage efficiency. To address these issues, this study optimizes full-face blasting parameters through coupled numerical simulations and industrial verification. The investigation focuses on the cavity formation mechanism of large-diameter burn cuts and the damage evolution characteristics during full-face blasting. Simulation results indicate that a four-uncharged-hole cut design creates a symmetrical and regular free surface, effectively balancing blasting performance and economic efficiency. Furthermore, an optimal auxiliary hole spacing range is established to minimize damage to the surrounding rock. Field implementation at the -450 m level of the JAMA Mine demonstrated that the optimized scheme resulted in a well-formed roadway profile with an average half-cast factor exceeding 90%. The average advance per round stabilized at 3.31 m, representing a 6.8% improvement over the original scheme. This research establishes a high-efficiency, low-damage blasting technique for deep large-section roadway drivage, providing a valuable reference for similar engineering projects.

Egr1 is a sex-dependent regulator of neuronal chromatin, structural plasticity, and behaviour

Abstract Sex differences are found in brain structure and function across species, and across brain disorders in humans. A major source of brain sex differences is differential secretion of steroid hormones from the gonads across the lifespan. Specifically, ovarian hormones oestrogens and progesterone are known to dynamically change structure and function of the adult female brain, having a major impact on psychiatric risk. However, due to limited molecular studies in female rodents, very little is still known about molecular drivers of female-specific brain and behavioural plasticity. Here we show that ventral hippocampal (vHIP) overexpression of Egr1, an oestrous cycle-dependent transcription factor, induces sex-dependent changes in vHIP neuronal chromatin, gene expression, and structural plasticity, along with female-specific effects on vHIP-dependent behaviours. Importantly, Egr1 overexpression and knockdown partially mimic the vHIP chromatin state associated with the high and low-oestrogenic phase of the oestrous cycle, respectively. We demonstrate that Egr1 directs neuronal chromatin opening across the sexes, although with limited genomic overlap. Our study not only reveals a sex-dependent chromatin regulator in the brain, but also provides functional evidence that this sex-dependent gene regulation drives structural and behavioural plasticity, informing sex-based treatments for brain disorders.