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Pregnancy outcomes of obstetrician gynecologist mothers: a retrospective matched cohort study
A tactile gripper on an optical fiber for perception and actuation
Multi-heating-rate pyrolysis study for modeling hydrocarbon production from in-situ conversion of Chang 7 shale
Cryo-correlative light and electron tomography of dopaminergic axonal varicosities reveals non-synaptic modulation of cortico-striatal synapses
Abstract Dopamine is an essential neuromodulator in the brain, involved in reward and motor control. Dopaminergic (DA) neurons project to most brain areas, with particularly dense innervation in the striatum. DA varicosities bind to target striatal synapses, forming dopamine hub synapses (DHS). However, the basic features of dopamine release sites are still largely unknown. Here we studied the ultrastructure of fluorescent DA and glutamatergic (GLU) synaptosomes isolated from the striatum of adult mice with cryo-correlative light and electron microscopy and cryo-electron tomography. We observed that DA synaptosomes display ~10 times fewer vesicles than GLU ones. DA vesicles are bigger and less round. The nanoscale organization of vesicles indicates that most GLU synaptosomes have tethered and primed vesicles, indicative of a readily releasable pool, while only 37% of DA synaptosomes have tethered vesicles, which appear not to be primed. In addition, GLU terminals contacted by DA terminals in DHS have more primed vesicles than others. While DA varicosities do not form genuine synapses, their adhesion to cortico-striatal synapses may convey a local regulation of synaptic release properties.
Psychological stress and eating behaviors as interacting influences on patient–reported disease activity in Italian patients with inflammatory bowel disease
Methylphenidate reorganizes cortical hierarchy through dopaminergic modulation
Abstract Dopaminergic signaling shapes large-scale brain network architecture, constraining neural communication along a principal gradient that spans unimodal sensorimotor to transmodal association cortices. While more differentiated gradients are typically linked to enhanced cognition, it remains unclear whether dopamine-enhancing psychostimulants, such as methylphenidate (MP), amplify or compress this functional hierarchy to support attention. Across two double-blind, placebo-controlled studies in healthy adults (n = 38 and n = 20), we combined 60 mg oral MP with PET and fMRI to assess striatal dopamine function and cortical organization. MP consistently compressed the principal gradient, reducing segregation between sensory and association areas. The degree of compression predicted individual variation in striatal D1 and D2 receptor availability. MP-induced gradient compression in inferior parietal cortex tracked attention improvements. Critically, we validated key findings in a large, independent cohort from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) study (n = 4,958). These results highlight a dopamine-sensitive mechanism linking cortical functional reorganization with cognitive performance.
Multi-omics analysis reveals the effects of prenatal nutrition on carcass-related tissues in beef cattle
Abstract This study evaluated the long-term metabolic effects of prenatal nutrition in Nellore bulls. Pregnant cows ( n = 126) received mineral supplementation only (NP), protein–energy supplementation during the last trimester (PP), or supplementation throughout pregnancy (FP). At slaughter, longissimus (muscle and meat) and subcutaneous fat samples from the offspring were collected for transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses. Data were reduced using Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis, followed by functional enrichment, and then integrated via Spearman’s correlations and holistic pathway analysis. Distinct molecular patterns emerged across prenatal nutrition treatments, although all groups influenced energy metabolism and cellular processes. The NP group was strongly associated with protein and lipid metabolism, highlighted by PPAR and sphingolipid signaling pathways, and key hub components including CNOT4 and tryptophan. In contrast, PP and FP groups were more closely linked to immune function, stress resilience, with enrichment of NF-kB signaling, cortisol synthesis, and hub components including TIE1 , YWHAZ , carnitine, and glutaconylcarnitine. Shared transcriptome–metabolome modules between groups displayed inverse correlations, suggesting potential antagonistic effects driven by maternal diet. Overall, these results indicate that prenatal nutrition shapes key metabolic processes in muscle, meat, and fat, offering insights to enhance meat quality and production through maternal feeding strategies.
Homophily within and across groups
Antifungal activity and mycotoxin-inhibiting potential of amphisin and rhamnolipids from Pseudomonas strains
Abstract Biosurfactants, due to their amphiphilic properties, are widely used across a broad spectrum of industries. In this paper, we describe experiments conducted to determine the antagonistic activity of amphisin and rhamnolipids against fungal plant pathogens. The bacterial strains used for biosurfactants production were Pseudomonas fluorescens DSS73 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa #112. Both amphisin and rhamnolipids were produced using waste raw materials from the food industry. The biosurfactants exhibited significant antifungal activity and the ability to reduce sterigmatocystin production. The most significant inhibition was observed during the initial days of the experiments, followed by a gradual decrease in biosurfactants activity. However, a long-term effect was obtained against Aspergillus amoenus DSM 1943, Penicillium nordicum DSM 12639, and Monilinia fructigena IOR 2138. Additionally, sterigmatocystin production in cultures of A. amoenus DSM 1943 and Aspergillus quadrilineatus DSM 820 was reduced by 89–99%, with the most significant results observed for rhamnolipids. Therefore, as demonstrated in this research, Pseudomonas -derived biosurfactants show great potential in plant cultivation by protecting against fungal invasion. Amphisin and rhamnolipids can be successfully applied as eco-friendly solutions to limit sterigmatocystin accumulation during crop storage.
Decoupled Antarctic and Subarctic export productivity under intensified Southern Hemisphere westerlies during the last interglacial
Experimental investigation and AI-based prediction of engine performance and emissions using CeO2-enhanced biodiesel blends
Abstract The global depletion of fossil fuel resources and growing environmental concerns have driven the pursuit of sustainable alternative energy sources, with biodiesel emerging as a promising option. In the present work, experimental and AI prediction studies examine the combustion, performance, and emissions of a B20-blended fuel engine. The biodiesel was derived from used temple oil, and CeO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) were used as additives. The experiments conducted at a constant engine speed with various loads reveal that CeO 2 NPs at a 100-ppm concentration significantly improve brake thermal efficiency (BTE). The specific fuel consumption decreases with increasing CeO 2 NPs concentration, indicating enhanced fuel efficiency. The higher cylinder pressure and net heat release (NHR) further highlight the improved combustion characteristics. The emission analysis reveals a notable decline in hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide, and nitrogen oxides levels, with CeO 2 NPs at a 100-ppm concentration achieving the lowest emissions due to superior fuel atomization, improved combustion efficiency, and enhanced thermal management facilitated by the presence of CeO 2 NPs. The B20 blend with CeO 2 NPs at a 100-ppm concentration demonstrated superior performance metrics at maximum load, as evidenced by a 1.57% increase in BTE, a 2.83% rise in cylinder pressure, and a 5.95% increase in NHR compared to conventional diesel. A significant reduction in pollutant emissions, such as carbon monoxide, decreased by 66.67%, hydrocarbons by 13.51%, and nitrogen oxides by 6.04% relative to the B20 blend. The validation of experimental data using a random forest regressor model demonstrates strong predictive accuracy, characterized by low mean squared errors and high R 2 scores across various performance metrics. Overall, the findings of this work confirm that the B20 blend with CeO 2 NPs is a sustainable and efficient replacement for traditional diesel fuel.
On-surface synthesis of cyclo[20]carbon and cyclo[30]carbon from cyclo[10]carbon
Multi-scale analysis of stress-corrosion failure and anti-corrosion strategies for anchor bolts in Tashan coal mine
Human monoclonal antibodies that target clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 hemagglutinin
Thermal insulation of water-based acrylic coatings reinforced with APTES-functionalized silica fume nanoparticles
Hierarchically structuralized hydrogels with ligament-like mechanical performance
Abstract Mechanical properties of synthetic hydrogels remain inferior to those of load-bearing tissues such as ligaments, one of the strongest and stiffest natural hydrogels in the human body. Inspired by biological structures and their mechanisms conferring high mechanical properties, we report strong, stiff, and tough hydrogels composed of fiber-shaped elements that can be assembled into parallel bundles, closely resembling natural ligaments. These hydrogel fibers, readily fabricated with diameters of a few hundred micrometers, comprise polymer–particle hybrid agglomerates embedded in a continuous, interconnected polymer matrix. Strong polymer–particle interactions combined with spatial confinement within the agglomerates enable efficient load transfer, resulting in significant load-transfer lengths and substantial energy dissipation across the network. This design overcomes the conventional trade-offs between strength/stiffness and toughness/stretchability in polymer composites, thereby achieving tensile strength of 61 ± 8 MPa, elastic modulus of 131 ± 15 MPa, toughness 135 ± 11 MJ m −3 , and stretchability exceeding 400%. When assembled into millimeter-scale hierarchical bundles, the hydrogels mimic the structural organization of ligaments, sustain loads of tens of kilograms, and function as strain sensors.
Splenectomy reduces shear stress and inflammation in liver endothelial cells during regeneration after partial hepatectomy in mice
Abstract Clinical and experimental findings indicate that splenectomy stimulates liver regeneration. The mechanisms of this effect are uncertain. This study aimed to assess the effect of splenectomy on the state of sinusoidal endothelial cells during liver regeneration after 70% resection in mouse model. Two series of experiments were performed. In the first series, splenectomy was performed on sexually mature male C57BL/6 mice, followed by 70% liver resection 7 days later. In the second series, only 70% liver resection was performed. The animals were withdrawn from the experiment 1, 3, or 7 days post-resection. The measurements encompassed the liver mass recovery dynamics; the AST, ALT, and albumin levels; and the proliferation activity of hepatocytes, as well as gene expression profiles, apoptosis rates, and proliferation activity of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells. Animals that underwent splenectomy before liver resection showed a decrease in the number of endothelial cells positive for VCAM-1 on days 1 and 7 post-resection and VE-cadherin-positive (CD144 +) cells on day 7. Liver resection caused an increase in the relative counts of dying (Annexin-PI +) and Ki67 + endothelial cells in the remnant. The apoptotic endothelial cell counts were significantly higher in the group with preserved spleen on day 1 post-resection, while the number of Ki67 + endotheliocytes was higher in splenectomized animals on day 1 and day 3 post-resection. Splenectomy exerts significant effect on the state of endothelial cells of the sinusoidal capillaries of the regenerating liver. The gene expression profiling studied by microarray technology using Clariom™ S Assay (mouse) revealed specific enrichment of the following signaling pathways in the endothelial cells of regenerating liver in splenectomized animals: PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway, Focal adhesion pathway, Chemokine signaling pathway. In this case, most of the differentially expressed genes were repressed. The decreased proinflammatory activation of sinusoidal endothelium results in decreased immigration of lymphocytes, notably CD3 + и NK1.1 lymphocytes known to inhibit the regeneration. The results indicate that prior splenectomy mitigates the manifestation of shear stress in endothelial cells of the liver and reduces their pro-inflammatory activation, resulting in lower rates of migration of regeneration-inhibiting lymphocytes to the regenerating liver.