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Effects of natural Lithium and Lithium isotopes on voltage gated sodium channel activity in SH-SY5Y and IPSC derived cortical neurons
Sorafenib-treated Th9 cells exhibit superior anti-tumor effect in lung metastasis
Multi-module UNet++ for colon cancer histopathological image segmentation
Bacterial indicators of environmental stress in the gut microbiome of free-ranging European roe deer inhabiting agricultural landscapes
Abstract Environmental stressors can influence the gut microbiota of wild ruminants, yet their effects in free-ranging populations remain poorly understood. This study examined associations between physiological stress and gut microbiota composition in free-ranging European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) from agricultural landscapes in central Poland. Fecal samples from 54 legally hunted individuals were analyzed for cortisol metabolite concentrations and bacterial community composition using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Cortisol metabolite levels ranged from 17.9 to 371.4 ng ml⁻¹, allowing classification into low- and high-stress groups. Alpha diversity metrics did not differ between groups, but beta diversity analyses revealed significant differences in microbial community structure linked to stress. Stress remained a significant predictor of microbiota composition even after adjusting for confounding variables such as area and season, with its effect varying by context. Ratios of Christensenellaceae to Rikenellaceae, Bacteroidaceae and Prevotellaceae were significantly elevated in the high-stress group, indicating potential as microbial biomarkers of physiological stress. Additionally, Barnesiellaceae and Succinivibrionaceae (families involved in immune modulation and fermentation) were depleted under higher stress conditions. These findings highlight the role of gut microbiota in responses to environmental stressors and suggest that microbial signatures could serve as biomarkers for assessing the impact of agriculture on wildlife health and ecosystem stability.
Correlation of air pollution and risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a Mendelian randomization study
3D-printed optogenetic neural probe integrated with microfluidic tube for opsin/drug delivery
Health professionals require more defined protocols, better funding and patient resources to support couples with recurrent pregnancy loss
Efficient applications of green synthesized CeO2/Bi2O3 nanocomposite for simultaneous electrochemical determination of Pb (II) and Cd (II) in real samples
Abstract In this study, Bi2O3/CeO2 nanocomposite was synthesized using serine, which played a dual role by promoting uniform particle morphology and aiding combustion during synthesis, resulting in a highly porous nanostructure. The produced nanocomposite was applied as a highly efficient modifier for screen-printed electrode (Bi2O3/CeO2/SPE), facilitating the simultaneous quantification of Pb(II) and Cd(II) using square wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). Compared to conventional sensors, the proposed electrode exhibited significantly enhanced electrochemical behavior, attributed to the synergistic structural and electrical properties of CeO₂ and Bi₂O₃ as well as an increased surface area. The sensor demonstrated a reliable response and effective peak separation at optimal parameters. The current signals exhibited linearity within the concentration range between 0.5 and 85 µg/L for both ions, achieving the limit of detection (LOD) of 0.09 µg/L for Pb(II) and 0.14 µg/L for Cd(II). The Bi2O3/CeO2/SPE was effectively utilized to detect cadmium and lead ions in water and food samples, demonstrating high recovery values across different spiked samples, and the outcomes closely matched those obtained through standard ICP analysis.
Author Correction: Legendre based neural networks integrated with heuristic algorithms for the analysis of Lorenz chaotic model: an intelligent and comparative study
Temporal dynamics of courtship and spawning in medaka under laboratory conditions revealed by 24 h video monitoring
How to tackle research misconduct: survey finds stark disagreement
Different pathways linking social media-induced technostress and work performance identified by fsQCA
Mystery food in Neanderthal diet might be maggots
Application of chitosan/graphene and chitosan/graphene oxide composites for removal of Cu and Pb
Abstract Water pollution caused by heavy metals such as lead (Pb) and copper (Cu) represent a critical global challenge due to their toxicity and adverse impacts on both human health and the environment. Among several remediation methods, adsorption using polymer-based sorbents like chitosan (Cs) has emerged as a promising approach. In this study, chitosan interacted with graphene (Gr) and graphene oxide (GrO) to enhance its possible interaction with di-hydrated Pb and Cu. The electronic properties of Cs/Gr and Cs/GrO composites were studied using density functional theory (DFT) at the B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. Physical parameters, including total dipole moment (TDM), HOMO-LUMO energy gap (∆E), and global reactivity descriptors, were calculated. Additionally, molecular electrostatic potential (MESP), density of states (DOS), and frontier molecular orbitals (FMO) were analyzed. The results demonstrated significant improvements in electronic properties, with increased total dipole moment (TDM) values (7.300 Debye for Cs/Gr and 6.311 Debye for Cs/GrO) and reduced ∆E (3.671 eV for Cs/Gr and 2.701 eV for Cs/GrO), indicating enhanced reactivity. Adsorption energies (E a ) for interactions with di-hydrated Pb and Cu were also evaluated, showing proper binding where E a values of – 13.869 eV for Cs/Gr/di-hydrated Pb, – 13.689 eV for Cs/Gr/di-hydrated Cu, – 12.975 eV for Cs/GrO/di-hydrated Pb, and − 14.211 eV for Cs/GrO/di-hydrated Cu. Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) analysis confirmed E a findings. Cs/GrO composites were synthesized and FTIR spectra were measured and compared to computed vibrational frequencies. This study combines DFT and QTAIM to provide a comprehensive understanding of the selective adsorption behavior of Cs/Gr and Cs/GrO composites for di-hydrated Pb and Cu, supported by FTIR validation of the computational models.
Impact of degradation and time of sampling on gut Microbiome composition in wild-caught marine fish
Abstract The gut microbiome has the potential to be an effective indicator of individual and population health in fish given its sensitivity to internal and external stressors. However, without consistent and tested validated sampling protocols, the gut microbiome’s potential as a reliable indicator may be limited. Routine sampling of wild free-living fish caught by commercial fisheries rarely occurs at the time of capture and more commonly occurs hours, days, or weeks after fish capture when the catch is unloaded in port. This delay in sampling provides time for the degradation and decomposition of the microbiome community potentially compromising the reliability of gut microbiome analyses. Unfortunately, comprehensive and systematic analyses on post-capture changes in the gut microbiome communities of wild marine fish are lacking, limiting the reliability of microbiome studies. Here, we investigated the post-mortem changes in the gut microbiome of one wild-caught marine fish, skipjack tuna ( Katsuwonus pelamis ), at five different time points (immediately, 2 h, 24 h, 12 days, and 24 days after fish capture). The decomposition of the gut microbiome community occurred within the first 24 h if the samples were not preserved immediately. Over time, the relative abundance of Vibrionaceae decreased while Bradyrhizobiaceae increased, indicating the potential of these two families to serve as gut microbiome degradation indicators. Our findings highlight the importance of timely preservation in gut microbiome studies of wild-caught fish. Without appropriate preservation, both the diversity of the gut microbiome and the relative abundance of key microbial families change significantly within 24 h. To obtain reliable and representative results, we recommend preserving gut samples as soon as possible after capture, ideally within two hours, and no later than 24 h.s.
Evidence of slab tearing on an inherited Mesozoic rift transfer fault in the Betic Cordillera
Abstract The Western Mediterranean has undergone complex subduction and collision between the African and Iberian plates, influenced by slab segmentation and melt generation. Despite numerous studies aimed at understanding these connections, the style of subduction remains controversial. Utilizing a compilation of geophysical data and a new map of magmatic suites along the Western Betic Cordillera, along with geochemical and geochronological analyses, this paper presents a 3D reconstruction of a segmented subducting slab beneath the Gibraltar Arc, with a focus on the nature and timing of slab tearing and magmatism. Results suggest that magmatism was coeval with the retreating of subduction and slab tearing along the Antequera Fault Zone, a reactivated Mesozoic rift transfer fault. Slab tearing facilitated asthenospheric upwelling, triggering a localized thermal pulse in the upper plate during the Early Miocene. Zircon U–Pb geochronology witnesses this thermal event with the formation, emplacement, and crystallization of leucogranitic melts at low-pressure conditions, featuring both simple zircons (sometimes with inherited cores) and complex zircons (with rim dissolution and regrowth in host metamorphic units). Our findings demonstrate how inherited rift-related structures can drive slab tearing and asthenospheric upwelling, shaping the spatial and temporal patterns of magmatism and high-temperature metamorphism in complex subduction systems.
A burden of proof study of the effects of exposure to high fasting plasma glucose on the risk of seven types of cancer
Abstract Cancer is a major public health problem strongly influenced by genetic factors and aging; however, a proportion of its burden can be attributed to potentially modifiable risk factors. We undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing evidence to quantify and assess the relationship between high fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and the risk of developing and dying for seven types of cancer (selected for having attributable burden from FPG in GBD). Using Burden of Proof methods that provide a conservative interpretation of the evidence, we found moderate relationships between high FPG and the risk of breast, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer. Weak relationships were observed with bladder, liver, ovarian, and tracheal, bronchus and lung cancers. These findings should galvanize the global community’s efforts in addressing the increasing burden of high blood sugar and inform the potential impact of different hypoglycemic treatments on reducing the burden of cancer.