Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Interleaving asynchronous and synchronous activity in balanced cortical networks with short term synaptic depression
Abstract Cortical populations are in a broadly asynchronous state that is sporadically interrupted by brief epochs of coordinated population activity. Inhibitory stabilized networks reproduce a low activity asynchronous regime but cannot generate population events. In contrast, synaptic depression stabilized excitatory networks create transient surges of activity, yet give inhibition only a perfunctory role. We analyzed spontaneously active in vitro mouse auditory cortex slices that show both regimes, including slow (2–12 Hz) oscillations within some events. We built firing rate and biophysically realistic spiking models in which excitation is balanced by recurrent inhibition, yet all excitatory synapses undergo short term depression. In our model a depression of synaptic excitation onto inhibition neurons initiates events, while depression of excitation onto excitatory neurons shapes rhythmicity of the events, reproducing the full repertoire observed experimentally. Our work unifies balanced and depression stabilized theories and provides a mechanistic framework for nonlinear, population wide correlations in cortex.
Assessment of unconfined compressive strength of nano-doped fly ash-treated clayey soil using machine learning tools
Mitigating Chloramphenicol induced liver toxicity by exploring the therapeutic potential of Astaxanthin and Quercetin
Root anatomy governs bi-directional resource transfer in mycorrhizal symbiosis
Abstract Plants form mycorrhizal symbioses to enhance nutrient acquisition, yet the biophysical principles governing carbon and nutrient exchange remain unclear. Here, we develop a theory of bi-directional carbon–nutrient transfer that integrates root anatomy, energetic costs, and mycorrhizal positioning. We show that nutrient uptake per unit carbon or energy investment declines with increasing root diameter due to higher carbon demands across thicker cortical tissues. Mycorrhizal fungi mitigate this constraint by enabling more carbon-efficient nutrient uptake, particularly when arbuscules are positioned in inner cortical layers. This spatial optimization minimizes the carbon cost of transporting nutrients to the stele. Our framework reconciles anatomical variation, symbiotic structure, and functional efficiency across root types and mycorrhizal strategies and offers a new lens for understanding the coevolution between roots and mycorrhizal fungi.
The impact of nano zinc on broiler productivity, tibia bone characteristics, and gut microbiota
Abstract This study aimed to investigate the impact of varying concentrations of nano zinc oxide compared to the conventional form affected the productivity, tibia bone characteristics, and cecal and intestinal microbiota in broilers from 1 to 35 days of age. The Arbor Acres 360-day-old male chicks were divided into six treatment groups (6 groups × 6 replicates × 10 chicks each). Except for zinc, which was given at three levels of 100% of the strain guide necessary level (110 mg), 50% (55 mg), and 25% (27.5 mg) of traditional or nano zinc oxide, six diets were formulated to meet the nutritional requirements of Arbor Acres chicks. The findings indicated that birds fed diets containing nano zinc oxide exhibited superior productive performance. There were no statistically significant differences (P > 0.05) observed between the various levels of nano zinc oxide. Furthermore, the study documented the ideal characteristics of the tibia bone in birds that were provided with diets supplemented with nano zinc oxide. These characteristics encompassed tibia weight, length, width, and breaking strength. Moreover, the birds that were fed nano zinc oxide had the best levels of tibia bone ash, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc content. The bone mineral density and concentration of birds fed nano zinc oxide were assessed using X-ray and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) techniques, revealing the most optimal results. The addition of zinc oxide in nano form led to enhanced intestinal microbiota by enhanced beneficial bacteria and decreased harmful bacteria. From the current results, the addition of nano zinc oxide at 25% recorded the best productive inclusion of nano zinc oxide provided the best productive performance, bone quality and gut microbiota (Lactobacilli, Enterobacteriaceae, and Salmonella).
Retraction Note: Identification of novel IL17-related genes as prognostic and therapeutic biomarkers of psoriasis using comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and machine learning
Challenges to determine synergistic drug interactions in mice
An optimized hybrid deep learning model to detect Alzheimer disease
Role of Notch gene receptors as prognostic biomarkers in colorectal cancer
Abstract The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) is increasing across the world, especially in younger age groups and the Indian subcontinent. Dysregulation in Notch pathway genes and their Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNPs) can potentially lead to aberrant signaling and contribute to CRC development. We investigated SNPs of Notch1 (rs3124591), Notch2 (rs10910779), Notch3 (rs1043994), and Notch4 (rs367398) in CRC (n = 103) and Controls (n = 103) along with their protein expression in the cases. The SNPs were detected by Polymerase Chain Reaction–Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism method followed by Sanger sequencing. The protein expression was determined by the western blot technique. SPSS was used to analyze the correlations of the molecular findings with clinicopathological features and survival. The frequency of CT genotype in Notch1 was significantly lower in CRC patients compared to healthy controls (40.77% vs 62.14%; p = 0.009) and was associated with increased depth of invasion (p = 0.03). Notch3 polymorphism A > G showed significant association with the advanced TNM stage (p = 0.013). Interestingly, AG and GG genotype in Notch3 was significantly associated with increased protein expression (p = 0.047). The patients carrying the 'G' allele in Notch3 had an increased risk of having CRC (OR = 1.697, CI 95%: 1.001–2.873, p = 0.049) and a lower survival rate (p > 0.05). Notch4 polymorphism showed an association with tumor grade (p = 0.03). The genotypes CT and TT had lower survival rates than the CC genotype (p = 0.08). Notch receptor polymorphism, especially Notch3, is associated with increased protein expression and a higher risk of having CRC. Furthermore, poor survival in patients with Notch3 and Notch4 polymorphism suggests their potential as prognostic biomarker in CRC.
Psilocybin during the postpartum period induces long-lasting adverse effects in both mothers and offspring
Abstract Psilocybin increases social connectedness and has strong clinical transdiagnostic efficacy for mental illness, making it a candidate treatment to reduce maternal disconnect, anxiety, and blunted affect seen in peripartum mood disorders. However, the efficacy and safety of psilocybin in peripartum mood disorders has not been investigated. We used a social stress model to examine the effects of psilocybin in parous mice and their offspring. Social stress induced maternal withdrawal and increased stress-related behaviors – none of which were ameliorated by psilocybin. Weeks later, psilocybin-treated dams were more anxious, regardless of stress exposure. In contrast, psilocybin-treated virgin females were unaffected. Though reproductive status did not affect psilocybin pharmacokinetics, serotonin receptor transcription and 5-HT2A receptor-dependent responses were reduced in dams. Offspring exposed to maternal psilocybin during breastfeeding exhibited anhedonia in adulthood. Here, we show that both parous parents and their children may be uniquely vulnerable to psychedelic treatment during the postpartum period.
Transient thermoelastic and carrier wave behavior in laser-excited cylindrical semiconductor metamaterial disc
Decoding pathogenic MMP9 variants in rheumatoid arthritis using computational and molecular dynamics approaches
Contribution of leukocyte telomere length to cardiovascular disease onset from genome-wide cross-trait analysis
Abstract Telomere shortening is a well-established marker of cellular aging and genomic instability. While the relationship between leukocyte telomere length and cardiovascular diseases has long been of interest, their genetic interplay remains incompletely understood. In this study, we observe substantial genetic overlap beyond genome-wide correlations and identify a potential causal relationship between leukocyte telomere length and coronary artery disease. Specifically, we discover 248 pleiotropic loci, 22 of which show strong evidence of colocalization. Some shared loci implicate multiple pleiotropic genes across different trait pairs, including ALDH2 , ACAD10 , TMEM116 , SH2B3 (all at 12q24.12), TMED6 (16q22.1), SERPINF1 (17p13.3), and XPO7 (8p21.3). Functional analysis highlights key pathways involved in DNA biosynthesis and telomere maintenance. Notably, SH2B3 is validated through proteome-wide Mendelian randomization analysis, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target. Here we report the shared genetic basis between leukocyte telomere length and cardiovascular diseases, providing valuable insights into future therapeutic developments.