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Activated cancer-associated fibroblasts correlate with poor survival and decreased lymphocyte infiltration in infiltrative type distal cholangiocarcinoma
Spatio-temporal scale identification of LUCC based on remote sensing images in Shenyang Economic Zone
Bread consumed in recommended portions does not provide excessive amounts of sodium and salt in children’s diet
Muscle-Driven prognostication in gastric cancer: A multicenter deep learning framework integrating Iliopsoas and erector spinae radiomics for 5-Year survival prediction
The diffraction limit of light taken by storm
Heritable symbiont producing nonribosomal peptide confers extreme heat sensitivity and antifungal protection on its host
Insects frequently form associations with maternally transmitted symbiotic bacteria. This transmission mode ensures that symbiont-conferred effects, both beneficial and negative, are passed onto offspring. Here, we report an extreme example of symbiont-mediated temperature sensitivity imposed by a vertically transmitted, defensive symbiont. Pea aphids infected with the bacterial endosymbiont, Fukatsuia symbiotica, resist infection by fungal pathogens but produce few or no offspring when moved from cool (15 °C) to mildly warmer temperatures (20 °C). This temperature-dependent reduction in host fitness is associated with increased symbiont abundance, disordered symbiont localization, and high expression of a horizontally acquired nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS) locus. This NRPS operon is syntenic with the locus responsible for the production of Herbicolin A, a known antifungal produced by some plant-associated Erwiniaceae . Activity of chemical extracts from infected aphids is predictive of in vivo protection against entomopathogenic fungi, indicating that an Herbicolin A–like molecule is the likely source of Fukatsuia’s protective effects against fungal pathogens. Injection of the same chemical extracts into naive aphids partially recapitulates developmental defects observed in natural infections at 20 °C, suggesting that increased levels of this compound contribute to disrupted embryonic development. Finally, the purification of the causal agent revealed Fukatsuia produces a compound similar but not identical to Herbicolin A, that exhibits both antifungal and hemolytic activity. These results suggest that F. symbiotica infection imposes a trade-off between antifungal defense and disrupted embryonic development, mediated by a single genetic locus.
Advanced analysis of defect clusters in nuclear reactors using machine learning techniques
Analysis of the mutation rates and male relative differentiation ability of RM Y-STRs in the Chinese Han population
Experimental study on a three-position four-way water hydraulic directional valve with a novel sealing structure
Cognitive difference text classification in online knowledge collaboration based on SA-BiLSTM hybrid model
High-isolation dual-band MIMO antenna for next-generation 5G wireless networks at 28/38 GHz with machine learning-based gain prediction
Influence of reduced nitrogen fertilizer combined with sheep manure on root-soil interaction in Korla fragrant pear orchards in xinjiang, China
Metformin and weight loss medication impact on survival outcomes in older women with obesity-related cancers
Abstract While the association between metformin and mortality in obesity-related cancers (ORC: breast (BrCa), colorectal (CRC), endometrial (ECa), and ovarian (OCa)) remains inconsistent, the impact of weight loss medication (WLM) on mortality in ORC is largely unexplored, particularly among older women. This study aims to investigate the association between pre-diagnostic use of metformin and WLM with all-cause and cancer-specific mortality in older women with ORC. A retrospective cohort of 63,907 women (≥ 65 years) with ORC was identified using SEER-Medicare 2007–2015 data. Pre-diagnostic prescriptions of metformin and WLM were ascertained, and inverse probability of treatment weighting using propensity score (IPTW-PS) was utilized to balance baseline patient characteristics. Cox proportional hazards and competing-risks models were conducted. Metformin was associated with all-cause- (HR:1.86; 95% CI: 1.81–1.92) and ORC-specific mortality (HR: 1.71; 95% CI: 1.63–1.77). Likewise, WLM was associated with all-cause- (HR:1.64; 95% CI: 1.59–1.71) and ORC-specific mortality (HR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.48–1.62). Dual use of metformin and WLM was associated with all-cause- (HR:1.39; 95% CI: 1.34–1.45) and ORC-specific mortality (HR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.21–1.53). Significant associations were observed in ORC subgroup analyses, except that WLM was inversely associated with ECa-specific morality. Pre-diagnostic metformin and WLM were associated with an increased mortality risk in older women with ORC, with effects more pronounced among metformin users. Further prospective studies are needed to substantiate these findings.
Ultrahigh energy storage in process-engineered NaNbO₃-based thin films with superior thermal and cyclic stability
Abstract Dielectric thin film capacitors are essential for miniaturized electronics and energy storage systems, offering ultrafast charge-discharge rates and high reliability. However, achieving high energy density, efficiency, and stability in lead-free systems remains challenging, particularly with scalable and cost-effective methods. Here, we demonstrate relaxor sodium niobate-based thin films with Bi and Mg substitution, synthesized via optimized chemical solution deposition. By tailoring crystallization temperature and heating rate, we achieved a recoverable energy density of 37 J cm−3 and an efficiency of 80% at 2.45 MV cm−1. The films exhibit exceptional thermal stability, with energy density variation below 10% up to 310 °C, and superior charge-discharge stability beyond 16 million cycles at high fields. Microstructural engineering, involving grain size reduction and enhanced granularity, was critical for achieving a high Weibull breakdown strength (2.29 MV cm−1) and reliability. These films outperform previously reported sodium niobate systems, surpassing lead-based alternatives in environmental sustainability and scalability. Our approach highlights the potential of sodium niobate-based thin films for high-performance dielectric capacitors in harsh environments, offering a scalable pathway for environmentally sustainable energy storage technologies.
Improving YOLOv11 for marine water quality monitoring and pollution source identification
Overcoming toxicity: How nonantagonistic microbes manage to thrive in boom-and-bust environments
Antagonistic interactions are critical determinants of microbial community stability and composition, offering host benefits such as pathogen protection and providing avenues for antimicrobial control. While the ability to eliminate competitors confers an advantage to antagonistic microbes, it often incurs a fitness cost. Consequently, many microbes only produce toxins or engage in antagonistic behavior in response to specific cues like quorum sensing molecules or environmental stress. In laboratory settings, antagonistic microbes typically dominate over sensitive ones, raising the question of why both antagonistic and nonantagonistic microbes are found in natural environments and host microbiomes. Here, using both theoretical models and experiments with killer strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae , we show that “boom-and-bust” dynamics—periods of rapid growth punctuated by episodic mortality events—caused by temporal environmental fluctuations can favor nonantagonistic microbes that do not incur the growth rate cost of toxin production. Additionally, using control theory, we derive bounds on the competitive performance and identify optimal regulatory toxin-production strategies in various boom-and-bust environments where population dilutions occur either deterministically or stochastically over time. Our mathematical investigation reveals that optimal toxin regulation is much more beneficial to killers in stochastic, rather than deterministic, boom-and-bust environments. Overall, our findings show how both antagonistic and nonantagonistic microbes can thrive under varying environmental conditions.
Physical education teaching design under the STEAM concept using the convolutional neural network
Analysis of monomer ratios in a dimethacrylate mixture using positron annihilation spectroscopy
Abstract Dimethacrylate based samples suitable for photopolymerization are usually used in mixtures with different ratios. In the case of the monomers D3MA and UDMA, the ideal monomer ratio of 1:1 was reported in the literature and designed as 2 M. Dimethacrylate-based photopolymers are highly cross-linked polymer networks, indispensable in applications requiring rapid polymerization processes, such as light-curable materials for dental applications. Different ratios of the starting monomers D3MA and UDMA in a mixture with the addition of a 0.1 mol% photoinitiator was used in near-UV light photopolymerization. The lifetime of the ortho-positronium was monitored by PALS and the local free volume were determined. NIR was used to follow the double bond transformation in the dimethacrylates region. Bulk density was determined using Archimedes’ law. The phase transitions and the glass transition temperatures (Tg´s) were determined using the dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA). Based on the free volume size, double bonds and density of the material, the most suitable ratio of monomers used in dentistry and other application was determined. Correlations between the local free volume, density, and chemical bonding of the studied samples with different ratios are discussed.
Cell-type specific sensory and motor activity in the cuneiform nucleus and pedunculopontine nucleus in mice
Abstract The activity of neurotransmitter-based cell types in the cuneiform and pedunculopontine nuclei during locomotion, non-locomotor behaviors, and following sensory stimulation is not fully understood. Using fiber photometry in mice, we found cell-type specific responses to sensory stimuli. Glutamatergic and GABAergic cells responded to sound, visual looming, and air puffs, except for pedunculopontine GABAergic cells, which did not respond to visual looming. Cholinergic cells responded to air puffs. Air puffs triggered high-speed locomotion, whereas visual looming and sound stimuli evoked low-speed locomotion. During air puff–evoked locomotion, cuneiform glutamatergic neuron activity was higher than in trials without locomotion. In contrast, during locomotion evoked by visual looming or sound, activity in pedunculopontine glutamatergic neurons was higher than when no locomotion occurred. In the open-field arena, mice exhibited spontaneous low-speed locomotion during which activity increased in pedunculopontine glutamatergic cells. Activity also increased in a cell type-specific manner during grooming or rearing. Our study shows cell type-specific activity in the cuneiform or pedunculopontine nuclei during locomotion, non-locomotor behaviors, and following sensory stimulation. Sensory responsiveness likely has relevance in Parkinson’s disease, where sensory circuits are increasingly targeted to improve walking.