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Ligand supplementation restores the cancer therapy efficacy of the antirheumatic drug auranofin from serum inactivation

Administration of heat killed Fructobacillus fructosus OS-1010 attenuates metabolic disease induced by high fat diet in mice

Abstract Heat-killed Fructobacillus fructosus OS-1010 reportedly enhance the number and membrane potential of mitochondria in muscle cell C2C12 in vitro. However, there are no reports on the effects of this strain on mitochondria or the resulting effects on the body in animal models. In this study, we investigated the effects of heat-killed F. fructosus OS-1010 on obesity and other metabolic abnormalities and muscle weakness in mice with high-fat diet (HFD)-induced sarcopenic obesity. C57BL/6 mice were fed HFD supplemented with heat-killed F. fructosus OS-1010 for 13 weeks. The HFD-induced body weight gain was significantly reduced. Additionally, there was a significant decrease in alanine aminotransferase levels, improvement in serum lipid profiles, and a reduction in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) progression. Skeletal muscle weakness was also mitigated, with changes in gene expression in the quadriceps indicating suppression of intramuscular fat accumulation, and enhancement of mitochondrial density. The findings of this study suggest that heat-killed F. fructosus OS-1010 functions as an anti-obesity postbiotic, potentially benefiting both NAFLD and muscle weakness associated with obesity.

Nanoconfinement promotes CO2 electroreduction to methanol on a molecular catalyst

Application of causal forest double machine learning (DML) approach to assess tuberculosis preventive therapy’s impact on ART adherence

Wood decay under anoxia by the brown-rot fungus Fomitopsis pinicola

Vehicular ad hoc networks verification scheme based on bilinear pairings and networks reverse fuzzy extraction

Lipid-mediated hydrophobic gating in the BK potassium channel

Abstract Structures of the large-conductance, calcium-activated potassium (BK) channel in the Ca2+ −bound and Ca2+ −free states have suggested that K+ conduction is not gated via a steric closure of the pore-lining helices of the channel, in contrast to the gating mechanism of other 6TM channels. This has raised the question of how gating might occur in the absence of apparent steric hindrance by protein residues. To answer this question, we perform molecular simulations and free-energy calculations to develop a microscopic picture of the gating mechanism. Our results highlight an unexpected role for annular lipids, which appear to be an integral part of the gating machinery. In the Ca2+ −free (“closed”) pore, methyl groups from lipid alkyl chains can enter the pore through fenestrations between the pore-lining helices. This dynamic occupancy directly contributes to dewetting of the inner-pore cavity, thus hindering ion conduction. In contrast, Ca2+ binding leads to occlusion of the fenestrations, thus preventing the lipids from entering the pore cavity and permitting pore hydration and ion conduction. This apparent lipid-mediated hydrophobic gating may also explain functional observations that include state-dependent pore accessibility of hydrophobic channel blockers.

AE-BPNN: autoencoder and backpropagation neural network-based model for lithium-ion battery state of health estimation

Non-coding genetic elements of lung cancer identified using whole genome sequencing in 13,722 Chinese

The chain mediating role of emotion regulation and stress perception in physical activity alleviating college students’ health anxiety

Changes in susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial drugs in Uganda over time: 2019–2024

Abstract The treatment and control of malaria in Africa is challenged by drug resistance. We characterized ex vivo susceptibilities to nine drugs of isolates collected from individuals presenting with uncomplicated falciparum malaria in eastern (2019-2024) and northern (2021-2024) Uganda and performed deep sequencing, with analysis of 80 Plasmodium falciparum genes, to evaluate associations between susceptibilities and potential resistance markers for samples studied since 2016. For 1114 evaluated isolates, median half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s) were low-nanomolar for chloroquine, monodesethylamodiaquine, piperaquine, pyronaridine, lumefantrine, mefloquine, and DHA, but higher for quinine and pyrimethamine. Over time, susceptibilities improved for chloroquine, decreased for lumefantrine, mefloquine, and DHA, and were unchanged for other drugs. Changes in prevalences of known markers of altered drug susceptibility followed the same patterns. Genotypes associated with drug susceptibility were those previously identified for aminoquinolines and pyrimethamine. For lumefantrine, susceptibility was decreased with wild-type PfCRT K76T or PfMDR1 N86Y, mutant PfK13 C469Y or A675V, mutant PfCARL D611N, and other polymorphisms. For DHA, susceptibility was decreased with the PfK13 C469Y or A675V and PfMDR1 Y500N mutations. Decreasing activities of lumefantrine and DHA suggest potential loss of efficacies of leading regimens, although the clinical consequences of these changes are, to date, uncertain.

Carbon footprint awareness scale (CFAS): validity and reliability study on university students

Abstract This study was designed with a mixed model to develop a valid and reliable measurement tool to measure university students’ carbon footprint awareness. A total of 1053 university students, 454 female and 599 male, were included in the study voluntarily. To provide evidence for the scale’s validity, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were applied to the measurement tool within the scope of construct validity. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) conducted in the first stage of the study, and the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) in the second stage, scale questions consisting of 50 items (n = 500) were applied to the participants. The higher the variance from exploratory factor analysis, the stronger the scale’s factor structure. Our item loadings vary between 0.40 and 0.70. These ratios show that the items in our scale are significant. No item was removed from the scale due to the item analysis. One modification process was made. It was proven that the Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, tested in line with the reliability of the measurement tool, was high. As a result of the analyzes performed, Cronbach’s Alpha reliability coefficients; For “Buildings factor” it was found as 0.783, for “Fossil Fuel Transportation and Transportation factor” it was found as 0.873, for “Oil Refinery factor” it was found as 0.857, for “Industry factor” it was found as 0.826, for “Electricity and Heat Production factor” it was found as 0.807, for “Land Use and Forestry factor” it was found as 0.790, for “Agricultural Activity factor” it was found as 0.858, for “Waste factor” it was found as 0.781, for “Other Energy Production factor” it was found as 0.864, for “Sports Organizations factor” it was found as 0.910 and for “Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale” it was found as 0.966. As a result of confirmatory factor analysis, the χ2/sd value, one of the fit indexes of the model, was determined as 2.79. Accordingly, it was determined that the χ2/sd ratio was the perfect fit for the analysis. In the second stage of the study, scale questions consisting of 50 items (n = 553) were applied to the participants. In the CFA applied to the obtained data, the value of χ2/sd, one of the fit indexes of the model, was determined as 2.75. In CFA, the Chi-Square/degrees of freedom (df) ratio being below three corresponds to a perfect fit, and below five corresponds to a moderate fit. In this direction, it was determined that the χ2/sd ratio was perfect for the analysis. RMSEA value showed a good fit at a 0.056 level. Thus, it was determined that the 50-item and 10-factor structure of the scale was confirmed as a model. In this context, it can be said that the Carbon Footprint Awareness Scale is a valid and reliable data collection tool that can measure carbon footprint awareness to create awareness and a conscious society among university students and the society in general.

Lattice stabilization and strain homogenization in Sn-Pb bottom subcells enable stable all-perovskite tandems solar cells

Deep learning model for early acute lymphoblastic leukemia detection using microscopic images

Assembled peptoid crystalline nanomaterials as carbonic anhydrase mimics for promoted hydration and sequestration of CO2

Phylogenetic and functional analysis of MYB genes unraveling its role involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis in H macrophylla

Opposing regulation of the K63-linked polyubiquitination of RIPK3 by SMURF1 and USP5 in necroptosis

Prevalence and correlates of restless leg syndrome in psychiatric outpatients in Lebanon

Worldwide genetic diversity of Plasmodium vivax Pv47 is consistent with natural selection by anopheline mosquitoes

Abstract Pv47 is the Plasmodium vivax ortholog of Pfs47, a protein that allows the Plasmodium falciparum malaria parasite to evade mosquito immunity and adapt to diverse vectors. We analyzed global genetic diversity of Pv47 and compared it with Pfs47, finding that most common Pv47 polymorphisms are non-synonymous and cluster in regions similar to those in Pfs47. Pv47 domain 2 presents an excess of non-synonymous substitutions, suggesting positive selection. The greatest haplotype diversity is found in Pv47 from East/Southeast Asia and Oceania. Like Pfs47, Pv47 also exhibits a marked geographic population structure worldwide. Notably, a Pv47 polymorphism (K27E) is associated to differences in infectivity to Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) albimanus and Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, two phylogenetically distant vectors in Mexico. The striking similarities in genetic diversity, population structure, and signatures of natural selection between Pv47 and Pfs47 suggest that adaptation to different Anopheline mosquito species drives Pv47 diversity by selecting compatible Pv47 haplotypes.

Biodiversity and five novel species of myxozoan parasites in Barbonymus spp. (Cyprinidae, Cypriniformes) from Malaysia

Abstract Up to this time, only five myxosporean species have been documented from fishes of the Barbonymus genus. Due to a limited number of myxozoan studies conducted in Southeast Asia, particularly in Malaysia, the diversity of this parasite group remains largely undiscovered. In this study, a comprehensive parasitology survey was conducted, revealing nine myxozoan parasites, including five different Myxobolus spp., three Thelohanellus sp. and one Myxidium sp. Using morphological and molecular data, we describe here five new species: Myxobolus gonionoti n. sp., found in the gill filaments; Myxobolus barbonymi n. sp., and Myxobolus faizahae n. sp. found in the muscle cells; Thelohanellus gonionoti n. sp. found in the fins; and Thelohanellus barbonymi n. sp. found in the gill arches. Additionally, we identified spores of the previously described Myxobolus dykovae in the gill lamellae of B. schwanefeldii and Thelohanellus zahrahae in the gill filaments of B. gonionotus. Furthermore, two undescribed species were documented solely based on morphology and morphometrics, a Myxobolus sp. from the muscle cells of B. schwanefeldii and a Myxidium sp. from the gallbladder of B. gonionotus.