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Preliminary investigation of anti-fatigue effects and potential mechanisms of meiju oral liquid in mouse and zebrafish models

Meiju Oral Liquid (MOL), a representative medicinal formula in China, stems from the traditional use of specific Chinese medicinal herbs known for their anti-fatigue properties, including rose, jujube, chicory, and wolfberry. While these individual herbs have been recognized for their benefits, the formulation of MOL itself has not been extensively studied. This study was designed to evaluate the potential anti-fatigue effects of MOL, prepared from these natural herbs, and to explore its underlying mechanisms. In this research, both mouse and zebrafish models were utilized to investigate the anti-fatigue effects of MOL. Chemical characterization of MOL and identification of bioactive compounds in serum were conducted using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q-TOF/MS). The results demonstrated that MOL significantly prolonged the weight-bearing swimming time in mice, increased hepatic and muscle glycogen content, and reduced serum levels of blood urea nitrogen, blood lactate, and inflammatory markers (IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and NO). Furthermore, MOL down-regulated the expression of NOX4 and TNF-α proteins while up-regulating p-PI3K and p-AKT proteins in the liver tissues of fatigued mice. In zebrafish models, MOL exhibited protective effects against sodium sulfite-induced lethality, enhanced high-speed motion trajectories, and increased movement distances in both normal and fatigued zebrafish. Additionally, MOL downregulated IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and TNF-β mRNA levels while up-regulating PI3K and AKT1 mRNA levels in fatigued zebrafish. These findings suggested that the anti-fatigue effects of MOL may be mediated through the activation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway as well as the inhibition of TNF-α and NOX4 expression. In addition, a total of ninety-four chemical components were identified in MOL, with twenty-three migration compounds detected in mouse serum. These migration compounds are likely the primary active agents, contributing to the reduction of metabolite accumulation, enhancement of glycogen synthesis, and suppression of inflammatory responses. Taken together, our findings underscore the potential anti-fatigue effects of MOL, warranting further investigation into its therapeutic applications and the specific roles of its bioactive compounds.

MPPT of solar PV systems using PSO memetic algorithm considering the effect of change in tilt angle

An exploration of the support received by mothers for kangaroo mother care practice along the health facility-community continuum in a sub-district of Northern Karnataka, India

Introduction Early initiation with optimal duration of Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC), for all stable small babies (<2000grams at birth), is essential for accelerated reduction of neonatal mortality. The purpose of this paper is to explore the support received by mothers along the health facility-community continuum and its association with KMC practice. Methods All live small babies aged >  4 weeks of life, who were residing in the Gangawati sub-district, were recruited on a rolling basis (Dec 2017-Sept 2018) to obtain the estimated sample size of 210. Mother-baby dyads were visited in their homes to collect information [knowledge, attitude, and support received] for KMC initiation and maintenance till required. Secondary data on KMC duration was obtained from the district-wide project database. Results A total of 209 mothers with 227 small babies were interviewed (18 had twins). The mothers had a mean age of 23 (±4) years; and 7(±5) years of education, with 5 (±2) family members >  18 years in their households. More than half (51%) of the babies were female with a mean age of 35.6 (±7.5)days/ 4-6weeks and mean birth weight of 1693.6 (±221.4)grams irrespective of gestational age; 21.6% of whom were ≤ 1500g at birth. Most of the babies 205 (90.3%) were initiated on KMC at the health facility. The score obtained for KMC initiation [45%} and KMC maintenance support at the health facility [51.3%] was minimal. Multiple regression linear analysis showed that overall KMC support at the health facility was significantly higher for first-time mothers [β coefficient -1.54 (95% CI -2.87, -0.22)] and better knowledge scores on KMC [β coefficient 0.21 (05% CI 0.01, 0.42)]. KMC maintenance support was significantly higher for first-time mothers [β coeff -3.62 (95% CI -6.29, -0.96)] and for mothers whose babies had lower birth weights [β coeff -4.27 (95% CI -7.50, -1.05)]. Conclusion Mothers require support to initiate and continue KMC along the health facility-community continuum (S1 Table). The role of support at home would require further exploration to determine its association with KMC practice.

Evaluation of geological hazard susceptibility based on the multi-kernel density information method

Happy-Productive worker thesis: The role of work characteristics, gender, and age

Happy-productive worker thesis (HPWT) research predicts four configurations depending on well-being and performance levels, one synergistic and three antagonists; however, there has been some discrepancy in the expected results of HPWT, as there are some inclusive results about the specific characteristics that lead to each one of the predicted groups. In this study, we face these discrepancies using a three-configuration model that is more realistic in the organizational context, and exploring how work characteristics, gender, and age can predict workers’ membership in such configurations. We performed multinomial logistic regressions using a sample of 504 Colombian workers and their supervisors from different economic sectors. The results indicated that different work characteristics are associated with the membership of workers in each group, and how this membership varies depending on gender and age group. Our findings offer new research and practice insights about the role of HPWT in HRM (human resources management).

Assessing oral Health-Related quality of life in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast Cancer in Karachi Pakistan

Identification of novel antiviral host factors by functional gene expression analysis using in vitro HBV infection assay systems

To cure hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, it is essential to elucidate the function of hepatocyte host factors in regulating the viral life cycle. Signaling and transcription activator of transcription (STAT)1 play important roles in immune responses, but STAT1-independent pathways have also been shown to have important biological reactivity. Using an in vitro HBV infection assay system, the current study aimed to investigate the STAT1-independent host factors that contribute to the control of viral infection by comprehensive functional screening. The in vitro HBV infection system was established using primary human hepatocytes (PXB cells) infected with HBV derived from a plasmid containing the 1.3-mer HBV genome. Comprehensive functional studies were performed using small interfering RNA (siRNA) and vector transfection and analyzed using microarrays. Knockdown of STAT1 increased viral products in HBV-transfected HepG2 cells, but decreased in HBV-infected PXB cells. RNA microarray was performed using HBV-infected PXB cells with STAT1 knockdown. Fumarylacetoacetate hydrolase (FAH) was extracted by siRNA of genes in PXB cells altered by STAT1 knockdown. Transfection of FAH inhibited HBV replication. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF), the methyl ester of FAH metabolite, showed antiviral effects by inducing autophagy and anti-HBV-related genes. Independently of STAT1, FAH was identified as a host factor that contributes to the control of viral infection, and its metabolite, DMF, exhibited antiviral activity. These results suggest that the novel host factor FAH and its metabolites may be an innovative therapeutic strategy to control the HBV life cycle.

Autophagy-related biomarkers identified in sepsis-induced ARDS through bioinformatics analysis

Experiment and analysis on the heterogeneity of CO2 adsorption-transport by microrocks in coal matrix

In order to study gas adsorption performance effected by micro-rock in coal matrix, dual energy X-ray CT was used to calculate the density change of coal core before and after gas injection, which can obtain the CO2 concentration (adsorption amount) in coal core, and reveal the uneven characteristics of CO2 adsorption by minerals. The research results show that coal core in the region where minerals exist has a higher density, while the density of the coal matrix is smaller. Regions with higher coal density (more minerals) have weaker adsorption capacity for CO2. The CO2 concentration in coal core decreases approximately linearly along the axial direction of coal core from the gas injection end to the outlet section. The average voxel density is basically the same at the same coal core section before and after gas injection, which indicates that the coal matrix recovers and approaches the original state after desorption. However, before and after gas injection, the average voxel density of coal core varies greatly, and the frequency variation and average deviation factor of different voxel densities vary greatly, which indicates that the adsorption of CO2 by coal core is extremely uneven.

Opportunities of aluminum sludge dredging with soft magnetic conditioner for dewaterability enrichment

Akt3 links mitochondrial function to the regulation of Aurora B and mitotic fidelity

Akt3 is a key regulator of mitochondrial homeostasis in the endothelium. Akt3 depletion results in mitochondrial dysfunction, decreased mitochondrial biogenesis, and decreased angiogenesis. Here we link mitochondrial homeostasis with mitotic fidelity—depletion of Akt3 results in the missegregation of chromosomes as visualized by multinucleation and micronuclei formation. We have connected Akt3 to Aurora B, a significant player in chromosome segregation. Akt3 localizes to the nucleus, where it associates with and regulates WDR12. During mitosis, WDR12 is localized to the dividing chromosomes, and its depletion results in a similar mitotic phenotype to Akt3 depletion. WDR12 associates with Aurora B, both of which are downregulated under conditions of Akt3 depletion. We used the model oxidant paraquat to induce mitochondrial dysfunction to test whether the Akt3-dependent effect on mitochondrial homeostasis is linked to mitotic function. Paraquat treatment also causes chromosome missegregation by inhibiting the expression of Akt3, WDR12, and Aurora B. The inhibition of ROS rescued both the mitotic fidelity and the expression of Akt3 and Aurora B. Akt3 directly phosphorylates the major nuclear export protein CRM-1, causing an increase in its expression, resulting in the inhibition of PGC-1 nuclear localization, the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. The Akt3/Aurora B pathway is also dependent on CRM-1. CRM-1 overexpression resulted in chromosome missegregation and downregulation of Aurora B similar to that of Akt3 depletion. Akt3 null hearts at midgestation (E14.5), a stage in which proliferation is occurring, have decreased Aurora B expression, increased CRM-1 expression, decreased proliferation, and increased apoptosis. Akt3 null hearts are smaller and have a thinner compact cell layer than age-matched wild-type mice. Akt3 null tissue has dysmorphic nuclear structures, suggesting mitotic catastrophe. Our findings show that mitochondrial dysfunction induced by paraquat or Akt3 depletion results in a CRM-1-dependent disruption of Aurora B and mitotic fidelity.

Cracking the code of a correlate of protection against SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection in cancer patients

Correction: Potential model of Scalesia pedunculata carbon sequestration through restoration efforts in agricultural fields of Galapagos

Author Correction: Utilizing integrated bioinformatics and machine learning approaches to elucidate biomarkers linking sepsis to fatty acid metabolism-associated genes

OM-VST: A video action recognition model based on optimized downsampling module combined with multi-scale feature fusion

Video classification, as an essential task in computer vision, aims to identify and label video content using computer technology automatically. However, the current mainstream video classification models face two significant challenges in practical applications: first, the classification accuracy is not high, which is mainly attributed to the complexity and diversity of video data, including factors such as subtle differences between different categories, background interference, and illumination variations; and second, the number of model training parameters is too high resulting in longer training time and increased energy consumption. To solve these problems, we propose the OM-Video Swin Transformer (OM-VST) model. This model adds a multi-scale feature fusion module with an optimized downsampling module based on a Video Swin Transformer (VST) to improve the model’s ability to perceive and characterize feature information. To verify the performance of the OM-VST model, we conducted comparison experiments between it and mainstream video classification models, such as VST, SlowFast, and TSM, on a public dataset. The results show that the accuracy of the OM-VST model is improved by 2.81% while the number of parameters is reduced by 54.7%. This improvement significantly enhances the model’s accuracy in video classification tasks and effectively reduces the number of parameters during model training.

Polyoxometalate on functionalized graphene sheets as a hybrid catalyst for efficient synthesis of benzimidazoles

Abstract In this work, graphene oxide (GO) nanoparticles were synthesized and subsequently modified using 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS). An Anderson-type polyoxometalate [(C4H9)4N]2[CrMo6O18(OH)6] was then immobilized on the surface of the modified graphene oxide nanoparticles. The obtained catalyst was characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), inductively coupled plasma (ICP), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The catalytic performance of this recyclable hybrid catalyst was evaluated for the synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives at 75 °C under solvent-based conditions. The hybrid catalyst demonstrated easy separation and could be successfully reused at least six times with only a slight reduction in the yield of the desired product. Leaching and recovery tests, along with FT-IR analysis, confirmed the high stability of the catalytically active species and the heterogeneous nature of the catalyst.

The impact of extended reality cognitive behavioral therapy on mental disorders among children and youth: A systematic review and meta-analysis protocol

Background The prevalence of mental disorders among children and youth has significantly increased, with rising rates of anxiety, depression, and other psychological disorders globally. Despite the widespread adoption of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as a standardized treatment for various mental disorders, its efficacy can be constrained due to limited patient engagement, lack of commitment, and stigma, all challenges pronounced among children and youth. In this context, extended reality (XR) technologies (including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality) have emerged as innovative therapeutic tools offering immersive and engaging environments to overcome the limitations of traditional CBT. Objectives This protocol aims to outline the methodology for conducting a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the impact of XR-CBT on symptoms of mental disorders among children and youth. Methods This systematic review and meta-analysis will follow PRISMA-P 2015 guidelines. A comprehensive search will be conducted in PsycINFO, PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify relevant studies published between January 2014 and June 2024. Eligible studies must involve children and youth (ages 24 years or younger) diagnosed with a mental disorder (e.g., anxiety, depression, ADHD, PTSD) and compare XR-CBT interventions (virtual, augmented, or mixed reality) with traditional therapy or control groups (e.g., no treatment). The primary outcome will be the change in symptoms of mental disorders, measured using standardized instruments (e.g., PHQ-9, GAD-7, PSS). Data will be extracted on post-intervention means, standard deviations, and 95% confidence intervals. Effect sizes, calculated using Hedges’ g, will be pooled with a random-effects model. Moreover, an a priori meta-regression within a random-effects framework will be conducted to examine how study-level characteristics influence effect sizes and address heterogeneity across studies. Heterogeneity will be assessed using the I2 statistic and the Cochran’s Q test. Risk of bias in individual studies will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool. Conclusions This protocol establishes a structured approach for assessing the efficacy of XR-CBT interventions on mental disorders among children and youth. The results of the systematic review and meta-analysis will fill a gap in current research and inform future therapeutic applications for mental health interventions among children and youth.

Author Correction: Synergistic effect of chlorogenic acid and levofloxacin against Klebsiella pneumonia infection in vitro and in vivo

Publisher Correction: Skin autonomous antibody production regulates host–microbiota interactions

Camera traps unable to determine whether plasticine models of caterpillars reliably measure bird predation

Sampling methods that are both scientifically rigorous and ethical are cornerstones of any experimental biological research. Since its introduction 30 years ago, the method of using plasticine prey to quantify predation pressure has become increasingly popular in biology. However, recent studies have questioned the accuracy of the method, suggesting that misinterpretation of predator bite marks and the artificiality of the models may bias the results. Yet, bias per se might not be a methodological issue as soon as its statistical distribution in the samples is even, quantifiable, and thus correctable in quantitative analyses. In this study, we focus on avian predation of lepidopteran larvae models, which is one of the most extensively studied predator-prey interactions across diverse ecosystems worldwide. We compared bird predation on plasticine caterpillar models to that on dead caterpillars of similar size and color, using camera traps to assess actual predation events and to evaluate observer accuracy in identifying predation marks a posteriori . The question of whether plasticine models reliably measure insectivorous bird predation remained unanswered, for two reasons: (1) even the evaluation of experienced observers in the posterior assessment of predation marks on plasticine models was subjective to some extent, and (2) camera traps failed to reflect predation rates as assessed by observers, partly because they could only record evidence of bird presence rather than actual predation events. Camera traps detected more evidence of bird presence than predation clues on plasticine models, suggesting that fake prey may underestimate the foraging activity of avian insectivores. The evaluation of avian predation on real caterpillar corpses was probably also compromised by losses to other predators, likely ants. Given the uncertainties and limitations revealed by this study, and in the current absence of more effective monitoring methods, it remains simpler, more cost-effective, ethical, and reliable to keep using plasticine models to assess avian predation. However, it is important to continue developing improved monitoring technologies to better evaluate and refine these methods in order to advance research in this field.