Browse Articles

A soft exoskeleton for hip extension and flexion assistance based on reinforcement learning control

A realworld pharmacovigilance study of trazodone based on the FDA adverse event reporting system

Abstract To explore and analyze the potential adverse event (AE) signals of trazodone, with reference to the safe clinical use of drugs. Based on the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), the AE data of trazodone were extracted from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2024, and the extracted data were statistically analyzed using the method, to identify valid AE signals that met our judgment, compare them with those recorded in the authorized information for trazodone thereby identifying unexpected potential adverse reactions. A total of 5199 AE reports with trazodone as the main suspect were extracted, with a higher reported proportion of females (52.68%) than males (38.83%). Many reports (31.47%) did not provide age information, although for those reports with identifiable age data, the 50–60 years age group was the most common (14.20%), and the country of reporting was predominantly the United States (82.58%). A total of 179 significant AE signals were unearthed, with suicide, formulation toxicity, abnormal penile erection, insomnia, and cardiac and respiratory arrest reported with high frequency, which was not entirely consistent with the specification record. The study unearthed 156 new potential AEs on the basis of trazodone drug inserts and suggested precautions for overdosing and dose adjustment, which is conducive to safeguarding the safety of patients’ medication.

Investigating the relevance of nucleotide metabolism in the prognosis of glioblastoma through bioinformatics models

Distributed quantum computing across an optical network link

Abstract Distributed quantum computing (DQC) combines the computing power of multiple networked quantum processing modules, ideally enabling the execution of large quantum circuits without compromising performance or qubit connectivity1,2. Photonic networks are well suited as a versatile and reconfigurable interconnect layer for DQC; remote entanglement shared between matter qubits across the network enables all-to-all logical connectivity through quantum gate teleportation (QGT)3,4. For a scalable DQC architecture, the QGT implementation must be deterministic and repeatable; until now, no demonstration has satisfied these requirements. Here we experimentally demonstrate the distribution of quantum computations between two photonically interconnected trapped-ion modules. The modules, separated by about two metres, each contain dedicated network and circuit qubits. By using heralded remote entanglement between the network qubits, we deterministically teleport a controlled-Z (CZ) gate between two circuit qubits in separate modules, achieving 86% fidelity. We then execute Grover’s search algorithm5—to our knowledge, the first implementation of a distributed quantum algorithm comprising several non-local two-qubit gates—and measure a 71% success rate. Furthermore, we implement distributed iSWAP and SWAP circuits, compiled with two and three instances of QGT, respectively, demonstrating the ability to distribute arbitrary two-qubit operations6. As photons can be interfaced with a variety of systems, the versatile DQC architecture demonstrated here provides a viable pathway towards large-scale quantum computing for a range of physical platforms.

Novel quantitative valuation of hybrid perovskite solar cells

Millihertz oscillations near the innermost orbit of a supermassive black hole

Genomic diversity and comparative phylogenomic analysis of genus Norovirus

Directly imaging the cooling flow in the Phoenix cluster

Specification of claustro-amygdalar and palaeocortical neurons and circuits

Abstract The ventrolateral pallial (VLp) excitatory neurons in the claustro-amygdalar complex and piriform cortex (PIR; which forms part of the palaeocortex) form reciprocal connections with the prefrontal cortex (PFC), integrating cognitive and sensory information that results in adaptive behaviours1–5. Early-life disruptions in these circuits are linked to neuropsychiatric disorders4–8, highlighting the importance of understanding their development. Here we reveal that the transcription factors SOX4, SOX11 and TFAP2D have a pivotal role in the development, identity and PFC connectivity of these excitatory neurons. The absence of SOX4 and SOX11 in post-mitotic excitatory neurons results in a marked reduction in the size of the basolateral amygdala complex (BLC), claustrum (CLA) and PIR. These transcription factors control BLC formation through direct regulation of Tfap2d expression. Cross-species analyses, including in humans, identified conserved Tfap2d expression in developing excitatory neurons of BLC, CLA, PIR and the associated transitional areas of the frontal, insular and temporal cortex. Although the loss and haploinsufficiency of Tfap2d yield similar alterations in learned threat-response behaviours, differences emerge in the phenotypes at different Tfap2d dosages, particularly in terms of changes observed in BLC size and BLC–PFC connectivity. This underscores the importance of Tfap2d dosage in orchestrating developmental shifts in BLC–PFC connectivity and behavioural modifications that resemble symptoms of neuropsychiatric disorders. Together, these findings reveal key elements of a conserved gene regulatory network that shapes the development and function of crucial VLp excitatory neurons and their PFC connectivity and offer insights into their evolution and alterations in neuropsychiatric disorders.

Orthogonal neural representations support perceptual judgments of natural stimuli

Crowds suck people into a vortex — surprising physicists

Phase equilibria and drug partitioning ability of betaine based aqueous two-phase systems

Abstract The aqueous two-phase system (ATPS) as an environmentally friendly technique has a high potential for extraction of drugs, proteins, metals, etc. In this work first the formation of ATPSs by betaine, which is a novel, low toxic, and high biodegradable material, and polyethylene glycol or phosphate salts (K3PO4 and K2HPO4) were investigated temperatures of 298.15, 308.15, 318.15 K and atmospheric pressure (≈ 85 kPa). The effect of increasing temperature on the binodal curves was investigated. The experimental binodal data were correlated using two empirical nonlinear three parameter expressions developed by Merchuk, and Zafarani-Moattar et al. and the two-parameter modified equation derived from effective excluded volume theory. Then, the experimental tie-line data were represented with Othmer-Tobias and Setschenow correlations. Finally, in these ATPSs the partition behavior of analgesic drugs, namely acetaminophen, salicylic acid, and ceftriaxone were investigated by measuring of partition coefficient and extraction efficiency. The trend of obtained results showed that the selected drugs were successfully extracted into the top phase of studied ATPSs with a partition coefficient greater than one and in the salt systems extraction efficiency was obtained up to 98% and in the case of polymer systems was obtained up to 8% at different tie-lines and it was found that the hydrophobicity of partitioned drugs is responsible for this phenomenon.

Linear and non-linear impact of key agricultural components on greenhouse gas emissions

A novel computational approach to dissect the cytoskeletal architecture of cancer cells with invasive potential

LMNA R482L mutation causes impairments in C2C12 myoblasts subpopulations, alterations in metabolic reprogramming during differentiation, and oxidative stress

Abstract LMNA mutations causing classical familial partial lipodystrophy of Dunnigan type (FPLD2) usually affect residue R482. FPLD is a severe metabolic disorder that often leads to cardiovascular and skeletal muscle complications. How LMNA mutations affect the functional properties of skeletal muscles is still not well understood. In the present project, we investigated the LMNA-R482L mutation-specific alterations in a transgenic mouse C2C12 cell line of myoblasts. Using single-cell RNA sequencing we have studied transcriptional diversity of cultured in vitro C2C12 cells. The LMNA-R482L mutation induces changes in C2C12 cluster composition and increases the expression of genes related to connective tissue development, oxidative stress, stress defense, and autophagy in a population-specific manner. Bulk RNA-seq confirmed these results and revealed the dysregulation of carbohydrate metabolism in differentiated R482L myotubes that was supported by ATP production profile evaluation. The measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and glutathione accumulation in myoblasts and myotubes indicates R482L mutation-related dysregulation in mechanisms that control ROS production and scavenging through antioxidant glutathione system. The increased accumulation of autophagy-related structures in R482L myoblasts was also shown. Overall, our experiments showed a connection between the redox status and metabolic alterations with skeletal muscle pathological phenotypes in cells bearing pathogenic LMNA mutation.

ZnO-nanoparticles and stage-based drought tolerance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.): effect on morpho-physiology, nutrients uptake, grain yield and quality

Abstract Drought-stressed and zinc-deficient soils are major contributors to reduced wheat yields and low-quality grains, especially in semi-arid regions of the world. Zinc-oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are adept enough to avoid these losses if applied under the right dose at the right growth stage of many crops including wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted with four levels of ZnO-NPs (0, 50, 100 and 150 ppm), and drought imposed at tillering (D1) and grain filling (D2) stages, considering normal irrigation as control (D0), to explore interactive effects of ZnO-NPs and drought episodes on growth, eco-physiology, yield, and grain quality of wheat. The results depicted dose and growth stage-dependent variations in all recorded parameters. ZnO-NPs (150 ppm) significantly increased the number of grains (12.5%), grain weight (12.4%), total yield (25.5%), and zinc contents (58.6%) when the crop was exposed to drought stress at tillering stage, compared to the control treatment. Likewise, drought at grain filling stage with ZnO-NPs (150 ppm) significantly enhanced plant height, spike length, biomass, zinc contents, and grain protein by 15.5%, 3.2%, 16.7%, 100.0%, and 53.8%, respectively, when compared with control treatment. Thus, ZnO-NPs emerged as a potential drought alleviator and yield-oriented safe nano-fertilizer for wheat in semi-arid regions facing irrigation challenges.

A single-center study examining the safety and effectiveness of ERCP with pancreatoscopy and endoluminal radiofrequency ablation for main-duct IPMN treatment

Multi-parameter microwave quantum sensing with a single atomic probe

Melatonin maintains postharvest quality by modulating the metabolisms of cell wall and sugar in flowering Chinese cabbage

Neural adaptations in short-term learning of sign language revealed by fMRI and DTI

Abstract While vocal articulation is a unique feature of spoken languages, signed languages use facial expressions and hand movements for communication. Despite this substantial difference, neuroimaging studies show that spoken and sign language rely on similar areas of the brain in the frontal and parietal regions. However, little is known about the specific roles of these areas and how early they get involved. In the present study, we investigate the impact of short-term training-related changes in learners of British sign language (BSL). Pre- and post-training functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging scans were taken from twenty-six right-handed healthy volunteers. During the training course, participants were taught to discriminate and sign basic sentences using BSL for three consecutive days (1 h per day). fMRI results show increasing brain activity in the right cerebellum and cerebral brain areas including bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left angular gyrus, left middle and inferior frontal gyrus. Moreover, functional connectivity increased significantly after training between these areas. Microstructural findings show significant mean diffusivity and radial diffusivity reductions in the left angular gyrus, which are significantly correlated with behavioural improvement. These results reveal a high degree of similarity in the neural activity underlying signed and spoken languages. The rapid microstructural changes, identify the left angular gyrus as a structure that rapidly adapts to newly learnt visual-semantic associations.