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Quasi resonant soft switching high gain interleaved quadratic coupled inductor converter
Blending of cellulose nanofibers with cotton linter pulp to enhance the mechanical and barrier properties of paper
HOPE and AMPK activation reduce reperfusion injury and metabolic dysfunction in primate steatotic liver grafts
Abstract Living liver transplantation has become a significant and evolving aspect of organ transplantation, with a notable proportion of cases involving pediatric patients. Metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is the most prevalent chronic liver disease. The growing number of individuals with MAFLD has led to an annual increase in the proportion of non-alcoholic fatty liver donors for pediatric living liver transplantation. Hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) has been demonstrated to improve graft quality through the implementation of a continuous mechanical perfusion cycle. However, there is currently a paucity of evidence regarding its ability to reduce steatosis and improve prognosis within a shorter time window of living-organ transplantation, especially in primate models. This study simulated steatotic liver grafts in living liver transplantation using the MAFLD model of the cynomolgus monkey and explored the effects of HOPE combined with the AMPK activator AICAR on the amelioration of the donor liver. The left outer lobe livers were statically cold preserved for two hours, subjected to HOPE for two hours, or treated with HOPE + AICAR (1 mmol/L) for two hours, respectively. Subsequently, a normothermic ex vivo reperfusion model (IRM) simulating post-transplant reperfusion was established using diluted autologous blood. Following simulated reperfusion in vitro, steatotic liver grafts in the static cold preservation group exhibited notable reperfusion injury. The degree of reperfusion injury induced by the remaining two groups was reduced, with the HOPE + AICAR group showing the most significant reduction (P < 0.05). The adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level of the hepatic tissues in the HOPE + AICAR group was observed to improve at two hours of reperfusion, exhibiting a significantly higher level than that in the cold-preserved group (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the HOPE + AICAR group exhibited a notable decline in MDA levels (P < 0.05), accompanied by a considerable reduction in 8-OHdG and lactate concentrations in both the liver tissue and perfusate. Additionally, there was a marked decrease in the release of TNF-α and IL-6 cytokines, along with a reduction in TLR-4 activation (P < 0.05). In comparison to the cold-preserved and HOPE groups, the HOPE + AICAR group demonstrated the capacity to alter the degree of steatosis following a two-hour treatment period, as evidenced by a notable reduction in liver tissue triglyceride and cholesterol levels (P < 0.05). Additionally, p-AMPK levels in liver tissue were significantly increased in the HOPE + AICAR group (P < 0.05). The combination of HOPE and AMPK activators has been shown to reduce the degree of steatotic liver grafts in a relatively short time, significantly reduce reperfusion injury, and improve liver function. This study contributes to the existing body of knowledge on mechanical perfusion in primate models, addressing a previously identified gap in the literature.
The YAP/TEAD4 transcriptional complex in intestinal macrophages promotes M2 polarization and alleviates DSS-induced colitis via the regulation of C/EBPβ
Layer combination of similar infill patterns on the tensile and compression behavior of 3D printed PLA
Abstract With the growing popularity of 3D-printed products, material consumption has been a major concern in additive manufacturing in recent years. Choosing the infill structure and the printing parameters for an application can be challenging for product designers and engineers, which can lead to reduced material and increased cost savings while maintaining product functioning. This study investigates the mechanical behavior of 3D-printed PLA structures by exploring the influence of multi-layer infill patterns on tensile and compressive strength. Three common infill patterns (triangular, grid, and honeycomb) were evaluated at 20% and 50% densities. A novel approach was employed, incorporating specimens with single-, two-, and four-layer same pattern combinations, where subsequent layers were rotated 180 degrees to enhance interlayer bonding. Results demonstrated significant improvements in both tensile (up to 64%) and compressive strength (up to 47%) for two-layer structures compared to single-layer counterparts. The findings provide valuable insights into optimizing infill design and layer configurations for improved tensile and compressive strength and material efficiency in 3D-printed structures. This research highlights the potential for optimizing 3D-printed part performance through strategic multi-layer infill design, offering a pathway toward reduced material consumption and enhanced mechanical properties in additive manufacturing.
Three-dimensional organ segmentation-derived CT attenuation parameters for assessing hepatic steatosis in chronic hepatitis B patients
Testosterone dynamics of migratory birds during stopover
Abstract Birds migrating in the spring must balance energy with hormonal preparations in anticipation of the forthcoming breeding season. We investigated the relationships between testosterone, body condition, sociality, territoriality and fueling rates in Western Subalpine Warbler (Curruca iberiae) males during a trans-Saharan stopover. Baseline testosterone was highly variable in correspondence with the transitional nature of spring stopover. Some individuals reached breeding testosterone levels while others had undetectable levels. Testosterone varied with body condition suggesting an endocrine-energy link during migration. Simulated territory intrusions induced an increase of testosterone up to physiological maxima- a similar pattern to breeding contexts. Testosterone was negatively associated with territorial male density, suggesting a ‘dear enemy’ effect related to the daily variation in social stability. In repeatedly-sampled individuals, stopover duration and fueling rate were not correlated with baseline testosterone. However, as testosterone decreased, body condition increased. This suggests that stopover territoriality may reduce the reported negative effects of chronically high testosterone. Our data supports the hypothesis that hormonal preparation for breeding may already occur during stopover, and that this is largely linked to body condition. In this system, the endocrine-energy relationship is likely maintained by stopover territoriality. We conclude that male-male social contexts are modulated in similar ways during spring migration as during the breeding life history stage.
Integrated process for lignin depolymerization and nanoparticle production using deep eutectic solvent
Abstract Lignin, the most abundant natural aromatic macromolecule, holds significant potential for high-value applications. However, its complex and irregular structure, along with challenges in efficient processing, has limited its widespread use. In this study, we propose an ecofriendly continuous process utilizing deep eutectic solvents (DESs) for lignin depolymerization and subsequent production of lignin nanoparticles. DESs, composed of choline chloride and lactic acid, effectively break down lignin into low-molecular-weight homogeneous fragments while also serving as a solvent for nanoparticle formation. The depolymerized lignin nanoparticles (DLNPs) exhibited a uniform particle size distribution and enhanced surface charge due to interactions with the DES, resulting in excellent long-term dispersion stability. Chemical analyses indicated that lignin depolymerization primarily involved the cleavage of β-O-4 linkages while retaining its aromatic structure and forming condensation products such as pinoresinol and phenylcoumaran. Thermal analysis revealed that DLNP produced through this continuous process displayed improved thermal stability compared to kraft lignin, suggesting potential applications in high-temperature environments, such as flame retardants. This study demonstrates that the DES-based process is a promising alternative to conventional organic solvent methods, providing a sustainable and efficient pathway for lignin nanoparticle production and valorization.
Suboptimal pre-anthesis water status mitigates wheat susceptibility to fusarium head blight and triggers specific metabolic responses
Analysing the effect of social jetlag on burnout among shift nurse using a chained mediation model
Phosphorus acquisition capacity and size trait evolution in Achillea wilhelmsii reflect adaptation to environmental gradients
Segmentation detection method in tree-shaded environment for road cracks collected by inspection vehicle on WFU-Unet
Achieving high quality electron beam with ultralow energy spread from mismatched plasma channels
Warfarin use and vestibular dysfunction insights from NHANES data, network pharmacology, Mendelian randomization, and molecular docking
Abstract Despite numerous anticoagulants available, warfarin is widely used due to its efficacy and cost-effectiveness in treating thromboembolic diseases. However, its potential impact on vestibular function remains unexplored. This study investigates the association between warfarin use and vestibular dysfunction using data from the NHANES database and examines underlying mechanisms through network pharmacology, Mendelian randomization (MR), and molecular docking. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data (1999–2004) to evaluate the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction among warfarin users. Network pharmacology identified overlapping genes between warfarin targets and vestibular dysfunction-related genes. MR analysis assessed the causal relationship, and molecular docking examined interactions between warfarin and significant genes. The study included 1681 participants, revealing a higher prevalence of vestibular dysfunction in warfarin users. Multiple regression analysis confirmed a significant association between warfarin use and vestibular dysfunction. Network pharmacology identified 31 overlapping genes, with MAPK8 emerging as a key gene through MR analysis. Molecular docking showed a strong binding affinity between warfarin and MAPK8. Findings suggest that warfarin use is significantly associated with vestibular dysfunction, potentially through interactions with MAPK8. This highlights the importance of monitoring vestibular function in patients on warfarin therapy and considering genetic factors to personalize treatment. Future research should explore these mechanisms further and validate findings in broader populations.
Naringin attenuates angiotensin II induced cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting carbonic anhydrase II
Blood nerve barrier permeability enables nerve targeting of circulating nanoparticles in experimental autoimmune neuritis
Abstract Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is a devastating autoimmune disease of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) with limited treatment options. Several studies have shown attenuation of the well-characterized GBS preclinical experimental autoimmune neuritis (EAN) model with systemically administered therapeutic compounds via anti-inflammatory or immunomodulatory mechanisms. Despite this, clinical advancement of these findings is limited by dosing that is not translatable to humans or is associated with off-target and toxic effects. This is due, in part, to the blood-nerve barrier (BNB), which restricts access of the circulation to peripheral nerves. However, during acute neuroinflammation, the normally restrictive BNB exhibits increased vascular permeability and enables immune cell infiltration. This may offer a unique window to access the otherwise restricted peripheral nerve microenvironment for therapeutic delivery. Here, we assessed the degree to which BNB permeability and immune cell infiltration over the course of EAN enables accumulation of circulating nanoparticles. We found that at disease stages defined by distinct clinical scores and pathology (onset, effector phase, and peak of EAN severity), intravenously administered small molecules and nanoparticles ranging from 50 to 150 nm can permeate into the endoneurium from the endoneurial vasculature in a size- and stage-dependent manner. This permeation occurs uniformly in both sciatic nerves and in proximal and distal regions of the nerves. We propose that this nerve targeting enabled by pathology serves as a platform by which potential therapies for GBS can be reevaluated and investigated preclinically in nanoparticle delivery systems.