Browse Articles

Targeting NLRP3 and AIM2 signaling pathways by Viscosol alleviates metabolic dysregulations induced inflammatory responses in diabetic neuro- and nephropathy: An in silico and in vivo study

Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) is a chronic metabolic disorder, considered the fastest growing pandemic of the 21stcentury. Meta-inflammation is a pivotal characteristic of T2D. Hyperactivated PTP1B, NLRP3, and AIM2 inflammasomes are considered the major regulators of metabolic inflammation. The concept of diabetes as an inflammatory disease has changed the pathogenic vision of T2D and hence, the compounds that mitigateinflammation in the setting of T2D are under the limelight of research. Current study aimed to evaluatethe anti-inflammatory potency of Viscosol, a novel PTP1B inhibitor, isolated from Dodonaea viscosa, in the STZ-HFD-induced T2D mouse model. Herein, male mice(C57BL/6), were administrated with Streptozotocin (STZ) (40mg/kg) and Viscosol (33mg/kg), intraperitoneally. Computational profiling revealed good absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) properties, least toxicity, and high docking score of Viscosol with PTP1B(−6.4 kcal/mol), NLRP3(−7.2 kcal/mol), and AIM2(−7.4 kcal/mol). Viscosol treatment significantly restored normal body weight (p < 0.0001), decreased the blood glucose level (p < 0.001), serum ROS level(p < 0.05) and diminished the severity of histopathological lesions, inflammatory lobules and increased the cell count of both brain and kidney tissues. The RT-qPCR analysis showed that Viscosol significantly reduced the mRNA expression of PTP1B, NF-κB, NLRP3, and AIM2up to 2.7-folds, 2.6-folds, 5.7-folds and 14.2-folds in the kidney tissues and 1.6-folds, 1.2-folds, 10.2-folds and 1.5-folds in brain tissues. Conclusively, inhibition of PTP1B via Viscosol could attenuate meta-inflammation by suppressing the aberrant NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome signaling in diabetes-linked pathophysiology.

Molecular Engineering of Emissive Molecular Qubits Based on Spin-Correlated Radical Pairs

Segmented linear integral correlation Kernel ensemble reconstruction: A new method for climate reconstructions with applications to Holocene era proxies from an East Antarctic ice core

Understanding past climate is essential to our knowledge of how our current climate system operates, and how it might respond to future change. Techniques to reconstruct climate history are challenging, and both accuracy and certainty are hampered by the quality of the datasets used. Here we both develop a new reconstruction tool and apply it to four ice core proxy based multi-millennial Holocene climate reconstructions, chosen because of their potential influence on East Antarctic climate. The new multi-proxy reconstruction method is called Segmented Linear Integral Correlation Kernel Ensemble Reconstruction (SLICKER). This method employs a segmented linear rather than Gaussian correlation approach and builds an ensemble of reconstructions with a best fit and spread related to the best estimate of uncertainty. This method is robust for non-linear, uneven or differently sampled data and produces high-fidelity reconstructions and associated uncertainty estimates. This new method has the potential to produce more realistic reconstructions, with associated uncertainty estimates based on robust statistical measures that are insensitive to outliers. The main findings from these new reconstructions are: Antarctica temperature shows multi-decadal variability over the last twelve thousand years with increased frequency over the last two thousand years; Zonal Wave 3 index and the Southern Annular Mode both show limited trends over the last two thousand years, but an increase since the 1970s CE; and the Indian Ocean Dipole Moment index has a twentieth century CE upward trend, and a thirteenth to sixteenth century CE below average period which may be related to volcanic activity.

Pushing Limits of Ultra-wideline Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: NMR Signatures of ²⁰⁹Bi and ¹²⁷I in Metal–Organic Frameworks at Ultra-high Magnetic Fields

A new Middle Jurassic lagoon margin assemblage of theropod and sauropod dinosaur trackways from the Isle of Skye, Scotland

Although globally scarce, Middle Jurassic dinosaur tracks are known from the Isle of Skye, Scotland, and help indicate the palaeoenvironmental preferences and behaviour of major dinosaur clades. Here, we report an extensive new tracksite from Skye: 131 in-situ dinosaur tracks at Prince Charles’s Point on the Trotternish Peninsula. The tracks occur in multiple horizons of rippled sandstones of the Late Bathonian aged Kilmaluag Formation, part of the Great Estuarine Group, which formed in a locally, shallowly submerged lagoon margin. We assign these tracks to two morphotypes, further divided into four morphotype subgroups, most likely representing large megalosaurid theropods, and sauropods that are either non-neosauropods or basal neosauropods. The trackways, although relatively short, evidence time-averaged milling behaviour, as observed at other tracksites in the Great Estuarine Group. The presence of sequential manus and pes sauropod tracks amends their previous identification by geologists as fish resting burrows, raising the potential that other such structures locally and globally may in fact be dinosaur tracks, and emphasises the predominant occurrence of sauropods in lagoonal palaeoenvironments in the Great Estuarine Group. At Prince Charles’s Point, however, unlike previously described lagoonal assemblages, large theropod trackmakers are more abundant than sauropods.

Nuclear Quantum Effects Accelerate Hot Carrier Relaxation but Slow Down Recombination in Metal Halide Perovskites

Assessing interface accuracy in macromolecular complexes

Accurately predicting the 3D structures of macromolecular complexes is becoming increasingly important for understanding their cellular functions. At the same time, reliably assessing prediction quality remains a significant challenge in bioinformatics. To address this, various methods analyze and evaluate in silico models from multiple perspectives, accounting for both the reconstructed components’ structures and their arrangement within the complex. In this work, we introduce Intermolecular Interaction Network Fidelity (I-INF), a normalized similarity measure that quantifies intermolecular interactions in multichain complexes. Adapted from a well-established score in the RNA field, I-INF provides a clear and intuitive way to evaluate the predicted 3D models against a reference structure, with a specific focus on interchain interaction sites. Additionally, we implement the F1 measure to assess interfaces in macromolecular assemblies, further enriching the evaluation framework. Tested on 72 RNA-protein decoys, as well as exemplary DNA-DNA, RNA-RNA, and protein-protein complexes, these measures deliver reliable scores and enable straightforward ranking of predictions. The tool for computing I-INF and F1 is publicly available on Zenodo, facilitating large-scale analysis and integration with other computational systems.

Heavy Atom-Induced Spin–Orbit Coupling to Quench Singlet Oxygen in a Li–O₂ Battery

Comorbidities and health-related quality of life among rural older community-dwellers in Vietnam

This study explored the patterns of comorbidities and their impact on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among elderly individuals living in rural communities in Vietnam. A cross-sectional study was conducted across four communes in Thai Binh province. The demographic characteristics and comorbidities of the participants were evaluated, along with their Euroqol-5 dimensions-5 levels (EQ-5D-5L), using a structured questionnaire supplemented by clinical examinations. A multivariate Tobit regression model was applied to assess the relationship between comorbidities and HRQoL. Results showed that a minority of participants (9.5%) were free of comorbidities. Cataracts were the most common condition (61.0%), followed by osteoarthritis (55.4%), rheumatoid arthritis (46.1%), and dementia (39.0%). The average EQ-5D index was 0.806 (SD =  0.184). Pain/discomfort, difficulties with usual activities, and anxiety/depression contributed most to the reduction in the EQ-5D-5L index. Participants with rheumatoid arthritis (β =  − 0.10; 95% CI =  − 0.13, − 0.07) and postural hypotension (β =  − 0.08; 95% CI =  − 0.14, − 0.02) experienced the greatest decrease in EQ-5D index, followed by those with urinary diseases (β =  − 0.05; 95% CI =  − 0.09, − 0.02) and stroke (β =  − 0.05; 95% CI =  − 0.09, − 0.01). This study highlights the high prevalence of comorbidities among the elderly in rural Vietnam, with arthritis, postural hypotension, urinary diseases, and stroke being most strongly associated with reduced HRQoL. Regular screening and monitoring of comorbidities are vital to identify individuals who would benefit most from healthcare interventions to enhance HRQoL.

Hydroformylation over Zeolite Catalysts with Solvophobic Micropores

Correction: Long noncoding RNA NONHSAT122636.2 attenuates myocardial inflammation and apoptosis in myocarditis

Dicationic Boron Derivatives of Schlenk’s and Thiele’s Hydrocarbon

Salmonella isolated from street foods and environment of an urban park: A whole genome sequencing approach

Salmonella is one of the most important foodborne pathogens worldwide. Therefore, this study was conducted to understand the importance of this microorganism in street food and the environment of an urban park in Quito, Ecuador. This research included phenotypic characterization and whole genome sequencing (WGS) analysis of isolates from different food matrices and fecal samples of dogs and pigeons. Salmonella was found in 10% (18/180) of the food samples, 3% (3/100) of the dog stool samples, and 5% (5/100) of the pigeon stool samples. These results also showed that meals containing any sauce or eggs were associated with a high probability of Salmonella isolation, regardless of other ingredients. All Salmonella isolates from food were identified as Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium (S. Typhimurium) while isolates from animal feces belonged to Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis (S. Infantis) and S. Typhimurium. WGS analysis showed that all S. Typhimurium strains belonged to ST19 and S. Infantis to ST32 according to the Multi-Locus Sequence Type (MLST) scheme. These strains were not related to Salmonella genomes of other origins when a Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) tree analysis was carried out. Antimicrobial resistance genes, such as blaCTX-M-65, were predominantly linked to the pESI-like plasmid found in S. Infantis. These results show the importance of urban fauna as a reservoir of S. Infantis and the impact these animals could have in terms of public health.

Peer reviews of peer reviews: A randomized controlled trial and other experiments

Is it possible to reliably evaluate the quality of peer reviews? We study this question driven by two primary motivations – incentivizing high-quality reviewing using assessed quality of reviews and measuring changes to review quality in experiments. We conduct a large scale study at the NeurIPS 2022 conference, a top-tier conference in machine learning, in which we invited (meta)-reviewers and authors to voluntarily evaluate reviews given to submitted papers. First, we conduct a randomized controlled trial to examine bias due to the length of reviews. We generate elongated versions of reviews by adding substantial amounts of non-informative content. Participants in the control group evaluate the original reviews, whereas participants in the experimental group evaluate the artificially lengthened versions. We find that lengthened reviews are scored (statistically significantly) higher quality than the original reviews. Additionally, in analysis of observational data we find that authors are positively biased towards reviews recommending acceptance of their own papers, even after controlling for confounders of review length, quality, and different numbers of papers per author. We also measure disagreement rates between multiple evaluations of the same review of 28% – 32%, which is comparable to that of paper reviewers at NeurIPS. Further, we assess the amount of miscalibration of evaluators of reviews using a linear model of quality scores and find that it is similar to estimates of miscalibration of paper reviewers at NeurIPS. Finally, we estimate the amount of variability in subjective opinions around how to map individual criteria to overall scores of review quality and find that it is roughly the same as that in the review of papers. Our results suggest that the various problems that exist in reviews of papers – inconsistency, bias towards irrelevant factors, miscalibration, subjectivity – also arise in reviewing of reviews.

Relaxation Optimized Heteronuclear Experiments for Extending the Size Limit of RNA Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Determining the priority semen characteristics and appropriate age for genetic improvement in Thai native roosters

Semen characteristics are crucial indicators of reproductive success and directly influence the production efficiency of native chickens, which play a vital role in sustainable poultry production systems in Thailand. Key semen traits, including mass movement, semen pH, semen volume, sperm viability, sperm abnormalities, and sperm concentration, are routinely evaluated to assess the reproductive performance of Thai native grandparent roosters. Improved reproductive efficiency in these chickens can lead to increased fertility rates, better hatchability, and enhanced productivity, significantly benefiting smallholder farmers and the poultry industry. To enhance the accuracy and efficiency of evaluating the genetic potential of grandparent roosters, this study aimed to compare rooster age groups, estimate genetic parameters and breeding values, and develop an optimal selection index for semen traits. A total of 3,475 test-day records of six semen traits from Thai native grandparent roosters (Pradu Hang Dum), obtained from the Khon Kaen University native chicken experimental farm, were analyzed using a multi-trait animal model with average information restricted maximum likelihood (AI-REML). The heritability estimates for semen volume, mass movement, sperm concentration, sperm abnormalities, sperm viability, and semen pH across age groups were low, ranging from 0.128 to 0.161, 0.102 to 0.115, 0.101 to 0.111, 0.090 to 0.091, 0.067 to 0.083, and 0.043 to 0.057, respectively. Repeatability estimates ranged from low to moderate, between 0.119 and 0.384 for all traits and age groups. Genetic correlations among semen traits ranged from ‒0.332 to 0.580, ‒0.554 to 0.640, and ‒0.631 to 0.773 for rooster age Groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. Based on heritability and genetic correlations, the three most important semen traits identified were semen volume, mass movement, and sperm concentration. The study revealed a strong relationship between rooster age and semen quality, with the highest selection index values observed in the youngest age group (32–52 weeks). This finding highlights the potential for genetic improvement by implementing a selective breeding program targeting the top 10% of young roosters based on the developed selection index. Such a strategy would significantly accelerate genetic progress in semen traits, improving reproductive efficiency and boosting the economic viability of native chicken production. Furthermore, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of genetic evaluation in native chicken populations and can serve as a model for developing sustainable breeding programs for other poultry breeds under tropical conditions.

A longitudinal study on the impact of subjective exclusion on changes in self-esteem: the mediating effect of perceived income inequality

This study explored the impact of the subjective exclusion perceived by adults on the development trajectory of self-esteem and verified the mediating role of perceived income inequality. We analyzed data from the 2017–2020 Korea Welfare Panel Study on 1,410 20–59-year-old research participants. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the key variables and research participants’ general characteristics. A structural equation model investigated how the change trajectory of self-esteem and subjective exclusion affected the development trajectory of self-esteem via perceived income inequality. First, greater perceived subjective exclusion is associated with higher perceived income inequality, which acts as the mediator variable. Furthermore, the higher the perceived subjective exclusion, the lower the initial self-esteem; this gap increased over time. Second, perceived income inequality did not significantly impact initial self-esteem but positively significantly affected self-esteem’s rate of change, showing a wide variation. These findings suggest the necessity of social support systems and policy interventions to restore self-esteem, a cornerstone of mental health, among individuals experiencing social exclusion. Additionally, given that perceived income inequality impacts self-esteem, efforts to address social structural inequalities should be strengthened alongside clinical interventions.

Electron Inversion and Tunneling at Silicon Thermal Oxide Interfaces for Solar-Driven Molecular Catalysis to Syngas

Plasmodium species infecting lizards in the Brazilian Cerrado: Identification and description of a novel species, Plasmodium brasiliensis n. sp.

Parasites of the genus Plasmodium, responsible for lizard malaria, are widely distributed and taxonomically diverse. Molecular techniques provide valuable insights into the evolutionary relationships of Plasmodium species and lineages. However, the available data are still scarce, emphasizing the need for taxonomy-focused studies. We investigated the occurrence of Plasmodium infection in free-living lizards in the Brazilian Cerrado using an integrative approach based on the amplification/sequencing of the Plasmodium cytb gene and microscopic analysis. Among 302 lizards screened, 61 (20.2%) tested positive in the molecular screening, including 18 with concordant results in microscopy. We recovered 16 sequences in the first molecular survey of this host group in the biome. Our findings unveil a variety of Plasmodium species, some of which were previously undocumented in this region. We describe new lineages of Plasmodium ouropretensis, P. tropiduri, P. carmelinoi, and also report a new species, herein named as Plasmodium brasiliensis n. sp. The infection by Plasmodium sp. in Hoplocercus spinosus represents the first description of Apicomplexa organisms in this species. Furthermore, our results open remarkable possibilities for extensive studies in a field unexplored for many years.

Correction: Nursing staff’s attitudes towards the prevention of adverse events among hospitalized people with dementia: Protocol of qualitative systematic review and evidence synthesis