Browse Articles

Cross-linking of fungal β-glucosidase on Al2O3 nanocrystals synthesized using Cajanus cajan L. Millsp. extracts for in suit genistein manufacture

Simple genetic mechanisms toward more intricate molecular complexes

Enhancing anesthetic techniques for improving whisker stimulation response in the barrel cortex

This study adopts and validates an anesthetic protocol designed for rat whisker stimulation experiments, achieving significant enhancements in the neural response of the barrel field cortex. By combining alpha-chloralose, low-dose Isoflurane (0.5%) and Dexdomitor, the protocol not only maintains a stable anesthetic state but also markedly improves the amplitude and latency of local field potential (LFP) signals. Experimental results reveal that LFP amplitudes in the barrel field under this protocol are twice as high as those achieved with Isoflurane and four times as high as those with Ketamine-Xylazine, with significantly shortened latencies and reduced noise interference. For the first time, power spectral analysis reveals a distinct enhancement of oscillatory power in the alpha (8–13 Hz) and beta (13–30 Hz) bands under alpha-chloralose anesthesia, diverging from the traditional dominance of delta (0.5–4 Hz) oscillations observed with other anesthetics. Mechanistically, this phenomenon may be attributed to alpha-chloralose’s unique modulation of GABAergic and glutamatergic pathways, promoting cortical desynchronization and enhanced sensory processing. This protocol offers new insights into optimizing sensory-evoked neural signal acquisition and provides a reference for future studies exploring neural modulation in sensory neuroscience.

Preparation and characterization of active packaging film containing chitosan/gelatin/brassica crude extract

PSKH1 kinase activity is differentially modulated via allosteric binding of Ca ²⁺ sensor proteins

Protein Serine Kinase H1 (PSKH1) was recently identified as a crucial factor in kidney development and is overexpressed in prostate, lung, and kidney cancers. However, little is known about PSKH1 regulatory mechanisms, leading to its classification as a “dark” kinase. Here, we used biochemistry and mass spectrometry to define PSKH1’s consensus substrate motif, protein interactors, and how interactors, including Ca 2+ sensor proteins, promote or suppress activity. Intriguingly, despite the absence of a canonical Calmodulin binding motif, Ca 2+ -Calmodulin activated PSKH1 while, in contrast, the ER-resident Ca 2+ sensor of the Cab45, Reticulocalbin, Erc55, Calumenin (CREC) family, Reticulocalbin-3, suppressed PSKH1 catalytic activity. In addition to antagonistic regulation of the PSKH1 kinase domain by Ca 2+ sensing proteins, we identified UNC119B as a protein interactor that activates PSKH1 via direct engagement of the kinase domain. Our findings identify complementary allosteric mechanisms by which regulatory proteins tune PSKH1’s catalytic activity and raise the possibility that different Ca 2+ sensors may act more broadly to tune kinase activities by detecting and decoding extremes of intracellular Ca 2+ concentrations.

Crypto-coding technique based on polar code and secret key generated from wireless channel characteristics for wireless communication systems

The crypto-coding technique is essential for modern digital wireless communications systems, allowing data encryption and channel coding to be performed in only one step without requiring additional hardware. This work proposes a crypto-coding technique combining polar codes with a secret key, which is derived from wireless channel characteristics, to boost the security and reliability characteristics of the systems. The secret key is divided into two parts, one is assigned to the frozen bits, and the other is XORed with the information bits. A simulation with different key lengths and code lengths is carried out in Additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) that helps us to evaluate this technique by the error correction and security performance, computational complexity. The key benefit is that it achieves the same bit error rate (BER) performance and computational complexity as traditional polar codes and existing methods despite only taking one step. Meanwhile, it ensures completely degraded decoding effectiveness at eavesdroppers, thus it is effective against passive eavesdropping attacks. Furthermore, this method does not require additional hardware overhead for key management and distribution.

Retraction Note: A fixed support method for cryogenic silicon cavities of ultra-stable lasers for space applications

Control of flow behavior in complex fluids using automatic differentiation

Inverse design of complex flows is notoriously challenging because of the high cost of high dimensional optimization. Usually, optimization problems are either restricted to few control parameters, or adjoint-based approaches are used to convert the optimization problem into a boundary value problem. Here, we show that the recent advances in automatic differentiation (AD) provide a generic platform for solving inverse problems in complex fluids. To demonstrate the versatility of the approach, we solve an array of optimization problems related to active matter motion in Newtonian fluids, dispersion in structured porous media, and mixing in journal bearing. Each of these problems highlights the advantages of AD in ease of implementation and computational efficiency to solve high-dimensional optimization problems involving particle-laden flows.

A comparison of the burden of cancers between 1990 and 2019 in Iran: A national and subnational study

Background Cancer is a rapidly increasing global problem, and one of the leading causes of burden and mortality. This study aims to compare the burden of cancer in Iran between the year 1990 and 2019. Methods We used Global Burden of Disease data on cancer from 1990 to 2019 by province, year, age group, and sex. We then estimated the trend of age standardized mortality and Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) of the cancers by sex. Age pattern and geographical variation in the ranking of cancers were assessed at national and sub-national levels from 1990 to 2019. Results The mortality rate decreased from 102 (95% UI: 91, 111) to 96 (95% UI: 88, 103) per 100000 population. Additionally, the DALYs rates decreased from 2619 (95% UI: 2357, 2852) to 2321 (95% UI: 2116, 2497) per 100000 between 1990 and 2019. Both of the mortality and DALYs rate from cancers increased with age. These indicators were significantly higher in men than in women across all age groups. Consequently, the mortality rate and DALYs per 100,000 of cancers were higher in the northwest and northeast of Iran. Notably, stomach cancer was identified as the leading cause of cancer mortality in 23 provinces of Iran in 2019. The highest percentage change of DALYs per 100,000 rate between 1990 and 2019 was observed for malignant skin melanoma, stomach cancer, and cervical cancers with rate of −41.1, −40.1, and −38.4, respectively. Conclusion Overall, the mortality and DALYs per 100,000 rates of all cancers for both sexes in Iran have decreased between 1990 and 2019. However, there is an increasing trend in types of cancers, such as pancreatic, ovarian, and breast cancers.

Japanese nationwide dental survey of hypophosphatasia reveals novel oral manifestations

A circRNA–mRNA pairing mechanism regulates tumor growth and endocrine therapy resistance in ER-positive breast cancer

The molecular mechanisms underlying estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast carcinogenesis and drug resistance remain incompletely understood. Elevated expression of CCND1 is linked to enhanced invasiveness, poorer prognosis, and resistance to drug therapies in ER-positive breast cancer. In this study, we identify a highly expressed circular RNA (circRNA) derived from FOXK2 , called circFOXK2, which plays a key role in stabilizing CCND1 mRNA, thereby promoting cell cycle progression, cell growth, and endocrine therapy resistance in ER-positive breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, circFOXK2 binds directly to CCND1 mRNA via RNA–RNA pairing and recruits the RNA-binding protein ELAVL1/HuR, stabilizing the CCND1 mRNA and enhancing CCND1 protein levels. This results in activation of the CCND1–CDK4/6–p-RB–E2F signaling axis, driving the transcription of downstream E2F target genes and facilitating the G1/S transition during cell cycle progression. Notably, targeting circFOXK2 with antisense oligonucleotide (ASO-circFOXK2) suppresses ER-positive breast cancer cell growth both in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, combination therapy with ASO-circFOXK2 and tamoxifen exhibits synergistic effects and restores tamoxifen sensitivity in tamoxifen-resistant cells. Clinically, high circFOXK2 expression is positively correlated with CCND1 levels in both ER-positive breast cancer cell lines and patient tumor tissues. Overall, our findings reveal the critical role of circFOXK2 in stabilizing the oncogene CCND1 and promoting cancer progression, positioning circFOXK2 as a potential therapeutic target for ER-positive breast cancer in clinical settings.

Evaluation of different intramuscular injectable anesthetic combinations in rabbits: Impact on anesthetic depth, physiological parameters, and EEG recordings

Rabbits have a high anesthesia-related mortality rate because of their small size, high metabolic rate and challenging airway management. This study aimed to investigate different combinations of intramuscularly administered anesthetics in New Zealand White rabbits, focusing on their effects on anesthetic depth, physiological parameters, and electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings. Defined doses ketamine (K), esketamine (SK), medetomidine (M), dexmedetomidine (D), midazolam (Mi), and butorphanol (B) were investigated and compared in five different combinations: KM (25/0.25 mg/kg), SKM (17/0.25 mg/kg), SKD (17/0.15 mg/kg), MMiB (0.25/1/0.2 mg/kg), and DMiB (0.15/1/0.2 mg/kg). For 60 minutes, the anesthetic depth was assessed using an anesthesia score, and physiological parameters, including heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), oxygen saturation and blood pressure were recorded. The study also assessed the latencies to loss and recovery of reflexes after targeted antagonization, and EEGs were measured. The rabbits were not intubated and were supplied with oxygenated air via nasal probes. All anesthetic combinations achieved anesthesia with surgical tolerance, with significant intergroup differences in HR, RR, blood pressure and EEG power spectra. The KM group demonstrated the most stable anesthesia and rapid recovery, while SKD and SKM groups showed prolonged recovery times. Oxygen saturation remained consistently high across all groups, obviating the need for intubation. All rabbits recovered fully after anesthesia. In conclusion, intramuscular administered anesthetic combinations can provide effective anesthesia with surgical tolerance for short procedures in rabbits. Monitoring circulatory parameters during and after anesthesia and adequate pain management pre-, inter-, and postoperatively are essential. Considering these criteria, the KM group presented the best results compared with the other groups.

Investigation on the influence of co-sensitization on semi-transparent DSSCs fabricated using NIR-sensitive squaraine dyes and visible dyes

Abstract Two squaraine dyes (“blue colored” SQ258 and “green colored” SQ259) active in the near-infrared spectral range were co-sensitized with popular commercial dyes (D35 and N719) and their photophysical characterizations were performed using stationary and time-resolved spectroscopic techniques. The dye mixtures, D35:SQ258 and N719:SQ259 demonstrated a better photovoltaic performance when compared with their individual photovoltaic efficiencies. The studied different DSSC configurations using squaraine dyes and mixtures in the devices with thin TiO2 layer show the potential application in multi-color semi-transparent cells. The D35:SQ258 system was also evaluated in the presence of cobalt-based redox shuttle, revealing improved performance compared to I−/I3 −. The stationary, transient absorption and external quantum efficiency spectra indicated the squaraine dye de-aggregating function of D35 and N719 dyes. The fast internal conversion of the excited squaraine dyes which competes with too slow electron injection was observed as the main reason for the limited charge separation efficiency in the studied cells of pure squaraine dyes. However, as a result of the synergetic effects of the co-sensitized dyes, the improvement of the charge separation efficiency was revealed. Finally, transient absorption studies revealed that upon exclusive excitation of squaraine dyes an ultrafast energy transfer between the squaraine monomers and their H-aggregates takes place, and a Stark shift of absorption band of co-sensitized dyes can be observed.

Risks of habitat loss from seaweed cultivation within seagrass

HLA-class II genes association with multiple sclerosis: An immunogenetic prediction among multiple sclerosis Jordanian patients

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS). The pathogenesis of MS is characterized by neuronal axonal degeneration and demyelination. Among the genes that raises MS risk are the HLA-class II genes. The goals of this study were to investigate the role of the HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 genes (for the first time) in Jordanian MS patients and their association with MS disease. The association of these genes with other clinical features, such as optic neuritis, sensory impairment, and brainstem symptoms in MS patients was investigated as well using PCR-SSP techniques. Our findings indicated an association between HLA-DRB1 * 03:01 (Pc =  0.01) and HLA-DRB1 * 04:01 (Pc =  0.004) alleles with Jordanian MS patients. In addition, a significant linkage between HLA-DRB1 * 15:01 and HLA-DQB1 * 06:01 alleles (Pc ≤  0.001 and Pc =  0.012, respectively) were presented among Jordanian MS patients with optic neuritis compared to Jordanian MS patients without optic neuritis. Moreover, HLA-DQB1 * 05:01 and HLA-DQB1 * 06:02 alleles (Pc ≤  0.001 and Pc =  0.006, respectively) was found to be related with sensory impairment in MS patients. Additionally, HLA-DRB1 * 07:01 allele indicates a positive correlation in MS patients with brainstem symptoms (Pc <  0.001). Moreover, our results indicated that there is no association on the HLA-DRB1 ~ HLA-DQB1 haplotype level and MS disease. Knowing the genes that are linked to MS, they may facilitate MS diagnosis, prevention, and treatment at earlier stage. Also, these results may serve in the development of more potent therapeutic regimens for MS and its related complications, such as optic neuritis, sensory impairment, and brainstem symptoms.

Comparison of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin products with surprising differences in protein content

Measuring population heterogeneity requires heterogeneous populations

Predicting IVF live -birth probability using time-lapse data: Implications of including or excluding age in a day 2 embryo transfer model

The primary objective of this study was to develop predictive models for the likelihood of live births following In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) treatment, based on a retrospective analysis of time-lapse data from Day 2 embryo transfers at Klinikk Hausken, Norway. This analysis encompassed 1,506 IVF treatment cycles, which included 865 single and 641 double embryo transfer cycles, totalling 2,147 embryos transferred. The model covariates included nucleation error, timing of two-cell stage (t2) and duration between t2 and the three-cell stage (t3). The predictive ability was assessed using Area Under Curve (AUC). Generalised Additive Mixed Models (GAMM) were utilised to address clustering effects from Single Embryo Transfers (SET) and Double Embryo Transfers (DETs), as well as the non-linear effects of female age and t2 timings. A stratification of age and model scores demonstrated the impact of incorporating age into the model. The” Base Model, not incorporating age, achieved an AUC of 0.641, while the “Age Model”, using maternal age, significantly enhanced AUC to 0.745, as estimated through bootstrap analysis. However, when the Age Model was subjected to average ages across three respective age intervals, the AUC values were comparable to the Base Model, rather than the original Age Model scores. Adjusting the Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) timing by ± 2 hours, purely as a theoretical exercise, has minimal impacts on model predictions. This highlights the value of including t2 despite fertilisation timing variations between ICSI and IVF. The Age Model did not show superiority in predicting live birth within single treatment cohorts. However, given its distinct AUC values for broader age ranges, the Age Model can serve as a counselling tool on live-birth probabilities. With further validation, we suggest only using the Age Model for general counselling, while the Base Model is preferable for the embryo selection decision support.

Association of magnesium depletion score with increased stroke incidence and mortality risks in a comprehensive analysis

High spatial resolution charge sensing of quantum Hall states

Charge distribution offers a unique fingerprint of important properties of electronic systems, including dielectric response, charge ordering, and charge fractionalization. We develop an architecture for charge sensing in two-dimensional electronic systems in a strong magnetic field. We probe local change of the chemical potential in a proximitized detector layer using scanning tunneling microscopy, allowing us to infer the chemical potential and the charge profile in the sample. Our technique has both high energy (<0.3 meV) and spatial (<10 nm) resolution exceeding that of previous studies by an order of magnitude. We apply our technique to study the chemical potential of quantum Hall liquids in monolayer graphene under high magnetic fields and their responses to charge impurities. The chemical potential measurement provides a local probe of the thermodynamic gap of quantum Hall ferromagnets and fractional quantum Hall states. The screening charge profile reveals spatially oscillatory response of the quantum Hall liquids to charge impurities and is consistent with the composite Fermi liquid picture close to the half-filling. Our technique also paves the way to map moiré potentials, probe Wigner crystals, and investigate fractional charges in quantum Hall and Chern insulators.