Browse Articles
Discover research articles across all indexed journals
Multi-scale modelling of battery cooling systems for grid frequency regulation with high C-rate amplitude and non-uniform cell heat generation
Optimizing eco-friendly jewelry design through an integrated eco-innovation approach using artificial neural networks
Quantifying the non-isomorphism of global urban road networks using GNNs and graph kernels
Innovative application of graphene nanoplatelet-based ionanofluids as heat transfer fluid in hybrid photovoltaic-thermal solar collectors
Bio-electro-fenton system assisted with metal–organic framework for degradation of bis-phenol S in wastewater as an emerging contaminant
Renalase levels are decreased in maternal blood and placental tissues in pregnancies associated with preterm preeclampsia
Uncovering the mechanism of Huangkui capsule in the treatment of diabetic kidney disease based on network pharmacology and experimental validation
Primary astrocytes as a cellular depot of polystyrene nanoparticles
Abstract The continuous increase in plastic production has resulted in increased generation of microplastic particles (MPs), and nanoplastic particles (NPs). Recent evidence suggests that nanoplastics may be a potent neurotoxin because they are able to freely cross the blood–brain barrier and enter the brain. Therefore, the cytotoxic effects of polystyrene nanoparticles (PS-NPs) on cellular systems of cerebral origin should be thoroughly investigated. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of 25 nm PS-NPs on in vitro cultured cells such as primary astrocytes, neurons and their co-cultures established from the cerebral cortex of Wistar pups. The results show that PS-NPs are internalized in both neurons and astrocytes, inducing time- and concentration-dependent cytotoxic effects. However, quantification of fluorescence intensity indicates cell type-dependent differences in the efficiency of PS-NPs uptake. Astrocytes are several times more efficient at accumulating PS-NPs than neurons, and this is a phagocytosis-dependent process. Moreover, the high rate of PS-NPs internalization during prolonged exposure (72 h) promotes astroglial activation, as assessed by analysis of GFAP expression and immunocytochemical imaging. The results show that astroglia act as a cellular depot of PS-NPs to protect neurons. However, once the critical threshold is exceeded, astroglia become overactivated and can lose their protective functions. These results highlight the importance of further research on the mechanisms underlying nanoplastic-induced cellular toxicity, which may have implications for understanding the broader impact of plastic pollution on neurological functions.
Assessing hydrogen as an alternative fuel for rail transport – a case study
Abstract Diesel trains play a vital role in the UK’s rail passenger transport. Despite efforts to expand electrification, over 10% of the UK’s rail routes will remain non-electrified. To reduce emissions and phase out diesel trains by 2040, the UK rail network is actively exploring alternative fuels. This paper presents a comprehensive technical, economic, and environmental analysis of converting diesel trains to hydrogen-powered trains using a hydrogen combustion engine for the first time. A simulation-based methodology has been developed to assess train performance, fuel consumption, and emissions for both hydrogen and diesel engines. The developed methodology has been validated by comparing the predictions against the available experimental data and a very good agreement has been obtained. A case study involving British Class 195 diesel-powered regional trains on the Manchester Airport to Barrow-in-Furness route is analysed. The simulation results show that hydrogen-powered trains achieve zero carbon emissions and exhibit similar NOx emissions to diesel, with a similar performance. Over the train’s 30-year lifespan, green hydrogen can reduce CO2-equivalent emissions by up to 187.4 kt. The study clearly demonstrates that hydrogen combustion engines offer a practical, mid-term solution for decarbonizing regional rail, with much lower conversion costs compared with fuel cell technology.
Phosphorus induced changes in food quality enhance porina fitness feeding on Epichloë endophyte free forage grasses
Comparison of SS-EPI DWI and one-minute TGSE-BLADE DWI for diagnosis of acute infarction
Abstract The efficacy of 2D turbo gradient- and spin-echo diffusion-weighted imaging with non-Cartesian BLADE trajectory (TGSE-BLADE DWI) has not been well studied for acute stroke due to its long acquisition time. This study was performed to compare distortion, artifacts and image quality between single-shot echo planar imaging (SS-EPI) DWI and TGSE-BLADE DWI with acquisition time reduced to 1 min by simultaneous multi-slice (SMS) imaging, and to evaluate the diagnostic performance of TGSE-BLADE DWI for acute infarctions. Total 104 patients with a past history of stroke or symptoms suspicious for acute infarction or who had undergone surgery for brain tumor within two days were prospectively enrolled. Ten lesions in 9 patients were diagnosed as acute or subacute infarction and were detectable only in TGSE-BLADE DWI but not in SS-EPI DWI. Scores for geometric distortion, susceptibility artifacts, overall image quality, lesion conspicuity and diagnostic confidence were lower for SS-EPI DWI than TGSE-BLADE DWI ( p ≤ .001). Distortion was significantly worse in SS-EPI DWI than TGSE-BLADE DWI ( p < .001). SNR of centrum semiovale was significantly higher in SS-EPI DWI than TGSE-BLADE DWI ( p < .001). One-minute TGSE-BLADE DWI showed better image quality than SS-EPI DWI in terms of distortion and artifacts, and higher diagnostic performance for acute infarctions.
Triglyceride-glucose index as a superior marker of insulin resistance for predicting long-term major adverse cardiovascular events following coronary artery bypass grafting in China
The Omicron variant BA.2.86.1 of SARS- CoV-2 demonstrates an altered interaction network and dynamic features to enhance the interaction with the hACE2
Common molecular profile of multiple structurally distinct warfare arsenicals in causing cutaneous chemical vesicant injury
Abstract Skin exposure to arsenicals such as lewisite and phenylarsine oxide leads to severe cutaneous damage. Here, we characterized the molecular pathogenesis of skin injury caused by additionally structurally distinct warfare arsenicals including diphenylchlorarsine (DPCA), diphenylcyanoarsine (DPCYA), diethylchloroarsine (DECA). Cutaneous exposure to DPCA/DPCYA showed marked increase in skin erythema and edema at 6 and 24 h followed by scar formation at 72 h, while DECA did not produce such visual injuries in mouse skin. Clinical observations showed significant increase in Draize score and skin bi-fold thickness in a time-dependent manner. DPCA or DPCYA-exposed skin histology revealed highly inflamed hypodermal areas with infiltrated immune cells at 6 and 24 h, however, epidermal cell necrosis was seen at 72 h. Significantly high number of macrophage infiltration observed at 6 h, whereas peak neutrophil infiltration occurred at 72 h. Number of micro-blisters also increased. However, these effects were nonsignificant following topical DECA exposure. RT-PCR confirmed augmented inflammatory responses in the skin challenged with both DPCA/DPCYA, which accompanied increased ROS and unfolded protein response (UPR) signaling. DECA also increased ROS with changes in UPR. Disrupted tight (Yap/ZO-1) and adherens (Yap/α-Catenin) junction proteins underlie time-dependent apoptotic cell death of epidermal keratinocytes. Thus, these studies identify arsenicals-manifested signaling pathways similar to those of lewisite.
Reduced low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels are associated with increased risk of gestational diabetes mellitus in Chinese women
Abstract Lipid levels in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) have been extensively studied, whether low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is a risk factor for GDM development remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between serum LDL-C levels and the risk of GDM. A case–control study was conducted. Glycolipid metabolic and oxidative stress indicators were measured in 696 women with GDM and 1048 healthy pregnant women. Serum LDL-C levels were significantly lower in the GDM group than in the control group (P < 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that reduced LDL-C levels were associated with an increased risk of GDM after adjusting for differences in maternal age, pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI), gestational age at sampling, fasting glucose and insulin levels, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (odds ratio [OR] 1.372, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.050–1.794, P = 0.021 for medium-LDL-C subgroup; OR 1.672, 95% CI 1.219–2.294, P = 0.001 for low-LDL-C subgroup). The risk of GDM decreased by 17.6% per 1 mmol/L increase in LDL-C level (OR 0.824, 95% CI 0.733–0.926, P = 0.001). Furthermore, apolipoprotein (apo) A1 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were lower, whereas pre-pregnancy and delivery BMI, triglyceride (TG)/HDL-C ratios, and second-trimester fasting glucose levels were higher in the low-LDL-C GDM subgroup than those in the high- and/or medium-LDL-C GDM subgroups (P < 0.05). ApoA1 and HDL-C levels were lower but TG/HDL-C ratios were higher in the medium-LDL-C GDM subgroup than those in the high-LDL-C GDM subgroup (P < 0.05). We concluded that reduced LDL-C levels were associated with an elevated risk of GDM in the study population. Low LDL-C levels correlated with increased BMI and unfavorable TG, HDL, and glucose metabolism.