Predicting and evaluating the vitality level of public spaces of urban design is crucial before new construction and renewal, especially for developing countries, to avoid failures like "ghost neighborhood" and reduce resource waste. However, existing assessment methods for the urban vitality are either static and ignore changes in the time dimension, or rely on historical big data and are unable to predict unbuilt projects. This study combines previous methods and crowds’ characteristics observation in public space, puts forward the crowd-frequency hypothesis and constructs an algorithm, and establishes a time-dimensional urban vitality dynamic prediction model. Taking the Rundle Mall neighborhood in Adelaide, Australia, as an example, the effec-tiveness of the prediction model was proved through on-site observation sampling comparative verification method. In addition, the decision tree model was used to conduct machine learning on the case data, and a set of algorithm programs were obtained that can directly input some basic information to obtain the urban vitality level (high-medium-low) in a certain period. It can be used as a tool to support the design and decision-making processes of urban planners and government officials, providing a low-cost way to achieve sustainable urban vitality construction of late-developing cities directly.

Development of new techniques of multimodal treatment, diagnostics of various neoplasms and improvement of these techniques can significantly increase the life expectancy of patients with carcinomas of the colon and abdominal cavity organs, since prevention of various side effects of radiation therapy is one of the main problems of oncological care. Electron irradiation is one of the most promising types of radiation therapy. There are no data on proliferation and apoptosis of the colon epithelium after irradiation with electrons, especially in different modes (single and summary). Aim of the study: Morphological evaluation of apoptosis and proliferation of colonic epithelium after local irradiation with electrons at doses 2 Gy and 25 Gy. Materials and methods. Colon fragments from sexually mature Wistar rats (n=50, body weight 200 ± 10 g) were divided into three groups: I - control (n = 10); II - experimental group (n = 20; local single electron irradiation at a dose of 2 Gy), III - experimental group (n=30), local fractional irradiation with electrons at a total dose of 25 Gy. They were studied by light microscopy using hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical reactions with antibodies to Ki-67 and Cas3. Morphological disorders were accompanied by increased expression of pro-apoptotic molecules (caspase-3), and the period of regeneration by proliferative marker (Ki-67). Conclusions: Local fractional irradiation of the colon with electrons at a dose of 2 Gy and 25 Gy resulted in minor changes in the epithelium, a decrease in the number of goblet cells, but with preservation of regenerative potential, mild degenerative-dystrophic lesions. Intestinal crypts were damaged, leading to a decrease in Ki-67 and an increase in the number of caspase-3-positive epitheliocytes.

Hip joint surgeries, including total hip replacement or resurfacing, have increased tremendously in the last decades. Number of patients of all ages, replace their hip, due to severe injuries or trauma problems, so as to have a better life. According to these factors, new material and processes in implants manufacturing are imported to medicine, through research programs, every year. In the scope of one of these programs, that has to do with ceramic coatings on metallic resurfacing implants, a new 3axis Hip simulator was designed and manufactured in the Laboratory of Manufacturing Technology of the National Technical University of Athens. The scope of this paper is to present the main parts, materials and process used to manufacture the simulator as well as the way the simulator is working and how its movement in 3axis is accomplished. Furthermore, the evaluation of the machine and its use to examine resurfacing implants is presented.

Background: Cell-free plasma DNA (cfDNA) is composed of circulating extracellular DNA originating from apoptosis or cell necrosis. It is generally present in healthy individuals, but its levels increase in different clinical conditions, such as kidney disease, sepsis, myocardial infarction, trauma and cancer. Caspase-3 plays a central role in apoptosis, a mechanism of programmed cell death involved in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: We compared cfDNA and caspase-3 levels in 25 CKD patients and in 10 healthy subjects, evaluating the modification of their concentrations according to CKD stage. We also analyzed the correlation between cfDNA and caspase-3 levels in CKD patients and the correlation between cfDNA and caspase-3 levels and creatinine and urea. Results: CfDNA and caspase-3 levels were higher in CKD patients compared to healthy subjects, in particular in patients with advanced renal disease. A positive correlation between cfDNA and caspase-3 levels and between cfDNA and caspase-3 and creatinine and urea was also observed. Conclusion: Patients with chronic kidney disease present higher levels of cfDNA and caspase-3 levels compared with healthy subjects. The worsening of renal damage and the increase in uremic toxin concentration are associated to higher levels of cfDNA and caspase-3 levels, thus reflecting a central role of apoptosis in the pathogenesis of CKD.

The elderly present age-related morphological and histological changes of the oral cavity; Literature displays many studies regarding the specific pathologies of the oral cavity in elderly patients, but no etiologically based classification is available. The aim of this study was to analyze the series of patients over 65 who were treated by our Unit of Pathology between 2020 and 2022 for a suspicion of oral lesion or for preventive dental evaluation (in anticipation of cardiac surgery, anti-resorptive drugs intake, chemotherapy, radiotherapy of the head-neck district or transplantation). The analysis was conducted by dividing oral lesions into 5 groups depending on the etiology: reactive, immunological, traumatic, benign and malignant degenerative. The sixth group consisted of patients undergoing preventive dental evaluation. The study included 435 patients; 91 of them were diagnosed with a reactive origin pathology, 174 with immunological origin pathology, 48 with traumatic pathology and 86 with degenerative pathology (42 benign and 44 malignant). 36 patients went to our Unit for preventive specialist evaluation. Oral health has a major impact on the daily life of the elderly; The examination of oral mucosa in geriatric patients is a fundamental diagnostic moment to report lesions early, thus allowing easier prevention and treatment.

This article presents an experimental approach to fatigue testing of cableway gondolas, carried out in accordance with the EN 13796-3 standard. Due to the limitations of the aforementioned regulations and the lack of clarity in their content, when designing and conducting fatigue tests of gondolas, there is a need to find solutions that meet the normative requirements, while ensuring the cost-effectiveness of the tests. The work presents the method of loading, receiving the degrees of freedom, the methodology of gondola strength verification, and additional suggestions allowing for the satisfactory preparation of a plan of fatigue tests and their implementation. The paper shows problems and ways to solve it, what may occur during cableway gondolas fatigue test design. The research object is a 6-seater gondola designed by TRANSSYSTEM S.A. with its registered office in Wola Dalsza (Poland).

After a long limbo, RNA has gained its credibility as a druggable target, fully earning its de-served role in the next-generation area of pharmaceutical R&D. We have recently probed the Trans-Activation Response element (TAR), a RNA stem–bulge–loop domain of the HIV-1 genome with bis-3-chloropiperidines (B-CePs), and revealed the compounds unique behavior in stabiliz-ing TAR structure, thus impairing in vitro the chaperone activity of the HIV-1 nucleocapsid (NC) protein. Seeking to elucidate the determinants of B-CePs inhibition, we have further characterized here their effects on the target TAR and its NC recognition, while developing quantitative analyti-cal approaches for the study of multicomponent RNA-based interactions.

We previously found increases in uncoupling protein (Ucp)-1 transcription in brown adipose tissue (BAT) of mice following a single oral dose of flavan 3-ols (FL), a fraction of catechins and procyanidins. It was confirmed that these changes were totally reduced by co-treatment of adrenaline blockers. According to these previous results, FL possibly activates sympathetic nervous system (SNS). In this study, we confirmed the marked increase in urinary catecholamine (CA) s projecting SNS activity following a single dose of 50 mg/kg FL. In addition, we examined the impact of the repeated administration of 50 mg/kg FL for 14 days on adipose tissues in mice. In BAT, FL tended to increase the level of Ucp-1 along with thermogenic transcriptome factors, such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator (PGC)-1α and PR domain-containing (PRDM)1. Transcription of browning markers, such as CD137 and transmembrane protein (TMEM) 26 in addition to PGC-1α were increased in epididymal adipose (eWAT) by FL. A multilocular morphology with cell size reduction was shown in the inguinal adipose (iWAT), together with increasing the level of Ucp-1 following administration of FL. These results suggest that FL produces browning in adipose through activation of the SNS.

Bioactive glass (BG) represents a promising biomaterial for bone healing; here injectable BG pastes biological properties were improved by 25 wt% gelatin or chitosan, as well as mechanical resistance was enhanced by adding 10 or 20 wt% 3-Glycidyloxypropyl trimethoxysilane (GPTMS) cross-linker. Composites exhibited bioactivity as apatite formation was observed by SEM and XRD after 14 days immersion in SBF; moreover, polymers did not enhance degradability as weight loss was >10% after 30 days in physiological conditions. BG-gelatin-20 wt% GPTMS composites demonstrated the highest compressive strength (4.8±0.5 MPa) in comparison with 100% BG control (1.9±0.1 MPa). Cytocompatibility was demonstrated towards human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), osteoblasts progenitors and endothelial cells. The presence of 20 wt% GPTMS conferred antibacterial properties thus inhibiting the joint pathogens Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis infection. Finally, hMSC osteogenesis was successfully supported in a 3D model as demonstrated by alkaline phosphatase release and osteogenic genes expression.

Image fusion is a useful tool for producing a high-resolution multispectral image to be used for land use and land cover mapping. In this study, we use nine pansharpening algorithms namely Color Normalized (CN), Gram-Schmidt (GS), Hyperspherical Color Space (HCS), High Pass Filter (HPF), Nearest-Neighbor Diffusion (NND), Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Resolution Merge (RM), Stationary Wavelet Transform (SWT), and Wavelet Resolution Merge (WRM) to fusion Worldview-3 multispectral Bands and panchromatic band. In spectral and spatial fidelity, several image quality metrics are used to evaluate the performance of pansharpening algorithms. The SWT and PCA algorithms showed better results compared to other pansharpening algorithms while GS and CN algorithms showed the worst results for the original image fusion. The effect of fusion on each band was separately investigated and according to the calculations, we found that the CoastalBlue band and the Blue band showed the best result and the NIR-1 band and NIR-2 band show the worst result for the original image fusion. In the end, we conclude that the choice of fusion method depends on the requirement of remote sensing application.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a common pregnancy complication. It is associated with high maternal morbidity and mortality rates and intrauterine foetal growth restriction. This condition is characterised by high blood pressure and urinary protein levels. Apelin and galectin-3 (Gal- 3) are peptides involved in the regulation of body fluid homeostasis, inflammation and cardiovascular functions. This study aimed to determine the correlations amongst serum apelin and Gal-3 levels and insulin resistance (IR) in women with PE. Sixty patients with PE and 30 healthy controls participated in this study. The PE group had significantly lower apelin levels (p < 0.01) and higher Gal-3 levels (p < 0.05) than the control group. The PE group had higher serum glucose levels and β-cell functions than the control group. Moreover, patients with PE exhibited dyslipidaemia. Correlation analysis indicated that apelin and Gal-3 levels were not significantly correlated. Moreover, no correlation existed between the apelin levels and any measured parameters of the PE group. In conclusion, the elevations in serum Gal-3 levels with increments in IR-related parameters and lipid profiles reflect the possible contribution of Gal-3 to the harmful effects of IR and dyslipidemia levels on women with PE.

Bacterial indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), an effector molecule in microbial physiology, plays an important role in plant growth-promotion. Here, we comprehensively analyzed about 7282 prokaryotic genomes representing diverse bacterial phyla, combined with root-associated metagenomic data to unravel the distribution of tryptophan-dependent IAA synthesis pathways and to quantify the IAA synthesis-related genes in the plant root environments. We found that 82.2% of the analyzed bacterial genomes were potentially capable of synthesizing IAA from tryptophan (Trp) or intermediates. Interestingly, several phylogenetically diverse bacteria showed a preferential tendency to utilize different pathways and tryptamine and indole-3-pyruvate pathways are most prevalent in bacteria. About 45.3% of the studied genomes displayed multiple coexisting pathways, constituting complex IAA synthesis systems. Furthermore, root-associated metagenomic analyses revealed that rhizobacteria mainly synthesize IAA via IAM and tryptamine (TMP) pathways and might possess stronger IAA synthesis abilities than bacteria colonizing other environments. The obtained results refurbished our understanding of bacterial IAA synthesis pathways and provided a faster and less labor-intensive alternative to physiological screening based on genome collections. The better understanding of IAA synthesis among bacterial communities could maximize the utilization of bacterial IAA to augment the crop growth and physiological function.

Nowadays, network simulators are very useful to model a communications system. In this technical note we will focus in the creation of a new error model in NS-3 network simulator. This note describes the main steps to create or modify an Wi-Fi error model in this network simulator. In our case, we have created a new error model to included the approach of [1] to compute PER (Packet Error Rate) for vehicular environments.

We show that given a Lie superalgebra and an element of its dual space one can construct the 3-Lie superalgebra. We apply this approach to Lie superalgebra of (m,n)-block matrices taking supertrace of a matrix as the element of dual space. Then we also apply this approach to commutative superalgebra and the Lie superalgebra of its derivations to construct 3-Lie superalgebra. The graded Lie brackets are constructed by means of a derivation and involution of commutative superalgebra, and we use them to construct 3-Lie superalgebras.

Satellite altimeters have been used to monitor river and reservoir water levels, from which water storage estimates can be derived. Inland water altimetry can therefore play an important role in continental water resource management. Traditionally, satellite altimeters were designed to monitor homogeneous surfaces such as oceans or ice sheets, resulting in a poor performance over small inland water bodies due to the contribution from land contamination in the returned waveforms. The advent of synthetic aperture radar (SAR) altimetry (with its improved along-track spatial resolution) has enabled the measurement of inland water levels with a better accuracy and an increased spatial resolution. This paper presents three specialized algorithms or retrackers to retrieve water levels from SAR altimeter data over inland water bodies dedicated to minimizing land contamination from the waveforms. The performances of the proposed waveform portion selection method with three retrackers, namely, the threshold retracker, Offset Centre of Gravity (OCOG) retracker and 2-step physical-based retracker, are compared. Time series of water levels are retrieved for water bodies in the Ebro River basin (Spain). The results show good agreement with in situ measurements from the Ebro Reservoir (width is approximately 1.8 km) and Ribarroja Reservoir (width is approximately 400 m) with un-biased root-mean-square errors (RMSEs) of approximately 0.28 m and 0.16 m, respectively. The performances of all three retrackers are also compared with the European Space Agency’s ocean retracker in the Sentinel-3 Level-2 product.

The standard molar enthalpies of formation in the liquid phase for ethyl (E)-cinnamate and ethyl hydrocinnamate, two cinnamate derivatives with notable flavor and fragrance characteristics, were determined experimentally using combustion calorimetry in an oxygen atmosphere. To derive the gas-phase enthalpies of formation for these derivatives, their enthalpies of vaporization were measured using a high-temperature Calvet microcalorimeter and the vacuum drop micro-calorimetric technique. Additionally, a computational analysis employing the G3(MP2)//B3LYP composite method was conducted to calculate the gas-phase standard enthalpies of formation at T = 298.15 K for both compounds. These findings enabled a detailed assessment and analysis of the structural and energetic effects of the vinyl and ethane moieties between the phenyl and carboxylic groups in the studied com-pounds. Considering the structural features of ethyl (E)-cinnamate and ethyl hydrocinnamate, a gas-phase enthalpy of hydrogenation analysis was conducted to explore their energetic profiles more thoroughly.

The effects of shade netting on the morphological and chemical composition (organic acids, sugars, total polyphenols, total and certain anthocyanins, proanthocyanidins) and in vitro antioxidant activity of raspberries and blackberries was conducted in the southeastern region of the Republic of North Macedonia. HPLC analysis confirmed a significant effect of shading nets on the amount of the most dominant anthocyanin in blackberries and raspberries. The amount of cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in blackberries covered with shading nets was significantly higher in comparison to the amount of the same anthocyanins in uncovered blackberries. The same tendency was observed for cyanidin-3-O-sophoroside for covered and uncovered raspberries from 2023. However, an opposite relationship was noticed for total anthocyanin content in favor of uncovered blackberry and raspberry from 2023. From all examined organic acids, the amount of acetic acid was the most affected in covered raspberries. The shade netting had a significant influence on polyphenolic content (such as high molecular proanthocyanidins, total and particular anthocyanins), the amounts of sugars (glucose and fructose), and organic acids as well as the intensity of color in blackberry and raspberry. Although net shading significantly influenced particular phenolic compounds presented in examined berry fruits, antioxidant activity was weakly correlated to this environmental change.

This article utilized electrodeposition technology to fabricate Zn and Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite coatings on Q235 steel plates. The composite coatings were obtained by adding Y₂O₃/Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (0, 5, 10, and 15 g/L) to acidic chloride solutions. This study then examined the impact of these nanoparticles on the microstructure, morphology, microhardness, hydrophobicity, and corrosion resistance of the composite coatings. The results indicate that the addition of the nanoparticles increased the nucleation sites on the surface of the coating, thereby refining the grain size and reducing the roughness of the coating surface. When 10g/L of Y₂O₃ and 10g/L of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles were added, the hardness of the composite coating (369 Hv) was 2.49 times higher than that of the pure Zn coating (148 Hv), which was attributed to the dispersion strengthening and grain refinement effects of the nanoparticles. The corrosion resistance of the Zn and Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ composite coatings was studied using linear sweep voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy. The addition of the nanoparticles improved the corrosion resistance of the composite coating, and the composite coating prepared in an electrolyte containing 10 g/L of Y₂O₃ and 10 g/L of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles exhibited the best corrosion resistance. Meanwhile, the composite coating exhibited good hydrophobicity, with a contact angle of 120.9°, 1.94 times that of the pure Zn coating (62.2°). The Zn-Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ nanocomposite coating material has significant potential advantages in the field of steel corrosion.

The evolutionary success of land plants largely relies on their ability to cope with constant environmental fluctuations, which negatively impact their reproductive fitness and trigger adaptational responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. In this challenging scenario, comprehensive research efforts so far aimed at depicting the roles of well-known phytohormones, mainly auxins, along with brassinosteroids, jasmonates, and abscisic acid, although the signaling networks coordinating the crosstalk among them remains vaguely understood. Accordingly, this review focuses on the Arabidopsis Amidase Signature (AS) superfamily members, highlighting the hitherto relatively underappreciated functions of AMIDASE1 (AMI1) and FATTY ACID AMIDE HYDROLASE (FAAH), as crucial coordinators of the growth-defense response trade-off by modulating auxin and ABA homeostasis.

With the aim to develop novel scaffolds for sustained release of drugs, we initially developed an easy approach for the synthesis of α,ω-homobifunctional mercaptoacyl poly(alkyl oxide)s. This was based on the esterification of the terminal hydroxyl groups of poly(alkyl oxide)s with suitably S-4-methoxytrityl (Mmt) protected mercapto acids, followed by removal of the acid labile S-Mmt group. This method allowed the efficient synthesis of the title compounds in high yield and purity, which were further used in the development a thioether cross-linked liposome scaffold, by thia-Michael reaction of the terminal thiol groups with preformed nano-sized liposomes bearing maleimide groups on their surface. The reaction process was followed by 1H-NMR, using a Carr-Purcell-Meiboom-Gill (CPMG) relaxation dispersion NMR experiment (1H-NMR CPMG), which allowed real-time monitoring and optimization of the reaction process. The thioether cross-linked liposomal scaffold that was synthesized was proven to preserve the nanosized characteristics of the initial liposomes and allowed sustained release of calcein (which was used as a chromophore), providing evidence for the efficient synthesis of a novel drug release scaffold consisted of nanoliposome building blocks.

Background: Ovarian clear cell carcinoma (OCCC) is a type of ovarian cancer with a poor prognosis if detected in the progressive stage since there is less effective chemotherapy. Recent advancements in molecular-targeted drugs have not substantially affected OCCC treatment. Therefore, we explored the potential of targeting MDM2 in OCCC cells. Methods: We used TOV-21G and KOC7c cells as the ARID1A mutant-type, and RMG-I and ES2 cells as the ARID1A wild-type. Then, we performed small interfering library screening, Western blotting, real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis, cell proliferation assay, cell cycle analysis, time-lapse cell proliferation assessment, and DNA damage assessment. Next, to generate murine intraperitoneal tumors, 7.5 × 106 TOV-21G cells in 200 μL of phosphate-buffered saline were injected subcutaneously into the intraperitoneum in 5–6-week-old athymic nude mice. Results: Using various cell lines with ARID1A mutations or without mutation, the results showed that the interference of MDM2 effectively reduced cell proliferation in ARID1A-mutant cells but not in ARID1A wild-type cells. Additionally, interference with ARID1A against ARID1A wild strains reproduced susceptibility to MDM2 interference. In vivo experiments demonstrated that nutlin-3, an MDM2 inhibitor, significantly suppressed tumor growth in the ovarian cancer mouse model. Conclusion: These findings suggest that targeting MDM2 may be a viable strategy for the treat-ment of ARID1A-mutated OCCC, offering a new therapeutic approach for this challenging type of cancer.

In recent years, the "3-30-300" concept by Professor Cecil Konijnendijk has been gaining popularity, outlining what makes a city "green" and what we should strive for. This concept suggests that from every apartment, at least 3 trees should be visible, 30% of the city's surface should be covered with greenery, and the nearest park or forest should be no more than 300 meters away. However, the lack of detailed guidelines makes the implementation of this concept a significant challenge. The goal of the research presented here was to adapt this concept for Warsaw (Poland) and assess whether it can be considered a green city. I defined parameters such as the maximum distance for visible trees as 20 meters and determined what counts toward the 30% green areas. The results showed that 57.82% of apartments in Warsaw have a view of at least 3 trees, while only 5.44% do not meet this criterion, and the rest meet it only partially. Parks and forests cover 19.95% of the city, while all green areas combined cover 42.01%. Additionally, 45% of buildings are located within 300 meters from a park or forest. Ultimately, full compliance with the "3-30-300" concept applies to 22.19% of buildings, while only 12.66% meet the criteria when considering only parks and forests. This indicates that, while Warsaw is relatively green, not all of its areas fulfill these criteria.

In this paper, the distribution of prime numbers is expressed based on proving the Riemann hypothesis. The relationship between three numbers, three, six, and nine, and the modality to the distribution of prime numbers, is one of the results of Riemann's zeta function. Prime numbers are classified into six groups of single-digit numbers. There are no prime numbers in groups of three, six, and nine. The groups are made based on the sum of the internal digits. And for each set, there is an angle in the complex plane. The distance between the prime numbers in each group has a regular pattern. This pattern is a multiple of the numbers three, six, and nine. According to Euler's number, for an angle of 60 degrees, the real part of the cosine is 1/2. Accordingly, all prime numbers are related to angles greater than 60 degrees to 90 degrees. As a result, based on the relationship between the golden spiral and the complex conjugate of the zeta function, the function in The 1/2 point becomes zero based on the prime numbers.

Effects of the enzyme N-acetylgalactosamine-4-sulfatase (Arylsulfatase B, ARSB), which removes the 4-sulfate group at the non-reducing end of chondroitin 4-sulfate, on the expression of PD-L1 were determined and the underlying mechanism of PD-L1 expression elucidated. Initial experiments in human melanoma cells (A375) showed PD-L1 expression increased from 357 ± 31 to 796 ± 50 pg/mg protein (p

Ovarian cysts are linked to hormone imbalances and altered gene expressions, but the connection between cysts and ion channel expression is understudied. This study explored the role of TWIK-related acid-sensitive K+ (TASK) channels in bovine ovarian cyst formation. The ovarian follicles were split into small (5 to 10 mm in diameter) and large (> 25 mm in diameter) groups. Among the measured K+, Na+, and Cl- concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) obtained from small-sized follicles (SF) and large-sized follicles (LF), the K+ concentration was significantly lower in LFFF. Quantitative PCR, western blot, and immunocytochemistry data revealed that TASK-3 expression levels significantly decreased by approximately 50% in both LF and granulosa cells obtained from LF (LFGCs) compared to the corresponding controls. The TASK-3 protein was localized to the plasma membrane of GCs. The diameter of LFGCs was larger than that of SFGC. The cell swelling response to exposure to a hypotonic solution (200 mOsm/L) was highly reduced in TASK-3-overexpressing cells compared to vector-transfected cells. TASK-3-knockdown cells showed arrested growth. Senescence markers were detected in LFGCs and TASK-3-knockdown cells. These findings suggest that reduced TASK-3 expression in LF is associated with the inhibition of GC growth, leading to senescence and cyst formation.

The historical and cultural use of food as a remedy for diseases is evident in societies, such as using Hibiscus sabdariffa to address conditions like hypertension and high blood glucose. The natural biocompounds in this plant, including Delphinidin-3-Sambubioside (DS3), Quercetin (QRC), and Hibiscus Acid (HA), have been linked to various health benefits. Despite individual attention, molecular targets for these compounds remain unclear. In this study, in-silico analysis employed bioinformatic tools; including Swiss Target Prediction, ShinnyGo 0.77, KEGG, and Stringdb, to identify molecular targets, pathways, and hub genes. A PubMed literature search complemented the results. DS3 demonstrated potential modifications in genes related to nitrogen and glucose metabolism, inflammation, angiogenesis, and cell proliferation, particularly affecting the PI3K-AKT pathway. QRC displayed interconnected targets across multiple pathways, with overlap with DS3 and a focus on cancer-related pathways. HA showed distinct targets, particularly associated with nervous system-related pathways. These findings highlight the need for targeted research on the molecular effects of DS3, QRC, and HA, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic pathways.

Although conventional chemotherapeutic drugs are the first line of treatment for cancer, they have numerous side effects. One of the emerging challenges in cancer treatment is drug resistance. Nat-ural compounds have proven effective against various hallmarks of cancer for their multi-target inhibition properties, but especially for their ability to synergistically bypass low bioavailability. Methods: The present study investigated the in vivo antitumor effects of a combination of two natural dietary agents, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) from Camelia Sinensis and curcumin, a component of turmeric (Curcuma longa). We aimed to compare, for the first time in vivo, the antiangiogenic and antitumor effects of sunitinib with the combination of curcumin and EGCG in a mouse model of renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). It was shown that they are able to inhibit cell survival, proliferation of several type of cancer, including renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), by mod-ulating different signaling pathways and that their combination respect to single compound syn-ergistically decreased angiogenesis. Results: Herein, we highlighted that these compounds inhib-ited the growth of xenografted renal cancer in nude mice by significant inhibition of tumor vol-ume, tumor weight and CD31 expression with no signs of hepatic toxicity. Moreover, mice treated with these natural compounds showed a significant reduction in angiogenesis and an improve-ment in survival rate with p<0.05. Finally, pretreatment of mice with a diet containing 0.6% curcumin before injection of tumor cells showed a significant inhibition of tumor engraftment in 60% of mice with respect to controls and other groups. Conclusions: Taken together, our data in-dicate, for the first time, that the combination of curcumin and EGCG acts in a synergistic manner to inhibit the growth and angiogenesis of ccRCC and with less toxicity than sunitinib and provide an important rationale for future clinical development for chemoprevention and treatment of re-nal cancer.

Due to the growing interest in biopolymers, biosynthesizable and biodegradable polymers currently occupy a special place. Unfortunately, the properties of native biopolymers are not satisfactory, which explain that attempts are being made to modify them. The work attempts to improve the properties of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) using linear aliphatic polyurethane (PU) based on 1,4-butanediol and hexamethylene 1,6-diisocyanate. The conducted studies on the effect of the amount of PU used (5, 10, 15 and 20 wt.%) showed an improvement in the thermal properties of the prepared polymer blends. There was an increase in the degradation temperature of the ob-tained blends in relation to the native P3HB by 12-57C, and the difference between the melting point and the degradation point was above 100°C for most of the obtained blends. As part of the tested mechanical properties of the new polymer blends, we noted the desired increase in the tensile strength, in the relative elongation at break and in the impact strength with a decrease in hardness, in particular with the presence of 5 wt.% PU. Therefore, for further improvement, hybrid nanobiocomposites with 5 wt.% PU and organically modified montmorillonite (MMT – Cloisite 30B) were produced. The nanoadditive was used in typical amount of 1-3 wt.%. The nanostructure of the biocomposites produced by extrusion was examined by small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), the morphology by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and compatibility by infrared spectroscopy (FT IR). In addition, selected mechanical properties were determined and thermal properties were tested by the thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and the standard differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The polyester and polyurethane chains penetrated into the interlayer spaces of organically modi-fied nanoclay – Cloisite30B and the complete delamination occurred during direct mixing in the extrusion process. FT IR spectral analysis showed the compatibility of the polymer biocomposite components by the coexistence of intermolecular interactions in the form of hydrogen bonds. The morphology studies of the produced hybrid nanobiocomposites showed an interaction of the bi-opolymer matrix with PU and Cloisite30B and the formation of easily migrating polyester-polyurethane-montmorillonite adducts, which resulted in improved mechanical properties com-pared to the properties of the native P3HB and P3HB-PU compositions. The influence of the presence of a nanofiller on the properties of the prepared nanobiocomposites was tested and it was found that, as expected, the smallest amount of nanofiller provides the best results.It was found that the obtained nanobiocomposites containing the smallest amount of nano-fillers, i.e. 1 wt.% Cloisite30B exhibited the best mechanical and thermal properties. The desired decrease in hardness by 15% and a higher value of impact strength by 15%, an increase in elonga-tion at break by 60% and an increase in thermal stability of the newly produced biocomposites compared to to the native P3HB were observed. The prepared nanobiocomposites combined the best features caused by the elasticizing effect of polyurethane and the formation of P3HB-PU-MMT adducts.

Background: Prostate cancer remains a significant global health concern, and understanding the molecular drivers of this disease is crucial for developing effective diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Steroid Receptor Coactivator-3 (SRC-3), a member of the SRC family, has emerged as a key player in prostate cancer pathogenesis. This review comprehensively examine the role of SRC-3 in prostate cancer, encompassing molecular mechanisms, clinical implications, and therapeutic opportunities. Methods: A systematic literature search following PRISMA guidelines was conducted in PubMed, PMC, and other relevant databases to identify studies that investigate SRC-3 in prostate cancer. A total of 67 articles were selected based on predetermined inclusion criteria. Results: 785 articles were retrieved from databases using specific keywords and MeSH terms related to SRC-3 and Prostate Cancer. After removing 461 duplicates, 260 articles were excluded based on title and abstract review. Subsequently, a comprehensive screening by three researchers resulted in 47 relevant articles for this systematic review. We summarize its contributions to AR-mediated transcriptional regulation, tumor growth, and metastasis. Evidence suggests that SRC-3 expression correlates with prostate cancer aggressiveness, disease recurrence, and poor patient outcomes. Its potential as a diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target is explored, offering insights into personalized medicine approaches. Conclusions: SRC-3 plays a pivotal role in prostate cancer, influencing disease progression and clinical outcomes. Understanding the molecular intricacies of SRC-3 in prostate cancer offers new opportunities for precision medicine and innovative therapeutic approaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of SRC-3's involvement in prostate cancer, emphasizing its clinical relevance and potential as a therapeutic target, ultimately contributing to improved patient care in the era of personalized oncology.

Background: Galectin-3 (Gal-3) is a biomarker involved in a wide range of diseases including cardiac remodeling following acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Identification of prognostic markers in patients with AMI can guide strategies towards improved survival and the quality of life. Methods: Our study included 59 patients with AMI and preserved ejection fraction. We determined the Gal-3 plasma concentration within 24 hours of chest pain onset from aortic root, femoral/radial artery, coronary sinus and cubital vein. Major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were evaluated at six months follow-up. Results: MACE at six months post-AMI was recorded in 20 patients (34%). The Gal-3 plasma concentration from aortic root and the femoral/radial artery were independent predictors of MACE at six months follow-up after the first AMI (OR 1.228; 95%CI: 1.011-1.491; p=0.038; OR 3.438; 95%CI: 1.275-9.265; p=0.015). ROC analysis identifies the Gal-3 plasma concentration from aortic root as a better predictor of MACE or death (cut-off &gt;10.86 ng/ml; AUC 0.858; 95%CI: 0.744-0.973; p&lt;0.001) than Gal-3 plasma concentration from femoral/radial artery (cut-off &gt;10.18 ng/ml; AUC 0.742; 95%CI: 0.596-0.888; p=0.006). Conclusion: The Gal-3 plasma concentration in patients with AMI determined during coronary angiography, especially from the aortic root, within 24 hours after chest pain onset is a valuable biomarker of prognosis at six months follow-up.

Cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44) promotes tumor progression through the recruitment of growth factors, and the acquisition of stemness, invasiveness, and drug resistance. CD44 has multiple isoforms including CD44 standard (CD44s) and CD44 variants (CD44v), which have common and unique functions in tumor development. Therefore, the elucidation of each CD44 isoform’s function in tumor is essential for the establishment of CD44-targeting tumor therapy. We have established various anti-CD44s and anti-CD44v monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) through immunization of CD44v3–10-overexpressed cells. In this study, we established C44Mab-6 (IgG1, kappa), which recognized the CD44 variant 3-encoded region (CD44v3) determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. C44Mab-6 reacted with CD44v3–10-overexpressed Chinese hamster ovary (CHO)-K1 cells (CHO/CD44v3–10) or some cancer cell lines (COLO205 and HSC-3) by flow cytometry. The apparent KD of C44Mab-6 for CHO/CD44v3–10, COLO205, and HSC-3 was 1.5 × 10−9 M, 6.3 × 10−9 M, and 1.9 × 10−9 M, respectively. C44Mab-6 could detect the CD44v3–10 in western blotting, and stained the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor sections in immunohistochemistry. These results indicate that C44Mab-6 is useful for detecting CD44v3 in various experiments, and expected for the application of tumor diagnosis and therapy.

The traditional nomenclature system for classifying Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAV), based on clinical phenotype, described Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA), Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (EGPA) and Microscopic Polyangiitis (MPA) as distinct clinical entities. This classification has proved its expedience in clinical trials and every day clinical practice, yet, a substantial overlap in clinical presentation still exists, and often causes difficulties in prompt definition and clinical distinction. Additionally, new insights into the AAV pathogenesis point out that PR3 and MPO-AAV may not represent expressions of the same disease spectrum but rather two distinct disorders, as they display significant differences. Thus, it is supported that a classification based on ANCA serotype (PR3-ANCA, MPO-ANCA or ANCA-negative), could be more accurate and also closer to the nature of the disease, instead of the phenotype-based one. This review aims to elucidate the major differences between PR3 and MPO-AAV, in terms of epidemiology, pathogenesis, histological and clinical manifestations, and response to therapeutic approaches.

The taxonomy of trilobites Abadiella Hupé, 1953 and Parabadiella Zhang, 1966 from the lower Cambrian of Gondwana has long been a controversy. Based on newly-collected and formerly-reported materials, 94 trilobite cranidia within 21 species are selected for morphometric analyses: principal components analysis (PCA) and canonical variates analysis (CVA). The integrated morphological characters are successfully accounted for by two principal components in PCA. The further validations for the presupposed qualitative groupings are indispensable to detect and calibrate the ultimate taxonomic results in CVA. By this way, all specimens distributed in a consistent morphospace in PCA and the short distances between them demonstrate their close morphological affinity, supporting their congeneric status within Abadiella. Additionally, three morphotypes were recognized from all selected specimens and they were eventually revised and incorporated into A. bourgini Hupé, 1953, A. huoi Zhang, 1966, and A. yunnanensis Luo, 1981, through stepwise test-calibration to get a high correct rate as far as possible in CVA. From this, it is certain that A. huoi is conspecific in South Australia and South China. Its occurrence allows to correlate the Australian A. huoi Range Zone to the identical zone in South China (in platform), having an approximately consistent stratigraphic range in the two regions. In comparison with A. huoi, A. bourgini was reported from fewer localities in South China. Nevertheless, its presence in the Daguinaspis Zone of Issendalenian Stage in Morocco permits a correlation with Chinese and Australian A. huoi Zone. As an auxiliary marker for A. huoi, the occurrence of A. bourgini in Morocco, South Australia and South China reinforce the correlation potential and resolution in species-level for the Cambrian Stage 3 in Gondwana region.

Clonal evolution and cellular plasticity are the genetic and non-genetic driving forces of tumor heterogeneity that in turn determines the tumor cell response towards therapeutic drugs. Sever-al lines of evidence suggest that therapeutic interventions foster the selection of drug resistant neural crest stem-like cells (NCSCs) that establish minimal residual disease (MRD) in melano-ma. Here we established a dual reporter system enabling the tracking of NGFR expression and mRNA stability, providing insights into the maintenance of NCSC-states. We observed that the transcriptional reporter that contained a 1kb fragment of the human NGFR promoter was acti-vated only in a minor subset (0.72±0.49%, range 0.3-1.5) and ~2-4% of A375 melanoma cells re-vealed stable NGFR mRNA. The combination of both reporters provided insights into pheno-type switching and revealed that both cellular subsets gave rise to cellular heterogeneity. Moreover, whole transcriptome profiling and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the minor cellular subset revealed hypoxia-associated genes serving as potential drivers of a NGFR-associated phenotype switching in vitro and in relapsed, post-BRAF inhibitor treated tu-mors. Concordantly, we observed that the minor cellular subset increased in response to dabrafenib over time. In summary, our reporter-based approach provided insights into plastici-ty and identified a cellular subset that might be responsible for the establishment of MRD in melanoma.

Investigation of sea-level positions during the highly-dynamic Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3: 29-61 kyrs BP) proves difficult because: i) in stable and subsiding areas, coeval coastal sediments are currently submerged at depths of few to several tens of meters below present sea level; ii) in uplifting areas, the preservation of geomorphic features and sedimentary records is limited due to the erosion occurred during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) with sea level at depth of -130 m, followed by marine transgression that determined the development of ravinement surfaces. This study discusses previous research in the Mediterranean and elsewhere, and describes new fossiliferous marine deposits laying on metamorphic bedrock of Cannitello (Calabria, Italy). Radiocarbon ages of marine shells (about 43 kyrs cal BP) indicate that these deposits, presently between 28 and 30 meters above sea level, formed during MIS 3.1. Elevation correction of the Cannitello outcrops (considered in an intermediate-to-far-field position with respect to the ice sheet) with the local vertical tectonic rate and Glacial Isostatic Adjustment (GIA) rate allows to propose a revision of the eustatic depth for this highstand. Our results are consistent with recently proposed estimates based on a novel ice sheet modelling technique.

In the last decades droughts, deforestation and wildfires have become recurring phenomena that have affected both human activities and natural ecosystems in Amazonia. The time an ecosystem requires to recover from carbon losses is a crucial metric to evaluate disturbance impacts on forests. However, the factors influencing and controlling the recovery time and its spatiotemporal patterns at the regional scale are still poorly understood. In this study, we combined forest growth model, remote sensing and field plots, to map Amazonia-wide (300-ha resolution) impact and recovery time of aboveground biomass (AGB) after drought, fire and a combination of logging and fire. Our simulated results indicate that AGB decreases by 4%, 19% and 46% in forests disturbed by drought, fire and logging + fire, respectively, with an average AGB recovery time of 27 years for drought, 44 years for burned and 63 years for logged + burned areas and with maximum values reaching 184 years in areas of high fire intensity. Our findings provide two major insights in the spatial and temporal patterns of drought and wildfire in the Amazon: 1) the recovery time of the forests takes longer in the southeastern part of the basin, and, 2) as droughts and wildfires become more frequent – since the intervals between the disturbances is getting shorter than forest regeneration – potentially causing a long-lasting damage in these fragile ecosystems and a permanent degradation.

In this manuscript we report new effects of resonance detuning on various dynamical parameters of a generic 3-wave system. Namely, for suitably chosen values of detuning the variation range of amplitudes can be significantly wider than for exact resonance. Moreover, the range of energy variation is not symmetric with respect to the sign of the detuning. Finally, the period of the energy oscillation exhibits non-monotonic dependency on the magnitude of detuning. These results have important theoretical implications where nonlinear resonance analysis is involved, such as geophysics, plasma physics, fluid dynamics. Numerous practical applications are envisageable e.g. in energy harvesting systems.

New corrosion inhibitor derived from coumarin-3-amine namely 3-((2-chlorobenzylidene)amino)coumarin was synthesized and characterized by CHN elemental analysis in addition to Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The anti-corrosion ability of 3-((2-chlorobenzylidene)amino)coumarin to inhibit the impacts of corrosion has been demonstrated and damage reduction of the mild steel also. 3-((2-chlorobenzylidene)amino)coumarin, has been employed as a good corrosion inhibitor for mild steel in HCL solution. The efficiency of the inhibition was figured according to weight loss method and it was 74.6%.

Some aporphine alkaloids, such as crebanine, were found to present arrhythmic activity and also higher toxicity. A series of derivatives were synthesized by using three kinds of aporphine alkaloids (crebanine, isocorydine, and stephanine) as lead compounds. Chemical methods, including ring-opening reaction, bromination, methylation, acetylation, quaternization, and dehydrogenation, were adopted. Nineteen target derivatives were evaluated for their antiarrhythmic potential in the mouse model of ventricular fibrillation (VF), induced by CHCl₃, and five of the derivatives were investigated further in the rat model of arrhythmia, induced by BaCl₂. Meanwhile, preliminary structure-activity/toxicity relationship analyses were carried out. Significantly, N-acetamidesecocrebanine (1d), three bromo-substituted products of crebanine (2a, 2b, 2c), N-methylcrebanine (2d), and dehydrostephanine (4a) displayedantiarrhythmic effects in the CHCl₃-induced model. Among them, 7.5 mg/kg of 2b was able to significantly reduce the incidence of VF induced by CHCl₃ (p<0.05), increase the number of rats that resumed sinus rhythm from arrhythmia, induced by BaCl₂ (p<0.01), and the number of rats that maintained sinus rhythm for more than 20 minutes (p<0.01). Therefore, 2b showed remarkably higher antiarrhythmic activity and a lower toxicity (LD₅₀=59.62 mg/kg, mice), simultaneously, indicating that 2b could be considered as a promising candidate in the treatment of arrhythmia. Structural-activity analysis suggested that variationsin antiarrhythmic efficacy and toxicity of aporphines were related to the C-1,C-2-methylenedioxy group on ring A, restricted ring B structural conformation, N-quaternization of ring B, levoduction of 6a in ring C, and the 8-, 9-, 10-methoxy groups on ring D on the skeleton.

An accurate radiative transfer model (RTM) is essential for the retrieval of soil moisture (SM) from microwave remote sensing data, such as the passive microwave measurements from the Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) mission. This mission delivers soil moisture products based upon L-band brightness temperature data, via retrieval algorithms for surface and root-zone soil moisture, the latter is retrieved using data assimilation and model support. We found that the RTM based on the tau-omega (?-ω) model, can suffer from significant errors over croplands (in average between -9.4K and + 12.0K for Single Channel Algorithm SCA; -8K and + 9.7K for Dual-Channel Algorithm DCA) if the vegetation scattering albedo (omega) is treated as a constant and the temporal variations are not accounted. In order to reduce this uncertainty, we propose a time-varying parameterization of omega for the widely established zeroth order radiative transfer ?-ω model. The main assumption is that omega can be expressed by a functional relationship between vegetation optical depth (tau) and the Green Vegetation Fraction (GVF). The validation was performed from 14 May to 13 December 2015 over 61 Climate Reference Network sites (SCRN) classified as croplands. The application of the proposed time-varying vegetation scattering albedo results in a consistent improvement for the unbiased root mean square error of 16% for SCA and 15% for DCA. The reduction for positive and negative biases was 45% and 5% for SCA and 26% and 12% for DCA, respectively. This indicates that vegetation dynamics on croplands are better represented by a time-dynamic single scattering albedo.

The inability to delineate a unified physical ontology that accounts simultaneously for the laws of special relativity and the results of quantum experiments has been a defining problem in physics for more than 100 years. This analysis addresses the problem by positing an ontic, mixed ontology composed of a “discrete” 4D spacetime and a physical, ultra-high dimensional (3 x N) “Planck Space.” Together, Planck Space and the three spatial dimensions of 4D spacetime form a tightly integrated ((3 x N) + 3) hyperspace (the “Dual Ontology”). Critically, the Dual Ontology’s structure replaces 1) the continuous, differentiable manifold of 4D spacetime with a discrete 4D spacetime and 2) mathematical 3N configuration spaces with a physical (3 x N) Planck Space. Moreover, the Dual Ontology is structurally and dynamically predicated on the one-to-one mapping and identity between the discrete spatial units that simultaneously form 4D spacetime and Planck Space. The one-to-one mapping and identity of the discrete spatial units support an integrated quantum dynamics based upon the dynamic evolution of single and N-body quantum states in 4D spacetime in full compliance with the laws of special relativity and the instantaneous collapse of all quantum states in an ontic Planck Space, where special and general relativity and more generally, 4D spacetime’s laws of physics, do not apply.

Cholest-4-en-3-one Δ1-dehydrogenase (AcmB) from Sterolibacterium denitrificans is successfully immobilized on 3-aminopropyltrimethoysilane functionalized MCF and SBA-15 silica supports using adsorption or covalently with glutaraldehyde or divinyl sulfone linkers. The best catalyst, AcmB on MCF linked covalently with glutaraldehyde, retains the specific activity of the homogenous enzyme while exhibiting a substantial increase of the operational stability. The immobilized enzyme was used continuously in the fed-batch reactor for 27 days, catalyzing 1,2-dehydrogenation of androst-4-en-3-one to androst-1,4-dien-3-one with a final yield of 29.9 mM (8.56 g/L) and 99% conversion. The possibility of reuse of the immobilized catalyst was also demonstrated and resulted with a doubling of the product amount compared to that in the reference homogenous reactor. Finally, it was shown that molecular oxygen from the air can efficiently be used as an electron acceptor either reoxidizing directly the enzyme or the reduced DCPIPH2. Keywords: 3-ketosteroid D1-dehydrogenase; KSTD; KSDH; AcmB; 1,2-dehydrogenation; cholest-4-en-3-one Δ1-dehydrogenase; enzyme immobilization, FAD-dependent enzymes; enzyme immobilization;

This report describes the asymmetric synthesis of a focused library of enantiopure structured tri-acylglycerols (TAGs) comprised of a single saturated fatty acid (C6, C8, C10, C12, C14 or C16), a pure bioactive n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (EPA or DHA) and a potent drug (ibuprofen or naproxen) intended as a novel type of prodrugs. One of the terminal sn-1 or sn-3 positions of the glycerol backbone is occupyed with a saturated fatty, the remaining one with a PUFA, and the drug entity is present in the sn-2 position. This was accomplished by a six-step chemoenzymatic approach starting from enantiopure (R)- and (S)-solketals. The highly regioselective immobilized Candida antarctica lipase (CAL-B) played a crucial role in the regiocontrol of the synthesis. All combinations, the total of 48 such prodrug TAGs were prepared, isolated and fully characterized, along with 60 acylglycerol intermediates, obtained in very high to excellent yields.

Calcium phosphates and manganese phosphates play a significant role in biomedical and engineering applications, and these compounds are both synergistic. These compounds could have great potential for use in different applications, particularly as precursors of biomaterials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the effect of the gradual replacement of Ca2+ with Mn2+ on the phase composition and crystal structure of brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O), which could be useful for the production of Mono- and Biphasic Ca1−xMnxHPO4·nH2O Compounds. In order to prepare the starting solutions required for this study, Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, (NH4)2·HPO4, and Mn(NO3)2·4H2O were used at various molar concentrations. Afterwards, the Ca1−xMnxHPO4·nH2O compounds were prepared using dissolution and precipitation methods. These compounds were characterized using XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, and TGA techniques. The findings revealed that Mn substituted Ca partially at low Mn/Ca molar ratios, 0.25, and Mn doping increased the unit cell of CaHPO4·2H2O. The produced biphasic compound was composed of monoclinic CaHPO4·2H2O and nanostructured orthorhombic MnHPO4·(H2O)3 after a continuous increase in the Mn/Ca molar ratio to 1.5. When the Ca/Mn molar ratio was above 1.5, a monophasic compound of the MnHPO4·(H2O)3 phase was formed. The MnHPO4·(H2O)3 compound was successfully prepared for the first time using this dissolution-precipitation method. It was also established that the Mn/Ca ratio of the starting solution can be modified to produce CaHPO4·2H2O and MnHPO4·(H2O)3 phases with specific weight percent compositions.

Diastolic dysfunction, a prevalent condition characterized by impaired relaxation and filling of the left ventricle, significantly contributes to heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding lectin, has garnered attention as a potential biomarker and mediator of fibrosis and inflammation in cardiovascular diseases. This comprehensive review investigates the impact of galectin-3 on diastolic dysfunction. We explore its molecular mechanisms, including its involvement in cellular signaling pathways and interaction with components of the extracellular matrix. Evidence from both animal models and clinical studies elucidates galectin-3's role in cardiac remodeling, inflammation, and fibrosis, shedding light on the underlying pathophysiology of diastolic dysfunction. Additionally, we examine the diagnostic and therapeutic implications of galectin-3 in diastolic dysfunction, emphasizing its potential as both a biomarker and a therapeutic target. This review underscores the significance of comprehending galectin-3's role in diastolic dysfunction and its promise in enhancing diagnosis and treatment approaches for HFpEF patients.

The relationship between nations is largely seen as a peripheral issue in the recent history of political philosophy and in the majority of discussions of political philosophy issues today. The idea of a universal natural state were countries are seen as essentially self-sufficient, functional units, and have been proposed to represent the relative lack of moral standards guiding relationships between nations. At one extreme of the tradition, international thought has substituted raison d'état being the highest norm for any universal laws governing relations between states, a view embodied by Machiavelli, Rodin, and others and Hobbes , The lack of supranational political powers has led to the conclusion that, even in cases where the possibility of international moral relationships has been acknowledged, such as in post-Grotian publications on international law, these ties are significantly weaker than in-tranational social bonds. The justification and aversion to war—the primary mode of social in-teraction in the natural condition of the world—is the only issue in the field of global relations to have received substantial theoretical study. Even though this disregard was justified in the past, a number of recent events force us to re-consider the "recalcitrance of international affairs to being theorized about."2. The growing gap between both prosperous and impoverished nations; the emergence of centers of economic in-fluence beyond the reach of effective state regulation; the emergence of severe food and energy shortages brought on, at least in part, by national governments' pursuit of disorganized and uncontrolled growth policies; the growing sensitivity of domestic Countries to the outside eco-nomic, political, and cultural events are some of these developments , requests from third-world nations for greater equal access to international politics and economy. To put it in terms more familiar to conversations about this topic, the rise of "low politics" in negotiation and "welfare questions" within global forums corresponds with the growing influence of transnational con-nections and international agreements on human well-being. Not because "high politics"—that is, the threat and prevention of war—has lost significance; rather, it is just one issue among many for which international cooperation is now required in order to find answers.

We analyzed the interaction of two acceptor materials, reduced graphene oxide (RGO) and [6,6]-phenyl-C6-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM), and poly(3-hexylthiphene) (P3HT), as well as the dependence of its photophysical properties with the temperature in the range 90 to 300 K. The nanocomposite of the films was analyzed by optical absorption ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) and emission ellipsometry (EE) in a function of sample temperature. The surface morphology was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM). We noted that onset levels (Eonset) of the nanocomposite of P3HT and RGO is smaller than the others. The PL spectra showed the presence of anomalies in the emission intensities in the nanocomposite of P3HT and PCBM. It was also possible to determine the electron-phonon coupling by calculating the Huang-Hys parameters and its dependence with the sample’s temperature. Through EE it was possible to analyze the degree of polarization and the anisotropy. We observed a high degree of polarized emission of the P3HT films which varies subtly according to the temperature. For nanocomposites with RGO the polarization degree in the emission decreases and the roughness on the surface increases. As a result, the RGO improves the energy transfer between adjacent polymer chains at the cost of greater surface roughness. Then, the greater energy transfer may favor applications of this type nanocomposite in OPVC's with enhancement in energy conversion efficiency.

Dust storms play a crucial role in the climate system and the space environment of Mars and have a great impact on human’s Mars exploration activities. The Martian dust storms exhibit significant regional, seasonal and interannual variations due to various controlling factors such as the large-scale atmospheric circulation, varying solar radiation forcing, and Martial orbital and rotational motions and their coupling to the atmospheric dynamics. This paper focuses on the review of cur-rent understandings on Martian dust storms. This paper begins by elucidating the basic properties of dust storms, and their driving mechanisms and impacts on atmospheric dynamics, atmospheric electric property, space environment, topography, and Mars explorations. Then it introduces the observation methods on different platforms including orbiters and landers/rovers, and the da-tasets constructed based on these historical observations for Martian dust storms. Finally, we pro-posed the dust storm monitoring and forecasting for the upcoming Chinese Tianwen-3 Mars sam-pling returning mission. It concludes by depicting the future research topics to systematically un-derstand the Martian dust storms.

Autism has been described as a gastrointestinal and neurological condition that is represented by impairments in language and social situations. Recently reported increases in the occurrence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have resulted in increased research into the environmental differences between areas with a high occurrence, as in the “Western” diet populations, and a more locally derived diet population, wherein the rate appears to be significantly less. Thirty autistic children (USA) ages 6 to 21, were sampled at three different intervals: prior to any intervention, post-xylitol intervention, and post-probiotic intervention. The sampling consisted of buccal swabs for MITOSWAB testing, and saliva for metatranscriptomics to determine the entire range of microorganisms and the metabolome. In addition, a “Blue Zone” subject component that included 30 Colombian children, ages 6-16, and who were healthy and within normal behavior standards, also had buccal swabbing and salivary sampling performed for comparison along with 30 healthy (no history medications, illnesses, or behavior issues) USA children matched for age and gender. Saliva samples were analyzed metatranscriptomically and artificial intelligence was utilized to discern important differences in the microbiome that included bacteria, archaea, fungi, and viruses, and microbial functions. Significant differences were noted, and seen in the temporal data, demonstrating shifts that may have been precipitated by the interventions, with both the probiotics and the polyols. Particular bacterial strains were significantly more prevalent in the autism subject group including a strain that reduces neurotransmitters by enzymatic degradation. This provided supporting evidence to the hypothesis that the occurrence of autism may also be influenced by low Gamma Amino Butyric Acid (GABA) levels during development. Also, of interest was the un-expected finding that verbal skills dramatically increased in 6 of the 30 ASD subjects following xylitol supplementation.

Galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins that are characterised by their carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and include galectin-1 and galectin-3. These galectins have been implicated in numerous diseases due to their pleiotropic nature, including cancer and fibrosis, with therapeutic inhibitors being clinically developed to block the CRD. One of the early methods developed to characterise these galectins was hemagglutination of red blood cells. Although insightful this approach has been hampered by a lack of sensitivity and accurate quantification of the agglutination observed. In this study we aimed to validate a more precise and quantitative method to enable further investigation of differences between galectins in respect to agglutination induction in different blood groups as well as characterisation of small molecule inhibitors. Quantification of hemagglutination was shown to be optimal using U-bottom plates imaged and analysed with FIJI ImageJ rather than flat bottom plates read for absorbance on an optical density plate reader. Galectin-3-induced red blood cell agglutination efficacy increased significantly from blood group O to A to B. However, for both the galectin-1 monomer and concatemer a more comparable effect was observed between blood group B and O but with more potent effects than in blood group A. Inhibition assays for both galectin-3 and galectin-1 induced-hemagglutination were able to demonstrate clear concentration-responses and expected selectivity profiles for a set of small molecule glycomimetics, confirming historical profiles obtained in biochemical binding and functional cellular assays.

Core chlorophytes possess glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenases (GPDs) with an unusual bidomain structure, consisting of a glycerol-3-phosphate phosphatase (GPP) domain fused to canonical GPD domains. These plastid-localized enzymes have been implicated in stress responses, being required for the synthesis of glycerol under high salinity and triacylglycerols under nutrient deprivation. However, their regulation under varying environmental conditions is poorly understood. C. reinhardtii transgenic strains expressing constitutively bidomain GPD2 did not accumulate glycerol or triacylglycerols in the absence of any environmental stress. Although, the glycerol contents of both wild type and transgenic strains increased significantly upon exposure to high salinity. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of cytoplasmic protein synthesis, abolished this response in the wild type. In contrast, GPD2 transgenic strains were still capable of glycerol accumulation when cultured in medium containing cycloheximide and NaCl. Thus, pre-existing GPD2 protein appears to become activated for glycerol synthesis upon salt stress. Interestingly, staurosporine, a non-specific inhibitor of protein kinases, prevented this post-translational GPD2 protein activation. Structural modeling analyses suggested that substantial conformational rearrangements, possibly triggered by high salinity, may characterize an active GPD2 GPP domain. Understanding this mechanism(s) may provide insights into the rapid acclimation responses of microalgae to osmotic/salinity stress.

This work reports the isolation, purification, and anti-inflammatory evaluation of compounds from the plant species Ageratina pichinchesis. Using open-column chromatography, 11 known compounds were purified, whose chemical structures were elucidated by nuclear magnetic resonance techniques (1D and 2D). All compounds were evaluated in the in vitro model of RAW 264.7 mouse macrophage cells measuring nitric oxide inhibition as a determination of the anti-inflammatory effect. Outstandingly, the compound betuletol 3-O-β-glucoside (11) exhibited inhibition of nitric oxide with an IC50 of 75.08 ± 3.07% at 75 µM, additionally, it inhibited the secretion of interleukin 6 (IL-6) and activation of nuclear factor (NF-kβ). These results show that compound 11 could be considered as a potential anti-inflammatory agent in suppressing the expression of NF-kβ target genes such as the proinflammatory pathway and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). Consequently, the medicinal use attributed in traditional medicine to the A. pichinchensis species is due to the diversity of compounds that the plant biosynthesizes, demonstrating that its effect relates to anti-inflammatory effects associated with compound 11.

With the development of modern industry, the issue of water pollution has garnered increasing attention. Photocatalysis, as a novel green environmental technology that is resource-efficient, environmentally friendly, and highly promising, has found extensive applications in the field of organic pollutant treatment. However, common semiconductor materials exhibit relatively low photocatalytic efficiency in the visible light range or inefficient separation of photogenerated charges, resulting in their limited ability to harness solar energy effectively. Consequently, the development of new photocatalysts has become a pivotal focus in current photocatalysis research to enhance solar energy utilization. This revision provides a brief explanation of the photocatalytic mechanism of the AgIO3/CTF heterojunction photocatalyst. Due to the Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effect, Ag nanoparticles demonstrate significant absorption in the visible light region, playing a crucial role in the highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of organic pollutants.

Biomimetic materials are substances that replicate natural structures. There are several methods for producing such materials with highly developed surfaces from a wide range of polymers, but electrospinning is of particular interest due to its simplicity of implementation and the ability to modify the produced fibrous materials resembling structures found in living organisms. This study explores new biomimetic materials based on polyhydroxyalkanoates, specifically poly-3-hydroxybutyrate, modified with chlorophyll derivatives. The research investigates the impact of chlorophyll derivatives on the morphology, supramolecular structure, and key properties of nonwoven materials. The obtained results are of interest for the development of new biomimetic environmentally friendly materials for biomedicine with special properties.

Background: The effect of rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC), a plant-based immunomodulator, on the quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients and underlying physiological pathways remains unclear. Trial design: The RBAC-QoL study is a double-blind, randomised, controlled pilot feasibility study. The aim is to determine RBAC’s effects on QoL and the associated action mechanisms. Primary outcomes are the EORTC QLQ-C30 functional, symptom, and global QoL scores with inflammatory, nutritional, and cytokine parameters as secondary and exploratory outcomes. Methods: Recruitment targets adults diagnosed with solid organ tumours (≥ stage II) undergoing active treatment in several outpatient centres in New South Wales, Australia. Interventions are RBAC or matched placebo at 3g/day for 24 weeks allocated through stratified randomisation with participants, oncologists, and data collectors blinded. Data is collected from five study visits six weeks apart. The trial is ongoing. An interim intention-to-treat analysis was performed using repeated measure ANOVA with pairwise comparisons where statistical significance is observed and adjusted with covariates. Results: Global QoL scores from currently available data (n = 16; RBAC = 7, placebo = 9) were statistically different between groups (F[1,8] = 8.6, p = 0.019, eta2[g] = 0.267). Pairwise comparisons found significant differences at week 6 (p = 0.032, Cohen’s d = 1.454) and marginally at week 12 (p = 0.069, d = 1.427). Age-adjusted analysis showed a continuous upward trend in QoL improvement over time with RBAC, while the placebo group did not deviate from baseline QoL. Significant elevations of serum white blood cell count (week 18) and total protein (weeks 12 and 18) were detected in the RBAC group compared to placebo. The total protein levels correlated highly with white blood cell count (Pearson’s r = 0.539, p < 0.001) and moderately with the global QoL scores (r = 0.338, p = 0.01). No intervention-related adverse events were reported in both groups. Conclusions: RBAC improves QoL beyond placebo during active cancer treatment, possibly through the immuno-nutritional pathway. These findings are preliminary but valuable for future research. Funding and registration: Daiwa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Japan; BioMedica Nutraceuticals Pty Ltd., Australia. ANZCTR Reg No: ACTRN12619000562178p.

Background: We aimed to determine the splenic stiffness (SS) values in healthy individuals as measured by 3 Tesla magnetic resonance elastography (3T MRE) and to investigate the possible effects of parameters such as age, sex, spleen volume, diameter, and parenchyma thickness on SS.Methods: A total of 54 healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants' age and sex information were recorded, in addition to spleen craniocaudal and anteroposterior diameter, cortical thickness, spleen volume, and SS, which were measured using 3T magnetic resonance imaging and MRE. Results: Twenty-nine male and 25 female subjects with a mean age of 54.78±15.40 years were included in the study. Mean cradiocaudal diameter was 10.46±1.16 cm, anteroposterior diameter was 9.88±1.29 cm, parenchyma thickness was 4.08±0.67 cm, SS was 3721.94±709.69 Pascal (Pa), and median spleen volume was 292.54 (239.40-311.00) cm³. A significant positive correlation was observed between age and SS (r=0.779, p<0.001). The SS values were not associated with sex, craniocaudal diameter, anteroposterior diameter, parenchymal thickness, or volume.Conclusion:Age should be considered when using SS in the diagnosis and staging of relevant diseases such as portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Our results should be confirmed by future studies using 3T MRE in larger populations.

Background: We aimed to determine the splenic stiffness (SS) values in healthy individuals as measured by 3 Tesla magnetic resonance elastography (3T MRE) and to investigate the possible effects of parameters such as age, sex, spleen volume, diameter, and parenchyma thickness on SS. Methods: A total of 54 healthy volunteers were included in this cross-sectional study. Participants' age and sex information were recorded, in addition to spleen craniocaudal and anteroposterior diameter, cortical thickness, spleen volume, and SS, which were measured using 3T magnetic resonance imaging and MRE. Results: Twenty-nine male and 25 female subjects with a mean age of 54.78±15.40 years were included in the study. Mean cradiocaudal diameter was 10.46±1.16 cm, anteroposterior diameter was 9.88±1.29 cm, parenchyma thickness was 4.08±0.67 cm, SS was 3721.94±709.69 Pascal (Pa), and median spleen volume was 292.54 (239.40-311.00) cm3. A significant positive correlation was observed between age and SS (r=0.779, p<0.001). The SS values were not associated with sex, craniocaudal diameter, anteroposterior diameter, parenchymal thickness, or volume Conclusion:Age should be considered when using SS in the diagnosis and staging of relevant diseases such as portal hypertension and esophageal varices. Our results should be confirmed by future studies using 3T MRE in larger populations.

Norovirus (NoV) is recognised as a major cause of epidemic and sporadic acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in all age groups. Information on the genetic diversity of the NoVs circulating in the 1980s and 1990s, before the development and adoption of dedicated molecular assays, is limited compared to the last decades. In the period 1986-2020, uninterrupted viral surveillance was conducted in symptomatic children hospitalized for AGE in Palermo, Italy, providing a unique time capsule for exploring the epidemiological and evolutionary dynamics of enteric viruses. In this 35-year long time span NoVs of genogroup II (GII) were detected in 15.6% of AGE requiring hospitalization, whilst GI NoVs in 1.4%. Overall, the predominant NoV capsid (Cap) genotype was GII.4 (60.8%), with temporal replacement of the GII.4 Cap variants and associated polymerase (Pol) types. The chronology of emergence and circulation of the different GII.4 variants were consistent with the data available in literature. Also, for GII.3 and GII.2 NoVs the circulation of different lineages/strains, differing in either the Cap or Pol genes or in both, was observed. This long-term study revealed the ability of NoVs to modify continuously and rapidly their genomic makeup and highlights the importance of surveillance activities for vaccine design.

Edge computing has emerged as a significant computing trend alongside the rapid expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT). Computing operations at the network’s edge offer a solution to the high latency and service overload challenges often associated with cloud computing. Additionally, the Secure Hash Algorithm-3 (SHA-3) plays a crucial role in ensuring data integrity and is implemented for numerous applications in the IoT field. Therefore, integrating the SHA-3 accelerator into edge computing is essential. Moreover, recent studies about SHA-3 have primarily focused on achieving high performance and optimizing resource utilization for SHA-3. However, these studies have overlooked the crucial aspect of data transfer between the external memory and the hash function block, as transfer time plays a significant role. This paper proposes an efficient SHA-3 architecture designed for System-on-Chip (SoC) Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to address the aforementioned challenges and be suitable for real edge computing. The architecture contains three key techniques. First, the harmony of padding and Direct Memory Access (DMA) for managing the data transfer process and enhancing performance efficiency based on Serial Input to Parallel Output (SIPO) and a barrel shifter. Secondly, implementing internal pipelining within the Round Function (RF) to reduce critical path delays and optimize resource utilization. Finally, designing four modes (SHA3-224, SHA3-256, SHA3-384, and SHA3-512) to cater to various applications. Our architecture is implemented and tested on the DE10-Standard Development Kit (Cyclone V SX SoC-5CSXFC6D6F31C6N), which is integrated into the FPGA and is controlled by a Dual-Core ARM Cortex-A9 processor. The result is up to 38.34 Gbps in throughput and 5.61 Mbps/ALM in efficiency for the RF computation, 28.02 Gbps in throughput, and 3.63 Mbps/ALM for the full proposed architecture.

Cervical cancer is the most common female reproductive tract tumor and is currently the only cancer that can be prevented by vaccination. Early detection and treatment of cervical cancer can be achieved through regular screening for human papillomavirus (HPV). Therefore, in this paper, an electrochemical sensor was designed to detect HPV 16 using a dual signal amplification technique. APTES modified glassy carbon electrode to improve stability. Combining gold nanoparticles and chain amplification reactions for signal amplification purposes. The limit of detection (LOD) was 1.731×10-16 mol/L, and the detection range of this electrochemical sensor was increased in comparison to previous research, with a linear response range from 1.0×10-13 mol/L to 1.0×10-5 mol/L (R2 = 0.99232) for the target detector.In addition, the sensor showed equally good recovery in sophisticated human serum samples. It shows that it has good interference resistance and the designed biosensor can be a powerful and reliable tool for clinical disease diagnosis.

Isoamyl (E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylate (1) was obtained 95% yield by 2-methyl-6-nitrobenzoic anhydride (MNBA)/4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP)-catalyzed reaction at room temperature for 190 minutes in dichloromethane. The structure of isoamyl (E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylate (1) was established by NMR, FTIR, and the high resolution of mass spectroscopies. In vitro sun protection factor evaluation exhibited value of 37.10 ± 0.03 which indicates that isoamyl (E)-3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)acrylate (1) as a sunscreen agent with high protection.

Background The main aim of reconstructive surgery (RS) is to restore the integrity of soft tissues damaged by trauma, surgery, congenital deformity, burns or infection. Microsurgical techniques consist of harvesting tissues that are separated from the vascular sources of the donor site and anastomosed to the vessels of the recipient site. In these procedures, there are some preoperative modifiable factors that have the potential to influence the outcome of the flap transfer and its anastomosis. Methods Chronic inflammatory anaemia (ACD) is a constant condition in patients who have undergone RS and correlates with the perfusion of the free flap. In RS, it is important to maintain good tissue oxyporesis, avoiding blood hyperviscosity. From January 2017 to September 2019, we studied 16 patients (16 males, mean age 38 years) who underwent microsurgical procedures for RS. Haemoglobin (Hb) levels, Corpuscular Indexes, Transferring saturation (TSAT) ferritin concentrations and creatinine clearance have been measured the first day after surgery (T0), after the first week (T1) and after five weeks (T2). At T0 all patients showed low hemoglobin levels (average 7.4 g/dl, STD 0,71range 6,2-7,4 g dL-1), with an MCV of 72, MCH 28, MCHC 33, RDW 16, Sideremy 35, Ferritin 28, Ret% 1,36, TRF 277 and Creatinine Clearance 119. . We assessed all patients for clinical status, medical history and comorbidities before starting therapy. Results. In collaboration between the two departments, we started a therapeutic protocol with erythropoietic stimulating agents (ESAs) (Binocrit 6000 UI/week) and intravenous iron every other day, on the second day after surgery. Thirteen patients received ESAs and FCM (500-1000 mg per session), three patients received ESAs and iron gluconate (1 vial every other day). No patients received blood transfusions. No side effects were observed and, most importantly, no limb or flap rejection. Conclusions Preliminary data from our protocol show an optimal therapeutic response in a surgical setting with limited data in the scientific literature. The enrolment of further patients will allow us to validate this therapeutic protocol with statistically significant data.

Rice bran arabinoxylan compound (RBAC) is a polysaccharide modified by Lentinus edodes mycelial enzyme widely used as a nutraceutical. To explore translational research on RBAC, a scoping review was conducted to synthesise research evidence from English, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese sources while combining bibliometrics and network analyses for data visualisation. Ninety-eight articles on RBAC and the biological activities related to human health or disease were included. Research progressed with linear growth (median=3/year) from 1998 to 2022, predominantly on Biobran MGN-3 (86.73%) and contributed by 289 authors from 100 institutions across 18 countries. Clinical studies constitute 61.1% of recent articles (2018 to 2022). A shifting focus from immuno-cellular activities to human translations over the years was shown via keyword visualisation. Beneficial effects of RBAC include immunomodulation, synergistic anticancer properties, hepatoprotection, antiinflammation, and antioxidation. Cancer patients reported reduced side effects from chemoradiotherapy and improved quality of life in human studies, indicating RBAC’s impact on the psycho-neuro-immune axis. RBAC has been studied in 17 conditions, including cancer, liver diseases, HIV, allergy, chronic fatigue, gastroenteritis, cold/flu, diabetes, and in healthy participants. Further translational research on the impact on patient and community health is required for the evidence-informed use of RBAC in health and disease.

Binge drinking is a pattern of alcohol abuse. Its prevalence and associated risk factors are not well documented. Heavy drinking, on the other hand, has a well-studied association with bereavement . This report uses a cross-sectional, population-based survey to estimate prevalence of bingeing and its association with new bereavement. Bingeing is defined as 4 or more drinks (women) or 5 or more drinks (men) in a 2-to-4-hour setting. For the first time, the Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) included a bereavement item, ‘Have you experienced the death of a family member or close friend in the years 2018 or 2019?’. Methods: Georgia BRFSS is a complex sampling survey administered annually. It is designed to represent the 8.1 million persons in the U.S. state of Georgia aged 18 years and older. Alcohol consumption patterns are routinely measured in the common core. In the 2019 field survey, the state added a new item probing for bereavement in the prior 24 months predating the pandemic of COVID-19. Imputation and weighting techniques were applied to yield population prevalence rates of new bereavement, bingeing, and their co-occurrence with other high-risk health states. Models, adjusted for age, gender, and race were used to estimate the risk for other unhealthy behaviors posed by the co-occurrence of bereavement and bingeing. Results: In Georgia, bereavement is common (45.8 %), and alcohol consumption is common (48.8 %). Bereavement and alcohol use co-occurred among 1,796,817 persons (45 % of all drinkers). The subset of co-occurring bereavement and binging totaled 608,282 persons. Within this group, the highest rates of bereavement were associated with death of a friend / neighbor (30.7%) or 3 plus deaths (31.8%). Conclusions: While bingeing is a known risk to public health, its co-occurrence with recent bereavement is a new observation. Public health surveillance systems need to monitor this co-occurrence to protect both individual and societal health. In a time of global bereavement, documenting its influence on binge drinking can support the work towards Sustainable Goal #3 – Good health and Well-Being. Keywords: BRFSS, Binge Drinking, Population Survey, Bereavement, SDG#3. Mental Health

Plants are constantly exposed to a variety of different environmental stresses, including drought, salinity, and elevated temperatures. These stress cues are assumed to aggravate in the future driven by the global climate change scenario which we are currently experiencing. These stressors have largely detrimental effects on plant growth and development and, therefore, put global food security in jeopardy. For this reason, it is necessary to expand our understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which plants respond to abiotic stresses. Especially boosting our insight into the ways by which plants balance their growth and their defense programs appears to be of paramount importance, as this may lead to novel perspectives that can pave the way to increase agricultural productivity in a sustainable manner. In this review, our aim was to present a detailed overview of different factettes of the crosstalk between the antagonistic plant hormones abscisic acid (ABA) and auxin, two phytohormones that are the main drivers of plant stress responses, on the one hand, and plant growth, on the other.

Today's major challenge for smart Microgrids is to ensure the security of communications in a large number of changing data sets that are vulnerable to attacks by denial of services in constant evolution. The Internet Protocol Traceback defines a set of methods that help identify the source of an attack with minimal requirements for memory and processing. However, the concept of Traceback is not yet being used in smart Microgrids. As a result, the main challenge of this article is to incorporate a new Traceback approach into the cybernetic system of a smart mesh Microgrid, which can be tested using a network simulator (NS-3) based on delay, debit, and packet loss rate parameters. In fact, the simulation results show the efficacy of this approach compared to others existing in the literature. Furthermore, using the proposed Traceback technique and the mesh nodes, we were able to create a smart meshed Microgrid. Moreover, using the Traceback approach given for merging Intel Galileo Gen.1 nodes with the Compex WLE200NX.11a/b/g/n to establish a secure test bench, which is deployed as a prototype at the Sfax Digital Research Center in Tunisia, we were able to create an intelligent Microgrid. In fact, by identifying all attack vectors and revealing their origins, we could boost the efficiency of our operation by 100%.

With the introduction of HTTP/3, whose transport is no longer the traditional TCP protocol but the novel QUIC protocol, research for solutions to the unfairness of Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (HAS) has become more challenging. That is, because of different transport layers, the HTTP/3 may not be available for some networks and the clients have to use HTTP/2 for their HAS applications instead. Therefore, the scenario that HAS over HTTP/3 (HAS/3) compete against HTTP/2 (HAS/2) must be considered seriously. However, there have been a shortage of investigations on the performance and the origin of the unfairness in such a cross-protocol scenario in order to produce proper solutions. Therefore, this paper provides a performance evaluation and root-cause analysis of the cross-protocol unfairness between HAS/3 and HAS/2. It is concluded that, due to differences in the congestion control mechanisms of QUIC and TCP, HAS/3 clients obtain larger congestion windows, thus requesting higher video bitrates than HAS/2. As the problem lies in the transport layer, existing client-side ABR-based solutions for the unfairness from the application layer may perform suboptimally for the cross-protocol case.

Adrenergic receptor β3 (ADRβ3) is a member of the rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor family. The binding of the ligand to ADRβ3 activates adenylate cyclase and increases cAMP in the cells. ADRβ3 is highly expressed in white and brown adipocytes and controls key regulatory pathways of lipid metabolism. Trp64Arg (W64R) polymorphism in the ADRβ3 has been associated with the early development of type 2 diabetes mellitus, lower resting metabolic rate, abdominal obesity, and insulin resistance. It is unclear how the substitution of W64R affects the functioning of ADRβ3. This study was initiated to functionally characterize this obesity-linked variant of ADRβ3. We evaluated in detail the expression, subcellular distribution, and post-activation behavior of the WT and W64R ADRβ3 using a single cell quantitative fluorescence microscopy. When expressed in HEK 293 cells, ADRβ3 shows a typical distribution displayed by other GPCRs with a predominant localization at the cell surface. Unlike Adrenergic receptor β2 (ADRβ2), agonist induced desensitization of ADRβ3 does not involve loss of cell surface expression. WT and W64R variant of ADRβ3 displayed comparable biochemical properties and there was no significant impact of the substitution of Tryptophan with Arginine on the expression, cellular distribution, signaling, and post-activation behavior of ADRβ3. The obesity-linked W64R variant of ADRβ3 is indistinguishable from the WT ADRβ3 in terms of expression, cellular distribution, signaling, and post-activation behavior.

GPR4, a member of proton activated GPCRs group. Previously we have reported that GPR4 is constitutively active at physiological pH and knockout of GPR4 has shown to protect dopaminergic neuronal cells from caspase-dependent mitochondrial apoptotic cell death. In this study we have investigated the role of GPR4 in 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) treated mice model of Parkinson’s disease. Subchronic administration of MPTP in mice produces oxidative stress induced apoptotic cell death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) and motor deficits. Treatment with NE52-QQ57, a selective antagonist of GPR4 reduced dopaminergic neuronal loss MPTP-intoxicated C57BL6/J mice and improved motor deficit and memory impairment. Co-treatment with NE52-QQ57 significantly decreases the protein level of proapoptotic marker (Bax), and increases the antiapoptotic marker (Bcl-2) in the SNpc and striatum tissue collected from the brain of MPTP inflicted mice. Further, MPTP induced activation of caspase 3 and cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) was significantly decreased in the SNpc and striatum tissue of NE52-QQ57 cotreated mice. Further mice receiving both MPTP and NE52-QQ57 mice showed significantly higher TH positive cells in the SNpc and striatum than MPTP treated mice alone. Moreover, NE52-QQ57 cotreatment improved the motor activity in the rotarod test and pole test and also improved spatial memory in Y maze test. Our findings suggest GPR4 as a potential therapeutic target for PD whereas the activation GPR4 is involved in the caspase mediated apoptotic cell death in SNpc and striatum of MPTP-intoxicated mice.

Toward the standardization of O. biennis sprout extract (OBS-E), we aimed to obtain indicator compounds, using a validated method. HPLC-UVD allowed simultaneous quantification of indicator compounds quercetin 3-glucuronide and ellagic acid. The method was validated in terms of specificity, linearity, precision, accuracy, and limit of detection/limit of quantification (LOD/LOQ). High specificity and linearity was demonstrated, with correlation coefficients of 1.0000 for quercetin 3-glucuronide and 0.9998 for ellagic acid. The LOD/LOQ values were 0.486/1.472 μg/mL for quercetin 3-glucuronide and 1.003/3.039 μg/mL for ellagic acid. Intra-day and inter-day variability tests produced relative standard deviation for each compound of &lt;2%, a generally accepted precision criterion. High recovery rate were also obtained, indicating accuracy validation. The OBS-E prepared using various concentrations of ethanol were then analyzed. The 50% ethanol extract had highest content of quercetin 3-glucuronide, whereas the 70% ethanol extract possessed the lowest. However, the ellagic acid content was highest in the 70% ethanol extract and lowest in the 90% ethanol extract. Thus, quercetin 3-glucuronide and ellagic acid can be used industrially as indicator compounds for O. biennis sprout products, and our validated method can be used to establish indicator compounds for other natural products.

We present a cost- and time-efficient method for the controlled preparation of single phase La(IO3)3 nanoparticles via a simple soft-chemical route which takes a matter of hours, thereby providing an alternative to the common hydrothermal method which takes days. Nanoparticles of pure α-La(IO3)3 and pure δ-La(IO3)3 were synthesised via the new method depending on the source of iodate ions, thereby demonstrating the versatility of the synthesis route. The crystal structure, nanoparticle size-dispersal and chemical composition were characterised via angle- and energy-dispersive powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy.

It was thought until the 1990s that the eukaryotic translation machinery was unable to translate a circular RNA. However internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) and m⁶A-induced ribosome engagement sites (MIRESs) were discovered, promoting 5’end-independent translation initiation. Today a new family of so-called “non-coding” circular RNAs (circRNAs) has emerged, revealing the pivotal role of 5’end-independent translation. CircRNAs have a strong impact on translational control via their sponge function, and form a new mRNA family as they are translated into proteins with pathophysiological roles. While there is no more doubt about translation of covalently closed circRNA, the linearity of canonical mRNA is only theoretical: it has been shown for more than thirty years that polysomes exhibit a circular form and mRNA functional circularization has been demonstrated in the 1990s by the interaction of initiation factor eIF4G with poly(A) binding protein. More recently, additional mechanisms of 3’-5’ interaction have been reported, including m⁶A modification. Functional circularization enhances translation via ribosome recycling and acceleration of the translation initiation rate. This update of covalently and non-covalently circular mRNA translation landscape shows that RNA circular shape might be the rule for translation with an important impact on disease development and biotechnological applications.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) released by different cell types play significant role in many physiological and pathophysiological processes. In physiological conditions red blood cells (RBCs) derived EVs compose 4 - 8% of all circulating EVs, and oxidative stress (OS) as a consequence of different pathophysiological conditions significantly increases the amount of circulated RBC-derived EVs, however the mechanisms of EV formation are not fully defined yet. To analyze OS-induced EV formation and RBCs transformations we used flow cytometry to evaluate cell esterase activity, caspase-3 activity, and band 3 clustering. Band 3 clustering was additionally analyzed by confocal microscopy. Two original laser diffraction-based approaches were used for analysis of cell deformability and band 3 activity. Hemoglobin species were characterized spectrophotometrically. We showed that cell viability in tert-butyl hydroperoxide-induced OS directly correlated with oxidant concentration to cell count ratio, RBCs-derived EVs contained hemoglobin oxidized to hemichrome (HbChr). OS induced caspase-3 activation and band 3 clustering in cells and EVs. Importantly, we showed that OS-induced EV formation is independent from calcium. Presented data indicated that during OS RBCs eliminate HbChr by vesiculation, in order to sacrifice the cell itself thereby prolonging lifespan and delaying the untimely clearance of in all other respects healthy RBCs.

We previously reported that corneal fibroblasts within 3D fibrin matrices secrete, bind, and organize fibronectin into tracks that facilitate cell spreading and migration. Other cells use these fibronectin tracks as conduits, which leads to the development of an interconnected cell/fibronectin network. In this study, we investigate how cell induced reorganization of fibrin correlates with fibronectin track formation in response to two growth factors present during wound healing: PDGF BB, which stimulates cell spreading and migration; and TGFβ1, which stimulates cellular contraction and myofibroblast transformation. Both PDGF BB and TGF stimulated global fibrin matrix contraction (P < 0.005), however cell and matrix patterning were different. We found that during PDGF BB induced cell spreading, fibronectin was organized simultaneously with the generation of tractional forces at the leading edge of pseudopodia. Over time this led to the formation of an interconnected network consisting of cells, fibronectin and compacted fibrin tracks. Following culture in TGFβ1, cells were less motile, produced significant local fibrin reorganization, and formed fewer cellular connections as compared to PDGF BB (P < 0.005). Although bands of compacted fibrin tracks developed in between neighboring cells, fibronectin labeling was not generally present along these tracks, and the correlation between fibrin and fibronectin labeling was significantly less than that observed in PDGF BB (P < 0.001). Taken together, our results show that cell-induced ECM reorganization can occur independently from fibronectin patterning. Nonetheless, both events seem to be coordinated, as corneal fibroblasts in PDGF BB secrete and organize fibronectin as they preferentially spread along compacted fibrin tracks between cells, producing an interconnected network in which cells, fibronectin and compacted fibrin tracks are highly correlated. This mechanism of patterning could contribute to the formation of organized cellular networks that have been observed following corneal injury and refractive surgery.

Galectin-3 is considered a cancer biomarker and bioindicator of fibrosis and cardiac remodeling, and, therefore, it is desirable to develop convenient methods for its detection. Herein, an approach based on the development of multivalent electrochemical probes with high galectin-3 sensing abilities is reported. The probes consist of multivalent presentations of lactose–ferrocene conjugates scaffolded on poly(amido amine) (PAMAM) dendrimers and gold nanoparticles. Such multivalent lactose–ferrocene conjugates are synthesized by coupling of azidomethylferrocene-lactose building blocks on alkyne-functionalized PAMAM, for the case of the glycodendrimers, and to disulfide‐functionalized linkers that are then used for the surface modification of citrate-stabilized gold nanoparticles. The binding and sensing abilities towards galectin 3 of both ferrocene-containing lactose dendrimers and gold nanoparticles have been evaluated by means of isothermal titration calorimetry, UV-vis spectroscopy, and differential pulse voltammetry. The highest sensitivity by electrochemical methods to galectin-3 was shown by lactosylferrocenylated gold nanoparticles, which are able to detect the lectin in nanomolar concentrations.

Gold clusters protected by 3-MBA ligands (MBA = mercaptobenzoic acid, -SPhCO2H) have attracted recent interest for their unusual structures and advantageous ligand-exchange and bioconjugation properties. Azubel et al. first determined the core structure of an Au68-complex, which was estimated to have 32 ligands (3-MBA groups). To explain the exceptional structure-composition and reaction properties of this complex, and its larger homologs, Tero et al. proposed a “dynamic stabilization” via carboxyl O-H--Au interactions. Herein, we report the first results of an integrated LC/MS analysis of unfractionated samples of gold / 3-MBA clusters, spanning the narrow size range 13.4 to 18.1 kDa. Using high-throughput procedures adapted from bio-macromolecule analyses, we show that integrated capillary HPLC-ESI-MS, based upon aqueous-methanol mobile phases and ion-pairing reverse-phase chromatography, can separate several major components from the nanoclusters mixture that may be difficult to resolve by standard native gel electrophoresis due to their similar size and charge. For each component, one obtains a well-resolved mass spectrum, nearly free of adducts or signs of fragmentation. A consistent set of molecular mass determinations is calculated from detected charge-states tunable from 3- (or lower), to 2+ (or higher). One thus arrives at a series of new compositions (n, p) specific to the Au/3-MBA system. The smallest major component is assigned to the previously unknown (48, 26); the largest one is evidently (67, 30), vs. the anticipated (68, 32). Various explanations for this discrepancy are considered. A prospective is given for the several members of this novel series, along with a summary of the advantages and present limitations of the micro-scale integrated LC/MS approach to characterize such metallic-core macro-molecules, and their derivatives.

Based on a modified dice-and-fill technique, a PIN-PMN-PT single crystal 1-3 composite with the kerf of 12 μm and pitch of 50 μm was prepared. The as-made piezoelectric composite material behaved with high piezoelectric constant (d33 = 1500 pC/N), high electromechanical coefficient (kt = 0.81), and low acoustic impedance (16.2 Mrayls). Using lithography and flexible circuit method, a 48-element phased array was successfully fabricated from such a piezoelectric composite. The array element was measured to have a central frequency of 20 MHz and a fractional bandwidth of approximately 77% at −6 dB. Of particular significance was that this PIN-PMN-PT single crystal 1-3 composite-based phased array exhibits a superior insertion loss compared with PMN-PT single crystal and PZT-5H-based 20 MHz phased arrays. The focusing and steering capabilities of the obtained phased array were demonstrated theoretically and experimentally. These promising results indicate that the PIN-PMN-PT single crystal 1-3 composite-based high frequency phased array is a good candidate for ultrasound imaging applications.

In this present study, 3-pentadecyl-phenol was selected as a modifier to prepare a foamable phenolic resin with excellent performance, which was successfully prepared by in-situ modification. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR, ¹³C-NMR) were used to test and characterize the molecular structure of the modified resin. The results showed that 3-pentadecyl-phenol successfully modified the molecular structure of phenolic resin with a reduction in resin gel time. The effect of changing the added amount of 3-pentadecyl-phenol on the mechanical properties, microstructure and flame retardancy of the modified foam was investigated. The results showed that when the amount of added 3-pentadecyl-phenol was 15% of the total amount of phenol, this resulted in the best toughness of the modified foam, which could be increased to 300% compared to the bending deflection of the unmodified phenolic foam. The cell structure showed that the modified phenolic foam formed a more regular and dense network structure and the closed cell ratio was high. Furthermore, the compressive strength, bending strength, and limited oxygen index were improved, while the water absorption rate was lowered. However, the foam density could be kept below 40 mg/cm³, which does not affect the load.

Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) is the main etiological bacteria present in the oral cavity that leads to dental caries. All of the S. mutans in the oral cavity form biofilms that adheres to the surfaces of teeth. Dental caries are infections facilitated by the development of biofilm. An esterified derivative of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), epigallocatechin-3-gallate-sterate (EGCG-S) was used in this study to assess its ability to inhibit the growth and biofilm formation of S. mutans. The effect of EGCG-S on bacterial growth was evaluated with colony forming units (CFU) and log reduction; biofilm formation was qualitatively determined by Congo red assay, and quantitatively determined by crystal violet assay, fluorescence-based LIVE/DEAD assays to study the cell viability, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the morphological changes. The results indicated that EGCG-S was able to completely inhibit growth and biofilm formation at concentrations of 250 µg/ml. Its effectiveness was also compared with a commonly prescribed mouthwash in the United States, chlorhexidine gluconate. EGCG-S was shown to be equally effective in reducing S. mutans growth as chlorhexidine gluconate. In conclusion, EGCG-S is potentially a natural anticariogenic agent by reducing bacterial presence in the oral cavity.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatment has been proven to attenuate neuroinflammation in rats. This study aimed to determine the potential mechanism underlying the anti-inflammatory effects of HBO treatment on burn-induced neuroinflammation in rats. Thirty-six adult male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly assigned to the following six groups (n = 6 per group): (1) sham burn with sham HBO treatment, (2) sham burn with HBO treatment, (3) burn with 1-week sham HBO treatment, (4) burn with 2-week sham HBO treatment, (5) burn with 1-week HBO treatment, and (6) burn with 2-week HBO treatment. SD rats that received third-degree burn injury were used as a full-thickness burn injury model. Subsequently, we analyzed the expression of proteins involved in the galectin-3 (Gal-3)-dependent Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR-4) pathway through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis, and Western blotting, and a behavior test was also conducted. The behavior test revealed that HBO treatment significantly suppressed mechanical hypersensitivity in the burn with HBO treatment group compared with the burn with sham HBO treatment group (p < 0.05). ELISA results showed that tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) levels in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord and the skin were significantly decreased in the burn with HBO treatment group compared with the burn with sham HBO treatment group (p < 0.05). Western blotting results demonstrated that HBO treatment significantly reduced the expression of Gal-3 and TLR-4 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord in the burn with HBO treatment group compared with the burn with sham HBO treatment group (p < 0.05). IHC analysis results showed that the expression of Gal-3, TLR-4, CD68, and CD45 in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord was significantly lower in the burn with HBO treatment group than in the burn with sham HBO treatment group (p < 0.05), and the expression of CD68 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in the right hind paw skin was significantly lower. The expression of vimentin and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) in the right hind paw skin was significantly higher after HBO treatment (p < 0.05). This study proved that early HBO treatment relieves neuropathic pain, inhibits the Gal-3-dependent TLR-4 pathway, and suppresses microglia/macrophage activation in a rat model.

Delivering nucleic acid therapeutics across cell membranes is a significant challenge. Cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) containing arginine (R), tryptophan (W), and histidine (H) show promise for siRNA delivery. To improve siRNA delivery and silencing a model STAT3 gene, we hypothesized that oleyl acylation to CPPs, specifically (WRH)n, would enhance STAT3 silencing efficiency in breast and ovarian cancer cells. Using Fmoc/tBu solid-phase peptide chemistry, we synthesized, purified, and characterized the oleyl-conjugated (WRH)n (n = 1-4) peptides. The peptide:siRNA complexes were non-cytotoxic at N/P 40 (~20 μM) against MDA-MB-231, MCF-7, SK-OV-3, and HEK-293 cells after 72 h incubation. All peptide:siRNA complexes showed serum stability at N/P ≥40. The synthesized conjugates, with a diameter of &lt;100 nm, formed nano complexes with siRNA and exhibited stable range of zeta potential values (13-18 mV at N/P 40). Confocal microscopy and flow cytometry analysis provided qualitative and quantitative evidence of successful cellular internalization of siRNA. Peptides oleyl-(WRH)3 and oleyl-(WRH)4 showed ~60% and ~75% cellular uptake of siRNA, respectively, in both MDA-MB-231 and SK-OV-3 cells. Western blot analysis of oleyl-(WRH)4 demonstrated effective silencing of the STAT-3 gene, with ~75% silencing in MDA-MB-231 cells and ~45% in SK-OV-3 cells.

Looking for effective synthetic methods for 1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines preparation, we came across a procedure where in a three component reaction catalyzed by L-proline, 4-aryl-4,9-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines are formed. These compounds can be easily oxidized to a fully aromatic system, which gave hope for a synthetic method that could replace e.g. Friedländer condensation, often used for this purpose, although severely limited by the availability of suitable substrates. However, after careful repetition of the procedures described in the publication, it turned out that the compounds described therein do not form at all. The actual compounds turned out to be 4,4-(phenylmethylene)-bis-(3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazol-5-oles). 4-Aryl-4,9-dihydro-1H-pyrazolo[3,4-b]quinolines were prepared by another method and used as standards to compare the products formed in the original procedure.

Thermal sterilization is generally avoided for 3-D printed components because of the relatively low deformation temperatures for common thermoplastics used for material extrusion-based additive manufacturing. 3-D printing materials required for high-temperature heat sterilizable components for COVID-19 and other applications demands 3-D printers with heated beds, hot ends that can reach higher temperatures than polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) hot ends and heated chambers to avoid part warping and delamination. There are several high temperature printers on the market, but their high costs make them inaccessible for full home-based distributed manufacturing required during pandemic lockdowns. To allow for all these requirements to be met for under $1,000, the Cerberus – an open source three-headed self-replicating rapid prototyper (RepRap) was designed and tested with the following capabilities: i) 200^oC-capable heated bed, ii) 500^oC-capabel hot end, iii) isolated heated chamber with 1kW space heater core and iv) mains voltage chamber and bed heating for rapid start. The Cereberus successfully prints polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherimide (PEI, ULTEM) with tensile strengths of 77.5 and 80.5 MPa, respectively. As a case study, open source face masks were 3-D printed in PEKK and shown not to warp upon widely home-accessible oven-based sterilization.

This study presents an optimized design for a Segmented Sinusoidal Parameter Winding with Magnetic Wedge Variable Reluctance Resolver (SSPWMW-VRR), addressing challenges like winding asymmetry and harmonic distortion in conventional designs. By integrating Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) for winding design, Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) analysis for leakage flux, and machine learning techniques (XGBoost and Multi-Layer Perceptron), the stator slot shape was fine-tuned for improved accuracy. XGBoost outperformed MLP in prediction accuracy with a Mean Absolute Error (MAE) of 0.1172. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) simulations and experimental validation demonstrated a reduction in position errors from ±30’ in conventional VRRs to ±5’ in the optimized design, along with significant harmonic reduction.

In previous papers we have derived equations of motion with radiation terms and proved the existence-uniqueness of periodic solution of the 3-body problem of classical electrodynamics. The number of equations of motion – 12 is more than the number of unknown functions – 9. It turns out that 9 equations are independent and the rest 3 ones are consequences of them. These three equations have a solution and they give the expressions for the energy of the moving particles. The main goal of the present paper is to estimate the energy of rounding about the nuclei particles and compare it with the values given by quantum mechanics.

This paper, from the perspective of Mode 3 of knowledge production, takes the important carrier of knowledge, scientific research papers, as the research object. The mainstream databases (SCIE and SSCI) are chosen as the data sources. Firstly, bibliometric methods are applied to analyze the cooperation status among the main bodies of paper production, including authors and their affiliated institutions, countries, and disciplines; secondly, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is used to construct a comprehensive evaluation model for the state of research cooperation in carbon neutrality. Based on the evaluation model, the cooperation characteristics of different disciplinary fields and the relationship between paper cooperation status and high-impact research papers are comparatively analyzed. At the same time, an analysis is conducted on the support from the government, the sponsorship from enterprises, and the participation of the public in the process of paper production. Finally, some suggestions are put forward on how to build an innovative ecosystem for carbon neutrality research from the perspective of Mode 3 of knowledge production.

International law faces numerous challenges in the 21st century, ranging from the traditional issues of sovereignty to emerging threats like cyber warfare and climate change. This article explores the evolving landscape of international law, discussing both the challenges it faces and the prospects for its future. By examining the role of international organizations, the impact of technological advancements, and the growing influence of non-state actors, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the current state of international law and offers insights into how it can adapt to meet the demands of an increasingly interconnected world.

Businesses now formally enter the phase of "think power differentiation and gap" in response to the new economic climate. While AI, big data, empowerment via the internet, and other aspects of the digital economy help to improve technical capabilities and save operating costs, they also push businesses to innovate their strategies at a faster rate. Enterprises are strategically choosing to de-enterprise, moving from focusing on a single business functioning benefit to building an ecosystem of platform services that will give them a competitive edge. Additionally, the organization's structure is evolving continually from a vertical model to a curved working style, in order to achieve this, businesses must recognize the importance of data analysis in day-to-day management and operations, encourage the development of an organizational atmosphere that is driven by data, fully utilize digital technology, modularize areas or production links that perform related tasks, and encourage the reform of organizational structures. By streamlining the output of the product or service to the external community while also enhancing the company's financial performance model, switching from process-to result-oriented evaluation, and putting in place a customized authority and accountability framework. Replace outcome-focused evaluation with process-focused evaluation, and create a customized incentive scheme that balances power, accountability, and rewards.

Abstract: Effectiveness of a Single Fixed Dose 3 mg Rasburicase for Prevention and Management of Hyperuricemia of Tumor Lysis Syndrome in adult Cancer Patients Background: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a potentially life-threatening complication associated with certain types of cancer. Rasburicase is an essential medicine required to prevent and treat the hyperuricemia associated with TLS. Due to a shortage of rasburicase during the COVID-19 pandemic, a fixed dose strategy of 3 mg rasburicase had been used in many adult cancer patients in our center. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a 3 mg fixed dose of rasburicase in preventing and managing hyperuricemia associated with TLS in adult cancer patients. Methods: We conducted a retrospective, observational cohort study between March 2020 and November 2022. The study included adult patients who received a fixed dose of 3 mg rasburicase. The primary outcome measure was the reduction in serum UA levels of

Mechanical ventilation (MV), used in patients with acute lung injury (ALI), induces diaphragmatic myofiber atrophy and contractile inactivity, termed ventilator-induced diaphragm dysfunction. Phosphoinositide 3-kinase- (PI3K-) is crucial in modulating fibrogenesis during the reparative phase of ALI; however, the mechanisms regulating the interactions among MV, myofiber fibrosis, and PI3K- remain unclear. We hypothesized MV with or without bleomycin treatment would increase diaphragm muscle fibrosis through the PI3K- pathway. Five days after receiving a single bolus of 0.075 units bleomycin intratracheally, C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 6 or 10 mL/kg MV for 8 h after receiving 5 mg/kg of AS605240 intraperitoneally. In wild-type mice, bleomycin exposure followed by MV 10 mL/kg prompted significant increases in disruptions of diaphragmatic myofibrillar organization, transforming growth factor-1, oxidative loads, Masson’s trichrome staining, extracellular collagen levels, positive staining of -smooth muscle actin, PI3K- expression, and myonuclear apoptosis (P &lt; 0.05). Decreased diaphragm contractility and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor- coactivator-1 levels were also observed (P &lt; 0.05). MV-augmented bleomycin-induced diaphragm fibrosis and myonuclear apoptosis were attenuated in PI3K-γ-deficient mice and through AS605240-induced inhibition of PI3K- activity (P &lt; 0.05). MV-augmented diaphragm fibrosis after bleomycin-induced ALI is partially mediated through PI3K-γ. Therapy targeting PI3K-γ may ameliorate MV-associated diaphragm fibrosis.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) type 3 (LPA3) receptor mutants were generated in which the sites detected phosphorylated were substituted by non-phosphorylatable amino acids. Substitutions were made in the intracellular loop 3 (IL3 mutant), the carboxyl terminus (Ctail), and both domains (IL3/Ctail). The wild-type (WT) receptor and the mutants were expressed in T-REx HEK293 cells, and the consequences of the substitutions were analyzed employing different functional parameters. Agonist- and LPA-mediated receptor phosphorylation was diminished in the IL3 and Ctail mutants and essentially abolished in the IL3/Ctail mutant, indicating that the main sites were substituted and distributed in both domains. The WT and mutant receptors increased intracellular calcium and ERK 1/2 phosphorylation in response to LPA and PMA. An increase in baseline ERK phosphorylation was detected in the IL3/Ctail mutant. LPA and PMA-induced receptor interaction with β-arrestin 2 and LPA3 internalization were severely diminished in the mutants. Mutant-expressing cells also exhibit increased baseline proliferation and response to different stimuli, which were inhibited by the antagonist Ki16425, suggesting a role of LPA receptors in this process. Migration in response to different attractants was markedly increased in the Ctail mutant, which the Ki16425 antagonist also attenuated.

The main purpose of this article is to consider the smoothness control of a weak solution after some moment if there is known solution regularity until this moment. The necessary tools can be varied. It is possible to control kinetic energy dissipation to fix moment or changing of velocity square or summability of acceleration square to fix at point time.

Abstract: Cervical cancer, which is the fourth most common malignancy and the fourth greatest cause of cancer-related deaths in women globally, continues to be a serious issue for global health. Despite advancements in treatment techniques, particularly the implementation of concomitant chemoradiation therapy, predicting the prognosis of locally advanced cervical cancer, especially for stage III, remains challenging. In recent years, neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) has gained interest as a viable treatment strategy. The objective of this review paper is to scrutinize the clinical data and outcomes associated with NACT in the management of stage 3 cervical cancer. Electronic databases were used to perform a comprehensive literature search, and research up to 2023 were included. The findings suggest that NACT followed by irradiation may have advantages such as lowering tumor size, pelvic architectural distortion, and subclinical distant metastases, therefore enhancing radiation delivery. However, several studies have produced conflicting findings, raising questions regarding toxicity and finding no appreciable survival benefit over radiation alone. NACT followed by radical surgery has demonstrated more promising outcomes compared to surgery alone in terms of increasing rates of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS). Additionally, NACT has been associated with decreased tumor growth, parametrial infiltration, nodal, metastases, and vascular space invasion. These findings suggest adjuvant radiation treatment. Although the overall survival rate has been markedly increased by concomitant chemoradiation treatment, metastatic disease continues to be a major factor in the death rate from cervical cancer. Therefore, improving outcomes in locally advanced cervical cancer requires investigating novel systemic treatments, such as NACT. The study also emphasizes how crucial it is to research factors like cisplatin dose-intensity and cycle lengths in order to maximize NACT's efficacy. To prevent the need for subsequent treatments and cumulative toxicity, more study should concentrate on patient selection for NACT followed by surgery.

A new approach is presented for dynamic modeling of chemical and isotopic evolution of C1-3 during the hydrocarbon generation process. Based on systematic data obtained from published papers for pyrolysis of various hydrocarbon sources(type I kerogen/source rock, type II kerogen/source rock, type III kerogen/source rock, crude oil, asphalt, etc), the empirical evolution framework of chemical and isotopic composition of C1-3 during the hydrocarbon generation process was built. Although the empirical framework was built only by fitting large amount of pyrolysis data, the chemical and isotopic composition of C1-3 derived from the pyrolysis experiments all follow the evolution laws, convincing us that it is applicable to the thermal evolution process of various hydrocarbon sources. Based on the simplified formula of the isotopic composition of mixed natural gas at different maturities (δ13Cmixed) δ13Cmixed=(X〖*n〗_iA 〖*δ〗^13 C_iA+Y〖*n〗_iB 〖*δ〗^13 C_iB)/(X〖*n〗_iA+Y〖*n〗_iB ), it can be derived that the cumulative isotopic composition of alkane generated in certain maturity interval can be expressed by the integral of the product of instantaneous isotopic composition and instantaneous yield at certain maturity point, and then divided by the cumulative yield of alkane generated in corresponding maturity interval. Thus, the cumulative isotopic composition(A(X)), cumulative yield(B(X)), instantaneous isotope(C(X)),and instantaneous yield(D(x)) in the dynamic model comply with the following formula during the maturity interval of (X0-X) A(X)=(∫_(X_0)^X▒〖C(X)*D(X)dx〗)/(B(X)), where A(X) and B(X) can be obtained by fitting of pyrolysis data, and D(x) can also be obtained from the derivation of B(X). The dynamic model was applied on the pyrolysis data of Pingliang Shale to illustrate the quantitative evolution of cumulative yield ,instantaneous yield, cumulative isotope and instantaneous isotope of C1-3 with increasing maturity.The dynamic model can quantify the yield of methane, ethane and propane as well as δ13C1, δ13C2 and δ13C3 respectively during the hydrocarbon generation process, which is of great significance to evaluate the natural gas resources of hydrocarbon source rock with different maturity and to identify the origin and evolutionary process of hydrocarbons by chemical and isotopic data. Moreover, this model provides an approach to study the dynamic evolution of isotope series of C1-3 (including reversed isotopic series), which is hopeful to reveal the mechanism responsible for isotopic reversal when combined with post-generation studies.

Introduction. This retrospective study aimed to compare the risk factors for vascular calcification (VC) between pre-hemodialysis (HD) and prevalent HD adult patients while investigating associations with calcification biomarkers. Methods. Baseline data from 30 pre-HD and 85 HD patients were analyzed, including iPTH, vitamin D, FGF23, fetuinA, sclerostin, and VC scores (Adragao method). Multivariable linear regression identified VC predictors. Results: The prevalence of VC was similar in both groups, but HD patients had more pronounced VC scores ≥6. Pre-HD patients were older, with higher prevalence of Balkan endemic nephropathy, hypertension, and less frequent use of calcium phosphate binders. Both groups exhibited similar patterns of hyperphosphatemia, low vitamin D, and iPTH levels. In HD group normal phosphate was significantly common in patients with VC, whereas hyperphosphatemia was significantly common in patients without VC. Fetuin-A levels were higher in pre-HD patients, while FGF23 was elevated in HD patients. In pre-HD patients, male gender was associated with reduced VC risk, while in HD patients, malignancies and serum phosphate levels were negative VC predictors. Conclusion: Effective monitoring and tailored treatment of VC in CKD are still focused on phosphate regulation. Besides, mineral disturbances, hormones and biomarkers regulation, and patient-specific variables need to be considered.

In the context of evaluating physical function in individuals with stroke, the 3-meter backward walk test (3MBWT) emerges as a potential tool of interest. The purpose of this study was to assess the test-retest reliability and construct validity of the 3MBWT and its correlation with falling incidents. Conducted in a neurological rehabilitation center, 35 ambulatory individuals with stroke were enrolled within a month post-stroke onset. These participants, with a Functional Ambulation Category score of ≥4, underwent the 3MBWT, Functional Gait Assessment (FGA), 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT), and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT) three times by different physiotherapists. Results indicated the 3MBWT displayed high reliability (r=0.97-0.98) and showed significant construct validity with other established walking tests like the 6MWT (r=-0.78) and 10MWT (r=0.71), with a moderate correlation to the FGA (r=-0.54). No marked differences in test outcomes were observed between participants based on their fall history. Conclusively, the 3MBWT proves to be highly reliable and validates well with existing walking function assessments for stroke patients, suggesting its potential as a time-efficient alternative.

Breast cancer (BCa) is the most frequently diagnosed malignant tumor in women and is also one of the leading causes of cancer-related death. Most breast tumors are hormone-dependent and estrogen signaling plays a critical role in promoting the survival and malignant behaviors of these cells. Estrogen signaling involves ligand-activated cytoplasmic estrogen receptors that translocate to the nucleus with various co-regulators such as steroid receptor co-activator (SRC) family members, and bind to the promoters of target genes and regulate their expression. SRC-3 is a member of this family that interacts with, and enhances the transcriptional activity of the ligand activated estrogen receptor. Although SRC-3 has important roles in normal homeostasis and developmental processes, it has been shown to be amplified and overexpressed in breast cancer and to promote malignancy. The malignancy-promoting potential of SRC-3 is diverse and involves both promoting malignant behavior of tumor cells and creating a tumor microenvironment that has an immunosuppressive phenotype. SRC-3 also inhibits the recruitment of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes with effector function and promotes stemness. Furthermore, SRC-3 is also involved in the development of resistance to hormone therapy and immunotherapy during breast cancer treatment. The versatility of SRC-3 in promoting breast cancer malignancy in this way makes it a good target, and methodical targeting of SRC-3 probably will be important for the success of breast cancer treatment.

Powdery mildew disease, caused by Sphaerotheca fusca, is a major disease affecting cucumbers cultivated in greenhouses. This study was conducted to find defense genes induced by DL-3-amino-butyric acid (BABA) and powdery mildew in cucumber. The 2000 and 5000 mg/L BABA treated cucumber exhibited disease severity of 25% and 5%, respectively, whereas the water treated cucumber leaves were severely infected, with a disease severity of 90%. BABA did not effect spore germination of the powdery mildew pathogen,. showing BABA is not antifungal agent against the pathogen. In quantitative real-time PCR analysis, BABA treated cucumber upregulated transcriptional level of the defense genes CsPAL, CsPR3,CsPR1, CsLOX1, CsLOX23, Cs LecRK6.1, CsWRKY20, and Cupi4 in cucumber to maximum levels at 48 h, whereas CsLecRK6.1 reached maximum expression after 24 h and futher salicylic acid (SA) levels were significantly increased in BABA-treated cucumber plants. In addition, the infected cucumber with powdery mildew enhanced the expression levels from1.6 to 47.3 fold of the defense genes PAL, PR3, PR1, Lox1, Lox 23, LecRK6.1, WRKY20, and Cupi4 compared to heathy cucumber. The results suggests the BABA induced defense response is associated with SA signal pathway-dependent systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in cucumber, which is involved in plant resistance mechanisms.

In urban Vehicular Ad Hoc Network (VANET) environments, buildings play a crucial role as they can act as obstacles that attenuate the transmission signal between vehicles. Quantifying the impact of buildings on the transmission quality is essential, especially in critical scenarios involving emergency vehicles, where reliable communication is of utmost importance. In this research, we propose a supervised learning approach based on artificial neural networks (ANNs) to develop a predictive model capable of estimating the level of signal degradation, represented by the bit error rate (BER), based on the obstacles perceived by moving emergency vehicles. By establishing a relationship between the level of signal degradation and the encountered obstacles, our proposed mechanism enables efficient routing decisions to be made prior to the transmission process. Consequently, data packets are routed through paths that exhibit the lowest BER. To gather the necessary training data, we employed SUMO and NS-3 simulations. The simulation results demonstrate that our developed model successfully learns and accurately estimates the BER for new data instances. Overall, our research contributes to enhancing the performance and reliability of communication in urban VANET environments, especially in critical scenarios involving emergency vehicles, by leveraging supervised learning and artificial neural networks to predict signal degradation levels and optimize routing decisions accordingly.

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) is a key vegetative hormone that plays crucial roles in plant growth and development. In this study, the effect of the exogenous application of IAA as a biostimulant in the cultivation of onions (Allium cepa) was investigated. Different IAA concentrations were evaluated to determine their effects on onion growth and chemical parameters. Various physical and chemical parameters such as total fresh weight, plant height, chlorophyll content, nitrates, total phenols, and antioxidant capacity (DPPH) were analyzed. The results revealed that exogenous application of IAA had a significant impact on onion growth and quality. Specifically, it was found that certain concentrations of IAA fostered a greater fresh weight of the bulb, an increase in the levels of phenolic compounds and a greater DPPH. However, the onion response to IAA was dependent on the concentration. In conclusion, the present study provides evidence that the exogenous application of IAA as a biostimulant can improve onion growth and quality. These results are relevant for the development of sustainable agricultural practices and could be oriented towards crop improvement.