Advancing Open Science

Deprivation of sleep (DS) is linked to increased risk of immune-mediated diseases. Toll-like receptors (TLR7, TLR9) and BANK1 are key B-cell signaling components that may contribute to their pathogenesis. Seventy-six adults underwent polysomnography (PSG) followed by DS. Venous blood was collected after PSG and DS. Mood was evaluated before and after each stage using Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale. Participants were classified as Responders (REs) or Non-Responders (NRs) based on mood changes post-DS. Gene mRNA expression of TLR7, TLR9, and BANK1 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells was analyzed by qRT-PCR. DS reduced TLR7 expression in the entire study group and within NRs, REs, and male and female subgroups (all p < 0.001). During analysis of covariance, women exhibited higher TLR7 expression than men post-DS (p = 0.022), independent of age and body mass index (BMI). At baseline, women exhibited lower expression of TLR9 (p = 0.009, independent of age and BMI), which was abolished after DS (p = 0.570). BANK1 expression increased post-DS in the entire study group and in NRs (p = 0.021), but not REs (p = 0.329). DS modulates B-cell-related immune signaling, with reduced TLR7 and increased BANK1 expression in a sex- and mood-dependent manner.

The Sprouty (SPRY) proteins are evolutionarily conserved modulators of growth factor-induced signaling pathways. The four different SPRY isoforms (SPRY1-4) are implicated in different types of cancer, acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressors depending on the SPRY isoform and the malignancy. Despite being tumor suppressors in many types of cancer, SPRY1 is an oncogene in rhabdomyosarcoma, SPRY2 in colorectal cancer, and SPRY4 in gastric cancer. In this review, we summarize the current literature about the functions of SPRY1-4 in glioblastoma (GB) and neuroblastoma (NB). To further delineate the effects of SPRY1-4 in the tumorigenesis of the nervous system, we analyzed the association of SPRY1-4 with the overall and event/progression-free survival of patients with pediatric and adult glioma, GB, and NB using public datasets. Together, there is evidence that SPRY1 and -2 are oncogenes in GB, whereas the role of SPRY3 and -4 in GB is not well defined. In NB, SPRY2 acts as a tumor suppressor, whereas the effects of SPRY1, -3, and -4 in NB have not been investigated so far, although the survival analysis revealed increased survival of NB patients with low SPRY3 levels in different datasets. Thus, this review demonstrates the requirement for further studies about the functions of the SPRY proteins in tumors of the nervous system to define their clinical relevance as potential therapeutic targets in the future.

The surface morphology of lithium metal electrodes evolves markedly during cycling, modulating interfacial kinetics and increasing the risk of dendrite-driven internal short circuits. Here, we infer this morphological evolution from direct-current (DC) signals by analyzing open-circuit voltage (OCV) transients after constant current interruptions. The OCV exhibits a rapid initial decay followed by a transition to a slower long-time decay. With repeated plating, this transition shifts to earlier times, thereby increasing the contribution of long-term relaxation. We quantitatively analyze this behavior using an equivalent circuit with a transmission-line model (TLM) representing the electrolyte-accessible interfacial region of the electrode, discretized into ten depth-direction segments. Tracking segment-wise changes in resistances and capacitances with cycling enables morphology estimation. Repeated plating strongly increases the double-layer area near the current collector, while the charge-transfer-active surface shifts toward the separator side, showing progressively smaller and eventually negative changes toward the current-collector side. Together with the segment-resolved time constants, these trends indicate that lithium deposition becomes increasingly localized near the separator-facing surface, while the interior becomes more tortuous, consistent with post-mortem observations. Overall, the results demonstrate that DC voltage-relaxation analysis combined with a TLM framework provides a practical route to track lithium metal electrode surface evolution in Li-metal-based cells.

In an era of rapid technological advancements and growing necessity for effective power management systems, the significance of silicon Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistors (MOSFETs) in contemporary power electronics is more critical than ever. This review explores the advancements in silicon MOSFET technology through the lens of Design Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO). By integrating design and process technology strategies, DTCO optimizes power, performance, area, and cost (PPAC) metrics, addressing the limitations of traditional scaling methods. The manuscript presents an exhaustive analysis of the foundational principles of MOSFET technology, the progression of DTCO, and its implications on critical design metrics. The inclusion of machine learning techniques enhances the DTCO process, enabling vast simulations and efficient design iterations, which are crucial for navigating the complexities of advanced semiconductor device physics. Empirical evidence from TCAD simulations augmented by machine learning insights demonstrates the effectiveness of DTCO in enhancing device performance, reliability, and manufacturing yield. This review emphasizes the significance of DTCO and machine learning in addressing contemporary challenges and influencing the future trajectory of silicon MOSFET technology.

Acetaminophen (paracetamol) is one of the most widely used analgesic and antipyretic drugs worldwide, yet its potential impact on hormonal balance and the risk of hormone-dependent cancers remains unclear. This study aimed to integrate epidemiological and bioinformatic evidence to assess the association between acetaminophen use and the risk of sex hormone–related cancers. A systematic review of preclinical and human studies was complemented by in silico analyses of acetaminophen’s molecular targets and their involvement in cancer-related pathways. Epidemiological data indicate that, although experimental studies suggest possible hormonal and reproductive effects, most population-based studies do not support an increased cancer risk, and some even suggest a potential protective effect. Bioinformatic analyses identified genes and pathways associated with ovarian and prostate cancers that may be modulated by acetaminophen, as well as possible links with breast cancer through drug metabolism–related genes. These findings reveal a shared molecular network that may underlie the observed epidemiological patterns. This integrative analysis underscores the need for further basic and clinical research to elucidate acetaminophen’s role in hormone-related carcinogenesis and to inform its safe therapeutic use.

This study presents the first comprehensive assessment of microalgal diversity in two Slovenian transitional waters (TWs): the shallow brackish lagoon of the Škocjanski Zatok Nature Reserve (SZNR) and the Rižana River estuary within the Port of Koper (PK) area. Between 2018 and 2021, water samples collected with a phytoplankton net were analyzed using light and scanning electron microscopy. In total, 240 species from 117 genera were identified in TW, dominated by diatoms and dinoflagellates, surpassing the diversity at a marine coastal station (91 species, 59 genera). Species richness was higher in PK (226) than in SZNR (154), mainly due to dinoflagellates and coccolithophores. Marine taxa predominated along the salinity gradient, with moderate contributions from brackish taxa and few freshwater forms, reflecting both natural and anthropogenic influences. Planktonic taxa dominated at all sites, while benthic forms were abundant in the lagoon, particularly in spring. Thirty-two taxa were recorded for the first time in Slovenian TW, mostly benthic or tychopelagic diatoms. The detection of Coolia monotis and five cyanobacterial genera with potentially harmful traits highlights the role of TW as an ecological interface. The taxonomic sufficiency analysis showed that the order level is sufficient to distinguish transitional from marine assemblages, beyond which ecological information is lost. Overall, this study highlights the importance of detailed taxonomic resolution for detecting microalgal diversity, including harmful and non-indigenous species to ensure robust ecological assessments under the WFD and MSFD directives.

Gaseous emissions from livestock facilities pose environmental and health concerns. Monitoring pollutant gases is essential to mitigate impact and enhance the sustainability of livestock systems. Emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies—particularly Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)—offer advanced tools to address these challenges by improving livestock monitoring and management. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 studies published between 2007 and 2024 were selected from Web of Science^® and Scopus^®. Most research was conducted in Europe (55%), primarily focusing on cattle and swine. Among gases, ammonia (NH₃) was predicted in 50% of studies and methane (CH₄) in 35%. The most common ANN architecture was the Multilayer Perceptron (MLP), trained mainly with backpropagation algorithms and validated using the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE). The results show that ANN models consistently outperformed traditional statistical approaches, offering greater prediction accuracy. Future research should focus on identifying optimal ANN structures for precise emission prediction, accounting for environmental variability, reducing dataset bias, and combining ANN with statistical models to develop hybrid approaches that further improve livestock management and sustainability.

Rodents models of myocardial infarction (MI) continue to be frequently used in preclinical cardiovascular research, despite alternative approaches being on the rise. The commonly used coronary artery permanent ligation (PL) approach is often hampered by substantial perioperative mortality and variable success rates. We optimized the rat PL protocol by relying exclusively on isoflurane inhalation anesthesia by introducing a standardized intubation setup, maintaining strict control of body temperature throughout surgery, and surgical technique refinements. The latter included gentle mobilization of the Pectoralis major and thymus, a medial thoracotomy through the third intercostal space, and the use of a reference ligature to facilitate reliable identification and ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). Cardiac rhythm was continuously monitored, and extubation was carefully timed to reduce complications. With this protocol, perioperative mortality was reduced to zero and successful ligation was obtained in 94% of animals (n = 172). Echocardiography and histology confirmed consistent induction of infarcts. By lowering invasiveness and improving survival and reproducibility, the refined PL method enhances both the reliability of preclinical research and compliance with the 3Rs, representing a meaningful step forward for studies in cardiac regeneration.