Search Results (1,307)

Immunodeficiency is a global health concern, partly due to disrupted rhythms and drugs. Marine glycopeptides, with immunomodulatory and intestinal barrier protective activities, show great potential in dietary supplements and functional foods. Here, a marine glycopeptide, SC2-3, with a molecular weight of 5061 Da, was isolated and purified from Nereis succinea. Monosaccharide composition, NMR data, amino acid composition analysis, and SDS-PAGE analyses identified SC2-3 as a glycopeptide. The N-glycome results of SC2-3 collected by MALDI-TOF-MS revealed that SC2-3 contains fucosylated N-glycans with shorter glycan chains compared to human-derived N-glycans. SC2-3 exerted a significant immune-enhancing effect on macrophages in vitro. In vivo, in cyclophosphamide-induced immunocompromised mice, SC2-3 at different concentrations elevated organ indices, blood cell counts, and serum levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, while repairing cyclophosphamide-damaged/atrophied tissues. Mechanistically, SC2-3 induced the differentiation of RAW264.7 cells toward an M1-like activation profile, significantly promoting the release of NO and ROS, upregulating the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6), and activating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. Additionally, SC2-3 upregulated intestinal epithelial tight junction proteins and normalized the overexpression of MUC-2, thereby maintaining intestinal barrier integrity. These findings indicated the potential efficacy of the glycopeptide SC2-3 derived from natural marine sources in immunomodulation and protection of intestinal health. Full article

Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) estimation plays a crucial role in communication systems, directly impacting the quality and reliability of signal transmission. This paper proposes a novel deep learning framework aimed at enhancing the accuracy and robustness of SNR estimation. The framework converts received signals into time–frequency matrices as feature inputs, effectively capturing both temporal and spectral characteristics through time–frequency analysis. Extensive experimental results across an SNR range of −5 dB to 15 dB demonstrate that our method achieves a mean squared error (MSE) that closely approaches the theoretical Cramér–Rao bound (CRB), comparable to data-aided (DA) maximum likelihood methods. A quantitative analysis reveals that, even under challenging conditions, such as a low SNR of −5 dB, the model maintains superior accuracy with a mean absolute error (MAE) as low as 0.352, significantly outperforming traditional M2M4 and NDA estimators. The model’s performance was systematically evaluated in a wide range of scenarios, encompassing various signal modulation formats, upsampling factors, multipath fading channels, frequency offsets, phase shifts, and roll-off factors. The evaluation highlights its exceptional generalization capability and robustness, with high performance and stability maintained even in challenging and dynamic environments. Full article

Enhancing the solubility and processability of graphene remains a critical challenge, limiting its integration into advanced materials systems. In this work, poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) (PNIPAM) were grafted onto graphene via controlled atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to create well-defined polymer–graphene hybrids with tunable interfacial properties. ATRP enabled the synthesis of PtBA and PNIPAM homopolymers with narrow molecular weight distributions and systematically varied chain lengths (4–18 kDa), allowing direct correlation between polymer architecture and material performance. Notably, the thermos-responsive behavior of PNIPAM was strongly dependent on chain length, highlighting the importance of controlled polymer design. Raman and FTIR spectroscopy confirmed successful grafting and chemical modification of the graphene surface. In addition, pilot studies demonstrate the ATRP synthesis of PtBA-b-PNIPAM block copolymers and their hydrolysis to PAA-b-PNIPAM, providing a platform for future development of multifunctional graphene interfaces. Overall, this study establishes a versatile and precisely controlled route for engineering polymer-grafted graphene with enhanced solubility and tunable functionality, enabling broader applications in smart materials and hybrid nanocomposites. Full article

We demonstrate a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system based on phase-sensitive optical time-domain reflectometry (Φ-OTDR) that employs I/Q demodulation and heterodyne detection. The proposed DAS system utilizes a 90° optical hybrid to obtain in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signals. By applying undersampling theory, the system significantly reduces the required analog-to-digital sampling rate. In an experimental demonstration, a 200 MHz heterodyne beat signal is successfully recovered at a sampling rate of 110 MSa/s without any loss of phase information. The system achieves a spatial resolution of 10 m, a signal-to-noise ratio of approximately 63.54 dB at a demodulation frequency of 200 Hz, and a background noise level of −52.27 dB·rad2/Hz. In addition, an amplitude-based analysis of the I/Q data is used to locate vibration events and estimate their effective length, so that an adaptive differential gauge length can be chosen to suppress common-phase fluctuations and restrict phase demodulation to a short fiber segment. This approach effectively reduces data throughput and system complexity while maintaining high sensitivity and resolution, illustrating the potential for more efficient real-time DAS implementations. Full article

Background and Objectives: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a lifelong autoimmune disease in which joint inflammation is caused by a dysfunctional immune system. Synchronous depressive symptoms have been identified as determinants of disease progression, especially disease activity as measured using the 28-joint Disease Activity Score (DAS28). Although growing evidence suggests the interplay between depression and DAS28 in RA, related findings remain inconsistent, implying that a pivotal underlying mechanism is overlooked. Hence, we aimed to examine whether self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to manage health, could mediate the association between depressive symptoms and DAS28. Materials and Methods: Between January and October 2023, we carried out a cross-sectional survey to recruit patients with RA from a target hospital in Taiwan. Participants completed demographic and disease-related questionnaires, the Chinese version of the Arthritis Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire. Mediation analysis was performed using the Hayes PROCESS macro function on SPSS. Results: In 259 recruited persons with RA, depressive symptoms were found to negatively associate with self-efficacy, and self-efficacy negatively related to DAS28. Mediation analysis demonstrated that depressive symptoms affected DAS28 indirectly through self-efficacy (B = 0.022; 95% confidence interval: 0.015–0.031), accounting for 32.8% of the total impacts. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the association between depressive symptoms and DAS28 may be mediated by individual self-efficacy. Interventions beyond the relief of depressive symptoms and that enhance the concept of self-efficacy should be emphasized while managing patients with RA. Full article

The construction of photovoltaic (PV) power stations for sand control in northwestern China has exacerbated the conflict between solar resource utilization and ecosystem fragility, creating urgent ecological challenges that demand immediate solutions. This study investigated Amorpha fruticosa growing under fixed adjustable PV panels at the CGN DaLate Photovoltaic Leading Base in the eastern hinterland of the Kubuqi Desert. Through long-term field observations, three shading time gradients were established: heavy shading (HS), light shading (LS), and no shading (CK, control). The results clearly demonstrated that: (1) Plants in the LS treatment exhibited significantly greater plant height, basal diameter, and crown width compared to those in HS and CK, indicating optimal growth status and morphological plasticity. They maintained the highest net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and water use efficiency (WUE), while their intercellular CO₂ concentration (Ci) was significantly lower than in CK, effectively mitigating photosynthetic inhibition caused by high light intensity. Total chlorophyll (Chl) content increased significantly with increasing shading intensity, whereas the Chl a/b ratio decreased. (2) The LS treatment yielded the highest nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and crude protein (CP) contents, along with a more balanced N:P ratio, suggesting a superior state of nutritional metabolism. Growth indicators showed significant positive correlations with WUE and Chl content, and significant negative correlations with transpiration rate (Tr) and Ci, confirming a synergistic “physiological adaptation-growth optimization” mechanism. Our results demonstrate that light shading represents the optimal condition for the growth and biomass accumulation of A. fruticosa, highlighting its potential as a key species for vegetation restoration in PV power stations within arid ecosystems. These findings not only elucidate the plant’s adaptation mechanisms but also provide a crucial physiological basis for selecting and managing understory vegetation, thereby supporting the optimization of integrative “PV-Ecology” systems for sustainable desert restoration. Full article

This study was carried out to determine the reliability of the methods of transmission of information about the location of a train to the train control center using a digital radio channel and a method based on Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology. The study results were obtained based on the MATLAB R2024b model and showed resistance to external noise in fiber-optic communication with DAS technology. The proposed information transmission method allows the joint use of fixed- and moving-block section concepts in train traffic control systems. The effectiveness of the joint application of the concept of fixed and moving-block sections was analyzed using OpenTrack V1.10 microscopic simulation using the parameters of the operating railway section Kurozek-Ekpindi-Jarsu, locomotive TE33A series, trains No. 3002 and No. 3004, and the interval control system. The obtained research results in the form of a diagram showed the effectiveness of the proposed method of duplicating the concept of moving- and fixed-block sections. The reduction in inter-train intervals contributes to increasing the capacity of the railway line and is the key to the economic efficiency of railway transport. Full article

To assess the impact of developmental stages on the postharvest quality of loquat, fruits at five distinct maturity phases (T1–T5) were systematically analyzed. This study employed a range of analytical techniques to conduct a comprehensive examination of the variations in quality, nutritional content, and volatile compounds of loquat across different developmental stages. Sensory evaluation indicated that the T4 stage achieved the highest score (93.21 ± 1.13), with significant differences observed in a* (6.56–13.08) and b* values (16.91–22.16). Both moisture content (45.45–86.94 g/100 g) and fruit firmness (8.65–3.31 N) exhibited a decline with delayed harvest (p < 0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that, as the developmental period progressed, the pores in the loquat cell walls enlarged, and the cellular structure became increasingly relaxed. GC–MS and GC–IMS detected 48 and 47 volatile compounds, respectively. Using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS–DA), we identified 14 key compounds that distinguish the five developmental stages. E-nose and E-tongue analyses showed significant changes in the smell and taste profiles of loquats over time, with the T1 stage notably different from later stages. This study offers important insights and guidance on the postharvest quality of loquats at various developmental stages. Full article

Parkinson disease (PD) and mood disorders represent two substantial global health burdens that increasingly co-occur as both conditions rise in prevalence worldwide. Diagnosing Parkinson disease in patients with pre-existing mood disorders is clinically challenging due to overlapping symptoms, medication effects, and shared neurobiological mechanisms. Apathy, psychomotor slowing, and fatigue may mimic depressive symptoms, leading to delayed recognition of early parkinsonism. Development of an underlying neurodegenerative disorder could account for some treatment-resistant symptoms or treatment failures if not recognized. Therefore, the identification of PD will change the treatment and management plan significantly. Accurate diagnosis of PD requires a detailed neurologic examination focusing on bradykinesia, rigidity, and resting tremor, supported when appropriate by dopamine transporter imaging (DaT scan) or other emerging biomarkers. Understanding the temporal relationship between psychiatric and motor features helps differentiate prodromal PD from primary mood disorders. Management of patients with both mood disorders and PD integrates dopaminergic replacement therapy for motor symptoms with individualized treatment of psychiatric comorbidities. Levodopa remains the cornerstone for motor control, while dopamine agonists, MAO-B inhibitors, and COMT inhibitors can be added as needed. For depression and anxiety, SSRIs and SNRIs are first-line choices; quetiapine or clozapine are preferred when treatment for psychosis is necessary. Intentional, thoughtful polypharmacy is frequently required. Non-pharmacologic interventions—including cognitive behavioral therapy, structured exercise, and patient–caregiver education—enhance mood, function, and quality of life. Multidisciplinary collaboration between neurology, psychiatry, and allied health professionals is essential for optimal outcomes. This review offers guidance to healthcare providers as well as other interested parties involved in patients with mood disorders who may also be developing or have PD, especially to those who may have limited access to neurologic resources. Full article

Background and Objectives: Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic inflammatory arthritis characterized by marked clinical heterogeneity and variable disease trajectories, underscoring the need for robust biomarkers of inflammatory burden. Serum calprotectin, a neutrophil- and monocyte-derived protein, has been proposed as a surrogate marker of active inflammation in inflammatory arthritis due to its close association with innate immune activation. In this study, we compare serum calprotectin levels among patients with PsA, axial spondyloarthritis (AxSpA), and healthy controls and evaluate their association with disease activity. Materials and Methods: This single-center, cross-sectional study included 123 patients with PsA, 119 patients with AxSpA, and 77 healthy controls. Serum calprotectin levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and their associations with disease activity were evaluated using correlation, multivariable regression, and receiver operating characteristic analyses. Results: Serum calprotectin levels were significantly higher in PsA and AxSpA patients compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001 for both) and were higher in PsA than in AxSpA (p = 0.022). In PsA, serum calprotectin levels showed significant correlations with ASDAS-CRP, DAS28-CRP, and DLQI, but not with CRP or ESR. In contrast, in AxSpA, calprotectin showed only a weak association with CRP and was not related to disease activity indices. In multivariable analysis, serum calprotectin was independently associated with ASDAS-CRP in PsA (B = 0.704, p = 0.003), but not in AxSpA. Receiver operating characteristic analysis demonstrated that serum calprotectin discriminated high disease activity in PsA with an area under the curve of 0.669 (95% CI: 0.563–0.775; p = 0.003). Conclusions: Serum calprotectin levels are elevated in patients with PsA and are associated with disease activity, supporting its potential role as a biomarker in this condition. In contrast, serum calprotectin does not appear to reflect disease activity in AxSpA, suggesting disease-specific differences in its clinical utility. Full article

In recent years, insect-derived peptides have attracted attention for their potential biological activities, particularly antioxidant properties. This study assessed the antioxidant activity of two widely consumed edible insects, T. molitor and A. diaperinus larvae, using cell-free and cell-based approaches. Whole lyophilized larvae, digestion products from the oral, gastric, and intestinal phases, as well as the <3 kDa permeate fraction (D-P3) derived from the intestinal digestion phase, were evaluated using biochemical antioxidant assays. Overall, digested samples exhibited higher antioxidant capacity than their undigested counterparts. At the cellular level, treatment of LPS-stimulated, PMA-differentiated THP-1 macrophages with A. diaperinus D-P3 was associated with increased mRNA expression of genes related to antioxidant defense, including NFE2-like bZIP transcription factor 2 (NFE2L2, also known as Nrf2), glutathione-disulfide reductase (GSR), superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), and catalase (CAT), whereas T. molitor D-P3 preferentially modulated nuclear factor kappa B p50 subunit (NFKB1) and nuclear factor kappa B p65 subunit (RELA). Overall, these findings indicate that gastrointestinal digestion enhances the bioaccessibility of antioxidant components in both edible insect species while revealing species-specific transcriptional responses under in vitro inflammatory conditions. This multilevel assessment provides mechanistic insight into the antioxidant-related biological activity of digestion-derived insect peptides and supports their further investigation as functional ingredients in food and feed systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: Helicobacter pylori infection induces a systemic humoral immune response that reflects both bacterial virulence and host immune regulation. While anti-H. pylori IgG is widely used as a marker of infection, its ability to predict the topographic distribution and biological activity of gastritis is limited. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether the relative predominance of systemic IgG versus IgA antibodies, IgG subclasses, and antigen-specific IgG reactivity could better reflect the features and topography of gastric inflammation. Methods: A total of 123 patients with dyspeptic symptoms, confirmed H. pylori infection, and histologically verified gastritis were included. Anti-H. pylori IgG and IgA levels were measured by ELISA, IgG1 and IgG2 subclasses by subclass-specific assays, and antigen-specific IgG reactivity (CagA, VacA, UreB66, 30 kDa, and UreA 26 kDa) by Western blot. Histopathological parameters of the antral and corpus mucosa were graded according to the updated Sydney system. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied to identify predictors of gastritis topography. Results: Anti-H. pylori IgG levels correlated with the grade and activity of inflammation in the antrum, whereas IgA correlated with inflammatory parameters in the corpus. IgG1 and IgG2 showed limited associations with antral inflammatory activity. IgA showed the best diagnostic performance for pangastritis/corpus-predominant gastritis, while IgG2 best identified antrum-predominant gastritis. The combined serological profile defined as IgG > IgA together with 30 kDa antigen positivity was independently associated with antrum-predominant gastritis in multivariate analysis (OR 2.516; 95% CI 1.004–6.308). Conclusions: The systemic balance between IgG and IgA responses reflects the topographic distribution of H. pylori-associated gastritis. IgG predominance combined with 30 kDa antigen seropositivity represents an independent serological predictor of antrum-predominant gastritis and may improve non-invasive stratification of gastric inflammation. Full article

Schizophrenia is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with a complex and largely unresolved pathogenesis. Accumulating evidence indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction is a consistent pathological hallmark of schizophrenia, suggesting that impaired mitochondrial homeostasis may represent a convergent mechanism underlying disease vulnerability. BCL2/adenovirus E1B 19 kDa interacting protein 3 (BNIP3) is a critical regulator of mitochondrial integrity and apoptosis. However, its role in schizophrenia has not yet been elucidated. Human endogenous retroviruses W family envelope (ERVWE1) has been implicated as a potential risk factor in schizophrenia, but the molecular mechanisms by which it contributes to neuronal pathology remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated whether ERVWE1 induces mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis through the regulation of BNIP3. Bioinformatic analysis of the public dataset GSE53987 revealed significantly elevated BNIP3 expression in the brain tissues of patients with schizophrenia, accompanied by enrichment of mitochondria-related pathways. Consistently, BNIP3 expression was also increased in the peripheral blood of schizophrenia patients and positively correlated with ERVWE1 levels. Mechanistically, ERVWE1 upregulated BNIP3 expression by suppressing miR-27b-3p, a microRNA that directly targets BNIP3. The resulting increase in BNIP3 led to marked mitochondrial structural and functional impairment, characterized by reduced mitochondrial aspect ratio, enhanced mitochondria permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening, and decreased mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number. These mitochondrial defects subsequently triggered cytochrome c release into the cytosol, activating the intrinsic mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. Collectively, this study provides the first evidence that the ERVWE1/miR-27b-3p/BNIP3 axis contributes to mitochondrial dysfunction and neuronal apoptosis in schizophrenia. Our findings identify a previously unrecognized molecular pathway linking endogenous retroviral activity to mitochondrial pathology, offering novel insights into the mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for schizophrenia. Full article

Underwater noise pollution, driven by human activities, is an emerging environmental concern, yet its effects on fish behavior and physiology remain poorly understood. As a vertebrate model with conserved stress pathways, zebrafish (Danio rerio) is well-suited for investigating the mechanistic basis of such impacts. We hypothesized that daytime and nighttime noise exposure would differentially induce anxiety-like behavior and associated neuroendocrine disruptions in zebrafish, with effects varying by sex. To evaluate this hypothesis, adult zebrafish were exposed to anthropogenic noise (100–1000 Hz, 130 dB) for seven days, specifically during daytime (08:00–20:00) and nighttime (20:00–08:00) periods. Behavioral assays revealed that noise exposure delayed the first entry of females into the top zone during daytime, while both sexes exhibited prolonged bottom-dwelling and reduced exploratory behavior under nighttime noise. Physiological analyses showed elevated plasma cortisol levels in females, accompanied by up-regulated HPI-axis genes, whereas males displayed a non-significant cortisol increase. Neurotransmitter profiling indicated a sex-specific response to nighttime noise: In females, brain 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) showed a non-significant increasing trend, whereas in males it was significantly elevated, while dopamine (DA) decreased in both sexes. Gene expression analysis further revealed disruptions in 5-HT and DA pathways. These findings demonstrate that underwater noise induces anxiety-like behavior in zebrafish by dysregulating endocrine and neurotransmitter systems, with nighttime noise exhibiting more pronounced effects, suggesting that chronic exposure to anthropogenic noise may impair natural behavior and stress regulation in aquatic species, particularly during nighttime periods. Full article

Electromagnetic shielding (EMS) materials play an important role in modern technology and industry, especially in electronic equipment, communication technology, military applications and so on. With the continuous progress of technologies and the increasing demands for functional materials, EMS materials are expanding towards flexibility and being lightweight. Recently, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have garnered significant attention in the EMS field due to their unique structure and adjustable properties. In this paper, alloy-based porous nanospheres (CCZ-C) were fabricated by heat-treatment using CoCuZn-MOFs as precursors, and then electrospun CCZ-C/PVDF nanofiber membranes (NFMs) were prepared in a large-quantity by blending them with PVDF. Afterwards, a hierarchical porous structured NFM (MPPA) was obtained by loading a highly conductive Ag nanolayer on the surface of CCZ-C/PVDF nanofibers using pDA as a binder. By adjusting the CCZ-C content, it was determined that the EMS performance of MPPA was highest when the CCZ-C content was 2 wt.%, with an average SSE of 12,017.01 dB·cm²·g⁻¹. This was because the hierarchical porous structure formed by adding an appropriate amount of CCZ-C further improved the electromagnetic attenuation and impedance matching of MPPA. Full article