Search Results (200,000)

Skeletal muscle regeneration depends on muscle stem cells, which give rise to myoblasts that drive muscle growth, repair, and maintenance. In bats—the only mammals capable of powered flight—these processes must also sustain contractile performance under extreme mechanical and metabolic stress. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying bat muscle physiology remain largely unknown. To enable mechanistic investigation of these traits, we established the first myoblast cell lines from the pectoralis muscle of Pteronotus mesoamericanus, a highly maneuverable aerial insectivore. Using both spontaneous immortalization and exogenous hTERT/CDK4 gene overexpression, we generated two stable cell lines that retain proliferative capacity and differentiate into contractile myotubes. These cells exhibit frequent spontaneous contractions, suggesting robust functional integrity at the neuromuscular junction. In parallel, we performed transcriptomic and metabolic profiling of native pectoralis tissue in the closely related Pteronotus parnellii to define molecular programs supporting muscle specialization. Gene expression analyses revealed enriched pathways for muscle metabolism, development, and regeneration, highlighting supporting roles in tissue maintenance and repair. Consistent with this profile, the flight muscle is triglyceride-rich, which serves as an important fuel source for energetically demanding processes, including muscle contraction and cellular recovery. Integration of transcriptomic and metabolic data identified three key metabolic modules—glucose utilization, lipid handling, and nutrient signaling—that likely coordinate ATP production and support metabolic flexibility. Together, these complementary tools and datasets provide the first in vitro platform for investigating bat muscle research, enabling direct exploration of muscle regeneration, metabolic resilience, and evolutionary physiology. Full article

The textile industry’s reliance on synthetic dyes contributes significantly to pollution, highlighting the need for sustainable alternatives like biopigments. This study investigates the production and application of the biopigment prodigiosin, which was produced by Pseudomonas putida with a yield of 1.85 g/L. Prodigiosin was prepared under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions, resulting in varying protonation states that influenced its affinity for cotton and polyester fibers. Three surfactants (anionic, cationic, non-ionic) were tested, with non-ionic Tween 80 yielding a promising color strength (above 4) and fastness results with neutral prodigiosin at 1.3 g/L. Cotton and polyester demonstrated good washing (color difference up to 14 for cotton, 5 for polyester) and light fastness (up to 15 for cotton, 16 for polyester). Cellulose acetate, used in the conventional printing process as a thickener, produced superior color properties compared to commercial thickeners. Neutral prodigiosin achieved higher color strength, and cotton fabrics displayed halochromic properties, distinguishing them from polyester, which showed excellent fastness. Prodigiosin-printed samples also exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and retained halochromic properties over 10 pH cycles. These findings suggest prodigiosin as a sustainable dye alternative and pH sensor, with potential applications in biomedical materials, such as antimicrobial and pH-responsive wound dressings. Full article

Under conservation tillage in the Huang-Huai-Hai wheat–maize rotation area, the ridge-clearing no-till seeder for strip tillage mitigates the adverse impacts of surface residues on seeding quality by clearing stubble specifically within the seed rows, demonstrating significant potential for application and promotion. However, the inadequate understanding of the seeder’s operational performance and governing mechanisms under varying field conditions hinders its high-quality and efficient implementation. To address this issue, this study selected the stubble height, forward speed, and stubble knife rotational speed (PTO speed) as experimental factors. Employing a three-factor quasi-level orthogonal experimental design, coupled with response surface regression analysis, this research systematically elucidated the interaction mechanisms among these factors concerning the seeding depth consistency and seed spacing uniformity of the seeder. An optimized parameter-matching model was subsequently derived through equation system solving. Field trials demonstrated that a lower forward speed improved the seed spacing uniformity and seeding depth consistency, whereas high speeds increased the missing rates and spacing deviations. An appropriate stubble height enhanced the seed spacing accuracy, but an excessive height compromised depth precision. Higher PTO speeds reduced multiple indices but impaired depth accuracy. Response surface analysis based on the regression models demonstrated that the peak value of the seed spacing qualification index occurred within the forward speed range of 8–9 km/h and the stubble height range of 280–330 mm, with the stubble height being the dominant factor. Similarly, the peak value of the seeding depth qualification index occurred within the stubble height range of 300–350 mm and the forward speed range of 7.5–9 km/h, with the forward speed as the primary factor. Validation confirmed that combining stubble heights of 300−330 mm, forward speeds of 8−9 km/h, and PTO speeds of 540 r/min optimized both metrics. This research reveals nonlinear coupling relationships between operational parameters and seeding quality metrics, establishes a stubble–speed dynamic matching model, and provides a theoretical foundation for the intelligent control of seeders in conservation tillage systems. Full article

Spruce wood is a natural polymeric material, consisting of cellulose, lignin, hemicelluloses and other secondary components, which gives it a unique chemical footprint and architecture. Varnishes are used in musical instruments to protect the wood against humidity variations, wood being a hygroscopic material, but also to protect the wood from dirt. The varnishes used both to protect the wood from resonance and to ensure a special aesthetic appearance are either polymeric varnishes (nitrocellulose, oil-based) or volatile solvents (spirit). In this study, the color changes, the surface morphology and the chemical spectrum produced by three types of varnishes, applied in 5, 10 and 15 layers, on resonance spruce plates were analyzed. The results revealed significant changes in the color parameters: the lightness decreased by approximately 17% after the first layer, by 50% after 5 layers, by 65% after 10 layers and by 70% after 15 layers. The color parameters are most influenced by the anatomical quality of spruce wood (annual ring width and earlywood/latewood ratio) in the case of oil-based varnishes and least influenced in the case of nitrocellulose varnishes. The chemical fingerprint was determined by FTIR spectrum analysis, which revealed that the most pronounced absorptions were the double band 2926–2858 cm⁻¹, corresponding to aliphatic methylene and methyl groups (asymmetric and symmetrical C-H stretch), and the bands at 1724 cm⁻¹ (oil-based varnish), 1722 cm⁻¹ (nitrocellulose varnish) and 1708 cm⁻¹ (spirit varnish), all assigned to non-conjugated carbonyl groups in either carboxylic acids, esters aldehydes or ketones. The novelty of the study lies in the comparative analysis of three types of varnishes used in the musical instrument industry, applied to samples of spruce resonance wood with different macroscopic characteristics in three different layer thicknesses. Full article

In this work, the biosorption potential of Spirulina sp. as an effective and eco-friendly biosorbent for the removal of Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Detailed characterization of the biosorbent was carried out, including surface morphology, chemical composition, particle size, zeta potential, crystallinity, zero-point charge, and functional group analysis. Batch tests were performed to determine the kinetic constants and adsorption equilibrium of the studied ions. The adsorption behavior of Spirulina sp. was described using six adsorption isotherms. The best fit was obtained for the Redlich-Peterson and Langmuir isotherms, indicating that monolayer adsorption occurred. The maximum biosorption capacities for Ni(II) and Pb(II) were 20.8 mg·g⁻¹ and 93.5 mg·g⁻¹, respectively, using a biosorbent dose of 10 g·L⁻¹, initial metal concentrations ranging from 50 to 5000 mg·L⁻¹, at pH 6, 20 °C, and a contact time of 120 min. Low values of the mean free energy of adsorption (E) in the Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin model (0.3 and 0.1 kJ·mol⁻¹ for Pb(II) and 0.35 and 0.23 kJ·mol⁻¹ for Ni(II)) indicate the dominance of physical processes in the ion binding mechanism. The adsorption of Pb(II) ions was more effective than that of Ni(II) ions across the entire range of tested concentrations. At low initial concentrations, the removal of Pb(II) reached 94%, while for Ni(II) it was 80%. Full article

In this study, we aimed to address the lack of systematic research on key collision dynamics parameters (elastic restitution coefficient) in the full mechanization of rapeseed operations, which hinders the development of precision agriculture. In this present work, the restitution coefficient of rapeseed was systematically investigated, and a predictive model (R² = 0.959) was also established by using Box–Behnken design response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). The results show that the collision restitution coefficient varies in the range of 0.539–0.649, with the key influencing factors ranked as follows: moisture content (M_c) > material layer thickness (L) > drop height (H). The EDEM simulation methodology was adopted to validate the experimental results, and the results show that there is a minimal relative error (−1% < δ < 1%) between the measured and simulated rebound heights, indicating that the established model shows a reliable prediction performance. Moreover, by comprehensively analyzing stress, strain, and energy during the collision process between rapeseed and Q235 steel, it can be concluded that the process can be divided into five stages—free fall, collision compression, collision recovery, rebound oscillation, and rebound stabilization. The maximum stress (1.19 × 10⁻² MPa) and strain (6.43 × 10⁻⁶ mm) were observed at the beginning of the collision recovery stage, which can provide some theoretical and practical basis for optimizing and designing rapeseed machines, thus achieving the goals of precise control, harvest loss reduction, and increased yields. Full article

Background: Diabetes mellitus is associated with worse outcomes after cardiac arrest. Hyperglycemia, diabetes treatments and other long-term sequalae may contribute to this association. We sought to determine the acute effect of diabetes on the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) and post-arrest cardiac function in a rat cardiac arrest model. Methods: Eighteen male Wistar rats were utilized, and 12 underwent the induction of type II diabetes for 10 weeks through a high-fat diet and the injection of streptozotocin. The carotid artery flow and femoral arterial pressure were measured. Seven minutes of asphyxial cardiac arrest was induced. An external cardiac compression was performed via an automated piston. Post-ROSC, epinephrine was titrated to a mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 70 mmHg. Data was analyzed using the Mann–Whitney test. The significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. Results: The rate of the ROSC was significantly lower in animals with diabetes, 50% compared to 100% in non-diabetics. Additionally, it took significantly longer to achieve the ROSC in diabetics, p = 0.034. In animals who survived, the cardiac function was reduced, as indicated by an increased epinephrine requirement, p = 0.041, and a decreased cardiac output at the end of the experiment, p = 0.017. The lactate, venous and arterial pressures, heart rate and carotid flow did not differ between groups at 2 h. Conclusions: Diabetes negatively affects the survival from cardiac arrest. Here, the critical difference was the rate of the conversion to a life-sustaining rhythm and the achievement of the ROSC. The post-ROSC cardiac function was depressed in diabetic animals. Interventions targeted at improving defibrillation success may be important in diabetics. Full article

Steel is an important product in many engineering sectors; however, steelmaking remains one of the largest ${\mathrm{CO}}_2$ emitters. Therefore, new governmental policies drive the steelmaking industry toward a cleaner and more sustainable operation such as the gas-based direct reduction–electric arc furnace process. To become carbon neutral, utilizing more scrap is one of the feasible solutions to achieve this goal. Addressing knowledge gaps regarding scrap heterogeneity (size, shape, and composition) is essential to evaluate the effects of increased scrap ratios in basic oxygen furnace (BOF) operations. This review systematically examines heat and mass transfer correlations relevant to scrap melting in BOF steelmaking, with a focus on low Prandtl number fluids (thick thermal boundary layer) and dense particulate systems. Notably, a majority of these correlations are designed for fluids with high Prandtl numbers. Even for the ones tailored for low Prandtl, they lack the introduction of the porosity effect which alters the melting behavior in such high temperature systems. The review is divided into two parts. First, it surveys heat transfer correlations for single elements (rods, spheres, and prisms) under natural and forced convection, emphasizing their role in predicting melting rates and estimating maximum shell size. Second, it introduces three numerical modeling approaches, highlighting that the computational fluid dynamics–discrete element method (CFD–DEM) offers flexibility in modeling diverse scrap geometries and contact interactions while being computationally less demanding than particle-resolved direct numerical simulation (PR-DNS). Nevertheless, the review identifies a critical gap: no current CFD–DEM framework simultaneously captures shell formation (particle growth) and non-isotropic scrap melting (particle shrinkage), underscoring the need for improved multiphase models to enhance BOF operation. Full article

Ecotribology focuses on both saving energy resources and reducing environmental pollution. Considering environmental concerns, water-based nanolubricants have gained significant attention over conventional oil-based ones. Non-ecotoxic and highly environmentally friendly nanoadditives were chosen for nanolubricant synthesis, especially considering their use at elevated temperatures. In this study, hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (hBNNSs) and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO₂ NPs) were used to prepare water-based lubricants with glycerol and surfactant sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) in water under ultrasonication. An Rtec ball-on-disk tribometer was used to investigate the tribological performance of the synthesised water-based lubricants containing different nano-hBN/TiO₂ concentrations, with dry and water conditions used as benchmarks. The results indicated that the water-based nanolubricant containing 0.5 wt% hBN and 0.5 wt% TiO₂ exhibited the best tribological performance at both ambient (25 °C) and elevated (500 °C) temperatures. This optimal concentration leads to a reduction in the coefficient of friction (COF) by 72.9% and 37.5%, wear of disk by 62.5% and 49%, and wear of ball by 74% and 69% at ambient and elevated temperatures, respectively, compared to that of distilled water. Lubrication mechanisms were attributed to the rolling, mending, tribofilm, solid layer formation, and synergistic effects of hBNNSs and TiO₂ NPs. Full article

Elaeocarpus sylvestris (Lour.) Poir. var. ellipticus (Thunb.) H.Hara, an evergreen tree species native to Jeju Island, South Korea, has experienced a progressive decline associated with phytoplasma infection. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oxytetracycline-based tree injection for suppressing phytoplasma and improving tree vitality. Two formulations—oxytetracycline hydrochloride (4.3%) and oxytetracycline calcium alkyltrimethyl ammonium (17%)—were administered to 40 infected individuals across two sites using a gravity-fed injection system. Treatment efficacy was evaluated based on chlorophyll content as an indicator of physiological recovery, while phytoplasma presence was assessed by PCR at 150 days after injection. The oxytetracycline hydrochloride group showed the highest suppression, with a 70% phytoplasma non-detection rate as determined by PCR analysis. Treated trees exhibited significantly higher chlorophyll content compared to untreated infected controls. These findings suggest that minimally invasive tree injection using oxytetracycline can provide temporary suppression of phytoplasma and support physiological recovery in E. sylvestris. Full article

Wool has distinctive biological, physical, and chemical properties that contribute to its value both for the sheep and in global fibre and textile markets. Its fibres are primarily composed of proteins, principally keratin and keratin-associated proteins (KAPs). To better comprehend the genes that underpin key wool traits, this study examined the keratin-associated protein 36-1 gene (KRTAP36-1) in Chinese Tan lambs. We identified three previously reported alleles of the gene (named A, B and C) that were present in the lambs studied, with genotype frequencies as follows: 2.0% (n = 5; AA), 6.9% (n = 17; AB), 13.8% (n = 34; AC), 8.9% (n = 22; BB), 33.4% (n = 82; BC) and 35.0% (n = 86; CC). The frequencies of the individual alleles in the Chinese Tan lambs were 12.4%, 29.1% and 58.5% for alleles A, B and C, respectively. The three alleles were in Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium. In an association analysis, it was revealed that allele C was associated with variation in the mean fibre curvature of the fine wool of the Chinese Tan lambs, but this association was not observed in their heterotypic hair fibres. This finding suggests that KRTAP36-1 might be differentially expressed in the wool follicles that produce the two fibre types, and that along with other KRTAP genes, it may be involved in determining fibre curvature and the distinctive curly coat of the lambs. Full article

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) could increase pulmonary artery pressure. However, the clinical consequences vary, mainly depending on comorbidities. Patients with pulmonary hypertension associated with lung diseases (World Health Organization (WHO) Group 3 pulmonary hypertension) are particularly vulnerable increases in pulmonary artery pressure. Managing pulmonary hypertension in this specific patient population presents a considerable challenge. While positive airway pressure therapy for OSA has shown promise in improving pulmonary hemodynamics in patients with obesity hypoventilation syndrome and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, evidence is lacking for similar improvements in those with other pulmonary diseases and hypoventilation disorders. Furthermore, pulmonary-artery-specific therapies may carry a risk of clinical worsening in this group. Weight management and new pharmacotherapy have together emerged as a crucial intervention, demonstrating benefits for both OSA and pulmonary hemodynamics. We reviewed key studies that provide insights into the influence of OSA on WHO Group 3 pulmonary hypertension and the clinical management of both conditions. Full article

In chili cultivation, obstacles to continuous cropping significantly compromise crop yield and soil health, whereas crop rotation can enhance the microbial environment of the soil and reduce disease incidence. However, its effects on the diversity of rhizosphere soil microbial communities are not clear. In this study, we analyzed the composition and characteristics of rhizosphere soil microbial communities under chili continuous cropping (CC) and chili–cotton crop rotation (CR) using high-throughput sequencing technology. CR treatment reduced the alpha diversity indices (including Chao1, Observed_species, and Shannon index) of bacterial communities and had less of an effect on fungal community diversity. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed distinct compositional differences in bacterial and fungal communities between the treatments. Compared with CC, CR treatment has altered the structure of the soil microbial community. In terms of bacterial communities, the relative abundance of Firmicutes increased from 12.89% to 17.97%, while the Proteobacteria increased by 6.8%. At the genus level, CR treatment significantly enriched beneficial genera such as RB41 (8.19%), Lactobacillus (4.56%), and Bacillus (1.50%) (p < 0.05). In contrast, the relative abundances of Alternaria and Fusarium in the fungal community decreased by 6.62% and 5.34%, respectively (p < 0.05). Venn diagrams and linear discriminant effect size analysis (LEfSe) further indicated that CR facilitated the enrichment of beneficial bacteria, such as Bacillus, whereas CC favored enrichment of pathogens, such as Firmicutes. Fusarium solani MG6 and F. oxysporum LG2 are the primary chili root-rot pathogens. Optimal growth occurs at 25 °C, pH 6: after 5 days, MG6 colonies reach 6.42 ± 0.04 cm, and LG2 5.33 ± 0.02 cm, peaking in sporulation (p < 0.05). In addition, there are significant differences in the utilization spectra of carbon and nitrogen sources between the two strains of fungi, suggesting their different ecological adaptability. Integrated analyses revealed that CR enhanced soil health and reduced the root rot incidence by optimizing the structure of soil microbial communities, increasing the proportion of beneficial bacteria, and suppressing pathogens, providing a scientific basis for microbial-based soil management strategies in chili cultivation. Full article

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is a globally widespread parasite responsible for toxoplasmosis, a zoonotic disease with significant impact on both human and animal health. The current lack of safe and effective treatments underscores the need for new drugs. Earlier, thiosemicarbazones (TSCs) and their metal complexes have shown promising activities against T. gondii. This study evaluated a gold (III) complex C3 and its TSC ligand C4 for safety in host immune cells and zebrafish embryos, followed by efficacy assessment in a murine model for chronic toxoplasmosis. Methods: The effects on viability and proliferation of murine splenocytes were determined using Alamar Blue assay and BrdU ELISA, and potential effects of the drugs on zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were detected through daily light microscopical inspection within the first 96 h of embryo development. The parasite burden in treated versus non-treated mice was measured by quantitative real-time PCR in the brain, eyes and the heart. Results: Neither compound showed immunosuppressive effects on the host immune cells but displayed dose-dependent toxicity on early zebrafish embryo development, suggesting that these compounds should not be applied in pregnant animals. In the murine model of chronic toxoplasmosis, C4 treatment significantly reduced the parasite load in the heart but not in the brain or eyes, while C3 did not have any impact on the parasite load. Conclusions: These results highlight the potential of C4 for further exploration but also the limitations of current approaches in effectively reducing parasite burden in vivo. Full article

Background: DEAD/H box 5 (DDX5) serves as a transcriptional coactivator for several transcription factors including E2F1, the primary target of the tumor suppressor pRB. E2F1 physiologically activated by growth stimulation activates growth-related genes and promotes cell proliferation. In contrast, upon loss of pRB function due to oncogenic changes, E2F1 is activated out of restraint by pRB (deregulated E2F1) and stimulates tumor suppressor genes such as ARF, which activates the tumor suppressor p53, to suppress tumorigenesis. We have recently reported that DDX5 augments deregulated E2F1 activity to induce tumor suppressor gene expression and apoptosis. During the analyses, we noted that over-expression of E2F1 increased DDX5 expression, suggesting a feed forward loop in E2F1 activation through DDX5. Objective: We thus examined whether the DDX5 gene is a target of deregulated E2F1. Method: For this purpose, we performed promoter analysis and ChIP assay. Result: The DDX5 promoter did not possess typical E2F binding consensus but contained several GC repeats observed in deregulated E2F1 targets. Insertion of point mutations in these GC repeats decreased responsiveness to deregulated E2F1 induced by over-expression of E2F1, but scarcely affected responsiveness to growth stimulation. ChIP assays showed that deregulated E2F1 induced by over-expression of E2F1 or expression of E1a, which binds pRB and releases E2F1, bound to the DDX5 gene, while physiological E2F1 induced by growth stimulation did not. Conclusions: These results suggest that the DDX5 gene is a target of deregulated E2F1, generating a feed forward loop mediating tumor suppressive E2F1 activity. Full article