Search Results (590)

High-frequency (h. f.) harmonic distortion (HD) of advanced SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT)-based power cells (PwCs), featuring optimized metallization interconnections between individual HBTs, was investigated. Single tone input power (P_in) excitations at 1, 2, 5, and 10 GHz frequencies were employed. The output power (P_out) of the fundamental tone and its harmonics were analyzed in both the frequency and time domains. A rapid increase in the third harmonic of P_out was observed at input powers exceeding −8 dBm for a fundamental frequency of 10 GHz in two different PwC technologies. This increase in the third harmonic was analyzed in terms of nonlinear current waveforms, the nonlinearity of the HBT p-n junction diffusion capacitances, substrate current behavior versus P_in, and avalanche multiplication current. To assess the RF power performance of the PwCs, scalar and vectorial load-pull (LP) measurements were conducted and analyzed. Under matched conditions, the SiGe PwCs demonstrated good linearity, particularly at high frequencies. The key power performance of the PwCs was measured and simulated as follows: input power 1 dB compression point (P_{in_1dB}) of −3 dBm, transducer power gain (G_T) of 15 dB, and power added efficiency (PAE) of 50% at 30 GHz. All measured data were corroborated with simulations using the compact model HiCuM L2. Full article

Background: Coagulation disorders, including both bleeding and thrombotic complications, are common in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD). Here, we aimed to characterize platelet function in patients undergoing hemodialysis three times per week, compared to healthy controls. Methods: Platelet function was assessed using the Multiplate analyzer (Roche), which is based on multiple electrode impedance aggregometry. Platelet aggregation was induced using adenosine diphosphate (ADP), and the area under the curve (AUC) served as the primary endpoint. In addition, platelet counts and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured. To further evaluate nitric oxide (NO)-mediated inhibition of platelet aggregation, blood samples were incubated with the NO donor, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and the phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) inhibitor, sildenafil. Results: A total of 60 patients undergoing HD and 67 healthy controls were included in the analysis. Patients receiving HD treatment had significantly lower platelet counts compared to healthy controls (226.9 ± 53.47 vs. 246.7 ± 47.21 G/L, p = 0.029). Platelet aggregation was markedly reduced in patients undergoing HD compared to controls (462.0 ± 266.54 vs. 644.5 ± 254.44 AU × min, p < 0.001) with a significant correlation for platelet count (r = 0.42, p = 0.001) and systemic inflammation as indicated by CRP levels (r = 0.28, p = 0.035). Following SNP and sildenafil administration, inhibition of platelet aggregation remained more pronounced in patients undergoing HD. However, the change in platelet aggregation after SNP/sildenafil treatment did not differ significantly between the groups. Conclusions: Patients undergoing HD exhibit altered platelet function, indicated by reduced aggregation and platelet counts, as well as an association with systemic inflammation. Multiple electrode impedance aggregometry appears to be a feasible method for detecting platelet function alterations in patients receiving HD treatment. Responsiveness to NO donors was preserved in patients undergoing HD. Further studies are needed to identify the underlying mechanisms, particularly the role of NO signaling in platelet dysfunction in patients undergoing HD. Full article

Avian pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) is highly infective in poultry, causing significant economic losses to the poultry industry. As an extraintestinal pathogenic strain, adherence is a critical step in the infection. The functions of several adhesins, including type I, P, and Curli fimbriae, have been extensively studied. However, the roles of other adhesins, like Sfm, remain largely unexplored. Sfm is widely present in E. coli. Although the Sfm cluster is an ortholog of the fim gene cluster of Salmonella type I fimbriae, the biological function of Sfm in APEC has not yet been elucidated. To investigate whether Sfm in APEC CE129 plays a role in virulence, in this study, we constructed recombinant strains by expressing Sfm in the fimbriae-deficient strain SE5000. Additionally, a CE129 sfmA mutant strain was constructed. The resulting changes in adherence, biofilm formation, resistance to macrophage phagocytosis, and resistance to serum bactericidal ability were observed. The adherence ability of CE129ΔsfmA was reduced by 41%. HD-11 cells demonstrated a 30% increase in the phagocytosis of CE129ΔsfmA, and a 50% reduction in SE5000 (pBR322-sfm). The sfm deletion mutant showed a 23.9% reduction in the resistance to serum bactericidal ability, while SE5000 (pBR322-sfm) displayed a 32% increase. SE5000 (pBR322-sfm) exhibited a 34% increase in biofilm formation, and CE129ΔsfmA demonstrated a 21% decrease. Real-time PCR was employed to examine the impact of Sfm deletion on the transcription level of key virulence factors (fimA, fliC, papC, tsh, ompA, and iss). The results indicated that Sfm in CE129 is closely associated with bacterial adherence and survivability, contributing to biofilm formation and influencing the expression of key virulence factors. This study yields initial insight into the functional roles of Sfm in APEC and provides a foundation for the effective control of E. coli in the poultry industry. Full article

Castor fiber birulai is a subspecies of the Eurasian beaver that has a relatively small population size compared to other Castor subspecies. There is limited genetic research on this subspecies. In this study, mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) and D-loop sequences were analysed in genetic samples obtained from 19 individuals residing in the Buergen River Basin, Xinjiang, China. The Cytb region presented a single haplotype, whereas three haplotypes were identified in the D-loop region. The genetic diversity within the Chinese population was low (D-loop Hd = 0.444; Pi = 0.0043), markedly lower than that observed in other geographical populations of C. fiber. Phylogenetic reconstructions and haplotype network analyses revealed substantial genetic differentiation between C. f. birulai and other Eurasian lineages (Fst > 0.95), supporting the status of C. f. birulai as a distinct evolutionary lineage. Although the genetic distance between the Chinese and Mongolian populations was relatively small (distance = 0.00269), significant genetic differentiation was detected (Fst = 0.67055), indicating that anthropogenic disturbances—such as hydraulic infrastructure and fencing along the cross-border Bulgan River—may have impeded gene flow and dispersal. Demographic analyses provided no evidence of recent population expansion (Fu’s Fs = 0.19152), suggesting a demographically stable population. In subsequent studies, we recommend increasing nuclear gene data to verify whether the C. f. birulai population meets the criteria for Evolutionarily Significant Unit classification, and strengthening cross-border protection and cooperation between China and Mongolia. Full article

Introduction: Huntington’s disease (HD) disrupts cortico-striato-thalamocortical circuits decades before clinical onset. Electroencephalography (EEG) offers millisecond temporal resolution, low cost, and broad accessibility, yet its mechanistic and biomarker potential in HD remains underexplored. We conducted a mechanistic review to synthesize half a century of EEG findings, identify reproducible electrophysiological signatures, and outline translational next steps. Methods: Two independent reviewers searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and the Cochrane Library (January 1970–April 2025) using the terms “EEG” OR “electroencephalography” AND “Huntington’s disease”. Clinical trials published in English that reported raw EEG (not ERP-only) in human HD gene carriers were eligible. Abstract/title screening, full-text appraisal, and cross-reference mining yielded 22 studies (~700 HD recordings, ~600 controls). We extracted sample characteristics, acquisition protocols, spectral/connectivity metrics, and neuroclinical correlations. Results: Across diverse platforms, a consistent spectral trajectory emerged: (i) presymptomatic carriers show a focal 7–9 Hz (low-alpha) power loss that scales with CAG repeat length; (ii) early-manifest patients exhibit widespread alpha attenuation, delta–theta excess, and a flattened anterior-posterior gradient; (iii) advanced disease is characterized by global slow-wave dominance and low-voltage tracings. Source-resolved studies reveal early alpha hypocoherence and progressive delta/high-beta hypersynchrony, microstate shifts (A/B ↑, C/D ↓), and rising omega complexity. These electrophysiological changes correlate with motor burden, cognitive slowing, sleep fragmentation, and neurovascular uncoupling, and achieve 80–90% diagnostic accuracy in shallow machine-learning pipelines. Conclusions: EEG offers a coherent, stage-sensitive window on HD pathophysiology—from early thalamocortical disinhibition to late network fragmentation—and fulfills key biomarker criteria. Translation now depends on large, longitudinal, multi-center cohorts with harmonized high-density protocols, rigorous artifact control, and linkage to clinical milestones. Such infrastructure will enable the qualification of alpha-band restoration, delta-band hypersynchrony, and neurovascular coupling as pharmacodynamic readouts, fostering precision monitoring and network-targeted therapy in Huntington’s disease. Full article

This study addresses the formation, detection, and repair of cracks in concrete elements exposed to temperatures above 25 °C, where accelerated evaporation compromises their structural strength. An automated intelligent curing system with embedded sensors (DS18B20, HD-38) and Arduino controllers was developed and applied to solid slabs, columns, and concrete test specimens (1:2:3.5 mix ratio). The electronic design was simulated in Proteus and validated experimentally under tropical conditions. Data with normal distribution (p > 0.05) showed a significant correlation between internal and ambient temperature (r = 0.587; p = 0.001) and a low correlation in humidity (r = 0.143; p = 0.468), indicating hygrometric independence. The system healed cracks of 0.01 mm observed two hours after pouring the mixture, associated with an evaporation rate of 1.097 mL/s in 4 m². For 28 days, automated irrigation cycles were applied every 30 to 60 min, with a total of 1680 L, achieving a 20% reduction in water consumption compared to traditional methods. The system maintained stable thermal conditions in the concrete despite ambient temperatures of up to 33.85 °C. A critical evaporation range was identified between 11:00 and 16:00 (UTC-5). The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the embedded system in optimizing curing, water efficiency, and concrete durability. Full article

This study employed cellulase-assisted hydrodistillation (cellulase-HD) to extract volatile oils from Wurfbainia villosa (Lour.) Škorničk. & A.D.Poulsen (W. villosa) leaves, with process optimization conducted via the response surface methodology (RSM). The optimized extraction parameters were as follows: enzyme dosage 2.2%, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 49 °C, hydrolysis duration 73 min, and material/liquid ratio (1:10.7 mg/mL). Under these optimal conditions, the volatile oil yield reached 0.772%, representing a 31.29% increase compared to conventional hydrodistillation (HD). GC-MS analysis identified 54 and 49 volatile compounds in cellulase-HD and HD extracts, respectively, with 39 shared components. The cellulase-HD extract was predominantly composed of γ-terpinene (14.981%), limonene (13.352%), β-phellandrene (10.634%), 4-terpineol (10.145%), and α-terpineol (8.085%). In contrast, the HD extract showed higher contents of β-phellandrene (41.881%), followed by β-myrcene (8.656%) and limonene (8.444%). Notably, cellulase pretreatment significantly increased the yield of oxygenated compounds. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) revealed substantial compositional differences between the two extraction methods, with key differential components including fenchol, borneol, and γ-elemene. Antioxidant activity assessment demonstrated superior free radical scavenging capacity in cellulase-HD extracts. Structure–activity relationship analysis identified seven compounds with DPPH radical scavenging rates >50%, particularly, epi-bicyclosesquiphellandrene (71.51%) and γ-elemene (78.91%). Furthermore, thirteen components, including isopinocamphone (66.58%) and α-terpineol (66.95%), exhibited ABTS radical scavenging rates above 50%. This study provides theoretical and technical foundations for the extraction and functional development of volatile oils from W. villosa leaves. Full article

Cardioprotection against ischemia is achieved using openers of mitochondrial ATP-sensitive K⁺ (mitoKATP) channels such as diazoxide (DZX), leading to pharmacological preconditioning (PPC). We previously reported that PPC decreases the abundance of ventricular Cav1.2 channels, but PPC’s effects on other channels remain largely unexplored. In this study, we hypothesized that DZX regulates the expression of hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide potassium channel 4 (HCN4) channels in sinoatrial node cells (SANCs), the specialized cardiomyocytes that generate the heartbeat. DZX increased the heart rate in intact adult rats. Patch-clamp experiments revealed an increase in the magnitude of ionic currents through HCN4 channels, which was abolished by the reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and the selective mitoKATP channel inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5-HD). Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot assays showed that DZX increased HCN4 channel expression at the mRNA and protein levels. Immunofluorescence analyses revealed that PPC increased HCN4 fluorescence, which was abolished by NAC. DZX increased nuclear translocation of c-Fos and decreased protein abundance of RE1 silencing transcription factor (REST)/neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF), suggesting the involvement of these factors. Our results suggest that PPC increases the heart rate by upregulating HCN4 channel expression through a mechanism involving c-Fos, REST, and ROS. Full article

Background: Lipid metabolism disturbances are common in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on hemodialysis (HD), leading to dyslipidemia, which is characterized by abnormal plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Although large randomized controlled trials have generally not demonstrated a survival benefit associated with statin therapy among patients receiving hemodialysis, limited observational studies have reported potential associations with improved clinical outcomes in this population. Methods: This retrospective cohort study investigated the clinical and safety outcomes of statin use in ESRD patients on HD with documented dyslipidemia over a two-year period from 1 January 2018 to 30 December 2019. The primary endpoints evaluated the clinical outcomes of statins by assessing changes in specific lipid parameters, including low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). The secondary endpoints assessed safety by monitoring liver enzymes and creatine kinase (CK) levels. Results: Among 179 participants, diabetes mellitus was present in 134 patients (74.9%), while 168 patients (93.9%) had hypertension. Cardiovascular events occurred in 95 patients (53.1%). Statin therapy was administered to 146 patients (82.0%), with atorvastatin being the most frequently prescribed statin (69.3%). Modest reductions in LDL-C levels were observed in the rosuvastatin and atorvastatin groups, whereas slight increases were noted in the simvastatin and non-statin groups. None of these within-group changes were statistically significant. In the atorvastatin group, LDL-C decreased slightly from 2.058 to 2.003 mmol/L. The rosuvastatin group experienced a more pronounced LDL-C reduction from 2.607 to 2.113 mmol/L. Conversely, the simvastatin group showed an LDL-C increase from 1.550 to 1.901 mmol/L. Among the non-statin group, LDL-C increased from 2.678 to 2.820 mmol/L. Liver enzyme and CK levels fluctuated slightly but remained within normal ranges. Conclusions: This study evaluated statin therapy in hemodialysis patients with dyslipidemia. Although modest reductions in LDL-C levels were observed in the atorvastatin and rosuvastatin groups, statin therapy did not reduce the incidence of atherosclerotic events in hemodialysis patients with dyslipidemia. Additionally, statin use was not associated with any clinically or statistically significant effects. Full article

Background/Objectives: Developing next-generation mRNA-based seasonal influenza vaccines remains challenging, primarily because of the relatively low immunogenicity of influenza B hemagglutinin (HA) antigens. We describe a systematic vaccine development strategy that combined vector and antigen design optimization. Methods: Novel untranslated region (UTR) sequences and a hybrid poly(A) tail were used to increase plasmid stability and mRNA expression. Fusion proteins containing HA antigens linked by T4 foldon domains were engineered to enhance the immune responses against influenza B HA antigens and to permit the expression of multiple HA ectodomains from a single mRNA species. The vaccine performance was verified in a traditional encapsulated lipid nanoparticle (LNP) formulation that requires long-term storage at temperatures below −15 °C as well as in a proprietary thermo-stable LNP formulation developed for the long-term storage of the mRNA vaccine at 2–8 °C. Results: In preclinical studies, our next-generation seasonal influenza vaccine tested alone or as a combination influenza/COVID-19 mRNA vaccine elicited hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) titers significantly higher than Fluzone HD, a commercial inactivated influenza vaccine, across all 2024/2025 seasonal influenza strains, including the B/Victoria lineage strain. At the same time, the combination mRNA vaccine demonstrated superior neutralizing antibody titers to 2023/2024 Spikevax, a commercial COVID-19 comparator mRNA vaccine. Conclusions: Our data demonstrate that the multimerization of antigens expressed as complex fusion proteins is a powerful antigen design approach that may be broadly applied toward mRNA vaccine development. Full article

Background/Objectives: Malnutrition, muscle wasting, and fluid overload are highly prevalent in patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (HD) and may contribute to increased mortality risk. However, the combined impact of these factors has not been fully elucidated. Methods: In this multicenter prospective cohort study, we enrolled 368 patients in maintenance HD at four dialysis facilities in Japan. Malnutrition was defined as moderate or higher nutritional risk using the nutritional risk index for Japanese hemodialysis patients (NRI-JH). Low muscle mass was assessed using the skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 (AWGS 2019), and elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was defined as values in the top quartile (≥7650 pg/mL). Mortality risk was analyzed using Cox proportional hazards models. Associations with inflammation, assessed by C-reactive protein (CRP), were also explored. Results: Over a three-year follow-up period, 52 deaths occurred. Malnutrition, low muscle mass, and elevated NT-proBNP were each independently associated with increased all-cause mortality (HR: 4.98, 3.25, and 5.45, respectively). Patients with multiple concurrent risk factors had significantly worse survival. Although CRP was positively associated with these risk factors, it was not an independent predictor of mortality. Conclusions: Malnutrition, low muscle mass, and elevated NT-proBNP are independent and additive risk factors for mortality in HD patients. These findings highlight the need for integrated assessment and management strategies to improve prognoses in this high-risk population. Full article

Foods such as Curcuma longa L. and propolis can attenuate inflammation in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) undergoing hemodialysis (HD). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of microcapsules loaded with Curcuma longa L. and propolis on inflammatory markers and uremic toxins in patients undergoing HD. In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 40 patients were divided into two groups: an intervention group (137 mg/day of Curcuma and 500 mg/day of green propolis) in the form of microcapsules, and a placebo group, both administered for 8 weeks. Cytokines were analyzed using a multiplex assay (Bio-Plex Magpix^®). Malondialdehyde was evaluated as a marker of lipid peroxidation. Uremic toxins were analyzed by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. Demographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. A total of 38 patients completed the study: 18 were in the intervention group (49 ± 16.2 years; 8 men) and 20 were in the control group (49 ± 18.7 years; 10 men). There was a reduction in levels of C-reactive protein (p = 0.026) and MIP-1 (p = 0.019) in the intervention group. No change in uremic toxins was observed. In conclusion, the intervention with microcapsules containing Curcuma longa L. and green propolis showed potential anti-inflammatory effects in patients with CKD undergoing HD. These findings warrant investigation in larger, long-term trials. Full article

Background: Huntington’s Disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by an abnormal extension of a CAG repeat stretch located in the exon 1 of the HTT (IT15) gene, leading to production of a mutated and misfolded Huntingtin protein (muHTT) with an abnormally elongated polyglutamine (polyQ) region. This mutation causes muHTT to oligomerize and aggregate in the brain, particularly in the striatum and cortex, causing alterations in intracellular trafficking, caspase activation, and ganglioside metabolism, ultimately leading to neuronal damage and death and causing signs and symptoms such as chorea and cognitive dysfunction. Currently, there is no available cure for HD patients; hence, there is a strong need to look for effective therapies. Methods: This study aims to investigate the efficacy of siRNA-containing nano-engineered lipopolymers in selectively silencing the HTT expression in a neuronal model expressing a chimeric protein formed by the human mutated exon 1 of the HTT gene, tagged with GFP. Toxicity of lipopolymers was assessed using MTT assay, while efficacy of silencing was monitored using qRT-PCR, as well as Western blotting/flow cytometry. Changes in muHTT-GFP aggregation were observed using fluorescence microscopy and image analyses. Results: Here, we show that engineered lipopolymers can be used as delivery vehicles for specific siRNAs, decreasing the transcription of the mutated gene, as well as the muHTT protein production and aggregation, with Leu-Fect C being the most effective candidate amongst the assessed lipopolymers. Conclusions: Our findings have profound implications for genetic disorder therapies, highlighting the potential of nano-engineered materials for silencing mutant genes and facilitating molecular transfection across cellular barriers. This successful in vitro study paves the way for future in vivo investigations with preclinical models, offering hope for previously considered incurable diseases such as HD. Full article

This paper presents a real-time system for feature detection and description, the first stage in a structure-from-motion (SfM) pipeline. The proposed system leverages an optimized version of the ORB algorithm (oriented FAST and rotated BRIEF) implemented on the Digilent Zybo Z7020 FPGA board equipped with the Xilinx Zynq-7000 SoC. The system accepts real-time video input (60 fps, 1920 × 1080 resolution, 24-bit color) via HDMI or a camera module. In order to support high frame rates for full-HD images, a double-data-rate pipeline scheme was adopted for Harris functions. Gray-scale video with features identified in red is exported through a separate HDMI port. Feature descriptors are calculated inside the FPGA by Zynq’s programmable logic and verified using Xilinx’s ILA IP block on a connected computer running Vivado. The implemented system achieves a latency of 192.7 microseconds, which is suitable for real-time applications. The proposed architecture is evaluated in terms of repeatability, matching retention and matching accuracy in several image transformations. It meets satisfactory accuracy and performance considering that there are slight changes between successive frames. This work paves the way for future research on the implementation of the remaining stages of a real-time SfM pipeline on the proposed hardware platform. Full article

Aroma is an important processing and consumption quality trait of fruits and vegetables, and terpenes produced from the terpenoid metabolic pathway are a critical component of chili fruit flavor. This pathway involves the participation of at least eighteen enzymes, such as AACT, HMGS, HMGR, MVK, PMK, MVD, FPPS, GGPPS, DXS, DXR, MCT, CMK, MECPS, HDS, HDR, GPPS, IDI, and TPS. In this study, the genome wide information, expression characteristics, and relationship with terpenoids of terpenoid pathway genes are analyzed in C. annuum. The results showed that C. annuum has sixty-seven genes related to terpene metabolic pathways. Non-targeted metabolomics studies found that the content of aromatic terpenoids α-calacorene, α-cubene, and cis-β-farnesene increased with fruit development in HDL fruits, while linalool and nerolidol were much higher in GLD608. Correlation analyses between qRT-PCR and metabolome data showed that the expression levels of CaHMGS-3, CaMVD-1, CaCMK-1, and CaGGPPS-2 were positively correlated with the content of linalool, a flavor monoterpene alcohol. CaMECPS-1 was positively correlated with cis-β-farnesene, and there was also a significant positive regulatory relationship between CaTPS-5 and nerolidol relationship. In conclusion, the present study provides genetic resources for further studies on the gene regulatory mechanisms of flavor synthesis and terpenoid metabolic pathways in chili. Full article