Search Results (1,848)

The increasing demand for sustainable food requires the development of raw materials and products that provide not only high-quality proteins but also valuable lipids. The aim of this study was to compare the lipid quality of insect powders with that of selected cereal flours (millet, oat, and rice) during four months of storage at room temperature. To simulate increased oxidative conditions, the packages were filled only halfway, thereby increasing oxygen availability. Lipids were extracted using the Bligh–Dyer method, and their oxidation status was assessed based on peroxide value (PV), p-anisidine value (p-AsV), and the total oxidation (Totox) index. Fatty acid composition, antioxidant activity, and oxidative stability were determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Directly after purchase, none of the analyzed flours or insect powders exceeded a PV of 10 meq O₂/kg lipids or a p-AsV of 20. After four months of storage, lipid oxidation increased in all samples, with changes ranging from 4.6% to 30%, depending on the parameter analyzed. Lipids extracted from insect powders consistently showed significantly higher oxidation levels than those from cereal flours. The proportion of PUFAs in the lipids of the flours ranged from 36.40% to 64.21%, whereas in insect powders it ranged from 30.01% to 37.29%. After storage, only minor changes in PUFA content were observed, and these did not indicate advanced destructive oxidative degradation. Overall, the lipids present in the analyzed flours demonstrated favorable nutritional quality indices, including AI (0.10–0.48), h/H (2.23–10.47), and TI (0.22–1.14). The results indicate that insect powders can serve as a valuable source of fatty acids; however, their susceptibility to lipid oxidation necessitates careful consideration during processing and storage. Full article

EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB is an FEL (Free-Electron Laser) user facility currently under construction at INFN-LNF in the framework of the EuPRAXIA collaboration. The electron beam will be accelerated to 1 GeV by an X-band RF linac followed by a plasma wakefield acceleration stage. This high-brightness linac requires diagnostic devices able to measure the beam parameters with high accuracy and resolution. To monitor the beam energy and its spread, magnetic dipoles and quadrupoles will be installed along the linac, in combination with viewing screens and CMOS cameras. Macroparticle beam dynamics simulations have been performed to determine the optimal energy measurement setup in terms of accuracy and resolution. Similar diagnostics evaluations have been carried out for the spectrometer installed at the 100 MeV RF linac of the radioactive beam facility SSRIP (IFIN-HH, Romania), whose commissioning, foreseen for 2026, will be performed by INFN-LNF in collaboration with IFIN-HH. Optics measurements have been performed to characterize the resolution and magnification of the optical system that will be used at SSRIP, and probably also at EuPRAXIA@SPARC_LAB, for beam energy monitoring. Full article

The aim of the study was to evaluate how controlled laboratory addition with Pb, Cd, and Cu affects the fatty acid profile of milk and acid-coagulated cheese from three geographical regions (R1, R2, R3), considering the influence of regional characteristics and the March–April 2025 harvesting period. Comparative analysis of the lipid profile (SFA and UFA) and the ratios between fatty acids showed that region R2 displayed the most balanced nutritional structure, followed by regions R1 and R3. The lipid indices (IA 2.5–4, IT 3–4.4, HH 0.4–0.6, HPI 0.2–0.4) confirmed this pattern across all regions, indicating that R2 is characterized by a favorable, antiatherogenic, and antithrombotic lipid profile, whereas R1 exhibits an intermediate profile and R3 a markedly unbalanced profile. The same trend was observed for the lipid composition of the blank cheese samples. Heavy metal fortification produced major shifts in fatty acid composition and lipid indices. At the maximum level permitted by legislation, the changes were moderate, with SFA increasing from 71% to 77% and essential ω-3 and ω-6 PUFA decreasing, resulting in increased IA and IT and reduced HH and HPI. At 10× the maximum limit, the lipid profile became severely unbalanced: SFA increased to 81%, UFA dropped to 17%, ω-3 fatty acids were nearly absent, and ω-6 levels declined sharply, amplifying their imbalance. These changes were accompanied by a substantial deterioration in all lipid indices. These findings demonstrate that fatty acid composition (SFA, MUFA, PUFA) and lipid parameters (IA, IT, HH, HPI) serve as highly sensitive markers of heavy metal-induced oxidative stress in dairy products. Overall, the study shows that while the fatty acid profiles of milk from different regions reliably indicate both geographical origin and nutritional quality, exposure to heavy metal addition profoundly disrupts these profiles, together with their lipid indices, producing changes significant enough to signal compromised safety and diminished functional value of the resulting cheese. Full article

In this study, the neurorehabilitation potential of combined and isolated intermittent hypercapnia and hypoxia exposure was evaluated following photochemically induced cerebral thrombosis in rats. Particular attention was given to the roles of possible neuroplasticity mechanisms mediated by VEGF and BDNF, as well as the potential of hypercapnic–hypoxic interventions to synergistically amplify the therapeutic effects of pharmacological neuroprotectants during recovery. A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five equal groups (n = 10 per group), each undergoing a course of respiratory interventions lasting 30 min per day for 15 sessions. The groups included (1) a normobaric hypoxia (PO₂ ≈ 90 mmHg) group, (2) a permissive hypercapnia (PCO₂ ≈ 50 mmHg) group, (3) a combined hypercapnic hypoxia (PO₂ ≈ 90 mmHg, PCO₂ ≈ 50 mmHg) group, (4) a control group, and (5) a sham-operated group. Following the rehabilitation protocol, animals exposed to hypercapnic hypoxia exhibited a two-fold reduction in stroke volume compared with controls, significant improvement in motor coordination (as assessed via the rotarod test), and marked upregulation of VEGF and BDNF expression within the ischemic brain region. Notably, only the HH group showed a decrease in serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels. These findings indicate that hypercapnic hypoxia exerts a possible neurorehabilitative effect after focal ischemic injury, superior to that of isolated hypoxia or hypercapnia. Possible mechanisms underlying this outcome may involve activation of neurotrophic (BDNF) and angiogenic (VEGF) signaling pathways. Full article

Purpose: This study aims to investigate whether two stress keratins, KRT6A or KRT17, label self-renewing stem cells (SCs) in adult mouse Meibomian gland (MG), the palpebral conjunctiva (PC) homeostasis, and to explore the mechanisms regulating their expression. Methods: KRT6A and KRT17 expression in adult mouse MG and PC were examined by single-nucleus RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence (IF). Lineage-tracing experiments were performed using Krt6a-Cre^ERT2 and Krt17-Cre^ERT2 mice carrying the Rosa26R^nTnG or Rosa26R^mTmG reporter. As Hedgehog (Hh) signaling, the histone deacetylase HDAC3, and the transcription factor KLF4 regulate KRT6A and KRT17 in other contexts, IF was conducted to assess the in vivo effects of overexpression of the Hh pathway activator GLI2ΔN, and inducible epithelial deletion of Hdac3 or Klf4 on KRT6A and KRT17 expression in the MG and PC. Results: KRT6A and KRT17 are primarily expressed in the MG central duct and ductules. KRT6A also shows robust expression in PC. Lineage tracing indicated that Krt17 labels self-renewing SCs in the MG, whereas Krt6a labels SCs in the PC. GLI2ΔN overexpression induced ectopic KRT17 expression in MG acini and PC but did not affect KRT6A expression in either MG or PC. Hdac3 deficiency caused expanded expression of KRT6A and KRT17 in MG acini, ectopic KRT17 expression in PC, and increased KRT6A expression in PC basal layer. Klf4 deletion resulted in ectopic KRT17 expression in PC but did not influence KRT6A expression in MG or PC. Conclusions: Krt6a- and Krt17-expressing cells contribute to adult PC and MG homeostasis, respectively. KRT17 expression is enhanced by GLI2ΔN, and suppressed by HDAC3 and KLF4, whereas KRT6A expression is controlled only by HDAC3. These findings provide important biological insight into tissue-specific maintenance mechanisms and may inform future therapeutic strategies for regenerating MG and PC tissues affected by SC exhaustion or dysregulation. Full article

Four benzyltrimethylammonium (BTMA) salts were successfully prepared: bis(benzyltrimethylammonium) hexachloroplatinate (1), benzyltrimethylammonium tetrachloroaurate (2), bis(benzyltrimethylammonium) tetrachlorocuprate (3), and bis(benzyltrimethylammonium) tetrabromocuprate (4) from benzyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (Triton B). Their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and the supramolecular architectures were characterized hierarchically. Extended Hirshfeld surface analysis, including enrichment ratio calculations, was performed to evaluate intermolecular interactions. Nonclassical hydrogen bonds, such as C–H^…Cl(Br), involving the anions, contribute to the formation of self-assembled architectures. Additional stabilization arises from π^…π and Cu–Br^…π interactions, particularly in crystals 2 and 4, respectively. Hirshfeld surface analysis showed that H^…H and C^…H/H^…C interactions are the dominant contributors in all crystals. According to enrichment ratio calculations, C^…H/H^…C interactions in 1, 3, and 4; Cl^…H/H^…Cl in 1 and 3; Cu^…H/H^…Cu in 3 and 4; and Br^…H/H^…Br and Br^…C/C^…Br in 4 are statistically favored in the crystal packing. Halogen bonding Cl^…Cl was observed in 1 but does not significantly influence packing. Energy framework calculations indicated that dispersive interactions are favorable in the analyzed crystals. A library of H-bonding supramolecular patterns, including interchangeable synthons, is provided and may guide the rational design of new derivatives with controllable features. Finally, the topology of intermolecular connections and the electronic structure of the benzyltrimethylammonium cation, investigated by quantum-chemical calculations, provide insights into its reactivity. Full article

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) has been widely applied for rice monitoring, especially in cloud-prone areas, due to its ability to penetrate clouds. However, only limited methods were developed to monitor separately irrigated rice and rainfed rice ecosystems. This study demonstrated the use of multi-temporal polarimetric dual-polarization (dual-pol) SAR (Sentinel-1B and ALOS PALSAR-2) data to monitor and discriminate the irrigated and favorable rainfed rice ecosystems in the province of Iloilo, Philippines. Key polarimetric parameters derived from H–A–α and model-based dual-pol decomposition were analyzed to characterize the rice phenology of both ecosystems. Segmented regression was performed to detect breakpoints corresponding to changes in rice phenology within each ecosystem and used to identify the parameters to use for classification. Based on the results, Sentinel-1B polarimetric parameters (entropy, anisotropy, and alpha) can capture the phenological dynamics, whereas ALOS2 polarimetric parameters were more sensitive to water conditions, as reflected in span and volume scattering. Furthermore, irrigated rice exhibited more stable and predictable scattering patterns than favorable rainfed rice. Using the Random Forest classifier, various combinations of backscatter and polarimetric parameters from Sentinel-1B and ALOS2 were tested to discriminate between the two ecosystems. The highest classification accuracy (81.81% overall accuracy; Kappa = 0.6345) was achieved using the combined backscatter (S1B VH, ALOS2 HH, and HV) and polarimetric parameters from both sensors. The results demonstrated that polarimetric parameters effectively capture phenological stages and associated scattering mechanisms, with the integration of Sentinel-1B and ALOS2 data improving the discrimination of irrigated and favorable rainfed rice systems. Full article

While the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway is a well-established drug target in T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), the contribution of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in T-ALL malignancy remains poorly defined. We investigated the effects of pharmacological inhibition of key signaling nodes in these pathways using T-ALL cell lines (Jurkat, Molt-4, DND-41, and ALL-SIL). Cells were treated with the Gli1 inhibitor Gant-61, the Smoothened inhibitors GDC-0449 and Glasdegib, the Akt inhibitor MK-2206, and the mTOR inhibitor RAD001, both alone and in combination. Analyses of cell viability, cell cycle progression, apoptosis, autophagy, protein expression, and in situ intracellular distribution revealed potent cytotoxic activity of Gant-61 and MK-2206, while Smo and mTOR inhibitors showed limited efficacy. Combined Gli1 and Akt inhibition induced synergistic suppression of proliferation, enhanced G0/G1 arrest, increased apoptosis, and promoted autophagy, accompanied by reduced nuclear Gli1 and decreased Akt phosphorylation. These findings demonstrate a functional interaction between Hh/Gli1 and PI3K/Akt pathways in T-ALL and identify Gli1 as a critical, druggable node. Dual targeting of Gli1 and Akt represents a potential therapeutic strategy to overcome resistance and improve treatment outcomes in T-ALL. Full article

Background/Objectives: To determine whether patients under 30 years of age who have experienced symptoms for a duration of less than 1 year before undergoing hip arthroscopy (HA) for femoracetabular impingement (FAI) have better patient-reported outcomes than patients aged 40 years or older who have experienced symptoms for a duration of more than 1 year. Methods: This is a single-center, single-surgeon, retrospective analysis performed between August 2007 and May 2023 analyzing patients who underwent hip arthroscopy. Patients were divided into those who were 18 to 30 years old and patients that were 40 years and older. All patients who underwent primary hip arthroscopy for FAI and had completed mHHS or NAHS surveys prior to surgery with at least a 2-year follow-up were initially included in the study. Patients were excluded if they had no symptom duration information documented in their electronic medical record, a history of inflammatory arthritis, previous ipsilateral hip surgery, or future conversion to total hip arthroplasty (THA) before final follow-up. Results: A total of 236 hip arthroscopies were analyzed, including 147 patients ≥40 years and 89 patients 18–30 years, with symptom duration being significantly longer in the older cohort (28.4 vs. 17.5 months, p < 0.001). At 2 years, there was no difference in mHHS or NAHS between groups; however, younger patients with shorter symptom duration were more likely to achieve PASS for NAHS (87.5% vs. 58.7%, p = 0.036). At 5 years, the older cohort showed greater improvement in mHHS (33.1 vs. 22.9, p = 0.048), while patients 18–30 years continued to demonstrate higher absolute mHHS and NAHS at both 2 and 5 years. Regression analysis confirmed that increasing age was associated with lower PROs at follow-up. Conclusions: There was a significantly greater number of patients who achieved PASS for NAHS at 2-year follow-up for patients who were 18–30 years old with symptom duration ≤ 1 year compared to those aged 40+ years old with symptom duration ≥ 1 year. Additionally, patients ≥40 years old experienced a significantly longer symptom duration before surgery and had worse outcomes for mHHS and NAHS at 2- and 5-year follow-up compared to the 18–30 year cohort. Full article

Heavy snowfall events in the Ural region have drawn significant attention due to their substantial frequency, the region’s relatively high population density and its developed network of roads and power lines. This study summarizes the main characteristics of the hazardous heavy snowfall (HHS) events (≥20 mm 12 h⁻¹) that have occurred in the Ural region between 1981 and 2025, as well as in related synoptic-scale environments, for the first time. The dataset consists of 116 HHS reports, with 12-hourly snowfall intensities ranging from 20 mm to 47.6 mm. The main characteristics of these events (snowfall amount, spatial distribution, inter-annual and seasonal variability and trends, associated weather phenomena, and related damage) are examined based on the data from weather stations, the ERA5 reanalysis, scientific literature, and media reports. While there is no statistically significant trend in HHS events, the frequency of the most damaging late spring and early autumn snowfalls has decreased. Using 72 h backward trajectories according to the NOAA HYSPLIT model and the ERA5 reanalysis, we classified the HHS events into five types according to air mass origin, and performed a composite analysis for each type. The main finding is that 46% of HHS reports are related to cyclones forming over the Caspian and Aral seas, resulting in a higher frequency of HHS events to the east of the Ural Mountains compared to the western part of the region. Full article

Load Frequency Control (LFC) is essential for ensuring frequency stability in modern power systems subject to load fluctuations, uncertainties, and increasing renewable penetration. This paper introduces a novel hybrid control framework that unifies H∞ stability guarantees, H₂ performance, and pole placement for transient shaping. Its originality is threefold. First, it models load variation as a measurable disturbance (D₁₂ = 0, D₂₁ ≠ 0), departing from the standard assumption of an unknown input. This enables a low-order H∞ controller that improves transient response, enhances robustness, and reduces energy consumption. Second, the framework explicitly accounts for a wider spectrum of real-world uncertainties, including governor and turbine dynamics and the transmission-line synchronizing power coefficient. Third, it integrates explicit energy optimization to reduce mechanical stress and extend equipment lifespan. This strategy yields substantial energy savings by minimizing fuel use and operational costs. Simulation results confirm its superiority: the proposed H∞/H₂ pole placement controller with measured disturbances achieves a 98% reduction in control energy relative to a standard H∞ controller, along with a 70% reduction in overshoot and a drastic improvement in settling time—from 7 s to 0.2 s—compared to a conventional H∞/H₂ controller. These results establish the proposed framework as a new benchmark for robust, efficient, and high-performance LFC design. Full article

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs) are plant-derived metabolites with recognized pharmacological properties. Dysfunction of the primary cilium (PC), a solitary sensory organelle essential for development, is associated with disorders such as ciliopathies and tumors. While previous studies have shown that certain SLs can alter PC structure in human retinal cells, their influence on ciliary signaling pathways remains unclear. In this study, we examined the effect of four SLs—grosheimin, costunolide, α-cyclocostunolide (α-C), and β-cyclocostunolide (β-C)—on ciliary function in human primary fibroblasts. Using immunofluorescence and qPCR to assess cilia structure and Hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation, we found that grosheimin enhanced ciliogenesis without affecting Hh signaling. In contrast, costunolide, α-C, and β-C disrupted ciliary structure and suppressed the Hh pathway transcripts Gli1 and Ptch1. RNA sequencing revealed that grosheimin upregulated genes related to microtubule binding and ciliogenesis, whereas α-C downregulated tubulin subunit transcripts. These findings suggest distinct molecular mechanisms through which SLs affect ciliary structure and function. Collectively, this study highlights the potential of specific SLs as modulators of ciliary signaling, offering promising leads for therapeutic strategies targeting ciliopathies and tumors. Full article

(1) Background: The structural integrity of key components in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mission systems is crucial for achieving performance goals. The installation environment of military and civilian UAV wing pylons is very complex, as they are subject to various complex vibration excitations. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct vibration fatigue analysis on the wing pylons of UAVs to ensure structural integrity and safe operation. (2) Method: This study is based on the experience of vibration fatigue design for military and civilian aircraft, and flight test data of HH-100 UAV, a specific wing pylon for UAV, was taken as the research object, and the vibration evaluation modeling method was studied. A vibration fatigue assessment model for wing pylons was established, and relevant fatigue failure and strain data were collected through experimental data to validate the vibration fatigue analysis model. A fatigue analysis model was used to conduct fatigue analysis on the design details of the wing pylon structure under multi-source dynamic loads and to determine the structural vibration fatigue characteristics. (3) Result: Based on the finite element method and using the power spectral density (PSD) of the load spectrum, analyses and calculations were carried out to obtain the stress distribution of the connecting structure under vibration and impact loads. Based on this, the fatigue weaknesses of the structure have been clearly identified. Subsequently, dynamic fatigue analysis was conducted to calculate the fatigue life of the structure. Using Miner’s damage accumulation theory and considering the uncertainty of calculations or the sensitivity of results to geometric simplification and PSD spectra, the nominal fatigue life of the pylon structure was obtained through conversion. (4) Conclusions: Using a fatigue analysis model validated through experiments, a comprehensive damage accumulation evaluation was conducted on the fatigue life of the wing pylon under external multi-source dynamic loads, and the vibration fatigue life of the wing pylon was obtained, which meets the design requirements of UAVs. Full article

Vitamin B12 (B12) is a strong antioxidant and a cofactor for methionine synthase supporting DNA/RNA/protein methylation. We previously demonstrated that oral high-dose B12 supplement mitigates diabetic cardiomyopathy in Akita diabetic mice expressing twice the normal levels of Elmo1 (Engulfment and cell motility 1). To assess how B12 prevents early kidney damage, we treated Elmo1^HH mice and diabetic Elmo1^HH Ins2^Akita/+ mice with or without B12 in drinking water starting at 8 weeks of age. At 16 weeks, markedly reduced mesangial expansion was detected in the B12-treated diabetic kidneys (22% of glomeruli affected vs. 70% in the untreated diabetic kidneys). RNAseq analysis of the kidneys revealed that B12 suppressed expression of genes for adaptive immune response, while it upregulated those for solute carrier transporters and antioxidant genes. Strikingly, B12 treatment suppressed activators of circadian rhythm, Clock and Bmal1, and upregulated repressors like Cry1/2, Per1-3 and Dbp, suggesting a shift in their rhythmicity. B12 also upregulated linker histone H1 variants, and enhanced chromatin stability and cell cycle regulation. In BU.MPT proximal tubular cells in culture, B12 shifted forward the circadian expression phase of Bmal1 and Per1. Taken together, B12 supplement effectively mitigates early development of diabetic nephropathy in diabetic mice, potentially involving regulation of circadian rhythm. Full article

Background: Cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) have become indispensable tools in the management of bradyarrhythmia and heart failure, prompting a surge in research activity. To characterize the evolving research landscape, we conducted a bibliometric analysis focused on institutional contributions, author networks, journal trends, funding patterns, and emerging thematic hotspots in the field of cardiac devices to highlight keywords and identify knowledge development timelines and emerging trends, providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of research in this area. Methods: We conducted a bibliometric analysis of cardiac devices using the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) on 27 November 2024, with search terms “ST (cardiac defibrillator) OR (pacemaker)”. Data from 1 January 2019 to 1 January 2024 resulted in 3753 articles, refined to 1000 after excluding non-English and methodologically inappropriate papers. VosViewer, Excel, and Drawio facilitated data visualization, creating networks where node size indicates frequency, line thickness shows association strength, and colors denote clusters. This approach helped identify key research trends and collaborations in the field. Results: The United States led in publication volume (362 papers) and citations (7198), with Emory University emerging as the most prolific institution. Heart Rhythm was the most productive journal, while Europace was the most co-cited. Kurt Stromberg was the leading author by publications and citations. Funding was predominantly from U.S. agencies, with the NIH and HHS each supporting 127 studies. Co-citation and keyword analyses revealed three dominant research clusters: (1) leadless pacemakers; (2) permanent pacemaker implantation following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR); and (3) development of self-powered pacing technologies, including piezoelectric and bioresorbable systems. Conclusions: This study offers a comprehensive overview of recent trends and intellectual structures in cardiac device research. By identifying key contributors, collaborative networks, and thematic evolutions, it provides a valuable reference for researchers, clinicians, and innovators seeking to navigate or shape the rapidly advancing field of cardiac electrophysiology and device therapy. Full article