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Search Results (191)

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Keywords = JAGGED1

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20 pages, 1927 KiB  
Article
Cytotoxic Effects of Thymus serpyllum L. and Mentha × piperita L. Essential Oils on Basal Cell Carcinoma—An In Vitro Study
by Maja Milosevic Markovic, Boban Anicic, Milos Lazarevic, Milica Jaksic Karisik, Dijana Mitic, Branislav Milovanovic, Stefan Ivanovic, Ilinka Pecinar, Milan Petrovic, Masa Petrovic, Nikola Markovic, Milovan Bojic, Nada Petrovic, Slobodan Petrovic and Jelena Milasin
Life 2025, 15(8), 1296; https://doi.org/10.3390/life15081296 - 14 Aug 2025
Viewed by 301
Abstract
This study investigated the potential of Thymus serpyllum L. and Mentha × piperita L. essential oils (EOs), known for their bioactive properties, as adjunctive treatments targeting Basal cell carcinoma cancer stem cells (BCC CSCs). Primary cultures were established from ten BCC tumor samples [...] Read more.
This study investigated the potential of Thymus serpyllum L. and Mentha × piperita L. essential oils (EOs), known for their bioactive properties, as adjunctive treatments targeting Basal cell carcinoma cancer stem cells (BCC CSCs). Primary cultures were established from ten BCC tumor samples and their distant resection margins as controls. The chemical composition of the EOs was analyzed by gas chromatography–mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The biological effects were evaluated via colony and spheroid formation, scratch assays, MTT and neutral red cytotoxicity assays, and qRT-PCR for Hh (SHH, PTCH1, SMO, and GLI1) and Notch (Notch1 and JAG1) gene expression. GC analysis identified thymol, p-cymene, and linalool as the main components of the EO of T. serpyllum L., and menthone and menthol in the EO of M. × piperita L. IC50 values were 262 µg/mL for T. serpyllum L. and 556 µg/mL for M. × piperita L. and were applied in all experiments. Both EOs significantly reduced CSC clonogenicity and migration (p < 0.05). The EO of T. serpyllum L. downregulated SMO and GLI1, while the EO of M. × piperita L. upregulated PTCH1, Notch1, and JAG1 (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that both EOs exhibit anticancer effects in BCC CSCs by modulating key oncogenic pathways, supporting their potential in BCC therapy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioactive Natural Compounds: Therapeutic Insights and Applications)
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18 pages, 3256 KiB  
Article
YOLOv8-Seg with Dynamic Multi-Kernel Learning for Infrared Gas Leak Segmentation: A Weakly Supervised Approach
by Haoyang Shen, Lushuai Xu, Mingyue Wang, Shaohua Dong, Qingqing Xu, Feng Li and Haiyang Yu
Sensors 2025, 25(16), 4939; https://doi.org/10.3390/s25164939 - 10 Aug 2025
Viewed by 338
Abstract
Gas leak detection in oil and gas processing facilities is a critical component of the safety production monitoring system. Non-contact detection technology based on infrared imaging has emerged as a vital real-time monitoring method due to its rapid response and extensive coverage. However, [...] Read more.
Gas leak detection in oil and gas processing facilities is a critical component of the safety production monitoring system. Non-contact detection technology based on infrared imaging has emerged as a vital real-time monitoring method due to its rapid response and extensive coverage. However, existing pixel-level segmentation networks face challenges such as insufficient segmentation accuracy, rough gas edges, and jagged boundaries. To address these issues, this study proposes a novel pixel-level segmentation network training framework based on anchor box annotation and enhances the segmentation performance of the YOLOv8-seg network for gas detection applications. First, a dynamic threshold is introduced using the Visual Background Extractor (ViBe) method, which, in combination with the YOLOv8-det network, generates binary masks to serve as training masks. Next, a segmentation head architecture is designed, incorporating dynamic kernels and multi-branch collaboration. This architecture utilizes feature concatenation under deformable convolution and attention mechanisms to replace parts of the original segmentation head, thereby enhancing the extraction of detailed gas features and reducing dependency on anchor boxes during segmentation. Finally, a joint Dice-BCE (Binary Cross-Entropy) loss, weighted by ViBe-CRF (Conditional Random Fields) confidence, is employed to replace the original Seg_loss. This effectively reduces roughness and jaggedness at gas edges, significantly improving segmentation accuracy. Experimental results indicate that the improved network achieves a 6.4% increase in F1 score and a 7.6% improvement in the mIoU (mean Intersection over Union) metric. This advancement provides a new, real-time, and efficient detection algorithm for infrared imaging of gas leaks in oil and gas processing facilities. Furthermore, it introduces a low-cost weakly supervised learning approach for training pixel-level segmentation networks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Optical Sensors)
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16 pages, 1826 KiB  
Article
Epigenetic Signatures of Dental Stem Cells: Insights into DNA Methylation and Noncoding RNAs
by Rosanna Guarnieri, Agnese Giovannetti, Giulia Marigliani, Michele Pieroni, Tommaso Mazza, Ersilia Barbato and Viviana Caputo
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8749; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158749 - 7 Aug 2025
Viewed by 359
Abstract
Tooth development (odontogenesis) is regulated by interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues through signaling pathways such as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP), Wingless-related integration site (Wnt), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from dental tissues—including dental pulp [...] Read more.
Tooth development (odontogenesis) is regulated by interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues through signaling pathways such as Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP), Wingless-related integration site (Wnt), Sonic Hedgehog (SHH), and Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF). Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from dental tissues—including dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and dental follicle progenitor cells (DFPCs)—show promise for regenerative dentistry due to their multilineage differentiation potential. Epigenetic regulation, particularly DNA methylation, is hypothesized to underpin their distinct regenerative capacities. This study reanalyzed publicly available DNA methylation data generated with Illumina Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip arrays (450K arrays) from DPSCs, PDLSCs, and DFPCs. High-confidence CpG sites were selected based on detection p-values, probe variance, and genomic annotation. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and hierarchical clustering identified distinct methylation profiles. Functional enrichment analyses highlighted biological processes and pathways associated with specific methylation clusters. Noncoding RNA analysis was integrated to construct regulatory networks linking DNA methylation patterns with key developmental genes. Distinct epigenetic signatures were identified for DPSCs, PDLSCs, and DFPCs, characterized by differential methylation across specific genomic contexts. Functional enrichment revealed pathways involved in odontogenesis, osteogenesis, and neurodevelopment. Network analysis identified central regulatory nodes—including genes, such as PAX6, FOXC2, NR2F2, SALL1, BMP7, and JAG1—highlighting their roles in tooth development. Several noncoding RNAs were also identified, sharing promoter methylation patterns with developmental genes and being implicated in regulatory networks associated with stem cell differentiation and tissue-specific function. Altogether, DNA methylation profiling revealed that distinct epigenetic landscapes underlie the developmental identity and differentiation potential of dental-derived mesenchymal stem cells. This integrative analysis highlights the relevance of noncoding RNAs and regulatory networks, suggesting novel biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets in regenerative dentistry and orthodontics. Full article
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19 pages, 1349 KiB  
Article
A Retrospective Study of Clinical and Genetic Features in a Long-Term Cohort of Mexican Children with Alagille Syndrome
by Rodrigo Vázquez-Frias, Gustavo Varela-Fascinetto, Carlos Patricio Acosta-Rodríguez-Bueno, Alejandra Consuelo, Ariel Carrillo, Magali Reyes-Apodaca, Rodrigo Moreno-Salgado, Jaime López-Valdez, Elizabeth Hernández-Chávez, Beatriz González-Ortiz, José F Cadena-León, Salvador Villalpando-Carrión, Liliana Worona-Dibner, Valentina Martínez-Montoya, Arantza Cerón-Muñiz, Edgar Ramírez-Ramírez and Tania Barragán-Arévalo
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7626; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157626 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 463
Abstract
Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a multisystem disorder characterized by a paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts and cholestasis, often requiring liver transplantation before adulthood. Due to the lack of genotype–phenotype correlation, case series are essential to understand disease presentation and prognosis. Data on Mexican [...] Read more.
Alagille syndrome (ALGS) is a multisystem disorder characterized by a paucity of intrahepatic bile ducts and cholestasis, often requiring liver transplantation before adulthood. Due to the lack of genotype–phenotype correlation, case series are essential to understand disease presentation and prognosis. Data on Mexican ALGS patients are limited. Therefore, we aimed to characterize a large series of Mexican patients by consolidating cases from major institutions and independent geneticists, with the goal of generating one of the most comprehensive cohorts in Latin America. We retrospectively analyzed clinical records of pediatric ALGS patients, focusing on demographics, clinical features, laboratory and imaging results, biopsy findings, and transplant status. Genetic testing was performed for all cases without prior molecular confirmation. We identified 52 ALGS cases over 13 years; 22 had available clinical records. Of these, only 6 had molecular confirmation at study onset, prompting genetic testing in the remaining 16. We identified six novel JAG1 variants and several previously unreported phenotypic features. A liver transplantation rate of 13% was observed in the cohort. This study represents the largest molecularly confirmed ALGS cohort in Mexico to date. Novel genetic and clinical findings expand the known spectrum of ALGS and emphasize the need for improved therapies, such as IBAT inhibitors, which may alleviate symptoms and reduce the need for transplantation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Genetics and Genomics)
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18 pages, 2229 KiB  
Article
Cell Surface Proteomics Reveals Hypoxia-Regulated Pathways in Cervical and Bladder Cancer
by Faris Alanazi, Ammar Sharif, Melissa Kidd, Emma-Jayne Keevill, Vanesa Biolatti, Richard D. Unwin, Peter Hoskin, Ananya Choudhury, Tim A. D. Smith and Conrado G. Quiles
Proteomes 2025, 13(3), 36; https://doi.org/10.3390/proteomes13030036 - 5 Aug 2025
Viewed by 434
Abstract
Background Plasma membrane proteins (PMPs) play key roles in cell signalling, adhesion, and trafficking, and are attractive therapeutic targets in cancer due to their surface accessibility. However, their typically low abundance limits detection by conventional proteomic approaches. Methods: To improve PMP detection, we [...] Read more.
Background Plasma membrane proteins (PMPs) play key roles in cell signalling, adhesion, and trafficking, and are attractive therapeutic targets in cancer due to their surface accessibility. However, their typically low abundance limits detection by conventional proteomic approaches. Methods: To improve PMP detection, we employed a surface proteomics workflow combining cell surface biotinylation and affinity purification prior to LC-MS/MS analysis in cervical (SiHa) and bladder (UMUC3) cancer cell lines cultured under normoxic (21% O2) or hypoxic (0.1% O2) conditions. Results: In SiHa cells, 43 hypoxia-upregulated proteins were identified exclusively in the biotin-enriched fraction, including ITGB2, ITGA7, AXL, MET, JAG2, and CAV1/CAV2. In UMUC3 cells, 32 unique upregulated PMPs were detected, including CD55, ADGRB1, SLC9A1, NECTIN3, and ACTG1. These proteins were not observed in corresponding whole-cell lysates and are associated with extracellular matrix remodelling, immune modulation, and ion transport. Biotinylation enhanced the detection of membrane-associated pathways such as ECM organisation, integrin signalling, and PI3K–Akt activation. Protein–protein interaction analysis revealed links between membrane receptors and intracellular stress regulators, including mitochondrial proteins. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that surface biotinylation improves the sensitivity and selectivity of plasma membrane proteomics under hypoxia, revealing hypoxia-responsive proteins and pathways not captured by standard whole-cell analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Proteomics of Human Diseases and Their Treatments)
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25 pages, 27219 KiB  
Article
KCUNET: Multi-Focus Image Fusion via the Parallel Integration of KAN and Convolutional Layers
by Jing Fang, Ruxian Wang, Xinglin Ning, Ruiqing Wang, Shuyun Teng, Xuran Liu, Zhipeng Zhang, Wenfeng Lu, Shaohai Hu and Jingjing Wang
Entropy 2025, 27(8), 785; https://doi.org/10.3390/e27080785 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 262
Abstract
Multi-focus image fusion (MFIF) is an image-processing method that aims to generate fully focused images by integrating source images from different focal planes. However, the defocus spread effect (DSE) often leads to blurred or jagged focus/defocus boundaries in fused images, which affects the [...] Read more.
Multi-focus image fusion (MFIF) is an image-processing method that aims to generate fully focused images by integrating source images from different focal planes. However, the defocus spread effect (DSE) often leads to blurred or jagged focus/defocus boundaries in fused images, which affects the quality of the image. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel model that embeds the Kolmogorov–Arnold network with convolutional layers in parallel within the U-Net architecture (KCUNet). This model keeps the spatial dimensions of the feature map constant to maintain high-resolution details while progressively increasing the number of channels to capture multi-level features at the encoding stage. In addition, KCUNet incorporates a content-guided attention mechanism to enhance edge information processing, which is crucial for DSE reduction and edge preservation. The model’s performance is optimized through a hybrid loss function that evaluates in several aspects, including edge alignment, mask prediction, and image quality. Finally, comparative evaluations against 15 state-of-the-art methods demonstrate KCUNet’s superior performance in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Signal and Data Analysis)
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12 pages, 5143 KiB  
Article
Ochrolechia raynori, a New Lichen Species from the Southern Rocky Mountains (Colorado, USA) and Key to Asexually Reproducing Ochrolechia in Western North America
by Erin A. Manzitto-Tripp and Jacob L. Watts
Wild 2025, 2(3), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/wild2030028 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 332
Abstract
Ochrolechia is a diverse and charismatic lineage of both sexually and asexually reproducing lichens, with centers of species richness in northern temperate areas of the world, including North America. As part of recent work to comprehensively inventory the lichens of the Indian Peaks [...] Read more.
Ochrolechia is a diverse and charismatic lineage of both sexually and asexually reproducing lichens, with centers of species richness in northern temperate areas of the world, including North America. As part of recent work to comprehensively inventory the lichens of the Indian Peaks Wilderness (Arapaho–Roosevelt National Forest, Front Range Mountains, Colorado), we discovered material of a sorediate member of the genus to which no existing names could be applied. This material was collected in very remote, extremely difficult-to-access mid-montane forests of the west slope of the Indian Peaks Wilderness, in a steep and jagged off-trail drainage (Hell Canyon). Subsequent study of this material along with review of pre-existing collections at the COLO Herbarium revealed it to represent a new scientific species. We here formally describe Ochrolechia raynori, in honor of Seth Raynor who led the Indian Peaks Wilderness lichen inventory. We additionally document the occurrence of Dactylospora parasitica on this new lichen species. Ochrolechia raynori is distinctive for its continuous, smooth, shiny thallus that bears discrete soralia and coarse soredia, its occurrence on mosses and other lichens that overgrow rocks, and its chemistry. We generated a molecular phylogeny of this and other members of Ochrolechia using the nrITS locus and show O. raynori to be sister to the widespread, sexually reproducing species O. upsaliensis. This occurrence of an asexual species that is sister to a sexual species is consistent with the “species pair” hypothesis in lichenology, which suggests an intimate role of reproductive mode divergence in the process of speciation. Examination of the phylogeny yielded evidence of four additional pairs in Ochrolechia, for a total of five species pairs, which indicates that this phenomenon may be a common occurrence in this lineage. IUCN Conservation Assessment of Ochrolechia raynori revealed the species to be best considered as Critically Endangered. However, we expect that continued efforts to inventory the lichens of the southern Rocky Mountains, especially in some of its wildest, most remote regions in similar habitats, will likely result in the discovery of additional populations of this remarkable new species. Full article
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17 pages, 2743 KiB  
Article
Grinding and Mixing Uniformity in a Feed Preparation Device with Four-Sided Jagged Hammers and Impact-Mixing Mechanisms
by Ruslan Iskakov and Alexandr Gulyarenko
AgriEngineering 2025, 7(6), 183; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering7060183 - 10 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1040
Abstract
This article considers the study of the grinding and homogeneity of a feed mixture in a device that combines the processes of grinding and mixing. It was found that it is important to improve the working elements with the elimination of passive zones. [...] Read more.
This article considers the study of the grinding and homogeneity of a feed mixture in a device that combines the processes of grinding and mixing. It was found that it is important to improve the working elements with the elimination of passive zones. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to improve the working elements of the feed preparation device with an assessment of the quality of the grinding and homogeneity of the feed mixture. For the efficiency of grinding, serrated surfaces have been developed along four planes of the hammer, which maximizes the use of the working surfaces of the hammer and eliminates passive zones. The design parameters of the serrated surfaces are the step between the tops of adjacent serrations (t, mm), the height of the serrations (h, mm), the angle of inclination (α, °) and the sharpness of the serrations (oz, °). It was found that it is necessary to strive to reduce the step between the tops of adjacent serrations t. The results of the experiments with four-sided serrated hammers showed that a significant portion of the crushed grain waste particles was smaller than 1 mm (25.36–34.34%); the particle size was over 1 mm and less than 2 mm (35.09–44.22%); the particle size was over 2 mm and less than 3.55 mm (27.59–28.73%), and an insignificant portion of particles was larger than 3.55 mm (0.99–2.98%). The experiments yielded the following results on the homogeneity of the mixing of grain waste and the control component: 86.6% (after 2 min), 87.2% (after 4 min) and 87.6% (after 6 min). The feed preparation device with the developed four-sided serrated hammers and impact-mixing mechanisms can produce sufficiently crushed and uniformly mixed feed mass. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Pre and Post-Harvest Engineering in Agriculture)
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21 pages, 5818 KiB  
Article
Azvudine Suppresses Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition in Hepatocellular Carcinoma by Targeting the Notch–HEY Signalling Pathway
by Yao Meng, Peiyi Sun, Yixin Ren, Guoqing Li, Xiujun Liu, Chunjie Xu, Luyao Dong, Hanhan Li, Zhonghui Zheng, Xuefu You and Xinyi Yang
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(11), 5127; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26115127 - 27 May 2025
Viewed by 545
Abstract
Azvudine (FNC) is a novel cytidine analogue that is widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases such as AIDS and COVID-19. Previous studies have demonstrated its anticancer activity in various cancer cell lines, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. However, [...] Read more.
Azvudine (FNC) is a novel cytidine analogue that is widely used in the treatment of infectious diseases such as AIDS and COVID-19. Previous studies have demonstrated its anticancer activity in various cancer cell lines, including non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. However, its effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the anti-epithelial–mesenchymal transition (anti-EMT) activity of FNC and evaluate its potential application in HCC treatment. We found that FNC significantly inhibits the migration of the liver cancer cell line Huh7 by downregulating key EMT markers, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and E-cadherin, at both the transcriptional and protein expression levels. Notably, we found that FNC inhibits HEY proteins, particularly HEY1, a transcriptional regulator of the Notch signalling pathway that is overexpressed in approximately 50% of HCC patients. To identify the primary target of FNC, microscale thermophoresis (MST) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were performed, revealing that FNC directly binds to Jagged1. This study provides valuable insights into the therapeutic potential of FNC in HCC treatment and elucidates its underlying mechanisms. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Development of Anti-Cancer Agents: Advances in Chemistry and Analysis)
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20 pages, 6898 KiB  
Article
Reinventing the Trochoidal Toolpath Pattern by Adaptive Rounding Radius Loop Adjustments for Precision and Performance in End Milling Operations
by Santhakumar Jayakumar, Sathish Kannan, Poongavanam Ganeshkumar and U. Mohammed Iqbal
J. Manuf. Mater. Process. 2025, 9(6), 171; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmmp9060171 - 23 May 2025
Viewed by 819
Abstract
The present work intends to assess the impact of trochoidal toolpath rounding radius loop adjustments on surface roughness, nose radius wear, and resultant cutting force during end milling of AISI D3 steel. Twenty experimental trials have been performed utilizing a face-centered central composite [...] Read more.
The present work intends to assess the impact of trochoidal toolpath rounding radius loop adjustments on surface roughness, nose radius wear, and resultant cutting force during end milling of AISI D3 steel. Twenty experimental trials have been performed utilizing a face-centered central composite design through a response surface approach. Artificial Neural Network (ANN) models were built to forecast outcomes, utilizing four distinct learning algorithms: the Batch Back Propagation Algorithm (BBP), Quick Propagation Algorithm (QP), Incremental Back Propagation Algorithm (IBP), and Levenberg–Marquardt Back Propagation Algorithm (LMBP). The efficacy of these models was evaluated using RMSE, revealing that the LMBP model yielded the lowest RMSE for surface roughness (Ra), nose radius wear, and resultant cutting force, hence demonstrating superior predictive capability within the trained dataset. Additionally, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) was employed to ascertain the optimal machining settings, revealing that the ideal parameters include a cutting speed of 85 m/min, a feed rate of 0.07 mm/tooth, and a rounding radius of 7 mm. Moreover, the detachment of the coating layer resulted in alterations to the tooltip cutting edge on the machined surface as the circular loop distance increased. The initial arc radius fluctuated by 33.82% owing to tooltip defects that alter the edge micro-geometry of machining. The measured and expected values of the surface roughness, resultant cutting force, and nose radius wear exhibited discrepancies of 6.49%, 4.26%, and 4.1%, respectively. The morphologies of the machined surfaces exhibited scratches along with laces, and side flow markings. The back surface of the chip structure appears rough and jagged due to the shearing action. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in High-Performance Machining Operations)
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17 pages, 2944 KiB  
Article
Gemological Characteristics and Coloration Mechanism of Vanadium-Bearing Beryl from Nigeria
by Yunlong Hong, Yu Zhang, Xinyi Shao, Yanyi Mu and Yuemiao Yu
Minerals 2025, 15(6), 557; https://doi.org/10.3390/min15060557 - 23 May 2025
Viewed by 622
Abstract
Vanadium-bearing beryl is a vanadium-bearing variety of green beryl (distinct from emerald) that exhibits an “electro-optical” green (blue-green) color, which has led to its commercial popularity. However, the underlying coloration mechanism remains unclear. The present study adopted standard gemological tests and non-destructive spectroscopic [...] Read more.
Vanadium-bearing beryl is a vanadium-bearing variety of green beryl (distinct from emerald) that exhibits an “electro-optical” green (blue-green) color, which has led to its commercial popularity. However, the underlying coloration mechanism remains unclear. The present study adopted standard gemological tests and non-destructive spectroscopic tests, such as X-ray fluorescence, UV-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR), infrared and Raman spectroscopy, to analyze the vanadium-bearing beryl from Nigeria. The results of these tests indicated the presence of Fe as the predominant chromogenic element of vanadium-bearing beryl, followed by V, at a level exceeding that of Cr. Furthermore, the samples displayed lower levels of alkali and magnesium when compared to other beryls, accompanied by lower refractive indices and specific gravities. Spectroscopic analysis indicates that the structural channels are dominated by type I H2O, with CO2, HDO, and D2O molecules also present. The inclusions observed in vanadium-bearing beryl bear a resemblance to those found in typical aquamarines, which are raindrop-shaped inclusions, and to those found in emeralds of various origins, which are irregular, jagged, gas–liquid two-phase/three-phase inclusions. The broad UV-Vis-NIR absorption bands at 427 and 610 nm are characteristic of V3+ (and a minor amount of Cr3+). Charge transfer between Fe2+ and Fe3+ may also contribute to the 610 nm band, which is superimposed on the absorption bands of V3+ and Cr3+. These factors primarily contribute to the blue-green coloration of beryl. The absorption induced by V3+ in the visible violet-blue region exhibits stronger intensity and a greater tendency towards the blue region compared to Cr3+. Consequently, the resultant vanadium-bearing beryl acquires the yellow-green hue (induced by V) overlaid with the light blue (induced by charge transfer between Fe2+-Fe3+ pairs), resulting in the so-called “electro-optical” green (blue-green) beryl. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Formation Study of Gem Deposits)
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25 pages, 6810 KiB  
Article
Multiscale Topology Design Based on Non-Penalisation Smooth-Edged Material Distribution for Optimising Topology (SEMDOT)
by Jiye Zhou, Yun-Fei Fu and Kazem Ghabraie
Materials 2025, 18(10), 2394; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18102394 - 20 May 2025
Viewed by 422
Abstract
This study presents an extension of the Smooth-Edged Material Distribution Optimisation Technique (SEMDOT) to multiscale topology optimisation (MSTO). While the SEMDOT has shown promise in producing smooth and fabrication-friendly structures in various single-scale problems, its application to multiscale design remains unexplored. To extend [...] Read more.
This study presents an extension of the Smooth-Edged Material Distribution Optimisation Technique (SEMDOT) to multiscale topology optimisation (MSTO). While the SEMDOT has shown promise in producing smooth and fabrication-friendly structures in various single-scale problems, its application to multiscale design remains unexplored. To extend SEMDOT to MSTO, a discrete sensitivity approach without penalisation is introduced, in which sensitivities are directly determined by classifying elements. Microstructural properties are computed using energy-based homogenisation with periodic boundary conditions (PBCs), enabling efficient and accurate prediction of effective elastic moduli. Physical fidelity of the smooth boundaries estimated by level-set functions are validated. Numerical results from 2D and 3D compliance minimization benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of the SEMDOT method, resulting in smooth boundaries between solid and void phases at both macro- and microscales, overcoming the jagged boundaries and grayscale issues seen in conventional methods. The results also show that the SEMDOT achieves comparable performance to other MSTO methods, with fewer iterations and reduced computational time. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Insights into Additive Manufacturing for Materials and Structures)
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22 pages, 5821 KiB  
Article
Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Geopolymer Recycled Aggregate Concrete Reinforced with Steel-Polypropylene Hybrid Fiber
by Lili Ma, Cheng Zhen, Qingxin Zeng and Biao Li
Buildings 2025, 15(10), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15101723 - 19 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 550
Abstract
Geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete (GRAC) is an eco-friendly material utilizing industrial byproducts (slag, fly ash) and substituting natural aggregates with recycled aggregates (RA). Incorporating steel-polypropylene hybrid fibers into GRAC to produce hybrid-fiber-reinforced geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete (HFRGRAC) can bridge cracks across multi-scales and [...] Read more.
Geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete (GRAC) is an eco-friendly material utilizing industrial byproducts (slag, fly ash) and substituting natural aggregates with recycled aggregates (RA). Incorporating steel-polypropylene hybrid fibers into GRAC to produce hybrid-fiber-reinforced geopolymer recycled aggregate concrete (HFRGRAC) can bridge cracks across multi-scales and multi-levels to synergistically improve its mechanical properties. This paper aims to investigate the mechanical properties of HFRGRAC with the parameters of steel fiber (SF) volume fraction (0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%) and aspect ratio (40, 60, 80), polypropylene fiber (PF) volume fraction (0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.15%), and RA substitution rate (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%) considered. Twenty groups of HFRGRAC specimens were designed and fabricated to evaluate the compressive splitting tensile strengths and flexural behavior emphasizing failure pattern, load–deflection curve, and toughness. The results indicated that adding SF enhances the specimen ductility, mechanical strength, and flexural toughness, with improvements proportional to SF content and aspect ratio. In contrast, a higher percentage of RA substitution increased fine cracks and reduced mechanical performance. Moreover, the inclusion of PF causes cracks to exhibit a jagged profile while slightly improving the concrete strength. The significant synergistic effect of SF and PF on mechanical properties of GRAC is observed, with SF playing a dominant role due to its high elasticity and crack-bridging capacity. However, the hydrophilic nature of SF combined with the hydrophobic property of PF weakens the bonding of the fiber–matrix interface, which degrades the concrete mechanical properties to some extent. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Building Materials, and Repair & Renovation)
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15 pages, 6044 KiB  
Article
Integrative Analysis of Gene Expression and Promoter Methylation to Differentiate High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer from Benign Tumors
by Ieva Vaicekauskaitė, Paulina Kazlauskaitė, Rugilė Gineikaitė, Rūta Čiurlienė, Juozas Rimantas Lazutka and Rasa Sabaliauskaitė
Biomedicines 2025, 13(2), 441; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomedicines13020441 - 11 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1181
Abstract
Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the third most common and second most lethal onco-gynecological disease in the world, with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) making up the majority of OC cases worldwide. The current serological biomarkers used for OC diagnosis are lacking sensitivity [...] Read more.
Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) is the third most common and second most lethal onco-gynecological disease in the world, with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) making up the majority of OC cases worldwide. The current serological biomarkers used for OC diagnosis are lacking sensitivity and specificity, thus new biomarkers are greatly needed. Recently, the chromatin remodeling complex gene ARID1A, Notch and Wnt pathway gene expression, as well as HOX-related gene promoter methylation have been linked with promoting OC. Methods: In this pilot study, 10 gene expression biomarkers and 4 promoter methylation biomarkers were examined as potential diagnostic and prognostic indicators of OC in 65 fresh-frozen gynecologic tumor tissues. Results: Out of 10 genes analyzed, the expression of eight biomarkers was significantly reduced in OC cases compared to benign, and HOX-related gene promoter methylation significantly increased in OC tumors. Out of 14 biomarkers, CTNNB1 showed the best single biomarker separation of HGSOC from benign cases (AUC = 0.97), while a combination of the seven Notch pathway-related gene expressions (NOTCH1, NOTCH2, NOTCH3, NOTCH4, DLL1, JAG2, and HES1) demonstrated the best separation of HGSOC from the benign cases (AUC = 1). Conclusions: The combination of multiple gene expression or gene promoter methylation biomarkers shows great promise for the development of an effective biomarker-based diagnostic approach for OC. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Gynecological Diseases in Cellular and Molecular Perspectives)
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15 pages, 6576 KiB  
Article
JAG1/Notch Pathway Inhibition Induces Ferroptosis and Promotes Cataractogenesis
by Yan Ni, Liangping Liu, Fanying Jiang, Mingxing Wu and Yingyan Qin
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(1), 307; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26010307 - 1 Jan 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1483
Abstract
Cataracts remain the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly in age-related cataracts (ARCs), are not fully understood. The Notch signaling pathway, known for its critical role in various degenerative diseases, may also contribute to ARC pathogenesis, although [...] Read more.
Cataracts remain the leading cause of visual impairment worldwide, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms, particularly in age-related cataracts (ARCs), are not fully understood. The Notch signaling pathway, known for its critical role in various degenerative diseases, may also contribute to ARC pathogenesis, although its specific involvement is unclear. This study investigates the role of Notch signaling in regulating ferroptosis in lens epithelial cells (LECs) and its impact on ARC progression. RNA sequencing of anterior lens capsule samples from ARC patients revealed a significant downregulation of Notch signaling, coupled with an upregulation of ferroptosis-related genes. Notch1 expression decreased, while ferroptosis markers increased in an age-dependent manner. In vitro, upregulation of Notch signaling alleviated ferroptosis by decreasing ferritin heavy chain 1 (FTH1) and p53 levels while enhancing the expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). Conversely, inhibition of Notch signaling exacerbated ferroptosis, as evidenced by reduced Nrf2, GPX4, and SLC7A11 expression. These findings suggest that downregulation of Notch signaling promotes ferroptosis in LECs by impairing the Nrf2/GPX4 antioxidant pathway, thereby contributing to ARC development. This study offers new insights into ARC pathogenesis and highlights the Notch signaling pathway as a potential therapeutic target for preventing or mitigating ARC progression. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry)
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