Search Results (329)

The stimulated assembly/disassembly of particles is a technique allowing for precise spatial and temporal control over the resulting structures to be realized. The application of a photosensitive liquid crystal (LC) allows the use of a photo-initiated order–disorder transition for the ordering and redistribution of dispersed nanoparticles. The semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) among them are useful for the imaging of such redistribution through simple luminescent microscopy with excitation by laser radiation at a wavelength of 532 nm. Doping the LC matrix with azo-chromophore molecules allowed us to localize the light-driven phase transition of the LC from the organized to the isotropic phase inside the spot, illuminated by ultraviolet (UV) light through a slit. The phase transition leads to a redistribution of the QDs within the matrix, followed by QD-rich region formation. After the termination of UV illumination, the QDs were found to form droplets in the region where UV illumination resulted in a homogeneous distribution of the QDs. The translation of the sample through the UV-illuminated spot resulted in QD accumulation inside the isotropic phase at the borders of the isotropic phase. The results obtained provide a good agreement with the model calculations of nanoparticle diffusion at the LC phase–isotropic liquid interface. Full article

Hemophilia B is a hereditary bleeding disorder caused by mutations localized throughout the F9 gene. Existing gene therapy products containing AAV vectors have significant limitations. Replacement therapy with coagulation factor FIX infusions is not an optimal way of treatment, as patients still have periodic bleeding and require frequent transfusions. Moreover, approximately 5% of adult patients with hemophilia B develop inhibitory antibodies to recombinant forms of FIX. Therefore, it is important to develop universal CRISPR/Cas gene therapy approaches for F9 editing using non-viral delivery systems to enable gene reversion to a functional sequence at an early stage of disease development and establishment of the patients’ immune system. In this study, a unique approach of F9 prime-editing was tested for the first time. This method is estimated to edit 7.3% of pathogenic F9 mutation types. Specifically, it targets the gene region encoding amino acids 374 V to 408 Q, which accounts for approximately 9.35% of patients with hemophilia B. An advantage of this gene therapy approach is the absence of the need to change Primer Binding Site (PBS) or Reverse Transcriptase Template (RTT) sequences until going from preclinical to clinical trials, as well as the introduction of gain of function mutations in order to compensate for the low prime-editing frequencies and enhance the effect of treatment in vivo. Full article

In order to address the challenges faced by airborne scanning radars in detecting maritime ship targets, such as low signal-to-clutter ratios and the strong spatio-temporal non-stationarity of sea clutter, this paper proposes a multi-feature detection method based on trajectory prediction integration. First, the Margenau–Hill Spectrogram (MHS) is employed for time–frequency analysis and uniformization processing. The extraction of features is conducted across three dimensions: energy intensity, spatial clustering, and distributional disorder. The metrics employed in this study include ridge integral (RI), maximum size of connected regions (MS), and scanning slice time–frequency entropy (SSTFE). Feature normalization is achieved via reference units to eliminate dynamic range variations. Secondly, a trajectory prediction matrix is constructed to correlate target cross-scan distance variations. When combined with a scan weight matrix that dynamically adjusts multi-frame contributions, this approach enables effective accumulation of target features across multiple scans. Finally, the greedy convex hull algorithm is used to complete target detection with a controllable false alarm rate. The validation process employs real-world data from a C-band dual-polarization airborne scanning radar. The findings indicate a 36.11% enhancement in the number of successful detections in comparison to the conventional single-frame three-feature detection method. Among the extant scanning algorithms, this approach evinces optimal feature space separability and detection performance, thus offering a novel pathway for maritime target detection using airborne scanning radars. Full article

Interrelations between the plasma membrane and cytoskeleton are of crucial importance for essential cellular processes such as endocytosis, formation of intercellular junctions, cell morphology, etc. Many studies validate the beneficial effects of polyphenols as antioxidant and protective agents, but a molecular mechanism of their interaction and transition through the plasma membranes of different cell lines is still missing. In this study, we examined the affinity of fractions enriched in flavonoid glycosides (FGs) and caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), obtained from the methanol extract of the medicinal plant Inula oculus-christi L., to reorganize the plasma membrane structure and actin cytoskeleton by using confocal microscopy. Assessment of the degree of membrane ordering aiming to distinguish the ordered from disordered regions of the cellular membranes was performed using the fluorescent dye Di-4-ANEPPDHQ, and visualization of F-actin was by TRITC-phalloidin. Two epithelial cell lines with clear differences in their origin and plasma membrane organization were chosen: the non-malignant MDCK II and the cancerous A549. Our results showed that flavonoid glycosides exhibited an ordering effect on plasma membranes of cancerous cells and fluidized one on non-malignant cells. Different patterns of actin reorganization were observed for both cell lines after treatment. Our results indicate the potential of plant-derived polyphenols as modulators of the membrane’s structural organization, offering valuable insights for the development of membrane-targeted therapeutic strategies. Full article

Myelin is essential for efficient neural signaling and can be quantitatively evaluated using the T1-weighted/T2-weighted (T1w/T2w) ratio as a proxy for regional myelin content. Myelin covariance networks (MCNs) reflect correlated myelin patterns across brain regions, enabling the investigation of topological organization. However, a vertex-level map of myelin covariance gradients and their cognitive associations remains underexplored. The objective of this study was to construct and characterize vertex-level MCNs, identify their principal gradients, map their higher-order topological landscape, and determine their associations with cognitive functions and other multimodal cortical features. We conducted a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of publicly available data from the Human Connectome Project (HCP). The dataset included T1w/T2w MRI data from 1096 healthy adult participants (age 22–37). All original data collection and sharing procedures were approved by the Washington University institutional review board. Our procedures involved (1) constructing a vertex-wise MCN from T1w/T2w ratio data; (2) applying gradient analysis to identify principal organizational axes; (3) calculating network connectivity strength; (4) performing cognitive meta-analysis using Neurosynth; and (5) using graphlet analysis to assess higher-order topology. Our results show that the primary myelin gradient (Gradient 1) spans from sensory-motor to association cortices, strongly associates with connectivity strength (r = 0.66), and shows a functional dissociation between affective processing and sensorimotor domains. Furthermore, Gradient 2, as well as the positive and full connectivity strength, showed robust correlations with fractional anisotropy (FA), a DTI metric reflecting white matter microstructure. Our higher-order analysis also revealed that negative and positive myelin covariance connections exhibited distinct topologies. Negative connections were dominated by star-like graphlet structures, while positive connections were dominated by path-like and triangular structures. This systematic vertex-level investigation offers novel insights into the organizational principles of cortical myelin, linking gray matter myelin patterns to white matter integrity, and providing a valuable reference for neuropsychological research and the potential identification of biomarkers for neurological disorders. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity and dysglycemia are increasingly associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction and alterations in gut microbiota. Intestinal hyperpermeability is emerging as a therapeutic target in metabolic disorders, but human data integrating barrier biomarkers, epithelial morphology, and microbial composition remain scarce. Methods: Forty-six adults (82.6% female; 38.3 ± 7.8 years) were stratified into lean normoglycemic controls (CON), individuals with obesity and normoglycemia (NOB), and those with obesity and dysglycemia (DOB). Biochemical/inflammatory biomarkers, such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and LPS-binding protein (LBP), were measured. Duodenal biopsies were obtained by upper digestive videoendoscopy. Histomorphometry, expression of junctional and cytoskeletal proteins, and enzymatic activity of the duodenal epithelium were used as markers of intestinal permeability. Fecal microbiota composition (FMC) was analyzed by amplifying the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene, which was sequenced using next-generation sequencing technology. Results: Duodenal histomorphometry did not differ across groups. Intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) was significantly lower in DOB compared to CON. LPS correlated positively with fat mass, and LBP with the waist-to-hip ratio. The villus-to-crypt ratio correlated negatively with BMI, while IAP correlated inversely with fasting glucose and HbA1c. β-actin expression was inversely associated with BMI, glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR. Microbiota diversity indices were similar between groups, although specific taxa, particularly within the Clostridiales order, were reduced in dysglycemia. Conclusions: Reduced IAP activity and consistent correlations between barrier biomarkers and metabolic parameters highlight intestinal barrier dysfunction as a relevant feature of obesity and dysglycemia. Subtle microbiota alterations further support a link between gut ecology and metabolic control. These findings underscore the intestinal barrier as a promising therapeutic target in metabolic disorders. Full article

The localization and remodeling of mRNPs is inextricably linked to translational control. In recent years there has been great progress in the field of mRNA translational control due to the characterization of the proteins and small RNAs that compose mRNPs. But our initial assumptions about the physical nature and participation of germ cell granules/condensates in mRNA regulation may have been misguided. These “granules” were found to be non-membrane-bound liquid–liquid phase-separated (LLPS) condensates that form around proteins with intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs) and RNA. Their macrostructures are dynamic as germ cells differentiate into gametes and subsequently join to form embryos. In addition, they segregate translation-repressing RNA-binding proteins (RBPs), selected eIF4 initiation factors, Vasa/GLH-1 and other helicases, several Argonautes and their associated small RNAs, and frequently components of P bodies and stress granules (SGs). Condensate movement, separation, fusion, and dissolution were long conjectured to mediate the translational control of mRNAs residing in contained mRNPs. New high-resolution microscopy and tagging techniques identified order in their organization, showing the segregation of similar mRNAs and the stratification of proteins into distinct mRNPs. Functional transitions from repression to activation seem to corelate with the overt granule dynamics. Yet increasing evidence suggests that the resident mRNPs, and not the macroscopic condensates, exert the bulk of the regulation. Full article

Introduction: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic inflammatory disorder that causes progressive ossification and fusion of the spine, particularly in the cervical region. This results in a rigid spinal column that is highly susceptible to unstable fractures, even after low-energy trauma. Cervical fractures in AS are often complex, extending through multiple spinal segments, and are associated with a high risk of neurological compromise. Esophageal injury associated with such fractures is rare but clinically significant, as the anatomical vicinity of the esophagus makes it vulnerable to direct trauma, delayed perforation, or secondary damage from fracture displacement and hardware failure. Aim: The purpose of this review is to present and highlight the clinical relevance of esophageal injury in cervical spine trauma among patients with AS, emphasizing the diagnostic challenges and surgical treatment in order to improve outcomes. Results: Esophageal injuries in the context of AS-related cervical trauma are frequently overlooked due to subtle clinical manifestations such as dysphagia, subcutaneous emphysema, or covert signs of mediastinitis. Plain radiographs are insufficient to identify such complications; advanced imaging modalities are often required for detection. Management is complex and usually demands a multidisciplinary approach, involving both stabilization of the cervical spine and repair of the esophagus. Despite treatment efforts, these patients remain at increased risk for morbidity and mortality, mainly due to infection and sepsis. Conclusions: Esophageal injury in cervical spine trauma associated with AS is an uncommon but life-threatening condition. Early recognition, comprehensive radiologic evaluation, and careful surgical planning are crucial for optimal management. Heightened clinical suspicion and awareness of this rare complication are essential to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes. Full article

Changes in membrane lipid composition constitute a key bacterial resistance mechanism. In Staphylococcus aureus, phosphatidylglycerol undergoes lysine modification to form lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, a cationic lipid that reduces the net negative surface charge and thereby enhances resistance to cationic antimicrobial peptides. In this study, we examined the influence of lysyl-PG on the membrane activity of three antimicrobial peptides with distinct physicochemical characteristics: LL-37, F5W Magainin II, and NA-CATH:ATRA-1-ATRA-1. Model membranes composed of phosphatidylglycerol and cardiolipin were supplemented with increasing molar fractions of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, and peptide–membrane interactions were characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Membrane fluidity was evaluated through shifts in the symmetric methylene stretching bands, while changes in interfacial polarity were assessed via the carbonyl and phosphate asymmetric stretching bands. LL-37 induced pronounced disruption of anionic bilayers, an effect progressively attenuated by lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol, particularly within the hydrophobic core. F5W Magainin perturbed both hydrophobic and interfacial regions across a broader range of lysyl-phosphatidylglycerol concentrations, whereas NA-CATH:ATRA-1-ATRA-1 primarily targeted interfacial domains, with minimal disruption of acyl chain order. Increasing lysyl-PG content modulated the extent of bilayer disorder and dehydration at the hydrophobic–hydrophilic interface, with each peptide exhibiting a distinct interaction profile. Collectively, these findings provide mechanistic insights into lysyl-PG-mediated modulation of peptide activity and highlight the role of lipid remodeling as a bacterial defense strategy. Full article

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by significant neurological plasticity in early childhood, where timely interventions like behavioral therapy, language training, and social skills development can mitigate symptoms. Contributions: We introduce a novel Multi-Atlas Guided Multi-View Contrast Learning (MAMVCL) framework for ASD classification, leveraging functional connectivity (FC) matrices from multiple brain atlases to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Methodology: The MAMVCL framework integrates imaging and phenotypic data through a population graph, where node features derive from imaging data, edge indices are based on similarity scoring matrices, and edge weights reflect phenotypic similarities. Graph convolution extracts global field-of-view features. Concurrently, a Target-aware attention aggregator processes FC matrices to capture high-order brain region dependencies, yielding local field-of-view features. To ensure consistency in subject characteristics, we employ a graph contrastive learning strategy that aligns global and local feature representations. Results: Experimental results on the ABIDE-I dataset demonstrate that our model achieves an accuracy of 85.71%, outperforming most existing methods and confirming its effectiveness. Implications: The proposed model demonstrates superior performance in ASD classification, highlighting the potential of multi-atlas and multi-view learning for improving diagnostic precision and supporting early intervention strategies. Full article

Bacterial cellulose, a biopolymer synthesised by microorganisms, exhibits remarkable structural, optical, and electronic properties. This study utilised a range of photon- and electron-based techniques, including X-ray diffraction, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H-NMR), photoacoustic spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy, to thoroughly characterise BC. While XRD and NMR directly employ photons to probe the structure and composition, PAS indirectly converts absorbed photons into phonons to evaluate optoelectronic features. SEM revealed a dense nanofibrillar network with fibrils measuring 10–75 nm in diameter. XRD confirmed the crystalline nature of BC, identifying characteristic peaks associated with cellulose Iα. ¹H-NMR relaxation analysis differentiated between the ordered and disordered cellulose regions. PAS determined an optical bandgap of 2.97 eV and identified defect states between 3.6 and 2.9 eV, including a prominent peak at 3.35 eV, likely resulting from oxygen vacancies, hydroxyl modifications, or UV-induced rearrangements. These defects modify BC’s electronic structure, suggesting potential for bandgap engineering. The integration of these complementary techniques provides a multidimensional understanding of BC’s morphology, crystallinity, and electronic behaviour, underscoring its potential in bioelectronics, advanced composites, and biomedical applications. Full article

Shale oil extraction efficiency hinges on the interfacial interactions between oil molecules and reservoir clay minerals, such as kaolinite, whose slit-like pores serve as primary storage spaces for alkanes. This study introduces a novel multi-dimensional quantification method using four angular parameters—elevation angle (θ), azimuth angle (φ), rotation angle (ω), and dihedral angle (τ)—to systematically investigate the adsorption configuration of n-octane in kaolinite slit pores ranging from 0.45 to 14.05 nm. Through molecular simulations and advanced trajectory analysis, we elucidate the impact of pore sizes on alkane adsorption density, layering, and molecular configurations. Results reveal that pore size regulates molecular behavior via steric hindrance and potential field superposition, while the four angular parameters can effectively capture subtle changes in. this molecular behavior: (1) the elevation angle (θ) around 0° indicates complete alignment parallel to surface, but is modulated at increasing distance from the surface into the pore-region highlighting a disordered state; (2) the azimuth angle (φ) is concentrated at 60° and 120° on the siloxane tetrahedral surface due to lattice regulation, but shows a disordered distribution on the hydroxyl octahedral surface; (3) the rotation angle (ω) is mainly concentrated at 0° and 90° indicating molecular plane being either parallel or perpendicular to the surface; (4) the dihedral angle (τ) remains at ~0°, indicating that the molecular chains are straight. In pores smaller than 4.26 nm, strong confinement yields ordered molecular arrangements (θ = 0°, φ at 60° or 120°, ω = 0°) with high adsorption density; for larger pores than 4.26 nm, disordered configurations and increased layering (up to eight layers) with stable density and adsorption capacity per unit area are observed. The proposed parameter system overcomes limitations of traditional qualitative approaches, offering a standardized, scalable tool for quantifying alkane-clay interactions. This framework enhances understanding of shale oil occurrence mechanisms and supports optimized extraction strategies, with broad applicability to other chain molecules and 2D materials in interface science. Full article

Background and Clinical Significance: Purtscher-like retinopathy is a rare occlusive microangiopathy that causes sudden vision loss of varying severity. It presents with diverse retinal findings, such as cotton-wool spots, haemorrhages, and optic disc and macular edema, among others. A key characteristic is the absence of trauma. This condition has been observed in patients with acute pancreatitis, renal failure, preeclampsia, HELLP syndrome, childbirth, and other systemic disorders. Case Presentation: A 35-year-old male presented with complaints of seeing spots in front of both eyes, with a duration of ten days following the initiation of treatment for acute alcoholic pancreatitis. On examination, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in both eyes was 5/6. Fundus examination revealed multiple cotton-wool spots and haemorrhages located in the posterior pole and around the optic disc, more pronounced in the left eye, where the optic disc had blurred margins and the macular reflex was absent. Perimetry showed paracentral scotomas, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed thickening and disruption of the inner retinal layers in the papillomacular region of both eyes. Fundus fluorescein angiography demonstrated adequate perfusion of the vascular network, with hypofluorescent areas in the arteriovenous phase, peripapillary and in the papillomacular zone, due to masking by cotton-wool spots and haemorrhages. Treatment included systemic antiplatelet agents, anticoagulants, and vitamins, along with topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Two months after the initial presentation visual acuity improved to 6/6 in both eyes. Follow-up OCT scans showed atrophy of the inner retinal layers corresponding to the previous cotton-wool spot and the areas of reduced light sensitivity on perimetry had decreased in size. Conclusions: Acute pancreatitis is the most common systemic condition associated with the development of Purtscher-like retinopathy. Timely diagnosis and management of the underlying systemic disease are essential for preventing ocular complications. Ophthalmological evaluation is necessary in patients with acute pancreatitis who present with visual symptoms in order to detect this often-overlooked rare condition. Full article

Objectives: Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) exhibit difficulties in the social use of language, regardless of age, cognitive abilities, and symptom severity. The left Broca’s area and adjacent cortex are crucial for socio-pragmatic language, particularly in retrieving and integrating context-dependent words. Neuroimaging studies in ASD have shown hypoactivation of the Broca’s area and an aberrant pattern of functional connectivity between language-related regions, suggesting their potential involvement in socio-communicative deficits. Given the potential of tDCS to modulate brain activity, its application targeting Broca’s areas in addition to psychological intervention may represent a promising approach for enhancing socio-communicative skills in ASD. Thus, this study aims to investigate the effect of concomitant anodal tDCS and cognitive behavioral-oriented training (CBT) on pragmatic and communicative skills in young adults with ASD. Methods: A sample of 10 ASD individuals (18–25 years) underwent treatment with both active and sham tDCS targeting the left Broca’s area during concomitant CBT. Each condition was delivered for five consecutive days, and the order of the conditions was blindly randomized. Results: Active tDCS significantly improved global communicative and pragmatic abilities compared to sham. A negative correlation was observed between communicative skills improvement and Intelligence Quotient (IQ); no significant association was found between IQ and ASD symptoms’ severity. Conclusions: Multisession tDCS targeting the left Broca’s area, combined with CBT, may enhance social language in terms of both production and comprehension of non-literal meanings, supporting Broca’s area as a central neural hub for social language. Full article

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a heterogeneous mental illness characterized by a variety of clinical manifestations and underlying neurobiological mechanisms. Modern research highlights the importance of identifying subtypes of OCD—separate categories that are characterized by specific phenotypic manifestations. This review provides a systematic integration of multi-level biomarker data (genetic, neuroimaging, neuropsychological) specifically aligned with the most consistently replicated, symptom-based subtypes of OCD. Our findings demonstrate that distinct OCD subtypes are underpinned by divergent neurobiological pathways, involving dysregulation across glutamatergic, serotonergic, dopaminergic, and neurotrophic systems, as well as distinct patterns of brain region engagement. The most extensive body of evidence currently exists for the contamination/cleaning and symmetry/ordering OCD subtypes. In contrast, other subtypes require more rigorous investigation. The findings from this study can provide theoretical prerequisites for future experimental studies involving larger cohorts of OCD patients, who can then be classified based on their detected biomarkers and tested accordingly. Full article