Search Results (18,739)

Background: Large-scale production of poultry viral vaccines increasingly requires robust suspension cell platforms. However, most avian cell lines, including DF-1, are strictly anchorage-dependent, limiting scalability. Aquaporin-1 (AQP1) regulates cell–cell adhesion and membrane dynamics, making it a potential target for engineering suspension growth. This study aimed to generate a stable DF-1 suspension cell line via AQP1 disruption and evaluate its potential for enhanced infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) production. Methodology: DF-1 cells were engineered using a CRISPR/Cas9 ribonucleoprotein system to create a truncated AQP1 gene. DF-1/AQP1⁻ cells were assessed for morphology, tumorigenicity in nude mice, and genetic stability across 20 passages. Suspension growth, cell density, and viability were measured. Cells were infected with IBDV strain BJQ902, and viral titers were compared with wild-type DF-1 and monolayer DF-1/AQP1⁻ cells. Results: DF-1/AQP1⁻ cells maintained normal morphology, were non-tumorigenic, and retained stable AQP1 mutations. They grew as true suspension cultures without adaptation, reaching 4.0 × 10⁶ cells/mL with >95% viability. Suspension DF-1/AQP1⁻ cells cells produced significantly higher viral titers (9.0 log TCID₅₀/mL; 8.63 log EID₅₀/mL) than both monolayer DF-1/AQP1⁻ and wild-type DF-1 cells. Virus production time was shortened in suspension cultures. Conclusions: Targeted AQP1 disruption converts DF-1 cells into a stable, non-tumorigenic suspension cell line with markedly enhanced IBDV production, providing a scalable platform for next-generation avian vaccine manufacturing. Full article

Tissue engineering is entering a new era, one defined not by passive scaffolds but by smart, adaptive biomaterials that can sense, think, and respond to their surroundings. These next-generation materials go beyond simply providing structure; they interact with cells and tissues in real time. Recent advances in mechanically responsive hydrogels and dynamic crosslinking have demonstrated how materials can adjust their stiffness, repair themselves, and transmit mechanical cues that directly influence cell behavior and tissue growth. Meanwhile, in vivo studies are demonstrating how engineered materials can harness the body’s own mechanical forces to activate natural repair programs without relying on growth factors or additional ligands, paving the way for minimally invasive, force-based therapies. The emergence of electroactive and conductive biomaterials has further expanded these capabilities, enabling two-way electrical communication with excitable tissues such as the heart and nerves, supporting more coordinated and mature tissue growth. Meanwhile, programmable bioinks and advanced bioprinting technologies now allow for precise spatial patterning of multiple materials and living cells. These printed constructs can adapt and regenerate after implantation, combining architectural stability with flexibility to respond to biological changes. This review brings together these cross-cutting advances, dynamic chemical design, mechanobiology-guided engineering, bioelectronic integration, and precision bio-fabrication to provide a comprehensive view of the path forward in this field. We discuss key challenges, including scalability, safety compliance, and real-time sensing validation, alongside emerging opportunities such as in situ stimulation, personalized electromechanical sites, and closed loop “living” implants. Taken together, these adaptive biomaterials represent a transformative step toward information-rich, self-aware scaffolds capable of guiding regeneration in patient-specific pathways, blurring the boundary between living tissue and engineered material. Full article

The simulation accuracy of crop models is highly dependent on the proper calibration of key parameters. To enhance the applicability of the Next-Generation agricultural production systems sIMulator (APSIM NG) in dryland wheat production within the Loess Hilly Region, this study proposes a crop model parameter calibration framework that deeply integrates Morris and DREAM-zs methodologies. Morris was employed to conduct a global sensitivity analysis on parameters related to the APSIM NG dryland wheat grain and leaf growth sub-models. The DREAM-zs algorithm was then utilized for multi-objective collaborative optimization of key parameters. Results indicate that Morris excels at capturing nonlinear and coupled relationships among model parameters. Optimized key parameters include maximum grain size (0.055 g), radiation use efficiency (1.540 g·MJ⁻¹), and extinction coefficient (0.443). Post-optimization, the root mean square error (RMSE) and mean absolute error (MAE) for wheat yield decreased by 24.1% and 23.2%, respectively, while those for LAI decreased by 16.9% and 19.2%. This framework conserves computational resources and accelerates convergence when handling nonlinear internal model parameters and complex coupling relationships, providing technical support for the localized application of APSIM NG in the Loess Hilly Region of Northwest China. Full article

This research paper is concerned with fibrin glues, used as effective tools to stop bleeding in the case of wounds and surgical interventions. The paper provides data on the various fibrin glues—both currently used in practice and being developed, their sources, mechanisms of action, and properties. Such glues are biocompatible and are characterized by good adhesive and hemostatic properties. These characteristics mean that fibrin glues are currently widely used across a range of surgical applications. Such glues can be used independently or in combination with mechanical techniques, being particularly suitable for difficult-to-access parts of the body. The combined use of fibrin glues with various biologically active substances (BASs)—such as antibiotics and growth factors—and with cell therapy is a promising approach. Such adjuncts enhance the effectiveness of the glues and help to optimize the therapies. This research paper presents the latest data from studies using various experimental models demonstrating the increased efficacy of fibrin glues used in combination with BASs. We also report on the ongoing development of new fibrin glues for long-term use and with optimized formulations. Studies on the interactions of these glues with cells and tissues are supporting the creation of a new generation of fibrin glues with adjustable properties. Full article

The rapid growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has created new challenges for the coordinated low-carbon operation of transportation and power systems. To address this issue, this paper proposes an adaptive rolling-horizon dynamic user equilibrium (DUE) optimization framework for the low-carbon operation of coupled transportation–power systems. The framework integrates transportation, power, and environmental dimensions into a unified objective. On the transportation side, a DUE-based traffic assignment formulation captures both road travel times and station-level queuing dynamics, providing a realistic representation of EV user behavior. This DUE-based traffic assignment model is coupled with an optimal AC power flow formulation to ensure grid feasibility and quantify network losses. To internalize environmental costs, a carbon emission flow module propagates generator-specific carbon intensities to charging stations, aligning charging decisions with their true emission sources. These components are coordinated within a rolling-horizon method in which the prediction window adapts its length to the variability of demand and renewable forecasts. The proposed method allows longer horizons to improve foresight in stable conditions and shorter ones to maintain robustness under volatility. Numerical case studies demonstrate the effectiveness and robustness of the proposed framework and its potential to support low-carbon, high-efficiency operation of coupled transportation–power systems. Full article

A major factor in worldwide ecological harm is the large quantity of municipal solid waste generated because of rapid industrialization and population growth. Nowadays, there are numerous mechanical, biological, and thermal waste treatment processes that can reduce the amount of landfilled waste. A variety of analytical tests are conducted to evaluate the potential risks that landfills pose to human health and the environment. Among these, laboratory leaching tests are commonly employed to assess the release of specific waste constituents that may become hazardous to the environment. Municipal solid waste (MSW) management poses significant environmental risks due to leachate contamination in bioreactor landfills, where acidic conditions (pH ≈ 5) can mobilize heavy metals. This study evaluates the reliability of leaching tests for biodried reject MSW from CWMC Marišćina, Croatia, by comparing standard EN 12457-1 and EN 12457-2 methods (L/S = 2 and 10 L/kg) with simulations of aerobic degradation using acetic acid (10 g/L) to maintain pH = 5 over 9 days. Waste composition analysis revealed plastics (35%), paper/cardboard (25%), metals (15%), and glass (10%) as dominant fractions. Although the majority of parameters determined through standard leaching tests remain below the maximum permissible limits for non-hazardous waste, simulations under acidic conditions demonstrated substantial increases in eluate concentrations between days 6 and 9: Hg (+1500%), As (+1322%), Pb (+1330%), Ni (+786%), and Cd (+267%), with TDS rising 33%. These results highlight the underestimation of risks by conventional tests, emphasizing the need for pH-dependent methods to predict in situ leachate behavior in MBO-treated waste and support improved EU landfill regulations for enhanced environmental protection. Full article

Feeding Chinese mitten crabs with fresh-frozen fish causes nutritional imbalance and increases disease risk. Compound feed offers better nutrient balance but still requires improvements in palatability and growth performance. This study evaluated the effects of replacing fresh-frozen fish with glutamine dipeptide-supplemented formulated diet on growth, hepatopancreas health, and edible quality, aiming to inform feed formulation strategies. A five-month feeding trial (June–October) was conducted with two treatments: the experimental group received only glutamine dipeptide compound feed, while the control group was fed a mix of fresh-frozen fish and compound feed. Crabs in the experimental group showed significantly higher body weight, length, and width. No significant differences were found in the hepatopancreatic index, gonadosomatic index, meat yield, or total edible yield. In October, the experimental group showed lower malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the hepatopancreas and higher alkaline phosphatase (AKP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) activities in males. In females, hemolymph AKP and ACP were higher in the control, while glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) was higher in the experimental group. Whether this is related to a potential risk of liver damage or a reaction at a special stage remains to be further verified. Digestive enzyme activities (protease, lipase, amylase) were generally higher in the experimental group, particularly in August (p < 0.05). In October, protease activity in females and lipase activity in males were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). Nitrogen and phosphorus retention in muscle was also significantly higher, indicating better nutrient utilization (p < 0.05). Overall, these findings indicate that a glutamine dipeptide-supplemented diet provides a more effective and sustainable alternative to fresh-frozen fish over a five-month rearing period, improving digestive physiology, feed efficiency, growth performance, and edible quality and flavor. Full article

Incoloy 800H is important structural alloy for heat exchange tubes of Generation IV nuclear power systems. Revealing the key heat treatment effects on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of 800H is a key issue for its performance optimization and safe application in IV nuclear power industries. This work investigated the solid solution heat treatment–microstructure–corrosion resistance relationship using various electrochemical corrosion techniques and morphology characterizations. The results showed that 1120 °C was an insufficient solid solution heat treatment temperature for 800H, at which 800H demonstrated uneven enlargement of grains and undissolved Cr-carbides, which resulted in fast corrosion. 800H demonstrated even growth of grains with best grain uniformity and dissolution of Cr-carbides at 1150 °C, thus showing the best corrosion resistance. However, the further increase in solid solution temperature to 1180 °C resulted in excessive grain growth and severe intergranular corrosion (IGC) attack. This work deepened the understanding of the corrosion mechanism of 800H and provided data for its performance optimization. Full article

Background/Objectives: Non-melanoma skin cancer, which includes cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), ranks as the 5th most common cancer globally with high morbidity and more total deaths than melanoma despite having a lower mortality rate. While most cSCC cases can be treated with surgery, locally advanced, metastatic, and high-risk cSCC tumors are associated with a worse prognosis with higher rates of recurrence and require multimodality therapy. However, there is limited data on animal models of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma for the use of combinatory immunotherapy and radiation. Methods: In this study, spontaneously generated tumors using DMBA/TPA were treated over three weeks with either IgG control, anti-PD1 antibody monotherapy, 8 Gy of localized radiation, or a combination of anti-PD1 and 8 Gy of radiation followed by anti-PD1 therapy. Results: We found that while anti-PD1 therapy showed a trend toward slowed tumor growth compared to controls, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.0775), with most mice showing continued tumor progression. Preliminary histological analysis suggested that anti-PD1 treatment increased CD8+ T cell infiltration, and the addition of radiation further enhanced CD8+ responses but added greater variability. A pathologic review revealed that irradiated tumors were associated with fibroblastic spindle-like cell morphology. Conclusions: This animal model represents a potential preclinical model for studying CSCC with limited responses to immunotherapy to understand potential mechanisms of resistance. Full article

Recent advances in experimental techniques for visualizing cloud behavior, pit formation, and erosion in cavitating jets have been reviewed. To characterize the erosion behavior of cavitating jets and clarify their erosion mechanisms, various experimental techniques—such as high-speed imaging, frame difference method, proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) analysis, pit sensors, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) sensors, laser schlieren imaging, and cross schlieren imaging—have been developed. Experimental results demonstrated that the erosion mechanism of cavitating jets is highly correlated with periodic cloud behaviors, including the growth, shrinkage, and collapse, which generate impulsive pressure on the wall material. This pressure initiates random pits on the wall surface and is associated with the generation of microjets caused by the reentrant-jet mechanism during cloud collapse near the wall. Several shockwaves were generated at peak impulsive pressures when the cavitation cloud collapsed, and a microjet was formed. Some of these experimental findings were successfully reproduced in recent numerical studies; however, further numerical modeling of erosion behavior in cavitating jets is still needed. Furthermore, the behavior of cavitating jets on rough walls requires future study, as the erosion rate is significantly higher than that on smooth walls. Full article

Soil salinization, characterized by complex ionic compositions, threatens global wheat production. Current research often focuses on single salts, leaving a gap in systematic comparisons of specific salt effects. This study comprehensively evaluated six prevalent salts (NaCl, Na₂SO₄, KCl, NaHCO₃, MgSO₄, and MgCl₂) across concentrations (10–200 mmol/L) during wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) germination. By integrating ten physiological indicators with principal component analysis (PCA), membership function evaluation, and median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) calculation, we identified distinct salt-specific toxicities. Results established a clear toxicity hierarchy: MgCl₂ was consistently most toxic (LC₅₀ = 32.92 mmol/L), indicating Mg²⁺/Cl⁻ synergy, while KCl was least inhibitory (LC₅₀ = 159.66 mmol/L). PCA simplified the 10-trait dataset, extracting 1 principal component (PC, 89.29–92.35% contribution) for most salts (fresh weight as key loading, reflecting growth) and 2 PCs (95.65% cumulative contribution) for MgSO₄ (separating root-growth and germination-vigor responses), thus identifying salt-specific key evaluation traits. Building on this PCA-derived trait screening, this analysis further revealed fresh weight (FW), germination rate (GR), shoot length (SL), and simple vigor index (SVI) as core evaluation indicators, and identified distinct mechanistic pathways: while most salts caused a generalized growth inhibition reflected in biomass reduction, MgCl₂ exerted a more specific and severe inhibitory effect on shoot elongation. MgSO₄ uniquely employed dual pathways, separately affecting root and germination traits. An innovative aspect of this work is the synergistic application of three synergistic evaluation methodologies with multi-physiological parameters, which allows for the rigorous quantitative characterization of distinct salt-specific effects on both early germination and seedling growth in wheat. This laboratory-based study provides a theoretical framework and practical indicators for salt damage risk assessment and preliminary screening of salt-tolerant wheat germplasm and lays a foundation for field validation and targeted management strategies for specific saline–alkali soils. Full article

The endogenous money creation paradigm posits that banks generate money through lending, with deposits serving as a byproduct. This study investigates the mechanism driving the “credit–deposit paradox” during Poland’s high-interest-rate environment, introducing innovative methodological approaches to quantify systemic monetary impairment. Using comprehensive monthly data from 2006 to 2024, we employ a mixed-methods framework featuring: (1) Bayesian vector autoregression with Minnesota priors to test dynamic interdependencies; (2) a novel money shortage indicator (MSI) that operationalizes credit–deposit decoupling through three theoretically grounded components; (3) Markov regime-switching analysis to identify persistent monetary stress regimes. Key findings reveal a structural decoupling between deposit growth and credit creation, with robust evidence that exogenous money inflows accumulate as idle deposits rather than stimulating lending. The economy experienced significant periods of money shortage conditions, with the most severe impairment occurring during recent high-stress periods. The analysis confirms the dominance of cost-push inflation from energy and food prices, while monetary factors played a limited role. High interest rates amplified credit demand suppression, creating conditions consistent with endogenous money creation disruption. Methodologically, this study enables three key advances: (1) systematic measurement of monetary transmission breakdowns; (2) empirical identification of structural factors disrupting credit–deposit dynamics; (3) temporal characterization of monetary stress persistence patterns. These contributions advance the endogenous money framework by demonstrating its vulnerability to behavioral, policy-induced, and exogenous disruptions during high-stress periods. Practically, the MSI offers policymakers a real-time diagnostic tool for identifying monetary transmission breakdowns, while the regime analysis informs targeted countercyclical measures. Specific policy recommendations include developing sector-specific liquidity facilities, coordinating fiscal transfers with monetary policy to prevent deposit–loan decoupling, and prioritizing supply-side interventions during cost-push inflation episodes. By integrating post-Keynesian theory with empirical evidence from Poland, this study contributes to understanding money creation mechanisms in highly stressed economic environments. Full article

Background: The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is a ligand-activated nuclear receptor that heterodimerizes with numerous partners to regulate diverse transcriptional programs. RXR agonists, including the FDA-approved drug bexarotene, show anti-tumor activity but are limited by adverse side effects. V-125 is a next-generation RXR agonist engineered for improved selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and reduced lipogenic effects. This study compares the molecular and functional effects of V-125 and bexarotene in HER2⁺ breast cancer models. Methods: Female MMTV-Neu mice bearing mammary tumors were treated with control, V-125 (100 mg/kg diet), or bexarotene (100 mg/kg diet) for 10 days. RNA sequencing was used to identify differentially expressed genes and pathways. Candidate targets were validated by qPCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Immune modulation was evaluated by IHC staining for CD8 cells and CD206⁺ macrophages in tumors to capture the tumor microenvironment. Functional assays in JIMT-1 human HER2⁺ cells assessed RXR target activation and clonogenic potential in tumor cells. Results: V-125 induced broader transcriptional changes than bexarotene, including selective upregulation of Nrg1, Nfasc, Lrrc26, and Chi3l1 genes associated with improved patient survival. Pathway analysis revealed regulation of immune activation, cancer signaling, and lipid metabolism. Both V-125 and bexarotene suppressed colony formation in JIMT-1 cells, confirming previous observations about RXR-dependent inhibition of tumor cell growth. Moreover, V-125 in vivo had distinct capabilities to increase CD8 cell infiltration and reduced CD206⁺ macrophages, whereas bexarotene did not. Conclusions: V-125 but not bexarotene reprograms tumor transcriptional programs and the immune landscape in an anti-tumor manner in the MMTV-neu mouse model and in in vitro models of HER2⁺ breast cancer. This highlights its promise as a selective RXR agonist with anti-tumor and immunomodulatory activity in HER2⁺ breast cancer. Full article

Under the background of global climate change, frequent drought events have significantly impacted plant–insect interaction. This study focuses on Ficus microcarpa, an important landscaping and urban greening tree species in tropical and subtropical regions, and its primary herbivorous pest, Perina nuda, by applying the age-stage, two-sex life table theory to systematically evaluate the effects on the life history traits and population dynamics of P. nuda reared on F. microcarpa subjected to different levels of drought stress. The results demonstrated that reared on drought-stressed F. microcarpa significantly altered multiple life history traits of P. nuda. All drought treatments significantly shortened the larval development period. Under both light and severe drought conditions, adult lifespan was prolonged, the total pre-oviposition period was reduced, fecundity per female increased, and generation time (T) was shortened. However, significant increases in pupal weight, intrinsic rate of increase (r), and finite rate of increase (λ) were observed only under light drought stress. The population prediction results indicate that both light and severe drought stress lead to obviously higher population growth rates and larger population sizes at 200 days compared to the control group. These findings suggest that the population fitness of P. nuda is enhanced under light and severe drought stress, potentially increasing the probability of pest outbreaks. This study provides an important theoretical basis and practical advice on forecasting population dynamics and implementing integrated management strategies for P. nuda in the context of climate change. Full article

With the rapid development of the automotive industry, particularly the year-on-year growth in sales of new energy vehicles, automobile outer panel materials have shown a trend toward high-strength lightweight solutions. Regarding steel for outer panels, existing research has paid less attention to the UF steel that has entered the market in recent years. Moreover, studies on the similarities and differences in deformation behavior among various outer panel steels are lacking. In this study, room-temperature tensile tests at 5% and 8% strain were conducted in accordance with the stamping deformation range on commonly used ultra-low carbon automotive outer panel steels of comparable strength grades, namely, UF340, HC180BD, and DX53D+Z. Prior to deformation, the three materials exhibited similar texture components, predominantly characterized by the γ-fiber texture beneficial for deep drawing, and their room-temperature tensile deformation behaviors were fundamentally identical. After transverse tensile deformation, the textures concentrated towards {111}<112> texture. After 8% deformation, UF340 demonstrated a more rapid stress increase and a higher degree of work hardening. This phenomenon is attributed to the presence of the precipitate free zone (PFZ) near grain boundaries in the UF340, which facilitates the continuous generation of dislocations at grain boundaries during deformation, leading to a rapid increase in dislocation density within the grains. Consequently, this induces accelerated work hardening under small-strain conditions. This mechanism enables UF steels to achieve a strength level comparable to that of bake-hardened (BH) steels, exhibiting a significant performance advantage. Full article