Search Results (1,361)

Karst groundwater systems are critical to water supply and ecological sustainability in northern China, yet their heterogeneity poses challenges for flow characterization. The Yuquan Mountain (YM) Spring, historically a major karst spring in western Beijing, has experienced persistent drying, raising concerns about its recharge and flow mechanisms. This study integrates published isotope data, spatial distributions of Na⁺ and Cl⁻ as hydrochemical tracers, groundwater age estimates, and geophysical survey results to assess the recharge sources and flow pathways within the YM Spring catchment area. The analysis identifies two major recharge zones: the Tanzhesi area, primarily recharged by direct infiltration of precipitation through exposed carbonate rocks, and the Junzhuang area, which receives mixed recharge from rainfall and Yongding River seepage. Three potential flow pathways are proposed, including shallow flow along faults and strata, and a deeper, speculative route through the Jiulongshan-Xiangyu syncline. The synthesis of multiple lines of evidence leads to a refined conceptual model that illustrates how geological structures govern recharge, flow, and discharge processes in this karst system. These findings not only enhance the understanding of subsurface hydrodynamics in complex geological settings but also provide a scientific basis for future spring restoration planning and groundwater management strategies in the regions. Full article

There is insufficient evidence regarding the cytotoxicity of restorative 3D-printing resins, used as part of the digital workflow in dentistry. This study presents a novel comparative evaluation of cell viability and adhesion using human Wharton’s jelly-derived mesenchymal stem cells (WJ-MSCs), a less commonly used but clinically relevant cell line in dental biomaterials research. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cell viability of WJ-MSCs seeded on 3D-printed resins intended for temporary restorations. Resin discs of three commercial 3D-printing resins (NextDent C&B, Leaf Dental C&B, and UNIZ Temp) and a conventional self-curing acrylic resin (NicTone) were used. WJ-MSCs were cultured on the specimens for 1, 4, and 10 days. Cell viability was assessed using the PrestoBlue assay, Live/Dead immunofluorescence staining, and 7AAD/Annexin V staining. Cell adhesion was evaluated using scanning electron microscopy. Direct exposure to the 3D-printed resins and the self-curing acrylic caused slight reductions in cell viability compared to the control group in both microscopic analyses. 7AAD/Annexin V showed the highest percentage of viable WBCs for the conventional acrylic (34%), followed by UNIZ (35%), NextDent (42%), and Leaf Dental (36%) (ANOVA p < 0.05 Tukey’s post-hoc test p < 0.05). These findings suggest that 3D-printed resins could be considered safe for use in temporary restorations. Full article

Background: Aicardi-Goutières Syndrome (AGS) is a rare neuroinflammatory condition characterized by early-onset symptoms that extend outside the nervous system. Due to the rarity of the disease, the pathogenesis is not well understood, and its diagnosis and treatment remain elusive. We recently demonstrated mitochondrial abnormalities and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) derived from RNASEH2B- and RNASEH2A-mutated AGS patients. On this background, we turned our attention to metformin, the first-choice drug for type 2 diabetes, as a possible treatment acting on oxidative stress in RNASEH2-mutant AGS cells. Methods and Results: By means of flow cytometry, we found that metformin treatment significantly decreases ROS production in RNASEH2B- and RNASEH2A-mutated AGS LCLs. Of note, metformin treatment reduces the green JC-1 monomeric signal and, concurrently, increases the red JC-1 signal in both mutated LCLs, accounting for restoration of the mitochondrial membrane potential. Immunofluorescence staining shows a decrease in 8-oxoG levels only in RNASEH2B- mutated AGS LCLs. Finally, the significant upregulation of Forkhead Box O3 (FOXO3), cytochrome C somatic (CYCS), and superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) mRNA levels in RNASEH2B-mutated AGS LCLs after metformin treatment points to FOXO3 signaling as a possible mechanism to reduce oxidative stress. Conclusions: In conclusion, even if these pilot results need to be confirmed on a larger cohort, we shed light on metformin treatment as a valid approach to ameliorate oxidative stress-related inflammation in AGS patients. Full article

Background: Salmonella infections pose a serious threat to both animal and human health worldwide. Notably, there is an increasing trend in the resistance of Salmonella to fluoroquinolones, the first-line drugs for clinical treatment. Methods: Utilizing Salmonella Typhimurium CICC 10420 as the test strain, ciprofloxacin was used for in vitro induction to develop the drug-resistant strain H1. Changes in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of various antimicrobial agents were determined using the broth microdilution method. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were conducted to investigate alterations in gene and metabolite expression. A combined drug susceptibility test was performed to evaluate the potential of exogenous metabolites to restore antibiotic susceptibility. Results: The MICs of strain H1 for ofloxacin and enrofloxacin increased by 128- and 256-fold, respectively, and the strain also exhibited resistance to ceftriaxone, ampicillin, and tetracycline. A single-point mutation of Glu469Asp in the GyrB was detected in strain H1. Integrated multi-omics analysis showed significant differences in gene and metabolite expression across multiple pathways, including two-component systems, ABC transporters, pentose phosphate pathway, purine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, arginine and proline biosynthesis, and glutathione metabolism. Notably, the addition of exogenous glutamine, in combination with tetracycline, significantly reduced the resistance of strain H1 to tetracycline. Conclusion: Ciprofloxacin-induced Salmonella resistance involves both target site mutations and extensive reprogramming of the metabolic network. Exogenous metabolite supplementation presents a promising strategy for reversing resistance and enhancing antibiotic efficacy. Full article

Background: BDE-47, a pervasive environmental pollutant detected in >90% of human serum samples, is increasingly linked to metabolic disorders. This study investigates the specific impact of BDE-47 exposure on the gut microbiota in prediabetic mice and evaluates the efficacy of therapeutic interventions in mitigating these effects. Objectives: To determine whether BDE-47 exposure induces diabetogenic dysbiosis in prediabetic mice and to assess whether dietary interventions, such as grape exosomes and an antioxidant cocktail, can restore a healthy microbiota composition and mitigate diabetes risk. Methods: In this study, a prediabetic mouse model was established in 54 male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice through a combination of high-sugar and high-fat diet feeding with streptozotocin injection. Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted on day 7 and day 21 post-modeling to assess the establishment of the model. The criteria for successful model induction were defined as fasting blood glucose levels below 7.8 mmol/L and 2 h postprandial glucose levels between 7.8 and 11.1 mmol/L. Following confirmation of model success, a 3 × 3 factorial design was applied to allocate the experimental animals into groups based on two independent factors: BDE-47 exposure and exosome intervention. The BDE-47 exposure factor consisted of three dose levels—none, high-dose, and medium-dose—while the exosome intervention factor included three modalities—none, Antioxidant Nutrients Intervention, and Grape Exosomes Intervention. Fresh fecal samples were collected from mice two days prior to sacrifice. Cecal contents and segments of the small intestine were collected and transferred into 1.5 mL cryotubes. All sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTUs) based on defined similarity thresholds. To compare means across multiple groups, a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed. The significance level was predefined at α = 0.05, and p-values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Bar charts and line graphs were generated using GraphPad Prism version 9.0 software, while statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 20.0 software. Results: The results of 16S rDNA sequencing analysis of the microbiome showed that there was no difference in the α diversity of the intestinal microbiota in each group of mice (p > 0.05), but there was a difference in the Beta diversity (p < 0.05). At the gate level, the abundances of Proteobacteria, Campylobacterota, Desulfobacterota, and Fusobacteriota in the medium-dose BDE-7 group were higher than those in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Patellar bacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundances of Proteobacteria and Campylobacterota in the high-dose BDE-7 group were higher than those in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Planctomycetota and Patescibacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Campylobacterota in the grape exosome group was higher than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Patescibacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Firmicutes and Fusobacteriota in the antioxidant nutrient group was higher than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). However, the abundance of Verrucomicrobiota and Patescibacteria was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). At the genus level, the abundances of Bacteroides and unclassified Lachnospiraceae in the high-dose BDE-7 group were higher than those in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Lachnospiraceae NK4A136_group and Lactobacillus was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Veillonella and Helicobacter in the medium-dose BDE-7 group was higher than that in the model control group (p < 0.05), while the abundance of Lactobacillus was lower (p < 0.05). The abundance of genera such as Lentilactobacillus and Faecalibacterium in the grape exosome group was higher than that in the model control group (p < 0.05). The abundance of Alloprevotella and Bacteroides was lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). In the antioxidant nutrient group, the abundance of Lachnospiraceae and Hydrogenophaga was higher than that in the model control group (p < 0.05). However, the abundance of Akkermansia and Coriobacteriaceae UCG-002 was significantly lower than that of the model control group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: BDE-47 induces diabetogenic dysbiosis in prediabetic mice, which is reversible by dietary interventions. These findings suggest that microbiota-targeted strategies may effectively mitigate the diabetes risk associated with environmental pollutant exposure. Future studies should further explore the mechanisms underlying these microbiota changes and the long-term health benefits of such interventions. Full article

Background: Prosthetic cementation using the biologically oriented preparation technique (BOPT) presents challenges in removing excess cement from the gingival sulcus, due to the absence of a finishing line and the impossibility of using absolute isolation with a rubber dam. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of relative isolation using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tape in reducing cement retention during BOPT cementation. Methods: Fifteen 3D-printed resin models were created from an intraoral scan of a patient restored with BOPT in both upper central incisors. Each model included removable gingiva. Splinted polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) provisional crowns were fabricated and cemented with temporary cement. One central incisor was isolated with PTFE (0.1 mm or 0.2 mm), while the contralateral tooth was left unisolated as a control. After debonding, digital scanning and volumetric analysis using root mean square (RMS) deviation were performed to quantify retained cement. Paired t-tests were applied to compare groups. Results: The mean RMS for the PTFE group was 0.1248 ± 0.0519 mm, compared to 0.1973 ± 0.0361 mm in the non-isolated group (p < 0.001). No significant difference was found between PTFE thicknesses of 0.1 mm and 0.2 mm (p = 0.388). Conclusions: PTFE tape is effective for relative isolation when rubber dam placement is not feasible in BOPT restorations. Further clinical studies are recommended to confirm these findings in vivo. Full article

Lymphoma is the most common neoplasm of lymphoid tissues in dogs. Exportin 1 (XPO1) is an important major nuclear receptor for exporting proteins and RNA species. The XPO1 upregulation can eliminate some tumor suppressor proteins (TSPs) function upon their nuclear–cytoplasmic export. The XPO1 inhibitor, KPT-335, blocks the translocation of TSPs and restores their function to induce cell cycle arrest, apoptosis, and cell proliferation. This in vitro study aimed to evaluate the XPO1 mRNA and protein expression in canine lymphoma cell lines and confirm the relevance with KPT-335. XPO1 mRNA and protein levels were quantified, and the effect of KPT-335 was assessed by a cell proliferation assay. The results indicated that XPO1 mRNA and protein were highly expressed in 17-71, CLBL-1, CLC, CLGL-90, and UL-1, and were moderately expressed in GL-1, Ema, and Nody-1. All canine lymphoma cell lines showed dose-dependent growth inhibition and decreased cell viability in response to KPT-335, with IC₅₀ concentrations ranged from 89.8–418 nM. The expression levels of XPO1 mRNA and protein were related; however, no correlation was found between those expression levels and the efficacy of KPT-335. These findings suggest that XPO1 may represent a promising target for therapeutic intervention in canine lymphoma. Full article

Approximately 15% of total knee arthroplasty (TKA) patients remain dissatisfied after surgery, with joint line obliquity (JLO) potentially affecting patient outcomes. This study investigated whether JLO restoration influenced lower extremity frontal plane joint moments during stair negotiation by TKA patients. Thirty unrestored and twenty-two restored JLO patients participated in this study and were asked to perform five trials on each limb for stair negotiation while three-dimensional kinematics and ground reaction forces were recorded. Frontal plane moments at the ankle, knee and hip were calculated using Visual 3D. The restoration of JLO did not alter frontal plane joint moments during stair negotiation. Both groups showed symmetrical moment profiles, indicating no significant biomechanical differences between the restored and unrestored JLO groups. Restoring JLO did not affect frontal plane joint moments during stair negotiation, suggesting it may not contribute to patient satisfaction disparities post-TKA. Further research should explore other factors, such as surgical technique and implant design, that might influence recovery. Full article

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a predominant form of lung cancer that is often diagnosed at an advanced metastatic stage. The processes of cancer cell migration and invasion involve epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), which is crucial for metastasis. Targeting cancer aggressiveness with effective plant compounds has gained attention as a potential adjuvant therapy. Eurycomanone (ECN), a bioactive quassinoid found in the root of Eurycoma longifolia Jack, has demonstrated anti-cancer activity against various carcinoma cell lines, including human NSCLC cells. This study aimed to investigate the in vitro effects of ECN on the migration and invasion of human NSCLC cells and to elucidate the mechanisms by which ECN modulates the EMT in these cells. Non-toxic doses (≤IC20) of ECN were determined using the MTT assay on two human NSCLC cell lines: A549 and Calu-1. The results from wound healing and transwell migration assays indicated that ECN significantly suppressed the migration of both TGF-β1-induced A549 and Calu-1 cells. ECN exhibited a strong anti-invasive effect, as its non-toxic doses significantly suppressed the TGF-β1-induced invasion of NSCLC cells through Matrigel and decreased the secretion of MMP-2 from these cancer cells. Furthermore, ECN could affect the TGF-β1-induced EMT process in various ways in NSCLC cells. In TGF-β1-induced A549 cells, ECN significantly restored the expression of E-cadherin by inhibiting the Akt signaling pathway. Conversely, in Calu-1, ECN reduced the aggressive phenotype by decreasing the expression of the mesenchymal protein N-cadherin and inhibiting the TGF-β1/Smad pathway. In conclusion, this study demonstrated the anti-invasive activity of eurycomanone from E. longifolia Jack in human NSCLC cells and provided insights into its mechanism of action by suppressing the effects of TGF-β1 signaling on the EMT program. These findings offer scientific evidence to support the potential of ECN as an alternative therapy for metastatic NSCLC. Full article

Coastal blue carbon ecosystems (traditional types such as mangroves, salt marshes, and seagrass meadows; emerging types such as tidal flats and mariculture) play pivotal roles in capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide. Reliable assessment of the spatial and temporal variation and the carbon storage potential holds immense promise for mitigating climate change. Although previous field surveys and regional assessments have improved the understanding of individual habitats, most studies remain site-specific and short-term; comprehensive, multi-decadal assessments that integrate all major coastal blue carbon systems at the national scale are still scarce for China. In this study, we integrated 30 m Landsat imagery (1992–2022), processed on Google Earth Engine with a random forest classifier; province-specific, literature-derived carbon density data with quantified uncertainty (mean ± standard deviation); and the InVEST model to track coastal China’s mangroves, salt marshes, tidal flats, and mariculture to quantify their associated carbon stocks. Then the GeoDetector was applied to distinguish the natural and anthropogenic drivers of carbon stock change. Results showed rapid and divergent land use change over the past three decades, with mariculture expanded by 44%, becoming the dominant blue carbon land use; whereas tidal flats declined by 39%, mangroves and salt marshes exhibited fluctuating upward trends. National blue carbon stock rose markedly from 74 Mt C in 1992 to 194 Mt C in 2022, with Liaoning, Shandong, and Fujian holding the largest provincial stock; Jiangsu and Guangdong showed higher increasing trends. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was the primary driver of spatial variability in carbon stock change (q = 0.63), followed by precipitation and temperature. Synergistic interactions were also detected, e.g., NDVI and precipitation, enhancing the effects beyond those of single factors, which indicates that a wetter climate may boost NDVI’s carbon sequestration. These findings highlight the urgency of strengthening ecological red lines, scaling climate-smart restoration of mangroves and salt marshes, and promoting low-impact mariculture. Our workflow and driver diagnostics provide a transferable template for blue carbon monitoring and evidence-based coastal management frameworks. Full article

Origanum majorana L. (O. majorana) (Lamiaceae) is an aromatic Mediterranean plant widely used in food, cosmetics, and traditional medicine due to its aroma and rich content of bioactive compounds. While its leaves and flowers are commonly utilized, lignified stems are often discarded. This study compared hydroalcoholic extracts from the leaves and flowers (valuable fraction, VF) and stems (by-product, BP). Phytochemical analysis revealed qualitatively similar profiles, identifying 20 phenolic compounds, with Rosmarinic acid and Salvianolic acid B as the most and second most abundant, respectively. Antioxidant activity was evaluated in vitro using DPPH (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 30.11 ± 3.46; BP 31.72 ± 1.46), H₂O₂ (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 103.09 ± 4.97; BP 119.55 ± 10.58), and O₂^•− (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 0.71 ± 0.062; BP 0.79 ± 0.070). Both extracts (20 µg/mL) fully restored oxidative balance in hemin-stressed AC16 cardiomyocytes, without altering the expression of catalase, heme-oxygenase 1, superoxide dismutase 2, or ferritin. Anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated RAW 264.7 macrophages showed that VF (IC₅₀ 400 µg/mL) reduced ^•NO release to control levels, while BP achieved a ~60% reduction. Cytotoxicity was assessed on cancer cell lines: CaCo-2 (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 154.1 ± 6.22; BP 305.2 ± 15.94), MCF-7 (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 624.6 ± 10.27; BP 917.9 ± 9.87), and A549 (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 720.8 ± 13.66; BP 920.2 ± 16.79), with no cytotoxicity on normal fibroblasts HFF-1 (IC₅₀ > 1000 µg/mL for both extracts). Finally, both extracts slightly inhibited only CYP1A2 (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 497.45 ± 9.64; BP 719.72 ± 11.37) and CYP2D6 (IC₅₀ [µg/mL]: VF 637.15 ± 14.78, BP 588.70 ± 11.01). These results support the potential reuse of O. majorana stems as a sustainable source of bioactive compounds for nutraceutical and health-related applications. Full article

Glucocorticoids (GCs), such as dexamethasone (DEX), are commonly administered to glioblastoma (GBM) patients to control cerebral edema; however, their effects on immune checkpoint regulation in tumor cells remain insufficiently characterized. This study examined the impact of DEX on the expression of programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) and glucocorticoid-induced leucine zipper (GILZ), a downstream effector of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) signaling, in the U87 and U251 glioblastoma cell lines. DEX consistently induced GILZ expression in both models yet elicited divergent effects on PD-L1: suppression in U87 cells and upregulation in U251 cells. In U87 cells, DEX-induced PD-L1 downregulation was accompanied by accelerated cell cycle progression, suggesting a dual impact on tumor immune evasion and proliferation. Mechanistically, GILZ silencing restored ERK phosphorylation and reversed PD-L1 suppression, whereas GILZ overexpression further decreased PD-L1 levels, implicating a GILZ–ERK pathway in the control of PD-L1. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized GR–GILZ–PD-L1 regulatory axis in glioblastoma cells. While these results are based on in vitro models, they provide a rationale for future in vivo studies to determine whether modulation of GILZ may influence immune checkpoint dynamics and therapeutic responsiveness in GBM. Full article

Conventional trenchless pipeline rehabilitation technologies are primarily designed for circular pipelines, with limited applicability to box culvert structures. Even when adapted, these methods often lead to significant reductions in the effective cross-sectional area and fail to enhance the structural load-bearing capacity due to geometric incompatibilities. To overcome these limitations, this study proposes a novel construction approach that employs prefabricated high-strength thin concrete segment liners for the reinforcement of underground box culverts. The feasibility of this method was validated through full-scale (1:1) experimental construction in a purpose-built test culvert, demonstrating rapid and efficient installation. A static stacking load test was subsequently conducted on the reinforced upper section of the culvert. Results indicate that the proposed reinforcement method effectively restores structural integrity and satisfies load-bearing and serviceability requirements, even after removal of the original roof slab. Additionally, a finite element analysis was performed to simulate the stacking load test conditions. The simulation revealed that variations in the mechanical properties of the grout between the existing structure and the new lining had minimal impact on the internal force distribution and deformation behavior of the prefabricated segments. The top segment consistently exhibited semi-rigid fixation behavior. This study offers a promising strategy for the rehabilitation of urban underground box culverts, achieving structural performance recovery while minimizing traffic disruption and enhancing construction efficiency. Full article

When a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) imaging system operates at a high frame rate or a high line rate, the exposure time of the imaging system is limited, and the acquired image data will be dark, with a low signal-to-noise ratio and unsatisfactory sharpness. Therefore, in order to improve the visibility and signal-to-noise ratio of remote sensing images based on CMOS imaging systems, this paper proposes a low-light remote sensing image enhancement method and a corresponding ZYNQ (Zynq-7000 All Programmable SoC) design scheme called the BGIR (Bilateral-Guided Image Restoration) algorithm, which uses an improved multi-scale Retinex algorithm in the HSV (hue–saturation–value) color space. First, the RGB image is used to separate the original image’s H, S, and V components. Then, the V component is processed using the improved algorithm based on bilateral filtering. The image is then adjusted using the gamma correction algorithm to make preliminary adjustments to the brightness and contrast of the whole image, and the S component is processed using segmented linear enhancement to obtain the base layer. The algorithm is also deployed to ZYNQ using ARM + FPGA software synergy, reasonably allocating each algorithm module and accelerating the algorithm by using a lookup table and constructing a pipeline. The experimental results show that the proposed method improves processing speed by nearly 30 times while maintaining the recovery effect, which has the advantages of fast processing speed, miniaturization, embeddability, and portability. Following the end-to-end deployment, the processing speeds for resolutions of 640 × 480 and 1280 × 720 are shown to reach 80 fps and 30 fps, respectively, thereby satisfying the performance requirements of the imaging system. Full article

We present novel proofs of the Riemann hypothesis by extending the standard complex Riemann zeta function into a quaternionic algebraic framework. Utilizing λ-regularization, we construct a symmetrized form that ensures analytic continuation and restores critical-line reflection symmetry, a key structural property of the Riemann ξ(s) function. This formulation reveals that all nontrivial zeros of the zeta function must lie along the critical line Re(s) = 1/2, offering a constructive and algebraic resolution to this fundamental conjecture. Our method is built on convexity and symmetrical principles that generalize naturally to higher-dimensional hypercomplex spaces. We also explore the broader implications of this framework in quantum statistical physics. In particular, the λ-regularized quaternionic zeta function governs thermodynamic properties and phase transitions in Bose–Einstein condensates. This quaternionic extension of the zeta function encodes oscillatory behavior and introduces critical hypersurfaces that serve as higher-dimensional analogues of the classical critical line. By linking the spectral features of the zeta function to measurable physical phenomena, our work uncovers a profound connection between analytic number theory, hypercomplex geometry, and quantum field theory, suggesting a unified structure underlying prime distributions and quantum coherence. Full article