Search Results (134,474)

Tunneling activity inevitably induces soil stress redistribution and ground deformation, which may affect adjacent existing pile foundations. Since many previous studies have mainly focused on circular tunnels, the effects of quasi-rectangular shield (QRS) tunneling on adjacent existing pile foundations are not well investigated and understood. In this study, a series of physical model tests were carried out to investigate the response of a single pile and pile group subjected to newly QRS tunneling beneath an existing circular tunnel in dry sand. Two distinct underpass cases were considered: an orthogonal underpass (QRS tunnel axis perpendicular to the circular tunnel axis) and an overlapping underpass (QRS tunnel axis aligned with the circular tunnel axis). The test results indicate that QRS tunneling-induced ground surface settlement and single-pile settlement in the overlapping underpass case were 3.6 and 1.2 times that in the orthogonal underpass case, respectively, with a narrower settlement trough. The axial force distribution along the single pile remained qualitatively consistent in both underpass cases, consistently exhibiting a downward load-transfer mechanism, and further leading to a monotonic growth pattern in axial force with progressive QRS tunnel excavation. The additional stress of the single pile was consistently higher in the overlapping underpass case, which had maximum axial force, negative bending moment, and maximum positive bending moment increases of 20%, 13%, and 6%, respectively, relative to the orthogonal underpass case. The front pile in the pile group exerted a pronounced shielding effect on the rear pile, while the restraining action of the pile cap also contributed measurably to the overall pile responses. Full article

Background: Although ovarian cryopreservation is an essential strategy for fertility preservation, ischemia–reperfusion injury and oxidative stress can significantly compromise graft viability after transplantation. Melatonin is a potent antioxidant capable of modulating redox homeostasis and tissue repair; however, its effects on the ovarian microenvironment after cryopreservation are not fully understood. Objective: To investigate whether melatonin supplementation during ovarian cryopreservation enhances GPx1/2-mediated antioxidant defense, preserves follicular integrity, and modulates the angiogenic balance (assessed via VEGF-A expression) after autologous ovarian transplantation in rats. Methods: Twenty-four Wistar rats were ovariectomized and divided into control (standard cryopreservation) and melatonin-treated (0.1 μM melatonin) groups. Ovaries were cryopreserved, thawed, and autotransplanted. After 30 days, the grafts were analyzed for GPx1/2 expression (immunohistochemistry), VEGF-A levels (ELISA), biochemical markers, and follicular integrity (histomorphometry) Results: The melatonin treatment significantly increased GPx1/2 expression in the corpus luteum (p = 0.002), theca interna (p = 0.007), and interstitium (p = 0.012), and reduced the number of degenerated follicles (p = 0.03). Although absolute VEGF-A levels did not differ between groups, melatonin-treated animals showed higher VEGF/FSH ratios (p = 0.0007) and VEGF/LH (p = 0.0494) ratios. Positive correlations were observed between GPx1/2 expression and VEGF-A expression. Conclusions: Melatonin increases antioxidant defenses in cryopreserved ovarian grafts through the upregulation of GPx1/2 and preservation of follicular morphology. Instead of directly increasing VEGF-A levels, melatonin appears to modulate angiogenic signaling, contributing to a more stable microenvironment for ovarian graft survival. Full article

Background:Pinellia ternata is a major medicinal herb widely utilized in traditional medicine, but is sensitive to high temperature, which often triggers a severe “sprout tumble” phenomenon. Methods: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance in P. ternata, we screened two contrasting germplasms: the heat-tolerant JBX1 and the heat-sensitive XBX4. In the present study, a combined analysis of physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome was performed on JBX1 and XBX4 under heat stress at 40 °C. Results: JBX1 exhibited significantly greater leaf thickness, higher basal chlorophyll content, more stable antioxidant enzyme activities, and lower oxidative damage than XBX4 under heat stress. Transcriptomically, JBX1 maintained elevated basal expression of genes encoding key enzymes in carbon fixation, amino acid metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as those encoding heat shock transcription factors (HSFs), heat shock proteins (HSPs), and the thermosensor Thermo-With ABA-Response 1 (TWA1). Metabolomically, JBX1 accumulated higher levels of key primary metabolites, antioxidants, and protective phenylpropanoids under both control and heat conditions. Notably, a “polarity reversal” emerged in nitrogen metabolism, where core amino acids accumulated in JBX1 but were depleted in XBX4. Integrated analysis revealed a more coordinated gene–metabolite network in JBX1 involving the phenylpropanoid, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, and glutathione pathways. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that JBX1 possessed stronger basal thermotolerance, which is derived from coordinated establishment of higher constitutive metabolic reserves and efficient dynamic metabolic reprogramming. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress in P. ternata. Full article

Background: Wrist pain is frequently reported among housewives and linked to repetitive household tasks, yet the drivers of pain-related disability remain unclear. Beyond physical load, psychosocial factors such as catastrophizing, mood symptoms, and self-efficacy may shape severity and functional impact. Purpose: To evaluate the severity of wrist pain and wrist-related disability in Turkish housewives and to identify the psychosocial and symptom-related factors associated with these outcomes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 92 Turkish housewives reporting wrist pain ≥ 3/10 on the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NPRS) and who have been married for at least 1 year and performing at least 1 h of housework, via Google Forms. Fatigue and wrist pain were measured using the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), as well as the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation–Turkish version (PRWE-T), Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (PSEQ), Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS). Sociodemographic data were also collected. Associations were analyzed with Spearman’s correlation, and simple linear regression identified factors explaining wrist pain severity and disability. Results: PRWE-T total scores showed strong positive correlations with pain catastrophizing (p < 0.001), PHQ-4 depression (p < 0.001), and PHQ-4 anxiety (p < 0.001), while correlating negatively with pain self-efficacy (p < 0.05). PCS was also strongly correlated with PHQ-4 anxiety (p < 0.001) and PHQ-4 total (p < 0.001), but negatively with PSEQ (p < 0.001). Multivariable regression analyses have shown that PCS and fatigue may be predictory of wrist pain and disability. Additional factors included fatigue severity (p = 0.002), PHQ-4 depression (p < 0.001), and PHQ-4 anxiety (p = 0.001). Conclusions: These findings highlight the multidimensional nature of wrist symptoms in this population. Full article

The plasma membrane plays essential roles in cellular transport and signaling. One of its fundamental structural features is the asymmetric distribution of lipids between the inner and outer leaflets. This asymmetry is actively maintained by lipid transport systems, including flippases, floppases, and scramblases, and is critical for membrane integrity and signaling regulation. Accumulating evidence indicates that membrane lipid asymmetry is frequently altered in cancer cells, leading to the externalization of normally inner-leaflet phospholipids such as phosphatidylserine and phosphatidylethanolamine. These alterations can influence tumor signaling, immune interactions, and membrane-associated biological processes. Recent studies further suggest that metabolic reprogramming in cancer may play an important role in regulating membrane lipid asymmetry. Changes in cellular energy status, oxidative stress, calcium signaling, and lipid metabolism can modulate lipid transport systems and membrane organization. In addition, tumor metabolism generates diverse circulating metabolites, including lactate, lysophospholipids, and acylcarnitines, which may influence membrane properties and lipid redistribution. These observations raise the possibility that membrane lipid asymmetry functions as a metabolically responsive interface linking intracellular metabolic state to cell surface signaling and tumor–microenvironment interactions. In this review, we propose a conceptual framework in which cancer-associated metabolic reprogramming influences lipid transport systems and membrane organization, thereby reshaping phospholipid distribution across the plasma membrane. We discuss how metabolic perturbations—including changes in energy metabolism, redox balance, calcium signaling, and lipid remodeling—may regulate membrane lipid asymmetry and explore the implications of these processes for tumor signaling, immune interactions, and emerging membrane-targeted therapeutic strategies. Full article

According to the most recent data published by the World Health Organization (WHO), it is estimated that approximately 332 million persons worldwide suffer from depression. The relationship between depression and alcohol consumption is complex and bidirectional. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on behavior and malondialdehyde (MDA) imbalance in female Wistar rats exposed to chronic stress and alcohol. Sixteen intact cycle female 5-month-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to two groups: the Control group (n = 8), and the CBD group (n = 8), which received CBD at a dose of 10 mg/kg. Following chronic stress induction, during the three-week treatment period, the animals were exposed to alcohol on three separate occasions. CBD-treated females showed increased freezing time in the Open Field test with no clear anxiolytic effect. In the Y maze and Morris Water Maze, they exhibited improved memory-related performance. Brain MDA levels were reduced, while plasma MDA was unchanged. Cortisol tended to be higher in the CBD group. CBD administration showed potential cognitive and central antioxidant effects, but no clear anxiolytic effect. Full article

To address the performance requirements of power interface converters in fuel cell vehicles, a high-voltage gain DC–DC converter with a common-ground structure and zero-voltage-transition (ZVT) operation is proposed. The converter employs two interleaved boost cells in an input-parallel output-series (IPOS) configuration to achieve low input-current ripple and high voltage gain. A single auxiliary circuit enables soft-switching for all switches during turn-on and turn-off, while diodes operate under zero-current switching (ZCS), reducing switching and reverse-recovery losses. In addition, voltage stress across devices is limited to half of the output voltage, allowing the use of lower-rated components. A 1 kW prototype operating at 50 V input and 400 V output at 50 kHz is experimentally validated. The converter achieves efficiency above 92.5%, with a peak of 95.46% and up to 97.41% at higher input voltages, while maintaining stable output performance. These results demonstrate the suitability of the proposed converter for high-efficiency fuel cell-based applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Metastatic pancreatic cancer is a highly lethal disease, and clinically useful biomarkers for outcome stratification are limited. Uric acid reflects systemic metabolic stress and inflammatory signaling, suggesting potential relevance as a tumor–host biomarker. However, the clinical significance of uric acid-based composite biomarkers in pancreatic cancer remains unclear. Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, 110 patients with metastatic pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated between 2015 and 2024 were analyzed. Sex-adjusted uric acid-based biomarkers were calculated using uric acid z-scores normalized by sex and integrated with markers of nutritional and immune status, including the uric acid z-score-to-albumin ratio (UAzAR) and uric acid z-score-to-lymphocyte ratio (UAzLR). Associations with overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and chemotherapy response were evaluated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, Cox proportional hazards models, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: The median OS and PFS for the entire cohort were 12.6 months (95% CI 11.3–13.9) and 7.5 months (95% CI 6.6–8.4), respectively. Patients with high UAzAR had significantly shorter OS than those with low UAzAR (7.3 vs. 16.4 months; log-rank p < 0.001), and similar findings were observed for UAzLR (7.4 vs. 16.4 months; p < 0.001). In multivariate Cox models, elevated UAzAR independently predicted inferior OS (HR] 3.10, 95% CI 1.58–6.09; p = 0.001) and PFS (HR 2.35, 95% CI 1.22–4.52; p = 0.010), while elevated UAzLR was similarly associated with reduced OS (HR 3.28, 95% CI 1.68–6.39; p < 0.001) and PFS (HR 2.47, 95% CI 1.30–4.70; p = 0.006). High UAzAR and UAzLR were also independently associated with chemotherapy failure (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.52, 95% CI 2.16–14.06 and OR 6.42, 95% CI 2.49–16.55; both p < 0.001). In ROC analyses, UAzAR and UAzLR demonstrated moderate discrimination for 12-month OS (AUC 0.659 and 0.658) and stronger discrimination for 6-month PFS (AUC 0.705 and 0.692). Conclusions: Sex-adjusted uric acid-derived composite biomarkers independently predict survival and chemotherapy response in metastatic pancreatic cancer and may identify a high-risk metabolic phenotype relevant for clinical risk stratification. Full article

Contemporary problems ranging from allergies, myopia, and obesity to chronic anxiety, loneliness, and ultralow fertility can be understood as consequences of evolutionary mismatch intensified by the polycrisis, in which accelerating technological and socioeconomic changes push human adaptations beyond what they evolved to handle. We sought to provide a conceptual review that maps these problems to adaptive needs that are disrupted in highly modernized environments. We then introduce the social evolutionary mismatch and competition hypothesis, which proposes that social aspects of evolutionary mismatch—e.g., increasing population sizes, fragmented communities, rising socioeconomic inequality, constant exposure to inflated social status cues—have a distinct effect of heightening both real and perceived competition. In turn, this perspective can help us make sense of predictable variation in psychosocial outcomes, including obsessive status pursuit, hostility, and social withdrawal. Finally, we outline strategies to lessen the impact of these dynamics by reducing sources of evolutionary mismatch. In sum, we contribute (1) an exposition of how the polycrisis exacerbates evolutionary mismatch and the adaptive needs that are impacted, (2) a theoretical advance identifying mismatch-driven competition as a predictor of multiple problematic outcomes, and (3) a translational framework showing how evolutionary insights can inform interventions to promote well-being in a time of profound societal strain. Full article

Osmotic stress limits rice productivity, yet the crosstalk between hydrogen sulfide signaling and redox regulation remains incompletely understood. We previously showed that redox-dependent oligomerization of the basic (region) leucine zippers transcription factor bZIP68 at Cys245 confers osmotic tolerance. However, the role of an adjacent cysteine, Cys171, was undefined. Here, we demonstrate that osmotic stress induces persulfidation of bZIP68 specifically at Cys171. This modification facilitates Cys245-mediated oxidation-dependent oligomerization, thereby enhancing bZIP68 transcriptional activity toward COLD-REGULATED413-THYLAKOID MEMBRANE1 (COR413-TM1). Transgenic complementation and physiological assays confirmed that Cys171 persulfidation is essential for full bZIP68 function in osmotic adaptation. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed that Cys171 is required for bZIP68-driven transcriptional reprogramming under stress. Our findings establish a hierarchical redox cascade wherein persulfidation primes bZIP68 for oxidative activation, highlighting a regulatory crosstalk between distinct post-translational modifications. These mechanistic insights expand our understanding of H₂S signaling and identify the bZIP68 cysteine network as a potential target for improving crop stress resilience. Full article

Oenococcus oeni (O. oeni) can initiate and complete the malolactic fermentation (MLF) process, which significantly improves wine quality. However, stress factors commonly encountered in wine, such as acid stress and ethanol stress, can hinder this process. Overexpression of certain key functional genes using genetic recombination technology can enhance the stress tolerance of O. oeni. In this study, the large-conductance mechanosensitive channel (mscl) gene was overexpressed in O. oeni SD-2a using genetic recombination technology. The results showed that overexpression of this gene enhanced the growth rate of O. oeni under 10% ethanol stress conditions. Physiological index measurements indicated that overexpression of this gene enhanced the control of cell membrane permeability in the recombinant strain at different time points under ethanol stress and altered cell membrane fluidity at these time points. Proteomic analysis after 12 h of treatment under 10% ethanol stress revealed that mscl overexpression significantly altered the protein expression pattern of O. oeni. The most significantly affected proteins included some cell membrane transporters (for sugars, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides) and proteins involved in cell wall synthesis. These results suggest that mscl overexpression enhances the ethanol stress tolerance of O. oeni by altering its cell membrane properties and affecting the expression levels of proteins related to cell membrane transport and cell wall synthesis. This study provides a theoretical reference for obtaining O. oeni recombinant strains with enhanced stress tolerance through genetic recombination technology. Full article

To investigate the distribution pattern and magnitude of residual stress at the weld toe of pipe-sphere connections in welded hollow sphere joints, the blind-hole method was employed to measure welding residual stress at both the spherical weld toe and pipe weld toe, yielding the magnitude and distribution characteristics of the residual stress. Additionally, the VISUAL-Environment finite element simulation software was utilized to obtain the temperature field, residual stress field, and residual stress distribution curves at the weld seam. The results indicate that welding residual stress in the entire welded hollow sphere joint exhibits both periodic and stochastic characteristics, with these two patterns showing good consistency. Meanwhile, finite element analysis results reveal the presence of both residual tensile and compressive stresses on the spherical surface and the connected pipe, with the welding residual stress maintaining a self-equilibrated state across the entire specimen. This study provides a foundational basis for subsequent research on the fatigue performance of grid structures with welded hollow sphere joints. Full article

This study investigates unsteady magnetohydrodynamic free convection flow past a rotating vertical plate embedded in a Darcy–Forchheimer porous medium. The formulation incorporates Hall current, thermal radiation, viscous dissipation, Joule heating, and an Arrhenius-type chemical reaction with activation energy to represent thermo-reactive transport in an electrically conducting fluid. The coupled nonlinear equations governing momentum, thermal energy, and species concentration are transformed into dimensionless form and solved numerically using the Crank–Nicolson scheme. Grid independence and validation tests confirm the accuracy and stability of the numerical procedure. The results show that electromagnetic forces, rotation, porous resistance, and thermo-reactive effects significantly influence wall shear stress, heat transfer, and mass transport. In particular, the interaction between magnetic field strength and Hall current alters near-wall transport behavior, highlighting the role of electromagnetic coupling in rotating porous systems. The study provides physical insight relevant to the design and analysis of transport processes in high-temperature energy systems, rotating reactors, and porous thermal management devices. Full article

To improve the rutting resistance and low-temperature cracking performance of polymer-modified asphalt under extreme conditions, hierarchically structured ZnO-loaded porous activated carbon (ZnO/PAC) nanosheets were introduced as a synergistic reinforcing agent for SBS-modified asphalt. The ZnO/PAC hybrids were synthesized via template-assisted carbonization followed by hydrothermal growth, and their effects were evaluated by microscopic characterization and rheological tests, including temperature sweeps, multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR), and bending beam rheometer (BBR) analyses. ZnO was successfully anchored onto the PAC, forming a three-dimensional flower-like nanostructure. Among the investigated samples, ZPS3 with 3 wt.% ZnO/PAC showed the best overall performance. At 64 °C, the rutting factor increased from 4.2 kPa for the SBS-modified asphalt to 6.8 kPa for ZPS3, representing a ~62% enhancement and indicating markedly improved high-temperature deformation resistance. MSCR results further confirmed the superior rutting resistance of ZPS3, which exhibited the highest recovery and the lowest non-recoverable creep compliance. In addition, BBR results showed that the low-temperature performance grade improved from −12 °C for conventional the SBS-modified asphalt to −18 °C for the ZnO/PAC-modified system. These results demonstrate that ZnO/PAC nanosheets can effectively enhance both the high-temperature rutting resistance and low-temperature cracking resistance of SBS-modified asphalt. Full article

Zearalenone (ZEA) is a mycotoxin widely present in cereals, feeds, and foods, posing a persistent threat to human and animal health. Hepatic fibrosis is a pathological process characterized by excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Chronic liver injury caused by sustained oxidative stress can initiate the development of early hepatic fibrosis. However, whether liver injury induced by ZEA can trigger hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation and promote early profibrotic responses remains unclear. The aim of this study was to assess whether ZEA-induced liver injury promotes HSC activation and early profibrotic responses. To address this, we established a BALB/c mouse exposure model and used the murine HSC line (JS-1) for in vitro validation. The results showed that ZEA exposure caused structural damage in hepatic tissue and produced an incomplete bridging pattern of collagen thickening suggestive of an early profibrotic tendency. ZEA shaped a proinflammatory microenvironment by activating the IκBα/NF-κB axis and induced the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway, accompanied by Smad7 suppression, thereby promoting HSC activation and the expression of fibrosis-related genes. ZEA also altered autophagy-related markers in liver tissue and JS-1 cells. Pharmacological inhibition with chloroquine partially attenuated ZEA-induced upregulation of α-SMA and collagen I/III, suggesting that autophagy-related processes may be involved in ZEA-associated HSC activation and early ECM deposition. In summary, ZEA promotes HSC activation and early profibrotic changes in the liver and is associated with inflammatory activation, TGF-β1/Smad signaling, and altered autophagy-related activity. These findings provide a basis for further investigation into the mechanisms underlying ZEA-induced early profibrotic remodeling in the liver. Full article