Search Results (5,936)

Background: The aim of the present study is to compare the potential of a high-fat diet, a high-carbohydrate diet, and a high-fat, high-carbohydrate diet to induce liver injury and visceral obesity within a period of five weeks, identify the pattern and degree of hepatic changes at the tissue level, identify the earliest metabolic markers of specific liver changes induced by each type of diet, and to test the possible beneficial effects of steviol glycosides in a rat experimental model. Methods: Wistar rats (n = 56) were divided into seven groups as follows: group BD (before diet), group SD (standard diet), group HFD (high-fat diet), group HCHD (high-carbohydrate diet), group HFHCHD (high-fat high-carbohydrate diet), group SDS (standard diet supplemented with Stevia extract), and group HFDS (high-fat diet supplemented with Stevia extract). Results: Total cholesterol concentrations (2.02 ± 0.22 mmol/L) increased in the HFD group (2.56 ± 0.82 mmol/L) and in the HFDS group (2.89 ± 0.48 mmol/L). The VLDL values before diets were 0.27 ± 0.11 mmol/L and increased most significantly in the HFHCHD group—1.14 ± 0.62 mmol/L. The baseline ALT values (88.4 ± 10.6 U/L) increased in the HFD group (128.13 ± 19.5 U/L) and the HFDS group (127.00 ± 17.74 U/L). Similar increases were registered in the AST/ALT ratio and ALP. Total bilirubin (7.10 ± 1.39 μmol/L) increased in HFD group (27.86 ± 17.01 μmol/L). Serum NO had the lowest values in groups fed diets supplemented with steviol glycosides. All high-calorie diets induced hepatocellular injury. The mass of the perirenal fat depot and cross-sectional area of adipocytes were highest in HFD, HFHCHD, and HFDS groups. Conclusion: High-calorie diets have the potential to induce visceral obesity and hepatocellular injury within a very short period of time, which produces characteristic histological changes and specific biochemical profile. Steviol glycosides may alleviate some aspects of the inflammatory response, but findings about lipid profile parameters and liver enzymes are controversial. Full article

Spinal cord injury (SCI) often results in long-term locomotor impairments, and strategies to enhance functional recovery remain limited. While epidural electrical stimulation (EES) has shown clinical promise, our understanding of the mechanisms by which it improves function remains incomplete. Here, we use genetic tools in an animal model to perform neuromodulation and treadmill rehabilitation in a manner similar to EES, but with the benefit of the genetic tools and animal model allowing for targeted manipulation, precise quantification of the cells and circuits that were manipulated, and the gathering of extensive kinematic data. We used a viral construct that selectively transduces large diameter afferent fibers (LDAFs) with a designer receptor exclusively activated by a designer drug (hM3Dq DREADD; a chemogenetic construct) to increase the excitability of large fibers specifically, in the rat contusion SCI model. As changes in locomotion with afferent stimulation can be subtle, we carried out a detailed characterization of the kinematics of locomotor recovery over time. Adult Long-Evans rats received contusion injuries and direct intraganglionic injections containing AAV2-hSyn-hM3Dq-mCherry, a viral vector that has been shown to preferentially transduce LDAFs, or a control with tracer only (AAV2-hSyn-mCherry). These neurons then had their activity increased by application of the designer drug Clozapine-N-oxide (CNO), inducing tonic excitation during treadmill training in the recovery phase. Kinematic data were collected during treadmill locomotion across a range of speeds over nine weeks post-injury. Data were analyzed using a mixed effects model chosen from amongst several models using information criteria. That model included fixed effects for treatment (DREADDs vs. control injection), time (weeks post injury), and speed, with random intercepts for rat and time point nested within rat. Significant effects of treatment and treatment interactions were found in many parameters, with a sometimes complicated dependence on speed. Generally, DREADDs activation resulted in shorter stance duration, but less reduction in swing duration with speed, yielding lower duty factors. Interestingly, our finding of shorter stance durations with DREADDs activation mimics a past study in the hemi-section injury model, but other changes, including the variability of anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) height, showed an opposite trend. These may reflect differences in injury severity and laterality (i.e., in the hemi-section injury the contralateral limb is expected to be largely functional). Furthermore, as with that study, withdrawal of DREADDs activation in week seven did not cause significant changes in kinematics, suggesting that activation may have dwindling effects at this later stage. This study highlights the utility of high-resolution kinematics for detecting subtle changes during recovery, and will enable the refinement of neuromechanical models that predict how locomotion changes with afferent neuromodulation, injury, and recovery, suggesting new directions for treatment of SCI. Full article

Diabetes is a chronic disease with a rising global prevalence. Research focuses on understanding its metabolic implications and early signaling of disease onset and complications, particularly the interconnected effects on the kidneys and brain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the expression profile in the genes Mct1, Mct4, Cd147, Hif-1α and Vegf for different biological matrices in rats induced to diabetes in the determined periods of 7, 21, 30 and 40 days. Methods: Wistar rats (160–180g, n = 68), divided into sham and diabetic groups, were evaluated according to tissue samples from the brain and kidney, using classical biochemical analyses and assessing temporal intergroup differential gene expression by qPCR. Additionally, immunohistochemical analysis was performed on kidney samples to evaluate collagen deposition. In the renal tissues, we observed a decrease in the expression of Hif-1α (21 vs. 30 days) and Vegf (21 vs. 40 days), accompanied by an increase in collagen deposition. In the brain, alterations were observed in all evaluated genes when comparing the early group (7 days) to the later groups (30 and 40 days). We observed that the evaluated genes, as well as the collagen deposition analyzed by immunohistochemistry, are related to metabolic changes that, over time, contribute to the worsening of diabetes and the progression of secondary diseases directly and/or indirectly involving the studied tissues. Full article

Electrochemical CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is a key technology for achieving carbon neutrality and efficient utilization of renewable energy, capable of converting CO₂ into high-value-added carbon-based fuels and chemicals. Copper (Cu)-based catalysts have attracted significant attention due to their unique performance in generating multi-carbon (C₂₊) products such as ethylene and ethanol; however, there are still many controversies regarding their complex reaction mechanisms, active sites, and the dynamic evolution of intermediates. In situ Raman spectroscopy, with its high surface sensitivity, applicability in aqueous environments, and precise detection of molecular vibration modes, has become a powerful tool for studying the structural evolution of Cu catalysts and key reaction intermediates during CO₂RR. This article reviews the principles of electrochemical in situ Raman spectroscopy and its latest developments in the study of CO₂RR on Cu-based catalysts, focusing on its applications in monitoring the dynamic structural changes of the catalyst surface (such as Cu⁺, Cu⁰, and Cu²⁺ oxide species) and identifying key reaction intermediates (such as *CO, *OCCO(*O=C-C=O), *COOH, etc.). Numerous studies have shown that Cu-based oxide precursors undergo rapid reduction and surface reconstruction under CO₂RR conditions, resulting in metallic Cu nanoclusters with unique crystal facets and particle size distributions. These oxide-derived active sites are considered crucial for achieving high selectivity toward C₂₊ products. Time-resolved Raman spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) techniques have further revealed the dynamic characteristics of local pH changes at the electrode/electrolyte interface and the adsorption behavior of intermediates, providing molecular-level insights into the mechanisms of selectivity control in CO₂RR. However, technical challenges such as weak signal intensity, laser-induced damage, and background fluorescence interference, and opportunities such as coupling high-precision confocal Raman technology with in situ X-ray absorption spectroscopy or synchrotron radiation Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in researching the mechanisms of CO₂RR are also put forward. Full article

This study aims to assess the effect of vegetation angle and density on hydrostatic pressure and acceleration of a downstream house model experimentally. The vegetation cylinders were positioned at angles 30°, 45°, 60° and 90° with respect to the flow and two densities of vegetation conditions, i.e., sparse (G/d = 2.13) and intermediate (G/d = 1.09), where G is the spacing between the model vegetation elements in the cross-stream di-rection and d is the vegetation diameter. The streamwise acceleration of the house model was measured by an X2-2 accelerometer that was located downstream from the vegetation patches. Results show that the perpendicular orientation of the vegetation patch (90°) most effectively reduces hydrodynamic loads, with intermediate density (I90) achieving the highest reductions, i.e., 22.1% for acceleration and 7.4% for pressure impacts. Even sparse vegetation (S90) provided substantial protection, reducing acceleration by 21.9% and pressure by 5.8%. These findings highlight the importance of integrating vegetation density and orientation into flood management designs to enhance both their performance and reliability under varying hydraulic conditions. Full article

The mechanisms by which SARS-CoV-2 infection lead to neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in COVID-19 and Long COVID are unclear. Cerebrovascular Wnt/β-catenin pathway activity is suppressed in association with neuroinflammation and cognitive impairment in a mouse model of COVID-19. In this study, we asked whether SARS-CoV-2 (NY Iota strain) infection of astrocytes would result in cell-autonomous changes in Wnt/β-catenin pathway components. We report that induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived human astrocytes (iAs) are susceptible to sustained infection with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro. Real-time PCR revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection of iAs decreased transcripts for Wnt3a, Wnt10b, and the downstream pathway effectors β-catenin and TCF3. Wnt7b was increased, as was the proinflammatory chemokine CXCL10. No changes were noted in Wnt3, Wnt7a, TCF1, TCF4, or LEF1. These data indicate that SARS-CoV-2 infection differentially influences Wnt/β-catenin pathway components in astrocytes. These data could have implications for the mechanistic basis of COVID-19 and Long COVID. Full article

This paper investigates soliton solutions of the time-fractional Biswas–Arshed (BA) equation using the Extended Simplest Equation Method (ESEM). The model is analyzed under two distinct fractional derivative operators: the $\beta$-derivative and the M-truncated derivative. These approaches yield diverse solution types, including kink, singular, and periodic-singular forms. Also, in this work, a nonlinear second-order differential equation is reconstructed as a planar dynamical system in order to study its bifurcation structure. The stability and nature of equilibrium points are established using a conserved Hamiltonian and phase space analysis. A bifurcation parameter that determines the change from center to saddle-type behaviors is identified in the study. The findings provide insight into the fundamental dynamics of nonlinear wave propagation by showing how changes in model parameters induce qualitative changes in the phase portrait. The derived solutions are depicted via contour plots, along with two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) representations, utilizing Mathematica for computational validation and graphical illustration. This study is motivated by the growing role of fractional calculus in modeling nonlinear wave phenomena where memory and hereditary effects cannot be captured by classical integer-order approaches. The time-fractional Biswas–Arshed (BA) equation is investigated to obtain diverse soliton solutions using the Extended Simplest Equation Method (ESEM) under the $\beta$-derivative and M-truncated derivative operators. Beyond solution construction, a nonlinear second-order equation is reformulated as a planar dynamical system to analyze its bifurcation and stability properties. This dual approach highlights how parameter variations affect equilibrium structures and soliton behaviors, offering both theoretical insights and potential applications in physics and engineering. Full article

The dried herb of blue fenugreek is used as a spice in the alpine region for the preparation of traditional bread and cheese. After drying, the herb is stored for a period of six to twelve months. During this time, the herb is expected to undergo changes in the compositions of the major flavor- and odor-determining compounds. To identify eventual biochemical processes, we applied different growing (conventional and sterile) and drying (air- and freeze drying) conditions and subsequently conducted periodical analysis of key aroma constituents (α-keto acids and volatile compounds) by LC-MS and GC-MS. The amount of glyoxylic acid was drastically increased in the air-dried sample, while the freeze-dried sample showed significantly higher amounts of α-keto-glutaric acid and pyruvic acid, respectively. During storage, a decrease in sulfuric compounds and an increase in alkane aldehydes were observed when comparing conventional and sterile samples. However, this increase was even greater for monoterpenes (especially camphor and p-cymene), showing thrice as high amounts after storage. Interestingly, both compounds were only formed significantly during the storage under conventional conditions, indicating that their production is induced/caused by microbial organisms. Full article

Traditional training methods for first responders are often limited by time, resources, and safety constraints, which reduces their consistency and effectiveness. This study focused on two main issues: whether exposure to virtual reality training scenarios induces measurable physiological changes in heart rate and heart rate variability, and whether these responses differ between police and firefighter contexts. The aim of this study was to explore the integration of virtual reality technologies into responder training and to evaluate how biomedical monitoring can be used to assess training effectiveness. A pilot measurement was conducted with ten participants who completed systematic crime scene investigation scenarios in both domains. Heart activity was continuously recorded using a wearable sensor and analyzed for heart rate and heart rate variability parameters, while cognitive load and task performance were also assessed. The collected data were statistically evaluated using tests of normality and paired comparisons between baseline and virtual reality phases. The results showed a significant increase in heart rate and a decrease in heart rate variability during virtual reality exposure compared to baseline, with higher cognitive load and success rates in police scenarios compared to firefighter scenarios. These findings indicate that virtual reality scenarios can elicit measurable psychophysiological responses and highlight the potential of combining immersive technologies with biomedical monitoring for the development of adaptive and effective training methods for first responders. Full article

For the first time, the influence of random parametric errors (RPEs) on the nonlinear dynamic behaviors of a laminated composite cantilever beam (LCCB) is studied. A nonlinear dynamic model for the LCCB is first established based on Hamilton’s principle. In a numerical simulation, four different cases are presented to analyze the dynamic behavior of the studied LCCB. This study reveals that varying RPE levels cause significant changes in the dynamic response of the LCCB. The results indicate that RPE not only induces a transition from a periodic to a chaotic behavior but may also alter the maximum amplitude of chaotic vibrations, providing a critical theoretical basis for incorporating uncertainty factors in engineering design. Full article

Background: Elite athletes are frequently subjected to high-intensity training regimens, which can result in cumulative physical stress, overtraining, and potential health risks. Monitoring autonomic responses to such load is essential for optimizing performance and preventing maladaptation. Objective: The present study aimed to assess changes in autonomic regulation immediately and two hours after training in athletes, using an integrated framework (combining time- and frequency-domain HRV indices with nonlinear and recurrence quantification analysis). It was investigated how repeated assessments over a 4-month period can reveal cumulative effects and identify athletes at risk. Special attention was paid to identifying signs of excessive fatigue, autonomic imbalance, and cardiovascular stress. Methods: Holter ECGs of 12 athletes (mean age 21 ± 2.22 years; males, athletes participating in competitions) over a 4-month period were recorded before, immediately after, and two hours after high-intensity training, with HRV calculated from 5-min segments. Metrics included HRV and recurrent quantitative analysis. Statistical comparisons were made between the pre-, post-, and recovery phases to quantify autonomic changes (repeated-measures ANOVA for comparisons across the three states, paired t-tests for direct two-state contrasts, post hoc analyses with Holm–Bonferroni corrections, and effect size estimates η²). Results: Immediately after training, significant decreases in SDNN (↓ 35%), RMSSD (↓ 40%), and pNN50 (↓ 55%), accompanied by increases in LF/HF (↑ 32%), were observed. DFA α1 and Recurrence Rate increased, indicating reduced complexity and more structured patterns of RR intervals. After two hours of recovery, partial normalization was observed; however, RMSSD (−18% vs. baseline) and HF (−21% vs. baseline) remained suppressed, suggesting incomplete recovery of parasympathetic activity. Indications of overtraining and cardiac risk were found in three athletes. Conclusion: High-intensity training in elite athletes induces pronounced acute autonomic changes and incomplete short-term recovery, potentially increasing fatigue and cardiovascular workload. Longitudinal repeated testing highlights differences between well-adapted, fatigued, and at-risk athletes. These findings highlight the need for individualized recovery strategies and ongoing monitoring to optimize adaptation and minimize the risk of overtraining and health complications. Full article

Transportation, environmental changes, and overcrowding can induce short-term stress in livestock, leading to physiological imbalances even within a short period. Cortisol is a stress-response hormone and its concentration in the blood can rapidly fluctuate depending on the individual and situation. This study evaluated the short-term effects of cortisol by applying blood cortisol concentrations that mimicked the normal and stress-induced levels observed in Korean native cattle (Hanwoo) to the culture medium of Hanwoo muscle stem cells (HWSC). Treatments were designed with five cortisol concentrations (0, 5, 10, 30, and 70 ng/mL) and four treatment times (0.5, 1, 2, and 3 h), based on the CCK-8 and viable cell count results. The expression levels of cortisol receptor-related genes (NR3C1, HSP70, and HSP90AA1) increased and reached a peak at 30 min post-treatment. After 30 min, the expression of these genes gradually decreased. However, in the case of HSP70, expression tended to increase again after 3 h of treatment. This could be seen as the regulation of cortisol inflow into the HWSC. Upon examining the oxidative effects of cortisol on superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), catalase (CAT), and oxygen consumption rate (OCR), the expression of antioxidant factors increased and peaked at 30 min of treatment. Following this peak, their levels generally began to decrease. However, in the 70 ng/mL group, the expression of these factors remained at a high level compared to the control group even after 30 min. In addition, the cellular respiration index and ATP production increased as the treatment prolonged, regardless of the concentration, as shown by the OCR analysis. These results can be considered a phenomenon corresponding to the accumulation of oxidative by products, such as Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), caused by cortisol. The gene expression of apoptosis factors (p53, BAX, Caspase-3) temporarily increased at 30 min but then decreased. Caspase-3 protein activity was elevated at 30 min in the 70 ng/mL group, which later reduced. These results suggested that short-term cortisol administration had no effect on apoptosis in muscle cell culture. Therefore, the study findings elucidating the effects of short-term cortisol treatment on HWSC suggest that short-term stress may not have a significant negative effect on Hanwoo muscle. However, as this study was limited to muscle stem cells derived from Hanwoo, further investigation is required to determine whether the observed responses are consistent across different species and in vivo environments. Full article

Background: Orthodontically driven osteogenesis (ODO) is a surgical tunnel modification of periodontally accelerated osteogenic orthodontics (PAOO), combining selective corticotomy with bone grafting in sequential and/or segmental fashion. This is a minimally invasive approach that enhances periodontal health and allows orthodontic tooth movement beyond the original alveolar envelope. Considering the lack of long-term three-dimensional data on orthodontically driven osteogenesis (ODO), this study aims to quantitatively assess the long-term stability of alveolar bone and buccal cortical thickness following ODO, using CBCT imaging. The null hypothesis is that ODO does not result in significant changes in alveolar bone volume or cortical thickness over a seven-year follow-up period. Methods: Twenty patients (13 females, 7 males; mean age 27.4 ± 5.3 years) who had undergone orthodontically driven osteogenesis (ODO) using a minimally invasive tunnel approach and segmental corticotomy protocol followed by clear aligner therapy were retrospectively evaluated. The mean follow-up period after treatment was 7 years (range: 5–15 years). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were obtained at one year postoperatively (T1) and again at the long-term follow-up visit (T2). Buccal bone thickness measurements were taken at standardized levels (3 mm, 5 mm, and 7 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction) and compared between T1 and T2 to evaluate bone stability over time. In addition, histologic evaluation of the previously grafted area was performed in two patients: one sample was collected during an alveolar ridge augmentation procedure six months after ODO, and the other during orthognathic surgery eight months after ODO. The samples were analyzed to assess new bone formation and integration of graft material. Results: Radiographic analysis showed long term stability of the new bone support. Histologic examination showed newly formed lamellar and reticular bone. Bone marrow showed no inflammatory infiltration, and bone particles were still detectable but incorporated in the newly created bone. Conclusions: Based on these findings, ODO appears to be a promising technique that could induce stable bone osteogenesis. A larger cohort study can enhance the evidence of these promising results to popularize this technique. Full article

Background/Objectives: The 24 h activity cycle highlights the need to consider sedentary behavior (SED), non-exercise physical activity (NEPA), and sleep when introducing aerobic exercise. This study assessed changes in these components among breast cancer survivors (BCS) and non-oncologic menopausal women after a 3-month walking (W) or Nordic walking (NW) program. Methods: A total of 324 menopausal women participated: 156 non-oncologic (Meno), 102 BCS with natural menopause (BCS_Meno), and 66 BCS with medically induced menopause (BCS_Ind_Meno). Linear Mixed Effects (LME) modeling was applied. Age, BMI, hormonal therapy, cancer treatments, hypertension, sleep, and METs were included as covariates. Results: BCS_Meno and BCS_Ind_Meno had longer sleep durations at baseline (adj. diff.: +26.5 min/day, 95% CI 10.1 to 43.0; p = 0.002 and +25.7, 95% CI 6.7 to 44.6; p = 0.008). Sleep improved across all groups post-intervention (overall adj. effect = +17.4 min/day, 95% CI 4.8 to 30.0; p = 0.007). Higher sleep and METs were associated with reduced SED (sleep: β = −43.7 min/day per unit increase, −52.6 to −34.8; METs: β = −115.4, −126.4 to −104.4; both p < 0.001). A significant group × time interaction showed a decrease in SED in the BCS_Ind_Meno group (adj. diff. = −65.1 min/day, −102.8 to −27.4; p = 0.001). NEPA was negatively influenced by sleep (β = −8.7 min/day, −16.2 to −1.1, p = 0.024) and positively by METs (β = +121.1, 111.8 to 130.3; p < 0.001). NEPA increased only in BCS_Ind_Meno (adj. diff.: +70.6 min/day, 38.4 to 102.7; p < 0.001), not in BCS_Meno (+9.87, −18.7 to 38.4; p = 0.497). Conclusions: BCS_Ind_Meno showed the greatest benefits, with reduced SED, increased NEPA, and improved sleep. Sleep improved across all groups following aerobic interventions. Full article

Nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs) are widely utilized in pesticide formulations and industrial products but are known for their endocrine-disrupting properties. Consequently, substitutes such as tristyrylphenol ethoxylates (TSPEOs) have been introduced as inert ingredients in pesticide formulations. Here, we showed that TSPEOs exhibited subacute toxicity in male mice. For the first time, we studied the differences in subacute toxicity (28-day exposure) and the potential toxic effects of TSPEOs with varying polymerization degrees, specifically agricultural emulsifier (AE) #602 and AE #604, in male mice. We demonstrate that AE #602 can induce liver injury, as evidenced by hepatocyte swelling and vacuolar degeneration across all treated groups, along with significant hepatocellular necrosis in the high-dose group. These pathological changes were associated with alterations in oxidative stress biomarkers, including a significant decrease in malondialdehyde levels (0.57 times in the high-dose group, p < 0.05) and increased activities of glutathione peroxidase (up to 1.27 times, p < 0.05) and glutathione, suggesting a potential adaptive compensatory response. Both TSPEOs were found to cause gastric injury according to the results of organ indices and histopathological analyses. AE #604, with lower polymerization degree, caused more severe gastric injury than AE #602. Our findings indicate that NPEO substitutes should be tested for hepatotoxicity and gastrotoxicity and highlight the need for further research into the toxicity differences induced by varying degrees of polymerization of TSPEOs on human health. Full article