bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating engineered nanomaterials with extracellular vesicles: advancing targeted drug delivery and biomedical applications
Authors: Jiang Hai , Kumarasamy Ranil Vikraman , Pei JinJin , Raju Kamaraj , Kanniappan Gopalakrishnan Velliyur , Palanisamy Chella Perumal , Mironescu Ion Dan
Published: January 2025

Extracellular vesicles (EVs), natural membrane-bound structures released by cells, offer a promising platform for precise and targeted delivery of therapeutic payloads, including drugs and nanoparticles. This comprehensive review explores the integration of engineered nanomaterials with EVs to advance drug delivery systems. It covers various aspects of this integration, including techniques for synthesizing, loading, characterizing, and applying nanomaterials within EVs. Methodologies for integrating diverse nanocarriers like nanoparticles, liposomes, and quantum dots into EVs are discussed, along with characterization methods such as electron microscopy and light scattering. Attention is also given to considerations of biological compatibility, safety assessments, and strategies for surface modification to enhance targeting precision. Highlighting various applications, including targeted drug delivery, cancer therapy, and vaccine development, the review underscores the potential of EV-nanomaterial hybrids to leverage EVs’ innate targeting capabilities and the versatility of nanomaterials. However, it also addresses challenges such as scalability, standardization, and safety that must be overcome to facilitate the clinical translation of these promising biomedical solutions.
Electrophysiological properties of melanin-concentrating hormone neuron subpopulations defined by anatomical localization and CART expression
Authors: Adekunle Rafiat Damilola , Chowdhury Mohammed Sohel , Fang Lisa Z. , Hirasawa Michiru
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) neurons are essential regulators of energy and glucose homeostasis, sleep–wake behaviors, motivation, learning and memory. These neurons are anatomically distributed across the medial (MH) and lateral hypothalamus (LH), and the adjacent zona incerta (ZI), which may represent functional subgroups with distinct connectivity with different brain regions. Furthermore, MCH neurons can be classified according to co-expression of neuropeptides, such as cocaine and amphetamine- regulated transcript (CART).

Methods

To identify functional similarities and differences of MCH subpopulations, we characterized their intrinsic electrophysiological properties using whole cell current clamp recording on acute brain slices from male and female mice.

Results

MCH neurons were classified into subgroups according to their anatomical localization in three MCH-rich brain areas: MH, LH and ZI. Among the three brain regions, ZI MCH neurons were the least excitable while LH MCH neurons were the most excitable. Furthermore, grouping MCH neurons according to CART co-expression revealed that MCH/CART− cells are uniquely depolarized and excitable, and display H-currents. These MCH/CART− cells were mainly found in the LH, which may in part explain why LH MCH neurons are more excitable. While some sex differences were found, the majority of parameters investigated were not different.

Discussion

Our results suggest that MCH/CART− cells are electrophysiologically distinct, whereas MCH/CART+ cells are largely similar despite their diffuse distribution in the hypothalamus. It is therefore a combination of intrinsic electrophysiological properties and neurochemical identities, in addition to anatomy and connectivity that are likely to be critical in defining functional subpopulations of MCH neurons.
Neural activity responsiveness by maturation of inhibition underlying critical period plasticity
Authors: Matsumoto Ibuki , Nobukawa Sou , Kanamaru Takashi , Sakemi Yusuke , Sviridova Nina , Kurikawa Tomoki , Wagatsuma Nobuhiko , Aihara Kazuyuki
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Neural circuits develop during critical periods (CPs) and exhibit heightened plasticity to adapt to the surrounding environment. Accumulating evidence indicates that the maturation of inhibitory circuits, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid and parvalbumin-positive interneurons, plays a crucial role in CPs and contributes to generating gamma oscillations. A previous theory of the CP mechanism suggested that the maturation of inhibition suppresses internally driven spontaneous activity and enables synaptic plasticity to respond to external stimuli. However, the neural response to external stimuli and neuronal oscillations at the neural population level during CPs has not yet been fully clarified. In the present study, we aimed to investigate neuronal activity responsiveness with respect to the maturation of inhibition at gamma-band frequencies.

Method

We calculated inter-trial phase coherence (ITPC), which quantifies event-related phase modulations across trials, using a biologically plausible spiking neural network that generates gamma oscillations through interactions between excitatory and inhibitory neurons.

Results

Our results demonstrated that the neuronal response coherence to external periodic inputs exhibits an inverted U-shape with respect to the maturation of inhibition. Additionally, the peak of this profile was consistent with the moderate suppression of the gamma-band spontaneous activity.

Discussion

This finding suggests that the neuronal population's highly reproducible response to increased inhibition may lead to heightened synaptic plasticity. Our computational model can help elucidate the underlying mechanisms that maximize synaptic plasticity at the neuronal population level during CPs.
Motion feature extraction using magnocellular-inspired spiking neural networks for drone detection
Authors: Zheng Jiayi , Wan Yaping , Yang Xin , Zhong Hua , Du Minghua , Wang Gang
Published: January 2025

Traditional object detection methods usually underperform when locating tiny or small drones against complex backgrounds, since the appearance features of the targets and the backgrounds are highly similar. To address this, inspired by the magnocellular motion processing mechanisms, we proposed to utilize the spatial–temporal characteristics of the flying drones based on spiking neural networks, thereby developing the Magno-Spiking Neural Network (MG-SNN) for drone detection. The MG-SNN can learn to identify potential regions of moving targets through motion saliency estimation and subsequently integrates the information into the popular object detection algorithms to design the retinal-inspired spiking neural network module for drone motion extraction and object detection architecture, which integrates motion and spatial features before object detection to enhance detection accuracy. To design and train the MG-SNN, we propose a new backpropagation method called Dynamic Threshold Multi-frame Spike Time Sequence (DT-MSTS), and establish a dataset for the training and validation of MG-SNN, effectively extracting and updating visual motion features. Experimental results in terms of drone detection performance indicate that the incorporation of MG-SNN significantly improves the accuracy of low-altitude drone detection tasks compared to popular small object detection algorithms, acting as a cheap plug-and-play module in detecting small flying targets against complex backgrounds.
Musician’s dystonia: a perspective on the strongest evidence towards new prevention and mitigation treatments
Authors: Grifoni Joy , Crispiatico Valeria , Castagna Anna , Converti Rosa Maria , Ramella Marina , Quartarone Angelo , L’Abbate Teresa , Armonaite Karolina , Paulon Luca , Panuccio Francescaroberta , Tecchio Franca
Published: January 2025

This perspective article addresses the critical and up-to-date problem of task-specific musician’s dystonia (MD) from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Theoretically, MD is explored as a result of impaired sensorimotor interplay across different brain circuits, supported by the most frequently cited scientific evidence—each referenced dozens of times in Scopus. Practically, MD is a significant issue as it occurs over 60 times more frequently in musicians compared to other professions, underscoring the influence of individual training as well as environmental, social, and emotional factors. To address these challenges, we propose a novel application of the FeeSyCy principle (feedback-synchrony-plasticity), which emphasizes the pivotal role of feedback in guiding inter-neuronal synchronization and plasticity—the foundation of learning and memory. This model integrates with established literature to form a comprehensive framework for understanding MD as an impaired FeeSyCy-mediated relationship between the individual and their environment, ultimately leading to trauma. The proposed approach provides significant advantages by enabling the development of innovative therapeutic and preventive strategies. Specifically, it lays the groundwork for multimodal psycho-physical therapies aimed at restoring balance in the neural circuits affected by MD. These strategies include personalized psychotherapy combined with physical rehabilitation to address both the psychological and physiological dimensions of MD. This integration offers a practical and value-added solution to this pressing problem, with potential for broad applicability across similar conditions.
Use of balloon angioplasty for patients with intracranial large atherosclerotic acute ischemic stroke and cerebral cavernous malformation: a case report
Authors: Wang Yiwan , Wang Tianyu , Liang Jiangmin
Published: January 2025

Thus far, clinical data relating to the treatment of cerebral cavernous malformation (CCM) patients with acute stroke (AIS) are incredibly scare due to the low incidence of CCM. Furthermore, the safety profile of using tissue plasminogen activator, the only drug approved for AIS treatment within 4.5 h, remains controversial in patients with CCM. Recently, balloon angioplasty has been reported as a successful treatment for intracranial large atherosclerotic AIS patients. In our department, we treated a patient with intracranial large atherosclerotic AIS and CCM using balloon angioplasty, resulting in a positive outcome. Here, we discuss the safety and efficiency of balloon angioplasty for the treatment of intracranial large atherosclerotic AIS in patients with CCM. In conclusion, we suggest that balloon angioplasty may be a potentially safe and effective treatment for intracranial large atherosclerotic AIS patients with CCM. However, further research is needed to explore the use of mechanical revascularization in AIS patients with CCM.
The amygdala and the pursuit of future rewards
Authors: Johnson S. Tobias , Grabenhorst Fabian
Published: January 2025

The successful pursuit of future rewards requires forming an internal goal, followed by planning, decision-making, and progress-tracking over multiple steps. The initial step—forming goals and the plans for obtaining them—involves the subjective valuation of an anticipated reward, considering both the reward’s properties and associated delay and physical-effort costs. Recent findings indicate individuals similarly evaluate cognitive effort over time (Johnson and Most, 2023). Success and failure in these processes have been linked to differential life outcomes and psychiatric conditions. Here we review evidence from single-neuron recordings and neuroimaging studies that implicate the amygdala—a brain structure long associated with cue-reactivity and emotion—in decision-making and the planned pursuit of future rewards (Grabenhorst et al., 2012, 2016, 2019, 2023;Hernadi et al., 2015;Zangemeister et al., 2016). The main findings are that, in behavioral tasks in which future rewards can be pursued through planning and stepwise decision-making, amygdala neurons prospectively encode the value of anticipated rewards and related behavioral plans. Moreover, amygdala neurons predict the stepwise choices to pursue these rewards, signal progress toward goals, and distinguish internally generated (i.e., self-determined) choices from externally imposed actions. Importantly, amygdala neurons integrate the subjective value of a future reward with delay and effort costs inherent in pursuing it. This neural evidence identifies three key computations of the primate amygdala that underlie the pursuit of future rewards: (1) forming a self-determined internal goal based on subjective reward-cost valuations, (2) defining a behavioral plan for obtaining the goal, (3) executing this plan through stepwise decision-making and progress-tracking. Based on this framework, we suggest that amygdala neurons constitute vulnerabilities for dysfunction that contribute to maladaptive reward pursuit in psychiatric and behavioral conditions. Consequently, amygdala neurons may also represent potential targets for behavioral-change interventions that aim to improve individual decision-making.
Can attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder be considered a form of cerebellar dysfunction?
Authors: Isaac Valeria , Lopez Vladimir , Escobar Maria Josefina
Published: January 2025

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a heterogenous disorder, commonly described for presenting difficulties in sustained attention, response inhibition, and organizing goal-oriented behaviors. However, along with its traditionally described executive dysfunction, more than half of the children diagnosed with ADHD have been reported to show difficulties with gross and fine motor skills, albeit motor impairments in ADHD continue to be a neglected area of clinical attention. The rapidly growing field of the clinical cognitive neuroscience of the cerebellum has begun to relate cerebro-cerebellar circuits to neurodevelopmental disorders. While the cerebellum’s role in motor function, such as balance, motor coordination, and execution, is well recognized, ongoing research has evidenced its additional and fundamental role in neurocognitive development and executive function, including attention and social cognition, which are all areas of impairment commonly found in ADHD. Interestingly, neuroimaging studies have consistently shown differences in cerebellar volume and functional connectivity between ADHD and typically developing children. Furthermore, methylphenidate is known to act at the cerebellar level, as intrinsic cerebellar dopaminergic systems involved in attention and motor function have been identified. This article reviews some of the main findings linking cerebellar dysfunction to ADHD behavioral symptoms and incorporates the cerebellum as a possible neurological basis and differentiating indicator within the condition. We suggest considering more rigorous assessments in future ADHD studies, including cerebellar-associated skill evaluations to correlate with symptom severity and other detected outcomes, such as executive dysfunction, and study possible associative patterns that may serve as more objective measures for this diagnosis.
Analysis of the sensitization activity of Moringa oleifera leaves protein
Authors: Lu Juan , Liu Xiaoxue , Li Wenjie , Xi Chuyu , Feng Dan , Song Shuang
Published: January 2025

The determination of allergenic proteins in Moringa oleifera leaves, which is the main components of immune activity, has enabled the development of a more effective method for evaluating the activity of extracted Moringa oleifera leaves protein. In this study, the extraction process of Moringa oleifera leaves protein was optimized based on a single factor experiment. The hemagglutination-related properties of Moringa oleifera leaves protein, such as (thermal, acid–base) stability, sugar binding specificity, ion binding characteristics, and hemolytic activity, were detected. The optimal combination of extraction process was: extraction time of 6 h, material-liquid ratio of 1:8, and ammonium sulfate saturation of 60%. The extraction rate of moringa leaf protein under this condition was 14.37 mg/g. The molecular weight of moringa leaf protein was analyzed by SDS-PAGE, and the molecular weight was mainly concentrated around 23 kDa~70 kDa, with the highest content of 35 kDa (major allergen). The study of the hemagglutination characteristics of Moringa oleifera leaves protein revealed that the protein exhibited high stability at temperatures below 60°C, with complete loss of activity occurring at temperatures above 110°C for 20 min. The effect of different pH conditions on the hemagglutination capacity of Moringa oleifera leaves protein was readily discernible. The hemagglutination activity of Moringa oleifera leaves protein was 104 in a pH value from 3.7 to 7.8, and the hemagglutination activity was completely lost at a pH value higher than 11.9. D(+) anhydrous glucose is the specific inhibitory sugar of Moringa oleifera leaves protein lectin. Moringa oleifera leaves protein exhibits hemolytic activity at a concentration of at least 20 mg/mL, and α-methyl-mannoside, galactoside, raffinose and Al3+ can inhibit the hemolysis of Moringa oleifera leaves protein. The present study identified the effects of different factors on the coagulation activity and hemolytic ability of Moringa oleifera leaves protein, thereby providing a theoretical basis for further purification and application of Moringa oleifera lectin. However, it should be noted that the results of the mixture have certain limitations, and further purification of lectin is needed to obtain more targeted research results.
Does maternal consumption of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners result in offspring hypertension?
Authors: Tain You-Lin , Hsu Chien-Ning
Published: January 2025

The consumption of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners (NNS) has increased significantly in recent decades. The nutritional status of pregnant women plays a crucial role in determining the likelihood of their offspring developing hypertension in adulthood. While NNSs provide a sweet taste without adding to sugar intake, emerging evidence suggests that maternal consumption of not only nutritive sweeteners (such as fructose) but also NNS may lead to adverse outcomes in offspring, including hypertension. This review provides an overview of the latest research connecting maternal intake of sweeteners to the long-term risk of hypertension in offspring. We examine proposed mechanisms underlying the programming of offspring hypertension by sweeteners, encompassing oxidative stress, dysregulated nutrient sensing signals, abnormal renin-angiotensin system, transcriptome changes, and dysbiotic gut microbiota. Additionally, we outline preventive strategies that can help alleviate offspring hypertension programmed by maternal diets high in sweeteners. Recent advancements in understanding the mechanisms through which maternal consumption of nutritive and non-nutritive sweeteners contributes to offspring hypertension offer promise for addressing this widespread health concern at its developmental roots. Nonetheless, further research is needed to educate the public about the safety of sweetener consumption during pregnancy and lactation.
Comparison of thromboelastographic profiles and clinical characteristics in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia
Authors: Li Yong-tao , Ma Yu-mei , Dai Fu-li , Peng Zhen , Dai Ya-ping , Zhi Ke , Feng Hai-hong , Li Shu-jun
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aimed to compare Thromboelastographic (TEG) profiles and clinical characteristics between severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) pneumonia patients with normal and abnormal TEG parameters.

Methods

The clinical data of 133 children with severe MP pneumonia were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into normal (n = 76) and abnormal (n = 57) TEG groups. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, imaging features, bronchoscopy results, treatment, complications, and outcomes were compared between groups.

Results

The abnormal TEG group (42.9%) had longer fever duration (median: 8.5 vs. 7.0 days, P < 0.001) and hospital stay (median: 11.5 vs. 10.0 days, P = 0.003). They also showed higher levels of C-reactive protein (median: 30.2 vs. 20.1 mg/L, P < 0.001), lactate dehydrogenase (median: 334.5 vs. 276.0 U/L, P = 0.001), and D-dimer (median: 1.2 vs. 0.5 μg/ml, P < 0.001). HRCT revealed more lobar consolidation or multilobar involvement (36.8% vs. 18.4%, P = 0.016), and bronchoscopy showed more mucous plug obstruction (28.1% vs. 10.5%, P = 0.008) in the abnormal TEG group. TEG parameters indicated a hypercoagulable state with shorter R time (P < 0.001), shorter K time (P < 0.001), and higher MA (P = 0.003). The abnormal TEG group had higher incidences of coagulopathy (P < 0.001), cardiac involvement (elevated cardiac enzymes: 36.8% vs. 17.1%, P = 0.009; pericardial effusion: 10.5% vs. 1.3%, P = 0.017), and plastic bronchitis (P = 0.006). They also required longer azithromycin courses (median: 15 vs. 14 days, P = 0.026).

Conclusion

Children with severe MP pneumonia and abnormal TEG profiles have more severe clinical manifestations, higher inflammatory markers, more extensive lung involvement, and a higher incidence of complications. TEG may help identify high-risk patients and guide management in severe MP pneumonia.
PBMCs gene expression predicts liver fibrosis regression after successful HCV therapy in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients
Authors: Virseda-Berdices Ana , Brochado-Kith Óscar , Berenguer Juan , González-García Juan , Pérez-Latorre Leire , Busca Carmen , Díez Cristina , Micán Rafael , Fernández-Rodríguez Amanda , Jiménez-Sousa María Ángeles , Resino Salvador
Published: January 2025

Background

HCV eradication with antiviral treatment reduces hepatic disease, but some patients remain at risk of progression to cirrhosis despite HCV clearance. We aimed to examine the association between peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) gene expression before HCV therapy and a pronounced decrease in the liver stiffness measurement (LSM) value in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients after HCV treatment and achievement of sustained virological response (SVR).

Methods

We performed a retrospective study in 48 HIV/HCV-coinfected patients who started anti-HCV treatment with at least advanced fibrosis (LSM ≥9.5). Total RNA was extracted from PBMCs at baseline, and poly(A) RNA sequencing was performed. The outcome was an LSM reduction greater than 50% (LSMred>50%) about 48 weeks after HCV treatment.

Results

Seven patients (14.5%) reduced LSM by over 50%. We found 47 significant differentially expressed (SDE) genes associated with reaching an LSMred>50% after achieving HCV eradication, 42 upregulated and 5 downregulated in the LSMred>50% group. Ten and five of these upregulated genes were classified into two significantly enriched KEGG pathways: cell cycle and progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation (q-value <0.05), respectively. Two SDE genes achieved excellent discrimination ability: NCAPG had an AUROC of 0.908, NHLRC1 of 0.879, and a logistic regression model with these two genes of 0.955.

Conclusion

A pre-treatment gene expression signature in PBMCs was associated with liver fibrosis regression (LSMred>50%) after achieving HCV clearing with HCV therapy in HIV/HCV-coinfected patients, where two SDE genes (NCAPG and NHLRC1) showed the greatest predictive capacity, which could be used as a noninvasive marker of liver fibrosis regression.
Brief summary of the regulatory frameworks of regenerative medicine therapies
Authors: Yoon Jinah , Lee Sukhyang , Kim Min Jung , Kim Jung-Hyun
Published: January 2025

The rapid advancements in regenerative medicine (RM), including cell therapies, gene therapies, tissue-engineered products, and combined RM advanced therapies, require the development of regulatory frameworks. The global landscape of regulatory frameworks presents diverse approaches to the oversight of these therapies, posing challenges in the global application of RM. This paper reviews the regulatory frameworks for RM across the United States, European Union, Japan, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and South Korea and compares the unique features of the respective legislations.
Periplanta americana extract regulates the Th17/Treg cell balance via Notch1 in ulcerative colitis
Authors: Zheng Yanqiu , Li Huibiao , Qi Shiyu , Xiao Fan , Song Jinbin , Liu Shiyin , Chen Xinlin , Li Yanwu , Chen Muyuan
Published: January 2025

Background

Periplanta americana extract (PAE), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) from Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing, has been used to treat ulcerative colitis (UC), various types of wounds and ulcers, infantile malnutrition, palpitation, asthma, and so on. However, the exact mechanisms of PAE in UC have still not been fully revealed. The study aims to explore the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of PAE in UC.

Methods

The efficacy of PAE was evaluated using a DSS-induced UC mice model and the colon inflammation and mucosal barrier were comprehensively assessed. Furthermore, Network pharmacological analysis was utilized to identify potential targets and signaling pathways of PAE in the UC treatment. The proportion and the markers of Th17 and Treg cells in the spleen and colon were examined. The signal transduction was detected in vivo. In vitro, an activated Notch1-mediated Th17/Treg was modeled, and the effect of PAE on the epithelial cell barrier was examined.

Results

PAE mitigated colon inflammation and intestinal barrier damage in UC mice. Network pharmacological analysis showed that the targets of UC intervention by PAE may be closely related to Th17 cell differentiation, the IL-17 signaling pathway, and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction. Mechanistically, PAE regulated the balance of Th17/Treg and inhibited the Notch1/Math1 pathway in the colon of UC mice. In vitro, PAE intervention alleviated the activated Notch1-mediated Th17/Treg imbalance in Jurkat T cells. After notch1-activated Jurkat T cells were co-cultured with HCoEpic cells, the expressions of Occludin, ZO1 were higher in the HCoEpic cells.

Conclusion

PAE could alleviate colon inflammation and mucosal barrier damage in UC, which are related to the inhibition of Notch1 and the regulation of the Th17/Treg balance. PAE might be a potential candidate agent for UC treatment.
Ex vivo biotransformation of lady’s mantle extracts via the human gut microbiota: the formation of phenolic metabolites and their impact on human normal and colon cancer cell lines
Authors: Jakimiuk Katarzyna , Kruk Aleksandra , Lemieszek Marta Kinga , Strawa Jakub W. , Granica Sebastian , Wiater Adrian , Tomczyk Michał
Published: January 2025

Introduction

For centuries, various species from the genus Alchemilla have been utilized in traditional medicine worldwide. Among them, Alchemilla vulgaris L. (Rosaceae) stands out as a promising herbal drug candidate due to its phytochemicals displaying anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Methods

In our study, we investigated the interaction between the human gut microbiota and lady’s mantle herb extract (AV) following the biotransformation of the extract’s constituents and their impact on colorectal cancer cells (HT-29) and normal CCD 841 CoN epithelial cells. The A. vulgaris herb metabolites were obtained by incubating the extract (AV) with human fecal slurries from three healthy donors (D1, D2, and D3).

Results

After incubating the AV extract with the human gut microbiota (AVD1-AVD3 samples), thirty-three metabolites were detected and characterized by LC-MS. Among them, one was identified as urolithin C. The AV and AVD1-AVD3 extracts and their metabolites exhibit various levels of antiproliferative and cytotoxic activities against cancer cells. Their biological effect might be linked to the changes and direct activity of bioavailable metabolites. Samples from AVD1, AVD2, and AVD3 increase the lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) released from damaged colon cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. At 250 μg/mL, AVD1, AVD2, and AVD3 elevated the LDH level by 12.6%, 25.3%, and 30.0%, respectively. The biotransformed samples also showed significantly higher antiproliferative activity than the AV extract. The most active sample from donor 3 (AVD3) reached IC50 = 471 μg/mL.

Discussion

The differences in anticancer effect might be linked to the changes and direct activity of bioavailable metabolites. The non-transformed AV extract affected neither normal nor cancer colon cells, indicating the beneficial effect of the biotransformation procedure on the anticancer properties of the evaluated extracts. The above results clearly indicate that microbial metabolism is a crucial factor that is potent in altering the biological activity of lady’s mantle extract.
Entangled quantum Stirling heat engine based on two particles Heisenberg model with Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction
Authors: Rastegar-Sedehi H. R. , Cruz Clebson
Published: January 2025

Quantum heat engines have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their potential to surpass classical thermodynamic limits by leveraging quantum effects such as entanglement and coherence. In this study, we analyze a quantum Stirling heat engine characterized by a working substance composed of a two-particle Heisenberg model with Dzyaloshinskii–Moriya (DM) interaction under an external magnetic field. We investigate the impact of the antisymmetric interaction on the engine’s efficiency across varying coupling parameters. Our findings demonstrate that the utilization of a two-qubit Heisenberg model in an entangled quantum Stirling heat engine can significantly enhance efficiency and performance. By optimizing the antisymmetric exchange parameters, we achieve substantial enhancements in engine efficiency, with results demonstrating that the efficiency attains remarkably high values compared to other cycles utilizing the same working substance. These enhancements are primarily influenced by the DM interaction and the entangled states of the working substance, leading to superior performance.
Systemic doxycycline as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal therapy in diabetic patients with periodontitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Zheng , Zhang Zhenyu , Zhang Guoquan
Published: January 2025

Background

Recent studies that investigated the effects of systemic doxycycline as an adjuvant to scale and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of diabetic periodontitis have yielded controversial results. The aim of this meta-analysis is to evaluate the effect of systemic doxycycline as an adjunct to SRP against SRP alone for improving clinical outcomes of periodontitis in diabetic individuals.

Methods

A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed, Cochrane library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and VIP Data from the beginning of the database until March 2024. For probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and bleeding on probing (BOP), mean difference (MD) and the 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed. Heterogeneity was assessed using the Q test and the I2 statistic. Evaluation of publication bias was conducted using Egger’s and Begg’s tests.

Results

A total of 12 articles were included for meta-analysis. No statistically significant difference was indicated in the improvement of PD, CAL, PI and GI between a treatment group receiving SRP combined with short-term antimicrobial dose doxycycline and controls receiving SRP alone. However, short-term antimicrobial dose doxycycline plus SRP significantly reduced BOP by 8.14% (95%CI 2.23–14.05) at 3 months. Furthermore, after the adjunctive use of long-term sub-antimicrobial dose doxycycline, significant reductions in GI (MD: 0.72, 95% CI: 0.34–1.10) and BOP (MD: 12.8, 95% CI: 0.24–25.36) were observed at 3 months. The robustness of the results was further confirmed by sensitivity analysis, despite the truth that significant heterogeneity was found among the included studies.

Conclusion

Gingival inflammation in diabetic patients can be reduced more successfully by SRP combined with systemic doxycycline than by SRP alone, but this is insufficient in preventing periodontal tissue destruction.
Expression evaluation of exogenous and endogenous alcohol dehydrogenase genes in transgenic Arabidopsis
Authors: Yu Haoqiang , Lv Hong , Lu Fengzhong , Yang Qingqing , Duan Huaming , Li Wanchen , Fu Fengling
Published: January 2025

A lot of endogenous genes, as well as genes from related species, are transformed back into crops for overexpression to improve their corresponding traits. However, almost all of these transgenic events remain at the testing stage. Most of the singular transgenic events of crops approved for commercial release are developed by the transformation and heterologous expression of exogenous genes from distant species. To detect the differences in expression, protein accumulation, and enzyme activity between transformed exogenous and endogenous genes, the coding sequences (CDSs) of the alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes were cloned from dicotyledonous Arabidopsis, monocotyledonous maize, and prokaryotic Escherichia coli, constructed into expression vector pBI121-cMycNY, and used to transform wild-type Arabidopsis, respectively. Three homozygous T3 lines with a single integration site were screened for each of the three transformed genes by antibiotic screening, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) identification, and genomic DNA resequencing. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that the relative expression levels of the transformed exogenous ZmADH and EcADH genes were ten or tens of times higher than that of the transformed endogenous AtADH gene. After confirming the encoded proteins of these transformed genes by Western blotting, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) showed that the accumulation levels of the proteins encoded by the transformed genes ZmADH and EcADH were significantly higher than that encoded by the transformed endogenous gene AtADH. Enzyme reaction assay showed that the ADH activities of the T3 lines transformed by the exogenous genes ZmADH and EcADH were also significantly higher than that transformed by the endogenous gene AtADH as well as the wild-type control. These results indicated that exogenous genes were more conducive to transgenic improvement of crops.
Assessing the establishment risk for parthenogenetic populations of Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus in global rice-growing areas and potential economic impact in China
Authors: Li Luoyuan , Jin Zhenan , Li Ming , Xue Yantao , Guo Jianyang , Jia Dong , Ma Ruiyan , Lü Zhichuang , Xian Xiaoqing , Liu Wanxue
Published: January 2025

The rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), threatens global rice production, with invasion events driven by its parthenogenetic populations. However, the global establishment risk in global rice-growing areas and potential economic losses and control benefits of the populations in invaded areas remain unclear. We applied an optimized MaxEnt model to predict the global suitable areas of the populations under current and future climate scenarios. Furthermore, we used @Risk software to estimate the potential economic losses and controlling benefit of this populations to rice production in China. Compared to its native range (North America), this populations has explored novel climates ecological niches in invaded areas (Europe and Asia) and occupies the broadest range of climatic ecological niches in Asia. The highly suitable area is primarily covered in rice-growing areas in China, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan, with all major rice-growing areas concentrated in these countries and regions. Under SSP1-2.6 and SSP5-8.5 emission scenarios, sum of suitable area for the populations in global rice-growing regions is projected to decrease by 0.35% and 0.26%, respectively, by the 2030s and 2050s. Moreover, @Risk analysis indicates that without control measures, the populations could cost China’s rice industry $18.95 billion, but management efforts could recover $17.54 billion. These results provide in-depth reference about the impact of climatic changes on the potential global suitable range of L. oryzophilus parthenogenetic populations and its economic impact on the rice industry in China.
Development of robust constitutive synthetic promoter using genetic resources of plant pararetroviruses
Authors: Sherpa Tsheten , Dey Nrisingha
Published: January 2025

With the advancement of plant synthetic biology, complex genetic engineering circuits are being developed, which require more diverse genetic regulatory elements (promoters) to operate. Constitutive promoters are widely used for such gene engineering projects, but the list of strong, constitutive plant promoters with strength surpassing the widely used promoter, the CaMV35S, is limited. In this work, we attempted to increase the constitutive promoter library by developing efficient synthetic promoters suitable for high-level gene expression. To do that, we selected three strong pararetroviral-based promoters from Mirabilis mosaic virus (MMV), Figwort mosaic virus (FMV), and Horseradish latent virus (HRLV) and rationally designed and combined their promoter elements. We then tested the newly developed promoters in Nicotiana benthamiana and found a highly active tri-hybrid promoter, MuasFuasH17 (MFH17). We further used these promoter elements in generating random mutant promoters by DNA shuffling techniques in an attempt to change/improve the MFH17 promoter. We further evaluated the activity of the MFH17 promoter in Oryza sativa seedlings and studied the effect of as-1 elements present in it. Finally, we tested the efficacy and tissue specificity of the MFH17 promoter in planta by developing transgenic Nicotiana tabacum and Arabidopsis thaliana plants and found it highly constitutive and efficient in driving the gene throughout the plant tissues. Overall, we conclude that this tripartite synthetic promoter MFH17 is a strong, highly constitutive, and dual-species (dicot and monocot) expressing promoter, which can be a valuable addition to the constitutive plant promoter library for plant synthetic biology.
Self-beneficial transactional social dynamics for cooperation in Shwachman-Diamond syndrome: a mixed-subject analysis using computational pragmatics
Authors: Trognon Arthur , Stortini Natacha , Duman Coralie , Koïdé Nami , Skupinska Ewa , Altakroury Hamza , Poli Alizée , Mahdar-Recorbet Loann , Beaupain Blandine , Donadieu Jean , Musiol Michel
Published: January 2025

Background

Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is a rare genetic disorder with documented cognitive and behavioral challenges. However, its socio-pragmatic dynamics remain underexplored, particularly in cooperative interactions where social norms and economic considerations intersect.

Objective

This study investigates the socio-behavioral dynamics of SDS, focusing on how children with the condition navigate cooperative interactions. Using computational pragmatics, we aimed to identify the underlying principles guiding their social behavior.

Methods

A cohort of 10 children (5 SDS, 5 matched controls) participated in ecological and cognitive tasks, including the WISC-V “Comprehension” subtest, NEPSY-II social perception tasks, and the Trognon Ecological Side Task for the Assessment of Speech-Act Processing (TEST-ASAP). Dialogues were analyzed using the Topological and Kinetic (2TK) model and a Recurrent Neural Network (RNN), enabling fine-grained computational insights into their interaction patterns.

Results

Children with SDS exhibited cooperative behaviors shaped by perceived economic benefits, often at the expense of established social norms. Unlike behaviors classically observed in other pathologies such as autism spectrum disorders, where responses are influenced by the directness of communication, SDS behaviors were driven by personal gain, regardless of the indirectness of requests. Computational analyses revealed strong divergences in dialogical alignment when tasks lacked direct benefits, even with corrective prompts.

Conclusion

SDS children demonstrate a transactional approach to social interactions, prioritizing personal benefits over cooperative norms. Using our unique dialogic and computational frameworks, we show that perceived personal gain strongly shapes their cooperation patterns. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions to enhance pragmatic skills and adaptive functioning in SDS, given their unique interaction profiles.
Music’s ability to foster prosocial behavior: a teleofunctionalist perspective
Authors: Kim Jin Hyun
Published: January 2025

Drawing on recent interdisciplinary music research—biologically or developmental psychologically oriented—which conceptualizes music as a communicative toolkit primarily serving affiliative communicative interaction, this paper investigates the question of whether and to what extent music is capable of fostering prosocial behavior within the framework of teleofunctionalism—a philosophical theory of mind. A teleofunctionalist perspective allows us to specify this question as follows: To what extent might a function of establishing affiliative socio-interactional relationships be considered a proper function of music, a concept suggested by philosopher Ruth Millikan? From an ontogenetic perspective, musical activities are considered to be rooted in protoconversational communication in early infancy, characterized as interpersonal coordination without involving propositional understanding. These activities develop into coordinated, non-representational forms of vitality, involving basic empathy, shared intentionality, and forms of understanding allowing for shared experiences. This effect of musical activities—establishing shared experiences—can be considered a proper function of music. A teleofunctional explanation of why musical practices that foster cooperation and prosocial behavior are reproduced is provided by the participants’ positive evaluation of shared experiences structured by musical activities. By discussing a proper function of a musical activity, the author refines her own considerations concerning the minimal necessary conditions of music and musicality that can be conceived in a broader sense.
Age effect analysis of different gender groups in spatial ability test based on virtual reality technology
Authors: Guo Yangyang , Zhang Mengdi , Gu Jiangpeng , Liu Qiyang , Liu Xinyang , Wang Jie , Ma Fangfang , Zhai Lihong , Qi Jianlin , Jin Zhanguo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The objective of the present study was to examine the impact of age and cognitive autonomy across various gender categories. Moreover, this research seeks to delve into the dissociation of diverse spatial aptitude assessments, with the aim of elucidating the intricate mechanism underpinning spatial capability.

Method

Based on virtual reality technology, this study conducted spatial ability tests on 312 volunteers, aged from 18 to 90 years old, including R-letter rotation test, S-M mental rotation, surface development test and maze test.

Results

The analysis revealed that the spatial ability of men decreases with age, but the spatial ability of women between 28 and 37 years old is better than that of other age groups. Males outperformed females in most visual ability tests, but there was no significant difference in some age groups. There was no significant correlation between the R-letter rotation test and the S-M mental rotation test, and the two tests were independent. The relationship between visual ability and orientation ability is different in different spatial test indicators.

Conclusion

This investigation further elucidates the dissimilarities in the age-related characteristics of spatial aptitude among diverse gender cohorts, as well as the autonomy of various spatial aptitude assessments. Such distinctions are instrumental in occupational preference for disparate groups, calling for comprehensive and meticulous inquiries into the maturation of spatial proficiency by researchers.
Investigating the impact of user perception and gamification elements on repurchase decisions in game live broadcasting
Authors: Zhang Guihua , Cao Junwei , Huang Mengli , Meng Shang
Published: January 2025

As a branch of online live broadcasting, the development of game live broadcasting is also getting faster and faster. Based on the theory of affordance-psychological outcome-behavioral (A-P-B), this paper introduces three gamification elements of user activity visibility, user level visibility and purchase effect visibility, and three user-perceived experience values of perceived hedonic value, perceived cognitive value and perceived social value to establish the model. After collecting data through questionnaires, an empirical analysis based on partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was carried out using SPSS and SmartPLS data analysis methods to explore the influencing factors of viewers’ re-purchase behaviors in game live broadcasting from the perspective of the visibility of gamification elements. The results of this study show that in game live broadcasting, there is a certain influence between the visibility of gamification elements and the perceived value of users, and that the visibility of user activity, the visibility of purchasing effects, and the visibility of user level all have a significant positive effect on the perceived value of the user experience. This study enriches the literature on the business aspects of game live broadcasting and consumer behavior and has a certain significance in guiding live broadcasting business scenarios to improve the re-purchasing behavior of live broadcast viewers.
The mediating role of psychological capital in health behaviors among elderly nursing home residents
Authors: Liao Liping , Li Yunhua , Tian Feng , Wu Ju , Zhong Jing , He Tingting , Li Jinxiu
Published: January 2025

Objective

This study aims to explore the interactions between social capital, positive psychological capital, and health-promoting behaviors among elderly residents in nursing homes in the Xiangxi region of China.

Methods

A random cluster sampling method was employed to select elderly individuals from 27 nursing homes in the Xiangxi area. Data were collected using the general information questionnaire, the Social Capital Scale, the Positive Psychological Capital Scale, and the Health-Promoting Behaviors Scale. The mediating role of positive psychological capital between social capital and health-promoting behaviors was analyzed.

Results

A total of 341 questionnaires were collected from 27 nursing homes. The data reveals mean scores of 46.83 ± 10.26 for social capital, 72.48 ± 6.39 for positive psychological capital, and 68.25 ± 10.85 for health-promoting behaviors. Mediation analysis shows that the total effect of social capital on health-promoting behaviors was 0.800 (95% CI: 0.726, 0.873), with a direct effect of 0.478 (95% CI: 0.379, 0.577), accounting for 59.75% of the total effect. The indirect effect, mediated by positive psychological capital, was 0.321 (95% CI: 0.233, 0.409), contributing to 40.13% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Positive psychological capital acts as a mediating variable between social capital and health-promoting behaviors. Future interventions designed to enhance health-promoting behaviors must consider both social and psychological capitals to fully leverage their interplay and further promote healthy aging.