Effect of Fe Concentration and Superheating on the Microstructure and Tensile Properties of High Mg 413.0-Type Alloys: Role of Sr, Be, P, and La.

The present work was undertaken to explore the multiple alloys and process steps that have been suggested to mitigate the harmful effects of high iron content in cast Al-Si alloys. The base alloy used was ommercial 413.0 alloy containing 0.

Microfluidic Integration of Magnetically Functionalized Microwires for Flow Cytometry Protein Quantification.

A novel approach to protein quantification utilizing a microfluidic platform activated by a magnetic assembly of functionalized magnetic beads around soft magnetic capture centers is presented. Functionalized magnetic beads, known for their high surface area and facile manipulation under external magnetic fields, are injected inside microfluidic channels and immobilized magnetically on the surface of glass-coated soft magnetic microwires placed along the symmetry axis of these channels. A fluorescent (Cy5) immunomagnetic sandwich ELISA is then performed by sequentially flowing the sample and all necessary reagents in the microfluidic channels.

Mitochondrial Gene Expression of Three Different Dragonflies Under the Stress of Chlorpyrifos.

Chlorpyrifos (CPF) is an organophosphate insecticide that is extensively utilized globally due to its effectiveness against over 200 pest species. CPF exhibits its toxicity primarily through the inhibition of the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) enzyme, while mitochondrial damage and dysfunction have also been observed. The present study quantified the transcript levels of mitochondria protein-coding genes (mtPCGs) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction () in samples of larvae of three dragonfly species (, , and ) under different levels of CPF stress.

Macronutrient-Based Predictive Modelling of Bioconversion Efficiency in Black Soldier Fly Larvae () Through Artificial Substrates.

This study explores the optimisation of rearing substrates for black soldier fly larvae (BSFL). First, the ideal dry matter content of substrates was determined, comparing the standard 30% dry matter (DM) with substrates hydrated to their maximum water holding capacity (WHC). Substrates at maximal WHC yielded significantly higher larval survival rates ( = 0.

Navigating the Semiochemical Landscape: Attraction of Subcortical Beetle Communities to Bark Beetle Pheromones, Fungal and Host Tree Volatiles.

Subcortical beetle communities interact with a wide range of semiochemicals released from different sources, including trees, fungi, and bark beetle pheromones. While the attraction of bark beetles, their insect predators, and competitors to bark beetle pheromones is commonly studied, the attraction of these beetle communities to other sources of semiochemicals remains poorly understood. We tested the attraction of bark and wood-boring beetles and their predators to host stress volatiles, fungal volatiles, and a mountain pine beetle lure in the field.

HERC1 E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Is Necessary for Autophagy Processes and for the Maintenance and Homeostasis of Vesicles in Motor Nerve Terminals, but Not for Proteasomal Activity.

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is implicated in protein homeostasis. One of the proteins involved in this system is HERC1 E3 ubiquitin ligase, which was associated with several processes including the normal development and neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), autophagy in projection neurons, myelination of the peripheral nervous system, among others. The tambaleante (tbl) mouse model carries the spontaneous mutation Gly483Glu substitution in the HERC1 E3 protein.

In Vitro Insights into Bacteriocin-Mediated Modulation of Chicken Cecal Microbiota.

Reducing the use of antibiotics in animal husbandry is essential to limit the spread of resistance. A promising alternative to antibiotics resides in bacteriocins, which are antimicrobial peptides produced by bacteria showing a great diversity in terms of spectrum of activity, structure, and mechanism of action. In this study, the effects of diverse bacteriocins on the composition and metabolic activity of chicken cecal microbiota were examined in vitro, in comparison with antibiotics.

Structure-Function Relationship of the β-Hairpin of HB27 Laccase.

Thermus thermophilus HB27 laccase (Tth-Lac) is a thermostable enzyme that contains a β-hairpin (Ala292-Gln307) covering the substrate entrance. We analyzed the role of this β-hairpin in the enzymatic activity of Tth-Lac through three β-hairpin mutants: two variants without the β-hairpin (C1Tth-Lac and C2Tth-Lac) and one with a partially modified β-hairpin (P1Tth-Lac). Enzymatic activity was assayed with different substrates with and without copper.

Charge Reversal of the Uppermost Arginine in Sliding Helix S4-I Affects Gating of Cardiac Sodium Channel.

Several mutations of the uppermost arginine, R219, in the voltage-sensing sliding helix S4 of cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5 are reported in the ClinVar databases, but the clinical significance of the respective variants is unknown (VUSs). AlphaFold 3 models predicted a significant downshift of S4 in the R219C VUS.

Methanolic Leaves Extract of Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Migration of HER2-Positive Breast Cancer via p38 MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) is a subtype of breast cancer that is associated with poor prognosis and low survival rates. The discovery of novel anti-cancer agents to manage this subtype of cancer is still needed. ( is a plant species that is native to Qatar.

Transcriptome Analysis Suggests PKD3 Regulates Proliferative Glucose Metabolism, Calcium Homeostasis and Microtubule Dynamics After MEF Spontaneous Immortalization.

Cell immortalization corresponds to a biologically relevant clinical feature that allows cells to acquire a high proliferative potential during carcinogenesis. In multiple cancer types, Protein Kinase D3 (PKD3) has often been reported as a dysregulated oncogenic kinase that promotes cell proliferation. Using mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs), in a spontaneous immortalization model, PKD3 has been demonstrated as a critical regulator of cell proliferation after immortalization.

I/D Genotype and Risk of Non-Contact Injury in Moroccan Elite Athletes: A Pilot Study.

The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in , the gene encoding the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), has been suggested as a genetic variation that can influence exercise performance and risk of injury in elite athletes. The I allele has been associated with enhanced endurance performance and with reduced inflammation, while the D allele has been associated with improved performance in strength and power activities. However, the role of this genetic variant in the incidence of non-contact injury is underexplored.

Interdigital and Plantar Foot Infections: A Retrospective Analysis of Molecularly Diagnosed Specimens in the United States and a Literature Review.

Up to one-quarter of the United States population is affected by tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Tinea pedis of the web space (interdigital tinea pedis) is a common clinical presentation causing skin macerations and fissures. A "dermatophytosis complex" (i.

Virulence of Bacteria Causing Mastitis in Dairy Cows: A Literature Review.

Bovine mastitis, a prevalent disease in dairy farms, exerts a profound negative influence on both the health and productivity of dairy cattle, leading to substantial economic losses for the dairy industry. The disease is associated with different bacterial agents, primarily Gram-positive cocci (e.g.

Immunogenicity of Type IV Pilin Proteins from in Chickens.

, the causative agent of necrotic enteritis in chickens, is controlled by in-feed antibiotics. With increasing pressure to reduce antimicrobial use, the development of alternative preventive tools is needed. Type IV pili proteins have been shown to be immunogenic in many Gram-positive bacteria.

Soil Microbial Responses to Varying Environmental Conditions in a Copper Belt Region of Africa: Phytoremediation Perspectives.

The mining industry in the copper belt region of Africa was initiated in the early 1900s, with copper being the main ore extracted to date. The main objectives of the present study are (1) to characterize the microbial structure, abundance, and diversity in different ecological conditions in the cupriferous city of Lubumbashi and (2) to assess the metal phytoextraction potential of , a main plant species used in tailing. Four ecologically different sites were selected.

Feeding Expressed Breast Milk Alters the Microbial Network of Breast Milk and Increases Breast Milk Microbiome Diversity over Time.

Breastfeeding supplies nutrition, immunity, and hormonal cues to infants. Feeding expressed breast milk may result in de-phased milk production and feeding times, which distort the real-time circadian cues carried by breast milk. We hypothesized that providing expressed breast milk alters the microbiotas of both breast milk and the infant's gut.

A Precessing-Coin-like Rotary Actuator for Distal Endoscope Scanners: Proof-of-Concept Study.

This paper presents, for the first time, a rotary actuator functionalized by an inclined disc rotor that serves as a distal optical scanner for endoscopic probes, enabling side-viewing endoscopy in luminal organs using different imaging/analytic modalities such as optical coherence tomography and Raman spectroscopy. This scanner uses a magnetic rotor designed to have a mirror surface on its backside, being electromagnetically driven to roll around the cone-shaped hollow base to create a motion just like a precessing coin. An optical probing beam directed from the probe's optic fiber is passed through the hollow cone to be incident and bent on the back mirror of the rotating inclined rotor, circulating the probing beam around the scanner for full 360° sideway imaging.

A Concise Review of Recent Advancements in Carbon Nanotubes for Aerospace Applications.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted significant attention in the scientific community and in the industrial environment due to their unique structure and remarkable properties, including mechanical strength, thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and chemical inertness. Despite their potential, large-scale applications have been limited by challenges such as high production costs and catalyst contamination. In aerospace applications, CNTs have demonstrated considerable promise either in the form of thin layers or as reinforcements in polymer and metal matrices, where they enhance mechanical, thermal, and electromagnetic performance in lightweight composites.

Design and Fabrication of MoCuO Bimetallic Oxide Electrodes for High-Performance Micro-Supercapacitor by Electro-Spark Machining.

Transition metal oxides, distinguished by their high theoretical specific capacitance values, inexpensive cost, and low toxicity, have been extensively utilized as electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors. Nevertheless, their conductivity is generally insufficient to facilitate rapid electron transport at high rates. Therefore, research on bimetallic oxide electrode materials has become a hot spot, especially in the field of micro-supercapacitors (MSC).

Lipoprotein Lipase: Structure, Function, and Genetic Variation.

Biallelic rare pathogenic loss-of-function (LOF) variants in lipoprotein lipase () cause familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). Heterozygosity for these same variants is associated with a highly variable plasma triglyceride (TG) phenotype ranging from normal to severe hypertriglyceridemia (HTG), with longitudinal variation in phenotype severity seen often in a given carrier. Here, we provide an updated overview of genetic variation in in the context of HTG, with a focus on disease-causing and/or disease-associated variants.

Heart Morphogenesis Requires Smyd1b for Proper Incorporation of the Second Heart Field in Zebrafish.

Abnormal development of the second heart field significantly contributes to congenital heart defects, often caused by disruptions in tightly regulated molecular pathways. , a gene encoding a protein with SET and MYND domains, is essential for heart and skeletal muscle development. Mutations in SMYD1 result in severe cardiac malformations and misregulation of expression in mammals.

Maximal Fat Oxidation During Exercise in Healthy Individuals: Lack of Genetic Association with the rs9939609 Polymorphism.

: Previous studies suggest that there is a genetically determined component of fat oxidation at rest and during exercise. To date, the gene has been proposed as a candidate gene to affect fat oxidation during exercise because of the association of the "at-risk" A allele with different obesity-related factors such as increased body fat, higher appetite and elevated insulin and triglyceride levels. The A allele of the gene may also be linked to obesity through a reduced capacity for fat oxidation during exercise, a topic that remains largely underexplored in the current literature.

Sex-Specific Differences in the Pathophysiology of Hypertension.

Hypertension is one of the most common comorbidities in cardiometabolic diseases, affecting nearly one third of adults. As a result, its pathophysiological mechanisms have been studied extensively and are focused around pressure natriuresis, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), the sympathetic nervous system, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction. Additionally, hypertension secondary to other underlying etiologies also exists.

Proteomic Profiling Towards a Better Understanding of Genetic Based Muscular Diseases: The Current Picture and a Look to the Future.

Proteomics accelerates diagnosis and research of muscular diseases by enabling the robust analysis of proteins relevant for the manifestation of neuromuscular diseases in the following aspects: (i) evaluation of the effect of genetic variants on the corresponding protein, (ii) prediction of the underlying genetic defect based on the proteomic signature of muscle biopsies, (iii) analysis of pathophysiologies underlying different entities of muscular diseases, key for the definition of new intervention concepts, and (iv) patient stratification according to biochemical fingerprints as well as (v) monitoring the success of therapeutic interventions. This review presents-also through exemplary case studies-the various advantages of mass proteomics in the investigation of genetic muscle diseases, discusses technical limitations, and provides an outlook on possible future application concepts. Hence, proteomics is an excellent large-scale analytical tool for the diagnostic workup of (hereditary) muscle diseases and warrants systematic profiling of underlying pathophysiological processes.