Search Results (12,520)

Extracranial arteriovenous malformations (eAVMs) are complex vascular lesions characterized by anomalous arteriovenous connections, vascular instability, and disruptions in endothelial cell (EC)-to-mural cell (MC) interactions. This study sought to determine whether eAVM-MCs could induce endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), a process known to disrupt vascular integrity, in the eAVM microenvironment. eAVM and paired control tissues were analyzed using RT-PCR for EC (CD31, CD34, and CDH5) and EndMT-specific markers (SNAI1, SNAI2, ACTA2/α-SMA, N-cadherin/CDH2, VIM). Immunohistochemistry (IHC) was also performed to analyze MC- (PDGFR-β and α-SMA), EC (CD31, CD34, and CDH5), and EndMT-specific markers (CDH2 and SNAI1) in sequential paraffin-embedded sections of eAVM patient biopsies and in adjacent normal tissue biopsies from the same patients. Furthermore, eAVM-MCs and MCs from normal paired tissues (NMCs) were then isolated from fresh human surgical samples using flow cytometry and co-cultured with normal human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs), followed by analysis of CD31 by immunofluorescence. RT-PCR analysis did not show a significant difference in the expression of EC markers between eAVM tissues and controls, whereas expression of EndMT-specific markers was upregulated in eAVM tissues compared to controls. IHC of eAVMs and paired control tissues demonstrated regions of significant perivascular eAVM-MC expansion (PDGFR-β+, and α-SMA+) surrounding dilated, morphologically abnormal vessels. These regions contained endothelium undergoing EndMT as evidenced by loss of CD31, CD34, and CDH5 expression and upregulation of the EndMT-associated genes CDH2 and SNAI1. Isolated eAVM-MCs induced loss of CD31 in HUVECs when grown in co-culture, while NMCs did not. This study suggests that the eAVM endothelium surrounded by expanded eAVM-MCs undergoes EndMT, potentially leading to the formation of dilated and fragile vessels, and implicates the eAVM-MCs in EndMT initiation and eAVM pathology. Full article

Background: Recent advancements in understanding plasma extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their role in disease biology have provided additional unique insights into the study of Colorectal Cancer (CRC). Methods: This study aimed to gain biological insights into disease progression from plasma-derived extracellular vesicle proteomic profiles of 80 patients (20 from each CRC stage I–IV) against 20 healthy age- and sex-matched controls using a high-resolution SWATH-MS proteomics with a reproducible centrifugation method to isolate plasma EVs. Results: We applied the High-Stringency Human Proteome Project (HPP) guidelines for SWATH-MS analysis, which refined our initial EV protein identification from 1362 proteins (10,993 peptides) to a more reliable and confident subset of 853 proteins (6231 peptides). In early-stage CRC, we identified 11 plasma EV proteins with differential expression between patients and healthy controls (three up-regulated and eight down-regulated), many of which are involved in key cancer hallmarks. Additionally, within the same cohort, we analysed EV proteins associated with tumour recurrence to identify potential prognostic indicators for CRC. A subset of up-regulated proteins associated with extracellular vesicle formation (GDI1, NSF, and TMED9) and the down-regulation of TSG101 suggest that micro-metastasis may have occurred earlier than previously anticipated. Discussion: By employing stringent proteomic analysis and a robust SWATH-MS approach, we identified dysregulated EV proteins that potentially indicate early-stage CRC and predict recurrence risk, including proteins involved in metabolism, cytoskeletal remodelling, and immune response. While our findings underline discrepancies with other studies due to differing isolation and stringency parameters, they provide valuable insights into the complexity of the EV proteome, emphasising the need for standardised protocols and larger, well-controlled studies to validate potential biomarkers. Full article

To address the control challenges posed by increasingly complex mission scenarios, this paper aims to develop an advanced formation control and obstacle avoidance strategy for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in SE(3). This study establishes a dynamic model for fully actuated AUVs and designs a consensus-based formation control strategy to achieve coordinated movement. Motivated by limitations of existing obstacle avoidance strategies such as local minima issues and mutual interference between formation members in high-density environments, this paper introduces a novel gyroscopic force-based obstacle avoidance method. The proposed approach leverages the principles of rotation and angular momentum conservation to enable effective obstacle avoidance while maintaining formation integrity. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed methodology in achieving robust formation control and collision avoidance under challenging conditions. Full article

To observe lower-frequency gravitational waves (GWs), it is effective to utilize a large spacecraft formation baseline, spanning hundreds of thousands to millions of kilometers. To overcome the limitations of a gravitational-wave observatory (GWO) on specific orbits, a scientific observation mode and a non-scientific observation mode for GWOs are proposed. For the non-scientific observation mode, this paper designs equilateral triangle and equilateral tetrahedral array formations for a space-based GWO near a collinear libration point. A stable configuration is the prerequisite for a GWO; however, the motion near the collinear libration points is highly unstable. Therefore, the output regulation theory is applied. By leveraging the tracking aspect of the theory, the equilateral triangle and equilateral tetrahedral array formations are achieved. For an equilateral triangle array formation, two geometric configuration design methods are proposed, addressing the fuel consumption required for initialization and maintenance. To observe GWs in different directions and avoid configuration/reconfiguration, the multi-layer equilateral tetrahedral array formation is given. Additionally, the control errors are calculated. Finally, the effectiveness of the control method is demonstrated using the Sun–Earth circular-restricted three-body problem (CRTBP) and the ephemeris model located at Lagrange point $L_1$. Full article

This study, based on our previous research, aims to quantitatively determine the enhanced protection of austenitic stainless steels against pitting corrosion in NaCl solution by self-assembled molecular (SAM) layers, in their original form and after γ-irradiation. This study focuses on four stainless steels of varying compositions, covered by self-assembled undecenyl phosphonic acid layers. The metal dissolution in corrosion experiments was measured by a special, highly sensitive analytical technique using the inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The comparison of the dissolved metal ion concentrations measured in the presence of different metals with and without nanocoatings allowed the evaluation of the anticorrosion effectiveness of nanofilms as well as the importance of the alloying elements. The ICP-OES results demonstrated that the quality of layers have a significant impact on anticorrosion efficacy. The γ-irradiated self-assembled layers were the most effective in controlling the dissolution of stainless steels. The mechanisms of the inhibition in the presence of these nanolayers were elucidated by infrared spectroscopy. First of all, it revealed the differences in the adsorption of the undecenyl phosphonic acid self-assembled layer, both with and without γ-irradiation. The other important observation that confirmed the increased anticorrosion efficiency after γ-irradiation proved the formation of a more compact, polymer-like layer over the metal surface. The increased anticorrosion efficacy, defined as the enhancement in Pitting Resistance Equivalent Numbers (PRENs) in the presence of self-assembled layers (either pre- or post-γ-irradiation), can be documented. Full article

Background: Alcohol-induced osteoporosis is a significant health concern, impairing bone formation and enhancing resorption, thereby weakening skeletal integrity. This study examines the effects of palm vitamin E on bone histomorphometry in a male rat model of alcohol-induced osteoporosis. Methods: Three-month-old Sprague–Dawley rats were randomized into seven groups, with one baseline control group (BC) and six experimental groups undergoing a two-phase treatment. In the first month, the control group received normal saline, while experimental groups received intraperitoneal alcohol (3 g/kg) three times weekly. For the subsequent two months, alcohol treatment continued in one group (A), while others received olive oil (C), saline (AN), alpha-tocopherol (AA), or palm vitamin E (AE) orally. Results: Femur histomorphometric analysis post-sacrifice showed that alcohol exposure significantly decreased osteoblastic activity and impaired bone microarchitecture, evidenced by reduced Ob.S/BS, OS/BS, OV/BV, Tb.Th, BV/TV, and Tb.N, alongside increased Oc.S/BS, ES/BS, and Tb.Sp. Both alpha-tocopherol and palm vitamin E improved bone parameters, with palm vitamin E showing superior efficacy except in OV/BV. Conclusions: These findings suggest that palm vitamin E may offer a therapeutic benefit for mitigating alcohol-induced bone damage. Full article

Breast cancer is a global health issue that, when in the metastasis stage, is characterized by the lack of estrogen receptor-α, the progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth receptor expressions. The present study analyzed the differential gene expression related to the immune system affected by ionizing radiation and estrogen in cell lines derived from an experimental breast cancer model that was previously developed; where the immortalized human breast epithelial cell line MCF-10F, a triple-negative breast cancer cell line, was exposed to low doses of high linear energy transfer α particle radiation (150 keV/μm), it subsequently grew in the presence or absence of 17β-estradiol. Results indicated that interferon-related developmental regulator 1 gene expression was affected in the estrogen-treated cell line; this interferon, as well as the Interferon-Induced Transmembrane protein 2, and the TNF alpha-induced Protein 6 gene expression levels were higher than the control in the Alpha3 cell line. Furthermore, the interferon-related developmental regulator 1, the Interferon-Induced Transmembrane protein 2, the TNF alpha-induced Protein 6, the Nuclear Factor Interleukin 3-regulated, and the Interferon-Gamma Receptor 1 showed high expression levels in the Alpha5 cell line, and the Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 was high in the Tumor2 cell line. Additionally, to further strengthen these data, publicly available datasets were analyzed. This analysis was conducted to assess the correlation between estrogen receptor alpha expression and the genes mentioned above in breast cancer patients, the differential gene expression between tumor and normal tissues, the immune infiltration level, the ER status, and the survival outcome adjusted by the clinical stage factor. It can be concluded that the genes of the interferon family and Tumor Necrosis factors can be potential therapeutic targets for breast cancer, since they are active before tumor formation as a defense of the body under radiation or estrogen effects. Full article

Currently, materials with specific, strictly defined functional properties are becoming increasingly important. A promising strategy for achieving these properties involves developing methods that facilitate the formation of hierarchical porous materials that combine micro-, meso-, and macropores in their structure. Macropores facilitate effective mass transfer of substances to the meso- and micropores, where further adsorption or reaction processes can occur. Aerogels represent a promising class of materials for implementing this approach. The formation of hierarchical porous structures in aerogels can be achieved using soft and hard templating methods or by foaming techniques. This paper presents a comprehensive study of three methods for forming hierarchical porous structures in alginate aerogels: (1) employing surfactants (Pluronic F-68), (2) using zein as a pore-forming component, and (3) foaming in a carbon dioxide medium. The results of micro-CT showed that each of the methods contributes to the formation of macropores within the structure of the resulting aerogels. Size distribution curves of the detected macropores were obtained, showing the presence of macropores ranging from 16 to 323 μm in size for samples obtained using surfactants, from 5 to 195 μm for samples obtained using zein, and from 20 μm to 3 mm for samples obtained by foaming in a carbon dioxide medium. The SEM images demonstrated the macro- and mesoporous fibrous structure of the obtained materials. The nitrogen porosimetry results indicated that samples obtained using surfactants and zein are characterized by a high specific surface area (592–673 m²/g), comparable to the specific surface area for an alginate-based aerogel obtained without the use of pore-forming components. However, the use of the developed methods for the formation of a hierarchical porous structure contributes to an increase in the specific mesopores volume (up to 17.7 cm³/g). The materials obtained by foaming in a carbon dioxide medium are characterized by lower specific surface areas (112–239 m²/g) and specific mesopores volumes (0.6–2.1 cm³/g). Thus, this paper presents a set of methods for forming hierarchical porous structures that can obtain delivery systems for active substances with a controlled release profile and highly efficient platforms for cell culturing. Full article

The fault-tolerant time-varying formation (TVF) trajectory tracking control problem is investigated in this paper for uncertain multi-agent systems (MASs) with external disturbances subject to time delays under semi-Markov switching topologies. Firstly, based on the characteristics of actuator faults, a failure distribution model is established, which can better describe the occurrence of the failures in practice. Secondly, switching the network topologies is assumed to follow a semi-Markov stochastic process that depends on the sojourn time. Subsequently, a novel distributed state-feedback control protocol with time-varying delays is proposed to ensure that the MASs can maintain a desired formation configuration. To reduce the impact of disturbances imposed on the system, the $H_{\infty }$ performance index is introduced to enhance the robustness of the controller. Furthermore, by constructing an advanced Lyapunov–Krasovskii (LK) functional and utilizing the reciprocally convex combination theory, the TVF control problem can be transformed into an asymptotic stability issue, achieving the purpose of decoupling and reducing conservatism. Furthermore, sufficient conditions for system stability are obtained through linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). Eventually, the availability and superiority of the theoretical results are validated by three simulation examples. Full article

The Middle Permian Maokou Formation carbonate rocks in the southern Sichuan Basin are import targets for hydrocarbon exploration, with numerous gas fields discovered in structural traps. However, as exploration extends into slope and syncline zones, the limestone reservoirs become denser, and fluid distribution becomes increasingly complex, limiting efficient exploration and development. Identifying the key factors controlling natural gas accumulation is therefore critical. This study is the first to apply deep learning techniques to fault detection in the southern Sichuan Basin, identifying previously undetected WE-trending subtle strike-slip faults (vertical displacement < 20 m). By integrating well logging, seismic, and production data, we highlight the primary factors influencing natural gas accumulation in the Maokou Formation. The results demonstrate that 80% of production comes from less than 30% of the well, and that high-yield wells are strongly associated with faults, particularly in slope and syncline zones where such wells are located within 200 m of fault zones. The faults can increase the drilling leakage of the Maokou wells by (7–10) times, raise the reservoir thickness to 30 m, and more than double the production. Furthermore, 73% of high-yield wells are concentrated in areas of fault intersection with high vertical continuity. Based on these insights, we propose four hydrocarbon enrichment models for anticline and syncline zones. Key factors controlling gas accumulation and high production include fault intersections, high vertical fault continuity, and local structural highs. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of deep learning for fault detection in complex geological settings and enhances our understanding of fault systems and carbonate gas reservoir exploration. Full article

As large-scale depletion of shallow coal seams and increasing mining depths intensify, the frequency and intensity of mining-induced earthquake events have significantly risen. Due to the complex formation mechanisms of high-energy mining-induced earthquakes, precise identification and early warning cannot be achieved with a single monitoring method, posing severe challenges to coal mine safety. Therefore, this study conducts an in-depth risk analysis of two high-energy mining-induced earthquake events at the 3308 working face of Yangcheng Coal Mine, integrating microseismic monitoring, stress monitoring, and seismic source mechanism analysis. The results show that, by combining microseismic monitoring, seismic source mechanism inversion, and dynamic stress analysis, critical disaster-inducing factors such as fault activation, high-stress concentration zones, and remnant coal pillars were successfully identified, further revealing the roles these factors play in triggering mining-induced earthquakes. Through multi-dimensional data integration, especially the effective detection of the microseismic “silent period” as a key precursor signal before high-energy mining-induced earthquake events, a critical basis for early warning is provided. Additionally, by analyzing the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of different risk factors, high-risk areas within the mining region were identified and delineated, laying a foundation for formulating precise prevention and control strategies. The findings of this study are of significant importance for mining-induced earthquake risk management, providing effective assurance for safe production in coal mines and other mining environments with high seismic risks. The proposed analysis methods and control strategies also offer valuable insights for seismic risk management in other mining industries, ensuring safe operations and minimizing potential losses. Full article

The application of eigenvalue theory to dual quaternion Hermitian matrices holds significance in the realm of multi-agent formation control. In this paper, we study the use of Rayleigh quotient iteration (RQI) for solving the right eigenpairs of dual quaternion Hermitian matrices. Combined with dual representation, the RQI algorithm can effectively compute the eigenvalue along with the associated eigenvector of the dual quaternion Hermitian matrices. Furthermore, by utilizing the minimal residual property of the Rayleigh quotient, a convergence analysis of the Rayleigh quotient iteration is derived. Numerical examples are provided to illustrate the high accuracy and low CPU time cost of the proposed Rayleigh quotient iteration compared with the power method for solving the dual quaternion Hermitian eigenvalue problem. Full article

The mammalian Apolipoprotein-L families (APOLs) contain several isoforms of membrane-interacting proteins, some of which are involved in the control of membrane dynamics (traffic, fission and fusion). Specifically, human APOL1 and APOL3 appear to control membrane remodeling linked to pathogen infection. Through its association with Non-Muscular Myosin-2A (NM2A), APOL1 controls Golgi-derived trafficking of vesicles carrying the lipid scramblase Autophagy-9A (ATG9A). These vesicles deliver APOL3 together with phosphatidylinositol-4-kinase-B (PI4KB) and activated Stimulator of Interferon Genes (STING) to mitochondrion–endoplasmic reticulum (ER) contact sites (MERCSs) for the induction and completion of mitophagy and apoptosis. Through direct interactions with PI4KB and PI4KB activity controllers (Neuronal Calcium Sensor-1, or NCS1, Calneuron-1, or CALN1, and ADP-Ribosylation Factor-1, or ARF1), APOL3 controls PI(4)P synthesis. PI(4)P is required for different processes linked to infection-induced inflammation: (i) STING activation at the Golgi and subsequent lysosomal degradation for inflammation termination; (ii) mitochondrion fission at MERCSs for induction of mitophagy and apoptosis; and (iii) phagolysosome formation for antigen processing. In addition, APOL3 governs mitophagosome fusion with endolysosomes for mitophagy completion, and the APOL3-like murine APOL7C is involved in phagosome permeabilization linked to antigen cross-presentation in dendritic cells. Similarly, APOL3 can induce the fusion of intracellular bacterial membranes, and a role in membrane fusion can also be proposed for endothelial APOLd1 and adipocyte mAPOL6, which promote angiogenesis and adipogenesis, respectively, under inflammatory conditions. Thus, different APOL isoforms play distinct roles in membrane remodeling associated with inflammation. Full article

Aquatic products contain a large amount of protein, which can promote the production of a variety of biogenic amines through the function of microorganisms. Biogenic amines are a broad category of organic substances that contain nitrogen and have a low molecular weight. The presence of biogenic amines can cause the deterioration and excessive accumulation of aquatic products, which can cause damage to human health. Therefore, it is essential to discover a fast, convenient, and easy to operate method for the determination of biogenic amines in aquatic products. In this paper, the function and research significance of biogenic amines are analyzed from the aspects of their formation, toxicological properties, harm to the human body, and control methods. Several common direct detection techniques and indirect techniques for biogenic amines are briefly introduced especially sensors. This review provides references for efficient detection in the future. Full article

This study focuses on typical regions of strong ageostrophic processes in the Kuroshio using high-resolution remote sensing satellite reanalysis data and Argo float data. By analyzing the relationship between the Rossby number and chlorophyll concentration from June to August in the summer of 2020, the spatial characteristics of ageostrophic processes and their impact on the phytoplankton community distribution are explored. The results indicate that ageostrophic processes, driven by coastal topography, are stably generated in the regions of the Bashi Channel, northeastern Taiwan waters, southwestern Kyushu Island, and southern Shikoku Island. Furthermore, the intensity of these ageostrophic processes shows an overall positive correlation with chlorophyll concentration. The local mixing and subfront circulations induced by ageostrophic processes pump deep nutrients into the euphotic zone, supporting the growth and reproduction of phytoplankton, which leads to the formation of significant chlorophyll hotspots in regions controlled by ageostrophic processes. Full article