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Probing the proteome
No full textRaman spectroscopy can be used to predict cellular physiology and proteome composition in E. coli
The Impact of Septoplasty on Physical Performance and Quality of Life in Active Individuals – A Literature Review
No full textBackground. Appropriate upper airway patency is an essential component of exercise physiology. The nose is not only responsible for conditioning inhaled air but is also the primary source of nitric oxide (NO), which aids gas exchange in the lungs. Nasal septal deviation (NSD) disrupts flow aerodynamics, increases airway resistance, and forces a premature transition to the less efficient oral airway, depriving the physically active individual of metabolic benefits and limiting exercise potential.
Aim. The purpose of this study is to summarize the existing literature on the effect of nasal septal deviation on performance parameters and to determine how effective surgical correction (septoplasty) is in relation to performance, hemodynamic, and recovery parameters among physically active individuals.
Results. The literature review reveals that septoplasty offers several physiological advantages. During exercise, the process increases the economy of effort and delayed fatigue, as it decreases metabolic cost by increasing time to exhaustion without necessarily increasing absolute VO2max. In the hemodynamic area, nasal patency significantly unburdens the heart by lowering pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) and improving left ventricular function. In addition, the procedure normalizes sleep quality and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters, which is the basis of a successful recovery after exercise.
Conclusions. Septoplasty is an effective treatment that promotes exercise capacity in athletes. This process has a profound influence on minimizing the metabolic cost of breathing, improving cardiovascular function and the quality of biological recovery, eliminating the physiological and functional gap between patients with NSD and the healthy population.
The Impact of Sauna Bathing on Cardiovascular Homeostasis: From Molecular Mechanism to Clinical Benefits
No full textBackground. Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) reamin the leading cause od death wordwilde, thereby demanding noveland scalable preventive approaches. In recent years, sauna bathing and infrared Waon therapy have emerged as potentialpleiotropic intervention replicating the effects of aerobic training.
Aim. This review aims to summarize the evidence currently available from large prospective cohort studies and from randomized controlled trials on the influence of short-term thermal stress on hemodynamic parameters, endothelial function, arterial stiffness and long-term cardiovascular prognosis.
Results. Observational studies strongly indicate that dose-dependent sudden cardiac death (63% reduction), stroke (61%), and hypertension are low in the frequent sauna users (4-7 times per week). These effects are mediated through upregulation of heat shock proteins (HSPs) modulation of the autonomic nervous system, and suppression of systemic inflammation. However, the results of studies testing these advanced exercise training strategies in patients with established CAD are conflicting regarding potential improvement in vascular function compared to healthy subjects, potentially resulting from a "healthy user" bias or structural limitations when disease is severe.
Conclusions. Acute heat treatment may serve as a hormetic stressor that triggers beneficial pleiotropic adaptations. While the epidemiological evidence on risk reduction is strong for modification of these potentially reversible factors, the failure to demonstrate vascular benefit in short-term trial of advanced CAD patients demands additional investigation into the optimal approach regarding patient population, timing and duration of therapy
Assessing vertical coordinate system performance in the Regional Modular Ocean Model 6 configuration for Northwest Pacific
No full textThe Northwest Pacific (NWP) has a complex ocean circulation system and is among the regions most affected by climate change. To facilitate rapid responses to marine incidents and effectively address climate variability impacts, the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (KIOST) developed the Korea Operational Oceanographic System–Ocean Predictability Experiment for Marine Environment (KOOS-OPEM), a high-resolution regional ocean prediction system based on Modular Ocean Model version 5 (MOM5). In this study, the base model of KOOS-OPEM was upgraded to MOM6 to enhance its regional ocean modeling capabilities. A key advancement of MOM6 is its flexible vertical coordinate system enabled by a Lagrangian remapping system. Taking advantage of this feature, we evaluated the impact of vertical coordinate choices on model performance by comparing the HYBRID (z∗-isopycnal) and ZSTAR (z∗) configurations. Model outputs from the 2003–2012 period were assessed against multiple observational datasets and reanalysis products to determine their ability to reproduce key oceanographic features. The results indicated that HYBRID better preserved stratification and reduced spurious diapycnal mixing, significantly improving the representation of North Pacific Intermediate Water (NPIW). In contrast, ZSTAR exhibited excessive diapycnal mixing, resulting in a thicker isopycnal layer associated with NPIW and a salinity bias of approximately 0.2 psu. An idealized age tracer experiment further confirmed that ZSTAR facilitates excessive downward diffusion of younger surface waters, eroding the minimum salinity layer of the NPIW. In tidal simulations, HYBRID outperformed ZSTAR in reproducing M2 tidal amplitudes in the Yellow Sea, where stratification plays a key role. Conversely, ZSTAR underestimated these amplitudes due to its limitations in representing stratification. Despite its advantages, HYBRID underperformed in high-latitude regions, exhibiting larger temperature and salinity biases between 100 and 600 m depth, with temperature biases reaching approximately −1 °C. This discrepancy arose because HYBRID maintained fewer active layers in weakly stratified regions, reducing vertical resolution and leading to errors in water mass representation. To mitigate these issues and improve HYBRID's performance in high-latitude regions, adjustments to target density profiles are necessary. In addition, both configurations showed limitations in simulating winter SST, largely due to insufficient vertical resolution in the surface mixed layer. To address these issues, adopting a finer surface layer resolution (e.g., 1 m instead of 2 m) will further enhance the model's representation of mixed-layer processes.</p
Integrating OPTRAM and machine learning with multimodal EO proxies for optimized irrigation scheduling in smallholder systems: a Vhembe District case study
No full textClimate variability and recurrent droughts pose increasing irrigation challenges for smallholder maize farmers in southern Africa. This study developed a scalable Earth observation and artificial intelligence (EO–AI) framework combining satellite data, machine learning, and crop water modeling to estimate daily maize actual crop evapotranspiration (ETc) in South Africa’s Vhembe District. Five machine learning models were rigorously validated against benchmark ETc derived from the FAO-56 Penman–Monteith reference evapotranspiration (ET0) method multiplied by locally calibrated crop coefficients (Kc). Random Forest and k-Nearest Neighbors models demonstrated superior performance, with R2 consistently exceeding 0.99, root mean square error (RMSE) below 0.06 mm/day, and normalized RMSE (NRMSE) less than 2%, outperforming support vector machine, MARS, and XGBoost models. The EO–AI framework effectively captured fine-scale spatial and temporal ETc variability, with daily actual maize ETc at 6.5 mm/day during peak crop sensitivity periods. An operational irrigation decision-support prototype translated these predictions into targeted field-level water-deficit alerts for farmers. This work highlights the value of EO–AI frameworks for delivering high-resolution, daily ETc mapping in fragmented, cloud-prone landscapes, enabling more precise and resilient irrigation strategies for smallholder systems
PtBGL: a cost-effective alternative to GUS reporter with applications in plant imprint dyeing
No full textReporter gene systems are essential tools for monitoring gene expression and transformation efficiency in plant research. The widely used GUS system provides strong, stable, and well-localized signals but requires expensive substrates. Here, we present an alternative based on Persicaria tinctoria β-glucosidase (PtBGL) and its natural substrate indican, which is a low-cost indoxyl glucoside extractable from heat-treated indigo plants. When expressed in Arabidopsis thaliana and Nicotiana benthamiana, PtBGL localizes to plastids and converts indican into a blue indigo pigment visible to the naked eye. Comparative assays in 13 of the 14 tested plant species revealed no detectable background activity from endogenous β-glucosidases at the examined developmental stage. The PtBGL and indican system enables cost-effective transgenic screening, gene expression analysis, and practical applications such as plant-based fabric imprinting
Re-sedation using remimazolam anesthesia in patients with multiple injuries during recovery: a case report and literature review
No full textRemimazolam combined with flumazenil can shorten recovery time, but the occurrence of re-sedation may put the patient at risk. Herein, we report a case of a 50-year-old woman who underwent general anesthesia using remimazolam. During emergence from general anesthesia, she briefly regained consciousness after receiving 0.4 mg of flumazenil and then fell unconscious again. The disturbance of consciousness lasted for 75 min. We diagnosed re-sedation after ruling out other possible causes. We simulated anesthetic concentration changes using TIVA trainer software, further confirming re-sedation through mechanistic analysis. Additionally, we reviewed the literature and analyzed the potential reasons for the occurrence of re-sedation under various conditions. The occurrence of re-sedation is not only related to the administration of flumazenil but also to individual differences in the effect-site concentration of remimazolam and the phenomenon of rapid tolerance. In clinical practice, flumazenil should be used cautiously, avoiding single high-dose administration, and considering delayed administration when appropriate. For critically ill patients, clinicians should closely monitor and guard against the occurrence of re-sedation. Further research is needed to determine the optimal time to administer flumazenil and to identify the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients who experience re-sedation, thereby guiding patient safety
NDUFS4, a mitochondrial complex I subunit, is essential for T-cell metabolic fitness and immune function
No full textIntroductionMitochondrial metabolism is essential for T-cell function, but the roles of individual electron transport chain (ETC) components are unclear. Here, we aimed to explore the role of mitochondrial complex I (CI) subunit NADH:ubiquinone oxidoreductase iron-sulfur protein 4 (NDUFS4) in T-cell metabolic fitness and immunity.MethodsWe used a T cell-specific Ndufs4 knockout mouse model to find that NDUFS4 deficiency disrupts CI function, leading to metabolic and redox imbalances. Additionally, T cells from a patient with Leigh syndrome induced by NDUFS4 loss-of-function were analyzed.ResultsNdufs4-deficient T cells exhibit impaired OXPHOS, reduced respiratory capacity, and increased glycolysis, accompanied by reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and defective TCR-driven activation, including reduced proliferation and cytokine production. In vivo, Ndufs4(-/-) mice show T-cell lymphopenia and impaired humoral and cytotoxic immunity. Importantly, T cells from a single Leigh syndrome patient with an NDUFS4 loss-of-function variant showed similar defects, including impaired activation and proliferation.DiscussionThese findings highlight the importance of NDUFS4 for human immunity and establish a mechanistic link between complex I dysfunction and T-cell immunodeficiency. Our results identify NDUFS4 as a key regulator connecting mitochondrial integrity to adaptive immune function
GelMA–GelDopa–Sr double-network hydrogel promotes skin regeneration by enhancing angiogenesis and macrophage polarization
No full textIntroductionChronic skin defects typically exhibit persistent inflammation, damaged cell regeneration, and insufficient vascularization, all of which severely impede the healing process. Traditional skin dressings merely serve to cover the wound and do not actively promote wound healing. They lack anti-inflammatory capabilities and only minimally regulate immune cells, and their poor biocompatibility can lead to foreign body reactions. Some traditional dressings adhere to the defect area, and during dressing changes, they may cause secondary trauma, resulting in pain and tearing of new tissue. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop a functional dressing that can simultaneously regulate inflammatory responses, promote angiogenesis, and accelerate tissue regeneration.MethodsIn this study, gel methacrylamide (GelMA), gel dopamine (GelDopa) were combined with strontium ions (Sr2+) to create a multifunctional dual-network composite hydrogel, GelMA-GelDopa-Sr hydrogel. CCK-8 and live/dead cell staining assays were used to detect fibroblast proliferation. Scratch and transwell assays were used to assess cell migration. Vascular networks were evaluated by tube formation experiments.ResultsThis dual-network design provided several functional advantages: the photopolymerization properties of GelMA enabled rapid and controllable gelation; the catecholamine derived from GelDopa imparted antioxidant capabilities, thereby reducing oxidative stress; and Sr2+ promoted angiogenesis. In vivo evaluations demonstrated that the fabricated GelMA-GelDopa-Sr hydrogel significantly promoted fibroblast proliferation, accelerated cell migration, and promoted the formation of stable vascular networks. In a full-thickness skin defect rat model, the GelMA-GelDopa-Sr hydrogel significantly upregulated levels of CD31 and CD163, indicating that the hydrogel enhanced angiogenesis and regulated the immune environment, which accelerated wound healing.DiscussionThe results show that the GelMA-GelDopa-Sr dual-network composite hydrogel exerts antioxidant, angiogenic promotion and immune regulation effects through a synergistic mechanism, which overcomes the challenges of inflammation and insufficient vascularization during skin tissue regeneration and significantly accelerates the regeneration of skin tissues. This research offers new ideas and experimental basis for the design and application of multifunctional hydrogels in the repair of chronic wounds
Determinants of abnormal liver-related biomarkers in adult COVID-19 patients
No full textBackgroundSerum hepatic injury markers indexes are altered in COVID-19 patients. We aimed to explore the factors that could be associated with abnormal serum hepatic injury markers in adult COVID-19 patients.MethodsEight main hepatic injury markers were examined. Demographic and hematological information, mean CT values (MCTVs) of liver and pancreas, and abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness were recorded. Regression analysis was conducted to identify factors related to abnormal hepatic injury markers.Results1,007 adult COVID-19 patients (444 males and 563 females) were included, among whom 697 patients (69.2%) had at least one abnormal hepatic injury markers marker. Females had lower risks of elevated Total Bilirubin (TBil), Direct Bilirubin (Dbil), ALT, AST, GGT and decreased albumin, with ORs of 0.61 (95%CI: 0.42-0.89), 0.36 (95%CI: 0.16-0.83), 0.20 (95%CI: 0.12-0.32), 0.42 (95%CI: 0.30-0.58), 0.36 (95%CI: 0.22-0.60) and 0.40 (95%CI: 0.30-0.54). Patients with greater ratios of subcutaneous fat thickness to abdominal diameters also had lower risks of abnormalities in these six markers. Older patients had higher serum levels of AST but lower levels of albumin and ALT. The risks of abnormal DBil and AST were 3.26 and 1.62 times higher in patients with a history of HBV infection. Patients with many abnormal hepatic injury markers indexes had significantly lower MCTVs of liver and pancreas and higher levels of fibrinogen and LDH in blood.ConclusionsSex, age, HBV infection, fibrinogen, LDH, liver and pancreas MCTVs, and ratio of abdominal subcutaneous fat thickness to the sum of the abdominal diameters were independently associated with many abnormal serum hepatic injury markers in adult COVID-19 patients
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