374472 research outputs found
Sort by
Molecular and micro-architectural mapping of gray matter alterations in psychosis
Get PDFThe psychosis spectrum encompasses a heterogeneous range of clinical conditions associated with abnormal brain development. Detecting patterns of atypical neuroanatomical maturation across psychiatric disorders requires an interpretable metric standardized by age-, sex- and site-effect. The molecular and micro-architectural attributes that account for these deviations in brain structure from typical neurodevelopment are still unknown. Here, we aggregate structural magnetic resonance imaging data from 38,696 healthy controls (HC) and 1256 psychosis-related conditions, including first-degree relatives of schizophrenia (SCZ) and schizoaffective disorder (SAD) patients (n = 160), individuals who had psychotic experiences (n = 157), patients who experienced a first episode of psychosis (FEP, n = 352), and individuals with chronic SCZ or SAD (n = 587). Using a normative modeling approach, we generated centile scores for cortical gray matter (GM) phenotypes, identifying deviations in regional volumes below the expected trajectory for all conditions, with a greater impact on the clinically diagnosed ones, FEP and chronic. Additionally, we mapped 46 neurobiological features from healthy individuals (including neurotransmitters, cell types, layer thickness, microstructure, cortical expansion, and metabolism) to these abnormal centiles using a multivariate approach. Results revealed that neurobiological features were highly co-localized with centile deviations, where metabolism (e.g., cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRGlu) and cerebral blood flow (CBF)) and neurotransmitter concentrations (e.g., serotonin (5-HT) and acetylcholine (α4β2) receptors) showed the most consistent spatial overlap with abnormal GM trajectories. Taken together these findings shed light on the vulnerability factors that may underlie atypical brain maturation during different stages of psychosis.NGS and RRG are funded by the EMERGIA Junta de Andalucía program (EMERGIA20_00139). RRG is also supported by the Plan Propio of the University of Seville, the Plan de Generación de Conocimiento (PID2021-122853OA-I00) and the Plan de Consolidación (CNS2023-143647) from the Agencia Estatal de Investigación.Peer reviewe
Plant-derived bioactive peptides and protein hydrolysates for managing MAFLD: A systematic review of in vivo effects
No full textMetabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) represents a growing health concern worldwide. Among the pursuit of therapeutic interventions, interest in natural bioactive compounds has intensified because of their potential hepatoprotective effects.This systematic review aims to evaluate the impact of plant-derived hydrolysates and peptides on MAFLD through the current literatures, encompassing their mechanisms of action. Key outcomes evaluated included changes in liver enzymes, liver lipid content, inflammation markers, and histopathological improvements.Preliminary findings suggest a potential beneficial effect of plant-derived hydrolysates and peptides on the improvement of MAFLD-related parameters, with mechanisms implicating antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering properties. This review highlights emerging evidence supporting the potential therapeutic role of plant-derived hydrolysates and peptides in the management of MAFLD. However, more well-designed clinical trials with larger sample sizes and longer durations are warranted to elucidate their efficacy, optimal dose, and long-term safety.G.S.-S. was supported by Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Gobierno de España (JDC2022-048411-I).Peer reviewe
Measurement of rRNA Synthesis and Degradation Rates by 3H-Uracil Labeling in Yeast
No full textIn order to measure the actual synthesis and degradation rates (SR, DR) for rRNA in yeast, we developed a method based on the pulse labeling and quantification of newly synthesized large rRNA molecules by a known mass of cells. The SR is calculated as the ratio of new rRNA molecules (synthesized after a short [5,6-3H]-uracil pulse) to total rRNA (a proxy of cell mass), calculated by northern blotting after hybridization with a 32P-labeled rRNA probe. Then to measure the DR we perform a chase of the existing 3H-labeled rRNA for several hours during yeast culture growth. We have used this method in control experiments where the yeast cell volume varies as a way to check if the SR and DR are constant with the cell volume.This work was supported by grant PID2020-112853GB-C31 to JEP-O funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033.Peer reviewe
Polysorbate 80 and carboxymethylcellulose: A different impact on epithelial integrity when interacting with the microbiome
No full textThe consumption of dietary emulsifiers, including polysorbate 80 (P80) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), has raised safety concerns due to its interaction with the intestinal microbiome. This study demonstrated that increasing concentrations of P80 and CMC added to a dynamic four-stage gut microbiota model (BFBL gut simulator) altered the microbiome composition and impacted epithelial integrity in a dose-dependent manner. 16S rDNA amplicon-based metagenomics analysis revealed that these emulsifiers increased microbial groups with proinflammatory capacities while decreasing microbial taxa known to enhance barrier function. Increasing doses of P80 significantly decreased Bacteroides dorei and Akkermansia, taxa associated with anti-inflammatory potential, while increasing doses of CMC were linked to a higher abundance of Ruminococcus torques and Hungatella, which negatively impact barrier function. Both emulsifiers displayed a different impact on epithelial integrity when interacting with the microbiome. On one hand, supernatants from the BFBL simulator fed with P80 disrupted epithelial integrity to a lesser extent than the additive alone. On the other hand, both the microbiota and the supernatants from the BFBL simulator fed with CMC diminished the epithelial integrity, though the additive itself did not. These findings highlight the need to incorporate the gut microbiome in the risk assessment of these additives.Authors acknowledge the grants PID2019-382106071RB-I00 and PID2022-136874OB-C31 (funded by MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033), of which this research forms part, and E.F. Sáez Martínez for technical support.Peer reviewe
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi strongly influence the endorhizosphere of grapevine rootstock with soil type as a key factor
No full textArbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) play a crucial role in enhancing the health and productivity of host plants, including grapevine. By forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots, AMF significantly improve water uptake and nutrient absorption, particularly phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N). This study evaluated the microbiome composition and AMF colonization in the grapevine endorhizosphere across five wine-growing sub-regions in the Czech Republic. In all five sub-regions, in terms of composition of the fungal microbiome, the phyla Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes were most numerous. Additionally, the study confirmed that LSU primers are more sensitive than ITS primers for AMF sequencing. While the representation of the phylum Glomeromycetes ranged from 0.07% to 5.65% in the ITS library, it was significantly higher, ranging from 83.74% to 98.71%, in the LSU library. The most significant difference compared to other sub-regions was observed in the Slovácko sub-region, where the soil had a low pH, a different texture (sandy loam), reduced micronutrient concentration, and low organic matter. The application of chemical plant protection products to grapevines also could have played a significant role, with 49 applications recorded in the Slovácko sub-region during the three years preceding sample collection. In other sub-regions, chemical treatments were conducted only 19-26 times. These factors resulted in only trace amounts of AMF being detected in Slovácko. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that AMF positively influenced the phosphorus concentration in the soil and reduced the presence of certain fungal pathogens.Open access publishing supported by the institutions participating in the CzechELib Transformative Agreement.Peer reviewe
Nuclear Galectin-1 promotes KRAS-dependent activation of pancreatic cancer stellate cells
No full textPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most aggressive cancers, primarily due to its complex tumor microenvironment (TME), which drives both disease progression and therapy resistance. Understanding the molecular mechanisms governing TME dynamics is essential for developing new treatment strategies for this devastating disease. In this study, we uncover an oncogenic role for Galectin-1 (Gal1), a glycan-binding protein abundantly expressed by activated pancreatic stellate cells (PSCs), a key component of the PDAC TME that orchestrates tumor progression. Our findings reveal that Gal1 expression is elevated in the nucleus of human PSCs in both tissue samples and cultured cell lines. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing analysis (ChIP-seq), we identify Gal1 occupancy at the promoters of several cancer-associated genes, including KRAS, a pivotal oncogene involved in PDAC pathogenesis. We demonstrate that Gal1 binds to the KRAS promoter, sustaining KRAS expression in PSCs, which, in turn, maintains PSC activation and promotes the secretion of protumorigenic cytokines. Mechanistically, Gal1 is required to preserve histone H3 lysine 4 monomethylation levels and to recruit the histone methyltransferase MLL1 to target promoters. Collectively, our findings define a nuclear function of Gal1 in modulating the transcriptional landscape of cancer-associated genes in PSCs within the PDAC TME, mediated through an epigenetic mechanism. These insights enhance our understanding of PDAC pathology and open potential avenues for therapeutic interventions targeting intracellular Gal1.Grant support: National Cancer Institute grant CA265050 to M.F.Z., grants from the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities/Instituto de Salud Carlos III-European Regional Development Fund PI20/00625 and PI23/00591 to P.N., Carmen Delgado/Miguel Pérez Mateo Grant from Asociación Cáncer de Páncreas and Asociación Española de Pancreatología to P.N., as well as grants from Agencia de Investigación, Desarrollo e Innovación (PICT 2017-0494), Ministerio de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación (Redes Federales de Alto Impacto), Sales and Baron Foundations to G.A.R. P.N. and N.M.-B. belong to Conexión-Cáncer Spanish National Research Council and to the Spanish Pancreatic Cancer Research Alliance (ALIPANC).Peer reviewe
∼5-Fold enhancement in the thermoelectric figure of merit of sustainable 3D-CuNi interconnected nanonetworks due to ultralow lattice thermal conductivity
No full textThe pursuit of efficient thermoelectric materials, particularly those composed of low-toxicity and Earth-abundant elements, has intensified in recent years. This study introduces an approach to increase the thermoelectric properties of CuNi alloys through the synergistic application of two nanostructuring techniques: the incorporation of saccharine into the electrolyte to achieve a crystallite size reduction to 23-26 nm and the utilization of three-dimensional (3D) anodic aluminum oxide (3D-AAO) templates to fabricate nanowire networks. For comparison purposes, we successfully electrodeposited CuNi films, one-dimensional (1D) nanowire arrays, and modulated nanowire arrays, together with 3D-nanonetworks, maintaining a consistent composition of Cu0.60Ni0.40 across all samples. Notably, while the electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient remained consistent between the nanocrystalline CuNi films and the 3D-nanonetworks, a significant reduction in thermal conductivity was observed, decreasing from 29 W m-1 K-1 for the bulk material to 10.9 ± 1.1 W m-1 K-1 for nanocrystalline films, to 5.3 ± 0.5 W m-1 K-1 for the 3D nanonetworks, and to 4.9 ± 0.6 W m-1 K-1 for free-standing 3D CuNi nanonetworks. This reduction is attributed to enhanced phonon scattering within the 3D architecture together with the nanocrystalline size inside the nanowires. The figure of merit (zT) exhibited an impressive increase of more than four times (4.4) for 3D-CuNi nanonetworks within AAO templates and 4.8 times for free-standing 3D-CuNi nanonetworks, when compared to bulk. Our findings underscore the potential of dual nanostructuring strategies to optimize the thermoelectric performance of environmentally friendly, stable, and abundant materials like CuNi, paving the way for advancements in sustainable energy technologies.The authors would like to acknowledge financial support from
MINECO under grant number PID2020-118430GB-100.
C. V. M. acknowledges financial support from “Atracción de
Talento Investigador” de la Comunidad de Madrid, contract 2019-T1/IND-13541. We acknowledge the service from the
MiNa Laboratory at IMN and funding from CM (project
SpaceTec, S2013/ICE2822), MINECO (project CSIC13-4E-1794),
and EU (FEDER, FSE).Peer reviewe
2D carbon surfaces as platforms for novel hybrid materials
No full textInvited oral communication presented at the Symposium B03: "Carbon Nanotubes; From Fundamentals to Devices" within the 247th ECS Meeting, Montréal (Canada), 18th-22nd, May, 2025.This presentation focuses on 2D carbon surfaces as macromolecular platforms par excellence for the creation of novel functional hybrid materials exhibiting enhanced electronic and photocatalytic properties. This will be illustrated at hand of two representatie case studies involving graphene oxide [1] and graphitic carbon nitride [2]. In the case of graphene oxide, the unique role of functional surface groups is underlined, offering dispersbility in aqueous media and exciting possibilities to control interface interactions and nanostructurization with conjugated polymers. Synergetic interactions lead to highly favorable charge transfer properties while enabling environmental friendly processing into film electrodes. In the case of graphitic carbon nitride, we demonstrate its possibility to provide nucleation sites for the controlled growth of metal nanoparticles assisted by its unique cleavage and catalytic properties. We will emphasize its benefits for the formation of direct Z-scheme heterojunction photocatalysts revealing enhanced and highly stable photodegradation performance.Peer reviewe
Coking-driven activation of NixFe3-xO4 doped waste-derived carbon: From methanol decomposition to enhanced alkaline OER catalysis
No full text16 figures, 5 tables, supplementary information available.-- Under a CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license.Hydrogen production via methanol decomposition is a promising route for sustainable energy, but catalyst deactivation due to coking remains a major challenge. The issue is even more critical for low-cost catalysts, as their reuse or disposal poses environmental and economic concerns. In this study, activated carbon derived from industrial coal-tar pitch waste was modified through two different hydrazine-based thermal treatments, doped with 40 wt% NiFeO spinels, and subjected to prolonged methanol decomposition to induce coking. All synthesized and spent catalysts were tested for the alkaline oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Notably, the coked catalyst derived from low-temperature hydrazine treatment exhibited improved electrocatalytic performance compared to the parent materials, achieving considerably lower OER overpotentials due to an increased electrochemically active surface area and reduced charge transfer resistance. The carbon coking induced by the methanol decomposition was found to be beneficial for enhancing the overall electrochemical properties of the catalyst depending on their preparation procedure. These findings highlight a new strategy for repurposing spent catalysts in electrocatalytic applications, offering a sustainable approach to catalyst lifecycle management.The Scientific and career development project national program “Young Scientists and Post-Doctoral Students-2” approved by DCM 206/07.04.2022 and the European Regional Development Fund within the Operational Programme Science and Education for Smart Growth 2014–2020 under the Project Center of Excellence: National center of Mechatronics and Clean Technologies- BG05M2OP001–1.001–0008, are acknowledged. The research equipment of the Distributed Research Infrastructure INFRAMAT, part of the Bulgarian National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures, supported by the Bulgarian Ministry of Education and Science, was used in this investigation. The authors also acknowledge help from Project IC-PL/05/2024–2025.Peer reviewe
Tailoring cationic functional groups for enhanced stability and performance in Polysulfone-based anion exchange membranes
No full text10 figures, 2 tables.-- © 2025. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/Anion exchange membranes (AEMs) are promising materials for electrochemical systems due to their compatibility with alkaline environments, enabling cost-effective use of non-precious metal catalysts. However, alkaline stability of cationic functional groups remains a key challenge. In this study, polysulfone-based AEMs were synthesized with two ammonium functional groups: trimethylammonium (TMA) and triethylammonium (TEA). NMR spectroscopy (including Pulsed Field Gradient method and relaxometry) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were employed to assess microstructure, conductivity, and durability. The shorter TMA chain enhanced hydrophilicity, conductivity, and alkaline stability. Fuel cell tests confirmed the poor chemical stability of qPSU-TEA, which degraded rapidly under operating conditions. In contrast, qPSU-TMA outperformed a commercial membrane (FAA-3–50) under identical conditions, achieving a peak power density of 220 mW/cm² at 60 °C and maintaining high performance at 80 °C. These findings highlight the robust electrochemical stability and interface integrity of qPSU-TMA at elevated temperatures, and underscore the critical role of cationic group design in optimizing AEM performance and durability.M.H.R., C.S. and I.N. acknowledge financial support under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.1, Call for tender No 1409 of 14.9.2022 by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR), funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU– Project Title UNIRE – CUP H53D23007910001.Peer reviewe