AKB48 is a synthetic cannabinoid illegally sold for its psychoactive cannabis-like effects that has been associated to several acute intoxications and which effects are poorly known. Using a behavioural, neurochemical and immunohistochemical approach we investigated the pharmaco-toxicological effects, plasma pharmacokinetic and neuroplasticity at cannabinoid CB1 receptor (CB1R) in the cerebellum and cortex induced by repeated AKB48 administration in male and female mice. The effects of AKB48 varied significantly depending on sex and length of treatment. The 1st injection impaired sensorimotor responses and reduced body temperature, analgesia, and breath rate at a greater extent in females than in males, the 2nd injection induced stronger effects in males while the 3rd injection of AKB48 induced weaker responses in both sexes, suggesting the emergence of tolerance. The CB1R antagonist NESS-0327 prevented the effects induced by repeated AKB48, confirming a CB1R-mediated action of the drug. Blood AKB48 levels were higher in females than in males and repeated administration caused a progressive rise of AKB48 content in blood samples of both sexes, suggesting an inhibitory effect on cytochrome activity. Finally, immunohistochemical analysis revealed higher expression of CB1Rs in the cerebellum and cortex of females, and a rapid CB1R downregulation in cerebellar and cortical areas following repeated AKB48 injections, with neuroadaptation occurring generally more rapidly in females than in males. We showed for the first time that AKB48 effects significantly vary with prolonged use and that sex affects the pharmacodynamic/pharmacokinetic responses to its repeated administration, suggesting a sex-tailored approach in managing AKB48-induced intoxication.

Background and Purpose Epiberberine (EPI), one of the active ingredients in Coptidis Rhizoma, exhibited excellent potential for inhibiting gastric cancer (GC) in our previous study. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanism was still unclear. The aim of this study was to identify the core receptor target of EPI in GC and to explore the underlying mechanisms. Experimental Approach The identification and validation of receptor targets were performed using multiple bioinformation methods and in vitro experiments. The co-localization and binding sites between EPI and GABRB3 were detected by confocal microscope, molecular dynamic, point mutation and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). The inhibition effects and mechanisms of EPI on the malignant phenotypes of GC cells via GABRB3 signaling were determined by MTT, colony formation, wound closure assay, flow cytometry, real-time qPCR, Western blot analysis, chloride and calcium ion fluorescent probes, dual-luciferase assay and a tumor-bearing mouse model. Key Results Initial studies discovered that EPI might stimulate the GABAA receptor-composed GABAergic system with GABRB3 as the core in GC cells. EPI might directly bind to the heteropentamer via residue Tyr157, Phe200, and Thr202. EPI overactivating GABRB3 made an abnormal accumulation of intracellular Ca2+ and subsequently induced p21/CDK1/CCNB1 axis-dependent G2/M cell cycle arrest. EPI binding also promoted the accumulation of endonuclear p-CREB1 via the Ca2+/PKC-δ/CaMKII pathway, which formed a positive feedback loop that upregulated GABRB3 expression as well as promoted p53 expression. Conclusion and Implications This study may prolong the understanding for the anti-GC mechanism of EPI and provide a new strategy for GC treatment.

Background and Purpose Voltage sensitivity is a common feature of many membrane proteins, including some G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). However, the functional consequences of voltage sensitivity in GPCRs are not well understood. Experimental approach In this study, we investigated the voltage sensitivity of the post-synaptic metabotropic glutamate receptor mGlu5 and its impact on synaptic transmission. Using biosensors and electrophysiological recordings in non-excitable HEK293T cells or neurons. Key Results We found that mGlu5 receptor function is optimal at resting membrane potentials. We observed that membrane depolarization significantly reduced mGlu5 receptor activation, Gq-PLC/PKC stimulation, Ca2+ release, and mGlu5 receptor-gated currents through TRPC6 channels or NMDA receptors. Notably, we report a previously unknown activity of the NMDA receptor at the resting potential of neurons, enabled by mGlu5. Conclusions & Implications Our findings suggest that mGlu5 receptor activity is directly regulated by membrane voltage which may have a significant impact on synaptic processes and pathophysiological functions.

A document by Sudhir Kumar. Click on the document to view its contents.

Biochar is suggested as a soil amendment to improve salt-affected soil properties for crop productivity and decrease soil salinity. However, the heterogeneity among biochar experiments in terms of biochar and soil properties and experimental conditions makes it difficult to compare and extrapolate results from different studies. A statistical meta-analysis was undertaken with the aim of evaluating the impacts of biochar on crop productivity and soil salinity in salt-affected soils. The results showed a statistically significant benefit of biochar application to salt-affected soils on crop productivity. The application rate of 40-50 t/ha (41%), C/N ratio of 40-60 (33%), pyrolysis temperature of 450-550 °C (28%) and pH of 7-8 (30%) of biochar yielded the greatest (positive) effects on crop productivity and did not cause an increase in soil salinity in salt-affected soil. With regard to climate analyses, biochar application had the greatest (positive) effects on crop productivity and the greatest (negative) effects on soil salinity at mean annual temperature (MAT) <10 °C (30%), mean annual precipitation (MAP) <400 mm (33%) and MAT <10 °C (-9%), MAP< 400 mm (-9%), respectively. This suggests that the crop productivity increase may be due to an improvement in soil temperature and water retention and a decrease in soil salinity. The greater (positive) effects on crop productivity with regard to soil analyses were seen at pH >8 (24% to 25%), salinity >5 (32% to 60%), and sulfate-dominated (35%) and soda-dominated (26%) saline soils. The greater (negative) effects on soil salinity with regard to soil analyses were seen at salinity >5 (-9% to 22%), and sulfate-dominated (-35%) and soda-dominated (16%) saline soils. This suggests that the crop productivity increase may be due to a decrease in soil pH and salinity in sulfate-dominated or soda-dominated saline soils. A statistically significant increase in the productivity of cash crops and rice was found in salt-affected soils treated with biochar, but soil salinity also increased. A statistically significant increase in crop productivity by biochar was seen in the salt-affected soils with the addition of inorganic fertilizer and no fertilizer compared to the absence of biochar. This meta-analysis provides the first quantitative review of the effect of biochar on crop productivity and soil salinity in salt-affected soil, which is critical for developing engineered biochar to restore salt-affected soil and promote food security.

This report describes the successful treatment of a cutaneous hemangiosarcoma of a 12 years old horse presented for evaluation of a cutaneous mass on the left gluteal region. Hemangiosarcoma is a rare life-threatening neoplasia that can be successfully managed when diagnosed and treated at early stages. Unfortunately, they are often diagnosed at later stages, leading to a poor outcome and low survival rates. In this report, the horse has been treated with a complete large surgical excision of the neoplastic tissue. A good cosmetic outcome as well as a short recovery time has been achieved with an autologous skin grafting split thickness modified meek technique. A long-term follow-up of the patient showed no reoccurrence of the hemangiosarcoma, and successful return to athletic performance. In the authors knowledge, this is the first equine primary cutaneous hemangiosarcoma treated with complete excision and subsequently autologous skin grafting with a long-term follow-up and good outcome despite the poor prognosis.

Several Asian countries are undergoing rapid economic development driven by diverse factors. This development is leading to continuous land use changes, including deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural conversion. Such transformations threaten essential ecosystem functions and services, like food provision, climate regulation, and cultural benefits. Land-use changes, influenced by economic activities and policies, carry extensive consequences, impacting ecosystem productivity, water resources, and climate stability. Remote sensing technology significantly aids in monitoring and quantifying these changes, offering valuable insights for land management and policy decisions. The NASA Land-Cover and Land-Use Change (LCLUC) Program within NASA’s Earth Science Division program aims to establish global assessments of land changes using space-based methods (https://lcluc.umd.edu/). The South/Southeast Asia Research Initiative (SARI), funded by NASA LCLUC, focuses on advancing LCLUC science in the region and fostering collaborations between US and Asian researchers. Utilizing geospatial data from remote sensing and models, SARI employs a comprehensive approach, considering biophysical and socioeconomic aspects of land systems and their interactions. SARI has been enhancing LCLUC science through science projects, partnerships, training, workshops, and capacity building exchanges since 2015. This Special Issue, stemming from SARI meetings in the Philippines and Malaysia in 2018 and 2019, gathers articles focusing on LCLUC, degradation, and ecosystem services in Asia. Of over 90 submissions, 30 have been accepted, providing insights into these issues and their regional impacts. The articles are summarized into various sub-themes below.

This paper delves into the application of informatics and logic-based solutions to solve Problem 5 of the 2023 International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). The problem, known as the Japanese Triangle Problem, presents a unique challenge that can be addressed using various informatics techniques , combined with structured logical reasoning.

IntroductionAcute appendicitis is the most common surgical emergency globally, with an incidence of 1.17 per 1000. The lifetime risk of acute appendicitis is 8.6% in men and 6.7% in women and its incidence is highest in adolescents and young adults.(1)  Although appendicitis is a common condition, it remains a diagnostic challenge for surgeons, mainly in pregnant women. Clinical diagnosis alone leads to a negative appendectomy rate of 15 to 30%.(2, 3) Different scoring systems have been developed for diagnosing acute appendicitis and the most commonly used is Alvarado score.(4) We hereby present an unusual case of mega appendix.

Despite the conventional belief that motor function and sensation distal to the site of a complete spinal cord transection are irretrievable, our research has demonstrated significant motor recovery in mice, rats, and dogs by applying polyethylene glycol (PEG) directly onto the transection site of the spinal cord. However, before implementing this technology in human subjects, validating PEG’s efficacy and enduring impact through experimentation on non-human primates is imperative. Two 4-year-old female Macaca fascicularis monkeys underwent complete dorsal cord transection at T10. Postoperative behavioral assessment, electrophysiologic monitoring, and neuroimaging examinations were recorded, and tissues were obtained for histological examination at the end of study. The monkey whose spinal cord had been fully transected in the presence of PEG developed useful recovery already at 3 months and near-complete recovery of motor function in the hind-limbs at 18 months. The control animal without PEG remained paralyzed. Cortical somatosensory evoked potentials recovered postoperatively only in PEG-treated monkey vs none in the control. Diffusion tensor imaging showed re-establishment of continuity of the white matter in PEG-treated monkey, but not in the control. Moreover, histology revealed intact neuronal bodies, axons, and myelin tissue at the spinal cord transection site in PEG-treated monkey only. This report suggests that in primates, an acutely transected spinal cord can be re-fused in the presence of PEG with restoration of neural continuity and functional recovery of motor activity distal to the site of transection.

A molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) with photocatalytic activity was successfully synthetized by a non-covalent method using ibuprofen as the target molecule. Adsorption assays and a photodegradation study was done. The results showed that TiO 2 influences the adsorption behavior, when the TiO 2 content is low the materials follow a Langmuir model, but when is higher Freundlich model best represents the adsorption process in the MIPs. 25% of TiO 2 is the optimum amount in a photocatalytic imprinting matrix; the complete degradation is reached within the 2.5 minutes.

Focusing on the demand for collecting the wasted mechanical energy from nature or human production activities in the current period, the design and development of piezoelectric energy harvester with higher electromechanical conversion performance of great significance. To solve this issue, we designed a piezoelectric energy harvester based on the combined action of an annular hollow mass and springs. When vibrating, the force exerted by the mass is released at the three equal points on the surface of the brass substrate through 3 parallel springs. This concentrated release of energy through the spring amplification effect facilitates large deformation of the piezoelectric ceramic sheet, resulting in more charge output. The results show that such an energy harvester based on the PZT-5H ceramic can exhibit an ultra-high output power of 23.69 mW at a low frequency of 70 Hz under the joint action of only a 14 g mass and three springs of 0.3 mm wire diameter, 2 mm outer diameter and 5 mm length. More importantly, to match the vibration frequency of the actual environment, we also proposed that energy harvesters can be designed by selecting spring wire diameter and the weight of mass. The energy harvester designed in this work is expected to capture energy from low-frequency natural environments and exhibit outstanding output performance, which can provide guidelines for future efforts in this direction.

Three fatigue damage models based on entropy, originally developed for constant amplitude loading, were assessed and compared each other in order to state whether its applicability can be extended towards variable amplitude loading conditions. A variable amplitude loading history, applied on a 2024-T3 aluminum alloy reported in the literature, was processed using both rainflow cycle counting and spectral techniques to transform it into a distribution of simple processes with constant amplitudes, then the damage models were assessed under the new loading conditions. The results showed that the model by Khonsari, combined with the rainflow technique, exhibited the highest accuracy with respect to the referenced experimental results with -0.67 standard deviation from the average data and 16% error from the median. Therefore, it is possible to assess the fatigue damage accumulation in metallic materials under variable amplitude loading through a thermodynamic approach with models developed for constant amplitude loading.

Introduction：Since its introduction in 1986[1], endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) has gained wide acceptance in clinical practice due to its simplicity, short duration, and low complication rates[2, 3]. Clinical guidelines in many countries have been recommended EVL as the first-line treatment for esophageal varices in liver cirrhosis[4-6]. However, there have been reports of potential adverse events associated with EVL. These include esophageal stenosis, ulcer bleeding, esophageal perforation, esophageal hematoma, pneumonia, and spontaneous bacterial peritonitis[7-10]. Although rare, cases of liver dysfunction following EVL have also been reported. In this paper, we present the case of a 50-year-old male patient diagnosed with alcoholic cirrhosis and esophageal variceal rupture and bleeding. He underwent emergency EVL for hemostasis at our hospital. Subsequently, he developed liver dysfunction. The patient’s condition improved following active conservative treatment in internal medicine and DPMAS+PE therapy.

In the actual communication environment, the Specific emitter identification (SEI) task often encounters Zero-Shot Learning (ZSL) problems. In the ZSL scenarios, the irrelevant characteristics may weaken the inter-class aggregation and split features of the same category into different clusters, which exacerbates the misjudgment. In this paper, based on the global modeling ability of graph convolutional network (GCN), we design a Neighbourhood grAph NetwOrk (NANO) to improve this situation, which consists of feature extraction and a GCN-based transformation network. To train this network, we define a neighborhood graph (NG), a weighting strategy, and a novel NG loss. Finally, experiments on practical collected signals demonstrate that DNG-Net outperforms discrete value detection methods in SEI tasks.

The 6G era is expected to bring a new level of advancement to communication networks with the development of technologies such as mobile-edge-computing, AI-at-the-edge, CML, MCL, and distributed and federated AI. These technologies aim to provide high-speed, low-latency, and reliable connectivity to meet the growing demand for advanced communication solutions. Mobile-edge computing and AI at the edge will play a key role in reducing latency and improving the efficiency of 6G networks by enabling data processing at the network’s edge. CML and MCL will integrate ML into communication networks, improving their performance and reliability. Distributed and federated AI will revolutionize how data is processed and shared, allowing organizations to pool their resources and expertise to develop more accurate and efficient ML models. However, these exciting opportunities also come with challenges, such as ensuring the reliability and security of AI algorithms, developing new standards and protocols to support the complex networks and use cases of 6G, and making the technology accessible and affordable for all users. Despite these challenges, the growth of the digital economy and the increasing demand for advanced communication technologies will continue to drive the development of 6G technologies, leading to the creation of more efficient, secure, and reliable communication networks. In conclusion, 6G is set to bring a new level of innovation to the field of communication networks, enabling a more connected, efficient, and secure world.

Uncontrolled Li dendrite growth hinder the large-scale commercial application of Li metal batteries. Most of present interfacial engineering strategies in lithium metal batteries can only prolong the nucleation time of lithium dendrites and cannot prevent the growth of lithium dendrites in three-dimensional space. In this work, a nickel based catecholate (Ni-CAT) conductive interlayer capable of guiding the orderly migration of lithium ions and inhibiting the disordered deposition of lithium dendrites was successfully constructed between the solid electrolyte and lithium metal by rational design. The experimental analysis proves that the Ni-CAT nanorod arrays with unique vertical structure are closely connected with the solid electrolyte, which can reduce the charge transfer resistance at the interface and guide the lithium ions to be preferentially deposited on the surface of the Ni-CAT interlayer through the conductive gradient, which effectively avoids the phenomenon of apical growth during lithium deposition. Moreover, the abundant pores and inherent nanochannels of Ni-CAT itself acts as an “ion sieve”, successfully inducing the uniform deposition of lithium metal, which drastically reduces the probability that lithium might lose its electrical contact during cycling, leading to the appearance of dead lithium. This strategy holds great promise for solving the lithium dendrite problem.

Background Balloon Tipped Temporary Pacemakers (BTTP) are the most used temporary pacemakers; however, they are associated with a risk of dislodgement and thromboembolism. Recently, Temporary Permanent Pacemakers (TPPM) have become increasingly used. Evidence of better outcomes with TPPM compared to BTTP is still scarce. Materials and methods Retrospective, chart review study evaluating all patients who underwent temporary pacemaker placement between 2014 and 2022 (N=126) in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (CCL) at a level 1 trauma center. Primary outcome of this study is to evaluate the safety profile of TPPM vs BTTP. Secondary objectives include patient ambulation and healthcare utilization in patients with temporary pacemakers. Results Both groups had similar baseline characteristics distribution including gender, race and age at temporary pacemaker insertion (p>0.05). Subclavian vein was the most common site of access for the TPPM cohort (89.0%) vs the femoral vein in the BTTP group (65.1%). Ambulation was only possible in the TPPM group (55.6%, p<0.001). Lead dislodgement, venous thromboembolism, local hematoma, and access site infections were less frequently encountered in the TPPM group (OR = 0.23 [95% CI (0.10-0.67), P<0.001]). Within the subgroup of patients with TPPM, 36.6% of the patients were monitored outside the ICU setting. There was no significant difference in the pacemaker related adverse events among patients with TPPM based on their in-hospital setting. Conclusion TPPM are associated with more favorable safety profile compared to BTTP. They are also associated with earlier patient ambulation and reduced healthcare utilization.

The identification of individual animals is vital for a wide range of studies, in particular for the estimation of population densities, the understanding of social networks as well as for the assessment of their age-related physical development. For antlered deer of the Cervidae family, researchers have often used the antlers as markers for the identification of individuals animals. This marker is very unreliable, due to the high variability of the antlers in line with the aging of the males and damages, which are often caused by rut fights. Other markers are therefore needed to recognize individual males, but also females of these species over a longer period. This article proves, that the fur patterns of fallow deer maintain their key characteristics throughout the entire life of the deer, from age 1 on. The method is very robust and applies to all fallow deer which feature spots and other markings in their fur.

Species Abundance Distributions (SADs) describe the commonness and rarity of species in communities, but few studies explored the ecological factors influencing SAD patterns. Elevational gradients may provide useful opportunities to understand SAD variations in response to environmental characteristics. We investigated how plant SADs changed along a 2,500 m elevational gradient in the Alborz Mountains (Iran). We sampled plots at 100 m intervals from 2,000 to 4,500 m elevation to model SADs using several probability distributions. Most communities were best fitted by the exponential and gamma distributions as well as the Weibull distribution. Weibull parameters showed a unimodal pattern and identified different degrees of dominance and rarity along elevational gradient. Communities at lower elevations were characterized by the presence of many species with low dominance. At middle elevations, communities had many rare and many species with intermediate abundances. At high elevations, communities were characterized by reduced taxonomic diversity and low dominance. Less stressful climatic conditions that characterize lower elevations allow more species to coexist, but competition may constrain species abundances. Most species are unable to cope with harsher conditions of higher elevations, and are filtered out, leading to a reduced taxonomic diversity and dominance in these communities.

A document by Muzammilanwar S. Khan. Click on the document to view its contents.

The oil-water displacement after hydraulic fracturing can increase the oil production and reduce the flowback fluid. The NMR technology is applied to study the oil distribution in the core sample before and after oil-water displacement. The main factors affecting the oil-water displacement efficiency are revealed, and the theoretical basis and reference are provided for the optimization of post-fracturing flowback system in tight reservoirs. The results show that the displaced oil is mainly from small pores, medium pores and macropores. The larger the pore size, the higher the oil-water displacement efficiency. Strong homogeneity of core samples and good pore-throat connectivity are the main reasons for the higher oil-water displacement efficiency. The oil-water interfacial tension is low, and the displacement efficiency is improved. The cleanup additive in guar gum fracturing fluid can effectively reduce the oil-water interfacial tension and improve the oil-water displacement efficiency compared with the slick water fracturing fluid.

Two supramolecular complexes were prepared using cucurbiturils [CBs] as hosts and a four-armed p-xylene derivative (M1) as a guest molecule. The single crystals of these two complexes were obtained and successfully analyzed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD). An unexpected and intriguing 1:2 self-assembly arrangement between the M1 and CB[8] was notably uncovered, marking its first-time observation. These host-guest complexes exhibit distinctive photophysical properties, especially emission behaviors. The invaluable insights derived from these precious single-crystal structures provide both precise structural information regarding the supramolecular complexes and a deeper understanding of the intricate mechanisms governing their photophysical properties.

The current research was conducted to estimate the prevalence of gastrointestinal nematodes in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Sialkot. Total 130 (63 females and 67 males) of 26 species of domestic pigeons were examined. Fecal samples from pigeons’ flocks (fresh droppings) were used for this investigation through qualitative method (direct microscopy and floatation method). These samples were collected from 13 villages (Golophala, Bhagwal Awan, Ugoki, Harrar, Kotli Bhutta, Veerum, Dhatal, Noul, Moman Kalan, Moman Khurd, Adalt Garh, Tibba, and Marjan) of Sialkot city. 21 (13 females and 8 males, with a prevalence of 16.15 %) were found positive with capillaria spp. Capillaria spp. was more prevalent in females (20.63%) than males (11%). High prevalence rate was observed in Bhagwal Awan village (8 pigeons infected), (80%) due to unhygienic living conditions. Low prevalence was observed in Golo phala, Dhatal, Kotli Bhutta, Noul, Veerum, Harrar amd Moman Khurd. There was no positive pigeon found in Ugoki, Moman kalan, Adalt garh, Tibba and Marjan. Low and zero prevalence in these villages were due clean and hygienic environment. This research will be helpful to pigeons owners in raising awareness to improve pigeons’ health status through controlling of gastrointestinal parasites especially, capillaria. Further studies are recommended in assessing the effects of these parasites on pigeons’ health and production and aware the pigeon’s keepers to take suitable measures against them.