Search Results (3,086)

How do ryanodine receptors (RyRs) open simultaneously to trigger the contraction of whole myofibrils within a large skeletal muscle cell? One possible answer is the uniformity of mechanosensitive RyRs, which is mechanically forced by the neighboring environment, including proteins. Here, we review papers addressing this proposed “mechanical sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) paradigm”. Crystals of the molecular complexes comprising RyR and L-type voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels were observed at the T-tubule/SR junction in situ using cryo-electron tomography. Observations of the SR vesicles isolated from rabbit and scallop cross-striated muscles using negative staining and transmission electron microscope raised a hypothesis of dynamic rearrangement of the Ca²⁺-ATPase (ATPase) molecules in response to cytoplasmic calcium concentration, as follows: (i) At a low calcium concentration where the ratio of operating ATPase molecules to the total molecules is at a submaximal level, the ATPase molecules form, at least in part, their cylindrical crystals in the SR membrane with the help of ATP; this results in the elongation of the SR vesicles. (ii) High concentrations of calcium, at which the ratio of operating ATPase molecules is maximal, reversibly collapse the ATPase crystals to transform the elongated vesicles into round forms comprising tightly attached crystal patches. These data further lead to the idea that the reversible growth of cylindrical ATPase crystals provides a dynamic crystalline network, which acts as an “SR membrane-endoskeletal motor” to manipulate the SR movement. The possibility of interactions between ATPase crystals and neighboring RyR crystals is also discussed. Full article

Lonicera japonica Thunb. possesses significant potential for applications in beverages and functional foods. Nevertheless, most studies focus on the overall quality of flower buds, with limited comparisons across different developmental stages and distinct floral parts. This study systematically investigated changes in volatile flavor compounds and non-volatile bioactive constituents in whole flowers, calyxes, corollas, and reproductive organs before and after flowering. An integrated approach combining metabolomics profiling, entropy weight analysis, correlation network analysis, and molecular docking was employed to evaluate their potential in functional food development. The level of 3-decyn-2-ol increased markedly after flowering, with an approximately 14-fold increase in reproductive organs. Phenolic acids were highly enriched in the calyx, reaching up to 12-fold higher than in other parts. Flavonoids predominated in the corolla at levels 1.5–3-fold higher than in other tissues. Following flowering, the overall levels of phenolic acids and flavonoids decreased, while total sugars, reducing sugars, and polysaccharides increased by approximately 59%, 98%, and 35%, respectively. These results suggest that open flowers may exhibit enhanced potential for functional food applications. Entropy weight analysis indicated that the calyx contributed most to the integrated evaluation of flavor and functional attributes. Correlation network analysis identified chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid, rutin, luteoloside, loganic acid, and secologanoside as key constituents, which showed potential interactions with inflammation- and immunity-related targets in molecular docking. These findings suggest that although medicinal use decreased after flowering, the edible value of L. japonica may increase, providing a basis for its rational utilization in functional food development. Full article

Achiote has been used since pre-Hispanic times, but today it is undervalued in Mexico and is threatened with disappearance in some regions. Therefore, it is important to focus research on this crop to enhance its value and prevent the loss of this ancestral germplasm, which is an essential part of Mexican, Latin American, and Caribbean cuisine and a source of income for small rural and indigenous producers. Furthermore, it has the potential to increase its commercial value as a natural colorant compared to synthetic ones. However, despite its properties, there is currently no information available on the nutritional characteristics of the seed produced in various regions of Mexico. The aim of this study was to determine the physicochemical characteristics, nutritional value, and antioxidant compound content of achiote seeds from Nuevo Huixtán Margaritas Chiapas (Margaritas), San Pedro Tapanatepec Oaxaca (Oaxaca), and Nuevo Jericó Palenque, Chiapas (Palenque), Mexico. The effect of the region on morphological and physicochemical characteristics, nutritional quality, and nutraceutical properties of the seed was evaluated. A statistically significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) was obtained between regions for all variables studied except for the brightness (L*) of ground seeds and the content of total phenols, C, N, and S. Margaritas seeds were the heaviest and longest, while those from Oaxaca were the smallest and presented the highest values for all whole seed color parameters, in addition to having the best nutritional quality. The antioxidant capacity (DPPH) obtained was 70.01 to 76.96% inhibition, with the maximum values found in seeds from Oaxaca and Palenque. In conclusion, Mexican achiote seeds exhibit notable nutritional and nutraceutical properties, which vary depending on the region of production, highlighting the influence of geographic origin on their composition. Full article

This dataset presents results of a study on Pipunculidae and Psilidae (Diptera) conducted in 2018–2024 across eight regions of European Russia. A total of 87 localities were surveyed. In total, 1358 specimens were reliably identified, including 1122 Pipunculidae and 236 Psilidae, representing 102 species (79 and 23 species, respectively). Of these, 397 specimens were females (29.2%). For most of the studied regions, all recorded species represent new records for their faunas. In the Republic of Mordovia, 68 species of Pipunculidae and 18 species of Psilidae are reported as new to the regional fauna. These data supplement previously published species lists for these families. Dorylomorpha clavipes and Dorylomorpha sachalinensis are recorded for the first time in the European part of Russia and in Europe as a whole. Previously, Dorylomorpha clavipes had been reported only from the southern Russian Far East, while Dorylomorpha sachalinensis was known exclusively from Sakhalin Island. The highest abundance among the examined material was observed for four species: Tomosvaryella minuscula (Pipunculidae)—288 specimens; Tomosvaryella sylvatica (Pipunculidae)—216; Dasydorylas holosericeus (Pipunculidae)—116; and Chamaepsila nigricornis (Psilidae)—102. Yellow pan traps were used at 69 localities and yielded 63 species and 590 specimens. Malaise traps were deployed at 11 localities and yielded 72 species based on 721 specimens. The highest species richness and specimen abundance were recorded in edge habitats of pine forests and in forest glades along lake shores. Full article

Background/Objectives: Fingered citron (Citrus medica L. var. sarcodactylis (Siebold ex Hoola van Nooten) Swingle) is rich in phenolic constituents, yet systematic comparisons of free and bound phenolics across tissues and origins remain limited. This study compared the peel, pulp, and blend (whole fruit) of fingered citron from five Chinese regions: Zhejiang (ZJ), Yunnan (YN), Sichuan (SC), Guangdong (GD), and Guangxi (GX). Methods: Phenolic compositions were determined by colorimetric assays and HPLC. Antioxidant activity was assessed by ORAC and PSC, and hypoglycemic-related activity by α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition and glucose consumption in an insulin-resistant HepG2 (IR-HepG2) cell model. Results: Phenolic distribution followed the order peel > blend > pulp, and free > bound. HPLC identified 11 free and 5 bound phenolics, predominantly hesperidin, quercetin, and 5,7-dimethoxycoumarin. GX peel exhibited the highest free phenolic content (106.34 ± 0.23 mg GAE/100 g FW) and superior ORAC (30.56 ± 0.50 μmol TE/g FW), strongly correlating with total phenolics (r = 0.98, p < 0.01). Free phenolics showed stronger α-glucosidase and α-amylase inhibition, whereas bound phenolics produced higher glucose consumption in the IR-HepG2 cell model. The GX blend bound fraction showed the highest glucose consumption (5.48 ± 0.98 mmol/L). Conclusions: Under fresh-weight-based conditions, phenolic composition and in vitro bioactivities differed by fruit part, region, and phenolic fraction. Peel, especially GX peel, tended to show higher phenolic levels and stronger antioxidant-related performance, whereas the GX blend bound fraction showed the highest glucose-consumption-promoting activity. Full article

Despite the many advantages of renewable energy sources, the stochastic nature of their generation creates a mismatch between electricity production and demand timing. Without appropriate storage solutions, surplus energy remains unused. Although battery energy storage systems are increasingly applied to improve the flexibility and reliability of power systems, there is still a research gap in forecasting the optimal power and storage capacity of solar power plant–battery energy storage system energy complexes operating in parallel with the grid under short-term forecasting conditions, particularly when economic aspects such as partial leasing of storage capacity are considered. Therefore, the development of energy complexes based on solar power plants with the integration of battery energy storage systems, as well as the development of corresponding computational models, becomes critical for ensuring the stability, flexibility, reliability, and efficiency of power systems. Battery energy storage systems are widely used due to their availability, high response speed, significant energy density, and sufficient power capacity; however, their cost remains relatively high. This paper proposes a methodology and a calculation model for determining the optimal forecasted capacity and the rational storage requirements of an energy complex consisting of a solar power plant and a battery energy storage system operating in parallel with the grid at constant power under short-term forecasting conditions (day-ahead or longer). The proposed approach makes it possible to minimise the costs of energy companies associated with the short-term lease of part of a battery energy storage system when they do not own one, or, if such a system is available, to lease out its unused capacity and obtain corresponding profits. The validation of the computational model uses a dataset of hourly daily power outputs of solar power plants in the Integrated Power System of Ukraine for 2018. Statistical analysis of the obtained results shows that the probability of occurrence of maximum deviations for the optimal capacity of the energy complex (5.4%), as well as for the power and capacity of the battery energy storage system (13% and 18%, respectively), does not exceed 0.05 during the year. The results confirm that the proposed methodology provides a reliable basis for determining optimal parameters of solar power plant–battery energy storage system energy complexes and enables economically efficient use of storage capacity through short-term leasing mechanisms. Although the proposed methodology is applied using solar power plant generation data for the national power system as a whole, it can also be used for individual solar power plants located in different regions and countries with different climatic conditions. Certainly, the calculated coefficients differ, but the methodology itself and the sequence of its application remain the same. Full article

Non-glycosylated liver-derived acute-phase amyloid A1 and A2 proteins (SAA1 and SAA2, 104 amino acids), generated by two different genes in humans (SAA1/2) and other mammalian species, are considered the prime acute-phase reactants following inflammatory conditions during host defense in cells, tissues, and the circulation. While human SAA3 has been identified as a pseudogene, Saa3 genes in other mammalian species are coding for primarily extrahepatically expressed Saa3 proteins that also may act as suitable inflammatory markers. The discovery of SAA4 (112 amino acids, carrying an octapeptide insert) in humans and mice has paved a new avenue for the exploration of different functions of this so far unknown member of the SAA superfamily. SAA4 has originally been termed a “constitutively” expressed SAA protein, apparently due to its nature not to act as an inflammatory marker. The present overview aimed to cover possible functions—so far identified—for human SAA4 (following its expression in various diseases on mRNA and protein level) and to work out whether SAA4 might be considered—at least in part—an acute-phase protein. Alternatively, we are raising the question whether SAA4 may solely act as a bystander or even underdog within the whole SAA family, where SAA1 and SAA2 proteins (commonly termed acute-phase SAA) hold undoubtedly an eminent status during inflammatory conditions, not only as host defense reactants but also as long-lasting markers for chronic diseases and malignancies in humans. Full article

The Dongwujiiazi deposit is a structurally controlled orogenic gold deposit situated in the eastern part of the Chifeng–Chaoyang gold belt along the northern boundary of the North China Craton. This study establishes a comprehensive metallogenic model for the Dongwujiiazi gold deposit by integrating whole-rock geochemistry (major and trace elements), in situ trace elements and REEs in zircon, multi-isotope systems (H, O, S, Pb), and precise zircon U–Pb geochronology. Five types of intrusive and associated rocks are identified within the main biotite-pyroxene gneiss host of the Dongwujiiazi gold deposit: mylonitized granitic pegmatite, mylonitized porphyritic monzogranite, propylitized fine-grained quartz monzodiorite, quartz monzonite, and porphyritic dolerite. The gold-bearing polymetallic sulfide ores are composed of pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, digenite, and native gold. Zircon grains in the Dongwujiiazi gold ore (2502 ± 15 to 2539 ± 18 Ma) are inherited from surrounding Neoarchean gneiss, recording older crustal sources rather than forming contemporaneously with the gold mineralization. H–O isotopes indicate that the ore-forming fluids were mixed in origin, involving both magmatic and metamorphic components. S and Pb isotopes suggest that the mineralizing sulfur was mainly derived from a magmatic source, while lead originated predominantly from lower crustal materials associated with the surrounding high-grade metamorphic rocks. In this study, we present a new metallogenic model for the Dongwujiiazi gold deposit, in which slab-derived and lower-crustal metamorphic fluids interacted with ascending magmas, resulting in fluid mixing and gold precipitation within structurally controlled zones of gneissic host rocks. Combined geochemical and isotopic evidence (H–O, S, Pb) indicates contributions from both magmatic and metamorphic sources, supporting formation as an intracontinental orogenic gold system in an active continental margin. Full article

Nitrogen and sulphur are among the most important plant nutrients (along with C, H, and O) and the main elements comprising the organic substance of plants. In this study, it is assumed that light soils (Cambisols) do not naturally meet the nitrogen and sulphur needs of spring wheat and, consequently, impact the phosphorus and silicon content in the plant biomass. Therefore, to determine the effect of N and S on the content and uptake of these elements at specific growth stages (BBCH 30–31: in leaves, BBCH 55–59: in whole plants, BBCH 89–90: in grain and straw), a three-year field experiment was conducted using different doses of nitrogen (0, 40, 80, and 120 kg ha⁻¹) and sulphur (0, 50 kg ha⁻¹). The results show that fertilisation with N and S had a significant effect on increasing the content and uptake of P and Si by phytomass in the phenostages studied. In general, as the N fertilisation dose increased, the yields of phytomass and grain increased. A beneficial effect of S on increases in green weight, straw, and spring wheat grain was found. A significant effect of N and S fertilisation on the growth of the Si:P ratio in individual parts of plants in the studied stages was also observed. A significant positive correlation between P and Si content was proven, indicating that the two elements do not act antagonistically towards each other. In contrast, a negative correlation was observed between the P content in plants and their Si uptake. Si is taken up more strongly by plants under conditions of N and S fertilisation, as evidenced by the increase in the Si:P ratio and the fact that plants accumulated on average 3.5 times more Si than P. The highest Si content was found in the green parts of plants in the BBCH 30–31 and BBCH 55–59 stages, while in BBCH 89–92, straw had nearly half that amount and grain contained a thousand times less silicon. Full article

Medicinal plants represent important sources of bioactive compounds with beneficial effects on human health. However, many medicinal species are ruderal plants capable of growing in soils with elevated contents of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as Cd, Pb, and Zn. In addition to the potential accumulation of PTEs in plant biomass, the response of the plant metabolome—including bioactive substances with beneficial health effects—to elevated PTE levels in plants should also be considered. The potential impact of soil PTEs on the plant metabolome was investigated in three widely used medicinal plants, Taraxacum sp., Achillea millefolium, and Hypericum maculatum, sampled in an area polluted with PTEs. The total soil contents of the PTEs ranged between 7.7 and 65 mg/kg for Cd, 1541 and 3897 mg/kg for Pb, and 245 and 6553 mg/kg for Zn. A qualitative analysis of the whole plant metabolomes of the three plant species indicated close interrelationships between the selected metals and bioactive substances. Subsequently, a model pot experiment was conducted in which Taraxacum sp. plants were cultivated in three soils with stepwise increasing Cd, Pb, and Zn contents, and selected bioactive compounds were quantified. The results showed a decrease in the concentrations of some phenolic compounds in the aboveground parts of Taraxacum sp. grown in extremely polluted soil, supporting the hypothesis that stress induced by PTEs may affect the metabolic pathways of these compounds. In contrast, higher levels of phenolic compounds were observed in Taraxacum sp. roots grown in moderately contaminated soil, suggesting that milder soil contamination may activate defence mechanisms and stimulate phenolic metabolism. However, although the contents of bioactive compounds in plants indicate an improvement of the quality of these medicinal plants, the elevated element contents in the plant biomass can represent a potential risk for consumers. Full article

The performance of remote sensing-based mineral alteration extraction is significantly restricted in the vegetation area. Spectral unmixing is one of the effective methods to address the vegetation problem during mineral alteration extraction. However, the spectral curves of different tree species vary a lot; if multiple tree species are regarded as a whole during the spectral unmixing stage, the proportions of vegetation would be estimated with more errors. The purpose of this study was to verify the effects of dominant tree species classification on spectral unmixing and reconstruction, and to apply the proposed method to the mineral alteration extraction practice. To accomplish this, the Shabaosi gold deposit region in Mohe City, China, with an area of 650 km², was selected as the study area. Firstly, reference spectral curves, GaoFen-1/6 (GF-1/6) satellite imageries, ZiYuan-1F (ZY-1F) satellite imageries, Sentinel-1B satellite synthetic aperture radar (SAR) data, the ALOS digital elevation model (DEM), and sub-compartment dominant tree species data were collected; subsequently, simulated mixed-pixel reflectance images of ZY-1F, reflectance images of GF-1/6, ZY-1F, backscattering data of Sentinel-1B, slope, aspect, and 5484 tree species samples were derived from the collected data. Secondly, to verify the effect of dominant tree species classification on mineral alteration extraction, the reference spectra of pine, oak, goethite, and kaolinite were used to construct a simulated ZY-1F mixed-pixel image, and spectral unmixing and reconstruction experiments were conducted. Thirdly, fourteen independent variables were selected from the derived data, five dominant tree species classification models were trained and tested using tree species samples via the ResNet50 algorithm, and the pine- and birch-dominated parts were segmented from the ZY-1F images. Fourthly, minimum noise fraction (MNF), pixel purity index (PPI), n-dimensional visualizer auto-clustering, and spectral angle mapper (SAM) methods were separately applied to the pine- and birch-dominated parts of ZY-1F images to extract and identify endmembers; subsequently, the fully constrained least squares (FCLS) and linear spectral unmixing (LSU) methods were separately applied to the pine- and birch-dominated parts to estimate endmember proportions and generate spectrally reconstructed ZY-1F images. Fifthly, the pine- and birch-dominated parts of spectrally reconstructed ZY-1F images were mosaiced, and the SAM was utilized to extract mineral alteration in the study area. The result showed that in the spectral unmixing and reconstruction experiment, the spectral reconstruction error declined from 0.0594 (simulated ZY-1F image without segmentation) to 0.0292 and 0.0388 (simulated ZY-1F image that was segmented by pine- and oak-dominated parts), suggesting that dominant tree species classification could improve the accuracy of spectral unmixing and reconstruction and help obtain a more reliable mineral alteration extraction result. In the study area, the tested overall accuracies (OA) and Kappa coefficients of the five dominant tree species classification models were 0.75 ± 0.03 and 0.50 ± 0.05, respectively, suggesting that conducting dominant tree species classification was feasible in dense vegetation areas and could facilitate mineral alteration extraction. After segmenting the ZY-1F image by pine- and birch-dominated parts and spectral reconstruction, eight main types of alteration, including kaolinite, vesuvianite, montmorillonite, rutile, limonite, mica, sphalerite, and quartz, were identified, and nine mineral alteration areas (MA) were delineated accordingly. Full article

Fetal MRI has been increasingly used in diagnosis and assessment of congenital anomalies and conditions by providing detailed structural information. However, such information is only part of the whole landscape of these genetic disorders. Given that genetic disorders are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in infants, multidisciplinary team management is essential for perinatal management and parental counseling. In the past two decades, there are advances in both fetal MRI and genetic testing for prenatal diagnosis of genetic disorders. This narrative review consolidates the current literature and aims to provide a systematic overview of fetal MRI applications in genetic disorders affecting the central nervous system, craniofacial structures, skeletal system, lungs, and urinary system. Understanding embryological and genetic basis as well as imaging phenotypes of genetic disorders are important in improving perinatal diagnosis and management. Full article

Mereological anti-realism denies the intrinsic reality of both composite wholes and their constituent parts. This paper analyzes the mereological anti-realist argumentation developed by the Sino-Parthian scholar-monk Jizang 吉藏 (549–623 CE) targeting the mereological realist doctrine of the Brāhmaṇical Vaiśeṣika tradition in his understudied Exegesis on the Middle Treatise (Zhongguan lun shu中觀論疏) and Exegesis on the Hundred Verse Treatise (Bailun shu百論疏). By counterbalancing Jizang’s critiques with the Vaiśeṣika mereological realist doctrine on its own terms, this paper critically assesses the viability and coherence of Jizang’s arguments that there are no entities that instantiate mereological relations or properties. An examination of Jizang’s critique of Vaiśeṣika mereological realism brings to light how the Madhyamaka Buddhist doctrine avoids metaphysical nihilism in accounting for how both wholes and parts can possess causal efficacy without being attributed intrinsic reality in and of themselves. Full article

Tasmania has some of Australia’s worst potentially preventable hospitalisation (PPH) rates linked to chronic illness. This means that people are living with increasing pain and incapacity. PPHs are also an unnecessary social and financial cost and signal a failure to address the drivers of chronic illness, disproportionally experienced by people with poor access to the social determinants of health. Systems thinking (ST) is increasingly being applied to understanding such problems and designing solutions from a whole system perspective. This case study describes a novel, exploratory application of ST tools in four communities with high chronic disease risk to better understand and develop place-based interventions in the prevention approach known as ‘Anticipatory Care’ (AC). With community members, recruited through four community bodies, we used causal loop diagrams (CLDs) to implement three of the WHO’s recommended steps to ST in health systems: collectively brainstorm, conceptualise effects, and adapt and redesign. Community stakeholders developed CLDs to understand the locally relevant AC system, determine boundaries and priorities, and identify barriers to and opportunities for change. Opportunities focused on the relationship between safe access, place, belonging, relationships and culture, health information, and health services. At the project’s end, a second set of CLDs identified indicators of changes to local AC systems. Given a ‘blank slate’ for chronic disease prevention, communities developed unique, place-based responses orientated towards strengthening resources, connections, and collaboration. We argue that ST can be used to support community understanding of the behaviour of the local chronic disease prevention system, surface the interdependence of system parts, and identify formerly unrecognised opportunities for and consequences of intervention. The impact of place-based approaches is constrained by structural forces, including policies, norms, institutions, and resourcing. Full article

The concepts of food matrix and holistic analysis have been used in a wide range of scientific disciplines to describe the sum of the parts of a whole that provide a specific property or functionality to the sample. Traditional chemical and physical analysis needs to destroy the sample (e.g., dilution, extraction, drying) before analysis. The utilization of vibrational spectroscopy techniques, like near (NIR), mid infrared (MIR) and Raman spectroscopy, allows for the non-destructive analysis of food ingredients and products. The resulting output of this analysis is based on the information provided by the vibrational modes of atoms present in the different molecules, allowing the measurement of different chemical and physical characteristics of the food. The objective of this paper is to discuss the ability of vibrational spectroscopy methods to provide robust tools to analyze the food matrix holistically, moving away from the traditional analysis of individual compounds or chemical parameters. Studies discussed and presented in this review demonstrated the ability of vibrational spectroscopy (e.g., NIR, MIR and Raman spectroscopy, hyperspectral imaging) to assess the whole food matrix beyond the traditional notion of developing a calibration model. Full article