In this paper, Cu-BTC derived mesoporous CuS nanomaterial (m-CuS) was synthesized via a two-step process involving carbonization and sulfidation of Cu-BTC for colorimetric glutathione detection. The Cu-BTC was constructed by 1,3,5-benzenetri-carboxylic acid (H₃BTC) and Cu²⁺ ions. The obtained m-CuS showed a large specific surface area (55.751 m²/g), pore volume (0.153 cm³/g), and pore diameter (15.380 nm). In addition, the synthesized m-CuS exhibited high peroxidase-like activity and could catalyze oxidation of the colorless substrate 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine to a blue product. Peroxidase-like activity mechanism studies using terephthalic acid as a fluorescent probe proved that m-CuS assists H₂O₂ decomposition to reactive oxygen species, which are responsible for TMB oxidation. However, the catalytic activity of m-CuS for the oxidation of TMB by H₂O₂ could be potently inhibited in the presence of glutathione. Based on this phenomenon, the colorimetric detection of glutathione was demonstrated with good selectivity and high sensitivity. The linear range was 1–20 μM and 20–300 μM with a detection limit of 0.1 μM. The m-CuS showing good stability and robust peroxidase catalytic activity was applied for the detection of glutathione in human urine samples. Full article

COVID-19 vaccines represent effective public health measures in contrasting the pandemic worldwide. However, protection at the individual-level, which is of crucial importance from an occupational health perspective, is commonly assessed by a serological correlate of protection (CoP) for SARS-CoV-2, which has not yet been determined. The emergence of variants of concern (VOCs) that have shown high rates of breakthrough infections has further complicated the understanding of immune protection against infection. To define a potential serological correlate of protection induced by the COVID-19 vaccination, a systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to summarize the evidence concerning the binding antibody concentration corresponding to a protective effect. Eighteen and four studies were included in the qualitative and quantitative analyses, respectively. The protection against infection was shown for anti-receptor-binding domain (RBD) titers ranging from 154 to 168.2 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL during the pre-Omicron period, while ranging from 1235 to 3035 BAU/mL in the Omicron period. Pooling the results from the studies concerning anti-RBD and anti-Spike antibody titer, we found a mean of 1341.5 BAU/mL and 1400.1 BAU/mL, respectively. These findings suggest that although a fixed serological threshold corresponding to protection against different SARS-CoV-2 variants is not yet definable, higher binding antibody concentrations are associated with increased protective effects. Full article

One of the important directions for improving modern Wide Area Networks is efficient and secure packet routing. Efficient routing is often based on using the shortest paths, while ensuring security involves preventing the possibility of packet interception. The work is devoted to improving the security of data transmission in IP networks. A new approach is proposed to minimize the number of distrustful nodes on the path of IP packet transmission. By a distrustful node, we mean a node that works correctly in terms of hardware and software and fully implements its data transport functions, but from the point of view of its organizational subordination, we are not sure that the node will not violate security rules to prevent unauthorized access and interception of data. A distrustful node can be either a transit or an end node. To implement this approach, we modified Dijkstra’s shortest path tree construction algorithm. The modified algorithm ensures that we obtain a path that will pass only through trustful nodes, if such a path exists. If there is no such path, the path will have the minimum possible number of distrustful intermediate nodes. The number of intermediate nodes in the path was used as a metric to obtain the shortest path trees. Routing tables of routers, built on the basis of trees obtained using a modified algorithm, provide increased security of data transmission, minimizing the use of distrustful nodes. Full article

Psoriasis is a lifelong, systemic, immune mediated inflammatory skin condition, affecting 1–3% of the world’s population, with an impact on quality of life similar to diseases like cancer or diabetes. Genetics are the single largest risk factor in psoriasis, with Genome-Wide Association (GWAS) studies showing that many psoriasis risk genes lie along the IL-23/Th17 axis. Potential psoriasis risk genes determined through GWAS can be annotated and characterised using functional genomics, allowing the identification of novel drug targets and the repurposing of existing drugs. This review is focused on the IL-23/Th17 axis, providing an insight into key cell types, cytokines, and intracellular signaling pathways involved. This includes examination of currently available biological treatments, time to relapse post drug withdrawal, and rates of primary/secondary drug failure, showing the need for greater understanding of the underlying genetic mechanisms of psoriasis and how they can impact treatment. This could allow for patient stratification towards the treatment most likely to reduce the burden of disease for the longest period possible. Full article

Anaerobic digestion of waste-activated sludge (WAS) towards biogas recovery is constrained by the limited hydrolysis and inhibited acetogenesis steps that hinder subsequent energy recovery. This study employed Fe(VI)/S(IV) oxidation to enhance the WAS solubilization and coupled it with the syntrophic interaction of hydrogen-producing acetogen (HPA) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) to stimulate the successive procedure towards methane production. Results showed that the dosage ratio of HPA-SRB to WAS (H-S-W) with 1:1:50 outperformed with the highest methane production potential (11.63 ± 1.87 mL CH₄/(g VSS·d). Meanwhile, the efficient and sequential process from acetogenesis to methanogenesis stimulated by HPA-SRB was evidenced by a significant decrease of 30.2% in the acetate concentration. The microbial community structure further manifested the crucial role of HPA-SRB with increased abundance of Desulfobulbus (2.07%), Syntrophomonas (1.24%) and Smithella (1.63%), which stimulated acetophilic methanogen boost with Methanobacterium dominating with 77.51% in H-S-W₁₀₀. Furthermore, the positive syntrophic relationships among HPA-SRB and acetophilic methanogens towards methane production were confirmed via molecular ecological network and canonical correspondence analysis. This study highlighted the syntrophic cooperation of the mixed consortia of HPA and SRB on methane production based on Fe(VI)/S(IV) pretreatment and provided the theoretical and technical basis for the potential implementation of novel methanogenesis technology for WAS treatment. Full article

This study introduces an FER-based machine learning framework for real-time QoE assessment in video streaming. This study’s aim is to address the challenges posed by end-to-end encryption and video advertisement while enhancing user QoE. Our proposed framework significantly outperforms the base reference, ITU-T P.1203, by up to 37.1% in terms of accuracy and 21.74% after attribute selection. Our study contributes to the field in two ways. First, we offer a promising solution to enhance user satisfaction in video streaming services via real-time user emotion and user feedback integration, providing a more holistic understanding of user experience. Second, high-quality data collection and insights are offered by collecting real data from diverse regions to minimize any potential biases and provide advertisement placement suggestions. Full article

Background: Steatotic liver disease (SLD) has been linked to more exacerbated inflammatory responses in various scenarios. The relationship between SLD and COVID-19 prognosis remains unclear. Our aim was to investigate the impact of SLD on the outcome of COVID-19. Methods: Patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 and who underwent laboratory tests and chest CT scans were included. SLD was assessed by measuring the attenuation coefficient on CT scans. The relationship between SLD, the severity of COVID-19 clinical presentation and in-hospital mortality were assessed. Results: A total of 610 patients were included (mean age 62 ± 16 years, 64% male). The prevalence of SLD was 30%, and the overall in-hospital mortality rate was 19%. Patients with SLD were younger (58 ± 13 vs. 64 ± 16 years, p < 0.001) and had a higher BMI (32 ± 5 vs. 28 ± 4 kg/m², p = 0.014). Admission AST values were higher in patients with SLD (82 ± 339 vs. 50 ± 37, p = 0.02), while D-dimer (1112 ± 2147 vs. 1959 ± 8509, p = 0.07), C-reactive protein (12 ± 9 vs. 11 ± 8, p = 0.27), ALT (67 ± 163 vs. 47 ± 90, p = 0.11), ALP (83 ± 52 vs. 102 ± 125, p = 0.27), and GGT (123 ± 125 vs. 104 ± 146, p = 0.61) did not significantly differ compared to patients without SLD. No difference was observed regarding lung parenchyma involvement >50% (20% vs. 17%, p = 0.25), hospital length of stay (14 ± 19 vs. 16 ± 23 days, p = 0.20), hemodialysis support (14% vs. 16%, p = 0.57), use of mechanical ventilation (20% vs. 20%, p = 0.96), and in-hospital mortality (17% vs. 20%, p = 0.40) when comparing patients with and without SLD. Conclusions: SLD showed no significant association with morbidity and mortality in patients with COVID-19. Full article

Food gels are viscoelastic substances used in various gelled products manufactured around the world. Polysaccharides are the most common food gelling agents. The aim of this work was the production and characterization of a gel produced in a blue corn flour fermentation process, where different proportions were used of blue corn (Zea mays L.) flour and Czapek Dox culture medium (90 mL of culture medium with 10 g of blue corn flour, 80 mL of culture medium with 20 g of blue corn flour, and 70 mL of culture medium with 30 g of blue corn flour) and were fermented for three different durations (20, 25, and 30 days) with the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides fungus. A characterization of the gel was carried out studying the rheological properties, proximal analysis, toxicological analysis, microscopic structure, and molecular characterization, in addition to a solubility test with three different organic solvents (ethanol, hexane, and ethyl acetate, in addition to water). The results obtained showed in the rheological analysis that the gel could have resistance to high temperatures and a reversible behavior. The gel is soluble in polar solvents (ethanol and water). The main chemical components of the gel are carbohydrates, especially polysaccharides, and it was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy that the gel may be composed of pectin. Full article

It was the aim of this study to examine whether the usage of the vaccine COXEVAC^® (Ceva Santé Animale) could reduce the consumption of antibiotics in Q-fever-positive dairy farms. Additionally, the effects of other herd-level factors on the consumption of antibiotics were investigated. A total of 36 farms with vaccination and 13 farms without vaccination participated in this longitudinal cohort study. In all herds, Coxiella burnetii had been directly or indirectly diagnosed. To compare the treatment frequency of antibiotics between the vaccinated group and the non-vaccinated group, the consumption of antibiotics for each farm was collected using the veterinary documents about the application and delivery of antibiotics. To gather detailed information about herd data, nutrition, milking management, housing, and animal health, the farmers were interviewed with the help of a questionnaire. The results thereof suggest that there might be an association between the vaccination against Q fever and a reduced consumption of antibiotics. Neither herd size nor milk yield level influenced the consumption of antibiotics in the study herds. Type of flooring and udder-cluster disinfection while milking were associated with a lower and higher therapy frequency, respectively. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the cause–effect relationship between vaccination and the consumption of antibiotics. Full article

The extraocular muscles (EOMs) possess unique characteristics that set them apart from other skeletal muscles. These muscles, responsible for eye movements, exhibit remarkable resistance to various muscular dystrophies and aging, presenting a significant contrast to the vulnerability of skeletal muscles to these conditions. In this review, we delve into the cellular and molecular underpinnings of the distinct properties of EOMs. We explore their structural complexity, highlighting differences in fiber types, innervation patterns, and developmental origins. Notably, EOM fibers express a diverse array of myosin heavy-chain isoforms, retaining embryonic forms into adulthood. Moreover, their motor innervation is characterized by a high ratio of nerve fibers to muscle fibers and the presence of unique neuromuscular junctions. These features contribute to the specialized functions of EOMs, including rapid and precise eye movements. Understanding the mechanisms behind the resilience of EOMs to disease and aging may offer insights into potential therapeutic strategies for treating muscular dystrophies and myopathies affecting other skeletal muscles. Full article

Background: Obesity is associated with metabolic syndrome and fat accumulation in various organs such as the liver and the kidneys. Our goal was to assess, using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Dual-Echo phase sequencing, the association between liver and kidney fat deposition and their relation to obesity. Methods: We analyzed MRI scans of individuals who were referred to the Chaim Sheba Medical Center between December 2017 and May 2020 to perform a study for any indication. For each individual, we retrieved from the computerized charts data on sex, and age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP), and comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia). Results: We screened MRI studies of 399 subjects with a median age of 51 years, 52.4% of whom were women, and a median BMI 24.6 kg/m². We diagnosed 18% of the participants with fatty liver and 18.6% with fat accumulation in the kidneys (fatty kidneys). Out of the 67 patients with fatty livers, 23 (34.3%) also had fatty kidneys, whereas among the 315 patients without fatty livers, only 48 patients (15.2%) had fatty kidneys (p < 0.01). In comparison to the patients who did not have a fatty liver or fatty kidneys (n = 267), those who had both (n = 23) were more obese, had higher systolic BP, and were more likely to have diabetes mellitus. In comparison to the patients without a fatty liver, those with fatty livers had an adjusted odds ratio of 2.91 (97.5% CI; 1.61–5.25) to have fatty kidneys. In total, 19.6% of the individuals were obese (BMI ≥ 30), and 26.1% had overweight (25 < BMI < 30). The obese and overweight individuals were older and more likely to have diabetes mellitus and hypertension and had higher rates of fatty livers and fatty kidneys. Fat deposition in both the liver and the kidneys was observed in 15.9% of the obese patients, in 8.3% of the overweight patients, and in none of those with normal weight. Obesity was the only risk factor for fatty kidneys and fatty livers, with an adjusted OR of 6.3 (97.5% CI 2.1–18.6). Conclusions: Obesity is a major risk factor for developing a fatty liver and fatty kidneys. Individuals with a fatty liver are more likely to have fatty kidneys. MRI is an accurate modality for diagnosing fatty kidneys. Reviewing MRI scans of any indication should include assessment of fat fractions in the kidneys in addition to that of the liver. Full article

The dengue virus is a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA virus that infects ~400 million people worldwide. Currently, there are no approved antivirals available. CRISPR-based screening methods have greatly accelerated the discovery of host factors that are essential for DENV infection and that can be targeted in host-directed antiviral interventions. In the present study, we performed a focused CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Palindromic Repeats) library screen to discover the key host factors that are essential for DENV infection in human Huh7 cells and identified the Protein Activator of Interferon-Induced Protein Kinase (PACT) as a novel pro-viral factor for DENV. PACT is a double-stranded RNA-binding protein generally known to activate antiviral responses in virus-infected cells and block viral replication. However, in our studies, we observed that PACT plays a pro-viral role in DENV infection and specifically promotes viral RNA replication. Knockout of PACT resulted in a significant decrease in DENV RNA and protein abundances in infected cells, which was rescued upon ectopic expression of full-length PACT. An analysis of global gene expression changes indicated that several ER-associated pro-viral genes such as ERN1, DDIT3, HERPUD1, and EIF2AK3 are not upregulated in DENV-infected PACT knockout cells as compared to infected wildtype cells. Thus, our study demonstrates a novel role for PACT in promoting DENV replication, possibly through modulating the expression of ER-associated pro-viral genes. Full article

Viscoelastic relaxation measurements on styrene-butadiene rubbers (SBRs) doped with carbon nanotube (CNT) at different concentrations around the sol-gel transition show the time–temperature superposition (TTS). This process is described in terms of the mode coupling theory (MCT) approach to viscoelasticity by considering the frequency behavior of the loss modulus $E^{″}\left(\omega \right)$ and showing that the corresponding TTS is linked to ${\omega }^{1/2}$ decay. From the analysis of the obtained data, we observe that the interaction between SBRs and CNT determines different levels of decay according to their concentration. Systems with the lowest CNT concentration are only characterized in the studied T-range by their fragile glass-forming behavior. However, at a specific temperature $T_L$, those with the highest CNT concentration show a crossover towards pure Arrhenius that, according to the MCT, indicates the presence of kinetic glass transition (KGT), where system response functions are characterized by scaling behaviors. Full article

Precise water management is essential for the efficient development of irrigated agricultural crops in the Hetao Irrigation Area of Inner Mongolia. Given the severe water scarcity in the region and the significant use of intercropping as a cropping method, the development of rational irrigation scheduling is crucial. The objective of this work was to combine the ISAREG model with wheat–sunflower intercropping crops in order to enhance the effectiveness of irrigation scheduling in intercropping systems. This was achieved by changing and verifying crucial parameters for simulating irrigation patterns in intercropping. We conducted an assessment of nine irrigation schedules for a wheat–sunflower intercropping system in order to provide a range of irrigation scenarios that effectively fulfill the water requirements of the system. In light of this, we suggested implementing restrictions on the dates and volumes of irrigation based on the demand for agricultural irrigation. This approach aimed to establish irrigation schedules that are highly efficient and tailored to the specific crops in the area. As a result, we achieved a water use efficiency rate of 100%, saved 28.78% of water resources, optimized crop irrigation schedules, and enhanced crop economics by 6.7%. This study presents a novel and efficient method to optimize agricultural irrigation schedules, boost agricultural water use efficiency, and maximize crop yields in order to promote sustainable agricultural development. Full article

Skeletal muscle unloading occurs during a wide range of conditions, from space flight to bed rest. The unloaded muscle undergoes negative functional changes, which include increased fatigue. The mechanisms of unloading-induced fatigue are far from complete understanding and cannot be explained by muscle atrophy only. In this review, we summarize the data concerning unloading-induced fatigue in different muscles and different unloading models and provide several potential mechanisms of unloading-induced fatigue based on recent experimental data. The unloading-induced changes leading to increased fatigue include both neurobiological and intramuscular processes. The development of intramuscular fatigue seems to be mainly contributed by the transformation of soleus muscle fibers from a fatigue-resistant, “oxidative“ “slow” phenotype to a “fast” “glycolytic“ one. This process includes slow-to-fast fiber-type shift and mitochondrial density decline, as well as the disruption of activating signaling interconnections between slow-type myosin expression and mitochondrial biogenesis. A vast pool of relevant literature suggests that these events are triggered by the inactivation of muscle fibers in the early stages of muscle unloading, leading to the accumulation of high-energy phosphates and calcium ions in the myoplasm, as well as NO decrease. Disturbance of these secondary messengers leads to structural changes in muscles that, in turn, cause increased fatigue. Full article

The solid volume fraction of a slurry requiring solid–liquid separation often fluctuates in industrial cake filtration processes. For low solid volume fractions, particle segregation arises, resulting in an inhomogeneous filter cake structure. Particle segregation has significant impacts on cake formation such as a longer cake formation time compared to homogeneous cakes. This work addresses the impact of this effect on vibration compaction, which is an alternative deliquoring method applying oscillatory shears to the filter cake. The dewatering results of homogeneous and segregated cakes made of the same material with a broad particle size distribution are compared. Although cake deliquoring is achievable despite particle segregation, vibration compaction is more effective for homogeneous cakes. The reason is that no particle size homogenization within segregated cakes occurs due to oscillatory shear, as particle size analyses indicate. The particle size measurements of cakes before and after vibration compaction reveal that the material’s particle size distribution is preserved despite vibration application. Vibration compaction achieves higher deliquoring than the common compaction method by squeezing, as elastic recovery effects after squeezing lead to the reabsorbing of liquid, already expressed and stored in the filter cloth. This demonstrates that vibration compaction is a real alternative for cake deliquoring. Full article

Background: Taeniosis and cysticercosis are human infections caused by the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium. This study is a baseline for community-based intervention. We determined the prevalence of human cysticercosis and associated risk factors following a deworming program conducted throughout the country, with Mbulu District being among the districts in Northern Tanzania. Methods: Human cysticercosis was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Ag- ELISA). Household interviews and observations were conducted to identify risk factors for cysticercosis transmissions among households and communities. Results: Three hundred individuals participated in this study. The age ranged from 5 to 89 years, with a median of 19 years. The prevalence of human cysticercosis was 23 (7.67%). The prevalence was high with 6 (11.76%) among individuals aged 26 to 35 years and ±45 years. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence by age group, sex, or occupation. Among the 300 participants, 82 (27.3%) had received anthelmintics during the previous year; among these, 5 (21.7%) were infected. The likelihood of infection was low among anthelmintic users by 28% [0.72 (0.26–2.01)], but the protection was not significant. The communities differed in risk factors on the availability of a clean and safe water supply; 52.7% (46/86) of households visited had no pit latrine. The cysticercosis prevalence showed a significant difference in communities. Conclusions: The prevalence of human cysticercosis was high and associated with higher age groups. The prevalence was low among those who had taken anthelmintics and was associated with lower age groups. The current school deworming program has a positive effect on school children, while the elderly are at higher risk because the intervention did not target them. It is recommended to scale up anthelmintic intervention to higher age groups. Full article

Detection and segmentation of brain metastases (BMs) play a pivotal role in diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up evaluations for effective BM management. Given the rising prevalence of BM cases and its predominantly multiple onsets, automated segmentation is becoming necessary in stereotactic radiosurgery. It not only alleviates the clinician’s manual workload and improves clinical workflow efficiency but also ensures treatment safety, ultimately improving patient care. Recent strides in machine learning, particularly in deep learning (DL), have revolutionized medical image segmentation, achieving state-of-the-art results. This review aims to analyze auto-segmentation strategies, characterize the utilized data, and assess the performance of cutting-edge BM segmentation methodologies. Additionally, we delve into the challenges confronting BM segmentation and share insights gleaned from our algorithmic and clinical implementation experiences. Full article

The availability of pure individual betalains in sufficient quantities which permit deeper understanding is still a challenge. This study investigates the high-yielding semisynthesis of betaxanthins using betalamic acid from a natural source (Opuntia dillenii), followed by condensation with ʟ−amino acids and further purification. Moreover, the color stability of the four synthesized individual betaxanthins, namely proline (ʟ−ProBX), alanine (ʟ−AlaBX), leucine (ʟ−LeuBX), and phenylalanine (ʟ−PheBX) betaxanthins, was investigated at different pHs. Their relative contribution to free radical scavenging was also scrutinized by TEAC and DPPH. ʟ−AlaBX and ʟ−LeuBx showed a significantly (p < 0.05) higher antioxidant activity, whereas ʟ−ProBX was the most resistant to the hydrolysis of betaxanthin and hence the least susceptible to color change. The color stability was strongly influenced by pH, with the color of ʟ−ProBX, ʟ−LeuBX, and ʟ−AlaBX at pH 6 being more stable, probably due to the easier hydrolysis under acid conditions. The semisynthesis and purification allowed us to have available remarkable quantities of pure individual betaxanthins of Opuntia dillenii for the first time, and to establish their color properties and antioxidant capacity. This study could be a step forward in the development of the best natural food colorant formulation, based on the betalain structure, which is of special interest in food technology. Full article

In the dynamic field of radiopharmaceuticals, innovating targeted agents for cancer diagnosis and therapy is crucial. Our study enriches this evolving landscape by evaluating the potential of radioiodinated anastrozole ([¹²⁵I]anastrozole) and radioiodinated epirubicin ([¹²⁵I]epirubicin) as targeting agents against MTHFD2-driven tumors. MTHFD2, which is pivotal in one-carbon metabolism, is notably upregulated in various cancers, presenting a novel target for radiopharmaceutical application. Through molecular docking and 200 ns molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we assess the binding efficiency and stability of [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin with MTHFD2. Molecular docking illustrates that [¹²⁵I]epirubicin has a superior binding free energy (∆G_bind) of −41.25 kJ/mol compared to −39.07 kJ/mol for [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and −38.53 kJ/mol for the control ligand, suggesting that it has a higher affinity for MTHFD2. MD simulations reinforce this, showing stable binding, as evidenced by root mean square deviation (RMSD) values within a narrow range, underscoring the structural integrity of the enzyme–ligand complexes. The root mean square fluctuation (RMSF) analysis indicates consistent dynamic behavior of the MTHFD2 complex upon binding with [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin akin to the control. The radius of gyration (RG) measurements of 16.90 Å for MTHFD2-[¹²⁵I]anastrozole and 16.84 Å for MTHFD2-[¹²⁵I]epirubicin confirm minimal structural disruption upon binding. The hydrogen bond analysis reveals averages of two and three stable hydrogen bonds for [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin complexes, respectively, highlighting crucial stabilizing interactions. The MM-PBSA calculations further endorse the thermodynamic favorability of these interactions, with binding free energies of −48.49 ± 0.11 kJ/mol for [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and −43.8 kJ/mol for MTHFD2-. The significant contribution of Van der Waals and electrostatic interactions to the binding affinities of [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin, respectively, underscores their potential efficacy for targeted tumor imaging and therapy. These computational findings lay the groundwork for the future experimental validation of [¹²⁵I]anastrozole and [¹²⁵I]epirubicin as MTHFD2 inhibitors, heralding a notable advancement in precision oncology tools. The data necessitate subsequent in vitro and in vivo assays to corroborate these results. Full article

Silicate and borate bioactive glasses have been reported to create alkaline conditions by rapidly releasing ions when reacting in aqueous solution. At certain levels, this alkaline solution can negatively affect cell viability. Adding phosphate ions to the glass composition can control the degradation rate of bioactive glasses and create a neutral pH environment. This study evaluated a series of borophosphate bioactive glasses (BPBGs) with nominal molar compositions 16Na₂O-24CaO-xB₂O₃-(60-x)P₂O₅, where x = 0, 40, or 60. The phosphate (X0) glass (PBG) produced an acidic solution when dissolved in water; the borate (X60) glass (BBG) produced an alkaline solution, and the BPBG glass produced a pH-neutral solution. These three glasses were evaluated using adipose stem cells (ASCs), a cell population known for their therapeutic abilities. The effects of each glass on the pH of cell culture, ions released during degradation, and on ASC functions, including viability, migration, angiogenic ability, differentiation, and protein secretions, were evaluated. The X40 BPBG created a physiologically neutral pH in cell culture media after 24 h. The X0 phosphate glass promoted ASC migration, while the highly alkaline X60 borate increased the angiogenic ability of ASCs. These results indicate that BPBG can be used safely in cell culture studies and customized for specific biomedical applications. Full article

This paper explores the impact of an increasing number of prosumers in electricity supply systems and investigates how market mechanisms can mitigate the negative effects. The Regional Energy Market Model simulates a supply system based on cellular structures, employing agent-based modeling to capture individual behaviors and simulate real market dynamics. This study includes various supply scenarios, such as a solely photovoltaic scenario and a technically diversified scenario with biogas-fueled combined heat and power units. For each scenario, fixed and flexible pricing scenarios are simulated to analyze their effects. The findings reveal that systems heavily reliant on photovoltaics experience negative effects at certain points due to seasonal limitations, while technically diversified supply scenarios demonstrate fewer drawbacks. Flexible pricing systems stimulate demand in a manner beneficial to the system, creating regional added value, and contributing to the balance between generation and consumption, depending on the supply scenario. However, the study underscores that economic incentives alone are insufficient for balancing generation and consumption. The results highlight the importance of exploring opportunities through the interplay of economic incentive mechanisms and technical possibilities. Full article