Area Ratio Research Articles

Influence of the mechanical grooving surface pretreatment on metal–polymer joining by friction stir spot welding

This study investigates the effect of mechanical grooving texturing parameters on the friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of 1 mm thick aluminium AA6082-T6 and 6 mm thick polyamide 6 (PA6). Two levels of texturing depth (0.1 mm and 0.2 mm) were analysed, both performing equally well in tensile–shear testing. The equivalent mechanical performance was attributed to the fact that the joints tend to fail through the thermally affected polymer, due to the rupture of pores, rather than through the metal–polymer interface. As the level of porosity is equivalent in both conditions, the mechanical performance is not affected by varying the plunge depth. In turn, doubling the plunge depth parameter reduced the pretreatment time by less than half, making the mechanical grooving process much more efficient. Then, the use of lubricant on the texturing procedure was evaluated, but the difficulties in eliminating the lubricant residues negatively affected the interaction of materials at the interface, significantly reducing the mechanical performance of the welded joints. Finally, the size and length/width ratio of the textured area was studied. Overall, increasing the textured area led to improved mechanical performance, but a greater gain was obtained by increasing the number of grooves instead of making them longer. The maximum tensile–shear force of about 7.9 kN was obtained when performing a 30 × 30 mm2 textured area and using an optimised texturing depth of 0.2 mm, which is the greatest value already reported in the open literature to aluminium–polymer joining by FSSW.

Dual-Phase Severity Grading of Strawberry Angular Leaf Spot Based on Improved YOLOv11 and OpenCV.

Phyllosticta fragaricola-induced angular leaf spot causes substantial economic losses in global strawberry production, necessitating advanced severity assessment methods. This study proposed a dual-phase grading framework integrating deep learning and computer vision. The enhanced You Only Look Once version 11 (YOLOv11) architecture incorporated a Content-Aware ReAssembly of FEatures (CARAFE) module for improved feature upsampling and a squeeze-and-excitation (SE) attention mechanism for channel-wise feature recalibration, resulting in the YOLOv11-CARAFE-SE for the severity assessment of strawberry angular leaf spot. Furthermore, an OpenCV-based threshold segmentation algorithm based on H-channel thresholds in the HSV color space achieved accurate lesion segmentation. A disease severity grading standard for strawberry angular leaf spot was established based on the ratio of lesion area to leaf area. In addition, specialized software for the assessment of disease severity was developed based on the improved YOLOv11-CARAFE-SE model and OpenCV-based algorithms. Experimental results show that compared with the baseline YOLOv11, the performance is significantly improved: the box mAP@0.5 is increased by 1.4% to 93.2%, the mask mAP@0.5 is increased by 0.9% to 93.0%, the inference time is shortened by 0.4 ms to 0.9 ms, and the computational load is reduced by 1.94% to 10.1 GFLOPS. In addition, this two-stage grading framework achieves an average accuracy of 94.2% in detecting selected strawberry horn leaf spot disease samples, providing real-time field diagnostics and a high-throughput phenotypic analysis for resistance breeding programs. This work demonstrates the feasibility of rapidly estimating the severity of strawberry horn leaf spot, which will establish a robust technical framework for strawberry disease management under field conditions.

Interactive Effect of Nitrogen Deposition and Drought on Forest Carbon Sequestration

European forests are experiencing increasingly frequent and severe droughts, coinciding spatially with a long-term decline in nitrogen (N) deposition. However, the impact of this decline on forest resistance and resilience to drought remains unclear. High N deposition has been associated with lower root-to-leaf area ratios and increased canopy conductance, which may reduce the hydraulic safety margin of trees and increase their risk of hydraulic failure under drought conditions. Conversely, low N deposition decreases stomatal conductance and carbon assimilation, potentially limiting tree regrowth following drought. We hypothesize that decreasing N deposition in Europe enhances the resistance of forests to drought but decreases their resilience. To test this, we analyze how daily gross primary productivity (GPP) responds to drought events using site-level flux data from ICOS and FLUXNET and the satellite-derived GOSIF GPP product. We first quantify GPP resistance and resilience to drought events from 1996 to 2022. We then integrate drought characteristics (timing, duration, and intensity), climate factors (precipitation, temperature, vapor pressure deficit, and soil moisture), and site-specific variables (soil type, tree species, and stand age) and disentangle the interactive effects of drought and N deposition on forest resistance and resilience using a gradient-boosting machine learning approach. Our study aims to improve our understanding of forest dynamics at the carbon-nitrogen-water nexus and provide insights into sustainable, nature-based climate solutions.

Changes in morphometric and neurochemical parameters of brain structure in patients with post-COVID syndrome

Post-COVID syndrome is poorly defined complex of different symptoms predominantly functional disorders, which are diagnosed in 30–70 % of patients after COVID-19 infection.To determine the pathogenic basis of neurological symptoms of post-COVID syndrome 105 patients (48 men, 40 women, mean age 47 [40; 54.5]) with post-COVID syndrome in the period from 3 months after COVID-infection and 10 people of the control group (4 men, 6 women, mean age 40 [28; 50]) were examined using structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.After dividing of post-COVID patients group into three subgroups according to the severity of complaints no significant morphological differences in brain structures were determined according to MRI data. However was revealed interhemispheric asymmetry as the cerebral cortex thinning in left frontal lobe ( p = 0.006) and higher left temporal horn of the side ventricle ( p = 0.007) in subgroup post COVID patients with severity symptoms. Was revealed decrease of the N-acetylaspartate/creatinine (NAA/Cr) ratio in the anterior part of the cingulate gyrus on both sides ( p = 0.025 on the right, p = 0.025 on the left) and in the center semiovale on the right sides ( p = 0.001), an increase of choline/creatinine (Cho/Cr) ratio in the anterior cingulate gyrus on both sides ( p < 0.01 on the right) and ( p = 0.04 on the left), right next to areas of decreased NAA/Cr ratio. It was also revealed decrease of the myoinositol/creatinine ratio in the center semiovale area on the right ( p = 0.038) and the middle cingulate gyrus on the left ( p = 0.027). According to the functional topography of the brain neuromediation changes in the anterior cingulate gyrus and center semiovale may have clinical correlates as impaired executive functions, memory and mood disturbance what is related to post-COVID syndrome.Thus we found that neurological symptoms of post-COVID syndrome are based on multidirectional changes in the secretion of NAA and Cho in the cingulate gyrus of the brain without accompanying morphological pathology.

Combined Effects of DLC Coating and Surface Texturing on Seizure and Friction in Reciprocating Sliding

Surface texturing is designed to improve the functional properties of machine elements by generating dimples on the surface contacted. Friction and wear resistance can also be improved by creating diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings. These two techniques were combined to extend the lifetime of the elements and minimise friction in reciprocating conformal sliding contact. This work is functionally important for assemblies operating under high normal loads. Experiments were carried out in initially lubricated reciprocating sliding contact using an Optimol SRV 5 tribotester in the flat-on-flat configuration. The disc samples were untextured, laser textured, and DLC-coated untextured and textured. The combination of DLC coating and surface texturing caused an enhancement of the tribological performance of the sliding pair compared to that of untextured discs with and without DLC coating and textured discs without DLC coating. The DLC coating of the untextured disc caused a growth in the lifetime of a friction pair by a factor of 2.4. Seizure resistance also increased due to surface texturing of the steel disc for pit area ratios of 9 and 13%. Combining surface texturing with pit area ratios of 3 and 9% and DLC coating led to a decrease in the coefficients of friction of sliding pairs compared to only textured and coated discs. The DLC coating caused a decrease in the wear of the disc sample and reduction in wear levels of the counter samples in comparison to those of textured discs without DLC coatings.

Understanding the impact of building morphology on building energy consumption: A spatial econometric analysis

Understanding the impact of building morphology on building energy consumption is crucial for policymakers and urban planners to develop effective strategies for energy efficiency and sustainable development. This study develops an analysis framework based on geospatial data and spatial regression models to analyze the impact of building morphology on urban building energy consumption. To ascertain the efficacy of the proposed framework, a case study was conducted in the city of Beijing. The results reveal spatial variations in building energy consumption at the high-resolution level, with higher levels observed in the central urban areas that gradually decrease towards the outskirts. The six indicators of building morphology highlight notable variations in urban form characteristics across regions. In addition, the spatial regression analysis indicates that footprint area, envelope area, and floor area ratio show a substantial influence on the energy consumption of buildings. Finally, the policy recommendations are presented for the mitigation of building energy consumption.

Cross-scale correlation analysis of water-induced deterioration on soft rock in coal mine underground reservoir engineering based on deep learning algorithm

Soft rock is one of the common geological conditions in coal mine underground water reservoir engineering. The cross-scale correlation analysis of water erosion soft lithology deterioration is very important for the safety and stability of coal mine underground reservoir (CMUR) engineering. To address the issues of grain crowding and segmentation difficulties in cross-scale correlation analysis, as well as the limitations of traditional etching methods, this study proposes an image grain segmentation method based on deep learning algorithms, utilizing scanning electron microscopy and image processing techniques. The method successfully segments crowded grains and eliminates the interference from misplaced particles. In addition, indoor uniaxial compression tests were conducted to obtain the mechanical properties of sandstone samples with different water content. By quantitatively characterizing the macroscopic and microscopic deterioration degree of red sandstone samples with different water contents, the relationship between the strength changes of rock samples and the petrographic parameters such as grain size and grain shape is analyzed, and the influence law of soft lithology deterioration in CMUR engineering is revealed. The results indicate: (1) Water significantly weakens the mechanical properties and stability of soft rock. With increasing water content, the strength of sandstone samples continuously decreases, and the failure mode transitions from brittle to ductile failure. (2) The deterioration of micro-micro structures is the main cause of the decrease in mechanical properties of water-eroded soft rock. Grain size, grain area, and aspect ratio are negatively correlated with water content, indicating that hydrophilic minerals in soft rock dissolve under the action of water, leading to rock damage. (3) Grain size, area, and aspect ratio can serve as significant indicators for quantifying the strength changes of water-eroded soft rock. The research findings can be applied to stability assessment and disaster prevention in CMUR engineering.

Numerical analysis on the shear performance of hybrid (BFRP/steel) reinforced concrete beams without shear reinforcement

Using fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars as an alternative to steel reinforcement has emerged as a pioneering solution to the issue of corrosion in reinforced concrete (RC) structures. However, FRP-RC beams without shear reinforcement exhibit lower shear capacity due to the limited transverse strength of FRP bars. Hybrid reinforcement using a combination of FRP and steel bars offers a promising solution by balancing the strain-hardening benefits of steel with the corrosion resistance of FRP. In this study, a 3D finite element model (FEM) was developed through Abaqus software to investigate the shear behavior of hybrid-RC beams without shear reinforcement. The analysis considered key parameters, including reinforcement type and ratio, FRP-to-steel area ratio, A f / A s , shear span-to-depth ratio, a / d , reinforcement arrangement and compressive strength, f c ′ . The numerical results revealed that hybrid-reinforced beams exhibited a 21%–54% increase in stiffness and 35%–89% enhancement in ductility compared to beams reinforced solely with steel or basalt FRP (BFRP) bars. Moreover, shear capacity significantly improved as the effective reinforcement ratio, ρ e f f and A f / A s ratio increased. A reduction in the a / d ratio from 2.27 to 1.7 led to a notable increase in shear capacity of 55%. In addition, increasing the compressive strength from 41 to 50 MPa resulted in 31% improvement in the shearing capacity. The numerical results were conservative compared to predictions from available shear equations in design codes, demonstrating the reliability of the FEM approach.

Recent Development of Nanofibers in Medical/Pharmaceutical Sectors

This article provides a comprehensive overview of the properties, applications, and fabrication techniques of nanofibers, which are characterized by their ultrafine diameters and unique features such as high surface area and aspect ratio. These attributes render nanofibers particularly advantageous for a wide range of applications, especially in the biomedical sector, encompassing areas like tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound dressing. The article highlights various studies that illustrate the potential of nanofibers in addressing healthcare challenges, particularly their utilization in scaffolds for regenerative medicine and as carriers for controlled drug delivery. Furthermore, it discusses different preparation methods for nanofibers, including electrospinning and alternative techniques, while stressing the importance of polymer selection in achieving optimal drug-release properties. The article also delves into the application of nanofibers in tissue engineering, specifically for bone, cartilage, and vascular applications, and examines their emerging roles in organ-on-a-chip technology and contraceptive development. In conclusion, the article emphasizes the versatility and significance of nanofibers in advancing medical technologies and their potential to address contemporary health challenges. Collaborative efforts between material scientists and biologists are essential to foster interdisciplinary research aimed at improving electrospinning methodologies.

Development of a program for automatic calculation of the delamination factor using image processing techniques

The production of composite materials, such as fiberglass epoxy laminates, has increased in response to the demand for lightweight and rigid components. Drilling is a common process applied to these materials but often induces delamination damage at entry and exit points. This study presents an image processing technique developed to calculate the delamination diameter (D max ), hole diameter (D), delamination area (A d ), and hole area (A). To determine actual dimensions, photographs were captured with a ruler marked by two red lines placed over the holes. The pixel equivalent of the distance between the lines was computed, after which the ruler was removed from the image. A thresholding method was employed to binarize the image, marking pixels in the damaged area as black and other pixels as white. Additionally, the ratio of black pixels to the pixel count of the hole area was calculated. Both diameter and area ratios were utilized to determine delamination factors. Results demonstrated that both conventional and adjusted delamination factors could be computed. The developed technique enables automatic calculation of delamination factors using only a ruler and a camera, offering economic and time-saving advantages compared to alternative methods due to minimal equipment requirements and preparation.

Comparison of mediating effects of air pollutants on urban morphology and urban heat Island intensity at block scale

The urban heat island effect seriously challenges the sustainability and livability of urban development. Air pollutants (AP) may play a mediating role in the impact of urban morphology (UM) on the canopy layer urban heat island intensity (CLUHII) and the surface urban heat island intensity (SUHII). To verify this hypothesis, taking Urumqi as an example, we use the ridge regression model to reveal the differences in the impacts of UM and AP on the two types of urban heat island intensity (UHII). A structural equation model was established to verify the mediating effect of AP. The results show that: (1) There are differences in the optimal research units for UM and CLUHII and SUHII, which are 500 m and 300 m respectively. (2) Whether it is CLUHII or SUHII, the impact of two - dimensional urban morphology indicators are greater than that of three - dimensional urban morphology indicators. (3) There are similarities and differences in the impact of urban morphology indicators on the two types of UHII. The effects of standard deviation of building height, floor area ratio, and sky view factor on the two are opposite. (4) Air pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2) have significant mediating effects between building density, impervious surface percent, green coverage ratio, mean building height, standard deviation of building height, floor area ratio, sky view factor, and the two types of UHII. This study provides a reliable reference for urban planning aimed at mitigating the urban heat island effect and air pollution.

Position and Dimension of the Inner Ear in Midterm Fetuses

Background:This study aimed to see the change in the area covered by the inner ear (IE) in the petrous bone with gestational age, and to determine the growth dynamics of inner ear structures such as the cochlea and semicircular canals.Methods:Twenty temporal bones of 10 fetal cadavers (5 males and 5 females) aged 23.50 ± 2.94 weeks were included in the study.Results:The petrous ridge length (PRL), the inner ear length (IEL), the thickness of bone on the cochlea, the distance of the rearmost part of the superior semicircular canal to the most posterior border of the petrous ridge, and the distance of the frontmost part of the cochlea to the most anterior border of the petrous ridge were measured as 23.97 ± 4.21 mm, 13.31 ± 1.45 mm, 1.26 ± 0.20 mm, 6.86 ± 1.97 mm, and 3.85 ± 0.93 mm, respectively. The ratio of the IEL to the PRL decreased despite of proportional increase in these parameters with age. This finding shows that the growth dynamics of the IE are slower than that of petrous bone, and thus the area ratio covered by the inner ear in the petrous bone decreased with age. The size of the cochlea and the angles between the semicircular canals did not correlate with gestational age. However, the semicircular canals (their thicknesses and inner surface areas) attain adult size between 21 and 24 weeks.Conclusion:Our findings may be useful for otologists to see the relation of the IE with the petrous bone. Our numeric dataset may form a basis of prenatal radiologic investigations.

Social Media Reveals Potential Threat of Crayfish Trap to Birds

Fishery bycatch is a significant threat to biodiversity, with birds being frequent casualties. Current research mainly focuses on seabird bycatch in large-scale marine fisheries, while bird bycatch in inland freshwater areas remains poorly understood. Crayfish traps are extensively used in China’s freshwater environments, but their ecological impacts on birds are overlooked due to monitoring difficulties. Through iEcology approaches, we collected and analyzed 146 bird bycatch incidents in crayfish traps from Chinese social media platforms between September 2010 and December 2023. The results revealed 420 identified birds from 62 species (11 orders, 24 families), predominantly omnivorous and carnivorous, while 106 individuals could not be identified. Cases were concentrated in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, showing significant positive correlations with water area ratio and aquaculture production (p < 0.001). During fishing seasons, the number of cases, species, and individuals were significantly higher (p < 0.001), though mortality rates increased in off seasons. The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River are main production areas of red swamp crayfish (Procambarus clarkii) and Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), where intensive use of crayfish traps may increase bird bycatch risk. Despite existing regulations, systematic supervision is needed to minimize ecosystem impacts.

Porphyromonas gingivalis aggravates atherosclerotic plaque instability by promoting lipid-laden macrophage necroptosis

At advanced phases of atherosclerosis, the rupture and thrombogenesis of vulnerable plaques emerge as primary triggers for acute cardiovascular events and fatalities. Pathogenic infection such as periodontitis-associated Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) has been suspected of increasing the risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but its relationship with atherosclerotic plaque destabilization remains elusive. Here we demonstrated that the level of Pg-positive clusters positively correlated with the ratio of necrotic core area to total atherosclerotic plaque area in human clinical samples, which indicates plaque instability. In rabbits and Apoe−/− mice, Pg promoted atherosclerotic plaque necrosis and aggravated plaque instability by triggering oxidative stress, which led to macrophage necroptosis. This process was accompanied by the decreased protein level of forkhead box O3 (FOXO3) in macrophages. The mechanistic dissection showed that Pg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) evoked macrophage oxidative stress via the TLR4 signaling pathway, which subsequently activated MAPK/ERK-mediated FOXO3 phosphorylation and following degradation. While the gingipains, a class of proteases produced by Pg, could effectively hydrolyze FOXO3 in the cytoplasm of macrophages. Both of them decreased the nuclear level of FOXO3, followed by the release of histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) from the macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (Msr1) promoter, thus promoting Msr1 transcription. This enhanced MSR1-mediated lipid uptake further amplified oxidative stress-induced necroptosis in lipid-laden macrophages. In summary, Pg exacerbates macrophage oxidative stress-dependent necroptosis, thus enlarges the atherosclerotic plaque necrotic core and ultimately promotes plaque destabilization.

Spatiotemporal dispersion characterization in persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation patients, insights from the TAILORED-AF trial

Spatiotemporal dispersion characterization in persistent and long-standing persistent atrial fibrillation patients, insights from the TAILORED-AF trial

Optimization of Exposed Aggregate Concrete Mix Proportions for High Skid Resistance and Noise Reduction Performance

Conventional cement concrete pavements often suffer from rapid skid resistance degradation and excessive traffic noise, necessitating effective solutions. This study investigates exposed aggregate concrete (EAC) through orthogonal experimental methods to evaluate the effects of four mix design parameters—water–binder ratio, sand ratio, coarse aggregate volume ratio, and proportion of aggregates >9.5 mm—on surface texture characteristics, skid resistance and noise reduction (SRNR) performance, and mechanical properties. The optimal EAC mix proportions were developed, and the correlations between surface texture characteristics and SRNR performance were established. Results indicate that the proportion of aggregates >9.5 mm significantly influences surface texture characteristics and SRNR performance. The optimal mix proportions (water–binder ratio: 0.43, sand ratio: 31%, coarse aggregate volume ratio: 42%, and proportion of aggregates >9.5 mm: 50%) exhibited superior mechanical properties, achieving a 31.5% increase in pendulum value and a 6.48 dB reduction in tire/surface noise compared to grooved conventional concrete. The noise reduction frequency range is mainly concentrated in the mid-high frequency range of 1.5~4.0 kHz, which is more sensitive to the human ear. High correlations were observed between the surface texture characteristics and SRNR performance. Specifically, noise value decreased progressively with increasing exposed aggregate depth, while the pendulum value exhibited a trend of initial decrease, followed by an increase and subsequent decrease in response to the elevated exposed aggregate area ratio. Compared to traditional cement concrete pavements, the optimized EAC, while maintaining mechanical properties, exhibits superior SRNR performance, providing a valuable reference for the construction of high SRNR cement concrete pavements.

Assessment of Martian Lake Hydrologic Index

Abstract Large lakes are sensitive to climate shifts. This study investigated an established terrestrial lake metric as a tool for differentiating climate regimes on Mars. A global survey of martian lake hydrologic index (HI), the ratio of lake area to drainage area, showed that most sites have intermediate values (0.30–0.65). This is a null result as such values do not meaningfully differentiate between warm-wet and cold-dry conditions. However, one regional cluster of extreme low HI values (<0.10) is identified, and is consistent with extreme aridity. This corridor along the equatorial dichotomy boundary in northern Terra Cimmeria formed during the Hesperian epoch or younger.

Paraspinal Muscle Parameters Predict Postoperative Sagittal Balance in Cervical Disc Arthroplasty: A Structural Equation Model Analysis.

Retrospective analysis. To identify the associations between preoperative paraspinal muscle parameters and postoperative outcomes following cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA), while screening for predictors. Paraspinal muscles play a critical role in maintaining cervical alignment, significantly contributing to cervical mobility and stability. To date, there is limited evidence regarding the impact of paraspinal muscles on CDA. This study included 185 patients who underwent single-level CDA. Preoperative paraspinal muscle parameters, including fatty infiltration (FI), cross-sectional area ratio (CSA r), and muscle asymmetry (ASY%), were assessed using MRI. Correlation analysis was employed for preliminary screening. Finally, structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed for comprehensive analysis. Paraspinal muscle degeneration was prevalent in this cohort, with a higher proportion of moderate to severe FI (Goutallier Grade > 2) from the cranial to caudal levels. According to the correlation analysis, at the final follow-up, cervical lordosis was most strongly correlated with CSA r at C4/5 ( P =0.010); SVA was most related to CSA r at C5/6 ( P =0.030); and the T1 slope was associated with CSA r at C4/5 ( P <0.001), C5/6 ( P <0.001), as well as at the surgical level ( P <0.001). Moreover, a positive correlation was observed between preoperative pain scores and FI ( P =0.035). However, no such correlation was identified in the postoperative period. Comparative analysis of SEMs across different muscle variables revealed variations in predictive factors for postoperative sagittal balance parameters, with CSA r emerging as the significant contributor ( P =0.019, Estimate=0.176), rather than FI or ASY%. Compared with postoperative clinical outcomes, mobility, and prosthesis stability, preoperative muscle parameters were most correlated with sagittal balance after CDA. Specifically, CSA r outperformed in predicting postoperative sagittal balance. These findings suggest CDA may be associated with an elevated risk of sagittal imbalance when performed on patients with significant preoperative muscle degeneration. 3.

Effect of Polygonatum Sibiricum polysaccharides on nude mice model of prostate cancer PC‑3 cells.

The present study aimed to explore the influence of Polygonatum sibiricum polysaccharides (PSP) on the progression of prostate cancer PC‑3 cell xenografts in nude mice, with a specific emphasis on analyzing the regulation of key proteins in the phosphatidylinositol 3‑kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) and nuclear factor‑kappa B (NF‑κB) signaling pathways. An androgen‑independent PC‑3 prostate cancer cell line was subcutaneously injected into immunocompromised BALB/c nude mice to establish a xenograft model. The mice were randomly allocated into five groups, each comprising six animals. Drug dosages were determined according to the body surface area ratio between humans and nude mice. The control group was given normal saline, whereas the docetaxel (DTX) group received docetaxel at a dosage of 5 mg/(kg·d). The PSP treatment groups were administered PSP at low [100 mg/(kg x d)], medium [200 mg/(kg x d)], and high [400 mg/(kg x d)] doses. Each treatment was delivered via gavage at a volume of 0.2 ml every other day for a 30‑day period. Tumor volume and body weight were recorded every 3 days to evaluate the effect of PSP on xenograft growth, with tumor size and overall health status serving as the primary assessment criteria. A total of 4 h after drug administration, tumor volume was measured to calculate the tumor inhibition rate. Subsequently, apoptosis in tumor tissues was evaluated using the TUNEL assay. Immunohistochemistry was conducted to detect the expression levels of PI3K, Akt, NF‑κB p65, their phosphorylated forms (p‑PI3K, p‑Akt and p‑NF‑κB p65), and caspase‑3. At the initial stage of establishing the tumor‑bearing nude mouse model of prostate cancer, all groups of nude mice displayed stable mental states, high levels of activity, regular feeding habits and heightened responsiveness to external stimuli. However, as the tumors progressed, a decline in activity, food intake and responsiveness to stimuli was observed across all groups. PSP inhibited the proliferation of PC‑3 cells and induced apoptosis in tumor‑bearing nude mice, presumably by downregulating PI3K, Akt and NF‑κB p65, thereby suppressing the PI3K/Akt and NF‑κB signaling pathways. Simultaneously, PSP upregulated the expression of caspase‑3, which contributed to its antitumor effects in the PC‑3 prostate cancer model.

Glutamatergic Dysfunction of Astrocytes in Paraventricular Nucleus of Thalamus Contributes to Adult Anxiety Susceptibility in Adolescent Ethanol Exposed Mice

Repeated ethanol exposure during adolescence increases the risk for displaying anxiogenic phenotype in adulthood, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The paraventricular nucleus of thalamus (PVT) has been considered a hub brain area for controlling the anxiety network in the brain. Recent structural and functional investigations indicate that the PVT exhibits diverse neural signals aligned with early-life events, which are highly linked with anxiety-like behaviors. However, it remains unknown if repeated ethanol exposure during adolescence will affect the coordinated brain activities of the PVT in adulthood, and consequent behavioral adaptation. Here we show that adolescent repeated intermittent ethanol exposure (AIE) triggers anxiety-like behaviors and parallelly induces the glutamatergic adaptation in the PVT after four weeks withdrawal from the last ethanol exposure. The firing rates, along with the spatiotemporal calcium transients in the PVT neurons during behavior were increased in the AIE mice compared to those in the counterpart control mice. Importantly, with the chemogenetic inhibition of the PVT neurons, we found alleviated the anxiety-like behavior in the AIE mice.The increased neuronal activities in the PVT of AIE mice was, at least partly, via the reduction of GLT1 (an astrocyte dominant glutamate transporter, known as EAAT2, slc1a2). Our non-invasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) measures also showed an increase in glutamate/GABA ratio in the thalamic area including the PVT of the GLT1 conditional knock-down mice, which exhibited the heightened anxiety-like behavior. In addition, while the selective knock-out of GLT1 in the astrocytes of PVT in the alcohol naïve mice induces anxiogenic phenotypes, the selective upregulation of GLT1 in the PVT astrocytes of the mice that were treated with AIE paradigm alleviated the anxiety-like behaviors as well. These findings highlight the significant role of PVT astrocytic GLT1 in the anxiogenic phenotype in adulthood induced by withdrawal from adolescent repeated ethanol exposure, suggesting that GLT1 in the PVT could serve as a therapeutic target for alcohol use disorder and comorbid emotional disorders.