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The mechanisms responsible for determining neural stem cell fate are numerous and complex. To begin to identify the specific components involved in these processes, we generated several mouse neural stem cell (NSC) antibodies against cultured mouse embryonic neurospheres. Our immunohistochemical data showed that the NSC-6 antibody recognized NSCs in the developing and postnatal murine brains as well as in human brain organoids. Mass spectrometry revealed the identity of the NSC-6 epitope as brain abundant, membrane-attached signal protein 1 (BASP1), a signaling protein that plays a key role in neurite outgrowth and plasticity. Western blot analysis using the NSC-6 antibody demonstrated multiple BASP1 isoforms with varying degrees of expression and correlating with distinct developmental stages. Herein, we describe the expression of BASP1 in NSCs in the developing and postnatal mammalian brains and human brain organoids, and demonstrate that the NSC-6 antibody may be a useful marker of these cells.

Constructive remodeling of focal esophageal defects with biodegradable acellular grafts relies on the ability of host progenitor cell populations to repopulate implant regions and facilitate growth of de novo functional tissue. Intrinsic molecular mechanisms governing esophageal repair processes following biomaterial-based, surgical reconstruction is largely unknown. In the present study, we utilized mass spectrometry-based quantitative proteomics and in silico pathway evaluations to identify signaling cascades which were significantly activated during neoepithelial formation in a Sprague Dawley rat model of onlay esophagoplasty with acellular silk fibroin scaffolds. Pharmacologic inhibitor and rescue experiments revealed that epithelialization of neotissues is significantly dependent in part on pro-survival stimuli capable of suppressing caspase activity in epithelial progenitors via activation of hepatocyte growth factor receptor (c-MET), tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), and protein kinase B (Akt) signaling mechanisms. These data highlight the molecular machinery involved in esophageal epithelial regeneration following surgical repair with acellular implants.

This study examines the effect of stress on cognitive failures and the potential moderating role of aerobic exercise. A total of 290 university students participated, and moderation analysis was conducted using Hayes’ PROCESS Model 1 (Version 4.2). Results showed that stress alone did not significantly predict cognitive failures. However, aerobic exercise appeared to play a potential moderating role in this relationship. Specifically, a significant association between stress and cognitive failures was observed among moderate- and high-intensity exercisers, while no such effect was found in low-intensity exercisers. Additionally, sleep duration was negatively associated with cognitive failures. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may influence the relationship between stress and cognitive failures, although further investigation is needed to establish this effect more conclusively.

Neurodegenerative diseases are prevalent and devastating. While extensive research has been done over the past decades, we are still far from comprehensively understanding what causes neurodegeneration and how we can prevent it or reverse it. Recently, systems biology approaches have led to a holistic examination of the interactions between genome, metabolome, and the environment, in order to shed new light on neurodegenerative pathogenesis. One of the new technologies that has emerged to facilitate such studies is imaging mass spectrometry (IMS). With its ability to map a wide range of small molecules with high spatial resolution, coupled with the ability to quantify them at once, without the need for a priori labeling, IMS has taken center stage in current research efforts in elucidating the role of the metabolome in driving neurodegeneration. IMS has already proven to be effective in investigating the lipidome and the proteome of various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we review the IMS platform for capturing biological snapshots of the metabolic state to shed more light on the molecular mechanisms of the diseased brain.

This study aims to investigate the acute effects of inspiratory muscle warm-up (IMW) in young wrestlers. Wrestling is a high-intensity sport that demands anaerobic metabolism, with rapid recovery and endurance playing crucial roles in subsequent performance. Inspiratory muscle warm-up specifically targets the inspiratory muscles, reducing fatigue during exercise and helping to sustain performance. Our study compares three different warm-up protocols (traditional wrestling warm-up, wrestling warm-up (WW IW ) +  IMW, and wrestling warm-up +  placebo (WW PL )) to analyse changes in inspiratory muscle strength and select respiratory function parameters. The study was conducted with 14 male wrestlers aged 15-16. Participants were subjected to the three different warm-up protocols, followed by simulated wrestling bouts. Results showed that the WW IW protocol increased maximal inspiratory pressure by 17.3% compared to the traditional and placebo warm-ups. Additionally, the WW IW protocol delayed fatigue and improved recovery rates among the wrestlers. Specifically, WW IW enabled a faster return to normal heart rate post-competition, accelerating the recovery process. These findings suggest that WW IW can be effectively used in high-intensity sports like wrestling to enhance recovery between matches and improve overall performance. Further studies with larger sample sizes and in different sports are recommended to validate these results.

This study sought to establish an optimal inspiratory warm-up (IWU) protocol for elite 400-meter athletes. It addresses the existing gap in sprint-specific research and provides practical applications for coaches and athletes aiming to optimize sprint running performance. Across four weeks, 13 elite male runners (age: 22.7 ± 2, personal best: 50.78 ± 0.65 s) performed four 400-meter time trials after different warm-up protocols in a randomized order. Assessments of various respiratory variables [maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), peak inspiratory flow rate (PIFR), inhaled volume (IV)] and selected physiological indices [heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (bLa)] were performed before and after the time trials. Analysis of variance with a significance level of p  < 0.05 was applied. Incorporating IWU into a standard running warm-up resulted in a ~ 0.38-second faster 400-meter time trial in elite male sprinters ( p  < 0.001). The most effective IWU protocols, associated with the fastest run splits, consist of two sets of 30 dynamic inspiratory maneuvers performed with pressure threshold loading at 40% or 60% of MIP resistance. These protocols exhibited a positive influence on selected respiratory indices and significantly lowered post-run lactate concentrations compared to the athletic warm-up and sham protocol. IWU with 40% MIP resistance was associated with lower post-run HR compared to other protocols. IWU using pressure threshold loading at either 40% or 60% of MIP can be beneficial for elite male sprinters. While 40% MIP appears to support faster recovery, a higher intensity at 60% MIP shows greater effectiveness in enhancing 400-meter sprint performance. Future research should explore IWU applications across broader populations and conditions, including female athletes, various hypoxic environments, and temperature variations.

World economies have faced numerous crises throughout history. Fiscal issues have accordingly become a crucial aspect of economic policy discussions, particularly in Eastern Europe, a region shown to be especially vulnerable to the recent economic shocks. The paper therefore aims to provide a bibliometric examination of trends in fiscal research via the lenses of major economic and financial crises. The bibliometric analysis is based on 6,640 documents published between 1970 and 2022 and indexed in the Scopus database. The results reveal that fiscal research associated with crises has grown sharply over time, with significant bursts one year following each major economic and financial crisis. The most cited journal articles in fiscal research highlighted the following issues in all countries, including Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries: economic reform policies (1970-1997), economic development and financial conditions (1998-2008), crises in Europe and post-crisis recovery (2009-2019) and post-crisis recovery and effects (of the COVID-19 pandemic) on the public and business sectors (2020-2022). As well as identifying key countries and journals, although diverging in approach and scope the findings show shared interests in macroeconomic policy, fiscal stability, and the impact of crises on economic performance and public finance. Developed countries have addressed complex global economic issues and advanced development, whereas Central and Eastern European nations have focused on the transition from planned to market economies. This observation reflects their distinct economic paths and fiscal research interests, as revealed in detailed content analysis by subperiods. The findings maybe of benefit for both the scientific community and evidence-based policymaking.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs in which inflammatory markers are involved with significant extrapulmonary effects that may contribute to its severity and complications. Moreover, some of the inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein (CRP) are associated with COPD. Pentraxin 3 (PTX3) is the member of long pentraxins. The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of PTX3 in patients with COPD. Fifty-four COPD patients and 31 controls were enrolled in this study. Demographical data such as age, sex, cigarette smoking status, comorbidities, drugs, habits, and modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) dyspnea scores were recorded. All patients were asked for COPD Assessment Test™ (CAT). The mean age was 65.7 ± 9.8 years, 92 % male. Plasma levels of PTX3 were found to be markedly higher in COPD patients [1.65 (0.32–12.72) ng/ml] than in controls [1.05 (0.43–3.26) ng/ml; p  = 0.005]. On the other hand, PTX3 values did not differ between COPD stages [A, 1.73 (0.69–11.03); B, 1.49 (0.84–12.52); C, 0.79 (0.52–1.06); and D, 2.09 (0.32–12.72); p  = 0.27]. The plasma PTX3 levels were positively correlated with MMRC scores. We conclude that circulating PTX3 levels are elevated in COPD patients. Plasma levels of PTX3 were correlated with dyspnea (MMRC scores). But PTX3 levels were not correlated with the severity of COPD.

The majority of future large-scale neutrino and dark matter experiments are based on liquid argon detectors. Since liquid argon is also a very effective scintillator, these experiments also have light detection systems. The liquid argon scintillation wavelength of 127 nm is most commonly shifted to the visible range by special wavelength shifters or read out by the 127 nm sensitive photodetectors that are under development. The effective calibration and quality control of these active media is still a persisting problem. In order to respond to this need, we developed an argon light source which is based on plasma generation and light transfer across a MgF2 window. The light source was designed as a small, portable and easy-to-operate device to enable the acquisition of performance characteristics of several square meters of light detectors. Here, we report on the development of the light source and its performance characteristics.