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The thermal conductivity of the lunar regolith is an essential parameter in studying the thermal behavior of the Moon and in planning future lunar exploration. The Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) aboard Vikram lander of the Indian Moon mission Chandrayaan 3 made the first in situ measurement of thermal conductivity of lunar regolith at southern high latitude using a thermal probe with ten temperature sensors at uneven intervals within 10 cm and a foil-type heater wound around the probe close to the nose tip. The ChaSTE thermal probe was inserted into the lunar regolith by a controlled motorized penetration in 29 hours. Through the two active heating experiments at a depth of 80 mm, the thermal conductivity of the lunar regolith at the Vikram landing site is estimated to be 0.0115 ± 0.0008 and 0.0124 ± 0.0009  W m  K , respectively. The average packing density of the lunar regolith derived using the penetration motor current is 1940 ± 10 kg m . An empirical model incorporating the temperature and the packing density value yielded thermal conductivity consistent with the in situ measurement. The value of the thermal conductivity measured by ChaSTE is also corroborated by a numerical model.

Temperature change, global warming, and the ever-changing climate have made life extremely difficult for plants. Our research analyzed the effects of chaste plant extract on salt-stressed tomatoes. Three concentrations of chaste plant extract (CPE) were applied (0.25%, 0.5%, and 1%). The obtained results indicated that CPE-treated plants showed a higher ability to tolerate salt stress (75 mM) by a significant increase in plant growth and photosynthetic pigment content ( p  ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant enzyme activities such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), isocitrate dehydrogenase (ICDH), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and glutathione reductase (GR) are also crucial in the case of treatments. Carbon–nitrogen enzymes such as phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC), malate dehydrogenase (NAD-MDH), and glutamine synthase have changed (GS). Our results suggest that the application of chaste plant extract could be used as a promising plant growth biostimulant for treating tomato plants under salinity stress.

Vitex agnus-castus L. (chaste tree) has a rich history of use in traditional medicine across various cultures for over 2500 years, particularly for gynecological issues. Its applications range from regulating menstrual cycles to alleviating premenstrual syndrome and menopausal symptoms, with endorsements from health authorities such as the German Commission E. This review aims to consolidate existing knowledge on the ethnopharmacological uses, phytochemistry, and pharmacological effects of V. agnus-castus , while also discussing its safety profile and therapeutic potential. The relevant articles were identified by searching PubMed ( www.pubmed.com ), Scopus ( http://www.scopus.com ), ISI Web of Science ( www.webofknowledge.com ), and Google Scholar ( www.scholar.google.com ) up to November 2024. V. agnus-castus exhibits a wide range of pharmacological properties, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic effects. Its active compounds, particularly casticin, have been linked to these benefits. Future research should focus on advanced preclinical and clinical studies to better assess its safety and therapeutic efficacy in diverse populations.

Background Many cancers arise from mutations in cells within epithelial tissues. Mutations manifesting at the subcellular level influence the structure and function of the tissue resulting in cancer. Previous work has proposed how cell level properties can lead to mutant cell invasion, but has not incorporated detailed subcellular modelling Results We present a framework that allows the straightforward integration and simulation of SBML representations of subcellular dynamics within multiscale models of epithelial tissues. This allows us to investigate the effect of mutations in subcellular pathways on the migration of cells within the colorectal crypt. Using multiple models we find that mutations in APC, a key component in the Wnt signalling pathway, can bias neutral drift and can also cause downward invasion of mutant cells in the crypt. Conclusions Our framework allows us to investigate how subcellular mutations, i.e. knockouts and knockdowns, affect cell-level properties and the resultant migration of cells within epithelial tissues. In the context of the colorectal crypt, we see that mutations in APC can lead directly to mutant cell invasion.

Medicinal plants are used worldwide due to their lower risk of side effects and eco-friendly, cost-effective production when compared to chemical drugs, encouraging researchers to further exploit the therapeutic potential of the former. One of the most popular medicinal plants is Vitex agnus-castus L., grown in tropical and sub-tropical regions, to which different health benefits have already been attributed. In this perspective article, the in vitro and in vivo therapeutic properties of V. agnus-castus L. have been analyzed and reviewed with a special focus on its health-promoting effects and potential nutraceutical applications.

The eriophyoid mite Aceria massalongoi (Canestrini) was collected from globoid leaf galls on severely injured chaste trees, Vitex agnus-castus L. (Lamiaceae), in Bari and Bernalda (southern Italy), and on the Ionian island Leukade (Greece). Female, male and nymph were described in detail, following the current morphometric descriptive scheme, supplementing older and incomplete descriptions. Molecular characterization of A. massalongoi from Italy and Greece was conducted by amplifying and sequencing the ribosomal ITS, the D2–D3 expansion domains of the 28S rRNA gene and the mitochondrial COI, for the first time. Phylogenetic trees based on the three molecular markers showed congruent results, confirming that Italian and Greek A. massalongoi populations are the same species that cluster together with some intraspecific variability. Galls, ranging from 0.5 to 2.8 mm in diameter, were randomly distributed on both leaf surfaces, and protruded ca. 1 mm from the leaf surface. Sometimes they were closely aggregated on midrib and leaves, which, consequently, appeared strongly deformed. Close-up observations revealed that gall induction causes hyperplastic proliferation of leaf tissues around the gall chamber hosting mites. The uniserial cell lining inside this chamber provides the nutritional tissue for the mites. All feeding cells contained one or more (frequently 2–3) hypertrophied nuclei and dense granular cytoplasm.

Crypt fission is an in vivo tissue deformation process that is involved in both intestinal homeostasis and colorectal tumourigenesis. Despite its importance, the mechanics underlying crypt fission are currently poorly understood. Recent experimental development of organoids, organ-like buds cultured from crypt stem cells in vitro, has shown promise in shedding light on crypt fission. Drawing inspiration from observations of organoid growth and fission in vivo, we develop a computational model of a deformable epithelial tissue layer. Results from in silico experiments show the stiffness of cells and the proportions of cell subpopulations affect the nature of deformation in the epithelial layer. In particular, we find that increasing the proportion of stiffer cells in the layer increases the likelihood of crypt fission occurring. This is in agreement with and helps explain recent experimental work.

The increased incidence of diabetes and tumors, associated with global demographic issues (aging and life styles), has pointed out the importance to develop new strategies for the effective management of skin wounds. Individuals affected by these diseases are in fact highly exposed to the risk of delayed healing of the injured tissue that typically leads to a pathological inflammatory state and consequently to chronic wounds. Therapies based on stem cells (SCs) have been proposed for the treatment of these wounds, thanks to the ability of SCs to self-renew and specifically differentiate in response to the target bimolecular environment. Here, we discuss how advanced biomedical devices can be developed by combining SCs with properly engineered biomaterials and computational models. Examples include composite skin substitutes and bioactive dressings with controlled porosity and surface topography for controlling the infiltration and differentiation of the cells. In this scenario, mathematical frameworks for the simulation of cell population growth can provide support for the design of bioconstructs, reducing the need of expensive, time-consuming, and ethically controversial animal experimentation.

The in vitro antioxidant potential assay between ethanolic extracts of two species from the genus Vitex (Vitex negundo L. and Vitex trifolia L.) belonging to the Lamiaceae family were evaluated. The antioxidant properties of different extracts prepared from both plant species were evaluated by different methods. DPPH scavenging, nitric oxide scavenging, and β-carotene-linoleic acid and ferrous ion chelation methods were applied. The antioxidant activities of these two species were compared to standard antioxidants such as butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), ascorbic acid, and Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA). Both species of Vitex showed significant antioxidant activity in all of the tested methods. As compared to V. trifolia L. (60.87–89.99%; 40.0–226.7 μg/mL), V. negundo has been found to hold higher antioxidant activity (62.6–94.22%; IC50 = 23.5–208.3 μg/mL) in all assays. In accordance with antioxidant activity, total polyphenol contents in V. negundo possessed greater phenolic (89.71 mg GAE/g dry weight of extract) and flavonoid content (63.11 mg QE/g dry weight of extract) as compared to that of V. trifolia (77.20 mg GAE/g and 57.41 mg QE/g dry weight of extract respectively). Our study revealed the significant correlation between the antioxidant activity and total phenolic and flavonoid contents of both plant species.

This study investigates the impact of warfare on nuptial patterns, focusing on the trends and characteristics of age differences within marriage. Specifically, it explores the socio-demographic outcomes of the Imjin War (1592–1598) and post-war reconstruction in Korea, using the earliest extant Chosŏn household registers, compiled between 1606 and 1630. Individual-level microdata were derived involving 2,336 married couples based on 11,749 entries in these registers, covering four administrative districts located in the southeastern region of the Korean peninsula severely devastated by the war. Factors such as status, property, warfare, social practices, and legal regulations influenced spousal age differences. First, social rank and family wealth played pivotal roles, with age gaps widening as a husband's socio-economic status increased. Second, females born after 1580, whose first marriages were affected by the Imjin War and post-war circumstances, experienced an average marital age gap of about ten years. Third, this effect was further complicated by the imposition of socio-legal rules on remarriage; that is, the yangban entailed a pronounced age difference owing to the Neo-Confucian norm of chaste widowhood. This study enriches the understanding of historical marriage customs in Korea and offers insights for studies on age disparity in marriage.