Förster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) analysis is a powerful technique for studying protein-protein interactions; however, manual methods often introduce variability and user dependency. We present the SONLab FRET Analysis Tool, an open-source and automated software that integrates Cellpose for cell segmentation with standardized pipelines for bleed-through correction and FRET efficiency calculation. By minimizing human intervention, the tool improves reproducibility and comparability between experiments. The results demonstrate that the tool achieves FRET efficiencies comparable to those of manual methods but with reduced bias, enabling robust and high-throughput analysis of protein interactions.

This study evaluated the mechanical performance of nickel-titanium (NiTi) endodontic instruments with identical tip diameters but different alloy compositions and designs. The study compared two geometric configurations of WaveOne Gold instruments (Respectively, WO I and WO II) manufactured using three different NiTi alloys: SE-Wire (non-heat-treated superelastic NiTi), M-Wire, and gold alloy. WO I instruments have a variable taper (25/0.08) and dual convex triangular cross-section, while WO II instruments feature a reduced taper (25/0.07), square cross-section, and shorter handle. Six groups were tested for cyclic fatigue resistance, torsional strength, bending behavior, deformation, and compressive load. Fracture patterns were examined via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). A two-way ANOVA evaluated interactions between alloy type and instrument design. Alloy heat treatment and design significantly affected performance. Gold alloy instruments showed superior flexibility and the highest time-to-fracture (TTF) values, particularly in WO II. WO II files required less pressure to navigate canals and demonstrated better bending adaptability due to their reduced taper and square cross-section. In contrast, SE-Wire instruments had the lowest fatigue resistance and highest pressure loads, indicating their austenitic phase and lack of thermal treatment. WO I instruments had higher torsional strength but fractured at lower angular deflections. SEM revealed distinct fracture mechanisms based on alloy and generation. WO II instruments outperformed WO I in flexibility, cyclic fatigue resistance, and canal tracking, particularly with thermomechanically treated alloys like Gold. The relationship between alloy composition and instrument design is crucial for optimizing performance and minimizing procedural risks.

Inverted scanning microwave microscopy (iSMM), as a novel near-field characterization tool, demonstrates unique advantages in research fields such as biomedicine and the dielectric properties of two-dimensional materials. This paper proposes a dual-port inverted scanning imaging method based on the perturbation of the spatial microwave field in microstrip lines by an uncoated silicon tip. Combining microwave vector network analysis techniques, a non-invasive silicon tip scans the surface of samples above the microstrip line to obtain local S11 and S21 scattering parameters. Theoretical modeling and experiments validate the broadband resonant characteristics of the microstrip structure across the 1-10 GHz frequency range. Near-field images of dried mouse fibroblasts were successfully acquired at selected frequencies (3, 5, and 8 GHz), revealing their distinct electromagnetic responses at different frequencies. Comparison of the signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) for S11 and S21 parameters indicates that the S21 SNR exhibits more stable fluctuations (30-60 dB) across the 1-10 GHz range. This testing method possesses broadband microwave imaging capabilities, providing a reliable technical foundation for structural characterization studies in fields such as microelectronic devices, biological tissues, and functional materials.

Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder and Xanthium italicum Moretti are morphologically similar fructus that are frequently misidentified. Xanthium italicum Moretti may possess inherent toxicity, and its adulteration of genuine medicinal materials poses a threat to clinical drug safety. Macroscopic observation and three microscopic techniques including stereo microscope, optical microscope, and 3D X-ray microscope were used for morphological identification of Xanthium sibiricum Patr ex Widder and Xanthium italicum Moretti in this study. 3D X-ray microscopy was applied as a novel tool for non-destructive, high-resolution discrimination of the two taxa. Intact fructus (n = 30 per species) were first screened macroscopically, then examined by stereo microscopy, optical microscopy, and 3D X-ray microscopy (0.3, 0.7, 1.5, 3.5, 18.06, 20.01 μm voxel size, Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa). The results showed that stereo microscopy, optical microscopy, and 3D X-ray microscopy collectively confirm the same conclusion from three distinct physical perspectives: surface topography, internal two-dimensional structure, and internal three-dimensional density distribution. The two Xanthium species differ significantly in burr spine morphology, fructus size and shape, the architecture and distribution of non-glandular and glandular trichomes, cotyledon conformation, and seed-coat cell patterning. In particular, 3D X-ray microscopy clearly resolves internal cotyledon spatial configurations and involucral cavity architectures, which furnishes critical endomorphic characters for taxonomic diagnosis. 3D X-ray microscopy provides unprecedented volumetric contrast of surface spines and internal seed architecture, permitting confident, non-destructive species identification. This study provides a basis for the safe clinical use of Xanthium sibiricum Patrin ex Widder. The frontier of 3D X-ray microscopy in plant systematics offers a novel, rapid, accurate and non-destructive protocol for the discrimination of morphologically elusive species.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) were synthesized via a green and eco-friendly method using Parkia biglandulosa leaf extract, which acted as both a reducing and stabilizing agent. The synthesized CeO2 NPs exhibited a cubic fluorite crystal structure and predominantly spherical morphology, with particle sizes ranging from 10 to 12 nm. Antibacterial studies demonstrated notable activity against Lactobacillus acidophilus, Staphylococcus albus, and Streptococcus mutans, with the highest inhibition zone (32 mm) observed against S. mutans (Ce-3). The anticancer activity assessed against MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated an IC50 value of 43.13 μg/mL (Ce-3). Antioxidant assays, including DPPH, ABTS, and hydroxyl radical scavenging, exhibited IC50 values of 202.47, 219.77, and 193.05 μg/mL, respectively, indicating strong free radical scavenging potential. Additionally, corrosion resistance studies of CeO2 NP-coated mild steel in 3.5% NaCl solution revealed a maximum inhibition efficiency of 95.44% (Ce-3), as confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Overall, these findings demonstrated the multifunctional efficacy of P. biglandulosa derived CeO2 NPs for biomedical and industrial applications.

Skeletal muscle is a complex organ that undergoes aging through a multifactorial process leading to muscle atrophy and strength reduction. Mitochondrial dysfunctions prove to be a critical contributor to skeletal muscle aging, affecting the regenerative functions and differentiation of muscle satellite cells (MuSCs). Physical exercise is a nonpharmacological approach that positively affects mitochondrial functions, promoting increased mitochondrial biogenesis, enzyme activities, and respiration in the aging skeletal muscle. By means of morphological and morphometrical analyses at transmission electron microscopy, this invitro study identified the fine structural modifications induced in mitochondria of MuSC-derived myoblasts by a long-term adapted physical exercise applied to old mice, and verified the persistence of the exercise-driven changes in the myoblast-derived myotubes. In myoblasts, physical exercise decreased mitochondrial volume while increasing mitochondrial elongation and cristae extension in comparison to the sedentary condition, a mitochondrial remodeling suggestive of higher functionality. In myotubes, physical exercise increased mitochondrial volume and decreased cristae extension, partially reverting the age-associated alterations. These findings demonstrate that physical exercise administered in elderly exerts positive effects on mitochondria of the progeny of resident MuSCs.

Globally, breast cancer represents the leading cancer type, with millions of women impacted annually. The success of breast cancer treatment relies heavily on timely detection and precise tumor classification. The classification of breast cancer has gained considerable importance in Deep Learning (DL) and medical research with the development of medical imaging techniques, like histopathological imaging. Many existing DL schemes suffer from overfitting and endure difficulties in effectively mining the key features from high-resolution images with subtle variations. Hence, the Xception Convolutional Deep Maxout Network (Xcov-DMN) is developed to classify breast cancer. At the initial stage, the Mean-Shift Filter is applied to the input histopathological image. Following this, the White Blood Cell Network (WBC-Net) is employed for blood cell segmentation with the Balanced Cross-Entropy (BCE) and Focal Loss for ensuring precise segmentation. Next, Colored Histograms, shape features, Haralick Texture Features, and Complete Local Binary Pattern (CLBP) features are excerpted. Consequently, the developed Xcov-DMN is utilized to classify breast cancer. Xcov-DMN is the combination of the Deep Maxout Network (DMN), Fractional Calculus (FC), and Xception Convolutional Neural Network (XCovNet). Moreover, with learning data at 90%, the Xcov-DMN achieved the highest accuracy of 92.755%, True Negative Rate (TNR) of 91.977%, and True Positive Rate (TPR) of 94.765%.

Electrospun nanofibers offer sufficiently large pore size, good porosity, and interconnectivity for the integration of cells into the scaffold. Consequently, there has been a lot of interest in tissue engineering with electrospun nanomaterials. Numerous cellular functions can be supported by biocompatible conducting polymers. In this study, polyacrylonitrile (PAN)/polypyrrole (PPy) nanofibrous films were prepared by the electrospinning technique and examined as a scaffold for IHOEC ovarian cell attachment and proliferation. The rationale for embedding ovarian cells in a scaffold is particularly relevant to fields such as ovarian tissue engineering, infertility treatments, and postcancer tissue repair. This approach aims to enable cells to grow and form functional tissue in an environment similar to their natural microenvironment. Straight, smooth, and beadless PAN/PPy nanofibers with an average diameter of 216 ± 35 nm were obtained and analyzed by AFM, SEM, TEM, TGA, XRD, and WCA characterization methods. WCA measurements revealed that the nanofibers exhibited hydrophilic behavior, with WCA values of 14.93° ± 0.37 and 12.51° ± 0.50 being measured for the PAN and PAN/PPy nanofibers, respectively. PAN/PPy nanofibrous scaffolds were examined as a tissue engineering scaffold material for IHOEC ovarian cells, and the morphological properties and viability of cells grown on PAN/PPy nanofibers were observed. Results from the MTT test and SEM pictures demonstrated that IHOEC cells could adhere and proliferate on nanofibers. Consequently, PAN/PPy nanofibrous mats would be a potential candidate for an ovarian tissue scaffold.