Multi-component tree biomass approach to estimate litterfall Hg deposition in a warm-temperate coniferous forest in southern Europe.

Terrestrial ecosystems are a key component in the biogeochemical cycle of Hg. About 50% of atmospheric Hg is captured in the system because of the ability of vegetation to retain and subsequently transfer it to the soil surface through litterfall. In a stand dominated by Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris), the widest spatially distributed tree species in the northern hemisphere and the second worldwide, this two-year study evaluated monthly the litterfall Hg deposition fluxes (FHg) through all litterfall fractions involved (needles, twigs, bark, miscellaneous, and male inflorescences).

Carfilzomib-specific proteasome β5/β2 inhibition drives cardiotoxicity via remodeling of protein homeostasis and the renin-angiotensin-system.

Compared to bortezomib treatment, multiple myeloma (MM) treatment with the proteasome inhibitor carfilzomib is associated with a higher incidence of cardiovascular adverse events. However, the mechanism underlying such cardiopathogenic side effects in MM patients remains elusive. Here, we show that carfilzomib-specific proteasome inhibition profoundly impairs cardiomyocyte contractility.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy on Gold Nanoparticle for Sperm Quality Discrimination.

Spermatozoa were isolated from the seminal fluid using washing (wash), post-capacitation (POS), and swim-up (SU) techniques, followed by analysis through Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS). Density gradient and swim-up methods were applied to 35 semen samples to validate sperm quality. The resulting spectra showed notable variations at 408 cm (S-S stretch attributed to lysozyme) and 728 cm (associated with DNA alterations and methylation).

Visible-Light Photocatalytic Activity of a ZnO-Loaded Isoreticular Metal-Organic Framework.

A hybrid material composed of IRMOF-3 and ZnO (IRMOF-3/ZnO) was synthesized to enhance photocatalytic methylene blue (MB) degradation under visible-light irradiation. Scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and diffuse-reflectance UV-Vis analyses confirmed the successful integration of ZnO into the IRMOF-3 framework. Compared with unmodified IRMOF-3, the hybrid demonstrated superior MB decomposition, as evidenced by faster reaction rate constants and shorter half-lives.

Post-encoding stress and spatial memory consolidation: No significant associations with cortisol and DHEA reactivity.

Memory consolidation is enhanced by post-encoding stress via cortisol, although the role of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) remains uncertain. This study investigated the effect of the Maastricht Acute Stress Test (MAST) on psychological and hormonal (salivary cortisol and DHEA) responses and performance on a virtual reality object-location memory (OLM) task. The association between hormonal reactivity and OLM task performance was also investigated.