GeneVac-B® was recently licensed in Burkina Faso and is widely used for population vaccination. This study aimed to evaluate the immune response in people fully vaccinated against hepatitis B with the GeneVac-B® vaccine in Burkina Faso under actual conditions of use. This cross-sectional study included individuals fully vaccinated with GeneVac-B®. For each consenting participant, sociodemographic and clinical data were collected using a structured questionnaire. Approximately 4 mL of whole blood was collected for immunological (anti-HBs, HBsAg, anti-HCV and anti-HIV) and biochemical (blood glucose, total cholesterol, and triglycerides) testing. The anti-HBs titer was used to determine the immune response. A total of 392 participants were included in the study. The mean age was 35.5±15 years. Approximately 56.1% had been previously exposed to HBV. Three hundred eighty (380) participants had an anti-HBs titer ≥ 12 mIU/mL, a seroprotection rate of 96.9%, and 12 had a titer < 12 mIU/mL, a nonresponse rate of 3.1%. Among the nonresponders, 11 (11/12; 91.7%) had high total cholesterol levels (> 240 mg/dL), and 8 (8/12; 66.7%) were older than 40 years of age. The results showed an excellent immune response to GeneVac-B® in our study population. However, age > 40 and high total cholesterol appear to be factors associated with nonresponse.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the genetic effects involved on pepper fruit post-harvest water loss, and correlated to morphology traits. Fruits of eight landraces of C. baccatum, and their 28 hybrids, were evaluated in a randomized complete block design. Analysis of variance, diallel analysis, phenotypic and genotypic correlation were performed to compare fruit water loss (WL), width (FW), length (FL), total soluble solids (TSS), dry matter content (DMC), pericarp thickness (PT), cuticle thickness (CT), and exocarp thickness (ET). WL varied from 14 to 68% during storage. Non-additive effects played more important role than additive, including CT, EP and TSS. Effective strategies to reduce WL should be achieved by repeated backcrosses followed by selection in segregating populations (SP). Therefore, the selection of hybrids should follow high specific combining ability traits. Selecting fruits with higher CT and lower TSS values are indirectly selecting fruits with lower WL. Varieties with low WL can be breed using landraces 04 and 58 as parents or by the hybrid 04 x 44 in open lines in SP. Brazilian C. baccatum landraces are a source of genetic variability, and the SP emerging from crossing lines with reduced WL should develop new ways for conventional breeding.

This study aimed to examine the effects of metabolizable energy (ME) level and rumen-protected choline (RPC) supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, serum energy, lipid, and protein profiles of Karayaka. Individually housed Karayaka lambs (n = 28), with initial body weight (BW) of 26.85 ± 0.26 kg, were randomly assigned (2 × 2 factorial design) to one of four dietary treatments with two levels of ME (optimum: 2750 or low: 2500 kcal ME/kg dry matter) and two levels of RPC (0 or 4 g/d/lamb). The experiment lasted 66 d, with the first 10 d of acclimation and the next 56 d of the formal experimental period. The data on BW, dietary matter intake (DMI), and serum glucose concentrations confirm that our model successfully induced low energy using 250 kcal/kg less energy than the optimum level. RPC supplementation did not significantly affect average daily DMI, total average daily gain (ADG), or feed conversion ratio (FCR) at any energy level. Additionally, there was no substantial effect on carcass characteristics, meat quality, serum lipids, energy metabolism indicators, and liver function parameters. There was also no interaction effect of RPC × ME on the parameters tested. However, at 56 d into the experiment, the interaction effect of RPC × ME on serum urea-N was highly significant, and RPC supplementation led to lower serum urea-N levels (p = 0.001). The results of this study do not support the use of RPC supplementation to improve animal performance or carcass characteristics in lambs that received a reduced diet of 250 kcal ME/kg.

Secondary metabolites are bioactive compounds produced by living organisms that can reveal symbiotic relationships in nature. In the work described here, soil-born entomopathogenic-nematodes associated with symbiotic bacteria (Xenorhabdus stockiae and Photorhabdus luminescens) extracted from solvent supernatant containing secondary metabolites showed significant inhibitory action against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faceium, Proteus vulgaris, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis. These secondary metabolites, characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were found to be amine groups of proteins; hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of polyphenols; hydroxyl groups of polysaccharides, and carboxyl groups of organic acids. The major compounds identified by Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of ethyl acetate extracts of Xenorhabdus stockiae revealed the existence of Nonanoic acid derivatives, Paromycin, Pyrrolidinone, Octodecanal derivatives, Trioxa-5-aza-1-silabicyclo, 4-Octadecenal, Methyl ester, Oleic Acid and 1,2-benzenedicarboxylicacid. Additional extraction from Photorhabdus luminescens was expressed functional compounds such as Indole-3-acetic acid, Piperidinol derivatives, Phthalic acid, 1-Tetradecanol, Nemorosonol, 1-eicosanol and unsaturated fatty acids. These outcomes support the development of new alternative natural antimicrobial agents for pathogen suppression in the future.

This study explores the potential of Eisenia fetida (Savigny) in vermicompost production within vermipits during winter months in the Rampur region of Uttar Pradesh, India. The vermipits were inoculated with 0.33 kg of E. fetida per pit, against the recommended rate of inoculation for assessment of real-time potential of earthworm on seasonal and regional grounds. The results revealed a significant increase in earthworm population, with three times production (4.1 kg) of the inoculated number (1.0 kg). The productivity dynamics of compost vs E. feida revealed a notable threefold and fourfold effectiveness, respectively. This dual advantage signifies the success of composting process, with the increased worm population indicating enhanced decomposition. The study attributes the combination of regional and edaphic factors viz., sandy loam soil with high humus content and good water passage, facilitating earthworm survival, reproduction and decomposition of agricultural waste. The loose and perforated soil structure allowed easy penetration of earthworms, transforming the soil into fertile compost. The research emphasizes the importance of soil moisture of semi-arid ecosystems thus highlighting the seasonal significance governing earthworm activity. The study provides insights into the mechanical ability of earthworms, its sensitivity to soil compaction and the influence of high hydration of the region. Inoculation during the winter period indicates increased earthworm activity setting the stage for enhanced compost production in the upcoming hot periods of summer months. The findings suggest that optimizing vermicomposting practices with altered feeding stocks, could further improvise compost and earthworm production and productivity in subsequent seasons. The study contributes for sustainable utilization of E. fetida in composting, its regional and seasonal efficacy turns trash to treasure for enhanced agricultural efficacy.

Canine atopic dermatitis (CAD) is a common chronic allergic skin disease. In our previous study, we isolated two probiotic strains, Lactococcus cremoris subsp. cremoris MP01 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei MP02, from Mongolian fermented milk. These strains demonstrated potential in alleviating symptoms similar to AD and reducing specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels in a mouse model of AD. Building upon this discovery, our current investigation sought to evaluate the therapeutic potential of these probiotics for treating CAD. We conducted an open-label, single-arm clinical trial where dogs diagnosed with AD were administered LCP capsules containing Lc. cremoris subsp. cremoris MP01 and L. paracasei subsp. paracasei MP02 once daily for 60 days. Stool, skin swab, and venous blood specimens were collected at three intervals: before, and after 30 and 60 days of LCP intervention. The skin and fecal microbiomes were analyzed using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing. After 60 days of LCP intervention, notable improvements were observed in skin lesions and scratching behaviors, accompanied by reductions in both the Canine Atopic Dermatitis Extent and Severity Index (CADESI) and the Pruritus Visual Analogue Scale (PVAS) scores. Additionally, LCP intervention resulted in significant reductions in IgE levels and modulation in type 1 T helper (Th1)/ type 2 T helper cells (Th2)-related cytokine secretion. Microbiota analysis unveiled changes in the composition of both skin and gut microbiotas, including reductions in Shigella flexneri on the skin and Romboutsia in the gut. Levels of short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) increased following the 60-days of LCP intervention. These effects were likely mediated by alterations in gut microbiota and the upregulation of SCFA levels, which subsequently reduced the secretion of allergy-related IgE. Collectively, these mechanisms contributed to alleviating CAD symptoms, regulating skin microbiota composition, and reducing the adherence and invasion of environmental microbes and pathogens. Overall, our findings highlight the promising therapeutic potential of the Lc. cremoris subsp. cremoris MP01 and L. paracasei subsp. paracasei MP02 mixture as an effective strategy for managing CAD in dogs.

Coronaviruses cause infections in humans and diverse species of animals and birds with a global distribution. Bovine coronavirus (BCoV) produces predominantly two forms of disease in cattle, a respiratory form, and a gastrointestinal form. All age groups of cattle are affected by the respiratory form of coronavirus whereas the gastroenteric form causes neonatal diarrhea or calf scour in young cattle and winter dysentery in adult cattle. The tremendous impacts of bovine respiratory disease and the associated losses are well-documented and underscores the importance of this pathogen. Beyond this, studies have demonstrated significant impacts on milk production associated with outbreaks of winter dysentery, with up to a 30% decrease in milk yield. Research data so far have shown that the viral structure or strain is not a determinant of tissue tropism and clinical form of the disease. In North America, BCoV was identified for the first time in 1972, and it continues to be a significant economic concern for the cattle industry. The virus is classified under Coronaviridae family, Betacoronavirus genus and Betacorovirus 1 species. A number of conventional and molecular diagnostic assays are available for the detection of BCoV from clinical samples. Conventional assays for BCoV detection include virus isolation, which is challenging from clinical samples, electron microscopy, fluorescent antibody assays, and various immunoassays. Molecular tests are mainly based on nucleic acid detection and predominantly include conventional and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. Isothermal amplification assays and genome sequencing have also been used increasingly in recent years for the detection and identification of BCoV. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification, helicase-dependent amplification, recombinase polymerase amplification, and multienzyme isothermal rapid amplification are some examples of the isothermal amplification assays for used BCoV. Point-of-care testing has gained some popularity recently as they can offer user-friendly testing on the farm (barn-side). The present study reviewed literature on coronavirus infections in cattle from the last three and a half decades and presents information mainly on the current and advancing diagnostics in addition to epidemiology, clinical presentations, and the impact of the disease on the cattle industry.

Plant hormones regulate the adaptive responses to various biotic and abiotic stress factors. Applied exogenously they trigger the natural plant defense mechanisms, a feature that could be implemented in strategies for supporting crop resilience. The potential of exogenous cytokinin-like acting compound (kinetin), the auxin analogue 1-naphtyl acetic acid (NAA), abscisic acid (ABA) and the ethylene-precursor 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) to mitigate dehydration was tested on Lactuca sativa (lettuce) grown on 12% polyethylene glycol (PEG). Priming with different blends containing these plant growth regulators applied in bioequivalent concentrations was evaluated through biometric measurements and biochemical analyses. The combined treatment with the four plant hormones exhibited the best dehydration protective effect. The antioxidative enzyme profiling of the PGR-primed individuals revealed increased SOD, catalase and peroxidase activity in the leaves. Immunodetection of higher levels of the rate-limiting enzyme for proline biosynthesis (delta-pyroline-5-carboxylate synthase) in the primed plants coincided with a significantly higher content of the amino acid measured in the leaves. These plants also accumulated particular dehydrin types, which may have contributed to the observed stress-relieving effect. The four-component hormonal mix applied by spraying or through the roots exerted similar stress-mitigating properties on soil-grown lettuce subjected to moderate drought.

Quinoa is a resilient crop known for its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. This study examined the agronomic performance and ecological adaptability of quinoa across four distinct altitudes in the northwestern regions of China. Six quinoa genotypes were assessed for agronomic traits, phenology and yield performances, and nutritional quality characteristics in Yining city, Nilka County, Tekes County and Zhaosu County under varied environmental conditions. Our findings demonstrate significant variations in all measured traits including agronomic and nutritional quality traits across the various altitudes and genotypes. In Yining City, a warmer and lower altitude area, genotypes exhibit superior traits for fodder production, including increased branches, longer panicles, robust stems, and high seed protein content. Genotypes Jinli 1 and Beijing 2 achieve yields exceeding 3 tons per hectare (T/ha), highlighting the region’s productivity. Nilka and Tekes counties boasted the shortest quinoa crop cycles, with Jinli 1 yielding 4.05 T/ha seeds in Tekes County, exhibiting high protein and fat content alongside low saponins, making it prime location for yield production. Zhaosu County, with its cooler climate and fertile chernozem soil, elicited high 1000 seed weight and more robust protein response than Nilka and Tekes counties, illustrating the impact of soil fertility on nutritional composition. Correlation analyses further elucidated that the plants characterized by shorter flowering times, crop cycles, compact inflorescence, and taller heights exhibited superior seed yields. Our study contributes significant insights into the ecological adaptability and nutritional dynamics of quinoa, with implications for sustainable crop production and food security in diverse agroecosystems.

Poikilodermatous plaque-like hemangioma (PPH) is a recently described clinical and pathological entity, with only 18 cases reported in the literature. Although uncommon, this benign condition presents consistent clinical and histological findings. We present a new case of PPH in an 81-year-old male and review the existing literature. The persistence over time and the need to distinguish PPH from more significant lesions underscore the importance of its clinical and pathological recognition.

Semaglutide is a potent GLP-1 receptor agonist used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus due to its ability to regulate blood glucose levels and promote weight loss. On July 26, 2021, with a manually defined set of computational structural and biophysical analysis, a simple Val27-Arg28 exchange was for the first time introduced in the backbone of semaglutide to strengthen the semaglutide-GLP-1R binding affinity. In this article, a comprehensive structural and biophysical analysis approach is for the first time proposed towards an exhaustive exploration of the semaglutide-GLP-1R sequence space for the design of semaglutide analogues with elevated binding affinity to GLP-1R, thereby potentially enhancing therapeutic efficacy of structurally conceivable semaglutide analogues. Through structure biophysics-based rational design and computational modeling, this article puts forward a set of semaglutide analogues and calculated their binding affinities to GLP-1R, with one particular semaglutide analogue-GLP-1R structural model reaching a K_d of 3.0 × 10^-8 M, while the K_d is 3.4 × 10^-6 M for the binding of native semaglutide to GLP-1. Overall, the computationally designed semaglutide analogues here constitute a hopeful approach for developing GLP-1 receptor agonists with improved efficacy for the treatment of diabetes and weight management in future.

Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to biodiversity and an important public health issue. West Nile virus (WNV) is an emerging vector-borne zoonotic arbovirus that is currently broadening its distribution in Europe. The evidence of WNV circulating in resident and migratory species has implications for both animal and public health, and should therefore be studied in depth. An integrated surveillance program, namely in birds, is essential for reducing the risk of infection in human populations within the One Health principles. In the present study, wild birds admitted to wildlife rehabilitation centres in Portugal were sampled. Two-hundred and eight blood samples were assayed serologically to antibodies to WNV, by using a commercial ELISA kit. An overall seroprevalence of 19.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 13.7-26.7%) was observed. Antibodies to WNV were detected in 13 (35.1%) different species of wild birds. Accipitriformes (26.7%; 95% CI: 18.5-36.2%) and Strigiformes (26.7%; 95% CI: 14.6-42.0%) were the orders with the highest seroprevalence recorded. There were no statistically significant differences (p = 0.725) between the geographical regions (NUTS II) studied, but statistically significant difference (p = 0.017) was found between gender (male: 34.4%; female: 4.8%). A higher seroprevalence was found in adults (32.1%) compared to juvenile birds (9.3%) (p = 0.014), and age was considered a risk factor to WNV infection in wild birds (odds ratio 1.4; 95% CI: 0.5–4.0). More epidemiological studies are needed in Portugal, since the actual spread of the WNV throughout the country is unknown.

The aim was to identify if surface electromyography (sEMG) parameters are indicative of post-activation potentiation (PAP)/post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE), in terms of twitch potentiation and voluntary performance. Three databases were used in March 2024, with the following inclusion criteria: (a) original research, assessed in healthy human adults, (b) sEMG parameters were measured. The exclusion criteria were: (a) studies with no PAP/PAPE-protocol, (b) non-randomized control trials. The following data were extracted: study characteristics/demographics, PAP/PAPE-protocols, sEMG parameters, twitch/performance outcomes, and study findings. A modified physiotherapy evidence database (PEDro) scale was used for quality assessment. Fifteen randomized controlled trials (RCTs), with a total of 199 subjects were included. The M-wave amplitude (combined with a twitch torque outcome) was shown to generally be indicative of PAP. The sEMG amplitude (in some muscles) were found to be indicative of PAPE during ballistic movements, while a small decrease in the MdF (in certain muscles) were shown to reflect PAPE. Changes in the Hmax/Mmax ratio were found to contribute (temporally) to PAP, while the H-reflex amplitude was shown to be neither indicative of PAP nor PAPE. This review provides preliminarily findings suggesting that certain sEMG parameters could be indicative of PAP/PAPE. However, future research is warranted.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, leading to approximately 1.27 million deaths annually from infectious diseases resistant to existing antibiotics. Factors such as antibiotic misuse and environmental contamination have accelerated AMR, with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating the issue due to increased antibiotic usage. However, the development of new antibiotics has stagnated, with only a few approved in recent years, and many facing resistance. Among the priority pathogens identified by the WHO, Pseudomonas aeruginosa stands out as a significant concern due to its multidrug resistance and virulence. P. aeruginosa infections are challenging to treat due to intrinsic and acquired resistance mechanisms, as well as its ability to form biofilms. Additionally, P. aeruginosa produces a plethora of virulence factors, including proteases, siderophores, and toxins, further complicating treatment. Quorum sensing (QS) systems play a crucial role in regulating bacterial physiology and virulence factor expression. P. aeruginosa employs three QS systems, making it an attractive target for quorum quenching (QQ) strategies. Enzymes such as AHL lactonases, acylases, and oxidoreductases have shown promise in inhibiting QS, thus reducing virulence without impacting bacterial growth. Furthermore, natural QS inhibitors produced by various organisms offer potential therapeutic alternatives. Despite promising results in vitro, translating QQ strategies to clinical settings remains challenging. Nevertheless, QQ represents a novel approach in combating multidrug-resistant infections and warrants further investigation as a complementary therapeutic strategy alongside traditional antibiotics. This review summarizes enzymes with Qurorum Quenching activity evaluated against the pathogen P. aeruginosa and their potential applications in combination therapies.

Cuproptosis, a copper-dependent cellular death mechanism, is typically overlooked in glioblastoma diagnosis. Lipoylation is needed for cuproptosis, and FDX1 controls this process. Cuproptosis in prognostic models may drive cancer treatment. This study evaluated cuproptosis and glioblastoma cell proliferation. The Cancer Genome Atlas provided annotated clinical, genetic mutation, and RNA sequencing data for the TCGA_GBM and TCGA_LGG cohorts. Patients with gliomas were randomly allocated to the validation or training cohort. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) and multivariate Cox regression models were utilized to evaluate which model best predicted prognosis in the training cohort. The models' independent predictive power was evaluated throughout the cohort. A previous study revealed 19 genes related to ferroptosis. LncRNAs associated with cuproptosis were identified by coexpression analysis. Cox discovered 17 cuproptosis-associated lncRNAs and established a predictive model. The median risk score classified patients as high- or low-risk. K‒M survival analysis demonstrated significant differences in overall survival among risk categories. Principal component analysis (PCA) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were used to test the model’s predictive power. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses revealed risk score-related independent prognostic factors. Multivariate Cox regression analysis was used to construct a nomogram for marker-based prognosis. The risk category affected the tumour mutation rate. High-risk glioma patients benefit from immunotherapy. Glioma drug sensitivity was also substantially linked with the risk score. The expression of 17 cuproptosis-related long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) may assist in the stratification of glioma patient prognosis, molecular characteristics, cell cycle gene regulation pathways, the TME, and clinicopathological aspects. Our clinical sample and database analysis revealed that cuproptosis influences glioma prognosis and may guide therapy.

Triticale is known for being an alternative energy source to usual cereals such as maize and wheat in poultry nutrition. Several studies suggested opposite results regarding its incorporation as a feed ingredient on laying hens’ production parameters. This article used a meta-analysis to assess the factors influencing the effects of triticale on layers’ performance. In July 2022, papers studying the effect of triticale on layers’ egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg yolk color (EYC), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were identified on Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. According to the eligibility criteria of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines, 6 articles were registered and segmented into 16 experiments for our meta-analysis. Overall, the trim and fill method revealed that triticale had similar impacts to conventional cereals on laying hens' performance. However, the meta-ANOVA and the meta-regression emphasized that triticale percentage, triticale strains and laying hens strains could significantly influence the effect of triticale on layers' performance. Indeed, the meta-Anova highlighted that the Hy-Line Brown strain and Joesong and Juanilo triticale strains in-duced the best laying hens’ performance. Moreover, the meta-regression emphasized a positive correlation between the triticale inclusion percentage and the EW in Juanilo triticale diets and a negative correlation between the triticale inclusion percentages and the EYC in the triticale and laying hens strains studied. Even though the funnel plot and the Egger linear test suggested sig-nificant publication bias, the present meta-analysis remains consistent research to understand how certain factors could influence the impact of triticale on layers' performance.

The presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria on veterinary clinic surfaces may be problematic. In this study we collected swab samples (Fisherbrand, double transport swabs with Stuart’s liquid medium) and water samples from five veterinary rehabilitation clinics. Swabs and water samples were transported to a microbiology lab for processing. At the lab swabs were used to inoculated Hardy’s Cdiff Banana broth (for Clostridium difficile [Cdiff]), and five different types of bacterial growth media, including: Hardy CHROM MRSA agar (methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus [MRSA], and S. pseudintermedius [SIM]), Mannitol Salt Agar (S. aureus), Eosin Methylene Blue agar (enterics [ENT]), Pseudomonas Isolation agar (Pseudomonas sp.), and Tryptic Soy Agar [TSA] (non-specific). The most prominent species cultured was Cdiff (on nearly 55% of swabs). Bacillus sp. and Enterics were encountered on nearly 35% of swabs, with MRSA and SIM on just over 10% of swabs. The most contaminated sample site was harnesses/life jackets used with the underwater treadmill (33% of swabs). Underwater treadmill water had total bacterial counts from 1.6 to 2.7 e3 cfu/ml. Of all bacterial species detected SIM tends to be more pathogenic for dogs. Targeted cleaning/disinfecting in these clinics could help reduce risks for both animals and caregivers utilizing these clinics.

Prenylated flavonoids of Humulus lupulus L. have gained attention for their potential health benefits. In this study, Amber ALE and Russian Imperial Stout beers were prepared. In order to increase the content of prenylated flavonoids in beer, there was added ethanol extract of Polaris hops, they were dry hopping with Polaris hops or pure xanthohumol was added. In unfiltered beers, the highest total content of polyphenols (3.60 ± 0.32 g/L gallic acid) was determined on the eighth day of fermentation and maturation in Amber ALE beer without the addition of extract. The highest total antioxidant capacity was determined in Russian Imperial Stout beer with the addition of xanthohumol on the eighth day of fermentation and maturation (0.675 ± 0.008 mmol/L Trolox). This type of beer also had a high antioxidant efficiency (85.96 - 88.00%). Xanthohumol (2.05 mg/L) and isoxanthohumol (2.819 mg/L) were detectable only until the thirteenth day of fermentation and beer maturation. Therefore, the beers were filtered, and the ethanol extract of the Polaris was added to them for 24 hours. This procedure was used to prepare a functional beer of the Amber ALE type (15.210 ± 0.053 mg xanthohumol in 1 L and 0.922 ± 0.077 mg isoxanthohumol in 1 L) and a functional beer of the Russian Imperial Stout type (32.375 ± 0.032 mg xanthohumol in 1 L and 1.877 ± 0.043 mg isoxanthohumol in 1 L).

Background: The pathophysiology of functional dyspepsia (FD) remains insufficiently understood, and the pain and economic constraints associated with endoscopic examinations hinder the precise definition and treatment of this disorder. Exploring the potential of multi-omics biomarkers for FD could yield promising targets for effectively diagnosing and treating this condition. Methods: We recruited 54 FD patients and 29 healthy volunteers and characterized their gut microbiota by shotgun metagenomic sequencing and their serum and urine metabolites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Results: We identified the changes in circulating metabolites associated with FD and linked to the gut microbial alterations. Among the differential circulating metabolites, we particularly highlighted the strong association of L-glutamate deficiency with the severity of FD symptoms and its strong predictive value for FD. Although no significant changes were noted in the gut microbial community structure of the FD samples, this might be attributed to symptom overlap between epigastric pain syndrome (EPS) and postprandial distress syndrome (PDS). However, significant alterations in the abundance of certain species were observed, including a substantial increase in the abundance of Streptococcus in the digestive tract of patients with FD. Finally, a cross-omics correlation network integrating metabolomic data with microbial community abundance was established, uncovering potential host-microbe-metabolite interactions. Conclusions: This work provides the first comprehensive description of the disrupted state of blood and urine metabolite composition and gut microbiota in patients with FD. These findings potentially offer promising targets for the diagnosis and treatment of this condition through a multi-omics approach, with particular emphasis on serum metabolomics.

Climate change poses a serious threat to the ancient Magnoliaceae family, particularly for the endangered Yulania trees. Until now, little is known about the suitable geographical range of Yulania zenii, and about how it responds to past and future climate scenarios. Here, we first employed ten models from Biomod2 to preliminarily simulate its potential distribution in China and selected MaxEnt for final modeling. The results showed that among the key environmental factors influencing its distribution, the top three factors were Bio2 (Mean diurnal range), Bio15 (Precipitation seasonality of variation coefficient) and Elevation. Its current suitable distribution were primarily concentrated in southern Anhui, central Hubei, eastern Hunan, southern Jiangsu, northern Jiangxi, and northern Zhejiang. The total suitable area of Yulania zenii was 14.68 × 104 km2, only taking 1.53% of China's total territory, which is larger than known. During the Last Interglacial and Middle Holocene, its suitable habitats were larger than currently, exhibiting a relatively continuous distribution. Under various future climate scenarios, its suitable habitats may averagely decrease by 20.26% compared with the current, and these habitats become more fragmented. Collectively, the centroid of Yulania zenii is expected to migrate towards the southeast in the future. Therefore, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, that climate change takes an adverse effect on this species in distribution from the past to current till future. Our study can contribute to the conservation and management of Yulania zenii in China, and can provide reference for other endangered Yulania species of this country under the condition of climate change.

Verification of inclusivity of molecular detection methods gives indications on the reliability of viral infections diagnosis because of the tendency of viral pathogens to undergo sequence variation. This study was aimed to select inclusive probe based reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assays for the diagnosis of the most widespread and detrimental viruses infecting honeybees, namely the acute bee paralysis virus (ABPV), the black queen cell virus (BQCV), the chronic paralysis bee virus (CBPV), the deformed wing virus variants A (DWVA) and B (DWVB), and the sacbrood virus (SBV). Therefore, detection methods previously described were re-evaluated in silico for specificity and inclusivity. Based on this evaluation, selected methods were modified or new ones were designed and tested in duplex RT-qPCR reactions. The limits of detection (LODs), effect of multiplexing on sensitivity and viral RNA quantification potential in bees and hive debris were assessed. This study made available diagnostic assays able to detect an increased number of virus variants compared to previously described tests and two viral pathogens in a single PCR reaction.

Crop production in Afghanistan suffers from limited phosphorus (P) availability, which severely hinders national agriculture sustainability. This present study hypothesized that deep fertilizer placement could significantly enhance uptake of immobile P and thus tissue P accumulation and crop yield. A two-year pot experiment growing two maize (Zea mays) hybrid cultivars (Xida-789 and Xida-211) was therefore conducted to test these hypotheses under three contrasting fertilizer placement methods (broadcast, side band, and deep band). In doing so, P concentrations in both maize tissues and soils were compared at 45, 60, and 115 days after sowing (DAS) under nine combinations of nitrogen (N) and P fertilizer rates (kg ha-1: N112P45, N112P60, N112P75, N150P45, N150P60, N150P75, N187P45, N187P60, N187P75). Results have shown that deep band placement significantly increased P uptake efficiency, leading to greater P concentration and accumulation in maize tissues compared to other two fertilization methods. This improved P uptake was attributed to several factors associated with deep placement, including reduced P fixation, enhanced root access to P, and moisture availability for P uptake. Additionally, deep band placement combined with higher N application rates (N187 and N150) further enhanced plant P uptake by promoting P availability and utilization mechanisms. Deep band placement also resulted in significantly higher total soil P, Olsen-P, and P use efficiency than broadcast and side band methods, indicating a more efficient P fertilization strategy for maize that can improve growth and yield. This present study also found positive correlations between P concentration in plant organs and soil Olsen-P, highlighting the importance of adequate soil P levels for optimal plant growth. Overall, our results have showed that deep band fertilizer placement emerged as a superior strategy for enhancing P uptake efficiency, utilization, and maize productivity compared to broadcast and side band placement. This approach can potentially optimize P fertilizer utilization, improve maize growth and yield, while minimizing environmental P losses associated with broadcast applications.

Retention of placenta (RP) in crossbred cattle poses health, reproductive, and economic challenges linked to oxidative stress, hormonal imbalances, and complex causative factors. Emphasizing the key role of mitochondria in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and hormone synthesis, our study is the first to explore differences in OXPHOS activity, mitochondrial content, and mtDNA-encoded gene expression between normal and RP. In addition, gross morphological examination of placental tissues from both groups revealed noticeable disparities in cotyledons of RP as compared to normal placenta. Moreover, OXPHOS complex I specific activity was decreased in RP, and RT-qPCR analysis unveiled a significant reduction in transcript levels of 10 mtDNA-encoded protein genes. While COX3 and ATP8 genes showed no significant changes, ND6 increased in RP. Whereas, mtDNA copy number varied between animals but showed no statistically significant differences among groups. Retained placenta manifests alterations in the transcript levels of various mitochondrial genes, complex activity, and mtDNA content, potentially linked to heightened energy demands or mitochondrial insufficiency, posing an elevated risk. Overall, our study suggests a link between mitochondrial abnormalities, gene expression, and RP. This connection could influence the removal of fetal membranes by affecting energy supply, hormonal balance, and oxidative stress. This study also offers novel insights and serves as a valuable animal model for studying placental insufficiency in humans. Moving forward, comprehensive investigations are imperative to unravel underlying mechanisms and intricate roles of mitochondria in the context of RP, paving the way for targeted interventions to mitigate health, reproductive, and economic challenges in crossbred cattle.

In order to cope with the limited supply of feed for global animal production, there is a pressing need to explore alternative feed resources. Orange pulp, a by-product of agriculture and industry, has shown potential to positively or neutrally impact pig productive performance when included in their diet. However, there is a lack of research on the effects of fermented navel orange pulp (FNOP) on pig growth and productive performance. This study aimed to investigate the effects of FNOP as a dry matter substitute on pig’s growth performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, meat nutrition, and serum biochemical indicators. The experiment involved 128 finishing Tibetan pigs, divided into four feed treatment groups, with varying levels (0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) of FNOP replacing dry matter in the basal diet. The results indicated that substituting 5% to 15% FNOP had no adverse effects on pig growth performance. However, at a 15% substitution rate, there was a decrease in serum growth hormone and IGF-1 levels, along with an increase in feed-to-gain ratio. A 10% FNOP replacement notably increased the eye muscle area of pigs. Additionally, 5% and 10% FNOP substitutions reduced the drip loss of pork. The study also found that substituting 5% to 15% FNOP increased unsaturated fatty acids and umami nucleotide contents in pork, as well as raised serum total protein and uric acid (nucleotide metabolism related-product) levels. These findings suggest that moderate FNOP substitution might enhance meat quality and maintain growth and productive performance in Tibetan pigs by improving protein synthesis and nucleotide metabolism, while also reducing feed costs. The optimal substitution ratio identified was 10%.

Available options to combat bacterial infections are getting scarce. We require innovative and imaginative approaches to enhance the identification and discovery of effective antimicrobials capable of combating bacteria resistant to multiple or all available drugs. These methods should either directly eliminate the resistant bacteria or influence their viability indirectly by inhibiting their virulence or reducing their resistance to antibacterial agents. One interesting approach is to analyze ancient remedies presumably used to treat bacterial infections, try formulating them, and test them against modern microbes. The field was recently named ancientbiotics. This approach allows us to take advantage of centuries of accumulated empirical knowledge, from several traditional medicines of various ancient cultures across the world. The strategy has already resulted in promising formulations to combat the ESKAPE group of nosocomial pathogens. Moreover, molecular de-extinction consists of genome analysis of extinct species in the search for useful antimicrobials, such as peptides. The de-extinction of simple organisms such as bacteriophages may eventually become a resource for novel tools to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria. In this review, we summarize and discuss the reported antimicrobial effects of ancient remedies and de-extinct molecules known to modern science, and discuss possible new strategies to further harness the potential of past remedies and molecules to help us fight the rise of superbugs.

The Asian clam Corbicula fluminea is a native aquatic species in Eastern Asia and Africa but has become one of the most ecologically and economically harmful invasive species in aquatic ecosystems in Europe, North America, South America. Due to their natural characteristics as a hermaphroditic species with high fecundity and dispersal capacity, Asian clams are extremely difficult to eradicate once they have infiltrated a waterbody. This is an emerging issue for states in the Northeastern United States as Asian clams expand their range farther North due to climate change. There has been extensive research conducted to develop chemical treatments to reactively control invasive mollusc populations and proactively prevent their further spread. However, treatments are mostly targeted toward biofouling bivalves in industrial settings. A comprehensive review of Asian clam chemical treatments used in open water systems was performed to evaluate molluscicides and identify toxicity ranges of emerging treatments that maximize Asian clam mortality and minimize negative impact to water quality and non-target species. The potential chemical applications in Asian clam control and management are summarized in this report to assist resource managers and practitioners on invasive Asian clam management.

The state of Oaxaca, Mexico obtained the “Pluma” designation of origin in 2022 and has stood out for the production of specialty coffee. Within its process, roasting is one of the stages that contributes to the physical, chemical and sensory quality of the coffee bean. Therefore, the microstructure and elemental chemical composition of special medium-roasted Coffea arabica L beans from six locations with this denomination were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy. The average values of roughness Rz (25.93±2.69-34.18±1.15 and 13.85±1.66-21.85±6.63) and Ra (5.20±0.47- 8.27±0.82 and 6.55±0.94-11.53±1.65) were obtained at 400 and 2000x, respectively. The roasted Coffea arabica L. beans from MAP and HUA are the ones with the greatest roughness and both are located at a lower altitude compared to the rest. PLU and PTO roasted beans showed the highest physical and structural integrity. In all grains, 6C (66.48-81.14%), 8O (18.86-28.69%) and only 20Ca (4.5%) were found on the outside. This research constitutes a standard of authenticity and microstructural and elemental quality of Coffea arabica L. beans with designation of origin "Pluma".

Evidence is emerging on the role of maternal diet, gut microbiota, and other lifestyle factors in establishing lifelong health and disease, which are determined by trans-generationally inherited epigenetic modifications. Understanding epigenetic mechanisms may help identify novel biomarkers for pregnancy-related exposure, burden, or disease risk. Such biomarkers are essential for developing tools for the early detection of risk factors and exposure levels. It is necessary to establish the exposure threshold to the fetus due to nutrient deficiencies or other environmental factors that can lead to clinically relevant epigenetic changes that modulate disease risks. This narrative review summarizes the latest updates on the roles of maternal nutrients (n-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, vitamins) and gut microbiota on the placental epigenome and its impacts on fetal brain development.

Background This study aimed to identify the prominent risk factors that may trigger danger signals of early onset of vascular deregulation in T1D. The risk factors we have identified may serve as dual-purpose biomarkers of rapid diagnosis that offer prospective tailor-made resolution therapeutics. Methods The healthy control (HC) was compared with individuals diagnosed with T1D for the risk factors of vascular deregulation in published research studies from year 2013 to 2023. The PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were searched from 1/1/2013 to 1/9/2023. The risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane (ROBINS-I ) tool, which is relevant to clinical subjects. A random effect model for continuous data was followed and analysed by RevMan 5.4 and GraphPad Prism software. Results 80 relevant case-control studies having 5293 HC and 7492 T1D patients were included. The age and sex-matched HC consisted of persons free of disease and not under any medication while clinical subjects of all age groups were included. 28 risk factors were grouped into six primary outcome models, all of which favoured the T1D synonymous with a high risk of CVD. Conclusions Our findings have strong implications for improving the quality of life and health economics related to vascular disease in T1D. HbA1c% is the most effective biomarker, followed by FBG, LDL-C, and AI% which the clinicians could evaluate using a simple blood test or non-invasive techniques. (Protocol registered at https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ CRD42022384636).

The rodents of Saudi Arabia consist of 20 species and 12 genera within four families (Gliridae, Dipodidae, Muridae, and Hystricidae). Details on the past and present distribution of the rodents were included along with available data on their habitat preference and biology. The eastern central part of Saudi Arabia covering Tuwiq mountains plateau, including the vicinity of Riyadh, hosts the highest number of rodent species. Analysis of the rodent fauna of Saudi Arabia revealed that they have four major zoogeographical affinities; Palaearctic-Oriental (one species), Afrotropical- Palaearctic (six species), Palaearctic (four species), endemic to Saudi Arabia and Yemen (three species), Afrotropical-Palaearctic-Oriental (three species) and three cosmopolitan species. According to the National Red List, the Euphrates Jerboa, S. euphratica, is listed as Endangered, Near Threatened for the Indian Crested Porcupine, H. indica, three species as Data Deficient, while the rest are considered as Least Concern.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is characterized by disruptions in memory, cognition, and personality, significantly impacting morbidity and mortality rates among older adults. However, the exact pathophysiological mechanism of AD remains unknown, and effective treatment options for AD are still lacking. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) are emerging as promising platforms for disease research, offering the ability to model genetic mutations associated with various conditions. Patient-derived iPSCs are useful for modeling neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we generated AD iPSCs from peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained from a 65-year-old patient with AD carrying the E682K mutation in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene. Cerebral organoids derived from AD iPSCs recapitulated the AD phenotype, exhibiting significantly increased levels of tau protein. Our analysis revealed that an iPSC disease model of AD is a valuable assessment tool for pathophysiological research and drug screening.

Structural and functional asymmetries are traceable in every form of life and, at all cases, are a phenomenon of homology. Functionally speaking, the division of labour between the two halves of the brain is a basic characteristic of the nervous system that arose even before the appearance of vertebrates. The most prominent consequence of this specialization in humans and animals is handedness. Even if handedness is far more commonly associated with the presence of a nervous system, it is also observed in aneural organism such as plants. To date, little is known regarding the possible functional significance of handedness in plants, and many questions remain open (among these, whether it reflects a generalized behavioural asymmetry). Here, we propose a comparative perspective to the study of handedness, including plants, by taking advantage of the experimental models and paradigms already used to study laterality in humans and various animal species. By taking this approach, we aim to enrich our knowledge on the concept of handedness across natural kingdoms.

The chestnut tree (Castanea sativa Mill.) is gaining importance in the mountainous regions of southern Europe due to the high value of its fruits. It is essential to establish effective cultivation protocols, considering that this species is still relatively understudied. In this study, we present the outcomes of the initial establishment of a chestnut orchard conducted through a nutrient omission trial for four years. The treatments included a fertilization plan with nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and boron (NPKB), the control, and four other treatments corresponding to the omission of each nutrient (-NPKB, N-PKB, NP-KB, NPK-B). The -NPKB and NP-KB treatments showed significantly lower trunk circumferences and canopy volumes compared to the other treatments. The NPK-B treatment resulted in the lowest fruit production, with a total accumulated yield (2020-2022) of 0.56 kg tree–1, a value significantly lower than that of NPKB (1.12 kg tree–1) and N-PKB (1.19 kg tree–1). The assessment of nutrient concentrations in the leaves revealed plants with deficient levels of B and K in treatments that did not receive these nutrients. Conversely, N levels in the leaves in the -NPKB treatment fell within the sufficiency range (20 to 28 g kg–1). This suggests that the sufficiency range should be adjusted to higher values, given the treatment's effect on tree growth. It was also observed that the -NPKB treatment led to lower soil organic matter compared to the other treatments, likely due to reduced herbaceous vegetation development under the canopy, leading to decreased organic substrate deposition in the soil. The main findings of this study are that N and K were crucial elements for the optimal growth of chestnut trees, while B played a significant role in fruit production.

Dearth of information on extent of genetic variability in cassava limits the genetic improvement of cassava in Sierra Leone. This study aimed at assessing the genetic variability and relationships within 103 cassava genotypes using agro-morphological and culinary markers. A field trial was conducted in the School of Agriculture and Food Sciences research site. The experiment was laid in an augmented randomized block design. Morphological classification based on qualitative and quantitative traits categorized the germplasm into three different groups. A total of ten principal components (PCs) in the qualitative and six PCs in the quantitative trait sets accounted for 66.74% and 67.27% of the total genetic variation, respectively. Traits with significantly strong and positive correlations included presence of fruit (PFRT) and presence of seed (PSE)(r = 0.86***),root yield per plant (RYPP) and number of storage root (NSR) (r = 0.76***), RYPP and number of commercial root (NCR) (r = 0.68***), length of leaf lobe (LLL) and width of leaf lobe (WLL) (r = 0.66***),and between NSR and NCR (0.84***). Cooking time, cooking percentage, texture, mealiness, taste and aroma varied widely among the accessions. Findings established that the cassava germplasm possess useful genetic variability that could be exploited through selection for short term release programme, genetic conservation of valuable germplasm and genetic improvement of the crop.

This article explores the intricate journey of neural progenitor cells from the ventricular zones of the embryonic brain, focusing on their pivotal role in the formation of rich club networks, which are integral to the brain's functional architecture. Initially, the ventricular zones, particularly the cerebral ventricular zone, serve as the primary sites for the proliferation and differentiation of neural progenitors, giving rise to various types of neurons and glial cells. We delve into the sequential migration patterns of these cells, emphasizing how early-migrating neurons, destined to form deeper cortical layers, establish extensive and robust connections, potentially evolving into rich club nodes. These nodes are characterized by their high-degree connectivity and serve as crucial hubs for integrating and disseminating information across disparate brain regions.The article further discusses the implications of this developmental pathway in the context of brain network efficiency, resilience, and cognitive function. We highlight how disruptions in early cell migration can lead to anomalies in rich club formation, drawing connections to various neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, ADHD and schizophrenia. Additionally, the significance of rich club nodes in maintaining efficient information transfer and network resilience is elucidated, underscoring their role in supporting complex cognitive processes and overall brain dynamics.In summary, this article offers a comprehensive overview of the developmental trajectory from the ventricular zones to the establishment of rich club networks, providing insights into the fundamental processes that shape the brain's intricate connectivity and functional capabilities. Ric

The first member of the family, visual arrestin-1, was discovered in the late 1970s. Later the other three mammalian subtypes were identified and cloned. The first described function was regulation of GPCR signaling: arrestins bind active phosphorylated GPCRs, blocking their coupling to G proteins. It was later discovered that receptor-bound and free arrestins interact with numerous proteins, regulating GPCR trafficking and various signaling pathways, including those that determine cell fate. Arrestins have no enzymatic activity, they function by organizing multi-protein complexes and localizing their interaction partners to particular cellular compartments. Today we understand the molecular mechanism of arrestin interactions with GPCRs better than the mechanisms underlying other functions. However, even limited knowledge enabled the construction of signaling-biased arrestin mutants and extraction of biologically active monofunctional peptides from these multifunctional proteins. Manipulation of cellular signaling with arrestin-based tools has research and likely therapeutic potential: re-engineered proteins and their parts can produce effects that conventional small molecule drugs cannot.

The microbiome is capable of modulating the bioavailability of chemotherapy drugs mainly due to metabolizing these agents. Multiple cytostatic bacterial metabolites were recently identified that have cytostatic properties on cancer cells. In this study we addressed the question whether the cytostatic bacterial metabolites (cadaverine, indolepropionic acid, indoxylsulfate) can interfere with the cytostatic effects of the chemotherapy agents used in the management of breast cancer (doxorubicin, gemcitabine, irinotecan, methotrexate, rucaparib, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel). The chemotherapy drugs were applied in a wide concentration range to which a bacterial metabolite was added in a concentration within its serum reference range and the effects on cell proliferation were assessed. There was no interference between doxorubicin, gemcitabine, irinotecan, methotrexate, rucaparib and the bacterial metabolites. Nevertheless, cadaverine increased the Hill coefficient of the inhibitory curve of 5-fluorouracil and indolepropionic acid increased the IC50 value of 5-fluorouracil that are either disadvantageous effects or effects of unknown significance. Nevertheless, indolepropionic acid decreased the IC50 value of paclitaxel that is a potentially advantageous combination.

: This study focuses on optimizing chlorophyll extraction techniques and strategically placing leaf disks to enhance chlorophyll concentration in sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) leaves. Thirty sesame genotypes, categorized into light green (LG), middle green (MG), and deep green (DG) pigment groups based on leaf coloration, were selected from a larger pool of field-grown accessions. The investigation involved determining optimal SPAD value index measurements, quantifying pigment concentrations, exploring extraction solvents, and selecting suitable leaf disk positions. Significant variations in chlorophyll content were observed across genotypes, greenness categories, and leaf disk positions. The categorization of genotypes into DG, MG, and LG groups revealed a correlation between leaf appearance and chlorophyll content. The study highlighted a consistent relationship between carotenoids and chlorophyll, indicating their role in adaptation to warm environments. Examination of leaf disk positions revealed a significant chlorophyll gradient along the leaf blade, emphasizing the need for standardized protocols. Chlorophyll extraction experiments identified DMSO and 96% ethanol, particularly the later incubated for 10 minutes at 85°C, as effective choices. This recommendation considers factors like cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, safety, and environmental regulations, ensuring consistent and simplified extraction processes. For higher chlorophyll extraction, focusing on leaf tips and the 75% position along the sesame leaf blade is suggested, consistently yielding higher chlorophyll content. Our findings therefore, underscores insightful knowledge on chlorophyll gradients and encouraging for standardized protocols, that enabling researchers to refine experimental designs for precise and comparable chlorophyll measurements. Recommended solvent choices ensure reliable outcomes in plant physiology, ecology, and environmental studies.

The increasing growth in knowledge about functioning of the nervous system of mammals and humans, as well as the significant neuromorphic technologies development in recent decades, have led to the emergence of a large number of brain-computer interfaces and neuroprosthetics for the regenerative medicine tasks. Neurotechnologies have traditionally been developed for therapeutic purposes to help or replace motor, sensory or cognitive abilities damaged by injury or disease. They also have significant potential for memory enhancement. However, there are still no fully developed neurotechnologies and neural interfaces capable of restoring or expanding cognitive functions, in particular memory, in mammals or humans. In this regard, the search for new technologies in the field of restoration of cognitive functions is an urgent task of modern neurophysiology, neurotechnology and artificial intelligence. Hippocampus is an important brain structure connected to memory and information processing in the brain. The aim of this paper is to propose an approach based on deep neural networks for prediction of hippocampal signals in CA1 region based on received biological input in CA3 region. We compare results of prediction for two widely used deep architectures: reservoir computing (RC) and long short-term memory (LSTM) networks. Proposed study can be viewed as a first step in the complex task of the development of a neurohybrid chip, which allows one to restore memory functions in the damaged rodent hippocampus.

This research was to examine the impacts of long-term rice-crayfish coculture systems(RS) on soil nutrients, carbon pools, and rice yields in paddy fields , aiming to establish a scientific basis for the sustainable development of RS in the northern region of Zhejiang. The results showed that the change from rice monoculture (CK) to RS resulted in a 24.99% increase in the 5-year average of soil ammonium nitrogen(AN), while the soil nitrate nitrogen(NN), available potassium(AK), and available phosphorus content(AP) decreased by 28.02%, 16.05%, and 28.76% respectively. Moreover, the total organic carbon(TOC), easily oxidizable organic carbon(EOC), dissolved organic carbon(DOC), and microbial biomass carbon(MBC) decreased by 2.45%, 8.82%, 35.31%, and 65.84% respectively. Correlation analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between NN, EOC and MBC in the RS. In terms of rice yield, 5-year average of rice yield in RS has decreased by 8.4% compared to CK.The average yield of planting early-maturing varieties of rice was reduced by 13.16%, while the average yield of planting late-maturing varieties of rice was reduced by 6.00%. In conclusion, enhancing water and nutrient management and cultivating late maturing rice varieties are essential strategies for achieving the sustainable development of RS in northern Zhejiang.

Postbiotic is a preparation of inanimate microorganisms and/or their components that confers a health benefit on the host. Different bacterial strain and preparation method result in different functions. Herein, a postbiotic preparation named Postbiotic-P by intercepting 1-5 KD of the cell-free supernatants of L. caseiparacasei P6 fermentation broth was prepared, and its multifunctional activities were evaluated. The results showed that Postbiotic-P exerted good antihemolytic (10%-50% Postbiotic-P resulted in 4.9%-48.1% antihemolytic rate), anti-inflammatory (8% to 40% Postbiotic-P is comparable to 259.1-645.4 μg/mL of diclofenac sodium equivalents), antioxidant [reducing power (1.25%-12.5% Postbiotic-P resulted in the increase of OD700 from 0.279-2.322), DPPH free radical scavenging activity (2.5%-50% Postbiotic-P resulted in 38.9%-92.4% free radical scavenging rate), and hydroxyl radical scavenging activity (0.5%-4% Postbiotic-P resulted in 4.66%-10.38% hydroxyl radical scavenging rate)], and antimicrobial activities (against 2 Gram-positive, 8 Gram-negative and 1 fungus). Furthermore, it was proved that Postbiotic-P could significantly inhibit the increase of the peroxide value and the malondialdehyde content in cookies, indicating the application potential of Postbiotic-P in food preservation. Taken together, Postbiotic-P has good application potential for the development of health care products and functional foods. However, further studies are needed to determine their precise mechanism of action, to clarify the active components responsible for the function, and to validate the biological activities in animal models or clinical trials.

The B169L protein (pB169L) of African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a structural protein with an unidentified function during the virus replication. The sequences of the B169L gene and the downstream B438L gene are separated by short intergenic regions. However, the regulatory mode of the gene transcription remains unknown. Here, we identified two distinct promoter regions and two transcription start sites (TSS) located upstream of the open reading frame (ORF) of B438L. Using the promoter reporter system, we demonstrated that the cis activity of the ORF proximal promoter exhibited significantly higher levels compared with that of the distal promoter located in the B169L gene. Furthermore, transfection with the plasmids with two different promoters for B438L could initiate the transcription and expression of the B438L gene in HEK293T cells, and the cis activity of the ORF proximal promoter also displayed the higher activities compared with the distal promoter. Interestingly, the B438L distal promoter also initiated the transcription of the alternatively spliced B169L mRNA (B169L mRNA2) encoding a truncated pB169L (tpB169L) (amino acids 92–169), and the gene transcription efficiency was increased upon mutation of the initiation codon located upstream of the alternatively spliced B169L gene. Taken together, we demonstrated that the distal promoter of B438L gene initiates the transcription of both the B438L mRNA and B169L mRNA2. Comprehensive analysis of the transcriptional regulatory mode of the B438L gene is beneficial for the understanding of the association of B438L protein and pB169L and the construction of the gene-deleted ASFV.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is caused by pathologic variants in over 50 different genes that affect the structure and function of motile cilia. Low nasal NO (nNO) is a biomarker for diagnosis in patients with features of PCD; but the reason why it is low is unclear. At the cellular level, a characteristic feature shared by most PCD patients is that antigens and other particles are not cleared from the epithelial surface. Poor antigen clearance results in pro-oxidant pathway activation and airway epithelial damage and may predispose PCD patients to DUOX1- and IL33- mediated asthma. Secondary ciliary dysfunction, such as that caused by viruses or by smoking, can also contribute to asthma development. Variants in genes underlying the function of cilia, can be associated with poor lung function, even in the absence of PCD. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in PCD – related genes can be associated with increased asthma severity. The role of cilia and antigen stasis is the pathophysiology of asthma is an important area for research, because specific airway clearance techniques and other therapeutic interventions, such as antioxidants, could be of value in preventing the development of asthma and asthma-like symptoms.

Transient receptor potential melastatin-8 (TRPM8) is a cation channel that is activated by cold and “cooling agents” such as menthol and icilin, which induce a cold sensation. Stimulation of TRPM8 activates an intracellular signaling cascade that ultimately leads to a change in the gene expression pattern of the cells. Here, we investigated the TRPM8-induced signaling pathway that links TRPM8 channel activation to gene transcription. Using a pharmacological approach, we show that inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5 kinase alpha (PIP5K), an enzyme essential for the biosynthesis of phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate, attenuated TRPM8-induced gene transcription. Analyzing the link between TRPM8 and Gq proteins, we show that pharmacological inhibition of the beta gamma subunits impairs TRPM8 signaling. In addition, genetic studies showed that TRPM8 requires an activated Galpha subunit for signaling. In the nucleus, the TRPM8-induced signaling cascade triggers an activation of the transcription factor AP-1, a complex consisting of a dimer of basic region leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors. Here, we identified the bZIP protein c-Jun as an essential component of AP-1 within the TRPM8-induced signling cscade. In summary, with PIP5K, Gq subunits and c-Jun we have identified key molecules in the TRPM8-induced signaling from the plasma membrane to the nucleus.

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether alterations in food availability compromise the metabolic homeostasis of honey bees exposed to three fungicides alone or together. Ten honey bee colonies were utilized, with half receiving energy-protein supplementation for 15 weeks while another five colonies had their protein supply reduced with pollen traps. Subsequently, forager bees were collected and exposed by contact to 1 or 7 µg of bixafen, prothioconazole, and trifloxystrobin, either individually or in combination. After 48 hours, abdomens without the intestine was used for the analysis of expression of antioxidant genes (SOD-1, CAT, and GPX-1), detoxification genes (GST-1 and CYP306A1), the storage protein gene vitellogenin, and immune system antimicrobial peptide genes (Defensin-1, Abaecin, Hymenoptaecin, and Apidaecin), through real-time PCR. All pesticide treatments induced changes in gene expression, with bixafen showing the most prominent upregulation. Exposure to 1 µg of each of the three pesticides resulted in upregulation of genes associated with detoxification and nutrition processes, and downregulation of immune system genes. When the three pesticides were combined at a dose of 7 µg each, there was a pronounced downregulation of all genes. Dietary supplementation led to a slight reduction in gene expression alterations provoked by the fungicides.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health issue. Although chemotherapy is the first-line treatment, its effectiveness is limited due to drug resistance developed in CRC. To overcome resistance and improve the prognosis of CRC patients, investigation for new therapeutic approaches is necessary. Using human colorectal adenocarcinoma (HT29) and metastatic CRC (SW620) cell lines, the potential anticancer properties of a newly synthesized compound 1-(Isobutyl)-3-(4-methylbenzyl) benzimidazolium chloride (IMBZC) were evaluated by performing MTT cytotoxicity, cell migration, and colony formation assays, as well as by monitoring apoptosis-related protein and gene expression using Western blot and reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction technologies. Tested at various concentrations, the half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of IMBZC on HT29 and SW620 cell growth were determined to be 6.97 μg/mL and 4.89 μg/mL, respectively. IMBZC did not alter cell growth of normal cells HEK293. In addition, IMBZC inhibited cell migration and significantly decreased colony formation, suggesting its promising role in suppressing cancer metastasis. Mechanistic analyzes revealed that IMBZC treatment increased the expression of pro-apoptotic proteins p53 and Bax, while decreasing the expression of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, thus indicating the induction of apoptosis in IMBZC-treated CRC cells, compared to untreated cells. Additionally, the addition of IMBZC to conventional chemotherapeutic drugs (i.e., 5-fluorouracil, irinotecan, and oxaliplatin) resulted in an increase in the cytotoxic potential of the drugs. In conclusion, the study suggests that IMBZC has substantial anticancer effects against CRC cells through its ability to induce apoptosis, inhibit cancer cell migration and colony formation, and enhance the cytotoxic effects of conventional chemotherapeutic drugs. These findings indicate that IMBZC could be a promising chemotherapeutic drug for the treatment of CRC. Further research should be conducted using in vivo models to confirm the anti-CRC activities of IMBZC.

In the Ebro Delta, the abundance of burrowing bivalves has dramatically decreased, with the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus, being blamed by shellfish collectors. Trends from 2010 evidence a decrease in the capture of clams (Ruditapes spp.) before 2016 (start of blue crab fisheries), although further decline of both clam and cockle (Cerastoderma glaucum) occurred in 2018. In contrast, captures of razor clam (Ensis siliqua) have increased by 3.6-fold since 2016. Predation risk for these taxa with contrasting burrowing capacities (1.7 ± 0.3cm, 0.4 ± 0.2cm, and 26.3 ± 0.1cm, respectively), was assessed using predation preference (N= 5 tanks; 5 individuals of each species) and no-choice experiments (N= 5 tanks; 15 individuals) in the absence and in the presence of sand. Results showed that in the absence of sand, the razor clam, was fully preyed in 24h, clams in 96h, and cockles reached 60% after 144h. Conversely, when sand was present, only 4% of razor clams were predated, while clams and cockles reached 60-100% in 120-144h. No-choice results featured similar patterns depending on substrate availability. Overall, clams and cockles appear to be greatly vulnerable to blue crab predation, whereas the razor clam may escape thanks to its deeper burrowing capacity.

With the rapid development of gene therapy technology in recent years, its abuse as a method of sports doping in athletic has become a concern. However, there is still room for improvement in gene doping testing methods, and a robust animal model needs to be developed. Therefore, the purposes of this study were to establish a model of gene doping using recombinant adeno-associated virus vector-9 including the human erythropoietin gene (rAAV9-hEPO), and to establish a relevant testing method. First, it was attempted to establish the model using rAAV9-hEPO on mice. The results showed a significant increase in erythrocyte volume accompanied by an increase in spleen weight, confirming the validity of the model. Next, we attempted to detect proof of gene doping by targeting DNA and RNA. Direct proof of gene doping was detected using a TaqMan-qPCR assay with certain primers/probes. In addition, some indirect proof was identified in RNAs through the combination of a TB Green qPCR assay with RNA sequencing. Taken together, these results could provide the foundation for an effective test for gene doping in human athletes in the future.

Background: Glioma surgery was remarkably renewed in the past 2 decades, with improved safety and limited but yet improved life expectations. Fluorescence-guided resection of high-grade gliomas (HGG) plays a central role in this sense, by allowing higher degrees of extent of resection (EOR). The introduction of the exoscopic guided surgery may be considered an implementation for fluorescence techniques over the traditional microscopes. We present the application and the advantages of the exoscopic guided surgery compared to the microscopic surgery in tumor resection guided by 5-ALA fluorescence in patients with HGG. Methods: ten consecutive patients underwent a surgery for HGG resection. The surgery was performed via an exoscopic-guided procedure (Olympus Orbeye) and after oral administration of Gliolan 5 hours before the procedure. During surgery, the procedure was shifted to microscope (Kinevo 900, Zeiss) view. The intensity of the fluorescence under the two different was subjectively measured in different picture samples during the surgery in a 1 to 5 (from minimum to maximum) scale. The brightness of the surgical field and the detailing of the anatomy were also analyzed comparatively. Results: among the ten patients the histopathological diagnosis was an high grade glioma in all cases. In 9 cases was possible to achieve the gross total resection. There was no perioperative mortality. The median fluorescence intensity, on a scale of 1–5, was 4.5 in the exoscope group and 3.5 in the microscope group (p<0.01). Conclusions: The exoscopic guided surgery adds advantages to the traditional fluorescence- guided surgery with 5-aminolevulinic acid. Beyond the important advantage of low cost and the possibility to perform collaborative surgeries, it adds a plain and continuous visualization of the tumor and the surgical field in the fluorescence guided glioma surgery compared to the microscopic guided one.

Abstract Background: Analysis of different type of consolidation in dogs and cats relay on parenchymal and vascular criteria. Hypothesis: the vascular criteria of the consolidation it’s possible to perform in dogs and cats and vascularisation is different in shred, tissue, nodule, wedge sign and mass. Animals: 347 cats and 634 dogs with different types of consolidations. Methods: Retrospective study between 2018-2023. Lung ultrasound performed in dogs and cats with different types of consolidations. Characteristic of bronchogram: air dynamic and static bronchogram, fluid bronchogram or absence of bronchogram. Types of vascularisations in consolidation: tree like type, residual, chaotic vascularisation and penetrating from the chest wall to consolidation and “vascular sign”. Conclusion and Clinical Importance: Analysis of bronchogram and type of vascularisation in consolidation is possible to perform in dogs and cat. The analysis of mentioned criteria had an impact on subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic decisions

CRISPR/Cas9 has emerged as the predominant method for genome editing due to its cost-effectiveness and broad applicability, playing a crucial role in advancing sustainable practices across various sectors. This systematic review leverages the PRISMA methodology to explore CRISPR/Cas9's impact on environmental protection, thereby supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Analyzing data from the Web of Science, the review found significant growth in related publications, with a 30% increase since 2014, predominantly from the US, China, Germany, and the UK. The study categorizes the scientific developments into three trends: advancements in agriculture, gene editing techniques, and biofuel production. Key discussions include the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in developing fourth-generation biofuels and environmental biosensors, as well as its applications in enhancing genetic resilience and controlling invasive species. These innovations highlight CRISPR/Cas9's potential in promoting sustainable resource management and energy generation, marking a pivotal contribution to ecological conservation and sustainability efforts.

Corneal biomechanics is a hot topic in ophthalmology. The biomechanical properties of the cornea (BMPs) have important implications in the management and diagnosis of corneal diseases such as ectasia and keratoconus. In addition, the characterization of BMPs is crucial to model the predictability of a corneal surgery intervention, the outcomes of refractive surgery or follow-up of corneal diseases. The biomechanical behavior of the cornea is governed by viscoelastic properties that allow, among other structural implications, the damping of excess of intraocular pressure and reduce damage to the optic nerve. Currently, the most versatile and complete methods to measure corneal viscoelasticity are based on air-puff corneal applanation. However, those methods lack the ability to directly measure corneal viscosity. The aim of this work is to propose a new methodology based on the analysis of corneal air-puff measurements through the Standard Linear Solid model (SLSM) to provide analytical expressions to separately calculate the elastic and time-dependent (corneal retardation time and viscosity) properties. The results shown the mean values of elasticity (E), viscosity (Ƞ) and corneal retardation time (τ) in a sample of 200 young and healthy subjects. The influence of elasticity and viscosity on viscoelasticity, high-order corneal aberrations and optical transparency is investigated. Finally, the SLSM fed back from experimental E and Ƞ values was employed to compare the creep-relaxation response between normal, an ocular hypertension patient and Ortho-K user.

In an effectively managed grazing system, goats as grazers can benefit the land's physical, chemical, biological, and economic aspects. However, little research has evaluated rotational and continuous goat grazing in Kentucky. This observational study investigated the impact of rotational and continuous grazing on forage production and goat performance. One group of 10 does was placed on a rotational pasture, and another group of 10 does were placed on a continuous pasture, each pasture measuring two acres. The pastures were side-by-side with similar forage types and compositions. Goat performance was measured by body weight and eye color score (FAMCHA). Forage production was measured weekly by collecting forage heights at three random spots in each pasture. The rotational grazing field displayed a more evenly grazing pattern, while the continuous field experienced overgrazing in some areas and overgrown of the less desired forage. Goats on the continuous field had a decrease in body weight, while the weights were more consistent in the rotational grazing field. The FAMACHA score was temporarily reduced on the rotational grazing pasture, indicating that properly managed rotational grazing may prevent anemia, possibly by reducing the shedding of gastrointestinal parasites. However, due to drought and lack of forage, the FAMACHA score of goats in the rotational grazing system reverted to its original status by the end, indicating that more extensive management and timely adjustments are necessary to ensure optimal goat performance. Our results suggest that rotational grazing may support more consistent forage yields and body weights of goats and has the potential to reduce the incidence of anemia and parasitic infestations in goats in Kentucky.

We previously reported nano-pulse treatment (NPT), a pulsed power technology, resulted in 4T1-luc mammary tumor elimination and a strong in situ vaccination, thereby completely protecting tumor-free animals against a second live tumor challenge. The mechanism whereby NPT mounts effective antitumor immune responses in the 4T1 breast cancer predominantly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME) remains unanswered. In this study, orthotopic 4T1 mouse breast tumors were treated with NPT (100 ns, 50 kV/cm, 1000 pulses, 3 Hz). Blood, spleen, draining lymph nodes and tumors were harvested at 4-hour, 8-hour, 1-, 3-, 7-day. Additional studies were conducted over 3-month posttreatment intervals for the analysis of frequencies, death and functional markers of various immune cells in addition to suppressor function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). NPT was verified to elicit strong in situ vaccination (ISV) against breast cancer and promoted both acute and long-term T cell memory. NPT abolished immunosuppressive dominance systemically and in the TME by substantially reducing Tregs, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). NPT induced apoptosis in Tregs and TAMs. It also functionally diminished the Treg suppression capacity, likely explained by the downregulation of activation markers, particularly 4-1BB and TGFβ, and a phenotypic shift from predominantly activated (CD44+CD62L-) to naïve (CD44-CD62L+) Tregs. Importantly, NPT selectively induced apoptosis in activated Tregs and spared effector CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. These changes were followed by a concomitant rise in CD8+CD103+ tissue-resident memory T cells and TAM M1 polarization. These findings indicate that NPT effectively switches the TME and secondary lymphatic systems from an immunosuppressive to an immunostimulatory state allowing cytotoxic T-cell function and immune memory formation to eliminate cancer cells and account for the NPT in situ vaccination.

Buruli ulcer is a chronic ulcerative disease of skin and subcutaneous tissues caused by infection with Mycobacterium ulcerans. Although Australian possums are known to be susceptible to Buruli ulcer, many aspects of the disease in possums, including welfare impacts, remain largely unreported. Severe clinical Buruli ulcer was identified in four common ringtail possums (Pseudocheirus peregrinus) from Melbourne, Victoria. All four possums were euthanised due to welfare concerns and poor prognosis, based on the presence of deep ulcerative lesions to paws, some of which exposed carpal or tarsal bones. These lesions were considered likely to cause partial or complete loss of limb function, which would severely affect the welfare and survival of these wild arboreal animals. Histologically, there was severe ulcerative necrotising pyogranulomatous dermatitis, panniculitis, and myositis, with intralesional acid-fast bacteria. M. ulcerans was detected by real-time PCR in all swabs and biological tissues collected from all four cases. Buruli ulcer may be an important and under-recognised cause of poor possum welfare in endemic areas. In addition to severe cutaneous lesions, infection extends to underlying bones and joints, and the systemic distribution of M. ulcerans throughout all major tissues and internal organs, as observed in these four cases, may further impact the health and fitness of infected possums. Further research is needed to investigate the epidemiology, pathogenesis and impacts of Buruli ulcer in possums, and to inform the design of interventions that may protect the health and welfare of possums and other affected animal species.

The development and evaluation of techniques that increase the efficiency of selection for planta plant resistance to pathogens is a challenge in all breeding programmes for disease resistance. Under field and laboratory conditions, hybrid populations (F1) of Coffea arabica derived from sources that carry the rust resistance gene SH1 and the CX.2385 line obtained from the Caturra variety × Timor Hybrid CIFC-1343 were evaluated. By means of survival curves, under controlled conditions, the probable times (P&lt;0.05) for the development of symptoms associated with coffee rust were found to be highly variable. Similarly, phenotypic variation in resistance reactions was detected, and plants with incomplete resistance to rust, late development of the incubation period (PI), and no development of a latency period (PL) were identified. The results suggest the use of the detached leaf method as an alternative for the preselection of genotypes for resistance to coffee rust, which could reduce the number of plants used for field evaluations.

The pressing threat of global warming poses significant risks to plant survival, adversely affecting their growth and agricultural productivity. It is crucial to understand how plants react to heat stress at the molecular level to develop crops that can withstand higher temperatures. In our study, we investigated the proteome dynamics of *Arabidopsis thaliana* seedlings under moderate heat stress conditions (30°C) using a combination of 15N-stable isotope labeling and the ProteinTurnover algorithm. This approach allowed us to closely examine the proteomic changes across different cellular compartments. Our findings revealed significant changes in the turnover rates of 571 proteins, with an average increase of 1.4-fold, indicating enhanced protein dynamics under heat stress. Notably, root soluble proteins showed more subtle changes, suggesting tissue-specific responses. We also detected significant turnover variations in proteins involved in redox signaling, stress response, and metabolism, highlighting the complex nature of these adaptive mechanisms. In contrast, proteins related to carbohydrate metabolism and mitochondrial ATP synthesis showed little change, underscoring their stability. This detailed analysis illuminates the proteomic adaptations of *Arabidopsis* seedlings to moderate heat stress, enhancing our understanding of plant thermal resilience and supporting efforts to develop thermotolerant crops.

The difficulties faced by the society in its goal of reducing mortality and improving the health status during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic showed that it is necessary to develop new approaches in the therapy of infectious diseases, leading to higher treatment efficiency and few side effects. The subject of the present study is the formation and characterization of the proper-ties of stable liposomes loaded with extracts from Bulgarian medicinal plants and monitoring their antiviral action against the human strain of coronavirus OC43 (HCoV-OC43) in vitro. The hydrodynamic diameter and -potential of the liposomes containing each type of payload were determined with DLS and electrokinetics. The encapsulated amount of extracts was evaluated against quercetin and gallic acid by using colourimetric methods. The BALB 3T3 Neutral Red Uptake (NRU) phototoxicity/cytotoxicity assay was used to estimate the safety of the compounds. For assessment of the antiviral activity against HCoV-OC43 of liposomes (Lip) containing medicinal plant extracts, the cytopathic effect inhibition test was used. Measurements of the virucidal activity and the effect on the virus adsorption stage was carried out using the endpoint dilution method, and ∆lgs were calculated by comparison with untreated controls. The estimated photo irritation factors (PIF) for the Lip containing extracts were < 2 which assigns them to the category of non-phototoxic substances. When the extracts were introduced into the liposomes as their carriers, the antiviral activity of the vesicles against the replication of HCoV-OC43 in vitro in-creased by several times compared to their individual activity described in our previous study. The determination of the effect of structures loaded with extracts on the extracellular virions and the stage of their adsorption to sensitive HCT-8 cells proved that the liposomes do not affect directly the viral surface or cell membrane, but only perform a function of carriers of the active substances and the observed result is due solely to the intracellular action of the extracts.

Lyme disease is a highly prevalent tick-borne infection caused by Borrelia burgdorferi spirochetes in North America and Eurasia. Diagnosis of the early disease remains difficult with the currently approved serological tests in the absence of noticeable tick bite or erythema migrans due to presentation of non-specific symptoms and the absence of antibodies early in infection. Furthermore, it is difficult to distinguish persistence of disease and reinfection in the endemic regions. If not treated early, infection spreads throughout the body and affects most organs with disease manifestations including arthritis, musculoskeletal pain, neuroborreliosis and acrodermatitis chronicum atrophicans. Although most patients recover after antibiotic treatment, ~10-12% of show recurrence of symptoms known as post-treatment Lyme disease syndrome (PTLDS). Various causes of PTLDS are not well-defined; however, the spirochete persisters, antigenic debris, dysregulation of immunological response in individuals or a combination of these factors are proposed to result in continuation of Lyme disease manifestations. Based on these considerations, this review highlights currently employed treatment approaches with antimicrobials and vaccines being tried for prevention of B. burgdorferi infection. We also summarize combinatorial approaches that could be employed to alleviate symptoms to improve the quality of life of the individuals suffering from long Lyme disease.

This study aimed to investigate whether non-fasting plasma triglycerides were associated with diabetes mortality. It included 7,312 US adult participants. Diabetes mortality data were obtained via linkage to the National Death Index (NDI) records. Hazard ratios of non-fasting plasma triglycerides for diabetes mortality were assessed using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age, gender, ethnicity, obesity, poverty-income ratio, education levels, physical activity, alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking status, survey period, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, and family history of diabetes. Among these participants, 1,180 had diabetes. A total of 420 diabetes-caused deaths were recorded during a mean follow-up of 16.8 years. A 1-natural-log-unit increase in non-fasting plasma triglycerides was associated with a 41% higher diabetes mortality risk (hazard ratio, 1.41; 95% confidence interval, 1.19-1.67). Participants with non-fasting plasma triglycerides in the highest quintile, versus those in the lowest quintile, had a 144% higher diabetes mortality risk (hazard ratio, 2.44; 95% confidence interval, 1.49-4.02). The positive association of non-fasting plasma triglycerides with diabetes mortality was independent of diabetes status at the baseline. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that non-fasting plasma triglycerides were positively associated with diabetes mortality, independent of diabetes status at the baseline. Non-fasting triglycerides may be a therapeutic target for diabetes-related complications.

Potato virus Y (PVY) is one of the most important constraints to potato production worldwide. There is an increasing occurrence of recombinant PVY strains PVYNTN and PVYN-Wi and a decline in the incidence of the nonrecombinant PVYO. We hypothesized that this may be due to the ability of these recombinant strains to antagonize and/or outcompete PVYO in mixed infections. To deter-mine this, we investigated interactions between PVYO and three recombinant PVY strains com-mon in North America: PVYNTN, PVYN-Wi, and PVYN:O. Overall, our study showed that these inter-actions are tissue dependent. Specifically, PVYNTN, the main causal agent of potato tuber necrotic ringspot disease (PTNRD), was found to be more adaptable than PVYO, especially in potato leaves due, at least in part, to the Ny gene that confers hypersensitive resistance (HR) to PVYO. Further-more, PVYN-Wi was found to repress PVYO in potato tubers but act synergistically in potato leaves. The PVYO-induced foliage necrosis in cultivar ‘Ranger Russet’ was observed to be more severe in plants co-infected by PVYN-Wi and PVYN:O, respectively, resulting in plant death. Strikingly, this PVYO -induced necrosis was suppressed by PVYNTN in doubly infected plants. These interactions may, at least partially, explain the decreasing incidence of PVYO in United States potato produc-tion regions, especially given that many cultivars contain the Ny gene, which likely limits PVYO enabling PVYNTN and PVYN-Wi to outcompete. We also found that replication and cell-to-cell movement of these PVY strains in tubers at 4C was similar to levels at ambient temperature.

The toxic cadmium (Cd) poses a serious threat to plant growth and human health. Populus euphratica CPK21 has previously been shown to attenuate Cd toxicity by reducing Cd accumulation, enhancing antioxidant defense and improving water balance in transgenic Arabidopsis. Here, we confirmed a protein-protein interaction between PeCPK21 and AtNF-YC3 by yeast two-hybrid, HaloTag pull-down and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays. AtNF-YC3 was induced by Cd and strongly expressed in PeCPK21-overexpressed plants. Overexpression of AtNF-YC3 in Arabidopsis reduced salt inhibition of root length, fresh weight and membrane stability under Cd stress conditions (100 µM, 7 d), suggesting that AtNF-YC3 appears to contribute to the improvement of Cd stress tolerance. AtNF-YC3 improved Cd tolerance by limiting Cd uptake and accumulation, activating antioxidant enzymes, and reducing H2O2 production under Cd stress. We conclude that PeCPK21 interacts with AtNF-YC3 to limit Cd accumulation, enhance the ROS scavenging system, and thereby positively regulate plant adaptation to Cd environments. This study highlights the interaction between PeCPK21 and AtNF-YC3 under Cd stress conditions, which can be utilized to improve Cd tolerance in higher plants.

The tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor 1 (TRAF1) plays a key role in promoting lymphocyte survival, proliferation, and cytokine production. Recent evidence showed that TRAF1 plays opposing roles in monocytes and macrophages where it controls NF-B activation and limits pro-inflammatory cytokine production as well as inflammasome-dependent IL-1 secretion. Importantly, TRAF1 polymorphisms have been strongly linked to an increased risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, whether and how TRAF1 contributes to RA pathogenesis is not fully understood. Moreover, investigating the role of TRAF1 in driving RA pathogenesis is complicated by its multifaceted and opposing roles in various immune cells. In this study, we show that intraarticular injection of TRAF1 deficient macrophages into knee joints of wildtype (WT) mice subjected to the collagen antibody induced arthritis (CAIA) model of RA significantly exacerbated joint inflammation, immune cell infiltration and tissue damage compared to mice injected with WT macrophages. This study may lay the groundwork for novel therapies for RA that target TRAF1 in macrophages.

The DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX3X is a multifunctional protein involved in RNA metabolism and stress responses. In this study, we investigated the role of RG/RGG motifs in the dynamic process of liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) of DDX3X using cell-free assays and explored their potential link to cancer development through bioinformatic analysis. Our results demonstrate that the number, location, and composition of RG/RGG motifs significantly influence the ability of DDX3X to undergo phase separation and form self-aggregates. Mutational analysis revealed that the spacing between RG/RGG motifs and the number of glycine residues within each motif are critical factors in determining the extent of phase separation. Bioinformatic analysis of cancer genomic datasets uncovered a significant enrichment of DDX3X mutations in RG/RGG motifs across multiple cancer types, particularly in the N-terminal region of the protein. Furthermore, we found that DDX3X is co-expressed with the stress granule protein G3BP1 in several cancer types and can undergo co-phase separation with G3BP1 in a cell-free system, suggesting a potential functional interaction between these proteins in phase-separated structures. DDX3X and G3BP1 may interact through their RG/RGG domains and subsequently exert important cellular functions under stress situation. Collectively, our findings provide novel insights into the role of RG/RGG motifs in modulating DDX3X phase separation and their potential contribution to cancer pathogenesis.

Mesenchymal stem cells due to their multipotent ability are considered one of the best candidates to be used in regenerative medicine. The most used source of those stem cells long the last decades was the bone marrow, despite its limited cell resources and the painful and very invasive surgical treatment. Therefore, the scientific community investigated many alternative sources for the harvesting of these stem cell subpopulations. Adipose tissue attracted the biggest interest thanks to special features, such as great tissue abundance, easy availability, and in the end the large amount of positive mesenchymal stem cells. Once it was verified that these stem cell subpopulations possess the same bone marrow differentiation potential, it became evident that they would be the ideal candidate to be used in regenerative and tissue engineering applications. Even the regenerative use of these cells long become a sensitive point because not all the acquired phenotypes resulted in the best source for plastic procedures. As documented in the literature, the ideal fillers for regenerative is represented by stem cell population. Therefore, it became crucial to investigate any kind of biological mechanism on the differentiative ability of those mesenchymal stem cells, especially their regulative factors. One of the most studied and important regulators are the miRNAs. Indeed, miRNA play a crucial role in the differentiation process of adipose stem cell cultures isolated from patients or obtained by commercial cell lines toward osteocytes, chondrocytes, and adipocytes differentiated populations.

Age is the primary risk factor for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and a leading cause of death in the elderly population of the United States. No effective treatments for these diseases currently exist. Identifying effective treatments for Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and other neurodegenerative diseases is a major current focus of national scientific resources, and there is a critical need for novel therapeutic strategies. Here we investigate the potential for targeting the kynurenine pathway metabolite 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3HAA) using Caenorhabditis elegans expressing amyloid-beta or a polyglutamine peptide in body wall muscle, modeling proteotoxicity in Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease-related, respectively. We show that knocking down the enzyme that degrades 3HAA, 3HAA dioxygenase (HAAO) delays age-associated paralysis in both models. This effect on paralysis was independent of protein aggregation in the polyglutamine model. We also show that the mechanism of protection against proteotoxicity from HAAO knockdown is mimicked by 3HAA supplementation, supporting elevated 3HAA as the mediating event liking HAAO knockdown to delayed paralysis. This work demonstrates potential for 3HAA as a targeted therapeutic in neurodegenerative disease, though the mechanism is yet to be explored.

Consumers often cite cognitive improvements as reasons for making dietary changes or using dietary supplements, a motivation that if leveraged could greatly enhance public health. However, rarely is it considered whether standardized cognitive tests that are used in nutrition research are aligned to outcomes of interest to the consumer. This knowledge gap presents a challenge to the scientific substantiation of nutrition-based cognitive health benefits. Here we combined qualitative consumer research and expert group methodology to (1) understand how consumers comprehend the potential benefits of nutrition for brain health, and (2) determine the alignment between consumers' articulated brain benefits and validated tests and tools. We derived a ‘Consumer Taxonomy of Cognitive and Affective Health in Nutrition Research’ which describes the cognitive and affective structure from the consumers' perspective. Experts agreed that validated tests exist for some consumer benefits including focused attention, sustained attention, episodic memory, energy levels, and anxiety. Prospective memory, flow, and presence represented novel benefits that require the development and validation of new tests and tools. Closing the gap between science and consumers, and fostering co-creative approaches to nutrition research, are critical to the development of products and dietary recommendations that support realizable cognitive benefits that benefit public health.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an oncogenic virus that causes chronic liver disease in more than 80% of patients. During the last decade, efficient direct acting antivirals were introduced into clinical practice. However, clearance of the virus does not reduce risk of end-stage liver diseases to the level observed in patients that have never been infected. So, investigation of HCV pathogenesis is still warranted. Virus-induced changes in cell metabolism contribute to the development of HCV-associated liver pathologies. Here we studied the impact of the virus on the metabolism of polyamines and proline as well as on the urea cycle, which plays a crucial role in liver function. It was found that HCV strongly suppresses the expression of arginase, a key enzyme of the urea cycle, leading to accumulation of arginine and upregulates proline oxidase with a concomitant decrease in proline concentrations. Addition of exogenous proline moderately suppressed viral replication. HCV upregulated transcription but suppressed protein levels of polyamine-metabolizing enzymes. This resulted in a decrease in polyamine content in infected cells. Finally, compounds targeting polyamine metabolism demonstrated pronounced antiviral activity pointing to spermine and spermidine as compounds affecting HCV replication. These data expand our understanding of HCV’s imprint on cell metabolism.

Lactoperoxidase (LP) is an important enzyme of the salivary and mammary glands. It has been proven to increase the shelf life of raw milk by inhibiting the growth of bacteria, especially Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas spp. The aim of this work was to verify the use of LP to extend the shelf life of meat products. In vitro experiments showed inhibitory effects against selected bacteria (Listeria innocua (ATCC 33090), Staphylococcus saprophyticus (CP054440.1), and Pseudomonas fluorescens (ATCC 13525) due to prolongation of the lag phase of growth curves. A lower increase in viable counts (P &lt; 0.05) was also found by testing the pork cubes surface treated with LP solution (5%) + L. innocua and stored for 7 days at 15 °C. LP has also been studied at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.50% in meat products (pork ham and pâté) during refrigerated storage (4 °C for 28 days). Lower viable counts were observed throughout the storage experiment, especially for 0.50% LP (P &lt; 0.05). Meat products containing LP also showed lower levels of oxidation (MAD) (P &lt; 0.05). According to these results, LP could extend the shelf life of a wider range of products.

Over the past decade and a half, dynamic functional imaging has revolutionized the neuroimaging field. Since 2009, it has revealed low dimensional brain connectivity measures, has identified potential common human spatial connectivity states, has tracked the transition patterns of these states, and has demonstrated meaningful alterations in these transition and spatial patterns in neurological disorders, psychiatric disorders, and over the course of development. Recently, researchers have begun to analyze this data from the perspective of dynamic system and information theory in the hopes of understanding how these dynamics support less easily quantified processes, such as information processing, cortical hierarchy, and consciousness. Consciousness, in particular, appears to be strongly linked to entropy production in the brain. Little attention has been paid to the effects of psychiatric disease on entropy production in the human brain, however. Even disorders characterized by substantial changes in conscious experience have not been widely analyzed from this perspective. We begin to rectify this by examining the complexity of subject trajectories in state space through the lens of information theory. Specifically, we identify a basis for the dynamic functional connectivity state space and track subject trajectories through this space over the course of the scan. The dynamic complexity of these trajectories is assessed along each dimension of the proposed basis space. Using these estimates, we demonstrate that schizophrenia patients display substantially simpler trajectories than demographically matched healthy controls, and that this drop in complexity concentrates along specific dimensions. We also demonstrate that entropy generation in at least one of these dimensions is linked to cognitive performance. Overall, results suggest great value in applying dynamic systems theory to problems of neuroimaging and reveal a substantial drop in the complexity of schizophrenia patients’ brain function.

Galectins are a family of beta-galactoside-binding proteins that are characterised by their carbohydrate recognition domain (CRD) and include galectin-1 and galectin-3. These galectins have been implicated in numerous diseases due to their pleiotropic nature, including cancer and fibrosis, with therapeutic inhibitors being clinically developed to block the CRD. One of the early methods developed to characterise these galectins was hemagglutination of red blood cells. Although insightful this approach has been hampered by a lack of sensitivity and accurate quantification of the agglutination observed. In this study we aimed to validate a more precise and quantitative method to enable further investigation of differences between galectins in respect to agglutination induction in different blood groups as well as characterisation of small molecule inhibitors. Quantification of hemagglutination was shown to be optimal using U-bottom plates imaged and analysed with FIJI ImageJ rather than flat bottom plates read for absorbance on an optical density plate reader. Galectin-3-induced red blood cell agglutination efficacy increased significantly from blood group O to A to B. However, for both the galectin-1 monomer and concatemer a more comparable effect was observed between blood group B and O but with more potent effects than in blood group A. Inhibition assays for both galectin-3 and galectin-1 induced-hemagglutination were able to demonstrate clear concentration-responses and expected selectivity profiles for a set of small molecule glycomimetics, confirming historical profiles obtained in biochemical binding and functional cellular assays.

A 23-month-old neutered male dog of unknown ancestry presented with a history of progressive neurological signs that included anxiety, cognitive impairment, tremors, seizure activity, ataxia, and pronounced visual impairment. The clinical signs were accompanied by global brain atrophy. Due to progression in the severity of disease signs, the dog was euthanized at 26 months of age. Examination of tissues collected at necropsy revealed dramatic intracellular accumulations of autofluorescent inclusions in the brain, retina, and cardiac muscle. The inclusions were immunopositive for subunit c of mitochondrial ATP synthase, and their ultrastructural appearances were similar to those of lysosomal storage bodies that accumulate in some of the neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (NCL) diseases. The also dog exhibited widespread neuroinflammation. Based on these findings, the dog was deemed likely to have suffered from a form of NCL. A whole genome sequence analysis of the proband’s DNA revealed a homozygous C to T substitution that altered the intron 3 – exon 4 splice site of CLN6. Other mutations in CLN6 cause NCL diseases in humans and animals including dogs. CLN6 protein was undetectable with immunolabeling in the tissues of the proband. Based on the clinical history, fluorescence and electron-microscopy, immunohistochemistry, and molecular genetic findings, the disorder in this dog is classified as an NCL resulting from the absence of CLN6 protein. Screening the dog’s genome for a panel of breed-specific polymorphisms indicated that its ancestry included numerous breeds, with no single breed predominating. This suggests that the CLN6 disease variant is likely to be present in other mixed breed dogs and at least some of the ancestral breeds.

Preeclampsia, a hypertensive disease of pregnancy of unknown etiology, is intensely studied as a model of cardiovascular (CVD) disease not only due to multiple shared pathologic elements, but also because changes that develop over decades in CVD disease appear and resolve within days in preeclampsia. Those affected by preeclampsia and their offspring experience increased lifetime risks of CVD. At the systemic level, preeclampsia is characterized by increased cellular, membrane, and blood levels of cholesterol, however, cholesterol dependent signaling such as canonical Wnt/βcatenin, Hedgehog, and endothelial nitric oxide synthase is downregulated indicating a cholesterol deficit with upregulation of cholesterol synthesis and efflux. Hypoxia related signaling in preeclampsia also appears paradoxical with increased Hypoxia Inducible Factors (HIF) in the placenta but measurably increased oxygen in maternal blood in placental villous spaces. This review addresses the molecular mechanisms by which excessive systemic cholesterol and deficient cholesterol dependent signaling may arise from the effects of dietary lipid variance causing the cellular hypoxia which characterizes preeclampsia.

This study investigated a novel probiotic-enriched ice cream containing fermented white kidney bean homogenate to explore its potential health benefits. We assessed the viability of various probiotic strains during ice cream production and storage, focusing on their potential to reach the gut, and evaluated the overall antioxidant activity using DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and TPC assays. The incorporation of fermented white bean homogenate significantly increased antioxidant capacity compared to the control group. Notably, strains like L. rhamnosus GG and L. plantarum 299v demonstrated the most pronounced effects on antioxidant activity, suggesting potential synergistic benefits between probiotics and bioactive compounds in fermented white beans. Although all probiotic strains experienced decreased viability during storage, certain strains, particularly L. plantarum 299v and L. casei DN-114001, showed promising survival rates even after 6 months. These results suggest the potential for developing probiotic ice cream containing viable bacteria capable of reaching the gut and contributing to a healthy gut microbiota. This could potentially improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost the immune system. Overall, this study highlights the potential of probiotic-enriched ice cream with fermented white kidney bean homogenate to combine the established benefits of probiotics for gut health with the enjoyment of consuming ice cream.

Thermodynamics of protein-ligand interactions seems to be associated to a narrow range of Gibbs Free Energy. As a consequence, a linear enthalpy-entropy relationship showing an apparent Enthalpy-Entropy compensation (EEC) is frequently observed associated to the study of protein-ligand interactions. This EEC affects negatively the design and discovery of new and more efficient drugs capable of binding protein-targets with a higher affinity. Originally attributed to experimental errors, compensation between H and TS values is a real observable fact, although its molecular origin has remained obscure and controversial. Herein we show the results of a data search of G values of 2558 protein-ligand interactions and 3025 “in vivo” ligand concentrations from the Protein Data Bank bind Database and the Metabolome Data Base (2020). These results, together with the mechano-statistical interpretation of the thermodynamic properties leads to the conclusion that the EEC has no basis in statistical thermodynamics. It can be plausibly explained as a consequence of the narrow range of G associated to protein-ligand interactions. The Gaussian distribution of the G values matches very well with that of ligands. These results suggest the hypothesis that the set of G values for the protein-ligand interactions is the result of the evolution of proteins. The conformation versatility of present proteins and the exchange of thousands (even millions) of minute amounts of energy with the environment may have functioned as a homeostatic mechanism to make G of proteins adaptive to changes in availability of ligands, and therefore achieve the maximum regulatory capacity of the protein function. Finally, a plausible strategy to avoid the EEC is suggested.

Degenerative disc disease (DDD) is a pervasive condition that limits quality of life and burdens economies. Traditional pharmacological treatments aimed at slowing degeneration are ineffective in the long-term. Orthobiologics, regenerative agents derived from the patient’s own tissue, are a promising emerging therapy for degenerative disc disease. This review first outlines the pathophysiology of degenerative disc disease, highlighting the limitations of existing treatments and explores the orthobiologic tools for treating degenerative disc disease (platelet-rich plasma, mesenchymal stem cells). Their history in regenerative medicine is outlined, demonstrating how in vitro evidence informed preclinical animal studies on their efficacy in treating degenerative disc disease. Finally, clinical trials utilizing these treatment options are reviewed and directions for future research are outlined. Although the current clinical evidence available is limited to propagate their routine clinical usage the field holds immense potential in the management of DDD. There is room for these treatments to be optimized for effective consistent clinical outcomes in DDD.

The global food production system faces several challenges, including significant environmental impacts due to traditional agricultural practices. The rising demands of consumers for food products that are safe, healthy, and have animal welfare standards have led to an increased interest in alternative proteins and the development of the cellular agriculture field. Within this innovative field, precision fermentation emerges as a promising technological solution to produce proteins with reduced ecological footprints. This review provides a summary of the environmental impacts related to the current global food production, and explore how precision fermentation can contribute to address these issues. Additionally, we will report on the main animal-derived proteins produced by precision fermentation, with a particular focus on those used in the food and nutraceutical industries. The general principles of precision fermentation will be explained, including strain and bioprocess optimization. Examples of efficient recombinant protein production by bacteria and yeasts, such as milk proteins, egg-white proteins, structural and flavoring proteins, will also be addressed, along with case examples of companies producing these recombinant proteins in a commercial scale. Through these examples, we will explore how precision fermentation supports sustainable food production and holds the potential for significant innovations in the sector.

Human hair is characterized by significant diversity, which is dictated by the individual genetic makeup. It is estimated that up to 70% of the world’s population has textured hair, with a signif-icant proportion also living in areas with high exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). This highlights the unique requirements for textured hair care products that can protect hair shafts from the harmful effects of the environment whilst enhancing the natural features of the fibre. In this study, we investigated the UV-protective effects of hair conditioner formulated from active ingredients, mangiferin, ferulic acid and naringin. The analysis of UV-irradiated straight and textured hair was performed by measurements of hair thickness and darkness, the uptake of the fluorescent dye, spectral absorbance of keratin extracts, ATR-FTIR and SEM. We found that tex-tured hair was more sensitive to UVR-induced changes than straight hair, with the primary mo-lecular targets represented by chemical groups in keratins. Pre-treatment of the hair with condi-tioner had protective effects against structural damage and oxidative stress caused by UVR. These data indicate the importance of the personalized approach to hair research and the formu-lation of hair care products tailored to the individual demands of textured hair types.

Our hypothesis that controlled ozone applications interfere into the redox balance of the biological organism (first published in 1998 with a preclinical trial on protecting the liver from CCl4 intoxication), has been verified over the last 2 decades in reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced mitochondrial pathologies, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, aging processes, diabetes-2 and in prevention of intoxications. Low-dose ozone acts as a redox bioregulator: The restoration of the disturbed redox balance is comprehensible in a number of preclinical and clinical studies by a remarkable increase of the antioxidant repair markers, here mainly shown as glutathione increase and a reduction in oxidative stress markers, mainly malondialdehyde. The mechanism of action is shown, relevant data are displayed, evaluated and comprehensively discussed: The repair side of the equilibrium increases by 21% up to 140% compared to the non-ozone treated groups and depending on the indication; the stress markers are simultaneously reduced, the redox system regains its balance.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by genetic mutations in the cytoskeletal-sarcolemmal anchor protein dystrophin. Repeated cycles of sarcolemmal tearing and repair lead to a variety of secondary cellular and physiological stressors that are thought to contribute to weakness, atrophy, and fibrosis. Collectively, these stressors can contribute to a pro-inflammatory milieu in locomotor, cardiac, and respiratory muscles. Given the many unwanted side effects that accompany current anti-inflammatory steroid-based approaches for treating DMD (e.g., glucocorticoids), there is a need to develop new therapies that address inflammation and other cellular dysfunctions. Adiponectin receptor (AdipoR) agonists, which stimulate AdipoR1 and R2 isoforms on various cell types, have emerged as therapeutic candidates for DMD due to their anti-inflammatory, anti-fibrotic, and pro-myogenic properties in pre-clinical human and rodent DMD models. Although these molecules represent a new direction for therapeutic intervention, the mechanisms through which they elicit their beneficial effects are not yet fully understood, and DMD-specific data is limited. The overarching goal of this review is to investigate how adiponectin signaling may ameliorate pathology associated with dystrophin deficiency through inflammatory-dependent and -independent mechanisms, and to determine if current data supports their future progression to clinical trials.

Network centrality analyses have proven successful in identifying important nodes in diverse host-pathogen interactomes. The current study presents a comprehensive investigation of the human interactome and SARS-CoV-2 host targets. We first constructed a comprehensive human interactome by compiling experimentally validated protein-protein interactions (PPIs) from eight distinct sources. Additionally, we compiled a comprehensive list of 1,449 SARS-CoV-2 host proteins and analyzed their interactions within the human interactome, which identified enriched biological processes and pathways. Seven diverse topological features were employed to reveal the enrichment of SARS-CoV-2 targets in the human interactome, with Load centrality emerging as the most effective metric. Furthermore, a novel approach called CentralityCosDist was employed to predict SARS-CoV-2 targets, which proved effective in expanding the pool of predicted targets. Pathway enrichment analyses further elucidated the functional roles and potential mechanisms associated with predicted targets. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between SARS-CoV-2 and the host cellular machinery, contributing to a deeper understanding of viral infection and immune response modulation.

Many neurodegenerative diseases are directly related to the formation of toxic protein aggregates, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, which are associated with the aggregation of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) and beta-amyloid (Aβ ), respectively. In this context, protein fibrils are the hallmark of these neurodegenerative diseases. In this sense, planning or designing compounds that are capable of preventing or reducing the formation of protein aggregation in the brain can be of fundamental importance for the curative treatment of these diseases. This work presents an in silico and experimental study to investigate the inhibitory potential of the ligands Octovespin (bioinspired by the wasp venom Polybia Occidentalis) and Fraternine-10 (bioinspired by the wasp venom Parachartergus fraternus wasp) against the aggregation of fibrils of the peptides Aβ(17-42) and α-syn, respectively. Using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations with 100 ns, the disaggregation capacity of these ligands was studied. The results obtained indicate that Octovespin and Fraternine-10 interact with the Aβ and α-syn protein fibrils throughout the simulation time. The RMSD values and the interactions with amino acids responsible for fibril aggregation demonstrate that both Octovespin and Fraternine-10 have a significant disaggregation potential, which corroborates the observations in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, experimental results of Fraternine-10 demonstrate an anti-aggregation effect, indicating that it can promote the disaggregation of fibrils and prevent them from aggregating again to form oligomers. These discoveries qualify these molecules as potential candidates to become medicines against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

The Chikungunya virus (CHIKV) presents global health challenges, with Brazil witnessing out-breaks since its introduction in 2014. In 2023, Minas Gerais (MG) experienced a CHIKV outbreak, prompting entomological investigations to identify vectors, viral lineages, and assess insecticide resistance. This study utilized social media platforms and citizen science concept to conduct a comprehensive entomological survey. Following Instagram posts, residents with CHIKV sus-pected cases were able to schedule mosquito aspirations. During the aspirations, 421 mosquitoes (165 Aedes aegypti and 256 Culex quinquefasciatus) were captured from 40 households in Salinas city (MG) and tested for Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya viruses through RT-qPCR. Twelve out 57 pools (10 of Ae. aegypti and 2 of Cx. quinquefasciatus) tested positive for CHIKV RNA. Viral RNA was also detected in the heads of 9 Ae. aegypti individuals (but not in Cx. quinquefasciatus). Genome sequencing revealed that CHIKV belonged to the East-Central-South-Africa (ECSA) genotype. Additionally, genetic analyses revealed high frequencies of kdr alleles, suggesting resistant to pyrethroids insecticides in this Ae. aegypti population. These findings emphasize the urgent need for innovative vector study and control strategies to combat arbovirus transmission, and inter-disciplinary approaches in public health interventions.

Marmosets from the Callithrix genus (six species) are anthropoids distributed in many Brazilian biomes, but anthropogenic pressure is a risk for hybridization and virtually the extinction of some species. Despite this, only a few data are available on reproductive ecology, which is a gap in understanding the physiological modulation of the socio-sexual behavior of free-ranging marmosets. In this study, we characterized fecal concentrations of progesterone, estrogens, and glucocorticoids of six breeding and non-breeding females from two groups of free-ranging C. penicillata, which is the species with the largest geographical distribution and most important in hybridization studies. The fecal progesterone was significantly higher in females who gave birth than non-breeding females, which was linked to reproductive status. The levels of fecal estrogens and glucocorticoids did not differ between breeding and non-breeding females. The data are according to the few studies on steroid values of free-ranging and captive marmosets. This study shows the concentrations of progesterone and glucocorticoids in free-ranging C. penicillata for the first time. Overall, the high levels of progesterone associated with pregnancy in free-ranging C. penicillata as well as levels of estrogens and glucocorticoids close to those reported for other species, suggest a conserved pattern of hormonal secretion between Callithrix species that have been studied in captivity.

Methionine oxidation to the sulfoxide form (MSox) is a poorly understood post-translational modification of proteins associated with nonspecific chemical oxidation from reactive oxygen species (ROS) whose chemistries are linked to various disease pathologies including neurodegeneration. Emerging evidence shows MSox site occupancy is in some cases under enzymatic regulatory control mediating cellular signaling including phosphorylation and/or calcium signaling, raising questions as to the speciation and functional nature of MSox across the proteome. The 5XFAD lineage of the C57BL/6 mouse has well-defined Alzheimer’s and aging states. Using this model, we analyzed age, sex and disease dependent MSox speciation in mouse hippocampus. In addition, we explore chemical stability and statistical variance of oxidized peptide signals to understand needed power for MSox based proteome studies. Our results identify mitochondrial and glycolytic pathway targets with increases in MSox with age as well as neuroinflammatory targets accumulating MSox with AD in proteome studies of mouse hippocampus. Further, the paper establishes a foundation for reproducible and rigorous experimental MSox-omics appropriate for biological discovery novel target identification, and biomarker analysis in ROS and other oxidation linked diseases.

Broflanilide is a novel active ingredient from a unique insecticide class (IRAC Group 30) and was investigated as a control option against modern insecticide resistant strains of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius. The susceptibility of technical grade broflanilide and efficacy of a broflanilide-based aerosol formulation (Earth Corp., Japan) were evaluated against five C. lectularius strains (MONH, SYD, DARL, PARRA, RIPPO). Results demonstrated that bed bugs had high susceptibility to broflanilide (RR50: SYD=1.22-fold, DARL=1.03-fold, PARRA=3.65-fold, RIPPO=2.77-fold), compared to the susceptible MONH strain. The aerosol showed high efficacy to adult bed bugs (97.5–100 % mortality to five strains after 24 hrs post-spray) and produced a notable decrease in egg hatch rates (MONH=9.7–23.4 %, PARRA=14.9–22.6 %). The aerosol also demonstrated high residual activity with 97.5–100% mortality in all five bed bug strains within 7 days exposure. The impact of different surface types upon aerosol residual efficacy was limited, although residues on a non-porous surface (tile) killed bed bugs slightly quicker than that on a porous surface (filter paper). The aerosol provided long residual activity to bed bugs, as 6-month-old residues were as equally efficacious to that of fresh residues. Bed bugs did not avoid surfaces treated with the aerosol. The high efficacy (including ovicidal efficacy), long residual activity, and non-avoidance of bed bugs on treated surfaces, demonstrated that broflanilide is highly suitable for modern bed bug management.

Influenza viruses pose a continuing public health challenge due to their high mutation rate and the need for annual vaccine updates. A recent advancement in nanoparticle-based vaccine technology for developing a universal influenza vaccine. We focused on four key studies investigating the use of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), nanoparticle immunogens, and multivalent epitope-based nanoparticles. The studies demonstrated promising results. The single-dose mRNA -LNP vaccine targeting five influenza B virus antigens effectively protected mice from a broad range of strain. Additionally, nanoparticle immunogens designed to display multiple influenza virus strains induced broad protective immunity in mice. Furthermore, LNPs enhanced the efficacy of mRNA and protein subunit vaccines by stimulating robust T follicular helper cell and humoral responses. Finally, an intranasal multivalent epitope-based nanoparticle vaccine offered broad protection against diverse influenza viruses. These findings highlight the potential of nanoparticle-based approaches for developing a universal influenza vaccine that offers long-lasting and broad-spectrum protection. Further research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these novel vaccines in humans.

Aβ peptides are known to bind neural plasma membranes in a process leading to the deposit of Aβ-enriched plaques. These extracellular structures are characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease, the major cause of late-age dementia. The mechanisms of Aβ plaque formation and deposition are far from being understood. A vast amount of literature describes the efforts to analyze those mechanisms, using a variety of tools. The present review focuses on biophysical studies, mostly carried out with model membranes, or with computational tools. The review starts by describing basic physical aspects of lipid phases, and commonly used model membranes (monolayers and bilayers). This is followed by a discussion of biophysical techniques applied to these systems, mainly but not exclusively Langmuir monolayers, isothermal calorimetry, density-gradient ultracentrifugation, and molecular dynamics. The methodological section is followed by the core of the review, a summary of important results obtained with each technique. The last section is devoted to an overall reflection and an effort in understanding Aβ-bilayer binding. Concepts such as Aβ peptide membrane binding, adsorption, and insertion are defined and differentiated. The roles of membrane lipid order, nanodomain formation, and electrostatic forces in Aβ-membrane interaction are separately identified and discussed.

This study evaluated the hip joints of the giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) through imaging and macroscopic analyses and proposed a surgical approach for arthrotomy procedures in this species. The study used four samples fixed in 10% formaldehyde and six thawed carcasses. Radiographic and ultrasound examinations and anatomical dissection allowed the proposal of a surgical approach for the hip joint. The radiographic evaluation occurred with frog-legged ventrodorsal and lateral projections, and the ultrasound enabled joint soft tissue assessment. The articular elements represented similar characteristics to other domestic species. Some anatomical particularities of muscle groups were the intermuscular septum between the tensor fasciae latae and superficial gluteus muscles at the level of the greater trochanter of the femur, which provides lateral access to the femoral head and neck more conservatively. In conclusion, the anatomical particularities of radiographic positioning, the clinical applications of joint ultrasound, and the arrangement of muscle groups must be considered when evaluating and surgically accessing the hip joint of the giant anteater.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNAs, which contribute to the regulation of many physiolog-ical and pathological processes. Conventionally, miRNAs perform their activity in the cyto-plasm, where they regulate gene expression by interacting in a sequence-specific manner with mature messenger RNAs. Recent studies point to the presence of mature miRNAs in the nucleus. This review summarizes current findings regarding the molecular activities of nuclear miRNAs. These molecules can regulate gene expression at the transcriptional level by directly binding DNA on the promoter or the enhancer of regulated genes. MiRNAs recruit to these regions dif-ferent protein complexes, resulting both in activation or repression of transcription, through a number of molecular mechanisms. Haematopoiesis is presented as a paradigmatic biological process whereby nuclear miRNAs possess a relevant regulatory role. Nuclear miRNAs may af-fect gene expression also acting on nuclear mRNA processing and on the biogenesis of miRNA themselves by regulating pri-miRNA maturation. Overall, nuclear miRNAs are biologically ac-tive molecules that can be critical for the fine tuning of gene expression and deserve further studies in a number of physiological and pathological conditions

Glutamate functions as the major excitatory neurotransmitter for primary sensory neurons and has a crucial role in sensitizing peripheral nociceptor terminals producing sensitization. Glutaminase (GLS) is the synthetic enzyme that converts glutamine to glutamate. GLS-immunoreactivity (-ir) and enzyme activity are elevated in dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neuronal cell bodies during chronic peripheral inflammation, but the mechanism for this GLS elevation is yet to be fully characterized. It has been well established that, after nerve growth factor (NGF) binds to its high-affinity receptor tropomyosin receptor kinase A (TrkA), a retrograde signaling endosome is formed. This endosome contains the late endosomal marker Rab7GTPase and is retrogradely transported via axons to the cell soma located in DRG. This complex is responsible for regulating the transcription of several critical nociceptive genes. Here, we show that this retrograde NGF signaling mediates the expression of GLS in DRG neurons during the process of peripheral inflammation. We disrupted the normal NGF/TrkA signaling in adjuvant-induced arthritic (AIA) Sprague Dawley rats by pharmacological inhibition of TrkA or blockade of Rab7GTPase, which significantly attenuated the expression of GLS in DRG cell bodies. These results indicate that NGF/TrkA signaling is crucial for the production of glutamate and has a vital role in the development of neurogenic inflammation. In addition, our pain behavioural data suggest that Rab7GTPase can be a potential target for attenuating peripheral inflammatory pain.

The responses of inflammatory cytokines and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) session were compared between 7 postmenopausal (57±2 y) and 8 premenopausal females (44±3 y) during the luteal phase of their menstrual cycle, when estrogen and progesterone are highest, and. HIIT consisted of 10 x 1 min running intervals (90% maximum heart rate) separated by 1 min recovery intervals. Blood samples were collected at baseline (fasted), pre-exercise (postprandial), and 0, 30 and 90 min post-HIIT and analyzed for interleukin (IL-6) and 10 (IL-10), tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and BDNF. IL-6 significantly increased from pre-exercise to 0 min post-HIIT in postmenopausal (+40%, p=0.01) but 30 min post-HIIT in premenopausal females (+60%, p=0.02). IL-6 remained elevated at 90 min post-HIIT in premenopausal (+104%, p=0.05) and to a higher degree in postmenopausal (+385%, p&lt;0.001). IL-10 showed no response. TNF-α increased from pre- to 0 min post-HIIT (+10%, p=0.05), then decreased to below pre-exercise at 30 min (-10%, p=0.02) and 90 min (-5%, p=0.04) in both groups. BDNF increased immediate post-HIIT in premenopausal (+60%, p&lt;0.001) but not postmenopausal females. The differences in IL-6 and BDNF response to HIIT between pre and postmenopausal females provide evidence of the role of female reproductive hormones in the regulation of these exercise-induced responses.

The early elongation events in transcription or translational control in the N-terminal of genes are assuming critical roles in their heterologous expression. The secretory expression of the alkaline pectin lyase APL in B. subtilis were studied to explore the effects of the N-terminal 5-7 amino acids sequences of different signal peptides on gene transcription and protein secretion in this study. The first 5 amino acid sequences of the N-terminal of the signal peptide LipA were identified to play an important role in promoting the expression of APL for the first time. Meanwhile, it also revealed that the signal peptide LipA could lead to higher secretory expression than other signal peptides not because of its sequence structure associated with secretion is stronger but because the N-terminal sequences showed greater advantages in gene transcription. At this basis, the recombinant strain structed in this work showed a new record for the highest extracellular yields (12 295 U/ml) of APL in B. subtilis which was 1.9 times higher than that expressed in the recombinant Escherichia coli strain we had reported before. The novel theories revealed in this study would assuming significance roles for improving expression of foreign proteins in or out of the cells.

Vitamin A, or retinol, is one of the most effective anti-ageing molecules, but it presents issues with photo-sensitivity and irritation. Retinol-like alternatives are emerging, but have so far been less effective. Here, we present a Silibum marianum extract (SME) as a retinol-like ingredient providing both safety and efficacy. SME was compared to the reference compound, retinol, and to the main alternative, bakuchiol. In ex vivo tests, skin explants from a 58-year-old donor were treated with pure retinol (0.1%), bakuchiol (0.2%) or SME (0.8%). After 5 days, collagen and hyaluronic acid levels were analysed. A placebo-controlled study involving 57 volunteers (ages 45-73 years) was also conducted, with products applied twice-daily for 56 days. Results were measured by AEVA-HE and VISA. Levels of collagen III were significantly increased by SME, by 23% and 16% compared to bakuchiol and retinol, respectively. Compared to bakuchiol, SME treatment increased hyaluronic acid production by 36%. In clinical tests, SME had a significantly stronger anti-wrinkle effect than bakuchiol – reducing the number of wrinkles on the forehead by 21%, and their circumference by 17% – producing effects similar to retinol, and better than bakuchiol. In the self-assessment, 43% of volunteers reported discomfort while using retinol, as compared to 0% for the SME formulation. By enhancing levels of collagen III – the youth collagen – and hyaluronic acid in the skin, SME paves the way for the maturation of collagen I fibrils and skin plumping. With its stronger efficacy compared to bakuchiol and enhanced safety profile compared to retinol, SME may be the next-generation of natural alternatives to retinoids.

Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) are the primary viruses responsible for mosaic diseases in sugarcane. In this study, the mosaic viruses SCMV and SCSMV with the involvement of sorghum mosaic virus (SrMV) were surveyed from eight commercial sugarcane cultivars grown in fields at four locations in East Java, Indonesia. Sugarcane leaves with mosaic symptoms were assessed for disease incidence and severity, and symptomatic leaves were collected for analysis. The incidence and severity of mosaic symptoms were the highest in the PS881 and NX04 cultivars grown in Kediri compared to the other cultivars. RT-PCR analysis showed that SCSMV was present in all sugarcane cultivars and locations. Interestingly, double mixed infections with SCMV were found in PS881, PS882, and Cening, whereas triple mixed infections with SrMV were found in the PS881 cultivar. Phylogenetic analysis grouped SCSMV, SCMV, and SrMV together with isolates from Thailand (KP987832.1), Florida, USA (MT725538.1), and Agentina (EU189037.1). The expression of ascorbate peroxidase gene (Apx) was increased in the virus-infected sugarcane cultivars and prominently elevated in the triple mixed infection of PS881 cultivars. However, the catalase gene (Cat) was slightly upregulated in the mixed infection group. The chlorophyll content was significantly reduced in the leaves of PS58, PS881, PS882, NX04, and HW Merah, in parallel with the expression of the photosystem I gene (PsaA). The expression of photosynthetic genes, such as ribulose-1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase small sub-unit (RbcS), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (Pepc), sucrose-phosphate synthase (Sps1), and PsaA, was significantly reduced and almost depleted in the triple mixed infection of PS881, except for Pepc expression, which remained approximately half of that in the control healthy sugarcane. The decrease in photosynthetic activity was confirmed by the decrease in ribulose-1,5 bisphosphate carboxylase (Rubisco) and PEPC proteins, as detected by immunoblot analysis. The decrease in photosynthetic parameters indicated that the mosaic viral infection substantially reduced the growth and yield of sugarcane.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is a leafy vegetable that provides a valuable source of phytonutrients for a healthy human diet. Assessment of plant growth and composition is vital for determining crop yield and overall quality, however, classical laboratory analyses are slow and costly. Therefore, new, less expensive, more rapid, and non-destructive approaches are being developed, including those based on (hyper)spectral reflectance. Additionally, it is also important to determine how plant phenotypes respond to fertilizer treatments and whether these differences in response can be detected from analyses of hyperspectral image data. In the current study, we demonstrate the suitability of hyperspectral imaging in combination with machine learning models to estimate the content of chlorophyll (SPAD), anthocyanins (ACI), glucose, fructose, sucrose, vitamin C, β-carotene, N, P, K, dry matter content, and plant fresh weight. The implemented five classification and regression machine learning models showed high accuracy in classifying the lettuces by the applied fertilizers treatments and estimating nutrient concentrations. To reduce the input (predictor data, i.e., hyperspectral data) dimension, 13 principal components were found and applied in models. The implemented artificial neural network models of the machine learning algorithm demonstrated high accuracy (r = 0.85 ... 0.99) in estimating fresh leaf weight, and contents of chlorophyll, anthocyanins, N, P, K, and β-carotene. The four applied classification models of machine learning demonstrated 100% accuracy in classifying the studied baby leaf lettuces by phenotype when certain fertilizer treatments were applied.

Our study explores the genetic mechanisms underlying the spotted leaf phenotype in rice, focusing on the rpt5a mutant characterized by persistent reddish-brown leaf spots from seedling stage to maturity, leading to extensive leaf necrosis. Through map-based cloning, we localized the responsible locus to a 330Kb region on chromosome 2 and identified LOC_Os02g56000 (named OsRPT5A) as the causative gene. A point mutation in OsRPT5A, substituting valine for glutamic acid, was identified as the critical factor for the phenotype. Functional complementation and generation of knockout lines in the IR64 background confirmed the central role of OsRPT5A in controlling this trait. Our study also revealed that OsRPT5A is constitutively expressed across various tissues, with its subcellular localization unaffected by mutations. Notably, we observed an abnormal accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in rpt5a mutants, suggesting a disruption in the ROS system. Complementation studies indicated OsRPT5A's involvement in ROS homeostasis and catalase activity regulation. Moreover, the rpt5a mutant exhibited enhanced resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), highlighting OsRPT5A's role in rice's pathogen resistance mechanisms. These findings elucidate the genetic basis of the spotted leaf phenotype and emphasize the intricate interplay between plant defense responses and developmental pathways.

Hemoglobinopathies are a group of disorders in which the hemoglobin molecule has abnormal production or structure. The hemoglobin molecules in red blood cells (RBC) are impacted by the blood disease known as sickle cell disease (SCD), and Thalassemia is one of the major monogenic disorders that reduces hemoglobin production( Kohne et al ., 2011). This disorder results in a large number of red blood cells being destroyed, leading to anemia. India bears a huge burden of hemoglobinopathies; thalassemia is the most prevalent (Mondal SK et al., 2016). A key component of thalassemia prevention is a successful screening procedure to identify Thalassemia carriers. Effective screening programs have numerous obstacles, especially in environments with limited resources. Machine learning (ML) has been used to solve technical and domain-specific problems in a variety of prognostic and diagnostic medical jobs. In this work, we aimed to identify and analyze the most common mutation of β--thalassemia and sickle cell disease from the north Indian population by employing Machine learning-based algorithms. To accurately predict the carrier state from a simple blood test, and to predict pathogenic hemoglobin variants in a group of individuals, these results demonstrate the application of integrated bioinformatics and machine learning approaches. This study contributes to the validation of the models based on data from several individuals and hemoglobinopathies.

Modified mRNAs (modRNAs) are an emerging delivery method for gene therapy. In particular, the modRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines have proven that modRNA is a safe and effective therapeutic tool. Moreover, modRNA has the potential to treat various human diseases including cardiac dysfunction. Acute myocardial infarction (MI) is a major cardiac disorder that currently lacks curative treatment options. MI is commonly accompanied by fibrosis and impaired cardiac function. Our group previously demonstrated that the matricellular protein CCN5 inhibits cardiac fibrosis (CF) and improves cardiac dysfunction. However, it remains elusive whether the early intervention of CF under stress conditions is beneficial or more detrimental due to potential adverse effects such as left ventricular (LV) rupture. To obtain acute CCN5 expression, we used modRNA-mediated gene transfer in a mouse MI model. To evaluate CCN5 activity, we established two independent experimental schemes: 1) preventive intervention and 2) therapeutic intervention. Cardiac function and structural changes were measured by echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. Finally, fibrosis and the underlying molecular pathway were analyzed by western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, and immunohistochemistry. The modRNA-CCN5 gene transfer successfully ameliorated CF and enhanced cardiac function in both preventive and therapeutic interventions without LV rupture or any adverse cardiac remodeling. Conclusively, early intervention in CF by modRNA-CCN5 gene transfer is an efficient and safe therapeutic modality for treating MI-induced heart failure without adverse structural remodeling.

Whole cell biosensors could serve as eco-friendly and cost-effective alternatives for detecting potentially toxic bioavailable heavy metals in aquatic environments. However, they often fail to meet practical requirements due to an insufficient limit of detection (LOD) and high background noise. In this study, we designed a synthetic genetic circuit specifically tailored for detecting ionic mercury, which we applied to environmental samples collected from artisanal gold mining sites in Peru. We developed two distinct versions of the biosensor, each utilizing a different reporter protein: a fluorescent biosensor (Mer-RFP) and a colorimetric biosensor (Mer-Blue). Mer-RFP enabled real-time monitoring of the culture’s response to mercury samples using a plate reader, whereas Mer-Blue was analysed for colour accumulation at the endpoint using a specially designed, low-cost camera set up for harvested cell pellets. Both biosensors exhibited negligible baseline expression of their respective reporter proteins and responded specifically to HgBr2 in pure water. Mer-RFP demonstrated a linear detection range from 1 nM to 1 μM, whereas Mer-Blue showed a linear range from 2 nM to 125 nM. Our biosensors successfully detected a high concentration of ionic mercury in the reaction bucket where artisanal miners produce a mercury-gold amalgam. However, they did not detect ionic mercury in the water from active mining ponds, indicating a concentration lower than 3.2 nM Hg2+ -a result consistent with chemical analysis quantitation. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of Mer-Blue as a practical and affordable monitoring tool, highlighting its stability, reliance on simple visual colorimetry, and the possibility of sensitivity expansion to organic mercury.