Kodamaea ohmeri is an environmental yeast considered a rare emerging pathogen. In clinical settings, the correct identification of this yeast is relevant since some isolates are associated with resistance to antifungals. There is a lack of available data regarding the geographical distribution, virulence, and drug resistance profile of K. ohmeri. To contribute to the knowledge of this yeast, this study aimed to describe in depth three isolates of K. ohmeri associated with fungemia in Honduras. The identification of the isolates was carried out by sequencing the ribosomal ITS region. In addition, the sensitivity profile to antifungals was determined, and some properties associated with virulence were evaluated (exoenzyme production, biofilm formation, cell adhesion, and invasion). The isolates showed strong protease, phospholipase, and hemolysin activity, in addition to being biofilm producers. Adherence and invasion capacity were evident in the HeLa and Raw 264.7 cell lines respectively. This study expands the understanding of the underlying biological traits associated with virulence in K. ohmeri and is the first report of the detection and identification of K. ohmeri in Honduras as a cause of human infection.

A three-year survey was conducted to estimate the incidence of grapevine trunk diseases (GTDs) in Greece and identify fungi associated with the disease complex. In total, 310 vineyards in different geographical regions in northern, central, and southern Greece were surveyed, and 533 fungal strains were isolated from diseased vines. Morphological, physiological and molecular (5.8S rRNA gene-ITS sequencing) analyses revealed that isolates belonged to 35 distinct fungal genera, including well-known (e.g. Botryosphaeria sp, Diaporthe spp., Eutypa sp., Diplodia sp., Fomitiporia sp., Phaeoacremonium spp., Phaeomoniella sp.) and lesser-known (e.g. Neosetophoma sp., Seimatosporium sp., Didymosphaeria sp., Kalmusia sp.) grapevine wood inhabitants. GTDs-inducing population structure differed significantly among the discrete geographical zones. Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (26.62%, n=70), Diaporthe spp. (18.25%, n=48) and F. mediterranea (10.27%, n=27) were the most prevalent in Heraklion, whereas D. seriata, Alternaria spp., P. chlamydospora and Fusarium spp. were predominant in Nemea (central Greece). In Amyntaio and Kavala (northern Greece), D. seriata was the most frequently isolated species (>50% frequency). Multi-genes (rDNA-ITS, LSU, tef1-α, tub2, act) sequencing of selected isolates, followed by pathogenicity tests revealed that Neosetophoma italica, Seimatosporium vitis, Didymosphaeria variabile and Kalmusia variispora caused wood infection with the former being the most virulent. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of N. italica associated with GTDs worldwide. This is also the first record of K. variispora, S. vitis and D. variabile associated with wood infection of grapevine in Greece. The potential associations of disease indices with vine age, cultivar, GTD-associated population structure and the prevailed meteorological conditions in different viticultural zones in Greece are presented and discussed.

The Dph1•Dph2 heterodimer from yeast is a radical SAM (RS) enzyme that generates the 3-amino-3-carboxy-propyl (ACP) precursor for diphthamide, a clinically relevant modification on eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2). ACP formation requires SAM cleavage and atypical Cys-bound Fe-S clusters in each Dph1 and Dph2 subunit. Intriguingly, the first Cys residue in each motif locates next to another, ill-defined cysteine that we show in-here is conserved across eukaryotes. As judged from structural modeling, the orientation of these tandem cysteine motifs (TCM) suggests a candidate Fe-S cluster ligand role. Hence, we generated by site-directed DPH1 and DPH2 mutagenesis, Dph1•Dph2 variants with cysteines from each TCM replaced individually or in combination by serines. Assays diagnostic for diphthamide formation in vivo reveal that while single substitutions in the TCM of Dph2 cause mild defects, double mutations almost entirely inactivate the RS enzyme. Based on enhanced Dph1 and Dph2 subunit instability in response to cycloheximide chases, the variants with Cys substitutions in their cofactor motifs are particularly prone to protein degradation. In sum, we identify a fourth functionally cooperative Cys residue within the Fe-S motif of Dph2 and show that the Cys-based cofactor binding motifs in Dph1 and Dph2 are critical for the structural integrity of the dimeric RS enzyme in vivo.

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.

Despite recent improvements in the methods used to eradicate and minimize mosquito populations, they still pose severe threats to human health. This study aimed to investigate the Larvicidal potentials of silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum on wild Anopheles larvae from Lagos. The plant used in this study was collected from the southeastern part of Nigeria, Ibite-Olo in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. Wild Anopheles mosquito larvae were collected from a field at Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Nigeria where resistant Anopheline populations have been reported in and around Lagos State were brought to the laboratory and kept under standard insectary conditions (25–29 °C;78–82% relative humidity). Aqueous extract of Ocimum gratissimum was made and subsequently into the silver nanoparticles. A bioassay test was performed according to WHO guidelines, with six different concentrations to assess the larvicidal activity and values obtained were subjected to log prohibit regression analysis to obtain LC₅₀ and values with 95% confidence limit. The results of the larvicidal activities of the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum showed that the mortality rate was dose-dependent with the percentage mortality increasing at a direct proportional rate as with dose and time of exposure. Ocimum gratissimum gave LC₅₀ at 0.5 ppm and LC₉₅ at 2.5 ppm respectively. The biosynthesized silver nanoparticles augmented the larvicidal activity of the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum on wild Anopheles larvae from Lagos. Therefore, this study showed that the silver nanoparticles of Ocimum gratissimum have the potency to be used against an insecticide-resistant mosquito vector and are a suitable candidate for the development of novel natural insecticides.

This study aimed to assess the microbiological quality of set of fruits and vegetables sold on stalls in the streets and open markets of Dakar, the capital city of Senegal. Samples purchased in seven sites were analyzed to isolate E. coli, Salmonella spp. and Vibrio spp. Some primary samples with a positive microbiological culture were subjected to DNA extraction and subsequent metagenomic analysis. A total of 240 fresh fruit and vegetable samples were collected including lettuce (n=40), tomatoes (n=40), mango slices (n=40), onion slices (n=40), mint leaves (n=40), strawberries and grapes (respectively n=20). Of these samples, 50.83% (122/240) and 60.41% (145/240) was contaminated with Escherichia coli and Vibrio spp. respectively, while Salmonella was not isolated in any product. Levels of contamination with both E. coli (1.3 103 to 6 106 CFU/g) and Vibrio spp. (4.55 102 to 8.73 106 CFU/g) were significantly above the thresholds acceptable for human consumption. The most contaminated samples were lettuce with a prevalence of 98% (39/40) for E. coli and for Vibrio spp. followed by mint leaves with 100% (40/40) and 93% (37/40) of the samples containing for E. coli and Vibrio spp. respectively. Out of 46 samples sequenced, metagenomic analysis revealed high contamination rates for E. coli, Vibrio spp. and Salmonella spp. with 100%, 67.39% and 93.47% of prevalence respectively. On the other hand, the alpha diversity analysis shows a high bacterial diversity in lettuce and mint leaf samples while beta diversity analysis highlighted the presence of two major clusters. Our results stress the need of a surveillance system that extends this investigation to a national scale while increasing the number of sampling sites and products analyzed.

This research explores the predictive capabilities of autonomous driving systems by integrating human factor considerations within the context of safety-critical events. Recognizing the significance of human behaviors in influencing driving dynamics, the study employs advanced modeling techniques to enhance the accuracy of predictions in scenarios that demand heightened safety measures. Traditional rule-based systems and monotonic logic often fall short in addressing the complexities of safety-critical events. To overcome these limitations, the research proposes the application of non-monotonic logic, allowing for flexible and adaptive reasoning that accommodates exceptions and context-specific information.The study emphasizes the importance of incorporating individual differences among drivers, such as risk-taking tendencies, reaction times, decision-making processes, and driving styles. By considering these human factors, the research aims to develop realistic and accurate autonomous driving models that capture the nuances of real-world driving scenarios, especially in safety-critical situations. The predictive model takes into account both internal and external factors, enabling the autonomous system to anticipate and respond effectively to unforeseen events.The primary goal is to provide autonomous vehicles with the capability to make plausible inferences, handle conflicting data, and adapt their behavior in real-time during safety-critical events. The proposed model integrates personalized cognitive agents for each driver, incorporating their unique preferences, characteristics, and needs. This personalized approach aims to optimize the safety and efficiency of autonomous driving, contributing to the ongoing evolution of intelligent transportation systems.In conclusion, this research contributes to advancing the field of autonomous driving by introducing a predictive model that leverages human factor considerations to enhance safety in safety-critical events. The incorporation of non-monotonic logic and individualized cognitive agents signifies a comprehensive approach to address the challenges associated with predicting autonomous driving behavior, paving the way for safer and more reliable autonomous vehicles in dynamic and unpredictable environments.

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.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) has higher bioavailability and safety than inorganic selenium, and was widely used in medical, agricultural, nutritional supplements, and antibacterial fields. The present study screened a strain L11 producing SeNPs from a selenium rich dairy cow breeding base in Hubei Province, China. The strain was identified as Bacillus subtilis through physiological, biochemical, and molecular biology analysis. Through optimization of cultivation conditions, the optimal cultivation parameters for L11 to produce SeNPs were pH=6, cultivation temperature of 37 °C, 4 mmol/L Na2SeO3, and cultivation for 48 hours. XPS, SEM-EDS, and TEM were used to verify that the Se particles produced by L11 are SeNPs with diameters ranging from 50 to 200 nm. The combination of protein analysis of different cell components and TEM analysis showed that L11 mainly produces SeNPs through the transformation of the cell's periplasmic space, cell membrane, and cell wall. Adding L11 SeNPs complex to sheep feed can significantly enhance the antioxidant activity and immunity of sheep, and increase the Se content in the neck muscles, liver, and spleen tissues.

Phyllanthus emblica (P. emblica) has been described in many studies to have multiple therapeutic activities and is considered an important part of Ayurvedic and Unani medicinal systems. This study successfully synthesized P. emblica loaded polyvinylalcohol/gelatin based cryogels (PVA/Gel/P.emblica) to examine their potential in wound dressing applications. Swelling tests, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and morphology analysis were conducted within the scope of characterization studies. In vitro cell culture studies were performed using HaCaT cells to illustrate the suitability of the synthesized cryogels as wound dressing material. The swelling tests and BET analysis results showed that swelling and surface area properties of cryogels increased with increasing P. emblica amounts. Morphological results displayed that the cryogels had a dense, interconnected pore morphology and a macroporous structure. 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT), trypan blue exclusion and live-dead assay results revealed that adding of P. emblica into cryogels led to enhanced cell proliferation, increased cell number, and improved cell viability. Based on the phase contrast microscope, scanning electron microscope (SEM), immunofluorescence and giemsa staining images, it was observed that P. emblica promoted cell attachment, proliferation and penetration. In conclusion, it has been shown that PVA/Gel/P.emblica cryogels are suitable for use as wound dressing materials and can be developed with further studies.

O26 enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC), possesses a unique pseudocapsule composed of polysaccharides identical to the O antigen in their lipopolysaccharide (LPS) membrane. Therefore, the impact of O26 polysaccharides on the immune evasion mechanisms of capsulated O26 EPEC was investigated. Our findings reveal that the concentration of GlcNAc, an immunodominant unit of O26 polysaccharides capable of activating the MBL (Mannose Biding Lecting) pathway of the complement system, was found to be lower in capsulated EPEC O26 compared to naked shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) O26 strain. It was noted that, unlike the naked STEC strain, the capsulated EPEC O26 strain was protected against lysis by the alternative pathway of the com-plement system by inhibiting C3b adhesion to its bacterial surface. Capsulated EPEC O26 strains were also able to avoid phagocytosis by macrophages. However, the immune evasion provided by the capsule was overcome in the presence of anti-O26 polysaccharide antibodies. Additionally, these antibodies were able to recognize O26 EPEC in the presence of biofilm and inhibit their adhesion to human epithelial cells. Overall, the results indicate that the O26 polysaccharides can generate an effective humoral immune response, making them promising antigens for the de-velopment of a vaccine against capsulated O26 E. coli

Cissus populnea Guill. & Perr. (Vitaceae) is used in traditional medicine to treat microbial infec-tions, venereal diseases, and infertility, among others. The aim of the research is to isolate and characterize the antimicrobial constituent(s) from the stem of C. populnea. The n-butanol fraction of C. populnea being most active was subjected to silica gel column chromatography which led to the isolation of a white solid and white crystalline substances coded compounds C1 and C4C5, respectively. Spectral analysis (1D & 2D-NMR) of the isolated compounds and comparison with literature data indicated C1 to be Bis-(2-ethyloctyl)-phthalate and C4C5 to be a mixture of stig-masterol and β-sitosterol; C4C5 exhibited zone of inhibition ranging from 24 – 29 mm against the test organisms with Candida albicans being the most sensitive organism while Trichophyton rubrum was the least sensitive organism. The standard drugs, Ciprofloxacin had 27 – 37 mm while Flu-conazole and Fulcin exhibited zone of inhibition ranging from 34 mm and 29 – 32 mm, respec-tively. The MIC and MBC/MFC values for C4C5 ranges from 12.5 – 25.0 µg/cm3 and 25.0 – 50.0 µg/cm3 against MRSA, S. aureus, E. coli, C. albicans, T. rubrum, and T. mentagrophyte, respectively. In conclusion, three bioactive compounds were identified for the first time from the stem of C. populnea

This study investigated the anatomical characteristics and pulp quality of tapped Styrax sumatrana wood to facilitate its further utilization. The transverse surface of the tapped S. sumatrana was light or greyish brown in the sapwood and reddish brown in the heartwood. The resin canals of the tapped wood were formed along the growth rings at the boundaries between the heartwood and sapwood. Furthermore, microscopic analyses revealed an irregular outline and rounded epithelial cells at the edges of the intercellular traumatic resin canal (TC). Approximately 8–16 epithelial cells surrounded the resin canals. The fibers in the tapped S. sumatrana were generally thin-walled, whereas those near the TC were thick-walled. Moreover, S. sumatrana were diffuse-porous and exhibited intermediately distinct or indistinct growth ring boundaries. The vessels were mainly in radial multiples and clusters of 3–5. In addition, they showed a diagonal-to-radial pattern arrangement and a few tangential bands. Deposits were observed in some vessels in the tapped part but were absent in the untapped part. The fiber length of the tapped S. sumatrana wood was classified as moderate to extensive and categorized as 2nd grade pulp quality. Finally, the cell walls were classified as thin to moderate.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are soil microorganisms that provide various benefits, such as increasing soil fertility and enhancing plant growth. The present study aimed to propagate arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal spores in trap plants. Soil sampling was carried out in October 2021 on five coffee farms in the central area of Veracruz, Mexico. Soil from coffee plantations and sterile sand were mixed in pots and used for the propagation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and Sorghum vulgare was used as a trap plant. The plants were kept in a greenhouse for 120 days. The abundance of spores in the sorghum trap plants increased significantly (p

Lathyrane-type diterpenes have a wide range of biological activities. Among them, euphoboetirane A (1) exerts neurogenesis-promoting activity. In order to increase the structural diversity of this type of lathyranes to explore their potential use in neurodegenerative disorders, the biotransformation of 1 by Streptomyces puniceus BC-5GB.11 has been investigated. The strain BC-5GB.11, isolated from surface sediments collected from the intertidal zone of the inner Bay of Cadiz, was identified as Streptomyces puniceus, as determined by phylogenetic analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence. Biotransformation of 1 by BC-5GB.11 afforded five products (3-7), all of them reported here for the first time. The main biotransformation pathways involved regioselective oxidation at non-activated carbons (3-5) and isomerization of the D^12,13 double bond (6). In addition, a cyclopropane-rearranged compound was found (7). The structures of all compounds were elucidated on the basis of extensive NMR and HRESIMS spectroscopic studies.

Air pollution, climate change and global warming show direct linkage. Introduction - Background: Research in the field has proposed and demonstrated their link to increased allergenicity in plants, leading to increased allergic diseases. Allergen patterns are changing in response to climate change. Across Europe, up to 12% of the population suffers from allergic diseases (bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis) caused by the pollen grains. The medical costs of these types of allergies are enormous and are increasing with the spread of common ragweed - Ambrosia artemisiifolia* in Europe. In practice, more and more patients are turning to allergists. Methods: Based on these data, the research aims to identify safety measures and specific legislation to control and eradicate common ragweed in the countries most affected by the spread of this plant in Europe, increase in population exposure in countries affected by the presence of common ragweed and the socio-economic impact of allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma at European level.[1][2] Our database search did not reveal any other research that has addressed this topic to date. Results: This research identifies specific legislation to the countries most affected by the spread of this plant pollen grains at European level, changes in allergen patterns and monitoring/safety eradication measures decided by local authorities, and data on the spread of common ragweed over the last two decades, costs per treatment, increased allergic rhinitis and bronchial asthma morbidity in the most affected areas. Conclusions: At European level, there are no universally valid models for eradicating this weed. Various methods can be used to limit the spread of common ragweed and its pollen production (e.g. mowing once or twice a year of overgrown land, ploughing, chemical control, public information, etc.). Local and regional cooperation should be considered essential to promote phytosanitary & safety measures and exchange of information on methods to identify and manage the spread of common ragweed. Unified legislation at European level would help all affected countries; reduce morbidity from respiratory allergic diseases and the costs of treating these diseases.

Antimalarial drug resistance has become a real public health problem despite WHO measures. New sequencing technologies make it possible to investigate genomic variations associated with resistant phenotypes at the genome-wide scale. Based on the use of hemisynthetic nanopores, the PromethION technology from Oxford Nanopore Technologies can produce long-read sequences, in contrast to previous short-read technologies used as gold-standard to sequence Plasmodium. Two clones of P.falciparum (Pf3D7 and PfW2) were sequenced in long-read using the PromethION sequencer from Oxford Nanopore Technologies without genomic amplification. This made it possible to create a processing analysis pipeline for human Plasmodium with ONT Fastq only. De novo assembly revealed N50 lengths of 18,488 kb and 17,502 kb for the Pf3D7 and PfW2, respectively. The genome size was estimated at 23,235,407 base pairs for the Pf3D7 clone and 21,712,038 base pairs for the PfW2 clone. The average genome coverage depth was estimated at 787X and 653X for the Pf3D7 and PfW2 clones, respectively. This study proposes an assembly processing pipeline for the human Plasmodium genome using software’s adapted to large ONT data and the high AT percentage of Plasmodium. This search provides all the parameters, which have been optimized, for use with the software selected in the pipeline.

Gamba grass (Andropogon gayanus Kunth) is a tussock-forming forage species adapted to acid soils of Brazilian savannas and cultivated for grazing pastures. Four decades since its releasing, Planaltina prevails as the most commercialized cultivar of the species, even though the new cultivar BRS Sarandi could be a better alternative for Gamba grass-based farms by presenting greater leaf:stem ratio. The objective of this study was to evaluate the average daily live weight gain (ADG) of Nellore bulls (Bos indicus) for two Gamba grass cultivars – Planaltina and Sarandi. The experiment was conducted in Planaltina, Federal District, Brazil, during 3 years, namely 2018, 2018-2019 and 2020. The experimental design was completely randomized block with two treatments and three replicates, each one continuously stocked at three stocking rates (SR) - 1.3, 2.6 and 4 young bulls/ha. Canopy height (CH), forage mass (FM), plant-part proportion (leaf, stem and dead material) and nutritive value were evaluated. In 2018, mean ADG for Sarandi pastures was greater (0.690 kg/bull/d) than Planaltina (0.490 kg/bull/d) (P=0.0839). In the subsequent year (2018-2019), there was no effect of cultivar (P = 0.4089), while in 2020 the ADG was again affected by cultivar (P=0.0412), confirming the advantage of Sarandi (0.790 kg/bull/d) over Planaltina (0.650 kg/bull/d). In 2018 and 2020, the percentage of stems for Sarandi was about 3-6 pp lesser than for Planaltina (P

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) health is crucial for honey bee products, and effective pollination and is closely associated with gut bacteria. Various factors such as reduced habitat, temperature, disease, and diet affect the health of honey bees, by disturbing the homeostasis of the gut microbiota. In this study, high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to analyze the gut microbiota of Apis mellifera subjected to seven different diets. The identified microbiota in the Apis mellifera gut from all the diets consisted of Lactobacillus (62%), followed by Rhizobiaceae (21%), Snodgrassella (4%), and Erwiniaceae (4%) among other 33 genera. Based on diet types, Lactobacillus a lactic acid bacteria (LAB), dominates the microbiota with the highest relative abundance in AIGT+SAC (91%), AIGT+Soytide (88%), and AIGT+Apple juice (69%) diet groups. Bifidobacterium and Commensalibacter appeared as the second most abundant genera in AIGT+SAC and AIGT+Soytide diet groups, respectively. These bacteria are important markers for honey bee health. Considering the importance of these diets in shaping their host microbiome into a healthy status. Individual honey bee health (IHH) was observed to validate the quality and correlation between the microbiota and honey bee health. The results were consistent, indicating that Apis mellifera fed on AIGT+Soytide and AIGT+SAC diet showed the highest health expression level of vitellogenin. The group with 60%Syrup possessing Rhizobiaceae as the dominant taxa showed poor health status. This finding paved the way for establishing a link between gut microbiota and IHH under different diets.

The southeast of Spain is one of the most arid and desertification-prone areas in continental Europe, with climate change contributing to this situation. Climatic conditions affect the availability of water in the plant structures of wild species, facilitating the onset and/or spread of forest fires and increasing aridity. The Region of Murcia, in southeastern Spain, has small forest stands of gall oak (Quercus faginea) with relict value. It is of interest to investigate the situation of these stands, allowing us to know about their distribution and their evolution in the face of climate change. For this purpose, previous dasometric, available from a specific stand, studies are considered to be contrasted with current data, individual trees were geolocated, and distribution maps of contrasting environmental conditions were created. In general, gall oak has been observed to be distributed up to 1200 m altitude, especially in shady areas and embedded valleys and north-northeast orientations. Importantly, there was a positive evolution of the vegetative development, with increments in the number of trees during the study period, despite some negative affections in specific areas due to climate change.

In an era of increasing interest in the potential health benefits of medicinal foods, the need to assess their safety and potential toxicity remains a critical concern. While these natural remedies have garnered substantial attention for their therapeutic potential, a comprehensive understanding of their effects on living organisms is essential. We examined 316 herbal extracts to determine their potential nematocidal attributes in Caenorhabditis elegans. Approximately 16% of these extracts exhibited the capacity to induce diminished survival rates and larval arrest, establishing a correlation between larval arrest and overall worm viability. Certain extracts led to an unexpected increase in male nematodes, accompanied by a discernible reduction in DAPI-stained bivalent structures and perturbed meiotic advancement, thereby disrupting the conventional developmental processes. Notably, Onobrychis cornuta and Veratrum lobelianum extracts activated a DNA damage checkpoint response via the ATM/ATR and CHK-1 pathways; hindering germline development. Our LC‒MS analysis revealed jervine in V. lobelianum and nine antitumor compounds in O. cornuta. Interestingly, linoleic acid replicated phenotypes induced by O. cornuta exposure, including an increased level of pCHK-1 foci, apoptosis, and the MAPK pathway. We observed that mutants in the MAPK pathway suppressed the reduction in worm survival, emphasizing its role in survivability, meiotic progression, and DNA damage checkpoint-mediated apoptosis. This study reveals complex interactions between herbal extracts and C. elegans processes, shedding light on potential antitumor effects and mechanisms. The findings provide insights into the complex landscape of herbal medicine's impact on a model organism, offering implications for broader applications.

Involving industrial waste into economic circulation, in particular flotation waste from coal enrichment, is an urgent task. The coal preparation waste of ArcelorMittal Temirtau JSC was studied with a view to the possibility of using it as an alternative substitute for coke breeze in the sintering process. During a thermoanalytical study on a synchronous thermal analyzer STA 449 NETZSCH in dynamic mode with a heating rate of 10, 20, 30 °C/min in an air flow of 30 cm³/min in the temperature range 30–1000 °C, we determined the lower heat of combustion of carbon-containing material, change mass during calcination, change and rate of change in the mass of the sample, thermal effect of the process, the temperature of the beginning, end and maximum development of thermal effects. It has been established that the greatest mass loss is observed in the temperature range 580 °C- 610 °C, which is about 65–67% of the total mass of the organic component of coal. The maximum burnout rate corresponds to a temperature of 540–563 °C. The lowest calorific value of the studied waste was 15.9 MJ/kg. The results of thermal analytical research and technical analysis substantiate the possibility of using flotation waste in a mixture of up to 10% with coke breeze for combustion in the sintering layer for the production of sinter. Analysis of the composition of flotation waste showed that they have a high specific surface area (56.8∙10³ m²/kg), are highly dispersible, soggy, and capable of swelling, and the predominant amount of clay substance makes them a plastic material. The possibilities of using coal flotation waste as an alternative substitute for coke breeze have been studied after the regimes of its preparation for sintering have been developed and a rational regime of layer-by-layer combustion in the sintering layer has been established. The optimal ratio of coke and OPC in the fuel mixture of the sintering charge was determined.

Brown leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria spp. is among the most common diseases in potato crops. Typical brown spot symptoms were observed in commercial potato-cultivated areas of northern Korea during June 2021–2022. In total, 77 isolates were collected, and based on sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, the collected isolates were identified as Alternaria spp. (83.1%). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that a majority of these isolates clustered within a clade that included A. alternata. Additionally, the ITS region and rpb2 yielded the most informative sequences for the identification of A. alternata. Pathogenicity tests confirmed that the collected pathogens elicited identical symptoms in the field. In the pathogenicity test performed on seven commercial cultivars, the pathogens exhibited strong virulence in both wound and non-wound inoculations. Among the cultivars tested, Arirang-1ho, Arirang-2ho, and Golden Ball were resistant to the pathogens. Furthermore, when testing effective fungicides in vitro, mancozeb and difenoconazole were found to be effective agents for inhibiting mycelial growth. In summary, our findings suggest that A. alternata plays a critical role in leaf disease in potato crop regions and emphasise the necessity for continuous monitoring and management to protect against this disease in South Korea.

Cardiovascular comorbidity is a common companion of psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Recently, a significant link has been found between the HLA-Cw6 allele and a better cardiometabolic profile in these patients. We aimed to check this finding in our setting. Cross-sectional observational study (n: 572 psoriasis patients, 30% with PsA). Different study variables were collected in detail, as well as classic cardiometabolic risk factors. The distribution of the HLA-Cw6 allele and the IFIH1/MDA5 gene variants previously linked to disease risk was determined in the study cohort and stratified according to the cardiometabolic comorbidity. Linear and logistic regression models were constructed to analyze these associations. The study cohort included 309 men and 263 women, mean age 46.7 years (SD 14.5), mean disease duration 19.4 years (SD 14.8). We confirmed the known association between HLA-Cw6 and type I psoriasis (familial, severe, early onset). Psoriasis severity (OR: 2.14), female sex (OR: 1.63), and the IFIH1/MDA5 rs1990760 TT genotype (OR: 1.62) were significantly related to PsA, while HLA-Cw6 resulted protective (OR: 0.65). HLA-Cw6 carriers showed lower waist perimeter, lower BMI, and lower risk of both hypertension (OR: 0.52, p<0.001) and diabetes (OR: 0.36, p<0.001), but these findings were no longer apparent upon adjusted regression models. No IFIH1/MDA5 gene variant was associated with any cardiometabolic risk factor. The influence of HLA-Cw6 on the cardiometabolic risk profile of psoriatic patients seems to be explained by other factors (age, sex, duration of the disease or arthritis) and not by this biomarker itself.

Black spot disease is associated with the breakdown of chitin by chitinolytic bacteria resulting in extensive black lesions across the body of crustaceans. Black spot is prevalent across most fished crustaceans worldwide. Severely infected individuals are rejected from the fishery resulting in financial loss to both fisher’s and seafood export and processing companies. Ecologically, populations with high infection rates may have increased mortalities resulting in fewer individuals surviving the population. The prevalence and severity of shell disease in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus, of various size classes, was assessed via scaled images taken from crabs sampled within the Berwickshire Marine Reserve, UK. A total of 22.4% of individuals across all size groups were found to contain black spot lesions. Male crabs were more commonly affected (26.21%), with more body parts showing lesions and a greater overall blackspot coverage (1.75%) than females (16.43% and 1% respectively). Crabs under the MLS (140mm) showed a significantly higher black spot coverage, but size did not significantly affect infection rates. Carapace and chelae were the most commonly affected areas. Compared to previous studies the Berwickshire Marine Reserve has a relatively low prevalence of black spot disease in Cancer pagurus.

Banana is one of the most important fruits in the world due to its status as a major food source for more than 400 million people. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense tropical race 4 (Foc TR4) causes substantial losses of banana crops every year, and molecular host resistance mechanisms are currently unknown. We here performed a genome-wide analysis of the autophagy related protein 8 (ATG8) family in a wild banana species. The banana genome was found to contain 10 MaATG8 genes. Four MaATG8s formed a gene cluster in the distal part of chromosome 4. Phylogenetic analysis of ATG8 families in banana, Arabidopsis thaliana, Citrus, rice, and ginger revealed five major phylogenetic clades shared by all of these plant species, demonstrating evolutionary conservation of the MaATG8 families. The transcriptomic analysis of plants infected with Foc TR4 showed that almost all of the MaATG8 genes were more highly induced in resistant cultivars than in susceptible cultivars. Finally, MaATG8F was found to interact with MaATG4B in vitro (with yeast two-hybrid assays), and MaATG8F and MaATG4B all positively regulated banana resistance to Foc TR4. Our study provides novel insights into the structure, distribution, evolution, and expression of the MaATG8 family in bananas. Furthermore, the discovery of interactions between MaATG8F and MaATG4 could facilitate future researches of disease resistance genes for genetic improvement of bananas.

The increase in incidence of superficial fungal infections combined with the emergence of antifungal resistance represents both a global health challenge and a considerable economic burden. Recently, dermatophytes, the main culprit causing superficial fungal infections, have started to exhibit antifungal resistance. This can be observed in some of the most common species such as Trichophyton rubrum and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Importantly, the new subspecies, known as Trichophyton indotineae, has been reported to show high resistance to terbinafine, a first-line treatment for dermatophyte infections. Compounding these issues is the realization that diagnosing the causative infectious agents requires using molecular analysis that goes beyond the conventional macroscopic and microscopic methods. These findings emphasize the importance of conducting antifungal susceptibility testing to select the appropriate antifungal necessary for successful treatment. Implementing these changes may improve clinical practices that combat resistant dermatophyte infections.

Toxic runoff from heavy rains on 26 September 2019 caused a complete fish kill on the 2-km-long headwater reach of Garvin Brook, Winona County, Minnesota, USA. This project examined recovery of the slimy sculpin (Uranidea cognata) population within the lower 900 m of the kill zone, comparing relative abundance estimates and size structures between the kill zone and a downstream, unimpacted reference section. Electrofishing surveys were conducted at 24 sites (12 within both kill and reference zones) at six, 11, 18, 28, and 42 months post-kill to assess relative abundance (catch-per-effort [CPE], fish/min) and population age structures (based on total length). At six months post-kill, sculpin were present throughout the kill zone. However, adult CPE declined significantly with upstream distance, suggestive of on-going immigration of adult sculpin from downstream. Age structures were similar in kill and reference zones with all size/age groups present in both zones after six months, while CPE was twice as high in the reference (6.3 fish/min) versus the kill zone (3.0 fish/min). After 11 months, CPE did not differ between zones (14 fish/min) and remained that way for the remainder of the study. However, age structures differed dramatically between zones at both 11 and 18 months post-kill; adult sculpin were significantly more abundant in the reference zone, whereas juvenile fish dominated the kill zone. By 28 months post-kill, both sculpin abundance and age structure within the kill zone had fully recovered from the kill. Sculpin recovery was accomplished mostly through enhanced reproduction within the kill zone following initial post-kill movements of both adult and juvenile fish into the kill zone from downstream. Low predation on juvenile sculpin due to reduced abundance of trout and adult sculpin post-kill likely allowed more rapid recovery of the sculpin population within the kill zone.

Geijera Schott is a plant genus of the Rutaceae Juss. (rue and citrus) family, comprising six species which are all native to Oceania. Of the plants belonging to this genus, the most significant species that has a customary use is Geijera parviflora, which was used by Indigenous Australians, primarily as a pain reliever. Herein, a comprehensive review of the literature published on the genus Geijera from 1930-2023 was conducted. This is the first review for this plant genus and it highlights the chemical constituents reported to date, together with the range of pharmacological properties described from the various species and different parts of the plant. These properties include anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-parasitic, insect repellent, analgesic, neuroactive, and anti-cancer activities. Finally, a reflection on some of the important areas for future focused studies of this plant genus is provided.

Ixodes scapularis is a blood-feeding obligate ectoparasite responsible for transmitting the Lyme disease (LD) agent, Borrelia burgdorferi. During the feeding process, I. scapularis injects B. burgdorferi into the host along with its saliva, facilitating the transmission and colonization of the LD agent. Tick calreticulin (CRT) is one of the earliest tick saliva proteins identified and is currently utilized as a biomarker for tick bites. Our recent findings revealed elevated levels of CRT in the saliva proteome of B. burgdorferi-infected I. scapularis nymphs compared to uninfected ticks. Differential precipitation of proteins (DiffPOP) and LC-MS/MS analyses were used to identify the interactions between Ixs (I. scapularis) CRT and human plasma proteins and further exploring its potential role in shielding B. burgdorferi from complement killing. We observed that although yeast expressed recombinant (r) IxsCRT binds to the C1 complex (C1q, C1r, and C1s), the activator of complement via the classical cascade, it did not inhibit deposition of the membrane attack complex (MAC) via the classical pathway. Intriguingly, rIxsCRT binds intermediate complement proteins (C3, C5, and C9) and reduces MAC deposition through the lectin pathway. Despite inhibition of MAC deposition in the lectin pathway, rIxsCRT did not protect a serum sensitive B. burgdorferi strain (B314/pBBE22Luc) from complement-induced killing. As B. burgdorferi establishes a local dermal infection before disseminating to secondary organs, it is noteworthy that rIxsCRT promotes the replication of B. burgdorferi in culture. We hypothesize that rIxsCRT may contribute to the transmission and/or host colonization of B. burgdorferi by acting as a decoy activator of complement and by fostering B. burgdorferi replication at the transmission site.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is characterized by a continuous decline in kidney function, often persisting for years or even a lifetime. This study presents a new exploration into the extraction and application of insect chitosan (Tenebrio molitor) targeting hemodialysis (HD). Initially, the potential of insect-derived chitosan as a sustainable and effective alternative to traditional sources (i.e. crustaceans) is demonstrated. Efficient extraction methods were developed (totaling between 6 h and 12 h), producing chitosan. Firstly, chitin was efficiently isolated from T. molitor through deproteinization and demineralization, with yields of approximately 5% (w/w). Subsequently, chitosan was obtained from the extracted chitin resulting in yields of between 65.0 ± 0.8% (w/w) and 79.3 ± 0.8% (w/w). Characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed structural similarities with commercial chitosan and degrees of deacetylation in the 73 - 75% range. The bioactive properties of chitosan obtained from T. molitor, including antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, were evaluated. All the microorganisms tested were inhibited, exhibiting minimum lethal concentrations between 2 and 8 mg/mL, confirming the antimicrobial activity of the extracted chitosan. In addition, chitosan showed antioxidant activity in the range of 60 to 65 µmol Trolox equivalent/g, suggesting its viability for various medical applications.This study also developed a chitosan-based membrane (CH - M) culminating in a proof-of-concept phase for hemodialysis. The permeation characteristics of CH-M for urea and albumin were studied in vitro to assess their suitability as HD membranes. Urea was permeable to values of over 70% and albumin was retained.

Burkholderia are a group of Gram-negative bacteria that can cause a variety of diseases in at-risk populations. B. pseudomallei and B. mallei, the etiological agents of melioidosis and glanders, respectively, are the two clinically relevant members of the B. pseudomallei complex (Bpc). The development of vaccines against Bpc species has been accelerated in recent years, resulting in numerous promising subunits and glycoconjugate vaccines incorporating a variety of antigens. However, a second group of pathogenic Burkholderia species exists known as the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc), a group of opportunistic bacteria which tend to affect individuals with weakened immunity or cystic fibrosis. To date there have been few attempts to develop vaccines to Bcc species. Therefore, the primary goal of this review is to provide a broad overview of the various subunit antigens that have been tested in Bpc species, their protective efficacy, study limitations, and known or suspected mechanisms of protection. Then, we assess the reviewed Bpc antigens for their amino acid sequence conservation to homologous proteins found in Bcc species. We propose that protective Bpc antigens with a high degree of Bpc-to-Bcc sequence conservation could serve as components of a pan-Burkholderia vaccine capable of protecting against both disease-causing groups.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) infections represent the fourth-leading cause of death attributable to antimicrobial resistance globally, but a standardized therapy is still lacking. In this narrative review we focused the antibiotic treatment of CRAB infections in view of newly β-lactam agents (NBLs) like sulbactam/durlobactam and cefiderocol, discussing the main hot points such as the superiority of combination treatment over monotherapy and the best antibiotic partner to use in combination. Sulbactam/durlobactam seems to be the best candi-date to replace current back-bone agents. Cefiderocol, could play a crucial role in combina-tion-regimen. Due to toxicity and the PK/PD limitations, colistin (or polymyxin B) should be used as an alternative agent (when no other options are available). Tigecycline (or minocycline) and fosfomycin could represent suitable partners for both NBLs. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) are needed to better evaluate the role of NBLs in CRAB infection treatment and to compare the ef-ficacy of tigecycline and fosfomycin as partner antibiotics. Synergism should be tested between NBLs and “old” drugs (rifampicin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole). Huge efforts should be made to accelerate pre-clinical and clinical studies on safer polymyxin candidates with lung im-proved activity, as well as on the i.v. rifabutin formulation.

Ipomoea batatas L. (IBL) has gained significant popularity as a complementary therapy or herbal medicine in the treatment of anti-diabetes. The objective of this review is to examine the mechanism of action of flavonoid compounds found in IBL that can activate GLP-1 as an anti-diabetic agent. The review article refers to PRISMA guidelines. The literature search was conducted using electronic databases such as Crossref, Pubmed, Scopus, and Science Direct. The search query was based on specific keywords, including Ipomoea batatas OR sweet potato AND anti-diabetic OR hypoglycemic. A total of 1055 articles were found, but only 32 articles were selected for further review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. IBL contains various compounds, including phenolic acid, flavonols, flavanols, flavones, and anthocyanins, which exhibit activity against anti-diabetes. Flavonols, flavonols, and flavones belong to a group of flavonoids that possess the ability to form complexes with AlCl3 and Ca2+. Retention of Ca2+ within intracellular L cells, resulting in the release of GLP-1. Flavonols, flavones, and flavone groups have been found to strongly interact with DPP-IV, which inhibits the degradation of GLP-1. This mechanism effectively prolongs the half-life of GLP-1 in the systemic system, thereby contributing to the anti-diabetic activity of IBL

To search for novel thermostable esterase for optimized industrial applications, esterase from a thermophilic eubacterium species, Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis MB4 was purified and characterised in this work. Sequence analysis of T. tengcongensis esterase with other homologous esterases of the same family revealed an apparent tail at the C-terminal that is not conserved across the esterase family. Hence, it was hypothesized that the tail is unlikely to have an essential structural or catalytic role. However, there is no documented report of any role for this tail region. We probed the role of the C-terminal domain on the catalytic activity and substrate preference of Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis esterase EstA3 with a view to see how it could be engineered for enhanced properties. To achieve this, we cloned, expressed, and purified the wild-type and the truncated version of the enzyme. In addition, a naturally occurring member of the family (from B. brevis) that lacks the C-terminal tail was also made. In vitro characterization of the purified enzymes showed that the C-terminal domain contributes significantly to the catalytic activity and distinct substrate preference of T. tengcongensis esterase EstA3. All the three recombinant enzymes showed highest preference to paranitrophenyl butyrate (pNPC4), which suggests they are true esterases, not lipases. kinetic data revealed that truncation had a slight effect on the substrate-binding affinity. Thus, the drop in preference towards long-chain substrates might not be a result of substrate binding affinity alone.

Three new compounds (1, 11 and 12), together with 32 known ones, were isolated from the root bark of Morus alba L. using various chromatographic methods. The structures of the undescribed compounds were elucidated based on 1D, 2D NMR and HRESIMS data analysis, while the known ones were identified by comparison of their spectroscopic data with those reported in the literature. All the isolates were evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against human gastric cancer HGC27 cells by CCK-8 assay. Among them, compounds 5, 8, 10 and 30 exhibited cytotoxic activities on HGC27 cells with IC50 values of 10.24 ± 0.89 μM, 28.94 ± 0.72 μM, 6.08 ± 0.34 μM and 33.76 ± 2.64 μM, respectively. Furthermore, compound 10 was confirmed to reduce proliferation ability, increase apoptosis rate and inhibit cell migration pathway by annexin V/PI double staining experiment, transwell experiment and western blot analysis.

Bacteria can colonize and develop biofilm on a large variety of biotic and abiotic materials, it is accountable for nosocomial infections and chronic illness and consequently, it is a serious economic and public health problem. Staphylococcus epidermidis, thanks to its ability to form biofilm and colonize biomaterials, represents the most frequent causative agent involved in bio-film-associated infections of medical devices. Due to the biofilm presence, S. epidermidis infections are extremely difficult to treat and the research of new molecules able to interfere with its biofilm formation has a remarkable interest. In the present work, the attention was focused on Pseudomonas sp. TAE6080, an Antarctic marine bacterium able to produce and secrete an effective antibiofilm compound. The molecule responsible for this activity was purified by an activity-guided approach and it resulted to be a periplasmic protein, named Cold-Azurin. The Cold-Azurin was recombinantly produced in E. coli and purified. The recombinant protein was able to impair S. epidermidis attachment to the polystyrene surface and effectively prevent biofilm formation.

The present study aimed to determine the genetic diversity of isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) from presumed drug resistant tuberculosis patients from several states of Brazil. The isolates had been submitted to conventional drug susceptibility testing for first- and second-line drugs. Multidrug-resistant (MDR-TB) (54.8%) was the most frequent phenotypic resistance profile, in addition to an important high frequency of pre-extensively resistant (p-XDR-TB) (9.2%). Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS), we characterized 298 Mtb isolates from Brazil. Besides analysis of genotype distribution and possible correlations between molecular and clinical data, we determined the performance of an in-house WGS pipeline with other online pipelines for Mtb lineages and drug resistance profile definition. Sub-lineage 4.3 (52%) was the most frequent genotype and the genomic approach revealed a p-XDR-TB level of 22.5%. We detected 20 novel mutations in three resistance genes, and six of these were observed in eight phenotypically resistant isolates. Cluster analysis of 170 isolates showed that 43.5% of the TB patients belonged to 24 genomic clusters, suggesting considerable ongoing transmission of DR-TB, including two interstate transmissions. The in-house WGS pipeline showed the best overall performance in drug-resistance prediction, presenting the best accuracy values to five of nine drugs tested. Significant associations were observed between suffering from fatal disease and genotypic p-XDR-TB (p = 0.03) and either phenotypic (p = 0.006) and genotypic (p = 0.0007) ethambutol resistance. The use of WGS analysis improved our understanding of the population structure of MTBC in Brazil, genetic and clinical data correlations and demonstrating its utility for surveillance efforts for spread of DR-TB, hopefully helping to avoid the emergence of even more resistant strains and to reduce TB incidence and mortality rates.

Using qRT-PCR analysis, the LcIL-8 expression level indicated broad expression in most detected tissues, with the most predominant expression in whole blood at 6 to 24 h after infection with S. iniae at concentrations of 105 colony-forming unit (CFU)/fish (p &lt; 0.05). After immersion with F. covae, the LcIL-8 transcript was upregulated in the gills, liver and intestine, with the highest expression level found in the gills. However, LcIL-8 was downregulated in all tested tissues at 48 and 96 h after infection with the two pathogenic strains, indicating that Lc-IL8 has a short half-life during the early immune responses to pathogens. MIC analysis of rLcIL-8 protein against S. iniae was 10.42 ± 3.61 µg/mL. Furthermore, the functional analyses clearly demonstrated that 10 and 100 µg of rLcIL-8 protein efficiently enhanced the phagocytic activity of Asian seabass phagocytes in vitro (p &lt; 0.05). Additionally, in vivo injection of S. iniae following the rLcIL-8 protein indicated that 50 and 100 µg of rLc-IL-8 were highly effective in protecting fish from the tested pathogen (p &lt; 0.001). These results indicate that rLcIL-8 plays a crucial role in the defense mechanisms against bacterial infections in the target fish.

Bats are natural hosts for a wide variety of viruses and could therefore be the reservoir, source and spillover for several mammalian viruses, including adenoviruses. We examined faecal samples from 12 bats (five species of the family Vespertilionidae) from central Russia (Moscow Region) and found that two of them (16%) were positive for mastadenoviruses. One of the identified viruses was isolated from faeces of Nyctalis noctule and named BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19. The genome of the BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19 was 37,915 bp in length. Comparative studies have shown significant divergence of the nucleotide sequence of the BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19 genome from European mastadenoviruses, the highest genome sequence similarity was to isolate WA3301 from an Australian bat. Phylogenetic analysis, as well as a comparative analysis of the protein coding genes to homologous available from public database, showed evidence of novel species within Mastadenovirus genus (preliminary named «K»). Analysis of the short part of the DNA polymerase gene of BatAdV/MOW15-Nn19 reveals few NCBI records from Europe with high identity to the new virus, i.e. mastadenoviruses related to the new species are circulating in European bats. The partial genome of another mastadenovirus from Pipistrellus nathusii was identified, it represented bat adenovirus species B, which is widely distributed in European Vespertilionidae bats. New data on the genetic diversity of bat adenoviruses may help to better understand how they evolved in mammals and spread across Europe.

Serine peptidases (SPs) of the chymotrypsin S1A subfamily are an extensive group of enzymes found in all animal organisms, including insects. Here we provide analysis of SPs in the yellow mealworm Tenebrio molitor transcriptomes and genomes datasets and profile their expression pattern at various stages of ontogeny. A total of 269 SPs were identified, including 137 with con-served catalytic triad residues, while others 125 lacking conservation were proposed as non-active serine peptidase homologs (SPHs). Seven deduced sequences exhibit a complex do-main organization with two or three peptidase units (domains), predicted both as active or non-active. The largest group of 84 SP and 102 SPH had no regulatory domains in the propep-tide, and the majority of them were expressed only in the feeding life stages, larvae and adults, presumably playing an important role in digestion. The remaining 53 SP and 23 SPH had differ-ent regulatory domains, showed constitutive or upregulated expression at eggs or/and pupae stages, participating in regulation of various physiological processes. The majority of polypep-tidases was mainly expressed at the pupal and adult stages. The data obtained expand our knowledge on SPs/SPHs and provide a foundation for further research on the functions of this gene family in T. molitor.

Silybum marianum is a therapeutic plant belonging to the family Asteraceae. It contains silymarin, as its principal component, and has been reported to demonstrate hepatoprotective activity. The study was aimed to investigate the phytochemical constituents, synthesis of nanoparticles, antioxidant activity and antimicrobial effects of the leaf extract. Extracts were synthesized from AgNO3 and characterized via FT-IR, U.V and XRD. The antioxidant activity was determined using DPPH, H2O2 and β-carotene assays. Similarly, all extracts expressed significant DPPH inhibition (IC50) of 5.1, 5.0, 4.7, 2.3, 4.3 and 1.1 (ug/mL), H2O2 of 1.3, 2.2, 4.7, 5.6, 4.0 and 1.0 (ug/mL) from the methanol/water extract, nanoparticles, n-Hexane, ETOAC, n-Butanol and Ascorbic acid (standard) respectively. The extract exerted scavenging activity on β-carotene with a significant IC50 inhibition of 1.5, 0.8, 5.2, 0.8, 2.7, 4.8 at 0 hour and 1.5, 0.8, 5.2, 0.8, 2.7 and 4.8 (ug/mL) after 2 hours water bath incubation at 50°C in the order of the extracts above. Additionally, nanoparticles and plant extracts significantly (p<0.0001) inhibited the growth of bacteria with mean zone of inhibition ranging 7-13 mm and 4-11 mm. This study demonstrated that extracts from different solvents of S. marianum possess significant antioxidant activity, as well as antimicrobial effects which are all concentration dependent. Thus, the result suggests that methanolic/water leaf extract of S. marianum could serve as a potential source of antioxidants and can be explored as a therapeutic agent in free radical induced diseases.

Gullele Botanic Garden was established to preserve and safeguard indigenous, rare, endemic and endangered plant species that have economic significance. A study was conducted to identify and map non-native plant species that exist in various land use types, including natural vegetation, plantation, roadside, and garden edges. The research involved placing plots at different distances in each land use type and collecting vegetation data with geo-location information for exotic and invasive species. The data was analyzed using Sorensen's similarity index to measure the similarity between plant communities. Invasive species were identified using ArcGIS, and descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze the remaining data. The recorded a total of 80 plant species belonging to 70 genera in 44 families in the garden, with Fabaceae and Asteraceae having the most species. Acacia decurrens, Acacia melanoxylon, Cuscuta campestris, Galinsoga parviflora, Nerium oleander, and Cyathula uncinulata are the most prevalent invasive or potentially invasive species among the species that have been documented. These species are spreading quickly and may displace native plant species if not properly managed. The study found that roadside and garden edge land use types had the most diverse exotic plants, with Acacia decurrens, Nerium oleander, Acacia melanoxylon, Agave species, Cyathula uncinulata, and Eucalyptus species being the most dominant exotic species in the garden. The total density of exotic species was 2.36 plants/m2. The study provides valuable information for managing and conserving both native and exotic plant species in the garden.

Salmonella typhimurium is the predominant serovar identified in cases of salmonellosis. It is recognised for adhering to various surfaces and creating biofilm, leading to several foodborne outbreaks and antibiotic resistance. Actinomycetes are thought to possess a wide array of antibacterial characteristics that can combat different diseases. Currently, it is unclear whether it has antibiofilm properties against S. typhimurium. This study aimed to assess the antibiofilm efficacy of actinomycetes extracts against S. typhimurium ATCC 14028 by the Crystal Violet assay. Four actinomycetes isolates, EAS5, EAS7, EAA141, and EAA11, were obtained from BRIS soil in Terengganu. The actinomycetes isolates were extracted using ethyl acetate (EA). S. typhimurium was exposed to extracts for 6, 12, and 18 hours. The results showed that all EA extracts effectively prevented the S. typhimurium biofilm at 12 and 18 hours. EAAA11 was the most effective against the 12-hour biofilm, whereas EAS5 was the most effective against the 18-hour biofilm among these extracts. In conclusion, actinomycetes isolated from the BRIS soil in Terengganu show potential for controlling Salmonella infection.

Anorectal malformations (ARMs) represent a wide spectrum of congenital anomalies of the anus and rectum, of which more than half are syndromic. Their etiology is highly heterogeneous and still poorly understood. We report a 4-year-old girl who initially presented with an isolated ARM, and subsequently developed a global developmental delay as part of an ARID1B-related Coffin-Siris syndrome (CSS). The co-occurrence of ARMs and CSS in an individual is unexpected since both diseases are very rare. A review of the literature enabled us to identify 12 individuals with both CSS and ARMs. Among these 12 individuals, 9 had a variant in ARID1A, 2 in ARID1B, and 1 in SMARCA4. This more frequent than expected association between CSS and ARM indicates that some ARMs are likely a rare consequence of CSS, especially for ARID1A-related CSS.

Klebsiella pneumoniae is a leading cause of healthcare acquired infections. The severity of the infections is multifactorial including virulence and antimicrobial resistance properties. The objective of the study was to investigate the virulence determinants of K. pneumoniae strains colonizing patients hospitalized in the intensive care units (ICU) of a tertiary hospital in Uganda. A hospital based cross-sectional study involving 103 patients admitted in the ICU of Mulago National Referral hospital was conducted from January 2022 to April 2022. A total of 31 identified clinical strains of K. pneumoniae isolated from rectal swabs of the same number of patients were characterized. Susceptibility testing of colistin was performed by broth microdilution method, thereafter, 5 colistin resistant K. pneumoniae were purposefully selected for whole genome sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using established web-based tools to detect virulence genes, sequence type and other genomic features. Numerous virulence factor genes related to pathogenicity of K. pneumoniae were identified. They ranged from those related to colonization to those of persistence and dissemination including capsule genes (wzi), siderophore systems; yersiniabactin (ybt15), aerobactin (iutA), enterobactin (entC, entD, entF, entS, fepB, fepD, fepG, fes), and salmochelin (iroN), secretion systems; type II (T2SS) and type VI (T6SS-1). Furthermore, the isolates harbored outer membrane protein (ompA) gene, biofilm synthesis gene (fimH) and several adhesion genes. The results demonstrate the dual-risk of K. pneumoniae strains combining high level of virulence and colistin resistance which is a great concern as it leads to unmanageable infection outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality.

Mulberry (Morus alba L), a significant fruit tree crop, requires magnesium (Mg) for its optimal growth and productivity. Nonetheless, our understanding of the molecular basis underlying magnesium stress tolerance in mulberry plants remains unexplored. In our previous study, we identified several differential candidate genes associated with Mg homeostasis via transcriptome analysis including xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolase (XTH) gene family. The XTH gene family is crucial for plant cell wall reconstruction and stress responses. These genes have been identified and thoroughly investigated in various plant species. However, there is no research pertaining to XTH genes within the M. alba plant. This research systematically examined the M. alba XTH (MaXTH) gene family at the genomic level using a bioinformatic approach. In total, 22 MaXTH genes were discovered and contained the Glyco_hydro_16 and XET_C conserved domains. The MaXTH’s were categorized into five distinct groups by their phylogenetic relationships. The gene structure possesses four exons and three introns. Furthermore, the MaXTH gene promoter analysis reveals a plethora of cis-regulatory elements; mainly stress responsiveness, growth and development, light responsiveness, and phytohormone responsiveness. GO analysis indicated that MaXTHs encode proteins that exhibit xyloglucan xyloglucosyl transferase and hydrolase activities in addition cell wall biogenesis as well as xyloglucan and carbohydrate metabolic processes. Moreover, a synteny analysis unveiled an evolutionary relationship between the XTH genes in M. alba and those in three other species: A. thaliana, P. trichocarpa, and Zea mays. Expression profiles from RNA-Seq data displayed distinct expression patterns of XTH genes in M. alba leaf tissue during Mg treatments. Real-time quantitative PCR analysis confirmed the expression of the MaXTH genes in Mg stress response. Overall, this research enhances our understanding of the characteristics of MaXTH gene family members and lays the foundation for future functional genomic study in M. alba.

Chaga (Inonotus obliquus) is a pathogenic fungus that grows mostly on birch species (Betula pendula and B. pubescens) and has traditionally been used as an anti-cancer medicine. The study aimed to compare the chemical composition and cytotoxic activity of chagas growing on both Betula spp. on various cancer cell lines. The freeze dried extracts contained triterpenes inotodiol, lanosterol betulin and betulinic acid typical to conks growing on Betula species. The cytotoxic activity of chaga growing on Betula pendula and B. pubescens 80% ethanolic extracts against thirty-one human cancer cell lines has been evaluated by a sulforhodamine B assay. The strongest inhibitions were observed with chaga (growing on B. pendula) extract on the HepG2 and CAL-62 cell line, and with chaga (from B. pubescens) extract on HepG2 cell line, with IC50 values of 37.71, 43.30, and 49.99 μg/mL, respectively. The chaga extracts from B. pendula exert somewhat stronger effects on most cancer cell lines studied than B. pubescens extracts. This study highlight the potential of chaga as a source of bioactive compounds with selective anti-cancer properties, encouraging further exploration of its therapeutic mechanisms and potential applications in cancer treatment.

Barcoding of DNA is a species identification technique that utilizes a small DNA fragment from a specific gene or genes known as "sequencing." The idea behind DNA barcoding is that a single sequence can be used to specifically identify an organism to species by comparison with a reference library of these DNA sections. Herbal adulteration can be monitored using DNA barcodes that utilize medicinal plants such as Atropa belladonna. Because it is challenging to distinguish between species solely based on morphology, other plants belonging to the same genus are replacing it in trade. Such replacement with plants not utilized for medical purposes could have negative side effects. Also, Atropa belladonna's positive effects can be completely lost. Taxonomists also have trouble distinguishing the genuine Atropa belladonna plant from cultivated items. As a result, DNA barcoding can now be used to overcome this challenge. The development of DNA barcodes may help with trade control, which protects and conserves endangered species from export outside of the country due to their economic and biological significance. In this review, we discuss the DNA barcoding of Atropa belladonna plant in the medicinal plants field.

This study utilized phytochemical screening to conduct qualitative analysis of plant extracts, aiming to identify various classes of secondary metabolites. Moreover, the antibacterial activity of different types of O. vulgare and S. triloba extracts was determined. To achieve the aim of the study, aqueous, ethanolic, and enzymatic extracts were prepared and screened for phytochemical capacity and antioxidant activities. Determination of the antibacterial activity included phenotypic screening of antibiotic susceptibility pattern of oral and food pathogenic bacterial strains, determination of Minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration - Microdilution broth test and in vitro valuation of antibacterial efficacies - anti-biofilm properties of the studied herbal extractions. Results: Our study evaluated the phytochemical composition and the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-biofilm properties of O. vulgare and S. triloba extracts. The analyzed samples contained bioactive compounds, such as phenolics and flavonoids, contributing to the observed strong antioxidant effect. Furthermore, they exhibited notable activity against oral biofilm formation and demonstrated significant antibacterial efficacy against dental caries microorganisms as well as food pathogens. Despite methodological variations, all extracts showed significant antioxidant capacity and promising antibacterial activity against various pathogens, including resistant strains, while also inhibiting biofilm formation. Although limited to two plant species and facing methodological constraints, the study lays a groundwork for future research, indicating the therapeutic potential of O. vulgare and S. triloba extracts. Further exploration is needed to report on underlying mechanisms and validate efficacy through clinical trials.

Background: Across the world, antibiotic resistance is a critical challenge. To address such a problem, it has to be done to investigate new antibiotic sources. Aim of the study: Study of the antibacterial activity of Corallopyronin A in preclinical animal testing and randomized human clinical trials stages 1/2, as well as investigating the purification of Corallopyronin A from different soil conditions in Egypt. Type of the study: Screening experimental study. Methodology: Egypt's various soil conditions were tested to develop bacterial isolates that produced the antibiotic compound Corallopyronin A. Reversed phase HPLC was used to purify Myxopyronin A. The broth microdilution method and the paper disc diffusion assay determined the test antibiotic's minimum inhibitory concentration( MIC) and in vitro antibacterial activity. Moreover, in vivo antibacterial spectrum, adverse medication responses, and pharmacokinetics were found in phases 1/2 of randomized clinical studies involving humans and animal models. Results: Corallopyronin A was generated from the culture supernatant of the soil bacterial isolate Corallococcus coralloides M2, cultivated on a Casein yeast peptone( CYP) plate. The test antibiotic prevented the growth of several Gram-ve bacteria, including Escherichia coli, at MICs higher than 100 mcg/ ml; while blocking the development of many Gram +ve bacteria, with MICs ranging from 3 to 15 mcg/ ml. However, eukaryotic cells—such as those found in fungi and humans—were unaffected. A bactericidal consequence of the test antibiotic was detected in the inhibition of prokaryotic DNA-dependent RNA polymerase( RNLP). Conclusion: The synthesis of the bactericidal antibiotic Corallopyronin A from Corallococcus coralloides M2 isolated from different soil settings in Egypt intrigued the current investigation.

Biocides used in antifouling (AF) paints, such as 4,5-dichlorine-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazole-3-one (DCOIT), can gradually leach into the environment. Some AF compounds can persist in the marine environment and cause harmful effects on non-target organisms. Nanoengineered materials, such as mesoporous silica nanocapsules (SiNC) containing AF compounds, have been developed to control their release rate and reduce their toxicity to aquatic organisms. This study aimed to evaluate the acute toxicity of new nanoengineered materials, SiNC-DCOIT and a silver-coated form (SiNC-DCOIT-Ag), as well as the free form of DCOIT and empty nanocapsules (SiNC), on the sun coral Tubastraea coccinea. T. coccinea is an invasive species and can be an alternative test organism for evaluating the risks to native species, as most native corals are currently threatened. The colonies were collected from the Alcatrazes Archipelago, SP, Brazil, and acclimatized to laboratory conditions. They were exposed for 96h to different concentrations of the tested substances: 3.33, 10, 33, and 100 µg L-1 of free DCOIT; 500, 1000, 2000, and 4000 µg L-1 of SiNC; and 74.1, 222.2, 666.7, and 2000 µg L-1 of SiNC-DCOIT and SiNC-DCOIT-Ag. The test chambers consisted of 500 mL flasks containing the test solutions, and the tests were maintained under constant aeration, constant temperature of 23 ± 2°C, and photoperiod of 12h:12h (light/dark). At the end of the experiments, no lethal effect was observed; however, some sublethal effects were noticeable, such as the exposure of the skeleton in most of the concentrations and replicates, except for the controls, and embrittlement at higher concentrations. Adults of T. coccinea were considered little sensitive to the tested substances. This resistance may indicate a greater capacity for proliferation of the species, which is favored in substrates containing antifouling paints, to the detriment of the native species.

Glucosinolates, the main secondary metabolites accumulated in cruciferous flora, have a major impact on fortifying plant immunity against diverse pathogens. Although Botrytis cinerea exhibits varying sensitivity to these compounds, current research has yet to fully understand the intricate mechanisms governing its response to glucosinolates. Different species of the genus Botrytis were exposed to glucosinolate-breakdown products revealing that B. fabae, B. deweyae and B. convoluta, species lacking the mfsG transporter gene (Bcin06g00026), were more sensitive to glucosin-olate-breakdown products than Botrytis species containing that gene such as B. cinerea, B. pseudo-cinerea and B. byssoidea. This finding was further corroborated by the inability of species lacking the mfsG gene to infect plants with a high concentration of glucosinolate breakdown products. These results challenge established correlations, revealing varying aggressiveness on different plant substrates. Expression analysis highlighted the gene's induction in the presence of isothiocyanate, and bioinformatic investigation identified homologous genes in other Botrytis species. Our study underscored the importance of advanced biotechnology to help understand these proteins and thus offer innovative solutions for agriculture

Leishmania infantum is an hemopathogen of importance for the health of domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), causing canine leishmaniasis (CanL), as well as it is the etiological agent of human visceral leishmaniasis (HVL). This parasite was not reported in southern Brazil until the early 2000s, but CanL and HVL were increasingly reported in the last 15 years, mainly in cities bordering Argentina. The present study aimed to detect L. infantum in urban dogs and to determine the main clinical manifestations in the infected animals from Uruguaiana, a city with a high incidence of CanL. Fifty-one dogs suspected of having CanL in the urban perimeter of the city were clinically examined by veterinarians and investigated for the occurrence of L. infantum with two immunoassays (rapid chromatography test and ELISA) and real-time PCR. Clinical signs were compared in positive and negative L. infantum animals. A total of 31 dogs (60.8%) were infected with L. infantum. The main clinical manifestations associated to CanL dogs were onychogryphosis and peeling (p&lt;0.05). L. infantum was frequently detected in urban dogs from Uruguaiana, highlighting the health concerning situation in this city. The occurrence of some clinical signs (onychogryphosis/peeling) could help to detect more frequently CanL in the canine population.

This study investigates the efficiency of BEAM (Biologically Enhanced Agriculture Management) inoculant, derived from compost produced under Dr. David Johnson-Su's composting technique, in promoting plant growth. A winter mix of pasture comprising Oats, Tetila, unhulled Couch, and Haifa was used as the test crop. Seeds were soaked in BEAM inoculant, water (control), and a competitor product 'Companion.' Results revealed significant enhancements in germination rates, foliage growth, and root development in the BEAM-treated group compared to controls. Further research aims to identify the microbial components of BEAM and explore its potential as a suppressant for fusarium species in orchards.

Marshes are an important ecosystem, acting as biodiversity hotspot, a carbon sink as well as a bioremediation site, breaking down anthropogenic waste such as antibiotics, metals and fertilizers. For participating in these metabolic activities and their capability to contribute to primary productivity, microorganisms in such habitats have become of interest to investigate. Since Proteobacteria were previously found to be abundant, and the waters are well-aerated and organic-rich, this study on the presence of anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria, purple non-sulfur bacteria or aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs in marshes was initiated. Samples were collected at 7 Manitoban sites and anoxygenic phototrophs were cultivated and preliminary enumerated. A group of 14 strains, which represented the phylogenetic diversity of the isolates was further physiologically investigated. Aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs and purple bacteria were present at each location and they belonged to the α- and β-Proteobacteria subphyla. Some were closely related to known heavy metal reducers (Brevundimonas) and xenobiotic decomposers (Novosphingobium, Sphingomonas). All were able to synthesize the photosynthetic complexes aerobically. This research highlights the diversity and potential contribution’s anoxygenic phototrophs make to the essential functions taking place in wetlands.

Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan parasite with the ability to infect various warm-blooded vertebrates, including humans, is the causative agent of toxoplasmosis. This infection poses significant risks, leading to severe complications in immunocompromised individuals and potentially affecting the fetus through congenital transmission. A comprehensive understanding of the intricate molecular interactions between T. gondii and its host is pivotal for the development of effective therapeutic strategies. This review emphasizes the crucial role of proteomics in T. gondii research, with a specific focus on host-parasite interactions, post-translational modifications (PTMs), PTM crosstalk, and ongoing efforts in drug discovery. Additionally, we provide an overview of recent advancements in proteomics techniques, encompassing interactome sample preparation methods such as BioID, APEX, and Y2H, as well as various proteomics approaches, including single-cell analysis, DIA, targeted, top-down, and plasma proteomics. Furthermore, we discuss the integration of proteomics with other omics technologies, highlighting its potential in unraveling the intricate mechanisms of T. gondii pathogenesis and identifying novel therapeutic targets.

This study conducted an extensive analysis of campylobacteriosis surveillance in Portugal from 2009 to 2021, aiming to investigate demographic shifts, seasonal variations, and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within Campylobacter isolates. Surveillance network and sentinel laboratory-based system data revealed a substantial under-notification of campylobacteriosis cases, suggesting an underestimated disease burden. A paradigm shift was observed in notification rates, with a notable prevalence among the pediatric population, particularly in children aged 1-4 years, diverging from European reports. However, the study also highlighted an emerging trend of Campylobacter infections in younger adults (15-44 years). The study unveiled a unique seasonal distribution of cases, defying typical summer peaks seen elsewhere. AMR analysis revealed extremely to very high-level resistance to ciprofloxacin and tetracycline, both in C. jejuni (93.7% and 79.2%, respectively) and in C. coli (96.5% and 93.2%, respectively), stable throughout the studied period (2013-2021). C. coli also exhibited significantly higher resistance to erythromycin, gentamicin, ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (decreased resistance), and ertapenem compared to C. jejuni (P&lt;0.001). In conclusion, the study highlights the need for enhanced surveillance efforts and emphasizes worrying AMR levels. The implementation of WGS-based surveillance is recommended to attain a more profound comprehension of disease patterns and the evolving landscape of AMR.

A new quinazolinone alkaloid, named peniquinazolinone A (1), as well as eleven known com-pounds, 2-(2-hydroxy-3-phenylpropionamido)-N-methylbenzamide (2), viridicatin (3), viridicatol (4), (±)-cyclopeptin (5a/5b), dehydrocyclopeptin (6), cyclopenin (7), cyclopenol (8), methyl-indole-3-carboxylate (9), 2,5-dihydroxyphenyl acetate (10), methyl m-hydroxyphenylacetate (11), conidiogenone B (12), was isolated from the endophytic Penicillium sp. HJT-A-6. The chemical structures of all compounds were elucidated by comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D, 2D NMR, and HRESIMS. The absolute configuration at C-13 of peniquinazolinone A (1) was established by applying the modified Mosher’s method. Compounds 2, 3, and 7 exhibited an op-timal promoting effect on the seed germination of Rhodiola tibetica at a concentration of 0.01 mg/mL, while the optimal concentration for compounds 4 and 9 to promote Rhodiola tibetica seed germination was 0.001 mg/mL. Compound 12 showed optimal seed-germination-promoting activity at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL. Compared with the positive drug 6-benzyladenine (6-BA), compounds 2, 3, 4, 7, 9, and 12 could extend the seed-germination period of Rhodiola tibetica up to the 11th day.

: Background: The polysaccharides are one of the main active ingredients of Polygonum sibiricum (PSP), which is a traditional food and medicine homologues in China. The antidepressant-like effects of PSP and its underlying mechanisms remain to be studied in depth, especially the regulation of microglial polarization. Methods: The chemical composition and structural characteristics of PSP was determined firstly. The CUMS procedure was carried out to the zebrafish for 5 weeks and PSP were immersed administration for 9 days (1 h/d). The body weight of zebrafish was monitored and the behavioral tests, including the novel tank test and light and dark tank test, were performed to evaluate the antidepressant-like effects of PSP. Then the function of HPI axis, the levels of peripheral inflammation, neuronal and blood-brain barrier damage in mesencephalon and telencephalon and the mRNA expression of M1/M2 phenotype genes in brain were examined. Results: PSP samples had the typical structure characteristics of polysaccharide, consisting of glucose, mannose and galactose with the average Mw 20.48 kDa, which owned a porous and agglomerated morphology. Compared with untreated zebrafish, the depression-like behaviors of CUMS-induced zebrafish were significantly attenuated. PSP significantly decreased the levels of cortisol and the pro-inflammatory cytokines and increased the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokines in the body of CUMS-induced depressive zebrafish. Furthermore, neuronal and blood-brain barrier damage in mesencephalon and telencephalon and the mRNA expression of M1/M2 phenotype genes in brain were remarkably reversed by PSP. Conclusion: These findings indicated that the antidepressant-like effects of PSP were related to alter the HPI axis hyperactivation, suppress peripheral inflammation, inhibit neuroinflammation induced by microglia hyperactivation, and modulate microglial M1/M2 polarization. The current study provides foundation to the future exploitation of PSP in the functional foods of emotional regulation.

Probiotics have emerged as a prominent alternative to antibiotics in antimicrobial-free broiler farming. To assess the effect of the probiotics Sphingomonas sp. Z392 isolated and identified by this this laboratory on broiler growth, we conducted a study to examine the changes in broiler body weight, EPI, intestinal histological structure and gut microbiota. The results showed that supplementation of broiler drinking water with 4 × 105 CFU/mL of Sphingomonas resulted in an increase in the relative abundance of Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, Lachnospiraceae, Aminobacterium, Oribacterium, Christensenellaceae, Faecalibacterium, Barnesiella, Ruminococcus, Parabacteroides, Phascolarctobacterium, Butyricicoccaceae, and Caproiciproducens, which were reported to be positively correlated with the digestion and absorption of broiler chickens. The relative abundance was increased of Odoribacter, Alistipes, Parabacteroides, and Rikenellaceae, which were reported to be negatively correlated with the occurrence of intestinal diseases. The relative abundance was decreased of Campylobacter, Shigella Castellani, Bilophila, Campylobacter, Clostridia, and Anaerotruncus, which were reported positively correlated with the occurrence of intestinal diseases. At the same time, it was increased in the integrity of small intestinal villus morphology, the number of goblet cells in small intestinal epithelial cells, the health of mitochondria in the cytoplasm of jejunal villous epithelial cells, and the number of lysosomes in the cytoplasm of goblet cells in small intestinal epithelium, ileal villous epithelial cells, mitochondria in the cytoplasm of large intestinal villous epithelial cells, the VH/CD of the ileum, digestive, absorption, and defense capabilities. Especially the final weight was increased by 4.33% and the EPI increased by 10.10%. Therefore, the supplementation of broiler drinking water with Sphingomonas generated better economic benefits for the broiler chickens.

There is an urgent need to develop new therapies for cancer treatment due to high rates of resistance and tumor relapse. Moreover, chemotherapy and radiation weaken the immune system and leave patients susceptible to sudden death from infections and organ failure since antineoplastic drugs lack specificity. Hence, scientists worldwide continue the search for natural alternatives with anticancer activities and fewer side effects. In this regard, traditional medicine offers strategies for preventing and treating numerous diseases and nowadays scientific studies worldwide highlight some of the mechanisms underlying their potential as an effective alternative for the management of cancer. In Mexico, Mayan healers have been prescribed mainly medicinal plants for more than 2,000 years. Furthermore, their ethnomedical knowledge has led to drug discovery or the development of herbal remedies. Medicinal plants from the genus of Cissus remain an important element of all indigenous medical systems in Mexico including the Mayan tribes in Yucatan, particularly for the management of gastrointestinal illnesses, sores, cutaneous diseases, and tumors. In this review, we present the reported bioactivities against cancer cells of the extract and compounds from the species of Cissus with a particular focus on recent studies on the phytochemistry of C. trifoliata which is widely distributed in Mexican territory and used for tumor management in traditional medicine.

Many public health-related problems, such as dengue diseases, are caused by the vector Aedes aegypti. The proliferation of arboviruses is due to climate change, intensifying globalization, and the evolution of anthropic activities such as travel from one place to another. This paper's objective is to develop larvicidal activities against the larvae of Ae. aegypti. Standard methods were utilized for the collection, extraction and phytochemical screening of the plant parts and extracts. Different extract concentrations (1000, 500, 250, and 125 ppm) were tested against the larvae of Ae. aegypti mosquitoes. The different toxicities observed were due to changes in the compounds present in each of the plant extracts. The most toxic plant extracts were Nepeta cataria stem, followed by Salvia rosmarinus leaf, Salvia rosmarinus stem, Ageratum conyzoides stem, Lantana camara leaf, and Mentha pulegium leaf, six plant including Nepeta cataria leaf, Psidium guajava leaf, Cymbopogon citratus leaf, Ocimum gratissimum stem, Mentha piperita leaf, Ageratum houstonianum leaf showed same LD50, followed by Lantana camara stem, Melissa officinalis root, Nepeta cataria root, and at the same concentration, no larval death was recorded for these five plant extracts, including Mentha pulegium stem, Mentha piperita L. (peppermint) stem, Azadirachta indica (neem) leaf, Geranium leaf, and Azadirachta indica (neem) stem . Seven phytochemical constituents (saponins, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, resins, and steroids) were detected for plant extracts. Nigerian medicinal plants could be used to curb the spread of the dengue vector, Aedes aegypti, and also have potential for further study on the constituents responsible for adulticidal activity.

Information geometry (IG) is a fascinating combination of differential geometry and statistics where a Riemannian manifold's structure is applied to a statistical model. It may find numerous fascinating uses in the domains of theoretical neurology, machine learning, complexity, and (quantum) information theory, among others. (IG) aims to provide a differential-geometric perspective on statistical geodesic models' structure. In this case, IG, KD, and J-divergence (JD) are used to define the manifold of the Generalised Brownian Motion (GBM). Consequently, the geodesic equations (GEs) are devised, and GB information matrix exponential (IME) is presented. Moreover, for first time ever, the necessary and sufficient mathematical requirement that characterizes the developability of Generalized Brownian Motion(GBM) manifold is devised. Also, a novel sufficient and necessary conditions which characterizes the regions where the surface describing GBM is minimal is determined. Also, it is shown that GBM has a non-zero 0-Gaussian and Ricci curvatures. Consequently, this advances the establishment of a unified GBM- Relativistic Info-Geometric based analysis.

Structurally clear compounds have advantages for quality control in plant biostimulant production and application processes. Humic acid (HA) is a biostimulant that significantly affects plant growth, and soil-dwelling Protaetia brevitarsis larva (PBL) can rapidly convert agricultural waste into HA. In this study, we use PBL as a model to investigate HA formation and screen for HA-related structurally clear plant biostimulant compounds. The dephasing magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C DD–MAS NMR) analysis indicated HA structural changes during PBL digestion; the metabolic profile detected seven HA-related aromatic ring-containing compounds. Plant experiments identified six compounds with stimulating effects, with piperic acid being reported for the first time in this study. Thus, this study not only provides insights into the insect-mediated transformation of HA but also illustrates a new strategy for discovering structurally clear plant biostimulant compounds.

I propose a new strategy to suppress human cancer completely with two entirely new drug compounds exploiting cancer's Warburg effect characterized by a defective mitochondrial aerobic respiration, substituted for by cytosolic aerobic fermentation/glycolysis of D-(+)-glucose into L-(+)-lactic acid. The two essentially new drugs compound 1 [P(op)T(est)162] and compound 3 (PT167) represent new highly symmetric, four-bladed propeller-shaped polyammonium cations. The in vitro antineoplastic highly efficacious drug compound 3 represents a covalent combination of compound 1 and compound 2 (PT166). The intermediate drug compound 2 is an entirely new colchic(in)oid derivative synthesized from colchicine. Compound 2's structure was determined by X-ray crystallography. Compound 1 and compound 3 were active in vitro versus 60 human cancer cell lines of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Developmental Therapeutics Program (DTP) 60-cancer cell testing. Compound 1 and compound 3 both not only stop the growth of cancer cells to ±0% (cancerostatic effect), but completely kill nearly all 60 cancer cells to a level of almost −100% (tumoricidal effect). Compound 1 and compound 3 induce mitochondrial apoptosis (under cytochrome c release) in all cancer cells tested by (re)activating (in most cancers impaired) p53 function which results in a decrease of cancer's dysregulated cyclin D1 and an induction of the cell cycle-halting cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21^Waf1/p21^Cip1.

The low-temperature environment significantly inhibits the growth and metabolism of denitrifying bacteria, leading to an excessive concentration of ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen in sewage treatment plants during the cold season. In this study, an efficient denitrifying strain of heterotrophic nitrification–aerobic denitrification(HN-AD) bacteria named HS2 was isolated and screened from industrial sewage of a chemical factory in Inner Mongolia at 8°C. The strain was confirmed to be Achromobacter spiritinus, a colorless rod-shaped bacterium. When cultured with sodium succinate as the carbon source, a carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 20-30, a shaking rate of 150-180 r/min, and the initial pH of 6-10, the Strain HS2 exhibited excellent nitrogen removal at 8°C. Through the results of whole-genome sequencing, gene amplification, and gas product detection, the Strain HS2 was determined to possess key enzyme genes in both nitrification and denitrification pathways, suggesting a HN-AD pathway of NH4+-N→NH2OH→NO2--N→NO→N2O→N2. At 8°C, the Strain HS2 could completely remove ammonia nitrogen from industrial sewage with an initial concentration of 127.23 mg/L. Microbial species diversity analysis of the final sewage confirmed Achromobacter sp. as the dominant genus, this indicated that the low-temperature denitrifying strain HS2 plays an important role in nitrogen removal of actual low-temperature sewage.

Salmonella causes various type of disease worldwide with a remarkable pace. Salmonella enteric serotype typhi (S. typhi), a gram-negative bacterium (only cause disease in man) is the mainly causative agent of Typhoid fever. Typhoid fever is most common in poor and unprivileged developing countries of Asia and Africa. One of the major components of virulence factors produced during salmonella infection is Lipid A, which acts as a potent human immuno-modulator bacterial endotoxin. Regulation of Lipid A biosynthetic pathway occurs at second step, catalyzed by LpxC, a Zn2+ dependent metalloamidase. Systematic Screening of a pool of drug datasets like natural products library from Zinc database, Asinex database, Thiophene analogues fruitfully provided us 3 potent lead molecules s1_dl_mseq2, s1_ll_mseq2, and s2_ll_mseq8 which actively binds with LpxC enzyme and could be developed into sound inhibitors of LpxC enzyme after the application of drug development and processing strategies. Wet lab experimentation is required to validate these results for further use.

In our previous studies, the marine-derived fungus Emericellopsis maritima BC17 was found to produce new eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoids on solid media. In order to explore its potential to produce more metabolites, E. maritima BC17 was subjected to a one strain-many compounds (OSMAC) analysis leading to the discovery of three new eremophilanes (1-3) and fourteen known derivatives (4-17) in the liquid media Czapek Dox and PDB. Their structures were established by extensive analyses of the 1D and 2D NMR, and HRESIMS data, as well as ECD data for the assignment of their absolute configurations. Antitumoral and antimicrobial activities of the isolated metabolites 1, 3, 11, and 15 were investigated. PR toxin 3-deacetyl (15) exhibited cytotoxic activity against HepG2, MCF-7, A549, A2058 and Mia PaCa-2 human cancer cell lines with IC₅₀ values ranging from 2.5 to 14.7 µM. In addition, 15 exhibited selective activity against methicillin-sensitive S. aureus ATCC29213 at the highest concentration tested of 128 µg/mL.

The theory of Ismail's non-extensive maximum entropy solution (NME) is described in detail. It is used as an inductive inference technique for heavy-tailed queues with a non-robust mean queue length and a non-extensive "long-range" interaction. In our novel method, we substitute the non-robust mean queue length for the conventional Pollaczeck-Khinchin mean queue length. In other words, the new non-extensivity parameter q will be included in the resulting state probability function. Numerical portraits are provided to capture the influential effect of the derived formalism, , on the stable M//1 queue with heavy tails. More potentially, some applications of Hurst Exponent to social computing and connected health are provided. Conclusion with some challenging open problems and possible future research pathways are given.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)/ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is becoming a globally therapeutic problem. Method: The open-label, randomized, superiority, single-blind trial was conducted in Rajavithi Hospital, a super-tertiary care in Bangkok, Thailand. We included CRAB HAP/VAP patients randomly assigned to receive sitafloxacin-colistin-meropenem compared to colistin-meropenem to assess mortality, clinical response, and adverse effects. Result: April 2021-2022, 77 patients were randomized and received combination treatment sitafloxacin-colistin-meropenem (n = 40) or colistin-meropenem (n = 37). Among two groups, the all-cause mortality rate was no significant difference at 7-days and 14-days (7.5% vs 2.7%; p = 0.616 and 10% vs 10%; p = 1, respectively). Patients received sitafloxacin-colistin-meropenem showed improved clinical response, compared patients receiving colistin-meropenem with both intentions to treat (87.5% vs 62.2%; p = 0.016) and per-protocol analysis (87.2% vs 67.7%; p = 0.049). The adverse effects were not different among 2 groups. Conclusion: Adding sitafloxacin as third agent in meropenem plus colistin could improve clinical in CRAB HAP/VAP with comparable adverse effects. Sitafloxacin-meropenem-colistin could be another option for combatting CRAB HAP/VAP

The dynamic landscape of AI adoption and its impact on employment in Malaysia demands a multifaceted approach to navigate the challenges and harness the opportunities presented. While the government's commitment to fostering AI adoption through initiatives like the National AI Framework and the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint is commendable, it is imperative to address concerns regarding job displacement and ensure inclusive growth. This study identifies the pressing research problem of workforce readiness for the AI-driven future, emphasizing the need to explore strategies for reskilling and upskilling affected workers. By employing critical lenses such as Marxist, feminist, and postcolonial perspectives, scholars highlight the power dynamics and societal implications inherent in AI deployment, guiding the development of policies and interventions that prioritize workers' interests and address social inequalities. Moving forward, a comprehensive approach combining policy interventions, educational reforms, and inclusive strategies is essential to maximize the benefits of AI adoption while mitigating its potential risks. Longitudinal studies, interdisciplinary research, and comparative analyses will further advance our understanding and inform evidence-based policymaking in this evolving field. Ultimately, by prioritizing workforce preparedness, social equity, and sustainable development, Malaysia can position itself as a leader in the AI-driven global economy, fostering a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous society for all.

The mushroom industry generates large amounts of stems, a co-product with valuable sensory and health characteristics. This work aimed to study the influence of particle size (L — &gt;0.510 mm; LI — 0.510-0.315 mm; SI—0.315-0.180 mm; S — &lt;0.180 mm) and species in the characterization and antioxidant activity of flours from stems of Agaricus bisporus (ABSF) and Pleurotus ostreatus (POSF). ABSF was rich in protein (14 g/100 g), calcium (428.23-700.77 mg/100 g), and sorbitol (22.57-26.60 g/100 g), while POSF in β-glucans (36.62-40.34 g/100 g) and linoleic acid (20.57-39.86 g/100 g of lipid). Both species were flush in amino acids with umami flavor. The highest hydration properties and oil holding capacity were exhibited in the S size of both species. ABSF showed elevated values for emulsifying activity than POSF. ABSF-S recorded the heightened antioxidant capacity in vitro, in consonance with the total phenolic compounds (0.91 mg/g). However, this antioxidant assays in POSF presented a positive correlation with β-glucans content. According to these results, there could be several food applications for these co-products, such as emulsifier stabilizer, sweetener or fortifier in the development of functional food.

Soil management in orchards can have several economic and environmental implications. In this study, three different soil management systems were compared in a dry-farmed olive grove: conventional tillage (Tillage), glyphosate-based herbicide (Herbicide) and Sheep Walking. The experiment lasted eleven years (2011-2022) and was carried out after a previous trial conducted on the same plot with the same treatments and duration (2001-2011). However, in the earlier trial, the Herbicide and Sheep Walking treatments switched positions in the plot, while the tillage treatment remained in its original place. The average total accumulated olive yields between 2011 and 2022 were 225.1, 230.9, and 245.0 kg tree–1 for the Sheep Walking, Tillage, and Herbicide treatments, respectively. However, no significant differences were observed between the treatments. The levels of total organic carbon in the soil, measured in samples collected in the last year of the study, were 41.3, 33.7, and 37.3 g kg–1, respectively for the same treatments. These findings indicated that the Tillage treatment exhibited lower soil organic matter content and reduced bioavailability of some nutrients, which raises concerns about its sustainability. On the contrary, employing Sheep Walking with an appropriate stocking rate, effectively controlling vegetation in the spring, ensured favourable soil properties and olive yields comparable to the other treatments. Moreover, the Sheep Walking approach provides supplementary advantages to the farmer, including revenue from the sale of animal products and the opportunity to transition to organic farming systems, which better align with the preferences of contemporary societies.

The aim of this study was to determine the changes in chemical composition of the fresh red raspberry ‘Willamette’ fruits, caused by the presence of raspberry leaf blotch emaravirus (RLBV). In three experimental orchards of ‘Willamette’ raspberry, fruits were harvested from RLBV‒free and RLBV-infected plants in 2019 and 2020. Fruits were collected at appropriate maturity stages and further analyzed on total phenolics, total anthocyanins, and selected individual phenolics. In all three experimental orchards, the phenolic profiles of infected and uninfected fruit samples were considerably different during both studied years. Nonetheless, the intensity of the modifications varied greatly depending on location and harvest year. Statistical analysis revealed that the influence of RLBV infection on the studied features is undeniable, although the influences of weather conditions and soil composition outweigh the influence of RLBV. Taking into consideration all experimental and statistical data, it can be concluded that raspberry 'Willamette' fruits may be RLBV-tolerant, while sensitivity to environmental conditions and soil composition is emphasized.

There is a major problem with the rising occurrence of highly virulent and multiply-resistant strains, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), because of their difficult treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial and antibiofilm effect of new enterocins (Ent) against potential pathogenic MRSA strains isolated from rabbits. Staphylococci (n =110) were identified with PCR and screened for methicillin/oxacillin/cefoxitin resistance (MR) using the disk diffusion method and the PBP2' Latex Agglutination Test Kit. Enzyme production, hemolysis, DNase activity, slime production, and biofilm formation were tested in MRSA strains. The susceptibility of MRSA to eight partially-purified enterocins (Ent) produced by E. faecium and E. durans strains was checked using agar spot tests. The antibiofilm activity of Ents was tested using a quantitative plate assay. Out of 14 MRSA, PBP testing confirmed MR in 8 strains. The majority of MRSA showed DNase activity and β-hemolysis. Slime production and moderate biofilm formation were observed in all strains. MRSA were susceptible to tested Ents (100–12800 AU/mL; except Ent4231). The antibiofilm effect of Ents (except Ent4231) was noted in the high range (64.9-97.0%). These results indicate that enterocins offer a promising option for the prevention and treatment of bacterial infections caused by biofilm-forming MRSA.

The colpodellids consist of free-living predatory protists phylogenetically related to pathogenic Apicomplexan parasites such as Plasmodium species, Cryptosporidium sp. and Toxoplasma gondii. Among the colpodellids, Colpodella species prey on bodonids, algae, and ciliates. Voromonas pontica preys on Percolomonas species. In the past decade, Colpodella species have been reported to cause opportunistic infections in humans and animals, and having the potential for zoonotic infections in humans due to the presence of Colpodella species in ticks. In the reported cases, transmission and pathogenic stages of Col-podella were not identified by light microscopy. In the colpodellid V. pontica, cyst stages of both the pred-ator and its prey Percolomonas cosmopolitus have not been identified by light microscopy. In this study we evaluated the dye components used for Sam-Yellowe’s trichrome staining, from different major vendors to determine the consistency and reproducibility of the staining protocol to aid the use of the staining proto-col for diagnosis. We show that although slight variations in the color of the stained cells are obtained, life cycle stages of Colpodella ATCC 50594 could be clearly identified, regardless of the vendor used. For the first time, Sam-Yellowe’s trichrome staining series, could identify cysts of V. pontica and its prey, demonstrating that the staining protocol can identify life cycle stages of other colpodellids. Sam-Yellowe's trichrome staining will aid molecular diagnosis of infections caused by colpodellids in human and ani-mals, identify colpodellids in ticks and flies and from environmental samples, when used for staining.

World population is in a demographic transition, with an increase in number of older adults and prevalence of diseases related to aging. This study evaluated in vitro the potential of an ultrasound-assisted extract from Durvillaea incurvata to inhibit key enzymes associated with development of age-related diseases. Results show that an ultrasound-assisted extract as well as conventional extract from Durvillaea incurvata presented anti-diabetes potential by exhibiting inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase enzymes (91.8 ± 1.0 % and 93.8 ± 0.3 % respectively, at 500 µg/mL) and α-amylase (42.2 ± 1.4 % and 61.9 ± 0.9 % respectively, at 1500 µg/mL), related to starch digestion and postprandial glycemic response. Also, extracts presented inhibitory activity on the enzyme acetylcholinesterase (51.5% and 50.8% respectively, at 500 µg/mL) and butyrylcholinesterase (32.8% and 34.4% respectively, at 0.5 mg /mL), biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease, and showed inhibitory activity against angiotensin-I converting enzyme (98.7 ± 7.4% and 93.0 ± 3.4% respectively, at 2.0 mg /mL), key in the regulation of vascular tone and blood pressure, which helps to prevent the development of hypertension. In conclusion, the ultrasound-assisted extract of Durvillaea incurvata has the potential to prevent the development of age-related pathologies, such as diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, and hypertension.

One of the important features of polymethine (cyanine) dyes is isomerization around one of C–C bonds of the polymethine chain. In this review, spectral properties of the isomers, photoisomerization and thermal back isomerization of carbocyanine dyes, mostly meso-substituted carbocyanine dyes, are considered. meso-Alkyl-substituted thiacarbocyanine dyes are present in polar solvents mainly as cis isomers and, hence, exhibit no photoisomerization, whereas in nonpolar solvents, in which the dyes are in the trans form, photoisomerization takes place. In contrast, the meso-substituted dyes 3,3′-dimethyl-9-phenylthiacarbocyanine and 3,3′-diethyl-9-(2-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)thiacarbocyanine occur as trans isomers and exhibit photoisomerization in both polar and nonpolar solvents. The behavior of these dyes may be explained by the fact that the phenyl ring of the substituent in their molecules can be twisted at some angle, removing the substituent from the plane of the molecule and reducing its steric effect on the conformation of the trans isomer. In some cases, photoisomerization of cis isomers of meso-substituted carbocyanine dyes is also observed (for some meso-alkyl-substituted dyes complexed with DNA and chondroitin-4-sulfate; for 3,3′-diethyl-9-methoxythiacarbocyanine in moderate polarity solvents). The cycle photoisomerization–thermal back isomerization of cyanine dyes can be used in various systems of information storage and deserves further investigation using modern research methods.

Abstract: Community forests are being promoted in Togo as an alternative to the degradation of protected areas and as a means of restoring forest landscapes. The present study is carried out within Kouampante Community Forest (KCF) in Ogaro (Togo, West Africa). It intends to contribute to the sustainable management of KCF. Specially, it aims at: (i) mapping forest ecosystems and analysing their dynamic and (ii) characterising the floristic diversity of the KCF. Forest ecosytems are mapped and their dynamic evaluated based on Google Earth images of 2010 and 2020. The floristic and silvicultural analyses are based on inventories carried out in 13 plots of 1,000 m² each. The KCF is made up mainly by tree/shrub savannahs (58.73%) and croplands/fallow (41.27%) in 2010. These two land use types have undergone changes over the period. In 2020, the KCF had two land use types: tree/shrub savannahs (84.30%) and croplands/fallows (15.70%). The flora census consisted of 59 species grouped in 6 families. The most important plant species are Detarium microcarpum and Vitellaria paradoxa. The Fabaceae were the most abundant and diversified families, followed by the Combretaceae. The demographic structure showed a high abundance of individuals with small diameter and height. This indicates the possibility of a rapid restoration of the native vegetation. Protecting the forest from anthropogenic threats could be crucial for achieving the desired objective.

Presence of lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) in the outer layer of outer membranes (OMs) is an almost universal molecular signature of Gram-negative bacteria. The O-antigen or O-polysaccharide (OPS) chains attach to millions of LPS molecule to form a continuous layer on the surface of most of Escherichia coli strains. OPS structure is one of the most variable features of bacteria, with about 200 E. coli O-serotypes currently described. In this review a analyze accumulating evidence suggesting that a vast majority of these OPS types provide robust shields that restrict the access of large molecules to the OM surface. Sophisticated mechanisms employed by bacteriophages to penetrate the OPS barrier are also considered. These are initiated with specific recognition of OPS molecules by phage receptor-binding proteins (RBP), or of other cell-surface molecules that are exposed above the OPS layer. Only after can virions gain access to secondary receptors found closer to the OM surface. The mechanisms of breaking through OPS in most if not all cases appear to rely on mechanical force generated by molecular motors of processive depolymerization or deacetylation of cell surface polysaccharides by enzymatically active RBPs, or by internal rearrangement of the virion.

Recently, Shehata et al. [37] introduced the r+1Rs(B;C; z) matrix function and established some properties. The aim of this study established to devote and derive certain basic properties including analytic properties, recurrence matrix relations, dierential properties, new integral representations, k- Beta transform, Laplace transform, fractional k-Fourier transform, fractional integral properties, the k-Riemann{Liouville and k-Weyl fractional integral and derivative operators an extended version of r+1Rs;k matrix function. We establish its relationships with other well known special matrix functions which have some particular cases in the context of three parametric Mittag-Leer matrix function, k- Konhauser and k-Laguerre matrix polynomials. Finally, some special cases of the established formulas are also discussed.

Shigellosis is a pathological condition that affects the digestive system to possibly cause diarrhoea. Shigella species, which are responsible for this disease, are highly contagious and spread through contaminated food and water. The increasing development of resistance by Shigella species necessitate the urgent need to search for new therapies against shigellosis causing diarrhoea. The scientific validation of medicinal plants, such as Diospyros gilletii, which is used for the traditional treatment of diarrhoeal conditions is worthwhile. The present study aims to investigate the antibacterial activity of extracts from D. gilletii against selected Shigella species. Extracts from D. gilletii stem bark were prepared by maceration using various solvents. An-tibacterial activity of D. gilletii extracts was evaluated on Shigella dysenteriae, S. flexneri, S. boydii, and S. sonnei using a microdilution method, whereas cytotoxicity test was performed on Vero and Raw cells using resazurin-based colorimetric assay. Bacterial membrane permeability studies were evaluated using pro-pidium iodide (PI) and 1-N-phenylnaphthylamine (NPN) uptake assays, whereas inhibition and eradica-tion tests on bacterial biofilms were carried out by spectrophotometry. As a result, methanol, ethanol and hydroethanol extracts of D. gilletii inhibited the growth of S. boydii, S. flexneri and S. sonnei with MIC values ranging from 125 to 500 µg/mL, without toxicity to Vero and Raw cells. Time kill kinetics revealed bacteri-cidal orientation at 2MIC and 4MIC, and bacteriostatic outcome at 1/2MIC. The mechanistic basis of anti-bacterial action revealed that D. gilletii extracts inhibited and eradicated Shigella biofilms, and promoted the accumulation of NPN and PI within the inner and outer membrane of bacteria to increase membrane per-meability, thereby causing membrane damage. This novel contribution toward the antibacterial and mech-anisms of action of D. gilletii extracts against Shigella species substantiate the use of this plant in the tradi-tional treatment of infectious diarrhoea.

Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a devastating bacterial disease that threatens world-wide production of apples and pears. In Canada and the US, streptomycin and kasugamycin are commonly used for the control of this pathogen. There is an urgent need for development of biocontrol agents (BCAs) that can be easily incorporated into integrated pest management pro-grams with high efficacy against streptomycin sensitive and resistant strains of E. amylovora. In addition, excessive use of antibiotics in agriculture has increased awareness of the possibility of antibiotic resistance gene transfer to human, animal and environmental microbes. To address this issue, a phage-carrier system (PCS) that combines Pantoea agglomerans as an antagonistic bacterial carrier of Erwinia phages as a double-pronged treatment for fire blight have been de-veloped. The low viability of P. agglomerans cells following spray drying challenged the industrial scale production of this PCS. In the present research, a spray drying protocol was developed for P. agglomerans by modifying the growth medium and the bacterial cell formulation using D(+)-trehalose and maltodextrin. The developed protocol is amenable to industrial scale pro-duction of the BCA/PCS. The P. agglomerans viability was greater than 90% after spray drying, had a prolonged shelf life of 4 months at 4 C, and the reconstituted cells showed an approximate 3 log reduction in E. amylovora counts with a green pear disc challenge assay.

The continuous flowing spacetime forms a spacetime group G, one of its fundamental groups is the Poincare group PO(1,3), and the matter and interaction fields are representations of its intrinsic spacetime group. As a kind of quantized space-time unit, space-time group elements generate both space-time manifolds and matter. Matter and fields are aggregates of the quantum space-time within them and determine their type: the Lorentz group SO(1,3) represents a rotating spacetime corresponding to visible matter and the translation group P^1,3 represents a translational spacetime corresponding to dark matter and dark energy. The aggregation mode of space-time degrees of freedom in matter reveals that charge conjugation symmetry is the inverse symmetry of internal time of charged particles, and the external parity breaking of neutrinos is also due to their internal spatial aggregation mode.

Ajuga arabica is an essential medicinal plant found naturally in Saudi Arabia, recognized for its therapeutic characteristics. Nevertheless, research on the genetic diversity and population arrangement of this species in Saudi Arabia is deficient. In this study, we conducted a comparative examination of DNA and gene sequences to evaluate the genetic diversity and population configuration of Ajuga arabica in Saudi Arabia. Our findings demonstrate that there are high levels of genetic diversity within populations, but low levels of genetic differentiation among populations. Moreover, we discovered proof of gene flow among populations, suggesting that there are no significant genetic barriers to gene flow. Our results offer valuable insights into the genetic diversity and population structure of Ajuga arabica in Saudi Arabia, which can support conservation efforts and promote the sustainable use of this valuable medicinal plant.

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.

Enhancing the Efficiency of Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) Extraction and Fractionation Trains: An Integrated Approach of Simulation Analysis, Advanced Modifications, and Technological Advancements. Through comprehensive research, innovative solutions such as the heat pump aided distillation (HPAD) system and self-heat recuperation technology (SHRT) have been developed to significantly reduce the energy consumption associated with conventional distillation systems. To identify a practical system for NGL fractionation trains, this study extensively examined and compared various HPAD and SHRT options to retrofit a single column. The objective was to find the most suitable and efficient solution for the fractionation process of natural gas liquids (NGLs). The retrofit options analyzed in this study encompassed a range of techniques, including vapor compression (VC), mechanical vapor re-compression (MVR), thermal vapor re-compression (TVR), bottom flashing (BF), side heat exchanger (SHE), intermediate heating and cooling (IHC), self-heat recuperative (SHR), and modified self-heat recuperative (MSHR) distillation. These methods were carefully examined to determine their suitability and effectiveness in improving the performance of NGL fractionation trains.In this study, a depropanizer column, typically employed in conventional NGL plants, was selected as a case study. The simulation software Aspen HYSYS V7.3 was employed to model and analyze eight retrofit designs based on predefined criteria. The simulation data was carefully evaluated to identify the most efficient design for minimizing energy consumption. Among the retrofit options, the mechanical vapor re-compression (MVR) technique demonstrated the most significant energy cost reduction, with a remarkable 68.11 percent improvement compared to the base case conventional column. These findings highlight the potential of MVR as an effective solution for lowering energy costs in NGL fractionation trains.Following the MVR retrofit option, the study found that vapor compression (VC) achieved a considerable energy cost reduction of 66.65 percent, closely followed by modified self-heat recuperative (MSHR) at 64.02 percent, bottom flashing (BF) at 62.88 percent, self-heat recuperative (SHR) at 55.85 percent, side heat exchanger (SHE) at 54.23 percent, intermediate heating and cooling (IHC) at 39.54 percent, and thermal vapor re-compression (TVR) also at 39.54 percent. These findings highlight the significant potential for energy savings offered by these retrofit options, with VC being the most popular choice, closely followed by MSHR, BF, SHR, SHE, IHC, and TVR.

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.

Maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) is a popular method for parameter estimation in both applied probability and statistics but MLE cannot solve the problem of incomplete data or hidden data because it is impossible to maximize likelihood function from hidden data. Expectation maximum (EM) algorithm is a powerful mathematical tool for solving this problem if there is a relationship between hidden data and observed data. Such hinting relationship is specified by a mapping from hidden data to observed data or by a joint probability between hidden data and observed data. In other words, the relationship helps us know hidden data by surveying observed data. The essential ideology of EM is to maximize the expectation of likelihood function over observed data based on the hinting relationship instead of maximizing directly the likelihood function of hidden data. Pioneers in EM algorithm proved its convergence. As a result, EM algorithm produces parameter estimators as well as MLE does. This tutorial aims to provide explanations of EM algorithm in order to help researchers comprehend it. Moreover some improvements of EM algorithm are also proposed in the tutorial such as combination of EM and third-order convergence Newton-Raphson process, combination of EM and gradient descent method, and combination of EM and particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm.

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".

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) stands as a significant cause of drug attrition. To mitigate clinical DILI risks, assessing drugs using human liver models is crucial since animal studies may fall short due to species-specific liver pathway variations. Cell-based preclinical hepatotoxicity testing is often pertinent. In the present study, cells from a human liver cancer line (HepG2, HepaRG) were cultured in both formats of 2D and 3D spheroids to explore their responses to drugs. Liver-specific marker expressions across cell lines and culture formats were also examined to assess disparities in drug-induced liver injury marker expressions. In cytotoxicity assays, HepG2 cells exhibited heightened sensitivity to amiodarone HCl, while HepaRG cells showed greater sensitivity to acetaminophen. Generally, 2D cultures were more responsive to drugs than 3D cultures. Consistency was observed between cytotoxicity assays and liver injury markers AST and ALT. Variations were also noted in liver cell marker secretion, with albumin and urea concentrations declining post-drug treatment, particularly with higher baseline expression in HepaRG cells and 3D cultures. Additionally, mRNA expression levels of CYP enzymes involved in hepatocellular drug metabolism were compared following treatment with enzyme inducers. CYP1A2 and CYP2C9 were not expressed in HepG2 cells. On the other hand, CYP3A4 was expressed higher in 3D culture than in 2D culture. HepaRG cells exhibited significantly increased expression of all three enzymes post-treatment. Notably, enzyme expression was notably higher in 3D cultures than in 2D cultures. Collectively, these findings suggest that HepaRG cells and 3D cultures hold promise for evaluating DILI during early-stage drug development.

Heat stress is a serious threat to tomato production. The ultrastructure and element mapping of tomato chloroplast were investigated under different nitrogen levels to explore the regulatory effect of nitrogen on tomato chloroplast under heat stress. Experiments design two temperature treatments (25°C/15°C, as control, 40°C/30°C, as severe high-temperature, SHT ) and four nitrogen levels (0.0 kg hm-2, N1; 187.5 kg hm-2, N2; 250 kg hm-2, N3, as recommended nitrogen-application; 312.5kg hm-2 , N4) for a duration of 5 days in artificial climate chamber. The results showed that heat stress led to obvious damage to the ultrastructure of tomato chloroplast, including thylakoid stacking disorder, granum destruction, and starch grain aggregation and degradation. With the increase of nitrogen level, the ratio of long and short axes of tomato chloroplasts increased, the differentiation of chloroplasts was strengthened, the number of plastoglobuli was increased and aggregated, and the degree of damage to the ultrastructure of chloroplasts was reduced. The regulatory effect of nitrogen on the ultrastructure of tomato chloroplasts under heat stress was mainly reflected in the phosphorylation degradation process of starch granules in chloroplasts. There are obvious segmentation lines of Ca, P and Cl on both sides of the inner and outer chloroplasts, and enriched in the chloroplasts, which can outline the boundary of the chloroplasts. Element mapping analysis revealed that heat stress significantly increased the contents of calcium, phosphorus and chlorine in the chloroplast of tomato leaves, while the contents of potassium was decreased. The application of nitrogen fertilizer could significantly regulate the element distribution of tomato chloroplast under heat stress, especially the regulation of phosphorus, chlorine, calcium, magnesium. These results provide new insight into the role of nitrogen using TEM-EDX mapping in the protection of tomato chloroplast under heat stress and the mechanism of heat stress tolerance in plants.

Aedes aegypti is the main vector of various arboviruses including dengue, yellow fever, Zika and chikungunya virus. This mosquito species originated in Africa but has a wide range of distribution, colonising various ecological zones. The transmission dynamics of arboviruses depends on environmental factors, but also on mosquito life history traits including development time, fecundity, and longevity. The objective of the current study was to assess the Aedes aegypti immature development time, adult longevity, fecundity and body variation from different sampling localities. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes were collected as eggs from different geographical zones and cohorts of mosquitoes were reared in standardized laboratory conditions to assess the life history traits parameters. Emerged adults were discriminated into morphotypes according to the density of white scales on the first abdominal tergite. The means of fecundity, longevity, development time and body size were assessed, and linear models were fitted to the traits parameters to assess the effects of other covariables. Average Aedes aegypti development time was estimated to 7.35 days; 7.40 days; 6.98 days and 7.40 days respectively for Dori, 1200 logements, Bobo-Dioulasso and Toudweogo. The fecundity did not vary across study sites and was not associated with the body size. The longevity varied according to the study sites with the mosquitoes from Bobo-Dioulasso having the longest longevity while the shortest longevity was found at Dori. Fed mosquitoes had longer longevity compared to unfed ones. Morphological identification showed that Aedes aegypti aegypti-like mosquitoes were more predominant than Aedes aegypti formosus-like mosquitoes in all the study sites, suggesting the predominance of Aedes aegypti in the urban environment. Our data suggest that the geographical origin of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in Burkina Faso has a little effect on its life history traits.

In recent decades, given the important role of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in human health, scientists have paid great attention to the enrichment of this chemical compound in food using various methods, including microbial fermentation. Moreover, GABA or GABA-rich products have been successfully commercialized as food additives or functional dietary supplements. Several microorganisms can produce GABA, including bacteria, fungi, and yeasts. Among GABA-producing bacteria, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are commonly used in the production of many fermented foods. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (previously Lactobacillus plantarum) has a long history of natural occurrence and safe use in a variety of food products. This LAB species provides functional properties to various fermented foods by producing a variety of bioactive compounds, including GABA. The present review aims, after a preliminary excursus on the function and biosynthesis of GABA, to provide an overview on the current uses of microorganisms and in particular of L. plantarum in the production of GABA, with a detailed focus on fermented foods.

A reduction of melatonin function contributes to the acceleration of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and understanding molecular processes of melatonin-related signaling is critical for intervention of AD progression. Recently, we synthesized and tested a series of melatonin derivates with donepezil fragments in silico and in vitro. In this study, one of the most potent compounds, 3c, was studied in an in vivo rat model of pinealectomy (pin) and subsequent icvAβ1-42 infusion. Melatonin was used as a referent drug. The treatment with melatonin and 3c (10 mg/kg, i.p. for 14 days) exerted a beneficial effect on memory decline and concomitant rise of Aβ1-42 and pTAU in the hippocampus in the pin + icvAβ1-42 rats. Melatonin supplementation facilitated the non-amyloidogenic signaling via a non-receptor (histone deacetylase sirtuin 1, SIRT1) and receptor-related signaling (MT/ERK/CREB). The hybrid 3c derivate up-regulated the MT1A and MT2B receptors, pERK and pCREB. Our findings strongly support the hypothesis that melatonin-related derivates may become a promising drug candidate in AD therapy.

Plant protein phosphatase 2Cs (PP2Cs) serve as negative regulators of protein kinase cascades activated in different processes and play important roles in plant development and abiotic-stress-mediated signaling pathways. In this study, a genome-wide study was conducted on the CqPP2C gene family. A total of putative 117 CqPP2C genes were identified. Comprehensive analyses of physical and chemical feature, chromosome localization and subcellular localization were conducted. According to phylogenetic analysis, CqPP2Cs were divided into 13 subfamilies. CqPP2Cs in the same subfamily had similar gene structure, conserved motif and all the CqPP2C proteins had the type 2C phosphatase domains. Gene duplication revealed that segmental duplication was the major driving force for CqPP2Cs expansion and all duplicated CqPP2Cs evolved from purifying selection. The expression of CqPP2Cs in various tissues under different abiotic stresses was analyzed using RNA-seq data. The results revealed that CqPP2C genes were involved in regulating development and stress responses of quinoa. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis of six CqPP2C genes in subfamily A revealed that they were up-regulated or down-regulated under salt and drought treatments. Furthermore, the results of yeast two-hybrid assays revealed that subfamily A CqPP2Cs interacted not only with subclass III CqSnRK2s, but also with subclass II CqSnRK2s. Subfamily A CqPP2Cs could interact with CqSnRK2s in different combinations and intensities to respond to various biological processes and stresses. Overall, our results will be useful for understanding the functions of CqPP2C in regulating ABA signals and responding to abiotic stress.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of convective and microwave drying on the content of bioactive compounds of blackberry (Rubus fruticosus), drying parameters and energy consumption. The fruit was dehydrated in a convective dehydrator at a temperature of 50 °C and 70 °C and a microwave oven at power levels of 90 V, 180 V and 240 V. The highest amount of anthocyanins, polyphenols and antioxidant capacity were obtained in microwave dried blackberry fruits at 90 V and 180 V. It turned out that microwave dehydration shortened the processing time and lower the energy consumption compared to the convective drying. Blackberry fruits dehydrated at 240 V showed the shortest dehydration time, minimal energy consumption and the most efficient diffusion.

There are laws and rights aimed at people with disabilities, especially those with Mild Intellectual Disability (LDD), who actively participate in society but face barriers in learning and participating in various activities. In Colombia, where 1.3 million people with disabilities are registered, 16.8% correspond to the category of DIL, some of whom are part of the economically active population. Despite this, significant employment gaps persist.In order to address this gap, this research focuses on the analysis of the specific problems related to the labor inclusion of people with IDL in logistics environments, particularly in cold rooms. The aim is to prevent occupational hazards through the application of Industry 4.0 technologies.Through the collaboration of the Analytics and Design Research Seedbed, with entrepreneurs and experts in the field, significant challenges in labor inclusion in low-temperature environments were identified. The agile Scrum methodology was used to develop a prototype of an application that addresses these issues. This prototype meets the functional and non-functional requirements necessary to ensure the protection and prevention of risks for workers with DIL who perform functions in refrigerated rooms.This prototype manages to provide an inclusive alternative for people with disability Intellectual Light, challenging business cultural paradigms, by integrating mobile devices with Industry 4.0 technologies, encouraging greater interaction between machines and human beings, thus prioritizing the health and safety of employees in their daily activities.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi, is one of the major infection spreading from consuming contaminated food and water. The poor sanitation is one the major cause for successful infection. S. typhi is responsible for causing typhoid fever, which is a growing public health concern in developing countries. This bacterium has acquired antimicrobial resistance to many promising which is a growing health concern for community. This study is aim to elucidate the molecular complexity of flouroquinolone resistance in S. Typhi isolates (n=286). Genomic data was downloaded from NCBI and analysis was done by Resfinder, MLST, and Pointfinder. Genomic analysis unveils a complex resistance profile, featuring antimicrobial resistance genes (ARG) including blaCTXM-15, blaTEM-1D, catA1, dfrA7, qnrS1, sul1, sul2, and tetA(B). The investigation focuses on mutations in DNA gyrA, parC, and qnrS1 genes which plays an important role in quinolone resistance. Mutation analysis reveals mutations such as DNA gyrA_S83F, DNA gyrA_D87N, DNA gyrA_S83Y, DNA gyrB_S464F, parC_S80I, and parE_L416F with the presence of qnrS1 gene produces resistance against quinolones. The Docking studies was conducted by “Autodock vina” and visualize by “Discovery studio” which demonstrate that these mutations leads to ciprofloxacin resistance, indicating reduced binding affinity, and altered solvent accessibility which indicates the structural changes at mutation sites. This study provides crucial insights into the molecular mechanisms driving flouroquinolone resistance in S. typhi, guiding future strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. Further validation through experimental mutagenesis is recommended, for targeted therapeutic interventions against the mounting threat of antibiotic-resistant S. typhi.