Background Ovarian follicular fluid(FF)is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons,affecting follicle development,ovulation,and oocyte quality.Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellu...Background Ovarian follicular fluid(FF)is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons,affecting follicle development,ovulation,and oocyte quality.Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles(EVs)containing vital regulatory molecules,such as microRNAs(miRNAs).These miRNAs are pivotal in facilitating commu-nication within the follicles through diverse signaling and information transfer forms.EV-coupled miRNA signaling is implicated to be associated with ovarian function,follicle and oocyte growth and response to various environmen-tal insults.Herein,we investigated how seasonal variations directly influence the ovulatory and anovulatory states of ovarian follicles and how are they associated with follicular fluid EV-coupled miRNA dynamics in horses.Results Ultrasonographic monitoring and follicular fluid aspiration of preovulatory follicles in horses during the ano-vulatory(spring:non-breeding)and ovulatory(spring,summer,and fall:breeding)seasons and subsequent EV isola-tion and miRNA profiling identified significant variation in EV-miRNA cargo content.We identified 97 miRNAs with dif-ferential expression among the groups and specific clusters of miRNAs involved in the spring transition(miR-149,-200b,-206,-221,-328,and-615)and peak breeding period(including miR-143,-192,-451,-302b,-100,and let-7c).Bioinformatic analyses showed enrichments in various biological functions,e.g.,transcription factor activity,transcrip-tion and transcription regulation,nucleic acid binding,sequence-specific DNA binding,p53 signaling,and post-trans-lational modifications.Cluster analyses revealed distinct sets of significantly up-and down-regulated miRNAs associ-ated with spring anovulatory(Cluster 1)and summer ovulation–the peak breeding season(Clusters 4 and 6).Conclusions The findings from the current study shed light on the dynamics of FF-EV-coupled miRNAs in relation to equine ovulatory and anovulatory seasons,and their roles in understanding the mechanisms involved in seasonal shifts and ovulation during the breeding season warrant further investigation.展开更多
Development of crop varieties which are resistant against many economically important diseases is a major challenge for plant biotechnologists worldwide. Although much progress in this area has been achieved through c...Development of crop varieties which are resistant against many economically important diseases is a major challenge for plant biotechnologists worldwide. Although much progress in this area has been achieved through classical genetic approaches, this goal can be achieved in a more selective and robust manner with the success of genetic engineering techniques. In this regard, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a powerful modality for battling some of the most notoriously challenging diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. RNAi is a mechanism for RNA-guided regulation of gene expression in which double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) inhibits the expression of genes with complementary nucleotide sequences. The application of tissue-specific or inducible gene silencing in combination with the use of appropriate promoters to silence several genes simultaneously will result in protection of crops against destructive pathogens. RNAi application has resulted in successful control of many economically important diseases in plants.展开更多
The depletion of world petroleum reserves and the increased environmental concerns have stimulated the search for alternative sources for petroleum based fuel. The possibility of using vegetable oils as fuel has been ...The depletion of world petroleum reserves and the increased environmental concerns have stimulated the search for alternative sources for petroleum based fuel. The possibility of using vegetable oils as fuel has been recognized, however, due to its high viscosities and low volatilities makes it inefficient for most combustion engines and thus the need to get them chemically altered or transesterified to obtain fatty alkyl esters of the oil (biodiesel). In this study, binary and ternary blends of biodiesel were produced and the effect of temperature on their viscosity and density was investigated. Biodiesel was produced from soybean oil by transesterification of the oil with methanol using potassium hydroxide as a catalyst at a temperature of 60℃ in a batch reactor. Binary and ternary blends of the soy-biodiesel were prepared with soy bean oil and petroleum diesel fuel, respectively. Viscosities and densities of the binary and ternary blends were measured at different temperatures of 20℃ to 90℃ as to determine the effect of temperature on viscosities and densities of the blends. The properties of the soy-biodiesel produced were compared with ASTM standard and found to be within the limits. The results show that the viscosities and densities of both the binary and ternary blends are temperature dependent. The viscosities of binary and ternary blends decreased nonlinearly with temperature, while their densities decreased linearly with temperature. The variation of temperature with viscosity and density of the blends was correlated and the polynomial equation offered the best correlation between temperature and viscosity, while linear equation gave the best correlation between temperature and density. In conclusion, the efficiency of binary and ternary blends of biodiesel in combustion engines is dependent on the viscosity and density of the blends which are invariably temperature dependent.展开更多
Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a rare complication that develops after partial orcomplete turbinectomy. The main feature of ENS is paradoxical nasal obstructionfeeling despite objectively wide nasal airway. ENS pathogen...Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a rare complication that develops after partial orcomplete turbinectomy. The main feature of ENS is paradoxical nasal obstructionfeeling despite objectively wide nasal airway. ENS pathogenesis is multifactorialand includes changes in laminar physiological airflow, disruption of mucosafunctions and deficient neural sensation. This leads to the development of ENSsymptomatology such as dyspnea, nasal dryness, nasal burning, nasalobstruction, feeling of suffocation and even comorbid psychiatric disorders thatsignificantly impairs life quality. Specific effective treatment of ENS does not existup to date. In this review we outline existing biomaterial for surgical reconstitutionof nasal anatomy and discuss the perspective of stem cell-based technologiesin ENS management. The main focus is directed to justification ofrationality application of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from differenttissues origin and neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) based on their intrinsicbiological properties. MSCs transplantation may stimulate mucosa tissueregeneration via trophic factors secretion, direct transdifferentiation into epithelialcells and pronounced immunosuppressive effect. From the other hand, NCSCsbased on their high neuroprotective properties may reconstitute nerve structureand functioning leading to normal sensation in ENS patients. We postulate thatapplication of cell-based and tissue-engineered products can help to significantlyimprove ENS symptomatology only as complex approach aimed at reconstitutionof nasal anatomy, recovery the nasal mucosa functionality and neural tissuesensation.展开更多
Immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment that utilizes immune cells or drugs to activate the patient's own immune system and eliminate cancer cells.One of the most exciting advances withi...Immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment that utilizes immune cells or drugs to activate the patient's own immune system and eliminate cancer cells.One of the most exciting advances within this field is the targeting of neoantigens,which are peptides derived from non-synonymous somatic mutations that are found exclusively within cancer cells and absent in normal cells.Although neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines have not received approval for standard cancer treatment,early clinical trials have yielded encouraging outcomes as standalone monotherapy or when combined with checkpoint inhibitors.Progress made in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics have greatly facilitated the precise and efficient identification of neoantigens.Consequently,personalized neoantigen-based vaccines tailored to each patient have been developed that are capable of eliciting a robust and long-lasting immune response which effectively eliminates tumors and prevents recurrences.This review provides a concise overview consolidating the latest clinical advances in neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines,and also discusses challenges and future perspectives for this innovative approach,particularly emphasizing the potential of neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines to enhance clinical efficacy against advanced solid tumors.展开更多
Drought-resistant plants exhibit strong water retention capability.In this regard,the autotetraploid sour jujube leaves exhibit better water retention than diploid leaves.Morphological comparisons and physiological co...Drought-resistant plants exhibit strong water retention capability.In this regard,the autotetraploid sour jujube leaves exhibit better water retention than diploid leaves.Morphological comparisons and physiological comparisons of diploid and autotetraploid leaves showed that the autotetraploid leaves had thicker leaf cuticles and more leaf wax accumulation than the diploid leaves,which could reduce cuticle permeability and improve the drought tolerance of leaves.In this study,the cuticular wax crystalloids on the adaxial and abaxial sides of young and mature jujube leaves were observed in the two ploidy types,and unique cuticular wax crystalloids covering a large area of the cuticle on autotetraploid sour jujube leaves may provide an advantage in reducing leaf non-stomata transpiration and improving plant drought tolerance.Based on the transcriptome,115 differentially expressed genes between diploids and autotetraploids were further analyzed and found to be involved in the accumulation of cuticular wax components,including terpenoids,fatty acids,and lipids,as well as ABC transporter and wax biosynthetic process.Finally,14 genes differentially expressed between glossy autotetraploid leaves and nonglossy diploid leaves,such as LOC107414787,LOC107411574 and LOC107413721,were screened as candidate genes by qRT-PCR analysis.This findings provided insights into how polyploidization improved drought tolerance.展开更多
Photodynamic therapy(PDT)can take place in the presence of three elements:Light with an appropriate wavelength;a photosensitizer;and the presence of oxygen.This type of treatment is very effective overall against bact...Photodynamic therapy(PDT)can take place in the presence of three elements:Light with an appropriate wavelength;a photosensitizer;and the presence of oxygen.This type of treatment is very effective overall against bacterial,viral and mycotic cells.In the last 10 years many papers have been published on PDT with different types of photosensitizers(e.g.,methylene blue,toluidine blue,indocyanine green,curcumin-based photosensitizers),different wavelengths(e.g.,460 nm,630 nm,660 nm,810 nm)and various parameters(e.g.,power of the light,time of illumination,number of sessions).In the scientific literature all types of PDT seem very effective,even if it is difficult to find a standard protocol for each oral pathology.PDT could be an interesting way to treat some dangerous oral infections refractory to common pharmacological therapies,such as candidiasis from multidrug-resistant Candida spp.展开更多
Introduction: In Guinea, there is few data on dietary practices socio-economic and clinical characteristics of elderly diabetics and hypertensives. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of people aged ...Introduction: In Guinea, there is few data on dietary practices socio-economic and clinical characteristics of elderly diabetics and hypertensives. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of people aged 60 years and over, seen in consultation or hospitalised in Conakry University hospitals during the period from 5 September to 15 December 2023 inclusively. Results: Among the 320 subjects included in the study, there were more men (50.6%). The average age was 67 ± 7.69 years;53.43% had hypertension and 46.57% had diabetes. Sex was significantly associated with diabetes (p = 0.035). Women in the study were more affected by diabetes (55.7%), 64.4% of diabetic subjects were married and more than 64% of them had dependent children. 26.2% of diabetics were not employed;85.9% had an income;34.9% had an income of less than one million Guinean francs per month and 74.5% of them had 3 meals a day. Physical activity, 24-hour recall for lunch (p Conclusion: Effective management of diabetes and hypertension in the elderly should necessarily involve nutrition education in hospitals.展开更多
The aim of this study is to produce large quantities of yam tubers in the field from seed tubers derived from vitroplants regenerated from aerial stem cuttings and farmers’ tuber seeds. Seed tubers from ten yam culti...The aim of this study is to produce large quantities of yam tubers in the field from seed tubers derived from vitroplants regenerated from aerial stem cuttings and farmers’ tuber seeds. Seed tubers from ten yam cultivars, including five from Dioscorea alata (cDa083, cDa053, cDa115, cDa150 and cDa266) and five from Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (cDr015, cDr027, cDr150, cDr206 and cDr148) with distinct agro-morphological characteristics, were used as material. A completely randomized block design with 3 replications was used. In each block, all cultivars and seed types were represented. When put into cultivation, the tubers produced by the vitroplants all germinated and gave 100% healthy plants, compared with 86% to 100% healthy plants for the seed tubers produced by the farmers. Yields per hectare ranged from 10 to 25 tonnes for seed tubers produced by in vitro plants, and from 4 to 9 tons for seed tubers produced by farmers. Seed tubers from vitroplants can therefore be recommended to farmers as a solution to the problem of seed tuber unavailability.展开更多
This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-...This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-ecological zones. Soil samples were also used to evaluate directly the AMF abundance following the various altitudes and after trapping by sorghum plant. The results showed that soil properties, AMF spore abundances and colonization fluctuated significantly at different altitudes. The most represented texture was sandy loam. The bimodal zone presented a homogeneous texture (sandy loam) in all its localities. Cacao soil chemical characteristics showed that, the highest nitrogen rate (0.47%;p 0.05, Scott-Knott test) was recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone while Tonga in the Western highlands displayed the lowest rate (0.13%). Soil P concentration was significantly high in monomodal zones (Mbanga and Melong). Soil pH level indicated that the soil from Tonga in the Western highlands was neutral (pH = 6.67), and soils of other localities under study were acidic with the lowest (4.75) pH level recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone. In soil samples, the highest spore density (1.03 spores/g soil) was observed at Ntui in Bimodal zone, while the lowest spore density (0.26 spores/g soil) was observed at Bafang in the Western highlands. Root colonization showed that the sample from Bokito in a bimodal zone displayed the best frequency of mycorrhization (86.11%) while the sample from Bafang in the Western highlands recorded the lowest (27.11%). The PCA analysis highlighted that available phosphorus, pH and altitude all strongly correlated with AMF root colonization ability and can be used as a predictor of AMF colonization ability in cacao rhizosphere.展开更多
The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of infectious cancers, leading to a growing global interest on the profiling of HPV-related cancers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the retrospective...The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of infectious cancers, leading to a growing global interest on the profiling of HPV-related cancers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the retrospective epidemiological profile of HPV-related cancer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The incidence profiling of HPV-related cancers in males and females of UAE of all ages ranged from a minimum of 0.6% to a maximum of 4.5% for testes cancer and colon cancer respectively in males;whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 1.0% and a maximum of 34% for Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney, bladder, liver and pancreas cancer and breast cancer, respectively. The incidence profiling of HPV-related cancers in males and females of ages 15 - 44 years old ranged from a minimum of 0.1% to a maximum of 11.2% for pancreas cancer, and colon and rectum cancer respectively in males, whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 0.1% and a maximum of 18% for pancreas and breast cancer, respectively. The mortality profiling of HPV-related cancers in males and females of all ages in the UAE ranged from a minimum of 0.1% for Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer to a maximum of 4.5% for colon and rectum cancer respectively in males, whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 0.2% and a maximum of 4.5% for pancreas and breast cancer, respectively. The mortality profiling of HPV-related cancers mortality in males and females of ages 15 - 44 years old in the UAE ranged from a minimum of 0.2% to a maximum of 4.3% for testicular cancer and colon cancer respectively in males, whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 0.2% and a maximum of 7.2% for bladder and breast cancer respectively. In conclusion, the profiling of HPV-related cancers in UAE for both males and females of all ages is similar to that reported for other parts of the world.展开更多
Toxicity is the totality of adverse effects, which can be functional and morphological lesions in a living organism, caused by a substance introduced in relatively high single doses or in small, repeated doses. The ai...Toxicity is the totality of adverse effects, which can be functional and morphological lesions in a living organism, caused by a substance introduced in relatively high single doses or in small, repeated doses. The aim of this study was to assess the OECD-recommended acute oral toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaves. Animals were given a single oral dose of 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/Kg body weight (BW) of the extract. For the anti-inflammatory activity test, rats were given the ethanolic extract of F. umbellata leaves at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg or aspirin® at a concentration of 100 mg/Kg PC orally, one hour before injection of 0.05 ml of 1% formalin under the plantar fascia of the rat’s right hind paw. Paw volume measurements were taken one, two and three hours after formalin injection, using an electronic caliper. After 14 days of observation, no deaths were observed in treated rats. The LD50 of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaf powder is greater than 5000 mg/Kg body weight. This extract has no significant effects on hematological parameters and on the main markers of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity for a single dose of less than 5000 mg/Kg PC. It reduces formalin-induced edema. Evaluation of the percentage inhibition showed that the extract had greater anti-inflammatory activity at 3 hours after the start of the experiment. However, better inhibition of inflammatory oedema of the paw of rats treated with 500 mg/Kg was observed at 5 hours after the start of the experiment, with a percentage inhibition of 69.23 ± 1.02, compared with the reference group treated with aspirin® 100 mg/Kg, which showed an inhibition of 63.50 ± 0.98. These results show that F. umbellata leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity, which would justify their use in traditional African medicine to prevent or treat inflammation.展开更多
Haptoglobin(HP)is a liver glycoprotein that is actively synthesized during in-flammatory and hemolytic processes.It also has pro-oxidant and proinflam-matory properties,which are a function of its genotype.The genetic...Haptoglobin(HP)is a liver glycoprotein that is actively synthesized during in-flammatory and hemolytic processes.It also has pro-oxidant and proinflam-matory properties,which are a function of its genotype.The genetic polymorp-hism of the chains leads to synthesis of three phenotypes/proteins,which are related to the number and type of chains and their molecular weight,namely HP1-1,HP1-2 and HP2-2.Patients with HP2-2 have more vascular complications,while those with HP1-1 have fewer.HP is involved in the worsening of diseases,such as HP2-2 in aggravation of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease,and worsening of the pathophysiology of other diseases.In contrast,HP1-1 confers better protection against diseases.All of this suggests that further studies should be conducted,including experimental and analytical studies focused on de-monstrating the influence of different HP genotypes on individual clinical and hematological data.This would help in understanding the role played by this genetic polymorphism in the pathophysiology of diseases.展开更多
The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the effect of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius root powder on haemostasis parameters and lipid profile in male and female Wistar rats. The plant material co...The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the effect of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius root powder on haemostasis parameters and lipid profile in male and female Wistar rats. The plant material consisted exclusively of Sarcocephalus latifolius roots harvested in Porto-Novo, southern Benin and certified at the Benin National Herbarium under number YH 790/HNB. The animals were divided into four groups of three rats and gavaged for 14 days. The control rats were given distilled water orally, while the test batches were given 100, 200 and 300 mg/Kg of BW extract respectively. Blood samples were taken on days 7 and 14 of treatment and used to explore the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of haemostasis. These included parameters such as bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and platelet count. Lipid parameters were also explored. Parameters such as total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were studied. Data on days D0, D7 and D14 for each haemostasis parameter and lipid profile were expressed as the mean plus or minus the standard error for each batch of animals. The data on day D0 were compared with those on days D7 and D14 to check whether there was a significant difference between the data obtained. The difference between D0 and D14 was tested using the parametric paired two-sample test using R Studio software and Graphpad Prism 9.5.1 software (733). A significant dose-dependent decrease in bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin was recorded, with the exception of the platelet count. As regards lipid parameters, there was a significant dose-dependent reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and an increase in HDL cholesterol. The results confirm that the roots of Sarcocephalus latifolius accelerate the arrest of bleeding, thanks to its ability to stimulate the formation of platelet clots and improve the lipid profile of the animals by eliminating bad cholesterol.展开更多
A field experiment with four treatments and four replicates in a randomized complete block design was conducted at the Changwu Experimental Station in Changwu County, Shaanxi Province, of Northwest China from 1998 to ...A field experiment with four treatments and four replicates in a randomized complete block design was conducted at the Changwu Experimental Station in Changwu County, Shaanxi Province, of Northwest China from 1998 to 2002. The local cropping sequence of wheat, wheat-beans, maize, and wheat over the 4-year period was adopted. A micro-plot study using ^15N-lahelled fertilizer was carried out to determine the fate of applied N fertilizer in the first year. When N fertilizer was applied wheat （years 1, 2 and 4） and maize （year 3） grain yield increased significantly （P 〈 0.05） （〉 30%）, with no significant yield differences in normal rainfall years （Years 1, 2 and 3） for N application at the commonly application rate and at 2/3 of this rate. Grain yield of wheat varied greatly between years, mainly due to variation in annual rainfall. Results of ^15N studies on wheat showed that plants recovered 36.6%-38.4% of the N applied, the N remained in soll （0-40 cm） ranged from 29.2% to 33.6%, and unaccounted-for N was 29.5%-34.2%. The following crop （wheat） recovered 2.1%- 2.8% of the residual N from N applied to the previous wheat crop with recovery generally decreasing in the subsequent three crops （beans, maize and wheat）.展开更多
Diabetes mellitus and associated chronic hyperglycemia enhance the risk of acute ischemic stroke and lead to worsened clinical outcome and increased mortality. However, post-stroke hyperglycemia is also present in a n...Diabetes mellitus and associated chronic hyperglycemia enhance the risk of acute ischemic stroke and lead to worsened clinical outcome and increased mortality. However, post-stroke hyperglycemia is also present in a number of non-diabetic patients after acute ischemic stroke, presumably as a stress response. The aim of this review is to summarize the main effects of hyperglycemia when associated to ischemic injury in acute stroke patients, highlighting the clinical and neurological outcomes in these conditions and after the administration of the currently approved pharmacological treatment, i.e. insulin. The disappointing results of the clinical trials on insulin(including the hypoglycemic events) demand a change of strategy based on more focused therapies. Starting from the comprehensive evaluation of the physiopathological alterations occurring in the ischemic brain during hyperglycemic conditions, the effects of various classes of glucose-lowering drugs are reviewed, such as glucose-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, in the perspective of overcoming the up-to-date limitations and of evaluating the effectiveness of new potential therapeutic strategies.展开更多
Fungi are often used to induce agarwood inAquilariatrees. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of several fungi on agarwood formation over time in youngAquilaria malaccensis （Lam.） trees. Typical changes ...Fungi are often used to induce agarwood inAquilariatrees. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of several fungi on agarwood formation over time in youngAquilaria malaccensis （Lam.） trees. Typical changes in the length and light intensity of the resulting discoloration were observed after three and six month periods following inoculation. Wood samples were observed microscopically and classified into several light intensity groups. The discoloration length was meas-ured longitudinally. The duration after inoculation affected the mean of discoloration length： the 6-month old sample （1.70 cm） had a wider discoloration zone when compared to the 3-month old sample （1.17 cm）. When measuring the discoloration intensity, a positive relationship with time was perceived. Digital images, captured using a camera-equipped microscope, revealed that wood samples collected after six months appeared to be 1.8-times darker than after three months. We concluded that time, not the species of any of the tested fungi, had significant effect on discoloration length and intensity. Gas chromatography/mass spec-trometry （GCMS） analysis of the 6-month old sample yielded some important agarwood compounds such as benzylacetone, anisylacetone, guaiene and palustrol. This demonstrates that the tested fungi have the ability to induce agarwood formation in nurseryA. malaccensis trees.展开更多
Amplified inter simple sequence repeats （ISSR） markers were used to determine genetic relationships among mutant silkworm strains of Bombyx mori. Fifteen ISSR primers containing simple sequence repeat （SSR） motifs...Amplified inter simple sequence repeats （ISSR） markers were used to determine genetic relationships among mutant silkworm strains of Bombyx mori. Fifteen ISSR primers containing simple sequence repeat （SSR） motifs were used in this study. A total of 113 markers were produced among 20 mutant strains, of which 73.45% were found to be polymorphic. In selected mutant genetic stocks, the average number of observed allele was （1.7080 ± 0.4567）, effective alleles （1.5194 ± 0.3950） and genetic diversity （Ht） （0.2901 ± 0.0415）. The dendrogram produced using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means （UPGMA） and cluster analysis made using Nei＇s genetic distance resulted in the formation of one major group containing 6 groups separated 20 mutant silkworm strains. Therefore, ISSR amplification is a valuable method for determining the genetic variability among mutant silkworm strains. This efficient molecular marker would be useful for characterizing a considerable number of silkworm strains maintained at the germplasm center.展开更多
基金Southern Illinois University,Carbondale,ILMinistry of Higher Education&Scientific Research,Baghdad,Iraq+2 种基金NIFA-USDA Hatch project accession#1016077(Multistate#W4171)USDAARS project 6066-31000-015-00DNIH MS-IDeA network of Biomedical Research Excellence award 5P20GMI03476-19.GMI received a PhD scholarship from the Ministry of Higher Education&Scientific Research,Baghdad,Iraq.
文摘Background Ovarian follicular fluid(FF)is a dynamic environment that changes with the seasons,affecting follicle development,ovulation,and oocyte quality.Cells in the follicles release tiny particles called extracellular vesicles(EVs)containing vital regulatory molecules,such as microRNAs(miRNAs).These miRNAs are pivotal in facilitating commu-nication within the follicles through diverse signaling and information transfer forms.EV-coupled miRNA signaling is implicated to be associated with ovarian function,follicle and oocyte growth and response to various environmen-tal insults.Herein,we investigated how seasonal variations directly influence the ovulatory and anovulatory states of ovarian follicles and how are they associated with follicular fluid EV-coupled miRNA dynamics in horses.Results Ultrasonographic monitoring and follicular fluid aspiration of preovulatory follicles in horses during the ano-vulatory(spring:non-breeding)and ovulatory(spring,summer,and fall:breeding)seasons and subsequent EV isola-tion and miRNA profiling identified significant variation in EV-miRNA cargo content.We identified 97 miRNAs with dif-ferential expression among the groups and specific clusters of miRNAs involved in the spring transition(miR-149,-200b,-206,-221,-328,and-615)and peak breeding period(including miR-143,-192,-451,-302b,-100,and let-7c).Bioinformatic analyses showed enrichments in various biological functions,e.g.,transcription factor activity,transcrip-tion and transcription regulation,nucleic acid binding,sequence-specific DNA binding,p53 signaling,and post-trans-lational modifications.Cluster analyses revealed distinct sets of significantly up-and down-regulated miRNAs associ-ated with spring anovulatory(Cluster 1)and summer ovulation–the peak breeding season(Clusters 4 and 6).Conclusions The findings from the current study shed light on the dynamics of FF-EV-coupled miRNAs in relation to equine ovulatory and anovulatory seasons,and their roles in understanding the mechanisms involved in seasonal shifts and ovulation during the breeding season warrant further investigation.
文摘Development of crop varieties which are resistant against many economically important diseases is a major challenge for plant biotechnologists worldwide. Although much progress in this area has been achieved through classical genetic approaches, this goal can be achieved in a more selective and robust manner with the success of genetic engineering techniques. In this regard, RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a powerful modality for battling some of the most notoriously challenging diseases caused by viruses, fungi and bacteria. RNAi is a mechanism for RNA-guided regulation of gene expression in which double-stranded ribonucleic acid (dsRNA) inhibits the expression of genes with complementary nucleotide sequences. The application of tissue-specific or inducible gene silencing in combination with the use of appropriate promoters to silence several genes simultaneously will result in protection of crops against destructive pathogens. RNAi application has resulted in successful control of many economically important diseases in plants.
文摘The depletion of world petroleum reserves and the increased environmental concerns have stimulated the search for alternative sources for petroleum based fuel. The possibility of using vegetable oils as fuel has been recognized, however, due to its high viscosities and low volatilities makes it inefficient for most combustion engines and thus the need to get them chemically altered or transesterified to obtain fatty alkyl esters of the oil (biodiesel). In this study, binary and ternary blends of biodiesel were produced and the effect of temperature on their viscosity and density was investigated. Biodiesel was produced from soybean oil by transesterification of the oil with methanol using potassium hydroxide as a catalyst at a temperature of 60℃ in a batch reactor. Binary and ternary blends of the soy-biodiesel were prepared with soy bean oil and petroleum diesel fuel, respectively. Viscosities and densities of the binary and ternary blends were measured at different temperatures of 20℃ to 90℃ as to determine the effect of temperature on viscosities and densities of the blends. The properties of the soy-biodiesel produced were compared with ASTM standard and found to be within the limits. The results show that the viscosities and densities of both the binary and ternary blends are temperature dependent. The viscosities of binary and ternary blends decreased nonlinearly with temperature, while their densities decreased linearly with temperature. The variation of temperature with viscosity and density of the blends was correlated and the polynomial equation offered the best correlation between temperature and viscosity, while linear equation gave the best correlation between temperature and density. In conclusion, the efficiency of binary and ternary blends of biodiesel in combustion engines is dependent on the viscosity and density of the blends which are invariably temperature dependent.
文摘Empty nose syndrome (ENS) is a rare complication that develops after partial orcomplete turbinectomy. The main feature of ENS is paradoxical nasal obstructionfeeling despite objectively wide nasal airway. ENS pathogenesis is multifactorialand includes changes in laminar physiological airflow, disruption of mucosafunctions and deficient neural sensation. This leads to the development of ENSsymptomatology such as dyspnea, nasal dryness, nasal burning, nasalobstruction, feeling of suffocation and even comorbid psychiatric disorders thatsignificantly impairs life quality. Specific effective treatment of ENS does not existup to date. In this review we outline existing biomaterial for surgical reconstitutionof nasal anatomy and discuss the perspective of stem cell-based technologiesin ENS management. The main focus is directed to justification ofrationality application of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from differenttissues origin and neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) based on their intrinsicbiological properties. MSCs transplantation may stimulate mucosa tissueregeneration via trophic factors secretion, direct transdifferentiation into epithelialcells and pronounced immunosuppressive effect. From the other hand, NCSCsbased on their high neuroprotective properties may reconstitute nerve structureand functioning leading to normal sensation in ENS patients. We postulate thatapplication of cell-based and tissue-engineered products can help to significantlyimprove ENS symptomatology only as complex approach aimed at reconstitutionof nasal anatomy, recovery the nasal mucosa functionality and neural tissuesensation.
基金supported by grants from the National Clinical Research Center Cancer Fundthe Haihe Laboratory of Synthetic Biology(22HHSWSS00004)。
文摘Immunotherapy represents a promising strategy for cancer treatment that utilizes immune cells or drugs to activate the patient's own immune system and eliminate cancer cells.One of the most exciting advances within this field is the targeting of neoantigens,which are peptides derived from non-synonymous somatic mutations that are found exclusively within cancer cells and absent in normal cells.Although neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines have not received approval for standard cancer treatment,early clinical trials have yielded encouraging outcomes as standalone monotherapy or when combined with checkpoint inhibitors.Progress made in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics have greatly facilitated the precise and efficient identification of neoantigens.Consequently,personalized neoantigen-based vaccines tailored to each patient have been developed that are capable of eliciting a robust and long-lasting immune response which effectively eliminates tumors and prevents recurrences.This review provides a concise overview consolidating the latest clinical advances in neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines,and also discusses challenges and future perspectives for this innovative approach,particularly emphasizing the potential of neoantigen-based therapeutic vaccines to enhance clinical efficacy against advanced solid tumors.
基金supported by grants from the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(Grant No.2021JD02)the National Key Research and Development Program of China(Grant No.2018YFD1000607)。
文摘Drought-resistant plants exhibit strong water retention capability.In this regard,the autotetraploid sour jujube leaves exhibit better water retention than diploid leaves.Morphological comparisons and physiological comparisons of diploid and autotetraploid leaves showed that the autotetraploid leaves had thicker leaf cuticles and more leaf wax accumulation than the diploid leaves,which could reduce cuticle permeability and improve the drought tolerance of leaves.In this study,the cuticular wax crystalloids on the adaxial and abaxial sides of young and mature jujube leaves were observed in the two ploidy types,and unique cuticular wax crystalloids covering a large area of the cuticle on autotetraploid sour jujube leaves may provide an advantage in reducing leaf non-stomata transpiration and improving plant drought tolerance.Based on the transcriptome,115 differentially expressed genes between diploids and autotetraploids were further analyzed and found to be involved in the accumulation of cuticular wax components,including terpenoids,fatty acids,and lipids,as well as ABC transporter and wax biosynthetic process.Finally,14 genes differentially expressed between glossy autotetraploid leaves and nonglossy diploid leaves,such as LOC107414787,LOC107411574 and LOC107413721,were screened as candidate genes by qRT-PCR analysis.This findings provided insights into how polyploidization improved drought tolerance.
文摘Photodynamic therapy(PDT)can take place in the presence of three elements:Light with an appropriate wavelength;a photosensitizer;and the presence of oxygen.This type of treatment is very effective overall against bacterial,viral and mycotic cells.In the last 10 years many papers have been published on PDT with different types of photosensitizers(e.g.,methylene blue,toluidine blue,indocyanine green,curcumin-based photosensitizers),different wavelengths(e.g.,460 nm,630 nm,660 nm,810 nm)and various parameters(e.g.,power of the light,time of illumination,number of sessions).In the scientific literature all types of PDT seem very effective,even if it is difficult to find a standard protocol for each oral pathology.PDT could be an interesting way to treat some dangerous oral infections refractory to common pharmacological therapies,such as candidiasis from multidrug-resistant Candida spp.
文摘Introduction: In Guinea, there is few data on dietary practices socio-economic and clinical characteristics of elderly diabetics and hypertensives. Methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study of people aged 60 years and over, seen in consultation or hospitalised in Conakry University hospitals during the period from 5 September to 15 December 2023 inclusively. Results: Among the 320 subjects included in the study, there were more men (50.6%). The average age was 67 ± 7.69 years;53.43% had hypertension and 46.57% had diabetes. Sex was significantly associated with diabetes (p = 0.035). Women in the study were more affected by diabetes (55.7%), 64.4% of diabetic subjects were married and more than 64% of them had dependent children. 26.2% of diabetics were not employed;85.9% had an income;34.9% had an income of less than one million Guinean francs per month and 74.5% of them had 3 meals a day. Physical activity, 24-hour recall for lunch (p Conclusion: Effective management of diabetes and hypertension in the elderly should necessarily involve nutrition education in hospitals.
文摘The aim of this study is to produce large quantities of yam tubers in the field from seed tubers derived from vitroplants regenerated from aerial stem cuttings and farmers’ tuber seeds. Seed tubers from ten yam cultivars, including five from Dioscorea alata (cDa083, cDa053, cDa115, cDa150 and cDa266) and five from Dioscorea cayenensis-rotundata (cDr015, cDr027, cDr150, cDr206 and cDr148) with distinct agro-morphological characteristics, were used as material. A completely randomized block design with 3 replications was used. In each block, all cultivars and seed types were represented. When put into cultivation, the tubers produced by the vitroplants all germinated and gave 100% healthy plants, compared with 86% to 100% healthy plants for the seed tubers produced by the farmers. Yields per hectare ranged from 10 to 25 tonnes for seed tubers produced by in vitro plants, and from 4 to 9 tons for seed tubers produced by farmers. Seed tubers from vitroplants can therefore be recommended to farmers as a solution to the problem of seed tuber unavailability.
文摘This study aims to investigate the abundance of AMF according to soil properties and altitudes in different cacao plantations of Cameroon. Physico-chemical analyses were made on soil samples collected from three agro-ecological zones. Soil samples were also used to evaluate directly the AMF abundance following the various altitudes and after trapping by sorghum plant. The results showed that soil properties, AMF spore abundances and colonization fluctuated significantly at different altitudes. The most represented texture was sandy loam. The bimodal zone presented a homogeneous texture (sandy loam) in all its localities. Cacao soil chemical characteristics showed that, the highest nitrogen rate (0.47%;p 0.05, Scott-Knott test) was recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone while Tonga in the Western highlands displayed the lowest rate (0.13%). Soil P concentration was significantly high in monomodal zones (Mbanga and Melong). Soil pH level indicated that the soil from Tonga in the Western highlands was neutral (pH = 6.67), and soils of other localities under study were acidic with the lowest (4.75) pH level recorded at Melong in a monomodal zone. In soil samples, the highest spore density (1.03 spores/g soil) was observed at Ntui in Bimodal zone, while the lowest spore density (0.26 spores/g soil) was observed at Bafang in the Western highlands. Root colonization showed that the sample from Bokito in a bimodal zone displayed the best frequency of mycorrhization (86.11%) while the sample from Bafang in the Western highlands recorded the lowest (27.11%). The PCA analysis highlighted that available phosphorus, pH and altitude all strongly correlated with AMF root colonization ability and can be used as a predictor of AMF colonization ability in cacao rhizosphere.
文摘The human papillomavirus (HPV) is a leading cause of infectious cancers, leading to a growing global interest on the profiling of HPV-related cancers. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the retrospective epidemiological profile of HPV-related cancer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The incidence profiling of HPV-related cancers in males and females of UAE of all ages ranged from a minimum of 0.6% to a maximum of 4.5% for testes cancer and colon cancer respectively in males;whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 1.0% and a maximum of 34% for Hodgkin lymphoma, kidney, bladder, liver and pancreas cancer and breast cancer, respectively. The incidence profiling of HPV-related cancers in males and females of ages 15 - 44 years old ranged from a minimum of 0.1% to a maximum of 11.2% for pancreas cancer, and colon and rectum cancer respectively in males, whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 0.1% and a maximum of 18% for pancreas and breast cancer, respectively. The mortality profiling of HPV-related cancers in males and females of all ages in the UAE ranged from a minimum of 0.1% for Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer to a maximum of 4.5% for colon and rectum cancer respectively in males, whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 0.2% and a maximum of 4.5% for pancreas and breast cancer, respectively. The mortality profiling of HPV-related cancers mortality in males and females of ages 15 - 44 years old in the UAE ranged from a minimum of 0.2% to a maximum of 4.3% for testicular cancer and colon cancer respectively in males, whilst in females it ranged from a minimum of 0.2% and a maximum of 7.2% for bladder and breast cancer respectively. In conclusion, the profiling of HPV-related cancers in UAE for both males and females of all ages is similar to that reported for other parts of the world.
文摘Toxicity is the totality of adverse effects, which can be functional and morphological lesions in a living organism, caused by a substance introduced in relatively high single doses or in small, repeated doses. The aim of this study was to assess the OECD-recommended acute oral toxicity and anti-inflammatory activity of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaves. Animals were given a single oral dose of 1000, 3000 and 5000 mg/Kg body weight (BW) of the extract. For the anti-inflammatory activity test, rats were given the ethanolic extract of F. umbellata leaves at doses of 100, 300 and 500 mg/Kg or aspirin® at a concentration of 100 mg/Kg PC orally, one hour before injection of 0.05 ml of 1% formalin under the plantar fascia of the rat’s right hind paw. Paw volume measurements were taken one, two and three hours after formalin injection, using an electronic caliper. After 14 days of observation, no deaths were observed in treated rats. The LD50 of ethanolic extract of Ficus umbellata leaf powder is greater than 5000 mg/Kg body weight. This extract has no significant effects on hematological parameters and on the main markers of nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity for a single dose of less than 5000 mg/Kg PC. It reduces formalin-induced edema. Evaluation of the percentage inhibition showed that the extract had greater anti-inflammatory activity at 3 hours after the start of the experiment. However, better inhibition of inflammatory oedema of the paw of rats treated with 500 mg/Kg was observed at 5 hours after the start of the experiment, with a percentage inhibition of 69.23 ± 1.02, compared with the reference group treated with aspirin® 100 mg/Kg, which showed an inhibition of 63.50 ± 0.98. These results show that F. umbellata leaves possess anti-inflammatory activity, which would justify their use in traditional African medicine to prevent or treat inflammation.
文摘Haptoglobin(HP)is a liver glycoprotein that is actively synthesized during in-flammatory and hemolytic processes.It also has pro-oxidant and proinflam-matory properties,which are a function of its genotype.The genetic polymorp-hism of the chains leads to synthesis of three phenotypes/proteins,which are related to the number and type of chains and their molecular weight,namely HP1-1,HP1-2 and HP2-2.Patients with HP2-2 have more vascular complications,while those with HP1-1 have fewer.HP is involved in the worsening of diseases,such as HP2-2 in aggravation of vaso-occlusive crises in sickle cell disease,and worsening of the pathophysiology of other diseases.In contrast,HP1-1 confers better protection against diseases.All of this suggests that further studies should be conducted,including experimental and analytical studies focused on de-monstrating the influence of different HP genotypes on individual clinical and hematological data.This would help in understanding the role played by this genetic polymorphism in the pathophysiology of diseases.
文摘The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the effect of the aqueous extract of Sarcocephalus latifolius root powder on haemostasis parameters and lipid profile in male and female Wistar rats. The plant material consisted exclusively of Sarcocephalus latifolius roots harvested in Porto-Novo, southern Benin and certified at the Benin National Herbarium under number YH 790/HNB. The animals were divided into four groups of three rats and gavaged for 14 days. The control rats were given distilled water orally, while the test batches were given 100, 200 and 300 mg/Kg of BW extract respectively. Blood samples were taken on days 7 and 14 of treatment and used to explore the intrinsic and extrinsic pathways of haemostasis. These included parameters such as bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time and platelet count. Lipid parameters were also explored. Parameters such as total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were studied. Data on days D0, D7 and D14 for each haemostasis parameter and lipid profile were expressed as the mean plus or minus the standard error for each batch of animals. The data on day D0 were compared with those on days D7 and D14 to check whether there was a significant difference between the data obtained. The difference between D0 and D14 was tested using the parametric paired two-sample test using R Studio software and Graphpad Prism 9.5.1 software (733). A significant dose-dependent decrease in bleeding time, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin and thrombin was recorded, with the exception of the platelet count. As regards lipid parameters, there was a significant dose-dependent reduction in LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and an increase in HDL cholesterol. The results confirm that the roots of Sarcocephalus latifolius accelerate the arrest of bleeding, thanks to its ability to stimulate the formation of platelet clots and improve the lipid profile of the animals by eliminating bad cholesterol.
基金Project supported by the International Atom Energy Agency (IAEA) (NO. 302-D1-CRP-9986) and the National Basic Research Program of China (NO. 2005CB121102).
文摘A field experiment with four treatments and four replicates in a randomized complete block design was conducted at the Changwu Experimental Station in Changwu County, Shaanxi Province, of Northwest China from 1998 to 2002. The local cropping sequence of wheat, wheat-beans, maize, and wheat over the 4-year period was adopted. A micro-plot study using ^15N-lahelled fertilizer was carried out to determine the fate of applied N fertilizer in the first year. When N fertilizer was applied wheat （years 1, 2 and 4） and maize （year 3） grain yield increased significantly （P 〈 0.05） （〉 30%）, with no significant yield differences in normal rainfall years （Years 1, 2 and 3） for N application at the commonly application rate and at 2/3 of this rate. Grain yield of wheat varied greatly between years, mainly due to variation in annual rainfall. Results of ^15N studies on wheat showed that plants recovered 36.6%-38.4% of the N applied, the N remained in soll （0-40 cm） ranged from 29.2% to 33.6%, and unaccounted-for N was 29.5%-34.2%. The following crop （wheat） recovered 2.1%- 2.8% of the residual N from N applied to the previous wheat crop with recovery generally decreasing in the subsequent three crops （beans, maize and wheat）.
基金supported by a grant from Catholic Universitary Center(Centro Universitario Cattolico)-Conferenza Episcopale Italiana,Rome,Italy(to FF)。
文摘Diabetes mellitus and associated chronic hyperglycemia enhance the risk of acute ischemic stroke and lead to worsened clinical outcome and increased mortality. However, post-stroke hyperglycemia is also present in a number of non-diabetic patients after acute ischemic stroke, presumably as a stress response. The aim of this review is to summarize the main effects of hyperglycemia when associated to ischemic injury in acute stroke patients, highlighting the clinical and neurological outcomes in these conditions and after the administration of the currently approved pharmacological treatment, i.e. insulin. The disappointing results of the clinical trials on insulin(including the hypoglycemic events) demand a change of strategy based on more focused therapies. Starting from the comprehensive evaluation of the physiopathological alterations occurring in the ischemic brain during hyperglycemic conditions, the effects of various classes of glucose-lowering drugs are reviewed, such as glucose-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, DPP-4 inhibitors and sodium glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors, in the perspective of overcoming the up-to-date limitations and of evaluating the effectiveness of new potential therapeutic strategies.
基金supported by the Universiti Putra Malaysia Research University Grant Scheme(Project No.03-03-11-1438RU)
文摘Fungi are often used to induce agarwood inAquilariatrees. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of several fungi on agarwood formation over time in youngAquilaria malaccensis （Lam.） trees. Typical changes in the length and light intensity of the resulting discoloration were observed after three and six month periods following inoculation. Wood samples were observed microscopically and classified into several light intensity groups. The discoloration length was meas-ured longitudinally. The duration after inoculation affected the mean of discoloration length： the 6-month old sample （1.70 cm） had a wider discoloration zone when compared to the 3-month old sample （1.17 cm）. When measuring the discoloration intensity, a positive relationship with time was perceived. Digital images, captured using a camera-equipped microscope, revealed that wood samples collected after six months appeared to be 1.8-times darker than after three months. We concluded that time, not the species of any of the tested fungi, had significant effect on discoloration length and intensity. Gas chromatography/mass spec-trometry （GCMS） analysis of the 6-month old sample yielded some important agarwood compounds such as benzylacetone, anisylacetone, guaiene and palustrol. This demonstrates that the tested fungi have the ability to induce agarwood formation in nurseryA. malaccensis trees.
文摘Amplified inter simple sequence repeats （ISSR） markers were used to determine genetic relationships among mutant silkworm strains of Bombyx mori. Fifteen ISSR primers containing simple sequence repeat （SSR） motifs were used in this study. A total of 113 markers were produced among 20 mutant strains, of which 73.45% were found to be polymorphic. In selected mutant genetic stocks, the average number of observed allele was （1.7080 ± 0.4567）, effective alleles （1.5194 ± 0.3950） and genetic diversity （Ht） （0.2901 ± 0.0415）. The dendrogram produced using the unweighted pair group method with arithmetic means （UPGMA） and cluster analysis made using Nei＇s genetic distance resulted in the formation of one major group containing 6 groups separated 20 mutant silkworm strains. Therefore, ISSR amplification is a valuable method for determining the genetic variability among mutant silkworm strains. This efficient molecular marker would be useful for characterizing a considerable number of silkworm strains maintained at the germplasm center.
