Mucosal vaccination with outer membrane vesicles derived from reduces nasal bacterial colonization after experimental infection.

Introduction: We previously identified -derived outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) as a promising immunogen for improving pertussis vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of our vaccine prototype in immunization strategies aimed at reducing disease transmission by targeting colonization in the upper airways while maintaining protection against severe disease by reducing colonization in the lower respiratory tract.

Methods: We assessed different mucosal administration strategies in a murine model, including homologous mucosal 2-dose prime-boost schedules and heterologous prime-boost strategies combining intramuscular (IM) systemic immunization with mucosal routes (intranasal, IN; or sublingual, SL).

Rodent group borreliae do occur in wild rodents from the Caribbean region of Colombia.

Background: Bacteria of the genus Borrelia are agents of disease in both domestic animals and humans and pose a significant public health risk. Borrelia species have complex transmission cycles, often using rodents as vertebrate reservoir hosts. These bacteria are classified into three well-defined monophyletic groups: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex, the relapsing fever (RF) group, and a third group associated with reptiles and echidnas.

Essential roles of B cell subsets in the progression of MASLD and HCC.

Background & Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third leading cause of cancer-related death. Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a significant cause of HCC. Current treatment options for HCC are very limited.

Beat the heat: Breeding, genomics, and gene editing for high nighttime temperature tolerance in rice.

High nighttime temperature (HNT) is a major obstacle in rice production worldwide. It severely impacts spikelet fertility and induces grain chalk, the two undesirable factors leading to yield and quality decline in rice. Recently, major efforts have been undertaken to understand the genetic mechanisms underlying HNT tolerance.

Reducing amylose content in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using a novel Wx-D1 null allele generated by chemical mutagenesis.

Background: Amylose has a major influence over starch properties and end-use quality in wheat. The granule-bound starch synthase I, encoded by Wx-1, is the single enzyme responsible for amylose synthesis. Natural null mutants of Wx-1 appear at extremely low frequencies, particularly in the Wx-D1 locus, where only four spontaneous null variants have been identified, with different geographic origins.