Reversible Redox Controlled DNA Condensation by a Simple Noncanonical Dicationic Diphenylalanine Derivative.

We report the reversible redox-controlled DNA condensation using a simple dicationic diphenylalanine derivative which contains a disulfide unit as linker. Despite the conventional belief that DNA condensing agents require a charge of +3 or higher, this dicationic molecule functions below its critical aggregation concentration, representing a non-canonical DNA condensing agent. The interaction with DNA of the studied compound combines electrostatic effects with hydrophobic/stacking interactions provided with the diphenylalanine moiety.

Harnessing plant growth-promoting bacteria (Herbaspirillum seropedicae) from an optimal mineral nitrogen supply: A study on improving nitrogen use efficiency in marandu palisadegrass.

Increasing nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) remains a crucial topic in contemporary agriculture. Inoculation with endophytic diazotrophic bacteria offers a potential solution, but the results vary with the N-fertilization regime. Here, we examined the efficacy of inoculation with Herbaspirillum seropedicae strain HRC54 in enhancing NUE and promoting the growth of Marandu palisadegrass with varying levels of N-urea (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg N kg soil⁻).

The science of animal welfare in the One Health-One Welfare agenda: local solutions for global challenges.

In recent years, the importance of working holistically on the global One Health and One Welfare agendas has become evident. The success of these policies in addressing shared challenges depends on a science-based global strategy for animal welfare that allows local efforts to resolve conflicts related to how human beings take advantage of natural resources, including domestic and wild animals. These policies need to be developed jointly by the World Organisation for Animal Health, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Impact of Anti-CD4 Autoantibodies on Immune Reconstitution in People With Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Background: Despite suppressive antiretroviral therapy (ART), 15%-30% of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) experience a limited recovery of CD4 T cells. Although autoantibodies against the CD4 receptor have previously been identified in people with HIV (PWH), little is known about their longitudinal impact on CD4 T-cell reconstitution.

Methods: Anti-CD4 autoantibodies were evaluated by the fluid-phase luciferase immunoprecipitation systems immunoassay in ART-naive people with advanced HIV (CD4 count ≤100 cells/µL), PWH with CD4 count >200 cells/µL, long-term nonprogressors, people with idiopathic CD4 lymphopenia, people with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome, and healthy volunteers without HIV.

Perplexing paradoxical reactions: navigating the complexity of protracted tuberculosis meningitis-a case report.

Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) has considerable mortality and morbidity, and it often presents therapeutic challenges when complicated by paradoxical reactions (PRs). Here, the clinical course of four cases of TBM patients complicated by PRs in a longitudinal TB cohort is described while also providing insights from the larger clinical cohort. Research flow cytometry, biomarker analysis, and drug concentrations were performed on available samples.

pH-Induced conversion of bolaamphiphilic vesicles to reduction-responsive nanogels for enhanced Nile Red and Rose Bengal delivery.

This study details the preparation and investigation of molecular nanogels formed by the self-assembly of bolaamphiphilic dipeptide derivatives containing a reduction-sensitive disulfide unit. The described bolaamphiphiles, featuring amino acid terminal groups, generate cationic vesicles at pH 4, which evolve into gel-like nanoparticles at pH 7. The critical aggregation concentration has been determined, and the nanogels' size and morphology have been characterized through Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Prevalence of anti-lymphocyte IgM autoantibodies driving complement activation in COVID-19 patients.

Introduction: COVID-19 patients can develop autoantibodies against a variety of secreted and membrane proteins, including some expressed on lymphocytes. However, it is unclear what proportion of patients might develop anti-lymphocyte antibodies (ALAb) and what functional relevance they might have.

Methods: We evaluated the presence and lytic function of ALAb in the sera of a cohort of 85 COVID-19 patients (68 unvaccinated and 17 vaccinated) assigned to mild (N=63), or moderate/severe disease (N=22) groups.

Impact of nitrogen fertilizer sustainability on corn crop yield: the role of beneficial microbial inoculation interactions.

Background: Considering the challenges posed by nitrogen (N) pollution and its impact on food security and sustainability, it is crucial to develop management techniques that optimize N fertilization in croplands. Our research intended to explore the potential benefits of co-inoculation with Azospirillum brasilense and Bacillus subtilis combined with N application rates on corn plants. The study focused on evaluating corn photosynthesis-related parameters, oxidative stress assay, and physiological nutrient use parameters.

In Vitro Antimycotic Activity and Structural Damage against Canine Strains Caused by Mexican Stingless Bee Propolis.

This work describes the antimycotic activity of propolis from the stingless bees and , collected from two Mexican regions (Veracruz and Chiapas, respectively), against three clinical isolates and the reference strain ATCC 14522 of , the causative agent of canine otitis. The chemical components of the ethanolic extracts of propolis were determined by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS), and sesquiterpenes were the predominant compounds. The antimycotic activity was evaluated by plate microdilution.

Nitrogen fertilization regulates crosstalk between marandu palisadegrass and Herbaspirillum seropedicae: An investigation based on N isotopic analysis and root morphology.

Strategies seeking to increase the use efficiency of nitrogen (N) fertilizers and that benefit plant growth through multiple mechanisms can reduce production costs and contribute to more sustainable agriculture free of polluting residues. Under controlled conditions, we investigated the compatibility between foliar inoculation with an endophytic diazotrophic bacterium (Herbaspirillum seropedicae HRC54) at control and low, medium and high N fertilization levels (0, 25, 50 and 100 mg of N kg as urea, respectively) in Marandu palisadegrass. Common procedures in our research field (biometric and nutritional assessments) were combined with isotopic techniques (natural abundance - δN‰ and N isotope dilution) and root scanning to determine the contribution of fixed N and recovery of N fertilizer by the grass.

Reduction-Responsive Cationic Vesicles from Bolaamphiphiles with Ionizable Amino Acid or Dipeptide Polar Heads.

This paper presents a study of the aggregation of cationic bolaamphiphilic molecules into vesicles. These molecules are based on a cystamine core with protonated terminal dipeptide groups. The study found that vesicles can be formed at pH 4 for all of the dipeptide-terminated bolaamphiphiles containing different combinations of l-valine, l-phenylalanine, and l-tryptophan.

Long-term Outcomes of Patients With HIV and Pneumonia in the Antiretroviral Therapy Era.

Background: pneumonia (PCP) is one of the most frequent opportunistic infections in people with HIV (PWH). However, there are limited data on long-term outcomes of PCP in the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era.

Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of 2 prospective studies on 307 PWH, 81 with prior PCP, with a median follow-up of 96 weeks.

Technological Quality of Sugarcane Inoculated with Plant-Growth-Promoting Bacteria and Residual Effect of Phosphorus Rates.

Phosphate fertilization in highly weathered soils has been a major challenge for sugarcane production. The objective of this work was to evaluate the foliar levels of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) and the technological quality and productivity of second ratoon cane as a function of inoculation with plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) together with the residual effect of phosphate fertilization. The experiment was carried out at the research and extension farm of Ilha Solteira, state of São Paulo, Brazil.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Crossbred Cow Milk Production in a Silvopastoral System in Tropical Mexico.

In Mexico, pasture degradation is associated with extensive pastures; additionally, under these conditions, livestock activities contribute considerably to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Among the options to improve grazing systems and reduce GHG emissions, silvopastoral systems (SPS) have been recommended. The objectives of this work were to quantify the N outflow in a soil-plant-animal interface, as well as the CH emissions and milk production in an SPS with woody legumes () that is associated with stargrass ().

Common Bean Productivity and Micronutrients in the Soil-Plant System under Residual Applications of Composted Sewage Sludge.

Composted sewage sludge (CSS) is an organic fertilizer that can be used as a source of micronutrients in agriculture. However, there are few studies with CSS to supply micronutrients for the bean crop. We aimed to evaluate micronutrient concentrations in the soil and their effects on nutrition, extraction, export, and grain yield in response to CSS residual application.

Beneficial Microorganisms Improve Agricultural Sustainability under Climatic Extremes.

The challenging alterations in climate in the last decades have had direct and indirect influences on biotic and abiotic stresses that have led to devastating implications on agricultural crop production and food security. Extreme environmental conditions, such as abiotic stresses, offer great opportunities to study the influence of different microorganisms in plant development and agricultural productivity. The focus of this review is to highlight the mechanisms of plant growth-promoting microorganisms (especially bacteria and fungi) adapted to environmental induced stresses such as drought, salinity, heavy metals, flooding, extreme temperatures, and intense light.

Integrated use of plant growth-promoting bacteria and nano-zinc foliar spray is a sustainable approach for wheat biofortification, yield, and zinc use efficiency.

Introduction And Aims: The intensive cropping system and imbalance use of chemical fertilizers to pursue high grain production and feed the fast-growing global population has disturbed agricultural sustainability and nutritional security. Understanding micronutrient fertilizer management especially zinc (Zn) through foliar application is a crucial agronomic approach that could improve agronomic biofortification of staple grain crops. The use of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) is considered as one of the sustainable and safe strategies that could improve nutrient acquisition and uptake in edible tissues of wheat to combat Zn malnutrition and hidden hunger in humans.

Mycobacterial Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome in HIV is Associated With Protein-Altering Variants in Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis-Related Genes.

People with HIV (PWH) and mycobacterial infections can develop immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) after starting antiretroviral therapy. The pathophysiology of mycobacterial-IRIS overlaps with primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (pHLH). To assess possible genetic predisposition to IRIS, protein-altering variants in genes associated with HLH were evaluated in 82 PWH and mycobacterial infections who developed IRIS (n = 56) or did not develop IRIS (n = 26).

Gold nanoparticle-based two-photon fluorescent nanoprobe for monitoring intracellular nitric oxide levels.

Nitric oxide (NO) plays an important role in the regulation of the immune, cardiovascular and nervous systems. Consequently, being able to monitor and quantify intracellular NO levels would provide a greater understanding of the implications of this molecule in the different biological processes, including, for example, in cancer. Here, we report a broadly applicable two-photon excitable fluorescent nanoprobe able to detect and potentially quantify NO levels in an extensive range of cellular environments.

Reduction-triggered Disassembly of Organic Cationic Nanorods Produces a Cysteine Protease Mimic (Miravet et al.).

The emergence of catalytic activity associated with a disassembly process is reported, reminiscent of complex biological systems. A cystine derivative with pendant imidazole groups self-assembles into cationic nanorods in the presence of the cationic surfactants cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) or cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Disulfide reduction triggers nanorod disassembly and the generation of a simple cysteine protease mimic, which shows a dramatically improved catalytic efficiency in the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate (PNPA).

Nanozinc and plant growth-promoting bacteria improve biochemical and metabolic attributes of maize in tropical Cerrado.

Introduction: Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPBs) could be developed as a sustainable strategy to promote plant growth and yield to feed the ever-growing global population with nutritious food. Foliar application of nano-zinc oxide (ZnO) is an environmentally safe strategy that alleviates zinc (Zn) malnutrition by improving biochemical attributes and storage proteins of grain.

Methods: In this context, the current study aimed to investigate the combined effect of seed inoculation with PGPBs and foliar nano-ZnO application on the growth, biochemical attributes, nutrient metabolism, and yield of maize in the tropical savannah of Brazil.