Galactinol synthase 4 requires sulfur assimilation pathway to provide tolerance towards arsenic stress under limiting sulphur condition in Arabidopsis.

Heavy metalloid stress such as arsenic (As) toxicity and nutrient imbalance constitute a significant threat to plant productivity and development. Plants produce sulfur (S)-rich molecules like glutathione (GSH) to detoxify arsenic, but sulfur deficiency worsens its impact. Previous research identified Arabidopsis thaliana ecotypes Koz2-2 (tolerant) and Ri-0 (sensitive) under low-sulfur (LS) and As(III) stress.

Klotho protein: a new insight into the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.

Background: Essential hypertension is a most prevalent global health concern. Despite extensive research, the exact mechanisms contributing to essential hypertension remain unclear. Several factors contribute to the pathogenesis of essential hypertension.

Hydrothermal Stability of Active Sites in Cu-Exchanged Small-Pore Zeolites for the Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO.

Combining operando X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and computational modelling shows unequivocally the distribution of active species in fresh and hydrothermally aged Cu-CHA and Cu-AEI zeolites during NH-assisted selective catalytic reduction of NO. Four principal species co-exist: (i) Cu cations coordinated to NH, (ii) Cu cations coordinated to the zeolite framework, (iii) solvated Cu cations, and (iv) framework-coordinated Cu species (Cu ) formed upon hydrothermal ageing of the zeolite sample. The Cu species were only observed in the hydrothermally aged zeolite samples and are formed upon the interaction of hydrated Cu cations with extra-framework Al (EFAl) generated during the hydrothermal treatment.

Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pulmonary Disease: Patients, Principles, and Prospects.

Nontuberculous mycobacterial pulmonary disease (NTM-PD) is increasing in incidence globally and challenging to manage. The 2020 multisociety treatment guideline and the 2022 consensus recommendations provide comprehensive evidence-based guides to manage pulmonary diseases caused by the most common NTM. However, with >190 different NTM species that may require different multidrug regimens for treatment, the breadth and complexity of NTM-PD remain daunting for both patients and clinicians.

MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry from nucleic acid: development and evaluation of a novel platform for identification of mycobacteria and detection of genetic markers of resistance.

Complete identification methods are critical for evaluating nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). Here, we describe a novel diagnostic method for identification of eight NTM, complex, and three drug resistance markers using PCR/matrix-assisted, laser-desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) from cultured organisms. With this technology, a multiplex end-point PCR is performed for targets of interest.

An investigation on the cardioprotective potential of lichen compound protocetraric acid by HO-induced toxicity in H9c2 rat heart cells through in vitro and in silico analysis.

Worldwide, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death and require treatment and prevention. Lichens are symbiotic organisms that are known to produce unique secondary metabolites and have been used as folk medicines. The aim of the study is to emphasize the importance of lichens in improving heart health, with the objective of investigating protocetraric acid, a lichen metabolite, for its antioxidant and cardioprotective potential by using in vitro and in silico techniques.

Prevalence and Severity of Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Diabetic and Hypertensive Patients: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The ability to perceive sound is crucial for effective communication and environmental awareness. This study aimed to assess sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) in patients with both diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypertension (HTN). Materials and methods A total of 120 participants of both genders were divided into three groups: Group I consisted of diabetic patients (n=40, 22 males and 18 females), Group II included hypertensive individuals (n=40, 16 males and 24 females), and Group III served as controls (n=40, 15 males and 25 females).

Active species in chloroaluminate ionic liquids catalyzing low-temperature polyolefin deconstruction.

Chloroaluminate ionic liquids selectively transform (waste) polyolefins into gasoline-range alkanes through tandem cracking-alkylation at temperatures below 100 °C. Further improvement of this process necessitates a deep understanding of the nature of the catalytically active species and the correlated performance in the catalyzing critical reactions for the tandem polyolefin deconstruction with isoalkanes at low temperatures. Here, we address this requirement by determining the nuclearity of the chloroaluminate ions and their interactions with reaction intermediates, combining in situ Al magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, in situ Raman spectroscopy, Al K-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure spectroscopy, and catalytic activity measurement.

Mechanism of Electrocatalytic H Evolution, Carbonyl Hydrogenation, and Carbon-Carbon Coupling on Cu.

Aqueous-phase electrocatalytic hydrogenation of benzaldehyde on Cu leads not only to benzyl alcohol (the carbonyl hydrogenation product), but Cu also catalyzes carbon-carbon coupling to hydrobenzoin. In the absence of an organic substrate, H evolution proceeds via the Volmer-Tafel mechanism on Cu/C, with the Tafel step being rate-determining. In the presence of benzaldehyde, the catalyst surface is primarily covered with the organic substrate, while H* coverage is low.

Notes from the Field: Potential Outbreak of Extrapulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus subspecies massiliense Infections from Stem Cell Treatment Clinics in Mexico - Arizona and Colorado, 2022.

Mycobacterium abscessus is an intrinsically drug-resistant, rapidly growing, nontuberculous mycobacterium; extrapulmonary infections have been reported in association with medical tourism (1). During November-December 2022, two Colorado hospitals (hospitals A and B) treated patient A, a Colorado woman aged 30-39 years, for M. abscessus meningitis.

Diagnostic evaluation of nested PCR and microscopy for Cryptosporidiosis in goats: can COWP gene based qRT-PCR be useful in assessment of active Cryptosporidial infections?

The present research delved into the transmission patterns, diagnostic methods, molecular traits, and phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium species. The research was undertaken to enhance comprehension of the epidemiology and the potential for zoonotic transmission. A total of 80 goat-kid samples were tested, 7 were confirmed positive by mZN microscopy and 12 by nested-PCR.

Chloride and Hydride Transfer as Keys to Catalytic Upcycling of Polyethylene into Liquid Alkanes.

Transforming polyolefin waste into liquid alkanes through tandem cracking-alkylation reactions catalyzed by Lewis-acid chlorides offers an efficient route for single-step plastic upcycling. Lewis acids in dichloromethane establish a polar environment that stabilizes carbenium ion intermediates and catalyzes hydride transfer, enabling breaking of polyethylene C-C bonds and forming C-C bonds in alkylation. Here, we show that efficient and selective deconstruction of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to liquid alkanes is achieved with anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl) and gallium chloride (GaCl).

Mycobacterium senegalense Infection in Kidney Transplant Patient with Diabetes, Memphis, Tennessee, USA.

Fewer than 30 cases of Mycobacterium senegalense infection have been reported. We report a complicated case of M. senegalense infection in Memphis, Tennessee, in the southeastern United States.

Culture, Identification, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacteria.

Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) typically cause opportunistic pulmonary infections and reliable laboratory results can assist with diagnosis of disease. Microscopy can detect acid-fast bacilli from specimens though it has poor sensitivity. Solid and liquid culture are used to grow NTM, which are identified by molecular or protein-based assays.

In Vitro and in Silico Studies of Lichen Compounds Atranorin and Salazinic Acid as Potential Antioxidant, Antibacterial and Anticancer Agents.

Lichens are symbiotic organisms made up of alga/cyanobacterium and fungus. We investigated antioxidant, antibacterial and anticancer properties of two lichen compounds, atranorin and salazinic acid, and five lichen species: Heterodermia boryi, Heterodermia diademata, Heterodermia hypocaesia, Parmotrema reticulatum, and Stereocaulon foliolosum. Free radical scavenging, Ferric reducing potential, Nitric oxide scavenging, and Trolox equivalent capacity were used to measure antioxidant activity.

In vitro susceptibility patterns for slowly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria in the USA from 2018 to 2022.

Background: Treatment of slowly growing non-tuberculous mycobacteria (SGM) is challenging. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is needed to optimize a multidrug regimen but requires weeks to result. Aggregated AST patterns, or an antibiogram, of SGM would be helpful to providers.

Speciation and Reactivity Control of Cu-Oxo Clusters via Extraframework Al in Mordenite for Methane Oxidation.

The stoichiometric conversion of methane to methanol by Cu-exchanged zeolites can be brought to highest yields by the presence of extraframework Al and high CH chemical potentials. Combining theory and experiments, the differences in chemical reactivity of monometallic Cu-oxo and bimetallic Cu-Al-oxo nanoclusters stabilized in zeolite mordenite (MOR) are investigated. Cu-L edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES), infrared (IR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies, in combination with CH oxidation activity tests, support the presence of two types of active clusters in MOR and allow quantification of the relative proportions of each type in dependence of the Cu concentration.

Low-temperature upcycling of polyolefins into liquid alkanes via tandem cracking-alkylation.

Selective upcycling of polyolefin waste has been hampered by the relatively high temperatures that are required to cleave the carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds at reasonably high rates. We present a distinctive approach that uses a highly ionic reaction environment to increase the polymer reactivity and lower the energy of ionic transition states. Combining endothermic cleavage of the polymer C-C bonds with exothermic alkylation reactions of the cracking products enables full conversion of polyethylene and polypropylene to liquid isoalkanes (C to C) at temperatures below 100°C.

Fok I and Bsm I gene polymorphism of vitamin D receptor and essential hypertension: a mechanistic link.

The vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene serves as a good candidate gene for susceptibility to essential hypertension. The gene regulates the renin angiotensin system by influencing blood pressure regulation. Around 3% of the human genome is regulated by the vitamin D endocrine system.

In vitro susceptibility patterns for rapidly growing nontuberculous mycobacteria in the United States.

Antimicrobial susceptibility testing for rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) is uncommon or only performed in large reference laboratories. Here we developed a cumulative antibiogram for 14 RGM using the largest sample size to date (N = 3860). All RGM showed 82% to 100% susceptibility to amikacin.