Parallel evolution of methyltransferases leads to vobasine biosynthesis in and .

Monoterpenoid indole alkaloids (MIA) are one of the largest and most complex alkaloid class in nature, boasting many clinically significant drugs such as anticancer vinblastine and antiarrhythmic ajmaline. Many MIAs undergo nitrogen -methylation, altering their reactivity and affinity to the biological targets through a straightforward reaction. Remarkably, all known MIA -methyltransferases (NMT) originate from the neofunctionalization of ancestral γ-tocopherol -methyltransferases (γTMTs), a phenomenon seemingly unique to the Apocynaceae family.

Genotype by environment interaction effect and fresh root yield stability of cassava genotypes under contrasting nitrogen regimes.

Nitrogen (N) is an important nutrient element needed by cassava for optimum yield and it is a vital component of nucleotides (nucleic acids), enzymes, amino acids (proteins), chlorophyll molecules and hormones, among other essential compounds required for growth and development of cassava. Nitrogen stress is a major cassava production constraint, the study aimed to examine genotype by environment interaction (GEI) effects and fresh root yield stability of 203 diverse cassava clones to identify genotypes with stable performance under low and optimum nitrogen regimes across environments using AMMI and GGE biplot analysis. Experiments were conducted using an augmented block design with three replications for two years in three locations in Nigeria.

Sexual dimorphism in hepatic PPAR alpha and CYP4a12a expression is associated with reduced development of drug-induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis in female IL-33 mice.

Males are at higher risk for developing metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) than females; however, mechanisms mediating sexual dimorphism in MASH development are not completely understood. Nutrition-based mouse models suggest that dysregulated fatty acid biosynthesis promotes MASH. Drugs recapitulate MASH without diet variabilities.

Determination of genomic regions associated with early storage root formation and bulking in cassava.

Early cassava storage root formation and bulking is a medium of escape that farmers and processors tend to adopt in cases of abiotic and biotic stresses like drought, flood, and destruction by domestic animals. In this study, 220 cassava genotypes from the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA), National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT), local farmers (from farmer's field), and NextGen project were evaluated in three locations (Umudike, Benue, and Ikenne). The trials were laid out using a split plot in a randomized incomplete block design (alpha lattice) with two replications in 2 years.

Developments in anticorrosive organic coatings modulated by nano/microcontainers with porous matrices.

The durability and functionality of many metallic structures are seriously threatened by corrosion, which makes the development of anticorrosive coatings imperative. This state-of-the-art survey explores the recent developments in the field of anticorrosive organic coatings modulated by innovations involving nano/microcontainers with porous matrices. The integration of these cutting-edge delivery systems seeks to improve the protective properties of coatings by enabling controlled release, extended durability, targeted application of corrosion inhibitors, and can be co-constructed to achieve defect filling by polymeric materials.

Advances in Microfluidic Paper-Based Analytical Devices (µPADs): Design, Fabrication, and Applications.

Microfluidic Paper-based Analytical Devices (µPADs) have emerged as a new class of microfluidic systems, offering numerous advantages over traditional microfluidic chips. These advantages include simplicity, cost-effectiveness, stability, storability, disposability, and portability. As a result, various designs for different types of assays are developed and investigated.

Novel SNP markers and other stress-related genomic regions associated with nitrogen use efficiency in cassava.

Cassava productivity is constrained by low soil nitrogen, which is predominant in most cassava-growing regions in the tropics and subtropical agroecology. Improving the low nitrogen tolerance of cassava has become an important breeding objective. The current study aimed to develop cassava varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency by identifying genomic regions and candidate genes linked to nitrogen use efficiency in cassava.

Cassava retting ability and textural attributes of fufu for demand-driven cassava breeding.

Background: Cassava retting ability and the textural qualities of cooked fufu are important quality traits. Cassava retting is a complex process in which soaking causes tissue breakdown, starch release, and softening. The rate at which various traits linked to it evolve varies greatly during fufu processing.

Elevated preoperative blood pressure and its relationship to intraoperative mean arterial pressure and blood loss in posterior spinal fusion for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Purpose: The relationship between preoperative blood pressure (BP) and intraoperative mean arterial pressure (MAP) and estimated blood loss (EBL) in pediatric spine surgery is currently unknown. The objectives of this study were to determine if elevated preoperative BP is associated with elevated intraoperative MAP, EBL, and percentage estimated blood volume (EBV) lost, and to determine if intraoperative MAP is associated with percentage of EBV lost during posterior spinal fusion (PSF) for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of 209 patients undergoing PSF for AIS between 2016 and 2019 by a single surgeon.

Establishing the linkage between eba's instrumental and sensory descriptive profiles and their correlation with consumer preferences: implications for cassava breeding.

Background: Gari and eba, forms of cassava semolina, are mainly consumed in Nigeria and other West African countries. This study aimed to define the critical quality traits of gari and eba, to measure their heritability, to define medium and high throughput instrumental methods for use by breeders, and to link the traits with consumer preferences. The definition of a food product's profiles, including its biophysical, sensory, and textural qualities, and the identification of the characteristics that determine its acceptability, are important if new genotypes are to be adopted successfully.

Genotype-by-environment interaction and stability of root mealiness and other organoleptic properties of boiled cassava roots.

Genetic enhancement of cassava aimed at improving cooking and eating quality traits is a major goal for cassava breeders to address the demand for varieties that are desirable for the fresh consumption market segment. Adoption of such cassava genotypes by consumers will largely rely not only on their agronomic performance, but also on end-user culinary qualities such as root mealiness. The study aimed to examine genotype × environment interaction (GEI) effects for root mealiness and other culinary qualities in 150 cassava genotypes and detect genotypes combining stable performance with desirable mealiness values across environments using GGE biplot analysis.

Mechanisms of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis-associated cardiomyopathy: key roles for liver-heart crosstalk.

Purpose Of Review: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a multisystem disease that affects not only the liver but also heart, pancreas, and kidney. We currently lack a comprehensive understanding of mechanisms responsible for the development of NASH-associated cardiomyopathy or the influence of sex on pathophysiology. There is a critical need to address these gaps in knowledge in order to accelerate translation of knowledge into clinical practice.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Root Mealiness and Other Texture-Associated Traits in Cassava.

Cassava breeders have made significant progress in developing new genotypes with improved agronomic characteristics such as improved root yield and resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. However, these new and improved cassava ( Crantz) varieties in cultivation in Nigeria have undergone little or no improvement in their culinary qualities; hence, there is a paucity of genetic information regarding the texture of boiled cassava, particularly with respect to its mealiness, the principal sensory quality attribute of boiled cassava roots. The current study aimed at identifying genomic regions and polymorphisms associated with natural variation for root mealiness and other texture-related attributes of boiled cassava roots, which includes fibre, adhesiveness (ADH), taste, aroma, colour, and firmness.

Cassava Brown Streak Disease Response and Association With Agronomic Traits in Elite Nigerian Cassava Cultivars.

Cassava mosaic geminiviruses (CMGs) and cassava brown streak viruses (CBSVs) cause the highest yield losses in cassava production in Africa. In particular, cassava brown streak disease (CBSD) is and continues to be a significant constraint to optimal cassava production in Eastern and Southern Africa. While CBSD has not been reported in West Africa, its recent rapid spread and damage to cassava productivity in Eastern, and Southern Africa is alarming.

The Role of Hypoxia-Induced Mitogenic Factor in Organ-Specific Inflammation in the Lung and Liver: Key Concepts and Gaps in Knowledge Regarding Molecular Mechanisms of Acute or Immune-Mediated Liver Injury.

Hypoxia-induced mitogenic factor (HIMF), which is also known as resistin-like molecule α (RELM-α), found in inflammatory zone 1 (FIZZ1), or resistin-like alpha (retlna), is a cysteine-rich secretory protein and cytokine. HIMF has been investigated in the lung as a mediator of pulmonary fibrosis, inflammation and as a marker for alternatively activated macrophages. Although these macrophages have been found to have a role in acute liver injury and acetaminophen toxicity, few studies have investigated the role of HIMF in acute or immune-mediated liver injury.

Quality attributes of in South-East Nigeria: guide for cassava breeders.

is a popular traditional fermented wet paste food product from cassava. We examined consumer preferences and quality attributes of in Abia and Imo States of South-East Nigeria, with special attention to gender differences, for the purpose of providing guidance to breeders. Data were analysed by the use of descriptive and inferential statistics.

An Advanced Boot Camp for Pediatric Anesthesiology Fellows.

Background: Managing pediatric crises necessitates the acquisition of unique skills and confidence in its execution. Our aim was to develop and assess a curriculum based on the constructivist learning environment to enhance learning, orientation, and preparation of graduating pediatric anesthesiology fellows.

Methods: Fifty pediatric anesthesiology fellows from 9 academic institutions in the United States were recruited for an advanced boot camp over a 2-year period.

Sarm1 knockout protects against early but not late axonal degeneration in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.

Programmed axonal degeneration, also known as Wallerian degeneration, occurs in immune-mediated central nervous system (CNS) inflammatory disorders such as multiple sclerosis and the animal model experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Sterile alpha and TIR domain containing protein 1 (SARM1) functions to promote programmed axonal degeneration. To test the hypothesis that loss of SARM1 will reduce axonal degeneration in immune-mediated CNS inflammatory disorders, the course and pathology of EAE was compared in Sarm1 knockout mice and wild type littermates.

Induction of Drug-Induced, Autoimmune Hepatitis in BALB/c Mice for the Study of Its Pathogenic Mechanisms.

Drug-induced autoimmune hepatitis (DIH) is the most common hepatic drug-induced hypersensitization process observed in approximately 9 to 12% of patients with autoimmune hepatitis. The overwhelming majority of patients with DIH are women. The underlying mechanisms of these sex differences in prevalence are unclear because of the paucity of animal models that mimic human disease.