Chitosan double-stranded RNA nanocomplexes for Piezodorus guildinii control.

Background: Piezodorus guildinii (Westwood, Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) causes economic losses in soybean crops by diminishing productivity, impacting grain size, oil content, and germination power. RNA interference (RNAi), a conserved gene regulation process initiated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA), may be used as a safe technique in integrated pest management strategies. Conjugating dsRNA with cationic polymers, which protect dsRNA from degradation has shown to enhance this response.

Wastewater Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2 in Northern Italy: An Evaluation of Three Different Gene Targets.

Wastewater-based epidemiology has emerged as a complementary tool for the monitoring of COVID-19 pandemic waves and for the circulation of viral variants. The selection, standardization, and dynamics of different SARS-CoV-2 RNA targets in wastewater requires further investigation. In the present study, 106 wastewater samples were collected over a 24-month period from the wastewater treatment plant of Sondrio, north Italy, and were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through the quantification of ORF1b, N1, and N3 gene targets via one-step real-time qPCR.

Molecular Detection of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) and Other Sexually Transmitted Pathogens in Cervical and Self-Collected Specimens.

This study investigated the detection of high-risk Human Papillomavirus (hrHPV) and seven other pathogens associated with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in matched clinician-collected cervical samples and self-taken vaginal and urine specimens collected from 342 asymptomatic women referred to colposcopy to evaluate (i) the concordance in the molecular detection of investigated pathogen in three different sample types; (ii) the analytical sensitivity and specificity of STIs detection on self-samples; and (iii) the distribution of STIs in hrHPV-positive and hrHPV-negative women. Pathogens detection was performed using Anyplex™II HR and Anyplex™II STI-7e, respectively. Good/substantial agreement was observed between cervical and self-taken samples in detecting hrHPV (κ = 0.

An Update in Disease: A Comprehensive Analysis on Field and Greenhouse spp. Infection.

L. is a genus of the Poaceae family, with many species serving as well-adapted forage plants in subtropical climates and continuous grazing systems. However, , an ascomycete of the order Hypocreales, represents a major threat to the species.

Blood and urine multi-omics analysis of the impact of e-vaping, smoking, and cessation: from exposome to molecular responses.

Cigarette smoking is a major preventable cause of morbidity and mortality. While quitting smoking is the best option, switching from cigarettes to non-combustible alternatives (NCAs) such as e-vapor products is a viable harm reduction approach for smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke. A key challenge for the clinical assessment of NCAs is that self-reported product use can be unreliable, compromising the proper evaluation of their risk reduction potential.

Human Purkinje cells outperform mouse Purkinje cells in dendritic complexity and computational capacity.

Purkinje cells in the cerebellum are among the largest neurons in the brain and have been extensively investigated in rodents. However, their morphological and physiological properties remain poorly understood in humans. In this study, we utilized high-resolution morphological reconstructions and unique electrophysiological recordings of human Purkinje cells ex vivo to generate computational models and estimate computational capacity.

Surface rupture and landscape response in the middle of the great Mw 8.3 1934 earthquake mesoseismal area: Khutti Khola site.

Large earthquakes breaking the frontal faults of the Himalayan thrust system produce surface ruptures, quickly altered due to the monsoon conditions. Therefore, the location and existence of the Mw8.3 1934 Bihar-Nepal surface ruptures remain vividly disputed.

Computational models of neurotransmission at cerebellar synapses unveil the impact on network computation.

The neuroscientific field benefits from the conjoint evolution of experimental and computational techniques, allowing for the reconstruction and simulation of complex models of neurons and synapses. Chemical synapses are characterized by presynaptic vesicle cycling, neurotransmitter diffusion, and postsynaptic receptor activation, which eventually lead to postsynaptic currents and subsequent membrane potential changes. These mechanisms have been accurately modeled for different synapses and receptor types (AMPA, NMDA, and GABA) of the cerebellar cortical network, allowing simulation of their impact on computation.

Model simulations unveil the structure-function-dynamics relationship of the cerebellar cortical microcircuit.

The cerebellar network is renowned for its regular architecture that has inspired foundational computational theories. However, the relationship between circuit structure, function and dynamics remains elusive. To tackle the issue, we developed an advanced computational modeling framework that allows us to reconstruct and simulate the structure and function of the mouse cerebellar cortex using morphologically realistic multi-compartmental neuron models.

Field Performance of Resistant Potato Genotypes Transformed with the EFR Receptor from Arabidopsis thaliana in the Absence of Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum).

Bacterial wilt caused by the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum is a devastating disease of potato crops. Harmonizing immunity to pathogens and crop yield is a balance between productive, economic, and environmental interests. In this work, the agronomic performance of two events of potato cultivar INIA Iporá expressing the Arabidopsis thaliana EFR gene (Iporá EFR 3 and Iporá EFR 12) previously selected for their high resistance to bacterial wilt was evaluated under pathogen-free conditions.

RNAi in (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae): Transcriptome Assembly for the Development of Pest Control Strategies.

Red-banded stink bug () has been described as the most damaging stink bug regarding soybean crops, leading to seed injury, low germination percentages, and foliar retention, at low population densities. In recent years, RNA interference (RNAi), a conserved eukaryote silencing mechanism has been explored to develop species-selective pesticides. In this work, we evaluated RNAi in to develop new pest-control strategies.

Genome-wide analysis of Claviceps paspali: insights into the secretome of the main species causing ergot disease in Paspalum spp.

Background: The phytopatogen Claviceps paspali is the causal agent of Ergot disease in Paspalum spp., which includes highly productive forage grasses such as P. dilatatum.

Stellate cell computational modeling predicts signal filtering in the molecular layer circuit of cerebellum.

The functional properties of cerebellar stellate cells and the way they regulate molecular layer activity are still unclear. We have measured stellate cells electroresponsiveness and their activation by parallel fiber bursts. Stellate cells showed intrinsic pacemaking, along with characteristic responses to depolarization and hyperpolarization, and showed a marked short-term facilitation during repetitive parallel fiber transmission.

New Draft Genome Sequence of the Ergot Disease Fungus Claviceps paspali.

Here, we report a new draft genome sequence of an isolate of the ascomycete that is responsible for ergot disease in grasses of the genus. This new draft genome sequence will provide useful data for evaluating intraspecies and interspecies genome variation in and other genus members.

Diversity of reveals unknown lineages and unique alkaloid genotypes.

species affecting spp. are a serious problem, as they infect forage grasses such as and , producing the ergot disease. The ascomycete is known to be the pathogen responsible for this disease in both grasses.

Role of Intermolecular Forces on the Contact Angle of Vegetable Oil Droplets during the Cooling Process.

This study aims to experimentally determine the role of intermolecular forces on the contact angle of vegetable oil droplets. Contact angles were recorded using a microscope and measured using digital software. The results show that the surface tension of vegetable oils is influenced by the London force between the electron clouds of molecules.

Enhanced Bacterial Wilt Resistance in Potato Through Expression of EFR and Introgression of Quantitative Resistance from .

Bacterial wilt (BW) caused by is responsible for substantial losses in cultivated potato () crops worldwide. Resistance genes have been identified in wild species; however, introduction of these through classical breeding has achieved only partial resistance, which has been linked to poor agronomic performance. The (At) pattern recognition receptor elongation factor-Tu (EF-Tu) receptor (EFR) recognizes the bacterial pathogen-associated molecular pattern EF-Tu (and its derived peptide elf18) to confer anti-bacterial immunity.

Single Neuron Optimization as a Basis for Accurate Biophysical Modeling: The Case of Cerebellar Granule Cells.

In realistic neuronal modeling, once the ionic channel complement has been defined, the maximum ionic conductance (G) values need to be tuned in order to match the firing pattern revealed by electrophysiological recordings. Recently, selection/mutation genetic algorithms have been proposed to efficiently and automatically tune these parameters. Nonetheless, since similar firing patterns can be achieved through different combinations of G values, it is not clear how well these algorithms approximate the corresponding properties of real cells.

Prevalence, location and concurrent diseases of ultrasonographic cyst-like lesions of abdominal lymph nodes in dogs.

Lymph nodal cyst-like lesions are occasionally identified during abdominal ultrasound in dogs. However, a study evaluating their prevalence and clinical significance is lacking. The aim of this observational cross-sectional study was to evaluate prevalence, most common location and concurrent diseases of cyst-like lymph nodes detected during abdominal ultrasound.

Modeling the Cerebellar Microcircuit: New Strategies for a Long-Standing Issue.

The cerebellar microcircuit has been the work bench for theoretical and computational modeling since the beginning of neuroscientific research. The regular neural architecture of the cerebellum inspired different solutions to the long-standing issue of how its circuitry could control motor learning and coordination. Originally, the cerebellar network was modeled using a statistical-topological approach that was later extended by considering the geometrical organization of local microcircuits.

Current situation of pests targeted by Bt crops in Latin America.

Transgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis- (Bt) insecticidal proteins (Bt crops) have provided useful pest management tools to growers for the past 20 years. Planting Bt crops has reduced the use of synthetic insecticides on cotton, maize and soybean fields in 11 countries throughout Latin America. One of the threats that could jeopardize the sustainability of Bt crops is the development of resistance by targeted pests.

Asenapine in clinical practice: preliminary results from a naturalistic observational study.

Objective: Asenapine, a second-generation antipsychotic, seems to be an effective and tolerable alternative to other treatments for patients with manic or mixed episodes. The objective of our naturalistic observational study was to identify asenapine responders and remitters and to compare responders vs. non-responders and remitters vs.

Early onset frontotemporal dementia with psychiatric presentation due to the C9ORF72 hexanucleotide repeat expansion: a case report.

Background: Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) may present with psychiatric symptoms, usually together with neurological ones and in cases with a family history of dementia. We describe the case of an FTD behavioural variant with a psychiatric presentation and a normal neurological examination, due to a C9Orf72 gene mutation.

Case Presentation: The patient was a 57 years-old Caucasian woman with a recent onset of bizarre behaviours and mystic delusions.