Advancements in Plant Gene Editing Technology: From Construct Design to Enhanced Transformation Efficiency.

Plant gene editing technology has significantly advanced in recent years, thereby transforming both biotechnological research and agricultural practices. This review provides a comprehensive summary of recent advancements in this rapidly evolving field, showcasing significant discoveries from improved transformation efficiency to advanced construct design. The primary focus is on the maturation of the Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR-associated protein (CRISPR/Cas)9 system, which has emerged as a powerful tool for precise gene editing in plants.

SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII IN GOATS FROM SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI, USA.

Parasitic infection with Toxoplasma gondii is prevalent in human and animal populations worldwide. Goat production for food and fiber has increased in popularity, and consumer demand for meat and dairy products has led to higher rates of human consumption in the United States. This trend has increased the importance of assessing the public health significance of these dietary commodities.

Modulation of the Arabidopsis Starch Metabolic Network by the Cytosolic Acetyl-CoA Pathway in the Context of the Diurnal Illumination Cycle.

The starch metabolic network was investigated in relation to other metabolic processes by examining a mutant with altered single-gene expression of ATP citrate lyase (ACL), an enzyme responsible for generating cytosolic acetyl-CoA pool from citrate. Previous research has shown that transgenic antisense plants with reduced ACL activity accumulate abnormally enlarged starch granules. In this study, we explored the underlying molecular mechanisms linking cytosolic acetyl-CoA generation and starch metabolism under short-day photoperiods.

Adsorption of aqueous insensitive munitions compounds by graphene nanoplatelets.

Mitigation strategies for potential environmental impacts of insensitive munition (IM) compounds, including 2,4-dinitroanisole (DNAN), 3-nitro-1,2,4-triazol-5-one (NTO), nitroguanidine (NQ), and methylnitroguanidine, (MeNQ) are being considered to enhance sustainability of current or potential IM formulations. Graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) were investigated for adsorptive removal of each compound. GnPs were characterized to determine surface areas, along with particle size and zeta potential at different pH and ionic strength conditions.

Evaluating the effectiveness of Toxfin and Novasil as dietary aflatoxin-binding agents in broilers for sustaining hepatic antioxidant capacity and intestinal health status during aflatoxin B exposure.

To assess the efficacy of Toxfin and Novasil as aflatoxin-binding agents in broilers exposed to aflatoxin B (AFB) from 11 to 30 days, 288 mixed-sex Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly allocated to four dietary groups: control feed, control feed + 0.25 mg/kg AFB, AFB feed + 0.3% Toxfin, and AFB feed + 0.

US trade policy and public health: heterogeneous effects from the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Objective: To investigate the causal link between the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) unrestricted sugar trade agreement signed in 2008 between the USA and Mexico and the diabetes prevalence across all fifty US states.

Design: A quasi-experimental research design to investigate the causal effect of the NAFTA unrestricted sugar trade agreement on diabetes prevalence. Our study utilises a comprehensive panel dataset spanning from 2000 to 2016, comprising 1054 observations.

Effectiveness of Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicates and Discarded Date Pits as Dietary Adsorbents for Aflatoxin B1 in Enhancing Broiler Chicken Productive Performance, Hepatic Function, and Intestinal Health.

The research aimed to evaluate how effective hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicates (HSCASs) and discarded date pits (DDPs) are as dietary adsorbents for aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) in enhancing the performance and health of broiler chickens aged 16 to 30 days. A total of 240 Ross 308 straight-run broilers were randomly allocated into four dietary groups, each with 10 replicates: a control diet, a control diet with 1000 ppb AFB1, an AFB1-contaminated diet with 0.5% HSCAS, and an AFB1-contaminated diet with 4% DDP.

Development of Halloysite Nanotube-Infused Thermoset Soybean Bio-Resin for Advanced Medical Packaging.

The development of eco-friendly, mechanically stable, and biocompatible materials for medical packaging has gained significant attention in recent years. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) have emerged as a promising nanomaterial due to their unique tubular structure, high aspect ratio, and biocompatibility. We aim to develop a novel soybean oil-based thermoset bio-resin incorporating HNTs and to characterize its physical and functional properties for medical packaging.

Evidence of SARS-CoV-2 Antibody in Mississippi White-Tailed Deer.

Early detection and monitoring of SARS-CoV-2 infections in animal populations living in close proximity to humans is crucial for preventing reverse zoonosis of new viral strains. Evidence accumulated has revealed widespread SARS-CoV-2 infection among white-tailed deer (WTD), () populations in the United States except in the southeast region. Therefore, the objective was to conduct surveillance for evidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among WTD in Mississippi.

Plant Growth Promotion and Plant Disease Suppression Induced by Strain GD4a.

, the causative agent of gray mold disease (GMD), invades plants to obtain nutrients and disseminates through airborne conidia in nature. strain GD4a, a beneficial bacterium isolated from switchgrass, shows great potential in managing GMD in plants. However, the precise mechanism by which GD4a confers benefits to plants remains elusive.

Dietary supplementation of prebiotic yeast cell wall promotes growth performance and intestinal health in broiler chickens challenged with .

1. This study evaluated the effectiveness of yeast ( cell wall (YCW) supplementation on the growth performance, carcase characteristics, serum biomarkers, liver function, ileal histology and microbiota of broiler chickens challenged with .2.

SEROPREVALENCE OF TOXOPLASMA GONDII INFECTION IN PIGS FROM SOUTHWESTERN MISSISSIPPI.

Toxoplasma gondii infection of swine is a potential public health concern because it can be acquired by humans through the handling and consumption of contaminated raw meat. Infections in immunocompromised individuals and fetuses are the most severe and these individuals are most likely to develop clinical toxoplasmosis. Since Mississippians consume a lot of pork, there was a significant need to know the extent to which it poses a health problem in the State.

Plant Growth Promotion and Stress Tolerance Enhancement through Inoculation with OSUB18.

The isolation of OSUB18 from switchgrass unveiled its significant potential in both the enhancement of plant growth and the suppression of plant diseases in our previous study. The elucidation of the related mechanisms governing this intricate plant-microbe interaction involved the utilization of the model plant . In our comprehensive study on , OSUB18 treatment was found to significantly alter root architecture and enhance plant growth under various abiotic stresses.

Protective influence of supplementary betaine against heat stress by regulating intestinal oxidative status and microbiota composition in broiler chickens.

To assess the impact of supplementing betaine (BT) under heat stress (HS) conditions on broiler performance and intestinal health from 21 to 42 days of age, a total of 150 male Ross 308 broilers were indiscriminately allotted to 3 treatments with 10 replications of 5 birds each. The control (CON) group was given a basal ration and accommodated at a thermoneutral condition (22 ± 1 °C), whereas the HS and HS + BT groups were raised under cyclic HS (33 ± 1 °C for 8 h and 22 ± 1 °C for 16 h per day) and received the basal ration without or with 1000 mg/kg BT, respectively. The HS reduced average daily gain (ADG); average daily feed intake; villus height (VH); VH to crypt depth (CD) ratio (VCR); activities of trypsin, lipase, glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and catalase; and enumeration of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium (P < 0.

Caveolin-1 and lipids: Association and their dualism in oncogenic regulation.

Caveolin-1 (Cav-1) is a structural protein of caveolae that functions as a molecular organizer for different cellular functions including endocytosis and cellular signaling. Cancer cells take advantage of the physical position of Cav-1, as it can communicate with extracellular matrix, help to organize growth factor receptors, redistribute cholesterol and glycosphingolipids, and finally transduce signals within the cells for oncogenesis. Recent studies emphasize the exceeding involvement of Cav-1 with different lipid bodies and in altering the metabolism, especially lipid metabolism.

Lymphatic vasculature in ovarian cancer.

Ovarian cancer (OVCA) is the second most common gynecological cancer and one of the leading causes of cancer related mortality among women. Recent studies suggest that among ovarian cancer patients at least 70% of the cases experience the involvement of lymph nodes and metastases through lymphatic vascular network. However, the impact of lymphatic system in the growth, spread and the evolution of ovarian cancer, its contribution towards the landscape of ovarian tissue resident immune cells and their metabolic responses is still a major knowledge gap.

The Management of Diabetes Mellitus Using Medicinal Plants and Vitamins.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious chronic metabolic disease that is associated with hyperglycemia and several complications including cardiovascular disease and chronic kidney disease. DM is caused by high levels of blood sugar in the body associated with the disruption of insulin metabolism and homeostasis. Over time, DM can induce life-threatening health problems such as blindness, heart disease, kidney damage, and stroke.

Single-cell genetic models to evaluate orphan gene function: The case of QQS regulating carbon and nitrogen allocation.

We demonstrate two synthetic single-cell systems that can be used to better understand how the acquisition of an orphan gene can affect complex phenotypes. The Arabidopsis orphan gene, () has been identified as a regulator of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) partitioning across multiple plant species. modulates this important biotechnological trait by replacing NF-YB (Nuclear Factor Y, subunit B) in its interaction with NF-YC.

School-based obesity prevention programs in rural communities: a scoping review.

Objective: The objective of this review was to examine existing literature and conceptually map the evidence for school-based obesity prevention programs implemented in rural communities, as well as identify current gaps in the literature.

Introduction: Pediatric obesity is a significant public health condition worldwide. Rural residency places children at increased risk of obesity.

Interrogation of the mammalian gut-brain axis using LC-MS/MS-based targeted metabolomics with in vitro bacterial and organoid cultures and in vivo gnotobiotic mouse models.

Interest in the communication between the gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system, known as the gut-brain axis, has prompted the development of quantitative analytical platforms to analyze microbe- and host-derived signals. This protocol enables investigations into connections between microbial colonization and intestinal and brain neurotransmitters and contains strategies for the comprehensive evaluation of metabolites in in vitro (organoids) and in vivo mouse model systems. Here we present an optimized workflow that includes procedures for preparing these gut-brain axis model systems: (stage 1) growth of microbes in defined media; (stage 2) microinjection of intestinal organoids; and (stage 3) generation of animal models including germ-free (no microbes), specific-pathogen-free (complete gut microbiota) and specific-pathogen-free re-conventionalized (germ-free mice associated with a complete gut microbiota from a specific-pathogen-free mouse), and Bifidobacterium dentium and Bacteroides ovatus mono-associated mice (germ-free mice colonized with a single gut microbe).

Improving Invasive Breast Cancer Care Using Machine Learning Technology.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. In the United States, the lifetime risk of developing an invasive form of breast cancer is 12.5% among women.

Anticancer Properties of Kaempferol on Cellular Signaling Pathways.

Polyhydroxy compounds are secondary metabolites that are ubiquitous in plants of higher genera. They possess therapeutic properties against a wide spectrum of diseases, including cancers, neurodegenerative disorders, atherosclerosis, as well as cardiovascular disease. The phytochemical flavonol (a type of flavonoid) kaempferol (KMP) (3,5,7-trihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)- 4Hchromen-4-one) is abundant in cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, kale, spinach, and watercress, as well as in herbs like dill, chives, and tarragon.

Nuclear localization of histamine receptor 2 in primary human lymphatic endothelial cells.

Histamine exerts its physiological functions through its four receptor subtypes. In this work, we report the subcellular localization of histamine receptor 2 (H2R), a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), which is expressed in a wide variety of cell and tissue types. A growing number of GPCRs have been shown to be localized in the nucleus and contribute toward transcriptional regulation.

Psychometric properties of Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS)-short form: a Rasch rating model calibration approach.

Background: Leisure satisfaction has been one of primary variables to explain an individual's choice of leisure and recreational activities' participation. The Leisure Satisfaction Scale (LSS)-short form has been widely utilized to measure leisure and recreation participants' satisfaction levels. However, limited research has been studied on the LSS-short form that would provide sufficient evidence to use it to measure individual leisure satisfaction levels.

Contraceptive care experiences and preferences among Black women in Mississippi: A qualitative study.

Objectives: Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) equity requires engagement with anti-Black racism's impact on contraceptive care experiences, and prioritization of Black women's needs in program and policy design. To date, such efforts have been limited. We explored contraceptive care experiences and preferences of Black women in Mississippi.