Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) clamps reduce amplification of host chloroplast and mitochondria rRNA gene sequences and increase detected diversity in 16S rRNA gene profiling analysis of oak-associated microbiota.

Background: Acquiring representative bacterial 16S rRNA gene community profiles in plant microbiome studies can be challenging due to the excessive co-amplification of host chloroplast and mitochondrial rRNA gene sequences that reduce counts of plant-associated bacterial sequences. Peptide Nucleic Acid (PNA) clamps prevent this by blocking PCR primer binding or binding within the amplified region of non-target DNA to stop the function of DNA polymerase. Here, we applied a universal chloroplast (p)PNA clamp and a newly designed mitochondria (m)PNA clamp to minimise host chloroplast and mitochondria amplification in 16S rRNA gene amplicon profiles of leaf, bark and root tissue of two oak species (Quercus robur and Q.

A new NCL-targeting aptamer-drug conjugate as a promising therapy against esophageal cancer.

Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common highly malignant tumors of the digestive system, with a poor prognosis under current treatment regimens. Nucleolin (NCL) is overexpressed in many tumors, and drugs specifically targeting NCL may offer a promising strategy for treating esophageal cancer. Here, we designed and prepared a novel aptamer-conjugated drug targeting NCL by AS1411 aptamer-human serum albumin (HSA)-the apoprotein of lidamycin (LDP)-active enediyne chromophore (AE), in order to achieve targeted treatment of esophageal cancer.

Investigating the role of intratumoral Streptococcus mitis in gastric cancer progression: insights into tumor microenvironment.

Growing evidence implicates that intratumoral microbiota are closely linked to cancer progression; however, research on the role of these microbiota in the development of gastric cancer remains limited. Here, using 16 S rRNA sequencing, tumor tissue proteomics and serum cytokines analysis, we identified enrichment of specific microbial communities within tumors of gastric cancer patients, possibly affecting the tumor microenvironment by immune modulation, metabolic processes, and inflammatory responses. Based on the results of in vivo experiments and intratumoral microbiota analysis, we found that Streptococcus mitis can inhibit gastric cancer progression via suppressing M2 macrophage polarization and infiltration, as well as altering the intratumoral microbial community.

Genotype-driven sensitivity of mice to tick-borne encephalitis virus correlates with differential host responses in peripheral macrophages and brain.

Background: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is the most common tick-borne viral infection in Eurasia. Outcomes range from asymptomatic infection to fatal encephalitis, with host genetics likely playing a role. BALB/c mice have intermediate susceptibility to TBE virus (TBEV) and STS mice are highly resistant, whereas the recombinant congenic strain CcS-11, which carries 12.

Central Nervous System Response Against Ionizing Radiation Exposure: Cellular, Biochemical, and Molecular Perspectives.

Gamma radiation is known to induce several detrimental effects on the nervous system. The hippocampus region, specifically the dentate gyrus (DG) and subventricular zone (SVZ), have been identified as a radiation-sensitive neurogenic niche. Radiation alters the endogenous redox status of neural stem cells (NSCs) and other proliferative cells, especially in the hippocampus region, leading to oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and cell death.

Targeting MYC for the treatment of breast cancer: use of the novel MYC-GSPT1 degrader, GT19630.

Background: Since MYC is one of the most frequently altered driver genes involved in cancer formation, it is a potential target for new anti-cancer therapies. Historically, however, MYC has proved difficult to target due to the absence of a suitable crevice for binding potential low molecular weight drugs.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel molecular glue, dubbed GT19630, which degrades both MYC and GSPT1, for the treatment of breast cancer.

Current insights into molecular mechanisms of environmental stress tolerance in Cyanobacteria.

The photoautotrophic nature of cyanobacteria, coupled with their fast growth and relative ease of genetic manipulation, makes these microorganisms very promising factories for the sustainable production of bio-products from atmospheric carbon dioxide. However, both in nature and in cultivation, cyanobacteria go through different abiotic stresses such as high light (HL) stress, heavy metal stress, nutrient limitation, heat stress, salt stress, oxidative stress, and alcohol stress. In recent years, significant improvement has been made in identifying the stress-responsive genes and the linked pathways in cyanobacteria and developing genome editing tools for their manipulation.

Robust mucosal SARS-CoV-2-specific T cells effectively combat COVID-19 and establish polyfunctional resident memory in patient lungs.

Mucosal antigen-specific T cells are pivotal for pathogen clearance and immune modulation in respiratory infections. Dysregulated T cell responses exacerbate coronavirus disease 2019 severity, marked by cytokine storms and respiratory failure. Despite extensive description in peripheral blood, the characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-specific T cells in the lungs remain elusive.

Extracellular vesicles in seminal plasma of Sahiwal cattle bulls carry a differential abundance of sperm fertility-associated proteins for augmenting the functional quality of low-fertile bull spermatozoa.

Poor male fertility significantly affects dairy production, primarily due to low conception rates (CR) in bulls, even when cows are inseminated with morphologically normal sperm. Seminal plasma is a key factor in evaluating the fertilizing ability of bull semen. The extracellular vesicles (EVs) in seminal plasma contain fertility-associated proteins like SPAM1, ADAM7, and SP10, which influence sperm function and fertilizing potential.

An integrated approach to predict genetic risk for Mosquito-Borne diseases in the local Population of Tehsil Haripur, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.

Highly variable response shown by individuals against mosquito-borne infections suggests that host genetic factors play an important role in determining mosquito-borne disease onset. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the genetic risk of these diseases in specific populations. The current study aimed to determine the percentage of individuals in the general population carrying mosquito-borne disease susceptibility and protection-related variants.

A multilayered regulatory network mediated by protein phosphatase 4 controls carbon catabolite repression and de-repression in Magnaporthe oryzae.

Carbon catabolite repression (CCR) and de-repression (CCDR) are critical for fungal development and pathogenicity, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood in pathogenic fungi. Here, we identify a serine/threonine protein phosphatase catalytic subunit, Pp4c, as essential for growth, conidiation, virulence, and the utilization of carbohydrates and lipids in Magnaporthe oryzae. We demonstrate that the protein phosphatase 4 complex (Pp4c and Smek1 subunits), the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) Snf1, and the transcriptional regulators CreA (repressor) and Crf1 (activator) collaboratively regulate the utilization of non-preferred carbon sources.

Isolation of PCSK9-specific nanobodies from synthetic libraries using a combined protein selection strategy.

Nanobodies (Nbs) hold great potential to replace conventional antibodies in various biomedical applications. However, conventional methods for their discovery can be time-consuming and expensive. We have developed a reliable protein selection strategy that combines magnetic activated cell sorting (MACS)-based screening of yeast surface display (YSD) libraries and functional ligand-binding identification by Tat-based recognition of associating proteins (FLI-TRAP) to isolate antigen-specific Nbs from synthetic libraries.

Discovery of two novel Flavobacterium species with potential for complex polysaccharide degradation.

Polysaccharides are recognized for their extensive biological functions, holding significant promise for applications in both medicine and food industries. However, their utilization is frequently constrained by challenges such as high molecular weights and indistinct sugar chain structures. Recently, two novel bacterial strains, N6 and J3, were isolated from the Nakdong River in Korea.

Combined delivery of IL12 and an IL18 mutant without IL18BP-binding activity by an adenoviral vector enhances tumor specific immunity.

Cytokines play pivotal roles in anticancer immune response. We previously reported that adenovirus armed with an IL18 variant (DR18) that overcomes IL18BP neutralizing effect displayed powerful therapeutic effects in local and distant tumors when delivered intratumorally. Here, we tested a combined delivery of IL12 and DR18 in tumor models since IL12 and IL18 are known to act synergistically in potentiating IFNγ production and antitumor immunity.

Neoadjuvant pyrotinib and trastuzumab in HER2-positive breast cancer with no early response (NeoPaTHer): efficacy, safety and biomarker analysis of a prospective, multicentre, response-adapted study.

The potential benefits of pyrotinib for patients with trastuzumab-insensitive, HER2-positive early-stage breast cancer remain unclear. This prospective, multicentre, response-adapted study evaluated the efficacy and safety of adding pyrotinib to the neoadjuvant treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer patients with a poor response to initial docetaxel plus carboplatin and trastuzumab (TCbH). Early response was assessed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after two cycles of treatment.

Single-cell transcriptomics of bronchoalveolar lavage during PRRSV infection with different virulence.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes significant economic losses in the global swine industry due to its high genetic diversity and different virulence levels, which complicate disease management and vaccine development. This study evaluated longitudinal changes in the immune cell composition of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the clinical outcomes across PRRSV strains with varying virulence, using techniques including single-cell transcriptomics. In highly virulent infection, faster viral replication results in an earlier peak lung-damage time point, marked by significant interstitial pneumonia, a significant decrease in macrophages, and an influx of lymphocytes.

Renal and Peripheral Blood Transcriptome Signatures That Predict Treatment Response in Proliferative Lupus Nephritis-A Prospective Study.

Mechanisms contributing to non-response to treatment in lupus nephritis (LN) are unclear. We characterised the transcriptome of paired peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and renal tissues in LN before and after cyclophosphamide (CYC) treatment and identified markers that predicted treatment response. Total RNA isolated from paired PBMCs (n = 32) and renal tissues (n = 25) of 16 proliferative LN before CYC treatment, 6 months post-treatment, and during renal flare, was sequenced on Illumina Novaseq-6000 platform.

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry metabolic profiling and sensory evaluation of greenhouse mangoes (Mangifera indica L. 'Irwin') over multiple harvest seasons.

Compared to outdoor mango cultivation in the tropics, greenhouse cultivation in temperate regions is less reported due to its short history and small scale. Here, we evaluated for the first time the taste-focused quality of greenhouse-grown mangoes (Irwin) by GC-MS metabolic profiling and sensory evaluation for over three years (2021-2023). The relative standard deviation in sensory evaluation scores was approximately 15 % each year.

Thyroid Endocrine Disrupting Potential of Fluoxetine in Zebrafish Larvae.

Fluoxetine (FLX), a typical selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, has been frequently detected in aquatic environment and wild fish. However, little is known about its effect on thyroid endocrine system. In the present study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to 1, 3, 10, and 30 μg/L of FLX for 6 days.

Guanine-Assisted Contrived Low Pt-Integrated MoC/C for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Due to the high cost of the available Pt electrocatalysts, the large-scale water electrolysis production of hydrogen has been hindered. Hydrogen generation via electrochemical water splitting is a renewable energy essential to a sustainable society, creating a distinct material interface that shows Pt-like properties with long-term stability crucial to hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs). Here, we synthesized the guanine-assisted facile synthesis of 1 wt % Pt/MoC/C having a layered type morphology via solid state calcined process followed by chemical reduction.

RNA recognition by minimal ProQ from Neisseria meningitidis.

Neisseria meningitidis minimal ProQ is a global RNA binding protein belonging to the family of FinO-domain proteins. The N. meningitidis ProQ consists only of the FinO domain accompanied by short N- and C-terminal extensions.

IN SILICO AND IN VITRO ASSESSMENT OF ANTI-Leishmania infantum ACTIVITY OF A NOVEL CYCLOHEXYL-1,2,4-OXADIAZOLE DERIVATIVE.

Globally, an estimated 1 billion people reside in endemic areas, and over 12 million individuals are infected with leishmaniasis. Despite its prevalence, leishmaniasis continues to be a neglected disease, mainly affecting underdeveloped countries. In Brazil, the available treatments are pentavalent antimonials and Amphotericin B, which are outdated, toxic, require prolonged parenteral administration and have limited efficacy.

Therapeutics of bitter plants from Northeast region of India and their pharmacological and phytochemical perspectives.

Natural resources have been used for food and medicine since the beginning of human civilization, and they have always been a low-cost, easily accessible source for individuals. Northeast region of India (NER) represents a significant portion of India's flora and fauna. Marginality, fragility, inaccessibility, ethnicity, and cultural diversity thrived in the region, resulting in the richest reservoir of genetic variation of bioresources.