Unidirectional MCM translocation away from ORC drives origin licensing.

The MCM motor of the eukaryotic replicative helicase is loaded as a double hexamer onto DNA by the Origin Recognition Complex (ORC), Cdc6, and Cdt1. ATP binding supports formation of the ORC-Cdc6-Cdt1-MCM (OCCM) helicase-recruitment complex where ORC-Cdc6 and one MCM hexamer form two juxtaposed rings around duplex DNA. ATP hydrolysis by MCM completes MCM loading but the mechanism is unknown.

Investigating the impact of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes exposure on enzymatic activities and histopathological variations in Swiss albino mice.

Present study was conducted to evaluate the detrimental impacts of exposure of Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNT-NP) on enzymatic activities and tissue structures in Swiss albino mice. The experimental groups of mice received MWCNT-NP for specific time period (seven or fourteen days). Two distinct doses of the MWCNT-NP solution were given orally: 0.

Fermented foods affect the seasonal stability of gut bacteria in an Indian rural population.

The effect of fermented foods on healthy human gut microbiota structure and function, particularly its seasonal preference and frequent long-term consumption, has been largely uncharacterised. Here, we assess the gut microbiota and metabolite composition of 78 healthy Indian agrarian individuals who differ in the intake of fermented milk and soybean products by seasonal sampling during hot-humid summer, autumn and dry winter. Here we show that, seasonal shifts between the Prevotella- and Bifidobacterium/Ruminococcus-driven community types, or ecological states, and associated fatty acid derivatives, with a bimodal change in Bacteroidota community structure during summer, particularly in fermented milk consumers.

Human ACE2 transgenic pigs are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 and develop COVID-19-like disease.

Animal models that accurately reflect COVID-19 are vital for understanding mechanisms of disease and advancing development of improved vaccines and therapeutics. Pigs are increasingly recognized as valuable models for human disease due to their genetic, anatomical, physiological, and immunological similarities to humans, and they present a more ethically viable alternative to non-human primates. However, pigs are not susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection which limits their utility as a model.

Soil Nitrogen Supply Exerts Largest Influence on Leaf Nitrogen in Environments with the Greatest Leaf Nitrogen Demand.

Accurately representing the relationships between nitrogen supply and photosynthesis is crucial for reliably predicting carbon-nitrogen cycle coupling in Earth System Models (ESMs). Most ESMs assume positive correlations amongst soil nitrogen supply, leaf nitrogen content, and photosynthetic capacity. However, leaf photosynthetic nitrogen demand may influence the leaf nitrogen response to soil nitrogen supply; thus, responses to nitrogen supply are expected to be the largest in environments where demand is the greatest.

Quantitative pre-clinical imaging of hypoxia and vascularity using MRI and PET.

During hypoxia, tissues are subjected to an inadequate oxygen supply, disrupting the balance needed to maintain normal function. This deficiency can occur due to reduced oxygen delivery caused by impaired blood flow or a decline in the blood's ability to carry oxygen. In tumors, hypoxia and vascularization play crucial roles, shaping their microenvironments and influencing cancer progression, response to treatment and metastatic potential.

Concentrations and origins of ultrafine particles at a major European harbor.

The maritime transport sector poses significant air quality concerns, particularly in nearby cities. Ultrafine particles (UFP, diameter < 100 nm) are of particular concern due to their potential health impacts. This study measured particle number concentrations (PNC), size distributions (PNSD), and other pollutants including particulate matter (PM), nitrogen oxides (NO), black carbon (BC), sulfur dioxide (SO) and ozone (O), organic markers and trace elements at a major European harbor and an urban background (UB) location.

A sensitive immunoassay for the rapid analysis of fluopicolide.

The analysis of chemical xenobiotics in human, food, and environmental samples has become a global priority. Consequently, both public and private laboratories require rapid, cost-effective analytical methods for quality and safety control. Fluopicolide, a fungicide used to combat plant diseases, poses potential toxicological risks to humans and animals.

Gasification-MILD combustion technology with ash-sludge recirculation for reducing multi-phase net dioxin discharges from a waste incineration.

This study addresses the challenge of reducing "net" toxic pollutant discharge, specifically dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs), while minimizing the energy consumption and costs associated with detoxification. Our research focuses on reintroducing fly ash and scrubber sludge (ASR) into a hazardous waste thermal treatment system equipped with gasification-intense low oxygen dilution (GASMILD) and an advanced air pollution control system (APCS). This approach yielded a remarkable PCDD/F removal efficiency exceeding 99.

The impact of vaccination on the length of stay of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Brazil.

Background: The length of hospital stays for severe COVID-19 cases significantly impacts the overall burden on the health system. Current COVID-19 vaccines have proven effective at reducing severe cases. However, the influence of vaccination status on the progression of COVID-19 after hospitalization is not well understood.

Inhibition of IKK complex by (2 methyl butyryl) Shikonin, a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, abrogates melanoma growth and progression via modulation of the IKK/NFκB /EMT signaling axis.

Melanoma is an aggressive form of malignancy that originates from melanin-producing cells known as melanocytes underlying the basal layer of the epidermis with a poor prognosis, low survival rates, and limited treatment options. Although several specific and effective systematic strategies for treating melanoma have been established, the underlying molecular mechanism of melanoma progression, mortality and the promising therapeutic options remain elusive. Shikonin (SK), a natural naphthoquinone derived from a medicinal herbaceous plant, has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of several cancer cells.

Knee loading and joint pain during daily activities in people with knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Knee loading is associated with the severity and progression of knee osteoarthritis, while knee pain contributes to reduced functional ability and quality of life. In this systematic review, we quantified knee loading and knee pain during different daily activities in people with knee osteoarthritis and explored methodological reasons for differences between studies.

Methods: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and manual searches were performed up to July 2024, to retrieve studies measuring knee loading and knee pain in walking, sit-to-stand and stair climbing of people with knee osteoarthritis.

Ferrites with a Minimized Secondary Electron Yield.

Ferrites are an essential material in modern industry due to their exceptional magnetic properties and high resistivity. Many applications of ferrites necessitate exposure to high energy electrons, particularly space science and particle accelerators, where charging, multipacting, and electron clouds (ECs) are major issues. ECs are of particular concern around the Ni/Zn soft ferrite kicker magnets as the large hadron collider (LHC) undergoes its high luminosity upgrade.

Estimated pulse wave velocity associated with cognitive phenotypes in a rural older population in China: A cohort study.

Introduction: To examine the longitudinal association between estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and cognitive phenotypes in a rural Chinese older population.

Methods: This population-based study included 1857 dementia-free participants (age ≥60 years) who were examined in 2014 and followed in 2018. ePWV was calculated using age and mean blood pressure (MBP).

Effects of Atmospheric Pollutants on Volatile-Mediated Insect Ecosystem Services.

Primary and secondary atmospheric pollutants, including carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO), nitrogen oxides (NO), ozone (O), sulphur dioxide (SO) and particulate matter (PM/PM) with associated heavy metals (HMs) and micro- and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs), have the potential to influence and alter interspecific interactions involving insects that are responsible for providing essential ecosystem services (ESs). Given that insects rely on olfactory cues for vital processes such as locating mates, food sources and oviposition sites, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are of paramount importance in interactions involving insects. While gaseous pollutants reduce the lifespan of individual compounds that act as olfactory cues, gaseous and particulate pollutants can alter their biosynthesis and emission and exert a direct effect on the olfactory system of insects.

Bactericidal Hemostatic Sponge: A Point of Care Solution to Combat Traumatic Injury.

Uncontrollable haemorrhage and associated microbial contamination in the battlefield and civilian injuries pose a tremendous threat to healthcare professionals. Such traumatic wounds often necessitate an effective point-of-care solution to prevent the consequent morbidity owing to blood loss or haemorrhage. However, developing superior hemostatic materials with anti-infective properties remains a challenge.

Thermally Triggered Double Emulsion-Integrated Hydrogel Microparticles for Multiplexed Molecular Diagnostics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) has been recognized as the most reliable diagnostic tool. However, there is a need to develop multiplexed assays capable of analyzing multiple genes simultaneously to expand its application. To address this, a multiplexed RT-qPCR using a double emulsion (DE)-based carrier and a polymer microparticle reactor, termed primer-incorporated network tailored with Taqman probe (TaqPIN) is developed.

Evaluating the effects, implementation experience and political economy of primary healthcare facility autonomy reforms within counties in Kenya: a mixed methods study protocol.

Introduction: There is a growing emphasis on improving primary health care services and granting frontline service providers more decision-making autonomy. In October 2023, Kenya enacted legislation mandating nationwide facility autonomy. There is limited understanding of the effects of health facility autonomy on primary health care (PHC) facilities performance.

Amyloid-related changes in fluency in patients with subjective cognitive decline.

Introduction: We examined semantic and phonemic fluency in individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in relation to amyloid status and clinical progression.

Methods: A total of 490 individuals with SCD (62 ± 8 years, 42% female, 28% amyloid-positive, 17% clinical progression) completed annual fluency assessments (mean ± SD follow-up 4.3 ± 2.

Oxidised Apolipoprotein Peptidome Characterises Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease.

Background: Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) encompasses a spectrum of histological conditions ranging from simple steatosis to fibrosing steatohepatitis, and is a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). While oxidised apolipoproteins A and B have been linked to obesity and CVD, the association between other oxidised apolipoproteins and MASLD is yet to be established. To fill this gap, we characterised the circulating serum peptidome of patients with MASLD.

Biosafety and Withdrawal Period of In-Feed Administered Antiparasitic Drug Emamectin Benzoate in Cirrhinus mrigala (Hamilton, 1822).

Parasitic infestations are one of the most economically important disease conditions in the Indian major carps including mrigal, Cirrhinus mrigala. This study reported the biosafety and tissue withdrawal of in-feed administered antiparasitic drug, emamectin benzoate (EMB). To evaluate the biosafety of the drug, behaviour, growth and tissue changes in Cirrhinus mrigala was recorded the following in-feed administration of EMB up to 10 times (T1-50 μg kg fish day (1×), T2-125 μg kg fish day (2.

Enhancing quality and yield of recombinant secretory IgA antibodies in Nicotiana benthamiana by endoplasmic reticulum engineering.

The production of complex multimeric secretory immunoglobulins (SIgA) in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves is challenging, with significant reductions in complete protein assembly and consequently yield, being the most important difficulties. Expanding the physical dimensions of the ER to mimic professional antibody-secreting cells can help to increase yields and promote protein folding and assembly. Here, we expanded the ER in N.

Enhancing the stability of tocotrienol nanoemulsion developed using ultrasonic treatment with amphiphilic starch nanoparticles serving as the matrix.

Background: Octenylsuccinic anhydride (OSA) is one of the efficient compounds used in food industries as an emulsifier. The current study describes the augmentation of tocotrienol (T3) bioavailability by combining it with OSA and then converting it into a nanoemulsion. The creation of the nanoemulsions ASG-T3U, ASG-T3U and ASG-T3U involved ultrasonication power at 300 W for 10, 20 and 30 cycles, respectively.

Differential recruitment drives pathogen-mediated competition between species in an amphibian chytridiomycosis system.

Pathogens that infect multiple host species have an increased capacity to cause extinctions through parasite-mediated apparent competition. Given unprecedented and continuing losses of biodiversity due to Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), the causative fungus of the amphibian skin disease chytridiomycosis, a robust understanding of the mechanisms driving cross-species infection dynamics is essential. Here, we used stage-structured, susceptible-infected compartmental models to explore drivers of Bd-mediated apparent competition between two sympatric amphibians, the critically endangered Litoria spenceri and the non-threatened Litoria lesueurii.