Transcriptomic alterations in the ovine caruncular endometrium due to imbalanced nutrition and FSH-induced ovarian hyperstimulation.

Background: Imbalanced diet and exogenous gonadotrophins affect uterine function and morphology. In sheep, FSH-induced superovulation alters implantation-related gene expression, influenced by both treatment and diet. In this study, we used deep RNA sequencing (NGS, RNA-Seq) to expand our understanding of these effects on the caruncular endometrium.

Chromosome-scale assembly of the African yam bean genome.

Genomics-informed breeding of locally adapted, nutritious, albeit underutilised African crops can help mitigate food and nutrition insecurity challenges in Africa, particularly against the backdrop of climate change. However, utilisation of modern genome-assisted crop improvement tools including genomic selection and genome editing for many African indigenous crops is hampered by the scarcity of genomic resources. Here we report on the assembly of the genome of African yam bean (Sphenostylis stenocarpa), a tuberous legume crop that is indigenous to Africa.

Balanced hydropower and ecological benefits in reservoir-river-lake system: An integrated framework with machine learning and game theory.

The negative impacts of large hydroelectric reservoirs on downstream ecosystems have attracted worldwide attention. Few attempts have been made to dynamically predict ecological benefits and rationally negotiation in the reservoir-river-lake (RRL) system. This study addresses these gaps by developing an integrated framework with machine learning and game theory to balanced hydropower and ecological benefits.

Day Late, Dollar Short: Runts of Asynchronously Hatched Songbird Broods Have Reduced Survival, Body Size, and Persistent Energy Deficits.

Many songbirds begin active incubation after laying their penultimate egg, resulting in synchronous hatching of the clutch except for a last-hatched individual ("runt") that hatches with a size deficit and competitive disadvantage to siblings when begging for food. However, climate change may elevate temperatures and cause environmental incubation as eggs are laid, resulting in asynchronous hatching and larger size hierarchies among siblings. Although previous work demonstrated that asynchronous hatching reduces nestling growth and survival relative to synchrony, the physiological mechanisms underlying these effects are unclear.

A Weather-Adaptive Convolutional Neural Network Framework for Better License Plate Detection.

Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) systems are essential for Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS), effective transportation management, security, law enforcement, etc. However, the performance of ALPR systems can be significantly affected by environmental conditions such as heavy rain, fog, and pollution. This paper introduces a weather-adaptive Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) framework that leverages the YOLOv10 model that is designed to enhance license plate detection in adverse weather conditions.

Mathematical Modeling of Inactivation During Apple Drying and Pre-Drying Heating in Closed Environments.

Drying is one of the most effective preservation methods for extending the shelf-life of perishable foods. The microbial safety of low-moisture food products had not been recognized as a concern until outbreaks reported over the past decade in products contaminated with bacterial pathogens, in particular . There is now an urgent need to understand the influence of process conditions on the thermal inactivation of pathogens in various drying operations.

Sweetening the deal: an infodemiological study of worldwide interest in semaglutide using Google Trends extended for health application programming interface.

Background: Off-label use of semaglutide for non-diabetic weight loss (which regulators have linked to social media promotion) created worldwide supply shortages. We evaluated worldwide semaglutide interest measured by online search behavior to gauge social media and conventional print media reporting's effect on search interest.

Methods: Using Google Trends Extended for Health (GTEH) multiple sampling, we retrieved regional online interest (ROI) for all countries and extracted timelines and top search queries for January 2021-August 2023 for countries with median ROI ≥ 20 using the "semaglutide" topic.

Neuroticism's link to threat sensitivity: Evidence from a dynamic affect reactivity task.

The personality trait of neuroticism has been theoretically linked to threat sensitivity, but this perspective of neuroticism has resulted in mixed findings, arguably because mood states, rather than emotional reactions, have been examined. The present studies (total = 519) administered a task capable of assessing emotional reactions-to appetitive versus aversive images-in a nearly continuous manner, parsing threat sensitivity in terms of emotional onsets, peak amplitudes, and prototypicality in responding. In the context of this tight temporal focus, higher levels of neuroticism tended to be associated with faster emotional onsets when aversive images were involved.

COEPA ready: Innovative pedagogy for integrating social determinants of health in PharmD curricula.

Background: The American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Curriculum Outcomes and Entrustable Professional Activities (COEPA) recognize the need for social determinants of health (SDH) education for pharmacy learners. However, there is a dearth of published strategies for incorporating comprehensive SDH education in Doctor of Pharmacy curricula. The objectives of this study were to: 1) highlight unpublished exemplars of SDH teaching models and 2) propose strategies for teaching SDH.

Using diagnostic data from veterinary diagnostic laboratories to unravel macroepidemiological aspects of porcine circoviruses 2 and 3 in the United States from 2002-2023.

Porcine circoviruses (PCVs), including porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) and porcine circovirus 3 (PCV3), have been associated with clinical syndromes in swine, resulting in significant economic losses. To better understand the epidemiology and clinical relevance of PCV2 and PCV3, this study analyzed a dataset comprising diagnostic data from six veterinary diagnostic laboratories (VDLs) in the United States of America. The data comprised of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results, sample type, and age group for PCV2 and PCV3 submissions from 2002-2023.

Evolution of piRNA-guided defense against transposable elements.

Transposable elements (TEs) shape every aspect of genome biology, influencing genome stability, size, and organismal fitness. Following the 2007 discovery of the piRNA defense system, researchers have made numerous findings about organisms' defenses against these genomic invaders. TEs are suppressed by a 'genomic immune system', where TE insertions within specialized regions called PIWI-interacting RNA (piRNA) clusters produce small RNAs responsible for their suppression.

Solar radiation alters heat balance and thermoregulation in a flying desert bee.

Solar radiation is an important environmental variable for terrestrial animals, but its impact on the heat balance of large flying insects has been poorly studied. Desert bees are critical to ecosystem function through their pollination services, and are exposed to high radiant loads. We assessed the role of solar radiation in the heat balance of flying desert Centris pallida bees by calculating heat budgets for individuals in a respirometer in shaded versus sunny conditions from 16 to 37°C air temperatures, comparing the large and small male morphs and females.

Observation of the distribution of macro-, micro-, and toxic element contents of almond kernels burned with different digestion methods.

In this study, the elemental contents of almonds burned with four different methods to capture the elemental amount of almond kernels in the best way, to increase the release of obtainable elements by decomposing plant tissues, and to make them more atomized were measured and compared with ICP-AES. Depending on the digestion types, the K and Ca contents of almond varieties were determined as 10,167.35 (microwave) and 13,004.

High mortality associated with avian reoviral hepatitis in young quail ().

High mortality in bobwhite quail chicks () (35%-85%) was reported from a grower flock in Iowa during July and August of 2022. Two diagnostic submissions of dead, 3-day-old quail chicks were received. Postmortem examination revealed multifocal, pinpoint, pale tan foci in the liver of all birds.

Synthesis and Characterization of Transferrin and Cell-Penetrating Peptide-Functionalized Liposomal Nanoparticles to Deliver Plasmid ApoE2 and in Mice.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative condition characterized by the aggregation of amyloid-β plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal degeneration. Recently, new treatment approaches involving drugs such as donanemab and lecanemab have been introduced for AD. However, these drug regimens have been associated with adverse effects, leading to the exploration of gene therapy as a potential treatment option.

Optimized production of laccase from Pseudomonas stutzeri and its biodegradation of lignin in biomass.

Laccases are multi-copper oxidases that play an important role in the biodegradation of phenolic compounds, lignin, dye, and wastes. Here, we report the screening of potential laccase-producing indigenous bacterial isolates and subsequent optimization of laccase production using crop residues as cheap supplementary energy sources. Among 16 bacterial isolates, seven were selected based on the appearance of reddish-brown bacterial colonies and guaiacol oxidation assay after 10 days of incubation at 37 °C.

Effects of peripartal rumen-derived direct-fed microbials supplementation on lactation performance, metabolism, ruminal fermentation, and microbial abundance in dairy cows.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a rumen-derived direct-fed microbial (DFM) product on performance, blood biomarkers, ruminal fermentation, and bacterial abundance in dairy cows during the transition period until 100 DIM. Fifty-six Holstein cows were enrolled in a randomized complete block design from -21 to 100 DIM. Cows were blocked based on expected calving date, parity, and previous lactation milk yield for multiparous or genetic merit for primiparous cows.

Construction of a physical map for Aegilops geniculata chromosome 7M and localization of its novel purple coleoptile gene.

A physical map of Aegilops geniculata chromosome 7M was constructed, and a novel purple coleoptile gene was localized at 7MS bin FL 0.60-0.65 by development of wheat-Ae.

Cannabidiol (CBD) as an emerging nutraceutical ingredient from industrial hemp: regulation, production, extraction, nutraceutical properties, and functionality.

Cannabidiol (CBD) in industrial hemp is a promising functional food ingredient with multifarious health benefits, including anticancer activity, antioxidant activity, anti-inflammatory properties, and anxiolytic effects. In recent years, the application of CBD in the food industry has been emerging and several CBD fortified products are available across the globe. Currently, the scientific information associated with CBD are segregated, and there is a lack of connectivity between their recent explorations.

Alcohol-related injuries from e-scooter and e-bike use in the US (2019-2022): a retrospective study.

Background: The use of electric-powered scooters and bikes (e-scooters/bikes) is rising, but little is known about associated injuries and substance use. This study analysed the trends and factors associated with e-scooter/bike-related injuries and alcohol/substance use emergency department (ED) visits from 2019 to 2022.

Methods: A retrospective analysis of US ED visit data from the 2019-2022 National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) identified visits for e-scooter/bike-related injuries.

Mapping resistance to Sclerotinia white mold in two pinto bean recombinant inbred line populations.

White mold, caused by the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (Lib.) de Bary, is a devastating disease affecting common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) production worldwide.