Medusa's gaze: Cell traces and fibrils but no collagen in permineralized Jurassic ichthyosaur bone.

Bone is formed by specialized cells whose activity allows bone to grow, change shape, and repair itself. Its composite structure of collagen fibrils and bioapatite nanocrystals gives bone exceptional mechanical strength. Using scanning electron microscopy, we show in fossil ichthyosaurs, 150 to 200 million years old, from the Jurassic of France and the UK, abundant and direct evidence of cellular activity on the fossilized forming, resting, and resorbing surfaces of bone trabeculae, as well as bone fibrils, Sharpey fibers, and cartilage fibers.

Identification of potent schistosomicidal compounds predicted as type II-kinase inhibitors against c-Jun N-terminal kinase SMJNK.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis has for many years relied on a single drug, praziquantel (PZQ) for treatment of the disease. Immense efforts have been invested in the discovery of protein kinase (PK) inhibitors; however, given that the majority of PKs are still not targeted by an inhibitor with a useful level of selectivity, there is a compelling need to expand the chemical space available for synthesizing new, potent, and selective PK inhibitors. Small-molecule inhibitors targeting the ATP pocket of the catalytic domain of PKs have the potential to become drugs devoid of (major) side effects, particularly if they bind selectively.

Schistosomiasis endemicity and its role in sexually transmitted infections - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Introduction: Schistosomiasis, a tropical parasitic disease, affects 779 million people globally, with 85% of cases in Africa. The interplay between schistosomiasis and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can exacerbate health burdens, but most attention has focused on interactions with HIV, neglecting coinfections with other STIs. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to understand the role infections play in STIs within schistosomiasis-endemic populations.

Microwave-assisted synthesis of highly photoluminescent core/shell CuInZnSe/ZnS quantum dots as photovoltaic absorbers.

Water-dispersible core/shell CuInZnSe/ZnS (CIZSe/ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) were efficiently synthesized under microwave irradiation using -acetylcysteine (NAC) and sodium citrate as capping agents. The photoluminescence (PL) emission of CIZSe/ZnS QDs can be tuned from 593 to 733 nm with varying the Zn : Cu molar ratio in the CIZSe core. CIZSe/ZnS QDs prepared with a Zn : Cu ratio of 0.

Assessment of the feed additive consisting of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (produced with IMI CC 378536) (Rovabio® Excel) for all poultry species, weaned piglets, pigs for fattening and sows for the renewal of its authorisation (Adisseo France SAS).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of the feed additive consisting of endo-1,3(4)-beta-glucanase and endo-1,4-beta-xylanase (produced with IMI CC 378536) (Rovabio® Excel) for the renewal of its authorisation as a zootechnical feed additive for all poultry species, weaned piglets, pigs for fattening and sows. The applicant provided evidence that the additive complies with the conditions of the authorisation. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive in all its formulations remains safe for all poultry species, weaned piglets, pigs for fattening and sows, and remains safe for consumers and the environment.

Microbial Quality and Production Methods of Traditional Fermented Cheeses in Lebanon.

This study is aimed at evaluating the quality and safety of two traditional fermented dairy products commonly found in Lebanon (Ambarees and Kishk in its dry and wet forms) by detecting foodborne pathogens and indicator microorganisms. Additionally, it seeks to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to quality and the production level. A total of 58 random samples (duplicated) including goat milk ( = 16), dry Kishk ( = 8), wet Kishk ( = 8), and Ambarees ( = 26) were collected from individuals who both farm and process these products.

Photodegradation of naphthalene-derived particle oxidation products.

While photochemical aging is known to alter secondary organic aerosol (SOA) properties, this process remains poorly constrained for anthropogenic SOA. This study investigates the photodegradation of SOA produced from the hydroxyl radical-initiated oxidation of naphthalene under low- and high-NO conditions. We used state-of-the-art mass spectrometry (MS) techniques, including extractive electrospray ionization and chemical ionization MS, for the in-depth molecular characterization of gas and particulate phases.

Intra-articular injection of inorganic pyrophosphate improves IL-1β-induced cartilage damage in rat model of knee osteoarthritis in vivo.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of chronic joint disease, affecting mainly the elderly population. This disorder is caused by cartilage degeneration with complex changes in the chondrocyte phenotype. Inorganic pyrophosphate (PPi) was shown to counteract the detrimental effect of interleukin (IL)-1β challenging in an in vitro OA model based on rat articular chondrocytes.

Reticulocyte Binding Protein Homologue 5 is a target of balancing selection in the population of Papua New Guinea.

Reticulocyte Binding Protein Homologue (RH5), a leading malaria vaccine candidate, is essential for erythrocyte invasion by the parasite, interacting with the human host receptor, basigin. RH5 has a small number of polymorphisms relative to other blood-stage antigens, and studies have shown that vaccine-induced antibodies raised against RH5 are strain-transcending, however most studies investigating RH5 diversity have been done in Africa. Understanding the genetic diversity and evolution of malaria antigens in other regions is important for their validation as vaccine candidates.

Surgical management of dysphagia due to diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis: the role of barium swallow fluoroscopy-a case report.

Background: Diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) is a systemic condition that might lead to dysphagia because of massive osteophytes that may be present at multiple levels. Confirming the symptomatic level to guide surgical management and avoid extensive surgery is important, however, there is no globally accepted consensus on the topic.

Case Description: We report the case of a 51-year-old man, with no specific past medical history, who has been complaining of a 3-months pain in the left side of the tongue base with sensation of a lump in the throat and dysphagia.

Robust and time-resolved estimation of cardiac sympathetic and parasympathetic indices.

The time-resolved analysis of heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) is crucial for the evaluation of the dynamic changes of autonomic activity under different clinical and behavioural conditions. Standard HRV analysis is performed in the frequency domain because the sympathetic activations tend to increase low-frequency HRV oscillations, while the parasympathetic ones increase high-frequency HRV oscillations. However, a strict separation of HRV into frequency bands may cause biased estimations, especially in the low-frequency range.

Optimizing work in community pharmacy: What preferences do community pharmacists and pharmacy technicians have for a better allocation of daily activities?

Objective: Pharmacy work encompasses two main streams. These are logistic flow (the supply and distribution of healthcare products) and pharmaceutical flow (the dispensing and provision of pharmacy services). The pharmaceutical flow has increased significantly with the introduction of reimbursed services such as Rapid Diagnostic Tests, chronic disease screening, minor ailment prescriptions, vaccine prescription and administration, and medication reviews.

Building a reliable 16S mini-barcode library of wild bees from Occitania, south-west of France.

Background: DNA barcoding and metabarcoding are now powerful tools for studying biodiversity and especially the accurate identification of large sample collections belonging to diverse taxonomic groups. Their success depends largely on the taxonomic resolution of the DNA sequences used as barcodes and on the reliability of the reference databases. For wild bees, the barcode sequences coverage is consistently growing in volume, but some incorrect species annotations need to be cared for.

Exit interviews from two randomised placebo-controlled phase 3 studies with caregivers of young children with autism spectrum disorder.

Introduction: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterised by difficulty with social communication and restricted, repetitive patterns of behaviour. This study aimed to improve understanding of the ASD patient experience with the treatment (bumetanide) regarding the changes in core symptoms and to assess changes considered as meaningful. To achieve this, qualitative interviews were conducted with caregivers of patients in two phase 3 clinical trials (NCT03715153; NCT03715166) of a novel ASD treatment.

IRF5 as a potential immunological biomarker in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: In the clinic, the primary conventional treatments of advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) are surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. In recent years, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have shown promise in optimizing therapeutic benefits when combined with other immunotherapies or standard therapies. However, effective biomarkers for distant metastasis or recurrence have yet to be identified, making it difficult to determine the best therapeutic approaches.

Synthesis and evaluation of 6-arylaminobenzamides as positron emission tomography imaging ligands for the sphingosine-1-phosphate-5 receptor.

The sphingosine-1-phosphate-5 (S1P) receptor is one of the five membrane G protein-coupled receptors that are activated by the lysophospholipid, sphingosine-1-phosphate, resulting in regulation of many cellular processes. S1P receptors are located on oligodendrocytes and are proposed to influence oligodendrocyte physiology. Understanding S1P modulation during processes such as remyelination could have potential applications for demyelinating CNS disorders such as multiple sclerosis (MS).

Effect of metabolic disorders on reactive gliosis and glial scarring at the early subacute phase of stroke in a mouse model of diabetes and obesity.

It is well recognized that type II Diabetes (T2D) and overweight/obesity are established risk factors for stroke, worsening also their consequences. However, the underlying mechanisms by which these disorders aggravate outcomes are not yet clear limiting the therapeutic opportunities. To fill this gap, we characterized, for the first time, the effects of T2D and obesity on the brain repair mechanisms occurring 7 days after stroke, notably glial scarring.

The fly route of extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing dissemination in a cattle farm: from the ecosystem to the molecular scale.

Introduction: This study aimed to understand the origin and to explain the maintenance of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) isolated from food-producing animals in a third-generation cephalosporin (3GC)-free farm.

Methods: Culture and molecular approaches were used to test molecules other than 3GC such as antibiotics (tetracycline and oxytetracycline), antiparasitics (ivermectin, flumethrin, fenbendazol, and amitraz), heavy metal [arsenic, HNO, aluminum, HNO, cadmium (CdSO), zinc (ZnCl), copper (CuSO), iron (FeCl), and aluminum (AlSO)], and antioxidant (butylated hydroxytoluene) as sources of selective pressure. Whole-genome sequencing using short read (Illumina™) and long read (Nanopore™) technologies was performed on 34 genomes.

Epidemiology of antibiotic consumption and resistance in Mauritius.

Introduction: This study aims at determining the pattern of antibiotic consumption and resistance in Mauritius, a tropical island in the Indian Ocean.

Methodology: Antibiotic consumption was measured in kilograms of purchased antibiotics and also in defined daily dose (DDD) in different health institutions from 2015 to 2017. Data on antibiotic resistance was collected at the Central Health Laboratory (CHL) at Victoria Hospital and at Jeetoo Hospital Laboratory, where antibiotic sensitivity testing is done for all public health institutions.

Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne diseases in Cameroon: Current understanding and future directions for more comprehensive surveillance.

Despite the high burden of human and animal infectious diseases in Cameroon, implementing integrative approaches to managing and controlling arthropods and their pathogens remains challenging. Surveillance should be designed to detect diseases and provide relevant field-based data for developing and implementing effective control measures to prevent outbreaks before significant public and animal health consequences can occur. Nowadays, ticks are considered the primary vectors of animal diseases in the world, and the second vector of human diseases after mosquitoes.

Effects of Social Structure on Effective Population Size Change Estimates.

Most methods currently used to infer the "demographic history of species" interpret this expression as a history of population size changes. The detection, quantification, and dating of demographic changes often rely on the assumption that population structure can be neglected. However, most vertebrates are typically organized in populations subdivided into social groups that are usually ignored in the interpretation of genetic data.