Using the Forel-Ule index (FUI) to track the water quality of subsidence water bodies across the life cycle of coal mining in eastern China.

The water quality and associated ecological risks in subsidence water bodies formed by underground coal mining are an increasing global concern. However, long-term water quality changes in these subsidence water bodies, especially across different spatial regions, remain poorly understood. This paper, by mapping the Forel-Ule index (FUI) a key indicator of water color, using Landsat datasets to reveal the dynamic evolution of water quality in 402 subsidence water bodies in the Huang-Huai-Hai Plain of eastern China from 1990 to 2020, covering their life cycle from formation to extinction.

Room-Temperature Vortex Fluidic Flow Chemistry Synthesis of Full Color Carbon Dots.

Carbon dots (CDs) as a new class of photoluminescent zero-dimension carbon nanoparticles have attracted significant research interests owing to their extraordinary opto-electro-properties and biocompatibility. So far, almost all syntheses of CDs require either heat treatment or exertion of high energy fields. Herein, a scalable room-temperature vortex fluidic method is introduced to the CDs synthesis using the angled vortex fluidic device (VFD).

Newly Designed PCL-Wrapped Cryogel-Based Conduit Activated with IKVAV Peptide Derivative for Peripheral Nerve Repair.

The combination of macroporous cryogels with synthetic peptide factors represents a promising but poorly explored strategy for the development of extracellular matrix (ECM)-mimicking scaffolds for peripheral nerve (PN) repair. In this study, IKVAV peptide was functionalized with terminal lysine residues to allow its in situ cross-linking with gelatin macromer, resulting in the formation of IKVAV-containing proteinaceous cryogels. The controllable inclusion and distribution of the peptide molecules within the scaffold was verified using a fluorescently labelled peptide counterpart.

Evaluating Self-Pollination Methods: Their Impact on Nut Set and Nutlet Abscission in Macadamia.

Nut set is an important determinant of yield and plays a pivotal role in orchard profitability. The complex process of nut setting is governed by numerous factors, with pollination being a critical mechanism. Macadamia cultivars exhibit both self- and cross-pollination.

Histological Dissection of Fusarium-Banana Interaction Using a GFP-Tagged Subtropical Race 4 Strain of f. sp. on Banana Cultivars with Differing Levels of Resistance.

Fusarium wilt, caused by f. sp. (), poses a significant threat to global banana production.

The Comparative Effect of Morphine on Proliferation of Cancer Cell Lines Originating from Different Organs: An In Vitro Study.

: Opium consumption was recently classified by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) monograph as carcinogenic to humans based on strong evidence for cancers of the larynx, lung, and urinary bladder, and limited evidence for cancers of the oesophagus, stomach, pancreas, and pharynx. This poses the question of a potential pro-cancer effect of pharmaceutical opioid analgesics. In vitro studies employing a variety of experimental conditions suggest that opioid alkaloids have proliferative or antiproliferative effects.

In Silico Conotoxin Studies: Progress and Prospects.

Cone snails of the genus have evolved to produce structurally distinct and functionally diverse venom peptides for defensive and predatory purposes. This nature-devised delicacy enlightened drug discovery and for decades, the bioactive cone snail venom peptides, known as conotoxins, have been widely explored for their therapeutic potential, yet we know very little about them. With the augmentation of computational algorithms from the realms of bioinformatics and machine learning, in silico strategies have made substantial contributions to facilitate conotoxin studies although still with certain limitations.

Age-Stage, Two-Sex Life Tables of (Bagnall) and (Trybom) on Different Bean Pods Under Laboratory Conditions: Implications for Their Competitive Interactions.

As two major pests of cowpea in South China, bean flower thrips [ (Bagnall)] and flower thrips [ (Trybom)] always occur on the same plant. In this study, the two-sex life table parameters of these two species were investigated on three bean pods: cowpea ( L. var.

Isolation and Characterization of Antibodies Against Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Reveals Putative Role for Ig-like Domains 2 and 3 in Cell-to-Cell Interaction.

The vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) plays an important role in inflammation, where it facilitates the recruitment of leukocytes to the inflamed area via leukocytes' VLA-4 and endothelial cells' VCAM-1 interaction. VCAM-1 expression is also upregulated in certain cancers. VCAM-1 has seven Ig-like domains, with domains 1 and 4 shown to be critical for VLA-4 binding.

Comprehensive Gerontological Assessment: An Update on the Concept and Its Evaluation Tools in Latin America and the Caribbean-A Literature Review.

In recent decades, Latin America and the Caribbean region have experienced accelerated aging. However, despite the significant progress of gerontology in the region, the number of geriatricians and professionals trained in the field is low; a notable gap in the training related to the assessment of older adults can also be observed. Therefore, in this literature review, we update the concept of Comprehensive Gerontological Assessment (CGA) for its application in the region.

The Double-Stranded RNA Binding Proteins DRB1 and DRB2 Are Required for miR160-Mediated Responses to Exogenous Auxin.

DOUBLE-STRANDED RNA BINDING (DRB) proteins DRB1, DRB2, and DRB4 are essential for microRNA (miRNA) production in () with miR160, and its target genes, (), , and , forming an auxin responsive miRNA expression module crucial for root development. : Wild-type plants (Columbia-0 (Col-0)) and the , , and mutants were treated with the synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), and the miR160-mediated response of these four lines was phenotypically and molecularly characterized. : In 2,4-D-treated Col-0, and plants, altered miR160 abundance and , , and gene expression were associated with altered root system development.

Classical and Modern Models for Biofilm Studies: A Comprehensive Review.

Biofilms are structured microbial communities that adhere to various abiotic and biotic surfaces, where organisms are encased in an exo-polysaccharide matrix. Organisms within biofilms use various mechanisms that help them resist external challenges, such as antibiotics, rendering them more resistant to drugs. Therefore, researchers have attempted to develop suitable laboratory models to study the physical features of biofilms, their resistance mechanisms against antimicrobial agents, and their gene and protein expression profiles.

Goondicones A-H: Spiro-Isoindolinone Heartworm Anthelmintics from an Australian Pasture-Soil-Derived sp.

Background/objectives: There is an urgent need for new and improved anthelmintics that are not constrained by existing resistance pathways and that can safeguard the health and welfare of animals.

Methods: An integrated platform of chemical, bioassay, and cultivation profiling applied to a library of microbes isolated from Australian livestock pasture soil was used to detect and guide the production, isolation, characterization, identification, and evaluation of new natural products with anthelmintic properties.

Results: A global natural products social (GNPS) molecular network analysis of 110 Australian pasture-soil-derived microbial extracts prioritized for antiparasitic activity identified unique molecular families in the extract of sp.

The Brain in Context: A Scoping Review and Concept Definition of Neuro-Informed Policy and Practice.

Background/objectives: Among the developmental sciences, discovery in neuroscience has underpinned research innovations and made a significant contribution to knowledge translation. With the growth of neuroscience discovery, policymakers and practitioner workforces have adopted 'neuro-informed' in decisions targeting the delivery of human, social, and economic wellbeing.

Methods: In this scoping review, we examined the use and conceptualization of neuro-informed policy and practice (NPP) over the last two decades.

Steroids and steroid-like compounds alter the ion permeability of phospholipid bilayers distinct interactions with lipids and interfacial water.

Steroids are organic compounds found in all forms of biological life. Besides their structural roles in cell membranes, steroids act as signalling molecules in various physiological processes and are used to treat inflammatory conditions. It has been hypothesised that in addition to their well-characterised genomic and non-genomic pathways, steroids exert their biological or pharmacological activities an indirect, nonreceptor-mediated membrane mechanism caused by steroid-induced changes to the physicochemical properties of cell membranes.

A clinical audit of adverse post-nephrectomy outcomes in renal cell carcinoma patients at a tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia.

Background: Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a common malignancy, and nephrectomy is the mainstay of treatment for non-metastatic disease. The choice of surgery depends on the risks of oncologic recurrence, kidney function decline, and perioperative complications. This study aimed to identify factors associated with adverse post-operative outcomes in RCC patients undergoing nephrectomy at Townsville University Hospital (TUH).

A Modular Self-Assembling and Self-Adjuvanting Multiepitope Peptide Nanoparticle Vaccine Platform to Improve the Efficacy and Immunogenicity of BCG.

After more than a century since its initial development, Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG) remains the only licensed vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). Subunit boosters are considered a viable strategy to enhance BCG efficacy, which often wanes in adolescence. While many studies on booster subunit vaccines have concentrated on recombinant proteins, here we developed a novel modular peptide-based subunit vaccine platform that is flexible, cold-chain independent and customizable to diverse circumstances and populations.

Cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension-type headache and relationship to pain related factors: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: An updated systematic review of cervical musculoskeletal dysfunction in migraine and tension-type headache is needed. Influencing factors (pain hypersensitivity with cervical musculoskeletal testing, active trigger points and tenderness) have not been investigated.

Objectives: To i) update evidence for cervical musculoskeletal impairments in migraine and tension-type headache ii) report on accompanying pain associated with testing, active trigger points and tenderness in headache; iii) determine relationships between these sensitivity features and cervical musculoskeletal impairments in headache.

The First International Symposium of the World Wild Rice Wiring: Conservation and Utilization of Global Wild Rice Germplasm Resources through International Cooperation.

As drastic climatic changes significantly impact global agriculture, the importance of conserving and utilizing wild germplasm has gained prominance. In this context, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild rice germplasm resources have become a high priority. Although efforts to conserve and sustainably utilize wild rice germplasm are underway globally, they are fragmented and require international cooperation to advance climate-resilient rice breeding and ensure future food securiety.

A mutant ASXL1-BAP1-EHMT complex contributes to heterochromatin dysfunction in clonal hematopoiesis and chronic monomyelocytic leukemia.

is one of the three most frequently mutated genes in age-related clonal hematopoiesis (CH), alongside and (. CH can progress to myeloid malignancies including chronic monomyelocytic leukemia (CMML) and is also strongly associated with inflammatory cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in humans. DNMT3A and TET2 regulate DNA methylation and demethylation pathways, respectively, and loss-of-function mutations in these genes reduce DNA methylation in heterochromatin, allowing derepression of silenced elements in heterochromatin.

Increasing the biomolecular relevance of cell culture practice.

The biomolecular relevance of medium supplements is a key challenge affecting cell culture practice. The biomolecular composition of commonly used supplements differs from that of a physiological environment, affecting the validity of conclusions drawn from in vitro studies. This article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of common supplements, including context-dependent considerations for supplement selection to improve biomolecular relevance, especially in nanomedicine and extracellular vesicle research.

The theory of Barlow packings: Basic properties and cohesive energies from exact lattice summations within the sticky hard-sphere model.

The theory of periodic Barlow multi-lattices (X1X2…XN)∞ with Xi ∈ {A, B, C} and Xi ≠ Xi+1 of stacked two-dimensional hexagonal close-packed layers is presented and used to derive exact lattice sum expressions in terms of fast converging Bessel function expansions for inverse power potentials. We describe in detail the mathematical properties of Barlow sphere packings and demonstrate that only two basic lattice sums are required to describe all periodic packings. For the sticky hard-sphere model with an attractive inverse power law potential, we find a linear correlation between the cohesive energies of different Barlow packings and the face-centered cubic packing fraction.

Experimental Investigation of the Effect of Microstructure on Coalbed Methane Adsorption Characteristics Affected by Chemical Solvents.

Coalbed methane (CBM) reservoir modification based on chemical solvent treatment could change the coal microstructure, which further affects the adsorption capacity and flow characteristics of this clean energy. Coal samples were extracted by tetrahydrofuran (THF), carbon disulfide (CS), and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Low-pressure nitrogen adsorption, carbon dioxide adsorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and methane isothermal adsorption test were adopted.