Assessing sub-Saharan Africa's GHG emissions from croplands: environmental impacts and sustainable mitigation strategies.

Globally, agricultural lands are among the top emitters of greenhouse gases (GHGs), responsible for over 20% of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climatic conditions, an acute challenge in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where access to mitigation technologies remains limited, have heavily influenced these lands. This study explores GHG contributions from crop production and their devastating and deteriorating impacts on the economy and environment and proposes a sustainable solution.

Sustainable catalysts in a short time: harnessing bacteria for swift palladium nanoparticle production.

Adapting biological systems for nanoparticle synthesis opens an orthogonal Green direction in nanoscience by reducing the reliance on harsh chemicals and energy-intensive procedures. This study addresses the challenge of efficient catalyst preparation for organic synthesis, focusing on the rapid formation of palladium (Pd) nanoparticles using bacterial cells as a renewable and eco-friendly support. The preparation of catalytically active nanoparticles on the bacterium VKM B-3302 represents a more suitable approach to increase the reaction efficiency due to its resistance to metal salts.

Evaluation of the efficiency of smear layer removal during endodontic treatment using scanning electron microscopy: an in vitro study.

Background: The smear layer formed during root canal instrumentation negatively affects root canal irrigation activity, which in turn can affect the treatment prognosis of endodontic treatment.

Aim: The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of smear layer and debris removal in root canals using different irrigation protocols using scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Materials And Methods: The quality of smear layer removal throughout the root canal was assessed in 30 intact extracted teeth divided into 3 groups according to the irrigation protocol: Group 1: 3% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCL) alternately with 17% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acetate (EDTA) was used.

Nanoscale nonlocal thermal transport and thermal field emission in high-current resonant tunnel structures.

We present a nonlinear model of thermal field emission in resonant tunneling nanostructures with multiple barriers and potential wells, based on an accurate determination of the quantum potential shape and a rigorous solution of the Schrödinger equation, while considering thermal balance. The model applies to vacuum and semiconductor resonant tunnel diode and triode structures with two and three electrodes and to the general case of two-way tunneling with electrode heating. The complete balance of heat release and transfer is accounted for, with heat transport considered ballistic.

Viral metagenomics in wild ducks reveals the presence of seadornaviruses in Siberia.

Seadornavirus is a genus of mosquito-borne viruses that includes Banna virus, which was first discovered in human patients with encephalitis and fever, as well as Kadipiro virus and Liao ning virus. In this study, we used metagenomics to investigate the diversity of viruses in wild ducks and detected both Banna virus and Kadipiro virus in wild birds in Siberia. These data suggest that seadornaviruses, which were previously only found in South East Asia, are also circulating in Northern Eurasia.

Effect of 8-Oxo-1,-Ethenoadenine Derivatives on the Activity of RNA Polymerases from SARS-CoV-2 and .

Bacterial and viral RNA polymerases are promising targets for the development of new transcription inhibitors. One of the potential blockers of RNA synthesis is 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-1,-ethenoadenine (oxo-εA), a synthetic compound that combines two adenine modifications: 8-oxoadenine and 1,-ethenoadenine. In this study, we synthesized oxo-εA triphosphate (oxo-εATP) and showed that it could be incorporated by the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of SARS-CoV-2 into synthesized RNA opposite template residues A and G in the presence of Mn ions.

«Green-Ligand» in Metallodrugs Design-Cu(II) Complex with Phytic Acid: Synthetic Approach, EPR-Spectroscopy, and Antimycobacterial Activity.

The interaction of sodium phytate hydrate CHOP·xNa·yHO (phytNa) with Cu(OAc)·HO and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) led to the anionic tetranuclear complex [Cu(HO)(phen)(phyt)]·2Na·2NH·32HO (), the structure of the latter was determined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The phytate is completely deprotonated; six phosphate fragments (with atoms P1-P6) are characterized by different spatial arrangements relative to the cyclohexane ring (1a5e conformation), which determines two different types of coordination to the complexing agents-P1 and P3, P4, and P6 have monodentate, while P2 and P5 are bidentately bound to Cu cations. The molecular structure of the anion complex is stabilized by a set of strong intramolecular hydrogen bonds involving coordinated water molecules.

Comparison of Pheromone Lures and Sticky Pad Color for Capturing (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Tomato leaf miner (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae) has gained the status of major pest globally. Integrated pest management (IPM) consists of different control methods. This field study was conducted to evaluate the influence of different pheromone-based traps to attract the male population and the potential of sticky pads of four different colors in capturing the adults in the absence of pheromone lures.

Assessment of Different Conventional and Biofortified Wheat Genotypes Based on Biology and Damage Pattern of and .

The lesser grain borer, (F.) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae) and khapra beetle, E. (Coleoptera: Dermestidae) are primary stored-grain insect pests.

Re-Sensitization of Resistant Ovarian Cancer SKOV3/CDDP Cells to Cisplatin by Curcumin Pre-Treatment.

A major challenging problem facing effective ovarian cancer therapy is cisplatin resistance. Re-sensitization of cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells to cisplatin (CDDP) has become a critical issue. Curcumin (CUR), the most abundant dietary polyphenolic curcuminoids derived from turmeric (), has achieved previously significant anti-cancer effects against human ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV-3/CDDP cisplatin-resistant cells by inhibition the gene expression of the antioxidant enzymes (, , , and ), transcription factor and signaling pathway (//).

Unveiling the Mechanisms of a Remission in Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)-like Syndrome: The Role of Hippocampal Palmitoyltransferase Expression and Stress Susceptibility.

Post-translational modifications of proteins via palmitoylation, a thioester linkage of a 16-carbon fatty acid to a cysteine residue, reversibly increases their affinity for cholesterol-rich lipid rafts in membranes, changing their function. Little is known about how altered palmitoylation affects function at the systemic level and contributes to CNS pathology. However, recent studies suggested a role for the downregulation of palmitoyl acetyltransferase (DHHC) 21 gene expression in the development of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD)-like syndrome.

Immunotherapeutic Potential of the Yellow Fever Virus Vaccine Strain 17D for Intratumoral Therapy in a Murine Model of Pancreatic Cancer.

: We evaluate the immunotherapeutic potential of the yellow fever virus vaccine strain 17D (YFV 17D) for intratumoral therapy of pancreatic cancer in mice. : The cytopathic effect of YFV 17D on mouse syngeneic pancreatic cancers cells were studied both in vitro and in vivo and on human pancreatic cancers cells in vitro. : YFV 17D demonstrated a strong cytopathic effect against human cancer cells in vitro.

Urolithin A increases the natural killer activity of PBMCs in patients with prostate cancer.

Background: The natural killer (NK) activity of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) is a crucial defense against the onset and spread of cancer. Studies have shown that patients with reduced NK activity are more susceptible to cancer, and NK activity tends to decrease due to cancer-induced immune suppression. Enhancing the natural cytotoxicity of PBMCs remains a significant task in cancer research.

Molecular diversity and genetic potential of new maize inbred lines across varying sowing conditions in arid environment.

Developing high-yielding and resilient maize hybrids is essential to ensure its sustainable production with the ongoing challenges of considerable shifts in global climate. This study aimed to explore genetic diversity among exotic and local maize inbred lines, evaluate their combining ability, understand the genetic mechanisms influencing ear characteristics and grain yield, and identify superior hybrids suited for timely and late sowing conditions. Seven local and exotic maize inbred lines were genotyped using SSR (Simple Sequence Repeat) markers to assess their genetic diversity.

Microbial Carbon Use Efficiency and Growth Rates in Soil: Global Patterns and Drivers.

Carbon use efficiency (CUE) of microbial communities in soil quantifies the proportion of organic carbon (C) taken up by microorganisms that is allocated to growing microbial biomass as well as used for reparation of cell components. This C amount in microbial biomass is subsequently involved in microbial turnover, partly leading to microbial necromass formation, which can be further stabilized in soil. To unravel the underlying regulatory factors and spatial patterns of CUE on a large scale and across biomes (forests, grasslands, croplands), we evaluated 670 individual CUE data obtained by three commonly used approaches: (i) tracing of a substrate C by C (or C) incorporation into microbial biomass and respired CO (hereafter C-substrate), (ii) incorporation of O from water into DNA (O-water), and (iii) stoichiometric modelling based on the activities of enzymes responsible for C and nitrogen (N) cycles.

Halonium and chalconium salt-catalyzed Schiff condensation: kinetics and DFT insights into organocatalyst activity parameters.

The Schiff condensation between 4-methylbenzaldehyde and 2-aminopyridine, catalyzed by chloronium, bromonium, and iodonium triflates, as well as sulfonium, selenonium, and telluronium triflates, was investigated. H NMR monitoring revealed that the catalytic activity increased significantly with heavier σ-hole-bearing heteroatoms. DFT calculations showed that the maximum electrostatic potential at the σ-hole was a more reliable predictor of the catalytic activity of these organoelement species.

Targeting microRNA methylation: Innovative approaches to diagnosing and treating hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stands as the most prevalent form of primary liver cancer and is frequently linked to underlying chronic liver conditions such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and cirrhosis. Despite the progress achieved in the field of oncology, HCC remains a significant clinical challenge, primarily due to its typically late-stage diagnosis and the complex and multifaceted nature of its tumor biology. These factors contribute to the limited effectiveness of current treatment modalities and result in poor patient prognosis.

Unlocking Mechanisms for Soil Organic Matter Accumulation: Carbon Use Efficiency and Microbial Necromass as the Keys.

Soil microorganisms transform plant-derived C (carbon) into particulate organic C (POC) and mineral-associated C (MAOC) pools. While microbial carbon use efficiency (CUE) is widely recognized in current biogeochemical models as a key predictor of soil organic carbon (SOC) storage, large-scale empirical evidence is limited. In this study, we proposed and experimentally tested two predictors of POC and MAOC pool formation: microbial necromass (using amino sugars as a proxy) and CUE (by O-HO approach).

Designing and clinical application of a 3D-printed personalized model of a radiofrequency needle guide with a maxillary fixator for puncture of the gasserian ganglion for trigeminal neuralgia treatment.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to present a newly designed 3D-printed personalized model (3D PPM) of a radiofrequency needle guide with a maxillary fixation for gasserian ganglion (GG) puncture.

Methods: Implementation of 3D CT-guided radiofrequency therapy of the GG with and without use of 3D PPM was analyzed. The following parameters were assessed: radiation time, dose area product, air kerma reference point, pain severity during the puncture needle insertion, prosopalgia regression degree (according to visual analog scale) and the severity of facial numbness (according to the Barrow Neurological Institute scale) in the early postoperative period, and postpuncture complications.

Zinc, copper, copper-to-zinc ratio, and other biometals in blood serum and tumor tissue of patients with colorectal cancer.

The objective of the present study was to assess serum and cancerous tissue biometal levels in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, and its relation to disease severity. A total of 90 CRC patients and 97 controls were involved in the present study. The level of biometals in blood serum and colon tissues (only in CRC cases) was evaluated by inductively-coupled plasma mass-spectrometry.

Challenges and insights of transferring animal maze studies principles to human spatial learning research.

Maze tasks, originally developed in animal research, have become a popular method for studying human cognition, particularly with the advent of virtual reality. However, these experiments frequently rely on simplified environments and tasks, which may not accurately reflect the complexity of real-world situations. Our pilot study aims to transfer a multi-alternative maze with a complex task structure, previously demonstrated to be useful in studying animal cognition, to studying human spatial cognition.

Soil quality indicator-based land productivity modelling for agricultural sustainability.

Rapid population expansion has made food security a global concern for humanity, necessitating a sustainable assessment of natural resources. Well evaluated and managed soil is one of the most significant resources that can assist close the gap between supply and demand for food to attain food security. A precise assessment of land productivity (LP) is essential for sustainable land use management.

Deep generative modeling of annotated bacterial biofilm images.

Biofilms are critical for understanding environmental processes, developing biotechnology applications, and progressing in medical treatments of various infections. Nowadays, a key limiting factor for biofilm analysis is the difficulty in obtaining large datasets with fully annotated images. This study introduces a versatile approach for creating synthetic datasets of annotated biofilm images with employing deep generative modeling techniques, including VAEs, GANs, diffusion models, and CycleGAN.