Search Results (355)

The Complex Proteins Associated with Set1 (COMPASS)-like complex regulates developmental gene expression via histone 3 lysine 4 (H3K4) methylation and other transcriptional mechanisms. Several members of the lysine methyltransferase 2C and D (KMT2C/D)-COMPASS-like complex are implicated in human congenital heart and vascular defects. The investigation of the orthologous Trithorax-related (Trr)-COMPASS-like complex in Drosophila melanogaster (the fruit fly) offers a versatile model to explore gene function in the developing heart. Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of the genes encoding complex members in the later stages of heart development and heart function in both insect and mammalian models. In this study, we investigate the function of trr and the complex member PAX transcription activation domain interacting protein (Ptip) within the Drosophila embryonic dorsal vessel (heart tube). The loss of activity of either gene results in cardiac cell division defects in the Tinman (Tin) and Seven up (Svp) lineages. Furthermore, genetic interaction studies identify a strong synergistic interaction between Ptip and trr implicating Ptip–Trr–COMPASS-like complex regulation in cardiac progenitor cell division. Interestingly, global H3K4 mono-methylation (H3K4me1) and di-methylation (H3K4me2) levels were not significantly affected in either Ptip or trr mutants, suggesting that these proteins regulate cardiac target genes at a local scale. In conclusion, these results suggest that the Trr/KMT2C/D–COMPASS-like complex is a key regulator of cardiac progenitor cell division during early embryonic heart development. Full article

Background/Objectives: We aim to identify predictors of response to ICIs in patients with advanced solid tumors that exhibiting a TMB ≥ 10 mut/Mb. Methods: Patients treated with ICIs alone at Northwestern University between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2020 were identified. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier method, and groups were compared using the log-rank test. Wilcoxon rank sum tests, chi-squared tests, and Fisher’s exact tests were used for univariable analyses evaluating the impact of clinical and genetic variables on response, with significance defined as p < 0.05. Results: A total of 117 patients were classified as ICI-sensitive (n = 88) or non-ICI-sensitive (n = 29). Among evaluable patients (n = 105), the overall response rate was 34% with 14% achieving a complete response. Median PFS and OS were 8.05 months and 26.8 months, respectively. Higher PFS rates were significantly linked to the ICI-sensitive tumor group (p = 0.009), absence of liver metastasis (p = 0.015), and no prior systemic treatment (p = 0.001) in both cohorts. In non-ICI-sensitive patients, a TMB of ≥15 mut/Mb correlated with improved outcomes (p = 0.012). Mutations in the MYC pathway (p = 0.03) and the MLL2 gene (p = 0.014) were associated with poorer responses, while mutations in the TERT gene were linked to better responses (p = 0.031). Conclusions: Patients without liver metastasis, mutations in TERT, and TMB ≥ 15 mut/Mb are associated with superior response, while mutations in the MYC pathway and MLL2 are associated with worse responses. Full article

Variegated Cymbidium lancifolium is a highly valued ornamental plant sought after in local and international markets. The commercial production of variegated C. lancifolium through traditional propagation methods faces significant challenges, such as low propagation rates and prolonged growth periods. This study aims to develop effective in vitro propagation techniques for variegated C. lancifolium through asymbiotic seed germination to enhance production efficiency and meet market demand. We examined the effects of various plant growth regulators and coconut water (CW) on in vitro seed germination. The highest germination percentage (46.8%) was recorded in Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 50 mL/L CW, 4.0 µM α-naphthalene acetic acid (NAA), 2.3 µM kinetin (KN), and 2.9 µM gibberellic acid (GA₃). Seed-derived rhizomes were placed on MS medium containing indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), and NAA for proliferation. Among the auxins, NAA was the most effective, significantly increasing rhizome proliferation, with the highest number (17.4) and length (2.1 cm) observed at 5.0 µM. The rhizome explants were cultured in MS medium enriched with kinetin (KN), N⁶-(2-isopentenyl)adenine (2-IP), and N⁶-benzyladenine (BA) to promote plantlet regeneration. Of the cytokinins tested, BA at 10.0 µM resulted in the highest rate of plantlet regeneration (79.4%), the greatest number of plantlets (4.4 per culture), and notable plantlet height (8.5 cm). We obtained plantlets with dark green leaves, light green leaves, and distinct variegation patterns. They were transferred to three different substrate mixtures for acclimatization. The substrate made of orchid stone (30%), wood bark (30%), coconut husk chips (20%), and perlite (20%) supported the highest survival rate (95.9%). This study successfully established optimized in vitro propagation techniques for variegated C. lancifolium, enabling enhanced germination, rhizome proliferation, and plantlet regeneration to meet the growing market demand. Full article

Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia), Macadamia tetraphylla and hybrids, a crop of high economic and nutritional importance, faces challenges with low fruit set rates and severe fruit drop. To address this, we investigated the effects of exogenous plant growth regulators (PGRs) and boron fertilizer on the development, fruit set, and yield of the A4 macadamia variety. The study was conducted in 2024 at the Lujiangba research base (China, Yunnan Province). Five treatments were applied during key growth stages: boron (B), brassinosteroids (BR), N-(2-Chloro-4-pyridyl)-N’-phenylurea (CPPU), 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), and gibberellic acid (GA₃). Growth stages include flower bud formation, peak flowering, and fruiting. Our findings revealed that B treatment significantly increased pollen viability (95.69% improvement) and raceme length (23.97% increase), while BR enhanced flower count per raceme (26.37% increase) and CPPU improved flower retention (10.53% increase). Additionally, GA₃ and 6-BA promoted leaf expansion in new shoots, increasing leaf length by 39.83% and 31.39%, respectively. Notably, B application significantly improved total yield (43.11% increase) and fruit number (39.12% increase), whereas BR maximized nut shell diameter (5.7% increase) and individual nut weight (19.9% increase). Furthermore, CPPU and 6-BA markedly improved initial fruit set rates, while GA₃, BR, and B effectively reduced early fruit drop. Physiological analyses indicated that elevated soluble sugars and proteins in flowers correlated with higher initial fruit set, whereas increased endogenous cytokinin and GA₃ levels improved fruit retention and reduced drop rates. Based on these findings, we propose an integrated approach to optimize productivity: applying 0.02% B at the floral bud stage, 2 mg/L 6-BA at full bloom, and a combination of 0.02% B and 0.2 mL/L BR during early fruit set. This strategy not only enhances yield but also mitigates fruit drop, offering practical solutions for macadamia production. Full article

In the present study, we evaluated the potential use of a humic substance (HS)-based biostimulant in mitigating drought stress in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) by comparing both root and foliar modes of application. To achieve this, lettuce plants were grown in a growth chamber on a solid substrate composed of vermiculite and perlite (3:1). Plants were exposed to drought conditions (50% of Field Capacity, FC) and 50% FC + HS applied as radicular (‘R’) and foliar (‘F’) at concentrations: R-HS 0.40 and 0.60 mL/L, respectively, and 7.50 and 10.00 mL/L, respectively, along with a control (100% FC). HSs were applied three times at 10-day intervals. Plant growth, nutrient concentration, lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants were estimated. Various photosynthetic and chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were also analyzed. The results showed that HS applications alleviated drought stress, increased plant growth, and reduced lipid peroxidation and ROS accumulation. HSs also improved the net photosynthetic rate, carboxylation efficiency, electron transport flux, and water use efficiency. Although foliar HSs showed a greater tendency to enhance shoot growth and photosynthetic capacity, the differences between the application methods were not significant. Hence, in this preliminary work, the HS-based product evaluated in this study demonstrated potential for alleviating drought stress in lettuce plants at the applied doses, regardless of the mode of application. This study highlights HS-based biostimulants as an effective and sustainable tool to improve crop resilience and support sustainable agriculture under climate change. However, further studies under controlled growth chamber conditions are needed to confirm these results before field trials. Full article

Tungsten and tungsten alloys are widely used in important industrial fields due to their high density, hardness, melting point, and corrosion resistance. However, machining often leaves processing marks on their surface, significantly affecting the surface quality of precision components in industrial applications. Electrolytic polishing offers high efficiency, low workpiece wear, and simple processing. In this study, an electrolytic polishing method is adopted and a novel trisodium phosphate–sodium hydroxide electrolytic polishing electrolyte is developed to study the effects of temperature, voltage, polishing time, and solution composition on the surface roughness of a tungsten–nickel–iron alloy. The optimal voltage, temperature, and polishing time are determined to be 15 V, 55 °C, and 35 s, respectively, when the concentrations of trisodium phosphate and sodium hydroxide are 100 g·L⁻¹ and 6 g·L⁻¹. In addition, glycerol is introduced into the electrolyte as an additive. The calculated LUMO value of glycerol is −5.90 eV and the HOMO value is 0.40 eV. Moreover, electron enrichment in the hydroxyl region of glycerol can form an adsorption layer on the surface of the tungsten alloy, inhibit the formation of micro-pits, balance ion diffusion, and thus promote the formation of a smooth surface. At 100 mL·L⁻¹ of glycerol, the roughness of the tungsten–nickel–iron alloy decreases significantly from 1.134 μm to 0.582 μm. The electrochemical polishing mechanism of the tungsten alloy in a trisodium phosphate electrolyte is further investigated and explained according to viscous film theory. This study demonstrates that the trisodium phosphate–sodium hydroxide–glycerol electrolyte is suitable for electropolishing tungsten–nickel–iron alloys. Overall, the results support the application of tungsten–nickel–iron alloy in the electronics, medical, and atomic energy industries. Full article

Curcumin-mediated anti-cancer properties have been correlated with the inhibition of oncogenic molecules such as mutp53 and c-Myc. Their targeting is therapeutically significant, as p53, following point mutations, can acquire oncogenic functions, and c-Myc overexpression, due to translocations, point mutations, protein/protein interactions, or epigenetic modifications, plays a central role in cancer cell proliferation and metabolic reprogramming, particularly in colorectal cancer. In a previous study, we showed that curcumin strongly downregulated mutp53 while activating wtp53 and reduced the expression of methyltransferases such as EZH2, G9a, and MLL-1 in colon cancer cells. Based on this background, here we investigated whether the dysregulation of such methyltransferases could correlate with the effect observed on p53. We also explored whether these epigenetic changes could affect c-Myc expression in these cells. By Western blot analysis and RT-qPCR, we found that the downregulation of EZH2; G9a; and, to a lesser extent, KDM1, which was also reduced by curcumin, correlated with the decrease in mutp53 and that the reduction of EZH2 and KDM1 correlated with the activation of wtp53. Regarding c-Myc, we unveiled the occurrence of a positive feedback loop between it and MLL-1, which was inhibited by curcumin, independently of the p53 status. In conclusion, this study provides new insights into the therapeutic potential of curcumin, which involves its properties to act as an epigenetic modulator and target key molecules in colon cancer cells. Full article

The use of Auxenochlorella pyrenoidosa (formerly Chlorella pyrenoidosa) and its intracellular substances (ISs) to promote biofloc development has been extensively studied. To identify the key components of the ISs of A. pyrenoidosa that drive biofloc formation, algal-extracted polysaccharides (AEPSs) and algal-extracted proteins (AEPTs) were isolated from the ISs. In this study, we established four groups: ISs, AEPSs, AEPTs, and tap water (TW, control), to investigate the effects of AEPSs and AEPTs on biofloc formation dynamics, water quality parameters, and microbial community composition. The results indicated no significant differences were observed between the ISs and AEPSs groups during the cultivation period. AEPSs significantly enhanced flocculation efficiency, achieving a final floc volume of 60 mL/L. This enhancement was attributed to the selective promotion of floc-forming microbial taxa, such as Comamonas, which can secrete procoagulants like EPS, and Pseudomonas and Enterobacter, which have denitrification capabilities. Water quality monitoring revealed that both AEPSs and AEPTs achieved nitrogen removal efficiencies exceeding 50% in the biofloc system, with AEPSs outperforming AEPTs. This is closely related to the fact that the microorganisms with increased flocculation contain numerous nitrifying and denitrifying bacteria. So, the intracellular polysaccharides were the key component of the ISs of A. pyrenoidosa that drive biofloc formation. These findings provide critical insights into the functional roles of algal-derived macromolecules in biofloc dynamics and their potential applications in wastewater treatment. Full article

Herbicide phytotoxicity represented a critical constraint on crop safety in soybean–corn intercropping systems, where early detection of herbicide stress is essential for implementing timely mitigation strategies to preserve yield potential. Current methodologies lack rapid, non-invasive approaches for early-stage prediction of herbicide-induced stress. To develop and validate a spectral-feature-based prediction model for herbicide concentration classification, we conducted a controlled experiment exposing three-leaf-stage vegetable soybean (Glycine max L.) seedlings to aqueous solutions containing three concentrations of nicosulfuron herbicide (0.5, 1, and 2 mL/L) alongside a water control. Hyperspectral imaging of randomly selected seedling leaves was systematically performed at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days post-treatment. We developed predictive models for herbicide phytotoxicity through advanced machine learning and deep learning frameworks. Key findings revealed that the ResNet-18 deep learning model achieved exceptional classification performance when analyzing the 386–1004 nm spectral range at day 7 post-treatment: 100% accuracy in binary classification (herbicide-treated vs. water control), 93.02% accuracy in three-class differentiation (water control, low/high concentration), and 86.53% accuracy in four-class discrimination across specific concentration gradients (0, 0.5, 1, 2 mL/L). Spectral analysis identified significant reflectance alterations between 518 and 690 nm through normalized reflectance and first-derivative transformations. Subsequent model optimization using this diagnostic spectral subrange maintained 100% binary classification accuracy while achieving 94.12% and 82.11% accuracy for three- and four-class recognition tasks, respectively. This investigation demonstrated the synergistic potential of hyperspectral imaging and deep learning for early herbicide stress detection in vegetable soybeans. Our findings established a novel methodological framework for pre-symptomatic stress diagnostics while demonstrating the technical feasibility of employing targeted spectral regions (518–690 nm) in field-ready real-time crop surveillance systems. Furthermore, these innovations offer significant potential for advancing precision agriculture in intercropping systems, specifically through refined herbicide application protocols and yield preservation via early-stage phytotoxicity mitigation. Full article

Root and crown rot in strawberries caused by Neopestalotiopsis rosae (N. rosae) results in yield losses of approximately 70%. The main method of control is based on the application of fungicides; however, the excessive use of these products can induce resistance by pathogens to the active ingredients. The use of secondary metabolites is an alternative to disease management. Usnic acid (UA), a secondary metabolite produced by lichens, has shown antimicrobial and antifungal activities that could be useful for the management of phytopathogens, particularly the (+) enantiomer. To provide alternatives to fungicides, the potential of UA as an alternative for N. rosae management was evaluated under in vitro and in vivo conditions. Using the “poisoned medium” technique, concentrations of 0 (UA0), 100 (UA1), 200 (UA2), and 400 (UA4) µg/mL UA at a dose of 2.5 mL/L PDA were evaluated on N. rosae mycelial growth and the number of spores. The UA at 400 µg/mL exhibited a fungistatic effect, reducing the mycelial growth of isolates of N. rosae in 50–60%. In the in vivo assay, sprayed UA (400 µg/mL) reduced hydrogen peroxide (48.59%) and malonaldehyde (77.62%) contents in “Albion” strawberry seedlings inoculated with 466 and FREC2 strains, respectively. These findings suggest that UA could be a potential tool for N. rosae management and could help mitigate the oxidative stress induced by infection. However, field trials are required to evaluate and validate this response. Full article

Listeria monocytogenes poses significant risks in acidic foods like unpasteurized fruit juices due to its capacity to survive under stressful conditions. This study evaluated L. monocytogenes survival in orange juice following acid adaptation and exposure to antimicrobial compounds. Acid adaptation was induced using glucose-supplemented or citric acid-acidified media, followed by the evaluation of pathogen survival in orange juice stored at 4 °C, 15 °C, and 25 °C. While glucose adaptation reduced the medium pH to 4.5 and enabled bacterial growth (up to 7.5 total log CFU/mL), citric acid exposure caused around 1.4 log units of reduction. Contrary to expectations, the survival of acid-adapted cells was lower than that of non-acid-adapted cells, particularly in orange juice stored at 25 °C (around 4.8 vs. 1.4 log units of reduction after 6 days). The behaviour of non-acid-adapted cells was evaluated in response to different antimicrobial compounds (citral, coumaric acid, nisin, sinapic acid, and vanillin). Nisin was the most effective, achieving a reduction of about 3.5 log units with a dose of 2 mL/L. Nisin-treated cells also showed reduced survival during simulated gastrointestinal assays (around 1.5 log units of reduction). These results challenge the assumption that acid adaptation universally enhances survival in acidic matrices and highlight nisin’s dual role in microbial control and pathogenicity mitigation. This work underscores the need for tailored stress adaptation studies and natural antimicrobial applications to improve food safety in minimally processed fruit juices. Full article

High turbidity in raw water poses a major challenge to drinking water quality and requires effective, sustainable treatment solutions. This work investigates the reduction in turbidity in raw water and the enhancement of overall drinking water quality through the coagulation–flocculation process. The performance of Pine cone extract as a bio-coagulant was evaluated using four different solvent-based extractions (PC-H₂O, PC-HCl, PC-NaCl, and PC-NaOH). The effects of key operational parameters were analyzed, and jar tests were carried out to enhance the coagulation–flocculation process by identifying the optimal conditions. Experimental design was further refined using RSM based on a BBD, incorporating three factors: initial pH, coagulant dosage, and settling time, with turbidity removal efficiency as the response variable. Statistical analysis confirmed that initial pH, coagulant dosage, and settling time significantly influenced turbidity reduction at a confidence level of p-value < 0.05 for all four solvents. Among the extracts tested, PC-HCl demonstrated the highest turbidity removal efficiency. The optimal conditions achieving 78.57% turbidity reduction were a pH of 8.5, a coagulant dosage of 100 mL/L, and a settling time of 120 min. These findings highlight the significant potential of Pine cone extract as an effective, sustainable, and eco-friendly organic coagulant for raw water treatment. Full article

Coating diamond particle surfaces with a layer of high-temperature resistant nickel, which possesses weldability, effectively enhances the bonding strength between diamond particles and substrates in pre-grinding tools. This improves their stability and strength at high temperatures, thereby enhancing the performance, lifespan, and efficiency of grinding tools. This paper explores the electroless nickel plating process on diamond surfaces, analyzes the working principle of electroless nickel plating on diamond surfaces, and proposes the use of 2 g/L AgNO₃ solution and 2 g/L AgNO₃ + 10 mL/L NH₃·H₂O solution as Pd-free activating solutions. Experimental studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using silver nitrate as an activator, and it has been found that the 2 g/L AgNO₃ + 10 mL/L NH₃·H₂O solution achieves a higher surface plating ratio when used as an activator for electroless nickel plating on diamond surfaces. Based on this, through orthogonal and single-factor experimental methods, the effects of ammonia solution concentration, sodium hypophosphite concentration, plating temperature, and diamond particle size on electroless nickel plating on diamond surfaces were investigated. The optimal process for electroless nickel plating on diamond surfaces was obtained: ammonia solution concentration of 17.5 mL/L, sodium hypophosphite concentration of 33 g/L, and plating temperature of 80 °C. Under this process, using diamond particles with a size of 120/140 for electroless nickel plating, a surface plating ratio of 10.75% electroless nickel-plated diamond can be achieved. Full article

This study investigated dynamic pollen–stigma coordination to optimize interspecific hybridization in Dendrobium using D. ‘Burana Jade’ as the maternal parent and eight wild species as pollen donors. Stigma receptivity was comprehensively evaluated using a multi-indicator approach, including morphological characterization (crystal secretion and bulging papillae), histochemical benzidine-H₂O₂ staining, and enzymatic activity profiling (esterase and superoxide dismutase). Concurrently, pollen viability was assessed through TTC testing coupled with ultrastructural observations. Results identified a critical synchronization window: pollen viability peaked at 1–3 days post anthesis (DPA) or during the mid-anthesis phase, while stigmas exhibited maximal receptivity when secretory activity and antioxidant enzyme levels significantly increased. Using stage-specific pollination criteria, 8.4% of crosses (8/95) produced viable fruits, outperforming empirical methods by 2.8-fold. D. ‘Burana Jade’ showed cross-compatibility with four Dendrobium species (D. aphyllum, D. chrysotoxum, D. hercoglossum, D. thyrsiflorum), with D. thyrsiflorum hybrids achieving 54.81% embryogenesis and 22.38% germination. Three compatible combinations germinated successfully in vitro within 45–55 days on 1/4 MS medium supplemented with 20 g/L sucrose, 1 g/L tryptone, 180 mL/L coconut water, and 2.2 g/L Phytagel. Our findings establish that synchronizing pollen viability windows with stigma receptivity phases significantly enhances fruit set and hybrid seed viability, providing a phenology-driven strategy to overcome reproductive barriers in orchid breeding programs. This study provides key physiological criteria for Dendrobium hybridization, though their applicability to other orchids needs validation. Future multi-omics studies should explore cross-species compatibility mechanisms. Full article

The wastewater treatment involves various techniques at different technological levels. Treatment takes place in several stages, of which coagulation and flocculation are the most important. Most suspended solids are indeed eliminated during this stage by the addition of a coagulant. In this research, bio-coagulant was extracted from pumpkin seed (PS) waste after extraction of the essential oils, and used with ferric chloride to treat wastewater from the plant of Chalghoum El Aid-Oued El Athmania Mila. In this study, the Box–Behnken design (BBD) with three factors was used to investigate the effect of pH, organic coagulant dosage Pumpkin seed extract (PSE), and chemical coagulant dosage (FeCl₃) on coagulation–flocculation performance in relation to turbidity, chemical oxygen demand (COD), aromatic organic matter (UV 254), and phosphate. The main characteristics of the raw water were turbidity (250 NTU), COD (640 mg/L), UV 254 (0.893 cm⁻¹), and phosphate (0.115 mg/L). The results obtained were very significant. All the statistical estimators (R² ≥ 97% and p ≤ 0.05) reveal that the models developed are statistically validated for simulating the coagulation–flocculation process. It should be noted that the residual values of turbidity, COD, UV 254, and phosphate after treatment by this process were 0.754 NTU; 190.88 mg/L; 0.0028 cm⁻¹; and 0.0149 mg/L, respectively. In this case, the pH, bio-coagulant dosage, and chemical coagulant dosage values were 4; 17.81 mL/L; and 10 mL/L, respectively. In this study, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterization of the bio-coagulant proved the presence of the active functional groups responsible for coagulation, namely carboxyl group. Full article