Search Results (2,038)

In agricultural practice, improper irrigation levels and excessive fertiliser use negatively impact water resources and soil properties, respectively. This experiment aims to determine the effects of varying irrigation levels and vermicompost doses on the growth, quality, and productivity of pepper plants grown under polycarbonate greenhouse conditions. To achieve this objective, different irrigation levels (IL) of IL100 (100% full irrigation), IL75 (75%), IL50 (50%), and vermicompost doses (VD) of VD0 (0%), VD10 (10%), and VD20 (20%) were tested. The highest irrigation level was in the IL100–VD10 treatment, which also had the highest water consumption (ET) in the 27.8 L pot⁻¹. By comparison, the IL50–VD0 treatment had the lowest irrigation level in the 15.4 L pot⁻¹, representing nearly 55.4% of the maximum irrigation water amount. The findings showed that the irrigation levels and vermicompost doses had a significant impact on plant growth, quality, and fruit yield parameters. Accordingly, the irrigation levels and vermicompost doses had significant effects on the studied plant growth parameters (stem diameter, plant height, number of leaves, stem fresh weight, stem dry weight, root fresh weight, and root dry weight). Similar effects were also observed on the fruit quality parameters (fruit width, fruit length, fruit weight, fruit flesh thickness, pH, titratable acidity (TA), total soluble solids (TSS), chrome, and hue). This study found that the highest total yield (164.5 g pot⁻¹), marketable yield (149.8 g pot⁻¹), total water use efficiency (6.1 g L⁻¹), and marketable water use efficiency (5.6 g L⁻¹) were obtained at the 100% irrigation level. However, similar results were observed at the 75% irrigation level and a 20% vermicompost dose, where the total water use efficiency was 5.9 g L⁻¹ and the marketable water use efficiency was 5.3 g L⁻¹. This suggests that 75% irrigation can be a viable alternative to full irrigation (100%) and offers water-saving potential, particularly in areas with limited water resources. Full article

Ethylparaben (EtP) is an emerging pollutant that is widely found in the environment, particularly in agricultural landscapes. With the extensive contamination of agricultural soils and irrigation waters, there is a rising concern about their potential impact on crop yields. To provide some of the first evidence that EtP may be more than just an agricultural contaminant, but a potential pollutant, we evaluated the systemic toxicities and cellular responses triggered by EtP in seed roots of Daucus carota, Lycopersicum esculentum, and Cucumis sativus, and in bulb roots of Allium cepa, at environmentally relevant concentrations of 1, 10, 100, and 1000 ng·L⁻¹. The seeds and bulbs remained in contact with the concentrations for 7 days. Distilled water and Tween 80 at 1000 ng·L⁻¹ were used as negative controls. The results were subjected to Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance followed by Dunn’s test (p ≤ 0.05). In all plants, all concentrations significantly altered the activity of catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, guaiacol peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. In carrot (10, 100, and 1000 ng·L⁻¹), tomato (1000 ng·L⁻¹), and cucumber (all concentrations), such concentrations caused lipid peroxidation, leading to the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, as well as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals in the cells. These oxidants caused a delay in the progression of the cell cycle and alterations to the mitotic spindle in the root meristems, significantly inhibiting root growth in the plants evaluated. Recurrent contamination with EtP can potentially harm soil quality, posing a risk to both agricultural productivity and the environment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Qatar and other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are experiencing a growing incidence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). The lack of a culturally relevant food exchange list (FEL) for commonly consumed foods in Qatar and the GCC limits the application of cultural preferences in medical nutrition therapy (MNT) for managing diet-related NCDs, thereby reducing patient adherence and metabolic outcomes. Therefore, the primary objective of this study was to develop a culturally tailored FEL for 50 main course dishes widely consumed in the region. Methods: A four-phase approach was followed in this developmental study. First, common Qatari and GCC dishes were identified based on cultural practices and market availability. Second, nutrient composition was compiled from regional food composition tables and validated using dietary analysis software. Pearson correlation was conducted to compare macronutrient values, with significance set at p < 0.05. Third, standard serving sizes were determined using Wheeler et al.’s methodology and converted into household measures using a kitchen scale. Finally, we developed a macronutrient exchange list for the dishes based on the established Wheeler rounding-off criteria. Results: A culturally tailored FEL for 50 frequently consumed Qatari and GCC dishes was successfully developed. Significant correlations were observed between laboratory-derived and software-derived values for carbohydrates (r = 0.7) and protein (r = 0.9), with a weaker correlation for fat (r = 0.5). Macronutrient exchange analysis revealed substantial variation across dishes, with several carbohydrate-based dishes also contributing meaningful protein and fat exchanges. Findings indicated that visual assumptions about nutrient composition may not accurately reflect exchange values, highlighting the need for systematic analysis in diet planning. Conclusions: This study developed a novel culturally relevant FEL for commonly consumed composite dishes in Qatar and the GCC. The exchange list provides a practical tool for dietitians and healthcare professionals to support culturally tailored MNT and public health interventions in the region. It also serves as a valuable resource for researchers in nutritional epidemiology, enabling the analysis of dietary data by converting raw food intake information. Full article

Bovine parainfluenza virus type 3 (BPIV3) is a significant pathogen implicated in bovine respiratory disease complex (BRDC), leading to lung tissue destruction, immunosuppression, and subsequent bacterial infections in cattle, hence incurring considerable economic losses globally. Notwithstanding its importance, a limited number of commercial vaccinations are presently accessible. The fusion (F) protein and hemagglutinin-neuraminidase (HN) protein, as protective antigens of the Paramyxoviridae family, can elicit neutralizing antibodies and are regarded as optimal candidates for the creation of genetically modified vaccines. A multi-epitope-based peptide vaccine (MEBPV) was developed by immunoinformatics methodologies by choosing epitopes from the F and HN proteins characterized by high antigenicity, moderate toxicity, and limited allergenic potential. The epitopes were combined with suitable linkers and adjuvants to produce the vaccine, whose physicochemical qualities, immunological attributes, solubility, and structural stability were improved and evaluated using computational methods. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the strong potential binding affinity and stability of the vaccination with TLR2, TLR3, and especially TLR4 receptors. Immune simulations forecasted strong humoral and cellular responses, accompanied by a significant elevation in interferon-γ (IFN-γ) production. The vaccine sequence was later cloned into the pET-28a (+) vector for possible expression in Escherichia coli. Despite in silico predictions suggesting a favorable immunogenic potential, additional in vitro and in vivo studies are necessary to confirm its protective efficacy and safety. This research establishes a solid foundation for the creation of safe and efficacious subunit vaccines targeting BPIV3 and presents novel perspectives for the formulation of vaccinations against additional viral infections. Full article

Akkermansia muciniphila (AKK) is a mucin-degrading gut symbiont with emerging probiotic potential. Among its carbohydrate-active enzymes, Amuc_0517, a glycoside hydrolase family 36 (GH36) protein, has been identified as a highly specific α-galactosidase. In this study, the Amuc_0517 gene was cloned into pET-28a(+), expressed in Escherichia coli BL21, and purified via Ni²⁺-NTA affinity chromatography. Bioinformatic analysis indicated the presence of a signal peptide and α-galactosidase domain. Enzyme assays confirmed its ability to cleave α-1,6-glycosidic bonds in pNPGal, with no detectable activity toward pNPGlu, and molecular dynamics simulations revealed stronger binding affinity and lower free energy with pNPGal, supporting its substrate specificity. Given that α-galactosidases are widely applied in the dairy industry to hydrolyze galactose-containing oligosaccharides in milk and whey, the biochemical features of Amuc_0517 suggest its potential as a novel biocatalyst for functional dairy processing and probiotic-enriched dairy product development. Full article

This study compared serum immunological parameters, cytokines, intestinal permeability, fecal microbiota, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) between healthy and diarrheic suckling calves. Serum and facecal samples were analyzed using ELISA kits, 16S rDNA sequencing, and targeted metabolomics. Compared with healthy calves, the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), endotoxin (ET), and diamine oxidase (DAO) were significantly higher (p < 0.05), whereas the serum levels of immunoglobulin A (IgA), immunoglobulin G (IgG), and interleukin-10 (IL-10) were significantly lower in diarrheic calves (p < 0.05). The contents of propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid significantly decreased in the fecal of diarrheic calves (p < 0.05). Moreover, the Chao1 and observed_features index of fecal microbiota significantly decreased in diarrheic calves (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Escherichia-Shigella, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, and Streptococcus was significantly higher (p < 0.05), whereas Phascolarctobacterium, Ruminococcus torques group, and Faecalibacterium were significantly lower in diarrheic calves (p < 0.05). Escherichia-Shigella abundance was positively correlated with ET, DAO, IL-1β, and TNF-α levels (p < 0.05). Faecalibacterium abundance was significantly positively correlated with IgG, IgA, IL-10, and butyric acid but negatively correlated with ET and DAO levels (p < 0.05). In summary, diarrheic suckling calves exhibited reduced immune function, inflammatory response, and increased intestinal permeability. The relative abundance of fecal microbiota of Escherichia-Shigella and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 increased, while propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid concentration were decreased in calves with diarrhea. This underscores the critical interplay between microbiota balance and gut health in diarrhea. Full article

Background: Infertility is a multifactorial condition that causes significant emotional distress and financial burden for couples. Despite advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ARTs), many patients experience recurrent implantation failure (RIF) or pregnancy loss. Intralipid, an intravenous lipid emulsion, has been proposed as an adjunctive therapy due to its immune-modulatory effects, particularly in reducing elevated natural killer (NK) cell activity, which may be associated with poor reproductive outcomes. This study evaluated the effect of intralipid infusion on pregnancy rates and miscarriage rates in women with recurrent implantation failure undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF). Materials and Methods: This was a retrospective study of women who had suffered from recurrent implantation failure and underwent IVF between September 2023 and September 2024. A comparative group undergoing IVF but who did not have recurrent implantation failure matched for age was selected. Outcomes of clinical pregnancy, miscarriage and livebirth rates were compared in both groups. Results: A total of 113 women undergoing IVF were identified and 51 received intralipid. Intralipid was initiated at varying stages of the IVF process, a day before embryo transfer (ET) (18 or 35.3%), on the day of ET (20 or 39.2%) and after ET (13 or 25.5%). The clinical pregnancy rate was 44.2% in the treatment group compared to 29% in the comparator group (p < 0.05) while the miscarriage rates were 13.7% versus 11.3% (p > 0.05). Elevated NK cells were present in 65.4% of the patients who received intralipid, but the correlation between NK cell levels and pregnancy outcomes was weak (Spearman ρ = 0.032). No adverse effects were reported in any of the women. Conclusions: Intralipid infusion increased the successful pregnancy rates in women who had recurrent implantation failure during IVF. The successful pregnancy rate was significantly higher than that in those undergoing ART who had not suffered from RIF. These findings support several studies on the potential benefit and safety of intralipids in women undergoing ART, but the numbers remain small and more prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings Full article

Background/Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy of combining CDK4/6i with ET, compared with ET alone, in improving invasive disease-free survival (iDFS), distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS), and overall survival (OS) in early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor 2-negative (HER2−) breast cancer. Given the inconclusive findings of previous meta-analyses, an updated synthesis of the latest phase III trial data was performed. Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) comparing CDK4/6i plus ET versus ET alone were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Hazard ratios and adverse events were analyzed using appropriate statistical models. Results: Four RCTs (monarchE, NATALEE, PENELOPE-B, PALLAS) including 17,749 patients were analyzed. CDK4/6 inhibitors improved iDFS (HR 0.80; 95% CI: 0.67–0.96; p = 0.01), while a strong trend toward improved DRFS was observed (HR 0.79; 95% CI: 0.61–1.02; p = 0.07), suggesting a potential clinically relevant benefit that requires longer follow-up to confirm. The effect on OS (HR 0.95; 95% CI: 0.79–1.16; p = 0.63) remains inconclusive. Adverse events, including neutropenia and diarrhea, were more frequent with CDK4/6i. Conclusions: The addition of CDK4/6i to ET improves iDFS and shows a favorable trend in DRFS in early-stage HR+/HER2− breast cancer, highlighting the need for longer follow-up to clarify their long-term benefit. Full article

The sustainable management of winery residues could represent a cornerstone for promoting environmental and economic sustainability from a circular economy perspective. In this context, our study aimed to evaluate Vitis vinifera L. ‘Nero di Troia’ cultivar grape pomace as a valuable waste product for the cultivation of Pleurotus mushroom, in comparison with traditional wheat straw-based cultivation. Mushroom extracts were prepared through the eco-friendly microwave-assisted extraction technique, using green solvents with different polarity degrees. Total protein content, total polyphenol content, and antioxidant activity (FRAP and DPPH assays) were assessed for the water and EtOH hydrophilic extracts. Grape pomace often gave higher values than wheat straw, especially for the P. eryngii var. eryngii water extract protein content, which was 3.5-fold higher (0.68 ± 0.14 mg BSA/mL and 0.192 ± 0.025 mg BSA/mL, respectively). The ethyl acetate extracts of both mushroom species gave biologically relevant results in terms of inhibiting activity against acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s disease (50% inhibitory activity at concentrations ≤ 1.5 mg/mL), thus paving the way for more in-depth investigation. The extract’s metabolic profile was investigated through GC-MS analysis. The results show that incorporating grape pomace into mushroom production represents a concrete step toward more sustainable biotechnological processes. Full article

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) are functional oligosaccharides with recognized prebiotic properties and growing industrial relevance, typically obtained through enzymatic depolymerization of xylan-rich lignocellulosic substrates. In this study, a recombinant endo-β-1,4-xylanase (XynA) from Clostridium acetobutylicum was employed for XOS production. The xynA gene was cloned into the expression vector pET-21a(+) and heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) under induction with isopropyl β-D-1-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG). The recombinant protein, with an estimated molecular mass of 37.5 kDa, was verified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis. Functional characterization via thin-layer chromatography revealed that XynA efficiently hydrolyzed beechwood xylan and rye arabinoxylan, predominantly yielding xylobiose. Additionally, the enzyme catalyzed the conversion of xylotriose into xylobiose and trace amounts of xylose. Notably, XynA demonstrated hydrolytic activity against autohydrolysed and alkali-pretreated coconut husk biomass, facilitating the release of XOS. These results underscore the potential of C. acetobutylicum XynA as a biocatalyst for the valorization of lignocellulosic residues into high-value oligosaccharides. Full article

Background/Objectives: Preoxygenation with 100% oxygen is commonly used but poses risks such as hyperoxia and atelectasis. Using 80% oxygen may reduce these effects but shortens duration of apnoea without desaturation (DAWD). This study compared preoxygenation efficiency between 80% and 100% oxygen and evaluated changes in the Oxygen Reserve Index™ (ORi™). Methods: Patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were randomized to preoxygenation with 80% or 100% oxygen. Adequate preoxygenation was defined as a ≤10% difference between fraction of inspired oxygen and end-tidal oxygen (EtCO₂). The primary outcome was DAWD, the interval from apnoea onset to peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO₂) of 93%. Secondary outcomes included time to adequate preoxygenation and additional warning time from ORi™ zero to SpO₂ 97%. Results: Thirty patients were randomised to 80% (n = 15) or 100% oxygen (n = 15) oxygen groups. One patient in the 100% group was excluded due to spontaneous breathing before SpO₂ 93%, leaving 29 for DAWD analysis. DAWD was 345 ± 136 s (80%) and 430 ± 163 s (100%) with a mean difference of 86 s (p = 0.135). No significant differences were observed in tie to adequate preoxygenation or additional warning time. Conclusions: Preoxygenation with 80% oxygen resulted in a numerically shorter DAWD compared with 100% oxygen, without a significant difference in ORi™. These findings may suggest the potential feasibility of using 80% oxygen for preoxygenation. However, given the limited sample size and uncertain clinical relevance, further large-scale studies are warranted to clarify the safety and clinical implications of lower oxygen concentration during anaesthesia induction. Full article

An excellent regioselectivity of vapor-phase catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of substituted oxiranes (methyl-, n-butyl-, and phenyloxirane) with alkanols (EtOH, 2-PrOH or 2-PeOH) as hydrogen donors in the presence of magnesium oxide as a catalyst was attained. In the vapor phase, all of these oxiranes as well as 1,2-epoxycyclohexane were hydrogenated. Moreover, it was found that primary alcohols were always the main products of CTH of methyl-, n-butyl-, and phenyloxirane with very good regioselectivity towards the alcohols: 93, 73, and 100%, respectively. It was shown that vapor-phase CTH of methyloxirane with 2-pentanol led to three products, two regioisomeric propanols, (1-PrOH and 2-PrOH), and also 1-(2-pentyloxy)-2-propanol. Their yields were 48%, 4%, and 35%, respectively. Two regioisomeric hexanols (1-HeOH, 54% yield and 2-HeOH, 20% yield) and 2-hexanone (14% yield) were found as products of the CTH of n-butyloxirane with 2-propanol as the hydrogen donor. For vapor-phase CTH of phenyloxirane, only 2-phenylethanol (95% yield) was observed together with minor amounts of phenylacetaldehyde. In vapor-phase CTH of 1,2-epoxycyclohexane, the presence of the transfer hydrogenation products (2-cyclohexenone, cyclohexanol, and cyclopentylmethanol) as well as isomerization products (cyclohexanone, 2-cyclohexenol, and 3-cyclohexenol) were found. It was noted that at 623 K, the yields of the former products were 18, 22, and 14%, respectively. Liquid-phase CTH of n-butyl- or phenyloxirane with 2-pentanol (b.p. 392 K) was unsuccessful. Full article

The reaction of imidazole-5-carbohydrazide 1 with hydrazonyl halides 2a,b gave the corresponding hydrazide–hydrazone derivatives 3a,b. Afterwards, 3-methyl-5-(4-methyl-2-aryl-1H-imidazol-5-yl)-4-(2-phenylhydrazineylidene)-4H-pyrazole 4a,b was affordably produced by cyclizing the latter compounds 3a,b in EtOH with Et₃N at reflux temperature. The corresponding piperidinyl, morpholinyl, and piperazinyl derivatives 5a–f were produced by a nucleophilic substitution reaction of 3a,b with piperidine, morpholine, and 1-methylpiperazine in EtOH at reflux temperature. The condensation reaction of carbohydrazide 1 with either 3-acetyl-2H-chromen-2-one or 1-(benzofuran-2-yl)ethan-1-one in EtOH with AcOH at reflux temperature yielded the corresponding hydrazones 6 and 7, respectively, in excellent yields. Twelve compounds were evaluated for their antibacterial properties and to ascertain their minimum inhibitory concentrations utilizing well diffusion methods. All compounds showed differing levels of antibacterial efficacy depending on the microbial species. Compounds 4b and 5c had the most favorable results, with inhibition zones of 2.7 cm against the Gram-positive bacterium S. aureus, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 50 µg/mL. Compounds 4b and 5c, demonstrating the highest activity, were subjected to molecular docking investigations to evaluate their inhibitory effects on the enzyme L-glutamine: D-fructose-6-phosphate amidotransferase [GlcN-6-P] of 2VF5. The molecular docking results revealed that both 4b and 5c exhibited a minimum binding energy of −8.7 kcal/mol, whereas the natural ligand GLP displayed a binding energy of −6.2 kcal/mol, indicating a substantial affinity for the active site; thus, they may be considered potent inhibitors of GlcN-6-P synthase. Full article

Background: Cardiac arrest is a time-critical medical emergency during which prompt and effective drug delivery plays a key role in patient outcomes. Current resuscitation guidelines recommend intravenous (IV) access as the first-line route, with intraosseous (IO) access recommended as an alternative when IV access is delayed or not feasible. Although the endotracheal (ET) route was previously included in resuscitation protocols, it is no longer recommended. This study aims to evaluate the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of resuscitation drugs administered through different injection sites and under varying hemodynamic conditions in in vivo animal models. Methods: PubMed, CENTRAL and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched up to August 2025 for studies comparing different injection sites for the same drug (adrenaline/epinephrine, amiodarone, lidocaine and vasopressin) during CPR. Study selection, data extraction, and quality assessments were performed independently by two reviewers. Frequentist random-effects models were used to calculate mean differences and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results: Fourteen prospective experimental studies (sample sizes ranging from 15 to 49 animals) conducted on swine were included. For epinephrine under normovolemia, humeral IO (HIO) access achieved significantly higher maximum concentrations (C_max; p = 0.0238) and a shorter time to the maximum concentration (T_max; p < 0.01) compared to IV, translating into faster return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) (p = 0.0681). Under hypovolemia, IV access proved superiority over IO for epinephrine administration (MD = +382.80 ng/mL; p = 0.0022). The time to ROSC was significantly shorter with sternal IO (SIO) compared to tibial IO (TIO) (p = 0.0109). For amiodarone and vasopressin, no consistent or statistically significant differences were observed between administration routes, and in several cases, the findings were based on a single study. Conclusions: The injection site significantly influences the PK and PD of epinephrine during cardiac arrest. Proximal IO routes may offer advantages under normovolemic conditions, while IV access appears superior in cases of hypovolemic shock. Further research is needed to guide optimal drug delivery in varying hemodynamic conditions during cardiac arrest. Full article

In the context of global change, assessing the sustainability of ecological restoration in water-scarce regions presents a critical scientific challenge. The Haihe River Basin (HRB), vital to China’s food and water security, has experienced extensive greening over the past two decades. However, the hydrological cost of this greening remains uncertain. This study leverages multi-source satellite remote sensing data (MODIS, CLCD) from 2001 to 2023 to investigate the hydrological implications of this greening. Our analysis reveals a stark ‘decoupling’: despite significant increases in Gross Primary Production (GPP) (9.45 g C·m⁻²·yr⁻¹, p < 0.01), the basin-wide Water Use Efficiency (WUE) exhibited a gradual yet statistically significant decline (slope = −0.01 g C·m⁻²·mm⁻¹·yr⁻¹, p < 0.01). In contrast, Carbon Use Efficiency (CUE) demonstrated no significant basin-wide trend but exhibited significant spatial decreases in mature forest areas. Spatially, the trends are heterogeneous; while 40.80% of the basin showed improved WUE, a significant decrease was observed in only 2.88% of the area, primarily in high-productivity agricultural zones. This localized decline, however, was substantial enough (with mean rates of decrease exceeding −0.06 g C·m⁻²·mm⁻¹·yr⁻¹) to influence the basin-wide average downward. Attribution analysis identified that climate change, particularly rising temperatures and the associated increase in vapor pressure deficit (VPD), were the dominant drivers of this decline by stimulating evapotranspiration (ET) at a rate faster than GPP enhancement. Collectively, our findings suggest that the observed greening trajectory in the HRB, while increasing carbon uptake, is becoming progressively less water-efficient, indicating a path of hydrological unsustainability. This research highlights the urgent need for hydrologically informed policies in ecological restoration, shifting the focus from simple ‘greening’ towards achieving ‘sustainable and hydrologically sound greening’. Full article