Search Results (359)

Background/Objectives: CLEC-2 (C-type lectin-like receptor 2), the newest discovered platelet receptor, is involved in platelet activation and aggregation, the inflammatory response, tumor growth, metastasis, and angiogenesis. These unique features make CLEC-2 a promising candidate for a new biomarker and therapeutic target. The aim of our study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of CLEC-2 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods: The serum CLEC-2 concentration was determined using ELISA methods in 64 CRC patients and 25 healthy subjects. Results: Our results indicate that the concentration of the serum CLEC-2 was significantly higher in CRC patients than in healthy subjects. Furthermore, the CLEC-2 levels were significantly higher in G3- than G2-grade CRC, and in patients with more advanced CRC, such as those with lymph node and distant metastases, than in patients without any metastases. CLEC-2 showed a positive correlation with platelet indices (PLT and MPV). The area under the ROC curve confirmed CLEC-2’s excellent diagnostic power in distinguishing between patients with CRC. Conclusions: Our results indicate that CLEC-2 may be associated with CRC development and suggest that the identification of this biomarker could be useful for determining CRC progression. Full article

Potassium (K⁺) is a vital macronutrient for plant growth and stress resilience, with KT/HAK/KUP transporters playing a central role in its homeostasis. Although these transporters are known to influence photosynthesis, the molecular mechanisms by which fertilization promotes assimilate accumulation in peach crops remain poorly understood. In this study, 17 PpHAK genes were identified based on the peach genome and classified into four distinct clades through phylogenetic analysis, a classification further supported by conserved gene structures and motifs. Interspecific collinearity analysis revealed that transporters are highly conserved among Rosaceae species. Physiological measurements demonstrated that foliar application significantly enhanced photosynthetic capacity, as evidenced by a 33% increase in net photosynthetic rate (Pn) and improved photoelectron yield (Y(II)). At the same time, the transcript levels of the transporters PpHAK1, PpHAK5, and PpHAK9 were significantly upregulated, as confirmed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in sugar metabolism and transport, particularly PpPLT5-1, was significantly induced. Collectively, these results indicate that foliar K⁺ application enhances photosynthesis and promotes assimilate accumulation by modulating the expression of both K⁺ and sugar transporters. These findings offer a theoretical basis for optimizing nutrient management to improve fruit quality in stone fruit production. Full article

Morphological characteristics of pollen grains, including shape, size, pore number, and exine thickness, vary significantly among species and enable the reliable use of palynological data in taxonomic studies. In this context, the present study investigates the pollen morphology of seven Betulaceae taxa (Alnus glutinosa, Betula pendula, Carpinus betulus, Carpinus orientalis, Corylus avellana, Corylus colurna, and Ostrya carpinifolia). Detailed morphometric measurements were carried out using Light Microscopy (LM), and high-resolution images were obtained using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). For each taxon, thirty measurements were taken for the main pollen characters, including polar axis length (P), equatorial diameter (E), pore length (plg), pore width (plt), and exine thickness (Ex). Interspecific differences were evaluated using one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD test, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA), and a diagnostic pollen identification key was developed for the investigated species. The results demonstrate statistically significant interspecific variation in pollen size, pore characteristics, and exine thickness. In the PCA ordination, the first principal component (PC1) was mainly associated with pollen size (P and E), clearly separating Carpinus betulus from the remaining taxa. The second principal component (PC2) was primarily related to pore length (plg) and contributed to the separation of Alnus glutinosa from the other small-pollen species. These results show that quantitative pollen morphological characters provide reliable criteria for distinguishing closely related Betulaceae taxa. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eliglustat is an oral therapy for Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1) that may reduce infusion-related logistical burden, particularly in resource-constrained settings. Post-approval evidence from routine clinical practice in China remains limited. This study evaluated its real-world effectiveness and safety in Chinese adults with GD1. Methods: This retrospective, multicenter study included adults with GD1 receiving eliglustat monotherapy for ≥6 months. Outcomes included plasma glucosylsphingosine (lyso-Gb1), hemoglobin (HGB), platelet count (PLT), liver and spleen volumes, and adverse events (AEs). Depending on distribution, paired changes were analyzed using paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Nineteen patients were included in the effectiveness analysis, with a median follow-up of 7 months (range, 6–9). Lyso-Gb1 decreased from 468 to 210 ng/mL (p < 0.0001). HGB increased from 123 to 131 g/L (p = 0.147); among six patients with baseline anemia, 83.3% improved and 33.3% normalized. PLT increased from 109 to 132 × 10⁹/L (p = 0.019); among 12 patients with baseline thrombocytopenia, 58.3% improved. Liver volume decreased from 1808 to 1747 mL (p = 0.016) (1.22 to 1.01 multiples of normal; p < 0.001). Spleen volume decreased from 473 to 452 mL (p = 0.016) (4.69 to 5.17 multiples of normal; p = 0.015). Lyso-Gb1 reduction was greater in patients without prior enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) exposure than in those with prior ERT exposure (−55.1% vs. −43.1%; p = 0.049). In the safety analysis group (n = 90), suspected drug-related AEs occurred in 27.8% of patients, mainly gastrointestinal or skin-related, and were limited to grade I/II. No serious AE or treatment discontinuation occurred. Conclusions: In routine clinical practice in China, eliglustat was associated with rapid substantial reductions in plasma lyso-Gb1, early improvements in hematologic and visceral parameters, and favorable short-term tolerability in adults with GD1. Full article

Unpollinated ovary culture is an effective approach for generating haploid and doubled haploid lines, but its application in Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum) breeding has been constrained by strong genotype dependence and low regeneration efficiency. This study evaluated an efficient gynogenesis induction system and analyzed transcriptomic changes associated with embryogenesis. Among 20 evaluated genotypes, the commercial cultivar ‘21-CJ46’ showed the strongest response. The optimized induction conditions utilized ovaries collected 1 day before anthesis, cultured on Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with 90 g/L sucrose, 1.0 mg/L 6-BA, and 0.2 mg/L 2,4-D at 25 °C. Under this system, ‘21-CJ46’ achieved a maximum embryo induction rate of 86.67%. Flow cytometry and chromosome counting indicated frequent spontaneous chromosome doubling, with regenerants mainly distributed as diploids and tetraploids. RNA-seq analysis comparing pre-induction (0 d) and 14 d ovaries showed extensive transcriptional reprogramming, including significant enrichment of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, plant–pathogen interaction, and plant hormone signal transduction pathways. Differential expression analysis demonstrated that key embryogenesis regulators, such as BBM2, WUSCHEL9, LEC, PLT2, and ABI3, were regulated at 14 d. These results provide an induction protocol and molecular indications relevant to accelerating Chinese chive breeding. Full article

Apple replant disease (ARD) is a soil-borne disease that severely restricts root development in orchards, impedes tree growth, and leads to reduced yields and decreased fruit quality, and thus significant economic losses. Previous studies identified Fusarium oxysporum as a major pathogenic agent. In this study, a T-DNA insertion mutant library of 13,000 F. oxysporum HS2 strains was utilized to screen for mutants with impaired pathogenicity. Nine mutants exhibiting reduced virulence were obtained, and the insertion sites of five mutants were successfully identified. Among them, we selected the HS2-29 strain, which exhibited the most significant decrease in conidial production, for further investigation. Its T-DNA was inserted into the FoPLT gene. RT-qPCR analysis revealed that the expression of the FoPLT gene rapidly increased during the early infection stage, followed by a decline and eventual stabilization. After the deletion of the FoPLT gene, the production of aerial hyphae, conidial yield, conidial length, and conidial diameter all significantly decreased. Stress tolerance assays indicated that FoPLT does not affect cell wall integrity in F. oxysporum. The deletion of the FoPLT gene significantly reduced the pathogenicity of F. oxysporum, and inoculating Malus robusta seedlings with the FoPLT knockout mutant led to significant increases in plant height, root length, fresh weight, and dry weight. These results suggest that the FoPLT gene plays a critical role in the pathogenicity of F. oxysporum. Full article

This paper studies the dynamic adjustment of bilateral trade following Economic Integration Agreements (EIAs) and examines how financial development and labor market rigidity moderate the timing of trade responses. We approximate the event time adjustment path using a Piecewise Linear Trend (PLT) specification that relaxes global linearity restrictions common in dynamic gravity models. Event study evidence reveals heterogeneous pre-entry and post-entry slopes, particularly at the product-margin level. Split joint pre-trend tests show that aggregate trade satisfies long-run parallel trends, while product-level margins exhibit significant secular restructuring prior to implementation, motivating explicit slope parameterization. Within the PLT framework, financial development is associated with short-run anticipation effects, whereas labor rigidity corresponds to delayed post-entry adjustments. Industry-level interactions indicate that these dynamics vary systematically with sectoral characteristics. The results remain robust to zero-inclusive estimators, alternative institutional proxies, and alternative event time discretizations. Overall, the findings demonstrate that institutional conditions shape the temporal profile of trade adjustment and that flexible slope modeling is essential for identifying dynamic responses to trade liberalization. Full article

The physiological and hematological responses to exercise and the corresponding adaptations in high-level sports have become an important issue, from both the health and the physical performance points of view. This study investigated the fluctuations in physiological and hematological variables of young swimmers throughout a training season. Twelve well-trained male swimmers (age: 14 ± 0.3 y) participated in the study. Measurements were carried out at the beginning of the training season (T1) and pre and post the taper of each of the two competitive periods (i.e., T2, T3 for the first training macrocycle, and T4, T5 for the second macrocycle, respectively). At each of the above time points, maximum oxygen uptake (VO_2max) was estimated, and blood samples were collected before and 1 h post a maximal 400 m swimming testing to measure hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean cell hemoglobin (MCH), mean cell hemoglobin corpuscular (MCHC), platelets (PLT), red blood cells (RBCs), and albumin (Alb). Adjustment for exercise-induced plasma volume changes was performed before all data analyses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures followed by Bonferroni post hoc analyses was used for statistics. Multiple correlations with Bonferroni correction were also performed. Significant improvement of performance from T1 to the end of the study was recorded. Moreover, significant changes in lactate concentration ([La⁻]) with significant decrease at T3 and increase at T4 were also observed. Significant interaction (pre–post-test × test condition) for Hct, Hb, MCV, MCH, and RBCs; the main effect of test condition for Hct, MCV, MCHC, PLT, and Alb; and pre–post-test for Hct, Hb, MCV, MCHC, and RBCs were observed. No significant changes for VO_2max and HR were recorded (p > 0.05). Significant correlations between MCV and MCH at T1, T2, T4, and Hct and Hb at T1, T4, T5 were found. These results indicate that swimming training throughout a season induces both acute and long-term effects on the physiological and hematological profile of young swimmers. These findings provide fundamental information about the effects of the training volume and intensity on physical performance and might be utilized as a useful source for future studies to further characterize the systemic and performance signature of training-induced adaptations during a competitive season in swimmers. Full article

JNJ-26366821, a novel thrombopoietin mimetic peptide (TPOm), is shown to increase platelets (PLTs) transiently in peripheral blood. We hypothesized that increases in PLT counts may involve stimulation of hematopoiesis via induction of cytokines, growth factors, and microRNAs. Hence, we measured various cytokines, chemokines, and growth factors in serum. Time-course analysis of G-CSF, IL-5, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, TNFα, IL-1α, and IL-1β expression was significantly altered in the control group at 9.5 Gy compared to a lower non-lethal dose of 7 Gy on days 7 to 15 post-exposure. TPOm pre-treatment significantly ameliorated the changes in expression of these pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. Additionally, we show that TPOm differentially modulates the miRNA expression profiles in the spleen of irradiated mice compared to controls at both early times as well as later times after irradiation. These results suggest a possible role of TPOm in protecting animals from radiation-induced thrombocytopenia and lethality by attenuating radiation-induced inflammatory cytokines and miRNAs. Full article

Background: The extent to which bone marrow aspiration technique affects the biological quality of bone marrow aspirate and its clinical relevance in knee osteoarthritis remains uncertain. This study compares the efficacy of the traditional aspiration method and the Snap Back technique at two anatomical harvest sites, the posterior iliac crest and the proximal tibia. Methods: This ancillary post hoc analysis was conducted within a randomized trial comparing posterior iliac crest and proximal tibia harvest sites in 60 patients with unicompartmental knee OA. Aspiration technique (traditional vs. Snap Back) was selected intraoperatively and not randomized. BMA samples were analyzed for MSCs, mononuclear cells (MNCs), platelet concentration, and marrow purity. Clinical outcomes were assessed at baseline and six months using the Visual Analog Scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index. Results: The posterior iliac crest yielded significantly higher MSC and MNC concentrations compared to the tibia, with superior purity and PLT counts observed using the Snap Back technique. Within each anatomical site, Snap Back aspiration provided improved cellular recovery over the traditional method. However, differences in clinical outcomes between groups were modest and did not consistently reach statistical significance. Conclusions: Both harvest site and aspiration technique were associated with substantial differences in the cellular composition of BMA. The withdrawal from posterior iliac crest combined with the Snap Back technique optimizes MSC yield and marrow purity, though clinical improvements appear independent of cellular concentration in the short term. These findings suggest that standardized aspiration protocols may be relevant for the biological efficacy of orthobiologic therapies in knee OA. Full article

Background/Objectives: Intraoperative bleeding remains one of the major challenges in pediatric liver transplantation (PLT), contributing significantly to perioperative morbidity, transfusion-related complications, and prolonged recovery. Although viscoelastic testing has improved intraoperative hemostatic management, there are currently no validated preoperative tools capable of predicting bleeding risk in this vulnerable population. Methods: We conducted a prospective, single-center observational study including 43 consecutive pediatric patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation between May 2008 and August 2009. A comprehensive dataset encompassing demographic, clinical, biochemical, and surgical variables was collected. A multivariable linear regression model was developed to predict intraoperative blood loss (IBL). Variable selection was guided by Mallows’ Cp criterion to ensure optimal model fit and clinical interpretability. Model performance was assessed using adjusted R², diagnostic residual analysis, and internal validation to verify regression assumptions. Results: Six independent predictors of IBL were identified: presence of ascites, prior abdominal surgery, operative time, baseline fibrinogen concentration, platelet count, and recipient weight. The final model explained 35.2% of IBL variance (adjusted R² = 0.352; F = 7.68; p < 0.001). Model diagnostics confirmed linearity, normal distribution of residuals, and homoscedasticity, supporting its robustness and reliability. Conclusions: This multivariable model provides an interpretable, clinically applicable framework for individualized preoperative estimation of blood loss in PLT. It may assist in planning perioperative patient blood management strategies and serve as a foundation for future decision-support systems. Limitations include the single-center design and modest sample size; however, internal validation supported the stability and reliability of the model. Full article

Deoxynivalenol (DON) is a common mycotoxin in cereal crops such as corn, wheat, and their processed products. It can cause feed refusal and growth retardation in piglets. This study systematically evaluated the effects of dietary exposure to purified DON at low doses of 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg on growth performance, blood biochemistry, antioxidant capacity, immune function, intestinal health, and reproductive development in female weaned piglets over a 42-day period. Although dietary exposure to 0.25–2.0 mg/kg of DON did not significantly affect growth performance, it induced subclinical multi-organ toxicity. Notably, decreased platelet count (PLT) at 0.25–2.0 mg/kg and increased serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity at 2.0 mg/kg were observed. DON exposure also impaired antioxidant function with reduced serum total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) at 0.25–2.0 mg/kg, and elevated malondialdehyde (MDA) content in the jejunum and ileum at 0.5–2.0 mg/kg. Furthermore, at all doses tested (0.25–2.0 mg/kg), DON suppressed anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10) levels in both serum and intestine, reduced duodenal villus height (VH), and decreased serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels. Additionally, histopathological injuries of liver, kidney, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, uterus and ovaries were also observed at doses of 1.0–2.0 mg/kg. In summary, this study confirms the multi-organ toxicity of low-dose DON in piglets. Our findings suggest that DON concentrations in pig feed should be more strictly controlled and highlight the importance of considering subclinical health endpoints, such as oxidative stress markers and immune parameters, in future risk assessments of mycotoxin exposure. Full article

Purpose: This study aimed to determine whether apparent differences in body posture affect the ability to maintain balance and foot loading during standing. Methods: The research was conducted in a group of 100 young adults. The examinations included measurements of body posture using the Posture Photographic Assessment System, as well as measurements of balance ability using the Zebris FDM-S platform. The following body posture parameters were analyzed: posture index (PI), pelvic tilt angle (PLT), and the tilts of subsequent spinal segments. Participants’ body posture was categorized according to the classifications proposed by Dolphens and Frohner. The analyzed balance parameters included the path length (PL) covered by the center of foot pressure (COP) on the ground and the ellipse area (EA) in which the COP was located during the test. The mean percentage load on the forefoot (FORE) and rearfoot (BACK), as well as the symmetry index (SI) for the load on the right and left foot, were also analyzed. Results: Kruskal–Wallis tests demonstrated that PL, EA, SI, FORE, and BACK did not differ significantly among the three posture types defined by Dolphens nor among participants with different pelvic alignments. Furthermore, PL, EA, SI, FORE, BACK, PLT, and the tilts of subsequent spinal segments did not differ significantly between the two posture types according to Frohner. Conclusions: Balance parameters and foot loading during standing did not differ significantly among the three posture types defined by Dolphens, between the two posture types according to Frohner, or among participants with different pelvic alignments. Full article

An ongoing challenge in pelagic oceanography and limnology is to quantify and understand the distribution of suspended particles and particle aggregates with sufficient temporal and spatial fidelity to understand their dynamics. These particles include biotic (mesoplankton, organic fragments, fecal pellets, etc.) and abiotic (dusts, precipitates, sediments and flocks, anthropogenic materials, etc.) matter and their aggregates (i.e., marine snow), which form a large part of the total particulate matter > 200 μm in size in the ocean. The transport of organic material from surface waters to the deep-sea floor is of particular interest, as it is recognized as a key factor controlling the global carbon cycle and hence, a critical process influencing the sequestration of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Here we describe the development of an oceanographic instrument, the Pelagic Laser Tomographer (PLT), that uses high-resolution optical technology, coupled with post-processing analysis, to scan the 3D content of the water column to detect and quantify 3D distributions of small particles. Existing optical instruments typically trade sampling volume for spatial resolution or require large, complex platforms. The PLT addresses this gap by combining high-resolution laser-sheet imaging with large effective sampling volumes in a compact, deployable system. The PLT can generate spatial distributions of small particles (~100 µm and larger) across large water volumes (order 100–1000 m³) during a typical deployment, and allow measurements of particle patchiness over spatial scales to less than 1 mm. The instrument’s small size (6 kg), high resolution (~100 µm in each 3000 cm² tomographic image slice), and analysis software provide a tool for pelagic studies that have typically been limited by high cost, data storage, resolution, and mechanical constraints, all usually necessitating bulky instrumentation and infrequent deployment, typically requiring a large research vessel. Full article

Background/Objectives: Eltrombopag, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist, is widely used in the treatment of relapsed or refractory (R/R) immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). This study aimed to compare the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of generic eltrombopag (Rompag^®) with original eltrombopag (Revolade^®) in adult patients with R/R ITP. Methods: In this prospective, multicenter study conducted at 10 centers, 104 adult ITP patients were followed for at least 3 months. A total of 35 (33.7%) patients received Rompag^® and 69 (66.3%) received Revolade^®. The primary endpoint was platelet (PLT) response, defined as achieving a PLT count ≥50 × 10⁹/L and at least a twofold increase from baseline, without the need for rescue therapy or transfusion. Secondary endpoints included bleeding rates, fatigue-related quality of life, adverse events (AEs), and rescue therapy requirements. Results: PLT response was achieved in 94.2% of patients in the Revolade^® group and 85.7% in the Rompag^® group (p = 0.16). Bleeding rates decreased significantly in both groups (Revolade^®: 56.5% to 2.9%, p < 0.001; Rompag^®: 62.9% to 2.9%, p < 0.001). Although overall AE rates were similar (30.4% in the Revolade^® group and 42.9% in the Rompag^® group; p = 0.22), arthralgia (28.6% vs. 7.2%, p = 0.01) and vomiting (11.4% vs. 0%, p = 0.008) were more frequent with Rompag^®. Conclusions: Both generic and original eltrombopag demonstrated no statistically significant difference in efficacy in achieving PLT response, reducing bleeding, and improving fatigue-related quality of life in adult patients with R/R ITP. Although minor differences in AE profiles were observed, particularly arthralgia and vomiting, both formulations showed acceptable safety and tolerability. Full article