Search Results (77)

This study examined genetic diversity in the endangered medicinal plant Celastrus paniculatus using 62 individual samples from seven natural populations in northern and northeastern Thailand to inform conservation strategies. The analysis of the nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large subunit (rbcL) markers revealed 17 haplotypes (CpI1–CpI17) across these populations, with 15 being population-specific. The genetic diversity varied significantly among populations: CMI showed the highest diversity (Hd = 0.944 ± 0.070), while LEI and LPN displayed complete homogeneity. The haplotype network identified a central shared haplotype (CpI4), suggesting a common ancestry, with the PLK population showing a distinct genetic divergence through unique haplotypes separated by multiple mutation steps. Genetic distance calculations revealed close relationships between LEI and NPM populations (distance = 0.0004), with greater differentiation between PLK and other populations (distances > 0.005). Phylogenetic analyses confirmed the species integrity while highlighting population clusters, especially PLK in ITS analyses and LPN in rbcL analyses. This genetic structure information provides a foundation for targeted conservation planning. Results suggest that conservation efforts should prioritize both genetically diverse populations (like CMI and MKM) and genetically distinct ones (like PLK) to preserve the maximum evolutionary potential. This study delivers crucial molecular data for developing evidence-based conservation strategies to protect this valuable medicinal species from further decline. Full article

Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) has emerged as a powerful microfluidic technique for label-free particle separation with high resolution. Although recent innovations in pillar geometry have broadened its biomedical applications, the fundamental mechanisms dictating flow behavior and separation efficiency remain not fully understood. In this study, we conducted dissipative particle dynamics simulations to systematically investigate the separation of rigid spherical particles and red blood cells (RBCs) in DLD arrays with inverse L-shaped pillars. The simulations established a predictive formula for the critical separation size in such devices and demonstrated that inverse L-shaped pillars enabled a reduced critical separation size compared with conventional circular pillars. Additionally, we revealed that the inverse L-shaped pillars could act as deformability sensors, promoting localized RBC deformation near their protrusions and inducing stiffness-dependent bifurcation in cell trajectories, which enables effective sorting based on cell deformability. These findings advance the mechanistic understanding of inverse L-shaped DLD arrays and provide valuable design principles for their potential applications. Full article

Moss walls are acknowledged, though not widely, for their urban environmental benefits: humidity control, noise reduction, and air filtration. In this pioneering study, three outdoor living moss walls were installed in separate urban green spaces in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. One and five months later, the primary moss species used, Hypnum cupressiforme, a well-established biomonitor, was analyzed for 12 potentially toxic elements. The content of all measured elements increased, with zinc (Zn) and cadmium (Cd) showing the most significant rises—17-fold and 3-fold, respectively. The element accumulation is believed to originate from industrial activities related to non-ferrous metals. In addition to accumulating toxic elements, the moss exhibited physiological responses to environmental stress. Total lipids and tocopherols, lipophilic antioxidants produced exclusively by photosynthetic organisms, showed adaptive changes. As a molecular biomarker, the expression of the rbcL gene, which encodes the largest subunit of Rubisco, was analyzed, and showed a correlation with the Ecological Risk Index derived from the moss wall data. While living moss walls have been used to some extent to enhance urban aesthetics and improve air quality, this study is the first to highlight their potential as tools for air quality monitoring. Full article

Background: Although white blood cell-related indices are established prognostic markers in lung cancer, the prognostic significance of red blood cell (RBC) indices—mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC)—remains unclear. This study assessed the prognostic value of RBC indices for predicting survival outcomes in patients who underwent curative-intent surgery for stage I–IIIA non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: This retrospective analysis of 437 patients evaluated the prognostic significance of MCV, MCH, MCHC, and the modified Shine and Lal Index (mSLI), calculated as (MCV² × MCH) × 0.0001, using Cox regression analysis. Model performance was evaluated using various metrics, including the concordance index (C-index) and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI). Results: In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, each RBC index was tested separately as an overall survival (OS) predictor in models that consistently included age, American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status (ASA-PS), pleural invasion, tumor–node–metastasis (TNM) stage, and the Noble and Underwood (NUn) score. Given its superior predictive performance, the mSLI model, which incorporates mSLI in addition to other covariates, was finalized and outperformed the baseline TNM staging model (C-index: 0.840 vs. 0.708, p < 0.001) and demonstrated significant improvements in IDI at 3 and 5 years (p < 0.001). Compared to the intermediate model—comprising the same covariates as the mSLI model except for mSLI—the mSLI model showed a slightly higher C-index (0.840 vs. 0.835, p = 0.554) and significant improvements in IDI at 3 years (p = 0.008) and 5 years (p = 0.020). Conclusions: mSLI was an independent prognostic marker for OS in stage I–IIIA NSCLC, enhancing risk stratification and providing incremental predictive value beyond that of traditional models. Incorporating mSLI into prognostic frameworks may improve clinical decision-making. However, external validation is required to confirm its clinical utility. Full article

A total of 18 Humidophila strains isolated from soil samples from Cát Tiên National Park have been studied. Based on morphometric analysis and molecular data for the V4 18S rDNA and rbcL regions, we proposed the presence of four new species: H. vietnamica, H. paravietnamica, H. cattiensis, and H. concava. This is the first study that provides molecular data for such a large number of Humidophila strains. Furthermore, we encountered some Humidophila strains with clear morphological differences (which we assigned to several morphotypes) that cannot be separated using the selected genetic markers and cannot be attributed to phenotypic variations in one species; these require further study of their genetic structure. We also observed the opposite case, where in the absence of morphological differences, clear genetic differentiation is shown, which demonstrates the presence of cryptic taxa in our sample. The maximum differences for these strains were observed in the V4 18S rDNA region. Our results show that the effectiveness of commonly used genetic markers V4 18S rDNA and rbcL for separating species can vary greatly. Our study highlights the need to research different genetic markers and their use for proper species separation, as well as the genetic diversity of diatoms, and the need for further studies of intra- and interspecific genetic distances. Full article

Accurate separation in microfluidic devices is crucial for biomedical applications; however, enhancing their performance remains challenging due to computational and experimental constraints. This study aims to optimize microfluidic devices by systematically refining spiral microchannel configurations for the segregation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) through detailed variable analysis and resource-efficient techniques. The spiral design was developed into six variations, considering loop numbers (2, 3, and 4), aspect ratios (2.333, 3.333, and 5), spiral radii (5, 6, and 7 mm), flow rates (1.5, 2, and 3 mL/min), surface roughness levels (0, 0.5, and 1 μm), and particle sizes (12, 18, and 24 μm). Simulations were conducted in COMSOL Multiphysics and evaluated using the Taguchi method to determine the optimal configuration, reducing the analysis set from 216 to 27 through an efficient experimental design approach. The results identified the optimal structure as having an aspect ratio of 3.333, four loops, a spiral radius of 6–7 mm, a flow rate of 3 mL/min, a surface roughness of 1 μm, and a particle diameter of 24 μm. Among the evaluated parameters, aspect ratio (61.2%) had the most significant impact, followed by the number of loops (13.9%) and flow rate (9.4%). The optimized design demonstrated high separation efficiency and purity, achieving 97.5% and 97.6%, respectively. The fabrication process involved 3D-printing the channel mold, followed by polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) casting, validating the durability and scalability of the proposed design. This study integrates simulation and experimental results, providing a robust framework for developing next-generation microfluidic devices and advancing diagnostic and targeted therapeutic applications. Full article

Bassia scoparia is a widespread weedy species in the temperate regions of the world and is valued as a medicinal and ornamental plant. To date, the taxonomic concept of B. scoparia remains insufficiently studied due to a limited number of samples used in the previous phylogenetic analyses. To solve the taxonomy of the B. scoparia complex, we constructed a new phylogeny based on the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), plastid intergenic spacer atpB-rbcL, and plastid region rpL16 intron sequences for numerous samples with diverse morphology. Our analysis revealed a close proximity and intermixed positions of the samples of the B. scoparia group with various morphology. Because of this polyphyly, we prefer to broadly delimit the species. An updated nomenclature of B. scoparia is provided including four new synonyms: Bassia angustifolia, B. littorea, Kochia albovillosa, and K. scoparia subsp. hirsutissima. In its new circumscription, B. scoparia encompasses populations with glabrous or variously hairy leaves and perianths. The original material of Kochia sieversiana, previously considered a species with hairy leaves and inflorescences, has the same diagnostic characters as in B. scoparia s.str. The correct name for more hairy-leaved plants is B. scoparia var. subvillosa. Plants with hairy perianths known as Kochia albovillosa and K. scoparia subsp. hirsutissima have a restricted distribution in Central Asia and South Siberia and have never been recorded as alien in other regions; they can be classified as a separate variety, B. scoparia var. hirsutissima. The ornamental variant of oblong or pyramidal shape may be called B. scoparia var. trichophila. Bassia scoparia is often confused with a similarly looking relative, B. indica, especially in North Africa, a region where secondary ranges of both species overlap. Phylogenetically, these species are sister groups; they share some morphological characters but have different primary distribution ranges. We traced a recent expansion of B. indica in the Mediterranean with the first record reported from the European continent (Spain) and uncovered various introduction pathways of the species in this region. Full article

Background: Extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP) consists of the collection of a patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells (MNCs) that, after incubation with a photosensitive molecule, are exposed to ultraviolet-A (UVA) and then reinfused into the patient. There are two methods for performing the ECP procedure: the “in-line” methods and the “off-line” methods. In the “in-line” method, all the phases of ECP (leukapheresis, photoactivation, and reinfusion) are achieved sequentially in extracorporeal circulation using a single instrument and a single sterile disposable kit without disconnection from the patient’s blood circulation. In this paper, we report our real-life experience with a recently licensed in-line ECP system proposed by Fresenius-Kabi. Methods: The ECP procedures (n = 211) were performed using an Amicus cell separator and a Phelix UV irradiator with Amicus software 4.51 and Phelix software 1.0. A targeted 2000 mL of whole blood (WB) was processed, and 1.5 J/cm² of UVA light was delivered to the collected mononuclear cells (MNCs). Results: From May 2023 to April 2024, we performed 211 ECP procedures in 11 patients with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD). The processed blood volume was between 1992 and 2000 mL, and the blood flow speed during the procedures was highly variable (from 30 to 50 mL/min), so the total duration of the procedure was quite variable (from 92 to 118 min). The collection efficiency (CE2) for mononuclear cells was always satisfactory (from 55% to 73%), with a minimal presence of RBCs and PLTs. Conclusions: In our experience, the Amicus system-based ECP procedure is safe and well tolerated as we observed only one side effect. The duration of the procedure was always under two hours. The collection efficiency (CE2) for MNCs was satisfactory, with minimal platelet and RBC product contamination. Full article

Background: Xi Junecry (Pinellia ternata), a perennial herb of the Araceae family, is indigenous to Xinxian County, Henan Province, China, and is regarded as a premium variety among similar medicinal materials. However, the lack of comprehensive genetic information on Xi Junecry germplasm resources has constrained the cultivation and identification of high-quality varieties. Methods: In this study, six chloroplast genomes of Xi Junecry were assembled and annotated using high-throughput sequencing. Subsequently, comparative analyses were conducted, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed. Results: The six Xi Junecry chloroplast genome lengths ranged from 157,456 to 158,406 bp, and the GC content was between 36.0% and 36.2%. A total of 265 single nucleotide polymorphism sites were identified across the six genomes, with a whole-genome nucleotide diversity (Pi) value of 0.00084. Among the four genomic regions, the small single-copy region exhibited the highest Pi, followed by the large single-copy region, while the inverted repeat region showed the lowest. Nucleotide polymorphism in coding regions was significantly lower than in non-coding regions. Nine hypervariable regions were identified, as follows: ndhE-ndhG, trnN-GUU-ndhF, trnS-GCU-trnG-UCC, atpB-rbcL, psaI, accD-ycf4, psbE-petL, psaC-ndhE, and psbI-trnG-UCC. Positive selection sites were detected in the accD and rbcL genes. Phylogenetic analysis clustered the six Xi Junecry samples into a distinct clade, separating them from other regional Pinellia samples. Conclusions: These findings elucidate the genetic variation levels in Xi Junecry and provide high-variability loci for population history inference, genetic diversity assessment, species domestication studies, and new cultivar development. Full article

The genus Borodinellopsis is extremely rare and is the subject of limited research and reports. It currently comprises only two species, Borodinellopsis texensis and Borodinellopsis oleifera, which differ from other globose algae due to their unique centrally radiating chloroplasts. In this study, we describe a new specimen in detail based on morphological data and phylogenetic analysis and identify it as B. insignis. B. insignis and B. texensis exhibit a high degree of similarity, likely due to their shared characteristics of centrally radiating chloroplasts and flagella that are significantly longer than the cell body. A phylogenetic tree constructed based on the 18S rDNA sequence indicates that B. insignis and B. texensis form a branch that is distinct from other genera, such as Tetracystis, Spongiococcum, and Chlorococcum. Phylogenetic analysis of the ITS sequence, the rbcL gene, and the tufA gene reveals that B. insignis is significantly different from B. texensis, in that it has oil droplets, smaller vegetative cells and zoospores, and distinct habitats. It is also different from B.oleifera as it has smaller vegetative cells and zoospores, turns red after cultivation, has longer flagella, and resides in different habitats. The chloroplast genomes of B. texensis and B. insignis further show significant differences, with the phylogenetic tree constructed based on the analysis of 49 protein-coding genes forming two separate branches. The collinearity of the chloroplast genomes in B. texensis and B. insignis is poor, with 15 out of the 31 homologous modules displaying inversions and complex rearrangements. Given these differences, we classify this alga as a new species and named it Borodinellopsis insignis sp. nov. Full article

The genus Pourthiaea Decne., a deciduous woody group with high ornamental value, belongs to the family Rosaceae. Here, we reported newly sequenced plastid genome sequences of Pourthiaea beauverdiana (C. K. Schneid.) Hatus., Pourthiaea parvifolia E. Pritz., Pourthiaea villosa (Thunb.) Decne., and Photinia glomerata Rehder & E. H. Wilson. The plastomes of these three Pourthiaea species shared the typical quadripartite structures, ranging in size from 159,903 bp (P. parvifolia) to 160,090 bp (P. beauverdiana). The three Pourthiaea plastomes contained a pair of inverted repeat regions (26,394–26,399 bp), separated by a small single-copy region (19,304–19,322 bp) and a large single-copy region (87,811–87,973 bp). A total of 113 unique genes were predicted for the three Pourthiaea plastomes, including four ribosomal RNA genes, 30 transfer RNA genes, and 79 protein-coding genes. Analyses of inverted repeat/single-copy boundary, mVISTA, nucleotide diversity, and genetic distance showed that the plastomes of 13 Pourthiaea species (including 10 published plastomes) are highly conserved. The number of simple sequence repeats and long repeat sequences is similar among 13 Pourthiaea species. The three non-coding regions (trnT-GGU-psbD, trnR-UCU-atpA, and trnH-GUG-psbA) were the most divergent. Only one plastid protein-coding gene, rbcL, was under positive selection. Phylogenetic analyses based on 78 shared plastid protein-coding sequences and 29 nrDNA sequences strongly supported the monophyly of Pourthiaea. As for the relationship with other genera in our phylogenies, Pourthiaea was sister to Malus in plastome phylogenies, while it was sister to the remaining genera in nrDNA phylogenies. Furthermore, significant cytonuclear discordance likely stems from hybridization events within Pourthiaea, reflecting complex evolutionary dynamics within the genus. Our study provides valuable genetic insights for further phylogenetic, taxonomic, and species delimitation studies in Pourthiaea, as well as essential support for horticultural improvement and conservation of the germplasm resources. Full article

Background: The persistence of antibiotic resistance has incited a strong interest in the discovery of agents with novel antimicrobial mechanisms. The direct killing of multidrug-resistant bacteria by cationic antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) underscores their importance in the fight against infections associated with antibiotic resistance. Despite a vast body of AMP literature demonstrating a plurality in structural classes, AMP engineering has been largely skewed toward peptides with idealized amphipathic helices (H-amphipathic). In contrast to helical amphipathicity, we designed a series of peptides that display the amphipathic motifs in the primary structure. We previously developed a rational framework for designing AMP libraries of H-amphipathic peptides consisting of Arg, Trp, and Val (H-RWV, with a confirmed helicity up to 88% in the presence of membrane lipids) tested against the most common MDR organisms. Methods: In this study, we re-engineered one of the series of the H-RWV peptides (8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 residues in length) to display the amphipathicity in the primary structure by side-by-side (linear) alignment of the cationic and hydrophobic residues into the 2 separate linear amphipathic (L-amphipathic) motifs. We compared the 2 series of peptides for antibacterial activity, red blood cell (RBC) lysis, killing and membrane-perturbation properties. Results: The L-RWV peptides achieved the highest antibacterial activity at a minimum length of 12 residues (L-RWV12, minimum optimal length or MOL) with the lowest mean MIC of 3–4 µM, whereas the MOL for the H-RWV series was reached at 16 residues (H-RWV16). Overall, H-RWV16 displayed the lowest mean MIC at 2 µM but higher levels of RBC lysis (25–30%), while the L-RWV series displayed minor RBC lytic effects at the test concentrations. Interestingly, when the S. aureus strain SA719 was chosen because of its susceptibility to most of the peptides, none of the L-RWV peptides demonstrated a high level of membrane perturbation determined by propidium iodide incorporation measured by flow cytometry, with <50% PI incorporation for the L-RWV peptides. By contrast, most H-RWV peptides displayed almost up to 100% PI incorporation. The results suggest that membrane perturbation is not the primary killing mechanism of the L-amphipathic RWV peptides, in contrast to the H-RWV peptides. Conclusions: Taken together, the data indicate that both types of amphipathicity may provide different ideal pharmacological properties that deserve further investigation. Full article

Aging-related processes lead to significant metabolic and structural changes in red blood cells (RBCs) and, as a result, to heterogeneity in cell populations. Using the Percoll linear density gradient, separating the RBC population and obtaining fractions enriched with cells of different ages is possible. Previously, cells from the “light” fraction were characterized by increased deformability. However, the distribution of RBC deformability in subpopulations possessing a different density has not been studied. In this study, we measured the deformability of RBCs from cell fractions characterized by different densities. RBC deformability was determined using a computerized cell flow-properties analyzer, which provides the deformability distribution in a population of 10,000–15,000 cells. Our results demonstrate a strong correlation between the cytosol hemoglobin concentration and the cell deformation indexes. In addition, we show that the “lightest” fraction of RBCs contains the lowest number of deformable and the highest number of highly deformable cells. In contrast, the “dense” fraction is enriched with undeformable RBCs, with a minimal presence of highly deformable cells. In summary, we have shown that RBC fractions depleted or enriched with undeformable cells can be obtained by using a density gradient. However, these fractions are not homogeneous in their deformability properties. Full article

Density reversal of senescent red blood cells has been known for a long time, yet the identity of the candidate ion transporter(s) causing the senescent cells to swell is still elusive. While performing fractionation of RBCs from healthy individuals in Percoll density gradient and characterization of the separated fractions, we identified a subpopulation of cells in low-density fraction (1.02% ± 0.47) showing signs of senescence such as loss of membrane surface area associated with a reduction in band 3 protein abundance, and Phosphatidylserine (PS) exposure to the outer membrane. In addition, we found that these cells are overloaded with Na⁺ and Ca²⁺. Using a combination of blockers and activators of ion pumps and channels, we revealed reduced activity of Plasma membrane Ca²⁺ ATPase and an increase in Ca²⁺ and Na⁺ leaks through ion channels in senescent-like cells. Our data revealed that Ca²⁺ overload in these cells is a result of reduced PMCA activity and facilitated Ca²⁺ uptake via a hyperactive Piezo1 channel. However, we could not exclude the contribution of other Ca²⁺-permeable ion channels in this scenario. In addition, we found, as a universal mechanism, that an increase in intracellular Ca²⁺ reduced the initially high selectivity of Piezo1 channel for Ca²⁺ and allowed higher Na⁺ uptake, Na⁺ accumulation, and swelling. Full article

In this paper, we have provided a mathematical analysis of an empirical result, namely, the Fahraeus–Lindqvist effect, a phenomenon that occurs in capillary tubes with a diameter lower than 0.3 mm. According to this effect, in capillary tubes under 0.3 mm in diameter, the apparent viscosity of blood decreases as the diameter of the tube decreases, making flow possible in these vessels. A two-phase blood flow mathematical model for human capillaries has been presented here. According to Haynes’ theory, blood is separated into two layers when it flows from the capillary. It is assumed that the first layer is plasma, and the second layer is the core layer. The plasma layer flows near the wall of the capillary, and the core layer flows along the axis of the capillary. Further, the core layer is assumed to be a mixture of two phases: one is the plasma, and the other is that of RBCs. For mathematical modeling purposes, a curvilinear coordinate system has been adopted, with physical quantities used in tensorial form. Derived equations are solved to find the effective viscosity, which depends upon the radius of the capillary; that is, it reduces viscosity to make blood flow possible. A comparative study was conducted with the experimental result of this effect, and it was observed that the proposed two-phase blood flow model is much closer to the experimental data than the single-phase blood flow model, and both have the same trends. After validation of the model with the experimental result, this model was applied to human capillaries (diameter lower than 10 $\mathsf{\mu }\mathrm{m}$) to show the F-L effect, and the impact of various physiological quantities that are relevant to the flow of blood into human capillaries are also discussed here. The impact of hematocrit on various parameters has been demonstrated explicitly. Full article