Search Results (94)

Background/Objectives: Parents of autistic children often face behavioral and participation challenges of their children, leading them to make accommodations to maintain a stable daily family routine. These family accommodations (FA) involve adapting family routines, actively engaging with the child’s support needs and symptoms, and avoiding specific situations. Methods: This open-label, mixed-methods study investigated the impact of CBD-rich cannabis treatment on FA. In the quantitative phase, analyses included 44 parents (from 87 initially recruited) who had complete FAS-RRB data at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. In the following qualitative phase, 15 parents from the full sample participated in semi-structured interviews. Results: Quantitative results showed reductions in FA frequency and parental distress at 3 and 6 months. Qualitative findings revealed positive changes in family routines, enhanced well-being, and improved parental engagement in meaningful activities and social interactions. Conclusions: This study provides preliminary evidence that CBD-rich cannabis treatment may reduce family accommodation (FA) and parental distress, while improving family routines and well-being. However, given the open-label design and observed adverse events and withdrawals, the findings should be interpreted with caution. Full article

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that manifests in early childhood and persists throughout an individual’s life. Characterized by a range of symptoms affecting social interaction, communication, and behavior, ASD presents a spectrum of varying degrees of severity and presentation. Recent research emphasizes the importance of understanding the diverse manifestations of ASD across different populations. Core features include social communication differences and restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs), often linked to co-occurring conditions such as anxiety and ADHD. The study of ASD has evolved significantly, highlighting the need for individualized approaches to diagnosis and intervention. This paper explores current knowledge on ASD, examining the latest research findings and discussing future directions for improving the lives of those affected by the disorder. The purpose is to present a map of the field and an evidence-strength framing of what is known and unknown, and where the evidence is equivocal. Key areas of focus include behavioral, psychological, genetic, metabolic, immunological, and neurological features, as well as developmental and maturational factors. The aim is to provide a comprehensive overview of what is known, what remains unclear, and where future research should be directed. Full article

Prenatal tobacco smoke exposure (TSE) has been associated with significant alterations in DNA methylation (DNAm), an epigenetic mechanism with potential functional consequences to child development. This pilot study aimed to investigate differential DNAm patterns in preterm children with and without prenatal TSE using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) to interrogate a wider array of sites than in more common approaches, namely microarrays. Buccal swabs were collected from 16 two-year-old children (7 with TSE, 9 without), and DNAm was quantified at over 1.3 million CpG sites. To identify differential DNAm, univariable analyses were first performed and followed by Bayesian beta-binomial hierarchical regression models for sequence count data including adjustment for potential confounders. False Discovery Rate correction was used to account for multiple comparisons. Significant differential methylation was observed at CpG sites within intronic regions of the CALN1 and LINGO1 genes and the distal intergenic region of the TBL1XR1 gene. These findings suggest that prenatal TSE may influence epigenetic regulation in genes involved in neurodevelopment. This study demonstrates the importance of RRBS in identifying novel DNAm changes associated with prenatal TSE and highlights the need for larger studies to validate and expand upon these preliminary findings. Full article

Detecting arbitrarily oriented ships in remote sensing images remains challenging due to diverse orientations, complex backgrounds, and scale variations, leading to a struggle in balancing detector accuracy with efficiency. We propose EfficientRDet, an enhanced rotated-ship detection algorithm built upon the EfficientDet framework. EfficientRDet adapts to rotated objects via an angle prediction branch and then significantly boosts accuracy with a novel pseudo-two-stage paradigm comprising a Rotated-Bounding-Box Refinement Branch (RRB) and a Class-Score Refinement Branch (CRB). Further precision is gained through an optimized Enhanced BiFPN (E-BiFPN), an Attention Head, and Distribution Focal (DF) angle representation. Extensive experiments on the HRSC2016 (optical) and RSDD-SAR datasets show that EfficientRDet consistently outperforms state-of-the-art methods, achieving 97.60% AP50 on HRSC2016 and 93.58% AP50 on RSDD-SAR. Comprehensive ablation studies confirm the effectiveness of all proposed mechanisms. EfficientRDet thus offers a promising and practical solution for precise, efficient ship detection across diverse remote sensing imagery. Full article

Radioactive wastewater generated from nuclear energy, medical, and industrial sectors poses persistent ecological and health risks, necessitating the development of safe and sustainable treatment strategies. Compared with conventional physicochemical approaches, bioremediation using radiation-resistant bacteria (RRB) provides distinct advantages, including lower energy requirements, reduced secondary pollution, and superior ecological compatibility. This review synthesizes current knowledge on RRB’s biological characteristics, molecular resistance mechanisms, and applications in radioactive wastewater treatment. Moreover, potential applications in non-radioactive wastewater treatment—such as selective removal of heavy metals, degradation of refractory organics, and mitigation of antibiotic resistance—are discussed. Evidence from existing studies indicates that RRB share fundamental adaptive traits, including extraordinary radiotolerance, unique morphological modifications, and cross-tolerance to multiple stressors, which are underpinned by specialized DNA repair systems, potent antioxidant defenses, and radiation-responsive regulatory networks. These mechanisms collectively confer the ability to withstand and mitigate radiation-induced damage. Future research should responsibly prioritize the genetic engineering of RRB and its integration with complementary technologies, such as microbial fuel cells, to achieve synergistic pollutant removal and energy recovery. This synthesis provides a theoretical basis and technical reference for advancing RRB-enabled bioremediation toward sustainable wastewater management. Full article

The vegetation cover in the Red River Basin (RRB) has undergone considerable changes over the past 20 years. Identifying vegetation cover and its transboundary differences is crucial for assessing the ecological health of the region. This study utilized normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) data (2000–2023) to analyze the spatiotemporal dynamics of fractional vegetation cover (FVC) and its transboundary differences within the RRB. The results revealed the following: (1) From 2000 to 2023, overall FVC in the basin increased, with a mean value of 0.64, indicating favorable vegetation conditions. (2) In terms of spatial distribution, the RRB in China (RRBC) generally exhibited higher FVC in the west and lower FVC in the east, whereas the RRB in Vietnam and Laos (RRBVL) exhibited higher FVC in the east and lower FVC in the west. Regarding spatiotemporal changes, in RRBC, the changes were primarily characterized by both non-significant improvement (56.01%) and extremely significant improvement (21.45%). Conversely, RRBVL exhibited both areas of extremely significant improvement (25.4%) and areas of extremely significant degradation (18%). (3) Anthropogenic activities exerted a stronger influence than precipitation on both spatiotemporal changes and transboundary differences in FVC. In conclusion, an overall increase in FVC is observed throughout the RRB, with notable transboundary variations. Full article

Radon (Rn) exposure has a strong association with lung cancer risk and is influenced by epigenetic modifications. To investigate the characterization of DNA methylation (DNAm) episignatures for radon-induced lung cancer, we detected the specific changes in DNAm in blood and lung tissues using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS). We identified the differentially methylated regions (DMRs) induced by radon exposure. The bioinformatics analysis of the DMR-mapped genes revealed that pathways in cancer were affected by radon exposure. Among them, the DNAm episignatures of MAPK10, PLCG1, PLCβ3 and PIK3R2 were repeated between lung tissue and blood, and validated by the MassArray. In addition, radon exposure promoted lung cancer development in the genetic engineering mouse model (GEMM), accompanied by decreased MAPK10 and increased PLCG1, PLCβ3, and PIK3R2 with mRNA and protein levels. Conclusively, radon exposure significantly changes the genomic DNAm patterns in lung tissue and blood. The DNAm episignatures of MAPK10, PLCG1, PLCβ3 and PIK3R2 have a significant influence on radon-induced lung cancer. This brings a new perspective to understanding the pathways involved in radon-induced lung cancer and offers potential targets for developing blood-based biomarkers and epigenetic therapeutics. Full article

Post-viral conditions, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Long COVID (LC), share > 95% of their symptoms, but the connection between disturbances in their underlying molecular biology is unclear. This study investigates DNA methylation patterns in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from patients with ME/CFS, LC, and healthy controls (HC). Reduced Representation Bisulphite Sequencing (RRBS) was applied to the DNA of age- and sex-matched cohorts: ME/CFS (n = 5), LC (n = 5), and HC (n = 5). The global DNA methylomes of the three cohorts were similar and spread equally across all chromosomes, except the sex chromosomes, but there were distinct minor changes in the exons of the disease cohorts towards more hypermethylation. A principal component analysis (PCA) analysing significant methylation changes (p < 0.05) separated the ME/CFS, LC, and HC cohorts into three distinct clusters. Analysis with a limit of >10% methylation difference and at p < 0.05 identified 214 Differentially Methylated Fragments (DMF) in ME/CFS, and 429 in LC compared to HC. Of these, 118 DMFs were common to both cohorts. Those in promoters and exons were mainly hypermethylated, with a minority hypomethylated. There were rarer examples with either no change in methylation in ME/CFS but a change in LC, or a methylation change in ME/CFS but in the opposite direction in LC. The differential methylation in a number of fragments was significantly greater in the LC cohort than in the ME/CFS cohort. Our data reveal a generally shared epigenetic makeup between ME/CFS and LC but with specific, distinct changes. Differences between the two cohorts likely reflect the stage of the disease from onset (LC 1 year vs. ME/CFS 12 years), but specific changes imposed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus in the case of the LC patients cannot be discounted. These findings provide a foundation for further studies with larger cohorts at the same disease stage and for functional analyses to establish clinical relevance. Full article

High-altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a severe condition associated with high-altitude environments, and its molecular mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study systematically analyzed the DNA methylation status of HAPE patients and healthy controls using reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) and 850K DNA methylation chips, identifying key differentially methylated regions (DMRs). Targeted bisulfite sequencing (TBS) revealed significant abnormalities in DMRs of five genes, azurocidin 1 (AZU1), growth factor receptor bound protein 7 (GRB7), mannose receptor C-type 2 (MRC2), RUNX family transcription factor 3 (RUNX3), and septin 9 (SEPT9). The abnormal expression of AZU1 was validated using peripheral blood leukocytes from HAPE patients and normal controls, as well as rat lung tissue, indicating its potential importance in the pathogenesis of HAPE. To further validate the function of AZU1, we conducted experimental studies using a hypobaric hypoxia injury model in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVEC). The results showed that AZU1 was significantly upregulated under hypobaric hypoxia. Knocking down AZU1 mitigates the reduction in HUVEC proliferation, angiogenesis, and oxidative stress damage induced by acute hypobaric hypoxia. AZU1 induces cellular oxidative stress via the p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38/MAPK) signaling pathway. This study is the first to elucidate the mechanism of AZU1 in HAPE via the p38/MAPK pathway, offering novel insights into the molecular pathology of HAPE and laying a foundation for future diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article

In this work, we evaluated the silvicultural and ecological parameters of Populus bolleana Lauche trees growing in conditions of anthropogenic pollution, using the example of one of the largest megacities of the Donetsk ridge, the city of Donetsk. The objectives of this study included determining the level of anthropogenic load of the territory; conducting dendrological studies to assess morphometric and allometric parameters, age structure, and condition of P. bolleana stands under the influence of environmental factors; as well as completing biomechanical studies to assess and predict the mechanical stability of stands. A total of 1109 plants growing in areas with increased anthropogenic load and in the control areas were studied. The model territories of the study were located in the city of Donetsk on Fallen Communards Avenue (length of field routes: 2.6 km) and Ilyicha Avenue (length of field routes: 9.7 km). Control plantings grew on the territory of the Donetsk botanical garden and residential (dormitory) districts of the city. The age structure of P. bolleana plantations remained uniform throughout the city for 50–55 years due to the fact that the landscaping was under a single state program. In the steppe zone in the south of the East European Plain, with a high level of anthropogenic load and severe natural climatic factors, the critical age of P. bolleana (55 years) was determined. The condition of plantations and their morphometric indices correlate with the level of anthropogenic load of the city (H, Dbase, DBH). Under control conditions, the plants are in good condition with signs of weakening (2 points). Under conditions of increased anthropogenic load, the plants are in a severely weakened condition (3 points). A total of 25% of the plants in the sample are in critical condition (4–5 points). The main damages to the crowns and trunks of plants include core rot, mechanical damage to bark and tissues, the development of core rot through the affected skeletal branch, crown thinning, and drying. P. bolleana trees are valued for their crown area and ability to retain dust particles from the air. The analysis of experimentally obtained data on the crown area showed that in the initial phases of ontogenesis, the average deviation in the crown area of plants does not depend on the place of growth. Due to artificial narrowing and sanitary pruning of the crown, as well as skeletal branches dying along the busiest highways, the values do not exceed 22–23 m² on average, with an allometric coefficient of 0.35–0.37. When comparing this coefficient in the control areas, the crown area in areas with a high level of anthropogenic load is 36 ± 11% lower. For trees growing under the conditions of the anthropogenic load of an industrial city and having reached the critical age, mechanical resistance varied depending on the study area and load level. At sites with a high level of pollution of the territory, a significant decrease in indicators was revealed in comparison with the control (mcr—71%, EI—75%, RRB—43%). Having analyzed all the obtained data, we can conclude that, until the age of 50–55 years, P. bolleana retains good viability, mechanical resistance, and general allometric ratios, upon which the stability of the whole plant depends. Even with modern approaches and tendencies toward landscaping with exotic introductions, it is necessary to keep P. bolleana as the main species in dendrobanocenoses. Full article

Background/Objectives: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) etiology is complex, involving genetics and environmental factors, and associated with impaired energy metabolism. Mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation (mFAO) is instrumental to energy production through the oxidation of acylcarnitines (ACs). We performed a comprehensive investigation of blood AC profiles in a pediatric ASD cohort, aiming to define ASD subgroups based on AC profiles and link these profiles to key clinical features and comorbidities using a phenotype-first approach. Methods: Blood levels of 31 ACs (μmol/L) collected from 102 ASD patients and 117 healthy controls (HCs) were evaluated via tandem mass spectrometry. The percentile distribution of blood AC levels in HC samples was computed to define the normal reference range (RR) and identify values corresponding to the 10th and 90th percentiles. Cognitive levels, emotional–behavioral disturbances and the severity of ASD symptoms (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-Calibrated Severity Score ADOS-CSS) were assessed. Clinical correlates of ASD groups based on AC profiles were evaluated. Results: Three ASD subgroups were identified based on the percentile distribution of AC levels: group A (ACs < 10th percentile), group B (ACs 10th–90th percentile) and group C (ACs > 90th percentile) (abnormal AC number ≥ 3). Out of the thirty-one analyzed ACs in DBSs, fifteen (48.4%) were significantly different when comparing ASD group A to ASD group C. There was a significant difference in the severity of autism symptoms (ADOS CSS) related to the repetitive and restricted behaviors domain (CSS RRB) among the different groups (χ²(2) = 6.26; p = 0.044). The post hoc Dunn’s test with Bonferroni correction showed that ADOS-CSS RRB was significantly higher in ASD group A compared to ASD group B (p = 0.013). AC C14 was more frequently decreased (<10th pc) in patients with more severe symptoms (p = 0.006); C10:1 tended to be more frequently increased (>90th pc) in patients with lower clinical severity (p = 0.052). Conclusions: This study highlights differences across blood AC levels in children with ASD and conveys novel information on clinical severity in ASD patients with abnormal blood AC profiles. Thus, examining metabolic profiles may provide helpful insights to understand the variability of ASD symptoms. Full article

Marek’s disease virus (MDV) is the etiological agent of Marek’s disease (MD), a lymphoproliferative disorder in chickens. Polymorphisms in the MDV-encoded oncoprotein Meq are shared among field strains and correlate with their virulence. The attenuated vaccine strain CVI988 harbors unique amino acid polymorphisms in Meq, particularly at positions 71, 77, and 326. In this study, we investigated the impact of these polymorphisms on Meq protein function and MDV virulence. Reporter assays revealed that the substitutions, particularly A71S and K77E, markedly impaired the transcriptional regulatory activity of Meq. To evaluate their effect on virulence, we generated a recombinant MDV based on the very virulent RB-1B strain, encoding Meq with A71S and K77E substitutions (rRB-1B_Meq71/77). Chickens infected with rRB-1B_Meq71/77 developed neither clinical signs nor lymphomas. Flow cytometry revealed no expansion of infected cells in this group, but a marked increase in CD8⁺ T and γδ T cells during early infection. Histopathological analysis also confirmed the absence of MD-associated lesions. These findings demonstrate that the polymorphisms at positions 71 and 77 in the CVI988 strain are sufficient to abolish MDV virulence. This study provides insight into the molecular basis of MDV virulence and informs the strategy for the design of more effective vaccines. Full article

Aberrant DNA methylation is a hallmark of colorectal cancer (CRC), contributing to tumor progression through the silencing of tumor suppressor genes and activation of oncogenes. Indicaxanthin (IND), a dietary betalain pigment from Opuntia ficus indica, has shown antiproliferative effects in CRC models, yet its epigenetic impact remains unexplored. In this study, we investigated the effects of IND on the methylome of Caco-2 cells using Reduced Representation Bisulfite Sequencing (RRBS). IND induced a global hypermethylation profile, particularly at gene promoters and CpG islands. Among the differentially methylated genes, 60% were protein-coding, and 10% encoded transcription factors, including PAX5 and TFAP4, both hypermethylated at active enhancers. Functional enrichment analysis revealed pathways beyond canonical intestinal functions, suggesting altered cell identity and plasticity. Transcription factor targets (SOX10, NFKB1, AHR, ARNT) were significantly enriched among the affected genes, several of which are involved in transdifferentiation processes. Methylation changes also indicated potential reprogramming toward epithelial cell types from pulmonary or neuroectodermal origin. Moreover, IND induced selective hypomethylation of Alu elements on chromosome 21 and hypermethylation of rDNA loci, hinting at suppressed ribosomal biogenesis. Overall, these findings highlight the epigenetic remodeling potential of IND and its possible role in modulating cell fate and metabolism in CRC cells. Full article

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of energy efficiency and conservation strategies in institutional buildings, using the Riyadh Reformatory Building (RRB) in Saudi Arabia as a case study. The analysis focuses on meeting the operational and safety requirements of the facility while aligning with the regulatory standards of the Saudi Arabian Standards Organization (SASO) and the Saudi Building Code (SBC Part 401), particularly in relation to electrical installations and the Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) labeling system. Through simulation and evaluation, the study demonstrates that replacing traditional lighting with LED systems results in a 74% reduction in energy consumption. The application of programmable temperature regulators further reduces annual cooling energy use by 5.1%, with associated cost savings reaching 6.2%. Additionally, the research highlights the significant influence of window properties, thermal insulation, and water heater controls on energy performance. Notably, adopting high-EER air conditioning units leads to a 28.4% decrease in annual cooling energy consumption. Collectively, the findings underscore the effectiveness of integrated energy management practices, including optimized building layout, high-efficiency systems, and smart control technologies, in achieving substantial energy savings and operational cost reductions in institutional settings. Full article

According to previous studies, dynamic light regimes might enhance seedling development, survival rates, or economic efficiency in factory-based seedling production systems compared to continuous red and blue light irradiation. However, there have been few studies revealing the effects of discontinuous red and blue light on the carbohydrate accumulation and metabolism of tomato seedlings. Therefore, we planted tomato seedlings in an artificial light plant factory under a red background light with intermittent blue light intervention, namely R (as the control), R/RB₃₂, R/RB₄₀, R/RB₆₄, and R/RB₈₀ at an equal daily light integral. The growth, carbohydrate accumulation, and sugar metabolism were analyzed to investigate the effects of dynamic lighting modes on tomato seedlings. The results demonstrated the following: (1) Pure red light induced spindling of tomato seedlings, while intermittent blue light treatments enhanced stem thickness, leaf number, and leaf area, resulting in greater biomass accumulation. Among these treatments, the highest antioxidant enzyme activity and the lowest reactive oxygen species (ROS) content, accompanied by the highest biomass, were all observed in tomato seedlings subjected to R/RB₈₀ (intermittent supplementation of 80 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹ blue light under red light background). (2) The carbohydrate accumulation in tomato seedlings was increased under all treatments relative to the control. The sucrose content, enzyme activity, and gene expression level of sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) were all up-regulated in tomato leaves treated with blue light irradiation compared with pure R. In addition, the highest soluble sugar content, along with the peak SPS activity and gene expression, was observed under the R/RB₈₀ treatment. Meanwhile, the lowest fructose content accompanied by the lowest activity and gene expression of sucrose synthase (SS) were observed in tomato leaves treated with R/RB₃₂. This implies that blue light supplementation may regulate sugar accumulation by modulating the activity or expression of enzymes involved in sucrose metabolism. (3) Moreover, shoot biomass, enzyme activity, and expression level of SPS were all found to increase with the increase in supplementary blue light intensity, indicating that short-duration high-intensity blue light was more effective in promoting carbohydrate accumulation in tomato seedlings than long-term low-intensity blue light based on the equal DLI. Full article