Search Results (93)

Avian influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a persistent threat to the poultry industry, causing substantial economic losses. Although traditional vaccines have helped reduce the disease burden, they typically rely on multivalent antigens, emphasize humoral immunity, and require intensive production. This study aimed to establish a genetically matched host–cell system to evaluate antigen-specific immune responses and identify conserved CD8+ T cell epitopes in avian influenza viruses. To this end, we developed an MHC class I genotype (B21)-matched host (Lohmann VALO SPF chicken) and cell vector (DF-1 cell line) model. DF-1 cells were engineered to express the hemagglutinin (HA) gene of clade 2.3.4.4b H5N1 either transiently or stably, and to stably express the matrix 1 (M1) and nucleoprotein (NP) genes of A/chicken/South Korea/SL20/2020 (H9N2, Y280-lineage). Following prime-boost immunization with HA-expressing DF-1 cells, only live cells induced strong hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and virus-neutralizing (VN) antibody titers in haplotype-matched chickens. Importantly, immunization with DF-1 cells transiently expressing NP induced stronger IFN-γ production than those expressing M1, demonstrating the platform’s potential for differentiating antigen-specific cellular responses. CD8+ T cell epitope mapping by mass spectrometry identified one distinct MHC class I-bound peptide from each of the HA-, M1-, and NP-expressing DF-1 cell lines. Notably, the identified HA epitope was conserved in 97.6% of H5-subtype IAVs, and the NP epitope in 98.5% of pan-subtype IAVs. These findings highlight the platform’s utility for antigen dissection and rational vaccine design. While limited by MHC compatibility, this approach enables identification of naturally presented epitopes and provides insight into conserved, functionally constrained viral targets. Full article

This study presents a novel approach to mitigate electron overflow in deep ultraviolet (UV) AlGaN light-emitting diodes (LEDs) by integrating engineered quantum barriers (QBs) with a concave shape and an optimized AlGaN superlattice (SL) electron blocking layer (EBL). The concave QBs reduce electron leakage by lowering the electron thermal velocity and mean free path, enhancing electron capture in the active region. The SL EBL further reduces electron overflow without compromising hole transport. At a wavelength of ~253.7 nm, the proposed LED demonstrates a 2.67× improvement in internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and a 2.64× increase in output power at 150 mA injection, with electron leakage reduced by ~4 orders of magnitude compared to conventional LEDs. The efficiency droop is found to be just 2.32%. Full article

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widely used chemical to produce raw materials in plastic production, which has led to its ubiquity in the natural environment and toxicity to both plants and humans. In this study, we evaluated the phytotoxic effects of BPA on the growth and physiology of pepper (Capsicum annuum L.), a globally cultivated horticultural plant. Our high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) result revealed that 0.5 mg/kg of BPA treatment did not lead to the accumulation of BPA in the leaves and fruits of pepper plants. The exogenous application of 5 mg/kg of BPA prominently inhibited pepper growth, while 0.5 mg/kg of BPA had no obvious effects on pepper growth. Additionally, our transcriptomic assay revealed that BPA-regulated gene expression is associated with photosynthesis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling. Physiological and qRT-PCR assays further demonstrated that BPA reduced chlorophyll content and increased ROS levels by regulating the expression of genes related to chlorophyll synthesis and ROS production. Our transcriptomic data also elucidated the potential role of plant hormones, including brassinolides (BR), salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and strigolactone (SL) in mediating BPA-induced phytotoxicity. Furthermore, BPA activated the N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification to exert its toxicity. Collectively, our findings offer additional insights into the mechanisms through which BPA attenuates pepper plant growth, which might contribute new knowledge toward a better scientific assessment of BPA exposure risks in horticultural species. Full article

Transdermal microneedle systems have received great attention due to their minimally invasive way of delivering biomolecules through the skin with reduced pain. However, designing high-strength separable microneedles, which enable easy skin penetration and easy patch detachment, is challenging. Here, we present a Parametric Rule-based Intelligent System (PRISM), which generates the design of and analyzes high-strength separable microneedles. The PRISM platform integrates parametric 3D modeling, geometry-based structural analysis, and high-resolution micro-3D printing for the creation of high-strength separable microneedles. We fabricated prototype microneedle arrays via microscale stereolithographic printing (pµSL) and demonstrated separation of microneedle tips in a skin-mimicking phantom sample. Mechanical testing showed that the suggested design achieved 2.13 ± 0.51 N axial resistance and 73.92 ± 34.77 mN shear fracture force; this surpasses that of conventional designs. Finally, an experiment using a skin-mimicking artificial phantom sample confirmed that only the PRISM-designed separable microneedles could have been inserted and separated at the target depth, whereas conventional designs failed to detach. This approach addresses the development of microneedle systems, which achieve both robust skin phantom penetration and reliable separable delivery, presenting an efficient development tool in transdermal drug delivery technology. Full article

Background/Objectives: Endodontically treated molars are structurally weakened due to internal tissue loss, increasing their risk of fracture. Endocrowns, developed as a conservative alternative to post–core systems, have gained popularity with the rise of digital dentistry, CAD/CAM workflows, and 3D-printed restorations. In this context, the aim of the present pilot study was to investigate the influence of cement layer thickness, intracoronal depth, and dentine wall thickness on the fracture resistance of molars restored with 3D-printed endocrowns. Methods: Twelve extracted human molars were endodontically treated and restored with endocrowns fabricated from a 3D-printed resin material, SprintRay Crown^TM (SprintRay Inc. Los Angeles, CA, USA), via masked stereolithography (MSLA) on a Prusa SL1 printer. Cementation was performed using RelyX Universal Resin Cement (3M, Maplewood, MN USA). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to measure the dentine thickness and intracoronal depth before cementation and cement thickness after cementation. The fracture resistance was evaluated using a universal testing machine. For each variable (Td, Dp, Tc), the 12 specimens were divided into two groups (n = 6). Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, a one-way ANOVA, and the non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Within the limitations of this pilot in vitro study, cement thickness demonstrated a strong positive correlation with fracture resistance (r = 0.577) and was the only variable showing statistical significance in the ANOVA (F = 7.847, p = 0.019). In contrast, intracoronal depth and dentine wall thickness exhibited weaker and nonsignificant correlations. No significant mechanical advantage was observed from increasing the pulp chamber depth or peripheral dentine wall thickness. This result was further supported by nonparametric Mann–Whitney U testing (p = 0.015). Conclusions: Cement layer thickness is a key biomechanical factor influencing the fracture resistance of endocrown restorations. Preparation depth and dentine wall geometry appear to have a less direct impact. Full article

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is one of the major vegetable crops worldwide. Research on the Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK–STAT) signaling pathway in tomatoes and other plant systems is extremely limited. In this study, the roles of STAT, a crucial element of the JAK–STAT signaling pathway in tomato seed germination and low-temperature stress responses are examined, employing gene family analysis and genetic transformation. The results indicate that the S. lycopersicum genome contains only one member of the STAT gene family, SlSTAT. Subcellular localization experiments reveal that SlSTAT is found in both the cytoplasm and nucleus, suggesting its potential involvement in biological functions within these cellular compartments. Among the 26 different tomato tissue/organs tested, SlSTAT exhibited higher expression levels in hypocotyl (8 days past germination; 8 DPG), and low expression of SlSTAT significantly reduced the germination rate and impacted biomass at 8 DPG. In addition, the SlSTAT gene was significantly downregulated during low-temperature treatment. Compared with the wild-type (WT) tomatoes, the SlSTAT-overexpressing plants showed more resistance to low-temperature conditions, whereas the downexpressing tomatoes exhibited increased sensitivity. The expressions of low-temperature marker genes (SlCBF1-3) and N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A)-modification-related genes (m⁶A writer, reader, and eraser genes) were detected to explore possible molecular mechanisms by which SlSTAT causes changes in tomato low-temperature stress resistance. The expression changes of SlCBF1-3 in transgenic plants do not merely follow a straightforward linear relationship with the changes in SlSTAT expression, suggesting a more complex molecular mechanism and a non-direct interaction between SlSTAT and the promoters of SlCBFs. On the other hand, SlSTAT also changes the expression levels of RNA m⁶A-modification-related genes, especially SlFIP37 (writer gene), SlYTP8/9 (reader genes), and SlALKBH8 (eraser gene), ultimately leading to changes in the levels of m⁶A modification. These research findings lay the groundwork for exploring functions of JAK–STAT pathway in tomato development and stress responses, expanding the scope of JAK–STAT signaling studies in plant systems. Full article

Research exploring involvement of RNA N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) seed germination remains limited. There is also a lack of direct evidence supporting the interaction among tomato seed germination, microgravity, and m⁶A modification. In this study, Micro-Tom tomatoes are used as the experimental material to conduct tomato genetic transformation, seed germination assay, and m⁶A modification levels identification experiments. During tomato seed germination processes, the m⁶A modification level significantly increases under the mutual influence of various m⁶A methyltransferase subunits and multiple eraser proteins. As a m⁶A reader gene, SlYTP9 expression significantly affects the germination of tomato seeds, with promotion and inhibition in OE (overexpression) and RNAi (RNA interference) transgenic tomato plants, respectively. Microgravity promotes seed germination in the early germination period (0–3 days past germination; 0–3 DPG), but this promoting effect gradually disappears as the seedling grows (8–15 DPG). Further exploration revealed that this promoting effect is correlated with m⁶A modification, manifested as enhanced expression of most m⁶A writer genes; increased expression levels of overall reader genes; altered expression trends of some m⁶A eraser genes, particularly SlALKBH2; and enhanced m⁶A modification levels. The experimental results obtained in this study can provide a theoretical basis and evidence support for elucidating the role of m⁶A in tomato seed germination, as well as for exploring the interactions between seed germination, microgravity, and m⁶A modification. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the post-activation performance enhancement effects of drop jumps (DJs) on lower limb stiffness [leg stiffness (K_leg); vertical stiffness (K_vert)] and the related mechanical [maximal ground reaction force (F_max), vertical displacement of the centre of mass (Δy), and lower limb length (ΔL)] and kinematic parameters [step length (SL), step frequency (SF), flight time (FT), and contact time (CT)] during high-speed treadmill running. For this purpose, 18 male physical education students performed 10 s running bouts on a treadmill at a speed of 6.67 m·s⁻¹ in an experimental condition (EC) or in a control condition (CC). During the EC, following a 5 min treadmill running warm-up at 2.22 m·s⁻¹, the participants were tested pre and 3 min post five DJs, while during the CC, the participants did not perform DJs. The study results revealed that EC significantly increased F_max, Δy, SL, and FT, while SF decreased after performing drop jumps (mean differences: 0.026 ± 0.007 kN, p = 0.003; 0.001 ± 0.001 m, p = 0.025; 0.034 ± 0.013 m, p = 0.019; 0.05 ± 0.001 s, p = 0.005 and −0.057 ± 0.023 Hz, p = 0.026, respectively). K_leg and K_vert showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) following the preconditioning exercise. The findings suggest that a plyometric stimulus of low volume and a short recovery period prior to high-speed treadmill running may be beneficial to acutely improve running mechanical and kinematic parameters without affecting lower limb stiffness. Full article

Background and Aims: Measuring stroke recovery poses a significant challenge, given the complexity of the recovery process. We aimed to identify a standardized and data-driven set of metrics of stroke rehabilitation in the literature that ensures the inclusion of all recovery domains and subdomains in the literature. Methods: A systematic review was conducted by four reviewers using the PRISMA guidelines on PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase for stroke recovery articles between 2004 and 2024. The inclusion criteria comprised experimental/observational studies, including ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke. All studies had ≥20 participants who were ≥18 years of age, and had a follow-up of ≥3 months. Outcomes included demographics, geographic origin, stroke mechanism, domains and subdomains, metrics used, and follow-up. A bias assessment was performed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2.0 tool. This study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024551753). Results: Our search included 324 studies with a sample of 85,156 participants. The study identified seven domains (perception, physical and motor function (PF), speech and language (S&L), cognition, activities of daily living (ADL), quality of life (QoL), and social interaction) and 96 constituent subdomains that encompass the complete landscape of the stroke recovery literature identified. The domains of PF and ADL constituted the vast share of the literature, albeit reducing in their relative representation over time, while domains such as perception and QoL have been increasingly studied since 2004. Using the domains, the study identified the set and frequency of all commonly used metrics to measure stroke recovery in the literature, of which the NIHSS (n = 72), BI (n = 55), and mRS (n = 51) were the most commonly used. We identified eighteen standard metrics that ensure the inclusion of all seven domains and 96 subdomains. Summary of Review and Conclusions: The identified set of domains and metrics within this study can help inform further clinical research and decision-making by providing a standardized set of metrics to be used for each domain. This approach ensures lesser represented domains and subdomains are also included during testing, providing a more complete view and measure of stroke recovery. Full article

Background: Evaluations of the usability of hydraulic resistance for resisted sprint-training purposes remains rare. Thus, this study compared step-by-step changes in spatiotemporal characteristics during the first 10 m of sprints with varying hydraulic resistance loads. Methods: Fourteen male athletes performed 20 m sprints under minimal (10 N, considered as normal sprint), moderate (100 N), and heavy (150 N) hydraulic resistance loads. Split times at 10 m, contact time (CT), step length (SL), flight time, and step speed (SS) from the first to the sixth step were measured. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA (load × step) and a one-way ANOVA (load) with post hoc comparisons were used to assess the effects on spatiotemporal characteristics and split times, respectively. Results: Under higher loads, the 10 m times were significantly longer (η² = 0.79). The CT, SL, and SS varied significantly from step to step within all loads (η² = 0.45, 0.41, and 0.54, respectively). The CT, SL, and SS of the first, fourth, fifth, and sixth steps of normal sprint differed significantly from most steps under moderate and heavy load (Cohen’s d = −3.09 to 5.39). In contrast, the smallest differences were observed between the second and third step of normal sprint and second to sixth steps under heavy load (Cohen’s d = −0.67 to 1.32, and −0.71 to 1.38, respectively). Conclusions: At the same load settings, a hydraulic resistance device induces changes in step characteristics comparable with those of other motorized devices and is therefore a viable option for resisted sprint training. If the goal of the training is to replicate the steps of the initial sprint acceleration phase, ~150 N of hydraulic resistance would be optimal. Full article

In plants, abscisic acid (ABA) and melatonin (MT) are conventionally treated as molecules mitigating stress responses. To understand the mechanisms of ABA–MT interplay, we examined the effects of ABA and MT treatment in ABA and MT loss-of-function mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to high light (HL) stress. ABA constantly suppressed ASMT encoding N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase in the context of differential responses of other MT biosynthesis genes in both the wild type (WT) and mutants. However, this response was absent in the mutant with the disrupted ABI4. Given that the ASMT promoter region contains several potential ABI4-binding elements, these data suggest that ASMT can be a potential target gene for ABI4. A role for ABI4 in the interactions between ABA and MT is supported by the finding that ABI4 is constitutively derepressed in the MT signaling mutants cand2 and gpa1, which exhibited elevated steady state levels of ABI4 transcripts and were not regulated by either stress or melatonin. In addition, the abi4 mutant showed increased modulations in the expression of the MT catabolic genes M2H and M3H in response to ABA treatment, inferring that this transcription factor is a negative regulator of ABA-dependent changes in MT content. Furthermore, all tested mutants with impaired ABA synthesis or signaling displayed elevated steady state MT levels compared to WT, while MT treatment contributed to the downregulation of key ABA synthesis and signaling genes. Collectively, our results suggest that ABA and melatonin act antagonistically, modulating the expression of ABA and MT signaling and metabolism genes. To understand the mechanisms of ABA–MT interactions, we studied the effects of ABA and MT treatment in ABA and MT loss-of-function mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana exposed to severe light stress (SLS). Full article

Background/Objectives: Unregulated post-prandial dietary endotoxemia may accumulate over time and underlie the development of chronic disease (e.g., leaky gut, inflammatory bowel disease, etc.), for which oral probiotic supplementation may be a prophylactic. The purpose of this study was to determine if 45 d of oral spore-based probiotic supplementation altered gastrointestinal-associated mRNA expression following a high-fat meal. Methods: A subset of apparently healthy individuals from a larger study who had dietary endotoxemia at baseline completed 45 d of supplementation with either a placebo (rice flour; n = 10) or spore-based probiotic (Megasporebiotic™; Novonesis, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark; Bacillus indicus (HU36™), Bacillus subtilis (HU58™), Bacillus coagulans (SC208™), and Bacillus licheniformis (SL-307), and Bacillus clausii (SC109™); n = 10). Venous blood was collected in Paxgene RNA tubes prior to (PRE), 3 h, and 5 h after consumption of a high-fat meal (85% of the daily fat RDA and 65% of the daily calorie needs). Total RNA was analyzed for 579 mRNAs of interest (Nanostring nCounter Sprint; Seattle, WA, USA). After normalization to housekeeping controls and calculation of differential expression relative to PRE and controlled for FDR, 15 mRNAs were determined to be significantly changed at either 3 h and/or 5 h post-prandial in the probiotic group but not in the placebo group. Results: Significant mRNA expressions were associated with gastrointestinal tract barrier function (four mRNAs: BATF3, CCR6, CXCR6, and PDCD2), gastrointestinal immunity (four mRNAs: CLEC5A, IL7, CARD9, and FCER1G), or future IBD risk (seven mRNAs: PD-L1, CSF1R, FAS, BID, FADD, GATA3, and KIR3DL). Conclusions: Collectively, the present findings may support the notion that post-prandial immune response to eating is enhanced following 45 d of probiotic supplementation. Full article

Soil salinization, especially in arid and semi-arid regions, is one of the major abiotic stresses that affect plant growth. To mediate and boost plant tolerance against this abiotic stress, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) symbiosis is commonly thought to be an effective tool. So, the main purpose of this study was to estimate the role of AMF (applied as a consortium of Claroideoglomus etunicatum, Funneliformis mosseae, Rhizophagus fasciculatum, and R. intraradices species) symbiosis in mitigating deleterious salt stress effects on the growth parameters (shoot length (SL), root length (RL), shoot dry weight (SDW), root dry weight (RDW), root surface area (RSA), total root length (TRL), root volume (RV), root diameter (RD), number of nodes and leaves) of Cenchrus ciliaris L. plants through improved accumulations of photosynthetic pigments (chlorophyll _a, chlorophyll _b, total chlorophyll), proline and phenolic compounds. The results of this experiment revealed that the roots of C. ciliaris plants were colonized by AMF under all the applied salinity levels (0, 75, 150, 225, and 300 mM NaCl). However, the rate of colonization was negatively affected by increasing salinity as depicted by the varied colonization structures (mycelium, vesicles, arbuscules and spores) which were highest under non-saline conditions. This association of AMF induced an increase in the growth parameters of the plant which were reduced by salinity stress. The improved shoot/root indices are likely due to enhanced photosynthetic activities as the AMF-treated plants showed increased accumulation of pigments (chlorophyll _a, chlorophyll _b and total chlorophyll), under saline as well as non-saline conditions, compared to non-AMF (N-AMF) plants. Furthermore, the AMF-treated plants also exhibited enhanced accumulation of proline and phenolic compounds. These accumulated metabolites act as protective measures under salinity stress, hence explaining the improved photosynthetic and growth parameters of the plants. These results suggest that AMF could be a good tool for the restoration of salt-affected habitats. However, more research is needed to check the true efficacy of different AMF inoculants under field conditions. Full article

N6–methyladenosine (m⁶A) is a widespread post–transcriptional modification in eukaryotic mRNAs. Proteins with the YTH structural domain act as m⁶A–binding proteins by recognizing the m⁶A modification and regulating mRNA through this recognition. In this study, SlYTHDF2, a prototypical m⁶A –binding protein gene in the YTH family was expressed in various tissues, and subcellular localization analyses indicated that the SlYTHDF2 protein was localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm. SlYTHDF2 knockout lines were obtained using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and showed the senesced leaves prematurely increased endogenous ABA accumulation compared with the wild type. Moreover, we found that dark promoted leaf senescence in SlYTHDF2 knockout lines and exogenous ABA further accelerated leaf senescence under dark conditions. The qRT–PCR analysis revealed significant alterations in the expression of genes associated with the ABA pathway. Relative to the wild type, the CR–slythdf2 plants exhibited reduced levels of photosynthetic pigments, higher accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and increased damage to cell membranes. Additionally, we discovered that SlYTHDF2 interacts with the chloroplast–binding protein SlRBCS3 through yeast two–hybrid and BiFC experiments. Overall, our data suggest the important role of SlYTHDF2 in regulating tomato leaf senescence. Full article

C-based XC binary materials and their (XC)_m/(YC)_n (X, Y ≡ Si, Ge and Sn) superlattices (SLs) have recently gained considerable interest as valuable alternatives to Si for designing and/or exploiting nanostructured electronic devices (NEDs) in the growing high-power application needs. In commercial NEDs, heat dissipation and thermal management have been and still are crucial issues. The concept of phonon engineering is important for manipulating thermal transport in low-dimensional heterostructures to study their lattice dynamical features. By adopting a realistic rigid-ion-model, we reported results of phonon dispersions ${\mathsf{\omega }}_{\mathrm{j}}^{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{L}}\left(\overrightarrow{\mathrm{k}}\right) \mathrm{o}\mathrm{f} \mathrm{n}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{v}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{l} \mathrm{s}\mathrm{h}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{t}-\mathrm{p}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{d} {\left(\mathrm{X}\mathrm{C}\right)}_{\mathrm{m}}/{(\mathrm{Y}\mathrm{C})}_{\mathrm{n}}\left[001\right] \mathrm{S}\mathrm{L}\mathrm{s}$, for m, n = 2, 3, 4 by varying phonon wavevectors $\left|{\overrightarrow{\mathrm{k}}}_{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{L}}\right|$ along the growth ${\mathrm{k}}_{||}$ ([001]), and in-plane ${\mathrm{k}}_{\perp }$ ([100], [010]) directions. The SL phonon dispersions displayed flattening of modes, especially at high-symmetry critical points Γ, Z and M. Miniband formation and anti-crossings in ${\mathsf{\omega }}_{\mathrm{j}}^{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{L}}\left(\overrightarrow{\mathrm{k}}\right)$ lead to the reduction in phonon conductivity ${\mathsf{\kappa }}_{\mathrm{z}}$ along the growth direction by an order of magnitude relative to the bulk materials. Due to zone-folding effects, the in-plane phonons in SLs exhibited a strong mixture of XC-like and YC-like low-energy ${\mathsf{\omega }}_{\mathrm{T}\mathrm{A}}$, ${\mathsf{\omega }}_{\mathrm{L}\mathrm{A}}$ modes with the emergence of stop bands at certain $\left|{\overrightarrow{\mathrm{k}}}_{\mathrm{S}\mathrm{L}}\right|$. For thermal transport applications, the results demonstrate modifications in thermal conductivities via changes in group velocities, specific heat, and density of states. Full article