Search Results (194)

Ensuring bacterial safety of blood transfusions remains a critical focus in medicine. We investigated a novel pathogen reduction technology utilizing nylon functionalized with synthetic dyes (nylon affinity networks) to capture and remove bacteria from plasma. In the initial screening process, we spiked phosphate buffer solution (PBS) and human plasma (1 mL each) with 10 or 100 colony forming units (cfu) of either Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus epidermidis, exposed the suspensions to affinity networks and assessed the extent of bacterial reduction using agar plate cultures as the assay output. Nineteen synthetic dyes were tested. Among these, Alcian Blue exhibited the best performance with both bacterial strains in both PBS and plasma. Next, bacterial suspensions of approximately 1 and 2 cfu/mL in 10 and 50 mL, respectively, were treated with Alcian Blue affinity networks in three sequential capture steps. This procedure resulted in complete bacterial depletion, as demonstrated by the lack of bacterial growth in the remaining fraction. The viability of the captured bacteria was confirmed by plating the post-treatment affinity networks on agar. Alcian Blue affinity networks captured and sequestered a few plasma proteins identified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. These findings support the potential applicability of nylon affinity networks to enhance transfusion safety, although additional investigations are needed. Full article

Beyond its immunological role, colostrum has emerged as a promising, non-invasive source of bioactive factors, including mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs). This study represents the first attempt to isolate and characterize MSCs from equine colostrum (C-MSCs) to assess their potential use in veterinary regenerative medicine. Colostrum (n = 6) was collected from mares immediately after their delivery and centrifuged, and the recovered cells were cultured under standard conditions. The C-MSCs displayed plastic adherence and a heterogeneous morphology, including spindle-shaped and epithelial-like cells. The population doubling time (PDT) values varied among the samples, and four out of six showed rapid proliferation (<2 days). Colony-forming unit (CFU) assays confirmed their clonogenic potential, though significant inter-sample variability was observed (p < 0.05). Spheroid formation assays revealed differences in cell–cell adhesion: four out of six samples formed stable spheroids within four days. A migration assay showed significant variability (p < 0.05): one out of six achieved complete wound closure within 72 h, whereas five out of six reached ~30% at 96 h. All samples were positive for adipogenic, chondrogenic, and osteogenic differentiation as shown via staining. RT-PCR confirmed MSC marker expression, while hematopoietic markers were absent. MHC-I expression was weak in five out of six samples, whereas MHC-II was consistently negative. These findings support equine colostrum as a viable MSC source, though its variability requires further validation with larger samples. Additional research is needed to investigate C-MSCs’ immunomodulatory properties and therapeutic potential. Full article

The increasing global demand for resilient, sustainable agricultural systems has intensified the need for advanced monitoring strategies, particularly for climate-adaptive crops such as Moringa oleifera Lam. This study presents an integrated approach using Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) equipped with multispectral and thermal cameras to monitor the vegetative performance and determine the optimal harvest period of four M. oleifera genotypes in a Mediterranean environment. High-resolution data were collected and processed to generate the NDVI, canopy temperature, and height maps, enabling the assessment of plant vigor, stress conditions, and spatial canopy structure. NDVI analysis revealed robust vegetative growth (0.7–0.9), with optimal harvest timing identified on 30 October 2024, when the mean NDVI exceeded 0.85. Thermal imaging effectively discriminated plant crowns from surrounding weeds by capturing cooler canopy zones due to active transpiration. A clear inverse correlation between NDVI and Land Surface Temperature (LST) was observed, reinforcing its relevance for stress diagnostics and environmental monitoring. The results underscore the value of UAV-based multi-sensor systems for precision agriculture, offering scalable tools for phenotyping, harvest optimization, and sustainable management of medicinal and aromatic crops in semiarid regions. Moreover, in this study, to produce M. oleifera leaf powder intended for use as a food ingredient, the leaves of four M. oleifera genotypes were dried, milled, and evaluated for their hygiene and safety characteristics. Plate count analyses confirmed the absence of pathogenic bacterial colonies in the M. oleifera leaf powders, highlighting their potential application as natural and functional additives in food production. Full article

Classifying newly formed colonies is instrumental in uncovering sources of infection and enabling precision medicine, holding significant clinical value. However, due to the ambiguous features of early-stage colony images in culture dishes, conventional computer vision (CV) classification algorithms are often ineffective. To achieve accurate and efficient colony classification, this paper proposes a high-precision method based on Persistent Homology (PH) and an improved EfficientNet. Specifically, (1) a PH feature extraction algorithm is applied to Candida albicans (CA) and Staphylococcus epidermidis (SE) colonies cultured for 18 h in Petri dishes to capture their topological information. (2) The Mobile Inverted Bottleneck Convolution (MBConv) module in EfficientNet is modified, enhancing the attention mechanism to better handle local small targets. (3) A novel self-attention mechanism named the Spatial and Contextual Transformer (SCoT), which is introduced to process information at multiple scales, increasing the resolution in orthogonal directions of the image and the aggregation capability of feature maps. The proposed approach achieves a high accuracy of 98.64%, a 10.29% improvement over the original classification model. The research findings indicate that this method can effectively classify colonies with high efficiency. Full article

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) hold great potential for regenerative medicine. However, optimizing their differentiation into specific lineages within three-dimensional (3D) scaffold-based culture systems that mimic in vivo environments remains challenging. This study examined the trilineage differentiation of hiPSCs under various 3D conditions using synthetic peptide hydrogel matrices with and without embryoid body (EB) medium induction. hiPSC 3D colonies (spheroids), naturally formed from single cells or small clusters in 3D culture, were used for differentiation into the three germ lineages. Differentiated spheroids exhibited distinct morphological characteristics and significantly increased expression of key lineage-specific markers—FOXA2 (endoderm), Brachyury (mesoderm), and PAX6 (ectoderm)—compared to undifferentiated controls. Marker expression varied depending on the 3D culture conditions. Differentiation efficiency improved significantly, increasing from 16% to 71% for endoderm, 61% to 80% for mesoderm, and 35% to 48% for ectoderm, by selecting the appropriate 3D matrix and applying EB induction. Comprehensive data analysis from RT-qPCR, immunocytochemistry staining, and flow cytometry confirmed that the Synthegel Spheroid (SGS) is a viable 3D matrix for evaluating all three germ lineages using a commercial trilineage differentiation kit. While EB induction is essential for endodermal differentiation, it is not required for mesodermal and ectodermal lineages. These findings are valuable not only for screening initial differentiation potential at the lineage level but also for optimizing 3D differentiation protocols for deriving somatic cells from hiPSCs. Full article

Queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth are rarely represented in research, with extant evidence continuously pointing out health disparities and pathologizing individual characteristics rather than accounting for the structural aspects of colonial society. Global Indigenous scholars have put forth a holistic conception of social and emotional wellbeing that integrates Indigenous sovereignty, strengths, and cultures, positing that Indigenous health is a culturally bound phenomenon. To move beyond these deficit-based framings and collate available scholarship, the present work presents the results of a scoping review surrounding the social and emotional wellbeing of queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth. Informed by the Indigiqueer ecological medicine wheel, the present work includes a breadth of health and wellbeing concepts for QT2S Native youth across micro and macro domains. A total of 27 articles met the criteria and were reviewed to (a) illuminate current experiences of QT2S Native youth, (b) provide recommendations for health providers to better support QT2S Native youth clients, and (c) suggest future research and data recommendations to build towards a holistic understanding of social and emotional wellbeing for queer, trans, and Two Spirit Native youth. Full article

Plant-associated microbes play a crucial role in host growth, health, and stress resistance. Host plants significantly influence the assembly of their microbial communities. To examine the influence of plant provenance on bacterial composition and plant growth promoting (PGP) properties, we compared readily culturable bacteria isolated from the root interior and rhizosphere of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f., a woody Chinese medicinal plant, across three provenances grown in different regions. Regardless of the host growing environment, the abundance of endophytic bacterial colonies followed the trend: Fujian provenances > Hunan provenances > Hubei provenances. A total of 227 isolates were classified into 21 genera from the root interior and 40 genera from the rhizosphere, with Pseudomonas and/or Bacillus as the dominant genera. The taxonomic composition varied across plant provenances and host growing environments. Plants from the same provenance but cultivated in different locations exhibited greater similarity in their endophytic bacterial composition. The majority of the assayed strains displayed one or more PGP traits. Local plants harbored a higher proportion of PGP strains than non-local plants. Our findings indicate that plant provenance significantly influences the composition of root-associated culturable bacteria, particularly endophytic communities. Plants in their native environments may recruit PGP bacteria to enhance their fitness. Full article

Drug delivery systems enhance drug efficacy while minimizing side effects. Liposomes, as well-studied and clinically approved carriers, offer biodegradability, biocompatibility, and low toxicity, making them suitable for delivering various pharmacological agents. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), a key growth factor, has shown therapeutic potential, particularly in infertility treatment. It effectively manages chronic and refractory endometritis by improving endometrial receptivity and increasing embryo implantation success. Studies indicate that G-CSF promotes endometrial growth and enhances the uterine microenvironment, benefiting patients with recurrent implantation failures and chronic endometritis. Encapsulation of G-CSF in liposomes enhances its stability, bioavailability, and controlled release. G-CSF-loaded liposomes were prepared using passive loading via the thin-film hydration method. The size of the liposomes, polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential were determined using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering methods, and the encapsulation efficiency was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. The morphology of the liposomes was established and confirmed using cryogenic transmission electron microscopy. The cytocompatibility of the G-CSF-loaded liposomes was evaluated on human dermal fibroblasts using an MTT assay. The G-CSF-loaded liposomes had an average particle size of 161.9 ± 9.9 nm, a PDI of 0.261 ± 0.03, and a zeta potential of +2.09 ± 0.10 mV, exhibiting high physical stability during long-term storage at +4 °C and 60% humidity. The passive loading method resulted in a 52.37 ± 3.64% encapsulation efficiency of the active substance. The analysis of cell viability revealed no cytotoxicity toward liposomes loaded with G-CSF and demonstrated a dose-dependent effect on the viability of human dermal fibroblasts. Thus, the obtained data confirm the successful preparation of G-CSF-loaded liposomes. However, to fully understand their effectiveness in biomedical applications, further research is needed, including an evaluation of their effectiveness in vivo. Such studies will help in determining the potential of these formulations for specific biomedical purposes and evaluating their safety and efficacy in living systems. Full article

Edible and medicinal substances can be contaminated by fungi during harvesting, processing, and storage, leading to mycotoxin production and quality deterioration. The distribution of mycotoxigenic fungi in edible and medicinal substances was investigated in this study. Fungi and mycotoxins were detected in 163 commercially available edible and medicinal substances using standard microbiological techniques and high-performance liquid chromatography. A total of 92.0% of samples contained fungi (0.5–5.3 lg colony-forming units (CFU)·g⁻¹); 208 fungal strains belonging to 16 genera were identified, predominantly Aspergillus and Penicillium. Aspergillus section Nigri (30.3%) produced fumonisin B₂, which was distributed mainly in radix and rhizome samples. Thirteen samples had mycotoxins, of which ochratoxin A was the most common, followed by aflatoxins and zearalenone (ZEN). One Nelumbinis semen sample contained 10.75 μg·kg⁻¹ AFB₁, and one Raisin tree semen sample contained 484.30 μg·kg⁻¹ ZEN, which exceeded regulatory limits in Europe and China. These findings highlight the potential risks associated with fungal contamination and mycotoxins in edible and medicinal substances. Enhanced quality control measures are essential to reduce contamination during harvesting, processing, and storage. Expanded mycotoxin screening, improved preservation techniques, and stricter regulatory standards need to be implemented to ensure consumer safety. Full article

(1) Background: This study was conducted in the small island developing state of Barbados, which has dubiously earned the title of “amputation capital of the world”, to understand perspectives of persons living with diabetic foot ulceration. (2) Methods: An exploratory multi-lens approach was used (focus groups; dyads; and triads) to gather indigenous Afro-Caribbean perspectives of living with diabetic foot ulceration that may be obscured by using a single method. (3) Results: Findings in this group highlighted the necessity of creating culturally sensitive education tools, as well as understanding how mistrust of local health systems may play a role in decisions to delay seeking health services despite ease of access with no cost at point of care. Problematic historical relationships with health systems among Afro-Caribbean people, for whom oral traditions motivate preference for traditional medicines instead of Western/colonial treatments from North America or Europe, may be deeply entrenched in this population and contribute to health beliefs and behaviors. (4) Conclusions: This paper addresses the gap in the literature regarding the use of qualitative methodologies to explore the beliefs of Afro-Caribbean people within their native context to inform design of culturally responsive self-education programs. Full article

Coriolus versicolor (CV), known in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, is currently used in China and Japan to reduce chemotherapy or radiotherapy side effects in cancer patients. Despite extensive research, its effects still need improvement. This study aimed to determine if combining CV extract with LY294002, an inhibitor of the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) signalling pathway, enhances cancer cell treatment, potentially leading to a novel therapeutic approach. Three human cancer cell lines (MCF-7, HeLa, and A549) were treated with CV extract alone or combined with LY294002. Cell viability was assessed using MTT assays. Then, HeLa and MCF-7 cells most sensitive to the co-treatment were used to evaluate colony formation, apoptosis, cell cycle, cell migration and invasion, and phospho-PI3K expression. The results demonstrated that LY294002 enhanced the CV extract’s anti-tumour effects by reducing cell viability and colony formation. The combined treatment with CV extract and LY294002 more effectively induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, promoted apoptosis, reduced cell invasion and migration, and inhibited phospho-PI3K expression compared to each agent alone. This study highlights the potent cytotoxic enhancement between CV extract and LY294002 on cancer cells, primarily by inhibiting phospho-PI3K expression. These findings suggest promising avenues for developing novel combination therapies targeting cancer. Full article

Introduction: Prostate cancer, notably prostate adenocarcinoma (PARD), has high incidence and mortality rates. Although typically resistant to immunotherapy, recent studies have found immune targets for prostate cancer. Stratifying patients by molecular subtypes may identify those who could benefit from immunotherapy. Methods: We used single-cell and bulk RNA sequencing data from GEO and TCGA databases. We characterized the tumor microenvironment at the single-cell level, analyzing cell interactions and identifying fibroblasts linked to mitophagy. Target genes were narrowed down at the bulk transcriptome level to construct a PARD prognosis prediction nomogram. Unsupervised consensus clustering classified PARD into subtypes, analyzing differences in clinical features, immune infiltration, and immunotherapy. Furthermore, the cellular functions of the genes of interest were verified in vitro. Results: We identified ten cell types and 160 mitophagy-related single-cell differentially expressed genes (MR-scDEGs). Strong interactions were observed between fibroblasts, endothelial cells, CD8⁺ T cells, and NK cells. Fibroblasts linked to mitophagy were divided into six subtypes. Intersection of DEGs from three bulk datasets with MR-scDEGs identified 26 key genes clustered into two subgroups. COX regression analysis identified seven prognostic key genes, enabling a prognostic nomogram model. High and low-risk groups showed significant differences in clinical features, immune infiltration, immunotherapy, and drug sensitivity. In prostate cancer cell lines, CAV1, PALLD, and ITGB8 are upregulated, while CLDN7 is downregulated. Knockdown of PALLD significantly inhibits the proliferation and colony-forming ability of PC3 and DU145 cells, suggesting the important roles of this gene in prostate cancer progression. Conclusions: This study analyzed mitophagy-related genes in PARD, predicting prognosis and aiding in subtype identification and immunotherapy response analysis. This approach offers new strategies for treating prostate cancer with specific molecular subtypes and helps develop potential biomarkers for personalized medicine strategies. Full article

Our paper focuses on two white pioneering scientists, Dr Dutton, who was English, and Dr Todd, a Canadian, employed by the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) to study sleeping sickness in colonial Senegambia, West Africa. We analysed photographs and some published personal letters to help us reflect on some of their constructions of Senegambian and Congolese male identities in tropical colonial Africa. In this paper, we connect with the history of tropical medicine, a precursor to public health. Public health was a research area that was central to Peter Aspinall’s work as he argued for shifts from simplistic hegemonic terminologies to refer to an incredibly diverse Black African population, as failure to do so impacts on service provisions. Within the context of tropical medicine, we reflect on the paternalistic terminology and use of the word ‘boy’ to refer to their unnamed male helpers who they photographed during these expeditions. We hope that by interpreting the photographs and reflecting on the literature and letters, exercises that are influenced by our positionality, we can obtain a glimpse into the past and obtain some insights that contribute to our understanding of the production of colonial masculinities, terminology, and race. As female authors employed by LSTM, we are aware that our positionalities influence the lenses through which we view and interpret the literature and the photos. Our paper contributes towards the ongoing debates on terminology, race, and whiteness in colonial tropical medicine. Full article

Urine-derived mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (USCs) could be a valuable source of cells in regenerative medicine because urine can be easily collected non-invasively. In this paper, USCs were isolated from both healthy dogs and dogs affected by chronic kidney disease (CKD), and the efficacy of collection methods (spontaneous micturition, bladder catheterization, and cystocentesis) were compared. Isolated cells were cultured in the presence of platelet-rich plasma and studied for their proliferative capacity (growth curve, doubling time, and colony forming unit), differentiation properties, expression of mesenchymal markers, and Klotho protein. Morphologically, all cells were elongated and fibroblast-like. USCs isolated from samples collected by spontaneous micturition and bladder catheterization failed to proliferate, whilst USCs obtained by cystocentesis showed a doubling time of 2.04 days in healthy dogs and 1.7 days in dogs with CKD (p < 0.05). Cells were able to differentiate into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lines, showed positive expression to mesenchymal/stem markers, negative expression to hematopoietic markers, and major histocompatibility complex (MHCII) antigen. Klotho protein expression was confirmed. This study confirmed that USCs from healthy and CKD dogs can act as stem cells, with those from sick dogs having greater proliferative ability with the potential for use as autologous therapies. Full article

Cinnamon oil, an essential oil extracted from plants of the genus Cinnamomum, has been highly valued in ancient Chinese texts for its medicinal properties. This review summarizes the chemical composition, pharmacological actions, and various applications of cinnamon oil, highlighting its potential in medical and industrial fields. By systematically searching and evaluating studies from major scientific databases including Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, we provide a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of cinnamon oil. Research indicates that cinnamon oil possesses a wide range of pharmacological activities, covering antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and hypoglycemic effects. It is currently an active ingredient in over 500 patented medicines. Cinnamon oil has demonstrated significant inhibitory effects against various pathogens comprising Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli. Its mechanisms of action include disrupting cell membranes, inhibiting ATPase activity, and preventing biofilm formation, suggesting its potential as a natural antimicrobial agent. Its anti-inflammatory properties are evidenced by its ability to suppress inflammatory markers like vascular cell adhesion molecules and macrophage colony-stimulating factors. Moreover, cinnamon oil has shown positive effects in lowering blood pressure and improving metabolism in diabetic patients by enhancing glucose uptake and increasing insulin sensitivity. The main active components of cinnamon oil include cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid, and eugenol, which play key roles in its pharmacological effects. Recently, the applications of cinnamon oil in industrial fields, including food preservation, cosmetics, and fragrances, have also become increasingly widespread. Despite the extensive research supporting its medicinal value, more clinical trials are needed to determine the optimal dosage, administration routes, and possible side effects of cinnamon oil. Additionally, exploring the interactions between cinnamon oil and other drugs, as well as its safety in different populations, is crucial. Considering the current increase in antibiotic resistance and the demand for sustainable and effective medical treatments, this review emphasizes the necessity for further research into the mechanisms and safety of cinnamon oil to confirm its feasibility as a basis for new drug development. In summary, as a versatile natural product, cinnamon oil holds broad application prospects and is expected to play a greater role in future medical research and clinical practice. Full article