Search Results (515)

Gymnodinium catenatum is a paralytic shellfish toxin (PST)-producing dinoflagellate that produces classical PSTs and hydroxybenzoate analogues known as GC toxins. Toxicological evaluation of GC toxins remains limited because certified reference materials (CRMs) and toxicity data are unavailable. This study applied the Neuro-2a (N2a) cell-based assay to evaluate PST functional toxicity in a Korean G. catenatum strain. The algal extract was analyzed by dose–response curve fitting to estimate total saxitoxin (STX)-equivalent toxicity, while GC1 & 2, GC3, and GC4 & 5, isolated from large-scale culture and structurally confirmed by NMR and LC-MRM-MS/MS, were evaluated to determine toxicity equivalence factors (TEFs). A clear sigmoidal curve yielded a functional toxicity of 3.7275 pg STX eq cell⁻¹, and TEFs followed the order GC3 > GC4 & 5 > GC1 & 2, with potency gaps considerably larger than previously reported receptor-binding differences. These findings support the N2a assay as a complementary approach for PST analogues lacking CRMs and suggest that receptor-binding affinity alone does not fully predict cellular functional potency. Although the proposed TEFs, obtained from single assays per preparation, are preliminary and assay-specific, this study provides the first functional toxicity estimates for GC toxins, contributing to the toxicological characterization of novel PST analogues. Full article

Despite the growing importance of intercultural marketing in global consumer markets, limited research has examined how intercultural marketing factors interact and contribute to corporate competitiveness within internationally recognised consumer brands. Therefore, this case study investigates these relationships using the example of a globally recognised consumer brand. Drawing on Hofstede’s Cultural Dimensions Theory and intercultural marketing literature, this study investigates the relationships between event marketing, consumer behaviour and sales factors using the case of Red Bull in the global energy drink industry. Data obtained from 50 respondents were analysed using affinity diagrams, relationship diagrams, linear regression and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The results confirmed positive relationships between event marketing and consumer behaviour (r = 0.401) and between consumer behaviour and sales factors (r = 0.400). The study contributes to international marketing literature by proposing an integrated framework linking intercultural marketing activities with corporate competitiveness and identifying the most influential marketing sub-criteria. The study further focuses on the identification and comparison of sub-criteria using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. Full article

The modern Chinese translation of Aristotle’s Peripatētikoi as xiāoyáo (逍遙), a foundational term in the Zhuangzi, brings two independently developed philosophical traditions into unexpected proximity. Such a convergence raises a fundamental question: how can walking and wandering contribute to spiritual transcendence? This article argues that, in both Aristotle and Zhuangzi, walking and wandering are not merely pedagogical techniques or literary metaphors but forms of bodily activity through which spiritual transformation unfolds. For Aristotle, philosophical walking develops through dialogue and habituation toward the contemplative activity of theōria, through which human beings participate in divine rationality while remaining grounded in the conditions of finite existence. For Zhuangzi, wandering unfolds as a graded movement from the natural world through qi (氣) to spiritual wandering and ultimate xiāoyáo. Bodily activity thus develops into a mode of freedom without dependence, in which the human being becomes attuned to the transformations of the Dao. Despite significant differences in their philosophical and cosmological orientations, both traditions understand freedom as a dynamic process grounded in walking and wandering. More specifically, freedom in both traditions is realised through recurrent movement between reflection and practical engagement, through dialogue and responsiveness to others and the world, and through bodily existence as the indispensable condition of spiritual transformation. By comparing Aristotle and Zhuangzi through the shared theme of walking and wandering, this article contributes to cross-cultural dialogue between Greek thought and Chinese philosophy by illuminating both their affinities and their philosophical differences. Full article

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is a zoonotic pathogen transmitted primarily by Culex mosquitoes and causes severe neurological diseases in humans and animals. The main endemic areas are the Western Pacific and Southeast Asia, and its geographical distribution has expanded in recent years. The development of a diagnosis for orthoflavivirus infections is hampered by two main problems: the short duration of viremia, resulting in a narrow detection window, and severe cross-reactivity. NS1, a secreted nonstructural protein of orthoflavivirus, holds promise as a new target for overcoming these limitations. In this study, we established a highly specific and sensitive capture ELISA for the JEV NS1 protein. First, the JEV NS1 protein was successfully expressed in mammalian cells and purified using affinity chromatography. Seven mAbs recognizing JEV NS1 were generated, and the mAb 20B6 exhibited the strongest binding affinity. Based on 20B6, a capture ELISA was developed with an optimal coating concentration of 3 μg/mL and an optimal detection antibody working concentration of 0.432 μg/mL. No cross-reactivity was observed with other orthoflaviviruses (including WNV, KUNV, USUV, MVEV, SLEV, and ZIKV) or common porcine viruses. The method could effectively detect NS1 protein in cell culture medium, cell lysates, mouse tissues, and porcine serum samples from JEV-infected subjects. This study provides a solid foundation that may be further developed into an efficient and specific tool for epidemiological surveillance of Japanese encephalitis. Full article

The native Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) serves as a cornerstone for aquaculture development in Limpopo Province, South Africa. Its adaptability to diverse culture systems, including backyard farming, highlights its potential to address food insecurity and poverty in rural communities. However, the long-term sustainability of this initiative depends on the genetic health and management of the cultured populations. This study investigated the evolutionary history, genetic diversity, and differentiation of O. mossambicus across five localities in Limpopo Province (Cordier reservoir, Nandoni reservoir, Mall of the North pond, University of Limpopo pond, and Polokwane Farm) using the combined mitochondrial DNA (COI + D-loop) dataset. Phylogenetic analysis revealed monophyly, with three well-supported clades. There was evidence of genetic affinities among some individuals within the five localities, supported by low genetic variation among populations and a common haplotype shared across all five localities. The Mall of the North population showed no genetic variation (Hd = 0.00; π = 0.00), indicating high homogeneity, whereas Nandoni exhibited the highest diversity (Hd = 0.83; π = 0.01), suggesting its potential as a primary broodstock source. These findings provide an important genetic baseline for farmed O. mossambicus, offering essential information for sustainable aquaculture management and conservation planning in the province. Full article

Microbial extracellular pigments are renewable colorants for sustainable textile dyeing. A yellow-pigment-producing fungal strain, H-1, isolated from spalted wood, was identified as Chaetomium globosum and evaluated for pigment production, characterization, stability, bioactivity, and wool dyeing. Stepwise single-factor screening indicated suitable culture conditions of initial pH 7, 25 °C, 10 d, 25 g/L glucose, 7 g/L fish peptone, and 0.25 g/L K₂HPO₄. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed hydroxyl, aromatic, and C-O-C groups, and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS) putatively annotated representative components including Chaetomugilin D and Armochaetoglobin G. The crude pigment produced preliminary inhibition zones of 14.30 ± 0.04 and 10.01 ± 0.17 mm against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli, respectively, while crude fermentation filtrates showed measurable hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical-scavenging capacities under fixed assay conditions. The pigment was more stable under neutral to alkaline pH and short-term heating at 40–100 °C. Wool showed higher dye affinity than cotton, linen, and silk. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized wool dyeing at pH 2.35, 91 °C, 80 min, and 2.04 g/L potassium aluminum sulfate, yielding a color strength (K/S) value of 11.65. After three dye-bath reuse cycles, K/S decreased by 16.28%, and washing/rubbing fastness remained above grade 3 under GB/T tests. These results support further development of Chaetomium globosum H-1 extracellular pigments for natural wool coloration and dye-bath reuse. Full article

Industrial bioprocesses remain constrained by their limited ability to monitor intracellular events in real time. Most rely on external measurements—nutrient or metabolite levels in the culture medium—that provide only delayed and indirect information about the cell’s internal state. Riboswitches, RNA elements that respond to specific small molecules, offer a complementary route to direct intracellular sensing. Acting as genetically encoded biosensors, they bind metabolites with nanomolar-to-micromolar affinity, and ligand binding drives rapid conformational changes in the RNA. When coupled to gene regulatory outputs, riboswitches can, in principle, support dynamic feedback control that allows cells to sense metabolic imbalances and adjust their own metabolism. This Commentary argues that the central opportunity is conceptual: reframing intracellular biosensing as a foundational layer for adaptive, self-regulating cell factories. It distinguishes what riboswitch technology already demonstrates at laboratory scale from what remains a forward-looking vision, and outlines the engineering barriers, specificity, dynamic range, context-dependence, metabolic burden, evolutionary stability, and validation in production settings that must be addressed before autonomous bioprocess control becomes routine. Importantly, the functional response time of such systems is governed not by binding kinetics alone but by transcription, translation and mRNA turnover, a distinction that matters for feedback stability. Full article

Indigenous languages in Southern Thailand are increasingly affected by modernization, digital communication, and language contact, yet the relationship between kinship terminology, social organization, and linguistic sustainability among Indigenous Austroasiatic-speaking communities remains insufficiently explored. This study addresses three research questions: (1) how Tan’ean and Jaahaai kinship systems differ in their semantic structures and classificatory patterns; (2) how kinship terms reflect cultural worldviews, social organization, and relational values of the Manni and Mueng’ra communities; and (3) what challenges influence the transmission and sustainability of kinship-related linguistic knowledge. This study aims to comparatively analyze consanguineal and affinal kinship terminology in the Tan’ean language of the Manni ethnic group and the Jaahaai language of the Mueng’ra ethnic group, focusing on how kinship systems encode cultural worldviews, social relations, and adaptive strategies under contemporary change. Guided by Componential Analysis and Ethnolinguistic Vitality Theory, this study employed a qualitative ethnolinguistic approach. Data were collected through genealogical elicitation, in-depth interviews, and participant observation with 40 key informants from Trang, Phatthalung, Satun, Songkhla, Yala, and Narathiwat provinces. The data were analyzed through semantic feature identification and comparative interpretation of kinship structures. The findings demonstrate that, despite shared Austroasiatic heritage, Tan’ean and Jaahaai exhibit distinct kinship systems reflecting different cultural logics. In response to the first research question, the findings reveal that the Manni system resembles the Hawaiian type, emphasizing egalitarian relations, generational categories, and inclusive incorporation of affinal relatives, whereas the Mueng’ra system shows Crow–Omaha characteristics, including generational skewing, gender-specific markers, hierarchical classification, and stronger influence from dominant regional languages. Regarding the second research question, the findings demonstrate that kinship terminology functions as a cultural mechanism for organizing social relationships, identity, and intergenerational obligations, reflecting different models of Indigenous social organization. For the third research question, the study identifies language contact, changing social conditions, and reduced intergenerational transmission as challenges affecting the continuity of Indigenous kinship knowledge. Therefore, the study recommends community-based orthographies, participatory digital learning platforms, and policies supporting Indigenous linguistic rights to strengthen language revitalization, cultural continuity, and Indigenous communities’ capacity to adapt to social transformation. Full article

Camellia oleifera Abel. is a typical self-incompatible plant, yet its molecular mechanisms have not been comprehensively elucidated, which constitutes the principal cause underlying the relatively low natural fruit set rate in C. oleifera. S-RNase belongs to the RNase T2 gene family and represents a class of glycoproteins specifically expressed in the style with certain “cytotoxicities” capable of degrading ribonucleic acid (RNA) in their own pollen tube cells, thereby inducing programmed cell death in pollen tube cells. To identify pistil S genes participating in the self-incompatibility response of C. oleifera, nine RNase T2 family genes were identified based on transcriptomic and whole-genome sequencing data of the camellia oil tree and designated CoRNS1–CoRNS9. Systematic evolutionary analysis revealed that CoRNS5, CoRNS7, and CoRNS8 exhibit close phylogenetic relationships with S-RNases of the Camelliaceae family, whereas CoRNS6 shows closer affinity with S-RNases of the Solanaceae family. Analysis of promoter cis-acting elements revealed that RNase T2 family genes are regulated by multiple hormones, including abscisic acid, methyl jasmonate, cytokinin, auxin, salicylic acid, and gibberellin, and possess MYB transcription factor-binding sites. Expression analysis revealed that CoRNS6 is expressed exclusively in the ovary; CoRNS5 is expressed at the highest level in the style, followed by lower levels in the petals, anthers, filaments, receptacle, and ovary; CoRNS1 is expressed in all tissues except anthers; and the other genes are expressed across various floral tissues. Ex vitro pollen culture system experiments demonstrated that the CoRNS1 and CoRNS5 recombinant proteins significantly inhibited the elongated growth of autogamous pollen tubes, whereas CoRNS7 significantly reduced the pollen germination rate. Fluorescence labeling revealed that treatment of autogamous pollen tubes with the recombinant proteins CoRNS1, CoRNS5, and CoRNS7 induced microfilament skeleton depolymerization and increased the Ca²⁺ concentration within the pollen tubes. Additionally, treatment with the CoRNS5 recombinant protein increased the reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels in autogamous pollen tubes. These findings suggest that RNase T2 family genes are involved in the self-incompatibility response in C. oleifera, with CoRNS1, CoRNS5, and CoRNS7 playing pivotal roles. Overall, our results not only offer a theoretical foundation for elucidating the regulatory network governing self-incompatibility in C. oleifera, but also furnish valuable genetic resources for future molecular breeding programs targeting improved self-compatibility and increased fruit yield. Full article

Background/Objectives: Due to advances in paleogenetic research, a substantial amount of data has been accumulated on the Y-chromosome of the ancient Scytho-Siberian population that inhabited South Siberia and the adjacent territories of modern Mongolia and North-West China. It became possible to compare the Y-chromosomes of ancient men and modern Tuvans of various clans. Methods: We analyzed Y-SNPs and Y-STRs of ancient and modern samples. Results: During Tuvan ethnogenesis, the total frequency of the haplogroups Q and R1a dropped from 85% in Scytho-Siberian populations to 35% in modern Tuvans. Today, the gene pool of Tuvans is dominated by haplogroups N-P43, N-M178 and O-M175, which remain undetected in the samples from the Scytho-Siberian period. An analysis of the Y-STR phylogenetic networks that integrated data on Y-STR haplotypes and Y-SNPs of the Q and R1a haplogroup branches of both ancient and modern specimens provides findings that should be interpreted as broad phylogenetic affinities consistent with the paternal lineage continuity of haplogroups Q-YP1102 and R1a-Y39884. At the same time, the TMRCA estimate for the Y-STR cluster of the dominant branch of haplogroup Q in modern Tuvans, Q-YP1102-YP1691, is only 670 ± 130 YBP. Clusters of Y-STR haplotypes of the R1a-Y39884, R1a-YP1506, and R1a-YP1543 branches in modern Tuvans are also young and date back to between 1200 and 400 YBP. The Scytho-Siberian haplogroups R1a-YP1272, Q-BZ180, and N-Y147969 were not found in our sample set of modern Tuvans (n = 633). Conclusions: Haplogroups Q-YP1102 and R1a-Y39884 originated in Siberia and their branches are typical for the modern indigenous populations of South and West Siberia. Q-YP1102 marks the Yeniseian substrate and R1a-Y39884 was common in the ancient Siberian Andronovo culture. Overall, the gene pool of the Tuvan population was shaped (at least since the Scytho-Siberian period) by close interactions with the gene pools of Siberia and West Mongolia. However, the resolution of Y-SNP and Y-STR genotyping, as well as the limited sample size of ancient samples and their location in a limited area of the Eerbek River valley, do not allow us to conclude about the direct inheritance of modern Tuvan lineages from the ancient Scytho-Siberian population. Full article

The therapeutic monoclonal antibody bevacizumab is typically purified using protein A affinity chromatography, a highly effective but costly method. Affinity-based precipitation for antibody purification is a lower-cost approach. In this work, a precipitation protocol was developed for bevacizumab purification using a branched peptide (Ac-PHQGQHIG-Ahx₃)₂-K-Ahx₃-PHQGQHIG-NH₂, which contains the epitope PHQGQHIG that is responsible for interacting with bevacizumab. The peptide was synthesised by a microwave-assisted solid-phase peptide method, employing LiCl as an additive to prevent aggregation and ensure high purity and yield. Three molecules of 6-aminohexanoic acid were introduced between each epitope branch as spacer arms to promote the formation of cyclic complexes. Bevacizumab purification from cell-free culture broth was achieved through a fractional precipitation process. First, a negative precipitation step using (NH₄)₂SO₄ 1.18 M was performed to remove contaminants. Afterwards, 5 moles of peptide per mol of bevacizumab was added to the supernatant, together with additional (NH₄)₂SO₄, to reach a final concentration of 1.20 M. Under these conditions, bevacizumab was recovered in the precipitate with 98% purity and a yield of 73%. In addition to being recyclable, the peptide’s relatively low production cost could enable the development of a single-use purification process, which would be particularly advantageous for biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Full article

Chronic stress is increasingly recognized as a major contributor to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-related neurodegeneration through mechanisms involving neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, excitotoxicity, and amyloidogenic processing. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of Sesamum indicum whole paste extract (SIPE) using 2D neuron–astrocyte-like cell (ALC) co-cultures and 3D neuron–ALC spheroids exposed to a TNF-α/glutamate/cortisol (TGC) chronic stress paradigm. TGC exposure induced mitochondrial dysfunction, mitochondrial superoxide generation, astrocytic reactivity, NF-κB activation, reduced pro-BDNF expression, intracellular and extracellular Aβ42 accumulation, Tau phosphorylation, and caspase-3 activation, reproducing key hallmarks associated with chronic stress-related neurodegeneration. Among sesame-derived preparations evaluated, SIPE exhibited the strongest neuroprotective effects, preserving mitochondrial membrane potential, reducing oxidative stress, preventing neuronal loss, attenuating gliosis, and suppressing inflammatory, amyloidogenic, and apoptotic signaling. These effects were consistently reproduced in 3D spheroids. Phytochemical analysis revealed that SIPE contained the highest enrichment of sesamin, representing approximately 25% of the detected relative composition. Molecular docking analyses demonstrated favorable sesamin binding affinity toward TNF-α, DJ-1, Aβ42, and caspase-3. Collectively, these findings identify SIPE as a promising multitarget neuroprotective strategy against chronic stress-associated AD-related pathology. Full article

Nanotechnology currently offers two approaches to tumor therapy. The first involves coating the surface of nanoparticles with high-affinity molecules for targeted delivery. The second involves directing the nanoparticles to the desired area of the body using an external magnetic field. Such nanoparticles are often made of magnetic metals (iron, nickel, cobalt, etc.), but in living systems, the main problem with such nanoparticles is their toxicity. To address the toxicity issue, various barriers and coatings are primarily used. In this work, a laser technology for producing multifunctional nanocomposites based on graphene-coated iron nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoparticles was developed. Graphene-coated iron nanoparticles (200 nm) were synthesized using laser ablation in isopropanol. The presence of a graphene coating on the surface of the iron nanoparticles was confirmed by TEM, Raman spectroscopy, and luminescence analysis. A technology for depositing gold nanoparticles approximately 10 nm in size onto the graphene shell of the resulting iron nanoparticles was invented. The essence of the technology lies in creating critical conditions in a nanoparticle colloid, leading to intense aggregation with each other. Multifunctional nanocomposites based on graphene-coated iron nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoparticles did not exhibit acute toxicity to cell cultures under normal conditions. Moreover, under the combined influence of an alternating magnetic field and laser radiation, nanocomposites damaged 96% of neuroblastoma cells in culture. Full article

Background/Objectives: College life shapes the dietary habits and food preferences of young adults by exposure to new foods and independence in dietary choices. This study described and compared self-reported food intakes and perceived dietary changes among International (34%), Multicultural (28%), and non-Hispanic White (38%) students at a Midwest United States university (n = 823; aged 18–34 years; 56% women). Importantly, the analysis extended to distinctions among multiple ethnic subcultures by nativity in the same setting. Methods: Students completed an online survey comprising a dietary fat food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), an acculturation scale, and reported intake patterns for alcohol, caffeinated beverages, four nutrient-rich food groups, and perceptions of cultural foods access and diet change. Results: International student diets had lower percentages of calories from fat (p = 0.006) and they reported less consumption of red meats and hyperpalatable foods compared to US non-Hispanic White and Multicultural students (both p < 0.001). Yet, International students showed the largest increases in intakes of these foods (p < 0.001). Alcohol consumption rose most sharply among US non-Hispanic White students. Multicultural ethnic subgroups had few significant differences. The Asian Indian, East Asian, and Middle Eastern International students showed strong differences in dietary patterns. Acculturation scales were not consistent predictors of food intake for International students. Middle Eastern and East Asian subgroups had the lowest dominant society immersion scores compared to other International students. Conclusions: These findings support the need for disaggregated data by cultural subgroups beyond the ‘international’ classification. Cultural affinity and acculturation have nuanced effects on perceived dietary shifts, underscoring the need for targeted nutrition support for all college students, especially vulnerable International students with limited cultural food access. Full article

Background: Endovascular repair with covered stent is an established minimally invasive treatment for popliteal artery lesions, particularly in elderly or high-risk patients. Infectious complications are exceptionally rare but may result in arterial destruction, limb loss, and death. Salmonella species demonstrate a well-recognized affinity for diseased arterial walls and prosthetic vascular material. Case Presentation: An 82-year-old man with stage G4 chronic kidney disease and previous nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma, complicated by Salmonella Enteritidis septic shock 20 years earlier, presented with acute left lower limb ischemia caused by a post-traumatic popliteal artery pseudoaneurysm. Urgent endovascular repair was performed using a 6 × 100 mm covered stent (Viabahn) with adjunctive angioplasty of the anterior tibial artery. Two weeks later, he was readmitted with fever, severe popliteal pain, local erythema, and elevated inflammatory markers. Imaging demonstrated early stent occlusion with a large peri-graft abscess and contained arterial rupture. Emergency open conversion included radical debridement, complete graft explantation, and popliteal-to-posterior tibial bypass using an autologous great saphenous vein. Cultures grew Salmonella Enteritidis. Retrospective history revealed a previously undocumented episode of Salmonella Enteritidis bacteremia approximately 20 years earlier. At 2-year follow-up, the patient remained free of recurrent infection with a patent vein graft and preserved ambulatory function. Conclusions: Early Salmonella Enteritidis infection of a popliteal covered stent is an exceptionally rare but life-threatening complication. This case suggests that remote Salmonella bacteremia may represent a potential, hypothesis-generating risk factor for prosthetic graft infection. Prompt graft explantation followed by radical debridement and autologous venous reconstruction remain essential for durable limb salvage. Full article