Search Results (1,255)

The frequency of specific variants associated with the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases has been extensively studied through genome-wide association studies (GWASs). Differences between populations may be caused by the interaction of several factors, such as environmental and genetic backgrounds. Here, we studied 19 SNPs involved in atherosclerosis (AT) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk in the Azorean and mainland Portuguese populations and compared their frequencies with other European, Asian, and African populations. Results revealed that, although there was no difference between Azorean and mainland populations, eight SNPs in ADAMTS7, PCSK9, APOE, and LDLR genes showed significant statistical differences (χ², p < 0.05) when compared with the European population. The multilocus genetic profile (MGP) analysis demonstrated that 7.4% of mainlanders and 11.2% of Azoreans have a high-risk of developing atherosclerosis. The opposite tendency was observed for venous thromboembolism risk, where the mainland population presented a higher risk (6.5%) than the Azorean population (4.1%). Significant differences in VTE-MGP distribution were found among the Azorean geographic groups (p < 0.05), with the Eastern group showing the highest VTE risk. Conversely, for the risk AT-MGP, the Central group shows the highest risk (12.9%). Taken together, the data suggest a risk of developing a cardiovascular disease consistent with the European population. However, the Azorean-specific genetic background and socio-cultural habits (dietary and sedentary) may explain the differences observed, validating the need to assess the allelic and genotypic frequencies between different populations, especially in small geographical locations, such as the Azores archipelago. In conclusion, these findings can improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of high-risk individuals, and contribute to reducing the lifelong burden of cardiovascular diseases in the Azorean population. Full article

Diabetes mellites (DM) is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence worldwide and multiple health implications. Among them, sarcopenia is a metabolic disorder characterized by loss of muscle mass and function. The two age-related diseases, DM and sarcopenia, share underlying pathophysiological pathways. This narrative literature review aims to provide an overview of the existing evidence on metabolomic studies evaluating DM associated with sarcopenia. Advancements in targeted and untargeted metabolomics techniques could provide better insight into the pathogenesis of sarcopenia in DM and describe their entangled and fluctuating interrelationship. Recent evidence showed that sarcopenia in DM induced significant changes in protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and in energy metabolisms in humans, animal models of DM, and cell cultures. Newer metabolites were reported, known metabolites were also found significantly modified, while few amino acids and lipids displayed a dual behavior. In addition, several therapeutic approaches proved to be promising interventions for slowing the progression of sarcopenia in DM, including physical activity, newer antihyperglycemic classes, D-pinitol, and genetic USP21 ablation, although none of them were yet validated for clinical use. Conversely, ceramides had a negative impact. Further research is needed to confirm the utility of these findings and to provide potential metabolomic biomarkers that might be relevant for the pathogenesis and treatment of sarcopenia in DM. Full article

Background: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is highly sensitive and specific for the rapid diagnosis of invasive fungal disease (IFD) but is not yet widely implemented due to concerns regarding limited standardisation between assays, the lack of commercial options and the absence of clear guidance on interpreting results. Objectives and Methods: This review provides an update on technical and clinical aspects of PCR for the diagnosis of the most pertinent fungal pathogens, including Aspergillus, Candida, Pneumocystis jirovecii, Mucorales spp., and endemic mycoses. Summary: Recent meta-analyses have demonstrated that quantitative PCR (qPCR) offers high sensitivity for diagnosing IFD, surpassing conventional microscopy, culture and most serological tests. The reported specificity of qPCR is likely underestimated due to comparison with imperfect reference standards with variable sensitivity. Although the very low limit of detection of qPCR can generate false positive results due to procedural contamination or patient colonisation (particularly in pulmonary specimens), the rates are comparable to those observed for biomarker testing. When interpreting qPCR results, it is essential to consider the pre-test probability, determined by the patient population, host factors, clinical presentation and risk factors. For patients with low to moderate pre-test probability, the use of sensitive molecular tests, often in conjunction with serological testing or biomarkers, can effectively exclude IFD when all tests return negative results, reducing the need for empirical antifungal therapy. Conversely, for patients with high pre-test probability and clinical features of IFD, qPCR testing on invasive specimens from the site of infection (such as tissue or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid) can confidently rule in the disease. The development of next-generation sequencing methods to detect fungal infection has the potential to enhance the diagnosis of IFD, but standardisation and optimisation are essential, with improved accessibility underpinning clinical utility. Full article

Studying the nutritional ecology of Neoseiulus cucumeris (Oudemans) at different temperatures is a fundamental tool for improving mass production for use in biological control of pest mites. The current research studied the impact of both food types and temperatures on the life history and demographic parameters of the predator mite N. cucumeris. Mite cultures in the laboratory were developed using Tetranychus urticae Koch, and N. cucumeris was collected from field plants. The developmental stages of N. cucumeris fed on date palm pollen and the immature stages of T. urticae were investigated in a laboratory setting at different temperatures. Our research revealed that N. cucumeris readily accepted both food types at all the tested temperatures. The developmental stages and adult longevity of N. cucumeris, both female and male, decreased dramatically when the temperature increased from 18 °C to 34 °C. The net reproductive rate (R₀) reached its greatest values of 22.52 and 9.72 offspring/individual at 26 °C, and the intrinsic rate of increase (r_m) reached its maximum values of 0.17 and 0.13 day⁻¹ at 34 °C and minimum of 0.12 and 0.10 day⁻¹ at 18 °C, when fed on date palm pollen and immature stages of T. urticae, respectively. Conversely, the average generation time (T) showed a notable reduction from 22.48 to 16.48 and 20.88 to 16.76 days, accompanied by an upsurge in temperature from 18 °C to 34 °C, when fed on date palm pollen and immature stages of T. urticae, respectively. The finite rate of growth (λ) exhibited distinct variations, reaching its highest value at 34 °C, 26 °C, and 18 °C when fed on date palm pollen and immature stages of T. urticae, respectively. From these results, we can conclude that N. cucumeris was successfully fed date palm pollen as an alternate source of nourishment. In addition, the immature stages of T. urticae are suitable as food sources for N. cucumeris because they shorten the mean generation time. Therefore, the success of mass-rearing the predator mite N. cucumeris on a different, less expensive diet, such as date palm pollen, and determining the most suitable temperature for it has increased its spread as a biocontrol agent. Full article

The batch, repeated batch and fed-batch cultivation strategies, in stirred tank bioreactors, were evaluated to maximize biomass production and the cells’ desulfurization activity (CDA) of Rhodococcus qingshengii IGTS8. The batch culture reached 2.62 g DCW/L biomass, with a productivity of 0.03 g DCW·L⁻¹·h⁻¹ and only 26% glycerol consumption. The repeated batch strategy reduced cultivation time during the first cycle, increasing biomass production by 15%, with 30% glycerol consumed and productivity 2.3 times higher than the batch process; however, subsequent cycles showed no further improvement. CDA peaked early in both modes but declined to 12–13 U/mg DCW by the end of the exponential growth phase. Fed-batch cultivation achieved 8.35 g DCW/L with 87% glycerol consumption, resulting in a threefold increase in volumetric productivity and a 1.7-fold higher specific growth rate compared with the batch mode. CDA remained stable during the fed-batch process and was approximately 40% higher compared with the batch and repeated batch processes. The fed-batch culture was used directly in a two-phase bubble column bioreactor for the desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT), 4-methyl-dibenzothiophene (4-MDBT) and their mixture. The complete desulfurization of 1.4 mM DBT was achieved at a rate of 21.6 mmol DBT/kg DCW/h, while 0.9 mM 4-MDBT was fully converted but at a 2.5-fold lower rate. The simultaneous conversion of the DBT/4-MDBT mixture showed reduced efficiencies of 59.6% and 41.2%, respectively. Full article

Heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) within the neuronal niche are expressed during brain development, contributing to multiple aspects of neurogenesis, yet their roles in glial lineage commitment remain elusive. This study utilised three human cell models expanded under basal culture conditions followed by media-induced lineage induction to identify a reproducible and robust model of gliogenesis. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells (neuronal control), ReNcell CX human neural progenitor cells (astrocyte inductive) and ReNcell VM human neural progenitor (mixed neural induction) models were examined. The cultures were characterised during basal and inductive states via Q-PCR, Western Blotting, immunocytochemistry (ICC) and calcium signalling activity analyses. While the ReNcell lines did not produce fully mature or homogeneous astrocyte cultures, the ReNcell CX cultures most closely resembled an astrocytic phenotype with ReNcell VM cells treated with platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) biased toward an oligodendrocyte lineage. The glycated variant of surface-bound glypican-2 (GPC2) was found to be associated with lineage commitment, with GPC6 and 6-O HS sulfation upregulated in astrocyte lineage cultures. Syndecan-3 (SDC3) emerged as a lineage-sensitive proteoglycan, with its cytoplasmic domain enriched in progenitor-like states and lost upon differentiation, supporting a role in maintaining neural plasticity. Conversely, the persistence of transmembrane-bound SDC3 in astrocyte cultures suggest continued involvement in extracellular signalling and proteoglycan secretion, demonstrated by increased membrane-bound HS aggregates. This data supports HSPGs and HS GAGs as human neural lineage differentiation and specification markers that may enable better isolation of human neural lineage-specific cell populations and improve our understanding of human neurogenesis. Full article

With increasing attention on DNA ancestry tests, scholars have explored how these tests inform modern understandings of race. Current research reveals the flaws and misinterpretations that arise when DNA tests, such as those offered by 23andMe and AncestryDNA, are used as a proxy for racial identity. While prominent in popular culture, the legitimacy and implications of these tests remain contested in the scholarly literature. Some researchers have explored how the increased availability of DNA tests affects how multiracial individuals identify and disclose their racial and ethnic identities, though this exploration remains limited. As discourse about mixed race identity and ancestry tests becomes more nuanced, I argue for the utility of using diunital perspectives, an expansive lens that resists either/or thinking, to complicate conversations about ancestry tests and multiraciality. This scholarly essay integrates personal narrative and a genealogical deconstruction of monoracialism to explore the question, “How can DNA tests contribute to the unlearning of monoracialism?” I share two personal vignettes to illustrate how these tests can reveal a preference for discrete racial categories. Drawing from Critical Race Theory, strategic essentialism, and diunital perspectives, I examine how DNA tests intersect with identity, family, and monoracialism, concluding with implications for disrupting monoracial logics. Full article

The high cost of mushroom spawn remains a critical constraint to economically viable mushroom cultivation, particularly for small-scale farmers. This study investigated four spawn types, including stick (giant mimosa stalks, GMS), sawdust, sorghum, and liquid culture as inoculum sources for 10 edible mushroom species. The results indicated that GMS stick spawn provides excellent conditions for the mycelial growth of seven species, outperforming other spawn types in terms of colonization rate and pinhead formation. Mushrooms grown on GMS substrate demonstrated rapid development, with full colonization occurring within 11 to 26 days and pinhead initiation between 18 and 47 days, depending on the species. Among the mushroom species tested, Schizophyllum commune exhibited the fastest growth, reaching full colonization in 11 days and forming pinheads after 18 days of inoculation. In comparison, Auricularia polytricha showed the slowest development. Economically, GMS spawn was the most cost-effective at 0.074 USD per unit, significantly lower than sawdust (0.24 USD), sorghum (0.29 USD), and potato dextrose broth (PDB; 2.80 USD). The conversion from PDB with GMS could reduce industrial inoculum costs from 35,000 USD to 600 USD annually. These findings demonstrate the potential of GMS as an effective, low-cost, and sustainable spawn option that can enhance mycelial growth and support eco-friendly farming practices. Full article

This study compares complaints in Korean and Chinese, focusing on how they are expressed explicitly or implicitly. Complaints are potentially face-threatening, yet they frequently appear in conversations among native Korean and Chinese speakers who are characterized as upholding Neo-Confucian values and emphasizing social harmony. Although some contrastive studies have examined complaints across languages, none have specifically investigated the explicit and implicit strategies employed in Korean and Chinese complaint discourse. Given the growing intercultural contact between Korean and Chinese speakers, this gap calls for closer attention. To address this, the present study explores how native Korean and Chinese speakers articulate complaints in the Korean and Chinese versions of the travel reality show Sisters Over Flowers. Sixteen episodes were analyzed using interactional sociolinguistic methods, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative approaches. The analysis uncovered both explicit and implicit strategies (e.g., expressions of annoyance or disapproval, overt grievances, questions, advice, teasing, and hints). Notably, the Korean participants produced significantly fewer complaints than their Chinese counterparts. These findings offer theoretical and practical insights. Theoretically, the results challenge overly broad notions of East–West pragmatic distinctions by demonstrating meaningful variation within East Asian cultures. Practically, a better understanding of explicit and implicit complaint strategies in Korean and Chinese can enhance intercultural communication, promote culturally sensitive responses, and bridge misunderstandings in increasingly globalized settings. Full article

Naval ships are of paramount importance to national security, culture, and naval operations. A primary challenge for naval authorities is to balance the imperatives of maritime dominance with the operational demands of achieving sufficient, sustainable reliability. Shaft generators (SGs) are crucial to the energy conversion systems on naval ships, functioning as part of the main power systems on board and providing both propulsion and power for various operational loads. In this sense, the design of shaft generators is an engineering element that has a major impact on the overall ship performance. The design process will be conducted within the MATLAB/Simulink environment, a platform that facilitates the study of the dynamic behaviors of the system through simulation. The increasing demand for efficiency, reliability, and sustainability in the military, along with the impact of emerging technologies, will further underscore the significance of shaft generators. Analyses carried out in MATLAB/Simulink demonstrate that the selection of the most suitable power system for naval ships is dictated by the system requirements and operational demands. The main construction is such that this work is the first of its kind in the field of shaft generator research for naval ships. Full article

Background: The retina, a light-sensitive tissue of the central nervous system that is located at the posterior part of the eye, is particularly vulnerable to alterations in oxygen levels. In various retinal diseases, such as central retinal vein occlusion, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, hypoxia (a condition of low oxygen levels) is commonly observed. Müller glia, the principal glial cells in the retina, play a crucial role in supporting the metabolic needs of retinal neurons. They are also responsible for sensing oxygen levels and, in response to hypoxia, express Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 (HIF-1), a transcription factor that activates signaling pathways related to hypoxia. Methods: In this study, primary rat Müller glial cells were cultured and exposed to a 1% oxygen for 72 h. Following this, immunohistochemical assays were conducted to assess the effects of hypoxia on various parameters, including HIF-1α expression, cell survival, Müller glia-specific markers (CRALBP and GS), gliosis (GFAP expression), apoptosis (caspase-3 expression), cell proliferation (Ki-67 expression), and metabolic stress (indicated by the number of mitochondria per cell). Results: Under hypoxic conditions, a decrease in Müller glial survival and proliferation was observed. Conversely, there was an increase in HIF-1α expression, GFAP expression, caspase-3-positive cells, and the number of mitochondria per cell. However, no significant changes were noted in the expression of the Müller glial markers GS and CRALBP. Conclusions: In conclusion, hypoxia resulted in reduced proliferation and survival of Müller glial cells, primarily due to increased apoptosis and heightened metabolic stress. Full article

Systematic studies were conducted at one of the uranium deposits in Kazakhstan. Native strains of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans bacteria were found in leaching solutions at the deposit. The modeling of iron species in the culturing medium was analyzed using Medusa software v.2.0.5. To intensify the process, the bacterial strains were propagated in laboratory conditions, and strains available in the laboratory were added. The ability of bacteria to oxidize divalent iron to trivalent iron at 8 °C in laboratory conditions was established, but the oxidation rate was low. It was found that the limiting stage of bioleaching use in deposit conditions is the temperature mode, the content of divalent iron, and oxygen. A biomass volume of 15 L was initially cultivated under laboratory conditions, and subsequently scaled up to 3 m³ in production using three 1 m³ pachucas with air aeration. In addition, pilot tests were carried out directly in production conditions and biomass in the volume of over 30 m³ was produced. The kinetics of the oxidation process of divalent iron to trivalent iron in 1 g/h under production conditions was established. The features of the bioleaching process at the field are shown as follows: since production, the solution contains the main microelements for the nutrition and reproduction of bacteria, and recommendations for the use of bioleaching are proposed. Research has established that under conditions of a shortage of divalent iron in the solution, sulfuric acid is formed due to sulfur-containing substances. It was observed that for the effective conversion of divalent iron to trivalent iron, bacteria of the provided strain and air (oxygen) supply are sufficient. The corresponding recommendations were issued during the work. Full article

In addition to recruiting new staff, retaining qualified teachers and supporting their mental well-being are becoming key priorities in German schools. One crucial factor associated with well-being is the use of emotion management. Given the emotional demands of the teaching profession, this study examines teachers’ strategies to manage their work-related emotions and the role of school-based support in maintaining mental health. The analysis is based on interviews with 51 primary and secondary school teachers in Germany, using thematic analysis following Braun and Clarke. The results indicated that teachers employed various strategies to manage their emotions. In classroom settings, suppression—a response-focused strategy—was frequently used. Outside the classroom, teachers tended to seek emotional relief through attentional shifts and conversations with colleagues or family, which offer reassurance, cognitive reframing, and emotional release. The findings underscore the importance of a supportive school culture characterized by collegial exchange, supervision, counseling, and committed leadership. Such environments can reduce emotional strain and contribute significantly to teachers’ well-being. Implementing opportunities for consultation and collegial case discussion during working hours may represent a valuable investment in teacher retention, particularly in times of teacher shortages. Full article

A 56-day trial was conducted to assess the effects of rice straw (RS) and bamboo flour (BF) on growth performance, water quality, gill histology, and the bacterial community of water and the intestine of mandarin fish (Siniperca chuatsi) in biofloc technology systems. The results showed that mandarin fish in the RS and BF groups had comparable survival rates of 100.00 ± 0.00 and 93.33 ± 3.85%; feed conversion ratios of 1.13 ± 0.02 and 1.40 ± 0.15; and weight gain rates of 112.21 ± 1.56 and 100.92 ± 6.45%, respectively. From days 11 to 56 of the farming period, the BF group was more effective than the RS group in removing total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) and NO₂⁻-N, maintaining TAN levels below 0.24 ± 0.05 mg/L. During the early stage of the experiment, the TAN level in the RS group was higher; however, with the supplementation of a carbon source, it gradually decreased and eventually stabilized at 0.13 ± 0.03 mg/L later in the farming period. The secondary gill lamella in the RS group was curved and showed hyperplasia, and the basal gill lamellae showed an increase in the volume of interlamellar cell mass in the BF group. Genes related to denitrification (narG, napA, nirS, nirK, and nosZ) and anammox showed higher expression levels in the BF group than in the RS group, although the differences were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The results of 16S rRNA sequencing research showed that both treatment groups’ intestinal and water bacterial communities had comparable levels of richness and diversity. Pseudomonas mosselii was the dominant bacterial species in the water. In the BF group, the dominant intestinal species were Bacillus halodurans and Caldalkalibacillus thermarum, while in the RS group, the dominant species was Plesiomonas shigelloides. In conclusion, rice straw and bamboo flour are applicable in BFT systems for mandarin fish culture, with good growth performance and water quality. The BF group showed higher nitrogen removal efficiency and denitrification gene expression than the RS group. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite its well-established health benefits, adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (MedLife) has declined globally, including in its region of origin, alongside a significant shift toward ultra-processed food consumption. Understanding the factors associated with MedLife adherence is essential for developing targeted interventions and tailored policy recommendations. As part of the MEDIET4ALL PRIMA project, this cross-sectional study aimed to comprehensively examine geo-demographic, socio-economic, psychological, behavioral, and barrier-related factors associated with and potentially contributing to MedLife adherence. Methods: Data were collected from 4010 participants aged 18 years and above across ten Mediterranean and neighboring countries using the multinational MEDIET4ALL e-survey, which included the validated MedLife index, along with various other questionnaires. Results: Results indicate that only 22% of respondents demonstrated high adherence to the Mediterranean lifestyle (MedLife), with significant variability observed across countries, age groups, education levels, and health statuses. Spain had the highest proportion of participants with high adherence (38%). Factors associated with significantly higher adherence rates include older age, living in the Mediterranean region, higher education levels, a greater awareness of MedLife principles, lower perceived barriers, normal BMI, better health status, and stable economic and marital conditions (p-values ranging from 0.04 to <0.001). Additionally, individuals with high MedLife adherence exhibited more socially and physically active lifestyles and experienced less psychological strain (p < 0.001). Regression analyses identified MedLife awareness as the strongest positive predictor of adherence (β = 0.206), followed by social participation (β = 0.194) and physical activity (β = 0.096). Additional positive contributors include life satisfaction, sleep quality, living in the Mediterranean region, age, and education (β ranging from 0.049 to 0.093). Conversely, factors that are negatively associated with adherence include sedentary behavior, living environment, and barriers such as low motivation, taste dislike, price unaffordability, limited availability, and the time-consuming nature of preparing Mediterranean food (MedFood; β ranging from −0.036 to −0.067). Conclusions: These findings indicate that fewer than one in four adults across Mediterranean and neighboring countries demonstrate high adherence to MedLife, supporting prior evidence of suboptimal adherence even within Mediterranean regions. This study identified a range of behavioral, socio-demographic, and environmental factors—both positive and negative predictors—that can help guide the design of targeted, culturally adapted interventions to promote MedLife behavior. Future research should incorporate objective measurements and longitudinal monitoring to better understand underlying mechanisms, establish causality, and develop sustainable strategies for enhancing MedLife adherence in diverse populations. Full article