Search Results (2,487)

Sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) is a globally important crop for sugar and bioenergy production. However, genetic improvement through conventional breeding is constrained by long breeding cycles, low genetic gain, and considerable operational complexity arising from its highly allopolyploid and aneuploid genome. With the increasing global demand for sustainable food and renewable energy, sugarcane breeding programs must accelerate the development of high-yielding, stress-tolerant cultivars through the integration of advanced biotechnological tools with traditional breeding approaches. Recent advances in genetic engineering, genomic selection (GS), and high-throughput omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and phenomics, have substantially enhanced the efficiency of trait improvement related to growth, development, yield, and stress resilience. The integration of multi-omics data enables the dissection of regulatory networks linking genotype to phenotype, improves predictive accuracy, and provides deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying complex traits. These integrative approaches support more informed selection decisions and accelerate genetic gain in sugarcane breeding programs. This review synthesizes recent technological developments and their practical applications in sugarcane improvement. It highlights the strategic implementation of transgenic and genome-editing technologies, genomic selection, and multi-omics integration to enhance yield potential and resistance to biotic and abiotic stresses, thereby contributing to sustainable sugarcane production and global food and bioenergy security. Full article

Protoparvoviruses are highly contagious pathogens that cause severe, often fatal diseases in both domestic and wild carnivores. Golden jackal (Canis aureus) populations have experienced expansion in recent years, increasingly occupying urban and peri-urban areas. Despite this, they remain largely overlooked in scientific research. This study aimed to detect and characterise Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 circulating in a golden jackal population in Croatia and to assess their role in the epidemiology of parvovirus infections in companion animals. Small intestines from 55 jackals hunted in 2024 and 2025 were tested for Protoparvovirus carnivoran1 using real-time PCR. Positive samples were found across all sampling sites, with an overall positivity rate of 40%. Based on characteristic amino acid residues within the VP2 protein, the viruses detected in jackals were classified as feline panleukopenia virus (FPV). Phylogenetic analysis of the VP2 protein demonstrated considerable genetic diversity among strains circulating in Croatia. Additionally, a distinct group was identified, shared exclusively by Croatian domestic cats and golden jackals. Amino acid analysis revealed the novel A91T mutation, found only in jackals, and the E411Q mutation, unique to Croatian FPV strains. Structural modelling of the VP2 protein indicates that the observed mutations are located on the protein surface, within the antibody-binding site. These findings highlight the potential role of wild carnivores in parvovirus epidemiology and underscore the importance of including them in future surveillance and research efforts. Full article

Duckweed has attracted considerable attention for its high protein content, rapid growth, and broad potential in biotechnological applications. Understanding key phenotypic traits is crucial for unlocking and maximizing this potential. While most studies on duckweed growth have been conducted under natural or non-sterile conditions, here we minimize environmental influences and focus on the genetic component of growth by assessing growth performance under axenic culture. In this study, we measured relative growth rate (RGR) in four duckweed species, Landoltia punctata (G. Mey.) Les & D. J. Crawford, Lemna aequinoctialis Welw., Spirodela polyrhiza (L.) Schleid., and Wolffia globosa (Roxb.) Hartog & Plas. collected from various natural locations across Thailand. A total of six to seven strains were tested for each species. The relative growth rates of studied species ranged from 0.012 day⁻¹ in S. polyrhiza to 0.162 day⁻¹ in W. globosa. Significant intraspecific variation was observed in L. punctata, S. polyrhiza, and W. globosa, with the coefficients of variation between 9.6 to 109.9 percent. Each strain showed distinct growth characteristics: Most displayed a steady growth pattern, whereas W. globosa showed exponential growth at Day 35 after the start of experiment. The results provide the first systematic comparisons of baseline growth rate data for duckweed species in Thailand. These findings advance the understanding of strain-specific growth traits in duckweed and establish a standardized protocol for evaluating growth traits under axenic conditions, providing a basis for future research and applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Advances in the genetic understanding of pheochromocytoma–paraganglioma (PPGL) have considerably refined personalized approaches to diagnosis and management. This study aims to present our institutional experience on the diagnostic characteristics, clinical course, and genetic background of patients with PPGL, in the context of the current literature. Methods: This retrospective analysis included 35 patients diagnosed with PPGL between years 2020 and 2024, all of whom underwent surgical resection and next-generation sequencing for germline mutations in major PPGL susceptibility genes. Clinical presentation, biochemical profile, pathological findings, and follow-up outcomes were compared between mutation-positive and mutation-negative cases. Results: Of the 35 patients with PPGL, germline mutations were identified in 6 patients (17%): 2 in Cluster 1A genes (SDHA, SDHB), 2 in Cluster 1B (VHL), and 2 in Cluster 2 (NF1). Consistent with existing literature, pathogenic germline variants—particularly SDHB and VHL—were identified in our cohort exclusively in patients younger than 30 years (ages 17, 20, and 25). Mutation-positive patients more frequently exhibited noradrenergic or non-secretory profiles (p = 0.01). Among the three non-secretory tumors in the cohort, two harbored genetic mutations (SDHA, NF1). Interestingly, both NF1-positive patients were normotensive—one (c.3496G > A) with a non-secretory tumor and the other (c.2329T > A) presenting at an unusually late age (63 years)—a strikingly atypical spectrum that underscores the phenotypic variability of NF1-associated PPGL. Bilateral disease was observed exclusively in VHL carriers (p = 0.03). Importantly, we identified a rare VHL c.369delG frameshift variant, not previously reported in association with PPGLs, in a patient with PPGL. No significant difference was observed between SDHB loss (p = 0.1) and proliferative indices (mitotic count, Ki-67) (p = 0.07, p = 0.6) between the two groups. During a median follow-up of 24 months (IQR: 18–36), one SDHB-positive patient had a recurrence, while no distant metastases were detected in the remaining mutation carriers. Conclusions: These findings support characteristic clinical patterns among mutation-positive PPGL and underscore the importance of systematic germline testing in all cases—irrespective of age, family history, or biochemical profile—to guide individualized management and enable cascade screening. The identification of a rare VHL c.369delG variant, previously unreported in association with PPGL, within a characteristic VHL-related clinical phenotype highlights the importance of this association. Similarly, atypical NF1 cases emphasize phenotypic variability and reinforce the importance of germline testing even in clinically silent presentations. Full article

The emergence and spread of swine coronaviruses represent a growing challenge for both veterinary medicine and public health. These viruses exhibit high mutation rates, recombination potential, and the capacity for cross-species transmission. Among the most relevant pathogens are PEDV, TGEV, PRCV, PHEV, PDCoV, and SADS-CoV, which have caused significant outbreaks in swine production systems worldwide, with severe economic consequences. Recent evidence demonstrates coronavirus circulation in wild boar populations across Europe, including Italy, Spain, and Germany. Although wild boars are not confirmed as primary reservoirs, their ecological behavior and increasing overlap with domestic pigs raise concern over their potential role in maintaining viral circulation. Future research priorities should focus on developing a more integrated and coordinated system for the control of swine coronaviruses, including strengthened surveillance in both domestic pigs and wild boar populations, the use of molecular epidemiology techniques to identify emerging variants, and structured collaboration among veterinary, ecological, health, and regulatory sectors. Finally, investment is needed in the development of next-generation vaccines and diagnostic tools to address the considerable genetic variability of swine coronaviruses and to improve the prevention and early detection of and response to future epidemic threats. Full article

Two genetically engineered Bacillus subtilis strains, BMV9 and BsB6, were evaluated in terms of culture medium (effect of nutrients on surfactin yield) and potential biotechnological applications of surfactin in agriculture and the petrochemical industry. BMV9 (spo0A3; abrB*; ΔmanPA; sfp+) is, to date, the highest surfactin producer reported scientifically, and BsB6 is a sfp+ laboratory derivative strain that has also demonstrated considerable production potential. To assess their performance, fermentation experiments were conducted in shake flasks using two different culture media, a mineral salt medium and a complex medium, each supplemented with 2% (w/v) glucose. Lipopeptides (surfactin and fengycin) were extracted and quantified at multiple time points (up to 48 h) via high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC). Optical density, residual glucose, and pH were monitored throughout the cultivation. In parallel, microbial growth in both media were also validated in small-scale cultivation approaches. Antifungal activity of culture supernatants and lipopeptide extracts was tested against two Diaporthe species, key phytopathogens in soybean crops. Given the agricultural relevance of these pathogens, the biocontrol potential of lipopeptides represents a sustainable alternative to conventional chemical fungicides. Additionally, oil displacement tests were performed to evaluate the efficacy of surfactin in enhanced oil recovery (EOR), bioremediation, and related petrochemical processes. High-resolution LC-MS/MS analysis enabled structural characterization and relative quantification of the lipopeptides. Overall, these investigations provide a comprehensive comparison of strain production performance and the associated impact of cultivation media, aiming to define the optimal conditions for economically viable surfactin production and to explore its broader biotechnological applications in agriculture and the petrochemical industry. Full article

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) are immune-mediated disorders caused by an antitumor response that cross-reacts with the nervous system, leading to severe and often irreversible neurological disability. Once considered exceedingly rare, PNSs are now increasingly recognized owing to the identification of novel neural autoantibodies, wider use of commercial testing, and the emergence of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related neurotoxicity that phenotypically overlaps with classic PNS. In this narrative review, we performed a structured search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, without date restrictions, to summarize contemporary advances in the epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, and management of PNS. Population-based data show rising incidence, largely reflecting improved ascertainment and expanding indications for ICIs. Pathogenetically, we distinguish T-cell-mediated syndromes associated with intracellular antigens from antibody-mediated disorders targeting neuronal surface proteins, integrating emerging concepts of molecular mimicry, tumor genetics, and HLA-linked susceptibility. The 2021 PNS-Care criteria are also reviewed, which replace earlier “classical/non-classical” definitions with risk-stratified phenotypes and antibodies, and demonstrate superior diagnostic performance while underscoring that “probable” and “definite” PNS should be managed with equal urgency. Newly described antibodies and methodological innovations such as PhIP-Seq, neurofilament light chain, and liquid biopsy are highlighted, which refine tumor search strategies and longitudinal monitoring. Management principles emphasize early tumor control, prompt immunotherapy, and a growing repertoire of targeted agents, alongside specific considerations for ICI-associated neurological syndromes. Remaining challenges include diagnostic delays, limited high-level evidence, and the paucity of validated biomarkers of disease activity. Future work should prioritize prospective, biomarker-driven trials and multidisciplinary pathways to shorten time to diagnosis and improve long-term outcomes in patients with PNS. Full article

Aortic aneurysms and dissections are devastating vascular diseases with high mortality, yet no pharmacological therapy has proven effective in halting growth or preventing rupture. Surgical and endovascular repair remain the only treatment options for advanced disease. Animal models have been indispensable in defining mechanisms and testing candidate therapies, but the diversity of protocols, strain-dependent variability, and heterogeneous endpoints complicate interpretation and translation. This review provides an update focused on how to match models to specific research questions. We critically compare commonly used abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) models (angiotensin II ± hyperlipidemia, elastase, calcium chloride, β-aminopropionitrile BAPN hybrids, and mineralocorticoid agonist/fludrocortisone models) with thoracic aortopathy and dissection models (BAPN alone or with AngII, genetic models including Marfan and smooth muscle contractile mutations, and AngII + TGF-β blockade). We highlight practical considerations on segment specificity, rupture incidence, lipid dependence, comorbidities, and outcome measurement, with emphasis on rigor and reporting standards. A translational thread on platelet–intraluminal thrombus biology, including the emerging biomarker and therapeutic targets such as glycoprotein VI (GPVI), is integrated across models. We offer a decision grid and rigor checklist to harmonize model use, enhance reproducibility, and accelerate translation. Full article

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a genetic condition that causes the degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Newborn blood spot (NBS) screening can potentially enable diagnosis before symptoms, and presymptomatic treatment is considered to be more effective than symptomatic treatment. In this paper, we present an overview of a cost-effectiveness model of NBS screening for SMA in the UK, informed by key clinical trials and the relevant published literature. Our analyses suggest that implementing screening could result in better outcomes and lower costs compared to the current approach of no screening plus treatment. However, several uncertainties and limitations of the model remain. These include uncertainty in the reimbursement status of nusinersen and risdiplam in the future; the ‘actual’ costs of treatments, as they are under confidential commercial agreements; uncertainty in the long-term effectiveness of presymptomatic and symptomatic treatment; and uncertainty around the incidence of SMA and the costs and the accuracy of NBS screening. An SMA in-service evaluation (ISE) that could capture data specific to the UK is under consideration, and an appropriately designed ISE with ongoing data collection could support periodic updates of clinical and cost-effectiveness estimates of NBS screening for SMA in the UK. Full article

In modern Industry 4.0 environments, real-time scheduling presents a complex challenge requiring both formal correctness guarantees and optimal performance. Background: Traditional approaches fail to provide an optimal integration between formal correctness guaranteeing and optimization, and such failure either produces suboptimal results or a correct result lacking guarantee, and studies have indicated that poor scheduling decisions could cause productivity losses of up to 20–30% and increased operational costs of up to USD 2.5 million each year in medium-scale manufacturing facilities. Methods: This work proposes a new hybrid approach by integrating Extended Time Petri Nets (ETPNs) and Finite-State Automata (FSAs) with formal modeling, abstracting ETPNs by extending conventional Time Petri Nets to deterministic time and priority systems, accompanied by Genetic Algorithms (GAs) to optimize the solution to tackle a multi-objective optimization problem. Our solution tackles indeterministic problems by incorporating suitable priority resolution methods and GA to pursue optimal solutions to very complex scheduling problems and starting accurately from standard real-time scheduling-policy models such as DM, RM, and EDF-EDF. Results: Experimental evaluation has clearly verified performance gains up to 48% above conventional techniques, covering completely synthetic and practical case studies, including 31–48% improvement on synthetic benchmarks, 24% increase on resource allocation, and total elimination of constraint violations. Conclusions: The new proposed hybrid technique is, to a considerable extent, a dramatic advancement within real-time scheduling techniques and Industry 4.0, successfully and effectively integrating optimal correctness guaranteeing and favorable GA-aided optimization techniques, which particularly guarantee optimal correctness to safe-related applications and provide considerable improvements to support efficient and optimal performance, extremely helpful within Industry 4.0. Full article

Tugboats are indispensable for ensuring the safe and efficient berthing and unberthing of large vessels, and their scheduling policies have a direct impact on port efficiency and operating costs. To overcome the limitations of conventional single-objective optimization approaches, this paper develops a multi-objective, mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) model that establishes a symmetric consideration by simultaneously minimizing total operating cost and operation time. In addition, a hybrid optimization framework that employs a Jaya algorithm integrated with Q-learning (Jaya-QL) is introduced. Its Q-learning-driven adaptive mechanism achieves a symmetric balance between global exploration and local exploitation, mitigating premature convergence in the Jaya algorithm. Experimental results show that Jaya-QL achieves average reductions of 17.5% in total cost and 0.65% in total time compared with the Artificial Bee Colony (ABC), Quantum Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO), Ant Colony Optimization (ACO), Genetic algorithm (GA) and Jaya algorithms. Moreover, it demonstrates superior convergence accuracy and solution diversity, offering a practical and effective decision support tool for tugboat scheduling in modern port operations. Full article

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains a major challenge in forensic medicine, representing a leading cause of natural mortality and frequently occurring in individuals without antecedent symptoms. Although conventional autopsy and histology remain the cornerstones of investigation, up to 10–15% of cases are classified as “autopsy-negative sudden unexplained death,” underscoring the need for complementary diagnostic tools. In recent years, post-mortem biochemistry and molecular approaches have become essential to narrowing this gap. Classical protein markers of myocardial necrosis (cardiac troponins, CK-MB, H-FABP, GPBB) continue to play a fundamental role, though their interpretation is influenced by post-mortem interval and sampling site. Peptide biomarkers reflecting hemodynamic stress (BNP, NT-proBNP, copeptin, sST2) offer additional insight into cardiac dysfunction and ischemic burden, while inflammatory and immunohistochemical markers (CRP, IL-6, fibronectin, desmin, C5b-9, S100A1) assist in detecting early ischemia and myocarditis when routine histology is inconclusive. Beyond these traditional markers, molecular signatures—including cardiac-specific microRNAs, exosomal RNA, proteomic alterations, and metabolomic fingerprints—provide innovative perspectives on metabolic collapse and arrhythmic mechanisms. Molecular autopsy through next-generation sequencing has further expanded diagnostic capability by identifying pathogenic variants associated with channelopathies and cardiomyopathies, enabling both cause-of-death clarification and cascade screening in families. Emerging multi-omics and artificial intelligence frameworks promise to integrate these heterogeneous data into standardized and robust interpretive models. Pre- and post-analytical considerations, together with medico-legal implications ranging from malpractice evaluation to the management of genetic information, remain essential components of this evolving field. Overall, the incorporation of validated biomarkers into harmonized international protocols, increasingly supported by AI, represents the next frontier in forensic cardiology. Full article

Eucommia ulmoides, a tree species native to China, holds considerable medicinal, ecological, and industrial importance. However, the absence of an efficient and stable genetic transformation system poses significant challenges to gene function studies and molecular breeding in E. ulmoides. Protoplasts, which lack cell walls, serve as effective receptors for transient transformation and are thus ideal for genetic engineering research. In this study, the optimal conditions for callus induction were identified, and formation of the embryogenic callus was confirmed by histological analysis. Furthermore, we developed an efficient protoplast isolation and PEG-mediated transient transformation system using suitable embryogenic callus as the starting material. Our findings revealed that the optimal medium for inducing embryogenic callus was B5 + 1.5 mg/L 6-BA + 0.5 mg/L NAA + 30 g/L sucrose + 7 g/L agar (pH = 5.8). In this medium, the induction rate of callus achieved 97.50%, and the rate of embryogenic callus formation was 86.30%. For protoplast isolation, the best conditions involved enzymatic digestion with 1.5% cellulase R-10 and 1.0% macerozyme R-10 at an osmotic pressure of 0.6 M for 4 h, resulting in 1.82 × 10⁶ protoplasts/g FW with 91.13% viability. The highest transfection efficiency (53.23%) was attained when protoplasts were cultured with 10 µg of plasmid and 40% PEG4000 for 20 min. This study successfully established a stable and efficient system for protoplast isolation and transient transformation in E. ulmoides, offering technical support for exploring somatic hybridisation and transient gene expression in this species. Full article

Metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) synthesized through biologically mediated reduction of metal ions using biomolecules derived from microorganisms, algae, or plants are attracting growing attention in plant biotechnology due to their multifunctional properties and environmental advantages compared with conventional physicochemical synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of biological approaches for NP production using bacteria, fungi, algae, cyanobacteria, whole plants, and in vitro plant cell cultures. The main biosynthetic mechanisms, types of reducing and capping metabolites, metal specificity, and typical NP characteristics are described for each system, with emphasis on their relative productivity, scalability, reproducibility, and biosafety. Special consideration is given to plant cell and tissue cultures as highly promising platforms that combine the metabolite diversity of whole plants with precise control over growth conditions and NP parameters. Recent advances highlight the significance of bioengineering of reductive capacity as a novel strategy to enhance the efficiency and controllability of NP biosynthesis. Since NP formation is driven by key biomolecules, targeted modification of biosynthetic pathways through metabolic and genetic engineering can substantially increase NP yield and allow fine-tuning of their structural and functional properties. The applications of biogenic NPs in plant biotechnology are systematically evaluated, including their use as environmentally safe disinfectants for explants and seed sterilization, modulators of callus induction and morphogenesis, and abiotic elicitors that enhance the accumulation of economically valuable secondary metabolites. Remaining challenges, such as variability in NP characteristics, limited scalability, and insufficient data on phytotoxicity and environmental safety, are discussed to outline future research priorities. The synthesis–function relationships highlighted here provide a foundation for developing sustainable NP-based technologies in modern agriculture. Full article

Ficus carica L. is a fruit crop of notable nutritional and economic value. The ‘Xinjiang Zaohuang’ cultivar, rich in flavonoids, also holds considerable medicinal potential. To address the constraints of conventional propagation for mass production, this study developed an efficient and genetically stable generation protocol using healthy sprouted branches. MS medium was identified as the most effective basal medium for shoot growth. The highest adventitious bud induction rate (89.67%) and the greatest mean bud number (6.29) were achieved when explants were cultured on MS medium supplemented with 1 mg/L 6-BA and 0.1 mg/L IBA. In the organogenesis process, indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) promoted direct shoot formation with minimal callus intervention compared to naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The optimal combination for shoot elongation was 0.1 mg/L 6-BA and 0.01 mg/L IBA, which produced morphologically uniform shoots. For rooting, an IBA concentration of 1 mg/L was optimal, achieving a 96.7% success rate. Inter-simple sequence repeat (ISSR) analysis confirmed the genetic stability of all regenerated plants. These findings establish a reliable technical framework for the large-scale propagation of this valuable fig cultivar. Full article