Search Results (7,765)

Thai aromatic coconut faces persistent breeding challenges arising from limited genetic diversity, complex trait trade-offs, and increasing climate vulnerability. These constraints highlight the need for comprehensive phenotypic characterization to improve understanding of trait variation and support the identification of key traits associated with yield and quality improvement. This study aimed to dissect trait architecture and associations in Thai aromatic coconut using an integrated multivariate and machine learning framework. Two populations of Thai aromatic coconut, Ratchaburi (RB) and Pak Phanang (PP), were evaluated through comprehensive phenotypic characterization. Thirty-seven morphological, reproductive, and soil-influenced traits were evaluated using analysis of variance, broad-sense heritability estimates, Pearson correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), hierarchical clustering, and machine learning models. The PP population exhibited superior water yield, indicated by a strong positive correlation between water content and TWW, and larger fruit size, but showed a pronounced trade-off with kernel weight. High phenotypic variability was observed for key traits (CV > 39%), accompanied by moderate to high heritability estimates. Principal component analysis revealed that PC1, PC2, and PC3 explained 32.2%, 13.0%, and 11.1% of the total phenotypic variation, respectively, accounting for a cumulative 56.3% of the observed variation among accessions. Random Forest models achieved high predictive accuracy for total water weight (R² = 0.942), with water content (WC), fruit weight (FW), fruit diameter (FD), fruit length (FL), and hole spacing (HS) identified as the most influential predictors. Overall, the findings provide a non-destructive phenotypic framework for germplasm evaluation and trait-based selection in Thai aromatic coconut. Full article

Backgrounds/Objectives: Allele frequencies of genetic variants associated with complex diseases can contribute to varying degrees to predisposition depending on the population’s genetic profile. The aim of this study was to analyze the genetic diversity of 15 relevant SNVs that could modulate bone and cartilage metabolism in underrepresented structured populations. Methods: In a sample of 130 Mestizos and 304 natives from 8 native Mexican populations, SNVs related to multifactorial diseases were genotyped using a SNaPShot Multiplex kit and analyzed via capillary electrophoresis using an ABI PrismTM 3130 Genetic Analyzer (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA.), and genetic profiles for 15 SNVs were obtained using GeneMapper software v. 3.2. Allele frequencies were calculated by locus and population using Power Stats and Arlequin v.3.1 software, for which the EM algorithm was used to compare reference populations obtained from the dbSNV database of the International HapMap project. Population structure, paired comparisons, and genetic differentiation between native, admixed, and reference populations (p value) were estimated through Fst tests using the STRUCTURE v.2.3.2 and Arlequin v.3.1 software. Results: Haplotype frequency combinations grouped as profiles showed higher predominance in the allelic combination A/A/G for rs9340799 (ESR1), rs700518 (CYP19A1), and rs1800795 (IL6) genes, respectively. Conclusions: Allelic profiles could be useful as medical tools for preventing and managing individuals or populations. Mexican populations showed high genetic variability among allelic risk profiles for estrogen control and response, as well as high frequencies of variant combinations associated with an increased inflammatory response, potentially resulting in high osteoclastogenesis. This analysis advances our understanding of the complexity of bone and cartilage metabolism in highly stratified populations. Full article

Sourdoughs are complex microbial ecosystems fundamental to traditional breadmaking. Despite extensive research, variability among traditional sourdough ecosystems remains a key area of investigation. In this context, 13 type I sourdough starters from Villaurbana (Sardinia, Italy) were characterised combining molecular and biochemical techniques. Bacterial and fungal communities were identified by NGS-based amplicon sequencing, while lactic and acetic acid, and residual sugars were quantified. The bacterial population was dominated by the genus Fructilactobacillus, whereas the fungal community spanned multiple genera. To explore the mycobiota, 130 yeast isolates were identified sequencing D1–D2 domain and through MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. Six yeast species were detected: Saccharomyces cerevisiae was the dominant species (58.46%), followed by non-Saccharomyces yeasts (41.54%), including Torulaspora delbrueckii, Pichia fermentans, Wickerhamomyces anomalus, Maudiozyma humilis, and Monosporozyma unispora. Strain-level typing via microsatellite analysis revealed high intraspecific diversity among S. cerevisiae and T. delbrueckii isolates. S. cerevisiae strains were distributed across distinct genetic lineages, with some clustering alongside industrial reference strains and others displaying unique evolutionary trajectories. T. delbrueckii strains formed two clonal groups substantially divergent from reference strains. This study supports the restitution of characterized yeast strains to the community as a resource for establishing a new microbial consortium representative of Villaurbana sourdough tradition. Full article

Energy-efficient operation of railway systems is of great importance for both environmental and economic reasons. Minimizing net energy consumption helps to achieve such energy-efficient operation. In this paper, the train’s speed profile and headway between trains are controlled to achieve lower traction energy consumption and higher train synchronization for better regenerative braking energy utilization. Eventually, the net energy consumption, defined as the difference between the traction energy consumption and the utilization of regenerative braking energy, is minimized. Two optimization problems are defined to solve the problem efficiently. The first main problem is to find the optimal speeds at each segment of the railway track. The second sub-problem’s objective is to find the optimal values of travel time, dwell time, and headway for every suggested solution to the main problem. Both problems are solved using the genetic algorithm. Numerical results are based on the actual operation data of the Beijing Metro Yizhuang Line in China. In the numerical results, the proposed strategy of dividing the problem into two problems and the use of variable headway shows an enhancement in reducing net energy consumption by 7.5% compared to other strategies in the literature. Full article

Neonatal diarrhea remains a significant threat to piglet health, resulting in substantial economic losses worldwide. Among the viral pathogens associated with this condition, rotavirus (RV) has been extensively reported in Brazil; however, lineage-level classification of circulating strains remains limited. This study aimed to characterize G and P genotypes of porcine RV field strains associated with diarrhea in piglets in Southern Brazil. A total of 10 fecal samples were collected by field veterinarian from diarrheic suckling piglets aged 1 to 14 days and analyzed by RT-PCR for the detection of RV species A, B, C, and H. RV species A (RVA) was detected in 90% (9/10) of the samples, while no other RV species were identified. Genotyping based on the VP7 and VP4 genes revealed a single G3P[6] genotype combination in all RVA-positive samples. Nucleotide (nt) and deduced amino acid (aa) sequence analysis revealed high genetic similarity among strains, with values of up to 99.3% for nt and 98.0% for aa of the VP7 gene and 100% for the VP4 gene (nt and aa). Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the VP7 sequences clustered with Brazilian G3 strains, forming a distinct group consistent with a novel lineage (putative G3-XII), whereas VP4 sequences supported a new sublineage (putative P[6]-Ig). These findings demonstrate low genetic variability of RVA field strains in this neonatal diarrhea outbreak, suggesting the circulation of a single viral population. They also emphasize the importance of continuous molecular surveillance to gain a deeper understanding of viral evolution and transmission dynamics in swine populations. Full article

Structural optimization plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of magnetic actuators. Traditional design approaches, such as parametric scanning, are limited by their reliance on empirical geometries. Meanwhile, widely used topology optimization techniques—including the Solid Isotropic Material with Penalization (SIMP) method and level-set methods—often encounter difficulties such as a large number of design variables, high computational cost, and unclear structural boundaries. To overcome these limitations, this paper proposes a novel gradient-free topology optimization method based on superellipses for designing magnetic actuator yokes. The proposed approach offers three key benefits: (1) It requires very few design variables, with each superellipse described by only seven parameters, thereby reducing the dimensionality of the design space and simplifying the optimization problem. (2) It yields clear and smooth structural boundaries without the need for post-processing. (3) It operates without gradient information, employing stochastic algorithms such as genetic algorithms that rely solely on objective function evaluations. A case study on yoke optimization demonstrates that our method achieves magnetic force output comparable to or better than the SIMP method, but with significantly fewer variables and a simpler implementation. This work provides an efficient and new tool for the conceptual design of magnetic actuators and related electromagnetic devices. Full article

Laural (Laurus nobilis) is a Mediterranean plant with reported antibacterial properties, yet the genetic basis of its antibacterial efficacy remains largely unexplored. This study evaluated the antibacterial activity of Laurus nobilis methanolic extracts against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus, combined with genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and machine learning (ML) approaches to identify genetic markers and predict antibacterial efficacy in 92 plant samples. Antibacterial tests revealed significant variability in inhibition zones, with E. coli showing the highest inhibition (Canakkale2: 24.5 mm), followed by S. aureus (Aydin2: 26.0 mm). Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) analysis demonstrated notable regional differences; extracts from Mersin3 showed the highest efficacy (MIC = 6.25 mg/mL), while Aydin1 exhibited the lowest activity (MIC = 100 mg/mL). Population structure and neighbor joining tree analysis split the germplasm into two groups. GWAS identified significant genetic markers associated with antibacterial traits, including marker 26557159 for EC-MEAN (Escherichia coli-Mean) (p = 1.10 × 10⁻⁴, MarkerR² = 0.1799, genetic variance = 9.41792) and marker 26584774 for BC-MEAN (Bacillus cereus-Mean) (p = 8.89 × 10⁻⁵, MarkerR² = 0.18512, genetic variance = 12.48948). Protein–protein interaction network of loci associated with marker trait association (MTA) marker (26557159) indicated involvement in high-affinity secondary active ammonium transmembrane transporter activity, providing insights into genetic regions influencing antibacterial properties. ML models predicted antibacterial activity with high accuracy. XGBoost achieved the best performance for MIC predictions (R² = 0.999, RMSE = 0.434), while random forest (R² = 0.984) demonstrated robust performance for both MIC and disc diffusion assays. LightGBM performed well for MIC prediction (R² = 0.988) but showed limited accuracy for disc diffusion outcomes (R² = 0.695). This study is the first to combine GWAS and ML for predicting antibacterial efficacy in L. nobilis, identifying specific genetic markers (e.g., 26557159, 26584774) and demonstrating that XGBoost achieves near-perfect MIC prediction (R² = 0.999). These findings provide a genomic and computational foundation for marker-assisted breeding of laurel with enhanced antibacterial properties and support the sustainable use of plant-derived anti-microbials. Full article

Cancer-associated cachexia (CAC) is a complex metabolic syndrome characterised by progressive skeletal muscle loss, systemic inflammation, reduced treatment tolerance, and poor survival. Marked interindividual variability in CAC susceptibility suggests that host genetic factors may contribute to its development. Vitamin D plays an important role in muscle metabolism and inflammatory control through activation of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR signalling influences myogenesis, mitochondrial function, insulin-like growth factor pathways, and pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, all of which are implicated in CAC pathogenesis. Hence, VDR variants, including the rs731236 (A>G) polymorphism, which modifies receptor activity, may affect CAC pathogenesis. Thus, this study investigated the association between the polymorphism and susceptibility to CAC as well as patient survival in a cohort of 140 adult cancer patients. Briefly, the rs731236 GG genotype was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of CAC across disease diagnostic approaches (chi-square tests, p < 0.05). Furthermore, GG genotype carriers demonstrated significantly improved survival compared with carriers of AA/AG genotypes (Log-rank and Tarone–Ware tests, p < 0.05). In summary, these findings suggest that the rs731236 polymorphism influences both susceptibility to CAC and survival outcomes in patients with cancer, further supporting a clinically relevant role for vitamin D signalling in supportive oncology care. Full article

Urban-driven landscape fragmentation is a major factor contributing to amphibian population decline yet its genetic consequences remain incompletely understood. We examined the genetic structure and variability of the common toad (Bufo bufo) in Warsaw, Poland, using seven nuclear microsatellite loci and mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences (800 bp). Samples (N = 97) were collected from six breeding sites representing contrasting urban habitats on both banks of the Vistula River. Genetic analyses revealed low but significant population differentiation, elevated inbreeding coefficients, and a heterozygosity deficit despite relatively high effective population sizes. This pattern is consistent with post-fragmentation genetic inertia, in which demographic buffering temporarily maintains genetic diversity despite reduced connectivity. Consequently, contemporary genetic patterns may underestimate the extent of ecological isolation imposed by urban infrastructure. Mitochondrial analyses identified seven haplotypes, including six previously unreported, forming a star-like network topology indicative of a single postglacial colonization event. The Vistula River did not constitute a significant barrier to gene flow, based on pairwise F_ST and hierarchical AMOVA. Supervised feature selection (MCFS-ID) identified specific alleles and body mass as key discriminants among sites, suggesting emerging responses to local urban conditions. Our results indicate that urban common toad populations can retain substantial genetic variation despite fragmentation, although continued isolation may ultimately increase inbreeding and genetic drift. Full article

Background/Objectives: Undergraduate nursing students consider bioscience courses essential to their education and clinical practice, yet they often find them challenging. This study explored the associations among achievement goal orientations, perceived stress, and self-esteem to examine factors associated with bioscience learning in nursing education. Methods: A quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted with undergraduate nursing students enrolled in the first-year courses “Biology–Clinical Biochemistry” and “Genetics”. Data were gathered using the Perceived Stress Scale-14 (PSS14); the Achievement Goal Questionnaire-Revised (AGQ-R), divided into four subscales, each representing a goal type (mastery-approach or AGQ MA, mastery-avoidance or AGQ MAV, performance-approach or AGQ PA, performance-avoidance or AGQ PAV); and the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES). Univariate and multiple regression analyses were conducted using SPSS v26.0, with significance set at p < 0.05. Results: Perceived stress was negatively associated with self-esteem in both Biology–Clinical Biochemistry and Genetics (p < 0.001). The assessment of potential links between quantitative variables and the study topic using univariate analysis showed an association of course category with the PSS14 score (p= 0.008). This finding remained significant in the regression analysis (p = 0.004), which also identified an effect of gender on the same scale (p = 0.029). Multiple regression further revealed associations between AGQ MA and the subject of study (p = 0.047), AGQ MAV and gender (p = 0.001), AGQ PAV and gender (p = 0.016), and RSES Total and type of secondary education (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Psychological factors interact dynamically with the demands of bioscience education within tertiary nursing curricula, varying according to demographic and academic traits. Full article

Multiple endocrine neoplasia (MEN) syndromes are rare hereditary disorders characterized by the development of multiple endocrine and non-endocrine tumours with variable penetrance and age-dependent expression. Although uncommon, these syndromes are highly relevant from both biological and clinical perspectives, as they exemplify the direct link between germline genetic alterations and tumorigenesis. Early tumour detection is critical in MEN syndromes because many associated neoplasms—such as medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC), pancreatic neuroendocrine tumours (NETs), pheochromocytomas, and parathyroid disease—may remain clinically silent for prolonged periods while retaining malignant potential. Delayed diagnosis is associated with advanced disease and worse outcomes, whereas early identification enables curative or organ-preserving interventions. This clinical challenge has driven the development of integrated diagnostic strategies combining genetic testing, biochemical markers, and imaging. Among these, genetic testing plays a pivotal role, providing definitive diagnosis, enabling family screening, and guiding risk-adapted surveillance. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive synthesis of genetically driven diagnostics in MEN syndromes, outlining the current state of the art and future directions in precision medicine. Full article

Commensalism, a frequent type of interaction among freshwater invertebrates, remains poorly studied. Some turbellarians (Platyhelminthes: Temnocephalidae) are specialized obligate commensals of crustaceans, mollusks, insects, and turtles. In the Neotropics, Temnocephala iheringi inhabits the mantle cavity of snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda) from Pantanal (Brazil) to the Pampean region of Argentina, where several species serve as hosts. This study aimed to molecularly characterize several populations of T. iheringi and to analyze their genetic and morphological variability across different host species and geographic areas. Using the mitochondrial COI marker, we assessed populations associated with five of its seven known host species through phylogenetic reconstructions, species delimitation approaches, and haplotype network analyses. Combined with morphological data, results support COI as an effective identification tool for Temnocephalidae. Several genetic lineages were identified and were largely congruent with collection localities. However, specimens associated with hosts displaying high dispersal capabilities (i.e., Pomacea canaliculata and P. maculata) showed low mitochondrial genetic differentiation and minimal phylogenetic structure across large distances, which may be consistent with recent dispersal and/or ongoing connectivity among populations. These findings provide new insights into the evolutionary dynamics of this specific temnocephalid–snail association. Given that some hosts are highly invasive and even considered pests in several countries, the data and genetic sequences generated in this study may prove valuable for future research on symbiont diversity and dispersal. Full article

Background/Objectives: Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare hereditary connective tissue disorder characterized by bone fragility, recurrent fractures, and variable extra-skeletal manifestations. There are scarce epidemiological and clinical data from Eastern Europe, including Romania. This study aimed to characterize the phenotypic spectrum and diagnostic features of pediatric OI in a Romanian multicenter cohort. Methods: A retrospective, multicenter observational study was conducted over a 10-year period (January 2014–December 2024) in three tertiary pediatric referral centers in Bucharest, Romania. Children with a diagnosis of OI based on clinical, radiological, and, where available, molecular criteria were included. Clinical, phenotypic, genetic, and therapeutic data were extracted from medical records. Statistical analyses included the Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test with Bonferroni correction, Fisher’s exact test, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Spearman correlation. Results: Forty-seven patients were included (53.2% female; median age at diagnosis 36 months, IQR 5–87). OI type I was the most frequent subtype (42.6%), followed by type III (29.8%) and type IV (21.3%). Molecular genetic testing was performed in 40.4% of patients; among genetically tested patients, COL1A1 variants represented the most common finding (52.6%). The median number of documented fractures was 5 (IQR 3–9), with a significantly higher annual fracture rate in type III compared to type I (0.99 vs. 0.34 fractures/year, p = 0.019). Short stature was the most frequent skeletal manifestation (66%), with significantly more severe growth impairment in type III compared to type I (−4.38 ± 1.67 vs. −1.56 ± 1.03 SD, p < 0.001). Blue sclerae was present in 87.2% of patients and dentinogenesis imperfecta in 68.1%. Cryptorchidism was identified in 50% of male patients. Developmental motor milestones were significantly delayed in type III OI patients, with 10.6% failing to achieve independent walking by last follow-up. A strong positive correlation was observed between age at first fracture and age at diagnosis (Spearman R = 0.764, p < 0.001), with type I patients diagnosed significantly later than type III (median 71.5 vs. 6.5 months, p = 0.006). Conclusions: This study provides the most comprehensive phenotypic characterization of pediatric OI reported from Romania to date. Our findings confirm established genotype–phenotype correlations and underscore the diagnostic challenge of milder OI forms. The high prevalence of cryptorchidism in male patients represents a clinically relevant finding needing prospective validation. The data highlight the need for expanded molecular diagnostic capacity, increased disease awareness among frontline clinicians, and the development of a national OI registry to support longitudinal research and integration with European rare bone disease networks. Full article

A sustainable cost optimization framework for the bioethanol supply chain is developed, using household food waste as a renewable feedstock. Unlike previous studies that mainly focus on agricultural residues, algae, or industrial biomass, this research addresses the specific logistical and economic challenges associated with household food waste, including decentralized generation, perishability, transportation complexity, and variable supply patterns. The proposed mathematical model incorporates key supply chain costs, including waste purchasing, handling, transportation, storage, processing, and facility installation, to minimize the total operational cost of the supply chain network. A genetic algorithm-based optimization approach is applied to determine the optimal configuration of collection centres, processing facilities, and distribution hubs subject to operational and capacity constraints. The numerical results indicate that the proposed framework improves supply chain efficiency while reducing overall system cost. The findings suggest that household food waste can serve as a sustainable and economically viable resource for decentralized bioethanol production and environmentally sustainable urban waste management. Full article

Driven by orchard labor shortages and rising demand for intelligent harvesting, automated apple picking requires a balance between conformal enveloping and slip-resistant stability. To reduce damage and slippage caused by fragile skins, variable morphologies, and motion disturbances, this study proposes a multi-joint pneumatic flexible apple-picking hand with adjustable circumferential configuration. Based on structural configuration determining grasping stability, six apple-morphology-based finger-base supports were designed. Parametric analysis of soft gripper cavities identified an isosceles trapezoidal profile as the best configuration. Using the Yeoh constitutive model, an equivalent joint model for conformal gripping was developed, and genetic algorithm (GA) optimization selected the four-joint design as the preferred configuration. Static finite element simulations determined an operating pressure of 20.32 kPa. Grasping stability was quantified by relative slip displacement in rigid–flexible coupled dynamic simulations. Among the tested support configurations within 60–110°, the 90° bracket produced the most stable slip response under vertical and horizontal disturbances. Thin-film pressure tests showed an asymmetric but stable three-finger load-sharing pattern. Field trials in a high-density dwarf spindle orchard achieved an 83.98% harvesting success rate. After 72 h of cold storage, no obvious surface browning, epidermal abrasion, or compression marks were observed during visual inspection. This assessment was limited to visible external damage and did not include quantitative evaluation of internal bruising, firmness degradation, flesh browning, or long-term storage quality. These results demonstrate stable grasping performance and low visible external damage under the tested conditions. Full article