Search Results (14,929)

Vegetatively propagated crops, including cassava, sweet potato, banana, and potato, are susceptible to mixed-pathogen infections resulting from the continuous use of clonal planting material and infrequent seed replacement. A diverse array of viruses, bacteria, and fungi can accumulate within these materials over successive cultivation cycles, precipitating seed degeneration and complex disease syndromes that complicate diagnosis and management. Mixed infections frequently trigger synergistic interactions that exacerbate disease severity and yield losses. This review synthesizes data on mixed-pathogen complexes in vegetatively propagated crops, with particular focus on vascular and systemically colonizing pathogens and analyzing starch crops to highlight the epidemiological, biological, and ecological drivers of synergism and antagonism. Furthermore, the review examines host defense responses during coinfection, including the modulation of plant immune pathways, and evaluates how interpathogen dynamics influence pathological outcomes. Although advancements in molecular diagnostics—notably next-generation sequencing and metagenomics—have revolutionized the detection of mixed infections, they have also introduced challenges in differentiating causal agents from commensal microorganisms. Finally, we discuss the implications for integrated disease management, emphasizing clean seed systems, resistance breeding, and phenotyping strategies tailored to multipathogen environments. The dynamics of mixed infections is critical for resilient and sustainable management strategies amidst increasingly complex agricultural and climatic shifts. Full article

Trypanosoma evansi (T. evansi) infection poses a significant health threat to equines. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence, risk factors, hematobiochemical alterations, and oxidative stress-mediated genotoxicity associated with equine trypanosomiasis in the Rahim Yar Khan District. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 equines from October 2024 to September 2025. Blood samples were collected for thin blood film microscopy and PCR assay using RoTat 1.2 primers. Hematological indices were analyzed with an automated hematology analyzer; serum biochemical parameters were quantified via standard assays. Oxidative stress markers, including malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and reduced glutathione (GSH), were also measured. Genotoxicity was evaluated using the alkaline comet assay. Statistical analyses included the chi-square test, logistic regression, and independent t-tests. T. evansi was detected in 5.99% of samples by microscopy and 10.16% by PCR, with no significant association with species, age, or sex. Infected equines exhibited significant reductions in hemoglobin (5.4 ± 0.6 vs. 10.8 ± 0.5 g/dL; p < 0.0001), total serum protein (2.1 ± 0.3 vs. 5.8 ± 0.2 g/dL; p < 0.0001), albumin, and globulin, alongside elevated hepatic enzymes, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine (all p < 0.01). Oxidative stress was confirmed by increased MDA (p < 0.0001) and decreased CAT activity (p < 0.001). Genotoxicity was significantly higher in infected animals (genetic damage index; 1.12 ± 0.08 vs. 0.40 ± 0.01; p < 0.01). This study provides the first integrated assessment of molecular epidemiology and oxidative stress-mediated genotoxicity in equines in this region, suggesting the pathogenic impact of the infection and targeted diagnostics for disease management strategies. Full article

The genus Morpheis Hübner, [1820] (Lepidoptera: Cossidae) represents a taxonomically challenging group within Zeuzerinae, characterised by uniform, simply structured genitalia and significant intraspecific variability in external morphology, specifically in wing pattern, body colouration, and size. The taxonomic status and phylogenetic placement of many Morpheis taxa remain uncertain. Our study provides the first comprehensive taxonomic revision of Morpheis, based on detailed morphological analysis, examination of type specimens, assessment of distribution records, and molecular data. As a result, here we provide the first complete taxonomic list with updated diagnoses and distribution maps, based on 1247 specimen records and 191 publicly available observations. We describe the female genitalia of Morpheis for the first time and provide illustrations of imagoes for all currently recognised species, as well as of available type specimens. Additionally, we describe the immature stages and summarise the trophic associations of known Morpheis species. Based on morphological and molecular data, we recognise 11 valid Morpheis species. We applied molecular-based species delimitation methods, which uncovered far more candidate species within the genus than are recognised by traditional taxonomy, suggesting overlooked cryptic diversity that morphology alone cannot detect. We conclude that the integrative approach used here provides a powerful tool, especially valuable for understudied Zeuzerinae groups with high intraspecific variability in traditional characters. Full article

Both the productive efficiency and physical health of sika deer are strongly linked to their body conformation phenotypes. Breeding sika deer with excellent growth traits using molecular breeding technologies has become essential. Phenotypic data of 12 body conformation traits were measured for 613 sika deer across three age groups, including body traits and cephalic traits. Genetic typing was performed using the Sika Deer 100K SNP Liquid Chip, and genetic parameters were estimated through animal models to obtain the heritability and genetic correlation of traits within each age group. Single-trait and multi-trait GWASs were conducted, using GEMMA software to identify gene variants significantly associated with sika deer body conformation traits. Most of the 12 body conformation traits exhibited moderate to high heritability. The single-trait GWAS identified 49 SNPs (38 candidate genes), while multi-trait GWAS detected 134 SNPs (80 candidate genes), including 114 novel loci. A total of 163 SNPs and 196 candidate genes were identified, with 17 genes detected by both methods. These genes may be involved in pain perception, cell cycle regulation, immune response, and protein ubiquitination. Two significant KEGG pathways were enriched: steroid hormone biosynthesis and drug metabolism–cytochrome P450. Collectively, these detected loci and genes may serve as potential genetic resources for marker-assisted breeding, contributing to subsequent genetic improvement of body conformation in sika deer. Full article

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is the smallest partially double-stranded, reverse-transcribing DNA virus, with four open reading frames (ORFs) encoding viral proteins. It is classified into nine geographically distributed genotypes (A–I). In Kenya, the molecular characterization of HBV among patients seeking medical care remains poorly defined. This observational study aimed to characterize HBV among patients seeking medical care in Kenya’s endemic region, focusing on circulating genotypes and ORF mutations. Serum samples were collected from the outpatient departments of selected health facilities, with demographic and clinical information extracted from patients’ medical records. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) was tested at the facilities, and 85 HBsAg-positive samples were collected for molecular analysis. The basal core promoter and pre-core (BCP/PC), polymerase, and surface regions of the viral genome were amplified and sequenced to determine genotypes and to profile their mutations. Out of 85 HBsAg-positive samples, 38 samples tested positive for HBV DNA, and 26 samples were successfully sequenced. HBV genotype A was prevalent at 73.1% (19/26), followed by genotype D at 23.1% (6/26), and genotype E at 3.8% (1/26). Genotype A sequences clustered with both A1 Asian and African subgenotypes, whereas genotype D clustered with subgenotypes D6 and D1. All HBV genotype A, D, and E sequences were serotypes adw2, ayw2, and ayw4, respectively. HBV core promoter mutations (A1762T/G1764A) were detected in both genotype D and genotype A isolates. The pre-core G1896A mutation was highly prevalent in genotype D samples (5/6; 83.3%) but was not observed in genotypes A or E. Analysis of mutations within the “a” determinant region revealed genotype-specific patterns: genotype A predominantly harbored V14A, P46H, S58C, and P67Q substitutions; genotype E showed N59S; and genotype D exhibited V14A, C69stop, S104T, and W182stop mutations. Two drug resistance mutations (V191I and A194T) were present in two chronic patients, one with genotype A and the other with genotype D. In conclusion, HBV genotypes A and D are the most prevalent among Kenyan patients with chronic HBV infection. The presence of point mutations in the ORFs among patients seeking medical care highlights the need for molecular surveillance to better understand the viral diversity and its potential clinical and public health implications. Full article

DNA methylation constitutes a primary layer of epigenetic regulation in plants, operating across three sequence contexts (CG, CHG, and CHH) through distinct enzymatic pathways. Over the past fifteen years, accumulating evidence has shown that DNA methylation varies substantially among individuals and populations of wild plants, sometimes independently of underlying genetic polymorphism. This variation can influence gene expression, transposable element activity, and phenotypic traits relevant to ecological adaptation. Population epigenetics, the study of methylation variation at the population scale, has matured from initial surveys using methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism (MS-AFLP) into a discipline increasingly reliant on reduced-representation bisulfite sequencing (epiGBS, bsRADseq), whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS), enzymatic methyl-seq (EM-seq), and direct long-read detection by nanopore sequencing. These methodological advances are opening population epigenetics to non-model organisms across the full breadth of the plant phylogeny, from angiosperms and gymnosperms to ferns and bryophytes. We cover (i) the molecular machinery underlying plant DNA methylation, including the debated status of N6-methyladenine (6mA); (ii) empirical evidence for natural epigenetic variation in plant populations, spanning clonal, invasive, and outcrossing species; (iii) the methodological toolkit available for population-scale methylation profiling, with emphasis on approaches suitable for non-model taxa; and (iv) the ecological and evolutionary significance of population epigenetic variation, including transgenerational inheritance, stress memory, epigenetic clocks, conservation applications, and the emerging integration of epigenetics into the extended evolutionary synthesis. We identify critical knowledge gaps, particularly the near-complete absence of population-level epigenetic data for bryophytes, ferns, and lycophytes, and outline priorities for future research. Full article

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) exhibit profound molecular heterogeneity. While recurrent gene fusions hold significant diagnostic and therapeutic value—guiding treatment selection and identifying novel molecular targets—our understanding of their broader clinical implications remains limited. Materials and Methods: We performed next-generation sequencing (NGS; FusionPlex Sarcoma v2, Archer™) and bioinformatic analysis (STAR v.2.7, Arriba) on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) core needle biopsy specimens. The cohort consisted of patients enrolled in a phase II clinical trial (NCT03651375) who received preoperative chemoradiotherapy according to the UNRESARC protocol. Results: The analysed cohort comprised nine adult patients (median age 66 years; range 44–73) diagnosed with undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS; n = 3), malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumour (MPNST; n = 3), myxofibrosarcoma (MFS; n = 2), and leiomyosarcoma (LMS; n = 1), predominantly high-grade (G3; 5/9) and extremity-localised (6/9). Gene fusions were detected in one-third of patients (3/9), exclusively in G3 tumours. Specifically, we identified an SGSH-PRKCA fusion in MFS (thigh), a LINC01133-OGA fusion in MPNST (thorax), and a concurrent JAZF1-MYH7B (chr7:27995037 intronic-chr20:33563203 exon/splice-site, out-of-frame but preserving myosin domains) with a PRKCA-associated intergenic rearrangement (chr1, retaining C1/kinase domains) in UPS (upper back). Notably, the SGSH-PRKCA and JAZF1-MYH7B pairs have not been previously described in the literature for these STS subtypes. Fusion-positive (F1) cases showed stable radiological disease (RECIST 1.1 SD) and EORTC C/D pathological responses with 5–20% residual viable tumour, whereas fusion-negative (F0) cases showed a wider range of radiological and pathological outcomes, including partial response, progression, and stable disease. Conclusions: Our analysis suggests that broad genomic profiling may provide complementary molecular information in diagnostically challenging cases managed at specialised sarcoma centres, particularly when morphology and immunohistochemistry are insufficient. In the present series, however, the detected rearrangements did not alter systemic treatment, and the data do not support claims of prognostic, predictive, or therapeutic actionability. Full article

Metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed in water are difficult to recover because of their small size and colloidal stability. In this study, the interfacial adsorption behavior of Fe₂O₃, CoO, and CuO nanoparticles at hydrophobic ionic liquid (IL)–water interfaces was investigated and compared with that at molecular solvent–water interfaces. When CuO nanoparticle dispersions were shaken with hydrophobic ILs, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([NTf₂]⁻) salts of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium ([BMIm]⁺) and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium ([OMIm]⁺), the nanoparticles were removed from the aqueous phase and accumulated at the IL–water interface, while negligible Cu was detected in the bulk IL phase. The removal efficiency decreased with increasing ionic strength below 0.05 mol/dm³ and increased with pH, indicating that electrostatic interactions between charged nanoparticles and the IL–water interface contribute to adsorption. Adsorption isotherms were empirically fitted with the Langmuir equation to estimate the maximum adsorption capacity. For negatively charged Fe₂O₃ and CuO nanoparticles, the maximum adsorption capacities at IL–water interfaces exceeded those at molecular solvent–water interfaces and the theoretical monolayer capacity estimated from nanoparticle size, suggesting multilayer adsorption or aggregation at the interfaces. These results demonstrate the potential of hydrophobic IL–water interfaces for the separation and recovery of metal oxide nanoparticles from aqueous media. Full article

Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and worldwide. Most patients are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer at advanced stages, when curative therapy is no longer possible. The stage of pancreatic cancer at diagnosis critically impacts the treatment options and thus the clinical outcomes. Currently, there is no established screening program or tests for its early detection. Studying and understanding how those factors influence the stage of pancreatic cancer at diagnosis helps identify barriers and develop screening strategies. Tumoral and demographic factors, as well as social determinants of health, tend to be associated with localized vs. advanced stage of pancreatic cancer at diagnosis. Socioeconomic factors have been shown to be important mediators of racial disparities in stage at diagnosis as well as germline genetic testing. Recently, screening initiatives, blood-based molecular biomarker tests for early detection of pancreatic cancer, and machine learning-based models for risk prediction and imaging diagnostics have been developed. By determining and understanding the factors associated with the stage at diagnosis, risk-stratified screening can be feasible by combining demographics, genetics, comorbidities, lifestyle, and social determinants. Moreover, regulatory policies that address the social determinants of health can guide the development of screening strategies to allocate resources for equitable access to healthcare and to reduce disparities in patients with pancreatic cancer. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a class of synthetic chemicals notable for their high persistence and extensive applications. With the advancement of detection technologies in recent years, PFAS have been frequently identified in environmental media and human biological samples, raising significant global concerns about their potential health risks. PFAS exhibit distinctive toxicokinetic behaviors, including efficient absorption, strong protein binding, limited metabolism, and slow excretion, which lead to prolonged biological half-lives and considerable bioaccumulation in humans. These properties contribute to a range of adverse health outcomes, such as endocrine disruption, immune suppression, liver damage, reproductive toxicity, carcinogenic potential, and cardiovascular disease. This review synthesizes evidence on PFAS-associated health risks from a multisystem, multitarget perspective, elucidating the key molecular pathways involved, thereby providing a scientific basis for understanding their complex toxicological effects and for developing targeted prevention and control strategies. Future research should prioritize characterizing the toxicological profiles of individual PFAS compounds, evaluating the health impacts of combined (mixture) exposures, and assessing risks associated with chronic, low-dose exposure to support the development of public health strategies and regulatory decisions. Full article

Ginseng Alternaria leaf and stem blight, caused by Alternaria panax, imposes substantial yield and economic losses to the ginseng cultivation industry. Current diagnostic methods for ginseng diseases primarily rely on pathogen isolation from infected tissues, a procedure that is laborious, time-consuming, and inherently low in sensitivity. This study has therefore developed a rapid, specific and sensitive SYBR Green-based quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay for detecting A. panax in plants, seeds, and soil. The developed qPCR assay exhibited high sensitivity and repeatability, with a detection limit of 0.074 fg/μL of target amplicon DNA (0.619 ng/μL of genomic DNA) and a coefficient of variation below 2%. In artificially inoculated tissues (leaves, stems and seeds), Ct values decreased progressively with increasing incubation time, reflecting pathogen proliferation. Analysis of field-collected leaves and stems showed a strong overall correlation between Ct values and visual disease grades. Surveying of ginseng-growing areas revealed that A. panax was detected in asymptomatic leaves and stems at rates of 12.12% and 14.29%, respectively, and in 14.46% of soil samples and 23.73% of seed samples. This qPCR assay presented here provides a robust tool for forecasting early disease, tracking the primary inoculum of the pathogen and its transmission chains, and screening of both ginseng seed lots and candidate soils for ginseng Alternaria leaf and stem blight prior to planting. Full article

Teat number is an important economic trait in pigs because it affects sow reproductive performance and piglet nursing ability, yet its genetic basis and molecular regulatory mechanisms remain incompletely understood. In this study, a combined-population genome-wide association study was performed in Canadian and French Large White pigs to identify loci associated with teat number traits. A total of 4217 pigs were genotyped, and 2,244,684 autosomal single-nucleotide polymorphisms were retained after quality control and genotype imputation. Multiple association signals for total teat number were detected, with major peaks located on chromosomes 7 and 10. Among the positional candidate genes, PROX2 was prioritized for further validation, and genotype–phenotype association analysis showed that pigs with the CC genotype at the PROX2 polymorphic locus had significantly lower total teat number than those with the CT and TT genotypes. To investigate its biological role, PROX2 was silenced in porcine mammary epithelial cells. Transcriptome analysis identified 887 differentially expressed genes after PROX2 knockdown, and functional assays showed that PROX2 silencing inhibited cell proliferation, altered cell cycle progression, and affected the expression of proliferation- and development-related genes. These findings indicate that PROX2 is an important candidate gene associated with teat number variation in pigs. Full article

This study describes the development of an electrochemical sensor for quantitatively measuring acetaminophen (ACOP) in drug tablets. The sensor design is based on the modification of glassy carbon electrode (GCE) using zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs) embedded in a naturally occurring clay matrix (Sa) functionalized with phenylalanine (Phe). To ensure that the ZnONPs are homogeneously dispersed on the clay surface, the nanocomposite was synthesized using an impregnation approach and low-temperature heat treatment. The amino acid promotes specific interactions with ACOP through hydrogen bonding and π-π stacking, acting as both a stabilizing agent and a molecular recognition moiety. FTIR, UV-Vis, XRD, and FESEM/EDX mapping were employed to fully characterize the developed material (ZnONPs-Sa/Phe). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) were used for the electrochemical determination of ACOP using the modified electrode GCE/ZnONPs-Sa/Phe. Parameters susceptible to affecting the sensitivity of the developed sensor were optimized, revealing that 5 µL of the suspension ZnONPs-Sa/Phe immobilized on GCE was ideal for the sensing of ACOP in a phosphate buffer solution at pH 2.0. The calibration curve obtained by plotting peak current intensity against ACOP concentration exhibited linear behavior within the concentration range between 0.02 µM and 0.28 µM, enabling determination of the limits of detection (LOD) and quantitation (LOQ) at 8.54 × 10⁻⁹ M and 2.84 × 10⁻⁸ M, respectively. The reproducibility, stability, and selectivity of the sensor were evaluated, followed by its application to the nano-sensing of ACOP in Africure and Doliprane tablets, yielding satisfactory results. The simplicity, affordability, and high analytical sensitivity of the developed sensor make this sensing platform a promising tool for pharmaceutical quality control applications. Full article

Advances in organoid and other three-dimensional culture systems, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, multi-omics, and high-resolution imaging are reshaping our understanding of the cellular origins and evolutionary trajectories of glioblastoma. When integrated with modern data science approaches, these technologies enable the construction of increasingly detailed molecular biographies of normal neural stem and progenitor cells as well as malignant stem-like cellular states. Such molecular biographies illuminate how developmental programs, cellular plasticity, and microenvironmental cues are co-opted during gliomagenesis. At the same time, progress in machine learning, immunotherapy, and precision molecular targeting is beginning to translate these biological insights into therapeutic strategies that specifically disrupt glioblastoma stem-like states. Together, these converging approaches provide a conceptual and technological framework for improved tumor modeling, earlier detection, and increasingly personalized therapies for malignant gliomas. Full article

Iodoacetic acid (IAA), a highly cytotoxic disinfection byproduct commonly detected in drinking water, poses a potential risk to female reproductive health. The direct molecular mechanisms underlying its effects on the reproductive system epithelium remain unclear. This study demonstrates that IAA induces glycational stress in primary porcine uterine (UECs) and oviduct epithelial cells (OECs), representing an early event contributing to extensive cellular toxicity. IAA exposure inhibited Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (GAPDH) enzymatic activity and promoted the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML), triggering mitochondrial dysfunction, redox imbalance, calcium dyshomeostasis, and endoplasmic reticulum stress. These disturbances activated a dysregulated signaling network involving the p38 MAPK, AKT, and NF-κB pathways, ultimately causing G1/S cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. Notably, pretreatment with the AGE inhibitor pyridoxamine reduced CML accumulation, restored mitochondrial function, and alleviated apoptotic cell death. These findings identify glycational stress as a key initiating mechanism for IAA-induced reproductive epithelial toxicity, providing mechanistic insight into the potential health risks of environmental disinfection byproducts. Full article