Search Results (1,001)

The coupling of partial root-zone drying (PRD) with nitrogen forms exerts an interactive “water-promoted fertilization” effect, which enhances rice (Oryza sativa L.) growth and development, improves water use efficiency (WUE), mediates the expression of aquaporins (AQPs), and alters root water conductivity. In this study, gene cloning and CRISPR-Cas9 technologies were employed to construct overexpression and knockout vectors of the OsPIP2;1 gene, which were then transformed into rice (cv. Meixiangzhan 2). Three water treatments were set: normal irrigation (CK); partial root-zone drying (PRD); and 10% PEG-simulated water stress (PEG), combined with a nitrogen form ratio of ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺) to nitrate nitrogen (NO₃⁻) at 50:50 (A50/N50) for the coupled treatment of rice seedlings. The results showed that under the coupled treatment of PRD and the aforementioned nitrogen form, the expression level of the OsPIP2;1 gene in roots was upregulated by 0.62-fold on the seventh day, while its expression level in leaves was downregulated by 1.84-fold. Overexpression of OsPIP2;1 enabled Meixiangzhan 2 to maintain a higher abscisic acid (ABA) level under different water conditions, which helped rice reduce water potential and enhance water absorption. Compared with the CK treatment, overexpression of OsPIP2;1 increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity of rice under PRD by 26.98%, effectively alleviating tissue damage caused by excessive accumulation of O₂⁻. The physiological and biochemical characteristics of OsPIP2;1-overexpressing rice showed correlations under PRD and A50/N50 nitrogen form conditions, with WUE exhibiting a significant positive correlation with transpiration rate, chlorophyll content, nitrogen content, and Rubisco enzyme activity. Overexpression of OsPIP2;1 could promote root growth and increase the total biomass of rice plants. The application of the OsPIP2;1 gene in rice genetic engineering modification holds great potential for improving important agricultural traits of crops. This study provides new insights into the mechanism by which the AQP family regulates water use in rice and has certain significance for exploring the role of AQP genes in rice growth and development as well as in response to water stress. Full article

Rhodoliths are calcareous red algae considered indicators of ocean acidification and key biodiversity hotspots due to their ability to host a variety of species within their three-dimensional structures. This work aims to review the available scientific literature on rhodolith-forming species: reports from literature, the Symbiota digital taxonomic inventory, field observations, and nucleotide databases. A total of 21 species is reported, predominantly from the Corallinaceae family and the Lithophylloideae subfamily. Rhodoliths have been reported in Bocas del Toro, the Gulf of Chiriqui, Coiba National Park (PNC), the Gulf of Panama, and at the Las Perlas Archipelago. This review represents the first step in raising awareness about the presence of these organisms along Panama’s coast and advocating for their inclusion in the management plans of protected areas, such as PNC, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where rhodoliths are not yet part of the recorded algae species list or the park’s conservation targets, despite their ecological relevance. Knowledge remains limited, and their conservation status is uncertain, but the increasing sampling efforts and integration of morphological and molecular studies will open new opportunities to improve the estimation of rhodolith diversity in Panama. Full article

Bacteriophages have been widely investigated as a promising treatment of food, medical equipment, and humans colonized by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Phages pose particular interest in combating those bacteria which form biofilms, such as the medically important human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa and several plant pathogens, including P. syringae. In an undergraduate lab course, P. putida was used as the host to isolate novel anti-pseudomonal bacteriophages. Environmental samples of soil and water were collected, and purified phage isolates were obtained. After Illumina sequencing, genomes of these phages were assembled de novo and annotated. Assembled genomes were compared with known genomes in the literature and GenBank to identify taxonomic relations and to refine their functional annotations. The thirteen phages described are sipho-, myo-, and podoviruses in several families of Caudoviricetes, spanning several novel genera, with genomes ranging from 40,000 to 96,000 bp. One phage (DDSR119) is unique and is the first reported P. putida siphovirus. The remaining 12 can be clustered into four distinct groups. Six are highly related to each other and to previously described Autotranscriptaviridae phages: Waldo5, PlaquesPlease, and Laces98 all belong to the Waldovirus genus, whereas Stalingrad, Bosely, and Stamos belong to the Troedvirus genus. Zuri was previously classified as the founding member of a new genus Zurivirus within the family Schitoviridae. Ebordelon and Holyagarpour each represent different species within Zurivirus, whereas Meara is a more distantly related member of the Schitoviridae. Dolphis and Jeremy are similar enough to form a genus but have only a few distant relatives among sequenced phages and are notable for being temperate. We identified the lysis cassettes in all 13 phages, compared tail spike structures, and found auxiliary metabolic genes in several. Studies like these, which isolate and characterize infectious virions, enable the identification of novel proteins and molecular systems and also provide the raw materials for further study, evaluation, and manipulation of phage proteins and their hosts. Full article

Objective: The classification of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP) is based on genetics, and the number of genetic loci continues to increase with new genetic descriptions. Additionally, the number of new variants in known mutations continues to increase. In this paper, we aim to report our experience with genetically confirmed HSPs. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 10 consecutive children with genetically confirmed HSPs. Results: In this study, we identified six novel mutations, including spastic paraplegia 11 (SPG11), glucosylceramidase beta 2 (GBA2), chromosome 19 open reading frame 12 (C19orf12), 1 in each of the Cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily B member 1 (CYP7B1) genes, and two different mutations in the intropomyosin-receptor kinase fused gene (TFG) gene. We also identified different clinical phenotypes associated with known mutations. Conclusions: Heterozygous mutations with GBA2 and SPG11 mutation-related HSP are reported for the first time, expanding the known inheritance patterns. We report a novel homozygous chromosome 19 open reading frame 12 (C19orf12) mutation resulting in iron accumulation in the brain, broadening the genetic variants and clinical findings. We determine the first Turkish patients with carnitine palmitoyltransferase IC (CPT1C) and TFG gene mutation-related pure HSP. A pure form of HSP with two novel TFG gene mutations is also identified for the first time. We report the first Turkish patient with kinase D-interacting substrate of 220 kDa (KIDINS220) gene, broadening the clinical spectrum of KIDINS220 variant-related disorders to encompass certain HSPs. Moreover, a novel variant in the oxysterol7-hydroxylase (CYP7B1) gene is reported, expanding the genetic variants and clinical findings relating to SPG5. Full article

By combining modular invariance of characteristic forms and the family index theory, we obtain some new anomaly cancellation formulas for any dimension under the not top degree component. For a fiber bundle of dimension $(4l-2)$, we obtain the anomaly cancellation formulas for the determinant line bundle. For the fiber bundle with a dimension of $(4l-3)$, we derive the anomaly cancellation formulas of the index gerbes. For the fiber bundle of dimension $(4l-1)$, we obtain some results of the eta invariants. Moreover, we give some anomaly cancellation formulas of the Chen–Connes character and the higher elliptic genera. Full article

Progressive first-failure censoring is a flexible and cost-efficient strategy that captures real-world testing scenarios where only the first failure is observed at each stage while randomly removing remaining units, making it ideal for biomedical and reliability studies. By applying the $\alpha$-power transformation to the exponential baseline, the proposed model introduces an additional flexibility parameter that enriches the family of lifetime distributions, enabling it to better capture varying failure rates and diverse hazard rate behaviors commonly observed in biomedical data, thus extending the classical exponential model. This study develops a novel computational framework for analyzing an $\alpha$-powered exponential model under beta-binomial random removals within the proposed censoring test. To address the inherent complexity of the likelihood function arising from simultaneous random removals and progressive censoring, we derive closed-form expressions for the likelihood, survival, and hazard functions and propose efficient estimation strategies based on both maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. For the Bayesian approach, gamma and beta priors are adopted, and a tailored Metropolis–Hastings algorithm is implemented to approximate posterior distributions under symmetric and asymmetric loss functions. To evaluate the empirical performance of the proposed estimators, extensive Monte Carlo simulations are conducted, examining bias, mean squared error, and credible interval coverage under varying censoring levels and removal probabilities. Furthermore, the practical utility of the model is illustrated through three oncological datasets, including multiple myeloma, lung cancer, and breast cancer patients, demonstrating superior goodness of fit and predictive reliability compared to traditional models. The results show that the proposed lifespan model, under the beta-binomial probability law and within the examined censoring mechanism, offers a flexible and computationally tractable framework for reliability and biomedical survival analysis, providing new insights into censored data structures with random withdrawals. Full article

Education has become one of the important drivers of residential mobility. The school district system in China has transformed school choice into a competition for housing ownership based on family capital, resulting in the capitalization of education and gentrification. Understanding the patterns of education-driven residential mobility is therefore of significant importance for urban planning, educational policy and social equity research. In this study, we depicted and analyzed the heterogeneity of residential mobility formed by the interaction of schooling choice, diversity of family characteristics, and housing preferences. Based on the household questionnaire survey conducted in Tianjin, we identified five typical education-driven residential mobility patterns by using the K-Prototype clustering algorithm. The empirical results implied that in China, particularly in megacities like Tianjin with a strict school district system tied to housing, wealthy families approach high-quality education through their socio-economic advantages for cultural reproduction; families sacrifice living conditions to access leading schools by acquiring old second-hand housing or smaller new-commercial housing; lower-income families relocate to within a short distance of the city center to change home ownership status for basic school eligibility; and families opting out of school districts achieve residential improvements and display greater locational diversity in relocation. Education-driven residential mobility is reshaping urban space, and may intensify socio-spatial stratification, even influencing long-term urban sustainability through patterns of resource allocation, neighborhood stability, and social equity. While this study focuses on Tianjin, the impacts of such school-housing-linked policies hold broader relevance for global cities facing similar challenges. Full article

The thioether-functionalized 2-azabutadiene (ⁱPrS)₂C=C(H)-N=CPh₂ L1 ligates to Mn(CO)₅Br to form the five-membered chelate compound fac-MnBr(CO)₃[(ⁱPrS)₂C=C(H)-N=CPh₂] MnPropBr, whose crystal structure has been determined from X-ray diffraction data. In the crystal, different secondary intermolecular interactions, such as Br^…HC and π^…π, give rise to a supramolecular network. The electronic properties of the metal–ligand bonds in MnPropBr are similar to those of complex MnPhBr (with R = SPh instead of ⁱPrS); this also applies to a series of structurally analogous fac-ReX(CO)₃[(RS)₂C=C(H)-N=CPh₂] (X = Cl, Br and I; R = SⁱPr, SPh and S^tBu) rhenium complexes and are discussed on the basis of QT-AIM (Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules) calculations. New bond length/electron density relationships are proposed for the metal–halide bonds, including, for the first time, complexes of one given metal and all three corresponding halides. In order to obtain a set of coherent data, three manganese complexes that belong to the family fac-MnX(CO)₃[N∩N] (X = Cl, Br and I; N∩N is a chelating ligand with two coordinating N atoms) were included in this study. Full article

Cancer during adolescence and young adulthood (AYA; 18–39 years) can disrupt age-related milestones and impair social functioning. Many AYA patients report unmet social support needs and relationship changes, leading to isolation. This mixed-methods study explores social challenges among AYA patients actively seeking support through a communication tool, the ‘AYA Match app’, supporting communication with loved ones. Upon downloading the app, participants completed questionnaires on social support (MOS-SSS) and social functioning (EORTC CAT) and open-ended questions about social challenges. Eligibility included a first cancer diagnosis at AYA age and fluency in Dutch. The findings show that cancer negatively affected AYA patients’ social functioning. Physical limitations and difficulty relating to peers caused isolation and feelings of loneliness. Some preferred solitude or withheld emotions to protect loved ones. Challenges included forming new relationships, feeling left behind as peers reach milestones, and struggling with a changed life perspective. Participants with children reported less social support. This study highlights the complex social challenges AYA cancer patients face. While support from loved ones is crucial, it may not always be effective. Personalized interventions like peer support, improved family communication, and tailored digital tools are needed to improve social well-being and quality of life in AYAs with cancer. Full article

A new negative-strand RNA virus was identified in grapevines from a 38-year-old ‘Chardonnay’ block in Idaho through high-throughput sequencing (HTS) of total RNA. This virus was tentatively named grapevine-associated cogu-like Idaho virus (GaCLIdV). GaCLIdV has three negative-sense, single-stranded RNA genome segments of ca. 7 kb, 1.9 kb, and 1.3 kb, encoding L protein (RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, RdRP), a movement protein (MP), and a nucleocapsid protein (NC), respectively, identified based on pair-wise comparisons with other cogu- and cogu-like viruses. In phylogenetic analysis based on the RdRP, GaCLIdV grouped within the family Phenuiviridae and was placed in a lineage of plant-infecting phenuiviruses as a sister clade of the genus Laulavirus, clustering most closely with switchgrass phenui-like virus 1 (SgPLV-1) and more distantly related to grapevine-associated cogu-like viruses from the Laulavirus and Coguvirus clades. Both GaCLIdV and SgPhLV-1 are proposed to form a new genus, Switvirus, within the family Phenuiviridae. The presence of GaCLIdV in the original ‘Chardonnay’ samples was confirmed by RT-PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing. This new virus was found in five wine grape cultivars and in six vineyards sampled in Idaho and in Oregon during the 2020–2024 seasons. GaCLIdV may have contributed to the decline observed in the old ‘Chardonnay’ block, although the role of the virus in symptom development awaits further investigation. Full article

Arthrobotrys flagrans, a typical nematode-trapping fungus (NTF) that produces a three-dimensional adhesive network to capture nematodes, has excellent potential for the development of biocontrol agents against both plant and animal parasitic nematodes. Proteins containing the common fungal extracellular membrane (CFEM) domain are important for the nematodes’ trapping by A. flagrans. The loss of AfCFEM1 and AfCFEM3 resulted in a significant upregulation of proteins associated with fungal pathogenicity, forming a denser adhesive material on the trap surface and ultimately increasing nematode mortality. However, the disruption of AfCFEM2 led to the opposite result. Furthermore, the deletion of AfCFEM1-3 not only affected trap morphology, resulting in an increased proportion of irregular traps (i.e., trap cells not fused to the hyphae), but also led to a thinner cell wall of the traps. In addition, the compensatory effects among the CFEM family and other families were demonstrated. This study revealed that the AfCFEM1-3 genes in A. flagrans participated in the formation of traps, adhesive material and cell wall, and pathogenicity, providing new insights into the functions of AfCFEM in the process of nematode trapping by NTF. Full article

Vervain (Verbena officinalis L., Verbenaceae family) is a perennial plant which grows widely in Europe. It is rich in iridoids, phenolic acids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, flavonoids and terpenoids. Verbena has traditionally been used in folk medicine to calm the nervous system, but there is a lack of scientific data about it. The aim of this study was to explore and characterise the chemical profile and neurotropic effects of V. officinalis dry extracts and their amino acid-based preparations. We determined a total of eight main phenolic compounds and 17 amino acids in the V. officinalis dry extracts. To evaluate the neurotropic effects of the verbena extracts, the following behavioural pharmacology tests were used: Open Field Test, Elevated Plus Maze, Black-and-White Box Test and Tail Suspension Test. The dry aqueous–ethanolic extract (extractant 70% ethanol) demonstrated strong anxiolytic and antidepressant effects, while its dry modified extracts with valine and arginine consistently exhibited pronounced sedative activity across all studies. For example, the Tail Suspension Test demonstrated that the total immobility time in animals receiving the dry aqueous–ethanolic extract was the lowest, being 1.22-fold (p < 0.05) lower than in control animals and 2.25-fold (p < 0.05) lower than in the animals treated with the reference drug preparation (“Sedaphyton”). A novel aqueous-based gel formulation feasible for semi-solid extrusion (SSE) 3D printing was designed. This printing gel enables the fabrication of new oral dosage forms for V. officinalis dry extracts. The effects of pharmaceutical preparations on the human central nervous system require clinical studies. Full article

Echinostomatidae is a taxonomically complex group with substantial species diversity and richness. The vast majority of species in this family parasitize birds and mammals, including humans, causing significant economic losses and medical costs. In this study, Echinostoma miyagawai (Digenea, Echinostomatidae) and Patagifer bilobus (Digenea, Echinostomatidae) were isolated from domestic duck and Grus japonensis, respectively. The nearly complete ribosomal transcription unit (rTU) sequences of two echinostomes were obtained, with the rTU for P. bilobus being obtained for the first time. The nearly complete rTU sequence of P. bilobus (6790 bp) and E. miyagawai (6893 bp) encompass the small-subunit (18S) ribosomal DNA (rDNA), internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1), 5.8S rDNA, internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2), and large-subunit (28S) rDNA. The complete lengths of 18S, ITS1, 5.8S, ITS2, and 28S sequences for E. miyagawai are 1989 bp, 444 bp, 162 bp, 431 bp, and 3858 bp, respectively. For P. bilobus, complete or nearly complete lengths of these sequences are 1929 bp (nearly complete), 419 bp, 162 bp, 432 bp, and 3848 bp (nearly complete), respectively. The 18S, ITS, and 28S sequences of E. miyagawai show the highest sequence similarity with other E. miyagawai. The ITS and 28S sequences of P. bilobus show the highest sequence similarity with other P. bilobus, while 18S sequence shows the highest similarity with E. miyagawai. This is likely due to the unavailability of the 18S sequence of P. bilobus in GenBank. Repeat sequences were identified in 18S, ITS1, ITS2, and 28S sequences, with the 28S sequence containing the most repeats and the 5.8S sequence having none. The results of phylogenetic reconstruction indicated that E. miyagawai clusters with other Echinostoma spp., while P. bilobus clusters with other Patagifer spp., forming sister taxa. This study not only provides the first rTU sequence for P. bilobus but also reinforces the sister group status of Patagifer to Echinostoma through phylogenetic evidence. Finally, this study represents the first record of the G. japonensis as a new host for P. bilobus and the first report of a bird from the crane family (Gruidae) as a host for any echinostome species. These findings are significant as they expand our understanding of the host range and ecological interactions of Echinostomatidae. The data obtained provide a valuable resource of molecular markers for studying the taxonomy, population genetics, and systematics of the family Echinostomatoidea. This research contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the evolutionary relationships and biodiversity within this complex group of parasites, which is crucial for developing effective strategies to mitigate their impact on both wildlife and human health. Full article

Kobuvirus is a new genus of viruses in the Picornaviridae family causing diarrhea in animals. Porcine kobuvirus (PKV) is an important pathogen with a high rate of infection in pig herds. In this study, a total of 10,990 fecal swabs and tissue samples were collected from different areas of Guangxi province in southern China during 2021–2025 and then tested for PKV using RT-qPCR. The results showed a 19.19% (2109/10,990) PKV positivity rate. Sixty-two PKV-positive samples, which were selected according to sampling regions, sampling seasons, and detection Ct values, were used for PCR amplification and gene sequencing. A sequence comparison showed that the nucleotide and amino acid identities of VP1, 2B, and 3D genes were 78.6–99.5% and 83.5–100%, 77.7–99.8% and 80.9–100%, and 90.9–99.8% and 94.9–99.9%, respectively, indicating that the 3D gene was more conserved than the VP1 and 2B genes. The phylogenetic trees based on these three genes revealed that the PKV VP1 gene sequences from different countries could be classified into two groups (Groups I and II), and the PKV VP1 gene sequences obtained from Guangxi province were distributed in Groups I and II and formed independent clades. The 2B and 3D gene sequences could also be classified into two groups (Groups I and II). Bayesian analysis indicated a state of population growth for PKV strains from the time of their discovery until 2009, at which point it began to decline. Amino acid sequence analysis of the VP1 gene identified mutations and insertions in the obtained PKV strains. Recombinant analysis showed that no recombinant event was found in the VP1, 2B, and 3D genes of the obtained strains. The results indicated the geographically specific inheritance and variation in PKV, provided more information on the prevalence and genetic evolution of PKV in Guangxi province, Southern China, and emphasized the importance of regularly monitoring genetic variation in PKV for better comprehension of PKV. Full article

The present article provides an abstract overview of the issue of optimal blank searching for integral parts utilized in complex engineering projects, including those pertaining to the fabrication of machine, ship, and aircraft components. The manufacturing process for these components is intricate and necessitates meticulous precision and strict adherence to the design model. Conventional blank calculation techniques are marred by substantial inaccuracies. The present research proposes and verifies an effective method based on the reverse solution of a mathematical problem. The focal point of this study is the aerodynamic curvature of aluminum alloys belonging to the Al–Mg–Mn family. The formation of the object is achieved through the employment of a hydroelastomer press of the QFC (Quintus Technologies) type. The forming process is simulated using PAM-STAMP software, developed by the French company ESI Group. The objective of the present study is to ascertain the optimal configuration of the blank by optimizing the discrepancy between the dynamic calculations and the design model using sweep contours. The resulting new shape of the part allows for the formation of parts with minimal deviation from their design contours. Full article