Search Results (2,453)

Background: In the Republic of Korea, a bivalent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine covering serotypes O and A is administered to livestock, while antigens for the other serotypes are stockpiled in overseas antigen banks. To achieve self-reliance in FMD vaccine production, various vaccine strains have been developed using in-house technology. Although SAT 3 has historically been confined largely to Africa, preparedness against this serotype remains necessary, as the possibility of its introduction into Korea cannot be completely excluded. Methods: In this regard, we evaluated the commercial potential of the SAT 3 ZIM-R vaccine strain by assessing antigen productivity, scalability, inactivation kinetics, and immunogenicity. Results: Supplementation with 3 mM Ca²⁺ markedly increased antigen yield compared with that obtained in the absence of calcium. Further optimization showed that antigen yield was highest at pH 8.0–8.5. During scale-up, antigen yield was maintained at 9.2–9.8 μg/mL in flask cultures and remained high at approximately 7.8 μg/mL in a bioreactor, demonstrating robust scalability. Treatment with 2 mM binary ethylenimine at 26 °C achieved complete inactivation within 24 h. Vaccines formulated with the SAT 3 ZIM-R antigen produced either in flasks or in a bioreactor induced comparable neutralizing antibody responses in pigs following both the primary and booster immunizations. Conclusions: Collectively, these findings indicate that SAT 3 ZIM-R is a promising vaccine candidate for large-scale vaccine antigen production and the future establishment of a domestic FMD antigen bank in Korea. Full article

Protected cultivation of pepper in southern China’s red soil region often leads to soil degradation and continuous cropping obstacles. To investigate whether biochar can alleviate these problems by regulating the soil microenvironment, pot and incubation experiments were conducted from 2021 to 2023 with biochar application rates of 0~10% (w/w). The results showed that appropriate biochar application significantly improved pepper yield and soil quality. Under the 6% biochar treatment, pepper yield and dry matter accumulation increased by 89.05% and 36.79%, respectively, compared to the control. Soil bacterial and fungal abundances increased by 346.61% and 107.37%, and their OTU numbers rose by 64.13% and 35.15%, respectively. Biochar application also elevated soil pH, organic matter, available potassium, and total nitrogen contents, improved aggregate stability, and enhanced the activities of urease, catalase, sucrase, and acid phosphatase. Furthermore, biochar altered the rhizosphere microbial community structure and increased bacterial diversity. These findings demonstrate that biochar can promote pepper growth by improving soil physicochemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial community structure, providing a viable strategy for mitigating continuous cropping obstacles in protected cultivation. Full article

Background/Objectives: The efficacy of inactivated foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) vaccines depends on the structural integrity of the 146S virions. However, instability of 146S antigens during vaccine manufacturing and storage can compromise vaccine quality. Despite its high immunogenicity, the Korean serotype O strain O Jincheon (O JC) exhibits poor physical stability. Methods: To enhance antigenic stability while preserving strain-specific antigenicity, we engineered a VP1-substituted recombinant virus, (R) O1 M–O JC_VP1, by integrating the VP1 coding region of O JC into the O1 Manisa (O1 M) backbone. Results: The resulting chimeric virus exhibited significantly improved capsid stability, as demonstrated by an increased melting temperature and enhanced resistance to thermal stress, chloroform exposure, and long-term storage. Importantly, the recombinant antigen maintained its immunogenicity and induced antibody responses comparable to those induced by the parental O JC strain in vaccinated pigs. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that VP1-direct chimeric engineering can improve capsid stability without compromising antigenicity and provide a practical approach for developing a stable FMDV vaccine. Full article

Galeruca daurica (Joannis) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) is an oligophagous pest in which both adults and larvae prefer to feed on Allium forage grasses of the Liliaceae family. In this study, we identified gustatory receptor (GR) genes based on the transcriptome data of G. daurica; analyzed the expression profiles of these GR genes across different larval instars and various tissues of male and female adults using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR); detected the electrophysiological responses of the mouthparts of male and female G. daurica adults to flavonoids and carbohydrates using single sensillum recording (SSR); and recorded the changes in food consumption of G. daurica adults after feeding on six host plant-derived metabolites. A total of 26 GR genes were identified from the transcriptome data of adult and larval of G. daurica. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to screen candidate functional gustatory receptor genes, including four sugar receptors (GdauGR7, GdauGR10, GdauGR14 and GdauGR28), seven bitter receptors (GdauGR11, GdauGR16~17, GdauGR22, GdauGR25~26 and GdauGR30), and two CO₂ receptors (GdauGR15 and GdauGR20). Larval expression profiling of GdauGRs in G. daurica revealed that the relative expression levels of 17 genes exhibited dynamic changes during larval growth and development. GdauGRs were expressed to varying degrees in the antennae, mouthparts, brain, gut, and forelegs of adult G. daurica, with sex-specific differences. Notably, the expression levels of GdauGR4, GdauGR9 and GdauGR16 in the gut were extremely significantly higher than those in other tissues. In the SSR test, the six tested flavonoids and one carbohydrate were able to induce robust electrophysiological responses in the gustatory sensilla on the antennae and mouthparts of adult G. daurica at specific concentrations. In addition, the supplementation of several host-derived metabolites altered the food consumption of adult G. daurica. These findings lay a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying gustatory recognition and host adaptation in G. daurica. Full article

The COVID-19 pandemic had a global impact on students transitioning into higher education. During quarantine measures, students often turned to social media for connectedness and peer support in an adverse time. The aim of this research was to explore the perceived impact of social media use during COVID-19 on the psychological resilience of students transitioning into higher education. Data were collected via a qualitative online survey completed by 51 students across the United Kingdom. Following a reflexive thematic analysis of the survey data, three themes were generated: (1) A challenging transition: restricted visits, remote learning, and seeking connection. (2) Facing adversity: becoming resilient in a transitional period. (3) A valued resource: social media as a facilitator of resilience. The findings suggest that social media helped students build virtual connections to overcome feelings of isolation during this transition. Several participants perceived their psychological resilience to have increased through developing strategies to regulate their emotional and mental well-being. Nonetheless, some participants believed that their psychological resilience either decreased or remained untouched. Furthermore, it was explicitly argued that social media played a facilitating role in enhancing participants’ perceived psychological resilience through operating as a ‘coping mechanism’, which fostered a sense of community and togetherness amongst like-minded students. Full article

Marek’s disease (MD), caused by pathogenic Marek’s disease virus serotype 1 (MDV-1), is one of the most important avian immunosuppressive and neoplastic diseases and has led to huge economic losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Rapid and accurate clinical diagnosis is of great significance for efficient control of the disease. Herein, we have established a multiplex PCR (mPCR) method to simply differentiate all of the three types of MDV, using five specific primers targeting to MDV-1 oncogene meq or MDV-2 and MDV-3/HVT gB genes. Simultaneously, it can detect any type of virulent or vaccine MDV strains in one PCR reaction, with amplicons of the short (S) and long (L)-meq of MDV-1 strains, and the gB of MDV-2 and HVT vaccine strains. Non-specific amplifications of avian leukosis virus (ALV), reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV), or fowl adenovirus virus 4 (FAdV-4) were not observed, indicating a good specificity of this method. A total of 522 clinical samples of tumor-bearing or suspected diseased birds collected from 30 poultry farms were detected. The results demonstrated that the newly developed mPCR method accurately detected and differentiated epidemic MDV-1 infections and vaccine strains, and provided nearly 100% consistency for detecting clinical wild-type infections compared with conventional PCR amplification of the meq gene. Collectively, our data has provided a highly efficient method for early differential diagnosis of MD clinical cases, virus identification and future evaluation of vaccination efficacy in healthy chicken flocks, which would be meaningful for efficient control of the disease. Full article

Alpacas have become increasingly popular as farm and companion animals in many countries and were introduced in Hungary approximately 15 years ago. However, reliable data on their population size and management practices have remained limited. Therefore, this study aimed to provide the first nationwide overview of alpaca keeping in Hungary. An anonymous Google Forms-based questionnaire comprising 55 questions was used to collect data on farm characteristics, herd size, husbandry practices, and animal health management. A total of 53 valid responses were analyzed. The results indicated that approximately 260 alpacas are currently kept in Hungary, with most herds being small and typically consisting of 1–5 animals. Most owners planned to expand their herds, primarily through domestic breeding or purchases; however, only a minority considered alpaca keeping economically profitable. Responses related to quarantine, veterinary access, and disease management suggested limited knowledge of biosecurity and animal health. While most owners reported high levels of trust in veterinarians, many had difficulty accessing specialists with expertise in alpacas. In conclusion, alpaca keeping in Hungary is a growing but still small-scale sector. Improving owner education and strengthening professional support may enhance animal welfare and reduce health risks, thereby supporting the One Health approach. Full article

Mountain orchards in southern China are characterized by fragmented and complex terrain with a wide slope variation range (5~30°), which easily leads to uneven pesticide distribution and pesticide accumulation on gentle slopes. These issues give rise to core technical bottlenecks such as low pesticide utilization rate, poor operational efficiency, and unclear atomization mechanism, hindering the optimization of pesticide application parameters, causing pesticide waste and environmental pollution, and restricting the sustainable development of the mountain fruit industry. To address this problem, this study designed a slope-classified pipeline layout and developed a high-efficiency fixed pipeline system for phytosanitary application in mountain orchards, featuring stable operation, low labor intensity, and easy intelligent transformation. Following the technical route of “theoretical design-atomization mechanism analysis-parameter optimization-laboratory verification-field application”, ruby nozzles with high wear resistance, uniform droplet distribution, and long service life were selected and optimized to meet the demand for long-term fixed pesticide application in mountain orchards. High-speed imaging technology was used to real-time capture the dynamic atomization process of nozzles, providing support for clarifying the atomization mechanism. Advanced methods such as fluorescence tracing were adopted to quantitatively evaluate key indicators including droplet deposition in canopies, and the system performance was verified through laboratory and field tests, laying a scientific foundation for its popularization and application. Field test results showed that the optimal spray pressure should not be less than 8 MPa. The XR9002 nozzle can generate fine droplets to achieve pesticide reduction while forming a stable hollow cone atomization flow. Fluorescence tracing analysis indicated that the droplet deposition on the adaxial leaf surface decreases with increasing altitude (presumably affected by wind speed), while the initial deposition on the abaxial leaf surface is low and shows no significant variation with altitude. Deposition on the adaxial leaf surface decreased with canopy height, while abaxial deposition was much lower (8.9–14.9%). This technology enables high-precision quantitative analysis of droplet deposition. The core innovations of this study are: clarifying the atomization mechanism of ruby high-pressure nozzles under pesticide application conditions in mountain orchards, constructing a slope-classified terrain-adaptive pipeline layout model, and establishing a closed-loop technical system of “atomization mechanism-pipeline layout-parameter optimization-deposition detection”. This study provides theoretical and technical support for green and precision pesticide application in mountain orchards, and has important academic value and broad application prospects for promoting the intelligent upgrading of the fruit industry in southern China. Full article

International timber trade has accelerated the global spread of the invasive red-haired pine bark beetle H. ligniperda, posing persistent challenges to phytosanitary inspection and border biosecurity. Rapid isothermal amplification assays are increasingly deployed in frontline quarantine settings to support timely regulatory decisions. However, their performance under the heterogeneous biological backgrounds typical of traded timber remains insufficiently evaluated, particularly with respect to the practical implications of low-level false-positive signals. We re-evaluated a previously reported isothermal assay for H. ligniperda using conditions that simulate timber transport and routine customs workflows. Fifty non-target arthropod species (predominantly insects), selected from quarantine interception records, were included to represent taxa likely to co-occur in operational contexts. Material from Lema decempunctata consistently generated weak but reproducible amplification signals across replicates. Sanger sequencing excluded contamination, confirming low-level non-target amplification in complex biological matrices. Although the signals were faint, ambiguous results in quarantine settings may trigger shipment detention, confirmatory laboratory testing, or temporary trade restrictions, thereby increasing inspection workload, delaying clearance, and generating avoidable compliance costs. These findings indicate that trade-mediated species assemblages can compromise assay performance beyond expectations derived from conventional taxonomy-based specificity testing. To reduce interpretive uncertainty and associated regulatory burden, we propose a tiered diagnostic workflow combining rapid on-site isothermal screening with specificity-oriented SYBR Green qPCR confirmation. This strategy enhances diagnostic reliability while preserving operational efficiency in applied biosecurity surveillance. Full article

The red imported fire ant (RIFA), Solenopsis invicta, is a globally invasive pest that causes substantial ecological, agricultural, and public health challenges. Conventional control strategies primarily depend on chemical insecticides, which present environmental risks and limited long-term efficacy. In this study, we comprehensively investigated the bacterial microbiota of S. invicta and compared it with a sympatric non-target ant species (Pheidole nodus) to explore the ecological significance and biocontrol potential of symbiotic bacteria. High-throughput 16S rRNA sequencing revealed that the symbiotic bacterial community of S. invicta exhibited markedly higher richness and diversity. A total of 1651 amplified sequence variants (ASVs) were identified, of which 1089 ASVs are unique to the RIFAs, and 460 are unique to non-target ants. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) highlighted 33 biomarker taxa (score > 6.5), with strong enrichment of Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Pseudomonas, Luteibacter, Bradyrhizobium, Brucella, Smaragdicoccus, Gordonia, and Aeromonas. Functional predictions and enzymatic assays in vitro demonstrated that dominant cultivable genera, particularly Stenotrophomonas (SI-7, SI-17), Serratia (SI-1, SI-3, SI-6, SI-18), and Pseudomonas (SI-2, SI-8, SI-9, SI-11, SI-19), exhibit substantial proteolytic and lipolytic activity, suggesting key roles in nutrient metabolism and host ecological adaptability. Antibiotic susceptibility profiling further revealed that florfenicol shows broad-spectrum inhibitory activity against these dominant symbionts. These findings indicate that disrupting dominant symbiotic bacteria may impair host physiology and thus serve as a targeted control strategy. Overall, the study elucidates the diversity, functional potential, and biocontrol applicability of the S. invicta microbiome, providing a foundation for developing sustainable, microbiome-based pest management approaches. Full article

The Moroccan locust (Dociostaurus maroccanus) is one of the most economically significant locust species in the Caucasus and Central Asia. In the past, the Mediterranean region also experienced severe damage to crops and pastures, until widespread grassland conversion to cropland began in the second half of the 20th century. However, climate change, environmental shifts, land-use changes, cropland abandonment, and overgrazing are likely to alter the spatial distribution and outbreak patterns of this pest. Understanding potential changes and geographic shifts is essential for proactive pest management, including effective monitoring and control strategies. In this study, we apply Ecological Niche Modelling (ENM) using 12 machine learning algorithms, historical survey data covering the species’ full distribution range, and relevant abiotic variables to identify the most suitable areas for potential mass breeding during 1991–2020 and the near future (2021–2040), based on the “middle-of-the-road” Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP2-4.5) scenario. Our results indicate significant regional shifts. Notably, breeding suitability is projected to increase in parts of Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. In contrast, countries such as Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Spain are likely to experience a decline in optimal breeding areas. The forecast results support field observations of a geographical shift northward and toward higher altitudes. Additionally, higher temperatures in suitable areas suggest more drought-like conditions, which typically promote locust population explosions and outbreaks. If left unaddressed, such outbreaks can cause severe economic damage to affected regions. Full article

In recent years, with the rapid development of materials science, there has been a significant increase in the focus on nanozymes. Metal–organic framework (MOF)-based nanozymes are a class of porous organic–inorganic coordination materials capable of mimicking the catalytic activity center of natural enzymes. The properties of MOF-based nanozymes include high specific surface area and porosity, structural diversity and customizability, and excellent catalytic activity and stability. Through rational design, the activity of MOF-based nanozymes can be further enhanced to promote their application in biosensing and other fields. This paper systematically investigates the intrinsic relationship between the structure of MOFs and their catalytic performance, with a focus on the diverse catalytic activities of MOF-based nanozymes, including peroxidase, oxidase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and hydrolase. It reviews optimization strategies for the key parameters, such as selectivity and stability, summarizing the advances in synthesis strategies. Furthermore, the application progress of MOF-based nanozymes in the field of biosensing is reviewed, covering areas such as biomarker detection, virus recognition, and the screening of pathogenic microorganisms, among others. This review provides a systematic discussion of the opportunities and challenges in the development of MOF-based nanozymes, identifies the key scientific issues that are driving the field forward, and offers important references for optimizing MOFs’ structural designs and developing high-efficiency biochemical sensors. Full article

Frataxin is a conserved mitochondrial protein essential for cellular iron–sulfur (Fe–S) cluster biogenesis and oxidative balance, with its deficiency causing Friedreich’s ataxia in humans. The hypomagnetic field (HMF), an environmental stressor known to influence oxidative stress and neurodevelopment, may interact with such inherent metabolic vulnerabilities. This study investigated whether HMF exposure exacerbates Fe–S homeostasis and oxidative disruption in a Drosophila melanogaster model of frataxin deficiency. Using synchrotron radiation-based X-ray fluorescence (SR-XRF) spectroscopy for in situ elemental analysis in live tissues, we found that HMF significantly altered iron distribution and content in a tissue-specific manner. In frataxin-silenced brains, HMF decreased iron distribution but increased total iron content, whereas in eyes it reduced iron content. Sulfur content decreased in frataxin-deficient eyes but increased in brains under HMF, though its spatial distribution was unchanged. Critically, HMF elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) in frataxin-deficient brains. Transcriptomic analysis identified 202 differentially expressed genes under HMF in frataxin-silenced flies, including key regulators of iron metabolism and oxidative stress pathways. These findings demonstrate that HMF disrupts tissue-specific iron and sulfur homeostasis and intensifies oxidative stress in a frataxin-deficient insect system, underscoring its role as an environmental factor capable of aggravating metabolic fragility. Full article

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is a lung-enriched pattern recognition receptor implicated in inflammatory responses. Its role in ferroptosis-mediated lung injury during viral infection, however, remains unclear. Here, we combined bioinformatics analysis with in vitro and in vivo experimental validation to investigate the RAGE–ferroptosis axis in influenza virus infection. Cross-analysis of RAGE- and ferroptosis-related genes identified overlapping candidates, suggesting functional crosstalk. Influenza-infected A549 cells exhibited ferroptotic cell death, characterized by Fe²⁺ accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation, and lipid peroxidation, which was markedly attenuated by the RAGE inhibitor FPS-ZM1. In A/PR/8/34 (H1N1)-infected female C57BL/6J mice, FPS-ZM1 treatment improved survival, reduced lung injury, restored redox balance, and modulated key ferroptosis regulators ACSL4, POR, and GPX4. Moreover, RAGE inhibition decreased M1 macrophage and neutrophil infiltration and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines. Collectively, these findings reveal that RAGE activation drives ferroptosis and amplifies oxidative stress–associated lung injury, whereas RAGE inhibition mitigates tissue damage via the ACSL4/POR/GPX4 pathway and immunomodulation. This study identifies the RAGE–ferroptosis axis as a potential therapeutic target for severe pulmonary inflammation. Full article

Tick-borne protozoa (TBP), including Babesia spp. and Theileria spp., cause substantial health and productivity losses in cattle. In Thailand, most epidemiological studies have focused on dairy herds, while beef cattle remain underinvestigated. This study assessed TBP infections in beef cattle and their ticks at the Thai–Myanmar border. Blood samples were collected from 158 beef cattle, including local animals from Thong Pha Phum and Sangkhlaburi districts and cross-border cattle imported from Myanmar. Engorged ticks, predominantly Rhipicephalus microplus, were removed and identified morphologically. DNA was extracted from blood and tick samples, and PCR assays were performed to detect Babesia and Theileria species. Overall, 51.3% of cattle were positive for Babesia or Theileria DNA. Babesia bigemina (10.8%) and Babesia bovis (8.2%) were the most frequently detected species. Infection prevalence was higher in local cattle from Thong Pha Phum (56.0%) and Sangkhlaburi (54.6%) than in cross-border cattle (39.5%). In contrast, ticks collected from cross-border cattle showed a significantly higher prevalence of TBP DNA (40.0%) compared with ticks from Thong Pha Phum (12.8%) and Sangkhlaburi (8.7%). These findings provide important epidemiological evidence of TBP circulation at the Thai–Myanmar border and highlight the influence of cattle movement and tick exposure on pathogen distribution and spread in this region. Full article