Search Results (114)

Contact unmodified antisense DNA biotechnology (CUADb), developed in 2008, employs short antisense DNA oligonucleotides (oligos) as a novel approach to insect pest control. These oligonucleotide-based insecticides target pest mature rRNAs and/or pre-rRNAs and have demonstrated high insecticidal efficacy, particularly against sap-feeding insect pests, which are key vectors of plant DNA viruses and among the most economically damaging herbivorous insects. To further explore the potential of CUADb, this study evaluated the insecticidal efficacy of short 11-mer antisense DNA oligos against Coccus hesperidum, in comparison with long 56-mer single-stranded and double-stranded DNA sequences. The short oligos exhibited higher insecticidal activity. By day 9, the highest mortality rate (97.66 ± 4.04%) was recorded in the Coccus-11 group, while the most effective long sequence was the double-stranded DNA in the dsCoccus-56 group (77.09 ± 6.24%). This study also describes the architecture of the DNA containment (DNAc) mechanism, highlighting the intricate interactions between rRNAs and various types of DNA oligos. During DNAc, the Coccus-11 treatment induced enhanced ribosome biogenesis and ATP production through a metabolic shift from carbohydrates to lipid-based energy synthesis. However, this ultimately led to a ‘kinase disaster’ due to widespread kinase downregulation resulting from insufficient ATP levels. All DNA oligos with high or moderate complementarity to target rRNA initiated hypercompensation, but subsequent substantial rRNA degradation and insect mortality occurred only when the oligo sequence perfectly matched the rRNA. Both short and long oligonucleotide insecticide treatments led to a 3.75–4.25-fold decrease in rRNA levels following hypercompensation, which was likely mediated by a DNA-guided rRNase, such as RNase H1, while crucial enzymes of RNAi (DICER1, Argonaute 2, and DROSHA) were downregulated, indicating fundamental difference in molecular mechanisms of DNAc and RNAi. Consistently, significant upregulation of RNase H1 was detected in the Coccus-11 treatment group. In contrast, treatment with random DNA oligos resulted in only a 2–3-fold rRNA decrease, consistent with the normal rRNA half-life maintained by general ribonucleases. These findings reveal a fundamental new mechanism of rRNA regulation via complementary binding between exogenous unmodified antisense DNA and cellular rRNA. From a practical perspective, this minimalist approach, applying short antisense DNA dissolved in water, offers an effective, eco-friendly and innovative solution for managing sternorrhynchans and other insect pests. The results introduce a promising new concept in crop protection: DNA-programmable insect pest control. Full article

This study synthesizes the rapidly expanding evidence on how digital technologies reshape international trade, with a particular focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Guided by two research questions—(RQ1) How do digital tools influence the volume and composition of cross-border trade? and (RQ2) How do these effects vary by countries’ development level and firm size?—we conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic literature review covering 2010–2024. Searches across eight major databases yielded 1857 records; after duplicate removal, title/abstract screening, full-text assessment, and Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT 2018) quality checks, 86 peer-reviewed English-language studies were retained. Findings reveal three dominant technology clusters: (1) e-commerce platforms and cloud services, (2) IoT-enabled supply chain solutions, and (3) emerging AI analytics. E-commerce and cloud adoption consistently raise export intensity—doubling it for digitally mature SMEs—while AI applications are the fastest-growing research strand, particularly in East Asia and Northern Europe. However, benefits are uneven: firms in low-infrastructure settings face higher fixed digital costs, and cybersecurity and regulatory fragmentation remain pervasive obstacles. By integrating trade economics with development and SME internationalization studies, this review offers the first holistic framework that links national digital infrastructure and policy support to firm-level export performance. It shows that the trade-enhancing effects of digitalization are contingent on robust broadband penetration, affordable cloud access, and harmonized data-governance regimes. Policymakers should, therefore, prioritize inclusive digital-readiness programs, while business leaders should invest in complementary capabilities—data analytics, cyber-risk management, and cross-border e-logistics—to fully capture digital trade gains. This balanced perspective advances theory and practice on building resilient, equitable digital trade ecosystems. Full article

Nanomaterials have been one of the latest trends used by geotechnical engineers for improving insufficient soil criteria. This study aims to assess the usability of CaCO₃, nano-CaCO₃ and Glass Fiber Chopped Strands (GFCSs) in the improvement procedures for clay soil media by performing traditional and laboratory model experiments. Clay samples mixed with CaCO₃ at 5%, nano-CaCO₃ at 0.75% and GFCSs at 2.0% separately provided 1.49, 1.68 and 1.86 times increments in the bearing capacity values in comparison with plain clay, respectively. Mixtures of clay, GFCSs at 1.5% and nano-CaCO₃ at 0.75% enabled the most optimal result of 2.58 times improved bearing capacities. Curing durations had a significant effect on increasing the bonding between nano-CaCO₃ and clay which led to further improved conditions. Settlement enhancements of up to 6.80% were recorded for the mixtures of nano-CaCO₃, GFCSs and clay as well. Thus, improvements were reached in terms of bearing capacity and settlements along with the applicability and economy of the related procedures, of which the details can be seen in the following sections of this study. Full article

An international debate is taking place about embedding sustainability in higher education institutions (HEIs). Separate strands of literature address the importance of sustainability concepts and strategic change approaches. This paper explores conceptual development as an unfolding process within sustainability change initiatives. Data are derived from nine Change Laboratory workshops, conducted over 6 months, in which 20 stakeholders of varying backgrounds worked to create “a sustainable campus” in an HEI in Ireland. Transcribed video recordings and artefacts produced in workshops are analysed using activity theory principles to examine conceptual development, identifying four novel concepts created by stakeholders. The development of the Campus Sustainability Statement (CSS) concept is analysed in depth. It was produced in four stages of development—pursuing, in turn, a purposeful definition of “sustainability”, a shared framework to contextualise different actions, a mission statement for the campus, and the CSS proper. Each stage arose from a conflict of motives expressed within the coalition of participants, which was addressed by suggesting an abstract idea and considering its implications, with the latter stages also including attempts to embed and objectify the concept. Successive ideas were challenged, refined, and/or abandoned by participants on the grounds of ethics, fit with the institution, and relevance to subsequent action, with the eventual CSS judged to be an acceptable basis for institutional work. This paper emphasises the processual importance of developing sustainability concepts within institutions, including the creative potential for addressing value tensions and the possibility for nurturing new forms of collective agency. Full article

In Argentina, various studies have reported the detection of multiple viruses in honey-producing and queen-rearing apiaries, with Aparavirus apisacutum, the causal agent of acute bee paralysis (ABP), demonstrating a particularly high prevalence. The potential of RNA interference (RNAi) as a strategy to control honey bee viruses has been explored, with initial findings indicating that RNAi could aid in mitigating the economic losses associated with viral infections. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of RNAi technology mediated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) on the dynamics of ABPV infection in adult honey bees. Fragments of the ABPV replicase and VP1 genes were used as templates for dsRNA synthesis via in vitro transcription. A gene silencing experiment was conducted through oral administration using five treatments: control, specific dsRNA + Virus, Virus alone, specific dsRNA alone, and non-specific dsRNA + virus. Bee survival was recorded over 10 days for all treatments, and samples were subsequently processed for viral quantification using quantitative real-time PCR. The oral administration of specific dsRNA reduced the viral replication curve, decreased the average viral loads and increased bee survival. This is the first report demonstrating the reduction in ABPV infection in adult honey bees through post-transcriptional gene silencing achieved via oral administration of dsRNA. Full article

This paper presents a low-cost wireless prototype designed for point-of-care DNA sensing based on square wave voltammetry (SWV) measurements. Unlike other designs found in the literature, this prototype employs dedicated ADC and DAC components to reduce noise and allows for lower voltage steps in SWV scans. On-board signal processing makes the device suitable for use by inexperienced end-users. The prototype transmits data via Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE) to a mobile app, which records the measurements on a cloud platform. The prototype was employed to detect a 23-base single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) sequence, within the range of 1 nM to 10 nM. The results obtained with the prototype showed good agreement when compared to a commercial electrochemical analyzer. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using such a device for DNA sensing, highlighting its potential for broader biosensing applications. Full article

Mitochondrial genomes serve as essential tools in evolutionary biology, phylogenetics, and population genetics due to their maternal inheritance, lack of recombination, and conserved structure. Traditional morphological methods for identifying nematodes are often insufficient for distinguishing cryptic species complexes. This study highlights recent advancements in nematode mitochondrial genome research, particularly the impact of long-read sequencing technologies such as Oxford Nanopore. These technologies have facilitated the assembly of mitochondrial genomes from mixed soil samples, overcoming challenges associated with designing specific primers for long PCR amplification across different groups of parasitic nematodes. In this study, we successfully recovered and assembled eleven nematode mitochondrial genomes using long-read sequencing, including those of two plant-parasitic nematode species. Notably, we detected Heterodera cruciferae in Victoria, expanding its known geographic range within Australia. Additionally, short-read sequencing data from a previous draft genome study revealed the presence of the mitochondrial genome of Heterodera filipjevi. Comparative analyses of Heterodera mitogenomes revealed conserved protein-coding genes essential for oxidative phosphorylation, as well as gene rearrangements and variations in transfer RNA placement, which may reflect adaptations to parasitic lifestyles. The consistently high A+T content and strand asymmetry observed across species align with trends reported in related genera. This study demonstrates the utility of long-read sequencing for identifying coexisting nematode species in agricultural fields, providing a rapid, accurate, and comprehensive alternative to traditional diagnostic methods. By incorporating non-target endemic species into public databases, this approach enhances biodiversity records and informs biosecurity strategies. These findings reinforce the potential of mitochondrial genomics to strengthen Australia’s as well as the global biosecurity framework against plant-parasitic nematode threats. Full article

This study is based on a 10-day survey carried out at seven beaches in March 2023 in El Puerto de Santa María municipality (SW Spain). An amount of 5592 items were collected, with a combined weight of 26 kg. Fresh litter, which refers to litter transported to the shore by marine/coastal processes, accounted for 4634 items weighing 23 kg. The remaining 958 items, weighing 3 kg, were identified as litter deposited by beach visitors. The average total litter recorded during the sampling was 0.40 ± 0.07 items m⁻¹ with a density of 1.85 ± 0.69 g m⁻¹. Litter materials were relatively consistent regardless of whether they were stranded by marine processes or discharged by beachgoers. Plastic dominates fresh and deposited litter followed by metal and glass, with minimal contributions of chemicals, organic matter, clothing, rubber, wood, and paper. They were identified 115 items’ categories from the 184 listed in the EU Joint List: 107 for fresh and 75 for deposited litter. Food consumption-related items made up a significant portion of the total debris followed by personal hygiene and care-related and smoking-related litter. The obtained information is very useful to propose sound management actions that have to be especially devoted to raise beach users’ responsibility. Last, in order to have a year-round view of litter characteristics and behavior, further investigations should be carried out during winter, when the number of visitors is very low and waves’ energy is high, and summer, when opposite conditions are recorded. Full article

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study was to preoperatively estimate the four-strand hamstring graft size in a White Caucasian population, using anthropometric data. Methods: This was a prospective study of a consecutive series of fifty patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, who were scheduled for reconstruction using hamstring autografts; however, one of them was ultimately not enrolled according to the exclusion criteria (49 patients in total). Preoperatively, age, sex, weight, body mass index (BMI), length, and diameter of the contralateral thigh, length of the harvested gracilis/semitendinosus tendons, and length and thickness of the four-stranded graft were recorded. Graft diameter and length were dependent variables, measured via a graft sizer and a ruler, respectively. Quantitative variables were described with mean ± SD (correlated in a pairwise manner with Pearson’s r correlation). Qualitative variables were described with an absolute count (relative % percent) per categorical level, and their dependency on any quantitative (dependent) variable was assessed via Student’s t-test. Results: The mean lengths of the gracilis and semitendinosus were 25.6 ± 3.2 cm and 28.4 ± 3.3 cm, respectively, and they were positively correlated with the length of the four-strand hamstring graft along with the patients’ height and thigh length. Conclusions: The use of anthropometric data can assist in the prediction of the hamstring autograft size, aiding the selection of an appropriate graft type. The four-strand hamstring graft length was related to the gracilis, semitendinosus, and thigh length. The patients’ height was related to the graft length and diameter. Full article

Monitoring of immune factors, including interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), holds great importance for understanding immune responses and disease diagnosis. Wearable sensors enable continuous and non-invasive detection of immune markers in sweat, drawing significant attention to their potential in real-time health monitoring and personalized medicine. Among these, electrochemical sensors are particularly advantageous, due to their excellent signal responsiveness, cost-effectiveness, miniaturization, and broad applicability, making them ideal for constructing wearable sweat sensors. In this study, we present a flexible and sensitive wearable platform for the detection of IFN-γ, utilizing a DNA hydrogel with favorable loading performance and sample collection capability, and the application of mobile software achieves immediate data analysis and processing. This platform integrates three-dimensional DNA hydrogel functionalized with IFN-γ-specific aptamers for precise target recognition and efficient sweat collection. Signal amplification is achieved through target-triggered catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA), with DNA hairpins remarkably enhancing sensitivity. Ferrocene-labeled reporting strands immobilized on a screen-printed carbon electrode are displayed via CHA-mediated strand displacement, leading to a measurable reduction in electrical signals. These changes are transmitted to a custom-developed mobile application via a portable electrochemical workstation for real-time data analysis and recording. This wearable sensor platform combines the specificity of DNA aptamers, advanced signal amplification, and the convenience of mobile data processing. It offers a high-sensitivity approach to detecting low-abundance targets in sweat, paving the way for new applications in point-of-care diagnostics and wearable health monitoring. Full article

Background: The conservation of loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) in the central Mediterranean benefits from an in-depth understanding of its population genetic structure and diversity. Methods: This study, therefore, investigates C. caretta in Maltese waters by genetically analysing 63 specimens collected through strandings and in-water sampling, using mitochondrial DNA control region and microsatellites. Additionally, the two nests detected in Malta in 2023 were analysed for the same markers. Results: Mitochondrial data identified 10 haplotypes, with mixed stock analyses tracing 87.5% of the specimens to Mediterranean origins, primarily from Libyan rookeries, with contributions from Lebanon, Israel and Turkey. Three Atlantic haplotypes were identified in six specimens, with CC-A17.1 linking central Mediterranean foraging individuals to rookeries in Cape Verde. Five of these six Atlantic haplotype records were from recently sampled individuals (2022–2023), possibly indicating a recent eastward expansion of Atlantic haplotypes into the Mediterranean. Bayesian clustering (K = 2) of microsatellite data using haplotypes as priori revealed similar proportions for clusters across most specimens, except for three specimens with Atlantic haplotypes CC-A1.1 and CC-A1.3, which exhibited distinct patterns. The two nests examined here displayed Mediterranean haplotypes, with nuclear DNA matching the predominant Mediterranean profiles found in foraging individuals, suggesting that local clutches originated from Mediterranean parents. Conclusions: Increasing nesting activity on Maltese beaches and this archipelago’s geographical position highlight the need for ongoing genetic monitoring to track changes in genetic diversity and develop conservation strategies that support the effective protection of this species and its habitats. Full article

RNA interference (RNAi)-based biotechnology has been previously implemented in decapod crustaceans. Unlike traditional RNAi methodologies that investigate single gene silencing, we employed a multigene silencing approach in decapods based on chimeric double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) molecules coined ‘gene blocks’. Two dsRNA constructs, each targeting three genes of the crustacean hyperglycaemic hormone (CHH) superfamily of neuropeptides, were produced: Type II construct targeting Cq-Molt-inhibiting hormone 1 (MIH1), Cq-MIH-like 1 (MIHL1), and Cq-MIHL2 isoforms and Type I construct targeting Cq-ion transport peptide (Cq-ITP; a putative hybrid of CHH and MIH) and Cq-CHH and Cq-CHH-like (CHHL) isoforms. Both constructs were injected into juvenile redclaw crayfish, Cherax quadricarinatus, to determine the effects of multigene knockdown on molting and developmental processes. A 20-Hydroxyecdysone (20E) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and glucose assay were used to determine the effects of RNAi on molting and hemolymph glycemic activities, respectively. Multigene silencing reduced the intermolt interval by 23%. Statistically significant elevated 20E was recorded in treated intermolt individuals, consistent with the reduced intermolt interval as well as unique and abnormal phenotypes related to the molting process, which indicates a shift in 20E-induced cascade. There was no effect of RNAi treatment on hemolymph glucose level or molt increment. Through multigene silencing and subsequent annotation of gene networks, gene blocks may provide a tailored approach to investigate complex polygenic traits with RNAi in a more efficient and scalable manner. Full article

The Caretta caretta is the only known sea turtle that nests along the coasts of the Mediterranean Sea. It is considered a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) because it is threatened by human activities. The aim of this work was to analyze biochemical parameters in different age groups of C. caretta subjects recovered at the Centro di Referenza Nazionale sul Benessere, Monitoraggio e Diagnostica delle Malattie delle Tartarughe Marine (C.Re.Ta.M.), Sicily. Biometric parameters were recorded for each subject. Peripheral blood was collected and centrifuged, and 18 biochemical parameters were analyzed. Glucose and total proteins showed lower values in juvenile turtles than in sub-adult and adult subjects. Since blood biochemical parameters can be influenced by several factors (age, sex, infectious disease, or trauma), we evaluated differences in the values of some parameters between the reproductive and non-reproductive seasons of adult turtles whose sex and cause of stranding could be determined. Despite the small number of subjects, it would seem that, in adult turtles, the values of ALP, γ-GT, Fe, and LDH are higher during the reproductive season. These biochemical variations showed important differences in the parameters, underlining their importance in assessing the health status of turtles and better understanding their physiology during different stages of their lives. Full article

Stranded newborn “orphan” harbour seal pups entering captive care are often maintained for some weeks in isolation, mainly as a precaution against the spread of infection. However, this practice raises concerns for the welfare and normal socialisation of pups, who normally spend their first post-natal weeks close to their mothers and other seals. The present study recorded and described the behaviour of six paired orphan pups in rehabilitation up to about five weeks of age, provided with free access to water and haul-out areas. The occurrences of resting, following, nosing and body contacts, and aquatic play were recorded and compared qualitatively and quantitatively with the same behaviours of free-living pups with their mothers. The pups entered the water every day, although more often from about 2.5 weeks of age. They displayed to each other the same behaviours that free-living pups display to their mothers, although they engaged in relatively more physical contact, body nosing, and aquatic play. The study has shown that orphan pups maintained in pairs with free water access can act reciprocally as mother substitutes, thereby promoting species-typical primary socialisation and welfare during their early days of captive care. Full article

Prestressed concrete box girders are commonly employed in the development of high-speed railway bridge constructions. The prestressed strands in the girder may corrode due to long-term chloride erosion, leading to the degradation of its flexural performance. To examine the flexural performance of corrosion-affected simply supported prestressed concrete box girders, eight T-shaped mock-up beams related to the girders used in the construction of high-speed railway bridges were manufactured utilizing similarity theory. Seven of the beams underwent electrochemical accelerated corrosion, and then each beam was subjected to failure under the four-point load test method. Measurements recorded and analyzed in detail during the loading process included the following: crack propagation, crack width at various loads, crack load, ultimate load, deflection, and concrete strain of the mid-span section. The results demonstrate that a corrosion rate of just 8.31% has a considerable impact on the structural integrity of the beams, as evidenced by a pronounced reduction in flexural cracks and a tendency towards reduced reinforcement failure. Furthermore, the corrosive process has a detrimental effect on mid-span deflection, ductility, and ultimate flexural bearing capacity, which could have significant implications for bridge safety. This study provides valuable insights for the assessment of flexural performance and the development of appropriate maintenance strategies for corroded simply supported box girders in high-speed railways. Full article