Search Results (133)

Slaughterhouses serve as critical surveillance hubs for identifying subclinical and economically important diseases in food-producing animals. Trueperella (Arcanobacterium) pyogenes, an opportunistic pathogen commonly found on the mucous membranes of livestock, is associated with mastitis, abortion, and suppurative infections such as abscesses. In this study, we investigated 30 pig carcasses fully condemned due to vertebral osteomyelitis (VO) at two slaughterhouses in Gwangju, Republic of Korea, between November 2023 and May 2024. From abscess lesions, 11 T. pyogenes strains were isolated and characterized morphologically, biochemically, and genetically. The hemolytic exotoxin pyolysin (plo gene), a major virulence factor, was detected in five isolates (45.46%). Phylogenetic analysis of partial 16S rDNA sequences confirmed close clustering with known T. pyogenes reference strains. All 11 isolates exhibited multidrug resistance, showing resistance to 8–14 antimicrobial agents per strain. Complete resistance (11/11, 100%) was observed against amikacin (AMI), nalidixic acid (NAL), chloramphenicol (CHL), florfenicol (FFN), and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (SXT). High resistance rates were also detected for erythromycin (ERY) and clindamycin (CLI) (10/11, 90.9%), ceftazidime (TAZ), ceftriaxone (AXO), ciprofloxacin (CIP) (7/11, 63.6%), and tetracycline (TET) and streptomycin (STR) (5/11, 45.5%), while gentamicin (GEN) resistance was found in three isolates (27.3%). In contrast, none of the isolates showed resistance to ampicillin, cefoxitin, or cefotaxime. These findings underscore the epidemiological value of abattoir-based monitoring in detecting emerging pathogens and tracking antimicrobial resistance. The results provide important baseline data to inform disease control strategies, guide antimicrobial stewardship, and support One Health approaches, including the development of preventive measures such as vaccines. Full article

The compound dichloro[bis(diisopropylphosphorimidoyl-κN-(4,6-dimethylpyrimidine-κN))pyrrole-κN]yttrium(III) was synthesized from one equivalent of NaL [L = 2,5-[ⁱPr₂P=N(Pym^Me)]₂NH(C₄H₂); Pym^Me = 4,6-dimethylpyrimidine] and YCl₃(THF)_3.5 and crystallized from toluene. X-ray quality crystals of LYCl₂ were obtained with one toluene solvent molecule in the asymmetric unit. The geometry, bond lengths and angles were analyzed and found to contain similar parameters to comparable structures in the literature, and the product was further characterized by NMR spectroscopy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported seven-coordinate Y(III) complex supported by a pentadentate ligand wherein all five donor atoms are nitrogen. Full article

Background/Objectives: This study developed a targeted drug delivery nanoplatform for treating HER2-positive breast cancer. The nanoplatform encapsulated two hydrophobic anticancer agents, neratinib (NTB) and docetaxel (DTX), within nanoparticles (DTX+NTB−NP) functionalized for conjugation to trastuzumab to form trastuzumab-tagged nanoparticles (TRZ−NP). Trastuzumab is a HER2-specific monoclo-nal antibody that binds to HER2 receptors, blocking signal transduction and inducing an-tibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC). Upon receptor-mediated endocytosis, neratinib inhibits cytosolic HER2 signaling, while docetaxel disrupts mitotic cell division, collectively leading to tumor cell death. Methods: Nanoparticles were fabricated by the nanoprecipitation technique, followed by surface modification with a crosslinker and a targeting moiety. DTX+NTB−NP, TRZ−NP, and singly loaded nanoparticles (NTB−NP and DTX−NP) were characterized and their effects evaluated in HER2-positive cancer cell line and xenograft model. Results: In vitro antiproliferation assay in SKBR-3 cell line re-veals a dose and time-dependent cytotoxicity. There was no significant difference in cyto-toxicity observed between DTX+NTB−NP and its free form (DTX+NTB) [p = 0.9172], and between TRZ−NP and its free form (TRZ+DTX+NTB) [p = 0.6750]. However, TRZ−NP, at half the concentration of the singly loaded nanoparticles, significantly reduced the viabil-ity of SKBR-3 cells compared to pure trastuzumab (TRZ) [p < 0.001], NTB−NP [p = 0.0019], and DTX−NP [p = 0.0002]. In vivo evaluation in female athymic nude mice showed sig-nificant log relative tumor volume (%) reduction in groups treated with TRZ−NP and DTX+NTB−NP compared to PBS (phosphate-buffered saline) controls (p ≤ 0.001 and p ≤ 0.001), respectively. Notably, TRZ−NP demonstrated a statistically significant regression in the log relative tumor volume (%) compared to DTX+NTB−NP (p = 0.001). Conclusions: These findings underscore the therapeutic potential and suitability of these nanoplatforms for the precise and controlled targeting of HER2-positive tumors. This study is the first to synchronize the delivery of multiple agents-docetaxel, neratinib, and trastuzumab-within a nanoparticle system for treating HER2-positive tumors, offering a promising strategy to enhance treatment outcomes for HER2 positive breast cancer patients. Full article

The safety profile of Lentilactobacillus buchneri KU200793, which has neuroprotective effects, was comprehensively evaluated through both phenotypic and genotypic analyses. Phenotypically, the strain exhibited no β-hemolysis, mucin degradation, indole production, gelatin liquefaction, urease activity, or β-glucuronidase activity. Additionally, it did not produce D-lactate, and only trace amounts of spermidine were detected among the biogenic amines. Furthermore, L. buchneri KU200793 did not exhibit bile salt deconjugation, further supporting its safety profile. However, its tetracycline resistance exceeded the threshold set by the European Food Safety Authority. Genotypic analysis using the HGTree program identified tetA(58) and nalD genes with sequence similarities of 33.64% and 30.17%, respectively, indicating a low level of homology. These findings suggest that tetracycline resistance in L. buchneri KU200793 is unlikely to have been acquired through horizontal gene transfer, thereby minimizing the risk of resistance gene dissemination. This study underscores the importance of comprehensive safety assessments to evaluate the suitability of L. buchneri KU200793 for probiotic applications. Full article

Aluminum powder has the advantages of high calorific value, high density and convenient source, and is a commonly used metal fuel in the explosives and propellants industry. Nanometer aluminum powder (nAl) has higher reactivity and higher reaction completeness than micron aluminum powder (μAl), which can improve the energy performance of mixed explosives and the burning rate of propellant. However, nAl has some disadvantages, such as easy oxidation and deterioration of the preparation process, which seriously affect its application efficiency. In order to improve these shortcomings, suitable surface coating treatment is needed. The effects of surface coating on the characteristics of nAl and on the energy and safety of explosives are summarized in this paper. The results show that surface coating of nAl can not only improve the compatibility between nAl and energetic materials, reduce the hygroscopicity of energetic composites, mitigate the easy oxidation of nAl, and protect the preparation process, but also improve the energy performance of explosives and the burning rate of propellant, increase the reaction characteristics of energetic mixtures, and reduce the mechanical sensitivity of those mixtures. In addition, the surface coating modification of nAl can obviously reduce the agglomeration of condensed-phase combustion products, thus reducing the loss of propulsion efficiency caused by agglomeration. This study is expected to provide reference for the surface coating of nAl and its application in explosives. Full article

Dark septate endophytes (DSEs) are commonly found in saline environments, such as the Flooding Pampas (Argentina), where the forage grass Chloris gayana has been introduced. This study evaluated the effect of salinity on the DSE fungus Exserohilum rostratum, isolated from C. gayana, and its contribution to the grass’s salinity tolerance. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted under three salinity levels (0, 40, and 80 meq Na·L⁻¹), with and without fungal inoculation. Fungal growth, root colonization, functional traits, plant biomass, chemical composition, and salinity tolerance indices were assessed. The fungus tolerated salinity and colonized roots, showing qualitative evidence of enzyme production and phosphate solubilization. In both experiments, shoot and root biomass decreased with increasing salinity. Inoculation significantly enhanced shoot biomass only under non-saline conditions in the first experiment, whereas in the second experiment no inoculation effect was observed on shoots. For roots, no effect of inoculation occurred in the first experiment, but a positive interaction between salinity and inoculation was recorded in the second experiment, where moderate salinity increased root biomass in inoculated plants. The K/Na and Ca/Na ratios decreased under salinity regardless of inoculation, indicating limited influence on ionic balance. These results suggest that although E. rostratum tolerates salinity and expresses functional traits, its ability to enhance plant performance under stress is context-dependent and restricted to specific conditions. Full article

Leaf morphology significantly impacts rice (Oryza sativa L.) plant architecture and yield. Here, we identified and characterized a novel narrow-leaf mutant, nal25, derived from indica rice cultivar ‘Huazhan’ using EMS mutagenesis. Phenotypic analyses revealed that nal25 exhibited significantly narrower leaves, reduced plant height, increased tiller number, and notably decreased grain size, seed setting rate, and thousand-grain weight compared to the wild type. Genetic analyses demonstrated that the narrow-leaf phenotype is controlled by a single recessive nuclear gene. Through precise localization analysis, the NAL25 gene was located within a region of approximately 103 kb on the long arm of rice chromosome 7. The sequencing results showed that the mutant nal25 had a T to C mutation at position 173 of the heat-shock protein gene LOC_Os07g09450 encoding the DnaJ domain in this interval, resulting in a change in amino acid 58 from leucine to proline. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression level of NAL25 gene decreased in the mutant. The nal25 mutant obtained in this study exhibits stable mutant phenotypes, including dwarfism and excessive tillering, traits typically unfavorable for rice production. Nevertheless, it serves as valuable genetic material for forward genetics approaches to identify yield-related genes regulating leaf morphology and culm height. Thus, research on the nal25 mutant advances the development of rice varieties with ideal plant architecture, thereby stabilizing yield increases and safeguarding global food security. Full article

Leaf morphology influences photosynthesis, transpiration, and, ultimately, crop yield. To elucidate the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying narrow leaves in Sorghum bicolor, we identified key DEGs (differentially expressed genes) influencing leaf morphology. The nal6 (the narrow-leaf mutant6) was obtained through 0.1% EMS (ethyl methane sulfonate) chemical mutagenesis of the WT (BTX623). Compared with the WT leaves, there were significant differences in leaf width and length at the flowering stage. A total of 1520 DEGs between the nal6 and WT were screened at the flowering stage based on the transcriptome analysis of sword leaves. KEGG and GO enrichment analyses revealed that DEGs were significantly enriched in pathways such as plant signal transduction, cytokinin biosynthesis, photosynthetic antenna proteins, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis. Further analysis indicated that four DEGs are involved in regulating auxin signaling transduction, thirteen DEGs are involved in regulating zeatin signal transduction, and two DEGs are involved in regulating zeatin biosynthesis. These genes are differentially expressed in nal6, directly affecting the signaling of auxin and zeatin and the biosynthesis of zeatin. Our findings provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the molecular regulation of narrow leaves and breeding ideal plant types in Sorghum bicolor. Full article

Wheat bran (WB) is rich in bioactive compounds, but its incorporation into food products often negatively affects dough properties. The soluble components in WB, including polysaccharides, minerals, and proteins, exhibit significant variations across different bran layers and may dissolve and interact with flour components during food processing, affecting dough properties. This study aims to investigate the influence of aqueous extracts from different WB layers (aleurone layer, AL; non-aleurone layer, NAL) and their components on the functional properties of wheat starch and gluten. The results indicate that the AL-rich fraction yielded a higher extract content (30.6%) compared to the NAL-rich fraction (15.1%), attributable to the higher cellular content in the AL. Both the extracts and residues from AL and NAL significantly lowered the denaturation temperature of wheat gluten. The aqueous extracts reduced the storage (G′) and loss (G″) moduli of wheat gluten, primarily attributed to the effect of polysaccharide components, whereas the protein and ash fractions elevated the G′ and G″ at suitable dosages. The extracts elevated the gelatinization temperature of starch, but reduced enthalpy (ΔH). Moreover, the pasting viscosity of starch with WB extract decreased due to the combined effects of protein and ash fractions. These findings provide insights into the roles of water extracts from different WB layers and their components in modulating wheat-based product quality. This study also offers a theoretical basis for optimizing WB utilization in foods, thus providing a theoretical foundation for promoting whole-wheat foods or foods containing WB. Full article

Background: This study examined the relationship between hearing device price and sound quality. Method: A novel consumer-centric metric of sound quality (“SoundScore”) was used to assess hearing devices’ audio performance. Each hearing device is tested with two fittings. The “Initial Fit” is designed to approximate the most likely fitting for an individual with a mild-to-moderate sloping sensorineural hearing loss. The “Tuned Fit” includes adjusting parameters optimized to hit prescriptive fitting targets (NAL NL2) on an acoustic manikin. Each fitting is evaluated across five dimensions. Both fittings are combined using a weighted average to create a single number from 0 to 5 representative of a device’s overall audio performance. Seventy-one hearing devices were tested. Results: A strong positive correlation was found between hearing device price and SoundScore. The average SoundScore increased dramatically as the price approached USD 1000, with marginal improvements beyond this point. SoundScore was consistently poor for devices under USD 500, highly variable between USD 500–1000, and consistently good over USD 1000. Conclusions: There is a strong but nonlinear relationship between hearing device price and sound quality. This information can aid consumers in making informed decisions while also assisting hearing healthcare professionals in providing comprehensive guidance to their patients. Full article

Crude oil and its derivates are among the most important environmental pollutants, where P. aeruginosa strains producing AlkB1 and AlkB2 alkane hydroxylases are often involved in their biodegradation. The aim of this study was to analyze antibiotic resistance and virulence determinants of a P. aeruginosa isolate cultured from a hydrocarbon-contaminated soil sample from Ogoniland, Nigeria, and to compare its characteristics with P. aeruginosa isolates cultured worldwide from hydrocarbon-contaminated environments or from clinical samples. Using the ResFinder reference database, a catB7 chloramphenicol acetyltransferase gene, an ampC-type PDC β-lactamase gene, and an OXA-50 type β-lactamase gene were identified in all P. aeruginosa strains analyzed in this study. In some of these P. aeruginosa strains, loss-of-function mutations were detected in the regulatory genes mexR, nalC, or nalD, predicting an efflux-mediated acquired antibiotic-resistance mechanism. Several P. aeruginosa sequence types that were associated with oil-contaminated environments have also been cultured from human clinical samples worldwide, including sequence types ST532, ST267, ST244, and ST1503. Our findings also indicate that environmental P. aeruginosa may serve as the source of human infections, warranting further studies from a One Health perspective about the application of P. aeruginosa for the in situ bioremediation of hydrocarbon-contaminated sites. Full article

Apelin serves as the endogenous ligand for the APJ receptor and enhances cardiac contractility without significantly affecting potassium currents. However, its short in vivo half-life limits clinical application, prompting the development of metabolically stable APJ receptor agonists. This study employed the patch-clamp technique to investigate the effects of the C-terminally modified apelin-13-2Nal derivative (2Nal) on action potential dynamics, rapid sodium (I_Na), and transient potassium (I_TO) currents in rat cardiomyocytes. We discovered that 2Nal prolongs ventricular action potential duration by selectively blocking I_To. Dose-response analysis indicated that 2Nal acts as a partial antagonist of I_TO, achieving a maximum blockade of 47%, with an apparent EC50 of 0.3 nM, while not affecting I_Na. Our lab previously found that an imbalance between I_To and I_Na currents contributes to the development of cardiac arrhythmias in conditions like Brugada syndrome. Currently, few therapeutic options exist to safely address this imbalance, as sodium channel openers cannot restore it, and most I_To blockers are cardiotoxic. The selective blockade of I_To by 2Nal that we describe here helps restore the balance of electrical currents between I_To and I_Na. Our study presents a novel, safe partial antagonist of I_To that may help prevent arrhythmias associated with Brugada syndrome. Full article

The study of the genetic diversity and adaptation mechanisms of the Kazakh apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is essential for breeding programs and the conservation of plant genetic resources in arid environments. Despite this species’ ecological and agricultural significance, its chloroplast genome remains poorly studied due to its complex repetitive structure and secondary metabolites that hinder high-molecular-weight DNA (HMW-DNA) extraction and long-read sequencing. To address this gap, our study aims to develop and optimise sequencing protocols for P. armeniaca under arid conditions using Oxford Nanopore’s MinION technology. We successfully extracted HMW-DNA with 50–100 ng/μL concentrations and purity (A260/A280) between 1.8 and 2.0, ensuring high sequencing quality. A total of 10 GB of sequencing data was generated, comprising 155,046 reads, of which 74,733 (48.2%) had a Q-score ≥ 8. The average read length was 1679 bp, with a maximum of 31,144 bp. Chloroplast genome assembly resulted in 33,000 contigs with a total length of 1.1 Gb and a BUSCO completeness score of 97.3%. Functional annotation revealed key genes (nalC, AcrE, and mecC-type BlaZ) associated with stress tolerance and a substantial proportion (≈40%) of hypothetical proteins requiring further investigation. GC content analysis (40.25%) and GC skew data suggest the presence of specific regulatory elements linked to environmental adaptation. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using third-generation sequencing technologies to analyse complex plant genomes and highlights the genetic resilience of P. armeniaca to extreme conditions. The findings provide a foundation for breeding programs to improve drought tolerance and conservation strategies to protect Kazakhstan’s unique arid ecosystems. Full article

Two new Cu(II) (CP1) and Co(II) (CP2) coordination polymers (CPs) with the triazole ligand 5-methyl-1-(pyridin-4-yl-methyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxylate (L1) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by SCXRD (Single Crystal X-Ray Difraccion), PXRD (Power X-Ray Difracction), FT-IR (Fourier Transform Infrared), TG (Theermo Gravimetric), and electrochemical techniques. Both CPs were obtained at the water/n-butanol interface by reacting nitrate salts of each metal with the NaL1 ligand. SCXRD analysis revealed that CP1 (Coordination Polymer 1) and CP2 (Coordination Polymer 2) crystallize in the monoclinic space groups C2/c (No. 15) and P2₁/n (No. 14), respectively, forming 1D zigzag chain structures, which further lead to a 2D supramolecular network through O-H⋯O and C-H⋯O hydrogen bond interactions, respectively. In CP1, the supramolecular structure is assembled by hydrogen bonds involving water molecules. In contrast, CP2 forms its supramolecular network mainly through hydrogen bonds between adjacent triazole ligand molecules. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that the most significant contributions to the crystal packing come from H⋯O/O⋯H, H⋯H, H⋯N/N⋯H, and H⋯C/C⋯H interactions. In addition, FT-IR provided information on the functional groups involved in the coordination, while the decomposition patterns of both CPs were evaluated by TGA. Electrochemical studies conducted in a saline environment showed that CP1 exhibits superior hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics compared to CP2, as evidenced by a higher exchange current density and a lower Tafel slope. Density functional theory calculations and experimental bandgap measurements provided a deeper understanding of the electronic properties influencing the electrochemical behavior. The results highlight the potential of CP1 as an efficient catalyst for HER under saline conditions. Full article