Search Results (871)

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is a highly infectious pathogen capable of invading diverse cell types, from alveolar macrophages to trophoblasts. Within host cells, it establishes a replicative niche named Coxiella-containing vacuole (CCV). This is driven by effector proteins secreted by the bacterium into the host cell cytoplasm via a Type 4b Secretion System (T4SS). Advances in axenic culture and mutagenesis allowed the characterization of Coxiella effector proteins, revealing their host targets and strategies of cellular subversion. This review highlights recent insights into Coxiella effector proteins and their manipulation of host processes, from vesicular trafficking to innate immunity. Full article

The leaves and stems of Bauhinia guianensis Aubl. are used in traditional Amazonian phytotherapy for the treatment of pain and inflammation. This study investigates the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive effects of hydroethanolic extracts from B. guianensis Aubl. leaves and stems (HELBg and HESBg, respectively) in vivo models of inflammation and hyperalgesia. Danio rerio experimental animals were submitted to the acute inflammation test, induced by intraperitoneal (ip.) administration of carrageenan 20 μg/animal (abdominal edema); the groups were previously treated orally with saline solution 2 μL/animal (SS), dimethyl sulfoxide 2 μL/animal (DMSO), indomethacin 10 mg/kg, HELBg 100 mg/kg and HESBg 100 mg/kg, n = 12 per experimental group to evaluate the inhibition of edema and alteration histopathology of the liver, intestine and kidney of these animals. The antinociceptive effect was observed from the body curvature index and the behavioral responses of Danio rerio, after an experimental protocol for the induction of hyperalgesia, by ip. administration of 10 μL/animal of 2.5% acetic acid; the animals were orally treated orally with saline solution 2 μL/animal (SS), dimethyl sulfoxide 2 μL/animal (DMSO), morphine 2.5 mg/kg, HELBg 100 mg/kg and HESBg 100 mg/kg, and n = 5 per experimental group. In carrageenan-induced edema, the group treated with HESBg inhibited edema formation over the 3 h of the experiment. Maximum edema was inhibited by 54% (p < 0.05) when compared to the control group. Both HELBg and HESBg prevented body curvature index changes (t_(df=3,8) = 6.96 and t_(df=3,8) = 6.61, respectively, both p < 0.0001). In the behavioral parameters sensitive to antinociceptive pharmacological modulation, due to the abdominal constriction induced by acetic acid, the administration of HELBg and HESBg resulted in an improvement in swimming activity, with the following results: increase in distance covered (F_(df=3,16) = 6.50 and F_(df=3,16) = 7.72, respectively, both p < 0.0001), decrease in freezing time (F_(df=3,16) = 2.04 and F_(df=3,16) = 1.28, respectively, both p < 0.0059), increase in the number of ascents to the upper area of the tank (F_(df=3,16) = 33.02 and F_(df=3,16) = 35.62, respectively, both p < 0.0009) and decreased time spent in that area (F_(df=3,16) = 101.19 and F_(df=3,16) = 103.59, respectively, both p < 0.0038). It is reasonable to suppose that both extracts modulated the variations induced by carrageenan and acetic acid through the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis, thereby decreasing the release of inflammatory mediators, the sensitization of peripheral nociceptors, and, consequently, the perception of pain. These results suggest that HELBg and HESBg have anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, likely of peripheral origin and associated with the inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Full article

Antibiotic resistance is one of the major threats to public health in the twenty-first century. In this line of work, plants represent a priceless source of antimicrobial compounds since they house chemically different metabolites with a wide range of therapeutic applications. This study reports the bioactivity-guided fractionation, characterization, and evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial compounds from leaf acetone extracts of the traditional medicinal plant Terminalia catappa against bacterial clinical isolates and dermatophytes. The acetone extract of T. catappa was subjected to column chromatography for the separation and purification of the phytocompounds. The fractions were analyzed using a thin-layer chromatography–bioautography assay to detect the antimicrobial potency of the eluted compounds. The efficacy of the antimicrobial compounds was evaluated by the minimum inhibitory concentration, minimum bactericidal concentration, and minimum fungicidal concentration. Spectral characterization and structure elucidation of the compound were also achieved. The leaf acetone extract, when subjected to gradient elution by column chromatography, resulted in eight fractions. The fraction Fr-2 was subjected to thin-layer chromatographic elution, which resulted in the elution of phytocompound with Rf value of 0.50 and the phytocompound exhibited antimicrobial activity in the TLC–bioautography assay, and it was isolated in pure form and confirmed as Apigenin 7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside. The compound exhibited significant inhibition of the clinical isolate Staphylococcus aureus and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 1503 at 9.5 µg/mL. Dermatophytes, viz., Microsporum gypseum and Microsporum canis, were inhibited at 312 µg/mL. The present study successfully achieved the bioactivity-guided isolation and characterization of the flavone compound Apigenin 7-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside from T. catappa. Furthermore, the plant T. catappa represents a promising candidate for the exploration of antimicrobial compounds that could serve as potential plant-derived lead molecules for antimicrobial agents. Full article

Selenium is an important trace element with certain antioxidant effects. Nano-selenium, as a novel selenium source, has the advantages of strong biological activity, high absorption efficiency, and low toxicity. The aim of the present study was to compare the protective effects of sodium selenite and nano-selenium on intestinal oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in mice. A total of 60 female mice were randomly divided into 6 groups with 10 replicates per group and 1 mouse per replicate (n = 10). The first three groups were as follows: the Control group (C), fed with basal diet; the sodium selenite group (SS), basal diet + 0.3 mg·kg⁻¹ sodium selenite; and the nano-selenium group (NS), basal diet + 0.3 mg·kg⁻¹ nano-selenium. The latter three groups (CH, SSH, NSH) were fed the same diet as the former three groups, but the last 10 days of the experiment were fed with drinking water containing 0.3% H₂O₂ to induce oxidative stress. The results showed that under normal conditions, the supplementation with sodium selenite or nano-selenium decreased the spleen index of mice; sodium selenate up-regulates GPX3 expression in the ileum, and increases T-SOD in the colon of mice; and nano-selenium up-regulated GPX1 expression but decreased T-AOC in the jejunum. After drinking water treated with H₂O₂, H₂O₂ increased the expression of intestinal inflammatory factors and selenium proteins, such as IL-1β and SOD in jejunum, IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-10, TXNRD1, TXNRD2, GPX1, GPX3, GPX4, and CAT in ileum, and IL-1β and SOD in colon. At the antioxidant level, H₂O₂ decreased T-AOC in the jejunum. In the H₂O₂ treatment, sodium selenite and nano-selenium increased the ratio of VH to CD (VH/CD) in jejunum; sodium selenite up-regulated the expression of TXNRD1 in jejunum, down-regulated the expression of GPX3 in ileum, at the antioxidant level, decreased the T-SOD and T-AOC in colon, and increased the content of MDA in ileum; and nano-selenium down-regulated the expression of TXNRD1 in colon. At the same time, the expression of IL-1β, NF-κB, IL-10, TXNRD1, TXNRD2, GPX1, GPX4, and CAT can be restored to normal levels by selenium supplementation. According to the results, drinking H₂O₂ induced intestinal oxidative stress in mice to a certain extent, and selenium supplementation mitigated the destructive effect of H₂O₂ on the intestinal morphology of mice jejunum and restored the level of related inflammatory factors, and had a positive effect on antioxidants. Full article

This article presents an overview of selected research focusing on digital real-time simulation (DRTS) in the context of digital twin (DT) realization with the primary aim of enabling the intelligent fault diagnosis (FD) and condition-based monitoring (CBM) of electrical machines. The concept of standalone DTs in conventional multiphysics digital offline simulations (DoSs) is widely utilized during the conceptualization and development phases of electrical machine manufacturing and processing, particularly for virtual testing under both standard and extreme operating conditions, as well as for aging assessments and lifecycle analysis. Recent advancements in data communication and information technologies, including virtual reality, cloud computing, parallel processing, machine learning, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT), have facilitated the creation of real-time DTs based on physics-based (PHYB), circuit-oriented lumped-parameter (COLP), and data-driven approaches, as well as physics-informed machine learning (PIML), which is a combination of these models. These models are distinguished by their ability to enable real-time bidirectional data exchange with physical electrical machines. This article proposes a predictive-level framework with a particular emphasis on real-time multiphysics modeling to enhance the efficiency of the FD and CBM of electrical machines, which play a crucial role in various industrial applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cholera remains a significant global health challenge. Shanchol (ShantaBiotech, India), one of the WHO prequalified Oral Cholera Vaccines (OCVs) available until recently, has been used to immunize people as a two-dose regimen (14 days apart, on day 0 and 14). However, growing evidence suggests that a single-dose strategy may mediate short-term protection, especially in those over 5 years of age. Hence, it is crucial to design a suitable and effective administration scheme for Shanchol, particularly in cholera-endemic regions. Methods: In this study, adult volunteers were vaccinated with either a single dose, a two-dose regimen with a 14-day interval, or a two-dose regiment with a 30-day interval. We studied the antigen-specific helper memory (CD4+CD45RO+) and cytotoxic memory (CD8+CD45RO+) T cells responses of vaccinees along with the specific mucosal immune responses to gut-homing ß7 lipopolysaccharides (LPSs). Results: By day 7 post-vaccination, Shanchol induced robust helper and cytotoxic memory T cell responses to V. cholerae membrane protein (AKI-MP) following a single dose of vaccination. In the two-dose groups, we observed a significant elevation of AKI-MP-specific responses after the 2nd dose. We found that circulatory gut homing (β7+) LPS-specific IgA responses of antibody-secreting cells (ASCs) peaked at D7 among all vaccine groups. Moreover, we observed that β7+ LPS-specific ASCs at D7 significantly correlated with the LPS-specific antibody titer in plasma. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a single dose of OCV in adults induces immune responses comparable to a two-dose regimen, suggesting a single-dose vaccination may be adequate to mediate protection against cholera in cholera endemic zones—especially in reactive campaigns. Full article

The aim of this study was to explore the decomposition characteristics of Tamarix chinensis litter and its soil-improving capacity under different salinities. Four treatments were designed: a control (CK) treatment without saline water injection and three treatments encompassing slightly (SS, 0.4% soil salinity), moderately (SM, 0.8%), and highly saline (SH, 1.2%) conditions. T. chinensis litter at three degrees of decomposition (undecomposed, semidecomposed, and already decomposed) was studied. After 180 days, the litter substrate quality, 0–10 cm soil physicochemical properties, and enzyme activities were measured. Correlation analysis and structural equation modeling were employed to elucidate the interactions and response patterns among soil salinity, the decomposition characteristics of T. chinensis litter, and the physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of surface soil. The results revealed the following: (1) With increasing soil salinity, the contents of litter lignin, cellulose, total carbon and nitrogen residues first decreased but then increased, reaching minima under SM, whereas the content of hemicellulose residue exhibited the opposite trend. With increasing degree of litter decomposition, the contents of lignin and cellulose residues decreased, whereas the contents of hemicellulose, total nitrogen and phosphorus residues increased. (2) With increasing soil salinity, the soil water content, organic matter content, total nitrogen content, and activity of several enzymes increased, peaking under SH. The pH performance followed the order of SS > SM > CK > SH. The total carbon and phosphorus contents first increased but then decreased, with a maximum under SS. The activity of N-acetylamino glucosidase first decreased but then increased and was greatest at moderate and high salinities. (3) The soil water content and level of enzyme activity were significantly correlated with the litter substrate quality. Salinity negatively affected litter substrate residues but positively affected soil physicochemical properties. Litter decomposition under different soil salinities indirectly influenced soil enzymes by affecting soil properties, whereas salinity modulated soil properties directly or through litter decomposition. T. chinensis litter decomposition notably increased enzyme activity in moderate- to high-salinity alkali coastal soils, offering insights for low-efficiency T. chinensis forest management and saline–alkali soil remediation in the Yellow River Delta. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early recovery of urinary continence and sexual function remains a key focus following radical prostatectomy. The transvesical single-port robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (SP-TV-RARP) approach is a novel technique with very limited evidence that has been suggested to preserve the Retzius space and allow extraperitoneal access through the bladder. We aimed to evaluate early functional and oncologic outcomes following SP-TV-RARP at a single academic institution. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 21 patients who underwent SP-TV-RARP by a single surgeon between September 2024 and May 2025. Continence is defined as being pad-free, and return of erectile function is defined as having erections sufficient for penetration. Functional and oncologic outcomes were assessed using clinical follow-up documentation and analyzed with Kaplan–Meier analysis. Results: The median patient age was 65 years, and 52.4% had pT3 disease. Positive surgical margins were observed in 62% overall and 30% in men with organ-confined disease. No intraoperative or 30-day postoperative complications occurred. Approximately 43% of patients achieved continence within one day of urethral catheter removal, with 75% of patients being pad-free at 3 months. Median SHIM and AUA-SS scores did not significantly decline at 3 months compared to baseline. The median time to recovery of erectile function was 69 days, and 67% recovered at the last follow-up. Biochemical recurrence occurred in 2 patients (15.4%) within 6 months. Conclusions: SP-TV-RARP appears safe and may facilitate early return of urinary continence and erectile function. Although inferior oncologic outcome is a potential concern during early adoption, functional outcomes were favorable. Further prospective evaluation is warranted to confirm long-term oncologic efficacy. Full article

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a clinically significant pathogen with high antibiotic resistance, necessitating rapid and reliable diagnostic methods. In this study, we developed a whole-cell aptamer selection method for P. aeruginosa using an Eppendorf-tube-based SELEX system, where bacterial cells were directly incubated with an ssDNA library. This configuration enhanced the recovery of bound aptamers and overcame the cell quantity limitations often encountered in microtiter-plate-based SELEX. After 10 selection rounds, six aptamer candidates were obtained and evaluated for affinity. Molecular docking analysis revealed that aptamer T1 possessed the highest target selectivity. To demonstrate diagnostic applicability, aptamer T1 was integrated into a hybrid lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA), replacing the conventional detection antibody. In this format, the AuNP–aptamer complex bound to the target bacteria and was captured by a specific antibody immobilized on the test line. The LFIA achieved a visual detection limit of 2.34 × 10² CFU/mL within 15 min, showing high specificity and suitability for point-of-care applications. This study presents the first demonstration of an aptamer–antibody hybrid LFIA for bacterial detection and highlights the potential of aptamers as low-cost, rapidly synthesized recognition elements adaptable for the detection of other infectious agents. Full article

Urban areas face escalating hydrological risks due to climate change, urban sprawl, and aging stormwater infrastructures. In this context, Nature-Based Solutions (NbSs), especially Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDSs), have emerged as viable strategies to enhance water resilience and sustainability. However, the literature still lacks standardized and scalable methodologies for their design and performance monitoring. This study conducts a systematic review following the PRISMA protocol, combined with bibliometric and co-occurrence analyses, to identify prevailing approaches in the sizing and monitoring of NbS-based SUDSs. Based on the peer-reviewed literature indexed in Scopus and Web of Science from 2020 to 2024, the findings reveal an increasing integration of hydrological modeling with artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and IoT-based real-time monitoring. Despite this progress, challenges remain in methodology validation, data availability, and system adaptability. The review underscores the need for hybrid, context-sensitive frameworks that integrate empirical and simulated data to support decision-making in urban drainage planning and management. Full article

Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs), including cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (CTCL) and primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (PCBCL), are a diverse group of non-Hodgkin lymphomas that primarily affect the skin. Radiotherapy (RT) plays a pivotal role in the treatment of these lymphomas, particularly for localized disease, due to its ability to deliver precise, skin-directed treatment. Mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS), the most common subtypes of CTCL, often require skin-directed therapies such as electron beam therapy and superficial brachytherapy to manage localized lesions. Electron beam therapy, including total skin electron beam therapy (TSEBT), has been utilized for decades, offering high response rates but with the risk of cumulative skin toxicity. Recently, low-dose radiotherapy (LDRT) has gained attention as an effective alternative that reduces toxicity while maintaining durable responses. Superficial brachytherapy is another modality that delivers radiation through custom molds, allowing for homogeneous dosing over complex anatomical areas like the face. Both teleradiotherapy and brachytherapy have demonstrated high complete response rates, with low recurrence rates observed when higher doses are used. In the context of primary cutaneous B-cell lymphomas, such as primary cutaneous marginal zone lymphoma (PCMZL) and primary cutaneous follicle center lymphoma (PCFCL), radiotherapy also offers excellent local control, particularly for indolent subtypes. However, more aggressive subtypes, such as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL-LT), may require systemic therapies in addition to radiation. Overall, teleradiotherapy and brachytherapy are essential components of the therapeutic arsenal for primary cutaneous lymphomas, offering effective disease control with manageable toxicity, while ongoing research focuses on optimizing treatment strategies and exploring novel combinations with systemic therapies. Full article

This study investigated the effects of light intensity regulation on yield and energy efficiency during potato pre-basic seed propagation in plant factories. Using virus-free ‘Favorita’ potato seedlings as experimental material, gradient light intensities (200, 300, and 400 μmol·m²·s⁻¹) were applied at four developmental stages: the seedling stage (SS), tuber formation stage (TFS), tuber growth stage (TGS), and harvest stage (HS), to explore the physiological mechanisms of stage-specific light intensity regulation and energy utilization efficiency. The results revealed that: (1) The per-plant tuber yield of the high yield group reached 72.91 g (T59 treatment), representing a 25% increase compared to the medium yield group and a 168% increase compared to the low yield group. Additionally, the high yield group exhibited superior leaf area, photosynthetic rate, and accumulation of sucrose and starch. (2) The impact of light intensity on tuber development exhibited stage specificity: low light intensity (200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during TFS promoted early tuber initiation, while a high light intensity (400 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) enhanced tuber formation efficiency. Increasing the light intensity during TGS facilitated the accumulation of sucrose and starch in tubers. (3) Energy use efficiency (EUE) increased significantly with yield, with the high yield group reaching 3.2 g MJ⁻¹, representing 52% and 88% improvements over the medium yield (2.1 g MJ⁻¹) and low yield (1.7 g MJ⁻¹) groups, respectively. A “stage-specific precision light supplementation” strategy was proposed, involving moderate light reduction (200 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during TFS and light enhancement (300 μmol·m⁻²·s⁻¹) during TGS to coordinate source-sink relationships and optimize carbohydrate metabolism. This study provides a theoretical basis for efficient potato production in plant factories. Full article

DprA (also known as Smf) is a conserved RecA mediator originally characterized by its role in natural chromosomal transformation, yet its widespread presence across bacteria hints at broader DNA metabolic functions. Here, we demonstrate that Bacillus subtilis DprA enhances the frequency of Escherichia coli Hfr conjugation in vivo. In vitro, RecA·ATP binds and cooperatively polymerizes in a 50-nucleotide (nt) polydeoxy T (dT)₅₀ ssDNA to form dynamic filaments that SSB inhibits, an effect fully reversed by Bacillus subtilis DprA. Escherichia coli RecA bound to (dT)₂₁ exhibits minimal dATPase activity, but the addition of B. subtilis DprA significantly stimulates RecA dATP hydrolysis. B. subtilis RecA·dATP readily assembles on (dT)₂₀ complexes, and DprA allosterically activates RecA on even shorter (dT)₁₅ substrates. Combining biochemical assays with a fully atomic model of the RecA–DprA–ssDNA complex, we proposed that only one DNA binding site of the DprA dimer engages the ssDNA during RecA loading, owing to steric constraints. This work refines the mechanism of DprA-mediated RecA nucleation and defines the minimal ssDNA footprint required for mediator activity. Full article

Sweet syndrome (SS) is a rare neutrophilic dermatosis often associated with hematologic malignancies, particularly myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs). We report a case of SS-like dermatosis in a patient with MDS who subsequently developed peripheral T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). We review the literature on Sweet syndrome to contextualize this atypical presentation Methods: We present a case report of a 77-year-old male with leukopenia and known MDS, admitted for a persistent, infiltrated erythematous eruption. The patient underwent repeated dermatologic assessments, and serial skin and bone marrow biopsies with histopathologic and immunohistochemical analysis. A literature review was also conducted, focusing on SS in association with hematologic malignancies, including T-cell NHL. Results: Initial skin biopsies were inconclusive, and SS was diagnosed clinically based on lesion morphology and a prompt response to corticosteroids, despite the absence of definitive neutrophilic infiltrates. During follow-up, the patient’s condition progressed with worsening cytopenias and recurrent febrile episodes. Repeat biopsies eventually confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral T-cell NHL with secondary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Conclusions: This case illustrates the diagnostic uncertainty of SS-like eruptions in hematologic patients when histopathological findings are atypical or absent. Corticosteroid responsiveness may guide early diagnosis. Full article

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapy has changed the landscape of B cell hematological malignancies’ management, while it has recently shown promising results in the treatment of refractory autoimmune rheumatic disorders (ARDs). Targeting B cell antigens such as CD19 and BCMA, CAR-T cell therapy can induce sustained remission by the elimination of autoreactive B cell populations resistant to the standard of care treatment options. Clinical data from case reports and small case series demonstrate profound clinical responses in ARDs, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), and primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). Treatment outcomes include reduced disease activity, normalization of serologic markers, improved organ function, and drug-free remission, even after B cell reconstitution. Additionally, toxicities, primarily limited to mild cytokine release syndrome (CRS), were generally manageable with supportive care. Encouraging preliminary results have led to the development of several ongoing clinical trials investigating CAR-T cell therapy across multiple ARDs and patient populations, including pediatric patients. This review summarizes the current clinical experience and provides a comprehensive overview of ongoing clinical trials exploring CAR-T cell immunotherapy for ARDs. Full article