Search Results (449)

Insect establishment and dispersal are often influenced by temperature, with gut microbiota playing a critical role in host adaptation to environmental stress. This study investigated how gut bacterial structure and function in the invasive red-haired bark beetle (RHB), Hylurgus ligniperda (Fabricius) respond to temperature fluctuations, focusing on three core culturable bacteria: Rahnella perminowiae, Serratia marcescens, and Hafnia psychrotolerans. We found that temperature variations induced specific structural changes in the gut bacterial community, which in turn affected key functional processes such as carbohydrate metabolism. Notably, the relative abundance of Rahnella increased by more than 10% during the cold period (CP), and it maintained stable production of proteases and lipases under low temperatures—a trait that may be crucial for supporting host development in cold environments. Feeding on the diet converted by R. perminowiae at 5 °C resulted in a 20.9-day reduction in pupation time and a 1.8-fold increase in adult body mass compared to the blank control group, respectively. We propose that temperature remodels the gut microbiota by modulating competitive relationships among functional bacteria. This regulatory mechanism, based on functional redundancy and dynamic balance, serves as a buffer strategy that aids insect adaptation to temperature changes. Our findings provide new insights and a theoretical foundation for understanding pest outbreak patterns under climate warming and developing microbe-targeted control strategies. Full article

Keratin is a fibrous structural protein found in various natural materials such as hair, feathers, and nails. Its high stability and cross-linked structure make it resistant to degradation by common proteases, leading to the accumulation of keratinous waste in various industries. In this study, we developed and validated an effective bioinformatics-driven strategy for mining novel keratinase genes from the Esmatlas (ESM Metagenomic Atlas) macrogenomic database. Two candidate genes, ker820 and ker907, were identified through sequence alignment, structural modeling, and phylogenetic analysis, and were subsequently heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) with the assistance of a solubility-enhancing chaperone system. Both enzymes belong to the Peptidase S8 family. Enzymatic characterization revealed that GST-tagged ker820 and ker907 exhibited strong keratinolytic activity, with optimal conditions at pH 9.0 and temperatures of 60 °C and 50 °C, respectively. Both enzymes showed significant degradation of feather and cat-hair keratin. Kinetic analysis showed favorable catalytic parameters, including $K_m$ values of 9.81 mg/mL (ker820) and 5.25 mg/mL (ker907), and $V_{max}$ values of 120.99 U/mg (ker820) and 89.52 U/mg (ker907). Stability tests indicated that GST-ker820 retained 70% activity at 60 °C for 120 min, while both enzymes remained stable at 4 °C for up to 10 days. These results demonstrate the high catalytic capacity, thermal stability, and substrate specificity of the enzymes, supporting their classification as active keratinases. This study introduces a promising strategy for efficiently discovering novel functional enzymes using an integrated computational and experimental approach. Beyond keratinases, this methodology could be extended to screen for enzymes with potential applications in environmental remediation. Full article

Forensic DNA phenotyping (FDP) is an important innovation approach in forensics sciences, especially when traditional DNA profiling results are limited, mostly due to the absence of reference samples. FDP is based on the detection of genetic variants in specific genes whose function is related to pigmentation mechanisms and uses the genotypes found in the sample to determine the externally visible traits (EVT) such as the iris, hair, and skin tone or color of the individual; this prediction would help and expedite human identification processes and solve criminal cases. Several technologies have been developed to facilitate EVT prediction; however, most of them have been validated only in European populations. Implementing techniques for FDP in Latin American countries is essential given the problems of disappearance and human identification that have persisted for years. Nonetheless, scientists have a great challenge due to the admixed genetic structure of the population. This review explores the current application of FDP, emphasizing its significance, practical uses, and limitations within Latin American populations. Full article

Alopecia areata (AA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by non-scarring hair loss, with subtypes ranging from patchy alopecia (AAP) to alopecia totalis and universalis (AT/AU). The aim of this research is to investigate molecular features across AA severity by performing an integrated analysis of scalp transcriptomic datasets (GSE148346, GSE68801, GSE45512, GSE111061) and matched serum proteomic data from GSE148346. Differential expression analysis indicated that, relative to normal scalp, non-lesional AA tissue shows early immune activation—including Type 1 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 9 (CXCL9), CXCL10, CD8a molecule (CD8A), C-C motif chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5)) and Type 2 (CCL13, CCL18) signatures—together with reduced expression of hair-follicle structural genes (keratin 32(KRT32)–35, homeobox C13 (HOXC13)) (FDR < 0.05, |fold change| > 1.5). Lesional AAP and AT/AU scalp showed stronger pro-inflammatory upregulation and greater loss of keratins and keratin-associated proteins (KRT81, KRT83, desmoglein 4 (DSG4), KRTAP12/15) compared with non-lesional scalp (FDR < 0.05, |fold change| > 1.5). Ferroptosis-associated genes (cAMP responsive element binding protein 5 (CREB5), solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1), (lipocalin 2) LCN2, SLC7A11) and IRS (inner root sheath) differentiation genes (KRT25, KRT27, KRT28, KRT71–KRT75, KRT81, KRT83, KRT85–86, trichohyalin (TCHH)) were consistently repressed across subtypes, with the strongest reductions in AT/AU lesions versus AAP lesions, suggesting that oxidative-stress pathways and follicular structural integrity may contribute to subtype-specific pathology. Pathway analysis of lesional versus non-lesional scalp highlighted enrichment of IFN-α/γ, cytotoxic, and IL-15 signaling. Serum proteomic profiling, contrasting AA vs. healthy controls, corroborated scalp findings, revealing parallel alterations in immune-related proteins (CXCL9–CXCL10, CD163, interleukin-16 (IL16)) and structural markers (angiopoietin 1 (ANGPT1), decorin (DCN), chitinase-3-like protein 1 (CHI3L1)) across AA subtypes. Together, these data offer an integrated view of immune, oxidative, and structural changes in AA and found ferroptosis-related and IRS genes, along with immune signatures, as potential molecular indicators to support future studies on disease subtypes and therapeutic strategies. Full article

Background: Self-medication (SM) among women during pregnancy poses a critical risk to maternal health, and SM is still commonly practiced in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aims to assess the factors, attitudes, and prevalence of SM among pregnant women in the Ministry of Health (MOH) First Health Cluster. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used among 400 pregnant women who received care at primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare levels. A structured tool was adopted and modified based on the literature review, expert and focus group interviews, and the experiences of the target participants. The dependent variables included history of illness, access to healthcare services, medication usage, and perception of SM, while the independent variables included socioeconomic status. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 25 was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence of SM was 36.5%. Cough syrup and antipyretics were the most commonly used medications, while hair problems and weight loss were the most frequently reported reasons for SM. The primary sources of information guiding SM behavior were prior prescriptions and previous experience. Education level, occupation, age, number of pregnancies, and miscarriage history were all significantly associated with SM (p < 0.05). Conclusions: SM was found to be frequent among pregnant women in the First Health Cluster, highlighting the need for educational interventions and regulatory measures to reduce unsafe practices and improve maternal health. Full article

The keratin-associated proteins (KAPs) are a class of wool proteins. They form a matrix that cross-links the wool intermediate filament keratins. The KAPs are thought to affect wool fibre structure and properties and have been associated with variation in wool fibre traits. There are many KAP genes in sheep, but not all have been identified. Recently a second member of the KAP22 gene family, KRTAP22-2, was identified in goats, and variation in this caprine gene was associated with cashmere fibre traits. In this study, we identified ovine KRTAP22-2. To ascertain the extent of variation in KRTAP22-2, sheep from eight breeds were investigated using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by single-strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis. This revealed two unique banding patterns, which upon sequencing gave two novel DNA sequences. These differed by two single nucleotide polymorphisms in the coding region. Three genotypes of the novel KRTAP22-2 sequences were observed in the eight sheep breeds studied. The ovine KRTAP22-2 variant sequences were similar to a goat KRTAP22-2 variant, but a search of ovine expressed sequence tags revealed no matching mRNA sequences in the ovine databases. In a second part of the study, no association was found between the KRTAP22-2 genotypes and mean fibre diameter, fibre diameter standard deviation, coefficient of variation in fibre diameter, and mean fibre curvature, for either the fine wool or heterotypic hair fibres of 255 Chinese Tan lambs. These results suggests that sheep have a KRTAP22-2 gene, but that there may be species-specific differences in the gene’s expression or function. The gene may not affect wool traits in the way that it appears to in goats. Full article

Background: Hearing loss results from diverse biological insults along the auditory pathway, including sensory hair cell death, neural degeneration, and central auditory processing deficits. Implantable auditory neuroprostheses, such as cochlear and brainstem implants, aim to restore hearing by directly stimulating neural structures. Advances in neurobiology and device technology underpin the development of more sophisticated implants tailored to the biological complexity of auditory dysfunction. Aim: This narrative review of reviews aims to map the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in auditory neuroprosthetics, analyzing recent research trends, key thematic areas, and the opportunities and challenges of AI-enhanced devices. By synthesizing biological and computational perspectives, it seeks to guide future interdisciplinary efforts toward more adaptive and biologically informed hearing restoration solutions. Methods: This narrative review analyzed recent literature reviews from PubMed and Scopus (last 5 years), focusing on AI integration with auditory neuroprosthetics and related biological processes. Emphasis was placed on studies linking AI innovations to neural plasticity and device–nerve interactions, excluding purely computational works. The ANDJ (a standard narrative review checklist) checklist guided a transparent, rigorous narrative approach suited to this interdisciplinary, rapidly evolving field. Results and discussion: Eighteen recent review articles were analyzed, highlighting significant advancements in the integration of artificial intelligence with auditory neuroprosthetics, particularly cochlear implants. Established areas include predictive modeling, biologically inspired signal processing, and AI-assisted surgical planning, while emerging fields such as multisensory augmentation and remote care remain underexplored. Key limitations involve fragmented biological datasets, lack of standardized biomarkers, and regulatory challenges related to algorithm transparency and clinical application. This review emphasizes the urgent need for AI frameworks that deeply integrate biological and clinical insights, expanding focus beyond cochlear implants to other neuroprosthetic devices. To complement this overview, a targeted analysis of recent cutting-edge studies was also conducted, starting from the emerging gaps to capture the latest technological and biological innovations shaping the field. These findings guide future research toward more biologically meaningful, ethical, and clinically impactful solutions. Conclusions: This narrative review highlights progress in integrating AI with auditory neuroprosthetics, emphasizing the importance of biological foundations and interdisciplinary approaches. It also recognizes ongoing challenges such as data limitations and the need for clear ethical frameworks. Collaboration across fields is vital to foster innovation and improve patient care. Full article

Purpose: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common, chronic, non-cicatricial dermatological condition characterized by progressive miniaturization of hair follicles. Although AGA is a benign disorder, it has a considerable impact on patients’ quality of life and psychological health. The current treatment options often demonstrate limited efficacy and are frequently associated with undesirable side effects. This study aimed to co-mill two natural compounds, quercetin (QT) and glycyrrhizic acid (GL), to develop follicle-targeted nanocrystals (NCs), thereby enhancing local accumulation, improving the pathological follicular microenvironment associated with AGA, and promoting hair regrowth. Methods: QT nanocrystals (QT-NCs) were fabricated using a top–down wet media milling technique with GL as a bioactive stabilizer. The resulting QT-NCs were characterized regarding their particle size, crystallinity, morphology, and stability. The skin permeation properties of the QT-NCs were further evaluated in vitro, and their therapeutic efficacy was assessed in a dihydrotestosterone (DHT)-induced AGA mouse model. Results: The QT-NCs exhibited an irregular structure with a particle size ranging from 200 to 300 nm, demonstrating uniform dimensions and excellent storage stability. In vitro permeation studies revealed a 2.27-fold increase in cumulative penetration and a 2.47-fold enhancement in skin retention compared to raw QT. In the DHT-induced AGA mouse model, QT-NCs significantly reduced local DHT levels while concurrently modulating the follicular microenvironment, resulting in markedly improved therapeutic outcomes. Notably, when co-administered, QT and GL demonstrated synergistic pharmacological effects, suggesting potential combinatory benefits. Conclusions: This study presents the first demonstration of QT-NCs for AGA treatment, establishing a novel therapeutic strategy with substantial potential for clinical translation. Full article

The genus Manglietia Blume is an important group of Magnoliaceae that has high economic and ornamental value. Owing to the small morphological differences among most Manglietia species and the limited sample sizes in previous molecular-level studies, its infrageneric classification remains unclear, and interspecific relationships for some species are still contentious. Clarifying the phylogenetic relationships within the genus Manglietia is crucial for species classification, genetic diversity assessment, and evolutionary developmental studies. This study sequenced, assembled, and annotated the chloroplast (cp) genomes of Manglietia guangnanica, Manglietia hookeri, and Manglietia longirostrata. The results indicated that these cp genomes are canonical quadripartite structures with total lengths of 160,067 bp, 160,067 bp, and 160,076 bp, respectively. All three cp genomes were annotated with 133 genes, comprising 88 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNAs, and 8 rRNAs. A total of 31, 30, and 30 dispersed repeats and 53, 53, and 56 SSRs were detected, respectively. ENC plot, neutrality plot, and PR2 plot analyses indicated that codon usage bias was influenced primarily by natural selection. Nucleotide diversity analysis revealed 8 highly variable regions in the cp genomes, among which petA-psbJ, rpl32-trnL, and ccsA-ndhD are recommended as candidate molecular markers for Manglietia species. Phylogenetic analysis revealed four highly supported clades: Clade I (18 species), Clade II (M. decidua only), Clade III (9 species), and Clade IV (M. caveana only). Among these clades, Clade IV is a newly discovered monotypic clade in this study, which differs from the results of all previous studies. Further investigations of Clades I and III, which include multiple Manglietia species, revealed that the presence or absence of hairs on Twigs, Stipules, and the abaxial surface of the leaf are important morphological characteristics for distinguishing species between these two clades. Furthermore, the results revealed that M. guangnanica and M. calcarea are two distinct species, and the treatment of M. longirostrata as a variety of M. hookeri was not supported by our study. This study enriches the cp genome data of Manglietia, provides new insights into infrageneric classification, and lays a foundation for further phylogenetic and evolutionary studies of Manglietia. Full article

Silicon (Si) plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural integrity of nails, skin, and hair by supporting collagen synthesis and keratin stability. Despite its recognized benefits, effective topical delivery methods remain underexplored. This study investigates a novel approach using a calcium silicate-based formulation designed to enhance silicon bioavailability. The research comprises two key components: an in vitro assessment of calcium silicate dissolution and ion release, and a 28-day, single-arm, clinical evaluation of its effects on nail thickness and strength. Ion release studies demonstrated stable dissolution with significant silicon and calcium release. In the clinical study, the mean nail thickness score increased from 1.50 ± 0.51 to 2.09 ± 0.53, corresponding to a 39% mean improvement and nail strength scores improved from 1.50 ± 0.51 to 2.45 ± 0.67, reflecting a 64% average increase over 28 days of application (p < 0.001). The findings support the potential of targeted silicon delivery systems in cosmetic applications, offering an alternative to traditional oral supplementation. Full article

The potent sensitizer PPD is considered a key sensitizer in hair dye contact allergy. Modification of its molecular structure to 2-methoxymethyl-p-phenylenediamine (ME-PPD) reduces its skin sensitizing potency. We investigated the usage, behavior, and tolerance profile of ME-PPD-containing professional hair color products in a specifically tailored proactive market surveillance program in hairdresser salons across 5 countries. Hairdressers completed record cards for their clients, which were evaluated at the end of the program. 497 individuals received in total 2461 hair color treatments with ME-PPD-containing hair color. Feedback on compatibility was provided for 194 individuals: 6 individuals reported intolerance reactions, which were assessed as likely allergic contact dermatitis (2), likely irritation (2), or were unassessable (2); none of these reactions were severe or serious. Mild discomfort was reported by 46 individuals, while 142 individuals explicitly reported good tolerance to the ME-PPD-containing hair color. A total of 27 individuals applied ME-PPD-containing hair color more than 15 times (long-term tolerability). The study confirms good tolerability of ME-PPD-containing hair color. This is consistent with the primary prevention benefit of ME-PPD in terms of significantly reduced risk of skin sensitization induction and the reduced severity of elicitation reactions for all hair dye users. Full article

Hearing is essential for animal survival and social communication, relying on the function of sensory hair cells. These cells possess organized stereocilia bundles enriched with mechano-electrical transduction (MET) channels that convert mechanical stimuli into electrical signals. Tip links, fine extracellular filaments connecting adjacent stereocilia, play a critical role in transmitting mechanical forces to MET channels. Over the past three decades, technological advances have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying auditory transduction. Zebrafish, with its conserved hair cell structure and function similar to mammals, has become a valuable model in auditory research. The aim of this review is to summarize the research progress on the molecular and cellular mechanisms of MET, tip link, and stereocilia complex, with an emphasis on zebrafish studies, providing an important reference for understanding diseases of the human auditory system. Full article

Ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation is a key environmental factor that limits plant growth and development. High UV-B intensity is a typical environmental feature in Turpan-Hami (Tuha) Basin in Xinjiang, China. In this study, the altitude-dependent UV-B adaptation strategies of plants in Tuha Basin were analyzed. Chlorophyll (Chl) and flavonoid (Fla) play an important role in absorbing UV-B radiation, scavenging free radicals, and maintaining photosynthetic performance under UV-B stress. Principal component analysis indicated that the total chlorophyll (Chl t), Chl a, Chl b, and Fla contents and the Chl a/Chl b ratio are important indicators for evaluating plant tolerance to UV-B. Noticeably, with increased altitudes, the roles of Chl b, Chl a/Chl b, and Fla become markedly significant. The characteristics of stomata, epidermal hair, and wax layer are closely correlated with the UV-B amount that reaches leaves. Epidermal hair density and cuticle thickness in leaves decreased with increased altitudes, whereas hydrogen oxide (H₂O₂) was significantly accumulated, but superoxide anion (O₂⁻) remained unchanged. High altitude significantly increased the stomatal apparatus area, density and specific leaf area. Moreover, plants without epidermal hair had a larger stomatal apparatus area compared with plants with epidermal hair. However, the presence or absence of epidermal hair had no effect on cuticle thickness, H₂O₂ and O₂⁻ levels. The carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and hydrogen (H) contents were high in plant leaves at high altitude, but the sulfur (S) content and C/N ratio were low. Taken together, plants in Tuha Basin could cope with UV-B radiation by synergistically regulating epidermal structures and synthesis of secondary metabolites. Meanwhile, these plants could further allocate and reconstruct organic elements to optimize their resource distribution in adaptation to UV-B radiation with different altitudes. Full article

With the rapid advancement of industrial intelligence, ensuring occupational safety has become an increasingly critical concern. Among the essential personal protective equipment (PPE), safety helmets play a vital role in preventing head injuries. There is a growing demand for real-time detection of helmet chinstrap wearing status during industrial operations. However, existing detection methods often encounter limitations such as user discomfort or potential privacy invasion. To overcome these challenges, this study proposes a non-intrusive approach for detecting the wearing state of helmet chinstraps, inspired by the mechanosensory hair arrays found on spider legs. The proposed method utilizes multiple MEMS inertial sensors to emulate the sensory functionality of spider leg hairs, thereby enabling efficient acquisition and analysis of helmet wearing states. Unlike conventional vibration-based detection techniques, posture signals reflect spatial structural characteristics; however, their integration from multiple sensors introduces increased signal complexity and background noise. To address this issue, an improved adaptive convolutional neural network (ICNN) integrated with a long short-term memory (LSTM) network is employed to classify the tightness levels of the helmet chinstrap using both single-sensor and multi-sensor data. Experimental validation was conducted based on data collected from 20 participants performing wall-climbing robot operation tasks. The results demonstrate that the proposed method achieves a high recognition accuracy of 96%. This research offers a practical, privacy-preserving, and highly effective solution for helmet-wearing status monitoring in industrial environments. Full article

This study contributes to the taxonomic research on the tribe Saperdini, focusing on two genera, Paraglenea Bates and Malloderma Lacordaire. A new species, Paraglenea dairanxingorum Lin, You & Wang, sp. nov., is described from Hunan and Hubei Provinces, China. The new species is distinguished by its purplish-blue scales and median long, whitish, erect hairs on whole body. The type specimens were collected primarily using a sweeping net in wooded mountains in Fangziyacun, Madiyixiang, Yuanling County, Huaihua City, Hunan Province, as well as in Wudangshan, Shiyan City, Hubei Province. Although it resembles Malloderma kuegleri Holzschuh, 2010 in hair and scale morphology, it differs in male claw structure, elytral apex and puncture density. Additionally, Paraglenea jianfenglingensis Hua, 1985 is newly combined as Malloderma jianfenglingense (Hua, 1985) comb. nov., with a new distribution record from Guangxi, China. Malloderma pascoei Lacordaire, 1872, is recorded from Myanmar for the first time. Detailed comparisons between P. dairanxingorum Lin, You & Wang, sp. nov. and Malloderma kuegleri Holzschuh, 2010; Malloderma jianfenglingense (Hua, 1985) comb. nov. and Malloderma pascoei Lacordaire, 1872, are provided. Full article