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Morphological and nutritional composition of Bauhinia thonningii pods and seeds in Northern Ethiopia
Candida tropicalis culture supernatants modulate Pseudomonas aeruginosa antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation
Abstract Polymicrobial infections involving Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) and Candida tropicalis (CT) majorly contribute to persistent infections resulting in challenges to effectively treat chronic wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs). We investigated the interactions between PA and CT, especially on the role of microbial metabolites in modulating biofilm formation, growth dynamics, antimicrobial susceptibility, and gene expression in co-habitants. Using clinical isolates from DFUs, we examined the effects of microbial supernatants on biofilm formation, microbial growth, and resistance to antibiotics and antifungals. Additionally, we assessed the expression of resistance genes ( aph(3’)-IIb and gyrA ) in PA in response to treatment with cell-free CT supernatant. Our findings revealed strain-specific interactions between PA and CT. Supernatants from high biofilm forming CT significantly affected biofilm formation and growth in PA, while PA supernatants universally suppressed CT growth. Notably, low biofilm forming strain of PA exhibited enhanced biofilm formation and growth when treated with supernatant from low biofilm forming CT, suggesting a cooperative interaction. Antimicrobial susceptibility assays demonstrated that CT supernatants modulated resistance to aminoglycosides and fluoroquinolones in PA, with aph(3’)-IIb and gyrA gene expression being significantly upregulated. Conversely, PA supernatants sensitized CT to antifungals, particularly amphotericin B and fluconazole. The results underscore the importance of understanding interspecific interactions in polymicrobial infections. Our results highlight the complex interplay between PA and CT, driven by microbial metabolites that influence biofilm formation, growth, and antimicrobial resistance and provides fresh insights into the mechanisms underlying PA - CT interactions and their implications for chronic wound management.
Design, synthesis, and multi-target evaluation of 4-phenyl quinoline-8-sulfonate thiosemicarbazones as potential anti-Alzheimer agents
Green manure-induced shifts in nematode communities associated with soil bacterial and fungal biomes
Advanced glycation end products exacerbate lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury with diabetes by promoting ferroptosis via AMP-activated protein kinase/acetyl-CoA carboxylase signaling
Abstract Diabetes increases susceptibility to acute lung injury (ALI), yet the mechanisms linking hyperglycemia to pulmonary damage remain incompletely understood. Here, we demonstrate advanced glycation end products (AGEs)—metabolic byproducts elevated in diabetes—as promoters of ferroptosis that contribute to ALI pathogenesis. Clinical analysis of 170 patients with sepsis-related ALI showed that diabetic individuals had heightened inflammation and reduced PaO₂/FiO₂ ratios. Bioinformatic analysis revealed overlapping ferroptosis-related gene signatures between DM and ALI. In lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mice with diabetes mellitus (DM), reducing AGEs levels attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration and pro-inflammatory cytokine production, decreased Fe²⁺ accumulation and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased the expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11). In vitro experiments suggested that AGEs exacerbate ferroptotic injury in LPS-treated bronchial epithelial (BEAS-2B) cells partly by suppressing AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) signaling, an effect mitigated by pharmacological AMPK activation. These findings support a potential mechanistic link between DM and ALI through AGEs-driven ferroptosis and raise the possibility that targeting the AMPK/ACC pathway could offer therapeutic benefit.
Influence of carbon free gaseous ammonia induction on combustion, performance and emissions in an agricultural diesel engine operated on dual fuel mode
Abstract The transition towards cleaner fuels is very important due to its potential to reduce greenhouse emissions and favor the decarbonized engine operation. Recently, Ammonia (NH 3 ) has emerged as a promising carbon-free energy carrier and alternative fuel, which can replace traditional fossil fuels. This study aims to showcase the procedure of using NH 3 as a primary fuel with 20% Jatropha biodiesel and 80% diesel, designated as JME20 as a pilot fuel in dual-fuel mode. Hence, a single-cylinder DI diesel engine was retrofitted to induct NH 3 into the intake manifold, whereas JME20 is being injected and sprayed into the engine cylinder to initiate the combustion. NH 3 was inducted at different proportions, such as 8, 10, 12, and 16 lpm, which are designated as DFX, DFX1, DFX2, and DFX3, respectively. Experimentation was carried out at different engine loading conditions, such as 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. At each load, the corresponding engine characteristics, namely combustion, performance, and emissions, were measured, compared with standard diesel fuel and given in the paper. Results reveal that a maximum of 24.3% NH 3 was replaced for the DFX3 test fuel at full load. Increasing NH 3 share will extend the delay period from 10.9°CA to 12.6°CA for 12 lpm (DFX2); and lengthen the combustion duration (CD) from 43.3°CA to 48.3°CA for the same fuel at full load. Moreover, the peak cylinder pressure increased from 55.4 bar to 58.6 bar, also a 6.7% rise in maximum heat release rate and 4.2% improvement in BTE at 12 lpm. A percentage increase in CO & HC emissions by about 54.3% and 51.8% respectively, than diesel at full load. These findings confirm that 12 lpm (DFX2) is the most balanced and optimum condition, validating NH 3 -JME20 as a promising strategy as a sustainable pathway for agricultural engines.
Serum prolactin level in male type 2 diabetes mellitus patients at the University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Northwest Ethiopia, 2024
Assessment of soybean cultivars’responses to diverse climatic conditions in Northern Poland in terms of yield and seed composition
Phosphatidylserine exposure on tolerogenic nanoparticle correlate with oral tolerance
Dynamic SG-SKRDX hybrid framework for precision weather forecasting and crop suitability in the Cauvery Delta
Evaluation of the impact of blast damage on tunnel surrounding rock induced by C-type cumulative tube cone angle
Abstract Over-excavation and under-excavation are common issues in tunnel construction using the drilling and blasting method. In some cases, traditional blasting techniques may fail to achieve the desired results. This study systematically investigates the blasting-induced damage effects of C-type cumulative tubes with varying cone angles in different grades of tunnel surrounding rock, aiming to mitigate over-excavation and under-excavation issues while enhancing construction efficiency. First, the working principles of cumulative charges and their mechanisms in rock penetration and fragmentation were systematically analyzed based on the fundamental theory of cumulative blasting. Subsequently, numerical models of single-hole cumulative blasting were developed for both III-level and IV-level surrounding rock conditions to examine the influence of cumulative cone angles on rock crack propagation. Finally, field validation tests were conducted at a tunnel construction site in Chamdo, Tibet. Results showed that a 65° cone angle provided the best performance in III-level rock, while a 55° angle worked best in IV-level rock. Compared to traditional methods, the cumulative charge method increased contour hole spacing by 12 ~ 18% and reduced construction costs by 23.5%. It also cut over-excavation by 58.3% and improved half-hole preservation by 41.7%, ensuring better excavation profile integrity and effectively addressing excavation issues.
Optimization of blasting for high-efficiency and low-damage drivage of large-section production drifts in block caving
Abstract Excavating large-section production drifts in block caving mines faces critical challenges regarding surrounding rock stability and drivage efficiency. To address these issues, this study optimizes full-face blasting parameters through coupled numerical simulations and industrial verification. The investigation focuses on the cavity formation mechanism of large-diameter burn cuts and the damage evolution characteristics during full-face blasting. Simulation results indicate that a four-uncharged-hole cut design creates a symmetrical and regular free surface, effectively balancing blasting performance and economic efficiency. Furthermore, an optimal auxiliary hole spacing range is established to minimize damage to the surrounding rock. Field implementation at the -450 m level of the JAMA Mine demonstrated that the optimized scheme resulted in a well-formed roadway profile with an average half-cast factor exceeding 90%. The average advance per round stabilized at 3.31 m, representing a 6.8% improvement over the original scheme. This research establishes a high-efficiency, low-damage blasting technique for deep large-section roadway drivage, providing a valuable reference for similar engineering projects.
Efficient removal of Methyl orange dye via a MnFe₂O₄/GO nanocomposite with a CTAB dual-layer surfactant coating
Optimizing crop clustering to minimize pathogen invasion in agriculture
Abstract The initial rate of pathogen invasion in crops is influenced by the spatial clustering of susceptible crops and the characteristics of pathogen dispersal. Previous studies have shown that various degrees of crop clustering can effectively reduce this invasion rate. However, the optimal degrees of clustering that minimize pathogen invasion have not previously been identified. This study aims to determine analytically the range of crop clustering that minimizes the initial rate of pathogen invasion. We studied artificial agricultural landscapes with crop areas arranged in identical square clusters on a regular square lattice. For pathogen dispersal, we used several common dispersal kernels, including Gaussian, negative exponential, and power-law. The optimal degree of clustering, defined by cluster size and separation distance, was calculated using a new analytical approximation for the pathogen invasion rate, which showed strong agreement with computer simulations. Additionally, we analysed a realistic cassava landscape at risk of invasion by cassava brown streak virus. We identified a range of optimal cluster sizes and corresponding separation distances that minimize pathogen invasion rates for various dispersal kernels and landscapes with clusters of crop fields arranged on a regular square lattice. The methods can be extended to other geometrical configurations, such as long narrow fields. Using a cassava landscape as an example, we show how optimal crop clustering strategies can be derived to mitigate the potential invasion of cassava brown streak virus. The methods provides analytical insights that can help farmers and agricultural planners to optimize the spatial structure of agricultural landscapes to minimize initial pathogen invasion rates.
A peak comparison index approach for robust microplastic analysis across environmental matrices: validation using meat products
Experimental study on the influence of vibration mixing on the characteristics of holes and durability of marine concrete
Evaluating machine learning models for estimating evapotranspiration in Colombia’s Cauca River Valley
The mediating role of risk perception in the relationship between chemical safety knowledge, GHS awareness and safety behavior
Further characterisation of immortalised human lymphatic endothelial cells to explore their transcriptomic profile and VEGFC response
Abstract In vitro modelling relies on the availability of suitable cell types that accurately represent the organs under study. In lymphatic research, human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells represent the “gold standard”, even though they lose their identity and proliferative capacity over time. A recently established immortalised lymphatic endothelial cell line (imLEC) could become a promising new tool for lymphatic disease modelling. We further characterised this cell line by comparing imLECs and HDLECs in terms of the expression of proteins essential for correct lymphatic function, and the proliferation, migration and sprouting responses to vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC). We show similarities in the expression of lymphatic markers and VEGFC-driven cellular responses, supporting imLECs can retain their VEGFC-driven lymphangiogenic capacity without losing their lymphatic identity. RNA sequencing, however, revealed certain transcriptional differences in genes regulating lymphatic function in health and disease, highlighting the need for further validation at single gene level or specific lymphatic-associated signalling pathways. We acknowledge these limitations should be considered in future applications. Nonetheless, we believe that imLECs represent a useful model for the development of gene editing techniques allowing better modelling of lymphatic disease-associated genetic variants, ensuring long-term culture and providing higher reproducibility in genotype–phenotype validation analyses.