Browse Articles

Environmental contaminants drive insecticide resistance in Anopheles mosquitoes in Ghana

Abstract Insecticide-based interventions such as IRS and LLINs have significantly reduced malaria transmission globally. However, their sustainability is increasingly threatened by insecticide resistance. While insecticide and pesticide use are known resistance drivers, the role of environmental contaminants remains underexplored. This study investigated the impact of environmental contaminants on insecticide resistance by sampling Anopheles larvae from six sites in Ghana, including petroleum spill sites, mining areas and industrial zones. WHO bioassays revealed resistance to clothianidin (Mortality rate (MR) = 54% – 80%) and chlorfenapyr (MR = 80% − 84%) in all site categories. Interestingly, high-intensity resistance to pirimiphos methyl (MR = 10x = 1.7%) was detected in vectors from Obuasi. High-intensity pyrethroid resistance [deltamethrin (MR = 10x = 79–92%); permethrin (MR = 10x = 74–95%)] was observed across all sites, with varying frequencies of kdr mutations ( L995F , V402L , I1527T , P1874L ; 0.12–0.98) were observed across all sites. High allele frequency of Ace-1 (0.62) was observed in Obuasi. Chemical analyses of water from breeding habitats revealed significant associations between heavy metals and insecticide resistance ( P  = 0.04). Anopheles coluzzii (81.7%) was the dominant species across all sites. These findings provide evidence that environmental contaminants may contribute to insecticide resistance. There is an urgent need for enhanced surveillance and resistance management strategies for effective malaria vector control.

TORC2 and MAPK signaling pathways regulate mitochondrial degradation induced by iron starvation in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Experimental and numerical study on the effect of web openings on the torsional behavior of pre-compressed hollow UHPC beams

Abstract Hollow ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) members subjected to axial pre-compression and torsion represent realistic loading scenarios commonly observed in modern engineering structures, including bridge box girders, prestressed members, and high-rise tubular columns. The inclusion of web openings further reflects practical design requirements. However, the combined effect of pre-compression, torsion, and openings on UHPC members remains insufficiently addressed in literature. To address this gap, the present study integrates experimental work with numerical simulation to provide novel insights into the structural behavior of UHPC beams under complex loading scenarios. The experimental study involves testing five UHPC pre-compressed reinforced hollow beams with central openings under torsion. Their results are presented in terms of cracking and ultimate torque, failure modes, cracking pattern, elastic and cracked torsional stiffness, post-cracking load-carrying capacity, torsional ductility, strain in lower steel bars and torque–angle of twist curve. In the numerical study, 23 UHPC beams (including the 5 tested beams) are modeled using the finite element method with Abaqus software. The presentation of numerical results includes some measurements that could not be experimentally reported. Based on the findings, key recommendations are also proposed to guide future design and implementation of UHPC members under combined loading.

Uncovering mRNA sequences that control translation initiation

Real-time monitoring of secretory protein traffic for investigating trafficking regulators of ACE2 in living cells

Neurons ensheathed by perineuronal nets are prone to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein in the hibernating Syrian hamster brain

Abstract Perineuronal nets (PNNs) are a specialized form of neuronal extracellular matrix that often ensheath highly active cells, such as parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons. Net-bearing neurons have been shown to be devoid of pathological aggregates of hyperphosphorylated tau protein (p-tau), suggesting they may serve neuroprotective functions. P-tau is a major hallmark of tauopathies like Alzheimer’s disease (AD) but is also naturally present in the brains of hibernating mammals during the torpor phase. However, the relationship between PNNs and p-tau in both pathological and physiological contexts remains unclear. In this study, we examined the association between PNNs, PV, and p-tau in the neocortex of hibernating Syrian hamsters. We observed consistent PNN expression across euthermic and torpid states. Unexpectedly, PNN-enwrapped neurons showed a higher prevalence of p-tau (82%) compared to the overall neuronal population (60%) during torpor. Similarly, PV+ interneurons displayed a high prevalence of p-tau (78%). These findings suggest that PNNs do not prevent tau hyperphosphorylation under physiological conditions like hibernation, in contrast to their potential neuroprotective role in AD pathology. Instead, specific neuronal subsets, such as PNN-enwrapped PV+ interneurons, are likely to exhibit p-tau during torpor. Further analysis of the interplay between p-tau, PNNs, and PV+ interneurons may therefore reveal adaptive strategies for neuronal protection and metabolic regulation, with implications for neurodegeneration and brain metabolic stress.

Structure, regulation and assembly of the photosynthetic electron transport chain

Neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 enhances H3K18 lactylation via binding to LDH and downregulates ITGB4 to block metastasis

Retraction Note: Long non-coding RNA MLLT4 antisense RNA 1 induces autophagy to inhibit tumorigenesis of cervical cancer through modulating the myosin-9/ATG14 axis

Functions and therapeutic applications of pseudouridylation

Metabolomics analysis of SNAT2-deficient cells: Implications for the discovery of selective small-molecule inhibitors of an amino acid transporter

Distinct liver sections exhibit sex-specific gene expression patterns in Lewis rats

Abstract Sex-specific differences in liver gene expression have previously been reported in humans and rodents. Clinically, female-to-male liver transplants are known to be associated with adverse post-transplantation outcomes. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain largely unknown. Sex-specific gene expression differences may be involved in the post-transplantation outcomes. Here, we analyse sex-specific differences in liver gene expression of Lewis rats on a genome-wide scale. In total, 543 genes exhibited a differential gene expression between male (n = 4) and female (n = 4) rats, with the largest difference found for the transcript ENSRNOG00000009273.7 (log2FC = 10.69, p < 2.2*10− 308). Genes downregulated (n = 272) in males were enriched for cholesterol homeostasis and late oestrogen response. We further analysed inter- and intra-sex gene expression differences in three individual liver sections to evaluate liver heterogeneity. Although several genes exhibited a sex-specific expression in all three liver sections (n = 240), distinct expression patterns within each individual section were determined. Variations between sections were even evident within the same sex with male liver sections revealing more differentially expressed genes (male n = 40, female n = 11). Consequently, studies investigating liver-specific gene expressions should consider this intrahepatic heterogeneity to avoid introducing potential biases. Subsequent studies ought to explore gene expression differences between the sexes pre- and post-transplantation, particularly regarding a female-to-male transplants.

Proteome solubility is differentially reshaped by thermal stress and regulators of ubiquitination

M-estimation activation functions for high-performance extreme learning machine ensemble classification

Mechanisms of auxin action in plant growth and development

The ribonucleoprotein hnRNP K promotes hepatic steatosis by suppressing the nuclear hormone receptor PPARα

Identification of sensory fiber types in mouse temporomandibular joint tissues

Molecular machineries shaping the mitochondrial inner membrane

ERK signaling promotes IKKε expression and oncogenic functions in pancreatic cancer cells in association with TBK1

Optimization of protease production by newly isolated Bacillus sp. from the Red Sea using defatted soybean cake

Abstract In this study, three strains of alkaline protease-producing bacteria were isolated from marine seawater collected at a depth of 15 meters off the coast of Ras Sedr at Egypt’s Red Sea. The isolates were morphologically and biochemically characterized, and the most efficient strain was identified via 16S rRNA sequencing, showing 99% similarity to Bacillus amyloliquefaciens MPA 1034. Our newly isolated strain was deposited in the GenBank under the accession number PP034178.1 (Bacillus amyloliquefaciens NRC-IB-11). Six organic waste substrates, namely defatted almond cake, shrimp peel, wheat bran, chicken feathers, defatted flax cake, and defatted soybean cake, were evaluated for enzyme production, with defatted soybean cake yielding the highest activity. Under optimized conditions (10 g/100 mL of defatted soybean cake media, 10% v/v inoculum size, pH 10, 35 °C, and 160 rpm agitation speed), the newly isolated strain produced a maximum of 590 U/mL alkaline protease. This study introduces a novel marine-derived Bacillus strain with promising protease productivity and demonstrates sustainable bioprocessing, utilizing a single-component culture medium to minimize production costs.