Search Results (351)

The work establishes the unique solvability of a boundary value problem for a 3D linearized system of Navier–Stokes equations in a degenerate domain represented by a cone. The domain degenerates at the vertex of the cone at the initial moment of time, and, as a consequence of this fact, there are no initial conditions in the problem under consideration. First, the unique solvability of the initial-boundary value problem for the 3D linearized Navier–Stokes equations system in a truncated cone is established. Then, the original problem for the cone is approximated by a countable family of initial-boundary value problems in domains represented by truncated cones, which are constructed in a specially chosen manner. In the limit, the truncated cones will tend toward the original cone. The Faedo–Galerkin method is used to prove the unique solvability of initial-boundary value problems in each of the truncated cones. By carrying out the passage to the limit, we obtain the main result regarding the solvability of the boundary value problem in a cone. Full article

Urbanization degrades natural habitats and creates new urban ecosystems like domestic gardens. The plant composition of these gardens varies with socio-economic factors and urban planning levels. However, the diversity and impact of introduced species are often poorly assessed, causing potential ecological imbalances (disruptions in the natural functioning and stability of ecosystems), particularly in Lubumbashi (DR Congo). The objective was to analyze the spatial structure, plant diversity, propagation strategies, and ecological functions of domestic gardens. Three distinct neighborhoods were selected: a planned, unplanned, and residential neighborhood. Twenty avenues (with five plots per avenue) were chosen to represent the diversity within each neighborhood, and stratified random sampling of plots was conducted to analyze gardening practices. Gardens were classified into types, and their vegetation was evaluated based on species origin and ecological impact. The analysis of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi reveals significant variations across different neighborhood types. Residential neighborhoods exhibit larger average garden sizes (315.1 m²), higher species richness (22 species), and larger plot sizes (1032 m²) compared to unplanned and planned neighborhoods, where garden areas and species richness are notably lower. Rectangular gardens dominate in unplanned areas, while planned neighborhoods feature more intentional landscaping elements, such as flowerbeds and hedges. The use of gardens for food production is prominent in planned areas (40.7%), whereas residential neighborhoods prioritize ornamentation (51.4%). The study identified 232 taxa across 68 families, with a predominance of exotic species (80%) in all neighborhoods, particularly in unplanned areas (82.25%). The data revealed that Mangifera indica and Persea americana are abundant in all neighborhoods, illustrating their adaptability to different urban contexts. Herbaceous species are most common, followed by woody plants, with vines being sparse. Species dispersal is primarily driven by human activities (anthropochory), accounting for over 85% in all neighborhoods. These findings highlight the strong human influence on the composition and structure of domestic gardens in Lubumbashi, emphasizing the dominance of exotic species and the importance of anthropogenic factors in shaping urban green spaces. Urban policies should incorporate strategies to minimize the negative impacts of exotic species on native flora. Full article

Members of the blowfly family (Calliphoridae) are usually the first insect species to arrive at a corpse, using the body as an oviposition site, and, as such, they are the most important group of insects used to estimate the post-mortem interval (PMI). PMI estimations are based on species-specific developmental timings; therefore, accurate species identification is crucial. Current identification methods are based on morphological characteristics, which are time-consuming and difficult to perform on damaged, immature specimens and closely related species. Advances have led to specimens being identified via a host of molecular techniques, mainly DNA sequencing. Although molecular identification is becoming increasingly more common, there is currently a lack of genetic data regarding UK Calliphoridae species. This study aimed to address this issue. We present the development and validation of an identification assay capable of differentiating six UK species (Calliphora vicina, Calliphora vomitoria, Lucilia sericata, Lucilia illustris, Lucilia caesar, and Protophormia terranovae). The sequencing of six genes, including both nuclear (28S rRNA and Elongation factor 1 alpha) and mitochondrial markers (Cytochrome oxidase I and II, Cytochrome b and 16S rRNA) identified 298 species-specific single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Fifteen SNPs from six genes were chosen for inclusion in a SNaPshot™ multiplex assay. The developed assay is capable of differentiating the species based on between 4 and 12 SNPs. Validation following guidelines by the International Society of Forensic Genetics (ISFG) demonstrated the assay to be accurate, reproducible, sensitive, and specific. Full article

Background: Despite the progress achieved regarding survival rates in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), relapsed or refractory disease still poses a therapeutic challenge. Inotuzumab ozogamicin is a CD22-directed monoclonal antibody conjugated to calicheamicin, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for adults and pediatric patients 1 year and older with relapsed or refractory CD22-positive B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Case presentation: Herein, we present the case of a 23-month-old girl with high-risk B-ALL who experienced very early isolated medullary relapse; following the failure of conventional chemotherapy according to the ALL-IC REL 2016 protocol, she went on to receive the bispecific T-cell engager (BiTE) blinatumomab and subsequently, due to refractory disease, the combination of fludarabine, cytarabine, and the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib without achieving remission. Given the high CD22 expression by the lymphoblasts, off-label use of inotuzumab ozogamicin (InO) was chosen and administrated in a 28-day cycle as a salvage treatment. The minimal residual disease (MRD) was 0.08% on day 28, and InO was continued, thus achieving MRD negativity; the patient successfully underwent an allogeneic stem cell transplantation from a matched family donor. Conclusions: Our case highlights the efficacy and safety of InO as a salvage treatment in the setting of relapsed B-ALL refractory not only to conventional chemotherapy but also to novel treatments, such as blinatumomab and bortezomib. Full article

Omsk Hemorrhagic Fever Virus (OHFV) is an RNA virus with a single-stranded, positive-sense genome. It is classified under the Flaviviridae family. The genome of this virus is 98% similar to the Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV), which belongs to the same family. Cases of the virus have been reported in various regions of Saudi Arabia. Both OHFV and AHFV have similarities in pathogenic polyprotein targets. No effective and licensed vaccines are available to manage OHFV infections. Therefore, an effective and safe vaccine is required that can activate protective immunity against OHFV. The current study aimed to design a multiepitope subunit vaccine against the OHFV utilizing several immunoinformatic tools. The polyprotein of OHFV was selected and potent antigenic, non-allergenic, and nontoxic cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL), helper T-lymphocyte (HTL), and linear B-lymphocyte (LBL) epitopes were chosen. After screening, eight (8) CTL, five (5) HTL, and six (6) B cell epitopes were joined with each other using different linkers. Adjuvant human beta defensin-2 was also linked to the epitopes to increase vaccine antigenic and immunogenic efficiency. The designed vaccine was docked with Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) as it activates and induces primary and secondary immune responses against OHFV. Codon optimization was carried out, which resulted in a CAI value of 0.99 and 53.4% GC contents. In addition, the construct was blindly docked to the TLR4 immune receptor and subjected to conformational dynamics simulation analysis to interpret the intricate affinity and comprehend the time-dependent behavior. Moreover, it was predicted that immune responses to the developed vaccine construct reported formation of strong humoral and cellular immune cells. Therefore, the proposed vaccine may be considered in experimental assays to combat OHFV infections. Laboratory experiments for the above predictions are essential in order to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and protective properties of the subject in question. Full article

There are several common procedures used to numerically integrate second-order ordinary differential equations. The most common one is to reduce the equation’s order by duplicating the number of variables. This allows one to take advantage of the family of Runge–Kutta methods or the Adams family of multi-step methods. Another approach is the use of methods that have been developed to directly integrate an ordinary differential equation without increasing the number of variables. An important drawback when using Runge–Kutta methods is that when one tries to apply them to differential algebraic equations, they require a reduction in the index, leading to a need for stabilization methods to remove the drift. In this paper, a new family of methods for the direct integration of second-order ordinary differential equations is presented. These methods can be considered as a generalization of the central differences method. The methods are classified according to the number of derivatives they take into account (degree). They include some parameters that can be chosen to configure the equation’s behavior. Some sets of parameters were studied, and some examples belonging to structural dynamics and multibody dynamics are presented. An example of the application of the method to a differential algebraic equation is also included. Full article

Passion fruit is a valued tropical fruit crop that faces environment-related growth strains. TCP genes are important for both growth modulation and stress prevention in plants. Herein, we systematically analyzed the TCP gene family in passion fruit, recognizing 30 members. Genes exhibiting closer phylogenetic relationships exhibited similar protein and gene structures. Gene members of the TCP family showed developmental-stage- or tissue-specific expression profiles during the passion fruit life cycle. Transcriptome data also demonstrated that many PeTCPs showed induced expression in response to hormonal treatments and cold, heat, and salt stress. Based on transcriptomics data, eight candidate genes were chosen for preferential gene expression confirmation under cold stress conditions. The qRT-PCR assays suggested PeTCP15/16/17/19/23 upregulation, while PeTCP1/11/25 downregulation after cold stress. Additionally, TCP19/20/29/30 exhibited in silico binding with cold-stress-related miRNA319s. GFP subcellular localization assays exhibited PeTCP19/1 were localized at the nucleus. This study will aid in the establishment of novel germplasm, as well as the further investigation of the roles of PeTCPs and their cold stress resistance characteristics. Full article

Background: Condoms have proven to be an effective contraceptive barrier method of family planning and have played a vital role in preventing sexually transmitted diseases including HIV. However, existing evidence shows that utilization of condoms remains low, especially among youth and adolescents. We aimed to determine the condom use rate and associated factors among the students of Gulu University in Uganda. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among undergraduate students of Gulu University between June and December 2023. The students were accessed from their respective faculties and chosen using a simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered structured questionnaire. Condom use was defined as use of either male or female condom in any sexual encounter within the previous six months. Results: A total of 404 participants, with a median age of 23 years (interquartile range (21.5–24) years) were enrolled in this study, 54.2% (n = 219) of whom were men. The response rate of the respondents was 94.1%. Overall, 81.4% (n = 329) of the participants were in senior classes (year 2, 3, 4, and 5), and 18.6% (n = 75) were in their first year of study. The condom use rate was 53.7% (n = 217). Condom use rate was 50.2% (n = 109) among male and 49.8% (n = 108) among female students. Sex (men) (aPR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.71, 0.95, p = 0.01), nature of sexual relationship (married) (aPR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.07, 1.85, p < 0.015), place of HIV testing (University health unit) (aPR =1.22, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.41, p = 0.005), and having sex in the absence of condoms (aPR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.01, 1.46, p = 0.021) were significantly associated with consistent condom use. Conclusions: Just over half of undergraduate students of Gulu University used condoms in their sexual encounters in the past six months. There should be heightened campaigns on condom use to prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections. Full article

Aluminum-activated malate transporter (ALMT) genes play an important role in aluminum ion (Al³⁺) tolerance, fruit acidity, and stomatal movement. Although decades of research have been carried out in many plants, there is little knowledge about the roles of ALMT in Orchidaceae. In this study, 34 ALMT genes were identified in the genomes of four orchid species. Specifically, ten ALMT genes were found in Dendrobium chrysotoxum and D. catenatum, and seven were found in Apostasia shenzhenica and Phalaenopsis equestris. These ALMT genes were further categorized into four clades (clades 1–4) based on phylogenetic relationships. Sequence alignment and conserved motif analysis revealed that most orchid ALMT proteins contain conserved regions (TM1, GABA binding motif, and WEP motif). We also discovered a unique motif (19) belonging to clade 1, which can serve as a specifically identified characteristic. Comparison with the gene structure of AtALMT genes (Arabidopsis thaliana) showed that the gene structure of ALMT was conserved across species, but the introns were longer in orchids. The promoters of orchid ALMT genes contain many light-responsive and hormone-responsive elements, suggesting that their expression may be regulated by light and phytohormones. Chromosomal localization and collinear analysis of D. chrysotoxum indicated that tandem duplication (TD) is the main reason for the difference in the number of ALMT genes in these orchids. D. catenatum was chosen for the RT-qPCR experiment, and the results showed that the DcaALMT gene expression pattern varied in different tissues. The expression of DcaALMT1-9 was significantly changed after ABA treatment. Combining the circadian CO₂ uptake rate, titratable total acid, and RT-qPCR data analysis, most DcaALMT genes were highly expressed at night and around dawn. The result revealed that DcaALMT genes might be involved in photosynthate accumulation. The above study provides more comprehensive information for the ALMT gene family in Orchidaceae and a basis for subsequent functional analysis. Full article

The third largest angiosperm family, Leguminosae, displays a broad range of reproductive strategies and has an exceptional practical value. Whereas annual legume species are mostly planted as crops, there is a significant interest in breeding and cultivating perennials. It is therefore of importance to compare reproductive traits, their interactions and the resulting productivity between related annual and perennial species. Two highly variable taxa were chosen for this purpose, the Fabeae tribe, including numerous temperate crops, and the largest angiosperm ‘megagenus’ Astragalus. A dataset of quantitative reproductive traits was composed of both originally obtained and previously published data. As a result of statistical analysis, we found that perennials in both groups tend to produce more flowers per axillary racemose inflorescence as well as more ovules per carpel. Perennial Astragalus also have larger flowers. Only a part of the developing flowers and ovules gives rise to mature pods and seeds. This difference is especially pronounced in small populations of rare and threatened perennials. Numerous reasons underlie the gap between potential and real productivity, which may be potentially bridged in optimal growing conditions. Full article

Hereditary breast/ovarian cancer (HBOC) syndrome is caused by the inheritance of monoallelic germline BRCA1/2 gene mutations. If BRCA1/2 mutation carriers are identified before the disease develops, effective actions against HBOC can be taken, including intensive screening, risk-reducing mastectomy and salpingo-oophorectomy, and risk-reducing medications. The Italian National Prevention Plan mandates the creation of regional BRCA genetic testing programmes. So far, however, only informal data have been reported on their implementation. We have designed a study aimed at evaluating the results of a population-based programme for risk assessment and genetic counselling and testing for BRCA1/2-related HBOC that is underway in the Emilia-Romagna region (northern Italy). The programme—which is entirely free—includes basic screening with an estimate of the likelihood of carrying a BRCA1/2 mutation using a familial risk assessment tool, a closer examination of women with suspected risk increase, an assessment of the need for further genetic counselling and, if needed, genetic testing and risk-reducing interventions. In this paper, the design of the programme and the protocol of the study are presented. The study has an observational, historical cohort design. Eligible are the women found to be at an increased risk of HBOC (profile 3 women). The main objectives are (i) to determine the precision of the programme in measuring the level of risk of HBOC for profile 3 women; (ii) to determine the characteristics of profile 3 women and their association with the risk management strategy chosen; (iii) to compare the age at onset, histologic type, tumour stage, molecular subtype, and prognosis of breast/ovarian cancers observed in the cohort of profile 3 women with the features of sporadic cancers observed in the general female population; (iv) to determine the level and the determinants of adherence to recommendations; and (v) to determine the appropriateness and timing of risk-reducing surgery and medications. Investigating the quality and results of the programme is necessary because the best practices in risk assessment and genetic counselling and testing for BRCA1/2-related cancer and the challenges they encounter should be identified and shared. The study has the potential to provide sound empirical evidence for the factors affecting the effectiveness of this type of service. Full article

Foxtail millet is a drought-tolerant cereal and forage crop. The basic leucine zipper (bZIP) gene family plays important roles in regulating plant development and responding to stresses. However, the roles of bZIP genes in foxtail millet remain largely uninvestigated. In this study, 92 members of the bZIP transcription factors were identified in foxtail millet and clustered into ten clades. The expression levels of four SibZIP genes (SibZIP11, SibZIP12, SibZIP41, and SibZIP67) were significantly induced after PEG treatment, and SibZIP67 was chosen for further analysis. The studies showed that ectopic overexpression of SibZIP67 in Arabidopsis enhanced the plant drought tolerance. Detached leaves of SibZIP67 overexpressing plants had lower leaf water loss rates than those of wild-type plants. SibZIP67 overexpressing plants improved survival rates under drought conditions compared to wild-type plants. Additionally, overexpressing SibZIP67 in plants displayed reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and enhanced activities of antioxidant enzymes, including catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and peroxidase (POD) under drought stress. Furthermore, the drought-related genes, such as AtRD29A, AtRD22, AtNCED3, AtABF3, AtABI1, and AtABI5, were found to be regulated in SibZIP67 transgenic plants than in wild-type Arabidopsis under drought conditions. These data suggested that SibZIP67 conferred drought tolerance in transgenic Arabidopsis by regulating antioxidant enzyme activities and the expression of stress-related genes. The study reveals that SibZIP67 plays a beneficial role in drought response in plants, offering a valuable genetic resource for agricultural improvement in arid environments. Full article

Background: Auxin, a plant hormone, plays diverse roles in the modulation of plant growth and development. The transport and signal transduction of auxin are regulated by various factors involved in shaping plant morphology and responding to external environmental conditions. The auxin signal transduction is primarily governed by the following two gene families: the auxin response factor (ARF) and auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (AUX/IAA). However, a comprehensive genomic analysis involving the expression profiles, structures, and functional features of the ARF and AUX/IAA gene families in Vaccinium bracteatum has not been carried out to date. Results: Through the acquisition of genomic and expression data, coupled with an analysis using online tools, two gene family members were identified. This groundwork provides a distinguishing characterization of the chosen gene families in terms of expression, interaction, and response in the growth and development of plant fruits. In our genome-wide search of the VaARF and VaIAA genes in Vaccinium bracteatum, we identified 26 VaARF and 17 VaIAA genes. We analyzed the sequence and structural characteristics of these VaARF and VaIAA genes. We found that 26 VaARF and 17 VaIAA genes were divided into six subfamilies. Based on protein interaction predictions, VaIAA1 and VaIAA20 were designated core members of VaIAA gene families. Moreover, an analysis of expression patterns showed that 14 ARF genes and 12 IAA genes exhibited significantly varied expressions during fruit development. Conclusion: Two key genes, namely, VaIAA1 and VaIAA20, belonging to a gene family, play a potentially crucial role in fruit development through 26 VaARF-IAAs. This study provides a valuable reference for investigating the molecular mechanism of fruit development and lays the foundation for further research on Vaccinium bracteatum. Full article

Gabon has a rich flora, many species of which are used in traditional medicine. However, little research has been carried out on this wealth. An ethnopharmacological survey in the Fang language was carried out among traditional practitioners to collect antimicrobial medicinal plants. Phytochemical profiling of ethanolic and methanolic extracts from Erismadelphus exsul Mildbr leaves was carried out using HPLC-ESI-Q/TOF and a molecular network approach. Antibacterial activity was assessed with disk diffusion and microdilution methods, antioxidant activity via DPPH and FRAP methods, and in vitro cell viability via Cell Counting Kit-8. A total of 21 medicinal plants were collected, grouped into 10 families, of which the Fabaceae is the most represented. Erismadelphus exsul was chosen for chemical and biological studies due to its citation frequency (RCF = 0.59) and the absence of previous phytochemical studies. These studies revealed 4 major families of natural compounds and annotated 19 compounds for the first time. The crude leaf extract showed significant antioxidant and antibacterial activity. Cytotoxicity studies showed that the leaves were not cytotoxic, unlike the bark. This study underlines the importance of preserving the ancestral knowledge of the Fang populations, while showing promising results for Erismadelphus exsul. Full article

The green pea (Pisum sativum L.) is an economically, nutritionally, and culturally important legume. It is a crop that is subject to various investigations due to its popularity with the development of various protocols in different topics, except for nano-biotechnological studies. This work was carried out to evaluate the uptake, distribution, translocation, and bioaccumulation of the single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) within the economically important plant Pisum sativum morphologically and anatomically with a dark-field microscopy system. Data were analyzed for morphological parameters such as stem, tendril, root length, number, shape, width-length of the stipules, and root-stem-stipule. Our results proved the stimulation for growth and anatomical parameters such as CNTs aggregates and AuNPs particles at paranchyma, cortex, spongia cells, starch formation and accumulation in lenticels, stoma cells, and stomatal pores. In this study, we compared the utilization of the entire available Attenuated Total Reflectance—Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) spectral range (525–4000 cm⁻¹) for conducting principal component analysis (PCA) without excluding any specific spectral wavenumbers with the spectral range chosen based on larger PCA loadings. The results demonstrate that for both chosen spectral ranges of the PCA score plots, utilizing only the first three principal components (PCs), we effectively visually separated three groups: (1) plants treated with Au NPs, (2) plants treated with CNTs, and (3) control plants without nanoparticle treatment using ATR-FTIR spectral data from combined samples of root, stem, and leaves from the Pisum sativum plant. Our investigation shows that green pea, a species of the Fabaceae family, is low-cost, fast, and non-toxic and requires an environmentally safe process in the area of nanotechnology in bio-application regarding the green synthesis of nanoparticles; it is a step for green mining, phytoremediation, delivering drugs, and biomolecules. Our findings show that green pea and the Fabaceae family have more advantages for the biological synthesis of C-Au nanoparticles and guide soil health, agricultural development, pharmaceuticals, drug delivery science, and other types of medicinal investigations with a new approach, while a lot of economic plants in the Fabaceae family will be available for the green synthesis of more NPs with single and rapid protocols and will be a popular family in nano-biotechnological studies in the next few decades. Full article