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Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are a class of flame-retardant organohalogen pollutants that act as endocrine/neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). In humans, exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFR) or other environmentally persistent organic pollutants (POPs) such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and novel organophosphate flame retardants has been associated with increasing trends of diabetes and metabolic disease. However, the effects of PBDEs on metabolic processes and their associated sex-dependent features are poorly understood. The metabolic-disrupting effects of perinatal exposure to industrial penta-PBDE mixture, DE-71, on male and female progeny of C57BL/6N mouse dams were examined in adulthood. Dams were exposed to environmentally relevant doses of PBDEs daily for 10 weeks (p.o.): 0.1 (L-DE-71) and 0.4 mg/kg/d (H-DE-71) and offspring parameters were compared to corn oil vehicle controls (VEH/CON). The following lipid metabolism indices were measured: plasma cholesterol, triglycerides, adiponectin, leptin, and liver lipids. L-DE-71 female offspring were particularly affected, showing hypercholesterolemia, elevated liver lipids and fasting plasma leptin as compared to same-sex VEH/CON, while L- and H-DE-71 male F1 only showed reduced plasma adiponectin. Using the quantitative Folch method, we found that mean liver lipid content was significantly elevated in L-DE-71 female offspring compared to controls. Oil Red O staining revealed fatty liver in female offspring and dams. General measures of adiposity, body weight, white and brown adipose tissue (BAT), and lean and fat mass were weighed or measured using EchoMRI. DE-71 did not produce abnormal adiposity, but decreased BAT depots in L-DE-71 females and males relative to same-sex VEH/CON. To begin to address potential central mechanisms of deregulated lipid metabolism, we used RT-qPCR to quantitate expression of hypothalamic genes in energy-regulating circuits that control lipid homeostasis. Both doses of DE-71 sex-dependently downregulated hypothalamic expression of Lepr, Stat3, Mc4r, Agrp, Gshr in female offspring while H-DE-71 downregulated Npy in exposed females relative to VEH/CON. In contrast, exposed male offspring displayed upregulated Stat3 and Mc4r. Intestinal barrier integrity was measured using FITC-dextran since it can lead to systemic inflammation that leads to liver damage and metabolic disease, but was not affected by DE-71 exposure. These findings indicate that maternal transfer of PBDEs disproportionately endangers female offspring to lipid metabolic reprogramming that may exaggerate risk for adult metabolic disease.

AimsTo characterize neuroinflammatory and gut dysbiosis signatures that accompany exaggerated exercise fatigue and cognitive/mood deficits in a mouse model of Gulf War Illness (GWI).MethodsAdult male C57Bl/6N mice were exposed for 28 d (5 d/wk) to pyridostigmine bromide (P.O.) at 6.5 mg/kg/d, b.i.d. (GW1) or 8.7 mg/kg/d, q.d. (GW2); topical permethrin (1.3 mg/kg), topical N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (33%) and restraint stress (5 min). Animals were phenotypically evaluated as described in an accompanying article [124] and sacrificed at 6.6 months post-treatment (PT) to allow measurement of brain neuroinflammation/neuropathic pain gene expression, hippocampal glial fibrillary acidic protein, brain Interleukin-6, gut dysbiosis and serum endotoxin.Key findingsCompared to GW1, GW2 showed a more intense neuroinflammatory transcriptional signature relative to sham stress controls. Interleukin-6 was elevated in GW2 and astrogliosis in hippocampal CA1 was seen in both GW groups. Beta-diversity PCoA using weighted Unifrac revealed that gut microbial communities changed after exposure to GW2 at PT188. Both GW1 and GW2 displayed systemic endotoxemia, suggesting a gut-brain mechanism underlies the neuropathological signatures. Using germ-free mice, probiotic supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri produced less gut permeability than microbiota transplantation using GW2 feces.SignificanceOur findings demonstrate that GW agents dose-dependently induce differential neuropathology and gut dysbiosis associated with cognitive, exercise fatigue and mood GWI phenotypes. Establishment of a comprehensive animal model that recapitulates multiple GWI symptom domains and neuroinflammation has significant implications for uncovering pathophysiology, improving diagnosis and treatment for GWI.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are known neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals with adverse neurodevelopmental effects. PBDEs may act as risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), characterized by abnormal psychosocial functioning, although direct evidence is currently lacking. Using a translational exposure model, we tested the hypothesis that maternal transfer of a commercial mixture of PBDEs, DE-71, produces ASD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical deficits in female offspring. C57Bl6/N mouse dams (F0) were exposed to DE-71 via oral administration of 0 (VEH/CON), 0.1 (L-DE-71) or 0.4 (H-DE-71) mg/kg bw/d from 3 wk prior to gestation through end of lactation. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated in utero and lactational transfer of PBDEs (in ppb) to F1 female offspring brain tissue at postnatal day (PND) 15 which was reduced by PND 110. Neurobehavioral testing of social novelty preference (SNP) and social recognition memory (SRM) revealed that adult L-DE-71 F1 offspring display deficient short- and long-term SRM, in the absence of reduced sociability, and increased repetitive behavior. These effects were concomitant with reduced olfactory discrimination of social odors. Additionally, L-DE-71 exposure also altered short-term novel object recognition memory but not anxiety or depressive-like behavior. Moreover, F1 L-DE-71 displayed downregulated mRNA transcripts for oxytocin (Oxt) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and supraoptic nucleus, and vasopressin (Avp) in the BNST and upregulated Avp1ar in BNST, and Oxtr in the paraventricular nucleus. Our work demonstrates that developmental PBDE exposure produces ASD-relevant neurochemical, olfactory processing and behavioral phenotypes that may result from early neurodevelopmental reprogramming within central social and memory networks.

AimsTo characterize exercise fatigue, metabolic phenotype and cognitive and mood deficits correlated with brain neuroinflammatory and gut microbiome changes in a chronic Gulf War Illness (GWI) mouse model. The latter have been described in an accompanying paper [1].Main methodsAdult male C57Bl/6N mice were exposed for 28 days (5 days/week) to pyridostigmine bromide: 6.5 mg/kg, b.i.d., P.O. (GW1) or 8.7 mg/kg, q.d., P.O. (GW2); topical permethrin (1.3 mg/kg in 100% DMSO) and N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide (DEET 33% in 70% EtOH) and restraint stress (5 min). Exercise, metabolic and behavioral endpoints were compared to sham stress control (CON/S).Key findingsRelative to CON/S, GW2 presented persistent exercise intolerance (through post-treatment (PT) day 161), deficient associative learning/memory, and transient insulin insensitivity. In contrast to GW2, GW1 showed deficient long-term object recognition memory, milder associative learning/memory deficit, and behavioral despair.SignificanceOur findings demonstrate that GW chemicals dose-dependently determine the presentation of exercise fatigue and severity/type of cognitive/mood-deficient phenotypes that show persistence. Our comprehensive mouse model of GWI recapitulates the major multiple symptom domains characterizing GWI, including fatigue and cognitive impairment that can be used to more efficiently develop diagnostic tests and curative treatments for ill Gulf War veterans.

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that are known neuroendocrine disrupting chemicals with adverse neurodevelopmental effects. PBDEs may act as risk factors for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), characterized by abnormal psychosocial functioning, although direct evidence is currently lacking. Using a translational exposure model, we tested the hypothesis that maternal transfer of a commercial mixture of PBDEs, DE-71, produces ASD-relevant behavioral and neurochemical deficits in female offspring. C57Bl6/N mouse dams (F0) were exposed to DE-71 via oral administration of 0 (VEH/CON), 0.1 (L-DE-71) or 0.4 (H-DE-71) mg/kg bw/d from 3 wk prior to gestation through end of lactation. Mass spectrometry analysis indicated in utero and lactational transfer of PBDEs (in ppb) to F1 female offspring brain tissue at postnatal day (PND) 15 which was reduced by PND 110. Neurobehavioral testing of social novelty preference (SNP) and social recognition memory (SRM) revealed that adult L-DE-71 F1 offspring display deficient short- and long-term SRM, in the absence of reduced sociability, and increased repetitive behavior. These effects were concomitant with reduced olfactory discrimination of social odors. Additionally, L-DE-71 exposure also altered short-term novel object recognition memory but not anxiety or depressive-like behavior. Moreover, F1 L-DE-71 displayed downregulated mRNA transcripts for oxytocin (Oxt) in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) and supraoptic nucleus, and vasopressin (Avp) in the BNST and upregulated Avp1ar in BNST, and Oxtr in the paraventricular nucleus. Our work demonstrates that developmental PBDE exposure produces ASD-relevant neurochemical, olfactory processing and behavioral phenotypes that may result from early neurodevelopmental reprogramming within central social and memory networks.

In modern ornamental horticulture, there are many species and varieties of plants, particularly indoor crops, which can be used for vertical gardening. This contributes to the creation of favorable conditions for humans. The paper presents the results of analysis of growth and development, as well as evaluation of ornamental traits of some ornamental indoor crops (Elettaria cardamomum, Tradescantia pallida, Senecio macroglossus ‘Variegatus’, Epipremnum pinnatum, Pelargonium zonale, Cissus alata, Hedera helix ‘Glacier’, Peperomia clusiifolia, Zebrina pendula, Syngonium podophyllum, Nematanthus gregarius, Spathiphyllum floribundum ‘Vivaldi’, Callisia repens, Spathiphyllum wallisii) when grown in different substrates in a winter glazed greenhouse for further use in vertical gardening. The greatest growth was revealed in E. pinnatum (using a mixture of peat and vermiculite - 16.8 cm, peat - 12.3 cm), among annual flowering crops - in D. repens (using a mixture of peat, vermiculite and perlite - 18.8 cm, a mixture of peat and perlite - 17.1 cm). S. floribundum (90 points), S. wallisii (82-90 points), and T. pallida (85-90 points) were the most decorative on a 100-point scale in all variants of the experiment; among annual flower crops, P. × hybrida (38-42 points) and D. repens (44 points).

This study investigates Karachi’s enduring energy shortfall, which has plagued the city for decades. By analyzing monthly time series data from January 2009 to December 2021 using Pearson correlation, Vector Auto Regression (VAR), and Tobit model, we aim to draw conclusions. Our findings underscore a significant disparity btw energy demand and supply across various sectors of Karachi, including residential and industrial consumption. This imbalance leads to frequent load shedding, exacerbating the city’s challenges. Importantly, our research suggests that conventional methods of load shedding fail to empirically alleviate this shortfall. Furthermore, we ascertain that the shortfall significantly influences the unit prices of energy for households and industries alike.

The integration of biotechnology in green building represents a cutting-edge approach that harnesses biological processes to enhance sustainability and efficiency in construction practices. This abstract explores modern strategies and provides examples of how biotechnology is revolutionizing green building. Biotechnology offers innovative solutions to traditional challenges in green building, leveraging biological systems to optimize resource utilization, energy efficiency, and waste reduction. By integrating living organisms, biomaterials, and biological processes into building design and construction, biotechnology enables the development of structures that are not only environmentally friendly but also adaptive and resilient.One modern approach involves incorporating living organisms such as algae, bacteria, and fungi into building materials to enhance their performance. For example, algae can be used in bio-facades to capture carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, contributing to improved indoor air quality and reducing the building's carbon footprint. Similarly, bacteria can be embedded in concrete to repair cracks autonomously, increasing the durability and lifespan of structures while minimizing maintenance needs.

The article presents a comparative analysis of the influence of stratification methods on germination of sea buckthorn seeds (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) in autumn and spring sowing. In the fall sowing with natural stratification under snow, sprouts of H. rhamnoides seeds were more friendly, and the percentage of germination was higher than in the spring sowing with artificial stratification. At autumn sowing of seeds in H. rhamnoides seedlings, formation of many short roots was observed, which predicts more active development of the root system. The number of nodules on the roots of H. rhamnoides plants is formed depending on varietal characteristics and does not depend on the term and method of sowing. Lomonosovskaya, Rossiyanka, Studencheskaya varieties proved to be the most strongly growing in two variants of the experiment at fall sowing, and Trofimovskaya at spring sowing.

This study advances the cross-cultural temperament literature by comparing temperament ratings of toddlers from 14 nations. Multilevel modeling (MLM) procedures were utilized to regress negative emotionality (NE) and component subscales on Hofstede's cultural value dimensions while controlling for age and gender. More individualistic values were associated with lower NE, and component discomfort, fear, motor activity, perceptual sensitivity, and soothability scales. The discomfort subscale was negatively associated with power distance and positively associated with masculine cultural values. Higher ratings of shyness were related to a more long-term cultural orientation. Results illustrate the feasibility of an MLM approach to cross-cultural research and provide a new perspective on the intersection of culture and temperament development. Limitations and future implications are discussed.

Digitalization contributes to an increase in labor productivity, industrial growth, and in the efficiency of industrial production. The coronavirus pandemic has given an additional impetus to digitalization, and most companies around the world have realized the importance of this process for the resilience of the organization in the face of constant change. A significant role in this process is played by the state, which determines the priority areas of digital transformation. At the same time, the implementation of state programs in the field of digitalization may be hindered by a shortage of personnel. The article provides an analysis of studies of the impact of digital transformation on the efficiency of enterprises and industries, which note the positive influence of digitalization on the country’s economy. The digitalization process covers all key areas of the company’s activities: production, finances, personnel management, logistics, industrial and information security. The intensive transition to technological independence in the face of sanctions pressure contributes to the acceleration of the digitalization process and the influx of investments in digital and technological development. One of the limiting factors of digital transformation is behavioral opportunism in enterprises. Resistance to change on the part of staff, caused by a low level of digital competencies and fear of change, leads to a significant slowdown in the digitalization process. The purpose of the article is to assess the degree of use of digital technologies and the propensity to opportunism in Russian enterprises. Based on the author’s methodology, the study assessed the level of digitalization in work and daily activities based on the results of a survey of employees of Russian enterprises. The analysis of differences in the degree of use of digital technologies among different groups of workers was carried out. Differences in the level of behavioral opportunism at Russian enterprises for employees with varying degrees of use of digital technologies in work and daily activities are revealed. An industry analysis of the degree of use of digital technologies in Russian enterprises was carried out. Among the industries with the highest level of digital technology proficiency, workers in construction and engineering, banking, telecommunications and the electric power industry were noted. It was revealed that behavioral opportunism at Russian enterprises is influenced by the degree of ownership and use of digital technologies by employees in work and in everyday life. As the indicators characterizing the use of digital technologies grow, the level of behavioral opportunism decreases. Directions for further research are related to improving the methodology and developing recommendations for reducing the level of behavioral opportunism at Russian enterprises in the context of digitalization.

The sedimentary column at the Rechitsa oilfield in the Pripyat rift basin, Belarus, is dominated by an Upper Devonian synrift succession. The succession includes uppermost Frasnian and mid‐Famennian salt units which are about 1000 m and 2000 m thick respectively. Reservoir rocks consist of sandstones and carbonates in the intra‐, inter‐ and sub‐salt successions. In this paper, the geochemical analysis of 15 oil samples from different stratigraphic intervals at the Rechitsa field is used as a basis for reservoir characterisation. Geochemical studies included biomarker and stable C, N and S isotope analyses. Four genetic oil groups were identified and are referred to as Groups A to D. Oils in Group A came from upper intra‐ and inter‐salt reservoir rocks; the oils are early mature, enriched in heavy (C36+) hydrocarbons, heteroatoms, aryl‐isoprenoids and gammacerane, with low Pr/Ph = 0.6 and a sulphur isotope composition averaging 22.7‰ CDT. Oils in Group B were from sub‐salt reservoirs and are at peak maturity with Pr/Ph = 1, an increased proportion of C27 regular steranes, and a sulphur isotope composition of 8.1‰ CDT. The single oil sample in Group C was from a Proterozoic reservoir. The oil was overmature with a low content of heavy fractions, heteroatoms and steranes; its hopanes composition indicated that it was generated by the same source rock as the oils in Group B. Oils in Group D came from inter‐salt reservoir rocks and were composed of a mixture of Groups A and B oils in roughly equal proportions, as indicated by their average isotope, molecular and biomarker compositions. Observed differences in oil composition were explained in terms of contributions from at least two different source rocks together with variations in source rock maturity. Group A oils were interpreted to have been generated by Famennian carbonate‐rich source rocks containing dominantly marine and bacterial organic matter deposited in an anoxic evaporitic setting. Source rocks for Groups B and C oils were suggested to be composed of OM‐rich marine shales of Frasnian age or older. The geochemical characteristics of the Devonian oils from Rechitsa field, and the oil‐oil and oil‐ source rock correlations reported, will contribute to a better understanding of the petroleum system in the Pripyat Basin although direct oil‐ source rock correlations are not yet available. The presence of at least two source rocks for the Rechitsa oils has been suggested, respectively comprising carbonates in the inter‐salt succession and marine shales and/or carbonates in the sub‐salt succession. The main controls on oil composition in the Devonian reservoir units were the varying contributions from the different source rocks and differences in source rock thermal maturity associated with variations in burial depth and tectonics, together with the stratigraphic distribution of reservoir units which was in turn controlled by the presence of the thick Frasnian and Famennian salt units. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]