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Alternative livelihood (AL) interventions aimed at natural resource restoration and enhancing users’ well-being have demonstrated suboptimal outcomes among the small-scale fishers of the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. This study examines the factors influencing the implementation and reception of these interventions in mangrove-dependent communities of the Sundarbans. We applied the sustainable livelihood framework to analyse the strategies and viability of livelihood interventions. Primary data were collected through individual interviews, key informant interviews, focus group discussions with beneficiaries, and critical information interviews with AL-providing agencies and relevant stakeholders. While ALs offer tangible benefits regarding income generation, food security, and community resilience, the results suggest that it is challenging to find evidence supporting AL interventions’ success from the long-term sustainability. Many respondents expressed dissatisfaction due to deficiencies in capital and institutional barriers stemming from limited skills and education, inefficient beneficiary selection, undue pressure to produce satisfactory outcomes, inadequate coordination among delivering agencies, and insufficient cooperation between local governments and project entities. Hence, this study highlights the need for a bottom-up approach to beneficiary selection, enhanced inter-agency collaboration, refined project design, and increased investment in education and vocational training to improve AL intervention outcomes and environmental sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic had severe impacts on social and economic conditions around the world. This study was designed to assess the impact of COVID-19 on the small-scale fisheries sector in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. All respondents were drawn randomly from fisheries stakeholders including fishers, fish traders, fisheries officials, and government and non-governmental organizations (N = 580). The findings showed that border lockdown was a major problem experienced by all the small-scale fishers, with negative impacts on cross-border fish trade and cash flow. Implementation of restricted movements in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka resulted in complete shutdown of fisheries, while stay-at-home orders prevented travel to and within fishing areas. The Republic of Tanzania did not implement lockdowns. Some of the fishers from Bangladesh experienced significant apprehension whenever they went out fishing. COVID-19 negatively affected the fishers' families, causing them untold suffering during the lockdowns. Fishers' families experienced inadequate food, and their children struggled to keep up with their online classes. In Tanzania, women were not able to sell their fish and mostly stayed at home. In Indonesia and in the Philippines, family members who worked in urban areas returned to their villages to avoid the threat of the virus. Our study revealed that the pandemic resulted in fishing restrictions, reduction in fish prices, logistical problems for transport and marketing, general lack of mobility for people, food inadequacy, and poor education of the fishers' children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examines the plight of hilsa fishers in Bangladesh, grappling with challenges such as poor market access, scant capital, and shrinking fish stocks. This situation led to the seasonal dadon loan system, which provides immediate financial aid but often traps many fishers in a relentless debt cycle. We adopted a socio-ecological systems (SES) framework to examine the interconnected social and ecological dynamics of the hilsa fishery industry. Using a blend of quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews, we assessed the impact of the dadon loan system on small-scale fishers across four fishing locales in Bangladesh. The results indicate that the dadon loan system is a temporary financial prop for fishers but perpetuates debt cycles and curbs long-term financial security. Factors such as restricted access to formal credit, high fishing costs, and inadequate government support drive this system. This study identifies potential alternatives, such as government-backed loans, community finance schemes, and the promotion of alternative livelihoods, which could reduce reliance on the dadon loan system and improve fishers’ socioeconomic conditions. Implementing these strategies may dismantle the debt cycle, boost fishers’ welfare, and strengthen the socio-ecological resilience of fishing communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neddylation is a post-translational modification that plays an important role not only in cancer development but also in regulating viral infection and replication. Upregulation of neddylation occurs in viral infections, and inhibition of neddylation can suppress viral replication. Neddylation is thought to enhance viral protein stability and replication. Neddylation has been reported to enhance the stability of the regulatory hepatitis B virus (HBV) X protein, modulate viral replication, and enhance hepatocarcinogenesis. Inhibition of neddylation using the NEDD8-activating enzyme E1 inhibitor MLN4924 inhibits viral replication, including that of HBV. Understanding of the role of neddylation in viral infections is critical for developing new therapeutic targets and potential treatment strategies. In this review, we discuss recent progress in the understanding of the effects of neddylation during viral infection, particularly in HBV infection, and strategies for curing viral infection by targeting the neddylation pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue, a rapidly spreading mosquito-borne human viral disease caused by dengue virus (DENV), is a public health concern in tropical and subtropical areas due to its expanding geographical range. DENV can cause a wide spectrum of illnesses in humans, ranging from asymptomatic infection or mild dengue fever (DF) to life-threatening dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Dengue is caused by four DENV serotypes; however, dengue pathogenesis is complex and poorly understood. Establishing a useful animal model that can exhibit dengue-fever-like signs similar to those in humans is essential to improve our understanding of the host response and pathogenesis of DENV. Although several animal models, including mouse models, non-human primate models, and a recently reported tree shrew model, have been investigated for DENV infection, animal models with clinical signs that are similar to those of DF in humans have not yet been established. Although animal models are essential for understanding the pathogenesis of DENV infection and for drug and vaccine development, each animal model has its own strengths and limitations. Therefore, in this review, we provide a recent overview of animal models for DENV infection and pathogenesis, focusing on studies of the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effect in animal models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) is the most common cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. The mechanisms that regulate HBV viral replication remain poorly defined. Here, we show that blocking of the neddylation elicits antiviral effect against HBV replication, indicating that NEDD8 supports viral production. Methods and results: To explore role of neddylation, HBV-replicating HepG2.2.15.7 cells and HBV-infected HepG2-hNTCP-30 cells were treated with siNEDD8 and MLN4924, a potent and selective NEDD8-activating enzyme inhibitor. Cell viability, intracellular and extracellular HBV DNA, covalently closed circular DNA (cccDNA), HBsAg, HBeAg, and HBcrAg were measured to assess the consequences of the various treatments on viral replication. Our data showed that HBV infection increased NEDD8 expression in human liver cell lines. Symmetrically, NEDD8 knockdown by siRNA or MLN4924 treatments decreased HBV replication in HepG2.2.15.7 and HepG2-hNTCP-30 cells. Notably, HBsAg, and HBeAg secretions were strongly suppressed in the culture supernatants, but not the HBcrAg. These results indicate that the suppression of NEDD8 decreases HBV replication. However, cccDNA steady level confirms once again its persistence and longevity in chronic infection. Conclusion: The manipulation of the neddylation pathway can thus provide new tools interfering with HBV persistence as well as novel therapeutic strategies against chronic hepatitis B. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koala retrovirus (KoRV), a major pathogen of koalas, exists in both endogenous (KoRV-A) and exogenous forms (KoRV-B to J). However, the impact of infection with multiple subtypes is not well understood. Accordingly, in this study, we surveyed a representative sample from a Japanese zoo population to determine the infection status for three KoRV subtypes (KoRV-A, B, and C) and to investigate the proviral and RNA load profiles in animals with single- and multiple-subtype infections, using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and plasma. Six koalas were evaluated in the study; all were infected with KoRV-A, and two koalas were coinfected with non-A subtypes (KoRV-B and/or KoRV-C). The highest KoRV total RNA and viral loads in PBMCs and plasma were found in a koala infected with multiple subtypes (KoRV-A, -B and -C). The other koala infected with multiple subtypes (KoRV-A and B) showed the highest proviral PBMC load but the lowest RNA copy number in PBMC and plasma. PBMCs from this animal were cultured for further investigation, and KoRV RNA was detected in the cells and culture supernatant after 7 and/or 14 days. The koalas harboring multiple subtypes had a higher white blood cell count than those harboring only KoRV-A and were judged to be leukemic, and they subsequently died due to lymphoma. Accordingly, we conclude that coinfection with multiple KoRV subtypes may be linked to more-severe disease. In a sequence alignment, the detected KoRV-A env gene showed 100% sequence identity to the reference gene, whereas the KoRV-B and -C env genes varied from their reference sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is a major threat to koala health and conservation. It also represents a series of challenges across the fields of virology, immunology, and epidemiology that are of great potential interest to any researcher in the field of retroviral diseases. KoRV is a gammaretrovirus that is present in both endogenous and exogenous forms in koala populations, with a still-active endogenization process. KoRV may induce immunosuppression and neoplastic conditions such as lymphoma and leukemia and play a role in chlamydiosis and other diseases in koalas. KoRV transmission modes, pathogenesis, and host immune response still remain unclear, and a clear understanding of these areas is critical for devising effective preventative and therapeutic strategies. Research on KoRV is clearly critical for koala conservation. In this review, we provide an overview of the current understanding and future challenges related to KoRV epidemiology, transmission mode, pathogenesis, and host immune response and discuss prospects for therapeutic and preventive vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is unique among endogenous retroviruses because its endogenization is still active. Two major KoRV subtypes, KoRV-A and B, have been described, and KoRV-B is associated with disease and poses a health threat to koalas. Here, we investigated the co-prevalence of KoRV-A and KoRV-B, detected by type-specific PCR and sequencing, and their impact on the health of koalas in three Japanese zoos. We also investigated KoRV proviral loads and found varying amounts of genomic DNA (gDNA) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). We found that 100% of the koalas examined were infected with KoRV-A and 60% (12/20) were coinfected with KoRV-B. The KoRV-A sequence was highly conserved, whereas the KoRV-B sequence varied among individuals. Interestingly, we observed possible vertical transmission of KoRV-B in one offspring in which the KoRV-B sequence was similar to that of the father but not the mother. Moreover, we characterized the KoRV growth patterns in concanavalin-A-stimulated PBMCs isolated from KoRV-B-coinfected or KoRV-B-uninfected koalas. We quantified the KoRV provirus in gDNA and the KoRV RNA copy numbers in cells and culture supernatants by real-time PCR at days 4, 7, and 14 post-seeding. As the study population is housed in captivity, a longitudinal study of these koalas may provide an opportunity to study the transmission mode of KoRV-B. In addition, we characterized KoRV isolates by infecting tupaia cells. The results suggested that tupaia may be used as an infection model for KoRV. Thus, this study may enhance our understanding of KoRV-B coinfection and transmission in the captive koalas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic, and cytotoxic activities of the crude methanol extract of Bonamia semidigyna (Roxb.) leaves and its derived fractions in different experimental models. Leaves of B. semidigyna were extracted with methanol (MBS) and the resultant successively fractionated into n-hexane (NBS), petroleum ether (PBS), chloroform (CBS), and ethyl acetate (EBS) soluble fractions. Later, the plant extractives were investigated for antioxidant, antibacterial, anthelmintic and cytotoxic properties. Phytochemical study was carried out using standard methods and polyphenols content were determined by spectrophotometric techniques. Antioxidant activity was evaluated by DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) scavenging activity, ferric reducing power, and total antioxidant capacity assays. Disc diffusion technique used to evaluate the antibacterial efficacy and anthelmintic activity was determined using aquarium worm (Tubifex tubifex) whereas cytotoxicity was evaluated using brine shrimp lethality bioassay. The phytochemical study revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, tannins, saponins, phenolic, steroids, sterols, quinones, oxalate, coumarins, and emodins in the plant extractives. In addition, the quantitative phytochemical analysis showed the significant amount of polyphenol contents. In antioxidant assays, the crude methanol extract and EBS fraction exhibited the most potent antioxidant activity among all the extractives. The crude methanol extract and EBS fraction also possessed significant antibacterial and anthelmintic potentials while moderate cytotoxic activities were found for all the plant extractives. The present study confirmed that the crude methanol extract of B. semidigyna and its EBS fraction, possibly due to its high polyphenol contents possess significant antioxidant, antibacterial, and anthelmintic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Koala retrovirus (KoRV) is a gammaretrovirus that is becoming endogenous in koalas. Here, we explored the dynamics of KoRV infection in captive koalas in Japan. We isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 11 koalas, from which we extracted the KoRV genome. We found the prevalence of KoRV provirus in the koalas to be 100%, and the copy number of KoRV proviral DNA in genomic DNA isolated from PBMCs was variable. The KoRV envelope genes from 11 koalas were sequenced and all were found to be KoRV type A. Nucleotide substitution analysis revealed differences in the KoRV env gene sequences of parents and their offspring. Although no viral KoRV RNA was detected in plasma of healthy koalas, a high copy number was found in plasma of a diseased koala (#6). Hematological analysis showed a high white blood cell (WBC) count in the blood of koala #6. Notably, when retested ~ 5 months later, koala #6 was found to be negative for KoRV in plasma, and the WBC count was within the normal range. Therefore, KoRV in the plasma could be a possible indicator of koala health. We also investigated KoRV growth in concanavalin-A-stimulated koala PBMCs by measuring the KoRV provirus copy number in gDNA and the KoRV RNA copy number in cells and culture supernatants by real-time PCR at days 4, 7, and 14 post-culture. We also observed that KoRV isolates were able to infect HEK293T cells. These findings could enhance our understanding of the dynamics of KoRV and its pathogenesis in koalas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The northern tree shrew (Tupaia belangeri) possesses high potential as an animal model of human diseases and biology, given its genetic similarity to primates. Although genetic information on the tree shrew has already been published, some of the entire coding sequences (CDSs) of tree shrew genes remained incomplete, and the reliability of these CDSs remained difficult to determine. To improve the determination of tree shrew CDSs, we performed sequencing of the whole-genome, mRNA, and total RNA and integrated the resulting data. Additionally, we established criteria for the selection of reliable CDSs and annotated these sequences by comparison to the human transcriptome, resulting in the identification of complete CDSs for 12,612 tree shrew genes and yielding a more accurate tree shrew genome database (TupaiaBase: http://tupaiabase.org). Transcriptome profiles in hepatitis B virus infected tree shrew livers were analyzed for validation. Gene ontology analysis showed enriched transcriptional regulation at 1 day post-infection, namely in the "type I interferon signaling pathway". Moreover, a negative regulator of type I interferon, SOCS3, was induced. This work, which provides a tree shrew CDS database based on genomic DNA and RNA sequencing, is expected to serve as a powerful tool for further development of the tree shrew model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract This study examined the factors influencing customers’ consumption intentions and willingness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food by combining personal innovativeness, perceived compatibility, perceived product value, desire to eat, and willingness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food into a conceptual framework. Applying the extended theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework with personal innovativeness, perceived compatibility, and perceived product value, this study obtained data from 1540 respondents using an online cross-sectional questionnaire and utilized partial least squares structural equation modeling to verify the study hypotheses. The findings revealed that personal inventiveness, attitude, perceived compatibility, subjective norms, perceived product value, and perceived behavioral control exert a significant influence on the intention and willingness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food. The result also showed that perceived behavior and intention significantly affect willingness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food. Furthermore, the outcome confirmed that, with the exception of the link between perceived product value, subjective norms, and willingness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food, intention serves as a significant mediator in the relationship between factors and willingness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food. This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of the factors that influence consumers’ intention to consume and willingness to pay a premium for 3D-printed food, providing new insights from new variables and broadening the scope of the TPB’s original model in the perspective of new food settings and Asian nations. These findings imply that 3D-printed food sellers in the Asian market need to pay more attention to the factors that stimulate customers’ intentions, which, in turn, affect consumers’ views of perceived product value and improve their readiness to pay a premium price for 3D-printed food.

Abstract Considerable attention has been paid to the problem of food waste on a worldwide scale. Evidence demonstrates that food waste occurs mostly in private households, and that home food waste has been identified as the leading cause of global food waste. Home food waste poses a severe threat to food security and involves environmental and financial ramifications. While this is a global issue, most studies on what motivates people to make changes that would result in less food waste have been conducted in wealthy countries. Integrating the Theory of Interpersonal Behavior (TIB), this study fills this gap by investigating the factors influencing Chinese household consumers’ intentions toward food waste reduction and their actual food waste behavior. This study used a cross-sectional survey approach to collect data from households using social media platforms. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was adopted to assess and evaluate the conceptual model. The empirical findings demonstrate that cognitive (perceived value of sustainability), environmental (awareness of consequences and ascription of responsibility), social (social norms), and emotional (anticipated guilt) aspects tend to have a positive influence on Chinese household consumers’ intentions toward reducing food waste, suggesting that interpersonal behavior could reduce food consumption in developing countries like China. Furthermore, the findings show that the intention to decrease food waste serves as an intermediary variable that highlights another route of association between the TIB factors and actual food waste reduction behavior. The findings will be more informative to policymakers, marketers, and researchers in developing strategies to reduce food waste.