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In this paper we compare the strategies applied by two successful biological components of the ecosystem, the viruses and the human beings, to interact with the environment. Viruses have had and still exert deep and vast actions on the ecosystem especially at the genome level of most of its biotic components. We discuss on the importance of the human being as contraptions maker in particular of robots, hence of machines capable of automatically carrying out complex series of actions. Beside the relevance of designing and assembling these contraptions, it is of basic importance the goal for which they are assembled and future scenarios of their possible impact on the ecosystem. We can't procrastinate the development and implementation of a highly inspired and stringent 'ethical code' for human beings and humanoid robots because it will be a crucial aspect for the wellbeing of the mankind and of the entire ecosystem., Author(s): Luigi F. Agnati [sup.1] [sup.2], Deanna Anderlini [sup.3], Diego Guidolin [sup.4], Manuela Marcoli [sup.5], Guido Maura [sup.5] Author Affiliations: (1) grid.4714.6, 0000 0004 1937 0626, Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska [...]

Fractal analysis is a mathematical approach employed to study and describe complex patterns and structures across various disciplines, including mathematics, physics, computer science, biology and finance. Introduced by mathematician Benoit Mandelbrot in the 1970s, fractals are intricate, self-similar patterns that repeat at different scales, exhibiting consistent structures upon magnification or reduction. This analysis involves generating fractals through iterative processes or recursive equations, resulting in highly detailed and complex formations. Fractal analysis enhances medical images by removing noise while preserving details and improving diagnostic quality in magnetic resonance and computed tomography scans. However, there is a lack of comprehensive studies on its application in ultrasound imaging, prompting this narrative review to investigate its use and methodology in this context. Selected papers on the use of fractal analysis in ultrasound imaging were analyzed. Out of 186 records screened, 60 duplicates were removed and 28 were discarded. The text content of 98 potentially eligible papers was checked, with 65 not meeting inclusion criteria. Finally, 33 studies were included in the review. Fractal analysis enhances ultrasound imaging by providing detailed tissue texture characterization, aiding in the diagnosis of conditions like breast and lung cancer, osteoporosis and hypertensive disorders in pregnancy. It quantifies biological structure complexity and improves diagnostic accuracy and reliability. This technique supports clinicians in making informed decisions by offering critical insights into various medical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The receptor–receptor interaction (RRI) of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) leads to new functional entities that are conceptually distinct from the simple addition of signals mediated by the activation of the receptors that form the heteromers. Focusing on astrocytes, there is evidence for the existence of inhibitory and facilitatory RRIs, including the heteromers formed by the adenosine A2A and the dopamine D2 receptors, by A2A and the oxytocin receptor (OTR), and the D2-OTR heteromers. The possible involvement of these receptors in mosaicism has never been investigated in striatal astrocytes. By biophysical and functional approaches, we focused our attention on the existence of an A2A-D2-OTR high-order receptor complex and its role in modulating cytosolic calcium levels and endogenous glutamate release, when striatal astrocyte processes were stimulated with 4-aminopyridine. Functional data indicate a permissive role of OTR on dopamine signaling in the regulation of the glutamatergic transmission, and an inhibitory control mediated by A2A on both the D2-mediated signaling and on the OTR-facilitating effect on D2. Imaging biochemical and bioinformatic evidence confirmed the existence of the A2A-D2-OTR complex and its ternary structure in the membrane. In conclusion, the D2 receptor appears to be a hotspot in the control of the glutamate release from the astrocytic processes and may contribute to the regulation and integration of different neurotransmitter-mediated signaling in the striatum by the A2A-D2-OTR heterotrimers. Considering the possible selectivity of allosteric interventions on GPCRs organized as receptor mosaics, A2A-D2-OTR heterotrimers may offer selective pharmacological targets in neuropsychiatric disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective was to investigate the effects of increasing levels of extruded urea (EU) in the supplementation of lambs grazing. Crossbred Texel lambs (n = 45) were used and kept in continuous grazing in paddocks with Brachiaria spp. The design used was completely randomised, with five of EU replacing soybean meal (0; 6; 12; 18 and 24 g/kg) and two sexes (male and female). The animals were slaughtered, and qualitative and quantitative evaluations of the carcass, non-carcass components, meat quality and chemical composition were carried out. There was an interaction between level*sex for ether extract (EE) and crude protein (CP), so than the meat of the females from the treatment without EU had a higher content of EE than that used EU and the meat of the males from the treatments with 12 g and 24 g 100 kg−1 LW higher levels of CP than other treatments. For all measurements performed up to 18 g 100 kg−1 LW of EU replacing bran and soy, the results were promising, and can be fed to finishing lambs under grazing, without negatively influencing most of the carcass characteristics, components non-carcass, meat quality and chemical composition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]