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Introduction: Biomimetic soft pneumatic actuators (SPA) with Kresling origami patterns have unique advantages over conventional rigid robots, owing to their adaptability and safety. Objectives: Inspired by cloning and moving behaviors observed from salps, we proposed an SPA based on a Kresling-like pattern with a rigid skeleton. The elongation and output force were tested, and the effectiveness of the applications with the SPA was evaluated. Methods: The proposed SPA consists of rigid skeletons and a soft skin. The rigid skeletons are constructed using layers of Kresling-like patterns, while a novel extensible inserting structure is devised to replace the folds found in conventional Kresling patterns. This innovative approach ensures that the SPA exhibits axial contraction/expansion motion without any twisting movement. To mimic the bionic characteristics of swimming and ingesting progress of salps, the proposed SPA can perform an axial contraction motion without twisting and a controllable bending motion based on multi-layered Kresling-like patterns; to mimic the cloning and releasing life phenomena of salps, the number of layers of Kresling-like patterns is changeable by adding or reducing skeleton components according to the practical needs. Results: The experimental elongation results on the SPA with multiple layers of Kresling-like patterns show that the elongation can increase to above 162% by adding layers; the experimental output force results show that the three-layer SPA can provide 6.36 N output force at an air flow rate of 10 L/min, and the output force will continue to increase as the number of layers of Kresling-like pattern increases or the air flow rate increases. Further, we demonstrate the applications of the SPA in soft grippers, scissor grippers, claw grippers and pipe crawlers. Conclusion: Our proposed SPA can avoid twisting in the radial contraction motion with high elongation and output force, and provide the practical guidance for bio-inspired soft robotic applications.

Introduction: Cytochrome P450 enzymes (P450s) are recognized as the most versatile catalysts worldwide, playing vital roles in numerous biological metabolism and biosynthesis processes across all kingdoms of life. Despite the vast number of P450 genes available in databases (over 300,000), only a small fraction of them (less than 0.2 %) have undergone functional characterization. Objectives: To provide a convenient platform with abundant information on P450s and their corresponding reactions, we introduce the P450Rdb database, a manually curated resource compiles literature-supported reactions catalyzed by P450s. Methods: All the P450s and Reactions were manually curated from the literature and known databases. Subsequently, the P450 reactions organized and categorized according to their chemical reaction type and site. The website was developed using HTML and PHP languages, with the MySQL server utilized for data storage. Results: The current version of P450Rdb catalogs over 1,600 reactions, involving more than 590 P450s across a diverse range of over 200 species. Additionally, it offers a user-friendly interface with comprehensive information, enabling easy querying, browsing, and analysis of P450s and their corresponding reactions. P450Rdb is free available at http://www.cellknowledge.com.cn/p450rdb/. Conclusions: We believe that this database will significantly promote structural and functional research on P450s, thereby fostering advancements in the fields of natural product synthesis, pharmaceutical engineering, biotechnological applications, agricultural and crop improvement, and the chemical industry.

Introduction: Epigenetic alterations play crucial roles in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Disturbances in lipid metabolism contribute to tumor progression. However, studies in epigenetics, especially its critical regulator YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2 (YTHDF2), on lipid metabolism regulation in DLBCL are unidentified. Objectives: Elucidate the prognostic value and biological functions of YTHDF2 in DLBCL and illuminate the underlying epigenetic regulation mechanism of lipid metabolism by YTHDF2 in DLBCL development. Methods: The expression and clinical value of YTHDF2 in DLBCL were performed in public databases and clinical specimens. The biological functions of YTHDF2 in DLBCL were determined in vivo and in vitro through overexpression and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of YTHDF2. RNA sequencing, lipidomics, methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation-qPCR, luciferase activity assay, and RNA stability experiments were used to explore the potential mechanism by which YTHDF2 contributed to DLBCL progression. Results: YTHDF2 was highly expressed in DLBCL, and related to poor prognosis. YTHDF2 overexpression exerted a tumor-promoting effect in DLBCL, and knockdown of YTHDF2 restricted DLBCL cell proliferation, arrested cell cycle in the G2/M phase, facilitated apoptosis, and enhanced drug sensitivity to ibrutinib and venetoclax. In addition, YTHDF2 knockout drastically suppressed tumor growth in xenograft DLBCL models. Furthermore, a regulatory role of YTHDF2 in ceramide metabolism was identified in DLBCL cells. Exogenous ceramide effectively inhibited the malignant phenotype of DLBCL cells in vitro. The binding of YTHDF2 to m6A sites on alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2) mRNA promoted its stability and expression. Enhanced ACER2 expression hydrolyzed ceramides, disrupting the balance between ceramide and sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), activating the ERK and PI3K/AKT pathways, and leading to DLBCL tumorigenesis. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that YTHDF2 contributed to the progression of DLBCL by regulating ACER2-mediated ceramide metabolism in an m6A-dependent manner, providing novel insights into targeted therapies.

Introduction: Cardiac hypertrophy is an important contributor of heart failure, and the mechanisms remain unclear. Leucine zipper protein 1 (LUZP1) is essential for the development and function of cardiovascular system; however, its role in cardiac hypertrophy is elusive. Objectives: This study aims to investigate the molecular basis of LUZP1 in cardiac hypertrophy and to provide a rational therapeutic approach. Methods: Cardiac-specific Luzp1 knockout (cKO) and transgenic mice were established, and transverse aortic constriction (TAC) was used to induce pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy. The possible molecular basis of LUZP1 in regulating cardiac hypertrophy was determined by transcriptome analysis. Neonatal rat cardiomyocytes were cultured to elucidate the role and mechanism of LUZP1 in vitro. Results: LUZP1 expression was progressively increased in hypertrophic hearts after TAC surgery. Gain- and loss-of-function methods revealed that cardiac-specific LUZP1 deficiency aggravated, while cardiac-specific LUZP1 overexpression attenuated pressure overload-elicited hypertrophic growth and cardiac dysfunction in vivo and in vitro. Mechanistically, the transcriptome data identified Stat3 pathway as a key downstream target of LUZP1 in regulating pathological cardiac hypertrophy. Cardiac-specific Stat3 deletion abolished the pro-hypertrophic role in LUZP1 cKO mice after TAC surgery. Further findings suggested that LUZP1 elevated the expression of Src homology region 2 domain-containing phosphatase 1 (SHP1) to inactivate Stat3 pathway, and SHP1 silence blocked the anti-hypertrophic effects of LUZP1 in vivo and in vitro. Conclusion: We demonstrate that LUZP1 attenuates pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy through inhibiting Stat3 signaling, and targeting LUZP1 may develop novel approaches to treat pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Background: Immunotherapy has emerged as a novel strategy for cancer treatment following surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. Immune checkpoint blockade and Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cell therapies have been successful in clinical trials. Cancer cells evade immune surveillance by hijacking inhibitory pathways via overexpression of checkpoint genes. The Cluster of Differentiation 47 (CD47) has emerged as a crucial checkpoint for cancer immunotherapy by working as a “don’t eat me” signal and suppressing innate immune signaling. Furthermore, CD47 is highly expressed in many cancer types to protect cancer cells from phagocytosis via binding to SIRPα on phagocytes. Targeting CD47 by either interrupting the CD47-SIRPα axis or combing with other therapies has been demonstrated as an encouraging therapeutic strategy in cancer immunotherapy. Antibodies and small molecules that target CD47 have been explored in pre- and clinical trials. However, formidable challenges such as the anemia and palate aggregation cannot be avoided because of the wide presentation of CD47 on erythrocytes. Aim of view: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the regulation and function of CD47, and provides a new perspective for immunotherapy targeting CD47. It also highlights the clinical progress of targeting CD47 and discusses challenges and potential strategies. Key scientific concepts of review: This review provides a comprehensive understanding of targeting CD47 in cancer immunotherapy, it also augments the concept of combination immunotherapy strategies by employing both innate and adaptive immune responses.

Introduction: Sepsis-induced cardiac injury is the leading cause of death in patients. Recent studies have reported that reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated ferroptosis and macrophage-induced inflammation are the two main key roles in the process of cardiac injury. The combination of ferroptosis and inflammation inhibition is a feasible strategy in the treatment of sepsis-induced cardiac injury. Objectives: In the present study, ceria nanozyme coordination with curcumin (CeCH) was designed by a self-assembled method with human serum albumin (HSA) to inhibit ferroptosis and inflammation of sepsis-induced cardiac injury. Methods and results: The formed CeCH obtained the superoxide dismutase (SOD)-like and catalase (CAT)-like activities from ceria nanozyme to scavenge ROS, which showed a protective effect on cardiomyocytes in vitro. Furthermore, it also showed ferroptosis inhibition to reverse cell death from RSL3-induced cardiomyocytes, denoted from curcumin. Due to the combination therapy of ceria nanozyme and curcumin, the formed CeCH NPs could also promote M2 macrophage polarization to reduce inflammation in vitro. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced sepsis model, the CeCH NPs could effectively inhibit ferroptosis, reverse inflammation, and reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors, which markedly alleviated the myocardial injury and recover the cardiac function. Conclusion: Overall, the simple self-assembled strategy with ceria nanozyme and curcumin showed a promising clinical application for sepsis-induced cardiac injury by inhibiting ferroptosis and inflammation.

Introduction: Global warming is increasing interest in how aquatic animals can adjust their physiological performance and cope with temperature changes. Therefore, understanding the behavioral changes and molecular underpinnings in fish under warming is crucial for both the individual and groups survival. This could provide experimental evidence and resource for evaluating the impact of global warming. Objective: Three genetic families of common carp (Cyprinus carpio) were generated. These juveniles were constructed short-term (4 days) and long-term (30 days) warming groups to investigate the effects of warming on behavioral responses and to elucidate the potential underlying mechanisms of warming-driven behavior. Methods: Behavioral tests were used to explore the effects of short- and long-term exposure to warming on the swimming behavior of C. carpio. Brain transcriptome combined with measurement of nervous system activity was used to further investigated the comprehensive neuromolecular mechanisms under warming. Results: Long-term warming groups had a more significant impact on the decline of swimming behavior in juvenile C. carpio. Furthermore, brain comparative transcriptomic analysis combined with measurement of nervous system activity revealed that genes involved in cytoskeletal organization, mitochondrial regulation, and energy metabolism are major regulators of behavior in the juvenile under warming. Importantly, especially in the long-term warming groups, enrichment analysis of associated gene expression suggested functional alterations of synaptic transmission and signal transduction leading to swimming function impairment in the central nervous system, as revealed by behavioral tests. Conclusions: Our study provides evidence of the neurogenomic mechanism underlying the decreased swimming activity in juvenile C. carpio under warming. These findings have important implications for understanding the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems and the organisms that inhabit them.

Introduction: Ambient temperature-induced hypocotyl elongation in Arabidopsis seedlings is sensed by the epidermis-localized phytochrome B (phyB) and transduced into auxin biosynthesis via a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, phytochrome-interacting factor 4 (PIF4). Once synthesized, auxin travels down from the cotyledons to the hypocotyl, triggering hypocotyl cell elongation. Thus, the phyB–PIF4 module involved in thermosensing and signal transduction is a potential genetic target for engineering warm temperature-insensitive plants. Objectives: This study aims to manipulate warm temperature-induced elongation of plants at the post-translational level using phyB variants with dark reversion, the expression of which is subjected to heat stress. Methods: The thermosensitive growth response of Arabidopsis was manipulated by expressing the single amino acid substitution variant of phyB (phyB[G515E]), which exhibited a lower dark reversion rate than wild-type phyB. Other variants with slow (phyB[G564E]) or rapid (phyB[S584F]) dark reversion or light insensitivity (phyB[G767R]) were also included in this study for comparison. Warming-induced transient expression of phyB variants was achieved using heat shock-inducible promoters. Arabidopsis PHYB[G515E] and PHYB[G564E] were also constitutively expressed in rice in an attempt to manipulate the heat sensitivity of a monocotyledonous plant species. Results: At an elevated temperature, Arabidopsis seedlings transiently expressing PHYB[G515E] under the control of a heat shock-inducible promoter exhibited shorter hypocotyls than those expressing PHYB and other PHYB variant genes. This warm temperature-insensitive growth was related to the lowered PIF4 and auxin responses. In addition, transgenic rice seedlings expressing Arabidopsis PHYB[G515E] and PHYB[G564E] showed warm temperature-insensitive shoot growth. Conclusion: Transient expression of phyB variants with altered dark reversion rates could serve as an effective optogenetic technique for manipulating PIF4–auxin-mediated thermomorphogenic responses in plants.

Introduction: Natural products (NPs) play a crucial role in the development of therapeutic drugs. However, it is still highly challenging to identify the targets of NPs. Besides, NPs usually exert their pharmacological activities via acting on multiple targets or pathways, which also poses great difficulties for the target identification of NPs. Objectives: Inspired by our continuous efforts in designing drug-like protein degraders, this study introduced a successful example for the target identification and drug discovery of natural products evodiamine by employing PROTAC technology. Methods: Taking advantages of proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC), herein an integrated strategy combining PROTAC derivatization, quantitative proteomic analysis and binding affinity validation was developed for target identification and drug discovery of antitumor NP evodiamine. Results: In this study, both highly potent PROTACs and negative controls were designed for quantitative proteomic analysis. Furthermore, REXO4 was confirmed as a direct target of 3-fluoro-10-hydroxylevodiamine, which induced cell death through ROS. In addition, the PROTAC 13c effectively degraded REXO4 both in vitro and in vivo, leading to potent antitumor activities and reduced toxic side effects. Conclusion: In summary, we developed an integrated strategy for the target identification and drug discovery of NPs, which was successfully applied to the PROTAC derivatization and target characterization of evodiamine. This proof-of-concept study highlighted the superiority of PROTAC technology in target identification of NPs and accelerated the process of NPs-based drug discovery, exhibiting broad application in NP-based drug development.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) represents a progressive condition characterized by the remodeling of pulmonary arteries, ultimately culminating in right heart failure and increased mortality rates. Substantial evidence has elucidated the pivotal role of perivascular inflammatory factors and immune dysregulation in the pathogenesis of PH. Chemokines, a class of small secreted proteins, exert precise control over immune cell recruitment and functionality, particularly with respect to their migration to sites of inflammation. Consequently, chemokines emerge as critical drivers facilitating immune cell infiltration into the pulmonary tissue during inflammatory responses. This review comprehensively examines the significant contributions of CC chemokines in the maintenance of immune cell homeostasis and their pivotal role in regulating inflammatory responses. The central focus of this discussion is directed towards elucidating the precise immunoregulatory actions of CC chemokines concerning various immune cell types, including neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages, lymphocytes, dendritic cells, mast cells, eosinophils, and basophils, particularly in the context of pH processes. Furthermore, this paper delves into an exploration of the underlying pathogenic mechanisms that underpin the development of PH. Specifically, it investigates processes such as cellular pyroptosis, examines the intricate crosstalk between bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) mutations and the immune response, and sheds light on key signaling pathways involved in the inflammatory response. These aspects are deemed critical in enhancing our understanding of the complex pathophysiology of PH. Moreover, this review provides a comprehensive synthesis of findings from experimental investigations targeting immune cells and CC chemokines. Aim of review: In summary, the inquiry into the inflammatory responses mediated by CC chemokines and their corresponding receptors, and their potential in modulating immune reactions, holds promise as a prospective avenue for addressing PH. The potential inhibition of CC chemokines and their receptors stands as a viable strategy to attenuate the inflammatory cascade and ameliorate the pathological manifestations of PH. Nonetheless, it is essential to acknowledge the current state of clinical trials and the ensuing progress, which regrettably appears to be less than encouraging. Substantial hurdles exist in the successful translation of research findings into clinical applications. The intention is that such emphasis could potentially foster the advancement of potent therapeutic agents presently in the process of clinical evaluation. This, in turn, may further bolster the potential for effective management of PH.

Introduction:: Accurate identification of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) in primary care and rural areas can be a challenging task. However, recent advancements in computer vision offer the potential for automated systems to detect PAH from echocardiography. Objectives:: Our aim was to develop a precise and efficient diagnostic model for PAH tailored to the unique requirements of intelligent diagnosis, especially in challenging locales like high-altitude regions. Methods:: We proposed the Chamber Attention Network (CAN) for PAH identification from echocardiographic images, trained on a dataset comprising 13,912 individual subjects. A convolutional neural network (CNN) for view classification was used to select the clinically relevant apical four chamber (A4C) and parasternal long axis (PLAX) views for PAH diagnosis. To assess the importance of different heart chambers in PAH diagnosis, we developed a novel Chamber Attention Module. Results:: The experimental results demonstrated that: 1) The substantial correspondence between our obtained chamber attention vector and clinical expertise suggested that our model was highly interpretable, potentially uncovering diagnostic insights overlooked by the clinical community. 2) The proposed CAN model exhibited superior image-level accuracy and faster convergence on the internal validation dataset compared to the other four models. Furthermore, our CAN model outperformed the others on the external test dataset, with image-level accuracies of 82.53% and 83.32% for A4C and PLAX, respectively. 3) Implementation of the voting strategy notably enhanced the positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of individual-level classification results, enhancing the reliability of our classification outcomes. Conclusions:: These findings indicate that CAN is a feasible technique for AI-assisted PAH diagnosis, providing new insights into cardiac structural changes observed in echocardiography.

Introduction: Lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) plays a crucial role in acyl-esterifying cholesterol in plasma, which is essential for reverse cholesterol transport (RCT). Previous studies indicated that its activity on both α and β lipoproteins interpret its effects on lipoproteins for many controversial investigations of atherosclerosis. Objectives: To better understand the relationship between LCAT, diet-induced dyslipidemia and atherosclerosis, we developed a double knockout (LCAT−/−&LDLR−/−, DKO) hamster model to evaluate the specific role of LCAT independent of LDL clearance effects. Methods: Plasma triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and free cholesterol (FC) levels were measured using biochemical reagent kits. FPLC was performed to analyze the components of lipoproteins. Apolipoprotein content was assessed using western blotting (WB). The hamsters were fed a high cholesterol/high fat diet (HCHFD) to induce atherosclerosis. Oil Red O staining was employed to detect plaque formation. Peritoneal macrophages were studied to investigate the effects of LCAT on cholesterol uptake and efflux. Results: On HCHFD, DKO hamsters exhibited significantly elevated levels of TG and FC, while HDL-C was nearly undetectable without affecting TC levels, as compared to low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR)-deficient (LDLR−/−, LKO) hamsters. Lipoprotein profiling revealed a marked increase in plasma chylomicron/very low-density lipoprotein (CM/VLDL) fractions, along with an unexpected reduction in LDL fraction in DKO hamsters. Furthermore, DKO hamsters displayed aggravated atherosclerotic lesions in the aorta, aortic root, and coronary artery relative to LKO hamsters, attributed to a pro-atherogenic lipoprotein profile and impaired cholesterol efflux in macrophages. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates the beneficial role of LCAT in inhibiting atherosclerotic development and highlights the distinctive lipid metabolism characteristics in hamsters with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Introduction: Atherosclerosis, a major contributor to cardiovascular disease, remains a significant health concern worldwide. While previous research has shown that acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1) impedes macrophage cholesterol efflux, its precise role in atherogenesis and the underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the role of ASIC1 in atherosclerosis and its underlying mechanisms. Methods: First, data from a single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) database were used to explore the relationships between ASIC1 differential expression and lipophagy in human atherosclerotic lesions. Finally, we validated the role of ASIC1/RIP1 signaling in lipophagy in vivo (human and mice) and in vitro (RAW264.7 and HTP-1 cells). Result: Our results demonstrated a significant increase in ASIC1 protein levels within CD68+ macrophages in both human aortic lesions and AopE-/- mouse lesion areas compared to nonlesion regions. Concurrently, there was a notable decrease in lipophagy, a crucial process for lipid metabolism. In vitro assays further elucidated that ASIC1 interaction with RIP1 (receptor-interacting protein 1) promoted the phosphorylation of RIP1 at serine 166 and transcription factor EB (TFEB) at serine 142, leading to disrupted lipophagy and increased lipid accumulation. Intriguingly, all these events were reversed upon ASIC1 deficiency and RIP1 inhibition. Furthermore, in ApoE-/- mouse models of atherosclerosis, silencing ASIC1 expression or inhibiting RIP1 activation not only significantly attenuated atherogenesis but also restored TFEB-mediated lipophagy in aortic tissues. This was evidenced by reduced TFEB Ser-142 phosphorylation, decreased LC3II and LAMP1 protein expression, increased numbers of lipophagosomes, and a decrease in lipid droplets. Conclusion: Our findings unveil the critical role of macrophage ASIC1 in interacting with RIP1 to inhibit lipophagy, thereby promoting atherogenesis. Targeting ASIC1 represents a promising therapeutic avenue for the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Background: Aging, a complex and profound journey, leads us through a labyrinth of physiological and pathological transformations, rendering us increasingly susceptible to aging-related diseases. Emerging investigations have unveiled the function of bromodomain containing protein 4 (BRD4) in manipulating the aging process and driving the emergence and progression of aging-related diseases. Aim of review: This review aims to offer a comprehensive outline of BRD4′s functions involved in the aging process, and potential mechanisms through which BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases. Key scientific concepts of review: BRD4 has a fundamental role in regulating the cell cycle, apoptosis, cellular senescence, the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), senolysis, autophagy, and mitochondrial function, which are involved in the aging process. Several studies have indicated that BRD4 governs the initiation and progression of various aging-related diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, hypertension, atherosclerosis, heart failure, aging-related pulmonary fibrosis, and intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). Thus, the evidence from this review supports that BRD4 could be a promising target for managing various aging-related diseases, while further investigation is warranted to gain a thorough understanding of BRD4′s role in these diseases.

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)-caused infections greatly threaten public health. The discovery of natural-product-based anti-MRSA agents for treating infectious diseases has become one of the current research focuses. Objectives: This study aims to identify promising anti-MRSA agents with a clear mechanism based on natural norharmane modified by quaternization or dimerization. Methods: A total of 32 norharmane analogues were prepared and characterized. Their antibacterial activities and resistance development propensity were tested by the broth double-dilution method. Cell counting kit-8 and hemolysis experiments were used to assess their biosafety. The plasma stability, bactericidal mode, and biofilm disruption effects were examined by colony counting and crystal violet staining assays. Fluorescence microscopy, metabolomic analysis, docking simulation and spectra titration revealed its anti-MRSA mechanisms. The mouse skin infection model was used to investigate the in vivo efficacy. Results: Compound 5a was selected as a potential anti-MRSA agent, which exhibited potent anti-MRSA activity in vitro and in vivo, low cytotoxicity and hemolysis under an effective dose. Moreover, compound 5a showed good stability in 50% plasma, a low tendency of resistance development and capabilities to disrupt bacterial biofilms. The mechanism studies revealed that compound 5a could inhibit the biosynthesis of bacteria cell walls, damage the membrane, disturb energy metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways, and interfere with protein synthesis and nucleic acid function. Conclusions: These results suggested that compound 5a is a promising candidate for combating MRSA infections, providing valuable information for further exploiting a new generation of therapeutic antibiotics.

Background: Cancer is the most common cause of death and is still a serious public health problem. Alkaloids, a class of bioactive compounds widely diffused in plants, especially Chinese herbs, are used as functional ingredients, precursors, and lead compounds in food and clinical applications. Among them, aporphine alkaloids (AAs), as an important class of isoquinoline alkaloids, exert a strong anticancer effect on multiple cancer types. Aim of review: This review aims to comprehensively summarize the phytochemistry, pharmacokinetics, and bioavailability of seven subtypes of AAs and their derivatives from various plants and highlight their anticancer bioactivities and mechanisms of action.Key Scientific Concepts of Review.The chemical structures and botanical diversity of AAs are elucidated, and promising results are highlighted regarding the potent anticancer activities of AAs and their derivatives, contributing to their pharmacological benefits. This work provides a better understanding of AAs and combinational anticancer therapies involving them, thereby improving the development of functional food containing plant-derived AA and the clinical application of AAs.

Introduction: Our previous work reveals a critical role of activation of neuronal Alox5 in exacerbating brain injury post seizures. However, whether neuronal Alox5 impacts the pathological process of epilepsy remains unknown. Objectives: To prove the feasibility of neuron-specific deletion of Alox5 via CRISPR-Cas9 in the blockade of seizure onset and epileptic progression. Methods: Here, we employed a Clustered regularly interspaced short-palindromic repeat-associated proteins 9 system (CRISPR/Cas9) system delivered by adeno-associated virus (AAV) to specifically delete neuronal Alox5 gene in the hippocampus to explore its therapeutic potential in various epilepsy mouse models and possible mechanisms. Results: Neuronal depletion of Alox5 was successfully achieved in the brain. AAV delivery of single guide RNA of Alox5 in hippocampus resulted in reducing seizure severity, delaying epileptic progression and improving epilepsy-associated neuropsychiatric comorbidities especially anxiety, cognitive deficit and autistic-like behaviors in pilocarpine- and kainic acid-induced temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) models. In addition, neuronal Alox5 deletion also reversed neuron loss, neurodegeneration, astrogliosis and mossy fiber sprouting in TLE model. Moreover, a battery of tests including analysis of routine blood test, hepatic function, renal function, routine urine test and inflammatory factors demonstrated no noticeable toxic effect, suggesting that Alox5 deletion possesses the satisfactory biosafety. Mechanistically, the anti-epileptic effect of Alox5 deletion might be associated with reduction of glutamate level to restore excitatory/inhibitory balance by reducing CAMKII-mediated phosphorylation of Syn ISer603. Conclusion: Our findings showed the translational potential of AAV-mediated delivery of CRISPR-Cas9 system including neuronal Alox5 gene for an alternative promising therapeutic approach to treat epilepsy.

Background: The breeding of high-quality, high-yield, and disease-resistant varieties is closely related to food security. The investigation of breeding results relies on the evaluation of seed phenotype, which is a key step in the process of breeding. In the global digitalization trend, digital technology based on optical sensors can perform the digitization of seed phenotype in a non-contact, high throughput way, thus significantly improving breeding efficiency. Aim of review: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the principles, characteristics, data processing methods, and bottlenecks associated with three digital technique types based on optical sensors: spectroscopy, digital imaging, and three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction techniques. In addition, the applicability and adaptability of digital techniques based on the optical sensors of maize seed phenotype traits, namely external visible phenotype (EVP) and internal invisible phenotype (IIP), are investigated. Furthermore, trends in future equipment, platform, phenotype data, and processing algorithms are discussed. This review offers conceptual and practical support for seed phenotype digitization based on optical sensors, which will provide reference and guidance for future research. Key scientific concepts of review: The digital techniques based on optical sensors can perform non-contact and high-throughput seed phenotype evaluation. Due to the distinct characteristics of optical sensors, matching suitable digital techniques according to seed phenotype traits can greatly reduce resource loss, and promote the efficiency of seed evaluation as well as breeding decision-making. Future research in phenotype equipment and platform, phenotype data, and processing algorithms will make digital techniques better meet the demands of seed phenotype evaluation, and promote automatic, integrated, and intelligent evaluation of seed phenotype, further helping to lessen the gap between digital techniques and seed phenotyping.

Background: Flavonoids are one of the most important metabolites with vast structural diversity and a plethora of potential pharmacological applications, which have drawn considerable attention in the laboratory. Nevertheless, it remains uncertain how many candidates were progressed to clinical application. Aim of Review: We carried out a critical review of natural and semi-synthetic flavonoid drugs and candidates undergoing different clinical phases worldwide by applying an adequate search method and conducted a brief cheminformatic and bioinformatic analysis. It was expected that the obtained results might narrow the screening scope and reduce the cost of drug research and development. Key scientific Concepts of Review: To our knowledge, this is the most systematic summarization of flavonoid-based drugs and clinical candidates to date. It was found that a total of 19 flavonoid-based drugs have been approved for the market, and of these, natural flavonoids accounted for 52.6%. Besides, a total of 36 flavonoid-based clinical candidates are undergoing or suspended in different phases, and of these, natural flavonoids account for 44.4%. Thus, natural flavonoids remain the best option for finding novel agents/active templates, and when investigated in conjunction with synthetic chemicals and biologicals, they offer the potential to discover novel structures that can lead to effective agents against a variety of human diseases. Additionally, flavonoid-based marketed drugs have been successful in cardiovascular treatment, and the related drugs account for more than 30% of marketed drugs. However, the use of flavonoids as antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents is not likely for approximately 50% of the candidates suspended in the clinical stage. Interestingly, the marketed drugs covered a broader range of chemical spaces based on size, polarity, and three-dimensional structure compared to the clinical candidates. In addition, flavonoid glycosides with poor oral bioavailability account for 36.8% of the marketed drugs, and thus, they could be thoroughly investigated.

To date, Kazakhstan is an underexplored territory regarding the study of leaf miners. This article aims to present new data on the defoliators of silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) in cultivated plants of North-Eastern Kazakhstan (the Pavlodar Region). Occurrence of Fenusa pumila Leach, 1817, as well as additional new data on the previously known leafminer species are presented for the first time for the Pavlodar Region. Groups of birch-defoliating insects were chosen as model objects. The research conducted in the territory of the Pavlodar Region revealed six species of leaf miners belonging to three genera Stigmella Schrank, 1802, Phylloporia Heinemann, 1870, and Fenusa Leach, 1817. All representatives are obligate miners that develop at the larval stage in the mesophyll of birch leaves. This group of insects harmfully affects plants, often causing their death, which in turn proves the importance of studying them.

In this paper, we provide additional data on the orb-weaver spider fauna (Araneae: Araneidae) of Kosovo. Three species are reported for the first time from this country: Araneus grossus (C.L. Koch, 1844), Argiope lobata (Pallas, 1772) and Cyclosa oculata (Walckenaer, 1802). In consideration of the findings and the updated checklist of Araneidae in this study, the documented number of spider species in Kosovo has now increased to 251. Given that the spider fauna of Kosovo is still not fully explored, our study emphasizes the necessity of ongoing exploration to better comprehend the diversity of spider species within the region.

Cabbage is an important component of agriculture in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for its various food uses. It is important to identify pests that affect its production, which is still insufficient to meet the increasing consumer needs. Furthermore, insect data for tropical agroecosystems, particularly those of DRC are limited, making insect diversity poorly understood. The objective of this study is to assess the diversity and abundance of entomofauna related to cabbage in five different cabbage growing sites: Minova, Sake, Kibumba, Rutshuru and Lac Vert. This was achieved by trapping insects with the sweep net and yellow pantraps during 2021 and 2022. A total of 1109 insects from 9 orders and 48 families were collected. The most abundant pest families were Ciccadellidae (8%), Coreidae (7%), Chysomelidae (5%) and Pentatomidae (4%). The main families of beneficial insects (natural enemies and pollinators) identified were Syrphidae (7%), Carabidae (4%), Coccinellidae (3%) and Apidae (3%). Insect communities found in different locations were similar and diversified. Considering functions played by these different functional groups as ecological indicators, it is important to preserve entomological biodiversity. This is achieved through the rational selection of pest management methods to optimize ecosystem services provided by beneficial insects.

Leptus (Leptus) molochinus (C. L. Koch, 1837) (Trombidiformes: Erythraeidae) was collected as an ectoparasite on Ophion sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), Paederus fuscipes Curtis, 1826 (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), Cicadella viridis (L. 1758) (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), Peritrechus sp. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae); the ectoparasitic mite, Solistrus mitrae Saboori, Ueckermann & van Harten, 2008 was also found on an undetermined ant species (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Guilan province, Iran. Additional morphometric data for L. (L.) molochinus larvae are provided. Solistrus mitrae is reported for the second time in the world. Ophion sp. (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae), P. fuscipes (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae), C. viridis (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae) and Peritrechus sp. (Hemiptera: Lygaeidae) are recorded as new host taxa for L. (L.) molochinus and unknown ant species is new host for S. mitrae.

Aphids constitute a significant cohort of herbivorous insects, primarily nourishing themselves by extracting plant sap, sometimes posing a notable threat to plant health. Here, we present a comprehensive investigation into the aphid fauna associated with Carthamus in Iran, unveiling 18 species across 11 genera within the Aphididae. Furthermore, 31 associations between aphid species and host plants were recognized, of which two are new for Iran. Our study expands upon prior knowledge by documenting three new occurrences, shedding light on previously unrecorded aphid species in Isfahan and Razavi Khorasan provinces. In addition, we describe the previously unknown male of Uroleucon carthami, offering insights into its life cycle and reproductive strategies. An identification key to the apterous viviparous female aphids living on Carthamus in Iran is provided.

Species of the subfamily Diplazontinae (Hym.: Ichneumonidae) were studied in West Azarbaijan province (Northwest of Iran). The specimens were collected using Malaise traps, during 2019–2020. Five species belonging to three genera were collected and identified. One species, Homotropus riedeli Johansson, 2020 was a new record for Iran as well as Asia. The distribution range of this species extends from Sweden to the north-west of Iran. A checklist is being compiled for 27 known Iranian species of this subfamily. In addition, a distribution map based on the recorded areas for each species within the Iranian provinces has been provided. We proposed a new direction for future biodiversity inventories of this subfamily in Iran.

Based on new evidence from morphology, ecology, and DNA barcodes, the taxon originally described as Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) valiabadi asadii Charmeux, 2016, is raised to a specific rank, Polyommatus (Agrodiaetus) asadii bona species. It is endemic to Northern Iran and confined to the Dalasm valley in the Alborz mountains. Its preferred larval host is the annual Onobrychis mazanderanica Reich. f., while the larvae of its sister species P. valiabadi feed on O. talagonica Reich. f. (Fabaceae). It can be diagnosed from P. valiabadi and other closely-related species by differences in wing pattern and male genitalia. Our time-calibrated phylogenetic hypothesis estimates that the common ancestor of P. asadii and P. valiabadi split around 750,000 years ago.

An updated checklist of the hoverflies including distribution and seasonal occurence data of known species in Nepal is presented. The list is based on all available published literature on taxonomy, biodiversity, ecology, and biological aspects of the syrphid fauna of Nepal up to 2023. A total of 205 species from three subfamilies and 63 genera are known to occur in Nepal. Among the three subfamilies, Eristalinae shares maximum species (111 species, 54%), followed by Syrphinae (90 species, 44%), and Microdontinae (four species, 2%). is presented. Among these, 48 (23%) species are recorded in Nepal only. The distribution of known hoverfly species in the country is not uniform, with the Bagmati (82 species) and Koshi (75 species) provinces having the greatest number of species, while the Madhesh (four species) and Lumbini (one species) provinces having the lowest records. The highest number of species are recorded in May (51 species), followed by July (50 species) and June (48 species). Winter season records are relatively low, and distribution data are still incomplete for some sites. Based on the present review, comprehensive and systematic sampling across the entire country is necessary for further exploration of Nepal's hoverfly fauna.

An updated checklist of Uzbekistan aphids (Hemiptera: Sternorrhyncha: Aphidomorpha) is presented based on literature records with the latest taxonomic and nomenclatural changes. This comprehensive checklist of aphids is the first checklist for Uzbekistan and represents a total of 301 species and 31 subspecies, within 103 genera, 63 subgenuses, belonging to seven subfamilies, of the Aphididae family, recorded from 1910 to 2023 in Uzbekistan. According to the association of the identified aphids with their host plants, it was noted that 301 species of aphids live and feed on plants belonging to 64 families of plants. Of these, the largest number of species was found in plants belonging to the families of Asteraceae (71), Rosaceae (58) and Salicaceae (33).

This study was conducted in Van province, which is located in the eastern region of Türkiye. The study area is located in the Irano-Anatolian hotspot region, divided to the east and west by the Anatolian diagonal. Here, we demonstrate the diversity, distribution, and seasonality of horseflies. Malaise and water traps were used to collect adult horseflies. A total of 1026 specimens were collected and 52 species identified. Chrysops divaricatus Loew, 1858; Haematopota csikii Szilady, 1922; Haematopota pallidula (Krober, 1922) and Haematopota turkestanica (Krober, 1922) were recorded for the first time from Türkiye. The distribution and seasonality of the species were presented.

Dragonflies and damselflies are bioindicator species belonging to the class Insecta. The research was conducted in the Karnali River basin from April to early October 2022 to contribute and update the Odonata checklist of Nepal including documenting regional new species. From the odonatological survey, four species viz., Aristocypha spuria Selys, 1879, Pseudocopera ciliata (Selys, 1863), Aciagrion occidentale Laidlaw, 1919 and Zyxomma petiolatum Rambur, 1842 were recorded for the first time from Nepal. Besides these, Copera marginipes (Rambur, 1842), Copera vittata (Selys, 1863), Prodasineura autumnalis (Fraser, 1922), Agriocnemis clauseni Fraser, 1992, Ceriagrion cerinorubellum (Brauer, 1865), Cephalaeschna viridifrons (Fraser, 1923), Gynacantha incisura Fraser, 1935, Gynacanthaeschna sikkima (Karsch, 1891), Lamelligomphus risi (Fraser, 1922), Scalmogomphus bistrigatus (Hagen in Selys, 1854), Rhodothemis rufa (Rambur, 1842), Tetrathemis platyptera Selys, 1868 and Urothemis signata signata (Rambur, 1862) were newly recorded for western region of Nepal.

Caenis ulmeriana Malzacher, 2015 is recorded for the first time from the Western Ghats, India. Prior records of this species encompass Java, Sumatra, Thailand, Myanmar, and the Philippines. Notably, the Indian population of C. ulmeriana showcases variability, including slight changes in the shape of forceps in the male subimago and increased denticulation in the midclaw, a reduced number of setae in the Y-ridge of tergalius II, and differing shape of sternum IX in the larvae compared to other continental and island populations. The species number of Caenis Stephens, 1835 has now increased to twelve in India. A distributional map detailing the range of C. ulmeriana in the Oriental region is also provided herein.

Caddisfly sampling conducted during 2023 in the Bistrica e Shalës River, belonging to the Ibër basin and in the Mirusha River, belonging to the Drini i Bardhë (White Drin) basin, revealed the first record of Stactobiella risi (Felber, 1908) for Kosovo and for Ecoregion 5 (Dinaric Western Balkans). Previously, this species had only been known from few localities in Europe. The morphology of the male genitalia in the collected specimens generally corresponds to the described species, with the exception of a less apically elongated inferior appendages in lateral view, which may be attributed to geographical variability. This discovery increases the knowledge about the distribution of family Hydroptilidae in Kosovo and the Balkans. In addition to this we provide a list of sympatric species in both localities including few rare species such as Hydropsyche botosaneanui Marinković Gospodnetić, 1966 and Rhyacophila macedonica Karaouzas, Valladolid & Ibrahimi, 2022.

Here we report the presence of Cybocephalus nipponicus Endrödy-Younga, 1971 from Iran, which has been collected on mulberry in Gilan province, as well as on bitter orange and Japanese spindle in Mazandaran province, northern Iran. The specimens were collected while feeding on scale insects, Pseudaulacaspis pentagona (Targioni Tozzetti, 1886), Unaspis euonymi (Comstock, 1881) and Lepidosaphes gloveri (Packard, 1869) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Photos of habitus and genitalia with some taxonomic comments are presented.

The study of insect morphology has recently benefited greatly from the emergence of new digital imaging and analysis technologies such as X-ray Micro-computed tomography (μ-CT), digital 3D reconstruction, and animation. Through interactive gaming and virtual reality, the external morphology of insects can be studied by a broad audience of both entomologists and non-specialists. EntomonVR is a serious game designed to investigate the external morphology of insects with adequate quality for the virtual reality platform. In this research, we discuss the advantages of virtual reality, introduce the EntomonVR new educational game, and conclude about future perspectives, validations, and cost-effectiveness. We tested this game on 25 participants with an entomological background for assessment and improved it based on their feedback. This study demonstrates the efficacy of virtual reality technology for an experimental learning environment in teaching the morphology of insects and the crucial need for advancing an efficient and interactive educational program.

Purpose This study aimed to examine how educational researchers in Spain promoted the dissemination of scientific knowledge on Twitter/X as a platform and to contrast their approach with science influencers in the same country. Methods Accounts on the Twitter/X service belonging to 210 Spanish researchers were analyzed, and their 2016–2020 tweets were compared to those of 38 Twitter/X influencers. Text mining techniques, sentiment and emotion analysis, network analysis, and the Kardashian index (K-index) were used in the study. Results The results indicated a low academic presence of researchers (4.4%) on Twitter/X. The researchers shared 185,020 posts (38.7% original content and 61.3% retweets). A network analysis revealed low interconnectivity among researchers, with distinct clusters based on their interests or affiliations. The top influencers had strong connections with the news media. The researchers focused minimally on academic topics, while the influencers emphasized the dissemination of scientific findings. The impact of the researchers’ posts was minimal, with low K-index values, whereas the influencers had greater reach because of their follower base. Conclusion When using Twitter/X, the researchers had a minimal impact on the dissemination of scientific information because they published few original posts and relied instead on retweets unrelated to their academic or research activities. Consequently, the researchers did not use Twitter/X as a tool for scientific communication, which limited the potential for forming new connections beyond their existing social and academic networks. Promoting informal learning that encompasses diverse knowledge and learning levels is crucial to fostering greater engagement and collaboration.

While generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology has become increasingly competitive since OpenAI introduced ChatGPT, its widespread use poses significant ethical challenges in research. Excessive reliance on tools like ChatGPT may intensify ethical concerns in scholarly articles. Therefore, this article aims to provide a comprehensive narrative review of the ethical issues associated with using AI in academic writing and to inform researchers of current trends. Our methodology involved a detailed examination of literature on ChatGPT and related research trends. We conducted searches in major databases to identify additional relevant articles and cited literature, from which we collected and analyzed papers. We identified major issues from the literature, categorized into problems faced by authors using nonacademic AI platforms in writing and challenges related to the detection and acceptance of AI-generated content by reviewers and editors. We explored eight specific ethical problems highlighted by authors and reviewers and conducted a thorough review of five key topics in research ethics. Given that nonacademic AI platforms like ChatGPT often do not disclose their training data sources, there is a substantial risk of unattributed content and plagiarism. Therefore, researchers must verify the accuracy and authenticity of AI-generated content before incorporating it into their article, ensuring adherence to principles of research integrity and ethics, including avoidance of fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

Purpose This study investigated how Journal Citation Reports (JCR) metrics changed during the COVID-19 pandemic (2020–2022), with the aim of sharing this information with stakeholders in the publishing community. Methods In total, 7,689 journals listed in the JCR-Science Citation Index Expanded (SCIE) from 2016 to 2022 were selected. Data were analyzed using pivot tables in Microsoft Excel. We calculated the compound annual growth rate to investigate changes in JCR-SCIE articles, citations, the journal impact factor, and the immediacy index during the COVID-19 period. Results A marked increase was noted in the number of articles and citations during the COVID-19 pandemic from 2020 to 2022. This surge was primarily driven by a significant rise in COVID-19–related articles. Consequently, four JCR metrics exhibited a sharp increase in 2020, followed by an unusually steep decline in 2022. Articles, citations, and the journal impact factor reached their highest recorded levels in 2021, while the immediacy index saw its most significant growth and intense citation activity in 2020 before experiencing notable decreases in 2021 and 2022. Our findings indicate that there was an unprecedented and dramatic shift in these four JCR metrics during the COVID-19 period, with current trends suggesting a reversion to historical compound annual growth rate levels. Conclusion The journal publishing and scientific communities should consider these explosive changes when applying JCR metrics to evaluate articles and endeavor to mitigate the adverse effects of the unusual concentration of articles and citations during the COVID-19 period. These results constitute valuable information to be shared among researchers and stakeholders within the journal publishing community.

Purpose This study investigates shifts in scientific research focus, particularly the decline in COVID-19-related research and the rapid growth of artificial intelligence (AI) publications. Methods We analyzed publication data from the Web of Science, comparing yearly publication counts for COVID-19 and AI research. The study also tracked changes in the impact factors of leading journals like Science and Nature, alongside those of top AI journals over the past decade. Additionally, we reviewed the top 10 most cited articles in 2021 from Science and Nature and the most influential AI publications from the past five years according to Google Scholar. The impact trends of the top 100 AI journals in computer science were also explored. Results The analysis reveals a noticeable decline in COVID-19 related publications as the pandemic urgency diminishes, contrasted with the continued rapid growth of AI research. Impact factors for prestigious journals have shifted, with AI journals increasingly dominating the academic landscape. The review of top-cited articles further emphasizes these trends. Conclusion Our findings indicate a significant shift in research priorities, with AI emerging as a dominant field poised to address future challenges, reflecting the evolving focus of the scientific community.

This article explores the best practices of mentorship programs in all journals at Universitas Airlangga. The university has established a journal mentoring team, as mandated by the rector’s regulation, which is responsible for guiding journals through preparation, submission, management, policy, and overall quality improvement. A case study was conducted to explore the mentoring mechanisms at Universitas Airlangga. Mentors were selected from among experienced editors at the university, each with a distinguished background in managing their own journals. The mentorship program successfully led to the indexing of 14 journals in Scopus, one in Web of Science (WoS), 85 in the Science and Technology Index (SINTA), and 60 in Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). The strategies used can be shared with other universities to assist their journal editors. The mentorship program at Universitas Airlangga has significantly improved the quality and international visibility of its academic journals. This is evidenced by the successful indexing of numerous journals in prestigious databases including Scopus, WoS, SINTA, and DOAJ. The structured mentoring, clear targets, and comprehensive institutional support were instrumental in achieving these results. This model serves as a scalable best practice for other universities seeking to improve their journal quality and global standing.

Purpose The landscape of academic publishing is experiencing significant transformations, characterized by an increasing volume of research output and the growth of interdisciplinary studies. These developments pose complex challenges for editorial boards, necessitating advanced strategies for submission management and the maintenance of publication standards. Methods Utilizing network analysis, this study examined 1,865 articles from Applied Biological Chemistry and 1,081 articles from Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry, revealing distinct thematic and methodological orientations within these journals. Results Applied Biological Chemistry demonstrated a pronounced focus on extraction processes, while Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry focused more on fermentation techniques and enzymatic studies. This differentiation highlights the journals’ unique contributions to the field of applied life sciences and underscores the diversity within academic publishing. Conclusion The findings of this study not only shed light on the subtle distinctions between Applied Biological Chemistry and Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry but also emphasize the critical role of articulating the journal scope in detail in helping authors find the most suitable publication venues for their interdisciplinary research. By showcasing the utility of bibliometrics and network analysis, this research provides valuable insights for editorial boards to refine their management processes and for authors to navigate the complex landscape of academic publishing effectively, thereby enhancing the dissemination and impact of scholarly work.

Purpose Telecommunications have evolved in response to technological advancements and regulatory changes established in law. There remains a research gap concerning universal access to communication rights, which can be addressed through a bibliometric analysis of the scientific literature. This study aimed to identify trends in telecommunications research. Accordingly, it analyzed annual scientific output, determined the most representative journals, examined prevalent keywords, highlighted the most productive authors, and identified key articles in the field. Methods Scientific production was analyzed using the Scopus database. Documents published between 1981 and 2023 in English were included, while those not relevant to the study topic were excluded. A total of 237 documents were analyzed using the Biblioshiny interface and Microsoft Excel. Results Annual scientific output peaked in 2021, with an annual growth of 2.91%. The most representative journal was Telecommunications Policy. The consolidated keywords were “communication rights,” “public service media,” “media policy,” “regulation,” and “telecommunications.” The most productive authors were Amy Sanders and Pradip Thomas. The most cited article addressed the institutional foundations of telecommunications regulation Conclusion There was evidence of growing scientific production in telecommunications, published in high-impact journals with an interdisciplinary approach. The main topics related to telecommunications were communication rights, regulation, and internet governance. Despite the presence of prolific authors, a need for greater collaboration in the formation of international research networks was identified.

Abstract Improper use of social media during the COVID-19 outbreak, leading to fear and misunderstanding, can contribute to psychological disorders in vulnerable populations. This descriptive and analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 on 511 medical students of Babol University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected using demographic, psychological distress, fear and misunderstanding questionnaires related to COVID-19 and social media dependency. A total of 511 medical students, with an average age of Mean and S.D; 23.57 ± 3.03 participated in the study. The average psychological distress score was 23.82 ± 7.73 (out of 54), the average score of social media dependency was 17.53 ± 3.09 (out of 30), for the fear of COVID-19 was12.63 ± 2.56 (out of 35), and for the misperception of COVID-19 was 0.53 ± 0.09 (out of 18). Path analysis results) showed that direct path from improper use of social media to psychological distress is significant (P

Abstract Objectives Capsicum baccatum and C. chinense are domesticated pepper species originating from Latin America recognized for their unique flavor and taste and widely diffused as spicy food for fresh uses or for processing. Owing to their capacity for adaptation to diverse habitats in tropical regions, these species serve as a valuable resource for agronomic traits and tolerance to both biotic and abiotic challenges in breeding projects. This study aims to dissect the genetic diversity of C. baccatum and C. chinense germplasm and to detect candidate genes underlying the variation of plant morphological and fruit size and shape traits. To that goal, SNP data from genotyping by sequencing have been used to investigate the genetic diversity and population structure of 103 accessions belonging to the two species. Further, plants have been assessed with main plant descriptors and fruit imaging analysis and association between markers and traits has been performed. Results The population structure based on 29,820 SNPs revealed 4 subclusters separating C. chinense and C. baccatum individuals. A deeper analysis within each species highlighted three subpopulations in C. chinense and two in C. baccatum. Phenotypic characterization of 54 traits provided approximately 125 thousand datapoints highlighting main differences between species for flower and fruit traits rather than plant architecture. Marker-traits association, performed with the CMLM model, revealed a total of 6 robust SNPs responsible for change in flower traits and fruit shape. This is the first attempt for mapping morphological traits and fruit features in the two domesticated species, paving the way for further genomic assisted breeding.

Abstract Objective Digital technologies have improved the performance of surveillance systems through early detection of outbreaks and epidemic control. The aim of this study is to introduce an outbreak detection web application called OBDETECTOR (Outbreak Detector), which as a professional web application has the ability to process weekly or daily reported data from disease surveillance systems and facilitates the early detection of disease outbreaks. Results OBDETECTOR generates a histogram that exhibits the trend of infection within a time range selected by the user. The output comprises red triangles and plus signs, where the former denotes outbreak days determined by the algorithm applied to the data, and the latter represents days identified as outbreaks by the researcher. The graph also displays threshold values and its symbols enable researchers to compute evaluation criteria for outbreak detection algorithms, including sensitivity and specificity. OBDETECTOR allows users to modify algorithm parameters based on their research objectives immediately after loading data. The implementation of automatic web applications results in immediate reporting, precise analysis, and prompt alert notification. Moreover, Public Health authorities and other stakeholders of surveillance can benefit from the widespread accessibility and user-friendliness of these tools, enhancing their knowledge and skills for better engagement in surveillance programs.

Abstract Objective Several pathological conditions trigger the formation of microvesicles (MVs), including infectious diseases such as COVID-19. The shedding of MVs increases the levels of inflammatory factors (e.g., interleukin-6; IL-6) and ultimately leads to an inflammatory cascade response, while also increasing the procoagulant response. The current study aimed to evaluate the level of circulating MVs and their procoagulant activity as well as the serum level of IL-6 in patients with COVID-19 and healthy controls. In this case-control study, 65 patients with COVID-19 and 30 healthy individuals were sampled after obtaining written informed consent. MVs counting was measured using conjugated CD61, CD45, CD235a, and Annexin-V antibodies. Additionally, the procoagulant activity of MVs and the IL-6 level were estimated using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results The majority of MVs were platelet-derived MVs (PMVs). Patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher levels of MVs, procoagulant MVs, and IL-6 compared to healthy controls (p

Abstract Objectives The biuret method is frequently used to determine serum total protein. On the other hand refractometer, a quicker and less expensive option, is available to determine serum total protein. However, there is no study conducted in Ethiopia to compare serum total protein measurement in veterinary settings. Therefore, this study was conducted to compare the serum total protein concentration measurement in cattle and goats obtained by the biuret method and refractometer. Results Serum samples from 60 cattle and 60 goats were assayed by both methods and data were analyzed with a paired t-test, Pearson’s correlation, and Bland-Altman plots. There was a strong positive correlation between the total protein values determined with the refractometer and the biuret method in cattle (r = 0.93) and goats (r = 0.97). There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) in the protein values measured with the refractometer and those evaluated with the biuret method in both species. Bland-Altman plots showed that biases indicating the analytic and user error were 8.33% in both species which is below the acceptable total error (