Development and optimization of an ELISA method to detect Toxoplasma gondii oocyst infection in cats.

Toxoplasmosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) is a zoonotic disease with great medical and veterinary significance. Felines, the definitive hosts of T.

Effect of acupuncture at Back-Shu points on gut microbiota in insomnia model rats based on metagenomic sequencing technology.

Background: Increasing evidence indicates a bidirectional interaction between the gut microbiota and sleep regulation via the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Acupuncture is widely used to treat insomnia, and its efficacy may be mediated in part by modulation of the gut microbiota and its metabolic pathways.

Methods: A rat model of insomnia was established by intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA).

Modulation of the electronic structure of nickel selenide iron doping for energy-saving hydrogen production coupled with sulfion upgradation.

Hybrid water electrolysis is a promising approach for energy-saving hydrogen (H) generation by replacing the oxygen evolution reaction with the thermodynamically advantageous sulfion oxidation reaction (SOR). Herein, we designed iron-modified nickel selenide nanosheet arrays (Fe-NiSe) and used them as an electrocatalyst in bifunctional hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and SOR to simultaneously facilitate H production and sulfion conversion into a valuable sulfur product. Fe-NiSe requires a low overpotential of 114 mV for the HER and a working potential of 0.

Toxoplasma gondii C2 Domain Protein Deletion Mutant as a Promising Vaccine Against Toxoplasmosis in Mice.

Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii), a parasitic protozoan capable of infecting nearly all warm-blooded animals, causes significant economic losses in livestock and poses a significant threat to both animal and public health. Despite its impact, no ideal vaccine is currently available to prevent toxoplasmosis.

The zona incerta regulates burying behavior and normalizes anxiety-like behavior in inescapable stressful male mice by object cue.

Inescapable stressful events often precipitate long-term alterations in emotion-related behaviors and poor sleep quality, with anxiety being a prevalent associated disorder. The defensive burying behavior of rodents is a response to imminent threats that becomes markedly pronounced in response to anxiety. However, the neural foundations of defensive burying behavior and etiology of anxiety remain largely unknown.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure therapy on atrial fibrillation in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) stands as an autonomous risk factor for a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, particularly atrial fibrillation (AF), which is closely associated with heightened morbidity and mortality rates. The intricate pathophysiological pathways linking OSA to AF encompass chronic intermittent hypoxia, disruptions in the autonomic nervous system, inflammatory responses, and alterations in ion channel function. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy emerges as the frontline treatment for moderate to severe OSA, effectively alleviating symptomatic manifestations and potentially mitigating cardiovascular risks.

Temporal variations in QTc interval during and after COVID-19 infection: a retrospective study.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic changes in QTc interval duration among patients with COVID-19 infection before, during, and after infection, in order to assess the short- and potential long-term impact of COVID-19 on cardiac electrophysiology.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 303 inpatients diagnosed with COVID-19 who visited a tertiary Grade A hospital in China between August 2022 and December 2023. Inclusion criteria required patients to have at least two electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings at three specific time points: before COVID-19 infection, during acute infection, and after recovery (more than one month post-infection).

Medial prefrontal cortex-periaqueductal gray circuit overcomes anxiety-like behavior in male mice following adversity.

Background: Inescapable stress leads to various long-lasting physical and mental dysfunctions. Acute stress exposure is linked to a high risk of psychological disorders, such as anxiety disorders. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and periaqueductal gray (PAG) are anatomical regions associated with social information processing and emotional valence.

[Clinical effect of acupuncture based on the specific response of -well point for intractable insomnia: a randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To evaluate clinical effect and safety on the basis of detecting the specific response of -well point in treatment of intractable insomnia with acupuncture by meridian differentiation.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with intractable insomnia were randomized into an observation group (32 cases, 1 case dropped out and 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (32 cases, 1 case was eliminated). In the observation group, the meridian imbalance value detected at the -well point was taken as the evidence so that the corresponding -source and back- points were stimulated with acupuncture.

Coexistence of Ferromagnetism and Superconductivity at KTaO Heterointerfaces.

The coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism is a long-standing issue in superconductivity due to the antagonistic nature of these two ordered states. Experimentally identifying and characterizing novel heterointerface superconductors that coexist with magnetism presents significant challenges. Here, we report the observation of two-dimensional long-range ferromagnetic order in a KTaO heterointerface superconductor, showing the coexistence of superconductivity and ferromagnetism.

Metabolome-microbiome insights into therapeutic impact of 8-O-acetylharpagide against breast cancer in a murine model.

Iridoid glycosides extract, which is the main active extract of Ajuga decumbens Thunb, has been proved to have anti-breast cancer activity in previous studies. However, it is still unknown whether 8-O-acetylharpagide, a main active compound in the extract, has anti-breast cancer activity. In this study, 4 T1 breast cancer mice model was first successfully established.

Decarboxylative halogenation of aliphatic carboxylic acids catalyzed by iron salts under visible light.

In this article, we report a general protocol for the direct decarboxylative chlorination, iodination, and bromination of aliphatic carboxylic acids catalyzed by iron salts under visible light. This method enjoys a broad substrate scope with good functional group compatibility, including complex natural products. Benzylic and allylic C(sp)-H bonds can be retained under the oxidative halogenation conditions.

Precision drug design against : leveraging bioinformatics to combat rice brown stripe disease.

Bacterial brown stripe disease caused by is a major threat to crop yields, and the current reliance on pesticides for control is unsustainable due to environmental pollution and resistance. To address this, bacterial-based ligands have been explored as a potential treatment solution. In this study, we developed a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network for by utilizing shared differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the STRING database.

Self-harm in 5-to-24 year olds: Retrospective examination of hospital presentations to emergency departments in New South Wales, Australia, 2012 to 2020.

There is some evidence that self-harm presentations in children and young people have increased over the past decade, yet there are few up-to-date studies examining these trends. This study aims to describe trends in the rates and severity of emergency department self-harm presentations for youth aged 5-24 years in New South Wales, Australia between 1 January 2012 and 31 December 2020. We analysed self-harm hospital presentations using join point analysis to compare quarterly growth in rates and urgency of presentation since 2012 by age group and sex.

Association between proton pump inhibitor use and neurological or psychiatric disorders: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to examine the association between proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and neurological and/or psychiatric disorders in adults.

Introduction: The association between PPIs and neurological and/or psychiatric disorders remains unclear, despite the widespread use of the medications. A systematic review is required to investigate the risk of developing neurological and/or psychiatric disorders following the use of PPIs.

Comparative effectiveness of four COVID-19 vaccines, BNT162b2 mRNA, mRNA-1273, ChAdOx1 nCov-19 and NVX-CoV2373 against SARS-CoV-2 B.1.1.529 (Omicron) infection.

Background: There is limited data directly comparing the effectiveness of different COVID-19 vaccines.

Methods: We compared rates of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.1/2 infection during March to May 2022 in Australian adults who had received one of four COVID-19 vaccines in the last 14-63 days as either a primary course or a booster dose using Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for age and other characteristics.

Recent Trends and Advancements in CRISPR-Based Tools for Enhancing Resistance against Plant Pathogens.

Targeted genome editing technologies are becoming the most important and widely used genetic tools in studies of phytopathology. The "clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)" and its accompanying proteins (Cas) have been first identified as a natural system associated with the adaptive immunity of prokaryotes that have been successfully used in various genome-editing techniques because of its flexibility, simplicity, and high efficiency in recent years. In this review, we have provided a general idea about different CRISPR/Cas systems and their uses in phytopathology.

Mitochondrial ADP/ATP Carrier 1 Is Important for the Growth of Tachyzoites.

Metabolism associated with energy production is highly compartmentalized in eukaryotic cells. During this process, transporters that move metabolites across organelle membranes play pivotal roles. The highly conserved ADP/ATP carrier (AAC) involved in ATP and ADP exchange between the mitochondria and cytoplasm is key to linking the metabolic activities in these 2 compartments.

COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake by Infection Status in New South Wales, Australia.

Using linked public health data from Australia to measure uptake of COVID-19 vaccination by infection status, we found coverage considerably lower among infected than uninfected persons for all ages. Increasing uptake of scheduled doses, including among previously infected persons after the recommended postinfection delay, is needed to reduce COVID-19 illness rates.

Correction: A new adenine nucleotide transporter located in the ER is essential for maintaining the growth of Toxoplasma gondii.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.