Future of snakebite risk in India: Consequence of climate change and the shifting habitats of the big four species in next five decades.

Background: Climate change is anticipated to significantly impact the biogeographic distribution of snakes, leading to notable shifts in their habitats toward anthropogenic landscapes. This may potentially increase the incidence of Big Four species (Bungarus caeruleus, Daboia russelii, Echis carinatus, and Naja naja) envenomation, a notable human-health risk that has not yet been assessed in India being the most affected country in South Asia. Therefore, this study integrates species distributions with socioeconomic and healthcare data to prioritize areas for targeted interventions to mitigate the envenomation risks effectively in India.

The Effects and Safety of Gamma Rhythm Stimulation on Cognitive Function in Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ObjectiveResearchers have focused on gamma rhythm stimulation, particularly at 40 Hz, to enhance endogenous gamma oscillations and improve cognitive function and outcomes in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, some studies disputed these findings. This review aimed to systematically analyze recent randomized controlled trials on the effects of gamma stimulation on cognitive function in AD and to perform a meta-analysis to assess the efficacy, safety, and differences between brain and sensory stimulation.

Associations between perceived stress profiles, social connection and work engagement in clinical registered nurses: a mediation analysis and generalized additive models.

Background: Investigating the links between individual perceived stress, social connection, and work involvement plays a crucial role in enhancing the psychological health and overall well-being of clinical nurses, as well as elevating the quality of nursing care in clinical settings. This study incorporates the concepts of social connection and work engagement. By considering the potential heterogeneity of variables and applying a mediation model, we identified the influence pathways through which subgroups of perceived stress affect social connection and work engagement.

Mitogenomic characterization and phylogenetic placement of the Red pandora Pagellus bellottii from the Eastern Atlantic Ocean within the family Sparidae.

The systematics and conservation management of the Red pandora (Pagellus bellottii) remain challenging due to the overlapping morphology and distributions with closely related congeners in the Eastern Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. These challenges are further exacerbated by population declines driven by intensive coastal fisheries and a paucity of molecular data. In this study, high-throughput sequencing was utilized to assemble the first complete mitogenome of P.

ER-resident CCDC134 safeguards TLR4 maturation by maintaining gp96 stability.

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), a pattern-recognition receptor located on the plasma membrane, senses extracellular danger signals to initiate inflammatory immune responses. It is initially synthesized in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), undergoes N-linked glycosylation, and is subsequently transported to the Golgi before ultimately reaching the plasma membrane. However, the mechanisms underlying the processing and maturation of TLR4 in the ER remain elusive.

Prospects and Challenges of Different Delivery Systems in Breast Tumors Therapy.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent malignancy in women. The emergence of targeted therapies and advancements in comprehensive treatment protocols have significantly improved survival outcomes for patients with early-stage BC. However, individuals with refractory BC, particularly those who have received multiple lines of therapy or presented with distant metastases at diagnosis, continue to face challenges due to the limitations of conventional antibodies and cytotoxic agents in meeting therapeutic needs.

Cytotoxic and anticoagulative diterpenoid glycosides from Pteris decrescens.

Diterpenoids from the genus Pteris have demonstrated consistent anticancer properties. In the present study, five previously undescribed (1-5) and four known diterpenoids (6-9) were isolated from the 95 % methanol extract of P. decrescens.

Mitogenomic Profiling of (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) and Its Phylogenetic Placement Within the Clade "Poropuntiinae".

The systematic status of the genus remains ambiguous due to a lack of comprehensive morphological and molecular evidence. Hence, this study represents the novel mitogenome of to characterize its architecture and clarify its phylogenetic placement within the clade "Poropuntiinae." The circular mitogenome was 16,571 base pairs in length and comprised 37 genes and a control region (CR).

Species diversity of tick and tick-borne pathogens from roe deer (), including new record of (Acari: Ixodidae), in Jeju Island, Republic of Korea.

Hard ticks (Ixodidae family) are primary vectors of zoonotic diseases, including severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTSV), anaplasmosis, babesiosis, Lyme borreliosis, and ehrlichiosis. The roe deer (), a key host for tick-borne diseases, is widely distributed on Jeju Island, Republic of Korea (ROK). Although the increased interactions between deer, livestock, and humans have raised concerns about zoonotic disease transmission, this area has remained understudied.

IA-0130, a novel 3-(1,3-diarylallylidene)oxindole derivative, alleviates ovarian cancer via inhibiting IL-6/gp130/STAT3 signalling.

Background And Purpose: Dysregulation of the IL-6/glycoprotein 130(gp130)/STAT3 signalling axis is implicated in several human diseases, particularly cancer. Notably, gp130, a single transducer of this signalling axis, is a target for ovarian cancer treatment. However, data regarding small-molecule inhibitors of gp130 are lacking.

Discovery of a potent C-oxime pachysandra alkaloid analogue promising for treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma.

The Miao medicine "Sanliangyin" is derived from the root of the Sarcococca ruscifolia (genus Sarcococca, family Buxaceae), which has been commonly used in Miao regions to treat malignant tumors. Previous research by our group has identified pachysandra alkaloids as the primary active ingredients in this plant, which exhibited anti-tumor properties. However, the low structural diversity and moderate activity of the isolated alkaloids hampered their clinical application.

Outcomes of pediatric living donor liver transplantation using steatotic grafts: expanding the donor pool for rising MASLD prevalence.

Background: Pediatric living donor liver transplantation (PLDLT) is a life-saving option for children with end-stage liver diseases. However, the growing prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) raises concerns regarding the use of steatotic donor grafts, particularly in vulnerable pediatric populations.

Methods: This study retrospectively investigated the impact of steatotic liver grafts on post-transplant outcomes in PLDLT recipients.

Three New Cycloartane Triterpenoids From the Caulis of Kadsura longipedunculata.

Three unprecedented cycloartane triterpenoids (1-3) together with five known congeners (4-8) were isolated for the first time from the medicinal plant Kadsura longipedunculata. Their structural diversity was characterized by distinct skeletal modifications: compound 1 represents a rare 3,4-seco-cycloartane derivative featuring a 7-membered ester A-ring formed via Baeyer-Villiger oxidation, compound 2 is a schisanartane-type nortriterpenoid with unique 3,4:9,10-diseco structural motifs, while compound 3 exhibits an unprecedented 18,28-demethylated cycloartane skeleton. In addition, five known congeners (4-8) were cycloartane triterpenoids.

Ozone rectal insufflation inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE-/-mice, which is mediated by the regulation of gut microbiota and metabolites.

Introduction: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death. Researches have proven that ozone therapy can effectively inhibit the development of atherosclerosis; however, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to explore how ozone rectal insufflation (O3-RI) prevents atherosclerosis.

Rescued with T and B lymphocytes depletion therapy for immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated transplant rejection.

The impact of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) on transplant rejection remains controversial. We report a case of a hepatocellular carcinoma patient who received Atezolizumab plus Bevacizumab regimen prior to liver transplantation and developed steroid-refractory T cell-mediated rejection combined with antibody-mediated rejection post-transplant. Given the short discontinuation and outstanding tumor response, we believe that the use of ICIs prior to transplantation contributed to this complex condition.

First Serologic Analysis of Antibodies Against African Swine Fever Virus Detected in Domestic Pig Farms in South Korea from 2019 to 2024.

Background: African swine fever (ASF) is a crucial socioeconomic setback to South Korea's swine industry. This study aimed to determine seropositivity for ASF virus (ASFV) in pigs that appeared to be infected on farms with reported ASF outbreaks.

Methods: A total of 2232 sera from ASF outbreaks (2019-2024) in South Korea were collected.

The metabolic shift of glutaminase 2 to glutaminase 1 promotes LGR5 + progenitor cell proliferation in liver cirrhosis.

Background And Aim: Liver regeneration is impaired in end-stage liver disease characterized by advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis, where metabolic reprogramming is considered as a therapeutic target. The shift in glutaminolysis from liver-type Glutaminase 2 (GLS2) to kidney-type Glutaminase 1 (GLS1) is crucial in different liver diseases, though its role in liver progenitor cell-mediated regeneration remains unclear. This study aimed to analyze the expression of glutamine-metabolizing enzymes in fibrotic human livers and investigate the role of GLS1 in LGR5-progenitor cell expansion in liver regeneration.

Unveiling the Evolutionary Lineages and Habitat Dynamics of the Monotypic Crowned River Turtle (Gray, 1831) (Testudines: Geoemydidae): Strategic Conservation Insights for an Endangered Freshwater Turtle From Southern Asia.

The matrilineal evolutionary history and habitat preferences of the monotopic freshwater turtle remain largely unexplored, posing challenges for the development of precise and effective conservation strategies. This study provides the first complete mitochondrial genome sequence of (16,699 bp), encompassing 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, two ribosomal RNAs, and an AT-rich control region (CR). Most PCGs are initiated by ATG, except for cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene (), which uses GTG, with eight PCGs having complete termination codons and five exhibiting incomplete stop codons.

Therapeutic roles of natural and engineered mesenchymal stem cells and extracellular vesicles in atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic and inflammatory disease characterized by skin barrier destruction, sustained inflammation, and immune imbalance. Increasing evidence has suggested mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) exhibit great potentials in treating AD due to the strong anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and regenerative repair properties. As a cell-free nanocarrier, MSC-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) play critical roles in mediating intercellular communications.

Determination of absolute bioavailability, absorption, metabolism, and excretion of evogliptin in healthy male subjects using a microtracer method.

Evogliptin, a selective serine protease dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, has been approved in Korea for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. In this study, we investigated the absorption, metabolism, and excretion of evogliptin in healthy male subjects. To determine the extent of absolute oral bioavailability (F), one group of six participants received a microtracer intravenous (IV) dose, a 10-min infusion of 20 µg [C]-evogliptin (651 nCi) commencing 4 h after administration of a 5 mg oral evogliptin tablet.

Integrative morphometric and phylogenetic insights into Eastern Ghats channids (Teleostei: Channidae) unveil the transboundary dispersal of the Dwarf Snakehead (Channa kelaartii) across India and Sri Lanka.

Background: The biogeography of Eastern Ghats channids, including the Dwarf Snakehead Channa kelaartii, poses a complex challenge, especially with recent evidence confirming its presence in both India and Sri Lanka. While the Sri Lankan population is well- documented through integrative approach, the Indian population remains unexplored, requiring further research to elucidate its genetic structure and phylogenetic relationships.

Methods: This study examines the morphology and mtCOI-based genetic diversity of 10 channid species, including seven from the Gachua complex.

The effects of interleukin-21 in the biology of transplant rejection.

Interleukin-21 (IL-21) is a cytokine that plays a crucial role in regulating immune responses, affecting various immune cell types, including T cells, B cells, natural killer (NK) cells, and dendritic cells. IL-21 is primarily produced by CD4+ T cells, particularly follicular helper T (Tfh) cells and Th17 cells, and has been shown to be extensively involved in regulating both innate and adaptive immunity. IL-21 is particularly significant in the differentiation, proliferation, and effector functions of T cells and B cells.

Pathological Characterization of African Swine Fever Viruses With Genetic Deletions Detected in South Korea.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) genotype II has been circulating in South Korea, causing substantial economic losses to the Korean pig industry since 2019. Genetic epidemiological investigations using whole-genome sequencing have been conducted to track the genetic evolution of ASFV. Two ASFV strains were detected in domestic pig farms in South Korea, one with a large deletion in the MGF 360-6L gene and the other in the MGF 360-21R gene.

IL-21R-Targeted Nano-immunosuppressant Prevents Acute Rejection in Allogeneic Transplantation by Blocking Maturation of T Follicular Helper Cells.

During organ transplantation, immune rejection is a primary cause of graft failure. In the underlying pathophysiology of rejection, T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and interleukin-21 (IL-21) play pivotal roles. Tfh cells exacerbate the humoral immune response by promoting B cell differentiation and antibody production, which leads to damage of the transplanted tissue.

A vetiver-specific terpene synthase contributes to the high attractiveness of vetiver to rice stem borer.

Vetiver () is highly attractive to the rice stem borer (, RSB) and is widely utilized as a trap plant for RSB control in East Asia. However, the underlying mechanism driving this high level of attractiveness remains unclear. In this study, we identified volatiles emitted by vetiver using SPME/GC-MS and found that cedrol constitutes 12.