Establishment of Novel and Efficient Methods for Investigating Sexual Reproduction in .

Rice blast, caused by , significantly threatens global rice production. Disease control is complicated by the pathogen's high genetic diversity, which is driven by heterothallic recombination between opposite mating types that underlies variation. However, mechanisms governing sexual reproduction in this fungus remain poorly characterized, largely due to the absence of reliable methods for scalable ascospore progeny production.

Nanohybrid-enabled smart platforms for biostimulation and immunoengineering of plants.

Conventional agricultural practices have become increasingly impractical due to their high inefficiency and overuse, posing serious threats to ecosystem stability and health. Nanohybrids refer to a class of composite materials comprised of nanomaterials combined with diverse materials, including inorganic, polymeric, or biological materials, resulting in hybrid structures with unique functional features such as greater mechanical strength, catalytic activity, and biocompatibility, thus providing advanced frameworks with a vast variety of applications in the agriculture sector. Nanohybrids can augment the functional capabilities of plants, such as photosynthesis and stress tolerance, enabling crops to thrive under diverse climatic conditions.

Integrated multi-omics and transcriptomic analysis reveals key regulatory networks of heat stress responses in potato.

Heat stress (HS) severely impacts potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) productivity worldwide, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Through an integrated analysis combining physiological, biochemical, and transcriptomic approaches, we uncovered the complex stress response network in potato plants exposed to HS.

Sunlight-activated T6P precursor: a potent biostimulant for smart agriculture.

Biotic and abiotic environmental stresses significantly jeopardize crop production worldwide. Griffiths et al. recently demonstrated that a sunlight-activated trehalose 6-phosphate (T6P) precursor, DMNB-T6P, improved wheat yield by regulating T6P signaling pathways under both water-sufficient and deficient conditions.

Reactivated Cathode Material from Waste Alkaline Batteries for Supercapacitor Electrodes: Interplay Study Between Pyrolysis Temperature and Surface Morphology.

Waste alkaline batteries (WABs) are rapidly consumed over billions of tons annually, which presents significant challenges for both the environment and public health. To tackle these challenges, recycling WABs through sustainable methods can effectively align with the principles of a circular economy. It not only addresses pressing waste management issues but also meets the growing demand for energy storage solutions.

Bacterial extracellular biomolecules-derived multimodal manganese nanoparticles control watermelon Fusarium wilt by dysregulating fusaric acid biosynthesis pathway and precise tuning of rhizosphere metabolome.

Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum (Fon), poses a significant threat to watermelon production globally.

Nuclear basket nucleoporin MoNup50 is essential for fungal development, pathogenicity, and autophagy in Magnaporthe oryzae.

Autophagy is crucial for appressorium development and host invasion by phytopathogenic fungi, including Magnaporthe oryzae. During appressorium maturation, many organelles, such as nuclei, in the conidia need to be degraded through autophagy to be recycled in appressorium. However, the interplay between autophagy and nuclear membrane systems remains poorly understood.

Development and in vitro evaluation of mefenamic acid orodispersible tablets prepared by direct compression.

Mefenamic acid functions as a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) of the fenamate class, which treats pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX-1 and COX-2) enzymes to decrease prostaglandin production. Mefenamic acid has strong therapeutic properties that help to treat arthritis and dysmenorrhea. The rapid dissolution of orodispersible tablets (ODTs) makes them an effective treatment option for patients with dysphagia.

Cross-cultural adjustment of Chinese expatriates to Pakistan: investigating the role of social support as a moderator.

This study uses social capital theory to understand the role of social support (emotional, informational, instrumental, and appraisal) among Chinese expatriates' adjustment experiences in Pakistan. It uses a qualitative design to analyze semi-structured, in-depth interviews of 30 Chinese expatriates working in Pakistan. After verbatim transcription of all the interviews, data were analyzed using "MAXQDA 20" software.

Integrating RNA Interference and Nanotechnology: A Transformative Approach in Plant Protection.

RNA interference (RNAi) has emerged as a potent mechanism for combating pathogenic fungi and oomycetes over the past decades. It offers a promising gene-silencing approach by targeting crucial genes involved in diseases caused by economically and scientifically significant fungal pathogens, such as and species. Simultaneously, nano-agro-products have gained attention as alternatives to traditional fungicides in plant protection strategies.

Targeting the atypical chemokine receptor 2 () improves the benefit of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in melanoma mouse model.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) therapies, such as anti-PD-1, have transformed cancer treatment, but many patients do not respond due to a non-inflammatory tumor microenvironment (TME). Here, we investigated the impact of targeting Atypical Chemokine Receptor 2 (), which scavenges key chemokines involved in immune cell recruitment, on the improvement of anti-PD-1-based therapy. In a melanoma mouse model, we demonstrated that inhibition increases the release of proinflammatory chemokines CCL5 and CXCL10 and enhances the infiltration of NK cells, activated CD8+ and CD4+ effector T cells while reducing regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the TME.

Correction: Basit et al. Seed Priming with Spermine Mitigates Chromium Stress in Rice by Modifying the Ion Homeostasis, Cellular Ultrastructure and Phytohormones Balance. 2022, , 1704.

In the original publication [...

Effect of upper second molar eruption status on the efficiency of upper first molar distalization: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To assess the distalization, tipping, and vertical movement of the maxillary first permanent molar in patients with and without erupted maxillary second molar (MSM).

Methods: Eligibility criteria: Randomized/non-randomized clinical studies comparing distalization, tipping, and vertical movement of the maxillary first permanent molar in patients with and without erupted MSM. Information sources: Unrestricted literature search of six databases was conducted up to May, 2024.

Modeling and design of power conditioning unit of CubeSat electrical power subsystem with robust nonlinear MPPT controller.

Two non-inverting buck-boost converters, one for each solar panel of the X and Y axes of CubeSat have been used to condition the power with a common output capacitor on DC bus. The power generated from each axis of the solar panel is added to the DC-bus along with the power generated by the less illuminated solar panels. For the proposed model, Synergetic control, Sliding Mode Control, and Super Twisting Sliding Mode Control algorithms have been implemented for the MPPT, and their results are compared with each other.

Neuromorphic devices for electronic skin applications.

Neuromorphic devices represent an important advancement in technology, drawing inspiration from the intricate and efficient mechanisms of the human brain. This review paper elucidates the diverse landscape of neuromorphic electronic skin (e-skin) technologies while highlighting their numerous applications. Here, neuromorphic devices for e-skin are classified as two types of direct neuromorphic e-skins combining both neuromorphic devices and sensors, and indirect e-skins separating neuromorphic devices and sensors.

Comparative functional analysis of a new CDR1-like ABC transporter gene in multidrug resistance and virulence between Magnaporthe oryzae and Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

Fungi are notorious for causing diseases in plants and domestic animals. ABC transporters play pivotal roles in multidrug resistance in fungi, with some ABC proteins indispensable for the pathogenicity of plant fungal pathogens. However, the roles of ABC proteins in animal pathogenic fungi, and the functional connections between ABC homologues in plant and animal pathogenic fungi are largely obscure.

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase FonPARP1-catalyzed PARylation of protein disulfide isomerase FonPdi1 regulates pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum on watermelon.

Poly(ADP-ribosyl)ation (PARylation), catalyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and hydrolyzed by poly(ADP-ribose) glycohydrolase (PARG), is an important reversible post-translational protein modification in all eukaryotes, including plant pathogenic fungi. Previously, we revealed that FonPARP1, an active PARP, is crucial for the pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp.

Pharmacological investigation of selected 1,2,4 triazole derivative against ethanol induced gastric ulcer.

The present study aims to assess the therapeutic potential of (2S,3S,4S,5S,6S-2-(acetoxymethyl)-6-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-(pyridine-4-yl)5-thioxo-4,5-dihydro-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl tetrahydro-2H-pyran 3,4,5tryltriacetate (JAK05) on gastric ulcer. The current study was designed to evaluate the anti-ulcer potential of JAK05 against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer by employing in silico, in vitro and in vivo techniques. In silico studies, JAK05 has a binding score ranging from -8.

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Genomic Traits of PIV in Hospitalized Children After the COVID-19 Pandemic in Wuhan, China.

Human parainfluenza virus (PIV) is a main cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections (ALRTIs), which contributes to childrens' mortality worldwide; however, the epidemiology of PIVs following the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic is still not clarified, and poses risks of potential outbreaks. Herein, we conducted a retrospective observational study from September 26, 2020 to September 30, 2023 to assess PIV epidemiology in Wuhan, China, as well as the clinical characteristics of PIV infections. In total, 14,065 inpatients with ALRTIs were enrolled, of which 936 were identified to have PIV infection.

The nucleolin MoNsr1 plays pleiotropic roles in the pathogenicity and stress adaptation in the rice blast fungus .

The rice blast disease, caused by the fungus , is a significant agricultural problem that adversely impacts rice production and food security. Understanding the precise molecular pathways involved in the interaction between the pathogen and its host is crucial for developing effective disease management strategies. This study examines the crucial function of the nucleolin MoNsr1 in regulating physiological functions.

A novel multifunctional chiral metasurface with asymmetric transmission.

The multiband, multifunctional chiral metasurface with asymmetric transmission exhibits significant potential for diverse applications in modern communication systems, ranging from enhanced signal modulation and polarization control to advanced beam steering and compact antenna design. This research presents a versatile and advanced chiral metasurface operating at multiple bands with diverse functionalities, including asymmetric transmission. The proposed metasurface effectively transforms an incoming Linearly Polarized (LP) wave into a Circularly Polarized (CP) wave.

Phage-guided nanocarriers: a precision strategy against bacterial pathogens.

Bacterial infections pose a major threat to human health. Here, we describe the recent development of phage-guided therapeutic agent-loaded engineered nanomaterials for precise elimination of bacterial pathogens. This forum highlights the underexplored potential of bioinspired nano-enabled strategies for managing bacterial infections in a precise and safe manner.

Protein nanocarrier-enabled plant genetic engineering systems.

Genetic engineering can enhance crop yields by developing climate-resilient crop varieties. Nanobiotechnology plays a crucial role in precision delivery of genetic materials, nutrients, and stress-responsive agents into plant cells. This forum highlights recent advances in biodegradable protein-based nanocarrier systems for plant genome editing to transform agricultural practices.