Temperature-induced metabolic performance in early life stages of two brachyuran crabs.

Understanding marine species' metabolic responses to short- and long-term temperature variation is critical for predicting the resilience of communities and ecosystems at local and global scales. This study investigated the effect of temperature on the routine metabolic rate (RMR) across the zoea and megalopa stages of two brachyuran species, Hymenosoma orbiculare and Pinnotheres sp. Respirometry results under temperatures ranging from 11 to 25 °C revealed stage- and species-specific metabolic responses.

Strategic Adaptive Management for Transparency, Accountability and Learning: Insights from More Than a Quarter Century of Practice.

Adaptive management has long been advocated as a framework of choice for addressing the complexities and uncertainties of natural resource management. Despite its theoretical appeal, successful implementation remains elusive, with many documented barriers and limited operational examples. This paper examines Strategic Adaptive Management (SAM), a long-running adaptive management program originating from the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Adaptive plant traits under anthropogenic burning regimes: A database for UK heath and mire plant species.

Premise: Humans have used fire to manage landscapes for millennia, but this use of fire is declining in many ecosystems. Understanding how plants respond to these changes is key to predicting ecosystem resilience and impacts on services such as biodiversity and carbon sequestration. However, many ecosystems lack data on plant fire responses.

Functional-guild compositional structure and patchiness in subtidal Nanozostera macrobenthos across three contrasting estuaries.

Two permanently-open inlets, Knysna estuarine bay and Keurbooms Lagoon, and the only temporarily-open Swartvlei estuary are three adjacent warm-temperate water bodies that differ in their size, morphology and hydrography but which nevertheless all support extensive beds of the endangered seagrass, Nanozostera capensis. To investigate whether their varied environmental conditions influence the compositional structure of the functional guilds of seagrass-associated macrobenthos, the relative abundance and patchiness of the 28 identifiable guilds occurring subtidally along their main channels were examined, including in relation to the spatial patchiness in abundance displayed by their whole macrobenthic assemblages. Two markedly different functional-group structurings were apparent, without intermediate states: one overwhelmingly dominated by local but highly abundant, epifaunal microgastropods (Alaba pinnae, 'Assiminea' capensis and 'Hydrobia' knysnaensis) that feed on leaf-associated periphyton, and the other in which this guild although present was insignificant.

Lipid Nanocapsule-Chitosan and Iota-Carrageenan Hydrogel Composite for Sustained Hydrophobic Drug Delivery.

Hydrophobic drug delivery via oral or pulmonary routes presents significant challenges for clinical translation, particularly for poorly soluble antiviral drugs. Physiological barriers-such as enzymatic degradation, harsh pH, and rapid transit in the gastrointestinal tract, or mucociliary clearance and alveolar macrophage uptake in the lungs-can severely limit therapeutic efficacy. To address these challenges, we developed a novel lipid nanocapsule (LNC) and chitosan/iota-carrageenan hydrogel composite tailored for sustained delivery of hydrophobic antiviral agents.

Global complexities and challenges in the restoration of hypersaline coastal wetlands.

Wetlands in hypersaline environments are especially vulnerable to loss and degradation, as increasing coastal urbanization and climate change rapidly exacerbate freshwater supply stressors. Hypersaline wetlands pose unique management challenges that require innovative restoration perspectives and approaches that consider complex local and regional socioecological dynamics. In part, this challenge stems from multiple co-occurring stressors and anthropogenic alterations, including estuary mouth closure and freshwater diversions at the catchment scale.

The photodynamic antimicrobial chemotherapy activities of azaBODIPY dyes and their gold nanoparticle conjugates.

This synthesis and photophysicochemical properties of two 2,6-diiodinated azaBODIPY dyes with thiomethylphenyl groups at the distal positions and phenyl (1) and naphthyl (2) rings at the proximal positions are reported. The dyes were conjugated to gold nanoparticles (1-AuNPs and 2-AuNPs) to enhance their aqueous solubility for biomedical applications. Iodination at the 2,6-positions resulted in an enhancement of singlet oxygen generation, with singlet oxygen quantum yield (Φ) values of 0.

Structural and thermoluminescence properties of quartz from different geological locations in Botswana.

Thermoluminescence and structural characteristics of volcanic, hydrothermal and metamorphic quartz from three different geological locations in Botswana are reported. The glow curves of the volcanic, hydrothermal and metamorphic quartz showed three (near 82, 201, and 295°C), two (near 80 and 247°C) and two (near 83 and 367°C) clear peaks respectively. All the samples exhibited the "110 °C", which is fairly isolated, around 82°C.

Role of Enzyme Technologies and Applied Enzymology in Valorising Seaweed Bioproducts.

Seaweeds, classified as non-vascular plants, have definite advantages over terrestrial plants as they grow rapidly, can be cultivated in coastal environments, and are dependable and non-endangered sources of biomass. Algal bioproducts, which include a wide range of bioactive compounds, have drawn much interest because of their applications in nutraceuticals, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and cosmetics. Particularly in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical fields, algal bioproducts have shown tremendous activity in regulating enzymes involved in human diseases.

SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease Dysregulates Hepatic Insulin Signaling and Glucose Uptake: Implications for Post-COVID-19 Diabetogenesis.

There is growing evidence suggesting that SARS-CoV-2 may contribute to metabolic dysfunction. SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, and metabolic dysregulation, all of which may impair liver function and promote glucose intolerance. This study investigated the role of SARS-CoV-2, specifically its Main Protease (M), in accelerating insulin resistance and metabolic dysfunction in HepG2 cells in vitro.

Perspectives of patients with cancer on influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations in an oncology setting: Is there a role for pharmacists?

PurposePatients with cancer face an elevated risk of influenza and pneumococcal infections with increased risk of morbidity and mortality compared to the general population. Vaccination rates for this patient cohort however remain below international target levels, despite vaccination being the most effective strategy for preventing these infections. This study therefore aimed to explore patients with cancer perspectives on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination in the oncology setting, and whether they saw a potential role for pharmacists in providing vaccination services in an outpatient oncology clinic.

Uncovering the Structural Space of Marine Dissolved Organic Matter.

Marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) represents one of Earth's most complex exometabolomes, playing a central role in marine carbon cycling and long-term sequestration. Despite its biogeochemical importance, the molecular complexity of DOM has long challenged its analytical characterization. Here, we review recent advancements in structure-resolved analytical techniques for DOM.

Toxicity of Commonly Used Plasticizers to the Freshwater Organisms Tilapia sparrmanii (Fish) and Caridina nilotica (Shrimp): Lethal and Sublethal Effects.

The toxicity of microplastics in aquatic environments is usually due to plasticizers, the chemical additives that keep the plastic polymers together. Thus, the current study reports on the toxicity of three common plasticizers found in freshwater ecosystems and their impacts on two South African freshwater organisms at the organismal and biochemical levels. Tilapia sparrmanii (fish) and Caridina nilotica (shrimp) were exposed to varying concentrations of the test plasticizers, including bisphenol-A (BPA), calcium stearate (CAS), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP).

Formulation development and optimization of artemether-lumefantrine self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems.

Poor aqueous solubility may decrease the absorption and oral bioavailability of lipophilic drugs. In the current study, artemether (ART) and lumefantrine (LMF) o/w self-nano emulsifying drug delivery system (SNEDDS) formulations were prepared. Equilibrium solubility studies were conducted and pseudo-ternary phase diagrams were constructed to identify excipients with the best solubilizing capacity for ART and LMF.

Environmentally relevant concentrations of microplastics and phenanthrene show limited effects on the behaviour and physiology of green crab lineages.

Plastic pollution is a growing environmental concern, with microplastics (MPs) and associated contaminants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) jeopardising the resilience and long-term survival of marine species. While species-specific effects have been well-documented, the role of intraspecific diversity in modulating species' responses to these contaminants remains largely neglected. This study investigates whether genetically distinct lineages of the green crab (Carcinus maenas) differ in their behavioural and physiological responses to environmentally relevant concentrations of polyethylene microplastics (PE) and PE contaminated with phenanthrene (PE+PHE).

Synthesis and evaluation of multi-quaternary ammonium cation-functionalized BODIPYs with photodynamic antibacterial effects.

As an alternative of antibiotic therapy against drug-resistance or even multi-drug-resistant bacteria, antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is a promising therapeutic approach for cutaneous/oral localized infections as well as an efficient protocol for disinfection of blood products. In this study, a series of BODIPY derivatives modified with multi-quaternary ammonium cations were designed and synthesized. Density functional theory (DFT) showed that the ΔE values of new compounds were significantly reduced compared to the reference compound BDP-1.

Residue Variations in Human N‑Acetyltransferase 2 Enzyme Alleles: From Rapid to Slow Acetylation.

Understanding the effects of single-nucleotide variations on the three-dimensional structures of drug-metabolizing enzymes at the atomic level is not a well-studied field and deserves attention as it could provide insights into tackling both drug resistance and drug efficacy/toxicity issues. Here, we examined molecular dynamics simulations of the isoniazid-metabolizing enzyme arylamine N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) and established a computational approach to decipher how NAT2 transitions from being a rapid acetylator to a slow acetylator in the presence of residue variations. After revealing slight differences between two rapid acetylators (the NAT2 reference allele and the legacy reference allele), we compared them to five variants with slow clinical phenotypes.

Climate-change-driven shifts in C and C grass distributions and leaf traits could lead to changes in community-level flammability.

Premise: Climate change poses challenges to grasslands, including those of the North American Great Plains Region, where shifts in species distributions and fire dynamics are expected. Our present analysis focuses on remaining grasslands within this largely developed and agricultural region. The differential responses of C and C grass species to future climate conditions, particularly in habitat suitability and flammability, are critical for understanding ecosystem changes.

Influence of overflooding ratios on fruit damage and population growth of Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick): implications for the sterile insect technique program.

Background: Thaumatotibia leucotreta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is a significant pest of citrus in South Africa. A key management strategy to control this pest is the sterile insect technique, which relies on releasing high numbers of sterile T. leucotreta in citrus orchards.

Formulation and characterization of a fixed-dose microemulsion containing efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir.

Despite a marked decrease in HIV/AIDS-related mortality, HIV remains one of the leading causes of death in specific populations. Despite concerted efforts to find a cure for HIV, to date, none exists. Current antiretroviral therapy inhibits replication of the virus without completely eradicating it.

Morphological identification of first-instar larvae of European flesh flies of forensic importance.

Flesh flies (Sarcophagidae), along with blow flies, are among the first colonizers of vertebrate cadavers, including human corpses. Their early colonization and rapid development frequently result in the collection of flesh fly larvae as evidence during crime scene investigations or autopsies. Despite their regular occurrence and confirmed forensic importance, the species-level identification of sarcophagid larvae remains challenging.

Ecological niche differentiation mediates near complete premating reproductive isolation within the Gladiolus carneus (Iridaceae) species complex.

Background And Aims: Ecological niche differentiation is well associated with intraspecific divergence of functional traits, which may lead to the evolution of premating reproductive isolation. However, the link between the ecological niches, trait divergence, and premating isolation remains poorly understood. This is particularly pertinent in hyper-diverse areas such as the Cape Floristic Region (CFR) of South Africa, where fine-scale ecological heterogeneity has been hypothesised as a major driver of speciation.

Multidisciplinary perspective on a pharmacist-led vaccination clinic in a regional cancer care setting: A qualitative study.

Background: Immunosuppression in patients with cancer increases susceptibility to vaccine-preventable diseases, with suboptimal vaccination rates attributed to complex treatment schedules, timing of vaccination and uncertainty in relation to vaccination effectiveness. While pharmacists are routinely vaccinating patients in the community, high-risk cohorts, such as oncology patients, often lack access to dedicated vaccine services in hospital outpatient settings. Pharmacist-led vaccination clinics offer a promising solution to overcome existing barriers by integrating accessible, trusted healthcare professionals into patients' treatment location, to improve uptake through timely, co-located, and coordinated care.

Warming has limited effects on plant growth through nutrient release: evidence from sub-Antarctic Marion Island.

Background And Aims: Cold ecosystem plant productivity is nutrient limited, largely due to temperature-limited soil decomposition rates. Climate warming is predicted to indirectly stimulate productivity by stimulating microbial activity and thus nutrient release. However, these trends are not consistent across cold systems, and the predictions require empirical testing.

Ferrocene thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives cause DNA damage and interfere with DNA repair in triple-negative breast cancer cells.

In this study, ferrocene-containing thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives were screened against triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines, which represent an aggressive subtype of the disease predominant in women of African descent. The lack of key receptors in TNBC poses a therapeutic challenge as there are limited targeted treatment options available for this subtype. The ferrocene thiazolidine-2,4-dione derivatives displayed toxicity against HCC70 TNBC cells in the low-moderate micromolar range (5-46 μM) and two compounds were selected for further study, with IC50 values of 7.