From Hormones to Harvests: A Pathway to Strengthening Plant Resilience for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

The worldwide agriculture industry is facing increasing problems due to rapid population increase and increasingly unfavorable weather patterns. In order to reach the projected food production targets, which are essential for guaranteeing global food security, innovative and sustainable agricultural methods must be adopted. Conventional approaches, including traditional breeding procedures, often cannot handle the complex and simultaneous effects of biotic pressures such as pest infestations, disease attacks, and nutritional imbalances, as well as abiotic stresses including heat, salt, drought, and heavy metal toxicity.

The occurrence of cross-host species soil-transmitted helminth infections in humans and domestic/livestock animals: A systematic review.

Zoonotic soil-transmitted helminths (STH), including Ancylostoma ceylanicum, Ancylostoma caninum, Ancylostoma braziliense, Trichuris vulpis, Trichuris suis, and Ascaris suum, are increasingly recognised as potential sources of human infection. Additionally, animals can act as carriers or reservoirs for human STH species. However, the extent of cross-host infection remains poorly understood, primarily due to reliance on morphological diagnostics.

Decoding non-human mammalian adaptive signatures of 2.3.4.4b H5N1 to assess its human adaptive potential.

The 2.3.4.

A pro-angiogenic and hypoxic zebrafish model as a novel platform for anti-angiogenic drug testing.

Zebrafish is a valuable model for antiangiogenic drug testing. We hypothesized that the efficacy of antiangiogenic compounds might vary in hypoxic tissue environments compared to normal tissue. To explore this, we established a chemically induced zebrafish model using DMOG, which inhibits prolyl hydroxylases, and a genetic model by knocking out vhl gene via CRISPR/Cas9 to activate hypoxia signaling.

When humans shield predators from danger.

In areas with high predation risk, some prey seek refuge in anthropogenic areas that their predators avoid. Abrahms et al. show that this 'human shield effect' is also utilized by predators, such as the African wild dog (Lycaon pictus) that seeks refuge from lions.

Viral ecology in chiroptera: human-wildlife interactions and pandemic risk.

Bats (Order Chiroptera) are ecologically essential and evolutionarily unique mammals, acting as a natural reservoir for innumerable viruses, including several with a high degree of zoonotic significance. The complex and intricate ecology of bat viromes results largely from species diversity, roosting patterns, social structures, immunological adaptations, and their remarkable longevity, especially compared to other small mammals such as rodents. These traits allow bats to carry pathogenic viruses without visible clinical symptoms over extended periods.

Threatened Vultures of India: Population, Ecology, and Conservation.

The objective of this review is to assess the population status, ecology, and conservation efforts for threatened, that includes critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable vulture species in India. Vultures are integral to ecosystem health, functioning as natural scavengers by consuming carcasses and preventing the spread of infectious diseases to humans and other animals. India is home to nine vulture species, of which four are critically endangered, one is endangered, three are near-threatened, and one is of least concern according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Assessing the implications of habitat transformations on human-large carnivore interactions outside protected areas.

Humans and wildlife have coexisted spatially and temporally for many years. However, this is disturbed when human-induced changes constrain limited and shared resources, leading to increased competition for resources and negative human-wildlife interactions. This study aims to examine the implications of habitat changes on human-large carnivore interaction (HLCI) and identify priority areas for negative interaction.

Nanomaterial-Mediated Nucleic Acid Delivery for Pancreatic Cancer Therapeutics.

Pancreatic cancer (PC), one of the most aggressive and lethal malignancies, remains an imminent threat to human health despite enormous advancements in cancer research. Traditional therapeutic approaches are unable to significantly enhance the life expectancy of PC patients due to limitations such as lower targetability, recurrence of cancerous tumors, and side effects on healthy cells. Nucleic acid therapeutics (NATs) offer a promising alternative against traditional approaches due to their ability to target and modify genetic pathways involved in PC progression, thus providing precision treatment.

Revealing ivory origin: a novel ATR-FTIR spectroscopic and chemometric approach to distinguish Asian and African variants.

In wildlife seizure proceedings, it is essential to accurately identify and differentiate between seized Asian and African elephant ivory and their carved products. This differentiation is necessary for effectively tracking the ivory trade, which will assist in combating illegal ivory trafficking. However, distinguishing similar types of samples from closely related species poses a challenging task, as they share similar chemical compositions.

Identification of the HLA-C*18:06 Allele in a Prospective Bone Marrow Donor.

HLA-C*18:06 was identified by a single nucleotide (G>A) substitution at position 275 in HLA-C*18:02.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1781-1866.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , on leaf spots of . , on mossy soil, among leaf litter, among leaf litter, in leaf litter, in leaf litter, on soil in mixed forest, in long decayed wood litter, as an endophyte from healthy leaves of , on culms of on leaves of , on leaves of on leaves of . , on living leaf of from soil, on living leaves of unidentified palm species, from stalks of , on living leaves of native bamboo, on living leaves of unidentified , on living leaves of unidentified , (incl.

Fire, anthropogenic influence, and habitat factors affect grassland persistence in the face of woody encroachment in a Terai-Duars savanna and grasslands habitat.

Grasslands in wet tropical climates are unique ecosystems because water availability does not limit the establishment of trees. The Terai Duars Savanna and Grasslands ecoregion (hereafter, Terai) is a heterogeneous woodland-grassland mosaic where pure grasslands occur despite relatively high rainfall. The factors that maintain grasslands under such conditions are poorly understood.

Engineered L-asparaginase variants with enhanced therapeutic properties to improve treatment of childhood acute lymphatic leukemia.

Escherichia coli L-asparaginase (EcA), a key component of a multi-drug acute lymphatic leukemia (ALL) treatment regimen, has several limitations that reduce its therapeutic efficacy. The major disadvantages include immunogenicity, serum instability, shorter half-life, and accompanying glutaminase activity that causes neurotoxicity and pancreatitis. Pegylated asparaginase and Erwinase have better therapeutic potential, but they are expensive.

Detection of a Novel Gull-like Clade of Newcastle Disease Virus and H3N8 Avian Influenza Virus in the Arctic Region of Russia (Taimyr Peninsula).

Wild waterbirds are circulating important RNA viruses, such as avian coronaviruses, avian astroviruses, avian influenza viruses, and avian paramyxoviruses. Waterbird migration routes cover vast territories both within and between continents. The breeding grounds of many species are in the Arctic, but research into this region is rare.

Prevalence and diversity of Helicobacter species in captive wild carnivores, and their implications for conservation management of endangered species.

Unlabelled: species colonize the gastrointestinal tract of various hosts, and are of interest due to their potential zoonotic transmission and impact on health of humans and animals. Comprehensive studies involving wild animals from different locations are lacking, hindering our understanding of their host range, prevalence, and genetic diversity. We investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of species in thirteen wild carnivore species across twenty-two captive locations in India by targeting a partial region of the 16S rRNA gene.

Identification of non-tuberculous mycobacteria in slaughtered cattle from Chennai, India.

Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are emerging pathogens in human and veterinary medicine, with a globally increasing incidence. In India, sporadic studies have identified an upward trend in NTM infections, but accurate prevalence estimates are lacking due to the absence of nationwide surveillance. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria have been reported in clinically healthy cattle and wildlife globally, complicating tuberculosis (TB) diagnostics and surveillance.

Reference intervals for hematology, serum biochemistry and blood gas parameters in Indian elephants () under human care.

The Indian elephant (), classified as "Endangered" by the IUCN, faces significant population declines and habitat degradation, necessitating robust health assessment tools for both managed and free-ranging populations. This study aimed to establish comprehensive hematology, serum biochemistry and arterial blood gas reference intervals (RIs) for Indian elephants, addressing gaps in existing studies, and following the guidelines of the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP). Samples were collected from a well-defined elephant population under human care in southern India and analyzed on the same day.

Long-term trends in human fatalities from human-elephant conflict in Chhattisgarh, India.

Human-elephant conflict poses a major challenge to both wildlife conservation and human livelihoods across Asia. These conflicts often occur due to habitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, and the depletion of natural food resources, increasing the frequency of interactions between elephants and humans. We investigated human fatalities and injuries over 23 years (2000-2023) in Chhattisgarh, India, focusing on temporal variations and the underlying drivers of conflict.

A Modified Mirror Test as a Visual Guide for the Self-awareness Trait in Wild Antarctica Penguins, Pygoscelis adeliae.

In this study, the self-awareness trait was tested in Adelie penguins living on a remote island in Antarctica. Four experimental paradigms were designed for the study to visualize the effect of a coordinated and networked social life on generating the self-awareness trait in Adelie penguins. The study, conducted in extremely cold, snow-covered, and difficult terrains of Antarctica during January-February 2020, reports the presence of traits of self-awareness in wild Adélie penguins in their natural habitat on Dog's Neck Ice Shelf and Svenner Island in East Antarctica.

Targeted enrichment of Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus for complete genome sequencing in elephants.

Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpesvirus (EEHV) poses a critical threat to young Asian (Elephas maximus) and African elephants (Loxodonta africana), with high mortality rates due to acute haemorrhagic symptoms from vascular endothelial damage. EEHV remains dormant in adult elephants, reactivating under stress or immune suppression. There are multiple genotypes of EEHV have been reported based on genetic heterogeneity.

Intersectoral collaboration in zoonotic disease surveillance and response: A One Health study in the Greater Accra metropolitan area of Ghana.

The One Health (OH) approach is essential for preventing and managing zoonotic diseases through the promotion of intersectoral collaboration. Integrated surveillance systems enhance resource efficiency, support targeted interventions, and provide a comprehensive understanding of disease dynamics. However, operationalizing OH in resource-limited contexts encounters various obstacles due to systemic limitations.

Grassland Bird Species Decline With Colonial-Era Landscape Change in a Tropical Montane Ecosystem.

The impacts of colonial-era ecosystem changes on tropical biodiversity are poorly understood. We analyzed a 170-year dataset on land cover and bird observations in an Old World tropical montane landscape in the Western Ghats, India, to determine if and how historical landscape changes have impacted 85 bird species. A comparison of historical land cover and classified satellite imagery (1848-2018) revealed approximately an 80% decrease in grassland area and a concomitant increase in tea and timber plantations stemming from colonial-era policies and associated legacies of large-scale planting of cash crops and exotic woody species.

The importance of quantifying selection climates: predictable and unpredictable variation in predation risk and the implications for prey responses.

Prey behavioural traits within a population are commonly variable, unexpectedly so, given that predation is thought to be a strong selection pressure. This variation likely arises from complex, variable selection pressures, but experimental evaluations of prey responses to natural variability in selection pressures remain limited. We focus on the rock-pool-breeding mosquito , which can influence the predation risk to its offspring through site selection for oviposition.

Arachidonoyl-carnitine and arachidonoyl-coenzyme A are suitable substrates for mammalian ALOX isoforms.

Lipoxygenases (ALOX) convert free polyenoic fatty acids to bioactive mediators, which induce phenotypic alterations in target cells. However, the intracellular concentrations of free fatty acids are very low, as these compounds are rapidly esterified with coenzyme A. The acyl-CoA esters are subsequently used for re-acylation via the Lands cycle, or they are trans-esterified to acyl carnitines for mitochondrial import.