Therapeutic potential of Syzygium cumini L. extract in treating anxiety in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio): Behavioral, toxicological, and molecular evidence involving the GABAergic and serotonergic pathways.

Pastoral cattle breeding sustains nomadic communities by conserving local and non-commercial but valuable genetic resources. The aim of this study was to understand the genetic structure and diversity of newly registered pastoral Belahi cattle using genome-wide SNP data (Illumina BovineSNP50 v3.0 Array). After quality control, nearly 47% of SNPs were removed due to low minor allele frequency (< 0.05), yet the retained markers indicated well-distributed genetic variation across the genome, demonstrating substantial genetic diversity. Observed and expected heterozygosity were relatively high and nearly equal, suggesting adequate genetic variation and genomic inbreeding estimates indicated low inbreeding in Belahi cattle, although FROH analysis of longer runs of homozygosity revealed signs of recent inbreeding. The recent effective population size suggested a moderate risk of losing genetic diversity, which warrants attention for conservation management. The pattern of linkage disequilibrium decay showed relatively strong genetic linkage over short genomic distances, gradually decreasing over longer distances, indicating moderate recombination. Genetic diversity in Belahi cattle has been preserved, likely due to weaker artificial selection and higher historical effective population sizes. This study revealed that Belahi cattle had no evidence of recent admixture with taurine breeds. The breed exhibits a distinct genetic identity, clustering closely with other indigenous zebu breeds yet standing apart as a unique population. The findings suggest that historical management under low selection intensity and maintenance of sizable effective population size have helped preserve genetic variation in Belahi cattle.

Establishment of a human induced pluripotent stem cell line MUi036-A from healthy male CD34+ hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells.

Re-emergence of a highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus of clade 2.3.4.4b in poultry in France.

Data on human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing using modern high-resolution methods are increasingly needed. Previous HLA studies in Korea were limited by small sample sizes or low-resolution data. We analyzed high-resolution (eight-digit) HLA data obtained through next-generation sequencing from healthy volunteers from Korea registered for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, providing a large-scale dataset for population-based genetic analysis. We comprehensively analyzed HLA data from 2,726 volunteers from Korea. HLA-A, -B, -C, and -DRB1 alleles were identified using a GenDX NGSgo kit. Allele frequency (AF), haplotype frequency (HF), and equilibrium status were analyzed using the PyPop software. Principal component, Euclidean distance, and Nei's standard genetic distance analyses were performed using R software to compare data from Korea with that from other East Asian populations. AF analysis identified 222 alleles (52 HLA-A, 70 HLA-B, 59 HLA-C, and 41 HLA-DRB1); HLA-A*24:02:01:01, HLA-B*15:01:01:01, HLA-C*01:02:01:01, and HLA-DRB1* 09:01:02:01 were the most common. HF analysis revealed 632 haplotypes in HLA class I, and 2,848 in combined classes I and II; HLA-A*33:03:01:01~B*44:03:01:0 1~C*14:03:01:01 and HLA-A*33:03:01:01~B*44:03:01:01~C*14:03:01:01~DRB1*13:02:01:02 were the most common. Principal component and Euclidean distance analyses revealed genetic similarities among the individuals from Korea, Japan, and China. This study revealed key population genetic trends and relationships with East Asian neighbors, reflecting both shared and distinctive HLA characteristics. These data can provide valuable insights for anthropological and clinicopathological studies, as well as for understanding genetic diversity within the East Asian region.

Comparative neuropathogenesis of Angiostrongylus cantonensis and Angiostrongylus malaysiensis infection in an experimental BALB/c mouse model.

The Multiethnic Cohort Study (MEC) is a US prospective cohort of more than 215,000 participants, designed to investigate variation in risk factors and disease across diverse racial and ethnic groups. More than 74,000 participants contributed biospecimens for genetic studies. We describe this subcohort and demonstrate the types of analyses it enables. The MEC recruited adults aged 45 to 75 in California and Hawaii between 1993 and 1996. Cancer diagnoses were identified via state tumor registries. The MEC Genetics Database includes 73,139 participants with germline genotype data. We evaluated genetic similarity, its relationship with self-reported race/ethnicity, and baseline characteristics, including neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES). Using breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer as examples, we conducted genome-wide association studies (GWAS), assessed nongenetic risk factors, and performed time-to-event analyses. Participants included 10,962 African Americans, 24,234 Japanese Americans, 17,242 Latinos, 5,488 Native Hawaiians, 14,649 Whites, and 564 others. Principal component analysis showed substantial diversity. Multiethnic GWAS replicated known variants with effective control of population stratification. Polygenic risk score (PRS) effects varied across groups. Time-to-event models revealed associations between cancer incidence and nSES, population descriptors, and genetic similarity. The MEC Genetics Database enables multiancestry analyses of genetic and nongenetic cancer risk, supporting research on disparities, polygenic traits, and integrated risk prediction. Example analyses using these resources show the relationship between population descriptors, PRSs, and common cancer risk factors that require special consideration in genetic analyses.

Cymbidium goeringii is one of the most widely cultivated and traded ornamental orchids in East Asia. Due to its high horticultural value and phenotypic variability, accurate cultivar identification is essential but challenging, as their flowers bloom only briefly in spring. We have developed a forensic tool for rapid and exact cultivar discrimination by applying 12 simple sequence repeat (SSR) profiles in C. goeringii. This study was performed to establish an expanded SSR dataset for cultivar identification and phylogenetics in C. goeringii. We examined a total of 6,051 samples from 269 cultivars, including 92 Korean cultivars with ≥ 10 samples each. Among these, representative combined genotypes (CG1) were determined, and their frequencies (CG1%) were used to assess genetic concordance among samples. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using both Euclidean and codominant genetic distances, and cultivar distributions were visualized using Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and t-SNE. Approximately 72.8% of the samples matched their dominant combined genotype (CG1), suggesting that nearly 30% of cultivated orchids may exhibit genotype discordance. Phylogenetics and PCoA showed a weak or no correlation between phenotypes, while they revealed relatively clear clustering between Korean and Japanese origins. These results highlight the value of integrating multiple analytical methods to enhance interpretability. The expanded SSR genotype dataset presented here offers a robust resource for cultivar identification, verifying genotype concordance, phylogenetic analysis, and ecological genetics research. This study will be an important milestone in the forensic application of plants with diverse cultivars exhibiting a wide range of horticultural and commercial values.

The parabrachial nucleus (PB) contains many neuronal subpopulations, including a cold-activated subset that relays thermosensory information to the forebrain. Although these neurons are part of the Atoh1-derived PB macropopulation, their precise genetic identity has remained unclear, limiting cell-type-specific investigation of cold-defense circuitry. In this study, we show that this subpopulation is selectively identified by coexpression of Foxp2 and Grp. This intersectional molecular identity suggests a practical strategy for selectively targeting cold-activated PB neurons, enabling cell-type-specific dissection of the circuit mechanisms underlying autonomic and behavioral cold-defense responses.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cold-activated neurons in the PB relay thermosensory signals that drive autonomic and behavioral cold-defense responses, but their molecular identity has remained unclear. Here, we show that these neurons are selectively identified by coexpression of Foxp2 and Grp, a combination that distinguishes them from surrounding PB neurons. This intersectional genetic identity provides a practical strategy for selectively targeting this population, enabling future mechanistic studies of thermoregulatory circuits.

Multilocus sequence typing of antimicrobial-resistant zoonotic bacteria from shrimp aquaculture environments in Selangor, Malaysia.

Background: Cyanobacteria are microorganisms that lack a true nucleus inside their cells and are found in various environments around the world. They exist in both wild and aquatic environments and can tolerate harsh conditions such as high temperature, salinity, and low light intensity.This study aimed to verify and detect the presence of the HEP gene, which is responsible for the production of hepatic toxins, in several species of local isolates of filamentous cyanobacteria. Methodology: Samples of cyanobacteria were collected from different environmental sources and cultured in BG11 medium. DNA was extracted from the isolates, and the target HEP gene along with the diagnostic 16S rRNA gene was amplified using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique. The PCR products were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis to determine the presence or absence of the target genes. The analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed a high genetic similarity among species within the same genus and an average similarity among species belonging to different families. Results: The results showed that most of the cyanobacterial isolates carried the HEP gene, including Oscillatoria nigro-viridis, Limnospira fusiformis, Wollea saccata, Chroococcus sp., and Spirulina platensis, while Lyngbya aestuarii, Anabaena lutea, and Oscillatoria sp. did not possess this gene. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the ability to produce hepatic toxins is species-dependent and varies even among cyanobacteria belonging to the same genus. The study highlights the importance of monitoring cyanobacterial species in different environments due to their potential to produce harmful toxins.

Orf virus (ORFV) is the etiologic agent of infectious ecthyma, a common worldwide disease that occasionally causes zoonotic infections. In this study, we aimed to detect and molecularly characterise circulating ORFV strains in goats from different provinces in eastern Türkiye. Skin lesion samples collected during ORFV outbreaks between 2022 and 2024 were analysed. Following DNA extraction, positive samples identified by real-time PCR were analysed using a multi-locus phylogenetic approach targeting the structural F1L, the major envelope protein B2L, and the virulence-related VIR gene regions. Sequencing was performed using the Sanger method, followed by phylogenetic analysis using the Maximum Likelihood method in MEGA X. Phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic similarity (95.63% to 99.48%) between the Turkish strains and global isolates from countries such as China, India, Iran, and Malaysia. Notably, while most isolates shared 100% similarity, the isolate from one specific province (Tunceli) exhibited significant nucleotide substitutions and a separate clustering pattern, particularly in the VIR gene. The results demonstrate that ORFV strains circulating in Türkiye display close phylogenetic clustering with Asian strains. The study highlights that multi-locus analyses, especially utilising the highly variable VIR gene, are essential for identifying regional genetic heterogeneity and monitoring microbial evolution. These findings provide a pilot reference for future epidemiological surveillance and vaccine development strategies in the region.

Zebrafish (Danio rerio) is a powerful vertebrate model organism with strong genetic and physiological similarity to humans, yet its use in large-scale transcriptomic research remains constrained by incomplete gene annotations, inefficient ribodepletion methods, and limited transcript-level resolution. To tackle these challenges, we applied CapTrap-seq, a platform-agnostic long-read RNA sequencing approach combining cap-trapping with oligo(dT) priming to selectively capture 5'-capped, full-length transcripts, to zebrafish developmental stages and adult tissues. We further introduce a size-selection step that substantially improves recovery of longer RNA molecules without compromising quantitative accuracy. Benchmarking against the template-switching oligo (TSO) approach demonstrated that CapTrap-seq enables accurate and reproducible transcript reconstruction in a non-mammalian system without requiring external ribodepletion or validation resources. Comparative analysis across multiple long-read catalogues showed that CapTrap-seq detected the largest number of biologically and clinically relevant genes, including oxidative phosphorylation, cardiac, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) disease genes, while revealing extensive isoform diversity absent from current annotations. Analysis of the carmn and dancr lncRNA loci further demonstrated the ability to resolve complex splicing landscapes, uncovering novel full-length isoforms with distinct domain architectures not represented in existing zebrafish reference annotations. CapTrap-seq thus emerges as a robust, genome-agnostic framework for high-quality transcriptome characterisation in zebrafish and other under-annotated species, with broad implications for functional genomics and translational research.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) is the most prevalent and aggressive subtype of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), with a high incidence of lymph node metastasis even in early stages. The five-year overall survival rates remain low, around 50% in advanced stages. Cell line models are essential tools to understand the complexity of TSCC and develop new therapies. However, most commercially available TSCC cell lines are derived from patients with a history of tobacco use or have unknown exposure backgrounds. We established two novel TSCC cell lines, LMSCC03 and LMSCC16, derived from non-smoking and treatment naïve Brazilian patients. These cell lines were characterized by doubling time, 3D culture (spheroids and organoids), tumorigenicity through xenotransplantation in nude mice, immunohistochemical expression of key OSCC biomarkers and drug response. Genetic identity was confirmed by STR profiling. LMSCC03 and LMSCC16 displayed epithelial morphology and pan-cytokeratin staining. They demonstrated in vitro capacity to form spheroids and organoids, and generated tumors in vivo. STR profiling confirmed their novelty relative to existing cell lines in the DSMZ database. Protein analysis revealed high p53 nuclear levels in LMSCC16 cells. Interestingly, CD44 and c-Myc expression were observed only in fibroblast-enriched cultures, but not in the epithelial LMSCC03 and LMSCC16 cells. LMSCC16 also harbored two TP53 mutations and showed increased resistance to Cisplatin and Paclitaxel compared to established TSCC cell lines. Cisplatin treatment in spheroids reduced OCT4, CCND1, CCNB1, and CDH1 gene expression in LMSCC03. In contrast, LMSCC16 showed significant modulation of OCT4, increased CCND1 and CCNB1 expression, and reduced CDH1 levels following treatment. We established two novel TSCC cell lines that represent clinically relevant models to explore TSCC carcinogenesis and therapeutic responses, particularly in non-smoking populations.

Introduction. Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that poses a significant threat during pregnancy, frequently associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, including preterm birth, spontaneous abortion, stillbirth and neonatal sepsis.Hypothesis/Gap Statement. Despite its clinical relevance, there is a lack of whole-genome sequencing (WGS)-based data describing the genomic characteristics and circulating lineages of L. monocytogenes associated with maternal and neonatal infections in Kuwait, limiting regional epidemiological understanding.Aim. To genomically characterize L. monocytogenes isolates from maternal and neonatal clinical specimens at the Maternity Hospital, Kuwait.Methodology. Nine clinical isolates collected between 2017 and 2022, obtained from high vaginal swabs and blood cultures of unrelated mothers and neonates, were subjected to WGS. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the VITEK-2 system. Genomic analysis included determination of sequence types (STs), clonal complexes (CCs), genomic characterization using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST), core-genome MLST (cgMLST), antimicrobial resistance (AMR) determinants and virulence gene profiles.Results. Seven isolates (S2-S8) were ST2 and belonged to CC2, whereas S1 and S9 were classified as ST3 and ST308 and belonged to CC3 and CC1, respectively. Phenotypic susceptibility profiles were correlated with genotypic findings, with a conserved resistome dominated by fosX (fosfomycin resistance) and vga(G) (lincosamide resistance). All isolates harboured conserved core virulence genes associated with stress response, quorum sensing, nutrient regulation, host cell invasion and intercellular survival. The cgMLST analysis demonstrated ≥99.5% genetic similarity among ST2/CC2 isolates, which clustered together and were genetically distinct from older local isolates (S1, S9) and international reference strains.Conclusion. This first WGS-based genomic characterization of L. monocytogenes in Kuwait demonstrates the repeated detection of ST2/CC2 across multiple maternal and neonatal cases over several years. These findings provide baseline genomic data and highlight the need for integrated, expanded genomic surveillance linking clinical, food and environmental isolates to improve source attribution, early detection and public health interventions for listeriosis.

X-chromosome Short Tandem Repeats (X-STR) have been utilized in forensics and population genetics studies for more than two decades, particularly in cases involving complex kinship analysis, disaster victim identification, sexual assault, and incest. Nevertheless, the genetic landscape of India remains underexplored using X-STR markers. In the present study, blood samples of 420 unrelated participants (133 females and 287 males) were analyzed from the Brahmin community of Gujarat, India. For the amplification of X-STR loci, the Investigator® Argus X-12 QS Kit was utilized. 186 unique alleles were identified, suggesting high genetic diversity of the Brahmin population. Locus DXS10135 (PIC = 0.930) was the most polymorphic, and locus DXS7423 was the least polymorphic (PIC = 0.553). On analyzing the haplotype diversity, Linkage Group-1 (LG1) was found to have the highest haplotype diversity (0.997). Notably, LG1 was also the most informative and polymorphic linkage group (PIC = 0.994), preceded by LG4 (PIC = 0.989), LG2 (PIC = 0.988), and LG3 (PIC = 0.983). Based on the allelic and haplotype frequencies, the combined estimates for PDF, PDM, MECDesmarais, MECKishida, MECKruger, and MECDesmarais duo were ≥ 0.999, demonstrating high discriminatory power of all the loci. Furthermore, inter-population phylogenetic analysis revealed high genetic affinity of Gujarat's Brahmins with other populations of the Indian subcontinent, encompassing Madhya Pradesh's Bhil tribe and Punjab's Jat Sikh. The Gujarat Brahmins also have a shorter genetic distance with other South Asian populations, including the Bangladeshi population. This research indicates that the studied X-STR markers are highly polymorphic, offering significant insights for individual identification in forensics.

Ferns are well known for their exceptionally large genomes and high chromosome numbers, which may be in part due to whole genome duplications (WGDs) followed by slow diploidization. To better understand the mode of fern genome evolution, we focus on the heterosporous fern genus Salvinia, which exhibits striking variation in genome size and chromosome number. We generated chromosome-level genome assemblies for Salvinia cucullata, the fern with the smallest genome, and Salvinia molesta, a globally invasive species widely thought to be an allopentaploid. Surprisingly, we found that S. molesta is in fact a diploid hybrid and that S. cucullata, despite having a genome ten times smaller than S. molesta, has substantially more chromosomes. Both species lack any recent WGDs and their highly variable genomes were predominately shaped by transposable element proliferation and chromosome rearrangements. The complete decoupling of chromosome number and genome size in Salvinia sharply contrasts the typical pattern in ferns, which are mostly homosporous and produce only one type of spore by meiosis. Many of the genome features observed in Salvinia are consistent with genomic changes due to female meiotic drive, a mechanism possible only in heterosporous plants that produce distinct microspores and megaspores. These results redefine the genetic identity of S. molesta and provide insights into its invasive success. The marked variation in genome composition and structure within Salvinia challenges the prevailing model of fern genome evolution while aligning with expectations for angiosperms, another heterosporous lineage.

Ficus carica L. is an economically important fruit crop widely cultivated in the Mediterranean region. In this study, genetic diversity and population structure were investigated in 72 F. carica genotypes collected from the Derecik and Çukurca regions of Hakkâri province, Türkiye, using 15 highly polymorphic Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers. A total of 481 amplification bands were obtained, of which 475 were polymorphic, resulting in a high average polymorphism rate of 98.60%. Genetic diversity indices indicated substantial variation among the genotypes, with a mean effective number of alleles of 1.53, gene diversity of 0.31, and Shannon information index of 0.47. The average genetic distance among genotypes was 0.37, with the highest pairwise distance (0.721) observed between genotypes HC4 and HD7. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed that most genetic variation was distributed within populations (93%), whereas only 7% was among populations. Bayesian STRUCTURE analysis identified two distinct genetic clusters corresponding largely to geographic origin, with 22 genotypes (30.56%) classified as admixed based on a membership coefficient threshold of < 0.70. Principal coordinate analysis (PcoA) clearly separated genotypes according to their sampling locations, where Axis 1 and Axis 2 explained 24.31% and 15.07% of the total genetic variation, respectively. Overall, these findings demonstrate the effectiveness of SCoT markers in assessing genetic diversity and population structure in F. carica germplasm from southeastern Türkiye. Future studies should use codominant markers (SSRs and SNPs) expand geographic sampling, and adopt open data repositories to enhance conservation and breeding strategies.

Falco biarmicus feldeggii has experienced increasing anthropogenic pressures over recent decades, resulting in regional population declines. Despite its critical conservation status, the species remains poorly characterized from a genetic standpoint. In this study, we assessed genetic differentiation between captive and wild Italian specimens of F. b. feldeggii to evaluate the genetic consequences of captive breeding. We also simulated alternative population reinforcement scenarios and developed a predictive model integrating demographic trends, population viability, and genetic outcomes based on actual genotypes and alternative mating systems. Our results showed a close genetic similarity between captive and wild specimens, supporting the use of the captive dataset as input for the simulation model. Simulation of various reinforcement scenarios highlighted that juvenile mortality had a stronger influence on the establishment of a long-term self-sustaining population. Furthermore, our model showed that while demographic parameters strongly shaped the trajectories of genetic diversity, selected mating had only a limited and short-term impact in our simulations providing a small contribution to stabilizing early-generation genetic diversity.

Whole-neuron morphology and genetic identity define cell types and reveal principles of brain-wide connectivity.