Mature Stage Research Articles

Quality evaluation of “Gấc” arils and peels according to the maturity and ripeness stages

Two parts (arils and peel) of “Gấc” fruit (Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng) were analyzed for their physicochemical properties from the stage when the fruit reached maturity to the next ripening stages. Understanding these characteristics can help identify maturity indicators and use them most effectively. Research results show that “Gấc” fruit reaches maturity at the 7th week (A1) after fruit set (WAFS). At this time, the diameter and weight of the fruit no longer increase. Subsequent changes represent a gradual color change from completely blue (A1) to completely red (A5) and dark red (A6), through three intermediate stages (from A2 to A4). “Gấc” peel synthesizes the highest lycopene content (131.72 µg/g) at stage A5 (11 WAFS) and the highest β-carotene content at both stages A4 and A5 (10 and 11 WAFS) compared to fruit at stage A1 (7 WAFS). Meanwhile, lycopene and β-carotene in arils reached the highest concentrations (1672.04±9.1 μg/g and 582.45±3.4 μg/g, respectively) at stage A5 (11 WAFS). The total polyphenol content (TPC) in “Gấc” fruit arils/peel and total chlorophyll in “Gấc” fruit peel gradually decrease through the ripening stages, the highest value was achieved when the fruit was mature (A1) and the lowest value in fully ripened fruit (A5). Although showing a decrease, “Gấc” fruit still maintained TPC content in arils and peels of 89% and 73%, respectively (stages A4 and A5). The antioxidant activity of both “Gấc” fruit arils and peel also showed similar activity. In addition, “Gấc” arils also contain the highest vitamin C content in the fully ripe fruit stage compared to other stages. Thus, harvesting “Gấc” fruit at stages A4 and A5 will have beneficial ingredients (lycopene, β-carotene, total polyphenol content and vitamin C) that are good for human health.

A stage-dependent seed defense response to explain efficient seed transmission of Xanthomonas citri pv. fuscans to common bean.

Although seed represents an important means of plant pathogen dispersion, the seed-pathogen dialogue remains largely unexplored. A multiomic approach was performed at different seed developmental stages of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) during asymptomatic colonization by Xanthomonas citri pv. fuscans (Xcf), At the early seed developmental stages, we observed high transcriptional changes both in seeds with bacterial recognition and defense signal transduction genes, and in bacteria with up-regulation of the bacterial type 3 secretion system. This high transcriptional activity of defense genes in Xcf-colonized seeds during maturation refutes the widely diffused assumption considering seeds as passive carriers of microbes. At later seed maturation stages, few transcriptome changes indicated a less intense molecular dialogue between the host and the pathogen, but marked by changes in DNA methylation of plant defense genes, in response to Xcf colonization. We showed examples of pathogen-specific DNA methylations in colonized seeds acting as plant defense silencing to repress plant immune response during the germination process. Finally, we propose a novel plant-pathogen interaction model, specific to the seed tissues, highlighting the existence of distinct phases during seed-pathogen interaction with seeds being actively interacting with colonizing pathogens, then both belligerents switching to more passive mode at later stages.

Effect of mandibular third molar tooth germ extraction on mandibular development: a retrospective study

Objective: To investigatethe effect of extraction of mandibular third molar (M3) tooth germon the development of the mandible in orthodontic patients, with a view to providing a reference for clinical M3 tooth germ extraction. Methods: One hundred and twenty-nine Angel class Ⅰ patients aged 10-16 years who attended the Department of Orthodontics Division 1, School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wuhan University from 1 January 2013 to 30 December 2021 and fulfilled the criteria for nativity were included. Those who had their M3 extracted in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery were included in the study group, with a total of 66 cases; and those who did not have their M3 extracted were included in the control group, with a total of 63 cases. The average annual growth was calculated by tracing point measurements on cephalometric films before and after orthodontic treatment according to the Jarabak and McNamara methods, with measurements of the mandibular ramus height (Ar-Go'), mandibular body length (Go'-Me), and overall mandibular length (Co-Gn) values, respectively. The average annual growth of Ar-Go', Go'-Me, and Co-Gn were compared between the two groups for the overall sample of patients, patients of the same sex (male/female), patients of the same age group (A, B, and C), and patients of the same cervical vertebral maturation stage (stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ), respectively, to see if there was any difference in the average annual growth of Ar-Go', Go'-Me, and Co-Gn. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the average annual growth of Ar-Go', Go'-Me, and Co-Gn between the study group [0.88 (0.40, 1.80), 0.67 (0.15, 1.18), and 0.86 (0.40, 1.90) mm, respectively] and the control group [1.08 (0.45, 1.60), 0.53 (0.25, 1.13), and 1.20 (0.46, 2.28) mm, respectively] (P>0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in the average annual growth in the Ar-Go', Go'-Me, and Co-Gn between the groups for patients of the same sex group (male/female), patients of the same age group (A, B, and C), and patients of the same cervical vertebral maturation stage group (stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ) (P>0.05). Conclusions: Extraction of the mandibular third molar tooth germ has no significant effect on the development of the mandible in Angle class Ⅰ orthodontic patients.

Embryonic morphology and biochemical differences in Scylla paramamosain: Investigating berried and non-berried phenotypes

Scylla paramamosain, an economically valuable crustacean with a particular emphasis on female mud crabs possessing mature ovaries, is demanded extensively due to its exceptional market value. The study focused on understanding the proximate and biochemical compositions of eggs, ovaries and hepatopancreas across different maturation stages. Nine berried and non-berried female mud crabs were meticulously analyzed morphologically and microscopically. The protein contents were significantly higher in the ovary of berried S. paramamosain at stage-II (∼ 72 %) surpassing hepatopancreas and the non-berried counterparts (∼ 42 %), whereas, the egg showed slightly higher protein contents at the 1st maturation stage (∼ 67 %). The fatty acids, including Saturated Fatty acids (SFAs), Mono-unsaturated Fatty acids (MUFAs) and Poly-unsaturated Fatty acids (n6-PUFAs and n3-PUFAs), showed an incremental decrease during all the maturation stages of berried S. paramamosain across all three organelles. Interestingly, these fatty acids were significantly higher in the hepatopancreas (∼ 32, 31, 7 and 26, respectively) and lower in the ovary (∼ 28, 28, 6 and 25, respectively) of non-berried S. paramamosain. The eicosapentanoic acid (EPA) and docosahexanoic acid (DHA) showed an incremental decrease in eggs and hepatopancrease of berried and non-berried S. paramamosain in maturation stages I-III (∼ 11, 10, 9 % and ∼ 19, 15, 10 %, respectively, and ∼ 10, 9, 8, 8 % and ∼17, 16, 13, 12 %, respectively), which were significantly higher in the ovary of non-berried S. paramamosain (∼ 9 and 12 %, respectively) when compared with any of these maturation stages of the berried S. paramamosain (∼ means 7 and 8.33 %, respectively). The Total Essential Amino Acids (ΣEAA) and Total Non-Essential Amino Acids (ΣNEAA) displayed an incremental decrease in the egg and an increase in the ovary and hepatopancreas during the mentioned maturation stages. The glutamic acid, however, showed an incremental decrease in the egg and an increase in the ovary and hepatopancreas of berried S. paramamosain which was significantly prominent in the ovary of non-berried S. paramamosain.

Population Dynamics of Dysdercus volkeri F. (Heteroptera: Pyrrhocoridae) at Different Stages of Cotton Development in Northeastern Nigeria

Two-location field trials were conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Department of Crop Protection, Modibbo Adama University of Technology Yola and at the School Farm Government Girls Secondary School Kaltungo, Gombe state, in 2022 cropping season. The study was carried out to determine the population dynamics of Dysdercus volkeri at different stages of cotton development in North-Eastern Nigeria. The experiments were laid-out using randomize complete block design (RCBD) and the treatments consisting of five cotton varieties (SAMCOT 8, SAMCOT 9, SAMCOT 10, SAMCOT 11, SAMCOT 12) were replicated four (4) times. The week that had the highest population of D. volkeri in a combined analysis was 18 Weeks After Sowing (WAS), 66.30 in Yola and 16WAS, 20.70 in Kaltungo, per 10 cotton plants. The least population of the insect in both locations was obtained on 12WAS with 27.70 in Yola and 12WAS with 2.83 in Kaltungo, per 10 cotton plants. SAMCOT 10 had the highest population of the insect in both location with 54.71 and 32.70 (per 10 cotton plants) with the least on SAMCOT 11 and 12 with a population of 37.17 and 7.57 (per 10 cotton plants). Boll maturation stage supported the highest population of D. volkeri at Yola and Kaltungo with 89.23, the least at the beginning of boll formation 48.34 in both locations

Progranulin and Vaspin as Potential Novel Markers in the Etiology of Type 1 Diabetes in Children.

Background and Objectives: Diabetes is a significant health problem, prompting the search for new therapeutic strategies. Recently, researchers have focused on identifying novel markers for the progression of this condition. It is well established that adipokines, such as progranulin and vaspin, play crucial roles in regulating lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Materials and Methods: This single-center cross-sectional study aimed to assess serum progranulin and vaspin levels in 80 children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to examine their correlation with body mass index (BMI), glycated hemoglobin, and lipid profile. The cohort included 40 children newly diagnosed with diabetes, 40 children with long-term diabetes (20 well-controlled and 20 poorly controlled), and 14 non-diabetic children as a control group. Progranulin and vaspin levels were determined using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: There were no significant differences in the progranulin and vaspin concentrations in the studied groups (p = 0.246 and p = 0.095, respectively). No statistically significant differences were noted in the levels of both adipokines among boys and girls within the T1D, well-controlled T1D, and poorly controlled T1D groups. We did not find any differences in the progranulin and vaspin levels among all children with T1D and healthy controls when divided based on BMI percentiles. A negative correlation was observed between progranulin concentration and the age of children in the T1D, well-controlled T1D, and healthy groups. Furthermore, progranulin correlated negatively with BMI among children with T1D. In contrast, vaspin concentration correlated positively with age among healthy children. Conclusions: Our study provides novel insights into the status of progranulin and vaspin among pediatric participants with varying levels of type 1 diabetes control. However, further research involving larger patient cohorts and different stages of sexual maturation is warranted.

Morphometric analysis in the sub basins of the Kali River using Geographic Information System, Karnataka, India

Morphometric analysis serves as a crucial tool for quantitatively characterizing drainage basins and exploring the intricate relationships between hydraulic parameters and geomorphological characteristics. This study presents a comprehensive morphometric analysis of the Kali Subbasin in Karnataka, covering an area of 1175.45 km². Utilizing remote sensing data and GIS tools, we quantified various morphometric parameters, including stream order, stream length, bifurcation ratio, drainage density, stream frequency, form factor, and circularity ratio, to understand the basin's geomorphological and hydrological characteristics. The study area is classified as a seventh-order basin displaying a dendritic drainage pattern with a drainage density of 2.853 km/km². Notably, the bifurcation ratio ranges from 4.396 to 3, indicating low to moderate structural control within the basin. The subbasin's elongated shape, with an elongation ratio of 0.604 and a circularity ratio of 0.298, indicates moderate peak flow and high susceptibility to erosion. Relief parameters showed significant elevation variations, contributing to intense erosion and heightened flood risks in lower-lying areas. The study identifies the basin's transition to a mature geomorphic stage, evidenced by an escalating stream length ratio from lower to higher orders. These findings underscore the importance of tailored watershed management strategies, including floodplain zoning, retention basins, afforestation, and terracing, to mitigate flooding and soil erosion. The study's insights are crucial for developing effective, localized water resource management plans and enhancing the resilience of the Kali Subbasin to future hydrological challenges.

Shellogy: reading abalone shells to empower reef-scale management

ABSTRACT Developing spatially explicit assessment and management techniques that engage stakeholder behaviour has been an enduring priority for fisheries targeting benthic marine invertebrates like abalone. This study describes the basis of ‘Shellogy’; a concept with the potential to empower reef-scaled management by using shell morphology to qualitatively evaluate abalone populations and their variability. The premise of shellogy is that a range of shell characteristics, previously established as distinguishing between populations with differing life history parameters, are also indicative of relative age and stage of maturation. Using the analysis of existing data, literature synthesis and illustrations, together with simulation of length frequency histograms, this study establishes from first principles that the morphometric ratios of abalone shells, along with superficial internal and external shell characteristics, change predictably with age and maturation. This study explains how recognising the connection between shell shape, and relative age and maturity, enables the appearance of shells in populations and catches, to be used to inform qualitative reef-scale assessment and facilitate stakeholder engagement with reef-scale management initiatives.

Experimental investigation of hydrocarbon generation, retention, and expulsion of saline lacustrine shale: Insights from improved semi-open pyrolysis experiments of Lucaogou Shale, eastern Junggar Basin, China

The organic-rich shale deposited in a saline lacustrine setting contributes massive conventional and unconventional petroleum reserves. However, the hydrocarbon generation, retention, and expulsion of saline lacustrine shale with increasing thermal maturity were rarely reported. Predicting the quality and quantity of generated, retained, and expelled hydrocarbons under various maturity stages for a given shale before drilling persists as a vital issue in exploration. Here, this study conducted two improved semi-open pyrolysis experiments to investigate the characteristics of the hydrocarbon generation, retention, and expulsion of Lucaogou Shale. Solid residues, adsorbed oil, free oil, expelled oil, and hydrocarbon gases were carefully quantified during the pyrolysis experiments. The results reveal that the composition and quantity of generated hydrocarbons are determined by the maturity and degree of openness of the shale system. The Tasmanites of Lucaogou Shale rapidly were converted to abundant oil in the main oil stage, promoting oil retention and expulsion. Meanwhile, the yield of adsorbed and free oil reached its peak at the VRo of 1.01 %. In the late oil window, the previously retained oil was further expelled from the shale as thermal stress increased. High oil retention significantly promoted the generation of extensive wet gas due to secondary cracking within the gas window. However, in a more open system, most of the generated oil was expelled within the oil window. The Lucaogou Shale generates relatively small amounts of hydrocarbon gas through kerogen cracking within the gas window. Hence, the extent of oil transformation into gas is controlled by the residence time and quantity of retained oil in shale. In addition, the maturity range of the oil saturation index greater than 100 mg oil/g TOC in Lucaogou Shale is relatively wide (VRo of 0.9 %-1.5 %), consistent with the renowned Woodford Shale. Expanded geochemical data of natural shale and artificial maturation experiments indicate the distribution of potential hydrocarbon resources. These valuable insights enhance the possibility of searching for commercial shale oil and conventional hydrocarbon resources. Collectively, these findings provide critical new insights into the hydrocarbon generation, retention, and expulsion of saline lacustrine shale, and the results could be a valuable analog for other saline lacustrine petroleum systems worldwide.

Validation of Gene Expression Patterns for Oral Feeding Readiness: Transcriptional Analysis of Set of Genes in Neonatal Salivary Samples.

Neonatal health assessment is crucial for detecting and intervening in various disorders. Traditional gene expression analysis methods often require invasive procedures during sample collection, which may not be feasible or ideal for preterm infants. In recent years, saliva has emerged as a promising noninvasive biofluid for assessing gene expression. Another trend that has been growing is the use of "omics" technologies such as transcriptomics in the analysis of gene expression. The costs for carrying out these analyses and the difficulty of analysis make the detection of candidate genes necessary. These genes act as biomarkers for the maturation stages of the oral feeding issue. Salivary samples (n = 225) were prospectively collected from 45 preterm (<34 gestational age) infants from five predefined feeding stages and submitted to RT-qPCR. A better description of the targeted genes and results from RT-qPCR analyses were included. The six genes previously identified as predictive of feeding success were tested. The genes are AMPK, FOXP2, WNT3, NPHP4, NPY2R, and PLXNA1, along with two reference genes: GAPDH and 18S. RT-qPCR amplification enabled the analysis of the gene expression of AMPK, FOXP2, WNT3, NPHP4, NPY2R, and PLXNA1 in neonatal saliva. Expression results were correlated with the feeding status during sample collection. In summary, the genes AMPK, FOXP2, WNT3, NPHP4, NPY2R, and PLXNA1 play critical roles in regulating oral feeding and the development of premature infants. Understanding the influence of these genes can provide valuable insights for improving nutritional care and support the development of these vulnerable babies. Evidence suggests that saliva-based gene expression analysis in newborns holds great promise for early detection and monitoring of disease and understanding developmental processes. More research and standardization of protocols are needed to fully explore the potential of saliva as a noninvasive biomarker in neonatal care.

Study of Ultrasound-Assisted Technology for Accelerating the Aging Process in a Sugar Cane Honey Spirit

This study aims to obtain an alternative aging method using toasted white oak chips and ultrasound technology that yields a final product of similar quality to the one obtained by a traditional aging system in reduced time. Different conditions of ultrasound treatment and ethanol concentration during the maturation stage were studied. A sugar cane honey spirit was produced. The ultrasound treatments were applied to the distilled product to extract the color, aroma, and flavor compounds from the white oak chips used. Trials of spectrophotometry-evaluated color and e-sensing technology were applied to assess flavor and aroma. Very distinct color changes were obtained, indicating that ultrasound treatment facilitates the extraction of color compounds from the oak chips. The flavor profile obtained was similar to the one obtained for the unaged reference, indicating that the accelerated aging treatment may not influence flavor in a significant manner. The aroma profile achieved most descriptors found in the commercial rum aroma profile, indicating that the aging method studied influences the aroma profile. In general, the methods used allowed us to produce an aged spirit, offering a reduction in maturation time over the traditional system and a similar sensory profile for the final product.

RhoGDI1 regulates cell-cell junctions in polarized epithelial cells.

Cell-cell contact formation of polarized epithelial cells is a multi-step process that involves the co-ordinated activities of Rho family small GTPases. Consistent with the central role of Rho GTPases, a number of Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and Rho GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) have been identified at cell-cell junctions at various stages of junction maturation. As opposed to RhoGEFs and RhoGAPs, the role of Rho GDP dissociation inhibitors (GDIs) during cell-cell contact formation is poorly understood. Here, we have analyzed the role of RhoGDI1/ARHGDIA, a member of the RhoGDI family, during cell-cell contact formation of polarized epithelial cells. Depletion of RhoGDI1 delays the development of linear cell-cell junctions and the formation of barrier-forming tight junctions. In addition, RhoGDI1 depletion impairs the ability of cells to stop migration in response to cell collision and increases the migration velocity of collectively migrating cells. We also find that the cell adhesion receptor JAM-A promotes the recruitment of RhoGDI1 to cell-cell contacts. Our findings implicate RhoGDI1 in various processes involving the dynamic reorganization of cell-cell junctions.

Effects of grass species and harvest date on cell wall components and feed efficiency of dairy cows

There is a balance between DM yield and feed value when choosing types of grasses on a farm depending on the acreages of farmland and types of ruminants to be fed. Therefore, optimisation of the harvest strategy for grass silage is important for profitable dairy farming. Tall fescue has high DM yield and can replace traditional grasses, such as timothy, in Northern Europe in a changing climate as it has been shown to be more drought tolerant. As differences in climate responses previously have been related to differences in cell wall structure between grass species and, consequently, in digestibility, it is highly relevant to compare these species at similar maturity stages and to investigate if a very early harvest date will diminish potential differences between the species. This study evaluated the effects of harvest date and forage species on the concentration of hydroxycinnamic acids in silages and its relationship to feed efficiency of dairy cows. Tall fescue and timothy were harvested at very early date on May 25 or at early date on May 31 in the spring growth cycle. Forty lactating dairy cows were used in a block design. Cows received 1 of 4 treatments: (1) tall fescue harvested at very early date, (2) timothy harvested at very early date, (3) tall fescue harvested at early date, and (4) timothy harvested at early date. Diets were formulated to have the same forage-to-concentrate ratio (49:51 on DM basis). Tall fescue silages showed greater concentrations of DM, ash, and CP than timothy silages. Grasses harvested at early date showed greater concentrations of NDF, ADL, and cell wall than grasses harvested at very early date. Tall fescue silages showed greater concentration of p-coumaric acid and lower in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) compared to timothy silages. Milk production and composition were not affected by treatments but cows fed tall fescue-based diets showed lower milk protein yield and greater milk urea nitrogen than when timothy-based diets were fed. Furthermore, cows receiving timothy-based diets showed greater feed efficiency compared to cows receiving tall fescue-based diets. Thus, the lower concentration of p-coumaric acid and the higher IVOMD was associated with greater feed efficiency of cows fed timothy-based diets compared to tall fescue-based diets.

An exploration of the causal relationship between 731 immunophenotypes and osteoporosis: a bidirectional Mendelian randomized study.

There are complex interactions between osteoporosis and the immune system, and it has become possible to explore their causal relationship based on Mendelian randomization methods. Utilizing openly accessible genetic data and employing Mendelian randomization analysis, we investigated the potential causal connection between 731 immune cell traits and the risk of developing osteoporosis. Ten immune cell phenotypes were osteoporosis protective factors and three immune cell phenotypes were osteoporosis risk factors. Specifically, the odds ratio (OR) of IgD+ CD24+ %B cell (B cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9986 (95% CI = 0.9978~0.9996, P<0.01). The OR of CD24+ CD27+ %B cell (B cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9991 (95% CI = 0.9984~0.9998, P = 0.021). The OR of CD33- HLA DR+AC (Myeloid cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9996 (95% CI = 0.9993~0.9999, P = 0.038). The OR of EM CD8br %CD8br (Maturation stages of T cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 1.0004 (95% CI = 1.0000~1.0008, P = 0.045). The OR of CD25 on IgD+ (B cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9995 (95% CI = 0.9991~0.9999, P = 0.024). The OR of CD25 on CD39+ activated Treg+ (Treg panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 1.001 (95% CI = 1.0001~1.0019, P = 0.038). The OR of CCR2 on CD62L+ myeloid DC (cDC panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9992 (95% CI = 0.9984~0.9999, P = 0.048). The OR of CCR2 on CD62L+ plasmacytoid DC (cDC panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9993 (95% CI = 0.9987~0.9999, P = 0.035). The OR of CD45 on CD33dim HLA DR+ CD11b- (Myeloid cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9988 (95% CI = 0.9977~0.9998, P = 0.031). The OR of CD45 on Mo MDSC (Myeloid cell panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9992 (95% CI = 0.9985~0.9998, P = 0.017). The OR of SSC-A on B cell (TBNK panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9986 (95% CI = 0.9972~0.9999, P = 0.042). The OR of CD11c on CD62L+ myeloid DC (cDC panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 0.9987 (95% CI = 0.9978~0.9996, P<0.01). The OR of HLA DR on DC (cDC panel) risk on Osteoporosis was estimated to be 1.0007 (95% CI = 1.0002~1.0011, P<0.01). No causal effect of osteoporosis on immune cells was observed. Our study identified 13 unreported immune phenotypes that are causally related to osteoporosis, providing a theoretical basis for the bone immunology doctrine.

Length-Weight relationship and condition factor of Lutjanus peru and L. guttatus from the Gulf of California Mexico.

Fulton’s condition factor (k) and the length-weight relationship (LWR) are the most important biological tools with respect to basic aspects of fish population dynamics; they are applicable to strategic plans for the conservation and management of fisheries. A total of 478 snappers Lutjanus peru and L. guttatus were analyzed in Santa Rosalía, Baja California Sur, in the Gulf of California. The total length of Lutjanus peru ranged from 21 to 55 cm, and weight ranged from 215 to 1,920 g, whereas total length of L. guttatus ranged from 21 to 59 cm, and weight ranged from 290 to 1,675 g. The LWR and condition factor were estimated for the two species and intraspecific factors were analyzed (sex, season, maturity stage) using Bayesian hierarchical models with random effects. The parameters of the LWR equation were similar for the two snapper species (α≈0.026 and β ≈ 2.8); they both presented negative allometric growth (p(β&lt;3)&gt;85%). The L. peru growth rate was greater in the warm season (p(βwarm&gt;βcold)≈97%), whereas this difference was not as evident in L. guttatus (p(βwarm&lt;βcold)≈72%). The condition factor k was greater than 1 for all categories in the two species (p(μk)=100%), which suggests that they keep a good body condition. This indicates that L. peru and L. guttatus in Santa Rosalía experience environmental conditions that benefit their body condition, as a function of year-round food availability. This information is useful for future conservation studies and for monitoring snapper captures, as most L. peru individuals caught were sexually immature.

Synergic Effect of the Antimicrobial Peptide ToAP2 and Fluconazole on Candida albicans Biofilms.

Candida albicans is one of the agents of invasive candidiasis, a life-threatening disease strongly associated with hospitalization, particularly among patients in intensive care units with central venous catheters. This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic activity of the antifungal peptide ToAP2 combined with fluconazole against C. albicans biofilms grown on various materials. We tested combinations of different concentrations of the peptide ToAP2 with fluconazole on C. albicans biofilms. These biofilms were generated on 96-well plates, intravenous catheters, and infusion tubes in RPMI medium at two maturation stages. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy were employed to assess the biofilm structure. We also evaluated the expression of genes previously proven to be involved in C. albicans biofilm formation in planktonic and biofilm cells after treatment with the peptide ToAP2 using qPCR. ToAP2 demonstrated a synergistic effect with fluconazole at concentrations up to 25 µM during both the early and mature stages of biofilm formation in 96-well plates and on medical devices. Combinations of 50, 25, and 12.5 µM of ToAP2 with 52 µM of fluconazole significantly reduced the biofilm viability compared to individual treatments and untreated controls. These results were supported by substantial structural changes in the biofilms observed through both scanning and atomic force microscopy. The gene expression analysis of C. albicans cells treated with 25 µM of ToAP2 revealed a decrease in the expression of genes associated with membrane synthesis, along with an increase in the expression of genes involved in efflux pumps, adhesins, and filamentation. Our results highlight the efficacy of the combined ToAP2 and fluconazole treatment against C. albicans biofilms. This combination not only shows therapeutic potential but also suggests its utility in developing preventive biofilm tools for intravenous catheters.

The effects of different lung parts, age, and batches on the lung microbiota of healthy rats

Background Rat models are valuable tools to study the lung microbiota in diseases. Yet the impacts of different lung parts, young and mature adult stages, and the different batches of the same conditions on the healthy rat lung microbiome have not been investigated. Methods The rat lung microbiome was analyzed to clarify the lung part-dependent and age-dependent differences and to evaluate the effects of several ‘batch environmental factors’ on normal rats, after eliminating potential contamination. Results The results showed that the contamination could be identified and excluded. The lung microbiome from left and right lung parts was very similar so one representative part could be used in the microbiome study. There were significantly different lung microbial communities between the young and mature adult groups, and also between the different feeding batches groups of the same repetitive feeding conditions, but a common lung microbiota characterized by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria as the most dominant phyla were present in all adult rats. It indicated that the experiment under the same condition of the same rats batch was needed to compare the difference in the lung microbiota and repeated experiments were necessary to confirm the results. Conclusion These data represented that the lung bacterial communities were dynamic and rapidly susceptible to environmental influence, clustered strongly by age or different feeding batches but similar in the different lung tissue parts. This study improved the basic understanding of the potential effects on the lung microbiome of healthy rats.

Histochemical and ultrastructural analysis of tapetum and sporoderm development in relation to precocious pollenkitt production of Garcinia dulcis (Roxb.) Kurz.

Garcinia dulcis (Roxb.) Kurz (Clusiaceae) is a medicinal plant native to Southeastern Asia, with a peculiar, precocious pollenkitt production in early microspore development. We aimed to find out whether different secretory activities of the tapetum or a premature sporoderm development provides additional evidence for our recent hypothesis for the precocious pollenkitt production. Histology, histochemistry and ultrastructure of tapetum and sporoderm development during pollenkitt secretion in Garcinia dulcis were conducted, based on light and electron microscopy analysis. The results showed that Garcinia dulcis possesses normal pollen development. The presence of two different pollen coating types, precocious pollenkitt (L1) and common pollenkitt (L2), in the anther tapetum indicate that they are produced in two different active stages of the secretory tapetum. The precocious pollenkitt production and transport to the locule takes place in early active tapetal cells at early tetrad to early microspore stage and is ongoing until late microspore stage. The production of the second type of pollenkitt (L2) starts shortly after the first active tapetum stage together with the formation of sporopollenin precursors. The sporoderm formation was completed at late microspore stage, when the tapetal cell walls start to disintegrate. Orbicules are lining the inner tapetum wall at middle to late microspore stage. ER (during early microspore stage) and plastids (during late microspore stage) were the two main sources of pollenkitt, which finally fused to pollenkitt droplets when the tapetal cells degenerated at mature bicellular pollen stage.

Managing Growth of Product Lifecycle at Maturity Level: A Systematic Literature Review

Through the synthesis and analysis of 64 papers, from JSTOR, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar data bases, include 2010-2024 of 15 years duration paper works. this systematic literature review identified major themes and provided insights into growth management strategies, marketing tactics, challenges, and opportunities, benefits, that managers confront in their quest to sustain competitiveness and profitability in mature markets. Product diversification, market segmentation, innovation management, cost-effective lifecycle planning, price strategies, market expansion, client retention, alliances, and collaboration are a few examples of important tactics. The difficulties include growing rivalry, market saturation, shrinking profit margins, and shifting consumer tastes. To maintain competition, there are nevertheless still chances to take advantage of economies of scale, brand equity, and customer loyalty. The review&amp;apos;s insights deepen our understanding of how businesses may best manage opportunities and overcome obstacles to maximize product lifecycle management at various stages of maturity. By providing a comprehensive understanding of the existing body of knowledge, this review offers valuable insights for practitioners, managers, and researchers aiming to enhance product lifecycle management (PLM) strategies at the maturity level, ultimately contributing to the development of more resilient and adaptive business models and research gaps have identified that enabled to provide future research directions.

Optimizing UAV spray parameters to improve precise control of tobacco pests at different growth stages.

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for pesticide application show promising potential in tobacco pest management. However, the impact of flight parameters on spray efficacy requires further investigation. Three field experiments were conducted from the rosette to the maturation stage of tobacco to systematically assess spray efficacy under varying flight heights, speeds, and application volumes. Using a multi-index weight analysis method, optimal operational parameter combinations for different tobacco growth stages were evaluated and compared with backpack electric sprayers. For the rosette stage, the recommended parameter is a flight speed of 5 m s-1, a flight height of 2 m, and a liquid application volume of 30 L hm-2; during the vigorous growth stage, the suggested parameter includes a flight speed of 3 m s-1, a flight height of 2 m, and a liquid application volume of 22.5 L hm-2. In the maturing stage, optimal parameter consists of a flight speed of 3 m s-1, a flight height of 3.5 m, and a liquid application volume of 30 L hm-2. Furthermore, UAV spraying achieves higher droplet deposition on both sides of tobacco leaves compared to traditional electric backpack sprayers. Adjusting UAV spraying parameters for different tobacco growth stages is crucial. These results can provide the methods for the precise control technology of tobacco pests at different growth stages. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.