Control Samples Research Articles

Investigating and Evaluating Novel Fly Ash-Based Proppant Compressive Strength Under Various Environmental Conditions

As hydraulic fracturing becomes increasingly prevalent in the oil and gas industry, there is a growing need to develop more cost-effective and sustainable technologies, particularly concerning the materials used. Proppants play a vital role in hydraulic fracturing by ensuring that fractures remain conductive and can withstand the pressure exerted by the surrounding strata. One key parameter for evaluating proppants is their compressive strength, especially under harsh environmental conditions. High-strength proppants, such as those made from ceramics or bauxite, are typically expensive due to the materials and complex manufacturing processes involved. In contrast, fly ash, a byproduct of coal-fired power plants, offers a more affordable and environmentally sustainable alternative for proppant production. This study focuses on the development and evaluation of a fly ash-based proppant, exposed to harsh conditions including high temperature and pressure, as well as acidic, alkaline, saline, and crude oil environments. The fly ash was activated using an alkaline solution, which served as a chemical binder for the proppant. After exposure to these conditions, the compressive strength of the fly ash-based proppants was compared to control samples. The results showed that the proppants’ compressive strength was largely unaffected by the harsh environments, particularly for the B20W25 mix design. However, while the fly ash-based proppants performed well under stress, their compressive strength was still lower than that of conventional proppants used in the industry. The B20W25 sample demonstrated a compressive strength of 1181.19 psi (8.1 MPa), which, although resilient, remains below industry standards.

Quality parameters and shelf life of strawberry (cv. Centenary) fruits as affected by active modified atmosphere packaging

Abstract Modified Atmosphere Packaging (MAP) has gained attention from commercial horticulturalists, in extending the shelf life of bulk and retail packaged fresh produce such as strawberries. Storing strawberries in an atmosphere with optimized gas composition containing carbon dioxide concentration from 15 to 30% and the oxygen concentration from 7.5 to 10% can provide an optimized condition to maintain quality and extend shelf life of strawberries at low temperatures. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the effect of active MAP, three different gas mixes namely: MAP1 (10 O2, 15% CO2, 75% N2); MAP2 (7.5 O2, 17.5% CO2, 75%.N2); MAP3 (30% CO2, 70%.N2) and Passive MAP as a control conventional packaging on changes in gas composition, total soluble solid, colour, electrolyte leakage and density of fresh strawberries during 15 days storage period at 4 °C and 99.9% RH. Strawberries packaged in commercial packaging PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) punnet and PET lidding with macro perforated, a mix of three 8 mm diameter hole with four 5 mm x 15 mm rectangular holes on PET lidding film under normal atmosphere was studied as a control sample. Freshly harvested strawberries were packaged in a PET punnet with PET/PE (Polyethylene terephthalate/Polyethylene) as lidding film using an automatic tray sealer. The packaged strawberries were stored at 4 °C. Storage studies revealed that significantly higher CO2 and negligible O2 concentration in MAP3 compared to the control packaging system. Greater electrolyte leakage was observed for the treatment with higher (30%) CO2 and commercial packaged sample with higher O2 concentration on 13th day of storage (P < 0.05). No significant difference in density value was observed for all the treatments. L* value showed a decreasing trend in strawberries stored in commercial package with higher O2 concentration for 13 days, while it was well maintained in the MAP2 and MAP1 treatments containing 7.5 and 10% O2 up to 15 days.

LIGNOCELLULOSIC WASTE OF FURFURAL PRODUCTION FROM BAGASSE AS NON-FOOD FILLER AND SUBSTITUTE FOR UF RESIN IN PLYWOOD MANUFACTURE

The effect of lignocellulosic waste from furfural production of bagasse (LWFPB) as non-food filler for urea-formaldehyde resin (UF) and also substitute a part of UF resin in plywood manufacture was evaluated. LWFPB was used at four levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30% as filler and was replaced with UF resin at three levels of 0, 10 and 20%. Then the physical and mechanical properties of the plywood samples were measured. Results showed that the mechanical and physical properties of plywood were increased compared to the control (with wheat flour filler) when UF resin was used with LWFPB filler. Higher shear strength, MOR and MOE were associated with the use of 30% LWFPB. Besides that, the addition of LWFPB instead of UF resin reduced the mechanical and physical properties of plywood to some extent, but compared to control sample, the best results were obtained with the addition of 10% LWFPB.

Effects of Enzymatic Disintegration on the Decomposition of Organic Compounds During Methane Fermentation of Sewage Sludge

This paper presents the results of a study on the effect of lipase on the methane fermentation of sewage sludge. The process was conducted at 37 °C for 20 days for five sludge mixtures. Excess sludge inoculated with digested sludge constituted the control sample. The other four samples are the aforementioned mixtures with the addition of lipase in amounts representing 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% (w/w) with respect to sludge dry weight. The organic matter decomposition rate was 27.1% in the control sludge and from 33.5 to 46.7% in the disintegrated sludge. During the digestion of the control sludge, the total amount of biogas was 5802 mL·L−1. In sewage sludge enzymatically disintegrated by lipase, there was an increase in biogas from 15 to 26%. In the disintegrated sludge, an almost complete (95–100%) reduction in E. coli and Salmonella spp. was achieved. Therefore, enzymatic disintegration can be an effective alternative to physical and chemical disintegration methods.

The Impact of Targeted Therapies on Red Blood Cell Aggregation in Patients with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Evaluated Using Software Image Flow Analysis

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the most common type of leukemia, remains incurable with conventional therapy. Despite advances in therapies targeting Bruton’s tyrosine kinase and anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2, little is known about their effect on red blood cell (RBC) aggregation in blood flow. In this study, we applied a microfluidic device and a newly developed Software Image Flow Analysis to assess the extent of RBC aggregation in CLL patients and to elucidate the hemorheological effects of the commonly applied therapeutics Obinutuzumab/Venetoclax and Ibrutinib. The results revealed that, in RBC samples from untreated CLL patients, complex 3D clusters of large RBC aggregates are formed, and their number is significantly increased compared to healthy control samples. The application of the Obinutuzumab/Venetoclax combination did not affect this aspect of RBCs’ rheological behavior. In contrast, targeted therapy with Ibrutinib preserves the aggregation state of CLL RBCs to levels seen in healthy controls, demonstrating that Ibrutinib mitigates the alterations in the rheological properties of RBCs associated with CLL. Our findings highlight the alterations in RBC aggregation in CLL and the impact of different targeted therapies on RBCs’ rheological properties, which is critical for predicting the potential complications and side effects of CLL treatments, particularly concerning blood flow dynamics.

Probiotic characterisation of lactic acid bacteria isolated from pickles and their potential application as presumptive probiotic starter culture in cucumber pickles

Abstract This study aimed to isolate lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from traditional pickles, analyse their probiotic properties, identify them and evaluate their potential use in the production of cucumber pickles. The majority of the isolates (65) demonstrated survival at pH 3.0, while only three isolates exhibited this ability at pH 2.0. All isolates were resistant to 0.3% and 1% bile salts and survived at 1.5% (v/v) NaCl. However, the majority of isolates exhibited survival at 10% (v/v) NaCl (73 isolates), phenol (0.4%) (64 isolates), and pepsin (81 isolates) and pancreatin presence (78 isolates). The majority of the isolates demonstrated susceptibility to antibiotics and exhibited antimicrobial activities. Furthermore, some isolates demonstrated limited proteolytic and β-galactosidase activities, with the limited proteolytic activity being particularly beneficial for contributing to positive sensorial properties in this study. Following the evaluation of the probiotic test results, selected isolates were identified as Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactiplantibacillus pentosus, Levilactobacillus brevis, Lentilactobacillus parabuchneri and Pediococcus parvulus based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis. Cucumber pickles were then produced with presumptive probiotics (L. brevis T7, L. parabuchneri T10, L. plantarum T12, and P. parvulus T13) in both single and mixed cell forms, fermented for 15 days and stored at 4 °C for 5 weeks. The results demonstrated that cucumber pickles contained > 6 log CFU/g of presumptive probiotics at the end of fermentation. Sensory analysis results showed that cucumber pickles enriched with presumptive probiotics were acceptable compared to the negative control sample (spontaneously fermented). The findings also highlight the functional potential of the samples, with PS3 offering benefits for lactose-intolerant individuals and PS2 demonstrating antimicrobial activity. It is possible to offer cucumber pickles to consumers as an alternative probiotic product; however, further research is required to ascertain the viability of probiotics over an extended period.

Effects of Purple-Fleshed Sweet Potato Lyophilized Powder on the Physicochemical Properties, Lactic Acid Bacteria Viability, Microstructure, and Textural Properties of Stirred Yogurt

This study proposes the use of lyophilized powder of purple-fleshed sweet potato (LP) as a new multifunctional ingredient to improve the identity and quality parameters of stirred yogurts. The physical and chemical properties, color, monomeric anthocyanin content, lactic acid bacteria viability, water retention capacity, microstructure, and texture were evaluated for yogurts enriched with LP at the levels of 2% (YLP2), 4% (YLP4), and 6% (YPL6), stored for 30 days under refrigeration (4 °C). The results indicated that LP provided different intensities and shades of pink coloration to yogurt, in addition to increasing (p < 0.05) the water retention capacity and reducing the water activity. No post-acidification processes were observed during storage. YLP2, YLP4, and YLP6 showed higher stability regarding the number of viable lactic acid bacteria cells compared to the control sample (without enrichment) during storage. Interstitially, adding LP improved the microstructures of the yogurts, promoting more cross-linked networks, with greater uniformity and smaller empty zones, regardless of the level used; in addition, the yogurts (YLP4 and YLP6) were firmer and creamier. These findings demonstrate that LP can be used as a multifunctional ingredient to promote technological/functional improvements, being underscored as a promising natural colorant, stabilizer, emulsifier, and thickener for yogurts.

Application of Neem and Moringa Seed Oil as Botanical Preservative for Cowpea (<em>Vigna Unguiculata</em> L. Walp)

Purpose: Cowpea, a valuable grain with high protein, carbohydrate, and vitamin content, faces significant post-harvest losses due to insufficient storage, pest infestations, and inefficient processing techniques. Thus, the efficacy of a combination of neem and moringa seed oils in a 1:3 ratio, serving as botanical insecticides, to control Callosobruchus maculatus infestation in five different cowpea varieties was evaluated.Research Method: The extracts were mixed at a ratio of 1:3 neem-moringa seed oils and applied mechanically to cowpea varieties in a concentration of 5.0. They were kept in plastic bowls measuring 17 cm deep by 24 cm wide, covered with muslin cloth for free-flow ventilation, and stored for 360 days.Findings: The result of the data collected at every 60 days showed that the seed extracts were effective in preserving all the cowpea varieties even at 360 days. The results indicate that certain cowpea varieties, such as Ife brown (IFB), were more prone to weevil attacks, while others, like Lobia brown (BGR), shown relatively lower susceptibility. The control samples exhibited a higher number of egg-laying and weevil populations compared to the treated samples.Value: The study revealed that the treatment successfully eradicated the weevil population and prevented new infestations.

Effect of Water Immersion and Freeze-Thaw Cycles on Pull-off Strength of FRP Epoxy Bonded on Concrete: An experimental study

The durability and performance of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites for strengthening reinforced concrete structures under various environmental conditions are critical for their long-term efficacy. This study investigates the effects of water immersion and freeze-thaw cycles on the pull-off strength of epoxy-bonded FRP concrete slabs, simulating conditions typical for waterfront structures such as piles, beams, and decks. Concrete slabs, fabricated to EN 1766 standards, were reinforced with Basalt (BFRP), Glass (GFRP), and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) sheets using Duratek® AV21 epoxy resin. The samples were conditioned in a controlled laboratory environment (23±2°C, 50±5% RH) for 24 hours before being subjected to water immersion and freeze-thaw cycling tests. Pull-off tests, conducted per EN 1542, revealed cohesive failures in the concrete substrate. The average pull-off strength for the control samples was 3.26 N/mm² for concrete and 3.97 N/mm² for epoxy resin. Water immersion results showed a slight decrease in pull-off strength for CFRP and GFRP, by 9% and 2% respectively, while BFRP exhibited a 14% increase. Freeze-thaw cycling led to increased pull-off strength across all FRP types: 7% for GFRP, 7.3% for BFRP, and 3.75% for CFRP. The findings indicate that water immersion and freeze-thaw conditions have a marginal impact on the pull-off strength of FRP-reinforced concrete. Despite the environmental exposure, all test results remained above the required pull-off strength of 2.5 MPa, demonstrating the robustness of the FRP-concrete bond. The study supports the use of FRP composites for structural reinforcement in harsh environments, highlighting their resilience under adverse conditions. Further research is recommended to explore long-term performance and additional environmental factors to ensure comprehensive durability assessments of FRP-reinforced systems.

Association between Helicobacter pylori Infection and Iron Deficiency in Sudanese Population in Khartoum State

Background: Helicobacter pylori infection is a major gastric infection worldwide and has been associated with many gastrointestinal and non-gastrointestinal diseases including hematological disorders. Objective: Aimed to study the association between H. pylori infection and iron deficiency among Sudanese population. Materials and Methods: This is analytical case control study, conducted in Sudan, Khartoum state in Omdurman locality, during the period from May 2018 to April 2019. Include 100 samples, the stool and blood samples were collected from 100 Sudanese subjects (50 were infected with H. pylori as cases and 50 were apparently healthy subjects as controls). Stool samples were tested for H. pylori Ag by commercially available kits (HanzouAllTest Biotech Co., Ltd, Germany), all blood samples were analyzed for complete blood count using (SYSMEX KX21N) automated analyzer and serum iron profile (iron, ferritin, and TIBC) using spectrophotometery and turbidimetry. The obtained results is analyzed by SPSS versions 16.0, significant level was set at p-value equal or less than 0.05 and the results were presented in form of tables and figures. Results: The results of H. pylori antigen were positive in all cases and negative in control samples. Serum iron level mean was significantly lower among H. pylori positive patient (62±18.1) than control group (91.3±16.7) (p-value 0.001), serum ferritin level mean was significantly lower in H. pylori infected patients (36.8±16.5) than control group (64±16.4) (p-value 0.003), hemoglobin level mean was significantly lower in H. pylori patients (12.5 ±1.1) than control group (13.8±1.0) (p-value 0.009), PCV level mean was lower in H. pylori patients (37.6±3.1) than control group (41±3.0) (p-value .036), TIBC mean was 313 in cases and 308 in control samples. All other parameters showed no significant difference between H. pylori positive patients and control subjects. Conclusion: This study concluded that H. pylori infection is lead to iron deficiency in Sudanese patients.

Identification and mechanistic insights of cell senescence-related genes in psoriasis

Background Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease affecting 2–3% of the global population, characterised by red scaly patches that significantly affect patients’ quality of life. Recent studies have suggested that cell senescence, a state in which cells cease to divide and secrete inflammatory mediators, plays a critical role in various chronic diseases, including psoriasis. However, the involvement and mechanisms of action of senescence-related genes in psoriasis remain unclear. Methods This study aimed to identify senescence-related genes associated with psoriasis and explore their molecular mechanisms. RNA sequencing data from psoriasis and control samples were obtained from the GEO database. Differential expression analysis was performed using DESeq2 to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The intersection of DEGs with cell senescence-related genes from the CellAge database was used to identify the candidate genes. Protein-protein interaction networks, Gene Ontology, and Kyoto Encyclopaedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the functions and pathways of these genes. Machine learning algorithms, including Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator (LASSO) regression and Support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVE-RFE), were used to select feature genes that were validated by qRT-PCR. Additionally, an immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to understand the roles of these genes in the immune response to psoriasis. Results This study identified 4,913 DEGs in psoriasis, of which 46 were related to cell senescence. Machine learning highlighted four key genes, CXCL1, ID4, CCND1, and IRF7, as significant. These genes were associated with immune cell infiltration and validated by qRT-PCR, suggesting their potential as therapeutic targets for psoriasis. Conclusions This study identified and validated key senescence-related genes involved in psoriasis, providing insights into their molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets and offering a foundation for developing targeted therapies for psoriasis.

Thermal effects on the resistive superconducting transition in step-edge YBCO squid arrays

Abstract The effect of thermal fluctuations in Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO) SQUID filters (SQIFs), containing arrays of 258, 2304, and 4080 SQUIDs, were investigated using the electrical resistivity and applied magnetic field up to 9 tesla. Our study reveals that the SQIFs experience a two-step superconductor transition. The transition at lower temperature is only present in the SQIF samples, not in the control sample without the SQFIs, and it is investigated here in terms of two primary dissipation mechanisms. The first dominates near the transition temperature and has the characteristics of thermally activated phase slippage (TAPS). At lower temperatures, the dominant characteristics are those of thermally-activated magnetic flux flow (TAFF). The mechanisms producing such behaviors contribute significantly to dissipation effects, resulting in an additional DC voltage that overlays the Josephson current, regardless of the quantity of SQUIDs in the SQIFs. These dissipation effects can have significant implications for technologies utilizing high-temperature superconductor SQIFs unless the operating temperature is lowered significantly below the superconducting transition temperature.

Insights into the lemon (Citrus limon) epiphytic microbiome: impact of the biocontrol yeast Clavispora lusitaniae 146

BackgroundPostharvest lemons are affected by several fungal infections, and as alternatives to chemical fungicides for combating these infections, different microbial biocontrol agents have been studied, with the Clavispora lusitaniae 146 strain standing out. Although strain 146 has proven to be an effective agent, the influence of a microbial biological control agent on the postharvest lemon microbiome has not been studied until now. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate how the epiphytic microbiome of postharvest lemons is affected by the application of the biocontrol yeast C. lusitaniae 146.ResultsIn terms of bacterial composition, the most abundant genera were Sphingomonas, Pelomonas, and Bacillus and no significant differences in the composition were detected between the treated and control samples. Among fungi, Clavispora was predominant not only in the treated samples but also in the control, and statistics indicated differences, suggesting its significant role in modulating the epiphytic community composition of lemon. Understanding fruit microbiomes is vital for effective disease control, and this study provides insights into the microbial composition of the surface of lemon and the role of C. lusitaniae 146.

Integration of Metabolomics and Transcriptomics to Reveal the Antitumor Mechanism of Dendrobium officinale Polysaccharide-Based Nanocarriers in Enhancing Photodynamic Immunotherapy in Colorectal Cancer

Background: The mechanism of Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide-based nanocarriers in enhancing photodynamic immunotherapy in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains poorly understood. Methods: The effects of TPA-3BCP-loaded cholesteryl hemisuccinate–Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide nanoparticles (DOP@3BCP NPs) and their potential molecular mechanism of action in a tumor-bearing mouse model of CRC were investigated using non-targeted metabolomics and transcriptomics. Meanwhile, a histopathological analysis (H&E staining, Ki67 staining, and TUNEL assay) and a qRT-PCR analysis revealed the antitumor effects of DOP@3BCP NPs with and without light activation. Results: Through metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, we found an alteration in the metabolome and functional pathways in the examined tumor tissues. The metabolic analysis showed 69 and 60 differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) in positive- and negative-ion modes, respectively, in the treated samples compared to the Control samples. The transcriptomics analysis showed that 1352 genes were differentially expressed among the three groups. The differentially regulated functional pathways were primally related to the antitumor immune response. The results of the pathological histology assay and qRT-PCR analysis verified the findings of the integrated metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis. Conclusions: Overall, our findings elucidate the potential antitumor mechanisms of the D. officinale polysaccharide-based nanocarrier in enhancing photodynamic immunotherapy in CRC.

Valorization of Dairy By-Products, Sweet Whey, and Acid Whey, in the Production of Fermented Black Carrot Juice: A Comparative Study of the Phytochemical, Physicochemical, Microbiological, and Sensorial Aspects

The aims of this study were to improve the functional and nutritional properties of fermented black carrot juice by using sweet and acid whey in the production of fermented black carrot juice, to transform whey into a value-added product and to determine the effect of whey addition on the fermentation process. Whey was utilized as a water substitute in the formulation of the beverage prior to fermentation, and five distinct formulations were developed based on the type and proportion of whey (0% whey (control sample), 25% acid whey, 100% acid whey, 25% sweet whey, 100% sweet whey). Microbiological, sensorial, phytochemical, and physicochemical analyses were performed on samples taken during fermentation and on samples fermented and then resting. The addition of whey into the formulation resulted in an increase in acidity and turbidity of the beverage, with lower anthocyanin content observed in samples containing whey compared to the control throughout the fermentation process. The samples containing 100% whey exhibited lower a*, b*, h, and C* values and lower amounts of individual anthocyanins. The microbial load in these samples was high in the early stages of fermentation and reached a minimum towards the end of fermentation. The incorporation of whey led to an acceleration in the fermentation process, an enhancement in the microbiological characteristics of the beverage, and a substantial variation in phenolic compounds through the formation of a reversible protein complex. The resting process provided significant increases in color, anthocyanins, and gentisic and chlorogenic acids of whey-containing samples. The results showed that it is possible to produce whey-based functional fermented black carrot juice that is close to the control sample in terms of sensory and phytochemical properties and better than the control sample in terms of lactic acid bacteria count. It is recommended that both sweet and acid whey be utilized at a ratio of 25% in the production of fermented black carrot juice and to rest at 4 °C before consumption.

Influence of the Sodium Titanate Crystal Size of Biomimetic Dental Implants on Osteoblastic Behavior: An In Vitro Study

Treating the surfaces of dental implants in an alkaline medium allows us to obtain microstructures of sodium titanate crystals that favor the appearance of apatite in the physiological environment, producing osteoconductive surfaces. In this research, 385 discs made of titanium used in dental implants underwent different NaOH treatments with a 6M concentration at 600 °C and cooling rates of 20, 50, 75, and 115 °C/h. Using high-resolution electron microscopy, the microstructures were observed, and the different crystal sizes were determined and compared with control samples (those without biomimetic treatment). Roughness, wettability, surface energy and the sodium content of the surface were determined. The different surfaces were cultured with human osteoblastic cells; cell adhesion was determined at 3 and 14 days, and the degree of mineralization was determined at 14 days via alkaline phosphatase levels. Variations in the microstructure and size of sodium titanate crystals in NaOH solutions rich (1 g/L) or low in calcium (approximately 100 ppm) were determined. The results show that as the cooling rate increases, the size of the crystals decreases (from 0.4 μm to 0.8 μm) except for the case of 115 °C/h, when the rate is too fast for crystalline nucleation to occur on the surface of the titanium. The thermochemical treatment does not influence the roughness or the cooling rate since a Sa of 0.21 μm is maintained. However, the presence of titanate causes a decrease in the contact angle from 70° to 42° and, in turn, causes an increase in the total surface energy from 35 to 49.5 mJ/m2, with the polar component standing out in this energy increase. No variations were observed in the thermochemical treatments in the presence of sodium, which was around 1200 ppm. It was observed that as the size of the crystals decreases, cell adhesion increases at 3 days and decreases at 14 days. This is because finer crystals on the surface are already in the mineralization process, as demonstrated using the level of alkaline phosphatase that is maximal for the cooling rate of 75 °C/h. It was possible to confirm that the variations in the concentrated NaOH solutions with different calcium contents did not affect the crystal sizes or the microstructure of the surface. This research makes it possible to obtain dental implants with different mineralization speeds depending on the cooling rate applied.

Critical role for Transglutaminase 2 in scleroderma skin fibrosis and in the development of dermal sclerosis in a mouse model of scleroderma.

Scleroderma is a life-threatening autoimmune disease characterized by inflammation, tissue remodelling, and fibrosis. This study aimed to investigate the expression and function of transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) in scleroderma skin and experimentally-induced dermal fibrosis to determine its potential role and therapeutic implications. We performed immunohistochemistry on skin sections to assess TGM2 expression and localisation, and protein biochemistry of both SSc-derived and healthy control dermal fibroblasts to assess TGM2 expression, function and ECM deposition in the presence of a TGM2 and TGFβ neutralizing antibodies and a small molecule inhibitor of the TGFβRI kinase. Mice with a complete deficiency of TGM2 (Tgm2-/-) were investigated in the bleomycin-induced model of skin fibrosis. TGM2 was found to be widely expressed in both control and scleroderma skin samples, as well as in cultured fibroblasts. Scleroderma fibroblasts exhibited elevated TGM2 expression, which correlated with increased expression of fibrosis markers (collagen type 1, αSMA and CCN2). Inhibition of TGM2 using a neutralizing antibody reduced the expression of key markers of fibrosis. The effects of TGM2 inhibition were similar to those observed with TGFβ neutralization, suggesting a potential cross-talk between TGM2 and TGFβ signalling. Moreover, TGM2 knock-out mice showed significantly reduced dermal fibrosis compared to wild-type mice. In vitro experiments with TGM2-deleted fibroblasts demonstrated impaired cell migration and collagen matrix contraction, which could be partially restored by exogenous TGFβ. TGM2 can regulate several key pro-fibrotic activities of TGFβ suggesting that attenuating TGM2 function may be of benefit in severe forms of connective tissue disease with skin fibrosis.

Effects of Mountain Microorganisms on the Growth and Development of the Bean Crop (Phaseolus Vulgaris L.) in the Municipality of Caldono, Cauca, Colombia

ABSTRACTBean monoculture deteriorates soil fertility, decreases organic matter, reduces microbial diversity, and accelerates erosion, depleting nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus. This leads to dependence on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, increasing environmental pollution. A viable solution is mountain microorganisms, improving nutrient availability, disease resistance, environmental stress, and soil structure. However, there is a knowledge gap regarding their specific efficacy in supporting the growth and development of common beans (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) under specific agroecological conditions. This research aims to help fill this knowledge gap, so in the Municipality of Caldono, Cauca, Colombia, the effect of mountain microorganisms was evaluated in about 900 seeds of Phaseolus vulgaris L. variety Cargamanto. A randomized complete block design with three treatments was used: T0 (control, no inoculation), T1 (inoculation with mountain microorganisms for 1 h), and T2 (inoculation with mountain microorganisms for 3 h). Growth parameters such as plant height, number of nodules, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, dry weight, and grain yield per hectare were evaluated. The results suggest that inoculation with mountain microorganisms significantly improved all measured parameters compared to the control samples. T2 consistently outperformed T1, indicating that more extended inoculation periods increase the efficacy of the parameters evaluated. These results suggest that applying mountain microorganisms is a promising and sustainable approach to improve bean productivity, which could reduce dependence on chemical fertilizers and promote more environmentally friendly agricultural practices. Thus, the study provides valuable information on mountain microorganisms as a biotechnological alternative to improve crop yield and soil health in bean monoculture systems.

Environmental impact of lead in soybeans (Glycine max L.) marketed in the canton of Quevedo, Ecuador

The bioaccumulation of lead in soybean crops, originating in contaminated soils, represents a significant environmental problem and a risk to public health due to the inherent toxic metal. The objective of this study was to evaluate the environmental impact of lead in samples of soybeans (Glycine max L.) marketed in the canton of Quevedo, Ecuador. Grain samples were collected randomly, in triplicate, from four local markets during a period of [indicate period] and a control sample from a non-contaminated cultivation area. The samples were subjected to a preparation process that included drying, grinding, acid digestion with concentrated HNO₃ and HCl, and dilution. Lead determination was carried out by electrothermal atomization atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). The calculation of the lead contamination index was performed using a standardized equation, contrasting the results obtained with the maximum allowable limits established by national (NTE INEN 452:2013) and international (Codex Alimentarius, European Union) regulations. The results evidenced an average concentration of lead in the soybean samples of 1.15 ± 0.13 mg.kg-1, significantly exceeding the maximum allowable limits. The calculated contamination index indicated a high level of contamination in the analyzed grains, which represents a risk to both the ecosystem and human health when consumed. These findings underscore the need to implement environmental and food management strategies to reduce lead contamination in soybean crops, thus ensuring food safety and public health protection.

Oligogenic risk score for Gilles de la Tourette syndrome reveals a genetic continuum of tic disorders.

Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) and other tic disorders (TDs) have a substantial genetic component with their heritability estimated at between 60 and 80%. Here we propose an oligogenic risk score of TDs using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data from a group of Polish GTS patients, their families, and control samples (n = 278). In this study, we first reviewed the literature to obtain a preliminary list of 84 GTS/TD candidate genes. From this list, 10 final risk score genes were selected based on single-gene burden tests (SKAT p < 0.05) between unrelated GTS cases (n = 37) and synthetic control samples based on a database of local allele frequencies. These 10 genes were CHADL, DRD2, MAOA, PCDH10, HTR2A, SLITRK5, SORCS3, KCNQ5, CDH9, and CHD8. Variants in and in the vicinity (± 20 kbp) of the ten risk genes (n = 7654) with a median minor allele frequency in the non-Finnish European population of 0.02 were integrated into an additive classifier. This risk score was then applied to healthy and GTS-affected individuals from 23 families and 100 unrelated healthy samples from the Polish population (AUC-ROC = 0.62, p = 0.02). Application of the algorithm to a group of patients with other tic disorders revealed a continuous increase of the oligogenic score with healthy individuals with the lowest mean, then patients with other tic disorders, then GTS patients, and finally with severe GTS cases with the highest oligogenic score. We have further compared our WGS results with the summary statistics of the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium genome-wide association study (PGC GWAS) of TDs and found no signal overlap except for the CHADL gene locus. Polygenic risk scores from common variants of GTS GWAS show no difference between patient and control groups, except for the comparison between patients with non-GTS TDs and patients with severe GTS. Overall, we leveraged WGS data to construct a GTS/TD risk score based on variants that may cooperatively contribute to the aetiology of these disorders. This study provides evidence that typical and severe adult GTS as well as other tic disorders may exist on a single spectrum in terms of their genetic background.