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[Display omitted] • Stem cell-derived EVs significantly improve motor function post-SCI in animals. • Bio-engineered EVs, particularly with surface modifications, show superior efficacy. • EVs treatment promotes neural regeneration and reduces secondary injury effects. • TSA reveal further researches are essential to optimize EVs therapy for SCI repair. Stem-cell derived extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown promise in preclinical spinal cord injury (SCI) models but lack a comprehensive literature review for clinical translation guidance. This meta -analysis with trial sequential analysis systematically search PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Prespecified inclusion criteria were studies reporting on measurable outcomes relevant to SCI repair. Risk of bias and quality of reporting were assessed. Random-effects meta -analyses and subgroup analyses comparing natural and bio-engineered EVs were performed. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024512122). The search identified 3935 records, of which 39 studies were included, totaling 1801 animals. Administration of EVs significantly improved locomotor function as measured by Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan or Basso-Mouse-Scale scores at 1 week (natural EVs: SMD 1.50, 95 % CI 1.06–1.95; bio-engineered EVs: SMD 1.93, 95 % CI 1.34–2.52) and 3 weeks (natural EVs: SMD 2.57, 95 % CI 1.96–3.17; bio-engineered EVs: SMD 3.16, 95 % CI 2.29–4.02) post-injury. Subgroup analyses indicated surface modification approaches were most effective among bio-engineered EV strategies. EVs also promoted nerve growth (SMD 2.95, 95 % CI 2.12–3.78), enhanced neuron conductivity (MD 0.75, 95 %CI 0.59–0.90), alleviated inflammation (SMD −3.12, 95 % CI −4.15--2.10), and reduced lesion size (SMD −2.90, 95 % CI −3.87--1.93). Both natural and bio-engineered EVs improve functional and pathological outcomes in animal models of SCI. The enhanced benefits observed with bio-engineered EVs, particularly those utilizing surface modification approaches, highlight the importance of continued exploration into bio-engineering techniques to optimize EVs' therapeutic efficacy for SCI repair. Protocol Registration CRD42024512122. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study described the chemical engineering technology to signify the utilization of non-edible Faidherbia albida seeds as a promising botanical source for biofuel production, regarding their potential to address both energy needs and environmental concerns. This research offers valuable description into sustainable fuel production technology, along with the objectives to achieve the chemical engineering to develop solutions for a more sustainable future. The utilization of non-edible F. albida as a source for biofuel production, utilized phytonanoctalyst to enhance its catalytic efficiency. F. albida seed oil concentration of 38% (w/w), non-edible feedstock presents a valuable solution for producing high-quality biofuel. The application of an innovative green nanocatalyst of calcium oxide (CaO) and Tamarindus indica pods extract proved beneficial to enhance the transesterification process. The characterization tools such as SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and HPLC were performed. The verification of methyl ester synthesis was confirmed through FTIR and HPLC analysis. The average nanoparticle size was determined 25.93 nm, while the diffraction peaks elaborate the hexagonal polycrystalline structure. This research provides implications for the advancement of biofuel production, explained the vital role of this interdisciplinary catalysis approach to address the global energy challenges and paving the way for a more sustainable future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic antibodies (Abs) which act on a broader range of epitopes may provide more durable protection against the genetic drift of a target, typical of viruses or tumors. When these Abs exist concurrently on the targeted antigen, several mechanisms of action (MoAs) can be engaged, boosting therapeutic potency. This study selected combinations of four and five Abs with non- or partially overlapping epitopes to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, on or outside the crucial receptor binding domain (RBD), to offer resilience to emerging variants and trigger multiple MoAs. The combinations were derived from a pool of unique-sequence scFv Ab fragments retrieved from two SARS-CoV-2-naïve human phage display libraries. Following recombinant expression to full-length human IgG1 candidates, a biolayer interferometric analysis mapped epitopes to bins and confirmed that up to four Abs from across the bins can exist simultaneously on the spike glycoprotein trimer. Not all the bins of Abs interfered with the spike protein binding to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in competitive binding assays, nor neutralized the pseudovirus or authentic virus in vitro, but when combined in vivo, their inclusion resulted in a much stronger viral clearance in the lungs of intranasally challenged hamsters, compared to that of those treated with mono ACE2 blockers. In addition, the Ab mixtures activated in vitro reporter cells expressing Fc-gamma receptors (FcγRs) involved in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis (ADCP). The best four-Ab combination neutralized seventeen variants of concern from Wuhan-Hu1 to Omicron BA.4/BA.5 in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the current relevance of pulmonary toxicology (with focus upon air pollution and the inhalation of hazardous materials), it is important to further develop and implement physiologically relevant models of the entire respiratory tract. Lung model development has the aim to create human relevant systems that may replace animal use whilst balancing cost, laborious nature and regulatory ambition. There is an imperative need to move away from rodent models and implement models that mimic the holistic characteristics important in lung function. The purpose of this review is therefore, to describe and identify the various alternative models that are being applied towards assessing the pulmonary toxicology of inhaled substances, as well as the current and potential developments of various advanced models and how they may be applied towards toxicology testing strategies. These models aim to mimic various regions of the lung, as well as implementing different exposure methods with the addition of various physiologically relevent conditions (such as fluid-flow and dynamic movement). There is further progress in the type of models used with focus on the development of lung-on-a-chip technologies and bioprinting, as well as and the optimization of such models to fill current knowledge gaps within toxicology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic antibodies (Abs) which act on a broader range of epitopes may provide more durable protection against the genetic drift of a target, typical of viruses or tumors. When these Abs exist concurrently on the targeted antigen, several mechanisms of action (MoAs) can be engaged, boosting therapeutic potency. This study selected combinations of four and five Abs with non- or partially overlapping epitopes to the SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein, on or outside the crucial receptor binding domain (RBD), to offer resilience to emerging variants and trigger multiple MoAs. The combinations were derived from a pool of unique-sequence scFv Ab fragments retrieved from two SARS-CoV-2-naïve human phage display libraries. Following recombinant expression to full-length human IgG1 candidates, a biolayer interferometric analysis mapped epitopes to bins and confirmed that up to four Abs from across the bins can exist simultaneously on the spike glycoprotein trimer. Not all the bins of Abs interfered with the spike protein binding to angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in competitive binding assays, nor neutralized the pseudovirus or authentic virus in vitro, but when combined in vivo, their inclusion resulted in a much stronger viral clearance in the lungs of intranasally challenged hamsters, compared to that of those treated with mono ACE2 blockers. In addition, the Ab mixtures activated in vitro reporter cells expressing Fc-gamma receptors (FcγRs) involved in antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) and phagocytosis (ADCP). The best four-Ab combination neutralized seventeen variants of concern from Wuhan-Hu1 to Omicron BA.4/BA.5 in vitro.

We surveyed molar surface morphology of bats of 281 extant and extinct species in 5 archaic and 19 extant families using scanning microscopy. We note the occurrence of structural features on talonid crests, the cristid obliqua, postcristid, and entocristid, and their absence in upper molars, even of the same species having them on lowers. We term the structures “carnassiform notches” (CN) for their resemblance to similar features on the carnassial teeth of carnivorans. A CN consists of a small cleft in the edge of a talonid shearing crest accompanied by an adjacent “accessory trough” on the basinward side of the notch. The CN occur in bats with tribosphenic molar morphology and insectivorous or insectivorous–omnivorous dietary habits. Of 19 extant families examined, eight include members that possess lower molars with a CN in at least the cristid obliqua: Megadermatidae, Nycteridae, Mystacinidae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Phyllostomidae, Natalidae, and Vespertilionidae (Murininae and Kerivoulinae only). An extinct genus of Hipposideridae, Vaylatsia, shows CN although extant hipposiderids do not. In extinct families for which lower molar fossils are available, notches were not recognized on the talonids, indicating the condition is not plesiomorphic for bats and probably evolved convergently in different lineages. Where present, the CN or troughs are morphologically consistent within a family, and might serve in some cases as characters supporting phylogenetic analyses and clade diagnoses. CN and accessory troughs probably increase the functional efficiency at sectioning chitin by increasing the effective length of a crest while maintaining the same cusp-to-cusp distance and precise occlusal relationships, and by improving the food-capture area of the shearing blade during occlusion. The accessory troughs provide an immediately adjacent fragment-clearance area. The increased sophistication of this food-processing system might be particularly important in species that must quickly acquire, chew, and swallow their food and resume echolocating in flight. The common ancestor of bats probably did not have CN in its molars, and the presence of CN does not signal carnivory in bats.

In this study, we successfully synthesized a δ-MnO 2 cathode with O vacancies, encapsulated by C derived from pyromellitic acid, using a facile hydrothermal method followed by annealing in an Ar atmosphere. The cathode's structural stability and charge transfer kinetics are enhanced by inhibiting the formation of the by-product Zn 4 SO 4 (OH) 6 ·4H 2 O, regulating the Mn valence state, and suppressing the Jahn-Teller effect through the synergy of C encapsulation and O vacancies. This results in remarkable electrochemical performance, including a large capacity of 421.2 mAh g -1 at 0.1 A g -1 , a high specific energy density of 595.53 Wh kg -1 , and exceptional long-cycle life stability with 90.88% over 4000 cycles at 10 A g -1 , together with superior coulombic efficiency (∼100%) in pure ZnSO 4 electrolyte. Moreover, the cathode materials demonstrate specific antitumor efficacy. In brief, this work introduces an in situ synthetic C encapsulated δ-MnO 2 with O vacancies expected to be applied in both large-scale energy storage and biomedicine., (Copyright © 2024 Science China Press. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

We designed this review to describe a compilation of studies to enlighten the concepts of plant–microbe interactions, adopted protocols in smart crop farming, and biodiversity to reaffirm sustainable agriculture. The ever-increasing use of agrochemicals to boost crop production has created health hazards to humans and the environment. Microbes can bring up the hidden strength of plants, augmenting disease resistance and yield, hereafter, crops could be grown without chemicals by harnessing microbes that live in/on plants and soil. This review summarizes an understanding of the functions and importance of indigenous microbial communities; host–microbial and microbial–microbial interactions; simplified experimentally controlled synthetic flora used to perform targeted operations; maintaining the molecular mechanisms; and microbial agent application technology. It also analyzes existing problems and forecasts prospects. The real advancement of microbiome engineering requires a large number of cycles to obtain the necessary ecological principles, precise manipulation of the microbiome, and predictable results. To advance this approach, interdisciplinary collaboration in the areas of experimentation, computation, automation, and applications is required. The road to microbiome engineering seems to be long; however, research and biotechnology provide a promising approach for proceeding with microbial engineering and address persistent social and environmental issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We surveyed molar surface morphology of bats of 281 extant and extinct species in 5 archaic and 19 extant families using scanning microscopy. We note the occurrence of structural features on talonid crests, the cristid obliqua, postcristid, and entocristid, and their absence in upper molars, even of the same species having them on lowers. We term the structures "carnassiform notches" (CN) for their resemblance to similar features on the carnassial teeth of carnivorans. A CN consists of a small cleft in the edge of a talonid shearing crest accompanied by an adjacent "accessory trough" on the basinward side of the notch. The CN occur in bats with tribosphenic molar morphology and insectivorous or insectivorous-omnivorous dietary habits. Of 19 extant families examined, eight include members that possess lower molars with a CN in at least the cristid obliqua: Megadermatidae, Nycteridae, Mystacinidae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Phyllostomidae, Natalidae, and Vespertilionidae (Murininae and Kerivoulinae only). An extinct genus of Hipposideridae, Vaylatsia, shows CN although extant hipposiderids do not. In extinct families for which lower molar fossils are available, notches were not recognized on the talonids, indicating the condition is not plesiomorphic for bats and probably evolved convergently in different lineages. Where present, the CN or troughs are morphologically consistent within a family, and might serve in some cases as characters supporting phylogenetic analyses and clade diagnoses. CN and accessory troughs probably increase the functional efficiency at sectioning chitin by increasing the effective length of a crest while maintaining the same cusp-to-cusp distance and precise occlusal relationships, and by improving the food-capture area of the shearing blade during occlusion. The accessory troughs provide an immediately adjacent fragment-clearance area. The increased sophistication of this food-processing system might be particularly important in species that must quickly acquire, chew, and swallow their food and resume echolocating in flight. The common ancestor of bats probably did not have CN in its molars, and the presence of CN does not signal carnivory in bats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants being the primary producers are the driving force of sustenance of the living world. However, plants derive the energy from Sun, to produce their own food via the process of photosynthesis. Depending on the plant's different photosynthetic pathways, it can be divided into prominent physiological groups. The main groups are C3 and C4. C4 plants are able to produce the highest rate of biological energy from solar energy. C4 plants are basically another form of C3 plants to survive in a hot and arid climate. The major drastic problem is photorespiration in C3 plants, which reduces the production of biological energy from solar energy. Therefore, C4 plants reduce photorespiration by concentrating the CO 2 concentration near RUBISCO. Hence, a long-standing goal is the conversion of C3 crops to C4 photosynthetic crops by employing different bio-engineering technologies and pathways. In this era of synthetic biology, the conversion has remained very tough owing to its specialized anatomy and biochemical cycles. This study reviewed the basic molecular concepts, the main requirements of C3-C4 conversion and advances in system biology methods. This review further emphasises on the various possible theoretical and practical knowledge with bio-engineering approaches and genetic engineering tools. Moreover, this study discussed different approaches and various future prospects in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan has become the most known and second abundantly available recyclable, non-hazardous and eco-friendly biopolymer after cellulose with several advantageous biomedical, agriculture, and wastewater treatment applications. As nanotechnology has progressed, researchers have begun incorporating chitosan-based carbon compounds into various compounds, elements, and carbonaceous materials to increase their efficiency and biocompatibility. Chitosan carbon compounds have also been used directly in many applications due to their inherent chelating and antibacterial features and the presence of customizable functional groups. This review widely discusses- the properties and synthesis of chitosan and chitosan composite. It also discusses the modification of chitosan with different compounds, metals, carbonaceous materials, and agriculture residues to allow their use on an industrial scale. Recent advances in the use of chitosan in biomedical, agro-waste management, agriculture, wastewater treatment, and a few other applications (such as food packaging, cosmetics, and the textile and paper sector) are briefly discussed. Furthermore, this analysis reveals that chitosan and its composite materials are potential, low-cost products for environmental clean-up that can be made with basic manufacturing procedures.

My time at Leeds mechanical engineering bioengineering department with Professor Dowson. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]