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Using DNA methylation profiles (n = 15,456) from 348 mammalian species, we constructed phyloepigenetic trees that bear marked similarities to traditional phylogenetic ones. Using unsupervised clustering across all samples, we identified 55 distinct cytosine modules, of which 30 are related to traits such as maximum life span, adult weight, age, sex, and human mortality risk. Maximum life span is associated with methylation levels in HOXL subclass homeobox genes and developmental processes and is potentially regulated by pluripotency transcription factors. The methylation state of some modules responds to perturbations such as caloric restriction, ablation of growth hormone receptors, consumption of high-fat diets, and expression of Yamanaka factors. This study reveals an intertwined evolution of the genome and epigenome that mediates the biological characteristics and traits of different mammalian species.

Caloric restriction (CR) prolongs life span, yet the mechanisms by which it does so remain poorly understood. Under CR, mice self-impose chronic cycles of 2-hour feeding and 22-hour fasting, raising the question of if it is calories, fasting, or time of day that is the cause of this increased life span. We show here that 30% CR was sufficient to extend the life span by 10%; however, a daily fasting interval and circadian alignment of feeding acted together to extend life span by 35% in male C57BL/6J mice. These effects were independent of body weight. Aging induced widespread increases in gene expression associated with inflammation and decreases in the expression of genes encoding components of metabolic pathways in liver from ad libitum-fed mice. CR at night ameliorated these aging-related changes. Our results show that circadian interventions promote longevity and provide a perspective to further explore mechanisms of aging.

Dietary restriction (DR) decreases body weight, improves health, and extends lifespan. DR can be achieved by controlling how much and/or when food is provided, as well as by adjusting nutritional composition. Because these factors are often combined during DR, it is unclear which are necessary for beneficial effects. Several drugs have been utilized that target nutrient-sensing gene pathways, many of which change expression throughout the day, suggesting that the timing of drug administration is critical. Here, we discuss how dietary and pharmacological interventions promote a healthy lifespan by influencing energy intake and circadian rhythms.

Kalanchoe beharensis, a vulnerable species according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is highly prized for its ornamental value and medicinal properties. Therefore, an efficient methodology to propagate this ecologically significant species would be of particular interest. The propagation of K. beharensis has traditionally been achieved by seed or cuttings, but these methods are limited in efficiency. Micropropagation provides a more efficient and controlled alternative by enabling the in vitro production of numerous plants in a small space and in a short period of time. Despite its advantages, no micropropagation protocol for K. beharensis has been reported in the literature. In this study, we report an efficient in vitro regeneration protocol for K. beharensis. In order to implement this, we evaluated the morphogenetic response of leaf and root explants in media supplemented with auxins, cytokinins, or a combination of both growth regulators. Surprisingly, the best results were observed in indole-3-acetic acid-supplemented media. Adventitious shoots were rooted in either hormone-free or auxin-supplemented media, with indole-3-acetic acid yielding the best results. Rooted plants were acclimatized in the greenhouse, achieving over 80% survival during acclimatization. This protocol improves multiplication rate, space utilization, and uniformity, providing a viable alternative to conventional propagation methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) through the acidogenic fermentation of wastewater is an emerging technology that requires further research to optimize operational variables for specific substrates. Cassava wastewater, which is a byproduct of the cassava sour starch extraction process, has been minimally studied regarding its potential for VFA production through acidogenic fermentation. Batch reactors were used to evaluate the effects of the substrate-to-microorganism (S/M) ratio and temperature on VFA production from cassava wastewater. The results showed no statistically significant differences between the evaluated S/M ratios. The maximum total VFA concentration observed was 2214.64 mg of acetic acid (HAc)/L (0.32 gCODVFA/gCOD), which was achieved at a S/M ratio of 4 gCOD/gVS. This concentration was predominantly composed of acetic acid (42.7%), followed by butyric acid (30.1%) and propionic acid (24.6%), with a minor quantity of isovaleric acid (2.6%). The statistical analysis for the temperature variable showed significant differences between the evaluated conditions. The maximum concentration of total VFAs was 2650.19 mgHAc/L (0.45 gCODVFA/gCOD) at 34 ± 1 °C, with acetic (40.9%), butyric (29.8%), and propionic (29.3%) acids as primary metabolites. Cassava wastewater shows promise as a potential substrate for VFA production, warranting evaluation in continuous reactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This review elucidates the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on viticulture, showcasing its practical applications in disease prediction, pest management, automated grape harvesting, and the optimization of water and nutrient management. The implementation of AI-driven technologies enables vineyard managers to effectively mitigate challenges such as disease outbreaks and pest infestations, resulting in healthier vines and increased yields. Automated harvesting systems improve the efficiency and consistency of grape picking, which are essential for the production of high-quality wine. Furthermore, AI's data-centric approaches to resource management promote sustainable practices by optimizing water and nutrient use. These developments illustrate the potential of AI to revolutionize traditional viticultural practices, addressing the industry's increasing demands for quality and sustainability in winemaking. This review explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the entire winemaking process, from viticulture to bottling, with a particular focus on enhancing food safety and traceability. It discusses AI's applications in optimizing grape cultivation, fermentation, bottling, and quality control, while emphasizing its critical role in managing microbiological risks such as mycotoxins. The review aims to show how AI technologies not only refine operational efficiencies but also raise safety standards and ensure traceability from vineyard to consumer. Challenges in AI implementation and future directions for integrating more advanced AI solutions into the winemaking industry will also be discussed, providing a comprehensive overview of AI's potential to revolutionize traditional practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Caloric restriction (CR) extends lifespan in mammals, yet the mechanisms underlying its beneficial effects remain unknown. The manner in which CR has been implemented in longevity experiments is variable, with both timing and frequency of meals constrained by work schedules. It is commonplace to find that nocturnal rodents are fed during the daytime and meals are spaced out, introducing prolonged fasting intervals. Since implementation of feeding paradigms over the lifetime is logistically difficult, automation is critical, but existing systems are expensive and not amenable to scale. We have developed a system that controls duration, amount, and timing of food availability and records feeding and voluntary wheel-running activity in mice. Using this system, mice were exposed to temporal or caloric restriction protocols. Mice under CR self-imposed a temporal component by consolidating food intake and unexpectedly increasing wheel-running activity during the rest phase, revealing previously unrecognized relationships among feeding, metabolism, and behavior.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease which is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Canids are the most important reservoir of the parasites; however, limited data are available on the species of Leishmania prevalent in these animals and their impact on human health. The objective of this study was to estimate the seroprevalence of leishmaniasis in dogs from an inter-Andean region of Colombia during July 2016–July 2017, and to describe the clinical and histopathological features of the disease.

This paper proposes and develops a protocol for measuring the aerobic granulation potential of sludge, aiming to provide an affordable and simple alternative that can facilitate the development of aerobic granulation technology. In this sense, the protocol comprises a set of parameters and considerations that interact to create a controlled environment and stimulate cell population clustering. All of this is done in the context of procedural simplicity, low cost, and the speed at which results are obtained. The protocol is essentially a three-stage method: preparation of the substrate, adaptation of the inoculum, and implementation of the protocol. Simple parameters were measured to evaluate the granulation process: SVI, settling velocity, and morphological parameters. The protocol was validated according to optimal ranges and criteria previously established in the literature. For this purpose, an activated sludge inoculum from a domestic wastewater treatment plant was submitted to the protocol, obtaining an optimal response of the biomass (SVI5 =13.90 mL g−1, settling velocity= 25,79 m h−1, Diameter > 0.2 mm) in a relatively short time (7 d). The results show that this protocol can constitute a tool for evaluation and decision-making using traditional laboratory equipment and is applicable at different scales.

Durante el siglo xiii, el desarrollo de las ciudades en Castilla transformó el panorama económico, político e ideológico. El Libro de Apolonio puede analizarse como un testimonio de estos cambios. El poema narra una historia predominantemente urbana; muchos de sus espacios y personajes pueblan y conforman ciudades, cuyas representaciones ayudan a codificar la ideología monárquica y legitimar el control de las urbes por la Corona, mediante su subordinación a los dominios del rey Apolonio quien, a su vez, personifica la figura del gobernante ideal para la supervivencia y prosperidad de las ciudades. De tal suerte, dichas representaciones buscan reafirmar el sistema monárquico como el único capaz de imponer orden, ley y justicia en la vida urbana, siempre que gobierne un monarca virtuoso y sus consejeros, capaces de proveer, también, justicia en aquellos espacios que impulsan el desarrollo de las ciudades: los mercados.

En este artículo se analizan los juicios y valoraciones expresados en torno a la obtención y el uso de la riqueza en el Libro del cavallero Zifar, así como las representaciones de la fortuna material dentro de las historias, las sentencias y los exempla del texto; asimismo, se intenta destacar la influencia que estos elementos tendrían en las prácticas, hábitos ndividuales y sociales de los escuchantes o lectores. Tanto juicios como representaciones pueden considerarse una política de la riqueza. El enfoque de este análisis pretende resaltar la relevancia de la riqueza material en esta obra, ya que el devenir de la historia principal está impulsado por el deseo de Zifar de recuperar el esplendor perdido de su linaje. El encumbramiento del personaje y su familia dependen directamente de la posesión de fortuna material, como ocurre normalmente en una sociedad estamental como la que se representa en el libro.

Agriculture currently confronts a multitude of challenges arising from the excessive utilization of chemical pesticides and the proliferation of phytopathogenic fungi strains that exhibit resistance to commonly employed active compounds in the field. Botrytis cinerea and Colletotrichum acutatum are phytopathogenic fungi that inflict substantial economic losses within agriculture and food due to their high impacts on crops both pre- and post-harvest. Furthermore, the emergence of fungal strains that are resistant to commercial fungicides has exacerbated this problem. To explore more environmentally sustainable alternatives for the control of these pathogens, an investigation into the endophytic bacteria associated with ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) was conducted. The primary focus of this study involved evaluating their inhibitory efficacy against the fungi and assessing their potential for promoting plant growth. The endophytic bacteria genera Lelliottia, Lysinibacillus, Kocuria, Agrococcus, Acinetobacter, Agrobacterium, Zymobacter, and Mycolicibacterium were identified. All isolates showed remarkable in vitro antagonistic ability against B. cinerea (>94%) and C. acutatum (>74%). Notably, the Lelliottia amnigena J29 strain exhibited a notable proficiency in producing extracellular enzymes and indole compounds (IAA), solubilizing phosphate and potassium, and forming biofilm. Furthermore, the Lysinibacillus capsici J26, Agrococcus citreus J28, and Mycolicibacterium sp. J5 strains displayed the capacity for atmospheric nitrogen fixation and siderophore production. These findings underscore the agricultural and biotechnological potential of endophytic bacteria derived from ginger plants and suggest the feasibility of developing alternative approaches to manage these two phytopathogenic fungi. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper from a solid source was diffused into undoped n-type bulk ZnO (001) single crystals at 1000 °C under a nitrogen atmosphere at different diffusion times. The Cu diffusion profiles were obtained by Secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS), and the fitting reveals a diffusion case from a constant concentration source. A value for the diffusion coefficient of 2.42(±0.2) × 10−12 cm2∙s−1 was obtained. Electrical measurements present an increment of carrier concentration with diffusion time, but remains n-type which indicates an increase in the donor levels produced by structural defects in ZnO. Photoluminescence (PL) spectra showed an increment of green emission intensity associated with Cu incorporation.