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Marine invertebrate stem cells (MISCs) represent a distinct category of pluripotent and totipotent cells with remarkable abilities for self-renewal and differentiation into multiple germ layers, akin to their vertebrate counterparts. These unique cells persist throughout an organism's adult life and have been observed in various adult marine invertebrate phyla. MISCs play crucial roles in numerous biological processes, including developmental biology phenomena specific to marine invertebrates, such as senescence, delayed senescence, whole-body regeneration, and asexual reproduction. Furthermore, they serve as valuable models for studying stem cell biology. Despite their significance, information about MISCs remains scarce and scattered in the scientific literature. In this review, we have carefully collected and summarized valuable information about MISC detection by perusing the articles that study and detect MISCs in various marine invertebrate organisms. The review begins by defining MISCs and highlighting their unique features compared to vertebrates. It then discusses the common markers for MISC detection and in vitro techniques employed in invertebrate and vertebrates investigation. This comprehensive review provides researchers and scientists with a cohesive and succinct overview of MISC characteristics, detection methods, and associated biological phenomena in marine invertebrate organisms. We aim to offer a valuable resource to researchers and scientists interested in marine invertebrate stem cells, fostering a better understanding of their broader implications in biology. With ongoing advancements in scientific techniques and the continued exploration of marine invertebrate species, we anticipate that further discoveries will expand our knowledge of MISCs and their broader implications in biology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score has been used to predict the prognosis in several types of cancers for the last few years. We aimed to reveal whether HALP score has high sensitivity and specificity in the detection of diabetic nephropathy. Methods A cross-sectional study developed in Abant Izzet Baysal University Hospital in Bolu, Türkiye. Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) were enrolled in the study. Study cohort included patients with diabetic nephropathy and patients without diabetic nephropathy. Pregnant women, subjects with malignancy, active infections conditions, and rheumatologic or hematologic diseases were excluded. We retrospectively analyzed and compared the HALP scores of the type 2 DM patients with and without diabetic nephropathy. Moreover, we sought correlation between HALP score and fasting glucose, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Results A total of 356 DM patients, 162 with nephropathy and 194 without nephropathy were included in the study. The HALP score was 44.86 (4.5–119.9) in the nephropathic group, while it was 55.14 (13.2–173.7) in the nonnephropathic group (p < 0.001). HALP score was negatively correlated with HbA1c (r = –0.66, p = 0.003) and fasting glucose (r = –0.65, p = 0.002), while positive correlation was found between HALP score and eGFR (r = 0.13, p = 0.02). HALP score lower than 45.9% have 73% sensitivity and 52% specificity in detecting diabetic nephropathy (area under the curve: 0.64, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval: 0.59–0.70). Conclusion We suggest that HALP score can become a simple and easy to assess marker for diabetic nephropathy in addition to standard tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) is an important foodfish species. It has been cultured in Singapore since the 1980s. A selective breeding program to improve growth, meat quality and disease resistance has been ongoing in Singapore since 2004. In 2012, outbreaks of the big belly disease (BBD) occurred in two batches of offspring generated by a mass-cross among F1 brooders in a hatchery. After the outbreaks, only 437 survived in 6000 F2 juveniles. Molecular parentage analysis with 10 microsatellites revealed that four parents (F1) produced high percentage of offspring that survived the BBD outbreaks. Eighty-two BBD survivor offspring (F2) were selected based on their growth performance at 90 days post hatch (dph), family origin and allelic diversity. They were used as brooders to generate F3. In a period of five years, these F2 brooders produced six batches of offspring, where no outbreak of BBD occurred. In the same period, outbreaks of BBD occurred in 4 out of 18 batches produced by F2 brooders selected for growth, with mortality rates ranging from 85.1% to 95.4%. In F3, the average body weight (57.1 ± 1.09 g, n = 3068) of the line for BBD survival was slightly lower than that (60.6 ± 2.29 g, n = 4280) of the line for growth at 90 dph. In both lines, the body weight of F3 was much higher than that (46.90 ± 0.19 g, n = 12117) of F2. The genetic diversity in the line for BBD survival (F3) was much lower than that in F3 line for growth due to small founder population. These data indicate that the selection of BBD survival during BBD outbreaks using molecular parentage analysis is effective to reduce BBD outbreaks. Avoiding further reduction of genetic diversity is essential in the line selected for increased survival against BBD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing the marker repository and the development of breeder-friendly markers in chickpeas is important in relation to chickpea genomics-assisted breeding applications. Insertion–deletion (InDel) markers are widely distributed across genomes and easily observed with specifically designed primers, leading to less time, cost, and labor requirements. In light of this, the present study focused on the identification and development of InDel markers through the use of double-digest restriction site-associated DNA sequencing (ddRADSeq) data from 20 chickpea accessions. Bioinformatic analysis identified 20,700 InDel sites, including 15,031 (72.61%) deletions and 5669 (27.39%) insertions, among the chickpea accessions. The InDel markers ranged from 1 to 25 bp in length, while single-nucleotide-length InDel markers were found to represent the majority of the InDel sites and account for 79% of the total InDel markers. However, we focused on InDel markers wherein the length was greater than a single nucleotide to avoid any read or alignment errors. Among all of the InDel markers, 96.1% were less than 10 bp, 3.6% were between 10 and 20 bp, and 0.3% were more than 20 bp in length. We examined the InDel markers that were 10 bp and longer for the development of InDel markers based on a consideration of the genomic distribution and low-cost genotyping with agarose gels. A total of 29 InDel regions were selected, and primers were successfully designed to evaluate their efficiency. Annotation analysis of the InDel markers revealed them to be found with the highest frequency in the intergenic regions (82.76%), followed by the introns (6.90%), coding sequences (6.90%), and exons (3.45%). Genetic diversity analysis demonstrated that the polymorphic information content of the markers varied from 0.09 to 0.37, with an average of 0.20. Taken together, these results showed the efficiency of InDel marker development for chickpea genetic and genomic studies using the ddRADSeq method. The identified markers might prove valuable for chickpea breeders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice blast is one of the most devastating biotic stresses that limits rice productivity. The North Eastern Hill (NEH) region of India is considered to be one of the primary centres of diversity for both rice and pathotypes of Magnaporthe grisea. Therefore, the present study was carried out to elucidate the genetic basis of leaf and neck blast resistance under Meghalaya conditions. A set of 80 diverse genotypes (natural population) and 2 F2 populations involving resistant parent, a wildtype landrace, LR 5 (Lal Jangali) and susceptible genotypes Sambha Mahsuri SUB 1 (SMS) and LR 26 (Chakhao Poireiton) were used for association analysis of reported major gene-linked markers with leaf and neck blast resistance to identify major effective genes under local conditions. Genotyping using twenty-five gene-specific markers across diverse genotypes and F2 progenies revealed genes Pi5 and Pi54 to be associated with leaf blast resistance in all three populations. Genes Pib and qPbm showed an association with neck blast resistance in both natural and LR 5 × SMS populations. Additionally, a set of 184 genome-wide polymorphic markers (SSRs and SNPs), when applied to F2-resistant and F2-susceptible DNA bulks derived from LR 5 × LR 26, suggested that Pi20(t) on chromosome 12 is one of the major genes imparting disease resistance. Markers snpOS318, RM1337 and RM7102 and RM247 and snpOS316 were associated with leaf blast and neck blast resistance, respectively. The genotypes, markers and genes will help in marker-assisted selection and development of varieties with durable resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato is a very important crop for human nutrition worldwide. Potato disease and pests can cause economic yield losses. In this study, approximately 130.000 potato seeds from different genetic backgrounds were obtained, evaluated, and selected from 2008 to 2016 for developing new cultivars. After several years, superior lines were tested in different locations to select new cultivars. At the end of the potato breeding program, eight superior potato lines (Nos 12-55-07, 12-55-16, 12-68-05, 12-69-39, 13-67-25, 13-66-23, 12-45-24 and 13-66-75) were submitted for registration as commercial cultivars. The use of resistance genes is the most effective method for controlling these diseases and pests, and DNA markers that are tightly linked to resistance genes are available. The aim of this research was to evaluate the use of closely linked molecular markers for combining Gro1 and H1 for cist nematode resistance, Sen1 for wart resistance or with R1 for late blight or with Rx1 for PVX in advanced breeding lines and commercial candidate cultivars. In the research, 61 advanced lines were checked for the presence of five markers. As a result, only two breeding lines (Nos 31-01-03 and 32-02-52) were determined to have positive results for four markers, and nine advanced lines were found to have positive marker results for Sen1, H1, and R1 at the same time. In 6 advanced lines, positive results were acquired from both Sen1, H1, and Rx1, 2 lines Sen1, Gro1, and H1, and only one line No. 12-45-24 Sen1, Gro1, H1, and Rx1 were found to have positive results for markers. Marker-assisted selection for cist nematode, wart, late blight, and PVX will be performed using potato breeding programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lablab purpureus L. is a legume appropriate to grow in tropical environment as it is adaptable to a broad temperature spectrum, rainfall and altitudes. It develops well under humid and warm conditions at temperatures ranging between 18oC and 30oC. It is a drought hardy crop grown in humid and semi-arid regions. The species is propagated by seed and can be sown alone or intercropped; planted near hedges or near other less leafy plants to climb on. Lablab purpureus L. has a flowering response of shortday, with early and late flowering types. Some landraces flower after sowing as early as 55 days. It is predominantly self pollinated although some out crossing is known to occur. Methods: In this study, Lablab purpureus L. genetic diversity were analyzed utilizing AFLP markers on ten Indian Lablab purpureus L. accessions at Department of Botany, Bundelkhand University, Jhansi during 2019-20. Five primers set were used for checking the diversity in Lablab purpureus L. and the marker performance were measured by using 4 parameters i.e. PIC, Mean resolving Power, Resolving Power and MI. Result: A total of 52 bands were generated, of which 45 bands (88.46%) were polymorphic which varies from 6 (M-CAT/E-ACT ) to 13 (M-CAC/E-ACC, M-CAC/E-ACT) with mean of 9.00 bands per primer. The PIC value ranges between 0.55 and 0.76 with a mean value of 0.64. The average value of matrix index is 3.04. Higher the MI, better the marker is. The value of RP ranges between 2.60 and 7.80 with a mean value of 4.68. In the UPGMA dendrogram, the 10 accessions were separated into two main clusters with all the primers used. In this study, we have shown that molecular markers can be used successfully to understand the genetic structure of the accessions of Lablab purpureus L. and identified a series of sequence-specific markers that potentially could be used in Lablab purpureus L. genetic mapping analyses. Since Lablab purpureus L. has been considered as a promising crop because of its wide spectrum of adaptability to different ecological conditions than other legumes, participatory evaluation at an early breeding stage could shape the variety being developed to increase the productivity and other traits as well as for utilization as food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Persimmon is classified as either pollination-constant non-astringent (PCNA) or non-PCNA on the basis of the loss of astringency in fruit. PCNA trait of persimmon has attracted much research attention owing to its economical merit, as there is no cost in removing astringency. To efficiently develop new PCNA cultivars in crossbreeding, marker-assisted selection plays a crucial role. Here, we describe a cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence (CAPS) marker that can be used to select PCNA persimmon. A sequence-characterized amplified region (SCAR) marker used to screen for PCNA offspring is unsuitable for populations recently derived from two non-PCNA parents ('Yoshidagosho' and 'Toyoichi'), resulting in the selection of non-PCNA offspring as PCNA. To detect specific polymorphisms for these non-PCNA offspring, we analyzed fragment sizes of SCAR marker products by capillary DNA sequencing. A slightly lower-molecular-weight fragment at 353 bp was specifically detected in non-PCNA offspring but not in PCNA offspring. We treated the SCAR marker products with the StuI restriction enzyme and demonstrated that the smaller 353-bp fragment corresponded to allele a353-1, one of four previously identified sequence polymorphisms at the 353-bp peak, and a353-1 is linked to non-PCNA trait. Comprehensive analysis of 130 germplasms by the CAPS marker, detecting the truncated fragment after StuI treatment, indicated the presence of a353-1 in 38 non-PCNA cultivars. Our findings suggest the potential use of the CAPS marker for selecting PCNA offspring derived from these 38 non-PCNA cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: One hundred and fifty-five QTL for trace element concentrations in foxtail millet were identified using a genome-wide association study, and a candidate gene associated with Ni–Co–Cr concentrations was detected. Foxtail millet (Setaria italica) is an important regional crop known for its rich mineral nutrient content, which has beneficial effects on human health. We assessed the concentrations of ten trace elements (Ba, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, and Zn) in the grain of 408 foxtail millet accessions. Significant differences in the concentrations of five elements (Ba, Co, Ni, Sr, and Zn) were observed between two subpopulations of spring- and summer-sown foxtail millet varieties. Moreover, 84.4% of the element pairs exhibited significant correlations. To identify the genetic factors influencing trace element accumulation, a comprehensive genome-wide association study was conducted, identifying 155 quantitative trait locus (QTL) for the ten trace elements across three different environments. Among them, ten QTL were consistently detected in multiple environments, including qZn2.1, qZn4.4, qCr4.1, qFe6.3, qFe6.5, qCo6.1, qPb7.3, qPb7.5, qBa9.1, and qNi9.1. Thirteen QTL clusters were detected for multiple elements, which partially explained the correlations between elements. Additionally, the different concentrations of five elements between foxtail millet subpopulations were caused by the different frequencies of high-concentration alleles associated with important marker-trait associations. Haplotype analysis identified a candidate gene SETIT_036676mg associated with Ni accumulation, with the GG haplotype significantly increasing Ni–Co–Cr concentrations in foxtail millet. A cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence marker (cNi6676) based on the two haplotypes of SETIT_036676mg was developed and validated. Results of this study provide valuable reference information for the genetic research and improvement of trace element content in foxtail millet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Materials and Methods Results Conclusion In the present study, we aimed to compare serum CK‐MM levels in patients with and without adenomyosis and to investigate whether CK‐MM level can be a non‐invasive marker for myometrial damage due to adenomyosis.Our study was a prospective case‐control study in a tertiary center and consisted of 40 patients with a clinical/ultrasonographic diagnosis of adenomyosis and 40 patients without a clinical/ultrasonographic diagnosis of adenomyosis as the control group based on recently published morphological uterus sonographic assessment (MUSA) criteria. Individuals of similar age who signed a voluntary consent form were included in our study. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory findings of the patients in both groups were recorded. Blood serum samples were used for the determination of serum CK‐MM levels of the participants in our study. The samples were analyzed by using the human CK‐MM enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit.In our study, the mean serum CK‐MM level was 16.2 ± 21.7 (ng/dL) in patients with adenomyosis and 2.6 ± 2.2 (ng/dL) in patients without adenomyosis. Serum CK‐MM level was statistically significantly higher in the patient group with adenomyosis than in the control group (p < 0.001). The CK‐MM threshold value of 3.43 ng/mL, with a sensitivity of 82.5% and specificity of 85%, has been found to be a valuable distinguishing level in patients with and without adenomyosis.In this study, we demonstrated that serum CK‐MM can be used as a non‐invasive diagnostic method in patients with adenomyosis. As the number of studies around this subject in the literature is insufficient, larger studies are needed to use CK‐MM as a diagnostic marker in adenomyosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pregnancy of unknown location (PUL) is a temporary pathologic or physiologic phenomenon of early pregnancy that requires follow up to determine the final pregnancy outcome. Evidence indicated that PUL patients suffer a remarkably higher rate of adverse pregnancy outcomes, represented by ectopic gestation and early pregnancy loss, than the general population. In the past few decades, discussion about PUL has never stopped, and a variety of markers have been widely investigated for the early and accurate evaluation of PUL, including serum biomarkers, ultrasound imaging features, multivariate analysis, and the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy based on risk stratification. So far, machine learning (ML) methods represented by M4 and M6 logistic regression have gained a level of recognition and are continually improving. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of PUL markers, mainly caused by the limited sample size, the differences in population and technical maturity, etc., have hampered the management of PUL. With the advancement of multidisciplinary integration and cutting‐edge technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, prediction model development, and telemedicine), novel markers, and strategies for the management of PUL are expected to be developed. In this review, we summarize both conventional and novel markers (represented by artificial intelligence) for PUL assessment and management, investigate their advancements, limitations and challenges, and propose insights on future research direction and clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/aim: Aging, a multifaceted biological process, leads to diminished physical performance, especially in older adults with diabetes, where a mismatch between biological and chronological age is noticeable. Numerous studies have demonstrated that diabetes accelerates aging at the cellular and organ levels. Notable aging markers are telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), related to telomere length, and type 1 chain collagen (COL1A1), a key component of skin collagen. Additionally, age-related methylation increases, as revealed through methylation analysis, augmenting aspects of aging. However, the detailed interplay between aging and diabetes, particularly regarding methylation, remains underexplored and warrants further study to elucidate the biological links between the two. Materials and methods: In this study, we elucidate the modulatory influence of diabetes on the aging process, focusing specifically on the modifications in TERT in the kidney and COL1A1 in the skin using mice of Swiss Webster strain as the diabetes model. Specimens were categorized into three distinct chronological cohorts: chronologically young (16 weeks; n = 5), chronologically old (40 weeks; n = 5), and a periodically assessed group (16 weeks; n = 30), from which five mice were systematically sacrificed on a weekly basis. Results: Our findings reveal a marked impact of diabetes on the methylation statuses of TERT and COL1A1, characterized by an elevation in methylation levels within the periodic group (1st-6th week) and a simultaneous, progressive attenuation in the expression of TERT and COL1A1 genes. Conclusion: The observed alterations in the methylation levels of TERT and COL1A1 propound the hypothesis that diabetes potentially expedites the aging process, concomitantly impinging on the production of TERT and COL1A, ostensibly through the mechanism of promoter gene hypermethylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One hundred eighty pairs of tissues of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) were tested by the transcriptome sequencing in order to explore etiology factors. The chi‐square test and correlation analysis demonstrated that the relative expression levels of keratin 17 (KRT17) and collagen type I α1 chain (COL1A1) were significantly higher in EC with diabetes. Expression of KRT17 was correlated with blood glucose (r = 0.204, p = 0.001) and tumor size (r = −0.177, p = 0.038) in patients. COL1A1 correlated with age (r = −0.170, p = 0.029) and blood glucose levels (r = 0.190, p = 0.015). Experimental results of qRT‐PCR: KRT17 and COL1A1 genes were highly expressed in ESCC (p < 0.05). When the two genes were used as a combination test, the positive detection rate of EC was 90.6%, and the ROC curve had greater power. The KRT17 and COL1A1 genes had the potential to be biomarkers for the diagnosis of ESCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining exploration programmes are being expensive and risky due to the limitations of conventional prospecting methods in identifying desired mineralisation. Worldwide, mining exploration programmes have a success rate of approximately 0.7%. Bio-geochemical methods, a sub-branch of geochemical prospecting, are used to identify potential mineralisation areas by studying the distribution of plants containing certain metals. Turkey's leading position in the world in terms of boron reserves increases the strategic importance of boron. On the other hand, metagenome analysis is an important tool in scientific research for detecting microorganisms. Our study aims to develop a cost-effective and efficient biological alternative method for detecting boron mines. Metagenome analysis output showed correlation with the presence of Calothrix sp. NIES-3974, Snodgrassella alvi , Xanthomonas citri , X. citri pv. Fuscans, Pseudomonas viciae , and Aphanothecaceae bacteria and detecting of the potential boron traces in soil. Modelling studies were also conducted on aquaporin z protein, related to the boron uptake, that can be used for utilising from boron detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) patients typically have poor prognoses. The anion gap (AG) has been proven to correlate with mortality in various critically ill patients. However, hypoalbuminemia can lead to underestimations of the true anion gap levels. This study was conducted to verify the prognostic value of single AG and albumin-corrected anion gap (ACAG) among aSAH patients. Methods: Significant factors in the univariate logistic regression analysis were included in the multivariate logistic regression analysis to explore the risk factors for mortality in aSAH patients and to confirm the independent relationship between ACAG and mortality. The restricted cubic spline (RCS) was used to visually show the relationship between ACAG level and mortality risk of aSAH patients. The predictive model for mortality was developed by incorporating significant factors into the multivariate logistic regression analysis. The prognostic value of ACAG and the developed model was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). Results: Among 710 aSAH patients, a 30-day mortality was observed in 20.3% of the cases. A positive relationship was demonstrated between the ACAG level and mortality in aSAH patients using the RCS curve. The multivariate logistic regression analysis helped discover that only six factors were finally and independently related to mortality of aSAH patients after adjusting for confounding effects, including the Hunt-Hess scale score (p = 0.006), surgical options (p < 0.001), white blood cell count (p < 0.001), serum chloride levels (p = 0.023), ACAG (p = 0.039), and delayed cerebral ischemia (p < 0.001). The AUC values for the AG, albumin, and ACAG in predicting mortality among aSAH patients were 0.606, 0.536, and 0.617, respectively. A logistic regression model, which includes the Hunt-Hess scale score, surgical options, white blood cell count, serum chloride levels, ACAG, and delayed cerebral ischemia, achieved an AUC of 0.911 for predicting mortality. Conclusion: The ACAG is an effective prognostic marker for aSAH patients. A prognostic model incorporating ACAG could help clinicians evaluate the risk of poor outcomes among aSAH patients, thereby facilitating the development of personalized therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Several studies have investigated the relationship between serum lactate dehydrogenase-to-albumin ratio (LAR) and the prognosis of cancers. However, no studies have explored the association between serum LAR and the survival of oral cancer (OC). This study was aimed to determine the association of serum LAR with the overall survival (OS) of OC. Methods: One hundred and ninety patients with OC were included in this study between January 2018 and December 2019. Log rank test and Kaplan–Meier method were used to compare the survival rate of OC between the low LAR group and the high LAR group. The association between serum LAR and the survival of OC patients was determined via univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results: Kaplan-Meier analysis and Log rank test indicated that the OS rate in low LAR group was significantly higher than that in high LAR group (P < 0.05). Univariate cox analysis showed that TNM III-IV stage, serum LDH > 162 U/L, and serum LAR > 3.79 were significantly associated with the OS of OC patients. Multivariate Cox analysis suggested that the TNM III-IV stage (HR, 2.317; 95% CI, 1.423– 3.774, P = 0.001) and serum LAR > 3.79 (HR, 5.138; 95% CI, 2.245– 11.756, P = 0.000) were independently related with poor OS of OC patients. Conclusion: High serum LAR (> 3.79) is an independent predictor of adverse prognosis in OC patients. LAR could be used as a promising marker for predicting the OS of OC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Intensive care unit admissions are largely attributed to sepsis in pediatrics. It is essential to diagnose an infection correctly and monitor it closely to optimize treatment and outcomes. Aim: This research was conducted to estimate the diagnostic utility of serum progranulin in pediatric sepsis. Patients and methods: This case-control study included 50 pediatric sepsis patients and 40 healthy matched controls. A peripheral blood sample was taken from the patients and controls then progranulin levels were measured using ELISA. Results: Serum progranulin values were significantly greater in pediatric sepsis patients than in controls (median 180.15 vs. 96.0 ng/ml, respectively: Mann-Whitney p < 0.001). Serum progranulin had good diagnostic power and was the best of laboratory parameters in the diagnosis of pediatric sepsis after CRP with ROC area under the curve (AUC) = 0.998. Using a cutoff value of 116.3 ng/ml PGRN had a sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 100% with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 85.1%. Serum progranulin levels were positively correlated with body weight and CRP levels and negatively correlated with platelets and hemoglobin levels. Progranulin levels in survivors were not statistically different from those in non-survivors. Conclusions and Recommendations: Serum progranulin may be a good biomarker for sepsis diagnosis in pediatrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To ascertain the prevalence of transfusion transmissible infections )TTIs( across diverse donor groups in the Najran province. Additionally, to establish a potential association between the development of TTI and the donors' blood group, as determined by the ABO/Rh blood grouping system. Methods: Blood donation data of 4120 donors, spanning from January to December 2020, were retrospectively reviewed. The blood were screened for TTI markers, including hepatitis B surface antigen )HBsAg(, anti-hepatitis B core )anti-HBc(, antihepatitis C virus )anti-HCV(, anti-human immunodeficiency Original Article viruses 1 and 2 )anti-HIV1&2(, anti-human T-lymphotropic virus types 1 and 2 )anti-HTLV-1&2(, and syphilis antigen. Results: Positive TTI markers were detected in 10.9% of the donors. The most detected TTI marker was anti-HBc )8.9%(, followed by HBsAg )0.7%(. Other markers were individually detected in <1% of the donors. Anti-HBc-positive was significantly elevated among non-Saudi blood donors. There was an association between age groups and anti-HCV )p=0.002(, anti-HTLV )p=0.004( and syphilis antigen )p=0.02( markers positivity. The AB positive blood group exhibited the most positivity for TTI markers, followed by O positive blood group. Similarly, association was found between ABO group and HBsAg )p=0.01(, anti-HBc )p=0.001(, and anti-HCV )p<0.001( markers positivity. Conclusion: Emphasis on implementing robust screening measures for donated blood is underscored by this study. There is the need for future study to extensively evaluate TTI status to enhance our understanding of the trend in TTI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: study the dynamics of osteogenesis and bone resorption markers in elite biathlonists owing to the “compression” specifics of cyclic training aids, mainly used at the stages of the early season of the annual training cycle.Materials and methods: 23 elite biathlonists undergoing centralized training as the members of the Russian national team took part in the study.Results: no changes in the P1NP amounts reaching a reliable level were recorded throughout the early season. The average group osteocalcin amount at the precompetition stage significantly (p < 0,05) increased compared with that measured at the special preliminary stage. Dynamics of β-CrossLaps concentration showed significant (p < 0,05) decrease during the transition from the general preliminary to the special preliminary stage.Conclusion: the degree of intense training activity influence on the activity of bone cells and in turn the response of bone tissue to training loads depend on a set of exercise parameters performed by the athlete, such as duration, intensity, specificity, recovery time and mechanical stress. Optimizing the ratio of cyclic aids with different levels of compression loads during specialized training promotes adaptive changes which protect bone tissue from resorption affected by intense physical exercises. When analyzing the levels of bone metabolism markers for diagnosis and monitoring disorders associated with skeletal overload which could occur high-intensity training loads, an individual approach as well as recognition of the load specifics and parameters performed by an athlete at a specific stage of the training macrocycle are required.

Oral cancer became a very common condition. WHO estimates that there are 4 cases of lip and oral cavity cancer for every 100,000 people worldwide. The early diagnosis of cancers is currently a top focus in the health sector. Recent systematic reviews and meta-analyses have identified promising biomarkers for early detection in several original research investigations. However, it is still unclear the quality of these evidence and which biomarker performs the best in terms of early detection. Therefore, the objective was, to map the methodological and reporting quality of available oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) or head/neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Secondly, to evaluate diagnostic accuracy of salivary biomarkers for common craniofacial cancers and to compare the diagnostic value of different salivary biomarkers.PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library electronic databases were used to map the methodological and reporting quality of the systematic reviews and meta-analysis conducted on the HNSCC, OSCC using the AMSTAR-2 checklist. The inclusion criteria were systematic reviews and meta-analysis published in the topic of HNSCC and OSCC biomarkers. Exclusion criteria were no animal studies; original primary studies, due to limitation of competency in other languages articles with language other than English were excluded. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated for salivary biomarkers and ranked according to network meta-analysis principles.A total of N = 5893 patients were included from four meta-analysis studies. All together, these included n = 37 primary studies. n = 94 biomarkers were pooled from these four meta-analyses and categorised into the stages at which they were detected (I-IV). In OSCC, Chemerin and MMP-9 displayed the highest sensitivity, registering 0.94 (95% CI 0.78, 1.00) and a balanced accuracy of 0.93. Phytosphingosine closely followed, with a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI 0.68, 0.99) and a balanced accuracy of 0.87.For HNSCC, the top three biomarkers are Actin, IL-1β Singleplex, and IL-8 ELISA. Actin leads with a sensitivity of 0.91 (95% CI 0.68–0.99), a specificity of 0.67, and an overall accuracy of 0.79. Subsequently, IL-1β Singleplex exhibits a sensitivity of 0.62 (95% CI 0.30–0.88), a specificity of 0.89, and an accuracy of 0.75, followed by IL-8 ELISA with a sensitivity of 0.81 (95% CI 0.54–0.97), a specificity of 0.59, and an accuracy of 0.70.In conclusion, there was highest sensitivity for MMP-9 and chemerin salivary biomarkers. There is need of further more studies to identify biomarkers for HNSCC and OSCC.

BACKGROUND: At present, there are some limitations in evaluating the severity of acute spinal cord injury, and a rapid and accurate evaluation method is urgently needed. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the correlation between the expression levels of serum oxidative stress and nerve injury indexes and the severity of the disease in patients with acute spinal cord injury. METHODS: A total of 65 patients were included in the study from August 2020 to May 2022, including 32 patients in the experimental group (acute spinal cord injury) and 33 patients in the control group (simple spinal fracture). American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale and neurological function score were evaluated within 8 hours of admission. Meanwhile, serum levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, nitric oxide, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were detected and compared between the two groups. The correlation between the expression levels of the above serological indicators in serum and ASIA impairment grade and AISA neural function score was analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The average serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.001), while the average serum levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase in the experimental group were higher than those of the control group (P < 0.01). The serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were positively correlated with the damage grade of AISA (r=0.862 4, 0.849 3, P < 0.01), while the serum levels of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with the damage grade of AISA (r=-0.866 1, -0.638 1, -0.746 6, P < 0.001), and the serum level of nitric oxide was not significantly correlated with the damage grade of AISA (r=-0.177 5, P > 0.05). The serum level of glutathione in the experimental group was positively correlated with AISA sensory function scores (r=0.569 9, P < 0.001), while the serum levels of malondialdehyde, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with AISA sensory function scores (r=-0.574 1, -0.099 2, -0.708 6, P < 0.05), and the serum levels of superoxide dismutase and nitric oxide were not significantly correlated with AISA sensory function scores (r=0.230 8, -0.376 2, P > 0.05). The serum levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the experimental group were positively correlated with ASIA motor function scores (r=0.380, 0.524 7, P < 0.05); the serum levels of malondialdehyde, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase were negatively correlated with AISA motor function scores (r=-0.577 9, -0.452 2, -0.662 8, P < 0.05); and the level of nitric oxide had no significant correlation with AISA motor function scores (r=-0.049 7, P > 0.05).To conclude, the serum levels of superoxide dismutase, malondialdehyde, glutathione, nitric oxide, glial fibrillary acidic protein and neuron-specific enolase in serum of patients with acute spinal cord injury are significantly correlated with ASIA impairment grade and ASIA neural function score, which could be used as biomarkers for early clinical assessment of disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the value of proprotein-converting subtilisin kexin type 9 (PCSK9) levels in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) patients with different stages of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to compare these findings with a healthy control group without diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: A total of 135 patients, 100 of whom were patients with T2D and 35 of whom were in the health control group, were included in this prospective study. T2D patients were divided into three groups: the first group included 34 people with T2D without DR, the second group had 32 people with non-proliferative DR (NPDR), and the third group had 34 people with proliferative DR (PDR). Serum PCSK9 levels were analyzed and compared between the groups. Results: Forty-nine percent of the participants were female, and the mean age was 64 ± 9.1 years, with no statistically significant results between the four groups in terms of age and sex. The mean serum PCSK9 value was significantly different (p = 0.01) when all groups were evaluated, and statistically significant change was observed with the progression of DR. When serum PCSK9 levels were evaluated in all T2D patients (groups 1, 2, and 3), a medium-level correlation was observed with low-density lipoprotein (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum PCSK9 values differed significantly in diabetic patients compared to the control group. One should be clinically cautious about the usefulness of circulating PCSK9 concentrations as an indicator of the risk of diabetic retinopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Frequency of imaging markers (FIM) has been identified as an independent predictor of hematoma expansion in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), but its impact on clinical outcome of ICH is yet to be determined. The aim of the present study was to investigate this association. Methods: This study was a secondary analysis of our prior research. The data for this study were derived from six retrospective cohorts of ICH from January 2018 to August 2022. All consecutive study participants were examined within 6 h of stroke onset on neuroimaging. FIM was defined as the ratio of the number of imaging markers on noncontrast head tomography (i.e., hypodensities, blend sign, and island sign) to onset-to-neuroimaging time. The primary poor outcome was defined as a modified Rankin Scale score of 3–6 at 3 months. Results: A total of 1253 patients with ICH were included for final analysis. Among those with available follow-up results, 713 (56.90%) exhibited a poor neurologic outcome at 3 months. In a univariate analysis, FIM was associated with poor prognosis (odds ratio 4.36; 95% confidence interval 3.31–5.74; p < 0.001). After adjustment for age, Glasgow Coma Scale score, systolic blood pressure, hematoma volume, and intraventricular hemorrhage, FIM was still an independent predictor of worse prognosis (odds ratio 3.26; 95% confidence interval 2.37–4.48; p < 0.001). Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, a cutoff value of 0.28 for FIM was associated with 0.69 sensitivity, 0.66 specificity, 0.73 positive predictive value, 0.62 negative predictive value, and 0.71 area under the curve for the diagnosis of poor outcome. Conclusions: The metric of FIM is associated with 3-month poor outcome after ICH. The novel indicator that helps identify patients who are likely within the 6-h time window at risk for worse outcome would be a valuable addition to the clinical management of ICH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a predominant neurotrophic factor in the brain, indispensable for neuronal growth, synaptic development, neuronal repair, and hippocampal neuroplasticity. Among its genetic variants, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is widespread in the population and has been associated with the onset and aggravation of diverse pathologies, including metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, cancer, and an array of psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders constitute a broad category of mental health issues that influence mood, cognition, and behavior. Despite advances in research and treatment, challenges persist that hinder our understanding and effective intervention of these multifaceted conditions. Achieving and maintaining stable body weight is pivotal for overall health and well-being, and the relationship between psychiatric conditions and body weight is notably intricate and reciprocal. Both weight gain and loss have been linked to varying mental health challenges, making the disentanglement of this relationship critical for crafting holistic treatment strategies. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism's connection to weight fluctuation in psychiatric patients has garnered attention. This review investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms by which the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderates body weight among individuals with psychiatric disorders. It posits the polymorphism as a potential biomarker, offering prospects for improved monitoring and therapeutic approaches for mental illnesses.

Abstract Background Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic complication, which leads to short and long-term consequences in both mother and fetus exposed to hyperglycemia. The aetiology of this condition is proposed to be based on the dysfunction of the adipose tissue, which is characterised by the aberrant generation of adipokines. One of them is preadipocyte factor-1 (Pref-1), which could mediate controlling the adaptation of the maternal metabolism to pregnancy. Aims The study aims to examine the level of Pref-1 in the cord blood of healthy pregnant women’s neonates and fetuses born to mothers with GDM. Materials and methods Cord blood samples were collected from 30 newborns of mothers with GDM and 40 newborns of healthy pregnant women. Pref-1 concentrations were measured with an ELISA kit. Results Fetal Pref-1 concentrations were significantly lower in newborns of mothers with GDM compared to the normal pregnancy group children (5.32 ± 0.29 vs. 7.38 ± 0.53; p

The tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae), is a highly polyphagous insect feeding on many wild host plants and a pest of economically important cultivated crops. The landscape composition plays an important role on the population dynamics of tarnished plant bugs and merits further examination to better manage populations across the agroecosystem. In this study, we evaluated the potential of eight oral biomarkers in combination with an inexpensive and portable fluorescent adapter in order to track the movement of L. lineolaris. Tarnished plant bugs from a laboratory colony were exposed to 8 biomarkers (Safranin O, Acridine Orange, Rhodamine B., Fluorescein sodium salt, Acid Fuchsin, Brilliant Blue, Fluorescent Brightener 28, and Carmoisine) contained in a 10% honey solution using three ingestion methods (dye-infused floral foam, dye-overlaid diet, and a dye-incorporated diet). At 24, 48, and 72 h post-exposure, the L. lineolaris nymphs and adults were removed from each treatment, killed by freezing and evaluated for florescence using a microscope equipped with a NightSea™ Florescence adapter under different lighting and filter combinations. The results indicated that Safranin O, Rhodamine B, and Acridine Orange are potentially useful as oral biomarkers for both nymph and adult L. Lineolaris when incorporated into a honey water solution and delivered via ingestion by floral foam, diet-overlay, or incorporated into their diet. This study provides information usable by ecologists and entomologists for to selecting biomarkers for particular life stages to address the different mobile phases of an insect life cycle. Resumen La chinche lygus, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) (Hemiptera: Meridae) es un insecto altamente polífago que se alimenta de hospederos naturales y cultivos de importancia económica. El medio ambiente juega un papel importante sobre las dinámicas poblacionales de la chinche lygus, y amerita estudios más a fondo para un mejor manejo de sus poblaciones a través del ecosistema. En el presente estudio se evaluó el potencial de ocho marcadores biológicos-orales en combinación con un adaptador fluorescente portátil y fácil de adquirir con el fin de hacer el seguimiento en los movimientos de L. lineolaris. Una colonia de laboratorio de chinche lygus se expuso a 8 biomarcadores (Safranin O, Acridine naranja, Rhodamine B., Flourescein sodio sal, ácido Fuchsin, Brilliant azul, Brillante Floreciente 28, tintura Carmoisine) en una solución de agua con miel al 10%, los cuales se utilizaron tres métodos de ingestión; infusión de tintura en espuma florar, tintura superpuesta sobre la superficie de dieta y tintura incorporada en dieta. En intervalos de 24, 48 y 72 postratamiento, ninfas y adultos de L. lineolaris se removieron de cada tratamiento y se trasladaron a un congelador hasta que murieron. Los cadáveres fueron evaluados por florescencia usando un microscopio equipado con un adaptador NighSea TM fluorescente bajo diferentes combinaciones de luces y filtros. Los resultados indicaron que Safranin O, Rhrodamine B y Acridine naranja, son potencialmente útiles como marcadores biológico-orales para ninfas y adultos de L. lineolaris cuando se incorporan en agua-miel humedecida en espuma floral, solución puesta en la superficie de dieta y solución incorporada en dieta. Este estudio proporciona información útil para ecólogos y entomólogos para seleccionar marcadores biológicos para determinados estados de vida enfocados en las fases móviles del ciclo de vida de un insecto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) have many limitations in diagnosing prediabetes. Glycated albumin (GA) estimation can be a potential tool for its early diagnosis. The present study aims to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of GA to identify prediabetes. Methods: Prediabetics (n = 406) and healthy (n = 406) subjects were included. OGTT was used as the diagnostic standard for identifying prediabetes. HbA1c was estimated in a Bio-Rad D-10 analyzer based on the High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) method. GA was measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique and was expressed as a percent of total albumin. Total albumin was measured by the modified bromocresol Purple (BCP) dye-binding method in Siemen's autoanalyzer. Results: HbA1c (5.83 ± 0.57%) and GA (14.43 ± 1.92%) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the prediabetics as compared to healthy individuals. Both HbA1c and GA showed a significantly positive correlation with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and 2-h plasma glucose. However, the correlation was stronger with 2-h plasma glucose for both parameters. GA and HbA1c also showed a significant positive correlation with each other. HbA1c, at 5.7% cut-off, predicted prediabetes with 74% sensitivity and 90% specificity. At the cut-off of 13.5%, GA showed 66% sensitivity and 85% specificity to identify pre-diabetes. The sensitivity of the combined tests was significantly greater than that for HbA1c alone (84% combined versus 74% HbA1c). Conclusion: GA, combined with HbA1c, can be used as a screening test for identifying pre-diabetes. Early diagnosis and interventions could prevent disease progression and limit dreadful complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Orexin-A is a neuropeptide product of the lateral hypothalamus that acts on two receptors, OX1R and OX2R. The orexinergic system is involved in feeding, sleep, and pressure regulation. Recently, orexin-A levels have been found to be negatively correlated with renal function. Here, we analyzed orexin-A levels as well as the incidence of SNPs in the hypocretin neuropeptide precursor (HCRT) and its receptors, HCRTR1 and HCRTR2, in 64 patients affected by autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) bearing truncating mutations in the PKD1 or PKD2 genes. Twenty-four healthy volunteers constituted the control group. Serum orexin-A was assessed by ELISA, while the SNPs were investigated through Sanger sequencing. Correlations with the main clinical features of PKD patients were assessed. PKD patients showed impaired renal function (mean eGFR 67.8 ± 34.53) and a statistically higher systolic blood pressure compared with the control group (p < 0.001). Additionally, orexin-A levels in PKD patients were statistically higher than those in healthy controls (477.07 ± 69.42 pg/mL vs. 321.49 ± 78.01 pg/mL; p < 0.001). Furthermore, orexin-A inversely correlated with blood pressure (p = 0.0085), while a direct correlation with eGFR in PKD patients was found. None of the analyzed SNPs showed any association with orexin-A levels in PKD. In conclusion, our data highlights the emerging role of orexin-A in renal physiology and its potential relevance to PKD. Further research is essential to elucidate the intricate mechanisms underlying orexin-A signaling in renal function and its therapeutic implications for PKD and associated cardiovascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Erect panicles with enhanced grain numbers can rationally utilize solar energy for dry matter accumulation. Only in japonica cultivars an inactive natural nonsense mutant allele of DEP1 has been reported to pleiotropically improve panicle architecture, nitrogen use efficiency, nitrogen and dry matter translocation and strength of the stem. Genomic sequence comparison of DEP1 in indica, aus and aromatic genotypes of West Bengal led to the identification of four natural allelic variants based on three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on intron 1, two SNPs on exon 5 and two deletions on intron 2. Among them, a yield favourable missense mutant allele of DEP1 with two amino acid substitutions from Patnai 23 has been identified, and an allele‐specific co‐dominant marker based on the SNP (A/G) at 333rd position of exon 5 was designed. Assessment of DEP1Patnai 23 allele for yield improvement was examined in RILs and NILs developed from Patnai23 × N22 as N22 carries wild‐type allele. The relative abundance of DEP1 transcript in young panicles was twice as high in Patnai 23 than in N22. RIL‐DEP1Patnai 23 and NIL‐DEP1Patnai 23 showed enhanced grain number per panicle and total yield per plant compared to RIL‐DEP1N22 and NIL‐DEP1N22 allele. This newly identified DEP1 allele and marker will accelerate MAS to improve rice yield precisely. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Preclinical test is a stage in evaluating potential drug candidates for diabetes mellitus (DM). However, developing an animal model that accurately replicates the various pathophysiological and etiological aspects of DM as seen in humans presents significant challenges. To induce diabetes, streptozotocin (STZ) in single doses or combination with nicotinamide (NIC) is often used. Treating diabetes conditions has a low success rate, compounded by the complexity of numerous affected biochemical profiles, presenting a significant research challenge. Therefore, this research aimed to determine the biochemical and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) profile in high doses of STZ-NIC-induced diabetes in the rat model. The population consisted of 18 rates divided into three groups, each containing six. Group I (the normal group) consisted of healthy rats who were given standard feed and drink. In groups II and III, diabetes was induced intraperitoneally with 50 and 65 mg/kg of STZ in addition to 230 mg/kg of NIC. Observations were made for 6 weeks after the rats were diagnosed with diabetes having blood glucose levels of ≥ 250 mg/dL 72 hours after STZ-NIC induction. The data were evaluated statistically by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test (p ≤ 0.05). The result showed significant differences in blood biochemistry, specifically in the parameters of blood glucose, SGPT, and SGOT with increasing doses of STZ-NIC (p<0.05), but not in total cholesterol, triglycerides, albumin, total protein, and TyG ( p<0.05). The high doses of STZ-NIC administration can produce DM models with different blood biochemical profiles but not in TyG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The genome-wide association study (GWAS) is a powerful approach to identify genomic regions associated with fertility traits that explain a significant portion of the genetic variance associated with these traits and identify the relevant causal mutations. Evaluating the correlation between each genotyped marker and trait is an essential strategy for GWAS studies that examine the effects of all markers by considering their possible interactions, environmental factors, and even mutual effects between markers. Recently, machine learning methods have been introduced to genomic topics, and the basis of these methods is different from the common methods of genomic evaluation. The machine learning method is used to estimate the genomic breeding values of the candidate animals by considering the training data (genotypic and phenotypic information of the reference population). One of the key advantages of this method is the ability to analyze large data. Machine learning is a branch of artificial intelligence whose goal is to achieve machines that can extract knowledge (learning) from the environment. A variety of machine learning methods (random forest, boosting, and deep learning) are used to model genetic variance and environmental factors, study gene networks, GWAS, study epistasis effects, and genomic evaluation. Random forest is one of the machine learning methods that has been successfully used in various fields of science. This research was conducted to identify markers and genes related to reproductive traits such as calving interval (CI), days open (DO), daughter pregnancy rate (DPR), and age at first calving (AFC) in Iranian Holstein dairy cattle. These traits have already been investigated with the ssGBLUP method and using a smaller sample size. However, in the present research, by using more genotyped animals, a random forest algorithm was used to identify markers and genes related to reproductive traits. Materials and methods: The records used in this research were provided by the National Animal Breeding Center and Promotion of Animal Products of Iran and included AFC, DO, CI, and DPR related to the genotyped bulls' daughters. In this research, the pedigree information of 2774183 animals was used. The genotypic information of the markers related to 2419 Holstein bulls was used. Genomic data quality control was performed using factors such as the number of genotyped SNPs per animal (ACR), the number of genotyped animals per SNP (CR), Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE), and minor allele Frequency (MAF). When filtering genomic data, the markers whose MAF was less than 5% were removed, and then the samples whose genotyped frequency was less than 90% were identified and removed. Then, the markers whose genotyping rate was less than 95% in the samples were identified and removed. Finally, the SNPs that deviated from the HWE test (P<10-6) were excluded from the analysis as a measure of genotyping error. To control the quality of genomic data, PLINK 1.9 software was used. Then Ranfog software was used in the Linux environment to perform analysis through random forest algorithm. Results and discussion: By using the random forest algorithm, a total of 21 important SNPs were observed, then important fertility trait candidate genes were identified by the gene ontology method, and 62 genes were within 250 Kb of these SNPs. The most significant SNP was observed for AFC. The main SNP for AFC is in ARSBFGL-NGS-22647 BTA3, for CI is in ARS-BFGL-NGS-114194 (BTA11), for DO is in BTA-74076 -no-rs (BTA5), and for DPR is in ARS-BFGL-NGS-32553 (BTA26). The researchers, who studied fertility traits in Nellore cattle using machine learning methods, identified MPZL1 and CD247 genes on chromosome number 3 and this gene was associated with age at first calving. Many pathways of cell biology affect the performance of reproductive traits. Research has reported the relationship between the CD247 gene and pathways of biology, including cell development and function. Research has shown that the IFFO2 gene plays an important role in the molecular structure of cells, as well as in the mechanism of blastocyst formation, embryos, and the length of gestation in cattle. In a study conducted on the mouse population on the structure of the flagellum and the sperm maturation process, the role of the ALDH4A1 gene in the sperm maturation process was reported. The association of the RPS6KC1 gene with pregnancy rate and antral follicle number in Nellore heifers has been reported. The KAT2B gene is a transcriptional activator that plays an essential role in regulating the correction of histone acetylation and plays an important role in improving carcass quality, muscle and fat development, and metabolism in native Chinese cattle. In addition, they play a key role in regulating biological processes and are related to cell growth, metabolism and immune system function. Conclusions: According to the objectives of this research, new information on markers and candidate genes related to reproductive traits in Iranian Holstein dairy cattle was reported. The markers and candidate genes identified in the present research can be used in genomic selection to improve the reproductive traits of Holstein dairy cattle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study suggests that GLR, along with other factors like CA 19-9 levels and symptoms, can help predict long-term survival outcomes in PDAC patients following surgical resection, aiding in the identification of high-risk individuals who may benefit from closer monitoring or more aggressive treatment approaches. Background: We retrospectively evaluated the usefulness of an elevated glucose-to-lymphocyte ratio (GLR) as a sensitive prognostic biomarker of disease-specific survival in 338 patients who underwent surgical resection of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: The optimal GLR cutoff value was determined using the method of Contal and O'Quigley. Patient demographics, clinical information, and imaging data were analyzed to identify preoperative predictors of long-term survival outcomes. Results: Elevated GLR correlated significantly with aggressive tumor biologic behaviors, such as a high carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 level (p = 0.003) and large tumor size (p = 0.011). Multivariate analysis identified (1) GLR > 92.72 [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.475, p < 0.001], (2) CA 19-9 level > 145.35 (HR = 1.577, p = 0.068), and (3) symptoms (p = 0.064) as independent predictors of long-term, cancer-specific survival. These three risk factors were used to group patients into groups 1 (0 factors), 2 (1–2 factors), and 3 (3 factors), which corresponded to significantly different 5-year overall survival rates (50.2%, 34.6%, and 11.7%, respectively; p < 0.001). Conclusions: An elevated preoperative GLR is associated with aggressive tumor characteristics and is an independent predictor of poor postoperative prognosis in patients with PDAC. Further prospective studies are required to verify these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mid- to late-stage Parkinson's disease (PD) is often linked with worsened and significant impairment of motor activities, but existing prognostic markers do not adequately capture the risk of loss of balance in PD patients. This study aims to develop a risk prognostic model for mid- to late-stage PD and identify prognostic factors that are indicative of impending loss of balance and falls. Methods: The study included 307 participants of which 75 were diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 232 were neurological or non-neurological controls. Among the PD group, 46 were early-stage (Hoehn and Yahr [H&Y] = 1,2) with no significant loss of balance while 29 were mid- to late-stage (H&Y = 3,4,5) which is characterized by loss of balance and falls. Multivariable logistic regression (MLR) was used to develop a prognostic model for mid- to late-stage PD. Model discrimination was assessed by ROC curves. The model was internally validated through bootstrapping and calibration plots. Results: The relevant factors identified and included in the final MLR model were shortness of breath, age, swollen joints, heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein, and total salivary protein. The model had an AUC of 0.82 (95% CI = 0.71–0.92) and was well calibrated (calibration slope = 0.77, intercept = 0.03). The likelihood of shortness of breath (OR = 7.91, 95% CI = 1.63–45.12) was significantly higher among mid- to late-stage PD than early-stage. Age and total salivary protein were also significantly higher among mid- to late-stage PD. Conclusion: The MLR prognostic model for mid- to late-stage PD may assist physicians in identifying patients at high risk for loss of balance and falls. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The color Doppler twinkling artifact has been attributed to existing microbubbles or cavitation occurring on rough objects such as kidney stones, some breast biopsy clips, catheter guidewires and sandpaper. The objective was to investigate the correlation between the surface characteristics of helical constructs with different groove geometries and the occurrence of twinkling, as well as to identify locations conducive to bubble retention and/or cavitation. Six half-cylinders were created with a microscale 3-D printer with 5 µm resolution to replicate the geometry of twinkling helical constructs resembling catheter guidewires. Four copies of each marker including a non-twinkling control were printed. The half-cylinders had pitch (peak-to-peak distance) values ranging from 87.5 to 343 µm and amplitude (groove depth) values ranging from 41.5 to 209 µm. The half-cylinders were submerged in degassed water and optically imaged before and after ultrasound insonification to visualize bubbles on the cylinders. The cylinders remained submerged while scanning with the color Doppler mode at frequencies from 3.1 to 6.3 MHz using a GE Logiq E9 scanner and 9L linear array transducer. Two markers exhibited twinkling: one with pitch-to-amplitude ratio of 174/210 µm/µm (0.8) that twinkled only with pre-existing bubbles on the marker; the other had a ratio of 87/87 µm/µm (1.00) that twinkled without pre-existing bubbles on the marker. This work provides strong evidence that both existing bubbles and either cavitation or ultrasound wave interactions with patterned or rough surfaces are significant factors in producing the twinkling signature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pituitary adenomas secreting adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), known as ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, cause hypercortisolism by overproducting ACTH and stimulating bilateral adrenal cortical hyperplasia, a condition also known as Cushing’s disease (CD), which is the most common cause of endogenous hypercortisolism. ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas lead to a series of severe clinical syndromes, including electrolyte disturbances and disorders of glucose and lipid metabolism, affecting multiple organs and systems throughout the body. Transsphenoidal neuroendoscopic surgery is the first-line treatment for ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, with a high remission rate, but postoperative recurrence and persistent disease remain unsolved in the treatment of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas. The pathological evaluation of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas has important value in determining the nature of the lesions, predicting the prognosis, and selecting the drug therapy. This article reviews the advances in the pathologic evaluation of ACTH-secreting pituitary adenomas, including new immunohistochemical markers and microscopic special features. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cassava productivity is constrained by low soil nitrogen, which is predominant in most cassava-growing regions in the tropics and subtropical agroecology. Improving the low nitrogen tolerance of cassava has become an important breeding objective. The current study aimed to develop cassava varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency by identifying genomic regions and candidate genes linked to nitrogen use efficiency in cassava. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was performed using the Genome Association and Prediction Integrated Tool (GAPIT). A panel of 265 diverse cassava genotypes was phenotyped for 10 physiological and agronomic traits under optimum and low-nitrogen regimes. Whole-genome genotyping of these cassava cloneswas performed using the Diversity Arrays Technology (DArTseq) sequencing platform. A total of 68,814 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified, which were spread across the entire 18 chromosomes of the cassava genome, of which 52 SNPs at various densities were found to be associated with nitrogen use efficiency in cassava and other yield-related traits. The putative genes identified through GWAS, especially those with significant associated SNP markers for NUE and related traits have the potential, if deployed appropriately, to develop cassava varieties with improved nitrogen use efficiency, which would translate to a reduction in the economic and environmental cost of cassava production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Annual medic (Medicago spp.) germplasm was collected from the Crimean Peninsula of Ukraine in 2008 to fill gaps in geographic coverage in the United States department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) temperate-adapted forage legume collection. A total of 102 accessions across 10 Medicago species were collected. To assess genetic diversity, population structure, and to confirm taxonomic identities, the collections were phenotypically and genetically characterized. Phenotyping included the use of 24 descriptor traits while genetic characterization was accomplished using a 3K Diversity Array Technologies (DArTag) panel developed for alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). For both field and molecular characterizations, a reference set of 92 geographically diverse and speciesrepresentative accessions were obtained from the NPGS collection. Phenotypic descriptors showed consistency among replicated plants within accessions, some variation across accessions within species, and evident distinctions between species. Because the DArTag panel was developed for cultivated alfalfa, the transferability of markers to the species being evaluated was limited, resulting in an average of ~1,500 marker loci detected per species. From these loci, 448 markers were present in 95% of the samples. Principal component and phylogenetic analysis based on a larger set of 2,396 selected markers clustered accessions by species and predicted evolutionary relationships among species. Additionally, the markers aided in the taxonomic identity of a few accessions that were likely mislabeled. The genotyping results also showed that sampling individual plants for these mostly self-pollinating species is sufficient due to high reproducibility between single (n=3) and pooled (n=7) biological replicate leaf samples. The phenotyping and the 2,396 Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) marker set were useful in estimating population structure in the Crimean and reference accessions, highlighting novel and unique genetic diversity captured in the Crimean accessions. This research not only demonstrated the utility of the DArTag marker panel in evaluating the Crimean germplasm but also highlighted its broader application in assessing genetic resources within the Medicago genus. Furthermore, we anticipate that our findings will underscore the importance of leveraging genetic resources and advanced genotyping tools for sustainable crop improvement and biodiversity conservation in annual medic species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The nutritional value of Hainan camellia oil is incomparable to other places, and Hainan camellia oil is expensive, so unscrupulous businessmen often mix other edible oils into them for illegal profit. This study detected the changes of volatile components in Hainan camellia oil adulterated with five edible oils (peanut, soybean, corn, rapeseed, and sunflower oils) using comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography and quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HS‐SPME‐GC × GC‐Q‐TOFMS). The principal component analysis (PCA) score plot showed that pure Hainan camellia oil (PHCO) and Hainan camellia oil samples were adulterated with other edible oils clearly to identify the adulteration separated from each other. The adulteration of PHCO could be accurately predicted using the developed PCA and OPLS‐DA models for concentrations as low as 5%. More importantly, several potential markers were found to identify the impersonate PHCO. Therefore, the volatile compound determination based on HS‐SPME‐GC × GC‐Q‐TOFMS proved to be an effective method for detecting adulteration of other edible oils in PHCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smoking significantly elevates the risk of lung diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and lung cancer. This risk is attributed to the harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke that damage lung tissue and impair lung function. Current research on the impact of smoking on gene expression in specific lung cells is limited. This study addresses this gap by analyzing gene expression profiles at the single-cell level from 43,539 lung endothelial cells, 234,349 lung epithelial cells, 189,843 lung immune cells, and 16,031 lung stromal cells using advanced machine learning techniques. The data, categorized by different lung cell types, were classified into three smoking states: active smoker, former smoker, and never smoker. Each cell sample encompassed 28,024 feature genes. Employing an incremental feature selection method within a computational framework, several specific genes have been identified as potential markers of smoking status in different lung cell types. These include B2M, EEF1A1, and TPT1 in lung endothelial cells; FTL and MT-ATP8 in lung epithelial cells; HLA-B and HLA-C in lung immune cells; and HSP90B1 and LCN2 in lung stroma cells. Additionally, this study developed quantitative rules for representing the gene expression patterns related to smoking. This research highlights the potential of machine learning in oncology, enhancing our molecular understanding of smoking's harm and laying the groundwork for future mechanism-based studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) represent a subpopulation within tumors that promote cancer progression, metastasis, and recurrence due to their self-renewal capacity and resistance to conventional therapies. CSC-specific markers and signaling pathways highly active in CSCs have emerged as a promising strategy for improving patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the therapeutic targets associated with CSCs of solid tumors across various cancer types, including key molecular markers aldehyde dehydrogenases, CD44, epithelial cellular adhesion molecule, and CD133 and signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, Notch, and Sonic Hedgehog. We discuss a wide array of therapeutic modalities ranging from targeted antibodies, small molecule inhibitors, and near-infrared photoimmunotherapy to advanced genetic approaches like RNA interference, CRISPR/Cas9 technology, aptamers, antisense oligonucleotides, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, CAR natural killer cells, bispecific T cell engagers, immunotoxins, drug-antibody conjugates, therapeutic peptides, and dendritic cell vaccines. This review spans developments from preclinical investigations to ongoing clinical trials, highlighting the innovative targeting strategies that have been informed by CSC-associated pathways and molecules to overcome therapeutic resistance. We aim to provide insights into the potential of these therapies to revolutionize cancer treatment, underscoring the critical need for a multi-faceted approach in the battle against cancer. This comprehensive analysis demonstrates how advances made in the CSC field have informed significant developments in novel targeted therapeutic approaches, with the ultimate goal of achieving more effective and durable responses in cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a predominant neurotrophic factor in the brain, indispensable for neuronal growth, synaptic development, neuronal repair, and hippocampal neuroplasticity. Among its genetic variants, the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism is widespread in the population and has been associated with the onset and aggravation of diverse pathologies, including metabolic conditions like obesity and diabetes, cardiovascular ailments, cancer, and an array of psychiatric disorders. Psychiatric disorders constitute a broad category of mental health issues that influence mood, cognition, and behavior. Despite advances in research and treatment, challenges persist that hinder our understanding and effective intervention of these multifaceted conditions. Achieving and maintaining stable body weight is pivotal for overall health and well-being, and the relationship between psychiatric conditions and body weight is notably intricate and reciprocal. Both weight gain and loss have been linked to varying mental health challenges, making the disentanglement of this relationship critical for crafting holistic treatment strategies. The BDNF Val66Met polymorphism's connection to weight fluctuation in psychiatric patients has garnered attention. This review investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms by which the BDNF Val66Met polymorphism moderates body weight among individuals with psychiatric disorders. It posits the polymorphism as a potential biomarker, offering prospects for improved monitoring and therapeutic approaches for mental illnesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant secondary cell wall provides physical support for upright growth and transportation of water and nutrients. Detailed characterization of the molecular mechanism for SCW biosynthesis would be of great importance for breeding maize varieties. Cellulose, synthesized by the cellulose synthase complex (CSC), composed of cellulose synthase (CesA) proteins, is a main component of plant cell walls. However, CesA genes that are specific for SCW biosynthesis in maize were undefined. In our study, ZmCesA10, 11, and 12 were characterized to be responsible for SCW biosynthesis in maize. ZmCesA10, 11, and 12 interact with each other and are co-expressed in maize culms and roots. Mutants for ZmCesA10, 11, and 12, exhibited an increased culm brittleness, a reduced cell wall thickness, and cellulose content. We concluded that ZmCesA10, 11, and 12 would be markers for the SCW study, and finally this study helps in the construction of the molecular network for SCW biosynthesis in maize. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of heterosis is of great significance in improving rice yield. To explore the physiological and genetic basis for high yield in indica–japonica hybrid rice, Zheyou18 (z18) and Yongyou12 (y12) were used as materials and compared with indica hybrid rice, Zheyou12 (z12); japonica hybrid rice, Liangyoupeijiu (LYPJ); and the conventional lines zhe04B (04B) and zhehui818 (h818) under seedling growth vigor, functional leaf morphology, chlorophyll content, yield component, panicle trait, and InDel heterosis analysis. Z18 and y12 showed the largest increase in plant height 6 d and 9 d after germination; the root dry weight of z18 was 31.2% and 42.0% higher than its parents on the 12th d. The length of functional leaves ranked in the middle, while the width was the largest, resulting in z18 and y12 having the largest leaf area. Yield components showed that z18 and y12 had the highest number of primary branches, spikelets, and grains, and grain yield, which was 58.1 g in z18, increased by 29.8% and 8.7%, respectively, in comparison with h818 and LYPJ. The InDel genetic distance was significantly positively correlated with single spike weight, with r reaching 0.771, making it the only consistent and most correlated among the seven traits. Therefore, we speculated that as the InDel genetic distance expands, heterosis mainly manifests in the increase in single spike weight. This study comprehensively explored the physiological mechanism of yield improvement in indica–japonica-hybrid rice and used InDel genetic distances to study the genetic basis of heterosis, which will be helpful for future rice yield improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a marker and its real-time tracking method are proposed. Different from existing technologies that recognize the markers by spatial event features, which lead to many practical problems, we discover the possibility of using temporal features. Strobe LEDs (light emitting diode) are used as markers to produce periodically flipping events, and a fast clustering-based algorithm is designed to track and recognize these markers simultaneously. Experiments demonstrate that our methods have superior speed and accuracy compared to state-of-the-arts. The markers can be stably tracked in many challenging situations, thus can be used in various visual tracking applications. The proposed method introduces a new marker and its corresponding recognition algorithm for event camera-based targets tracking, offering a reliable solution for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]