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Introduction: Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a globally important legume crop with high nutritional and ecological value. Drought poses a serious threat to alfalfa acreage and yields. Spermine (Spm) has been shown to protect plants from drought damage. The aim of this study was to clarify the mechanism of exogenous Spm to improve drought resistance of alfalfa. Methods: In this study, we root applied 0.1, 0.5, and 1mM Spm to Gannong No. 3 (G3) alfalfa under drought stress, and then determined their physiological and metabolic changes. Results: The results showed that exogenous Spm increased chlorophyll content, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters and gas exchange parameters, enhanced antioxidant enzymes activity, improved ascorbic acid-glutathione (AsA-GSH) cycle, increased osmoregulatory substances content, reduced hydrogen peroxide and superoxide anion levels, and inhibited malondialdehyde accumulation in alfalfa under drought stress, thereby increasing plant height and leaf relative water content and enhancing drought tolerance of alfalfa. The redundancy analysis of the above physiological indicators showed that the addition of the optimal Spm to improve drought tolerance of alfalfa under drought stress was mainly achieved by increasing catalase activity and improving the ASA-GSH cycle. In addition, metabolomics analysis revealed that exogenous Spm increased the content of oxobutanedioic acid, citric acid, fumaric acid and malic acid to enhance the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Meanwhile, exogenous Spm increased endogenous Spm and proline (Pro) content to resist drought stress by enhancing Spm and Pro metabolism. Moreover, exogenous Spm increased the accumulation of the signaling substance abscisic acid. Discussion: In conclusion, exogenous Spm enhanced drought resistance of alfalfa leaves under drought stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aysha Aloqab,1,2 Valmore A Semidey,1 Gorka Sesma,3 Abdulmalik AlYahya,1 Khaled Al Malki,1 Abdulrahman Al Yahya,4 Rawa Mosaed Alohali,4 Mozon AlShareef,5 Hassan A Al-Dhibi1 1Vitreoretinal Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 2Ophthalmology, Bahrain Defence Force Hospital, Riffa, Bahrain; 3Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Fellowship and Residency Training Program, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 5Medicine Department, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Valmore A Semidey, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Al Urubah Road, Riyadh, 12329, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Tel +96614281234 ext. 2665, Fax +966114821234 ext. 3773, Email asemidey@hotmail.comPurpose: This study aimed to describe the functional and anatomical outcomes of post-cataract surgery fungal endophthalmitis at King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital (KKESH).Patients and Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data from a single institution was performed. This study included 29 patients with post-cataract surgery endophthalmitis with suspected or confirmed fungal etiology who presented between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2022. We evaluated demographics, clinical features, microbiological assessments, and treatment strategies. The effects of various treatments on outcomes were analyzed. The need for additional treatment and functional and anatomical outcomes was also investigated.Results: The mean time from surgery to the onset of ocular symptoms was 52.1 (SD ± 59.9; range, 3– 210) days, and the mean time from surgery to the first visit to KKESH was 81.4 (SD ± 103.5; range, 2– 510) days. Low culture positivity was noted in four samples, with two revealing Aspergillus sp. and two revealing Cladosporium sp. Of the 29 patients, 6 underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and received intravitreal antimicrobial/antibiotic injections. Two of the six patients also underwent simultaneous intraocular lens removal. The average number of additional treatments, regardless of visual acuity, was lower in the PPV group than in the conservative group (0.5 [SD ± 1.1; range, 0– 3] and 1.48 [SD ± 1.47; range, 0– 6], respectively). In the PPV group, 50% (n=3) of the eyes achieved functional success and 83.3% (n=5) of the eyes achieved anatomical success. In contrast, in the conservative group, 43.5% (n=10) of the eyes achieved functional success and 69.6% (n=16) of the eyes achieved anatomical success.Conclusion: For post-cataract surgery fungal endophthalmitis, a high index of suspicion and prompt PPV with empirical administration of intravitreal antifungal agents are required to achieve a favorable prognosis.Keywords: endophthalmitis, fungal, exogenous, pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular lens removal

In this paper, we develop discrete models of Tuberculosis (TB). This includes SEI endogenous and exogenous models without treatment. These models are then extended to a SEIT model with treatment. We develop two types of net reproduction numbers, one is the traditional R0 which is based on the disease-free equilibrium, and a new net reproduction number R0 (E*) based on the endemic equilibrium. It is shown that the disease-free equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if R0 ≤ 1 and unstable if R0 > 1. Moreover, the endemic equilibrium is locally asymptotically stable if R0(E*) < 1 < R0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the regulatory effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) on the waterlogging tolerance of Luffa acutangula Roxb. seedlings, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mmol·L-1 salicylic acid solution was sprayed on the leaves of Luffa acutangula Jinfu No.15. Then, the effects of salicylic acid solution on the seedling growth and physiological metabolism under the waterlogging stress were studied. The results showed that: the root length, plant height and fresh weight of Luffa acutangula seedlings under the waterlogging stress were significantly lower than those of the control group CK (non flooding + no external application of SA). After spraying the exogenous salicylic acid, the decreasing range of various agronomic traits decreased. The root length and plant height of seedlings sprayed with 1.5 mmol·L-1 SA were increased by 19.0% and 12.3% compared with the control group CK1 (flooding + no external application of SA), respectively. The fresh weight and dry weight of seedlings sprayed with 2.0 mmol·L-1 SA were increased by 9.0% and 19.2% compared with the control group CK1, respectively. The content of membrane lipid peroxide in the leaves of seedlings increased under the waterlogging stress, while spraying the salicylic acid could significantly reduce the content of MDA and H2O2. Compared with CK1 (flooding+no external application of SA), the activities of SOD and CAT in the leaves of seedlings sprayed with 1.5 mmol·L-1 SA were the highest, which were increased by 37.5% and 52.18%, respectively. The activity of POD in the leaves of seedlings sprayed with 2.0 mmol·L-1 SA was the highest, which was increased by 78.1% compared with CK1. Combined with the comprehensive evaluation of the subordinate function values of each index, the order of spraying different concentrations of SA on the waterlogging resistance was as follows: SA1.5 > SA2.0 > SA1.0 > SA0.5 > CK1, and the scores of the two treatments sprayed with 1.5 mmol·L-1 and 2.0 mmol·L-1 SA were relatively close, indicating that the two treatments performed similarly in terms of waterlogging resistance. The comprehensive comparison showed that, the effect of spraying 1.5 mmol·L-1 SA was the best. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a debilitating condition that poses a significant public health concern. Historically linked to motor vehicle accidents, the epidemiology of TBI has evolved. Falls now emerge as the predominant cause, particularly among older adults. Sport-related TBIs have also garnered increased attention due to concerns regarding long-term neurological sequelae. To date, therapeutic interventions remain limited and have yet to yield substantial clinical benefits. Cell-based therapies offer promising avenues for neural repair and regeneration: endogenous stem cell therapies capitalize on endogenous pools that can be triggered by the injury and further enhanced by therapeutic approaches. In contrast, exogenous cell therapies provide an exogenous source of cells. However, challenges such as age-related decline in neurogenesis, age-related inflammation, and the heterogeneity of TBI present significant hurdles to overcome. Moreover, translating stem cell research from the laboratory to clinical applications necessitates the adherence to good manufacturing practice standards, which presents distinct obstacles. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including careful patient selection in clinical trials, appropriate experimental models, and the optimization of therapeutic techniques. Ultimately, a combination of strategies is likely to yield the most promising outcomes in the pursuit of effective TBI therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the economic impact of the 2018 agricultural drought in Korea on the agricultural field through input–output analysis. Using industry linkage tables provided by the Bank of Korea, various economic impacts, including socio-economic and industry linkage effects, such as production, value added inducement effects, and employment inducement effects in the agricultural field, were analyzed. Our findings show the following: (1) It was found that an increase of 1 billion KRW (South Korean won) in output of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products induces an average of 0.6544 KRW in production inducement effects in other industries, 0.23756 KRW in value-added inducement effects, and 3.11363 in employment inducement effects per 1 billion KRW. (2) The supply shortage effect of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products was analyzed to cause a decrease in production of 2.3932 KRW across all industries, and the price inducing effect of a 10% increase in price was found to be 0.19400%, on average. The highest production inducement effects in the food and beverage industry (0.16514 KRW) and the highest value-added inducement effects (0.04391 KRW) came from agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. (3) In the industry linkage effect analysis, agricultural, forestry, and fishery products were found to have a forward linkage coefficient of 0.95652 and a backward linkage coefficient of 0.98911. It is implied by this result that the economic impact of agriculture on other industrial sectors is not significant. This study emphasizes the economic importance of agriculture by providing analytical results that can be utilized in agricultural policy formulation and economic decision-making. It can be used as an important basis for policy development for sustainable development and economic stability of the agricultural field. It can also contribute to a better understanding of how agriculture interacts with other industrial sectors and to the development of effective response strategies to natural disasters such as agricultural drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rockmelon is a popular tropical fruit with high nutritional value. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), an aphid-transmitted virus, causes severe damage to rockmelon production. Exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting viral sequences has shown promising results in controlling viral infection but has not been reported for CMV in rockmelon. In the current study, the protective effect of exogenous dsRNAs targeting the CMV coat protein (CP) and movement protein (MP) was tested in rockmelon. The effectiveness of dsRNA-mediated protection was measured by disease severity index (DSI) and compound enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The individual dsRNA CP and MP treatments each showed protection by reducing the DSI and virus titre, whilst a combination of dsRNA of CP and MP treatment showed much lower DSI (4.31-fold lower) and virus titre (4.91-fold lower) compared to CMV-inoculated plants without dsRNA treatment. Chlorophyll content, relative water content, plant height and number of leaves were not significantly different between virus challenged dsRNA-treated and mock-inoculated plants. Based on the DSI, two applications containing 9000 ng of dsRNA CP and MP in combination showed maximum CMV protection. Taken together, these results indicate that exogenous treatment containing a combination of dsRNA of CP and MP can control CMV infection in rockmelon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endogenous endophthalmitis, a severe infection originating from the bloodstream, can lead to blindness and is particularly dangerous for immunocompromised patients, including those with diabetes, cancer, or undergoing chemotherapy. This condition differs from exogenous endophthalmitis, which arises from external sources such as postoperative complications or trauma. Hereby, the authors present a case report of a rare instance of bilateral bacterial endogenous endophthalmitis in a 45-year-old male with multiple systemic co-morbidities. The patient experienced vision loss and photophobia; further investigation revealed septicaemia linked to an insitu haemodialysis catheter. Prompt treatment with intravenous antibiotics is crucial, and vitrectomy may also be considered. The present case is unique because, despite the infection originating in the bloodstream, the patient developed ocular symptoms first. A retrospective analysis revealed the primary source of the infection, highlighting the importance of a thorough examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a debilitating condition that poses a significant public health concern. Historically linked to motor vehicle accidents, the epidemiology of TBI has evolved. Falls now emerge as the predominant cause, particularly among older adults. Sport-related TBIs have also garnered increased attention due to concerns regarding long-term neurological sequelae. To date, therapeutic interventions remain limited and have yet to yield substantial clinical benefits. Cell-based therapies offer promising avenues for neural repair and regeneration: endogenous stem cell therapies capitalize on endogenous pools that can be triggered by the injury and further enhanced by therapeutic approaches. In contrast, exogenous cell therapies provide an exogenous source of cells. However, challenges such as age-related decline in neurogenesis, age-related inflammation, and the heterogeneity of TBI present significant hurdles to overcome. Moreover, translating stem cell research from the laboratory to clinical applications necessitates the adherence to good manufacturing practice standards, which presents distinct obstacles. Addressing these challenges requires a multifaceted approach, including careful patient selection in clinical trials, appropriate experimental models, and the optimization of therapeutic techniques. Ultimately, a combination of strategies is likely to yield the most promising outcomes in the pursuit of effective TBI therapies.

The measurement of time is not absolute; therefore, the measurement of space and time depend on the movement in space of individuals and the transformation over time of different social entities. Based on the above, this work analyzes the twin paradox with the aim of understanding how and through what cognitive processes a social asymmetry develops between two twin brothers born in a town in Malaga. The twins have been separated for ten years: One of them lives in Barcelona, in a more industrial environment, while the other, the one who remained in the town, has lived in an agricultural environment. The hypothesis of this research is that during that time – the space-time framework of ten years in which the twins have been separated and which has been perceived by them in a different way – the economic, technological and social conditions have caused social asymmetry through the perception of the reality of the two twins as they live, under their particular experiences, in different social environments. Finally, the possible social asymmetry generated between the two twins after ten years serves to reflect on the importance of the cultural factors and the economic and political institutions to smooth out the possible spatial and temporal imbalances that have shaped the particularities of social environments in which the two twins have lived.

Salt stress is a well-known abiotic constraint that hampers crop productivity, affecting more than 424 million hectares of topsoil worldwide. Applying plant growth regulators externally has proven effective in enhancing crop resilience to salt stress. Previous metabolomics studies revealed an accumulation of Valine-Threonine-Isoleucine-Aspartic acid (VTID) in salt-stressed maize seedlings, suggesting its potential to assist maize adaptation to salt stress. To explore the effectiveness of VTID in enhancing salt tolerance in maize, 10 nM VTID was applied to salt-stressed maize seedlings. The results showed a remarkable 152.29% increase in plant height and a 122.40% increase in fresh weight compared to salt-stressed seedlings. Moreover, the addition of VTID enhanced the activity of antioxidant enzymes, specifically superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), while reducing the level of malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of oxidative stress. Additionally, VTID supplementation resulted in a significant increase in osmoregulatory substances such as proline. Metabolomic analysis revealed substantial changes in the metabolite profile of maize seedlings when treated with VTID during salt stress. Differential metabolites (DMs) analysis revealed that the identified DMs primarily belonged to lipids and lipid-like molecules. The receiver operating characteristic curve and linear regression analysis determined a correlation between isodolichantoside and the height of maize seedlings under salt-stress conditions. In conclusion, these findings validate that VTID effectively regulates tolerance in maize seedlings and offers valuable insights into the potential of short peptides for mitigating salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message: Treatment with corticosteroids can lead to iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome when used for longer intervals and in high doses. Less common administration routes may conceal the exposure, raising the possibility of misdiagnosis and mismanagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water quality deterioration and eutrophication have become a global concern, while reservoir pollution caused by multiple factors has led to frequent algal blooms, posing a serious threat to rural drinking water security and urban water supply. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current water quality of Waihu Reservoir and use the single index method, the weighted comprehensive scoring method, and the nutrient level index method (TLI) to evaluate eutrophication. On this basis, the pollution sources of the reservoir are comprehensively analyzed and discussed, and effective control strategies are proposed. The evaluation results indicate that the reservoir is of moderate eutrophication type. Therefore, reducing the input of nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in water is the main goal of alleviating exogenous pollution. The combination of engineering intervention and ecological restoration strategies to remove nutrients from the aquatic environment is an effective strategy to manage endogenous pollution. From the point of view of the source of pollution, this study provides an in-depth analysis of exogenous and endogenous pollution, respectively, and the proposed treatment is instructive for the control and routine management of eutrophication in the Waihu Reservoir, as well as for the management of similar problems in different reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Report: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) set a goal global warming of 1.5°C on global temperature change. Extreme climate changes have increased the demand for electricity consumption by people and enterprises. In fact, China's total power generation in 2019 exceeded 25% of the world's amount, and its thermal power generation accounted for more than 70%. Although past research on electricity efficiency seldom discusses the issue of climate change, the topic still remains important. This research thus considers extreme temperature days (climate change variable) as exogenous variable and uses the Two-Stage Meta Under exogenous undesirable EBM model to examine power efficiency in China. The results are as follows. (1) In the west only Qinghai's GDP, CO2, PM2.5, and electricity consumption have technology gap ratio (TGR) efficiency values of 1 in the 5 years. (2) China's electricity consumption has the same trend with the TGR efficiency of CO2 and is higher than PM2.5. (3) The national overall efficiency, meta overall efficiency, and TGR overall efficiency are the worst in China's west region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study sought to explore the effect of the administration of long-term, exogenous oxytocin on buffalo milk. In this study, newly-calved postpartum buffaloes (Nili-Ravi) (n = 24) were divided equally into three groups: (control without oxytocin - CON, 10 i.u. oxytocin - LOW, 30 i.u. oxytocin - HIGH). Oxytocin was injected twice a day before each 154-day milking. Milk production, milk composition, somatic cell counts, and progesterone (P4) were evaluated daily, weekly, and fortnightly, respectively. Results revealed that the HIGH group produced high milk production and pH values, but lower milk density than the CON and LOW groups. The HIGH group and LOW group had higher milk fat and solid-not-fat (SNF) compared to the CON group. SNF and protein were higher in the LOW group than the CON group. Freezing point, lactose, solids, somatic cell count, and P4 were similar in all three groups. Overall, it can be concluded that long-term, exogenous oxytocin has a positive effect on milk production, fat, SNF, and protein, with a negative effect on milk pH. None of the oxytocin treatments affected somatic cell counts and P4 concentration in postpartum buffalo milk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) suggests that, in genetically susceptible subjects, T lymphocytes undergo activation in the peripheral compartment, pass through the BBB, and cause damage in the CNS. They produce pro-inflammatory cytokines; induce cytotoxic activities in microglia and astrocytes with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and other highly reactive radicals; activate B cells and macrophages and stimulate the complement system. Inflammation and neurodegeneration are involved from the very beginning of the disease. They can both be affected by oxidative stress (OS) with different emphases depending on the time course of MS. Thus, OS initiates and supports inflammatory processes in the active phase, while in the chronic phase it supports neurodegenerative processes. A still unresolved issue in overcoming OS-induced lesions in MS is the insufficient endogenous activation of the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, which under normal conditions plays an essential role in mitochondria protection, OS, neuroinflammation, and degeneration. Thus, the search for approaches aiming to elevate endogenous Nrf2 activation is capable of protecting the brain against oxidative damage. However, exogenous Nrf2 activators themselves are not without drawbacks, necessitating the search for new non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches to modulate OS. The purpose of the present review is to provide some relevant preclinical and clinical examples, focusing on certain exogenous and endogenous Nrf2 activators and the modulation of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The increased plasma levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in response to TPE treatment of MS patients suggest their antioxidant potential for endogenous Nrf2 enhancement via NGF/TrkA/PI3K/Akt and NGF/p75NTR/ceramide-PKCζ/CK2 signaling pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there is ample evidence for the ability to selectively attend to where in space and when in time a relevant event might occur, it remains poorly understood whether spatial and temporal attention operate independently or interactively to optimize behavior. To elucidate this important issue, we provide a narrative review of the literature investigating the relationship between the two. The studies were organized based on the attentional manipulation employed (endogenous vs. exogenous) and the type of task (detection vs. discrimination). Although the reviewed findings depict a complex scenario, three aspects appear particularly important in promoting independent or interactive effects of spatial and temporal attention: task demands, attentional manipulation, and their combination. Overall, the present review provides key insights into the relationship between spatial and temporal attention and identifies some critical gaps that need to be addressed by future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key Clinical Message Treatment with corticosteroids can lead to iatrogenic Cushing's syndrome when used for longer intervals and in high doses. Less common administration routes may conceal the exposure, raising the possibility of misdiagnosis and mismanagement.

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the impacts of exogenous application of synthetic auxin 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on lentil (Lens culinaris M.) growth, yield, and nutritional parameters in the Department of Crop Botany, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. Six treatments of 2,4-D (T0 = 0; T1 = 0.3; T2 = 0.5; T3 = 0.8; T4 = 1; and T5 = 1.2 ppm 2,4-D) with three replications were used in this study. Data on growth, yield, and nutritional parameters were collected and analyzed. The response of exogenous application of 2,4-D was significant in improving the performance of all the growth and yield contributing parameters as compared to untreated control plants. Exogenous application of 1 ppm 2,4-D was found to be effective for increasing plant height, branch number, root length, root-shoot fresh, and dry weight, nodule number, flower number, pod number, pod length, number of grains plant-1, 100-grain weight, and yield. Exogenous 2,4-D treatment significantly reduced the maturity time of lentil grain. The lowest date of maturity was found at 0.8, 1.0, and 1.2 ppm 2,4-D treatments. In this study, results showed a significant increase of different macro- (N, P, K) and micro- (Fe, Mn, Zn) nutrient content, uptake, and protein content in lentil grains with 1 ppm 2,4-D. It has been also revealed that the minimum requirement of 2,4-D to produce 80% lentil yield was 0.83 ppm. As a result, it was determined that the exogenous application of 2,4-D treatments is promising for enhancing the growth and productivity of lentil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the economic impact of the 2018 agricultural drought in Korea on the agricultural field through input–output analysis. Using industry linkage tables provided by the Bank of Korea, various economic impacts, including socio-economic and industry linkage effects, such as production, value added inducement effects, and employment inducement effects in the agricultural field, were analyzed. Our findings show the following: (1) It was found that an increase of 1 billion KRW (South Korean won) in output of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products induces an average of 0.6544 KRW in production inducement effects in other industries, 0.23756 KRW in value-added inducement effects, and 3.11363 in employment inducement effects per 1 billion KRW. (2) The supply shortage effect of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products was analyzed to cause a decrease in production of 2.3932 KRW across all industries, and the price inducing effect of a 10% increase in price was found to be 0.19400%, on average. The highest production inducement effects in the food and beverage industry (0.16514 KRW) and the highest value-added inducement effects (0.04391 KRW) came from agricultural, forestry, and fishery products. (3) In the industry linkage effect analysis, agricultural, forestry, and fishery products were found to have a forward linkage coefficient of 0.95652 and a backward linkage coefficient of 0.98911. It is implied by this result that the economic impact of agriculture on other industrial sectors is not significant. This study emphasizes the economic importance of agriculture by providing analytical results that can be utilized in agricultural policy formulation and economic decision-making. It can be used as an important basis for policy development for sustainable development and economic stability of the agricultural field. It can also contribute to a better understanding of how agriculture interacts with other industrial sectors and to the development of effective response strategies to natural disasters such as agricultural drought.

Inhospitable conditions that hinder plant growth and development encompass a range of abiotic stresses, such as drought, extreme temperatures (both low and high), salinity, exposure to heavy metals, and irradiation. The cumulative impact of these stresses leads to a considerable reduction in agricultural productivity worldwide. The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is a shared mechanism of toxicity induced by all these abiotic stimuli in plants, resulting in oxidative damage and membrane instability. Extensive research has shed light on the dual role of melatonin in plants, where it serves as both a growth regulator, fostering growth and development, and a potent protector against abiotic stresses. The inherent potential of melatonin to function as a natural antioxidant positions it as a promising biostimulant for agricultural use, bolstering plants' abilities to withstand a wide array of environmental challenges. Beyond its antioxidant properties, melatonin has demonstrated its capacity to regulate the expression of genes associated with the photosynthetic process. This additional characteristic enhances its appeal as a versatile chemical agent that can be exogenously applied to plants, particularly in adverse conditions, to improve their resilience and optimize photosynthetic efficiency in every phase of the plant life cycle. An examination of the molecular mechanisms underlying the stress-protective effects of exogenous melatonin on the photosynthetic machinery of plants under various abiotic stresses is presented in this paper. In addition, future prospects are discussed for developing stress-tolerant crops for sustainable agriculture in challenging environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although ambitious, forest landscape restoration (FLR) is still very high on global climate change mitigation and adaptation research and policy agendas. The scientific literature highlights the importance of institutions and actors' collaboration for achieving the intended outcomes. Despite these diffuse indications, a comprehensive understanding of the role played by different types of actors and institutions in shaping FLR outcomes is missing. This hinders the definition of an actor-cum-institutions research agenda for FLR, especially in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Yet, in this region, different actors with diverse interests shape FLR practices. Likewise, formal and informal institutions are known to collide frequently. Hence, this paper addresses the lacunae by systematically reviewing FLR actors' interests and power manifestations and the typologies of institutions linked to FLR outcomes in SSA. The review further defines future research agendas on actors and institutions in SSA. The following lessons can be drawn from the review of 75 peer-reviewed journal articles: First, while exogenous actors are interested more in the ecological benefits of FLR, endogenous actors are interested in economic ones. Second, exogenous actors mostly use (dis-)incentives and coercion to shape the behavior of endogenous actors in FLR. Finally, while the exogenous formal institutional typology produces positive and negative ecological, economic, political, and sociocultural FLR outcomes, the endogenous formal and informal institutions produce only positive outcomes. Future studies should identify actors' compliance levels of the exogenous and endogenous formal and informal typologies of institutions. Future studies should also analyze the effectiveness of FLR-linked institutions towards ensuring successful FLR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work aimed to study the effect of exogenous oxytocin injection on the expression of the oxytocin receptor gene and the duration of uterine involution in the local Iraqi breed of Karradi cows. Twenty cows were divided into two groups. The first group was considered a control; the second group was injected with 100 IU/IM of oxytocin twice weekly for four weeks postpartum. The uterine involution velocity was monitored using ultrasonography by measuring the endometrium thickness, ovarian diameter, cervix diameter, uterine horns diameter, serum progesterone, and estrogen levels by indirect ELISA, and the expression of oxytocin receptor gene was monitored by conventional PCR. The result of the treated group showed that the progesterone concentration was significantly decreased. The estrogen concentration was significantly increased. Moreover, the endometrium thickness was significantly decreased in the second, third, and fourth weeks, also, the ovarian diameter was significantly decreased in the first and second weeks, but it has significantly increased in the fourth week. In addition, the cervix diameter was significantly decreased in the first and second weeks, and the uterine horns diameter was significantly decreased in all weeks compared to the control group at POTXRs gene overexpression, where OTXRs gene expression was increased in the oxytocin group in comparison with the control group. This result was present in a coordinated manner with the result of the estrus cycle and ovarian reactivation. We conclude that injection of exogenous oxytocin at 100 IU/IM twice weekly for four weeks postpartum will increase the expression of the oxytocin receptor gene, leading to a decrease in the duration of uterine involution. Accelerate the occurrence of estrus in the local Iraqi breed of Karradi cows.

Gas therapy (GT) exhibits great potential for clinical application due to its high therapeutic efficiency, low systemic side effects, and biosafety, thereinto, a multifunctional nanoplatform is generally needed for controllable gas release and precise delivery to tumor tissue. In this review, the recent development of multifunctional nanoplatforms for efficient tumor delivery of stimuli-responsive gas-releasing molecules (GRMs), which could be triggered by either exogenous physical or endogenous tumor microenvironment (TME) is summarized. The reported therapeutic gas molecules, including oxygen (O2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitric oxide (NO), hydrogen (H2), and carbon monoxide (CO), etc., could directly influence or change the pathological status. Additionally, abundant nanocarriers have been employed for gas delivery into cancer region, such as mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs), metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials, and liposomes, as well as non-nanocarriers including inorganic and organic nanoparticles. In the end, the outlooks of current challenges of GT and GRMs delivery nanoplatforms as well as the prospects of future clinical applications are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) suggests that, in genetically susceptible subjects, T lymphocytes undergo activation in the peripheral compartment, pass through the BBB, and cause damage in the CNS. They produce pro-inflammatory cytokines; induce cytotoxic activities in microglia and astrocytes with the accumulation of reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, and other highly reactive radicals; activate B cells and macrophages and stimulate the complement system. Inflammation and neurodegeneration are involved from the very beginning of the disease. They can both be affected by oxidative stress (OS) with different emphases depending on the time course of MS. Thus, OS initiates and supports inflammatory processes in the active phase, while in the chronic phase it supports neurodegenerative processes. A still unresolved issue in overcoming OS-induced lesions in MS is the insufficient endogenous activation of the Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-Related Factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, which under normal conditions plays an essential role in mitochondria protection, OS, neuroinflammation, and degeneration. Thus, the search for approaches aiming to elevate endogenous Nrf2 activation is capable of protecting the brain against oxidative damage. However, exogenous Nrf2 activators themselves are not without drawbacks, necessitating the search for new non-pharmacological therapeutic approaches to modulate OS. The purpose of the present review is to provide some relevant preclinical and clinical examples, focusing on certain exogenous and endogenous Nrf2 activators and the modulation of therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE). The increased plasma levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) in response to TPE treatment of MS patients suggest their antioxidant potential for endogenous Nrf2 enhancement via NGF/TrkA/PI3K/Akt and NGF/p75NTR/ceramide-PKCζ/CK2 signaling pathways.

The causes of failure of very small enterprises is a new field of research, especially in Morocco. Indeed, few studies have set out to study it, few studies have set themselves the objective of studying it. This article aims to explain the failure of newly created enterprises, focusing on small businesses. These constitute the absolute majority of the businesses that make up the Moroccan economic fabric. Similarly, studies have shown that the first five years, which corresponds to the start- up period, represent the duration beyond which the majority of the businesses created do not manage to survive. Our analysis has raised several conclusions that can help to better understand of this type of failure. The very small businesses disappear suddenly for several reasons, in particular the scarcity of its resources, which handicaps its survival and its durability, hence the need to describe each explanatory factor of failure which are divided into two groups: endogenous factors and exogenous factors.

Aim: We report a rare case of postoperative endophthalmitis caused by Escherichia coli. Case description: The diagnosis of postoperative endophthalmitis in our patient was established based on the clinical signs of hypopyon along with vitritis. The patient underwent pars plana vitrectomy, anterior chamber washout, intraocular lens removal, and intravitreal antibiotics (amikacin and vancomycin) injection. The culture of both the vitreous sample and the intraocular lens, revealed a heavy growth of Escherichia coli. Conclusion: Escherichia coli is an unusual microorganism to cause postoperative endophthalmitis. A major breach in the sterilization may explain this infection. Proper sterilization and prophylactic measures are crucial to avoid this disastrous complication.

It is possible to find in the Mexican "Huasteca Potosina" a large amount of indigenous communities. Many of these ethnic groups in this country suffer from poverty and social relegation despite they are rich in natural and cultural values. This research was developed in the rural community of San Pedro Huitzquilico. It is populated by the indigenous group "nahuas". It is located in the southeast of the "Huasteca Potosina" on the "Sierra Madre Occidental", 15 kilometers away from the main town, "Xilitla". In this community, poverty and social backwardness are still high despite structural changes and new implemented policies during the last years. Nowadays, this group faces new challenges derived form a global processes. These challenges are mainly related to global intercommunication, to the impact on the environment, to the social restructuration and local policies. All these changes affect to the group and the same time they can became new opportunities to take action from the inside the community. Considering these aspects, they have to identify local opportunities that could be better linked to global aspects. From this point, new action lines may emerged and may provide new possibilities for the local endogenous development as an alternative to improve their current condition. In the pursuing of new action local lines, a participative action research (IAP, for its name in Spanish) was considered to establish a bridge to allow a dialogue between academic knowledge and popular knowledge, creating synergy into the community. This way was possible to find adequate conducts of work which consider these theoretical ideas and local knowledge and it was possible to include the different social actors from the community of "San Pedro Huitzquilico". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feline leukaemia virus (FeLV) is a retrovirus that infects domestic and wild cats around the world. FeLV infection is associated with the development of neoplasms, bone marrow disorders and immunosuppression. Viral subgroups arise from mutations in the FeLV genome or from recombination of FeLV with ancestral endogenous retroviruses in the cat genome. The retroviral endogenisation process has allowed generation of a diversity of endogenous viruses, both functional and defective. These elements may be part of the normal functioning of the feline genome and may also interact with FeLV to form recombinant FeLV subgroups, enhance pathogenicity of viral subgroups, or inhibit and/or regulate other retroviral infections. Recombination of the env gene occurs most frequently and appears to be the most significant in terms of both the quantity and diversification of pathogenic effects in the viral population, as well as affecting cell tropism and types of disease that occur in infected cats. This review focuses on available information regarding genetic diversity, pathogenesis and diagnosis of FeLV as a result of the interaction between endogenous and exogenous viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the spatio-temporal distribution of dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition and its sources before and after degradation in the Shili River watershed in Jiujiang (China). Spatio-temporal variation of riverine DOM water samples before and after five days of degradation in a simulated channel was characterized by spectral feature analysis using three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix fluorescence spectroscopy coupled with parallel factor analysis. Across all water samples (#1,#2 and #3) before and after degradation, a total of four fluorescent components in DOM were identified: C1, C2, C3, and C4. The aromaticity index (SUVA254) was negatively correlated with the C2 and C3 components and biological index (BIX) and freshness index (β:α), but it had little correlation with the humification index (HIX). The greater the aromaticity of DOM in water, the lower the proportion of recently produced DOM and its biological activity. The C3 component had a strong positive correlation with BIX, β:α, and C2. The results suggested that C2 and C3 were derived from the same substances. According to the fluorescence parameters, DOM was dominated by autochthonous contributions. The fluorescence intensity of DOM increased gradually along the direction of water flow. The increase of water temperature in spring and autumn enhanced the endogenous level of DOM. The levels and fluctuations of BIX and β:α in different seasons and different sampling points were basically consistent. DOC concentration does not fully represent the localized nature of the DOM. The analysis of some fluorescence parameters and light absorption parameters showed that the DOM source was more internal than terrestrial. This study reveals the composition, source and temporal and spatial characteristics of DOM in the Shili River Basin, which has theoretical guiding significance for water environment management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the effects of melatonin on the browning and quality of postharvest sweet cherry fruits, ‘Samituo’sweet cherry was used as the material in this study. Sweet cherry was treated with distilled water and 100 μmol·L−1 exogenous melatonin, and the relevant physiological indexes related with browning and quality were determinated at regular time during storage at 0±1 ℃. The results showed that melatonin treatment significantly (P

• The sensing mechanism of Nap-HClO was characterized using HRMS and theoretical calculations, and the fluorescence intensity was restored by splitting the oxime group into an aldehyde group using HClO. • Nap-HClO offerred high sensitivity, high selectivity, bleach resistance and fast response in the detection of HClO. • Nap-HClO could precisely target intracellular lysosomes and monitor endogenous and exogenous HClO in lysosomes in real time, and had been successfully applied in zebrafish experiments. HClO plays a vital role in the process of lysosome degradation of harmful substances within cells, thus it is urgently needed to develop a powerful imaging tool for detecting HClO in lysosomes. Herein, morpholine was introduced into 1,8-naphthoimide fluorophore as a lysosome targeting unit, and the 3-position of naphthalimide was modified with oxime moiety (C N OH) to synthesize a probe Nap-HClO for the detection of lysosomal HClO. The detection of HClO by Nap-HClO had been studied through theoretical calculations, which well verified the sensing mechanism of the probe. A comparison between the calculation results and experimental data revealed a close correlation between the two, indicating that Nap-HClO possesses theoretically predictable properties for HClO detection. In experiments on endogenous and exogenous HClO in cellular lysosomes, as well as exogenous HClO in zebrafish, Nap-HClO successfully monitored HClO. Nap-HClO exhibited high selectivity, rapid response (<1 min), low detection limit (∼6.8 × 10−6 M), and excellent stability in HClO detection, making it an excellent tool for detecting lysosomal HClO in organisms. HClO plays a vital role in the process of lysosome degradation of harmful substances within cells, thus it is urgently needed to develop a powerful imaging tool for detecting HClO in lysosomes. Herein, morpholine was introduced into 1,8-naphthoimide fluorophore as a lysosome targeting unit, and the 3-position of naphthalimide was modified with oxime moiety (C N OH) to synthesize a probe Nap-HClO for the detection of lysosomal HClO. The detection of HClO by Nap-HClO had been studied through theoretical calculations, which well verified the sensing mechanism of the probe. A comparison between the calculation results and experimental data revealed a close correlation between the two, indicating that Nap-HClO possesses theoretically predictable properties for HClO detection. In experiments on endogenous and exogenous HClO in cellular lysosomes, as well as exogenous HClO in zebrafish, Nap-HClO successfully monitored HClO. Nap-HClO exhibited high selectivity, rapid response (<1 min), low detection limit (∼6.8 × 10−6 M), and excellent stability in HClO detection, making it an excellent tool for detecting lysosomal HClO in organisms. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]