Peptides play an indispensable role in various biological functions and show therapeutic potential. The forest musk deer, an important source of musk, is a focal species in traditional medicine. While cell culture techniques offer a sustainable alternative for musk production, the complexity of peptide components produced by these methods remains poorly understood. To bridge this knowledge gap, we compared the peptidomic profiles of secretions from cultured musk gland cells with those of natural musk cells using the EASY-nLC 1000 UHPLC (Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography) system. Our analysis revealed similarities and notable differences between the peptide profiles of cultured cell secretions and those of natural musk, with significant implications for the biosynthesis and chemical composition of musk. This study provides critical insights into the peptidomic differences between cultured cell secretions and natural musk, highlighting the challenges and potential of using cell culture techniques for the sustainable production of musk components. Future research should focus on refining conditions to more closely emulate the natural biosynthetic pathways of musk peptides.

Trade-offs are crucial for species divergence and reproductive isolation. Trade-offs between investment in growth versus defense against herbivores are implicated in tropical forest diversity. Empirically exploring the role of growth-defense trade-offs in closely related species’ reproductive isolation can clarify the eco-evolutionary dynamics through which growth-defense trade-offs contribute to diversity. Costus villosissimus and C. allenii are recently diverged, interfertile, and partially sympatric neotropical understory plant species primarily isolated by divergent habitat adaptation. This divergent adaptation involves differences in growth rate, which may constrain investment in defense. Here, we investigate growth-defense trade-offs and how they relate to the divergent habitat adaptation that isolates these species. We characterize leaf toughness and chemistry, evaluate the feeding preferences of primary beetle herbivores in controlled trials and field-based experiments, and investigate natural herbivory patterns. We find clear trade-offs between growth and defense: slower-growing C. allenii has tougher leaves and higher defensive chemical concentrations than faster-growing C. villosissimus. Costus villosissimus has rapid growth-based drought avoidance, enabling growth in drier habitats with few specialist herbivores. Therefore, growth-defense trade-offs mediate synergistic biotic and abiotic selection, causing the divergent habitat adaptation that prevents most interspecific mating between C. villosissimus and C. allenii. Our findings advance understanding of ecological speciation by highlighting the interplay of biotic and abiotic selection that dictates the outcome of trade-offs.

Anthropogenic pressures such as hunting are increasingly driving the localized functional extinctions of all or most large and medium-sized wildlife species in tropical forests, a phenomenon broadly termed defaunation. Concurrently in these areas, smaller-bodied wildlife species benefit from factors such as competitive release and experience population increases. This transformation of the wildlife community can impact species interactions and ecosystem services such as seed dispersal and seed-mediated geneflow with far reaching consequences. Evidence for negative genetic effects following defaunation is well-documented in large-seeded plants that require large frugivores for long distance seed dispersal. However, how defaunation affects small-seeded (< 1.5cm diameter) plants, which are dispersed by frugivores with a wide range of body-sizes and responses to anthropogenic threats, is not well understood. To better understand the reach of defaunation’s impacts on tropical plant communities, we investigated spatial and genetic patterns in a hyperabundant small-seeded palm, Euterpe precatoria in three sites representing distinct defaunation levels. We found significantly higher fine-scale spatial genetic structure among nearest-neighbor seedlings in the defaunated site and in the recovering, partially defaunated site relative to the faunally-intact site. Defaunation was associated with shorter distances between seedlings and adults and lower genetic distance between adult and seedling cohorts. No effects were detected on inbreeding and genetic diversity; however, we caution that trends we detected indicate that defaunation influences the spatial distribution of genetic variation even in small-seeded plants that inherently have a broad suite of seed dispersal agents, and this could lead to negative downstream effects on genetic diversity.

Background & Objectives: Supplemental oxygen and aerosol therapy may be used in combination as a treatment for neonates suffering from hypoxemia caused by respiratory diseases. Due to cost and lack of availability of oxygen cylinders in some countries, oxygen concentrators are a reported substitute. This study was designed to determine whether using an oxygen concentrator and low-flow oxygen therapy impacts aerosol drug delivery in a simulated spontaneously breathing neonate patient. Methods: A vibrating mesh nebuliser (VMN; Aerogen Solo) was used to aerosolise a 500µL dose of salbutamol. The aerosol was delivered via a nasal cannula to a neonate head model in combination with oxygen concentrator at gas flow rates of 0.2, 1.0 and 5.0 LPM and low-flow oxygen therapy at gas flow rates of 1.0, 4.0 and 5.0 LPM. The mass of drug in terms of emitted and tracheal doses were recorded. The impact of VMN operation and refill on circuit pressure in both systems was also measured. Results: The oxygen concentrator delivered a higher emitted dose than the low flow system, the largest emitted dose (%) being 20.58 ± 0.50% and 14.69 ± 0.89% respectively at 1.0 LPM , p = 0.018. The largest tracheal dose (%) was generated with the oxygen concentrator, 11.01 ± 0.29% at 5.0LPM compared to 9.66 ± 1.53% for low-flow oxygen therapy, p = 0.073. Refill and operation of the VMN did not impact the circuit pressure in either system. Conclusions: This study shows that the system used to provide combinational aerosol and supplemental oxygen therapy has a significant impact on the quantity of nebulised therapeutic delivered to the patient.

Aim: Medication non-adherence is a global health problem affecting patients with numerous medical conditions. Training healthcare professionals (HCPs) on managing the challenging issue of medication non-adherence requires an evidence-based approach. Therefore, we aimed to describe the perspectives and experiences of adherence experts on educating HCPs about medication adherence in order to guide the content and delivery of medication adherence education to HCPs. Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted online, face-to-face, and via phone. Interviews were video or audio recorded and professionally transcribed. Data was coded line by line into the preliminary coding framework and analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results: Fifteen adherence experts were interviewed between May 2022 and March 2023. Five major themes with subthemes were identified: enhancing awareness among HCPs, seeing life through the patient’s lens, communicating to build empathy and rapport, having a structured approach to address individual patient behaviours, and delivering enriching and targeted training. Conclusion: Adherence experts emphasised the impact HCPs can play by regularly addressing the pervasive issue of adherence in their clinical setting. HCPs can elicit behaviour change by understanding the patient’s perspective, the complexity of adherence, and communicating effectively. Structured approaches include using tools, frameworks, and communication methods. Continuous training that is clinically relevant and builds on existing professional expertise is required to overcome HCPs’ own barriers to behaviour change.The findings of this study guide the content and delivery of medication adherence education and training to HCPs.

Objective: Biliary Tract Cancer (BTC) is a significant health concern with limited resectable cases. This meta-analysis assessed the safety of triplet regimens for advanced BTC, specifically gemcitabine, cisplatin, nab-paclitaxel, and gemcitabine, oxaliplatin, erlotinib, along with their associated adverse events. Method: Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically reviewed PubMed/Medline, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library from inception to November 2022. Results: Our analysis of 5 studies favored Gem+Cisplatin+nab-Paclitaxel over GEMOX-T in terms of safety and adverse events. Qualitative analysis of 7 studies (491 patients) showed that Gem+Cisplatin+nab-Paclitaxel also outperformed in median overall survival, progression-free survival, and response rates. Conclusion: This study suggests that Gem+Cisplatin+nab-Paclitaxel is a safer and more effective treatment than GEMOX-T for advanced BTC. It exhibits superior outcomes in terms of survival and response rates. Further research should focus on optimizing treatment regimens to reduce adverse effects in advanced BTC patients.

A visible-light-induced photoredox-catalyzed regioselective and stereoselective C(sp2)-H amination of enamides with bench-stable and easily accessible N-aminopyridium salts is developed, affording synthetically and biologically prominent vicinal 1,2-diamine scaffolds in broad substrate scope and excellent functional group compatibility. The transformation proceeded through a radical pathway involving the Giese addition of the relatively electrophilic N-centered amidyl radical species to nucleophilic β-olefinic position of enamides followed by the ensuing single electron oxidation and β-H elimination, delivering geometrically-defined Z-configured β-amino enamides. The operational simplicity, environmentally friendliness and cost efficiency of this methodology has paved a new avenue to enrich the arsenal of synthetically crucial functionalized enamides and their derivatives.

We investigate the motion of closed, smooth non-self-intersecting curves that evolve in space R 3 . The geometric evolutionary equation for the evolution of the curve is accompanied by a parabolic equation for the scalar quantity evaluated over the evolving curve. We apply the direct Lagrangian approach to describe the geometric flow of 3D curves resulting in a system of degenerate parabolic equations. We prove the local existence and uniqueness of classical Hölder smooth solutions to the governing system of nonlinear parabolic equations. A numerical discretization scheme has been constructed using the method of flowing finite volumes. We present several numerical examples of the evolution of curves in 3D with a scalar quantity. In this paper, we analyze the flow of curves with no torsion evolving in rotating and parallel planes. Next, we present examples of the evolution of curves with initially knotted and unknotted curves.

Background: The South Korean government implemented the Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS) on 18 May 2018 to manage benzodiazepine receptor agonists (BzRAs) and narcotics effectively and establish a reporting mechanism for these drugs. This study assessed the effects of NIMS on inappropriate use of BzRAs. Methods: Using National Patient Sample data from 2016 to 2020, we analysed adult outpatients who were prescribed oral BzRAs. We conducted a time series and segmented regression analysis using selected indicators to analyse the monthly variations related to the inappropriate use of these medications. Results: The study revealed no significant changes in the indicators of inappropriate BzRA use following the NIMS implementation. Contrary to expectations, there was a significant increase in the proportion of patients exceeding Defined Daily Dose (DDD) and in those receiving concurrent prescriptions of multiple BzRAs, following the implementation of NIMS. The immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic was an increase in DDD exceedance; however, overall, this did not significantly affect BzRA use. Conclusion: The introduction of NIMS did not significantly enhance the management of BzRA misuse. Additional measures, including continuous monitoring, system improvements, and comprehensive education for prescribers and patients, are recommended to ensure the appropriate use of psychotropic medications.

In shallow water environments, traditional technologies face challenges in retrieving unexploded ordnance (UXO). We present an innovative and safe alternative robotic platform to replace traditional divers in this dangerous task. A waterproof eighteen-DOF legged robot MR. Crab has been developed specifically for the purpose of locating and recovering UXO. Utilizing walking legs for both locomotion and manipulation, the robot demonstrates the capability to pick up inert UXO weighing at 2.78kg (half robot’s mass) with one pair of walking legs and 10.5kg (184% of robot’s mass) when utilizing all three pairs of legs. To enhance our understanding of the gripping capacity, static analysis was conducted to predict the maximum weight of graspable UXO with respect to UXO radii. For easier control, a user-friendly GUI had been built for remote teleoperation. Additionally, an automatic gripping algorithm was developed to efficiently place the robot in the optimal gripping position and then grab the inert UXO.

Masquerade is a form of camouflage in which animals use their body size, shape, and coloration to resemble inanimate objects in their environment to deceive predators. However, there is a lack of experimental evidence to show that animals actively choose objects that match these body parameters. To explore how the Hainan four-eyed turtle, Sacalia insulensis, masquerades using suitable stones, we used indoor video surveillance technology to study the preferences of juvenile S. insulensis for stones of different sizes, shapes, and colors. The results indicated that under normal conditions, the turtles preferred larger oval or round brown stones. When disturbed (swinging the arm of a researcher back and forth above the experimental setup every hour to mimic a predator), the turtles showed a preference for brown stones that were closer to their size and oval in shape. These findings suggest that juvenile S. insulensis prefer stones that resemble their carapace size, shape, and color to masquerade when undisturbed, and that this preference is reinforced when they masquerade to reduce the risk of predation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to provide evidence that vertebrates can recognize object shapes and selectively choose objects that resemble their own shape for masquerading to reduce predation risk.

Background: Adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) is one of the most important hematological malignancies caused by the HTLV-I virus. The disease has a poor prognosis due to the low median survival of the patients. Aim: Given the need for effective therapeutic interventions, this study aimed to investigate the efficacy of Hyper-CVAD and As/IFN/AZT regimens and compare their performance. Methods and Results: This study is a randomized clinical trial conducted on individuals recently diagnosed with acute ATL. Individuals who tested positive in a HTLV-I serological test based on ELISA and/or PCR were randomly assigned to receive treatment with either Hyper-CVAD or As/IFN/AZT using block randomization. The drug regimens were administered for 60 days, and patients underwent follow-up assessments. Overall, 29 individuals were enrolled in the trial. No significant differences were found in gender distribution, LDH levels, and lymphocyte counts between the two groups (P-value>0.05). The treatment response rates for the Hyper-CVAD and As/IFN/AZT regimens were 46.67% and 35.71%, respectively, with no significant differences between the two groups (P-value >0.05). Survival analysis revealed a significant difference in survival between the two groups, favoring those under the Hyper-CVAD regimen (P-value<0.05). The predominant toxicities were hematological toxicities; one patient in the Hyper-CVAD group experienced Grade 3 toxicity, while three patients in the As/IFN/AZT group experienced Grade 3 toxicity. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest no significant differences in efficacy between the Hyper-CVAD and As/IFN/AZT regimens. Additionally, higher toxicity rates were observed in the As/IFN/AZT regimen. Further investigations into frontline treatments and the timing of the As/IFN/AZT regimen in future studies may provide valuable insights in this regard. Clinical Trial Registration: IRCT20210703051770N1.

Room-temperature sodium-sulfur (RT-Na/S) batteries display attractive potential in large-scale energy-storage, but their practical application was still restricted by the serious dissolution of polysulfides. Herein, supported by the constructing of interface engineering, the metal sulfide-carbon nanocomposite can be prepared with considerable electrochemical properties. Utilizing the double-helix structure of carrageenan-metal hydrogels as precursors, in-situ metal sulfide (MxSy) nanostructure/3D carbon aerogels (3D CAs) can be successfully constructed. Importantly, with the assistance of the vulcanization process, 3D carbon architecture was maintained in the composites and act as a skeleton to optimize their structural stability. As the anode of RT-Na/S batteries, ZnS/S@C and NiS2/S@C delivered an excellent cycling stability and rate performance (179.8mAhg−1 at 20Ag−1 after 10000 cycling for ZnS/S@C, 220.3 mAhg−1 at 10Ag−1 after 3000 cycling for NiS2/S@C). The detailed investigation of mechanism revealed that the powerful adsorption for Na2S4 was originated from 3D metal sulfide-carbon structure. The well-designed architecture of sulfide-carbon composites servers as an electrocatalyst to alleviate the shuttle effect of polysulfides, resulting in the long-term electrochemical stability. Given this, the work is expected to provide promising insights for designing advanced anode materials for RT-Na/S batteries.

The Green Revolution, which entails the use of pesticides, fertilisers, and other agrochemicals, has greatly increased worldwide food production in the last sixty years. Nevertheless, this heightened efficiency has resulted in adverse consequences, including environmental deterioration such as water and land pollution. Land degradation, resulting from both natural phenomena and human actions, has a significant impact on a considerable area of the Earth’s land and affects billions of individuals globally. The annual economic cost of land degradation exceeds $300 billion, resulting from a variety of causes such as insufficient land management and the pressures of population increase. Anthropogenic factors such as deforestation, intensified agriculture, and population growth worsen soil degradation, jeopardising essential ecosystem services and endangering food security. Simultaneously, the increasing release of greenhouse gases and the resulting climate change pose a significant threat to the long-term viability of agriculture. It is imperative to take immediate action to reduce their impact. Given the importance of soil health in sustainable agriculture and climate mitigation, conservation agriculture (CA) is seen as a possible option. Conservation agriculture approaches promote soil health, lower cultivation expenses, and decrease land degradation by minimising soil disturbance, boosting soil organic matter, and stimulating biological activity. Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) initiatives, which are essential for achieving Sustainable Development Goal 15, provide a structure for achieving a balance between land restoration and degradation. These initiatives highlight the significance of implementing sustainable land management methods. This review compiles up-to-date research on conservation measures that promote Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) and examines their implications for ecosystem services and policy interventions. The assessment emphasises the importance of sustainable land management and stresses the necessity of collective actions to tackle land degradation concerns and ensure agricultural sustainability in response to increasing environmental risks.

Acute stent thrombosis or post-cardiac injury syndrome following myocardial infarction; what should be considered?

Land use land cover change is the main factor which contributed to biodiversity loss, and has affected negatively human wellbeing. Understanding this phenomenon is important in Riverine area of Pendjari Reserve which has been affected by anthropic disturbance for century years, and is, nowadays, one of the most significantly biodiversity hotspots in the West Africa. This study aims to (i) assess the trends of land use land cover change from 1998 to 2020; (ii) predict the future of land use land cover change for 2035 and 2050. Landsat images were used to determine LULC dynamics for the years 1998, 2007, 2013 and 2020 using Random Forest classification in ArcGIS software while the predicted LULC of 2035 and 2050 were simulated using Terset 18.21. The results indicated significant changes in LULC patterns. The wooded savannah decreased by 4.7 %, 8 % and 11.5 % respectively during 1998-2007, 2007-2013 and 2013-2020. While shrub savannah increased by 10.5% and 3.88 % respectively 1998-2007 and 2007-2013 before declined by 1.17%. However, the cropland from 1998-2007 decreased by 6.66 %, before increased by 4.33% and 11.1% respectively from 2007-2013 and 2013-2020. Fallow land increased by 0.77 %, 0.83 % respectively 1998-2007 and 2013-2020, before decreasing by 0.7 % in 2007-2013. Settlement area increased from 1998-2020. The prediction results confirmed small decreased of wooded savannah and increased shrub savannah, cropland and fallow. Moreover, results of 2035 predicted settlement decreased in future and suggest African partnership will continuous for better land management of this study area. For year 2050, the wooded savannah will increase by 17506.7 Ha with 583.557 Ha/year -1 rate of change.

Background: Pregnant individuals are at high risk for developing severe illness related to COVID-19. We adapted the “COVID-19 infectiOn aNd medicineS In pregnancy” (CONSIGN) CONSIGN study protocol as part of an international collaboration to understand the natural history of COVID-19 disease among pregnant individuals in the U.S. Methods: We identified individuals aged 12 to 55 years with documented live-birth deliveries in the Sentinel Distributed Database who had at least one qualifying diagnosis for COVID-19 or positive-confirmed nucleic acid amplification test for SARS-CoV-2. We conducted separate 1:1 propensity score matched analyses comparing pregnant individuals with COVID-19 to: 1) pregnant individuals without COVID-19 during six months prior to or during pregnancy; and 2) non-pregnant individuals with COVID-19. Results: From January 2020 to December 2022 , we identified 52,355 pregnant individuals with COVID-19 matched to 52,355 pregnant individuals without COVID-19. Outpatient medication use in the 30 days surrounding COVID-19 date (or matched date) was generally low but similar between pregnant individuals with and without COVID-19. We identified 40,518 pregnant individuals with COVID-19 matched to 40,518 non-pregnant individuals with COVID-19. Medication use in 30 days prior to COVID-19 was higher among non-pregnant than pregnant individuals with COVID-19. More pregnant individuals than matched non-pregnant individuals were classified as non-severe (87.2% vs. 79.9%); however, more non-pregnant individuals could not have their COVID-19 severity determined (19.0% vs. 10.0%). Conclusions: Medication use is generally low in pregnancies with COVID-19, compared to pregnancies without COVID-19 and non-pregnant individuals with COVID-19. Interpretation of medication utilization patterns is challenging due to changing treatment and prevention recommendations during the pandemic.

Background: There is no objective information reporting the effect of unilateral laser ventriculocordectomy (VeC) on arytenoid abduction or stability. Objectives: To evaluate arytenoid stability and abduction in horses with severe recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN) before and after unilateral laser VeC. Study design: Prospective study in clinically affected client-owned horses. Methods: Sample size calculations indicated ≥7 horses were required. Horses with grade C or D exercising laryngeal function that underwent unilateral laser VeC were included. Exercising endoscopy was performed before and ≥6 weeks after left-sided laser VeC. Arytenoid stability at maximal exercise was calculated by measuring the left-to-right quotient angle ratio (LRQ) of the corniculate processes at the points of maximal arytenoid abduction (expiration) and maximal arytenoid collapse (inspiration). For each horse, means of measurements obtained for four breaths pre- and post-operatively were used for statistical analysis. Results: Eight horses were included: 5 grade C and 3 grade D laryngeal function. The difference in LRQ between inspiration and expiration was lower post-operatively (median 0.039; interquartile range [IQR] 0.032-0.047) compared to pre-operatively (median 0.158; IQR 0.083-0.249; p=0.01) confirming the left arytenoid was more stable following unilateral laser VeC. The degree of improvement was significantly greater for grade D horses compared to grade C horses (p=0.04). The LRQ measured on maximal abduction was also lower post-operatively (median 0.467; IQR 0.444-0.506) compared to pre-operatively (median 0.578; IQR 0.554-0.655; p=0.02) indicating the left arytenoid was less abducted following surgery. Main study limitations: The sample size was small, no racehorses were included and post-operative assessment was conducted at a variable time after surgery. Conclusion: Unilateral laser VeC in grade C and D RLN-affected horses results in slightly reduced left arytenoid abduction but increased arytenoid stability.