Non-coding RNA yREX3 from human extracellular vesicles exerts macrophage-mediated cardioprotection via a novel gene-methylating mechanism.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted by cardiosphere-derived cells exert immunomodulatory effects through the transmission of small non-coding RNAs. METHODS: The mechanism and role of yREX3, a small Y RNA abundant in EVs in myocardial injury, was investigated. RESULTS: yREX3 attenuates cardiac ischaemic injury by selective DNA methylation. Synthetic yREX3 encapsulated in lipid nanoparticles triggers broad transcriptomic changes in macrophages, localizes to the nucleus, and mediates epigenetic silencing of protein interacting with C kinase-1 (Pick1) through methylation of upstream CpG sites. Moreover, yREX3 interacts with polypyrimidine tract binding protein 3 (PTBP3) to methylate the Pick1 gene locus in a DNA methyltransferase-dependent manner. Suppression of Pick1 in macrophages potentiates Smad3 signalling and enhances efferocytosis, minimizing heart necrosis in rats with myocardial infarction. Adoptive transfer of Pick1-deficient macrophages recapitulates the cardioprotective effects of yREX3 in vivo. CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the role of a small Y RNA mined from EVs with a novel gene-methylating mechanism.

Plasma membrane intrinsic protein OsPIP2;6 is involved in root-to-shoot arsenic translocation in rice (Oryza sativa L.).

KEY MESSAGE: This study demonstrates the crucial role of OsPIP2;6 for translocation of arsenic from roots to shoots, which can decrease arsenic accumulation in rice for improved food safety. Arsenic (As) contamination in food and water, primarily through rice consumption, poses a significant health risk due to its natural tendency to accumulate inorganic arsenic (iAs). Understanding As transport mechanisms is vital for producing As-free rice. This study investigates the role of rice plasma membrane intrinsic protein, OsPIP2;6, for AsIII tolerance and accumulation. RNAi-mediated suppression of OsPIP2;6 expression resulted in a substantial (35-65%) reduction in As accumulation in rice shoots, while root arsenic levels remained largely unaffected. Conversely, OsPIP2;6 overexpression led to 15-76% higher arsenic accumulation in shoots, with no significant change in root As content. In mature plants, RNAi suppression caused (19-26%) decrease in shoot As, with flag leaves and grains showing a 16% reduction. OsPIP2;6 expression was detected in both roots and shoots, with higher transcript levels in shoots. Localization studies revealed its presence in vascular tissues of both roots and shoots. Overall, our findings highlight OsPIP2;6's role in root-to-shoot As translocation, attributed to its specific localization in the vascular tissue of roots and leaves. This knowledge can facilitate the development of breeding programs to mitigate As accumulation in rice and other food crops for improved food safety and increasing productivity on As-contaminated soils.

Effects of dietary supplementation with benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis on blood biochemistry, steroid hormone levels and seed production efficiency of Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus broodstock.

Aquafeed additive quality and quantity remain pivotal factors that constrain the sustainability and progress of aquaculture feed development. This study investigates the impact of incorporating the benthic diatom Amphora coffeaeformis into the diet of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) broodstock, on the blood biochemistry, steroid hormone (SH) levels and seed production efficiency. Broodstock females displaying mature ovary indications were initially combined with males at a ratio of three females to one male. A total of 384 adult Nile tilapia (288 females and 96 males) were used, with 32 fish (24 females and eight males) assigned to each of 12 concrete tanks (8 m³; 2 m × 4 m × 1 m), with three replicate tanks for each dietary treatment, throughout a 14-day spawning cycle until egg harvest. Fish were fed one of four different dietary treatments: AM0% (control diet), and AM2%, AM4% and AM6% enriched with the diatom A. coffeaeformis at levels of 20, 40 and 60 g/kg of diet respectively. At the trial's conclusion, total protein, albumin, triglyceride and creatinine), SHs (follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, free testosterone, total testosterone, progesterone and prolactin) and seeds production efficiency of Nile tilapia improved significantly (p < 0.05) in alignment with the increment of A. coffeaeformis supplementation. The findings propose that including A. coffeaeformis at levels ranging from 4% to 6% could be effectively employed as a feed additive during the Nile tilapia broodstock's spawning season.

Emergence of microbial infections in some hospitals of Cairo, Egypt: studying their corresponding antimicrobial resistance profiles.

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance is one of the ten major public health threats facing humanity, especially in developing countries. Identification of the pathogens responsible for different microbial infections and antimicrobial resistance patterns are important to help clinicians to choose the correct empirical drugs and provide optimal patient care. METHODS: During the period from November 2020 to January 2021, one hundred microbial isolates were collected randomly from different specimens from some hospitals in Cairo, Egypt. Sputum and chest specimens were from COVID-19 patients. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed according to CLSI guidelines. RESULTS: Most microbial infections were more common in males and in elderly people over 45 years of age. They were caused by Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and yeast isolates that represented 69%, 15%, and 16%, respectively. Uropathogenic Escherichia coli (35%) were the most prevalent microbial isolates and showed high resistance rates towards penicillin, ampicillin, and cefixime, followed by Klebsiella spp. (13%) and Candida spp. (16%). Of all microbial isolates, Acinetobacter spp., Serratia spp., Hafnia alvei, and Klebsiella ozaenae were extremely multidrug-resistant (MDR) and have resisted all antibiotic classes used, except for glycylcycline, in varying degrees. Acinetobacter spp., Serratia spp., and Candida spp. were secondary microbial infections in COVID-19 patients, while H. alvei was a bloodstream infection isolate and K. ozaenae was recorded in most infections. Moreover, about half of Staphylococcus aureus strains were MRSA isolates and reported low rates of resistance to glycylcycline and linezolid. In comparison, Candida spp. showed high resistance rates between 77 and 100% to azole drugs and terbinafine, while no resistance rate towards nystatin was reported. Indeed, glycylcycline, linezolid, and nystatin were considered the drugs of choice for the treatment of MDR infections. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in some Egyptian hospitals was high among Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and candida spp. The high resistance pattern -especially in secondary microbial infections in COVID-19 patients- to most antibiotics used is a matter of great concern, portends an inevitable catastrophe, and requires continuous monitoring to avoid the evolution of new generations.

Drug repositioning: doxazosin attenuates the virulence factors and biofilm formation in Gram-negative bacteria.

The resistance development is an increasing global health risk that needs innovative solutions. Repurposing drugs to serve as anti-virulence agents is suggested as an advantageous strategy to diminish bacterial resistance development. Bacterial virulence is controlled by quorum sensing (QS) system that orchestrates the expression of biofilm formation, motility, and virulence factors production as enzymes and virulent pigments. Interfering with QS could lead to bacterial virulence mitigation without affecting bacterial growth that does not result in bacterial resistance development. This study investigated the probable anti-virulence and anti-QS activities of α-adrenoreceptor blocker doxazosin against Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Besides in silico study, in vitro and in vivo investigations were conducted to assess the doxazosin anti-virulence actions. Doxazosin significantly diminished the biofilm formation and release of QS-controlled Chromobacterium violaceum pigment and virulence factors in P. aeruginosa and P. mirabilis, and downregulated the QS encoding genes in P. aeruginosa. Virtually, doxazosin interfered with QS proteins, and in vivo protected mice against P. mirabilis and P. aeruginosa. The role of the membranal sensors as QseC and PmrA was recognized in enhancing the Gram-negative virulence. Doxazosin downregulated the membranal sensors PmR and QseC encoding genes and could in silico interfere with them. In conclusion, this study preliminary documents the probable anti-QS and anti-virulence activities of doxazosin, which indicate its possible application as an alternative or in addition to antibiotics. However, extended toxicological and pharmacological investigations are essential to approve the feasible clinical application of doxazosin as novel efficient anti-virulence agent. KEY POINTS: • Anti-hypertensive doxazosin acquires anti-quorum sensing activities • Doxazosin diminishes the virulence of Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa • Doxazosin could dimmish the bacterial espionage.

Attenuation of pathogenesis of Eimeria stiedae sporulated oocysts using Egyptian alginate propolis nanoparticles.

BACKGROUND: Coccidiosis is a costly and widespread infectious disease that affects mammals and causes huge losses for the global rabbit meat industry. This study evaluated the potency of Egyptian alginate propolis nanoparticles (NPs) in attenuating the infectivity of Eimeria stiedae sporulated oocysts. The gelification method was used to prepare alginate propolis NPs, which were then characterized using a transmission electron microscope and zeta potential analysis. RESULTS: The results revealed that the zeta potential of the prepared alginate propolis NPs increased from - 60.60 ± 9.10 mV to -72.26 ± 6.04 mV. The sporulated oocysts were treated with 50 mg/mL of the alginate propolis NPs. Thereafter, the treated oocysts were tested for their ability to infect rabbits. The rabbits were divided into three groups: the healthy control (G1) group, the infected control (G2) group, and the treated oocyst-infected (G3) group. The rabbits were sacrificed 43 days post-infection (dpi). The infectivity of the oocysts was assessed. The treated oocyst-infected rabbits exhibited slight abdominal distension and dullness symptoms. The G3 group had no oocyst output, with a 100% reduction from 41 dpi until the end of the experiment. Immunologically, the IgG level of the G2 group gradually increased (p ≤ 0.05) much more than that of the G3 group. The IL-12 level in the G3 group significantly increased from 16 dpi until the end of the experiment, nearly reaching the level in healthy animals. Decreased CD4+ and CD8+ immunolabelling was observed in the liver sections of the group infected with the alginate propolis NP-treated oocysts, and there was a remarkable improvement in the histopathological parameters. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that Alg propolis NPs are sufficient to reduce the infectivity of E. stiedae oocysts.

Synthesis and molecular docking of new N4-piperazinyl ciprofloxacin hybrids as antimicrobial DNA gyrase inhibitors.

A series of N-4 piperazinyl ciprofloxacin derivatives as urea-tethered ciprofloxacin-chalcone hybrids 2a-j and thioacetyl-linked ciprofloxacin-pyrimidine hybrids 5a-i were synthesized. The target compounds were investigated for their antibacterial activity against S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, E. coli, and C. albicans strains, respectively. Ciprofloxacin derivatives 2a-j and 5a-i revealed broad antibacterial activity against either Gram positive or Gram negative strains, with MIC range of 0.06-42.23 µg/mL compared to ciprofloxacin with an MIC range of 0.15-3.25 µg/mL. Among the tested compounds, hybrids 2b, 2c, 5a, 5b, 5h, and 5i exhibited remarkable antibacterial activity with MIC range of 0.06-1.53 µg/mL against the tested bacterial strains. On the other hand, compounds 2c, 2e, 5c, and 5e showed comparable antifungal activity to ketoconazole against candida albicans with MIC range of 2.03-3.89 µg/mL and 2.6 µg/mL, respectively. Further investigations showed that some ciprofloxacin hybrids have inhibitory activity against DNA gyrase as potential molecular target compared to ciprofloxacin with IC50 range of 0.231 ± 0.01-7.592 ± 0.40 µM and 0.323 ± 0.02 µM, respectively. Docking studies of compounds 2b, 2c, 5b, 5c, 5e, 5h, and 5i on the active site of DNA gyrase (PDB: 2XCT) confirmed their ability to form stable complex with the target enzyme like that of ciprofloxacin.

Concerns about stone free rate and procedure events of percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) for 2-4 cm kidney stones by standard-PCNL vs mini-PCNL- comparative randomised study.

BACKGROUND: To compare the efficacy and safety of standard percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) with mini- PCNL for kidney stones 2-4 cm. METHODS: Eighty patients were enrolled in a comparative study, they were randomly divided into mini-PCNL group (n = 40) and standard-PCNL (n = 40). Demographic characteristics, perioperative events, complications, stone free rate (SFR) were reported. RESULTS: Both groups showed no significant difference in clinical data about age, stone location, back pressure changes, and body mass index. The mean operative time was (95 ± 17.9 min) in mini-PCNL, and (72.1 ± 14.9 min). Stone free rate were 80% and 85% in mini-PCNL and standard-PCNL respectively. Intra-operative complications, post-operative need for analgesia, hospital stay were significantly higher in standard-PCNL compared to mini-PCNL (85% vs. 80%). The study followed CONSORT 2010 guidelines for reporting parallel group randomization. CONCLUSION: Mini-PCNL is an effective and safe treatment of kidney stones 2-4 cm, it has the advantage over standard-PCNL being has less intra-operative events, less post-operative analgesia, shorter hospital stay, while operative time and stone free rate are comparable when considering multiplicity, hardness, and site of stones.

Surf Redfish-Based ZnO-NPs and Their Biological Activity with Reference to Their Non-Target Toxicity.

The marine environment is a rich source of bioactive compounds. Therefore, the sea cucumber was isolated from the Red Sea at the Al-Ain Al-Sokhna coast and it was identified as surf redfish (Actinopyga mauritiana). The aqueous extract of the surf redfish was utilized as an ecofriendly, novel and sustainable approach to fabricate zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The biosynthesized ZnO-NPs were physico-chemically characterized and evaluated for their possible antibacterial and insecticidal activities. Additionally, their safety in the non-target organism model (Nile tilapia fish) was also investigated. ZnO-NPs were spherical with an average size of 24.69 ± 11.61 nm and had a peak at 350 nm as shown by TEM and UV-Vis, respectively. XRD analysis indicated a crystalline phase of ZnO-NPs with an average size of 21.7 nm. The FTIR pattern showed biological residues from the surf redfish extract, highlighting their potential role in the biosynthesis process. DLS indicated a negative zeta potential (-19.2 mV) of the ZnO-NPs which is a good preliminary indicator for their stability. ZnO-NPs showed larvicidal activity against mosquito Culex pipiens (LC50 = 15.412 ppm and LC90 = 52.745 ppm) and a potent adulticidal effect to the housefly Musca domestica (LD50 = 21.132 ppm and LD90 = 84.930 ppm). Tested concentrations of ZnO-NPs showed strong activity against the 3rd larval instar. Topical assays revealed dose-dependent adulticidal activity against M. domestica after 24 h of treatment with ZnO-NPs. ZnO-NPs presented a wide antibacterial activity against two fish-pathogen bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Aeromonas hydrophila. Histopathological and hematological investigations of the non-target organism, Nile tilapia fish exposed to 75-600 ppm ZnO-NPs provide dose-dependent impacts. Overall, data highlighted the potential applications of surf redfish-mediated ZnO-NPs as an effective and safe way to control mosquitoes, houseflies and fish pathogenic bacteria.

Calbindin Has a Potential Spatiotemporal Correlation with Proliferation and Apoptosis in the Postnatal Rat Kidney.

The protein calbindin-D28k modulates calcium reabsorption in the kidney. Here, we aimed to study the influence of proliferation and apoptosis in different compartments of the kidney on the developmental function of calbindin. Using immunohistochemistry, we investigated the postnatal development of rats' kidneys by using calbindin, proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and apoptotic single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). In the neonatal stage (1-day and 1-week-old rats), calbindin showed a positive reaction in the distal convoluted tubule (DCT), a short nephron segment between the macula densa, collecting ducts, and tubules. Moreover, the localization of calbindin was restricted to immature nephrons and mesenchymal tissues. Furthermore, PCNA immunoreactivity was moderate in early-developed podocytes with no reactivity in other renal tubules. The ssDNA immunoreactivity was moderate in the undifferentiated nephron. Then, in the mature stage (3 and 6 weeks old), there was an intense calbindin reaction in DCT but a moderate reaction to PCNA and ssDNA in podocytes. A more intense calbindin reactivity was found in the adult stage (2- and 3-month-old rats) in DCT and collecting tubules. Therefore, in this study, calbindin localization showed an inverse relationship with PCNA and ssDNA of the nephron compartments, which might reflect the efficiency of bone-building and muscle contraction during animal development.

Generative adversarial networks in EEG analysis: an overview.

Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals have been utilized in a variety of medical as well as engineering applications. However, one of the challenges associated with recording EEG data is the difficulty of recording large amounts of data. Consequently, data augmentation is a potential solution to overcome this challenge in which the objective is to increase the amount of data. Inspired by the success of Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) in image processing applications, generating artificial EEG data from the limited recorded data using GANs has seen recent success. This article provides an overview of various techniques and approaches of GANs for augmenting EEG signals. We focus on the utility of GANs in different applications including Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) paradigms such as motor imagery and P300-based systems, in addition to emotion recognition, epileptic seizures detection and prediction, and various other applications. We address in this article how GANs have been used in each study, the impact of using GANs on the model performance, the limitations of each algorithm, and future possibilities for developing new algorithms. We emphasize the utility of GANs in augmenting the limited EEG data typically available in the studied applications.

Seedlessness Trait and Genome Editing-A Review.

Parthenocarpy and stenospermocarpy are the two mechanisms underlying the seedless fruit set program. Seedless fruit occurs naturally and can be produced using hormone application, crossbreeding, or ploidy breeding. However, the two types of breeding are time-consuming and sometimes ineffective due to interspecies hybridization barriers or the absence of appropriate parental genotypes to use in the breeding process. The genetic engineering approach provides a better prospect, which can be explored based on an understanding of the genetic causes underlying the seedlessness trait. For instance, CRISPR/Cas is a comprehensive and precise technology. The prerequisite for using the strategy to induce seedlessness is identifying the crucial master gene or transcription factor liable for seed formation/development. In this review, we primarily explored the seedlessness mechanisms and identified the potential candidate genes underlying seed development. We also discussed the CRISPR/Cas-mediated genome editing approaches and their improvements.

Elderberry Extracts: Characterization of the Polyphenolic Chemical Composition, Quality Consistency, Safety, Adulteration, and Attenuation of Oxidative Stress- and Inflammation-Induced Health Disorders.

Elderberry is highly reputed for its health-improving effects. Multiple pieces of evidence indicate that the consumption of berries is linked to enhancing human health and preventing or delaying the onset of chronic medical conditions. Compared with other fruit, elderberry is a very rich source of anthocyanins (approximately 80% of the polyphenol content). These polyphenols are the principals that essentially contribute to the high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities and the health benefits of elderberry fruit extract. These health effects include attenuation of cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and inflammatory disorders, as well as anti-diabetic, anticancer, antiviral, and immuno-stimulatory effects. Sales of elderberry supplements skyrocketed to $320 million over the year 2020, according to an American Botanical Council (ABC) report, which is attributable to the purported immune-enhancing effects of elderberry. In the current review, the chemical composition of the polyphenolic content of the European elderberry (Sambucus nigra) and the American elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), as well as the analytical techniques employed to analyze, characterize, and ascertain the chemical consistency will be addressed. Further, the factors that influence the consistency of the polyphenolic chemical composition, and hence, the consistency of the health benefits of elderberry extracts will be presented. Additionally, adulteration and safety as factors contributing to consistency will be covered. The role of elderberry in enhancing human health alone with the pharmacological basis, the cellular pathways, and the molecular mechanisms underlying the observed health benefits of elderberry fruit extracts will be also reviewed.

Advances in the Chemistry, Analysis and Adulteration of Anthocyanin Rich-Berries and Fruits: 2000-2022.

Anthocyanins are reported to exhibit a wide variety of remedial qualities against many human disorders, including antioxidative stress, anti-inflammatory activity, amelioration of cardiovascular diseases, improvement of cognitive decline, and are touted to protect against neurodegenerative disorders. Anthocyanins are water soluble naturally occurring polyphenols containing sugar moiety and are found abundantly in colored fruits/berries. Various chromatographic (HPLC/HPTLC) and spectroscopic (IR, NMR) techniques as standalone or in hyphenated forms such as LC-MS/LC-NMR are routinely used to gauge the chemical composition and ensure the overall quality of anthocyanins in berries, fruits, and finished products. The major emphasis of the current review is to compile and disseminate various analytical methodologies on characterization, quantification, and chemical profiling of the whole array of anthocyanins in berries, and fruits within the last two decades. In addition, the factors affecting the stability of anthocyanins, including pH, light exposure, solvents, metal ions, and the presence of other substances, such as enzymes and proteins, were addressed. Several sources of anthocyanins, including berries and fruit with their botanical identity and respective yields of anthocyanins, were covered. In addition to chemical characterization, economically motivated adulteration of anthocyanin-rich fruits and berries due to increasing consumer demand will also be the subject of discussion. Finally, the health benefits and the medicinal utilities of anthocyanins were briefly discussed. A literature search was performed using electronic databases from PubMed, Science Direct, SciFinder, and Google Scholar, and the search was conducted covering the period from January 2000 to November 2022.

Determinants and Outcomes for Neonatal Septicaemia at the Federal Medical Centre Bida, North Central Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Neonatal septicaemia (NNS) occurs during the first 28 days of life and is characterized by systemic bacterial infection proven by blood culture. It is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in neonates. Determinants of NNS vary between locations forming the basis for this study. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence and the predisposing factors to neonatal septicaemia among neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of Federal Medical Centre, Bida (FMC Bida). METHODS: This was a one-year prospective observational study, 167 neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of FMC Bida, were selected by purposive sampling method to participate in the study from 13th May, 2015 to 30th April, 2016. A structured questionnaire was filled out by consenting parents and blood samples were collected for laboratory analysis. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 20 (2016). The data were summarized using frequency distributions, means, standard deviation, charts and tables while statistical significance was determined using the chisquare test and Fisher's exact test at a 5% level of significance as well as Odd's Ratio (OR) as appropriate. RESULTS: Of the 167 neonates recruited, 97(58.1%) were males, 70(41.9%) were females and a male: female ratio of 1.4:1. Outborns were 100 (60%), inborns were 67(40%). Mean age was 4.3 ± 1.5 days and the mean weight of 2589 ± 743.9g. The overall prevalence of neonatal sepsis was 2.33% while the blood culture's positive rate was 9.58%. Risk factors identified in the neonates in this study were prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM), chorioamnionitis, meconium-stained liquor, foul-smelling vaginal discharge, being an outborn, having a low birth weight, inability to cry at birth and prematurity but, PROM was the only risk factor significantly associated with septicaemia (OR 5.4; 95% CI 2.2-13.5) while Escherichia coli was the leading bacterial isolate. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, prolonged rupture of membrane was mostly responsible for neonatal septicaemia in this study.

CONTEXTE: La septicémie néonatale (SN) survient au cours des 28premiers jours de vie et se caractérise par une infection bactérienne systémique prouvée par hémoculture. C'est l'une des principales causes de morbidité et de mortalité chez les nouveau-nés. Les déterminants de la NNS varient d'un endroit à l'autre, ce qui constitue la base de cette étude. OBJECTIF: Déterminer la prévalence et les facteurs prédisposant à la septicémie néonatale parmi les nouveau-nés admis dans l'unité de soins intensifs néonatals (USIN) du Centre médical fédéral de Bida (CMF Bida). MÉTHODES: Il s'agissait d'une étude observationnelle prospective d'un an, 167 nouveau-nés admis à l'unité de soins intensifs néonatals (USIN) du FMC Bida, ont été sélectionnés par la méthode d'échantillonnage à dessein pour participer à l'étude du 13 mai 2015 au 30 avril 2016. Un questionnaire structuré a été rempli par les parents consentants et des échantillons de sang ont été prélevés pour des analyses de laboratoire. Les données ont été analysées à l'aide de SPSS version 20 (2016). Les données ont été résumées à l'aide des distributions de fréquence, des moyennes, de l'écart-type, des graphiques et des tableaux, tandis que la signification statistique a été déterminée à l'aide du test du chi-carré et du test exact de Fisher à un niveau de signification de 5 %, ainsi que du rapport d'Odd (OR), le cas échéant. RÉSULTATS: Sur les 167 nouveau-nés recrutés, 97 (58,1 %) étaient des garçons, 70 (41,9 %) étaient des filles, soit un rapport hommes/femmes de 1,4:1. Les nouveau-nés étaient au nombre de 100 (60 %) et les nouveau-nés au nombre de 67 (40 %). L'âge moyen était de 4,3 ± 1,5 jours et le poids moyen de 2589 ± 743,9g. La prévalence globale de la septicémie néonatale était de 2,33 %, tandis que le taux d'hémoculture positive était de 9,58 %. Les facteurs de risque identifiés chez les nouveaunés de cette étude étaient la rupture prolongée des membranes (RPM), la chorioamnionite, la liqueur méconiale, les pertes vaginales nauséabondes, la naissance d'un enfant, le faible poids de naissance, l'incapacité à pleurer à la naissance et la prématurité, mais la RPM était le seul facteur de risque significativement associé à la septicémie (OR 5,4 ; 95% CI 2,2-13,5) tandis qu'Escherichia coli était l'isolat bactérien principal. CONCLUSION: En conclusion, la rupture prolongée des membranes était principalement responsable de la septicémie néonatale dans cette étude. Mots-clés: Nouveau-nés, Septicémie, Facteurs de risque.

Exploring the volatile metabolites of three Chorisia species: Comparative headspace GC-MS, multivariate chemometrics, chemotaxonomic significance, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 potential.

Chorisia (syn. Ceiba) species are important ornamental, economic, and medicinal plants that are endowed with a diversity of secondary metabolites; however, their volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been scarcely studied. Therefore, this work explores and compares the headspace floral volatiles of three common Chorisia species, namely Chorisia chodatii Hassl., Chorisia speciosa A. St.-Hil, and Chorisia insignis H.B.K. for the first time. A total of 112 VOCs of varied biosynthetic origins were identified at different qualitative and quantitative ratios, encompassing isoprenoids, fatty acid derivatives, phenylpropanoids, and others. Flowers of the investigated species showed perceptibly differentiated volatile profiles, with those emitted by C. insignis being dominated by non-oxygenated compounds (56.69 %), whereas oxygenated derivatives prevailed among the volatiles of C. chodatii (66.04 %) and C. speciosa (71.53 %). The variable importance in the projection (VIP) in the partial least-squares-discriminant (PLS-DA) analysis described 25 key compounds among the studied species, of which linalool was verified as the most important aroma compound based on VIP values and significance analysis, and it could represent the most typical VOC among these Chorisia species. Furthermore, molecular docking and dynamics analyses of both the major and the key VOCs displayed their moderate to promising binding interactions with four main proteins of SARS-CoV-2, including Mpro, PLpro, RdRp, and spike S1 subunit RBD. The current results collectively cast new light on the chemical diversity of the VOCs of Chorisia plants as well as their chemotaxonomic and biological relevance.

Grafting enhances drought tolerance by regulating stress-responsive gene expression and antioxidant enzyme activities in cucumbers.

Water scarcity is a major limiting factor for crop yield production in arid and water-stressed areas worldwide. Cucumber plants have a high transpiration ratio and are vulnerable to drought. Grafting commercial genotypes onto selected strong rootstocks has been useful in mitigating the effects of drought. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the possibility of using a novel rootstock plant's tolerance to water-deficit stress in inducing drought tolerance in cucumbers by activating the stress-response gene expression and the antioxidant system, which improved the cucumber quality and yield under water-deficit conditions. This field experiment was conducted for > 2 years, 2020 and 2021, with five drought stress tolerant genotypes (i.e., rootstock) and drought-sensitive genotype Luerans (i.e., a scion). They were subjected to various deficit irrigation levels for 12 days, and their agro-physiological and molecular responses to water-deficit stress were assessed. The results of the study showed that the agronomical parameters, including the leaf area (LA), leaf water content (LWC), number of leaves, plant height, root dry matter shoot dry matter, rates of leaf appearance and stem elongation, and total yield significantly increased with grafted cucumber plants than with non-grafted cucumber plants (control) under normal and stressful conditions.Similar results were observed in the physiological measurements in terms of antioxidant enzymes, abscisic acid levels, gibberellic acid content, and lower lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde, MDA). Grafting of Luerans (section) on five rootstocks significantly raised the activity of antioxidant enzymes (catalase and peroxidase), improved the gibberellic acid and proline accumulation, and reduced the content of lipid peroxidation and abscisic acid. Furthermore, the real-time polymerase chain reaction expression results revealed that transcript levels of the stress-response genes CsAGO1 and CsDCLs increased rapidly and continuously in five rootstock grafting. Concurrently, these findings suggest that grafting with local varieties of novel drought-tolerant rootstock genotypes could improve drought tolerance in drought-sensitive cucumber genotypes.

Defect Nanostructure and its Impact on Magnetism of α-Cr2 O3 Thin Films.

Thin films of the magnetoelectric insulator α-Cr2 O3 are technologically relevant for energy-efficient magnetic memory devices controlled by electric fields. In contrast to single crystals, the quality of thin Cr2 O3 films is usually compromised by the presence of point defects and their agglomerations at grain boundaries, putting into question their application potential. Here, the impact of the defect nanostructure, including sparse small-volume defects and their complexes is studied on the magnetic properties of Cr2 O3 thin films. By tuning the deposition temperature, the type, size, and relative concentration of defects is tailored, which is analyzed using the positron annihilation spectroscopy complemented with electron microscopy studies. The structural characterization is correlated with magnetotransport measurements and nitrogen-vacancy microscopy of antiferromagnetic domain patterns. Defects pin antiferromagnetic domain walls and stabilize complex multidomain states with a domain size in the sub-micrometer range. Despite their influence on the domain configuration, neither small open-volume defects nor grain boundaries in Cr2 O3 thin films affect the Néel temperature in a broad range of deposition parameters. The results pave the way toward the realization of spin-orbitronic devices where magnetic domain patterns can be tailored based on defect nanostructures without affecting their operation temperature.

Heating Rate during Shell Egg Thermal Treatment Elicits Stress Responses and Alters Virulence of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis; Implications for Shell Egg Pasteurization.

Thermal pasteurization of shell eggs, at various time-temperature combinations, has been proposed previously and implemented industrially. This study was conducted to determine if shell egg heating rate, which varies with different pasteurization implementations, alters the Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis response to different stresses or expression of virulence. Shell eggs, containing Salmonella Enteritidis in yolk, were subjected to a low (2.4°C/min) or a high (3.5°C/min) heating rate during treatments that mimicked the pasteurization temperature come-up stage. The low heating rate protected Salmonella from the following processes: (i) lethal heat at the holding stage, (ii) loss of viability during 8-h cooling after heating, and (iii) sequential antimicrobial ozone treatment. Transcriptional analysis using Salmonella reporter strains revealed that the heat stress response gene grpE was transcribed at 3-fold-higher levels (P = 0.0009) at the low than at the high heating rate. Slow heating also significantly increased the transcription of the Salmonella virulence-related genes sopB (P = 0.0012) and sseA (P = 0.0006) in comparison to fast heating. Salmonella virulence was determined experimentally as 50% lethal dose (LD50) values in an in vivo model. The slow heat treatment mildly increased Salmonella Enteritidis virulence in mice (LD50 of 3.3 log CFU), compared to that in nontreated yolk (LD50 of 3.9 log CFU). However, when ozone application followed the slow heat treatment, Salmonella virulence decreased (LD50 of 4.2 log CFU) compared to that for heat-treated or nontreated yolk. In conclusion, heating shell eggs at a low rate can trigger hazardous responses that may compromise the safety of the final pasteurized products but following the thermal treatment with ozone application may help alleviate these concerns. IMPORTANCE Pasteurization of shell eggs is an important technology designed to protect consumers against Salmonella Enteritidis that contaminates this commodity. A low heating rate is preferred over a high rate during shell egg thermal pasteurization due to product quality concern. However, it is not known whether raising the temperature at different rates, during pasteurizing, would potentially affect product safety determinants. The current study demonstrated that slow heating during the pasteurization come-up stage increased the following risks: (i) resistance of Salmonella to pasteurization holding stage or to subsequent ozone treatment, (ii) recovery of Salmonella during the cooling that followed pasteurization, and (iii) Salmonella's ability to cause disease (i.e., virulence). Our findings inform food processors about potential safety risks to consumers resulting from improper use of processing parameters during shell egg pasteurization. Additionally, treating shell eggs with ozone after heat treatment could alleviate these hazards and protect consumers from natural Salmonella Enteritidis contaminants in shell eggs.

The fission yeast bromodomain protein Bdf2 is required for the growth of cells with circular chromosomes.

Circular chromosomes have frequently been observed in tumors of mesenchymal origin. In the fission yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe, deletion of pot1+ results in rapid telomere loss, and the resulting survivors have circular chromosomes. Fission yeast has 2 bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) proteins, Bdf1 and Bdf2; both are required for maintaining acetylated histones. Here, we found that bdf2, but not bdf1, was synthetically lethal with pot1. We also obtained a temperature-sensitive bdf2-ts mutant, which can grow at high temperatures but becomes camptothecin sensitive. This suggests that Bdf2 is defective at high temperatures. The cell cycle of the pot1 bdf2-ts mutant was delayed in the G2 and/or M phase at a semipermissive temperature. Furthermore, a temperature-sensitive mutant of mst1, which encodes histone acetyltransferase, showed a synthetic growth defect with a pot1 disruptant at a semipermissive temperature. Our results suggest that Bdf2 and Mst1 are required for the growth of cells with circular chromosomes.