Alveolar echinococcosis. / Alveolær ekinokokkose.

Alveolar echinococcosis is a much-feared parasitic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus multilocularis. Mainland Norway is free from infection, but alveolar echinococcosis is, on rare occasions, imported from endemic regions. Those infected develop slow-growing, multicystic tumours that are clinically and radiologically reminiscent of malignant disease. The disease mainly attacks the liver. Treatment often consists of extensive surgical resection in combination with prolonged use of albendazole. In this clinical review article we summarise the life cycle, clinical findings, diagnosis, treatment and epidemiology of alveolar echinococcosis, and provide examples of the disease course with two patient case reports.

How does the life cycle of Clinodiplosis profusa (Cecidomyiidae) adjust to phenological variations of the host plant Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) in sun and shade?

Galls are plant neoformations induced by specialized parasites. Since gall inducers rely on reactive plant sites for gall development, variations in abiotic factors that affect plant phenology are expected to impact the life cycle of gall inducers. To test the hypothesis that different light conditions affect both host plant and gall inducer life cycles, we studied the system Eugenia uniflora (Myrtaceae) - Clinodiplosis profusa (Cecidomyiidae), comparing plants occurring in sunny and shaded environments. We mapped phenological differences among individuals of E. uniflora occurring in the two environments and related them to the influence of luminosity on the life cycle of the gall inducer. Shade plants showed lower intensity of leaf sprouting throughout the year compared to sun-exposed plants, especially during the rainy season. Young and mature galls are synchronized with the peak of leaf sprouting at the beginning of the rainy season, lasting longer in sun-exposed plants - approximately two months longer compared to shade plants. The greater light intensity positively impacts the formation and growth of leaves and galls, with an extended period available for their induction and growth. Thus, light is an important factor for the development of gallers, considering that variations in luminosity influenced not only the phenology of the host plant, but also determined the life cycle of gall inducers. Furthermore, changes in plant-environment interactions are expected to affect the life cycle and richness of other host plant-gall inducer systems.

Constitutive upregulation of transcription factors underlies permissive bradyzoite differentiation in a natural isolate of Toxoplasma gondii.

Toxoplasma gondii bradyzoites play a critical role in pathology due to their long-term persistence in intermediate hosts and their potential to reactivate, resulting in severe diseases in immunocompromised individuals. Currently, there is no effective treatment for eliminating bradyzoites. Hence, better in vitro models of T. gondii bradyzoite development would facilitate identification of therapeutic targets for bradyzoites. Herein, we characterized a natural isolate of T. gondii, called Tg68, which showed slower in vitro replication of tachyzoites, and permissive bradyzoite development under stress conditions in vitro. Transcriptional analysis revealed constitutive expression in Tg68 tachyzoites of the key regulators of bradyzoite development including BFD1, BFD2, and several AP2 factors. Consistent with this finding, Tg68 tachyzoites expressed high levels of bradyzoite-specific genes including BAG1, ENO1, and LDH2. Moreover, after stress-induced differentiation, Tg68 bradyzoites exhibited gene expression profiles of mature bradyzoites, even at early time points. These data suggest that Tg68 tachyzoites exist in a pre-bradyzoite stage primed to readily develop into mature bradyzoites under stress conditions in vitro. Tg68 presents a novel model for differentiation in vitro that will serve as a useful tool for the investigation of bradyzoite biology and the development of therapeutics. IMPORTANCE: Toxoplasma gondii is a widespread protozoan that chronically infects ~30% of the world's population. T. gondii can differentiate between the fast-growing life stage that causes acute infection and the slow-growing stage that persists in the host for extended periods of time. The slow-growing stage cannot be eliminated by the host immune response or currently known antiparasitic drugs. Studies on the slow-growing stage have been limited due to the limitations of in vivo experiments and the challenges of in vitro manipulation. Here, we characterize a natural isolate of T. gondii, which constitutively expresses factors that drive development and that is permissive to convert to the slow-growing stage under stress conditions in vitro. The strain presents a novel in vitro model for studying the chronic phase of toxoplasmosis and identifying new therapeutic treatments for chronic infections.

Insight into the nuclear distribution patterns of conidia and the asexual life cycle of Polyporus umbellatus.

P. umbellatus sclerotium is a traditional Chinese medicine that is widely utilized in China, Korea, Japan, and other countries due to its diverse medicinal activities, such as diuretic, antitumor, anticancer, and immune system enhancement effects. Conidia, which are common asexual spores in various fungi, are not universally present in Polyporus species. In this study, the asexual life cycle of P. umbellatus was elucidated. Conidia, i.e. arthorconidia, were produced by both dikaryotic and monokaryotic strains. In the dikaryotic strain, binucleate, uninucleate, and nuclei-free conidia were identified with proportions of 67.9 %, 12.4 %, and 19.7 %, respectively. Conversely, the monokaryotic strain did not produce binucleate conidia. This discrepancy suggests that binucleate spores are heterokaryons, while uninucleate spores are homokaryons. Clamp connections were observed in dikaryotic hyphae, but were absent in monokaryotic hyphae. Monokaryotic strains were obtained from conidia of the dikaryotic strain. Additionally, mating types were determined through pairing tests, and successful crossbreeding occurred between monokaryotic strains derived from conidia and basidiospores from different strains. This study introduced the first crossbreeding strategy for P. umbellatus.

Unveiling population-specific outcomes: Examining life cycle traits of different strains of Chironomus riparius exposed to microplastics and cadmium questions generality of ecotoxicological results.

Ecotoxicological tests used for risk assessment of toxicants and its mixtures rely both on classical life-cycle endpoints and bioindicator organisms usually derived from long-term laboratory cultures. While these cultures are thought to be comparable among laboratories and more sensitive than field organisms, it is not well investigated whether this assumption is met. Therefore, we aimed to investigate differential life-cycle endpoints response of two different strains of C. riparius, one originally from Spain and the other from Germany, kept under the same laboratory conditions for more than five years. To highlight any possible differences, the two populations were challenged with exposure to cadmium (Cd), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics and a co-exposure with both. Our results showed that significant differences between the strains became evident with the co-exposure of Cd and PVC MPs. The German strain showed attenuation of the deleterious Cd effects with microplastic co-exposure in survival and developmental time. Contrary to that, the Spanish strain showed no interaction between the substances. In conclusion, the toxicity-effects of contaminants may vary strongly among laboratory populations, which makes a universal risk assessment evaluation challenging.

Schistosomiasis.

Schistosomiasis is a major cause of morbidity in the world and almost 800 million people worldwide are at risk for schistosomiasis; it is second only to malaria as a major infectious disease. Globally, it is estimated that the disease affects more than 250 million people in 78 countries of the world and is responsible for some 280,000-500,000 deaths each year. The three major schistosomes infecting humans are Schistosoma mansoni, S. japonicum, and S. haematobium. This chapter covers a wide range of aspects of schistosomiasis, including basic biology of the parasites, epidemiology, immunopathology, treatment, control, vaccines, and genomics/proteomics. In this chapter, the reader will understand the significant toll this disease takes in terms of mortality and morbidity. A description of the various life stages of schistosomes is presented, which will be informative for both those unfamiliar with the disease and experienced scientists. Clinical and public health aspects are addressed that cover acute and chronic disease, diagnosis, current treatment regimens and alternative drugs, and schistosomiasis control programs. A brief overview of genomics and proteomics is included that details recent advances in the field that will help scientists investigate the molecular biology of schistosomes. The reader will take away an appreciation for general aspects of schistosomiasis and the current research advances.

Molecular characterization of EcCLP1, a new putative cathepsin L protease from Echinococcus canadensis.

Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato is a platyhelminth parasite and the etiological cause of cystic echinococcosis (CE), a zoonotic and neglected disease that infects animals and humans worldwide. As a part of the biological arsenal of the parasite, cathepsin L proteases are a group of proteins that are believed to be essential for parasite penetration, immune evasion, and establishment in the tissues of the host. In this work, we have cloned and sequenced a new putative cathepsin L protease from Echinococcus canadensis (EcCLP1). The bioinformatic analysis suggests that EcCLP1 could be synthesized as a zymogen and activated after proteolytic cleavage. The multiple sequence alignment with other cathepsin proteases reveals important functional conserved features like a conserved active site, an N-linked glycosylation residue, a catalytic triad, an oxyanion hole, and three putative disulfide bonds. The phylogenetic analysis suggests that EcCLP1 could indeed be a cathepsin L cysteine protease from clade 1 as it grouped with cathepsins from other species in this clade. Modeling studies suggest that EcCLP1 has two domains forming a cleft where the active site is located and an occluding role for the propeptide. The transcriptomic analysis reveals different levels of cathepsin transcript expression along the different stages of the parasite life cycle. The whole-mount immunohistochemistry shows an interesting superficial punctate pattern of staining which suggests a secretory pattern of expression. The putative cathepsin L protease characterized here may represent an interesting tool for diagnostic purposes, vaccine design, or a new pharmacological target for antiparasitic intervention.

Title: Caractérisation moléculaire d'EcCLP1, une nouvelle protéase putative de type cathepsine L d'Echinococcus canadensis. Abstract: Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato est un Plathelminthe parasite et la cause étiologique de l'échinococcose kystique (EK), une maladie zoonotique et négligée qui infecte les animaux et les humains dans le monde entier. En tant que partie de l'arsenal biologique du parasite, les protéases de type cathepsine L sont un groupe de protéines considérées comme essentielles à la pénétration du parasite, l'évasion immunitaire et son établissement dans les tissus de l'hôte. Dans ce travail, nous avons cloné et séquencé une nouvelle protéase putative de type cathepsine L d'Echinococcus canadensis (EcCLP1). L'analyse bioinformatique suggère qu'EcCLP1 pourrait être synthétisée sous forme de zymogène et activée après clivage protéolytique. L'alignement de séquences multiples avec d'autres protéases de type cathepsine révèle d'importantes caractéristiques fonctionnelles conservées telles qu'un site actif conservé, un résidu de glycosylation lié à N, une triade catalytique, un trou oxyanion et trois liaisons disulfure putatives. L'analyse phylogénétique suggère qu'EcCLP1 pourrait en effet être une protéase de type cathepsine L du clade 1 car elle se regroupe avec les cathepsines d'autres espèces de ce clade. Les études de modélisation suggèrent qu'EcCLP1 possède deux domaines formant une fente où se trouve le site actif et un rôle d'occlusion pour le propeptide. L'analyse transcriptomique révèle différents niveaux d'expression du transcrit de la cathepsine au cours des différentes étapes du cycle de vie du parasite. L'immunohistochimie de montages entiers montre un intéressant motif de coloration ponctuée superficielle qui suggère un modèle d'expression sécrétoire. La protéase putative de type cathepsine L caractérisée ici peut représenter un outil intéressant à des fins de diagnostic, de conception de vaccins ou une nouvelle cible pharmacologique pour une intervention antiparasitaire.

Human parasitic infections of the class Adenophorea: global epidemiology, pathogenesis, prevention and control.

BACKGROUND: Human parasitic infections caused by Adenophorean nematodes encompass a range of diseases, including dioctophymiasis, trichuriasis, capillariasis, trichinellosis, and myositis. These infection can result in adverse impacts on human health and cause societal and economic concerns in tropical and subtropical regions. METHODS: This review conducted searches in PubMed, Embase and Google Scholar for relevant studies that published in established databases up to April 26, 2024. Studies that focused on the common morphology, life cycle, disease distribution, clinical manifestations, and prevention and control strategies for Adenophorean parasitic diseases in humans were included. RESULTS: Adenophorean nematodes exhibit shared morphological characteristics with a four-layered cuticle; uninucleate epidermal cells; pseudocoelom with six or more coelomocytes; generally three caudal glands; five esophageal glands; two testes in males with median-ventral supplementary glands in a single row; tail in males rarely possessing caudal alae; amphids always postlabial; presence of cephalic sensory organs; absence of phasmids; and a secretory-excretory system consisting of a single ventral gland cell, usually with a non-cuticularized terminal duct. Humans play two important roles in the life cycle of the nematode class, Adenophorea: 1) as a definitive host infected by ingesting undercooked paratenic hosts, embryonated eggs, infective larvae in fish tissue and meat contaminated with encysted or non-encysted larvae, and 2) as an accidental host infected by ingesting parasitic eggs in undercooked meat. Many organs are targeted by the Adenophorean nematode in humans such as the intestines, lungs, liver, kidneys, lymphatic circulation and blood vessels, resulting in gastrointestinal problems, excessive immunological responses, cell disruption, and even death. Most of these infections have significant incidence rates in the developing countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America; however, some parasitic diseases have restricted dissemination in outbreaks. To prevent these diseases, interventions together with education, sanitation, hygiene and animal control measures have been introduced in order to reduce and control parasite populations. CONCLUSIONS: The common morphology, life cycle, global epidemiology and pathology of human Adenophorean nematode-borne parasitic diseases were highlighted, as well as their prevention and control. The findings of this review will contribute to improvement of monitoring and predicting human-parasitic infections, understanding the relationship between animals, humans and parasites, and preventing and controlling parasitic diseases.

Toxoplasma gondii chitinase-like protein TgCLP1 regulates the parasite cyst burden.

Toxoplasma, an important intracellular parasite of humans and animals, causes life-threatening toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised individuals. Although Toxoplasma secretory proteins during acute infection (tachyzoite, which divides rapidly and causes inflammation) have been extensively characterized, those involved in chronic infection (bradyzoite, which divides slowly and is surrounded by a cyst wall) remain uncertain. Regulation of the cyst wall is essential to the parasite life cycle, and polysaccharides, such as chitin, in the cyst wall are necessary to sustain latent infection. Toxoplasma secretory proteins during the bradyzoite stage may have important roles in regulating the cyst wall via polysaccharides. Here, we focused on characterizing the hypothetical T. gondii chitinase, chitinase-like protein 1 (TgCLP1). We found that the chitinase-like domain containing TgCLP1 is partially present in the bradyzoite microneme and confirmed, albeit partially, its previous identification in the tachyzoite microneme. Furthermore, although parasites lacking TgCLP1 could convert from tachyzoites to bradyzoites and make an intact cyst wall, they failed to convert from bradyzoites to tachyzoites, indicating that TgCLP1 is necessary for bradyzoite reactivation. Taken together, our findings deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of recrudescence and could contribute to the development of novel strategies for the control of toxoplasmosis.

Molecular cloning, identification, transcriptional analysis, and silencing of enolase on the life cycle of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari, Ixodidae) tick.

Ticks, blood-sucking ectoparasites, spread diseases to humans and animals. Haemaphysalis longicornis is a significant vector for tick-borne diseases in medical and veterinary contexts. Identifying protective antigens in H. longicornis for an anti-tick vaccine is a key tick control strategy. Enolase, a multifunctional protein, significantly converts D-2-phosphoglycerate and phosphoenolpyruvate in glycolysis and gluconeogenesis in cell cytoplasm. This study cloned a complete open reading frame (ORF) of enolase from the H. longicornis tick and characterized its transcriptional and silencing effect. We amplified the full-length cDNA of the enolase gene using rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The complete cDNA, with an ORF of 1,297 nucleotides, encoded a 432-amino acid polypeptide. Enolase of the Jeju strain H. longicornis exhibited the highest sequence similarity with H. flava (98%), followed by Dermacentor silvarum (82%). The enolase motifs identified included N-terminal and C-terminal regions, magnesium binding sites, and several phosphorylation sites. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis indicated that enolase mRNA transcripts were expressed across all developmental stages of ticks and organs such as salivary gland and midgut. RT-PCR showed higher transcript levels in syn-ganglia, suggesting that synganglion nerves influence enolase,s role in tick salivary glands. We injected enolase double-stranded RNA into adult unfed female ticks, after which they were subsequently fed with normal unfed males until they spontaneously dropped off. RNA interference significantly (P<0.05) reduced feeding and reproduction, along with abnormalities in eggs (no embryos) and hatching. These findings suggest enolase is a promising target for future tick control strategies.

Integrative analyses on the ciliates Colpoda illuminate the life history evolution of soil microorganisms.

Microorganisms play a central role in sustaining soil ecosystems and agriculture, and these functions are usually associated with their complex life history. Yet, the regulation and evolution of life history have remained enigmatic and poorly understood, especially in protozoa, the third most abundant group of organisms in the soil. Here, we explore the life history of a cosmopolitan species-Colpoda steinii. Our analysis has yielded a high-quality macronuclear genome for C. steinii, with size of 155 Mbp and 37,123 protein-coding genes, as well as mean intron length of ~93 bp, longer than most other studied ciliates. Notably, we identify two possible whole-genome duplication events in C. steinii, which may account for its genome being about twice the size of C. inflata's, another co-existing species. We further resolve the gene expression profiles in diverse life stages of C. steinii, which are also corroborated in C. inflata. During the resting cyst stage, genes associated with cell death and vacuole formation are upregulated, and translation-related genes are downregulated. While the translation-related genes are upregulated during the excystment of resting cysts. Reproductive cysts exhibit a significant reduction in cell adhesion. We also demonstrate that most genes expressed in specific life stages are under strong purifying selection. This study offers a deeper understanding of the life history evolution that underpins the extraordinary success and ecological functions of microorganisms in soil ecosystems.IMPORTANCEColpoda species, as a prominent group among the most widely distributed and abundant soil microorganisms, play a crucial role in sustaining soil ecosystems and promoting plant growth. This investigation reveals their exceptional macronuclear genomic features, including significantly large genome size, long introns, and numerous gene duplications. The gene expression profiles and the specific biological functions associated with the transitions between various life stages are also elucidated. The vast majority of genes linked to life stage transitions are subject to strong purifying selection, as inferred from multiple natural strains newly isolated and deeply sequenced. This substantiates the enduring and conservative nature of Colpoda's life history, which has persisted throughout the extensive evolutionary history of these highly successful protozoa in soil. These findings shed light on the evolutionary dynamics of microbial eukaryotes in the ever-fluctuating soil environments. This integrative research represents a significant advancement in understanding the life histories of these understudied single-celled eukaryotes.

Transcriptional control of the Cryptosporidium life cycle.

The parasite Cryptosporidium is a leading agent of diarrhoeal disease in young children, and a cause and consequence of chronic malnutrition1,2. There are no vaccines and only limited treatment options3. The parasite infects enterocytes, in which it engages in asexual and sexual replication4, both of which are essential to continued infection and transmission. However, their molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear5. Here we use single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal the gene expression programme of the entire Cryptosporidium parvum life cycle in culture and in infected animals. Diverging from the prevailing model6, we find support for only three intracellular stages: asexual type-I meronts, male gamonts and female gametes. We reveal a highly organized program for the assembly of components at each stage. Dissecting the underlying regulatory network, we identify the transcription factor Myb-M as the earliest determinant of male fate, in an organism that lacks genetic sex determination. Conditional expression of this factor overrides the developmental program and induces widespread maleness, while conditional deletion ablates male development. Both have a profound impact on the infection. A large set of stage-specific genes now provides the opportunity to understand, engineer and disrupt parasite sex and life cycle progression to advance the development of vaccines and treatments.

Biological wastewater treatment: a comprehensive sustainability analysis using life cycle assessment.

The research conducts a life cycle assessment (LCA) on wastewater treatment (WWT) methods-membrane bioreactor (MBR), soil biotechnology (SBT), and bio-electrochemical constructed wetlands (BCW)-in comparison with the conventional activated sludge process (ASP). Employing SimaPro v9.5 with a cradle-to-gate system boundary, the analysis utilizes the IMPACT 2002 + method, employing per cubic meter of treated wastewater as the functional unit. The analysis shows that SBT exhibits the lowest environmental impacts among the considered WWT methods. The global warming potential was 0.0996 kg CO2 eq. for SBT, 1.33 kg CO2 eq. for MBR, 0.131 kg CO2 eq. for BCW, and 0.544 kg CO2 eq. for ASP. BCW demonstrates a 75.91% decrease, while MBR exhibits a 144.48% increase compared to ASP. Notably, electricity consumption emerges as the primary contributor to environmental impact in MBR and ASP. The resource impact category varies with a 138.15% increase in MBR and an 83.41% decrease in SBT compared to ASP. Additionally, the research indicates that the high human health impact observed in MBR results mainly from increased carcinogens (0.00176 kg C2H3Cl eq.), non-carcinogens (0.01 kg C2H3Cl eq.), and ionizing radiation (3.34 Bq C-14 eq.). The findings underscore the importance of considering treatment efficiency and broader environmental implications in selecting WWT methods. As the world emphasizes sustainability, such LCA studies provide valuable insights for making informed decisions in wastewater management.

Dual proteomics of infected macrophages reveal bacterial and host players involved in the Francisella intracellular life cycle and cell to cell dissemination by merocytophagy.

Bacterial pathogens adapt and replicate within host cells, while host cells develop mechanisms to eliminate them. Using a dual proteomic approach, we characterized the intra-macrophage proteome of the facultative intracellular pathogen, Francisella novicida. More than 900 Francisella proteins were identified in infected macrophages after a 10-h infection. Biotin biosynthesis-related proteins were upregulated, emphasizing the role of biotin-associated genes in Francisella replication. Conversely, proteins encoded by the Francisella pathogenicity island (FPI) were downregulated, supporting the importance of the F. tularensis Type VI Secretion System for vacuole escape, not cytosolic replication. In the host cell, over 300 proteins showed differential expression among the 6200 identified during infection. The most upregulated host protein was cis-aconitate decarboxylase IRG1, known for itaconate production with antimicrobial properties in Francisella. Surprisingly, disrupting IRG1 expression did not impact Francisella's intracellular life cycle, suggesting redundancy with other immune proteins or inclusion in larger complexes. Over-representation analysis highlighted cell-cell contact and actin polymerization in macrophage deregulated proteins. Using flow cytometry and live cell imaging, we demonstrated that merocytophagy involves diverse cell-to-cell contacts and actin polymerization-dependent processes. These findings lay the groundwork for further exploration of merocytophagy and its molecular mechanisms in future research.Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD035145.

Life cycle assessment of carbon footprint in dual-phase automotive strip steel production.

As the demand for automotive materials grows more stringent in environmental considerations, it becomes imperative to conduct thorough environmental impact assessments of dual-phase automotive strip steel (DP steel). However, the absence of detailed and comparable studies has left the carbon footprint of DP steel and its sources largely unknown. This study addresses this gap by establishing a cradle-to-gate life cycle model for DP steel, encompassing on-site production, energy systems, and upstream processes. The analysis identifies and scrutinizes key factors influencing the carbon footprint, with a focus on upstream mining, transportation, and on-site production processes. The results indicate that the carbon footprint of DP steel is 2.721 kgCO2-eq/kgDP, with on-site processes contributing significantly at 88.1%. Sensitivity analysis is employed to assess the impact of changes in resource structure, on-site energy, CO2 emission factors, and byproduct recovery on the carbon footprint. Proposals for mitigating carbon emissions in DP steel production include enhancing process gas recovery, transitioning to cleaner energy sources, and reducing the hot metal-to-steel ratio. These findings offer valuable insights for steering steel production towards environmentally sustainable practices.

First molecular identification and phylogenetic illustration of Sarcocystis species infection in Red Sea shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus Rafinesque, 1810).

BACKGROUND: members of the genus Sarcocystis are intracellular obligate protozoan parasites classified within the phylum Apicomplexa and have an obligate heteroxenous life cycle involving two hosts. A more comprehensive understanding of the prevalence and geographic range of different Sarcocystis species in marine ecosystems is needed globally and nationally. Hence, the objective of this study was to document the incidence of Sarcocystis infection in sharks within the aquarium ecosystem of Egypt and to identify the species through the characterization of the SSU rDNA gene. METHODS: All organs of the mako shark specimen underwent macroscopic screening to detect the existence of a Sarcocystis cyst. Ten cysts were collected from the intestine and processed separately to extract the genomic DNA. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was accomplished by amplifying a specific 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene fragment. Subsequently, the resulting amplicons were subjected to purification and sequencing processes. RESULTS: Macroscopic examination of the mako shark intestinal wall sample revealed the presence of Sarcocystis cysts of various sizes and shapes, and sequencing of the amplicons from Sarcocystis DNA revealed a 100% nucleotide identity with the sequence of Sarcocystis tenella recorded from sheep in Iran; The mako shark sequence has been deposited in the GeneBank with the accession number OQ721979. This study presents the first scientific evidence demonstrating the presence of the Sarcocystis parasite in sharks, thereby documenting this specific marine species as a novel intermediate host in the Sarcocystis life cycle. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first identification of Sarcocystis infection in sharks, and we anticipate it will be an essential study for future screenings and establishing effective management measures for this disease in aquatic ecosystems.

Comprehensive life cycle assessment of NH2-functionalized magnetic graphene oxide for mercury removal: Carbon emissions and economic evaluation.

Heavy metals contamination critically affects human health and ecosystems, necessitating pioneering approaches to diminish their adverse impacts. Hence, this study synthesized aminated magnetic graphene oxide (mGO-NH2) for the removal of mercury (Hg) from aqueous solutions. Although functionalized GO is an emerging technology at the early stages of development, its synthesis and application require special attention to the eco-environmental assessment. Therefore, the life cycle assessment and life cycle cost of mGO-NH2 were investigated from the cradle-to-gate approach for the removal of 1 kg Hg. The adsorption process was optimized based on pH, Hg concentration, adsorbent dose, and contact time at 6.48, 40 mg/l, 150 mg/l, and 35 min, respectively, resulting in an adsorption capacity of 184.17 mg/g. Human carcinogenic toxicity with a 40.42% contribution was the main environmental impact, relating to electricity (35.76%) and ethylenediamine (31.07%) usage. The endpoint method also revealed the pivotal effect of the mGO-NH2 synthesis on human health (90.52%). The most energy demand was supplied by natural gas and crude oil accounting for 70.8% and 22.1%, respectively. A 99.02% CO2 emission originated from fossil fuels consumption based on the greenhouse gas protocol (GGP). The cost of mGO-NH2 was about $143.7/kg with a net present value of $21064.8 per kg Hg removal for a 20-year lifetime. Considering the significant role of material cost (>70%), the utilization of industrial-grade raw materials is recommended to achieve a low-cost adsorbent. This study demonstrated that besides the appropriate performance of mGO-NH2 for Hg removal, it is essential that further studies evaluate eco-friendly approaches to decrease the adverse impacts of this emerging product.

Life cycle assessment for evaluation of novel solvents and technologies: A case study of flavonoids extraction from Ginkgo biloba leaves.

Innovative solvents such as deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and process intensification technologies assisted by ultrasound have been demonstrated to be promising pathways for enhancing solid-liquid extraction. Nevertheless, quantitative and systematic knowledge of their environmental impact is still limited. In this work, a case study of flavonoids extraction from Ginkgo biloba leaves was evaluated by using life cycle assessment (LCA) for comparison of three extraction scenarios. The first used DES as extractant (DESE), and the other two adopted ethanol, including heat reflux extraction (HRE), and ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE). Among eight key midpoints investigated, all these from UAE were 10.0 %-80.0 % lower than from DESE and HRE except water consumption. The UAE was the eco-friendliest option due to its higher extraction yield, shorter duration and lower solvent consumption. The DESE exhibited the lowest water consumption, the highest freshwater ecotoxicity and human carcinogenic toxicity, while HRE had the highest impacts for the other 6 midpoints. Moreover, solvent production was the key contributor for all the categories. The standardized sensitivity analysis showed that the overall environmental footprint can be further decreased by 15.4 % for DESE pathways via substituting choline chloride/glycerine with choline chloride/ethylene glycol. Furthermore, all pathways using DESs had higher standardized impacts than those employing ethanol from sugarcane or wood. Replacing ethanol from maize with other feedstocks can significantly lessen the overall impacts, among which the UAE using ethanol from sugarcane demonstrated the least environmental impacts. The promotion of DESs as "green and sustainable" alternative to traditional solvents requires careful consideration.

The human papillomavirus late life cycle and links to keratinocyte differentiation.

Regulation of human papillomavirus (HPV) gene expression is tightly linked to differentiation of the keratinocytes the virus infects. HPV late gene expression is confined to the cells in the upper layers of the epithelium where the virus capsid proteins are synthesized. As these proteins are highly immunogenic, and the upper epithelium is an immune-privileged site, this spatial restriction aids immune evasion. Many decades of work have contributed to the current understanding of how this restriction occurs at a molecular level. This review will examine what is known about late gene expression in HPV-infected lesions and will dissect the intricacies of late gene regulation. Future directions for novel antiviral approaches will be highlighted.

Research on waste gas treatment technology and comprehensive environmental performance evaluation for collaborative management of pollution and carbon in China's pharmaceutical industry based on life cycle assessment (LCA).

China is the largest industrial and pharmaceutical country in the world. The pharmaceutical industry, being a highly polluting sector, is the primary target of environmental regulation in the industry. The rapid development of pharmaceutical industry has posed a severe challenge to the environmental protection strategy of "carbon reduction and carbon neutrality" and the goal of "synergizing the reduction of pollution and carbon emissions" in China's "14th Five-Year Plan". Therefore, this paper starts from the whole industry, takes the life cycle of the whole production process of the pharmaceutical industry as the guidance, and selects a pharmaceutical company in Tianjin as the research object. Then using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to Characterization, Standardization, and Weighting the environmental impact of the waste gas treatment process before and after improvement based on waste gas emission characteristics from the pharmaceutical factory. LCA results show that GWP and AP are the most important environmental impact types, which account for >85 % of the total characterization value. I and II - Chemical Pharmaceutical Stage is the critical life cycle stage, accounting for over 80 % of the total characteristic values. This research proposes emission reduction countermeasures based on LCA results and simulates Emission reduction scenarios and economic evolution. If effectively implementing emission reduction countermeasures, reducing the environmental characterization value by 80 to 90 %, and generating economic benefit of 2.66 × 108 RMB/year. This research could guide improvement plans and emission reduction countermeasures of waste gas treatment in the pharmaceutical industry, which realizes collaborative management about efficient reduction of pollution and carbon and generates significant environmental, technological, economic, and social benefits.