Lavandula dentata L. essential oil: a promising antifungal and antibiofilm agent against oral Candida albicans.

Candida albicans is the main fungal species involved in oral candidiasis, and its increasing resistance to pharmacological treatment encourages the search for improved antifungal agents. Lavandula dentata L. essential oil (LD-EO) has been recognized for its antimicrobial activity, but little is known about its role against oral C. albicans. This study evaluated the antifungal and antibiofilm activities, mechanisms of action, and toxicity of LD-EO from Brazil against oral strains of C. albicans. Antifungal activity was assessed based on Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), Minimum Fungicidal Concentration (MFC), association study with miconazole (Checkerboard method), and sorbitol and ergosterol assays. Inhibition of biofilm formation and disruption of preformed biofilm were considered when studying the effects of the product. Additionally, the toxicity of LD-EO was evaluated by a hemolysis assay on human erythrocytes. Phytochemical analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry identified eucalyptol (33.1%), camphor (18.3%), and fenchone (15.6%) as major constituents. The test substance showed mainly fungicidal activity (MIC100 = 8 µg/mL; MFC = 16 µg/mL), including against two miconazole-resistant isolates of C. albicans. The effects of LD-EO were synergistic with those of miconazole and appeared not to involve damage to the fungal cell wall or plasma membrane. Its effectiveness in inhibiting biofilm formation was higher than the effect of disrupting preformed biofilm. Finally, the product exhibited low hemolytic activity at MIC. Based on the favorable and novel results described here, LD-EO could constitute a promising therapeutic alternative for oral candidiasis, including miconazole-resistant cases.

Precursors consumption preferences and thiol release capacity of the wine yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulaspora delbrueckii, and Lachancea thermotolerans.

The aromatic profile of wine determines its overall final quality, and among the volatile molecules that define it, varietal thiols are responsible for shaping the distinctive character of certain wine varieties. In grape must, these thiols are conjugated to amino acids or small peptides in a non-volatile form. During wine fermentation, yeasts play a principal role in expressing these aromatic compounds as they internalise and cleavage these precursors, releasing the corresponding free and aroma-impacting fraction. Here, we investigate the impact of three wine yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Torulaspora delbrueckii and Lachancea thermotolerans) on thiol releasing in synthetic grape must fermentations supplemented with different cysteinylated (Cys-4MSP and Cys-3SH) and glutathionylated (GSH-4MSP and GSH-3SH) precursors. We demonstrate higher consumption levels of cysteinylated precursors, and consequently, higher amounts of thiols are released from them compared to glutathionylated ones. We also report a significant impact of yeast inoculated on the final thiols released. Meanwhile T. delkbrueckii exhibits a great 3SHA releasing capacity, L. thermotolerans stands out because of its high 3SH release. We also highlight the synergic effect of the co-inoculation strategy, especially relevant in the case of S. cerevisiae and L. thermotolerans mixed fermentation, that has an outstanding release of 4MSP thiol. Although our results stem from a specific experimental approach that differs from real winemaking situations, these findings reveal the potential of unravelling the specific role of different yeast species, thiol precursors and their interaction, to improve wine production processes in the context of wine aroma enhancement.

CD38/NAD+ glycohydrolase and associated antigens in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: From interconnected signalling pathways to therapeutic strategies.

Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) is a heterogenous disease characterized by the accumulation of neoplastic CD5+/CD19+ B lymphocytes. The spreading of the leukaemia relies on the CLL cell's ability to survive in the blood and migrate to and proliferate within the bone marrow and lymphoid tissues. Some patients with CLL are either refractory to the currently available therapies or relapse after treatment; this emphasizes the need for novel therapeutic strategies that improving clinical responses and overcome drug resistance. CD38 is a marker of a poor prognosis and governs a set of survival, proliferation and migration signals that contribute to the pathophysiology of CLL. The literature data evidence a spatiotemporal association between the cell surface expression of CD38 and that of other CLL antigens, such as the B-cell receptor (BCR), CD19, CD26, CD44, the integrin very late antigen 4 (VLA4), the chemokine receptor CXCR4, the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2 (VEGF-R2), and the neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin receptor (NGAL-R). Most of these proteins contribute to CLL cell survival, proliferation and trafficking, and cooperate with CD38 in multilayered signal transduction processes. In general, these antigens have already been validated as therapeutic targets in cancer, and a broad repertoire of specific monoclonal antibodies and derivatives are available. Here, we review the state of the art in this field and examine the therapeutic opportunities for cotargeting CD38 and its partners in CLL, e.g. by designing novel bi-/trispecific antibodies.

Global availability and uptake of psychological services for adults, caregivers and children with food allergy.

BACKGROUND: Food allergy (FA) is associated with poor health-related quality of life and high levels of psychological distress. Psychological support is extremely important but not always available. As part of the Global Access to Psychological Services for Food Allergy (GAPS) study, we aimed to assess psychological distress and service use among adults, caregivers and children with FA in a global survey. METHODS: Participants (n = 1329 adults with FA; n = 1907 caregivers of children with FA) from >20 countries were recruited through patient organisations, social media advertisements and online survey panels to complete an online survey. Surveys were available in six languages. RESULTS: A total of 67.7% of adults and 77.2% of caregivers reported direct experience, and 51.6% of caregivers said their child had experienced FA-related psychological distress. The most commonly reported issue was anxiety about having an allergic reaction. Less than 20% had been assessed for FA-related psychological distress. There were significant differences across countries for levels of distress, screening for distress, seeing a mental health professional and being diagnosed with a FA-related mental health disorder (all p < .001). The United Kingdom, Australia and Brazil had the highest number of participants reporting distress. The most commonly reported barrier to seeing a mental health professional was cost. CONCLUSIONS: FA-related distress is common across countries, but with substantial country-to-country variability. Allergy providers are encouraged to routinely assess families for psychological distress and provide access to appropriate mental health resources. Development and implementation of evidence-based, patient-informed accessible, affordable FA interventions in multiple languages is urgently needed.

Nandrolone decanoate impairs gastrointestinal motility and duodenal morphometry in moderately exercised rats.

The misuse of anabolic androgenic steroid associated or not with physical workouts disrupts gastrointestinal (GI) function homeostasis. Our goal was to investigate the effects of nandrolone decanoate (ND) and moderate swimming on the GI transit of solid meals, GI motor contractility, and intestinal histology in rats. Male Wistar rats were allocated to four groups that received intramuscular injections of ND (5.0 mg/kg) or vehicle (60.0 µL) and were submitted or not to swimming sessions (60 min, 5% body weight overload) for 4 weeks. Gastric emptying, intestinal transit, in vitro GI contractility, intestinal morphometry, and duodenal mucosal mast cells were evaluated in all experimental groups. ND treatment accelerated gastric emptying, slowed small intestine transit time, enhanced gastric carbachol-mediated reactivity, decreased crypt depth and villus height, reduced mucosal thickness, and increased the circular and longitudinal muscle layer thickness of the duodenum in sedentary rats. Moderate exercise accelerated intestinal transit time and reduced submucosa thickness. In vehicle-treated animals, a strong negative correlation was found between intestinal transit and mucosal mast cells, which was reversed by ND treatment. Combining ND treatment and swimming accelerated gastric emptying, increased duodenal cholinergic reactivity, inhibited the sodium nitroprusside relaxing response, increased the number of duodenal mast cells, decreased villus height, and increased the thickness of all muscle layers. ND changed the morphological and functional properties of the GI tract over time, with intense dysmotility, especially in sedentary animals, but moderate exercise seemed to have played a compensatory role in these harmful effects in the gut.

Ligninolytic enzyme potential of Trametes spp. associated with leaf litter in riparian forest of the Amazônia region.

The present study explored the potential of leaf litter as a source of fungi able to produce ligninolytic enzymes for the biodegradation of anthraquinone dyes. Within the colonies isolated from the leaf litter, only three colonies of two species Trametes were selected based on the detection of oxidation and decolorization halos in Petri dishes with PDA (potato-dextrose-agar) + Guaicol and PDA + RBBR (Remazol Brilliant Blue R). The identification of the colonies was done through sequencing of the ITS region. The enzymatic activity of Lac (lacase), MnP (manganês peroxidase) and LiP (lignina peroxidase) was analyzed by spectrophotometry during fermentation in PD+RBBR imedium. Isolates A1SSI01 and A1SSI02 were identified as Trametes flavida, while A5SS01 was identified as Trametes sp. Laccase showed the highest enzymatic activity, reaching 452.13 IU.L-1 (A1SSI01, 0.05% RBBR) after 96h. Isolate A1SSI02 reached the highest percentage of decolorization, achieving 89.28% in seven days. The results imply that these Trametes isolates can be highly effective in waste treatment systems containing toxic anthraquinone dyes. Keywords: laccase, peroxidases, basidiomycete, litter and biodecolorization.

ABCG2 polymorphism and rivaroxaban pharmacokinetics in healthy individuals after a single dose.

Rivaroxaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor. Its interindividual variability is large and may be connected to the occurrence of adverse drug reactions or drug inefficacy. Pharmacogenetics studies concentrating on the reasons underlying rivaroxaban's inadequate response could help explain the differences in treatment results and medication safety profiles. Against this background, this study evaluated whether polymorphisms in the gene encoding the ABCG2 transporter modify the pharmacokinetic characteristics of rivaroxaban. A total of 117 healthy volunteers participated in two bioequivalence experiments with a single oral dose of 20 mg rivaroxaban, with one group fasting and the other being fed. Ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry was employed to determine the plasma concentrations of rivaroxaban, and the WinNonlin program was used to calculate the pharmacokinetics parameters. In the fasting group, the rivaroxaban pharmacokinetic parameters of Vd (508.27 vs 334.45 vs 275.59 L) and t1/2 (41.04 vs 16.43 vs 15.47 h) were significantly higher in ABCG2 421 A/A genotype carriers than in ABCG2 421 C/C and 421 C/A genotype carriers (P<0.05). The mean values of Cmax (145.81 vs 176.27 vs 190.19 ng/mL), AUC0-t (1193.81 vs 1374.69 vs 1570.77 ng/mL·h), and Cl (11.82 vs 14.50 vs 13.01 mL/h) for these groups were lower, but this difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). These findings suggested that the ABCG2 421 A/A genotype may impact rivaroxaban parameters after a single dose in healthy subjects. This finding must be validated before it is applied in clinical practice.

E2 to P4 ratio is associated with conceptus attachment in dairy cows receiving AI after double-Ovsynch but not estrus.

Prediction of pregnancy survival in lactating dairy cows can be determined by the conceptus attachment timeframe via daily pregnancy-specific protein B (PSPB) monitoring. All factors contributing to reduced fertility in dairy cows receiving AI following estrus detection remain unclear. This study aimed to determine differences in time to conceptus attachment in lactating cows treated with the fertility program Double-Ovsynch compared to cows that were detected in estrus. Additionally, we investigated various pre- and post-conception factors potentially influencing fertility outcomes. We hypothesized that AI following a natural estrus detected with automated activity monitors would lead to an extended time to conceptus attachment and lower PSPB concentrations post-attachment compared to Double-Ovsynch. There were no differences in the average time to conceptus attachments between treatments. However, cows inseminated post-estrus that experienced pregnancy loss between conceptus attachment and 60-66 days post-AI exhibited diminished PSPB concentrations on days 2 and 3 following conceptus attachment. Steroid hormone interactions were assessed with radioimmunoassay to determine the ratios of estrogen to progesterone concentrations on the day of the luteinizing hormone (LH) surge. Notably, estrogen to progesterone ratio proved to predict conceptus attachment in cows subjected to Double-Ovsynch but not in those inseminated post-estrus detection surge. In conclusion, the estrogen to progesterone ratio measured around the time of the pre-ovulatory LH surge emerges as a potentially effective tool for estimating the fertility potential of lactating dairy cows undergoing timed AI, particularly in the context of the Double-Ovsynch program.

Is there only one species of Hepatozoon infecting Brazilian caimans? Integrative taxonomy unveiling the parasite's diversity.

Hepatozoon spp. are the most common haemoparasites reported from reptiles around the world, however, only six species have been described infecting crocodilians. In Brazil, Hepatozoon caimani Carini, 1909 is currently the only recognized species from the caiman hosts. This study provides new data on the diversity of species of Hepatozoon infecting Caiman crocodilus (Linnaeus) using molecular data and phylogenetic analysis, with additional support of morphological data of developmental stages from host blood and tissue. Forty-four individuals were collected and screened for haemogregarines, and blood and tissue samples were analysed by light microscopy with 31 (70.45%) infected. Hepatozoon spp. blood developmental stages included immature and mature gamonts with or without cytoplasmic vacuoles and free gamonts. Additionally, merogonic developmental stages were found in the liver and spleen of infected hosts. Based on the morphological and molecular data, this study identified two possible different species of Hepatozoon, being one of them the H. caimani with intragenotypic divergence.

Acerola processing waste: Convective drying with ethanol as pretreatment.

The acerola seed is an agro-industrial waste. It is a high moisture content product, rich in bioactive compounds. Drying is an alternative to make this waste available in a safe condition. The use of ethanol as a pretreatment could improve the drying process besides reducing the operation time. This study aimed to investigate the influence of ethanol pretreatment (ET) on the content of bioactive compounds, cell wall thickness, and color. The drying kinetics was studied, and the influence of external and internal resistance was discussed. The samples were immersed in ethanol for 2 min with subsequent convective drying (40 °C and 60 °C; 1 m s-1) until they reached the equilibrium condition. The ET reduced the drying time up to 36.36 %. The external and mixed control of mass transfer were identified as the governing regimes for drying this material, depending on the use of ethanol. ET led to an increase in effective diffusivity, a reduction in cell wall thickness, and preservation of the color of the dried waste. The ET positively impacted the conservation of ascorbic acid compared to untreated dried samples but was not relevant to phenolic compounds, carotenoids, and antioxidant activity. The drying process increased the bioactivity of the anthocyanins. The best condition was drying at 60 °C, pretreated with ethanol.

Green radiology: How to develop sustainable radiology.

The phenomenon of global warming due to the increased emission of greenhouse gases makes it necessary to raise public awareness about the importance of promoting sustainable practices. The field of radiology is not an exception, as it consumes a large amount of energy and resources to operate equipment and generate images. Green radiology is a sustainable, innovative, and responsible approach in radiology practice that focuses on minimizing the negative environmental effects of the technologies and procedures used in radiology. Its primary goal is to reduce the carbon, water and ecological footprint in our services based on four strategic pillars: decreasing energy, water, and helium usage; properly recycling and/or disposing of waste and residues (including contrast media); minimizing the environmental impact of ionizing radiation; and promoting eco-friendly radiology practices.

Quantification of ssDNA Scaffold Production by Ion-Pair Reverse Phase Chromatography.

DNA origami is an emerging technology that can be used as a nanoscale platform in numerous applications ranging from drug delivery systems to biosensors. The DNA nanostructures are assembled from large single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) scaffolds, ranging from hundreds to thousands of nucleotides and from short staple strands. Scaffolds are usually obtained by asymmetric PCR (aPCR) or Escherichia coli infection/transformation with phages or phagemids. Scaffold quantification is typically based on agarose gel electrophoresis densitometry for molecules obtained by aPCR, or by UV absorbance, in the case of scaffolds obtained by infection or transformation. Although these methods are well-established and easy-to-apply, the results obtained are often inaccurate due to the lack of selectivity and sensitivity in the presence of impurities. Herein, we present an HPLC method based on ion-pair reversed-phase (IP-RP) chromatography to quantify DNA scaffolds. Using IP-RP chromatography, ssDNA products (449 and 1000 nt) prepared by aPCR were separated from impurities and from the double stranded (ds) DNA byproduct. Additionally, both ss and dsDNA were quantified with high accuracy. The method was used to guide the optimization of the production of ssDNA by aPCR, which targeted the maximization of the ratio of ssDNA to dsDNA obtained. Moreover, ssDNA produced from phage infection of E. coli cells was also quantified by IP-RP using commercial ssDNA from the M13mp18 phage as a standard.

Longitudinal outcomes of obeticholic acid therapy in ursodiol-nonresponsive primary biliary cholangitis: Stratifying the impact of add-on fibrates in real-world practice.

BACKGROUND: Suboptimal response to ursodeoxycholic acid occurs in 40% of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC) patients, affecting survival. Achieving a deep response (normalisation of alkaline phosphatase [ALP] and bilirubin ≤0.6 upper limit of normal) improves survival. Yet, the long-term effectiveness of second-line treatments remains uncertain. AIMS: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of obeticholic acid (OCA) ± fibrates. Focusing on biochemical response (ALP ≤1.67 times the upper limit of normal, with a decrease of at least 15% from baseline and normal bilirubin levels), normalisation of ALP, deep response and biochemical remission (deep response plus aminotransferase normalisation). METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal, observational, multicentre study involving ursodeoxyccholic acid non-responsive PBC patients (Paris-II criteria) from Spain and Portugal who received OCA ± fibrates. RESULTS: Of 255 patients, median follow-up was 35.1 months (IQR: 20.2-53). The biochemical response in the whole cohort was 47.2%, 61.4% and 68.6% at 12, 24 and 36 months. GLOBE-PBC and 5-year UK-PBC scores improved (p < 0.001). Triple therapy (ursodeoxycholic acid plus OCA plus fibrates) had significantly higher response rates than dual therapy (p = 0.001), including ALP normalisation, deep response and biochemical remission (p < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, triple therapy remained independently associated with biochemical response (p = 0.024), alkaline phosphatase normalisation, deep response and biochemical remission (p < 0.001). Adverse effects occurred in 41.2% of cases, leading to 18.8% discontinuing OCA. Out of 55 patients with cirrhosis, 12 developed decompensation. All with baseline portal hypertension. CONCLUSION: Triple therapy was superior in achieving therapeutic goals in UDCA-nonresponsive PBC. Decompensation was linked to pre-existing portal hypertension.

Moderate physical exercise and ATP modulate the P2X7 receptor and improve cisplatin-induced gastric emptying delay in rats.

Patients undergoing chemotherapy with cisplatin commonly present gastrointestinal effects such as constipation and gastric emptying (GE) delay. Both the purinergic system and physical exercise modulate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. In the current study, we investigated the role of ATP, physical exercise, and P2X7 receptor blocking on GE delay induced by cisplatin in rats. Male rats were divided into the following groups: control (C), cisplatin (Cis), exercise (Ex), Brilliant Blue G (BBG), ATP, Cis+Ex, Cis+ATP, Cis+BBG, Cis+Ex+BBG, Cis+Ex+BBG+ATP, and Cis+ATP+BBG. GE delay was induced by treatment with 1 mg/kg cisplatin (1 time/week for 5 weeks, ip). The moderate physical exercise was swimming (1 h/day, 5 days/week for 5 weeks). At the end of the treatment or exercise and 30 min before the GE assessment, some groups received BBG (50 mg/kg, sc) or ATP (2 mg/kg, sc). Then, GE was assessed after a 10-min postprandial period. Chronic use of Cis decreased GE delay (P<0.05) compared to the control group. Both exercise and ATP prevented (P<0.05) GE delay compared to Cis. The pretreatment with BBG significantly inhibited (P<0.05) the effect of exercise and ATP. On the other hand, the association between exercise and ATP reversed (P<0.05) the effect of the BBG and prevented GE delay. Therefore, we suggest that both exercise and treatment with ATP activate P2X7 receptors and prevent GE delay induced by cisplatin in rats.

The effect of urbanization on species composition and trophic guilds of bats (Mammalia, Chiroptera) in the Brazilian Savanna.

Urban environments present less environmental heterogeneity in relation to the natural ones, affecting the biodiversity of bats and the ecological processes in which they participate. In this way, we will identify how urbanization influences the structure of bat communities in the municipality of Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. We compared species composition, guilds and bat richness in a gradient that crossed urban, semi-urban and natural areas in the municipality of Goiânia, contained in the Cerrado biome. We captured a total of 775 bats of 16 species distributed in three families. Urban areas had a higher species abundance, while semi-urban areas had a higher species richness. The three types of environments have different compositions, the urban one being more homogeneous, the fauna in these areas is composed of generalist species, which benefit from this process. The diversity present in semi-urban areas is a consequence of the intersection between urban and natural fauna, which is why urban expansion needs to occur in a planned manner to minimize the impacts of this process and ensure the maintenance of biodiversity.

Neuronal control of microglia through the mitochondria.

The microbial toxin ß-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA), which is derived from cyanobacteria, targets neuronal mitochondria, leading to the activation of neuronal innate immunity and, consequently, neurodegeneration. Although known to modulate brain inflammation, the precise role of aberrant microglial function in the neurodegenerative process remains elusive. To determine if neurons signal microglial cells, we treated primary cortical neurons with BMAA and then co-cultured them with the N9 microglial cell line. Our observations indicate that microglial cell activation requires initial neuronal priming. Contrary to what was observed in cortical neurons, BMAA was not able to activate inflammatory pathways in N9 cells. We observed that microglial activation is dependent on mitochondrial dysfunction signaled by BMAA-treated neurons. In this scenario, the NLRP3 pro-inflammatory pathway is activated due to mitochondrial impairment in N9 cells. These results demonstrate that microglia activation in the presence of BMAA is dependent on neuronal signaling. This study provides evidence that neurons may trigger microglia activation and subsequent neuroinflammation. In addition, we demonstrate that microglial activation may have a protective role in ameliorating neuronal innate immune activation, at least in the initial phase. This work challenges the current understanding of neuroinflammation by assigning the primary role to neurons.

Myocardial native T1 mapping at 3T cardiac magnetic resonance-closing the full-vendor reporting cycle of normal values.

AIM: Cardiac magnetic resonance is currently an indispensable tool in the diagnosis of cardiac pathologies, with mapping techniques being one of the most recent advances in this area. T1 mapping is a robust tool that uses the T1 magnetic relaxation time as a quantitative marker of myocardial tissue composition. However, multiple T1 mapping sequences are used, and data comparing them, especially on different vendors, is limited. This study aims to determine the T1 relaxation values in the cardiac muscle of healthy individuals using GE's Discovery 3T scanner, allowing the use of the T1 mapping technique in patients on a sustained basis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one healthy volunteers were submitted to T1 mapping at 3T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, with 3 being excluded from the analysis (54% women; mean age: 39.2 ± 13.9 years). The MOLLI 5(3)3 sequence was used, acquiring one short axis slice at midventricular level. Native T1 values were presented as means (± standard deviation), and t-student independent samples tests evaluated gender differences in T1 values. RESULTS: The results show an average global native T1 value of 1193 ± 39 ms, with women's values being statistically higher than men (1211 ± 40 vs 1173 ± 27 ms, respectively, p<0.006). Gender remained the only determinant of native T1 times on a multiple linear regression model that included age, ejection fraction, and T2 status. CONCLUSION: This study has established one of the few native T1 values for a 3T GE Discovery scanner that are on par with those already reported by other vendors for a similar sequence, closing the circle in full-vendor reporting.

Induced acute hyperglycemia modifies the barrier function of the intestinal epithelium by tissue inflammation and tight junction disruption resulting in hydroelectrolytic secretion in an animal model.

Diabetic-metabolic syndrome (MetS-D) has a high prevalence worldwide, in which an association with the rupture of the intestinal epithelium barrier function (IEBF) has been pointed out, but the functional and morphological properties are still not well understood. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of acute hyperglycemia diabetes on intestinal tight junction proteins, metabolic failure, intestinal ion and water transports, and IEBF parameters. Diabetes was induced in male Rattus norvegicus (200-310 g) with 0.5 mL of streptozotocin (70 mg/kg). Glycemic and clinical parameters were evaluated every 7 days, and intestinal parameters were evaluated on the 14th day. The MetS-D animals showed a clinical pattern of hyperglycemia, with increases in the area of villi and crypts, lactulose:mannitol ratio, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, and intestinal tissue concentrations of malondialdehyde (MDA), but showed a reduction in reduced glutathione (GSH) when these parameters were compared to the control. The MetS-D group had increased secretion of Na+, K+, Cl-, and water compared to the control group in ileal tissue. Furthermore, we observed a reduction in mRNA transcript of claudin-2, claudin-15, and NHE3 and increases of SGLT-1 and ZO-1 in the MetS-D group. These results showed that MetS-D triggered intestinal tissue inflammation, oxidative stress, complex alterations in gene regulatory protein transcriptions of intestinal transporters and tight junctions, damaging the IEBF and causing hydroelectrolyte secretion.

Integrative phylogenetic, phylogeographic and morphological characterisation of the Unio crassus species complex reveals cryptic diversity with important conservation implications.

The global decline of freshwater mussels and their crucial ecological services highlight the need to understand their phylogeny, phylogeography and patterns of genetic diversity to guide conservation efforts. Such knowledge is urgently needed for Unio crassus, a highly imperilled species originally widespread throughout Europe and southwest Asia. Recent studies have resurrected several species from synonymy based on mitochondrial data, revealing U. crassus to be a complex of cryptic species. To address long-standing taxonomic uncertainties hindering effective conservation, we integrate morphometric, phylogenetic, and phylogeographic analyses to examine species diversity within the U. crassus complex across its entire range. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (815 specimens from 182 populations) and, for selected specimens, whole mitogenome sequences and Anchored Hybrid Enrichment (AHE) data on âˆ¼ 600 nuclear loci. Mito-nuclear discordance was detected, consistent with mitochondrial DNA gene flow between some species during the Pliocene and Pleistocene. Fossil-calibrated phylogenies based on AHE data support a Mediterranean origin for the U. crassus complex in the Early Miocene. The results of our integrative approach support 12 species in the group: the previously recognised Unio bruguierianus, Unio carneus, Unio crassus, Unio damascensis, Unio ionicus, Unio sesirmensis, and Unio tumidiformis, and the reinstatement of five nominal taxa: Unio desectusstat. rev., Unio gontieriistat. rev., Unio mardinensisstat. rev., Unio nanusstat. rev., and Unio vicariusstat. rev. Morphometric analyses of shell contours reveal important morphospace overlaps among these species, highlighting cryptic, but geographically structured, diversity. The distribution, taxonomy, phylogeography, and conservation of each species are succinctly described.