Considering climate change impact on the global potential geographical distribution of the invasive Argentine ant and little fire ant.

The Argentine ant (Linepithema humile) and the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) are among the top 100 invasive alien species globally, causing significant ecological and economic harm. Therefore, it is crucial to study their potential geographic distribution worldwide. This study aimed to predict their global distribution under current and future climate conditions. We used distribution data from various sources, including CABI, GBIF, and PIAKey, and key climate variables selected from 19 environmental factors to model their potential geographic distribution using MaxEnt. The AUC values were 0.925 and 0.937 for L. humile and W. auropunctata, respectively, indicating good predictive performance. Suitable areas for L. humile were mainly in southern North America, northern South America, Europe, central Asia, southern Oceania, and parts of Africa, while W. auropunctata suitable areas were mostly in southern North America, most of South America, a small part of Europe, southern Asia, central Africa, and some parts of Oceania. Under climate change scenario, suitable areas for L. humile increased, while highly suitable areas for W. auropunctata decreased. The top four countries with the largest areas of overlapping suitable habitat under current climate were Brazil, China, Australia, and Argentina, while under future SSP585 climate scenario, the top four countries were Brazil, China, Indonesia, and Argentina. Some countries, such as Estonia and Finland, will see an overlapping adaptation area under climate change. In conclusion, this study provides insight into controlling the spread and harm of L. humile and W. auropunctata.

PAK6: a potential anti-cancer target

p21-activated kinase 6 (PAK6) is a member of the PAK family of serine/threonine kinases that are known effectors of Rho GTPases Cdc42 and Rac. PAKs regulate a large number of complex cellular mechanisms, including cell motility, morphology, and tumor development. PAK6, initially cloned as an interacting partner of the androgen receptor (AR), is associated with an array of cellular processes implicated in tumor progression. However, the full biological implications of PAK6 activity during cancer remain poorly understood. In this review, we assess our current understanding of the physiological roles of classical PAK6 functionality in mammals, in addition to its emerging role in tumorigenesis.

Extraction and in vitro antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharide by Pleurotus eryngii SI-02

The extraction parameters for Pleurotus eryngii SI-02 exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced during submerged culture were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for EPS extraction were predicted to be, precipitation time 20.24 h, ethanol concentration 89.62% and pH 8.17, and EPS production was estimated at 7.27 g/L. The actual yield of EPS under these conditions was 7.21 g/L. The in vitro antioxidant results of the EPS showed that the inhibition effects of EPS at a dosage of 400 mg/L on hydroxyl, superoxide anion and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were 59.63 ± 3.72%, 38.69 ± 2.59%, and 66.36 ± 4.42%, respectively, which were 12.74 ± 1.03%, 8.01 ± 0.56%, and 12.19 ± 1.05% higher than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), respectively. The reducing power of EPS of P. eryngii SI-02 was 0.98 ± 0.05, 60.66 ± 5.14% higher than that of BHT. The results provide a reference for large-scale production of EPS by P. eryngii SI-02 in industrial fermentation and the EPS can be used as a potential antioxidant which enhances adaptive immune responses.

Extraction and in vitro antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharide by Pleurotus eryngii SI-02.

The extraction parameters for Pleurotus eryngii SI-02 exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced during submerged culture were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for EPS extraction were predicted to be, precipitation time 20.24 h, ethanol concentration 89.62% and pH 8.17, and EPS production was estimated at 7.27 g/L. The actual yield of EPS under these conditions was 7.21 g/L. The in vitro antioxidant results of the EPS showed that the inhibition effects of EPS at a dosage of 400 mg/L on hydroxyl, superoxide anion and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were 59.63 ± 3.72%, 38.69 ± 2.59%, and 66.36 ± 4.42%, respectively, which were 12.74 ± 1.03%, 8.01 ± 0.56%, and 12.19 ± 1.05% higher than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), respectively. The reducing power of EPS of P. eryngii SI-02 was 0.98 ± 0.05, 60.66 ± 5.14% higher than that of BHT. The results provide a reference for large-scale production of EPS by P. eryngii SI-02 in industrial fermentation and the EPS can be used as a potential antioxidant which enhances adaptive immune responses.

Extraction and in vitro antioxidant activity of exopolysaccharide by Pleurotus eryngii SI-02

The extraction parameters for Pleurotus eryngii SI-02 exopolysaccharide (EPS) produced during submerged culture were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimum conditions for EPS extraction were predicted to be, precipitation time 20.24 h, ethanol concentration 89.62% and pH 8.17, and EPS production was estimated at 7.27 g/L. The actual yield of EPS under these conditions was 7.21 g/L. The in vitro antioxidant results of the EPS showed that the inhibition effects of EPS at a dosage of 400 mg/L on hydroxyl, superoxide anion and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals were 59.63 ± 3.72%, 38.69 ± 2.59%, and 66.36 ± 4.42%, respectively, which were 12.74 ± 1.03%, 8.01 ± 0.56%, and 12.19 ± 1.05% higher than that of butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), respectively. The reducing power of EPS of P. eryngii SI-02 was 0.98 ± 0.05, 60.66 ± 5.14% higher than that of BHT. The results provide a reference for large-scale production of EPS by P. eryngii SI-02 in industrial fermentation and the EPS can be used as a potential antioxidant which enhances adaptive immune responses.

Long-Term Effect of Leprosy Control in Two Prefectures of China, 1955-1993

In Weifang Prefecture, Shandong Province, and Wenshan Prefecture, Yunnan Province of China, leprosy was highly prevalent in the 1950s. Due to differences in geographical conditions and socioeconomic development, the decline in leprosy prevalence between 1955 and 1993 was 99.5% (10.1 to 0.05/10,000) in Weifang and 93.9% (19.7 to 1.2/10,000) in Wenshan. The decrease in the detection rate was 99.9% (35.2 to 0.05/10,000) in Weifang and 91.7% (69.9 to 5.8/10,000) in Wenshan. The decrease was more apparent in these two prefectures since the implementation of multidrug therapy (MDT) in 1986. Findings such as specific detection rates by age, sex and type, as well as the multibacillary, child, and deformity rates of patients detected since 1980 were studied. Using the detection and prevalence rates between 1980 and 1993, the number of patients until the year 2000 is extrapolated for these two prefectures