Mesenchymal stem cells’“garbage bags”at work:Treating radial nerve injury with mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes

Unlike central nervous system injuries,peripheral nerve injuries(PNIs)are often characterized by more or less successful axonal regeneration.However,structural and functional recovery is a senile process involving multifaceted cellular and molecular processes.The contemporary treatment options are limited,with surgical intervention as the gold-standard method;however,each treatment option has its associated limitations,especially when the injury is severe with a large gap.Recent advancements in cell-based therapy and cell-free therapy approaches using stem cell-derived soluble and insoluble components of the cell secretome are fast-emerging therapeutic approaches to treating acute and chronic PNI.The recent pilot study is a leap forward in the field,which is expected to pave the way for more enormous,systematic,and well-designed clinical trials to assess the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes as a bio-drug either alone or as part of a combinatorial approach,in an attempt synergize the best of novel treatment approaches to address the complexity of the neural repair and regeneration.

General anesthetic agents induce neurotoxicity through astrocytes

Neuroscientists have recognized the importance of astrocytes in regulating neurological function and their influence on the release of glial transmitters.Few studies,however,have focused on the effects of general anesthetic agents on neuroglia or astrocytes.Astrocytes can also be an important target of general anesthetic agents as they exert not only sedative,analgesic,and amnesic effects but also mediate general anesthetic-induced neurotoxicity and postoperative cognitive dysfunction.Here,we analyzed recent advances in understanding the mechanism of general anesthetic agents on astrocytes,and found that exposure to general anesthetic agents will destroy the morphology and proliferation of astrocytes,in addition to acting on the receptors on their surface,which not only affect Ca^(2+)signaling,inhibit the release of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and lactate from astrocytes,but are even involved in the regulation of the pro-and anti-inflammatory processes of astrocytes.These would obviously affect the communication between astrocytes as well as between astrocytes and neighboring neurons,other neuroglia,and vascular cells.In this review,we summarize how general anesthetic agents act on neurons via astrocytes,and explore potential mechanisms of action of general anesthetic agents on the nervous system.We hope that this review will provide a new direction for mitigating the neurotoxicity of general anesthetic agents.

Recent progress on Sn_(3)O_(4)nanomaterials for photocatalytic applications

Tin(IV)oxide(Sn_(3)O_(4))is layered tin and exhibits mixed valence states.It has emerged as a highly promising visible-light pho-tocatalyst,attracting considerable attention.This comprehensive review is aimed at providing a detailed overview of the latest advance-ments in research,applications,advantages,and challenges associated with Sn_(3)O_(4)photocatalytic nanomaterials.The fundamental con-cepts and principles of Sn_(3)O_(4)are introduced.Sn_(3)O_(4)possesses a unique crystal structure and optoelectronic properties that allow it to ab-sorb visible light efficiently and generate photoexcited charge carriers that drive photocatalytic reactions.Subsequently,strategies for the control and improved performance of Sn_(3)O_(4)photocatalytic nanomaterials are discussed.Morphology control,ion doping,and hetero-structure construction are widely employed in the optimization of the photocatalytic performance of Sn_(3)O_(4)materials.The effective imple-mentation of these strategies improves the photocatalytic activity and stability of Sn_(3)O_(4)nanomaterials.Furthermore,the review explores the diverse applications of Sn_(3)O_(4)photocatalytic nanomaterials in various fields,such as photocatalytic degradation,photocatalytic hydro-gen production,photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide,solar cells,photocatalytic sterilization,and optoelectronic sensors.The discus-sion focuses on the potential of Sn_(3)O_(4)-based nanomaterials in these applications,highlighting their unique attributes and functionalities.Finally,the review provides an outlook on the future development directions in the field and offers guidance for the exploration and de-velopment of novel and efficient Sn_(3)O_(4)-based nanomaterials.Through the identification of emerging research areas and potential avenues for improvement,this review aims to stimulate further advancements in Sn_(3)O_(4)-based photocatalysis and facilitate the translation of this promising technology into practical applications.

Conversion therapy of a giant hepatocellular carcinoma with portal vein thrombus and inferior vena cava thrombus:A case report and review of literature

BACKGROUND The prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)combined with portal and hepatic vein cancerous thrombosis is poor,for unresectable patients the combination of targeted therapy and immune therapy was the first-line recommended treatment for advanced HCC,with a median survival time of only about 2.7-6 months.In this case report,we present the case of a patient with portal and hepatic vein cancerous thrombosis who achieved pathologic complete response after conversion therapy.CASE SUMMARY In our center,a patient with giant HCC combined with portal vein tumor thrombus and hepatic vein tumor thrombus was treated with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE),radiotherapy,targeted therapy and immunotherapy,and was continuously given icaritin soft capsules for oral regulation.After 7 months of conversion therapy,the patient's tumor shrank and the tumor thrombus subsided significantly.The pathology of surgical resection was in complete remission,and there was no progression in the postoperative follow-up for 7 months,which provided a basis for the future strategy of combined conversion therapy.CONCLUSION In this case,atezolizumab,bevacizumab,icaritin soft capsules combined with radiotherapy and TACE had a good effect.For patients with hepatocellular carcinoma combined with hepatic vein/inferior vena cava tumor thrombus,adopting a high-intensity,multimodal proactive strategy under the guidance of multidisciplinary team(MDT)is an important attempt to break through the current treatment dilemma.

Flavone improves liver damage in nicotine-exposed rats via the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway

Objective:To assess the hepatoprotective effects of flavone on nicotine-induced liver damage.Methods:Thirty-six rats were allocated into six groups:the control group,the nicotine group,the flavone alone groups(10 and 25 mg/kg/body weight),and the nicotine groups treated with flavone(10 and 25 mg/kg/body weight).Liver function,oxidative stress,Nrf2 pathway(HO-1,Nrf2,and Keap-1),and inflammatory markers(IL-17,TNF-α,and NF-κB)were evaluated.Additionally,a histopathological examination of liver tissues was performed.Results:Nicotine increased liver damage,inflammation,and oxidative stress.However,flavone suppressed nicotine-induced liver enzymes,oxidative stress,and inflammation,as manifested by increased antioxidants and decreased malondialdehyde level,liver enzymatic activities,and inflammatory markers.Flavone(10 and 25 mg/kg/body weight)also reduced the level of Keap-1 and increased HO-1 and Nrf2 levels in the liver of nicotine-exposed rats.Conclusions:Flavone has hepatoprotective properties and may slow the progression of liver injury by reducing oxidative stress,liver enzymes,and inflammation possibly via the Nrf2 pathway.

SOX11 as a potential prognostic biomarker in hepatocellular carcinoma linked to immune infiltration and ferroptosis

Objective:SOX11 is expressed in numerous malignancies,including hepatocellular carcinomas(HCC),but its oncogenic function has not been elucidated.Here,we performed a comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of the Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma(LIHC)dataset to investigate the function of SOX11 in tumorgenesis.Methods:SOX11 expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)and Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)were validated by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Co-expression,differential expression,and functional analyses utilized TCGA-LIHC,Timer 2.0,Metascape,GTEx,and LinkedOmics databases.Associations with immune infiltration,ferroptosis,and immune checkpoint genes were assessed.Genetic changes were explored via CBioPortal.Logistic regression,receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),Kaplan-Meier analysis,and nomogram modeling evaluated associations with HCC clinicopathological features.SOX11’s impact on proliferation and migration was studied in HepG2 and HuH7 cell lines.Results:SOX11 was significantly elevated in HCC tumors compared to controls.SOX11-associated genes exhibited differential expression in pathways involving extracellular membrane ion channels.Significant associations were found between SOX11 levels,immune infiltration,ferroptosis,and immune checkpoint genes in HCC tissue.SOX11 levels correlated with HCC stage,histologic grade,and tumor status,and independently predicted overall and disease-specific survival.SOX11 expression effectively distinguished between tumor and normal liver tissue.Spearman correlations highlighted a significant relationship between SOX11 and ferroptosis-associated genes.Decreased SOX11 levels in HepG2 and HuH7 cells resulted in reduced proliferation and migration.Conclusions:SOX11 was found to represent a promising biomarker within HCC diagnosis and prognosis together with being a possible drug-target.

Enhancement of endogenous midbrain neurogenesis by microneurotrophin BNN-20 after neural progenitor grafting in a mouse model of nigral degeneration

We have previously shown the neuroprotective and pro-neurogenic activity of microneurotrophin BNN-20 in the substantia nigra of the“weaver”mouse,a model of progressive nigrostriatal degeneration.Here,we extended our investigation in two clinically-relevant ways.First,we assessed the effects of BNN-20 on human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells and neurons derived from healthy and parkinsonian donors.Second,we assessed if BNN-20 can boost the outcome of mouse neural progenitor cell intranigral transplantations in weaver mice,at late stages of degeneration.We found that BNN-20 has limited direct effects on cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitor cells,marginally enhancing their differentiation towards neurons and partially reversing the pathological phenotype of dopaminergic neurons generated from parkinsonian donors.In agreement,we found no effects of BNN-20 on the mouse neural progenitor cells grafted in the substantia nigra of weaver mice.However,the graft strongly induced an endogenous neurogenic response throughout the midbrain,which was significantly enhanced by the administration of microneurotrophin BNN-20.Our results provide straightforward evidence of the existence of an endogenous midbrain neurogenic system that can be specifically strengthened by BNN-20.Interestingly,the lack of major similar activity on cultured human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neural progenitors and their progeny reveals the in vivo specificity of the aforementioned pro-neurogenic effect.

What If I Told You Camouflage is a Myth? Animal Coloration is Mainly A-biotic and not Biotic (Camouflage)

In the present article,the author posits that the perception that animals apparently display a strategy of avoiding detection by means of camouflage—i.e.,by disguising themselves in the natural colours of their environment—is not the actual case in nature but,rather,merely anecdotal.Animal coloration is mainly a-biotic(eco-physiological)and not biotic(camouflage).The contention regarding the absence of the phenomenon of camouflage among animals as a common evolutionary response is based on three arguments:(1)that reflecting the natural colours of the environment is linked to ecophysiology;(2)that predator and prey constitute“an evolutionary pair”and,accordingly,they know how to identify one another(in order to survive they employ different strategies,of which camouflage is not one of them);and (3)that the approach of relating animal camouflage to reflecting the colours of the environment is an anthropocentric one.Rather than the accepted biotic-ethological approach(colour camouflage),the present article suggests the recognition of a-biotic and eco-physiological conditions as a distinct research field,whose title“Reflection of environmental colours by animals”,along with this article,calls for eco-physiologists to demonstrate that this approach indeed offers a special contribution to the understanding of colouration in animals.

A lead role for a“secondary”axonal injury response

Stress signaling following axon injury stimulates a transcriptional program for regeneration that might be exploited to promote central nervous system repair.However,this stress response drives neuronal apoptosis in non-regenerative environments.This duality presents a quandary for the development of therapeutic interventions:manipulating stress signaling to enhance recovery of damaged neurons risks accelerating neurodegeneration or restricting regenerative potential.This dichotomy is well illustrated by the fates of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs)following optic nerve crush.In this central nervous system injury model,disruption of a stress-activated MAP kinase(MAPK)cascade blocks the extensive apoptosis of RGCs that occurs in wild-type mice(Watkins et al.,2013;Welsbie et al.,2017).

Sperm function, mitochondrial activity and in vivo fertility are associated to their mitochondrial DNA content in pigs

Background Despite their low abundance in sperm, mitochondria have diverse functions in this cell type, includ-ing energy production, signalling and calcium regulation. In humans, sperm mitochondrial DNA content(mtDNAc) has been reported to be negatively linked to sperm function and fertility. Yet, the association between mtDNAc and sperm function in livestock remains unexplored. For this reason, this study aimed to shed some light on the link between mtDNAc and sperm function and fertilising potential in pigs. A qPCR method for mtDNAc quantification was optimised for pig sperm, and the association of this parameter with sperm motility, kinematics, mitochondrial activity, and fertility was subsequently interrogated.Results First, the q PCR method was found to be sensitive and efficient for mtDNAc quantification in pig sperm. By using this technique, mtDNAc was observed to be associated to sperm motility, mitochondrial activity and in vivo, but not in vitro, fertility outcomes. Specifically, sperm with low mtDNAc were seen to exhibit greater motility but decreased mitochondrial activity and intracellular reactive oxygen species. Interestingly, samples with lower mtD-NAc showed higher conception and farrowing rates, but similar in vitro fertilisation rates and embryo development, when compared to those with greater mtDNAc.Conclusions These findings enrich our comprehension of the association of mtDNAc with sperm biology, and lay the foundation for future research into employing this parameter as a molecular predictor for sperm function and fer-tility in livestock.

Identifying genetic susceptibility to Aspergillus fumigatus infection using collaborative cross mice and RNA-Seq approach

Background:Aspergillus fumigatus(Af)is one of the most ubiquitous fungi and its infection potency is suggested to be strongly controlled by the host genetic back-ground.The aim of this study was to search for candidate genes associated with host susceptibility to Aspergillus fumigatus(Af)using an RNAseq approach in CC lines and hepatic gene expression.Methods:We studied 31 male mice from 25 CC lines at 8 weeks old;the mice were infected with Af.Liver tissues were extracted from these mice 5 days post-infection,and next-generation RNA-sequencing(RNAseq)was performed.The GENE-E analysis platform was used to generate a clustered heat map matrix.Results:Significant variation in body weight changes between CC lines was ob-served.Hepatic gene expression revealed 12 top prioritized candidate genes differ-entially expressed in resistant versus susceptible mice based on body weight changes.Interestingly,three candidate genes are located within genomic intervals of the previ-ously mapped quantitative trait loci(QTL),including Gm16270 and Stox1 on chromo-some 10 and Gm11033 on chromosome 8.Conclusions:Our findings emphasize the CC mouse model's power in fine mapping the genetic components underlying susceptibility towards Af.As a next step,eQTL analysis will be performed for our RNA-Seq data.Suggested candidate genes from our study will be further assessed with a human cohort with aspergillosis.

GATA binding protein 2 mediated ankyrin repeat domain containing 26 high expression in myeloid-derived cell lines

BACKGROUND Thrombocytopenia 2,an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by moderate thrombocytopenia,predisposition to myeloid malignancies and normal platelet size and function,can be caused by 5’-untranslated region(UTR)point mutations in ankyrin repeat domain containing 26(ANKRD26).Runt related transcription factor 1(RUNX1)and friend leukemia integration 1(FLI1)have been identified as negative regulators of ANKRD26.However,the positive regulators of ANKRD26 are still unknown.AIM To prove the positive regulatory effect of GATA binding protein 2(GATA2)on ANKRD26 transcription.METHODS Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived from bone marrow(hiPSC-BM)INTRODUCTION Ankyrin repeat domain containing protein 26(ANKRD26)acts as a regulator of adipogenesis and is involved in the regulation of feeding behavior[1-3].The ANKRD26 gene is located on chromosome 10 and shares regions of homology with the primate-specific gene family POTE.According to the Human Protein Atlas database,the ANKRD26 protein is localized to the Golgi apparatus and vesicles,and its expression can be detected in nearly all human tissues[4].Moreover,UniProt annotation revealed that ANKRD26 is localized in the centrosome and contains coiled-coil domains formed by spectrin helices and ankyrin repeats[5,6].The most common disease related to ANKRD26 is thrombocytopenia 2(THC2),which is a rare autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by lifelong mild-to-moderate thrombocytopenia and mild bleeding[7-9].Caused by the variants in the 5’-untranslated region(UTR)of ANKRD26,THC2 is defined by a decrease in the number of platelets in circulating blood and results in increased bleeding and decreased clotting ability[8,10].Due to the point mutations that occur in the 5’-UTR of ANKRD26,its negative transcription factors(TFs),Runt related transcription factor 1(RUNX1)and friend leukemia integration 1(FLI1),lose their repression effect[11].The persistent expression of ANKRD26 increases the activity of the mitogen activated protein kinase and extracellular signal regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathways,which are potentially involved in the regulation of thrombopoietin-dependent signaling and further impair proplatelet formation by megakaryocytes(MKs)[11].However,the positive regulators of ANKRD26,which might be associated with THC2 pathology,are still unknown.

Molecular Characterization of Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumors (Gist) and Contribution of Immunohistochemistry in Congolese from Kinshasa

Introduction: The differentiation of digestive tumors very often requires the use of techniques currently not widely in use in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), such as immunohistochemistry. This is perfectly verified for GISTs whose precise, or at least highly certain, diagnosis can only be made using immunohistochemical markers. This underuse of these techniques due to lack of equipment and human skills explains the limited epidemiological data available to date, thus leading to untargeted and too often late treatment of patients. Research question: What contribution can immunohistochemical markers make to the diagnosis of digestive tract tumours? Objective: Discuss the contribution of immunohistochemical markers in the diagnosis of GIST and provide basic data on the epidemiology of these nosological entities in Kinshasa. Methodology: This was a retrospective study carried out at the LEBOMA private anatomy and pathological cytology centre. The main inclusion criterion was any digestive tract block or slide whose diagnosis of GIST had been requalified after review by at least 2 pathologists. An immuhistochemical study was performed using an automated technique (with a Ventana XT machine) using a panel of antibodies: CD-117 and DOG-1 which are listed in the literature as strongly correlated with the occurrence of GIST, all slides were made at Hj Hospital using an OLYMPUS BX41 co-observation microscope. Results: Of 601 cases of digestive tumors recorded during the concerned period, 32 (5.32%) concerned GIST. This prevalence was confirmed by our immunohistochemical results where the expression of CD117 and that of DOG-1 were positive in 90.6% and 100% of cases which prevalence is high compared with the worldwide prevalence according to the literature, respectively. The distribution of the patients concerned was made with a sex ratio of 1.6 women/men with a median age of 53 years. Most cases (81%) had a gastric location and were fusiform GISTs. Conclusion: Gastrointestinal stromal tumours, although rare and underestimated, account for 5.32% of cases in the DRC. This is a considerable and high prevalence compared with the world average. To the best of our knowledge, no studies have been carried out on these aspects in the DRC, which explains the importance of this study. The results of this research demonstrated the contribution of these 2 markers as specific and effective biomarkers for optimal and differential diagnosis in GIST. In view of the above, it is therefore more than necessary to popularise the use of these biomarkers in order to contribute effectively to improving the overall management of gastrointestinal tumours by improving their identification.

Comparative Study of the Efficacy of Metal Removal from Contaminated Aqueous Solutions by Solid Bidentate Ligands&Liquid Plant Materials

Heavy metal contaminated water sources pose serious health risks for humans,animals,and plants.Exposure to and ingestion of heavy metals have been associated to liver,kidney,and brain function.Objective:The aim of this research is to comparatively examine the metal removal efficacy of three solid bidentate chemicals and four plant materials.Study Design&Methods:Standard solutions of zinc(II)and lead(II)ions with concentrations of 1,000 ppm were respectively treated with OA(Oxalic Acid),dibasic bidentate ligands(sodium hydrogen phosphate and sodium carbonate).Then,the solutions were placed on a shaker for 15 h,centrifuged,and the supernatant was analyzed using ICP-AES(Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry).Results:All the solid bidentate adsorbents were very effective in removing zinc and lead(>90%).However,more lead than zinc was removed across all adsorbents except for lemon where equal percent of zinc and lead(49%)were removed.OA and Na2HPO4 removed about equal amount of lead(>99%).The plant materials(SP(Spinach),bell pepper and GBP(Green Bell Pepper)),respectively and preferentially removed more lead(98.9%,98.3%,81.5%)than zinc(91.7%,46%,46%).Conclusion:Although plant materials have gained attraction for the remediation of heavy metal,however,some bidentate chemical ligands such as OA,sodium carbonate and sodium hydrogen phosphates are even more effective in removing these metals from contaminated water.Furthermore,heavier metals are preferentially removed than lighter metals.

Characterization of the infectivity of an Indonesian Zika virus strain in mammalian cell lines

Objective:To characterize the infection patterns and growth characteristics of the Zika virus(ZIKV)strain JMB-185 from Indonesia in various mammalian cell lines.Methods:ZIKV was grown in human(A549,HEK293,HepG2,Huh7,Jurkat,and THP-1)and non-human mammalian(RAW264.7,Vero,and Vero76)cell lines.Viral replication kinetics were measured using plaque assay,while intra-and extracellular viral RNA concentrations were assessed using RT-PCR.Flow cytometry was used to quantify the infected cells and cell viability was measured using an MTT assay.The ability of ZIKV to infect cell lines was visualized using a fluorescence immunostaining assay.Results:This ZIKV strain preferentially infected the lung,kidney,and liver cell lines A549,HEK293,Huh7,Vero,and Vero76,but not the immune cells Jurkat,RAW264.7,and THP-1.By contrast,the ZIKV showed no sign of infection in HepG2 cells,while maintaining viral titer over 3 days post-infection,with no infection recorded in immunostaining,no increase in viral RNA,and no indication of cell deterioration.Conclusions:The Indonesian ZIKV strain has a similar infection profile as other strains,except for its poor infectivity on HepG2 cells.Information on the growth characteristics of Indonesia ZIKV will help expand our understanding of the biology of ZIKV which will be useful for various applications including antiviral discovery.

Chromatin condensation but not DNA integrity of pig sperm is greater in the sperm-rich fraction

Background Protamination and condensation of sperm chromatin as well as DNA integrity play an essential role during fertilization and embryo development.In some mammals,like pigs,ejaculates are emitted in three separate fractions:pre-sperm,sperm-rich(SRF)and post sperm-rich(PSRF).These fractions are known to vary in volume,sperm concentration and quality,as well as in the origin and composition of seminal plasma(SP),with differences being also observed within the SRF one.Yet,whether disparities in the DNA integrity and chromatin condensation and pro-tamination of their sperm exist has not been interrogated.Results This study determined chromatin protamination(Chromomycin A3 test,CMA_(3)),condensation(Dibromobi-mane test,DBB),and DNA integrity(Comet assay)in the pig sperm contained in the first 10 m L of the SRF(SRF-P1),the remaining portion of the sperm-rich fraction(SRF-P2),and the post sperm-rich fraction(PSRF).While chromatin protamination was found to be similar between the different ejaculate fractions(P>0.05),chromatin condensation was seen to be greater in SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 than in the PSRF(P=0.018 and P=0.004,respectively).Regarding DNA integrity,no differences between fractions were observed(P>0.05).As the SRF-P1 has the highest sperm concentra-tion and ejaculate fractions are known to differ in antioxidant composition,the oxidative stress index(OSi)in SP,calcu-lated as total oxidant activity divided by total antioxidant capacity,was tested and confirmed to be higher in the SRF-P1 than in SRF-P2 and PSRF(0.42±0.06 vs.0.23±0.09 and 0.08±0.00,respectively;P<0.01);this index,in addition,was observed to be correlated to the sperm concentration of each fraction(Rs=0.973;P<0.001).Conclusion While sperm DNA integrity was not found to differ between ejaculate fractions,SRF-P1 and SRF-P2 were observed to exhibit greater chromatin condensation than the PSRF.This could be related to the OSi of each fraction.

Hyperhomocysteinemia and Associated Biological Markers in a Congolese Population of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Brazzaville

The search for new biomarkers predictive of type 2 diabetes currently constitutes a research avenue in Bioclinical. Total homocysteine remains a preferred target due to its involvement in the occurrence of degenerative complications in type 2 diabetics. The aim of this work was to study hyperhomocysteinemia and other biochemical markers associated with T2D in the Congolese population. This was an analytical case-control study carried out between October 2022 and October 2023. The study population consisted of 150 subjects including 100 T2D patients and 50 control subjects. The main clinical data were collected on a pre-established form. Homocysteine determination was carried out by the sandwich ELISA method. The other biochemical markers were measured by colorimetric enzymatic methods. Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 27.3% (41/150) of the entire study population. Type 2 diabetics had a frequency of hyperhomocysteinemia of 36% (36/100) and control 10% (5/50) (p = 0.001). The mean hyperhomocysteinemia concentration was 31.9 μmol/l with extremes ranging from 18 to 103 μmol/l. Means of biological markers between diabetics and controls showed a statistically significant difference (p = 0.01). The risk factors associated with this HHcy were: sex (OR = 3.5), age (OR = 9.4), sedentary lifestyle (OR = 3.4) and glycosylated hemoglobin (OR = 12) with a p-value <0.05 respectively. Our results suggest that hyperhomocysteinemia can be considered as a predictive biomarker in the bioclinic of Congolese type 2 diabetic patients.

Stomatal dynamics are regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and guard cell anatomy in nine true mangrove species

Stomatal regulation is critical for mangroves to survive in the hyper-saline intertidal zone where water stress is severe and water availability is highly fluctuant.However,very little is known about the stomatal sensitivity to vapour pressure deficit(VPD)in mangroves,and its co-ordination with stomatal morphology and leaf hydraulic traits.We measured the stomatal response to a step increase in VPD in situ,stomatal anatomy,leaf hydraulic vulnerability and pressure-volume traits in nine true mangrove species of five families and collected the data of genome size.We aimed to answer two questions:(1)Does stomatal morphology influence stomatal dynamics in response to a high VPD in mangroves?with a consideration of possible influence of genome size on stomatal morphology;and(2)do leaf hydraulic traits influence stomatal sensitivity to VPD in mangroves?We found that the stomata of mangrove plants were highly sensitive to a step rise in VPD and the stomatal responses were directly affected by stomatal anatomy and hydraulic traits.Smaller,denser stomata was correlated with faster stomatal closure at high VPD across the species of Rhizophoraceae,and stomata size negatively and vein density positively correlated with genome size.Less negative leaf osmotic pressure at the full turgor(πo)was related to higher operating steady-state stomatal conductance(gs);and a higher leaf capacitance(Cleaf)and more embolism resistant leaf xylem were associated with slower stomatal responses to an increase in VPD.In addition,stomatal responsiveness to VPD was indirectly affected by leaf morphological traits,which were affected by site salinity and consequently leaf water status.Our results demonstrate that mangroves display a unique relationship between genome size,stomatal size and vein packing,and that stomatal responsiveness to VPD is regulated by leaf hydraulic traits and stomatal morphology.Our work provides a quantitative framework to better understand of stomatal regulation in mangroves in an environment with high salinity and dynamic water availability.

Evaluation of the Use of Long-Lasting Impregnated Mosquito Nets (LLINs) in the Health District of Dimbokro (Center of Côte d’Ivoire)

The Dimbokro health district has one of the highest incidences of malaria in Côte d’Ivoire, despite numerous campaigns to distribute Long-Acting Impregnated Mosquito Nets (LLINs). Given this observation, what are the population’s attitudes towards LLINs that could explain the high endemicity of malaria in Dimbokro? The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge, attitudes and practices of people in the health area of Nofou, one of the villages in the Dimbokro health district where malaria is most prevalent, with a view to strengthening malaria control strategies. A collection of historical health data (malaria cases and LLIN usage rates) and a cross-sectional questionnaire survey was carried out from July 20 to August 03, 2022 in 400 households selected by systematic random sampling. Data were entered using Epi Info 7 and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS 22 software. In the Dimbokro health district, the rate of LLIN use was negatively correlated (r = -0.771) with malaria incidence over the six years of historical data collection. Households had an average of 53% good knowledge, 68.6% good practices and 28.4% good attitudes towards LLINs. The study also revealed that the main factors explaining LLIN use in the Nofou health area are mosquito bite (ORa = 5.29 (1.12 - 25.04)), age of household members (ORa = 1.07 (1.01 - 1.14)) and marital status (ORa = 8.45 (1.70 - 45.02)). Awareness-raising on the use of LLINs should be intensified in the Dimbokro health district. Other control strategies, such as vector control and environmental sanitation, should be considered to combat malaria.

Molecular phylogeny and taxonomy of Phlomoides(Lamiaceae subfamily Lamioideae)in China:Insights from molecular and morphological data

Phlomoides,with 150-170 species,is the second largest and perhaps most taxonomically challenging genus within the subfamily Lamioideae(Lamiaceae).With about 60 species,China is one of three major biodiversity centers of Phlomoides.Although some Phlomoides species from China have been included in previous molecular phylogenetic studies,a robust and broad phylogeny of this lineage has yet to be completed.Moreover,given the myriad new additions to the genus,the existing infrageneric classification needs to be evaluated and revised.Here,we combine molecular and morphological data to investigate relationships within Phlomoides,with a focus on Chinese species.We observed that plastid DNA sequences can resolve relationships within Phlomoides better than nuclear ribosomal internal and external transcribed spacer regions(nrITS and nrETS).Molecular phylogenetic analyses confirm the monophyly of Phlomoides,but most previously defined infrageneric groups are not monophyletic.In addition,morphological analysis demonstrates the significant taxonomic value of eight characters to the genus.Based on our molecular phylogenetic analyses and morphological data,we establish a novel section Notochaete within Phlomoides,and propose three new combinations as well as three new synonyms.This study presents the first molecular phylogenetic analyses of Phlomoides in which taxa representative of the entire genus are included,and highlights the phylogenetic and taxonomic value of several morphological characters from species of Phlomoides from China.Our study suggests that a taxonomic revision and reclassification for the entire genus is necessary in the future.