Most Viewed Articles

New synthetic compounds - thioxopyrimidine derivatives as regulators of vegetative growth and photosynthesis of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety Acordine were studied. The growth-regulatory effect of new synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives, used in a concentration of 10-6M, was compared with the growth-regulatory effect of a plant hormone auxin IAA (1H-indol-3-yl)acetic acid) or synthetic plant growth regulators, derivatives of sodium and potassium salts of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Methyur, Kamethur), N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine (Ivin), used in a similar concentration of 10-6M. The conducted study showed the similarity of the growth-regulatory effects of synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives, the plant hormone auxin IAA, and synthetic plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, and Ivin. Morphometric parameters (average length of shoots (mm), average length of roots (mm), and average biomass of 10 plants (g)) and biochemical parameters (content of photosynthetic pigments chlorophylls a, b, a+b and carotenoids (µg/ml)) of barley plants treated with the plant hormone auxin IAA or synthetic plant growth regulators Methyur, Kamethur, Ivin or thioxopyrimidine derivatives were increased after 4 weeks compared to control plants. The dependence of the growth-regulatory effect of synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives on their chemical structure was analyzed. The use of the synthetic plant growth regulators, derivatives of sodium salt of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Methyur), potassium salt of 6-methyl-2-mercapto-4-hydroxypyrimidine (Kamethur), N-oxide-2,6-dimethylpyridine (Ivin) and selected most active synthetic compounds, thioxopyrimidine derivatives for regulating the growth and photosynthesis of spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) variety Acordine is proposed.

Public-Private Partnership (PPP) road projects are being promoted worldwide to encourage road investments; however, research on the appropriate rate of return for these projects is insufficient. This is likely because the return on investment for PPP road projects is determined through negotiations between the government and the private sector, a process that remains confidential. The rate of return for PPP road projects is not only a key indicator for evaluating project performance but also a potential driver for future government financial subsidies. Therefore, research on the appropriate rate of return for PPP road projects is necessary for the sustainability of these projects.This study, based on the concept that both the government and the private sector share the anticipated risks of the project, quantifies six types of risks and proposes a model for predicting the appropriate rate of return. The model is able to explain approximately 68% of the cases in South Korea’s PPP road projects. The risk with the greatest influence on the rate of return was found to be an economic risk, while the least influential was regulation change risk.Due to the confidentiality of data related to PPP road projects, this study only utilized 54 cases from South Korea. It is hoped that a wider range of data will be collected and further research on the appropriate rate of return will continue to enhance the sustainability of PPP road projects.

Microbiome-gut-brain axis represents a complex, bidirectional communication network connecting the gastrointestinal tract and its microbial populations with the central nervous system (CNS). This complex system is important for maintaining physiological homeostasis and has significant implications for mental health. The human gut has trillions of microorganisms, collectively termed gut microbiota, which play important roles in digestion, immune function, and production of various metabolites. Some current research shows that these microorganisms strongly influence the brain function and behaviour of individuals, forming the basis of the microbiome-gut-brain axis. The communication between gut microbiota and the brain occurs via multiple pathways: neural pathway (e.g., vagus nerve), endocrine pathway (e.g., hormone production), immune pathway (e.g., inflammation modulation), and metabolic pathway (e.g., production of short-chain fatty acids). Dysbiosis, or imbalance of gut microbiota, has been linked to mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, multiple sclerosis, autism spectrum disorders, etc, offering new perspectives on their etiology and potential therapeutic interventions. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool in interpreting the complexities of the microbiome-gut-brain axis. AI techniques, such as machine learning and deep learning, enable the integration and analysis of large, multifaceted datasets, uncovering patterns and correlations that can be avoided by traditional methods. These techniques enable predictive modeling, biomarker discovery, and understanding of underlying biological mechanisms, enhancing research efficiency and covering ways for personalized therapeutic approaches. The application of AI in microbiome research has provided valuable insights into mental health conditions. AI models have identified specific gut bacteria linked to disease, offered predictive models, and discovered distinct microbiome signatures associated with specific diseases. Integrating AI with microbiome research holds promise for revolutionizing mental health care, offering new diagnostic tools and targeted therapies. Challenges remain, but the potential benefits of AI-driven insights into microbiome-gut-brain interactions are immense and offer hope for innovative treatments and preventative measures to improve mental health outcomes.

Protein functional annotation requires time and effort, while sequencing technologies are fast and cheap. For this reason, the development of software tools aimed at predicting protein function from sequences can help in protein annotation. In this paper, we describe how to use our recently implemented Bologna Annotation Resource (BAR) version 3.0, a tool based on over 30 million protein sequences for protein structural and functional annotation. In BAR 3.0, sequences are arranged in a similarity graph and then clustered together when they share at least 40% sequence identity over 90% of sequence alignment, for a total of 1,361,773 clusters. Protein sequences with known function transfer their annotation to other sequences in the same cluster after statistical validation. Sequences with unknown function and new sequences entering in a cluster inherit its statistically validated annotations. The method well compares to other techniques in the Critical Assessment of protein Function Annotation algorithms (CAFA). The CAFA experiment tests the performances of different predictors on a dataset that accumulates annotations over time. BAR predictions have been submitted to all the instances of CAFA through the years (BAR Plus in CAFA, BAR++ in CAFA2 and BAR 3.0 in CAFA3). The benchmarking indicates that in the field improvement is still possible and that our BAR scores among the top performing methods. This work focuses on how the tool can transfer statistically significant features to poorly annotated or new sequences derived from transcrptomics or proteomics experiments. 

Introduction: There has been growing interest in determining the influence of post-operative immobilization posture and rehabilitation protocol on healing rates and clinical outcomes. Current consensus calls for the use of an immobilization device post-operatively, which commonly comes in the form of a standard sling or an abduction brace with the arm positioned in varying degrees of abduction. There is a lack of high-level evidence in the literature to recommend one type of immobilization device or arm position over another. Objectives: This study aimed to summarize the current clinical and biomechanical evidence for the optimal postoperative positioning and bracing of the arm following arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. Methods: A comprehensive search of the electronic databases EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PubMed was performed using a combination of the following keywords and medical subject heading (MeSH) terms: ‘arthroscopic’, ‘rotator cuff repair’, ‘sling’, ‘brace’ and ‘immobilization’. This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRIMSA) guidelines. Two reviewers performed an independent assessment of the methodological quality of each eligible clinical study using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS).Results: Based on current biomechanical evidence, placement of the arm into an abducted position following rotator cuff repair was found to be favorable. An abduction angle of 30° was associated with lower strain on the repair while maintaining appropriate contact pressure at the footprint. However, the use of an abduction brace did not result in a clinically significant improvement in long-term PROM, ROM, and re-tear rates when compared to a traditional sling in clinical studies.Conclusion: Despite observing favorable outcomes with abduction bracing after rotator cuff repair in biomechanical studies these findings were not reproduced in clinical studies. However, current clinical studies are comprised of small sample sizes, varying tear sizes, and significant heterogeneity in both, the degree of abduction and forearm rotation. Future studies should be directed towards prospectively investigating the effect of immobilization position among patients with similar rotator cuff tear sizes.

Xanthogranulomatosis is an uncommon disease affecting non-Langerhans histiocytes. Laryngeal involvement is very rare.We describe the clinical case of an adult patient with disseminated xanthogranulomas affecting the supraglottic region of the larynx, leading to thickening and immobility of the epiglottis. The patient experienced inspiratory dyspnea on exertion. A transoral supraglottic epiglottectomy was performed, and a tracheostomy was subsequently required.

This article examines the relationship between Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), neurovascular dynamics, and sensory sensitivities in autistic women during menstruation. The redirection of blood flow to the uterus during the menstrual cycle has been found to exacerbate cerebral perfusion deficits in neurodivergent individuals, particularly in the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC), which contributes to the mood dysregulation and emotional instability characteristic of PMDD. Autistic women, who often exhibit heightened sensory sensitivities, experience intensified discomfort during menstruation, as sensory overload and altered pain perception compound the emotional challenges of PMDD. These findings emphasize the need for neurodivergent-friendly menstrual products that mitigate both physical and emotional discomfort. Additionally, innovations using biodegradable materials, smart fabrics, and custom-fit menstrual solutions are discussed as potential breakthroughs to improve the quality of life for autistic women managing PMDD. This research highlights the importance of addressing both neurobiological and sensory aspects when designing interventions for PMDD in neurodivergent populations.

Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) is a major public health concern, affecting approximately 900,000 people annually in the United States. In rare cases, a Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO) may allow a venous thrombus to cross into the arterial circulation, causing a paradoxical embolism. This case report presents a 46-year-old male who developed left renal artery stenosis after a paradoxical embolism, likely triggered by a prolonged flight and binge alcohol consumption. The patient was found to have a moderate-sized PFO and renal infarction, confirmed by imaging studies. Despite initial anticoagulation therapy and a planned stenting procedure, intraoperative findings revealed only mild stenosis, leading to cancellation of the stent placement. The patient ultimately underwent PFO closure with an Amplatzer Talisman device. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges in managing paradoxical embolism and the need for individualized treatment, particularly concerning anticoagulation duration, the decision for PFO closure, and post-procedural antithrombotic therapy. Further research is required to establish optimal management strategies for cryptogenic embolic events.

This study aims to make a database of the birds in the area of Elssuki, Sinnar state - Sudan. The period of study spanning from 2008 to 2023 with a mix of methods used to identify bird species in many sites in the locality, these methods include road count, line transects, and direct count besides registering every strange, rare, or unusual single species seen in the area. All these methods are used by different researchers and applied in such studies in Sudan.The study revealed that the area is one of the important areas enriched of birds in Sinnar state of 19 orders 53 families. The total number of species is 129 species. It included all birds; water birds, tree birds, diving birds, dabbling birds, swimming birds, small waders, and passerines which the most. The study concluded that there is a need for comprehensive and regular studies and short and long-term monitoring to identify, classify, and establish a database for Sudan Birds Atlas.

Soil dwelling bacteria able to colonize plant roots and closely associated soil are referred to as rhizobacteria. A wide range of rhizobacteria has the ability to promote plant growth directly by producing phytohormone and nutrients; and indirectly by controlling plant pathogen. These beneficial bacteria are known as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). PGPR control phytopathogens by producing chemicals that could damage pathogen cells, removing pathogen specific nutrients from the environment, or inducing resistance against pathogen in plant body. Antagonistic bacteria specifically damage pathogens by producing lytic enzymes, antibiotics and bacteriocins; and excluding pathogen from plant environment by siderophores oriented iron chelation. This review highlights the antagonistic feature of PGPR. Application of antagonistic bacteria as biopesticides is an attractive alternate of chemical pesticides. Chemical pesticides are non-targeted and cause pollution during its synthesis as well as at the site of application. Antagonistic bacteria could be used as biopesticides and biofertilizers for better plant health and growth improvement.