The comparative characterization of the complete mitogenome of three subspecies of the genus Rucervus duvaucelii revealed close genetic relationship among Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii, Rucervus duvaucelii branderi and Rucervus duvaucelii ranjitsinhii. Three mitogenome of Rucervus duvaucelii branderi were sequenced by next generation sequencing without the use of mitogenome-specific primers and measured 16407 bp, 16412 bp and 16361 bp. These three sequences of Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii (n = 3) were compared with seven previously reported Rucervus mitogenomes derived by Sanger sequencing using specific primers. The length of coding genes (CGs) in all the three subspecies ranged from 11461 bp to 11403 bp accounting for 69.77-69.85% of the mitogenome. The A + T content of the 13 CGs in the mitogenome were comparable among the three subspecies. All transfer RNA gene sequences formed secondary cloverleaf structures except trn Ser2 and G + C content of the tRNA genes varied from 20.3% (trn Arg ) to 45.2% (trn Asn ). Two hepta nucleotide motifs (‘ttttccc’ and ‘gtacata’) were observed in the control region. The atp8 gene presented the highest evolutionary rate, with a dN/dS ratio of (0.348) whereas cox1 exhibited the lowest (0.0106). The phylogenetic tree highlighted the evolutionary significance of the genus Rucervus and all the ten whole mitochondrial genome sequences were clustered together.

ABSTRACT This review is based on the prevalence of exposure to environment pollutants and their effects on metabolic health through epigenetic pathway over generations. Cadmium (Cd) is a heavy-metal with a half-life of 10 - 30 years that tends to accumulate in vital organs, thereby disturbing metabolic equilibrium. This review also highlights how maternal and paternal exposure to Cd can negatively impact the health and development of offspring, highlighting the importance of epigenetics and heritable transmission of metabolic disorders. This review highlights the epigenetic alterations caused by Cd exposure such as histone modifications, DNA methylation and noncoding RNA interactions. We also discuss the potential intergenerational effects that lead to variations in prenatal development, nutritional transport, and metabolism. This review also highlights the need for interdisciplinary approaches to understand the long-term effects of environmental pollutants and improve public health measures with, the aim of minimizing the effects of hazardous pollutants. To improve health outcomes, more investigations are needed to mitigate pollution and control, and more research on the molecular impact and focused therapies for health issues caused by the epigenetic influence of heavy metals.

Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) can accumulate in the nervous system via various exposure routes, including ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Such accumulation may contribute to neurotoxic outcomes, including alterations in neuronal structure, inhibition of neurodevelopment, as well as cognitive, behavioral, and neurodegenerative diseases. This review provides a comprehensive examination of the potential mechanisms through which MPs and NPs may exert neurotoxic effects. These mechanisms include: (1) cellular-level disruptions such as OS, mitochondrial dysfunction, and DNA damage; (2) neurochemical alterations involving neurotransmitter imbalances and inhibition of AChE activity; and (3) structural and systemic effects such as BBB disruption, inflammatory responses, and gut–brain axis-mediated neurotoxicity. Building upon these mechanistic insights, recent studies have explored various agents that may mitigate neurotoxicity induced by MPs/NPs, These substances may exert protective effects through multiple pathways, including reducing oxidative stress (e.g. curcumin), suppressing inflammation (e.g. probiotics), and preserving BBB integrity (e.g. Camellia pollen). However, there are still gaps in research regarding chronic low-dose exposure, interactions with co-pollutants, and susceptible populations. Future research should focus on actual exposure scenarios to more accurately assess the risk of neurotoxicity.

ABSTRACT This study explored the relationship between the CT values of hepatic echinococcal imaging and related parameters such as bile leakage and calcification and the activity and course of hepatic cystic echinococcosis (HCE). The CT imaging findings, CT values, and biological characteristics of 331 patients with HCE diagnosed by clinical CT and confirmed by surgical pathology were retrospectively analysed. Significant differences were observed in the cyst wall (F = 384.364, P < 0.001) and intra-cyst (F = 217.753, P < 0.001) CT values between the stages groups, with a tendency for both values to increase gradually with HCE evolution from CL to CE5. The incidence of bile leakage (χ 2 = 43.902, P < 0.001) and calcification (χ 2 = 87.488, P < 0.001) tended to increase gradually with HCE evolution from CL to CE5; the CT values positively correlated with the incidence of calcification (rs = 0.468) and bile leakage (rs = 0.285); and bile leakage and calcification positively correlated (χ 2 = 6.972, P = 0.008). CT values and findings can reflect cyst contents and calcification trends at different stages in HCE and have value in judging the occurrence of biliary fistula and calcification in hepatic echinococcus and predicting the growth state of hydatids.

Animal models have historically played a crucial role in understanding emerging infectious diseases and developing preventive measures such as vaccines and therapeutics. With the emergence of the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, the Syrian hamster has emerged as a valuable model for studying COVID-19 transmission, pathogenesis, treatment, and vaccine development. This popularity stems from the Syrian hamster's cellular expression pattern of the virus receptor angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), which closely resembles that of humans. The Syrian hamster effectively recapitulates key COVID-19 characteristics observed in patients, including ageusia and anosmia resulting from infection of the olfactory epithelium, dysregulated NETosis, and age and sex dependence of lesion severity. However, like any model, Syrian hamsters have limitations. They do not replicate the systemic response seen in humans following SARS-CoV-2 infection and cannot model asymptomatic courses with silent seroconversion, extrapulmonary multi-organ vascular lesions and thromboses, or neuroinvasion and encephalitis. Despite these limitations, young Syrian hamsters are suitable models for moderate, less therapeutically relevant courses of COVID-19, while older Syrian hamsters represent a useful model for elderly or otherwise predisposed COVID-19 patients.

Plant secondary metabolites play vital roles in growth, defence, and human pharmacological applications, with medicinal plants historically used to treat diseases. However, climate-change-induced drought may threaten medicinal plants' growth and metabolite production. This study examines drought effects on two medicinal plants common in the UK: Plantago lanceolata and Tanacetum parthenium. Under glasshouse conditions, we compared growth, chlorophyll content, and photosystem II efficiency (Fv/Fm) in well-watered vs. low-watered plants. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) measured the concentration of parthenolide in T. parthenium and verbascoside in P. lanceolata leaves, with both compounds being the two most abundant with medicinal relevance. Results showed significantly reduced growth for both species under drought, though photosynthetic performance remained unaffected. Parthenolide content in T. parthenium decreased with low water, while verbascoside in P. lanceolata showed no significant change. This study highlights drought’s impact on medicinal plants' growth and metabolite production, emphasizing the need for further research on environmental factors affecting secondary metabolites under climate change.

ABSTRACT Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths globally, accounting for 1.8 million fatalities in 2020. Genetic mutations, chromosomal abnormalities, transcription factors, mutations in tumor suppressor genes, and mutations in oncogenes have all been associated with an increased risk of LC development. Heterogeneity of the disease, resistance to chemotherapy, and side effects such as nausea and vomiting, fatigue, anemia, neuropathy, hair loss, and skin and nail changes are associated with conventional therapeutics such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and targeted therapy. Thus, the treatment of the disease urgently requires the discovery of novel therapeutic approaches. This review identifies and discusses key molecular and genetic targets for LC therapy, highlighting recent advancements and potential clinical applications. Our efforts encompass all biological targets and aim to increase our understanding of these processes to better comprehend the disease's molecular mechanisms and develop new drugs and more effective LC treatments.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social communication deficits and other behavioral issues. Autism, escalating as a global health concern, has yielded substantial discoveries in the past 40 years. This paper presents a comprehensive review that summarizes the progress in the etiology, diagnosis, and therapy of autism in children. We searched for potentially relevant studies in three databases (Web of Science, PubMed and CINAHL) from inception until March 2024. In addition, we manually searched the bibliographies of the included studies to find articles that might otherwise have been missed. The search strategy was defined by identifying key terms from the research question related to ‘autism', and ‘etiology', ‘diagnosis' and ‘therapy'. To reduce the number of papers cited, the most recent review papers and meta-analyses were used whenever possible. We selected papers based on our judgement of the quality of the study or review paper, its relevance to controversial or commonly misunderstood issues, and whether the findings were clinically relevant. Finally, this paper summarizes the current status of autism research, looks forward to future research directions, and calls for more research to explore the pathogenic mechanisms, diagnostic basis, and therapeutic methods of autism.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious disease that affects people worldwide, including in Saudi Arabia. The study analyzed the frequency of diagnosed TB cases, age-specific incidence rate, year of diagnosis, and prevalence of TB in Saudi Arabia from 2014 to 2020. Based on the National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) data, 21,120 patients were diagnosed with TB. The mean incidence rate of pulmonary TB and extra-pulmonary TB was approximately 6.92 and 2.33 per 100,000 population, respectively. The highest age-specific incidence rate was observed in the 25–35 year age group. The non-Saudi population (11,086 cases; 52.50%) was significantly more affected by both types of TB compared to the Saudi population (10,034 cases; 47.50%). The male population of Saudi and non-Saudi was significantly more affected by both types of TB. The highest overall mean incidence rate per 100,000 population was observed in the Jeddah and Jazan regions. The study's findings may have implications for supporting public health interventions and implementing a more effective TB control strategy program in Saudi Arabia. It suggests that immigrants from TB-endemic countries and religious visitors from high-risk countries should undergo pre and post-arrival screening for TB to reduce its incidence.

Background: It is well known that cognitive function is associated with gender differences. However, the effect of sex differences on the relationship between lipids fractions and cognitive function in older adults has been contentious. Methods: 2,170 participants from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1999-2002 and 2011-2014) were included. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglycerides (TG) were measured. Cognitive function was assessed using the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST). Multiple linear regression models and restricted cubic spline curve fitting were used. Results: Overall, low HDL-C levels were negatively associated with DSST scores in every group. The levels of TC, TG, and LDL-C were not significantly associated with DSST scores, not only in the total population but also in the males. In the females, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, high TC levels were negatively related to DSST scores (OR = −3.590, 95% CI: – 6.343 to – 0.837), and high TG levels were found positively associated with DSST scores (OR = 2.323, 95% CI: 0.159–4.488). Conclusion: Low plasma HDL is associated with cognitive dysfunction in older adults. In older women, high TC levels are positively associated with cognitive decline while high TG levels may protect cognitive function.