This study assessed feeding practices, egg production performance, egg quality, and production constraints of exotic chicken breeds (Sasso and Bovans Brown) reared under traditional management systems in Misrak Silte District, Central Ethiopia. Purposive and random sampling was used to select study kebeles and 316 households. Data were collected on household characteristics, husbandry practices, egg production performance, and egg quality traits, and 160 eggs were sampled for quality evaluation. Results showed that 87.7% of respondents provided supplementary feed, mainly household food leftovers (70.8%) and grain leftovers (17.5%). Most respondents (60.76%) housed chickens only at night. The average age at first lay (days) for Sasso chickens in the midland and lowland was 170.35 ± 14.54 and 149.06 ± 8.21, respectively, while Bovans Brown recorded 180.69 ± 12.17 and 168.22 ± 8.73. Annual egg production (eggs/hen/year) was higher in the midland than the lowland for both breeds (p < 0.05), with Sasso producing 167.9 ± 8.48 and 149.6 ± 6.92 eggs and Bovans Brown producing 145.2 ± 4.04 and 136.6 ± 4.73 eggs, respectively. Agroecology significantly affected (p < 0.05) both external and internal egg quality traits, and higher values for most quality parameters were recorded in the midland agroecology than in the lowland. Disease, feed shortage, predator attacks, and lack of capital were the major constraints in both agroecologies. In conclusion, productive performance and egg quality traits of exotic chickens under traditional management were significantly influenced by breed and agroecology, with Sasso chickens and the midland agroecology showing superior performance.

Diabetes mellitus is a global health issue caused by chronic hyperglycemia. Although various therapeutic options are available, each carries potential side effects, prompting growing interest in exploring natural compounds as alternative treatments. Quercetin, a flavonoid known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, is suspected to play a role in glucose regulation, although its molecular mechanisms remain incompletely understood. This study aimed to analyze the in vivo effects of quercetin on the phenotype of Drosophila melanogaster and to validate its potential mechanism through an in silico molecular docking approach, focusing on its interaction with diabetes-related enzyme targets. Phenotypic evaluation included measurements of body morphology, locomotor activity, survival rate, and hemolymph glucose levels. Molecular analyses were conducted using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), while molecular docking studies were performed to assess quercetin's interaction with the enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4). Quercetin significantly reduced hemolymph glucose levels in both larvae (p < 0.0001) and adult flies (p < 0.001) within the concentration range of 1-10 μm without affecting adult flies' locomotor activity or survival. Additionally, quercetin enhanced the expression of genes involved in metabolic and stress response and improved growth parameters and motor activity in larvae subjected to a high-sugar diet. Molecular docking studies revealed that quercetin has a high affinity for DPP4, supporting its proposed hypoglycemic mechanism. This study provides both phenotypic and molecular evidence that quercetin exerts hypoglycemic effects in D. melanogaster, potentially mediated through DPP4 inhibition and modulation of metabolic and stress-response pathways. These findings offer new insight into the mechanisms of quercetin in glucose regulation.

Plant-derived bioactive compounds are recognized as sustainable and promising alternatives to synthetic pharmaceuticals. This study examines the pharmacological efficacy of the methanolic leaf extract of Santolina chamaecyparissus, focusing on its antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. The extract was evaluated by well-diffusion and broth microdilution against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli, as well as Candida albicans. MICs ranged from 64 μg/mL (C. albicans) to 256 μg/mL (E. faecalis), with 128 μg/mL for S. aureus, E. coli, and P. aeruginosa. The antioxidant potential was assessed using a DPPH radical scavenging assay, which revealed a dose-dependent response with 59.23% inhibition at 100 μg/mL. Furthermore, the extract displayed potent cytotoxicity against A549 cells, with IC50 values of 85.38 μg/mL at 24 h and 72.46 μg/mL at 48 h, indicating its potential as an anticancer agent. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis identified key phytoconstituents potentially responsible for these bioactivities. These findings highlight the extract's broad therapeutic promise, supporting S. chamaecyparissus as a candidate for further development in antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer applications.

Mushrooms are recognized for their therapeutic qualities in addition to their nutritional value. Numerous substances with therapeutic properties are present even in inedible mushrooms. These substances can be used to make potent medications once they have been refined and examined. The present study aims to explore the biological activities of the extracts of Microporous xanthopus and Phylloporia pectinata , collected from Gulmi District, Nepal. The methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of both species were subjected to phytochemical screening, total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), and antioxidant and antibacterial activity. The LC–MS analysis was performed to identify the compounds present in the extract by detecting and analyzing their molecular ion peaks. The TPC (611.89 and 319.16 mg GAE/g) and TFC (57.18 and 142.37 mg QE/g) were found highest in the ethyl acetate extract of P. pectinata and M. xanthopus, respectively. The antioxidant activity (DPPH radical scavenging %) of the methanolic extract and the ethyl acetate extract of M. xanthopus was found to be 41.7% and 21.6%, whereas that for P. pectinata was found to be 78.6% and 55.4%, respectively. Those extracts were found to inhibit the growth of S. aureus, E. coli , and S. typhi . The LC–MS analysis of the extract of P. pectinata showed eight important secondary metabolites present in the extract. These mushrooms, with their rich content of bioactive compounds, demonstrate significant antioxidant and antibacterial properties, indicating their potential for medicinal applications.

Ethiopian woodlands offer a variety of cultural, social, and economic advantages. However, human disturbances, climate change, and changes in land use may have influences on the benefits and services that woodlands currently provide. Furthermore, the distribution of plant ecosystems can be influenced by ecological characteristics. This study aimed to identify the types of plant communities, the relationships between plant communities and environmental conditions, the diversity, composition, and structure of woody plant species, and the regeneration status of woody species in the Basso Subwatershed. To gather information on vegetation and environmental conditions, systematic random sampling was employed. Fifty-two 20 m × 20 m sample quadrats were set up to assess trees and shrubs, and five 5 × 5 m subplots were created to assess seedlings and saplings. Woody species diversity was evaluated using the Shannon–Weiner diversity index, species richness, and Shannon evenness. Canonical correspondence analysis was used to examine links between vegetation and the environmental factors. In this study, a total of 28 plant species that belong to 17 families and five different plant community types were identified. The richness and diversity of species differed depending on the type of community. The overall Shannon–Wiener diversity index (2.65), species richness (25), and the Shannon evenness value (0.84) of the woodland were recorded in the subwatershed. Findings show that slope, disturbance, and grazing intensity reflected significant effects on woody vegetation patterns in the Basso Subwatershed (p < 0.01). However, altitude, aspect, and human impacts did not show significant effects on woody vegetation patterns in the Basso Subwatershed (p > 0.01). The most dominant woody species in the subwatershed were Acalypha fruticosa, Terminalia brownii, Combretum molle, and Balanites aegyptiaca. In the future, rehabilitation and sustainable vegetation management techniques will take into consideration significant environmental factors, particularly for species with low rates of regeneration like Dichrostachys cinerea, Grewia bicolor, and Maytenus senegalensis.

Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that infect living plant tissues internally without producing obvious symptoms of infection, existing in a symbiotic relationship with plants for a portion of their life cycle. Currently, endophytic fungi serve as alternate sources for the production of new bioactive chemicals with great efficacy. This study aimed to examine the antimigration and anti-invasion capabilities of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus aculeatus extract, isolated from Capsicum annuum L., utilizing in vitro and in silico methods. This study isolated the endophytic fungus A. aculeatus from the leaves of C. annuum L. LC–MS analysis revealed fifty-five active components within the extract. Ten compounds exhibited favorable results in the in silico assessment. Computational predictions indicate that tajixanthone methanoate (−8.80 kcal/mol) and aspernigerin (−12.95 kcal/mol) exhibited high binding affinity against MMP-2. The A. aculeatus extract demonstrated antiproliferative activity with an IC50 value of 286.36 ± 122.57 μg/mL. The extract, at noncytotoxic concentrations, reduced the migration and invasion of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, A. aculeatus extract demonstrated a marked reduction in MMP-2 activity. According to these results, the compounds may serve as antimigration and anti-invasion agents by inhibiting the MMP-2 protein. The results demonstrated that A. aculeatus extract derived from C. annuum L. inhibited A549 cell migration and invasion via reducing MMP-2 activity. The findings indicated that A. aculeatus extract derived from C. annuum L. may be utilized for the treatment of lung cancer.

The present study aimed to employ a diverse range of immunoinformatics and in vitro techniques to construct and validate a potentially active multiepitope subunit vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 using cytotoxic T-lymphocyte epitopes. To design the vaccine, a library of antigenic, nonallergic, and immunogenic epitopes of the spike protein was prepared. To improve the immunogenicity and safety of the final subunit vaccine, a sequence comprising three antigenic and nontoxic CTL epitopes was selected. To predict the tertiary structure of the vaccine, docking studies manipulating human major histocompatibility complex 1 (MHC-1) and Toll-like receptor-4 and Toll-like receptor-8 (TLR-4 and TLR-8) receptors were carried out. The consistency of the vaccine's binding to the selected receptors was confirmed by molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. In addition, the cloned vaccine was introduced into a bacterial culture, and its expression and antigenicity were assessed using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting, respectively. The vaccine design revealed a strong affinity for the TLR-8 and MHC-1 receptors, as evidenced by molecular docking analysis. The MD simulations conducted in specific systems yielded further data supporting the robust and enduring binding of TLR-8 and MHC-1 receptors to CTL epitopes. The bacterial cells harboring the vaccine sequence demonstrated robust production of the vaccine protein upon induction with IPTG. In addition, Western blotting demonstrated the antigenic properties of the vaccine protein. Computational and in vitro analyses suggested that the designed multiepitope subunit vaccine is stable and can induce specific immune responses against SARS-CoV-2.

Water can serve as a source of genetic resistance and act as an amplifier and/or reservoir for genes acquired by human pathogens, which can be released into the environment as pollutants. The interior bay of Puno, part of Lake Titicaca, is a popular tourist attraction, being an active component of the dynamics of the city of Puno. Therefore, the determination of the presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in water samples from the interior bay of Puno of six collection points was the main objective of this research work. DNA extraction was conducted, followed by the identification and quantification of 16S rRNA and Escherichia coli uidA gene, two ARGs (bla TEM and qacEΔ1), and class 1 integron-integrase gene (intI1) by means of quantitative PCR. The intI1 and qacEΔ1 genes were detected throughout the interior bay of Puno; however, the abundance of the bla TEM gene was comparatively lower. The uidA gene was reported only in some sampled points with < LOQ. These findings should raise concerns regarding the potential risk of their dissemination in Lake Titicaca and their impact on public health.

Five Flower Remedy (FFR), a Thai traditional medicine, has a history of use for various ailments. This study investigated its antidiabetic potential by examining its impact on key carbohydrate-metabolizing enzymes, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. We explored FFR's inhibitory effects, synergistic interactions with the standard antidiabetic drug acarbose, and the underlying mechanisms involved. In vitro analysis revealed that FFRA significantly inhibited both α-amylase and α-glucosidase. Importantly, a synergistic effect was observed when FFRA extract was combined with acarbose, particularly at low concentrations for α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibition. This suggests a potential benefit in combination therapy. Furthermore, FFRE demonstrated greater inhibitory potency against both enzymes compared to acarbose. Mechanistically, FFRE inhibited α-amylase through competitive inhibition and α-glucosidase through noncompetitive inhibition, indicating distinct modes of action. These findings provide scientific validation for the traditional use of FFR in managing diabetes and offer valuable insights into its pharmacological properties. The observed synergistic effects and distinct inhibition mechanisms highlight FFR's potential as a therapeutic agent. This study serves as a foundation for future research, including identifying the specific bioactive components responsible for FFR's antidiabetic effects, in vivo studies to confirm these findings in living organisms, and ultimately, clinical trials to evaluate its efficacy and safety in human subjects. Further investigation could pave the way for developing FFR as a novel therapeutic approach for diabetes management.

Feed additives are essential for economic sustainability in aquaculture. However, the use of synthetic chemical additives in fish culture can lead to antibiotic resistance, reduced drug potency, and decreased profitability. Hence, the need for an eco-friendly alternative such as Atama, Heinsia crinita, leaf. Therefore, the presence of metabolites was characterized in Atama leaves extract (ALE) using a gas chromatography-mass spectrophotometer (GC-MS), while minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and zone of inhibition (ZI) were determined against some selected pathogenic organisms using standard methods. Furthermore, the effects of dietary ALE on growth performance, intestinal microbiota, hematology, and liver function enzymes were examined in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus. Four diets of 350 g/kg crude protein were formulated and fortified with ALE at 0.0 (control), 2.0, 4.0, or 6.0 g/kg diet. Each diet was fed to Nile tilapia juveniles (4.0 ± 0.63 g) to apparent satiation three times a day for 56 days. The GC-MS analysis of ALE revealed nine metabolites, with methyl stearate being the most abundant (29.1%) and neophytadiene the least (0.4%). ALE significantly (p < 0.05) inhibited the all-tested organisms with MIC 2.0 mg/mL and ZI ranged from 12.6 to 30.2 mm. Also, it was observed that ALE-enriched diets linearly significantly (p < 0.05) promoted fish growth, feed intake, and specific growth rate than the fish fed control diet. Conversely, the feed conversion ratio was greatly reduced (p = 0.001) in fish fed ALE-based diet than the basal group without major effect on the survival rate. Total viable counts of bacteria were linearly and quadratically significantly (p < 0.05) decreased in Nile tilapia fed with ALE-enriched diets when compared to the fish fed the control diet in an inverse relationship with ALE inclusion levels. The population of Vibrio Sp. (24.2 × 106 CFU/g), Flavobacterium sp. (3.7 × 106 CFU/g), Proteus sp. (1.6 × 106 CFU/g), and Pseudomonas sp. (52.0 × 106 CFU/g) in the control group were greatly reduced in fish fed 4.0 g ALE/kg diet to 7.7 × 106 CFU/g, 2.3 × 106 CFU/g, 1.1 × 106 CFU/g, and 1.3 × 106 CFU/g, respectively. Hematological profiles and liver function indices significantly decreased at 4-6 g ALE/kg diet. In conclusion, ALE-supplemented diets inhibited the growth of selected pathogenic bacteria, promoted fish growth, improved hematological profiles, and reduced liver function enzyme activity in Nile tilapia when fed diets containing 4.0-6.0 g/kg ALE.