This review synthesizes recent advances (2020-2025) in stem cell-based regenerative medicine, focusing on integrating mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and biomaterials to overcome key translational barriers: poor engraftment (<20% in vivo), immunogenicity, and scalability. While Phase II trials demonstrate iPSC-biomaterial constructs achieving 80-90% differentiation efficiency in cartilage and cardiac repair outperforming embryonic stem cells (ESCs) persistent challenges include tumorigenicity, manufacturing variability, and regulatory hurdles. Most importantly, there are contradictions: MSCs are particularly effective in immunomodulation although with mixed results, and 3D bioprinting improves vascularization but falls behind with organoids on clinical scale. Existing gaps in long-term safety data are exemplified, and a model is suggested to enable the prioritisation of selected strategies of autologous iPSC use in terms of ethical limitations, advancing the field past the existing reviews into the realms of the viable application of the strategy to the clinic.
Morinia zhenhang Fu, Xue &amp; Cui, sp. nov. (振航墨粉蝇) collected from Beijing, China, and Pollenia yuensis Fu, Xue &amp; Cui, sp. nov. (豫粉蝇) collected from Henan Province and Beijing, China, are described and illustrated. Keys to the Chinese males of the genus Morinia and to the Chinese species of the genus Pollenia are provided. Digital illustration techniques were used to depict the habitus, frontal head views, and terminalia of the two species. The type specimens are preserved in the Insect Museum of Henan Institute of Science and Technology and the Shanghai Entomological Museum, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Hanan R. H. Mohamed, Esraa G. S. Ibrahim, Ahmed A. El-Sherif
Abstract Frankincense oil nanoemulsion (FONE) exhibits high bioavailability, enhanced cellular uptake, and improved kinetic stability, making it a promising candidate for therapeutic applications. However, its potential effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain insufficiently explored. This study consequently investigated the cytotoxic and apoptotic activities of FONE on human hepatocellular carcinoma (Hep-G2) cells, focusing on cell viability, oxidative stress, DNA damage, and the regulation of apoptosis-related genes. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated in Hep-G2 hepatic cancer cells and normal human skin fibroblasts (HSF) using the Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay. Oxidative stress markers, DNA damage, and apoptotic gene expression were assessed through biochemical analysis, alkaline comet assay, and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), respectively. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were measured using 2,7-dichlorofluorescin diacetate (2,7-DCFH-DA) staining. Treatment with FONE at concentrations of 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 µg/ml for 48 h caused a significant, concentration-dependent reduction in Hep-G2 cell viability, with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 176.14 µg/ml, while showing minimal cytotoxicity in HSF cells (IC50 = 515.7 µg/ml). Mechanistic investigations revealed that exposure to FONE IC50 concentration (176.14 µg/ml) significantly elevated ROS level, DNA damage, and lipid peroxidation (malondialdehyde level), accompanied by a marked decline in antioxidant defenses, including glutathione content and glutathione peroxidase activity. Gene expression analysis showed notable upregulation of pro-apoptotic genes p53 and Bax, alongside a strong downregulation of the anti-apoptotic gene Bcl-2, in a concentration-dependent manner. FONE exerts selective cytotoxic effects against Hep-G2 cells, mediated by ROS-induced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and apoptosis induction. These findings highlight FONE’s potential as a targeted therapeutic agent for hepatocellular carcinoma. Further in vivo investigations and clinical evaluations are recommended to validate its efficacy and safety.
Ahmed Z. I. Shehata, Ahmed A. El-Mehdawy, Mohammed A. Mahmoud
et al.
Abstract This study systematically evaluated the efficiency of rose bengal and methylene blue as photosensitizers against the immature aquatic stages of Anopheles pharoensis. Genetic identification using the COI partial sequence confirmed the species, and the obtained sequence was submitted to GenBank (Accession No. PQ346929). Both photosensitizers exhibited 100% mortality in larvae I within 24 h at their highest concentrations, demonstrating strong biocidal activity. LC50 values for rose bengal increased from 1.50 ppm (24 h) and 1.34 ppm (48 h) in larvae I to 3.83 ppm (24 h) and 3.12 ppm (48 h) in pupae. Similarly, methylene blue showed LC50 values rising from 1.14 ppm (24 h) and 0.90 ppm (48 h) in larvae I to 2.91 ppm (24 h) and 2.51 ppm (48 h) in pupae, indicating stage-dependent susceptibility. Enzymatic responses revealed a progressive increase in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in the developmental stage, suggesting a physiological adaptation to the photosensitizers. Molecular docking against the AChE protein (PDB ID: 6xyu) confirmed insecticidal bioactivity, with methylene blue exhibiting superior binding affinity, aligning with the in-vitro larvicidal results. Furthermore, a Complex GAPI assessment confirmed the environmental sustainability of both photosensitizers, supporting their potential as eco-friendly alternatives for mosquito control. The use of Complex GAPI in assessing the environmental sustainability of photosensitizers in mosquito control represents a novel approach in the field of integrated pest management. This advancement not only aligns with the principles of green chemistry but also addresses the growing need for sustainable alternatives to traditional chemical insecticides. These findings highlight the feasibility of utilizing light-activated photosensitizers for sustainable vector management.
Citronella essential oil (Cymbopogon nardus) contains major compounds such as citronellol, geraniol, and eugenol, which provide a distinctive aroma and possess antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antioxidant properties. These bioactive components have potential as feed additives for small ruminants in the form of premix supplements. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adding citronella essential oil in a premix on milk production and quality of Sapera dairy goats. Sixteen Sapera goats, aged 18-20 months and in their first lactation, were divided into two groups: control (P0) and treatment (P1). The goats were fed factory-made concentrate supplemented with a premix containing 2.5% citronella essential oil (equivalent to 2% in total feed). The independent variable was the addition of the premix, while the dependent variables were milk production and milk quality (specific gravity, fat, protein, and total solids). Data were analyzed using a paired t-test. Results showed that feed intake was 2,221.28 g/head/day in P0 and 2,552.41 g/head/day in P1. Milk production increased from 853.99 ml/head/day (P0) to 1,026.97 ml/head/day (P1). The addition of 2.5% citronella essential oil in the premix significantly improved milk yield and quality (fat, protein, lactose, and total solids) compared to the control diet.
Despite the mechanisation of the forest industry, the profession of a tree feller is still in demand. A tree feller with chainsaw works under great physical strain on all muscle groups. A distinctive feature of the job is the need to constantly change working postures and the need to hold a fairly heavy petrol-powered chainsaw in your outstretched arms. Facilitating the working conditions of the tree feller by reducing his or her physical fatigue is an urgent task. In order to achieve the purpose of this work, it was necessary to investigate the working conditions at a tree feller's workplace, to study the exoskeleton designs used in different branches of industry, and to formulate the requirements for a chainsaw operator’s exoskeleton design. To achieve the goal and solve the designated tasks, the use of patent information search methods, among scientific and technical literature, comparison, functional-structural-technological analysis, allowed one to establish the currently achieved technical level of exoskeletons and trends in their development. Thanks to the use of the brainstorming method in addition to the aforementioned methods, it was possible to achieve the final result of the work, which consists in the formulation of requirements for an exoskeleton for a chainsaw operator.
The ability to recognize the body sizes of sheep is significantly influenced by posture, especially without artificial fixation, leading to more noticeable changes. This study presents a recognition model using the Mask R-CNN convolutional neural network to identify the sides and backs of sheep. The proposed approach includes an algorithm for extracting key frames through mask calculation and specific algorithms for head-down, head-up, and jumping postures of Ujumqin sheep. The study reported an accuracy of 94.70% in posture classification. We measured the body size parameters of Ujumqin sheep of different sexes and in different walking states, including observations of head-down and head-up. The errors for the head-down position of rams, in terms of body slanting length, withers height, hip height, and chest depth, were recorded as 0.08 ± 0.06, 0.09 ± 0.07, 0.07 ± 0.05, and 0.12 ± 0.09, respectively. For rams in the head-up position, the corresponding errors were 0.06 ± 0.05, 0.06 ± 0.05, 0.07 ± 0.05, and 0.13 ± 0.07, respectively. The errors for the head-down position of ewes, in terms of body slanting length, withers height, hip height, and chest depth, were recorded as 0.06 ± 0.05, 0.09 ± 0.08, 0.07 ± 0.06, and 0.13 ± 0.10, respectively. For ewes in the head-up position, the corresponding errors were 0.06 ± 0.05, 0.08 ± 0.06, 0.06 ± 0.04, and 0.16 ± 0.12, respectively. The study observed that sheep walking through a passage exhibited a more curved knee posture compared to normal measurements, often with a lowered head. This research presents a cost-effective data collection scheme for studying multiple postures in animal husbandry.
Long-distance migratory birds often face major geographical barriers on their journey. While some species are able to cross them, others use longer routes to avoid such barriers. Little is known about the strategies of Siberian landbird migrants, which either cross or circumvent the deserts and mountain ranges of Central Asia en route to their non-breeding sites in Southeast Asia. Here we compare data on migration phenology and morphology from two bird ringing stations in eastern Russia, situated at similar latitudes but with a longitudinal difference of 1500 km, to hypothesise migration patterns. We found significant differences in timing between the two sites (birds migrated significantly earlier in spring and significantly later in autumn in the east), suggesting longitudinal migration as a result of migration detour. However, morphological differences show a less clear pattern. We argue that most Siberian landbirds might opt for a detour through the Russian Far East instead of a direct route in order to avoid unfavourable stop-over habitat in Central Asia. However, tracking studies will be necessary to prove this.
Evolutionary shifts from one habitat type to another can clarify selective forces that affect life-history attributes. Four lineages of snakes (acrochordids and three clades within the Elapidae) have invaded marine habitats, and all have larger offspring than do terrestrial snakes. Predation by fishes on small neonates offers a plausible selective mechanism for that shift, because ascending to breathe at the ocean surface exposes a marine snake to midwater predation whereas juvenile snakes in terrestrial habitats can remain hidden. Consistent with this hypothesis, snake-shaped models moving through a coral-reef habitat in New Caledonia attracted high rates of attack by predatory fishes, and small models (the size of neonatal terrestrial snakes) were attacked more frequently than were large models (the size of neonatal sea snakes). Vulnerability to predatory fishes may have imposed strong selection for increased offspring size in marine snakes.
This study evaluated the effects of hydrolysable tannin (HT) and condensed tannin (CT) on the bacterial community, fermentation quality, and proteolysis of alfalfa silage. Alfalfa was wilted to a dry matter (DM) of 35% fresh weight and ensiled with or without 4% HT or 4% CT. The application rates of tannins were based on fresh weight, and each treatment was ensiled in triplicate. After 60 d of fermentation, the CT-treated group had lower concentrations of ammonia nitrogen (NH<sub>3</sub>-N) and free amino acid nitrogen (AA-N), but greater lactic acid concentration, than those in the control and HT-treated silage (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Compared to the control group, the application of tannins increased the abundance of <i>Pseudomonas</i> (negatively correlated with aminopeptidases activity), and decreased the abundance of <i>Pediococcus</i>—which was positively correlated with aminopeptidases activity—and the concentrations of non-protein nitrogen (NPN), NH<sub>3</sub>-N, and AA-N. The application of HT decreased the abundance of <i>Lactobacillus</i> and increased the abundances of <i>Enterococcus</i>, while the opposite results were observed in the CT-treated group. The application of HT and CT reduced the proteolysis in treated silages, but the two were different in terms of their mechanism and their effects on the bacterial communities of the alfalfa silage.
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The gall midges, Janetiella convolvuli Mirumyan & Skuhravá, 2017 and Orseolia cynodontis Kieffer & Massalongo, 1902 are discovered in Iran for the first time based on adult specimens reared from galls on Convolvulus arvensis L. (Convolvulaceae) and Cynodon dactylon (L.) Persoon (Poaceae), respectively. The galls of J. convolvuli and O. cynodontis were previously recorded only in Armenia and European/African sections of the western part of the Palaearctic region, respectively. Some relevant diagnostic characters, photographs, ecological and biological notes, and distributional data for the newly recorded species are provided.
Ilnitsky O.A., Plugatar Y.V., Pashtetsky A.V.
et al.
The objective of the research is to determine the optimal zones and thresholds of soil moisture, temperature, illumination, limiting photosynthesis and transpiration of Quércus pubéscens Willd. and allowing the introduction of the species to other regions. The dependences of the net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and the transpiration rate (E) on stomatal conductivity (gs), leaf temperature (Tl), and soil moisture (Ws) are shown. The ratio of the processes of photosynthesis and respiration, under the influence of soil drought, allowed us to define their optimal values: Ws = 26 – 28%, Pn = 16 –18 μmol/m2c, Rt = 2 – 4 μmol/m2c. The relationship between the net photosynthesis rate, total respiration, and leaf temperature allowed us to determine the temperature maximum of net photosynthesis (the thermal compensation point): Pn = Rt = 2.0 μmol/m2c at Tl = 37ºC. It was found that in the absence of soil drought, the proportion of respiratory costs (Rt/Pg) from true photosynthesis is 20 – 23%, and with soil moisture of 8 – 10% increases to 55 – 58%.
Giovanni Niero, Tania Bobbo, Simone Callegaro
et al.
Extensive summer grazing is a dairy herd management practice frequently adopted in mountainous areas. Nowadays, this activity is threatened by its high labour demand, but it is fundamental for environmental, touristic and economic implications, as well as for the preservation of social and cultural traditions. Scarce information on the effects of such low-input farming systems on cattle health is available. Therefore, the present case study aimed at investigating how grazing may affect the health status of dairy cows by using milk traits routinely available from the national milk recording scheme. The research involved a dairy herd of 52 Simmental and 19 Holstein × Simmental crossbred cows. The herd had access to the pasture according to a rotational grazing scheme from late spring up to the end of summer. A total of 616 test day records collected immediately before and during the grazing season were used. Individual milk yield was registered during the milking procedure. Milk samples were analysed for composition (fat, protein, casein and lactose contents) and health-related milk indicators (electrical conductivity, urea and β-hydroxybutyrate) using mid-infrared spectroscopy. Somatic cell count (SCC) and differential SCC were also determined. Data were analysed with a linear mixed model, which included the fixed effects of the period of sampling, cow breed, stage of lactation and parity, and the random effects of cow nested within breed and the residual. The transition from barn farming to pasture had a negative effect on milk yield, together with a small deterioration of fat and protein percentages. Health-related milk indicators showed a minor deterioration of the fat to protein ratio, differential SCC and electrical conductivity, particularly towards the end of the grazing season, whereas the somatic cell score and β-hydroxybutyrate were relatively constant. Overall, the study showed that, when properly managed, pasture grazing does not have detrimental effects on dairy cows in terms of udder health and efficiency. Therefore, the proper management of cows on pasture can be a valuable solution to preserve the economic, social and environmental sustainability of small dairy farms in the alpine regions, without impairing cows’ health.
The aim of this study was to investigate the use of signal processing to detect eructation peaks in CH<sub>4</sub> released by cows during robotic milking, and to compare recordings from three gas analysers (Guardian SP and NG, and IRMAX) differing in volume of air sampled and response time. To allow comparison of gas analysers using the signal processing approach, CH<sub>4</sub> in air (parts per million) was measured by each analyser at the same time and continuously every second from the feed bin of a robotic milking station. Peak analysis software was used to extract maximum CH<sub>4</sub> amplitude (ppm) from the concentration signal during each milking. A total of 5512 CH<sub>4</sub> spot measurements were recorded from 65 cows during three consecutive sampling periods. Data were analysed with a linear mixed model including analyser × period, parity, and days in milk as fixed effects, and cow ID as a random effect. In period one, air sampling volume and recorded CH<sub>4</sub> concentration were the same for all analysers. In periods two and three, air sampling volume was increased for IRMAX, resulting in higher CH<sub>4</sub> concentrations recorded by IRMAX and lower concentrations recorded by Guardian SP (<i>p</i> < 0.001), particularly in period three, but no change in average concentrations measured by Guardian NG across periods. Measurements by Guardian SP and IRMAX had the highest correlation; Guardian SP and NG produced similar repeatability and detected more variation among cows compared with IRMAX. The findings show that signal processing can provide a reliable and accurate means to detect CH<sub>4</sub> eructations from animals when using different gas analysers.
Krótki raport autorstwa Donalda Weslinga powstał w oparciu o cztery monografie i dwie antologie tekstów napisanych po 2007 roku. Timothy Morton to – zdaniem Weslinga—modelowy przykład teoretyka i stylisty działającego w obszarze stosunkowo nowej dziedziny, jaką jest ekokrytyka materialna. Wesling rozpoczyna omówienie od wprowadzenia diagramu obrazującego kierunki wpływu od filozofów po krytyków literackich. Głównym teoretykiem w pionowym wymiarze diagramu jest Bruno Latour kładący nacisk na sprawczość podmiotów nie-ludzkich (zwierzęta, przedmioty). W wymiarze poziomym kategorie oscylują pomiędzy studiami nad zwierzętami z jednej strony a ontologią zorientowaną na przedmiot z drugiej. Morton wiele uwagi poświęcił definiowaniu relacji pomiędzy człowiekiem i zwierzęciem, ale jego ostatnie prace i eseje sytuują go zdecydowanie w obszarze szkoły przedmiotu. Wesling formułuje trzy pytania dotyczące roli, jaką w ekokrytyce odgrywają narracja, język duchowy oraz fakt naukowy. Pytania te, które są wynikiem lektury tekstów Mortona, mają znaczenie również dla studiów nad zwierzętami.
Zoology, History of scholarship and learning. The humanities
A male of the shore-fly Notiphila (Agrolimna) bivittata Cogan, 1968 is described for the first time. The species belongs to the subgenus Agrolimna Cresson, 1917. However two developed posterolateral projections of epandrium of male terminalia and absence of central projection are not typical for Afrotropical representatives of this subgenus, though these characters are known for some Holarctic species. The species is registered in Ethiopia for the first time
Faunistically interesting records of Lepidoptera from Chechen Republic (Russia) are presented. Two species of Crambidae are reported as new to European part of Russia, 2 species – as new to the Eastern Caucasus. Current occurrence in the republic is confirmed for 1 species of Noctuidae