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Adult human hearts exhibit limited regenerative capacity. Post-injury cardiomyocyte (CM) loss can lead to myocardial dysfunction and failure. Although neonatal mammalian hearts can regenerate, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Herein, comparative transcriptome analyses identify adherens junction protein N-Cadherin as a crucial regulator of CM proliferation/renewal. Its expression correlates positively with mitotic genes and shows an age-dependent reduction. N-Cadherin is upregulated in the neonatal mouse heart following injury, coinciding with increased CM mitotic activities. N-Cadherin knockdown reduces, whereas overexpression increases, the proliferation activity of neonatal mouse CMs and human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived CMs. Mechanistically, N-Cadherin binds and stabilizes pro-mitotic transcription regulator β-Catenin, driving CM self-renewal. Targeted N-Cadherin deletion in CMs impedes cardiac regeneration in neonatal mice, leading to excessive scarring. N-Cadherin overexpression, by contrast, promotes regeneration in adult mouse hearts following ischemic injury. N-Cadherin targeting presents a promising avenue for promoting cardiac regeneration and restoring function in injured adult human hearts. Adult human hearts exhibit restricted regenerative ability, where cardiomyocyte loss leads to dysfunction, while neonatal hearts can regenerate, though the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, the authors show that N-cadherin plays a crucial role in driving cardiomyocyte self-renewal by stabilizing β-catenin, representing a unique opportunity to promote cardiac regeneration and restore contractile function in the injured adult heart

Down syndrome (DS) is a genetic disorder caused by presence of extra copy of human chromosome 21. It is characterised by several clinical phenotypes. Motor dysfunction due to hypotonia is commonly seen in individuals with DS and its etiology is yet unknown. Ts1Cje, which has a partial trisomy (Mmu16) homologous to Hsa21, is well reported to exhibit various typical neuropathological features seen in individuals with DS. This study investigated the role of skeletal muscles and peripheral nerve defects in contributing to muscle weakness in Ts1Cje mice. Assessment of the motor performance showed that, the forelimb grip strength was significantly (P<0.0001) greater in the WT mice compared to Ts1Cje mice regardless of gender. The average survival time of the WT mice during the hanging wire test was significantly (P<0.0001) greater compared to the Ts1Cje mice. Also, the WT mice performed significantly (P<0.05) better than the Ts1Cje mice in the latency to maintain a coordinated motor movement against the rotating rod. Adult Ts1Cje mice exhibited significantly (P<0.001) lower nerve conduction velocity compared with their aged matched WT mice. Further analysis showed a significantly (P<0.001) higher population of type I fibres in WT compared to Ts1Cje mice. Also, there was significantly (P<0.01) higher population of COX deficient fibres in Ts1Cje mice. Expression of Myf5 was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in triceps of Ts1Cje mice while MyoD expression was significantly (P<0.05) increased in quadriceps of Ts1Cje mice. Ts1Cje mice exhibited weaker muscle strength. The lower population of the type I fibres and higher population of COX deficient fibres in Ts1Cje mice may contribute to the muscle weakness seen in this mouse model for DS.

Agar, a gelatinous polysaccharide in the cell wall of many red algal species, is widely used as a gelling, thickening and stabilizing agent. The commercial value of seaweed is judged by their agar content and gel quality. Seaweed materials with higher agar yield and better gelling properties are desired due to the growing demand for agar in the global market. Agar biosynthesis in seaweeds is affected by genetic variations, developmental stages and environmental conditions, while different agar extraction techniques can also affect the yield and quality of agar. In this paper, the effects of different physiological states of seaweed, abiotic and biotic factors, seaweed storage and agar extraction techniques on the agar yield and gelling characteristics, are reviewed. This information is important as a guide for marine aquaculture of potential agarophytes and the possible effects of climate change on the stock of this natural resource.

Entrepreneurship has been considered one of the major universal drivers of economic development, and sustainable development while also contributing to the growth of a country’s economy. This study explored the perspectives of business entrepreneurs on the contributions of entrepreneurship to economic development in Liberia. A qualitative research approach while an in-depth interview guided by a semi-structured interview was conducted among Liberian entrepreneurs to explore whether entrepreneurship contributes to a country’s economic development based on their views, opinions, and experiences. The findings of the study show that the lack of proper incentives, government support, infrastructure, cost of utilities, entrepreneurship awareness, and lack of entrepreneurship education in schools and universities curriculum is considered to be one of the core factors that is hindering the promotion of entrepreneurship in Liberia. As a result, the study recommends the Liberian government's need to implement policies that will enhance the development of entrepreneurship, provide basic infrastructure, and introduce entrepreneurship education in secondary and tertiary institutions as a core module. This study contributed to the entrepreneurship literature and confirmed that entrepreneurship has played a key role in providing solutions for Liberia’s economy while generating a greater number of employment and enhancing society's living standards.

Gibberellins (GA) and paclobutrazol (PBZ) are plant growth regulators. GA promotes plant growth and development while PBZ retards plant growth. Little is known about their effects on chlorophyll synthesis and photosynthesis in young oil palm plantlets. In this study, ten-month old young clonal palms were treated with 0.02 g/palm either gibberellic acid (GA 3 ) or PBZ. The PBZ-treated palms were shorter with compact crown, shorter fronds and leaflets, more fronds and higher Soil Plant Analysis Development (SPAD) units, particularly at time point T1. Thus, PBZ suppressed elongation in leaflets, rachis and trunk but increased fronds production and leaf chlorophyll content. Contrastingly, GA 3 promoted oil palm height with significant inter-leaflet elongation and lower frond production. Chlorophyll content was also adversely affected in GA 3 -treated palms at time point T1. Transcriptome sequencing revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were enriched for metabolic related activities. These genes were mostly downregulated by GA 3 treatment. The GA 3 treatment also reduced expression of chlorophyll synthesis genes, DEGs encoding components of the photosystems I (PSI) and II (PSII) supercomplexes, cytochrome b6f , Adenosine tri-phosphate (ATP) synthase and Rubisco as well as their assembly factors, translocons and photoreceptors. Meanwhile, PBZ treatment increased expression of geranylgeranyl diphosphate reductase that may inhibit GA biosynthesis but increase chlorophyll synthesis, which was likely correlated to increased chlorophyll content in the darker green leaves of PBZ-treated palms.

Many bacterial epiphytes of agar-producing seaweeds secrete agarase that degrade algal cell wall matrix into oligoagars which elicit defense-related responses in the hosts. The molecular defense responses of red seaweeds are largely unknown. In this study, we surveyed the defense-related transcripts of an agarophyte, Gracilaria changii, treated with β-agarase through next generation sequencing (NGS). We also compared the defense responses of seaweed elicited by agarase with those elicited by an agarolytic bacterium isolated from seaweed, by profiling the expression of defense-related genes using quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). NGS detected a total of 391 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) with a higher abundance (>2-fold change with a p value <0.001) in the agarase-treated transcriptome compared to that of the non-treated G. changii. Among these DEGs were genes related to signaling, bromoperoxidation, heme peroxidation, production of aromatic amino acids, chorismate, and jasmonic acid. On the other hand, the genes encoding a superoxide-generating NADPH oxidase and related to photosynthesis were downregulated. The expression of these DEGs was further corroborated by qRT-PCR results which showed more than 90 % accuracy. A comprehensive analysis of their gene expression profiles between 1 and 24 h post treatments (hpt) revealed that most of the genes analyzed were consistently upregulated or downregulated by both agarase and agarolytic bacterial treatments, indicating that the defense responses induced by both treatments are highly similar except for genes encoding vanadium bromoperoxidase and animal heme peroxidase. Our study has provided the first glimpse of the molecular defense responses of G. changii to agarase and agarolytic bacterial treatments.

Peritonitis is the leading complication of peritoneal dialysis, which is primarily caused by bacteria rather than fungi. Peritonitis is responsible for approximately 18% of the infection-related mortality in peritoneal dialysis patients. In this paper, we report the isolation of a rare fungus, Quambalaria cyanescens, from the peritoneal fluid of a man after he switched from continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis to nocturnal intermittent peritoneal dialysis. Based on the morphological examination and multigene phylogeny, the clinical isolate was confirmed as Q. cyanescens. This pathogen exhibited low sensitivity to all tested echinocandins and 5-flucytosine. Interestingly, morphological characterization revealed that Q. cyanescens UM 1095 produced different pigments at low temperatures (25°C and 30°C) on various culture media. It is important to monitor the emergence of this rare fungus as a potential human pathogen in the tropics. This study provides insight into Q. cyanescens UM 1095 phenotype profiles using a Biolog phenotypic microarray (PM). Of the 760 nutrient sources tested, Q. cyanescens UM 1095 utilized 42 compounds, and the fungus can adapt to a broad range of osmotic and acidic environments. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the isolation of Q. cyanescens from peritoneal fluid, revealing this rare fungus as a potential human pathogen that may be misidentified using conventional methods. The detailed morphological, molecular and phenotypic characterization of Q. cyanescens UM 1095 provides the basis for future studies on its biology, lifestyle, and potential pathogenicity.

Lightweight Foamed Concrete (LFC) is one of the recent advancement of concrete technology in civil engineering. Different gradation of sand in lightweight foamed concrete will change the physical properties of the concrete. This paper aims to study the fresh and hardened properties of lightweight foamed concrete with density of 1300 ± 50 kg/ m 3 that produced by using different gradations of sand. Four categories of sand gradations, ranging from 2.36 mm to 0.60 mm were used. Cube and prism specimens were cast and cured in water curing as well as 7-day initial water curing followed by air curing conditions. The measured spread values indicated that the finer sand used in the foamed concrete has lowered its workability and increases its water to cement ratio for desired consistency and stability. It was noted that the specimens prepared with 0.60 mm sand have obtained the highest compressive and flexural strengths as well as flexural toughness compared with the specimens prepared with coarser sand gradations.

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a multisystemic small-vessel vasculitic disease that can present with positive MPO-P-ANCA (myeloperoxidase–perinuclear–anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody). It is a rare condition that is difficult to diagnose. We present the case of a 64-year-old man with late-onset adult asthma and treated nasopharyngeal carcinoma who initially presented to us with proximal myopathy. Thereafter, he developed a constellation of fleeting symptoms which included rhinosinusitis, mononeuritis multiplex, skin vasculitis and arthritis. Blood investigations showed that he had eosinophilia, and skin biopsy demonstrated dermal vasculitis with eosinophils. He was found to be MPO-C-ANCA positive, and although initially thought to have granulomatosis with polyangiitis, the diagnosis was later revised to EGPA. This case highlights the diagnostic challenges with atypical presentations of EGPA and also presents a rare case of positive MPO-C-ANCA that has never been described in EGPA before.