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Biofilms are more than just structural microbial communities. They are dynamic chemical ecosystems that synthesize a range of extracellular compounds involved in functions that extend beyond biofilm architecture. From quorum-sensing molecules like acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), phenazines, indoles, and reactive sulfur species (RSS), biofilm-derived metabolites can impact the physiology and behavior of microorganisms living in the same ecosystem, including other bacteria and protozoa. It has recently been demonstrated that such molecules may also modulate competition between microbes, promote cooperation, and impact motility, differentiation, or virulence of free-living and parasitic protozoa. This review aims to discuss biofilm compounds that mediate interspecies or interkingdom interactions and their involvement in regulating gut and environmental microbiomes functions, and host–pathogen relationships with special emphasis on protozoan activity and the infection outcome. This review will also address how this chemical dialog can be explored to identify new therapeutic interventions against microbial infections and parasitic diseases.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a vital role in the immune response by recognizing pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and triggering signaling pathways that activate innate immunity. In bony fish, TLR7 is essential for both antiviral and antibacterial defense; however, its interactions with a wide range of ligands and pathogens are still not well understood across various fish species. This study focuses on the identification and characterization of TLR7 in (LrTLR7) and aims to evaluate its response to pathogen challenges and stimulation by PAMPs. To clone the TLR7 gene, RNA was extracted from kidney tissue using a standard protocol, followed by cDNA synthesis with commercial kits. The TLR7 gene was amplified by PCR, and the gel-purified product was cloned into the pGEM-T Easy vector. DNA sequencing and BLAST analysis confirmed the identity of the LrTLR7 gene. The ORF of LrTLR7 cDNA was predicted using ORF-finder, while structural motifs in the encoded protein were identified through SMART. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed using MEGA7 to construct evolutionary trees. Gene expression profiles of LrTLR7 were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) across developmental stages, tissues/organs of rohu fingerlings, and during challenges with and infections, as well as LPS and Poly I:C stimulation. Mucosal RBCs and PBLs were isolated using density-gradient centrifugation with HiSep™ LSM 1077 (Himedia, India). Cultured gill (LRG) cells in Leibovitz's L-15 medium were infected with or at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 1, following established protocols. LrTLR7 showed the closest phylogenetic affinity to TLR7 in . During embryonic development, LrTLR7 expression surged dramatically (~111-fold, <0.05) in embryos at 120 h post-fertilization (hpf). In juveniles, the gene was ubiquitously expressed across tissues/organs, with peak expression in gills (~2,000-fold). Following infection with or , LrTLR7 gene transcripts in the liver increased sharply at 6 hpi (~93-fold and ~53,000-fold, respectively). In the infected fish, mucosal RBCs showed a ~500,000-fold upregulation ( <0.05), while PBLs exhibited maximal responses at 24 hpi (~5,000-fold for and ~10 million-fold for ). In the LRG cell line, LrTLR7 gene expression rose ~30-fold by 3 hpi. during infection. stimulation with LPS or poly I:C triggered a ~30,000-fold increase in hepatic LrTLR7 expression at 12 h post-stimulation, with kidney tissue showing secondary activation. Mucosal RBCs and PBLs displayed rapid (1-3 h) LrTLR7 upregulation following ligand exposure. Imiquimod and gardiquimod activated LrTLR7-signalling pathways in both and systems, elevating transcription of IRF7 and type I interferon genes. Similar to higher vertebrates, LrTLR7 plays a crucial role in responding to pathogenic invasions and various PAMPs to induce innate immunity. Consequently, TLR7 in fish represents a significant target for immune activation using specific agonists or ligands, which could aid in the prevention of fish diseases.

Electrochemical doping is central to a host of important applications such as bio-sensing, neuromorphic computing and charge storage. However, the mechanisms that enable electrochemical dopability and the various parameters that control doping efficiencies are poorly understood. Here, employing complementary electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical measurements, we report a charge-polarity dependent ion insertion asymmetry in a diketopyrrolopyrrole-based ambipolar π-conjugated polymer. We argue that electrostatic interactions are insufficient to fully account for the observed charge-specific ion insertion into the polymer matrix. Using polymer side-chain dependent electrochemical doping studies, we show that electron density donating and accepting tendencies of polymer side-chains sufficiently describe the observed charge-polarity dependent electrochemical doping. Our observations are akin to the solvation of dopant ions by polymer side-chains. We propose that Gutmann donor/acceptor number framework qualifies the ‘solvent-like’ properties of polymer side-chains and provides a rational basis for designing π-conjugated polymers with favorable mixed ionic electronic transport properties. The influence of ion-sidechain interactions on ion-insertion energetics in organic mixed ionicelectronic conductors (OMIECs) is not well understood. The authors show that a Gutmann Donor/Acceptor number framework captures ion-sidechain interactions and provides a rational basis for designing OMIECs.

Objective Ventricular collapse is a prevalent yet poorly understood complication of ventriculo-peritoneal shunting (VPS) in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). By identifying the risk factors of ventricular collapse (VC), this study aims to characterize the clinical progression and treatment of IIH and its complications. The relationships between ventricular area, symptoms and treatments were assessed longitudinally with ventricular segmentation on MRI/CT imaging, and correlated with other risk factors of IIH and VC. Methods We retrospectively reviewed 147 patients who underwent VPS for IIH at our Institution, and identified 73 shunt-naïve subjects. Manual segmentation of CT/MRI scans was performed at each clinical stage (baseline, post-shunting, post-collapse and after each intervention). Variables collected included valve type and opening-pressure, shunt revisions, use of anti-siphoning devices (ASD), comorbidities, venous sinus hypoplasia/stenosis, stenting, general demographics. Linear univariate regression models were used to determine the association between individual risk factors and VC, and quantitatively assess the effect of treatment. Two multivariate models were tested, including Pre-Shunting and Post-Shunting variables, to quantify their association with VC. Results Of 73 IIH patients with new shunts, 32 experienced collapse (uni- or bilateral, 26.5% of the total). In shunt-naïve patients, collapse was associated with pre-shunting (rho = −0.36; p  = 0.001) and post-shunting ventricular area (rho = 0.62; p  = 0.0002). Both collapse and ventricular area were correlated with shunt-related symptoms at 6 months (rho = −0.29; p  = 0.01). Shunt adjustment, addition of ASDs, valve replacement proved to be effective strategies to re-expand the ventricles and reduce symptoms. Nonetheless, a significant fraction of patients remained symptomatic after multiple treatments, suggesting a complex etiology for VC. On univariate analysis, catheter revisions were more common in the VC group, while the multivariate model with Post-Shunting factors was significantly associated with VC. Conclusions In newly VP-shunted IIH patients, small ventricular area predisposes to collapse and headaches, while higher valve settings and ASDs may reduce the risk of collapse and promote symptomatic improvement. Within the restraints of a retrospective analysis, this study is the first to analyze the risk factors of VC in IIH patients, longitudinally integrating the clinical progression with ventricular imaging. Further studies are warranted to better understand the clinical progression of collapse.

Correlated electron materials (CEMs) host a rich variety of condensed matter phases. Vanadium dioxide (VO 2 ) is a prototypical CEM with a temperature-dependent metal-to-insulator (MIT) transition with a concomitant crystal symmetry change. External control of MIT in VO 2 —especially without inducing structural changes—has been a long-standing challenge. In this work, we design and synthesize modulation-doped VO 2 -based thin film heterostructures that closely emulate a textbook example of filling control in a correlated electron insulator. Using a combination of charge transport, hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and structural characterization, we show that the insulating state can be doped to achieve carrier densities greater than 5 × 10 21  cm −3 without inducing any measurable structural changes. We find that the MIT temperature (T MIT ) continuously decreases with increasing carrier concentration. Remarkably, the insulating state is robust even at doping concentrations as high as ~0.2 e − /vanadium. Finally, our work reveals modulation-doping as a viable method for electronic control of phase transitions in correlated electron oxides with the potential for use in future devices based on electric-field controlled phase transitions. The metal-insulator transition in VO2 is concomitant with the structural transition, making purely electrical control challenging. Here the authors use a modulation-doped heterostructure to demonstrate modulation of the transition temperature with doping, without introducing structural changes.

Entamoeba histolytica is a pathogenic amoeba that colonizes the human large intestine and causes amoebiasis. In its natural gut environment, the parasite is exposed to microbiota-derived metabolites, including indole, a tryptophan-derived compound present at millimolar concentrations, whereas laboratory cultures contain negligible levels. We previously showed that bacterial metabolites such as queuine and oxaloacetate modulate parasite stress responses and virulence. Here, we investigated how acute versus long-term exposure to indole shapes E. histolytica physiology and host interactions. Trophozoites were gradually adapted to indole over two months. Proteomic profiling compared untreated (WT), acutely indole-exposed (WT + I), and indole-adapted (ADI) trophozoites. Cytoskeletal organization, motility, oxidative stress responses, and colonization capacity were assessed using imaging, functional assays, and a mouse cecum infection model. Host inflammatory responses were evaluated by measuring CXCL1 and lipocalin expression. Acute indole exposure inhibited parasite growth (IC₅₀ = 1.2 mM) and increased cytopathic activity. In contrast, ADI trophozoites displayed reduced cell size, increased F-actin formation, enhanced migration in vitro, and lower cytopathic activity. ADI trophozoites also showed improved survival following oxidative challenge, consistent with enrichment of oxidoreductases and chaperone-related proteins. In vivo, ADI trophozoites colonized the cecum more efficiently than WT or WT + I parasites. Infection with WT + I trophozoites induced higher CXCL1 and lipocalin expression than ADI trophozoites, indicating a stronger host inflammatory response to acutely indole-exposed parasites. These findings identify indole as an ecological cue that initially challenges E. histolytica but, upon sustained exposure, promotes adaptive reprogramming toward enhanced stress tolerance and improved host-compatible colonization.

This research attempts to uncover how socio-cultural dynamics shape decision-making processes in the fashioning of post-modern women in urban Indian cities. This research is built upon theoretical discourses of identity, urbanism, post-modernity, and womanhood, and discussions on how these discourses may affect the decision-making processes of Indian consumers are paramount. India’s rapidly developing economy has undergone tremendous cultural and social changes since its economic liberalization in 1991. The over-arching intent of this study is to contextualize Indian fashion practices, which have great scope primarily due to the limited number of fashion studies conducted in urban spaces of India.The multiplicity in the definition of fashion presents the challenge of finding a singular approach to its study. The social, cultural, political, economic, and gendered identities have often been included in fashion research. This study further highlights the importance of the visual and user-centered approach in an increasingly experience-focused world. Fashion is explored as a tool of self-expression combined with the contextual inquiry of consumer behavior in this study. To uncover how urban post-modern Indian women interact with fashion to express their identity, sequential qualitative research methods are adopted. Preliminary ethnographic observation is conducted in New Delhi and Mumbai, followed by contextual inquiry and semi-structured interviews with participants in Mumbai. To collect data, exploratory qualitative research methods are employed; and theoretical frameworks are applied to assimilate information. The researcher adopts a minimally bicultural position. A field diary comprising written journals, photographs, audio, and video recordings is maintained and analyzed to uncover nuances of social-cultural aesthetic identity.The prime motivation for this research is to break away from the stereotypical “third world” identity often attached to women from developing nations. This research attempts to highlight the ordinary urban Indian women’s power as a consumer of a globalized world and their agency in expressing post-modern identity through the consumption of western intimate apparel. The contention of this study is “fashion is not a Euro-centric phenomenon, but a global activity.”

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are key pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that detect pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) and elicit broadly acting innate immune responses. This study accomplished the identification, cloning, and sequencing of Labeo rohita TLR18 (LrTLR18). Structurally, LrTLR18 possesses a signal peptide, six leucine-rich repeats (LRRs), an LRR-C-terminal (LRR-CT) domain, a transmembrane (TM) region, and a Toll/IL-1 receptor (TIR) domain. Phylogenetically, LrTLR18 is evolutionarily closely related to the Schizothorax prenanti and Cyprinus carpio TLR18. The quantitative real-time PCR analysis revealed that LrTLR18 gene was expressed in all tested tissues, and among the tissues, the highest expression was observed in the eye followed by spleen, intestine, and gill in the descending order. During the ontogenic developments, the highest expression of LrTLR18 gene has been detected in the late blastula and gastrula stages. In response to the Aeromonas hydrophila and Edwardsiella tarda infections, LrTLR18 gene was differentially expressed in the blood, kidney, liver, and gills. Labeo rohita gills (LRG) cells in vitro infected with A. hydrophila and E. tarda , and red blood cells (RBCs) and peripheral blood leucocytes (PBLs) isolated from the rohu fingerlings infected with these pathogens revealed significantly ( p  < 0.05) enhanced expression of LrTLR18 gene. Following in vivo and in vitro stimulations with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I: C), LrTLR18 gene expression was also significantly ( p  < 0.05) enhanced in various tissues, RBCs, PBLs, and macrophages. Together, these results highlight the important roles of the TLR18 against pathogenic invasions in fish.

Cerebrovascular disease is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, and endovascular therapies have become a mainstay of treatment for ischemic stroke. However, tortuous anatomy, particularly of the aortic arch, presents formidable treatment challenges by impeding access to intracranial circulation and thus affecting clinical outcomes. To better understand the challenges of tortuous anatomy, we fabricated 3D-printed models of the aortic arch and major branch vessels based on the imaging of 4 patients. These patient-specific models were realistic representations of the intricate vascular pathways and provided enhanced visualization of the complex vascular structures. The measured diameters of the 3D-fabricated models closely matched the values reported in the literature, confirming the physical accuracy of the models. Creating an individual anatomic model required an average of 4 hours of digital processing and 13.71 hours of 3D printing, with a materials cost of approximately $17.31. 3D-printed patient-specific models used for neurointerventional training and preprocedural planning are a valuable tool for managing complex cerebrovascular anatomy. The advanced visualization provided by these models may enhance preparedness and potentially improve ischemic stroke treatment outcomes.

Entamoeba histolytica is a pathogenic amoeba that inhabits the human large intestine and causes amoebiasis. E. histolytica interacts with both the intestinal microbiota and the metabolites they produce. These bacterial metabolites play a crucial role in shaping the virulence and stress resistance of E. histolytica. One such metabolite, indole, is synthesized by bacteria from tryptophan and functions as a key signaling molecule. In this study, we investigated the impact of indole on E. histolytica by incubating trophozoites with the metabolite and performing proteomic analyses under various conditions, including trophozoites adapted to indole. Our results show that indole is toxic to E. histolytica, with an inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) of 1.2 mM; however, the parasite can adapt to this concentration. Proteomic analyses reveal that indole-adapted trophozoites display enhanced resistance to oxidative stress (OS), upregulation of cytoskeletal proteins, and increased virulence. These trophozoites exhibit increased F-actin formation, smaller cell size, stronger adhesion to HeLa cells, enhanced migratory capacity, and more effective colonization of the mouse cecum compared to non-adapted trophozoites. Thus, indole exerts a dual effect on E. histolytica physiology. While indole is initially toxic to the parasite, adaptation to indole confers enhanced resistance to OS and promotes a more virulent phenotype. This duality underscores the complex role of microbiota-derived metabolites in modulating parasite behavior and highlights indole as a key microbial signal. Entamoeba histolytica is a unicellular parasite living in the human large intestine and can cause a disease called amoebiasis. Inside the intestine, E. histolytica interacts with the microbiota and with the metabolites they produce. One such metabolite is indole, which is produced by gut bacteria from tryptophan and used by human cells and trophozoites. In this study, we explored how indole affects E. histolytica. We found that indole is toxic to the parasite at first, but over time, the amoeba can adapt and survive in its presence. Using protein analysis techniques, we discovered that indole-adapted amoebas become more resistant to stress and more virulent. They produce more F-actin, leading to improved mobility, degrade more HeLa cells, and colonize the gut of mice more efficiently than wild-type amoebas (WT). These results show that, while indole initially harms the parasite, it also triggers changes that make it more resistant to stress and more virulent. Our work highlights how metabolites produced by bacteria in the large intestine can influence the behavior of E. histolytica.