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Insights Into Genetic and Molecular Elements for Transgenic Crop Development
Climate change and the exploration of new areas of cultivation have impacted the yields of several economically important crops worldwide. Both conventional plant breeding based on planned crosses between parents with specific traits and genetic engineering to develop new biotechnological tools (NBTs) have allowed the development of elite cultivars with new features of agronomic interest. The use of these NBTs in the search for agricultural solutions has gained prominence in recent years due to their rapid generation of elite cultivars that meet the needs of crop producers, and the efficiency of these NBTs is closely related to the optimization or best use of their elements. Currently, several genetic engineering techniques are used in synthetic biotechnology to successfully improve desirable traits or remove undesirable traits in crops. However, the features, drawbacks, and advantages of each technique are still not well understood, and thus, these methods have not been fully exploited. Here, we provide a brief overview of the plant genetic engineering platforms that have been used for proof of concept and agronomic trait improvement, review the major elements and processes of synthetic biotechnology, and, finally, present the major NBTs used to improve agronomic traits in socioeconomically important crops.
Journal Article
A daughter of Isis : the early life of Nawal El Saadawi
Nawal has been pilloried, censored, imprisoned and exiled for her refusal to accpet the oppressions imposed on women by gender and class. This is the autobiography of this extraordinary woman.
Book
Klebsiella pneumoniae infection biology: living to counteract host defences
Klebsiella species cause a wide range of diseases including pneumonia, urinary tract infections (UTIs), bloodstream infections and sepsis. These infections are particularly a problem among neonates, elderly and immunocompromised individuals. Klebsiella is also responsible for a significant number of community-acquired infections. A defining feature of these infections is their morbidity and mortality, and the Klebsiella strains associated with them are considered hypervirulent. The increasing isolation of multidrug-resistant strains has significantly narrowed, or in some settings completely removed, the therapeutic options for the treatment of Klebsiella infections. Not surprisingly, this pathogen has then been singled out as an 'urgent threat to human health' by several organisations. This review summarises the tremendous progress that has been made to uncover the sophisticated immune evasion strategies of K. pneumoniae. The co-evolution of Klebsiella in response to the challenge of an activated immune has made Klebsiella a formidable pathogen exploiting stealth strategies and actively suppressing innate immune defences to overcome host responses to survive in the tissues. A better understanding of Klebsiella immune evasion strategies in the context of the host-pathogen interactions is pivotal to develop new therapeutics, which can be based on antagonising the anti-immune strategies of this pathogen.
Journal Article
Pathological significance of urinary complement activation in diabetic nephropathy: A full view from the development of the disease
Aims/Introduction The aim of the present study was to obtain a full view of the changes of urinary complement activation products in the development of diabetic nephropathy and explore their possible significance in the disease process. Materials and methods A total of 62 patients at different stages of diabetic nephropathy, 20 diabetes patients without nephropathy and 20 healthy persons were enrolled. Urinary complement activation products, including C3a, C5a and C5b‐9, were measured, and their associations with the progression of the disease were analyzed. Results The urinary complement activation products increased markedly since the proteinuria stage, and were parallel with the progression of diabetic nephropathy. More severe renal tubular damage was observed in patients with higher levels of urinary complement activation products. The urinary complement activation products levels correlated closely with renal tubulointerstitial injury score and relative tubular interstitial volume. Multivariate regression analysis showed that elevated urinary complement activation products were independent risk factors for tubular injury in diabetic nephropathy patients. Conclusions Urinary complement activation might have a role in renal tubular interstitial injury in patients with diabetic nephropathy, especially in patients at a later stage of the disease. Urinary CAPs levels are found to increase with the development of DN. Urinary CAPs levels are found to be associated closely with the severity of tubular damage. Urinary complement activation might promote the progression of DN through directly aggravating renal tubular damage, especially in the later stage of DN.
Journal Article
The effects of β-carotene on osteoporosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Purpose
The aim is to evaluate the effect of β-carotene for osteoporosis and provide quantitative evidence.
Method
PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library were searched for eligible studies. Fifteen studies were included. Random-effect model was applied to pool the odds ratio (OR). The risk of osteoporosis and fracture were compared between low β-carotene intake group and high β-carotene intake group.
Result
The intake of β-carotene was unassociated with the overall risk of osteoporosis [OR = 0.733, 95% Cl (0.528, 1.018),
p
= 0.064]. Subgroup analysis showed that the intake of β-carotene was negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis in both male subgroup [OR = 0.7, 95% Cl (0.549, 0.893),
I
2
= 40.40%,
p
= 0.004] and female subgroup [OR = 0.684, 95% Cl (0.487, 0.960),
I
2
= 86.40%,
p
= 0.028]. There was also a negative association between β-carotene intake and osteoporosis in Asia subgroup [OR = 0.512, 95% Cl (0.403, 0.650),
I
2
= 0.00%,
p
= 0], whereas no association was observed in Western subgroup [OR = 1.107, 95% Cl (0.908, 1.350),
I
2
= 2.30%,
p
= 0.314]. In addition, random-effect model was adopted to pool the standard mean difference (SMD), and the results showed that β-carotene intake was positively associated with overall bone mineral density (BMD) [SMD = − 0.213, 95% Cl (− 0.391, − 0.034),
I
2
= 87.30%,
p
= 0.019]. Subgroup analysis showed that β-carotene intake was positively associated with BMD in Asian participants [SMD = − 0.394, 95% Cl (− 0.461, − 0.328),
I
2
= 0,
p
= 0], while unassociated in Western participants [SMD = − 0.047, 95% Cl (− 0.314, 0.219),
I
2
= 78.9%,
p
= 0.727].
Conclusion
β-carotene may improve BMD and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and fracture. However, these effects could vary by gender and race and need to be further validated by longitudinal studies.
Journal Article
Dementia Care Research and Psychosocial Factors
As Alzheimer's Disease progresses, individuals gradually lose access to their autobiographical memories, shared histories, and the ability to recognize their loved ones, profoundly affecting the marital intimacy and interdependence that define spousal relationships. This abstract proposes the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) as a memory-preserving and meaning-making companion for spouse caregivers navigating the ambiguous loss associated with their loved one's cognitive decline. By integrating natural language processing, machine learning, and digital archiving, an AI-driven system could store and organize key life events, personal narratives, shared symbols and memories, and intimate conversations that have shaped the couple's relationship. The AI would function as an interactive repository, enabling caregivers to access and revisit their spouse's recorded thoughts, voices, and reflections, thereby preserving the emotional essence of their bond even as cognitive decline progresses. This technology could offer personalized support through reminiscence-based interactions, guiding caregivers through past conversations and adapting responses based on prior exchanges. Additionally, it could generate therapeutic storytelling experiences, reinforcing the caregiver's emotional connection to their loved one while mitigating feelings of isolation and grief. By capturing the co-constructed meanings and intimate history between partners, AI may serve as both a coping tool during the caregiving journey and a means of maintaining connection as the spouse with dementia gradually loses cognitive function. Ethical considerations-including consent, data privacy, and the psychological effects of AI-mediated memory preservation-must be carefully examined to ensure that such technology complements rather than complicates the caregiving process. This proposal presents an innovative perspective on AI's role in Alzheimer's caregiving, extending beyond clinical and logistical support to address the profound emotional and relational losses experienced by spouse caregivers, ultimately offering a bridge between the past and the present in the face of memory erosion.
Journal Article