Since the 16th century, Western countries have conducted extensive plant collections in Asia, particularly in China, driven by the need to collect botanical resources and foster academic development. These activities have not only significantly enriched the Western botanical specimen collections but have also had a profound impact on the development of related disciplines such as botany, ecology, and horticulture. During this process, a large number of renowned plant hunters emerged, whose discoveries and contributions are still remembered today. George Forrest (1873–1932) was one of these distinguished plant hunters. From 1904 to 1932, he visited China seven times to collect plants and became famous for the regional distinctiveness of the species he collected. However, due to the lack of systematic collection, organization, and analysis of specimens collected by Forrest, only a few species, such as the species Rhododendron, are well-known among the many species he introduced to the West. Furthermore, the personal collecting characteristics and the characteristic species collected by Forrest are also not clear. This limits a comprehensive understanding of the specimen collection history and impact of Forrest in China. Therefore, systematic organization and analysis of Forrest’s plant specimens collected in China are crucial to understanding his impact on botanical classification, Rhododendrons introduction, global horticulture, and plant propagation. This study aims to systematically organize and analyze the plant specimens collected by George Forrest in China to investigate the family, genus, and species composition of the collected specimens and the seven collection expeditions of Forrest in China, as well as the time and altitude of these collections. Furthermore, it seeks to discuss Forrest’s scientific contributions to the global spread of plants, the widespread application of the Rhododendron, and his impact on the development of modern gardens, providing a theoretical basis and data reference for related research and professional development. To this end, we extensively consulted important historical literature related to Forrest and systematically collected data from online specimen databases. The conclusions drawn from the available data include 38,603 specimens, with 26,079 collection numbers, belonging to 233 families, 1395 genera, and 5426 species, which account for 48.24%, 32.63%, and 14.17% of the plant families, genera, and species in China, respectively. Rhododendron specimens made up 17.20% of the specimens collected in this study. The collection locations cover three provinces or autonomous regions, 11 prefecture-level cities, and 25 counties. Furthermore, we found that Forrest’s collections were concentrated in spring and summer, mainly in high-altitude areas, with 135 species found below 1500 m and 3754 species at 1500 m and above. Rhododendron specimens were mostly found above 3000 m. Full article

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) presents a significant health concern, particularly among Hispanic women in the United States, who exhibit a disproportionately higher chance of developing an advanced disease when compared to the non-Hispanic population. Emerging evidence suggests coagulation factor X, encoded by the F10 gene, has a potential role in inhibiting cancer cell migration. However, comprehensive investigations into the differential expression patterns of F10 in Hispanic versus non-Hispanic females remain limited. RNA-sequencing data were acquired from the TCGA database for white female patients, 166 non-Hispanic and 25 Hispanic. A statistically significant (p < 0.05) 2.06-fold increase in F10 expression levels was detected in disease-free tumors compared to recurrent PTC tumors. Furthermore, an increase in F10 gene expression levels was also observed, corresponding to approximately a 1.74-fold increase in non-Hispanic patients compared to Hispanic patients. The probability of tumor recurrence was 1.82 times higher in the cohort with low expression of F10 compared to the high-expression cohort, correlating with the lower disease-free rates observed in the Hispanic patient cohort when compared to non-Hispanics. This finding underscores the relevance of ethnic disparities in molecular profiles for understanding cancer susceptibility. Identifying F10 as a potential prognostic biomarker highlights avenues for targeted interventions and contributes to improving diagnostic and treatment strategies for diverse patient populations. Full article

Unidirectional porous hydroxyapatite (UDPHAp) was developed as a remarkable scaffold characterized by a distinct structure with unidirectional pores oriented in the horizontal direction and connected through interposes. We evaluated the radiographic changes, clinical outcomes, and complications following UDPHAp implantation for the treatment of bone tumors. Excellent bone formation within and around the implant was observed in all patients treated with intralesional resection and UDPHAp implantation for benign bone tumors. The absorption of UDPHAp and remodeling of the bone marrow space was observed in 45% of the patients at a mean of 17 months postoperatively and was significantly more common in younger patients. Preoperative cortical thinning was completely regenerated in 84% of patients at a mean of 10 months postoperatively. No complications related to the implanted UDPHAp were observed. In a pediatric patient with bone sarcoma, when the defect after fibular resection was filled with UDPHAp implants, radiography showed complete resorption of the implant and clear formation of cortex and marrow in the resected part of the fibula. The patient could walk well without crutches and participate in sports activities. UDPHAp is a useful bone graft substitute for the treatment of benign bone tumors, and the use of this material has a low complication rate. We also review and discuss the potential of UDPHAp as a bone graft substitute in the clinical setting of orthopedic surgery. Full article

Whilst study abroad (SA) periods hold much promise for foreign language development, increasing research suggests sojourners’ experiences are unique, and language development does not always follow a linear trajectory. For some learners, SA has little impact on their language performance despite the affordances of L2 immersion (the Survivors). Other learners maximise the potential of SA, and this has a positive impact on their language development (the Thrivers). This paper examines the selected cases of four Japanese learners of English and their request language performance during a 10-month SA in the UK. Changes in pragmatic knowledge (based on appropriateness ratings) were documented at three equidistant time points. Language contact profile data also provided quantitative insights into the learners’ extracurricular language use and qualitative personal reflections. The selected cases illustrate two learners surviving the SA experience, showing minimal change in their request performance. The other two learners thrived during SA, showing accelerated performance in terms of lexical variation at the production level. This paper reports on the case histories of these learners to better understand these unique experiences and pragmatic discrepancies. Suggestions for how learners might be more pragmatically successful during SA are also offered. Full article

This study explores trust dynamics within online social networks, blending social science theories with advanced machine-learning (ML) techniques. We examine trust’s multifaceted nature—definitions, types, and mechanisms for its establishment and maintenance—and analyze social network structures through graph theory. Employing a diverse array of ML models (e.g., KNN, SVM, Naive Bayes, Gradient Boosting, and Neural Networks), we predict connection strengths on Facebook, focusing on model performance metrics such as accuracy, precision, recall, and F1-score. Our methodology, executed in Python using the Anaconda distribution, unveils insights into trust formation and sustainability on social media, highlighting the potent application of ML in understanding these dynamics. Challenges, including the complexity of modeling social behaviors and ethical data use concerns, are discussed, emphasizing the need for continued innovation. Our findings contribute to the discourse on trust in social networks and suggest future research directions, including the application of our methodologies to other platforms and the study of online trust over time. This work not only advances the academic understanding of digital social interactions but also offers practical implications for developers, policymakers, and online communities. Full article

As a space camera works in orbit, the stress rebound caused by gravity inevitably results in the deformation of its optomechanical structure, and the relative position change between different optical components will affect the Line-Of-Sight pointing of the camera. In this paper, the optical sensitivity calculation of a space camera’s Line-Of-Sight pointing is realized based on the optomechanical constraint equations, and the Line-Of-Sight equations are constructed using the second type of response (DRESP2) method to realize an optomechanical integrated analysis of the camera’s Line-Of-Sight stability at the structural finite element solver level. The verification results show that the Line-Of-Sight stability error is 6.38%, meaning that this method can identify the sensitive optical elements of the optical system efficiently and quickly. Thus, the method in this paper has important significance as a reference for the analysis of the Line-Of-Sight stability of complex optical systems. Full article

Eczema (atopic dermatitis, AD) is a skin disease characterized by skin barrier dysfunction due to various factors, including genetics, immune system abnormalities, and environmental triggers. Application of emollients and topical drugs such as corticosteroids and calcineurin inhibitors form the mainstay of treatments for this challenging condition. This review aims to summarize the recent advances made in phytochemical-based topical applications to treat AD and the different carriers that are being used. In this review, the clinical efficacy of several plant extracts and bioactive phytochemical compounds in treating AD are discussed. The anti-atopic effects of the herbs are evident through improvements in the Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) index, reduced epidermal thickness, decreased transepidermal water loss, and alleviated itching and dryness in individuals affected by AD as well as in AD mouse models. Histopathological studies and serum analyses conducted in AD mouse models demonstrated a reduction in key inflammatory factors, including thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), serum immunoglobulin E (IgE), and interleukins (IL). Additionally, there was an observed upregulation of the filaggrin (FLG) gene, which regulates the proteins constituting the stratum corneum, the outermost layer of the epidermis. Carriers play a crucial role in topical drug applications, influencing dose delivery, retention, and bioavailability. This discussion delves into the efficacy of various nanocarriers, including liposomes, ethosomes, nanoemulsions, micelles, nanocrystals, solid-lipid nanoparticles, and polymeric nanoparticles. Consequently, the potential long-term side effects such as atrophy, eruptions, lymphoma, pain, and allergic reactions that are associated with current topical treatments, including emollients, topical corticosteroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors, and crisaborole, can potentially be mitigated through the use of phytochemical-based natural topical treatments. Full article

Offshore wind turbines operating in frigid and humid climates may encounter icing on the blade surface. This phenomenon adversely impacts the aerodynamic efficiency of the turbine, consequently diminishing power generation efficacy. Investigating the distribution characteristics of icing on the blade surface is imperative. Hence, this study undertook icing wind tunnel tests on segments of DU25 airfoil, a prevalent type for offshore wind turbines, to examine such characteristics as different chord lengths and angles of attack. The results show a simultaneous increase in the blade icing area and growth rate of the net icing area with augmenting the chord length and angles of attack. The total icing area rate decreases by a factor of two when the chord length is doubled. The relative positioning of icing and the average icing thickness remain consistent across the airfoil blades with varying chord lengths. Comparing the icing shapes on blades of varying scales shows a similarity ranging from 84.06% to 88.72%. The results of this study provide insight into the icing characteristics of offshore wind turbines. Full article

Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a powerful predictor of future cardiovascular events. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to conduct a systematic review of machine learning (ML) algorithms for the identification of LVH and compare them with respect to the classical features of test sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, ROC and the traditional ECG criteria for LVH. Methods: A search string was constructed with the operators “left ventricular hypertrophy, electrocardiogram” AND machine learning; then, Medline and PubMed were systematically searched. Results: There were 14 studies that examined the detection of LVH utilizing the ECG and utilized at least one ML approach. ML approaches encompassed support vector machines, logistic regression, Random Forest, GLMNet, Gradient Boosting Machine, XGBoost, AdaBoost, ensemble neural networks, convolutional neural networks, deep neural networks and a back-propagation neural network. Sensitivity ranged from 0.29 to 0.966 and specificity ranged from 0.53 to 0.99. A comparison with the classical ECG criteria for LVH was performed in nine studies. ML algorithms were universally more sensitive than the Cornell voltage, Cornell product, Sokolow-Lyons or Romhilt-Estes criteria. However, none of the ML algorithms had meaningfully better specificity, and four were worse. Many of the ML algorithms included a large number of clinical (age, sex, height, weight), laboratory and detailed ECG waveform data (P, QRS and T wave), making them difficult to utilize in a clinical screening situation. Conclusions: There are over a dozen different ML algorithms for the detection of LVH on a 12-lead ECG that use various ECG signal analyses and/or the inclusion of clinical and laboratory variables. Most improved in terms of sensitivity, but most also failed to outperform specificity compared to the classic ECG criteria. ML algorithms should be compared or tested on the same (standard) database. Full article

The United Arab Emirates has very little data on the incidence or prevalence of fungal diseases. Using total and underlying disease risk populations and likely affected proportions, we have modelled the burden of fungal disease for the first time. The most prevalent serious fungal conditions are recurrent vulvovaginitis (~190,000 affected) and fungal asthma (~34,000 affected). Given the UAE’s low prevalence of HIV, we estimate an at-risk population of 204 with respect to serious fungal infections with cryptococcal meningitis estimated at 2 cases annually, 15 cases of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) annually, and 20 cases of esophageal candidiasis in the HIV population. PCP incidence in non-HIV patients is estimated at 150 cases annually. Likewise, with the same low prevalence of tuberculosis in the country, we estimate a total chronic pulmonary aspergillosis prevalence of 1002 cases. The estimated annual incidence of invasive aspergillosis is 505 patients, based on local data on rates of malignancy, solid organ transplantation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (5.9 per 100,000). Based on the 2022 annual report of the UAE’s national surveillance database, candidaemia annual incidence is 1090 (11.8/100,000), of which 49.2% occurs in intensive care. Fungal diseases affect ~228,695 (2.46%) of the population in the UAE. Full article

Bacterial biofilms are hardy, adaptable colonies, evading immune recognition while triggering and sustaining inflammation. The goals for this study were to present a method for testing the immunogenicity of secreted metabolites from pathogenic biofilm and to document whether biofilm treated with a nutraceutical enzyme and botanical blend (NEBB) showed evidence of reprogrammed bacterial metabolism, potentially becoming more recognizable to the immune system. We screened immune-modulating properties of metabolites from established biofilm from Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pa), Stapholycoccus simulans (Ss), and Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). Secreted metabolites significantly increased the cytokine production by human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, including Interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), macrophage inflammatory protein-1-alpha (MIP-1α), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Pa metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-1β, whereas Bb metabolites triggered the most robust increase in IL-10. NEBB-disrupted biofilm produced metabolites triggering altered immune modulation compared to metabolites from untreated biofilm. Metabolites from NEBB-disrupted biofilm triggered increased MIP-1α levels and reduced IL-10 levels, suggesting a reduced ability to suppress the recruitment of phagocytes compared to untreated biofilm. The results suggest that nutraceutical biofilm disruption offers strategies for inflammation management in chronic infectious illnesses. Further clinical studies are warranted to evaluate clinical correlations in infected human hosts. Full article

The tomato is a fruit vegetable rich in nutritional and medicinal value grown in greenhouses and fields worldwide. It is severely sensitive to heat stress, which frequently occurs with rising global warming. Predictions indicate a 0.2 °C increase in average surface temperatures per decade for the next three decades, which underlines the threat of austere heat stress in the future. Previous studies have reported that heat stress adversely affects tomato growth, limits nutrient availability, hammers photosynthesis, disrupts reproduction, denatures proteins, upsets signaling pathways, and damages cell membranes. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species in response to heat stress is toxic to tomato plants. The negative consequences of heat stress on the tomato have been the focus of much investigation, resulting in the emergence of several therapeutic interventions. However, a considerable distance remains to be covered to develop tomato varieties that are tolerant to current heat stress and durable in the perspective of increasing global warming. This current review provides a critical analysis of the heat stress consequences on the tomato in the context of global warming, its innate response to heat stress, and the elucidation of domains characterized by a scarcity of knowledge, along with potential avenues for enhancing sustainable tolerance against heat stress through the involvement of diverse advanced technologies. The particular mechanism underlying thermotolerance remains indeterminate and requires further elucidatory investigation. The precise roles and interplay of signaling pathways in response to heat stress remain unresolved. The etiology of tomato plants’ physiological and molecular responses against heat stress remains unexplained. Utilizing modern functional genomics techniques, including transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, can assist in identifying potential candidate proteins, metabolites, genes, gene networks, and signaling pathways contributing to tomato stress tolerance. Improving tomato tolerance against heat stress urges a comprehensive and combined strategy including modern techniques, the latest apparatuses, speedy breeding, physiology, and molecular markers to regulate their physiological, molecular, and biochemical reactions. Full article

Talaromyces sp. DC2 is an endophytic fungus that was isolated from the stem of Catharanthus roseus (L.) G. Don in Hanoi, Vietnam and is capable of producing vinca alkaloids. This study utilizes the PacBio Sequel technology to completely sequence the whole genome of Talaromyces sp. DC2The genome study revealed that DC2 contains a total of 34.58 Mb spanned by 156 contigs, with a GC content of 46.5%. The identification and prediction of functional protein-coding genes, tRNA, and rRNA were comprehensively predicted and highly annotated using various BLAST databases, including non-redundant (Nr) protein sequence, Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), Clusters of Orthologous Groups (COG), and Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes (CAZy) databases. The genome of DC2 has a total of 149, 227, 65, 153, 53, and 6 genes responsible for cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, pectin, chitin, starch, and inulin degradation, respectively. The Antibiotics and Secondary Metabolites Analysis Shell (AntiSMASH) analyses revealed that strain DC2 possesses 20 biosynthetic gene clusters responsible for producing secondary metabolites. The strain DC2 has also been found to harbor the DDC gene encoding aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase enzyme. Conclusively, this study has provided a comprehensive understanding of the processes involved in secondary metabolites and the ability of the Talaromyces sp. DC2 strain to degrade plant cell walls. Full article

This study explores the multifaceted influence of litter size, maternal care, exercise, and aging on rats’ neurobehavioral plasticity and dentate gyrus microglia dynamics. Body weight evolution revealed a progressive increase until maturity, followed by a decline during aging, with larger litters exhibiting lower weights initially. Notably, exercised rats from smaller litters displayed higher body weights during the mature and aged stages. The dentate gyrus volumes showed no significant differences among groups, except for aged sedentary rats from smaller litters, which exhibited a reduction. Maternal care varied significantly based on litter size, with large litter dams showing lower frequencies of caregiving behaviors. Behavioral assays highlighted the detrimental impact of a sedentary lifestyle and reduced maternal care/large litters on spatial memory, mitigated by exercise in aged rats from smaller litters. The microglial dynamics in the layers of dentate gyrus revealed age-related changes modulated by litter size and exercise. Exercise interventions mitigated microgliosis associated with aging, particularly in aged rats. These findings underscore the complex interplay between early-life experiences, exercise, microglial dynamics, and neurobehavioral outcomes during aging. Full article

Open burning poses a significant threat to human health and the environment by releasing hazardous chemicals and exacerbating plastic pollution. Urgent action is required to address its pervasive impact and the substantial release of gaseous pollutants. Limited research has explored the demographic aspect of open burning behavior, with none specifically conducted in Kentucky. An analysis of open burning complaints reported to the Kentucky Division for Air Quality in 2015, 2019, and 2021 revealed no significant differences in reported incidents by month and county. Binary logistic regression analyses identified the urban vs rural divide as significant predictors of open burning incidents, while violations were influenced by both urban and rural factors and average household income. Unemployment rates and the percentage of individuals with less than a high school diploma did not significantly predict open burning violations. Targeted interventions at the state and local level, focusing on rural areas and economically disadvantaged communities, can effectively address and mitigate open burning issues. Full article

Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a varied inflammatory chronic liver disease. AIH’s prevalence varies and has increased recently. Diagnosis involves the discovery of histologic features following liver biopsy and serologic testing. Clinical features vary, and up to 40% of patients may be asymptomatic. Evaluating thiopurine methyltransferase (TMPM) activity before treatment is crucial for an optimal response. The primary treatment goal is biochemical remission, normalized serum IgG, and liver enzymes. Induction therapy typically involves azathioprine and corticosteroids. Close monitoring of liver function tests and serum immunoglobulin levels is essential. Medications can be tapered after achieving biochemical remission. Liver transplantation may be required for refractory disease or cirrhosis. Further therapeutic approaches are needed, particularly for non-responders to first-line treatments. Full article

The Wnt receptor ROR1 has generated increased interest as a cancer therapeutic target. Research on several therapeutic approaches involving this receptor is ongoing; however, ROR1 tissue expression remains understudied. We performed an immunohistochemistry analysis of ROR1 protein expression in a large cohort of multiple tumor and histologic types. We analyzed 12 anonymized multi-tumor tissue microarrays (TMAs), including mesothelioma, esophageal and upper gastrointestinal carcinomas, and uterine endometrioid carcinoma, among other tumor types. Additionally, we studied 5 different sarcoma types of TMAs and 6 patient-derived xenografts (PDX) TMAs developed from 19 different anatomic sites and tumor histologic types. A total of 1142 patient cases from different histologic types and 140 PDXs placed in TMAs were evaluated. Pathologists assessed the percentage of tumor cells in each case that were positive for ROR1 and the intensity of staining. For determining the prevalence of staining for each tumor type, a case was considered positive if >1% of its tumor cells showed ROR1 staining. Our immunohistochemistry assays revealed a heterogeneous ROR1 expression profile. A high prevalence of ROR1 expression was found in mesothelioma (84.6%), liposarcoma (36.1%), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (33.3%), and uterine endometrioid carcinoma (28.9%). Other histologic types such as breast, lung, renal cell, hepatocellular, urothelial carcinoma, and colon carcinomas; glioblastoma; cholangiocarcinoma; and leiomyosarcoma showed less ROR1 overall expression, ranging between 0.9 and 13%. No ROR1 expression was seen in mesenchymal chondrosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, or gastric adenocarcinoma cases. Overall, ROR1 expression was relatively infrequent and low in most tumor types investigated; however, ROR1 expression was infrequent but high in selected tumor types, such as gastroesophageal GIST, suggesting that ROR1 prescreening may be preferable for those indications. Further, mesothelioma exhibited frequent and high levels of ROR1 expression, which represents a previously unrecognized therapeutic opportunity. These findings can contribute to the development of ROR1-targeted therapies. Full article

Medical residents constitute a vulnerable population susceptible to mental health disorders. In Italy, this was evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when medical residents served on the front line and provided significant support to healthcare services. Therefore, the working group on “Public Mental Health” of the Medical Residents’ Council of the Italian Society of Hygiene, Preventive Medicine, and Public Health (S.It.I.) designed the “Residents’ mental health investigation, a dynamic longitudinal study in Italy” (ReMInDIt). This longitudinal study aims to assess the mental status of medical residents and to explore potential cause–effect relationships between risk/protective factors (identified among sociodemographic, residency program, and lifestyle characteristics) and mental health outcomes (anxiety and depressive symptoms). Data will be collected from a study population of 3615 residents enrolled in Italian residency programs in public health, occupational medicine, and forensic medicine through an online questionnaire that includes validated tools, requires 10 min for completion, and is disseminated by the residents’ Councils. It will be followed by a follow-up administration after 12 months. The ReMInDIt study will play a significant role in generating evidence crucial for enhancing mental health services and promoting protective factors for the mental well-being of this important segment of healthcare professionals. Full article

Temperature has a great influence on the stability of bearing performance. For the study of bearing steady-state temperature, this paper proposes a test method to quickly predict the steady-state temperature of the outer ring of a bearing, which solves the problems in traditional theoretical calculations and simulation analysis methods such as the large number of calculations, complex models, and large errors. Firstly, a mathematical prediction model is established according to the bearing temperature-rise law; then, a bearing steady-state temperature detection device is designed; and finally, the prediction model parameters are solved according to the experimental results, and experimental verification is carried out. It is shown that the prediction model has high accuracy under different load and speed conditions, and the error between the predicted steady-state temperature and the tested steady-state temperature is less than 0.7 °C. This prediction method reduces the single test time of the same speed to 60 min, which greatly improves the efficiency of the temperature detection test. The steady-state temperature model has important theoretical significance in guiding the study of the limiting speed of bearings. Full article

Marek’s disease (MD), caused by gallid alphaherpesvirus 2 (GaAHV2) or Marek’s disease herpesvirus (MDV), is a devastating disease in chickens characterized by the development of lymphomas throughout the body. Vaccine strains used against MD include gallid alphaherpesvirus 3 (GaAHV3), a non-oncogenic chicken alphaherpesvirus homologous to MDV, and homologous meleagrid alphaherpesvirus 1 (MeAHV1) or turkey herpesvirus (HVT). Previous work has shown most of the MDV gC produced during in vitro passage is secreted into the media of infected cells although the predicted protein contains a transmembrane domain. We formerly identified two alternatively spliced gC mRNAs that are secreted during MDV replication in vitro, termed gC104 and gC145 based on the size of the intron removed for each UL44 (gC) transcript. Since gC is conserved within the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, we hypothesized GaAHV3 (strain 301B/1) and HVT also secrete gC due to mRNA splicing. To address this, we collected media from 301B/1- and HVT-infected cell cultures and used Western blot analyses and determined that both 301B/1 and HVT produced secreted gC. Next, we extracted RNAs from 301B/1- and HVT-infected cell cultures and chicken feather follicle epithelial (FFE) skin cells. RT-PCR analyses confirmed one splicing variant for 301B/1 gC (gC104) and two variants for HVT gC (gC104 and gC145). Interestingly, the splicing between all three viruses was remarkably conserved. Further analysis of predicted and validated mRNA splicing donor, branch point (BP), and acceptor sites suggested single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the 301B/1 UL44 transcript sequence resulted in no gC145 being produced. However, modification of the 301B/1 gC145 donor, BP, and acceptor sites to the MDV UL44 sequences did not result in gC145 mRNA splice variant, suggesting mRNA splicing is more complex than originally hypothesized. In all, our results show that mRNA splicing of avian herpesviruses is conserved and this information may be important in developing the next generation of MD vaccines or therapies to block transmission. Full article

Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) is an extremely rare and disabling inherited genetic skin disease with a predisposition to develop bullous lesions on the skin and inner mucous membranes, occurring after mild friction or trauma, or even spontaneously. Within the spectrum of EB forms, dystrophic EB (DEB) represents the most intriguing and challenging in terms of clinical management, especially with regard to pregnancy, due to the highly disabling and life-threatening phenotype. Disappointingly, in the literature little focus has been directed towards pregnancy and childbirth in DEB patients, resulting in a lack of sound evidence and guidance for patients themselves and clinicians. The current study aims to contribute to the DEB literature with an updated summary of the existing evidence regarding the obstetrical and anesthesiological management of this rare disease. Furthermore, this literature review sought to answer the question of whether, and if so, in which way, the pregnancy condition may alter the course of the underlying dermatologic skin disease. Having all this information is indispensable when counseling a patient with DEB who desires a child or is expecting one. Finally, we reported own experience with a pregnant woman with a recessive DEB whom we recently managed, with a favorable outcome. Full article

The capacity of micro-organisms to form biofilms is a pervasive trait in the microbial realm. For pathogens, biofilm formation serves as a virulence factor facilitating successful host colonization. Simultaneously, infections stemming from biofilm-forming micro-organisms pose significant treatment challenges due to their heightened resistance to antimicrobial agents. Hence, the quest for active compounds capable of impeding microbial biofilm development stands as a pivotal pursuit in biomedical research. This study presents findings concerning the impact of three surfactants, namely, polysorbate 20 (T20), polysorbate 80 (T80), and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), on the initial stage of biofilm development in both Staphylococcus aureus and Candida dubliniensis. In contrast to previous investigations, we conducted a comparative assessment of the biofilm development capacity of these two taxonomically distant groups, predicated on their shared ability to reduce TTC. The common metabolic trait shared by S. aureus and C. dubliniensis in reducing TTC to formazan facilitated a simultaneous evaluation of biofilm development under the influence of surfactants across both groups. Our results revealed that surfactants could impede the development of biofilms in both species by disrupting the initial cell attachment step. The observed effect was contingent upon the concentration and type of compound, with a higher inhibition observed in culture media supplemented with SDS. At maximum concentrations (5%), T20 and T80 significantly curtailed the formation and viability of S. aureus and C. dubliniensis biofilms. Specifically, T20 inhibited biofilm development by 75.36% in S. aureus and 71.18% in C. dubliniensis, while T80 exhibited a slightly lower inhibitory effect, with values ranging between 66.68% (C. dubliniensis) and 65.54% (S. aureus) compared to the controls. Incorporating these two non-toxic surfactants into pharmaceutical formulations could potentially enhance the inhibitory efficacy of selected antimicrobial agents, particularly in external topical applications. Full article