The Eurasian steppe area has been a dynamic vegetation type during the Pleistocene with its repeated cycles of forest advances and retreats. Such a scenario allows the evolution of ecotypes at the ecotone with the potential for parallel evolution in different parts of the distribution area. We test this hypothesis using the forest steppe/steppe herb Veronica spicata, based on results from genotyping-by-sequencing and pollen morphology. We provide evidence that the forest-living paczoskiana-morphotype evolved independently in Ukraine (the type locality in central Ukraine) and the Altay region, but potentially also elsewhere. Pollen morphology of 26 herbarium specimens was studied using both light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Pollen grains are 3(4)-colpate and 3-colporate, suboblate to prolate (P/E = 0.82–1.75) in shape; small- and medium-sized. Pollen grains of forest ecotypes were usually smaller in size (mean20.74 × 18.72 µm) than pollen of grassland V. spicata (mean 23.79 × 20.98 µm). Lack of an indumentum, reddish stem color and smaller pollen seem to be parallel adaptations to the shadier and more acidic soil in these forests. The dynamic history of the forest-steppe zone in Eurasia during the Pleistocene provides a compelling scenario supporting the convergent evolution of this morphotype.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs has heightened concerns about environmental pollutants such as tetracycline hydrochloride, necessitating effective removal strategies. Among various treatment approaches, photocatalysis has demonstrated particular promise. In this study, we present a groundbreaking advancement in photocatalytic technology through the development of a novel material that combines superior adsorption capabilities with enhanced photocatalytic properties. The innovation lies in our pioneering implementation of a third-component doping strategy, which enabled the construction of an organic semiconductor intrinsic heterojunction photocatalytic layer with an A-D-A structure, integrated onto a natural biomass carbon substrate. This strategic integration creates a synergistic system wherein the natural biomass carbon component rapidly concentrates pollutants, while the organic semiconductor bulk heterojunction photocatalytic layer generates electrons and free radicals for degradation. The material’s exceptional performance is evidenced by its ability to completely degrade 20 mg/L of tetracycline hydrochloride within 30 minutes, establishing a new benchmark in treatment efficiency. Through density-functional theory (DFT) analysis, we have elucidated the underlying degradation mechanism, providing theoretical insights that may facilitate the development of advanced treatment solutions for a broader spectrum of organic pollutants through adsorption photocatalysis.

Pranab Dev Sharma1*, Abdullah Al Noman2, Emad M. Abdallah3, Himanshu Sharma4

Transmission of environmentally induced variation from parents to offspring via inter- and trans-generational phenotypic plasticity is a major source of phenotypic variation across generations. In contrast to the slower process of genetic adaptation, epigenetic mechanisms such as altered DNA methylation patterns can change phenotypes between generations and may buffer offspring from environmental stress. Epigenetics thereby has the potential to promote future population persistence. However, epigenetic changes are not always beneficial. Similar to the adaptationist programme described in the classic paper by Gould and Lewontin (1979), a Panglossian approach has been adopted in recent years: transgenerational phenotypic plasticity is often assumed to be beneficial and to enhance offspring fitness. Yet, epigenetic transfer of information can also induce offspring phenotypes that are neutral or detrimental. Here, we challenge the implicit assumption that shifts in offspring phenotype in response to changed parent environments are necessarily adaptive. We instead advocate for the concept of “epigenetic drift” as the most parsimonious null-hypothesis. We propose a quantitative genetics framework to assess the fitness consequences of inter- and transgenerational phenotypic plasticity. We use worked examples to demonstrate how selection analysis can provide standardised estimates of selection to assess the fitness benefits of the transmission of epigenetic information across generations.

The ongoing biodiversity crisis is driven by global climate change, like extreme snowstorm and overgrazing, that alters community composition, necessitating a better understanding of community assembly. We investigated the effects of 15-year experimental grazing and snow addition on taxonomic, phylogenetic, and functional diversity on the Tibetan Plateau. Grazing did not alter community structure, but snow addition caused phylogenetic structure to go from randomness to over-dispersion, as lost species were phylogenetically more closely related to residents than to gained species. Functional community clustering remained unchanged due to opposing trends in individual traits. Moreover, functional traits served as a powerful tool underpinning diversity change. Particularly, species with higher leaf dry matter content and lower specific leaf area, which signify a conservative resource-use strategy, had an increased risk of loss and contributed to changes in community structure under snow addition. Finally, this research offers deeper insights into long-term plant dynamics under environmental changes.

Culex mosquitoes are significant vectors of arboviruses and other pathogens. They exhibit diverse feeding patterns influenced by host availability, habitat type, or seasonality. In order to give insights across global, spatial, and seasonal dimensions of their feeding patterns we performed a meta-analysis integrating 144 studies. Our results revealed that Culex mosquitoes predominantly feed on wild birds, with proportions exceeding 50% across species and habitats. Notably, Culex quinquefasciatus displayed a great plasticity, including significant feeding on fowls (26%) and humans (16%). Habitat type influenced feeding preferences, with urban environments showing increased feeding on humans (11.8%) compared to non-urban (6.3%) and peri-urban (10.32%) settings. Seasonal variations indicated higher mammalian feeding in autumn (e.g., humans 9%) compared to summer (4.94%). These findings highlight the importance of understanding Culex host interactions across diverse landscapes to mitigate mosquito-borne disease transmission effectively.

A standard belief is that species can be organized in competitive hierarchies, leading to concepts of plant strategies. Based on species' average competition values, this approach may fail to predict specific outcomes and overlook common facilitative interactions, biasing understandings of species interactions. Using a mesocosm experiment, we examined interactions of 13 native grassland species grown alone and in 168 pairwise combinations under two nutrient conditions. We measured the positive and negative effects of plants on neighbours and their responses to neighbours. All species engaged in both facilitative and competitive interactions, and neighbour effects and responses were positively related, suggesting that species specialize at either end of the interaction gradient. Nutrient addition reduced the strength of both competitive and facilitative plant-plant interactions, thereby reducing variation in plant growth. These results suggest the existence of a competition-facilitation continuum, integrating both effects on and from neighbours, along which plant strategies may fall.

Bothriochloa ischaemum belongs to the Bothriochloa genus within the Poaceae family and exhibits close morphological and distributional similarities with species from the Capillipedium and Dichanthium genera, collectively termed the BCD clade. However, the phylogenetic relationships within this clade have been the subject of ongoing debate. To address these controversies, we uti-lized the chloroplast genome, a resource known for its evolutionary conservation, as an invaluable tool for clarifying species delineations and exploring evolutionary dynamics. In this study, we sequenced and assembled the chloroplast genome of B. ischaemum, achieving a complete sequence of 138,316 bp with a GC content of 38.53%. Annotation of the genome identified 138 genes, comprising 89 protein-coding genes, 41 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes. In a comparative genomic analysis of six chloroplast genomes from the BCD clade, (A/T) mononucleotide repeats were the most abundant, and forward (F) repeats predominated among the longer repeat sequences. Structural variations associated with specific genes were detected in the IR/SC boundary regions, and four mutation hotspots (rps16/trn-UUG, trnG-UCC/trnE-UUC, rps12/trnL-UAG, ccsA/ndhD) were pinpointed using sliding window analysis, which could serve as potential molecular markers for BCD clade identification. Phylogenetic tree construction indicated that Bothriochloa, Capillipedium, and Dichanthium form a monophyletic group, suggesting that the BCD clade may be recognized as a single genus from an evolutionary perspective. This research provides new insights into the intergeneric relationships within the BCD clade through chloroplast phylogenomics.

IntroductionDouble-J (DJ) stents are essential and frequently utilized devices in urology. Typically, the DJ stent must be replaced or removed within 6 weeks to 6 months to prevent issues such as encrustation, stone formation, fractures, and blockages. Unfortunately, in numerous instances, the stent is neglected[1].It was first introduced to practice in 1967 by Zimskind et al[2]. Stents help maintain the ureter patent, promote the resolution of edema, and facilitate healing of mucosal injuries. As a result, they are regarded as an effective approach in the postoperative care of patients with conditions such as ureteric calculi, ureteric strictures, retroperitoneal tumors or fibrosis, uretero-pelvic junction obstruction, or any iatrogenic ureteric injuries.The longer the duration of DJ stent the more likely to development of stone. It has been reported that the rates of stent encrustation are 9.2%, 47.5%, and 76.3% when the stent remains in place for 6 weeks, 6–12 weeks, and over 12 weeks, respectively[3].Forgotten DJ stents can lead to serious complications. The educational level of patients and their families, as well as counseling provided before and after the procedure, could be crucial in minimizing stent-related issues[1].Initial efforts to remove encrusted ureteral stents can be difficult. The approach depends on the extent of stone formation and encrustation at both ends of the stent. Various methods have been used to remove encrusted stents, including open surgery, percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL), cystolitholapaxy, ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy, and cystolitholapaxy[4].This paper discusses a case of a patient with a long-term neglected DJ stent, originally inserted five years ago after stone removal surgery, which eventually caused the formation of a bladder stone and renal stone, following the updated consensus-based case report (SCARE) guidelines.

Metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of rumen microbiota led to the discovery of five Bacillota xylose isomerases (XIs) enabling efficient xylose-to-ethanol conversion in S. cerevisiae. One XI from sheep rumen achieved 90% ethanol yield in 72h, while another from camel rumen showed high substrate affinity (KM = 16.25 mM). These top-performing XIs, the first mined from these sources, could accelerate second-generation biofuel commercialization.

RNA-seq data provide valuable insights into both host transcriptomes and microbial transcripts from active microbiota within host tissues. The presence of microbial transcripts within specific tissues indicates the replication and transcriptional activity of microorganisms. Integrative analyses of the host transcriptome and the meta-transcriptome allow for the characterization of microbial gene expression and the interactive response of the host to the microbiome in each sample. In this study, we employed metatranscriptomics to explore microbial communities in the telencephalon and liver of Carollia perspicillata. By combining host and microbial RNA-seq data, we identified 287 microbial species in the liver and 283 in the telencephalon, revealing tissue-specific microbial diversity. Bacteria were the most abundant taxa in both tissues, followed by notable eukaryotic, archaeal, and viral populations. Using the Metatranscriptome Detector pipeline and NCBI databases, we identified species of potential epidemiological relevance and characterized the host’s transcriptional response to the microbiome. Functional analyses indicated differential expression of microbial and host genes across tissues, with enriched metabolic pathways and Gene Ontology (GO) terms aligning with hepatic and neural functions. This research underscores the tissue-specific adaptation of the microbiome to host physiology, offering new insights into host-microbiome dynamics in the telencephalon and liver of this frugivorous bat species.

The investigation of immune-related biomarkers for tumor immunotherapy represents a rapidly evolving and highly promising research frontier. While the ECT2 gene has been implicated in the progression of diverse malignancies, its pan-cancer implications and underlying molecular mechanisms remain insufficiently characterized. Building upon emerging evidence that suggests an association between ECT2 and tumor pathogenesis, our study endeavors to comprehensively elucidate the prognostic significance and immunological attributes of ECT2 in oncogenesis. Through integrative analysis of comprehensive genomic datasets derived from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) repositories, we systematically examined the oncogenic potential of ECT2 across human malignancies. Our findings demonstrate substantial upregulation of ECT2 expression in 31 distinct tumor types, with pan-cancer Cox regression analyses revealing statistically significant correlations between elevated ECT2 expression and adverse clinical outcomes, including reduced overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), disease-free interval (DFS), and progression-free interval (PFI) across multiple cancer subtypes. To further validate the functional implications of ECT2 in tumor biology, we employed hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line HepG2 as an experimental model. Utilizing shRNA-mediated gene silencing, we observed marked reduction in cellular viability upon ECT2 knockdown. Immunofluorescence analyses corroborated these findings, demonstrating diminished expression of cell cycle regulatory proteins, particularly Cyclin D1, following ECT2 suppression. RNA sequencing analysis of ECT2-depleted HepG2 cells identified significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in cell cycle regulation and proliferative signaling pathways, providing mechanistic insights into ECT2’s tumor-promoting effects. Our comprehensive pan-cancer analysis further revealed significant associations between ECT2 expression patterns and key immunological parameters, including immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoint molecule expression, tumor mutational burden (TMB), and microsatellite instability (MSI) status across various malignancies. Functional pathway analysis implicated ECT2 in critical mitotic cell cycle processes, offering novel perspectives on its role in cancer initiation and metastatic progression across diverse tumor types. These findings collectively contribute to our understanding of ECT2 as a potentially critical regulator in oncogenesis, with implications for both tumor biology and therapeutic development. The multifaceted role of ECT2 in cancer progression, as revealed through our integrative analysis, underscores its potential as both a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in cancer immunotherapy.

Hepatosplenic T Cell lymphoma (HSTCL) is a rare form of peripheral T cell lymphoma with an aggressive course and a poor prognosis. It affects primarily young adult males, many of them with a history of immunosuppression and autoimmune diseases. We describe a case of a 27-year-old male, previously treated with azathioprine, presenting with pancytopenia, the bone marrow was aplastic and partly infiltrated with gamma-delta T-lymphocytes (Tγδ). The diagnosis was confirmed by a liver biopsy. The patient received induction chemotherapy with a total of 3 cycles of ifosfamide, carboplatin, etoposide (ICE protocol) without ever reaching hematological regeneration, so eventually followed by allogeneic transplantation. In the 60-month surveillance, the patient still shows complete remission.

Freshwater habitats are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, facing relentless pressure from habitat loss and climate change. As a result, the ability of aquatic species to move between suitable habitat fragments becomes increasingly uncertain. The Island Biogeography Theory suggests that geographic isolation per se could limit biodiversity in fragmented landscapes. Dragon- and damselflies (Odonata) rely on freshwater for reproduction but are highly mobile and easily detectable as adults, which makes them an ideal model system for testing how geographic isolation shapes freshwater invertebrate communities. Making use of openly available and comprehensive geodata and intensive odonate surveys, we quantified the isolation of 99 sites in an Alpine region and tested how isolation influences the diversity and composition of dragon- and damselfly communities. None of three isolation metrics we used affected species richness, community composition or the occurrence of most species, while most of these were affected by elevation, habitat composition and site area. This suggests that dragon- and damselflies can freely disperse within a heterogenous alpine landscape at a regional scale, partly falsifying the Island Biogeography theory in this context. Our results support the common assumption of absent dispersal limitations in ecological models but also calls into question proposals of creating artificial habitats to increase connectivity. Given that habitat composition and site area, had the stronger effect than isolation on all aspects of biodiversity, conservation efforts should prioritize the protection of existing natural habitats and corridors.

Species distribute themselves in the environment to maximize fitness, within their physiological and ecological constraints. The influence of dissolved oxygen and temperature on habitat use in marine systems, as well as their interactive effects on metabolic activity, all considerably impact habitat availability. Yet, despite their importance, a species’ physiology is rarely directly considered in species distribution models for marine species. We used species distribution models following boosted regression tree frameworks to evaluate the inclusion of dissolved oxygen and the Aerobic Growth Index (AGI; a metric for metabolic demands) for predicting habitat suitability of immature shortfin mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) in the California Current System and adjacent waters using tracking data from 2003-2015. Model performance was assessed using the True Skill Statistic (TSS), Area Under the receiver operating Curve (AUC), and Percent Deviance Explained. Relative to distribution models solely considering traditional environmental predictor variables, we found that dissolved oxygen and the AGI considerably improved immature mako shark species distribution model predictive performance (ΔTSSdissolved oxygen = 0.099; ΔTSSAGI = 0.09; ΔAUCdissolved oxygen = 0.053 ; ΔAUCAGI = 0.050) and explanatory power of the distribution of shortfin mako sharks (Δ% Deviance Explaineddissolved oxygen = 10.8; Δ% Deviance ExplainedAGI = 10.2). While the AGI had similar performance to models considering dissolved oxygen, species habitat predictions including the AGI uniquely predicted low habitat suitability in regions known to be metabolically stressful for the species, the Pacific North Equatorial Current. Ocean warming and deoxygenation are inextricably linked, which will have direct impacts on metabolic habitat viability, thus appropriately accounting for these changes together will result in improved understanding of current habitat availability, climate-ready management tools, and robust conservation planning.

Euphorbia costatalata is allied to Euphorbia tortilis but differs in having prominent ribbing and up to 5 wings, segments longer, thinner, not spiral, cymes fewer per axil, trapezoidal glands that are humped convexly upwards, flattened ovaries with non-connate styles, capsules concave on top, and seeds dark brown with light speckles and streaks. This species appears to replace E. tortilis north of the Nilgiri and Bilirangan hill ranges.

Lithium-NMC batteries in electric vehicles exhibit complex degradation mechanisms, where capacity fade, internal re sistance growth, and discharge behavior evolve nonlinearly under varying operating conditions. Accurate remaining useful life prediction necessitates capturing these intricate interdependencies, which traditional models fail to gener alize effectively. This study develops a robust machine learning framework leveraging experimental cycling data under nominal and over-discharge conditions. Key param eters like voltage, discharge time, internal resistance, and state of health were chosen due to their direct correlation with electrochemical aging, resistive losses, and failure pro gression, ensuring high sensitivity to degradation dynam ics. Support Vector Regression and Bayesian-optimized Lasso Regression were employed to model these dependen cies, providing precise predictions of key battery health in dicators. A hybrid framework integrating these models for remaining useful life estimation achieved R 2, MAE, RMSE of 0.9998, 0.093 and 0.138 respectively, significantly out performing conventional approaches. Rigorous evaluation through K-fold cross-validation and subset stability analy sis ensured generalizability across diverse operating condi tions. Benchmark comparisons with state-of-the-art meth ods demonstrated superior predictive accuracy. By address ing critical limitations in traditional degradation modelling, this work provides a scalable, data-driven solution for real time battery health management, enhancing the reliability and sustainability of electric vehicle applications.

Human pegivirus (HPgV) is a blood-borne RNA virus belonging to the family Flaviviridae, and contains two types HPgV-1 and HPgV-2. As a non-pathogenic human virus, HPgV-1 has a high prevalence in blood donors and general population worldwide, and was demonstrated to play beneficial roles in individuals co-infected with HIV-1. High prevalence of HPgV-1 in blood donors raises concerns about the risk of transfusion transmission. Rapid and accurate point-of-care testing (POCT) of HPgV-1 facilitates the screening of HPgV-1 infection among blood donors. Here, we reported a novel high-fidelity loop-mediated isothermal amplification (HiFi-LAMP) assay for detection of HPgV-1 and evaluated its performance in 175 healthy adults from Taizhou, China. The assay exhibits high specificity and sensitivity with a limit of detection (LOD) of 148 copies/25 μL reaction and can be completed within 30 minutes. Clinical validation showed that the assay had a 100% concordance with a previously described RT-qPCR assay for 175 sera from healthy adults, showing 100% sensitivity and specificity. Furthermore, we reported a 28.0% (111/397) prevalence of HPgV-1 in healthy adults in Taizhou, China, with no significant differences between genders and ages. The prevalence is obviously higher than a pooled HPgV-1 prevalence of 3.3% in blood donors in China. The novel HPgV-1 HiFi-LAMP assay offers a robust, rapid, and cost-effective tool for HPgV-1 surveillance to mitigate transfusion risk especially in resource-limited areas. High prevalence of HPgV-1 in healthy adults underscores its potential public health relevance.

This paper introduces a novel mathematical framework for analyzing symbolic sequences through the lens of homotopic equivalence and category theory. We develop a formalism where sequences with opposite symbol pairs can undergo homotopic reductions, establishing a categorical structure (SymSeqHom) that maps naturally to free groups. By constructing a presheaf topos over this category, we create a foundation for interpreting complex systems ranging from language formation to biological aging. Our approach bridges topology, algebra, and quantum probability, offering new perspectives on how meaning emerges in linguistic contexts and how structural integrity evolves in biological systems. We demonstrate practical applications through computational simulations of Wittgensteinian language games and quantum-topological models of aging, showing how abstract mathematical structures can illuminate philosophical concepts and physical processes alike. GitHub repo: https://github.com/catman77/SymSeq

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a neglected rodent-borne zoonotic virus primarily infecting house mice. The virus can be highly pathogenic, particularly in immunocompromised individuals and in congenital infections. LCMV is distributed worldwide but shows local clustering, probably due to the highly structured populations of its hosts and the vertical transmission of the pathogen. These factors should also promote long-term virus persistence in wild populations, yet this aspect remains largely unexplored. To investigate this, we resampled a transect in the western Czech Republic that was primarily studied more than a decade ago. Additionally, we analyzed a sample collection from Buškovice, a locality where LCMV was first detected in 2008, to trace virus presence back to the year 2000. Positive samples underwent whole-genome characterization to assess the virus’s genetic structure over space and time. We detected intermittent presence over 24 years in a geographically limited area, where LCMV was already present in 2000 and remained detectable in 2023. Phylogenetic analysis showed no clear spatio-temporal clustering, suggesting that virus persistence in Buškovice is a dynamic process involving mouse dispersal between neighboring villages. Given LCMV’s zoonotic potential and house mouse synanthropy, these findings highlight the need for continuous monitoring in the region.

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into software testing processes presents a transformative approach to improving accuracy, efficiency, and coverage. Traditional software testing methods often fall short due to the growing complexity and scale of modern software systems. AI and ML offer solutions by automating repetitive tasks, improving test case generation, and detecting defects more intelligently. This paper explores the role of AI and ML in revolutionizing software testing, analyzing current methodologies, highlighting challenges such as data quality and model interpretability, and proposing recommendations for future integration.

A document by Hidetoshi Satomi. Click on the document to view its contents.

“Arcuate” sign and Lateral Meniscus “Mid-air” sign Implied for Severe Posterolateral Complex Injury: a 6-years follow-up case report and literature reviewAoqiu Wu1#, Quanchao Li1#, Junliang Liu1, Weihong Zhu1*,Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan Province, P. R. China.*Corresponding Author : Weihong Zhu, M.D., Ph.D.Department of Orthopaedics, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 139 Middle Renmin Road, Changsha, Hunan Province 410011, P. R. China.Phone: +86 13873171921Email: zhuweihong@csu.edu.cnKeywords arcuate sign-tibial eminence fracture-posterolateral complex•floating meniscusKey clinical message ：A 33-year-old male with a tibial eminence fracture, fibular head avulsion, and severe PLC injury underwent surgery after a traffic accident. Preoperative MRI revealed a ”mid-air” lateral meniscus. Post-surgery, the patient achieved full knee stability, restored range of motion, and returned to pre-injury activity levels with excellent clinical outcomes at 6 years.

Introduction Ensuring adequate training for doctors managing otolaryngology emergencies remains a challenge. Simulation-based training has emerged as an effective method to improve procedural competency. This study describes a low-cost, reusable ENT essential skills trainer designed to facilitate the practice of fundamental otolaryngology procedures. Materials and Methods A homemade simulator was constructed using a Styrofoam head, plastic tubing, and readily available materials. It incorporates models for nasal packing, otology skills (microsuction, myringotomy), flexible nasolaryngoscopy, and tracheal stoma care. Anatomical realism was enhanced by adding colour and pathological features.  Results The trainer has been implemented in ENT induction programmes, demonstrating a significant reduction in trainee anxiety and an increase in procedural confidence. A comparative study showed superior knowledge retention in junior doctors taught using this model compared to traditional lecture-based teaching. Medical student workshops incorporating the trainer resulted in an increased interest in ENT as a career. The model has been further adapted for emergency airway training and quinsy drainage simulation. Discussion and Conclusion This cost-effective, reusable skills trainer provides an accessible method for improving competency in key otolaryngology procedures. Wider implementation could enhance procedural training, reduce anxiety in trainees, and improve clinical outcomes. Further studies should evaluate long-term skill retention and formal integration into structured training curricula.