Title: Streptococcus pneumoniae Parotitis in a Patient with Poor Oral HygieneAuthor/corresponding author and Affiliation: Dr Mohammad Salhab, Centre for Bone Disease and Surgery (CBDS), Beirut, Lebanon. Email: drsalhab@hotmail.co.ukAbstractBackground: We report a case of a 23-year-old female university student with poor oral hygiene who presented with recurrent right parotid gland swelling and pain. Despite multiple courses of antibiotics, the patient experienced persistent symptoms. Methodology: Magnetic resonance sialography revealed two intraductal stones in the right parotid gland. Purulent discharge from the parotid duct grew Streptococcus pneumoniae . Results: The patient was successfully treated with levofloxacin, parotid massage, and hydration. She was also advised to receive pneumococcal vaccination and reported no side effects after the first dose. Conclusion: This case highlights the importance of considering S. pneumoniae as a potential cause of parotitis in patients with poor oral hygiene, the role of imaging, microbiology, and targeted therapy in managing recurrent parotitis, and the potential benefits of pneumococcal vaccination in preventing future infections.KeywordsStreptococcus pneumoniae; parotitis; pain; vaccination; magnatic saliogram.Key Clinical Message: Streptococcus pneumoniae should be considered as a potential cause of recurrent parotitis, especially in patients with poor oral hygiene. Comprehensive management includes targeted antibiotic therapy based on culture results, addressing underlying factors like sialolithiasis, and considering pneumococcal vaccination to prevent future infections. This case highlights the importance of thorough diagnostic workup and multidisciplinary approach in managing challenging parotitis cases.Introduction: Acute bacterial parotitis is an uncommon condition, usually caused by Staphylococcus aureus or oral anaerobes (McQuone 1999). Streptococcus pneumoniae is a rare cause of parotitis, primarily seen in immunocompromised individuals (Yii, Tan, and Fong 2016). Risk factors for parotitis include poor oral hygiene, dehydration, and ductal obstruction (Brook 1992). The management of acute parotitis that can develop to acute on chronic suppurative condition can be challenging and also impactful on patient’s quality of life (Patel, Scott, and Cunningham 2017). We present a case of recurrent S. pneumoniae parotitis in a young female with poor oral hygiene and subacute sialolithiasis and discuss the role of pneumococcal vaccination in preventing future infections.Case History and Examination: A 23-year-old female university student presented to the ENT clinic with a 10-day history of right parotid gland swelling that became painful over the last 48 hours. She had no previous episodes but reported a few episodes of colds and sore throat during the past year. The patient was a smoker with poor oral hygiene, including several dental caries, and did not regularly brush her teeth. She was also anaemic and vitamin D insufficient. She had no significant medical or surgical history and no family history of parotitis or cancer. She had a compete up to date record of vaccinations including mumps, measles, and rubella.Method: On examination, she had right parotid gland swelling and enlargement of submental, submandibular, and neck lymph nodes. Oral examination revealed poor oral hygiene and dry mucosa without halitosis. Bimanual palpation of the parotid gland showed a mobile soft, painful swelling.Results: Investigations including FBC, CRP, ESR, electrolytes, vitamin D, LFTs, TFTs, calcium, lipid profile, and urinalysis were unremarkable except for vitamin D insufficiency. The patient was treated with amoxicillin for one week and vitamin D3 supplementation and discharged.Two weeks later, the patient returned with recurrent right parotid swelling. Symptoms had initially improved with antibiotics but recurred two days after completing the course. A ”wait and watch” approach was adopted, but the patient reported fluctuating swelling and pain. She was given another course of amoxicillin-clavulanate and discharged.One month later, the patient presented again with painful parotid swelling. An MRI sialogram demonstrated a relatively enlarged and hyperintense right parotid gland measuring 59x42x29mm, without nodules or ductal dilation-see fig 1a. Contrast injection revealed two intraductal stones- see fig 1b. Interestingly, blood works, inflammatory markers and cultures were negative. The patient was advised to maintain hydration and discharged.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of global mortality, underscoring the need for practical diagnostic tools like electrocardiography (ECG). While traditional 12-lead ECGs are comprehensive, they are often costly and lack portability. The Hamrah Doctor ECGMOBILE 3L, a 5-lead portable ECG device, presents a more accessible alternative. This study evaluates its agreement with the standard 12-lead ECG. Methods: A prospective study was conducted with 100 patients admitted to a Cardiac Care Unit (CCU). Each patient underwent ECG recordings using both the standard 12-lead ECG and the Hamrah Doctor ECGMOBILE 3L device. Interval duration measurements were compared between the two devices. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and linear regression to assess agreement. Results: The 5-lead mobile ECG demonstrated strong agreement with the 12-lead ECG, with correlations exceeding 91% across all intervals. Minor differences in IDMs and heart rates were attributed to the sequential, rather than simultaneous, recording of ECGs. Some morphological differences, particularly in T-wave inversions, were noted but were likely due to recording conditions. Conclusion: The Hamrah Doctor ECGMOBILE 3L reliably captures ECG readings comparable to the standard 12-lead ECG. While it does not replace the 12-lead ECG, its portability, ease of use, and accessibility make it a valuable tool for continuous cardiac monitoring, especially in telemedicine and rural healthcare settings.

Pangolins are under severe threat from illegal trade and habitat loss. Despite their conservation significance, these elusive creatures remain poorly understood, particularly in the context of phylogeography and genetic diversity. In this study DNA was isolated from two types of pangolin scat (faeces) samples (whole scat and swabs) which had been stored frozen for up to 3 years between the time of collection and our analyses. A mitochondrial sequence for the cytochrome b gene (424 bp) region was reliably generated from both sample types, for scats which appeared in ‘good’ or ‘poor’ condition at the time of collection. Sanger sequencing revealed four new cytochrome b haplotypes for pangolin, with variations in distinct sampling regions in Nepal (central and east). Comparison to reference sequences for pangolin originating from China, Taiwan and Thailand, indicated a distinct variant of Chinese pangolin in Nepal (15-19 base pair difference). Genetic differentiation of Chinese pangolin in Nepal has broader conservation significance for this species. Methods described here are robust and could be applied to broader genetic studies of pangolin populations across Nepal, allowing for genetic mapping of pangolin variations to assist in identifying populations of significance, evaluation of conservation interventions, and forensic applications supporting the fight against illegal poaching.

Introduction: The study aims to assess awareness, attitude, apprehension, action expected from policy makers, and acceptability towards HPV vaccination amongst health care providers (HCP), medical students, paramedical staff and administrative personnel. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 501 participants, including HCP, medical students, paramedical and administrative staff. Their awareness, attitudes, apprehensions, actions expected from policymakers, and acceptability towards HPV vaccine were assessed through a Google Form survey. Results: Of the 501 participants, 92.4% were aware of HPV vaccines, 24.6% had a thorough understanding of HPV, but only 5.8% had received the vaccine. Most participants held a positive attitude toward cervical cancer prevention and HPV vaccination, although 46.7% expressed apprehensions. Initially, 278 participants (55.8%) were willing to receive the HPV vaccine, while 116 (44.2%) were not. After viewing the educational video, willingness increased to 394 participants (78.6%), and those unwilling decreased to 107 (21.4%). Factors such as age, gender, marital status, education, and professional role did not significantly predict knowledge or apprehension regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine. However, professional role and younger adult (20-39 years) groups were statistically significant predictors of a positive attitude as well as stronger expectations for action from policymakers towards HPV vaccine. Conclusion: The study reveals significant gaps in HPV vaccine awareness and uptake among medical professionals, paramedics, and administrative staff. It highlights the need for broad educational programs to address these knowledge gaps, emphasizing HPV’s health impacts and preventive measures. Multimedia educational interventions effectively boost vaccine acceptance among the groups and the general public.

Background and Aims: HBsAg seroclearance is a key marker of functional HBV cure, with Peg-IFN-ɑ-induced elimination closely linked to T lymphocyte responses. This study evaluates the efficacy of Peg-IFN-ɑ in HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infection and correlates change in T lymphocyte subsets expressing inhibitory receptors with achieving functional cure post-treatment. Methods: From January 2008 to February 2023, HBeAg-negative chronic HBV patients at Beijing You’an Hospital were treated with Peg-IFN-ɑ alone or nucleoside analogs. Patients were categorized into HBsAg response (R) and non-response (NR) groups based on HBsAg seroclearance. Changes in T lymphocytes expressing inhibitory receptors were detected by flow cytometry before treatment, at 12 weeks, and 24 weeks, and correlated with functional cure. Results: 618 patients were enrolled. The response group was younger (39 vs. 42 years), had longer treatment (63 vs. 49 weeks), and had lower baseline HBsAg levels (1.42 vs. 2.18 log10 IU/mL) than the non-response group. The response group had sustained HBsAg decrease and higher HBV DNA inhibition and HBsAg seroconversion rates. Compared to baseline, after 24 weeks of treatment, CD4+ (P=0.044*) and CD8+ central memory T-cell (TCM) (P=0.022*) frequencies increased in the response group and decreased in the non-response group. Th2 cell frequency decreased in the response group and increased in the non-response group, P=0.013*. PD-1+CD8+T and CD160+CD8+T cell frequencies were significantly reduced in the response group compared to baseline (P=0.005**, 0.016*), while the non-response group showed an increase. Conclusion: Reduced PD-1+CD8+ and CD160+CD8+ T cell frequencies favored functional hepatitis B cure. Restoration of T-cell function is crucial for a functional cure of hepatitis B, highlighting the importance of exploring immunotherapy strategies for HBV infection.

IntroductionBotulism was first described in the literature in the 1820s after a case series including hundreds of people in a German town affected by sausage poisoning. [1] It is described as a severe neuroparalytic, life-threatening, rare disease caused by the anaerobic and spore-forming bacterium Clostridium botulinum . [1, 2] The exo-neurotoxin produced by the proteolytic Clostridium botulinum and non-proteolytic C. botulinum during their growth in food is potently fatal after consuming only a finite amount of around 30-100 ng. [2] There are generally around seven immunologically recognizable existing neurotoxins, identified from A to G, with types A, B, and E being the most reported. [2] Such neurotoxin, in all its existing forms, preferentially impedes neural transmission by blocking the presynaptic release of acetylcholine at the neuromuscular junction, resulting in a reversible process of muscle fiber denervation, leading to paralysis and muscle atrophy. Botulism occurs in different forms: infantile, foodborne, and wound botulism. [3] Whereas iatrogenic and adult are rare yet recognized adverse effects. [4]Botulinum toxin A (Bix-A) has been utilized clinically in a spectrum of diseases such as spasticity, strabismus, blepharospasms, cervical dystonia, hemifacial spasms, and cosmetically. [3] Its therapeutic effect persists for nearly three months. [3] While it is generally safe and is rarely associated with significant yet life-threatening side effects, such as systemic spread of the botulinum toxin leading to systemic botulism syndrome, [4] We thereby report a patient with iatrogenic diffuse botulism post-therapeutic Botox injection for chronic back pain in a non-authorized center. This report is crucial to highlight such a rare but potentially serious side effect of this treatment and the importance of getting such treatment in authorized centers.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate personality and relationship patterns in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) and compare them to patients with epilepsy and healthy controls. Methods: A total of 68 participants were recruited (mean age = 29.8±9.4 years), including 25 (36.2%) with PNES. Assessment was conducted with Relationship Questionnaire (RQ), Big Five Inventory (BFI), Relationship Assessment Scale (RAS), Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), and Conflict Behavior Scale (CBS). Results: The IQ of patients with PNES (88.8±13.6) was lower compared to healthy controls (103.5 ± 28.0) but higher than epilepsy patients (84.6±12.9). There were no significant differences between PNES patients and either patients with epilepsy or healthy controls on security, fearfulness, preoccupation, or dismissiveness based on RQ subscale scores. PNES patients tended to be less satisfied (RAS total score, p=0.10), but did not differ on overall life (on SWLS) compared to epilepsy patients and healthy. There were no significant differences in the scores for different attachment styles (Secure, Fearful, Preoccupied, Dismissing) among the groups (p>0.05). Significant differences were found in agreeableness (p=0.017) and openness (p=0.009) among the groups. PNES group exhibits higher scores in Negative-Own (p = 0.009), Positive-Own (p = 0.011), Negative-Partner (p = 0.011), and Positive-Partner (p = 0.028) compared to epilepsy and healthy. No significant differences observed in Abusive-Own and Abusive-Partner scores (p > 0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, this study highlights distinct personality traits and relationship patterns in patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) compared to epilepsy patients and healthy controls, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these psychological nuances effectively.

Food proteins, essential ingredients in food products, extend product structuring and health-promoting benefits. The objective of the current study is to improve the bio- and techno-functionalities of food proteins simultaneously through non-thermal plasma exposure. Four different food proteins (pea, rice, wheat gluten, and milk proteins) were exposed to plasma at voltage 240V, frequency 1.5 kHz, and 30 min exposure time. The structural, digestibility, bioactivity, and techno-functional properties were analyzed. Plasma treatment alters the secondary structure of proteins by increasing β-structures and random coils by 3-4 times while decreasing α-helices by half, reducing surface hydrophobicity. The study found that longer treatment times and higher voltage intensities enhance protein digestibility and increase amino acid release, with gluten showing the highest improvement in both digestibility and free amino acid content among the proteins examined. The proteins also showed a loss of radical scavenging capacity after treatment due to oxidation reactions. Cold plasma treatment improved protein solubility but reduced emulsifying and foaming properties. The enhancements in digestibility and bioactivity can be attributed to structural unfolding and the exposure of reactive sites on the proteins. In summary, the effects of cold plasma treatment depend on the specific protein, treatment parameters, and the degree of oxidation.

Figure 3. Geometrically transformed healthy (a) and pneumonia (b) PCA-compressed CXR images3.4.2. Gaussian Noise TransformationsGaussian noise image transformations involve applying Gaussian filters to images. These filters reduce noise and enhance visual quality. The process uses the bell-shaped curve of the Gaussian function to calculate a weighted average for pixel values. As a result, the image is blurred, smoothing out noise-related variations while preserving its overall structure [102], [103], [104], [105], [106], [107]. Gaussian noise image transformations have several advantages, including: (1) Noise Reduction: Gaussian filters effectively reduce noise, especially Gaussian noise commonly found in digital images. By averaging nearby pixel values, they significantly diminish random noise. (2) Computational Efficiency: Gaussian filters can be implemented using one-dimensional filters, which simplifies complexity. This efficiency makes them suitable for real-time applications. (3) Rotationally Symmetric: Gaussian filters perform uniformly in all directions, maintaining image feature integrity regardless of orientation. In this study, two parameters were specified in the custom-built Gaussian noise transformation function: (1) mean = 0; (2) standard deviation = 25. Figure 4 presents samples of gaussian noise transformed healthy and pneumonia PCA-compressed CXR images.

javascript:void(0) In the international photovoltaic market, the "carbon footprint" label has received great attention, and low-carbon footprint products are widely popular. Compared with metallic silver, copper has the characteristics of low carbon emissions and low cost, which can effectively reduce the carbon footprint. Based on this, this article reports a horizontal double-sided Copper metallisation technology. This technology can not only metallize the front and back sides of various types of silicon solar cells at the same time, but also has fast speed, good uniformity, and simple process, making it suitable for the industrial mass production of solar cells. This article describes the structure and manufacturing process of TOPCon solar cells patterned with ultrashort pulse laser and metallized using this novel horizontal double-sided copper metallisation technology. In this batch, average efficiency reached above 26%.

A document by Benji Peng. Click on the document to view its contents.

Traditional Chinese medicine culture(TCMC) contains rich philosophical thoughts and knowledge systems. As a unique cultural heritage of china, its core values are highly consistent with the core values of education. TCMC carries a wealth of educational concepts. Making good use of the educational resources of TCMC is conducive to the effectiveness of ideological education in colleges and universities, and is an important way to cultivate traditional medicine developers and innovators. In view of the shortcomings of TCMC education in Chongqing medical university(CQMU), we will play the role of the main position of campus culture, combine TCMC with the curriculum system, cultural practice activities, TCMC atmosphere and teachers’ TCMC literacy. It enhance students’ recognition and understanding of TCMC, further improve students’ professional identity and humanistic literacy, and provide more valuable educational resources for their all-round growth and development. At the same time, we will promote the inheritance and development of TCMC and create a new situation for cultural education in traditional Chinese medicine colleges and universities.

A document by Aki Kawano. Click on the document to view its contents.

Does APC gene mutation In Familial Adenomatous Polyposis patient predispose to Medication-related Osteonecrosis of Jaw? A case report and proposed genetic pathogenesis.Sandeep Gurav, MDS, FDPO a; Gurkaran Preet Singh, MDS, FDPO b; Radhika Jain, MDS, FDPO c; Suryaveer Singh, MD d; Prachi Bhatia, MDSe, Vinita Patil, DNB fa Professor, Dental and Prosthetic Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, A CI Of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai- 400012, India. drsandeepgurav@gmail.comb Associate Professor, Dental and Prosthetic Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, A CI Of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai- 400012, India. gurkaranpreetsingh@gmail.comc Senior Resident, Dental and Prosthetic Surgery, Tata Memorial Hospital, A CI Of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai- 400012, India. radhika.jain025@gmail.comd Fellow, Radiodiagnosis, Tata Memorial Hospital, A CI Of Homi Bhabha National Institute, Mumbai- 400012, India.

This study investigated the relationship between relational integration and semantic processing in numerical inductive reasoning using event-related potentials (ERPs). Participants were required to identify hidden rules in three-digit sequences and judged whether fourth probes were congruent with these rules. The experiment manipulated relational complexity: simple and hierarchical rules (e.g., ”12, 13, 14, 15” or ”12, 13, 15, 18”) shared identical first two numbers but differed in the third, in order to isolate the relational integration process. The type of cue was also manipulated: the no-cue condition presented only a fixation point, providing no rule information; the part-cue condition introduced operands (such as “+” or “–”) to ensure rules could be identified after presenting second numbers and confirmed after the onset of third numbers. The mass univariate ERP results locked to the third numbers revealed independent main effects of relational complexity and cue type on both the Late Negative Component (LNC) and Late Positive Component (LPC). The independent effects especially on the LNC implies that high-order numerical reasoning distinct from semantic processing.

Neuroendocrine Carcinoma of the Gallbladder: A Rare Case Report from BangladeshMd Osman Goni1, Shanjida Akter2,

Background and purpose: Ischemic stroke stands as a primary contributor to global disability and mortality, with treatment primarily focus on reducing neuronal death. Exosomes carry various miRNAs as a tool for intercellular communication and signal transduction, which provides a novel treatment for stroke. This research aims to reveal the protective effect and mechanisms of astrocyte-derived exosomes (AS-Exos) against ischemic stroke in mouse. Experimental Approach: AS-Exos were isolated and identified, and blood brain barrier (BBB) permeability and cellular localization were determined. MiR-664-5p overexpression (OE) or knockdown (KD) exosomes were constructed and extracted. In vitro, cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) releasing, apoptosis and related factors of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) neurons were measured. In vivo, cerebral infarction volume, brain water content, BBB permeability, neurological score, inflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis factors were measured at 24 h after middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R). Cerebral blood flow (CBF), sensorimotor function, spatial learning and memory function, and pathological analysis were evaluated at 7 days after MCAO/R. Key Results: MiR-664-5p OE exosomes protected neuron by increasing cell viability, decreasing LDH release, inhibiting neuronal apoptosis after OGD/R injury. Furthermore, it alleviated ischemic stroke by reducing infarction volume and brain water content, sustaining BBB integrity, and inhibiting apoptosis. Increased CBF, improved neurological functional recovery and alleviated pathological damage were also observed. Meanwhile, miR-664-5p KD exosomes administration yielded the opposite results, aggravated ischemic brain injury. Conclusion and Implications: MiR-664-5p carried in astrocyte-derived exosomes alleviates experimental ischemic stroke via inhibiting neuronal apoptosis, which may be a new target for ischemic stroke treatment.

A document by fengrong tang. Click on the document to view its contents.

Military personnel often encounter situations that can trigger acute stress. Therefore, it is important to examine stress responses in controlled environments to obtain more insights in performance-influencing effects of acute stress. This study investigated the impact of passive heat exposure and virtual combat scenarios on cardiovascular and psychophysiological parameters in a controlled setting. Sixty-eight servicemembers were randomized into a low-stress or high-stress condition. Both groups engaged in two virtual scenarios. The low-stress group underwent testing under thermoneutral conditions whereas the high-stress group was exposed to a heated environment. While the scenarios alone led to a decrease in heart rate variability (HRV) without affecting heart rate (HR), the addition of passive heat exposure elicited a more pronounced physiological stress response, characterized by significantly higher HR and lower HRV in the high-stress condition. However, no significant changes were observed in respiratory rate, salivary cortisol, or alpha-amylase levels across the conditions, suggesting that there was no activation of either the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal or the sympathetic-adrenal-medullary axis. Furthermore, subjective stress and anxiety scores did not differ between conditions, underscoring the physiological nature of the observed changes. Resultantly, the physiological response was likely a thermal reaction rather than an acute stress response. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating environmental stressors into military training protocols to enhance realism and prepare personnel for operational stressors. However, the mild response observed suggests that higher ambient temperatures and longer exposure times may be necessary to evoke a more robust stress response for effective stress inoculation training.

I provide my personal perspective of the application of genetics to conservation. I began graduate school shortly after the first description of genetic variation in natural populations. The use of allozymes uncovered an unexpected amount of genetic variation in a wide variety of species. During this same period, Motoo Kimura proposed The Neutral Theory of Evolution. Understanding the adaptive significance of allozyme variation became the major focus of population genetics. The utility of population genetic data for conservation and management was questioned because if the observed patterns were determined primarily by selection, then they could not be used to estimate gene flow or genetic drift. The study of mitochondrial DNA next provided a different view of genetic variation by allowing the overlaying of genealogical information on the locations of sampled individuals (phylogeography). The introduction of microsatellites allowed the study of a large number of nuclear markers. The many loci and large number of alleles at microsatellites were valuable for detecting bottlenecks and identifying relationships of individuals. The use of single nucleotide polymorphisms next opened the door to genomic analysis that allowed sampling a mapped genome to detect forces affecting particular genomic regions instead of using a representative sample of loci. For example, using runs of homozygosity has revolutionized our understanding of the effects of inbreeding and the detection of inbreeding depression. Current techniques provide unprecedented power to study genetic variation in natural populations. Nevertheless, application of this information requires sound understanding of population genetics theory.

Objective: The medical applications of 3D printing have gained recent attention worldwide. This study aimed to explore the potential value of using 3D-printed models for patient counselling in the gynaecology clinical setting. Design: A prospective quasi-experimental study (Pretest-Posttest design). Setting: Outpatient gynaecology clinics at the University Hospital Sharjah. Sample: Women presenting to the outpatient clinic with a gynecologic condition that can be anatomically demonstrated using a 3D model. Methods: We developed 3D-printed models of female pelvic organs representative of normal anatomy and various gynecologic pathologies. Participants’ level of understanding of diagnosis was assessed using a structured questionnaire administered before and after 3D-printed model-assisted counselling. Main outcome measures: The level of patients’ understanding and change in knowledge scores after 3D-printed model-assisted counselling. Results: Of 72 women who were enrolled in the study, 84.7% reported an increase in their level of understanding following the 3D-printed model-assisted counselling compared to the pre-counselling session provided conventionally by their gynecologist. The mean total knowledge score significantly increased following 3D-printed model-assisted counselling compared to conventional counselling (27.8 + 2.5 and 14.86 + 6.3, respectively; p=<0.001). Patients’ level of education and prior awareness of diagnosis significantly influenced the magnitude of change in knowledge scores. Patient satisfaction with 3D models was notably high, with 73.6% (N=53) and 23.6% (N=17) of participants rating it as an excellent or very good counselling approach, respectively. Conclusion: The incorporation of 3D printed models into routine gynecologic counselling appears to be feasible and may provide significant improvement in patient education and satisfaction.

javascript:void(0) Hybridization is a potent mechanism for generating genetic diversity and transferring adaptive genetic loci across species or populations (lineages), enabling organisms to explore broader ecological niches. However, the effects of hybridization between species/lineages with different ploidy levels remain underexplored. In this study, we used transcriptomic approaches to investigate the abiotic stress tolerance of common reed (Phragmites australis) and in relation to polyploidy and hybridization. Our findings revealed that a brackish water population of a tetraploid lineage acquired salinity tolerance through adaptive introgression from an octoploid lineage. Among 46 adaptive genes with high FST values between populations, nine were significantly enriched in response to salicylic acid. In a common garden experiment, we chose two hybrid genotypes with similar genetic backgrounds to assess the consistency of adaptability from introgression under varying cadmium (Cd) concentrations. The Heze genotype exhibited a significant decline in net photosynthesis rate and chlorophyll content with increasing Cd concentrations, whereas the Panjin genotype exhibited greater tolerance. Correspondingly, the Heze genotype also had a higher number of differentially expressed genes under both low and high Cd concentrations. These findings suggest that introgressed loci may have varying functions in hybrid populations. This study enhances our understanding of how hybridization between lineages of different ploidy levels can lead to improved stress tolerance and its role in adaptive evolution.

Complex and highly integrated functional dependencies have been established between animal hosts and their symbiotic microorganisms. In many cases, this dependence can evolve into systemic symbiosis, where closely related species exhibit greater similarity in the composition of their microbial communities, while distantly related species demonstrate more pronounced differences. However, evidence of systemic symbiosis has been lacking in studies investigating the avian gut microbiome. By utilizing the ABDOMEN model, we conducted an analysis on publicly available data pertaining to gut microbiota collected from passerine birds in New Guinea, revealing significant evidence of systemic symbiosis within the gut microbiota. Furthermore, our findings suggest that ecological factors such as diet and geographic location cannot fully account for this observed systemic symbiosis; thus implying that other evolutionarily conserved characteristics may play a pivotal role in shaping the composition of the microbiome. These results support considering vertebrate gut microbiota as a ” ecosystems on a leash” and emphasize its significance within studies encompassing ecology and evolutionary biology. This perspective provides novel insights into comprehending animal-microbial symbiosis and its ecological function.

Floriculture industry, although with rapid growth and high profitability, is highly debatable regarding its sustainability due to the huge environmental impacts. Achieving sustainability requires joint efforts from all stakeholders which is, however, often neglected considering their economic-oriented thinking. Therefore, this review attempts to raise awareness and collective responsibility among the key practitioners in floriculture by discussing its sustainability in the context of soil health which is the foundation of agriculture system. Major challenges posed to soil health were identified from soil acidification and salinization by abusive use of fertilizers, to the poisoned soil biota by pesticide residues and plastic debris due to the excessive application of pesticides and disposal of plastics. The resulted continuous cropping obstacles were further elucidated by the concept of plant-soil feedback. Based on these challenges, we proposed several sustainable practices including breeding stress-resistant and nutrient-efficient cultivars, sustainable soil management, and recycle of plastics to overcome the decline in soil health. The problem of flower wastes was highlighted and efficient treatment by biochar synthesis was suggested. Nevertheless, we acknowledged the complexity of developing and implementing the proposed practices in floriculture as there is limited collaboration among research, practice communities, and policymakers. More attentions and efforts are urgently required in the soil studies in floriculture to expand the knowledges needed to solve the current soil threats and to bridge the understanding gap between researchers and stakeholders.