Sexual development and male gamete formation of the malaria parasite in the mosquito midgut are initiated by rapid endomitosis in the activated male gametocyte. This process is highly regulated by protein phosphorylation, specifically by three divergent male-specific protein kinases (PKs): CDPK4, SRPK1, and MAP2. Here, we localise each PK during male gamete formation using live-cell imaging, identify their putative interacting partners by immunoprecipitation, and determine the morphological consequences of their absence using ultrastructure expansion and transmission electron microscopy. Each PK has a distinct location in either the nuclear or the cytoplasmic compartment. Protein interaction studies revealed that CDPK4 and MAP2 interact with key drivers of rapid DNA replication, whereas SRPK1 is involved in RNA translation. The absence of each PK results in severe defects in either microtubule-organising centre organisation, kinetochore segregation, or axoneme formation. This study reveals the crucial role of these PKs during endomitosis in formation of the flagellated male gamete and uncovers some of their interacting partners that may drive this process.

• Book : 8(6)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.e202403056-e202403056
• Keyword :

Nuclear power plants have been experiencing continuous pipe wall thinning in carbon steel materials used in the secondary system, potentially leading to pipe rupture. To prevent the sudden pipe rupture caused by this thinning, pipe thinning management programs have been conducted which include periodic thickness measurement and remaining life assessment for sampled pipes and fittings. However, periodic thickness measurement data from ultrasonic testing (UT) have a significant range of uncertainty, which can significantly affect the assessed thinning values. Moreover, the uncertainty of the evaluated thinning value is intensified because the amount of thinning of a certain pipe or fitting is defined by its maximum thinning value. Therefore, a data processing method to minimize the effect of thickness measurement uncertainty is crucial to determine more reliable thinning values. In this study, a data processing method based on the support vector machine regression algorithm was proposed, which was adjusted and modified considering the general characteristics of pipe thinning phenomena. Using datasets of thickness measurements constructed by assumed wall thickness shapes and measurement uncertainty, it was confirmed that the proposed method reduces the uncertainty and bias of evaluated thinning values.

• Book : 57(7)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page :
• Keyword :

Background: Chest wall sarcoma is an uncommon condition, accounting for less than 5% of all thoracic neoplasms. It can arise frombone, cartilage, or soft tissues, depending on its tissue of origin. The most effective treatment approach is surgical resection with adequate margins. Recent research indicates that chemotherapy, whether administered as an adjuvant or neoadjuvant, may improve both overall survival and disease-free survival. This study focuses on examining common histological types, surgical approaches, post-surgical chemotherapy, reconstruction methods, and overall survival outcomes. Methods: Our study included patients who had undergone surgical management for chest wall sarcoma at our center since 2005 to 2020. Data from 39 consecutive patients were collected and entered into the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 16) for analysis. Results: Among 39 patients, the average age was 36 years, with 61% being male. 41% of patient presented delayed with mass size of >10 cm. While 46% underwent surgery alone, 54% received surgery combined with multimodal treatment (radiation and chemotherapy). The median survival was 89 months. Patients with low-grade sarcoma had a significantly better overall survival (Log rank, P<0.01). Although the Ewing’s sarcoma group had the poorest mean survival at 74 months, and the overall median survival could not be determined for this group, no statistically significant difference in overall survival was observed among sarcomas of different tissue origins. Conclusion: Chest wall sarcomas represent a varied group of tumors. In this study, chondrosarcoma and Ewing’s sarcoma were the most frequent types but exhibited the lowest survival rates, primarily due to high grade tumors at diagnosis. Effective management necessitates a multidisciplinary approach, including aggressive surgical resection to achieve R0 margins. Chest wall reconstruction should aim to restore structural and functional integrity with minimal complications. High-grade tumors are associated with poorer survival, that require multidisciplinary team approach.

• Book : 9(1)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.82-89
• Keyword :

Background: Symptomatic patients with unilateral obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) identified by coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), involving either the right or left coronary artery, typically undergo per-protocol bilateral coronary visualization during invasive coronary angiography (ICA). However, a selective visualization approach may be sufficient. Objectives: The objectives of this study were to assess the accuracy of CCTA in excluding hemodynamically significant coronary stenosis in patients with unilateral CAD and to evaluate whether a CCTA-guided selective ICA strategy can reduce procedure time and contrast agent use. Methods: In this cross-sectional cohort study, 454 patients with clinically suspected stable CAD who underwent CCTA prior to ICA were included. The study population consisted of 190 patients with unilateral obstructive CAD, defined as ≥50% diameter stenosis on CCTA, and an absence of obstructive CAD on the contralateral side. ICA with invasive functional assessment was used as the reference standard. Results: CCTA demonstrated a high accuracy, 97.4% (95% CI: 94–99%), in excluding hemodynamically significant disease in the contralateral arteries without obstructive CAD. Compared to the conventional ICA approach, a CCTA-guided selective visualization strategy resulted in significant reductions in procedure time and contrast agent usage: procedure time and contrast agent usage were reduced by 27% (95% CI: 12.1–47.5%) and 46.8% (95% CI: 27.5–67.0%), respectively. Conclusions: In patients with unilateral obstructive CAD identified by CCTA, a CCTA-guided selective ICA visualization strategy is highly accurate in ruling out hemodynamically significant CAD on the contralateral side. Additionally, this unilateral ICA approach has the potential to reduce both contrast agent usage and procedure time compared to the conventional bilateral visualization strategy.

• Book : 15(7)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.890-890
• Keyword :

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.1-1
• Keyword :

Background. Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is a rare disease of the central retina. Clinical cases description. The first clinical case: a 47-year-old man with complaints of decreased vision and the appearance of a spot in the field of vision of the left eye. He was treated at an eye clinic for acute central serous chorioretinopathy, but without effect. At the time of examination, visual acuity of the left eye was 1.0, the anterior segment was without any features, ophthalmoscopically without changes. According to optical coherence tomography (OCT) of the macular zone, changes in reflectivity were detected at the level of the outer plexiform and outer nuclear layers. A diagnosis of “Acute macular neuroretinopathy of the left eye” was made, and dynamic observation was recommended. The second clinical case: a 39-year-old woman undergoing a dynamic examination for operated squamous cell carcinoma of the lower wall of the orbit on the right and upper jaw, a condition after radiation therapy. She had no visual complaints, but during ophthalmoscopy of the right eye, three “cotton-wool” exudates were detected in the macular zone para- and perifoveal. According to OCT data, areas of hyperreflectivity were found in the right eye at the level of the retinal nerve fiber layer, corresponding to “cotton-wool” exudates, as well as juxtafoveally at the level of the outer nuclear layer, which are typical for OMN. Conclusion. The first clinical case demonstrates the importance of multimodal diagnosis in the presence of complaints of decreased vision and spots in the visual field, despite high central visual acuity. The second clinical case demonstrates that radiation therapy administered in the vicinity of the eyeball can lead to disruption of blood flow in the capillary plexuses of the retina, including in the superficial vascular complex and deep capillary plexus with the formation of ischemic retinal manifestations.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page :
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• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page :
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Abstract Koalas are arboreal herbivorous marsupials, endemic to Australia. During the late 1800s and early 1900s, the number of koalas declined dramatically due to hunting for their furs. In addition, anthropogenic activities have further decimated their available habitat, and decreased population numbers. Here, we utilise 37 historic and 25 modern genomes sampled from across their historic and present geographic range, to gain insights into how their population structure and genetic diversity have changed across time; assess the genetic consequences of the period of intense hunting, and the current genetic status of this iconic Australian species. Our analyses reveal how genome-wide heterozygosity has decreased through time and unveil previously uncharacterised mitochondrial haplotypes and nuclear genotypes in the historic dataset, which are absent from today’s koala populations.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page :
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AbstractSMC5/6 is unique amongst the Structural Maintenance of Chromosomes (SMC) complexes in its ability to repress transcription from extrachromosomal circular DNA (ecDNA), including viral genomes and plasmids. Previously, we showed that human SMC5/6 is regulated by two mutually exclusive subcomplexes—SIMC1-SLF2 and SLF1/2—the counterparts of yeast Nse5/6 (Oravcová, eLife, 2022). Notably, only SIMC1-SLF2 recruits SMC5/6 to SV40 Large T antigen (LT) foci in PML nuclear bodies (PML NBs), suggesting that these regulatory subcomplexes direct distinct roles of SMC5/6 on chromosomal versus ecDNA. However, their roles in plasmid repression remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that SMC5/6-mediated repression of plasmid transcription depends exclusively on SIMC1-SLF2, whereas SLF1/2 is dispensable. Reinforcing its specialized role in ecDNA suppression, SIMC1-SLF2 does not participate in SMC5/6 recruitment to chromosomal DNA lesions. We further show that plasmid silencing requires a conserved interaction between SIMC1-SLF2 and SMC6, mirroring the functional relationship observed between yeast Nse5/6 and Smc6. As for viral silencing, plasmid repression depends on the SUMO pathway; however, unlike viral silencing, it does not require PML NBs. Additionally, we find that LT interacts with SMC5/6 and increases plasmid transcription to levels observed in SIMC1-SLF2-deficient cells–echoing the antagonistic roles of HBx (HBV) and Vpr (HIV-1) in viral genome repression. These findings expand the paradigm of viral antagonism against SMC5/6-mediated silencing, positioning LT as a novel player in this evolutionary tug-of-war.

• Book : ()
• Pub. Date : 2025
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In recent years, high-power microwave (HPM) technology has developed rapidly. However, the current research mainly focuses on how to improve its performance and its impact on electronic devices, and there has been relatively little research on its effects on organisms. In particular, the research on the biological effects of HPMs in the X-band is even more limited. The purpose of this paper is to conduct a study on the effects of HPMs in the X-band with a frequency of 9.375 GHz on mood, learning, and cognitive abilities, as well as the antioxidant defense system. Upon observation, it was noted that the mice in the exposed groups, when compared to the control group, did not display significant signs of depression or anxiety. Furthermore, their learning capabilities, memory retention, and cognitive functions remained intact and were not adversely affected. The results of oxidative-stress-related indicators in serum and brain tissue showed increased levels of antioxidant enzymes including superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), reduced levels of protein carbonyl (PCO) and malondialdehyde (MDA), and no significant changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS). In summary, acute exposure to 9.375 GHz HPM did not cause significant damage to the organisms, and the body could defend against the acute stress caused by HPMs through its own antioxidant system. This investigation provides substantial theoretical foundations and robust experimental evidence for establishing safety parameters and potential biomedical applications of microwave radiation within defined exposure limits.

• Book : 26(7)
• Pub. Date : 2025
• Page : pp.2871-2871
• Keyword :