Barley is used for food and feed, and brewing. Nondormant seeds are required for malting, but the lack of dormancy can lead to preharvest sprouting (PHS), which is also undesired. Here, we report ...several new loci that modulate barley seed dormancy and PHS. Using genome‐wide association mapping of 184 spring barley genotypes, we identified four new, highly significant associations on chromosomes 1H, 3H, and 5H previously not associated with barley seed dormancy or PHS. A total of 71 responsible genes were found mostly related to flowering time and hormone signalling. A homolog of the well‐known Arabidopsis Delay of Germination 1 (DOG1) gene was annotated on the barley chromosome 3H. Unexpectedly, DOG1 appears to play only a minor role in barley seed dormancy. However, the gibberellin oxidase gene HvGA20ox1 contributed to dormancy alleviation, and another seven important loci changed significantly during after‐ripening. Furthermore, nitric oxide release correlated negatively with dormancy and shared 27 associations. Origin and growth environment affected seed dormancy and PHS more than did agronomic traits. Days to anthesis and maturity were shorter when seeds were produced under drier conditions, seeds were less dormant, and PHS increased, with a heritability of 0.57–0.80. The results are expected to be useful for crop improvement.
In barley, dormancy‐related issues affect seed quality, with downstream effects for the malting process. We identified new genetic loci responsible for dormancy and preharvest sprouting, and showed that environmental conditions during seed production alter the genetic control of dormancy.
Despite drawbacks, cold-cured acrylic resin is still the most common material used in denture repair. Zirconia nanoparticles were among the reinforcements added to increase the strength of the resin. ...The effect on
due to the addition of zirconia nanoparticles to the resin has not been investigated.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of zirconia nanoparticles added to cold-cured acrylic resin on
adhesion.
A total of 120 acrylic resin specimens with dimensions measuring 22×10×2.5 mm
were prepared and divided into two equal groups. One group (repair) comprised heat-polymerized specimens that were sectioned at the center and prepared to create a 2 mm repair area that was repaired with cold-cured resin reinforced with 0% wt, 2.5% wt, 5% wt, and 7.5% wt zirconia nanoparticles. The second group contained intact cold-cured acrylic resin specimens reinforced with 0% wt, 2.5% wt, 5% wt, and 7.5% wt zirconia nanoparticles. Specimens were incubated at 37°C in artificial saliva containing
, and the effect of zirconia nanoparticles on
was assessed using two methods: 1) a slide count method and 2) a direct culture test. Variations in the number of living
were observed in relation to the different concentrations of zirconia nanoparticles. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Tukey's tests were performed for data analysis. If the
-value was ≤0.05, then the difference was considered as statistically significant.
It was found that
adhesion to repaired specimens was significantly decreased by the addition of zirconia nanoparticles (
<0.00001) in comparison with the control group. Intact cold-cured groups and groups repaired with cold-cured resin reinforced with 7.5% wt zirconia nanoparticles showed the lowest
count. Tukey's test showed a significant difference between the repaired group and the intact cold-cured group, while the later demonstrated a lower
count.
The addition of zirconia nanoparticles to cold-cured acrylic resin is an effective method for reducing
adhesion to repaired polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) denture bases and cold-cured removable prosthesis.
Based on the results of the current study, zirconia nanoparticles have an antifungal effect, which could be incorporated in the repair material for repairing denture bases and in PMMA removable prostheses as a possible approach for denture stomatitis prevention.
Scientists know very little about the mechanisms underlying fish skin mucus, despite the fact that it is a component of the immune system. Fish skin mucus is an important component of defence against ...invasive infections. Recently, Fish skin and its mucus are gaining interest among immunologists. Characterization was done on the obtained silver nanoparticles Ag combined with Clarias gariepinus catfish epidermal mucus proteins (EMP-Ag-NPs) through UV-vis, FTIR, XRD, TEM, and SEM. Ag-NPs ranged in size from 4 to 20 nm, spherical in form and the angles were 38.10°, 44.20°, 64.40°, and 77.20°, Where wavelength change after formation of EMP-Ag-NPs as indicate of dark brown, the broad band recorded at wavelength at 391 nm. Additionally, the antimicrobial, antibiofilm and anticancer activities of EMP-Ag-NPs was assessed. The present results demonstrate high activity against unicellular fungi C. albicans, followed by E. faecalis. Antibiofilm results showed strong activity against both S. aureus and P. aeruginosa pathogens in a dose-dependent manner, without affecting planktonic cell growth. Also, cytotoxicity effect was investigated against normal cells (Vero), breast cancer cells (Mcf7) and hepatic carcinoma (HepG2) cell lines at concentrations (200-6.25 µg/mL) and current results showed highly anticancer effect of Ag-NPs at concentrations 100, 5 and 25 µg/mL exhibited rounding, shrinkage, deformation and granulation of Mcf7 and HepG2 with IC50 19.34 and 31.16 µg/mL respectively while Vero cells appeared rounded at concentration 50 µg/mL and normal shape at concentration 25, 12.5 and 6.25 µg/ml with IC50 35.85 µg/mL. This study evidence the potential efficacy of biologically generated Ag-NPs as a substitute medicinal agent against harmful microorganisms. Furthermore, it highlights their inhibitory effect on cancer cell lines.
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•AgGO with enhanced absorption in the visible spectrum through a single-step surfactant-free facile method was prepared.•WO3-x/AgrGO composite with better photocatalytic activity was ...prepared by doping WO3-x by AgGO via a hydrothermal process.•Better carrier separation and reduced impedance leading to RhB degradation and bacterial inactivation.•It exhibits versatilities for photocatalytic activities in visible regions.•Stability tests suggest its excellent reusability.
Suppressing charge recombination in semiconductors via triggering interfacial polarization and synergism provides an effective way to redeem multifunctionality and achieve environmental sustainability. Herein, we anchor a single-step facile synthesis of AgGO, providing bandgap control through varying oxidation time and subsequent simultaneous incorporation of Ag and rGO via the in situ hydrothermal method in WO3-x. The resulting WO3-x/AgrGO composite demonstrated a broadening of optical absorption and excellent suppression of carrier recombination, thereby improving the catalytic properties. The synergism and excellent conductivity of AgrGO enhance the interfacial polarization to store the carriers for longer times and help carriers carry most of their energy to the catalyst’s surface. When WO3-x/AgrGO was tested against RhB under visible light irradiation, its degradation constant reached 0.034/min, 7.4 times faster than pure WO3-x. It has left no viable bacteria during the photoinactivation of gram-negative E. coli bacteria, and even its inactivation rate is 1.07 times faster than AgGO. So, this study provides a direct method of metal-GO composite synthesis and subsequent introduction into WO3-x to broaden the versatility of environmental semiconductors.
Four different ZnO nanostructures, namely nanoparticles, nanorods, nanoribbons, and nanoshuttles, were synthesized by controlling the pH levels, the chemical compositions, and the conditions of the ...process. Different ZnO nanostructures' structural, wettability, optical, and electrical properties depend on the morphology and particle size. In particular, X-ray diffraction patterns verify that lattice constants, crystallite size, microstrain, and other related structural parameters are affected by the surface morphology and the particle size. In addition, ZnO nanoparticles have hydrophilic nature, while the other nanostructures have hydrophobic nature. For example, the value of the optical bandgap energy for ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO nanorods, ZnO nanoribbons, and ZnO nanoshuttles is 3.30, 3.33, 3.39, and 3.36 eV, respectively, which is in excellent agreement with standard ZnO thin films bandgap energy values. Furthermore, ZnO nanorods have higher electrical conductivity than other nanostructures, while ZnO nanoshuttles have the lowest electrical conductivity. The grain boundaries and the semiconducting nature influence the electrical conductivity of ZnO nanostructures. Finally, the boundaries create various potential barriers to the transportation of electrons in the medium.
Graphical abstract
In this article, we investigate some of the qualitative properties of a class of fourth-order neutral differential equations. We start by obtaining new inequalities and relations between the solution ...and its corresponding function, as well as with its derivatives. The new relations allow us to improve the monotonic and asymptotic properties of the positive solutions of the studied equation. Then, using an improved approach, we establish new criteria that test the oscillation of all solutions. We also rely on the principle of symmetry between positive and negative solutions to obtain the new criteria. The paper provides illustrative examples that highlight the significance of our findings.
The clarity of vocational identity is an important focus of professional guidance since it is related to many factors, such as career thoughts and psychological well-being. This study examines the ...relationship between vocational identity, psychological well-being and career thoughts among students at Hashemite University in Jordan, as well as any gender or faculty specific differences in vocational identity, psychological well-being and career thoughts. Randomly selected male and female students (n= 680) aged 18 to 22 completed questionnaires on vocational identity, psychological well-being, and career thoughts. There was a positive correlation between vocational identity and psychological well-being, and its subscales (autonomy, environmental mastery, personal growth, positive relationship, purpose in life, and self-acceptance), but a negative correlation between vocational identity and career thoughts and between vocational identity and career thoughts subscales (decision-making confusion, commitment anxiety, and external conflict). Additionally, there were statistically significant differences in the levels of vocational identity by gender, with males favoured but not by faculty. Finally, variables related to gender and faculty had no significant effect on psychological well-being or career thoughts. The results confirm a positive correlation between vocational identity and psychological well-being but a negative correlation between vocational identity and career thoughts. The results also confirm the level of vocational identity among male students was higher than that of female students. The results of this study can be used in the counseling and career guidance process for university students.
Locating the sources of information spreading in networks including tracking down the origins of epidemics, rumors in social networks, and online computer viruses, has a wide range of applications. ...In many situations, identifying where an epidemic started, or which node in a network served as the source, is crucial. But it can be difficult to determine the root of an outbreak, especially when data are scarce and noisy. The goal is to find the source of the infection by analysing data provided by only a limited number of observers, such as nodes that can indicate when and where they are infected. Our goal is to investigate where the least number of observers should be placed, which is similar to how to figure out the minimal doubly resolving sets in the network. In this paper, we calculate the double metric dimension of chordal ring networks CRn1,3,5 by describing their minimal doubly resolving sets.
Introduction
MRI is the established gold standard for imaging acute spinal cord injury (SCI). Our aim was to identify the prognostic value, in terms of neurological outcome, of extradural and ...intradural features detected on MRI performed acutely following traumatic cervical SCI.
Materials and methods
Several databases were systematically searched to identify potentially eligible articles until December 2019. Using a standard PRISMA template, 2606 articles were initially identified.
Results
A final 6 full-text articles met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. An extradural factor, namely the maximal spinal cord compression, was associated with poor neurological outcome and statistically significant (
P
= 0.02 and
P
= 0.001 in 2 out of 3 studies). The intradural factors of length of the cord edema (
P
= 0.001, P = 0.006, and
P
< 0.001 in 3 studies), intramedullary hemorrhage (
P
= 0.002,
P
< 0.001,
P
< 0.001, and
P
= 0.002 in 4 studies), and the length of intramedullary hemorrhage (
P
= 0.028,
P
= 0.022 in 2 studies) also significantly correlated with poor neurological recovery at follow-up.
Conclusion
While early MRI is established as a gold standard imaging of acute spinal trauma, it also serves to provide prognostic value on the neurological recovery. From our systematic review, there is a strong association of the extradural finding of maximal spinal cord compression
,
intradural MRI findings of length of cord edema, intramedullary hemorrhage, and length of intramedullary hemorrhage with neurological recovery in traumatic cervical spinal cord injuries.
Level of evidence
III
Introduction Chemotherapy, notably docetaxel (Doc), stands as the primary treatment for castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). However, its efficacy is hindered by side effects and ...chemoresistance. Hypoxia in prostate cancer (PC) correlates with chemoresistance to Doc-induced apoptosis via Heme Oxygenase-1 (HO-1) modulation, a key enzyme in heme metabolism. This study investigated targeting heme degradation pathway via HO-1 inhibition to potentiate the therapeutic efficacy of Doc in PC. Methods Utilizing diverse PC cell lines, we evaluated HO-1 inhibition alone and with Doc on viability, apoptosis, migration, and epithelial- to- mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers and elucidated the underlying mechanisms. Results HO-1 inhibition significantly reduced PC cell viability under hypoxic and normoxic conditions, enhancing Doc-induced apoptosis through interconnected mechanisms, including elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, glutathione cycle disruption, and modulation of Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 1 (STAT1) pathway. The interplay between STAT1 and HO-1 suggests its reliance on HO-1 activation. Additionally, a decrease in cell migration and downregulation of EMT markers (vimentin and snail) were observed, indicating attenuation of mesenchymal phenotype. Discussion In conclusion, the combination of HO-1 inhibition with Doc holds promise for improving therapeutic outcomes and advancing clinical management in PC.
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