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Differential alpha-gal expression during Amblyomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus evertsi tick feeding and development: A driver for the development of alpha-gal syndrome in South Africa
No full textBackground: The presence of galactose-α-1,3-galactose (alpha-gal) in tick salivary antigens has been implicated to initiate host IgE responses resulting in sensitization to alpha-gal. Objective: We sought to investigate the presence of alpha-gal in different anatomic locations in native South African tick species at different feeding and developmental stages and the ability of sera from our allergic cohort to bind to these tick proteins. Methods: Alpha-gal–containing proteins in laboratory-reared ticks at different feeding and developmental stages were detected through Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining. IgE and IgG4 toward the tick proteins were analyzed via ELISA. Results: There is differential expression of alpha-gal in endemic South African ticks Amblyomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus evertsi. Immunoblotting demonstrated an increase in the prominence of alpha-gal–containing protein bands in salivary glands to be proportional to feeding time. Alpha-gal in both fed and unfed ticks was localized in the salivary acini and testes. IgE and IgG4 to A hebraeum antigens were significantly raised in alpha-gal–allergic individuals. There was a correlation between anti–A hebraeum IgE and anti–alpha-gal IgE in the alpha-gal–allergic group. Inhibition of human serum anti–alpha-gal IgE to A hebraeum and R evertsi proteins was significantly reduced by the addition of bovine thyroglobulin. Conclusions: We anticipate repeated exposure to differentially expressed A hebraeum and R evertsi alpha-gal–containing salivary proteins during feeding to cause alpha-gal sensitization
The impact of the strong black woman stereotype on young Black women's breast cancer perceptions
No full textThere are significant disparities in health behaviours between young Black women and their peers, highlighting the impact of racial and gender stereotypes such as the Strong Black Woman (SBW). This stereotype, developed during slavery and continuously redefined through societal and cultural shifts, attributes characteristics to Black women such as emotional strength and selflessness to justify their widespread maltreatment. While earlier research has examined the influence of the SBW stereotype on the physical and mental health of Black women, relatively few studies have examined the ways this stereotype specifically influences Black women's understanding and management of their breast cancer-related health behaviors. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, this study explored young Black women's experiences with the SBW stereotype and its implications for health decisions. An analysis of in-depth interviews conducted with young Black women from Ontario, Canada identified several key themes: (1) The SBW stereotype minimizes sympathy and grace towards Black women and invalidates their concerns, which negatively impacts their health-related behaviour, (2) despite opposing the SBW stereotype, it still pushed them to be self-sacrificing and neglectful of their health, and (3) their multiple employment and educational responsibilities limited preventative health measures. We discuss how these results can inform culturally sensitive healthcare practices and policies, aiming to enhance the support provided to young Black women in managing their health effectively
Broad bean wilt virus 2 movement protein VP37 relocalizes the host co-chaperone HOP from the nucleus to plasmodesmata to promote viral intercellular movement
No full textPlant viruses exploit host cellular machinery to fold, stabilize, and target their movement proteins (MPs) to plasmodesmata (PD), enabling viral cell-to-cell and systemic spread. In this study, we identified Nicotiana benthamiana HSP70–HSP90 organizing protein (NbHOP) as a proviral host factor that interacts with the Broad bean wilt virus 2 (BBWV2) MP, VP37. Yeast two-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed a specific interaction between VP37 and NbHOP. Subcellular localization analyses showed that NbHOP, which predominantly accumulates in the nucleus, is relocalized to PD upon co-expression with VP37 or during BBWV2 infection. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation confirmed that VP37 and NbHOP directly interact at PD. Domain mapping further demonstrated that the C-terminal region of TPR2B domain in NbHOP is required for VP37 binding. Functional assays demonstrated that NbHOP is essential for efficient BBWV2 infection: NbHOP silencing significantly reduced both systemic infection and cell-to-cell movement, whereas its overexpression enhanced viral cell-to-cell movement. Together with our previous finding that VP37 associates with HSP90, these results support a model in which VP37 co-opts the HSP90–HOP module to ensure proper folding, stabilization, and tubule formation at PD. This study uncovers an unrecognized role of HOP in plant–virus interactions and highlights the conserved HSP90–HOP chaperone complex as a key host machinery exploited for viral intercellular trafficking
Empowering university teachers in higher education: A generative AI-responsive competency framework
No full textThe integration of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) into higher education necessitates a reconceptualization of teacher competencies, moving beyond technical proficiency to encompass pedagogical strategies for fostering critical, ethical, and developmentally appropriate student-AI collaboration. Existing competency frameworks, however, exhibit notable limitations in equipping university teachers with actionable guidance for designing GenAI-mediated learning experiences that cultivate their students’ higher-order thinking and subject knowledge. In response, this paper develops and proposes a GenAI-responsive competency framework for university teachers to supplement existing frameworks and address areas that are not sufficiently covered or elaborated. Developed through a systematic analysis of digital and AI-related competency frameworks, the proposed model is grounded in constructivist learning theory, sociological perspectives, and student-centered pedagogy. Its theoretical and practical robustness was further refined through iterative expert review and consultation. The resulting framework comprises four core dimensions: GenAI Literacy, Curriculum/Learning Design, Teaching and Learning, and Assessment. Each dimension is articulated through a dual perspective: teachers’ own proficiency and their capacity to foster students’ critical engagement with GenAI. Competency progression is structured across three developmental levels: Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced, representing a continuum from technical awareness to guided application, and ultimately to critical and creative integration. The proposed framework supports teachers’ ongoing professional growth and enhances their ability to facilitate student autonomy, ethical reasoning, and collaborative engagement with GenAI. It provides a structured yet flexible tool for self-assessment, instructional design, and targeted professional development in higher education, thereby advancing the discourse on effective and responsible human-AI collaboration
Anatomy- versus Sensitivity-Based Loci Preselection in Detecting USH2A-Retinopathy Microperimetric Progression
No full textPurpose: To compare microperimetry progression rate in USH2A-retinopathy using prespecified points based on fundus autofluorescence coregistration with loci preselected based on retinal sensitivity profile. Design: Cohort longitudinal study. Subjects: Seventeen eyes from 17 patients with biallelic pathogenic variants in USH2A gene. Methods: Microperimetry was recorded using 10-2 grid. The grid was partitioned into 68 2° × 2° nonoverlapping squares, representing the retinal coverage of each locus. Four metrics were defined at baseline: (1) mean macular sensitivity (MMS): average sensitivity of all loci; (2) edge of scotoma sensitivity (ESS): average sensitivity of all loci adjacent to a scotomatous loci at baseline; (3) modified Rate of Progression in USH2A-related Retinal Degeneration study-defined functional transitional point (mFTP): selection based on ranking of the proportion peripheral adjacent loci that showed ≥7 decibel (dB) decrease; and (4) hyperautofluorescent ring sensitivity (HRS): average sensitivity of stimulus squares which the hyperautofluorescent ring boundary transects into. Trend-based progression rates (gradient from linear regression) were compared between these metrics, and event-based analysis of the US Food and Drug Administration-defined clinically significant change in visual field (mean change of ≥7 dB across ≥5 prespecified loci). Main Outcome Measures: Trend- and event-based measures in MMS, ESS, mFTP, and HRS. Results: Seventeen patients (median age 37.0 years) had mean baseline values of 9.7 dB, 9.2 dB, 17.9 dB, and 13.1 dB for MMS, ESS, mFTP, and HRS, respectively. Using all longitudinal data (mean follow-up 4.0 years), trend analysis showed mFTP progression rate (–1.53 ± 1.37 dB/year) was significantly faster than MMS (–0.51 ± 0.63 dB/year) and ESS (–1.11 ± 1.23 dB/year) but similar to HRS (–1.29 ± 1.41 dB/year). Edge of scotoma sensitivity was more prone to floor effect and had lower baseline sensitivity than mFTP and HRS. In event-based analysis, the proportion of eyes that demonstrated clinically significant mean change was similar between ESS (2-year 36.4%, overall 45.5%), mFTP (2-year 33.3%, overall 43.8%), and HRS (2-year 28.5%, overall 42.9%) but noticeable less in MMS (2-year 13.3%, overall 12.5%). Conclusions: Hyperautofluorescent ring sensitivity and mFTP showed comparable performance in both trend- and event-based analyses, superior to that of MMS and ESS. Additional advantage of mFTP is inclusion of patients without the autofluorescent ring. Financial Disclosure(s): Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found in the Footnotes and Disclosures at the end of this article
The economics of water conflict: Transaction costs, bargaining failure, and sustainable cooperation in the Nile dispute
No full textThe Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) epitomizes the intractable nature of transboundary water conflicts, where technical solutions exist yet negotiations remain deadlocked. This study investigates this paradox by applying transaction cost economics and bargaining theory framework to the Nile dispute. I argue that bargaining failures and sustained conflict are not due to a lack of mutually beneficial solutions, but rather are driven by prohibitively high transaction costs. These costs arise from legal ambiguity, asymmetric information, weak enforcement mechanisms, and strategic interference by external actors. By integrating the theories of Coase, Shavell, and Miller with comparative hydropolitics, this analysis extends transaction cost theory into the realm of international water governance. The paper makes a dual contribution: theoretically, it provides a systematic model for diagnosing negotiation barriers in hydropolitics; practically, it proposes a policy framework to lower transaction costs through mechanisms for credible information-sharing, structured negotiations, and renewable energy integration. The findings demonstrate that coupling institutional reforms with investments in sustainable technology, such as regional energy grids and solar infrastructure, can transform zero-sum conflicts into positive-sum cooperation. This case illustrates that sustainability is not merely an ecological goal but is a critical tool for overcoming political deadlock and achieving efficient, stable bargains over shared resources. The paper outlines a policy framework that proposes short-term measures and long-term institutional integration. While these pathways offer a roadmap for cooperation, the analysis soberly acknowledges their significant political and operational feasibility constraints, highlighting the inherent limitations of theoretical models in overcoming deeply entrenched geopolitical disputes
Understanding obesity–cancer crosstalk to inform the immunomodulatory roles of anti-obesity nanotherapeutics
No full textObesity represents a chronic inflammatory condition characterized by adipose tissue dysfunction that drives systemic metabolic derangements and promotes tumor progression. Adipose inflammation, dominated by pro-inflammatory macrophages and dysregulated adipokine secretion, not only impairs lipid metabolism but also suppresses anti-tumor immunity. Although anti-obesity medications (AOMs) can induce weight loss, their limited ability to resolve inflammation constrains long-term metabolic and oncologic benefits. Recent advances in nanomedicine have enabled targeted modulation of adipose tissue through enhanced drug bioavailability, controlled release, and remodeling of the immune microenvironment. This review summarizes recent progress in anti-inflammatory nanomedicines for obesity and their potential to synergize with cancer therapy. Specifically, we discuss nanomedicines that alleviate adipose inflammation via macrophage reprogramming, cytokine silencing, or reactive oxygen species scavenging, as well as those that promote white adipose tissue browning and brown adipose tissue activation and thermogenesis. By elucidating the interplay between adipose inflammation, metabolic regulation, and cancer immunotherapy, we propose that natural compounds and drug-free nanomaterials targeting adipose inflammation may serve as a critical foundation for next-generation nanotherapeutics, offering a dual-benefit strategy to combat obesity and enhance cancer immunotherapy efficacy
Functionalized hydrogel sequentially deliver tannic acid and bioactive probiotics for radiation-induced skin injury
No full textAs skin injuries caused by radiotherapy can significantly impede the healing process, it is essential to eliminate the interference of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the treatment of radiation-induced skin injury (RISI). To address this, we developed a temporally programmed hydrogel designed to enhance RISI repair, which was synthesized through the assembly of Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) and tannic acid (TA)-loaded hydrogel (Gel/LT). These hydrogels demonstrated satisfactory free radical scavenging capacity in the early stages, achieving an effective clearance rate of 93.3 %, thereby reducing the production of ROS associated with RISI. Furthermore, the L. reuteri encapsulated by metal-polyphenol self-assembly is released at the wound site in response to the wound microenvironment, promoting angiogenesis and tissue regeneration. Both in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that Gel/LT achieved ROS scavenging and tissue repair effects at different stages of RISI. The transcriptome results indicate that these hydrogels facilitate a transition from an immune response to cellular proliferation by reducing oxidative stress and upregulating the expression of anti-inflammatory genes. Additionally, they promote the regeneration of extracellular matrix components, such as collagen, ultimately achieving superior repair efficacy compared to the commercial drug amifostine. This hierarchical therapeutic strategy permits temporal drug delivery at various stages of the repair process, presenting a novel approach for the treatment of RISI
Maize phenological stage recognition via coordinated UAV and UGV multi-view sensing and deep learning
No full textCrop phenological stages, marked by key events such as germination, leaf emergence, flowering, and senescence, are critical indicators of crop development. Accurate, dynamic monitoring of these stages is essential for crop breeding management. This study introduces a novel multi-view sensing strategy based on coordinated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), designed to capture diverse canopy perspectives for phenological stage recognition in maize. Our approach integrates multiple data streams from top-down and internal-horizontal views, acquired via UAV and UGV platforms, and consists of three main components: (i) Acquisition of maize canopy height data, top-of-canopy (TOC) digital images, canopy multispectral images, and inside-of-canopy (IOC) digital images using a UAV- and UGV-based multi-view system; (ii) Development of a multi-modal deep learning framework, MSRNet (maize-phenological stages recognition network), which fuses physiological features from the UAV and UGV sensor modalities, including canopy height, vegetation indices, TOC maize leaf images, and IOC maize cob images; (iii) Comparative evaluation of MSRNet against conventional machine learning and deep learning models. Across 12 phenological stages (V2–R6), MSRNet achieved 84.5 % overall accuracy, outperforming conventional machine learning and single-modality deep learning benchmarks by 3.8–13.6 %. Grad-CAM visualizations confirmed dynamic, stage-specific attention, with the network automatically shifting focus from TOC leaves during vegetative growth to IOC reproductive organs during grain filling. This integrated UAV and UGV strategy, coupled with the dynamic feature selection capability of MSRNet, provides a comprehensive, interpretable workflow for high-throughput maize phenotyping and precision breeding
High glucose diet induces hepatic iron overload contributing to metabolic dysfunction
No full textSummary: Iron is an essential biometal, critical in processes that include oxygen transport, mitochondrial respiration, and cell signaling. Iron dyshomeostasis is linked with hyperglycemia and associated metabolic disorders, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. To investigate these mechanisms, we conducted a 4-week study on mice given glucose-supplemented water. The supplementation induced metabolic shifts in the liver towards triglyceride synthesis. We tracked iron trafficking by analyzing liver and serum markers of iron metabolism alongside iron speciation analysis as determined by liquid chromatography with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LC-ICP-MS). Glucose supplementation induced changes in iron regulation despite equal dietary iron intake. Specifically, we observed increased uptake of transferrin-bound iron and liver iron overload. We developed cell-based models recapitulating this state. Metformin restored iron regulation while the iron chelator, deferoxamine, restored glucose metabolism. Taken together, our studies reveal that early hyperglycemia disrupts iron homeostasis, identifying iron overload as a viable therapeutic target in metabolic dysfunction
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