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Finger millet is commonly cultivated in the semiarid tropics, where it is primarily grown by subsistence farmers. However, grain yield remains low due to the complex quantitative nature of the trait and its low heritability. Therefore, genotype × environment interaction (GEI) significantly influences yield production. This study investigates the impact of GEI on the performance of finger millet genotypes across multiple environments, emphasizing the crop's sensitivity to climate variability. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of genotype, environment, and GEI on yield and identifying high-yielding stable genotypes. Multienvironment trials (METs) were conducted at Axum, Negele Arsi, and Assosa during the 2018 and 2019 in summer cropping seasons utilizing row-column designs and advanced statistical analyses, including additive main effects and multiplicative interaction (AMMI) and genotype and genotype × environment interaction (GGE) biplot analyses. AMMI analysis indicated substantial environmental effects, with interaction principal component axes accounting for over 80% of the GEI. The GGE biplot identified the relationships between environments, highlighting specific genotypes that are optimal for each environment. Genotype G_32, with a yield of 2.75-ton ha^-1, showed the highest mean yield values and the highest stability metrics using mean ranks and cultivar superiority stability values of 0.12 and of 9.0, respectively. Genotype G₅₃ was the most stable, with a variance of ranks of 17.60, mean absolute difference of pairs of ranks of 4.90, and Wricke's ecovalence of 0.02. The choice of stability measures is critical, depending on plant breeders' objectives and the heritable traits targeted. Hence, genotype G₃₂ had the highest grain yield performance and the most stable genotype and recommended for wider production in finger millet growing areas. Finally, the study demonstrates that AMMI and GGE are effective methods for selecting superior genotypes in diverse environments, providing valuable insights for finger millet breeding programs.

The present study aimed to determine whether sole or joint Se treatments improve wheat growth under drought conditions. The study was conducted using two wheat varieties, BARI Gom30 and BARI Gom33, at the Agronomy Research Field of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, during the Rabi season from December 2023 to April 2024. A randomized complete block design with three replications was employed. Wheat plants were grown under drought conditions in the field, and seedlings in each plot were subjected to six treatments: T₀ (control, no selenium), T₁ (10 ppm Se), T₂ (20 ppm Se), T₃ (30 ppm Se), T₄ (40 ppm Se), and T₅ (50 ppm Se) per plot. The results indicated that the highest plant height (103.35 cm), number of leaves per plant (5.50), number of tillers per plant (5.00), leaf area (5125.95 mm²), leaf temperature (26.53°C), spike length (17.75 cm), and biological yield (4.33 t ha^-1) were observed in the T5 treatment (50 ppm Se per plot). However, the maximum grain yield was obtained with T₃ (30 ppm Se). The highest harvest index was recorded in the T₄ treatment (40 ppm Se), suggesting its effectiveness in optimizing yield distribution. Additionally, physiological parameters such as chlorophyll content, carotenoid levels, relative water content, water saturation deficit, water retention capacity, water use efficiency, leaf succulence, excised leaf water loss, and cell membrane stability showed slightly higher peak values in BARI Gom33 (V2), indicating its superior drought tolerance and yield potential. Based on the findings, a Se concentration of 50 ppm (T5 × V2) was identified during the interaction as the most effective treatment for enhancing the growth of the selected wheat varieties (V2) under drought conditions.

Cassava cultivation faces increasing challenges from diseases, particularly cassava mosaic virus. Efficient propagation systems are essential for producing disease-free plants and sustaining production. However, information on the agronomic, physiological, growth traits, and yield of cassava plantlets produced through rapid propagation remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the photosynthetic and agronomic traits, as well as the growth and yield, of cassava plantlets derived from an aeroponic system under both pot and field conditions, using a 3 × 4 factorial arrangement in a randomized complete block design (RCBD). Three cassava varieties-Kasetsart 50 (KU50), Rayong 9 (RY9), and Huay Bong 60 (HB60)-were assigned as Factor A, while four plantlet sources-three derived from aeroponic systems (leaf bud cuttings, mini-cuttings, and normal cuttings) and one from conventional cuttings-were assigned as Factor B. The results indicated that HB60 and RY9 exhibited superior growth, stem diameter, photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, transpiration, and higher yields. Notably, RY9 also showed greater plant height and stem diameter, contributing to a higher multiplication rate. Plantlet sources did not significantly affect photosynthetic traits under either pot or field conditions but did increase canopy height, starch yield in the field, and starch content in the pot. Interestingly, the performance of leaf bud cuttings, mini-cuttings, and normal cuttings was comparable to conventional planting methods in terms of photosynthetic traits, yield traits, and harvest index. These findings suggest similarities among cassava cultivars in their responses to different plantlet sources and highlight the potential value of plantlet sources as a consideration for plant propagation programs.

Background: The marginal gap increases the rate of bacterial leakage and treatment failure; the measurement of the marginal gap is questionable. The literature revealed that when bacteria get trapped within the smear layer, they can multiply and re-contaminate the root canal system, leading to treatment failure.

Methodology: A literature search was carried out in multiple databases, including PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect, with the help of MeSH terms such as Bacterial infection, Bacterial leakage, Dental leakage, Dental material, Root canal preparation, Root canal obturation, and Tooth penetration.

Result: The initial result of the search showed 2252 articles that were relevant enough. However, only 26 articles were eligible based on inclusion criteria.

Conclusion: The bacterial leakage test can evaluate one of the most essential properties of dental material: sealing ability. The sealing ability of a dental material can prevent bacterial ingestion and reduce the treatment failure rate. This study discussed all the steps of the bacterial leakage test in detail. This study can help the researcher plan and run a bacterial leakage study successfully, and the results can help clinicians choose the best sealing material for the clinical scenario.

AI-based chatbots are increasingly used to automate clinical documentation, but their efficacy in generating specialized nutritional prescriptions for hospital discharge remains underexplored. This preliminary study evaluated the performance of a prominent AI chatbot in producing clinically valid nutritional guidelines. A specialist committee of registered dietitians selected 16 common medical and surgical pathologies. Standardized prompts were used to generate nutritional discharge guidelines from the chatbot. The same committee then evaluated the AI-generated texts for technical accuracy and content presentation on a 0-10 scale (approval score ≥ 7.0). Inter-rater reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Cohen's Kappa. Overall, 50% (8/16) of the AI-generated prescriptions met the predefined approval threshold. Performance was higher for medical pathologies (mean score: 7.1 ± 1.2) compared to surgical pathologies (6.6 ± 1.4), although this difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Inter-rater reliability was substantial (ICC > 0.72; Kappa > 0.62). The findings indicate that AI chatbots hold promise as supplementary tools for drafting nutritional discharge summaries, potentially reducing administrative workload. However, their variable performance underscores the indispensable need for rigorous review and validation by qualified healthcare professionals before any clinical application.

Cellular metabolism is a key regulator of tissue repair and regeneration, with mitochondrial function playing a central role in energy production and cellular homeostasis. Dysfunctional mitochondria, often due to excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), contribute to oxidative stress, impaired wound healing, and chronic inflammation. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of DeepA-I, a Boron-enriched compound, in enhancing mitochondrial health, reducing oxidative damage, and promoting cellular repair in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) and mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF). Boron quantification via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) confirmed its presence in DeepA-I. Cytotoxicity assessment (MTT assay) demonstrated its safety, while fluorescence microscopy (DAPI, MitoSPY, DCFDA) revealed reduced ROS levels and preserved mitochondrial integrity. A scratch assay showed accelerated cell migration and wound closure in DeepA-I-treated cells. Western blot analysis indicated the downregulation of Akt (a proliferation marker) and the upregulation of NRF2, a key regulator of oxidative stress resistance, without affecting apoptosis-related proteins. These results suggest that DeepA-I, via its Boron-mediated mechanisms, enhances mitochondrial function, mitigates ROS-induced damage, and improves tissue repair, positioning it as a promising therapeutic candidate for inflammatory and degenerative conditions.

Introduction: Filamentous fungi are crucial for the production of commercial enzymes, organic acids, antibiotics, and many other organic compounds. Citric, acetic, and gluconic acids are among the organic acids that are produced from fungi and have many functions. They are mostly used as a chemical reagent, fungicide, herbicide, microbicide, pH adjuster, counterirritant, and solvent in a variety of industries, including food, agriculture, cleaning, and cosmetics.

Objectives: This study aimed to study the diversity of selected organic acids (citric, acetic, and gluconic acids) produced by filamentous fungi isolated from the agricultural soils of North Gondar, Ethiopia.

Methods: In this study, a total of 36 soil samples were randomly collected from agricultural fields at different locations in North Gondar, Ethiopia. The isolates were identified to the genus and species level based on morphological study and sequencing methods (ITS1-5·8S-ITS2 region). Their distribution was evaluated with respect to different agroecologies (climate conditions). The organic acid production capacity of the isolates was evaluated.

Results: Based on the results of morphological characteristics and ITS1-5·8S-ITS2 region gene sequencing, 12 filamentous fungi were obtained. All 12 filamentous fungal isolates had one common ancestor and belonged to Aspergillus terreus (KIA, KIC, KID, and KIG), Aspergillus nidulans (KIB), Aspergillus niger (KIF), Penicillium chrysogenum (KIH), Penicillium brevicompactum (KII), Talaromyces pinophilus (KIJ), Penicillium kongii (KIK), Penicillium paraherquei (KIL), and Talaromyces sp. (KIM). Among these, three of them, namely, KIA, KIH, and KIF, were found to be the best producers of acetic acid, citric acid, and gluconic acid, respectively.

Conclusion: Organic acid-producing filamentous fungi could be isolated from varied agroecologies.

Background: Human papillomavirus-induced plane warts represent benign cutaneous lesions that, despite frequent spontaneous resolution, demonstrate persistence and recurrence patterns associated with considerable cosmetic and psychological morbidity. Isotretinoin has emerged as a therapeutic consideration for recalcitrant plane warts. We evaluated isotretinoin effectiveness and safety in the management of plane warts through a systematic analysis of available clinical evidence.

Methods: We conducted this systematic review following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis guidelines, with prospective registration in PROSPERO (ID: CRD420251060689). Comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases were extended through November 2024. Primary efficacy outcomes focused on isotretinoin-induced changes in wart lesion characteristics.

Results: Fifteen studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising six clinical trials, one cross-sectional study, six case reports, and two case series conducted across seven countries, encompassing 438 patients. Complete resolution rates demonstrated substantial variation, ranging from 38% to 87.5%. Among 10 studies documenting adverse events, cheilitis and dry skin emerged as the most common side effects.

Conclusion: Oral isotretinoin shows promise for recalcitrant plane warts, but current evidence is heterogeneous and largely of moderate-to-low quality. These findings are insufficient to support routine clinical use at this time; well-designed, adequately powered randomized controlled trials with standardized dosing and outcomes are needed.

One approach to mitigating plastic pollution is the development of biodegradable plastic materials, such as bioplastics. Bioplastics are packaging materials that can be naturally degraded by microorganisms. In this study, bioplastics were produced using natural polymer compounds, specifically carrageenan and starch. The combination of starch and carrageenan was investigated to develop bioplastic packaging (shopping bags) with improved properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of incorporating different types of starch (corn, sago, and cassava) into carrageenan-based bioplastics on their physicochemical and mechanical characteristics. The research involved the fabrication of bioplastics using a combination of carrageenan and various starches (corn, sago, and cassava), followed by characterization, including moisture content, thickness, tensile strength, elongation at break, functional group analysis using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and surface morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Additionally, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and biodegradation tests were conducted following the ASTM G21 standard. The results indicated that starch variation did not significantly affect the mechanical properties, morphology, or biodegradation characteristics of the carrageenan-starch bioplastics.

Polysaccharides from plant gum, chitosan from animal origin, and other polysaccharides are biologically active, nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible with a wider range of clinical and general applications. The properties of these biological-derived polysaccharides play a major role in their application. This review outlines the different techniques used in the extraction of polysaccharides from plant and animal sources. The importance of the purity of polysaccharides is crucial; thus, techniques such as deproteination and other chromatography techniques are elaborated. Evaluation of properties of polysaccharides using spectroscopy methods, including UV-Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and microscopic methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy, is detailed. These biological polysaccharides have been used in various fields including tissue engineering, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. These applications are elaborately covered in detail in this review.