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Saucrosmylidae as an enigmatic Mesozoic lineage of Neuroptera, is characterized by its large body, typically expanded RA area, dense crossvenation and diversified wing patterns. A new species of Saucrosmylidae, namely Huiyingosmylus wangi sp. nov. is described based on a well-preserved specimen. This specimen bears four stretched wings and a partial body, including a significantly shortened foreleg, and was collected from the Middle Jurassic of Daohugou, Inner Mongolia, China. This new species further enhances the species diversity of Saucromylidae and also provides new information on the biological characteristics of this family.

The presence of aluminum (Al) in the soil as a factor promoting adaptations in the flora of Campos Rupestres (CR)/(Quartzite Rupestrian Grasslands) has been neglected. Our aim was to highlight the accumulation of Al in CR species and to understand the metal resistance strategies of twenty Melastomataceae species collected together with soil samples. The following analyses were carried out: Al and nutrient levels; tests for histolocalization of Al, phenolic compounds and mucilage; mapping of Al, Ca, Fe, Mn and Si in leaves and stems using SEM/EDS; and chemical analysis of the soils. All analyzed species are Al accumulators, with leaf Al concentrations ranging from 1.46 to 27.74 g kg⁻¹ of dry mass. The primary cell walls of different tissues are the main accumulation sites. The presence of Al in meristematic tissues, nuclei, and chloroplasts corroborates the metal’s non-toxicity in CR plants. Compartmentalization of Al inside sclereids and mucilaginous idioblasts, complexation with silicon in cell walls and mineralized structures, and exudation of the metal together with secretion from glandular trichomes are possible mechanisms of Al internal detoxification. This study is the first to demonstrate Al accumulation by plants from Campo rupestre quartzitic, a megadiverse Brazilian OCBIL.

Sepsis is a complex clinical syndrome characterized by an exaggerated systemic inflammatory response to infection. The lung is the most vulnerable organ in septic patients, leading to acute lung injury (ALI) as a common complication. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) primarily regulate the expression of target genes, influencing disease initiation and progression. This study aimed to evaluate the regulatory role of hsa-miR-1247-5p and TRIB2 in sepsis-induced ALI. Bioinformatics approaches were employed to predict target genes of hsa-miR-1247-5p, followed by validation using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. A lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI cell model was established using murine monocyte-macrophage RAW264.7 cells. Techniques including CCK-8, RT-PCR, flow cytometry, mitochondrial membrane potential probe detection, and Western blotting were utilized to investigate the expression and functional roles of hsa-miR-1247-5p and TRIB2 in ALI. The regulatory mechanism was preliminarily assessed by downregulating hsa-miR-1247-5p. The dual-luciferase assay confirmed the direct targeting interaction between hsa-miR-1247-5p and TRIB2. In the sepsis-induced ALI cell model, hsa-miR-1247-5p and TRIB2 exhibited a negative correlation. Suppression of hsa-miR-1247-5p significantly increased cell viability while reducing mRNA levels of inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis rates, and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. Additionally, downregulation of hsa-miR-1247-5p decreased the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (Caspase-1, ASC, and GSDMD), thereby inhibiting pyroptosis. hsa-miR-1247-5p ameliorates sepsis-induced ALI by negatively regulating TRIB2. This study elucidates a potential therapeutic pathway targeting the hsa-miR-1247-5p/TRIB2 axis in ALI management.

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remains a significant global health concern in children, though its epidemiological landscape has markedly changed over recent decades. Understanding these evolving trends can guide targeted healthcare strategies and resource allocation. Utilizing data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database spanning 1990–2021, we analyzed global, regional, and national trends in AML incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among children and adolescents. We applied annual percentage change (APC), estimated annual percentage change (EAPC), and correlations with the socio-demographic index (SDI) to quantify trends and influencing factors. From 1990 to 2021, global childhood AML incidence decreased by 37%, with mortality and DALYs declining by 40% and 42%, respectively. The most pronounced reductions occurred in children under 5 years of age. Substantial disparities emerged across SDI regions, with the high-middle SDI group exhibiting the sharpest declines in incidence (EAPC = − 2.96%), mortality (–3.44%), and DALYs (–3.51%). In contrast, the low SDI region saw mortality rise by 8% and DALYs increase by 5%. South Asia carried the highest absolute disease burden, while Oceania recorded the highest population-adjusted rates. Nationally, China reported the greatest incidence and India the highest mortality, despite both countries achieving significant reductions. Despite aggregate gains, childhood AML burden remains concentrated in lower-SDI settings, where exposure-related attribution is rising and outcome improvements lag. Prioritizing prevention, earlier diagnosis, and equitable access to definitive care is essential to narrow these disparities and accelerate global progress.

DeepSeek and Grok 3 appear as strong competitors to AI models, particularly the widely accepted model, ChatGPT. The accuracy of the utilization of data in retracted scientific articles has proven to be a significant challenge for AI as an assistant in scientific research. It is critical to understand whether and how three AI models handle information from retracted articles when they answer scientific questions. We collected retracted articles and used AI models to generate questions and analyzed the answers. The answers were compared and evaluated among three AI models. Here we show that these three models utilized 84 out of 93 retracted articles in their answers about stem cells. ChatGPT4o retrieved 74 out of 93 (80%) articles and recognized the retract status for 46 (62%) of them. DeepSeek only found one retracted article and did not realize its retraction status. Grok 4 retrieved 69 (74%) articles and recognized the retraction status of 46 (67%) of them. In cases when the retracted articles were not identified, ChatGPT fabricated articles 5 times out of 19 (26%) for its answers. Grok 3 fabricated 15 articles out of 24 (63%) for its answers. In 82 times of 93 (88%) answers, DeepSeek fabricated the articles in various forms. The answering styles from ChatGPT4o, DeepSeek, and Grok 3 are characterized by accurate and straightforward, a tangential structure and guesswork, and comprehensive and detailed answers, respectively. Analysis with non-retracted articles revealed the similar patterns of these models. This study suggests that, while no model is perfect, DeepSeek performed the worst when facing in-depth scientific real-world challenges. Much improvement has to be made before any of these AI models become problem-free and valuable for scientists.

In this study, we report the detection of vaterite in natural saltwater pearls reportedly found inside Pinctada species mollusks, collected from the pearl oyster beds near the water of Kuwait in the Persian (or Arabian) Gulf. This rare polymorph of calcium carbonate was found on both surfaces and/or cross-sectional areas. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses were carried out in order to characterize the structures, which confirmed the presence of vaterite. The results of one pearl are detailed in this article, which showed a predominantly vaterite formation with a calcite central core. Our results showed that vaterite not only existed in freshwater cultured pearls grown in freshwater mussels as previously reported but also can be found in pearls from marine bivalve mollusks. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time vaterite was conclusively identified in saltwater pearls and pearls of natural origin, and such information provided invaluable insights into biomineralization of calcium carbonate in these unique biogenic gem materials.

The current research study was undertaken with the aim of evaluating 98 distinct walnut genotypes from the existing seedling population and assessing 26 qualitative and 21 quantitative morphological and physiological characteristics pertaining to trees, leaf, nut and kernel traits. The results revealed a significant degree of diversity among the examined walnut genotypes. A strong positive and negative association in evaluated morphological and physiological traits was identified through the analysis of correlation coefficients. Moreover, principal component analysis (PCA) applied to qualitative and quantitative characters successfully explained a notable amount of the entire variation, with the first nine and six PCs explaining 65.89 % and 78.81 % of variability, respectively. Using Ward’s clustering method with the Euclidean distance metric, a hierarchical dendrogram was generated, in which two major groups were identified among the walnut genotypes, each of which subsequently partitioned into multiple smaller sub-clusters. This classification underscores the substantial genetic variability among the walnut genotypes, highlighting their potential for targeted breeding programs. Notably, genotypes distributed across different clusters present promising candidates for hybridization, facilitating the development of novel walnut varieties with desirable traits. The dendrogram illustrating the evaluated characteristics clearly demonstrates significant differentiation among the genotypes, emphasizing distinct variations. The integration of molecular techniques with conventional morphological assessments could further enhance the accuracy of genetic differentiation, thereby offering a more reliable and comprehensive approach to genotype classification and selection.

The Polistes canadensis wasp, present in natural and urban ecosystems, can act as an indicator of environmental quality and/or a biological control of pests. The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of Polistes canadensis in three micro-regions of the state of Bahia, using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR) molecular markers for genomic mapping, and also to analyze its venom by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with UV diode array detector. The results show structured populations, with genetic diversity even in geographically close populations and similar environmental characteristics, and indicated that the four populations are divided into three distinct groups. The chemical study enabled us to analyze the presence of biogenic amine, oligopeptedeo, and enzymes among the venoms and compare them with each other. From this study, one can have the first record of the genetic diversity of Polistes canadensis from the state of Bahia, Brazil, as well as a description of the chemical profile.

Justicia gendarussa Burm. f. (Acanthaceae) is a highly important medicinal plant restricted to tropical Asia. However, recently, the species has become rare in different states of India, including West Bengal. To unravel its conservation status, the present study investigates the different reproductive aspects (flower biology, floral rewards, floral volatiles, floral visitors, and breeding system) for its long-term sustenance. The plant blooms once a year (January to April), with steady-state flowering. Flowers are typically gullet-shaped and have a longevity of 4 days. The male phase (day 1 to day 3; pollen fertility = 82.45 ± 2.14%) coincides with the female phase (day-2 to day-3), indicating dichogamy. The creamy white corolla with purple spots, floral nectar, and floral volatiles attract different groups of floral visitors. However, bees and syrphid flies are potent pollinators. As per pollination efficiency (PEi) and relative pollination service (RPS), Amegilla zonata is the most efficient pollinator (PEi = 0.86) and the only representative of the primary pollinating group (RPS% = 66.28). The plant species is completely self-incompatible (ISI = 0); obligatory xenogamy is the only successful pollinating mode. Thus, the plant species is completely pollinator dependent. The coefficient of pollination deficit is maximal in the wild habitat ( D= 1). Increasing population density of the potent pollinators and habitat (germplasm) conservation may be the most effective strategy for the long-term sustenance of this plant species.