High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the commonest subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer. β-TrCP (encoded by BTRC) is a component of ubiquitin-proteasome system, a posttranslational process for protein regulation and homeostasis. The role of BTRC levels in HGSOC is not fully explored. The aim of this study was to investigate, using bioinformatics approach, the impact of BTRC levels on HGSOC. Publicly available transcriptomic data from HGSOC patients (TCGA) were used. First, the overall survival of patients in the lower quartile of BTRC expression was compared to those in the upper quartile. Next, differential gene expression analysis (DEA) was performed on the RNA-seq data to find genes that differ significantly in the two groups. Finally, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) using KEGG and GO databases were done to identify signaling pathways and mechanisms significantly upregulated in either of the two groups. Our findings showed that HGSOC patients with high BTRC levels had significantly worse overall survival compared to those with low levels (log-rank = 0.0035). DEA of RNA-seq data returned a total of 371 significantly differentially expressed genes among the two groups. GSEA elucidated that high-BTRC expression patients were characterized by significant upregulation of many pathways and processes pertaining to cellular growth, proliferation, survival, stemness and development. In contrast, patients with low BTRC expression have many significantly upregulated pathways and processes related to mitochondrial function, immunity, and inflammation responses. Those differentially upregulated pathways and processes likely contribute to the variable survival outcomes of HGSOC patients. These findings suggest that BTRC expression levels, pending experimental validation, might be a candidate biomarker for informing combinatorial chemotherapy strategies that target implicated signaling pathways in HGSOC.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) remains endemic in Pakistan, causing substantial economic losses in livestock production. Continuous molecular surveillance is essential to monitor circulating serotypes and lineages. The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiological distribution and molecular characteristics of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Virus (FMDV) circulating in cattle in Central Punjab, Pakistan, during 2023–2024.A total of 58 clinical samples were collected from suspected FMD outbreaks in cattle. Samples were screened using ELISA and confirmed by Reverse Transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Positive isolates were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, and accession numbers were obtained through the National Center for Biotechnology Information database. Epidemiological variables including age, sex, and seasonal distribution were analyzed. Among the tested samples, 37 were positive for FMDV. Serotype A was predominant (28 cases), followed by serotype O (09 cases), while Asia-1 was not detected. Phylogenetic analysis conducted using the VP1 region sequence showed that serotype A isolates belonged to the tur-06 and O serotype belonged to Pan-Asia II. Disease was more prevalent in female than male cattle having age group between 1-4 years. The outbreak epidemiology of FMD varied significantly between months of study, age groups, and gender. The report suggested further investigation to check Asia-1 serotypes spread in the area with effective control measures. The predominance of serotype A and detection of multiple lineages highlight ongoing viral evolution and transboundary transmission risks in Central Punjab. Continuous molecular surveillance and periodic vaccine strain evaluation are recommended to improve FMD control strategies in the region.
Cyperus esculentus is a highly valued food plant in Côte d’Ivoire, yet its production remains insufficient. To address this issue, the development of a genetic improvement program is essential. Achieving this goal requires a comprehensive understanding of the phenotypic diversity among accessions. In this context, 43 accessions were collected from 8 locations across the country. A randomized experimental design with three replications was implemented at Jean Lorougnon Guedé University. On the experimental plots, two qualitative and eighteen quantitative traits were recorded and subjected to statistical analyses: one-way ANOVA and multivariate analyses (PCA, HCA, and DFA). Of the 18 quantitative parameters assessed, 10 contributed significantly as principal components. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed three main axes explaining the total variation (1 : 60.69 %, 2 : 19.41 %, 3 : 15.06 %). Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) identified two distinct groups : 1 (12 accessions) and 2 (32 accessions). Discriminant Factor Analysis (DFA) showed NTP, ToM and ES were the most discriminant variable between these groups. Regarding qualitative traits, color analysis revealed a single phenotype (yellow), while shape analysis identified three phenotypes: elongated, oval, and round, across the accessions
Chia seeds were grown under different environmental conditions: Greenhouse Conditions (GC) and Natural Terrain Conditions (NTC). The physiological characteristics of the plants were determined by content analysis of M1 generation seeds obtained by the plant tissue culture method, including mineral matter, oil, antioxidant content, total phenolic content, and phytochemical profile. Statistical analyses revealed a significant difference in germination rate and length of the seeds. In vitro culture of cells, tissues, organs, and components defined as sterile by others under controlled environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, and lighting). The seeds were germinated in vitro in Murashige and Skoog basal medium (MS) containing 3% sucrose, 7% agar, 0.4 mg l-1 gibberellic acid (GA3), and 10 mg l-1 ascorbic acid (AA). 16 hours of light and 8 hours of darkness. In the rooting experiment, different concentrations of IBA (0, 1, 2) mg L-1 were used, and measurements were taken after one month
Growing global demand for herbal medicine and nutritional supplements has increased due to the high usage of traditional herbs in recent decades. Various plant materials are in high demand as a result of the growing popularity of herbal goods. Chemical approaches, macroscopic and microscopic investigation, and plant taxonomy are examples of traditional identification techniques. Global commercial interest in traditional herbs identification at genetic level has increased due to high risk of adulteration in the herbs. The main method used to identify herbs genetically is DNA barcoding. The ability to determine the material's purity is the main advantage of this method. In this study, four medically significant plants were purchased from the local herbal market in Karachi. Using polymerase chain reaction technology and sequencing of the universal internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) a nuclear barcode region, samples were accurately identified. The selected bean samples were identified as Plant A: Vigna mungo; Plant B: Lens culinaris; Plant C: Clitoriaternateas; and Plant D: Vignaradiata, appears to have a ribosomal nuclear ITS2 region that exhibits more than 90% similarity with the reference barcode sequences indicating a high rate of species identification and discrimination. Therefore, amplification and sequencing a universal barcode region in the DNA offers a revolutionary tool for identifying species, preserving genetic diversity, and using plant species responsibly that have medical importance
