Early life skin microbial trajectory as a function of vertical and environmental transmission in Bornean foam-nesting frogs

Background The amphibian skin microbiome is an important mediator of host health and serves as a potential source of undiscovered scientifically significant compounds. However, the underlying modalities of how amphibian hosts obtain their initial skin-associated microbiome remains unclear. Here, we explore microbial transmission patterns in foam-nest breeding tree frogs from Southeast Asia (Genus: Polypedates) whose specialized breeding strategy allows for better delineation between vertically and environmentally derived microbes. To facilitate this, we analyzed samples associated with adult frog pairs taken after mating—including adults of each sex, their foam nests, environments, and tadpoles before and after environmental interaction—for the bacterial communities using DNA metabarcoding data (16S rRNA). Samples were collected from frogs in-situ in Brunei, Borneo, a previously unsampled region for amphibian-related microbial diversity. Results Adult frogs differed in skin bacterial communities among species, but tadpoles did not differ among species. Foam nests had varying bacterial community composition, most notably in the nests’ moist interior. Nest interior bacterial communities were discrete for each nest and overall displayed a narrower diversity compared to the nest exteriors. Tadpoles sampled directly from the foam nest displayed a bacterial composition less like the nest interior and more similar to that of the adults and nest exterior. After one week of pond water interaction the tadpole skin microbiome shifted towards the tadpole skin and pond water microbial communities being more tightly coupled than between tadpoles and the internal nest environment, but not to the extent that the skin microbiome mirrored the pond bacterial community. Conclusions Both vertical influence and environmental interaction play a role in shaping the tadpole cutaneous microbiome. Interestingly, the interior of the foam nest had a distinct bacterial community from the tadpoles suggesting a limited environmental effect on tadpole cutaneous bacterial selection at initial stages of life. The shift in the tadpole microbiome after environmental interaction indicates an interplay between underlying host and ecological mechanisms that drive community formation. This survey serves as a baseline for further research into the ecology of microbial transmission in aquatic animals.

Phenotypic variation of yielding of medium-early cultivars of edible potato

The aim of the study was to analyse the genotypic and environmental variation in yield, as well as the structure of the yield of tubers of medium-early cultivars of edible potato. The field study was carried out in the years 2015-2019 at the experimental station in Prusy near Krakow (50o07ʼN, 20o05ʼE) on chernozem. The following five potato cultivars were evaluated: Finezja, Oberon, Laskara, Satina and Tajfun. The total and commercial yield of tubers, the average tuber mass, the quantity of tubers from a plant, as well as the share of the fraction of large, commercial and small tubers were determined in the study. Of the potato features that were evaluated, the share of the commercial tuber fraction was the most stable. A low diversity was also found in the case of total and commercial yield of tubers, whereas the share of the fraction of small tubers was the least stable feature. The size of yields and their structure were determined mostly by environmental factors. Only in the case of the share of fractions of large and small tubers were the varietal properties more decisive than the genotypic-environmental interaction. The conducted cluster analysis identified two groups of cultivars: first—with a high yielding potential, substantial average tuber mass, a substantial share of commercial and large tubers; and second—with significantly lower tuber mass, substantial quantity of set tubers, particularly the fine ones with a simultaneous small share of large tubers.

Neurorobotic Models of Neurological Disorders: A Mini Review

Modeling is widely used in biomedical research to gain insights into pathophysiology and treatment of neurological disorders but existing models, such as animal models and computational models, are limited in generalizability to humans and are restricted in the scope of possible experiments. Robotics offers a potential complementary modeling platform, with advantages such as embodiment and physical environmental interaction yet with easily monitored and adjustable parameters. In this review, we discuss the different types of models used in biomedical research and summarize the existing neurorobotics models of neurological disorders. We detail the pertinent findings of these robot models which would not have been possible through other modeling platforms. We also highlight the existing limitations in a wider uptake of robot models for neurological disorders and suggest future directions for the field.

APPLICATIONS OF EPIGENETICS IN FORENSIC INVESTIGATIONS: A BRIEF REVIEW

Forensic science is a discipline that has the capacity to be merged with every promise to offer a solution to a criminal investigation to help the legal system. Epigenetics is a branch of genetics that deals with the study of environmental interaction with the genome. The emerging field of forensic epigenetics has a variety of applications in criminal investigations. It provides an addictive tool to solve criminal activity-related issues. In this review, we have showcased the brief use of epigenetics to sort out forensic-related issues and help the legal system. We have briefly taken a snapshot of genetics, epigenetics, and application of epigenetics in forensic science that how it could offer solutions to queries of forensic nature. Also, potential future developments in the field and their probable impact have been anticipated. It has many potential applications which are still to be explored. It complements forensic science at many potential levels.

Effects of using cannabidiol on a patient with difficult- tocontrol epilepsy

Introduction: Epilepsies are chronic neurological syndromes, characterized by spontaneous and recurrent crises. It is estimated that there is a worldwide prevalence of 1.0% and that around 30% of patients remain refractory to drug treatment. The active Cannabis plant has been used for medicinal purposes. Extracts with a high CBD content have been shown to be effective in reducing the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures. Objective: To expose the therapeutic effects of CBD and its consequences in a patient with crises that are difficult to control. Methodology: Case study. Results: Male patient, 18 years old, has epileptic seizures that are difficult to control since he was 7 months old. Progressively, he presented loss of motor functions, social and environmental interaction, and even with the combination of antiepileptic drugs, the crises remained uncontrolled. Magnetic resonance examinations indicate hypogenesis of the corpus callosum, volumetric reduction of the cerebellar vermis, increase of the cerebrospinal fluid space, posteriorly displaced brain stem, with volumetric loss. The diagnosis suggests Dandy-Walker and West syndrome. In 2017, it started using CBD and currently has an 85% reduction in crises. There was an increase in personal and environmental interaction, improved levels of concentration and bimanual skills, and began to express emotions and feelings more clearly. Conclusion: CBD represents a promising alternative for epileptic refractory patients to drug treatment, which can prevent the occurrence of brain damage and modify the natural history of the disease and the quality of life.