Search Results (403)

The hypothalamus–pituitary–ovarian (HPO) axis orchestrates reproductive functions through intricate neuroendocrine crosstalk. Here, we integrated single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to decode the cellular heterogeneity and intercellular communication networks in the reproductive systems of pregnant Mongolian cattle. We retained a total of 6161 high-quality nuclei from the hypothalamus, 14,715 nuclei from the pituitary, and 26,072 nuclei from the ovary, providing a comprehensive cellular atlas across the HPO axis. In the hypothalamus, neurons exhibited synaptic and neuroendocrine specialization, with glutamatergic subtype Glut4 serving as a TGFβ signaling hub to regulate pituitary feedback, while GABAergic GABA1 dominated PRL signaling, likely adapting maternal behavior. Pituitary stem cells dynamically replenished endocrine populations via TGFβ, and lactotrophs formed a PRL–PRLR paracrine network with stem cells, synergizing mammary development. Ovarian luteal cells exhibited steroidogenic specialization and microenvironmental synergy: endothelial cells coregulated TGFβ-driven angiogenesis and immune tolerance, while luteal–stromal PRL–PRLR interactions amplified progesterone synthesis and nutrient support. Granulosa cells (GCs) displayed spatial-functional stratification, with steroidogenic GCs persisting across pseudotime as luteinization precursors, while atretic GCs underwent apoptosis. Spatial mapping revealed GCs’ annular follicular distribution, mediating oocyte–somatic crosstalk, and luteal–endothelial colocalization supporting vascularization. This study unveils pregnancy-specific HPO axis regulation, emphasizing multi-organ crosstalk through TGFβ/PRL pathways and stem cell-driven plasticity, offering insights into reproductive homeostasis and pathologies. Full article

Background: Against the backdrop of the large-scale and intensive development of the livestock industry, enhancing the reproductive efficiency of cattle has become a crucial factor in industrial development. Holstein cows, as the most predominant dairy cattle breed globally, are characterized by high milk yield and excellent milk quality. However, their reproductive efficiency is comprehensively influenced by a variety of complex factors, and improving their reproductive performance faces numerous challenges. The ovary, as the core organ of the female reproductive system, plays a decisive role in embryonic development and pregnancy maintenance. It is not only the site where eggs are produced and developed but it also regulates the cow’s estrous cycle, ovulation process, and the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy by secreting various hormones. The normal functioning of the ovary is crucial for the smooth development of the embryo and the successful maintenance of pregnancy. Methods: Currently, traditional sequencing technologies have obvious limitations in deciphering ovarian function and reproductive regulatory mechanisms. To overcome the bottlenecks of traditional sequencing technologies, this study selected Holstein cows as the research subjects. Ovarian samples were collected from one pregnant and one non-pregnant Holstein cow, and single-nucleus transcriptome sequencing technology was used to conduct an in-depth study on the ovarian cells of Holstein cows. Results: By constructing a cell type-specific molecular atlas of the ovaries, nine different cell types were successfully identified. This study compared the proportions of ovarian cell types under different physiological states and found that the proportion of endothelial cells decreased during pregnancy, while the proportions of granulosa cells and luteal cells increased significantly. In terms of functional enrichment analysis, oocytes during both pregnancy and non-pregnancy play roles in the “cell cycle” and “homologous recombination” pathways. However, non-pregnant oocytes are also involved in the “progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation” pathway. Luteal cells during pregnancy mainly function in the “cortisol synthesis and secretion” and “ovarian steroidogenesis” pathways; non-pregnant luteal cells are mainly enriched in pathway processes such as the “AMPK signaling pathway”, “pyrimidine metabolism”, and “nucleotide metabolism”. Cell communication analysis reveals that there are 51 signaling pathways involved in the pregnant ovary, with endothelial cells, granulosa cells, and luteal cells serving as the core communication hubs. In the non-pregnant ovary, there are 48 pathways, and the interaction between endothelial cells and stromal cells is the dominant mode. Conclusions: This study provides new insights into the regulatory mechanisms of reproductive efficiency in Holstein cows. The differences in the proportions of ovarian cell types, functional pathways, and cell communication patterns under different physiological states, especially the increase in the proportions of granulosa cells and luteal cells during pregnancy and the specificity of related functional pathways, indicate that these cells play a crucial role in the reproductive process of cows. These findings also highlight the importance of ovarian cells in pathways such as “cell cycle”, “homologous recombination”, and “progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation”, as well as the cell communication mechanisms in regulating ovarian function and reproductive performance. Full article

Background: The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) has emerged as a promising biomarker for assessing stress-induced hyperglycemia (SH) but has not been evaluated in patients with acute pancreatitis (AP). This study investigates the role of the SHR in predicting adverse clinical outcomes in patients with AP. Methods: Adult patients with AP who were admitted within 72 h of the onset of abdominal pain were screened in the database. Eligible patients with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and blood glucose were analyzed. The SHR was calculated using admission blood glucose and HbA1c levels. Patients were categorized into four groups: SHR1 (≤1.03), SHR2 (1.04–1.25), SHR3 (1.26–1.46), and SHR4 (≥1.47). The primary outcome was persistent organ failure (POF). The secondary outcomes included acute peripancreatic fluid collection (APFC) and high-dependency unit/intensive care unit (HDU/ICU) admission. Restricted cubic spline (RCS) analysis was used to assess nonlinear associations and identify SHR threshold values. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were used to adjust for potential confounders and evaluate the relationship between the SHR and clinical outcomes. Results: A total of 486 patients with AP were included in this study, comprising 85 with POF and 401 without POF. SHR levels and severity were significantly correlated, with the highest quartile in the greatest proportion of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Higher SHR levels were significantly associated with an increased risk of POF, APFC, and HDU/ICU admission. RCS analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between the SHR and APFC (p = 0.009). Based on the RCS and quartile analysis, SHR > 1.25 was identified as the threshold for increased risk. After adjusting for confounders, SHR > 1.25 remained independently associated with higher risks of POF (OR: 2.49, 95% CI: 1.39–4.46, p = 0.002), APFC (OR: 2.85, 95% CI: 1.92–4.24, p < 0.001), and ICU admission (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.12–2.69, p = 0.013). Conclusions: The SHR is independently associated with adverse clinical outcomes in AP, including POF, APFC, and HDU/ICU admission. These findings suggest that the SHR may serve as a valuable biomarker for risk stratification and early intervention in AP management. Full article

Cuscutae Semen (CS), a traditional herb recognized as a nutraceutical food in China, has been widely utilized in managing aging-related diseases throughout history. However, whether this mechanism is associated with mitochondrial stress tolerance remains unclear. In the present study, Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) was used to investigate the effects of CS on their longevity. The data demonstrated that CS prolonged the average lifespan of the nematodes by 15.26%, reducing lipofuscin accumulation by 61.46%, as well as improving spontaneous motility. CS treatment significantly enhanced the resistance of C. elegans to hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress and 37 °C induced heat stress, reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by 71.45%. Additionally, membrane potential (MMP) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were increased by 354.72% and 69.64%, respectively. However, mitochondrion-specific ROS and calcium flux were significantly reduced to 45.86% and 63.25%, respectively, in C. elegans treated with CS. Consistently, the polymerase chain reaction data revealed that CS significantly up-regulated the expressions of the antioxidant-related genes skn-1, ctl-1, sod-3, and gst-4; the heat shock gene hsp-16.2; and the autophagy-related genes lgg-1 and bec-1. Considering the crucial role of the silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIR-2.1/SIRT1) in aging-related mitochondrial oxidative stress, we examined its expression and transcriptional activity. As expected, treatment with CS induced SIRT1 expression, and isorhamnetin identified from CS extract significantly enhanced SIRT1 transcriptional activity in HEK293T cells. Collectively, our results provided evidence that CS prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans by ameliorating oxidative stress damage and mitochondrial dysfunction via SIRT1. Full article

This study analyzes a lacquered ear cup excavated from the Luobowan tomb complex in Guigang, Guangxi, attributed to the Nanyue Kingdom of the early Han dynasty. A range of analytical techniques, including optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD), were employed to investigate the structural layers, material composition, and preservation state of the artifact. The lacquerware consists of four traditional layers: a wooden core, fabric reinforcement, lacquer ground, and lacquer film, reflecting Central Plains lacquerware techniques. The wooden core was identified as Phoebe sp., and the fabric layer is likely hemp, though fiber degradation limited exact identification. The lacquer ground layer contains natural lacquer mixed with SiO₂ from brick or tile powder. The lacquer film is a blend of Chinese and Vietnamese lacquer, with no synthetic additives or plant oils detected. The red lacquer layer contains cinnabar (HgS) as a pigment, while the black lacquer uses carbon black. Differences in moisture content between the red and black lacquer films are attributed to variations in surface porosity and pigment characteristics. This research provides valuable insights into Nanyue lacquer technology and preservation challenges. Full article

The large yellow croaker, or Larimichthys crocea, is highly prized for its golden color and nutritional content. The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in body composition, mucus biochemical indices and body color in five strains of large yellow croakers (body weight: 347.01 ± 5.86 g). To conduct genetic diversity analyses of the populations, a total of 50 tailfin samples were randomly chosen from the following populations of large yellow croakers: wild (LYC1), Dai-qu population (LYC2), Yongdai 1 (LYC3), Min-yuedong population (LYC4), and Fufa 1 (LYC5). The findings demonstrated that the LYC3 group’s pigment contents, crude protein, crude lipid, and chromatic values were comparable to those of the LYC1 group (p > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the LYC1 and LYC5 groups’ mucus superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities (p > 0.05). The alkaline phosphatases (ALP), acid phosphatases (ACP), and lysozyme (LYS) activities of the mucus in the LYC1 group were not significantly different from the LYC3 group (p > 0.05). The back skin mRNA expressions of tyrosinase (tyr), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (tyrp1), dopachrome tautomerase (dct), microphtalmia-associated transcription factor (mitf), and melanocortin 1 receptor (mc1r) were significantly up-regulated in the LYC2 and LYC4 groups compared to the LYC1, LYC3, and LYC5 groups (p < 0.05). Forkhead box d3 (foxd3), paired box 3 (pax3), purine nucleoside phosphorylase 4a (pnp4a), aristaless-like homeobox 4a (alx4a), cAMP dependent protein kinase (pka), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (alk), leukocyte receptor tyrosine kinase (ltk), and colony stimulating factor (fms) were among the mRNA expressions of the abdominal skin in the LYC1, LYC3, and LYC5 groups significantly higher than those in the LYC2 and LYC4 groups (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the LYC3 group’s crude protein, crude lipid, carotenoid, and lutein contents were most similar to those of the large yellow croaker found in the wild. Furthermore, the molecular mechanism underlying the variations in body color among the various strains of large yellow croakers was supplied for additional research. Full article

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex condition defined by central obesity, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and systemic inflammation. Kefir, a fermented beverage rich in probiotics and beneficial compounds, has emerged as a functional food that may offer metabolic advantages. Nevertheless, preclinical results have been variable. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the influence of kefir and its derived compositions on parameters associated with MetS, inflammation, and oxidative stress in rodent studies. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, AMED, and LILACS through June 2024. Eligible studies involving kefir interventions in rodent MetS models were included. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines, with the risk of bias assessed using the CAMARADES and SYRCLE tools. Meta-analyses were performed with a random effects model. Thirty-eight studies involving 1462 rodents (mice and rats) were analyzed. Kefir significantly reduced body weight gain in both mice (MD = –3.33; 95% CI: –4.89 to –1.77) and rats (MD = –41.53; 95% CI: –54.33 to –28.72). In mice, triglycerides and LDL-C levels decreased significantly; in rats, kefir lowered total cholesterol and triglycerides. Insulin levels were reduced (MD = –0.69; 95% CI: –1.16 to –0.22), suggesting improved insulin sensitivity. Several studies also reported reductions in TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. Despite promising results, the high heterogeneity and methodological variability emphasize the need for standardized preclinical protocols and clinical validation. These findings support the role of kefir as a functional food for metabolic health promotion. Full article

The brittleness of alginate fibers has limited their biological applications. Enhancing fiber toughness without sacrificing fracture tensile strength is challenging. Herein, an acidity-triggered helical conformational change in alginate is demonstrated to improve fiber toughness. During fiber formation by Ca²⁺ crosslinking, HCl triggers 2₁-helical and antiparallel twofold helical conformational changes in sodium alginate. The helical structures were confirmed using circular dichroism and X-ray diffraction. Rheological analysis revealed that the helical conformation was flexible and could extend fiber elongation from 9.4 ± 0.6 to 15.3 ± 2.2%, while the fracture tensile strength was slightly enhanced by 12.4%, reaching 308 MPa. Thus, toughness was enhanced by 74%, reaching 35.5 ± 2.1 MJ m⁻³, thereby reducing brittleness. The introduction of helical structures required no significant changes to the wet-spinning process and exhibited good processability. The improved elongation and toughness will broaden the biomedical applications of alginate fibers. Full article

Accurate kinematic calibration of subreflector actuators is essential for pointing precision of large radio telescopes, particularly at high frequencies. Conventional least-squares methods are vulnerable to noise and outliers, and their accuracy may degrade when limited pose diversity leads to poor parameter excitation. To address these challenges, this paper proposes a novel robust self-calibration framework that integrates Huber loss and $L_2$ regularization into the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM) algorithm—yielding a hybrid optimization approach that combines residual robustness, numerical stability, and convergence reliability. A comprehensive simulation study was conducted under varying workspace sizes and sensor noise levels. The proposed method maintained stable performance even under reduced excitation and high-noise conditions, where traditional LM methods typically degrade, confirming its robustness and applicability to realistic calibration scenarios. The framework was further validated using a structured-light 6-DOF pose measurement system, the proposed method achieved over 90% improvement in both position and orientation accuracy compared to the traditional LM approach. These findings confirm the method’s effectiveness for high-precision 6-DOF calibration in parallel mechanisms, and its suitability for real-world applications in radio telescope subreflector alignment. Full article

Muscle is a crucial component of cattle, playing a vital role in determining the final quality of beef. This study aimed to identify candidate genes associated with muscle growth and lipid metabolism in beef and dairy cattle by utilizing the public database of the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) to download bovine muscle transcriptome data. Through differential expression analysis, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP) explains machine learning models, we integrated and screened for relevant genes. The results showed a total of 2588 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 933 upregulated and 1655 downregulated in beef cattle compared to dairy cattle. In the WGCNA, the purple, black, green, red, brown, and blue modules were identified as significant modules. Based on the results of five different machine learning models, the Adaptive Boosting (AdaBoost) model demonstrated superior classification performance (accuracy = 0.84) compared to the other four models and was therefore selected as the optimal model. SHAP analysis was then employed to interpret the results, yielding the top 500 SHAP genes. In combination with DEGs and WGCNA, a total of 117 genes were identified. Subsequent functional enrichment analysis of these 117 genes revealed significant enrichment in pathways such as lipoprotein metabolic process, muscle contraction, and cytoskeleton in muscle cells, followed by interaction network analysis of genes and pathways. Ultimately, the APOA1, ACTB, S1PR1, PKLR, and SLC27A6 genes were identified as potential key regulators of lipid metabolism and muscle growth in beef and dairy cattle. In summary, this study provides a feasible method for handling large-scale transcriptome data and lays a foundation for future research on meat quality and improving the economic benefits of Holstein cattle. Full article

The toxicity associated with bongkrekic acid (BKA) is severe due to its chemical structure, which also facilitates high mortality rates; however, its isomer, isobongkrekic acid (iBKA), with only minor structural variance, demonstrates marked differences in toxicity. This discrepancy in structural properties and toxicity highlights that risks have been potentially underestimated within current detection standards for BKAs. In this study, a novel BKA trans isomer at the C8 and C9 double carbon bonds (E-configuration), termed iBKA-neo, was successfully separated and identified. Subsequently, the multiple reaction monitoring parameters and chromatographic conditions for three BKA isomers were optimized, enabling effective separation within 15 min via UHPLC-MS/MS, among which the ammonium positive adduct ions yielded significantly higher response intensities for all BKA isomers than traditional deprotonated molecules. Additionally, distinct differences in the ion ratios between iBKA-neo and BKA were utilized for preliminary screening. On this basis, the extraction and enrichment strategies for BKAs were optimized in food matrices and validated comprehensively with good linearity (0.25–500 μg/kg), a superior limit of quantification (0.25 μg/kg), acceptable recoveries (82.32–114.84%), and stable intraday and interday precision (an RSD less than 12.67%). These findings significantly contribute to ecotoxicology and the formulation of safety standards concerning BKAs. Full article

Colitis in equines has high morbidity and mortality rates, which severely affects the development of the equine-breeding industry. With the issuance of antibiotic bans, there is an urgent need for healthier and more effective alternatives. In recent years, probiotics have been widely used as microbial feed additives in animal husbandry, playing a crucial role in preventing and treating diarrhea and regulating host immune function. In this study, we isolated and screened a strain with rapid and stable acid production using bromocresol purple, litmus milk coloration tests, and acid production performance assessments. Based on morphological characteristics, physiological and biochemical properties, and 16S rDNA identification, the strain was identified as Pediococcus pentosaceus and named M6. The Pediococcus pentosaceus M6 exhibited stable growth and tolerance to high temperatures, acid and bile salt concentrations, and simulated gastrointestinal fluid environments. The M6 strain demonstrated good antibacterial effects against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella. The M6 strain did not produce hemolysis zones on Columbia blood agar plates, indicating its high safety, and was found to be insensitive to 12 antibiotics, including cephalexin and neomycin. Additionally, intervention in mice with dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis alleviated weight loss and shortened colon length. To a certain extent, it regulated the expression of inflammatory cytokines and the gut microbiota within the body and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration and intestinal barrier damage. In summary, the isolated Pediococcus pentosaceus M6 strain exhibited excellent probiotic properties and could alleviate DSS-induced colitis in mice, suggesting its potential application value as a probiotic in animal husbandry. Full article

Genomic selection (GS) is a technique that integrates genomic data, pedigree information, and individual phenotypes to enhance genetic improvements of economically important traits in livestock. While it has shown significant effects in dairy cattle, its efficacy in beef cattle is lower due to breed diversity and differences in reproductive structures. Therefore, this study evaluated the impact of heritability levels, marker densities, and assessment methods (such as pedigree-based BLUP, genomic BLUP, and weighted genomic BLUP) on genomic prediction accuracy across multiple beef cattle breeds through simulations. Three beef cattle populations were simulated with heritability levels set at 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7 and marker densities set at 50 k and 770 k. The results showed that the predictive accuracy of PBLUP and GBLUP increased with higher heritability and larger reference populations. Increasing the marker density also improved the accuracy of genomic predictions; even a low marker density (50 k SNP) can significantly enhance the accuracy of genetic evaluation, although the size of the reference population needs to be optimized according to population structure, heritability, and the genetic architecture of the trait. Overall, integrating pedigree, genomic, and weighted SNP information can significantly improve the precision of GEBV prediction and reduce bias. In particular, the wGBLUP method demonstrated an improvement in the prediction accuracy of low-heritability traits in small but high-density marker populations. Full article

Background: Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) senescence exacerbates vascular diseases like atherosclerosis and hypertension. Angiotensin II (Ang II) is a strong inducer of VSMCs senescence, causing vascular damage, though its exact mechanism is unclear. Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), a NAD⁺ precursor, has gained attention for its anti-senescence potential, yet its role in inhibiting VSMCs senescence is not fully understood. Methods: This study assessed senescence markers, including β-galactosidase activity (SA-β-gal) and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), in mouse VSMCs treated with Ang II alone or with NMN and relevant activators/inhibitors. Results: Compared to controls, SA-β-gal levels and SASP secretion significantly increased in Ang II-exposed cells. In contrast, NMN reduced the expression of both markers. NMN also reversed Ang II-induced VSMCs senescence by downregulating KLF4 and p16 through AMPK activation, which Ang II inhibited, while decreasing mRNA levels of key SASP components. The effects of the AMPK activator AICAR were similar to those of NMN, whereas the AMPK inhibitor Compound C negated NMN’s effects. Conclusions: In summary, NMN mitigates Ang II-induced mouse VSMCs senescence via the AMPK/KLF4/p16 pathway. This study underscores the anti-senescence effects of NMN on mouse VSMCs, supporting further exploration of its potential as a food supplement for preventing and treating vascular senescence. Full article

Long-term clonality has profound consequences for genetic structure despite offering an alternative means of reproductive assurance under unfavorable conditions for sexual reproduction. Vanilla shenzhenica Z. J. Liu & S. C. Chen (Orchidaceae), the only endangered Vanilla species in China, exhibits a clear tendency towards asexual propagation, as evidenced by its small, fragmented wild populations. To develop effective conservation strategies for this species, it is essential to assess the extent of clonality and evaluate genetic diversity both within and among populations. In this study, we sampled 43 individuals from cultivated and wild populations of V. shenzhenica and analyzed their phylogenetic relationships, genetic structure, and diversity based on single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Our results indicate that all the studied wild populations are predominantly sustained by vegetative growth, each forming a monoclonal patch with a single genotype. The overall genetic diversity within V. shenzhenica is low likely due to a combination of factors, including clonality, reduced effective population size, and environmental disturbances. These findings underscore the urgent need for the conservation management of this species. Conservation plans should prioritize ex situ conservation efforts, focusing on promoting assisted sexual reproduction to produce viable seeds and offspring that combine diverse genotypes from different populations. This study provides valuable insights in relation to effective conservation planning for endangered clonal species. Full article