Search Results (415)

Background: Sheep (Ovis aries) exhibit significant diversity in adipose tissue deposition, which influences meat quality, environmental adaptation, and economic value. Tail fat, in particular, varies widely among breeds, yet the transcriptomic basis of this variation remains incompletely understood. This study aims to systematically compare the transcriptional profiles of five adipose depots across five sheep breeds to identify molecular mechanisms underlying fat deposition and tail phenotype divergence. Methods: We analyzed 250 publicly available RNA-seq samples from five adipose tissues (caul, subcutaneous, perirenal, intermuscular, and tail fat) of five sheep breeds (Altay, Tibetan, Merino, Wadi, Small-tailed Han). Data were processed using FastQC, STAR, and featureCounts. Differential expression analysis was performed with DESeq2, followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses. Breeds were grouped into three tail phenotypes: fat-tailed, short fat-tailed, and thin-tailed. Cross-tissue and phenotype-specific pathway analyses were conducted to identify key regulatory genes. Results: Transcriptional divergence was most pronounced in subcutaneous and intermuscular fat, while tail fat exhibited both conserved and phenotype-specific pathways. Fat-tailed breeds showed enrichment in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation and lipid biosynthesis genes (TAFAZZIN, GPAM, COQ family). Short fat-tailed breeds were characterized by extracellular matrix remodeling genes (MMP9, MMP12, MMP19). Thin-tailed sheep lacked these pro-lipogenic and structural remodeling pathways. A dual-axis model of tail fat development is proposed to explain phenotypic diversity. Conclusions: This study reveals that distinct molecular mechanisms underpin tail fat phenotypes in sheep: fat-tailed breeds prioritize metabolic efficiency, short fat-tailed breeds rely on ECM remodeling, and thin-tailed breeds lack these enhancements. The identified candidate genes may serve as potential targets for molecular breeding strategies aimed at optimizing fat deposition and adaptive traits in sheep. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the radiographic characteristics of medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) by digital panoramic radiographs and to investigate the associations between radiographic findings and clinical, demographic, and treatment-related variables in patients receiving antiresorptive therapy. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 55 patients receiving antiresorptive therapy, categorized into a tooth-extraction group (n = 20) and an MRONJ group (n = 35). Standardized panoramic radiographs obtained at baseline (T0) and during the 6-month follow-up (T1) were evaluated for lamina dura thickness, trabecular bone alteration, osteosclerosis, cancellous bone loss, sequestration, and periosteal response. Statistical analyses were conducted on associations involving drug type, administration route, therapy duration, smoking, diabetes, hypertension, gender, and serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) levels. Results: The incidence of sequestrum development and cancellous bone loss was considerably higher in the MRONJ group. Sequestration demonstrated significant associations with both the duration of antiresorptive therapy (>3 years) and intermediate-risk CTX levels. No significant correlations were found between CTX and other radiographic parameters. Lamina dura thickening, trabecular alterations, osteosclerosis, and periosteal reaction exhibited no differences across groups or in relation to smoking, diabetes, age, or gender; periosteal reaction was an uncommon and variable finding. Conclusions: Panoramic radiography provides clinically useful information in the evaluation of MRONJ, particularly for identifying sequestration and cancellous bone degradation. The formation of sequestrum appears to be the most indicative radiographic indicator, representing both the duration of treatment and biochemical risk. Full article

Alcohol enters the brain through the blood–brain barrier and causes neuronal damage in various ways, additionally long-term and heavy drinking also leads to both structural and functional changes in the central nervous system. Currently, there is a lack of specific therapeutic approaches for alcohol-induced nerve injury. Opuntia milpa alta polysaccharides (MAPs) have various physiological activities such as antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects, but it is not clear how they protect against alcohol-induced nerve injury. In this study, firstly, we structurally characterized homemade MAPs and analyzed the relevance of MAPs in protecting against alcoholic neuronal cell injury and ferroptosis. The results showed that MAPs consisted of nine different monosaccharides and uronic acids. High performance gel permeation chromatography analysis showed that MAPs were homogeneous heteropolysaccharides with an average molecular weight of 8.79 × 106 Da. Fourier infrared spectroscopy showed that they had sulfated pyranopolysaccharides with uronic acids and both α-glycosidic and β-glycosidic bonds were present. Specific signals of these sugars were observed in 1H and 13C NMR spectra. Favorable thermal stability was manifested up to 256 °C. The MAPs had a three-stranded helical structure and a low overall crystallinity. Iron staining showed that alcohol caused significant brown deposition in cells. MAPs significantly ameliorated alcohol-induced cellular damage, reduced iron deposition, and orchestrated the expression of proteins associated with ferroptosis. These results suggest that MAPs protect against alcohol-induced neurological damage, possibly by impeding the onset of cellular ferroptosis. Full article

Background: The comparative effects of pharmacological treatment, bariatric surgery, and diet on insulin resistance (IR) remain unclear. Aim: To study the comparative effects of the methods on IR: pharmacologic, bariatric surgery, and very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertension. Methods: Design: a 90-day prospective, multicenter, comparative clinical trial including 130 adult patients divided into three groups: Drug, Surgery, and VLCD. Endpoints: HOMA-IR; weight loss; and HbA1c, systolic/diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP). Results: At 90 days, weight loss in the Surgery (−19.8%) and VLCD groups (−17.4%) was significant (p < 0.0001), while in the Drug group, the loss was insignificant (−6.5%; p = 0.06). SBP/DBP in the Drug group decreased by −9.5% (p = 0.0002) and −4.1% (p = 0.09), respectively. SBP/DBP in the Surgery group decreased by −13.6% and −10.6%, respectively (p < 0.001), and in the VLCD group, by −23.3% and 21.3%, respectively (p < 0.0001). HOMA-IR in Drug, Surgery, and VLCD groups decreased by −42.2% (p = 0.004), −87.6% (p < 0.0001), and −88.7% (p < 0.0001), respectively. In the Drug group, HOMA-IR did not reach the normal level. Correlation-regression analysis revealed a direct correlation between weight loss and a decrease in HOMA-IR (r = 0.526; F = 33.2, p < 0.0001). HOMA-IR decreases by 65% if weight decreases by 10%; if weight decreases by 25%, then HOMA-IR decreases by 83%. Conclusions: HOMA-IR was associated with weight loss: the greater the weight loss, the lower the HOMA-IR. Weight loss leads to a reduction in the need for antidiabetic/antihypertensive drugs in patients with T2DM and hypertension. Full article

The Altai Mountains rank among the world’s most notable and valuable archaeological regions. Within the sprawling Altai Mountains area, burial mounds (kurgans) of past civilizations, which are sometimes well preserved in permafrost, are a particularly precious trove of archaeological insights. This study investigates the application of deep learning-based object detection techniques for automatic kurgan identification in high-resolution satellite imagery. We compare the performance of various object detection methods utilizing both convolutional neural network and Transformer backbones. Our results validate the effectiveness of different approaches, especially with larger models, in the challenging task of detecting small archaeological structures. Techniques addressing the class imbalance can further improve performance of off-the-shelf methods. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of employing deep learning techniques to automate kurgan identification, which can improve archaeological surveying processes. It suggests the potential of deep learning technology for constructing a comprehensive inventory of Altai Mountain kurgans, particularly relevant in the context of global warming and archaeological site preservation. Full article

The complex microbiota of cheese starters plays a key role in determining the structure and flavour of the final product, primarily through their acid-forming capacity, protease activity, and exopolysaccharide synthesis. However, the specific microbial communities underlying the unique qualities of artisanal cheeses remain poorly understood. This study presents the microbiological and molecular genetic characterisation of the microbiome isolated from an artisanal cheese starter in Kosh-Agach, Altai, Russia. Metagenomic analysis of this starter revealed the presence of three bacterial genomes corresponding to those of Lactococcus lactis. Pure cultures from this starter were obtained by sequential subculture, and seventeen colonies displaying distinct characteristics on differential media were selected. Genome sequencing was performed for each colony. Bioinformatic analysis based on the rpoB gene grouped the isolates into three clusters, each corresponding to a distinct strain of Lactococcus lactis subsp. diacetilactis. This classification was further confirmed by microbiological and microscopic analyses. A notable finding was that none of the strains produced the characteristic aroma compounds of L. l. subsp. diacetilactis, namely, diacetyl and CO₂. The functional properties and metabolic characteristics of this starter consortium are discussed. Full article

Equine theileriosis, caused by the protozoan parasite Theileria equi, represents a significant economic threat to the equine industry. In Xinjiang, China, an endemic area for this disease, systematic research on the genetic diversity of T. equi has been notably lacking. The aim of this study was to obtain molecular epidemiological data pertaining to the parasite in selected regions of Xinjiang, China, and analyze the genetic characteristics (including 18S rRNA, EMA-1, and COI genes) and genotype distribution patterns of isolates from these regions, providing a scientific basis for developing targeted prevention and control strategies. Blood samples were collected from 440 horses across four regions (Altay, Ili, Tacheng, and Urumqi) and subjected to PCR assays. Positive samples were sequenced for phylogenetic and haplotype network analyses, and genetic diversity indices were calculated. The overall infection rate of T. equi was 38.41% (169/440), with Tacheng having the highest prevalence (86.27%) and Altay the lowest (20.88%); these regional differences were statistically significant. Phylogenetic analysis identified two genotypes of the 18S rRNA gene: genotype E (predominant) and genotype A. All EMA-1 sequences clustered exclusively within genotype A. Notably, all COI gene sequences formed a monophyletic group, exhibiting closer genetic relationships to isolates from France and Senegal. This study presents the first comprehensive genotyping of T. equi in Xinjiang based on three target genes and constructs an associated haplotype network. The analysis identified 18S rRNA genotype E and EMA-1 genotype A as the predominant genotypes. Furthermore, the genetic diversity of T. equi was found to be higher in Urumqi than in the other regions studied. Full article

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the most important cause of end-stage renal failure. The aim of this study is to investigate whether there is an association between supplementation of vitamin D and DKD or not. Methods: The study was designed prospectively and initiated with a total of 81 patients with a history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 diabetic nephropathy (DN), who applied to Ankara University Faculty of Medicine between July 2011 and February 2013. It was completed with a total of 63 patients, 38 female (60.3%) and 25 male (39.7%), during the six-month follow-up period. The inclusion criteria were as follows: microalbumin ≥ 30 mg/day in 24 h urine, for which at least two measurements were obtained; age ≥ 18; HbA1c ≤ 8%; eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) ≥ 30 mL/min; and, in addition, type 2 DM diagnosis. Patients with microalbumin levels of 30–299 mg/24 h were included in the microalbuminuria group, whereas patients with ≥300 mg were included in the macroalbuminuria group. An oral dose of 300,000 IU vitamin D3 replacement was given to patients with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Results: In both groups, a significant increase in vitamin D levels at six months compared to baseline was observed, while a significant decrease in 24 h urine microalbumin and protein levels was observed at six months. Considering these results, vitamin D was considered to have a positive effect on 24 h urine microalbumin and protein levels. Conclusions: In both groups, a significant increase in vitamin D levels and a significant decrease in microalbumin and protein levels were detected at the sixth month via 24 h urine tests. Therefore, vitamin D replacement is thought to be beneficial for DKD treatment because of its antiproteinuric effect. Full article

Flash drought (FD) is an extreme climate event that intensifies within days and exerts severe socio-environmental impacts. Its onset and evolution remain difficult to predict. Here, we quantify the spatio-temporal dynamics of FD across northern Xinjiang from 1961 to 2023 and identify the dominant driving factors. We apply linear trend detection, wavelet analysis, change-point detection, random forest (RF) modeling, and Pearson correlation. Results show that winter is becoming significantly wetter, whereas the annual signal and the other three seasons exhibit drying trends. After 1980, both FD frequency and FD duration increased; the longest single event lasted 40 days. Spatially, FD is concentrated in the Ili River Valley and the Altay region; the Akdala station recorded the highest count (nine events). Duration, rather than frequency, peaks on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains, where the maximum length reaches 40 days. RF importance ranks the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) as the leading driver (20.9%), followed by air temperature (17.8%); the sunspot index contributes only 6.1%. Full article

As a typical arid region, the change in Xinjiang’s vegetation carbon footprint is crucial for assessing ecological restoration and resource allocation. This study analyzes the changes in the vegetation carbon footprint and its influencing factors in Xinjiang by employing a range of models, including Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP), carbon emission fitting, carbon footprint analysis, and structural equation modeling (SEM). Furthermore, using the carbon deficit vegetation investment estimation method, we quantify the additional vegetation area and investment required for Xinjiang to achieve carbon neutrality. The results show the following: (1) Net Ecosystem Productivity (NEP) increased slowly, with six regions (Altay, Bortala, Bayingolin, Kizilsu Kirghiz, Tacheng, and Yili) contributing 66.95% of the total NEP, forming the main carbon sink. Meanwhile, carbon emissions rose significantly, coming largely from Urumqi, Changji, Kumul, and Karamay (61.31% of total emissions). (2) The carbon footprint expanded 3.44 times, from 30.41 × 10⁴ km² to 104.49 × 10⁴ km². Human activities were the main positive driver, while vegetation factors negatively influenced the carbon footprint. (3) Based on the 21-year average carbon deficit, achieving carbon neutrality in Xinjiang requires an estimated investment of USD 106.77 × 10⁸ to expand cropland, woodland, and grassland by 8029 km², 1710 km², and 35,016 km², respectively. Implementing vegetation expansion, improving carbon markets, and transforming carbon-source economies are essential to achieving the “double carbon” goal. This study clarifies regional carbon sources/sinks and supports the carbon neutrality strategy in arid ecosystems. Full article

The rapid rise in the popularity of cryptocurrencies has drawn increasing attention from investors, entrepreneurs, and the public in recent years. However, this rapid growth comes with risk: many coins fail early and become what are known as “dead coins”, defined by a lack of recorded activity for more than a year. This study applies deep learning techniques to estimate the short-term risk of a cryptocurrency’s death. Specifically, three Recurrent Neural Network architectures, Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM), Bidirectional LSTM (BiLSTM), and Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU), were trained on 18-month time series of daily closing prices and trading volumes using a stratified five-fold cross-validation framework. The models’ predictive performances were compared across input windows ranging from 10 to 180 days. Using the previous 180 days of data as input, GRU achieved the highest point accuracy of 0.7134, whereas BiLSTM exhibited the best performance when evaluated across input sequence lengths varying from 10 to 180 days, reaching an average accuracy of 0.676. These findings show the ability of recurrent architectures to anticipate short-term failure risks in cryptocurrency markets. Theoretically, the study contributes to financial risk modeling by extending time series classification methods to cryptocurrency failure prediction. Practically, it provides investors and analysts with a data-driven early-warning tool to manage portfolio risk and reduce potential losses. Full article

In this study, the neurorehabilitation potential of combined and isolated intermittent hypercapnia and hypoxia exposure was evaluated following photochemically induced cerebral thrombosis in rats. Particular attention was given to the roles of possible neuroplasticity mechanisms mediated by VEGF and BDNF, as well as the potential of hypercapnic–hypoxic interventions to synergistically amplify the therapeutic effects of pharmacological neuroprotectants during recovery. A total of 50 male Wistar rats were randomly assigned to five equal groups (n = 10 per group), each undergoing a course of respiratory interventions lasting 30 min per day for 15 sessions. The groups included (1) a normobaric hypoxia (PO₂ ≈ 90 mmHg) group, (2) a permissive hypercapnia (PCO₂ ≈ 50 mmHg) group, (3) a combined hypercapnic hypoxia (PO₂ ≈ 90 mmHg, PCO₂ ≈ 50 mmHg) group, (4) a control group, and (5) a sham-operated group. Following the rehabilitation protocol, animals exposed to hypercapnic hypoxia exhibited a two-fold reduction in stroke volume compared with controls, significant improvement in motor coordination (as assessed via the rotarod test), and marked upregulation of VEGF and BDNF expression within the ischemic brain region. Notably, only the HH group showed a decrease in serum neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels. These findings indicate that hypercapnic hypoxia exerts a possible neurorehabilitative effect after focal ischemic injury, superior to that of isolated hypoxia or hypercapnia. Possible mechanisms underlying this outcome may involve activation of neurotrophic (BDNF) and angiogenic (VEGF) signaling pathways. Full article

Background/Objectives: The only intravenous P2Y12 inhibitor used in the management of acute and chronic coronary syndromes is cangrelor. Previous studies have demonstrated the efficacy of cangrelor. However, limited real-world data are available for cangrelor usage. This study aimed to investigate the use of cangrelor in large-volume percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) centers in Türkiye, and examine the indications, patient characteristics, bleeding, and ischemic events. The efficacy and safety of cangrelor in this high-risk group were evaluated. Methods: This study was conducted retrospectively in 14 high-volume centers in Türkiye with extensive cangrelor experience. Cangrelor indications, patient clinical characteristics, periprocedural and postprocedural treatments, in-hospital and follow-up bleeding, ischemic events, and mortality were analyzed. Results: This study recruited 411 patients (mean age: 63.8 ± 12.7 years; 76% male). The most common conditions in which cangrelor is used in Türkiye are cardiogenic shock, intubation and nausea/vomiting, where P2Y12 cannot be used adequately due to impaired oral intake. The incidence rate of any bleeding within 48 h was 6.4% (n = 26), with major bleeding accounting for 1.7% of all cases (n = 7). The bleeding rates were similar between patients aged <75 years and those aged ≥75 years (6.0% vs. 8.8%, p = 0.326), as well as between patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those without CKD (6.3% vs. 7.9%, p = 0.600). Conclusions: This is the first multicenter, large-cohort study to examine cangrelor use in Türkiye, providing real-world evidence for the efficacy and safety in high-risk patients with complex clinical features and lesion characteristics. Full article

Background: Rhodiola quadrifida (Pall.) Fisch. & C.A. Mey. (Crassulaceae) is a rare medicinal species in the Kazakh Altai, yet information on its population structure and genetic diversity remains limited. This study presents findings from an investigation of natural R. quadrifida populations. Methods: The morphometric characteristics, population age structure, and genetic diversity of the plants were analysed using PCR-based genome profiling. Genetic diversity within R. quadrifida populations was assessed using PCR primers for binding sites complementary to a specific region at the 3′ terminus of a particular tRNA. Results: The populations exhibited variations in morphological traits, age structures, and reproductive strategies. The IVA-1, IVA-2 and KOK populations represent the most mature stages, characterized by a dominance of vegetative reproduction and a disturbed age structure, with a predominance of senile and virgin individuals. In contrast, the LIN-1 and LIN-2 population is characterized by a balanced age structure, encompassing all ontogenetic groups, and a mixed reproductive system that includes both sexual and vegetative propagation. Genetic diversity, as measured by Shannon’s information index, ranged from 0.194 to 0.247, indicating low genetic diversity in R. quadrifida. Analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significantly greater variation within populations (62%) than among populations (38%). Genetic diversity was higher in the LIN-1 and LIN-2 populations, which employs a mixed reproductive system (clonal and seeds), than in populations dominated by vegetative reproduction. Both LIN populations, characterized by a mixed reproductive system, exhibited higher genetic diversity than the KOK, IVA-1 and IVA-2 populations, where vegetative reproduction predominated. Conclusions: These results underscore the necessity for priority conservation measures, including monitoring population size and age structure in populations with low levels of seed reproduction and disturbed age structure. Additional measures include supporting in situ and ex situ conservation, such as clonal collection, seed banks, and tissue cultures, as well as restricting the harvesting of medicinal raw materials. Full article

This paper investigates the existence and global exponential stability of almost periodic solutions in a class of impulsive Cohen–Grossberg-type bidirectional associative memory (BAM) neural networks with time-varying delays. Real neural systems often experience sudden perturbations and nonuniform temporal interactions, leading to complex oscillatory behaviors. To capture these effects, a new impulsive Cohen–Grossberg BAM model is developed that integrates both delays and impulsive influences within a unified framework. Using the theory of almost periodic functions, fixed point methods, and impulsive differential inequalities, new sufficient conditions are derived for the existence and stability of almost periodic solutions. A Lyapunov functional combined with a generalized Gronwall-type inequality provides rigorous global exponential stability criteria. Numerical simulations confirm the theoretical analysis. The results extend existing studies and offer new insights into how delay and impulsive factors jointly shape the stability and dynamics of hybrid neural systems, contributing to the design of robust and delay-tolerant neural architectures. Full article