Search Results (171)

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are increasingly used as functional feed additives in aquaculture. This study evaluated the effects of dietary Lactobacillus plantarum supplementation on growth performance, hepatic biochemical status, lipid-related indices, antioxidant status, and immune-related responses in Chinese tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). A total of 1620 juveniles (initial body weight 8.11 ± 0.23 g) were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments for 10 weeks: a control diet (CON) and diets supplemented with 500 mg/kg (LAB1) or 1000 mg/kg (LAB2) LAB (three replicate tanks per treatment). Compared with CON, LAB supplementation improved growth performance, with LAB2 showing significantly higher final body weight, weight gain rate, and specific growth rate. LAB altered hepatic function-related indices and reduced hepatic lipid peroxidation, as indicated by lower malondialdehyde (MDA). Hepatic lipid-related indices were also modulated, with LAB2 showing reduced total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triacylglycerol (TG), and total bile acid (TBA), together with increased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Serum immune indices showed non-linear responses, with C3, C4, and IgM increasing in LAB1 but decreasing in LAB2, whereas lysozyme showed an overall decreasing trend. qPCR analysis showed that LAB supplementation upregulated hepatic IGF-I and TGF-β1 expression, downregulated IL-8, TNF-α, and G6PD expression, and reduced FAS expression at the higher dose. Overall, dietary L. plantarum at 500–1000 mg/kg improved growth performance and was associated with changes in hepatic lipid-related indices, oxidative status, and immune-related responses in tongue sole. These results support further evaluation of L. plantarum as a functional feed additive in this species. Full article

The induction of triploidy, a strategy to mitigate unwanted pre-harvest sexual maturation and a genetic containment measure for escaped farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), may give rise to challenges because of the distinct environmental and dietary requirements of sterile triploid fish. Smoltification is a critical phase in the life cycle of Atlantic salmon, so knowledge about parr–smolt transformation in triploids is important for the salmon farming industry. This study covered an investigation of hepatic expression of growth hormone receptor (GHrec) and insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) genes, both of which are intimately involved in the regulation of osmoregulation and growth. Additionally, hepatic presence and location of IGF-I mRNA were examined using RNAscope^®, an advanced in situ hybridization technique. Triplicate groups of juvenile diploid and triploid salmon were reared at low temperature (10 °C) and fed either a standard diet or one enriched with hydrolyzed fish proteins from the start of feeding onwards. Liver samples were collected from three fish per tank each month from October to December (2454–3044 degree-days post-start feeding), the period encompassing smoltification, and hepatic expression of IGF-I and GHrec genes was quantified by real-time PCR. The results indicated that neither ploidy nor diet significantly influenced IGF-I or GHrec gene expression, suggesting that, under our conditions, triploidy and diet did not adversely affect this molecular pathway linked to growth and osmoregulation. IGF-I gene expression exhibited significant temporal variation, correlating with the progression of smoltification, while GHrec gene expression showed a similar, albeit non-significant, trend. Triploids exhibited IGF-I and GHrec gene expression patterns comparable to diploids, and both the temporal changes and lack of difference between triploids and diploids were mirrored in the quantification of IGF-I mRNA within the liver cells. The potential applicability to a commercial aquaculture setting requires further investigation. Full article

The increasing biomedical and conservation interest in porcine species has driven the development of advanced in vitro follicle culture systems designed to preserve genetic diversity and accurately model key stages of folliculogenesis. This study assessed a three-dimensional (3D) alginate-based system for the in vitro culture of porcine preantral follicles, aiming to overcome the structural limitations of conventional two-dimensional (2D) methods. A total of six experimental groups were established, consisting of group-cultured (four follicles/well) or individually cultured (one follicle/well) follicles maintained either without alginate (0%) or encapsulated in 0.5% or 1% alginate for 14 days in media supplemented with FSH, EGF, and IGF-I, with LH added from day 9. Follicular development was assessed by morphometric evaluation, image-based and histological analyses, and quantification of steroid hormones in media collected every 48 h. Group-cultured follicles encapsulated in 0.5% alginate most effectively maintained their 3D architecture, reached the largest diameters, and progressed more uniformly compared with other groups. In contrast, follicles cultured without alginate rapidly lost structural integrity, showed granulosa cell migration, and decreased in size, whereas those encapsulated in 1% alginate exhibited restricted growth. Estradiol and testosterone concentrations increased over time in the 0.5% alginate group, were lowest without alginate, and intermediate in 1% alginate. Individually cultured follicles exhibited reduced growth and lower total hormone production compared with group-cultured follicles; however, when normalized per-follicle, steroid secretion, particularly in the 0.5% alginate group, was enhanced, indicating increased steroidogenic efficiency on a per-follicle basis. These findings indicate that 0.5% alginate provides an optimal balance between structural support and physiological steroidogenesis during preantral follicle culture. This 3D system improves the biological relevance of porcine follicle culture and may support future applications in reproductive biology, conservation, and genetic resource preservation. Full article

Introduction: The one-step membrane technique, derived from the Masquelet induced membrane technique, uses human acellular dermal matrix (hADM) that is wrapped around the bone defect to bypass membrane induction, reducing treatment time. Pre-colonization of hADM with bone marrow cells (BMC), particularly after CD8⁺ T cell depletion, enhances bone regeneration. This study examined how CD8⁺ T cell depletion alters the proteins accumulated in the hADM during early healing. Materials and Methods: Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats received 5 mm femoral defects filled with autologous bone chips and wrapped with hADM, hADM + BMC, or hADM + BMC-CD8. hADMs were recovered on days 3 and 7 (n = 3/group/timepoint), incubated ex vivo, and conditioned medium analyzed with a proteome profiler detecting 79 proteins. Results: The protein content of the hADM evolved dynamically. At day three, 41 proteins were detected, rising to 47 by day seven, with RGM-A, osteoprotegerin, LIF, IL-6, CCL20, and CCL17 emerging late, consistent with increased regenerative activity. CD8⁺ T cell depletion suppressed early inflammatory and pro-osteogenic mediators (e.g., CCL2, IGF-I, IL-1RA) while upregulating LIX. By day seven, regenerative mediators (CCL20, GDF-15, RGM-A) were enriched, whereas inflammatory factors (CCL21, IL-1a, WISP-1) declined. MMP-9, Galectin-1, and GDF-15 increased exclusively in the CD8-depleted group. Conclusions: The hADM protein content transitions from pro-inflammatory to pro-regenerative within one week after surgery. CD8⁺ T cell depletion accelerates this shift, highlighting hADM as a dynamic scaffold that contributes to the immune–regenerative crosstalk in bone healing. Full article

Long COVID (LC) may involve endocrine dysfunction; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. To examine hypothalamic–pituitary responses in patients with LC, we conducted a single-center retrospective study of patients with refractory LC referred to our University Hospital who underwent anterior pituitary stimulation tests. Between February 2021 and November 2025, 1251 patients with long COVID were evaluated, of whom 207 (19%) had relatively low random ACTH or cortisol levels. Ultimately, 16 underwent anterior pituitary stimulation tests and were included. All tests were performed in an inpatient setting without exogenous steroids. Fifteen patients (six women, mean age 35.6 years) underwent corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH), and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) tests. All patients had mild acute COVID-19, eight had ≥2 vaccinations, and the mean interval from infection was 343 days. Frequent symptoms included fatigue (100%), insomnia (66.7%), headache (60.0%), anorexia/nausea (40.0%), and brain fog (40.0%). Mean early-morning cortisol and 24 h urinary free cortisol were 7.5 μg/dL and 41.0 μg/day, respectively. MRI showed an empty sella in one case. Peak hormonal responses were preserved (ΔACTH 247%, ΔTSH 918%, ΔPRL 820%, ΔFSH 187%, ΔLH 1150%); however, peaks were delayed beyond 60 min in ACTH (13%), LH (33%), and FSH (87%). Notably, significantly delayed elevations remained at 120 min in the responses of TSH (4.1-fold), PRL (1.8-fold), LH (9.3-fold), and FSH (2.8-fold), suggesting possible hypothalamic involvement, particularly in the gonadotropin responses. Additionally, serum IGF-I was lowered (−0.70 SD), while GH response (mean peak 35.5 ng/mL) was preserved by growth hormone-releasing peptide (GHRP)-2 stimulation. Low-dose hydrocortisone and testosterone were initiated for three patients. Although direct viral effects and secondary suppression have been proposed, our findings may suggest that, at least in part, the observed response characteristics are consistent with functional secondary hypothalamic dysfunction rather than irreversible primary injury. These findings highlight the need for objective endocrine evaluation before initiating hormone replacements. Full article

Oocyte-granulosa cell complexes (OGCs) cultivation is crucial for advancing reproductive biotechnology but remains incomplete and needs further optimization. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) regulates granulosa cell proliferation and apoptosis, and numerous studies have confirmed its role in promoting ovarian follicle development. Porcine follicular fluid (PFF) contains factors beneficial for oocyte growth, which may enhance oocyte development. To investigate whether IGF-I and PFF improve the in vitro culture efficiency of porcine OGCs, we cultured OGCs with IGF-I (0, 10, 50, 100 ng/mL) and PFF (from 3 to 6 mm follicles) at concentrations of 0, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, respectively. The results revealed that 50 and 100 ng/mL IGF-I significantly increased the antrum formation rate of OGCs (from 61.11 ± 7.35% to 88.89 ± 7.35%) and diameter growth of oocytes (from 108.77 ± 0.27 µm to 114.94 ± 0.58 and 113.29 ± 0.50 µm, respectively). However, only the 50 ng/mL group, but not the 100 ng/mL group, significantly improved the maturation rate (38.13 ± 3.77% vs. 25.00 ± 3.27%, p < 0.05) of oocytes. Additionally, 50 ng/mL IGF-I downregulated BAX (a pro-apoptotic gene) and upregulated BCL-2 (an anti-apoptotic factor) in granulosa cells, ultimately reducing apoptosis. In contrast, none of the PFF doses used in this study induced the formation of enclosed antrum-like structures in OGCs, nor did they significantly enhance their in vitro development. Our findings demonstrate that 50 ng/mL IGF-I effectively promotes the in vitro growth of porcine early antral follicle-derived OGCs by reducing apoptosis, whereas tested PFF concentrations had no beneficial effects and induced abnormal granulosa cell growth. How PFF modulates the adherent and spreading growth of granulosa cells has not been fully elucidated and requires further clarification. Full article

Chronic hyperglycemia inflicts serious cellular damage by inducing oxidative stress through the excessive production of free radicals. This oxidative milieu may impair the cellular redox capacity and disrupt the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system, thereby increasing the risk of cardiovascular complications. This study aimed to investigate plasma levels of components of the IGF system and antioxidant biomarkers in young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared to age-matched healthy controls in Brazil. This study included 129 patients with T1DM (76 female, 53 male; mean age 26.97 ± 0.6 years) and 95 healthy controls (61 female, 34 male; mean age 27.35 ± 0.68 years). Young Brazilian adults with T1DM had significantly lower mean IGF-I and higher mean IGFBP-1 levels compared to healthy controls. The T1DM group showed a more atherogenic profile, characterized by a significantly elevated ApoB/ApoA1 ratio and increased oxidized LDL levels. However, a subset of patients with significantly better glycemic control exhibited serum IGF-I and IGFBP-1 levels within the normal range observed in controls, which may indicate the presence of residual functional beta-cell activity or reflect better glycemic control in this subgroup. Antioxidant components and oxidative stress biomarkers were significantly upregulated in the T1DM group compared to the control group, suggesting a compensatory adaptive response. No significant correlation was observed between biomarkers of oxidative stress and the IGF-system. Full article

This paper presents fine-grained Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) architectures for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) MixColumns and InvMixColumns transformations, targeting improved performance and resource utilization. The proposed method reformulates these operations as boolean functions directly mapped onto FPGA Lookup-Table (LuT) primitives, replacing conventional xor-based arithmetic with memory-level computation. A custom MATLAB-R2019a-based pre-synthesis optimization algorithm performs algebraic simplification and shared subexpression extraction at the polynomial level of Galois Field $GF(2^8)$, reducing redundant logic memory. This architecture, LuT-level optimization minimizes the delay of the complex InvMixColumns stage and narrows the delay gap between encryption (1.305 ns) and decryption (1.854 ns), resulting in a more balanced and power-efficient AES pipeline. Hardware implementation on a Xilinx Virtex-5 FPGA confirms the efficiency of the design, demonstrating competitive performance compared to state-of-the-art FPGA realizations. Its fast performance and minimal hardware requirements make it well suited for real-time secure communication systems and embedded platforms with limited resources that need reliable bidirectional data processing. Full article

Data on the interplay between muscle, bone, and adipose tissue metabolism in normal-weight children with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) undergoing growth hormone (GH) therapy and dietary interventions are limited. This study aimed to assess the myokine profile and explore the associations between myokines, bone markers, adipokines, and body composition in these patients. The study included 26 children with PWS and 26 age-matched healthy controls. Serum levels of irisin, myostatin (MSTN), fibroblast growth factor-2, insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), IGF-binding protein-2, bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), carboxylated OC (Gla-OC), periostin, soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b, leptin/soluble leptin receptor, adiponectin, and proinsulin were measured using immunoenzymatic assays. Children with PWS had significantly lower lean mass (p = 0.047) and a higher fat mass/lean mass ratio (p < 0.001) than controls. Irisin levels were lower in the PWS group (p = 0.031), while MSTN levels were similar between the groups. In patients, irisin positively correlated with BALP (p = 0.025) and negatively correlated with Gla-OC (p = 0.041) and periostin (p = 0.005). MSTN was positively associated with proinsulin (p = 0.001) and negatively associated with lean mass (p = 0.015). OC concentration was lower in the PWS group and correlated positively with lean mass (p = 0.052). Children with PWS exhibit altered myokine, osteokine, and adipokine profiles, as well as differences in body composition. Reduced irisin and osteocalcin levels, along with the negative association between MSTN and lean mass, may impair muscle development and bone metabolism. These imbalances could also contribute to future metabolic disorders in patients with PWS. Full article

Bovine colostrum stands out as a natural supplement with rich bioactive components that attract attention for its therapeutic potential in the maintenance and improvement of gastrointestinal (GI) health. The major bioactive components of bovine colostrum include immunoglobulin (Ig) (especially immunoglobulin G), lactoferrin (LF), growth Factors (IGF-I, TGF-β, EGF), oligosaccharides (OS), and bioactive peptides. These components play a role in epithelial repair, suppression of inflammation, balancing the microbiota, and enhancing the mucosal barrier. Various animal models and recent human studies show that bovine colostrum has various positive effects against gastrointestinal tract diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), non-steroidal anti-Inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy, and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). These effects include preservation of epithelial integrity, reduction of inflammatory markers, and improvement of intestinal permeability. Studies on the tolerability and efficacy profiles of various bovine colostrum formulations for oral, oropharyngeal, and enteral administration are increasing. In this review, the multifaceted effects of bovine colostrum on the gastrointestinal tract are explained at a mechanistic level, and potential areas of study for clinical translation are presented. Bovine Colostrum stands out as a promising natural biotherapeutic agent for both preventive and therapeutic approaches. Full article

Background: Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is characterized by delayed myocardial repolarization, predisposing to malignant arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes, ventricular fibrillation, and cardiac arrest. Recent reports suggest that acquired LQTS (aLQTS) may represent an early manifestation of hypopituitarism, potentially contributing to its increased cardiovascular mortality, although evidence remains limited to 16 published case reports. Objective: The objective was to investigate the relationship between hypopituitarism and corrected QT (QTc) interval. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 185 patients (121 males) with hypothalamic–pituitary disorders who underwent a 12-lead electrocardiogram between April 2023 and September 2024. Clinical characteristics, hormone replacement therapy, and same-day laboratory parameters (electrolytes, fT3, fT4, IGF-I, testosterone) were recorded. QTc was calculated using Bazett’s formula. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of QTc prolongation. Results: Age (OR 1.07–1.09, p = 0.02) was a significant predictor in 5 of 8 models. The presence of expansive lesions other than pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, and Rathke’s cleft cysts was also associated with QTc prolongation (OR 8.35–17.73, p < 0.05 and p = 0.03). Potassium (OR 0.14–0.17, p = 0.09) and albumin-corrected calcium levels (OR 0.0003, p = 0.06) showed consistent, though borderline, associations. Conclusions: Age and the presence of expansive lesions other than pituitary adenomas, craniopharyngiomas, and Rathke’s cleft cysts are the main predictors of QTc duration in patients with hypothalamic–pituitary disease. Electrolyte imbalances—particularly low potassium and albumin-corrected calcium—may further contribute. The influence of specific pituitary deficiencies remains uncertain, likely due to adequate replacement therapy in most patients. Full article

To understand the changes in gonadal sex differentiation, digestive enzyme activity, and growth-related hormone levels in the larval and juvenile black scraper, Thamnaconus modestus, continuous sampling was conducted from 0 to 91 days post-hatching (dph). 17β-estradiol (E2) and testosterone (T) levels, six digestive enzymes, as well as T3, T4, GH, and IGF-I were detected. The results showed that oogonia or spermatogonia was observed at 60 dph. During the sex differentiation to female or male, both E2 and T levels significantly increased (p < 0.05), suggesting that E2 and T may induce the sex differentiation to female or male in T. modestus, respectively. The amylase activity from 0 to 35 dph showed a slow upward trend, which may be due to the transition from endogenous to exogenous nutrition at this time. From 12 to 25 dph, alkaline protease activity significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while acid protease levels significantly increased (p < 0.05), suggesting that as organs in the digestive system continue to develop, acid protease plays an important role. T3 and T4 could already be detected at 0 dph, and the T4 content was always much higher than T3 throughout the stages, indicating that T4 may play more important roles than T3. Additionally, the changes in IGF-I and GH content followed a trend of an initial increase, a subsequent decrease, and then an increase, ultimately showing an overall upward trend. These results indicate that T4, IGF-I, and GH play crucial roles in growth and development in the juvenile fish. In conclusion, the results of this study provide useful information for growth, artificial reproduction, and sex regulation in T. modestus. Full article

Background: Laron Syndrome (LS) is a rare hereditary form of dwarfism occurring, with few exceptions, in Jewish, Muslim, and Asian populations or their descendants spread over all continents. It is caused by deletions or mutations in the GH-Receptor gene, resulting in high serum levels of a structurally and biologically normal, but inactive GH and low-to-undetectable IGF-I. Aim: To summarize the disabilities and handicaps observed in patients with LS, from infancy through adult age. Results: Diagnosing, treating and following a cohort of 76 patients with LS (in many cases from infancy into adult age) enabled our department to study not only their growth and social achievements, but also the difficulties these patients encounter in life. The longstanding IGF-I deficiency caused somatic and biochemical changes which led to disabilities starting in infancy and becoming more severe with advancing age. The most serious symptoms LS patients have are dwarfism, progressive obesity, diabetes, fatty liver, cardiovascular disease, and neurological and orthopedic problems, leading to difficulties in vocational training, occupation, and social life, all lowering the Quality of Life (QoL) of these patients. Conclusions: Early initiation of IGF-I replacement treatment in patients with Laron Syndrome prevents and reverses some of the symptoms associated with longstanding IGF-I deficiency. Full article

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is a neurotrophic factor that regulates neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, and neuronal survival. It also enhances neuronal activity and facilitates synaptic plasticity. Additionally, IGF-I plays a critical role in the regulation of metabolism in mammals. Emerging evidence indicates that IGF-I modulates sleep architecture. The circadian integration of metabolic and neuronal systems serves to optimize energy utilization across the light/dark cycle. Current data suggest that IGF-I may be a key mediator of this integration, promoting brain activity during wakefulness, a state that coincides with increased metabolic demand. In this review, we summarize recent findings on the interplay between metabolism, IGF-I, and brain activity. Full article

Background: Recent advances in genetic research have significantly expanded our understanding of the molecular bases of growth hormone deficiency (GHD), and numerous genes have been identified as impacting final stature through isolated or combined abnormalities of growth hormone (GH), GH insensitivity, and insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-I) resistance. Objective: This review summarizes the current knowledge on the genetic causes of GHD in the context of pediatric short stature, emphasizing the role of next-generation sequencing technologies in real-life clinical practice and the potential impact of genetic diagnosis over therapeutic decisions regarding GH replacement therapy. Materials and methods: Articles from PubMed up to April 2025 dealing with GHD were retrieved and analyzed, focusing on genes influencing the GH pathway and stunted growth, with focused attention on relevant molecular and clinical studies. Results: Our analysis, besides cataloguing well-established and novel contributors to growth failure among genes associated with the GH–IGF1 axis, also emphasizes the crucial role of genetic testing and strategies that should be used to maximize the likelihood of identifying a specific genetic etiology, such as prioritizing genetic tests when a monogenic cause is strongly suspected or when there are peculiar clinical features that could be linked to specific genetic conditions. Conclusions: We have highlighted the most recent genetic etiologies of short stature related to GHD, providing an updated framework that is expected to be helpful in the diagnostic and therapeutic management of individuals with mutations related to the GH-IGF1 axis. Full article