Search Results (4,784)

Cigarette smoking is acknowledged as the most preventable risk factor for thrombogenesis-associated cardiovascular disease. Mice prenatally exposed to the thirdhand smoke (THS) form of tobacco exhibited a higher tendency to develop occlusive thrombosis, along with enhancement of several platelet functional responses. Our objective was to investigate whether prenatal (in utero) THS exposure impacts the platelet transcriptome, resulting in enhanced platelet functional responses, thereby underlying THS-associated thrombogenicity. Blood samples obtained from twenty male mice prenatally exposed to THS, along with an equal number of age-matched male mice exposed to clean air (CA) as a control, were divided into pools of five animals and used to prepare leukocyte and red blood cell-depleted platelets. RNA sequencing for mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) was utilized to analyze and compare the platelet expression profiles of the two exposure groups. RNA seq analyses revealed distinct changes in both gene expression and miRNA profiles, with 448 coding genes and 18 miRNAs significantly altered between the two groups. miRNA–mRNA interaction analysis highlighted 14 differentially expressed miRNAs that potentially target 120 of the differentially expressed genes in our data set. Interestingly, altered genes in miRNA–mRNA pairs were functionally enriched into pathways associated with platelet physiology, including platelet activation, signaling and aggregation, and cellular response to chemical stimuli. Our findings establish—for the first time—that prenatal exposure to THS modifies the platelet transcriptome, thereby rendering platelets hypersensitive to stimuli and more prone to thrombogenicity. Additionally, we illuminate the coordinated function of platelet miRNA and mRNA targets in mediating this response. Full article

Triclabendazole (TCBZ) is the gold standard treatment for fascioliasis. However, reports on resistance are increasing, emphasizing the need for alternative therapy. Combining TCBZ with ivermectin (IVM) was found to be effective for treating animal fascioliasis. Building on this, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the TCBZ/IVM combination therapy for human fascioliasis. This study enrolled 136 patients with Fasciola from Upper Egypt, and they were divided into the first group (n = 65), who received TCBZ monotherapy, and the second group (n = 71), who received the TCBZ/IVM combination. Assessments were to evaluate treatment response based on clinical, eosinophilic, and radiological parameters. Chronic fasciolosis was diagnosed in 17 patients (12.5%). No differences were observed in age and sex. Significant improvements were noted in all parameters in both groups, with more pronounced effects observed in the second group. A significantly higher complete response, including clinical, eosinophilic, and radiological improvements, was reported in the combined therapy group, with 53.3% compared to 26.2% in the monotherapy group (p < 0.001). A high baseline eosinophilic count was significantly associated with response. The efficacy of the TCBZ/IVM combination for treating human fascioliasis suggested a possible boosting effect, which can benefit regions of TCBZ failure. Further large-scale randomized studies are warranted to confirm these findings. Full article

Diabetes mellites (DM) is a chronic disease with increasing prevalence worldwide and multiple health implications. Among them, sarcopenia is a metabolic disorder characterized by loss of muscle mass and function. The two age-related diseases, DM and sarcopenia, share underlying pathophysiological pathways. This narrative literature review aims to provide an overview of the existing evidence on metabolomic studies evaluating DM associated with sarcopenia. Advancements in targeted and untargeted metabolomics techniques could provide better insight into the pathogenesis of sarcopenia in DM and describe their entangled and fluctuating interrelationship. Recent evidence showed that sarcopenia in DM induced significant changes in protein, lipid, carbohydrate, and in energy metabolisms in humans, animal models of DM, and cell cultures. Newer metabolites were reported, known metabolites were also found significantly modified, while few amino acids and lipids displayed a dual behavior. In addition, several therapeutic approaches proved to be promising interventions for slowing the progression of sarcopenia in DM, including physical activity, newer antihyperglycemic classes, D-pinitol, and genetic USP21 ablation, although none of them were yet validated for clinical use. Conversely, ceramides had a negative impact. Further research is needed to confirm the utility of these findings and to provide potential metabolomic biomarkers that might be relevant for the pathogenesis and treatment of sarcopenia in DM. Full article

An imbalance between the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant defenses is known as oxidative stress, and it is implicated in a number of diseases. The superoxide radical O^2– is produced by numerous biochemically relevant redox processes and is thought to play role in diseases and pathological processes, such as aging, cancer, membrane or DNA damage, etc.; SOD, or superoxide dismutase, is essential for reducing oxidative stress. As a result, the elimination of ROS by SOD may be a useful disease prevention tactic. There have been reports of protective effects against neurodegeneration, apoptosis, carcinogenesis, and radiation. Exogenous SODs’ low bioavailability has drawn criticism. However, this restriction might be removed, and interest in SOD’s medicinal qualities increased with advancements in its formulation. This review discusses the findings of human and animal studies that support the benefits of SOD enzyme regulation in reducing oxidative stress in various ways. Additionally, this review summarizes contemporary understandings of the biology of Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) from SOD1 genetics and its therapeutic potential. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cannabinoid use is rising among patients undergoing spinal fusion, yet its influence on bone healing is poorly defined. The endocannabinoid system (ECS)—through cannabinoid receptors 1 (CB1) and 2 (CB2)—modulates skeletal metabolism. We reviewed preclinical, mechanistic and clinical evidence to clarify how individual cannabinoids affect fracture repair and spinal arthrodesis. Methods: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus were searched from inception to 31 May 2025 with the terms “cannabinoid”, “CB1”, “CB2”, “spinal fusion”, “fracture”, “osteoblast” and “osteoclast”. Animal studies, in vitro experiments and clinical reports that reported bone outcomes were eligible. Results: CB2 signaling was uniformly osteogenic. CB2-knockout mice developed high-turnover osteoporosis, whereas CB2 agonists (HU-308, JWH-133, HU-433, JWH-015) restored trabecular volume, enhanced osteoblast activity and strengthened fracture callus. Cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive phytocannabinoid with CB2 bias, accelerated early posterolateral fusion in rats and reduced the RANKL/OPG ratio without compromising final union. In contrast, sustained or high-dose Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) activation of CB1 slowed chondrocyte hypertrophy, decreased mesenchymal-stromal-cell mineralization and correlated clinically with 6–10% lower bone-mineral density and a 1.8–3.6-fold higher pseudarthrosis or revision risk. Short-course or low-dose THC appeared skeletal neutral. Responses varied with sex, age and genetic background; no prospective trials defined safe perioperative dosing thresholds. Conclusions: CB2 activation and CBD consistently favor bone repair, whereas chronic high-THC exposure poses a modifiable risk for nonunion in spine surgery. Prospective, receptor-specific trials stratified by THC/CBD ratio, patient sex and ECS genotype are needed to establish evidence-based cannabinoid use in spinal fusion. Full article

Pork is a major global source of animal protein, and improving both its production efficiency and meat quality is a central goal in modern animal agriculture and food systems. This study investigated post-inflection-point growth patterns in two genetically distinct pig breeds—the lean-type Yorkshire pig (YP) and the fatty-type Qingyu pig (QYP)—with the aim of elucidating breed-specific characteristics that influence pork quality and yield. Comprehensive evaluations of carcass traits, meat quality attributes, nutritional composition, and gene expression profiles were conducted. After the growth inflection point, carcass traits exhibited greater variability than meat quality traits in both breeds, though with distinct patterns. YPs displayed superior muscle development, with the longissimus muscle area (LMA) increasing rapidly before plateauing at ~130 kg, whereas QYPs maintained more gradual but sustained muscle growth. In contrast, intramuscular fat (IMF)—a key determinant of meat flavor and texture—accumulated faster in YPs post inflection but plateaued earlier in QYPs. Correlation and clustering analyses revealed more synchronized regulation of meat quality traits in QYPs, while YPs showed greater trait variability. Gene expression patterns aligned with these phenotypic trends, highlighting distinct regulatory mechanisms for muscle and fat development in each breed. In addition, based on the growth curves, we calculated the peak age at which the growth rate declined in lean-type and fat-type pigs, which was approximately 200 days for YPs and around 270 days for QYPs. This suggests that these ages may represent the optimal slaughter times for the respective breeds, balancing both economic efficiency and meat quality. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing pork quality through precision management and offer theoretical guidance for developing breed-specific feeding strategies, slaughter timing, and value-added pork production tailored to consumer preferences in the modern food market. Full article

Monitoring the activity index of animals is crucial for assessing their welfare and behavior patterns. However, traditional methods for calculating the activity index, such as pixel intensity differencing of entire frames, are found to suffer from significant interference and noise, leading to inaccurate results. These classical approaches also do not support group or individual tracking in a user-friendly way, and no open-access platform exists for non-technical researchers. This study introduces an open-source web-based platform that allows researchers to calculate the activity index from top-view videos by selecting individual or group animals. It integrates Segment Anything Model2 (SAM2), a promptable deep learning segmentation model, to track animals without additional training or annotation. The platform accurately tracked Cobb 500 male broilers from weeks 1 to 7 with a 100% success rate, IoU of 92.21% ± 0.012, precision of 93.87% ± 0.019, recall of 98.15% ± 0.011, and F1 score of 95.94% ± 0.006, based on 1157 chickens. Statistical analysis showed that tracking 80% of birds in week 1, 60% in week 4, and 40% in week 7 was sufficient (r ≥ 0.90; p ≤ 0.048) to represent the group activity in respective ages. This platform offers a practical, accessible solution for activity tracking, supporting animal behavior analytics with minimal effort. Full article

Croatian agricultural legislation acknowledges the significance of radionuclides as pollutants in agricultural lands; however, it lacks specific thresholds or reference values for contamination levels, in contrast to other contaminants. This absence highlights the necessity for a comprehensive assessment of radionuclides across various agricultural systems in Croatia. This study investigates the transfer of radionuclides ¹³⁷Cs and ⁴⁰K from soil to agricultural crops throughout Croatia and estimates the consequent annual ingestion dose for the population. The samples collected comprised food crops and animal feed, with corresponding soil samples analyzed to calculate transfer factors. Activity concentrations of ¹³⁷Cs exhibited regional and crop-type variability, reflecting the uneven distribution of fallout and differing soil properties. Transfer factors were found to range from 0.003 to 0.06 for ¹³⁷Cs and from 0.15 to 3.1 for ⁴⁰K, with the highest uptake occurring in kidney beans. The total estimated annual effective ingestion dose was calculated to be a maximum of 0.748 mSv/year for children aged 2–7, predominantly attributable to ⁴⁰K. Given the homeostatic regulation of potassium in the human body, the dose associated with ¹³⁷Cs poses a more significant radiological concern. These findings underscore the need for radionuclide-specific agricultural legislation in Croatia and offer a baseline for recommending reference values and informing future regulations regarding agricultural soil contamination. Full article

Urochloa brizantha (Brizantha) is cultivated under varying altitudinal and management conditions. Twelve full-sun (monoculture) plots and twelve shaded (silvopastoral) plots were established, proportionally distributed at 170, 503, 661, and 1110 masl. Evaluations were conducted 15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 days after establishment. The conservation and integration of trees in silvopastoral systems reflected a clear anthropogenic influence, evidenced by the preference for species of the Fabaceae family, likely due to their multipurpose nature. Although the altitudinal gradient did not show direct effects on soil properties, intermediate altitudes revealed a significant role of CaCO₃ in enhancing soil fertility. These edaphic conditions at mid-altitudes favored the leaf area development of Brizantha, particularly during the early growth stages, as indicated by significantly larger values (p < 0.05). However, at the harvest stage, no significant differences were observed in physiological or productive traits, nor in foliar chemical components, underscoring the species’ high hardiness and broad adaptation to both soil and altitude conditions. In Brizantha, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in stomatal size and density was observed under shade in silvopastoral areas, where solar radiation and air temperature decreased, while relative humidity increased. Nonetheless, these microclimatic variations did not lead to significant changes in foliar chemistry, growth variables, or biomass production, suggesting a high degree of adaptive plasticity to microclimatic fluctuations. Foliar ash content exhibited an increasing trend with altitude, indicating greater efficiency of Brizantha in absorbing calcium, phosphorus, and potassium at higher altitudes, possibly linked to more favorable edaphoclimatic conditions for nutrient uptake. Finally, forage quality declined with plant age, as evidenced by reductions in protein, ash, and In Vitro Dry Matter Digestibility (IVDMD), alongside increases in fiber, Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). These findings support the recommendation of cutting intervals between 30 and 45 days, during which Brizantha displays a more favorable nutritional profile, higher digestibility, and consequently, greater value for animal feeding. Full article

Objective: This study aimed to determine the possibility of creating a new animal model in which diabetic retinopathy (DR) progresses due to hypertension caused by salt loading. Methods: Male Spontaneously Diabetic Torii (SDT) fatty rats were divided into two groups: one group received 0.3% saline water starting at 8 weeks of age for a duration of 16 weeks (salt SDT fatty group), while the control group was provided with tap water (SDT fatty group). In addition, Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats receiving tap water served as normal controls. Retinal function was assessed by electroretinography (ERG) at 8 and 24 weeks of age. At 24 weeks, following perfusion with fluorescein dextran, the eyes were enucleated, and retinal flat mounts were prepared for vascular evaluation. Retinal thickness and the number of retinal folds were assessed histologically, and ultrastructural changes in the retina were examined using transmission electron microscopy. Results: Saline administration did not lead to significant changes in food consumption or body weight among the groups. In the salt SDT fatty group, blood pressure was significantly elevated, while blood glucose levels showed a slight reduction. ERG analysis showed that the amplitude of oscillatory potential (OP)1 waves was suppressed, and the latencies of OP3, OP4, and OP5 waves were prolonged. Although no significant changes were noted in retinal thickness or the number of retinal folds, thickening of the retinal capillary basement membrane was evident in the salt SDT fatty group. Conclusions: Hypertension induced by 0.3% saline promotes DR progression in SDT fatty rats. This model may help clarify the role of hypertension in DR. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic, non-communicable spectrum of diseases characterized by lipid accumulation. It is often asymptomatic, and its prevalence varies by region, age, gender, and economic status. It is estimated that 25% of the world’s population currently suffer from MAFLD, and 20 million patients will die from MAFLD-related diseases. In the last 20 years, tea and anti-obesity research have indicated that regularly consuming tea decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke, obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MeS). In this review, we aimed to present studies concerning the influence of matcha extracts and epigallocatechin-3 gallate (EGCG) supplements on metabolic functions in the context of MAFLD in human and animal studies. The published data show promise. In both human and animal studies, the beneficial effects on body weight, cholesterol levels, and liver metabolism and function were noted, even in short-period experiments. The safety levels for EGCG and green tea extract consumption are marked. More experiments are needed to confirm the results observed in animal studies and to show the mechanisms by which green tea exerts its effects. The preliminary data from research concerning microbiota or epigenetic changes observed after polyphenols and green tea consumption need to be expanded. To improve the efficiency and availability of green tea or supplement consumption as a treatment for MAFLD patients, more research with larger groups and longer study durations is needed. Full article

Mycosis is caused by, among other factors, filamentous fungi, ubiquitous molds belonging to Aspergillus spp. which are often opportunistic pathogens. Over 100 species of Aspergillus have been described. The most common species responsible for diseases in humans and animals are Aspergillus fumigatus and Aspergillus niger, with Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus clavatus being somewhat rarer. Aspergillus causes a range of diseases, from localized colonization and hypersensitivity reactions, through chronic necrotizing infections, to rapidly progressing angioinvasion and dissemination, leading to death. Testicular mycosis is extremely rarely described in both humans and animals. No studies in the literature report a simultaneous occurrence of testicular tumors and fungal infection of the organ, so the aim of this paper was to describe, for the first time, a case of two independent testicular tumors coexisting with testicular mycosis. A histopathological examination was performed on the left testicle of a male dog, specifically a mixed-breed dog resembling a husky weighing 22 kg and with an age of 8 years. Bilateral orchidectomy was performed for medical reasons due to the altered outline of the left testicle, leading to scrotal deformation. The dog did not show any clinical signs of illness, and the testicles were not painful. The right testicle, according to the operating veterinarian, showed no macroscopic changes, so histopathological verification was not performed. Microscopic imaging of the changes clearly indicated the coexistence of a tumor process involving Leydig cells (Leydigoma, interstitial cell tumor, ICT), Sertoli cells (Sertolioma), and fungal infection of the testis. The case suggests the possibility of the coexistence of tumor processes, which may have impaired local immune response of the tissue, with an infectious, in this case fungal, inflammatory process. Based on the literature, this paper is the first report on the occurrence of two independent histotype testicular tumors and their associated mycosis. Full article

Photoaging, predominantly induced by ultraviolet radiation, is a primary driver of premature skin aging, characterized by complex molecular mechanisms including oxidative stress, inflammation, matrix metalloproteinase activation, and extracellular matrix degradation. Consequently, there is growing scientific interest in identifying effective natural agents to counteract skin aging and photoaging. Djulis (Chenopodium formosanum), an indigenous Taiwanese pseudocereal from the Amaranthaceae family, has emerged as a promising candidate for skincare applications because of its rich phytochemicals and diverse bioactivities. This review describes the current understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying photoaging and examines the therapeutic potential of djulis extract as a multifunctional agent for skin aging. Its mechanisms of action include enhancing antioxidant defenses, modulating inflammatory pathways, preserving the extracellular matrix, and inhibiting the formation of advanced glycation end products. Bioactive constituents of djulis extract, including phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and betanin, are known to exhibit potent antioxidant and photoprotective activities by modulating multiple molecular pathways essential for skin protection. The bioactivities of djulis in in vitro and animal studies, and four skin clinical trials of djulis extract products are presented in this review article. Ultimately, this review provides an overview that supports the potential of djulis extract in the development of evidence-based skincare formulations for the prevention and treatment of skin aging. Full article

The history of the rabies virus dates back four millennia, with the virus being considered by many to be the first known transmitted between animals and humans. In Brazil, rabies virus variants associated with terrestrial wild animals, marmosets, and different bat species have been identified. In this study, bat samples from different regions of São Paulo State, in Southeast Brazil, were analyzed to identify their genetic variability and patterns. A total of 51 samples were collected over ten years (1999–2009) and submitted to the immunofluorescent technique using monoclonal antibodies for antigenic profile detection (the diagnostic routine used in Latin American countries) and genetic evolution analysis through maximum likelihood approaches. Three antigenic profiles were detected: one related to the rabies virus maintained by hematophagous bat populations (AgV3), part of the monoclonal antibody panel used, and two other profiles not included in the panel (called NC1 and NC2). These antigenic profiles were genetically distributed in five groups. Group I was related to hematophagous bats (AgV3), Groups II and III were related to insectivorous bats (NC1) and Groups IV and V were also related to insectivorous bats (NC2). The results presented herein show that genetic lineages previously restricted to the northwest region of São Paulo State are now found in other state regions, highlighting the need for a comprehensive genetic study of bat rabies covering geographic and temporal space, through expanded genomic analysis using a standard genomic fragment. Full article

Cartilage degradation is a key feature of osteoarthritis (OA), a joint disease that significantly impacts the quality of life of the elderly population. While advanced age is recognized as one of the major risk factors for OA, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Research involving cartilage from aged animals has improved our understanding of the changes associated with aging. However, studies with aged animals can be time-consuming and costly. In this study, we investigate the use of human sera from older donors as a stressor to induce aging-like changes in cultured human chondrocytes. First, we assess the expression levels of markers related to chondrogenesis, hypertrophy, fibrosis, and inflammation in human chondrocytes treated with sera from younger or older human donors. Next, we evaluate the regenerative potential of these sera-treated chondrocytes by stimulating them with the anabolic factor transforming growth factor (TGF)-β3. The results show that treatment with sera from older donors induced an aging-like phenotype in chondrocytes and impaired their ability to generate new cartilage. These findings provide insight into the role of systemic factors (serum) in cartilage aging and offer a novel in vitro model for studying age-related changes in chondrocytes. Full article