Search Results (2,210)

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is frequently used in equine research to model clinical endotoxemia; however, there is no standardized protocol for inducing cytokine production in equine whole blood. To address this knowledge gap, the goal of this study was to compare the cytokine responses elicited by three different LPS stimulation protocols. Whole blood was collected from six healthy horses (aged 5–30 years; mixed breeds and genders) from the North Carolina State University teaching herd (IACUC #23-412). Sixty milliliters of heparinized blood were aseptically drawn and divided into 15 mL aliquots. Samples were stimulated with LPS at concentrations of 100 ng/mL, 1000 ng/mL, or using a two-hit model (500 ng/mL initially and again at 1.5 h). Incubation occurred at 37 °C on an orbital shaker for time points ranging from 1.5 h to 24 h. Cytokine concentrations were measured using the Cornell Equine Cytokine and Chemokine Panel and were compared to non-stimulated controls. LPS stimulation induced the production of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-10, CCL5, and CCL11 in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Notably, reliable and robust cytokine responses were observed only after 12 h of stimulation with either 1000 ng/mL or the two-hit 500/500 ng/mL protocol. These findings suggest that both the concentration and duration of LPS exposure significantly influence cytokine expression in equine whole blood. Therefore, the optimal stimulation protocol may vary depending on the specific cytokine of interest, and careful consideration of these variables is essential for designing reproducible and physiologically relevant ex vivo models of equine endotoxemia. Full article

The agricultural sector has a significant impact on the global carbon cycle, contributing substantially to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through various practices and processes. This review paper examines the significant role of the agricultural sector in the global carbon cycle, highlighting its substantial contribution to GHG emissions through diverse practices and processes. The study explores the trends and spatial distribution of agricultural GHG emissions at both the global level and within the European Union (EU). Emphasis is placed on the principal gases released by this sector—methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂)—with detailed attention to their sources, levels, environmental impacts, and key strategies to mitigate and control their effects, based on the latest scientific data. The paper further investigates emissions originating from livestock production, along with mitigation approaches including feed additives, selective breeding, and improved manure management techniques. Soil-derived emissions, particularly N₂O and CO₂ resulting from fertilizer application and microbial activity, are thoroughly explored. Additionally, the influence of various agricultural practices such as tillage, crop rotation, and fertilization on emission levels is analyzed, supported by updated data from recent literature. Special focus is given to the underlying mechanisms that regulate these emissions and the effectiveness of management interventions in reducing their magnitude. The research also evaluates current European legislative measures aimed at lowering agricultural emissions and promoting climate-resilient, sustainable farming systems. Various mitigation strategies—ranging from optimized land and nutrient management to the application of nitrification inhibitors and soil amendments are assessed for both their practical feasibility and long-term impact. Full article

Basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factors play pivotal roles in plant secondary metabolism, influencing the production of bioactive compounds that determine the medicinal value of plants. Despite their significance, a comprehensive genomic overview of bZIPs in non-model medicinal species remains limited. Here, we present the first genome-wide identification and characterization of the bZIP family in Lycium ruthenicum Murr. (black wolfberry), revealing 63 members grouped into 13 subfamilies. These genes showed conserved bZIP domains, distinct exon–intron architectures, and promoter cis-elements related to light, hormones and stress responses. Family expansion occurred through tandem (LrbZIP6-LrbZIP9 cluster) and segmental duplications under purifying selection (Ka/Ks < 1). Collinearity analysis revealed closer relationships with Solanaceae species than Arabidopsis thaliana, with LrbZIP10 and LrbZIP11 as conserved orthologs. Expression profiling identified tissue-specific patterns: LrbZIP17 showed broad expression while LrbZIP14 was fruit-specific. qRT-PCR confirmed floral-preferential (LrbZIP1, LrbZIP10, LrbZIP15, LrbZIP17, LrbZIP50) and root-specific (LrbZIP54, LrbZIP55) expression. The co-occurrence of light/hormone-responsive elements and high LrbZIP expression in anthocyanin-rich tissues suggests their regulatory roles in bioactive compound biosynthesis. This study provides foundational genomic resources for understanding L. ruthenicum bZIP evolution and identifies candidate genes for molecular breeding to enhance medicinal compound production. Full article

Breeding value estimations of Warmblood horses in Poland are based on field performance, but the amount of stallions’ data is still insufficient (334 horses). The first study’s aim is to compare stallions’ results in different stages and evaluate the overall ability using both stages. The effects on preselection (first stage free movement) and performance tests (second stage under rider) were analyzed separately and together as the overall ability. Spearman correlations were evaluated. The second aim was to evaluate the training period on the results. Due to the pandemic and lack of tests, horses had different training periods during the six years studied. The combined year-place effect, horse specialization group, and birth country had effects on four of twelve traits. The regression on age influenced only the preselection jumping trait (p = 0.04), while the training period influenced canter (p = 0.04) and “success” (passed/or not) in the performance test (p = 0.04). It seems that the training period and horse age are more significant for young horses’ performance. The correlations between stages for the same traits are moderate for gaits (<0.53) and low for jumping (<0.3). Thus, at least on a basic phenotypical level, results do not correspond strongly with each other. Full article

Potato virus Y (PVY) is a major threat to global potato production, causing yield losses of nearly 90%. This emphasizes the urgent need to explore the genetic factors underlying resistance mechanisms. Developments in transcriptomics and plant genomes have shed significant light on the genetic underpinnings of PVY resistance. This review summarizes current knowledge on PVY biology and structure, its impacts, key hypersensitive resistance (HR) and extreme resistance (ER) genes and their associated molecular markers, genomic strategies for discovering resistance genes and improving resistance breeding, and challenges. Genetic resistance is a key strategy for controlling PVY, primarily through HR and ER, which are governed by specific genes: the Ny gene for HR and the Ry gene for ER. Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying this resistance has increased significantly due to the advancement of high-throughput sequencing methods, including RNA and whole-genome sequencing. More than 10 PVY resistance genes have been identified in potato, including well-characterized ER genes such as Ry_sto, Ry-f_sto, Ry_adg, Ry_chc, and Ry(o)_phu, as well as HR genes such as Ny-1, Ny-2, and Ny-Smira, which are discussed in this review. Transcriptomic analyses have revealed the involvement of small RNAs and other regulatory molecules in modulating resistance responses. Transcriptomic studies have also identified 6071 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in potato cultivars infected with PVY, highlighting strong defense responses influenced by strain, cultivar, and environmental conditions. The identification of these resistance genes facilitates the development of PVY-resistant cultivars through marker-assisted selection and gene pyramiding, offering significant opportunities to enhance PVY management and promote sustainable potato production under the challenges posed by climate change. Full article

This study systematically explored the regulatory mechanisms of uterine function across four reproductive stages: sexual maturity sow (SMS), low-yield sow (LYS), high-yield sow (HYS), and culled sow (CS) in Large White (LW) pigs through integrated transcriptomic, proteomic, and metabolomic analyses. Twelve healthy LW sows were selected, and uterine tissues were collected for multi-omics detection. Combined with bioinformatics analysis, molecular regulatory networks were constructed. Results showed that transcriptomics identified 12 types of alternative splicing and 1243 novel genes, which were enriched in energy metabolism and signal transduction pathways. Proteomics revealed 430 differentially co-expressed proteins, indicating high protein synthesis activity in the SMS stage and extracellular inflammatory characteristics in the CS stage. Metabolomics detected numerous differential metabolites, among which XTP and DHA ethyl ester were associated with high fecundity and aging, respectively. Integrated multi-omics analysis identified hub genes such as PLA2G4A, which influence reproductive performance by regulating inflammatory and metabolic balance, and clarified stage-specific “gene–protein–metabolite” modules. This study provides a molecular map for understanding dynamic changes in uterine function in Large White pigs and offers a theoretical basis for optimizing reproductive lifespan and breeding strategies. Full article

Verticillium wilt (VW) is a soil-borne disease that threatens cotton growth and yield. Resistance assessment is crucial for breeding VW-resistant varieties. Drone remote sensing technology has been used to achieve high-throughput resistance evaluation based on late-stage disease severity. However, the timing and progression of disease onset vary considerably among varieties with different resistance levels, and current methods do not adequately address the influence of the disease development rate during the early stage, making it difficult to systematically assess variety resistance levels. We employed temporal differential feature analysis methods (Cohen’s d and Sequential Backward Selection), combined with dynamic development rates, to identify hyperspectral characteristics that indicate the dynamic responses of resistant cotton varieties during VW disease progression. We observed that the bottom-up development characteristics of VW resulted in challenges in early-stage disease evaluation, as symptoms were not apparent on the upper leaves. After incorporating evaluation features that combined the dynamic disease development rate, the accuracy of the evaluation model during the early stage of the disease significantly improved, with a precision of 100%, a recall of 66.7%, and an F1-Score of 80%, effectively distinguishing varieties with different resistance levels. This study presents an efficient and accurate screening method for assessing VW resistance in cotton, thereby establishing a reliable foundation for informed disease-resistant breeding strategies. Full article

Apple represents one of the most economically significant fruit crops worldwide, and the performance of its scion is largely determined by the physiological and genetic characteristics of the rootstock. Despite their superior ecological adaptability and growth-controlling attributes, many dwarfing apple rootstocks exhibit inherently poor rooting competence, which poses a critical limitation to their large-scale clonal propagation and commercial utilization. Adventitious root (AR) formation is a pivotal yet highly intricate developmental process that governs the success of asexual propagation. It is orchestrated by a complex network of hormonal signaling, transcriptional regulation, metabolic reprogramming, and environmental cues. Over the past decade, remarkable advances have elucidated the physiological, biochemical, and molecular frameworks underpinning AR formation in apple rootstocks. This review provides an integrative synthesis of current progress in vegetative propagation techniques—including cutting, layering, and tissue culture—and systematically dissects the endogenous and exogenous factors influencing AR development. Particular emphasis is placed on the regulatory interplay among phytohormones, carbohydrate and nitrogen metabolism, phenolic compounds, transcription factors (such as WUSCHEL-RELATED HOMEOBOX (WOX), LATERAL ORGAN BOUNDARIES DOMAIN (LBD), and RESPONSE FACTOR (ARF families), and epigenetic modulators that collectively coordinate root induction and emergence. Furthermore, emerging insights into multi-omics integration and genotype-specific molecular regulation are discussed as strategic pathways toward enhancing propagation efficiency. Collectively, this review establishes a comprehensive theoretical framework for optimizing the asexual propagation of apple rootstocks and provides critical molecular guidance for breeding novel, easy-to-root genotypes that can drive the sustainable intensification of global apple production. Full article

Rice is a staple food grown worldwide. While white rice varieties have been extensively studied, there is limited information on the performance of pigmented rice genotypes and their tolerance to water deficit. This study evaluated nineteen black rice genotypes and one white cultivar over three years under contrasting water regimes: traditional flooding and non-flood irrigation (NFI). Genotype–environment interactions and their impact on agronomic, yield, and grain quality traits were assessed. Black genotypes under NFI showed reduced flowering and grain quality. The average yield was 31% lower than the white cultivar. Significant genetic correlations were found between grain yield and days to anthesis (DSA), grain weight (TGW), chalkiness (CHA), and translucency (TRAN), with high broad-sense heritability (H² > 0.9). Most traits exhibited high heritability (H² > 0.7), indicating strong genetic stability. Grain yield (GR) was highly and negatively correlated with percent sterility (PS) (r = −0.84) and had a heritability of 0.76. Environmental conditions significantly influenced yield, confirming the potential for selecting water stress–tolerant genotypes. These findings provide valuable insights into black rice breeding and optimizing water management practices to support sustainable production. To our knowledge, this study is the first to evaluate the performance of a diverse set of black rice genotypes across multiple seasons under contrasting water regimes in a Mediterranean environment. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the regulatory mechanisms underlying the relationship between cardiac structure and function and plasma metabolic characteristics in Yili horses participating in an 80-km endurance, by integrating echocardiography, lipidomics, and energy metabolomics analyses. Twenty four competing Yili horses were selected and divided based on competition outcomes: Pre-Completion Group: PCG (n = 6); Post-Completion Group: PoCG (n = 6); Overtime Completion Group: OCG (n = 6); and Non-Completion Group: NCG (n = 6). Cardiac structural and functional parameters were assessed via echocardiography, and intergroup differences were analyzed using one-way ANOVA with a significance threshold of p < 0.05. Plasma lipids and energy metabolites were quantified using UPLC–MS/MS, applying screening criteria of variable importance in projection (VIP) > 1, p < 0.05, and fold change (FC) > 1.2 or FC < 0.833. Bioinformatics analyses were subsequently conducted to identify intergroup variations and correlations. Specifically, associations between cardiac structure/function and metabolites were examined using Pearson correlation analysis, with screening criteria of p < 0.05 and correlation coefficient > 0.8. The results revealed the following: (1) Regarding cardiac structure and function, the PCG group exhibited significantly superior indices, including End-diastolic left ventricular diameter (LVIDd), End-diastolic left ventricular volume (EDV), stroke volume (SV), and ejection fraction (EF), compared with OCG and NCG, and LVIDd showed a highly significant negative correlation with competition completion time. (2) In metabolomic analyses, few differential metabolites were found among groups before the competition (only 60 between PCG and NCG), whereas 234 differential lipids were detected between PoCG and PCG, mainly enriched in sphingolipid metabolism and fatty acid degradation pathways. Energy metabolites showed distinct exercise-responsive patterns, with 22 differential metabolites between PCG and NCG and 21 between PoCG and PCG, significantly enriched in amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism and TCA pathways. Dynamic changes in key TCA intermediates, such as citrate and succinate, reflected enhanced aerobic oxidative metabolism during endurance exercise. (3) Carnitine C18:1, Carnitine C10:2, FFA (20:3), Cer (t17:2/23:0) and 3-phenyllactic acid were significantly correlated with cardiac indicators such as LVLD and LVFWs (p < 0.05). In summary, performance in the 80-km endurance of Yili horses was primarily influenced by enlarged LVIDd and EDV, as well as the regulation of sphingolipid–fatty acid metabolic pathways. Triglycerides, specific acyl compounds, and ceramides may serve as potential biomarkers for evaluating endurance performance, providing a theoretical basis for scientific training and breeding of endurance horses. Full article

Nest defense is a key component of avian reproductive success, yet its intensity and expression often depend on ecological and social contexts. We investigated the nest defense behaviors of Saunders’s Gulls (Saundersilarus saundersi) breeding in Incheon Bay of South Korea in 2022 in relation to nest density and perceived threats. Using decoy presentations of three heterospecifics, Oriental Magpie (Pica serica; diurnal avian nest predator), common raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides; nocturnal mammalian nest predator), and Little Tern (Sternula albifrons; neutral co-nester), we quantified latency to respond, bombing attack rate, and the number of mobbing individuals at high- and low-density nesting sites within a breeding colony. Mixed models revealed that latency to respond and attack rates varied strongly with stimulus type, with diurnal predator magpies eliciting the fastest and most intense responses, followed by nocturnal predator raccoon dogs and co-nester terns. Nest density influenced the number of mobbing individuals, which was significantly greater at high-density sites. Principal Component Analysis reduced the three behavioral metrics into a composite score, which correlated negatively with latency and positively with bombing attack rate and mobbing intensity. This score varied with both nest density and stimulus type. Our findings demonstrate that Saunders’s Gulls adjust their nest defense strategies according to both the social context and predator type, highlighting the importance of density-dependent collective nest defense in colonial breeders. Full article

The vitality of pollen significantly influences the efficiency of pollination and microspore embryogenesis. Mining genes associated with pollen vitality will help accelerate pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) breeding progress via genetic engineering. PEX (pollen extensin-like), a member of the LRX (leucine-rich repeat extensin) family, is predominantly expressed in pollen and participates in regulating pollen vitality. However, its function and regulatory factors in pepper remain elusive. In this study, GUS histochemical staining results revealed that pepper CaPEX3 could be expressed in petals, sepals, anthers, and pollens of transgenic tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) lines expressing CaPEX3 promoter::GUS. Moreover, inhibition of the CaPEX3 by virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) in pepper resulted in reduced pollen germination rate and viability, while overexpression of CaPEX3 in tomato significantly enhanced germination rate and pollen viability. In addition, TRANSPARENT TESTA GLABRA 1 (CaTTG1) and Nuclear transcription factor Y subunit C9 (CaNFYC9) were screened out and identified as the upstream regulatory transcription factors of CaPEX3 through yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screening and dual-luciferase reporter (Dual-LUC) assays. Taken together, the identification of transcription factors may reveal a more comprehensive mechanism underlying CaPEX3-mediated enhancement of pepper pollen viability. This study not only provides genetic resources for pollen viability research but also establishes a theoretical foundation for pepper breeding. Full article

The middle reaches of the Yangtze River are a crucial breeding habitat for four major Chinese carps. The ecohydrological characteristics of their spawning grounds are crucial factors influencing spawning for these species: black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus), grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis). To investigate the impact of ecohydrological processes within the Three Gorges Reservoir on spawning, this study focused on the spawning grounds of the four major Chinese carps in the Yichang–Yidu section of the Yangtze River. By identifying key ecohydrological indicators and leveraging hydrological and spawning monitoring data from 2013 to 2024, the response characteristics of the four major Chinese carps’ spawning to these hydrological processes were analyzed. The results showed that the key ecohydrological indicators currently stimulating spawning for the four major Chinese carps are the fish-perceived daily flow rate increase, the fish-perceived cumulative flow rate increase, and the daily flow rate increase. These three indicators are significantly positively correlated with the scale of spawning for the four major Chinese carps. The thresholds for spawning at least 20% of the annual spawning total are: a perceived daily flow increase (P_da) of 4.52–36.05%; a perceived cumulative flow increase (P_cu) of 36.15–180.23%; and a daily flow increase (Q_av) of 588–2825 m³/s. The optimal water temperature for the reproduction of the four major Chinese carps is 21–23 °C. Overall, since the Three Gorges Reservoir’s normal operation, the frequency and scale of spawning for the four major Chinese carps have been highest during periods of rising water. It is recommended that, within the corresponding thresholds, ecological operation be conducted twice a year, once in mid-June and once in early July or late June. Daily flow increases can be controlled within the range of 588–2000 m³/s. This study analyzed the correlation between eco-hydrological indicators and the stimulation of spawning of the four major Chinese carps, providing optimized flow ranges and habitat conditions for ecological operation, which is conducive to promoting the reproduction and spawning of the four major Chinese carps in the Yichang–Yidu spawning grounds in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River. Full article

Background: The Siberian Husky has evolved as a versatile dog capable of traversing over 1600 km in extreme Arctic conditions, being a competitive show dog in the American Kennel Club, or a favorite pet for companionship. Modern genomics provides an opportunity to explore the biological implications of selection within the Siberian Husky breed for the purpose of sledding, show, or pet. Methods: We identified regions of genetic selection associated with sledding, show, or pet purposes using a whole-genome panel of 234 K SNPs from 237 Siberian Huskies. We assessed allelic variation using Wright’s F_ST and selective sweeps with runs of homozygosity (ROH). Results: Genomic and morphometric measurement principal component analyses identified population structure aligning with breeding purpose. In total, 118 SNPs demonstrated significant allelic variation (F_ST ≥ 0.6) and 22,598 ROH segments were identified within the Siberian Husky breed. ROH islands (n = 91) highlighted selective sweeps, whereas homozygosity association tests characterized regions of the genome under differential selection between populations. Genes within regions were assessed using GO and KEGG pathway analysis for biological insight. Pet dogs showed selection for olfactory performance genes, whereas show dogs were selected for immune function, tissue and nervous system development, and cytoskeletal motor activity. Sledding Siberian Huskies were selected for the development of muscle organs, lung vasculature, limbs, bones, eye structure, and pigmentation, plus genes influencing lipid metabolism and glucose transport. Conclusions: In all, this provides the first evidence of the biological impact of genetic selection within a breed for the distinct sledding, show, and pet purposes while simultaneously maintaining overall population uniformity to meet breed standards. Full article

Exercise performance is a critical trait for evaluating the economic and breeding value of working and athletic horses, with cardiac structure and function serving as essential physiological determinants of athletic capacity. This study aimed to investigate the multi-omics response mechanisms associated with varying degrees of cardiac remodeling under identical exercise intensity. Twenty 2-year-old Yili horses were selected and categorized based on echocardiographic parameters into a high cardiac remodeling group (BH; EDV > 500 mL, SV > 350 mL, EF > 66%) and a low cardiac remodeling group (BL; EDV < 450 mL, SV < 330 mL, EF < 64%). Blood samples were collected before and after the 1000 m constant-speed test (pre-test high cardiac remodeling group (BH, n = 10), post-test high cardiac remodeling group (AH, n = 10), pre-test low cardiac remodeling group (BL, n = 10), post-test low cardiac remodeling group (AL, n = 10)), and integrated metabolomic, transcriptomic, and miRNA profiling were conducted to systematically characterize molecular responses to exercise-induced stress. Metabolomic analysis identified a total of 1936 lipid metabolites, with the BH group exhibiting stronger post-exercise lipid mobilization and significant enrichment of sphingolipid signaling pathways. Transcriptomic and miRNA analyses further revealed that key miRNAs in the BH group, including miR-186, miR-23a/b, and the let-7 family, along with their target genes (e.g., GNB4, RGS5, ALAS2), were involved in fine regulation of cardiac electrophysiology, oxidative stress, and energy metabolism. Integrated analysis indicated that the AH vs. BH comparison uniquely enriched pathways related to glycine-serine-threonine metabolism and glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchor biosynthesis, whereas the AL vs. BL comparison showed unique enrichment of α-linolenic acid and arachidonic acid metabolism pathways. Ultimately, multi-omics integration identified that in the BH group, eca-let-7d, eca-let-7e, eca-miR-196b, eca-miR-2483, and eca-miR-98 regulate ALAS2 and, together with GCSH, influence the enrichment of lipids such as PS(17:0_16:1), PS(18:0_18:1), and PS(20:0_18:1). These lipids participate in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism through complex pathways, collectively modulating energy supply, inflammatory responses, and muscle function during exercise. This study reveals the molecular mechanisms by which horses with high cardiac remodeling maintain energy homeostasis and myocardial protection during exercise. Full article