Search Results (549)

Sturgeon stock enhancement is one of the key approaches for the conservation of sturgeon species and the restoration of aquatic biological resources. In Kazakhstan, these activities are mainly concentrated in the Caspian and Irtysh river basins, where broodstocks are formed from natural populations for artificial reproduction and annual replenishment of natural stocks. Such programs also provide an opportunity to assess the biological status of populations and evaluate the level of differentiation between sterlet populations inhabiting the Irtysh and Caspian basins. This study analyzed morphological similarities and differences between sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus) populations from the Irtysh and Zhayik rivers. Morphometric analysis revealed clear morphological differentiation between the studied populations. The most pronounced differences were observed in head width parameters (HC and BC), as well as in the SO and R indices, whereas measurements related to total body length showed minimal variation between samples (about 1%). Statistically significant differences (t-test, p ≤ 0.05) were identified for several morphometric indices, including the length-to-height ratio (L/H), head size index (C/L), and relative body height index (H/L). Considering these differences is important when planning stocking activities to ensure successful adaptation, maintain genetic diversity, and minimize the risk of degradation of local sterlet populations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Low vitamin D status was found to attenuate the impact of metformin on circulating levels of anterior pituitary hormones, but this inhibitory effect was absent in vitamin D-repleted subjects. No previous study investigated the interaction between metformin and exogenous vitamin D at the pituitary levels in individuals with normal vitamin D status. Methods: Our pilot, single-center, prospective, matched-cohort study enrolled 59 postmenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the range between 75 and 150 nmol/L. For the following six months, all the participants were treated with either metformin/vitamin D combination therapy (group 1, n = 27) or metformin alone (group 2, n = 32). The outcomes of interest included 25-hydroxyvitamin D, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR, HbA_1c, TSH, FSH, LH, prolactin, ACTH, free thyroid hormones, estradiol and IGF-1. A parallel study investigated the impact of vitamin D monotherapy on the outcome measures in insulin-resistant women meeting the remaining inclusion criteria. Results: No differences in baseline biomarker values were observed between groups 1 and 2. Ninety-three percent of the patients completed the study. The increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was observed exclusively in group 1. Although glucose homeostasis markers and post-treatment levels of TSH and FSH were lower at the end of the study than at baseline in both groups, the effect of treatment was more pronounced in group 1 than in group 2. Metformin/vitamin D combination therapy, but not metformin alone, reduced LH and prolactin levels. In both groups, the TSH- and gonadotropin-lowering effects of metformin correlated with baseline levels of these pituitary hormones. Levels of ACTH, free thyroxine, free triiodothyronine, estradiol and IGF-1 remained stable throughout the study. The effects of vitamin D monotherapy were confined to an increase in plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and a modest enhancement in insulin sensitivity. Conclusions: Exogenous vitamin D potentiates the pituitary effects of metformin in postmenopausal women with subclinical hypothyroidism. Full article

Repurposing usage of oil refinery wastewater with retrofitted desalination technology necessitates the optimization of a forward osmosis (FO) technology. Herein, factors such as draw solution concentration (DS-C) and feed and draw solution flow rates (FS-FR, DS-FR) play significant roles. In this study, the individualistic and interaction effects of these factors were explored to ascertain the FO performance. The effects of these operating factors, DS-C (20–50 g/L), DS-FR (7.5–9.4 L/h), and FS-FR (7.5–9.4 L/h), and their interactive effects on the permeation flux and rejection of Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻ and CO₃²⁻ from oil refinery effluent, were studied using the Box–Behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM). Statistical models were developed to optimize the operating conditions. The analysis of variance and the developed response models were used to evaluate the data at a 95% confidence level. Three confirmatory runs were conducted based on the optimum conditions (FS-FR: 9.2 L/h; DS-FR: 9.4 L/h; DS-C: 32.6 g/L). At a desirability of 81%, average rejections of 94.59 ± 0.32% for CO₃²⁻ and 100% for SO₄²⁻ were obtained. Average Cl⁻ enrichment was 35.5 ± 5.15% and average permeation flux of 3.64 ± 0.13 L/m² h were achieved, suggesting that RSM was a suitable tool for optimizing FO for desalinating the effluent. In addition, the average recovered permeation flux of 86.01 ± 2.66% demonstrated the effectiveness of the FO membrane after cleaning. Full article

The long hair phenotype of the dog is ascribed to variants in the fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF5) gene. Currently, there are five variant alleles known, Lh1 through Lh5, with any combination of these alleles resulting in a long-haired phenotype in dogs. Recently, genotyping of several long-haired dogs for the known Lh1–Lh5 variants yielded unexpected results as these dogs contained no or only one variant in the FGF5 gene known to result in the long-hair phenotype. Analysis of the coding region for the FGF5 gene identified four novel variants associated with the long-haired phenotype. One dog of mixed ancestry had an insertion of G very similar to and near to the long-hair variant Lh4, NC_006614.4: g.37352832insCC. A group of 24 Tibetan Mastiffs showed the Lh1 variant NC_006614.4:g.37372096C>A in 11 dogs only, and no other known Lh variant. Within the coding frame of the FGF5 gene, three unknown variants were discovered that were predicted to have a phenotypic effect. These new variants were inherited in a Mendelian fashion and, in combination with one of the known FGF5 alleles, likely predict the long-hair phenotype. Lastly, eight of the 24 Tibetan Mastiff dogs carried three FGF5 variants. Full article

Precise regulation of ovarian glucose metabolism and steroidogenesis is pivotal for the reproductive success of seasonal breeders. This study investigated seasonal variations in ovarian glucose metabolism and its association with follicular development and steroidogenesis in wild ground squirrels (Spermophilus dauricus). Results showed that ovarian weight and volume, and serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), 17β-estradiol, and progesterone were significantly higher in the breeding season (BS) than in the non-breeding season (NBS). Ovarian glycogen content was elevated in the BS, whereas circulating glucose levels decreased remarkably. Histologically, the BS ovaries contained follicles at all developmental stages (primary to Graafian) and corpora lutea, while corpora lutea were absent in the NBS. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed upregulated glycogen synthesis, glycolytic pathways, and altered steroidogenic metabolites in the BS. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) confirmed higher expression of glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1), glucose metabolism-related enzymes (G6PD, PFKFB3, PFKM), glycogen synthase (GYS), and steroidogenic factors (StAR, P450scc, P450c17, 3β-HSD, P450arom) in the BS, whereas glycogen synthase kinase-3β (Gsk-3β) was upregulated in the NBS. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated colocalization of steroidogenic and glucose-metabolizing enzymes in granulosa and theca cells, and correlation analyses confirmed positive associations between glucose metabolism, steroidogenesis, and ovarian weight. Collectively, these findings indicate that enhanced ovarian glucose metabolism in the BS is tightly coupled with elevated steroidogenesis, synergistically promoting seasonal follicular development and ovulatory competence in this species. Full article

This study experimentally demonstrates that a bentonite–vermiculite composite (1:2 mass ratio) is the most effective formulation for the treatment of crude oil–contaminated wastewater. The sorbents were characterized using XRD, SEM/EDS, ζ-potential, DLS, and TGA/DSC to evaluate their structural, surface, and adsorption-related properties. Kinetic analysis showed that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second-order (PSO) model (R² = 0.96–0.99), suggesting that surface interactions and intraparticle diffusion within the layered composite governed the overall adsorption rate. Thermodynamic analysis revealed negative Gibbs free energy values (ΔG < 0) and a moderately positive enthalpy change (ΔH ≈ 26 kJ·mol⁻¹), confirming that adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic, with contributions from physical interactions, ion exchange, and hydrophobic effects. After adsorption, the ζ-potential shifted toward less negative values, indicating partial surface charge neutralization by hydrocarbon species. TGA/DSC data further confirmed strong oil retention and preserved structural stability of the sorbents, while the DSC-derived enthalpy increased from 2.0 kJ·g⁻¹ to 141.6 kJ·g⁻¹ after hydrocarbon uptake, indicating pronounced energetic effects associated with sorbate incorporation. Techno-economic evaluation under industrially relevant conditions (Q = 120,000 L·h⁻¹; C₀ = 392 mg·L⁻¹) showed effective oil removal to residual concentrations below regulatory discharge limits at a low treatment cost. Full article

This study investigates the influence of sintering temperature (850–950 °C) and almond shell content (2–10 wt.%) on the structural, mechanical, and functional properties of natural-clay-based ceramic membranes. Several membranes were prepared by incorporating different proportions of almond shell powder and 2 wt.% lime as additives and sintered under controlled thermal conditions to optimize their performance. The results demonstrate that both sintering temperature and almond shell content significantly affect membrane porosity, mechanical strength, and water permeability. Among all of the tested samples, the membrane designated MP2-900, composed of natural clay, 2 wt.% almond shell powder, and 2 wt.% lime, sintered at 900 °C, exhibited the most balanced performance. It showed high mechanical strength (≈28 MPa), low shrinkage (<5%), and good water permeability (35 L·h⁻¹·m⁻²·bar⁻¹). When tested for the removal of crystal violet (CV) dye and paracetamol (PCT) from synthetic wastewater, the MP2-900 membrane achieved a removal efficiency of 87% for both pollutants. Overall, the MP2-900 membrane represents the optimal configuration, providing an excellent balance between mechanical robustness, porosity, and separation performance. These findings highlight the potential of sustainable clay-based ceramic membranes derived from agricultural by-products for the efficient removal of recalcitrant pollutants from wastewater. Full article

Due to the world’s rising energy demand and reliance on fossil fuels, exploring cleaner energy sources is urgent. Green diesel from renewable resources, such as waste vegetable oil, is promising because it is compatible with petroleum diesel from fossil fuels. This study examined the simulation of the hydrotreatment process of waste cooking oil (WCO) to produce green diesel. ChemCAD version 8.1 was used to develop the simulation, along with a kinetic model based on the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism (an LH-C-ND model), where fatty acids, such as oleic, stearic, and palmitic acid, in WCO are converted into long-chain hydrocarbons (C15, C16, C17, and C18). The influence of process parameters on green diesel yield was assessed at various temperatures, pressures, and H₂/oil ratios. The best process conditions for green diesel production were identified as a temperature of 275 °C, a pressure of 30 bars, and an H₂/oil ratio of 0.3. Minimising the formation of CO₂, CO, and water. Under these conditions, a high green diesel yield was achieved, with WCO conversion exceeding 90%, and over 80% of the products were suitable for green diesel. This research supports SDG 7, which aims for universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy, by exploring cleaner energy options, such as green diesel from waste vegetable oil. It is recommended to perform a life cycle assessment to evaluate the overall environmental impact. Full article

Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), originally developed as an antimalarial agent, has been associated with hepatotoxic effects in experimental and clinical settings. Our study was designed to evaluate the effects of this agent on liver toxicity and to understand the protective roles of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), Liver-52 (Liv-52), and their combination. Male Wistar rats (250–280 g) were randomly assigned to five groups (n = 6): healthy control (C), HCQ only (H), ATP plus HCQ (AH), Liv-52 plus HCQ (LH), and ATP–Liv-52 plus HCQ (ALH). ATP (4 mg/kg) was administered intraperitoneally once daily, whereas Liv-52 (20 mg/kg) was administered orally via gavage. One hour later, all groups except C received HCQ (120 mg/kg, orally, twice daily). All treatments were continued for seven consecutive days. At the end of the experiment, serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels were measured, and liver tissues were analyzed for malondialdehyde (MDA), total glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) activities, along with histopathological evaluation. HCQ administration significantly increased oxidative stress, as evidenced by elevated MDA levels (p < 0.01) and reduced antioxidant parameters, including GSH, SOD, and CAT (p < 0.05), accompanied by prominent histopathological damage. Treatment with ATP or Liv-52 markedly ameliorated these alterations by decreasing MDA and restoring antioxidant markers. The combination treatment was observed to exhibit the most pronounced protective effect; it significantly reduced MDA levels, improved GSH, SOD, and CAT levels more effectively, and produced significant decreases in AST and ALT values (p < 0.05). Full article

This study was designed, for the first time, to fully characterize the corpus luteum’s (CL) dynamics, echotexture, and ovarian blood flow on the ipsilateral side of the CL during different stages of the follicular wave in spontaneously non-mated camels (Camelus dromedarius) and to correlate the CL’s size echotexture with Doppler parameters. Of 20 non-mated camels, only 7 exhibited spontaneous ovulation. B- and color-mode analyses of the CL were estimated; CL frozen image echotextures [CL echogenicity (CLE) and CL heterogeneity (CLH)] and ovarian artery (OV. A.) dynamics were recorded, and ultrasound scanning was performed. Blood sampling and progesterone (P4) levels were measured after ovulation. CL diameter and echotexture were elevated (p = 0.025 and p = 0.037) at the mid-maturation stage and compared to the early growth and late regression stages (1.03 ± 0.45/cm and 82.65 ± 2.87 for CLE and 33.65 ± 1.83 for CLH vs. 1.98 ± 0.88 cm; 66.52 ± 4.32 for CLE and 15.66 ± 0.25 for CLH vs. 1.02 ± 0.02 cm, 65.12 ± 2.66 for CLE, and 19.32 ± 1.33 for CLH), as those parameters are critical in the determination of CL activity. Ipsilateral OV. A. diameter increased (p = 0.021) in the mid-maturation and regression stages, with a significant elevation in Doppler velocities (p = 0.025) in the maturation stage, with a decline in Doppler indices (p = 0.013), while the contralateral side was not affected. Ipsilateral mean velocity (Vm; cm/s) and blood flow volume (BFV; mL/min) were increased in the mid-maturation stage (23.55 ± 0.66 cm/s and 25.62 ± 0.32 mL/min). CL diameter was positively correlated with the CL’s total colored area/pixels (r = 0.81; p = 0.001), total colored area % (r = 0.93; p = 0.001), and OV. A. velocities (r = 0.96; p = 0.001). In addition, there was a positive correlation between CLH and OV. A.BFV (r = 0.89; p = 0.001). After spontaneous ovulation, the CL increases in diameter and reaches its peak on day 12, with an elevation in the P4 level at day 10, and the total colored area of the CL continues to elevate until day 14. Ipsilateral OV. A. blood flow is elevated and linked to changes that occur in the CL’s total coloration %. Evaluating luteal function in camels presents several challenges due to the species’ unique reproductive physiology. Full article

The influence of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains of various species isolated from Chinese traditional sourdough on the properties of rice sourdough and the textural and flavor qualities of steamed rice bread (SRB) was investigated. Lactiplantibacillus plantarum-fermented rice sourdough had a higher total titratable acidity (13.10 mL) than the other groups. Strains Lacticaseibacillus paracasei PC1 (LPC), Lactobacillus helveticus H1 (LH), Lactobacillus crustorum C1 (LC), Lactobacillus paralimentarius PA1 (LPA), and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum P1 (LP) showed marked protein hydrolysis during rice sourdough fermentation and increased free amino acid levels in rice sourdoughs relative to the control. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy results indicated that LAB fermentation could promote the strengthening of inter-intramolecular hydrogen bonds and cause modifications in protein structures; however, these effects varied among the different strains. The LC and LPC strains had the most significant effect on improving the specific volume and textural properties of SRBs. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and GC-ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) identified 33 and 35 volatile compounds, respectively, in the LAB-fermented SRBs, and differentiation was observed in the volatile profiles of SRBs made using different LAB strains. The differential impacts of LAB strains during rice sourdough fermentation can assist in the selection of candidate microorganisms for the production of high-quality gluten-free rice products. Full article

This study compared the gonadotropin gene sequences (LH and FSH subunits) of Cynomolgus and Rhesus monkeys and produced recombinant single-chain LHβ/α and FSHβ/α proteins. The α- and FSHβ-subunit sequences were identical between species, while LHβ showed only minor synonymous differences. The recombinant hormones were successfully expressed and shown to be mainly N-glycosylated. Recombinant monkey FSHβ/α activated cAMP signaling in human FSH receptor-expressing cells, confirming its biological activity. β-arrestin 1 was found to have dual roles: its absence increased cAMP signaling (negative regulation), but it was required for ERK1/2 activation. ERK activation depended mainly on the cAMP/PKA pathway. Human and rat FSH receptors displayed different ERK activation timing, indicating species-specific signaling behavior. Overall, the study establishes a reliable system for producing functional recombinant monkey gonadotropins and clarifies how β-arrestin 1 differentially regulates FSH receptor signaling. Full article

Variants in CLCN3 and CLCN4, encoding the neuronal endosomal Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporters ClC-3 and ClC-4, are linked to neurodevelopmental disorders with broad phenotypic variability. Over sixty CLCN4 variants have been functionally characterized, showing gain- or loss-of-function (GoF or LoF) effects. While ClC-3 can function as a homodimer, ClC-4 depends on heterodimerization with ClC-3 for efficient endosomal trafficking. CLCN4, located on the X chromosome, exhibits diverse pathogenic outcomes: complete LoF variants often cause non-syndromic presentations in hemizygous males and are asymptomatic in heterozygous females, whereas certain missense variants with partial or complete LoF produce severe syndromic phenotypes in both sexes. Here, we demonstrate dominant effects of three CLCN4 variants within ClC-3/ClC-4 heterodimers using two-electrode voltage-clamp recordings in Xenopus laevis oocytes and whole-cell patch-clamp recordings in mammalian cells co-expressing both proteins via a bicistronic IRES construct. Our findings provide the first evidence of dominant-negative CLCN4 effects within ClC-3/ClC-4 complexes and establish a platform for functional analysis of additional disease-associated variants. Full article

Chloride channel proteins (CLCs) are essential anion transporters involved in plant growth, osmotic regulation, and ion homeostasis. However, their genome-wide characterization in tetraploid alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) remains unexplored. In this study, a total of 35 CLC family members were identified and underwent comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. Phylogenetic and structural analyses divided them into six subfamilies and two subclasses based on conserved residues such as GxGIPE. Members within the same subclass shared conserved domains and similar motif patterns. Analysis of duplication events indicated that 48 segmental duplications were the primary driving force behind the expansion of this gene family. Promoter analysis revealed abundant light, hormone, and stress-responsive cis-elements, suggesting multiple regulatory functions. Gene expression profiling demonstrated that salt, drought stress, and ABA treatment significantly induced the expression levels of some genes. Among them, MsCLC2 and MsCLC18 from Group c exhibited more than fivefold upregulation under both salt and drought stress, significantly higher than other members. Subcellular localization confirmed MsCLC18 on the plasma membrane, potentially regulating Cl⁻ efflux through a Cl⁻/H⁺ antiporter mechanism to alleviate Cl⁻ toxicity. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the function study of CLC genes in alfalfa and offer new insights into the molecular evolution of polyploid plants under abiotic stress. Full article

Purpose: This study examined hydration responses to sodium hyperhydration in female athletes at rest and during cycling across the early follicular and mid-luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. Methods: Twelve cyclists/triathletes consumed 30 mL·kg⁻¹ fat-free mass fluid with either sodium chloride (7.5 g·L⁻¹) or placebo (sucrose) 2 h before 75 min of steady-state cycling (60% VO_2peak) and a 200 kJ time trial (TT) in a hot environment (34 °C, 60% RH). Body mass was measured, and urine was collected every 30 min, whilst blood samples were taken hourly pre-exercise, post-steady-state, and post-TT. Results: During pre-exercise, sodium hyperhydration increased fluid retention (509.0 mL, 95% CI: [349.0, 669.0]; p < 0.001), while reducing urine volume (−107.4 [−146.7, −68.1] mL; p < 0.001). During exercise, body mass loss was lower with sodium during steady-state (−0.20%; p = 0.001) and TT (−0.15%; p = 0.037), but sweat rates were reduced with sodium only during steady-state (−0.08 L·h⁻¹; p = 0.001). Exploratory analyses showed greater effects in the early-follicular phase, with reductions in body mass loss (−0.26%; p = 0.004), sweat rate (−0.1 L·h⁻¹; p = 0.003), and post-TT arginine vasopressin (−10.8 [−19.2, −2.3] pg·mL⁻¹; p = 0.013). Conclusions: Sodium hyperhydration effectively enhanced fluid retention and reduced body mass loss during exercise in the heat. While no consistent main effects of menstrual cycle phase were observed, some phase-specific differences emerged, particularly in the early-follicular phase. These findings highlight the importance of monitoring hydration responses across the menstrual cycle and tailoring strategies to individual needs, rather than applying universal phase-specific recommendations. Full article