Search Results (4,298)

In African countries and many developing countries, communal farmers rely on livestock such as cattle, goats, and sheep to support food security, income, and agricultural activities. Fertility in these animals is often limited by poor semen quality, which reduces sperm concentration, total motility, and morphology. Assisted reproductive biotechnologies, including semen cryopreservation and artificial insemination, are increasingly essential to enhance reproductive efficiency and productivity. Although cryopreservation preserves valuable genetic material, it can damage sperm cells, making high-quality extenders critical for protection. Common extenders, such as Tris-egg yolk glucose, citrate-sugar-based, and skimmed milk solutions, supply nutrients and protect sperm membranes. To further minimize oxidative stress, antioxidants are incorporated, with growing interest in plant-derived compounds. Many plants contain bioactive substances, including antioxidants and phytomelatonin, which can enhance sperm quality safely and effectively. This review examines the use of plant-based antioxidants during semen cryopreservation and highlights their potential to improve fertility in mammalian livestock. Full article

Leaf inclination angle (LIA) and leaf area index (LAI) are important components of crop population canopy structure, which affect population photosynthetic production via altering canopy light interception and transmittance, and gas diffusion. In this study, we used a genetically diverse maize population of 378 inbred lines as materials to detect significantly associated SNPs with LIA and LAI using the mixed linear model (MLM) of genome-wide association study (GWAS). A total of 21 SNPs associated with LIA explain 6.07–10.86% of the phenotypic variation, containing two major-effect SNPs over 10%; 38 SNPs associated with LAI explain 2.91–10.36% of the phenotypic variation, containing one major-effect SNP. One candidate gene, GLCT1, significantly associated with LIA was identified, which might involve cell-wall biosynthesis. In addition, a cascade of SNPs significantly associated with LAI was identified in a single environment, and a candidate gene encoding the bHLH144 transcription factor was found. The results provide a theoretical basis for the selection of maize inbred lines with ideal canopy architecture and further investigation of the genetic mechanism of LIA and LAI. Full article

Actinidia deliciosa is a globally important economic fruit crop, and its fruit quality and yield are profoundly influenced by light and environmental conditions. Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS), a key rate-limiting enzyme in the sucrose biosynthesis pathway, plays a central role in regulating carbon metabolism and sucrose accumulation in plants. However, comprehensive studies of the SPS gene family in A. deliciosa are still lacking, particularly regarding its expression in response to different light qualities. In this study, genome-wide identification of the SPS gene family in A. deliciosa was conducted using bioinformatics approaches. A total of 31 SPS genes were identified and named AdSPS1 to AdSPS31 on the basis of their chromosomal positions. The encoded proteins were predicted to be acidic, hydrophilic, and primarily localized in the chloroplast. All the AdSPS proteins contained the conserved domains Sucrose_synth, Glyco_trans_1, and S6PP, indicating potential roles in sucrose metabolism. Phylogenetic analysis classified the 31 AdSPS members into three subfamilies, A, B, and C, comprising 20, 5, and 6 members, respectively. Collinearity analysis revealed extensive syntenic relationships among AdSPS genes across different chromosomes, suggesting that gene duplication events contributed to the expansion of this gene family. Promoter cis-acting element analysis revealed that light-responsive elements were the most abundant among all the detected elements in the upstream regions of the AdSPS genes, implying potential regulation by light signals. Different light qualities significantly affected the contents of sucrose, glucose, and fructose, as well as SPS activity in kiwifruit leaves, with the highest activity observed under the R3B1 (red–blue light 3:1) treatment. Spearman’s correlation analysis indicated that AdSPS3 was significantly negatively correlated with sucrose, fructose, glucose, and SPS activity, suggesting a potential role in negatively regulating sugar accumulation in kiwifruit leaves, whereas AdSPS12 showed positive correlations with these parameters, implying a role in promoting sucrose synthesis. To further explore the light response of the AdSPS genes, eight representative members were selected for qRT‒PCR analysis under red light, blue light, and combined red‒blue light treatments. These results demonstrated that light quality significantly influenced SPS gene expression. Specifically, AdSPS6 and AdSPS24 were highly responsive to R1B1 (1:1 red‒blue light), AdSPS9 was significantly upregulated under R6B1 (6:1 red‒blue light), AdSPS21 was strongly induced by blue light, and AdSPS12 expression was suppressed. This study systematically identified and analyzed the SPS gene family in A. deliciosa, revealing its structural characteristics and light-responsive expression patterns. These findings suggest that AdSPS genes may play important roles in light-regulated carbon metabolism. These results provide a theoretical foundation and valuable genetic resources for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms of sucrose metabolism and light signal transduction in kiwifruit. Full article

Atherosclerosis is a chronic, multifactorial vascular disease and the leading global cause of cardiovascular morbidity. Its development reflects interconnected disturbances in lipid metabolism, endothelial function, inflammation, smooth muscle cell (SMC) phenotypic switching, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Genetic predisposition, including monogenic disorders such as familial hypercholesterolemia and polygenic risk variants, modulates disease susceptibility by altering lipid homeostasis as well as inflammatory and thrombotic pathways. Epigenetic regulators and noncoding RNAs, such as histone modifications, microRNAs, and long noncoding RNAs, further shape gene expression and link environmental cues to vascular pathology. Endothelial injury promotes lipoprotein retention and oxidation, triggering monocyte recruitment and macrophage-driven foam cell formation, cytokine secretion, and necrotic core development. Persistent inflammation, macrophage heterogeneity, and SMC plasticity collectively drive plaque growth and destabilization. Emerging insights into immune cell metabolism, intracellular signaling networks, and novel regulatory RNAs are expanding therapeutic possibilities beyond lipid-lowering. Current and evolving treatments include statins, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors, anti-inflammatory agents targeting interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) or NOD-, LRR-, and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and advanced approaches such as gene editing, siRNA, and nanoparticle-based delivery. Integrating multi-omics, biomarker-guided therapy, and precision medicine promises improved risk stratification and next-generation targeted interventions. This review summarizes recent molecular advances and highlights translational opportunities for enhancing atherosclerosis prevention and treatment. Full article

A newly discovered myxosporean parasite was described from the gallbladder of Nemipterus virgatus Houttuyn, 1782 collected from the East China Sea. Mature myxospores are crescent-shaped with shell valves that taper gradually toward rounded ends. Each myxospore contained two sub-spherical polar capsules located near the anterior end, closely aligned along the suture line. The mature myxospores measured 6.2 ± 0.6 (5.4–6.9) μm in length and 44.8 ± 4.6 (38.5–53.1) μm in thickness. Polar capsules measured 2.8 ± 0.2 (2.4–3.1) μm in length and 2.3 ± 0.2 (1.9–2.6) μm in width, with polar filaments coiled in 2–3 turns. The small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequence of Ceratomyxa nemiptera sp. nov. was distinct from all known myxosporeans, showing the highest similarity (93.56%) and the shortest genetic distance (0.0637) with Ceratomyxa arcuata Thélohan, 1892. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that C. nemiptera sp. nov. was positioned within a later-diverging lineage, forming a sister-group relationship with a clade containing C. arcuata and Ceratomyxa cretensis Kalatzis, Kokkari & Katharios, 2013. This is the first report of a Ceratomyxa species infecting N. virgatus. Full article

Annual wild soybean, the ancestor of cultivated soybean, underwent a significant increase in seed oil content during domestication. To elucidate the genetic basis of this change, a chromosome segment substitution line population (177 lines) constructed with cultivated soybean NN1138-2 as recipient and wild soybean N24852 as donor was used in this study. Phenotypic evaluation across three distinct environments led to the identification of two major QTL/segments, qOC14 on chromosome 14 and qOC20 on chromosome 20, which collectively explained 39.46% of the phenotypic variation, with individual contributions of 17.87% and 21.59%, respectively. Both wild alleles exhibited negative additive effects, with values of −0.35% and −0.42%, respectively, consistent with the inherently low oil content of wild soybeans. Leveraging transcriptome and genome data from the two parents, two candidate genes were predicted. Notably, Glyma.14G179800 is a novel candidate gene encoding a PHD-type zinc finger domain-containing protein, and the hap-A haplotype exhibits a positive effect on oil content. In contrast, Glyma.20G085100 is a reported POWR1 gene, known to regulate protein and oil content. Our findings not only validate the role of known gene but, more importantly, unveil a new candidate gene, offering valuable genetic resources and theoretical targets for molecular breeding of high-oil soybean. Full article

The Lower-Middle Jurassic Xishanyao Formation in the Nileke Sag of the Yili Basin contains substantial reserves of coal and coalbed methane (CBM). Elucidating its depositional evolution and the controlling factors of coal accumulation within a sequence-stratigraphic framework is crucial for guiding future exploration. This study integrates regional geological surveys, core observations, well-log analysis, and quantitative lithofacies statistics of the lower member to establish a sequence-stratigraphic framework and reconstruct the sedimentary paleogeography. Eleven minable coal seams are identified, exhibiting a depositionally controlled spatial thickness distribution. The coal is classified as low-rank bituminous (Rank I–II), characterized by high inertinite, low ash, medium-high volatile matter, and ultra-low sulfur content, indicating formation in a freshwater swamp influenced by seasonal droughts and floods. Three third-order sequences (SQ1–SQ3) are recognized. SQ2, deposited during peak transgression as a braided-river delta plain, provided the optimal environment for peat accumulation. In contrast, SQ3 is dominated by progradational deltas with coarser sediments, where coal accumulation weakened. The results demonstrate that coal accumulation was jointly controlled by tectonic subsidence (providing accommodation space), climate (causing peat oxidation and fine-clastic input), and sedimentation (with interdistributary bays on the delta plain being the most favorable sites). Coal accumulation in the Lower Xishanyao Member resulted from the coupling of tectonic, climatic, and sedimentary processes. This genetic model provides a theoretical basis for regional coal and CBM exploration. Full article

Metabolic reprogramming allows cancer cells to proliferate rapidly, survive nutrient limitation, and resist stress, making tumor metabolism an important therapeutic target. However, pharmacological inhibition of metabolic enzymes often causes systemic toxicity and compensatory pathway activation. To overcome these limitations, recent studies have highlighted an alternative host-centered strategy based on increasing systemic energy expenditure. Recent studies highlight an alternative strategy in which the host increases energy expenditure through uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) dependent thermogenesis, thereby lowering systemic glucose, fatty acid, and nucleotide availability for tumors. Engineered beige adipocytes overexpressing UCP1, PR domain-containing protein 16 (PRDM16), or peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PPARGC1A/PGC1A) suppress tumor growth through nutrient competition, suggesting that activating endogenous UCP1 may provide a non-genetic and physiologically aligned anticancer approach. Building on this concept, natural products such as polyphenols, terpenoids, alkaloids, and carotenoids have emerged as promising UCP1 activators that stimulate beige and brown adipocyte thermogenesis through pathways involving AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), PGC1A, PRDM16, and mitochondrial biogenesis. In parallel, computational studies further indicate that several plant-derived compounds bind directly to the central cavity of UCP1 with high affinity, offering structural support for their thermogenic action. Importantly, many of these compounds also inhibit cancer cell intrinsic metabolism by reducing glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, lipid synthesis, and amino acid dependent anaplerosis. This review integrates UCP1 biology, natural product mediated thermogenesis, molecular docking evidence, and tumor metabolic suppression, proposing a unified framework in which natural compounds impose coordinated metabolic pressure on cancer through both adipocyte-driven nutrient competition and direct inhibition of tumor metabolism. Full article

The success of invasive species relies heavily on the production, dispersal and genetic composition of propagules. For range expanding species, breeding strategy and level of reproductive investment will strongly influence their capacity to establish and invade new areas. A hermaphroditic lifestyle provides the advantage of increasing the number of seed bearing individuals within a population while a dioecious habit may enable more rapid adaptation to new environments, improve resource use efficiency, fecundity and dispersal. Pittosporum undulatum, a tree native to coastal areas of southeastern Australia, has many characteristics of an invasive species within and beyond its native range. A previous study detected a male bias within invasive populations, with a high proportion of fruit deriving from female-only trees, leading to recommendations for the removal of ‘matriarch’ trees as a simple management technique. We expanded that study and investigated breeding systems of different populations of P. undulatum by assessing tree density, gender, resource availability and fruit load of 871 individuals in seven native and seven invasive populations. All populations comprised either females (47%) or hermaphrodites. No male-only trees were observed within the study. More females produced more fruit than hermaphrodites, especially in the native site. This could not be attributed to environmental differences between sites. These data support the current management practices of targeting the removal of females as a simple method for containing invasions given the benefits of reducing the workload and spreading limited management resource. Our work highlights the value in understanding the breeding strategy employed by focal invasive species as a means of developing improved and more targeted control methods. Full article

Background/Objectives: Identifying candidate genes underlying quantitative trait loci (QTL) in poultry has traditionally required labor-intensive positional cloning. Previous studies using an F₂ population derived from native Japanese Nagoya (NAG) and White Plymouth Rock (WPR) breeds revealed a major QTL on chromosome 2 affecting 3-week body weight and 4-week pectoralis muscle weight. This study aimed to identify candidate genes for this QTL using a hypothesis-free integrative genetic approach. Methods: We employed a multi-step analytical framework combining QTL remapping, transcriptome analysis, gene enrichment analysis, haplotype frequency comparison, and correlation analysis. QTL remapping was performed using individual traits and their first principal component (PC1) in 239 F₂ chickens. RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) of liver tissue was conducted for F₂ individuals with extreme PC1 scores, followed by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) validation. Results: QTL remapping refined the 95% confidence interval to a chromosome 2 region containing 329 genes. RNA-seq analysis identified 23 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) within this interval. Although gene enrichment analysis initially highlighted GATA binding protein 6 (GATA6) as a potential candidate, RT-qPCR in NAG, WPR, and F₁ chickens showed no significant expression differences, excluding GATA6. Haplotype frequency and correlation analyses prioritized cadherin-17 (CDH17) as the strongest candidate gene and ring finger protein 151 (RNF151) as a secondary candidate. Conclusions: Our hypothesis-free integrative approach effectively refined candidate genes for a chromosome 2 QTL influencing early growth and pectoralis muscle weight. CDH17 and RNF151 represent promising targets for functional validation and may support marker-assisted selection to improve muscle-related traits in chickens. Full article

The Na⁺/K⁺/2Cl⁻ cotransporter (NKCC) gene encodes a critical membrane transporter involved in cellular ion homeostasis and plays a pivotal role in osmoregulation and salinity adaptation in aquatic organisms. This study identified and validated SNP markers in the NKCC gene associated with low-salinity tolerance in Scylla paramamosain. Four SNPs (g.196C>A, g.8374T>A, g.8385T>A and g.91143T>A) were screened and genotyped in low-salinity tolerant and intolerant groups. Association analysis revealed that mutant genotypes at all four sites were significantly enriched in the tolerant group (p <0.05), with the values of odds ratios (OR) greater than 1. The tolerant group exhibited significantly higher genetic diversity than the intolerant group. Haplotype analysis showed the wild CTTT haplotype dominated in the intolerant group, while mutant-containing haplotypes were significantly elevated in the tolerant group. A positive correlation was observed between the mutant and NKCC expression. Functional validation by qRT-PCR demonstrated that mutant allele carriers exhibited significantly higher NKCC mRNA expression levels than the wild-type carriers. Moreover, the expression level of homozygous mutations is significantly higher than that of heterozygous mutations. These validated SNPs could provide effective molecular markers for marker-assisted selection breeding of low-salinity tolerant S. paramamosain strains, offering important theoretical and practical implications for sustainable aquaculture development. Full article

Genetic diversity and kinship information of cotton germplasm resources are fundamental to breeding, providing a theoretical basis for the rational selection of hybrid parents and further breeding of new varieties with high yield, high quality, and multi-resistance. This study utilized cotton varieties that have been used for variety improvement or are widely planted in the Northern Xinjiang cotton region as materials. Genotyping was performed using the ZJU CottonSNP40K chip to analyze genetic diversity and kinship relationships. A total of 26,852 high-quality SNP markers were obtained, including 15,222 SNPs in subgenome A and 11,630 SNPs in subgenome D. The number of SNPs per chromosome ranged from 547 (A04) to 2168 (A08). Based on phylogenetic tree and principal component analysis, the 83 materials were clustered into 3 major subgroups. Group I contained varieties introduced from the former Soviet Union and the United States, which have become important parents for cotton breeding in Northern Xinjiang. Among them, as many as 27 varieties were derived and selected from the introduced US variety ‘Beiersinuo’ as a parent. While playing an important role in cotton breeding in Northern Xinjiang, this has also led to the current situation where the genetic base of Northern Xinjiang varieties is relatively narrow (average kinship coefficient 0.72). It clarifies the significant role of introduced American variety ‘Beiersinuo’ in the breeding of Northern Xinjiang cultivars and provides theoretical guidance for broadening the genetic base of Northern Xinjiang cotton varieties. Full article

This study identified genomic regions associated with carcass traits and primal cut yields in Hanwoo cattle using weighted single-step genome-wide association study (WssGWAS). A total of 50,227 carcass records and genomic data from 23,573 animals with 45,057 single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed. Heritability estimates were 0.24 for carcass weight, 0.22 for eye muscle area, 0.31 for backfat thickness, and 0.36 for marbling score, while those for primal cut yields ranged from 0.02 to 0.26. For carcass traits, candidate genes were identified for carcass weight (XKR4 2.35%, COBL 1.26%), eye muscle area (LCORL 1.56%, TGFBR2 1.49%), backfat thickness (ATG7 1.27%, MYPN 1.33%), and marbling score (TWIST2 1.16%, BMP4 1.14%). For primal cut yields, the chromosome 6 region containing WDR1 was commonly identified across six traits and the chromosome 4 region containing CACNA2D1 across five traits; the chromosome 28 region containing SIRT1 explained the highest genetic variance (6.46%) for striploin. These pleiotropic regions are potential targets for genomic selection to improve production efficiency and carcass value in Hanwoo. Full article

Background: Osteoporosis is highly prevalent in postmenopausal women, yet genome-wide association studies often miss disease-relevant variants because of incomplete single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) coverage and platform-specific limitations. We aimed to identify genetic contributors to osteoporosis risk by integrating two exome-based genotyping platforms with multilayer analytic approaches. Methods: We analyzed extreme osteoporosis phenotypes in Korean postmenopausal women from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) Ansan–Anseong cohorts using the Illumina Infinium HumanExome BeadChip and the Affymetrix Axiom Exome Array. After standard quality control, single-SNP logistic regression, cross-platform overlap analysis, and three machine-learning models were applied. Predicted functional impact was evaluated using multiple in silico algorithms and conservation scores. Finally, datasets from both platforms were merged, and cross-platform linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks were defined to identify loci containing SNPs with p < 1 × 10⁻⁴. Results: No overlapped SNP reached genome-wide significance, but rs2076212 in PNPLA3 achieved suggestive significance (p < 1 × 10⁻⁵) only on the Illumina array. Cross-platform analysis identified 111 overlapping SNPs in 70 genes. Integrated machine-learning, in silico, and conservation evidence prioritized ARMS2, CCDC92, NQO1, ZNF510, PTPRB, and DYNC2H1 as candidate genes. LD-block analysis revealed 10 blocks with at least one SNP at p < 1 × 10⁻⁴, including four chromosome 12 loci (NAV2, BICD1, CCDC92, ZNF664) that became apparent only when LD patterns were evaluated jointly across platforms. Conclusions: Combining dual exome arrays with LD-block analysis, machine learning, and functional prediction improved sensitivity for detecting low bone mineral density-related loci and highlighted CCDC92, DYNC2H1, NQO1, and related genes as biologically plausible candidates for future validation. Full article

Most intracellular proteins are degraded by the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS), with proteasomes directly hydrolyzing protein substrates. Specific forms of proteasomes (non-constitutive proteasomes), implicated in antigen presentation, cellular homeostasis maintenance and stress response have been described. However, proteasomes were also identified outside cells, where their function remains unclear. Proteasome secretion via extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been reported, though the direct transmission of non-constitutive proteasomes between cells has not been shown. Using genetically modified cells, including a human adenocarcinoma cell line SW620B8-mCherry expressing the β5i subunit of non-constitutive proteasomes fused to the mCherry protein, and a number of techniques, such as differential centrifugation, affinity isolation, unspecific precipitation, NTA and microscopy, EVs containing non-constitutive proteasomes were obtained and characterized. Different cell lines were shown to secrete varying amounts of vesicles containing non-constitutive proteasomes. The content of these proteasomes in EVs was increased after the stimulation of cells with IFN-γ. The interaction of vesicles secreted by SW620B8-mCherry cells with recipient cells was demonstrated. The β5i-mCherry chimera was detected in lysates of different recipient cells following incubation with EVs secreted from SW620B8-mCherry cells. The obtained results highlight the transfer of non-constitutive proteasomes from one cell to another via EVs. Full article