Search Results (1,543)

Laser-assisted trophectoderm (TE) biopsy is typically performed with millisecond diode lasers, where thermal effects remain a major safety concern. Femtosecond lasers offer a fundamentally different interaction regime, but their safety profile for TE biopsy has not been evaluated. This study aimed to assess the potential of a femtosecond laser as a tool for TE biopsy in CD1 mouse blastocysts. Biopsies were performed using single pulses at a wavelength of 514 nm with peak intensities of 5.3–16 TW/cm². The number of pulses required to separate TE samples of different isthmus widths was quantified. The study of biological effects included reactive oxygen species (ROS) and heat-shock proteins (HSP70). Laser exposure at 16 TW/cm² enabled an efficient TE biopsy within a clinically relevant number of pulses, without increasing ROS levels and with only limited HSP70 elevation, consistent with an adaptive stress response. A total of 417 embryos were transferred to pseudopregnant females to assess implantation and developmental outcomes. Implantation rates (25.8% vs. 29.6%) and the distribution of developmental outcomes (normal embryos, developmental delay and resorption) did not differ significantly between biopsied and non-exposed blastocysts in the control groups. This supports the further evaluation of femtosecond source as a tool for preimplantation genetic testing procedures. Full article

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) serves as a critical molecular chaperone governing environmental stress responses in insects. This study aimed to characterize the expression pattern of SfHSP70-8 and determine its functional role in thermotolerance and insecticide susceptibility in the white-backed planthopper, Sogatella furcifera. Here, we cloned and characterized SfHSP70-8, a cytosolic member of the HSP70 family from S. furcifera. The encoded protein contains characteristic conserved domains and shares close sequence identity with the HSP70 homolog of Laodelphax striatellus. Spatiotemporal expression profiling revealed ubiquitous transcription across all developmental stages, peaking in third-instar nymphs, and pronounced enrichment in the gut and fat body. Transcript levels were robustly elevated following exposure to both thermal extremes (10–40 °C) and LC₅₀ concentrations of triflumezopyrim, sulfoxaflor, and imidacloprid. RNAi-mediated silencing of SfHSP70-8 significantly compromised tolerance to triflumezopyrim and sulfoxaflor while leaving imidacloprid susceptibility unchanged, and markedly decreased survival rates under chronic heat stress at 30 °C and 35 °C. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SfHSP70-8 functions as an essential regulator of thermotolerance and insecticide adaptation in S. furcifera, offering a potential molecular target for future development in sustainable pest management. Full article

The reproductive stage is a critical time in a plant’s life history when dealing with heat stress as the specific processes of meiosis, gametogenesis, anthesis, pollination, fertilization, and early seed development all occur within comparatively narrow temperature limits. Much of the importance of flowering is tied directly to temperature, both for the timing of reproductive transition and the ability for male and female reproductive tissues to survive exposure to damaging heat. Ambient-temperature sensing is linked to flowering via regulatory modules that involve phytochrome B, EARLY FLOWERING 3 (ELF3), PHYTOCHROME INTERACTING FACTOR 4 (PIF4), FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT), FLOWERING LOCUS M (FLM), SHORT VEGETATIVE PHASE (SVP), and the light–circadian components. Conversely, when temperature is harmful, protective responses involve other cellular mechanisms such as activation of heat-shock transcription factors (HSFs), heat-shock proteins (HSPs), endoplasmic-reticulum protein quality control, calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) signaling, antioxidant systems, hormone regulation, metabolic reprogramming, autophagy and DNA-repair pathways. Male reproductive development is often very sensitive, especially at meiosis, during formation of the tetrad, microspore development, during the maturation of pollen, and during the growth of the pollen tubes, although injury to pistils, ovules and the post-fertilization tissues may solely have an effect on the restriction of fertilization and seed set. Phenological heat escape and intrinsic reproductive thermotolerance are genetically separable but can be complementary aspects of adaptation, as revealed by natural allelic variation, QTL mapping, genomic prediction and marker assisted selection. This review summarizes molecular, genetic and physiological evidence, to propose that, to ensure stable yields at high temperatures, there is a need to coordinate optimization of reproductive timing, cell and development thermotolerance, and post-fertilization sink stability. Full article

Polyparasitism is frequently documented in cetaceans; however, the pathological consequences of concurrent multispecies helminth infections and their associated tissue responses remain incompletely understood. This study characterized multispecies helminth infections in two live-stranded dolphins from the Andaman coast of Thailand, a spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris) and a pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), using integrated postmortem, parasitological, molecular, histopathological, and immunohistochemical approaches. Both dolphins harbored helminths involving multiple organ systems. Pulmonary nematodes were identified as Halocercus delphini, while larval and intestinal cestodes were identified as Clistobothrium sp. and Tetrabothrius sp., respectively. The most prominent pathological alterations occurred in the respiratory tract and included chronic pyogranulomatous bronchopneumonia, airway epithelial injury, fibrosis, and pulmonary congestion associated with Halocercus infection. Additional parasite-associated lesions included chronic enteritis, cholangitis with biliary epithelial injury and ductular reaction, pancreatic inflammation, and localized inflammatory responses surrounding larval cestode cysts in the blubber and testis. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated extensive interleukin-4 (IL-4) immunoreactivity in affected pulmonary and intestinal tissues, whereas interleukin-10 (IL-10) was undetectable. Nitrotyrosine and heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) immunoreactivity were widely distributed across parasite-associated tissues, while caspase-3 immunoreactivity showed tissue-dependent patterns. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that multispecies helminth infections in stranded dolphins were associated with multisystem pathological alterations accompanied by inflammatory, oxidative/nitrosative stress, cellular stress, and apoptotic responses. These findings highlight the potential pathological significance of polyparasitism in stranded dolphins and support consideration of parasite burden and associated tissue responses during cetacean postmortem investigations. Full article

Mitochondria are essential organelles for cellular energy production and the regulation of diverse biological processes, including apoptosis, redox homeostasis, and intracellular signaling. Although mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS) act as critical mediators of these functions, the molecular mechanisms underlying mtROS regulation remain poorly understood. This review summarizes current insights into the role of heat shock protein 47 (HSP47) in mitochondrial oxidative stress and mtROS-mediated cellular responses. In addition to its classical function as an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, HSP47 translocates to the mitochondria under oxidative stress conditions. This mitochondrial localization promotes mtROS production, thereby triggering apoptotic pathways and redox-sensitive signal transduction. Furthermore, we examine the mechanistic insights linking HSP47 to mitochondrial function and oxidative stress, highlighting their implications for cellular homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. Overall, these findings establish HSP47 as a novel regulator of mtROS generation, suggesting that the HSP47–mtROS axis represents a promising therapeutic target for oxidative stress-related disorders and a potential role for exploring virus-induced cellular responses in future research. Full article

Chilo sacchariphagus is a destructive sugarcane borer worldwide, and frequent extreme high temperatures disrupt its field populations. Clarifying larval thermal response mechanisms provides theoretical support for pest risk prediction under climate warming. Previous work has illustrated moderate heat induces canonical HSP activation, but the molecular responses of this pest to 41 °C extreme heat remain unclear. As such, we conducted non-reference transcriptome sequencing and 11 physio-biochemical assays on fifth-instar larvae exposed to 41 °C for 12 h (26 °C as control) to characterize its thermal regulatory network. De novo assembly yielded a comprehensive transcriptome resource, and analysis of differentially expressed genes revealed enrichment in energy metabolism, ER protein processing, MAPK signaling and autophagy pathways. Core HSP70/40 transcripts were significantly down-regulated while HSP80 showed stable transcription, suggesting that 41 °C may exceed the heat-shock protective threshold and potentially trigger heat damage. qRT-PCR validation of seven core stress genes confirmed the RNA-seq trends. Catalase (CAT) activity increased significantly; however, none of the annotated catalase genes showed transcriptional changes, whereas elevated CarE and AchE activities also lacked corresponding transcriptional shifts, implying post-translational or alternative regulatory mechanisms. Our data showed coordinated transcriptional and physiological changes under extreme heat. These findings provide a basis for further investigation into how C. sacchariphagus may respond to extreme heat under climate warming scenarios. Full article

Heat shock proteins of the HSP70 family and their BAG co-chaperones regulate responses to oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and ischemia, all central to coronary artery disease (CAD) pathogenesis. The contribution of genetic variants within HSP70-family and BAG co-chaperone genes to CAD susceptibility remains unclear. Thus, we sought to evaluate associations of HSP70- and BAG-related SNPs with CAD risk and to characterize their potential regulatory effects using comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. A case–control cohort of 834 CAD patients and 1328 controls of Russian ethnicity was genotyped for 13 SNPs. Associations with CAD susceptibility and traits were tested using log-additive regression with adaptive permutation. Loci underwent functional annotation. The C allele of BAG1 rs706121 was associated with increased CAD risk overall (OR = 1.24, p_perm = 0.019), in males (OR = 1.39, p_perm = 0.002), and in smokers (OR = 1.39, p_perm = 0.020). BAG3 rs196329 was associated with lower risk in males (A allele: OR = 0.82, p_perm = 0.040), whereas HSPA6 rs753856 was associated with reduced risk in physically active individuals (G allele: OR = 0.61, p_perm = 0.008). Additional associations involved clinical or biochemical traits. Functional annotation identified potential regulatory effects, including eQTL associations, overlap with histone marks, and allele-dependent changes in transcription factor binding. HSP70 and BAG variants may contribute to CAD susceptibility and support sex- and lifestyle-informed risk assessment. Full article

Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel) and Bactrocera correcta (Bezzi) are two globally concerning quarantine pests within the genus Bactrocera (Tephritidae). Both species inflict severe damage on the agricultural industry and international export trade. Their distribution range has expanded due to global warming, posing an increasing threat to fruit production. Heat shock proteins (HSPs), functioning as molecular chaperones, are known to contribute to temperature adaptation in insects. However, the cold adaptation regulatory mechanisms in these two Bactrocera species remain unclear. In this study, eIF4EBP3^−/− mutations were established by the CRISPR-Cas9 system in both species. The survival rate of the mutations was significantly reduced with cold treatments, and qRT-PCR analysis indicated that eIF4EBP3 regulates the expression of several downstream heat shock proteins, suggesting that it may be involved in rapid cold hardening (RCH) adaptability in both fruit fly species. In addition, this work represents the first application of the CRISPR-Cas9 system in B. correcta, which provides methods to further studies on this species. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying rapid cold hardening adaptation in B. dorsalis and B. correcta and a potential molecular marker for monitoring cold tolerance in field populations which could guide the development of novel control strategies that target the RCH adaptation pathways. Full article

Currently, emerging pharmaceutical contaminants (EPCs) pose a significant risk to aquatic biodiversity on both a global and regional scale. Their accumulation in the environment presents several challenges to both human health and ecological integrity. Among EPCs, cyclophosphamide (COP), a widely used alkylating cytotoxic and immunosuppressive drug in human and veterinary oncology, has become one of the most frequently detected environmental contaminants. It has been reported to impair the immune system, induce oxidative stress, and exhibit genotoxic and cytotoxic effects in various fish species. However, limited research has evaluated its toxicity in the Siamese fighting fish (Betta splendens), an endemic significant aquatic species in Thailand. This study evaluated the acute toxicity of COP in Betta splendens by assessing systemic oxidative stress responses, alterations in gene expression, and localized histopathological changes within both hepatic and renal tissues. The 96 h of median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) value for COP in Betta splendens was determined to be 793.4 mg/L. High-concentration exposure (800 mg/L) induced severe systemic oxidative stress, evidenced by a significant reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and a marked elevation in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels across both liver and kidney. At the transcriptomic level, acute COP exposure significantly upregulated pro-inflammatory (interleukin-1β, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor, TNF-α), cellular stress (heat shock protein 70, HSP70), and apoptotic (caspase-3, Casp3) genes. Semi-quantitative histopathological evaluation revealed severe concentration-dependent structural damage. Hepatic lesions peaked at 800 mg/L characterized by diffuse vacuolation, vascular congestion, and extensive necrosis. Similarly, severe renal damage occurred at 800 mg/L, featuring marked vascular congestion, melanomacrophage aggregation, and widespread tubular necrosis. Overall, these findings demonstrate that acute waterborne COP exposure induces severe hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in Betta splendens driven by oxidative stress, pro-inflammatory signaling, and apoptotic pathways. This study provides essential baseline toxicity thresholds and highlights the physiological risks COP spills pose to tropical freshwater labyrinth fish. Full article

Identifying physiological changes during the transition period is essential for improving the health and productivity of dairy goats. This study evaluated hematological, biochemical, hormonal, oxidative stress, and molecular alterations in Shami goats during the pre-pregnancy, late pregnancy, and early lactation periods. Eighty clinically healthy goats were examined, and blood samples were analyzed for hematological indices, metabolic and hormonal profiles, oxidative stress biomarkers, and relative expression of genes associated with energy metabolism, antioxidant defense, inflammation, and autophagy. Late pregnancy was characterized by significant (p < 0.05) increases in red blood cell count (RBCs), hemoglobin concentration (Hb), neutrophils, albumin, globulin, urea, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-I), and malondialdehyde (MDA), accompanied by decreased glucose, cholesterol, total protein (TP), antioxidant markers, total leukocyte count, packed cell volume, and monocytes. Early lactation was associated with higher non-esterified fatty acid, triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroxine (T4) levels. Genes involved in lipid mobilization and oxidation, ketogenesis, inflammation, cellular stress, and autophagy; sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA), carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1a (CPT1A), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme a synthase 2 (HMGCS2), cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36), lipase E (LIPE), protein kinase amp-activated catalytic subunit alpha 1 (PRKAA1), solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1), haptoglobin (HP), interleukin 6 (IL6), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), heme oxygenase 1 (HMOX1), beclin 1 (BECN1), and autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) were significantly upregulated, whereas antioxidant- and glucose transport-related genes nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), glutathione peroxidase 1 (GPX1), catalase (CAT), thioredoxin (TXN), and solute carrier family 2 member 4 (SLC2A4) were downregulated during the transition period. The results indicate well-orchestrated metabolic and molecular adaptations that can be employed as biological indicators to track the physiological status of Shami goats. These findings fulfilled the study objective and identified potential biomarkers of the transition period in Shami goats. Full article

Rising global temperatures pose a serious threat to the productivity of farmed animals. Prolonged heat exposure impairs growth, reproduction and immunity; suppresses feed intake; and disrupts intestinal barriers, leading to substantial economic losses. Conventional cooling strategies offer limited relief, spurring research into the underlying molecular dysregulation. Epigenetic mechanisms link heat stress (HS) to gene expression. Specific nutrients that modulate these mechanisms could help mitigate HS. This review critically summarizes how methyl donors, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), vitamins, and phytochemicals reshape the epigenome of poultry, ruminants, and swine under HS conditions, focusing on heat shock protein (HSP) modulation, intestinal barrier reinforcement, and enhancement of antioxidant capacity. Across these interventions, several consistent observations emerge: methyl donors appear to modulate HSP70 expression, butyrate reinforces intestinal barrier integrity, and folate reverses stress-induced hypermethylation in swine—although direct epigenetic evidence remains limited in most cases. However, knowledge gaps remain, especially regarding aquatic animals and interactions among dietary components. By integrating mechanistic and empirical evidence, this review provides a basis for precision nutrition that goes beyond single-nutrient strategies. Targeted dietary intervention may influence thermal tolerance through epigenetic mechanisms. Looking ahead, direct measurements of epigenetic endpoints and systematic cross-species comparisons will be essential to validate and extend the current findings. Full article

Heat stress severely hinders citrus yield and fruit quality. This study employed integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses to investigate the effects of the exogenous application of abscisic acid (ABA) and brassinosteroid (BR) on heat stress responses in citrus. The results showed that the exogenous application of ABA and BR increased the contents of soluble sugar, proline, and ABA, and enhanced the activities of peroxidase and catalase under heat stress. Transcriptome trend analysis identified profiles 1, 6, and 7 as significantly enriched across exogenous ABA, BR, and control conditions. Profile 6 exhibited rapid upregulation followed by stabilization and showed a significantly higher gene count under both ABA and BR treatments than under the control. KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that genes in profile 6 were primarily enriched in amino sugar, nucleotide sugar, galactose, amino acids, 2-oxocarboxylic acid, glycerophospholipid, glucosinolate metabolism, MAPK signaling pathway, plant hormone signal transduction, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, plant–pathogen interaction, and endocytosis. Furthermore, four genes encoding heat shock proteins (HSP), including HSP21A, HSP21B, HSP70-17, and HSP70A, were induced under heat stress and showed significant upregulation in response to exogenous ABA and BR treatments. In conclusion, these findings indicated that exogenous ABA and BR regulated ABA and osmoprotectant accumulation and antioxidant defense activation in response to heat stress. Full article

Heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) regulates the stress tolerance and reproductive ability of insects. In this study, the SfHSP70-7 gene was cloned and identified from the rice pest Sogatella furcifera. SfHSP70-7 encodes a typical cytoplasmic HSP70 protein that has a conserved functional domain and is highly similar to the HSP70 homologous protein of Laodelphax striatellus. SfHSP70-7 was found to be widely expressed across all developmental stages, with the highest levels in nymphs and female adults. In terms of tissue distribution, it was particularly abundant in the gut and ovaries. Its expression was strongly induced by high/low temperatures and three insecticides (triflumezopyrim, sulfoxaflor, and imidacloprid), with the maximum induction under heat and triflumezopyrim stress. RNA interference (RNAi) efficiently silenced SfHSP70-7 and significantly increased the susceptibility of S. furcifera to triflumezopyrim and sulfoxaflor, but it had no effect on susceptibility to imidacloprid. RNAi knockdown of SfHSP70-7 markedly reduced survival by 45.5% (30 °C) and 38.9% (35 °C) under heat stress. In addition, gene knockdown can damage the reproductive performance of females by reducing oviposition and egg hatchability. These results indicate that SfHSP70-7 is involved in regulating the heat tolerance, insecticide adaptability, and reproductive regulation mechanism of S. furcifera, providing a potential target for pest control. Full article

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a family of conserved molecular chaperons present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic species, playing a crucial role in maintaining cellular proteostasis and enhancing stress resilience. HSPs have a multitude of roles in regulating cell signaling transduction, antioxidant defenses, apoptosis, and protein folding, thereby contributing to overall cellular homeostasis. Insulin resistance is characterized by elevated oxidative stress, dysregulated pro-inflammatory signaling, and impaired cellular stress response, ultimately leading to deficient glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. Many studies have illustrated the benefits of exercise in improving insulin resistance and reducing the risk of metabolic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes. Habitual exercise and lifestyle modifications have been shown to activate heat shock response, enhancing HSP70 expression and promoting cellular adaptations that protect against metabolic dysfunction. However, the link between HSPs, particularly HSP70, and skeletal muscle insulin resistance remains complex and not fully elucidated. In this review, we discuss the mechanistic pathways by which HSP70 modulates insulin resistance, mitochondrial function, and inflammatory responses in skeletal muscle. Additionally, we discuss the protective effects of exercise-induced HSP70 expression and its potential as a therapeutic target for improving insulin sensitivity and metabolic health. Full article

The multistress concept is a recent approach developed to better understand the effects of environmental stress in animals under real-world conditions. In nature, animals are exposed to simultaneous environmental fluctuations on daily and seasonal time scales, and interactions among stressors can produce antagonistic, additive, or synergistic physiological responses. Consequently, studies examining only one stressor under controlled laboratory conditions may fail to reflect responses in natural habitats. This review discusses the effects of multiple stressors on redox metabolism and heat shock protein (HSP) responses, focusing on aquatic environments. We discuss the multistress approach in laboratory and field studies, highlighting major abiotic stressors such as salinity changes, solar radiation, temperature, and low oxygen availability, including hypoxia and aerial exposure. The effects of multiple stressors on HSPs and antioxidants are summarized using examples from the literature. Finally, the role of social stress and life history stage in shaping responses to multiple abiotic stressors is considered. Overall, the review highlights the application of the multistress approach in laboratory and field experiments, emphasizing key stress responses involving endogenous antioxidants and HSPs, both initiated by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Full article