Search Results (1,977)

Background/Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder of brain–gut interaction characterized by abdominal pain and altered bowel habits. While stress and anxiety are known to exacerbate IBS symptoms, less is understood about how these factors interact on a daily timescale. This study aimed to clarify the relationship between daily stress and abdominal pain in IBS and to examine whether trait anxiety moderates this association. Methods: Forty-nine IBS patients completed daily assessments of stress and abdominal pain over a 14-day period. Participants rated abdominal pain three times daily and reported daily stress levels across seven life domains each evening. Trait anxiety was assessed at baseline using the STAI-T. Results: Hierarchical linear modeling was used to analyze within-person and between-person effects. An increase in between-person stress was associated with increased probability of abdominal pain among individuals with low-to-moderate trait anxiety, while this was not observed in patients with high trait anxiety. Even though within-person (day-to-day) stress variations had an impact on pain probability, the effects of between-person variations were multiple times greater. Conclusions: These findings suggest that the interplay between stress and anxiety in IBS might not be uniform. High trait anxiety may, under certain conditions, attenuate rather than amplify the link between stress and pain, possibly pointing to a more dynamic relationship. Full article

Background/Objectives: In an increasingly pervasive digital environment, trait boredom has been identified as a key psychological factor in the onset and maintenance of problematic digital technology use. This systematic review aims to investigate the role of trait boredom in digital behavioral addictions, including problematic smartphone use, Internet and social media overuse, and gaming addiction, through theoretical models such as the I-PACE model and the Compensatory Internet Use Theory (CIUT). Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted across multiple scientific databases (PsycINFO, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus), yielding a total of 4603 records. Following the PRISMA guidelines after duplicate removal and screening based on title and abstract, 152 articles were assessed for full-text eligibility, and 28 studies met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria and were included in the final review. Results: Findings reveal that trait boredom functions as both a direct and indirect factor in problematic technology use. It serves as a mediator and moderator in the relationship between psychological vulnerabilities (e.g., depression, alexithymia, vulnerable narcissism) and dysfunctional digital behaviors. Furthermore, as an independent variable, it has an influence on technological variables through Fear of Missing Out (FoMO), loneliness, low self-regulation, and dysfunctional metacognitions, while protective factors such as mindfulness and attentional control mitigate its impact. Conclusions: Boredom represents a central psychological lever for understanding behavioral addictions in the digital age and should be considered a key target in preventive and therapeutic interventions focused on enhancing self-regulation and meaningful engagement with free time. Full article

Plant microbiomes are vital for the growth and health of their host. Tree-associated microbiomes are shaped by multiple factors, of which the host is one of the key determinants. Whether different host genotypes affect the structure and diversity of the tissue-associated microbiome and how specific taxa enriched in different tree tissues are not yet well illustrated. Chinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata) is an important tree species for both economy and ecosystem in the subtropical regions of Asia. In this study, we investigated the tissue-specific fungal community structure and diversity of nine different Chinese fir genotypes (39 years) grown in the same field. With non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis, we revealed the divergence of the fungal community from rhizosphere soil (RS), fine roots (FRs), and thick roots (TRs). Through analysis with α-diversity metrics (Chao1, Shannon, Pielou, ACE, Good‘s coverage, PD-tree, Simpson, Sob), we confirmed the significant difference of the fungal community in RS, FR, and TR samples. Yet, the overall fungal community difference was not observed among nine genotypes for the same tissues (RS, FR, TR). The most abundant fungal genera were Russula in RS, Scytinostroma in FR, and Subulicystidium in TR. Functional prediction with FUNGuild analysis suggested that ectomycorrhizal fungi were commonly enriched in rhizosphere soil, while saprotroph–parasite and potentially pathogenic fungi were more abundant in root samples. Specifically, genotype N104 holds less ectomycorrhizal and pathogenic fungi in all tissues (RS, FR, TR) compared to other genotypes. Additionally, significant correlations of several endophytic fungal taxa (Scytinostroma, Neonothopanus, Lachnum) with the growth traits (tree height, diameter, stand volume) were observed. This addresses that the interaction between tree roots and the fungal community is a reflection of tree growth, supporting the “trade-off” hypothesis between growth and defense in forest trees. In summary, we revealed tissue-specific, as well as host genotype-specific and genotype-common characters of the structure and functions of their fungal communities. Full article

Camellia azalea is an endemic species within the genus Camellia that exhibits the trait of summer flowering, which is of significant ornamental and research value. Nevertheless, research on the regulatory mechanisms of flower formation in C. azalea is still limited, so in this study, transcriptome sequencing and analysis of endogenous hormone contents were conducted at three distinct growth stages: floral induction, floral organ maturation, and anthesis. Illumina sequencing yielded a total of 20,643 high-quality unigenes. Comparative analyses of representative samples from the three growth stages identified 6681, 1925, and 8400 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), respectively. These DEGs were further analyzed for functional enrichment using the GO and KEGG databases. Additionally, core genes from each flowering pathway underwent expression pattern analysis and network diagram construction. This revealed that the flower development process in C. azalea is linked to the specific expression of the genes involved in the photoperiod, temperature, and autonomous pathways and is subject to comprehensive regulation by multiple pathways. Further analysis of the dynamic trends of five endogenous hormone contents and plant hormone signal transduction genes revealed significant differences in the requirements of endogenous hormones, such as gibberellins and indoleacetic acid, by C. azalea at distinct growth stages. Additionally, the majority of genes on the phytohormone signal transduction pathway demonstrated a high correlation with the changes in the contents of each hormone. The present study integrates physiological and molecular approaches to identify key genes and metabolic pathways that regulate the summer flowering of C. azalea, thereby laying a theoretical foundation for further investigations into its flowering mechanism and related functional genes. Full article

Background: Osteodysplastic syndromes comprise a very diverse group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by defects in bone and connective tissue development, as well as in bone density. Here, we report the case of a 48-year-old female with a complex medical history characterized by bone dysplasia, hyperostosis, and partial tooth agenesis. Methods: Genetic testing was performed using WES analysis and Sanger sequencing. Molecular modeling analysis and dynamics simulation explored the impact of detected pathogenic variants. Results: The genetic analysis detected multiple pathogenic variants in genes CREB3L1, SLCO2A1, SFRP4, LRP5, and LRP6, each of which has been associated with rare osteodysplastic syndromes. The patient was homozygous for the same rare alleles associated with three of the identified autosomal recessive disorders osteogenesis imperfecta type XVI, primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy, and metaphyseal dysplasia Pyle type. She also had a variant linked to autosomal dominant endosteal hyperostosis and a variant previously associated with increased risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. Two of the detected variants are predicted to cause abnormal splicing, while molecular modeling and dynamics simulations analysis suggest that the other three variants probably confer altered local secondary structure and flexibility that may have functionally devastating consequences. Conclusions: Our case highlights the rare coexistence of multiple osteodysplastic syndromes in a single patient that may complicate differential diagnosis. Furthermore, this case emphasizes the necessity for early genetic investigation of such complex cases with overlying phenotypic traits, followed by genetic counseling, facilitating orchestration of clinical interventions and allowing prevention and/or prompt management of manifestations. Full article

Background/Objectives: Executive function (EF) difficulties are increasingly recognized as closely linked to ADHD, particularly when assessed via rating scales. Methods: The present study investigated the nature of these associations, using the Conners 3 Rating Scales to assess ADHD symptoms and the Executive Function Questionnaire (EFQU) to assess EF impairments, in a sample of 1068 children (40.8% males, 38.8% females) aged 7–14 years (M = 10.7, SD = 1.74). Results: Both parent and teacher ratings revealed strong correlations, particularly between inattentive symptoms and EF difficulties, across multiple executive domains. To examine whether these associations stemmed from construct or phrasing overlap, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. The results demonstrate that the Conners 3 and the EFQU capture distinct latent dimensions of functioning, with virtually no overlap in item content. Conclusions: The strength and consistency of the associations between these latent factors support the interpretation that, although conceptually distinct, ADHD symptoms and EF impairments are empirically intertwined in everyday functioning, as consistently reported by both parents and teachers. Interestingly, teachers provided more integrated views of behavior, while parents tended to distinguish ADHD and EF traits more clearly. These findings underscore the importance of multi-informant assessment and contextual variability in understanding children’s functioning. Full article

Niche complementarity is suggested to be a main driver of productivity overyielding in diverse environments due to enhanced resource use efficiency and reduced competition. Here, we combined multiple different approaches to demonstrate that niche overlap is the most likely cause to explain a lack of overyielding of three tree species when grown in different species combinations. First, in an experimental planting we found no relationship between productivity and species diversity for leaf, wood, or root production (no slope was significantly different from zero), suggesting a lack of niche differences among species. Second, data extracted from the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Inventory and Analysis revealed that the species do not significantly co-occur in natural stands (p = 0.4065) as would be expected if coexistence was common across their entire range. Third, we compared trait differences among our species and found that they are not significantly different in multi-dimensional trait space (p = 0.1724). By combining multiple analytical approaches, we provide evidence of potential niche overlap that precludes coexistence and a positive diversity–productivity relationship between these three tree species. Full article

Background/Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases are a global health issue with an increasing burden and are exacerbated by hypertension. High blood pressure is partly attributed to genetic variants that are generally not well understood or extensively studied in sub-Saharan African populations. Variants linked to blood pressure have been found through genome-wide association studies (GWASs), which were mostly conducted among European ancestry populations; however, limited research has been undertaken in Africa. The current study evaluated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of PCSK9, ABCA1, LPL, and PON1 in relation to blood pressure measurements of 1839 Ghanaian adults. Methods: Genotypes were extracted from data generated by the H3Africa SNP array. After adjusting for sex, age, smoking, and body mass index (BMI), inferential statistics were used to investigate the relationships between SNPs and blood pressure (BP) indices. Additionally, Bonferroni correction was used to adjust for multiple testing. Results: Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and the minor allele T of the PCSK9 variant (rs17111557) were positively associated at p = 0.006 after covariate adjustments. Although this novel DBP-associated variant is located in the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of the PCSK9 gene, in silico functional prediction suggests it is an expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) that may change the binding site of transcription factors, potentially altering the rate of transcription and impacting DBP in this Ghanaian population. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the role of genetics in hypertension risk and the potential of discovering new therapies targeting isolated diastolic blood pressure in this rural African population. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity, a major risk factor for cardiometabolic traits, is influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. Genetic studies have identified multiple single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with obesity and related traits. This study aimed to examine the association between genetic risk score (GRS) and obesity-associated traits, while incorporating SNPs with established gene–diet interactions to explore their potential role in precision nutrition (PN) strategies. Methods: A total of 4279 participants were stratified into low- and intermediate-/high-GRS groups based on 18 SNPs linked to obesity and cardiometabolic traits. This study followed a case–control design, where cases included individuals with overweight/obesity, T2DM-positive (+), or CVD-positive (+) individuals and controls, which comprised individuals free of these traits. Logistic regression area under the curve (AUC) models were used to assess the predictive power of the GRS and traditional risk factors on BMI, T2DM and CVD. Results: Individuals in the intermediate-/high-GRS group had higher odds of being overweight or obese (OR = 1.23, CI: 1.03–1.48, p = 0.02), presenting as T2DM+ (OR = 1.56, CI: 1.03–2.49, p = 0.03) and exhibiting CVD-related traits (OR = 1.56, CI: 1.25–1.95, p < 0.0001), compared to the low-GRS group. The GRS was the second most predictive factor after age for BMI (AUC = 0.515; 95% CI: 0.462–0.538). The GRS also demonstrated a predictive power of 0.528 (95% CI: 0.508–0.564) for CVD and 0.548 (95% CI: 0.440–0.605) for T2DM. Conclusions: This study supports the potential utility of the GRS in assessing obesity and cardiometabolic risk, while emphasizing the potential of PN approaches in modulating genetic susceptibility. Incorporating gene–diet interactions provides actionable insights for personalized dietary strategies. Future research should integrate multiple gene–diet and gene–gene interactions to enhance risk prediction and targeted interventions. Full article

Enhancing quality traits is a primary objective in silage maize breeding programs. The use of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for quality traits, in combination with the integration of genetic resources, presents an opportunity to identify crucial genomic regions and candidate genes influencing silage maize quality. In this study, a GWAS was conducted on 580 inbred lines of silage maize, and a meta-analysis was performed on 477 quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from 34 studies. The analysis identified 27 significant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and 87 consensus QTLs (cQTLs), with 7 cQTLs associated with multiple quality traits. By integrating the SNPs identified through association mapping, one SNP was found to overlap with the cQTL interval related to crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and starch content. Furthermore, enrichment analysis predicted 300 and 5669 candidate genes through GWAS and meta-analysis, respectively, highlighting pathways such as cellular metabolism, the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, ribosome function, carbon metabolism, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, and amino acid biosynthesis. The examination of 13 candidate genes from three co-located regions revealed Zm00001d050977 as a cytochrome P450 family gene, while the other 2 genes primarily encode proteins involved in stress responses and other biological pathways. In conclusion, this research presents a methodology combining GWAS and meta-analysis to identify genomic regions and potential genes influencing quality traits in silage maize. These findings serve as a foundation for the identification of significant QTLs and candidate genes crucial for improving silage maize quality. Full article

This study evaluated the influence of different male date palm cultivars, distinguished by their chloroplast haplotypes, on pollen quality, pollination efficiency, metaxenia effects, and gene expression during fruit development. Chloroplast DNA analysis of 37 male trees revealed multiple haplotypes, from which cultivars B25, P8, C22, and B46 were selected for further investigation. Pollen viability varied significantly among cultivars, with P8 and B25 exhibiting the highest germination rates and pollen tube elongation, while C22 showed the lowest. These differences correlated with pollination success: P8 and B25 achieved fertilization rates near 99%, whereas C22 remained below 43%. Pollination outcomes also varied in fruit traits. Despite its low pollen performance, C22 induced the production of larger fruits at the Bleh (Kimri) stage, potentially due to compensatory physiological mechanisms. Phytochemical profiling revealed significant cultivar effects: fruits from B25-pollinated trees had with lower moisture and polyphenol content but the higher sugar levels and soluble solids, suggesting accelerated maturation. Ripening patterns confirmed this finding, with B25 promoting the earliest ripening and B46 causing the most delayed. Gene expression analysis supported these phenotypic differences. Fruits pollinated by P8, B25, and B46 exhibited elevated levels of cell-division-related transcripts, particularly the PdCD_1 gene (PDK_XM_008786146.4, a gene encoding a cell division control protein), which was most abundant in P8. In contrast, fruits from C22-pollinated trees had the lowest expression of growth-related genes, suggesting a shift toward cell expansion rather than division. Overall, the results show the critical role of male genotype in influencing fertilization outcomes and fruit development, offering valuable insights for targeted breeding strategies at enhancing date palm productivity and fruit quality. Full article

Sorghum is a versatile crop that serves as a major source of food, feed, fodder and biofuel globally. Lignin content in sorghum affects multiple important traits, including lodging resistance, forage digestibility and the efficiency of bioenergy production. However, the genetic regulation of lignin content in sorghum remains poorly understood. In this study, we combined transcriptomic and comparative genomic approaches to uncover the genetic network underlying lignin biosynthesis in sorghum. Through comparative genomic analysis, we identified 104 candidate genes involved in lignin biosynthesis. Transcriptome analysis of four sorghum accessions with contrasting lignin contents identified 6132 differentially expressed genes with an enrichment of genes related to phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and cell wall biogenesis. The 104 lignin biosynthesis candidates were significantly enriched (p-value < 0.01) in these differentially expressed genes, with most differentially expressed candidate genes related to monolignol biosynthesis and polymerization being up-regulated in high-lignin accessions. These up-regulated genes are related to all key enzymes involved in lignin biosynthesis, suggesting that the elevated lignin content in these accessions results from a collective increase in enzyme activity. Sequence analysis revealed a significant reduction in genetic diversity across lignin biosynthesis genes in cultivated sorghum compared to wild sorghum. Moreover, selection signals during domestication were identified in 30 lignin biosynthesis genes, 22 of which were differentially expressed, further supporting the functional relevance of these differentially expressed genes in lignin biosynthesis. Overall, our findings uncover the lignin biosynthesis gene network in sorghum and offer potential targets for future functional studies and trait manipulation. Full article

In farmed animals, body color is not only an ecological trait but also an important trait that influences the commercial value of the animals. Melanin plays an important role in the formation of body color in animals, while the tyrosinase (TYR) gene family is a group of key enzymes that regulate melanogenesis. The Chinese soft-shelled turtle (Pelodiscus sinensis) is one of the most important reptiles in freshwater aquaculture. However, the potential role of the TYR gene family in the body color formation of P. sinensis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the expression and conservation of the TYR gene family in relation to body color variation in P. sinensis. Three core members of this gene family were identified from the P. sinensis genome. Following identification, the genomic features were analyzed. They shared similar physicochemical properties and conserved domains. Chromosome mapping showed that the three genes of P. sinensis were all located on the autosomes, while phylogenetic and collinearity analysis suggested that the protein functions of the three genes in the studied species were highly conserved. Amino acid sequence alignment indicated high conservation among the three TYR gene family proteins (TYR, TYRP1, and DCT) in multiple critical regions, particularly in their hydrophobic N-/C-terminal regions and cysteine/histidine-rich conserved domains. The qRT-PCR revealed that the TYR and DCT genes were highly expressed in the eyes of individuals with different body colors. The expression levels of TYR and TYRP1 genes in the skin were significantly higher in dark-colored individuals than in light-colored ones (p < 0.05). These results will lay the groundwork for functional studies and breeding programs targeting color traits in aquaculture. Full article

Wheat leaf rust (Lr), caused by Puccinia triticina Eriks. (Pt), is one of the most important diseases affecting wheat production worldwide. Using resistant wheat cultivars is the most economic and environmentally friendly way to control leaf rust. The Chinese wheat cultivar Xinong1163-4 has shown good resistance to Lr in field trials. To identify the genetic basis of Lr resistance in Xinong1163-4, 195 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) from the Xinong1163-4/Thatcher cross were phenotyped for Lr severity in three environments: the 2017/2018, 2018/2019, and 2019/2020 growing seasons in Baoding, Hebei Province. Bulked segregant analysis and simple sequence repeat markers were then used to identify the quantitative trait loci (QTLs) for Lr adult plant resistance (APR) in the population. As a result, six QTLs were detected, designated as QLr.hbau-1BL.1, QLr.hbau-1BL.2, and QLr.hbau-1BL.3. These QTLs were predicted to be novel. QLr.hbau-4BL, QLr.hbau-4BL.1, and QLr.hbau-3A were identified at similar physical positions to previously reported QTLs. Based on chromosome positions and molecular marker testing, QLr.hbau-1BL.3 shares similar flanking markers with Lr46. Lr46 is a non-race-specific APR gene for leaf rust, stripe rust, and powdery mildew. Similarly, QLr.hebau-4BL showed resistance to multiple diseases, including leaf rust, stripe rust, Fusarium head blight, and powdery mildew. The QTLs identified in this study, as well as their closely linked markers, can potentially be used for marker-assisted selection in wheat breeding. Full article

The date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is a key crop in the arid regions of North Africa and the Middle East, with substantial socioeconomic value. Although multiple genome assemblies have been generated using next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies, they primarily focus on Middle Eastern cultivars, leaving North African varieties unrepresented. This study aims to address this gap by sequencing and assembling the first genome of a North African date palm using Illumina sequencing technology. We present a draft genome assembly of the elite Tunisian variety Deglet Nour. By comparing it with the Barhee BC4 reference genome, we identify key genetic variants, including single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and insertions/deletions (INDELs), potentially associated with ripening processes and fruit quality. This work expands the genomic resources for date palm research, particularly for North African cultivars, and provides new insights into the nucleotide-level variability of the genes linked to key agronomic traits. Full article