Search Results (4,494)

The gut microbiota of macaques, highly homologous to humans in biological characteristics and metabolic functions, serves as an ideal model for studying the mechanisms of human intestinal diseases and therapeutic approaches. A comprehensive characterization of the macaque gut microbiota provides unique insights into human health and disease. This study employs metagenomic sequencing to assess the gut microbiota of wild M. mulatta brevicaudus across various ages, sexes, and physiological states. The results revealed that the dominant bacterial species in various age groups included Segatella copri and Bifidobacterium adolescentis. The predominant bacterial species in various sexes included Alistipes senegalensis and Parabacteroides (specifically Parabacteroides merdae, Parabacteroides johnsonii, and Parabacteroides sp. CT06). The dominant species during lactation and non-lactation periods were identified as Alistipes indistinctus and Capnocytophaga haemolytica. Functional analysis revealed significant enrichment in pathways such as global and overview maps, carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism. This study enhances our understanding of how age, sex, and physiological states shape the gut microbiota in M. mulatta brevicaudus, offering a foundation for future research on (1) host–microbiome interactions in primate evolution, and (2) translational applications in human health, such as microbiome-based therapies for metabolic or immune-related disorders. Full article

Prolonged inundations are altering coastal forest ecosystems of the southeastern US, causing extensive tree die-offs and the development of ghost forests. This hydrological stressor also alters carbon fluxes, threatening the stability of coastal carbon sinks. This study was conducted to investigate the interactions between hydrological drivers and ecosystem responses by analyzing daily eddy covariance flux data from a wetland forest in North Carolina, USA, spanning 2009–2019. We analyzed temporal patterns of net ecosystem exchange (NEE), gross primary productivity (GPP), and ecosystem respiration (RE) under both flooded and non-flooded conditions and evaluated their relationships with observed tree mortality. Generalized Additive Modeling (GAM) revealed that groundwater table depth (GWT), leaf area index (LAI), NEE, and net radiation (Rn) were key predictors of mortality transitions (R² = 0.98). Elevated GWT induces root anoxia; declining LAI reduces productivity; elevated NEE signals physiological breakdown; and higher Rn may amplify evapotranspiration stress. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis revealed critical early warning thresholds for tree mortality: GWT = 2.23 cm, LAI = 2.99, NEE = 1.27 g C m⁻² d⁻¹, and Rn = 167.54 W m⁻². These values offer a basis for forecasting forest mortality risk and guiding early warning systems. Our findings highlight the dominant role of hydrological variability in ecosystem degradation and offer a threshold-based framework for early detection of mortality risks. This approach provides insights into managing coastal forest resilience amid accelerating sea level rise. Full article

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) crop yields may be reduced by nitrogen deficiency stress tolerance. An evaluation of 144 tetraploid potato genotypes was carried out during two consecutive seasons (2019 and 2020), with the objective of characterizing their variability in key physiological and agronomic parameters. Physiological parameters included chlorophyll content and fluorescence, stomatal conductance, NDVI, leaf area, and perimeter, while agronomic characteristics such as yield, tuber fresh weight, tuber number, starch content, dry matter, and reducing sugars were evaluated. To genotype the population, the GGP V3 Potato array was used, generating 18,259 high-quality SNP markers. Marker–trait association analysis was conducted using the GWASpoly package in R, applying Q + K linear mixed models to enhance precision. This methodology enabled the identification of 18 SNP markers that exhibited statistically significant associations with the traits analyzed in both trials and periods, relating them to genes whose functional implication has already been described. Genetic loci associated with chlorophyll content and tuber number were detected across non-stress and stress treatments, while markers linked to leaf area and leaf perimeter were identified specifically under nitrogen deficiency stress. The genomic distribution of these markers revealed that genetic markers or single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) correlated with phenotypic traits under non-stress conditions were predominantly located on chromosome 11, whereas SNPs linked to stress responses were mainly identified on chromosomes 2 and 3. These findings contribute to understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying potato tolerance to nitrogen deficiency stress, offering valuable insights for the development of future marker-assisted selection programs aimed at improving nitrogen use efficiency and stress resilience in potato breeding. Full article

Organoid and spheroid technologies have rapidly become pivotal in thyroid cancer research, offering models that are more physiologically relevant than traditional two-dimensional culture. In the study of papillary and anaplastic thyroid carcinomas, two subtypes that differ both histologically and clinically, three-dimensional (3D) models offer unparalleled insights into tumor biology, therapeutic vulnerabilities, and resistance mechanisms. These models maintain essential tumor characteristics such as cellular diversity, spatial structure, and interactions with the microenvironment, making them extremely valuable for disease modeling and drug testing. This review emphasizes recent progress in the development and use of thyroid cancer organoids and spheroids, focusing on their role in replicating disease features, evaluating targeted therapies, and investigating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), cancer stem cell behavior, and treatment resistance. Patient-derived organoids have shown potential in capturing individualized drug responses, supporting precision oncology strategies for both differentiated and aggressive subtypes. Additionally, new platforms, such as thyroid organoid-on-a-chip systems, provide dynamic, high-fidelity models for functional studies and assessments of endocrine disruption. Despite ongoing challenges, such as standardization, limited inclusion of immune and stromal components, and culture reproducibility, advancements in microfluidics, biomaterials, and machine learning have enhanced the clinical and translational potential of these systems. Organoids and spheroids are expected to become essential in the future of thyroid cancer research, particularly in bridging the gap between laboratory discoveries and patient-focused therapies. Full article

Chromosome rearrangements during plant evolution can lead to alterations in genome structure and gene function, thereby influencing species adaptation and evolutionary processes. Gymnosperms, as an ancient group of plants, offer valuable insights into the morphological, physiological, and ecological characteristics of early terrestrial flora. The reconstruction of ancestral karyotypes in gymnosperms may provide critical clues for understanding their evolutionary history. In this study, we inferred the ancestral gymnosperm karyotype (AGK), which comprises 12 chromosomes, and conducted a collinearity analysis with existing gymnosperm genomes. Our findings indicate that chromosome numbers have remained remarkably stable throughout the evolution of gymnosperms. For species with multiplied chromosome numbers, such as gnetophytes, weak collinearities with the AGK were observed. Comparisons between the AGK and gnetophyte genomes revealed a biased pattern regarding retained duplication blocks. Furthermore, our analysis of transposable elements in Welwitschia mirabilis identified enriched regions containing LINE-1 retrotransposons within the syntenic blocks. Syntenic analysis between the AGK and angiosperms also demonstrated a biased distribution across chromosomes. These results provide a fundamental resource for further characterization of chromosomal evolution in gymnosperms. Full article

Traditional Chinese villages, which have long supported villagers’ comfort level of daily activities, are increasingly affected by global climate change and rural reconstruction, prompting growing research interest in their outdoor microclimate design. This systematic review aims to synthesize and evaluate the outdoor microclimate spatial design mechanism studies in traditional Chinese villages noted for their uniqueness and complexity. Following the PRISMA method, this study was carried out on November 27, 2024, by retrieving studies from the Scopus and CNKI databases and applying predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria; 42 empirical studies were systematically reviewed. It identifies current research trends, summarizes concepts, frameworks, indicators, and methodologies with a focus on the design mechanisms considering scales, contexts, and user groups, and outlines directions for future research. The findings reveal a growing number of publications, with case studies predominantly concentrated on three concepts: physical microclimates, human comfort, and behavioral responses, characterized as distributed in south-east areas. Based on these concepts and their correlations, this study proposes a classification framework based on multiple scales, contexts, and user groups. Within this framework, the study found that relative humidity and PET (physiological equivalent temperature) emerge as the most commonly used indicators, while field measurements, simulations, surveys, and observations are identified as the primary methods. The review further reveals that unique outdoor spatial design characteristics shape physical microclimates, human comfort, and behavior indicators influenced by contexts and users from the macro to the micro scale. Future research should advance existing studies by enriching the current contextual framework and explore more microclimatic factors. This review offers a comprehensive overview and actionable insights for outdoor microclimate design, policymaking, and the promotion of climate adaptation and villagers’ public health in different traditional rural settings. Full article

Organoids and microphysiological systems (MPSs) have emerged as physiologically relevant platforms that recapitulate key structural and functional features of human organs, tissues, and microenvironments. As one of the essential components that define the success of these systems, hydrogels play the central role of providing a three-dimensional, biomimetic scaffold that supports cell viability, spatial organization, and dynamic signaling. Natural polymer-based hydrogels, derived from materials such as collagen, gelatin, hyaluronic acid, and alginate, offer favorable properties including biocompatibility, degradability, and an extracellular matrix-like architecture. This review presents recent advances in the design and application of such hydrogels, focusing on crosslinking strategies (physical, chemical, and hybrid), the viscoelastic characteristics, and stimuli-responsive behaviors. The influence of these materials on cellular processes, such as stemness maintenance, differentiation, and morphogenesis, is critically examined. Furthermore, the applications of organoid culture and dynamic MPS platforms are discussed, highlighting their roles in morphogen delivery, barrier formation, and vascularization. Current challenges and future perspectives toward achieving standardized, scalable, and translational hydrogel systems are also addressed. Full article

This review explores the advantages of ivabradine in the management of cardiac surgery patients, particularly highlighting its heart rate (HR)-reducing properties, its role in minimizing the impact of atrial fibrillation, and its contributions to improving left ventricular diastolic function, as well as reducing pain, stress, and anxiety. In parallel, studies provide evidence that ivabradine influences endothelial inflammatory responses through mechanisms such as biomechanical modulation. Unlike traditional beta-blockers that may induce hypotension, ivabradine selectively inhibits hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels, allowing for effective HR reduction without compromising blood pressure stability. This characteristic is particularly beneficial for patients at risk of atrial fibrillation post-surgery, where HR control is crucial for cardiovascular stability. This is an area in which ivabradine appears to play a role prophylactically, possibly in combination with beta-blockers. Furthermore, ivabradine has been associated with enhanced diastolic parameters in left ventricular function, reflecting its potential to improve surgical outcomes in patients with compromised heart function. In addition to its cardiovascular benefits, it appears to alleviate psychological stress and anxiety, common in postoperative settings, by moderating the neuroendocrine response to stress, thereby reducing stress-induced hormone levels. Furthermore, it has notable analgesic properties, contributing to pain management through its action on HCN channels in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. Collectively, these findings indicate that ivabradine may serve as a valuable therapeutic agent in the perioperative care of cardiac surgery patients, addressing both physiological and psychological challenges during recovery. Full article

Introduction: Breast density is a well-recognized factor in breast cancer risk assessment, with higher density linked to increased malignancy risk and reduced sensitivity of conventional mammography. Background parenchymal enhancement (BPE), observed in contrast-enhanced imaging, reflects physiological contrast uptake in non-pathologic breast tissue. While extensively characterized in breast MRI, the role of BPE in contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) remains uncertain due to inconsistent findings regarding its correlation with breast density and cancer risk. Unlike breast density—standardized through the ACR BI-RADS lexicon—BPE lacks a uniform classification system in CEM, leading to variability in clinical interpretation and research outcomes. To address this gap, we introduce the BPE-CEM Standard Scale (BCSS), a structured four-tiered classification system specifically tailored to the two-dimensional characteristics of CEM, aiming to improve consistency and diagnostic alignment in BPE evaluation. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective single-center study, 213 patients who underwent mammography (MG), ultrasound (US), and contrast-enhanced mammography (CEM) between May 2022 and June 2023 at the “A. Perrino” Hospital in Brindisi were included. Breast density was classified according to ACR BI-RADS (categories A–D). BPE was categorized into four levels: Minimal (< 10% enhancement), Light (10–25%), Moderate (25–50%), and Marked (> 50%). Three radiologists independently assessed BPE in a subset of 50 randomly selected cases to evaluate inter-observer agreement using Cohen’s kappa. Correlations between BPE, breast density, and age were examined through regression analysis. Results: BPE was Minimal in 57% of patients, Light in 31%, Moderate in 10%, and Marked in 2%. A significant positive association was found between higher breast density (BI-RADS C–D) and increased BPE (p < 0.05), whereas lower-density breasts (A–B) were predominantly associated with minimal or light BPE. Regression analysis confirmed a modest but statistically significant association between breast density and BPE (R² = 0.144), while age showed no significant effect. Inter-observer agreement for BPE categorization using the BCSS was excellent (κ = 0.85; 95% CI: 0.78–0.92), supporting its reproducibility. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that breast density is a key determinant of BPE in CEM. The proposed BCSS offers a reproducible, four-level framework for standardized BPE assessment tailored to the imaging characteristics of CEM. By reducing variability in interpretation, the BCSS has the potential to improve diagnostic consistency and facilitate integration of BPE into personalized breast cancer risk models. Further prospective multicenter studies are needed to validate this classification and assess its clinical impact. Full article

Background/Objectives: The aim was to identify patterns of autonomic and neuroendocrine reactivity to an immersive virtual reality (VR) social-emotional stressor and explore their associations with perceived stress and eating behavior. Methods: This one-group pretest–posttest study included 30 children and adolescents with obesity (15 boys and 15 girls), aged 8 to 17 years. The VR protocol consisted of two consecutive phases: a 5 min relaxation phase using the Forest application and a 5 min stimulation phase using a cognitively engaging VR game designed to elicit social-emotional stress. Physiological responses were measured using heart rate variability (HRV) indices and salivary stress biomarkers, including cortisol and alpha amylase. Subjective stress and eating responses were assessed via visual analogue scales (VAS) administered immediately post-exposure. The Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21C) was used to evaluate cognitive restraint (CR), uncontrolled eating (UE), and emotional eating (EE). Results: The cortisol reactivity was blunted and may reflect both the attenuated HPA axis responsiveness characteristic of pediatric obesity and the moderate psychological challenge of the VR stressor used in this study. Two distinct autonomic response patterns were identified via exploratory factor analysis: (1) parasympathetic reactivity, associated with increased RMSSD and SDNN and decreased LF/HF, and (2) sympathetic activation, associated with increased heart rate and alpha-amylase levels and reduced RR intervals. Parasympathetic reactivity was correlated with lower perceived stress and anxiety, but also paradoxically with higher uncontrolled eating (UE). In contrast, sympathetic activation was associated with greater cognitive restraint (CR) and higher anxiety ratings. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that immersive VR game exposure elicits measurable autonomic and subjective stress responses in children and adolescents with obesity, and that individual differences in physiological reactivity are relevantly associated with eating behavior traits. The findings suggest that parasympathetic and sympathetic profiles may represent distinct behavioral patterns with implications for targeted intervention. Full article

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is highly prevalent in modern swine production, and many affected piglets survive past weaning and are raised for commercial pork production. This review summarizes the current understanding of the physiological challenges of IUGR piglets from a molecular perspective and evaluates recent advances in nutritional strategies aimed at mitigating their negative outcomes. Molecular approaches, including omics technologies and targeted analyses, have been employed to investigate the physiological characteristics of IUGR piglets. These approaches consistently show that IUGR piglets exhibit systemic dysfunction, including compromised gut health, increased inflammation and oxidative stress, and impaired function of multiple organs such as the intestine, liver, kidney, and immune-related tissues. Moreover, IUGR piglets often display poor muscle development and meat quality. The multifactorial nature of these issues suggests that targeting a single physiological parameter may be insufficient, and comprehensive interventions are needed to address the widespread effects of IUGR. Promising nutritional strategies such as supplementation with polyphenol-rich plant extracts, amino acids, and probiotics have demonstrated potential in improving gut integrity, beneficially modulating microbiota, and enhancing the overall health and performance of IUGR piglets. By supporting the systemic recovery of IUGR piglets, nutritional interventions could improve overall productivity in swine production systems. Full article

Background/Objectives: This scoping review critically evaluated existing literature and summarized the impact of occupational, physiological, and psychological stressors on adrenal and neuroendocrine responses, body composition, and physical performance amongst women in tactical occupations. Methods: Boolean searches identified potentially qualifying reports involving: (1) adult women (≥19 y) currently employed or completing their training for a tactical profession; (2) ≥1 marker of “stress”; and (3) ≥1 adrenal, neuroendocrine, body composition, or fitness/performance outcome. Quantitative data (e.g., sample characteristics, outcomes of interest) were extracted and summarized. The completeness of reporting for each study was documented using existing checklists and quantified as: low (<50%), moderate (50–79%), or high (≥80%). Results: 40 studies (k) of moderate reporting quality (~64%) were included in the final sample (3693 women); 11 studies (28%) focused on women exclusively, and 16 studies identified sex differences in ≥1 outcome. Most studies involved military trainee populations (80%, k = 32). Occupation-related stress tended to negatively impact adrenal, neuroendocrine, body composition, and performance outcomes. Conclusions: This review highlights progress in assessing occupational performance in female tactical personnel exposed to diverse stressors; however, our understanding remains incomplete due to methodological and conceptual limitations in the literature. Holistic research strategies are needed to capture the complexity of performance readiness in women, integrating how stress affects key tactical performance aspects such as muscle physiology, reproductive health, and energy and nutrient balance in realistic operational contexts. Integrating such data is vital for informing policy, improving readiness, and enhancing the health and career longevity of female tactical personnel. Full article

Wood, as a natural material that stores carbon, is gaining increasing attention and has potential for use in interior architectural applications. Given the long indoor stay time characteristic of modern society, it is important to scientifically understand the effects of indoor wood application on the occupants. In this study, three residential buildings with an identical area and structure were constructed with different degrees of wood coverage (0%, 45%, 90%) using Larix kaempferi. Subsequently, indoor air quality (IAQ) evaluations and relative humidity measurements were conducted to assess the physical and chemical changes in each environment. The IAQ in wooden and non-wooden environments met the recommended IAQ standards established in South Korea. The results of the 8-month observation showed that, the higher the wood coverage ratio, the more the indoor humidity fluctuations were alleviated, and, in the case of the 90% wood coverage ratio condition, the humidity was maintained 5.2% lower in the summer and 10.9% higher in the winter compared to the 0% condition. To further assess the physiological responses induced by the wooden environment, the heart rate variability (HRV) was measured and compared for 26 participants exposed to each environment for two hours. In environments with a 0% and 90% degree of wood coverage, no statistically significant differences were found in the participants’ HRV indicators. But, in the group exposed to the 45% wooden environment, the results showed an increase in HRV indicators, natural logarithm of high frequency power (lnHF): 4.87 → 5.40 (p < 0.05), and standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN): 30.57 → 38.48 (p < 0.05), which are known indicators of parasympathetic nervous system activation. Full article

Phosphorus (P) availability is a major constraint on plant growth in many forest ecosystems, yet the strategies by which different tree species acquire and utilize various forms of soil phosphorus remain poorly understood. This study investigated how coexisting tree species with contrasting mycorrhizal types, specifically arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and ectomycorrhizal (ECM) associations, respond to different phosphorus forms under field conditions. An in situ root bag experiment was conducted using four phosphorus treatments (control, inorganic, organic, and mixed phosphorus) across four subtropical tree species. A comprehensive set of fine root traits, including morphological, physiological, and mycorrhizal characteristics, was measured to evaluate species-specific phosphorus foraging strategies. The results showed that AM species were more responsive to phosphorus form variation than ECM species, particularly under inorganic and mixed phosphorus treatments. Significant changes in root diameter (RD), root tissue density (RTD), and acid phosphatase activity (RAP) were observed in AM species, often accompanied by higher phosphorus accumulation in fine roots. For example, RD in AM species significantly decreased under the Na₃PO₄ treatment (0.94 mm) compared to the control (1.18 mm), while ECM species showed no significant changes in RD across treatments (1.12–1.18 mm, p > 0.05). RTD in AM species significantly increased under Na₃PO₄ (0.030 g/cm³) and Mixture (0.021 g/cm³) compared to the control (0.012 g/cm³, p < 0.05), whereas ECM species exhibited consistently low RTD values across treatments (0.017–0.020 g/cm³, p > 0.05). RAP in AM species increased significantly under Na₃PO₄ (1812 nmol/g/h) and Mixture (1596 nmol/g/h) relative to the control (1348 nmol/g/h), while ECM species showed limited variation (1286–1550 nmol/g/h, p > 0.05). In contrast, ECM species displayed limited trait variation across treatments, reflecting a more conservative acquisition strategy. In addition, trait correlation analysis revealed stronger coordination among root traits in AM species. And AM species exhibited high variability across treatments, while ECM species maintained consistent trait distributions with limited plasticity. These findings suggest that AM and ECM species adopt fundamentally different phosphorus acquisition strategies. AM species rely on integrated morphological and physiological responses to variable phosphorus conditions, while ECM species maintain stable trait configurations, potentially supported by fungal symbiosis. Such divergence may contribute to functional complementarity and species coexistence in phosphorus-limited subtropical forests. Full article

Temperature affects the morphology, physiology, and distribution of marine macroalgae, as supported by studies that used long-term data from herbaria. In the present study, sea surface temperature (SST), latitudinal distribution, and La Niña or El Niño years were correlated to the morphology of two macroalgal species of the Mexican Pacific: Ceratodictyon tenue and C. variabile. Twenty-four morphological characteristics were evaluated, and 95 samples from 1965 to 2013 in the Escuela Nacional de Ciencias Biológicas herbarium were reviewed. In 2017, 2023, and 2024, 12 specimens were sampled at three locations. Low positive correlations were found between thallus diameter and SST for C. tenue, while low positive correlations were detected for thallus length and medullary cell diameter vs. SST and medullary cell length vs. year for C. variabile. Significant relationships were found between the thallus length and cortical cell diameter of C. variabile with latitude and SST. It is concluded that SST contributes to changes in morphology, but is not the only factor that affects them. For the first time in a tropical area, the present study explores whether there is a relationship between SST, latitudinal distribution, and El Niño and La Niña years and the morphology of a genus of red algae. Full article