Search Results (893)

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) system regulates implantation, placental development, and angiogenesis in eutherian mammals. However, little is known about the changes in this system in equine placenta (chorioallantois; CA) and the endometrium (EN) during pregnancy, or the relationship to vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression. The current study investigated the expression of the IGF system components, namely the ligands (IGF1 and IGF2), their receptors (IGF1R, IGF2R, and INSR), and their binding proteins (IGFBPs and IGF2BPs) in equine CA at 45 days, 4, 6, 10, and 11 months of gestational age (GA) and immediately postpartum (PP), and in equine EN at 4, 6, 10, and 11 months GA. IGF1 immunolocalization and serum concentrations were also evaluated across gestation. IGF1 mRNA expression in CA increased from day 45 to peak at 6 months and then gradually declined to reach a nadir in PP samples. This profile correlated positively with the VEGF expression profile (r = 0.62, p = 0.001). In contrast, IGF2 expression in CA was not correlated with VEGF (p = 0.14). Interestingly, IGF2 mRNA was more abundant in equine CA than IGF1 (p < 0.05) throughout gestation. Among the IGFBPs investigated in CA, the expression of IGFBP2 and IGF2BP2 was highly abundant (p < 0.05) at day 45 compared to other GAs. Conversely, mRNA expression for IGFBP3 and IGFBP5 was more abundant (p < 0.05) in PP than at all investigated GAs. Immunohistochemistry revealed that IGF1 is localized in the equine chorionic epithelium (cytoplasm and nucleus). IGF1 serum concentrations peaked at 9 months and declined to their lowest levels PP. In conclusion, this study demonstrates a positive correlation between IGF1 and VEGF expression in equine CA during gestation, suggesting that the IGF system plays a crucial role in placental angiogenesis by regulating VEGF. Full article

Background/Objectives: Late embryogenesis abundant (LEA) proteins regulate stress responses and contribute significantly to plant stress tolerance. As a model species for stress resistance studies, foxtail millet (Setaria italica) lacks comprehensive characterization of its LEA gene family. This study aimed to comprehensively identify SiLEA genes in foxtail millet and elucidate their functional roles and tissue-specific expression patterns. Methods: Genome-wide identification of SiLEA genes was conducted, followed by phylogenetic reconstruction, cis-acting element analysis of promoters, synteny analysis, and expression profiling. Results: Ninety-four SiLEA genes were identified and classified into nine structurally distinct subfamilies, which are unevenly distributed across all nine chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed closer clustering of SiLEA genes with sorghum and rice orthologs than with Arabidopsis thaliana AtLEA genes. Synteny analysis indicated the LEA gene family expansion through tandem and segmental duplication. Promoter cis-element analysis linked SiLEA genes to plant growth regulation, stress responses, and hormone signaling. Transcriptome analysis revealed tissue-specific expression patterns among SiLEA members, while RT-qPCR verified ABA-induced transcriptional regulation of SiLEA genes. Conclusions: This study identified 94 SiLEA genes grouped into nine subfamilies with distinct spatial expression profiles. ABA treatment notably upregulated SiASR-2, SiASR-5, and SiASR-6 in both shoots and roots. Full article

Sustainability represents a significant global challenge, requiring a balance between environmental impact and the use of natural resources. White biotechnology, which uses microorganisms and enzymes for environmentally friendly products and processes, offers promising solutions to support a growing population. Within this context, the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica stands out, so we investigated the generation of biomass from two wild strains (ATCC 9773 and NRRL Y-50997) using different carbon sources. Additionally, protein content and amino acid profiles were assessed via standardized analytical methods to evaluate their potential as nutritional yeasts. Both strains demonstrated potential as nutritional yeasts, with biomass productivities of up to 35.5 g/L and 42 g/L, respectively. The protein content was high, with 58.8% for ATCC 9773 and 58.2% for NRRL Y-50997. Furthermore, the strains presented essential amino acid contents of 62.6% and 41.5%, with lysine being the most abundant amino acid. These findings underscore the versatility and productivity of Y. lipolytica, highlighting its potential for sustainable biotechnological applications such as single-cell protein production. Full article

The detection of proteins plays a key role in disease diagnosis and drug development. For this, we numerically investigated a novel microfluidic motor actuated by an induced-charge electro-osmotic (ICEO) whirling flow. An alternating current–flow field effect transistor is engineered to modulate the profiles of ICEO streaming to stimulate and adjust the whirling flow in the circle microfluidic chamber. Based on this, we studied the distribution of an ICEO whirling flow in the detection chamber by tuning the fixed potential on the gate electrodes by the simulations. Then, we established a fluid–structure interaction model to explore the influence of blade structure parameters on the rotation performance of microfluidic motors. In addition, we investigated the rotation dependence of microfluidic motors on the potential drop between two driving electrodes and fixed potential on the gate electrodes. Next, we numerically explored the capability of these microfluidic motors for the detection of low-abundance proteins. Finally, we studied the regulating effect of potential drops between the driving electrodes on the detection performance of microfluidic motors by numerical simulations. Microfluidic motors actuated by an ICEO whirling flow hold good potential in environmental monitoring and disease diagnosis for the outstanding advantages of flexible controllability, a simple structure, and gentle work condition. Full article

Prognostic markers such as overall survival (OS) and tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) ratios, alongside diagnostic signatures like primary cancer-type classification, provide critical information for treatment selection, risk stratification, and longitudinal care planning across the oncology continuum. However, extracting these signals solely from sparse, high-dimensional multi-omics data remains a major challenge due to heterogeneity and frequent missingness in patient profiles. To address this challenge, we present SeNMo, a self-normalizing deep neural network trained on five heterogeneous omics layers—gene expression, DNA methylation, miRNA abundance, somatic mutations, and protein expression—along with the clinical variables, that learns a unified representation robust to missing modalities. Trained on more than 10,000 patient profiles across 32 tumor types from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), SeNMo provides a baseline that can be readily fine-tuned for diverse downstream tasks. On a held-out TCGA test set, the model achieved a concordance index of 0.758 for OS prediction, while external evaluation yielded 0.73 on the CPTAC lung squamous cell carcinoma cohort and 0.66 on an independent 108-patient Moffitt Cancer Center cohort. Furthermore, on Moffitt’s cohort, baseline SeNMo fine-tuned for TLS ratio prediction aligned with expert annotations (p < 0.05) and sharply separated high- versus low-TLS groups, reflecting distinct survival outcomes. Without altering the backbone, a single linear head classified primary cancer type with 99.8% accuracy across the 33 classes. By unifying diagnostic and prognostic predictions in a modality-robust architecture, SeNMo demonstrated strong performance across multiple clinically relevant tasks, including survival estimation, cancer classification, and TLS ratio prediction, highlighting its translational potential for multi-omics oncology applications. Full article

Unconventional food plants (UFPs) are increasingly valued for their nutritional composition and bioactive potential. This study proposes a comprehensive characterization of the chemical and bioactive properties of Pereskia aculeata Miller (Cactaceae) (PA); Xanthosoma sagittifolium (L.) Schott (Araceae) (XS); Stachys byzantina K. Koch (Lamiaceae) (SB); and inflorescences from three cultivars of Musa acuminata (Musaceae) var. Dwarf Cavendish, var. BRS Platina, and var. BRS Conquista (MAD, MAP, and MAC), including the assessment of physical, nutritional, phytochemical, and biological parameters. Notably, detailed phenolic profiles were established for these species, many of which are poorly documented in the literature. XS was characterized by a unique abundance of C-glycosylated flavones, especially apigenin and luteolin derivatives, rarely described for this species. SB exhibited high levels of phenylethanoid glycosides, particularly verbascoside and its isomers (up to 21.32 mg/g extract), while PA was rich in O-glycosylated flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin derivatives. Nutritionally, XS had the highest protein content (16.3 g/100 g dw), while SB showed remarkable dietary fiber content (59.8 g/100 g). Banana inflorescences presented high fiber (up to 66.5 g/100 g) and lipid levels (up to 7.35 g/100 g). Regarding bioactivity, PA showed the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity (95.21%) and SB the highest reducing power in the FRAP assay (4085.90 µM TE/g). Cellular antioxidant activity exceeded 2000% in most samples, except for SB. Cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory activities were generally low, with only SB showing moderate effects against Caco-2 and AGS cell lines. SB and PA demonstrated the strongest antimicrobial activity, particularly against Yersinia enterocolitica, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Enterococcus faecalis, with minimum inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.156 to 0.625 mg/mL. Linear discriminant analysis revealed distinctive chemical patterns among the species, with organic acids (e.g., oxalic up to 7.53 g/100 g) and fatty acids (e.g., linolenic acid up to 52.38%) as key discriminant variables. Overall, the study underscores the nutritional and functional relevance of these underutilized plants and contributes rare quantitative data to the scientific literature regarding their phenolic signatures. Full article

Background: Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a metabolic disorder managed through a strict, lifelong low-phenylalanine diet, which may influence gut microbiome dynamics. While gut bacterial alterations in PKU are increasingly investigated, the fungal community (mycobiome) remains largely unexplored. This study compared gut mycobiome composition and dietary profiles of paediatric PKU patients and healthy controls, stratified by age (<10 and 10–18 years). Methods: Stool samples from 20 children (10 PKU, 10 controls) were analysed using ITS1/ITS2 amplicon sequencing. Nutritional status was assessed using Body Mass Index percentiles (Polish standards), and nutrient intake was evaluated from three-day dietary records compared to national reference values. Correlations between fungal taxa and dietary factors were explored. Results: Although alpha diversity did not differ significantly, beta diversity and LEfSe analyses revealed distinct fungal profiles between PKU patients and controls, indicating a trend toward group separation (PERMANOVA: F = 1.54646, p = 0.09; ANOVA: p = 0.0609). PKU patients showed increased Eurotiales (p = 0.029), Aspergillaceae (p = 0.029), and Penicillium (p = 0.11) and decreased Physalacriaceae (0% vs. 5.84% in controls) and Malassezia (p = 0.13). Spearman’s analysis showed significant correlations between Geotrichum and intake of protein (ρ = 0.55, p = 0.0127) and phenylalanine (ρ = 0.70, p = 0.0005). Conclusions: Dietary treatment in PKU is associated with age-dependent shifts in the gut mycobiome, notably increasing the abundance of taxa such as Eurotiales, Aspergillaceae, and Penicillium, involved in carbohydrate/lipid metabolism and mucosal inflammation. These findings highlight the potential of gut fungi as nutritional and clinical biomarkers in PKU. Full article

Background: The endogenous opioid system plays a pivotal role in numerous physiological processes and is implicated in a range of diseases, including atherosclerosis, a condition contributing to nearly 50% of deaths in Western societies. Objectives: This study investigates the effects of opioid receptor blockade, using naloxone, on the plasma lipid profile and atherosclerosis progression. Methods: ApoE^−/− mice with advanced atherosclerosis were treated with naloxone for seven days, and the effects on atherosclerotic plaque development and liver steatosis were evaluated. Results: A proteomic analysis of liver samples post-treatment identified 38 proteins with altered abundance. The results revealed that naloxone treatment led to an increase in HDL cholesterol, a lipid fraction associated with protective cardiovascular effects. Furthermore, naloxone did not influence the progression of atherosclerotic plaques or the development of liver steatosis. Conclusions: In conclusion, while short-term naloxone treatment in mice with advanced atherosclerosis does not alter overall atherosclerotic plaque progression or liver steatosis, the observed elevation in HDL cholesterol and the extensive changes in liver protein abundance underscore the complex and multifaceted role of the opioid system in lipid metabolism and cardiovascular health. These findings provide a foundation for further exploration of opioid receptor antagonists as modulators of lipid profiles and potential contributors to cardiovascular therapy. 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

Optimizing the metabolizable protein level in ruminant diets represents a promising strategy to increase nitrogen use efficiency and mitigate environmental pollution. This study explored the impacts of varying metabolizable protein (MP) levels on amino acid (AA) balance, nitrogen (N) utilization, and the ruminal microbiota in Hu lambs. Fifty-four female Hu lambs of 60 d old, with an average body weight (BW) of 18.7 ± 2.37 kg, were randomly allocated to three dietary MP groups: (1) low MP (LMP, 7.38% of DM), (2) moderate MP (MMP, 8.66% of DM), and (3) high MP (HMP, 9.93% of DM). Three lambs with similar BW within each group were housed together in a single pen, serving as one experimental replicate (n = 6). The feeding trial lasted for 60 days with 10 days for adaptation. The final BW of lambs in the MMP and HMP groups increased (p < 0.05) by 5.64% and 5.26%, respectively, compared to the LMP group. Additionally, lambs fed the MMP diet exhibited an 11.6% higher (p < 0.05) average daily gain than those in the LMP group. Increasing dietary MP levels enhanced (p < 0.05) N intake, urinary N, retained N, and percent N retained, but decreased apparent N digestibility (p < 0.05). Urinary uric acid, total purine derivatives, intestinally absorbable dietary protein, microbial crude protein, intestinally absorbable microbial crude protein, and actual MP supply all increased (p < 0.05) with higher MP values in the diet. The plasma concentrations of arginine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, aspartic acid, proline, total essential AAs, and total nonessential AAs were the lowest (p < 0.05) in the LMP group. In the rumen, elevated MP levels led to a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the ammonia N content. The relative abundances of Candidatus_Saccharimonas, Ruminococcus, and Oscillospira were the lowest (p < 0.05), whereas the relative abundances of Terrisporobacter and the Christensenellaceae_R-7_group were the highest (p < 0.05) in the MMP group. In conclusion, the moderate dietary metabolizable protein level could enhance growth performance, balance the plasma amino acid profiles, and increase nitrogen utilization efficiency in Hu lambs, while also altering the rumen bacterial community by increasing beneficial probiotics like the Christensenellaceae_R-7_group. Full article

Potassium is the most abundant macronutrient in plants, participating in essential physiological processes such as turgor maintenance. A reduction in cell turgor is a hallmark of the ripening process associated with fruit softening. The dynamic of K⁺ fluxes in fleshy fruits is largely unknown; however, the reallocation of K⁺ into the apoplast has been proposed as a contributing factor to the decrease in fruit turgor, contributing to fruit softening. High-affinity K⁺ transporters belonging to the KUP/HT/HAK transporter family have been implicated in this process in some fruits. In this study, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the KUP/KT/HAK family of high-affinity K⁺ transporters in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa Duch.) was conducted, identifying 60 putative transporter genes. The chromosomal distribution of the FaKUP gene family and phylogenetic relationship and structure of predicted proteins were thoroughly examined. Transcriptomic profiling revealed the expression of 19 FaKUP genes within the fruit receptacle, with a predominant downregulation observed during ripening, particularly in FaKUP14, 24 and 47. This pattern suggests their functional relevance in early fruit development and turgor maintenance. Mineral composition analyses confirmed that K⁺ is the most abundant macronutrient in strawberry fruits, exhibiting a slight decrease as ripening progressed. Membrane potential (E_m) and diffusion potentials (E_D) at increasing external K⁺ concentrations were measured by electrophysiology in parenchymal cells of green and white fruits. The results obtained suggest a significant diminution in cytosolic K⁺ levels in white compared to green fruits. Furthermore, the slope of change in E_D at increasing external K⁺ concentration indicated a lower K⁺ permeability of the plasma membrane in white fruits, aligning with transcriptomic data. This study provides critical insights into the regulatory mechanisms of K⁺ transport during strawberry ripening and identifies potential targets for genetic modifications aimed at enhancing fruit firmness and shelf life. Full article

Quercus acutissima seeds exhibit high desiccation sensitivity, posing significant challenges for long-term preservation. This study investigates the physiological and metabolic responses of soluble osmoprotectants—particularly soluble proteins and proline—during the desiccation process. Seeds were sampled at three critical moisture content levels: 38.8%, 26.8%, and 14.8%, corresponding to approximately 99%, 52%, and 0% germination, respectively. We measured germination ability, soluble protein content, and proline accumulation, and we performed untargeted metabolomic profiling using LC-MS. Soluble protein levels increased early but declined later during desiccation, while proline levels continuously increased for sustained osmotic adjustment. Metabolomics analysis identified a total of 2802 metabolites, with phenylpropanoids and polyketides (31.12%) and lipids and lipid-like molecules (29.05%) being the most abundant. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analysis showed that differentially expressed metabolites were mainly enriched in key pathways such as amino acid metabolism, energy metabolism, and nitrogen metabolism. Notably, most amino acids decreased in content, except for proline, which showed an increasing trend. Tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediates, especially citric acid and isocitric acid, showed significantly decreased levels, indicating energy metabolism imbalance due to uncoordinated consumption without effective replenishment. The reductions in key amino acids such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid further reflected metabolic network disruption. In summary, Q. acutissima seeds fail to establish an effective desiccation tolerance mechanism. The loss of soluble protein-based protection, limited capacity for proline-mediated osmotic regulation, and widespread metabolic disruption collectively lead to irreversible cellular damage. These findings highlight the inherent metabolic vulnerabilities of recalcitrant seeds and suggest potential preservation strategies, such as supplementing critical metabolites (e.g., TCA intermediates) during storage to delay metabolic collapse and mitigate desiccation-induced damage. Full article

Faxonius limosus is an invasive alien crayfish species that has a negative effect on aquatic biodiversity. Using its meat as food could help reduce its ecological impact while providing a protein source. In order to do that, the initial step was to determine safety and nutritional parameters of crayfish meat. Samples from two localities were analyzed for energy value, moisture, ash, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fatty acid and amino acid composition, and macro- and micro-mineral content. Moreover, an online survey was conducted in order to evaluate the public’s current knowledge about invasive alien species and willingness to consume crayfish meat as a food product. Heavy metal concentrations (Hg, Pb, Cd) were below European Commission limits, confirming safety. The meat had a high protein content (16.68%), low fat (0.22%), and a favorable fatty acid profile with notable levels of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Predominant macro-minerals were K, Na, Ca, Mg, and P, while Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mn were the most abundant micro-minerals. Even though most participants (79.7%) were not informed about Faxonius limosus, the majority expressed willingness to participate in the assessment of new products made from invasive crayfish. These findings suggest that F. limosus meat is a nutritionally valuable and safe alternative protein source, with potential for sustainable food production and ecological management. Full article

Hippeastrum, a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Amaryllidaceae family, is widely cultivated for its large, vibrant flowers with diverse petal colors, which have significant ornamental and economic value. However, the mechanisms underlying anthocyanin accumulation in Hippeastrum petals remain poorly understood. To fully explore the involved regulation mechanism was significant for the breeding of Hippeastrum and other Amaryllidaceae family plants. In this study, we selected six Hippeastrum cultivars with distinctly different petal colors. We used metabolomic profiling and high-throughput transcriptomic sequencing to assess varied anthocyanin profiles and associated expression of genes in their biosynthetic pathways. Four key anthocyanins were identified: cyanidin, cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside, delphinidin-3-glucoside, and delphinidin-3-rutinoside. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) correlated the abundance of these four anthocyanins with transcriptomic data, to suggest three regulatory modules. Nine transcription factors families in these modules were identified and some of them were validated using qRT-PCR. Y2H assay isolated some transcription factors interacted with TTG1 (WD40 protein), including MYB3/39/44/306 and bHLH13/34/110, illustrating the possibility of forming MBW complexes. Our study provides a comprehensive characterization of anthocyanin composition. These findings laid a theoretical foundation for future research on the regulatory mechanisms of pigment accumulation and the breeding of Hippeastrum cultivars with novel petal colors. Full article

Background/Objectives: Colitis is a chronic condition affecting millions worldwide. Purple muscadine wine polyphenols have a unique composition and possible disease-preventive properties. This study aims to determine how dealcoholized muscadine wine (DMW) affects the development of colitis and gut microbiome in IL-10^−/− mice, compared to wild types (WT). Methods: Six-week-old male IL-10^−/− and WT C57BL/6 mice were fed either a DMW-supplemented diet (4.8% v/w) or a control diet based on AIN-93M for 154 days. Colitis severity was evaluated by disease activity, intestinal permeability, gene expression of cytokines and tight junction proteins in the colon, and inflammatory cytokines in the serum. Fecal samples were collected for gut microbiome profiling via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Results: DMW contained predominantly anthocyanins and a significant amount of ellagic acid. IL-10^−/− mice developed mild colitis as indicated by the disease activity index. DMW × gene interactions decreased intestinal permeability, colonic mRNA levels of IL-1β, and serum TNF-α in the IL-10^−/− mice. DMW suppressed the colonic mRNA levels of IL-6, enhanced the gene expression of ZO-1, but did not influence the mRNA level of TNF-α or occludin. While DMW did not alter α-diversity of the gut microbiome, it significantly influenced β-diversity in the WT mice. DMW significantly reduced the relative abundances of Akkermansia in the IL-10^−/− and WT mice. DMW and DMW×gene interaction decreased the relative abundance of Parasutterella only in IL-10^−/− mice. Conclusions: These results suggested that polyphenols from DMW interacted with genes to moderately alleviate the development of colitis in IL-10^−/− mice and could be a useful dietary strategy for IBD prevention. Full article