Search Results (2,032)

Chemical hybridization agents (CHAs) enable efficient, large-scale hybrid seed production, yet their mechanisms remain poorly understood. Understanding how CHAs induce male sterility at the metabolic level is important for both basic pollen biology and crop breeding. Here, we performed integrated metabolomic analyses to investigate the metabolic basis of the action of trifluoromethanesulfonamide (TFMSA) across multiple species and tissues. TFMSA treatment induced systemic metabolic reprogramming across species, prominently affecting amino acid metabolism, central carbon metabolism, and one-carbon metabolism. Although individual metabolite responses varied among species, pathway-level analyses consistently revealed coordinated modulation of carbon–nitrogen metabolic networks. In reproductive tissues, TFMSA induced tissue-specific metabolic changes. In cowpea anthers, proline was the only metabolite significantly altered and was strongly depleted, whereas in floral tissues several amino acids, including phenylalanine and tyrosine, were accumulated. Pathway analysis revealed altered amino acid metabolism, suggesting that systemic metabolic responses accompanied the proline reduction in anthers. These findings indicate that TFMSA induces male sterility through coordinated metabolic reprogramming across tissues and species, leading to depletion of key metabolites required for pollen development. This study provides a metabolic framework for understanding CHA-induced male sterility and highlights TFMSA as a powerful tool for probing metabolic regulation of pollen development. Full article

Copper sulphate pentahydrate is widely used in agriculture to control bacterial and fungal diseases in various crops. Despite its extensive application, limited data exist regarding its potential toxic effects on juvenile rats following early-life exposure. In addition to oxidative stress and inflammation, copper overload may also trigger cuproptosis, a recently identified copper-dependent form of regulated cell death. This study aimed to investigate the histopathological, biochemical, and molecular effects of copper sulphate exposure on major organs in juvenile rats and to elucidate the associated inflammatory and oxidative stress-related mechanisms. Male and female Sprague–Dawley rats (30–40 days old, 50–70 g) were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups. Following copper sulphate exposure, histopathological examinations were performed on major organs, including the liver, kidney, heart, lung, and reproductive tissues (testis in males and ovary in females). Immunohistochemical analyses of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) were conducted. Oxidative stress parameters, including malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant status (TAS), and total oxidant status (TOS), were measured using ELISA. Gene expression levels of TNF-α and NF-κB were evaluated by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Copper sulphate exposure induced significant histopathological alterations in all examined tissues of both male and female juvenile rats. Biochemical findings revealed increased oxidative stress, evidenced by elevated MDA and TOS levels along with altered TAS values. Furthermore, immunohistochemical and gene expression analyses demonstrated upregulation of TNF-α and NF-κB, indicating activation of inflammatory pathways. Copper sulphate exposure leads to widespread morphological changes in juvenile rats, potentially mediated by oxidative stress and inflammation. These findings provide insight into the biological impact of early-life pesticide exposure. Further studies are warranted to clarify the underlying molecular mechanisms and to develop effective preventive or therapeutic approaches. Full article

Introduction: The liver is a central metabolic regulator responsible not only for energy storage and allocation but also for the production of essential egg proteins. In seasonal breeders such as brown trout, physiological demands increase during spawning, requiring strong metabolic and structural adaptations. Understanding the cellular mechanisms underlying these fluctuations is essential for clarifying how liver function is regulated during reproduction. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate cellular mechanisms underlying liver remodelling during the reproductive cycle of male and female brown trout by examining proliferation and apoptosis markers at both molecular and protein levels during four distinct reproductive stages: spawning capable, regressing, regenerating, and developing. Methodology: Adult male and female brown trout were sampled at four reproductive stages. Liver gene expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and caspase-3 was analysed using qRT-PCR. At the protein level, liver tissue sections were immunolabelled with antibodies against PCNA and caspase-3. Caspase-3 staining intensity was quantified using ImageJ, while PCNA expression was assessed by counting positively stained nuclei. Results: PCNA gene expression was upregulated during the regressing stage, while PCNA-positive nuclei immunolabelling increased during the regressing and spawning-capable stages. Caspase-3 transcript levels showed no significant differences among stages, whereas immunostaining increased during regenerating and developing stages. Conclusions: Overall, the liver undergoes dynamic cellular remodelling throughout the reproductive cycle, balancing proliferation and apoptosis to meet reproductive demands. The results suggest that proliferation is more evident during regenerating stages, while apoptotic activity may be regulated post-transcriptionally. PCNA also indicates that proliferative activity may persist during spawning capable stages, reflecting ongoing mitotic readiness despite reduced overall proliferation. Full article

Introduction: The Lebranche mullet (Mugil liza) is a commercially important fish species in southeastern and southern Brazil, which serves as the primary spawning ground for the Southern stock that supports the Brazilian industrial seine fleet. However, this stock’s distribution extends into Argentine waters (northern Patagonian shelf), and the connectivity between mullets caught in Brazil and their breeding areas across South America remains poorly understood. The authors hypothesized that adult mullets landed by the Brazilian fleet consist of two distinct groups: A local group originating in Brazilian waters (BR1) and a migratory group (BR2) that uses nursery areas in Argentina (AR). BR2 presumably returns to its original nursery grounds after spawning, to recover reproductive tissues, following a different migratory pattern than BR1. Objectives: To test this, the study analyzed the micro-chemical life history of 134 otoliths from mullets aged 0+ to 11 years using LA-ICP-MS. Methodology: Two elemental ratios (Ba/Ca and Sr/Ca) were measured from the otolith core to the edge and modelled using a generalized additive model for scale and shape (GAMLSS). Life history transitions were evaluated by pairwise comparisons of fitted values among ages. Results: GAMLSS showed that Ba/Ca ratios differed significantly among groups (AR ≠ BR1 ≠ BR2). In contrast, Sr/Ca ratios were similar between AR and BR2 during the first four years of life, significantly differing from those of BR1. Using empirically established thresholds for estuarine vs. marine habitats, the study determined that BR2 individuals leave nursery areas between ages 5 and 6, migrate back around age 8, and live there one last time after age 10 (the species’ maximum age). BR1 leaves nurseries after age 4 and returns between ages 5 and 6, exhibiting a shorter reproductive cycle. Importantly, the analysis of reproductive tissue mass showed that the weight after age 7 approximately matched the weight at age 3. After recovery, reproductive tissues doubled in weight before the second migration to spawn at sea. Conclusions: These findings provide crucial insights into M. liza’s life cycle, highlighting the need for shared stock management not only with neighboring nations (Argentina and Brazil) but also on a regional scale. Full article

D-box binding protein (DBP) is a high-amplitude proline- and acidic amino acid-rich basic leucine zipper (PAR bZIP) transcription factor that functions as a key circadian output regulator downstream of the core molecular clock. Although DBP is widely recognized as a clock-controlled gene, its broader role in converting circadian timing into tissue-specific physiological programs remains incompletely integrated. In this review, we synthesize current evidence supporting DBP as a context-dependent D-box-centered regulatory node. We first summarize the upstream mechanisms that establish rhythmic Dbp expression, including CLOCK–BMAL1-dependent transcription, promoter-level amplification, signaling-dependent modulation, and post-translational control of DBP stability. We then discuss how DBP, together with related PAR bZIP activators and the opposing repressor E4 promoter-binding protein 4/nuclear factor interleukin 3 regulated (E4BP4/NFIL3), regulates D-box-mediated transcriptional output. Finally, we examine tissue-selective DBP functions in hepatic metabolism, pancreatic β-cell secretory competence, neural and behavioral regulation, reproductive neuroendocrine timing, and T helper 9 (Th9)-associated antitumor immunity. Across these systems, DBP does not act as a universal circadian effector; rather, its function depends on chromatin accessibility, cofactor availability, competing transcription factors, and local signaling context. We also highlight the current limits of human translational evidence and propose that DBP-centered signatures may be useful for interpreting circadian output failure in disease. Overall, DBP provides a mechanistically informative framework for understanding how circadian time is transformed into organ-specific physiological function and pathological vulnerability. Full article

Hypothyroidism is associated with metabolic, neurobehavioral, and reproductive alterations that may involve neuroendocrine regulatory peptides. Spexin, a neuropeptide implicated in energy homeostasis, has recently attracted attention for its possible role in thyroid and reproductive axis regulation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of spexin on neurobehavioral responses and the tissue-specific expression of irisin and KISS-1 in the cerebral cortex and testis under hypothyroid conditions. Thirty-two male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into four groups: Control, Hypothyroid (methimazole, 0.03% in drinking water for 35 days), Hypothyroid + Spexin (methimazole plus spexin, 25 µg/kg, intraperitoneally), and Spexin (25 µg/kg, intraperitoneally). Behavioral assessments were performed using the Open Field Test and Forced Swim Test. Serum thyroid hormone levels were analyzed, and brain and testis tissues were evaluated immunohistochemically for irisin and KISS-1 expression. Hypothyroid rats showed increased thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, decreased thyroxine concentrations. Spexin administration significantly reduced TSH levels and increased T4 concentrations. Spexin treatment reduced thigmotaxis compared to controls. No significant differences were found among groups in overall locomotor activity, time spent in the central zone, or FST parameters. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated reduced irisin and KISS-1 expression in hypothyroid rats, which was restored following spexin treatment. In conclusion, spexin exerted TSH-suppressive and T4-enhancing effects in experimental hypothyroidism. Its effects on irisin and KISS-1 expression suggest potential involvement in neuroendocrine and reproductive axis regulation. Full article

Fat deposition plays an important role in yak metabolism, reproduction, and meat quality, and male yaks are often castrated to facilitate management and improve production performance. The effect of castration on the characteristics of fat deposition in male yaks and the molecular mechanisms of action was explored in this study. The subcutaneous fat thickness in castrated and common male yaks was measured, further the content of fatty acids in yak subcutaneous fat was detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS); the transcriptome, metabolome in the yak subcutaneous fat were detected using mRNA-Sequencing, ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS), respectively; the integrative analyses of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), different metabolites (DMs), fatty acids and fat thickness were carried out. The results showed that castration can strengthen the ability of fat deposition and improve the content of fatty acids, especially PUFAs, in male yaks, and both transcriptome and metabolome were significantly different between castrated male yaks and common male yaks. The effect of castration on the male yak fat deposition was closely related to the PPAR signaling pathway, citrate cycle, and insulin resistance. Data suggests that FASN, ACACA, AGPAT2, ACLY, ACSL5, SCD, GSK3B, and SLC2A4 may be the crucial control genes for the fat amount in yaks, and that FADS2, LPL, and ACSL4 may be the crucial control genes for the polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) content in yak adipose tissue. Further functional studies will be conducted to determine the specific role of each gene in regulating fat deposition and fatty acid composition in yaks. Full article

Heat stress (HS) is at the top of the challenges facing modern dairy production, with annual losses according to global projections, under high-emission scenarios, reaching US$14.7–40.0 billion by the end of the century. This review emphasizes three interconnected topics that account for most of the proportion of the productive and reproductive losses during HS. First, the physiological consequences of HS are reviewed, with emphasis on the pair-fed thermal neutral (PFTN) paradigm, which established that reduced dry matter intake (DMI) accounts for only 35–50% of the observed milk yield decline, with the remainder arising from tissue-level effects of hyperthermia on mammary function, metabolism, and reproductive performance. Second, HS-induced microbiome disruption is examined as an active pathophysiological amplifier, whereby rumen dysbiosis compromises intestinal barrier integrity and drives systemic endotoxaemia, chronically amplifying the immune suppression already imposed by the thermal insult. Third, we focus on the integration of multi-omics platforms as a management approach, since single-omics analyses capture only a fraction of the biological complexity underlying the HS response. As the available datasets expand in coverage and scale, their integration through AI-driven analytical frameworks has the potential to substantially advance beyond the current fragmented picture, progressively building toward a systems-level model of thermal stress. Evidence-based mitigation strategies spanning environmental cooling, targeted nutritional supplementation, and genomic selection are critically evaluated within this framework, with emphasis on equity of access to evidence-based solutions across global dairy production systems. Full article

Leptin (LEP) is an adipocyte-derived cytokine that integrates nutritional status, metabolism, and reproduction in cattle, with particular relevance for modern high-producing dairy cows. In ruminants, LEP and its receptors are widely expressed in metabolic and reproductive tissues, including adipose tissue, liver, hypothalamus, pituitary, ovary, uterus, and placenta, where LEP modulates energy homeostasis, neuroendocrine function, and local tissue responses. Changes in circulating LEP concentrations during the transition period reflect changes in body fat reserve, insulin and GH-IGF-1 dynamics, thyroid hormones, and inflammation and contribute to coordinated metabolic adaptations supporting the onset of lactation. At the reproductive level, LEP influences the hypothalamic–pituitary–gonadal axis, affects the pulsatility of luteinizing hormone (LH) under nutritional stress, and exerts direct effects on ovarian steroidogenesis, folliculogenesis, oocyte competence, embryo development, and uterine immune function. New evidence also links LEP profiles to major peripartum disorders, including subclinical ketosis, insulin resistance, postpartum ovarian inactivity, and uterine inflammatory diseases, and emphasises its potential as part of a panel evaluating the risk of metabolic and reproductive disorders. Furthermore, polymorphisms within the bovine LEP gene and its signalling network have been associated with milk production, feed efficiency, body condition, and fertility traits, suggesting opportunities to incorporate markers into genomic selection schemes aimed at improving robustness and reproductive performance. This review summarises current knowledge on LEP biology in cattle, with an emphasis on dairy cows, and discusses perspectives on translating this information into practical tools for nutritional management, health monitoring, and genetic improvement in bovine production systems. Full article

One of the major agricultural, nutritional, and medicinal resource in the plant kingdom is the family of Cucurbitaceae, which is also recognized for its richness in carotenoids, terpenoids and triterpenoids. Mevalonate diphosphate decarboxylase (MVD) plays a crucial role in the mevalonate pathway by catalyzing a key step in isoprenoid biosynthesis, which is important for plant growth as well as for responses to biotic and abiotic stresses. Despite its metabolic relevance, comparative analyses of the MVD gene and protein in cucurbits remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and characterize MVD gene and protein in Cucurbitaceae using in silico approaches. Homology searches, multiple sequence alignment, phylogenetic and selective pressure analyses, physicochemical characterization, structural prediction, conserved motif analysis, cis-regulatory element prediction, and public expression profiling were performed. The predicted proteins showed high conservation in amino acid sequence, motif organization, and structural conformation, with lengths ranging from 398 to 424 aa. Descriptive FPKM-based transcriptomic profiles in Cucumis sativus showed higher MVD expression values in reproductive tissues and an apparent increase under powdery mildew infection. These findings suggest a potential role of the MVD gene in the Cucurbitaceae family and provide an exploratory framework for future studies on terpenoid and triterpenoid metabolism, promoter regulation, and stress-associated transcriptional responses. Full article

Air pollution is a major environmental and public health issue, largely driven by human activities. The present study evaluates the combined use of two bioindicators from different taxonomic groups, the moss Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus and the terrestrial snail Cornu aspersum, to assess early biological effects induced by atmospheric exposure to toxic elements. Both species, chosen for their sensitivity, simple physiology, and suitability for field transplantation, were exposed for 30 days at two sites in southern Italy with contrasting environmental conditions. Toxic element accumulation in moss biomass and snail tissues was measured using ICP-OES, while snail shell composition was analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. Biological responses were assessed through oxidative stress biomarkers (ROS levels and catalase activity), HSP70 expression determined by Western blotting, and structural damage, including ultrastructural changes in mosses and histopathological alterations in snails. Results showed site-dependent patterns of toxic elements accumulation in both organisms, consistent with increased oxidative stress and induction of HSP70 expression. Enlargement of the albumen gland and histological alterations in digestive tubules and reproductive systems were found in snails. Mosses showed severe ultrastructural alterations. FTIR analysis revealed changes in snail shell composition consistent with metal exposure. Principal component analysis highlighted clear patterns linking contamination, oxidative stress, and structural damage, supporting the complementarity of the two bioindicators and their ability to capture distinct exposure pathways and biological effects. Full article

Understanding and regulating fish growth is vital for the economic sustainability of aquaculture. The melanocortin-3 and -4 receptors (MC3R/MC4R, known as neural MCRs), integral components of the leptin–melanocortin circuit, play crucial roles in vertebrate energy homeostasis and growth. Abnormal neural MCR signaling contributes to human obesity. In teleosts, Mc4r was first comprehensively studied in goldfish in 2003. Since then, Mc4r has been characterized in various teleosts. Genetic and pharmacological reduction of neural Mcr signaling can increase feeding or growth in several fish models, although its aquaculture value must be evaluated using production endpoints such as feed conversion, body composition, reproduction, welfare, and biosafety. Furthermore, neural Mcrs also play a role in modulating reproductive processes and sexual function in teleosts. This review systematically examines recent progress on the roles of fish neural Mcrs, offering an overview of basic molecular characteristics, tissue distribution, and pharmacology. Physiological roles and mechanisms in growth regulation are reviewed. Finally, the potential and limitations of targeting neural Mcrs for aquaculture-relevant traits are discussed. This work contributes to our understanding of the evolution of energy homeostasis regulation in vertebrates, providing a foundation for healthier and more efficient aquaculture practices. Full article

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a systemic metabolic disorder with an extensive spectrum of complications, which still persist despite improvements in glycemic control. Emerging evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis may be an underpinning factor in the pathogenesis of both microvascular and macrovascular complications associated with diabetes. This narrative review explores the relationship between gut microbiota and the development of diabetes complications, including nephropathy, retinopathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular, and reproductive system disorders. First, existing evidence regarding the nature of shared and organ-specific microbial patterns is summarized. Next, key mechanistic pathways of inflammation and metabolism underlying tissue damage induced by dysbiosis are illustrated. Lastly, the role of gut microbiota and inflammaging as modifiers of these processes is described. Emerging clinical and translational implications are finally discussed, underscoring the promises of microbiota-based diagnostics as well as therapeutics that could serve as add-on approaches to the management of diabetic complications, alongside the application of artificial intelligence-based approaches to microbiome data analysis which may enhance biomarker discovery and risk stratification. Overall, although most evidence remains associative, increasing data support that gut microbiota dysbiosis may represent a potential disease modifier in the development of various diabetic complications. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are needed to clarify causality and to evaluate the clinical utility of microbiome-targeted interventions, including AI-assisted predictive models, in preventing or mitigating diabetic complications. Full article

Glycerophosphate diester phosphodiesterase (GDPD) catalyzes the decomposition of glycerophosphate diester into sn-glycerol-3-phosphate and corresponding alcohols. In this study, six GDPD genes were identified in the cucumber genome, named CsGDPD1 to CsGDPD6, and distributed on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. All six proteins exhibited similar predicted three dimensional structures, suggesting conserved biochemical functions. Phylogenetic and dN/dS selection pressure analyses revealed that CsGDPD genes are evolutionarily close to their Arabidopsis homologs and have evolved under purifying selection, indicating functional conservation. Synteny analysis identified five collinear gene pairs between cucumber and Arabidopsis, but no synteny with rice. Promoter cis-acting element analysis showed the presence of multiple stress- and hormone-responsive elements. Tissue-specific expression profiling demonstrated that CsGDPD1, CsGDPD2, and CsGDPD6 are broadly expressed across tissues, whereas CsGDPD4 and CsGDPD5 show preferential expression in reproductive organs. qRT-PCR under drought and salt stress, with or without the plant growth promoting rhizobacterium GD17, revealed that drought alone upregulates all CsGDPD genes; PGPR-GD17 alone (+PGPR) suppresses their expression; and combined PGPR + Drought leads to synergistic suppression. Under salt stress, CsGDPD5 was dramatically upregulated (20-fold), and PGPR-GD17 partially reversed salt induced changes. These results provide a comprehensive foundation for understanding the evolutionary and functional roles of the GDPD gene family in cucumber stress responses. Full article

Thermal tactile perception plays a crucial role in enhancing realism and immersion in human–machine interaction, virtual/augmented reality, and wearable systems. By exploiting the thermoelectric effect to achieve precisely controllable heating and cooling, wearable thermoelectric devices (WTEDs) offer an effective approach for generating localized and programmable thermal sensations, which calls for a clear understanding of skin temperature regulation mechanisms. In this work, a dynamic thermal conduction model is developed for a skin–WTED integrated system incorporating a nickel foam-reinforced hydrogel heat sink, based on the dual-phase lag (DPL) bioheat conduction theory. The model accounts for blood perfusion and metabolic heat generation in skin tissue, as well as the Thomson effect within the thermoelectric legs and convective heat losses from their side surfaces. The theoretical predictions are validated through human skin temperature regulation experiments using a fabricated WTED, showing close agreement between experiments and simulations and confirming the model’s accuracy and reliability. Based on the validated model, the cooling current, filling factor, and thermoelectric leg height are optimized by minimizing the skin surface temperature. Furthermore, the model is applied to thermal tactile feedback studies, enabling the controlled reproduction of skin thermal sensations associated with common objects, including an iron block, a PMMA plate, and carbonated beverages packaged in aluminum cans and plastic bottles. Overall, this study provides a practical and predictive framework for understanding, optimizing, and applying WTEDs in thermal tactile feedback. Full article