Search Results (8,156)

Adipogenesis is one way by which adipose tissue expands in our body. It is a complex tightly regulated process involving differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into mature, lipid-containing adipocytes. One of the byproducts of this mechanism is leptin, an adipokine that plays a pivotal role in regulating food intake and energy homeostasis. While the increase in leptin secretion in proportion to fat mass expansion shows that leptin functions as a downstream marker of adipogenesis, emerging studies suggest that leptin itself may influence the adipogenesis process and act as a regulator. However, despite much research done to explore this, its role remains incompletely understood and often contradictory, with studies reporting pro-adipogenic, anti-adipogenic, or neutral effects depending on experimental context. These discrepancies highlight the influence of factors such as leptin concentration, timing of exposure, cell type, adipose depot, and species differences. This review gathers current evidence on leptin’s role in adipogenesis, integrating findings from diverse experimental models and biological systems. We further examine the underlying molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways involved, aiming to clarify the context-dependent effects of leptin and identify key knowledge gaps to guide future research in adipose tissue biology and metabolic disease. Full article

Modifying the feeding habits of economically valuable carnivorous fish species towards omnivorous or herbivorous diets is of significant importance in aquaculture. In previous studies, we obtained a hybrid fish (BM) by crossing herbivorous female Megalobrama amblycephala (BSB) (♀) with carnivorous male Culter mongolicus (MC) (♂). Preliminary research indicated that BM exhibits herbivorous tendencies and rapid growth. To further evaluate the feeding characteristics and application potential of BM, this study systematically analyzed and compared BM with its parental groups, focusing on the structural traits of feeding organs, digestive enzyme activity, hepatic transcriptome, and gut microbiota features. The results demonstrate that BM possesses intermediate morphological traits in its feeding organs, with measurable ratios lying between those of BSB and MC and closer to BSB. In terms of intestinal morphology, BM also exhibits hybrid characteristics, showing greater similarity to BSB. Compared to BSB, BM exhibited significantly higher trypsin and lipase activities in both the intestine and liver (p < 0.05), although these levels remained lower than those in MC (p < 0.05) and were closer to BSB. The α-amylase activity in BM was significantly lower than in BSB (p < 0.05) but higher than in MC (p < 0.05). Regarding muscle composition, BM showed a significant increase in protein content compared to both parental lines BSB and MC (p < 0.05), while its crude fat content was significantly lower than that of the paternal line MC (p < 0.05), and showed no significant difference from the maternal line BSB. Transcriptome analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes in the liver of BM were significantly enriched in pathways related to nutrient intake and metabolism, including the MAPK signaling pathway, insulin signaling pathway, glycerophospholipid metabolism, adipocytokine signaling pathway, arginine and proline metabolism, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, all closely associated with feeding habits in fish. The analysis of gut microbiota showed greater similarity between BM and BSB. Overall, the findings demonstrate that BM is a high-quality hybrid fish with herbivorous tendencies and elevated muscle protein content, which highlights its considerable potential for reducing feed costs and promoting sustainable aquaculture. These results provide supporting data for the future promotion and utilization of BM. Full article

Assessing genetic structure is important for conserving endangered freshwater fishes inhabiting fragmented river systems. Pseudopungtungia nigra, a Korean endemic species, occurs in several isolated drainages, but its mitochondrial population structure has not been fully evaluated. In this study, we analyzed mitochondrial cytochrome b (cytb) sequences from 80 individuals across eight populations to examine genetic diversity, haplotype composition, and population differentiation. A total of 25 haplotypes were detected, indicating relatively high diversity at the species level. However, diversity was uneven among populations: the Mangyeonggang (MG) population contained only two haplotypes, both of which were not found in the other populations, and showed the lowest haplotype and nucleotide diversity among the sampled populations. Multiple analyses, including pairwise differentiation, haplotype network reconstruction, principal coordinates analysis, and AMOVA, consistently identified MG as the most divergent population. The mitochondrial pattern was also concordant with previously reported microsatellite-based structure, supporting a major division between MG and the remaining populations. These findings indicate that P. nigra preserves substantial diversity overall, whereas the MG population showed a restricted and population-specific cytb haplotype composition. This study provides a genetic basis for defining conservation units and for guiding restoration and management strategies in this endangered species. Full article

Wilsonosaura Lehr, Moravec, Von May, 2020, was described as a monotypic genus from central Peru, based on genetic and morphological characters. This genus is easily distinguished from other lizards in the gymnophthalmid subfamily Cercosaurini, except for Proctoporus, by the presence of an undivided translucent lower palpebral disk, weakly keeled dorsal scales, and the absence of preanal pores. Morphological synapomorphies to distinguish Wilsonosaura and Proctoporus have not been identified. Consequently, differentiation of both genera continues to require molecular analysis. We describe a new species of Wilsonosaura based on morphological and DNA sequence data and extend the geographic distribution of this genus by 88.53 km to the southeast of Ayacucho, Peru, from the nearest known record to date. The new species is known only from the Ayacucho Department, Huamanga and Huanta Provinces, in the eastern Andes, between 2674 and 2800 m a.s.l., where it inhabits humid areas along riverbanks, urban areas, and farming areas and can be found under rocks, logs, and urban buildings. Wilsonosaura sp. nov. can be distinguished from W. josyi by the absence of fusion of the first superciliary and first supraocular scales, a lower count of scales in the mid-body, a higher scale row count on the side of the neck, a smaller size, and a different coloration pattern. Full article

The forest musk deer (Moschus berezovskii) is an endangered species endemic to China. Like many solitary and highly territorial herbivores, forest musk deer rely on chemical signals to convey complex information. However, the chemical composition and functional roles of these signals remain poorly understood. In this study, behavioral assays showed that forest musk deer (8 males and 26 females) exhibited stronger responses to urine than to feces. To characterize the chemical basis of this response, urine samples from five males and five females were analyzed using headspace solid-phase microextraction coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC-MS), leading to the identification of 83 volatile compounds. Discriminant analyses revealed significant differences in urinary volatile profiles according to both sex and among individuals, with classification accuracies of 100% for sex and 96.7% for individual differentiation. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) further identified 33 and 17 compounds that potentially convey sex-specific and individual-specific information, respectively, with only nine compounds implicated in both functions. These results suggest that forest musk deer employ a multi-layered coding system in chemical communication, in which distinct chemical compounds encode different types of biological information. Overall, this study provides a framework for understanding chemical signaling in captive forest musk deer and offers insights relevant to the conservation and sustainable management of musk deer populations. Full article

Eukaryotic organisms play a critical role in maintaining agricultural ecosystem functions and crop health. Irrigation practices and water salinity significantly affect eukaryotic communities, yet the interactive effects of drip irrigation depth and water salinity on these communities remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the interactive effects of drip irrigation depth and water salinity on the diversity, community structure, and functional groups of winter wheat rhizosphere eukaryotes, and to examine their relationships with soil environmental factors. A two-year field experiment was conducted in Cangzhou, Hebei Province, with two drip irrigation depths (5 cm shallow, 25 cm deep) and two irrigation water salinity levels (2 g·L⁻¹, 3 g·L⁻¹). High-throughput sequencing was used to analyze rhizosphere microbial communities, and α/β diversity, species composition, LEfSe differential analysis, and redundancy analysis (RDA) were performed to assess the effects of environmental factors. Results showed that both irrigation depth and water salinity significantly influenced α/β diversity and community structure of soil eukaryotes. The 5 cm shallow + 2 g·L⁻¹ salinity treatment favored species richness, while the 25 cm deep + 3 g·L⁻¹ treatment promoted community evenness. Dominant taxa responded selectively, with Annelida markedly suppressed and groups such as Streptophyta and Chytridiomycota enriched under different treatments. Network analysis revealed that key microbial taxa occupied central positions in interspecies interactions. RDA indicated that soil pH, nitrogen, potassium, and organic matter were important drivers of community structure. In conclusion, drip irrigation depth and water salinity synergistically shape soil eukaryotic community structure. These findings provide a scientific basis for optimizing drip irrigation depth, utilizing brackish water, and enhancing agricultural ecosystem functions. Full article

To scientifically evaluate the health of river aquatic ecosystems in the Qianxinan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, southwestern Guizhou, systematic surveys of benthic macroinvertebrate and periphytic algal communities were conducted in representative rivers during October 2024 (autumn) and April 2025 (spring), coupled with concurrent water quality monitoring. Reference sites were selected based on water quality indicators and habitat conditions. Core parameters were identified through correlation analysis, discriminatory ability analysis, and distribution range analysis to construct a Benthic Index of Biotic Integrity (B-IBI) and a Periphytic Algae Index of Biotic Integrity (P-IBI) suitable for the region. These indices were then applied to assess the ecological health of the rivers. Additionally, stepwise regression analysis was employed to investigate the key environmental drivers influencing the two biotic integrity indices. The results indicated that: (1) In terms of species composition, the benthic macroinvertebrate community structure was relatively simple, dominated by arthropods, particularly chironomid larvae. Bacillariophyta and Cyanophyta consistently dominated the periphytic algae community. (2) Assessments using both B-IBI and P-IBI showed that the overall river health in spring was slightly better than in autumn. However, more than half of the sampling sites were rated as “fair” or worse in both seasons. The reference sites (S2, S10) consistently exhibited “excellent” or “good” health, while the impaired sites showed significant spatial heterogeneity. Discrepancies between B-IBI and P-IBI ratings at some sites revealed differential responses of the two biological communities to environmental stressors. (3) Stepwise regression analysis unveiled a seasonal shift in key environmental drivers. The primary factor affecting the B-IBI in autumn was biochemical oxygen demand (BOD₅), which shifted to total phosphorus (TP) and ammonia nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N) in spring. For the P-IBI, the main factor changed from dissolved oxygen (DO) in autumn to chemical oxygen demand (COD) in spring. These findings confirm the applicability of the B-IBI and P-IBI systems in this region, and indicate that multi-assemblage integrated assessments can contribute to understanding the health status of river ecosystems in the Qianxinan Prefecture. This study could serve as a scientific reference for the protection, management, and restoration of local river ecosystems. Full article

Human milk is highly rich in miRNAs, with differential expression amongst its fractions, including cells, fat, and skim milk. Various factors, such as the stage of lactation or milk removal during breastfeeding, have been shown to influence the miRNA content of. Here, we sought to determine the effect of maternal and/or infant infection on the miRNA profile of cell and fat fractions analyzed using next-generation sequencing. Breastfeeding mother/infant dyads (n = 18) were followed during one or more infection episodes as well as upon recovery. Cells and fat together contain 1780 known miRNA species, which is the highest number of known miRNAs assayed in human body fluids to date. In addition, 592 novel miRNAs were predicted, of which 95 were of high confidence. Comparisons between samples collected when the participants were healthy and when infected yielded 453 differentially expressed (p < 0.05) known miRNAs. Of these, 70 were highly expressed and differentially regulated during infection, with 62 upregulated and 8 downregulated known miRNAs during infection. Most of the highly and differentially expressed miRNAs are known to play critical roles in immunity and immune system development. These findings support the use of miRNAs as biomarkers of the health status of the lactating breast and the breastfeeding mother/infant dyad. Full article

This study systematically compared the structural, functional, pathogenic, and assembly-mechanism characteristics of bacterial communities between urban and rural rivers across China, based on integrated water quality data from 421 sampling sites and 16S rRNA gene sequences from 475 sampling sites. The results revealed that urban rivers had significantly higher nutrient concentrations and bacterial α-diversity, along with lower β-diversity. Urban rivers were enriched with organic matter-degrading phyla such as Chloroflexi and Acidobacteriota and might exhibit more complex co-occurrence networks (average degree: 85.41). In contrast, rural rivers were enriched with phyla including Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria, as well as genera such as Exiguobacterium and Limnohabitans, and might display higher network modularity (modularity: 0.59) and greater spatial heterogeneity in community composition. Functional prediction indicated stronger carbon-cycling potential in urban rivers, whereas nitrogen-cycling functions did not differ between the two river types. Regarding pathogen composition, urban rivers contained a higher number of pathogen species than rural rivers. It was suggested that stochastic processes dominated community assembly in both systems; however, heterogeneous selection contributed more strongly in urban rivers (14.7%). Overall, this work elucidated systematic differences in bacterial community structure, function, pathogen profile, and assembly mechanisms between urban and rural rivers, offering a scientific foundation for differentiated watershed management. Full article

Two new species of the flesh fly subgenus Sarcophaga Meigen, 1826 (Diptera: Sarcophagidae), Sarcophaga (S.) karai sp. nov. and Sarcophaga (S.) hayati sp. nov., are described from Türkiye. For each new taxon, detailed morphological descriptions, differential diagnoses, and high-resolution illustrations of the male terminalia are provided. The genital structures of the newly recognized taxa were further examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), allowing detailed characterization of surface morphology and fine ultrastructural features not discernible with conventional optical methods. The diagnostic value of key morphological structures of the male terminalia is discussed in the context of species delimitation within the subgenus. Each new species is compared with those most similar in terminalia morphology, and an updated identification key to the males of Turkish representatives of the subgenus is provided to facilitate future faunistic studies in the region. These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of sarcophagid diversity across the Anatolian Peninsula and highlight the substantial species richness that remains to be documented within this group. Full article

Forest tree provenances have evolved diverse and complex mechanisms to acclimate to changes in environmental conditions. Pedunculate oak (Quercus robur L.), along with other European tree species, is increasingly exposed to the adverse effects of climate change, particularly prolonged drought periods and severe drought stress. Understanding the species’ capacity to acclimate to expected environmental changes requires knowledge of key functional traits linked to drought tolerance, such as leaf structure and gas exchange. To explore the acclimation mechanisms of pedunculate oak provenances to repeated drought events, a study was conducted under controlled conditions with plants from nine provenances spanning a north–south gradient across eastern Europe, from Estonia to Italy. The study consisted of two parts: first, leaf structural traits were analyzed after three years of experimentally induced drought by comparing drought and control treatments; second, both treatments were subjected to subsequent drought to analyze differences in gas exchange trait responses. Results demonstrated ecotypic differentiation among provenances in morphological, but not in gas exchange traits, suggesting that provenance adaptedness to drier habitats is more closely associated with structural than physiological traits. Provenances originating from drier habitats showed lower specific leaf area but also different acclimation to repeated drought events, including a stronger reduction in stomatal density and a smaller increase in leaf dry matter content, compared to provenances from more humid habitats. Gas exchange acclimation occurred through a shift in the strategy of photosynthesis down-regulation. These findings emphasize the importance of investigating multiple functional traits rather than focusing solely on individual key traits. Full article

Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 (FGF2) is a highly effective regulator of cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and adhesion, suggesting a significant therapeutic potential as a tissue regeneration promoter both in acute and chronic tissue damage settings. Despite an extensive list of pathologies that lend themselves as viable targets for FGF2-based therapy (ranging from periodontics to burns to diabetic ulcers to coronary artery disease), the success record in the clinic remains modest, with no FDA approvals obtained so far. The inferior stability of this protein is frequently cited as the most significant factor behind its disappointing performance as a biotherapeutic. Multiple strategies have been designed and tested in an effort to ameliorate this problem, but the success remains elusive. We investigate the aggregation propensity of a recombinantly produced FGF2 using native mass spectrometry (MS) to identify conditions favoring formation of small soluble oligomers, which are considered precursors to larger aggregates. Tandem MS of proteolytic fragments produced by digestion of the oligomeric species allows the formation of external disulfide bonds to be identified as the process leading to oligomerization. Specifically, Cys-31 (one of the two unpaired cysteine residues in intact FGF2) appears to be a particularly active promoter of oligomerization by forming external disulfide bonds. As a high-pI protein, FGF2 readily associates with heparin, and molecular modeling identifies a positive charge basin proximal to Cys-31 as a potential heparin binding site, which can readily accommodate a synthetic heparin mimetic fondaparinux. Adding an equimolar amount of the latter to the FGF2 solution not only leads to formation of a stable protein/polyanion complex (as revealed by native MS), but also inhibits formation of FGF2 oligomers (presumably via a combination of steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion). These findings advance our understanding of FGF2 stability, which will be invaluable for optimizing its formulation, storage, and administration. Full article

Immature ladybeetles and lacewings can thrive by feeding on eggs of lepidopteran pests, such as Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). However, considering that the survival and fitness performances of generalist predators are heavily dependent on their ability to select suitable prey, we first evaluated whether eggs of S. frugiperda strains with differential susceptibilities to Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt) toxins would affect the food preference of larvae of the ladybeetle Coleomegilla maculata DeGeer (Coleptera: Coccinellidae) and the lacewing Chrysoperla externa (Hagen, 1861) (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae). We further determined, for the first time, the functional responses of all immature phases of both predator species when fed with S. frugiperda eggs. In our choice bioassays, predator larvae were individually offered 25 eggs of each S. frugiperda strain. The number of consumed eggs was recorded hourly and replenished during each evaluation. For the functional responses, increasing densities of S. frugiperda eggs were offered to the larvae of lacewings and ladybeetles, and the number of consumed eggs was recorded 24 h after the release of the predator. Ch. externa larvae had a generalized preference for Bt-susceptible strains of eggs, while Co. maculata exhibited such a ,preference only during the first evaluation hour. Both predators displayed type II functional responses, and their consumption substantially increased during larval development. By demonstrating that lacewing and ladybeetle larvae can satisfactorily consume S. frugiperda eggs, including eggs from Bt-resistant individuals, our findings reinforce the potential of these predatory insects for the ecological management of S. frugiperda. Full article

Sex control technology has become a key technique in aquatic animal breeding, as many aquatic species exhibit distinct sexual dimorphism in growth, reproduction, immunity, and other economically important traits. Therefore, methods such as regulating sex ratios and establishing unisexual populations can significantly enhance aquaculture productivity and breeding efficiency. Recent years have seen a rapid advancement in the field of research on the mechanisms of sex determination and differentiation in aquatic animals, as well as sex control technologies. This review summarizes the latest advances in research on the mechanisms of sex formation in aquatic animals, including genetic sex determination, environmental sex determination, and genotype-environment interactions. Furthermore, this review outlines the major sex-linked genes and molecular markers used for genetic sex identification, introduces key male and female regulatory factors involved in gonadal differentiation, and explores the application of major sex control methods in aquaculture breeding, including techniques such as interspecific hybridization, environmental regulation, hormone induction, parthenogenesis, and gene editing. Full article

Background/Objectives: The Chinese porcupine (Hystrix hodgsoni) is a distinctive rodent species characterized by specialized ecological adaptations and sensory traits; however, genomic resources for this species have remained limited. This study aims to provide a reliable reference for comparative and evolutionary analyses by constructing a high-quality genome. Methods: We generated a chromosome-level genome assembly of the Chinese porcupine using long-read sequencing combined with chromatin conformation-based scaffolding, followed by comprehensive structural and functional annotation. Comparative genomic analyses across representative mammals and functional enrichment analyses were conducted to investigate lineage-specific gene family dynamics. Results: The assembled genome shows high contiguity and completeness. Comparative analyses revealed a substantial number of gene families significantly expanded along the porcupine lineage. Functional enrichment demonstrated strong overrepresentation of olfactory-related processes, including olfactory receptor activity, odorant binding, and detection of chemical stimuli. Additionally, several expanded families were associated with epidermal differentiation, keratinization, and skin development. Conclusions: Gene family expansions in the Chinese porcupine are biased toward sensory perception and epidermal functions, suggesting potential genetic bases for its enhanced environmental sensing and integumentary specialization. This assembly provides an important genomic resource for porcupine research and new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying sensory and skin-related adaptations in rodents. Full article