Search Results (1,383)

Intralogistic activities play a critical role in sustaining uninterrupted manufacturing in production systems. With the increased usage of autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) to feed the production systems; a complex problem structure has emerged that includes the simultaneous evaluation of the sizing of the robotic fleet, task assignment and scheduling, as well as feasibility analysis of the investment. In this study, a complete decision-support frame is proposed to decide the minimum number of robots, plan the time index robot-line assignments and calculate the Cost Ratio for multiline manufacturing systems without starvation. In the proposed method, the total robot travel time, plant layout, operation times and safety factors are given as inputs to the time-indexed mixed-integer linear programming (MILP). In the literature, the fleet sizing and the scheduling problems are mostly handled separately. These highly related problems are integrated into one frame in this study. The method is validated by utilizing two worst case scenarios for an uninterrupted operation with changeable batteries and mandatory charging break. The results demonstrate that charging strategies have a huge impact on the number of minimum robots, operational applicability and economic performance. Full article

The yellowfin seabream (Acanthopagrus latus) is an important aquaculture species, yet endocrine gene regulation during practical fasting and feeding schedules remains poorly understood. Here, we identified and characterized two duplicated proglucagon genes (Gcga and Gcgb) and examined tissue distribution of expression and transcriptional responses to feeding-related challenges. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that Gcga and Gcgb cluster with teleost proglucagon paralogs and contain conserved peptide domains. Both genes were broadly expressed, with the strongest relative qRT-PCR signal detected in brain and fin, while other tissues (including intestine, gill, stomach, and liver) showed comparatively low but detectable expression. Because the liver is a central metabolic organ and displayed reproducible feeding-dependent regulation, we further quantified hepatic transcription under two paradigms. In a short-term starvation–refeeding trial, hepatic Gcga was significantly suppressed during fasting and rebounded after refeeding, whereas Gcgb showed a distinct, weaker response. In an acute peri-feeding assay, hepatic Gcga and Gcgb displayed rapid but differential regulation around meal time, and Gcgb expression differed between feeding and non-feeding groups. Together, these results support transcriptional divergence between the two proglucagon paralogs in nutritional regulation within a liver-focused metabolic-response model. Our findings provide baseline molecular information for A. latus and offer endocrine insights relevant to evaluating feeding strategies in aquaculture. Full article

The fungal pathogen Candida albicans coordinated metabolism, organelle homeostasis, and stress responses for adapting to diverse host environments and maintaining virulence. While transcriptional control of these processes has been extensively studied, the contribution of post-transcriptional regulation remains incompletely understood. Here, we identify the P-body component Lsm1 as a critical factor of metabolic adaptation, mitochondrial homeostasis, and pathogenicity in C. albicans. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that loss of Lsm1 causes global transcriptional imbalance, leading to dysfunction of amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial function, endocytic trafficking, and autophagy processes. This dysfunction is accompanied by diminished TORC1 activity. Due to the aberrant TORC1 regulation caused by loss of Lsm1, ATG mRNA stability and autophagy flux was impaired under nutrient-rich condition and nitrogen starvation condition. In this context, the lsm1Δ/Δ cells established an adaptive metabolic and redox state characterized by altered NAD⁺/NADH and NADP⁺/NADPH balance, and enhanced antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the lsm1Δ/Δ cells displayed the defects in hyphal development, biofilm formation, and host cell interaction, and exhibited the attenuated virulence in a murine infection model. Together, our findings revealed that Lsm1-mediated post-transcriptional regulation is associated with the maintenance of amino acid metabolism, mitochondrial function, and TORC1 activity to fungal virulence, revealing a potential therapeutic target for C. albicans infections. Full article

The tumor suppressor protein p53, encoded by the TP53 gene, is known as the “Guardian of the Genome”, and alterations in TP53 are common to more than 50% of human cancers. p53 is a critical regulator of cellular responses to several stress conditions, such as DNA damage, oncogene activation, and nutrient starvation. p53 was traditionally described as a single transcription factor; however, now it is recognized as a complex family of isoforms generated through alternative promoter usage, alternative splicing, and alternative initiation of translation. These processes give rise to at least 12 distinct p53 isoforms in humans, including p53α (the canonical full-length isoform), p53β, p53γ, Δ40p53, Δ133p53, and Δ160p53, each with unique structural and functional properties. p53 isoforms differ in the presence or absence of specific and fundamental domains located both at N- and C-terminal ends, determining an altered DNA-binding potential, transcriptional activity, and protein–protein interactions. For instance, Δ133p53 isoforms lack part of the N-terminal domains and can exert dominant-negative effects over full-length p53α or modulate alternative transcriptional programs. Similarly, p53β and p53γ isoforms, which have a unique C-termini, influence cellular senescence. The expression patterns of p53 isoforms are tissue-specific and dynamically regulated under both physiological as well as pathological conditions. Alterations of isoform balance have been involved in tumor progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Importantly, specific isoforms can either enhance or limit canonical p53 tumor suppressor functions, thereby contributing to the functional diversity of the p53 network. Overall, the p53 isoform landscape adds a critical layer of complexity to p53 biology. In this review, we summarize the mechanisms underlying the production of p53 isoforms, their functions, and their expression in cancer, with the idea that a better understanding of the differential regulation and functional interplay of p53 isoforms may provide novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets in cancer. Full article

Dendroctonus armandi is a major primary pest of Chinese white pine in the Qinling–Bashan forest region. By feeding on the phloem and vectoring symbiotic fungi that cause blue stain in the sapwood, it drives rapid decline and mortality of host trees. As a key wood-boring forest insect, its outbreaks are closely linked to adaptive strategies in energy metabolism. Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a highly conserved insect neuropeptide and plays a major role in regulating energy metabolism. This study aimed to determine how the AKH gene regulates energy use in D. armandi under different stress conditions. We cloned the DaAKH gene and its receptor gene, DaAKHR, from D. armandi. DaAKH and DaAKHR showed the highest expression in emerged adults and the lowest levels in pupae. In larvae and in adult males and females, DaAKH transcripts were predominantly expressed in the head, whereas DaAKHR was enriched in the fat body. Under starvation and cold stress, DaAKH and DaAKHR expression were significantly upregulated; under heat stress, expression first increased and then decreased. Across stress treatments, RNAi significantly downregulated DaAKH and DaAKHR expression in D. armandi. Under starvation, RNAi reduced mortality, lowered lipid metabolism, and led to lipid accumulation, thereby mitigating premature energy depletion and starvation-induced death. By contrast, under heat and cold stress, RNAi significantly increased mortality, significantly reduced triglyceride and glycogen consumption, and suppressed metabolism. These results indicate that DaAKH and DaAKHR regulate energy allocation under starvation stress and help maintain adaptive capacity under temperature stress in D. armandi. By tuning energy metabolism, DaAKH and DaAKHR help resist environmental stress and maintain reproduction and population size. This study advances understanding of the physiological responses and molecular mechanisms of D. armandi under stress conditions and provides a new avenue for metabolism-targeted control. Full article

The plastic-degrading capacity of some insects has been investigated over the past decade, with the aim of identifying gut microorganisms potentially involved in plastic degradation. However, plastic-only diets impose severe nutritional constraints, potentially driving microbial selection independently of plastic exposure. Here, we examined how nutritional stress influences gut bacterial community and the identification of plastic-associated bacteria in two plastivorous insects, Galleria mellonella and Tenebrio molitor, using polyurethane (PU) as a representative polymer. Bacterial communities were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequencing under contrasted dietary conditions, including starvation, and complemented by a culture-dependent isolation approach using PU as the sole carbon source. In both species, gut bacterial communities under plastic-only feeding closely resembled those observed under starvation, whereas they differed from nutritionally balanced conditions. Differential abundance analyses reflected this pattern, as taxa enriched under plastic feeding were also enriched under starvation. This convergence was strong and structured in T. molitor, but weaker and more variable in G. mellonella. In addition, bacterial strains were isolated from the gut of T. molitor under both PU-amended and carbon-free conditions. Overall, our results demonstrate that nutritional stress is a driver of gut bacterial community restructuring under plastic-based diets and can bias the identification of candidate plastic-associated bacteria. Full article

Background: Palmitate, a long-chain fatty acid, is well known to be a significant risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. In our current study, we wanted to determine whether palmitate treatment further aggravates ischemic endothelial cell (EC) injury and can serve as an in vitro model that emulates diabetic peripheral artery disease (diabetic-PAD). Short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) treatment was used as an additional comparator for palmitate-induced vascular dysfunction in normal or ischemic ECs in vitro. Methods: Hypoxia serum starvation (HSS) was used as an in vitro model for PAD. Cell survival or proliferation was determined by the CCK8 kit. EC angiogenic capacity was determined by in vitro tube formation assays on growth factor-reduced Matrigel. EC barrier integrity was determined by trans-endothelial electrical resistance measurements by EVOM3. EC metabolic phenotyping was performed by Seahorse glycolysis, mitochondrial respiration, and fatty acid oxidation metabolic assays. Results: Palmitate dramatically decreased the survival of normal and ischemic ECs, whereas SCFAs did not have a significant effect on ischemic EC survival. In vitro angiogenic assays showed that palmitate significantly decreased the angiogenic capacity of ischemic ECs, whereas SCFAs significantly induced their angiogenic capacity. While palmitate significantly decreased normal and ischemic EC barrier integrity, SCFAs improved normal and ischemic EC barrier integrity. Metabolic assays showed that palmitate significantly decreased normal EC mitochondrial respiration but not glycolysis. However, palmitate significantly decreased overall metabolic health, including mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in ischemic ECs. On the contrary, SCFAs increased both mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in normal ECs. In ischemic ECs, SCFAs induced mitochondrial respiration with a concomitant decrease in glycolysis. Fatty acid oxidation analysis showed that, unlike palmitate, which depends on carnitine palmitoyl transferases (CPTs) for β-oxidation in both normal and HSS ECs, SCFAs depend partly on CPTs to undergo β-oxidation in HSS ECs but not in normal ECs. Conclusions: While palmitate inhibits ischemic EC angiogenic capacity by decreasing overall metabolic health, SCFAs induce glycolysis–mitochondria OxPhos coupling to induce ischemic EC angiogenic capacity. Full article

Starvation resistance is a critical fitness trait for the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae (Rossi) (Diptera: Tephritidae), influencing survival and reproductive success in fluctuating environments. This study investigates how age (15, 30, and 45 days), diet (full vs. restricted), and mating status (virgin vs. mated) affect the species’ capacity to withstand food deprivation. A multifactorial experiment was conducted on 3600 adults, with survival data analyzed using Kaplan–Meier curves, Log-Rank tests, and Tukey’s HSD. The findings indicate that 15-day-old individuals generally exhibit superior starvation resistance compared to older cohorts. However, these patterns vary by sex and nutritional history. In virgin males on a restricted diet, resistance does not decline linearly with age, while in mated males on a full diet, age has no significant influence on survival. Conversely, in mated females on a full diet, a significant decline in resistance is observed only between the ages of 15 and 45 days. Additionally, for mated adults on a restricted diet, age was found to have a significant influence on survival. These results suggest that starvation resistance in B. oleae is not merely a function of chronological age but emerges from complex resource allocation trade-offs between somatic maintenance and reproductive investment. Full article

Members of the genus Streptomyces are prominent inhabitants of the plant rhizosphere and endosphere and are increasingly recognized for their roles in plant growth promotion and disease suppression. In this study, we isolated genetically distinct Streptomyces from the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) rhizosphere, designated as TOM isolates, and assembled them into a defined 12-member TOM consortium. Application of the TOM consortium significantly promoted root and shoot growth in tomato. RNA-seq analysis revealed coordinated local and systemic transcriptional responses characterized by a predominance of down-regulated genes in both roots and leaves. In roots, differential gene expression reflected selective attenuation of defense- and cell wall-related processes, alongside increased expression of genes associated with phytoalexin biosynthesis, phosphate starvation responses, and hormonal regulation. In leaves, transcriptional reprogramming was dominated by reduced stress-related responses together with activation of metabolic and growth-associated functions. The TOM consortium also reduced disease severity caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici by approximately 60% compared to infected controls. To further characterize functional traits of individual consortium members, isolates were evaluated in vitro for antifungal activity and five strains displaying inhibition were selected for hybrid whole-genome sequencing. Genome analyses revealed diverse taxonomic affiliations and a rich repertoire of biosynthetic gene clusters, including clusters associated with known antimicrobial metabolites as well as numerous low-similarity clusters indicative of substantial unexplored biosynthetic potential. Collectively, this study provides new insights into plant interactions with beneficial Streptomyces, while revealing molecular signatures involved in Streptomyces-mediated plant growth promotion and pathogen suppression. Full article

Mediator is a central transcriptional coactivator that connects sequence-specific transcription factors with RNA polymerase II to control inducible gene expression in plants. MED16 is a Mediator tail module subunit that functions as a context-dependent integrator, helping coordinate developmental programs with environmental adaptation. This review summarizes current evidence for MED16 function from structural and evolutionary perspectives to physiological outputs, with emphasis on how MED16 interacts with transcription factors and other Mediator subunits to shape RNA polymerase II engagement at target loci. In terms of development, MED16 contributes to organ growth and root system architecture, and comparative studies have revealed that it plays conserved roles in lineage-specific wiring. Under abiotic stress, MED16 supports the efficient activation of stress-inducible transcription, including cold acclimation and nutrient stress responses such as phosphate starvation-dependent root remodeling. In immunity, MED16 modulates salicylic acid- and jasmonate/ethylene-associated defence outputs and can be targeted by plant viruses, which is consistent with its role in antiviral transcriptional responses. Mechanistically, MED16 participates in cooperative and competitive interactions within the Mediator complex that tune hormone-responsive outputs, exemplified by MED25-related competition in abscisic acid signalling. We highlight key limitations and future directions, including the need for mechanistic validation beyond Arabidopsis, clearer models of dosage control in crops, improved understanding of context-dependent tail configurations, and high-resolution mapping of MED16 interaction interfaces. Full article

Deep-sea gear transmission systems encounter critical lubrication challenges arising from the synergistic coupling of extreme hydrostatic pressure and cryogenic temperatures. These environmental stressors induce exponential viscosity escalation in lubricants, precipitating severe fluidity degradation, elevated startup resistance, and lubrication starvation. Concurrently, seawater intrusion triggers lubricant emulsification, additive deactivation, and electrochemical corrosion at meshing interfaces, collectively escalating the risk of catastrophic lubrication failure and compromising long-term operational reliability. This study systematically elucidates the lubrication degradation mechanisms inherent to deep-sea environments and proposes targeted mitigation strategies. Through comprehensive characterization of deep-sea environmental parameters and their impact on lubricant rheological behavior, we critically evaluate the applicability and inherent limitations of conventional Thermal Elasto-Hydrodynamic Lubrication (TEHL) theory under extreme conditions. Our analysis reveals that established TEHL frameworks necessitate substantial modification to accurately capture pressure-viscosity-temperature coupling phenomena and seawater contamination kinetics. Meshing interface texturing, as an effective anti-friction and wear-mitigation strategy, is investigated to delineate its mechanistic pathways for enhancing lubricant film formation and tribological performance under starved lubrication regimes. Key findings demonstrate that optimized micro-texture architectures can effectively compensate for viscosity-induced fluidity deficits and attenuate the deleterious effects of seawater ingress. Critical knowledge gaps are identified, and future research trajectories are charted: (i) multiphysics coupling models integrating thermo-hydrodynamic, chemo-physical, and mechanical degradation processes; (ii) synergistic texture-coating design paradigms; (iii) high-pressure low-temperature experimental validation protocols; and (iv) engineering implementation frameworks for deep-sea gear transmission systems. This review establishes theoretical foundations and provides technical guidelines for robust lubrication design and long-term operational stability of deep-sea transmission equipment. Full article

Potassium (K⁺) is often the primary target for research on salinity stress. However, the role of magnesium (Mg²⁺) under salinity stress has not been properly investigated. We aimed to answer the following question: could magnesium (Mg²⁺), often neglected, be the real protector of ionic balance under salt stress? It is known that a deficiency in Mg²⁺ increases K⁺ uptake. Based on this understanding, we hypothesized that Mg²⁺ starvation could worsen salinity defenses compared to K⁺ starvation. The nutrient concentration of 0.02 mM Mg²⁺ was maintained in the nutrient solution to induce Mg²⁺ deficiency in Vicia faba plants. Mg²⁺ foliar application was carried out five times, at an interval of two times a week, over two weeks of induced salinity stress. Harvesting was carried out 45 days after transplanting, i.e., 2 weeks after salinity stress (50 mM NaCl) was initiated at 4 weeks of transplanting. Salinity had the highest impact on Mg²⁺-deficient plants, resulting in a major alteration in ionic composition. Mg²⁺ deficiency under salt stress resulted in a 14-fold increase in the leaf Na⁺ concentration compared to controls. Application of foliar Mg²⁺ was very effective in reversing the loss of Mg²⁺-deficient plants, renewing growth, gas exchange, and stomatal activity, and reducing the toxic Na⁺/Mg²⁺ ratio (by 90%). Mg²⁺ is a unique regulator of ion homeostasis in salinity stress, and its deficiency causes an imbalanced ionic medium that cannot be normalized through K⁺ supplementation alone. Therefore, the strategic method of selective foliar application of Mg²⁺ is a necessary approach for achieving high-quality yields in salt-affected croplands. Full article

Tachykinins (TKs), a conserved family of neuropeptides, play critical roles in regulating multiple physiological processes such as feeding and energy metabolism in insects. This study identified the TK gene (ApTK) from the Chinese oak silkworm, Antheraea pernyi, an economically important insect species. Bioinformatic analysis showed that ApTK possesses four FX₁GX₂R motifs (X₁ and X₂ represent variable amino acid residues), comprising FMGVR, FYGVR, FIGVR, and FFGMR, in the C-terminus and shares a close phylogenetic relationship with TKs from Bombyx mori and Manduca sexta. Tissue-specific expression profiling demonstrated that ApTK was mainly expressed in the brain and midgut. Starvation–refeeding experiments showed that the expression of ApTK was significantly upregulated during food deprivation and returned to baseline after refeeding, evincing its involvement in hunger signaling. RNA interference (RNAi)-mediated knockdown of ApTK led to a significant increase in larval body weight and increased levels of triglyceride, glycogen, and trehalose, indicating enhanced energy storage. Collectively, these results demonstrate that ApTK acts as a key regulator in restraining feeding and modulating energy homeostasis in A. pernyi. Our findings provide insights into the neuroendocrine mechanisms underlying feeding behavior and energy metabolism in A. pernyi. Full article

Neuropeptide F (NPF), an invertebrate homolog of vertebrate neuropeptide Y (NPY), exerts pleiotropic functions through its interaction with the G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) neuropeptide F receptor (NPFR). However, the role of the NPF/NPFR system in the Chinese common cuttlefish Sepiella japonica Sasaki, 1929—a commercially and scientifically important cephalopod species in East China Sea aquaculture—remains unclear. In the present study, SjNPF/SjNPFR genes were cloned from S. japonica. Multiple alignments demonstrated that SjNPF/SjNPFR exhibited a high identity with that of other cephalopods. Spatio-temporal expression patterns revealed that SjNPF and SjNPFR transcripts were relatively highly expressed in the central nervous and digestive systems across all developmental stages. In situ hybridization (ISH) monitored clear and stable positive signals of SjNPF and SjNPFR mRNA at the junction of the subvertical lobe and the vertical lobe, as well as in the brachial lobe, pedal lobe and the palleovisceral lobe. Subcellular localization studies showed that SjNPF was primarily localized in the cytoplasm, whereas SjNPFR was membrane-localized. Moreover, under feeding-regulatory conditions (5-day starvation followed by 3-day refeeding), mRNA expression levels of SjNPF and SjNPFR in the treated group were positively correlated with starvation and negatively correlated with refeeding. These findings provide valuable insights for future investigations into the pleiotropic functional roles of the NPF/NPFR system in S. japonica and the peptidergic regulation of this system in cephalopods. Full article

Microscopic green algae are active producers of beneficial compounds, particularly those containing nitrogen. However, the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds is diverse and depends on the conditions of the nitrogen source. As a result, the approach to studying the metabolism of nitrogen-containing compounds becomes more complicated. This work demonstrates the metabolic changes in the high-productive green algae Neochlorella semenenkoi IPPAS C-1210 under conditions of nitrogen starvation and subsequent reintake, using high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC–MS) with ¹⁵N isotopic labeling. The presented results include semi-quantitative chromatography–mass spectrometric analysis for 17 amino acids, a metabolomic profile of over 40 isotopically labeled compounds, an assessment of metabolic flux via isotopic incorporation, and an analysis of cellular lipid composition under varying growth conditions. The findings indicate that this strain can utilize ammonium acetate as a nitrogen source, consuming nitrogen in the ammonium form. The degree of isotopic labeling in compounds often diverged significantly from their quantitative changes (concentrations and chromatographic peak areas), suggesting that isotopic analysis may offer advantages over purely quantitative analysis for biological systems. Furthermore, in vivo biological isotopic labeling is shown to assist in identifying compounds absent from standard mass spectrometric databases. Full article