Search Results (83,501)

Intensive aerobic exercise slows the progression of movement disorders in Parkinson's disease (PD) and is therefore recommended as an important component of treatment for PD patients. Studies in animal models of PD have shown that vigorous exercise has neuroprotective effects, and emerging evidence suggests that it may be a disease-modifying treatment in humans. However, many people with PD may not be able to participate in vigorous exercise because of multiple medical conditions that severely limit their physical activity. In this study, we have shown that chronic MPTP treatment in sedentary mice resulted in loss of dopaminergic neurons in the SNpc, decreased levels of neurotrophins, BDNF and GDNF, and increased levels of inflammatory markers and pro-inflammatory changes in immunocompetent cells. Moderate exercise, initiated both before and after chronic MPTP treatment, significantly attenuated the loss of dopaminergic neurons and increased BDNF and GDNF levels even above those in sedentary control mice. No signs of inflammation were observed in MPTP-treated mice, either when training began before or after MPTP treatment. Training induced beneficial changes in the dopaminergic system, increased levels of neurotrophins and suppression of inflammation were similar for both steady moderate (present data) and intense training (our previously published data). This suggests that there is a kind of saturation when the percentage of rescued dopaminergic neurons reaches the highest possible value, and therefore further increases in exercise intensity do not enhance neuroprotection. In conclusion, our present results compared with the previous data show that increasing exercise intensity beyond the level used in this study does not increase the neuroprotective effect of aerobic training in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between lameness, milk composition, and rumination behaviour in dairy cows by leveraging sensor-based data for automated monitoring. Lameness was found to significantly impact both rumination and milk production. Lameness was assessed in 24 multiparous Holstein dairy cows throughout early lactation (up to 100 days postpartum), utilising a 1-to-5 scale. Lameness was found to significantly impact both rumination and milk production. On the day of diagnosis, rumination time decreased by 26.64% compared to the pre-diagnosis period (p < 0.01) and by 26.06% compared to healthy cows, indicating the potential of rumination as an early health indicator. The milk yield on the day of diagnosis was 28.10% lower compared to pre-diagnosis levels (p < 0.01) and 40.46% lower than healthy cows (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that lameness manifests prior to clinical signs, affecting productivity and welfare. Milk composition was also influenced, with lame cows exhibiting altered fat (+0.68%, p < 0.05) and lactose (−2.15%, p < 0.05) content compared to healthy cows. Positive correlations were identified between rumination time and milk yield (r = 0.491, p < 0.001), while negative correlations were observed between milk yield and milk fat, protein, and the fat-to-protein ratio (p < 0.001). Additionally, lameness was associated with elevated somatic cell counts in the milk, although sample size limitations necessitate further validation. This study highlights the critical role of rumination and milk performance metrics in identifying subclinical lameness, emphasising the utility of automated systems in advancing dairy cow welfare and productivity. The findings underscore the importance of early detection and management strategies to mitigate the economic and welfare impacts of lameness in dairy farming. Full article

Xenobiotics, including drugs, undergo metabolism to facilitate detoxification and excretion. Predicting a compound’s metabolic fate before clinical trials is crucial for efficacy and safety. The existing methods rely on in vitro systems and in vivo animal testing. In vitro systems do not replicate the complexity of in vivo systems, and differences in biotransformation pathways between humans and nonclinical species may occur; thus, accurate predictions of human-specific drug metabolism are not always achieved. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a chimeric mouse with a humanized liver, specifically the PXB-mouse, can mimic human metabolic profiles. PXB-mice have livers engrafted with up to 95% human hepatocytes. The biotransformation of 12 different small-molecule drugs were evaluated in PXB-mice (through analysis of blood and urine) and compared with the metabolism by hepatocytes from humans and mice and, when available, literature reports on human in vivo metabolism. The detected metabolites included major Phase I and II transitions, such as hydroxylation, and N- and O-dealkylation and glucuronidation. The metabolic patterns of the PXB-mice closely matched human in vivo data. It is also worth noting that the human hepatocytes formed most of the circulating metabolites, indicating that hepatocytes provide reliable predictions of human metabolic pathways. Thus, for drugs with human biotransformation pathways that are not observed in nonclinical species, the PXB-mouse model can be valuable in predicting human-specific metabolism. Full article

The effects of three types of feed, purchased from online stores and having similar prices, on the growth performance and culture environment of crucian carp (Carassius auratus) were studied in this experiment, which aimed to provide a reference for the evaluation and selection of fish feed. The results showed that feeding different feeds had a significant effect on crucian carp, and that the growth-promoting effect of HD feed (feed produced by Haida Company Limited) was significantly better than that of the other two feeds. For example, the weight gain rate (WGR) of fish in the HD group was 47.1% higher than that in the LD group (p < 0.05), and the WGR of fish in the LD (feed produced by Lianda Company Limited) group was 81.4% higher than that in the TW (feed produced by Tongwei Company Limited) group (p < 0.05). Moreover, the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in fish in the HD group was significantly higher than that in the LD and TW groups. Furthermore, we found significant differences in the environmental effects of feeding different feeds. Compared to the LD and HD groups, the environmental impacts for the TW group were more pronounced. The body weight of crucian carp first increased and then stabilized with increasing total dissolved solids (TDS) values. Their quantitative relationship was established based on the von Bertalanffy and Logistic equations (R² = 0.942–0.995). The results above indicate that, due to differences in feed formulation and the quality of feed raw materials, different feeds have a significant impact on the growth performance and antioxidant indices of fish, as well as on the water environment. Therefore, selecting the appropriate feed is crucial for promoting high-quality development in the aquaculture industry. Full article

This study strove to investigate the effect of boar age on conventional and non-conventional quality traits of fresh and liquid-stored semen. Sixty boars were allocated into 3 groups: 8–12 months (young); 24–36 months (adult); and 48–60 months (senior). Ejaculates were divided into two parts; the first one was assessed in native state while the second one was extended in the Androstar Plus extender containing gentamycin, stored at 5 °C and evaluated following 72 h. Young animals presented with a significantly lower sperm motility (p < 0.01), membrane and acrosome integrity (p < 0.0001), and mitochondrial activity (p < 0.0001) against adult boars. Significantly higher levels of free radicals and tumor necrosis factor alpha (p < 0.001), interleukin 1 and 6 (p < 0.0001) were found in young boars in comparison to adult boars. The assessment of liquid-stored semen revealed a significantly lower sperm motility, membrane, and acrosome integrity (p < 0.0001) in young boars when compared to adult boars. Moreover, Clostridium difficile, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Rothia nasimurium remained in liquid-stored semen obtained from young boars, while Corynebacterium sp. and Escherichia coli continued to be identified in samples collected from adult boars. In conclusion, age contributes to the overall quality of fresh as well as liquid-stored boar semen. Full article

This study introduces the concept of the plant developmental unit (PDU) and validates its application using Wolffia Horkel ex Schleid (Araceae) as a model system for exploring fundamental processes in plant morphogenesis. Revisiting long-standing contradictions in plant biology, the author proposes viewing plants as coral-like colonies composed of multiple developmental units rather than as unitary-animal-like organisms. Utilizing the “Plant-on-Chip” culture platform, the research demonstrates Wolffia’s minimalist structure as a powerful model for investigating core regulatory mechanisms of plant development. The study emphasizes the pivotal role of “induction” in morphogenetic processes and highlights Wolffia’s potential to facilitate a paradigm shift in plant developmental biology while unlocking its applications in a second agricultural revolution. This work underscores Wolffia’s value in bridging fundamental research and innovative agricultural solutions. Full article

Phosphorus (P) in soil is important in the process by which soil microbial communities regulate soil enzyme activity. We aim to explore how short-term P fertilization affects the composition and functionality of the soil fungal community, offering insights into the complex responses of soil fungi to fertilization. Soil samples from a long-term experiment with no P fertilization were collected for pot experiments. The pot experiment included four treatments: non-P fertilizer (NK), chemical P fertilizer (NPK), 1/2 organic fertilizer + 1/2 chemical fertilizer (MNP), and organic fertilizer (M). High-throughput sequencing was employed to analyze the composition, diversity, and functionality of soil fungal communities. Results showed that short-term P addition significantly increased the soil fungal Shannon and Pielou e indices, with increases of 34.48%~59.00% and 29.79%~53.19%, respectively. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the most abundant fungal phyla, whereas Cladosporium and Emericellopsis were the most abundant genera. The main factors affecting soil fungal community composition were total nitrogen (TN) and organic matter (OM). A linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis indicated that Mortierellomycota were significantly enriched under the NPK treatment. A FUNGuild analysis revealed that, compared to the NK treatment, the relative abundance of Animal Pathogen–Endophyte–Lichen Parasite–Plant Pathogen–Wood Saprotroph was reduced by 67.54%, 46.93%, and 44.10% under NPK, MNP, and M treatments, respectively. The relative abundance of Plant Pathogen was less than 1% in the NPK and the MNP treatments. These results indicate that short-term P addition increased soil nutrient levels and soil fungal community diversity. Chemical P fertilizer significantly improved the fungal community structure in yellow paddy soils, enhancing beneficial fungi and suppressing pathogens. Full article

Citrus fruits, mainly grapefruit (Citrus x Paradisi L.), are rich in bioactive compounds with potential antioxidant properties. This study investigated the antioxidant effects of naringin (NR) and ethanolic Citrus x paradisi L peel (E) in reducing aluminum chloride (AlCl₃)-induced oxidative stress in mice. Quantitative analysis using HPLC identified optimal extraction conditions, combination ultrasound and reflux extraction (UH50), resulting in high concentrations of naringin (49.13 mg/g) and naringenin (63.99 µg/g). Mice were treated with NR and E to evaluate their effects on key markers of oxidative stress: reduced glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and catalase (CAT). The E effectively reduced MDA levels in blood, brain, and liver tissues, with a more substantial effect on controlling lipid peroxidation. In contrast, NR was more effective in restoring GSH levels and CAT activity, suggesting a broader enhancement of antioxidant defense. These findings provide information about specific mechanisms of NR and E and their therapeutic potential in managing oxidative stress and developing products with synergistic efficacy. Full article

High concentrations of non-esterified fatty acids (NEFAs) in the blood contribute to various metabolic disorders and are linked to endometritis in dairy cows. Isorhamnetin (ISO), a flavonoid found in many plants, is known for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-obesity properties. This study systematically assessed NEFA-induced damage in bovine endometrial epithelial cells (bEECs) and investigated whether ISO alleviates NEFA-induced cell damage and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Our observations revealed that excessive NEFA inhibited proliferation and induced apoptosis in bEECs, accompanied by an increase in the expression of BAX and cleaved caspase-3. We further observed that NEFA could induce lipid accumulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and the release of pro-inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α in bEECs. RNA sequencing and Western blot analysis revealed that NEFA induced damage in bEECs by activating MAPK signaling pathway. Notably, ISO treatment ameliorated these effects induced by NEFA, as evidenced by decreased protein levels of BAX, cleaved caspase-3, and PPAR-γ, along with reductions in triglyceride content, ROS generation, and levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α. Mechanistically, our experimental results demonstrated that ISO inhibited NEFA-induced activation of MAPK signaling. Overall, ISO shows promise for therapeutic development to address NEFA-related endometritis in dairy cows. Full article

Taiwan Country chickens are integral to Taiwanese culture and the poultry industry. By establishing a crossbreeding system, breeders must consider the growth-related traits of the dam line to achieve acceptable traits in commercial meat-type chickens. This study compared the accuracy of genomic estimated breeding values (GEBVs) predicted using the pedigree-based best linear unbiased prediction (PBLUP) model and the single-step genomic BLUP (ssGBLUP) model. Additionally, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) to identify single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with growth, shank, and body conformation traits to support marker-assisted selection (MAS). The results showed that the ssGBLUP model achieved 4.3% to 16.4% higher prediction accuracy than the PBLUP model. GWAS identified four missense SNPs and four significant SNPs associated with body weight, shank length, and shank width at 12 weeks. These findings highlight the potential of integrating the ssGBLUP model with identified SNPs to improve genetic gain and breeding efficiency and provide preliminary results to assess the feasibility of genomic prediction and MAS in Taiwan Country chicken breeding programs. Further research is necessary to validate these findings and explore their mechanisms and broader application across different breeding programs, particularly for the NCHU-G101 breed of Taiwan Country chickens. Full article

A feeding trial was conducted for 120 days in a pilot field condition to evaluate ginger powder (GP; Zingiber officinale) as a feed supplement for Labeo rohita to improve immunity, blood metabolic profile, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila bacterial infection. The study was conducted following a complete randomized design in outdoor cemented tanks (20 m²) with a stocking density of 30 fish (average weight: 20.5 g) per tank. L. rohita fingerlings were divided into five groups and fed a diet with no GP supplementation (control diet; C) or a diet supplemented with 5 g (GP5), 10 g (GP10), 15 g (GP15), or 20 g (GP20) of GP per kg of the control diet. The results showed that fish well-being, determined by measuring the condition factor, remained higher than 1.0 for all the experimental groups. The condition factors of all the groups were not significantly different between the groups, suggesting GP had no negative impact on overall fish health. Immune responses significantly improved in the groups fed with diets supplemented with GP at doses of 10 to 15 g per kg of their diet, as seen in respiratory burst activity, total immunoglobulins, and lysozyme activity at 60 and 120 days. Blood metabolic variables, particularly the albumin level, tended to show some level of improvement in the GP15-fed group. However, the effect was not significant. Total protein and globulin levels and the albumin/globulin ratio were not significantly affected by dietary GP. Importantly, fish fed the GP15 diet showed the highest resistance to the A. hydrophila challenge. In conclusion, ginger powder holds promise as a health-promoting nutraceutical for farmed L. rohita, contributing to their sustainable farming. Full article

Tobacco smoking remains a major global health concern, causing preventable deaths and economic strain. Although new tobacco products such as heat-not-burn (HnB) are safer alternatives to traditional cigarettes, research on their associated risks remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the effects of HnB smoke exposure on the lungs compared to those of traditional cigarettes and the combined use of HnB and cigarettes using experiments with a mouse model. We quantitatively analyzed changes in the levels of 92 blood plasma proteins using the proximity extension assay method and observed significant changes in their levels in mice exposed to different smoke conditions; specifically, the levels of certain proteins, including Ccl20, Cxcl1, and Pdgfb, increased in the HnB smoke-exposed group, suggesting activation of nicotine pathways. Comparative analysis with traditional cigarette smoke-exposed mice further highlighted similarities and differences in their protein expression profiles. This study contributes to an improved understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying the harmful effects of alternative nicotine delivery systems and identifies potential biomarkers associated with the harmful effects of HnB smoke exposure. However, the precise impact of nicotine on the immune system may be influenced by various factors, necessitating further research. Full article

A promising approach to accelerating the development of innovative anti-cancer therapies involves the evaluation of natural plant compounds. In this study, we focused on examining the effects of Warbugia ugandensis (W. ugandensis) methanolic root and stem infusions on the activity of five target genes—COX-2, CASPS-9, Bcl-xL, Bcl2, and 5-LOX—using colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines (Caco-2). The plant extracts were prepared for testing by dissolving them in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) after undergoing a step-by-step extraction process. Caco-2 cells were then treated with different concentrations of the extracts, and RNA was extracted and purified for analysis. Our results demonstrated a dose-dependent relationship between the phytoconstituents of W. ugandensis and the overexpression of CASP9, along with the downregulation of COX-2, 5-LOX, Bcl-xL, and Bcl2 genes. This suggests that W. ugandensis acts as a potent natural inhibitor of CRC progression. Given the potential clinical benefits, we propose the use of W. ugandensis methanolic root and stem extracts as promising organic inhibitors for CRC tumorigenesis, with more in vitro studies warranted to validate and expand on our findings. Additionally, we recommend further studies to identify and characterize the specific metabolites in W. ugandensis that contribute to the modulation of pathways responsible for inhibiting CRC growth. Full article

The prevalence of SFTS is becoming increasingly widespread and is expected to become a significant security issue. The article discusses the prevalence regions and genetic differences in two SFTSV lineages, so as to provide a scientific data basis for the clinical control and prevention of fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. The literature involving SFTSV patients from 2009 to 2023 and SFTSV complete genome sequences uploaded by NCBI were collected and sorted out, based on time and SFTSV lineage division, we analyzed viral gene sequence. SFTSV patient data were continuously reported from 2009 to 2023, involving five countries including China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and Vietnam. There are obvious lineage and host divisions between the SFTSV lineages prevalent in China and abroad. The sources of B-lineage SFTSV samples are mainly concentrated in South Korea, Japan, and the middle and lower reaches of Hubei or Zhejiang in China, with half of the samples coming from humans and half from animals, and the F series SFTSV samples were mainly collected from provinces such as Anhui and Henan in China, with the main source being human patients. The F-lineage SFTSV is the highest proportion in the middle and upper provinces in China. The B lineage has recently appeared in Zhejiang and Taiwan and is prevalent abroad. Using prediction software based on molecular structure prediction technology, analyze the differences between the B and F lineages of SFTSV through prediction methods such as nucleotide mutations, gene recombination, mutation sites, and evolution rates. Conclusively, the differences in SFTSV between B and F lineages may be related to gene recombination of M and L fragments, it was also found that the B lineage had a lower recombination rate and mutation rate than the F lineage, and the evolutionary rate was prominently different. Comparative analysis of the differences in two SFTSV lineage genes could further understand the epidemic status of SFTSV and provide help and more insights for the prevention of the spread of specific types of SFTSV. Full article