Search Results (2,446)

The central nervous system is highly vulnerable to oxygen deprivation during the neonatal period, leading to long-term neurological damage. Growth hormone (GH) has shown neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects in response to hypoxic injury. This study investigated GH effects on cell survival, inflammatory, and glial activation markers in the developing cerebellum, as well as its impact on motor coordination and anxiety-like behaviors in adulthood following neonatal hypoxia. Global hypoxia was induced in postnatal day 2 Wistar rats (8% O₂, 2 h), followed by subcutaneous GH treatment (0.1 mg/kg/d) for five days. Neonatal hypoxia triggered a sustained inflammatory response in the developing cerebellum, with increased expression of TLR-4, IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, COX-2, iNOS, and pNF-κB, persistent gliosis, myelin disruption, and Purkinje cell loss, leading to impaired adult behavior. GH exhibited a biphasic effect—initially proinflammatory, then anti-inflammatory—ultimately downregulating proinflammatory markers and activating prosurvival pathways (pStat5, pErk1/2, pAkt, Bcl-2, TNF-R2, IGF-1). GH also reduced microglial (Iba-1) and astrocytic (GFAP) hypertrophy, restored MBP and β-III tubulin levels, enhanced Purkinje cell survival, and improved motor coordination and anxiety-like behavior in adulthood. These findings demonstrate that GH modulates the cerebellar inflammatory response and supports its therapeutic potential to counteract neuroinflammation and dysfunction following neonatal hypoxic injury. Full article

Przewalski’s gazelle (Procapra przewalskii) is an endangered ungulate endemic to the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, with a small population size and exposure to multiple ecological pressures. Its gut microbiota may play a crucial role in host environmental adaptation. To investigate the functional divergence of gut microbial communities, we performed high-throughput metagenomic sequencing on 105 wild fecal samples collected from 10 geographic regions around Qinghai Lake. The results revealed significant regional differentiation in key functional modules related to metabolism, antibiotic resistance mechanisms, and virulence-associated pathways. All populations showed enrichment in core metabolic pathways such as carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, with carbohydrate-active enzymes dominated by glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and glycosyltransferases (GTs), exhibiting overall functional conservation. Although populations shared many antibiotic- and virulence-related reference genetic markers, the marker composition associated with distinct resistance mechanisms and pathogenic processes exhibited clear population-specific patterns, suggesting differential microbial responses to local environmental pressures. Correlation network analysis further identified core taxa (e.g., Arthrobacter and Oscillospiraceae/Bacteroidales lineages) as key genera linking community structure with core metabolic, resistance-related, and virulence-associated marker functions. Overall, the gut microbiota of Przewalski’s gazelle exhibits a complex spatially structured functional differentiation, reflecting host–microbiome co-adaptation under region-specific ecological pressures. These findings provide critical methodological and theoretical support for microecological health assessment and regionally informed conservation management of this endangered species. Full article

Dissimilar material welding enables the integration of the superior properties of different materials, thereby achieving optimal structural performance and economic efficiency while meeting specific service requirements. The presence of solid-solution strengthening elements such as Ti, Co, and Al, and trace elements such as P and S, in GH3030 nickel-based superalloy leads to their segregation and the formation of intermetallic compounds in the welded joint, resulting in deterioration of joint performance. High-entropy alloys (HEAs), with their high-entropy effect and delayed diffusion effect working synergistically, can effectively suppress compositional segregation caused by uneven elemental diffusion and the formation of intermetallic compounds at interfaces, thereby improving the quality of welded joints and demonstrating great potential for dissimilar material joining. Therefore, in this study, fiber laser welding was used to effectively join AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high-entropy alloy and GH3030 nickel-based superalloy, with the expectation to improve welded joint element segregation, suppressing the formation of intermetallic compounds, and enhance the welded joint quality and its performance. The AlCoCrFeNi2.1/GH3030 joint exhibits an average yield strength of 1.31 GPa, which is significantly higher than that of the GH3030/GH3030 joint (1.07 GPa). In addition, the AlCoCrFeNi2.1/GH3030 joint shows a higher average work-hardening exponent of 0.337 compared with 0.30 for the GH3030/GH3030 joint, indicating improved plasticity. The results showed that under appropriate welding process parameters, the hardness of the weld zone, transitioning from the nickel-based superalloy to the eutectic high-entropy alloy, exhibited a stable increasing trend, and the joint exhibits good plasticity, with brittle fracture being unlikely. Full article

Objectives: This cross-sectional case–control study, conducted at the Department of Physiotherapy, Academy of Physical Education, in Katowice, between July 2022 and April 2023, aimed to assess the overall health status (OHS) of patients with mild-to-moderate cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) compared with a healthy control population. Methods: The SF-36 questionnaire was used to evaluate the following domains: physical functioning (PF), role limitations due to physical health problems (RP), bodily pain (BP), general health (GH), vitality (VT), social functioning (SF), role limitations due to emotional problems (RE), and mental health (MH). Results: A total of 152 participants were enrolled in the study. The CuTS and control groups consisted of 82 and 70 individuals, respectively. The CuTS group had significantly lower scores in most domains when compared with the control group; however, no significant difference was observed in the BP domain. Notably, the VT domain showed a statistically significant difference in favor of the CuTS group, indicating slightly higher perceived vitality despite functional limitations. Conclusions: Mild and moderate forms of CuTS are associated with significant deterioration in general health, encompassing both physical and psychological components, as assessed by the SF-36 questionnaire; however, no significant difference was observed in the BP domain, suggesting that the burden of CuTS may manifest more strongly in functional, psychosocial, and mental health aspects rather than in generalized pain perception. These findings highlight the importance of a comprehensive evaluation and management strategy that addresses both physical and psychosocial dimensions of patient care. Full article

Background: Quality of life (QoL) is a crucial outcome measure in cancer care. This study aimed to identify the association of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Malaysia. Methods: The study was conducted from January 2021 to July 2022, recruiting CRC patients from two teaching hospitals in Malaysia. The validated Malay versions of EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-CR29 questionnaires assessed physical, psychological, and social functioning. Patients were evaluated 6 months after diagnosis to determine QoL associations. Anthropometric measurements were recorded at baseline (diagnosis, 0 months) and at follow-up (6 months). Results: Among 87 CRC patients (55.2% male, mean age 59.8 ± 11.8 years), 37.9% had stage III disease and 13.8% had stage IV. Most patients (93%) underwent surgery and 78% received chemotherapy. The mean global health status score was 66.57 ± 20.75. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that older age (p = 0.03), advanced cancer stage (p = 0.017), lower body weight (p = 0.017), and reduced hip circumference (p = 0.040) are significantly associated with poorer global health status quality of life (GHS QoL). Nutritional parameters specifically predicted functional domains: lower body weight and BMI predicted role and cognitive function, while lower hip circumference predicted emotional function. Conclusions: Advanced age, disease stage, and nutritional status are significant associations of QoL in Malaysian CRC patients. These findings highlight the importance of nutritional assessment and intervention in CRC survivorship care to optimize patient outcomes. Full article

Background/Objectives: Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) remains a significant threat to livestock, particularly in the pool 1 region (East Asia), where serotype A is prevalent. Vaccination is the most effective control measure, and the selection of the appropriate vaccine strain is critical for ensuring effective protection. The A/ASIA/Sea-97 lineage (and its G1 and G2 sublineages) has been reported in this region, necessitating the development of an appropriate vaccine. This study aimed to develop a potent candidate vaccine strain capable of providing effective protection against the G1 and G2 sublineages of the A/ASIA/Sea-97 lineage. Methods: Chimeric vaccine development was achieved by replacing and inserting antigenic sites derived from the A/ASIA/Sea-97 G1 (VP4, VP2, and VP3) and G2 sublineage (VP1 and GH loop) strains. The candidate strains were evaluated for protective efficacy in mice and pigs. Results: In mice, the two candidate vaccines provided strong protection against challenge with a G1 sublineage virus (A/POC/2010) and A22 Iraq and two G2 sublineage viruses (A/YC/2017 and A/GP/2018). Subsequently, the most effective candidate was selected for testing in pigs. One month after vaccination, the pigs were protected against two A/ASIA/Sea-97 viruses (A/POC/2010 and A/GP/2018) prevalent in East Asia. Conclusions: These results demonstrate that the developed strain has significant potential as a vaccine against the type A FMD viruses circulating in East Asia and that vaccination with this strain could be an effective strategy for regional FMD control. Full article

Accurate and up-to-date data on built-up areas are crucial for urban planning, disaster management, and sustainable development, yet Romania still lacks a unified, official database. In this study we integrated the three widely used global data sources—OpenStreetMap (OSM), Microsoft Building Footprints (MSBFs), and Global Human Settlement Layer Built-up surface (GHS)—onto a 10 m resolution raster grid and applied this consistently at the national scale across 3181 settlement polygons to produce a more accurate, unified ensemble model for Romania. The methodological basis was Triple Collocation Analysis (TCA), extended with ETC/CTC to estimate per-settlement scale factors, enabling the quantification and optimal weighting of the relative errors and accuracy in the absence of independent reference data. Weight patterns vary by settlement type: OSM receives relatively higher weights in smaller rural settlements with less redundant error; in municipalities the stronger OSM–MSBF correlation reduces both of their weights and increases the GHS share; cities exhibit a more balanced weighting. At cell level, the ensemble provides uncertainty quantification via confidence intervals that typically range from 2% to 14% at settlement scale. The resulting model—like any model—does not perfectly reflect reality; however, the ensemble improves the accuracy and timeliness of the available data. The resulting model is replicable and updatable with newer data, making it suitable for numerous practical applications, especially in spatial development and risk analysis. Full article

To address the limitations of traditional wheat quality breeding, this study developed a Wheat Quality Molecular Marker Selection System (QMMS) by integrating key genetic loci controlling core quality traits: grain protein content (GPC), grain hardness (GH), and high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits (HMW-GS). The QMMS comprises three KASP markers (Kgpc-2B, Kgpc-2D, Kgpc-4A) and two duplex KASP (dKASP) markers (Pin-ab, Glu-AD), enabling cost-effective (≈5 CNY per sample) and high-throughput genotyping. Systematic validation was conducted using four panels of materials: representative varieties, breeding nursery materials, regional trial materials from the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River, and advanced lines from four cooperative institutions. Results showed that (1) the QMMS accurately distinguished quality types of representative varieties: strong-gluten varieties carried five or more strong-gluten–favorable alleles, while weak-gluten varieties harbored five or more weak-gluten favorable alleles; (2) in breeding nursery materials, quality traits increased significantly with the number of aggregated strong-gluten favorable alleles, and 48.15% of strong-gluten candidates met strong- and medium-strong-gluten standards; (3) in regional trial materials, 15.25% (36/236) and 1.69% (4/236) of lines carried ≥5 strong-gluten and weak-gluten favorable alleles, with low utilization of Kgpc-2D and Pina/Pinb favorable alleles (<30%); and (4) the QMMS screened 273 strong-gluten and 27 weak-gluten candidates for cooperative institutions, matching their breeding focuses. In conclusion, the QMMS provides reliable technical support for precise and efficient wheat quality breeding. Full article

Background/Objectives: North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and bighead catfish (Clarias macrocephalus) play crucial roles in Thai aquaculture. Although significant growth disparities exist among these species, the genetic factors underlying these differences are still unknown. This study aimed to identify GH1 gene polymorphisms, in North African and bighead catfish populations across Thailand and Laos. Methods: Sequencing, phylogenetic, and clustering analyses were performed to assess genetic diversity, selection patterns, and lineage differentiation of catfish partial GH1 fragment. Results: Six alleles of the studied fragment of GH1 gene were identified; they differed at 33 variable sites within intron 2, located between the conserved regions at the 3′ end of exon 2 and the 5′ end of exon 3. At the population-level, GH1 exhibited low heterozygosity (mean H_o = 0.043 ± 0.023; H_e = 0.059 ± 0.028). Bayesian clustering analyses identified two distinct genetic clusters, corresponding to North African and bighead catfish, apart from the bighead population in Laos, indicating their distinct genetic origins. Evidence of purifying selection was observed in both species. Phylogenetic analysis indicated the presence of lineage-specific alleles in the GH1 gene. Conclusions: These findings provide valuable insights into GH1 polymorphisms in commercially important catfish species and may help to develop future breeding programs aimed at enhancing aquaculture productivity. Full article

The role of insulin-like growth factor-binding proteins (IGFBPs) in the regulation of carbohydrate metabolism and the development of complications is well established; however, the impact of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist semaglutide on IGFBPs has not been previously investigated. We aimed to examine the effects of semaglutide and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor sitagliptin therapy on serum levels of IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-rp1, and to analyze their associations with anthropometric variables and markers of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. In this prospective study, we enrolled 34 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on metformin monotherapy and 31 age-, sex- and BMI-matched controls. Among the patients, 18 received semaglutide, and 16 were treated with sitagliptin. Anthropometric and laboratory assessments were performed at baseline, 26 and 52 weeks. IGFBP levels were measured using ELISA. Both semaglutide and sitagliptin treatment significantly increased IGFBP-1 levels. IGFBP-3 levels were significantly decreased following sitagliptin therapy. No significant change in IGFBP-rp1 levels was observed with either treatment. Based on multiple regression analysis, the best predictors of IGFBP-1 were insulin and hsCRP, while the best predictor of IGFBP-3 was LDL-C level. Our findings suggest that semaglutide and sitagliptin may exert favorable effects on the GH/IGF-1 axis, potentially contributing to their beneficial metabolic outcomes in patients with T2DM. Full article

Welding is widely employed in manufacturing processes, with the mechanical properties of welded joints being a primary focus of welding technology research. However, distinct regions of welded joints—including the base metal (BM), heat-affected zone (HAZ), and deposited metal (DM)—exhibit divergent deformation behaviors, which collectively influence the fracture behavior of the joints. In this study, the specific locations of strain concentration and fracture in GH3535 alloy welded joints (fabricated using ERNiMo-2 welding wire) were investigated during tensile tests at room temperature (RT) and 700 °C. Characterizations were performed via digital image correlation (DIC), electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results revealed that during RT tension, strain was concentrated in the deposited metal adjacent to the fusion line (FL) which is 200% higher than BM, where cracks also initiated. At 700 °C, strain was mainly concentrated in the deposited metal, where the maximum strain concentration was approximately three times that in the base metal, and fracture also occurred in this region. It has been confirmed through in-suit observations that during high-temperature deformation, the deposited metal of the GH3535 alloy is more prone to strain concentration and simultaneously exhibits lower plasticity. This study advances the understanding of the deformation behavior of GH3535 alloy welded joints through in-suit observation results, and indicates that strengthening the deposited metal (i.e., the region more prone to strain concentration) is a more effective approach to improve the mechanical properties of such welded joints. Full article

Cotton is a globally important crop, with fiber quality traits governed by complex quantitative trait loci (QTL). However, the utility of QTL data is often limited due to inconsistencies across studies. This study conducted a comprehensive Meta-QTL (MQTL) analysis by integrating 2864 QTLs from 50 independent studies published between 2000 and 2024. Of these, 2162 high-confidence QTLs were projected onto a consensus genetic map using BioMercator V4.2.3, resulting in the identification of 75 MQTLs across the cotton genome. These MQTLs exhibited significantly reduced confidence intervals and enhanced statistical support, with 14 MQTLs reported for the first time. Several MQTLs, including MQTLchr7-1, MQTLchr14-1, and MQTLchr24-1, were identified as stable clusters harboring key fiber quality and stress tolerance traits. Candidate gene analysis within select MQTL regions revealed 75 genes, 38 of which were annotated with significant gene ontology terms related to lignin catabolism, flavin binding, and stress responses. Notably, GhLAC-4, GhCTL2, and UDP-glycosyltransferase 92A1 were highlighted for their potential roles in fiber development and abiotic stress tolerance. These findings provide a refined genomic framework for cotton improvement and offer valuable resources for marker-assisted selection (MAS) and functional genomics aimed at enhancing fiber quality, yield, and stress resilience in cotton breeding programs. Full article

Shade-induced flower abscission in soybean plants is a significant factor limiting yield improvement. Under shaded conditions, significant differences exist in the flower abscission rates among different soybean varieties, but the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. This study selected Tiedou 44 (T44) and Liaodou 32 (L32) as experimental materials. Results indicate that under shaded conditions, the flower abscission rate of T44 was significantly higher than that of L32. Physiological analysis revealed that cell wall degradation enzyme activity in T44 pedicels was significantly higher than in L32. Furthermore, compared to L32, T44 flowers under shade conditions exhibited significantly higher levels of IAA, IAA–amino acid conjugates, and ABA. The expression levels of PIN family genes (GMPIN3C, GMPIN3D, PIN3A, GMPIN1A, GMPIN1B, GMPIN1C, GMPIN1D, and GMPIN1E) in T44 were downregulated. These results suggest that the obstruction of auxin polar transport leads to auxin accumulation in flowers. This accumulation, in turn, triggers flower abscission. Additionally, GH3 gene expression was upregulated in T44 compared to L32. GH3 proteins catalyze the conjugation of free auxin (IAA) with amino acids, forming inactive IAA–amino acid complexes. This significantly reduces the concentration of free IAA capable of inhibiting abscission in T44, making flowers more prone to abscission. This study provides crucial insights into the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying flower abscission in soybean. Full article

We theoretically analyze the spatial Goos-Hänchen (GH) shifts in symmetric Graphene-Integrated Bragg Gratings (GIBGs), where monolayer graphene arrays act as tunable input/output couplers, and a periodically inserted dielectric layer forms a resonant cavity. By optimizing the cavity design, we achieve a GH shift of 1766λ, surpassing the conventional limit of hundreds of wavelengths under single-parameter tuning. The direction and magnitude can be actively controlled by the graphene’s chemical potential, grating geometry, or dielectric thickness. This mechanism may enable high-sensitivity refractive index sensors or adaptive optical devices. Full article

Boll abscission in cotton (Gossypium spp.) is a key factor that limits yield; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this process remain poorly understood. In this study, boll abscission characteristics were uncovered in four cotton varieties that exhibited extreme differences in boll abscission rates via tissue sectioning. Transcriptome analysis was performed on the four cotton varieties. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) of the transcriptome data, we identified a stearoyl-(acyl-carrier-protein) desaturase (SACPD) as a potential key regulator of boll abscission. We also performed evolutionary analyses on the SACPD gene family across five cotton species and identified 63 members that were classified into four evolutionary clades, with duplication-polyploidization events being a major driver of gene expansion. Tissue-specific expression profiling revealed that Gossypium hirsutum GhSACPD19 is highly expressed in the abscission zone. Our findings suggest a role of GhSACPD19 in regulating boll abscission, likely through metabolism of jasmonate, a well-known positive regulator of abscission. Our work offers new insights into the regulation of organ abscission at cellular and molecular levels and presents a valuable resource for cotton yield improvement. Full article