Search Results (12,660)

The orbital fat of bighead carp (Hypophthalmichthys nobilis) represents a structural fat deposit located posterior to the eyes and constitutes an important edible component of the head region. Nevertheless, molecular mechanisms governing lipid accumulation during ontogenetic development remain insufficiently characterized. Here, we performed RNA-Seq on orbital fat tissues from 6-month-old (juvenile) and 18-month-old (market-size) bighead carp. A total of 1042 DEGs were identified, with 807 up-regulated and 235 down-regulated in the 6-month-old stage. Functional enrichment revealed key pathways including fatty acid metabolism, PPAR signaling, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis. qRT-PCR validation confirmed RNA-Seq reliability. Notably, the differential expression patterns of genes such as cpt1a, cpt1b, slc27a1, fads2, and scd suggest their association with an elevated capacity for lipid synthesis in the orbital fat of 18-month-old bighead carp. This study presents the first transcriptome analysis of orbital fat development in a freshwater fish, offering insights into the genetic improvement of head meat quality traits and growth in bighead carp head. Full article

Background: Escherichia coli and Salmonella contamination in goose bath water releases endotoxins like lipopolysaccharide (LPS), compromising immunity and hindering goose farming. Objective: This study evaluated effects of dietary Bacillus subtilis and bacteriophage supplementation on water quality, carcass traits, and muscle growth in Magang geese. Method: A total of 288 geese were divided into four groups based on similarity in weight (n = 6 geese): A (basal diet); B (basal diet + bacteriophage: 5.0 × 10¹⁰ PFU/L at 1:1000 dilution); C (basal diet + Bacillus subtilis: 5.0 × 10⁹ CFU/kg); D (basal diet + bacteriophage + Bacillus subtilis). Results: Supplementation significantly increased wing length, tibia length, and live weight at 60 days. It reduced water and plasma endotoxin levels and suppressed viable counts of Escherichia coli, Salmonella, and total bacteria in water across rearing stages. Supplementation up-regulated mRNA and protein expression of myogenic regulators (MYOD, MYOG, MYH1) and IGF-1, while down-regulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), suggesting enhanced myofiber growth. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that Bacillus subtilis and bacteriophage supplementation improves goose growth performance and immune status by modulating key genes, reducing pathogens and endotoxins, offering an eco-friendly strategy to enhance productivity and potentially reduce antibiotic dependency. Full article

Pea crabs live in association with various marine invertebrates, particularly notable for their parasitic relationship with numerous bivalves of great economic importance. During a genetic study of mussel populations on the French Atlantic coast, these crabs were found in the mantle cavity of individuals in La Tranche-sur-Mer, predominantly affecting Mytilus edulis. Given the history of mass mortality events in this area, the apparent susceptibility of M. edulis to parasitism, and the negative impact of pea crabs on host physiology, this study focused on determining the crab species found and their effects on mussels. The prevalence of infestation in this population was high (64.6%), with 61.3% of infested mussels hosting one crab and 38.7% hosting two crabs. There were no significant differences in infestation rates between male and female bivalves. Genetic analysis (16S and H3) identified the crab as Pinnotheres pisum, of which two morphotypes were observed depending on sex and stage of development. Despite the high prevalence, infested mussels showed no evidence of impaired growth or reproductive development. However, long-term studies are recommended to explore whether subtle or cumulative physiological effects of crab infestations could indirectly contribute to the mass mortality events recorded in this area. Full article

The ecotoxicity induced by macrolides has attracted widespread attention, but their impacts on the nitrogen metabolism and symbiotic environmental bacteria of microalgae remain unclear. This study examined the effects of roxithromycin (ROX) on the growth, chlorophyll levels, and nitrogen metabolism of Chlorella pyrenoidosa; investigated the changes in the composition and functions of environmental bacterial communities; and finally, analyzed the relationship between microalgae and environmental bacteria. The results indicated that all concentrations of ROX (0.1, 0.25, and 1 mg/L) inhibited microalgae growth, but the inhibition rates gradually decreased after a certain exposure period. For instance, the inhibition rate in the 1 mg/L treatment group reached the highest value of 43.43% at 7 d, which then decreased to 18.93% at 21 d. Although the total chlorophyll content was slightly inhibited by 1 mg/L ROX, the Chl-a/Chl-b value increased between 3 and 21 d. The nitrate reductase activities in the three treatments were inhibited at 3 d, but gradually returned to normal levels and even exceeded that of the control group at 21 d. Under ROX treatment, the consumption of NO₃⁻ by microalgae corresponded to the nitrate reductase activity, with slower consumption in the early stage and no obvious difference from the control group in the later stage. Overall, the diversity of environmental bacteria did not undergo significant changes, but the abundance of some specific bacteria increased, such as nitrogen-fixing bacteria (unclassified-f-Rhizobiaceae and Mesorhizobium) and organic contaminant-degrading bacteria (Limnobacter, Sphingopyxis, and Aquimonas). The 0.25 and 1 mg/L ROX treatments significantly enhanced the carbohydrate metabolism, cofactor and vitamin metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism of the environmental bacteria, but significantly downregulated nitrogen denitrification. This study provides new insights into the environmental bacteria-driven recovery mechanism of microalgae under antibiotic stress. Full article

Excessive use of antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in broiler rearing has led to severe issues due to antimicrobial resistance and drug residues in meat. This study was conducted to evaluate aqueous Moringa oleifera leaf extract (MOLE) as a natural alternative to antibiotics in broiler chickens. 150 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five groups: one control, three MOLE-treated groups (60, 90, and 120 mL/L), and one Enrofloxacin-treated group (an antibiotic). The birds were monitored for a 35-day trial period, split further into a starter phase (0–21 days) and a finisher phase (22–35 days). The results were that at the starter phase of their lives, birds treated with MOLE120 experienced better body weight gain and optimal feed conversion ratio (FCR), which showed improved early growth performance. In the finisher phase, the MOLE90 group demonstrated the best FCR and a favorable weight gain, showing better efficiency at later stages. Crude protein digestibility was highest in the MOLE90 group (69.97%), and apparent metabolizable energy also increased in all MOLE-treated groups, especially MOLE120 (2938.9 kcal/kg). Regarding the blood lipid profile, the MOLE90 group had the lowest low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (82.3 mg/dL) and cholesterol (181.7 mg/dL), while MOLE120 achieved the highest high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level (92.6 mg/dL) with significant (p < 0.05) effects across all parameters. Triglycerides were slightly higher in MOLE groups but remained within physiological limits. In conclusion, MOLE supplementation, particularly at 90–120 mL/L, improved performance and blood lipid metabolism in a phase-specific manner. MOLE120 was more effective in early growth, while MOLE90 proved optimal in the finishing stage. This study supports the potential of MOLE as a phytogenic substitute for antibiotics in poultry production. Full article

Organic fertilization management for vegetable transplant production is challenging to growers due to the slow and unpredictable release nature of organic fertilizers. Nutrients in organic fertilizers, particularly nitrogen (N), often fail to meet the demands of rapidly growing transplants in soilless substrate. This study aimed to develop fertilization guidelines for organic bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) transplants by evaluating the performance of one conventional fertilizer, two organic fertilizers (Drammatic, Pre-Empt), and one naturally derived fertilizer (Bio-Matrix) at a range of N rates in supporting transplant growth. Bell pepper transplants were grown in an indoor growing chamber for 28 days with weekly fertilizer application. We found that the initial nitrate-N concentration in the fertilizer solution was the sole predictor of shoot dry weight (R² = 0.62), confirming that N availability was the primary limiting factor for transplant growth. The conventional fertilizer produced the largest transplants (370.9 mg/plant in shoot dry weight) while Drammatic resulted in the lowest maximum shoot growth (196.6 mg/plant), likely due to its high salinity and the accumulation of ammonium in the substrate. Bell pepper transplants exhibited low nutrient uptake capability and resulted in low N recovery efficiency, especially with the two organic fertilizers, Drammatic and Pre-Empt (15.6% and 23.8%, respectively). Furthermore, we found no carryover effects of the fertilizer treatments during the transplant stage on bell pepper growth after being transplanted to the greenhouse for 18 days. The final shoot dry weight only correlated with transplant shoot dry weight at the time of transplanting (R² = 0.87) but not with fertilizer type (p = 0.2849). Overall, Pre-Empt emerged as the most effective fertilizer for organic bell pepper transplant production. It is cost-effective, has low electrical conductivity, and is associated with low ammonium accumulation in the substrate. Therefore, it can be applied at high N rates to meet the N demand of bell pepper transplants. Based on our growing conditions, we recommend 23.1 g/L substrate of Pre-Empt for organic bell pepper transplant production. Full article

CD93 is a highly glycosylated transmembrane glycoprotein with key functional domains, including a C-type lectin-like domain (CTLD) and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. Primarily expressed in endothelial cells (ECs), CD93 regulates critical physiological processes such as angiogenesis, cell adhesion, migration, and apoptotic cell clearance through interactions with ligands like multimerin-2 (MMRN2) and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7 (IGFBP7). Aberrant CD93 expression has been observed in various pathological conditions, including inflammation, cardiovascular diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Notably, CD93 is overexpressed in tumor-associated blood vessels, which is associated with poor prognosis and advanced disease stages. Targeting the CD93 signaling pathway has the potential to improve tumor vascular function and enhance the efficacy of immunotherapy, making it a promising therapeutic target. This review summarizes the current understanding of CD93’s structure, function, and disease mechanisms, providing a framework for further research and clinical translation in related fields. Full article

This study systematically analyzes the microstructure and radial variation of Cercis glabra wood, revealing its adaptive strategies for arid environments. The results show that the wood consists of thick-walled fibers (63%) and vessels (17.7%), with a semi-ring-porous structure and 48.4% average cell wall percentage. Fiber proportion peaks early (4 years), ensuring mechanical support, while vessel adjustment occurs later (19 years), balancing water transport. Rays decline sharply in the first 9 years, stabilizing thereafter, reflecting a shift from growth to structural stability. The high fiber proportion and occasional tyloses enhance durability, making it suitable for high-quality pulp, furniture, and humid environments such as shipbuilding. A rotation period ≥ 20 years ensures stable properties. Genetic breeding could shorten the juvenile stage and optimize vessel distribution. Future research should integrate multi-omics and environmental data to deepen our understanding of its adaptation mechanisms. This study provides a basis for the utilization of C. glabra resources. Full article

Pyruvate kinase (PK) is a key enzyme in glycolysis that regulates sugar metabolism and energy production, thereby influencing fruit quality. The ‘Feizixiao’ litchi, widely cultivated in Hainan Province, faces sugar reduction during fruit ripening. This study evaluated the effects of the foliar application of calcium and magnesium (Ca+Mg) during the fruit expansion stage to alleviate this problem. Ca+Mg foliar application significantly enhanced soluble sugar content, promoted peel coloration, and reduced respiration and PK activity. Genome-wide analysis identified 19 PK genes (LcPKs) exhibiting diverse exon-intron structures and conserved motifs. Phylogenetic analysis revealed both conserved and species-specific features, while subcellular localization predicted that most LcPK proteins are likely to be localized in the cytoplasm. Synteny analysis showed closer evolutionary relationships with species in the same genus than with Arabidopsis. Cis-regulatory element analysis implicated LcPKs in light response, hormone signaling, growth, and stress adaptation. Hormonal assays at 63 and 70 DAA after treatment revealed increased abscisic acid (ABA) and ethylene levels under Ca+Mg application. These hormonal changes correlated with the downregulation of LcPK3, LcPK4, LcPK5, LcPK8, and LcPK15, as confirmed by qRT-PCR, indicating negative regulation by ABA and ethylene. This regulatory mechanism likely contributes to overcoming sugar receding in litchi pulp. These findings offer insights into the regulation of sugar metabolism and strategies for enhancing fruit quality through the management of genes and nutrients. Full article

Empetrun nigrum L. is a rare berry crop with a high content of biologically active substances, which are of great interest in medicine. In order to obtain sufficient transplants of this crop, in vitro propagation is preferred over other methods. It is known that a large percentage of propagated plants can be lost or damaged, not only at the stage of adaptation to non-sterile conditions, but also in the post-adaptation period. Plants may have weak growth due to poor root development and a lack of nutrients. Therefore, to improve the understanding of the plant requirements in the post-adaptation period of E. nigrum, clonal micropropagation was performed by combining mycorrhizal preparations containing (1) mycelium of Glomus sp., and humic substances, and (2) mycelium of Glomus sp., Trichoderma harzianum, and other mycorrhiza formation microorganisms with different types of mineral fertilizer (N₂₀P₂₀K₂₀, N₂₀P₁₆K₁₀(S₅), and N₁₉P₉K₁₀ + 2MgO). Analysis of the growth dynamics of ex vitro plants over 98 days of cultivation in containers under greenhouse conditions showed the effectiveness of mineral fertilizer and mycorrhizal preparations treatment. The total root length increased by 30–50% and the total shoot length by 40–80%. The survival was 95.8–100%. Full article

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally prevalent parasite capable of establishing lifelong infections, which can have severe consequences in immunocompromised individuals and developing fetuses. GRAs are essential secretory effectors that facilitate nutrient acquisition, modulate host immune responses, and support intracellular survival. In this study, we characterized four putative GRAs (GRA85–88) that co-localize with GRA12 in both tachyzoite and bradyzoite stages. Using CRISPR-Cas9-mediated homologous recombination, we successfully generated knockout strains in both type I RH and type II Pru backgrounds. Phenotypic analysis revealed that GRA85, GRA87, and GRA88 were not individually required for parasite replication, invasion, or virulence. However, deletion of gra86 (PruΔgra86) resulted in a significant reduction in virulence and fewer brain cysts in chronically infected mice, although in vitro growth remained unaffected. Transcriptomic profiling of PruΔgra86 revealed downregulation of bradyzoite–related genes and upregulation of GRAs involved in host interaction. Additionally, in vitro differentiation assays showed impaired bradyzoite development in the absence of GRA86. These findings from murine models and in vitro phenotypic assays highlight GRA86 as a regulator of chronic infection and stage conversion, positioning it as an important player in T. gondii pathogenesis and a promising target for therapeutic intervention. Full article

Low-temperature (LT) stress remains a challenge in rice cultivation and breeding. Despite global warming, cold waves cause damage to rice plants, particularly during pollen development. LTs during early panicle formation worsen pollen formation defects, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We investigated the effects of low temperatures (19.0 °C and 18.5 °C) throughout reproductive growth on the panicle architecture and fertility of 28 japonica rice varieties with different LT tolerances. LT-sensitive varieties like Sasanishiki and conventional LT-tolerant varieties like Hitomebore showed increased spikelet densities on basal branches, whereas extremely LT-tolerant varieties like Tohoku 234 maintained a stable panicle architecture. RNA sequencing of the early panicles revealed LT-induced expression of stress response genes in all varieties. Compared with Hitomebore and Sasanishiki, in Tohoku 234, the expression of genes involved in flowering and sugar metabolism—such as OsGI and OsTOC1—showed stepwise induction with decreasing temperatures, while the expression of genes related to the cell cycle exhibited stepwise suppression. In addition, 24 genes with variety-specific expression patterns were identified. These findings suggested that LTs during the early reproductive stage increased spikelet numbers, along with total anther numbers, which may reduce the pollen formation capacity within each anther in LT-susceptible varieties. This study offers insights into rice’s LT tolerance mechanisms. Full article

With the growing global demand for rice and the urgent need to enhance sustainable production, ratoon rice systems and selenium (Se) biofortification technologies have become important strategies. This study investigated the effects of the foliar application of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid Se (EDTA-Se) during key growth stages of the main rice season on the yield, grain quality, and Se accumulation in ratoon rice. Two rice varieties—Fengliangyouxiang-1 (FLYX1) and Jinliangyouhuazhan (JLYHZ)—were selected for a two-year field experiment. A systematic analysis was performed on yield components, processing quality, appearance quality, nutritional quality, and Se speciation. The results showed that under an equivalent total amount of spraying EDTA-Se, the best effect on improving the yield, grain quality, and grain Se content of ratoon rice was observed at the heading stage and seven days after full heading. This treatment increased ratoon season yield by 6.45%, primarily due to enhanced grain filling rate (GF) and spikelets per panicle (SP). Processing quality was significantly improved; milled rice rate (MR) increased by 5.59–6.24% in FLYX1 and 3.38–3.52% in JLYHZ, while appearance quality also improved, with chalky grain rate (CGR) decreasing by 21.51–22.93% in FLYX1 and 14.50–14.53% in JLYHZ. These improvements were closely associated with elevated protein content and increased accumulation of selenomethionine (SM). Notably, FLYX1 exhibited higher efficiency in converting selenium to organic forms, whereas JLYHZ showed a greater accumulation of inorganic selenium, highlighting genotype-specific responses. This study confirmed that the foliar application of EDTA-Se during key growth phases of rice during the main season can synergistically optimize yield and quality in ratoon rice while achieving Se biofortification and providing a theoretical basis and technical support for improving the quality and efficiency of ratoon rice, as well as producing Se-enriched ratoon rice. Full article

Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug. ex Fr.) Ces. & De Not. is a major pathogenic fungus causing stem canker in Idesia polycarpa, posing a significant threat to the growth and survival of its plantations. To elucidate the physiological and biochemical responses of the host under pathogenic stress, this study used two-year-old potted seedlings of I. polycarpa (provenance: ‘Emeishan No. 1’) and conducted artificial inoculation. Dynamic changes in physiological and biochemical indices at different disease stages were systematically monitored. The results revealed a distinct stage-specific response pattern: in the early infection stage, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD and SOD) increased rapidly, accompanied by significant elevations in osmotic regulators such as proline and soluble protein. In the mid-stage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased, while the levels of photosynthetic pigments—especially chlorophyll b and carotenoids—declined, indicating intensified oxidative damage. In the late stage, antioxidant capacity and osmotic adjustment weakened, and the photosynthetic system was continuously impaired. Correlation analysis further demonstrated significant synergistic relationships among antioxidant defense, membrane stability, osmotic regulation, and photosynthetic function. These findings enhance our understanding of the disease resistance mechanisms in I. polycarpa and provide a theoretical and practical reference for resistance evaluation and precise management of canker disease in woody species. Full article

Chlorophyll is crucial for crop photosynthesis and useful for monitoring crop growth and predicting yield. Its content can be indicated by SPAD meter readings. However, SPAD-based monitoring of rice is time- and labor-intensive, whereas remote sensing offers non-destructive, rapid, real-time solutions. Compared with mainstream unmanned aerial vehicle, emerging phenotyping robots can carry multiple sensors and acquire higher-resolution data. Nevertheless, the feasibility of estimating rice SPAD using multi-sensor data obtained by phenotyping robots remains unknown, and whether the integration of machine learning algorithms can improve the accuracy of rice SPAD monitoring also requires investigation. This study utilizes phenotyping robots to acquire multispectral and RGB images of rice across multiple growth stages, while simultaneously collecting SPAD values. Subsequently, four machine learning algorithms—random forest, partial least squares regression, extreme gradient boosting, and boosted regression trees—are employed to construct SPAD monitoring models with different features. The random forest model combining vegetation indices, color indices, and texture features achieved the highest accuracy (R² = 0.83, RMSE = 1.593). In summary, integrating phenotyping robot-derived multi-sensor data with machine learning enables high-precision, efficient, and non-destructive rice SPAD estimation, providing technical and theoretical support for rice phenotyping and precision cultivation. Full article