Search Results (44,225)

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content plays a crucial role in determining pork quality. Recent studies have highlighted transcriptional mechanisms controlling adipogenesis in porcine IMF. However, the changes in chromatin accessibility during adipogenic differentiation are still not well understood. In this study, we performed the assay for transposase-accessible chromatin with high-throughput sequencing (ATAC-seq) and transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) analyses on porcine intramuscular preadipocytes to explore their adipogenic differentiation into mature adipocytes. We identified a total of 56,374 differentially accessible chromatin peaks and 4226 differentially expressed genes at day 0 and day 4 during adipogenic differentiation. A combined analysis of the ATAC-seq and RNA-seq data revealed that 1750 genes exhibited both differential chromatin accessibility and differential RNA expression during this process, including selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1), PLIN1, ADIPOQ, and FASN. Furthermore, we found that vitamin D receptor (VDR) could bind to the promoter region of the SELENBP1 gene, activate SELENBP1 transcription, and ultimately promote lipid accumulation during adipogenic differentiation. This study provides a detailed overview of chromatin accessibility and gene expression changes during the adipogenic differentiation of porcine intramuscular preadipocytes. Moreover, we propose a novel regulatory mechanism involving the VDR–SELENBP1 signaling axis in adipogenic differentiation. Full article

The Fushan Depression is a hydrocarbon-rich depression in the Beibuwan Basin, South China Sea. In this study, 14 source rocks and 19 crude oils from the Chaoyang Step-Fault Zone and Southern Slope Zone were geochemically analyzed to determine their origins. The hydrocarbon generation, migration, and accumulation processes were also determined using two-dimensional basin modeling. Crude oils from the low-step area show a close relationship with the source rocks of the first and second members of the Eocene Liushagang Formation (Els₁ and Els₂). The oils from the middle-step area and the Southern Slope Zone are derived from the local source rocks in those areas, in the third member of the Eocene Liushagang Formation (Els₃). Hydrocarbons generated from the Els₃ source rocks of the Southern Slope Zone migrated along sand bodies to the Els₃ reservoir. The fault system of the Chaoyang Step-Fault Zone controls hydrocarbon migration and accumulation in the low-step and middle-step areas. The resource potential of the middle-step area is limited by its shallow burial depth. The low-step area is a more favorable exploration area due to its proximity to the source kitchen. Full article

This long-term field study conducted in Yancheng, China, evaluated the effects of diverse crop rotation sequences on rice growth, yield, and soil properties. Six rotation treatments were implemented from 2016 to 2023 as follows: rice–wheat (control), rice––rape, rice–hairy vetch, rice–barley, rice–faba bean, and rice–winter fallow. Rice growth parameters, yield components, biomass accumulation, and soil properties were measured. Results showed that legume-based rotations, particularly rice–faba bean and rice–hairy vetch, significantly improved rice growth and yield compared to the rice–wheat control. The rice–faba bean rotation increased yield by 19.1% to 8.73 t/ha compared to 7.33 t/ha for the control, while rice–hairy vetch increased yield by 11.9% to 8.20 t/ha. These rotations also demonstrated higher biomass production efficiency, with increases of 33.33% and 25.00%, respectively, in spring crop biomass. Soil nutrients improvements were observed, particularly in available nitrogen, potassium, and electrical conductivity. Legume-based rotations increased the available nitrogen by up to 35.9% compared to the control. The study highlights the potential of diversified crop rotations, especially those incorporating legumes, to enhance rice productivity and soil health in subtropical regions. These findings have important implications for developing sustainable and resilient rice-based cropping systems to address challenges of food security and environmental sustainability in the face of climate change and resource constraints. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the response of Populus nigra L. × Populus maximowiczii to the addition of selected metals in soil. Rooted cuttings were planted in pots containing soil enriched with equimolar concentrations of Pb, Zn, Al, Ni, and Cu (500 mL of 4 mM solutions of single metal salts: (Pb(NO₃)₂; Zn(NO₃)₂ × 6H₂O; Al(NO₃)₃ × 9H₂O; Ni(NO₃)₂ × 6H₂O; or Cu(NO₃)₂ × 3H₂O). Growth parameters, metal accumulation, and physiological and biochemical parameters were assessed after four weeks of cultivation, simulating early response conditions. The results showed diverse metal accumulation in poplar organs, along with an increase in biomass and minor changes in gas exchange parameters or chlorophyll fluorescence. Among low-molecular-weight organic acids, citric and succinic acids were dominant in the rhizosphere, and roots with malonic acid were also present in the shoots. Only p-coumaric acid was found in the phenolic profile of the roots. The shoots contained both phenolic acids and flavonoids, and their profile was diversely modified by particular metals. Sucrose and fructose content increased in shoots that underwent metal treatments, with glucose increasing only in Cu and Al treatments. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed variations induced by metal treatments across all parameters. Responses to Pb and Zn were partially similar, while Cu, Ni, or Al triggered distinct reactions. The results indicate the adaptation of P. nigra L. × P. maximowiczii to soil containing elevated levels of metals, along with potential for soil remediation and metal removal. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of differences in early responses to particular metals on plant conditions from a long-term perspective. Full article

Background: Verbena stricta is a perennial herb of the Verbenaceae family, known for its medicinal properties, wide adaptability, and high resistance. Methods: This research investigated the metabolic pathways of flower color change by combining transcriptome and metabolomics analyses. Results: In purple flowers and white variants, a total of 118 differentially accumulated metabolites (DAMs), including 20 anthocyanins, and 7627 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were found. The downregulation of delphinidin-3-O-galactoside, delphinidin-3-O-glucoside, and delphinidin-3-O-(6″-O-p-coumaroyl) glucoside, along with the absence of petunidin and malvidin derivatives, may explain the loss of pigmentation in the white-flower mutant. Fourteen candidate genes involved in anthocyanin biosynthesis were identified, among which the expression of Flavonoid 3′, 5′-hydroxylase (F3′5′H) was significantly downregulated, notably limiting flux through the delphinidin pathway and reducing delphinidin accumulation. This limitation in upstream reactions, coupled with the multi-shunt process in downstream reactions, completely blocked the production of petunidin and malvidin. Conclusions: These findings offer new opinions on the anthocyanin metabolites and key genes responsible for the floral pigmentation in V. stricta. Additionally, the white variant provides a valuable platform for future research into the ornamental flower color of the Verbenaceae family. Full article

Nowadays, attention is focused on the lack of selenium in the average diet, which is a highly valued element in the body’s antioxidant system. The major metabolites of selenium are selenoproteins, which have an irreplaceable function in the body. This study focused on optimizing conditions for the biofortification of maize (Zea mays L.) with selenium (Se). Three separate pot experiments were conducted to identify the key factors influencing the efficacy of foliar selenium application. The experiments were designed to investigate the effects of different forms of selenium (selenite, selenate, and selenium nanoparticles) on maize development, the influence of the phenological stage of maize at the time of foliar Se application, and the optimal application rate of Se (100, 150, 200, or 250 µg). The results indicated that sodium selenate without a wetting agent was the most effective form for enhancing total Se content in maize, with the greatest accumulation being in leaves (3.01 mg/kg dry matter). Phenological stages (BBCH) 51 and 60 were identified as the most suitable phenological stages for Se application in terms of total Se content about 1 mg/kg in leaves and about 0.4 mg/kg in grain and the presence of organic Se compounds (mostly selenate ion and selenomethionine). We concluded from the study that a foliar application of 200 µg of sodium selenate per pot during these stages resulted in maximum Se uptake without adversely affecting plant yield. Further research is recommended to validate these findings under field conditions, paving the way for improved agricultural practices in selenium biofortification. Full article

The frequent occurrence of excessive heat events driven by global warming poses a great threat to plant growth and food security. To survive in heat stress (HS) environments, plants have evolved sophisticated response mechanisms, and the transcriptional network that controls the expression levels of HS-inducible genes serves as an essential component of this process. NAC (NAM, ATAF1/2, and CUC2) transcription factors (TFs) play key regulatory roles in the abiotic stress responses of plants. However, the functional roles of NAC TFs in the heat stress response of Chinese cabbage remain elusive. In the present study, we identified the Brassica rapa NAC family transcription factor BrNAC19 as a close homologue of Arabidopsis NAC019 and found that it serves as a positive regulator of the HS response. BrNAC19 displayed inducible gene expression in response to HS, and its subcellular localization showed that it was localized in the nucleus. Heterologous expression of BrNAC19 significantly enhanced the heat tolerance of plants and reduced the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under HS conditions. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that BrNAC19 directly targeted and promoted the expression of superoxide dismutase 1 (CSD1) and catalase 2 (CAT2), two antioxidant-enzyme coding genes in Chinese cabbage. Altogether, our results suggest that BrNAC19 enhances heat stress tolerance by positively regulating the expression of genes involved in the HS response and ROS scavenging and exhibits potential as a target gene in Chinese cabbage breeding to increase heat stress tolerance. Full article

Tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) is a globally cultivated crop, with its quality closely associated with the color and chemical composition of cured tobacco leaves. In this experiment, the effects of spraying exogenous 2, 4-epibrassinolide (EBR) and melatonin (MT) on the development of tobacco leaves at maturity stage and the quality after curing were investigated. Both EBR and MT treatments significantly enhanced the appearance quality of tobacco leaves at the stem-drying stage. Following preharvest applications, the sugar-to-alkali ratio and potassium content increased, while the contents of starch, total alkaloids, and proteins decreased. The levels of conventional chemical components were improved, enhancing the overall coordination of the tobacco. Transcriptome analysis revealed that EBR treatment down-regulated the chlorophyll biosynthetic genes hemA, MgPEC, and ChlD, while up-regulating the chlorophyll degradation genes CHL2, SGR, and PAOs. Similarly, MT treatment down-regulated the chlorophyll biosynthetic genes FC2 and MgPEC and up-regulated the degradation genes CHL2 and SGR, thus promoting chlorophyll degradation. Furthermore, in the downstream carotenoid biosynthetic pathway, both EBR and MT treatments regulated abscisic acid-related genes, with NCEDs being up-regulated and CYP707A1s down-regulated, thereby promoting the leaf ripening. Metabolomics analysis indicated that EBR treatment primarily regulated alkaloids, terpenoids, and flavonoids, while MT treatment mainly affected flavonoids. Both treatments also reduced the accumulation of the harmful substance aristolochic acid B. Comprehensive evaluations of appearance quality, physiological parameters, transcriptome, and metabolomics analyses demonstrated that exogenous spraying of EBR and MT treatments improved the maturity and quality of cured tobacco leaves, with EBR treatment exhibiting a greater effect than MT treatment. Full article

The enrichment of bottom sediments with trace elements due to anthropogenic factors is of growing concern worldwide. With the development of industry, agriculture, and urbanization, the risk of freshwater contamination with trace elements is increasing. As trace elements are poorly soluble in water, they have a tendency to accumulate in bottom sediments. The study focused on the evaluation of the trace element contents in the surface layer of bottom sediments of Lake Raczyńskie, located in Poland, and assessing the risks posed by these sediments. The pollution of bottom sediments was estimated based on the index of the geo-accumulation (I_geo), enrichment factor (EF), Nemerow multi-factor index (Pn), and pollution load index (PLI). The assessment of environmental risk was evaluated by the potential ecological risk index (RI) and mean PEL quotient method. The results obtained showed that the average contents of Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn exceeded the national geochemical background values (Bn), indicating possible enrichment of bottom sediments due to human activity. Only for Mn were the observed contents below the Bn. This evaluation was confirmed by the PLI and Pn values, which indicated sediment pollution from anthropogenic sources. However, the risk assessment by RI and mean PEL showed a low risk of contamination. The results of principal component analysis (PCA) and values of I_geo and EF suggested that Cd, Cu, Mn, and Zn mainly originate from geogenic sources, while Ni and Pb probably come from an unrecognized anthropogenic source. The distribution of Cd, Mn, and Ni depended on the contents of silt and clay fractions. Additionally, organic carbon influenced Cu, Mn, Ni, and Zn contents in bottom sediments. Full article

Integrated agronomic management strategies, including nutrient management, planting density, and cultivar selection, are crucial for improving vegetable yield and quality. Here, we conducted a 2-year field experiment to examine the effect of cultivars, planting density and optimal nitrogen application rate on pepper yield, nutrient absorption and quality, and further screened the suitable cultivars and planting density. The experiment included two N application rate treatments (0, 250 kg ha⁻¹), five pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars (‘Xin xiang #8’, ‘King’, ‘Strip pepper #28’, ‘Er jing tiao’, ‘Red pepper #425’), and three planting density treatments (0.4 m × 0.6 m; 41,667 plants ha⁻¹, 0.5 m × 0.6 m 33,333 plants ha⁻¹; and 0.6 m × 0.6 m; 27,778 plants ha⁻¹). Our results showed that the optimal N application rate can significantly increase the yield, nutrient absorption (e.g., N accumulation) and quality (e.g., Vitamin C content) by 23.7–120.2%, 66.1–125.5%, and 1.0–20.0%, respectively. Different cultivars had different responses to N-fertilizer. Under the optimal nitrogen fertilizer rate, ‘King’ and ‘Strip pepper #28’ had the strongest response to N, and their yield, nutrient uptake and quality (e.g., VC content) were significantly higher than those of other cultivars by 3.4–56.7%, 22.7–227% and 21.3–42.0%, respectively. The highest index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) values for Fe, Mn, and Cu were found in ‘Er jing tiao’, and the highest INQ values for Zn and VC were found in ‘King’, indicating that ‘Er jing tiao’ and ‘King’ have greater nutritional value. In addition, the yield and aboveground dry matter biomass accumulation increased with increasing planting density. Therefore, integrated agronomic management measures, which included high-yield cultivars (‘King’, ‘Strip Pepper #28’), suitable planting density (0.4 m × 0.6 m) and reasonable nutrient management, could be a potential strategy to achieve a high yield and quality of pepper production in southwest China. This study serves as a practical example for the highly efficient development of vegetable production in southwest China. Full article

In recent years, pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) cultivation is undergoing a great expansion in Spain, which is promising for regions where water and winter chilling are not limiting. Many areas of Castilla y León (Spain) provide suitable conditions for pistachio production, but heat requirement could be a limiting factor. The aims of this study were (i) to investigate the status of pistachios in Castilla y León and the relationships between phenology and agroclimatic conditions and (ii) to assess the performance of three pistachio cultivars (‘Kerman’, ‘Lost Hills’, and ‘Golden Hills’) in a plantation within this region. This work describes the phenological and productive behavior of three pistachio varieties in seven orchards over three years. The chilling requirements were exceeded, and heat accumulation was sufficient to complete the cycle in all seasons. Bloom and harvest occurred later in ‘Kerman’ than in ‘Golden Hills’ and ‘Lost Hills’. In general, ‘Kerman’ had higher nut yield than the other two cultivars but also had more non-split and blank nuts, aspects that should be considered for future plantations. Despite the interannual variability in yield, a trend to increase the production with water received was observed, but this also affected the quality and modified the splitting percentage. Full article

Background: Haematococcus pluvialis, a green microalga, is a rich source of natural astaxanthin and a potent antioxidant with high commercial value. This study investigates the biological characteristics and potential of H. pluvialis HB isolated from Hoa Binh, Vietnam, for growth and astaxanthin accumulation using a two-phase culture method. Methods: H. pluvialis HB was cultured in a C/RM medium at 25 °C, and morphological characteristics were examined. NMR spectroscopy was used to determine the structure of the astaxanthin, which was extracted using the Soxhlet method. Results: After 22 days, the highest cell density (4.96 × 10⁶ cells mL⁻¹) was achieved under optimized light and ultraviolet conditions. Nutrient deprivation followed by bicarbonate supplementation resulted in a maximal astaxanthin accumulation of 48.8 mg g⁻¹ dry cell weight within two days. The extracted astaxanthin demonstrated potent antioxidant activity (IC₅₀: 3.74 mg mL⁻¹) compared to ascorbic acid (IC₅₀: 18.53 µg mL⁻¹) and exhibited strong acetylcholinesterase inhibition (IC₅₀: 297.99 µg mL⁻¹). It also showed neuroprotective effects against H₂O₂ and amyloid beta-induced neurotoxicity in C6 cells. Conclusions: This study highlights H. pluvialis HB as a promising source for large-scale astaxanthin production with potential applications in neuroprotective health products. Full article

In the field of wireless communication, there is growing interest in molecular communication (MC), which integrates nano-, bio-, and communication technologies. Inspired by nature, MC uses molecules to transmit data, especially in environments where EM waves struggle to penetrate. In MC, signals can be distinguished based on molecular concentration, known as concentrated-encoded molecular communication (CEMC). These molecules diffuse through an MC channel and are received via ligand–receptor binding mechanisms. Synchronization in CEMC is critical for minimizing errors and enhancing communication performance. This study introduces a novel preamble-based noncoherent synchronization method, specifically designed for resource-constrained environments like nanonetworks. The method’s simple, low-complexity structure makes it suitable for nanomachines, while machine learning (ML) techniques are used to improve synchronization accuracy by adapting to the nonlinear characteristics of the channel. The proposed approach leverages ML to achieve robust performance. Simulation results demonstrate a synchronization probability of 0.8 for a transmitter-receiver distance of 1 cm, given a molecular collection time duration four times the pulse duration. These results confirm the significant benefits of integrating ML, showcasing improved synchronization probability and reduced mean square error. The findings contribute to the advancement of efficient and practical MC systems, offering insights into synchronization and error reduction in complex environments. Full article

Surface subsidence and water accumulation are common consequences of underground coal mining in areas with high groundwater levels, leading to waterlogged zones. Predicting the stability of these subsidence-induced water bodies is critical for effective land reclamation, yet current methods remain inadequate, particularly when mining data are limited. This study addresses this gap by introducing a new approach to evaluate the stability of subsidence waterlogging zones. We developed a novel method based on the ray model to assess waterlogging stability in coal mining areas. Rays were cast from origins at 1° intervals to measure changes in water accumulation boundaries over time, using metrics like the Expansion Ratio Index and stability duration. The proposed method was applied to the Huainan coal field, a typical mining area with high groundwater levels in China. We studied 41 subsidence water patches, selecting ray origins for each patch and constructing a total of 14,760 rays at 1° intervals. (2) Out of all effective rays, 4250 (32.6%) were identified as stable. (3) Stability analysis classified 32.6% as “stable”, 66.4% as “observation required”, and 1.6% as “expanding.” Specific reclamation suggestions include filling shallow stable areas and developing permanent projects in larger stable zones. Full article

DENV belongs to the Flaviviridae family and possesses a single-stranded RNA genome of positive polarity. DENV infection manifests in mild subclinical forms or severe forms that may be dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). Despite a lot of effort worldwide, the exact mechanism underlying the pathogenesis of severe DENV infection remains elusive. It is believed that both host and viral factors contribute to the outcome of dengue disease. The host factors are age at the time of infection, sex, nutrition, and immune status, including the presence of pre-existing antibodies or reactive T cells. Viral factors include the serotype, genotype, and mutation(s) due to error-prone RNA-dependent polymerase leading to the development of quasispecies. Accumulating bodies of literature have depicted that DENV has many ways to invade and escape the immune system of the host. These invading strategies are directed to overcome innate and adaptive immune responses. Like other viruses, once the infection is established, the host also mounts a series of antiviral responses to combat and eliminate the virus replication. Nevertheless, DENV has evolved a variety of mechanisms to evade the immune system. In this review, we have emphasized the strategies that DENV employs to hijack the host innate (interferon, IFN; toll-like receptors, TLR; major histocompatibility complex, MHC; autophagy; complement; apoptosis; RNAi) and adaptive (antibody-dependent enhancement, ADE; T cell immunity) immune responses, which contribute to the severity of DENV disease. Full article