Search Results (298)

The prevalence of obesity is increasing globally, with approximately 700 million obese people worldwide. Currently, regulating energy homeostasis by increasing energy expenditure is attracting attention as a strategy for treating obesity. White adipose tissue is known to play a role in accumulating energy by storing excess energy, while brown adipose tissue expends energy and maintains body temperature. Thus, the browning of white adipose tissue has been shown to be effective in controlling obesity. Hedera helix (H. helix) has been widely used as a traditional medicine for various diseases. In several previous studies, hederagenin (HDG) from H. helix has demonstrated many biological activities. In this study, we investigated the antiobesity effect of HDG on fat browning in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Consequent to HDG treatment, a reduction in lipid accumulation was measured through oil red O staining. In addition, this study investigated that HDG increases energy expenditure by upregulating the expression of several targets related to thermogenesis, including uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1). This process involves inhibiting lipogenesis via the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway and promoting lipolysis through the protein kinase A (PKA) pathway. HDG is expected to be effective in promoting fat browning, indicating its potential as a natural antiobesity candidate. Full article

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), which is a global public health concern, can take various forms, from mild concussions to blast injuries, and each damage type has a particular mechanism of progression. However, TBI is a condition with complex pathophysiology and heterogenous clinical presentation, which makes it difficult to model for in vitro and in vivo studies and obtain relevant results that can easily be translated to the clinical setting. Accordingly, the pharmacological options for TBI management are still scarce. Since a wide spectrum of processes, such as glucose homeostasis, food intake, body temperature regulation, stress response, neuroprotection, and memory, were demonstrated to be modulated after delivering glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) or GLP-1 receptor agonists into the brain, we aimed to speculate on their potential role in TBI management by comprehensively overviewing the preclinical and clinical body of evidence. Based on promising preclinical data, GLP-1 receptor agonists hold the potential to extend beyond metabolic disorders and address unmet needs in neuroprotection and recovery after TBI, but also other types of central nervous system injuries such as the spinal cord injury or cerebral ischemia. This overview can lay the basis for tailoring new research hypotheses for future in vitro and in vivo models in TBI settings. However, large-scale clinical trials are crucial to confirm their safety and efficacy in these new therapeutic applications. Full article

Effective temperature control measures are crucial for achieving temperature regulation and preventing cracking in the dam body during the construction of large-volume concrete gravity dams. Due to the low ambient temperatures in winter, it is especially important to focus on temperature control measures for concrete dam construction in cold regions. This paper employs a numerical simulation method that takes into account dam temperature control measures to simulate and predict the overall temperature and stress fields of the Guanmenzuizi Reservoir Dam, and validates these simulations with field monitoring results. This study finds that the ambient temperature significantly impacts the temperature and stress of the dam body’s concrete. The internal temperature of the dam reaches its highest value approximately 7 days after pouring, followed by periodic fluctuations, with the dam body’s temperature changes exhibiting a certain lag compared to the ambient temperature. The interior of the dam is under compression, while the upstream and downstream surfaces experience significant tensile stress. This project adopts targeted temperature control measures for the cold environmental conditions of the region, which are reasonably implemented and effectively reduce the temperature rise of the concrete during construction, achieving the temperature control objectives. This study also explores the impact of the cooling water pipe density on the dam body. The research results offer valuable references for the implementation of temperature control measures and the establishment of temperature control standards for concrete gravity dams in cold regions. Full article

River and lake health assessment (RLHA) is an important approach to alleviating the conflict between protecting river and lake ecosystems and fostering socioeconomic development, aiming for comprehensive protection, governance, and management. Vegetation, a key component of the riparian zone, supports and maintains river and lake health (RLH) by providing a range of ecological functions. While research on riparian zone vegetation is ongoing, these studies have not yet been synthesized from the perspective of integrating RLHA with the ecological functions of riparian zone vegetation. In this paper, based on the bibliometric method, the relevant literature studies on the topics of RLHA and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing of vegetation were screened and counted, and the keywords were highlighted, respectively. Based on the connotation of RLH, this paper categorizes the indicators of RLHA into five aspects: water space: the critical area from the river and lake water body to the land in the riparian zone; water resources: the amount of water in the river and lake; water environment: the quality of water in the river and lake; water ecology:aquatic organisms in the river and lake; and water services:the function of ecosystem services in the river and lake. Based on these five aspects, this paper analyzes the key role of riparian zone vegetation in RLHA. In this paper, the key roles of riparian zone vegetation in RLHA are summarized as follows: stabilizing riverbanks, purifying water quality, regulating water temperature, providing food, replenishing groundwater, providing biological habitats, and beautifying human habitats. This paper analyzes the application of riparian zone vegetation ecological functions in RLH, summarizing the correlation between RLHA indicators and these ecological functions. Moreover, this paper analyzes the advantages of UAV remote sensing technology in the quantitative monitoring of riparian zone vegetation. This analysis is based on the high spatial and temporal resolution characteristics of UAV remote sensing technology and focuses on monitoring the ecological functions of riparian zone vegetation. On this basis, this paper summarizes the content and indicators of UAV quantitative remote sensing monitoring of riparian zone vegetation for RLHA. It covers several aspects: delineation of riparian zone extent, identification of vegetation types and distribution, the influence of vegetation on changes in the river floodplain, vegetation cover, plant diversity, and the impact of vegetation distribution on biological habitat. This paper summarizes the monitoring objects involved in monitoring riparian zones, riparian zone vegetation, river floodplains, and biological habitats, and summarizes the monitoring indicators for each category. Finally, this paper analyzes the challenges of UAV quantitative remote sensing for riparian zone vegetation at the current stage, including the limitations of UAV platforms and sensors, and the complexity of UAV remote sensing data information. This paper envisages the future application prospects of UAV quantitative remote sensing for riparian zone vegetation, including the development of hardware and software such as UAV platforms, sensors, and data technologies, as well as the development of integrated air-to-ground monitoring systems and the construction of UAV quantitative remote sensing platforms tailored to actual management applications. Full article

Background: DNA methylation is an important part of epigenetic regulation and plays an important role in the response of plants to adverse stress. Methods: In this study, whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) was performed on the high-temperature-resistant material Xinluzao 36 and the high-temperature-sensitive material Che 61–72 at 0 h and 12 h under high-temperature stress conditions. Results: The results revealed that the Gossypium hirsutum methylation levels of CG and CHG (H = A, C, or T) decreased after the high-temperature stress treatment, and the methylation level of the A subgenome was significantly greater than that of the D subgenome. The methylation level of CHH increased, and the methylation level of CHH in the D subgenome was significantly greater than that in the A subgenome after high-temperature stress treatment. The methylation density of CG is lower than that of CHG and CHH, and the methylation density of the middle region of chromosomes is greater than that of both ends, which is opposite to the distribution density of genes. There were 124 common differentially methylated genes in the CG, CHG, and CHH groups, and 5130 common DEGs and differentially methylated genes were found via joint analysis with RNA-seq; these genes were significantly enriched in the biosynthesis of plant hormones, thiamine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism pathways. DNA methylation did not affect the expression of many genes (accounting for 85.68% of the differentially methylated genes), DNA methylation-promoted gene expression was located mainly in the downstream region of the gene or gene body, and the expression of inhibitory genes was located mainly in the upstream region of the gene. Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical basis for further exploration of the gene expression and functional regulatory mechanism of G. hirsutum DNA methylation under high-temperature stress conditions. Full article

Body temperature is primarily regulated by the hypothalamus, ensuring proper metabolic function. Envenomation by Phoneutria nigriventer can cause symptoms such as hypothermia, hyperthermia, sweating, and shivering, all related to thermoregulation. This study aims to analyze and identify components of the venom that affect thermoregulation and to evaluate possible mechanisms. Rats were used for thermoregulation analysis, venom fractionation by gel filtration and reverse-phase chromatography (C18), and sequencing by Edman degradation. The venom exhibited hypothermic effects in rats, while its fractions demonstrated both hypothermic (pool II) and hyperthermic (pool III) effects. Further separations of the pools with C18 identified specific peaks responsible for these effects. However, as the peaks were further purified, their effects became less significant. Tests on U87 human glioblastoma cells showed no toxicity. Sequencing of the most active peaks revealed masses similar to those of the Tachykinin and Ctenotoxin families, both known to act on the nervous system. The study concludes that molecules derived from venom can act synergistically or antagonistically. Additionally, toxins that affect thermoregulation are poorly studied and require further characterization. These toxins could potentially serve as sources for the development of new thermoregulatory drugs. Full article

The processing body (P-Body) is a membrane-less organelle with stress-resistant functions. Under stress conditions, cells preferentially translate mRNA that favors the stress response, resulting in a large number of transcripts unfavorable to the stress response in the cytoplasm. These non-translating mRNAs aggregate with specific proteins to form P-Bodies, where they are either stored or degraded. The protein composition of P-Bodies varies depending on cell type, developmental stage, and external environmental conditions. This review primarily elucidates the protein composition in plants and the assembly of P-Bodies, and focuses on the mechanisms by which various proteins within the P-Bodies of plants regulate mRNA decapping, degradation, translational repression, and storage at the post-transcriptional level in response to ethylene signaling and abiotic stresses such as drought, high salinity, or extreme temperatures. This overview provides insights into the role of the P-Body in plant abiotic stress responses. Full article

Objective: To investigate the effect of slider and tensioner neurodynamic techniques (NDTs) on the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) activity, aiming to identify which technique more effectively modulates autonomic responses in asymptomatic individuals. Materials and Methods: In this double-blind controlled trial, a total of 90 healthy participants were randomly allocated into three groups: slider, tensioner, and control. Skin conductance (SC) was continuously monitored throughout the entire 20 min experiment, while body temperature and blood pressure were measured pre- and post-intervention. Results: The SC levels significantly increased in both the slider and tensioner groups compared to the control group during the intervention and end rest period on the left leg (slider vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 1.20; tensioner vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 1.64) and on the right leg (slider vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 1.47; tensioner vs. control: p < 0.001, d = 0.73). There were no significant differences between the two NDTs on the left (p < 0.13, d = 0.89) and right legs (p < 1.00, d = 0.36). The body temperature of the slider group showed a significant increase compared to both the control group (p < 0.001, d = 0.95) and the tensioner group (p < 0.001, d = 1.48). There were no significant differences between the groups in systolic (p = 0.95) or diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.06). There were no side-specific effects on SNS activity between the left and right legs (p < 0.019) during all intervention phases. Conclusions: Significant sympathoexcitatory responses were elicited by both slider and tensioner NDTs in asymptomatic participants, demonstrating their efficacy in modulating the SNS. The differences between the two techniques were not statistically significant; however, the tensioner NDT showed a slightly more pronounced effect, suggesting that the tensioner NDT can be considered superior in terms of overall SNS effect. These findings indicate that both techniques may have the potential to enhance autonomic regulation in clinical practice; however, the tensioner NDT may be more effective. The consistent responses across participants highlight the systemic benefits of NDTs, providing a foundation for further research into their application in symptomatic populations. This study contributes to evidence-based practice by providing baseline data that support the development of theoretical frameworks and aid in clinical decision-making. Full article

Subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) is a prevalent metabolic disorder in highly productive dairy cows that results in serious issues, including hoof lamellar injuries. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of a carbonate buffer mixture (CBM) in preventing hoof lamella injury in dairy goats, a species also susceptible to SARA due to similar feeding practices over a 17-week period. Twenty-four healthy dairy goats were randomly assigned to three groups: control, SARA, and CBM groups. The control group received a standardized diet, whereas the SARA and CBM groups were subjected to a high-grain feeding regimen to induce SARA. The CBM group received a daily supplement of 10 g CBM mixed with their diet. Clinical assessments, including body temperature, rumen pH, inflammatory markers, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), and hoof lamellar injuries, were monitored throughout the study. The results showed that the CBM group maintained a more stable rumen pH and had lower levels of inflammatory markers than the SARA group did. The incidence of hoof lamellar injury was slightly lower in the CBM group. These findings suggest that long-term CBM supplementation may mitigate SARA-associated hoof lamella injury in dairy goats by regulating the rumen environment, fostering the growth of healthy bacterial communities, and by reducing the production of harmful metabolites. The use of CBM as a dietary supplement may have significant implications in improving the health, welfare, and productivity of dairy animals. Full article

The inserts supporting run-flat tire (ISRFT) is mainly used in military off-road vehicles, which need to maintain high mobility after a blowout. Regulations show that the ISRFT can be driven safely for at least 100 km at a speed of 30 km/h to 40 km/h under zero-pressure conditions. However, the ISRFT generates serious heat during zero-pressure driving, which accelerates the aging of the tire rubber and degrades its performance. In order to study the thermo-mechanical coupling characteristics of the ISRFT, a three-dimensional finite element model verified by bench tests was established. Then, the stress–strain, energy loss and heat generation of the ISRFT were analyzed by the sequential thermo-mechanical coupling method to obtain the steady-state temperature field (SSTF). Finally, four kinds of honeycomb inserts bodies were designed based on the tangent method, and the SSTF of the honeycomb and the original ISRFT were compared. The results indicated that the high-temperature region of the ISRFT is concentrated in the shoulder area. For every 1 km/h increase in velocity, the temperature at the shoulder of the tire increases by approximately 1.6 °C. The SSTF of the honeycomb ISRFT is more uniformly distributed, and the maximum temperature of the shoulder decreases by about 30 °C, but the maximum temperature of the tread increases by about 40 °C. This study provides methodological guidance for investigating the temperature and mechanical characteristics of the ISRFT under zero-pressure conditions. Full article

In assisted reproductive technology, in vitro fertilization involves cultivating embryos in an artificial environment, often yielding lower-quality embryos compared to in vivo conditions. This study investigated core body temperature (CBT) fluctuations in mice during early pregnancy. Their CBT was measured with a high temporal resolution to identify the optimal thermal conditions during the first five days post-fertilization, aiming to improve in vitro culture conditions. Data were collected from 12 female mice, with 8 becoming pregnant, using temperature loggers every minute for 11 days. Data analysis focused on trends, circadian rhythms, frequency components, and complexity using multiscale entropy (MSE). The results for the pregnant mice showed a mean CBT increase from 37.23 °C to 37.56 °C post-mating, primarily during the light phase, with a significant average rise of 0.58 °C. A Fourier analysis identified dominant 24, 12, 8, and 6 h components, with the 24 h component decreasing by 57%. Irregular fluctuations decreased, and MSE indicated increased complexity in the CBT time series post-mating. These results suggest that reducing diurnal temperature variations and maintaining a slightly elevated mean CBT of approximately 37.5 °C, with controlled minor fluctuations, may enhance embryo quality in pregnant mice. This study provides a reference for temperature regulation in embryo culture, improving embryo quality by aligning in vitro conditions with the natural thermal environment of the fallopian tubes. Full article

Water warming and nutrient pulses following extreme rainfall events, both consequences of climate change, may have a profound impact on the biogeochemical dynamics of large temperate rivers, such as the Po River (Northern Italy), affecting denitrification capacity and the delivery of N loads to terminal water bodies. Manipulative experiments on denitrification kinetics were carried out using dark laboratory incubations of intact sediment cores collected from the lower Po River. Denitrification was measured along temperature and NO₃⁻ concentration gradients using ¹⁵N additions, in summer and autumn, the two seasons when climate change-induced warming has been shown to be higher. The combination of increased temperatures and pulsed NO₃⁻-enhanced denitrification, suggesting that electron acceptor availability limits the process. The direct link between climate change-induced effects and the positive response of denitrification may have implications for the improvement of water quality in the coastal zone, as it may help to partially buffer N export, especially in summer, when the risk of eutrophication is higher. Further research is needed to investigate the quality and quantity of sediment organic matter as important drivers regulating river denitrification. Full article

Melatonin regulates vital physiological processes in animals, such as the circadian cycle, sleep, locomotion, body temperature, food intake, and sexual and immune responses. In plants, melatonin modulates seed germination, longevity, circadian cycle, photoperiodicity, flowering, leaf senescence, postharvest fruit storage, and resistance against biotic and abiotic stresses. In plants, the effect of melatonin is mediated by various regulatory elements of the redox network, including RNS and ROS. Similarly, the radical gas NO mediates various physiological processes, like seed germination, flowering, leaf senescence, and stress responses. The biosynthesis of both melatonin and NO takes place in mitochondria and chloroplasts. Hence, both melatonin and nitric oxide are key signaling molecules governing their biological pathways independently. However, there are instances when these pathways cross each other and the two molecules interact with each other, resulting in the formation of N-nitrosomelatonin or NOMela, which is a nitrosated form of melatonin, discovered recently and with promising roles in plant development. The interaction between NO and melatonin is highly complex, and, although a handful of studies reporting these interactions have been published, the exact molecular mechanisms governing them and the prospects of NOMela as a NO donor have just started to be unraveled. Here, we review NO and melatonin production as well as RNS–melatonin interaction under normal and stressful conditions. Furthermore, for the first time, we provide highly sensitive, ozone-chemiluminescence-based comparative measurements of the nitric oxide content, as well as NO-release kinetics between NOMela and the commonly used NO donors CySNO and GSNO. Full article

Melatonin, an endogenous indolamine derived from tryptophan, is primarily synthesized by the pineal gland in mammals and regulated by a complex neural system. Its release follows a circadian rhythm, which is crucial for regulating physiological processes in response to light–dark cycles in both humans and animals. In this review, we report that the presence of this hormone in bovine milk, with significant differences in concentration between daytime and nighttime milking, has increased interest in milk as a natural source of bioactive molecules. Melatonin lowers cortisol levels at night, reduces body temperature and blood pressure, coinciding with decreased alertness and performance, acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent, modulates the immune system, offers neuroprotective benefits, and supports gastrointestinal health by scavenging free radicals and reducing oxidative stress in dairy cows. Many factors influence the release of melatonin, such as the intensity of artificial lighting during nighttime milking, the frequency of milkings, milk yield, and genetic differences between animals. Nocturnal milking under low-intensity light boosts melatonin, potentially reducing oxidative damage and mastitis risk. Additionally, ultra-high temperature (UHT) treatment does not significantly affect the melatonin content in milk. However, further research on its stability during milk processing and storage is crucial for ensuring product efficacy. In some countries, nighttime milk with naturally elevated melatonin content is already commercialized as a natural aid for sleep. Thus, naturally melatonin-rich milk may be a promising alternative to synthetic supplements for promoting better sleep and overall well-being. Full article

Probiotics provide health benefits and are used as feed supplements as an alternative prophylactic strategy to antibiotics. However, the effects of Bacillus-based probiotics containing more than two strains when supplemented to pigs are rarely elucidated. SOLVENS (SLV) is a triple-strain Bacillus-based probiotic. In this study, we investigate the effects of SLV on performance, immunity, intestinal morphology, and microbial community in piglets. A total of 480 weaned pigs [initial body weight (BW) of 8.13 ± 0.08 kg and 28 days of age] were assigned to three treatments in a randomized complete block design: P0: basal diet (CON); P200: CON + 200 mg SLV per kg feed (6.5 × 10⁸ CFU/kg feed); and P400: CON + 400 mg SLV per kg feed (1.3 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed). Each treatment had 20 replicated pens with eight pigs (four male/four female) per pen. During the 31 d feeding period (Phase 1 = wean to d 14, Phase 2 = d 15 to 31 after weaning), all pigs were housed in a temperature-controlled nursery room (23 to 25 °C). Feed and water were available ad libitum. The results showed that the pigs in the P400 group increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain (ADG) in phase 2 and tended (p = 0.10) to increase ADG overall. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups tended (p = 0.10) to show improved feed conversion ratios overall in comparison with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups increased (p < 0.05) serum immunoglobulin A, immunoglobulin G, and haptoglobin on d 14, and serum C-reactive protein on d 31. The pigs in the P200 group showed an increased (p < 0.01) villus height at the jejunum, decreased (p < 0.05) crypt depth at the ileum compared with other treatments, and tended (p = 0.09) to have an increased villus–crypt ratio at the jejunum compared with control pigs. The pigs in the P200 and P400 groups showed increased (p < 0.05) goblet cells in the small intestine. Moreover, the pigs in the P400 group showed down-regulated (p < 0.05) interleukin-4 and tumor necrosis factor-α gene expressions, whereas the pigs in the P400 group showed up-regulated occludin gene expression in the ileum. These findings suggest that SLV alleviates immunological reactions, improves intestinal microbiota balance, and reduces weaning stress in piglets. Therefore, SOLVENS has the potential to improve health and performance for piglets. Full article