Goat is an important livestock species that contribute significantly to global food supply by converting complex plant biomass into animal protein, depending on the gut commensal microbiota for digestion of complex plant biomass. Gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiome manipulation using natural plant-based feed supplement is one of the promising strategies for improving livestock performance and mitigating enteric biogases. Moringa oleifera improves animal performance, yet its effects on microbiota structure and functional remodelling across GIT remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of moringa supplementation on microbiota structure and functional remodelling across the gut in goats. We show that moringa induces microbiota restructuring associated with metabolic output in terms of body weight gain in goat. The forestomach (FS) and large intestine (LI) showed specific enrichment of efficient fibre utilizing and fermentative microbial community, particularly Ruminococcus flavefaciens, Sodaliphilus sp., Prevotella sp., Treponema bryantii, Faecousia sp., and Phocaeicola sp., whereas small intestine exhibited greater abundance of lactate producing microbes such as Rombustia hominis. These spatial patterns reflect alternative metabolic pathways across the GIT driven by nutrient availability. Moringa supplementation selectively enriched microbial genes involved in the metabolic cascades such as production of butyrate and propionate via succinate pathway in FS, while reductive acetogenesis via Wood-Ljungdahl pathway in LI. Decreased abundance of Entodinium and increased abundance of Prevotella were observed in moringa supplemented diet. Our findings provide mechanistic insight into how diet modulates gut microbial ecosystems, demonstrating that a plant-based feed supplement intervention can restructure microbial composition and functional potential along the GIT.
This study aimed to determine whether adding niacin to the oocyte maturation medium could enhance fertilization rate, mitochondrial distribution, and the expression of mitochondrial function-related genes in fresh and vitrified bovine oocytes. In Experiment 1, cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were allocated into two groups for in vitro maturation: a control group and niacin-supplemented (niacin group) oocytes. In Experiment 2, COCs were matured under the same conditions as in Experiment 1 and then vitrified, forming two additional groups: control vitrified (CV) and niacin-supplemented vitrified (NV) groups. Fertilization rate, mitochondrial distribution, and gene expression were examined in the matured oocytes in both experiments. In Experiment 1, fertilization rate and gene expression were analyzed using a paired t-test. In Experiment 2, fertilization rate and gene expression were analyzed by ANOVA with LSD post hoc test. Mitochondrial distribution patterns were assessed by Pearson's chi-square test in both experiments. In Experiment 1, niacin supplementation significantly improved fertilization rate and upregulated TFAM, POLG, and NRF1 expression compared with the control group (p ≤ 0.05). In Experiment 2, although vitrification reduced fertilization rate overall, NV oocytes showed a tendency toward higher fertilization rate compared with the CV group (p = 0.08). Mitochondrial distribution in the CV group shifted toward a peripheral pattern, whereas niacin supplementation resulted in a more normal distribution. Vitrification decreased the expression of COX1, POLG, and NRF1 (p ≤ 0.05) in the oocytes, but NRF1 and POLG levels in the NV group were significantly higher than those in the CV group (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, niacin supplementation during in vitro maturation of bovine oocytes enhances fertilization competence by supporting mitochondrial distribution and mitochondrial gene expression, particularly under vitrification stress.
Protein-energy wasting (PEW) and oxidative stress (OS) frequently occur as complications in patients undergoing hemodialysis (HD), especially among those diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Egg white powder (EWP) is a low-phosphorus, high- biological value protein source that may help improve nutritional and oxidative balance. This study aimed to evaluate the impacts of EWP supplementation on nutritional status, biochemical parameters, and OS markers in diabetic HD patients. In this double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 39 adult T2DM patients on HD were randomly assigned to receive either EWP (30 g; 22 g protein; 3 days/week) or a cocoa-flavored placebo during HD sessions for 8 weeks. Primary outcomes included Nutritional indicators (BMI, dietary intake, serum albumin, phosphorus, and OS markers-total antioxidant capacity (TAC), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and malondialdehyde (MDA). ANCOVA adjusted for baseline values, body mass index, dietary intake, energy intake, and physical activity was used for group comparisons. Protein intake increased significantly in the EWP group, while phosphorus decreased. Serum albumin rose from 3.65 ± 0.62 to 4.15 ± 0.69 g/dL (p < 0.001). The lipid profile showed a significant improvement, with total cholesterol and LDL-c levels reduced. Fasting blood sugar significantly declined. TAC, and SOD increased (p = 0.01 and p = 0.003), and MDA decreased markedly. Two deaths and one hospitalization occurred during the study; all were determined to be unrelated to the intervention. No intervention-related adverse effects were reported. EWP supplementation improved protein intake, albumin levels, lipid control, and antioxidant capacity in diabetic HD patients without increasing phosphorus burden. EWP may serve as a safe, functional nutritional supplement in renal nutrition therapy.
The composition of mitochondrial membrane lipids is crucial to cellular respiration, as seen in Barth syndrome (BTHS), a rare disease affecting skeletal muscle, heart, and neutrophils. In BTHS, mutations in the tafazzin (TAZ) gene reduce remodeling of the mitochondrial phospholipid, cardiolipin, causing mitochondrial dysfunction in skeletal muscle and heart. Here, we investigated effects of altering polyunsaturated fatty acid content in cardiolipin using preclinical models of BTHS. In vitro, the absence of TAZ did not impair omega-3 fatty acid incorporation into cardiolipin and resulted in increased turnover of these acyl chains. To examine this in a functional model, we generated a muscle-specific knockout mouse of TAZ (TAZ MKO), which recapitulated the human phenotype in skeletal muscle. Supplementing the diet of TAZ MKO with fish-oil-derived omega-3 fatty acids prevented lean mass loss, improved mitochondrial respiration, altered mitochondrial structure, and revealed moderate improvements in the stress response. Surprisingly, no diet-induced changes to cardiolipin species were observed in the TAZ MKO, but other phospholipids were altered by both genotype and diet, revealing complex regulation and potential compensation. Overall, this work provides evidence that omega-3 fatty acid supplementation is beneficial in muscle lacking TAZ to improve quality of life when added to current BTHS treatments.
This study aimed to evaluate the impact of two probiotic-based dietary formulations, Amnil®, containing Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis, and M-Mobilize®, composed of yeast extract, Bacillus subtilis, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus acidilactici, as well as their potential combined effect when administered sequentially (Amnil® from day 1 to 30, followed by M-Mobilize® from day 31 to 60), on growth performance, bone health, and meat quality in Muscovy ducks. In total, 120 male Muscovy ducklings (one day old) were randomly allocated to four dietary groups: a control group (G-C) receiving no probiotics; (G-A), provided with Amnil® at 0.4 kg/ton; (G-M), receiving M-Mobilize® at 0.5 kg/ton; and (G-A-M), given Amnil® (0.4 kg/ton) during days 1-30 and M-Mobilize® (0.5 kg/ton) during days 31-60. The (G-A) group had improved body weight at 14 and 60 days, water-holding capacity % (WHC%), and cooking loss (CL) of thigh muscle (P < 0.05) compared to G-C. Furthermore, the G-A-M probiotic program increased tibial phosphorus concentration and thigh muscle weight (P < 0.05) compared to the control group (G-C). All probiotic-treated groups had increased tibial calcium concentrations and medial and lateral wall thickness but decrease gait score (2) (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The G-M birds had increased tibial length, thigh muscle color, and sensory parameters (P < 0.05) compared to the control group. The G-A and G-M birds had an increased diameter of the tibial medullary canal and their ability to walk, but decreased tibiotarsal index (P < 0.05) compared to the control birds. There were no statistical treatment effects on the latency to lie test, foot pad dermatitis, hock burn, or thigh muscle pH (P > 0.05). The use of probiotics as dietary supplements may offer an effective nutritional strategy to improve productivity, welfare, and meat quality in Muscovy ducks.
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Whole cottonseed (WCS), a major by-product of cotton ginning, is rich in protein and energy, yet its effects on perinatal ewes remain underexplored. This study aimed to assess the impact of WCS supplementation on the lactation performance, milk composition, plasma antioxidant capacity of perinatal Hu ewes, and the growth performance of their lambs, providing insights into the potential application of WCS in Hu ewes production. The experiment lasted 56 days, comprising a 7-day adaptation period followed by a 49-day experimental phase (21 days prepartum and 28 days postpartum). Forty-four healthy perinatal Hu ewes, with an average body weight of 45.67 ± 5.12 kg (mean ± SD) and similar expected lambing dates, were selected and randomly assigned to two groups (22 ewes per group): the control group (basal diet) and the experimental group (basal diet supplemented with 200 g WCS/d). Data were analyzed using independent samples t-tests, while metabolomics data were subjected to partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and KEGG pathway enrichment. The results demonstrated that the milk protein percentage on day 21 was significantly higher in the trial group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). WCS supplementation notably increased lamb body weight at 14 and 28 days of age (p < 0.05), as well as the average daily gain from days 1 to 14 and days 1 to 28 (p < 0.05). Additionally, WCS supplementation significantly elevated albumin (ALB) levels in Hu ewes on day 28 postpartum (p < 0.05). Plasma antioxidant capacity was significantly enhanced (p < 0.01), alongside increased activities of catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and nitric oxide concentration, while malondialdehyde levels were reduced, though not significantly (p > 0.05). Milk protein percentage was 6.2% higher (p < 0.05), T-AOC, CAT, SOD, and GSH-Px increased by 15-25% (p < 0.01). In conclusion, supplementing perinatal Hu ewes with WCS effectively improved their antioxidant capacity, lactation performance, and milk composition, which in turn promoted lamb growth. Supplementation with 200 g/d WCS was associated with improvements in antioxidant capacity, lactation performance, and lamb growth. Untargeted metabolomics further suggested that these improvements might be linked to enhanced lipid utilization, altered purine metabolism, and modulation of sphingolipid signaling, highlighting the molecular basis behind the nutritional effects.
Western dietary patterns are major drivers of cardiometabolic dysfunction, partly mediated by gut microbiome dysbiosis and sustained inflammation along the gut-brain axis. In this study, we investigated whether a synbiotic formulation combining Limosilactobacillus (L.) fermentum strains with polyphenols, quercetin, and resveratrol could mitigate cardiovascular and neuroinflammatory alterations induced by a Western diet. Male Wistar rats were assigned to three groups receiving a standard diet, a Western diet, or a Western diet supplemented with the synbiotic. Arterial pressure and cardiac autonomic function were assessed, alongside gut microbiome diversity and composition, and gene expression analyses of intestinal permeability and inflammatory markers in colonic tissue and in the brainstem. Synbiotic supplementation prevented the Western diet-induced cardiac autonomic imbalance. These functional benefits were accompanied by marked modulation of the gut microbiome, characterized by increased abundance of beneficial bacterial taxa (Gemmiger formicilis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Flavonifractor plautii, Blautia glucerasea, Blautia stercoris, Roseburia faecis, Marvinbryantia formatexigens, and Romboutsia timonensis) and significant shifts in microbial community structure. In parallel, synbiotic supplementation attenuated pro-inflammatory gene expression in both peripheral and central tissues associated with the gut-brain axis (Nlrp3, Casp1, Il-1β). These findings demonstrate that synbiotic supplementation exerts integrated anti-inflammatory and neuroautonomic protective effects through the gut-brain axis. Our results support the therapeutic potential of combined probiotic-phenolic strategies to counteract cardiometabolic dysfunction induced by Western diets.
Western-style dietary patterns are associated with colitis and colon cancer. Existing data indicate intake of apiaceous vegetables (API; e.g., celery, parsnip) may prevent inflammation-associated diseases. We investigated in mice the effect of API supplementation to the Total Western Diet (TWD) against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Male C57BL/6J mice (8-week-old; 15/group) were fed TWD supplemented with 21% or 42% fresh API (w/w) and given 2% DSS to induce colitis. Diet intake, body weight, and disease activity index (DAI) were monitored. Serum was collected for cytokine/chemokine analysis and colonic tissues for histology and Western blot. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene sequencing and targeted/untargeted metabolomics. Phenotypic data were analyzed by ANOVA with Tukey's test. Microbiome data were Centered-Log Ratio (CLR) transformed and analyzed using linear mixed models with adjusted pairwise comparisons. API supplementation attenuated colitis phenotypes including weight loss (44% recovery; P < 0.001), colon shortening (57% recovery; P < 0.01), disease activity (59% lower; P < 0.001), cytokine/chemokine release (35-73% reductions; P < 0.05), and mucosal F4/80+ cells infiltration (80% reduction; P < 0.001). API also improved gut microbiota diversity and composition, increasing alpha diversity metrics (4.4%-13.8%; P <0.05), suppressing pathogenic bacteria (Paraclostridium, Enterococcus, Eubacterium; estimated CLR difference: -1.8 to -6.7; P < 0.001), and enriching beneficial bacteria (Lachnospiraceae and Blautia; estimated CLR difference: +1.6 to +3.0; P < 0.05). Furthermore, metabolomics indicated TWD consumption increased arachidonic acid and aliphatic aldehydes (by 109%-510%; P < 0.001), and decreased short-chain and unsaturated fatty acids (by 30%-91%; P < 0.001). API supplementation also mitigated TWD-derived functional metabolites (including bile acids; P < 0.05). These data indicate that API intake is beneficial for risk reduction of diseases associated with Western diets. However, further investigations are warranted to determine the mechanism behind these beneficial effects.
Probiotics provide an efficient and relatively safe method for preventing disease and increasing production in aquaculture. During the screening of beneficial bacteria in the economically important mud crab (Scylla paramamosain), an indigenous gut strain, Cetobacterium somerae R9, was isolated for the first time as a butyrate producer. This study aimed to evaluate the probiotic potential of C. somerae R9 both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro assays revealed that C. somerae R9 exhibited grow at pH 7-9, NaCl concentrations of 0.5-2.5%, and bile salt concentrations of 0.4-1.0%, and displayed susceptibility to most of the antibiotics tested. In the in vivo study, dietary supplementation with C. somerae R9, either alone or in combination with prebiotics (resistant starch and galactooligosaccharides), enhanced growth, improved antioxidative status (evidenced by elevated SOD and CAT activity and reduced MDA content), reduced hepatopancreatic damage (reduced AST activity), and maintained intestinal integrity. Supplementation also selectively enriched beneficial gut microbiota (e.g., members of Fusobacteriota). Transcriptome analysis showed that C. somerae R9 appeared to activate the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, focal adhesion, and ECM-receptor interaction, while the combination of C. somerae R9 and prebiotics activates complement and coagulation cascades, amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, and protein digestion and absorption. Furthermore, mud crabs fed diets supplemented with C. somerae R9 exhibited significantly higher survival after challenge with Vibrio parahaemolyticus, with the synbiotic providing greater benefits than the probiotic alone. These findings collectively suggest that C. somerae R9 is a promising probiotic candidate (used either alone or in combination with prebiotics) for mud crab aquaculture.
This scoping review was performed to analyze the available evidence on the association between micronutrient status and red cell distribution width (RDW) in adults. As a measure of erythrocyte size variability (anisocytosis), RDW has emerged as a prognostic biomarker in diverse diseases. It is hypothesized that nutritional factors may influence RDW, leading to decreased variability of red cell size and thereby enhancing the stability and lifespan of the red blood cell. However, to our knowledge no comprehensive review has yet examined how micronutrition may affect RDW in adult populations without conditions that are known to increase anisocytosis. This review was performed to improve understanding of how micronutrition may affect RDW through a scoping review protocol following the PRISMA-ScR framework and explore the literature that describes the use of and outcomes of supplementation. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in February 2025, and after peer review, the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) appraisal tool was used to assess the rigor of each study design. The scoping review identified 10 articles that met the inclusion criteria. These studies examined a range of nutrients, including vitamins A, D, and E, carotenoids, omega-3 fatty acids, selenium, and dietary fiber. Several studies suggested that higher micronutrient status or supplementation is associated with lower RDW values. However, study designs and findings were variable and not uniform across all nutrients. Some nutrients (eg, vitamin A, vitamin E) showed no significant associations in individual studies, and 1 trial reported no change in RDW with an algae-based supplement. Results of this review indicated that micronutrition can have a measurable influence on RDW, suggesting a possible nutritional approach to modulate this emerging hematologic biomarker. Optimizing micronutrient intake could contribute to lower RDW, although the current evidence is preliminary. Further research is needed to confirm if these associations have longstanding effects to reduce RDW and determine whether improving micronutrient status can translate into better health outcomes.
This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with live (B-PRO) and gamma-irradiated (B-PAR) Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis on growth performance, innate immune-related parameters, antioxidant status, and resistance to Aeromonas salmonicida in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). After 60 days of feeding, both B-PRO and B-PAR were associated with improved growth performance, feed utilization, and body composition compared with the control group, with generally higher values in B-PRO. Hematological parameters, including erythrocyte and leukocyte counts, were elevated in treated groups. Innate immune indicators (lysozyme activity, complement C3, and bactericidal activity) and antioxidant status (SOD, GSH-Px, and total antioxidant capacity) were significantly improved, accompanied by reduced malondialdehyde levels. Gene expression analysis showed tissue-dependent modulation of TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-8, indicating a non-uniform immunoregulatory response. Following A. salmonicida challenge, survival was ~95% in both treated groups versus ~15% in controls. Histopathological evaluation indicated reduced tissue damage in supplemented fish. Dietary supplementation with both live and gamma-irradiated B. infantis is associated with improved growth, modulation of innate immune-related parameters, enhanced antioxidant capacity, and increased disease resistance in rainbow trout. The comparable effects of both preparations suggest that bacterial viability is not essential for several observed responses under the present conditions. However, mechanistic interpretations remain limited due to the absence of direct assessment of immune signaling pathways.
Chronic low-back pain is a leading cause of global disability, with degenerative disc disease (DDD) recognized as a common structural contributor. While conservative therapies may provide temporary symptom relief, they do not address the underlying degeneration of the intervertebral disc. Surgical interventions, such as spinal fusion or total disc replacement, are invasive procedures that permanently alter the anatomical structure of the vertebral motion segment. Minimally invasive intradiscal therapies have the potential to bridge the treatment gap between non-surgical management and surgery. Intradiscal delivery of nucleus pulposus (NP) allograft is intended to structurally supplement the degenerating disc and restore native disc function. Preliminary studies have suggested that a single intradiscal administration of NP allograft (VIA Disc NP) may improve pain and function in patients with lumbar discogenic pain. This is a randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, multi-center clinical trial designed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of VIA Disc NP. Eligible participants are 22 to 85 years of age with MRI-confirmed lumbar DDD (modified Pfirrmann grade 3-7), axial low-back pain of at least 6 months' duration, and functional impairment unresponsive to conservative treatment. Participants are randomized in a 2:1 ratio to receive either a single injection of VIA Disc NP or a sham procedure. The primary efficacy endpoint of this superiority trial is the proportion of participants achieving a ≥ 30% reduction in back pain severity at 12 months. Secondary endpoints include functional improvement (ODI), quality-of-life measures (EQ-5D-5L, PGIC), and opioid reduction. Sham participants who remain symptomatic at 12 months may cross over to receive active treatment. This trial will provide level-1 evidence of the safety and efficacy of supplemental NP allograft therapy in patients with moderate to severe lumbar discogenic pain. If successful, this approach may offer a minimally invasive, durable, and structure-preserving treatment alternative to spinal fusion or disc arthroplasty in a population with limited therapeutic options. This trial is prospectively registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (Identifier: NCT06778447). Registered on January 16, 2025.
We generated serum-supplemented and serum-free mouse ST2 mesenchymal stem/stromal cell conditioned medium (MSC CM) to treat mouse E14-Tg2A embryonic stem (ES) cells. Coating tissue culture plates with serum-free MSC CM promoted ES cell growth. In 3D ES cultures primed with the Wnt/β catenin agonist, CHIR99201, serum-free MSC CM induced gastruloid formation with axial elongation and TBXT (Brachyury) immunoreactivity localized in the elongation tips. Serum-supplemented MSC CM and control media did not have these effects. Extended gastruloid culture in serum-free MSC CM resulted in pleiomorphic structures that contracted rhythmically. These beating ES gastruloids were immunopositive for cardiac Troponin T. Proteomic analyses of serum-free MSC CM identified multiple target proteins that promote ES cell adhesion, growth, morphogenesis, mesodermal and cardiomyocyte differentiation, notably vascular endothelial growth factor and leukemia inhibitory factor. Hence, this study has utilised a novel model system to interrogate the secretome activity of MSCs and shown that this can generate ES cell-derived cardiomyocytes.
This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing natural pasture hay (NPH) with Napier grass hay (NGH) on feed intake, milk yield and composition, feed efficiency, and estimated enteric methane (CH₄) emission intensity of lactating crossbred dairy cows supplemented with a concentrate mixture. Five cows were assigned to treatments in a 5 × 5 Latin square design. The treatments were 100% NPH, 75% NPH + 25% NGH, 50% NPH + 50% NGH, 25% NPH + 75% NGH, and 100% NGH, with concentrate supplementation at 0.5 kg dry matter (DM) per liter of milk. Increasing the level of NGH in the diet increased dietary crude protein (CP) content and improved dry matter (DM) and nutrient intakes (P < 0.001). Milk yield increased significantly (P < 0.001) from 11.4 to 16.1 L/day between cows fed 100% NPH and 100% NGH, respectively, accompanied by higher milk protein yield and improved feed efficiency. Estimated enteric CH₄ emission and intensity decreased (P < 0.001) from 26.9 to 20.6 g/kg milk yield with increasing NGH inclusion. These results demonstrate that replacing NPH with NGH enhances lactation performance, while reducing estimated enteric CH₄ emission intensity, providing a practical climate-smart feeding strategy for smallholder dairy systems in Ethiopia.
This study explored the development of salicylic acid-conjugated chitosan nanoparticles (SACNs) and their effectiveness in enhancing the cryopreservation of buffalo sperm. The assessment focused on post-thaw sperm quality and kinematics, microbiota profiles, oxidative stress markers, acrosome integrity, apoptosis, and docking analysis. Semen was collected from eight fertile buffalo bulls via an artificial vagina. Samples were diluted with a Tris-based extender and supplemented with SACNs at concentrations of 0 μM (SACNs0), 5 μM (SACNs5), 10 μM (SACNs10), 20 μM (SACNs20), and 40 μM (SACNs40). Following a standard freezing procedure, sperm quality and kinematic parameters significantly improved in the SACNs10, SACNs20, and SACNs40 groups, with the greatest improvement in the SACNs40 group (p < 0.05). Acrosome integrity was significantly improved in all SACNs-treated semen samples compared with the SACNs0 treatment (p < 0.05). Additionally, total antioxidant capacity and catalase activity were improved, while hydrogen peroxide and MDA levels were noticeably diminished in all SACNs-treated groups (p < 0.05). Although all SACNs concentrations markedly reduced apoptotic markers, caspase-3 activity, and reactive oxygen species, it showed the lowest levels in the SACNs40 group (p < 0.05). Salicylic acid exhibited strong docking interactions with key regulators of mitochondrial function and sperm motion, including UCP1, HSP70, cytochrome c, and the tubulin-colchicine complex, suggesting a multi-target mechanism of action. Furthermore, supplementation with SACNs at 10, 20, and 40 μM significantly declined coliform and total bacterial counts compared with the SACNs0 treatment (p < 0.05). These findings show that SACNs, acting as nano-antioxidant additives, enhance the cryoresistance of buffalo sperm, suggesting their potential to improve assisted reproductive technologies.
As protein supplement products continue to evolve toward premium offerings, enhancing their nutritional value based on protein characteristics has become increasingly crucial. As one of the bioactive proteins derived from milk, osteopontin (OPN) possesses outstanding multifunctionality and plays a vital role in vivo, making it a promising "golden ingredient" for protein supplement products. This review systematically summarizes the diverse sources of OPN, its structural characteristics enriched with functional domains, as well as efficient extraction and recombinant expression techniques. It further elaborates on the multifunctional roles and underlying mechanisms of action of OPN. The potential applications of OPN in the food industry are thoroughly explored, along with a discussion of current challenges and future prospects, offering valuable insights for OPN research in food and nutritional applications.
Modulation of cellular metabolism is crucial in pluripotent stem cell (PSC) development and differentiation. Glycine was shown to promote liver cell maturation, boosting Cytochrome P450 (CYP) isoform 3A4 activity, a key enzyme in phase I metabolism. This study examines the remodeling of central and xenobiotic metabolism during the glycine-supplemented differentiation of induced PSCs (iPSCs) into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) and HepG2 into a metabolically active form (mHepG2). In these cell systems, glycine promoted oxidative metabolism and mitochondrial function, collagen, glycogen, bile acid anabolism, one-carbon metabolism, and heme biosynthesis, typical of a hepatocyte phenotype. While the metabolic effects of glycine were divergent in mHepG2 and HLCs, in both cases, heme synthesis was boosted by glycine incorporation, a vital feature in supporting xenobiotic metabolism through the heme-containing enzymes CYPs. From this study, a link between glycine supplementation, carbohydrate metabolism, and enhancement of the xenobiotic machinery is established through metabolic plasticity in the maturing hepatocyte.
This study explored the mechanism by which observing peers' adverse experiences influences distress disclosure of negative information through two progressive studies. Study 1constructed a moderated mediation model to analyze the relationships among stress, self-esteem, hostility, and disclosure. Study 2 employed a situational experiment to test a chain mediation model which supplemented by multi-group analysis. Study 1 showed that stress directly inhibited disclosure and indirectly inhibited it via reduced self-esteem, with hostility moderating the stress-self-esteem relationship. Study 2 confirmed a full chain mediation effect under adversity perception, with significant path coefficient differences across groups: participation willingness promoted disclosure in the adversity group but inhibited it in the prosperity group. This study did not examine the moderating effects of cultural values, nor did it control for potential confounding variables such as gender, age, social desirability, and self-selection bias. This research reveals the dual-path mechanism of imperfect models: they can trigger either defensive hostility or meaning reconstruction depending on situational perception, expanding the application of the Meaning Maintenance Model in the study of role model effects and informing psychological interventions.
Conventional IVM and IVF systems for sheep embryos rely on fetal bovine serum (FBS) and estrous sheep serum (ESS), which present challenges of batch variability, ethical concerns, and supply limitations. This study evaluated XRS Standard serum replacer as a complete substitute for both FBS and ESS in sheep IVEP. A 2 × 2 factorial design generated all four possible IVM/IVF combinations-FBS/ESS, FBS/XRS, XRS/ESS, and XRS/XRS (each additive at 10% v/v in IVM and IVF media). The FBS/ESS combination served as the conventional control. Cleavage rates (Day 2) and blastocyst development (Day 7) were quantified. XRS/XRS achieved 22.45% blastocyst rates-a 2.0-fold improvement over controls (11.00%, p < 0.01). FBS/XRS showed intermediate efficacy (15.43%), whereas ESS-supplemented groups exhibited reduced competence (12.71% and 11.00%, respectively). Total blastocyst cell numbers (122.1 ± 22.3 vs. 126.0 ± 22.4, p > 0.05) remained comparable across groups, demonstrating preserved embryo quality. This protocol eliminates animal-derived components while maintaining developmental competence, aligning with the 3Rs (reduction, refinement, and replacement) and offering a scalable solution for commercial ovine embryo production.