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PubMed2026

Genome-wide identification and functional validation of asparagine synthetase genes (NtASNs) in Nicotiana tabacum.

Asparagine (Asn) is pivotal for plant nitrogen (N) metabolism and plays indispensable roles in plant growth, development, and stress tolerance. However, the systematic characteristics and core functions of asparagine synthetase genes (NtASNs) in tobacco remain unclear. Through a comprehensive genome-wide investigation, nine members of the NtASN gene family were identified. Subsequent CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout and overexpression assays of these NtASN genes revealed that NtASN1e, NtASN2a, and NtASN2b are the core genes responsible for Asn biosynthesis in tobacco. Their knockout reduced asparagine synthetase activity and Asn content, delayed seed germination by 2-3 days, and displayed elevated oxidative injury when exposed to salinity conditions. In contrast, overexpression of these genes elevated Asn accumulation. Subcellular localization analysis indicated that NtASN1e was localized to both the cytoplasm and chloroplasts, whereas NtASN2a exhibited dual localization in the cytoplasm and endoplasmic reticulum, and NtASN2b was mainly localized in the cytoplasm. This study systematically clarifies the evolutionary characteristics and core functions of the NtASN gene family and provides candidate genes for optimizing nitrogen metabolism and improving salt-stress adaptation in tobacco. These findings hold important practical significance for molecular breeding and product quality improvement in industrial crops.

Nicotiana↗

PubMed2026

BIOCARD framework: integrating fecal bile acids, lipids, and metabolites to assess response to a cardiovascular health intervention.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in under-resourced populations. Although nutritional interventions are important for CVD prevention, their outcomes are commonly evaluated using conventional clinical and behavioral indicators, which may not fully capture early molecular responses. In this study, we developed the BIOCARD framework, an exploratory fecal multi-omics platform integrating bile acids, lipids, and metabolites to evaluate intervention outcomes related to cardiovascular health. Fecal samples were collected from caregiver-child participants enrolled in a 10-week randomized controlled trial comparing a multicomponent garden-based intervention (SHA) with an education-only control group (MSP). Fecal polar metabolites, lipids, and bile acids were analyzed by UHPLC-HRMS-based approaches and integrated with conventional health indicators. Traditional clinical indicators in the present study showed limited sensitivity for detecting intervention-related differences. In contrast, fecal multi-omics analyzes revealed intervention-associated differences in metabolites, lipids, and bile acids, with children showing more apparent molecular variation than parents. Network analysis further revealed associations between selected molecular features and cardiovascular-related indicators, including blood pressure, body fat, skin carotenoids, and Healthy Eating Index scores. Together, these findings suggest that the BIOCARD framework may serve as an exploratory molecular approach to complement traditional outcome measures and improve the evaluation of nutritional interventions for cardiovascular health.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Improved comprehensive profiling of fecal bile acids through chemical derivatization combined with HPLC-MS/MS analysis.

Bile acids (BAs) facilitate the digestion and absorption of fats and influence lipid and glucose homeostasis, making them potential therapeutic targets for obesity and related metabolic disorders. The liver and intestinal microbiota modify BAs structurally, generating diverse chemical forms and isomers. Comprehensive profiling of the BA pool is critical for understanding their key biological functions and as a therapeutic approach for related diseases. High-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) is usually chosen as the preferred method for BA detection due to the complex chemical structures, the wide range of actual concentrations and the complexity of fecal sample matrices. However, free BAs are difficult to ionize, resulting in low detection signals and a lack of characteristic structural fragments to assist in structural identification. In this method, the labeling reagent (2-aminoethyl) trimethylammonium (AETMA) is employed to label the carboxyl group of BAs. Compared with underivatized BAs, the detection sensitivity of unconjugated BAs was enhanced by 25-180 fold, while that of conjugated BAs increased by 6-160 fold. It also generates unique fragment ions and enhances MS response, facilitating the discovery of potential BAs. Methodological parameters were validated using 38 BAs as representatives. Through methodological validation, it was verified that the precision, recovery, matrix effect and stability parameters of the method met acceptable criteria. We also identified 61 confirmed BAs and 55 additional candidate BAs in human pooled fecal samples. It has been successfully applied to fecal BA analysis in obese populations, providing valuable insights into potential therapeutic strategies for obesity.

Tandem Mass Spectrometry↗

PubMed2026

Multi-omics insights into the physiological mechanisms of bile acid accumulation in the gallbladder in brumation-like snakes.

Hibernation/brumation represents an important physiological adaptation for animals to cope with seasonal environmental changes. Field observations suggested increased gallbladder weight in the Five-pacer viper (Deinagkistrodon acutus) during brumation, and our quantitative measurements confirmed this increase together with bile acid accumulation. By integrating a multi-omic approach, this study elucidates the regulatory mechanisms of bile acid accumulation in the gallbladder during brumation. Results showed that taurocholic acid (TCA) and taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) were the major components in the gallbladder of the brumation-like group, with significantly elevated concentrations of bile acids, whereas bile acid concentrations in serum and intestinal contents were markedly reduced, indicating suppression of the enterohepatic circulation and consequent accumulation of bile acids in the gallbladder. Hepatic transcriptomic analysis revealed significant downregulation of bile acid synthesis and regulatory genes in brumation-like snakes. In contrast, the alternative synthesis pathway gene sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) and some transporter genes were slightly upregulated. Further, some modification genes and regulatory genes showed no significant differences between active and brumation-like states. Gut microbiota analysis demonstrated Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides fragilis, and Citrobacter freundii were more enriched in the active group, which were common microbes related to bile acid metabolism, and the correlation analysis confirmed this relationship. Taken together, these findings indicate that the "physiological bile acid accumulation" observed in snakes during brumation-like state is jointly driven by suppressed hepatic synthesis, reduced enterohepatic circulation, and remodeled microbial community structure. The study provides novel comparative physiological insights into extreme metabolic homeostasis in animals.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Chronic neurological diseases with acute respiratory failure in a real-life cohort: insights into ICU and long-term survival-A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Patients with chronic neurological diseases (CND) are at increased risk of pulmonary complications that often require ICU admission. This study aimed to identify clinical factors associated with ICU mortality and long-term survival in patients with CND who developed acute respiratory failure (ARF). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted in a level III respiratory ICU. Patients with pre-existing CND admitted to the ICU with ARF were included. ICU mortality was analyzed using multivariable logistic regression. Long-term survival after ICU discharge was evaluated using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards models. Mortality timing was further characterized using hazard function analysis. RESULTS: A total of 220 patients were included; the most common neurological diagnoses were dementia (37.3%), stroke (22.7%), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (14.1%). ICU mortality was 33.6%. Higher APACHE II scores were independently associated with increased ICU mortality (OR 1.076 per point increase; 95% CI 1.029-1.126; p < 0.001). Long-term survival differed significantly by post-discharge respiratory support strategy, with Kaplan-Meier analysis demonstrating more favorable survival patterns among patients receiving home non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) (p = 0.003). In Cox regression analysis, age, home NIMV, and feeding modality at discharge were independently associated with long-term outcomes. Survival analyses revealed an early clustering of deaths within the first months after ICU discharge, particularly among patients with dementia. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with CND, acute physiological severity was the main determinant of ICU mortality, whereas long-term survival after ICU discharge was poor, with deaths clustering within the first months thereafter. Post-discharge respiratory support and nutritional management should be individualized according to the expected clinical trajectory and patient values.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Lower urinary tract evaluation in children with cerebral palsy: A crossectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a chronic, non-progressive motor disorder affecting voluntary movement and posture. Lower urinary tract (LUT) dysfunction is highly prevalent in children with CP. This study aims to evaluate LUT function in children with CP. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Patients aged 5-18 years with established CP diagnosis were included. Evaluation included clinical history, physical examination, urinary ultrasonography with post-void residual (PVR) measurement, and urodynamic studies when indicated. Patients were categorized into three groups; group-1 (LUT dysfunction), group-2 (symptomatic), and group-3 (asymptomatic) for analysis. RESULTS: The study included 97 children with CP (41 girls, 56 boys; median age 8 years). Of the patients, 61.8% were ambulatory (GMFCS I-III) and 38.2% were non-ambulatory (GMFCS IV-V). At least one LUT symptom was detected in 75.3% of patients. Incontinence was the most common symptom at 69.1%. Incontinence prevalence was significantly higher in non-ambulatory patients (81.1% vs 61.7%, p = 0.044). Invasive urodynamics was performed in 19 patients, and LUT dysfunction was diagnosed in 89.5% of them (19.3% of the entire population). Prematurity rate was significantly higher in patients with LUT dysfunction (94.1% vs 64.8%, p = 0.017). Binary logistic regression analysis identified elevated PVR as the strongest independent risk factor for LUT dysfunction (OR = 108, p < 0.001). Abnormal urinary frequency (OR = 14.9, p = 0.022) and quadriplegia (OR = 10.3, p = 0.016) were other independent risk factors. ROC analysis determined the optimal cut-off value for PVR as 19 mL (sensitivity 58.82%, specificity 94.92%). In the intergroup analysis, multinomial logistic regression identified elevated PVR as the strongest predictor (Group-1 vs Group-2: OR = 101; Group-1 vs Group-3: OR = 24, both p < 0.003). Lower gestational age was also an independent risk factor in both comparisons (OR = 1.25-1.26, p < 0.020). DISCUSSION: This study demonstrates LUT dysfunction affects 19.3% of children with CP, strongly correlating with motor impairment severity. Elevated PVR emerged as the strongest independent predictor (OR = 108), offering a practical non-invasive screening tool. Our proposed urodynamic criteria achieved 94.7% diagnostic yield, enabling selective evaluation. Limitations include single-center design and cross-sectional methodology without longitudinal follow-up. These findings support integrating systematic urological assessment into standard CP care for early intervention. CONCLUSION: LUT dysfunction prevalence is high in children with CP, and symptom frequency increases with higher GMFCS levels. Elevated PVR is the strongest predictor, with a clinically applicable cut-off value of 19 mL. Particularly in quadriplegic, non-ambulatory, and premature patients, close follow-up and urodynamic evaluation when necessary should be performed with a multidisciplinary approach.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Testing How Mindfulness Skills Change for Novice Meditators Using Headspace: Examining Trait Mindfulness and Perceived Stress as Moderators.

Mindfulness-based interventions are found to effectively reduce stress and improve mental health outcomes. Yet, it is not always clear how the mindfulness skills of attention and acceptance develop throughout the intervention. This knowledge gap is especially pertinent for novice meditators learning these skills for the first time, including whether some individuals are more prone to learning them. Using a randomized waitlist-controlled trial, we tested the effect of the app Headspace on changes in attention and acceptance over 8 weeks among participants new to mindfulness meditation. Further, we tested the moderating effects of trait mindfulness and perceived stress. Non-faculty university employees were randomized to a Headspace or waitlist control condition. Trait mindfulness and perceived stress were measured at baseline. Ecological momentary assessment survey data for attention and acceptance were collected five times a day in 4-day bursts at baseline and 2, 5, and 8 weeks post-randomisation. Attention and acceptance were significantly higher at Week 8 compared to baseline for the Headspace group, but not the control group. For the Headspace group, both skills showed significant change by Week 2. Trait mindfulness moderated this effect with those who were lower in trait mindfulness displaying greater increases in attention, but not acceptance. Perceived stress also moderated this effect with those who were lower in perceived stress displaying greater increases in attention and acceptance. Our discussion draws attention to implications for matching intervention content to individual needs to ensure participants reporting different levels of characteristics benefit from mindfulness training.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal coordinated gill responses to heat stress in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca).

Climate change-driven warming of aquatic environments has made thermal stress an increasingly important factor influencing fish physiological homeostasis. Given their central roles in respiration and osmoregulation, gills are particularly responsive to variations in ambient temperature. Histological examination, physiological measurements, and transcriptome profiling were integrated to investigate the mechanisms associated with heat stress-induced gill injury in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Histological analysis revealed that exposure to 29 °C directly caused structural damage to the gills of pikeperch. Oxidative status was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). MDA accumulation was significantly enhanced under heat stress, while antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT) displayed a transient increase followed by a subsequent decline. Transcriptome profiling showed marked enrichment of the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway after heat stress, suggesting activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pikeperch gills. With increasing stress duration, the unfolded protein response (UPR) appeared unable to re-establish ER homeostasis, shifting ire1 and atf6 toward a pro-apoptotic state. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis further highlighted hub genes potentially involved in heat stress-induced ER stress and apoptosis. TUNEL staining and western blotting collectively confirmed that heat stress triggered apoptosis in pikeperch gill tissue. Overall, this study provides new insights into the physiological and molecular responses of pikeperch gills to heat stress and enhances our understanding of thermal stress adaptation in cold-water aquaculture species under climate change.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Transcriptomic insights into thermal stress reveal physiological trade-off between thermal stress adaptation and reproductive investment in Spodoptera litura.

Spodoptera litura, a highly polyphagous lepidopteran pest, poses a major threat to agricultural productivity due to its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions. Although heat stress is known to trigger transcriptional reprogramming in insects, the molecular mechanisms underlying thermal stress responses in S. litura remain poorly understood. In the present study, fourth-instar larvae were exposed to acute heat stress (44 °C) and compared with control conditions (27 ± 1 °C) to investigate heat-induced transcriptional alterations affecting physiology and reproduction. High-quality RNA-Seq data achieved more than 80% mapping efficiency, with a total of 15,782 transcripts were identified. Transcriptome analysis of S. litura larvae showed 323 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), of which 262 genes were significantly upregulated and 61 were downregulated in heat-stressed larvae compared to the control group. The DEGs were associated with stress response, reproduction, signalling, proteostasis, detoxification, oxidative stress, metabolism, development, and chromatin regulation. Heat shock proteins genes, including HSP70, HSP90, and HSP27, together with co-chaperones such as TRET-1, STIP1, and Starvin, were strongly upregulated, indicating enhanced cellular protection against protein damage and oxidative stress under heat stress. Conversely, key reproductive and cell cycle-related genes, including BARR, CAPD2, FEO, CDK2 and MORULA, were significantly downregulated, suggesting reproductive impairment and developmental arrest. RT-qPCR validation corroborated the RNA-Seq findings, demonstrating a heat-induced physiological trade-off that prioritizes survival over reproduction. Consistent with these molecular responses, heat-stressed insects exhibited marked reproductive impairment, including significant reductions in gonadosomatic index, eupyrene sperm bundle count, mating frequency, mating success, female calling behaviour, copulation duration, fecundity, and egg fertility. Collectively, these findings provide comprehensive insights into the molecular basis of thermal adaptation in S. litura and demonstrate that acute heat stress compromises reproductive fitness while activating conserved stress-response pathways that promote short-term survival.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Identification of aquaporin (AQP) genes in the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis and characterization of their expression under low-temperature stress.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are transmembrane channel proteins essential for water homeostasis and cellular stress responses. In marine bivalves, their roles in cold tolerance remain poorly understood despite frequent winter mortality events in aquaculture. Here, we identified nine AQP genes in the genome of the economically important noble scallop Chlamys nobilis. Phylogenetic analysis revealed strong conservation with other bivalve AQPs, and structural features, including conserved NPA motifs and ar/R selectivity filters, support their canonical water/glycerol transport functions. Tissue-specific expression profiling showed predominant enrichment in osmoregulatory tissues (gills, intestine) and gonads. Under both chronic and acute low-temperature stress from 23 °C to 9 °C, most CnAQP genes exhibited transient upregulation followed by suppression. Notably, CnAQP4 displayed sustained upregulation, implicating it as a key mediator of long-term cold adaptation. Promoter analysis further revealed abundant cis-elements linked to growth and development as well as immune regulation. Our findings provide the first comprehensive characterization of the AQP family in C. nobilis, highlighting its critical role in maintaining cellular integrity during cold stress and offering molecular targets for selective breeding of cold-tolerant scallop strains.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Uncovering molecular regulatory networks of low-temperature stress response in Trachinotus ovatus via integrated transcriptome and metabolome analyses.

Golden pompano (Trachinotus ovatus) is one of the most economically important marine fish species in China. It is susceptible to low-temperature stress, which significantly challenges its production and supply. Nevertheless, study on the regulatory mechanisms underlying low-temperature stress responses in golden pompano remains limited. Here, we firstly performed a time-series transcriptome analysis to reconstruct dynamic response patterns under low-temperature stress in golden pompano. Transcriptome profiling identified common differentially expressed genes (DEGs), including fos, hlf, and hmgb1, as well as condition-specific DEGs across distinct low-temperature stress groups. Based on cluster analysis, all DEGs were classified into five distinct expression patterns, reflecting diversified regulation of expression in golden pompano during low-temperature stress. Furthermore, condition-specific regulatory modules were explored via weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), highlighting that the two module hub genes, serbf2 and lipc, might respond to low-temperature stress by regulating the lipid catabolic process. Subsequently, untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed that glycerophospholipid metabolism was a significantly enriched common pathway, highlighting its crucial role in mediating the response to low-temperature stress. Finally, by integrating transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses, a gene-metabolite interaction network associated with glycerophospholipid metabolism under low-temperature stress was established. These findings underscore the significance of multiple candidate genes and glycerophospholipid metabolism in golden pompano's response to low-temperature stress, thereby laying a solid molecular foundation for the development of low-temperature-tolerant fish strains.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Spermidine and melatonin ameliorate heat stress-induced decline in sheep semen quality.

Heat stress impairs reproductive performance in sheep through endocrine disruption and oxidative stress. This study evaluated the protective effects of spermidine (SPD) and melatonin (MT) supplementation on semen quality in Dorper rams during summer. Twenty-four rams were randomly assigned to a control group, an SPD group (5 mg/kg, dietary supplementation), or an MT group (60 mg, subcutaneous implantation) and treated for 60 days. The temperature-humidity index (THI) was monitored throughout the experimental period. Compared with the control group, MT significantly reduced serum cortisol concentration on day 30 (P < 0.05), whereas no significant differences were observed at the other sampling time points. Serum testosterone, spermidine, and melatonin concentrations remained unchanged throughout the study (P > 0.05). SPD supplementation significantly increased ejaculate volume on day 35 and sperm motility on day 42 (P < 0.05), whereas MT did not significantly affect these parameters. Neither treatment reduced the overall sperm abnormality rate. However, both SPD and MT significantly decreased the proportion of acephalic and decaudated sperm on day 56 (P < 0.05). Neither treatment significantly affected pregnancy rate, delivery rate, or the expression of PMFBP1 and SUN5 proteins in semen (P > 0.05). Regarding oxidative stress, MT significantly downregulated CAT protein expression (P < 0.05), whereas SPD significantly reduced MDA content and SOD1 protein expression (P < 0.05); MT showed similar but non-significant trends for these two markers (P > 0.05). Collectively, these findings demonstrate that SPD and MT exert distinct protective effects against heat stress, with SPD improving selected semen quality traits and both treatments reducing sperm head-tail separation, although these benefits did not translate into improved reproductive performance.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

ScRNA-seq analysis reveals the effects of nitrite stress on the endocrine system of the eyestalk in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Nitrite is a harmful substance generated in Litopenaeus vannamei farming systems, largely originating from the inadequate breakdown of surplus feed and shrimp feces. Its accumulation in the water can affect the growth and physiological functions of shrimp, damage the immune system, and even cause mass mortality, thus becoming a key environmental factor restricting the green development of the industry. Under nitrite stress, the eyestalk, as an important neuroendocrine regulatory center in crustaceans, participates in the stress adaptation of the organism and exerts a protective effect by regulating energy metabolism and immune function. However, the molecular regulatory mechanism of the eyestalk in response to nitrite stress remains unclear. In this study, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technology was used to analyze the heterogeneity of eyestalk cells in L. vannamei under nitrite stress. A total of 18, 394 high-quality cells were obtained, and six major cell subpopulations, including Neurosecretory cell, Motor neuron, Sensory neuron, Interneuron, Neurogliocyte, and Support cell, were identified. Differential expression analysis identified 839 differentially expressed genes, and different cell types showed distinct specific responses to nitrite stress. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that pathways such as glycolysis, oxidative phosphorylation, ribosome function, and endoplasmic reticulum protein processing were significantly activated, while signal transduction and DNA repair-related pathways were inhibited. Further analysis revealed that nitrite stress could induce mitochondrial function changes and trigger oxidative stress, thereby affecting the neuroendocrine system function of the eyestalk. This study provided insights into transcriptomic responses of the eyestalk to nitrite stress at the single-cell level, laying a theoretical foundation for the management of aquaculture environments.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Discrimination, chronic stress, and multimorbidity in cohort of Black and Latina transgender women with HIV: Longitudinal findings from the LITE Plus study.

Black and Latina transgender women with HIV (BLTWH) are exposed to repeated, intersecting discrimination based on race, gender, and serostatus. Minority stress theory conceptualizes discrimination as minority-specific stressors that drive health inequities. Allostatic load theory posits a pathway between discrimination and chronic disease through multisystem physiological dysregulation caused by chronic stress. To test this pathway, a longitudinal cohort of 108 BLTWH, enrolled December 2020 - June 2022 in Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC, were followed for 24 months, with biomarkers measured at baseline, 12, and 24 months. Questionnaires administered every 6 months assessed anticipated discrimination, everyday discrimination, perceived stress, and other psychosocial factors. Multimorbidity was measured via self-reported non-HIV chronic conditions. In mixed-effects mediation models, allostatic load did not mediate relationships between multimorbidity outcomes and anticipated discrimination (β: -0.0004 [95% CI: -0.004, 0.003]) nor everyday discrimination (β: -0.002 [95%CI: -0.009, 0.003]). Perceived stress demonstrated indirect effects on multimorbidity in unadjusted models of anticipated discrimination (β: 0.024, [95% CI: 0.015, 0.081]) and everyday discrimination (β: 0.021 [95%CI: 0.016, 0.077]). Indirect effects remained significant, with attenuated effects (β: 0.020 for anticipated discrimination; β: 0.017 for everyday discrimination) after adjusting for social support, community connection, and resilient coping. Total effects were only significant for the adjusted model of everyday discrimination (β: 0.056 [0.014, 0.099]). Findings suggest discrimination impacted health through specific psychosocial pathways. Alongside efforts to eliminate intersectional discrimination, stress-lowering interventions and increased access to social support and community connection may be effective approaches to reducing multimorbidity in this highly marginalized group.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Fyn signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex regulates resistance to stress-induced object recognition impairments in male rats.

Genome-wide association studies on patients with depression have identified FYN and FYB, an FYN-binding protein, as being linked to depression. We have reported that experimental manipulations in gene expression in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) alter stress-induced object recognition impairments in animals. Therefore, we examined the impact of alterations in FYN and FYB expression in the mPFC of adult male rats on resistance to stress-induced impairments in object recognition. Animals with virus-mediated knockdown or overexpression of Fyn in the mPFC were subjected to either a brief 20-min restraint with 20 intermittent tail shocks, which does not induce object recognition impairment, or a prolonged 60-min restraint with 60 intermittent tail shocks, which does. In an object recognition task, control rats maintained intact object recognition following a brief stress, whereas rats with Fyn knockdown or overexpression in the mPFC showed impaired object recognition. Prolonged stress impaired object recognition in both control rats and rats with Fyn knockdown or overexpression. Additionally, rats with Fyn knockdown in the mPFC exhibited fewer c-Fos-positive cells in the mPFC in response to brief stress, accompanied by a trend toward increased c-Fos in the amygdala compared with control rats. Fyn knockdown also reduced Fyb expression in the mPFC. Furthermore, Fyb knockdown in the mPFC impaired object recognition following brief stress, suggesting that the observed effects are consistent with involvement of a coupled Fyn-Fyb signaling axis rather than Fyn alone. These findings suggest that altered Fyn-related signaling in the mPFC may underlie the resistance to stress-induced object recognition impairments.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Comparative assessment of post-transport disease susceptibility in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer): Associations with oxidative stress, immune responses, gut microbiota, and tissue pathology.

Stress is a crucial factor that affects aquaculture systems, particularly during transportation, which often leads to deteriorated fish health and reduced survival rates. This study aimed to investigate the comparative differences in physiological changes, oxidative stress parameters, and immune responses between clinically healthy and diseased Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) following commercial transportation. The study compared the health status of fish after transportation, categorized into healthy (Healthy) and diseased (Disease) groups. Assessments were conducted on oxidative stress parameters, immune responses, gut microbiota composition, and tissue pathology. The results showed that diseased fish exhibited significantly higher oxidative stress levels (P < 0.05), as indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and altered antioxidant and redox-related markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), measured across multiple target tissues (head kidney, gills, liver, intestine, and brain), compared with healthy fish. Furthermore, the expression of immune-related genes was significantly downregulated in diseased fish after transportation, indicating immune suppression. In contrast, healthy fish maintained a more balanced immune response, which may partially mitigate the adverse effects of transport-induced stress. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that diseased fish had a significant reduction in beneficial bacteria such as Cetobacterium somerae and Bacillus spp., accompanied by a significant (P < 0.05) increase in opportunistic pathogens including Aeromonas spp., Photobacterium spp., and Vibrio spp. Histopathological examination showed severe damage in the gills, liver, and intestines of diseased fish (P < 0.05), while only minor tissue alterations were observed in healthy fish. Overall, the findings indicate that post-transport diseased Asian seabass exhibit marked oxidative stress, impaired antioxidant defense, altered immune responses, gut microbial dysbiosis, and multi-organ tissue damage compared with clinically healthy post-transport fish. These results suggest that deterioration of transport conditions may contribute to post-transport morbidity and disease susceptibility.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Affective reactivity to a remote computer-based Trier Social Stress Test during a planned quit attempt: associations with short-term cigarette smoking lapse risk.

BACKGROUND: The Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) elicits affective responses and has been linked to smoking behavior. However, its remote use during a planned quit attempt-when stress reactivity may influence early lapse-remains understudied. OBJECTIVE: To quantify affective reactivity to a remotely administered TSST on a planned quit date following overnight abstinence and evaluate associations with cigarette use and lapse within 48 h. METHODS: This secondary analysis used data from a randomized controlled trial of adult smokers completing a remotely administered TSST following overnight nicotine abstinence. Urge, anxiety, and stress were assessed using visual analog scales and summarized using area under the curve (AUC) metrics. Smoking outcomes included cigarette count and lapse within 48 h. Associations were estimated using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: In adjusted models, anxiety reactivity-but not urge or stress-was associated with cigarette count and lapse. Greater anxiety exposure (AUCtot) and change above baseline (AUCab) were associated with higher cigarette count (IRR=1.0004, 95%CI:1.0002-1.001, p=.002; IRR=1.01, 95%CI: 1.002-1.01, p=.002) and increased odds of lapse (OR=1.001, 95%CI: 1.0001-1.002, p=.03; OR=1.02, 95%CI: 1.001-1.03, p=.03). Effect sizes were small. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety reactivity under nicotine deprivation was associated with increased cigarette use and lapse 48 h post quit attempt, suggesting individual differences in stress-evoked anxiety may serve as a behavioral marker for early lapse. Remote TSST administration appears feasible for eliciting affective responses on a quit date.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Comparative transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress.

To investigate the differences in molecular responses between the gills and hepatopancreas of freshwater-cultured Litopenaeus vannamei under chronic nitrite stress, a 30-day chronic stress experiment was conducted with a control group and a stress group. Transcriptomic analysis of the gills and hepatopancreas was performed using Illumina sequencing; differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, and GO, KEGG, GSEA, PPI, and RT-qPCR validation were carried out. The results showed that 196 DEGs (161 up-regulated and 35 down-regulated) were identified in the gills, and 287 DEGs (199 up-regulated and 88 down-regulated) in the hepatopancreas, with only 18 DEGs shared between the two tissues. DEGs in the gills were enriched in oxidoreductase activity, glycerophospholipid metabolism, and tyrosine metabolism; DEGs in the hepatopancreas were enriched in lipid transporter activity, phagosome, ECM-receptor interaction, and riboflavin metabolism. GSEA revealed significant suppression of the mTOR pathway in the gills and the Polycomb complex pathway in the hepatopancreas. PPI network analysis identified hub genes P5CS and eEF2 in the gills, and PER, TUBB1, SHMT, and TUBB4B in the hepatopancreas. RT-qPCR validation was consistent with the RNA-seq results (R2 = 0.764). This study indicates that, under chronic nitrite stress, the gill response is centered on redox regulation and inhibition of growth metabolism, whereas the hepatopancreas response primarily involves lipid transport, cytoskeletal remodeling, and phagosome activation. The two tissues synergistically adapt through fundamental biosynthetic and motor protein pathways. This research provides molecular evidence for deciphering the nitrite tolerance mechanisms in freshwater-cultured shrimp.

Animals↗