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Power as equal ability, knowledge and resistance: Systematic review of experiences of adults with noncommunicable diseases.

PURPOSE: To analyse subjective experiences of power of adults with noncommunicable diseases in relationships with healthcare practitioners as well as underlying facilitators and barriers of these experiences. METHODS: Systematic review (4 databases) of experiences using reflexive thematic analysis underpinned by critical realist approach. The analysis was conducted with an abductive reasoning using previous theories on social power as well as retroduction. RESULTS: Based on 24 studies, we formed three themes, which depict experiences of power as 1) the position, equal ability and freedom to make one's own choices and (re)negotiate within shared dialogue, 2) the ability to use knowledge to claim one's rights, 3) resistance. Facilitators were connected to acknowledgement as an equally valuable individual, positive healthcare practitioner attitudes and actions towards patient activity and views, safety in the relationship as well as to sufficient, clear and varied information. Main barriers were experiences of dehumanisation, negative healthcare practitioner attitudes and actions, perceived or assumed practitioner domination in interactions, lack of or incomprehensible knowledge and testimonial smothering. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that adults with noncommunicable diseases may experience power primarily as a positive power: being acknowledged as having legitimate position to make decisions and being in possession of varied knowledge through which they can gain agency to protect and claim their rights, by resisting, if necessary. Healthcare practitioners are in key position to support these experiences through positive transforming actions, while knowledge asymmetries, persistent inequality and paternalistic structures continue to hinder it.

Humans

Mixed Methods Findings from a Stepped Wedge Hybrid Implementation Trial of ATTAIN NAV: A Mental Health Family Navigation Intervention for Autistic Youth.

ATTAIN NAV (Access to Tailored Autism Integrated Care through Family Navigation) was delivered by family navigators to promote access to and engagement with mental health services for school-age autistic youth. This study used a mixed method, stepped wedge design to test the effects of family navigation on service and clinical outcomes while gathering information on implementation. Primary care providers from six clinics in California and 56 caregiver-child dyads enrolled in and completed the study. Clinics were randomized to either a technology-enhanced or standard family navigation condition. Caregivers completed assessments at baseline and post about child, family and services outcomes, and a subset participated in a post qualitative interview. Quantitative findings demonstrated improvements in child challenging behavior and parent activation across conditions although these improvements were more pronounced for families in the standard FN condition. At post-intervention, families in the standard FN condition reported higher levels of navigation satisfaction, a shorter time to attend their first mental health appointment, and higher engagement with their navigator. Qualitative findings complemented and expanded the quantitative survey findings. The ATTAIN NAV model of family navigation for autistic children with co-occurring mental health needs demonstrates promising implementation, service, and clinical benefits. Clinical Trials Registration. NCT05344378.

Humans

Genome-wide analysis of the plant-specific PLATZ gene family in Taraxacum kok-saghyz and its roles in response to drought and salt tolerance.

Abiotic stress severely limits plant growth and productivity. Taraxacum kok-saghyz Rodin (TKS), known for its environmental resilience, represents a valuable resource for identifying stress-tolerant genes to improve stress-adaptive crops. Plant AT-rich protein and zinc-binding protein (PLATZ) transcription factors serve as core regulators of plant growth, developmental processes, and adaptive responses to various stress conditions; however, they remain uncharacterized in TKS. Here, we identified 10 TksPLATZ genes through a whole-genome analysis. Phylogenetically, these genes were grouped into five distinct evolutionary branches. Promoter sequence analysis revealed multiple types of cis-acting regulatory elements that are connected with hormonal signal responses and environmental stress adaptation. Integrated analysis of transcriptome datasets and RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that TksPLATZ genes display tissue-specific expression profiles and show distinct responsive patterns to drought and salt stress treatments. Among them, TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 were markedly induced under both stressors and were selected for further functional study. We demonstrated that TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2 and TksPLATZ7 localize to the cell nucleus and act as transcriptional activators and repressors, respectively. Phenotypic data from overexpression experiments in plants confirm that heterologous expression of TksPLATZ1, TksPLATZ2, and TksPLATZ7 enhances the tolerance of Arabidopsis to salt and osmotic stress. These findings provide valuable genetic resources for improving plant tolerance to environmental stresses.

Salt Tolerance

Enrichment of Lysobacter in a long-term organically managed agricultural field with low soilborne disease incidence.

Disease-suppressive soils, in which soilborne pathogens are naturally suppressed, offer a promising model for sustainable crop protection, particularly in organic farming systems where chemical disease control options are limited. Although disease suppression in these soils is considered to rely on biological control, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated soil from a long-term organically managed field in Shiga Prefecture, Japan, where soilborne disease incidence has remained consistently low, to identify bacterial community features potentially associated with this field. The 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing indicated that this soil harbored a bacterial community distinct from those of nearby agricultural soils. Following the application of organic compounds, the genus Lysobacter, a taxon with known antagonistic activity against plant pathogens, was markedly enriched in response to proteinaceous organic inputs. This enrichment was consistent across sampling times and specific to certain proteinaceous organic inputs, whereas minimal effects were observed on chitin, N-acetyl-d-glucosamine, or cysteine. Broader soil surveys indicated that Lysobacter enrichment was not strictly associated with whether soils had been managed under organic or conventional farming practices. Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified 10 co-occurring bacterial genera that were strongly associated with Lysobacter abundance. These findings highlight condition-dependent Lysobacter enrichment as a characteristic microbial response to proteinaceous organic amendments in this low-disease-incidence field and provide microbial insights that may inform microbiome-based strategies for sustainable soil management.

Lysobacter

Genome-wide identification of the peanut HD-Zip gene family and AhHDZ15 positively regulating salt and drought stress in heterologously overexpressed Arabidopsis.

Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, bioinformatic analyses and functional studies of HD-Zip family in peanut are scarce. In this study, 128 AhHDZ genes were identified and classified into four subfamilies in the phylogenetic analysis. Transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analysis indicated the expression levels of AhHDZ4 and AhHDZ15 were significantly elevated in response to 12 h of salt stress, while AhHDZ4/15/60/69/126 all showed a progressive increase over time in response to drought stress. AhHDZ15 protein was localized in the nucleus. Under salt and drought stress, the germination rates of AhHDZ15-overexpressing in Arabidopsis were significantly higher than wild-type (WT), and root lengths were also significantly longer than WT. In addition, the SOD, CAT, chlorophyll content, and Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) value of leaves in AhHDZ15-overexpressing lines were significantly higher than WT, while the MDA content was significantly lower than WT. The above results indicate that heterologous overexpression of AhHDZ15 enhanced salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, AhHDZ15 could bind to the L1-box element of the AhVNI2 promoter, thereby activating AhVNI2 transcription and enhancing the expression of downstream salt stress-responsive genes. These findings implies a potential function of AhHDZ15 in peanut that requires further validation.

Arabidopsis

Comprehensive analysis suggests CRIF1 is a potential target in breast cancer associated with prognosis and immune infiltration.

BACKGROUND: CRIF1 is a multifunctional factor that regulates cell biological processes such as the cell cycle, cell proliferation, and energy metabolism, and it is a new molecule that contributes to the poor prognosis of many malignancies. However, its involvement in breast cancer development is not fully known. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To investigate the relationship between CRIF1 expression, prognosis, and clinical characteristics using The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA-BRCA). The relationship between CRIF1 expression and the immunological microenvironment was investigated using CIBERSORT, ESTIMATE. Breast tissue and CRIF1 expression were validated by IHC. A tiny interfering plasmid was designed to transiently transfect breast cancer cell lines, and proliferation-related functional tests were carried out. The effect of sh CRIF1 on tumor formation was confirmed using a subcutaneous tumor experiment in naked mice. RESULTS: We discovered that CRIF1 was highly elevated in breast cancer tissues and associated with a poor prognosis. CRIF1 stimulates breast cancer cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. Knockdown decreased PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling, which boosted autophagy activity. Immune infiltration research revealed that patients with high CRIF1 expression had higher CD8+ T cell expression but reduced macrophage M2 expression. CONCLUSION: Upregulation of CRIF1 in breast cancer cells enhances malignant behavior, which may be mediated by PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and is linked to cellular autophagy.

Humans

Comprehensive identification and evolutionary analysis of the Wnt gene family in bivalves: Insights into the larval development of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis.

The Wnt gene family regulates fundamental developmental processes in metazoans, but its evolutionary composition and developmental deployment in bivalves remain largely unresolved. Here, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of Wnt genes in 19 bivalve species and examined developmental expression profiles in the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis, with Crassostrea gigas and Chlamys farreri used for cross-species comparison. A total of 235 Wnt genes were identified and assigned to 12 subfamilies. No reliable Wnt3 ortholog was detected in any analyzed bivalve, supporting the view that Wnt3 loss occurred early during lophotrochozoan evolution rather than representing a lineage-specific absence. Most Wnt proteins retained the conserved WNT domain, indicating strong structural conservation, whereas lineage-specific copy-number variation and gene loss were observed among species. C. farreri and C. gigas each retained 12 Wnt genes and lacked Wnt3, whereas C. nobilis lacked Wnt3, Wnt7, and Wnt16. Developmental transcriptome analysis and RT-qPCR revealed clear stage-specific expression patterns. In C. gigas, Wnt2/10/A were highly expressed during earlydevelopment and peaked around the D-shaped larval stage, while Wnt8 and Wnt11 showed distinct stage-specific peaks. By contrast, Wnt1/5/6/9 were more active during later larval development or juvenile formation. These results provide a comparative framework for bivalve Wnt evolution and identify candidate Wnt genes potentially involved in larval development and aquaculture-relevant developmental transitions.

Animals

Bacteroides cellulosilyticus-derived 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid rectifies hepatic lipid homeostasis in MASLD by targeting the PPARγ-CD36 axis.

The gut microbiota plays an important role in the occurrence and development of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), but the specific molecular mechanisms involved have not been fully elucidated. In this study, human cohort studies were performed to identify that the relative abundance of Bacteroides cellulosilyticus (B. cellulosilyticus) was significantly decreased in patients with MASLD. Through the integration of metagenomic and metabolomic analyses, it was confirmed that B. cellulosilyticus and its metabolite 2-hydroxyphenylacetic acid (2HPAA) are key factors regulating the occurrence and development of MASLD. Single-cell sequencing and lipidomic analyses revealed that 2HPAA can enter the liver through the enterohepatic circulation to exert regulatory effects. Specifically, 2HPAA inhibits the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) signaling pathway, thereby suppressing the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36. Meanwhile, 2HPAA regulates lipid metabolism in hepatocytes by significantly enhancing palmitate conversion efficiency and inhibiting CD36 palmitoylation. This dual regulatory effect on CD36 expression and palmitoylation can reduce lipid accumulation in hepatocytes and ultimately alleviate MASLD progression. These findings reveal the mechanism by which B. cellulosilyticus and 2HPAA alleviate MASLD by targeting the PPARγ-CD36 pathway. This work provides a new perspective for the study of gut microbiota-host interactions in regulating liver diseases.

PPAR gamma

Inactivation of Aspergillus flavus spores by dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma: Kinetics, physiological properties and proteomic analysis.

A. flavus, as a pathogen, poses a grave threat to both human and livestock health, significantly influencing agricultural production as well. This study aimed to investigate the inactivation effect and mechanism of dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBD-CP) on A. flavus spores. The results exhibited that DBD-CP effectively inactivated A. flavus spores by the Weibull + Tail model. Furthermore, the physiological and proteomic analysis revealed that DBD-CP destructed cell wall and membrane integrity, causing cellular protein leakage and increasing membrane penetration of ROS generated from DBD-CP. Although intracellular ROS was excessively accumulated, the protein levels and activities of SOD and CAT were decreased, indicating that intracellular redox homeostasis was disrupted by DBD-CP. Subsequently, DBD-CP treatment induced cellular protein oxidation and changed protein structures, resulting in unstable protein structures. Meanwhile, protein synthesis and degradation in A. flavus spores were disturbed by inhibiting ribosome biogenesis, initiation process and NEDD8-mediated UPS, which did not compensate for the loss of protein caused by oxidative damage and leakage, leading to A. flavus spore inactivation. Besides, DBD-CP could attenuate A. flavus virulence by downregulating hydrolytic enzymes and CFEM-related proteins. This study provides novel insight into the inactivation mechanism of DBD-CP against A. flavus spores, which establishes a basis for the application of DBD-CP in controlling pathogenic fungi contamination in grains and crops, promoting the development of DBD-CP in food and agricultural decontamination.

Spores, Fungal

ChIP-seq profiling identifies diapause-regulated H3K27me3 targets in the fat body of Culex pipiens.

Culex pipiens, a principal vector of significant arboviruses, survives winter through diapause, a hormonally controlled inactive phase that enhances endurance under severe cold circumstances. Recent data suggests that epigenetic processes, namely histone post-translational modifications (hPTMs), play a crucial role in regulating seasonal dormancy. Prior studies from our laboratory indicated a decrease in the methylation of Histone 3 (H3K27me3) in diapausing fat body tissue, associated with elevated expression of the histone demethylase UTX. Nonetheless, the precise genomic areas impacted by these chromatin alterations remained unidentified. We used chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq) to delineate the genome-wide distribution of H3K27me3 across fat body chromatin in diapausing (D) and non-diapausing (ND) female Cx. pipiens. Notably, the higher signal at transcription start sites (TSSs) reflects localized redistribution rather than a global decrease, as diapausing fat bodies retain less H3K27me3 overall but concentrate it at promoters. To investigate the functional significance of these chromatin alterations, we confirmed a number of target loci via ChIP-qPCR and assessed gene expression with qRT-PCR. We identified many critical genes that were markedly increased in diapausing mosquitoes, exhibiting an inverse relation to H3K27me3 enrichment. Our data demonstrates different H3K27me3 chromatin landscapes between diapausing and non-diapausing Cx. pipiens, corroborating a hypothesis of selective, locus-specific repression in the non-diapause state and its targeted removal during diapause to permit activation of dormancy-associated genes. These results suggest that chromatin remodeling is a core driver of the diapause switch.

Animals

Transcriptomic responses of Porphyrophora sophorae larvae during licorice root colonization reveal coordinated remodeling of translation, mitochondrial energy metabolism and defense-related genes.

BACKGROUND: Porphyrophora sophorae is a subterranean piercing-sucking scale insect that damages licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) roots, but the molecular responses associated with larval root colonization remain insufficiently defined. METHODS: We compared non-parasitic larvae (NP) and root-colonizing larvae (RC) using six RNA-seq libraries, de novo transcriptome assembly, DESeq2-based differential expression analysis, GO/KEGG enrichment, annotation-based candidate gene screening, and RT-qPCR validation of selected genes. RESULTS: Sequencing yielded 260.91 million clean reads, and de novo assembly produced 60,794 non-redundant transcripts. DESeq2 identified 703 FDR-significant DEGs, including 49 upregulated and 654 downregulated genes in RC larvae. Upregulated genes were mainly associated with translation- and ribosome-related processes, whereas downregulated genes were enriched in mitochondrial, oxidation-reduction, energy metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation-related functions. Annotation-based screening identified 75 FDR-significant candidate genes associated with chemosensation, defense-related responses, and energy metabolism, with mitochondrial energy metabolism-related genes forming the largest module. RT-qPCR validation based on the raw Ct data showed concordant expression directions for ten selected transcript targets. CONCLUSIONS: Root colonization in P. sophorae larvae was associated with coordinated transcriptional remodeling involving selective activation of translation-related processes, adjustment of mitochondrial energy metabolism, and changes in defense-related gene expression. These results provide candidate molecular targets for future functional studies of host contact, feeding establishment, and physiological adjustment in this subterranean scale insect.

Animals

Siglec-7 orchestrates mitochondrial dynamics and metabolic reprogramming to restrain human NK cell cytotoxic function.

Natural killer (NK) cells are innate lymphocytes that directly eliminate tumor and virus-infected cells by integrating signals from activating and inhibitory receptors, and their effector functions are tightly coupled to cellular metabolism. Given that the inhibitory receptor PD-1 reprograms T cell metabolism to shape functional fate, the bioenergetic consequences of inhibitory receptor engagement on human NK cells remain largely unexplored, particularly for sialic acid-binding immunoglobulin-like lectin (Siglec-7), a glyco-immune checkpoint receptor. Here, we investigated metabolic programs and effector functions associated with Siglec-7 expression and antibody-mediated Siglec-7 ligation in primary NK cells and NK-92MI cells. Siglec-7POS NK cells exhibited selectively impaired CD107a degranulation under glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation inhibition, whereas Siglec-7NEG cells remained relatively resistant, indicating distinct energetic wiring between these subsets. Engagement of Siglec-7 by an agonistic antibody induced mitochondrial fission with altered Drp1 phosphorylation, transient mitochondrial depolarization, and broadly suppressed mitochondrial respiration, while concurrently enhancing glycolytic capacity, consistent with a dual metabolic shift upon Siglec-7 ligation. In contrast, sustained Siglec-7 expression in NK-92MI-S cells was associated with globally enhanced mitochondrial respiratory capacity, indicating that sustained Siglec-7 expression and short-term treatment with an agonistic anti-Siglec-7 antibody were associated with distinct metabolic profiles in NK cells. Furthermore, Siglec-7POS NK cells showed increased accumulation of autophagic vacuole, reduced proliferation, and heightened apoptotic susceptibility compared with Siglec-7NEG counterparts. Collectively, these findings support an association between Siglec-7 status, mitochondrial homeostasis, and metabolic fitness in NK cells, with Siglec-7NEG cells retaining a metabolically robust, cytotoxic phenotype.

Journal Article

Distinct cell morphotypes of Aureobasidium melanogenum ZN exhibit differential functional profiles in promoting maize growth.

Black yeast-like fungi of the genus Aureobasidium exhibit morphological plasticity, but whether distinct cellular states within the same genetic background are associated with different plant growth-promoting functions remains unclear. Here, yeast-like cells (YL), swollen cells (SC), and chlamydospores (CH) of Aureobasidium melanogenum ZN were characterized. YL was associated mainly with siderophore production and laccase activity, SC with extracellular polysaccharide accumulation, and CH with phosphate mobilization and higher ammonia and IAA production. Whole-genome and comparative genomic analyses revealed a shared repertoire related to nutrient acquisition, auxin-associated metabolism, extracellular oxidation, and carbohydrate remodeling, with expansions in nutrient- and cell-surface-related gene families. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed distinct deployment of these capacities, with CH exhibiting broad reprogramming of tryptophan-associated, nitrogen, phosphate, central-carbon, and amino-acid metabolism. In maize, CH at the optimal inoculation concentration of 105 CFU·mL-1 produced the strongest growth promotion, increasing plant height, dry biomass, root length, root surface area, and root volume by 58.6%, 365.1%, 191.0%, 194.3%, and 222.4%, respectively. Consistent with this pronounced growth phenotype, maize root transcriptomics showed coordinated CH-induced responses involving root development, nutrient transport, redox regulation, and root-interface remodeling. Root-zone tracking showed greater short-term stability and persistence of CH. These findings identify cellular state as an important functional dimension of Aureobasidium-plant interactions and provide a basis for developing fungal inoculants with defined beneficial cellular states.

Zea mays

A systematic review of macaque brain stimulation: Trends and future directions.

Neurostimulation techniques can powerfully modulate neural circuit activity and provide causal insights into the relationship between brain function and behavior. Macaque monkeys have long been a key animal model for brain stimulation studies. While stimulating the macaque brain with one or a few electrodes has already taught us much about brain function and dysfunction, recent technological advances promise a future with more precise stimulation using many more electrodes. However, such possibilities also increase the number of choices an experimenter has when designing their study. We can learn from a rich past, but a comprehensive overview of which brain regions have been studied and with what stimulation parameters is lacking. Here, we present a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of 734 macaque brain stimulation studies using electrical and/or optogenetic stimulation. We find a striking bias in which brain areas have traditionally been stimulated: a mere 10 brain regions account for half of all studies, with the remainder of studies investigating approximately 150 other areas. Across studies, stimulation frequency robustly predicted direct behavioral effects independent of brain region, while amplitude did not. Future studies could more systematically explore less studied regions through lower stimulation frequencies (e.g., 20-50 Hz) alongside established ranges (∼200 Hz). Tools such as fMRI or optical imaging can capture neural circuit engagement evoked by these frequencies, even when behavioral effects are absent or remain subtle. Our synthesis offers a guide towards the next steps in high-channel-count, high-precision stimulation approaches.

Animals

Advances in cereal protein applications for infant and Young child nutrition.

BACKGROUND: The increasing use of plant-derived proteins in infant and young child nutrition necessitates tailored amino acid profiles, high digestibility and strict safety controls. Cereal proteins, such as rice, oat, maize, millet, barley, and wheat, are widely used in complementary foods but face intrinsic limitations, notably lysine and tryptophan deficits, antinutritional factors that reduce bioavailability, gluten immunogenicity in wheat/barley, and inorganic arsenic risks in rice. SCOPE AND APPROACH: This review synthesizes recent advances in processing and formulation strategies, including enzymatic hydrolysis, fermentation, germination, extrusion, cereal-legume complementation, and micronutrient fortification. Their impacts on digestibility, techno-functionality, iron and zinc bioavailability, and protein quality, including Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS) and Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score (DIAAS) are critically reviewed using data from in vitro assays, product development, and clinical trials. KEY FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS: Processing and blending approaches can substantially improve protein digestibility, amino acid balance and micronutrient availability, and hydrolyzed rice protein holds clinical promise for cow's milk protein allergy (CMPA). However, most evidence is preclinical, reporting of protein quality is inconsistent, and industrial translation is constrained by sensory, shelf-life, contaminant and cost issues. We recommend standardized DIAAS-based reporting, large-scale feeding trials, sensory /stability optimization, and targeted exploration of underutilized grains (e.g., oat, millet) with active allergen monitoring. Prioritizing amino acid-focused formulation coupled with strategies to enhance micronutrient bioavailability will accelerate safe adoption of cereal proteins in early-life nutrition.

Humans

The effectiveness of protective behavioral strategies for reducing alcohol use and alcohol-related harms among adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: Excessive alcohol consumption is a major public health concern. Protective behavioral strategies (PBS) are widely incorporated into alcohol interventions, but their effectiveness and role as mechanisms of behavior change remain unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the effects of PBS-based interventions on alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms, and PBS use. METHODS: PubMed, Embase, Scopus, CINAHL, and ProQuest were searched from inception to December 2025 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adults (≥18 years) delivering PBS as an active intervention component. Random-effects meta-analyses using Hedges' g examined alcohol quantity, drinking frequency, alcohol-related problems, and PBS use. RESULTS: Fifteen RCTs were included, predominantly involving young adults attending U.S. universities. PBS interventions increased protective strategy use (g=0.23, p=0.005 after outlier removal), but alcohol effects were modest: no change in quantity (g=-0.05, p=0.162), small reduction in frequency (g=-0.09, p=0.014), and marginal reduction in problems (g=-0.07, p=0.052; significant in sensitivity analysis). Subgroup findings suggested greater effects at longer follow-up and when PBS was incorporated into multi-component interventions. Evidence supporting PBS as a mechanism of change was limited and inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: PBS-based interventions produce modest, context-dependent effects on alcohol outcomes. Most evidence comes from young U.S. university students, underscoring the need for studies in more diverse adult populations and further mechanistic research.

Humans

Age-dependent reorganization of behavioral and striatal function in Cntnap2 knockout mice.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and the presence of restricted and repetitive behaviors. While ASD has a neurodevelopmental origin, it remains a lifelong condition, yet little is known about how its behavioral and neural features evolve across adulthood. Here, we investigated behavioral, synaptic, and structural alterations across the transition from early to mature adulthood in Cntnap2 knockout mice, a widely used model of ASD. Using a longitudinal behavioral approach combined with electrophysiological recordings and morphological analysis, we show that KO mice exhibit increased stereotyped and repetitive behaviors and reduced exploratory activity at both ages. However, detailed analysis of behavioral patterns revealed age-dependent differences, with early adult KO mice displaying increased behavioral persistence that later evolved into distinct patterns of behavioral sequences. These behavioral changes were associated with alterations in inhibitory synaptic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum (DLS), including changes in spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic current (sIPSC) frequency and temporal structure. In parallel, mature adult KO mice showed structural remodeling of spiny projection neurons, characterized by increased distal dendritic arborization and age-dependent organization of dendritic spines. Together, our findings demonstrate that ASD-related alterations are not static but evolve across adulthood, revealing a multi-level reorganization of behavioral, synaptic, and structural features. These results highlight the importance of considering adulthood stages in ASD and provide new insights into the dynamic nature of the condition.

Animals

Whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing and ceRNA network analyses provide novel insights into the antibacterial immune response of Hippocampus abdominalis against Vibrio harveyi.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) stand as newly-arisen molecular types that exert regulatory effects, able to operate as competitive endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) to engage microRNAs (miRNAs) in interaction, resulting in the recovery of target mRNA expression and activity. Increasing evidences indicate that the ceRNA network affects various biological processes in mammals, including development, cellular differentiation, metabolism, immune response, and disease pathogenesis. In teleost fish, the lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks have been reported occasionally. However, up to now, the roles of lncRNAs in the big-belly seahorse (Hippocampus abdominalis) remains unclear. In this study, we reported for the first time, via whole-transcriptome RNA sequencing, the lncRNA mediated ceRNA regulatory network in Vibrio harveyi-infected H. abdominalis. A total of 4197 differentially expressed mRNAs (DE-mRNAs), 1317 DE-lncRNAs, and 183 DE-miRNAs were identified. Furthermore, the crosstalk between miRNAs and lncRNAs as well as between miRNAs and mRNAs was inferred based on the negative correlations between miRNAs and their target lncRNAs/mRNAs. A core immune associated lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA putative regulatory network was thus constructed, comprising 211 lncRNA-miRNA and 224 mRNA-miRNA pairs. In conclusion, our findings provide an integrative overview of the ceRNA regulatory networks on the underlying immune responses to V. harveyi infection in the big-belly seahorse, and offer a solid theoretical foundation for the comparative immunological research of teleost fish.

Animals