Biology-Basel最新文献

{"title":"Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Suppresses Natural Killer Cell Response and Promotes Hypoimmunogenic Stem Cell Engraftment Following Spinal Cord Injury.","authors":"Shenglan Li, Yiyan Zheng, Haipeng Xue, Haiwei Zhang, Jiayun Wu, Xiaohui Chen, Miguel Perez Bouza, Samantha Yi, Hongxia Zhou, Xugang Xia, Xianmin Zeng, Qi Lin Cao, Ying Liu","doi":"10.3390/biology14070791","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070791","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offer immense potential as a source for cell therapy in spinal cord injury (SCI) and other diseases. The development of hypoimmunogenic, universal cells that could be transplanted to any recipient without requiring a matching donor could significantly enhance their therapeutic potential and accelerate clinical translation. To create off-the-shelf hypoimmunogenic cells, we used CRISPR-Cas9 to delete B2M (HLA class I) and CIITA (master regulator of HLA class II). Double-knockout (DKO) iPSC-derived neural progenitor cells (NPCs) evaded T-cell-mediated immune rejection in vitro and after grafting into the injured spinal cord of athymic rats and humanized mice. However, loss of HLA class I heightened susceptibility to host natural killer (NK) cell attack, limiting graft survival. To counter this negative effect, we engineered DKO NPCs to overexpress macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), an NK cell checkpoint ligand. MIF expression markedly reduced NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity and improved long-term engraftment and integration of NPCs in the animal models for spinal cord injury. These findings demonstrate that MIF overexpression, combined with concurrent B2M and CIITA deletion, generates hiPSC neural derivatives that escape both T- and NK-cell surveillance. This strategy provides a scalable route to universal donor cells for regenerative therapies in SCI and potentially other disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734274","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Sperm Selection Using Microfluidic Techniques Significantly Decreases Sperm DNA Fragmentation (SDF), Enhancing Reproductive Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.","authors":"Alma Gisbert Iranzo, Marina Cano-Extremera, Irene Hervás, Mar Falquet Guillem, María Gil Juliá, Ana Navarro-Gomezlechon, Rosa María Pacheco-Rendón, Nicolás Garrido","doi":"10.3390/biology14070792","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070792","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to compare sperm parameters and reproductive outcomes after sperm selection using microfluidic chips versus conventional techniques (swim-up/density gradients). A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed after the extraction of relevant data from thirty-nine studies that met the inclusion criteria. Mean difference or odds ratio was calculated for each outcome. The analysis revealed that sperm selection using microfluidics yields lower sperm DNA fragmentation (MD = -9.98 [-13.19, -6.76], <i>p</i> < 0.00001), increased progressive motility (MD = 14.50 [7.84, 21.71], <i>p</i> = 0.04), total motility (MD = 10.68 [6.04, 15.31], <i>p</i> < 0.00001) and morphology (MD = 1.41 [0.67, 2.16], <i>p</i> = 0.0002). Significant differences were also found in the fertilization rate/MII oocyte microinjected (OR = 1.22 [1.01, 1.46], <i>p</i> = 0.04), implantation rate/embryo transfer (ET) (OR = 4.51 [1.42, 14.37], <i>p</i> = 0.01), clinical pregnancy/ET (OR = 1.73 [1.22, 2.45], <i>p</i> = 0.002), ongoing pregnancy/ET (OR = 1.99 [1.03, 3.83], <i>p</i> = 0.04), live birth rate/first cycle (OR = 1.59 [1.12, 2.24], <i>p</i> = 0.009) and per all embryo transfer (OR = 1.65 [1.06, 2.55], <i>p</i> = 0.03). No significant differences were found in embryo euploidy/number of biopsied blastocysts (OR = 1.34 [0.88, 2.04], <i>p</i> = 0.77), biochemical pregnancy/ET (OR = 1.23 [0.84, 1.80], <i>p</i> = 0.29), miscarriage rate/cycle (OR = 0.84 [0.54, 1.31], <i>p</i> = 0.35) and per pregnancy (OR = 0.71 [0.50, 1.02], <i>p</i> = 0.07), live birth rate/first embryo transfer (OR = 1.60 [0.80, 3.22], <i>p</i> = 0.18) and per concluded cycle (OR = 1.03 [0.53, 2.00], <i>p</i> = 0.92). To summarize, microfluidics may offer a beneficial approach in certain situations, particularly for patients with elevated sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) levels. However, its integration into routine clinical practice cannot be justified yet in terms of cost-effectiveness. Additional research is needed to provide more comprehensive data on reproductive outcomes, especially live birth rates, which remain the ultimate goal of assisted reproductive technologies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Exploratory Investigation of Heart Rate Variability in Response to Exercise Training and Detraining in Young and Middle-Aged Men.","authors":"Andres E Carrillo, Petros C Dinas, Paraskevi Gkiata, Alexa R Ferri, Glen P Kenny, Yiannis Koutedakis, Athanasios Z Jamurtas, George S Metsios, Andreas D Flouris","doi":"10.3390/biology14070794","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070794","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We examined heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) in young and middle-aged men after a period of detraining that immediately followed the completion of an exercise training program. Eight young (27.8 ± 3.8 years) and ten middle-aged (41.9 ± 3.8 years) men were randomly assigned to complete an 8-week exercise training program that included either aerobic (young: <i>n</i> = 3; middle-aged: <i>n</i> = 2), resistance (young: <i>n</i> = 3; middle-aged: <i>n</i> = 3), or combined (aerobic/resistance) (young: <i>n</i> = 2; middle-aged: <i>n</i> = 5) exercise. Thereafter, participants ceased all planned exercise training activities during an 8-week detraining period. Resting HR and HRV were assessed at baseline, after exercise training, and after detraining. An analysis of mean differences between age groups at each time-point revealed a significantly higher standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN), square root of the mean of squared differences between successive RR intervals (RMSSD), high-frequency (HF) band (0.15-0.40 Hz), and cardiac vagal index (CVI) in young participants when compared to middle-aged participants at baseline (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.019) and after detraining (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.045), but not after the 8-week exercise training intervention (<i>p</i> ≥ 0.057). Additionally, in middle-aged participants, we observed a significant negative association between the percent change in HRV indices (RMSSD, HF, and CVI) and systolic blood pressure in response to detraining (<i>p</i> < 0.05). In conclusion, young participants had higher levels of HRV indices at baseline, reflecting greater cardiac vagal modulation when compared to middle-aged participants. We showed that these age-related differences in HRV are diminished following exercise training but are reestablished following 8 weeks of detraining. Given that age-related attenuations in HRV may reflect changes in cardiovascular health, it is important to further investigate the relationships between HRV, exercise training and detraining, aging, and the risk of poor health outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Role of Circular RNA in the Progression of Gliomas and Its Potential Clinical Applications.","authors":"Wen Wu, Menglei Xiong, Chen Jiang, Xinru Zhou, Yingjie Ma, Tao Wang, Shan He, Baicheng Ma","doi":"10.3390/biology14070795","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070795","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are single-stranded noncoding RNAs with a covalently closed loop structure. They are known for their stability, abundance, and highly conserved nature. Their expression is often specific to tissues or developmental stages. They interact with microRNAs (miRNAs) and RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and they undergo N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modifications, further affecting gene transcription and translation. Increasing evidence over the past decades has revealed that dysregulated circRNA expression is associated with various neurological disorders, particularly the glioma, one of the most malignant tumors with a poor prognosis. Due to the presence of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and drug resistance, conventional therapeutic approaches have shown limited efficacy. Recently, increasing attention has been directed toward precisely targeted therapies, with circRNAs emerging as promising molecules for cancer treatment. Studies indicate that circRNAs play a key role in glioma proliferation and metastasis. Substantial evidence indicates that exosomes can package circRNAs and facilitate their transport across the BBB into brain tissue, highlighting the potential of circRNAs as therapeutic targets for glioma. This review summarizes circRNAs' functional mechanisms, clinical application relevance, and current limitations. It offers future research directions in this evolving field, aiming to encourage further research on circRNAs' therapeutic applications and contribute to the development of novel glioma-treatment strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734407","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Correction: Moreno-Fonseca et al. Postfire Scenarios Shape Dung Beetle Communities in the Orinoquía Riparian Forest-Savannah Transition. <i>Biology</i> 2025, <i>14</i>, 423.","authors":"Carlos Julián Moreno-Fonseca, Jorge Ari Noriega, Walter Garcia-Suabita, Dolors Armenteras-Pascual","doi":"10.3390/biology14070789","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070789","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Jorge Ari Noriega was not included as an author in the original publication [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biocontrol Effect and Antibacterial Mechanism of <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> TRMB57782 Against <i>Alternaria gaisen</i> Blotch in Korla Pears.","authors":"Chaowen Liu, Tiancai Wang, Yuxin Zhang, Hui Jiang, Xiaoxia Luo","doi":"10.3390/biology14070793","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070793","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Pear black spot disease seriously threatens the pear industry. Currently, its control mainly relies on chemical fungicides while biological control using antagonistic microorganisms represents a promising alternative approach. This study identified and characterized <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> TRMB57782 as a biocontrol strain through whole-genome sequencing. AntiSMASH analysis predicted the strain's potential to produce secondary metabolites such as surfactin, difficidin, and bacilysin. In vitro experiments demonstrated that TRMB57782 inhibited the growth of <i>Alternaria gaisen</i>. In vivo experiments using excised branches and pear fruits at two different stages also showed significant control effects. A preliminary exploration of the metabolic substances of TRMB57782 was carried out. The strain can produce siderophores and three biocontrol enzymes. Crude extracts obtained by the hydrochloric acid precipitation and ammonium sulfate saturation precipitation of the bacterial liquid exhibited significant activity and volatile organic compounds showed biocontrol activity. Meanwhile, the effects of strain TRMB57782 on the hyphae of pathogenic fungi were studied, leading to hyphal atrophy and spore shrinkage. This paper provides an effective biocontrol strategy for fragrant pear black spot disease, reveals the antibacterial mechanism of <i>Bacillus velezensis</i> TRMB57782, and offers a new option for the green control of pear black spot disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734207","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Intervention Potential of a Recombinant Tarim Red Deer HGF Protein in a Mouse Model of Alcoholic Liver Disease.","authors":"Hong Chen, Chuan Lin, Xin Xiang, Chenchen Yang, Chunmei Han, Qinghua Gao","doi":"10.3390/biology14070790","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070790","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study investigates the recombinant Tarim red deer hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in a mouse model to develop an HGF/c-Met-based regenerative therapy for alcoholic liver disease. We constructed a recombinant HGF fusion protein and expressed and purified it in <i>Escherichia coli</i>. The recombinant protein was administered via intravenous injection to treat mice with alcoholic liver disease induced by chronic alcohol feeding followed by acute alcohol gavage (NIAAA model). The therapeutic effects were evaluated based on liver tissue histology and biochemical indicators. The recombinant Tarim red deer HGF protein successfully reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in mice, increased serum albumin (ALB) levels, decreased hepatic steatosis and triglyceride (TG) levels, lowered hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, and increased the levels of the antioxidants glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver. Additionally, it enhanced the proliferation capacity of liver cells, thereby promoting liver regeneration. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that recombinant Tarim red deer HGF effectively reduces liver damage in a mouse model of alcoholic liver disease.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734344","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Responses of Fish Zeta Diversity (ζ) to Human Pressure and Cumulative Effects: A Feasibility Study of Fishing Ban Measures in the Pearl River Basin, China.","authors":"Jiayang He, Hao Liu, Xianda Bi, Zhiqiang Wu","doi":"10.3390/biology14070796","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070796","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Amid declining fish diversity and human pressures in freshwater ecosystems, robust basin-scale assessments are vital for effective fisheries management. This study collated nearly four decades of fishery yields from the Pearl and Yangtze Rivers to identify conservation priorities in the Pearl River Basin. It introduced a novel cumulative effect indicator based on zeta diversity-a biodiversity pattern metric-integrated with cumulative effects analysis for management decision-making. The research employed a multi-site generalized dissimilarity model to examine the non-linear relationships between fish species composition (ζ_n) and human pressures, environmental factors, and geospatial variations across elevation gradients. The cumulative effect indicator, reflecting responses to anthropogenic stress when assessing ζ₂ (related to β diversity), helped evaluate basins for conservation or restoration needs based on their unique or homogenized biotic communities. The results suggest that ζ diversity in low-elevation sub-basins has a stronger filtering effect on ζ by human pressures than in mid- to high-elevation sub-basins, where community aggregation is more random. The impact varied with diversity aspects (nestedness vs. turnover) and zeta order. A negative correlation between cumulative effects and community uniqueness validated the novel cumulative effect indicator's effectiveness for guiding restoration in the Pearl River Delta, potential fishing bans, and karst conservation. This approach offers a theoretical basis for prioritizing areas for freshwater fish diversity conservation and fishing restrictions in the Pearl River Basin.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734383","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Machine Learning Analysis of Maize Seedling Traits Under Drought Stress.","authors":"Lei Zhang, Fulai Zhang, Wentao Du, Mengting Hu, Ying Hao, Shuqi Ding, Huijuan Tian, Dan Zhang","doi":"10.3390/biology14070787","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070787","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The increasing concentration of greenhouse gases is amplifying the global risk of drought on crop productivity. This study sought to investigate the effects of drought on the growth of maize (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) seedlings. A total of 78 maize hybrids were employed in this study to replicate drought conditions through the potting method. The maize seedlings were subjected to a 10-day period of water breakage following a standard watering cycle until they reached the third leaf collar (V3) stage. Parameters including plant height, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, and root number were assessed. The eight phenotypic traits include the fresh and dry weights of both the aboveground and underground parts. Three machine learning methods-random forest (RF), K-nearest neighbor (KNN), and extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost)-were employed to systematically analyze the relevant traits of maize seedlings' drought tolerance and to assess their predictive performance in this regard. The findings indicated that plant height, aboveground weight, and chlorophyll content constituted the primary indices for phenotyping maize seedlings under drought conditions. The XGBoost model demonstrated optimal performance in the classification (AUC = 0.993) and regression (R² = 0.863) tasks, establishing itself as the most effective prediction model. This study provides a foundation for the feasibility and reliability of screening drought-tolerant maize varieties and refining precision breeding strategies.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734273","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Injury-Driven Structural and Molecular Modifications in Nociceptors.","authors":"Mario García-Domínguez","doi":"10.3390/biology14070788","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14070788","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peripheral tissue injury initiates a multifaceted cascade of structural and molecular modifications within nociceptors, the primary sensory neurons tasked with detecting noxious stimuli. These alterations play a crucial role in the induction and maintenance of pain states, encompassing acute and chronic pain. Structural remodeling includes alterations in axonal architecture, dendritic morphology, and synaptic connectivity, collectively impacting nociceptor excitability and functional integration. Simultaneously, molecular adaptations comprise the regulation of ion channels, receptor expression, and intracellular signaling pathways, as well as transcriptional reprogramming that modulates nociceptive signaling. This review synthesizes current evidence regarding the cellular and molecular bases of injury-induced plasticity in nociceptors, identifying prospective targets for therapeutic intervention to counteract maladaptive sensitization. Elucidating these processes is critical for the advancement of pain treatment strategies and for enhancing clinical outcomes in individuals experiencing neuropathic pain secondary to tissue injury.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"14 7","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.5,"publicationDate":"2025-06-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144734341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}