Biology-Basel最新文献

{"title":"Sexual Body Size Dimorphism in Small Mammals: A Case Study from Lithuania.","authors":"Linas Balčiauskas, Laima Balčiauskienė","doi":"10.3390/biology13121032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We assessed the sexual size dimorphism (SSD), analyzing standard morphometric traits in juveniles, subadults, and adults, of 14 species of voles, mice, and shrews in Lithuania on the basis of long-term surveys, updating information published 35 years ago and in the context of data from other countries. ANOVA, <i>t</i>-tests, and a 5% threshold were used in the analyses. Male-biased SSD was observed in <i>Apodemus flavicollis</i> and <i>Alexandromys oeconomus</i>, which was subject to Rensch's rule, and in three other meadow vole species, with the strongest expression in adult individuals. Female-biased SSD was best expressed in <i>Clethrionomys glareolus</i> and was also identified in four mouse species, although patterns were less consistent across age groups. Shrews and the smallest mouse, <i>Apodemus uralensis</i>, exhibited monomorphic traits. The transition of dimorphism during postnatal development was observed in some species. We present an assessment of SSD in <i>Microtus rossiaemeridionalis</i> and <i>Sicista betulina</i>, the less common small mammals not analyzed in publications by other authors, and provide new baseline data for boreal mid-latitude small mammal species as a foundation for future studies on SSD and its adaptive significance under shifting ecological pressures or climate change.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673598/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Retinal Inflammation and Reactive Müller Cells: Neurotrophins' Release and Neuroprotective Strategies.","authors":"Bijorn Omar Balzamino, Andrea Cacciamani, Lucia Dinice, Michela Cecere, Francesca Romana Pesci, Guido Ripandelli, Alessandra Micera","doi":"10.3390/biology13121030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121030","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Millions of people worldwide suffer from retinal disorders. Retinal diseases require prompt attention to restore function or reduce progressive impairments. Genetics, epigenetics, life-styling/quality and external environmental factors may contribute to developing retinal diseases. In the physiological retina, some glial cell types sustain neuron activities by guaranteeing ion homeostasis and allowing effective interaction in synaptic transmission. Upon insults, glial cells interact with neuronal and the other non-neuronal retinal cells, at least in part counteracting the biomolecular changes that may trigger retinal complications and vision loss. Several epigenetic and oxidative stress mechanisms are quickly activated to release factors that in concert with growth, fibrogenic and angiogenic factors can influence the overall microenvironment and cell-to-cell response. Reactive Müller cells participate by secreting neurotrophic/growth/angiogenic factors, cytokines/chemokines, cytotoxic/stress molecules and neurogenic inflammation peptides. Any attempt to maintain/restore the physiological condition can be interrupted by perpetuating insults, vascular dysfunction and neurodegeneration. Herein, we critically revise the current knowledge on the cell-to-cell and cell-to-mediator interplay between Müller cells, astrocytes and microglia, with respect to pro-con modulators and neuroprotective/detrimental activities, as observed by using experimental models or analyzing ocular fluids, altogether contributing a new point of view to the field of research on precision medicine.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673524/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Characteristic Muscle Quality Parameters of Male Largemouth Bass (<i>Micropterus salmoides</i>) Distinguished from Female and Physiological Variations Revealed by Transcriptome Profiling.","authors":"Qingchun Wang, Siqi Lu, Yifan Tao, Jixiang Hua, Yan Zhuge, Wenhua Chen, Jun Qiang","doi":"10.3390/biology13121029","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121029","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Male largemouth bass (<i>Micropterus salmoides</i>) are often overlooked because females grow faster. We explored the value of male largemouth bass by comparing muscle nutrition, texture, and transcriptomes between males and females. Females grew faster than males (<i>p</i> < 0.05) because of lipid accumulation. Male fish muscles had higher contents of serine, valine, methionine, arginine, nervonic acid, and α-linolenic acid (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and female fish muscles had higher contents of aspartic acid, glycine, cysteine, leucine, palmitic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and 11,14,17-eicosatrienoic acid (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Male muscles had a higher concentration of collagen fibers and greater shear force, indicative of a chewier texture. Male muscles had a lighter color, suggesting that they were less susceptible to oxidation and deterioration. Transcriptomic analyses revealed upregulation of <i>lpl</i>, <i>sadb</i>, <i>dgat2</i>, <i>bhmt</i>, <i>tecrb</i>, and <i>hsd3b7</i>, encoding components of amino acid and fatty acid metabolism; and upregulation of <i>akt2</i>, <i>src</i>, and <i>kras</i>, encoding crucial regulators of cellular immunity and homeostasis, in male muscles. Immunity-related pathways, including apoptosis, ErbB signaling, and cellular senescence, were enriched in male fish muscles, indicating heightened immune function. The muscles of male fish have a unique profile and distinctive advantages in terms of nutrition, flavor, texture, and transcriptional regulation.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11672892/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957179","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nicotinamide Mononucleotide Alleviates Bile Acid Metabolism and Hormonal Dysregulation in Letrozole-Induced PCOS Mice.","authors":"Caifang Ren, Shuang Zhang, Jianyu Ma, Junjie Huang, Pan Huang, Mingzi Qu, Haoyue Zhao, Zhengrong Zhou, Aihua Gong","doi":"10.3390/biology13121028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121028","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) involves complex genetic, metabolic, endocrine, and environmental factors. This study explores the effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) in a letrozole-induced PCOS mouse model, focusing on metabolic regulation. Letrozole-induced aromatase inhibition elevated androgen and reduced bile acid levels, linking liver dysfunction and gut imbalance to PCOS. Letrozole-treated mice exhibited disrupted estrous cycles, ovarian congestion, and elevated testosterone. NMN intervention alleviated hyperandrogenism, ovarian abnormalities, and bile acid decline but did not fully restore the estrous cycle or improve lipid profiles. Metabolomic analysis showed that NMN partially reversed bile acid and lipid metabolism disturbances. These findings highlight NMN's protective role in reducing hyperandrogenism and ovarian cyst formation. However, effective PCOS treatment should target liver and gut metabolism, not just ovarian symptoms, to mitigate systemic effects. Bile acid dysregulation may play a key role in PCOS progression and warrants further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673032/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957072","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Geographic Variation in Signal Preferences in the Tropical Katydid <i>Neoconocephalus triops</i>.","authors":"Oliver M Beckers, Johannes Schul","doi":"10.3390/biology13121026","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121026","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In communication systems, the signal and preference for the signal have to match, limiting phenotypic variation. Yet, communication systems evolve, but the mechanisms of how phenotypic variation can come into existence while not disrupting the match are poorly understood. Geographic variation in communication can provide insights into the diversification of these systems. Females of the katydid <i>Neoconocephalus triops</i> use the pulse rate and call structure for call recognition. Using behavioral experiments, we determined preferences for pulse rate at two relevant ambient temperatures and preferences for call structure (continuous, versed) in females from Puerto Rico and Costa Rica. Puerto Rican females had closed preference at both tested temperatures, indicating high selectivity for pulse rate. In contrast, Costa Rican females had a closed preference only at 20 °C; at 25 °C the females were unselective toward higher than natural pulse rates. Additionally, Puerto Rican females were not selective for call structure, whereas Costa Rican females preferred versed calls. It is not clear whether the differences in pulse preference were due to neural constraints or different selective pressures, however, they may facilitate further divergence and reproductive isolation. Importantly, the reduced selectivity for call structure or pulse rate allows calls to display the necessary variation for the communication system to evolve.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673416/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957162","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Protein Corona on Nanoparticles for Tumor Targeting in Prostate Cancer-A Review of the Literature and Experimental Trial Protocol.","authors":"Giulio Bevilacqua, Roberta Corvino, Anna Laura Capriotti, Carmela Maria Montone, Martina Moriconi, Stefano Salciccia, Valentina Brunelli, Valerio Santarelli, Beatrice Sciarra, Aldo Laganà, Daniele Santini, Alessandro Sciarra, Alessandro Gentilucci","doi":"10.3390/biology13121024","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121024","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recognizes the potential of technologies based on the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in revolutionizing clinical approaches to the diagnosis and prognosis of cancer. Recent research suggests that once NPs come into contact with the biological fluid of cancer patients, they are covered by proteins, forming a \"protein corona\" composed of hundreds of plasma proteins. The concept of a personalized, disease-specific protein corona, demonstrating substantial differences in NP corona profiles between patients with and without cancer, has been introduced. We developed the design of an experimental prospective single-center study with patients allocated in a 1:1:1 ratio of one of three arms: untreated patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), untreated patients with non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), and metastatic prostate cancer patients starting systemic therapies with new androgen-targeted agents or taxanes. The protocol aims to develop and implement sensitive nanotools with two distinct objectives: First, to design NPs capable of selectively binding and detecting biomarkers in order to build a predictive diagnostic model to effectively discriminate between patient sera affected by BPH and PCa. Secondly, within the population with PCa, in the case of initial advanced metastatic diagnosis, the objective is to find biomarkers capable of predicting the response to systemic treatments to improve the precision and efficiency of monitoring treatment outcomes. For protein and metabolite corona experiments, we developed a cross-reactive sensor array platform with cancer detection capacity made of three liposomal formulations with different surface charges. For proteomic-NP studies, proteins were identified and quantified using nano-high-performance LC (nanoHPLC) coupled with MS/MS (nanoHPLC-MS/MS). Metabolites were instead analyzed using an untargeted metabolomic approach. Compared with previous review articles, the novelty of this review is represented by the analysis of the possible clinical applications of protein corona NPs focused on PCa and the presentation of a new clinical protocol in the metastatic phase of PCa.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11672965/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957234","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trophic Structure and Isotopic Niche of Invaded Benthic Communities on Tropical Rocky Shores.","authors":"Larissa M Pires-Teixeira, Vinicius Neres-Lima, Plínio C Barbosa, Joel C Creed","doi":"10.3390/biology13121023","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121023","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>When a species is introduced in a new location, it is common for it to establish itself when it finds favorable conditions in the receptor community with regard to interspecific interactions with native species. The azooxanthellate corals <i>Tubastraea</i> coccinea and <i>Tubastraea tagusensis</i> are invasive species introduced in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Brazilian Southwest Atlantic. They are successful competitors for space, have multiple reproductive modes, and have high larval dispersion and recruitment, but studies on food and trophic relationships of the genus <i>Tubastraea</i> are still scarce. In the present study, we used isotopic values of δ¹³C and δ¹⁵N to investigate trophic relationships in rocky shore communities invaded by <i>T. tagusensis</i> and <i>T. coccinea</i> corals under different oceanographic and anthropogenic contexts. Using metrics derived from the isotopic values, we show that invaded communities have a lower degree of trophic diversity, with species characterized by similar trophic ecologies while abiotic factors seem to contribute to the biotic resistance of communities exposed to invasion events. <i>Tubastraea</i> spp. occupy a niche space similar to that occupied by the native community of suspension feeders, sharing resources already consumed by the receptor community, which makes invading corals successful competitors for food.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673876/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957238","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Biology: The Open Road to a Theory of Life.","authors":"Andrés Moya, Jukka Finne","doi":"10.3390/biology13121025","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121025","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The journal <i>Biology</i> was launched in 2012 [...].</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673079/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957175","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Peroxisome Proliferator Activator α Agonist Clofibrate Induces Pexophagy in Coconut Oil-Based High-Fat Diet-Fed Rats.","authors":"Kanami Ohshima, Emika Hara, Mio Takimoto, Yidan Bai, Mai Hirata, Wen Zeng, Suzuka Uomoto, Mai Todoroki, Mio Kobayashi, Takuma Kozono, Tetsuhito Kigata, Makoto Shibutani, Toshinori Yoshida","doi":"10.3390/biology13121027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Peroxisomes are crucial for fatty acid β-oxidation in steatosis, but the role of pexophagy-the selective autophagy of peroxisomes-remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARα) agonist clofibrate on pexophagy in a coconut oil-based high-fat diet (HFD)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis model. Rats were divided into four groups: control, clofibrate, HFD, and HFD with clofibrate. The HFD induced steatosis, along with a 2.4-fold increase in pexophagy receptor NBR1-positive granules in hepatocytes. Clofibrate significantly inhibited HFD-induced steatosis, increasing p62-, LAMP2-, and Pex5-positive granules by 7.5-, 7.2-, and 71.4-fold, respectively, while decreasing NBR1 expression. The effects were associated with peroxisome proliferation and pexophagy in ultrastructural observations and increased levels of <i>Lc3</i>, <i>p62</i>, <i>Pex2</i>, <i>Pex14</i>, <i>Acox1</i>, and <i>Scd1</i> in gene expression analysis. The results suggested that clofibrate effectively reduced steatosis through combined peroxisome proliferation and pexophagy, though it had a marginal impact on hepatocarcinogenesis in coconut oil-based HFD-fed rats. These findings highlight the utility of PPARα agonists in studying mammalian pexophagy.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673738/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Research Progress in Biodiversity and Human Well-Being, Based on CiteSpace.","authors":"Sunbowen Zhang, Linsheng Wen, Aifang Weng, Dongliang Cheng, Baoyin Li","doi":"10.3390/biology13121020","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/biology13121020","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biodiversity is crucial for human well-being and economic prosperity, representing a significant factor in constructing a global community of life on Earth. This study focuses on 4453 articles indexed in the Web of Science Core Collection, employing the visualization analysis software Citespace 6.2.R7 for bibliometric analysis of research related to biodiversity and human well-being. The findings indicate the following: (1) there is a steady increase in publications on biodiversity and human well-being, covering 167 disciplinary fields, indicating a broad research scope; (2) the literature spans 168 countries and regions, with major contributions from the United States, England, Germany, Australia, and China; (3) COSTANZA R is the most cited author in this field, with <i>Science</i> being the most recognized journal; and (4) current research hot topics include ecosystem services, genetic diversity, marine protected areas, nature-based solutions (NbS), and green spaces, while climate change, urban green space management, and national park system development are identified as important emerging directions. This study, grounded in significant global literature, aims to enrich the breadth and depth of research on biodiversity and human well-being, offering feasibility references for constructing theoretical frameworks in biodiversity studies and providing theoretical guidance for promoting modern harmonious coexistence between humans and nature.</p>","PeriodicalId":48624,"journal":{"name":"Biology-Basel","volume":"13 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.6,"publicationDate":"2024-12-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11673165/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142957223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}