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Background: Avian β-defensins (AvBDs) represent a key family of antimicrobial host defense peptides in birds. Accumulating evidence suggests that the evolutionary trajectory of β-defensin genes is specific to the gene, timescale, and species involved, implying that species-specific ecological and life-history differences drive divergent selective pressures on these genes. However, their evolutionary dynamics, particularly the interactions with ecological factors and life-history traits, remain insufficiently explored. Results: Through a comprehensive survey of 25 species spanning all major clades of Galliformes, 354 AvBD genes were identified. Comparative sequence analysis, genomic organization, and phylogenetic studies collectively reveal significant evolutionary diversification characterized by gene duplication, pseudogenization, and gene loss across these species. Notably, chicken AvBD3 exhibits significant differences in its coding regions, while AvBD6 and AvBD7 appear to have copy number variations, with species-specific paralogs of AvBD6 being especially prominent. Moreover, positive selection was more frequently observed in recently diverged gene lineages compared to ancestral ones. Using 70 samples from eight galliform species, the study further identified the prevalence of species-specific amino acid alleles. Phylogenetic comparative analysis demonstrated that the evolution of nine AvBD genes (AvBD2, -4, -5, -8, -9, -10, -11, -12, and -14) is significantly associated with specific ecological factors and life-history characteristics. Additionally, the evolutionary rates of these genes showed distinct relationship with inferred infection risk, likely reflecting the multifunctionality of β-defensins and potential trade-offs between immune defense and other biological functions. Conclusions: This cross-species identification and systematic evolutionary analysis of AvBDs in Galliformes deepen our understanding of the co-evolution of host defense peptides, offering valuable insights into their natural biology and evolution, and paving the way for future applications as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between microRNAs and various diseases, especially cancer, has been established in recent years, indicating that miRNAs can potentially serve as biomarkers for these diseases. Determining miRNA concentrations in biological samples is crucial for disease diagnosis. Nevertheless, the stem-loop reverse transcription quantitative PCR method, the gold standard for detecting miRNA, has great challenges in terms of high costs and enzyme limitations when applied to clinical biological samples. In this study, an isothermal signal amplification method based on a duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) enzyme-driven DNA walker and an improved catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) was designed for miRNA detection. First, biotin–triethylene glycol-modified trigger-releasable DNA probes were conjugated to the streptavidin-coated magnetic beads for recognizing the target miRNA. The DSN enzyme specifically hydrolyzes DNA strands when the DNA probe hybridizes with the targeted miRNA. This recycling process converts the input miRNA into short trigger fragments (catalysts). Finally, three hairpins of improved CHA are driven by this catalyst, resulting in the three-armed CHA products and a fluorescence signal as the output. This dual-cycle biosensor shows a good linear relationship in the detection of miR-21 and miR-141 over the final concentration range of 250 fM to 50 nM, presenting an excellent limit of detection (2.95 amol). This system was used to detect miR-21 and miR-141 in MCF-7 and 22RV1 cells, as well as in 1% human serum. This system can be used to evaluate the expression levels of miRNAs in different biological matrices for the clinical diagnosis and prognosis of different cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study investigated the gut microbiota of captive Chinese monals across different seasons and age groups. The results revealed significant seasonal fluctuations and age-related factors that shape its composition. Specific biomarkers, including PaeniGlutamicibacter, Pseudarthrobacter, Micrococcaceae, and Micrococcales, were linked to seasonal changes, while mid-aged adults exhibited a higher abundance of Kaistella, Escherichia, Enterobacteriaceae, and Enterobacterales. Furthermore, captive Chinese monals may be more susceptible to bacterial-induced intestinal diseases in spring and summer. This research highlights the dynamic impact of seasonal cycles and age on gut microbiota, offering important findings that support improved conservation strategies and management of captive Chinese monal populations. The Chinese monal (Lophophorus lhuysii) is a large-sized and vulnerable (VU in IUCN) bird from southwestern China. This study applied 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to comprehensively examine the gut microbiota of captive Chinese monals (located in Baoxing, Sichuan, China) across varying seasons and life stages. Dominant bacterial phyla identified included Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria. Significant seasonal and age-associated shifts were observed within specific bacterial groups, particularly marked by seasonal fluctuations in beta diversity. Moreover, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) and functional predictions highlighted distinct winter signatures, indicating possible functional shifts in energy metabolism and disease resistance. In mid-aged adults, an expansion of Gamma-Proteobacteria suggested an elevated susceptibility of the gut microbiota of Chinese monals to chronic disorders and microbial imbalance. Putative pathogenic bacteria exhibited increased abundance in spring and summer, likely driven by temperature, host physiological cycles, interspecies interactions, and competition. These findings imply that the diversity, and structure of the gut microbiota in captive Chinese monals are strongly influenced by seasonal and age-related factors. The insights provided here are essential for improving breeding strategies and preventing gastrointestinal diseases in captivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genome of Auricularia heimuer Dai13782 was used as the reference genome, while the genomes of A. subglabra SS5, A. auricula-judae B14-8, A. cornea CCMJ2827, and A. cornea ACW001 from the NCBI database were utilized as the test data. The genome variation data of A. heimuer and its related species were analyzed using Bwa, Samtools and Bcftools. The genetic relationship matrix was obtained using Tassel 5 software, and the genetic relationships among five strains were visualized using the pheatmap package. VCFtools-0.1.16 software was used to filter and extract abundant single nucleotide polymorphisms (aSNPs), specifically aSNP regions with a SNP count equal to or greater than 50 in a 300 bp sliding window. Subsequently, 47 407 pairs of primers were designed using Primer 3 software. E-PCR results showed that 1 020 pairs of primers met the experimental design, involving 8 aSNP regions. Each region retained 1 pair of specific primers, which were distributed in 6 contig regions of the reference genome. In this experiment, the commonly used ITS and LSU were employed as reference markers, and the genetic relationship of 13 A. heimuer strains was analyzed using aSNP markers. The results showed that the phylogenetic relationships revealed by aSNP markers were generally consistent with the results of ITS and LSU markers, and even better able to distinguish closely related A. heimuer strains. On the whole, it reflects that A. heimuer strains are relatively close to A. corne, and farthest from A. subglabra. This result is consistent with the genetic relationship revealed by the whole-genome SNP analysis, which also confirms the reliability of the results based on aSNP sequence analysis. The aSNP marker sequence interval developed in the experiment contains numerous mutation sites, which is expected to serve as a beneficial supplement to traditional target analysis sequences such as ITS, Rpb2, and Efla, providing assistance for the systematic development and genetic identification of A. heim-uer and other germplasm resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to enhance the membrane permeability and anticancer effectiveness of (20S)-protopanaxadiol (PPD) by introducing triphenylphosphonium into the OH group at the C-3 site. This study shows that the anti-proliferation activity of CTPPPPD, with an IC50 value of 1.65 ± 0.10 μmol/L, was 33-times better than that of PPD (with an IC50 value of 54.56 ± 4.56 μmol/L) and superior to that of cisplatin (with an IC50 value of 1.82 ± 0.25 μmol/L) against A549 cells. Biological examinations suggested that CTPPPPD treatment reduced the growth rate of A549 cells, increased the permeability of cell membranes, and changed the structure of chromosomal DNA in a concentration-dependent manner. Annexin V/PI assay and flow cytometry were employed to detect the effect of CTPPPPD on the apoptosis of A549 cells. The results showed that CTPPPPD could induce the apoptosis of A549 cells, and the apoptosis rate of A549 cells treated with 0, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 μM of CTPPPPD for 24 h was 0%, 4.9%, 12.7%, and 31.0%, respectively. The integration of transcriptomics and metabolomics provided a systematic and detailed perspective on the induced antitumor mechanisms. A combined analysis of DEGs and DAMs suggested that they were primarily involved in the central carbon metabolism pathway in cancer, as well as the metabolism of aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis, alanine, aspartate, and glutamate. Central carbon metabolism in cancer-related genes, i.e., SLC16A3, FGFR3, LDHA, PGAM1, and SLC2A1, significantly reduced after treatment with CTPPPPD. In particular, the dominant mechanism responsible for total antitumor activity may be attributed to perturbations in the PI3K-AKT, MAPK, and P53 pathways. The findings derived from transcriptomics and metabolomics were empirically confirmed through q-PCR and molecular docking. Further analyses revealed that CTPPPPD could be a promising lead for the development of protopanaxadiol for non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Middle-aged and elderly users become an important group on short-video platforms, however, the research on determinants of their video-creating intention is limited. Based on lifespan development theories, this study examines the impact of aging experiences on their video-creating intention, considering internal generative motivations as mediators and age as a moderator. Design/methodology/approach: To test this study's hypotheses, survey data from 321 Chinese middle-aged and elderly short-video users were collected and partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) approach was used to analyze these data. Findings: Middle-aged and elderly users' aging experiences of social loss and personal growth are positively related to their video-creating intention. Aging experiences (i.e. physical loss, social loss, and personal growth) are positively related to internal generative motivations (i.e. need to be needed and symbolic immortality), and need to be needed is positively related to video-creating intention. Via the mediation of need to be needed, physical loss and personal growth are indirectly positively related to video-creating intention. Personal growth strengthens the relationship between physical loss and symbolic immortality, but weakens the associations of social loss with need to be needed and symbolic immortality. Age weakens the relationship between symbolic immortality and video-creating intention. Originality/value: This study is the first wave to introduce and integrate lifespan theories such as selective optimization with compensation model, socioemotional selectivity theory, and generativity theory to explore the impacts of aging experiences on middle-aged and elderly users' video-creating intention by considering generativity motivations as mediators and age as a moderator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The system of international law has entered a new phase of reassertion. To progress domestic and international law, a new kind of “unilateralism” is becoming more critical. In the context of international economic law, this article discusses the development and importance of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a new unilateral economic law. The Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area introduced a new form of the particular economic area like the special economic zone, which will be a perfect example of demonstrating unilateralism under one sovereignty.

In the face of water pollution, constructing a photocatalyst with high redox ability to remove organic pollutants is necessary. A novel Z-scheme Bi12O15Cl6/Ag2CO3 heterojunction was successfully designed. Under LED light, the best sample 8% Bi12O15Cl6/Ag2CO3 can remove 99.8% RhB and 79.8% TC within 90 min. The morphology, structure, electrochemical and optical performance of Bi12O15Cl6/Ag2CO3 were detected by a series of characterization. The charge separation and transition efficiency were verified by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and photocurrent. The photodegradation pathway, intermediate product and active substances were measured by mass spectrometry (MS). During photocatalytic reactions, ·OH, ·O2− and h+ are active substances, among which h+ played an extremely important role. A Z-type photocatalytic reaction mechanism was produced based on the capture test. This study provides a new idea for the synthesis of Z-type hybrid structure for the degradation of organic pollutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the simulated nuclear waste was successfully immobilized by using aluminosilicate glass made from natural granite material without other additive agents. The neodymium-doped matrix's phase composition, microstructure, element distribution, hardness, density, indentation fracture toughness, and aqueous durability were analyzed. The results show that the samples with a neodymium content of 10 wt.% are fully vitrified and reach the maximum neodymium solubility. The silicate tetrahedra of glass networks mainly exist in sheets (Q3) and frame (Q4) units. Neodymium oxide acts as a glass modifier and destroys the sheet form and may precipitate metal elements in the matrix, resulting in a Vickers hardness of up to 8.17 GPa for this aluminosilicate glass. However, the indentation fracture toughness decreases. Moreover, NRNd is about 10−7 ~ 10−8 g·m−2·d−1 during the 28-day aqueous durability test, indicating its excellent aqueous durability. This work provides a new idea for immobilizing radionuclides via glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]