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Among the diverse sexual signals used by birds, the possible signaling functions of non-bodily objects during mating/courting displays remain unexplained. It is unclear whether such object-holding gestures are purely ritualistic or serve as an advertisement of an extended phenotype to potential mates. Estrildid finches (family Estrildidae) are characterized by mutual courtship, during which either a male or female will hold nesting material (usually grass stems or straw) in the beak while singing and dancing toward the opposite sex. We predicted that this display of potential nesting material advertises the ability of an individual to collect and transport such materials. Captive adult red-cheeked cordon-bleus (Uraeginthus bengalus) and star finches (Neochmia ruficauda) were presented with different string lengths in choice tests, and results were compared with those obtained from field observations of courtship displays among U. bengalus and blue-capped cordon-bleus (Uraeginthus cyanocephalus). Both captive and wild estrildid finches preferred longer strings for displays, which is compatible with the idea that non-bodily ornaments (strings) convey information on the maximum performance potential. The evolution of nesting material holding displays is likely associated with the nesting ecology of estrildid finches, which is characterized by a high predation risk and joint nest building by mating pairs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Neuropeptides play a significant role in neuro-immune crosstalk. • Neuropeptides regulate activities of various immune cells. • Neuropeptides influence the course of allergic diseases by regulating immune cells. • The mechanism of neuropeptides in food allergy need deepen for the further treatment. The role of neuro-immune interaction in allergic diseases, a group of common immune system diseases, has garnered increasing attention. Neuropeptides, as a crucial component of neuro-immune crosstalk with local neuroendocrine and signaling functions, play a significant role that must not be overlooked. Neuropeptides are released by neurons and even some immune cells, and mediate neuro-immune crosstalk by activating relevant specific receptors on immune cells. Recent studies have found that neuropeptides have a certain regulatory effect on allergic diseases, which could be beneficial or detrimental for the development of allergic diseases. Nevertheless, the precise mechanism of neuropeptides in allergic diseases remains unclear, particularly in the context of food allergy where their role is poorly understood. This review summarized the interplay between neuropeptides and different immune cells, as well as their current research progress in several common allergic diseases: atopic dermatitis, allergic asthma, and food allergy. It is evident that neuropeptides such as substance P, calcitonin gene-related peptide, vasoactive intestinal peptide, and neuromedin U, exert important regulatory effects on allergic diseases, yet further investigation is required to fully elucidate their mechanisms of action, which may contribute to better understanding of the onset and progression of allergic diseases and finding better immunomodulatory strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) has been used as an effective noninvasive method for treating fractures and osteoarthrosis, but the application in the field of oral implantation is in its infancy. This study aimed to clarify the effect and mechanism of LIPUS on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and implant osseointegration, and to provide an experimental basis for future clinical applications. Methods: Dental implants were inserted into Wistar rat femurs, and LIPUS was performed for 4 weeks. Micro-CT and toluidine blue staining were used to assess implant osseointegration. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to identify enriched functional terms and signalling pathways for differentially expressed genes from LIPUS-treated rat BMSC RNAseq data obtained from the GEO database. The random forest method was used to identify key risk genes according to the mean decrease Gini (MDG) coefficient. Then, LIPUS was applied to treat rat BMSCs, and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, alizarin red staining, RT-PCR and western blotting were used to determine whether LIPUS could promote BMSC osteogenic differentiation via integrin α11 (ITGA11) and the focal adhesion pathway. Results: Our in vivo experimentations verified that LIPUS significantly increased new bone formation and osseointegration around the implant in rats. Bioinformatics analysis of RNA-seq data revealed that the upregulated genes in BMSCs after LIPUS treatment were significantly enriched in osteoblast differentiation-related functions and focal adhesion-related pathways. Random forest analysis revealed that ITGA11 was the most significant factor affecting BMSC osteogenic differentiation among the differentially expressed genes. In addition, LIPUS significantly increased ALP expression and mineralized nodule formation in rat BMSCs by upregulating ITGA11 and increasing the activity of FAK/PI3K/AKT/GSK3β/β-catenin pathway. Conclusions: LIPUS can effectively promote implant osseointegration in rats and improve rat BMSC osteogenic differentiation by upregulating ITGA11 and increasing the activity of the downstream focal adhesion pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Although the Notch signaling pathway is known to play an important role in ovarian follicle development in mammals, whether it is involved in oocyte maturation remains unclear. Therefore, this study was performed to elucidate the existence and role of the Notch signaling pathway during oocyte maturation in a porcine model. Methods: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunocytochemical assays were used to determine the existence of Notch signaling pathway-related transcripts and proteins in porcine cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs). In vitro maturation (IVM) and parthenogenetic activation of oocytes were employed to examine the effects of Notch signaling inhibition on meiotic progression and embryogenesis of COCs using RO4929097 (RO), an inhibitor of γ secretase. Various staining methods (TUNEL, Phalloidin-TRITC, MitoTracker, JC-1, BODIPY FL ATP, ER-Tracker, Fluo-3, and Rhod-2) and immunocytochemical and quantitative PCR assays were used to identify the effects of Notch signaling inhibition on meiotic progression, embryogenesis, cell cycle progression, spindle assembly, chromosome alignment, mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum distribution, and downstream pathway targets in COCs. Results: The RT-PCR and immunocytochemical analyses revealed the presence of Notch signaling-related receptors (NOTCH1–4) and ligands (JAG1 and 2 and DLL1, 3, and 4) at 0, 22, 28, and 44 h of IVM in the COCs. RO treatment during oocyte maturation markedly reduced meiotic maturation and embryogenesis, inhibiting the cell cycle progression, spindle assembly, and chromosome alignment processes that are important for meiotic maturation. Furthermore, RO significantly impaired the cellular distribution and functions of the mitochondria and endoplasmic reticula, which are important organelles for the cytoplasmic maturation of oocytes. Finally, the involvement of canonical Notch signaling in oocyte maturation was confirmed by the decreased expression of HES and HEY family transcripts and proteins in the RO-treated COCs. Conclusions: It was first demonstrated that Notch signaling pathway-related transcripts and proteins were expressed during the meiotic maturation of porcine COCs. Furthermore, the inhibition of Notch signaling during IVM revealed the essential role of this signaling pathway during oocyte maturation in pigs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis (LN) are debilitating autoimmune disorders characterized by pathological autoantibodies production and immune dysfunction, causing chronic inflammation and multi-organ damage. Despite current treatments with antimalarial drugs, glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and monoclonal antibodies, a definitive cure remains elusive, highlighting an urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies. Recent studies indicate that chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has shown promising results in treating B-cell malignancies and may offer a significant breakthrough for non-malignant conditions like SLE. In this paper, we aim to provide an in-depth analysis of the advancements in CAR-T therapy for SLE, focusing on its potential to revolutionize treatment for this complex disease. We explore the fundamental mechanisms of CAR-T cell action, the rationale for its application in SLE, and the immunological underpinnings of the disease. We also summarize clinical data on the safety and efficacy of anti-CD19 and anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR-T cells in targeting B-cells in SLE. We discuss the clinical implications of these findings and the potential for CAR-T therapy to improve outcomes in severe or refractory SLE cases. The integration of CAR-T therapy into the SLE treatment paradigm presents a new horizon in autoimmunity research and clinical practice. This review underscores the need for continued exploration and optimization of CAR-T strategies to address the unmet needs of SLE patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the role of perceived brand globalness (PBG) and perceived brand localness (PBL) in developing consumer word-of-mouth (CWOM) via brand attitude (BATT) by incorporating the moderating role of consumer ethnocentrism (CET) and perceived brand origin (PBO) as well as considering brand familiarity (BF) as a covariate in the context of global and local quick-service restaurant (QSR) brands in emerging markets. Design/methodology/approach: This study obtained 764 responses from Chinese consumers through an online survey and analyzed the data using the maximum-likelihood estimation technique with structural equation modeling. Findings: After controlling brand familiarity, this study revealed that PBG and PBL are critical components that drive brand attitude, which positively improves CWOM toward global and local QSR brands. Similarly, PBG and PBL are important brand attributes that directly influence CWOM. Importantly, this research found the significant role of PBO on brand attitude toward perceived local brands compared to global QSR brands. Although this study did not discover the influence of CET as expected. However, these insights may assist global and local managers to rethink their strategies in emerging markets. Research limitations/implications: This study was conducted exclusively in China. However, additional studies may be considered in other countries, such as comparing Asian vs European consumers. Practical implications: This study provides recommendations to global and local managers to support them in designing and executing several brand positioning strategies in the QSR industry. Originality/value: This novel study contributes to the accessibility–diagnosticity theory and signaling theory by examining consumers' perceptions of global and local QSR brands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human lungs consist of a distinctive array of cell types, which are subjected to persistent challenges from chemical, mechanical, biological, immunological, and xenobiotic stress throughout life. The disruption of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostatic function, triggered by various factors, can induce ER stress. To overcome the elevated ER stress, an adaptive mechanism known as the unfolded protein response (UPR) is activated in cells. However, persistent ER stress and maladaptive UPR can lead to defects in proteostasis at the cellular level and are typical features of the lung aging. The aging lung and associated lung diseases exhibit signs of ER stress-related disruption in cellular homeostasis. Dysfunction resulting from ER stress and maladaptive UPR can compromise various cellular and molecular processes associated with aging. Hence, comprehending the mechanisms of ER stress and UPR components implicated in aging and associated lung diseases could enable to develop appropriate therapeutic strategies for the vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Osteosarcoma (OS) bone tumor of childhood although the etiology of OS has not been fully elucidated, there is evidence linking it with factors related to pubertal development. In recent years, plasma CNP concentration and height velocity in children and CNP have been implicated as an emerging new growth marker during childhood. We aimed to determine the serum NT-proCNP levels of patients with pediatric osteosarcoma and its relation with clinical-laboratory growth parameters and look for any correlation of serum NT-proCNP levels with different prognostic factors in childhood osteosarcoma. This study enrolled 15 newly diagnosed OS patients and 31 healthy controls. All subjects were physically examined. Plasma NT-proCNP concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Our results demonstrated that serum NT-proCNP concentration was significantly different between OS patients and control groups. At diagnosis, the OS patient's mean blood NT-proCNP concentration was 49.7 ± 3.3 pmol/l, which was substantially lower than the control group's concentration of 61.4 ± 3.10 pmol/l (p < 0.005). No significant correlation was found between serum NT-proCNP concentration and growth parameters., Conclusion: In conclusion, we found that the serum NT-proCNP concentration was significantly different between OS patients and control groups. It is predicted that our results will contribute to osteosarcoma biology., What Is Known: • Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most common malignant bone tumor of childhood, affecting rapidly growing bones with factors associated with rapid bone growth, although its etiology is not fully understood. • The current literature suggests that the main role of the CNP/NPR-B signaling pathway is associated with endochondral bone development and related growth in long bones., What Is New: • We demonstrated that serum NT-proCNP concentration was significantly different between OS patients and control groups and could be used as a potential biomarker. • To our knowledge, this is the first clinical study evaluating the relation of serum serum NT-proCNP levels with anthropometric parameters in osteosarcoma patient with a particular interest to identify the possible role of CNP in pediatric osteosarcoma and its relationship with prognostic factors., Competing Interests: Declarations. Ethics approval and consent to participate: The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Ankara City Hospital. Informed consent was obtained from all participants and/or parents/legal guardians of the participating children (Report number: E1/953/2020). Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.)

With advancing age, significant changes occur in the female reproductive system, the most notable of which is the decline in oocyte quality, a key factor affecting female fertility. However, the mechanisms underlying oocyte aging remain poorly understood. In this study, we obtained oocytes from aged and young female mice and performed single-cell transcriptome sequencing, comparing our findings with existing proteomic analyses. Our analysis revealed that one of the primary characteristics of aging oocytes is the disruption of calcium ion homeostasis. Specifically, we identified two key genes involved in the oocyte aging process, Calb1 and Rpl23. Experimental validation demonstrated that knockdown of CALB1 in oocytes led to reduced calcium ion levels in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, resulting in mitochondrial dysfunction and meiotic defects. Further experiments suggested that RPL23 may function as a downstream gene of CALB1, and its knockdown caused mitochondrial dysfunction, excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and spindle assembly defects. Notably, overexpression of these two genes in aging oocytes partially rescued the maternal age-related defective phenotypes, underscoring their crucial roles in oocyte aging. This study provides a comprehensive understanding of the specific mechanisms underlying mouse oocyte aging at single-cell resolution, supported by experimental validation, and offers new directions and potential targets for future research into age-related reproductive health issues., (© 2025 The Author(s). Aging Cell published by Anatomical Society and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Hypertension, a prevalent cardiovascular condition globally, remains a significant public health concern due to its association with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Despite the availability of various antihypertensive therapies, achieving optimal blood pressure control in patients remains a challenge. Valsartan/sacubitril (ARNi), marketed as Entresto by Novartis, combines valsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker, with sacubitril, an inhibitor of neprilysin. Neprilysin is responsible for breaking down natriuretic peptides and other vasoactive substances. Inhibiting neprilysin prevents the degradation of natriuretic peptides, enhancing their beneficial effects on blood pressure regulation. Natriuretic Peptides, including atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and brain natriuretic peptides (BNP), play pivotal roles in regulating blood pressure and cardiovascular homeostasis by promoting vasodilation, natriuresis, and antagonizing the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Therefore, this combo drug lessens sensitivity to natriuretic peptides and tackles the processes in hypertension that activate the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. This review provides an overview of how natriuretic peptides (NPs) contribute to blood pressure regulation for the treatment of hypertension through inhibiting neprilysin. It highlights the ARNi's dual action that works synergistically by blocking the harmful effects of angiotensin II on blood vessels while simultaneously increasing the levels of beneficial natriuretic peptides. Schematic representation of the mechanism of action of ARNi. Abbreviation: -Renin angiotensin aldosterone system (RAAS), Natriuretic peptides (NP), Atrial Natriuretic peptide (ANP), Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP), Angiotensin II (Ang II), Angiotensin receptor neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI)., Competing Interests: Compliance with ethical standards. Conflict of interest: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to The Japanese Society of Hypertension.)

Feeding behavior is a fundamental activity for insects, which is essential for their growth, development and reproduction. The regulation of their feeding behavior is a complicated process influenced by a variety of factors, including external stimuli and internal physiological signals. The current review introduces the signaling pathways in brain, gut and fat body involved in insect feeding behavior, and provides a series of target genes for developing RNA pesticides. Additionally, this review summaries the current challenges for the identification and application of functional genes involved in feeding behavior, and finally proposes the future research direction. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry., (© 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.)

In the present study, the mechanism of Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS), the extract of Panax notoginseng, against deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was explored by networks pharmacology and its effect was demonstrated through clinical data. PNS includes 5 main active components, which have 101 targets. A total of 1,342 DVT-related targets were obtained, 55 of which were the common targets of PNS and DVT. AKT1, TNF, IL1B, EGFR, VEGFA and MAPK3 were selected as hub genes from the protein-protein interaction network. The potential anti-DVT mechanism of PNS may involve the AGE-RAGE signaling pathway and the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway. Molecular docking presented a total of 10 binding interactions, with all molecules showing good binding ability with PNS-DVT common hub target genes (all binding energy <-6 kcal/mol). Analysis of clinical data showed that the combined use of PNS significantly reduced the incidence of postoperative DVT in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery compared with the use of low-molecular-weight heparin alone, which is the most commonly used clinical anticoagulant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rather than being contained in a single polypeptide, and unlike receptor tyrosine kinases, the T cell receptor (TCR) divides its signaling functions among its subunits: TCRα/β bind the extracellular ligand, an antigenic peptide-MHC complex (pMHC), and the CD3 subunits (CD3γ, CD3δ, CD3ε, and CD3ζ) transmit this information to the cytoplasm. How information about the quality of pMHC binding outside is transmitted to the cytoplasm remains a matter of debate. In this review, we compile data generated using a wide variety of experimental systems indicating that TCR engagement by an appropriate pMHC triggers allosteric changes transmitted from the ligand-binding loops in the TCRα and TCRβ subunits to the cytoplasmic tails of the CD3 subunits. We summarize how pMHC and stimulatory antibody binding to TCR ectodomains induces the exposure of a polyproline sequence in the CD3ε cytoplasmic tail for binding to the Nck adapter, the exposure of the RK motif in CD3ε for recruiting the Lck tyrosine kinase, and the induced exposure and phosphorylation of tyrosine residues in all the CD3 cytoplasmic tails. We also review the yet incipient data that help elucidate the structural basis of the Active and Resting conformations of the TCR., (© 2025 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Reactive astrocyte activation in the context of cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury gives rise to two distinct subtypes: the neurotoxic A1 type and the neuroprotective A2 type. DJ-1 (Parkinson disease protein 7, PARK7), originally identified as a Parkinson's disease-associated protein, is a multifunctional anti-oxidative stress protein with molecular chaperone and signaling functions. SHP-1 (Src homology 2 domain-containing phosphatase-1) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase closely associated with cellular signal transduction. miR-155 is a microRNA that participates in cellular functions by regulating gene expression. Recent studies have uncovered the relationship between DJ-1 and astrocyte-mediated neuroprotection, which may be related to its antioxidant properties and regulation of signaling molecules such as SHP-1. Furthermore, miR-155 may exert its effects by influencing SHP-1, providing a potential perspective for understanding the molecular mechanisms of stroke. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) model and an oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model were established to simulate focal cerebral I/R injury in vivo and in vitro, respectively. The in vivo interaction between DJ-1 and SHP-1 has been experimentally validated through immunoprecipitation. Overexpression of DJ-1 attenuates I/R injury and suppresses miR-155 expression. In addition, inhibition of miR-155 upregulates SHP-1 expression and modulates astrocyte activation phenotype. These findings suggest that DJ-1 mediates astrocyte activation via the miR-155/SHP-1 pathway, playing a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. Our results provide a potential way for exploring the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and present promising targets for pharmacological intervention., (© 2024 International Society for Neurochemistry.)