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• Quantified the climatic and oasification effect on NPP variation. • Using a machine learning method to separate climate-induced NPP and oasification-induced NPP. • Vegetation NPP in the mid-Tianshan Mountain is more sensitive to water-related factors. • The impact of oasification on NPP is gradually increasing over the last 20 years. Net primary productivity (NPP) has been substantially changed under the intense oasification in the urban agglomerations on the northern slopes of mid-Tianshan Mountain (UANSTM) and climate change. However, the temporal variations of NPP under the oasification remain unclear, and the relative contribution of oasification and climate change on annual NPP variation is still under debate. By using remote sensing data, reanalysis data, modified Carnegie–Ames-Stanford Approach (CASA) model, and a machine learning method, we explored the spatial–temporal variation of NPP in the UANSTM region and quantified the contribution of oasification and climate change to NPP variation from 2001 to 2020. Our study indicated that: (1) the NPP presents an overall increasing trend in the most of region and the region presented decreasing trend mainly due to the cropland conversion to the urban area; (2) the oasification-dominated NPP area concentrated in the built-up land and cropland; (3) during 2001–2020, the NPP increased by about 5.4 Tg·C, and the contribution of climatic and oasification to NPP increase were quantified (73.1% and 26.9%, respectively); (4) water-related factors was the main driver of NPP variation in the UANSTM region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood vessels play a crucial role in the development of skeletal muscle, ensuring the supply of nutrients and oxygen. Putrescine, an essential polyamine for eukaryotic cells, has an unclear impact on skeletal muscle angiogenesis. In this study, we observed lower vessel density and reduced putrescine level in the muscle of low-birth-weight piglet models, and identified a positive correlation between putrescine content and muscle vessel density. Furthermore, putrescine was found to promote angiogenesis in skeletal muscle both in vitro and in vivo by targeting matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9). On a mechanistic level, putrescine augmented the expression of methyltransferase like 3 (METTL3) by attenuating hydrogen peroxide production, thereby increasing the level of N6-methyladenosine (m6A)-modified MMP9 mRNA. This m6A-modified MMP9 mRNA was subsequently recognized and bound by the YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1), enhancing the stability of MMP9 mRNA and its protein expression, consequently accelerating angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. In summary, our findings suggest that putrescine enhances MMP9-mediated angiogenesis in skeletal muscle via the hydrogen peroxide/METTL3 pathway. The mechanism of putrescine regulates skeletal muscle angiogenesis. Putrescine up-regulated METTL3 expression by decreasing H 2 O 2 generation, leading to a higher amount of m6A-modified MMP9 mRNA. m6A-modified MMP9 mRNA was recognized and bound by YTHDF1, such that MMP9 mRNA stability and protein expression were increased, leading to enhanced angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. [Display omitted] • Low birth weight (LBW) decreases putrescine level and impairs angiogenesis in skeletal muscle. • Putrescine deficiency impairs skeletal muscle angiogenesis. • ROS/METTL3/MMP9 mediates skeletal muscle angiogenesis inhibition of putrescine deficiency controlled. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This review paper presents an overview of the recent findings on the allosteric modulation of cannabinoid receptors. • Six categories of allosteric modulators have new designs that show positive/negative allosteric profiles or dual properties. • Seven allosteric binding sites for cannabinoid receptor 1 and two for cannabinoid receptor 2 have been reported via structural biology or predicted via computational approaches. • The allosteric modulators that bind to different regions of cannabinoid receptors are revealed to trigger similar conformational changes to stabilize the receptors in active/inactive states. Although drugs targeting the orthosteric binding site of cannabinoid receptors (CBRs) have several therapeutic effects on human physiological and pathological conditions, they can also cause serious adverse effects. Only a few orthosteric ligands have successfully passed clinical trials. Recently, allosteric modulation has become a novel option for drug discovery, with fewer adverse effects and the potential to avoid drug overdose. In this review, we highlight novel findings related to the drug discovery of allosteric modulators (AMs) targeting CBRs. We summarize newly synthesized AMs and the reported/predicted allosteric binding sites. We also discuss the structural determinants of the AMs binding as well as the molecular mechanism of CBR allostery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of free-range (FR) and cage-rearing (CR) systems on intestinal health, carcass traits, and microbial diversity in the Danzhou chicken breed. Two groups of 125 hens in each group, aged 42 wk, were reared under FR and CR systems. At 50 wk, 50 hens from each group were randomly selected for carcass analysis and 10 hens for intestinal morphology and microbiota profiling. Results indicated a significant increase in villus height (VH) in the duodenum (P < 0.05) , jejunum (P < 0.01), and ileum (P < 0.001) of the CR group. Additionally, the ratio of VH to crypt depth (VR) significantly (P < 0.001) increased in the jejunum, while crypt depth (CD) decreased significantly (P < 0.001) in the same section in the CR group. Carcass traits, including dress weight (DW), eviscerated with giblet weight (EGW), eviscerated weight (EW), and leg muscle weight (LW) significantly improved (P < 0.05) in the CR group. Microbial diversity showed significant β-diversity differences, with Lactobacillus, Enterococcus , and Oxalobacteraceae as dominant biomarkers in the CR group. Conversely, Actinomycetaceae, Erysipelotrichaceae, Coriobacteriaceae, Eubacterium, Actinomyces, Scardovia, and Lachnospiraceae were dominant in the FG group. Correlation analysis showed duodenum Lactobacillus was positively correlated with VH (P < 0.05) , EW (P < 0.05), and LW (P < 0.001). Jejunum Lactobacillus was positively correlated considerably with VH (P < 0.01), VR (P < 0.05) , DW (P < 0.05), EGW (P < 0.01), and LW (P < 0.001). Ileum Lactobacillus was positively correlated with EGW (P < 0.01), EW (P < 0.05), and LW (P < 0.01). Aeriscardovia in duodenum was positively (P < 0.01) associated with EGW. Enterococcus in the duodenum was positively (P < 0.05) associated with EGW and in Jejunum positively correlated with VH (P < 0.05) and VR (P < 0.01). The study concludes that cage rearing improves intestinal health, carcass traits, and microbial diversity in Danzhou chickens, with Lactobacillus and Enterococcus playing key roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Polystyrene microplastics reduces the average daily gain of piglets. • Polystyrene microplastics reduces the meat redness and flavor. • Polystyrene microplastics decreases slow-twitch myofibers content in muscle. • Polystyrene microplastics disturbs muscle angiogenesis via thrombospondin 1. Microplastics (MPs) pose a significant threat to livestock health. Yet, the roles of polystyrene MPs (PS-MPs) on meat quality and skeletal muscle development in pigs have not been fully determined. To investigate the effect of PS-MPs on skeletal muscle, piglets were given diets supplementation with 0 mg/kg (CON group), 75 mg/kg (75 mg/kg PS-MPs group), and 150 mg/kg PS-MPs (150 mg/kg PS-MPs group), respectively. The results indicated that the average daily gain (ADG) of piglets in the 150 mg/kg PS-MPs group was significantly lower than that in the CON group. No significant differences were observed in the final body weight and ADG between the CON group and the 75 mg/kg PS-MPs group. Piglets in the 150 mg/kg PS-MPs group exhibited decreased meat redness index and type I muscle fiber density. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the contents of meat flavor compounds carnosine, beta-alanine, palmitic acid, and niacinamide in muscle were lower in the 150 mg/kg PS-MPs group than in the CON group. Additionally, piglets subjected to 150 mg/kg PS-MPs exhibited impaired muscle angiogenesis. Further analysis indicated that PS-MPs exposure up-regulated thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) expression by inhibiting THBS1 mRNA and protein degradation, thereby disrupting skeletal muscle angiogenesis. These findings indicate that PS-MPs exposure adversely affects meat quality and hinders skeletal muscle angiogenesis in pigs, providing deeper insights into the detrimental effects of PS-MPs on meat quality and skeletal muscle development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Danzhou chicken (DZ) is a local breed in China noted for its strong adaptability, roughage resistance, strong wildness, and delicious taste, thus containing important genetic resources. In this study, genome re-sequencing data was generated from 200 DZ chickens. Combined with previously generated data from 72 additional chickens across six other exotic and local breeds, these data were used to systematically evaluate the germplasm characteristics of DZ chickens from a genomic perspective. Unlike exotic breeds, both DZ and southern local chicken varieties exhibited high genetic diversity, and the genetic distance between DZ and southern local chickens was smaller than the genetic distance between DZ and exotic chickens. A reconstructed Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree indicated that all sampled populations clustered into single independent populations, with DZ chickens showing clear evidence of intra-population differentiation, forming 2 subpopulations. Principal component analysis and ADMIXTURE analysis showed that DZ was significantly different from other breeds. These results indicate that DZ is a unique genetic resource that is different from other southern native and exotic chickens. The results of the study will improve our understanding of the genetic structure and current status of the DZ breed, which is of great significance in promoting the conservation of genetic resources of DZ chickens and fostering breed innovations and genetic improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the optimal concentration of dietary ME and CP for the fatty acid profile of meat, gut microbiome, and cecal metabolome in Danzhou chickens from 120 to 150 d of age. A total of seven hundred and twenty 120-d-old Danzhou female chickens, with a similar BW, were randomly allocated into 6 treatments with 6 replicates and each of 20 birds. The chickens were fed 2 levels of dietary ME (11.70 MJ/kg, 12.50 MJ/kg), and 3 levels of dietary CP (13%, 14%, and 15%). The results showed that dietary ME and CP levels didn't affect final BW, ADG, ADFI, and feed gain ratio (g: g) (P > 0.05). The serum concentrations of triglyceride, insulin, and glucose in the 12.50 MJ/kg group were the highest (P < 0.05). Dietary ME, CP levels, and their interactions affected (P < 0.05) the fatty acid content in the breast muscle, thigh muscle, and liver. The levels of C18:0, C20:0, C22:0, C22:1, C18:2, C18:3, C22:6, and SFA of the liver in the high ME group were higher than those in the low ME group (P < 0.05). The levels of C16:0, C14:1, C18:1, C22:5, SFA, MUFA and USFA in the low CP group were higher than the corresponding values in the other groups (P < 0.05). Dietary ME and CP levels altered the composition and relative abundance of microbiota in the cecum of chickens at various taxonomic levels to different extents. Significant effects of interactions were found between dietary ME and CP on the relative abundance of 10 species (P < 0.05), and among these species, 6 species belonged to the genus Bacteroides. Notably, the relative abundance of 2 probiotic species including Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus salivarius was significantly increased (P < 0.05) with increasing dietary ME level. There were 6 differential metabolites in the cecum, comprising thromboxane A2, 5,6-DHET, prostaglandin D2, 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, 12(S)-HPETE and prostaglandin I2 significantly reduced (P < 0.05) with increasing the dietary ME level; all of them are involved in arachidonic acid metabolism. In conclusion, the present study suggested that the dietary levels of 12.50 MJ/kg ME and 14% CP enhanced meat quality in terms of fatty acid composition, and showed benefits for maintaining intestinal health via positive regulation of cecal microbiota in native growing Danzhou chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A spray-based 3D concrete printing parameter design model to design and optimize printable concrete is proposed. The effects of different relatable printing parameters, such as nozzle travel speed (V), spray nozzle diameter (A), and spray standoff distance (D) on spray-based 3D printability and printing quality are investigated systematically. The hydration mechanism of spray-based 3D printed concrete is then explored in terms of mechanical performance, layer moisture content, micromorphology, and pore structure. The experimental results show that the printing quality of the printed concrete can be effectively improved by optimizing the relatable printing parameters. Based on the three key printing performance indexes of layer thickness, surface flatness, and rebound rate, the spray-based 3D concrete printing parameters design model β = f (V,A,D) is proposed. In the high-precision zone of β [0.7,1], the printing parameter V 70 A 8 D 60 (β = 0.71) is selected to further verify the effectiveness of the model. It shows that the spray-based 3D printing process with appropriate printing parameters ensures the excellent hydration process of the printed concrete. Compared with those of the cast counterpart, the flexural, compressive, and splitting strengths of spray-based 3D printed V 70 A 8 D 60 specimens increase by 5.67–14.48 %, 15.79–29.79 %, and 19.95–37.27 %, respectively. Further, high-pressure spraying in the spray-based 3D printing process optimizes the pore structure of the printed concrete with a 69.4 % decrease in total porosity. An "Olympic rings" convex structure with different accuracy grade parameters in the β model is designed and fabricated to demonstrate the feasibility and practical applicability of the currently proposed parametric design model. • A spray-based 3D concrete printing parameter design model β = f (V,A,D) is proposed. • Spray-based 3D printing parameters significantly affect the printing quality. • Proper printing parameters optimize the pore structure of printed concrete. • "Olympic Rings" structure verifies the applicability of parametric design model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dietary curcumin supplementation on growth performance and intestinal mucosal barrier function of weaned piglets. Fifty piglets, weaned at 21 ± 2 days of age, were randomly allotted to five treatments for 21 days. The dietary treatments were the control (basal diet), and the basal diet supplemented with 50 mg/kg quinocetone, or 200 mg/kg, 300 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg curcumin. The piglets were housed in individual pens and orally challenged with enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) during the preliminary trial period. The jejunal morphology and histology analysis were detected under light microscope. The plasma d -lactate and diamine oxidase (DAO) were determined by using enzymatic spectrophotometric assay. Immunohistochemistry assays were used to examine secretory immunoglobulin (sIgA) protein expression. Real-time PCR was used to determine mRNA levels of cytokine and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) in jejunal mucosa. The results showed that, compared with the control, dietary addition of 300 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg curcumin decreased ( P < 0.05) feed/gain ratio and crypt depth, improved ( P < 0.05) villus height and villus height:crypt depth ratio, reduced ( P < 0.05) plasma d -lactate and DAO activity, up-regulated the protein expression of sIgA ( P < 0.05), increased ( P < 0.05) the number of goblet cells (GCs) and reduced ( P < 0.05) the number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs). The mRNA levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and TLR4 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) were also decreased ( P < 0.05), but mRNA level of interleukin 10 (IL-10) was increased ( P < 0.05). There was no difference in the above parameters between the 300 mg/kg and 400 mg/kg curcumin groups. Pigs fed with 50 mg/kg quinocetone also decreased ( P < 0.05) feed/gain ratio, increased villus height:crypt depth ratio ( P < 0.05), and reduced ( P < 0.05) crypt depth and mRNA levels of TLR4. In conclusion, curcumin and the quinocetone have similar effects in improving piglet growth, but dietary addition of 300 mg/kg or 400 mg/kg curcumin was more effective than quinocetone in improving intestinal mucosal barrier integrity, morphology, and immune status of weaned pigs. This indicates that curcumin could be used as a potential feed additive replacing quinocetone in weaned piglets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve silage quality of king grass ( Pennisetum purpureum Schumacher × Penicillium glaucum (Linnaeus) R. Brown) in high moisture environment of tropical area, the effects of sucrose, glucose, molasses and cellulase on fermentation quality and in vitro gas production of king grass silage were studied in Hainan, China. The king grass materials were freshly cut at vegetative stage. Silage was prepared by using a small-scale silage fermentation system, sucrose (SU, 2%), glucose (GL, 2%), molasses (MO, 2%) and cellulase (CE, 0.02%) were used as silage additives (on a fresh matter basis), their treatments were designed as (1) Control (without additives), (2) CE, (3) SU, (4) GL, (5) MO, (6) SU + CE, (7) GL + CE, and (8) MO + CE. These silos were kept at room temperature (25–30 °C), and the silage qualities were analyzed after 30 days of fermentation. The moisture of material was 82.43%; their crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were 8.27, 65.39 and 46.18% on a dry matter basis, respectively. Silages treated with SU, GL and MO were well preserved with significantly (P<0.05) higher lactic acid content, but significantly (P<0.05) lower pH value, and butyric acid and ammonia-N contents compared with control. In addition, MO treatment resulted in better fermentation quality than other single treatments. Silage treated with mixtures of SU + CE, GL + CE and MO + CE increased lactic acid levels compared with control and single treatments, but did not significantly improved the fermentation quality. All additive treatments affected the chemical composition, increased the CP content, decreased the NDF and ADF contents (P<0.05), and enhanced the in vitro dry matter digestibility and metabolizable energy as estimated from in vitro gas production. When the fermentation quality, chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics were considered, the single treatment with carbohydrate or cellulase resulted in high quality of king grass silage, with MO having the best effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Ultrastructure of spermatozoa and sperm parameters of freezing‐thawing of goat semen was described. [•] Using the computer‐assisted semen analysis (CASA) system evaluated the semen kinematic parameter and motility. [•] Freezing–thawing resulted in a significant reduction in spermatozoa motility and increase in unmovable cells. [•] Ultrastructure observations showed an intuitive deformity in sperm head (nucleus), midpiece and mitochondria causing by cryo‐injury. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Monitored the spatial heterogeneity and driving mechanism of aboveground biomass (AGB) by combining Space-Air-Ground integrated and Random Forest Regression (RFR) model. • Pointed out the main indicators for estimating AGB in different coverage regions. • Assessed the applicability of RFR model for estimating the AGB in three different coverage regions. Accurate monitoring of aboveground biomass (AGB) and its spatial distribution is essential for sustainable management and development. The most frequently used method for estimating AGB with remotely sensed data is based on the relationship between AGB measured data and vegetation indices. In the past, there were some shortcomings in analyzing the spatial heterogeneity and solving scale difference. Therefore, this paper realized the space-air-ground integrated based on Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI), Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and measured data. The results indicated that the RFR models have excellent adaptability to invert AGB of three different coverage regions in study area, with R2 of 0.69 and root mean square error (RMSE) of 116.22 kg·hm−2 for low-coverage region, R2 of 0.65 and RMSE of 164.16 kg·hm−2 for medium-coverage region, R2 of 0.73 and RMSE of 149.99 kg·hm−2 for high-coverage region. We found that the main driving vegetation indices was different in each region during the process of model building and it was related to the characteristics of vegetation indices. Moreover, regions with different coverage have different responses to topography. The findings showed that the spatial distribution and driving mechanism of AGB in the study area could be more clearly analyzed based on the coverage division. The introduction of coverage division reasonably enhanced the accuracy of RFR modeling AGB. This study confirmed that using the Sentinel-2 MSI, UAV images, measured data and the RFR model to realize the space-air-ground integrated is an applicable method for monitoring and assessment of AGB in Qilian Mountains, which can offer scientific basis and theoretical support to rational development of land resources and maintaining the balance of ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Ultrastructure of testes Chinese Taihang black goat (Capra hircus) was described. [•] Using electron microscopic observations described the change of germ cell nucleus and mitochondria migration during spermiogenesis of Capra hircus. [•] The sizes of nucleus and chromatin can be used to identify the different stages of germ cells. [•] During reproductive season, the nuclei of the Sertoli cells were irregular shaped and showed indentations in the membrane. [•] The mitochondria have a migration process during spermatogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]