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Abstract The vaginal microbiome plays an essential role in the reproductive health of human females. As infertility increases worldwide, understanding the roles that the vaginal microbiome may have in infertility and in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes is critical. To determine the vaginal microbiome composition of 1411 individuals (1255 undergoing embryo transplantation) and their associations with reproductive outcomes, clinical and biochemical features are measured, and vaginal samples are 16S rRNA sequenced. Our results suggest that both too high and too low abundance of Lactobacillus is not beneficial for pregnancy; a moderate abundance is more beneficial. A moderate abundance of Lactobacillus crispatus and Lactobacillus iners (~80%) (with a pregnancy rate of I‐B: 54.35% and III‐B: 57.73%) is found beneficial for pregnancy outcomes compared with a higher abundance (>90%) of Lactobacillus (I‐A: 44.81% and III‐A: 51.06%, respectively). The community state type (CST) IV‐B (contains a high to moderate relative abundance of Gardnerella vaginalis) shows a similar pregnant ratio (48.09%) with I‐A and III‐A, and the pregnant women in this CST have a higher abundance of Lactobacillus species. Metagenome analysis of 71 samples shows that nonpregnant women are detected with more antibiotic‐resistance genes, and Proteobacteria and Firmicutes are the main hosts. The inherent differences within and between women in different infertility groups suggest that vaginal microbes might be used to detect infertility and potentially improve IVF outcomes.

Abstract MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role as transcription regulators in various aspects of follicular development, including steroidogenesis, ovulation, apoptosis, and gene regulation in poultry. However, there is a paucity of studies examining the specific impact of miRNAs on ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) across multiple grades in laying hens. Consequently, this study aims to investigate the roles of miRNAs in chicken GCs. By constructing miRNA expression profiles of GCs at 10 different time points, encompassing 4 pre-hierarchical, 5 preovulatory, and 1 postovulatory follicles stage, we identified highly expressed miRNAs involved in GC differentiation (miR-148a-3p, miR-143-3p), apoptosis (let7 family, miR-363-3p, miR-30c-5p, etc.), and autophagy (miR-128-3p, miR-21-5p). Furthermore, we discovered 48 developmentally dynamic miRNAs (DDMs) that target 295 dynamic differentially expressed genes (DDGs) associated with follicular development and selection (such as oocyte meiosis, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, Wnt signaling pathway, TGF-β signaling pathway) as well as follicular regression (including autophagy and cellular senescence). These findings contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the intricate mechanisms underlying follicle recruitment, selection, and degeneration, aiming to enhance poultry’s reproductive capacity.

Bile, a crucial fluid produced continuously by the liver, plays an essential role in digestion within the small intestine. Beyond its primary function in lipid digestion, bile also acts as a pathway for the elimination of various endogenous and exogenous substances. There have been limited studies focusing on interspecies differences. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of bile acid (BA) composition and its correlation with gene expression patterns across six different species, including mammals and poultry, through combining Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and transcriptome sequencing. The BA profiles revealed distinct metabolite clusters: D-glucuronic acid (GLCA) and glycochenodeoxycholic acid (GCDCA) were predominant in mammals, while taurolithocholic acid (TLCA) and T-alpha-MCA were prevalent in poultry, highlighting species-specific BA compositions. Differentially abundant metabolites, particularly GDCA, glycohyodeoxycholic acid (GHDCA) and taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) showed significant variations across species, with pigs showing the highest BA content. Transcriptome analysis of the liver and small intestine tissues of 56 cDNA libraries across the six species revealed distinct mRNA expression patterns. These patterns clustered samples into broad categories based on tissue type and phylogenetic relationships. Furthermore, the correlation between gene expression and BA content was examined, identifying the top 20 genes with significant associations. These genes potentially serve as biomarkers for BA regulation.

Measurement(s) Gene expression profiles of specific chicken skeletal muscles • cross section area of chicken skeletal muscles and type I muscle fiber quantity Technology Type(s) RNA sequence • Histological Procedure Factor Type(s) different skeletal muscles Sample Characteristic - Organism Gallus gallus Sample Characteristic - Environment farm

ABSTRACT: DNA N(6)-methyladenine (DNA-6mA) is a new epigenetic mark in eukaryotes, the distribution and functions of which in genomic DNA remain unknown. Although recent studies have suggested that 6mA is present in multiple model organisms and is dynamically regulated during development, the genomic features of 6mA in avian species have yet to be elucidated. 6mA immunoprecipitation sequencing approach was used to analysis the distribution and function of 6mA in the muscle genomic DNA during embryonic chicken development. 6mA immunoprecipitation sequencing was combined with transcriptomic sequencing to reveal the role of 6mA in the regulation of gene expression and to explore possible pathways by which 6mA is involved in muscle development. We here provide evidence that 6mA modification exists widely throughout the chicken genome, and show preliminary data regarding genome-wide distribution of this epigenetic mark. Gene expression was shown to be inhibited by 6mA modification in promoter regions. In addition, the promoters of some genes related to development were modified by 6mA, indicating that 6mA may be involved in embryonic chicken development. Furthermore, 6mA may participate in muscle development and immune function by regulating HSPB8 and OASL expression. Our study improves our understanding of the distribution and function of 6mA modification in higher organisms and provide new information about differences between mammals and other vertebrates. These findings demonstrate an epigenetic role for 6mA in gene expression and potential involvement in chicken muscle development. Furthermore, the results suggest a potential epigenetic role for 6mA in avian embryonic development.

ABSTRACT During the entire growth process, gut microbiota continues to change and has a certain impact on the performance of broilers. Here, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to explore the dynamic changes in the fecal bacterial communities and functions in 120 broilers from 4 to 16 weeks of age. We found that the main phyla (Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroides) accounted for more than 93.5% of the total bacteria in the feces. The alpha diversity of the fecal microbiota showed a downward trend with time, and the beta diversity showed significant differences at various time points. Then, the study on the differences of microbiota between high-weight (HW) and low-weight (LW) broilers showed that there were differences in the diversity and composition of microbiota between high- and low-weight broilers. Furthermore, we identified 22 genera that may be related to the weight change of broilers. The analysis of flora function reveals their changes in metabolism, genetic information processing, and environmental information processing. Finally, combined with microbial function and cecal transcriptome results, we speculated that microorganisms may affect the immune level and energy metabolism level of broilers through their own carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism and then affect body weight (BW). Our results will help to expand our understanding of intestinal microbiota and provide guidance for the production of high-quality broilers. IMPORTANCE The intestinal microbiota has a certain impact on the performance of broilers. However, the change of intestinal microbiota after 4 weeks of age is not clear, and the mechanism of the effect of microorganisms on the weight change of broilers needs more exploration. After 4 weeks of age, the alpha diversity of microorganisms in broiler feces decreased, and the dominant bacteria were Firmicutes, Fusobacteria, Proteobacteria, and Bacteroides. There were differences in microbiota diversity and composition between high- and low-weight broilers. Intestinal microorganisms may affect the immune level and energy metabolism level of broilers through their own carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism and then affect the body weight. The results are helpful to increase the understanding of intestinal microbiota and provide reference for the production of high-quality broilers.

Stretchable triboelectric nanogenerators have attracted increasing interests in the field of Internet of Things and sensor network. Therefore, great efforts have been made to realize the stretchability of electronic devices via elaborated material configurations and ingenious device designs. In this work, a flexible and stretchable TENG is developed with a coaxial spring-like structure. The unique structure allows it to generate electrical energy for different degrees of stretching deformations. Its output demonstrates good response to the strain and frequency of the mechanical deformation. At the same time, it exhibits excellent stability and washability. The TENG can be worn on the human fingers, elbow, and knee to monitor the body activities. Furthermore, a self-powered temperature sensor system is fabricated by integrating the TENG with a temperature sensor to identify the operating ambient temperature in real time. A combination of this flexible and stretchable TENG with body motions and a temperature sensor brings a novel insight into wearable functional electronics and user-friendly health monitoring, which has an important basic research significance and practical application value in biometric systems.

The reproductive tract of chickens is an important organ for egg formation. The vagina is in close contact with the external environment, which may lead to the invasion of a variety of pathogenic bacteria, affect the internal and external quality of eggs, and even increase mortality and cause economic loss. In recent years, probiotics as a substitute for antibiotics have brought economic benefits in livestock and poultry production. In the present study, we investigated the effects of vaginal administration of Bacteroides fragilis on the cloacal microbiota, vaginal transcriptome and metabolomics of chickens and evaluated the beneficial potential of B. fragilis. The results showed that B. fragilis treatment could affect the microbial composition of the cloaca. Transcriptome analysis found that the immune-related genes CCN3, HAS2, and RICTOR were upregulated, that the inflammatory genes EDNRB, TOX, and NKX2-3 were downregulated, and that DEGs were also enriched in the regulation of the inflammatory response, cellular metabolism, and synaptic response pathways. In addition, the differential metabolites were mainly related to steroid hormone biosynthesis, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, and arachidonic acid metabolism, and we identified associations between specific differential metabolites and genes. Overall, this study provides a theoretical basis for the application of B. fragilis as a potential probiotic in livestock and poultry production.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely distributed contaminant in moldy corn, rice, soybean, and oil crops. Many studies have revealed its adverse effects, such as carcinogenicity, immunotoxicity, and hepatotoxicity, on the health of humans and animals. To investigate the immunotoxic effects on chicken immune organs induced by AFB1, we integrated RNA and small-RNA sequencing data of the spleen and the bursa of Fabricius to elucidate the response of the differentially expressed transcriptional profiles and related pathways. AFB1 consumption negatively influenced egg quality, but no obvious organ damage was observed compared to that of the control group. We identified 3918 upregulated and 2415 downregulated genes in the spleen and 231 upregulated and 65 downregulated genes in the bursa of Fabricius. We confirmed that several core genes related to immune and metabolic pathways were activated by AFB1. Furthermore, 42 and 19 differentially expressed miRNAs were found in the spleen and the bursa of Fabricius, respectively. Differentially expressed genes and target genes of differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly associated with cancer progression and immune response. The predicted mRNA–miRNA pathway network illustrated the potential regulatory mechanisms. The present study identified the transcriptional profiles and revealed potential mRNA–miRNA pathway crosstalk. This genetic regulatory network will facilitate the understanding of the immunotoxicity mechanisms of chicken immune organs induced by high concentrations of AFB1.

As an important way of converting mechanical energy into electric energy, a piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) has been widely applied in energy harvesting as well as self-powered sensors in recent years. However, its robustness and durability are still severely challenged by frequent and inevitable mechanical impacts in real application environments. Herein, a fully self-healing PENG (FS-PENG) as a self-powered pressure sensing electronic skin is reported. The self-healing piezoelectric composite and self-healing Ag NW electrode fabricated through mixing piezoelectric PZT particles and conductive Ag NWs into self-healing polydimethylsiloxane (H-PDMS) are assembled into the sandwich structure FS-PENG. The FS-PENG could not only effectively convert external stimulation into electrical signals with a linear response to the pressure but also retain the excellent self-healing and stable sensing property after multiple cycles of cutting and self-healing process. Moreover, a self-healing pressure sensor array composed of 9 FS-PENGs was attached on the back of the human hand to mimic the human skin, and accurate monitoring of the spatial position distribution and magnitude of the pressure was successfully realized.

Adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) have the ability to migrate to injury sites and facilitate tissue repair by promoting angiogenesis. However, the therapeutic effect of ADSCs from patients with diabetes is impaired due to oxidative stress. Given that diabetes is a group of metabolic disorders and mitochondria are a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), it is possible that mitochondrial ROS plays an important role in the induction of diabetic ADSC (dADSC) dysfunction. ADSCs isolated from diabetic mice were treated with mitoTEMPO, a mitochondrial ROS scavenger, or TEMPO, a universal ROS scavenger, for three passages. The results showed that pretreatment with mitoTEMPO increased the proliferation, multidifferentiation potential, and the migration and proangiogenic capacities of dADSCs to levels similar to those of ADSCs from control mice, whereas pretreatment with TEMPO showed only minor effects. Mechanistically, mitoTEMPO pretreatment enhanced the mitochondrial antioxidant capacity of dADSCs, and knockdown of superoxide dismutase reduced the restored mitochondrial antioxidant capacity and attenuated the proangiogenic effects induced by mitoTEMPO pretreatment. In addition, mitoTEMPO pretreatment improved the survival of dADSCs in diabetic mice with critical limb ischemia, showing protective effects similar to those of control ADSCs. Pretreatment of dADSCs with mitoTEMPO decreased limb injury and improved angiogenesis in diabetic mice with critical limb ischemia. These findings suggested that short-term pretreatment of dADSCs with a mitochondrial ROS scavenger restored their normal functions, which may be an effective strategy for improving the therapeutic effects of ADSC-based therapies in patients with diabetes.

We investigate the dependence of the vortex formation process on the perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) constant in a perpendicular magnetic tunnel junction using micromagnetic simulations. Based on the different precession trajectories of magnetic moments, the formation process of a vortex can be divided into two different models: the first includes horizontal precession and damped oscillation, and the second includes damped oscillation only. The time of vortex formation has a nonmonotonic relationship with the PMA constant. By analyzing the variation trend of energies within the system, the underlying physical mechanism of the dependence of the vortex formation process on PMA constant is revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]