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Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is a key thermogenic organ that regulates energy expenditure through non-shivering thermogenesis. Rabbits ( Oryctolagus cuniculus ) are economically important livestock animals and popular model animals for medical research. However, the epigenetic mechanisms underlying BAT function remain poorly understood. In this study, we performed genome-wide profiling of H3K27ac signals in BAT and white adipose tissue (WAT) of rabbits. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation with high-throughput sequencing (ChIP-seq), we identified 133,910 high-quality H3K27ac regions (peaks). The differential peaks between BATs and WATs were significantly enriched in thermogenesis-related functions and signaling pathways. An integrative analysis of H3K27ac, chromatin accessibility, and transcriptomic data identified potential strongly activated enhancers (SAEs) that regulate key thermogenic genes, including UCP1 , PPARGC1A , and PDK4 . The motifs of thermogenesis-related TF families, including NR, ETS, EBF, and MEF2, were significantly enriched by the distal H3K27ac regions of genes. Population resequencing data further revealed that variants within H3K27ac regions contribute to the differentiation of rabbit breeds. Comparative genomics analysis revealed 33,805 highly conserved enhancers between rabbits and humans. Notably, we discovered a potential BAT-specific enhancer RNA (eRNA) of PPARGC1A , which exhibited high chromatin accessibility and H3K27ac signals in BAT. Our findings provide a comprehensive catalog of cis- regulatory elements in rabbit adipose tissues, highlighting the critical role of conserved enhancers in regulating thermogenesis and adipose tissue plasticity, and may advance our understanding of the epigenetic regulation of BAT.

Canine mammary tumor (CMT) is the most common tumor in dogs, with 50% of malignant cases, and lacks an effective therapeutic schedule, hence its early diagnosis is of great importance to achieve a good prognosis. Microbiota is believed to play important roles in systemic diseases, including cancers. In this study, 91 tumors, 21 oral and fecal samples in total were collected from dogs with CMTs, and 31 oral and 21 fecal samples from healthy dogs were collected as control. The intratumoral, oral and gut bacterial community of dogs with CMTs and healthy dogs was profiled by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic methods. The predominant intratumoral microbes were Ralstonia, Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium, Pseudomonas, unidentified_Chloroplast and Bacteroides at the genus level. In addition, our findings demonstrated striking changes in the composition of the oral and gut bacterium community in the dogs suffered from CMTs compared to the healthy dogs, with a significant increase of Bacteroides which also was the significant microbial biomarker in the oral and gut bacterium community. It showed that the Bacteroides was shared in the intratumoral, oral and intestinal bacterial microbiomes, confirming that microbiota might travel from the mouth to the intestine and finally to the distant mammary tumor tissue. This study provides a new microbiological idea for the treatment of canine mammary tumors, and also provides a theoretical basis for the study of human breast cancer.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a major cell entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The induction of ACE2 expression may serve as a strategy by SARS-CoV-2 to facilitate its propagation. However, the regulatory mechanisms of ACE2 expression after viral infection remain largely unknown. Using 45 different luciferase reporters, the transcription factors SP1 and HNF4α were found to positively and negatively regulate ACE2 expression, respectively, at the transcriptional level in human lung epithelial cells (HPAEpiCs). SARS-CoV-2 infection increased the transcriptional activity of SP1 while inhibiting that of HNF4α. The PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, activated by SARS-CoV-2 infection, served as a crucial regulatory node, inducing ACE2 expression by enhancing SP1 phosphorylation—a marker of its activity—and reducing the nuclear localization of HNF4α. However, colchicine treatment inhibited the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, thereby suppressing ACE2 expression. In Syrian hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus ) infected with SARS-CoV-2, inhibition of SP1 by either mithramycin A or colchicine resulted in reduced viral replication and tissue injury. In summary, our study uncovers a novel function of SP1 in the regulation of ACE2 expression and identifies SP1 as a potential target to reduce SARS-CoV-2 infection.

In recent years, the antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli has gradually developed into a global problem. These resistant bacteria could be transmitted to humans through animal feces in the environment or direct contact with pets, leading to a problem in bacterial treatment for humans and animals. Now, the antibiotic resistance of oral and intestinal microbiota from dog origins remains unclear in China. Therefore, this study first analyzed the current colistin resistance of oral and intestinal microbiota from dog origins in mainland China. A total of 536 samples were collected from dogs in mainland China and, respectively, cultured on the SS and MacConkey agar plate containing colistin (4 μg/mL) to obtain bacteria, and the antibiotic-resistance phenotype of Escherichia coli was investigated for nine antibiotics. Results showed that a total of 2259 colistin-resistant bacteria were isolated from samples and identified, and among them, the isolated rate of Escherichia coli (34.01%, 769/2259) was relatively higher than that of other bacteria. Subsequently, it was found that the resistance of these Escherichia coli was very severe by exploring its resistance to different antibiotics, particularly to three common antibiotics in a clinic which were ceftriaxone, ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, with the resistance rates of 60.60% (466/769), 57.22% (440/769), and 53.06% (408/769), respectively. Moreover, the simultaneous resistance of Escherichia coli to one or more antibiotics was determined, and 69.96% (538/769) strains have defined the resistance to both two or more antibiotics, and even 13 of Escherichia coli strains that were resistant to all nine antibiotics, indicating that the Escherichia coli from dog origins has severe antibiotic resistance in the clinic. In conclusion, this study guided the use of antibiotics and could draw attention to antibiotic resistance in veterinary clinical treatment for animals in the future.

Epidemiological studies enable us to analyze disease behavior, define risk factors, and establish fundamental prognostic criteria. This study aimed to determine the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of canine tumors diagnosed during the years 2017–2021. The results showed that canine mammary tumors were the most common tumors, and their relative incidence for 5-years-total was 46.71% (504/1,079), with 48.41% (244/504) of benign, and 51.59% (260/504) of malignant. Pure breeds accounted for 84.13% (424/504) of submissions, and adult female dogs (9–12 years old) were most frequently involved, followed by 5–8-year-old females. Remarkably, 2.58% (13/504) occurred in the male dogs. In addition, a high prevalence of mammary tumors (77.38%, 390/504) was diagnosed in unneutered dogs, and different incidence rates were observed in different regions (Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest China). For clinical factors, the tumor size ranged from 0.5 to 28 cm, with the 0–5 cm being the most common tumor size (47.82%, 241/504), and malignant tumors (4.33 ± 2.88 cm, mean ± SD) were bigger than benign ones (3.06 ± 1.67 cm, mean ± SD) ( p < 0.001). The incidence of single tumor (55.36%, 279/504) was higher than that of multiple tumors in dogs, while the latter had a higher incidence of malignant tumors (74.67%, 168/225). According to this study, we also found that canine mammary tumors were more common in the last two pairs of mammary glands. In addition, multiple linear regression analysis showed that there was linear significant relationship between three independent variables (age, tumor size, and tumor number) and histological properties of canine mammary tumor [(p>| t |) < 0.05]. This is the first retrospective statistical analysis of such a large dataset in China to reveal the link between epidemiological clinical risks and histological diagnosis. It aids in the improvement of the host's knowledge of canine tumor disorders and the early prevention of canine mammary tumors.

Canine pyometra frequently occurs in middle-aged to older intact bitches, which seriously affects the life of dogs and brings an economic loss to their owners. Hence, finding a key metabolite is very important for the diagnosis and development of a new safe and effective therapy for the disease. In this study, dogs with pyometra were identified by blood examinations, laboratory analyses and diagnostic imaging, and fifteen endometrium tissues of sick dogs with pyometra and fifteen controls were collected and their metabolites were identified utilizing a UHPLC-qTOF-MS-based untargeted metabolomics approach. The results indicated that the elevated inflammatory cells were observed in dogs with pyometra, suggesting that sick dogs suffered systemic inflammation. In the untargeted metabolic profile, 705 ion features in the positive polarity mode and 414 ion features in the negative polarity mode were obtained in endometrium tissues of sick dogs with pyometra, with a total of 275 differential metabolites (173 in positive and 102 in negative polarity modes). Moreover, the multivariate statistical analyses such as PCA and PLS-DA also showed that the metabolites were significantly different between the two groups. Then, these differential metabolites were subjected to pathway analysis using Metaboanalyst 4.0, and Galactose metabolism, cAMP signaling pathway and Glycerophospholipid metabolism were enriched, proving some insights into the metabolic changes during pyometra. Moreover, the receiver operating characteristic curves further confirmed kynurenic acid was expected to be a candidate biomarker of canine pyometra. In conclusion, this study provided a new idea for exploring early diagnosis methods and a safe and effective therapy for canine pyometra.

The high costs of mycoinsecticides restrain their extensive application in green agriculture. Two six-week field trials were performed in spring to test synergistic effects of fungal–chemical interactions against faba bean aphid (Aphis fabae) populations in Zhejiang, China. The treatments (three 50-m2 plots each) in each trial included Beauveria bassiana ZJU435 (Bb) and imidacloprid (ImD) applied biweekly at recommended rates (1.5 × 1013 conidia and 45 a.i. g ha−1) and co-applied at reduced rates of 2/3Bb, 1/2Bb, and 1/3Bb plus 1/5ImD, which reduced the cost of the mycoinsecticide by 32–65%. During the first three weeks at 1.3–12.5 °C (daily means), the aphid population steadily increased to a peak in the blank control, and it was much more effectively suppressed by ImD than by Bb and Bb + ImD treatments. As the weather subsequently warmed to 8.7–21.0 °C, the aphid population was increasingly suppressed by the Bb and Bb + ImD treatments, which showed suppressive effects superior or close to those of ImD on days 35 and 42. Percent efficacy values (n = 36) of ImD, 2/3Bb + 1/5ImD, 1/2Bb + 1/5ImD, Bb, and 1/3Bb + 1/5ImD in two six-week trials averaged respectively 86%, 66%, 62.2%, 59.4%, and 58.4%, which significantly differed from one another (p < 0.01). Conclusively, low-rate co-applications of fungal/chemical insecticides offer a ‘low-cost–high-efficacy’ strategy to promote extensive mycoinsecticide application for sustainable aphid control.

Nematode-trapping fungi act as predators of nematodes in soil ecosystems, forming a typical predator-prey relationship. However, this interaction is frequently influenced by environmental factors such as nutrient state. In this study, we demonstrate that starved nematodes had better chances of escaping predation by inhibiting trap formation. Starved nematodes showed downregulated acyl-CoA oxidase genes ( ) and reduced ascaroside pheromone production (ascr#1/#3/#5/#9), thus diminishing trap induction. In soils with uneven nutrient content, nutrient deficiencies can activate this mechanism locally, thereby reducing predation. When avoidance fails, nematodes rely on canonical innate immune pathways (FSHR-1, ATFS-1, and PMK-1) to improve survival during capture. In response to this predation, nematodes have evolved multiple strategies to defend against these pressures, closely linked to their nutritional status. Together, these findings link local nutrient availability to both fungal predation efficiency and the robustness of nematode defenses in soil ecosystems.

Background In clear aligner therapy, tooth movement can be designed individually by computer software. However, the deformation of the aligner created by the virtual movement of one tooth may affect the actual movement of other teeth. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of the amount of canine movement on the responses of incisors and posterior teeth during maxillary anterior en-masse retraction with clear aligner. Methods A three-dimensional finite element model of maxillary dentition was constructed for first premolar extraction. The incisors were retracted by 0.15 mm with an intrusion of 0.10 mm. The canine was bodily retracted in six groups with different amount of 0 mm, 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm, 0.20 mm, 0.25 mm, and 0.30 mm. The groups were named after the amount of canine movement. Separate canine retraction of 0.25 mm was set in an additional group. ANSYS® software was used to calculate the initial displacements and forces on the dentition in each group. Results In incisor retraction with no canine movement (group 0), the incisors underwent uncontrolled lingual tipping and the canine exhibited mesial tipping. As the amount of canine movement increased, the lingual retraction force and clockwise moment on the incisors gradually weakened. The incisors exhibited less lingual inclination with more extrusion, while the canine displayed more distal inclination and less extrusion. The central and lateral incisors showed controlled lingual tipping and lingual root movement respectively in group 0.25, and both the incisors inclined labially in group 0.30. During separate canine retraction, the canine experienced distal tipping and the incisors showed labial tipping. Posterior teeth exhibited mesial tipping in all groups, the amount of which was in positive correlation with the amount of canine movement. Conclusion During en-masse retraction with clear aligner, the uncontrolled lingual tipping of incisors can be eliminated by increasing the amount of canine retraction. Practitioners need to pay attention to the reciprocal effects of the designed tooth movements during clear aligner therapy.

In recent years, the antimicrobial resistance in Escherichia coli has gradually developed into a global problem. These resistant bacteria could be transmitted to humans through animal feces in the environment or direct contact with pets, leading to a problem in bacterial treatment for humans and animals. Now, the antibiotic resistance of oral and intestinal microbiota from dog origins remains unclear in China. Therefore, this study first analyzed the current colistin resistance of oral and intestinal microbiota from dog origins in mainland China. A total of 536 samples were collected from dogs in mainland China and, respectively, cultured on the SS and MacConkey agar plate containing colistin (4 μg/mL) to obtain bacteria, and the antibiotic-resistance phenotype of Escherichia coli was investigated for nine antibiotics. Results showed that a total of 2259 colistin-resistant bacteria were isolated from samples and identified, and among them, the isolated rate of Escherichia coli (34.01%, 769/2259) was relatively higher than that of other bacteria. Subsequently, it was found that the resistance of these Escherichia coli was very severe by exploring its resistance to different antibiotics, particularly to three common antibiotics in a clinic which were ceftriaxone, ampicillin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole, with the resistance rates of 60.60% (466/769), 57.22% (440/769), and 53.06% (408/769), respectively. Moreover, the simultaneous resistance of Escherichia coli to one or more antibiotics was determined, and 69.96% (538/769) strains have defined the resistance to both two or more antibiotics, and even 13 of Escherichia coli strains that were resistant to all nine antibiotics, indicating that the Escherichia coli from dog origins has severe antibiotic resistance in the clinic. In conclusion, this study guided the use of antibiotics and could draw attention to antibiotic resistance in veterinary clinical treatment for animals in the future.