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HighlightsPlasma-assisted phosphorization has been used to prepare defect-rich metal phosphides.The p-NiCoP/NCF@CC shows high activities and excellent stability for the hydrogen evolution reaction and the oxygen evolution reaction.The p-NiCoP/NCF@CC shows great potential for overall water splitting.This work reports the use of defect engineering and carbon supporting to achieve metal-doped phosphides with high activities and stabilities for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media. Specifically, the nitrogen-doped carbon nanofiber-supported Ni-doped CoP3 with rich P defects (Pv·) on the carbon cloth (p-NiCoP/NCFs@CC) is synthesized through a plasma-assisted phosphorization method. The p-NiCoP/NCFs@CC is an efficient and stable catalyst for the HER and the OER. It only needs overpotentials of 107 and 306 mV to drive 100 mA cm−2 for the HER and the OER, respectively. Its catalytic activities are higher than those of other catalysts reported recently. The high activities of the p-NiCoP/NCFs@CC mainly arise from its peculiar structural features. The density functional theory calculation indicates that the Pv· richness, the Ni doping, and the carbon supporting can optimize the adsorption of the H atoms at the catalyst surface and promote the strong electronic couplings between the carbon nanofiber-supported p-NiCoP with the surface oxide layer formed during the OER process. This gives the p-NiCoP/NCFs@CC with the high activities for the HER and the OER. When used in alkaline water electrolyzers, the p-NiCoP/NCFs@CC shows the superior activity and excellent stability for overall water splitting.

Background Native cattle breeds are an important source of genetic variation because they might carry alleles that enable them to adapt to local environment and tough feeding conditions. Jiaxian Red, a Chinese native cattle breed, is reported to have originated from crossbreeding between taurine and indicine cattle; their history as a draft and meat animal dates back at least 30 years. Using whole-genome sequencing (WGS) data of 30 animals from the core breeding farm, we investigated the genetic diversity, population structure and genomic regions under selection of Jiaxian Red cattle. Furthermore, we used 131 published genomes of world-wide cattle to characterize the genomic variation of Jiaxian Red cattle. Results The population structure analysis revealed that Jiaxian Red cattle harboured the ancestry with East Asian taurine (0.493), Chinese indicine (0.379), European taurine (0.095) and Indian indicine (0.033). Three methods (nucleotide diversity, linkage disequilibrium decay and runs of homozygosity) implied the relatively high genomic diversity in Jiaxian Red cattle. We used θπ, CLR, F ST and XP-EHH methods to look for the candidate signatures of positive selection in Jiaxian Red cattle. A total number of 171 (θπ and CLR) and 17 ( F ST and XP-EHH) shared genes were identified using different detection strategies. Functional annotation analysis revealed that these genes are potentially responsible for growth and feed efficiency ( CCSER1 ), meat quality traits ( ROCK2 , PPP1R12A, CYB5R4 , EYA3 , PHACTR1 ), fertility ( RFX4 , SRD5A2 ) and immune system response ( SLAMF1 , CD84 and SLAMF6 ). Conclusion We provide a comprehensive overview of sequence variations in Jiaxian Red cattle genomes. Selection signatures were detected in genomic regions that are possibly related to economically important traits in Jiaxian Red cattle. We observed a high level of genomic diversity and low inbreeding in Jiaxian Red cattle. These results provide a basis for further resource protection and breeding improvement of this breed.

Background Cross breeding is an important way to improve livestock performance. As an important livestock and poultry resource in Henan Province of China, Bohuai goat was formed by crossing Boer goat and Huai goat. After more than 20 years of breeding, BoHuai goats showed many advantages, such as fast growth, good reproductive performance, and high meat yield. In order to better develop and protect Bohuai goats, we sequenced the whole genomes of 30 BoHuai goats and 5 Huai goats to analyze the genetic diversity, population structure and genomic regions under selection of BoHuai goat. Furthermore, we used 126 published genomes of world-wide goat to characterize the genomic variation of BoHuai goat. Results The results showed that the nucleotide diversity of BoHuai goats was lower and the degree of linkage imbalance was higher than that of other breeds. The analysis of population structure showed that BoHuai goats have obvious differences from other goat breeds. In addition, the BoHuai goat is more closely related to the Boer goat than the Huai goat and is highly similar to the Boer goat. Group by selection signal in the BoHuai goat study, we found that one region on chromosome 7 shows a very strong selection signal, which suggests that it could well be the segment region under the intense artificial selection results. Through selective sweeps, we detected some genes related to important traits such as lipid metabolism ( LDLR , STAR , ANGPTL8 ), fertility ( STAR ), and disease resistance ( CD274 , DHPS , PDCD1LG2 ). Conclusion In this paper, we elucidated the genomic variation, ancestry composition, and selective signals related to important economic traits in BoHuai goats. Our studies on the genome of BoHuai goats will not only help to understand the characteristics of the crossbred but also provide a basis for the improvement of cross-breeding programs.

Background This study aims to assess the surgical outcomes of lateral rectus muscle paralysis patients who received superior rectus transposition (SRT) surgery or SRT with augmented suture (SRTA). Methods This case series study enrolled 11 lateral rectus muscle paralysis patients who underwent SRT or SRTA from April 2014 to June 2022 at Wuhan Bright Eye Hospital. Preoperative and postoperative assessments included the following parameters: (1) eye position in primary gaze; (2) ocular motility; (3) presence of diplopia; and (4) compensatory head positioning. Results Six cases received SRT, and 5 cases received SRTA. Preoperative esodeviation showed a mean angle of + 57.27 ± 9.62 prism diopters (PD), and the angle reduced to + 7.45 ± 2.70, + 6.36 ± 2.67, and + 3.09 ± 3.34 PD at 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months, respectively. At postoperative 12 months, 10 out of 11 cases achieved a significant reduction in internal oblique deviation, resulting in the elimination of abnormal head positioning and initial eye position diplopia. The range of motion of the affected eye was also improved by the surgical procedure, significantly enhancing the external rotation compared to preoperative values. No significant vertical or torsional strabismus was observed after surgery. Stable eye positions and remarkable treatment outcomes were revealed by follow-up evaluations conducted between 12 and 18 months postoperatively. Conclusions Internal rectus migration combined with transposition of the superior rectus muscle may be feasible for treating lateral rectus muscle paralysis. The eye position, abduction function, and binocular vision function were improved in patients who received SRT or SRTA.

Background High-quality goatskins are valuable byproducts usually produced by indigenous goat breeds with poorer production performance in Asia and Africa. However, the genetic and molecular mechanisms underpinning goatskin’s biomechanical properties (e.g., tensile strength) remain elusive. Mechanistic exploration of these traits could greatly aid the genetic improvement and genetic resource conservation of native breeds in these regions. To fulfill this purpose, we collected skin tissues from three goat breeds: Huai goat (HG), a Chinese native variety producing high-quality goatskins; Yudong meat goat (YDMG), a crossbreed of HG and Boer goat; Henan dairy goat (HNDG), a dairy goat breed. Results Scanning electronic microscopy analysis of skin tissues found that the collagen fiber diameters, collagen fibril diameters, and crimps significantly differed among the three goat breeds; however, collagen fibril diameters are similar in HG and HNDG. A sum of 230, 775, and 86 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from YDMG versus HNDG, HG versus HNDG, and YDMG versus HG, respectively. Functional enrichment analysis suggested that signaling pathways involved in fatty acid, retinol, steroid metabolisms, and GO items related to the physical properties of the skin (e.g., collagen-containing extracellular matrix) are significantly overrepresented in DEGs identified from meat versus dairy goats. Furthermore, 106 DEGs (e.g., COL1A1 , COL1A2 , and SPARC ) showed specific expression patterns in HG and YDMG versus HNDG. Items about biophysical features of skin (e.g., extracellular matrix organization and ECM proteoglycans) are markedly enriched. Protein-protein interaction analysis suggested that two growth factors (IGF1 and PDGFD) are latent collagen and other ECM protein expression modulators. Conclusion Ultrastructural analysis of goat skin tissues suggested that collagen fibril diameter is not a major factor affecting goatskin quality. Transcriptomic profiles unveiled core genes and associated biological processes potentially involved in regulating goatskin quality. These discoveries shined new light on deeper understanding the mechanisms of hide-related traits in goat and other livestock.

Background The unique pelage composition and developmental pattern endow hairy sheep with superior heat tolerance and minimized wool-shearing needs, compared with coarse-woolly sheep. However, the genetic mechanisms underlying pelage differentiation between these two sheep types remain incompletely understood to date, thereby limiting the development of molecular breeding strategies for cultivating climate-resilient and cost-effective sheep breeds in climate-changing era. Results Through integrated histomorphometric and transcriptomic analysis of Australian White Sheep (AWS, hairy phenotype) and Hu Sheep (HS, coarse-woolly phenotype), we identified three distinct evolutionarily conserved fiber types in AWS (heavily medullated kemp, medullated crimp hair, and non-medullated wool). In contrast, HS exhibited a bimodal fiber distribution without kemp fibers. Compared with AWS, HS had significantly longer hair fibers and markedly reduced subcutaneous adiposity. Transcriptomic profiling identified 370 differentially expressed genes (DEGs): genes enriched in AWS (e.g., DGAT2L6 , FOXO6 , CIDEA , ADIG ) were clustered in lipid metabolism pathways, while genes upregulated in HS (e.g., CSN2 , LOC101102413 , CSF3R , CXCR2 ) were significantly associated with immunomodulatory functions. Additionally, hair intermediate filament- and matrix-associated candidate genes (e.g., LOC114113348 / KAP20-2 , LOC101111178 / KRT6A ) and EDA2R exhibited breed-specific expression patterns, which were respectively linked to differences in fiber curvature and length. Conclusion Our integrated analysis identifies subcutaneous adiposity and immunoregulation as novel potential key modulators of pelage phenotype divergence between hairy and coarse-woolly sheep—with candidate genes (e.g., KAP20-2 , KRT6A , EDA2R ) linked to breed-specific fiber traits (e.g., curvature, length). The identified genetic signatures further offer potential actionable targets for precision breeding of climate-resilient and cost-effective sheep, addressing the gap in molecular strategies for pelage-related traits improvement.

Lightweighting of automotives is crucial for the decrease of fuel and energy consumption, as well as CO2 emission and environmental pollution. Polymer composites, especially the high strength glass fiber/polyamide (GF/PA) composites, have great potential in lightweight; however, they have not been universally accepted due to their insufficient performance. Here, a stearate‐ended hyperbranched polyester (HBP‐12‐n) is designed and high‐performance GF/PA6 composites with high GF content are prepared. The flowability of the composites can be further increased by combining carboxyl‐ended hyperbranched polymer (HyPer C181) with HBP‐12‐n. Compared with unmodified GF/PA6 composites, the melt flow index (MFI) can be increased remarkably to 587% by adding a 0.7 wt% mixture of HBP‐12‐75 and HyPer C181, and the strength and toughness remain competitive. The simultaneous improvement in MFI and impact strength of GF/PA6 composites is the first discovery of this kind, and a synergistic mechanism of amphiphilic bridging‐deformation slipping‐interfacial strengthening of hyperbranched polymers is proposed to account for this phenomenon. This work provides a simple strategy to fabricate GF/PA6 composites with the extensive application for automotive parts and has great prospects in making automotives lightweight and reduction of CO2 emissions. A series of stearate‐ended hyperbranched polyester (HBP‐12‐n) by the esterification reaction between the hydroxyl groups of HBP‐12 and stearic acid is synthesized. The melt flow inde of the glass fiber/polyamide 6 (GF/PA6) blends can be increased approximately 5.87 times upon the mixed use of HBP‐12‐75 and carboxyl‐ended hyperbranched polymer (HyPer C181), without sacrificing the strength and toughness of the composites.

MicroRNA393 ( miR393 ) has been shown to regulate plant water stress tolerance through an auxin signaling pathway. However, its role in soybean ( Glycine max [L.] Merr.) has not yet been reported. Here, we examined the expression pattern of miR393 family members and their target gene GmTIR1 in water-stressed roots. Subsequently, we analyzed the functions of miR393 in the regulation of water stress tolerance and its relationship with GmTIR1 and abscisic acid (ABA) using a transgenic hairy root assay. Under water stress, miR393 family genes exhibited diverse expression patterns. Overexpression and knockdown analysis demonstrated that miR393a reduced water stress tolerance as measured by root vigor, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), and relative water content (RWC). Moreover, miR393a also caused down-regulation of GmTIR1A and GmTIR1B expression, an early decrease in hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) levels, early and late declines in ABA content and antioxidant activities, and a late elevation of H 2 O 2 and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in stressed hairy roots. However, overexpression and RNAi analyses showed that GmTIR1A and GmTIR1B triggered an early increase in H 2 O 2 , a rise in antioxidant activities during the early and late stages, a late decline in H 2 O 2 and MDA contents, and a rise in root vigor, Pn, and RWC under water stress. Similarly, exogenously supplied ABA caused early H 2 O 2 accumulation, early and late increases in antioxidant capacity, and a late decrease in oxidative damage in stressed miR393a -overexpressing roots. Therefore, our study presents a valuable model in which miR393a prevents early GmTIR1- and ABA-dependent increases in H 2 O 2 and thus triggers a rise in antioxidant capacity, root vigor, RWC, and Pn, consequently decreasing water stress tolerance.

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a significant factor leading to the death of patients with coronary heart disease. Both AMI and reperfusion therapy after AMI cause myocardial cell death, which plays a significant role in heart failure. Following the restoration of blood flow during reperfusion, myocardial cells generate a large amount of oxygen free radicals, causing various forms of myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (IR) injury (IRI), ultimately leading to multiple types of myocardial cell death, among which apoptosis and necroptosis are the two major types. Given the extremely limited regenerative capacity of myocardium, inhibiting myocardial cell apoptosis and necroptosis is a key strategy for reducing mortality in patients with AMI. Both apoptosis and necroptosis are regulated by the BCL2 family of proteins, which were modulated by multiple signaling pathways, converging at BAK/BAX-mediated mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), as well as mitochondrial inner membrane permeabilization (MIMP). BAK/BAX double knock out (DKO) mice showed reduced cell apoptosis, necroptosis, and infarct size in AMI animal models compared to wild type. This review describes the role of BCL2 family proteins in regulating apoptotic and necroptotic myocardial cell death during AMI and IR, explores the upstream pathways modulating apoptosis and necroptosis, and summarizes the recent advances in targeting BAK and/or BAX for cardiac protection. In addition, targeted delivery of BAK/BAX inhibitors to cardiomyocytes during AMI or myocardial IR has the potential to reduce myocardial cell death and therefore lower the mortality and enhance long-term prognosis for myocardial infarction patients.

The electric power equipment industry is rapidly advancing toward “informationization,” with the swift progression of intelligent sensing technology serving as a key driving force behind this transformation, thereby triggering significant changes in global electric power equipment. In this process, intelligent sensing has created an urgent demand for high-performance integrated power systems that feature compact size, lightweight design, long operational life, high reliability, high energy density, and low cost. However, the performance metrics of traditional power supplies have increasingly failed to meet the requirements of modern intelligent sensing, thereby significantly hindering the advancement of intelligent power equipment. Energy harvesting technology, characterized by its long operational lifespan, compact size, environmental sustainability, and self-sufficient operation, is capable of capturing renewable energy from ambient power sources and converting it into electrical energy to supply power to sensors. Due to these advantages, it has garnered significant attention in the field of power sensing. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the current state of development of energy harvesting technologies within the power environment. It outlines recent advancements in magnetic field energy harvesting, electric field energy harvesting, vibration energy harvesting, wind energy harvesting, and solar energy harvesting. Furthermore, it explores the integration of multiple physical mechanisms and hybrid energy sources aimed at enhancing self-powered applications in this domain. A comparative analysis of the advantages and limitations associated with each technology is also provided. Additionally, the paper discusses potential future directions for the development of energy harvesting technologies in the power environment.