Comprehensive evaluation of physio-morphological traits of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) varieties under salt stress.

Salt is a major abiotic factor significantly affecting plant growth and development. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a crucial perennial crop for livestock feed, shows significant differences in salt tolerance among different varieties.

Asynchronous Embryo Transfer in Ewes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of spatially and/or temporally asynchronous transfer of in vivo embryos at different stages in ewes during the breeding season. Four experiments were carried out. In Experiment 1, 207 blastocysts that had been frozen and thawed were transferred into the oviducts of 43 day two recipients, the oviducts of 23 day six recipients, and the uteri of 141 day six recipients, respectively.

Dysregulated tryptophan metabolism contributes to metabolic syndrome in Chinese community-dwelling older adults.

Background: As the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) rises among older adults, the associated risks of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes significantly increase, and it is closely linked to various metabolic processes in the body. Dysregulation of tryptophan (TRP) metabolism, particularly alterations in the kynurenine (KYN) and serotonin pathways, has been linked to the onset of chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin resistance, key contributors to the development of MetS. We aim to investigate the relationship between the TRP metabolites and the risk of MetS in older adults.

β-Glucan reprograms neutrophils to promote disease tolerance against influenza A virus.

Disease tolerance is an evolutionarily conserved host defense strategy that preserves tissue integrity and physiology without affecting pathogen load. Unlike host resistance, the mechanisms underlying disease tolerance remain poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether an adjuvant (β-glucan) can reprogram innate immunity to provide protection against influenza A virus (IAV) infection.

Structural basis of RNA polymerase complexes in African swine fever virus.

African swine fever virus is highly contagious and causes a fatal infectious disease in pigs, resulting in a significant global impact on pork supply. The African swine fever virus RNA polymerase serves as a crucial multifunctional protein complex responsible for genome transcription and regulation. Therefore, it is essential to investigate its structural and functional characteristics for the prevention and control of African swine fever.