Large-scale metagenomic assembly provide new insights into the genetic evolution of gut microbiomes in plateau ungulates.

Trillions of microbes colonize the ungulate gastrointestinal tract, playing a pivotal role in enhancing host nutrient utilization by breaking down cellulose and hemicellulose present in plants. Here, through large-scale metagenomic assembly, we established a catalog of 131,416 metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and 11,175 high-quality species-level genome bins (SGBs) from 17 species of ungulates in China. Our study revealed the convergent evolution of high relative abundances of carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) in the gut microbiomes of plateau-dwelling ungulates.

Exploring the population interaction of Przewalski's gazelle () based on the variations in gut microbiota across diverse geographic populations.

The differences in gut microbiota among different populations, to a certain extent, reflect the degree of interaction between individuals within populations. To assess the interaction levels among several small populations of Przewalski's gazelle () ( = 105, from seven different regions) based on differences in gut microbiota, we used the closely related Tibetan gazelle () ( = 52, from seven different regions) as a control. We then compared the gut microbial communities between different populations of the two species using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene.

Mining metagenomic data to gain a new insight into the gut microbial biosynthetic potential in placental mammals.

Mammals host a remarkable diversity and abundance of gut microbes. Biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) in microbial genomes encode biologically active chemical products and play an important role in microbe-host interactions. Traditionally, the exploration of gut microbial metabolic functions has relied on the pure culture method.

Captivity Shifts Gut Microbiota Communities in Plateau Zokor ().

The gut microbiota in animals is a dynamic ecosystem influenced by both the host itself and the environment it inhabits. It is known that short-term captivity can significantly impact the gut microbiota of plateau zokors, leading to substantial inter-individual variation. However, the specific changes in the assembly process of the gut microbiota in plateau zokors during captivity remain unclear.

Fat-soluble Vitamins and Lung Cancer: Where We Are?

Fat-soluble vitamins (vitamins A, D, E, and K) are vital substances for maintaining normal physiological functions in the body. In recent years, scholars have explored the relationship between fat-soluble vitamins and the wasting disease - lung cancer. In this paper, we review recent studies on fat-soluble vitamins and lung cancer to clarify the relevance and molecular mechanisms of various vitamins in lung cancer, and whether the levels of fat-soluble vitamins in the body and vitamin supplementation affect the development of lung cancer.

Maintaining the native gut microbiota of bharal () is crucial in conservation.

As wildlife protection continue to strengthen, research on the gut microbiota of wildlife is increasing. Carrying out conservation and research on endangered species in the Qinghai Tibet Plateau plays an important role in global biodiversity conservation. This study utilized 16S rRNA sequencing of fecal samples to investigate the composition, function, and changes of the gut microbiota of bharal in different environments, seasons, and genders.

Gut microbiota non-convergence and adaptations in sympatric Tibetan and Przewalski's gazelles.

Unraveling the connection between gut microbiota and adaptability in wild species in natural habitats is imperative yet challenging. We studied the gut microbiota of sympatric and allopatric populations of two closely related species, the and , with the latter showing lower adaptability and adaptive potential than the former. Despite shared habitat, sympatric populations showed no convergence in gut microbiota, revealing distinct microbiota-environment relationships between the two gazelle species.

Vitamin D3 improved hypoxia-induced lung injury by inhibiting the complement and coagulation cascade and autophagy pathway.

Background: Pulmonary metabolic dysfunction can cause lung tissue injury. There is still no ideal drug to protect against hypoxia-induced lung injury, therefore, the development of new drugs to prevent and treat hypoxia-induced lung injury is urgently needed. We aimed to explore the ameliorative effects and molecular mechanisms of vitamin D3 (VD3) on hypoxia-induced lung tissue injury.

Seasonal Variation of Gut Microbial Composition and Metabolism in in Hoh Xil National Nature Reserve.

The Tibetan antelope is an endangered species suffering from poaching and habitat fragmentation. The intestinal flora and metabolites play a crucial role in the physiological homeostasis of hosts, which are influenced by various environmental factors like seasonal variation. In this particular research, our main goal was to explore the alterations in the metabolism and gut microbiota of between the cold season (XB) and warm season (DA), using untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene-sequencing analyses.

Marked variations in gut microbial diversity, functions, and disease risk between wild and captive alpine musk deer.

Maintaining a healthy status is crucial for the successful captive breeding of endangered alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster, AMD), and captive breeding programs are beneficial to the ex-situ conservation and wild population recovery of this species. Meanwhile, the gut microbiota is essential for host health, survival, and environmental adaptation. However, changes in feeding environment and food can affect the composition and function of gut microbiota in musk deer, ultimately impacting their health and adaptation.

Effects of ex situ conservation on diversity and function of the gut microbiota of the Tibetan wild ass (Equus kiang).

Ex situ conservation is the main method for the protection of endangered wildlife. To explore the effect of ex situ conservation on the gut microbiota of the kiang (Equus kiang), metagenomic sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis was used to investigate the composition and function of the gut microbiota of the kiang. The results showed that ex situ conservation not only protected wildlife, but also affected the composition and function of gut microbiota, as well as the health of animals.

Procapra Przewalskii Tracking Autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Based on Improved Long and Short-Term Memory Kalman Filters.

This paper presents an autonomous unmanned-aerial-vehicle (UAV) tracking system based on an improved long and short-term memory (LSTM) Kalman filter (KF) model. The system can estimate the three-dimensional (3D) attitude and precisely track the target object without manual intervention. Specifically, the YOLOX algorithm is employed to track and recognize the target object, which is then combined with the improved KF model for precise tracking and recognition.

Preliminary screening of biomarkers in HAPE based on quasi-targeted metabolomics.

High altitude pulmonary edema (HAPE) is a serious threat to the physical and mental health of people who quickly enter high plateaus, deserves more attention and in-depth research. In our study, through the detection of various physiological indexes and other phenotypes in a HAPE rat model, the HAPE group showed a significant decrease in oxygen partial pressure and oxygen saturation, and a significant increase in pulmonary artery pressure and lung tissue water content. The lung histomorphology showed characteristics such as pulmonary interstitial thickening and inflammatory cell infiltration.

Effects of climate change and anthropogenic activity on ranges of vertebrate species endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau over 40 years.

Over the past 40 years, the climate has been changing and human disturbance has increased in the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP). These 2 factors are expected to affect the distribution of a large number of endemic vertebrate species. However, quantitative relationships between range shifts and climate change and human disturbance of these species in the QTP have rarely been evaluated.

Identifying priority reserves favors the sustainable development of wild ungulates and the construction of Sanjiangyuan National Park.

Sanjiangyuan National Park (SNP), the first national park in China, is one of the most important biodiversity conservation areas in the Sanjiangyuan National Nature Reserve (SNNR) and even the world. The threatened ungulates play an irreplaceable role in maintaining the ecosystem diversity and stability in SNNR. Here, based on 1434 occurrence records of six ungulates, the maximum entropy model, with two different strategies, was utilized to determine the priority reserves.

A homotetrameric hemoglobin expressed in alveolar epithelial cells increases blood oxygenation in high-altitude plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae).

The plateau pika (Ochotona curzoniae) is native to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. In this study, the gene that encodes a heme-binding protein in the pulmonary surfactant (PS) of the pika is identified. The protein is a homotetrameric hemoglobin (δ) encoded by HBD (δ).

Microarray-Based Prediction of Polycythemia after Exposure to High Altitudes.

In high-altitude environments, the prevalence of high-altitude polycythemia (HAPC) ranges between 5 and 18 percent. However, there is currently no effective treatment for this condition. Therefore, disease prevention has emerged as a critical strategy against this disease.

Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbial Composition and Functions in Przewalski's Gazelle () From Various Habitats.

Gut microbiota of mammals participates in host nutrient metabolism and plays an important role in host adaptation to the environment. Herein, to understand the relationship between environment differences and the composition and abundance of the gut microbiota of Przewalski's gazelle () in almost all its habitats, high throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to compared the characteristics of the gut microbiota based on total 120 fecal samples. The results showed that Przewalski's gazelle exhibited different characteristics of microbiota diversity in different habitats.

A New Homotetramer Hemoglobin in the Pulmonary Surfactant of Plateau Zokors ().

The plateau zokor () is a native species to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, inhabiting hypoxia and hypercapnia sealed subterranean burrows that pose several unique physiological challenges. In this study, we observed a novel heme-containing protein in the pulmonary surfactant (PS) of plateau zokor, identified the encoding gene of the protein, predicted its origination and structure, verified its expression in alveolar epithelial cells, and determined the protein's affinity to oxygen and its effect on the oxygen-dissolving capability in the PS of plateau zokors. The protein is an unusual homotetramer hemoglobin consisting of four subunits, and the subunit is encoded by a paralog gene of that is .

Boundary delineation and grading functional zoning of Sanjiangyuan National Park based on biodiversity importance evaluations.

Recently, China advanced a policy of establishing a protected area system with national parks as the main body, and so the development of protected areas has entered a transitional period. However, to promote the coordinated development of economic construction and ecological protection of protected areas, their management needs to be more comprehensive and refined. Therefore, a more quantitative and refined spatial planning and management method for protected areas is urgently needed.

Captivity Shifts Gut Microbiota Communities in White-Lipped Deer ().

White-lipped deer () is a nationally protected wild animal species in China, as well as a unique and endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Captivity may alleviate the pressure from poaching and contribute to the repopulation and conservation of the population in the wild. The gut microbiota is described as a complex, interactive internal system that has effects on diseases of the host, with many interactions.

Comparative analysis of gut microbial composition and potential functions in captive forest and alpine musk deer.

Gut microbiota forms a unique microecosystem and performs various irreplaceable metabolic functions for ruminants. The gut microbiota is important for host health and provides new insight into endangered species conservation. Forest musk deer (FMD) and alpine musk deer (AMD) are typical small ruminants, globally endangered due to excessive hunting and habitat loss.

Microbial Biogeography along the Gastrointestinal Tract Segments of Sympatric Subterranean Rodents ( and ).

In this study, based on high-throughput sequencing technology, the biodiversity and the community structure of microbiota in different GIT segments (the stomach, small intestine, cecum and rectum) of plateau zokors and Gansu zokors were studied and compared. A source tracking analysis for the microbial communities of different GIT segments was carried out using the fast expectation-maximization microbial source tracking (FEAST) method. We found that, for both species, the microbial community richness and diversity of the small intestine were almost the lowest while those of the cecum were the highest among the four segments of the GIT.