Transcriptome and Methylome Profiling in Rat Skeletal Muscle: Impact of Post-Weaning Protein Restriction.

Skeletal muscle is programmable, and early-life nutritional stimuli may form epigenetic memory in the skeletal muscle, thus impacting adult muscle function, aging, and longevity. In the present study, we designed a one-month protein restriction model using post-weaning rats, followed by a two-month rebound feeding, to investigate how early-life protein restriction affects overall body growth and muscle development and whether these influences could be corrected by rebound feeding. We observed comprehensive alterations immediately after protein restriction, including retarded growth, altered biochemical indices, and disturbed hormone secretion. Transcriptome profiling of the gastrocnemius muscle followed by gene ontology analyses revealed that "myogenic differentiation functions" were upregulated, while "protein catabolism" was downregulated as a compensatory mechanism, with enhanced endoplasmic reticulum stress and undesired apoptosis. Furthermore, methylome profiling of the gastrocnemius muscle showed that protein restriction altered the methylation of apoptotic and hormone secretion-related genes. Although most of the alterations were reversed after rebound feeding, 17 genes, most of which play roles during muscle development, remained altered at the transcriptional level. In summary, early-life protein restriction may undermine muscle function in the long term and affect skeletal muscle development at the both transcriptional and methylation levels, which may hazard future muscle health.

Comparative transcriptomic analysis between 'Summer Black' and its bud sport 'Nantaihutezao' during developmental stages.

MAIN CONCLUSION: 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (VIT_02s0109g00250) and copper amine oxidase (VIT_17s0000g09100) played essential roles in contributing to the total soluble solid and total anthocyanin variations induced by bud sport in grape berries. Taste and color, which are important organoleptic qualities of grape berry, undergo rapid and substantial changes during development and ripening. In this study, we used two cultivars 'Summer Black' and its bud sport 'Nantaihutezao' to explore and identify differentially expressed genes associated with total soluble solid and anthocyanin during developmental stages using RNA-Seq. Overall, substantial differences in expression were observed across berry development between the two cultivars. 5388 genes were detected by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) associated with the total soluble solid (TSS) and anthocyanin contents variations. Several of these genes were significantly enriched in the phenylalanine metabolism pathway; two hub genes 4-coumarate-CoA ligase (VIT_02s0109g00250) and copper amine oxidase (VIT_17s0000g09100) played the most essential roles in relating to the total soluble solid and total anthocyanin variations induced by bud sport through Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and co-expression network analysis. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanism responsible for the bud sport phenotype.

Strong association between the 12q24 locus and sweet taste preference in the Japanese population revealed by genome-wide meta-analysis.

The sweet taste preference of humans is an important adaptation to ensure the acquisition of carbohydrate nutrition; however, overconsumption of sweet foods can potentially lead to diseases such as obesity and diabetes. Although previous studies have suggested that interindividual variation of human sweet taste preference is heritable, genetic loci associated with the trait have yet to be fully elucidated. Here, we genotyped 12,312 Japanese participants using the HumanCore-12+ Custom BeadChip or the HumanCore-24 Custom BeadChip microarrays. The sweet taste preference of the participants was surveyed via an internet-based questionnaire, resulting in a five-point scale of sweet taste preference. The genome-wide meta-analysis of the Japanese participants revealed a strong association between the 12q24 locus and sweet taste preference scale (P = 2.8 × 10-70). The lead variant rs671 is monoallelic in non-East Asian populations and is located in the aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH2) gene, encoding an enzyme involved in alcohol metabolism. The association between the minor allele of rs671 and sweet taste preference was attenuated by adjusting for alcohol drinking. The subgroup analysis showed that the effect of rs671 on sweet taste preference was greater in males than in females. In conclusion, we found an association between the 12q24 locus and sweet taste preference in the Japanese population, and showed that the adjustment for drinking habits attenuated the association. This novel genetic association may provide new clues to elucidate mechanisms determining sweet taste preferences.

Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor-dependent persistent activity of layer 5 intrinsic-bursting and regular-spiking neurons in primary auditory cortex.

Cholinergic signaling coupled to sensory-driven neuronal depolarization is essential for modulating lasting changes in deep-layer neural excitability and experience-dependent plasticity in the primary auditory cortex. However, the underlying cellular mechanism(s) associated with coincident cholinergic receptor activation and neuronal depolarization of deep-layer cortical neurons remains unknown. Using in vitro whole cell patch-clamp recordings targeted to neurons (n = 151) in isolated brain slices containing the primary auditory cortex (AI), we investigated the effects of cholinergic receptor activation and neuronal depolarization on the electrophysiological properties of AI layer 5 intrinsic-bursting and regular-spiking neurons. Bath application of carbachol (5 µM; cholinergic receptor agonist) paired with suprathreshold intracellular depolarization led to persistent activity in these neurons. Persistent activity may involve similar cellular mechanisms and be generated intrinsically in both intrinsic-bursting and regular-spiking neurons given that it 1) persisted under the blockade of ionotropic glutamatergic (kynurenic acid, 2 mM) and GABAergic receptors (picrotoxin, 100 µM), 2) was fully blocked by both atropine (10 µM; nonselective muscarinic antagonist) and flufenamic acid [100 µM; nonspecific Ca2+-sensitive cationic channel (CAN) blocker], and 3) was sensitive to the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel blocker nifedipine (50 µM) and Ca2+-free artificial cerebrospinal fluid. Together, our results support a model through which coincident activation of AI layer 5 neuron muscarinic receptors and suprathreshold activation can lead to sustained changes in layer 5 excitability, providing new insight into the possible role of a calcium-CAN-dependent cholinergic mechanism of AI cortical plasticity. These findings also indicate that distinct streams of auditory processing in layer 5 intrinsic-bursting and regular-spiking neurons may run in parallel during learning-induced auditory plasticity.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cholinergic signaling coupled to sensory-driven neuronal depolarization is essential for modulating lasting changes in experience-dependent plasticity in the primary auditory cortex. Cholinergic activation together with cellular depolarization can lead to persistent activity in both intrinsic-bursting and regular-spiking layer 5 pyramidal neurons. A similar mechanism involving muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, voltage-gated Ca2+ channel, and possible Ca2+-sensitive nonspecific cationic channel activation provides new insight into our understanding of the cellular mechanisms that govern learning-induced auditory cortical and subcortical plasticity.

The red bayberry genome and genetic basis of sex determination.

Morella rubra, red bayberry, is an economically important fruit tree in south China. Here, we assembled the first high-quality genome for both a female and a male individual of red bayberry. The genome size was 313-Mb, and 90% sequences were assembled into eight pseudo chromosome molecules, with 32 493 predicted genes. By whole-genome comparison between the female and male and association analysis with sequences of bulked and individual DNA samples from female and male, a 59-Kb region determining female was identified and located on distal end of pseudochromosome 8, which contains abundant transposable element and seven putative genes, four of them are related to sex floral development. This 59-Kb female-specific region was likely to be derived from duplication and rearrangement of paralogous genes and retained non-recombinant in the female-specific region. Sex-specific molecular markers developed from candidate genes co-segregated with sex in a genetically diverse female and male germplasm. We propose sex determination follow the ZW model of female heterogamety. The genome sequence of red bayberry provides a valuable resource for plant sex chromosome evolution and also provides important insights for molecular biology, genetics and modern breeding in Myricaceae family.

GWAS of habitual coffee consumption reveals a sex difference in the genetic effect of the 12q24 locus in the Japanese population.

BACKGROUND: Studies on genetic effects of coffee consumption are scarce for Asian populations. We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of habitual coffee consumption in Japan using a self-reporting online survey. RESULTS: Candidate genetic loci associated with habitual coffee consumption were searched within a discovery cohort (N = 6,264) and confirmed in a replication cohort (N = 5,975). Two loci achieved genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10- 8) in a meta-analysis of the discovery and replication cohorts: an Asian population-specific 12q24 (rs79105258; P = 9.5 × 10- 15), which harbors CUX2, and 7p21 (rs10252701; P = 1.0 × 10- 14), in the upstream region of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) gene, involved in caffeine metabolism. Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger genetic effect of the 12q24 locus in males (P for interaction = 8.2 × 10- 5). Further, rs79105258 at the 12q24 locus exerted pleiotropic effects on body mass index (P = 3.5 × 10- 4) and serum triglyceride levels (P = 8.7 × 10- 3). CONCLUSIONS: Our results consolidate the association of habitual coffee consumption with the 12q24 and 7p21 loci. The different effects of the 12q24 locus between males and females are a novel finding that improves our understanding of genetic influences on habitual coffee consumption.

[Subtypes of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors involved in the persistent activity of layer V pyramidal neurons in the primary auditory cortex of young mice].

Cholinergic receptor activation and intracellular current injection lead to the persistent activity (PA), which may be involved in inducing neural plasticity. Our previous study showed that PA is closely related to the activation of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in pyramidal neurons of mouse primary auditory cortex (AI). However, the subtypes of mAChRs involved in PA remain unclear. Thus, using whole-cell patch-clamp recording and pharmacological methods, we investigated the role of different mAChR subtypes in inducing PA in AI layer V pyramidal neurons of young mice. The results showed that activation of mAChRs with intracellular depolarizing current induced PA in layer V pyramidal neurons. Blockade of M1, M2 or M3 subtypes prevented the PA, whereas M4 receptor antagonists did not affect the production of PA. The results suggest that the PA may be induced through a mechanism involving M1, M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors, but not M4 subtype.

Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 is involved in γ-decalactone release from peach (Prunus persica) fruit.

KEY MESSAGE: γ-Decalactone accumulation in peach mesocarp was highly correlated with ACX enzyme activity and natural PpACX1 content. Adding the purified recombinant PpACX1 induced γ-decalactone biosynthesis in cultured mesocarp discs in vitro. Previous gene expression studies have implied that acyl coenzyme A oxidase (ACX) is related to lactones synthesis, the characteristic aroma compounds of peach. Here, we analysed the correlation between γ-decalactone content and ACX enzyme activity in mesocarp of five different types of fully ripe peach varieties. Furthermore, 'Hu Jing Mi Lu' ('HJ') and 'Feng Hua Yu Lu' ('YL'), which have strong aroma among them, at four ripening stages were selected to study the role of ACX in lactone biosynthesis. The result showed that γ-decalactone was the most abundant lactone compound. γ-Decalactone accumulation was highly correlated with ACX enzyme activity. Mass spectrometry (MS) showed that PpACX1 was the most abundant PpACX protein in fully ripe mesocarp of cv. 'HJ'. To further elucidate the function of the PpACX1 protein, the PpACX1 gene was heterologously expressed in a bacterial system and characterized in vitro. MS identification gave the molecular weight of the recombinant PpACX1 as 94.44 kDa and the coverage rate of the peptide segments was 47.3%. In cultured mesocarp discs in vitro, adding the purified recombinant PpACX1 and C16-CoA substrate induced the expected γ-decalactone biosynthesis. Using a sandwich ELISA based on mixed mono- and polyclonal antibodies against recombinant PpACX1, PpACX1 content in mesocarp was found to be highly correlated with γ-decalactone accumulation in mesocarp of five fully ripe varieties and four ripening stages of 'HJ' and 'YL'. This study revealed the vital function of PpACX1 in γ-decalactone biosynthesis in peach fruit.

Dietary Genistein Prevents Denervation-Induced Muscle Atrophy in Male Rodents via Effects on Estrogen Receptor-α.

BACKGROUND: Genistein has high estrogenic activity. Previous studies have shown beneficial effects of estrogen or hormone replacement therapy on muscle mass and muscle atrophy. OBJECTIVE: We investigated the preventive effects and underlying mechanisms of genistein on muscle atrophy. METHODS: In Expt. 1, male Wistar rats were fed a diet containing no genistein [control (CON)] or 0.05% genistein (GEN; wt:wt diet) for 24 d. On day 14, the sciatic nerve in the left hind leg was severed, and the right hind leg was sham-treated. In Expt. 2, male C57BL6J mice were subcutaneously administered a vehicle (Veh group) or the estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI 182,780 (ICI group) via an osmotic pump for 27 d, and each group was subsequently fed CON or GEN diets from day 3 to day 27. Muscle atrophy was induced on day 17 as in Expt. 1. In Expt. 3, male C57BL6J mice were subcutaneously administered vehicle or a selective ER agonist-ER-α [4,4',4'-(4-propyl-[1H]-pyrazole-1,3,5-triyl)trisphenol (PPT)] or ER-ß [2,3-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propionitrile (DPN)]-or genistein (GEN-sc-i) via an osmotic pump for 13 d, and muscle atrophy was induced on day 3 as in Expt. 1. The ratio of denervated soleus muscle weight to sham-operated soleus muscle weight (d/s ratio) was used as the index of muscle atrophy. RESULTS: Expt. 1: The d/s ratio in the GEN group was 20% higher than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). Expt. 2: The d/s ratio in the Veh-GEN group was 14% higher than that in the Veh-CON group (P < 0.05), although there was no significant difference between ICI-CON and ICI-GEN groups (P = 0.69). Expt. 3: The d/s ratio in the PPT-treated group was 20% greater than that in the Veh group (P < 0.05), but DPN and GEN-sc-i had no effect on the d/s ratio (P ≥ 0.05 compared with vehicle). CONCLUSION: Genistein intake mitigated denervation-induced soleus muscle atrophy. ER-α was related to the preventive effect of genistein on muscle atrophy.

Genetic diversity of male and female Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra) populations and identification of sex-associated markers.

BACKGROUND: Chinese bayberry (Myrica rubra Sieb. & Zucc.) is an important subtropical evergreen fruit tree in southern China. Generally dioecious, the female plants are cultivated for fruit and have been studied extensively, but male plants have received very little attention. Knowledge of males may have a major impact on conservation and genetic improvement as well as on breeding. Using 84 polymorphic SSRs, we genotyped 213 M. rubra individuals (99 male individuals, 113 female varieties and 1 monoecious) and compared the difference in genetic diversity between the female and the male populations. RESULTS: Neighbour-joining cluster analysis separated M. rubra from three related species, and the male from female populations within M. rubra. By structure analysis, 178 M. rubra accessions were assigned to two subpopulations: Male dominated (98) and Female dominated (80). The well-known cultivars 'Biqi' and 'Dongkui', and the landraces 'Fenhong' are derived from three different gene pools. Female population had a slightly higher values of genetic diversity parameters (such as number of alleles and heterozygosity) than the male population, but not significantly different. The SSR loci ZJU062 and ZJU130 showed an empirical Fst value of 0.455 and 0.333, respectively, which are significantly above the 95 % confidence level, indicating that they are outlier loci related to sex separation. CONCLUSION: The male and female populations of Chinese bayberry have similar genetic diversity in terms of average number of alleles and level of heterozygosity, but were clearly separated by genetic structure analysis due to two markers associated with sex type, ZJU062 and ZJU130. Zhejiang Province China could be the centre of diversity of M. rubra in China, with wide genetic diversity coverage; and the two representative cultivars 'Biqi' and 'Dongkui', and one landrace 'Fenhong' in three female subpopulations. This research provides genetic information on male and female Chinese bayberry and will act as a reference for breeding programs.

[In vitro whole-cell patch clamp recordings of neurons in subnuclei of mouse inferior colliculus].

The inferior colliculus (IC) is a pivot along the central auditory pathway. Using infrared visual whole-cell patch clamp recording technique, we investigated the electrophysiological properties of IC subnuclei neurons. Recordings were made from 88 neurons, including 21 neurons from the dorsal cortex of the IC (ICd), 43 neurons from the central nucleus of the IC (ICc) and 24 neurons from the external cortex of the IC (ICx). Based on the responses to positive current injection, three firing patterns, i.e., onset (6.8%, n = 6), adapting (39.8%, n = 35) and sustained (53.4%, n = 47) patterns, were identified. The hyperpolarization-activated inward current (Ih) could be recorded in half of the neurons (49/88). The sustained pattern occurred in more than half of ICd and ICc neurons (61.9% and 67.4%), while the adapting pattern occurred in majority of ICx neurons (75%). Action potential (AP) threshold and time constant also showed significant differences across neurons from the ICd, the ICc and the ICx. Our results indicate that IC neurons are different in electrophysiological properties across the subnuclei. The variance of the responses may be related to the distinct types of neurons as well as the received projections, which is implicated in the distinct roles of IC neurons in central auditory processing.

Beneficial effects of soluble dietary Jerusalem artichoke (Helianthus tuberosus) in the prevention of the onset of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in high-fructose diet-fed rats.

Jerusalem artichoke (JA) has the potential to attenuate lipid disturbances and insulin resistance (IR), but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. In the present study, we elucidated the physiological responses and mechanisms of JA intervention with a comprehensive transcriptome analysis. Wistar rats were fed a control diet, a 60 % fructose-enriched diet (FRU), or a FRU with 10 % JA (n 6-7) for 4 weeks. An oral glucose tolerance test was carried out on day 21. Liver samples were collected for biochemical and global gene expression analyses (GeneChip® Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array, Affymetrix). Fructose feeding resulted in IR and hepatic TAG accumulation; dietary JA supplementation significantly improved these changes. Transcriptomic profiling revealed that the expression of malic enzyme 1 (Me1), associated with fatty acid synthesis; decorin (Dcn), related to fibrosis; and cytochrome P450, family 1, subfamily a, polypeptide 2 (Cyp1a2) and nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase (Nampt), associated with inflammation, was differentially altered by the FRU, whereas dietary JA supplementation significantly improved the expression of these genes. We established for the first time the molecular mechanisms driving the beneficial effects of JA in the prevention of type 2 diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We propose that 10 % JA supplementation may be beneficial for the prevention of the onset of these diseases.

Peach genetic resources: diversity, population structure and linkage disequilibrium.

BACKGROUND: Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is one of the most important model fruits in the Rosaceae family. Native to the west of China, where peach has been domesticated for more than 4,000 years, its cultivation spread from China to Persia, Mediterranean countries and to America. Chinese peach has had a major impact on international peach breeding programs due to its high genetic diversity. In this research, we used 48 highly polymorphic SSRs, distributed over the peach genome, to investigate the difference in genetic diversity, and linkage disequilibrium (LD) among Chinese cultivars, and North American and European cultivars, and the evolution of current peach cultivars. RESULTS: In total, 588 alleles were obtained with 48 SSRs on 653 peach accessions, giving an average of 12.25 alleles per locus. In general, the average value of observed heterozygosity (0.47) was lower than the expected heterozygosity (0.60). The separate analysis of groups of accessions according to their origin or reproductive strategies showed greater variability in Oriental cultivars, mainly due to the high level of heterozygosity in Chinese landraces. Genetic distance analysis clustered the cultivars into two main groups: one included four wild related Prunus, and the other included most of the Oriental and Occidental landraces and breeding cultivars. STRUCTURE analysis assigned 469 accessions to three subpopulations: Oriental (234), Occidental (174), and Landraces (61). Nested STRUCTURE analysis divided the Oriental subpopulation into two different subpopulations: 'Yu Lu' and 'Hakuho'. The Occidental breeding subpopulation was also subdivided into nectarine and peach subpopulations. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analysis in each of these subpopulations showed that the percentage of linked (r2 > 0.1) intra-chromosome comparisons ranged between 14% and 47%. LD decayed faster in Oriental (1,196 Kbp) than in Occidental (2,687 Kbp) samples. In the 'Yu Lu' subpopulation there was considerable LD extension while no variation of LD with physical distance was observed in the landraces. From the first STRUCTURE result, LG1 had the greatest proportion of alleles in LD within all three subpopulations. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates a high level of genetic diversity and relatively fast decay of LD in the Oriental peach breeding program. Inclusion of Chinese landraces will have a greater effect on increasing genetic diversity in Occidental breeding programs. Fingerprinting with genotype data for all 658 cultivars will be used for accession management in different germplasms. A higher density of markers are needed for association mapping in Oriental germplasm due to the low extension of LD. Population structure and evaluation of LD provides valuable information for GWAS experiment design in peach.

[Peach genomics and genome-wide association study: a review].

Peach (Prunus persica (L.) Batsch) is one of the most predominant stone fruits in Rosaceae family. The broad climate adaption, diverse cultivation region and good fruit taste make it one of the favorate fruits by consumers. Improving fruit quality and enhancing disease/pest resistance are always a focus for peach genetists and breeders to follow with interests. This paper reviews the main achievements on linkage map and physical map construction, development of various molecular markers, whole genome sequencing and transcriptome sequencing for peach in recent years, and also elaborates the applications of genome wide association study (GWAS) with high density SNP markers in peach and other plant crops. This review also provides a theoretical basis for GWAS analysis in the future study to identify high efficient markers of targeted traits for peach.

Effects of Turmeric Extract on Age-Related Skeletal Muscle Atrophy in Senescence-Accelerated Mice.

Muscle atrophy is one of the main causes of sarcopenia-the age-related loss of skeletal muscle. In this study, we investigated the effect of turmeric (Curcuma longa) extract (TE) supplementation on age-related muscle atrophy in a senescence-accelerated mouse model and explored the underlying mechanisms. Twenty-six-week-old male, senescence-accelerated mouse resistant (SAMR) mice received the AIN-93G basal diet, while twenty-six-week-old male, senescence-accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice received the AIN-93G basal diet or a 2% TE powder-supplemented diet for ten weeks. Our findings revealed that TE supplementation showed certain effects on ameliorating the decrease in body weight, tibialis anterior weight, and mesenteric fat tissue weight in SAMP8 mice. TE improved gene expression in the glucocorticoid receptor-FoxO signaling pathway in skeletal muscle, including redd1, klf15, foxo1, murf1, and mafbx. Furthermore, TE might have the certain potential on improving the dynamic balance between anabolic and catabolic processes by inhibiting the binding of glucocorticoid receptor or FoxO1 to the glucocorticoid response element or FoxO-binding element in the MuRF1 promoter in skeletal muscle, thereby promoting muscle mass and strength, and preventing muscle atrophy and sarcopenia prevention. Moreover, TE may have reduced mitochondrial damage and maintained cell growth and division by downregulating the mRNA expression of the genes mfn2 and tsc2. Thus, the results indicated TE's potential for preventing age-related muscle atrophy and sarcopenia.

Effects of Thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.) Essential Oil on Aging-Induced Brain Inflammation and Blood Telomere Attrition in Chronologically Aged C57BL/6J Mice.

Chronological aging is commonly accompanied by chronic low-grade inflammation (or "inflammaging"), a contributor to the development of age-related chronic diseases. Aging increases oxidative stress that accelerates telomere shortening, leading to cell senescence and the generation of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that exacerbates inflammation. Dietary antioxidants may help protect telomeres and attenuate inflammation. Thyme essential oil (TEO), reported for its potency against neuroinflammation, was fed to chronologically aged C57BL/6J mice for 24 weeks. The TEO diet showed notable impacts on the hippocampus, indicated by lower expression of the aging-related gene p16INK4A (p = 0.0783) and significantly lower expression of cyclin D kinase Cdk4 and Cdk6 (p < 0.05) compared to the age-matched control mice. The TEO group also showed significantly lower gene expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine Il6 (p < 0.05) in the hippocampus and lower Il1b expression in the liver and cerebellum (p < 0.05). In vitro experiments conducted on NIH-3T3 cells expressing SASP revealed the dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity of TEO. Remarkably, TEO diet-fed mice showed higher survival rates and significantly longer blood telomere lengths than the control mice. Monoterpene antioxidants in TEO, particularly thymol and p-cymene, may primarily contribute to the anti-inflammatory and telomere-protecting activities of TEO.

Effects of Heat-Moisture-Treated High-Amylose Rice Flour on Body Weight, Lipid Metabolism, and Gut Microbiome Composition in Obese Rats.

The rising prevalence of lifestyle diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic syndrome, has increased the need for effective dietary interventions. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of heat-moisture-treated high-amylose rice (HA-HMT) on body weight, lipid metabolism, and gut microbiome composition in a rat model of obesity. Starch digestibility-specifically, resistant starch-has been shown to provide various health benefits, including improved metabolic health and gut microbiome composition. We employed a sequential approach: firstly, utilizing diet-induced obesity rat models fed with HMT-processed and HMT-non-processed low- or high-amylose rice to investigate the potential of amylose content or HMT to alter phenotypic characteristics and lipid metabolism; and secondly, using the optimal rice flour identified in the previous step to explore the underlying mechanisms. Our findings indicate that heat-moisture treatment, rather than the level of the amylose content of the rice, contributes to the observed anti-obesity and cholesterol-lowering effects. We identified candidate genes contributing to the cholesterol-regulating potential and demonstrated that HMT rice flour could influence the gut microbiome, particularly the Ruminococcus taxa. This study provides valuable insights into the health benefits of HA-HMT rice and supports its potential as a functional food ingredient in the management of obesity and cholesterol-related disorders.

Construction of ACNF/Polypyrrole/MIL-100-Fe composites with exceptional removal performance for ceftriaxone and indomethacin inspired by "Ecological Infiltration System".

Developing advanced adsorbents for removing the alarming level of pharmaceuticals active compounds (PhACs) pollution is an urgent task for environmental treatment. Herein, a novel acid-treated carbon nanofiber/polypyrrole/MIL-100-Fe (ACNF/PPy/MIL-100-Fe) with stable 3D-supporting skeleton and hierarchical porous structure had been fabricated to erasure ceftriaxone (CEF) and indomethacin (IDM) from aqueous solution. ACNF as scaffold achieved the highly uniform growth of MIL-100-Fe and PPy. Viewing the large BET surface area (SBET, 999.7 m2/g), highly exposed accessible active sites and copious functional groups, ACNF/PPy/MIL-100-Fe separately showed an excellent adsorption capacity for CEF (294.7 mg/g) and IDM (751.8 mg/g), outstripping the most previously reported adsorbents. Moreover, ACNF/PPy/MIL-100-Fe reached rapid adsorption kinetics and standout reusability property. Further, the redesigned easy-to-recyclable ACF/PPy/MIL-100-Fe inspired by the electrode formation craft achieved prominent adsorption capacity and good reusability property. The adsorption mechanism was evaluated via Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The outcomes revealed that the splendid adsorption capability mainly depended on the electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions. This work sheds light on one facile practical strategy to exploit advanced materials in water environmental remediation.

Identification of the Light-Harvesting Chlorophyll a/b Binding Protein Gene Family in Peach (Prunus persica L.) and Their Expression under Drought Stress.

In higher plants, light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b binding (Lhc) proteins play a vital role in photosynthetic processes and are widely involved in the regulation of plant growth, development, and response to abiotic stress. However, the Lhc gene family has not been well identified in peaches (Prunus persica L.). In this study, 19 PpLhc genes were identified in the peach genome database, which were unevenly distributed on all chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that PpLhc proteins could be divided into three major subfamilies, each of whose members had different exon-intron structures but shared similar conserved motifs. A total of 17 different kinds of cis-regulatory elements were identified in the promoter regions of all PpLhc genes, which could be classified into three categories: plant growth and development, stress response, and phytohormone response. In addition, transcriptomic data analysis and RT-qPCR results revealed that the expression profiles of some PpLhc genes changed under drought treatment, suggesting the crucial roles of Lhc genes in the regulation of plant tolerance to drought stress. Taken together, these findings will provide valuable information for future functional studies of PpLhc genes, especially in response to drought stress.