Cell-specific expression of Cre recombinase in rat noradrenergic neurons via CRISPR-Cas9 system.

Noradrenergic neurons play a crucial role in the functioning of the nervous system. They formed compact small clusters in the central nervous system. To target noradrenergic neurons in combination with viral tracing and achieve cell-type specific functional manipulation using chemogenetic or optogenetic tools, new transgenic animal lines are needed, especially rat models for their advantages in large body size with facilitating easy operation, physiological parameter monitoring, and accommodating complex behavioral and cognitive studies.

Indole induces anxiety-like behaviour in mice mediated by brainstem locus coeruleus activation.

The gut microbiota produces metabolites that enrich the host metabolome and play a part in host physiology, including brain functions. Yet the biological mediators of this gut-brain signal transduction remain largely unknown. In this study, the possible role of the gut microbiota metabolite indole, originating from tryptophan, was investigated.

Microplastic exposure disturbs sleep structure, reduces lifespan, and decreases ovary size in .

The organ-specific toxicity resulting from microplastic (MP) exposure has been extensively explored, particularly concerning the gut, liver, testis, and lung. However, under natural conditions, these effects are not restricted to specific organs or tissues. Investigating whether MP exposure presents a systemic threat to an entire organism, impacting factors such as lifespan, sleep, and fecundity, is essential.

Size-dependent deleterious effects of nano- and microplastics on sperm motility.

Introduction: Growing concerns regarding the reproductive toxicity associated with daily life exposure to micro-/nano-plastics (abbreviated as MNPs) have become increasingly prevalent. In reality, MNPs exposure involves a heterogeneous mixture of MNPs of different sizes rather than a single size.

Methods: In this study, an oral exposure mouse model was used to evaluate the effects of MNPs of four size ranges: 25-30 nm, 1-5 µm, 20-27 µm, and 125-150 µm.

MESP1-knockdown inhibits the proliferation and epithelial mesenchymal transition of hepatocellular carcinoma and enhances the tumor-suppressive effect of 5-fluorouracil.

Primary liver hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the third most deadly malignancy worldwide,in part, because it is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. Thus, molecular markers are needed to aid in the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC. Expression of abnormal mesoderm posterior-1 (MESP1) promotes tumorigenesis; however,its role in the regulation of HCC proliferation, apoptosis,and invasion is unknown.

LPS-Induced Systemic Inflammation Caused mPOA-FSH/LH Disturbance and Impaired Testicular Function.

Male reproductive function is key to the continuation of species and is under sophisticated regulation, challenged by various stressors including inflammation. In the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) intraperitoneal injection-induced acute systemic inflammation, male fecundity was compromised with decreased testosterone level, damaged spermatogenesis, and downregulations of testicular gene expression levels involved in steroidogenesis regulation and blood-testis barrier. It is also noteworthy that the testis is more sensitive to acute stress caused by LPS-induced systemic inflammation.

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid exposure altered hypothalamic metabolism and disturbed male fecundity.

Previous studies have examined the effects of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) on disruption of the blood-testis barrier and spermatogenesis. Sertoli and Leydig cells were perturbed, resulting in a decrease in testosterone levels and sperm counts. However, the effects of PFOS on male fecundity are not limited to the testes.

Detrimental effects of microplastic exposure on normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology.

Concerns that airborne microplastics (MP) may be detrimental to human health are rising. However, research on the effects of MP on the respiratory system are limited. We tested the effect of MP exposure on both normal and asthmatic pulmonary physiology in mice.

Effect of Metformin on Short-Term High-Fat Diet-Induced Weight Gain and Anxiety-Like Behavior and the Gut Microbiota.

The pathogenic factors of the complex epidemic disorder-obesity, have expanded from genetic background, endocrine factors, abnormal feeding behaviors, and direct neural control of adipose tissue physiology. As a chronic metabolic disease, it is important to find new potential therapeutic targets and locate a sensitive time window for intervention. In this study, we focus on the early stage of a high-fat diet mouse model: a short-term 3-week treatment.

Barsine paraprominens sp. nov. (Lepidoptera, Erebidae, Arctiinae, Lithosiini) from China, with notes on four new records.

New information of the genus Barsine Walker, 1854 is provided. A new species, Barsine paraprominens Huang Wang sp. nov.

Two new species of the genus Chibiraga Matsumura, 1931 (Lepidoptera: Limacodidae) from China.

Two new species in the genus Chibiraga, C. houshuaii sp. nov.

CpG usage in RNA viruses: data and hypotheses.

CpG repression in RNA viruses has been known for decades, but a reasonable explanation has not yet been proposed to explain this phenomenon. In this study, we calculated the CpG odds ratio of all RNA viruses that have available genome sequences and analyzed the correlation with their genome polarity, base composition, synonymous codon usage, phylogenetic relationship, and host. The results indicated that the viral base composition, synonymous codon usage and host selection were the dominant factors that determined the CpG bias in RNA viruses.