We investigated the potential ability of quercetin to protect against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal oxidative stress in broiler chickens and the potential role of the Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) signaling pathway. One-day-old broiler chickens (n = 240) were randomized into four groups: saline-challenged broiler chickens fed a basal diet (Con), LPS-challenged broiler chickens on a basal diet (LPS), and LPS-treated broiler chickens on a basal diet containing either 200 or 500 mg/kg of quercetin (Que200+LPS or Que500+LPS). Quercetin (200 mg/kg) significantly alleviated LPS-induced decreased duodenal, jejunal, and illeal villus height and increased the crypt depth in these regions. Quercetin significantly inhibited LPS-induced jejunal oxidative stress, including downregulated reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) levels, and it upregulated superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels. Quercetin relieved LPS-induced jejunal mitochondria damage and upregulated mitochondrial DNA copy number-related gene expression, including cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1), ATP synthase F0 subunit 6 (ATP6), and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 (ND1). Quercetin attenuated the LPS-induced inhibition of Nrf2 activation, translocation, and downstream gene expression, including heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), NAD (P) H dehydrogenase quinone 1 (NQO1), and manganese superoxide dismutase (SOD2). Additionally, quercetin attenuated the LPS-inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), Extracellular Regulated protein Kinases (ERK), and p38MAPK (p38) phosphorylation in the MAPK pathway. Thus, quercetin attenuated LPS-induced oxidative stress in the intestines of broiler chickens via the MAPK/Nrf2 signaling pathway.

This study explores the regulatory role of proline-rich acidic protein 1 (Prap1) effects on embryo implantation. A high estrogen model and ovariectomized mice were employed to demonstrate that estrogen regulates Prap1 expression. Uterine tissues were collected from E 1.5 (the presence of a vaginal plug was recorded as embryonal day 0.5, E 0.5) to E 7.5 to detect the Prap1 expression pattern in early pregnancy using qRT-PCR. Embryo adhesion was assessed through uterine perfusion of PRAP1 protein and Prap1 overexpression in endometrial epithelial cells (EECs). The data showed that Prap1 expression was increased in the uterus with high estrogen levels. Prap1 expression was specifically reduced during early implantation. Overexpression of Prap1 in EECs also reduced the embryo adhesions. The differentially expressed genes obtained by RNA-seq were enriched in extracellular matrix and cell adhesion. Muc1 expression was increased in EECs overexpressing Prap1 by RNA-seq and qRT-PCR. Similarly, O-glycosylation biosynthesis was enriched, and glycosylation-related genes were upregulated. Our results demonstrate that Prap1 was regulated by estrogen and an increase in PRAP1 before implantation affected embryo adhesion by regulating the expression of Muc1 and extracellular matrix-related genes, leading to embryo implantation failure. Our results provide a new insight into estrogen regulation of embryo implantation.

Superovulation and embryo transfer techniques are effective strategies for improving reproductive efficiency in sheep flocks. To characterize changes in plasma metabolites and reproductive hormones following HMG or FSH superovulatory treatment, and to screen for biomarkers closely associated with embryo quality, we employed liquid chromatography-based untargeted metabolomics and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to analyze plasma samples from donor ewes on day 6 after hormone administration. This study aimed to identify small-molecule biomarkers affecting embryo quality under different hormonal regimens. A total of 46 Kazakh ewes were allocated into two groups: the HMG group received HMG treatment, while the FSH group received FSH treatment; both groups were superovulated using a tapering dose regimen administered via intramuscular injection. Our results show that the average number of viable embryos in the HMG group (5.36 ± 3.29, n = 11) was significantly higher than that in the FSH group (2.91 ± 2.60, n = 35) (p < 0.05). Plasma progesterone concentrations differed significantly between the two groups (p = 0.01). Metabolomic analysis identified three key differential metabolites: 5-fluorouridine, ADP, and hexadecanoic acid. Functional enrichment analysis revealed 45 significantly enriched metabolic pathways. In conclusion, HMG effectively improves sheep embryo quality by modulating the levels of small-molecule metabolites associated with embryonic development.

Due to the lack of effective early diagnosis and treatment, gallbladder cancer(GBC) remains a malignant tumor with extremely high malignancy and poor prognosis. Therefore, high quality studies are required to break through the bottleneck in GBC diagnosis and treatment. This article reviewed the domestic and foreign GBC research published in 2021, presenting a comprehensive summary of the important advances in the field of clinical diagnosis and treatment. Latest epidemiological data and risk factors, emerging diagnostic methods of peripheral blood laboratory tests and imaging, new pathologic classification system, hot topics and controversies of surgical treatment as well as the dynamics of systemic treatment of GBC are reviewed in the article. The present findings may contribute to a more efficient means of diagnosis and treatment for GBC and hold the promise of improved outcomes for patients with GBC.

Asynchronous embryo transfer is widely used in assisted reproduction, yet its adverse effects and mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates implantation failure in D1.5 pseudopregnant mice to elucidate mechanisms underlying asynchronous transfer. Blastocysts were transferred into uterine horns of D1.5 (Group A), D2.5 (Group B), and D3.5 (Group C) recipients. Implantation sites were counted at D7.5, and embryos were recovered within 3 hours post-transfer for analysis. Multibarcode single-cell RNA sequencing was applied to embryos and uterine tissues. Embryo recovery rate in Group A was significantly lower than in Groups B and C ( p <0.01), with an abnormal embryo rate of 68.67%. Hoechst 33342/PI double staining revealed dead-cell features in abnormal embryos. Transcriptomic analysis of embryos showed downregulated DNA damage repair and structural maintenance genes in Group A. GO and KEGG analyses highlighted enrichment in transcriptional regulation and cell cycle pathways. GSEA identified activated apoptosis pathways, with intrinsic (mitochondrial) and extrinsic (death receptor TNFR-mediated) apoptosis genes significantly upregulated ( p <0.05). Uterine transcriptome analysis revealed downregulated collagen family genes (ECM maintenance) but upregulated immune-related genes (IL family, CDs, C3) in Group A. Functional enrichment confirmed ECM and immune regulation pathway involvement. Gene network analysis identified Clca1 , Smpdl3a , Tmprss4 , Muc4 , Cfb, and Nupr1 as key regulators of D1.5 uterine immunity/inflammation. D1.5 uterine immune dysregulation induces embryonic stress and inflammation. Impaired DNA damage repair activates intrinsic apoptosis, while upregulated TNFR signaling triggers extrinsic apoptosis, collectively blocking embryonic development toward implantation competence. These findings provide mechanistic insights into optimizing embryo transfer timing and improving reproductive outcomes.