Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of skeletal muscle development, yet the functions of many muscle-derived circRNAs remain uncharacterized. In this study, we identified a novel circRNA, circAIDA, formed by exons 2 to 6 of the AIDA gene, based on bovine muscle sequencing data. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that circAIDA acts as a molecular sponge for miR-29a, thereby relieving the repression of its downstream targets, AKT3 and CLCN2. Functionally, circAIDA promotes bovine myoblast proliferation while inhibiting apoptosis and differentiation in vitro. Furthermore, experiments in vivo suggested circAIDA could attenuate regeneration of skeletal muscle in mice. In brief, we discovered a novel circAIDA/miR-29a interaction that regulates bovine myogenesis, providing new insights into the molecular networks controlling skeletal muscle development.

Cenchrus fungigraminus (Juncao) is a high-yielding, fast-growing forage crop with considerable potential for livestock feed; however, optimizing its processing is essential for cost reduction and quality enhancement. This study comprised three components: (1) a comprehensive analysis of 25 on-farm silage samples from five locations in Southwest China using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA); (2) an assessment of the effects of three cutting heights (low: 100–150 cm; mid: 150–200 cm; high: 200–250 cm) on silage quality; and (3) a comparison of silage quality between natural fermentation and microbial inoculant treatments using mature Juncao (250–300 cm). The results showed that: (1) in the on-farm silage samples, carbon supplementation was significantly positively correlated with total digestible nutrients (TDN), relative feed value (RFV), ether extract (EE), and sensory evaluation (p < 0.05), and the GRA identified the top-ranked treatments, including J2, J3, J6, X6, and J5; (2) in the cutting height trials, fiber content increased significantly with cutting height (p < 0.05), while crude protein (CP) and TDN decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The 200–250 cm group exhibited optimal fermentation quality, characterized by the highest total volatile fatty acids (total VFA) and lactic acid concentrations, alongside the lowest pH and ammonia nitrogen/total nitrogen ratios (NH₃-N/TN); (3) in the inoculant comparison, the natural fermentation group demonstrated significantly higher degradation rates of acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) compared to the microbial inoculant group, while also maintaining a lower pH, higher total VFA and lactic acid. Consequently, for on-farm production, carbon supplementation is recommended to improve silage quality. Although cutting Juncao below 200 cm provides higher nutritional value, a height of 200–250 cm is advised to ensure optimal fermentation characteristics. Furthermore, natural fermentation proves superior to microbial inoculant treatment for mature Juncao. Together, these measures offer an effective strategy for producing high-quality Juncao silage.

Super enhancers (SEs) are crucial regulatory elements in the genome that determine cell identity and fate commitment through mechanisms such as recruiting

Yajiangxue cattle (XF) is three-way crossbred cattle developed specifically for producing high-quality beef in the Tibetan Plateau by introducing the bloods of Tibetan yellow cattle (HF) and Angus cattle into Tibetan yak (MF). In the present study, we mainly focused on fat deposition and metabolism changes and used RNA-seq and LC-MS/MS-based metabolomics to partially explain the meat quality improvement in Yajiangxue cattle. Differential expression analysis revealed 1762, 2949, and 2931 different expression genes in XF vs. HF, XF vs. MF, and XF vs. cattle–yak (PF), respectively, such as BMP2, WISP2, FGF1, IL1B, IL6, and WNT5B. Immune response, oxidation–reduction processes, and fatty acid metabolism were markedly enriched. Furthermore, an initial identification revealed 319 metabolites using positive ion mode and 289 metabolites using negative ion mode in bovine adipose tissue across four breeds/populations. Of these, 143 were differential metabolites in positive ion mode, while 166 were in negative ion mode. The main pathways of metabolism affected by breed/population were unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, tryptophan and tyrosine biosynthesis, primary bile acid biosynthesis, cholesterol metabolism, beta-alanine metabolism, etc. Similarly, both the transcriptome and the metabolome results highlighted fatty acid metabolism. These results could help elucidate the biological mechanisms involved in fat deposition and identify valuable biomarkers for specific metabolite accumulation.

1. The modern domestic cattle were domesticated in two independent events in Southwest Asia ∼10,000 years ago and in South Asia ∼8,000 years ago, which are broadly classified into two major subspec...

Improving fruit quality is a core challenge in apple production in Southwest China, where long-term clean tillage has driven red soil acidification and fertility decline. However, how different cover crop species influence fruit quality through soil fungal pathways in this region remains unclear. Here, we compared five cover crop treatments—natural grass, alfalfa, perennial ryegrass, white clover, and orchardgrass—against clean tillage in a field experiment, integrating ITS sequencing with multivariate statistical analyses to evaluate their effects on soil properties, fungal communities, and apple fruit quality. Orchardgrass (DG) showed the most favorable performance, increasing sugar–acid ratio (+28.74%) and vitamin C content (+42.16%), followed by alfalfa and natural grass, while ryegrass had the weakest effects. Soil fertility improvement followed the same ranking, and soil pH, organic matter, and nitrogen were identified as key factors associated with fungal community shifts. Fungal community composition and diversity were closely linked to soil properties and fruit quality traits, with sugar–acid ratio co-regulated by nitrogen, pH, and fungal diversity, while vitamin C content was directly associated with cover crop treatment. These findings suggest that orchardgrass may be a promising cover crop for enhancing fruit flavor and nutritional quality under the subtropical red-soil conditions tested in this study, offering practical implications for cover crop selection, though the long-term stability of these effects requires further validation through multi-year trials.