Litter size is a considerable quality that determines the production efficiency of mutton sheep. Therefore, revealing the molecular regulation of high and low fertility may aid the breeding process to develop new varieties of mutton sheep. CircRNAs are the important factors regulating follicular development, but their mechanism role in the regulation of litter size in Hanper sheep is not clear. In the present study, ovarian tissues from the follicular (F) or luteal phase (L) of Hanper sheep that were either consecutive monotocous (M) or polytocous were collected. Then, we performed transcriptome sequencing to screen for differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) and elucidate their function. In total, 4256 circRNA derived from 2184 host genes were identified in which 183 (146 were upregulated, while 37 were downregulated) were differentially expressed in monotocous sheep in the follicular phase versus polytocous sheep in the follicular phase (MF vs. PF). Moreover, 34 circRNAs (14 were upregulated, while 20 were downregulated) were differentially expressed in monotocous sheep in the luteal phase versus polytocous sheep in the luteal sheep (ML vs. PL). This was achieved through DE-circRNAs function enrichment annotation analysis by GESA, GO, and KEGG, which function through the EGF-EGFR-RAS-JNK, TGF-β and thyroid hormone signaling pathway to affect the litter size of Hanper sheep in MF vs. PF and ML vs. PL. STEM results showed that MAPK signaling pathways play a key role in MF vs. PF and ML vs. PL. Through WGCNA analysis, AKT3 was a core gene in MF vs. PF and ML vs. PL. Moreover, competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network analysis revealed the target binding sites for miRNA such as oar-miR-27a, oar-miR-16b, oar-miR-200a/b/c, oar-miR-181a, oar-miR-10a/b, and oar-miR-432 in the identified DE-cirRNAs.

Achyranthes bidentata, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has garnered significant attentions due to its diverse bioactivities and substantial market potential. Recent advancements in phytochemical and pharmacological research have identified polysaccharides as some of its primary bioactive constituents. These polysaccharides demonstrate a wide range of biological effects both in vitro and in vivo, such as antioxidant, immunomodulatory, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-osteoporotic, and gut microbiota-regulating properties. This review comprehensively examines the extraction and purification techniques, structural features, modifications, pharmacological effects, and structure–activity relationships of A. bidentata polysaccharides (ABPs) over the past three decades. By highlighting the multifaceted biological roles and structure–activity correlations of ABPs, this review aims to enhance the understanding of their potential applications and foster further innovation in bioactive research and development.

Virus-neutralizing antibodies (VNAs) serve as critical components of host immune defense, countering viral infections by specifically recognizing epitopes on viral surface antigens to block viral entry and replication. This review elucidates the functional mechanisms of VNAs, with a focus on the dynamic interactions between the Fab region and viral epitopes, including steric hindrance and conformational locking, as well as the effector functions mediated by the Fc segment. Furthermore, we dissect diverse viral evasion strategies against neutralization that have emerged in recent studies, encompassing antigenic drift/shift, glycan shielding, epitope occlusion, antibody-dependent enhancement, and mutation accumulation under population immune pressure. Integrating structural biology insights with clinical evidence, we analyze challenges in developing broadly neutralizing antibodies and highlight innovative technological approaches. Our synthesis aims to establish a theoretical framework for the rational design and clinical translation of next-generation VNAs, thereby advancing novel strategies for antiviral therapeutics development.

Under modern intensive and large-scale animal farming practices, the high animal density and confined spaces have progressively elevated the risk of disease transmission while complicating epidemic prevention and control. Current estimates indicate that over 70% of animal disease risks stem from viral infections, primarily transmitted via aerosol pathways. Such aerosol-mediated transmission not only triggers concentrated disease outbreaks within farms but also endangers farm workers and adjacent environments, thereby amplifying prevention challenges and substantially impeding the sustainable development of livestock industries. Therefore, this review systematically expounds the sources, hazards, and influencing factors of microbial aerosols in livestock farming environments. Furthermore, it proposes targeted prevention and control measures to address these challenges, aiming to provide theoretical and practical insights for enhancing disease prevention and promoting the healthy development of the livestock industry.