This study primarily aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV)and other common pathogens of sexually transmitted infections(STIs)in spermatozoa of infertile men and their effects on semen parame...This study primarily aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV)and other common pathogens of sexually transmitted infections(STIs)in spermatozoa of infertile men and their effects on semen parameters.These pathogens included Ureaplasma urealyticum,Ureaplasma parvum,Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasma genitalium,herpes simplex virus 2,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Enterococcus faecalis,Streptococcus agalactiae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Staphylococcus aureus.A total of 1951 men of infertile couples were recruited between 23 March 2023,and 17 May 2023,at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province(Kunming,China).Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis were used for HPV genotyping.Polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis were also used to detect the presence of other STIs.The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.4%.The top five prevalent HPV subtypes were types 56,52,43,16,and 53 among those tested positive for HPV.Other common infections with high prevalence rates were Ureaplasma urealyticum(28.3%),Ureaplasma parvum(20.4%),and Enterococcus faecalis(9.5%).The prevalence rates of HPV coinfection with Ureaplasma urealyticum,Ureaplasma parvum,Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasma genitalium,herpes simplex virus 2,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Enterococcus faecalis,Streptococcus agalactiae,and Staphylococcus aureus were 24.8%,25.4%,10.6%,6.4%,2.4%,7.9%,5.9%,0.9%,and 1.3%,respectively.The semen volume and total sperm count were greatly decreased by HPV infection alone.Coinfection with HPV and Ureaplasma urealyticum significantly reduced sperm motility and viability.Our study shows that coinfection with STIs is highly prevalent in the semen of infertile men and that coinfection with pathogens can seriously affect semen parameters,emphasizing the necessity of semen screening for STIs.展开更多
In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epice...In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epicenter,and caudal penumbra of the injury site initiates a cellularmolecular interplay that acts as a rewiring mechanism leading to central neuropathic pain.Sprouting can lead to the formation of new connections triggering abnormal sensory transmission.The excitatory glutamate transporters are responsible for the reuptake of extracellular glutamate which makes them a critical target to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity.Our previous studies showed a sexually dimorphic therapeutic window for spinal cord injury after treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen.In this study,we investigated the anti-allodynic effects of tamoxifen in male and female rats with spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that tamoxifen exerts anti-allodynic effects by increasing the expression of glutamate transporters,leading to reduced hyperexcitability of the secondary neuron or by decreasing aberrant sprouting.Male and female rats received a moderate contusion to the thoracic spinal cord followed by subcutaneous slow-release treatment of tamoxifen or matrix pellets as a control(placebo).We used von Frey monofilaments and the“up-down method”to evaluate mechanical allodynia.Tamoxifen treatment decreased allodynia only in female rats with spinal cord injury revealing a sexdependent effect.The expression profile of glutamatergic transporters(excitatory amino acid transporter 1/glutamate aspartate transporter and excitatory amino acid transporter 2/glutamate transporter-1)revealed a sexual dimorphism in the rostral,epicenter,and caudal areas of the spinal cord with a pattern of expression primarily on astrocytes.Female rodents showed a significantly higher level of excitatory amino acid transporter-1 expression while male rodents showed increased excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression compared with female rodents.Analyses of peptidergic(calcitonin gene-related peptide-α)and non-peptidergic(isolectin B4)fibers outgrowth in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury showed an increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-α/isolectin B4 ratio in comparison with sham,suggesting increased receptive fields in the dorsal horn.Although the behavioral assay shows decreased allodynia in tamoxifen-treated female rats,this was not associated with overexpression of glutamate transporters or alterations in the dorsal horn laminae fibers at 28 days post-injury.Our findings provide new evidence of the sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters in the spinal cord.The dimorphic expression revealed in this study provides a therapeutic opportunity for treating chronic pain,an area with a critical need for treatment.展开更多
Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign neoplasm that develops from the constituent elements of the prostate. It is a common age-related condition, with more than 50% of men over 50 years old exhi...Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign neoplasm that develops from the constituent elements of the prostate. It is a common age-related condition, with more than 50% of men over 50 years old exhibiting symptoms indicative of BPH. It is the main cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive and longitudinal study over a six-month period from December 15, 2023, to May 15, 2024. All patients admitted for BPH and who received medication treatment during this period were included in the study. Results: The average age of patients was 65.4 years, with the 60 to 69-year age group being the most represented (37.18%). There was no statistical link between the level of education and the occurrence of erection dysfunction ED. 66.67% of patients suffered from ED before treatment. Age was a major risk factor. 94.87% of patients were treated with Alpha-blockers due to their tolerance and effectiveness. 14.10% of patients had a history of inguinal herniorrhaphy, often due to the strain of urination and physical labor. 46.16% of patients had hypertension. No significant link was found between comorbidities and ED. 38.45% of patients consumed tobacco or alcohol. Tobacco was a significant risk factor for ED. 57.67% of patients suffered from ED after treatment, indicating an improvement compared to 66.67% before treatment. However, 24.36% did not ejaculate during sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Medication treatment is the first-line treatment for BPH. However, it can lead to retrograde ejaculation, negatively impacting ejaculatory function. The results showed that the treatment improves patients’ sexuality (IIEF-5 score), but age and tobacco consumption increase the risk of sexual dysfunction.展开更多
Clinical inertia(CI)is common in clinical practice.Sexual health issues are common in society,and CI is ubiquitous in sexual medicine practice.CI influences all aspects of healthcare,including prevention,diagnosis,and...Clinical inertia(CI)is common in clinical practice.Sexual health issues are common in society,and CI is ubiquitous in sexual medicine practice.CI influences all aspects of healthcare,including prevention,diagnosis,and treatment.In this short review,we briefly describe the various aspects of CI in sexual medicine practice and ways to tackle them.展开更多
Sexual dichromatism represents a major form of phenotypic differentiation between the sexes in birds,and its evolution is likely shaped by the interplay between sexual and natural selection.The genus Ficedula,widely d...Sexual dichromatism represents a major form of phenotypic differentiation between the sexes in birds,and its evolution is likely shaped by the interplay between sexual and natural selection.The genus Ficedula,widely distributed across Eurasia,exhibits pronounced interspecific variation in both sexual dichromatism and migratory behavior,making it an ideal study system for investigating the evolutionary patterns and drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.In this study,we conducted a phylogenetic comparative analysis of plumage complexity and sexual dichromatism across 32 Ficedula species.We further explored how life-history traits influence the evolution of sexual dichromatism.Our results reveal a strong positive correlation between male plumage complexity and the degree of sexual dichromatism,with males evolving plumage complexity at significantly faster rates than females.Migratory species exhibit significantly higher levels of dichromatism.Furthermore,compared to monochromatic species,sexually dichromatic species are characterized by higher latitudinal occurrence,broader geographic distributions,and greater flight capacity.These findings demonstrated how sexual and natural selection jointly drive evolution of sexual dichromatism in Ficedula within phylogenetic constraints,advancing our understanding of the evolutionary drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.展开更多
Sexual selection is thought to play a major role in the evolution of color due to the correlation between a signaler’s physiological state and the displayed color.As such,researchers often investigate how color corre...Sexual selection is thought to play a major role in the evolution of color due to the correlation between a signaler’s physiological state and the displayed color.As such,researchers often investigate how color correlates to the quality of the signaler.However,research on the relationship between color and individual quality is often taxonomically limited and researchers typically investigate how color phenotypes relate to one index of quality,such as a linear measure of body size.Here,we investigated the relationship among body size,claw size,claw muscle mass,lipid content,and the color of the claw in male fiddler crabs(Leptuca uruguayensis)which wield an exaggerated claw that varies in color from brown to red.We hypothesized that if the color was correlated to one or more indices of male quality,the color displayed on the claws of male L.uruguayensis could be under sexual selection.We found L.uruguayensis claw color varies substantially among the individuals we photographed.However,we did not find a correlation between claw color and indices of quality;neither brightness nor hue correlated to the indices of quality we measured.Our findings suggest that claw color in L.uruguayensis is unlikely to have evolved to signal quality,but may instead function as a species identity or as a non-indicator sexual signal.展开更多
The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health,influencing diverse physiological processes,including those related to sexual health.Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between the gut micr...The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health,influencing diverse physiological processes,including those related to sexual health.Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and sexual health,mediated by its impact on systemic inflammation,hormonal regulation,and immune function.A balanced gut microbiota supports optimal levels of sex hormones,such as estrogen and testosterone,which are critical for sexual function and reproductive health.Additionally,gut-derived metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids contribute to maintaining mucosal barrier integrity and regulating immune responses,which are essential for protecting against infections that may impair sexual health.Conversely,dysbiosis,an imbalance in gut microbial composition,has been linked to conditions such as erectile dysfunction,polycystic ovary syndrome,and reduced libido,emphasizing its role in sexual dysfunction.Lifestyle factors,including diet,stress,and antibiotic use,can modulate the gut microbiota and,consequently,sexual health outcomes.Recent therapeutic approaches,such as probiotics,prebiotics,and fecal microbiota transplantation,offer potential for restoring gut balance and improving sexual health.This review highlights the central role of the gut microbiota in sexual health,emphasizing its importance as a target for therapeutic interventions to enhance overall well-being.展开更多
Sex-specific neurons play pivotal roles in regulating sexually dimorphic behaviors.In insects,the sex determination gene doublesex(dsx)establishes major sexual dimorphism of the nervous system,in which male-specific d...Sex-specific neurons play pivotal roles in regulating sexually dimorphic behaviors.In insects,the sex determination gene doublesex(dsx)establishes major sexual dimorphism of the nervous system,in which male-specific dsx^(M)promotes neuronal development,while female-specific dsx^(F)inhibits neuronal development by promoting neuronal apoptosis.In this study,we find that dsx regulates the number of dsx-expressing central neurons in Drosophila in cell-specific manners.Although dsx^(M)overall promotes an increase in the number of dsx neurons,it inhibits the emergence of specific pC1 neurons.dsx^(F)reduces the number of different pC1/pC2 subtypes,but promotes the formation of pC1d.We also find that dsx^(M)and dsx^(F)barely affect the number of some pC2 neurons.Changes in the number of pC1/pC2 neurons alter their roles in regulating different behaviors,including courtship,aggression,and locomotion.Our results illustrate the multifaceted functions of dsx in sexually dimorphic neuronal development and behaviors.展开更多
Sexual maturation heterosis has been widely exploited in animal crossbreeding.However,the underlying mechanism has been rarely explored in chicken.In the present study,we performed the reciprocal crossing between Whit...Sexual maturation heterosis has been widely exploited in animal crossbreeding.However,the underlying mechanism has been rarely explored in chicken.In the present study,we performed the reciprocal crossing between White Leghorn and Beijing You chicken to evaluate the phenotypes related to sexual maturation,and profiled the ovary circRNAs of purebreds(WW,YY)and crossbreds(WY,YW)to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying heterosis for sexual maturation.Pubic space and oviduct length exhibited positive heterosis,and age at first egg(AFE)exhibited negative heterosis in the crossbreds.We identified 3,025 known circRNAs and 624 putative circRNAs,which were mainly derived from the exons.Among these circRNAs,141 and 178circRNAs were specially expressed in WY and YW,respectively.There were 52.38 and 64.63%of total circRNAs in WY and YW exhibited non-additive expression pattern,respectively.GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the host genes of non-additive circRNAs were mainly involved in TGF-beta signaling pathway,oocyte development,ATPase activator activity,oocyte meiosis,progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and GnRH signaling pathway.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified that 4 modules were significantly(P<0.05)correlated with oviduct length and pubic space.The host genes of non-additive circRNAs harbored in the 4 modules were associated with MAPK signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway.Furthermore,competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNA)network analysis characterized non-additive circRNAs gal-FGFR2_0005 and galMAPKAP1_0004 could interact with gga-miR-1612 and gga-miR-12235-5p to regulate CNOT6,COL8A1,and FHL2,which were essential for ovary development,indicating that the non-additive circRNAs involved in the formation of sexual maturation heterosis through regulating genes related to the reproductive and developmental process.The findings would provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying sexual maturation heterosis from a novel perspective.展开更多
Background: The sexual function is an essential aspect of life for women irrespective of age because it is closely correlated with overall wellbeing and relationship satisfaction. Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a ...Background: The sexual function is an essential aspect of life for women irrespective of age because it is closely correlated with overall wellbeing and relationship satisfaction. Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a common public health issue that is defined as one or more problems of female sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and/or sexual pain/discomfort that leads to significant distress. Aim: This study aimed to assess the female sexual function among Libyan women. Methods and materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Tripoli University Hospital over six months duration between January and June 2024. It included 314 female participants who attended the hospital during that period. The data underwent analysis and prescription via a computerized program of SPSS version 24. Results: The most frequent age range was between 26 to 35 years accounting for 54.8% (172). The mean duration of marriage was 7.42 years ± 7.228 SD. The majority of participants were multipara accounting for 79.9% (251). Based on the classification of female sexual dysfunction severity, 41.7% (131) of participants had mild to moderate severity followed by 32.2% (101) had mild severity with an overall female sexual dysfunction rate of 81.2% (255). Based on female sexual function characteristics, 28.3% (89) had abnormal desire, 22% (69) had abnormal arousal, 55.4% (174) had abnormal lubrication, 24.5% (77) had undetected orgasm, 23.2% (73) had inappropriate satisfaction and 19.1% (60) had pain. Conclusion: The overall rate of female sexual dysfunction among Libyan women was (81.2%) which is considered high but with low severity, (41.7%) had mild to moderate dysfunction followed by (32.2%) with mild dysfunction. These findings had significant effects on sexual life and marital status which require a basic strategy approach to increase sexual awareness and marital counseling among couples and to avoid adverse sexual dysfunction consequences such as divorce, marital problems, insufficient sexual satisfaction, and psychosocial concern.展开更多
Frontal osteitis complicated with bone necrosis is rare.In addition,the condition has various etiologies,such as frontal sinusitis,penetrating head injury,postoperative complications after sinus surgery,and hematogeno...Frontal osteitis complicated with bone necrosis is rare.In addition,the condition has various etiologies,such as frontal sinusitis,penetrating head injury,postoperative complications after sinus surgery,and hematogenous spread from distant sites.In frontal osteitis,early diagnosis is important,and fistulization of pus in the scalp or on the traumatized forehead may raise the suspicion of osteitis in one of the skull bones.The exclusion of osteonecrosis is such cases is an emergency;hence,a magnetic resonance imaging and a computed tomography scan are required in the absence of skull radiography.Early administration of the appropriate treatment in the immediate post-trauma period ensures effective prevention of frontal osteitis;however,the treatment of bone necrosis involves debridement and antibiotic therapy to prevent fatal intracranial complications.This report presents the case of a 16-year-old female patient who experienced sexual and physical assault that resulted in undetected frontal trauma complicated with frontal osteonecrosis.Thorough clinical examination of the patient was performed,and follow-up and multidisciplinary management enabled the social integration of the patient.展开更多
Cytokinins are ancient hormones present across all kingdoms of life except archaea,although functional biosynthesis pathways have yet to be identified in animalia.Known for their roles in cell division and proliferati...Cytokinins are ancient hormones present across all kingdoms of life except archaea,although functional biosynthesis pathways have yet to be identified in animalia.Known for their roles in cell division and proliferation,cytokinins are critical to plant life,as they regulate various aspects of vegetative growth,stress response,and reproduction.In this review,we summarize literature from 2020 to 2025 pertaining to the cytokinin functions in plant reproduction.While general aspects of cytokinin’s role in plant reproduction have been addressed,we particularly focus on the role of cytokinin in reproductive systems due to recent work identifying their role as sex-determining factors in dioecious species in Salicaceae and other families,their role in determining flower sex in monoecious species,and their involvement in self-incompatibility response and asexual reproduction.展开更多
Acoustic communication signals are important for species recognition and mate attraction across numerous taxa.For instance,most of thethousands of species of frogs have a species-specifc advertisement call that female...Acoustic communication signals are important for species recognition and mate attraction across numerous taxa.For instance,most of thethousands of species of frogs have a species-specifc advertisement call that females use to localize and discriminate among potential mates.Thus,the acoustic structure of the advertisement call is critical for reproductive success.The acoustic structure of calls will generally divergeover evolutionary time and can be infuenced by the calls of sympatric species.While many studies have shown the infuence of geographyon contemporary call variation in populations of frogs,no study has compared the acoustic structure of frog calls across many species to askwhether we can detect an infuence of divergence time and overall geographic overlap on the differences in acoustic structure of species-typicalcalls that we observe now.To this end,we compared acoustic features of the calls of 225 species of frogs within 4 families.Furthermore,weused a behavioral assay from 1 species of frog to determine which acoustic features to prioritize in our large-scale analyses.We found evidencethat both phylogeny(time)and geography(place)relate to advertisement call acoustics albeit with large variation in these relationships acrossthe 4 families in the analysis.Overall,these results suggest that,despite the many ecological and evolutionary forces that infuence call structure,the broad forces of time and place can shape aspects of advertisement call acoustics.展开更多
Shrimps of the genus Synalpheus(Caridea)are commonly found in subtropical and tropical marine habitats around the world.The present work aims to provide the first description of the reproductive system of this genus u...Shrimps of the genus Synalpheus(Caridea)are commonly found in subtropical and tropical marine habitats around the world.The present work aims to provide the first description of the reproductive system of this genus using histological,histochemical,and morphological perspectives to elucidate the gonochoric or hermaphrodite sexual system in this genus.Males have a slender and very translucent reproductive system that is challenging to observe.The entire cephalothorax was histologically sectioned to ensure that all regions of the reproductive system could be identified.This non-gambarelloides group shows a gonochoric condition.The caridean pattern of the reproductive system was observed where the male has a pair of testes and a pair of very thin vasa deferentia,ending at the opening of the gonopore.Spermatophore structure is absent,without any layers surrounding the spermatozoa that are aggregated in a sperm mass.In females,the reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries that extend to the end of the pleon.The extension of the ovary has a particular pattern compared to other caridean shrimps.Here,we hypothesize that males invest energy on somatic morphological structures to protect the host and female,using the larger pistol-like cheliped,while females invest energy in reproduction since all the members of this group are typical"pair-bond"examples.The observed pattern of the reproductive male morphology could also be evidence of a possible synapomorphy for this genus within theinfraorder.展开更多
Panax notoginseng-steamed chicken(PNSC)is a common medicinal diet in China.In this study,we conducted comprehensive analysis to determine the effect of PNSC on uterine involution in postpartum mice and human umbilical...Panax notoginseng-steamed chicken(PNSC)is a common medicinal diet in China.In this study,we conducted comprehensive analysis to determine the effect of PNSC on uterine involution in postpartum mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells.The role of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(m TOR)pathway in this process was explored.Results showed that PNSC promoted the recovery of endometrial hyperplasia and uterine index in postpartum mice.In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that PNSC activated PI3K/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway,promoted the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC),up-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and its binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2).Moreover,it increased the expression of PCNA,MMP9,and Cyclin D1 in the nucleus.It can also up-regulated the secretion of hormones,such as prolactin(PRL),progesterone(P),as well as the level of VEGF in mice,and down-regulated the secretion of endothelin-1 hormones(ET-1),thereby promoting uterine involution.In conclusion,this study demonstrates that PNSC can regulate angiogenesis to promote uterine involution by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.展开更多
In Burkina Faso, recent dengue outbreaks were exacerbated by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have developed resistance to conventional insecticides. This study investigates the potential of Metarhizium pingshaense Met...In Burkina Faso, recent dengue outbreaks were exacerbated by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have developed resistance to conventional insecticides. This study investigates the potential of Metarhizium pingshaense Met_S26, a fungus from Burkina Faso, for controlling both endophilic and exophilic Aedes mosquitoes. Traditional interventions are less effective against mosquitoes resting outdoors, and the ability of the fungus to be sexually transmitted could enhance its efficacy. Aedes mosquitoes were reared and exposed to various concentrations of Metarhizium pingshaense to assess its virulence. The fungus showed significant efficacy, with lethal times (LT80) ranging from 8.67 to 11.83 days depending on the concentration. Furthermore, bioassays demonstrated effective sexual auto-dissemination, with substantial transmission of fungal spores between infected and uninfected mosquitoes, leading to lower survival rates in uninfected mates. This study highlights Metarhizium pingshaense Met_S26 as a promising tool for controlling both indoor and outdoor Aedes populations, complementing existing vector control strategies such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Wolbachia-based approaches. Future research should explore integrating this fungus with other control methods for a comprehensive vector management strategy.展开更多
Pollination niches,which encompass the factors influencing pollen exchange among angiosperms,are fundamental to understanding reproductive success and the intricate eco-evolutionary dynamics of plants.In this study,we...Pollination niches,which encompass the factors influencing pollen exchange among angiosperms,are fundamental to understanding reproductive success and the intricate eco-evolutionary dynamics of plants.In this study,we investigated pollination niche shift among four sympatric Eriosyce cacti with restricted distributions in the South American Mediterranean region.Utilizing a comprehensive approachdincluding pollination niche analysis,pollinator color perception studies,reproductive output assessments,molecular phylogenetics,gene flow analyses,and species distribution modelingdwe revealed a significant pollination niche displacement in E.chilensis and its variety,E.chilensis var.albidiflora.These taxa transitioned from a hummingbird-pollinated system prevalent in the Eriosyce sect.Neoporteria,characteristic of their sister species E.litoralis,to a bee-pollination strategy akin to that of the co-occurring species E.mutabilis.This shift highlights a simultaneous convergence of E.chilensis toward E.mutabilis and divergence from E.litoralis in pollination strategies,providing adaptive advantages by reducing pollen limitation and enhancing seed production.The morphological and flowering phenological similarities between E.chilensis and E.mutabilis suggest the evolution of a shared advertising display,potentially indicative of floral mimicry,wherein both species benefit from attracting shared bee pollinators.Genomic analyses reveal distinct pollinator-driven selection pressures,with E.chilensis/E.albidiflora exhibiting traits that promote reproductive isolation from E.litoralis,supporting a scenario of rapid speciation occurring within the past half of million years in the absence of geographic barriers.These findings underscore the pivotal role of pollinator interactions in shaping angiosperm speciation and biodiversity,highlighting their dynamic influence on ecological and evolutionary processes.展开更多
Group living is widespread across diverse taxa,and the mechanisms underlying collective decision-making in contexts of variable role division are critical for understanding the dynamics of group stability.While studie...Group living is widespread across diverse taxa,and the mechanisms underlying collective decision-making in contexts of variable role division are critical for understanding the dynamics of group stability.While studies on collective behavior in small animals such as fish and insects are well-established,similar research on large wild animals remains challenging due to the limited availability of sufficient and systematic field data.Here,we aimed to explore the collective decision-making pattern and its sexual difference for the dimorphic Tibetan antelopes Pantholops hodgsonii(chiru)in Xizang Autonomous Region,China,by analyzing individual leadership distribution,as well as the joining process,considering factors such as calving stages and joining ranks.The distinct correlations of decision participants’ratio with group size and decision duration underscore the trade-off between accuracy and speed in decision-making.Male antelopes display a more democratic decision-making pattern,while females exhibit more prompt responses after calving at an early stage.This study uncovers a partially shared decision-making strategy among Tibetan antelopes,suggesting flexible self-organization in group decision processes aligned with animal life cycle progression.展开更多
Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes.The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females,but the sexual dimorphism in cytoa...Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes.The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females,but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision(ovBNST)remains largely unexplored.By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling,we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin(ovBNSTPENK)neurons in male than female mice.Anatomically,we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNSTPENK neurons,finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum.Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNSTPENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway.Functionally,by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNSTPENK neurons,we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice,without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex.Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNSTPENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.展开更多
BACKGROUND Implementation of an autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical approach in laparo-scopic surgery for patients with colorectal cancer may provide a new reference for surgical intervention in this patient populatio...BACKGROUND Implementation of an autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical approach in laparo-scopic surgery for patients with colorectal cancer may provide a new reference for surgical intervention in this patient population.AIM To assess the impact of autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical laparoscopic surgery on recovery and postoperative risks in patients with colorectal cancer.METHODS Data from 116 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer,treated between January 2016 and May 2024,were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=58 each)according to surgical approach:Control(radical vessel-oriented laparoscopic surgery);and Observation(autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical surgery).Perioperative in-dicators,and postoperative risk for urinary dysfunction and sexual function were compared between the 2 groups.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the observation group experienced less in-traoperative blood loss(P<0.05)and exhibited superior perioperative indicators(P<0.05).At 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively,the proportion of patients with urinary dysfunction in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Four months postoperatively,there were significant differences in male erectile dysfunction,female dyspareunia,and sexual pleasure grading between the 2 groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical approach to laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer accelerates postoperative recovery,with decreased intraope-rative blood loss,lower impact on urinary and sexual functions,and enhances surgical safety.展开更多
基金supported by the Yunnan Provincial Key Laboratory of Clinical Virology(No.202002AG070062)the Key Projects of Yunnan Province Science and Technology Department(No.202302AA310044)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.82060664).
文摘This study primarily aimed to investigate the prevalence of human papillomavirus(HPV)and other common pathogens of sexually transmitted infections(STIs)in spermatozoa of infertile men and their effects on semen parameters.These pathogens included Ureaplasma urealyticum,Ureaplasma parvum,Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasma genitalium,herpes simplex virus 2,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Enterococcus faecalis,Streptococcus agalactiae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and Staphylococcus aureus.A total of 1951 men of infertile couples were recruited between 23 March 2023,and 17 May 2023,at the Department of Reproductive Medicine of The First People’s Hospital of Yunnan Province(Kunming,China).Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and capillary electrophoresis were used for HPV genotyping.Polymerase chain reaction and electrophoresis were also used to detect the presence of other STIs.The overall prevalence of HPV infection was 12.4%.The top five prevalent HPV subtypes were types 56,52,43,16,and 53 among those tested positive for HPV.Other common infections with high prevalence rates were Ureaplasma urealyticum(28.3%),Ureaplasma parvum(20.4%),and Enterococcus faecalis(9.5%).The prevalence rates of HPV coinfection with Ureaplasma urealyticum,Ureaplasma parvum,Chlamydia trachomatis,Mycoplasma genitalium,herpes simplex virus 2,Neisseria gonorrhoeae,Enterococcus faecalis,Streptococcus agalactiae,and Staphylococcus aureus were 24.8%,25.4%,10.6%,6.4%,2.4%,7.9%,5.9%,0.9%,and 1.3%,respectively.The semen volume and total sperm count were greatly decreased by HPV infection alone.Coinfection with HPV and Ureaplasma urealyticum significantly reduced sperm motility and viability.Our study shows that coinfection with STIs is highly prevalent in the semen of infertile men and that coinfection with pathogens can seriously affect semen parameters,emphasizing the necessity of semen screening for STIs.
基金supported by COBRE(P30GM149367)the Puerto Rico Science&Technology Trust(2022-00125)+1 种基金MBRS-RISE Program(R25 GM061838)SC1GM144032 program(all to JDM)。
文摘In addition to the loss of motor function,~60% of patients develop pain after spinal cord injury.The cellular-molecular mechanisms are not well understood,but the data suggests that plasticity within the rostral,epicenter,and caudal penumbra of the injury site initiates a cellularmolecular interplay that acts as a rewiring mechanism leading to central neuropathic pain.Sprouting can lead to the formation of new connections triggering abnormal sensory transmission.The excitatory glutamate transporters are responsible for the reuptake of extracellular glutamate which makes them a critical target to prevent neuronal hyperexcitability and excitotoxicity.Our previous studies showed a sexually dimorphic therapeutic window for spinal cord injury after treatment with the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen.In this study,we investigated the anti-allodynic effects of tamoxifen in male and female rats with spinal cord injury.We hypothesized that tamoxifen exerts anti-allodynic effects by increasing the expression of glutamate transporters,leading to reduced hyperexcitability of the secondary neuron or by decreasing aberrant sprouting.Male and female rats received a moderate contusion to the thoracic spinal cord followed by subcutaneous slow-release treatment of tamoxifen or matrix pellets as a control(placebo).We used von Frey monofilaments and the“up-down method”to evaluate mechanical allodynia.Tamoxifen treatment decreased allodynia only in female rats with spinal cord injury revealing a sexdependent effect.The expression profile of glutamatergic transporters(excitatory amino acid transporter 1/glutamate aspartate transporter and excitatory amino acid transporter 2/glutamate transporter-1)revealed a sexual dimorphism in the rostral,epicenter,and caudal areas of the spinal cord with a pattern of expression primarily on astrocytes.Female rodents showed a significantly higher level of excitatory amino acid transporter-1 expression while male rodents showed increased excitatory amino acid transporter-2 expression compared with female rodents.Analyses of peptidergic(calcitonin gene-related peptide-α)and non-peptidergic(isolectin B4)fibers outgrowth in the dorsal horn after spinal cord injury showed an increased calcitonin gene-related peptide-α/isolectin B4 ratio in comparison with sham,suggesting increased receptive fields in the dorsal horn.Although the behavioral assay shows decreased allodynia in tamoxifen-treated female rats,this was not associated with overexpression of glutamate transporters or alterations in the dorsal horn laminae fibers at 28 days post-injury.Our findings provide new evidence of the sexually dimorphic expression of glutamate transporters in the spinal cord.The dimorphic expression revealed in this study provides a therapeutic opportunity for treating chronic pain,an area with a critical need for treatment.
文摘Introduction: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a benign neoplasm that develops from the constituent elements of the prostate. It is a common age-related condition, with more than 50% of men over 50 years old exhibiting symptoms indicative of BPH. It is the main cause of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, descriptive and longitudinal study over a six-month period from December 15, 2023, to May 15, 2024. All patients admitted for BPH and who received medication treatment during this period were included in the study. Results: The average age of patients was 65.4 years, with the 60 to 69-year age group being the most represented (37.18%). There was no statistical link between the level of education and the occurrence of erection dysfunction ED. 66.67% of patients suffered from ED before treatment. Age was a major risk factor. 94.87% of patients were treated with Alpha-blockers due to their tolerance and effectiveness. 14.10% of patients had a history of inguinal herniorrhaphy, often due to the strain of urination and physical labor. 46.16% of patients had hypertension. No significant link was found between comorbidities and ED. 38.45% of patients consumed tobacco or alcohol. Tobacco was a significant risk factor for ED. 57.67% of patients suffered from ED after treatment, indicating an improvement compared to 66.67% before treatment. However, 24.36% did not ejaculate during sexual intercourse. Conclusion: Medication treatment is the first-line treatment for BPH. However, it can lead to retrograde ejaculation, negatively impacting ejaculatory function. The results showed that the treatment improves patients’ sexuality (IIEF-5 score), but age and tobacco consumption increase the risk of sexual dysfunction.
文摘Clinical inertia(CI)is common in clinical practice.Sexual health issues are common in society,and CI is ubiquitous in sexual medicine practice.CI influences all aspects of healthcare,including prevention,diagnosis,and treatment.In this short review,we briefly describe the various aspects of CI in sexual medicine practice and ways to tackle them.
基金support was provided by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(Grant 31772444 and 31471987)。
文摘Sexual dichromatism represents a major form of phenotypic differentiation between the sexes in birds,and its evolution is likely shaped by the interplay between sexual and natural selection.The genus Ficedula,widely distributed across Eurasia,exhibits pronounced interspecific variation in both sexual dichromatism and migratory behavior,making it an ideal study system for investigating the evolutionary patterns and drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.In this study,we conducted a phylogenetic comparative analysis of plumage complexity and sexual dichromatism across 32 Ficedula species.We further explored how life-history traits influence the evolution of sexual dichromatism.Our results reveal a strong positive correlation between male plumage complexity and the degree of sexual dichromatism,with males evolving plumage complexity at significantly faster rates than females.Migratory species exhibit significantly higher levels of dichromatism.Furthermore,compared to monochromatic species,sexually dichromatic species are characterized by higher latitudinal occurrence,broader geographic distributions,and greater flight capacity.These findings demonstrated how sexual and natural selection jointly drive evolution of sexual dichromatism in Ficedula within phylogenetic constraints,advancing our understanding of the evolutionary drivers of avian sexual dichromatism.
基金funded by Fundacao de Amparoà Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo(process no:2016/22679-3)funded through an undergraduate student scholarship for scientific research provided by Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico(CNPq,process no:144202/2018-2).
文摘Sexual selection is thought to play a major role in the evolution of color due to the correlation between a signaler’s physiological state and the displayed color.As such,researchers often investigate how color correlates to the quality of the signaler.However,research on the relationship between color and individual quality is often taxonomically limited and researchers typically investigate how color phenotypes relate to one index of quality,such as a linear measure of body size.Here,we investigated the relationship among body size,claw size,claw muscle mass,lipid content,and the color of the claw in male fiddler crabs(Leptuca uruguayensis)which wield an exaggerated claw that varies in color from brown to red.We hypothesized that if the color was correlated to one or more indices of male quality,the color displayed on the claws of male L.uruguayensis could be under sexual selection.We found L.uruguayensis claw color varies substantially among the individuals we photographed.However,we did not find a correlation between claw color and indices of quality;neither brightness nor hue correlated to the indices of quality we measured.Our findings suggest that claw color in L.uruguayensis is unlikely to have evolved to signal quality,but may instead function as a species identity or as a non-indicator sexual signal.
文摘The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in human health,influencing diverse physiological processes,including those related to sexual health.Emerging evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between the gut microbiota and sexual health,mediated by its impact on systemic inflammation,hormonal regulation,and immune function.A balanced gut microbiota supports optimal levels of sex hormones,such as estrogen and testosterone,which are critical for sexual function and reproductive health.Additionally,gut-derived metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids contribute to maintaining mucosal barrier integrity and regulating immune responses,which are essential for protecting against infections that may impair sexual health.Conversely,dysbiosis,an imbalance in gut microbial composition,has been linked to conditions such as erectile dysfunction,polycystic ovary syndrome,and reduced libido,emphasizing its role in sexual dysfunction.Lifestyle factors,including diet,stress,and antibiotic use,can modulate the gut microbiota and,consequently,sexual health outcomes.Recent therapeutic approaches,such as probiotics,prebiotics,and fecal microbiota transplantation,offer potential for restoring gut balance and improving sexual health.This review highlights the central role of the gut microbiota in sexual health,emphasizing its importance as a target for therapeutic interventions to enhance overall well-being.
基金supported by the National Key R&D Program of China(2021YFA1101300)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32371067 to Y.P.)+1 种基金the Natural Science Foundation from Jiangsu Province(BK20231418 to Q.P.)the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities(2242023R40054 to Q.P.).
文摘Sex-specific neurons play pivotal roles in regulating sexually dimorphic behaviors.In insects,the sex determination gene doublesex(dsx)establishes major sexual dimorphism of the nervous system,in which male-specific dsx^(M)promotes neuronal development,while female-specific dsx^(F)inhibits neuronal development by promoting neuronal apoptosis.In this study,we find that dsx regulates the number of dsx-expressing central neurons in Drosophila in cell-specific manners.Although dsx^(M)overall promotes an increase in the number of dsx neurons,it inhibits the emergence of specific pC1 neurons.dsx^(F)reduces the number of different pC1/pC2 subtypes,but promotes the formation of pC1d.We also find that dsx^(M)and dsx^(F)barely affect the number of some pC2 neurons.Changes in the number of pC1/pC2 neurons alter their roles in regulating different behaviors,including courtship,aggression,and locomotion.Our results illustrate the multifaceted functions of dsx in sexually dimorphic neuronal development and behaviors.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32172721)the China Agriculture Research System(CARS-40)+1 种基金the Central Publicinterest Scientific Institution Basal Research Fund,China(2021-YWF-ZYSQ-12)the Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Program of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences(ASTIP-IAS04)。
文摘Sexual maturation heterosis has been widely exploited in animal crossbreeding.However,the underlying mechanism has been rarely explored in chicken.In the present study,we performed the reciprocal crossing between White Leghorn and Beijing You chicken to evaluate the phenotypes related to sexual maturation,and profiled the ovary circRNAs of purebreds(WW,YY)and crossbreds(WY,YW)to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying heterosis for sexual maturation.Pubic space and oviduct length exhibited positive heterosis,and age at first egg(AFE)exhibited negative heterosis in the crossbreds.We identified 3,025 known circRNAs and 624 putative circRNAs,which were mainly derived from the exons.Among these circRNAs,141 and 178circRNAs were specially expressed in WY and YW,respectively.There were 52.38 and 64.63%of total circRNAs in WY and YW exhibited non-additive expression pattern,respectively.GO enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis showed that the host genes of non-additive circRNAs were mainly involved in TGF-beta signaling pathway,oocyte development,ATPase activator activity,oocyte meiosis,progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation and GnRH signaling pathway.Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified that 4 modules were significantly(P<0.05)correlated with oviduct length and pubic space.The host genes of non-additive circRNAs harbored in the 4 modules were associated with MAPK signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway.Furthermore,competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNA)network analysis characterized non-additive circRNAs gal-FGFR2_0005 and galMAPKAP1_0004 could interact with gga-miR-1612 and gga-miR-12235-5p to regulate CNOT6,COL8A1,and FHL2,which were essential for ovary development,indicating that the non-additive circRNAs involved in the formation of sexual maturation heterosis through regulating genes related to the reproductive and developmental process.The findings would provide a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism underlying sexual maturation heterosis from a novel perspective.
文摘Background: The sexual function is an essential aspect of life for women irrespective of age because it is closely correlated with overall wellbeing and relationship satisfaction. Female Sexual Dysfunction (FSD) is a common public health issue that is defined as one or more problems of female sexual desire, arousal, orgasm and/or sexual pain/discomfort that leads to significant distress. Aim: This study aimed to assess the female sexual function among Libyan women. Methods and materials: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Tripoli University Hospital over six months duration between January and June 2024. It included 314 female participants who attended the hospital during that period. The data underwent analysis and prescription via a computerized program of SPSS version 24. Results: The most frequent age range was between 26 to 35 years accounting for 54.8% (172). The mean duration of marriage was 7.42 years ± 7.228 SD. The majority of participants were multipara accounting for 79.9% (251). Based on the classification of female sexual dysfunction severity, 41.7% (131) of participants had mild to moderate severity followed by 32.2% (101) had mild severity with an overall female sexual dysfunction rate of 81.2% (255). Based on female sexual function characteristics, 28.3% (89) had abnormal desire, 22% (69) had abnormal arousal, 55.4% (174) had abnormal lubrication, 24.5% (77) had undetected orgasm, 23.2% (73) had inappropriate satisfaction and 19.1% (60) had pain. Conclusion: The overall rate of female sexual dysfunction among Libyan women was (81.2%) which is considered high but with low severity, (41.7%) had mild to moderate dysfunction followed by (32.2%) with mild dysfunction. These findings had significant effects on sexual life and marital status which require a basic strategy approach to increase sexual awareness and marital counseling among couples and to avoid adverse sexual dysfunction consequences such as divorce, marital problems, insufficient sexual satisfaction, and psychosocial concern.
文摘Frontal osteitis complicated with bone necrosis is rare.In addition,the condition has various etiologies,such as frontal sinusitis,penetrating head injury,postoperative complications after sinus surgery,and hematogenous spread from distant sites.In frontal osteitis,early diagnosis is important,and fistulization of pus in the scalp or on the traumatized forehead may raise the suspicion of osteitis in one of the skull bones.The exclusion of osteonecrosis is such cases is an emergency;hence,a magnetic resonance imaging and a computed tomography scan are required in the absence of skull radiography.Early administration of the appropriate treatment in the immediate post-trauma period ensures effective prevention of frontal osteitis;however,the treatment of bone necrosis involves debridement and antibiotic therapy to prevent fatal intracranial complications.This report presents the case of a 16-year-old female patient who experienced sexual and physical assault that resulted in undetected frontal trauma complicated with frontal osteonecrosis.Thorough clinical examination of the patient was performed,and follow-up and multidisciplinary management enabled the social integration of the patient.
基金funded by a National Science Foundation award to Henning PM(no.2208975).
文摘Cytokinins are ancient hormones present across all kingdoms of life except archaea,although functional biosynthesis pathways have yet to be identified in animalia.Known for their roles in cell division and proliferation,cytokinins are critical to plant life,as they regulate various aspects of vegetative growth,stress response,and reproduction.In this review,we summarize literature from 2020 to 2025 pertaining to the cytokinin functions in plant reproduction.While general aspects of cytokinin’s role in plant reproduction have been addressed,we particularly focus on the role of cytokinin in reproductive systems due to recent work identifying their role as sex-determining factors in dioecious species in Salicaceae and other families,their role in determining flower sex in monoecious species,and their involvement in self-incompatibility response and asexual reproduction.
基金funded through a grant from the NationalScience Foundation(IOS-1914646)the SmithsonianInstitute Postdoctoral Fellowship program.
文摘Acoustic communication signals are important for species recognition and mate attraction across numerous taxa.For instance,most of thethousands of species of frogs have a species-specifc advertisement call that females use to localize and discriminate among potential mates.Thus,the acoustic structure of the advertisement call is critical for reproductive success.The acoustic structure of calls will generally divergeover evolutionary time and can be infuenced by the calls of sympatric species.While many studies have shown the infuence of geographyon contemporary call variation in populations of frogs,no study has compared the acoustic structure of frog calls across many species to askwhether we can detect an infuence of divergence time and overall geographic overlap on the differences in acoustic structure of species-typicalcalls that we observe now.To this end,we compared acoustic features of the calls of 225 species of frogs within 4 families.Furthermore,weused a behavioral assay from 1 species of frog to determine which acoustic features to prioritize in our large-scale analyses.We found evidencethat both phylogeny(time)and geography(place)relate to advertisement call acoustics albeit with large variation in these relationships acrossthe 4 families in the analysis.Overall,these results suggest that,despite the many ecological and evolutionary forces that infuence call structure,the broad forces of time and place can shape aspects of advertisement call acoustics.
基金I.R.R.M.andA.L.C.were fundedby"Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico"(CNPQ grantPQ311034/2018-7)"Coordenacaode Aperfeicoamento deNivelSuperior-CAPES,Brazil(CAPES PRINT 88881.310767/2018-01,CAPES PROEX 23038.000802/2018-25)+2 种基金FJ.Z.would like to thank the laboratory support provided by the_Sao Paulo Research Foundation-FAPESP(JP#2005/04707-5 and Biota Intercrusta#2018/13685-5)CAPES-Ciencias do Mar II program(grant#1989/2014,23038.004309/2014-51)CNPq Research Scholarship(PQ2#309298-2020-2,PQ1D#308324/2023-4),and CNPq PPBio 2023/0723.
文摘Shrimps of the genus Synalpheus(Caridea)are commonly found in subtropical and tropical marine habitats around the world.The present work aims to provide the first description of the reproductive system of this genus using histological,histochemical,and morphological perspectives to elucidate the gonochoric or hermaphrodite sexual system in this genus.Males have a slender and very translucent reproductive system that is challenging to observe.The entire cephalothorax was histologically sectioned to ensure that all regions of the reproductive system could be identified.This non-gambarelloides group shows a gonochoric condition.The caridean pattern of the reproductive system was observed where the male has a pair of testes and a pair of very thin vasa deferentia,ending at the opening of the gonopore.Spermatophore structure is absent,without any layers surrounding the spermatozoa that are aggregated in a sperm mass.In females,the reproductive system consists of a pair of ovaries that extend to the end of the pleon.The extension of the ovary has a particular pattern compared to other caridean shrimps.Here,we hypothesize that males invest energy on somatic morphological structures to protect the host and female,using the larger pistol-like cheliped,while females invest energy in reproduction since all the members of this group are typical"pair-bond"examples.The observed pattern of the reproductive male morphology could also be evidence of a possible synapomorphy for this genus within theinfraorder.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Plan(2023YFC3503802)Scientific and Technological Innovation Project of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences(C12021B013)+1 种基金Yunnan Major Scientific and Technological Projects(202202AG050021)the National Key Research and Development Program(2021YFD1000201)。
文摘Panax notoginseng-steamed chicken(PNSC)is a common medicinal diet in China.In this study,we conducted comprehensive analysis to determine the effect of PNSC on uterine involution in postpartum mice and human umbilical vein endothelial cells.The role of the phosphatidylinositide 3-kinases(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(m TOR)pathway in this process was explored.Results showed that PNSC promoted the recovery of endometrial hyperplasia and uterine index in postpartum mice.In vitro and in vivo experiments indicated that PNSC activated PI3K/AKT/m TOR signaling pathway,promoted the proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVEC),up-regulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF),and its binding to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2(VEGFR2).Moreover,it increased the expression of PCNA,MMP9,and Cyclin D1 in the nucleus.It can also up-regulated the secretion of hormones,such as prolactin(PRL),progesterone(P),as well as the level of VEGF in mice,and down-regulated the secretion of endothelin-1 hormones(ET-1),thereby promoting uterine involution.In conclusion,this study demonstrates that PNSC can regulate angiogenesis to promote uterine involution by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
文摘In Burkina Faso, recent dengue outbreaks were exacerbated by Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which have developed resistance to conventional insecticides. This study investigates the potential of Metarhizium pingshaense Met_S26, a fungus from Burkina Faso, for controlling both endophilic and exophilic Aedes mosquitoes. Traditional interventions are less effective against mosquitoes resting outdoors, and the ability of the fungus to be sexually transmitted could enhance its efficacy. Aedes mosquitoes were reared and exposed to various concentrations of Metarhizium pingshaense to assess its virulence. The fungus showed significant efficacy, with lethal times (LT80) ranging from 8.67 to 11.83 days depending on the concentration. Furthermore, bioassays demonstrated effective sexual auto-dissemination, with substantial transmission of fungal spores between infected and uninfected mosquitoes, leading to lower survival rates in uninfected mates. This study highlights Metarhizium pingshaense Met_S26 as a promising tool for controlling both indoor and outdoor Aedes populations, complementing existing vector control strategies such as the Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) and Wolbachia-based approaches. Future research should explore integrating this fungus with other control methods for a comprehensive vector management strategy.
基金supported by the Fondo Nacional de Desarrollo Científico y Tecnologico[1160583 and 1211441 to P.C.G.,1240877 to G.O.C.]the Comision Nacional de Investigacion Científica y Tecnologica PIA[REDII 170031 to P.C.G., G.O.C.]+3 种基金ANID PIA/BASAL[FB210006]to the Instituto de Ecología y Biodiversidad(IEB)ANID PIA/BASAL[PFB210018]to the Cape Horn International Center(CHIC)A.V.M.acknowledges the support of ANID/BASAL FB210006 by the Institute of EcologyBiodiversity(IEB)with counterpart contributions from the Anglo-American Foundation.B.M.M.is grateful to the ANID Scholarship 20210673.
文摘Pollination niches,which encompass the factors influencing pollen exchange among angiosperms,are fundamental to understanding reproductive success and the intricate eco-evolutionary dynamics of plants.In this study,we investigated pollination niche shift among four sympatric Eriosyce cacti with restricted distributions in the South American Mediterranean region.Utilizing a comprehensive approachdincluding pollination niche analysis,pollinator color perception studies,reproductive output assessments,molecular phylogenetics,gene flow analyses,and species distribution modelingdwe revealed a significant pollination niche displacement in E.chilensis and its variety,E.chilensis var.albidiflora.These taxa transitioned from a hummingbird-pollinated system prevalent in the Eriosyce sect.Neoporteria,characteristic of their sister species E.litoralis,to a bee-pollination strategy akin to that of the co-occurring species E.mutabilis.This shift highlights a simultaneous convergence of E.chilensis toward E.mutabilis and divergence from E.litoralis in pollination strategies,providing adaptive advantages by reducing pollen limitation and enhancing seed production.The morphological and flowering phenological similarities between E.chilensis and E.mutabilis suggest the evolution of a shared advertising display,potentially indicative of floral mimicry,wherein both species benefit from attracting shared bee pollinators.Genomic analyses reveal distinct pollinator-driven selection pressures,with E.chilensis/E.albidiflora exhibiting traits that promote reproductive isolation from E.litoralis,supporting a scenario of rapid speciation occurring within the past half of million years in the absence of geographic barriers.These findings underscore the pivotal role of pollinator interactions in shaping angiosperm speciation and biodiversity,highlighting their dynamic influence on ecological and evolutionary processes.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant no.32101237)the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation(Grant no.2021M691522)+1 种基金the National Key Research and Development Program(Grant no.2022YFC3202104)the Tibet Major Science and Technology Project(Grant no.XZ201901-GA-06).
文摘Group living is widespread across diverse taxa,and the mechanisms underlying collective decision-making in contexts of variable role division are critical for understanding the dynamics of group stability.While studies on collective behavior in small animals such as fish and insects are well-established,similar research on large wild animals remains challenging due to the limited availability of sufficient and systematic field data.Here,we aimed to explore the collective decision-making pattern and its sexual difference for the dimorphic Tibetan antelopes Pantholops hodgsonii(chiru)in Xizang Autonomous Region,China,by analyzing individual leadership distribution,as well as the joining process,considering factors such as calving stages and joining ranks.The distinct correlations of decision participants’ratio with group size and decision duration underscore the trade-off between accuracy and speed in decision-making.Male antelopes display a more democratic decision-making pattern,while females exhibit more prompt responses after calving at an early stage.This study uncovers a partially shared decision-making strategy among Tibetan antelopes,suggesting flexible self-organization in group decision processes aligned with animal life cycle progression.
基金supported by research grants from the STI2030-Major Projects(2021ZD0203000 and 2021ZD0203002)the Major Project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82090033)+3 种基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China(32200825,32471074,and 32100792)the Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation(ZR2022QC173)the Shandong Provincial Taishan Scholars Project(tsqn202306174)the Shandong Province Major Basic Research Project(ZR2019ZD35).
文摘Sexual dimorphism in the brain underlies behavioral differences between sexes.The bed nucleus of the stria terminalis(BNST)is a complex nucleus that differs between males and females,but the sexual dimorphism in cytoarchitecture and the connectome of its oval subdivision(ovBNST)remains largely unexplored.By combining snRNA-seq and transgenic labeling,we found a higher density of ovBNST proenkephalin(ovBNSTPENK)neurons in male than female mice.Anatomically,we virally mapped the efferents and afferents of ovBNSTPENK neurons,finding reciprocally dimorphic connections with the hypothalamus and striatum.Gene enrichment analysis suggests that ovBNSTPENK neurons are modulated by the upstream dopamine pathway.Functionally,by applying caspase-3-mediated depletion of ovBNSTPENK neurons,we found that loss of these neurons enhanced locomotor activity in male but not female mice,without altering the anxiety-like phenotypes in either sex.Our study may pave the way for a better understanding of the anatomical and functional profiles of ovBNSTPENK neurons from a sexually dimorphic perspective.
文摘BACKGROUND Implementation of an autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical approach in laparo-scopic surgery for patients with colorectal cancer may provide a new reference for surgical intervention in this patient population.AIM To assess the impact of autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical laparoscopic surgery on recovery and postoperative risks in patients with colorectal cancer.METHODS Data from 116 patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer,treated between January 2016 and May 2024,were randomly divided into 2 groups(n=58 each)according to surgical approach:Control(radical vessel-oriented laparoscopic surgery);and Observation(autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical surgery).Perioperative in-dicators,and postoperative risk for urinary dysfunction and sexual function were compared between the 2 groups.RESULTS Compared with the control group,the observation group experienced less in-traoperative blood loss(P<0.05)and exhibited superior perioperative indicators(P<0.05).At 2 weeks and 3 months postoperatively,the proportion of patients with urinary dysfunction in the observation group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Four months postoperatively,there were significant differences in male erectile dysfunction,female dyspareunia,and sexual pleasure grading between the 2 groups(P<0.05).CONCLUSION The autonomic nerve-oriented anatomical approach to laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer accelerates postoperative recovery,with decreased intraope-rative blood loss,lower impact on urinary and sexual functions,and enhances surgical safety.
