Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Xin Shi, Dejun Zeng, Guijun Zhao, Chenglu Zhang, Xiaolan Feng, Chengli Zheng, Diyan Li, Ming Zhang, Hang Jie
Summary: This study found that muskrat musk extracted from three-year-old muskrats is a relatively good substitute for white musk. It also suggests that the processes of amino acid biosynthesis and metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and fatty acid biosynthesis are beneficial to the secretion of muskrat musk.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Haimeng Li, Minhui Shi, Qing Wang, Tian Xia, Sunil Kumar Sahu, Yu Zhang, Jiangang Wang, Tianfeng Li, Yue Ma, Tianlu Liu, Huan Liu, Tianming Lan, Suying Bai
Summary: This article reports the first high-quality chromosome-level genome assembly of the muskrat using single-tube long fragment read, BGISEQ, and Hi-C sequencing technologies. The assembly has high completeness and contiguity, making it a valuable resource for improving our understanding of muskrat ecology and musk secretion.
GENOME BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fengcheng Song, Yishu Xu, Peng Peng, Hongxu Li, Ranxi Zheng, Haolin Zhang, Yingying Han, Qiang Weng, Zhengrong Yuan
Summary: This study conducted a metagenomic analysis of cecum contents from muskrats in the breeding and non-breeding seasons, revealing differences in gut microbiota structure and function. During the breeding season, the muskrat gut microbiota was enriched in beneficial bacteria and metabolism-related pathways and metabolites. This suggests that the muskrat gut microbiota may adjust seasonally to support reproductive activity and meet the metabolic demands of different seasons.
Article
Cell Biology
Wenqian Xie, Shengheng Mu, Jinkun Zhong, Chaoran Zhang, Haolin Zhang, Xiaodong Wang, Qiang Weng
Summary: In this study, the distribution and expression of lipids in the scent glands of muskrats during different reproductive statuses were investigated using imaging mass spectrometry and quantitative real-time PCR. The results showed significant differences in lipid expression and spatial distribution in the scent glands of muskrats during different reproductive statuses. Additionally, the expression levels of certain lipid molecules and lipid synthesis enzymes were higher during the breeding season. The study suggests that seasonal changes in lipid metabolism may affect the function of muskrat scent glands.
Article
Biology
Tianxiang Zhang, Meishan Zhang, Minghui Shi, Weijiang Jin, Shumiao Zhang, Mengyuan Fan, Yimeng Li, Yuping Meng, Xuelin Tian, Shuqiang Liu, Defu Hu
Summary: This study analyzed the main components of muskrat musk and highlighted the key roles of lipid synthesis and metabolism in musk compound synthesis. The findings also emphasized the importance of musk as a communication pheromone between male muskrats and females during the breeding season.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laken S. Ganoe, Justin D. Brown, Matthew J. Lovallo, Michael J. Yabsley, Kayla B. Garrett, Alec T. Thompson, Robert H. Poppenga, Mark G. Ruder, W. David Walter
Summary: The study conducted surveillance for a diversity of pathogens, toxicants, and diseases of muskrats between 1977 and 2019 in Kansas and throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic, USA. The results identified trauma, Tyzzer's disease, and cysticercosis as the most common causes of mortality in muskrats, as well as found a contradiction in parasite intensity and abundance between younger and older muskrats compared to historic reports.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenqian Xie, Xinyu Zhao, Li Guo, Yingying Han, Zhengrong Yuan, Haolin Zhang, Qiang Weng
Summary: The study investigated the seasonal expressions of key factors related to muskrat scent glands, indicating that the EGFR signaling pathway may coordinate with ERs signaling to regulate the seasonal changes of the scent gland functions.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Wenjing Lu, Qingjing Gao, Jinlan Wei, Wenqian Xie, Haolin Zhang, Zhengrong Yuan, Yingying Han, Qiang Weng
Summary: Studies on muskrats have shown that the ERS/UPR signaling cascades play important roles in ovarian folliculogenesis and oocyte maturation. Seasonal changes in ERS and ovarian steroidogenesis were observed, with higher levels of hormones and differentially expressed genes during the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season. Activation of UPR signaling and the delicate balance in redox regulation are crucial for seasonal reproduction in muskrats.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Rolf K. Schuster, Peter Specht, Siegfried Rieger
Summary: The knowledge of parasite fauna in a territory is crucial for successful control measures. Studies have shown that muskrats are suitable intermediate hosts for Echinococcus multilocularis, a tapeworm with zoonotic potential. Research in Brandenburg state of Germany revealed that muskrats are final hosts for seven intestinal trematodes and intermediate hosts for four tapeworms of carnivores. No larval stages of E. multilocularis were found in the examined muskrats. The eradication of muskrats as an alien species is recommended due to their detrimental impact on river and canal banks, as well as their role as intermediate hosts for parasitic infections.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenqian Xie, Qingjing Gao, Pengyu Chen, Haolin Zhang, Yuning Liu, Qiang Weng
Summary: This study investigated the immunolocalization and expression of steroidogenesis-related proteins in the scent glands of muskrats during different seasons. The results showed that the scent glands have the ability to synthesize steroids and that steroid hormones play an important regulatory role in scent glandular function via an autocrine/paracrine pathway.
JOURNAL OF STEROID BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Benjamin R. Matykiewicz, Steve K. Windels, Bryce T. Olson, Reid T. Plumb, Tiffany M. Wolf, Adam A. Ahlers
Summary: Muskrats are semiaquatic herbivores experiencing population declines in North America. This study in Voyageurs National Park translocated and monitored muskrats, finding similar post-translocation survival rates and space-use patterns compared to non-translocated individuals. The study suggests that translocation may be effective for establishing or enhancing local muskrat populations.
Article
Evolutionary Biology
Xiangyu Han, Yuanlin Jiang, Nuannuan Feng, Pengcheng Yang, Meishan Zhang, Weijiang Jin, Tianxiang Zhang, Zhixin Huang, Haoxi Zhao, Kexin Zhang, Shuqiang Liu, Defu Hu
Summary: By analyzing the morphology, metabolomics, and transcriptomics of the muskrat scented gland and mouse preputial gland, we found similarities between the two organs at the cellular and molecular levels. This study provides evidence for the homology of these two glands.
JOURNAL OF MAMMALIAN EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Kristina O. Smiley, Rosemary S. E. Brown, David R. Grattan
Summary: Parental care is crucial for successful reproduction in mammals. Recent research has shown that the hormone prolactin plays a key role in regulating paternal behavior in male mice. The study found that two weeks after mating, male mice showed suppression of infanticide and the onset of paternal behavior. The researchers investigated the neural circuitry and found that prolactin-responsive neurons in multiple brain regions are activated during paternal interactions. Furthermore, they discovered that the presence of prolactin and the presence of Prlr on CaMKIIa-expressing neurons are important for paternal behavior.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Joseph S. Cannizzaro, Sandra L. Koch, William H. Graser
Summary: In this study, mammalian hair from a muskrat was discovered in the feces of a Blanding's Turtle. This is the first recorded mammalian food item and the second novel prey item documented in the diet of a Blanding's Turtle at this site. Further diet studies on this turtle are suggested in light of this discovery.
NORTHEASTERN NATURALIST
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
David W. Shanafelt
Summary: Historical data sets are valuable for learning and developing new tools for understanding and predicting species spread and dispersal. By updating and converting the classic Ulbrich map into GIS maps, we are able to illustrate the rate of species spread and show the limitations of the traditional radial assumption using finer-scale data. We believe that our version of the Ulbrich data is a valuable tool for pedagogy and a digital playground for the design and development of new tools for estimating species spread and dispersal.
BIOINVASIONS RECORDS
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Xiaoying Yang, Xuhao Liu, Fengcheng Song, Hao Wei, Fuli Gao, Haolin Zhang, Yingying Han, Qiang Weng, Zhengrong Yuan
Summary: GPR41 and GPR43 are important receptors for short-chain fatty acids. They may play a regulatory role in seasonal breeding.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yue Song, Xiaoying Yang, Xueying Zhang, Jueyu Zhu, Yixin Chen, Fuli Gao, Haolin Zhang, Yingying Han, Qiang Weng, Zhengrong Yuan
Summary: This study explored the localization and seasonal expression of ERK in the colonic tissue of wild ground squirrels. The results showed that the diameter of the colon lumen enlarged and the number of glandular cells increased in the non-breeding season. Immunohistochemistry results revealed that ERK was expressed in goblet cells and intestinal epithelial cells, with higher expression in the non-breeding season. The study suggested the potential roles of ERK in the adaptation of seasonal changes in the colon of wild ground squirrels.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Gan Wang, Min Zhang, Ping Meng, Chengbo Long, Xiaodong Luo, Xingwei Yang, Yunfei Wang, Zhiye Zhang, James Mwangi, Peter Muiruri Kamau, Zhi Dai, Zunfu Ke, Yi Zhang, Wenlin Chen, Xudong Zhao, Fei Ge, Qiumin Lv, Mingqiang Rong, Dongsheng Li, Yang Jin, Xia Sheng, Ren Lai
Summary: Unlike healthy cells, cancer cells heavily rely on the molecular chaperone protein TRiC, particularly its subunit CCT4, for protein folding and maintenance of proteostasis. In this study, we demonstrate that targeting CCT4 with the compound anticarin-beta can effectively inhibit osteosarcoma cell survival and impede STAT3 maturation. Anticarin-beta shows high selectivity for cancer cells and exhibits remarkable antitumor efficacy in orthotopic and patient-derived xenograft models of osteosarcoma.
ACTA PHARMACEUTICA SINICA B
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Zeqi Tang, Xiaojie Yuan, Yuming Bai, Yiming Guo, Haolin Zhang, Yingying Han, Zhengrong Yuan, Qiang Weng
Summary: PACAP receptors in the testis of muskrat exhibit different expressions during the breeding and non-breeding seasons, with higher levels observed during the breeding season. These receptors are associated with steroidogenesis and spermatogenesis.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HISTOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Rourou Xiao, Lixin You, Li Zhang, Xichen Guo, Ensong Guo, Faming Zhao, Bin Yang, Xi Li, Yu Fu, Funian Lu, Zizhuo Wang, Chen Liu, Wenju Peng, Wenting Li, Xiaohang Yang, Yingyu Dou, Jingbo Liu, Wei Wang, Tianyu Qin, Yaoyuan Cui, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Fuxia Li, Yang Jin, Qingping Zeng, Beibei Wang, Gordon B. Mills, Gang Chen, Xia Sheng, Chaoyang Sun
Summary: The WEE1 inhibitor AZD1775 induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and activates the PERK and IRE1 alpha branches of the unfolded protein response in TP53 mutant ovarian cancer models. Inhibition of the IRE1 alpha-XBP1s pathway may enhance the efficacy of AZD1775.
Article
Oncology
Chengcheng Shi, Faming Zhao, Tingting Zhang, Denghui Xu, Zhuangyu Hao, Fengzhen Cui, Ji-Hua Shi, Yang Jin, Ningning Li, Caihong Yang, Yi Zhang, Xia Sheng
CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Wenyang Yu, Sijie Fan, Xi Wang, Jueyu Zhu, Zhengrong Yuan, Yingying Han, Haolin Zhang, Qiang Weng
Summary: The study aimed to explore the relationship between circulating leptin concentrations in wild ground squirrels and seasonal changes in testicular activities. The results revealed that leptin regulates testicular function through the Jak/STAT pathways and expressions of testicular steroidogenic factors.
INTEGRATIVE ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Ruohan Li, Huaixiang Zhou, Mingzhe Li, Qiuyan Mai, Zhang Fu, Youheng Jiang, Changxue Li, Yunfei Gao, Yunping Fan, Kaiming Wu, Clive Da Costa, Xia Sheng, Yulong He, Ningning Li
Summary: This study found that GREM1 protein promotes invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer cells by regulating the expression of ATF6 and ATF4, possibly through the modulation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and BMP2 signaling pathways.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Bilin Liang, Haifan Gong, Lu Lu, Jie Xu
Summary: The study proposes a novel model, PathGNN, that constructs a Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) model to capture the topological features of pathways. It achieves promising predictive performance in predicting long-term survival of cancer, and the adoption of an interpretation algorithm enables the identification of plausible pathways associated with survival.
BMC BIOINFORMATICS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Xueying Zhao, Shangqi Yin, Jingren Shi, Mei Zheng, Chaonan He, Huan Meng, Ying Han, Jin Chen, Jinyu Han, Zhengrong Yuan, Yajie Wang
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between the expression of autophagy-related genes and prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The analysis of gene expression data suggests that ATG3, ATG7, and ATG9A may serve as prognostic biomarkers for liver cancer. The study also highlights the differential enrichment of signaling pathways in HCCs with ATG3, ATG7, and ATG9A expression.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Gao Jing, Shi Huwei, Chen Chao, Chen Lei, Wang Ping, Xiao Zhongzhou, Yang Sen, Chen Jiayuan, Chen Ruiyao, Lu Lu, Luo Shuqing, Yang Kaixiang, Xu Jie, Cheng Weiwei
Summary: This study aimed to develop a nomogram model for predicting macrosomia in pregnant women using real-world clinical data. The study found several independent risk factors for macrosomia and developed a regression model to establish a nomogram for predicting the risk of macrosomia. The nomogram model showed good discrimination and calibration capabilities in both the training and validation sets.
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Xueying Zhao, Jin Chen, Shangqi Yin, Jingren Shi, Mei Zheng, Chaonan He, Huan Meng, Ying Han, Jinyu Han, Jingjing Guo, Zhengrong Yuan, Yajie Wang
Summary: This study evaluated the prognostic value of cuproptosis-related gene expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and identified 20 genes that may serve as new prognostic biomarkers for HCC.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fengzhen Cui, Hongxiu Liu, Yuanyuan Li, Tong-Zhang Zheng, Shunqing Xu, Wei Xia, Xia Sheng
Summary: The study found a positive association between maternal exposure to PFASs and serum Hb and HCT levels. Furthermore, iron supplementation during pregnancy may influence this relationship.
ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Fengcheng Song, Yishu Xu, Peng Peng, Hongxu Li, Ranxi Zheng, Haolin Zhang, Yingying Han, Qiang Weng, Zhengrong Yuan
Summary: This study conducted a metagenomic analysis of cecum contents from muskrats in the breeding and non-breeding seasons, revealing differences in gut microbiota structure and function. During the breeding season, the muskrat gut microbiota was enriched in beneficial bacteria and metabolism-related pathways and metabolites. This suggests that the muskrat gut microbiota may adjust seasonally to support reproductive activity and meet the metabolic demands of different seasons.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Jie Xu, Lu Lu, Kaichen Xing, Huwei Shi, Ruiyao Chen, Yujun Yao, Sichen Liu, Zhongzhou Xiao, Xinwei Peng, Shuqing Luo, Yun Zhong
Summary: This study developed a scale for measuring doctors' protection of patients' privacy in Chinese public medical institutions using grounded theory and protection motivation theory. The scale was validated and filled a significant gap in the literature, providing insight into physicians' thought processes and adoption decisions.
JMIR FORMATIVE RESEARCH
(2022)
