Scientific Reports最新文献

This retrospective study evaluated whether sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF), measured by DNA fragmentation index (DFI), predicts IVF outcomes in 124 couples undergoing IVF with PGT-A (Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Aneuploidy) between 2015 and 2023. SDF was assessed using the Halosperm kit and categorized into low (≤ 15%, n = 81), medium (15-30%, n = 34), and high (≥ 30%, n = 9) DFI groups. Fertilization was performed via IVF or ICSI, and embryos were analyzed with PGT-A using next-generation sequencing. High DFI was associated with advanced paternal age, reduced motility, lower fertilization rates (in ICSI), and fewer good-quality blastocysts. However, PGT-A outcomes showed no significant differences in euploidy, mosaicism, or aneuploidy rates across DFI groups. Similarly, despite the methodological limitations of a retrospective design and a highly selected cohort, implantation, pregnancy, and live birth rates following euploid embryo transfer were unaffected by DFI level. SDF testing can help identify male infertility factors and guide IVF strategy, particularly regarding sperm selection. These findings suggest that early developmental impairment from sperm DNA damage may possibly be mitigated by embryonic repair mechanisms at later stages.

Mung bean (Vigna radiata), a high-value leguminous crop essential for global nutritional security, suffers substantial yield losses due to increasing heat stress. While numerous studies have explored the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying heat stress tolerance in mung bean, the effects of heat stress on grain quality at the metabolomic level remain largely unexplored. This study presents the first comprehensive analysis of heat stress-responsive seed metabolite changes in two contrasting mung bean genotypes-the heat-tolerant (HT) PI425243 and the heat-sensitive (HS) PI223002-using an untargeted metabolomics approach. Volcano plot analysis identified 68 significant metabolites (39 upregulated and 29 downregulated) under heat stress, based on a VIP value > 1.5; log₂fold-change ≥ 1 (upregulated) or ≤ - 1 (downregulated), and p < 0.05. Notably, several metabolites, including hydrocinnamic acid, 5-hydroxyferulic acid, quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol 3-(2G-apiosylrobinobioside), and hesperetin 7-neohesperidoside, showed higher accumulation in PI425243 than in PI223002, potentially contributing to the maintenance of grain quality under heat stress. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis further revealed the active involvement of starch and sucrose metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, and caffeine metabolism in mediating heat stress response and tolerance. These metabolites could serve as potential biomarkers for identifying heat-tolerant mung bean genotypes and sustaining yield under high-temperature environments.

Urolithiasis, predominantly caused by calcium oxalate crystallization and dissolution, remains a major clinical challenge. This study explored the effect of coffee extract bioactive metabolites on synthetic COM crystals dissolution through combined experimental and computational approaches. LC-LTQ-MS/MS and NMR profiling identified chlorogenic acids, quinic acid derivatives, and caffeine as the principal constituents. Constant-composition dissolution method assays showed a concentration-dependent inhibition of COM dissolution, consistent with a film surface-controlled mechanism. Langmuir adsorption analysis revealed strong surface affinity (K_L = 2.274 × 10⁴ dm³ mol^-¹, ΔG_ads = - 36.23 kJ mol^-¹). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations highlighted caffeine as a key inhibitor, forming stable hydrogen bonding and van der Waals interactions with COM (E_a for adsorption = - 0.273 eV). FTIR, SEM, EDX, and XRD analyses confirmed physical adsorption without altering crystal structure. These findings suggest that coffee metabolites act as natural modulators of COM behavior, offering promising insights into urolithiasis prevention.

Necrotic enteritis caused by Clostridium perfringens remains a major challenge in broiler production, particularly under restrictions on antibiotic use. This study evaluated the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of Enterococcus faecium (M74) as a probiotic alternative to antibiotics in broiler chickens experimentally challenged with C. perfringens. Birds were allocated into negative control, positive control, prophylactic, and therapeutic groups, and growth performance, bacterial counts, hematological and biochemical indices, immune responses, intestinal morphometry, and histopathology were assessed. Supplementation with E. faecium (M74) markedly reduced intestinal bacterial load, with C. perfringens and total coliform counts decreased by approximately 88% and 84%, respectively, in the prophylactic group compared with the infected control. Final body weight and body weight gain were improved by approximately 30-31%, while feed conversion ratio was improved by about 25%. Villus height increased by approximately 43%, accompanied by a marked reduction in histopathological lesion scores (up to 82% decrease in degeneration score). Renal and hepatic function markers were significantly ameliorated, and immune parameters were markedly enhanced in treated birds. The prophylactic regimen consistently showed superior efficacy compared with therapeutic application. Although the study was limited to a single probiotic strain and experimental conditions, these findings indicate that E. faecium (M74) is a promising probiotic candidate for mitigating necrotic enteritis in broilers and may represent a viable alternative or complementary strategy to antibiotics.

This study presents a novel multi-performance optimization of underexplored hybrid banana- and bark-cloth fiber-reinforced epoxy composites for automotive interior applications, using Grey Relational Analysis (GRA). Unlike previous studies that mainly examine banana fiber alone or other conventional natural fiber hybrids, the present work investigates the synergistic combination of banana fiber and bark cloth in an epoxy matrix with 5 wt% aluminium trihydrate (ATH) to simultaneously improve mechanical performance, flame resistance, and moisture-related durability. The composites were produced through compression moulding with varying fiber ratios, and their tensile, flexural, impact, flammability, and water absorption behaviours were systematically evaluated. Among the tested configurations, Sample C7 (40% banana, 5% bark cloth) exhibited the best overall performance, with tensile strength of 28.29 MPa, flexural strength of 37.86 MPa, specific impact energy of 106.92 J/g, and a burning rate of 1.053 mm/s. GRA was used to rank the composite formulations based on multiple response criteria, identifying C7 as the optimal configuration. SEM, EDAX, and FTIR analyses further confirmed improved fibre-matrix interaction, additive retention, and chemical compatibility. The findings demonstrate the potential of banana/bark cloth hybrid composites as sustainable multifunctional materials for automotive interiors.

In this work, Zn-Co@BTC was synthesized under environmentally friendly, economical, and green conditions. It was prepared by the solvothermal method using zinc nitrate hexahydrate and cobalt nitrate hexahydrate as the metals, with benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate (BTC) as the ligand. The formation of Zn-Co@BTC MOF was confirmed by Ultraviolet-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis), X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy. It exhibited high thermal stability, a large surface area, and strong antibacterial activity. The antibacterial activity was evaluated against the Bacillus cereus strain identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing using optical density measurements and the cut plug method. The results showed remarkable antibacterial activity, achieving near-complete bacterial growth inhibition (99.9%) at 600 mg/L and complete inhibition (100%) at a concentration of 800 mg/L. These findings support the potential use of Zn-Co@BTC MOF as an antibacterial agent in biomedical applications.

Evidence regarding knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) related to MRI safety among healthcare providers and the public in China remains limited. A web-based cross-sectional study. HCPs (including clinicians, nurses, MRI technologists, and medical students) completed the survey based on their experience in MRI-related environments, whereas PFs completed the survey as examinees/patients and accompanying family members/caregivers. Data were collected between March 1, 2024, and May 1, 2025. A total of 924 questionnaires were collected, of which 46 were excluded due to lack of informed consent, insufficient response time, age ineligibility, or data outliers, resulting in 878 valid questionnaires. HCPs demonstrated higher knowledge, attitude, and practice scores than PFs. Structural equation modeling showed that knowledge significantly influenced attitudes in both groups, while attitudes exerted a strong direct effect on practice. Both groups exhibited limited knowledge and moderate attitudes toward MRI safety. These findings suggest potential implications for future educational strategies aimed at improving MRI safety awareness and compliance.