Shanxi Agricultural University

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and severe infectious disease caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). The disease significantly threatens the sustainable development of the global pig industry. Unfortunately, to date, no safe and efficacious vaccines are commercially available except in Vietnam. Antioxidative stress is a critical factor in antiviral strategies. In this study, we show that ASFV infection elevates the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and suppresses the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, overexpressing Nrf2 can significantly inhibit ASFV replication. Through high-throughput screening of natural small molecules against ASFV, we identify resveratrol (RES), an Nrf2 activator, as a compound capable of inducing the cellular antiviral responses and effectively inhibiting ASFV replication in primary porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs). Notably, untargeted metabolomics profiling reveals that glutathione emerges as a primary differential metabolite related to the antiviral activities of RES against ASFV. Mechanistically, RES exerts its antiviral effects and attenuates the elevated level of ROS caused by ASFV infection by inducing the production of reduced glutathione (GSH) via the activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. In conclusion, RES exhibits broad efficacy as a potentially effective compound for inhibiting ASFV infection and alleviating the oxidative stress induced by ASFV infection via the Nrf2 signaling pathway.

To explore the effects of different proportions of biogas slurry and fertilizer application on the physiol. characteristics and yield of maize, aiming to investigate the optimal fertilization combination that can improve the physiol. characteristics and yield.Six treatments were designed by equal nitrogen content including no fertilization: NF, traditional fertilization: TF and replacement of TF by 25-100% biogas slurry: BS25, BS50, BS75, BS100.The SPAD value, net photosynthetic rate (Pn), transpiration rate (Tr), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content at different growth stages and yield were studied.The SPAD values showed a decreasing trend.BS75 was outstanding with an average of 59.88 and 60.59 in 2022 and 2023.BS75 had the best photosynthetic performance.The tendencies of Pn, Tr and SOD activity were activated first and then inhibited, reaching their peak at filling stage.BS75 had the strongest SOD activity, with an average of 19.33 U·g^-1 and 19.37 U·g^-1 in 2022 and 2023.The MDA content showed an increasing trend, reaching its maximum at maturity stage.The yield increase effect of BS75 was significant with an average of 15,305 kg·ha^-1 and 15,408 kg·ha^-1 in 2022 and 2023.BS75 was therefore the optimal fertilization combination overall.

m6A methylation is the most common mRNA modification in mammals and plays a significant role in regulating various biological functions. Some studies have demonstrated that the methyltransferase METTL3 can promote adipogenesis. However, the regulatory mechanisms of METTL14 and WTAP, both methyltransferases, in adipogenesis remain unclear. This study investigated their effects on bovine preadipocyte differentiation using siRNA-mediated knockdown combined with transcriptomic analysis. Silencing METTL14 and WTAP significantly impaired lipid droplet formation and revealed distinct regulatory pathways: METTL14 knockdown affected genes like JAK2 and STAT3, while WTAP suppression down-regulated PPARγ/FABP4 signalling pathway components. These findings demonstrate that WTAP specifically modulates bovine adipocyte differentiation through the PPARγ/FABP4 pathway.