The Hengduan Mountains, as a low-latitude, high-elevation composite environment, impose stressors such as wide diurnal temperature fluctuations, seasonal variability in food resources, and hypoxia, which have driven multi-level adaptations in resident species.Apodemus chevrieri, a representative species of the region, has evolved multi-tiered physiological, morphological, and molecular strategies to cope with cold, food scarcity, and pronounced diurnal thermal variation. This review systematically integrated advances in energy metabolism and thermoregulation; temperature- and photoperiod-mediated seasonal plasticity; food utilization and gastrointestinal adjustments; locomotor and starvation responses; reproductive strategies; cranial morphology; and population genetics. It identified gaps in current knowledge and proposed directions for future research to provide an integrative perspective on the adaptive evolution of small high-altitude mammals.

In this study, 44 representative species from the Glires were selected, including taxa distributed across diverse altitudinal gradients and habitat types, and then two kinds of main rate-limiting enzyme genes in tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle were used to analyze the adaptive evolutionary characteristics, namely,CS, IDH3A, IDH3B, andIDH3G. Evolutionary analyses were employed to evaluate the selection pressure patterns under different habitat backgrounds. The results indicated thatCS, IDH3A, IDH3G, andIDH3Bwere generally subject to strong purifying selection, but the evolutionary rate exhibited significant heterogeneity among specific high-altitude lineages. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis revealed a significant positive correlation between the evolutionary rates ofCSandIDH3Band altitude, suggesting that rodents may facilitate high-altitude adaptation through rapid evolution. Positively selected sites were detected in theCSgene across multiple independent high-altitude lineages based on the branch-site model; the spatial distribution of these positive selection sites in the three-dimensional protein structure suggests that different taxa may cope with hypoxic stress through distinct pathways, such as regulating enzyme activity or structural stability. This study suggests that high-altitude environments may continuously shape the evolutionary trajectory of key TCA cycle enzymes at the molecular level, which provide new comparative genomics evidence for understanding the genetic basis of metabolism in high-altitude adaptation in mammals.

To elucidate the expression patterns of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the gut of plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae), this study employed high-throughput metatranscriptomics to analyze gut samples collected along an altitudinal gradient \[low (3694 m), medium (3856 m), and high (4331 m)\] on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. A total of 160 highly expressed ARGs were identified. To adapt to energy-limited environments, the gut microbiota primarily adopted low-energy resistance strategies, specifically antibiotic efflux pumps (42.8%) and target alterations (45.9%), whereas energy-intensive antibiotic inactivation mechanisms accounted for only 2%. Six types of high-risk ARGs (e.g.,bacA,ermB, andtetW) were found to be enriched at medium altitude and exhibited significant positive correlations with opportunistic pathogens (e.g.,ComamonasandBacillus), suggesting a potential risk of cross-species transmission. This study revealed the characteristics of the expression of ARGs in the gut of plateau pikas across different altitudinal gradients, providing a scientific basis for assessing the dissemination risk of ARGs among wild mammals in high-altitude ecosystems.

Host diet and environmental factors are key drivers shaping the gut microbiota. Although the gut microbiota structure of plateau pikas varies with altitude, the independent role of hypoxia remains to be clarified through controlled experiments, given that the plateau environment involves both cold and hypoxic stresses. Therefore, under strictly controlled temperature conditions, experiments on hypoxic stress were conducted, and metagenomic sequencing technology was used to compare the structural composition of the gut microbiota of plateau pikas at 2100 m altitude （PL） and those maintained at 6000 m altitude （PH）. The results showed that hypoxia did not cause significant changes in the diversity of the gut microbiota. Stochastic processes still dominated the community assembly mechanism, but this role was significantly reduced due to the weakening of dispersal limitation. The gut microbiota could be divided into two distinct community types, withRikenellaandAkkermansiabeing differentially abundant genera, among which the abundance of Akkermansiaceae was significantly reduced. Compared with that of the PL group, the co-occurrence network of the PH group showed higher structural stability. This study revealed the impact of hypoxia on the gut microbiota structural composition in plateau pikas, providing new insights into the adaptation to hypoxia in animals on the plateau.

To investigate geographical variation in skull morphology of the long-tailed dwarf hamster (Cricetulus longicaudatus) across Shanxi Province, specimens from 11 regions were analyzed using landmark-based geometric morphometrics. After digitization and removal of non-shape variation, principal component analysis (PCA), thin-plate spline (TPS) analysis, and multidimensional scaling (MDS) were applied. While PCA did not show clear geographical clustering, thin-plate spline analysis revealed localized shape changes in structures such as the auditory bulla, zygomatic arch, and maxillary tooth row. MDS further indicated that skull shape variation was significantly associated with longitude, altitude, and annual precipitation. These results suggested adaptive divergence in skull morphology among populations in response to environmental gradients, providing insights into ecological adaptation and evolutionary dynamics in rodents.

To analyze the genetic characteristics ofMarmota himalayana, this study performed whole-genome resequencing on 100 Himalayan marmots from seven regions in Qinghai Province, identifying a total of 9868432 SNPs and 1205326 insertions/deletions （InDels）. Further analysis of genetic diversity, population structure, kinship, and runs of homozygosity （ROH） revealed that the marmot population exhibited high genetic diversity, with an average nucleotide diversity of 0.00007635, an average observed heterozygosity of 0.423830, an average expected heterozygosity of 0.407072, and an average polymorphism information content of 0.31468. Inter-population differentiation was moderate to low, with sufficient gene flow. The IBS matrix and G matrix indicated that individuals were generally distantly related. Genetic structure analysis revealed that the marmot population structure was primarily influenced by geographic isolation. ROHs detection showed low recent inbreeding levels, indicating good genetic health. This study provided a scientific basis for the conservation of marmot genetic resources and the precise prevention and control of plague.

From May to September 2024, an investigation of the population density and distribution of the primary plague host and its ectoparasitic vectors, and the plague serological characteristics of marmots was conducted in the Jingtieshan area of the Qilian Mountains, aiming to understand the prevalence of plague among local animals. In May, the marmot densities obtained by the line transect method and the quadrat sampling method were 0.11 individuals/hm2and 0.46 individuals/hm2, respectively. In July, these densities were 0.12 individuals/hm2and 0.58 individuals/hm2, respectively. Through burrow exploration, the burrow flea infestation rates of marmot burrows in May and July were 2.00% and 2.78%, with burrow flea indices of 0.09 and 0.12, while the burrow tick infestation rates of marmot burrow in May and July were 5.33% and 5.56%, with burrow tick indices of 0.06 and 0.08. The flea infestation rate in marmots was 44.32%, and the marmot flea index was 3.80. The tick infestation rate in marmots was 26.70%, and the marmot tick index was 1.15. Through genetic identification and phylogenetic analysis, the parasitic vectors found on the body surface of the marmots includeIxodes crenulatus, Oropsylla silantiewi, Callopsylla dolabris, andCallopsylla sparsilis, and among them,C. dolabriswas predominant, accounting for 94.01% of the total flea population. Serological tests （including colloidal gold and indirect hemagglutination assays） revealed that the positive rate of marmot serum antibodies was 4.55% （8/176）. The average age of these marmots with positive serum antibodies was 3.75 years, and they were mainly detected in May （3 individuals） and July （4 individuals）. High marmot activity was observed along Provincial Highway S215 and within study sites, and the densities of marmots and their surface-dwelling parasites were both high. The positive rate of serum antibodies in marmots and the ages of antibody-positive marmots suggested that an animal plague epidemic may have occurred in this natural plague focus in recent years, indicating a risk of plague transmission among animals in this area, and continuous plague surveillance should be carried out.

The Bengal Slow Loris （Nycticebus bengalensis） and the Northern Pygmy Loris （Xanthonycticebus intermedius） are respectively endangered and critically endangered nocturnal primates in China. Owing to their cryptic ecological habits, empirical data on their spatial distribution and coexistence patterns in the wild have long been insufficient. Using camera-trapping technology, this study conducted camera-trap monitoring in the Maguan Gulinqing Provincial Nature Reserve, Yunnan Province, aiming to obtain video evidence of their sympatric coexistence. The monitoring results confirmed that both species were successfully detected, with the nearest effective recording sites approximately 110 m apart in straight-line distance, confirming this area as a sympatric zone for the two species. The Northern Pygmy Loris exhibited a significantly higher trap rate and recording frequency than the Bengal Slow Loris, demonstrating an absolute numerical dominance, implying potential interspecific competition and niche differentiation. Notably, frequent activities of the Northern Pygmy Loris were recorded at elevations of approximately 1600－1700 m, challenging the traditional paradigm that this species is restricted to low-altitude rainforests below 500 m. This suggested that the species might possess the potential to adapt to cold, high-altitude environments by virtue of physiological plasticity, such as a low metabolic rate and heterothermy. Methodologically, canopy-level camera placement and color video recording effectively overcame the monitoring blind spots and identification difficulties associated with nocturnal small primates. Based on these findings, it is recommended that conservation efforts focus on key high-altitude habitats and maintain canopy connectivity to facilitate the population recovery of these threatened primates.

In this study, satellite collar tracking was employed to locate and monitor twoNycticebus bengalensisindividuals in the Mangxinghe area （Dehong Prefecture）, and the Nangunhe Nature Reserve （Lincang Prefecture）, Yunnan Province, aiming to analyze the diurnal and nocturnal differences in their habitat use and the underlying influencing factors. The results showed that slope aspect and canopy height were the key habitat factors driving habitat utilization and exhibiting significant diurnal and nocturnal differences. Diurnally,N. bengalensistended to utilize closed evergreen broadleaved forests, needleleaved forests, and shrublands with south-facing aspects, moderate slopes （10°－30°）, and canopy heights of 5－20 m. Nocturnally, the species showed a strong preference for closed evergreen broadleaved forests with a southeastern aspect, moderate slopes （10°－30°）, and canopy heights of 10－20 m. These differences might reflect an adaptive strategy to cope with pronounced diurnal temperature fluctuations, foraging requirements, and predation risks in this edge-of-plateau region. During the day, such behavior facilitated passive heat absorption to reduce the energy costs of thermoregulation, aligning with the energy-saving strategy observed in small mammals in plateau environments. During the night, this selection relied on dense upper canopy cover to avoid predators and improve foraging efficiency, while the heat-retaining characteristics of southeast-facing slopes helped alleviate low-temperature stress. This study was the first to apply satellite collar technology to achieve precise tracking of wildN. bengalensis, filling a critical data gap regarding the diurnal and nocturnal habitat use characteristics of this species in edge-of-plateau regions. The results not only provided a scientific basis for the targeted conservation and habitat restoration ofN. bengalensis, but also revealed habitat use patterns that provide important behavioral insights for future research into the mechanisms of plateau environmental adaptation in nocturnal primates.

In this study, geometric morphometrics was applied to quantify the morphology of central hamuli in sevenPolystomaspecies parasitizing hosts exhibiting terrestrial or arboreal adult habits. Results showed that central hamulus morphology provided a reliable character for species discrimination. More importantly, the analysis revealed that host habitat—an ecological factor acting directly on the parasite—exerted a significant shaping effect on hamulus morphology, thereby offering indirect evidence for the adaptive processes of the parasite to its host. This work not only addressed the gap in morphological adaptation studies of anuran-parasitizing monogeneans from arboreal and terrestrial hosts, but also contributed to a deeper understanding of host-parasite interaction mechanisms.

Caenorhabditis eleganswas employed as a model organism to establish a Parkinson’s disease （PD） model by inducing dopaminergic neurodegeneration with 6-hydroxydopamine （6-OHDA）. This study investigated the effects of astaxanthin （AST） on oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, and dopaminergic neuron-mediated locomotion in PD worms, and utilized transcriptomic analysis to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. The results demonstrated that astaxanthin not only ameliorated oxidative stress, restored dopaminergic neuron function, improved locomotor capacity, and modulated lipid metabolism, but also exerted neuroprotective effects against 6-OHDA-induced toxicity by regulating the expression of key genes, includingCELE_F10D2.9, CELE_F38E1.5, andCELE_K08F4.6. These findings suggested that astaxanthin might serve as a potential therapeutic agent in PD by modulating specific genetic pathways.

In this study, the coding region ofFritillaria unibracteatamevalonate kinase （FuMK） gene was inserted into pCambia2301-KY vector under the control of 35S promoter using homologous recombination. The recombinant vector was then introduced intoAgrobacterium tumefaciensGV3101. The floral dip method was used to transform the wild-typeArabidopsis thaliana. The transgenic plants were identified by kanamycin resistance followed by RCR verification. Phenotypes, terpenoid contents and defense enzyme activities of wild-type and transgenic plants were evaluated under normal and drought conditions, respectively. As a result, theFuMKgene showed higher expression level in aerial tissues than underground tissue. In comparison with wild-type plants, the transgenic plants displayed higher weight （P<0.01）, leaf length （P<0.05）, and leaf number （P<0.05）, suggesting the higher drought tolerance in transgenic plants. Moreover, the transgenic plants exhibited higher carotenoid and chlorophyll contents, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase （PAL）, superoxide dismutase （SOD） and peroxidase （POD） activities, but lower hydrogen peroxide （H2O2） and malondialdehyde （MDA） contents, compared to those of wild-type plants. Overall, this study confirmed that heterologous expression ofFuMKgene not only enhanced thein vivobiosynthesis of downstream terpenoid products, but also conferred tolerance to drought, thereby providing a basis and candidate genes for future metabolic engineering.

Through field investigation and literature survey, new distribution records of six species from five genera of subfamily Bambusoideae （Poaceae） were reported in Guangxi and Yunnan, viz.Chimonobambusa farctaG. H. Lai & J. J. Yue,Chimonocalamus dumosusJ. R. Xue & T. P. Yi,Chimonocalamus longiusculusJ. R. Xue & T. P. Yi,Ferrocalamus rimosivaginusT. H. Wen,Melocalamus scandens J. R. Xue & C. M. Hui, andNeomicrocalamus prainii（Gamble） P. C. Keng. The discovery of these new distribution records was of certain significance for the study of taxonomy, phylogeny, and genetic diversity of the subfamily Bambusoideae （Poaceae）. The voucher specimens were deposited at the herbaria of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences （HITBC）, Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences （KUN） and Mengzi Forestry and Grassland Bureau.

This review systematically summarized the structural characteristics, catalytic mechanisms, expression optimization in heterologous hosts, and progress in molecular engineering of protein glutaminase (PG, EC 3.5.1.44). Derived fromChryseobacterium proteolyticum, PG required proteolytic activation from its zymogen to the mature enzyme for deamidation activity. Heterologous expression systems (e.g.,Escherichia coli,Corynebacterium glutamicum, andBacillus subtilis) have significantly enhanced PG production, withB. subtilisachieving 36.9 U/mL through promoter optimization and fusion tags. Moreover, rational design and computationally aided strategies improved catalytic efficiency and thermostability, such as mutant D1 with a specific activity of 131.6 U/mg and mutant mPG-5M with a 55-fold extended thermal half-life. Despite these advancements, challenges such as endotoxin control in some hosts and high costs of zymogen activation still remain. Future studies should focus on developing safer expression systems and integrating AI-driven enzyme design to promote PG applications in plant-based food industry.

The efficient separation of ribosomal complexes from free ribosomal subunits was achieved by size-exclusion chromatography (SEC) using a high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or AKTA pureTM liquid chromatography system. First, the UV absorption monitoring system and fraction collection system were used to achieve the separation and collection of the eluted fractions; subsequently, the fractions containing the active polysomes, formed by multiple mRNA-bound ribosome complexes during translation, were confirmed by ribosomal protein-specific Western blot and rRNA or poly(A)-specific RNA dot blot analysis. The results showed that both HPLC and AKTA pureTM liquid chromatography systems could efficiently separate actively translated polysomes from ribosomal subunits, and that the AKTA pureTM liquid chromatography system based on a SuperoseTM6 chromatography column achieved higher recovery for the separation of polysomes. The findings suggested that size exclusion chromatography could be used for the analysis and preparation of active ribosomal complexes, providing reliable support for the discovery of novel ribosome-binding factors and the elucidation of new mechanisms of translational regulation under physiological or pathological conditions.

To address the requirements of New Medical Education, a systematic reform of the course system was initiated in 2023 and further implemented and optimized during 2024－2025. The reform focused on reorganizing course modules, applying learning analytics to inform teaching decisions, incorporating artificial intelligence generated content (AIGC)－supported virtual case simulations, and developing a multi-dimensional evaluation system. A comparison of student data from before (2021－2022) and after the reform (2023－2025) revealed consistent improvements in class participation, academic performance, rates of excellence, and satisfaction of learning. In addition, students showed stronger engineering practice and innovation capabilities, reflected in an increase in the number of awards in national biomedical engineering and life science competitions. Overall, the reform demonstrated the practical value of technology-enhanced teaching approaches in interdisciplinary curriculum development.

This study focused on the course “structure and function of biological macromolecules”, thoroughly analyzing the new requirements of new quality productive forces on biology graduate students in terms of innovative capabilities, interdisciplinary thinking skills, and practical abilities. To meet these demands, a specific educational reform plan was devised. The teaching content was optimized by integrating frontier scientific research achievements and emerging technologies. Innovative teaching methods, such as seminar-style learning and case-based teaching, were adopted to reform the teaching mode. A diversified and comprehensive evaluation system was also established. The implementation of the educational reform showed that students’ learning interest and innovative capabilities were significantly improved, and their satisfaction with the course teaching increased substantially. By optimizing teaching content, reforming teaching methods, and improving the evaluation system, this study effectively enhanced the teaching quality of the course, cultivating more biology talents with innovative spirit to contribute to the progress and development of the biological field.

Against the backdrop of the “Healthy China” strategy and the rapid development of the Big Health industry, the paradigm of medical education is shifting from knowledge transmission to competency development, placing higher demands on the clinical competencies of applied medical professionals. To address practical issues in clinical endocrinology education, such as passive learning among students, the gap between theory and practice, and inadequate training in clinical reasoning, this paper focused on the core competencies expected of future physicians, constructed teaching content from the three dimensions of theory, practice, and ethics, and explored the educational reform and practical application of an integrated teaching model combining competency-based case-based learning (CBL) with the mini-clinical evaluation exercise (Mini-CEX). This model encompassed the processes of curriculum and case design grounded in a competency framework, a paradigm shift among clinical instructors, structured implementation procedures, and the establishment of a constructive feedback culture. Practical application demonstrated that this integrated model significantly outperformed traditional teaching methods in enhancing students’ clinical skills, learning satisfaction, and self-efficacy, thereby effectively strengthening the overall clinical competency of medical students. This study not only offered a novel pathway for pedagogical reform in endocrinology but also provided a valuable practical reference for educational innovation in other medical and health-related disciplines in the Big Health era.