Die Naturwissenschaften[JOURNAL]

Sun 200 papers

Reduction of body segmentation in the skeleton shrimp Caprella scaura (Amphipoda: Caprellidae) inferred from comparative internal anatomy of Caprelloidea.

Otomo Y, Kimbara R, Oguchi K … +2 more , Kohtsuka H, Miura T

Naturwissenschaften · 2026 Jan · PMID 41604005 · Full text

In bilaterians, particularly arthropods, body segments are often functionally differentiated along the anterior-posterior axis, resulting in lineage-specific morphologies. Although the acquisition of novel traits in body... In bilaterians, particularly arthropods, body segments are often functionally differentiated along the anterior-posterior axis, resulting in lineage-specific morphologies. Although the acquisition of novel traits in body segments or appendages is considered a key driver of animal evolution, the loss or reduction of these structures has also contributed to the adaptation to new environments and emergence of novel body plans. Members of the family Caprellidae (Caprelloidea: Amphipoda: Crustacea), commonly known as skeleton shrimps, exhibit an unusual body plan characterized by highly elongated thoracic segments (pereonites) and a markedly reduced abdomen derived from the pleon (pleonites and urosomites). Caprellids also lack most appendages that are retained on the pleon in non-caprellid amphipods. Despite these distinctive features, the internal organization of organs within the reduced body segments of caprellids remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted histological observations of Caprella scaura and found that organs essential for survival and reproduction, particularly the digestive and reproductive systems, are entirely located within the pereonites. Comparative observations of a related non-caprellid amphipod Podocerus sp., revealed a similar distribution of reproductive organs in the pereonites, whereas the pleon contained only extensions of the digestive organs. These results suggest that, in the common ancestor of Caprelloidea, essential organs were already positioned within the pereonites. Furthermore, previous studies indicate that pleonal appendages became functionally reduced in caprellids in association with specialization for an epiphytic lifestyle. The anatomical organization, together with functional changes in appendages, may have facilitated the evolution of the highly degenerated body plan characteristic of caprellids.

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Study on the mechanism of Ershiwei Chenxiang Pills in the treatment of high altitude hypertension based on network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis.

Li D, Hou M, Wang S … +6 more , Wang W, Yan Y, Yang Q, Du S, Jin T, Jin T

Naturwissenschaften · 2026 Jan · PMID 41591503 · Publisher ↗

Ershiwei Chenxiang Pill (ECP) is effective in treating cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. High-altitude hypertension (HAH) is pathophysiologically distinct from general hypertension, primarily due to chronic... Ershiwei Chenxiang Pill (ECP) is effective in treating cardiovascular diseases including hypertension. High-altitude hypertension (HAH) is pathophysiologically distinct from general hypertension, primarily due to chronic hypoxia-induced mechanisms such as aberrant activation of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) pathway and altered vascular remodeling. The molecular mechanism of ECP against HAH remains unclear. This study aims to elucidate this mechanism using network pharmacology and molecular docking. The effective components and target proteins of ECP were screened by the TCMSP database and TCMID database. The HAH genes were retrieved from NCBI, OMIM, and GeneCards databases. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed to screen core targets. The distribution of the target in the organ was also assessed. The GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was carried out by the DAVID6.8 database. Finally, AutoDock 4.2.6 software was used for molecular docking verification. A total of 125 active components and 308 potential targets from ECP were identified, with 57 overlapping targets with HAH. PPI analysis revealed 14 key targets. GO analysis yielded 397 biological processes, 39 cellular components, and 52 molecular functions. KEGG analysis identified 207 pathways, among which the HIF-1 signaling pathway, Fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis were highlighted as most biologically relevant to HAH. Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinities between four key components (apigenin, (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate, chrysoeriol, baicalein) and six core targets (VEGFA, PPARG, HIF1A, ESR1, MMP9, CAV1), with binding energies ranging from − 6.7 to -9.2 kcal/mol. This study systematically reveals that ECP may treat HAH through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway mechanisms, with a core emphasis on modulating hypoxia-responsive pathways (e.g., HIF-1) and vascular function. These findings offer novel insights into the mechanistic basis of ECP in HAH treatment and provide a foundation for further experimental validation.

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