MDPI - Publisher of Open Access Journals

4 pages, 192 KB

Open AccessEditorial

Longevity Therapeutics: The Involvement of EDA2R, the “Self-Destruction Gene”

by Renad I. Zhdanov and Nejat Düzgüneş

Therapeutics 2026, 3(2), 14; https://doi.org/10.3390/therapeutics3020014 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Plasma Ectodysplasin A2 Receptor (EDA2R) has emerged as one of the most robust tissue-agnostic biomarkers of biological aging, and importantly, appears to be causally involved in “inflammaging”—the chronic low-grade inflammation that drives age-related decline—rather than merely reflecting it [...] Full article

51 pages, 6978 KB

Open AccessReview

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Non-Structural Proteins: A Blueprint for Next-Generation Small-Molecule Coronavirus Antivirals

by Exequiel O. J. Porta, Dana F. AlKharboush, Lauren Jackson, Felix Pang, Aylin Darin, Joy Louka, Mohammed Quamruzzaman, Xinyue Shi, Geoffrey Wells and Frank Kozielski

Pharmaceutics 2026, 18(6), 693; https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics18060693 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

The SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteome remains the most clinically validated and strategically important landscape for direct-acting small-molecule antiviral drug discovery. The success of inhibitors targeting the main protease (M^pro, Nsp5) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, Nsp12) has firmly established viral replication enzymes [...] Read more.

The SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteome remains the most clinically validated and strategically important landscape for direct-acting small-molecule antiviral drug discovery. The success of inhibitors targeting the main protease (M^pro, Nsp5) and RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp, Nsp12) has firmly established viral replication enzymes as tractable, druggable, and therapeutically relevant targets, while setting clear benchmarks for translational antiviral development. Building on this foundation, a second wave of non-structural protein (Nsp) targets has emerged with increasing translational promise, including the papain-like protease (PL^pro), the bifunctional Nsp14 proofreading and capping machinery, Nsp16 2′-O-methyltransferase, Nsp13 helicase, and Nsp15 endoribonuclease. In parallel, additional components such as Nsp1 and the Mac1 domain of Nsp3 continue to expand the antiviral design space, although they remain at earlier stages of chemical validation. In this review, we comprehensively assess SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins through a medicinal chemistry and translational lens, with an emphasis on structural tractability, mechanism of action, quality of chemical matter, cellular and in vivo antiviral evidence, evolutionary conservation, resistance liabilities, and developability. Particular attention is given to the features that distinguish tool compounds from genuinely actionable leads and to the opportunities for rational combination regimens that extend beyond first-generation protease- and polymerase-centred therapy. Collectively, the non-structural proteome offers the strongest foundation for next-generation and potentially broader-spectrum coronavirus antivirals with improved resilience to viral evolution. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Therapeutic Agents and Innovative Delivery Systems Against Infectious Diseases)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 2899 KB

Open AccessArticle

Loureirin B Attenuates Methotrexate-Induced Liver Injury Associated with Oxidative Stress, SIRT1 Alterations, and TGF-β/SMAD3-Related Profibrotic Responses

by İrem Hengirmen Acu and Oytun Erbaş

Pharmaceuticals 2026, 19(6), 887; https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19060887 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Methotrexate-induced oxidative stress is mechanistically linked not only to hepatocellular injury but also to DNA damage, indicating that oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, and genotoxicity represent interconnected manifestations of the same antifolate-driven toxic cascade. Methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatotoxicity is characterized not only by oxidative stress, [...] Read more.

Background: Methotrexate-induced oxidative stress is mechanistically linked not only to hepatocellular injury but also to DNA damage, indicating that oxidative stress, hepatotoxicity, and genotoxicity represent interconnected manifestations of the same antifolate-driven toxic cascade. Methotrexate (MTX)-induced hepatotoxicity is characterized not only by oxidative stress, but also by progressive fibrotic remodeling driven by activation of the TGF-β/SMAD signaling pathway. Objective: We aimed to examine the hepatoprotective effects of Loureirin B, with a particular focus on its anti-fibrotic potential and underlying molecular mechanisms in MTX-induced liver injury. Methods: Thirty female Wistar rats were assigned to normal control, MTX, and MTX + Loureirin B groups. Liver injury was induced with a single intraperitoneal MTX dose (20 mg/kg), followed by oral administration of Loureirin B (50 mg/kg/day) for 10 days. Biochemical, molecular, and histopathological analyses were performed, including ALT, AST, ALP, MDA, SIRT1, TGF-β, SMAD3, hydroxyproline, and VEGF levels, alongside the evaluation of necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammatory infiltration. Results: MTX induced significant hepatic injury characterized by elevated serum ALT, AST, and ALP levels, increased oxidative stress, suppression of SIRT1, and increased TGF-β and SMAD3 levels, accompanied by elevated collagen-associated markers. Loureirin B treatment significantly reduced the serum liver enzyme levels and oxidative stress, partially restored SIRT1 levels, and decreased fibrosis-associated markers, including hydroxyproline and VEGF. Although the TGF-β levels were significantly reduced following Loureirin B treatment, the reduction in SMAD3 levels did not remain statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Histopathological findings further demonstrated attenuation of fibrosis-associated changes and partial improvement in hepatic architecture. Conclusions: Loureirin B may exert protective effects against methotrexate-associated liver injury through the modulation of oxidative stress, partial restoration of SIRT1 levels, attenuation of profibrotic alterations associated with the TGF-β/SMAD pathway, and modulation of VEGF-related responses. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Pharmacology)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 6760 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Proposal-Aware Proactive Encoding Framework for Trajectory Prediction in Autonomous Driving

by Hongkun Liu, Xuetao Liu and Ziyi Liu

Electronics 2026, 15(11), 2435; https://doi.org/10.3390/electronics15112435 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Trajectory prediction plays a crucial role in autonomous driving by forecasting the future trajectories of agents to support safe and efficient decision-making. Most existing methods that adopt an encoder–decoder architecture have achieved remarkable success, where the scene encoder extracts contextual representations from agents’ [...] Read more.

Trajectory prediction plays a crucial role in autonomous driving by forecasting the future trajectories of agents to support safe and efficient decision-making. Most existing methods that adopt an encoder–decoder architecture have achieved remarkable success, where the scene encoder extracts contextual representations from agents’ history trajectories and lane segments. However, this architecture remains fundamentally constrained by the blind encoder. Specifically, the scene encoder of models extracts contextual information without foresight, leading to significant semantic pollution from proposal-irrelevant context, thereby degrading the prediction performance. To rectify this model deficiency, we propose ProFocus, a proactive encoding framework that reformulates the trajectory prediction model architecture via an anticipatory feedback loop. ProFocus generates the potential proposals in the nascent stage layers, utilizing them as attentional priors to dynamically modulate the scene encoding process. In addition, to optimize the information flow within the attention mechanism and reduce irrelevant context interference in attention distributions, we introduce spatio-temporal focal attention (STFA). By implementing a relation-conditioned sharpening operator through a spatio-temporal relation-controlled softmax, STFA adaptively recalibrates the attention distribution according to related dependencies. Comprehensive evaluations on the Argoverse 1 dataset and INTERACTION dataset validate that ProFocus attains competitive performance across miss rate (MR), minimum average displacement error (minADE) and minimum final displacement error (minFDE), while maintaining a real-time inference speed of 16 ms on an RTX 3090. The results from our ablation studies demonstrate that ProFocus reduces MR, minFDE, and minADE by 2.80%, 2.52%, and 1.41% relative to the baseline, respectively. Furthermore, qualitative visualizations also corroborate that ProFocus exhibits robust performance in diverse traffic scenarios. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 18240 KB

Open AccessArticle

Disagreement-Guided Knowledge Distillation for Efficient Kidney Segmentation in Abdominal CT

by Coşku Öksüz

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5573; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115573 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Accurate kidney segmentation in abdominal computed tomography (CT) images is important for quantitative analysis and computer-assisted clinical workflows, yet deploying deep learning models in practice remains challenging due to computational constraints. To address this, a disagreement-guided knowledge distillation (KD) framework is proposed for [...] Read more.

Accurate kidney segmentation in abdominal computed tomography (CT) images is important for quantitative analysis and computer-assisted clinical workflows, yet deploying deep learning models in practice remains challenging due to computational constraints. To address this, a disagreement-guided knowledge distillation (KD) framework is proposed for efficient kidney segmentation. The method introduces a spatial disagreement mask (Ω) to identify regions where teacher and student predictions diverge, enabling selective knowledge transfer focused on informative and error-prone areas while avoiding redundant supervision in well-predicted regions. In addition, a pixel-level annotated kidney segmentation dataset is created by extending a previously published abdominal CT dataset with kidney masks. The experimental results on both the in-house dataset and the KiTS19 benchmark show improved overlap-based segmentation performance, particularly in Dice and IoU, compared with supervised training and conventional pixel-wise KD. On the in-house dataset, Dice increases from 0.9239 to 0.9335 and IoU from 0.8720 to 0.8859, together with improved boundary-based distance metrics. On KiTS19, Dice improves from 0.8732 to 0.8812, primarily driven by improved kidney recall and a reduction in under-segmentation errors; however, boundary-based distance metrics remain more favorable for the conventional pixel-wise KD under domain shift. Additional experiments with a compact Attention U-Net-small student and stronger teacher sources further show that KD-Ω can improve compact student performance, although the magnitude of improvement depends on the teacher prediction profile. These findings indicate that the proposed framework provides an efficient and practical approach for enhancing lightweight segmentation models by prioritizing clinically relevant foreground preservation and reducing missed kidney regions under computational constraints. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Computing and Artificial Intelligence)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 13726 KB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Application of an Off-Axis Optical System Based on Vector Wave Aberration Theory

by Yuchuan Zhao, Zhenhua Su, Yiran Zhao, Hao Wang, Haifeng Zhang, Nanxing Yan, Chao Mei and Haifeng Xiao

Photonics 2026, 13(6), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/photonics13060549 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Based on vector wave aberration theory, this paper analyzes the relative positions of the third-order coma node and astigmatism nodes under pupil decenter and proposes an initial structure selection criterion in which the coma node coincides with the geometric midpoint of the two [...] Read more.

Based on vector wave aberration theory, this paper analyzes the relative positions of the third-order coma node and astigmatism nodes under pupil decenter and proposes an initial structure selection criterion in which the coma node coincides with the geometric midpoint of the two astigmatism nodes. Using this criterion, an F/6 off-axis catadioptric telephoto optical system with a focal length of 900 mm and an entrance pupil diameter of 150 mm was designed. The measured on-axis RMS wavefront error was better than 0.025λ at 632.8 nm. The results demonstrate that the system meets the requirements for high-resolution long-focal-length imaging. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section New Applications Enabled by Photonics Technologies and Systems)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

39 pages, 10781 KB

Open AccessReview

Mitochondrial Dynamics in Cancer Progression and Therapy Resistance: Emerging Roles in Metabolic Reprogramming, Biomarker Discovery, and Precision Medicine

by Vasudevarao Penugurti, Rajni Kant and Che-Chia Hsu

Cells 2026, 15(11), 1026; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15111026 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Mitochondria play essential roles in cellular metabolism and signaling, regulating biosynthetic pathways, calcium homeostasis, redox balance, and cell fate beyond ATP production. Their continual remodeling through fusion, fission, and mitophagy maintains mitochondrial quality control and adapts organelle function to cellular demands. Here, we [...] Read more.

Mitochondria play essential roles in cellular metabolism and signaling, regulating biosynthetic pathways, calcium homeostasis, redox balance, and cell fate beyond ATP production. Their continual remodeling through fusion, fission, and mitophagy maintains mitochondrial quality control and adapts organelle function to cellular demands. Here, we review how mitochondrial dynamics, fusion, fission, and mitophagy modulate metabolic reprogramming and signaling to drive cancer progression and therapy resistance. Emerging evidence indicates that in cancer, mitochondrial fusion enhances respiratory efficiency and oxidative phosphorylation, whereas fission promotes glycolytic adaptation, rapid biomass accumulation, and stress tolerance. Mitophagy further refines metabolic fitness by eliminating damaged mitochondria and sustaining redox homeostasis. Together, these processes underscore that dysregulation of mitochondrial dynamics is a hallmark of cancer and a key driver of metabolic reprogramming and therapeutic resistance. In this review, we summarize how mitochondrial fusion, fission, and mitophagy govern metabolic circuitry in cancer development and therapy resistance. We highlight their functional impact on tumor progression and discuss emerging therapeutic strategies targeting mitochondrial dynamics and associated machinery. Understanding this dynamic metabolic crosstalk may reveal new vulnerabilities and guide the development of mitochondria-targeted cancer therapies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Mitochondrial Dynamics in Health and Disease Metabolism: Mechanisms and Functional Consequences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

37 pages, 21677 KB

Open AccessArticle

From Pathway Tracing to Actionable Targets: Integrative Mendelian Randomization and Experimental Triangulation Map Metabolic Pathways Across Ovarian Cancer Histotypes

by Xinqi Wang, Haoyu Wang, Siyuan Hu, Wenyi Zhang, Huiyu Chen, Ying Shen, Hongyang Xue and Li Hong

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 5043; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27115043 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Ovarian cancer (OC) comprises multiple histotypes with distinct mechanisms, molecular features, and clinical behavior. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to map histotype-stratified metabolic pathways and connect them to drug targets, establishing a translatable target–metabolic node–histotype risk chain. We built a multi-stage MR framework [...] Read more.

Ovarian cancer (OC) comprises multiple histotypes with distinct mechanisms, molecular features, and clinical behavior. We used Mendelian randomization (MR) to map histotype-stratified metabolic pathways and connect them to drug targets, establishing a translatable target–metabolic node–histotype risk chain. We built a multi-stage MR framework using Integrative Epidemiology Unit (IEU) OpenGWAS summary statistics. After screening 1400 plasma metabolites against overall ovarian cancer in UK Biobank and Ovarian Cancer Association Consortium (OCAC) with KEGG enrichment, we traced a prespecified amino acid/energy–nitrogen axis using histotype-stratified univariable MR and pathway-restricted multivariable MR. We then performed cis drug-target MR for PPARG, DPP4, ABCC8/KCNJ11, and SLC5A2, integrated triangulation, colocalization, and mediation analyses, and experimentally interrogated the prioritized PPARG/ABCC8-KCNJ11–lactate–invasive mucinous ovarian cancer (IMOC) triangle. Screening nominated 55 and 72 metabolites in UK Biobank and OCAC, respectively (IVW p < 0.05), highlighting amino-acid nitrogen and central-carbon metabolism. Univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR) showed marked heterogeneity: alanine increased low-grade serous ovarian cancer (LGSOC) risk, glutamate was protective for endometrioid OC, and lactate-related traits most consistently implicated the low-grade/borderline serous lineage. In multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR), tryptophan and lactate levels emerged as independent risk nodes for serous low-grade plus low malignant potential (LG + LMP). Drug-target MR prioritized PPARG as protective (OR = 0.18) and ABCC8/KCNJ11 as risk-increasing (OR = 7.50) for IMOC, with opposite target → lactate effects supporting a directionally symmetric target–lactate–IMOC triangle. Experimental perturbation in mucinous ovarian cancer models produced concordant reciprocal changes in lactate and malignant phenotypes, extending this triangle biologically. This integrative MR framework delineates histotype-specific metabolic drivers and links them to actionable targets, providing a roadmap from genetic prioritization to mechanistic and translational validation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Endocrinology and Metabolism)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

61 pages, 2605 KB

Open AccessReview

Herbal Neurotherapeutics for Cognitive Disorders: Integrative Mechanisms Linking Neurotransmitter Systems, Neurodegeneration, and the Gut-Brain Axis

by Muntajin Rahman, Khadija Akter, Amama Rani, Moon Nyeo Park and Bonglee Kim

Nutrients 2026, 18(11), 1796; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu18111796 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and vascular dementia, are associated with dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems, including acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These disorders are increasingly recognized as multifactorial conditions involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic [...] Read more.

Cognitive disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, depression, and vascular dementia, are associated with dysregulation of neurotransmitter systems, including acetylcholine, dopamine, serotonin, glutamate, and γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA). These disorders are increasingly recognized as multifactorial conditions involving oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, synaptic impairment, blood–brain barrier disruption, metabolic imbalance, and gut–brain axis dysregulation. Current pharmacological therapies may provide symptomatic relief; however, their clinical benefits are often limited and associated with adverse effects. Herbal medicines have gained increasing attention as potential complementary approaches for cognitive support and neuroprotection. Preclinical evidence and emerging clinical studies suggest that herbal bioactive compounds may exert neuroprotective effects through antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and neurotransmitter-modulating mechanisms. Medicinal herbs such as Bacopa monnieri, Withania somnifera, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Moringa oleifera, and ginseng have shown potential cognitive benefits in experimental models and selected human studies. Advanced delivery systems, including nanoparticles and phytosomes, may further improve the bioavailability and brain-targeting efficiency of herbal compounds. However, current clinical evidence remains heterogeneous and limited by insufficient standardization, small sample sizes, and short study durations. Further large-scale clinical studies and standardized safety assessments are essential before herbal neurotherapeutics can be widely applied in cognitive and neurological disorders. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Dietary Factors and Interventions for Cognitive Neuroscience)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 527 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Surgical Intervention for Filariasis-Induced Lymphedema: A Systematic Review of Ablative and Physiological Approaches

by Rani Septrina, Irra Rubianti Widarda, Putie Hapsari and Valeska Siulinda Candrawinata

Life 2026, 16(6), 942; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16060942 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Advanced filariasis-induced lymphedema causes irreversible fibrosis, severe disability, recurrent infections, and major psychosocial burden, often with poor response to conservative therapy. Surgical management in this type of lymphedema is rarely addressed. We conducted a PRISMA 2020-guided systematic review evaluating surgical interventions versus conservative [...] Read more.

Advanced filariasis-induced lymphedema causes irreversible fibrosis, severe disability, recurrent infections, and major psychosocial burden, often with poor response to conservative therapy. Surgical management in this type of lymphedema is rarely addressed. We conducted a PRISMA 2020-guided systematic review evaluating surgical interventions versus conservative management or no intervention in adults with filarial lymphedema, involving various anatomical locations. Of 580 records identified, 29 studies were included for qualitative synthesis. The evidence base predominantly consisted of case reports, with surgical indications frequently involving disabling elephantiasis or diagnostic excision of filarial masses. While ablative procedures (excisional debulking) remained the primary salvage strategy, specific studies documented physiological techniques, including nodovenous shunts and vascularized lymph node transfer (VLNT). Quantitative limb-volume reduction was sparsely reported; however, qualitative assessments demonstrated significant improvements in ambulation, cosmesis, and patient-reported quality of life. Postoperative complications, primarily superficial surgical site infections, were generally low and manageable. Ablative surgical procedures appear to be the most common salvage strategy for advanced filarial lymphedema, but the evidence base remains limited to low-level, heterogeneous observational data. However, with the emergence of physiological lymphatic surgery, a combination of ablative procedures and physiological procedures should be considered. Prospective controlled studies with standardized outcomes are urgently needed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Horizons of Adipose Tissue Disorders: From Hormonal Issues to Loose Connective Disease: 2nd Edition)

14 pages, 1551 KB

Open AccessArticle

Exploratory Analysis of Fish Mortality in the Shatt al-Basrah Canal (Iraq, 2021): Environmental Drivers and Implications for Brackish Ecosystem Health

by Murtada Naser, Amaal Yasser, Francisco Godinho and Patricio R. De los Ríos-Escalante

Fishes 2026, 11(6), 335; https://doi.org/10.3390/fishes11060335 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

The Shatt al-Basrah Canal, a brackish artificial waterway in southern Iraq, experienced a fish mortality event in August 2021, raising serious environmental and socioeconomic concerns. This study documents field observations, photographic evidence, and in situ water-quality measurements collected during the event to characterize [...] Read more.

The Shatt al-Basrah Canal, a brackish artificial waterway in southern Iraq, experienced a fish mortality event in August 2021, raising serious environmental and socioeconomic concerns. This study documents field observations, photographic evidence, and in situ water-quality measurements collected during the event to characterize environmental conditions associated with the mortality and situate them within the context of long-term ecosystem degradation in the region. The event coincided with critically low dissolved oxygen concentrations (1–2.5 mg L⁻¹), elevated summer water temperatures (31.2–31.6 °C), high total ammonia nitrogen levels (1.88–2.2 mg L⁻¹), and brackish salinity (17.4–23 ppt), reflecting strong anthropogenic influence and limited hydrological flushing. These stressors occurred in areas receiving untreated wastewater inputs and affected both native and non-native fish species tolerant of estuarine conditions. Comparison with documented fish-kill events from Kuwait Bay and other parts of the northern Arabian Gulf indicates similar environmental settings characterized by hypoxia, organic enrichment, and summer thermal stress. The 2021 mortality event suggests how acute ecological deterioration may arise in chronically degraded brackish systems and underscores the need for continuous water-quality monitoring, improved wastewater treatment, and proactive management to reduce the risk of recurrent fish kills in Iraq’s vulnerable aquatic ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Environment and Climate Change)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

33 pages, 901 KB

Open AccessSystematic Review

Numerical Modeling of Hydraulic Failure Mechanisms in Levees, River Embankments, and Earth Dams Under Climate-Induced Flood Conditions: A Systematic Literature Review

by Mais Mayassah and Edina Koch

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5572; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115572 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Hydraulic failure in levees, river embankments, and earth dams represents a critical challenge in flood risk management, particularly under increasing climate-induced hydrological stresses. This study presents a systematic literature review of numerical, probabilistic, and data-driven modeling approaches used to assess hydraulic failure mechanisms [...] Read more.

Hydraulic failure in levees, river embankments, and earth dams represents a critical challenge in flood risk management, particularly under increasing climate-induced hydrological stresses. This study presents a systematic literature review of numerical, probabilistic, and data-driven modeling approaches used to assess hydraulic failure mechanisms in earthen flood-protection structures. A structured search was conducted in Scopus, Web of Science, and Taylor & Francis for peer-reviewed English-language journal articles published between 2015 and 2026. Following duplicate removal, title and abstract screening, and full-text eligibility assessment, 65 studies were included in the final synthesis. Based on the synthesis, an integrated mechanism–model–uncertainty framework is developed to relate hydraulic loading conditions, soil response, dominant failure mechanisms, appropriate numerical modeling approaches, uncertainty treatment, and climate-related stressors. This study provides valuable insights for engineers, researchers, and policymakers by identifying key advances, limitations, and future research directions for improving levee resilience. Study quality was assessed using a structured quality assessment rubric. The review protocol was not registered in a public registry, and no external funding was received. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Geotechnical Engineering: Stability, Mechanics, and Modeling)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1077 KB

Open AccessArticle

The Impact of Low-Carbon Transition on Accounting Conservatism of High-Carbon-Emission Enterprises: Evidence from China

by Guomin Li and Shangwen Shi

Sustainability 2026, 18(11), 5638; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18115638 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

As climate change challenges intensify, the low-carbon transition has emerged as a fundamental structural transformation reshaping the global economic system and promoting sustainable development. In China, the “Dual Carbon” goals announced in September 2020 represent a landmark policy shift that imposes substantial environmental [...] Read more.

As climate change challenges intensify, the low-carbon transition has emerged as a fundamental structural transformation reshaping the global economic system and promoting sustainable development. In China, the “Dual Carbon” goals announced in September 2020 represent a landmark policy shift that imposes substantial environmental and regulatory pressure on high-carbon-emission enterprises. Against this backdrop, understanding how firms are adjusting their financial reporting practices to align with the low-carbon transition holds considerable significance for fostering their long-term sustainable development. Unlike previous studies that primarily attributed accounting conservatism to firm-specific risks or general economic uncertainty, this paper views the low-carbon transition as a structural institutional shock that reshapes firms’ external governance environment and information conditions, thereby offering a policy-driven explanation for accounting conservatism. Analysis using the Difference-in-differences method demonstrates that the low-carbon transition significantly enhances accounting conservatism among these enterprises (coefficient = 0.008, t = 4.13). Furthermore, mechanism analysis reveals that the low-carbon transition increases accounting conservatism through financing constraints and media attention. Heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the relationship between the low-carbon transition and accounting conservatism is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, firms located in the eastern region, those facing intense industry competition, and companies with low levels of green innovation. Overall, the findings suggest that accounting conservatism is shaped not only by firm-level factors but also by large-scale institutional and policy transitions. By emphasizing that environmental regulation is a structural determinant of financial reporting behavior, this study extends the accounting conservatism literature. Furthermore, it demonstrates that improving financial reporting quality and risk identification capabilities enhances firms’ ability to address the challenges of the low-carbon transition, thereby fostering their long-term sustainable development. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

36 pages, 1878 KB

Open AccessArticle

Patient Participation and Citizenship in Outpatient Processes: A Service Logistics Study

by Atchara Dokkulab, Duangpun Kritchanchai, Kwanchai Pirojsakul and Martin Crane

Logistics 2026, 10(6), 125; https://doi.org/10.3390/logistics10060125 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Background: Outpatient departments operate as interconnected service nodes through which patient and information flows must be coordinated across multiple handoffs. However, the role of patient value co-creation in shaping perceived outpatient process performance remains underexplored. Methods: This study examined how patient citizenship behavior [...] Read more.

Background: Outpatient departments operate as interconnected service nodes through which patient and information flows must be coordinated across multiple handoffs. However, the role of patient value co-creation in shaping perceived outpatient process performance remains underexplored. Methods: This study examined how patient citizenship behavior (VCC_C) and participation behavior (VCC_P) are associated with patient satisfaction (SAT) across four outpatient processes and the overall outpatient pathway of a Thai university hospital. A process-level design was used, combining a cross-sectional survey of 400 patients with PLS-SEM, bootstrapping, multi-group analysis, Kruskal-Wallis tests, IPMA, and semi-structured interviews. Results: Across all processes, VCC_C showed greater explanatory importance for SAT than VCC_P and was strongly associated with VCC_P, indicating a citizenship-dominant pattern. Structural associations were statistically stable across processes, whereas satisfaction levels varied by operational context, with medication dispensing outperforming diagnosis and treatment. IPMA identified feedback and tolerance as high-importance, lower-performance priorities, whereas helping and advocacy emerged as strengths. Conclusions: Interpreted through a service logistics perspective, the findings suggest that queue visibility, handoff coordination, process transparency, and feedback management are important priorities for outpatient service improvement efforts. Full article

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 12575 KB

Open AccessArticle

Prediction of Severe Convective Stability Indices Based on VMD–BiGRU–Attention and GNSS

by Zhenhua Cheng, Yunchang Cao, Linghao Zhou, Hong Liang, Kun Jing, Panpan Zhao, Yuyang Zhu, Chenwei Yao and Haifeng Yu

Remote Sens. 2026, 18(11), 1823; https://doi.org/10.3390/rs18111823 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

The key parameters of atmospheric convective stability, the K index (KI) and the Showalter index (SI), are important indicators for severe convective weather warnings. This study adopts a variational mode decomposition, bidirectional gated recurrent unit, and attention mechanism weighting combined model (VMD–BiGRU–Attention) to [...] Read more.

The key parameters of atmospheric convective stability, the K index (KI) and the Showalter index (SI), are important indicators for severe convective weather warnings. This study adopts a variational mode decomposition, bidirectional gated recurrent unit, and attention mechanism weighting combined model (VMD–BiGRU–Attention) to optimize core hyperparameters and verify model stability. Global Navigation Satellite System-derived precipitable water vapor (PWV) and relative humidity (RH) are incorporated as key parameters representing atmospheric water vapor conditions, thereby assisting VMD decomposition in accurately separating effective signals related to severe convection. The results show that the optimal VMD decomposition parameter K for the KI is 10 (minimum root mean square error [RMSE] = 3.96), whereas the optimal K for the SI is 11 (minimum RMSE = 1.87), verifying the applicability of VMD decomposition. In the validation using extreme rainfall events (2021–2025) at three meteorological stations in Guangxi (Baise, Nanning, and Hepu), the model, with the auxiliary contributions of PWV and RH, stably and accurately predicts the KI and SI for the next three hours, effectively capturing the critical characteristics of severe convection. The predicted results are consistent with the observed precipitation, demonstrating significant practical application value. Full article

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 275 KB

Open AccessArticle

Inflammatory Cytokine Genetics and Coronary Artery Disease: Pathogenetic and Protective Analysis of IL-18 (−607 C/A, −137 G/C) and IL-8 (+781 C/T) Gene Variations

by Arzu Ay, Nevra Alkanli, Gokay Taylan and Esra Ergin

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol. 2026, 48(6), 589; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb48060589 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Chronic inflammation mediated by cytokines is central to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). This exploratory study aimed to investigate potential associations between functional gene variations of the cytokines interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) and the CAD susceptibility within a [...] Read more.

Chronic inflammation mediated by cytokines is central to the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease (CAD). This exploratory study aimed to investigate potential associations between functional gene variations of the cytokines interleukin 18 (IL-18) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) and the CAD susceptibility within a specific regional cohort, while accounting for common clinical comorbidities. Genotype distributions of IL-18 (−607 C/A, −137 G/C) and IL-8 (+781 C/T) were analyzed in a cohort of 102 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD and 102 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed using PCR, allele-specific PCR, and RFLP techniques. Multivariate logistic regression was utilized to assess potential independent associations, adjusting for age and traditional clinical risk factors. In this specific cohort, after adjusting for age, hypertension, diabetes, cholesterol, family history, and smoking, the IL-18 (−137 G/C) CC genotype was observed more frequently in CAD patients (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.15, 95% CI = 2.10–18.05, p = 0.001). An exploratory analysis of genotype combinations suggested that the IL-18 (−607/−137) CA-CC profile may be linked to an increased risk (AOR = 3.65, p = 0.028), while tentative protective trends were noted for certain IL-18/IL-8 combinations. Notably, a significant deviation from a Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) was observed in the control group for the IL-18 loci, which represents a substantial methodological limitation that may influence these risk estimates. Our preliminary findings suggest that specific IL-18 and IL-8 variations may contribute to CAD susceptibility independently of traditional risk factors in the studied population. However, given the modest sample size and the observed HWE deviation, these associations should be regarded as suggestive rather than definitive. While these genetic variations underscore the importance of cytokine pathways in cardiovascular research, they do not currently support clinical implementation for risk stratification. Large-scale, multi-center prospective studies are necessary to validate these preliminary signals and evaluate their long-term scientific utility. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology)

43 pages, 21884 KB

Open AccessArticle

AI-Assisted Visualisation of Heritage Conservation Interventions: An Exploratory Study of Community Preferences

by Hawar Himdad J. Sektani, Fenk D. Miran and Hardi K. Abdullah

Heritage 2026, 9(6), 226; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage9060226 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Community- and values-based approaches to the conservation of architectural heritage are increasingly emphasised. Yet empirical evidence on how local communities assess the potential of interventions for built heritage remains limited. Hence, when examining heritage interventions based on prevailing theories, visual scenario testing is [...] Read more.

Community- and values-based approaches to the conservation of architectural heritage are increasingly emphasised. Yet empirical evidence on how local communities assess the potential of interventions for built heritage remains limited. Hence, when examining heritage interventions based on prevailing theories, visual scenario testing is considered a significant communication tool. Therefore, this study investigates local community preferences for different intervention levels in Koya City’s urban heritage using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-assisted visualisations that span a continuum of interventions. The visualisations serve as the basis for the survey, which was used to explore local preferences for the various heritage intervention scenarios. The correspondence between the AI-assisted visuals and the theoretical interventions was assessed by experts before the survey. The findings suggest that low- to moderate-intensity conservation strategies that preserve architectural character are consistently preferred by the survey community. In contrast, interventions that involved considerable physical change were markedly less favoured. Results from the expert validation test indicate that low- to moderate-intervention levels were reliably visualised using AI-assisted visualisations, while the higher-intervention levels were considered less representative. The supplementary calibration further highlights the importance of visual granularity in participatory heritage evaluation. However, the study remains exploratory and limited by the use of AI-assisted visualisations, a single case-study context, and the difficulty of translating nuanced conservation doctrines into visually discrete categories. This study makes a dual contribution by providing empirical evidence of local preferences across a continuum of conservation interventions, and by proposing an AI-assisted visual methodology to bridge expert conservation theory with public understanding. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Generative AI and Cultural Heritage: Opportunities, Challenges, and Ethical Frontiers)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 8276 KB

Open AccessArticle

Nanopore Data-Driven Near-T2T Genome Assembly of Hippophae rhamnoides ssp. mongolica Rousi and Its Complex Annotation

by Alexander A. Arkhipov, Nadezhda L. Bolsheva, Elena N. Pushkova, Vladislav V. Babenko, Yury A. Zubarev, Valentina A. Krasnova, Vera L. Kovalenko, Fedor D. Kostromskoy, Elizaveta A. Ivankina, Ekaterina M. Dvorianinova, Nikolai M. Barsukov, Daiana A. Krupskaya, Elena V. Borkhert, Ksenia M. Klimina, Alexey A. Dmitriev and Nataliya V. Melnikova

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1726; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111726 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a valuable plant whose fruits are rich in biologically active compounds. We sequenced the genome of variety Triumf of H. rhamnoides ssp. mongolica Rousi on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform. With the Hifiasm algorithm optimized [...] Read more.

Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.) is a valuable plant whose fruits are rich in biologically active compounds. We sequenced the genome of variety Triumf of H. rhamnoides ssp. mongolica Rousi on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT) platform. With the Hifiasm algorithm optimized for ONT data, we assembled the 1.17-Gb genome into eleven complete chromosomes and one chromosome consisting of two contigs, which were scaffolded (Chr3). Eleven of twelve chromosomes had pronounced telomeric repeats at both ends and were assembled as telomere-to-telomere (T2T), and one chromosome (Chr12) had telomeric repeats only at one end. We also sequenced transcriptomes of thirteen Triumf organs/tissues and performed genome annotation using these and previously obtained RNA-Seq data for this variety. As a result, we predicted 25,915 genes and 30,527 transcripts. Repetitive elements comprised 66.9% of the genome size. The obtained near-T2T annotated genome assembly of H. rhamnoides ssp. mongolica variety Triumf enabled the identification of correct composition and sequences of important gene families in sea buckthorn. We demonstrated this with the FAT, SAD, and FAD gene families involved in fatty acid synthesis. Expression analysis revealed which FAT, SAD, and FAD genes are essential for specific organs/tissues. Thus, the Triumf genome assembly is a crucial tool for basic and applied studies of H. rhamnoides. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in Plant Genetics and Genomics)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 921 KB

Open AccessArticle

Impact of Risk, Usability, Usefulness and Social Norms on Adoption of Cryptocurrency in Jordan

by Dmaithan Almajali, Ra’ed Masa’deh, Ala’a Saeb Al Sherideh, Hiba Hamdan and Tha’er Almajali

Information 2026, 17(6), 549; https://doi.org/10.3390/info17060549 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

This study investigated the factors that drive the behavioral intention towards cryptocurrency usage among individuals in Jordan. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) was used as base. The study respondents were active Facebook users. The questionnaires were delivered online to 500 respondents, yielding [...] Read more.

This study investigated the factors that drive the behavioral intention towards cryptocurrency usage among individuals in Jordan. The Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA) was used as base. The study respondents were active Facebook users. The questionnaires were delivered online to 500 respondents, yielding 320 usable responses which were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Results demonstrated positive effects of subjective norms, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and trust on the intention to use cryptocurrency. Results also showed the effect of attitude towards cryptocurrency on the intention to use cryptocurrency. Results further showed the impact of perceived risk, perceived usefulness and perceived enjoyment on attitude towards cryptocurrency, while facilitating conditions and perceived ease of use showed no impact on attitude towards cryptocurrency. In addition, perceived ease of use did not affect the intention to use cryptocurrency. Moreover, results showed the positive effect of intention to use cryptocurrency towards cryptocurrency adoption. Results also showed the mediating effect of attitude towards cryptocurrency in the link between subjective norms, perceived risk, perceived usefulness, perceived enjoyment, and intention to use cryptocurrency. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Information Management and Decision-Making)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 51021 KB

Open AccessArticle

Unifoliolate Leaves Are Compound in Neotropical Rutaceae: Novel Evidence from Lateral Leaflet Traces

by Carlos Eduardo Valério Raymundo, José Rubens Pirani and Gladys Flávia de Albuquerque Melo-de-Pinna

Plants 2026, 15(11), 1725; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants15111725 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Unifoliolate compound leaves have a single leaflet and are common in Galipeinae, the most diverse lineage of Neotropical Rutaceae. In Galipeine, the apical end of the petiole is swollen (apical swollen) has been interpreted as evidence of a compound nature. Additionally, recent studies [...] Read more.

Unifoliolate compound leaves have a single leaflet and are common in Galipeinae, the most diverse lineage of Neotropical Rutaceae. In Galipeine, the apical end of the petiole is swollen (apical swollen) has been interpreted as evidence of a compound nature. Additionally, recent studies have also identified traces of lateral leaflets that undergo early abortion. Here, we analyzed leaf ontogeny and vascularization in nine genera to investigate the structural organization and possible compound origin of unifoliolate leaves in Galipeinae. Shoot apices and mature leaves were examined using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, and selected species were examined using micro–computed tomography, providing a broader understanding of the vascular architecture in the apical swelling. Two vascularization patterns were identified at the apical swollen: (Type 1) vascular plexus formed by traces of early aborted lateral leaflets (Erythrochiton brasiliensis and Conchocarpus macrophyllus and others species); (Type 2) a closed vascular (C. ruber, C. fontanesianus and C. albiflorus). The leaflet traces present in type 1 provide novel anatomical evidence of an ancestral compound condition, whereas type 2 suggests simple leaf origins. Our results indicate that swelling apical alone may not be a definitive criterion for classifying leaves as a unifoliolate compound in Galipeinae. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Plant Development and Morphogenesis)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

41 pages, 4547 KB

Open AccessReview

Beyond the Amyloid Hypothesis: Systemic Drivers, CNS-PNS Crosstalk, and the Future of Alzheimer’s Disease Therapeutics

by Amador Velázquez de Castro-Bono, Gracia Castro-Luna and José Luis Guil-Guerrero

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 5042; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27115042 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is undergoing a profound paradigm shift, transitioning from a localized, monolithic proteinopathy into a complex, multisystem disorder. This critical review synthesizes recent mechanistic, translational, and clinical insights to dismantle the traditional linear amyloid cascade hypothesis. We explore the synergistic interplay [...] Read more.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is undergoing a profound paradigm shift, transitioning from a localized, monolithic proteinopathy into a complex, multisystem disorder. This critical review synthesizes recent mechanistic, translational, and clinical insights to dismantle the traditional linear amyloid cascade hypothesis. We explore the synergistic interplay between amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau propagation, positioning chronic neuroinflammation, endolysosomal failure, and metabolic starvation—often framed as “Type 3 Diabetes”—as fundamental disease drivers. Crucially, we highlight the emerging biological bridge of CNS-PNS crosstalk, where central neurodegeneration and peripheral neuropathies are linked by systemic immune activation and microbiota–gut–brain axis dysbiosis. The recent validation of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) confirms Aβ clearance as a viable pharmacological target; however, the marginal clinical gains and severe radiological risks, such as Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities (ARIA), expose the profound limitations of monotherapy. Ultimately, we argue that isolated amyloid clearance is merely an induction phase. The future of AD therapeutics mandates a sequential combination approach—pairing early plaque debulking with lifelong metabolic and neuroimmune maintenance. Supported by scalable fluid biomarkers (e.g., plasma p-tau217) and the expanded ATN(I) framework, the field must embrace proactive precision medicine and inclusive clinical trial designs to successfully transform AD into a manageable chronic condition. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Neurobiology)

28 pages, 7559 KB

Open AccessArticle

GA-GBDT: A Spatio-Temporal Graph-Augmented Gradient Boosting Framework for GNSS Network–Based Landslide Event Warning in Mining Areas

by Jinhua Wu, Liang Fei, Wei Dong, Chengdu Cao, Bo Zhang, Xiangyang Han, Ting On Chan, Yuli Wang and Joseph Awange

Appl. Sci. 2026, 16(11), 5569; https://doi.org/10.3390/app16115569 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Landslide event warning in mining areas is essential for geohazard risk mitigation and infrastructure safety. With the increasing use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) monitoring networks, warning decisions are often derived from abnormal deformation responses in continuous displacement records. However, deriving stable [...] Read more.

Landslide event warning in mining areas is essential for geohazard risk mitigation and infrastructure safety. With the increasing use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) monitoring networks, warning decisions are often derived from abnormal deformation responses in continuous displacement records. However, deriving stable and transferable warning decisions from GNSS networks is challenged by spatially coupled station responses, time-varying displacement patterns, and incomplete or disturbed observations. To address these issues, this study proposes a graph-augmented gradient boosting decision tree framework, termed GA-GBDT (Graph-Augmented Gradient Boosting Decision Trees), for multi-station landslide event warning in mining areas. The framework first constructs a weighted station graph to encode spatial dependence across stations. Based on this graph, a Gated Recurrent Unit (GRU) and a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) are integrated to learn spatio-temporal embeddings, which are then fused with station-wise features and fed into XGBoost (eXtreme Gradient Boosting) for warning decision-making. Experiments on a 90-station GNSS network show that GA-GBDT outperforms representative rule-based, machine-learning, and deep-learning baselines, achieving more robust warning performance with improved generalization and false-alarm control. These results indicate that GA-GBDT improves warning robustness, decision stability, and cross-zone generalization for GNSS-based landslide warning in mining areas, with potential transferability to other slope warning scenarios. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Earth Sciences)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 17427 KB

Open AccessArticle

Morphological Revision of Thirteen Wild Fighting Fish Species Found in Thailand with an Identification Key

by Santi Poungcharean, Idsariya Wudtisin, Soranuth Sirisuay, Phongchate Pichitkul and Sommai Janekitkarn

Diversity 2026, 18(6), 334; https://doi.org/10.3390/d18060334 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Morphological descriptions of 13 wild fighting fish species were revised by examining specimens collected as near as possible to the type specimen localities. The description has been revised for certainty and consistency. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn’s post hoc tests [...] Read more.

Morphological descriptions of 13 wild fighting fish species were revised by examining specimens collected as near as possible to the type specimen localities. The description has been revised for certainty and consistency. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn’s post hoc tests were analyzed and revealed previously described morphological characteristics were evaluated for distinguishing features. The PCA showed that the high loading factor of the principal component 1 (PC1) indicated that head length (0.221) was beneficial for the fish species identification. The Kruskal–Wallis test indicated the significant differences in morphometric characteristics among the fish species (p < 0.05). Then the significant differences in Dunn’s post hoc test (p < 0.001) in head length distinguished the mouth-brooders (i.e., Betta apollon, B. ferox, B. kuehnei, B. pallida, B. pi, B. prima, B. pugnax, and B. simplex) from bubble-nesters (i.e., B. imbellis, B. mahachaiensis, B. siamorientalis, B. smaragdina, and B. splendens) with a head length range of 29.27–36.42 vs. 24.14–28.31% of standard length, including the symmetrical caudal fin. Some characteristics distinguish the fish into subgroups and some species, such as a greater number of anal soft fin rays and lateral line scales of B. pi among the mouth-brooding species (28–29 vs. 22–26 fin rays and 33–35 vs. 26–32 scales) or of B. smaragdina among the bubble-nesting species (26–28 vs. 22–25 fin rays and 31–33 vs. 27–30 scales). Additionally, descriptive characteristics such as anal and caudal fin shape and melanophore pigmentation on the head, body, and fins, including the coloration of live specimens, are useful for distinguish among species and generating a dichotomous identification key. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Endangered Wildlife)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 15362 KB

Open AccessArticle

PGPB Bacillus Megaterium AFI1 and Paenibacillus Nicotianae AFI2 Improve Nutrient Uptake and Stimulate Adaptation of Wheat Under Nickel Exposure

by Veronika N. Pishchik, Galina V. Mirskaya, Polina S. Filippova, Vitaliy E. Vertebny, Victoria I. Dubovitskaya, Dmitriy V. Kudryavtcev, Olga A. Bortsova, Yuriy V. Khomyakov, Pavel Y. Kononchuk and Vladimir K. Chebotar

Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2026, 27(11), 5041; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms27115041 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Due to the increased anthropogenic load, crops are polluted with heavy metals, including nickel (Ni). This is a serious environmental problem, as Ni penetrates barrier-free into cereal crops and accumulates in the grains used by humans and animals for food. Wheat is one [...] Read more.

Due to the increased anthropogenic load, crops are polluted with heavy metals, including nickel (Ni). This is a serious environmental problem, as Ni penetrates barrier-free into cereal crops and accumulates in the grains used by humans and animals for food. Wheat is one of the main staple crops, cultivated in many countries. This study suggested that plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) with varying enzymatic activities could help wheat plants to cope with Ni stress by reducing Ni toxicity and regulating the metal’s homeostasis. PGPB Bacillus megaterium AFI1 has a strong phosphate-solubilizing activity and produces siderophores, while Paenibacillus nicotianae AFI2 has nitrogen-fixing and silicate-solubilizing activities. Both strains produce indole and polysaccharides and have 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase activity. PGPB under Ni exposure (100 mg/kg of soil) significantly increased grain yield (by 34–42%) and decreased (by 20–33%) Ni content in wheat grains. PGPB also decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) and H₂O₂ levels in wheat plants under Ni stress. The contents of iron (Fe), boron (B), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) decreased significantly and potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) oppositely increased significantly in all plant organs under Ni exposure. The inoculation with AFI1 mainly increased P and Fe, and the inoculation with AFI2 increased N and silica (Si) in wheat grains under Ni stress. In our experiments, under nickel exposure PGPB Bacillus megaterium AFI1 and Paenibacillus nicotianae AFI2 increased antioxidant protection of plants by decreasing the level of stress ethylene and regulating the homeostasis of nutrients in wheat plants. These PGPB can be considered as promising candidates for the development of biologicals to be used for growing plants in soils with low levels of nickel contamination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Exploring Abiotic Stress in Plants: Mechanisms, Adaptations, and Mitigation Strategies (2nd Edition))

► Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 26764 KB

Open AccessArticle

A Multi-Segmented Vectoring Nozzle Configuration Inspired by the Mating Wheel of Damselfly

by Bolin Liu, Linyang Chai, Chao Tian, Hengbo Chen, Huan Shen, Qian Qi, Jilei Fan, Chufei Tang and Aihong Ji

Biomimetics 2026, 11(6), 391; https://doi.org/10.3390/biomimetics11060391 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Conventional thrust vector control nozzles are severely constrained by a single-pivot deflection paradigm, which induces asymmetric shock reflections and adverse boundary layer separation at large angles. Multi-segmented serial configurations offer a promising alternative to overcome these limitations by distributing the total deflection across [...] Read more.

Conventional thrust vector control nozzles are severely constrained by a single-pivot deflection paradigm, which induces asymmetric shock reflections and adverse boundary layer separation at large angles. Multi-segmented serial configurations offer a promising alternative to overcome these limitations by distributing the total deflection across multiple joint interfaces, thereby achieving large terminal angles and smooth flow-path curvatures. To realize such a configuration, this study draws inspiration from the abdominal bending mechanism of the damselfly Ischnura elegans during mating wheel formation. Real-time video recording and morphological characterizations identified abdominal segments VI and VII as critical for high-amplitude bending under load. Finite element analysis under muscular actuation elucidated the biomechanical synergy, which was rigorously verified through mesh convergence and material property sensitivity checks. Inspired by this biological system, a multi-segmented nozzle configuration incorporating discrete elastic elements and a centralized cable-driven layout was designed and evaluated using multibody dynamics and computational fluid dynamics. The nozzle achieved a continuous 61.20° deflection within 8 s under subsonic exhaust conditions, successfully stabilizing periodic supersonic shock structures and completely suppressing adverse boundary layer separation. These findings turn biological bending into a thrust vectoring method, giving insights for next-generation agile aerospace propulsion systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bioinspired Engineered Systems: 2nd Edition)

► Show Figures

Graphical abstract

16 pages, 3041 KB

Open AccessReview

Prophages in Skin Pathogens: From Virulence to Therapy

by Abirami Karthikeyan, Aqib Javaid, Grace Naa Ayorkor Charway, Nazia Tabassum, Tae-Hee Kim, Young-Mog Kim, Won-Kyo Jung and Fazlurrahman Khan

Pathogens 2026, 15(6), 599; https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens15060599 (registering DOI) - 2 Jun 2026

Abstract

Prophages are bacteriophage genomes that are part of bacterial chromosomes. They are not just dormant passengers; they actively shape pathogen biology. For example, in skin-infecting pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, prophages carry important virulence factors, [...] Read more.

Prophages are bacteriophage genomes that are part of bacterial chromosomes. They are not just dormant passengers; they actively shape pathogen biology. For example, in skin-infecting pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, prophages carry important virulence factors, cytotoxins, superantigens, immune evasion clusters, and epigenetic regulators that directly affect the course of skin and soft tissue infections. This same prophage biology provides a therapeutic strategy: prophage-derived molecules, including endolysins, holins, spanins, and polysaccharide depolymerases, demonstrate potent antimicrobial and antibiofilm activity against drug-resistant skin pathogens, with several candidates now in clinical development. Engineered chimeric lysins, CRISPR-encoded prophage delivery systems, and the systematic mining of the skin microbiome phageome collectively enhance the translational potential of this biology. This review integrates mechanistic insights into prophage-mediated virulence. It assesses the translational landscape of prophage-derived therapeutics, delineating the conceptual and clinical frontiers that characterize the forthcoming chapter in this domain. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Thinking Out-of-the-Box: Innovative Approaches for the Treatment of Biofilm-Related Infections)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Recent Articles

Open Access Journals

Highly Accessed Articles

Latest Books

News

Blog Posts

Topics

Selected Special Issues

Selected Collections

Journals by Subject

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI