Journal Description
Biology
Biology
is an international, peer-reviewed, open access journal of biological sciences published monthly online by MDPI. The Spanish Society for Nitrogen Fixation (SEFIN) and Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations (FELASA) are affiliated with Biology, and their members receive discounts on the article processing charges.
- Open Access— free for readers, with article processing charges (APC) paid by authors or their institutions.
- High Visibility: indexed within Scopus, SCIE (Web of Science), PubMed, PMC, PubAg, CAPlus / SciFinder, and other databases.
- Journal Rank: JCR - Q1 (Biology) / CiteScore - Q1 (General Agricultural and Biological Sciences )
- Rapid Publication: manuscripts are peer-reviewed and a first decision is provided to authors approximately 16.4 days after submission; acceptance to publication is undertaken in 2.5 days (median values for papers published in this journal in the second half of 2024).
- Recognition of Reviewers: reviewers who provide timely, thorough peer-review reports receive vouchers entitling them to a discount on the APC of their next publication in any MDPI journal, in appreciation of the work done.
Impact Factor:
3.6 (2023);
5-Year Impact Factor:
3.8 (2023)
Latest Articles
Humulus lupulus Promoting Osteoblast Activity and Bone Integrity: Effects and Mechanisms
Biology 2025, 14(5), 582; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050582 - 21 May 2025
Abstract
Osteoporosis is characterized by an imbalance between bone formation and resorption, leading to decreased bone mass and an increased fracture risk, mainly associated with aging. Current treatments include anti-resorptive and anabolic drugs. However, these often have side effects, leading many patients to seek
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Osteoporosis is characterized by an imbalance between bone formation and resorption, leading to decreased bone mass and an increased fracture risk, mainly associated with aging. Current treatments include anti-resorptive and anabolic drugs. However, these often have side effects, leading many patients to seek natural biological alternatives. We have demonstrated previously that hops extract, rich in compounds with estrogenic activity classified as phytoestrogens, exerts osteogenic effects by promoting the osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) while inhibiting osteoclast activity in vitro. In our study, young male Sprague Dawley rats were randomized into two groups: one received hops extract (LPL, 1% w/v in drinking water) for two months, and the other drank water alone (C). The rats were euthanized, and their femurs were dissected and processed for static histomorphometry and bone biomechanics. Additionally, BMSCs were isolated from the humeri to evaluate their osteogenic potential. Our result demonstrated that LPL treatment enhanced the osteogenic potential of humeral BMSCs in ex vivo assays, upregulating osteogenic genes and downregulating pro-resorptive markers. These findings correlated with improved femoral bone microarchitecture and biomechanical parameters. In conclusion, a two-month treatment with LPL enhanced the osteogenic capacity of BMSCs, improving bone microarchitecture and biomechanical properties. These results suggest its potential as a natural alternative for promoting bone health.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Osteoblast Differentiation in Health and Disease)
Open AccessArticle
Changes in the Distribution Range of the Genus Cardiocrinum in China Under Climate Change and Human Activities
by
Yuxin Zhang, Shujian Zhang, Haiyan Xiao, Heng Li, Da Liao, Yuxi Xue, Xinyi Huang, Qitao Su and Yian Xiao
Biology 2025, 14(5), 581; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050581 - 21 May 2025
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Cardiocrinum are perennial herbaceous plants of the Liliaceae family with high ornamental, nutritional, and medicinal value. However, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding the following: (1) the fine-scale habitat preferences of Cardiocrinum; (2) the key ecological drivers influencing their growth and distribution. The
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Cardiocrinum are perennial herbaceous plants of the Liliaceae family with high ornamental, nutritional, and medicinal value. However, critical knowledge gaps remain regarding the following: (1) the fine-scale habitat preferences of Cardiocrinum; (2) the key ecological drivers influencing their growth and distribution. The MaxEnt software 3.4.1 was used to simulate the current and future suitable habitats of Cardiocrinum, evaluate the impacts of environmental changes on its distribution, and determine the distribution changes under climate change scenarios. The AUC value of the model used in the current study was >0.98, which indicates that the model had good accuracy. The results show that as a typical understory herb, precipitation in the warmest quarter (bio18) and temperature seasonality (bio04) are the main factors affecting the distribution of Cardiocrinum. In addition, Cardiocrinum giganteum and Cardiocrinum giganteum var. yunnanense are also affected by slope and human activity. Under the SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585 climate scenarios, the suitable habitat areas of Cardiocrinum cathayanum and C. giganteum showed an increasing trend. The suitable habitat area of C. giganteum var. yunnanense increased under the SSP126 climate scenario; however, it substantially declined in SSP245 and SSP585 scenarios. The distribution area of Cardiocrinum shifted to higher latitudes. The centroid of C. cathayanum shifted more than 5 degrees of latitude during SSP585 2081s, while the centroid of C. giganteum and C. giganteum var. yunnanense did not shift more than 2 degrees of latitude. In addition, the centroid longitudes of C. giganteum and C. giganteum var. yunnanense shifted westward under the three climate scenarios. There is ecological niche differentiation among C. cathayanum and others, whilst C. giganteum and C. giganteum var. yunnanense have overlapping ecological niches. In the future, we will strengthen the protection of wild Cardiocrinum resources in accordance with environmental factors and suitable habitats for Cardiocrinum.
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Open AccessArticle
Genome-Wide-Association-Analysis-Based Identification of Genetic Loci and Candidate Genes Associated with Cold Germination in Sweet Corn
by
Changjin Wang, Yulin Yu, Jie Liu, Ahmad Rizwan, Zain Abbas, Haibing Yu and Xinxin Cheng
Biology 2025, 14(5), 580; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050580 - 21 May 2025
Abstract
Sweet corn is highly susceptible to low temperatures, especially during seed germination, which severely affects plant growth and crop yield. This study used 100 sweet corn micro-core germplasms to evaluate two key germination traits under cold stress: seed storage material utilization efficiency (SRUE)
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Sweet corn is highly susceptible to low temperatures, especially during seed germination, which severely affects plant growth and crop yield. This study used 100 sweet corn micro-core germplasms to evaluate two key germination traits under cold stress: seed storage material utilization efficiency (SRUE) and mobilization weight (WMSR). To investigate the genetic basis of cold germination in sweet corn, we selected the BLINK model for GWAS due to its ability to minimize false positives. A total of nine SNPs were found to be significantly associated with cold germination. These SNPs explained between 9.8% and 17.2% of the phenotypic variance (PVE). Within the confidence interval, 63 functionally annotated genes were identified. Fourteen candidate genes associated with cold germination were identified through GO functional analysis and the functional expression of homologous genes. A literature analysis indicated that these genes are primarily involved in seed germination, cold tolerance, and responses to other abiotic stresses. These findings enhance our understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying cold germination, establishing a theoretical foundation for breeding cold-tolerant sweet corn varieties.
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(This article belongs to the Section Plant Science)
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Open AccessArticle
Integrative Transcriptomic Profiling Identifies TNF and IL1B as Candidate Key Early-Response Genes in Macrophages Infected with Smooth Brucella Using a Comprehensive Bioinformatic Approach
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Xiaoyu Yang and Qiang Chen
Biology 2025, 14(5), 579; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050579 - 21 May 2025
Abstract
Smooth Brucella are the main pathogenic bacteria that threaten human health and food safety. The early stage of smooth Brucella and macrophage interaction is an important phase, and smooth Brucella species elicit a dramatic transcriptional response in infected macrophages. However, the key transcriptional
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Smooth Brucella are the main pathogenic bacteria that threaten human health and food safety. The early stage of smooth Brucella and macrophage interaction is an important phase, and smooth Brucella species elicit a dramatic transcriptional response in infected macrophages. However, the key transcriptional events are still obscure. This study aimed to identify key candidate response pathways and genes in macrophages infected with smooth Brucella at the early interaction stage. Three gene expression profiles including GSE21117, GSE5202, and GSE8385 were retrieved from the NCBI GEO database, and were integrated using comprehensive bioinformatics methods including gene set enrichment analysis, differentially expressed gene analysis, protein and protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and transcription factor prediction. The results showed that 16 up-regulated and 22 down-regulated pathways were identified, including six up-regulated immune-related pathways. A total of 41 up-regulated and four down-regulated genes were identified, and a PPI network including 31 nodes and 134 edges was constructed based on the interactive information of 45 dysregulated genes. A highly correlated module comprising 19 nodes and 103 edges was identified based on the topological features of the whole PPI network. Seven centrality analyses revealed that Tnf and Il1b were essential genes in the highly correlated module, and that the two essential genes were simultaneously enriched in eight significantly up-regulated pathways (including two immune-related pathways). Bcl3 was predicted as a transcription factor in the highly correlated module, and may play regulatory roles in the transcription of Tnf and Il1b genes. The present study identified Tnf and IL1b as candidate key response genes in infected macrophages at the early stage of smooth Brucella and macrophage interaction, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the early key transcriptional events in macrophages infected with smooth Brucella species.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Zoonotic Diseases)
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Open AccessArticle
Phytoplankton Structure and Ecological Niche Differentiation of Dominant Species in Tahe Bay, China
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Yanrong Zhang, Zengqiang Yin, Yinghai Du, Xiangxu Wei, Yikai Lan, Quan Yu, Yan Wang, Tao Tian, Lei Chen and Jun Yang
Biology 2025, 14(5), 578; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050578 - 21 May 2025
Abstract
Phytoplankton serve as crucial producers in marine ecosystems, and their community composition and populations’ dispersion directly or indirectly influence the productivity of marine waters via the trophic cascade effect within the food chain. A survey was undertaken in September 2021 and March, April,
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Phytoplankton serve as crucial producers in marine ecosystems, and their community composition and populations’ dispersion directly or indirectly influence the productivity of marine waters via the trophic cascade effect within the food chain. A survey was undertaken in September 2021 and March, April, and November 2022 to examine the phytoplankton structure and the environmental variables influencing ecological niche differentiation in the waters of Tahe Bay in Lushun, Dalian city, China. The findings indicated that there are 83 species representing forty-one genera and six phyla, with an annual mean abundance of 22.13 × 104 ind·m−3, predominantly represented by Bacillariophyta (65 species, constituting 78.31% of the total species). The phytoplankton richness indices varied from 0.83 to 4.99, diversity indices ranged from 2.03 to 2.80, and evenness indices spanned from 0.28 to 0.84. Pearson’s correlation between phytoplankton abundance and community diversity with environmental parameters, including water temperature, salinity, pH, DO, NH3-N, and NO3-N, was substantial in Tahe Bay’s waters. The dominant species, comprising 20 species across three phyla, primarily include broad-niche species, with Paralia sulcata being the most prevalent species, except during summer. The extent of ecological niche overlap among the dominant species varied by season, exhibiting 40.0% severe overlap in September 2021, 100.0% severe overlap in March 2022, 93.0% severe overlap in April 2022, and 58.0% severe overlap in November 2022. The findings of redundancy analysis (RDA) and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) revealed that COD, water temperature, NO3-N, DIP, NO2-N, and NH3-N are the primary environmental variables influencing the ecological niche differentiation of dominant species of phytoplankton. The results of the study elucidate the alteration rules of dominant species and the stability of the community structure of the phytoplankton community in this sea area, thereby offering a theoretical foundation for the scientific assessment of the ecological health of the area and the sustainable utilization of marine biological resources.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Global Fisheries Resources, Fisheries, and Carbon-Sink Fisheries)
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Open AccessArticle
The Population Density, Interspecific Territoriality, and Philopatry of Shrikes (Laniidae) and Bushshrikes (Malaconotidae) in a Mosaic of Natural and Human-Modified Acacia Savanna
by
Grzegorz Kopij
Biology 2025, 14(5), 577; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050577 - 20 May 2025
Abstract
In avian behavioural and spatial ecology, issues related to population density, territoriality, and philopatry are especially important. These are often interrelated. The aim of this study was to analyse these behaviours in shrikes inhabiting an acacia savanna in northern Namibia (400 ha). Population
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In avian behavioural and spatial ecology, issues related to population density, territoriality, and philopatry are especially important. These are often interrelated. The aim of this study was to analyse these behaviours in shrikes inhabiting an acacia savanna in northern Namibia (400 ha). Population densities of one shrike and four bushshrike species were studied by means of the territory mapping method. About half of the study area had been modified by humans into cultivated fields, orchards, sport fields, and human settlements. This study was conducted in 2012/2013, 2017/2018, and 2019/2020. The most common species were the Black-backed Puffback (2.5 pairs/100 ha) and Crimson-breasted Shrike (1.9); the least common were the Southern White-crowned Shrike (0.8) and Brubru (1.0). Statistics for the Brown-crowned Tchagra indicated a density of 1.5 pairs/100 ha. While the density of the Brown-crowned Tchagra and Brubru remained stable over the years, the population densities of the Black-backed Shrike, Crimson-breasted Shrike, and Southern White-crowned Shrike showed a remarkable increase over the years 2012–2020. All bushshrike species showed a preference for patches of natural savanna vegetation. This was especially evident in the Crimson-breasted Shrike and the Brubru. However, the Southern White-crowned Shrike from the shrike family did not show this preference. The presented studies showed marked interspecific differences in territoriality and philopatry. Furthermore, even within the same species, marked temporal differences were shown in population density, probably also in philopatry. Within families, these behaviours may shape both resource competition and mate competition, while between families, these behaviours only shape resource competition.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Bird Biology and Conservation)
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Open AccessArticle
Unveiling Prophage Diversity and Host Interactions in Liberibacter: Genomic Insights for Phage Therapy Against Citrus Huanglongbing
by
Hui Yin, Jiaxing Wan, Siyu Zhang, Zhuozhuo Wu, Wanshan Zhang and Yuxia Gao
Biology 2025, 14(5), 576; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050576 - 20 May 2025
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HLB is a severe and devastating disease affecting citrus plants, for which no cure is currently available. The pathogen CLas is an unculturable, phloem-limited α-proteobacterium associated with HLB. Phages, known for their ability to directly lyse pathogenic bacteria, have been widely recognized as
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HLB is a severe and devastating disease affecting citrus plants, for which no cure is currently available. The pathogen CLas is an unculturable, phloem-limited α-proteobacterium associated with HLB. Phages, known for their ability to directly lyse pathogenic bacteria, have been widely recognized as effective control agents in both medical and agricultural fields. In this study, we identified 191 prophages across 48 Liberibacter genomes using comparative genomics and phylogenetic methods. These prophages were classified into 17 distinct types, with 13 novel types, named NF1 to NF13. Diversity analysis revealed that the number of prophages per genome ranged from one to eight, with an average of four. Annotation showed that the genome sizes of NF1–NF13 ranged from 10,160 bp to 72,736 bp, with an average size of 27,616 bp, containing between 7 and 66 genes (average: 27 genes). Further functional enrichment of the sequences within 5 kb upstream and downstream of the integration site identified six main aspects, involving four core biological processes: genome structure modification, gene expression regulation, stress response activation, and metabolic pathway modulation. It is speculated that the insertion of the prophage significantly impacts the host. Six virulence factors, including carB, clpC, flhA, algW, rffG, and IlpA, were identified in the prophages. Interestingly, prophages containing carB or clpC are predominantly found in CLas, which may contribute to the global colonization of CLas. Notably, among the 35 identified Type 4 prophages, 19 were found to be active. Type 4 is the only active prophage type, making it a promising candidate for developing phage therapy against CLas. This study is significant for a deeper understanding of the diversity of Liberibacter and the interactions between prophages and their hosts.
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Open AccessArticle
Transdermal Semaglutide Administration in Mice: Reduces Body Weight by Suppressing Appetite and Enhancing Metabolic Rate
by
Wenjing Li, Ruilin Cai, Binxin Yin, Yingying Zhou, Xinyuan Dong, Wenting Li and Jing Wen
Biology 2025, 14(5), 575; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050575 - 20 May 2025
Abstract
Background: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that shows significant efficacy in treating obesity. However, its associated side effects, including poor patient compliance and gastrointestinal inflammation, are concerning and may be largely attributed to its administration methods (e.g., injection vs. oral)
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Background: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist that shows significant efficacy in treating obesity. However, its associated side effects, including poor patient compliance and gastrointestinal inflammation, are concerning and may be largely attributed to its administration methods (e.g., injection vs. oral) and the pronounced fluctuations in systemic drug concentrations. To address these challenges, we investigated an innovative drug delivery system (Transdermal Drug Delivery System, TDDS) designed to maintain therapeutic efficacy while improving patient adherence. Results: Both transdermal and injection treatments of semaglutide decreased body weight, carcass weight, blood glucose, and triglyceride levels in male mice compared with the vehicle-treated control group. In addition, transdermal semaglutide in mice reduced the expression of feeding neuropeptides and the mass of the digestive tract, but increased brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass, metabolic rate, and physical activity, compared with the semaglutide injection group. Additionally, transdermal semaglutide had anxiolytic effects on behavior and did not alter tissue pathology in mice. Conclusion: Compared with the injection paradigm, transdermal semaglutide treatment achieved superior weight loss results in two possible ways: It may reduce energy intake by decreasing the expression of feeding neuropeptides and reducing the weight of the digestive tract. It may also facilitate energy expenditure by enhancing physical activity and increasing BAT mass to boost the metabolic rate. Transdermal semaglutide treatment also has an anxiolytic effect on behavior. Together, our data suggest that TDDS treatment of GLP-1RA may have superior clinical safety and sustainability, providing a novel, efficient, and low-risk obesity treatment.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Animal Models of Metabolic Diseases)
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Open AccessArticle
Integrated miRNA–mRNA Profiling of C2C12 Myoblasts Indicates Regulatory Interactions Involved in Proliferation and Differentiation
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Xiaolong Chang and Junwu Ma
Biology 2025, 14(5), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050574 - 20 May 2025
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Myogenesis is a complex biological process regulated by multiple factors. This study systematically revealed the dynamic changes of gene expression and its regulatory network in C2C12 myoblasts during proliferation and differentiation stages by integrating transcriptome and miRNA-omics data. The analysis results showed that
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Myogenesis is a complex biological process regulated by multiple factors. This study systematically revealed the dynamic changes of gene expression and its regulatory network in C2C12 myoblasts during proliferation and differentiation stages by integrating transcriptome and miRNA-omics data. The analysis results showed that in the early stage of proliferation, gene expression showed significant fluctuations, and key cell cycle and DNA replication-related genes were closely associated with specific miRNAs (miR-486a-5p, miR-486b-5p, and miR-351-5p), suggesting that these miRNAs play an important role in regulating cell proliferation. In the differentiation stage, the activation of key myogenic transcription factors and signaling pathways, such as MAPK and PI3K-Akt, synergizes with miRNA regulation to promote the myogenic program. In addition, we found that genes such as IGF1 and Dio2 were continuously upregulated during differentiation, and IGF1 might be regulated by multiple miRNAs during this process. This study provides key molecular insights for a deeper understanding of muscle development and regeneration.
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Open AccessArticle
The LIFE STREAMS Project for the Recovery of the Native Mediterranean Trout in Six Italian Pilot Areas: Planning and Adoption of Conservation Actions
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Antonella Carosi, Lorenzo Talarico, Claudia Greco, Antonia Vecchiotti, Susanna D’Antoni, Alessandro Longobardi, Stefano Macchio, Marco Carafa, Paolo Casula, Antonio Perfetti, Paola Amprimo, Alessandro Rossetti, Federico Morandi, Davide Alberti, Pietro Serroni, Stefano Raimondi, Diego Mattioli, Nadia Mucci and Massimo Lorenzoni
Biology 2025, 14(5), 573; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050573 - 20 May 2025
Abstract
The Mediterranean trout (currently referred to as Salmo ghigii for Corsican and Italian-native populations) is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, due to fragmented distribution and declining populations across its whole range, and is included in Annex II of the European
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The Mediterranean trout (currently referred to as Salmo ghigii for Corsican and Italian-native populations) is listed as Endangered in the IUCN Red List, due to fragmented distribution and declining populations across its whole range, and is included in Annex II of the European Habitat Directive. The widespread genome introgression from the invasive Atlantic trout (Salmo trutta), overexploitation, and habitat alterations represent major threats to the persistence of native populations. The LIFE18NAT/IT/000931 STREAMS project aims to enhance conservation status of Mediterranean trout in 6 Italian pilot areas (Maiella, Sibillini Mountains, Casentino Forests and Pollino National Parks, Montemarcello-Magra-Vara Regional Park, and Sardinia with five sites of the Natura 2000 Network), and in 19 transferability areas covering almost the whole Italian species range. To achieve this, the following conservation strategies were implemented: (i) the identification of residual native populations; (ii) eradication of entirely Atlantic-exotic populations and removal of hybrids in admixed populations; (iii) restocking/reintroduction of native populations; (iv) monitoring/improving the Mediterranean trout habitats quality; (v) production of the “Guidelines for the conservation and management of native Mediterranean trout and its habitat”; and (vi) the prevention of illegal stocking. Here, we present the project rationale, major outcomes on demographic and genetic characterization of wild populations, and summary results from conservation actions.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Conservation Genetics as a Management Tool for Endangered, Vulnerable, and Threatened Species)
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Predicting Treatment Outcomes in Glioblastoma: A Risk Score Model for TMZ Resistance and Immune Checkpoint Inhibition
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Nazareno Gonzalez, Melanie Perez Küper, Matias Garcia Fallit, Alejandro J. Nicola Candia, Jorge A. Peña Agudelo, Maicol Suarez Velandia, Ana Clara Romero, Guillermo Agustin Videla-Richardson and Marianela Candolfi
Biology 2025, 14(5), 572; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050572 - 20 May 2025
Abstract
Glioblastoma (GBM) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its invasive nature and resistance to standard chemotherapy, i.e., temozolomide (TMZ). This study aimed to identify gene signatures that predict poor TMZ response and high PD−L1/PD−1 tumor expression, and explore potential sensitivity to alternative drugs.
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Glioblastoma (GBM) presents significant therapeutic challenges due to its invasive nature and resistance to standard chemotherapy, i.e., temozolomide (TMZ). This study aimed to identify gene signatures that predict poor TMZ response and high PD−L1/PD−1 tumor expression, and explore potential sensitivity to alternative drugs. We analyzed The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) biopsy data to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) linked to these characteristics. Among 33 upregulated DEGs, 5 were significantly correlated with overall survival. A risk score model was built using these 5 DEGs, classifying patients into low-, medium-, and high-risk groups. We assessed immune cell infiltration, immunosuppressive mediators, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in each group using correlation analysis, Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), and machine learning. The model demonstrated strong predictive power, with high-risk patients exhibiting poorer survival and increased immune infiltration. GSEA revealed upregulation of immune and EMT-related pathways in high-risk patients. Our analyses suggest that high-risk patients may exhibit limited response to PD−1 inhibitors, but could show sensitivity to etoposide and paclitaxel. This risk score model provides a valuable tool for guiding therapeutic decisions and identifying alternative chemotherapy options to enable the development of personalized and cost-effective treatments for GBM patients.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Microenvironment and Molecular Mechanism of Glioma)
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Open AccessArticle
Light/Dark Cycle Lighting Influences Growth and Energy Use Efficiency of Hydroponic Lettuces in an LED Plant Factory
by
Wen Li, Luming Zhong, Xiang Ji, Jun Wang and Dongxian He
Biology 2025, 14(5), 571; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050571 - 20 May 2025
Abstract
The alterable light/dark cycle in a plant factory with artificial lighting eliminates the traditional concept of day and night in nature. Adjusting the light/dark cycle to closely align with the inherent circadian rhythm of plants can enhance biomass accumulation. In this study, we
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The alterable light/dark cycle in a plant factory with artificial lighting eliminates the traditional concept of day and night in nature. Adjusting the light/dark cycle to closely align with the inherent circadian rhythm of plants can enhance biomass accumulation. In this study, we examined the effects of different light/dark cycles on the photosynthetic performance, growth, and energy use efficiency of two hydroponic lettuce cultivars (Lactuca sativa L. cv. ‘Frillice’ and ‘Crunchy’). The lettuces were subjected to four light/dark cycle treatments—16 h light/8 h dark (L16D8, as control), 12 h light/6 h dark (L12D6), 8 h light/4 h dark (L8D4), and 4 h light/2 h dark (L4D2), all under LED lamps with white combined red chips at the same light intensity of 250 μmol m−2 s−1. Photosynthetic performance and growth index were measured during the slow and rapid growth stages, corresponding to days 9 and 21 after transplanting, respectively. For Frillice, L12D6 achieved the highest shoot dry weight and light and electricity energy use efficiencies on days 9 and 21 after transplanting, primarily due to the largest leaf area, leaf number, and net photosynthetic rate. For Crunchy, L12D6 and L8D4 increased shoot fresh and dry weights due to larger leaf area and leaf number on day 9 after transplanting compared with L16D8. Subsequently, the lettuces in L16D8 exhibited a rapid increase in leaf area and leaf number, along with a high net photosynthetic rate during the rapid growth stage, resulting in fast shoot biomass accumulation. There were no significant differences in the shoot dry weight and energy use efficiency between L16D8 and L12D6 on day 21 after transplanting. Two lettuce cultivars in L16D8 both exhibited the highest water use efficiency on day 21 after transplanting. In conclusion, the light/dark cycle lighting can alter lettuce biomass accumulation by modifying plant morphology and leaf net photosynthetic rate. Additionally, the physiological response to the light/dark cycle was cultivar-dependent. Our findings provide valuable insights for optimizing hydroponic lettuce production to achieve high yield in LED plant factories.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Response in Plants under Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Treatment (Volume II))
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Ecological Correlates of Ecological Specialization of Avian Communities in University Campuses of China
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Ling-Ying Shuai, Di Meng, Wan-Lan Ma, Jing-Wen Bai, Yue Luo, Yu-Xin Luo, Zhu-Cheng Gao, Hao Zhu and Zhu-Qin Long
Biology 2025, 14(5), 570; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050570 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
With the rapid process of urbanization at a global scale, university campuses have been viewed as important urban green spaces for biodiversity conservation. However, little is known about the role of university campuses in protecting ecological specialists, the species usually vulnerable to anthropogenic
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With the rapid process of urbanization at a global scale, university campuses have been viewed as important urban green spaces for biodiversity conservation. However, little is known about the role of university campuses in protecting ecological specialists, the species usually vulnerable to anthropogenic disturbance. We assessed the associations between several ecological variates and ecological specialization of bird communities across 198 Chinese university campuses. A total of 398 bird species were recorded, including 109 diet specialist species and 104 foraging stratum specialist species. We found that the elevation of campuses was positively related to diet specialist species richness, and the campus area was positively related to foraging stratum specialist species richness. NDVI was positively associated with the community-wide foraging stratum specialization index, but negatively associated with the community-wide diet specialization index. Our results suggest that campuses with larger areas or located at high elevations play an important role in maintaining ecological specialization of bird communities.
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(This article belongs to the Section Conservation Biology and Biodiversity)
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Open AccessArticle
TWIK Complex Expression in Prostate Cancer: Insights into the Biological and Therapeutic Significances of Potassium Ion Channels in Clinical Cancer
by
Abdulaziz Alfahed
Biology 2025, 14(5), 569; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050569 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Ion channels play ubiquitous roles in the maintenance of tumour cell homeostasis and hence are attractive targets in the molecular pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to investigate the roles of the potassium ion channel complex TWIK, a member
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Ion channels play ubiquitous roles in the maintenance of tumour cell homeostasis and hence are attractive targets in the molecular pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer (PCa). This study aimed to investigate the roles of the potassium ion channel complex TWIK, a member of the two-pore-domain potassium channel subfamily, in clinical PCa. The clinicopathological, gene expression, and copy number data of three clinical PCa cohorts from cancer genomics databases were analysed to determine the clinicopathological, biological, and therapeutic significances of the TWIK expression signature using statistical correlations and gene enrichment techniques. The results show that the PCa subset with high TWIK expression exhibited associations with worse pathological tumours, nodes, and overall tumour stages, as well as with high Gleason scores, high prognostic grade groups, and poorer responses to androgen deprivation therapy. Furthermore, a combination of gene set and gene ontology enrichment analyses showed that the PCa subset with high TWIK complex expression was differentially enriched for known oncogenic signalling pathways, aberrant ubiquitination and glucuronidation activities, and for gene sets of ion channel blockers and chemotherapeutic agents. The implications of these findings with respect to cancer progression, therapeutic response, and opportunities for therapeutic targeting of the TWIK complex are discussed, along with the potential of the TWIK complex as a predictive biomarker for integrated, multitargeted therapy.
Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ion Channels in Cancer Progression)
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High-Pressure Microfluidic Homogenization Improves the Stability and Antioxidant Properties of Coenzyme Q10 Nanoliposomes
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Xinyu Li, Xingyu Zhao, Jing Wang, Baoshun Xu, Jin Feng and Wuyang Huang
Biology 2025, 14(5), 568; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050568 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant with anti-tumor and mitochondrial protective effects. However, its unstable physicochemical properties and large molecular weight result in low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop an effective technique for constructing nanoliposomes to improve the physicochemical properties of CoQ10
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Coenzyme Q10 is a natural antioxidant with anti-tumor and mitochondrial protective effects. However, its unstable physicochemical properties and large molecular weight result in low bioavailability. This study aimed to develop an effective technique for constructing nanoliposomes to improve the physicochemical properties of CoQ10 by using high-pressure microfluidic homogenization. Liposomes were prepared using the ethanol injection method and homogenized by high-pressure microfluidics to optimize their physicochemical properties. Liposome morphology and microstructure were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The particle size distribution, polydispersity index (PDI), and encapsulation efficiency were assessed, while effects on cell viability and antioxidant properties were investigated in HepG2 cells. The results indicate that the prepared liposomes exhibit favorable characteristics, including high encapsulation efficiency (>96%) and low PDI (<0.3), indicating uniform particle size distribution and good stability. The storage stability of liposomes at room temperature was significantly enhanced compared to liposomes not subjected to high pressure homogenization. In vitro cell experiments confirmed the liposomes’ non-cytotoxicity and substantial antioxidant activity, ensuring their safety for biomedical applications. This study introduced a liposome preparation method combining ethanol injection and high-pressure microfluidic homogenization, offering a novel approach for liposome modification with potential for development and application in innovative drug delivery systems and antioxidant therapy.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biotechnology)
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Multi-Omics Pan-Cancer Profiling of HSD17B10 Unveils Its Prognostic Potential, Metabolic Regulation, and Immune Microenvironment Interactions
by
Tao Qi, Xiao Chang and Yiming Wang
Biology 2025, 14(5), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050567 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
This study systematically analyzed the expression and clinical significance of Hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase type 10 (HSD17B10) in 33 cancers by integrating TCGA, GTEx, and other multi-omics databases. HSD17B10 was highly expressed in 14 cancers, like GBM and LGG, but low in
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This study systematically analyzed the expression and clinical significance of Hydroxysteroid 17-beta dehydrogenase type 10 (HSD17B10) in 33 cancers by integrating TCGA, GTEx, and other multi-omics databases. HSD17B10 was highly expressed in 14 cancers, like GBM and LGG, but low in 5, such as KIRC. Its expression correlated closely with overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). In GBM-LGG, LGG, and other cancers, high HSD17B10 expression was linked to lower survival rates, indicating that it could be an independent prognostic marker. HSD17B10 also had a two-way relationship with the tumor’s immune microenvironment. In cancers such as GBM-LGG, high expression correlated positively with immune/stromal scores. However, in most cancers like LUAD, it was negatively associated with B- and T-cell infiltration. Epigenetic analysis showed that low methylation in the HSD17B10 promoter region might drive its high expression in tumors such as SARC, and specific methylation sites (e.g., CG26323797) were significantly related to patient survival. Functional enrichment analysis revealed that HSD17B10 participated in tumor progression by regulating oxidative phosphorylation, mitochondrial metabolism, and RNA methylation. Single-cell and spatial transcriptome data further demonstrated that HSD17B10 had a cell-type-specific expression pattern in colorectal cancer. This study provides a theoretical basis for HSD17B10 as a pan-cancer prognostic marker and therapeutic target.
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(This article belongs to the Section Biochemistry and Molecular Biology)
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Open AccessArticle
Integrated Bioinformatics Analysis and Cellular Experimental Validation Identify Lipoprotein Lipase Gene as a Novel Biomarker for Tumorigenesis and Prognosis in Lung Adenocarcinoma
by
Wanwan He, Meilian Wei, Yan Huang, Junsen Qin, Meng Liu, Na Liu, Yanli He, Chuanbing Chen, Yali Huang, Heng Yin and Ren Zhang
Biology 2025, 14(5), 566; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050566 - 19 May 2025
Abstract
Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by integrating bioinformatics analysis with cell experiments. We firstly identified 266
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Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and thus, more biomarker and therapeutic targets need to be explored. Herein, we aimed to explore new biomarkers of LUAD by integrating bioinformatics analysis with cell experiments. We firstly identified 266 druggable genes that were significantly differentially expressed between LUAD tissues and adjacent normal lung tissues. Among these genes, SMR analysis with p-value correction suggested that declining lipoprotein lipase (LPL) levels may be causally associated with an elevated risk of LUAD, which was corroborated by co-localization analysis. Analyses of clinical data showed that LPL in lung cancer tissues has considerable diagnostic value for LUAD, and elevated LPL levels were positively associated with improved patient survival outcomes. Cell experiments with an LPL activator proved these findings; the activator inhibited the proliferation and migration of lung cancer cells. Next, we found that LPL promoted the infiltration of immune cells such as DCs, IDCs, and macrophages in LUAD by mononuclear sequencing analysis and TIMER2.0. Meanwhile, patients with low levels of LPL expression demonstrated superior immunotherapeutic responses to anti-PD-1 therapy. We conclude that LPL acts as a diagnostic and prognostic marker for LUAD.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disease Biomarker Discovery and Validation)
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Functional Characterization of MIP_07528 of Mycobacterium indicus pranii for Tyrosine Phosphatase Activity Displays Sensitivity to Oxidative Inactivation and Plays a Role in Immunomodulation
by
Raunak Raunak, Roopshali Rakshit, Aayush Bahl, Soumya Sinha, Saurabh Pandey, Sashi Kant and Deeksha Tripathi
Biology 2025, 14(5), 565; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050565 - 18 May 2025
Abstract
Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP), an atypical mycobacterium originally developed as an anti-leprosy vaccine, has emerged as a potent immunomodulator with diverse therapeutic applications. Despite its clinical significance, molecular mechanisms underlying MIP’s immunomodulatory properties remain largely unexplored. Bacterial phosphatases are recognized as crucial virulence
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Mycobacterium indicus pranii (MIP), an atypical mycobacterium originally developed as an anti-leprosy vaccine, has emerged as a potent immunomodulator with diverse therapeutic applications. Despite its clinical significance, molecular mechanisms underlying MIP’s immunomodulatory properties remain largely unexplored. Bacterial phosphatases are recognized as crucial virulence factors that enable pathogens to evade host defenses by modulating host immune signaling pathways, including phosphoinositide metabolism. MIP_07528 was identified as a putative protein tyrosine phosphatase B (PtpB) ortholog through in silico analysis, with significant sequence conservation observed within catalytic domains of pathogenic mycobacterial PtpB proteins. Phosphatase activity was detected in both cell lysate and culture filtrate fractions, revealing differential expression patterns between MIP and M. tuberculosis. Upregulation of MIP_07528 was demonstrated under oxidative stress, suggesting involvement in stress adaptation. The recombinant protein exhibited distinctive kinetic properties, characterized by higher substrate affinity yet increased susceptibility to oxidative inactivation compared to its M. tuberculosis counterpart. In macrophages, MIP_07528 suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokines while enhancing anti-inflammatory IL-10 production. These findings establish MIP_07528 as a functional phosphatase that may contribute to MIP’s immunomodulatory properties. This work advances understanding of phosphatase function in non-pathogenic mycobacteria while providing insights into virulence factor evolution and establishing a foundation for novel antimicrobial strategies.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Host–Pathogen Interactions and Pathogenesis)
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MaxEnt Modeling of the Impacts of Human Activities and Climate Change on the Potential Distribution of Plantago in China
by
Da Liao, Bing Zhou, Haiyan Xiao, Yuxin Zhang, Shujian Zhang, Qitao Su and Xiaohong Yan
Biology 2025, 14(5), 564; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050564 - 17 May 2025
Abstract
Human activities exert both beneficial and detrimental impacts on the ecosystem. In recent years, greenhouse gas emissions have significantly increased due to global climate change, causing profound alterations in ecosystem distribution and productivity. The synergistic interplay between climatic shifts and anthropogenic activities is
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Human activities exert both beneficial and detrimental impacts on the ecosystem. In recent years, greenhouse gas emissions have significantly increased due to global climate change, causing profound alterations in ecosystem distribution and productivity. The synergistic interplay between climatic shifts and anthropogenic activities is intensifying ecological transformations and disturbances, and accelerating biodiversity depletion. The Plantago genus (Plantaginaceae family) includes 14 herbaceous species among China’s flora. This study was conducted to elucidate the spatial distribution of Plantago species patterns across China and evaluate their differential responses to impending climate change and human interventions. In this study, we projected the potential distributions of Plantago species under three climate scenarios (SSP126, SSP245, and SSP585) across current and future temporal intervals (2021–2040, 2041–2060, 2061–2080, and 2081–2100) using the MaxEnt model integrated with ArcGIS V10.8 spatial analysis. A spatial trend analyses was also conducted to assess habitat suitability dynamics by incorporating anthropogenic influence parameters. The model validation yielded AUC values exceeding 0.9, demonstrating excellent model performance and predictive reliability. Precipitation variability and anthropogenic pressure emerged as the most predominant determinants shaping Plantago distributions. Centroid migration analyses further indicated the progressive northward displacement of optimal habitats under the projected climate scenarios. These findings significantly advance our understanding of Plantago species’ adaptive responses to environmental changes. This study also offers an invaluable scientific foundation for sustainable resource management and ecological conservation strategies.
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(This article belongs to the Section Ecology)
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Enhancing H11 Protein-Induced Immune Protection Against Haemonchus contortus in Goats: A Nano-Adjuvant Formulation Strategy
by
Lisha Ye, Simin Wu, Fuqiang Liu, Juan Zhang, Jie Wan, Chunqun Wang, Hui Liu and Min Hu
Biology 2025, 14(5), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/biology14050563 - 17 May 2025
Abstract
The only vaccine against Haemonchus contortus is limited by short-lived antibody persistence and the need for frequent booster immunizations. This study leveraged the advantages of nano-adjuvants in enhancing antigen presentation and immune regulation to evaluate the efficacy of novel adjuvants (IMX, AddaS03) and
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The only vaccine against Haemonchus contortus is limited by short-lived antibody persistence and the need for frequent booster immunizations. This study leveraged the advantages of nano-adjuvants in enhancing antigen presentation and immune regulation to evaluate the efficacy of novel adjuvants (IMX, AddaS03) and the conventional QuilA combined with H11 protein. Goats were divided into four groups (IMX + H11, AddaS03 + H11, QuilA + H11, and infected control). They were immunized three times and challenged with 6000 infective third-stage larvae (iL3s) of H. contortus on the day of the third immunization, with the experiment lasting for 98 days. The results showed that vaccination with IMX + H11 conferred the strongest protection, demonstrating 88.3% efficacy in fecal egg count (FEC) reduction and 75.8% efficacy against worm burden, followed by QuilA + H11 (85.2% FEC reduction and 68% worm burden reduction) and AddaS03 + H11 (79.4% FEC reduction and 61.3% worm burden reduction). Serum IgG analysis revealed high antibody levels in all immunized groups. Cytokine detection found that IMX + H11 significantly upregulated IL-2 and IFN-γ expression in PBMCs and TNF-α expression in splenocytes, activating Th1-type responses and immune memory. QuilA + H11 showed weaker Th1 activation, and AddaS03 + H11 faced limitations due to insufficient antibody persistence for long-term protection. These findings suggest that IMX can induce highly efficient humoral and cellular immunity, providing a new direction for the optimization of H. contortus vaccines and suggesting the importance of nano-adjuvants for precise regulation of immune patterns.
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(This article belongs to the Special Issue Immune Response Regulation in Animals)
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