Search Results (2,041)

Mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), a class of secondary metabolites characterized by a cyclohexenone or cyclohexenimine ring structure bound to amino acid residues, are widely distributed in algae. These compounds exhibit strong ultraviolet-absorbing and antioxidant activities, making them attractive candidates for natural sunscreen formulations. However, the low productivity of MAAs in microalgae severely hampers commercial viability. Asterarcys sp., a fast-growing, heat- and light-tolerant microalga, has recently been demonstrated to produce high levels of MAAs under UV irradiation. In this study, phosphorus limitation was found to stimulate rapid MAAs accumulation in Asterarcys sp. SCSIO-46548. After eight days of cultivation, microalgal cells grown in phosphorus-free medium (0 mg L⁻¹) showed a sixfold higher MAAs content (1.08% DW) compared to the group supplied with 5.60 mg L⁻¹ phosphorus (0.18% DW). However, the accumulation of MAAs began to plateau under phosphorus deprivation. Based on integrated homology alignment with cyanobacteria and functional domain validation, a putative biosynthetic pathway for mycosporine-serine in Asterarcys sp. SCSIO-46548 was proposed. Importantly, the gene expression of desmethyl-4-deoxygadusol synthase (DDGS) exhibited a 2.75-fold upregulation under phosphorus limitation. Complementary bioinformatic analyses further characterized the subcellular localization and major physicochemical properties of the candidate enzymes involved. In conclusion, phosphorus limitation is an effective strategy to enhance MAAs production in Asterarcys sp. SCSIO-46548 by upregulating the expression of key biosynthetic genes, such as DDGS. This finding provides an effective solution to the low MAAs productivity in microalgae cultivation. Full article

The livestock sector underpins food security, employment, and rural livelihoods across the Southern African Development Community (SADC), contributing up to 50% of agricultural GDP and supporting more than 60% of rural households. Yet climate change poses escalating threats through heat stress, declining pasture productivity, water scarcity, and vector-borne diseases that compromise productivity and economic resilience. This review identifies and locates effective climate change mitigation strategies along the livestock value chain, spanning production, processing, transport, and consumption, to promote sustainable, low-emission, and inclusive growth in the SADC region. A broad review of 46 peer-reviewed and institutional sources (2000–2024) was undertaken, focusing on livestock-related mitigation within SADC and comparable agro-ecological systems. Strategies were thematically categorized by value-chain stage and assessed for their emission-reduction and livelihood-enhancement potential. Local strategies include genetic improvement for low-methane and heat-tolerant breeds, adaptive rangeland and feed management, renewable-energy adoption in processing, climate-resilient transport infrastructure, and consumer awareness of low-emission products. Evidence suggests potential GHG-emission reductions of 18–30%, coupled with productivity gains and improved smallholder incomes. Coordinated implementation through the SADC Regional Agricultural Investment Plan (2021–2030) and national policies can transform the livestock sector into a climate-resilient driver of inclusive growth. Further research should quantify the socioeconomic feasibility and scaling potential of these strategies across production systems. Successful integration of climate change mitigation imperatives must be tailored to local biophysical conditions (e.g., rainfall, soil type) and socioeconomic contexts (e.g., market access, cultural practices). Full article

Background: During maize anthesis, heat stress severely limits productivity—particularly under humid conditions where high humidity suppresses transpirational cooling, forcing tissues to endure direct thermal load. Methods: Using field enclosures to impose enclosure-imposed humid heat shock (EHS), we screened 135 maize inbred lines for flowering-stage yield resilience, using grain weight per ear at maturity under EHS relative to the corresponding control (CK) condition as the primary selection criterion. Based on this screen, we selected two tolerant (R025, R100) and two sensitive (R133, R135) genotypes for data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) profiling of the tassel-subtending leaf. Results: At baseline, the selected tolerant lines exhibited a constitutively distinct proteomic state, including lower abundance of light-harvesting complex components and higher abundance or detection frequency of several regulatory proteins, including SRK2E/OST1 and HSF-B2a. Under sustained EHS, the selected sensitive lines showed extensive proteomic disruption, including reduced abundance of photosynthesis-related proteins and oxidative phosphorylation, together with increased abundance of proteins associated with endoplasmic reticulum stress responses and protein turnover. In contrast, the selected tolerant lines displayed a more constrained acclimation response, characterized by relative maintenance of photosynthesis-related proteins together with selective increases in chaperone systems (HSP90/sHSPs) and benzoxazinoid biosynthesis-related proteins. Several proteins showed switch-like detection patterns between the selected tolerant and sensitive lines, including TMEM97-like and a peptidyl-prolyl isomerase, indicating potentially distinct regulatory states. Conclusions: These findings suggest that tolerant performance under enclosure-imposed heat stress is associated with a pre-conditioned proteomic state and enhanced protein homeostasis (proteostasis) buffering capacity that may help preserve photosynthetic function during flowering-stage stress. The identified proteins should be regarded as candidate markers requiring further functional validation before any application in breeding programs aimed at improving adaptation to increasingly frequent heat-stress events. Full article

Creeping bentgrass (Agrostis stolonifera), a widely used cool-season turfgrass, is highly susceptible to heat stress, which severely impairs its growth and physiological functions. In this study, two cultivars with contrasting heat tolerance, the heat-tolerant 13M and the heat-sensitive Seaside II (SII), were pretreated with diethyl aminoethyl hexanoate (DA-6) or distilled water and then exposed to either normal temperature or heat-stress conditions. Physiological traits and lipidomics were analyzed to investigate the regulatory role of DA-6 in lipid remodeling under high-temperature stress. Results showed that exogenous DA-6 application significantly mitigated physiological damage in both genotypes under heat stress. Under heat stress, compared with their corresponding untreated plants, DA-6 pretreatment increased the Fv/Fm by 15% in 13M and by 33% in SII; for the PI_ABS, DA-6 pretreatment increased it by 32% in 13M and by 55% in SII; for electrolyte leakage, DA-6 pretreatment reduced it by 24% in 13M and by 11% in SII. The analysis of lipidomics found that heat stress significantly reduced the accumulation of total lipids, phospholipids (PLs), glycolipids (GLs), and sphingolipids (SLs) in two genotypes, but under heat stress, 13M maintained significantly higher content of these lipids than SII. Exogenous DA-6 application significantly alleviated the heat-induced decline in photosynthesis-related glycolipids in SII. Specifically, MGDG, DGDG, and SQDG increased by 186%, 85%, and 32% in heat-stressed SII + DA-6, respectively, relative to heat-stressed SII without DA-6 pretreatment. In addition, DA-6 treatment also alleviated the heat-induced reduction in chloroplast- and mitochondria-associated lipids, including PG, LPG, and CL, in both genotypes. For heat-stressed 13M + DA-6, these lipids increased by 20%, 114%, and 22%, respectively, compared with heat-stressed 13M without DA-6 pretreatment; for heat-stressed SII + DA-6, they increased by 141%, 76%, and 184%, respectively, compared with heat-stressed SII without DA-6 pretreatment. These changes may contribute to improved stability of chloroplasts and mitochondria under heat stress. Furthermore, DA-6 application significantly promoted the accumulation of PC, PE, LPC, LPE, Cer, CerP, and Hex3Cer in both genotypes under heat stress. For 13M, the increases ranged from 18% to 120%; for SII, from 44% to 254%. In heat-stressed SII + DA-6 only, DA-6 also increased PA, PS, MLCL, DLCL, Hex1Cer, and Hex2Cer by 82%, 45%, 84%, 59%, 53%, and 41%, respectively, relative to heat-stressed SII without DA-6 pretreatment. These PLs and SLs are essential for maintaining plasma membrane integrity and mediating stress signal transduction. In addition, the application of DA-6 significantly reduced the heat-induced increase in unsaturation levels of total lipids in both genotypes, indicating that the DA-6 improved lipid saturation levels to better adapt to heat stress. Current findings demonstrated that the DA-6 application improved heat tolerance of creeping bentgrass associated with its regulation of lipid remodeling. Future investigations incorporating multi-omics approaches could comprehensively dissect the DA-6-induced signaling pathways and regulatory networks underlying heat-stress response in cool-season grass species. Full article

Fungal endophytes are symbiotic microorganisms that establish strong relationships inside plant tissues, providing potential advantages, especially in grasses, by enhancing tolerance to both abiotic and biotic stresses. This review investigates the molecular mechanisms through which fungal endophytes mediate stress tolerance, targeting host–pathogen interactions. By modulating pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), and effector proteins, fungal endophytes may contribute to priming the plant’s immune system, enhancing its resistance to pathogen invasion. Moreover, endophyte colonization regulates core processes such as osmotic regulation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) detoxification, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis that enable plants to tolerate environmental stresses like drought, heat, and salinity. The review highlights the impact of endophytes on immune priming, systemic acquired resistance (SAR), and the regulation of non-coding RNAs that regulate host gene networks associated with stress tolerance. Furthermore, the integration of advanced multi-omics techniques genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and fluxomics has revealed emerging insights into the genetic and metabolic pathways driving these symbiotic associations. However, grass-specific molecular datasets remain limited, and the consistency of endophyte-mediated tolerance across host species and environmental conditions is not yet fully resolved. Fungal endophytes increase grass stress resilience through coordinated pathogen recognition, RNA regulation, and metabolic reprogramming while AI-assisted multi-omics approaches are emerging as tools for identifying candidate regulatory networks, although empirical validation in grass–endophyte systems remains limited. Together, these advances highlight the potential for climate-smart and sustainable crop improvement. Future research integrating functional genomics, field validation, and biosafety assessment will be essential for translating endophyte-based strategies into reliable agricultural applications. Full article

The heat shock transcription factor (HSF) family is a core regulatory component for plants in response to adversity stress and plays a pivotal role in regulating plant reactions to abiotic stress. Lanzhou lily (Lilium davidii var. unicolor) is an economically and horticulturally important bulbous crop widely cultivated in Northwest China, and its growth and yield are severely threatened by high-temperature stress during the growing season. Although HSF genes have been extensively and thoroughly investigated in other plant species, their functional characterization in lilies remains elusive. In this study, a total of 41 LdHSF genes were identified from the genome of Lilium davidii var. unicolor using bioinformatics approaches. The proteins encoded by these genes exhibited considerable variations in the number of amino acids (aa), as well as distinct isoelectric points (pI) and instability indices. Phylogenetic analysis classified these 41 LdHSF genes into three subfamilies (A, B and C). Promoter analysis revealed that the promoters of most LdHSF genes were rich in light-responsive cis-elements. Meanwhile, the promoters of some genes were highly abundant in hormone-responsive cis-elements, whereas those of other genes were enriched in stress-responsive cis-elements. Gene expression heatmaps and transcriptomic data demonstrated that the expression patterns of LdHSF genes showed significant differences in various tissues and under heat treatment. Based on transcriptomic and RT-qPCR data, we further screened out LdHSF10 and LdHSF40 as the major genes responding to heat stress. Functional experiments verified that these two genes encoded nuclear-localized proteins with transcriptional activity. Collectively, these findings lay a solid foundation for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulation of heat tolerance by HSF transcription factors (TFs) in lilies in future research. Full article

The development of protective coatings that integrate self-healing and environmental tolerance is vital for extending substrate lifespan. In this study, a multifunctional hydrogel composite coating is developed based on a waterborne polyacrylate dynamic covalent network containing oxime–carbamate bonds. The functional monomer MEOC, which contains an oxime–carbamate dynamic bond, was synthesized and incorporated into the waterborne polyacrylate matrix to form a hydrogel network (OC-PA) with intrinsic self-healing capability. Prussian blue (PB) and nano-SiO₂ were incorporated to form a photothermal functional layer, imparting hydrophobicity and converting light into heat for de-icing, while also activating dynamic bond rearrangement within the substrate. When the MEOC content was 7 wt% and the PB content was 2 wt%, the coating temperature rose to 110 °C within 2 min under 0.6 W/cm² irradiation, and the scratch healed within 5 min. After 1 h of fracture repair, the tensile strength reached 6.68 MPa, with a repair rate as high as 92.91%, and de-icing time was reduced from 343 s to 183 s. The coating achieved a water contact angle >100°. At −20 °C, the icing delay time increased by 215%. The hydrogel coating also exhibited excellent abrasion resistance, chemical stability, UV aging resistance, and anti-fouling properties, offering a durable solution for demanding environments. Full article

Background:Pinellia ternata is a major medicinal herb widely utilized in traditional medicine, but is sensitive to high temperature, which often triggers a severe “sprout tumble” phenomenon. Methods: To elucidate the molecular mechanisms of heat tolerance in P. ternata, we screened two contrasting germplasms: the heat-tolerant JBX1 and the heat-sensitive XBX4. In the present study, a combined analysis of physiology, transcriptome, and metabolome was performed on JBX1 and XBX4 under heat stress at 40 °C. Results: JBX1 exhibited significantly greater leaf thickness, higher basal chlorophyll content, more stable antioxidant enzyme activities, and lower oxidative damage than XBX4 under heat stress. Transcriptomically, JBX1 maintained elevated basal expression of genes encoding key enzymes in carbon fixation, amino acid metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, as well as those encoding heat shock transcription factors (HSFs), heat shock proteins (HSPs), and the thermosensor Thermo-With ABA-Response 1 (TWA1). Metabolomically, JBX1 accumulated higher levels of key primary metabolites, antioxidants, and protective phenylpropanoids under both control and heat conditions. Notably, a “polarity reversal” emerged in nitrogen metabolism, where core amino acids accumulated in JBX1 but were depleted in XBX4. Integrated analysis revealed a more coordinated gene–metabolite network in JBX1 involving the phenylpropanoid, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter, and glutathione pathways. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that JBX1 possessed stronger basal thermotolerance, which is derived from coordinated establishment of higher constitutive metabolic reserves and efficient dynamic metabolic reprogramming. This study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of heat stress in P. ternata. Full article

A novel open-loop thermosyphon heat engine driven by low-temperature waste heat is proposed for simultaneous power generation and freshwater production. Large quantities of low-grade thermal energy from sources such as data centres remain underutilised due to the limited efficiency and mechanical complexity of conventional heat engines at low temperatures. The proposed system employs thermosyphon-driven circulation and gravity-assisted condensate return, eliminating mechanical pumping and reducing parasitic losses. A mathematical model was developed to evaluate system performance under low-grade heat input conditions. For a baseline case with 50% turbine isentropic efficiency and 5000 W thermal input, the model predicts an overall efficiency of 3.8% and freshwater production of 143 kg/day. A parametric study was conducted to identify the dominant performance parameters and assess sensitivity to operating conditions. While the predicted power output does not exceed that of optimised Organic Rankine Cycle systems, the proposed configuration offers reduced mechanical complexity and inherent freshwater production through phase change. Unlike membrane-based desalination systems, the open-loop design can accommodate high-salinity feeds, including concentrated brine streams, enabling high recovery operation. These characteristics suggest potential application in low-temperature waste heat recovery scenarios where simplified operation, high-salinity tolerance, and combined energy–water generation are desirable. Full article

Proteomic research in the genus Vitis has progressed from early biochemical studies of soluble proteins to high-resolution, quantitative analyses encompassing all major organs and derived products. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of advances in grapevine and wine proteomics. In leaves, studies have revealed extensive remodeling of photosynthetic, antioxidant, and defense pathways under biotic (e.g., Plasmopara viticola, Erysiphe necator, Xylella fastidiosa, Candidatus Phytoplasma vitis) and abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, heat, light). Bud proteomics elucidated hormonal regulation and mechanisms of dormancy release, while root studies identified nitrate-dependent metabolic shifts and adaptive protein networks. Cell culture models enabled controlled investigation of elicitor responses, stilbene biosynthesis, and temperature-induced proteome changes. In berries, proteomics clarified developmental transitions from fruit set to ripening, emphasizing proteins related to secondary metabolism, vacuolar transport, and stress tolerance. Comparative analyses across cultivars and environments identified biomarkers linked to aroma, color, and texture. The wine proteome revealed selective persistence of grape-derived proteins (e.g., thaumatin-like proteins, chitinases) and yeast peptides influencing stability and sensory properties, while Botrytis cinerea infection significantly alters this balance by degrading PR proteins and introducing fungal enzymes. Altogether, the Vitis proteome emerges as a dynamic, multifunctional system crucial for understanding plant adaptation, enological quality, and biomarker discovery. Full article

High-temperature stress severely reduces the photosynthetic efficiency of radish (Raphanus sativus L.), a cool-season crop. This study evaluated five nitrogen (N) levels {0 N, 0.5 N, 1 N (234 kg urea ha⁻¹, based on RDA), 2 N, and 4 N} through an open-field experiment under high-temperature stress conditions. Analysis of OJIP transients revealed that high temperatures severely inhibited photosynthetic capacity in the 0 N, 0.5 N, and 4 N treatment groups. These groups exhibited a simultaneous increase in K and J-steps, signifying electron transport bottlenecks and structural damage to the oxygen-evolving complex (OEC). Consequently, energy absorption and trapping decreased, while heat dissipation increased. In contrast, the 2 N treatment maintained superior F_m(maximum fluorescence) and energy flux, demonstrating enhanced photosynthetic resilience. However, despite improved photosynthetic stability, the 2 N group did not show a significant increase in yield compared to the 0.5 N or 1 N treatment groups. These results suggest that photosynthetic protection under heat stress does not necessarily guarantee higher yields, highlighting the need to identify optimal fertilization points for sustainable production. Overall, the findings of this study provide fundamental data for strategic nitrogen management in open-field radish cultivation to mitigate the impacts of increasing climatic instability. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of heat stress on productive performance, physiology, reproduction, and oxidative status in pregnant New Zealand White (NZW) rabbit does, as well as the potential synergistic effects of curcumin and vitamin D3 (Cur + VD₃) supplementation in alleviating these stress-induced impairments. Eighty multiparous does (12–18 months old) were assigned to a 2 × 2 factorial design involving two ambient temperatures (indoor vs. outdoor) and two supplementation levels (with or without Cur + VD₃). Outdoor does experienced severe heat stress (THI = 33.22) compared to indoor thermal comfort conditions (THI = 25.13). The supplement (Cur + VD₃) was administered orally at 1 mL/kg body weight. Heat stress significantly decreased body weight, milk yield, litter size, weight at weaning, and behavioral activity. Conversely, rectal temperature, respiration rate, and mortality increased. Supplementation with Cur + VD₃ showed improved body weight, reproductive parameters, milk yield, and behavior, while reducing mortality (0% vs. 5%) compared to treatment without these additives. Physiologically, Cur + VD₃ lowered rectal temperature and respiration rate. In conclusion, combined curcumin and vitamin D₃ supplementation is an effective nutritional strategy to improve heat stress tolerance and maintain productivity in pregnant rabbits exposed to high ambient temperatures. Full article

Frequent co-occurrences of high temperature and drought in tropical regions make heat and drought tolerance of landscape plants core physiological traits that determine their landscape adaptability and community stability. However, systematic elucidation of the differentiation patterns of stress resistance between specialist and generalist tropical landscape plant species, the intrinsic correlations between heat and drought tolerance traits, and the regulatory mechanisms of leaf functional traits remains lacking. In this study, eight typical tropical landscape plant species in Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden were selected as research objects. By determining leaf chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, water relation parameters and leaf functional traits, we systematically analyzed the differences in heat and drought tolerance and interspecific differentiation characteristics between specialist and generalist species, and simultaneously elucidated the correlation patterns of drought-heat tolerance traits as well as the regulatory effects of leaf functional traits on these traits. The results showed that the turgor loss point water potential (Ψ_TLP) of generalist tropical landscape plant species was significantly higher than that of specialist species, with superior drought tolerance; in contrast, the half-lethal temperature of photosystem II (T50) of specialist species was significantly higher than that of generalist species, with stronger heat tolerance. Among the eight tested species, Bombax ceiba exhibited the strongest drought tolerance, while Baccaurea ramiflora had the optimal heat tolerance. The study also found that the drought and heat tolerance traits of tropical landscape plants exhibited stress-specific trade-offs; leaf functional traits had limited overall explanatory power for the stress resistance of tropical landscape plants and only exerted a certain regulatory effect on drought tolerance. This study clearly reveals the differences in heat and drought tolerance between specialist and generalist species. This finding not only enhances our mechanistic understanding of stress resistance in tropical plants but also provides data support for ecological restoration and conservation practices in tropical gardens. Full article

Heat stress, particularly during the reproductive stage, poses a major challenge to rice production, as pollen development is highly sensitive to elevated temperatures. Accurate assessment of heat tolerance during this period is crucial for improving rice heat-stress tolerance but is hindered by asynchronous panicle development and imprecise staging. In this study, we identified a pair of near-isogenic lines, ZP15 and ZP17, which exhibited contrasting seed-setting rates under heat stress. We demonstrated that this divergence arises from differential tolerance during the pollen developmental stage, corresponding to a critical window (9–16 days before heading). Taking these lines as references, we established a reliable system that synchronizes developmental staging and quantitatively assesses heat-induced fertility loss. Validated using heat-tolerant N22 and heat-sensitive Wushansimiao, this system was applied to assess four conventional varieties and eight hybrids. Huanghuazhan and self-bred hybrids (Yangxianyou 912, Yangxianyou 903, and Yangxian 9A/P119-8) displayed high tolerance comparable to control varieties, whereas Yangdao 6 and multiple hybrids showed pronounced sensitivity. Collectively, this work provides a precise and reproducible framework for evaluating heat tolerance during pollen development, offering a valuable tool for accelerating the breeding of heat-resilient rice varieties. Full article

Background: Subclinical psychological symptoms—such as low mood, perceived stress, and poor sleep—affect a large portion of the population and can impair quality of life despite remaining below clinical thresholds. The gut–brain axis has emerged as a promising target for interventions that support emotional and psychological resilience. Probiotics and postbiotics are gaining attention for their potential to modulate mood and stress via microbiome-related mechanisms, but human evidence remains limited, particularly in non-clinical populations. Objectives: We aimed to assess the effects of a two-strain combination of live microorganisms alongside a two-strain combination of heat-treated inactivated microorganisms on outcomes associated with anxiety, mood, perceived stress, and quality of life in healthy adults experiencing mild stress. Methods: This study was conducted in two parts. In Part I, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 100 participants were randomized to receive either a blend of live microorganisms (Bifidobacterium longum CECT 7347 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus CECT 8361) or an identical placebo once daily for 12 weeks. In Part II, a pilot feasibility study, a subset of eight placebo non-responders from Part I received the heat-inactivated preparation of the same bacterial strains in a 6-week trial extension phase. For Parts I and II, the primary outcome was the change in the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A). Secondary outcomes included measures of mood (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI); Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)), stress (state and trait anxiety inventory (STAI); Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)), sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)), quality of life (36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36)), gastrointestinal symptoms (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS)), salivary cortisol and microbiome modulation. Results: In Part I, there were no significant effects of the live blend on the HAM-A, indicating that the primary endpoint was not met. In addition, no significant effects were seen on the STAI or PSS scores when compared to the placebo. However, participants consuming the live blend trended toward a reduction in total PHQ-9 scores compared to placebo (p = 0.089), whilst preliminary exploratory analyses suggested an improvement in anhedonia (p = 0.045). Furthermore, there was a significant improvement in the vitality domain of the SF-36 compared to placebo (p = 0.017). On microbiome analysis, it was noted that consumption of the live blend was linked to the preservation of butyrate-producing bacteria, particularly members of the Pseudoflavonifractor genus and the Clostridium SGB6179 species. Furthermore, the abundance of B. longum species was found to be inversely associated with the total PSS Scores. In Part II, supplementation with the inactivated preparation resulted in significant within-group improvements for the vitality (p = 0.006) and social functioning (p = 0.010) domains of the SF-36 and improvements in PSS scores compared to baseline (p = 0.050). Conclusions: Supplementation with either the dual-strain live or inactivated formulations was associated with significant improvements in the vitality domain of the SF-36, whilst participants receiving the inactivated formulation demonstrated lower perceived stress and improved social functioning compared to baseline. Overall, the findings from this pilot study suggest that these two biotic consortia are well-tolerated and may be associated with improvements in measures of vitality in individuals with subclinical psychological symptoms. The subtle observations detected for stress and anhedonia suggest that further well-powered trials are needed to better characterize these findings, potentially in populations with greater baseline symptomatology. Full article