Search Results (209)

Synthetic multi-species consortia provide valuable insights into the ecological and structural dynamics of complex microbial biofilms. However, the specialized functional contributions of individual components under severe nutrient limitations remain poorly understood. This study investigated the population dynamics, matrix biogenesis and metabolic potential of a synthetic ‘protolichen biofilm’ model comprising Asterochloris microalgae, Gordonia bacteria, Thelebolus filamentous fungi and Occultifur yeast. The biofilms were cultivated under strict carbohydrate-deficient conditions for 30 days. Population changes, extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix formation, and the concentrations of extracellular DNA (exDNA) and proteins (exProt), as well as potential dehydrogenase activity (via iodonitrotetrazolium reduction), were evaluated across monocultures, binary, ternary and quaternary consortia. Under carbon starvation, the photoautotrophic microalgae dominated the consortium, driving an 11-fold increase in population size in the four-component system and serving as the primary source of exDNA, which increased by up to three orders of magnitude by day 30. The Gordonia sp. exhibited a tenfold expansion by actively localizing to fungal hyphae and microalgal cell walls. This was directly correlated with a sharp increase in metabolic activity. By contrast, Thelebolus sp. initially provided the structural framework via EPS production, but exhibited limited metabolic activity over time. Meanwhile, the Occultifur sp. yeast population was severely suppressed, adopting a sit-and-wait ecological strategy. Spearman correlation analysis revealed that multi-species integration stabilized the community and triggered significant emergent effects in exDNA accumulation and metabolic potential, but only when microalgae were present. These findings demonstrate that microalgae and bacteria primarily drive metabolism and regulation within the protolichen consortia investigated, while fungi and yeast play structural or opportunistic roles. This provides a robust framework for understanding complex symbiotic interactions. Full article

Microbiologically influenced corrosion (MIC) at oral biomaterial interfaces is viewed as an ecological phenomenon, yet how microbial composition and interspecies interactions shape corrosion remains unclear. Here, we investigated whether oral microbial community composition and interspecies interactions contribute to medical 316L stainless steel corrosion. Consortia-enhanced Cr and Fe release and localized surface pitting, with marked inter-subject variability. Interface-associated biofilms exhibited trends toward compositional shifts and showed enrichment of predicted pathways for fermentation and riboflavin metabolism, along with higher genome-based metabolic interaction potential than planktonic communities. Extracellular riboflavin accumulated in MIC systems and correlated positively with dissolved Cr and Fe concentrations. In perturbation assays, riboflavin supplementation increased corrosion current density (i_corr) and metal dissolution, whereas roseoflavin reduced extracellular riboflavin availability and corrosion-related parameters without marked changes in the measured biofilm biomass or surface-associated ATP levels. A defined three-strain consortium (C. tsuruhatensis, R. erythropolis, and T. aromatica) reconstituted the S3 high-corrosion phenotype, including elevated i_corr, extracellular riboflavin accumulation, and induced pitting, consistent with a proposed riboflavin-linked model involving species-dependent metabolic interactions. These findings suggest that extracellular riboflavin may represent a candidate redox-active factor associated with microbial community interactions and corrosion activity, providing an ecological framework for understanding microbiota-associated corrosion resistance at oral biomaterial interfaces. Full article

Nitrogen cycling during the biological treatment of organic waste is governed by a consortium of microorganisms whose activity determines whether nitrogen is conserved as a fertiliser resource or lost as ammonia, nitrous oxide, or dinitrogen. Composting and anaerobic digestion are the dominant biological platforms for organic waste valorisation, yet they impose contrasting selective pressures on nitrogen-cycling guilds. In composting, thermophilic conditions and fluctuating oxygen availability shape sequential communities of ammonifiers, ammonia oxidisers, and denitrifiers, with volatilisation and incomplete denitrification as principal loss pathways. In anaerobic digestion, nitrification is effectively absent and high organic nitrogen loading generates free ammonia that inhibits methanogenic archaea, constraining process stability and reshaping community structure toward ammonia-tolerant taxa. This review synthesises understanding of the functional guilds, enzymes, and regulatory genes involved in nitrogen mineralisation, nitrification, denitrification, and ammonia assimilation across both systems. It sets out the feedstock categories and regulatory frameworks that constrain treatment and product use, the operating parameters governing nitrogen retention, and the strategies used to mitigate loss, including additives, bioaugmentation, ammonia stripping, and struvite precipitation. We propose a comparative framework that positions the two systems along a shared continuum of microbial nitrogen regulation, in which redox regime determines which transformation pathways are available while pH, temperature, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, moisture, and retention time govern the magnitude of loss. Attention is given to how upstream process outcomes determine nitrogen use efficiency and environmental risk after land application. We conclude by identifying research gaps, including paired cross-system studies, standardised molecular monitoring, field-scale validation, and harmonised quality standards. Full article

The bioconversion of semiconductor processing sludge (SPS) is conventionally bottlenecked by highly cross-linked extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) that sequester concentrated inorganic salts. Forcible EPS deconstruction in single-stage anaerobic digestion triggers an abrupt release of these ions, inducing acute osmotic shock and systemic metabolic failure. To overcome this coupled thermodynamic and kinetic barrier, this study proposes a spatiotemporal decoupling framework utilizing waste resource sludge (WRS) as a physicochemical buffering matrix with a proposed ion-hydration/dielectric contribution. An engineered two-stage system was evaluated using controlled laboratory-scale anaerobic batch assays at 41 °C to segregate the initial acidogenic deconstruction from the subsequent methanogenic mineralization. Baseline single-stage digestion suffered severe paralysis, characterized by an electrical conductivity (EC) surge to 46.9 mS/cm and a negligible methane yield (14.5 mL CH₄/g VS). Conversely, the decoupled strategy effectively buffered the peak ionic stress to a safe threshold (15.8 mS/cm) and enhanced macromolecular liquefaction, achieving a 3.4-fold increase in soluble chemical oxygen demand. Consequently, the methanogenic stage delivered a maximum methane potential of 294.6 mL CH₄/g VS with a significantly shortened lag phase of 3.2 days. Molecular and taxonomic analyses confirmed that this enhanced performance was driven by structural EPS dismantling and a targeted microbial succession—transitioning from a robust Lactobacillaceae-dominated consortium for initial deconstruction to a diverse bacterial syntrophic network associated with methanogenic conversion. These findings establish the mechanistic feasibility of the proposed approach under controlled laboratory-scale batch conditions. Continuous-flow validation is nevertheless required to determine long-term process stability and engineering-scale applicability. Ultimately, this microenvironmental buffering approach provides a resilient, mild intervention pathway for extreme industrial waste, providing a potential mechanistic framework for future cross-industry resource circularity. Full article

The Calabrian–Lucanian Apennines are a lichenologically insufficiently explored area. The purpose of the study was to improve the knowledge of its lichen flora in the wider context of ecology and biogeography and with regard to conservation perspectives. Our study is primarily based on recent collections but also includes comparative analyses of previous herbarium samples to verify identity; in particular a direct comparison with the CLU Herbarium (Calabria University) HLUC (Basilicata University) together with data from national collections (ORO, TO TSB the Gheza Private Collection) and international collections (Lichen Herbarium Consortium) has provided a solid taxonomic framework. A total of 102 species have been identified. The area yields a remarkable diversity of the genus Umbilicaria with 17 taxa recorded. Placidium subrufescens is recorded for the first time in Italy seven species are new records in southern Italy and 13 in the Basilicata Region. The majority of rare and infrequent lichen species appear to be glacial relics at the southern limit of their range. These southern populations are highly fragmented and localized. They are vulnerable to environmental changes and likely to suffer from climate change. The habitats that were surveyed—mainly siliceous outcrops embedded within carbonatic sequences—supported the same arctic–alpine lichen biota. The study emphasizes the high degree of the region’s biodiversity and the necessity for conservation efforts. Full article

Background: Heritable thoracic aortic disease (HTAD) accounts for approximately 20–25% of thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (TAAD) cases and is a major cause of premature death in young adults. Methods: This is a narrative, non-systematic review. We performed a selective synthesis of clinical practice guidelines (ACC/AHA 2022, EACTS/STS 2024), the revised Ghent nosology, large multicenter cohort studies (Montalcino Aortic Consortium), randomized pharmacotherapy trials, and molecular mechanism data published between 2010 and 2025; quantitative figures are reported as published in individual primary sources and were not pooled or re-analyzed. Results: The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has driven a paradigm shift in HTAD management, from risk assessment based purely on phenotype (aortic diameter) to risk stratification based on genotype (molecular mutation). The 2022 ACC/AHA guideline identifies eleven genes with confirmed high-penetrance risk for HTAD; these, together with the established Loeys–Dietz gene TGFB3 (recognized through gene–disease validity assessment rather than the ACC/AHA list), can be grouped into three pathogenic mechanisms: extracellular matrix dysregulation, TGF-β signaling dysregulation, and vascular smooth muscle contractile dysfunction. Gene–disease association should be distinguished from guideline-defined classification and regarded as evolving, since additional candidate genes such as LTBP3 are already emerging in gene-negative families. Multigene panel testing identifies a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in roughly 8% of patients referred for suspected HTAD, a yield that rises substantially when applied to syndromic or strongly familial presentations. Prophylactic surgical thresholds are individualized by gene and are generally lower (around 4.0 cm) for high-risk TGFBR1/TGFBR2 and PRKG1 variants and higher (around 5.0 cm) for FBN1 and TGFB3, in contrast with the uniform 5.5 cm threshold historically applied to all patients. Randomized trials over the past decade—including the AIMS irbesartan trial, the Marfan Treatment Trialists’ individual patient data meta-analysis, and the celiprolol and irbesartan trials in vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome—now provide direct evidence that angiotensin receptor blockade slows the rate of aortic root dilation in Marfan syndrome, with more limited evidence in vascular Ehlers–Danlos syndrome and uncertain effects on dissection or mortality, while valve-sparing aortic root replacement provides durable long-term outcomes in reported single-center experience. These thresholds and pharmacotherapy recommendations rest predominantly on observational cohort, registry, and randomized trial data of varying maturity and should be interpreted as graded, evolving recommendations rather than fixed cut-points. Conclusions: This review synthesizes the molecular pathogenesis, diagnostic nosology, gene-specific epidemiologic and prognostic data, genetic testing yield, pharmacotherapy evidence, surgical outcomes, and updated prophylactic intervention algorithms per the ACC/AHA (2022) and EACTS/STS (2024) guidelines, providing a practical reference framework for individualizing surveillance and surgical decision-making in patients with HTAD. Full article

Background/Objectives: Current pulmonary nodule detection systems often neglect the spatiotemporal continuity inherent in computed tomography (CT) sequences within a single scan. They treat individual slices as independent images and lack mechanisms to recover missed detections. As a result, nodules missed in individual slices cannot be recovered. This study aims to develop a detection–tracking co-design framework that improves both sensitivity and specificity for pulmonary nodule detection. Methods: We propose a detection-tracking co-design framework. It couples an enhanced YOLOX detector with a Kalman filter-based tracker in Stage I, to associate nodule candidates across consecutive slices and recover missed detections. Stage II employs cross-slice Maximum Intensity Projection and a lightweight ResNet-50 classifier, to reduce false positives through morphological feature discrimination. Results: Systematic ablation studies on the Lung Image Database Consortium and Image Database Resource Initiative (LIDC-IDRI) dataset using the criteria of the Lung Nodule Analysis 2016 (LUNA16) dataset demonstrate the complementary contributions of each component. The complete framework achieves a Competition Performance Metric (CPM) score of 0.9344 and exhibits particular strength in medium-to-high sensitivity regions. Conclusions: The proposed detection–tracking co-design provides an interpretable paradigm that balances high sensitivity and improved specificity, offering a promising solution for computer-aided diagnosis of pulmonary nodules. Full article

The development of plant-based functional beverages is often limited by inherent matrix defects, particularly undesirable off-flavors, astringency, and colloidal instability. Water kefir (WK), a highly resilient multispecies symbiotic consortium, offers a robust biorefining platform to address these challenges. This review systematically elucidates the underlying micro-ecological logic and biochemical mechanisms of WK-mediated plant matrix remodeling. We first detail how spatial niche differentiation and cross-feeding networks among lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and acetic acid bacteria drive ecological homeostasis. Next, we highlight core molecular events that elevate sensory quality: protein unfolding for off-flavor elimination, enzymatic depolymerization of phenolics to mitigate astringency, and exopolysaccharide synthesis for rheological and flavor diffusion control. Finally, to overcome industrial scale-up challenges, we outline a precision fermentation framework, integrating systems multi-omics, real-time biomimetic monitoring, and sensory topological modeling. Ultimately, this synthesis provides theoretical guidance for the reverse flavor engineering and targeted nutritional design of novel plant-based beverages. Full article

This study employed sequential inoculation of native non-brewing yeasts Kluyveromyces marxianus YC-T7 and Pichia kudriavzevii QC-P3 to co-ferment dry white wine from Munage, a unique fresh-eating grape variety native to Xinjiang, providing technical support for the development of regionally distinctive wines in Xinjiang. To investigate how mixed fermentation with indigenous Xinjiang non-Saccharomyces (NS) yeasts and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC) influences the aromatic profile of Munage wine, two NS strains—K. marxianus YC-T7 and P. kudriavzevii QC-P3—previously isolated and selected by our group were sequentially co-inoculated with S. cerevisiae CEC01. Strain growth dynamics were first characterized in a synthetic grape juice (SGJ) system under varying inoculation protocols; subsequently, Munage grapes were fermented under optimized sequential inoculation to assess physicochemical parameters, volatile aroma composition, and sensory attributes of the resulting dry white wine. Results demonstrated that, under sequential inoculation, the QC-P3 + SC consortium entered the late logarithmic phase on day 4 and achieved a final ethanol concentration of 10.29%vol, whereas the YC-T7 + SC consortium reached the same growth stage on day 5 with 10.27%vol ethanol—confirming robust and timely alcoholic fermentation for both consortia. Consequently, sequential inoculation was adopted as the standard protocol for Munage wine production. All key physicochemical parameters complied with China’s national standards for dry white wine. Relative to pure SC fermentation, the YC-T7 + SC treatment increased tartaric acid, α-ketoglutaric acid, and citric acid contents by 3.15%, 12.16%, and 2.18%, respectively; the QC-P3 + SC treatment induced more pronounced enhancements—22.58%, 51.64%, and 14.70%, respectively. A total of 54 volatile compounds were identified, including 29 esters, 12 alcohols, 7 organic acids, 4 phenolic compounds, and 2 others. Integrated analysis using odor activity values (OAVs), principal component analysis (PCA), and descriptive sensory evaluation consistently revealed that the YC-T7 + SC wine exhibited the highest concentrations of fruit- and flower-associated esters, while the QC-P3 + SC wine was distinguished by a distinctive pineapple-like aroma driven predominantly by ethyl butyrate. Collectively, sequential co-inoculation of indigenous Xinjiang NS strains YC-T7 and QC-P3 with S. cerevisiae significantly improved Munage wine quality—particularly in acidity balance, polyphenol retention, and aromatic complexity—thereby offering both novel microbial resources and a validated technical framework for stylistically authentic vinification of terroir-expressive wines from the Xinjiang region. Full article

For national statistics offices (NSOs), data sharing is essential for the production of official statistics, yet it must comply with stringent confidentiality and governance mandates. Blockchain technology has emerged as a promising means to enable trusted and auditable data exchange under these constraints, motivating a growing body of research across public-sector domains. This paper presents an up-to-date survey of blockchain-based data-sharing solutions in government and NSO contexts, reviewing studies published between 2018 and 2026. Given the limited research specific to official statistics, this survey evaluates public-sector solutions with particular attention to their alignment with NSOs’ strict privacy and data governance requirements. Departing from prior reviews that primarily organise the literature by technical architectures or application domains, the survey adopts the Five Safes framework as a unifying analytical lens. Through this governance-focused synthesis, the survey identifies recurring architectural patterns and design principles that support secure and accountable data sharing, including permissioned or consortium blockchains, hybrid on/off-chain storage, selective integration of privacy-enhancing technologies, and smart contracts to automate governance functions such as access control and workflow management. Building on these insights, the paper outlines two distinct reference architectures that distil best practices from existing studies for blockchain-enabled data sharing under public-sector constraints, and highlights open challenges—most notably scalability and integration with legacy systems—pointing to future research directions towards solutions that combine strong security assurances with practical governance compliance. Full article

Microbial biostimulants and microbial plant protection products overlap in biological function, creating both R&D opportunities and regulatory challenges. In particular, multi-strain bacterial consortia may simultaneously affect nutrient mobilisation and abiotic stress tolerance, induce resistance, and demonstrate direct antagonism against phytopathogens. This multifunctionality complicates early product development because strain identity alone is sometimes insufficient in predicting product function, efficacy, or the most appropriate regulatory and claims strategy. Here, we used non-targeted LC-MS metabolomics as a hypothesis-generating tool to support formulation decisions for microbial consortia. Three bacterial consortia were compared: a full soil-oriented consortium C1 containing Bacillus spp., Rhodopseudomonas palustris, Nitrosomonas europaea, and Nitrobacter winogradskyi; a Bacillus-only consortium C2 intended for foliar stress-resilience applications; and a Bacillus-only consortium C3 grown with a chitin-related inducer to promote biocontrol-associated metabolism. Metabolomic profiling revealed clear differences between formulations. The full consortium C1 showed higher relative abundances of features putatively associated with biofertilising and growth support, whereas the Bacillus-only consortium C2 contained features putatively associated with biocontrol and induced resistance that were not detected in C1 under the applied criteria. The addition of the chitin-related inducer (C3) did not yield a completely distinct metabolite profile but increased the relative abundance of selected features putatively associated with biocontrol, while decreasing features putatively annotated as auxin-related or associated with abiotic stress responses. These results suggest that non-targeted metabolomics can help differentiate metabolic profiles putatively associated with biostimulant- and plant-protection-oriented formulations and thereby support prioritisation before extensive greenhouse or field testing. By linking formulation, medium composition, and microbial interactions to measurable metabolic signatures, metabolomics provides an evidence-based, hypothesis-generating framework for formulation development and the prioritisation of subsequent efficacy trials. Full article

The African esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) corridor extends from Ethiopia to the Eastern Cape and contains some of the highest age-standardized ESCC incidence rates reported anywhere, with five-year survival below 5%. The corridor’s heterogeneous incidence (sex ratios from 1:1 to 7:1; tenfold variation between adjacent populations) has resisted single-factor explanation through more than half a century of investigation. We synthesize the multicenter evidence accumulated since the IARC 2018 Group 2A classification of very hot beverages (>65 °C), with particular attention to the African Esophageal Cancer Consortium (ESCCAPE) outputs and to whole-genome sequencing. We argue, on the convergent evidence of animal toxicology, human in vitro mucosa, and population genomics, that thermal exposure acts as a tumor promoter rather than an initiator. On this reading, the corridor’s heterogeneous burden reflects heterogeneous chemical co-exposure profiles operating against a shared thermal-promoter substrate. Extending the comparative margin-of-exposure (MOE) methodology to esophageal squamous carcinogenesis, we present an MOE framework distinguishing genotoxic compounds (within-mode-of-action additive) from thermal exposure (separate companion figure) and apply it to two corridor scenarios. The framework supports a four-lever prevention strategy combining tobacco control, alcoholic-strength reduction in unrecorded spirits, clean-cookstove deployment, and graduated thermal-exposure reduction. Full article

Background and Objectives: During the 2016–2022 period, tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) monotherapy was the standard first-line option at our center before combination protocols became available. This study evaluates patients experiencing initial TKI failure who subsequently received second- or later-line nivolumab. Because clinical practice lacks low-cost, accessible tools to prognosticate outcomes in this setting, we evaluated whether baseline psoas muscle index (PMI), early on-treatment C-reactive protein (CRP) kinetics, and a specific panel of blood-derived inflammatory/nutritional ratios offer reliable prognostic value. Materials and methods: We retrospectively reviewed data from 49 consecutive mRCC patients who progressed on a TKI and received second- or later-line nivolumab monotherapy. Primary endpoints were overall survival (OS; N = 49) and time-to-treatment failure (TTF; N = 48). We utilized Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression models for analysis. Benjamini–Hochberg false discovery rate (FDR) correction (q < 0.05) controlled false positive inflation across two separate testing frameworks: seven log-rank assessments for TTF and the core Cox models. Adjusted models accounted for clinical covariates including International Metastatic RCC Database Consortium (IMDC) risk category, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS), and de novo metastatic presentation. We calculated the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) to evaluate measurement reproducibility. Results: Median follow-up reached 48.4 months (reverse Kaplan–Meier; maximum: 87.8 months), with a cohort-wide median OS of 13.9 months (IQR: 5.8–36.2). A low baseline C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) mapped to a distinct survival benefit, showing a median OS of 32.6 months versus 5.8 months in the high-CAR group (log-rank p < 0.001; BH q = 0.003). In adjusted multivariable Cox hazards modeling, both CAR (HR: 1.029; p = 0.002) and the prognostic nutritional index (PNI; HR: 0.893; p < 0.001) maintained independent prognostic significance. When evaluating the 43 patients with complete 3-month CRP records, we found a significantly higher objective response rate (ORR) in those at or below the cohort-median ratio threshold of 1.16 compared to patients above it (54.5% vs. 23.8%; p = 0.039). The overall ITT population registered an ORR of 36.7% (18/49). Conclusions: Low pretreatment CAR and elevated PNI identify mRCC patients showing improved survival profiles in this post-TKI nivolumab subgroup. Additionally, an elevated 3-month CRP ratio correlates with compromised objective response rates and a trend toward shorter TTF, though the TTF endpoint did not clear strict FDR parameters (BH q = 0.098). These retrospective, single-center data serve strictly for signal generation and require independent prospective multi-institutional confirmation before translating to oncology practice. Full article

The availability of current and accessible knowledge in Library and Information Science (LIS) is essential for librarians’ continuing professional development within a rapidly evolving information environment. This study evaluates the capacity of Greek academic library collections to support librarians’ professional learning through a multidimensional assessment of 8291 LIS bibliographic records from 17 academic libraries, complemented by data from the HEAL-Link consortium and the Quality Assurance Unit of Academic Libraries (QAUAL). The analysis examines the size of LIS collections, the distribution of publication dates, access to Journal Citation Reports (JCR)-indexed LIS journals, e-book availability, and the thematic composition of collections based on subject headings. The findings indicate that existing collections are limited in both scope and currency, thereby constraining their ability to adequately support librarians’ professional information needs. Although electronic resources partially compensate for deficiencies in print collections, significant gaps remain in access to the current professional literature. The study recommends strengthening collaborative collection development through HEAL-Link and systematically integrating Open Access resources. By combining multiple collection evaluation indicators, it provides an evidence-based framework for assessing academic library collections that support librarians’ lifelong learning and continuing professional development. Full article

Wind power producers face increasing market risks in electricity spot markets because output uncertainty may lead to large imbalance penalties and unstable revenues. This study aims to improve the market participation performance of wind farm consortia by coordinating day-ahead bidding, real-time deviation correction, and internal revenue allocation. The main novelty of this study is the integration of consortium-level bidding, shared energy storage leasing, and post-settlement revenue-cost allocation within a unified decision-allocation framework. A two-stage coordinated bidding model is developed for a wind farm consortium that leases shared energy storage to mitigate real-time power deviations. A Shapley value-based allocation mechanism is further introduced to distribute consortium revenue, while the shared energy storage leasing cost is allocated using an additional revenue-proportional fairness rule. Case studies show that the proposed strategy can reduce deviation penalties, increase the final net revenue after leasing cost, and maintain fair incentives among consortium members. Sensitivity analyses further demonstrate that the economic performance of the consortium is affected by storage size, charging/discharging efficiency, and wind farm output correlation. The proposed framework provides a practical decision-making reference for wind power aggregation, shared energy storage utilization, and coordinated participation in electricity spot markets. Full article