Search Results (978)

Thrips are cosmopolitan agricultural pests and important vectors of plant viruses, and the increasing coexistence of multiple morphologically similar species has intensified the demand for species-specific molecular identification. However, traditional morphological identification and PCR assays using universal primers are often inadequate for mixed-species samples and field-adaptable application. In this study, we developed a species-specific molecular identification framework targeting a polymorphism-rich region of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, which is more time-efficient than sequencing-based COI DNA barcoding, for four economically important thrips species in southern China, including the globally invasive Frankliniella occidentalis. By aligning COI sequences, polymorphism-rich regions were identified and used to design four species-specific primer pairs, each containing a diagnostic 3′-terminal nucleotide. These primers were combined with a PBS-based DNA extraction workflow optimized for single-insect samples that minimizes dependence on column-based purification. The assay achieved a practical detection limit of 1 ng per reaction, demonstrated species-specific amplification, and maintained reproducible amplification at DNA inputs of ≥1 ng per reaction. Notably, PCR inhibition caused by crude extracts was effectively alleviated by fivefold dilution. Although the chemical identities of the inhibitors remain unknown, interspecific variation in inhibition strength was observed, with T. hawaiiensis exhibiting the strongest suppression, possibly due to differences in lysate composition. This integrated framework balances target specificity, operational simplicity, and dilution-mitigated inhibition, providing a field-adaptable tool for thrips species identification and invasive species monitoring. Moreover, it provides a species-specific molecular foundation for downstream integration with visual nucleic acid detection platforms, such as the CRISPR/Cas12a system, thereby facilitating the future development of portable molecular identification workflows for small agricultural pests. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mitochondrial dysfunction is a major cause of brain injury in patients with primary mitochondrial disease. New mitochondrial therapeutics and non-invasive tools for efficacy monitoring are urgently needed. To these ends, succinate prodrug NV354 (methyl 3-[(2-acetylaminoethylthio)carbonyl]propionate) and diffuse optical techniques are promising. In this proof-of-concept study, we characterize NV354’s effects on microdialysis metrics of cerebral metabolism in a swine model of mitochondrial dysfunction and assess the associations of diffuse optical metrics with mitochondrial dysfunction and metabolic improvement. Methods: One-month-old swine received a four-hour co-infusion of rotenone with either the succinate prodrug NV354 (n = 5) or placebo (n = 5). Rotenone is a mitochondrial complex I inhibitor. Before and during co-infusion, cerebral metabolism was probed with microdialysis and diffuse optics. Microdialysis acquired interstitial lactate and pyruvate levels invasively, while diffuse optics measured changes in oxygen extraction fraction (OEF) and oxidized cytochrome-c-oxidase concentration (oxCCO). Results: Interstitial lactate continually increased in the placebo group (p < 0.01), but lactate levels plateaued in the NV354 group (p = 0.90). oxCCO also increased in the placebo group (p = 0.05), but OEF remained constant (p = 0.80). In the NV354 group, oxCCO increased (p < 0.01) while OEF decreased (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Microdialysis results suggest that NV354 treatment can increase oxygen metabolism in large animals with mitochondrial dysfunction. The optical oxCCO metric was also sensitive to metabolic changes induced by rotenone and NV354 administration. Full article

The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is an important vector of arboviruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Its rapid global expansion has been facilitated by climate change and human activities. Phylogenetic studies of Ae. albopictus have largely relied on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5 (ND5) markers, while the utility of cytochrome b (CYTB) remains underexplored. We collected Ae. albopictus from 13 sites in seven provinces of South Korea and analyzed COX1, ND5, and CYTB sequences. Genetic diversity indices were calculated, and phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using maximum-likelihood trees and haplotype networks with a dataset obtained from GenBank. COX1 revealed 46 haplotypes, including six novel variants, with the highest diversity in southern coastal regions such as Busan and Suncheon. ND5 showed limited variation, with only two haplotypes. CYTB revealed three haplotypes, including region-specific variants in Busan and Wonju, supporting its role as a complementary marker. The Busan haplotype H41 bridged domestic and international lineages, suggesting Busan as a likely entry point. This study demonstrates that integrating COX1, ND5, and CYTB improves the resolution of Ae. albopictus phylogeography in Korea and highlights the need for continued molecular surveillance to guide vector control strategies. Full article

Background: Pharmacotherapy is the therapeutic mainstay in epilepsy, but in about 30% of patients, the epilepsy is pharmacoresistant. A ketogenic diet (KD) is an alternative therapeutic option. The mechanisms underlying the anti-seizure effect of KD are not fully understood. An enhanced energy metabolism may have a protective effect; C8 and C10 fatty acids were previously shown to activate mitochondrial function in vitro. In the present study, we investigated whether ß-hydroxybutyrate (HOB), C8, C10 or a combination of C8 and C10 fatty acids, which all increase under KD, could activate mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes in murine hippocampal neurons (HT22). Methods: Cells were incubated for one week in the presence of the different metabolites. Respiratory chain enzyme activities as well as citrate synthase as a mitochondrial marker enzyme were determined spectrophotometrically in these cells. We observed that enzyme activities of complexes I and III, II and III, and IV (cytochrome c-oxidase) and V (ATP synthase) significantly increased in response to incubation with C8 and C10 fatty acids and a combination of both. Results: This activation of the respiratory chain enzymes was not inferior to an incubation with HOB, the key metabolite in KD. The activity of the mitochondrial marker enzyme citrate synthase increased under incubation with the fatty acids, showing that the mitochondrial content increased. Conclusions: In murine hippocampal cells, C8, C10 and combined C8 and C10 fatty acids led to variable increases in activities of mitochondrial respiratory chain enzymes and citrate synthase. This indicates that both C8 and C10 fatty acids may be important for the antiepileptic effect of KD, as they enhance energy production. Full article

Deep-sea hydrothermal vent fauna is often regarded as highly endemic, although exceptions have been reported. We examined genetic connectivity across broad spatial scales within the alvinocaridid genus Rimicaris, which has undergone substantial adaptive radiation worldwide. We analyzed six Rimicaris species using three genetic markers, cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI), 16S ribosomal rRNA gene (16S), and histone h3 (H3), and complete mitogenomes, employing newly generated sequences combined with publicly available sequence data. A genetic tree and haplotype networks were constructed, and divergence analyses were performed. Three clades of paired Rimicaris species were identified, each made up of taxa from different oceanic regions but showing relatively low COI divergence (0.35–1.90%). In Clade I, Rimicaris chacei and Rimicaris hybisae are morphologically similar and exhibit bidirectional gene flow, implying a dispersal route between the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (MAR) and the Mid-Cayman Spreading Center (MCSC). In Clade II, Rimicaris exoculata and Rimicaris kairei are morphologically, genetically, and ecologically distinct, reflecting restricted connectivity between the MAR and the Carlsberg Ridge (CR)–Central Indian Ridge (CIR). In Clade III, Rimicaris variabilis and Rimicaris cf. variabilis differ in nutritional strategies, showing a unidirectional dispersal route from the CIR to the southwestern Pacific (SWP), but morphological data to distinguish them are currently lacking. Some Rimicaris lineages maintain connectivity across distinct oceanic regions while others still form unique regional populations. This finding highlights the need for conservation strategies that incorporate both global-scale connectivity and regional endemism, rather than treating individual vent ecosystems as a single homogeneous management unit. Full article

Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy has been effectively used to relieve pain and inflammation and promote tissue healing and regeneration in a broad range of ailments. Prior work has focused on intracellular mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase, while extracellular latent TGF-β1 activation had been noted. This work investigated the role of PBM-generated redox signaling and integration in normal oral keratinocytes, using Western blots and pathway-specific small molecule inhibitors. We observed that PBM primarily generates ROS intracellularly within mitochondria, which then diffuse extracellularly to activate latent TGF-β1. This activation triggers ATF-4 expression through both canonical (Smad3) and non-canonical (p38, ERK) TGF-β signaling pathways. We observed a critical role for NFκB as an essential integrator, coordinating these responses as evidenced by the loss of ATF-4 expression following NFκB inhibition (BAY II) after both PBM and TGF-β1 treatments. Proteomic pathway analysis revealed that PBM downregulates inflammatory and apoptotic pathways while activating stress-adaptive responses in the NFκB pathway. A core set of PBM-induced redox, NFκB, and TGF-β signaling targets was identified. These findings suggest that optimal PBM treatment responses require a coordinated action of multiple signaling pathways that optimize cellular adaptation to stress and promote tissue repair rather than protracted inflammation and cell death. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a typical pollutant with strong toxicity even at low concentrations. In the marine environment, Cd is a problem of magnitude and ecological significance due to its high toxicity and accumulation in living organisms. The clam Meretrix meretrix is a useful bioindicator species for evaluating heavy-metal stress. This study investigated the extent of recovery from Cd²⁺-induced oxidative and immune impairments in M. meretrix gills achieved by short-term depuration. Clams were exposed to 3 mg/L Cd²⁺ for six days or three days followed by three days of depuration, and the Cd contents, morphological structure, osmoregulation, oxidative stress, and immune responses in the gills were evaluated. The results showed that gill Cd contents increased with exposure, reaching 9.857 ± 0.074 mg·kg⁻¹ on day 3 but decreased slightly to 8.294 ± 0.056 mg·kg⁻¹ after depuration, while reaching 18.665 ± 0.040 mg·kg⁻¹ on day 6 after continuous exposure. Histological lesions, including lamellar fusion, hemolymphatic sinus dilation, and ciliary degeneration, partially recovered after depuration. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels decreased significantly, while DNA-protein crosslinking rate (DPC) and protein carbonyl (PCO) showed minor reductions. Total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) and the activities of Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-ATPase (CMA), cytochrome c oxidase (COX), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) increased by over 10% during depuration, though these changes were not statistically significant. Lysozyme (LZM) activity and MT transcript levels increased progressively with Cd exposure, indicating their suitability as biomarkers of Cd stress. Acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP, AKP) activities and Hsp70 and Nrf2 mRNA transcripts exhibited inverted U-shaped response consistent with hormetic response. ACP and AKP activity levels rose by more than 20% after depuration, suggesting partial restoration of immune capacity. Overall, Cd exposure induced oxidative damage, metabolic disruption, and immune suppression in M. meretrix gills, yet short-term depuration allowed partial recovery. These findings enhance understanding of Cd toxicity and reversibility in marine bivalves and reinforce the usage of biochemical and molecular markers for monitoring Cd contamination and assessing depuration efficiency in aquaculture environments. Full article

Myopia is a major global public health concern, with a particularly high and increasing prevalence in East Asia. Although significant progress has been made in regard to developing strategies to slow the progression of myopia, the precise biological mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of myopia remain unclear. Repeated low-level red light (RLRL) therapy, a novel non-invasive photobiomodulation (PBM) technique, has demonstrated promising efficacy for controlling axial elongation and refractive error progression. This review first outlines the clinical definition, epidemiology, and global health impact of myopia, followed by the etiology-based pathogenesis and corresponding intervention strategies. Special attention has been given to emerging mechanistic evidence supporting RLRL, particularly its role in activating mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase (CCO), enhancing retinal metabolism, influencing choroidal changes in blood perfusion and thickness, and in scleral remodeling. Finally, the feasibility and potential mechanism of the RLRL therapy for slowing myopia progression have been discussed from the perspective of safety. Full article

The results of the trawl survey of the research vessel Professor Kaganovsky over four seamounts (Annei, Jingu, Ojin, and Koko) of the Emperor Seamount Chain in 2019 are presented. Seventy-three species of pelagic and bottom-dwelling cartilaginous and bony fishes from 40 families were collected. Morphological diagnoses are presented for each species, with taxonomic comments for the poorly known taxa. The obtained collection includes 11 species new to science or of uncertain taxonomic position, 9 species newly reported for the Emperor Seamounts, and one new record Linophryne arborifera for the Pacific Ocean. For individual seamounts, 27 fish species were recorded for the first time at Annei, 12 species at Ojin, 4 species at Koko, and 2 species at Jingu Seamounts. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) or cytochrome b (Cyt b) sequences were obtained for 36 species belonging to 22 families, including 13 species for which the barcode was flagged for the first time and the sequences made available. Cryptic diversity was revealed within the genera Cyclothone, Argyropelecus, and Chauliodus. According to our data, a boundary between the boreal and subtropical fish communities was found between Nintoku and Jingu Seamounts, with a transitional zone over Jingu and Ojin Seamounts at 37–39° N. However, the distribution of the subtropical species to the north may be limited by the increasing of summit depths in the northern subsection of the chain rather than any oceanographic or climatic barriers. Full article

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent, oxidative form of regulated cell death that has emerged as a therapeutic vulnerability in glioblastoma; however, the mitochondrial determinants that govern ferroptotic sensitivity remain poorly defined. Cytochrome c oxidase (CcO/Complex IV), a key regulator of mitochondrial respiration, contains two isoforms of subunit IV (COX4): COX4-1, a housekeeping isoform, and COX4-2, a stress-inducible variant. We previously found that COX4-1 expression protects glioma cells from erastin-induced ferroptosis, suggesting that mitochondria influence cell-death decisions independently of canonical ferroptotic regulators. Here, we used CRISPR-generated POLG-knockout ρ⁰ cells and transmitochondrial cybrids to isolate mitochondrial from nuclear contributions to ferroptosis sensitivity. Cybrids reconstituted with COX4-1-containing mitochondria restored CcO activity and recapitulated the ferroptosis-resistant phenotype, whereas COX4-2 cybrids remained insensitive to erastin. COX4-1 cybrids exhibited reduced labile iron, diminished cystine uptake, and low expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4, yet underwent apoptosis rather than ferroptosis upon erastin treatment. These findings demonstrate that mitochondrial COX4-1 rewires redox metabolism and diverts cell-death signaling away from ferroptosis toward apoptosis. Our results identify isoform-specific mitochondrial composition as a previously unrecognized determinant of regulated cell death and highlight COX4-1-driven mitochondrial remodeling as a potential mechanism of therapeutic resistance in glioblastoma. Full article

Rhadinorhynchus is a parasitic genus within the order Echinorhynchida (family Rhadinorhynchidae), comprising over 50 species found in marine ecosystems. The life cycle of Rhadinorhynchus species generally includes marine fish as definitive hosts and zooplankton as intermediate hosts. During a routine marine parasitological survey carried out in temperate waters off the NE Atlantic, we recorded adults (from fish) and cystacanths (from mesozooplankton) of an acanthocephalan morphologically corresponding to the genus Rhadinorhynchus. Species identification as R. lintoni was confirmed based on morphological features. Additionally, new genetic data were added for this species based on several molecular markers, including 18S-ITS1-5.8S-ITS2-28S region of the rRNA gene and cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 gene. Molecular data also provide evidence of a key trophic transmission involving the primary intermediate host—the euphausiid Nyctiphanes couchii—and higher-level consumers (definitive hosts), including the pelagic fish Sardina pilchardus, Scomber scombrus, and Trachurus trachurus. Genetic matching of different life cycle stages of R. lintoni across these host–parasite assemblages underscores the complexity of transmission dynamics within this ecoregion. These findings are discussed in relation to the growing interest of integrating genetic profiles of host–parasite assemblages to understand the life-cycle of marine parasites, especially for those having seafood security and safety concerns. Full article

(1) Background: The identification of Tropidothorax cruciger and T. sinensis is often complicated by the presence of the “intermediate form”. Due to the lack of molecular data, the taxonomic status of the “intermediate form” and the species boundaries between T. cruciger and T. sinensis remain uncertain; (2) Methods: In this study, we integrated morphological, molecular, and ecological data to delimit species boundaries of these two species using multiple species delimitation approaches; (3) Results: Most species delimitation analyses based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) fragment suggested that T. cruciger and the “intermediate form” comprised a single species, with T. sinensis representing a separate species. This delimitation result was also supported by the analyses of BFD* and genetic clustering based on genome-wide SNPs. Under this species delimitation scenario, a clear-cut barcode gap was discovered between the interspecific and intraspecific genetic distances. In addition, environmental-related analyses showed highly similar ecological requirements of T. cruciger and the “intermediate form”, supporting their recognition as a single species; (4) Conclusions: This study clarifies the taxonomic status of the “intermediate form” and the species boundaries between T. cruciger and T. sinensis, which is essential for further studies of ecology and evolution of these species. Full article

Lignin is one of the primary biomass resources in nature; however, its highly stable structure makes it difficult to degrade and utilise. As efficient decomposers of lignocellulosic biomass, termites rely on their gut microbiota for digestion. Consequently, termite guts harbour abundant and specialized lignin-degrading microorganisms. In this study, we isolated a bacterium from the termite gut and identified it as Bacillus cereus BC-8. The laccase activity of B. cereus BC-8 reached the maximum of 87.8 U/L at 72 h, and the lignin degradation rate reached 33.66% within 7 days. Furthermore, we analyzed the structural changes in lignin after treatment with this bacterial strain. Field emission scanning electron microscopy observations revealed that the surface structural integrity of lignin was significantly disrupted after treatment. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicated that B. cereus BC-8 affected the side chains and aromatic skeleton structures of lignin. Thermogravimetric analysis further revealed that B. cereus BC-8 disrupted the primary inter-unit β-O-4 ether bonds of lignin. Whole-genome sequencing of B. cereus BC-8 revealed a genome length of 5,374,773 bp and a GC content of 35.34%. Functional gene annotation revealed that the B. cereus BC-8 genome contains genes encoding various lignin-degrading enzymes (laccase, cytochrome P450, and vanillin oxidase) and their auxiliary factors, along with the phenylalanine and benzoic acid metabolic pathways, which are associated with lignin degradation. In conclusion, B. cereus BC-8 can break down the side chains, aromatic skeletons, and β-O-4 ether bonds of lignin molecules, demonstrating excellent lignin degradation ability. At the molecular level, this study elucidates the key genes and metabolic pathways related to lignin degradation in the genome of B. cereus BC-8. Full article

The rising price of sika deer meat is increasing the risk of economic adulteration, highlighting the need for rapid and reliable authentication methods to protect both market integrity and consumers. This work presents a novel countermeasure: a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based nucleic acid test strip designed for the specific and visual identification of sika deer meat. Our approach commenced with the design of specific primers targeting the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. To guarantee the reliability of the assay, a DNA standard plasmid was constructed to serve as an unambiguous positive control for the PCR. Under optimized conditions, results showed that authentic sika deer meat generated both test and control lines on the strip, while adulterated and negative samples produced only the control line. The assay demonstrated flawless specificity and a detection sensitivity of 1.0 ng·μL⁻¹ for target DNA, representing a tenfold enhancement over gel electrophoresis. Furthermore, the method demonstrated a detection limit of 1% for sika deer meat in admixed samples, with a faint but visible signal observed down to 0.1% under optimized conditions. In conclusion, the developed test strip method is not only specific and sensitive but also user-friendly, positioning it as a practical and powerful tool for rapid, on-site meat authentication. Full article

Eight species of the medically important scorpion genus Hemiscorpius Peters, 1861 have been reported in Iran, three of which are responsible for most of the severe clinical cases of envenomation. However, morphological similarity complicates species delimitation in this genus, hindering the identification of species implicated in envenomations. The present study integrates morphology, DNA sequences, and ecological niche modeling to clarify the taxonomy and distribution of Hemiscorpius in southern Iran, providing taxonomic insights relevant to public health and biodiversity conservation. Morphometric analyses were performed to evaluate size and shape differences; molecular phylogenetic analyses were conducted on DNA sequences of the mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit I gene; and species distribution models, based on occurrence records and bioclimatic variables, were developed. Morphometric analyses revealed significant interspecific differences and sexual dimorphism. A new species was identified and described as Hemiscorpius aratta sp. n. Molecular phylogenetic analysis confirmed the distinctiveness of the new species and revealed intraspecific variation in the type species, Hemiscorpius lepturus Peters, 1861, suggesting possible cryptic diversity. Southern Iran, particularly the coastline of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, represents a diversity hotspot for Hemiscorpius. Topographical barriers such as the Jebal Barez, Makkoran, and Zagros Mountain ranges promoted isolation and speciation, leading to high levels of endemism in the genus. Ecological niche models revealed that the distributions of Hemiscorpius species are strongly influenced by temperature and precipitation. Coastal species are restricted to thermally stable maritime habitats, whereas semi-arid species occupy regions with higher temperature seasonality. Range-restricted species are habitat specialists, vulnerable to environmental change. This study reinforces the importance of integrating morphological, molecular, and ecological data for resolving taxonomic ambiguity. Full article