Search Results (9,152)

Background/Objectives: Certain strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus are widely used as probiotics. However, their functional potential for female reproductive tract health remains insufficiently characterized. While most studies have focused on individual strains, the distribution of putative probiotic-associated genes across the species remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the vaginal probiotic potential of Lb. acidophilus using population genomic analysis and comparative phenotypic characterization. Methods: Pan-genomic analysis was performed on 109 Lb. acidophilus genomes (107 public genomes and 2 vaginal isolates). Putative probiotic-associated gene clusters were identified by functional annotation, categorized into functional modules, and compared among ecological-origin groups. Two vaginal isolates (strains A2 and A3) were characterized in vitro for growth under different pH conditions, cell surface hydrophobicity, lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide production, antimicrobial activity, hemolysis, and antimicrobial susceptibility. Results: The Lb. acidophilus pan-genome was closed, with 1782 of 1902 gene clusters (93.69%) classified as core. Thirty-six putative probiotic-associated gene clusters were identified and grouped into four modules: environmental tolerance, adhesion/colonization, exopolysaccharide/biofilm synthesis, and nutrient metabolism/microbial competition. Thirty-four of the 36 gene clusters were present in all 109 genomes, and no general ecological origin-specific distribution pattern was observed. Three bacteriocin-related gene clusters were conserved across all genomes. A2 and A3 exhibited similar lactic acid production and growth patterns at pH 4–6. Both produced relatively low amounts of hydrogen peroxide compared with the reference strains. A3 showed higher cell surface hydrophobicity and moderate inhibition against Gardnerella vaginalis, while A2 showed no inhibition of this organism. Both isolates were non-hemolytic, and were susceptible to vancomycin and linezolid, resistant to clindamycin, and non-susceptible to daptomycin. No acquired antibiotic resistance genes were detected. Conclusions: Most putative probiotic-associated gene clusters were conserved across the Lb. acidophilus population, whereas A2 and A3 showed strain-dependent phenotypic differences. These findings support combining population genomic analysis with strain-level phenotypic testing when selecting Lb. acidophilus candidates for bacterial vaginal infections. Full article

Despite the critical role of essential nutrients in maintaining overall health in freshwater organisms, the effects of nutritional deficiency remain largely unknown. This study investigated the biological and biochemical effects of single and combined deficiencies of boron (B), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), essential nutrients for physiological functions, in Daphnia magna. Biological responses included life-history parameters (survival, growth, and reproduction), while biochemical effects comprised catalase (CAT) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, as markers of oxidative stress and detoxification, respectively. B deficiency conditions significantly affected survival, growth, reproduction, and CAT activity, while Mg-deficient conditions were associated with significantly reduced survival, long-term growth, reproduction, and CAT activity. Under Ca-deficient conditions, the most severe responses were observed, including reduced survival, growth, reproduction and increased GST activity. Combined B omission with Ca or Mg also produced pronounced adverse responses compared with the corresponding single-nutrient deficiency conditions. Fluorescence imaging revealed treatment-dependent differences in B-associated fluorescence, consistent with differences in B availability. Impaired life-history traits and elevated GST activity suggest cellular stress or activation of detoxification processes associated with reduced organismal performance. The findings demonstrate that nutrient deficiencies act as chronic stressors, highlighting the ecological importance of essential nutrient scarcity in freshwater ecosystems. Full article

Crop production is continually exposed to a wide range of abiotic stresses that negatively affect growth and yield, posing a severe threat to global food security. Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) promote nutrient assimilation, activate antioxidant enzymes, and stimulate phytohormone production to mitigate abiotic stress. However, the effective application of PGPB in the field depends on host colonization, soil specificity, and susceptibility to competitive microbial communities. Recently, non-thermal plasma (NTP) has emerged as a revolutionary tool for sustainable agriculture, making it a priority to develop efficient, low-cost, and eco-friendly strategies to enhance seed vitality and manage abiotic stress. Plasma-generated reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) have been shown to mediate intracellular redox homeostasis and the antioxidant defense signaling network. Furthermore, plasma stimulates MAPK cascades and stress-responsive genes such as LEA1, SnRK2, P5C, and the SOS pathway, ionic balance, and membrane stability, ultimately supporting plant stress adaptation to drought, salinity, and heavy metals. Plasma-induced RONS signaling activates PGPB functional traits such as root colonization, biofilm formation, nutrient mobilization, and plant growth-promoting activities. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying NTP-PGPB microbial multiple stress adaptation and the long-term ecological stability and biosafety of microbial communities remain inadequately resolved. Consequently, future integration of multi-omics approaches, synthetic microbial communities, and field-scale validation is required to explore the mechanistic advances of plasma-modulated microbiome interactions to enable agricultural applications. Full article

Phoebe bournei is an economically and ecologically important woody species native to China. As a core component of colchicine-triggered polyploid breeding, the tubulin genes (TUA and TUB) have been identified and functionally analyzed in many plants, but not yet in P. bournei. Here, tubulin family members in P. bournei were identified through sequence alignment and subsequently characterized using comprehensive bioinformatic analyses. In particular, a total of six PbTUA and ten PbTUB members were identified and grouped into two and five subfamilies, respectively, according to phylogenetic relationships. Most tubulin proteins were small (414–522 aa) with predicted stability. Furthermore, 36 collinear gene pairs were identified, suggesting a possible contribution to the evolutionary expansion of this family. For different tissues, the expression levels of most tubulin genes were generally lower in leaves but higher in roots. Besides, treatment with 1.0% colchicine inhibited the expression of all 15 tubulin genes except PbTUB6. These results provide preliminary insights into tubulin genes associated with polyploid induction and supply candidate genes for future functional studies toward polyploid germplasm creation of P. bournei. Full article

Mining and smelting activities have accelerated the release of antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) into the environment, resulting in high ecological risks. Microorganisms are considered key drivers of Sb and As cycling. However, their effects on Sb/As transformation in antimony smelting soils remain poorly understood. In this study, an indigenous microbial consortium capable of oxidizing both Sb and As was obtained from antimony smelting soil and used to investigate the interactions between microorganisms and Sb-As co-contaminated soils. The results showed that the functional microbial consortium enhanced Sb and As release from the soil by increasing the system pH from 7.41 to 8.89, thereby promoting the dissolution of solid-phase Sb and As. The concentrations of total dissolved Sb and As reached 246.47 and 30.5 µmol L⁻¹ by day 16, respectively, and the released Sb(III) and As(III) were completely oxidized to Sb(V) and As(V). In the abiotic control, the corresponding concentrations of total dissolved Sb and As were 95.89 and 12.08 µmol L⁻¹, respectively, with an As(III) concentration of 3.54 µmol L⁻¹. Sequential extraction results revealed that microbial activity altered the speciation distribution of Sb and As in soils, decreasing the proportions of easily exchangeable and specifically surface-bound fractions while increasing the residual fractions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis further showed that, compared with the original soil, the functional microbial consortium increased the proportions of Sb(V) and As(V) in the solid phase from 34.79% to 40.54% and from 9.53% to 15.96%, respectively, suggesting that microbial activity might promote the precipitation of Sb(V) and As(V), thereby facilitating the re-immobilization of a fraction of the released Sb and As. Furthermore, the succession of microbial communities during the interaction process was investigated. The release of Sb and As from soil increased the abundance of microorganisms related to Sb/As metabolism. Spearman correlation analysis suggested that Arenimonas, Luteimonas, Arthrobacter, and Brevundimonas were likely involved in Sb(III)/As(III) oxidation, whereas Devosia and Aminobacter contributed to the elevation of system pH. This study provides insights into the microbial-mediated transformation, migration, and oxidation of Sb and As in soils. Full article

Confronted with severe global challenges, including water scarcity, excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and heavy metal contamination in soils, conventional agricultural technologies exhibit marked limitations in integrated water–fertilizer management and non-point source pollution control. Leveraging their excellent water retention capacity, intelligent sustained-release properties, and environmental responsiveness, hydrogels offer innovative solutions to advance sustainable agricultural development. This review comprehensively outlines the fundamental types, crosslinking mechanisms, and key functional properties of hydrogels, with a focused discussion on their agricultural deployment as high-efficiency soil conditioners, fertilizer vectors, and pesticide carriers; it deciphers the microscopic water-holding mechanisms under the tristate water model, delineates the divergent water-uptake and retention behaviors between ionic and non-ionic hydrogels, and clarifies the cyclic water-holding and release mechanisms of hydrogels during soil amelioration. Thise paper further synthesizes hydrogel-enabled environmental remediation applications, in which heavy metals and pesticide residues in soils and aquatic systems are removed via functional-group coordination adsorption or photocatalytic degradation; concurrently, hydrogels have been shown to activate plant systemic immunity through calcium-signaling pathways, thereby inducing broad-spectrum antiviral defense responses. Moreover, hydrogels can be integrated into precision agriculture frameworks to enable real-time monitoring of crop physiological status and to support targeted irrigation and fertilization management. This work also evaluates the role of hydrogels in promoting seed germination, root system development, crop metabolic regulation, and stress resilience, while introducing tailored application strategies across distinct plant growth stages. Their documented economic advantages include water conservation, enhanced crop yields, reduced dependence on synthetic fertilizers, and lower labor costs. Nevertheless, the large-scale implementation of hydrogels continues to face multifaceted challenges—particularly poor degradability and latent ecological risks, as conventional polyacrylamide (PAM)-based gels resist soil mineralization and retain potentially neurotoxic monomers, leaving a critical gap in multi-annual field data concerning their non-target interference with native soil aggregate evolution, pore distribution, and rhizospheric carbon–nitrogen footprints. Mechanistically, many hydrogels with tensile strengths below 1 MPa are highly susceptible to three-dimensional network collapse under high-salinity osmotic shock and tillage mechanical stress, exhibiting a precipitous drop in water retention after more than three wet–dry cycles due to deficient long-term structural stability. Compounding these technical gaps are elevated production costs and low farmer adoption, driven by the absence of texture-specific performance thresholds—such as an available water increment ≥ 40% for sandy soils—and the lack of established life-cycle cost models and farmer incentive mechanisms for bio-based hydrogels. Moving forward, hydrogel technology should pivot toward materials innovation and cost-reduction engineering to broaden its applicability, employ ≥3-year, multi-habitat regional trials to delineate ecological benefit–risk boundaries, and ultimately position hydrogels as pivotal enablers of sustainable, green agricultural paradigms. Full article

Mediterranean extensive green roofs are increasingly recognized as Nature-based Solutions for climate adaptation and urban sustainability, yet plant selection remains largely based on a limited set of drought-tolerant species. This review critically evaluates the biodiversity, biogeographical composition, and performance of plant species tested on Mediterranean extensive green roofs. A systematic analysis of 118 studies published between 2010 and 2025 identified 340 taxa belonging to 48 families, while species-level performance data were extracted from 92 studies. Research effort was strongly concentrated in Italy, Greece, and Spain, revealing significant geographical biases across the Mediterranean Basin. The species pool was dominated by chamaephytes and succulent taxa, particularly Crassulaceae, whereas Mediterranean endemics were underrepresented. Although native species accounted for most occurrence records, more than half of the tested taxa belonged to extra-Mediterranean chorotypes, indicating only partial geographical coherence. Performance assessments focused primarily on survival, growth, and drought tolerance, whereas reproduction, biodiversity outcomes, and ecosystem services were rarely evaluated. Several Mediterranean native species, including Helichrysum italicum, Salvia officinalis, Origanum dictamnus, and Crithmum maritimum, showed performance comparable to that of commonly used Sedum species, highlighting the potential of underutilized regional flora. The review supports a shift from establishment-based plant selection toward ecologically coherent approaches that integrate biodiversity, biogeographical affinity, ecosystem functioning, and long-term resilience. Full article

Globally, physical activity is increasingly acknowledged as an effective strategy for combating non-communicable diseases (NCDs). However, there is a significant global disparity in the integration of sport sciences graduates (SSGs) into national health systems. This study assessed the professional roles of SSGs within healthcare systems and their association with NCD mortality across (n = 34) countries that met the selection criteria, using a cross-national, ecological, and cross-sectional design. Principal component analysis was conducted to reduce the dimensions of the correlated structural indicators. A pre-specified generalized linear model (Gamma family, log link) with HC3 robust standard errors estimated the association between SSG integration and age-standardized NCD mortality, alongside a descriptive analysis of public funding (national or subnational) for SSG services. The findings indicate that integrating SSGs into primary care was associated with approximately 23% lower age-standardized NCD mortality (rate ratio 0.77, 95% CI 0.63–0.94, p = 0.011; approximately 16% to 23% across model specifications) after adjusting for demographic and economic factors, with near-universal public funding (100% of integrated versus 24% of other countries; Fisher’s exact p < 0.001). To our knowledge, this is the first cross-national analysis to link the functional integration of SSGs into primary care with population NCD mortality, and this relationship remained consistent across multiple robustness checks. The implications suggest that functional integration and its public funding may represent promising policy approaches for strengthening preventive health services. Given the ecological, cross-sectional design, longitudinal studies are warranted to establish causality. Full article

Background: Bauhiniavariegata is a plant with considerable application potential owing to its combined ornamental, edible, aromatic, and medicinal values. However, research on this species remains limited and superficial both domestically and internationally, and systematic investigation of floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is still lacking. Methods: Through integrated metabolome and transcriptome analyses. Results: This study first comprehensively characterizes the VOC composition, floral scent profile, key aroma components, and the molecular mechanisms underlying VOC variation during anthesis in floral buds and flowers of B. variegata. A total of 1214 volatile compounds were identified across buds and flowers, including 239 odor-active compounds and 35 differential odor-active compounds. Flavor statistics revealed that the floral scent profile of B. variegata is dominated by fruity, sweet, floral, green, woody, herbal, citrus, phenol, fresh, and spicy notes. Compared to floral buds, most differential odor-active compounds were markedly upregulated in flowers, including key floral aroma constituents such as phenylacetaldehyde, rose oxide, (Z)-β-ocimene, 2-methylbenzaldehyde, and melon heptenal. Conversely, (R)-(+)-citronellal, which possesses defensive functions, and the bitter-tasting compound 1-methyl-4-nitro-benzene were significantly downregulated in flowers, reflecting a shift from a defense-oriented mode at the bud stage to an attraction-oriented mode at anthesis. Upregulation of phenylalanine/histidine ammonia-lyase, acyl-CoA synthetase, and squalene synthetase genes and downregulation of copper amine oxidase, O-methyltransferase, and aldo–keto reductase genes synergistically promoted accumulation of floral aroma compounds such as phenylacetaldehyde and facilitated the floral transition. Conclusions: This study provides important data support for understanding the ecological interactions between B. variegata floral scent and its pollinators, as well as the molecular mechanisms governing floral scent formation. Furthermore, it contributes to the application of B. variegata in landscaping, edible flower utilization, and fragrance development. Full article

Traditional evaluations of ecological restoration in mining lands have long been dominated by above ground vegetation metrics, such as coverage and community diversity. Yet in arid and semi-arid mining regions, soil hydrology recovery is key, as soil organic carbon (SOC) and bulk density (BD) are critical factors affecting soil hydrology. However, their thresholds for water holding capacity and infiltration remain unclear. Therefore, this study determined the SOC and BD thresholds and evaluated the hydrological trends across them. The study was in a Loess Plateau coal reclamation area. Five restoration types and one reference forest were selected, and soil samples were collected from the 0–10 cm layer. Redundancy analysis (RDA), partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS–SEM), and the threshold regression model were used for analysis. Results show the following: (1) Vegetation indirectly controls soil hydrology via soil structure and chemical properties (RDA: 76.04%). BD limited water holding capacity (path coefficient: −0.908), while chemical properties promoted infiltration (path coefficient: 0.397). (2) Soil hydrological recovery exhibits non-linear threshold responses. The SOC thresholds for water holding capacity and infiltration were 9.52 g/kg and 5.93 g/kg, respectively, while the BD thresholds were 0.93 g/cm³ and 1.03 g/cm³. The reclamation of soil hydrological functions in mining lands follows a two-stage mechanism. First, control by carbon accumulation, then follow by structural dominance. During the early stage, soil organic carbon (SOC) buildup quickly boosts hydrological performance by promoting aggregate formation. However, once the system nears its functional threshold, simply adding more carbon gives limited returns. At this stage, breaking through physical constraints becomes vital to overcoming the bottleneck. Above-ground metrics alone cannot capture below-ground ecosystem functional trajectories. Consequently, a dynamic strategy centered on SOC and BD is proposed. Full article

Cropland use stability is vital for sustaining the productive and ecological functions of cropland. Existing multidimensional assessment frameworks rarely distinguish between quantity change and spatial change, nor do they examine their interactions across hierarchical scales. Using annual 30 m land cover data for Guangdong Province, China (1990–2024), this study developed a two-dimensional stability framework integrating quantity and spatial indicators, using a pixel-tracking strategy applied within each five-year interval to capture interannual dynamics. Analyses were conducted at provincial, agricultural zone, and city scales. Results showed that provincial stability exhibited a fluctuating upward trajectory, with the lowest point in 2005–2009. Regional patterns diverged markedly, and city-level stability exhibited spatial heterogeneity, with pronounced disparities between high- and low-stability cities. Grade transition and quadrant analyses further revealed that quantity and spatial stability do not always move in tandem, and single-dimension assessments may provide an incomplete picture of cropland use stability. These findings suggest that incorporating both dimensions into monitoring frameworks could support more differentiated cropland management strategies. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the effects of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) on the physicochemical properties and enzyme activities of coal gangue-based soils, focusing on how different application rates influence soil indicators and enzyme functions for ecological restoration. Soil samples with varying weathering ages were collected from a coal gangue pile, and a pot experiment was conducted with five γ-PGA treatments (0–43.2 g dissolved in 300 mL water). Soil pH, electrical conductivity, nutrient contents, aggregate composition, and enzyme activities (urease and sucrase) were measured, and redundancy analysis (RDA) was applied to evaluate the relationships between soil properties and enzyme activities. γ-PGA rapidly increased soil pH and altered conductivity trends. Its effects on organic matter, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were complex and dependent on both dosage and time. Optimal γ-PGA addition enhanced organic matter and nitrogen transformation, increased potassium availability, and modified water-stable aggregate distribution. Enzyme activities were significantly affected by γ-PGA dosage, exhibiting distinct initial levels and temporal trends across soils of different weathering ages. RDA revealed clear differentiation in soil properties under different treatments, with enzyme impacts evolving over time. DFT results revealed a distinct valence-dominated ion-binding hierarchy, with trivalent cations (Al³⁺, Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺) showing the strongest affinity, followed by divalent cations and monovalent ions/oxyanions. Overall, γ-PGA markedly improves the quality of coal gangue-based soils, providing theoretical guidance and practical reference for ecological restoration and soil management strategies. Full article

Hymenoptera play important ecological roles in agroecosystems as parasitoids, predators, and pollinators. This study investigated the species composition and diversity of Hymenoptera in a conventionally managed pummelo (Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr.) orchard in Xishuangbanna, Yunnan Province, China, from February 2025 to February 2026. A total of 8446 specimens were collected using Malaise traps and sweep netting, belonging to 11 superfamilies, 37 families, and 191 morphospecies. The community was dominated by parasitoids (140 morphospecies, 73.30%), followed by predators (30 morphospecies, 15.71%), pollinators (18 morphospecies, 9.42%), and phytophagous gall-inducers (3 morphospecies, 1.57%). Ichneumonoidea (42 morphospecies, 21.99%), Chalcidoidea (35 morphospecies, 18.32%), Vespoidea (30 morphospecies, 15.71%) and Apoidea (28 morphospecies, 14.66%) were the dominant superfamilies, collectively accounting for 70.68% of all morphospecies. At the family level, Ichneumonidae (25 morphospecies), Braconidae (17 morphospecies), Bethylidae (13 morphospecies), and Pompilidae and Scelionidae (11 morphospecies each) were the most morphospecies-rich families. Shannon–Wiener diversity was higher at the family level (H′ = 2.9340) than at the superfamily level (H′ = 2.0302), indicating greater heterogeneity at a finer taxonomic resolution. These results demonstrate that the surveyed pummelo orchard in Xishuangbanna harbors a species-rich and functionally diverse hymenopteran community with substantial potential for biological pest control and pollination services. Full article

Accidents between vehicles and wildlife (WVCs) represent a complex management challenge, requiring integrated strategies that balance biodiversity conservation with public security and socio-ecological resilience. However, existing GIS hotspot analyses often identify spatial patterns without quantifying the structural landscape drivers that compel animal–road interactions. This study aims to identify “ecological traps” through an integrated landscape diagnostic framework combining Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) for statistical hotspot identification and landscape metrics (FRAGSTATS) for structural diagnosis, using the wild boar (Sus scrofa) as a focal species. An exploratory case analysis of high-collision locations was conducted, utilizing a high-quality dataset of 161 precisely georeferenced incidents recorded between 2015 and 2020 within the most critical municipalities of the Province of Avellino (Southern Italy). Results highlight two primary hotspots: the Guardia Lombardi-Conza corridor and the Avellino Nord-Pratola Serra axis. Quantitative analysis reveals that 39.1% of incidents occurred in non-irrigated arable lands and 19.9% in broad-leaved forests, with 52.8% of events situated within 500 m of river systems, which function as primary ecological movement corridors. Furthermore, fragmentation indices (Patch Density, Edge Density) were significantly higher in these focus areas, confirming that habitat isolation and the loss of core patches force animals to traverse infrastructure. These findings underscore the urgency of evidence-based spatial planning, offering a methodological framework with potential applicability for prioritizing mitigation actions, such as ecological corridors and intelligent signaling, to enhance the resilience of socio-ecological systems. This framework provides a scalable model for sustainable land management, ensuring that biodiversity conservation is integrated into long-term infrastructure governance. Full article

We introduce the Soil–Plant Coupling Principle (SPCP), a conceptual framework proposing that ecosystem stability emerges from the integrity of biological interactions rather than the condition of individual ecosystem components. Although current ecological assessments primarily rely on soil properties, plant performance, and microbial diversity, growing evidence indicates that ecosystems can remain apparently functional while progressively losing the coordination among processes that sustain resilience. This gap limits the ability of conventional diagnostics to capture interactional changes underlying early ecosystem vulnerability. Unlike ecosystem multifunctionality and resilience, which primarily describe the provision of multiple functions and the capacity to resist or recover from disturbance, respectively, SPCP focuses on the coordination among the processes that sustain these functions and resilience. SPCP reframes ecosystem degradation as progressive decoupling among carbon allocation, nutrient cycling, hydrological processes, and microbial interactions at the soil–plant interface. By integrating recent advances in soil ecology, plant physiology, microbiome science, ecological networks, and biogeochemistry, the framework provides a unified conceptual basis for understanding how interactional connectivity regulates ecosystem resilience. The objectives of this Perspective are to: (i) establish the theoretical basis for viewing ecosystem stability through soil–plant coupling; (ii) define the core dimensions of coupling integrity; and (iii) outline how coupling integrity could be operationalized using structural, functional, and interaction-based indicators. We further discuss the potential of coupling integrity as an early-warning property and identify key limitations and research needs for testing and validating the framework. By proposing an integrative and potentially testable framework, the manuscript provides a new lens for understanding ecosystem vulnerability and resilience across scales. Full article