Search Results (926)

This study systematically compared the structural, functional, pathogenic, and assembly-mechanism characteristics of bacterial communities between urban and rural rivers across China, based on integrated water quality data from 421 sampling sites and 16S rRNA gene sequences from 475 sampling sites. The results revealed that urban rivers had significantly higher nutrient concentrations and bacterial α-diversity, along with lower β-diversity. Urban rivers were enriched with organic matter-degrading phyla such as Chloroflexi and Acidobacteriota and might exhibit more complex co-occurrence networks (average degree: 85.41). In contrast, rural rivers were enriched with phyla including Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria, as well as genera such as Exiguobacterium and Limnohabitans, and might display higher network modularity (modularity: 0.59) and greater spatial heterogeneity in community composition. Functional prediction indicated stronger carbon-cycling potential in urban rivers, whereas nitrogen-cycling functions did not differ between the two river types. Regarding pathogen composition, urban rivers contained a higher number of pathogen species than rural rivers. It was suggested that stochastic processes dominated community assembly in both systems; however, heterogeneous selection contributed more strongly in urban rivers (14.7%). Overall, this work elucidated systematic differences in bacterial community structure, function, pathogen profile, and assembly mechanisms between urban and rural rivers, offering a scientific foundation for differentiated watershed management. Full article

Endotoxemia represents a life-threatening clinical disorder driven by an aberrant host immune response to pathogenic infection, often resulting in severe multiple organ dysfunction. Among its most devastating complications are acute lung injury (ALI) and endotoxemia-associated encephalopathy (EAE), both of which are associated with elevated mortality and currently lack effective targeted interventions. This study evaluated the therapeutic efficacy and underlying molecular mechanisms of recombinant human thymosin β4 (rhTβ4) in a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced endotoxemia. Our results showed that treatment with rhTβ4 markedly enhanced survival rates and diminished the systemic overproduction of diverse proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in endotoxemic mice. These systemic protective actions were achieved through the inhibition of the TLR4/NF-κB signaling cascade, the reduction in M1 macrophage polarization, and the simultaneous alleviation of mitochondrial impairment and oxidative stress. Moreover, rhTβ4 treatment significantly rescued EAE-related cognitive deficits and attenuated neuronal damage, primarily through the suppression of neuroinflammation and microglial overactivation. Integrative transcriptomic profiling and functional assays identified lysophosphatidic acid receptor 3 (LPAR3) as an important contributor, suggesting that rhTβ4 suppresses microglial-mediated neurotoxicity at least in part through LPAR3 downregulation. In conclusion, rhTβ4 confers robust multi-organ protection against endotoxemic injury by orchestrating the inhibition of systemic and central neuroinflammatory cascades, positioning it as a promising candidate for the treatment of endotoxemia-induced ALI and EAE. Full article

Bergamot essential oil (BEO) has demonstrated antidepressant potential, but its oral application is limited by poor water solubility and undesirable organoleptic properties. In this study, a BEO-loaded beverage was developed based on a whey protein-stabilized oil-in-water emulsion system. The optimal formulation, determined via single-factor experiments combined with orthogonal optimization, consisted of inulin (0.5 g/50 g), milk powder (2.0 g/50 g), sucralose (0.008 g/50 g), and sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (0.04 g/50 g). The resulting beverage remained stable without visible phase separation during 4 months of storage at 4 °C. In a chronic corticosterone treatment (CCT)-induced mouse model of depression, oral administration of the BEO beverage increased activity in the central area of the open field test and exploratory behavior in the elevated plus maze, while reducing repetitive stereotyped behaviors in the marble burying test. At the molecular level, the BEO beverage was associated with reduced levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and corticosteroid (CORT), and increased levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), serotonin (5-HT), dopamine (DA), and norepinephrine (NE). Additionally, the BEO beverage was associated with observed alleviation of neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA3 region, upregulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), improved gut microbial diversity, and altered host metabolic profiles. Collectively, these findings suggest that the BEO emulsion beverage is a feasible intervention for alleviating depression-like behaviors in the mouse model, and provide initial associative evidence supporting its potential as a functional food for mood management. Full article

Soil nematodes are integral to soil micro-food webs and serve as sensitive bioindicators of soil ecological condition. However, how forest vegetation and soil properties interact to shape nematode community assembly, network structure, and functional stability remains inadequately understood. Using 18S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing coupled with phylogenetic null modeling, we examined soil nematode communities across four forest types along a succession gradient. Although taxonomic diversity (e.g., Shannon and Pielou indices) differed significantly among forest types, network topology and stochastic assembly processes were more closely associated with community restructuring and co-occurrence patterns. This suggests that, while diversity is not irrelevant, network- and assembly-based metrics provide complementary and often more sensitive indicators of nematode community responses to forest type. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that mixed forests fostered more complex and potentially stable networks, whereas plantations formed dense but potentially vulnerable networks. Assembly processes were not dominated by strong deterministic selection (|βNTI| ≤ 2 for most comparisons), a pattern consistent with undominated processes (e.g., ecological drift, weak environmental filtering). Dispersal limitation played a negligible role in this system. Partial Least Square Path Modeling identified spatial factors and key soil properties (e.g., pH, electrical conductivity, soil water content, and organic carbon) as primary drivers of community structure. Our findings indicate that assessing soil food web health should integrate network analysis and stochasticity metrics rather than rely solely on taxonomic diversity. For sustainable forest management, mixed-species stands are preferable to monoculture plantations, and maintaining soil physicochemical heterogeneity is critical for community stability. Full article

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are fundamental to viral replication, regulating processes such as assembly, genome packaging, and virion maturation. Despite their biological importance, these interactions remain challenging to study and are relatively underexploited as therapeutic targets. Split reporter systems, based on protein-fragment complementation, provide quantitative platforms to measure PPIs by reconstituting reporter activity when interacting protein partners are brought into proximity. These systems can be applied in vitro and in live cells which enables detection of dynamic and multimeric interactions in physiologically relevant contexts. Major classes of split reporter systems include β-lactamase, alkaline phosphatase, luciferase-based platforms, green fluorescent protein, and horseradish peroxidase. Assay performance depends on factors such as fusion protein stability, expression levels, and reporter kinetics, which influence sensitivity, dynamic range, and reliability. These approaches have been applied to study viral protein interactions across diverse systems, including HIV-1 matrix and nucleocapsid proteins, flaviviral capsid proteins, hepatitis B virus core protein, and chikungunya virus capsid. Split reporter assays also enable high-throughput screening for small-molecule inhibitors that disrupt viral PPIs and multimerization. This provides a functional readout linked to viral replication. Despite the challenges that exist in assay optimization and protein stability, the sensitivity and versatility of these systems provide a framework to interrogate viral protein interactions and support the development of antiviral therapeutics.: Full article

This study evaluated the effects of replacing whole-crop maize silage with varying proportions of Pennisetum giganteum silage on rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and metabolic function in beef cattle. A single-factor completely randomized design was employed using 50 healthy crossbred Simmental cattle aged 11–12 months (average body weight: 251.08 ± 51.54 kg). Animals were randomly assigned to five groups, with 10 replicates per group and one animal per replicate. Diets contained 0% (Group A), 25% (Group B), 50% (Group C), 75% (Group D), or 100% (Group E) Pennisetum giganteum silage replacing whole-crop maize silage over a 67-day feeding period, including a 7-day adaptation phase. Rumen fluid samples were collected via rumen catheter at the end of the trial to assess bacterial diversity and functional characteristics. Increasing the proportion of Pennisetum giganteum silage resulted in quadratic changes in volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and propionate (PA) concentrations (p < 0.05), while ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N) increased linearly (p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in α- or β-diversity among groups (p > 0.05). Group C exhibited significantly higher relative abundances of Verrucomicrobiota and Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). At the phylum level, Proteobacteria increased linearly, whereas Spirochaetota decreased linearly; at the genus level, Treponema decreased linearly (p < 0.05). LEfSe analysis indicated enrichment of g__Prevotellaceae_UCG_003 and o__WCHB1_41 in Group C, while the relative abundances of f__Enterobacteriaceae and g__Citrobacter were elevated in Group E. Under the conditions of this study, replacing 50% of whole-crop maize silage with Pennisetum giganteum silage enhanced rumen fermentation efficiency and modulated key microbial populations in beef cattle. Full article

Galectins are a family of proteins that belong to one of the most widespread classes of lectins found in all organisms. They are found intracellularly in various structures or secreted into the extracellular space, where they are involved in mediating cellular biological processes such as growth, function, interaction and response. They are known for their ability to bind to carbohydrates, specifically those containing beta-galactose. This narrative review outlines the human galectins, emphasizing Galectin-3, a β-galactoside-binding protein with numerous pleiotropic regulatory activities; it mediates various biological processes. Galectin-3 is an extensively studied member due to its broad implications in health and disease and we highlight the need for deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms and clinical implications of Galectin-3 as well as the context-dependent mechanisms through which Galectin-3 influences diverse physiological and pathological processes. Literature syntheses and scientific research, as well as clinical and experimental studies, were investigated regarding the biological and pathophysiological actions and implications of Galectin-3 in diseases. The study presents the structure, characteristics, roles, activities, and proinflammatory actions (as a mediator) and anti-inflammatory actions (as a modulator) of Galectin-3, as well as the main groups of diseases in which it is involved or associated with cardiovascular diseases, cancer, organ fibrosis, and metabolic diseases. The results emphasized the potential of Galectin-3 as an important molecule and highlighted the necessity for further research to improve its approach. This narrative review provides new insights into identifying its functions and the future development and rational design of Galectin-3-directed research strategies. Full article

Calycosin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (CG), a bioactive compound extracted from the traditional Chinese herb Astragalus (AR), exhibits diverse biological activities, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects, and has shown protective properties in ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury. While previous studies have demonstrated that CG mitigates I/R injury primarily through its anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory actions, its potential role in promoting neuroregeneration—a critical process for stroke recovery—remains unclear, and the underlying mechanisms have yet to be elucidated. In this study, an ischemic stroke model was established in rats via middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Seven days after CG treatment, cerebral infarct volume was assessed using triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, while neurological function was evaluated through behavioral tests. Nissl staining and Bielschowsky silver staining were employed to examine neuronal damage and axonal loss, and immunofluorescence was used to assess axonal regeneration. The expression of key proteins in the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway was analyzed by Western blotting (WB) and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). CG treatment significantly reduced infarct volume, promoted axonal regeneration, improved neurological outcomes, and modulated the expression of RGMa, Rho, ROCK, and CRMP2. Collectively, these findings provide the first evidence that CG facilitates axonal regeneration and neurological recovery after cerebral ischemia, at least in part by inhibiting activation of the Rho/ROCK pathway, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic agent for ischemic stroke. Full article

Cadmium (Cd) is a persistent environmental pollutant that poses a significant health risk to humans and animals, with acute exposure known to induce kidney injury. Fucoidan (Fc), a natural bioactive polysaccharide derived from brown algae, exhibits diverse biological activities; however, its potential to protect against Cd-induced kidney damage and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of Fc on Cd-induced renal injury in vitro and further explored the role of transcription factor EB (TFEB) in regulating autophagy in its protective mechanism. Our results demonstrate that in Cd-exposed porcine kidney cells (PK-15), Fc suppressed the expression of renal inflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-1β) and kidney injury markers (NGAL, NTN-1, KIM-1), reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and downregulated apoptosis-related proteins (cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9). Mechanistically, Fc upregulated TFEB protein expression, enhanced the levels of lysosomal function-related proteins (Cathepsin B, CTSB; Cathepsin D, CTSD), and reversed Cd-induced autophagic flux blockade. Importantly, TFEB silencing abolished the protective effects of Fc. Collectively, these findings suggest that Fc exerts renoprotective effects against Cd-induced injury by restoring autophagic flux, a process that involves TFEB. Full article

Background: The gut microbiome contributes to immune–metabolic homeostasis through microbial-derived metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). However, whether early disruption of the gut microbiome–SCFA axis identifies impaired clinical recovery in pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) patients remains unclear. Biological markers reflecting the recovery trajectory beyond conventional severity scores remain poorly characterized in pediatric critical illness. We therefore investigated whether early microbiome disruption and fecal SCFA profiles are associated with recovery trajectory in critically ill children. Methods: In this prospective observational study (N = 26), fecal samples were collected within 5 days of PICU admission. Microbial diversity was assessed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (Shannon index), and fecal SCFAs were quantified using targeted metabolomics. Disease severity was assessed using the Pediatric Index of Mortality 3 (PIM3). The primary outcome was PICU length of stay (LOS) as a pragmatic indicator of metabolic and functional recovery trajectory in critically ill children. Results: Younger age and higher disease severity showed a trend toward reduced microbial diversity (β = 0.066, p = 0.089, and β = −0.054, p = 0.089). Early loss of gut microbial diversity was associated with reduced fecal butyric acid concentrations (r = 0.440, p = 0.024). Importantly, lower microbial diversity in the early sampling window showed a significant inverse correlation with PICU LOS (ρ = −0.428, p = 0.029), whereas fecal butyric acid alone was not directly associated with LOS (p = 0.321). In multivariable regression models adjusting for age, disease severity, and clinical exposures, microbial diversity showed a consistent inverse association with PICU LOS, although statistical significance was not reached. Conclusions: Early disruption of the gut microbiome–SCFA axis, characterized by reduced microbial diversity and lower fecal butyrate, showed trend-level associations with delayed clinical recovery in this pilot cohort. Gut microbial ecosystem integrity may serve as a biologically relevant marker of recovery trajectory beyond conventional severity scoring. Full article

The morphological structure and connectivity of river systems are critical to ecological functions, water resource allocation, and disaster prevention in watersheds. This study applies an integrated approach combining morphological analysis, graph theory, landscape ecology, and complex network theory to analyze and optimize the river network structure of the Baiyangdian basin. The results showed significant structural improvements from 2014 to 2025: river network density (Dr) increased from 0.0335 to 0.1443 km/km², and river frequency (Fr) rose from 0.0015 to 0.0132 rivers/km². Connectivity indices also exhibited an overall increasing trend: circuitry (α) increased from −0.05 to 0.03, the edge–node ratio (β) from 0.90 to 1.06, and network connectivity (γ) from 0.30 to 0.35. Spatial analysis further identified a clear gradient of node importance: peripheral nodes showed low centrality, while critical nodes were predominantly concentrated along the South-to-North Water Diversion Project (SNWD) corridor. Optimization based on the 2025 baseline further improved network connectivity, with corresponding increases in connectivity metrics. These findings provide scientific support for integrated water management and climate-adaptive planning in the Baiyangdian basin. Full article

Mitochondrial RNA (mtRNA) modifications have emerged as critical regulators of pancreatic β-cell bioenergetics, influencing glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) and the early pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM). This review synthesizes current evidence on the diversity, mechanisms, and functional implications of mtRNA modifications—such as N6-methyladenosine (m6A), 5-methylcytosine (m5C), pseudouridine (Ψ), and 5-formylcytosine (f5C)—within β-cell mitochondria. These chemical marks, installed and recognized by specific writer, eraser, and reader proteins, regulate mitochondrial translation, oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex assembly, and redox balance. Defects in mtRNA modification machinery, exemplified by β-cell-specific knockout of TFB1M, MRM2, or PUS1, impair ribosome biogenesis, disrupt ATP production, and precipitate insulin secretory failure, as demonstrated in human islets, rodent models, and monogenic diabetes syndromes. Advances in epitranscriptomic mapping technologies—including nanopore direct RNA sequencing, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP)-seq, and mass spectrometry—have enabled high-resolution profiling of mtRNA modification landscapes under physiological and diabetic conditions, revealing their dynamic regulation in response to metabolic stress. Furthermore, mtRNA modifications interact with environmental stressors, such as oxidative damage and toxic metals, modulating β-cell vulnerability via pathways like the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (UPRmt). Therapeutically, modulation of RNA-modifying enzymes or restoration of specific chemical marks holds promise for preserving β-cell function, with potential applications in early diagnosis, risk stratification, and precision medicine approaches for DM. Despite substantial progress, critical gaps remain in understanding the interplay between mtRNA modifications, mitochondrial-nuclear crosstalk, and β-cell plasticity. Addressing these gaps will be pivotal for translating mtRNA biology into novel biomarkers and targeted interventions for early-stage diabetes. Full article

Quercus variabilis is one of the primary species for plantation regeneration across China’s warm-temperate and subtropical zones. However, its long-term monoculture leads to ecosystem instability. Soil fungi are essential for nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning, yet their responses to oak-dominated mixed plantations remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the soil fungal communities among Q. variabilis monoculture (QV), mixed plantations of Q. variabilis and Platycladus orientalis (PO), Q. variabilis and Pinus tabuliformis (PT), and Q. variabilis, P. orientalis and P. tabuliformis (PPQ). The results showed that PO and PPQ plantations contained significantly higher concentrations of SOC, TN, and TP compared to QV monoculture. Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were identified as the dominant fungal phyla across four plantation types, with PO exhibiting the highest relative abundance of Ascomycota (60.85%) and fungal alpha diversity. The soil fungal communities across all plantations were predominantly saprotrophic, followed by mixotrophic modes. The relative abundance of saprotrophic fungi was significantly greater in the mixed plantations, peaking in PO at 44.69%. The soil fungal communities in both PO and PPQ plantations exhibited higher network interaction density. The SOC, TN, TP, water content, zinc, and β-glucosidase activity served as key environmental drivers of fungal community composition. Overall, the mixed plantation of Q. variabilis and P. orientalis most effectively improved soil fertility, enhanced fungal diversity, and increased network complexity, suggesting its potential as a sustainable afforestation strategy for oak-dominated ecosystems in the low hilly regions of western Henan. However, these findings are based on a single sampling period, and long-term monitoring is required to confirm its sustained ecological benefits. Full article

In this study, a homogeneous polysaccharide, designated as PFP-80, was isolated from the dried root of Polygonatum filipes using enzymatic extraction combined with graded ethanol precipitation. Structural characterization suggested that PFP-80 was a fructan polysaccharide with a molecular weight of 4.06 kDa. The analysis with gas chromatograph–mass spectrometer (GC–MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) further confirmed that PFP-80 consisted of →1)-β-D-Fruf-(2→ and →1,6)-β-D-Fruf-(2→ linkages, with branching occurring at the O-6 position. After 48 h of fermentation, the pH was decreased while SCFAs were increased significantly due to the utilization of PFP-80. Furthermore, PFP-80 was found to modulate the gut microbiota by enhancing microbial abundance and diversity, and by impeding the growth of deleterious pathogens such as Ruminococcus gnavus. In summary, the present results provide a scientific basis for the subsequent development of PFP-derived functional food products. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are integral components of plant signaling networks that mediate interactions between plants and their environment, thereby regulating diverse physiological and biochemical processes. While controlled ROS production is essential for stress perception and signal transduction, excessive ROS accumulation induces oxidative damage. ROS-mediated lipid peroxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids leads to the formation of highly electrophilic α,β-unsaturated carbonyl compounds collectively referred to as reactive carbonyl species (RCS). Under severe abiotic stress conditions, excessive RCS accumulation exerts cytotoxic effects and causes widespread cellular dysfunction. In contrast, at subtoxic levels, RCS function as important secondary messengers that modulate stress-responsive signaling pathways, including programmed cell death, stomatal regulation, and adaptive responses to abiotic stresses. This review critically synthesizes current advances in understanding the dual roles of ROS and RCS as both damaging agents and signaling molecules in plants. Particular emphasis is placed on the mechanistic basis of ROS-RCS crosstalk and their interactions in abiotic stress tolerance. Furthermore, this review highlights emerging research gaps and outlines future perspectives aimed at translating redox signaling insights into strategies for improving plant stress resilience under changing environmental conditions. Full article