Search Results (247)

Interspecies variability in diabetes mellitus (DM) represents a critical challenge for translational medicine, as metabolic pathways, pancreatic architecture, and therapeutic responses differ substantially across animal models. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesized evidence from 86 eligible studies published between 2001 and 2025. Comparative data from rodents, dogs, cats, pigs, non-human primates, and humans were analyzed to identify species-specific patterns in insulin secretion, insulin resistance (IR), β-cell dysfunction, microbiota–metabolism interactions, and susceptibility to diabetic complications. Results indicate that spontaneous diabetes in dogs closely mirrors human type 1 diabetes (T1DM), whereas feline obesity-associated diabetes reflects key features of human type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Rodent models remain essential for mechanistic and genetic studies but show limited chronicity and lower predictive fidelity for long-term outcomes. Non-human primates exhibit the highest physiological similarity to humans, especially regarding β-cell structure and incretin response, supporting their role in advanced translational studies. Major limitations included methodological heterogeneity and inconsistent molecular reporting. Integrating spontaneous models with standardized protocols and multi-omics approaches enhances translational relevance and supports more accurate model selection in diabetes research. Full article

Background: Chronic insomnia is associated with elevated cardiovascular disease risk, and current therapeutic options for this condition remain inadequate. Melatonin (MT) combined with cannabidiol (CBD) may exert synergistic effects on improving sleep; the underlying pharmacological drug–drug interactions (DDI) and interspecies differences in their combined actions remain unknown. Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the pharmacokinetic characteristics of combined drug formulations by utilizing DDI-based approaches so as to underpin the efficacy and safety of the formulation. Methods: Overexpressing hPEPT1 in MDCK cells, multiple species liver microsomes, equilibrium dialysis, and a static DDI model were employed to assess CBD’s effects on MT’s cellular uptake, inhibitory effect, enzymatic phenotype, protein binding, and human AUC changes. Results: CBD significantly increased MT exposure in dogs but caused dose-dependent biphasic changes in rats. MT negligibly affected CBD PK. In vitro, CBD inhibited MT metabolism with species differences: potent competitive inhibition in dogs (IC₅₀ = 3.42 ± 1.30 μM), weaker inhibition in rats/humans (IC₅₀ = 13.54 ± 1.15/16.47 ± 4.23 μM). CBD also demonstrated mechanism-based inhibition (K_I = 25.63 μM, K_inact = 0.063 min⁻¹) against human CYP1A2-mediated MT metabolism. Acidic conditions revealed that CBD inhibited PEPT1-mediated MT uptake. CBD exhibits high and MT moderate protein binding. Static model predictions aligned with in vivo dog/rat data project a worst-case human MT AUC increase up to 12-fold. Conclusions: This study identifies the critical role of PEPT1 in MT absorption and elucidates the dual mechanisms of CBD; namely, absorption inhibition and metabolic delay in regulating MT pharmacokinetics, which exhibits interspecies differences. Full article

Sometimes, crop breeding varieties demonstrate high resistance to target insects under laboratory conditions but exhibit significantly low resistance in the field. This research aimed to explain this phenomenon based on inter-species interactions among insects, as herbivory by one insect species can trigger physiological changes in plants that enhance their attraction to other insect species. The striped stem borer (SSB), Chilo suppressalis (Walker), and the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål), are pests of rice (Oryza sativa L.) that cause major losses in grain production. In this study, we investigated BPH performance and behavior on the planthopper-resistant rice variety “Mudgo” with pre-feeding of SSB. BPHs showed better growth and development, as well as feeding behavior, on SSB-damaged plants compared to undamaged plants. Then, gene expression and phytohormone analysis revealed that jasmonic acid (JA) biosynthesis was induced by SSB feeding. The JA pathway is a central defense signaling hub in rice responding to chewing herbivores like SSB; however, our findings reveal that its induction can have contrasting ecological consequences, inadvertently reducing resistance to a subsequent piercing-sucking pest (BPH). Finally, we discovered that volatile emissions induced by SSB damage attracted BPH and benefited its development. In summary, we found that JA biosynthesis triggered by SSB herbivory played a vital role in rice defense against BPH. This provides insight into the molecular and biochemical mechanisms underlying BPH preferences for SSB-damaged rice plants. Our study emphasizes the crucial role of inter-species interactions in enhancing host plant resistance to insect pests and evaluating germplasm resistance. These findings can serve as a basis for controlling BPH. Full article

Biofilms are more than just structural microbial communities. They are dynamic chemical ecosystems that synthesize a range of extracellular compounds involved in functions that extend beyond biofilm architecture. From quorum-sensing molecules like acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) to short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), phenazines, indoles, and reactive sulfur species (RSS), biofilm-derived metabolites can impact the physiology and behavior of microorganisms living in the same ecosystem, including other bacteria and protozoa. It has recently been demonstrated that such molecules may also modulate competition between microbes, promote cooperation, and impact motility, differentiation, or virulence of free-living and parasitic protozoa. This review aims to discuss biofilm compounds that mediate interspecies or interkingdom interactions and their involvement in regulating gut and environmental microbiomes functions, and host–pathogen relationships with special emphasis on protozoan activity and the infection outcome. This review will also address how this chemical dialog can be explored to identify new therapeutic interventions against microbial infections and parasitic diseases. Full article

The Coronaviridae family represents a broad group of RNA-containing viruses that infect humans and animals. This family belongs to the order Nidovirales and is divided into four main genera: α-CoV, β-CoV, γ-CoV and δ-CoV. It is particularly noteworthy that representatives of β-CoV have caused serious epidemics in humans, such as the outbreaks of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, and COVID-19 caused by SARS-CoV-2. Although the clinical manifestations of CoVs can range from mild cold-like symptoms to severe respiratory diseases, they share common features in their structure, modes of transmission, and natural reservoirs. Identifying natural reservoirs, as well as establishing intermediate hosts, is crucial for understanding the mechanisms of interspecies transmission of CoVs. These processes are often mediated by molecular interactions between viral spike (S) proteins and cellular receptors of different species, which contribute to zoonotic outbreaks. Thus, the interaction of various species and the study of these processes of viral spread, cross-species transmission, and pathogen evolution play a key role in ensuring global biological safety. Therefore, we conducted this review to summarize the data from existing studies focused on the taxonomy of CoVs, their main types, natural reservoirs, intermediate hosts, pathways of interspecies transmission, and the significance of the One Health concept as an interdisciplinary approach to monitoring, prevention and control of CoV infections at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. We examined databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Google Scholar to identify relevant scientific articles in English available for such a review. The aim of this work is to study the taxonomy and classification of coronaviruses, as well as to identify their natural reservoirs, intermediate hosts, and applicable control measures. A review of human and animal coronaviruses has revealed their evolutionary diversity, their main natural reservoirs, their intermediate hosts, and their interactions with cellular receptors. This information allows for a better understanding of the mechanisms by which the viruses are transmitted from animals to humans. The concept of One Health demonstrated the interconnections between human, animal and environmental factors. Full article

Candida biofilms play a critical role in clinical settings, contributing to persistent and device-associated infections and conferring resistance to antifungal agents, particularly in immunocompromised or hospitalized patients. Biofilm formation varies among Candida species, including C. albicans and non-albicans species, such as C. glabrata, C. tropicalis, C. parapsilosis, and C. auris, due to species-specific transcriptional networks that regulate modes of biofilm development, extracellular matrix composition, and metabolic reprogramming. These differences influence biofilm responses to treatment and the severity of infections, which can be further complicated in polymicrobial biofilms that modulate colonization and virulence. Understanding the mechanisms driving biofilm formation and interspecies interactions is essential for developing effective therapies and requires appropriate experimental models. Available models range from simplified in vitro systems to more complex ex vivo and in vivo approaches. Static in vitro models remain widely used due to their simplicity and reproducibility, but they poorly mimic physiological conditions and require careful standardization. Ex vivo tissue models offer a balance between practicality and biological relevance, enabling the study of biofilm physiology, host–microbe interactions and immune responses. In vivo models, primarily in mice, remain the gold standard for testing antifungal therapies, while alternative systems such as Galleria mellonella larvae provide simpler, cost-effective approaches. Advanced in vitro platforms, including organ-on-chip systems, bridge the gap between simplified tests and physiological relevance by simulating fluid dynamics, tissue architecture, and immune complexity. This review aims to examine Candida biofilms across species, highlighting differences in structural diversity and clinical implications, and to provide a guide to the most widely used experimental models supporting studies on Candida biofilm biology for the development of new therapeutic targets or drug testing. Full article

Dark fermentative hydrogen production is constrained by challenges including low hydrogen yield and operational instability. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have emerged as promising additives for enhancing biohydrogen production due to their unique physicochemical characteristics, such as high specific surface area, excellent electrical conductivity, and inherent magnetic recyclability. This review systematically compares the enhancement mechanisms of MNPs in two distinct microbial systems: pure cultures and mixed cultures. In pure cultures, MNPs function primarily at the cellular and molecular levels through the following: (1) serving as sustained-release sources of essential metallic cofactors like Fe and Ni to promote hydrogenase synthesis and activation; (2) acting as efficient electron carriers that facilitate intracellular and extracellular electron transfer; and (3) redirecting central carbon metabolism toward high-hydrogen-yield acetate-type fermentation. In mixed cultures, which are more representative of practical applications, MNPs operate at the ecological level through the following: (1) modifying microenvironmental niches to exert selective pressure that enriches hydrogen-producing bacteria, such as Clostridium; (2) forming conductive networks that promote direct interspecies electron transfer and strengthen syntrophic metabolism; and (3) enhancing system robustness via toxin adsorption and pH buffering. Despite promising phenomenological improvements, critical knowledge gaps remain, including unclear structure–activity relationships of MNPs, insufficient quantification of electron transfer pathways, unknown genetic regulatory mechanisms, and overlooked magnetobiological effects. Future research should integrate electrochemical monitoring, multi-omics analyses, and advanced characterization techniques to deepen the mechanistic understanding of nanomaterial–microbe interactions. This review aims to provide theoretical insights and practical strategies for developing efficient and sustainable MNP–microorganism hybrid systems for scalable biohydrogen production. Full article

Background/Objectives: Mammary gland traits (milk quality and lactation performance) are economically critical for B. taurus and O. aries, but core regulatory hub genes remain unclear due to high false positives in single-method transcriptomic analyses. This study aimed to identify robust hub genes linked to species-specific differences in mammary gland tissue via an integrated bioinformatics strategy. Methods: Raw transcriptomic data (77 B. taurus and 77 O. aries mammary gland samples) were retrieved from the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA); after quality control, differential expression gene (DEG) screening, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP)-assisted machine learning were performed, with core genes defined as the intersection of the three gene sets, and functional enrichment and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analyses were used to prioritize hub genes. Results: A total of 13,138 high-quality genes were retained, including 6148 DEGs, 4698 WGCNA core module genes, and 500 SHAP-high-contribution genes, yielding 178 core genes that were significantly enriched in the “translation” (p < 0.001) pathways; hub genes were identified via PPI network analysis. Conclusions: These findings indicate that RPS15 and RPL7A are core species-difference signals in mammary gland tissue of B. taurus and O. aries, providing insights into inter-species molecular differences, and this integrated strategy enhances the robustness of hub gene identification in pure bioinformatics studies. Full article

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the main trends and progress in the biostimulation approach, which represents a crucial component of the broader multi-factor bioremediation process. A comprehensive search was carried out in the Scopus database. The stimulating roles of individual and complex nutrient amendments are reviewed, with particular emphasis on plant extracts, molasses, and surfactants. Methodological approaches for optimising nutrient formulations and conditions to strengthen the biostimulation effect are analysed, taking into account microbial ecology and physiology. Aspects of interspecies microbial interactions, such as cross-feeding connections, are discussed. The roles of directed evolution, starvation, and statistical optimisation in enhancing microbial activity are also highlighted. Overall, substantial theoretical knowledge on this topic has been accumulated in the scientific literature. However, data from long-term field studies remain scarce. Looking forward, modern methodological approaches may bridge these knowledge gaps by enabling the prediction of microbial activity, interactions, and cross-feeding, supported by comprehensive monitoring. In particular, artificial intelligence tools for the statistical optimisation of biostimulation conditions are expected to significantly improve process performance. This review summarises recent scientific papers alongside findings from our own long-term studies. Full article

This paper investigates language use in interspecies interaction. The aim is to characterize the variation in children’s pet-oriented speech and to explore how semantic complexity is treated. The analysis first presents quantitative observations on properties of talk and the ongoing activities. The dataset includes 19 video recordings presenting cats, dogs, and 6–12-year-old French-speaking children in an ecological context. The analysis showed that children spoke more to dogs than to cats. We also found a strong correlation between play activity and the amount of talk. We then observed that, just like adults in the previous literature, children use short utterances when talking to pets. This may indicate syntactic simplification. The second part of the study concentrated on complex referential constructions in two child–dog play sequences. It showed that the child enacted multilayered semantic configurations through indexical embodied means. The dog participated in constructing the referential link when she was asked to choose between alternatives. When it came to locating an absent referent, the child continued to employ indexical signs to support the abstract semantic structure, displaying awareness of the participants’ different semiotic worlds. The paper supports that while syntax is simplified, meaning structures may remain complex and become part of the play. Full article

The dynamic regulation of histone methylation is a key mechanism for epigenetic regulation of gene expression. As histone demethylases dependent on divalent iron ions and α-ketoglutarate, the JmjC family plays an important role in plant life activities. Fifty JmjC domain-containing proteins in Arabidopsis thaliana (21) and Brassica rapa (29) are divided into seven distinct groups, with each group endowed with specific functions due to unique structural domains. Some members achieve functional specificity by recognizing specific DNA motifs or interacting with transcription factors, and others exhibit special functional modes due to mutations in their binding sites. By targeting specific genes (such as FLC, FT, WRKY family, PR genes, etc.), they regulate growth and development processes, as well as responses to multiple biotic and abiotic stresses. Focusing on inter-species divergence of Arabidopsis and Brassica, this review summarized JmjC proteins’ structural classification, substrate specificity, and mechanisms, providing a basis for dissecting plant epigenetic networks and guiding Brassica crop breeding desired bolting traits (early or late bolting), high stress resistance and so on. Full article

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the periodontal tissues primarily caused by dysbiotic bacterial communities. Accumulating evidence suggests that periodontal pathogens not only drive the initiation and progression of periodontitis but also significantly contribute to systemic disorders, including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm birth. The key periodontal pathogens implicated in disease pathogenesis include Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Treponema denticola, Tannerella forsythia, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, and Fusobacterium nucleatum. Among the diverse factors governing bacterial colonization and biofilm formation, interspecies interactions, particularly coaggregation, play a critical role in dental plaque maturation and the establishment of pathogenic microbial communities. Coaggregation facilitates the spatial organization of bacteria within biofilms, enhances bacterial survival, and modulates virulence factor expression. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding bacterial interactions involving major periodontal pathogens, with particular emphasis on coaggregation mechanisms, and discusses the implications of this coaggregation for periodontitis pathogenesis and associated systemic diseases. Full article

Bacterial extracellular vesicles (BEVs) are nanoscale membrane-bound structures secreted by prokaryotic cells and have recently gained considerable attention in environmental pollution research. By encapsulating virulence factors and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), BEVs can persist in aquatic, soil, and sedimentary environments, facilitating interspecies gene transfer, aggravating microbial contamination, and ultimately posing risks to ecosystem stability and human health. This review provides a comprehensive overview of BEVs’ formation mechanisms, structural composition, and spatial distribution. Particular attention is given to the environmental implications of BEVs, including their roles in mediating horizontal ARG transfer, delivering virulence genes and amplifying pathogenicity, and their emerging potential as environmental bioindicators, despite current analytical limitations in complex matrices. Nevertheless, three major research gaps remain: (i) the molecular mechanisms underlying BEV interactions with heavy metals and microplastics are poorly understood; (ii) field-based quantification and distribution data are still limited; and (iii) effective, targeted strategies for BEV removal or inactivation are lacking. Addressing these challenges will not only enhance our understanding of BEV-mediated environmental risks but also inform the development of advanced detection methods and remediation approaches for BEV-associated pollution. Full article

To elucidate the mechanisms underlying the formation of the bacterial community predominantly composed of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in sour bamboo shoots, the dynamics of the bacterial community structure and the influence of organic acids on the growth of dominant species were investigated. The results showed that the dominant bacteria in sour bamboo shoots changed from Enterobacteriaceae at first to LAB after fermentation. Correlation analysis revealed that organic acids, especially lactic acid and acetic acid, had great effects on bacteria. Even low concentrations of organic acids had negative effects on the growth of Enterobacter asburiae, while LAB exhibited remarkable tolerance to 8 g/L of organic acids. Notably, Levilactobacillus spicheri displayed a normal growth rate during incubation in medium containing 4 g/L of malic acid for 48 h. This study clarified the regulation of organic acids on bacterial community formation and provided a new understanding for bacterial control in traditional fermented foods. Full article

Cells of the innate immune system, particularly natural killer (NK) cells, serve as the first line of defense against tumor development and play a critical role in antitumor immunity. Characterizing the immune cell pool and its functional state is essential for understanding immunotherapy mechanisms and identifying key cellular players. However, defining NK cell populations in mice, the primary model for cancer immunotherapy, is challenging due to strain-specific marker variability and the absence of a universal NK cell marker, such as human CD56. This study evaluates surface markers of NK and other peripheral blood immune cells in both humans and mice, associating these markers with specific functional profiles. Bioinformatic approaches are employed to visualize these markers, enabling rapid immunoprofiling. We explore the translational relevance of these markers in assessing immunotherapy efficacy, including their gene associations, ligand interactions, and interspecies variations. Markers compatible with rapid flow-cytometry-based detection are prioritized to streamline experimental workflows. We propose a standardized immunoprofiling strategy for monitoring systemic immune status and evaluating the effectiveness of immunotherapy in preclinical and clinical settings. This approach facilitates the design of preclinical studies that aim to identify predictive biomarkers for immunotherapy outcomes by monitoring immune status. Full article