Search Results (253)

The mineral composition of cereals is one of the key indicators of the quality of agricultural raw materials, determining both nutritional value and technological and processing properties. Complex interactions between nutrients, especially sulfur and selenium, can significantly modify the accumulation of macroelements in plant tissues. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of different doses of sulfur (S₁—15 kg S ha⁻¹ and S₂—30 kg S ha⁻¹) and selenium (Se₁—10 g Se ha⁻¹ and Se₂—20 g Se ha⁻¹), as well as the timing of selenium application, on the phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium contents in the grain and straw of spelt and common wheat. The results obtained indicate clear interspecies differences and a non-linear, often species-specific response to selenium doses. In common wheat grain, the application of selenium at two doses increased potassium and magnesium contents by 4–9% and 4–11%, respectively, and it reduced calcium content by 14–18% in spelt wheat grain. In spelt wheat straw, selenium application resulted in an 11% decrease in potassium content and an 8–10% decrease in calcium content. In common wheat, on the other hand, the straw responded with a 17% (Se₁) and 13% (Se₂) increase in magnesium content, accompanied by an 8–10% decrease in potassium content. Sulfur exhibited species-specific effects. In spelt wheat straw, it increased phosphorus content by 5–10%, calcium by 11% and magnesium by 15%. In common wheat straw, sulfur also reduced potassium accumulation by 5% and calcium by 23% (S₁) and 9% (S₂). The timing of selenium application modified the results of their content, but did not show a universal reaction pattern: earlier application increased the P content in spelt straw, while later application promoted an increase in Ca content in common wheat grain. Full article

Quorum sensing (QS) represents a promising target for anti-virulence therapy; however, effective pharmacological intervention requires a detailed understanding of regulatory network architecture and environmental context. In Klebsiella pneumoniae, the orphan LuxR-type receptor SdiA lacks a cognate LuxI synthase and instead detects exogenous acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs), positioning it as an inter-species signal integrator. Here, we demonstrate that SdiA functions as a context-dependent regulator whose impact on biofilm formation and virulence gene expression is gated by environmental AHL availability. Using isogenic ΔluxS, ΔsdiA, and ΔluxSΔsdiA mutants in a clinical bloodstream isolate, we show that under AHL-limited conditions, SdiA promotes baseline biofilm development, whereas in the presence of exogenous C6-HSL, it restrains excessive biofilm maturation. Two-way ANOVA confirmed significant genotype, treatment, and interaction effects, establishing that SdiA-mediated regulation is signal contingent. We further investigated the halogenated thiolactone meta-bromo-thiolactone (mBTL), previously described as a QS inhibitor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In K. pneumoniae, mBTL acts as a context-selective modulator rather than a simple inhibitor. Under AHL-limited conditions, mBTL phenocopied ΔsdiA, reducing biofilm formation and inducing overlapping transcriptional profiles. In contrast, under AHL-replete conditions, mBTL opposed SdiA-dependent gene expression, consistent with competitive antagonism of ligand-bound receptor. RNA-seq analysis revealed substantial concordance between ΔsdiA and WT + mBTL under AHL-free conditions, with the inversion of transcriptional directionality in the presence of C6-HSL. The findings redefine SdiA as a conditional quorum-sensing integrator and identify mBTL as a ligand-context-dependent modulator of LuxR-type signaling. Our results highlight the necessity of evaluating anti-virulence compounds across relevant signal environments and introduce receptor state-selective modulation as a strategic framework for targeting hybrid quorum-sensing systems in polymicrobial pathogens. Full article

Iron is an essential micronutrient for nearly all microorganisms, yet its bioavailability is severely limited in most environments. To overcome this restriction, microorganisms produce siderophores, high-affinity iron-chelating molecules that play pivotal roles in microbial iron homeostasis, interspecies competition, and host–pathogen interactions. Despite extensive research, current understanding of siderophore biosynthetic and regulatory diversity remains largely limited to specific models, with comprehensive cross-taxonomic frameworks only beginning to emerge. This review systematically integrates recent advances in the genetic and biochemical foundations of microbial siderophore production, focusing on the two major biosynthetic pathways: nonribosomal peptide synthetase (NRPS)-dependent and NRPS-independent synthetase (NIS). We further elaborate on the diverse transport systems in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, as well as fungi, alongside the iron-responsive regulators (e.g., Fur) and gene clusters that coordinate iron uptake and utilization. Beyond physiological mechanisms, we discuss how these insights inform emerging applications of siderophores across multiple fields: in medicine, enabling “Trojan horse” antimicrobial strategies; in agriculture, enhancing plant iron uptake and serving as biocontrol agents; in environmental remediation, facilitating heavy-metal detoxification; and in biosensing, acting as selective probes for metals and pathogens. By bridging fundamental mechanisms with practical applications, this review aims to provide an integrative perspective for future exploration of microbial iron homeostasis and its biotechnological potential. Full article

Captive bird populations in zoological institutions face unique disease risks due to close interspecies contact and human interaction. Vaccination is widely used as a prophylactic measure. However, most available vaccines are developed for poultry and are used off-label in non-domesticated birds, often without species-specific safety and efficacy data. This review provides a comprehensive overview of vaccines reported in zoo-housed birds for major viral, bacterial, and fungal pathogens. This review highlights that for most vaccines, evidence of safety and effectiveness is limited. Vaccine use should therefore be guided by risk assessment, relevant legislation, and institutional priorities, and should integrate species-specific data on vaccine safety and effectiveness, disease susceptibility, and local epidemiology. Extensive research and species-specific validation are essential to improve preventive health strategies in avian conservation programs. Full article

Interspecies communication is increasingly recognized as an affective–cognitive process co-created between humans and animals rather than a one-directional transmission of signals. This review integrates findings from ethology, neuroscience, welfare science, behavioral studies, and posthumanist ethics to examine how emotional expression, communicative intentionality, and relational engagement shape understanding across species. Research on primates, dogs, elephants, and marine mammals demonstrates that empathy, consolation, cooperative signaling, and multimodal perception rely on evolutionarily conserved mechanisms, including mirror systems, affective contagion, and oxytocin-mediated bonding. These biological insights intersect with ethical considerations concerning animal agency, methodological responsibility, and the interpretation of non-human communication. Emerging technological tools—bioacoustics, machine vision, and AI-assisted modeling—offer new opportunities to analyze complex vocal and behavioral patterns, yet they require careful contextualization to avoid anthropocentric misclassification. Synthesizing these perspectives, the review proposes a relational framework in which meaning arises through shared emotional engagement, embodied interaction, and ethically grounded interpretation. This approach highlights the importance of welfare-oriented, minimally invasive methodologies and supports a broader shift toward recognizing animals as communicative partners whose emotional lives contribute to scientific knowledge. This review primarily synthesizes empirical and theoretical research on primates and dogs, complemented by selected examples from elephants and marine mammals, which provide the most developed evidence base for the affective–cognitive and relational mechanisms discussed. Full article

The gut microbiome is defined as the collective assembly of microbial communities inhabiting the gut, along with their genes and metabolic products. The gut microbiome systematically regulates host metabolism, immunity, and neuroendocrine homeostasis via interspecies interaction networks and inter-organ axes. Given the importance of the gut microbiome to the host, this review integrates the composition, function, and genetic basis of the gut microbiome with host genomics to provide a systematic overview of recent advances in microbiome–host interactions. This encompasses a complete technological pipeline spanning from in vitro to in vivo models to translational medicine. This technological pipeline spans from single-bacterium CRISPR editing, organoid–microbiome co-culture, and sterile/humanized animal models to multi-omics integrated algorithms, machine learning causal inference, and individualized probiotic design. It aims to transform microbiome associations into precision intervention strategies that can be targeted and predicted for clinical application through interdisciplinary research, thereby providing the cornerstone of a new generation of precision treatment strategies for cancer, metabolic, and neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

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