Search Results (514)

Antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa presents a critical global health challenge, particularly in hospital-acquired infections. Bacteriophages offer a promising therapeutic avenue due to their ability to target and lyse resistant strains. This study characterizes Pseudomonas phage Banzai, a newly isolated Pbunavirus (family Lindbergviridae) with lytic activity against multiple P. aeruginosa isolates, including multidrug-resistant strains. Genomic analysis revealed a 66,189 bp genome, lacking antibiotic resistance or virulence factors, and suggested a headful packaging mechanism and the presence of a bidirectional component in the replication. In vivo experiments using Galleria mellonella showed therapeutic potential, significantly improving larval survival (87% at 24 h). Host range analysis revealed activity against 13 of 30 P. aeruginosa isolates, including members of O1, O3, O5 and O6 in silico predicted serogroups. Phylogenomic analyses place phage Banzai within the genus Pbunavirus, sharing 94.8% intergenomic similarity with its closest relatives, supporting its classification as a novel species. These findings highlight phage Banzai as a potential candidate for phage therapy, demonstrating genomic stability, a strictly lytic lifestyle, and in vivo efficacy. Full article

Rhipicephalus microplus is an important biological vector as it transmits several pathogens, including Babesia bovis, the causative agent of bovine babesiosis. The available strategies for controlling B. bovis are limited, resulting in substantial challenges for both animal health and livestock management. Infection of the tick midgut is the essential first step for the transmission cycle of B. bovis, yet this process remains largely unexamined. To better understand the first step of tick infection, this study employed a proteomic approach to identify a midgut protein that responds to B. bovis infection. We then used RNA interference for gene silencing to determine if the protein is essential for R. microplus infection. The protein we identified, Rm24, is twofold upregulated in the tick midgut during B. bovis infection. We silenced the gene encoding Rm24 and examined the effect of reduced expression on both tick fitness and B. bovis infection. Our results indicated that silencing the Rm24 gene impacted the survivability of adult female ticks, which exhibited a significant reduction in viability as compared to the control and non-injected groups. Importantly, we found that suppressing the gene encoding Rm24 led to a significant decrease in the number of engorged female ticks infected, with only 15% of female ticks testing positive for B. bovis kinetes as compared to over 50% in the control groups. We also detected a significant reduction in vertical transmission of B. bovis to larval progenies. These findings suggest that the Rm24 protein is critical for infection by B. bovis and could serve as a promising target for future transmission-blocking strategies. Full article

In this cross-disciplinary investigation, we uncover a suite of previously unexamined factors and their intricate interplay that hold causal relationships with the distribution of Trachurus japonicus in the northern reaches of the South China Sea, thereby extending the existing research paradigms. Leveraging advanced machine learning algorithms and causal inference, our robust experimental design uncovered nine key global and regional factors affecting the distribution of T. japonicus density. A robust experimental design identified nine key factors significantly influencing this density: mean sea-level pressure (msl-0, msl-4), surface pressure (sp-0, sp-4), Summit ozone concentration (Ozone_sum), F10.7 solar flux index (F10.7_index), nitrate concentration at 20 m depth (N3M20), sonar-detected effective vertical range beneath the surface (Height), and survey month (Month). Crucially, stable causal relationships were identified among Ozone_sum, F10.7_index, Height, and N3M20. Variations in Ozone_sum likely impact surface UV radiation levels, influencing plankton dynamics (a primary food source) and potentially larval/juvenile fish survival. The F10.7_index, reflecting solar activity, may affect geomagnetic fields, potentially influencing the migration and orientation behavior of T. japonicus. N3M20 directly modulates primary productivity by limiting phytoplankton growth, thereby shaping the availability and distribution of prey organisms throughout the food web. Height defines the vertical habitat range acoustically detectable, intrinsically linking directly to the vertical distribution and availability of the fish stock itself. Surface pressures (msl-0/sp-0) and their lagged effects (msl-4/sp-4) significantly influence sea surface temperature profiles, ocean currents, and stratification, all critical determinants of suitable habitats and prey aggregation. The strong influence of Month predominantly reflects seasonal changes in water temperature, reproductive cycles, and associated shifts in nutrient supply and plankton blooms. Rigorous robustness checks (Data Subset and Random Common Cause Refutation) confirmed the reliability and consistency of these causal findings. This elucidation of the distinct biological and physical pathways linking these diverse factors leading to T. japonicus density provides a significantly improved foundation for predicting distribution patterns globally and offers concrete scientific insights for sustainable fishery management strategies. Full article

Substrate is an important component of a fish’s habitat environment. Fish preferences for substrate influence their growth and development, feeding, hiding, schooling, and reproduction. To explore the habitat preference of Brachymystax tsinlingensis, this study was conducted on the preferences of B. pre-smolts, post-smolts, and juveniles for three substrate colors, white, blue, and black, and four substrate types, sand (<0.5 cm in diameter), small gravel (1–2 cm in diameter), medium gravel (5–7 cm in diameter), and large gravel (12–16 cm in diameter), which were investigated in light (10–60 lx) and dark (no light) environments. The results showed that the individual populations of B. tsinlingensis in three periods of time had a clear preference for substrate color, preferring black substrate and staying away from blue substrate under both light and dark environmental conditions; B. tsinlingensis pre-smolts and post-smolts preferred sandy substrate, and juveniles preferred medium gravel substrate. The choice of substrate color and substrate type by B. tsinlingensis is a manifestation of the living environment characteristics of this species, which is conducive to their hiding, better avoidance of enemies, and improvement of their survival rate. Based on the research results and the early biological characteristics of B. tsinlingensis, it is recommended to use black or dark substrate during the cultivation of B. tsinlingensis fry. During the larval fish stage, a sandy substrate environment should be provided. During the juvenile fish stage, a medium-gravel environment should be provided. Full article

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a highly destructive pest that poses serious threats and causes significant losses to the production of maize in China. This study evaluated the feeding and oviposition preferences of S. frugiperda when reared on four maize cultivars—sweet, waxy, common, and silage—across three consecutive generations. It also compared population adaptability among these cultivars and analyzed population parameters between the F1 and F3 generations. The findings revealed that all four F1 generation populations showed a preference for feeding and oviposition on sweet maize. However, over time, S. frugiperda exhibited a stronger preference, in terms of feeding and oviposition behaviors, for the natal host plant across three consecutive generations of rearing. The fall armyworm completed its life cycle and oviposited on all four maize varieties over three generations. The sweet cultivar population had the highest intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, net reproductive rate, larval survival rate, pupation rate, eclosion rate, fecundity, and pupal weight, while the silage cultivar population had the shortest larval stage, pre-adult stage, and adult lifespan and the pupal weight and the fecundity were the lowest. Overall, the population fitness was the highest on the sweet cultivar, and the lowest on the silage cultivar. Compared with F1, the F3 generation of the FAW had a significantly shorter developmental duration in four maize cultivars. Except for the waxy maize cultivars, the fecundity of the other three cultivars did not differ significantly between F1 and F3. This study provides fundamental information on the trend of fall armyworm population changes in maize fields and serves as a reference for rational maize cultivar planting decisions. Full article

Background: Herbal medicine represents a rich yet complex source of bioactive compounds, offering both therapeutic potential and toxicological risks. Methods: In this study, we systematically evaluated the biological effects of three traditional herbal extracts—Mentha longifolia, Scrophularia orientalis, and Echium biebersteinii—using Caenorhabditis elegans as an in vivo model. Results: All three extracts significantly reduced worm survival, induced larval arrest, and triggered a high incidence of males (HIM) phenotypes, indicative of mitotic failure and meiotic chromosome missegregation. Detailed analysis of germline architecture revealed extract-specific abnormalities, including nuclear disorganization, ectopic crescent-shaped nuclei, altered meiotic progression, and reduced bivalent formation. These defects were accompanied by activation of the DNA damage response, as evidenced by upregulation of checkpoint genes (atm-1, atl-1), increased pCHK-1 foci, and elevated germline apoptosis. LC-MS profiling identified 21 major compounds across the extracts, with four compounds—thymol, carvyl acetate, luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, and menthyl acetate—shared by all three herbs. Among them, thymol and carvyl acetate significantly upregulated DNA damage checkpoint genes and promoted apoptosis, whereas thymol and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside contributed to antioxidant activity. Notably, S. orientalis and E. biebersteinii shared 11 of 14 major constituents (79%), correlating with their similar phenotypic outcomes, while M. longifolia exhibited a more distinct chemical profile, possessing seven unique compounds. Conclusions: These findings highlight the complex biological effects of traditional herbal extracts, demonstrating that both beneficial and harmful outcomes can arise from specific phytochemicals within a mixture. By deconstructing these extracts into their active components, such as thymol, carvyl acetate, and luteolin-7-O-rutinoside, we gain critical insight into the mechanisms driving reproductive toxicity and antioxidant activity. This approach underscores the importance of component-level analysis for accurately assessing the therapeutic value and safety profile of medicinal plants, particularly those used in foods and dietary supplements. Full article

The efficacy of two selected Metarhizium rileyi Mexican isolates (T9-21 and L8-22) against Spodoptera frugiperda was evaluated under greenhouse conditions. To this end, a suspension (1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL) of these isolates was sprayed on maize plants previously infested with six second-instar larvae. No significant differences were observed between the survival curves of the T9-21 and L8-22 isolates. Cadaver sporulation was significantly higher, and the lethal time was significantly lower with the T9-21 isolate compared with those of the L8-22 isolate (97% and 8 days vs. 70% and 10 days, respectively). Based on these results, a small-scale field trial on maize was performed to evaluate the degree of pest control achieved by the T9-21 isolate and compare it with the insecticide spinetoram, applied at a rate of 1 × 10¹³ conidia/ha and 75 mL/ha, respectively. No significant differences were observed in the proportion of larval mortality between the T9-21 isolate (0.49) and spinetoram (0.72). However, spinetoram significantly reduced natural enemies and phytophagous insect populations compared with the fungus and the control. In conclusion, M. rileyi T9-21 isolate could be a promising alternative for the control of S. frugiperda larvae. Full article

Microplastics are pervasive in marine ecosystems and have been shown to affect a range of marine organisms, including corals. These particles can develop biofilms, facilitating the transport of pollutants and pathogenic microorganisms. Although the effects of primary microplastics on adult corals have been extensively studied, little is known about the impacts of secondary microplastics on early life stages. This study investigated (1) the effects of different abundances of secondary microplastics on the early development of Orbicella faveolata; (2) the influence of fibers and fragments on the larval settlement of Acropora palmata; and (3) the effects of the microplastic size, abundance, and biofilm presence on the settlement of Favia fragum. For O. faveolata, fertilization, embryogenesis, and settlement were all impaired by fragments, with embryonic development showing a 25.9% reduction in viability. Larval development was unaffected, but post-settlement survival declined by 35.8% with exposure to fibers and fragments. For A. palmata, settlement was reduced by fragments, while for F. fragum, only 2–4 mm fragments significantly decreased settlement rates. This study contributes to the knowledge of the effect of microplastics on the early development of corals, providing valuable information to improve strategies to control microplastic pollution. Full article

Current feeding protocols used in commercial hatcheries of Mediterranean fish species are, for a species-dependent period after hatching, based on live feeds which have often raised issues of biosecurity, stability, availability, price and nutrients content. Instead, dry feeds can offer stability in nutritional value, price and supply. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an alternative feeding protocol by co-feeding live and dry feed at first feeding red seabream larvae (on 3 days post-hatching—3 dph, DF3) and to compare it to a standard feeding protocol (i.e., dry feed introduced on 22 dph, DF22). Larvae productivity and functional development of the digestive system were evaluated under actual production conditions in a commercial hatchery. Additionally, post-larvae efficiency during pre-growing was evaluated under controlled laboratory conditions. The results obtained showed that the experimental protocol (DF3) promoted larval growth without affecting larval survival and the efficiency of the digestion processes. After pre-growing, DF3-produced juveniles showed a decreased incidence of spinal cord malformations, while the initially gained growth advantage was maintained. The present study shows the feasibility of an alternative feeding protocol for red seabream intensive larviculture and points out the critical role that larval rearing may have for later production stages. Full article

This study investigates how larval density and associated temperature changes affect the development and survival of two forensically essential blow fly species, Lucilia sericata and Calliphora vicina. Larvae colonies were reared at 25 °C under controlled conditions, with adults at 23.3 °C on a 16:8 light cycle. Using a split-plot design, we tested four larval densities of 50, 200, 1000, and 2000 individuals at 25 °C and 30 °C, with temperature gradients measured via thermocouple at four mass positions three times daily, and larvae fed liver at ca. 6 g/50 larvae. Key findings revealed density-dependent developmental patterns, with 1000 larvae representing a threshold where thermoregulatory benefits balance competition costs. Temperature gradients showed edge-to-center differentials up to 5.2 °C, yet high-density masses exhibited prolonged development despite warmer microclimates due to hypoxia and waste accumulation. L. sericata demonstrated greater thermal tolerance than C. vicina, particularly at 30 °C, as C. vicina showed 58% reduced emergence. We demonstrated that maggot mass temperature might not be reliable, as they may overestimate developmental rate by 18–22% at densities over 1000 larvae. We recommend a bigger container for maggot mass-related studies, starting with 1000 larvae per container. The study provides a framework for density-adjusted ADD models and highlights climate change implications for blow fly communication dynamics in forensics contexts. Full article

Parental care increases offspring survival but is typically costly to the parent providing it. Understanding diversity in parental care across animals is a timely topic in evolutionary ecology. Fishes are particularly well suited for studies aimed at understanding the diversity of parental care because parental care in fishes is highly variable across species. In most fish species, no care is provided. When parental care is provided, it is often paternal, although biparental and maternal care occur in some fish species as well. Parental care in fishes ranges from simple guarding of eggs in a territory to prolonged care of young after hatching. Within fishes, gobies are thought to exhibit diverse parental care. In the current manuscript, we begin to synthesize our knowledge of patterns of parental care in gobies by providing a review of the parental care strategies that are exhibited by gobiid species. Our review reveals that parental care in gobies most often includes guarding, fanning, and cleaning, although some species engage in other types of care such as larval release, the production of antimicrobial substances, and the construction of post-mating mounds. Care in gobies is most often paternal, but maternal and biparental care have been documented in some species. Full article

Danionella, a transparent freshwater species belonging to the Cyprinidae family, has emerged as a valuable model organism in biological and medical research due to its optical transparency. The cardiovascular system of Danionella larvae provides a unique opportunity for non-invasive heart rate monitoring in aquatic animals. Traditional approaches for evaluating larval heart rate often require manual or semi-automated definition of the cardiac region in video recordings. In this study, we developed a simplified heart rate monitoring system that estimates heartbeat activity by analyzing interframe luminance differences in video sequences of Danionella larvae. Our system successfully measured heart rates in the range of 150–155 beats per minute (bpm), consistent with previous findings reporting rates between 140 and 200 bpm. The non-invasive nature of this method offers significant advantages for high-throughput screening and long-term physiological monitoring. Furthermore, this system has potential applications in evaluating environmental stressors, supporting survival and health assessments, and guiding habitat management strategies to ensure stable populations of adult fish in both natural and laboratory settings. Full article

Small heat shock proteins (sHsps) play crucial roles in organismal adaptation to stress tolerance. Sitodiplosis mosellana, a devastating insect wheat pest, undergoes long obligatory larval diapause to survive temperature extremes during summer and winter. To elucidate the function of sHsps in this process, two sHsp-encoding genes (SmHsp22.2 and SmHsp26.7) were characterized from S. mosellana, and their responsiveness to diapause and thermal stress, as well as their roles in cold stress, was analyzed. Both SmHsp22.2 and SmHsp26.7 possessed the canonical α-crystallin domain and lacked introns. Quantitative PCR indicated significant upregulation of SmHsp22.2 and SmHsp26.7 during diapause, especially in summer and winter. Notably, SmHsp22.2 exhibited higher expression in summer relative to winter, whereas SmHsp26.7 showed the opposite profile. Moreover, short-term heat shock (≥35 °C) in over-summering larvae or cold shock (≤−10 °C) in over-wintering larvae was found to trigger transcriptional upregulation of both genes, while prolonged temperature extremes (i.e., 45–50 °C or −15 °C) did not elicit a comparable response. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of both genes significantly increased the mortality of S. mosellana larvae under cold stress. These findings indicate the importance of both SmHsps in diapause and environmental adaptation in S. mosellana. Full article

This article has examined the effects of magnetic fields with intensities of 1 mT, 3 mT, and 5 mT on two species of cichlid fish (family Cichlidae). This study focused specifically on assessing the influence of these magnetic fields on larval development, the survival rate, and the occurrence of deformities in the larvae of the jaguar cichlid (Parachromis managuensis) and the green terror (Andinoacara rivulatus). The analysis of the study results indicates that the effects of magnetic field exposure depend both on its intensity and on the fish species being studied. Magnetic fields, depending on the applied intensity, can influence changes in body size as well as the size of the yolk sac. In jaguar cichlid larvae, increased survival was observed in the groups exposed to the magnetic field; however, this was accompanied by a higher number of deformities compared with the control group. In the case of the green terror, the highest survival rates were recorded in the control group and in the group exposed to a magnetic field of 3 mT, while increased numbers of deformities were also noted in the exposed groups. The obtained results may be of significant importance for ornamental fish aquaculture, where appropriately selected magnetic field parameters could support larval growth and survival, reducing losses in breeding. Full article

A quantitative literature review of restoration techniques and supporting management strategies used throughout the Caribbean and Western Atlantic from 1998 through 2024 was compiled using references from the Web of Science to highlight those with potential for reef replenishment. From 93 sources listed, 74 publications were relevant and categorized into subtopics based on the most prevalent restoration techniques. Roughly half the studies focused on three general topics: the benefits of restoring Acropora species, studies utilizing micro-fragmentation and fragment nurseries, and outplanting techniques. Other subtopics, each with at least three references, included optimizing substrates and artificial reefs, enhancing larval recruitment, emphasizing the role of herbivory, improving management practices, and addressing the impacts of tourism and community engagement. The information from the references was compiled to determine the overlap among categories and the ways in which techniques and management strategies might be applied simultaneously to enhance restoration outcomes. Additionally, sources were analyzed according to time and location of publication to better visualize the emergence of this area of research and restoration efforts. An increase in publications was observed from 2014 to 2024, associated with the rise in major events impacting coral reefs. The major locations for published research were the Florida reef tract and Puerto Rico, though restoration studies were also reported from the Bahamas and sites around the Caribbean. Criteria to assess the success of techniques included coral survival, recruitment, coral coverage, habitat structure and complexity, and biomass of marine life, including fish and invertebrates that inhabited a restored reef. Most restoration efforts utilized either fragmentation or assisted sexual breeding, followed by cultivation in nurseries or labs. Outplanting success depended on fragment size, attachment style, and site selection, with less-intrusive techniques and intermediate planting densities promoting survival. Tools like GAO maps can guide site selection based on herbivore presence and algal coverage. Monitoring is critical to ensuring coral survival, especially after the first year of outplanting, while community involvement can foster public engagement in reef conservation. Full article