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Search Results (803)

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13 pages, 774 KiB  
Review
Brain Metastasis: A Literary Review of the Possible Relationship Between Hypoxia and Angiogenesis in the Growth of Metastatic Brain Tumors
by Lara Colby, Caroline Preskitt, Jennifer S. Ho, Karl Balsara and Dee Wu
Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2025, 26(15), 7541; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26157541 (registering DOI) - 5 Aug 2025
Abstract
Brain metastases are a common and deadly complication of many primary tumors. The progression of these tumors is poorly understood, and treatment options are limited. Two important components of tumor growth are hypoxia and angiogenesis. We conducted a review to look at the [...] Read more.
Brain metastases are a common and deadly complication of many primary tumors. The progression of these tumors is poorly understood, and treatment options are limited. Two important components of tumor growth are hypoxia and angiogenesis. We conducted a review to look at the possibility of a symbiotic relationship between two transcription factors, Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1α (HIF1α) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and the role they play in metastasis to the brain. We delve further into this possible relationship by examining commonly used chemotherapeutic agents and their targets. Through an extensive literature review, we identified articles that provided evidence of a strong connection between these transcription factors and the growth of brain metastases, many highlighting a symbiotic relationship. Further supporting this, combinations of chemotherapeutic drugs with varying targets have increased the efficacy of treatment. Angiogenesis and hypoxia have long been known to play a large role in the invasion, growth, and poor outcomes of tumors. However, it is not fully understood how these factors influence one another during metastases. While prior studies have investigated the effects separately, we specifically delve into the synergistic and compounding effects that may exist between them. Our findings underscore the need for greater research allocation to investigate the possible symbiotic relationship between angiogenesis and hypoxia in brain metastasis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Research on Tumor Metastasis and Inhibition)
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13 pages, 2939 KiB  
Review
A Review of Maricultural Wastewater Treatment Using an MBR: Insights into the Mechanism of Membrane Fouling Mitigation Through a Microalgal–Bacterial Symbiotic and Microbial Ecological Network
by Yijun You, Shuyu Zhao, Binghan Xie, Zhipeng Li, Weijia Gong, Guoyu Zhang, Qinghao Li, Xiangqian Zhao, Zhaofeng Xin, Jinkang Wu, Yuanyuan Gao and Han Xiang
Membranes 2025, 15(8), 234; https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes15080234 - 1 Aug 2025
Viewed by 170
Abstract
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been utilized for maricultural wastewater treatment, where high-salinity stress results in dramatic membrane fouling in the actual process. A microalgal–bacterial symbiotic system (MBSS) offers advantages for photosynthetic oxygen production, dynamically regulating the structure of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and [...] Read more.
Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been utilized for maricultural wastewater treatment, where high-salinity stress results in dramatic membrane fouling in the actual process. A microalgal–bacterial symbiotic system (MBSS) offers advantages for photosynthetic oxygen production, dynamically regulating the structure of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and improving the salinity tolerance of bacteria and algae. This study centered on the mechanisms of membrane fouling mitigation via the microalgal–bacterial interactions in the MBSS, including improving the pollutant removal, optimizing the system parameters, and controlling the gel layer formation. Moreover, the contribution of electrochemistry to decreasing the inhibitory effects of high-salinity stress was investigated in the MBSS. Furthermore, patterns of shifts in microbial communities and the impacts have been explored using metagenomic technology. Finally, this review aims to offer new insights for membrane fouling mitigation in actual maricultural wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Emerging Superwetting Membranes: New Advances in Water Treatment)
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24 pages, 2611 KiB  
Article
Enhancing the Cosmetic Potential of Aloe Vera Gel by Kombucha-Mediated Fermentation: Phytochemical Analysis and Evaluation of Antioxidant, Anti-Aging and Moisturizing Properties
by Aleksandra Ziemlewska, Martyna Zagórska-Dziok, Anna Nowak, Anna Muzykiewicz-Szymańska, Magdalena Wójciak, Ireneusz Sowa, Dariusz Szczepanek and Zofia Nizioł-Łukaszewska
Molecules 2025, 30(15), 3192; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30153192 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 301
Abstract
Aloe vera gel is a valuable raw material used in the cosmetic industry for its skin care properties. The present study analyzed the effects of the fermentation of aloe vera gel with a tea fungus kombucha, which is a symbiotic consortium of bacteria [...] Read more.
Aloe vera gel is a valuable raw material used in the cosmetic industry for its skin care properties. The present study analyzed the effects of the fermentation of aloe vera gel with a tea fungus kombucha, which is a symbiotic consortium of bacteria and yeast, carried out for 10 and 20 days (samples F10 and F20, respectively). The resulting ferments and unfermented gel were subjected to chromatographic analysis to determine the content of biologically active compounds. The permeability and accumulation of these compounds in pig skin were evaluated. In addition, the methods of DPPH, ABTS and the determination of intracellular free radical levels in keratinocytes (HaCaT) and fibroblasts (HDF) cell lines were used to determine antioxidant potential. The results showed a higher content of phenolic acids and flavonoids and better antioxidant properties of the ferments, especially after 20 days of fermentation. Cytotoxicity tests against HaCaT and HDF cells confirmed the absence of toxic effects; moreover, samples at the concentrations tested (mainly 10 and 25 mg/mL) showed cytoprotective effects. The analysis of enzymatic activity (collagenase, elastase and hyaluronidase) by the ELISA technique showed higher levels of inhibition for F10 and F20. The kombucha ferments also exhibited better moisturizing properties and lower levels of transepidermal water loss (TEWL), confirming their cosmetic potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue New Development in Fermented Products—Third Edition)
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16 pages, 1674 KiB  
Systematic Review
Effect of Probiotics on Uric Acid Levels: Meta-Analysis with Subgroup Analysis and Meta-Regression
by Rym Ben Othman, Mouna Ben Sassi, Syrine Ben Hammamia, Chadli Dziri, Youssef Zanina, Kamel Ben Salem and Henda Jamoussi
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2467; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152467 - 29 Jul 2025
Viewed by 294
Abstract
Background: Probiotics can modulate the microbiota and decrease uric acid levels. Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of probiotics on uric acid levels. Methods: The keywords “probiotics”, “uric acid”, “gout”, “hyperuricemia” were searched in PubMed Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and [...] Read more.
Background: Probiotics can modulate the microbiota and decrease uric acid levels. Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to assess the effects of probiotics on uric acid levels. Methods: The keywords “probiotics”, “uric acid”, “gout”, “hyperuricemia” were searched in PubMed Medline, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. The search was limited to the English, French, Italian, and Spanish languages, and to the period between 1 January 2000 to 30 August 2024. We included RCTs and observational studies comparing probiotics to placebo. We excluded studies reporting (1) prebiotics, symbiotics, or postbiotics, (2) animal studies, and (3) case reports, commentaries, or reviews. Two independent reviewers performed quality assessment and data extraction. This meta-analysis was performed according to the PRISMA 2020 and AMSTAR 2 guidelines. The main outcome measure was uric acid levels “after–before” probiotic versus placebo interventions. Forest plots summarized the data using a random model. Results: Nine studies included 394 patients, of whom 201 were treated with probiotics and 193 with placebo. There was a statistically significant difference in favor of the probiotic group compared with the control group regarding the main outcome measure. However, substantial heterogeneity was noted, explained (after applying subgroup analysis and meta-regression) by the following moderators: continent, diseased/healthy, male sex, and monostrain probiotics. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrates that probiotics reduced uric acid levels in Asian males who had disease and were treated with monostrain probiotics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Prebiotics and Probiotics)
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25 pages, 3717 KiB  
Article
A Prebiotic Diet Containing Galactooligosaccharides and Polydextrose Attenuates Hypergravity-Induced Disruptions to the Microbiome in Female Mice
by Robert S. Thompson, Shelby Hopkins, Tel Kelley, Christopher G. Wilson, Michael J. Pecaut and Monika Fleshner
Nutrients 2025, 17(15), 2417; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu17152417 - 24 Jul 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Environmental stressors, including spaceflight and altered gravity, can negatively affect the symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiome and host health. Dietary prebiotics, which alter components of the gut microbiome, show promise as an effective way to mitigate the negative impacts of stressor [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Environmental stressors, including spaceflight and altered gravity, can negatively affect the symbiotic relationship between the gut microbiome and host health. Dietary prebiotics, which alter components of the gut microbiome, show promise as an effective way to mitigate the negative impacts of stressor exposure. It remains unknown, however, if the stress-protective effects of consuming dietary prebiotics will extend to chronic altered-gravity exposure. Methods: Forty female C57BL/6 mice consumed either a control diet or a prebiotic diet containing galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and polydextrose (PDX) for 4 weeks, after which half of the mice were exposed to 3 times the gravitational force of Earth (3g) for an additional 4 weeks. Fecal microbiome samples were collected weekly for 8 weeks, sequenced, and analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Terminal physiological endpoints, including immune and red blood cell characteristics, were collected at the end of the study. Results: The results demonstrate that dietary prebiotic consumption altered the gut microbial community structure through changes to β-diversity and multiple genera across time. In addition, consuming dietary prebiotics reduced the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW-CV). Importantly, the prebiotic diet prevented the impacts of altered-gravity on β-diversity and the bloom of problematic genera, such as Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 and Turicibacter. Furthermore, several prebiotic diet-induced genera-level changes were significantly associated with several host physiological changes induced by 3g exposure. Conclusions: These data demonstrate that the stress-protective potential of consuming dietary prebiotics extends to environmental stressors such as altered gravity, and, potentially, spaceflight. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Gut Microbial Genomics and Metabolomics in Human Health)
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25 pages, 3057 KiB  
Article
Phylogenetic Diversity and Symbiotic Effectiveness of Bradyrhizobium Strains Nodulating Glycine max in Côte d’Ivoire
by Marie Ange Akaffou, Romain Kouakou Fossou, Anicet Ediman Théodore Ebou, Zaka Ghislaine Claude Kouadjo-Zézé, Chiguié Estelle Raïssa-Emma Amon, Clémence Chaintreuil, Saliou Fall and Adolphe Zézé
Agronomy 2025, 15(7), 1720; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15071720 - 17 Jul 2025
Viewed by 569
Abstract
Soybean (Glycine max) is a protein-rich legume crop that plays an important role in achieving food security. The aim of this study was to isolate soybean-nodulating rhizobia from Côte d’Ivoire soils and evaluate their potential as efficient strains in order to [...] Read more.
Soybean (Glycine max) is a protein-rich legume crop that plays an important role in achieving food security. The aim of this study was to isolate soybean-nodulating rhizobia from Côte d’Ivoire soils and evaluate their potential as efficient strains in order to develop local bioinoculants. For this objective, 38 composite soil samples were collected from Côte d’Ivoire’s five major climatic zones. These soils were used as substrate to trap the nodulating rhizobia using the promiscuous soybean variety R2-231. A total of 110 bacterial strains were isolated and subsequently identified. The analysis of ITS (rDNA16S-23S), glnII and recA sequences revealed a relatively low genetic diversity of these native rhizobia. Moreover, the ITS phylogeny showed that these were scattered into two Bradyrhizobium clades dominated by the B. elkanii supergroup, with ca. 75% of all isolates. Concatenated glnII-recA sequence phylogeny confirmed that the isolates belong in the majority to ‘B. brasilense’, together with B. vignae and some putative genospecies of Bradyrhizobium that needs further elucidation. The core gene phylogeny was found to be incongruent with nodC and nifH phylogenies, probably due to lateral gene transfer influence on the symbiotic genes. The diversity and composition of the Bradyrhizobium species varied significantly among different sampling sites, and the key explanatory variables identified were carbon (C), magnesium (Mg), nitrogen (N), pH, and annual precipitation. Based on both shoot biomass and leaf relative chlorophyll content, three isolates consistently showed a higher symbiotic effectiveness than the exotic inoculant strain Bradyrhizobium IRAT-FA3, demonstrating their potential to serve as indigenous elite strains as bioinoculants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Agricultural Biosystem and Biological Engineering)
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15 pages, 250 KiB  
Review
The Influence of Microorganism on Insect-Related Pesticide Resistance
by Qiqi Fan, Hong Sun and Pei Liang
Agriculture 2025, 15(14), 1519; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15141519 - 14 Jul 2025
Viewed by 440
Abstract
Insect pests inflict significant agricultural and economic losses on crops globally. Chemical control refers to the use of agrochemicals, such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, to manage pests and diseases. Chemical control is still the prioritized method, as insecticides are highly effective and [...] Read more.
Insect pests inflict significant agricultural and economic losses on crops globally. Chemical control refers to the use of agrochemicals, such as insecticides, herbicides, and fungicides, to manage pests and diseases. Chemical control is still the prioritized method, as insecticides are highly effective and toxic to insect pests. However, it reduces the quality of the environment, threatens human health, and causes serious 3R (reduce, reuse, and recycle) problems. Current advances in the mining of functional symbiotic bacteria resources provide the potential to assuage the use of insecticides while maintaining an acceptably low level of crop damage. Recent research on insect–microbe symbiosis has uncovered a mechanism labeled “detoxifying symbiosis”, where symbiotic microorganisms increase host insect resistance through the metabolism of toxins. In addition, the physiological compensation effect caused by insect resistance affects the ability of the host to regulate the community composition of symbiotic bacteria. This paper reviews the relationship between symbiotic bacteria, insects, and insecticide resistance, focusing on the effects of insecticide resistance on the composition of symbiotic bacteria and the role of symbiotic bacteria in the formation of resistance. The functional symbiotic bacteria resources and their mechanisms of action need to be further explored in the future so as to provide theoretical support for the development of pest control strategies based on microbial regulation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Crop Protection, Diseases, Pests and Weeds)
16 pages, 4410 KiB  
Article
Host-Specific and Environment-Dependent Effects of Endophyte Alternaria oxytropis on Three Locoweed Oxytropis Species in China
by Yue-Yang Zhang, Yan-Zhong Li and Zun-Ji Shi
J. Fungi 2025, 11(7), 516; https://doi.org/10.3390/jof11070516 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 407
Abstract
Plant–endophyte symbioses are widespread in grasslands. While symbiotic interactions often provide hosts with major fitness enhancements, the role of the endophyte Alternaria oxytropis, which produces swainsonine in locoweeds (Oxytropis and Astragalus spp.), remains enigmatic. We compared endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) [...] Read more.
Plant–endophyte symbioses are widespread in grasslands. While symbiotic interactions often provide hosts with major fitness enhancements, the role of the endophyte Alternaria oxytropis, which produces swainsonine in locoweeds (Oxytropis and Astragalus spp.), remains enigmatic. We compared endophyte-infected (E+) and endophyte-free (E−) plants of three main Chinese locoweed species (O. kansuensis, O. glabra, and O. ochrocephala) under controlled conditions, and analyzed environmental factors at locoweed poisoning hotspots for herbivores. The results demonstrated significant species-specific effects: E+ plants of O. glabra and O. ochrocephala exhibited 26–39% reductions in biomass, net photosynthetic rate, and stomatal conductance, with elevated CO2 levels, while O. kansuensis showed no measurable impacts. Swainsonine concentrations were 16–20 times higher in E+ plants (122.6–151.7 mg/kg) than in E− plants. Geospatial analysis revealed that poisoning hotspots for herbivores consistently occurred in regions with extreme winter conditions (minimum temperatures ≤ −17 °C and precipitation ≤ 1 mm during the driest month), suggesting context-dependent benefits under abiotic stress. These findings suggest that the ecological role of A. oxytropis may vary depending on both host species and environmental context, highlighting a trade-off between growth costs and potential stress tolerance conferred by A. oxytropis. The study underscores the need for field validation to elucidate the adaptive mechanisms maintaining this symbiosis in harsh environments. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Fungi in Agriculture and Biotechnology)
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26 pages, 3200 KiB  
Article
Modeling Population Dynamics and Assessing Ecological Impacts of Lampreys via Sex Ratio Regulation
by Ruohan Wang, Youxi Luo, Hanfang Li and Chaozhu Hu
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(14), 7680; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15147680 - 9 Jul 2025
Viewed by 223
Abstract
Regulating lamprey populations is crucial for maintaining ecological equilibrium. However, the unique sex determination process of lampreys is constrained by multiple factors, complicating intuitive analysis of population dynamics and their impact on the natural environment. This study employed a two-species competition mechanism to [...] Read more.
Regulating lamprey populations is crucial for maintaining ecological equilibrium. However, the unique sex determination process of lampreys is constrained by multiple factors, complicating intuitive analysis of population dynamics and their impact on the natural environment. This study employed a two-species competition mechanism to elucidate the factors influencing sex ratios and their mechanistic effects on lamprey population size. Using the Lotka–Volterra equations, we investigated how sex ratios affect trophic levels both upstream and downstream of lampreys in the food web. A logistic population growth model was applied to assess the impact of sex ratio variations on symbiotic parasitic species, while the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized to explore the dynamic relationship between sex ratio changes and ecosystem stability. To validate model efficacy, we manipulated temperature and food availability under controlled disturbance conditions, analyzing temporal variations in lamprey population size across different disturbance intensities to evaluate model sensitivity. The findings indicate that the variable sex ratio’s benefit is in facilitating the lampreys’ population’s enhanced adaptation to environmental shifts. The coexisting species exhibit a similar pattern of population alteration as the lampreys, albeit with a minor delay. A definitive link between the quantity of lampreys and the parasitic species is absent. A male ratio of 0.6 optimally contributes to the ecosystem’s equilibrium. Over time, the configuration of our model’s parameters proves to be sensible. This research provides robust theoretical support for developing scientific strategies to regulate lamprey populations. Full article
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20 pages, 2533 KiB  
Article
Analysis of the Alterations in Symbiotic Microbiota and Their Correlation with Intestinal Metabolites in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Under Heat Stress Conditions
by Changqing Zhou and Fengyuan Ding
Animals 2025, 15(14), 2017; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15142017 - 8 Jul 2025
Viewed by 315
Abstract
Global warming represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges to cold-water fish farming. Heat stress markedly alters the mucosal symbiotic microbiota and intestinal microbial metabolites in fish, posing substantial barriers to the healthy artificial breeding of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). [...] Read more.
Global warming represents one of the most pressing environmental challenges to cold-water fish farming. Heat stress markedly alters the mucosal symbiotic microbiota and intestinal microbial metabolites in fish, posing substantial barriers to the healthy artificial breeding of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). However, the relationship between mucosal commensal microbiota, intestinal metabolites, and host environmental adaptability under heat stress remains poorly understood. In this study, rainbow trout reared at optimal temperature (16 °C) served as controls, while those exposed to maximum tolerated temperature (24 °C, 21 d) comprised the heat stress group. Using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS), we analysed the mucosal commensal microbiota—including gastrointestinal digesta, gastrointestinal mucosa, skin mucus, and gill mucosa—and intestinal metabolites of rainbow trout under heat stress conditions to explore adaptive and regulatory mechanisms. Analysis of microbial composition and diversity revealed that heat stress exerted the greatest impact on the diversity of gill and skin mucus microbiota, followed by gastrointestinal digesta, with relatively minor effects on the gastrointestinal mucosa. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, and Bacteroidetes were predominant in the stomach, intestine, and surface mucosa. At the genus level, Acinetobacter showed the greatest increase in abundance in skin and gill mucosa under heat stress, while Enterobacteriaceae exhibited the most pronounced increase in intestinal digesta, gastric digesta, and gastric mucosa. Differential metabolites in the intestinal digesta under heat stress were predominantly enriched in pathways associated with amino acid metabolism, particularly tryptophan metabolism. This study provides a comprehensive characterisation of microbiota and metabolic profile alterations in rainbow trout under heat stress condition, offering a theoretical foundation for understanding the response mechanisms of fish commensal microbiota to thermal stress. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Aquatic Animals)
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18 pages, 1937 KiB  
Article
Mycorrhizal Fungi Modulate the Development and Composition of Purslane (Portulaca oleracea L.) Bioactive Compounds
by Marieta Hristozkova, Katrin Valkova and Maria Geneva
Agriculture 2025, 15(13), 1458; https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture15131458 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 329
Abstract
The present research focused on the physiological alterations and antioxidant potential of Portulaca oleracea L. due to mycorrhizal symbiosis with diverse strains. Purslane belongs to the plants that form a symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi and show tolerance to various strains. Inoculation with Funneliformis [...] Read more.
The present research focused on the physiological alterations and antioxidant potential of Portulaca oleracea L. due to mycorrhizal symbiosis with diverse strains. Purslane belongs to the plants that form a symbiosis with mycorrhizal fungi and show tolerance to various strains. Inoculation with Funneliformis mosseae gave better mycorrhizal colonization results and positively affected biomass accumulation and the concentration of reducing sugars. The total accumulation of plastid pigments was higher in symbiotic plants, although this effect was not specific to any particular strain. Mycorrhizal fungi increased the levels of carotenes in the shoots, while xanthophylls decreased, with the highest values observed in non-inoculated plants. Both strains influenced the ratio of betalains: Funneliformis mosseae promoted the accumulation of β-cyanins, while Claroideoglomus claroideum increased β-xanthines. The association with Funneliformis mosseae also affected antioxidant capacity, as indicated by the FRAP test, by altering the concentrations of secondary metabolites, particularly phenols and flavonoids. Targeted inoculation with specific strains boosts both non-enzymatic (including water-soluble and lipid-soluble metabolites) and enzymatic antioxidant activity; however, it was not dependent on the strain. These findings underscore the benefits of mycorrhizal associations in purslane cultivation, promoting sustainable ecological practices and enhancing its quality as a food product. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Arbuscular Mycorrhiza in Cropping Systems)
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15 pages, 1833 KiB  
Article
Comparative Analysis of Gut Microbiota Responses to New SN-38 Derivatives, Irinotecan, and FOLFOX in Mice Bearing Colorectal Cancer Patient-Derived Xenografts
by Katarzyna Unrug-Bielawska, Zuzanna Sandowska-Markiewicz, Magdalena Piątkowska, Paweł Czarnowski, Krzysztof Goryca, Natalia Zeber-Lubecka, Michalina Dąbrowska, Ewelina Kaniuga, Magdalena Cybulska-Lubak, Aneta Bałabas, Małgorzata Statkiewicz, Izabela Rumieńczyk, Kazimiera Pyśniak, Michał Mikula and Jerzy Ostrowski
Cancers 2025, 17(13), 2263; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17132263 - 7 Jul 2025
Viewed by 471
Abstract
Background: Symbiotic gut microbiota can enhance cancer therapy efficacy, while treatment-induced dysbiosis may reduce effectiveness or increase toxicity. Our preclinical study compared the anticancer effects and impact on fecal microbiota and metabolites of two water-soluble SN-38 derivatives (BN-MePPR and BN-MOA), with those observed [...] Read more.
Background: Symbiotic gut microbiota can enhance cancer therapy efficacy, while treatment-induced dysbiosis may reduce effectiveness or increase toxicity. Our preclinical study compared the anticancer effects and impact on fecal microbiota and metabolites of two water-soluble SN-38 derivatives (BN-MePPR and BN-MOA), with those observed after treatment with Irinotecan, and the FOLFOX regimen in NOD scid gamma mice bearing patient-derived colon adenocarcinoma xenografts (CRC PDX). Methods: Five individual experiments with Irinotecan and its derivatives and eight individual experiments with FOLFOX were conducted using eight CRC PDX models. Chemotherapeutics were administered intraperitoneally 4–5 times at 5-day intervals. Fecal samples were collected before and after treatment. Microbiota composition was analyzed by 16S rRNA gene (V3–V4 regions) sequencing. Mass spectrometry was used to quantify short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and amino acids (AAs). Results: All treatments significantly inhibited tumor growth versus controls. However, no significant changes were observed in gut microbiota α- and β-diversity between treated and untreated groups. Tumor progression in controls was associated with increased abundance of Marvinbryantia, Lactobacillus, Ruminococcus, and [Eubacterium] nodatum group. FOLFOX-treated mice showed increased Marvinbryantia, Bacteroides, and Candidatus Arthromitus, and decreased Akkermansia. No distinct taxa changes were found in the Irinotecan or derivative groups. SCFA levels remained unchanged across groups, while BN-MePPR, BN-MOA, and Irinotecan all increased AA concentrations. Conclusions: Contrary to earlier toxicological data, these findings indicate a relatively limited impact of the tested chemotherapeutics on the gut microbiome and metabolome, emphasizing the importance of research method selection in preclinical studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Cancer Therapy)
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19 pages, 1898 KiB  
Article
Reducing Nitrogen Input Increases the Efficacy of Soil Nitrogen Utilization by Regulating Cotton–Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi–Soil Nitrogen Interactions
by Hushan Wang, Yunzhu He, Zihui Shen, Mengjuan Liu, Wangfeng Zhang and Xiaozhen Pu
Nitrogen 2025, 6(3), 55; https://doi.org/10.3390/nitrogen6030055 - 3 Jul 2025
Viewed by 314
Abstract
Crops and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance nitrogen (N) transformation and utilization efficiency in the soil, and this effect is regulated by soil N application rates. However, it remains unclear whether the N utilization efficiency of cotton can be improved through the [...] Read more.
Crops and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi can enhance nitrogen (N) transformation and utilization efficiency in the soil, and this effect is regulated by soil N application rates. However, it remains unclear whether the N utilization efficiency of cotton can be improved through the symbiosis of cotton with AM fungi under reduced N application rates. Therefore, we conducted 15N labeling experiments using a compartmentalized culture system with Gossypium hirsutum L. as the experimental plant. We established three N treatments (0.15 g·kg−1, 0.10 g·kg−1 and 0 g·kg−1) to investigate the effects of different fertilization rates on N utilization, soil N priming effects, and differences in N accumulation in various parts of cotton plants within the soil–AM fungi–cotton system. The results indicate that under reduced N application, symbiosis between cotton and AM fungi increased the N fertilizer utilization efficiency and the soil N priming effect. Specifically, reducing the fertilization dosage from 0.15 g·kg−1 to 0.10 g·kg−1 increased the N fertilizer utilization efficiency and soil N priming effect by 8.87% and 11.67%, respectively, and decreased the N loss rate by 7.02%. The symbiosis between cotton and AM fungi after N reduction significantly increased N accumulation in the roots and leaves. Moreover, the N fertilizer content accounted for 5.89% of the total N content in roots. Overall, when N application was reduced, symbiosis with AM fungi effectively promoted the rhizosphere N priming effect, which reconciled the conflict in N nutrient allocation within cotton and thus enabled the efficient utilization of soil N. Full article
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13 pages, 1285 KiB  
Article
Symbiont-Targeted Control of Halyomorpha halys Does Not Affect Local Insect Diversity in a Hazelnut Orchard
by Sofia Victoria Prieto, Matteo Dho, Bianca Orrù, Elena Gonella and Alberto Alma
Insects 2025, 16(7), 688; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects16070688 - 30 Jun 2025
Viewed by 549
Abstract
Harmless crop-associated insect communities are a fundamental part of the agroecosystem. Their potential as a reservoir of natural enemies of pests has encouraged their conservation through the development of low-impact pest management programs. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, represents a serious [...] Read more.
Harmless crop-associated insect communities are a fundamental part of the agroecosystem. Their potential as a reservoir of natural enemies of pests has encouraged their conservation through the development of low-impact pest management programs. The brown marmorated stink bug, Halyomorpha halys, represents a serious threat to Italian hazelnut production. Laboratory and field experiments confirmed the susceptibility of this pest to the disruption of the obligated symbiotic interaction with gut bacteria, paving the way for the development of the symbiont-targeted control strategy. Here we present the results of a three-year field assessment of symbiont-targeted control in a hazelnut orchard in northwestern Italy. The use of a biocomplex to disrupt symbiont acquisition by H. halys nymphs was compared to the use of lambda-cyhalothrin insecticide. The effects on the local entomofauna were assessed, as were the trend of H. halys population and the damage caused by stink bugs to harvested hazelnuts. The insecticide consistently reduced the insect diversity in the field, while the anti-symbiont biocomplex had no effect. However, the control of the H. halys population and the stink bug-induced damage to hazelnuts varied over the years in the field plot submitted to the symbiont-targeted approach. Our results indicate that the symbiont-targeted control does not interfere with local insect communities. Key aspects for improving the effectiveness of this tactic are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Surveillance and Management of Invasive Insects)
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43 pages, 1513 KiB  
Communication
The Biocontrol and Growth-Promoting Potential of Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. in Sustainable Agriculture
by Wenli Sun, Mohamad Hesam Shahrajabian and Lijie Guan
Plants 2025, 14(13), 2007; https://doi.org/10.3390/plants14132007 - 30 Jun 2025
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Abstract
Plant-growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) play a central role in promoting sustainable agriculture by improving plant growth and resilience. The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. on various agricultural and horticultural plants. The information provided [...] Read more.
Plant-growth-promoting fungi (PGPF) play a central role in promoting sustainable agriculture by improving plant growth and resilience. The aim of this literature review is to survey the impacts of Trichoderma spp. and Penicillium spp. on various agricultural and horticultural plants. The information provided in this manuscript was obtained from randomized control experiments, review articles, and analytical studies and observations gathered from numerous literature sources such as Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The keywords used were the common and Latin names of various agricultural and horticultural species, fungal endophytes, plant-growth-promoting fungi, Trichoderma, Penicillium, microbial biostimulants, and biotic and abiotic stresses. Endophytic fungi refer to fungi that live in plant tissues throughout part of or the entire life cycle by starting a mutually beneficial symbiotic relationship with its host without any negative effects. They are also capable of producing compounds and a variety of bioactive components such as terpenoids, steroids, flavonoids, alkaloids, and phenolic components. Penicillium is extensively known for its production of secondary metabolites, its impact as a bioinoculant to help with crop productivity, and its effectiveness in sustainable crop production. The plant-growth-promotion effects of Trichoderma spp. are related to better absorption of mineral nutrients, enhanced morphological growth, better reproductive potential and yield, and better induction of disease resistance. Both Penicillium spp. and Trichoderma spp. are effective, affordable, safe, and eco-friendly biocontrol agents for various plant species, and they can be considered economically important microorganisms for both agricultural and horticultural sciences. The present review article aims to present the most up-to-date results and findings regarding the practical applications of two important types of PGPF, namely Penicillium spp., and Trichoderma spp., in agricultural and horticultural species, considering the mechanisms of actions of these species of fungi. Full article
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