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PubMed2026

From fear to empowerment: the impact of employees AI awareness on workplace well-being - a new insight from the JD-R model.

PURPOSE: The primary purpose of the study was to explore the impact of health workers' awareness of artificial intelligence (AI) on their workplace well-being, addressing a critical gap in the literature. By examining this relationship through the lens of the Job demands-resources (JD-R) model, the study aimed to provide insights into how health workers' perceptions of AI integration in their jobs and careers could influence their informal learning behaviour and, consequently, their overall well-being in the workplace. The study's findings could inform strategies for supporting healthcare workers during technological transformations. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: The study employed a quantitative research design using a survey methodology to collect data from 420 health workers across 10 hospitals in Ghana that have adopted AI technologies. The study was analysed using OLS and structural equation modelling. FINDINGS: The study findings revealed that health workers' AI awareness positively impacts their informal learning behaviour at the workplace. Again, informal learning behaviour positively impacts health workers' workplace well-being. Moreover, informal learning behaviour mediates the relationship between health workers' AI awareness and workplace wellbeing. Furthermore, employee learning orientation was found to strengthen the effect of AI awareness on informal learning behaviour. RESEARCH LIMITATIONS/IMPLICATIONS: While the study provides valuable insights, it is important to acknowledge its limitations. The study was conducted in a specific context (Ghanaian hospitals adopting AI), which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other healthcare settings or industries. Self-reported data from the questionnaires may be subject to response biases, and the study did not account for potential confounding factors that could influence the relationships between the variables. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The study offers practical implications for healthcare organizations navigating the digital transformation era. By understanding the positive impact of health workers' AI awareness on their informal learning behaviour and well-being, organizations can prioritize initiatives that foster a learning-oriented culture and provide opportunities for informal learning. This could include implementing mentorship programs, encouraging knowledge-sharing among employees and offering training and development resources to help workers adapt to AI-driven changes. Additionally, the findings highlight the importance of promoting employee learning orientation, which can enhance the effectiveness of such initiatives. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: The study contributes to the existing literature by addressing a relatively unexplored area - the impact of AI awareness on healthcare workers' well-being. While previous research has focused on the potential job displacement effects of AI, this study takes a unique perspective by examining how health workers' perceptions of AI integration can shape their informal learning behaviour and, subsequently, their workplace well-being. By drawing on the JD-R model and incorporating employee learning orientation as a moderator, the study offers a novel theoretical framework for understanding the implications of AI adoption in healthcare organizations.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Implementation factors shaping British Columbia's drug decriminalization pilot: A systematic review with narrative synthesis.

BACKGROUND: In January 2023, British Columbia (BC) became the first Canadian province to implement a legally sanctioned drug decriminalization policy, removing criminal penalties for adults possessing 2.5 g or less of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. Introduced as a three-year pilot, it aimed to reframe substance use as a public health issue, reduce stigma, and improve health and social service engagement. Criminal penalties were reintroduced for drug possession in most public spaces in May 2024, and the pilot ended in January 2026. Its termination has been interpreted as policy failure; this review aimed to examine how the pilot was implemented in practice and to identify factors that shaped its operationalization and early implementation-relevant outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a systematic review with narrative synthesis of peer-reviewed literature examining implementation-relevant aspects of BC's decriminalization pilot. Six databases were searched (January-February 2026) for studies published May 31, 2022-February 1, 2026. The protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251271694). RESULTS: Twenty-seven studies were included. Four cross-cutting implementation barriers were identified: pilot design features, public and cross-sector communication gaps, limited frontline training, and insufficient funding and infrastructure. Design features included the 2.5 g possession threshold, misalignment with real-world drug use patterns; the three-year timeframe, which constrained system-level effects; and the May 2024 amendment, which introduced additional instability. The pilot was implemented without commensurate investment in harm reduction, treatment, or housing infrastructure, within already constrained systems. CONCLUSION: BC's decriminalization pilot suggests the effects of legal reform are shaped by implementation context. Early outcomes may reflect design features, institutional readiness, and system capacity rather than legal change alone; longer-term impacts remain uncertain. Future reforms should align legal change with coordinated implementation, operational guidance, public communication, and adequate service infrastructure.

British Columbia↗

PubMed2026

Impact of renal dysfunction on immediate versus staged revascularization of non-culprit lesions in patients with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: a pre-specified subgroup analysis of the randomized MULTISTARS AMI trial.

BACKGROUND: Renal dysfunction might affect outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) and multivessel coronary artery disease (MVD) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: In MULTISTARS AMI, patients with STEMI and MVD were randomized to immediate or staged PCI of non-culprit lesions. In this pre-specified analysis, patients were stratified according to the presence of renal dysfunction at baseline, defined at an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of 60 ml/min/1.73 m2. Patients with an eGFR < 30 ml/min/1.73 m2 were excluded from the trial. The primary endpoint was a composite of death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, stroke, unplanned revascularization, or hospitalization for heart failure at 1 year. RESULTS: In MULTISTARS AMI, 108 (13%) of 832 patients had renal dysfunction. The primary endpoint occurred more frequently in patients with renal dysfunction (19.4% vs. 11.2%, unadjusted HR 1.82, 95% CI 1.13-2.94), primarily driven by higher rates of death. Among patients with renal dysfunction, the rates of the primary end point were 14.5% and 24.5% in the immediate and staged PCI groups (unadjusted HR 0.55, 95% CI 0.23-1.33). There was no interaction between renal dysfunction and the randomized treatment assignment with respect to the primary end point (adjusted HR 1.30, 95% CI 0.8-2.20, pint 0.82). The occurrence of acute renal insufficiency was statistically similar in patients with renal dysfunction who underwent immediate and staged PCI (10.9% vs. 18.9%, unadjusted HR 0.61, 95% CI 0.22-1.72, pint 0.09). Renal dysfunction at baseline emerged as a strong risk factor for the development of acute renal insufficiency (adjusted HR 5.0, 95% CI 2.30-10.70, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Outcomes with immediate compared to staged multivessel PCI did not appear significantly altered by the presence of renal dysfunction at baseline. (Supported by Boston Scientific; MULTISTARS AMI ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03135275).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Deimplementation of inappropriate feeding practices in early care and education: a Hybrid Type 3 cluster-randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: The science of deimplementation-reducing harmful or ineffective practices-has focused almost exclusively on clinical prescribing, with no studies conducted in community or educational settings. Early care and education (ECE) settings offer a strategic venue for shaping eating behaviors, with children consuming up to 500 meals annually in these environments. However, ECE educators routinely use feeding practices that undermine self-regulation, including pressuring children to eat, rushing mealtimes, and offering food as reward. These practices contribute to food aversions, diminished self-regulation, and obesity risk. METHODS: We will conduct a Hybrid Type 3 cluster-randomized trial evaluating a co-designed deimplementation strategy package (WISE Words) across 88 ECE sites in Arkansas and Louisiana. Sites will be randomized 1:1 to WISE Words or usual practice, with usual practice sites receiving the intervention after two years (waitlist design). WISE Words includes six strategies: dynamic training using improvisation methods, peer learning collaboratives with goal setting, external facilitation, audit and feedback, environmental reminders, and tailored educational materials. The primary outcome is de-adoption of inappropriate feeding practices measured via direct mealtime observation (Table Talk). Secondary outcomes include adoption of evidence-based practices, acceptability, appropriateness, and sustainability at 12- and 24-months post-intervention. Child outcomes include Body Mass Index, skin carotenoid levels (Veggie Meter) willingness to try new foods (observed) and food neophobia (teacher and caregiver report). An explanatory sequential mixed methods design will test mechanisms of change derived from the Implementation Trust Building Theory of Change examining whether trust mediates strategy effects on outcomes. DISCUSSION: This trial extends deimplementation science into community settings by targeting culturally embedded behavioral practices rather than clinical prescribing behaviors. Results will inform approaches to shifting entrenched practices in ECE and similar settings while testing trust as a deimplementation mechanism. Sustainability assessments will address a notable gap, as few studies have examined whether deimplementation effects persist. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT07101321, July 20, 2025.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Effects of acute hypoxia followed by reoxygenation on intestinal histomorphology, oxidative stress and hypoxia signaling biomarkers, and microbiota in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca).

In aquatic environments, natural and anthropogenic factors commonly reduce dissolved oxygen (DO) and trigger hypoxia, which threatens the health and survival of aquatic organisms. As an important economic fish species in China, pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) is extremely sensitive to hypoxia. However, there are relatively few reports on how hypoxia and reoxygenation affect its intestinal physiology and microbial community. Three treatment groups were set for pikeperch: normoxia (DO = 8.5 ± 0.5 mg/L), 48 h hypoxia (DO = 2.5 ± 0.1 mg/L), and reoxygenation (48 h hypoxia followed by 6 h reoxygenation at normal DO), to evaluate alterations in intestinal histopathology, tight junction gene expression, oxidative stress, hypoxia signaling molecules and intestinal microbiota composition. The results showed that hypoxia significantly decreased muscularis thickness by approximately 32.5% and reduced the expression of tight junction genes (Occludin, Claudin2, and ZO-2). Moreover, hypoxia significantly increased oxidative stress index levels (GSH-Px, CAT, and MDA), markedly upregulated the expression of Bax, Caspase3, and HIF-1α, while significantly downregulating the expression of Bcl-2, Egln1, and Egln2. Notably, reoxygenation elicited partial compensatory effects against these hypoxia-induced changes. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis revealed that hypoxic stress altered the intestinal microbial community composition of pikeperch and increased its diversity. In the hypoxia group, the abundance of the phylum Bacillota, along with the genera Halomonas and Acinetobacter, was significantly elevated, whereas in the reoxygenation group, the genus Lactobacillus increased approximately 180-fold. The results indicated that hypoxia caused intestinal oxidative damage, cell apoptosis, and intestinal microbiota dysbiosis in pikeperch, while short-term reoxygenation achieved partial recovery from these hypoxia-triggered intestinal injuries. The present research provides valuable references for in-depth exploration of the molecular mechanisms behind the response of pikeperch to acute hypoxia and reoxygenation stress, while also offering a novel perspective to understand the mechanism by which hypoxia impacts intestinal health in fish.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

The environmental impact of diagnosis and therapy in obstructive sleep Apnea: A systematic review.

Healthcare contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, yet the environmental impact of sleep medicine, particularly the diagnosis and therapy of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), remains poorly characterized. We systematically searched PubMed, Scopus, and Embase (2015-2025) for studies on OSA care reporting environmental metrics (carbon footprint, energy use, resource consumption) or healthcare resource utilization. Supplementary searches identified additional non-peer-reviewed sustainability-focused studies that have been presented at conferences. Of 19 primary peer-reviewed studies on OSA care and utilization, only one reported environmental metrics (telemedicine CO2 savings related to reduction in travel-related emissions). Supplementary sources revealed that OSA care has a measurable carbon footprint driven by disposable equipment, device electricity, and travel and that OSA diagnostics create significant solid waste with opportunities for waste reduction through the use of reusable equipment. This review shows that while the environmental impact of sleep medicine has been rarely studied to this date, available evidence suggests significant opportunities for sustainability through virtual care, home testing, and equipment optimization. Future research should incorporate environmental impact into the assessment of clinical pathways.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Stroke risk following BNT162b2 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis of self-controlled case series studies.

INTRODUCTION: Whether BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccination increases stroke risk remains a public health concern. This is the first meta-analysis to synthesize self-controlled case series (SCCS)-derived stroke risk estimates specifically for BNT162b2 vaccination. METHODS: PubMed and Embase were searched from inception through 9 May 2026, following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. Eight eligible SCCS studies were pooled using a random-effects model with restricted maximum likelihood (REML) estimation and the Knapp-Hartung adjustment. RESULTS: Eight studies across six countries encompassing several million vaccinated individuals were included. The pooled incidence rate ratio (IRR) was 0.967 (95% CI 0.892-1.049; I2 = 69.2%), indicating no statistically significant increase in stroke risk. Subgroup analyses showed no evidence of effect modification across continent, risk-window length, dose category, SCCS variant, or age group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide no evidence of increased short-term stroke risk following BNT162b2 vaccination at the population level. The observed heterogeneity appeared to be partly driven by methodological differences rather than true biological variation in vaccine effect.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Oxidative potential of fresh vs. O₃-aged PM2.5 across urban and rural sources in China.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is a major health risk, yet its impacts are still largely assessed using mass concentration, which does not capture toxicity. Recently, oxidative potential (OP) has emerged as a more relevant metric, reflecting the ability of particles to generate reactive oxygen species. A current challenge, especially in China, is understanding how emission sources and ozone (O3) aging affect PM2.5 toxicity, given that O3 is an increasingly important pollutant there. A work by Ma and co-workers published in J. Environ. Sci. (doi.org/10.1016/j.jes.2024.04.023) addressed this by evaluating the OP of fresh and O3-aged PM2.5 from multiple sources in China using the dithiothreitol (DTT) assay. Biomass burning particles exhibited the highest OP, up to 35 times greater than suburban PM2.5, driven by water-soluble organics and transition metals. While O3 aging generally reduced OP, it also induced complex chemical transformations. These findings highlight that PM2.5 toxicity is dynamic and source-dependent, underscoring the need to move beyond mass-based air quality metrics.

Particulate Matter↗

PubMed2026

Pervasive hybridization and introgression in Diervilleae (Caprifoliaceae).

Diervilleae (Caprifoliaceae) is a horticulturally important lineage with striking floral diversity and a long history of interspecific crossing, suggesting reticulate evolution. We integrated nuclear SNPs and whole plastome data to reconstruct a phylogenomic backbone for the tribe and to identify hybrids, cultivated accessions, and introgression among lineages. Nuclear and plastid phylogenies consistently recover Weigela and Diervilla as reciprocally monophyletic and resolve four major lineages within Weigela, providing a reproducible framework for revising sectional limits and species boundaries. Cultivated accessions form a well supported clade sister to W. florida and show predominantly W. florida ancestry while retaining contributions from multiple wild lineages, consistent with recurrent crossing, backcrossing, and selection. Analyses of wild populations reveal recurrent hybrids and enable plausible parental combinations to be inferred. Tests across the genome further indicate strong evidence for historical introgression across Diervilleae, with the strongest signals involving W. middendorffiana, W. maximowiczii, and Diervilla. Fossil evidence, divergence time estimation, and paleodistribution modelling together suggest range expansion during the Miocene and Pliocene followed by climate driven contraction, providing a spatiotemporal context for episodic contact, introgression, and the East Asia-North America disjunction.

Hybridization, Genetic↗

PubMed2026

Perioperative care for patients with opioid exposure and opioid use disorder: screening and treatment strategies.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The prevalence of opioid tolerance, dependence, and use disorder is increasing among patients presenting for surgical care, yet perioperative management strategies for these patients remain inconsistent. This review examines the impact of preoperative opioid exposure on surgical outcomes, the scope of untreated opioid use disorder (OUD) among surgical patients, and advances in clinical and systems-level approaches to perioperative care. RECENT FINDINGS: Preoperative opioid exposure independently predicts worse surgical outcomes, including higher opioid consumption, readmissions, complications, and mortality, in a dose-dependent manner. Perioperative opioid exposure predicts persistent opioid use after surgery, with the duration of exposure a stronger predictor of subsequent OUD than daily dose. Data-driven prescribing guidelines and structured opioid tapering reduce overprescribing without compromising pain control. Among surgical patients with diagnosed OUD, approximately two-thirds do not receive medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD), though treatment engagement and maintenance substantially improve outcomes. Evidence now clearly supports perioperative buprenorphine continuation over interruption. SUMMARY: Effective perioperative management of opioid-complex surgical patients requires systematic screening, evidence-based prescribing, MOUD continuation, and institutional infrastructure. The primary barrier is shifting from evidence generation to implementation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Review: The African turquoise killifish as a model for the integrative physiology of vertebrate aging.

With increasing emphasis on extending healthy lifespan, aging research requires vertebrate models that permit efficient mechanistic investigation and intervention testing within practical time and cost constraints. The African turquoise killifish (Nothobranchius furzeri) has attracted growing attention because it combines an exceptionally short life cycle with an intact vertebrate physiological context and an expanding genetic toolkit, enabling relatively rapid evaluation of candidate aging interventions and mechanistic analysis across molecular, tissue, and organismal levels. This review assesses N. furzeri from an integrative-physiology perspective, focusing on germline-soma interactions, gut microbiota-host crosstalk, nutrient sensing and metabolic remodeling, temperature responsiveness, and AMPK-mTOR-linked programs. It also examines expanding genome-engineering and reporter approaches that support mechanistic and tissue-resolved investigation of these physiological processes. Building on recent reviews of killifish biology, disease modeling, regeneration, and the hallmarks of aging, we synthesize evidence across major intervention domains, distinguish established phenotypic effects from incompletely resolved mechanisms, and highlight functional endpoints, methodological standardization, and the appropriate interpretation of the model's translational relevance. Together, these features position N. furzeri as a strategically useful vertebrate platform for rapid mechanistic testing, intervention evaluation, and prioritization of aging-related pathways. Future progress will require improved methodological standardization, tissue-resolved causal studies, and question-driven cross-species validation where appropriate.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Targeted Nanoparticle Delivery CRISPR/Cas9: overcoming biological barriers, enhancing stability, and improving therapeutic precision.

Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) has emerged as a promising gene-editing platform for genetic disorders; however, its in vivo application remains limited by low delivery efficiency and biological barriers. Many CRISPR payloads fail to reach target sites due to extracellular degradation, immune clearance, and intracellular trafficking limitations. This review examines the interplay between biological barriers and nanoparticle engineering strategies for CRISPR/Cas9 delivery. A barrier-oriented engineering approach is proposed as a central framework, encompassing ligand-based surface modification for enhanced targeting and uptake, improved circulation stability via PEGylation and biomimetic coatings, and optimized payload release through endosomal escape strategies. Stimulus-responsive nanoparticle systems further enable spatiotemporal control over payload release. Nuclear targeting strategies, including optimization of nuclear localization signals (NLS) and exploitation of endogenous trafficking pathways, are highlighted as key factors for improving genome-level editing efficiency. Despite these advances, major challenges-including limited intracellular delivery efficiency, insufficient targeting precision, and safety concerns-continue to hinder clinical translation. Future directions highlight artificial intelligence-driven nanoparticle design, personalized delivery systems, and next-generation CRISPR platforms. Overall, an integrated, barrier-oriented engineering strategy is essential for advancing CRISPR/Cas9 delivery toward clinical applications, ultimately advancing global good health and well-being.

CRISPR/Cas9↗

PubMed2026

Quantitative assessment of the fingerprint evidential value using machine learning.

Fingerprints as physical evidence have long supported criminal investigation and adjudication. In practice, however, fingerprint identification relies mainly on examiners' experience. Furthermore, expert opinions tend to be categorical, even though the opinions with the same conclusion could differ substantially in evidential strength. To quantitatively assess fingerprint evidential value, this study proposes a machine learning-based framework as an interpretable decision-support tool. A lightweight residual one-dimensional convolutional neural network was constructed, incorporating channel recalibration and a similarity-driven attention mechanism to learn adaptive contribution weights for different matched minutiae (minutiae for short). Controlled experiments revealed that the predicted evidential value increased with the number of minutiae and was significantly influenced by the quality of minutiae. With 10 minutiae, the mean predicted scores were 4.49, 7.00, and 9.09 for blurred, moderately blurred, and clear minutiae, respectively. Multiple regression analysis indicated that replacing a pair of blurred minutiae with a pair of clear minutiae increased the score by 0.492, whereas replacing it with a pair of moderately blurred minutiae increased the score by only 0.216. By mapping predicted scores to graded levels of evidential strength, the framework contributes to a paradigm shift from categorical expert opinions to graded ones, helping courts evaluate fingerprint evidence more scientifically.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Divergent evolutionary strategies in spider venoms: A comparative proteomic profiling of four sympatric species from Yunnan.

Spider venoms comprise complex cocktails of bioactive molecules evolved for predation and defense, representing a valuable resource for biological research and pharmaceutical discovery. In this study, we performed a systematic analysis of venom gland extracts from four common spider species indigenous to Yunnan, China: Agelena limbata, Hippasa lycosina, Lycosa grahami, and Sinopoda pengi. Using an integrated transcriptomic and proteomic targeted profiling approach, we successfully annotated 141 distinct toxins. Comparative analysis revealed significant interspecific heterogeneity, suggesting distinct evolutionary trajectories and "weapon system economics." Both A. limbata and L. grahami exhibited a "peptide-dominant" profile anchored by neurotoxic peptides and isomerases, optimized for rapid chemical paralysis. In contrast, S. pengi displayed a distinct "protein-dominant" signature enriched with high-molecular-weight enzymes and CAP superfamily proteins, likely functioning to facilitate tissue degradation and toxin diffusion. Occupying an intermediate position, H. lycosina demonstrated a hybrid composition. These findings suggest that although these species share the same geographical range, their venom systems have undergone divergent evolutionary adaptations driven by specific ecological niches and hunting strategies. This study represents the first systematic proteomic characterization of these venom components, providing a valuable reservoir of molecular candidates while highlighting the bioinformatic nuances of analyzing whole-gland homogenates.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Virtual, Augmented, and Mixed Reality Technologies in Neurosurgical Training: Enhancing Skills and Surgical Outcomes: A Systematic Review.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically review the role of virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR) in neurosurgical education and training. DESIGN: Systematic review conducted in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. SETTING: A comprehensive search was performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar for English-language studies published between 1 January 2020 and 30 April 2026. PARTICIPANTS: Studies involving neurosurgeons, fellows, residents, and medical students (maximum sample size: n = 48) were included. RESULTS: Of 7,204 initially identified studies, 25 met the inclusion criteria. VR was primarily used for surgical simulation (100% of VR studies) and anatomical education (62.5%). AR demonstrated broader applications, including preoperative planning (40%) and intraoperative support (30%). MR was evenly distributed across simulation, planning, and intraoperative support (40% each). The most frequently improved outcomes were training effectiveness (52%) and technical proficiency (44%). Methodological quality scores, assessed using the Modified Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MMERSQI), ranged from 39.5 to 84.5, indicating varied rigor. CONCLUSION: VR, AR, and MR technologies show potential to enhance surgical precision, technical skills, and educational outcomes in neurosurgical training. However, standardization of methodologies and cost-effective solutions remain essential. Future research should focus on long-term clinical impact and integration of AI-driven training models.

Virtual Reality↗

PubMed2026

The cold case of state transition 7 (stt7) mutants of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, solved by whole-genome sequencing.

The process of State Transitions (ST) corresponds to an STT7 kinase-driven redistribution of the transmembrane LHCII antenna proteins between Photosystem II (PSII) and Photosystem I (PSI), which results from changes in their phosphorylation state. For the past two decades, two LHCII-kinase mutants, stt7-1 and stt7-9, have been instrumental in the study of STs in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, the former being a null mutant for the kinase but quasi-sterile in crosses, while the latter, although fertile, has a leaky phenotype. Using long-read sequencing, this study further characterized the genetic lesions of the stt7 mutant strains through whole-genome reconstruction and de novo chromosome assembly. In addition, two new stt7 null mutants were generated, one derived by crosses from the original stt7-1 and one obtained by Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)-associated protein 9 (Cas9) technology. This work provides a comprehensive genomic characterization of the original stt7-1 null mutant, revealing extensive chromosomal rearrangements and high levels of aneuploidy, associated with increased cell size and meiotic dysfunction. Reassessment of their physiology and genetic backgrounds highlights the need for caution in interpreting genetic information. We thus produced more reliable null mutants for the LHCII-kinase, amenable to genetic crosses for the study of STs in a variety of genetic backgrounds.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii↗

PubMed2026

Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria as a window into multi-scale convergent evolution.

Fructophilic lactic acid bacteria (FLAB) are a group of lactic acid bacteria with unique growth characteristics, that is, poor growth on glucose. Their growth is enhanced in the presence of fructose or external electron acceptors. These organisms inhabit fructose-rich environments such as flowers, fruits, and pollinating insects, particularly honey bees. Apilactobacillus spp. and Fructobacillus spp. are representatives of FLAB, although they belong to phylogenetically distant clades. These organisms commonly possess markedly small genomes with a low number of coding DNA sequences. Furthermore, their genomes are characterized by a markedly reduced number of genes involved in carbohydrate transport and metabolism. Genome reduction in FLAB reflects convergent adaptation to fructose-rich environments rather than general genome streamlining. The two distinct FLAB genera, Fructobacillus and Apilactobacillus, independently lost more than 100 genes in statistically similar orders. In contrast, genes involved in carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism exhibited reversed orders of loss between the two genera. Furthermore, FLAB genomes lack an intact bifunctional alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase gene (adhE), which causes their poor growth on glucose. A comparative genomic study suggested the evolutionary process underlying adhE gene decay during adaptation to the fructose-rich environments, including pollinating insects. In conclusion, FLAB represent a unique example of habitat-driven convergent reductive evolution that can be investigated across multiple biological scales - from individual genes to whole genomes - in the diverse LAB group with a wide range of habitats, and partially share the fructophilic evolution with eukaryotic yeasts found in fructose-rich habitats.

Fructose↗

PubMed2026

Structural and tissue-specific organisation of endocrine Fgf19 and Fgf21 signalling in rainbow trout.

Endocrine fibroblast growth factors (FGF19 subfamily) play a key role in regulating metabolic homeostasis in vertebrates. However, their functional diversification in salmonids remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted an integrative characterisation of Fgf19 and Fgf21 signalling in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) by combining phylogenetic, structural and expression analyses. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the conservation of single fgf19 and fgf21 genes, despite the extensive expansion of receptors post-Ss4R (salmonid-specific fourth-round whole genome duplication). Structural modelling and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the stable interactions of both ligands to multiple Fgfr isoforms, with receptor-specific energetic profiles and conserved core interaction residues. Tissue expression profiling revealed clear differences from mammalian models, such as predominant hepatic fgf19 expression and the absence of hepatic fgf21 under basal conditions. In addition, there were complex and tissue-dependent distributions of fgfr and klotho transcripts. These findings support a receptor-driven diversification model of endocrine Fgf signalling in salmonids, suggesting enhanced endocrine plasticity associated with the retention of receptors following post-genomic duplication. Taken together, our findings provide new insights into the structural and regulatory organisation of endocrine Fgf signalling, as well as its potential role in metabolic regulation in rainbow trout.

Animals↗