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PubMed2026

Comparison of opioid-free versus opioid-based total intravenous anaesthesia in elderly patients undergoing short-duration surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Older adults who undergo short-duration surgery are vulnerable to opioid-related complications. It is uncertain whether an opioid-free total intravenous anaesthesia (OFA) can reduce these events. We aimed to determine whether OFA reduces the incidence of major postoperative adverse events compared with standard opioid-based total intravenous anaesthesia (OBA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This single-center randomized clinical trial was conducted in China. From May to August 2025, 400 patients aged ≥60 years undergoing elective, short-duration surgery (anticipated duration of less than 90 min) were randomized 1:1 to receive either OFA (n = 200) or OBA (n = 200). The primary outcome was a composite of postoperative hypoxemia, delirium, or nausea and vomiting (PONV) within 48 h. RESULTS: A total of 400 randomized patients (mean [SD] age, 69.5 [7.0] years; 125 [31.3%] women). The primary composite outcome occurred in 50 patients (25.0%) in the OFA group and 87 patients (43.5%) in the OBA group (adjusted odds ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.25 to 0.62; p < .001). Among the OFA group had a lower incidence of hypoxemia (15.0% vs 32.0%) and PONV (8.0% vs 16.0%). Intraoperative hemodynamic stability was greater in the OFA group. However, the OFA group had a higher incidence of intraoperative bradycardia (10.0% vs 3.0%; p = .005) and longer extubation times (mean, 9.5 vs 7.2 min; p < .001). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that OFA is a viable alternative to opioid-based anesthesia for improving postoperative outcomes by reducing the incidence of hypoxemia and PONV in this population, while warranting careful management of its associated side effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2500102550.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Bipolar circumcision with mucocutaneous plane separation: A safe, precise, blood-sparing, dressing-free approach.

Conventional circumcision techniques may result in bleeding, limited control of the mucosal collar, and the need for dressings. We describe a modified bipolar technique enabling near-bloodless dissection with precise mucosal trimming. Following bipolar division of the preputial skin, the inner mucosa is separated using two forceps and retracted proximally, creating a protective plane for safe skin adjustment. The mucosal collar is trimmed with scissors. The wound is closed with sutures and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate, avoiding dressings. This technique has been performed in 55 consecutive cases (median age: 2 years and 2 months; range: 0 days-17 years and 5 months) with no reported complications over a median follow-up of 2 years and 7 months (range: 3 months-4 years and 1 month).

Humans↗

PubMed2026

LitCTL1: A novel C-type lectin involved in the mucosal and cellular immunity of the common periwinkle Littorinalittorea.

C-type lectins (CTLs) are vital pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) that mediate innate immune responses in mollusks, yet their characterization in Caenogastropoda, the largest gastropod group, remains limited. This study characterizes LitCTL1, a novel secreted single-domain C-type lectin from the common periwinkle, Littorina littorea. The 199-amino acid polypeptide contains a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain with canonical QPD and WND motifs and is predicted to form a homodimer. Uniquely, LitCTL1 was localized in both circulating hemocytes and mucus-secreting epithelial cells of the foot, mantle, and hypobranchial gland - the first report of such dual localization for a molluscan lectin, linking systemic and mucosal defense. Expression analysis revealed that LitCTL1 is constitutively expressed in hemocytes. Functional assays with recombinant LitCTL1 demonstrated its role as a potent opsonin with hemagglutinating activity, significantly enhancing hemocyte spreading and the phagocytosis of zymosan. Genomic analysis reveals that LitCTL1 belongs to a rapidly diversifying, genus-specific expansion distinct from conserved perlucin-like lineages. These results identify LitCTL1 as a key effector molecule in both systemic and mucosal innate immunity, likely reflecting an evolutionary adaptation to the microbial challenges of the intertidal environment.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Multiomic insights into fungal polylactic acid degradation: Metabolic adaptation and hydrolytic mechanisms of Sporobolomyces pararoseus.

Polylactic acid (PLA), a biodegradable polyester from renewable resources, is a sustainable alternative to petrochemical plastics. However, its environmental degradation is inefficient naturally, requiring specific microbial activities. While bacterial PLA-degrading mechanisms are well documented, fungal degrading systems-particularly their molecular mechanisms-are underexplored.We isolated Sporobolomyces pararoseus ZRQ01 from the gut microbiota of PLA-fed mealworms. This fungal strain noticeably degraded PLA in PLA-containing medium supplemented with 2% glucose. Biodegradation assays revealed 22.8% loss of the PLA film weight after 35 days of incubation, and scanning electron microscopy confirmed extensive surface erosion and pore formation. Integrated transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, together with the reference genome of S. pararoseus ZRQ01, revealed that S. pararoseus ZRQ01 upregulates hydrolytic enzymes at both transcript and protein levels to cleave PLA into lactic acid. After lactic acid is transferred into S. pararoseus ZRQ01 cells by monocarboxylate transporters with increased abundance, it is assimilated by pathways of pyruvate metabolism and the TCA cycle with increased protein abundance. Intriguingly, upregulation of genes in autophagy-related and MAPK signaling pathways underscores an adaptive stress response potentially supporting cellular homeostasis and degradation-related gene expression. Our results highlight S. pararoseus ZRQ01's metabolic potential for bioremediation and offer insights into fungal bioplastic degradation pathways.

Polyesters↗

PubMed2026

Loneliness and Personality: Noise- and Bias-Free True Correlations Between Loneliness and the Big Five Personality Domains.

OBJECTIVE: While loneliness is intertwined with many mental and physical health problems, its origins are not yet well understood. We sought to better understand its link to personality in a large national cohort. METHODS: Combining self- and informant ratings in multiple samples, we conducted the largest study to date to examine loneliness' true correlations (rtrues) with the Big Five personality traits, free of single-method biases and transient and random errors. RESULTS: Across three samples (Estonian-speaking, N = 20,893; Russian-speaking, N = 762; English-speaking, N = 599), we found a strong relationship between loneliness and Neuroticism (rtrue = 0.60-0.70). Loneliness also had robust but much weaker associations with Extraversion (rtrue = -0.20 to -0.30), and only weak associations (rtrue = 0.10 to -0.20) with Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, and Openness. Collectively, the Big Five accounted for over 50% of loneliness variance. In a subsample, the associations were only slightly smaller longitudinally over approximately 10 years. CONCLUSION: Overall, feeling lonely is more closely related to Neuroticism than previously understood, and the association endures over time.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Smoke-Free Home Intervention in Permanent Supportive Housing: A Cluster Randomized Clinical Trial.

IMPORTANCE: Chronic diseases related to tobacco use and secondhand smoke exposure are the leading causes of death among formerly homeless adults living in permanent supportive housing (PSH) in the US. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of a brief, smoke-free home intervention in promoting voluntary smoke-free home adoption among PSH residents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: In this cluster randomized clinical trial, data collection occurred from January 11, 2022, to March 31, 2025. Participants were residents aged 18 years or older who smoked cigarettes at home in 40 multiunit PSH sites in the San Francisco Bay area, randomized to intervention or waiting list control clusters, and housing staff who worked at the study sites. INTERVENTION: Residents in intervention sites received one-on-one in-person coaching from research staff on adopting a smoke-free home; waiting list control site residents received no interventions during the study but were offered the intervention once the intervention group completed follow-up. Staff in both intervention and control sites received training on providing brief tobacco cessation coaching. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Primary outcomes were smoke-free home adoption for at least 90 days and 7-day carbon monoxide-verified point prevalence abstinence (PPA; expired carbon monoxide level ≤5 ppm) at 6 months. Secondary outcomes were any adoption (≥1 day) of a smoke-free home in the past 90 days among residents and changes in Smoking Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices (S-KAP) scores among staff. RESULTS: The trial enrolled 400 residents (mean [SD] age, 54.5 [10.7] years; 251 [63.1%] male), 191 in the intervention and 209 in the control cluster. At 6 months, 13 residents (6.8%) in the intervention and 10 (4.8%) in the control group adopted a smoke-free home for at least 90 days (odds ratio [OR], 1.45; 95% CI, 0.69-3.07). Few residents achieved 7-day PPA, though more intervention residents (12 [6.3%]) achieved it compared with controls (2 [1.0%]) (OR, 6.94; 95% CI, 1.69-28.45). Intervention residents had greater odds than control residents of any smoke-free home adoption of at least 1 day (121 [63.4%] vs 77 [36.8%]; adjusted OR, 3.83 [95% CI, 2.63-5.57]). Among staff, mean (SD) S-KAP scores increased at 6 months vs baseline for beliefs (by 0.21 [0.55] points) and practices (by 0.24 [0.61] points) pertaining to providing cessation treatment. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cluster randomized clinical trial, the brief intervention did not result in a significant increase in smoke-free home adoption for at least 90 days, though more residents in the intervention than the control group attempted adoption for at least 1 day. These findings support the scalability of this approach to reduce smoking in PSH, but more intensive interventions may be needed to sustain intervention effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04855357.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of the NMIC-150 system in identifying extended-spectrum beta-lactamases in clinical isolates.

Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are significant contributors to the growing global crisis of antimicrobial resistance. This study evaluated the performance of the NMIC-150 System for susceptibility testing of third-generation cephalosporins (3GCs) and assessed whether ceftazidime-avibactam and aztreonam-avibactam could identify ESBL-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CREs). A total of 278 non-duplicate clinical isolates (Klebsiella pneumoniae, E. coli, and Proteus mirabilis) were analyzed. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using reference broth microdilution (BMD) and the NMIC-150 System. ESBL production was defined as an ≥eight-fold reduction in the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 3GCs in the presence of clavulanic acid, according to CLSI criteria. Whole-genome sequencing was performed to characterize ESBL and carbapenemase genes among 3GC-resistant isolates. A Random Forest model was used to predict ESBL-producing isolates based on MIC values. The NMIC-150 System demonstrated over 90% categorical and essential agreement with BMD for ceftazidime and ceftriaxone, along with robust predictive performance via Random Forest analysis. These findings suggest that the NMIC-150 System is a reliable platform for 3GC susceptibility testing and that an ≥eight-fold MIC reduction with ceftazidime-avibactam or aztreonam-avibactam may serve as a phenotypic indicator of ESBL production in CRE isolates. In conclusion, the NMIC-150 System shows potential for routine antimicrobial resistance surveillance and may facilitate the rapid identification of ESBL-producing CREs in clinical settings.

Microbial Sensitivity Tests↗

PubMed2026

Comparison of paralog identification methods and their impact on species tree topologies in target capture phylogenomics within the Sindora clade (Detarioideae: Leguminosae).

Target capture is a common method of generating high throughput DNA sequencing data for phylogenetic reconstruction of species relationships, for which single copy genes are usually most informative. However, a pervasive problem with target capture is that putatively single copy genes may in fact be paralogs resulting from gene duplication, which are problematic for phylogenetic inference because their evolutionary history may differ from the divergence history of species. Here, we use as a case study a target enrichment dataset of 88 species of Detarioideae (Leguminosae) with a focus on the Sindora clade to examine approaches for handling paralogs, including the built-in paralog handling functions in HybPiper and CAPTUS, plus subsequent steps using Putative Paralog Detection and the tree-based Yang & Smith orthology inference approach. We compare the paralogs flagged using these methods and verify their performance with BLAST mapping against a reference genome sequence of Sindora glabra, and then subsequently compare the species tree topologies produced across these methods. Our comparisons of paralogs flagged across the Sindora clade show that the Putative Paralog Detection pipeline was the most accurate in identifying paralogs in terms of its similarity to the BLAST mapping, followed by the built-in paralog identification function of CAPTUS. However, the results we recovered for the Detarioideae subfamily suggest that the largest differences in species tree topology resulted from the use of paralog-filtered alignments (such as with the Putative Paralog Detection pipeline and the Yang & Smith orthology inference approaches) rather than just by removing the sequences of identified paralogous genes. This was the true for HybPiper-assembled datasets but was not seen in CAPTUS-assembled datasets. In all comparisons, the topological differences caused by different paralog handling methods tended to be confined to clades where processes such as hybridisation and introgression are prevalent. Our study provides a roadmap to establish the best approach to identify, eliminate or separate paralogs in the absence of a chromosomally contiguous reference genome for a study group, and highlights the importance of careful data inspection and processing in addition to understanding the extent of paralogy and paralog characteristics (e.g. sequence divergence between copies) for their study group.

Phylogeny↗

PubMed2025

Coupling of spectroscopy and nitrogen-oxygen isotopes unveils the mechanisms of dissolved organic matter and nitrate pollution in lakes within the agro-pastoral transition zone.

Lakes in arid and semi-arid regions are subjected to severe ecological stress, such as organic pollution, eutrophication, and salinization, due to climate change and human activities. This study investigates Chagannur Lake, a typical arid-region lake that is representative and ecologically sensitive in Northern China's agro-pastoral ecotone, to uncover its pollution characteristics and mechanisms. We employed fluorescence spectroscopy and stable isotope analysis to trace dissolved organic matter (DOM) and nitrate sources. The DOM composition was dominated by microbial metabolic byproducts and protein-like substances, suggesting that microbial processes are key to organic matter transformation. Source apportionment revealed that pollutants primarily originated from livestock and poultry manure (37.6 %), agricultural fertilizers (35.6 %), and soil erosion (24.7 %), with agricultural fertilizers contributing most significantly in the Gogstai River (63.3 %). A structural equation model (SEM) coupling spectral and mass spectrometric data revealed that microbial transformation significantly impairs the lake's self-purification capacity, thereby promoting pollutant accumulation (path coefficient = 0.91,*p < 0.05). Moreover, microbial processes link endogenous and exogenous pollution, a mechanism effectively traced by isotopic and fluorescence indices (path coefficient = 0.55, ⁎⁎p < 0.01). These findings enhance the understanding of pollution sources and transformation mechanisms in arid-region lakes and offer foundational theoretical support for policymakers engaged in pollution control strategies.

Lakes↗

PubMed2026

Free polyphenols and multi-omics traits underlying antioxidant variation across Paeonia lactiflora leaf cultivars.

Leaves of Paeonia lactiflora are underutilized by-products with potential as natural antioxidant sources. In this study, 18 cultivars were evaluated for phytochemical composition and in vitro antioxidant capacity. Total phenolic content correlated strongly with DPPH and ABTS activities, and the comprehensive antioxidant index identified 'Coral Charm' and 'Hangshao' as representative high- and low-antioxidant cultivars, respectively. Untargeted metabolomics detected 2677 metabolites and identified 908 differential metabolites between the two cultivars. Targeted phenolic profiling quantified 27 compounds, among which 11 differed significantly between the two cultivars. Catechin and epicatechin were enriched in 'Coral Charm', with contents of 6.62 and 0.397 ng/mg, respectively, compared with 0.012 and 0.002 ng/mg in 'Hangshao'. (+)-Dihydroquercetin was also more abundant in 'Coral Charm', while caffeic acid showed an upward trend. Proteomic analysis identified 423 differentially expressed proteins, mainly associated with secondary metabolite biosynthesis, redox homeostasis, and central carbon metabolism. Integrated analysis identified pyruvate metabolism as the only pathway significantly enriched in both metabolomic and proteomic datasets. Molecular docking predicted favorable binding between representative phenolics and selected proteins. These findings link cultivar-dependent antioxidant variation in peony leaves with free-phenolic accumulation and pathway-level metabolic differences, supporting the selection and utilization of antioxidant-rich peony leaf resources.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2026

Opioid-sparing anesthesia based on opioid-free principles for early recovery after total knee arthroplasty: A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether an opioid-sparing anesthesia strategy (OSA), based on opioid-free anesthesia (OFA), improves early postoperative recovery quality and optimizes functional outcomes after total knee arthroplasty (TKA), compared with conventional opioid-based anesthesia (OBA). DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial with blinding of patients, surgeons, and outcome assessors. SETTING: Single center, July 2025 to February 2026. PATIENTS: 98 adult patients scheduled for elective unilateral TKA. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomized to the OSA or OBA group. The OSA regimen used esketamine and dexmedetomidine as the primary analgesic backbone, whereas the OBA regimen was opioid-based. Both groups received preoperative femoral nerve block and were administered oxycodone at skin incision and closure. Postoperatively, both groups received the same multimodal analgesia and patient-controlled analgesia. MEASUREMENTS: The primary outcome was the 24-h postoperative Quality of Recovery-15 (QoR-15) score. Secondary outcomes included 48-h QoR-15; Oxford Knee Score (OKS) and EQ-5D-3L at 1 and 3 months; high pain at 1 month and chronic postsurgical pain at 3 months. Exploratory outcomes included postoperative C-reactive protein (CRP), and postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV), among others. RESULTS: At 24 h postoperatively, QoR-15 was higher in the OSA group than in the OBA group (118.4 ± 11.5 vs 113.3 ± 12.2; adjusted difference 5.12, 95% CI 0.51-9.74; P = 0.029), and this advantage persisted at 48 h (adjusted difference 5.54, 95% CI 1.57-9.52; P = 0.007). The OSA group had a lower incidence of PONV (P = 0.025) and lower postoperative CRP levels (P = 0.001). At 1 month, OKS was higher in the OSA group (adjusted difference 2.31, 95% CI 0.34-4.27; P = 0.022), with no significant differences in other secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: In TKA, this OFA-based OSA strategy improved early postoperative QoR-15 scores. However, the QoR-15 difference did not reach the minimal clinically important difference, so its clinical relevance remains uncertain.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Quo vadis, BGA? A collaborative EDNAP exercise on the challenges and progress in forensic biogeographical ancestry inference.

There is a broad consensus that forensic tests for the prediction of externally visible characteristics (EVC) and analysis of biogeographic ancestry (BGA) of an individual are technically reliable. However, interpretation of the results and population-specific genotype distribution patterns remains challenging. EVC and BGA analyses provide valuable information for population genetics studies and as investigative leads for criminal cases, as well as for historical and contemporary identification tests. However, inaccurate or incorrect predictions, for example, from subjective bias in the interpretations made, have the potential to misdirect police investigations. The legal situation regarding EVC and BGA testing varies by country: ranging from countries where it is explicitly prohibited, to those without specific regulations on biogeographic ancestry prediction, and others that have already enacted laws governing its use. The reluctance to utilize these analyses is not only due to legal restrictions and data protection concerns, but also to initial limited sets of sufficiently comprehensive forensic DNA assays. Forensic BGA marker panels typically contain up to ∼300 SNPs. This relatively small number of genetic markers, along with limited reference population data, complicates the interpretation of results from donors of unknown origin. This paper presents the results of a collaborative EDNAP study, which, for the first time, evaluated the approach to reporting EVC and BGA data between international laboratories. For the study, DNA from nine individuals with self-reported ancestry was collected and analysed using various forensic panels differing in the number and composition of ancestry-informative markers genotyped, comprising: the Precision ID mtDNA Whole Genome Panel, the VISAGE Basic Tool and the VISAGE Enhanced Tool for Appearance and Ancestry Prediction, and the Ion AmpliSeq™ PhenoTrivium Panel. To ensure full data protection, all SNP genotypes and uniparental marker haplotypes obtained were not shared with third parties. Instead, the genetic data were analysed using a range of commonly used population analysis software packages. These analysis outcomes were then distributed to twelve European forensic laboratories (both academic and law enforcement institutions), who were asked to prepare reports based on their interpretation of the phenotypes and ancestry they inferred from the analysis data. A questionnaire sent alongside the genetic information, aimed to evaluate which difficulties were encountered by the participants in processing the BGA analysis data they were given.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Quantifying the aromatic amino acid metabolome: UPLC-MS/MS analysis of aromatic amino acids and their host and co-metabolites in plasma.

Aromatic amino acids (AAAs), tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine along with their pathway metabolites have been implicated in the pathogenesis of diseases ranging from cardiovascular, neurological, inflammatory, and cancer diseases, among others. As such, the measurement of the primary AAAs, their host pathway metabolites, and microbiome derived co-metabolites in blood can provide a sensitive reflection of systemic health. The aim of the study was to develop a method for the quantification of 17 metabolites, the three AAAs and various of their metabolites in plasma using a high-throughput ultra performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. The method demonstrated a dynamic range (1 to 16,700 ng/mL), with detection limits (LOD) as low as 0.05 ng/mL. Quantification limits ranged from 3 to 5019 ng/mL (LLOQ) and up to 16,700 ng/mL (ULOQ). Recovery at LQC, MQC, and HQC was satisfactory and consistent across most metabolites, with significant matrix effects observed only for 4-ethylphenol sulfate. Furthermore, intra and inter-day accuracy and precision met all acceptance criteria at all quality control concentrations for most of the metabolites. Measurement of NIST SRM 1950 showcased the method's accuracy for most of the metabolites. Finally, the method was applied on the analysis of plasma samples from 55 individuals (13 males and 42 females) providing information on AAAs and their pathway metabolites relevant concentrations in human plasma.

Amino Acids, Aromatic↗

PubMed2026

A Randomized Phase II Study of Combination Atezolizumab and Varlilumab (CDX-1127) with or without Cobimetinib in Previously Treated Unresectable Biliary Tract Cancer.

PURPOSE: The addition of MEK inhibition (MEKi) to programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade improves progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with advanced biliary tract cancer. Although MEK inhibitors may increase tumor cell immunogenicity, they can impair T-cell priming/effector function, limiting combination efficacy. We hypothesized that the addition of a CD27 agonist could restore T-cell function and enhance antitumor immunity in this combination. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a randomized, phase II trial evaluating atezolizumab (840 mg, intravenously, days 1 and 15) in combination with the CD27 costimulatory monoclonal antibody [CDX-1127/varlilumab (3 mg/kg, intravenously, days 1 and 15)], with/without the addition of an MEK inhibitor [cobimetinib (60 mg, orally, daily, days 1-21, off days 22-28)] in unresectable biliary tract cancer following at least one metastatic therapy. Overall response rate (ORR) and PFS were coprimary endpoints. Treatment-related changes in CD8+ tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) were the primary correlative outcomes. RESULTS: The trial was closed early following interim preplanned ORR analysis. At closure, 57 patients had been enrolled [n = 29 in the cobimetinib + atezolizumab + varlilumab (CAV) arm; n = 28 in the atezolizumab + varlilumab (AV) arm]. A majority (67%) had intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, and 32% were immunotherapy experienced. Both regimens were well tolerated without new safety signals. Objective responses were rare [0% (CAV); 3.8% (AV)]. The median PFS (mPFS) was 2.40 (CAV) and 1.84 (AV) months [hazard ratio (HR), 0.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.38-1.18]. Among immunotherapy-experienced patients, the mPFS was 3.62 (CAV) and 1.84 (AV) months (HR, 0.54; 95% CI, 0.18-1.62). Treatment with CAV increased intratumoral CD8+ T-cell density compared with treatment with AV. CONCLUSIONS: The combinations of atezolizumab and varlilumab with/without cobimetinib were safe, but neither meaningfully improved outcomes in biliary tract cancer treated in the later lines. Correlative tissue studies validated preclinical work that MEKi increases CD8+ TILs.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Desert-derived Ensifer sp. SA403 enhances potato salt tolerance by reshaping rhizosphere microbiome functions and host responses.

Soil salinization increasingly threatens global food security, and potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), a moderately salt-sensitive crop, is particularly vulnerable to saline soils. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) offer a promising strategy to improve crop performance, yet how PGPR interact with native microorganisms to enhance potato salt tolerance remains poorly understood. In this study, we identified a desert-derived PGPR strain, Ensifer sp. SA403, which substantially enhanced potato performance under high salinity across sterile, non-sterile and field conditions. Physiologically, inoculation with SA403 reduced shoot Na⁺ accumulation and increased the K⁺/Na⁺ ratio; notably, these effects were markedly stronger in non-sterile substrates than under sterile conditions, indicating that SA403-mediated ion homeostasis relies on cooperation with the resident microbiota rather than on the strain acting alone. Metagenomic profiling indicated that SA403 strain reshaped rhizosphere communities, significantly enriching beneficial taxa such as Priestia and Bradyrhizobium, and upregulated functional pathways involved in glutathione and sulfur metabolism. Furthermore, host transcriptomic analyses showed that SA403 modulated plant responses to salt stress, with differentially expressed genes enriched in jasmonic acid signaling, ethanolamine metabolism and amino-acid biosynthesis pathways. Field trials on saline soils confirmed that SA403 significantly increased seedling emergence and tuber weight. Together, our results demonstrate that SA403 functions as a biological mediator that optimizes rhizosphere microecology and coordinates ion balance and host signaling to enhance potato salt tolerance. These findings support the potential of SA403 as a robust PGPR-based tool for sustainable potato production on saline soils.

Rhizosphere↗

PubMed2026

Promoter Methylation of HOXA5 and NDRG2 in Multiple Myeloma Patients with Renal Impairment.

Renal impairment (RI) is frequently caused by multiple myeloma (MM), which makes clinical care more difficult if renal function deteriorates or renal failure develops. Thus, in this investigation, we looked at the relationship between HOXA5&NDRG2 promoter methylation in MM patients and evaluated their prognostic potential in predicting RI risk in MM patients. This study included 60 control volunteers and 120 MM patients. The promoter methylations of HOXA5&NDRG2 were quantitatively evaluated by real-time PCR (qPCR) after the extraction of gDNA from whole blood and then treated with bisulfite. The promoter methylation percentages of HOXA5&NDRG2 were significantly increased in MM patients (77.16 ± 2.43&45.49 ± 2.16;p < 0.05) when compared to controls (4.47 ± 0.61&3.33 ± 0.31,respectively), in stage II&III patients when compared to stage I patients and in patients with age ≥ 60 years when compared to patients with age < 60 years. While only the methylation percentage of NDRG2 promoter was significantly increased in MM patients with RI (53.61 ± 3.21,p < 0.05) when compared to MM patients without RI (37.37 ± 2.04). Results obtained from ROC curve revealed that both HOXA5&NDRG2 promoter methylation were good diagnostic tools for MM. The NDRG2 promoter methylation was good prognostic biomarker could predict renal while HOXA5 promoter in the prediction of MM staging. The Kaplan-Meier survival test showed that patients with higher HOXA5&NDRG2 promoter methylation had a shorter OS and a worse prognosis. Only NDRG2 promoter hypermethylation was significantly associated with the risk of RI development in MM patients. HOXA5&NDRG2 promoter hypermethylation may have roles in the molecular etiology of MM and could be used as a treatment regimen.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Getting to the Core of the Matter-Assessing the Role of Replication in Metabarcoding-Based sedaDNA.

Replication is central to most experimental and sampling designs, increasing inferential power and capturing fine-scale data heterogeneity. However, its importance remains poorly evaluated in some ecological and evolutionary settings. This is the case of metabarcoding studies using DNA recovered from sedimentary archives, in which biological signals integrate ecological information through depositional and burial processes, yet are commonly inferred from a single sediment core per site. Here, we evaluated the effect of different types of replication using sedimentary DNA metabarcoding data from two genetic markers (mitochondrial COI and nuclear 18S) using a nested sampling design. The design included three intertidal sites, three spatially separated sediment cores per site (biological replicates), two sediment horizons per core, and eight PCR (technical) replicates per sediment sample. Variance partitioning showed that site identity and sediment age group together explained > 70% of the variation in beta diversity, indicating that among-site spatial and stratigraphic differences were the dominant drivers of community composition. PERMANOVA likewise identified non-significant effects of biological replication. Among PCR replicates from the same sediment sample, richness varied substantially, whereas Shannon diversity was more consistent. Despite this variability, differences in community composition among technical replicates remained smaller than those associated with biological replication or site identity, indicating a limited influence on broader ecological patterns. Community composition was highly similar among replicate cores within sites, consistent with stratigraphic coherence. These results indicate limited within-site heterogeneity and suggest that, under stratigraphically coherent conditions, increasing biological replication may provide little additional information, whereas enhancing technical replication and stratigraphic resolution can improve ecological inference from sedimentary DNA metabarcoding datasets.

DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic↗

PubMed2026

Genomic epidemiology of clinically critical antibiotic resistance in Salmonella enterica causing bloodstream infections across six Chinese provinces, 1994-2023.

Clinically critical antibiotic-resistant Salmonella enterica (S. enterica) causing bloodstream infections remains a public health challenge. Here, we aim to reveal the emergence and trends of clinically important antibiotic resistance in S. enterica causing bloodstream infections using 833 isolates from six Chinese provincial-level administrative areas during 1994-2023. We identified 48 serovars and 64 sequence types (STs). Overall, 8.52% of 833 isolates were resistant or had decreased susceptibility to ciprofloxacin, 4.32% and 6.84% reported resistance or decreased susceptibility to third- and fourth-generation cephalosporins (3GCs and 4GCs), 1.80% reported resistance to fosfomycin, and 2.16% reported resistance to azithromycin. Across these six regions, azithromycin and fosfomycin resistance is increasing, as is decreased susceptibility or resistance to ciprofloxacin, 3GCs, and 4GCs, especially among younger children and elderly people. Clinically prioritized antibiotic resistance also varies by region, serovar, and age group. S. Paratyphi A genotype 2.3.3 strains are mainly divided into 2 lineages distributed in Guangxi and Shanghai. Within the scope of this passive surveillance dataset, S. Typhi genotype 4.3.1.2.1 was identified as the earliest documented case among the collected isolates. Our retrospective and longitudinal genomic epidemiology study provides critical data for the formulation of treatment guidelines and policies for bloodstream infections and for the monitoring and control of antimicrobial resistance.

Humans↗