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PubMed2026

Integrating genomic distance analyses in the description of a new family, genus, and species of sponge-associated antipatharians (black corals).

Antipatharians (black corals) are among the least studied coral groups, with much of their diversity still undescribed. Here, we present an integrative morphological, phylogenomic and genomic distance study of deep-sea antipatharians sampled in high seas areas of the North Pacific Ocean and from New Zealand's Exclusive Economic Zone. These corals grow on hexactinellid sponges - a unique characteristic in the order Antipatharia. Using a dataset of ultra-conserved elements and exons, combined with morphological analyses, we reconstruct phylogenomic relationships and formally describe a new family (Eidikopathidae fam. nov.), a new genus (Eidikopathesgen. nov.), and two new species (E. korallispongiasp. nov., E. zealandkoralliasp. nov.). Morphologically, the new family is distinguished by a corallum consisting of a network of loose branches that fuse with the sponge skeletal framework. Phylogenomic analyses recovered consistent topologies with strong nodal support, corroborating the distinct evolutionary placement of this sponge-associated lineage. Pairwise genomic distances estimated using the Tamura-Nei model were concordant with patristic genomic distances, identifying Pteridopathidae as the genetically closest family to Eidikopathidae fam. nov., followed by Myriopathidae and Stylopathidae, which were recovered as sister families in the phylogeny. This pattern shows that genomic distance complements, rather than simply mirrors, tree topology by quantifying accumulated sequence divergence among lineages. Together, these results provide the first genomic distance framework for Antipatharia, offering a baseline for future systematic, evolutionary, and biodiversity studies on this fundamental shallow, mesophotic and deep-sea coral group.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Unveiling the power of TIIC: A prognostic tool for esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) remains a lethal malignancy with limited prognostic tools for guiding immunotherapy. Tumor-infiltrating immune cells (TIICs) play a critical role in EAC prognosis and treatment response. METHODS: We integrated single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk transcriptome data from TCGA and GEO databases. TIIC-specific RNAs were identified via tissue specificity index calculation combined with machine learning feature selection. Twenty machine learning algorithms were benchmarked to construct an optimal TIIC signature score (TIIC-Score) based on the comprehensive C-index. Immunotherapy response, genomic mutation, and copy number variation were analyzed. Summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR) and two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) were performed to explore genetic associations. Core prognostic TIIC-related genes were functionally validated in esophageal cancer cell lines through loss-of-function assays. RESULTS: The TIIC-Score demonstrated robust prognostic value for 1-, 2-, and 3-year overall survival across multiple cohorts, outperforming 22 published models. High TIIC-Score was associated with poor survival and increased chromosomal instability. Mutation profiling revealed high frequencies of TP53 (78.2%), TTN (48.7%), and SYNE1 (30.8%). MR analysis identified a significant association between gastro-oesophageal reflux and EAC risk at SNP rs8130507. Functionally, CCNI was upregulated in esophageal cancer cells, and its knockdown suppressed malignant phenotypes while promoting apoptosis, supporting its pro-tumorigenic role. CONCLUSION: The TIIC-Score provides a novel prognostic framework for EAC that effectively stratifies patient risk and may help identify individuals most likely to benefit from immunotherapy.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma↗

PubMed2026

Toileting dysfunction in SATB2-associated syndrome: results from a caregiver survey.

BACKGROUND: Toilet training and continence are major developmental milestones, but children with neurogenetic conditions often experience extreme difficulties, sometimes never achieving full continence. These challenges impose ongoing burden on caregivers, especially as children age and require toileting assistance outside the home. SATB2-associated syndrome (SAS) is a rare genetic disorder in which such functional issues have not been systematically studied. We sought to assess bladder and bowel function in individuals with SAS and compare symptoms burden to normative data. METHODS: Caregivers completed a survey that included the Vancouver Symptom Score (VSS) for Dysfunctional Elimination Syndrome. VSS scores were analyzed and compared to published norms. Additional data included toilet training milestones, continence status, urinary tract infections, and bowel treatment history. RESULTS: Of the 32 individuals with SAS represented in the caregiver-reported survey, over half (53%) were not toilet trained, and only 22% were fully trained for both day and night (mean age at toilet training 6.9 years). The SAS group (n = 32) had a median total VSS of 16.0 (range: 6-30), indicating clinically significant dysfunction, while control data (n = 49) reported a median of 5.0 (range: 0-12, p < 0.001), with the greatest differences observed in daytime wetting, nighttime wetting, wetting extent, and fecal soiling. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with SAS experience markedly elevated elimination symptom burden. Findings support the need for early screening and intervention to promote continence and reduce caregiver strain. A clinical pathway is proposed for screening, evaluation, and management of elimination dysfunction in SAS.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Dynamics of antibiotic resistance genes co-occurrence with pathogenic and non-pathogenic bacteria throughout wastewater treatment processes.

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are recognized hotspots for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) and pathogenic bacteria. Despite advancements in treatment technologies, the persistence of ARGs and pathogenic bacteria remains a concern. In this study, we analyzed the dynamic changes in ARGs and bacterial communities throughout the treatment processes within an anaerobic-anoxic-oxic (AAO) WWTP over one week by using HT-qPCR coupled with 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. The connectedness index, based on network analysis, showed that the dynamics of ARGs and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) were more strongly associated with potentially pathogenic bacteria than with non-pathogenic bacteria, suggesting that ARG immigration and dissemination in the WWTP were likely driven by potentially pathogenic taxa. The AAO treatment significantly reduced ARGs in final effluent (EF) (∼64 %) and residual sludge (RS) (∼81 %); however, potential hosts of ARGs such as Comamonas testosteroni and Clostridioides difficile persisted with minimal changes in relative abundance and remained detectable in EF and RS. Notably, the abundance of ARGs was lower in RS than in EF, and source tracking analysis identified influent as the primary source of ARGs and potentially pathogenic taxa in EF, underscoring the greater health risks associated with effluent discharge.

Wastewater↗

PubMed2026

Distinct cell morphotypes of Aureobasidium melanogenum ZN exhibit differential functional profiles in promoting maize growth.

Black yeast-like fungi of the genus Aureobasidium exhibit morphological plasticity, but whether distinct cellular states within the same genetic background are associated with different plant growth-promoting functions remains unclear. Here, yeast-like cells (YL), swollen cells (SC), and chlamydospores (CH) of Aureobasidium melanogenum ZN were characterized. YL was associated mainly with siderophore production and laccase activity, SC with extracellular polysaccharide accumulation, and CH with phosphate mobilization and higher ammonia and IAA production. Whole-genome and comparative genomic analyses revealed a shared repertoire related to nutrient acquisition, auxin-associated metabolism, extracellular oxidation, and carbohydrate remodeling, with expansions in nutrient- and cell-surface-related gene families. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses showed distinct deployment of these capacities, with CH exhibiting broad reprogramming of tryptophan-associated, nitrogen, phosphate, central-carbon, and amino-acid metabolism. In maize, CH at the optimal inoculation concentration of 105 CFU·mL-1 produced the strongest growth promotion, increasing plant height, dry biomass, root length, root surface area, and root volume by 58.6%, 365.1%, 191.0%, 194.3%, and 222.4%, respectively. Consistent with this pronounced growth phenotype, maize root transcriptomics showed coordinated CH-induced responses involving root development, nutrient transport, redox regulation, and root-interface remodeling. Root-zone tracking showed greater short-term stability and persistence of CH. These findings identify cellular state as an important functional dimension of Aureobasidium-plant interactions and provide a basis for developing fungal inoculants with defined beneficial cellular states.

Zea mays↗

PubMed2026

Complement component C4 and neuroimaging in psychiatry: A systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: Genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic studies suggest that the complement system contributes to the pathophysiology of various psychiatric disorders partly through neurodevelopmental effects linked to C4A protein levels variations. We conducted a systematic review to characterize how brain micro- and macrostructure and connectivity vary with proxies of in vivo brain C4A protein levels in both psychiatric and general-population cohorts. METHODS: We used Medline, Web of Science, and Embase, and included all studies published before April 14, 2025. Inclusion criteria were: (1) inclusion of healthy controls and/or individuals with psychiatric disorders assessed according to recognized diagnostic manuals (DSM or ICD); (2) use of MRI-based neuroimaging; and (3) use of genomic, transcriptomic and/or proteomic approaches as proxies of in vivo brain C4A proteins levels. RESULTS: From 317 identified articles, 11 were included. Associations between C4A levels and brain structure were heterogeneous across regions. Only the mOFC, dlPFC, and entorhinal cortex were implicated in more than one study. Findings for the mOFC and dlPFC varied by the type of metrics and clinical status, whereas higher C4A levels were more consistently associated with smaller entorhinal cortex surface area and cortical thickness in pediatric, middle-aged, and older general-population cohorts. In addition, one study found higher genetically predicted C4A expression to be associated with higher TSPO levels. CONCLUSION: The limited number of available studies and their methodological heterogeneity make synthesis challenging. However, biological hypotheses such as excessive synaptic pruning or broader inflammatory effects on the brain may provide plausible explanatory frameworks for the reported associations.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

To longevity and beyond: A systems view of aging and stress resilience.

Aging is a dynamic and time-dependent process characterized by progressive functional decline across biological systems. Key hallmarks, including genomic instability, telomere attrition, loss of proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and immunosenescence, have been widely described, each reflecting distinct yet interconnected mechanistic frameworks. Rather than acting in isolation, these processes arise from complex interactions among cellular stressors, impaired repair mechanisms, and the cumulative burden of maladaptive responses. This system-level perspective explains the inter-individual variability in aging trajectories. Centenarians represent an extreme and informative model of successful aging, in which the balance between damage accumulation and repair is shifted toward the maintenance of physiological function. Their exceptional longevity is supported by coordinated genetic, epigenetic, metabolic, and immunological adaptations that enhance resilience to age-related stressors. Here, we summarize the biological drivers and theoretical frameworks of aging within an integrative context, focusing on mechanisms associated with extended healthspan in centenarians. We also examine the contribution of major animal models, highlighting their complementary roles in elucidating conserved and species-specific aging pathways. Overall, aging outcomes reflect a dynamic equilibrium between damage and repair processes. Understanding how this balance is modulated in long-lived individuals may inform strategies to promote healthy aging and delay the onset of age-related diseases.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Causal Relationship of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids With Mental Disorders: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Mental disorders (MDs) pose a important global health challenge, with a complex pathogenesis complicating treatment development. Nutritional interventions, particularly polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), have gained attention as potential therapeutic options. OBJECTIVE: This Mendelian randomization (MR) meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the potential causal relationship between PUFAs and MDs. DATA SOURCES: Genome-wide association study data were utilized to analyze the association between PUFAs (including omega-3, omega-3 percentage [omega-3%], omega-6, omega-6 percentage [omega-6%], and omega-6 to omega-3 ratio) and 12 major MDs. DATA EXTRACTION: Two-sample MR technology was used to assess the role of PUFAs in MDs. DATA ANALYSIS: The MR analysis revealed that genetically predicted omega-3 was causally linked to MDs, such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder. Omega-3% exhibited protective effects against emotional personality disorder. Conversely, omega-6 was inversely correlated with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder risk, while a high omega-6 to omega-3 ratio was associated with an increased risk of depression and other mood disorders. CONCLUSION: High omega-3 levels and omega-3% may reduce the risk of MDs, whereas a high omega-6:omega-3 ratio may elevate the risk. These findings highlight the potential of PUFAs, particularly omega-3, in MD prevention and treatment, while underscoring the need for further research into the complex interactions between omega-3 and omega-6. The study provides a scientific foundation for future clinical trials and dietary intervention strategies. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO no. CRD42024598472.

Humans↗

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

Hemotropic mono- and coinfections in Colombian ruminants: descriptive occurrence and host-related factors associated with coinfection in cattle.

Hemotropic pathogens such as Anaplasma, Babesia, Mycoplasma, and Trypanosoma are endemic to cattle and can cause coinfections, complicating disease dynamics and control. However, the host-related factors influencing these infections under tropical conditions remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of hemotropic monoinfections and coinfections in ruminants tested for hemotropic pathogens and to identify host-related factors associated with coinfection in cattle under field conditions in Colombia. A total of 104 animals were included: 91 cattle, 10 buffaloes, and 3 goats. Among the cattle, 34 (37.4%) exhibited monoinfections, 47 (51.6%) had coinfections, and 10 tested negative. In buffaloes, seven (70%) presented monoinfections, and two (20%) presented coinfections; in goats, one had a monoinfection, and one had a coinfection, most frequently involving Mycoplasma spp. The predominant coinfection patterns were Anaplasma + Mycoplasma and Mycoplasma + Trypanosoma, particularly in Bos indicus cattle. Bivariate and multivariable analyses revealed that breed was the strongest predictor of coinfection, with animals of less common breeds showing 93% lower odds (aOR = 0.07; 95% CI: 0.02-0.30; p < 0.001). Bos taurus individuals also tended toward lower odds of coinfection in the multivariable model, although this trend did not reach statistical significance. Our findings demonstrate a high frequency of hemotropic coinfections in cattle, particularly those involving Mycoplasma spp., and highlight the influence of host-related factors on infection dynamics. These results underscore the importance of integrating demographic and genetic information into surveillance and prevention strategies to improve the management of hemotropic infections in tropical livestock systems.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Synchronicity of parent-child sleep and potential mechanisms: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Existing evidence indicates that parent and child circadian rhythms are associated, but studies have mainly examined factors affecting child sleep health. This systematic review addressed two questions: a) is there a synchronous relationship between parent and offspring sleep? and b) what are the potential mechanisms? PubMed, Embase, PsychINFO, and Scopus were searched from inception to April 2025. Forty-six studies comprising over 100000 parent-child dyads across 16 countries were included. Results showed small-to-moderate parent-child synchronicity in sleep duration (r = 0.18, 95% CI [0.14, 0.23]), sleep efficiency (r = 0.30, 95% CI [0.19, 0.41]), bedtime (r = 0.34, 95% CI [0.20, 0.46]), and wake up time (r = 0.48, 95% CI [0.24, 0.66]), with stronger effects observed in mother-child dyads. Synchronicity in sleep continuity was moderate, whereas associations in sleep satisfaction were small and non-significant. Mechanisms included genetic and hormonal factors, bedtime routines, shared environments, and attachment. These findings are consistent with family systems theory's premise that sleep is a relational phenomenon. Observed synchronicity in sleep timing may partly reflect shared external constraints like work and school schedules. Most studies were cross-sectional, limiting causal or directional conclusions. Future research should adopt standardized methodologies and longitudinal designs to clarify mechanistic pathways.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC): Expanding global collaboration in pediatric cancer etiology research.

Childhood cancers are rare, but incidence has risen modestly in countries with robust registration, partly reflecting improved diagnosis. In high-income countries, cancer is the leading cause of disease-related death in children. Marked inequities in incidence, survival, and research capacity underscore the need for large-scale collaboration to identify environmental, genetic, and contextual determinants of risk. The Childhood Cancer and Leukemia International Consortium (CLIC) was established in 2007 to study the etiology of childhood leukemia and later expanded in 2019 to include other childhood cancers, principally solid tumors. CLIC pools harmonized, individual-level data from case-control and cohort studies, obtained through interviews, record linkage (insurance claims, registries), or geographic information systems, and integrates germline genomic data where available. Membership has grown from 13 studies in 9 countries to 57 studies in 21 countries; recruitment spans the early 1960s to the present and encompasses approximately 150,000 cases across all tumor types and 300,000 controls with clinical, demographic, and exposure data, centralized via harmonized data dictionaries at the Data Coordination Center, established in 2014 at the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and supported by a secure analysis platform. Pooled analyses across diverse populations have implicated parental age, prenatal vitamin or folic acid use, mode of delivery, fetal growth, selected congenital anomalies, occupational or household exposures (e.g., pesticides), paternal smoking, and markers of early-life immune modulation (e.g., breastfeeding, daycare attendance) in leukemia risk, informing carcinogen evaluation and prevention. The integration of genetic ancestry and germline susceptibility data is clarifying ancestry-related differences in leukemia biology and outcomes, while confirming risk loci with population-specific effects. CLIC is now adding polygenic risk scores and exposomic data to refine etiologic subtyping and identify modifiable pathways, while broadening representation from underserved regions through partnership-building and capacity-strengthening.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Retinal microstructural alterations as early phenotypes of depression in radiogenomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing prevalence of depression, there is an urgent clinical need for early screening in depression. The retina offers a promising window for early screening in depression due to its rapid, non-invasive, objective, eye-brain correlated characteristics, but previous research has yielded conflicting alterations in retinal microstructure in depression. METHODS: We screened retinal optical coherence tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging data in the UK Biobank to enroll 23,225 participants for retinal study of depression occurrence, and 1475 participants for the eye-brain association study. We also used genetic data (ID: ebi-a-GCST90014267 and ukb-d-20,448) from the Integrative Epidemiology Unit Open Genome-Wide Association Study for Mendelian randomization analysis. We used Cox regression to assess the association between retinal microstructure and depression risk, Mendelian randomization to infer causality, and mediation analysis to explore retina-brain pathway association. RESULTS: The Cox regression analysis showed that retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness remained a significant predictor of depression. The Mendelian randomization analysis indicated a positive statistical association between GCIPL thickness and depression. Moreover, there was a significant positive correlation (all p < 0.001) between the volume of specific depression-related brain regions and the GCIPL thickness. Adjusting for age, sex, and head size, the mediation analysis provided preliminary evidence for a potential anatomical pathway linking retinal GCIPL thickness to depression-related brain regions through primary visual cortex and secondary visual cortex volumes. CONCLUSION: Thickened retinal GCIPL is a potential early phenotype of depression and has a potential association pathway with depression-related brain regions using a radiogenomics approach.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Development of a new recombineering system for Edwardsiella species.

Edwardsiella species are important aquaculture pathogens that also cause opportunistic infections in humans, necessitating efficient genome editing tools to study their pathogenesis and develop control strategies. In this study, we identified and characterized six endogenous recombinases pairs from Edwardsiella and its phages. Among these, the BAS_MS17 system exhibited the highest recombination efficiency in E. piscicida EIB202Δp. Extending homology arms from 150 bp to 200 bp improved editing efficiency by 2-fold, while the addition of Redg or Plug further enhanced recombination by 3-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively, without compromising accuracy (100%). More importantly, when applied to E. piscicida sdu12S, Redg or Plug improved the editing efficiency by 8-fold and 7-fold, respectively. Deletion of the phage-derived single-strand binding protein (SSB) reduced efficiency to 25% of the BAS_MS17 level, whereas expression of the endogenous RecA-family SSB (rSSB) increased recombinant yield by 5-fold, highlighting functional conservation. Furthermore, SSB proteins from heterologous hosts failed to enhance recombination efficiency. Using the optimized system, we successfully knocked out ten distinct genes, including virulence-associated loci, with editing accuracy exceeding 85%. Phenotypic analysis revealed that luxR, but not the other tested genes, contributes to biofilm formation. Virulence evaluation results showed that aroA, fur, and hfq are critical virulence-associated factors. Collectively, this streamlined recombineering system provides a simple, rapid, and efficient genetic tool for Edwardsiella, supporting mechanistic studies of virulence and the development of live attenuated vaccine candidates.

Edwardsiella piscicida↗

PubMed2026

Emerging Principles in Spatial Functional Genomics.

Spatial transcriptomic and proteomic atlases have enabled mapping of gene programs within intact tissues, but these measurements remain largely descriptive and do not define the mechanisms controlling tissue biology. Pooled CRISPR screening provides scalable causal interrogation of gene function but remains largely confined to dissociated systems that lack spatial context. In vivo spatial functional genomics (SFG) bridges these approaches by integrating genetic perturbations with in situ transcriptomic and proteomic readouts to measure gene function within intact tissue ecosystems. By preserving spatial organization, SFG enables interpretation of perturbations through effects on cell-cell interactions, diffusible signals, multicellular niches, and tissue architecture. Here, we outline key design axes of SFG: perturbation strategy, barcoding strategy, and phenotypic readout. We discuss computational challenges, including spatial autocorrelation, neighborhood dependence, and context-aware null modeling, and highlight how SFG reveals non-cell-autonomous, architecture-dependent mechanisms of gene function, advancing toward predictive models of tissue organization and gene function.

Genomics↗

PubMed2026

Estrone disrupts early reproductive development in juvenile male Siniperca chuatsi and is associated with brain and gonadal responses.

Whether estrone (E1)-associated disruption of early reproductive development in fish is accompanied by brain responses in addition to direct gonadal effects remains unclear. Here, juvenile Siniperca chuatsi, a non-model but economically important freshwater species, were exposed for 60 d to 0, 0.01, 0.1, and 1.0 μg/L E1, spanning environmentally reported and elevated concentrations. By integrating waterborne concentration monitoring, histopathology, transcriptomics, and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) validation, we evaluated E1-associated changes in brain and gonadal tissues during early reproductive development. Waterborne E1 concentrations remained generally stable throughout the exposure period. At the highest tested concentration (1.0 μg/L), E1 caused neuronal vacuolation and pyknosis in the hypothalamic region and induced distinct ovarian-like structures in the gonads of genetic males. In the brain, cyp19a1, crhr1, and adcy2a were significantly upregulated, whereas egr1 was significantly downregulated, indicating transcriptional changes in genes associated with local estrogen conversion, stress-response/cAMP signaling, and neuronal activity-related regulation within a broader injury/stress-response background. In the gonad, RNA-seq analysis showed significant downregulation of star2, hsd3b1, cyp17a1, and cyp11b and significant upregulation of hsd17b1, suggesting alterations in steroidogenesis-related gene expression at the transcriptomic level. qPCR analysis of selected gonadal candidate genes showed expression directions generally consistent with the RNA-seq results, and these molecular patterns were consistent with the feminized histological phenotype. Together, these results indicate that E1 can disrupt early reproductive development in juvenile S. chuatsi and support a cautious working model in which E1 exposure is accompanied by concurrent brain and gonadal responses. This study provides new evidence for understanding the toxic effects and ecological risk implications of natural estrogen E1 during early fish development.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Cooperative anaerobic catabolism of chlorinated organic compounds: implications for sustainable bioremediation.

Biodegradation research historically followed a reductionist approach focused on axenic (pure) cultures capable of catabolizing the specific contaminant(s) of interest. While this approach has substantially advanced our understanding of the microbiology, physiology, biochemistry, and genetics of contaminant degradation under laboratory conditions, it does not capture the complexity of natural and engineered environments. During in situ bioremediation, microbiomes are exposed to mixtures of contaminants, and microbial interactions profoundly influence contaminant transformation and fate. In anoxic environments, degradation of chlorinated compounds is often sustained by metabolic cooperation among taxonomically and physiologically distinct microorganisms. Through the exchange of metabolites such as hydrogen, formate, acetate, and other nutrients, microbial populations establish interdependent networks that overcome thermodynamic and physiological constraints, enabling self-sustaining systems of contaminant transformations that would be inefficient or impossible with individual organisms. We highlight examples of microbial interactions that underpin anaerobic catabolism of chlorinated contaminants, including systems resulting in self-sustained anaerobic bioremediation.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

PubMed2026

Comparative genomics and full-length transcriptome profiling of wing morphs in Tetrix grossus (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae).

Wing polymorphism represents a paradigmatic dispersal-reproduction trade-off, yet its molecular basis remains uncharacterised in the phylogenetically distant pygmy grasshoppers (Tetrigidae). Here we integrate comparative genomics across ten orthopteran species with full-length transcriptomics of long-winged (FL) and short-winged (FS) Tetrix grossus. OrthoFinder recovered 118 orthogroups specific to T. grossus. Against a backdrop of pronounced gene-family contraction (36 expansions versus 222 contractions; net -186, mirrored at the ancestral Tetrix node, +37/-140), we identified an ancestral, Tetrix-specific expansion of hormone-regulation (12 genes; fold enrichment 7.93) and lipid/carbohydrate-metabolic families organised into syntenic clusters, alongside 513 positively selected genes enriched for integrin-mediated cell adhesion (6 genes), a process relevant to epithelial and appendage morphogenesis. Full-length transcriptomics of one long-winged (FL) and one short-winged (FS) adult female detected 7530 (FL) and 7515 (FS) expressed genes, with 794 FL- and 776 FS-restricted transcriptome-derived SNP-associated genes. The FL morph was enriched for an EGFR/Ras-Rho developmental-patterning axis and neuromuscular flight genes, whereas the FS morph was enriched for insulin/peptide-hormone response and growth-regulatory loci. Overall, we present genomic resources and testable hypotheses concerning the evolution and regulation of wing morphs in Tetrigidae rather than a validated genetic architecture of wing-morph determination.

Animals↗