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PubMed2026

Integrated physiological and transcriptomic analyses reveal coordinated gill responses to heat stress in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca).

Climate change-driven warming of aquatic environments has made thermal stress an increasingly important factor influencing fish physiological homeostasis. Given their central roles in respiration and osmoregulation, gills are particularly responsive to variations in ambient temperature. Histological examination, physiological measurements, and transcriptome profiling were integrated to investigate the mechanisms associated with heat stress-induced gill injury in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca). Histological analysis revealed that exposure to 29 °C directly caused structural damage to the gills of pikeperch. Oxidative status was evaluated by measuring malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and the activities of antioxidant enzymes, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). MDA accumulation was significantly enhanced under heat stress, while antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT) displayed a transient increase followed by a subsequent decline. Transcriptome profiling showed marked enrichment of the protein processing in endoplasmic reticulum pathway after heat stress, suggesting activation of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in pikeperch gills. With increasing stress duration, the unfolded protein response (UPR) appeared unable to re-establish ER homeostasis, shifting ire1 and atf6 toward a pro-apoptotic state. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) analysis further highlighted hub genes potentially involved in heat stress-induced ER stress and apoptosis. TUNEL staining and western blotting collectively confirmed that heat stress triggered apoptosis in pikeperch gill tissue. Overall, this study provides new insights into the physiological and molecular responses of pikeperch gills to heat stress and enhances our understanding of thermal stress adaptation in cold-water aquaculture species under climate change.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Single antiplatelet therapy and tirofiban bridged with surface modified flow diverters for ruptured blood blister-like aneurysms: single center experience and systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) of the internal carotid artery are rare but high risk lesions that frequently re-rupture due to their fragile structure and dissecting pathology. Treatment is particularly challenging in ruptured cases, given the risks associated with dual antiplatelet therapy. Recent advancements in flow diverter stents (FDSs) with surface modifications, and the use of single antiplatelet therapy (SAPT), offer a potential alternative strategy. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of 17 patients with ruptured internal carotid artery BBAs treated with surface modified FDS under SAPT (ticagrelor or prasugrel) bridged periprocedurally with intravenous tirofiban. All procedures were performed within the acute phase of subarachnoid hemorrhage. Clinical, radiographic outcomes, and procedure related complications were evaluated. RESULTS: Among 17 patients, 94.1% achieved complete angiographic occlusion, and 76.5% attained favorable clinical outcomes (modified Rankin Scale score ≤2). No aneurysm rebleeding or device related ischemic events occurred. A total of 11 patients underwent external ventricular drainage or ventriculoperitoneal shunting without discontinuing SAPT, and no hemorrhagic complications were observed. A literature review incorporating seven additional series identified a total of 42 FDS plus SAPT treated BBA cases, with similar safety and efficacy profiles. CONCLUSIONS: Surface modified FDS with SAPT and tirofiban bridging appears to be a promising treatment option for ruptured BBAs, offering high occlusion rates with minimal thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications. Larger prospective studies are needed to validate these findings.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

An allograft inflammatory factor enhances sperm viability by modulating intracellular calcium in oyster Crassostrea gigas.

As an important aquaculture bivalve, the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas faces severe constraints in artificial reproduction, where low sperm motility often leads to fertilization failure and limits the sustainable development of the oyster aquaculture industry. In the present study, the variation of sperm from different oyster individuals was observed, and high-quality sperm possessed intact, elongated flagella with no structural abnormalities, while low-quality sperm showed shortened flagella with frequent tangling or coiling defects. Transcriptomic analysis comparing high- and low-quality sperm revealed significantly reduced expression of genes associated with sperm motility and release (CgAIF1, CgAchR, CgSEX), sperm quality and development (CgEP4, CgIFi2b), and cryoprotection (CgISPs) in low-quality sperm. Notably, an allograft inflammatory factor (designed as CgAIF1) encoding EF-hand domain, known as Ca2+ binding activity, was among the most significantly downregulated in low-motility sperm. CgAIF1 is highly expressed in haemocytes, ganglia, and gonads of oysters. Incubation with the recombinant AIF1 protein (rCgAIF1) significantly improved sperm curvilinear velocity, thereby enhancing the overall motility of C. gigas sperm. Furthermore, rCgAIF1 incubation increased intracellular Ca2+ levels (2.13-fold at 30 min, 2.71-fold at 60 min) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity (1.44-fold at 30 min, 1.24-fold at 60 min) in sperm, suggesting potential roles in calcium homeostasis regulation and antioxidant defense. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that CgAIF1 significantly enhances motility of oyster sperm, providing a scientific basis for artificial breeding and seed production in oyster aquaculture.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Contrasting redox-related physiological responses associated with HaGATA23 and HaGATA36 during Orobanche cumana parasitism in sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

Helianthus annuus is an economically important Asteraceae species used for seed oil production and ornamental purposes, but its production is seriously affected by the root-parasitic plant Orobanche cumana. GATA transcription factors are zinc-finger DNA-binding regulators involved in plant development and stress adaptation. However, the molecular characteristics of GATA transcription factors in Helianthus annuus and their contribution to Helianthus annuus -Orobanche cumana interaction remain poorly understood. Here, 36 HaGATA members were retrieved from the Helianthus annuus genome and classified into four phylogenetic clades. Chromosomal placement, collinearity, gene structure, motif composition, and promoter elements varied among the 36 HaGATA members, indicating evolutionary conservation coupled with functional diversification. Expression analysis and RT-qPCR analyses revealed differential expression patterns among HaGATA genes under O. cumana stress, with HaGATA23 markedly downregulated and HaGATA36 strongly upregulated. Overexpression of HaGATA23 was associated with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) accumulation and unfavorable changes in antioxidant enzyme activities, whereas its silencing showed the opposite physiological tendency. In contrast, overexpression of HaGATA36 reduced malondialdehyde accumulation, increased peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities, while its silencing showed the reverse tendency. These results indicate that HaGATA23 and HaGATA36 are candidate genes associated with contrasting redox-related physiological responses during O. cumana stress. This work provides evidence that GATA transcription factors are associated with redox-related physiological responses in sunflower under O. cumana treatment and identifies HaGATA23 and HaGATA36 as functionally divergent candidate genes for further validation.

Helianthus↗
PubMed2026

Functional Reading Activities to Motivate and Empower: Maintenance of Reading Outcomes for Young Adults With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Following a Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: This study examined whether the effects of Functional Reading Activities to Motivate and Empower (FRAME), a functional, strategy-based reading comprehension intervention for young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDDs), were maintained 6 months following the completion of the intervention and explored participants' perceptions of the intervention's feasibility, relevance, and perceived impact. METHOD: Participants were 44 young adults with IDDs (ages 18-26 years) who participated in a previously reported randomized controlled trial (FRAME participants: n = 23; controls: n = 21). Trial outcomes were assessed via telepractice at pretest, posttest, and 6-month follow-up. Six-month maintenance analyses focused on outcomes that demonstrated significant posttest group differences: use of (a) reading comprehension strategies (proximal) and (b) reading comprehension questions (distal). Participant perceptions (social validity) were collected post-intervention from FRAME participants using a structured interview protocol with closed- and open-ended items. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, FRAME participants demonstrated sustained but reduced improvements in strategy use relative to controls (p = .040). Between-groups differences were not maintained for reading comprehension questions (p = .091). Participants reported high acceptability and perceived relevance of FRAME, with qualitative themes reflecting perceived improvements in comprehension, self-improvement, and increased independence. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that FRAME supports sustainable gains in reading comprehension strategy use and is perceived as meaningful and feasible for young adults with IDDs, although additional supports may be needed to promote sustained improvements in distal comprehension outcomes. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.33307218.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Phylogenomics and female reproductive morphology reframe the classification of the Halymeniales (Rhodophyta).

The red algal order Halymeniales (Rhodophyta) exhibits remarkable morphological and taxonomic diversity but its higher-level relationships remain poorly resolved. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis based on newly generated plastid (170 protein-coding genes), mitochondrial (23 genes), and complete nuclear ribosomal cistron sequences from 56 taxa, complemented with an expanded rbcL dataset encompassing 334 sequences. Our results provide a robust phylogenomic framework for the Halymeniales, offering a taxonomic backbone for future systematic studies. The analyses consistently recover six early-diverging lineages (Acrodiscus, Isabbottia, Norrissia, Pachymenia, Zymurgia, and Tsengia) and two strongly supported larger clades (Halymenia s.l. and Grateloupia s.l.). While most small and recently described genera are monophyletic, several traditional genera (e.g., Halymenia, Cryptonemia, Grateloupia) are poly- or paraphyletic, requiring considerable taxonomic revision. At the family level, the data indicate that reinstatement of the Grateloupiaceae sensu Kim et al. (2021) would entail a revised circumscription of the Halymeniaceae and the recognition of at least five small families to accommodate the early-diverging lineages. Although such a revised classification would result in monophyletic families, it is not supported by morpho-anatomical characters. Instead, we propose a more stable two-family system, recognizing a broadly circumscribed Halymeniaceae that is sister to the Tsengiaceae. Female reproductive characters, particularly the structure of carpogonial and auxiliary cell ampullae, support this two-family system and further characterize many genus-level clades, although substantial convergence across lineages exists.

Phylogeny↗
PubMed2026

Acetylcholine signaling regulates osmotic stress adaptation in the phytopathogen Dickeya solani.

Plants impose strong selective pressures that shape both the composition and functional potential of plant microbiomes. The adaptation of plant-associated bacteria to their hosts relies on an extensive repertoire of signal transduction systems that sense plant-derived molecules and dynamically adjust bacterial physiology and metabolism within the holobiont. These signals include key plant signaling compounds that regulate processes essential for plant-microbe interactions. Among them, acetylcholine is emerging as an important signaling molecule in both plants and bacteria. Here, we demonstrate that acetylcholine regulates the expression of the osmotic stress response betIBA gene cluster in the important phytopathogen Dickeya solani, where it plays an important role in osmoprotection. We show that the TetR-family transcriptional regulator associated with this pathway, BetIDs, recognizes acetylcholine as well as choline and trimethylamine. These three ligands differentially induce betIBA transcription in a manner that correlates with their binding affinities. Ligand binding does not affect BetIDs binding to the bet promoter or its oligomeric state. Instead, it induces pronounced changes in the secondary structure of BetIDs, with the magnitude of these conformational changes being ligand-dependent. We further show that quorum sensing modulates osmotic stress tolerance in D. solani by regulating the expression of the Bet pathway. The Bet system is required for the full virulence of D. solani, particularly in chemically complex plant tissues. Phylogenetic analyses reveal that the BetIBA system is widely distributed among plant-associated Pseudomonadota, collectively supporting its importance for bacterial survival and adaptation in plant-related environments.

Osmotic Pressure↗
PubMed2026

Gender-specific pathways linking body dissatisfaction, self-disgust, and social anxiety in Chinese adolescents: A three-wave longitudinal study.

Adolescence is a critical period for physical and psychological development. Body dissatisfaction is a significant concern during this stage, contributing to psychological issues such as social anxiety. However, the longitudinal relationships among body dissatisfaction, self-disgust, and social anxiety, as well as the potential role of gender differences in these dynamics, remain unclear. A total of 1109 junior high school students in China completed the baseline survey, with data collected at three time points (Mage = 12.67 years, SD = 0.68; 51.9% girls). Data were collected using the Body Areas Satisfaction Scale (BASS), the Self-Disgust Scale (SDS), and the Social Anxiety Scale for Children (SASC). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to examine the longitudinal mediating effects among body dissatisfaction, self-disgust, and social anxiety, as well as to explore gender differences in these relationships. After controlling for autoregressive effects of self-disgust and social anxiety across waves, body dissatisfaction at T1 was found to indirectly predict social anxiety at T3 through self-disgust at T2, while indirectly predicting self-disgust at T3 through social anxiety at T2. Multi-group analyses revealed significant gender differences: for females, only the mediating pathway with self-disgust as the mediator was significant; for males, only the pathway with social anxiety as the mediator was significant. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of the emotional mechanisms linking body dissatisfaction to social anxiety and highlight the importance of considering gender-specific pathways in prevention and intervention efforts.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2026

A Standardized Nursing-Led Protocol Integrated Pain, Sleep, Medication Adherence, and Symptom Management in Postherpetic Neuralgia.

Postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is a persistent neuropathic pain condition after herpes zoster that frequently coexists with sleep disturbance, medication-related problems, and fluctuating symptoms. This study evaluated whether a standardized nursing-led protocol could improve multidimensional short-term outcomes beyond usual care. In this prospective, parallel-group randomized controlled trial, 128 adults with PHN were allocated 1:1 to usual care or usual care plus an eight-week protocol integrating structured pain assessment, sleep monitoring, medication-adherence support, and rule-based digital symptom monitoring. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in change in Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) pain score from baseline to Week 8. Secondary outcomes included Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), MMAS-8 medication adherence, symptom burden, pain-related nocturnal awakenings, breakthrough pain, rescue analgesic use, adverse events, rule-based alerts, and nursing satisfaction. Week-8 data were available for 116 participants (57 usual care; 59 protocol). Mean NRS scores decreased from 7.19 ± 1.08 to 4.82 ± 1.53 in the usual-care group and from 7.28 ± 1.05 to 3.24 ± 1.28 in the protocol group. An NRS reduction of at least 2 points occurred in 49.1% and 76.3% of participants, respectively. The protocol group also showed larger improvements in PSQI, MMAS-8, symptom burden, and nocturnal awakenings, with fewer breakthrough-pain episodes and less rescue-analgesic use. These findings support further evaluation of the standardized nursing-led protocol in preregistered multicenter trials with intention-to-treat analyses and longer follow-up.

Humans↗
PubMed2026

Specific Instruments for Caregiving Competence Among Family Caregivers of Cancer Patients: A COSMIN Systematic Review of Psychometric Properties.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate and summarize the psychometric properties of specific instruments for caregiving competence among family caregivers of cancer patients. METHODS: Systematically searched eight databases for studies published up to November 2025. The methodological quality and psychometric properties of the instruments were evaluated using COSMIN 2.0. Evidence grades were rated using the modified GRADE system (four grades: "High," "Moderate," "Low," and "Very Low"), and recommendations were formulated (Category A: recommended, Category B: potential with further validation, and Category C: not recommended). RESULTS: Seven studies were included, comprising three specific instruments: the Care Competency Scale for Family Caregivers in Home Palliative Care (CCSHPC) (n = 1), the Caregiver Caregiving Self-Efficacy Scale-Oral Cancer (CSES-OC) (n = 1), and the Caring Ability of Family Caregivers of Patients with Cancer Scale (CAFCPCS) (n = 5). Both the CCSHPC and CAFCPCS received Category B recommendations, demonstrating "adequate" content validity with evidence grades rated "very low" and "low," respectively. The CAFCPCS also shows good structural validity ("moderate") and internal consistency ("low") in some cultural contexts. The CSES-OC is a Category C recommendation, with high-quality evidence indicating "inadequate" criterion validity. CONCLUSION: Few specific instruments exist, and most did not strictly follow COSMIN guidelines. The CAFCPCS is provisionally recommended based on relative evidence superiority rather than complete psychometric validation. Further cross-cultural and localized instrument development is warranted. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Use well-validated specific instruments to identify strengths and weaknesses in the caregiving competencies of family caregivers of cancer patients, enabling them to deliver high-quality home-based cancer care.

Female↗
PubMed2026

A chromosomal gtrB homolog and dam differentially contribute to dry-heat and high hydrostatic pressure resistance in Salmonella enterica.

Salmonella enterica can persist in low-moisture foods and shows enhanced dry-heat resistance under low water activity, posing significant food safety challenges. However, the genetic basis of extreme dry-heat resistance and its relationship with other processing stresses remain unclear. In this study, twelve S. enterica strains were screened for dry-heat treatment at 60 °C and 80 °C, with S. Infantis CICC21649 identified as the most resistant strain. Comparative genomics and transcriptional analysis identified candidate genes related to envelope integrity and regulation, including gtrB and dam. Deletion of the chromosomal gtrB homolog reduced dry-heat resistance, producing an additional 0.91-log10 reduction relative to the parent strain at 80 °C. Deletion of dam caused broader stress sensitivity, reducing resistance to both dry heat and high hydrostatic pressure, with the stronger phenotype observed under high hydrostatic pressure. Proteomic analysis of the chromosomal gtrB homolog mutant revealed broad alterations in envelope-associated proteins, transport functions, oxidative stress pathways, and central metabolism under dry-heat stress. These findings indicate that the chromosomal gtrB homolog is an important contributor to extreme dry-heat resistance, whereas dam contributes to resistance against both dry-heat and high hydrostatic pressure, likely through a broader regulatory role in stress adaptation. These results reveal distinct structural and regulatory layers underlying stress adaptation in S. enterica and provide practical guidance for low-moisture food processing by highlighting the need to account for strain-dependent and stress-specific resistance during process validation.

Hydrostatic Pressure↗
PubMed2026

Nitrogen sources and concentrations shape algal odor compounds: Key drivers of β-cyclocitral and β-ionone in water bodies of the lower Yangtze River.

Taste and odor (T&O) compounds derived from cyanobacterial blooms pose escalating threats to freshwater security worldwide, yet the drivers of specific T&O metabolites remain poorly constrained. Here, we investigated the dual effects of nitrogen (N) sources and concentrations on the production of β-cyclocitral and β-ionone, two algal-derived T&O compounds, through integrated field surveys (54 sites across lakes and rivers) in the eutrophic lower Yangtze River, China, and laboratory cultivation of typical cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa and Pseudanabaena cinerea). Our field data revealed that the concentrations of β-cyclocitral and β-ionone in lakes and rivers were not significantly different, but increased with the trophic level index. Redundancy analysis and Mantel analysis showed that Microcystis and Pseudanabaena were potentially dominant contributors to β-cyclocitral and β-ionone in the water column. Structural equation modeling and variation partitioning analysis showed that enhanced nitrate (NO3--N) significantly promoted the production of these compounds. Laboratory experiments demonstrated that inorganic N (NaNO₃) maximized total T&O yields by promoting algal biomass, whereas organic N (urea and glutamic acid) elevated the T&O production per unit biomass by 1.5- to 9.5-fold. Notably, Pseudanabaena exhibited a 2.3-fold higher β-ionone yield than Microcystis, with greater sensitivity to N concentrations. Our study highlights the critical role of nitrogen pollution, both source and concentration, in the production of T&O compounds by phytoplankton and provides reference data for managing T&O issues in rivers and shallow lakes.

Norisoprenoids↗
PubMed2026

Innovation-related perception as a key driver of alternative protein acceptance: evidence from an early-stage model for cultivated meat and algae-/microalgae-based alternative protein products in Italy.

Alternative proteins are increasingly considered part of the transition toward more sustainable food systems, yet their diffusion depends critically on consumer acceptance. This study investigates the early-stage acceptance of two alternative protein categories in Italy-cultivated meat and algae-/microalgae-based alternative protein products. Focusing on the first three phases of acceptance, the analysis examines how innovation-related perception (IRP) shapes consumer perceived value (CPV), consumer perceived risk (CPR), and subsequent affective (AFF), cognitive (COG), and conative (CON) responses. Data were collected through an online survey administered to 238 Italian respondents and analysed using partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM). The results show that IRP is the main upstream driver of early-stage acceptance in both product domains: more favourable perceptions strongly increase perceived value and reduce perceived risk. In turn, CPV exerts a much stronger influence than CPR on both affective and cognitive attitudes. A tentative cross-model comparison suggests only a descriptive variation in the final transition toward conative acceptance: affective and cognitive responses were both significant in the two models, with a relatively larger affective coefficient for cultivated meat and more balanced coefficients for algae-/microalgae-based products. Overall, the findings support a process-based interpretation of alternative protein acceptance and highlight the central role of innovation-related perception in shaping early consumer responses. These results provide relevant implications for communication strategies, product positioning, and policy actions aimed at improving the acceptability of alternative proteins in food cultures characterised by strong culinary traditions.

Italy↗
PubMed2025

New insights into soil amendment: Impact of humic acid on typical antibiotic resistance in agricultural soil.

Humic acid (HA) addition can improve agricultural soil, but little is known about how it affects the soil resistome. In this study, we used selective agar plate combined with quantitative PCR (qPCR) and 16S rRNA gene sequencing to investigate how HA influences antibiotic resistant bacteria (ARB) and antibiotic resistant genes (ARGs) in soil contaminated with erythromycin and kanamycin. 0.1 % HA reduced the abundance of culturable erythromycin-resistant bacteria (ERB), while promoting the growth of kanamycin-resistant bacteria (KRB). Lysinibacillus and Paenibacillus were the dominant genera in ERB and KRB, respectively, governing the changes in their abundances. At this concentration, the Lysinibacillus abundance in ERB decreased from 96.74 % to 70.57 %. Meanwhile, that of Paenibacillus in KRB increased from 33.40 % to 77.44 %. The copy number of ermF decreased after HA addition, while that of ermB increased. Furthermore, 0.1 % HA significantly reduced the copy number and relative abundance of aadA1 and aac(6')-Ib (aka aacA4)-03 in the soil. Changes in these two types of ARB and ARGs were primarily driven by shifts in the microbial community structure. Soil physicochemical properties, particularly increased organic matter (OM), altered the absolute abundance of ermB. Meanwhile, changes in intI1 abundance determined the risk associated with aadA1 and aac(6')-Ib (aka aacA4)-03. These findings emphasize the dual role of HA in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance in agricultural soils and highlight the necessity of considering dose-dependent effects when applying HA as a soil amendment.

Soil Microbiology↗
PubMed2026

Genome-wide identification of the HSP70 superfamily in tropical sea cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus and their expression analysis under low-salinity stress.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are a group of evolutionarily conserved molecular chaperones that serve as indispensable core regulators in preserving cellular homeostasis and orchestrating organismal stress responses. The tropical sea cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus, a high-value aquaculture species, is sensitive to fluctuations in environmental salinity-a challenge that has emerged as a critical bottleneck limiting its large-scale commercial cultivation. However, no systematic investigation has been conducted to characterize the HSP70 superfamily in S. monotuberculatus and elucidate its functional roles in salinity adaptation. In the present study, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide scan and identified 19 HSP70 superfamily genes in the S. monotuberculatus genome, with the HSP70IV subfamily showing remarkable gene expansion, containing 8 distinct copies. Phylogenetic analysis, conserved motif identification, and gene structure characterization demonstrated high evolutionary conservation within each HSP subfamily. These genes were unevenly distributed across the chromosomes of S. monotuberculatus, and prediction of cis-acting elements revealed that their upstream regulatory regions were enriched with numerous functional elements associated with stress response and immune regulation. Salinity stress experiments revealed that under severe low-salinity conditions (18‰), the expression levels of SmHSPA14L and multiple HSP70IV subfamily members were significantly elevated, while SmHYOU1D was significantly downregulated; in contrast, only subtle changes were detected in the expression of most HSP70 genes under moderate low-salinity stress (24‰). These findings strongly suggest that HSP70 genes, particularly the expanded HSP70IV subfamily, may act as key modulators in the low-salinity stress response. This work provides valuable insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying salinity adaptation in tropical sea cucumbers.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

The composition of the periostracum in the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and the mantle's response to sulfide.

The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta inhabits sulfide-rich intertidal sediments and exhibits remarkable tolerance to this toxicant, yet the role of its periostracum in sulfide adaptation remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the composition and structure of the periostracum proteins, and the response of the mantle to sulfide stress. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the periostracum is approximately 10 μm thick and contains 1.43 wt% sulfur, and proteomic analysis further confirmed the presence of organic sulfur (Cys/Met-rich proteins), suggesting its involvement in sulfur deposition. Using LC-MS/MS, we identified 77 high-confidence proteins from the periostracum, which were classified into six functional categories: enzymes, framework proteins, immune-related proteins, calcium ion-related proteins, other proteins, and proteins with unknown functions. Phylogenetic analyses of representative proteins revealed bivalve-specific evolutionary patterns, with several proteins exclusively present in Bivalvia, such as Unknown protein 2 and 7, which possess signal peptides and low-complexity domains. For the sulfide exposure experiment, razor clams were subjected to three Na2S concentrations (0, 10, and 100 μM). qPCR analysis showed that, compared with the control group, Chitin-binding protein 3 and Tyrosinase were significantly upregulated in the mantle, peaking in the 100 μM group at 48 h (5677.84-fold and 157.20-fold, respectively), whereas Collagen and Cadherin 3 were generally suppressed. This study represents one of the most comprehensive proteomic profiles of the razor clam periostracum and highlights the mantle's potential role in sulfide tolerance, offering insights for sulfur-tolerant aquaculture breeding and bioremediation applications.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals ncRNA-mediated regulatory networks associated with muscle crispiness in grass carp.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been demonstrated to be involved in muscle development and to function as key regulators. However, the molecular mechanism underlying muscle crispiness in grass carp (GC) remains poorly understood, and whether these ncRNAs are involved in its regulation is still unknown. In the current investigation, differentially expressed (DE) RNAs (including lncRNAs, circRNAs, miRNAs, and mRNAs) were identified; concomitantly, target genes prediction was conducted, and functional and signaling pathway enrichment analyses were performed. Pathways related to muscle crispiness were identified, and the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) (lncRNA/circRNA-miRNA-mRNA) regulatory network was further constructed. The results showed that a total of 126 DE-lncRNAs, 17 DE-circRNAs, 329 DE-miRNAs, and 442 DE-mRNAs were identified in muscle tissues of both the GC and crisp grass carp (CGC). GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that target genes of DE-ncRNAs were significantly enriched in signaling pathways, including structural constituents of muscle, apoptosis, oxidative phosphorylation, and regulation of actin cytoskeleton, suggesting that these pathways may be involved in muscle texture remodeling. Subsequently, DE-RNAs enriched in related pathways were identified, and a core ceRNA regulation network comprising 3 lncRNAs, 4 circRNAs, 3 miRNAs, and 17 mRNAs was constructed. Additionally, 10 DE-RNAs from randomly selected groups were validated by qRT-PCR. Our findings not only provide scientific evidence elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying muscle crispiness in GC but also establish a foundation for studying changes in muscle textural qualities across other fish species.

Animals↗
PubMed2026

The effect of olfactory training and odor exposure on visual selective attention.

Olfactory training (OT) is a well-established, non-invasive intervention that improves olfactory function by repeated, structured exposure to odorants. Beyond sensory outcomes, it also influences multiple aspects of cognition. Yet, its influence on attention, a fundamental process underlying many cognitive domains, remains unclear. This study examined the impact of a 12-week OT program on visual selective attentional performance and the effect of on-task odor exposure. Ninety-four healthy participants were initially included, and randomized into OT or placebo groups. Participants completed the d2 Test of Attention simultaneously with and without odor exposure in a randomized sequence at baseline, post-training, and a follow-up four weeks after stopping the training. The d2 test measures commission errors, omission errors, and concentration performance. Ninety-three participants (OT=51, placebo=42) completed baseline measurement, 74 (OT=39, placebo=35) returned for post-training session, and 57 participants (OT=29, placebo=28) returned for the follow-up appointment. Results showed that OT did not significantly improve d2 test performance. In the primary model, on-task PEA exposure reduced commission errors compared to the odorless condition, suggesting a possible transient effect of olfactory input on the inhibitory control in the context of the d2 attentional test. This effect, however, was no longer significant once the follow-up data were included and should be regarded as preliminary. Overall, these findings raise the possibility of a distinction between relatively long-term OT and short-term odor exposure: while OT did not improve visual selective attention, brief on-task odor exposure may transiently enhance inhibitory control during attentional tasks, a possibility that remains to be confirmed.

Humans↗