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PubMed2026

First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis spp. in donkeys in Aksaray province, Türkiye.

Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist worldwide that can infect humans and animals. Although its molecular epidemiology in Türkiye is mostly focused primarily on humans and livestock, equids have received limited attention despite their traditional roles and frequent contact with humans and other animals in rural environments. This study aimed to determine the molecular prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of Blastocystis spp. in donkeys in Aksaray Province, providing the first molecular data on donkeys in Türkiye. A total of 182 fresh fecal samples were collected from donkeys in nine villages within Aksaray province. Genomic DNA was extracted, and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene fragment of Blastocystis spp. was amplified via PCR analysis. Positive isolates were sequenced bidirectionally for identification and subsequent phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis in donkeys. The overall molecular prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in donkeys was 4.4% (8/182). The infection rate was higher in young donkeys (under 3 years old; 8.33%) than in adults (3 years or older; 2.46%). However, this difference was not statistically significant. Sequence analysis of the positive PCR products revealed the presence of one known livestock-specific subtype, ST10. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the ST10 isolates characterized in this study clustered with isolates identified from different hosts. This study provides the first molecular data on Blastocystis presence in donkeys in Türkiye. The exclusive detection of ST10 suggests potential cross-species transmission, likely facilitated by the traditional practice of co-housing donkeys with other animals in confined barns. These findings indicate that donkeys may contribute to Blastocystis transmission, underscoring the importance of a "One Health" approach in future epidemiological surveillance.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Effects of faba bean-based crisping culture on phenotypic characteristics, muscle quality, and serum metabolome in Nile tilapia: Screening biomarkers to assess the degree of crisping.

Feeding Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) a faba bean-based crisping diet enhances muscle hardness (crispness) and overall flesh quality. However, the underlying mechanisms and reliable biomarkers remain insufficiently defined. This study integrated phenotypic traits, muscle texture, collagen content, serum antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px), MDA levels, and serum metabolomics to understand the determinants of muscle crisping. Fish were assigned to a crisping diet or a control group for 90 days. Individuals in the crisping group were implanted with passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to enable correlation analyses among phenotypic traits (body weight/length/frame changes), serum indicators (NAM, FAD, and GSH-Px) and muscle hardness. Compared with controls, the crisping diet significantly increased muscle hardness, gumminess, and chewiness, accompanied by elevated collagen content. Antioxidant profiles were altered, with higher activities of serum SOD and CAT, together with elevated MDA levels and reduced GSH-Px activity (P < 0.05). Metabolomic analysis identified 830 differential metabolites (682 upregulated and 148 downregulated), predominantly comprising carboxylic acids and derivatives, glycerophospholipids, and benzene derivatives. Enrichment analysis indicated significant involvement in general metabolic pathways, ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters, amino acid biosynthesis, and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism (P < 0.05). Notably, acetylpyruvate was upregulated in glutathione metabolism, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, and galactose metabolism; pantothenic acid was upregulated in glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism; whereas δ-tocotrienol was downregulated. Correlation analysis revealed weak negative associations between muscle hardness and phenotypic traits (body weight/length/frame changes D5-7, D5-10, D7-8) (P < 0.05). In contrast, serum NAM and FAD were weakly positively correlated with muscle hardness, whereas GSH-Px showed a weak negative correlation (P < 0.05). Collectively, these findings suggest that body weight, body length, frame measurements (D5-7, D5-10, and D7-8), and serum NAM, FAD, and GSH-Px are associated with the degree of muscle crispness in Nile tilapia fed a faba bean-based crisping diet and may serve as candidate biomarkers under these culture conditions.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Frequent mutations in the BIRC3 gene promote metastatic potential of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells through the TRAF2-NF-κB pathway.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a head and neck cancer characterized by highly locoregionally invasive behavior attributable to the latent infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and genomic instability. It is well established that EBV-encoded oncogenic molecules actively contribute to the malignant behavior of NPC cells. However, the mechanism by which aberrant genomic alterations enable NPC cells to become aggressive remains largely unknown. In the present study, whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed that the gene encoding the baculoviral IAP repeat-containing 3 (BIRC3) protein was frequently mutated in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) but not in paired primary tumor cells from patients with metastatic NPC. A minigene assay indicated that the c.637 A > G mutation disrupted normal mRNA splicing, resulting in the partial deletion of Exons 2 and 3 and altered stability of BIRC3 mRNA. In vitro experiments demonstrated that ectopic expression of the BIRC3c.637A>G mutant enhanced NPC cell invasive properties, including proliferation, resistance to apoptosis, migration, and invasion. Furthermore, overexpression of wild-type BIRC3 promoted invasive characteristics in NPC cells through the TRAF2-NF-κB signaling axis. In summary, BIRC3 acts as a regulator of the malignant features of NPC cells. Frequent BIRC3 mutations in CTCs, such as the c.637 A > G mutation, further enhance the metastatic potential of disseminated NPC cells by inducing aberrant alternative splicing. These findings suggest the therapeutic feasibility of targeting the BIRC3/TRAF2/NF-κB axis in the treatment of NPC.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Somatic mutations: recent advances in brain aging and neurodegeneration.

Somatic mutations are genetic variants that occur after the single-cell phase of development and have been implicated in disease pathogenesis. While most DNA lesions are detected and repaired, examination of healthy tissue has revealed that some lesions escape repair, leading to somatic mutations that accumulate at a consistent rate, including in human brain tissue and postmitotic neurons. Emerging methodological and analytical advances have revealed the presence of persistent mutagenic mechanisms during healthy brain aging as well as mutational pattern shifts in the context of neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we highlight recent methodological advances, summarize our current understanding of somatic mutagenesis in neurotypical brain aging, and examine the role of somatic mutations in neurodegenerative diseases.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Targeting SIRT6: the design and therapeutic implications of activators and inhibitors.

Sirtuin 6 (SIRT6) is an NAD+-dependent deacylase that maintains genomic stability, regulates metabolism, and influences aging, making it an attractive but challenging therapeutic target. Pharmacological modulation of SIRT6 holds promise for cancer and metabolic disorders, yet its context-dependent functions demand precise intervention strategies. Potent, selective, and drug-like chemical probes are therefore essential to dissect SIRT6 biology and to validate its therapeutic potential. This review critically evaluates recent medicinal chemistry advances in SIRT6 modulation. We focus on structure-guided design strategies and structure-activity relationships (SAR) that have transformed initial hits into optimized leads for both activators and inhibitors, highlighting the remaining challenges in achieving isoform selectivity and drug-like properties.

Sirtuins↗

PubMed2025

The effect of penile tourniquet and continuous artificial erection on penile erectile tissues: An experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Penile tourniquet (PT) is known to cause ischemic injury, which worsens with prolonged application. Artificial erection (AE), formed by intracorporal saline injection mostly under PT, has been practiced for decades to evaluate penile curvature, yet its effect on erectile tissues has never been investigated. In this study, we examined a modified approach, continuous artificial erection (CAE), and investigated its effects on erectile tissues. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of CAE on penile erectile tissues. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-five rats were randomized into five groups. Four experiment groups received 20 or 40 min of isolated PT (20T and 40T) or PT with CAE (20T&E and 40T&E). CAE was achieved through continuous intracavernosal saline injection. Penectomy was performed three weeks post-procedure in the experiment groups and directly in the control group. Erectile tissue samples were evaluated using light microscopy for histopathological parameters including inflammation, neovascularization and fibrosis, and by immunohistochemistry. Endothelial function was assessed by eNOS and e-selectin staining, while ICAM-1 staining was used to assess chronic inflammation. RESULTS: 40T showed the highest levels of inflammation, fibrosis, and endothelial dysfunction. 20T had significantly less inflammation than 40T, with a non-significant increase in fibrosis and alteration of endothelial markers. 40T&E displayed the second-highest fibrosis rate (adjusted p > 0.05), while 20T&E showed complete absence of fibrosis. Both 40T&E and 20T&E preserved strong eNOS and e-selectin expression, identical to controls. ICAM-1 expression in 20T&E was also consistent with the control group. The most significant difference in erectile tissue damage was noted between 40T and 20T&E. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the effects of AE on erectile tissues. Findings of this experimental model support that, CAE does not increase the tissue damage that is already caused by PT, but rather reduces it, likely through the washout of blood elements contributing to reperfusion injury. CAE possibly provides a protective effect on erectile tissues by preserving endothelial function, reducing inflammation and fibrosis, especially under 20 minutes of duration. These findings may support that AE maneuvers such as "artificial erection test" and CAE are potentially safe, while further studies are needed to assess the detailed effects of CAE.

Male↗

PubMed2026

Activity shapes large herbivores' ecological influences.

The ecological effects of large herbivores are shaped by their spatial and temporal patterns of activity (i.e. where, when and how intensely they use specific locations). When large herbivores' ecological influences are perceived to be undesirable, the traditional approach has been to reduce their population size. This numbers-first logic assumes that ecological effects scale primarily with abundance. We argue that this framing provides an incomplete understanding of large herbivores' ecological impacts. Using African elephants (Loxodonta africana) as a well-documented case study, we show that ecological effects on plants, animals and ecosystem processes correlate more with spatio-temporal patterns of activity than with population size. In large, open systems characterized by strong gradients of water availability, forage quality, shade and risk, elephants concentrate into predictable hotspots while relaxing activity elsewhere, generating localized impacts and opportunities for recovery. By contrast, in small, fenced or fragmented landscapes, where movements are constrained, and gradients are weak, spatial self-regulation breaks down, producing homogenized use and widespread ecological effects. We contend that understanding where, when and under what constraints herbivores use space provides a more general and mechanistic basis for interpreting ecological influence than abundance alone, with implications that extend beyond elephants to large herbivores globally.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Contact tracing for hepatitis C: perspectives of people with experience of substance use and hepatitis C on intervention acceptability.

INTRODUCTION: Chronic hepatitis C (HCV) is a major cause of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. In the UK, the principal risk factor for HCV is injecting drug use. The introduction of direct acting anti-virals (DAA's) have transformed HCV care, with cure rates of over 95%. However, HCV is often asymptomatic, and reinfection is a concern. Modelling and real-life studies demonstrate the potential effectiveness of a contact tracing approach for finding people who have acquired HCV through injecting drug use. However, it is not used routinely in the UK. This qualitative study was undertaken to assess the acceptability of a contact tracing approach to identify people who have injected drugs with an index patient recently diagnosed with HCV. METHODS: Twelve people with lived or living experience of injecting drug use and an HCV diagnosis were interviewed using semi-structured interview topic guides. Participants were purposefully selected according to the inclusion criteria and to ensure there was an even spread of male and female participants. Sekhon's Theoretical Framework of Acceptability, incorporating seven components (affective attitude, burden, ethicality, intervention coherence, opportunity cost, perceived effectiveness, and self-efficacy) was used to analyse data from interview transcripts. RESULTS: A sample of 12 people who inject drugs in the UK indicated that a contact tracing approach was acceptable across two components of Sekhon's acceptability framework: affective attitude and ethicality. Participants broadly found the idea of tracing people who may be at risk of contracting HCV acceptable, and the approach aligned with their value systems. A contact tracing approach would help alleviate concerns about putting other people's lives at risk through HCV transmission and was seen as a 'sensible' way of finding people at risk. However, there were caveats to this acceptability. Contact tracing approaches delivered by mainstream health, or governmental organisations increased burden, opportunity costs and perceived effectiveness of a contact tracing approach for HCV, particularly within contexts of exclusion and criminalisation of people who inject drugs. Burden and opportunity costs were also affected by individual experiences and risks of violence, sexual violence and abuse. There was a lack of knowledge of contact tracing approaches amongst respondents, leading to a lack of intervention coherence and misunderstandings of what contact tracing was and how it would work. Trusted relationships with NGOs and HCV specialist nurses reduced burden and increased confidence and ability (self-efficacy) to engage with a contact tracing approach. CONCLUSION: People who inject drugs broadly perceive contact tracing as an acceptable method of finding people who are at risk of HCV. However, this acceptability is based on specific modes of delivery through trusted organisations. Findings further highlight the importance of naming and describing contact tracing approaches appropriately, as well as assessing and mitigating against potential risk to index patients, to increase self-efficacy and capacity to engage. Considering these findings, the potential for expanding existing contact tracing approaches should be explored to ensure the UK reaches and maintains its elimination targets.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Assessing the threat of Bacillus cereus: From toxin characterization to modern detection strategies.

Bacillus cereus is a spore-forming pathogen responsible for both diarrheal and emetic foodborne illnesses worldwide. Its significance in food safety has received growing attention. Recent advances, including the discovery of novel virulence factors and the development of emerging detection technologies, have provided new insights into its pathogenic mechanisms and surveillance strategies. This review critically examines the global burden of B. cereus infections, and molecular mechanisms of its major virulence factors, and the performance characteristics of current detection knowledge gaps such as the viable-but-non-culturable state and regulatory blind spots for emetic toxins, and discuss unresolved challenges in clinical management. By integrating epidemiological, microbiological, and technological perspectives with critical lens, this review aims to provide a valuable reference for future research and food safety practices.

Bacillus cereus↗

PubMed2026

First insights into the role of evolutionary history in shaping venom composition of Vipera ammodytes.

Understanding intraspecific venom variation requires distinguishing the contributions of neutral population history from natural selection. This study aims to determine whether venom variation in Vipera ammodytes species complex is structured across eight phylogenetic groups. Despite a complex evolutionary history, venom composition did not differ among phylogenetic groups within the analytical framework used, suggesting that shared ancestry alone does not explain venom variation. Whether local adaptation to environmental conditions explains the observed variation remains an open question for future studies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Ribosomal protein S3: a critical regulator of human disease mechanisms.

Ribosomal protein S3 (RPS3) is an essential structural component of the 40S ribosomal subunit, yet growing evidence highlights crucial extraribosomal roles in genome maintenance, cell-cycle control, and immune signaling. Dysregulation of RPS3 contributes to diverse human disorders, including cancer, inflammatory diseases, neurodegeneration, and resistance to antimicrobial and anticancer therapies. As a cofactor of NF-κB and a participant in DNA damage responses, RPS3 occupies a node that integrates stress signaling with transcriptional reprogramming, enabling both protective and pathological outcomes. The present review critically evaluates mechanistic insights into RPS3 biology, emphasizing recent findings that delineate its context-dependent effects, discrepancies across models, and remaining gaps that restrict translational applications. Understanding these complexities is essential to assess RPS3's potential as a biomarker and therapeutic target.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Functional and Nutritional Potential of Chickpea Protein Hydrolysates: A Systematic Review and Plant-protein Network Analysis.

Chickpea is a protein-rich legume increasingly explored as a substrate for functional plant-based ingredients. Chickpea protein hydrolysates (CPHs) and chickpea-derived peptides (CPs), obtained through enzymatic hydrolysis or simulated gastrointestinal digestion, may provide technological and biological properties while supporting the valorization of chickpea fractions and by-products. This review integrates a network analysis of title-abstract terms from 5,728 unique Scopus and PubMed records on plant protein hydrolysates with a systematic review of 72 studies focused on CPH production, peptide characterization, bioactivity, and translational gaps. The evidence indicates that CPHs and CPs show promising antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, lipid-lowering, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, and anticancer-related activities, mainly supported by biochemical assays, cell models, and animal studies. However, heterogeneous hydrolysis protocols, incomplete peptide characterization, inconsistent bioactivity methods, limited scale-up evidence, and the absence of human intervention trials restrict translation. Future studies should prioritize standardized protocols, mechanistic validation, bioavailability, sensory and regulatory assessment, food-matrix validation, and clinical trials.

Cicer↗

PubMed2026

Multi-omics insights into the physiological mechanisms of bile acid accumulation in the gallbladder in brumation-like snakes.

Hibernation/brumation represents an important physiological adaptation for animals to cope with seasonal environmental changes. Field observations suggested increased gallbladder weight in the Five-pacer viper (Deinagkistrodon acutus) during brumation, and our quantitative measurements confirmed this increase together with bile acid accumulation. By integrating a multi-omic approach, this study elucidates the regulatory mechanisms of bile acid accumulation in the gallbladder during brumation. Results showed that taurocholic acid (TCA) and taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) were the major components in the gallbladder of the brumation-like group, with significantly elevated concentrations of bile acids, whereas bile acid concentrations in serum and intestinal contents were markedly reduced, indicating suppression of the enterohepatic circulation and consequent accumulation of bile acids in the gallbladder. Hepatic transcriptomic analysis revealed significant downregulation of bile acid synthesis and regulatory genes in brumation-like snakes. In contrast, the alternative synthesis pathway gene sterol 27-hydroxylase (CYP27A1) and some transporter genes were slightly upregulated. Further, some modification genes and regulatory genes showed no significant differences between active and brumation-like states. Gut microbiota analysis demonstrated Akkermansia muciniphila, Bacteroides fragilis, and Citrobacter freundii were more enriched in the active group, which were common microbes related to bile acid metabolism, and the correlation analysis confirmed this relationship. Taken together, these findings indicate that the "physiological bile acid accumulation" observed in snakes during brumation-like state is jointly driven by suppressed hepatic synthesis, reduced enterohepatic circulation, and remodeled microbial community structure. The study provides novel comparative physiological insights into extreme metabolic homeostasis in animals.

Animals↗

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

GATA2 deficiency: enhancer deregulation, immune surveillance failure, and clonal evolution.

Germline mutations in GATA2 cause a syndromic inborn error of immunity characterized by cytopenia, infections, immune dysregulation, and a marked predisposition to myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia. Initially defined by the DCML phenotype-dendritic cell, monocyte, B- and NK-cell deficiency-GATA2 deficiency is now recognized as a disorder of global immune-hematopoietic homeostasis. Recent multi-omics and experimental models reveal enhancer-driven inflammatory rewiring, IRF8-dependent lineage imbalance, and premature hematopoietic aging. In parallel, adaptive immune defects, including impaired B- and T-cell development and function, contribute to defective immune surveillance. These alterations not only explain susceptibility to infection but also shape clonal evolution and malignant transformation. Clinically, improved risk stratification and transplant outcomes underscore the importance of early recognition and monitoring of immune dysfunction. GATA2 deficiency thus represents a paradigm linking immune dysregulation, inflammatory stress, and cancer predisposition.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The role of transposable elements-endogenous retroviruses in embryonic development and regeneration.

Endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) are dynamically regulated across the lifespan and can function as context-dependent components of host gene-regulatory networks. During embryonic development, selected ERV-derived elements are co-opted to support zygotic genome activation, lineage specification, and placental development. In adult tissues, ERV-derived sequences can contribute to tissue and immune homeostasis, whereas potentially disruptive ERV activity is constrained by epigenetic mechanisms. During regeneration and somatic cell reprogramming, ERV and broader transposable-element programs undergo transient, locus-specific remodeling. In aging, the weakening of epigenetic and nuclear restraint can promote aberrant ERV derepression, inflammation, and functional decline. This review summarizes the diverse roles of ERVs across these contexts and discusses the challenges of defining locus-specific functions, resolving repetitive sequences, and developing safe ERV-targeted interventions.

Endogenous Retroviruses↗

PubMed2026

Oropouche virus: viral evolution, epidemiological trends, and challenges for control.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, OROV has emerged as a significant public health threat beyond the Amazon region. Here we review current epidemiological, virological, clinical and ecological knowledge of OROV to inform health practitioners, public health authorities and the scientific community and to facilitate the development of effective control strategies for OROV. RECENT FINDINGS: We describe the epidemiological, virological, ecological and clinical characteristics of OROV, focusing on lessons from the recent expansion, and highlighting needs for control and management of this emerging arbovirus. SUMMARY: This review aims to inform health practitioners, public health authorities and the scientific community of the recent reemergence and expansion of OROV beyond the Amazon Basin. The ecology, epidemiology, virology of OROV and clinical presentations of OROV infection are discussed, and knowledge gaps are identified.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Portable metagenomics for preventive surveillance and outbreak control in livestock and poultry: Pathogen detection, resistome profiling, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Conventional diagnostics for livestock and poultry outbreaks commonly rely on culture or targeted PCR panels, which may be too slow or too narrow to guide early control decisions. Portable metagenomics, particularly real-time nanopore sequencing, offers a route to broad pathogen detection, antimicrobial-resistance gene profiling, and outbreak investigation within an integrated workflow. This implementation-focused review evaluates how near-point-of-care metagenomics may support preventive veterinary medicine through earlier detection, surveillance, cohorting, biosecurity decisions, and antimicrobial stewardship. We synthesize sample-to-answer workflows for enteric and respiratory disease in food-producing animals, including sampling, nucleic-acid extraction, host depletion or target enrichment, library preparation, sequencing, bioinformatics, quality control, and interpretation. Applications in calf diarrhea, bovine respiratory disease, poultry outbreaks, mastitis, and resistome monitoring are considered alongside the central limitation that detection alone does not establish causation. Pathogen and resistance-gene signals must therefore be interpreted with clinical signs, lesions, epidemiology, controls, and confirmatory testing. We also propose a minimum reporting checklist, intended as a practical framework rather than a validated consensus standard. Portable metagenomics is not a replacement for conventional diagnostics, but appropriately validated workflows can reduce uncertainty during time-sensitive outbreaks and support more judicious antimicrobial use.

Animals↗