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PubMed2025

Detoxifying biotransformation of chloramphenicol by Exiguobacterium sp. CAP4 and its bioaugmentation of chloramphenicol biodegradation in simulated wastewater.

The extensive use of chloramphenicol (CAP) in livestock leads the accumulation of CAP in livestock manures, threatening environmental and human health. Therefore, eliminating or reducing CAP concentration in manures before its re-utilization and application through microbial remediation is necessary. Exiguobacterium sp. CAP4, isolated from the plastisphere in duck manures, was capable of degrading CAP with the biodegradation efficiency of 97.8 % at initial CAP concentration of 5 mg/L within 4 days. A total of twenty-four biotransformation products were determined, including two novel transformation products, TP166 and TP203, enriched the integrity of CAP biodegradation pathways. Furthermore, the biotransformation process was proposed as a detoxifying process through biotransformation products toxicity evaluation. Notably, Exiguobacterium sp. CAP4 successfully colonized in the cow manures after inoculation, and bioaugmented the biodegradation of CAP in virgin cow manures. This study significantly extended our understanding of the CAP biotransformation fate, and provided a promising bacterial strain for bioremediation of CAP containing wastewater in situ.

Chloramphenicol↗

PubMed2026

A systematic review of macaque brain stimulation: Trends and future directions.

Neurostimulation techniques can powerfully modulate neural circuit activity and provide causal insights into the relationship between brain function and behavior. Macaque monkeys have long been a key animal model for brain stimulation studies. While stimulating the macaque brain with one or a few electrodes has already taught us much about brain function and dysfunction, recent technological advances promise a future with more precise stimulation using many more electrodes. However, such possibilities also increase the number of choices an experimenter has when designing their study. We can learn from a rich past, but a comprehensive overview of which brain regions have been studied and with what stimulation parameters is lacking. Here, we present a PRISMA-compliant systematic review of 734 macaque brain stimulation studies using electrical and/or optogenetic stimulation. We find a striking bias in which brain areas have traditionally been stimulated: a mere 10 brain regions account for half of all studies, with the remainder of studies investigating approximately 150 other areas. Across studies, stimulation frequency robustly predicted direct behavioral effects independent of brain region, while amplitude did not. Future studies could more systematically explore less studied regions through lower stimulation frequencies (e.g., 20-50 Hz) alongside established ranges (∼200 Hz). Tools such as fMRI or optical imaging can capture neural circuit engagement evoked by these frequencies, even when behavioral effects are absent or remain subtle. Our synthesis offers a guide towards the next steps in high-channel-count, high-precision stimulation approaches.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Metal-organic frameworks nanozyme-integrated portable microneedle patch for visual bacterial monitoring in meat.

Foodborne microbial contamination is a major global health concern, with conventional methods often being time-consuming and complex. Herein, we developed a novel portable biosensor by integrating microneedle patch technology and a metal-organic framework (Fe/Cu-NBDC MOF) nanozyme, enabling rapid, on-site, visual detection of bacteria in meat. The sensing system works by encapsulating aptamer-functionalized MOF nanozymes within a hydrogel patch, where their catalytic sites are initially blocked by the aptamer. In the presence of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) as the target, the specific aptamer's binding to bacteria exposes numerous catalytic sites, further activating the chromogenic reaction of the tetramethylbenzidine‑hydrogen peroxide (TMB-H₂O₂) system, enabling visual detection of S. aureus. The biosensor demonstrates a detection limit of 82 CFU/mL with excellent specificity to successfully apply to commercial mutton. By integrating sampling, enrichment, and visual detection into a single compact device, this platform offers a practical, efficient solution for rapid on-site screening of foodborne pathogens.

Biosensing Techniques↗

PubMed2026

AI-enabled viral genomics: from virus discovery to host prediction and emerging variant forecasting.

The rapid expansion of metagenomic sequencing has generated vast repositories of viral sequence data that far outpace our capacity to interpret them using conventional approaches. Highly divergent sequences, sparse functional annotation, and taxonomically uneven sampling present fundamental challenges for reference-dependent methods, which lose sensitivity precisely for novel and understudied viruses with high public health relevance. Artificial intelligence (AI) provides a new avenue to address these challenges by enabling predictive inference from viral genomes and proteins while reducing dependence on sequence similarity. In this Review, we discuss representative advances in AI for virus discovery, taxonomic classification and functional annotation, prediction of host range and zoonotic potential, and efforts toward forecasting emerging variants. These advances are transforming viral genomics from a largely descriptive discipline into one with increasing predictive capability. We also critically assess the major challenges that constrain current approaches, including the availability of high-quality and representative datasets, rigorous model evaluation, biological interpretability and responsible governance for increasingly capable AI models.

Artificial Intelligence↗

PubMed2026

Seed-derived mucilage polysaccharides as biomaterials for in vivo tissue regeneration: A systematic review.

Chronic wounds, bone defects, and cartilage injuries represent persistent clinical challenges requiring biomaterial platforms that actively regulate inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. Conventional synthetic dressings often provide limited biological activity in these contexts. Seed-derived mucilages - polysaccharide-rich hydrocolloids obtained from chia (Salvia hispanica), flaxseed (Linum usitatissimum), fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), psyllium (Plantago ovata), guar (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba), quince (Cydonia oblonga) etc. - have emerged as biocompatible, biodegradable, and chemically versatile platforms for tissue engineering. This systematic review, conducted according to PRISMA 2020 guidelines, synthesized in vivo evidence on seed-derived mucilage-based biomaterials across wound healing, bone repair, cartilage regeneration, and related applications. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science Core Collection were searched for original in vivo experimental studies published in English between 2020 and 2026. Eligible studies reported at least one measurable regenerative outcome. Data were extracted independently by two reviewers, and methodological quality was assessed using the SYRCLE Risk of Bias tool. Forty-three studies were included. Hydrogels were the dominant biomaterial format, followed by films, scaffolds, sponges, nanoparticle systems, and bilayer or Janus composites. Included systems generally improved wound closure, re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, angiogenesis, antioxidant defense, and inflammatory regulation. However, most studies used small animals with short follow-up periods, and many incorporated nanoparticles or bioactive agents, limiting attribution of efficacy to the mucilage matrix alone. Risk of bias was predominantly unclear due to insufficient reporting of randomization and blinding. Blank mucilage controls, standardized characterization, long-term biosafety data, and clinically relevant models are essential prerequisites for translational progress.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Single nucleus multiomics reveals an early inflammatory response to high-fat diet in mouse islets.

In periods of sustained hyper-nutrition, pancreatic β-cells undergo functional compensation through transcriptional upregulation of gene programs driving insulin secretion. This adaptation is essential for maintaining systemic glucose homeostasis and metabolic health. Using single nuclei multiomics, we have mapped the early transcriptional adaptive mechanisms in murine islets of Langerhans exposed to high-fat diet (HFD) for 1 and 3 wk. We show that β-cells exhibit the largest transcriptional response to HFD, characterized by early activation of pro-inflammatory eRegulons and down-regulation of β-cell identity genes, particularly in a distinct subset of β-cells. These observations extend to humans, where the prevalence of an β-cells with a high inflammatory signature is increased in diabetes. Collectively, these observations point to cellular crosstalk through pro-inflammatory signaling as a central and early driver of β-cell dysfunction that limits the compensatory capacity of β-cells, which is closely linked to the development of diabetes.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Transcriptomic insights into the molecular mechanism of antifouling agent-induced settlement inhibition in the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas.

Marine biofouling remains a persistent challenge to maritime industries and marine ecosystems worldwide. In this study, we systematically evaluated the acute toxicity, settlement inhibitory efficacy, and underlying molecular mechanisms of an N-oleyl-1,3-propanediamine-based antifouling agent using pediveliger larvae of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. The 96 h-LC50 of the agent was determined to be 0.81 mg/L, and exposure to 1.68 mg/L achieved complete larval settlement inhibition without inducing significant acute toxicity. Transcriptomic analysis identified 791 differentially expressed genes, dominated by downregulated genes associated with ribosomal function, translation, cell adhesion, and cytoskeletal organization. The agent exerts its inhibitory effect primarily through the global suppression of protein synthesis, disruption of cell-substrate adhesion and cytoskeletal integrity, and induction of proteotoxic stress responses. These findings reveal a multi-pathway molecular mechanism underlying antifouling agent-induced settlement inhibition in oyster larvae and provide key molecular biomarkers to support the development of eco-friendly antifouling technologies.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Biological mechanisms of atropine in myopia control (Review).

Myopia is now recognized as a progressive, potentially sight‑threatening disease rather than just a refractive error, with its prevalence rising rapidly worldwide due to its high occurrence, major vision losses and huge public health cost. The World Health Organization estimates that 2.6 billion individuals in the world were myopic in 2020 this figure is projected to increase to 3.364 billion by 2030. Although myopia may be better controlled in its early stages, it may not be completely reversed at this time. Of all of the methods for controlling myopia, atropine, a muscarinic receptor antagonist, remains an effective pharmacological option for slowing myopia progression in children. However, the mechanisms of action of atropine remain to be fully elucidated. This review provided a systematic review for myopia epidemiology, pathogenesis, the effects and side effects, as well as up‑to‑date possible mechanisms, in the hope of facilitating that researchers in this field elucidate its underlying mechanisms so that clinical ophthalmologists may be able to better control this disease.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Functional role and regulatory network of miR-22-3p in chicken hepatic lipid metabolism.

Although microRNA-22-3p (miR-22-3p) is abundantly expressed in the avian liver, its epigenetic role in lipid homeostasis remains largely uncharacterized. To elucidate its in vivo function, 14-day-old female Qingyuan Partridge chickens were intravenously injected with lentiviral vectors to establish miR-22-3p overexpression and knockdown models. Phenotypic analysis demonstrated that miR-22-3p knockdown significantly elevated hepatic triglyceride (TG) levels (p < 0.05) and drove marked steatosis, whereas its overexpression reduced TG content. Transcriptome sequencing (RNA-Seq) revealed profound metabolic remodeling, identifying 23 core lipid-associated genes (e.g., ELOVL6, FADS2, ACSBG2, and PTGIS) heavily enriched in steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, and elongation pathways. In conclusion, miR-22-3p functions as a bidirectional epigenetic rheostat that negatively regulates hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a multilayered polygenic network, providing novel molecular targets for mitigating avian metabolic disorders and optimizing production traits in indigenous poultry breeds.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

The present and future of nonviral delivery-based genome editing for hereditary hearing loss.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes nonviral genome-editing delivery platforms for hereditary hearing loss, focusing on lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) and engineered virus-like particles (eVLPs), and discusses their advantages over adeno-associated virus-based delivery, as well as the barriers to clinical translation. RECENT FINDINGS: Recent advances have established LNPs as a clinically advanced nonviral platform, although challenges related to inner ear biodistribution, cell type specificity, endosomal escape, and immunogenicity remain to be addressed. In parallel, eVLPs have undergone substantial technical evolution, progressing from early low efficiency systems to advanced base editor- and prime editor-eVLP architectures that enhance cargo loading and editing efficiency. Extracellular vesicle-based genome editing has also emerged as an additional platform, although issues related to reproducibility, loading efficiency, and scalability remain major hurdles. SUMMARY: Nonviral genome editing platforms expand the therapeutic toolkit for hereditary hearing loss by enabling transient delivery of genome editors with potential safety advantages. Future efforts should focus on characterizing biodistribution and immunogenicity, refining cell type-specific tropism, and establishing scalable manufacturing processes to enable successful clinical translation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Construction of an infectious clone of Spodoptera frugiperda densovirus and its biological characteristics.

Densoviruses are highly pathogenic to their insect hosts and have great potential for biocontrol. Spodoptera frugiperda densovirus (SfDV) was isolated from diseased larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda, while its biological functions remain unclear. Herein, we successfully constructed an infectious clone of SfDV. The S. frugiperda larvae transfected with the infectious clone exhibited anorexia, stunted growth, and reduced activity. Histopathological analysis further showed that the epidermis, fat body and trachea were infected instead of muscle and midgut tissues. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that numerous virions of about 22 nm were distributed within both the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm of epidermal cells. Moreover, many virions were also found contained within vesicles in the cytoplasm. The replication kinetics of the rescued SfDV (rSfDV) was similar to that of the parental SfDV. The median lethal dose (LD50) and median lethal time (LT50) values of rSfDV were 6.63 × 107 viral genome copies (vgc), 5.23 d, respectively, which were also comparable to those of the parental SfDV. Taken together, the infectious clone of SfDV provides an important tool for further exploring the genome function, pathogenesis, and interactions with its hosts.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Epigenetic drift and LINE-1 activation in aging brain: Implications for neurodegenerative disease.

Brain aging and age-associated neurological diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), Parkinson's Disease (PD), and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), are largely attributed to epigenetic drift which is characterized by the gradual accumulation of alterations in neural cell methylation patterns over time. These methylation changes are particularly evident in transposable element (TE)-derived sequences such as Long interspersed element-1 (LINE-1) which comprises approximately 17% of the human genome. During aging, LINE-1 elements gradually lose their methylation, as well as the regulatory safeguard mechanisms that usually keep them inactive. This repression loss can lead to LINE-1 reactivation, contributing to harmful effects including genomic instability, neuroinflammation, and more. Together these findings indicate that impaired epigenetic maintenance, especially in repetitive genome regions, plays a key role in biological aging of neurons and glial cells. In this narrative review, we discuss the methylation dynamics and regulatory mechanisms of LINE-1 retrotransposons, their activation processes during aging, and contribution to age-associated neurological diseases. We also highlight the potential of targeting LINE-1 methylation to restore methylation homeostasis, epigenetic stability and delay brain aging.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Utero-placental calcium and magnesium ion channels: A systematic review of obstetric implications of their alterations.

Despite the established roles of calcium (Ca2+) and magnesium (Mg2+) in placental function and uterine contractility, limited information exists on how dysregulation of major ion channels contributes to poor pregnancy outcomes. We synthesized data on the consequences of Ca2+ and Mg2+ channelopathies in uterine and placental functions. Using PubMed, Wiley Online, AJOL, and Web of Science databases for article search, a systematic review of forty-nine papers published between 2000 and March 2026 was carried out and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 guideline. Based on the PICO framework, eligible studies involving human, animal, and in vitro designs were chosen and subjected to narrative analysis. L-type and T-type voltage-gated Ca2+ channels, together with transient receptor potential channels, emerged as principal mediators of placental Ca2+ transport and myometrial contractility. Mechanosensitive Piezo1 channels mediate stretch-activated Ca2+ influx, while store-operated Ca2+ entry pathways involving STIM1-Orai1 sustain intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Potassium-Ca2+ coupling channels modulated membrane hyperpolarization and anti-labor effects, and intracellular regulators such as PMCA and RYR1 fine-tuned Ca2+ homeostasis. The Mg2+ transporters are essential for preserving Mg2+ homeostasis and regulating Ca2+-dependent excitability. Dysregulation of these ion channel systems was consistently linked to abnormal uterine contractility, preterm birth, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Both Ca2+ and Mg2+ ion channelopathies represent both a potential therapeutic target and a mechanistic factor underlying key obstetric complications.

Female↗

PubMed2026

Microplastic contamination in South Asian commercially important seafood: A comprehensive assessment of occurrence, source, and human health risk.

Seafood is a cornerstone of global food security and human nutrition, serving as the primary source of animal protein for more than one-fourth of the global population, with South Asia representing one of the world's fastest-growing seafood-consuming regions. However, escalating microplastic (MP) pollution in marine ecosystems poses an emerging threat to seafood safety and human health, yet a comprehensive regional assessment of MP contamination in South Asian seafood remains lacking. This study presents the first region-wide systematic synthesis of the literature on MP contamination in commercially important seafood across South Asia, integrating occurrence patterns, human exposure assessment, polymer-specific hazard evaluation, and bibliometric analysis to address this critical knowledge gap. The meta-analysis estimated an average microplastic exposure of 145 particles/person/day through seafood consumption in South Asia, with fish contributing the highest intake (121 particles/person/day). The detected polymers were classified into PHI hazard levels I-IV, with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU), and polyacrylamide (PAM) representing the highest hazard categories. The mean pollution load index (PLI) was 7.71 (Category I), with crustaceans exhibiting the highest contamination (PLI = 10.07). Polypropylene was the predominant polymer, whereas fragments and blue particles were the most frequently reported microplastic characteristics. These findings provide the first regional baseline for assessing microplastic contamination, polymer-associated hazards, and human exposure through seafood consumption in South Asia, underscoring the need for standardized monitoring and targeted mitigation strategies to safeguard seafood safety and public health.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Molecular adaptation of caspase genes to salinity stress in the tropical sea cucumber Stichopus monotuberculatus: A comparative analysis across echinoderms.

Apoptosis is an essential physiological process that plays a critical role in development and tissue homeostasis. Caspases, as central regulators of apoptosis, are crucial in controlling inflammation and cell death. In this study, we investigated the caspase gene family in Stichopus monotuberculatus to explore their potential roles in salinity stress adaptation. Five caspase genes were identified from the genome of S. monotuberculatus, including Smcaspase3, Smcaspase6, Smcaspase8a, Smcaspase8b, and Smcaspase8c. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that these Smcaspase genes clustered into distinct caspase subfamilies and showed high conservation with homologs from other echinoderms and representative vertebrates. Conserved motif and gene structure analyses showed relatively similar structural patterns within each clade, whereas divergence was observed among different subfamilies. Promoter analysis identified numerous cis-acting elements related to gene regulation, immune response, and growth and development. Expression profiling under salinity stress showed that Smcaspase8a was significantly upregulated, particularly under prolonged stress, whereas the other genes exhibited limited transcriptional responses. Our findings highlight caspase function in salinity stress and provide the foundation of molecular salinity adaptation mechanisms in S. monotuberculatus.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A smartphone-integrated Pt@Cu-HCF nanozyme-based paper sensor for on-site determination of total antioxidant capacity in marine oils.

Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) serves as a key indicator for evaluating the nutritional quality of foods. In this study, we designed a platinum-embedded copper hexacyanoferrate (denoted as Pt@Cu-HCF) nanozyme that exhibits high oxidase-like activity, efficiently catalyzing the oxidation of chromogenic substrates to generate robust colorimetric signals. Antioxidants quench hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) produced during the catalytic process, leading to a concentration-dependent suppression of the color signal. Leveraging this mechanism, a smartphone-integrated, colorimetric paper sensor for on-site TAC quantification was developed, using vitamin E as the calibration standard. The sensor was applied to determine TAC in fish oil, algal oil, and krill oil, demonstrating a linear response range of 9.78-312.5 μM and a limit of detection (LOD) of 6.41 μM. Validation using real-world marine oil samples showed excellent agreement with a commercial assay kit, confirming the reliability and practical applicability of this portable sensor for TAC measurement in complex biological matrices.

Antioxidants↗

PubMed2026

Gastrointestinal digestion governs insect protein hydrolysis and predicted bioactive peptide release: Species-dependent implications for functional food applications.

This study investigates the digestion of insect proteins and the release of predicted bioactive peptides during human gastrointestinal digestion. Using the Infogest in vitro model, mealworm, cricket, and black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) proteins were digested and analyzed through discovery proteomics and bioinformatics to identify predicted bioactive peptides. Sequential windowed acquisition of all theoretical fragment ion mass spectra (SWATH-MS) quantified insect proteins including predicted bioactive peptide precursor proteins, the precursors of predicted bioactive peptides. Results indicated that gastrointestinal digestion strongly influences peptide release, with the gastric phase exhibiting a richer predicted bioactive peptide profile than the small intestinal phase. Many predicted bioactive peptides were rapidly hydrolysed under small intestine conditions, which may lead to reduced stability or diminished activity in vivo, potentially explaining why certain peptides show strong bioactivity in vitro but limited effects in vivo. Additionally, predicted bioactive peptide release varied by insect species, influenced by genetic factors and peptide abundance. These findings highlight the importance of species selection and consideration of proteolytic digestion patterns in optimizing insect-derived bioactive peptides for functional foods and nutraceutical applications.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Insights into the regulation of the HOTAIR proximal promoter.

HOTAIR (HOX transcript antisense RNA) is a HOXC-cluster long intervening non-coding RNA (lincRNA) whose cancer relevance is tightly coupled to how its transcription is wired into hormone, hypoxia, inflammatory, and developmental signaling. HOTAIR is known to associate with cancer cell proliferation, motility, tumor invasion, and metastasis. The present mini-review focuses on the regulatory architecture and mechanistic complexity of HOTAIR transcriptional regulation, with emphasis on three organizing principles. First, we consider the impact of promoter choice between a canonical proximal promoter (P1), which supports the 2.2-2.4 kb transcript, and an alternative upstream promoter/TSS (P2), which contributes to context-dependent transcription initiation. Second, we examine the long-distance enhancer-promoter communication between HOTAIR distal enhancer and P1/P2. Third, we summarize the recent epigenetic and epi-transcriptomic mechanisms involved in HOTAIR transcript initiation and elongation. A combination of these events determines isoform-specific transcription to govern cell-type-, context-, and cancer specific modulation of HOTAIR expression that promotes tumor formation and cancer progression. Finally, the review proposes how large-scale RNA datasets, long-read sequencing, and isoform-specific studies can refine our understanding of this versatile lincRNA's regulation.

Humans↗