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PubMed2026

The RrWRKY75-mediated activation of ascorbate synthesis in Rosa roxburghii Tratt contributes to salt stress tolerance.

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a key antioxidant that alleviates oxidative stress in plants. Previous yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) screening identified RrWRKY75 as a transcription factor capable of binding to the promoter of RrGGP2 (GDP-L-galactose pyrophosphatase 2), a key structural gene responsible for massive AsA accumulation in Rosa roxburghii fruit. The function of RrWRKY75 in plant stress responses remains unclear. Here, RrWRKY75 is verified to specifically bind to the RrGGP2 promoter and activate its transcription. This positive regulatory effect on RrGGP2 transcript levels and AsA accumulation is further confirmed through overexpression or silencing of RrWRKY75 in R. roxburghii fruit or callus. Among various abiotic stress conditions, RrWRKY75 expression is significantly induced by salt stress. Upon its overexpression in callus or Arabidopsis thaliana, elevated AsA levels and antioxidant capacity are observed, thereby enhancing salt tolerance. Interestingly, RrWRKY75 also binds to the promoter of RrUNE12, a salt-responsive factor in R. roxburghii, and activates its expression. Moreover, yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assays confirm the physical interaction between RrWRKY75 and RrUNE12, which jointly upregulates RrGGP2 expression and AsA production. Collectively, RrWRKY75 boosts AsA biosynthesis and salt tolerance both by directly trans-activating RrGGP2 and by synergizing with RrUNE12 through transcriptional activation and protein complex formation. These findings provide insights into the regulatory role of RrWRKY75 in abiotic stress tolerance and offer valuable genetic resources for R. roxburghii germplasm improvement.

Rosa↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide identification of the peanut HD-Zip gene family and AhHDZ15 positively regulating salt and drought stress in heterologously overexpressed Arabidopsis.

Homeodomain-leucine zipper (HD-Zip) transcription factors play important roles in plant growth, development, and abiotic stress responses. However, bioinformatic analyses and functional studies of HD-Zip family in peanut are scarce. In this study, 128 AhHDZ genes were identified and classified into four subfamilies in the phylogenetic analysis. Transcriptomic data and RT-qPCR analysis indicated the expression levels of AhHDZ4 and AhHDZ15 were significantly elevated in response to 12 h of salt stress, while AhHDZ4/15/60/69/126 all showed a progressive increase over time in response to drought stress. AhHDZ15 protein was localized in the nucleus. Under salt and drought stress, the germination rates of AhHDZ15-overexpressing in Arabidopsis were significantly higher than wild-type (WT), and root lengths were also significantly longer than WT. In addition, the SOD, CAT, chlorophyll content, and Relative Leaf Water Content (RLWC) value of leaves in AhHDZ15-overexpressing lines were significantly higher than WT, while the MDA content was significantly lower than WT. The above results indicate that heterologous overexpression of AhHDZ15 enhanced salt and drought tolerance in Arabidopsis. Furthermore, AhHDZ15 could bind to the L1-box element of the AhVNI2 promoter, thereby activating AhVNI2 transcription and enhancing the expression of downstream salt stress-responsive genes. These findings implies a potential function of AhHDZ15 in peanut that requires further validation.

Arabidopsis↗

PubMed2026

Comprehensive identification and evolutionary analysis of the Wnt gene family in bivalves: Insights into the larval development of the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis.

The Wnt gene family regulates fundamental developmental processes in metazoans, but its evolutionary composition and developmental deployment in bivalves remain largely unresolved. Here, we performed a comparative genomic analysis of Wnt genes in 19 bivalve species and examined developmental expression profiles in the noble scallop Chlamys nobilis, with Crassostrea gigas and Chlamys farreri used for cross-species comparison. A total of 235 Wnt genes were identified and assigned to 12 subfamilies. No reliable Wnt3 ortholog was detected in any analyzed bivalve, supporting the view that Wnt3 loss occurred early during lophotrochozoan evolution rather than representing a lineage-specific absence. Most Wnt proteins retained the conserved WNT domain, indicating strong structural conservation, whereas lineage-specific copy-number variation and gene loss were observed among species. C. farreri and C. gigas each retained 12 Wnt genes and lacked Wnt3, whereas C. nobilis lacked Wnt3, Wnt7, and Wnt16. Developmental transcriptome analysis and RT-qPCR revealed clear stage-specific expression patterns. In C. gigas, Wnt2/10/A were highly expressed during earlydevelopment and peaked around the D-shaped larval stage, while Wnt8 and Wnt11 showed distinct stage-specific peaks. By contrast, Wnt1/5/6/9 were more active during later larval development or juvenile formation. These results provide a comparative framework for bivalve Wnt evolution and identify candidate Wnt genes potentially involved in larval development and aquaculture-relevant developmental transitions.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Intraspecific variation in Bothrops neuwiedi snake venom: Influence of age and sex.

Snake venom is a complex mixture of molecules and is subject to intraspecific variations due to the influence of abiotic and/or biotic factors, one of which is the animal's ontogeny. Some studies have already shown the influence of age on the composition and properties of snake venom, but these variations are not uniform, and each species may exhibit a specific pattern of variation. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the influence of age on the venom of Bothrops neuwiedi, using 5 age groups, differentiating between males and females. To this end, we analyzed the protein profile of these venoms (using SDS-PAGE, HPLC, and proteomic analyses); enzymatic activities (PLA2, LAAO, and proteolytic activities); coagulant activity, in vivo assays (MDH; LD50 and ED50), and immunorecognition tests (Western blotting and ELISA). Protein profile analysis showed that males exhibited a gradual increase in SVMP and PLA2 concentrations. Both sexes showed a decrease in CTL concentration and a loss of PLA2 activity, which occurred more gradually in males. Proteolytic activity did not show clear ontogenetic differences, but both sexes showed activity peaks in the 2-year-old and senile groups, with females exhibiting higher proteolytic activity than males. Regarding LAAO activity, it increased in males and decreased in females. Although the LD50 did not show age-dependent differences, the venom from the 1-year-old group took longer to cause death in mice but showed a higher hemorrhagic activity than seniles. Furthermore, more antivenom was needed to neutralize the venom from the 1-year-old group than the venom from the senile group; despite this, immunorecognition tests did not show significant ontogenetic variations. In conclusion, the venom of the snake B. neuwiedi undergoes ontogenetic variations with certain sexual differences, showing some peculiarities that have not been found in ontogenetic analyses of other species of the same genus.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Changes in heroin-related ambulance attendances following the introduction of a medically supervised injecting room in Victoria, Australia.

BACKGROUND: Injecting drug use contributes significantly to morbidity, mortality and broader social harms globally. Supervised Injecting Facilities (SIFs) are harm reduction interventions that reduce overdose risk and facilitate access to health services for marginalised individuals. While international evidence supports the effectiveness of SIFs, Australian population-level surveillance data quantifying their impact on emergency medical service utilisation remain limited. METHODS: Using data from the National Ambulance Surveillance System, we conducted a retrospective, interrupted time series analysis of heroin-related ambulance attendances within the local catchment of the Medically Supervised Injecting Room (MSIR) between January 2015 and December 2023. Supplementary analysis included comparisons with central Melbourne suburbs and the broader state of Victoria. Key intervention timepoints, including the opening of the MSIR on 30 June 2018, expansion of its operating hours in July 2019, and the COVID-19 pandemic from April 2020 to October 2021, were examined to assess changes in heroin-related attendances over time. Segmented regression models were used to assess changes in heroin-related ambulance attendance trends over time. RESULTS: At the time the MSIR opened, the model-predicted heroin-related ambulance attendance rate within the MSIR catchment was 123 per 100,000 population per month, equivalent to approximately 48 heroin-related ambulance attendances per month. Prior to implementation, the attendance rate was increasing by an estimated 0.74 per 100,000 population per month. Following the opening of the MSIR, the previously increasing trajectory reversed, with ambulance attendance rates declining by approximately 2.3 per 100,000 population per month relative to the pre-intervention trend. By the end of the study period (December 2023), the predicted monthly heroin-related ambulance attendance rate had declined to 36 per 100,000 population (approximately 14 attendances per month), representing an overall reduction of 70.7% from the time of MSIR implementation. These reductions persisted throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period and were sustained after restrictions lifted. Supplementary analysis showed no comparable reductions in the central Melbourne region or the remainder of Victoria. CONCLUSIONS: The introduction of the MSIR in Richmond was associated with a sustained reduction in heroin-related ambulance attendances within its catchment area. These findings provide strong population-level evidence that SIFs reduce acute heroin-related harms requiring emergency ambulance response, reinforcing their role as an effective harm reduction strategy within the Australian context.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Clinical predictors of severe and fatal respiratory syncytial virus infection in adults and the elderly: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is increasingly recognized as a cause of severe respiratory illness in adults, especially the elderly and those with comorbidities. However, data on outcomes and risk factors for severe disease in this population remain limited. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed 123 adult patients diagnosed with RSV infection at a tertiary center in Taiwan from 2015 to 2023. Clinical characteristics, laboratory data, detection of other pathogens, clinical course and outcome were reviewed. Multivariable logistic regression identified risk factors for severe RSV infection, including ICU admission and 30-day mortality. RESULTS: The mean age was 55.7 years; 50% were aged ≥60 years and 13% were ≥75 years. ICU admission occurred in 17%, with significant associations to viral coinfection and elevated C-reactive protein (CRP). Thirty-day mortality was 13%, and overall in-hospital mortality was 18%, all among patients with comorbidities. Independent predictors of 30-day mortality included late elderly (aOR 24.2, p = 0.03), high CRP > 11.5 mg/dL (aOR 16.4, p = 0.005) and thrombocytopenia < 34,103/μL (aOR 11.4, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Advanced age (≥75 years), high CRP, and severe thrombocytopenia are key predictors of mortality in adults RSV patients. These findings highlight the need for targeted prevention strategies, including vaccination, in high-risk populations.

Co-infection↗

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

Endoscopic submucosal dissection for locally recurrent gastric neoplasia following endoscopic resection: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for locally recurrent gastric neoplasia following endoscopic resection (ER) is technically challenging because of scar-related submucosal fibrosis. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of salvage ESD in this setting. METHODS: Multiple databases were searched through December 2025 for studies reporting ESD outcomes for locally recurrent gastric lesions at or contiguous with a prior ER scar. Primary outcome was curative resection and need for surgery. Secondary outcomes were en bloc and R0 resection, local recurrence, delayed bleeding, and perforation. Meta-analyses were performed using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2. RESULTS: Seven studies (259 patients; 265 ESDs) were included. Across 5 studies and 243 ESDs, pooled curative resection rate was 69.7% (95% CI, 60.6-78.1; I2 = 38%), while 8.2% (95% CI, 3.3-14.6; I2 = 38.4%) required surgery. En bloc resection rate was 92.3% (95% CI, 79.1-99.7; I2 = 83.7%) across 6 studies, and pooled R0 resection rate was 87.5% (95% CI, 82.1-92.2; I2 = 0%) across 4 studies. Over a mean follow-up of 42 months, pooled local recurrence was 2.0% (95% CI, 0.0-9.7; I2 = 54.1%) across 6 studies. Delayed bleeding was 4.1% (95% CI, 0.8-9.0; I2 = 40.8%) and perforation was 4.1% (95% CI, 1.6-7.3; I2 = 0%). CONCLUSIONS: ESD for locally recurrent gastric neoplasia after ER achieves acceptable curative resection, high en bloc/R0 resection, and low local recurrence and morbidity. It is a viable organ-preserving option for appropriately selected patients, ideally performed at expert centers with close surveillance.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

GSTT1 promotes stemness and FGFR inhibitor sensitivity in pancreatic cancer through regulation of CD133 (PROM1).

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) is among the deadliest malignancies, driven by metastatic progression and profound cellular heterogeneity. We previously identified glutathione S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) as a regulator of a slow-cycling, highly metastatic tumor cell population, suggesting that GSTT1High cells may possess stem-like properties. Here, we define the functional and molecular features of this subpopulation in metastatic PDA. Using a mCherry-tagged Gstt1 reporter system in metastatic murine PDAC cells, we enriched for Gstt1High cells and observed increased tumor sphere formation, accompanied by upregulation of stemness-associated genes including PROM1 (CD133) and activation of Wnt and FGF signaling pathways. In human PDA models, CD133HighGSTT1High cells exhibited enhanced tumor sphere initiation and expansion compared to other populations, defining a maximal stem-like state. Notably, sensitivity to FGFR inhibitors was observed only under tumor sphere conditions, highlighting a context-dependent therapeutic vulnerability. Mechanistically, FGFR3 expression correlated with GSTT1 and CD133 levels, and FGF signaling was required to sustain this state. GSTT1 knockdown reduced CD133 protein levels, impaired tumor sphere formation, and altered sensitivity to FGFR inhibition. These findings were largely recapitulated in patient-derived PDA organoids, where GSTT1 and PROM1 co-expression predicted increased tumor sphere formation and enhanced response to the multi-kinase inhibitor Nintedanib. Together, these results identify a GSTT1HighCD133High stem-like subpopulation in metastatic PDA and identify an FGFR-dependent signaling axis that sustains this state, representing a potential therapeutic vulnerability.

AC133 Antigen↗

PubMed2026

Characteristics and functions of a cell adhesion molecule PvCadN in Penaeus vannamei during WSSV infection.

Cell adhesion not only maintains the integrity of the organism, but also plays an important role in the immune system, which is involved in modulation in the interaction between host and virus. In this study, a novel cell adhesion molecule from Penaeus vannamei, designated as PvCadN, was investigated. It had the typical molecular characteristics of cadherin family, with multiple extracellular cadherin repeat domains, a transmembrane region, and a conserved β-catenin-binding motif. Pvcadn is expressed ubiquitously across all detected tissues, with the highest transcriptional level in gills. RNA interference-mediated silencing of pvcadn significantly impaired the adhesion ability of shrimp hemocytes. Upon WSSV infection, pvcadn showed a tissue-specific expression pattern, with upregulation in gills and downregulation in hemocytes. Knockdown of pvcadn markedly suppressed the transcription of WSSV immediate-early gene ie1 and replication of the viral genome in vivo, suggesting that PvCadN acted as a potential virus-associated molecule. Furthermore, it was found that PvCadN was regulated by Lvβ-catenin, a core molecule in the Wnt signaling pathway that functions in innate immunity, at the transcriptional and protein levels. Silencing of lvβ-catenin significantly downregulated pvcadn transcription, and Lvβ-catenin bound directly to the Cadherin C domain of PvCadN. In summary, the study revealed that PvCadN was a key cell adhesion molecule involved in WSSV infection, which was regulated by Lvβ-catenin. Our findings will provide fundamental data for further investigation into cadherin-mediated immune regulation in shrimp, and offer new insights for the prevention and control of WSSV.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Epitranscriptomic erasers in bivalves: Evolutionary divergence and species-specific transcriptional plasticity of the ALKBH family under acute thermal stress.

The AlkB homolog (ALKBH) family of Fe(II)/α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases mediates nucleic acid demethylation, thereby governing RNA metabolism and genomic stability. Despite their pivotal roles in epitranscriptomic regulation across vertebrates, the evolutionary dynamics and functional significance of ALKBH proteins in bivalve mollusks remain largely unexplored. Here, we present a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis of 210 ALKBH genes identified across 35 bivalve species. Our analyses reveal a distinct evolutionary trajectory characterized by the lineage-specific loss of ALKBH4 and the restricted distribution of ALKBH5 to the Mytilidae family, contrasting sharply with vertebrate repertoires. Using the noble scallop (Chlamys nobilis) and Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) as model systems, we demonstrate that ALKBH genes exhibit conserved spatiotemporal expression patterns, with pronounced enrichment in gonadal tissues and during metamorphic transitions, implicating these enzymes in gametogenesis and larval development. Furthermore, comparative thermal stress experiments reveal divergent transcriptional plasticity: the subtropical scallop C. nobilis mounts rapid, transient induction of ALKBH1/2/6 under heat shock, whereas the eurythermal oyster C. gigas maintains sustained ALKBH3 expression, potentially underpinning its superior thermal tolerance. Conversely, cold stress elicits bimodal regulation in C. nobilis, with ALKBH1/2 upregulation contrasting with ALKBH6/7/8 suppression. These findings illuminate the functional diversification of bivalve ALKBH genes and their potential utility as molecular biomarkers for assessing developmental competence and thermal resilience in shellfish aquaculture.

Animals↗

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

Exploring Immersive Virtual Reality as an Approach to Improve School Participation-Related Constructs in Children With ADHD.

BACKGROUND: School participation is frequency and involvement from person-environment transactions, not diagnosis, per the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and the family of participation-related constructs (fPRC). In this framework, the environmental and child determinants of school participation (e.g., school routines and peer/teacher context; self-regulation, activity competence and preferences) interact bidirectionally to shape everyday participation. However, many interventions still target isolated impairments, overlooking coordinated changes in capacities and context. Grounded in this contemporary view, this study aimed to investigate the impact of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention on school participation-related constructs in children with ADHD. METHODS: The study included 92 children aged between 7 and 12 years diagnosed with ADHD. Participants were randomly assigned into intervention (n = 46) and control (n = 46) groups. Both groups completed the School Participation Questionnaire (SPQ) and Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Test 2 Brief Form (BOT2-BF) assessment prior to the intervention. The intervention group received an IVR intervention program twice a week for 8 weeks. During this period, the control group did not receive additional therapy. At the end of the 8 weeks, the SPQ was readministered to both groups. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics showed no significant differences in SPQ and BOT2-BF results between groups, confirming homogeneity prior to intervention. Following the intervention, the study group demonstrated significant improvements across all domains of the SPQ (doing, being, symptoms and environment), with large effect sizes for SPQ total score (d = 0.978) and subdomains (d = 0.452-0.910). In contrast, the control group showed no improvements and even declines in subdomains. Post-intervention, between-group comparisons revealed significant differences favouring the study group across all domains (p < 0.001), with large effect sizes (d = 0.878-1.165). CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that the IVR program was associated with improvements in teacher-rated environmental and child determinants of school participation (SPQ domains) in children with ADHD.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Active Site Assembly by SMG5 as a Mechanism for SMG6 Endonuclease Licencing in Nonsense-mediated mRNA Decay.

Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is a conserved eukaryotic surveillance pathway that eliminates transcripts containing premature termination codons (PTCs). Substantial progress has been made in defining the transcript features that mark aberrant translation termination for NMD activation, yet key mechanistic steps remain incompletely understood - including how recruitment of the central NMD factor UPF1 is coupled to the downstream effector phase in which targeted mRNAs are nucleolytically degraded. In metazoans, NMD employs an endonucleolytic route mediated by SMG6, a PIN-domain nuclease, alongside SMG5 and SMG7, which act downstream of PTC recognition. SMG5 has recently been proposed to licence SMG6 activity, yet the molecular basis of this licencing has remained elusive. Here, we combine AlphaFold structural predictions with biochemical assays to investigate interactions among human SMG5, SMG6, and SMG7. Structural models predict a high-confidence interface between SMG5 and SMG6 PIN domains that forms a composite active site: a conserved SMG5 aspartate (D893) complements the SMG6 acidic triad to reinstate the canonical tetrad required for PIN-domain catalysis. In vitro, SMG6 alone exhibits weak endonucleolytic activity, which is enhanced ∼10-fold by the SMG5 PIN domain. Mutational analyses confirm that conserved residues from both proteins are essential for this composite configuration. Our findings reveal that the SMG5 PIN domain, previously considered catalytically inert, plays a critical role in activating SMG6 by completing its active site. This work provides mechanistic insight into the SMG5-dependent licencing step and uncovers a composite PIN nuclease architecture at the heart of the metazoan NMD effector phase.

Nonsense Mediated mRNA Decay↗

PubMed2026

Genomic and Molecular Interaction Analysis of NodD1 in a Novel Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense sp. B64 Isolate for Nodulation and Symbiosis of Legume Plants.

Rhizobial bacteria are known for their ability to fix nitrogen for leguminous plants and their essential function for sustainable agriculture. This study characterizes the taxonomic status and functional potential of the Bradyrhizobium B64 isolate using integrated genomic and molecular approaches. The whole genome of the B64 isolate was sequenced via Illumina paired-end technology. Species delimitation was performed using average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA Hybridization (dDDH). The NodD1 protein structure was modeled using AlphaFold3 and validated by Ramachandran plot analysis. Molecular docking was then conducted to evaluate interactions between NodD1 and four signaling flavonoids: Apigenin, Daidzein, Genistein, and Naringenin. Genomic analysis revealed a maximum ANI of 94.4% and dDDH values between 51.4 and 62.4%. Since these values fall below the standard prokaryotic thresholds (ANI < 95%; dDDH < 70%), the B64 isolate is identified as a novel species. Physiological assays confirmed nitrogen fixation (1.97 ppm), IAA production (3.67 ppm), and phosphate solubilization (26.10 ppm). Structural validation showed 100% of NodD1 residues in allowed regions, ensuring high model reliability. Docking simulations demonstrated strong binding affinities across all flavonoids, with binding free energies ranging from - 8.8 to - 9.0 kcal/mol. Daidzein exhibited the highest thermodynamic stability (- 9.0 kcal/mol), whereas apigenin showed the most extensive residue interaction network. The B64 isolate is a novel Bradyrhizobium species with a high symbiotic capacity. The stable NodD1-flavonoid interactions provide a molecular basis for efficient nodulation, positioning B64 as a promising candidate for developing lipo-chitooligosaccharide (LCO)-based biofertilizers.

Bradyrhizobium↗

PubMed2026

Written vs. verbal sleep hygiene strategies administration in track and field athletes: a randomized controlled trial study.

BACKGROUND: Sleep hygiene strategies (SHS) are practical, evidence-informed recommendations to enhance both the quantity and quality of sleep in athletes. However, little is known about how these strategies could be communicated and implemented in practice. The primary objective of this study is to investigate how different methods of delivering SHS (written vs. verbal) affect sleep hygiene and sleep parameters in athletes. METHODS: The study was a three-arms randomized controlled trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07083544) involving track and field athletes competing at the regional or national level (N.=66). Athletes were randomized to either a control group (CON=22), a written SHS group (W-SHS=22), or a verbal SHS group (V-SHS=22). Sleep characteristics were assessed by actigraphy and sleep diary during a ten-day baseline period (T0) and a ten-day intervention period (T1). Six objective sleep parameters and the Sleep Regularity Index were assessed. Participants also completed a training diary and the Sleep Hygiene Index (SHI). RESULTS: No statistical differences were found between and within groups in training and sleep parameters, but SHI scores improved significantly in the intervention groups between T0 and T1, with differences compared to the control group. A non-significant improvement in total sleep time was observed in the intervention groups, primarily due to earlier bedtimes. CONCLUSIONS: While significant differences in objective sleep measures were not observed, the trends suggest that both written and verbal SHS interventions can modestly improve sleep-related behaviors, particularly by encouraging earlier bedtimes and slightly extending total sleep duration.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Flux rewiring enables native D-glucosamine production in Escherichia coli.

D-Glucosamine is an industrially important amino sugar used in pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, and functional materials, yet its production remains dominated by chemical extraction from chitinous biomass, raising sustainability and allergen concerns. Escherichia coli natively synthesizes D-glucosamine directly from D-glucose through endogenous metabolism, revealing an underutilized amino sugar biosynthetic capability. Building on this native pathway, D-glucosamine production was enhanced through targeted genetic modifications and systematic optimization of nitrogen metabolism and cultivation conditions, reaching 9.2 g L-1 under shake-flask conditions. This work extends a phosphorylation-dephosphorylation strategy previously developed for neutral rare sugars to amino sugar biosynthesis, demonstrating the broader applicability of this metabolic design principle. Phosphatase identity emerged as a key control point for product formation: YbiV was the most effective phosphatase for selective D-glucosamine production, whereas alternative phosphatases redirected flux toward D-sedoheptulose. This enzyme-dependent flux partitioning further enabled tunable co-production of D-glucosamine and D-sedoheptulose. Native amino sugar biosynthesis in E. coli provides a controllable framework for producing chemically distinct sugars through endogenous metabolism and establishes a generalizable strategy for engineering amino sugar and other nitrogen-containing metabolite biosynthesis.

Escherichia coli↗

PubMed2026

[Analysis of a Chinese pedigree affected with Townes-Brocks syndrome due to a novel variant of SALL1 gene and a literature review].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze a novel exonic variant of the SALL1 gene and its impact on the binding site of SALL protein. METHODS: Clinical data of three children diagnosed with Townes-Brocks syndrome and their family members who had presented at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University in April 2022 were retrospectively collected. The pathogenic variant was identified through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and validated by Sanger sequencing. Protein structural prediction was performed using AlphaFold and PyMOL software to construct three-dimensional models of the wild-type and mutant proteins. Additionally, previously reported cases were systematically reviewed. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the hospital (Ethics No.: 2023-386). RESULTS: The proband was one of triplet sisters born at 34+4 gestational weeks. All three cases had presented with anal atresia and rectovaginal fistula, and case 3 also had toe malformation of left foot. WGS revealed a novel heterozygous c.757C>T (p.Gln253*) variant in the SALL1 gene, which was predicted to be pathogenic. Sanger sequencing confirmed co-segregation of the variant with the disease within the family. Protein structural modeling demonstrated that the variant has introduced a premature stop codon at position 253, resulting in a truncated protein. CONCLUSION: Above finding has enriched the mutation spectrum of the SALL1 gene in association with Townes-Brocks syndrome, which also represented a rare case of anal atresia in triplets, and provided a basis for molecular diagnosis, genetic counseling, and further research.

Humans↗