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PubMed2026

Comparative analyses of olfactory receptor repertoires in Schizothorax fish based on the chromosome-level genomes: Implications for regulatory roles of dietary differentiation and ploidy variation.

The olfactory receptor (OR) genes constitute the molecular basis of fish olfaction, mediating survival behaviors and environmental adaptation while coevolving with habitat-driven evolution. Schizothorax, a cyprinid genus endemic to the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, exhibits remarkable dietary divergence and ploidy variation in response to plateau environmental changes, which presumably facilitates the adaptive evolution of OR genes. However, the evolutionary patterns of OR genes associated with trophic divergence and ploidy variation in this genus remain unclear. In this study, three species were selected: the herbivorous diploid S. macropogon, the carnivorous diploid S. lantsangensis, and the herbivorous tetraploid S. curvilabiatus. S. macropogon possessed 142 OR genes (92.25% functional), primarily located on chromosomes 14 and 24, with the fewest sequence clusters. Such compact gene repertoire and highly overlapping chromosomal clusters indicated specialization for a herbivorous olfactory niche. S. lantsangensis contained 127 OR genes (93.70% functional), concentrated on chromosomes 4 and 5, with fewer sequence clusters and a scattered distribution, reflecting evolution of OR genes under carnivorous feeding habits. The herbivorous tetraploid S. curvilabiatus exhibited striking features: 316 OR genes (94.30% functional), the most subfamilies, unique ε and κ OR subfamilies, and species-specific motifs. These characteristics revealed that ploidy, rather than herbivory, dominated OR gene evolution. In conclusion, dietary differentiation and ploidy variation together drove olfactory adaptive evolution in Schizothorax, providing new insights into vertebrate OR gene ecological adaptation.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Degradation of a graphene-reinforced polyamide by fungi: When culture conditions matter.

The large-scale production, marketing and disposal of polymer-based graphene products can lead to the dispersal of graphene-enriched plastic particles into terrestrial ecosystems, where they might accumulate if not degraded by organisms. The objective of this work is to test the degradability and compatibility of one polyamide-6 polymer reinforced with reduced graphene-oxide (PA6-rGO) and its base constituents (polyamide-6, PA6; reduced graphene oxide, rGO) using mono- and co-cultures of two lignin-degrading fungi (Bjerkandera adusta and Morchella esculenta) grown under different nutrient conditions. Fungal (co-)cultures were exposed to pure rGO or abraded powders of PA6 and PA6-rGO in two different liquid media, and monitored over time for biomass growth, H2O2 production, and activity of two lignolytic enzymes (i.e., Laccase, Lac, and Lignin peroxidase, LiP). The changes in polyamide structure were evaluated by proton nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry, and changes in rGO were evaluated by Raman spectroscopy. The materials had no effect on fungal growth. PA6 increased Lac secretion only in low nutrient medium, while PA6-rGO slightly suppressed LiP activity. Only M. esculenta promoted polyamides oxidation when cultured in a low nutrient medium, as evidenced by a change in mass distribution values (m/z: 400-420) and the appearance of a new resonance peak (at 5.37 ppm). Lignolytic exudates in co-cultures low in nutrients caused a greater change in rGO, as shown by the increase in the ID/IG ratio. The degradation of rGO, PA6 and PA6-rGO depended on culture conditions.

Graphite↗

PubMed2026

Influence of endodontic access on the fracture resistance, retention and microleakage of full-coverage restorations in vitro: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Endodontic access through retained full-coverage restorations (FCRs) is a preferred option for patients because of its high cost-effectiveness. However, the clinical performance of FCRs after repaired access cavity remains insufficiently characterized. This systematic review investigates the effects of endodontic access cavity preparation through retained FCRs on fracture resistance, retention, and microleakage based on in vitro studies. METHODS: A comprehensive search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. Studies investigating the influence of endodontic access on the fracture resistance, retention, and microleakage of FCRs were included. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection, data extraction, and risk-of-bias assessment using the QUIN tool. Meta-analysis was employed to estimate fracture resistance and retention, with sensitivity analysis and subgroup evaluation also performed. Microleakage was summarized qualitatively. RESULTS: Twentythree studies were included: fracture resistance (n = 15), retention (n = 5), and microleakage (n = 3). Endodontic access significantly reduced fracture resistance for zirconia (p = 0.0002) and lithium disilicate (LD) restorations (p = 0.007), but not for resin-matrix ceramic (RMC) restorations (p = 0.25). Abutment tooth type contributed to heterogeneity within the LD and RMC subgroups. Retention was significantly reduced when access cavities were left unrepaired (p = 0.03), whereas appropriate repair protocols restored or enhanced retention relative to baseline. Accelerated aging increased microleakage in retained FCRs. Surface pretreatments and flowable resin liners tended to reduce microleakage, but findings were inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Endodontic access significantly reduces fracture resistance of zirconia and LD FCRs, whereas RMC restorations show no significant change. Appropriate repair protocols can restore or improve retention, potentially exceeding original values. Limited evidence suggests that effective sealing is achievable with appropriate materials. However, well-designed and in-vivo researches are needed to provide more detailed clinical guidance. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: When performing endodontic access through retained FCRs, reduced fracture resistance must be carefully considered for zirconia and LD restorations, while RMC restorations may be exempt from this concern. Loss of retention with access can be restored after repair. Surface pretreatment and flowable resin liners help decrease microleakage.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles as food-based nanocarriers: Mechanisms, functional applications, and future perspectives in food systems.

Probiotic-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are a promising type of postbiotic nanoparticle derived by fermentation of probiotics, and have gained growing interest as a potential application in food science and nutrition. These are lipid bilayer vesicles of nanoscale, which are naturally released by probiotic cells and contain a wide variety of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, nucleic acids, and metabolites. Moreover, PDEVs are highly stable, biocompatible, and can be easily engineered to have surfaces with high functionality, which makes them good candidates in functional engineering. In contrast to traditional live probiotics, PDEVs overcome the difficulties of preserving microbial viability during processing and storage, thus providing superior safety, stability, and predictable biological performance. This is a systematic review of the various functions of PDEVs in food systems. We conclude on the processes through which PDEVs control intestinal barrier integrity, alter gut microbiota composition, and alter host immune responses, and their potential to enhance gut health when added to functional foods. In addition to their health-promoting effects, PDEVs have shown significant potential as natural antimicrobial agents to preserve food and as effective nanocarriers of hydrophobic bioactive compounds, including fucoxanthin, to improve their stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Moreover, PDEVs can be used as new regulators of microbial fermentation. However, it should be noted that a lot of the evidence that is available is still preliminary and the effectiveness of these applications in real food-processing and storage conditions has not been fully proven. Although they have potential, there are a number of challenges that still hinder the widespread use of PDEVs in the food industry. These involve the creation of scalable and cost-effective production processes, batch-to-batch consistency, vesicle stability in a variety of food matrices, and regulatory and safety considerations. Other emerging engineering approaches, such as surface functionalization and cargo loading, are also discussed in this review and could further increase the specificity, functionality, and application versatility of PDEVs in food systems. Moving forward, the incorporation of PDEVs into the next generation functional foods, novel food preservation methods, and customized nutrition plans should be prioritized in future studies. Further developments in these fields can make PDEVs useful platforms at the interface of food microbiology, nanotechnology, and human health.

Probiotics↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of NAs in combination with Peg-IFN for functional cure in patients with CHB: a meta-analysis of RCTs.

BACKGROUND: The goal of treating chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is to achieve functional cure. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of the combination of nucleoside (acid) analogues (NAs) and pegylated interferon (Peg-IFN) on the functional cure of CHB patients at the EOT and at the EOF. METHOD: PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science were searched systematically up to March 15, 2025. Sixteen RCTs on CHB patients receiving combination or monotherapy were included. RESULT: Compared with NAs treatment, the NAs combined with Peg-IFN treatment group significantly improved HBsAg clearance rate (RR: 14.05, 95% CI 6.13-32.20) and HBsAg seroconversion rate (RR: 12.82, 95% CI 5.08-32.33) at the EOT. Moreover, compared with NAs treatment, the NAs combined with Peg-IFN treatment group significantly improved HBsAg clearance rate (RR: 7.70, 95% CI 4.24-13.98), HBsAg seroconversion rate (RR: 11.93, 95% CI 5.14-27.67) at the EOF. However, compared with Peg-IFN monotherapy, the combination therapy group did not show any improvement in HBsAg clearance rate, HBsAg seroconversion rate, and the rate of qHBsAg decrease > 1 log10 IU/mL at the EOT and the EOF. Moreover, in terms of safety, the Peg-IFN monotherapy group showed more ALT flares (ALT > 5 × ULN) during the treatment process. CONCLUSION: Compared with NAs therapy, Peg-IFN combined with NAs therapy significantly improves functional cure rate. However, combination therapy shows no additional advantage over Peg-IFN monotherapy in achieving functional cure. The Peg-IFN monotherapy group has a higher incidence of ALT flares than the combination therapy group.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Clinical performance of two lithium disilicate CAD/CAM materials in posterior Class II inlay restorations: A 48-month randomised split-mouth clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the clinical performance of Amber Mill (AM) and IPS e.max CAD (EM) lithium disilicate computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials in posterior Class II inlay restorations and characterise their baseline properties. METHODS: Thirty-four adults received paired AM and EM posterior Class II inlays (68 restorations) in a triple-blind randomised split-mouth trial followed for 48 months. Restorations were evaluated at baseline and annually using revised World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria, with fracture and retention as the primary endpoint. Baseline characterisation included flexural strength, shear bond strength, translucency parameter, and scanning electron microscopy. McNemar, Wilcoxon signed-rank, Friedman, one-way analysis of variance, Tukey post hoc, and inter-rater agreement analyses were used. RESULTS: At 48 months, 18 paired participants were available for primary analysis. Failures occurred in 2 of 18 AM restorations and in 3 of 18 EM restorations, corresponding to success rates of 88.9% and 83.3%, respectively, with no significant between-material difference (McNemar p = 1.000). No catastrophic bulk ceramic fracture was observed. Secondary FDI scores remained mostly within the clinically acceptable range; marginal staining deteriorated over time in both groups (p < .001) without significant between-material differences. Baseline material testing showed significant material- and translucency-dependent differences in flexural strength, shear bond strength, and translucency. CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of the 48-month follow-up and the tested Class II inlay indication, AM showed clinical performance comparable to EM. Observed clinical complications were related to retention or marginal/interface behaviour. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: For posterior Class II lithium disilicate CAD/CAM inlays, medium-term complications were mainly retention/interface-related, suggesting adhesive-interface durability may be as important as baseline ceramic strength.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Exploring precision risk in pediatric vesicoureteral reflux: Innate immune gene variations and reflux outcomes in the RIVUR cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Children with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) are at increased risk for morbidity from recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs), yet the factors influencing spontaneous VUR resolution remain poorly defined. This study evaluates whether genetic variations in key urinary innate immune effectors (DEFA1A3, DMBT1, and RNASE7) influences VUR resolution and interacts with prophylaxis to alter clinical response. METHODS: We conducted a secondary analysis of 303 RIVUR participants with available DEFA1A3 and DMBT1 copy number variation (CNV) data and RNASE7 rs1263872 genotype. Primary outcomes were (1) VUR improvement (decrease in grade) and (2) VUR resolution at study exit. Multivariable logistic regression models included genotype, treatment, and their interactions, adjusting for age, sex, baseline grade (high vs low), laterality, bowel/bladder dysfunction, and any UTI. Internal validation used 2000-sample bootstrap with bias-corrected and accelerated confidence intervals and influence diagnostics. RESULTS: Clinical covariates did not significantly predict VUR improvement. Children with DEFA1A3 CNV >5 had higher odds of improvement (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.12-4.96, p = 0.023), an effect that remained significant in bootstrap analyses. High-grade VUR was associated with lower odds of resolution (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.12-0.94, p = 0.038). A significant interaction was observed between prophylaxis and high DMBT1 copy number for VUR resolution (interaction OR 2.99, 95% CI 1.11-8.04, p = 0.031); no interaction was seen for improvement. RNASE7 rs1263872 was not associated with either outcome. CONCLUSION: Innate immune gene variation may contribute to heterogeneity in VUR outcomes. High DEFA1A3 copy number was associated with reflux improvement and a DMBT1-prophylaxis interaction was associated with reflux resolution. The results of this study is hypothesis-generating and prompt further evaluation to assess whether a subset of children may experience structural benefit from prophylaxis or have a more favorable natural history based on their innate immune genotype.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Influence of Immediate Post-Bleaching Polishing on Enamel Color, Morphology, and Sensitivity: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the influence of polishing on enamel color change after in-office bleaching treatment on tooth morphology and sensitivity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 volunteers were randomized into two groups (n = 25): in-office bleaching with 35% hydrogen peroxide gel for 45 min without polishing (GSEM) or with polishing (GP). Color analysis was performed four times, at the beginning of the starting line and immediately after the first, second, and third bleaching sessions with a spectrophotometer. A qualitative analysis of enamel morphology was performed under a scanning electron microscope. Tooth sensitivity was assessed daily using the Visual Analog Scale (α = 0.05). RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference (p > 0.05) in tooth color change when comparing ΔE, ΔE00, and ΔWID between the groups. The enamel surface showed larger areas of irregularities and depressions in the GP group than in the GSEM group. There was no difference in tooth sensitivity (p > 0.05) between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: Polishing after whitening in the office does not change the color and sensitivity of the tooth but promotes greater changes in the morphology of the enamel, such as increased surface roughness. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Polishing immediately after teeth whitening causes greater changes in enamel surface morphology.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxyapatite@gelatin composite as efficient adsorbent for uranyl ion removal from low-level radioactive wastewater.

The contamination of water resources by uranyl (UO22+) ions poses significant environmental and health risks, requiring the development of efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. Adsorption-based techniques have emerged as promising approaches in the field of UO22+ removal, but the design of cost-effective, high-capacity, and environmentally friendly adsorbents remains challenging. In this study, a three-dimensional porous nano-hydroxyapatite@gelatin (nHAP@Ge) composite was synthesized through glutaraldehyde cross-linking, combining the structural stability of Ge with the high uranium affinity of nHAP. The optimized nHAP@Ge, with a nHAP:Ge mass ratio of 1:0.5, exhibited exceptional UO22+ removal efficiency (97 %), along with high adsorption capacity (364.03 mg/g). Systematic characterizations using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods revealed that the porous structure and surface functional groups (-OH, Ca2+, and PO43-) of the material synergistically contributed to binding UO22+ species. Furthermore, the incorporation of nHAP into the Ge framework resulted in enhanced thermal stability while significantly improving the UO22+ adsorption performance. This work presents a scalable, eco-friendly, and recyclable strategy for the effective treatment of uranium-contaminated water, with potential applications in nuclear wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2026

Marginal fit and five-year outcomes of posterior monolithic zirconia restorations: A randomized paired and observational clinical study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the marginal fit and five-year clinical performance of posterior 5 mol% yttria-partially stabilized zirconia restorations. A randomized paired comparison with lithium disilicate crowns was performed for marginal fit. METHODS: A total of 65 posterior restorations were placed in 38 patients, including 32 zirconia crowns, 17 lithium disilicate crowns, and 16 zirconia partial coverage restorations. In the randomized paired comparison, 17 patients received one lithium disilicate crown and one zirconia crown. Additional zirconia crowns (n=15) and zirconia partial coverage restorations (n=16) were included in a prospective observational cohort. The primary outcome was marginal fit within the randomized cohort. Marginal and internal fit were assessed using the replica technique. Marginal and internal gap values were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test; clinical outcomes were analyzed descriptively, and Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated for survival and complication-free survival. Clinical performance was assessed using CDA criteria, periodontal parameters, complication recording, and patient-reported outcomes. Clinical examinations were performed at baseline and at 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 months. RESULTS: Mean marginal gap values at the crown margin were 46 ±33 µm for lithium disilicate crowns and 50 ±32 µm for zirconia crowns (p>0.05). No restoration required replacement, resulting in 100% restoration survival after a median follow-up of 60 months (range: 57-64 months). Most complications were biological or functional, including endodontic, periodontal, occlusal, and proximal-contact-related events. One zirconia partial coverage restoration exhibited a small ceramic fracture managed by polishing. The Kaplan-Meier probability of complication-free survival was 76.4% for zirconia crowns, 66.7% for lithium disilicate crowns, and 87.5% for zirconia partial coverage restorations. CONCLUSIONS: In the randomized paired comparison, 5 mol% yttria-partially stabilized zirconia crowns showed marginal gap values similar to lithium disilicate crowns. All restorations remained in situ during the observation period. Lower complication-free survival was mainly related to biological and functional events and should be interpreted separately from restoration survival. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Clinical evidence for posterior 5 mol% yttria-partially stabilized zirconia restorations remains limited. This study provides mid-term clinical data on crowns and partial coverage restorations. In the randomized full-crown comparison, marginal fit was similar to that of lithium disilicate crowns, supporting the clinical consideration of monolithic zirconia restorations for posterior teeth.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Elucidating the evolution of meat quality, water distribution, microstructure, and protein structure during sous-vide and micro-pressure cooking.

This study investigated the evolution of eating quality (colour, texture and volatile flavour compounds), water status, microstructure and protein structure of pork meat under different cooking methods. The methods analysed included traditional cooking (TC: 10, 20, 30 and 40 min, 100 °C), sous-vide cooking (SV: 1, 2, 3 and 4 h, 60 °C) and micro-pressure cooking (MC: 10, 20, 30 and 40 min, 120 °C). Across the three cooking processes, as cooking time increased, cooking loss, lightness, yellowness, P23, β-sheet, random coil and surface hydrophobicity of the meat samples increased. By contrast, redness, P22, hydrogen proton density, esters content, α-helix, β-turn and sulfhydryl group content decreased. Moreover, the Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF), adhesiveness, hardness, springiness, gumminess, chewiness, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and fluorescence intensity of the meat samples, initially increased and then decreased as cooking progressed. SV resulted in higher water-holding capacity (WHC), improved redness and increased alcohol and ester levels, whereas MC produced softer meat and greater water mobility. Furthermore, MC enhanced the degree of microstructural damage and protein structural unfolding in the meat. MC requires less time to achieve textures and flavours similar to those obtained using the TC and SV methods. Thus, MC is an efficient cooking method for the catering industry to obtain desired meat quality rapidly.

Cooking↗

PubMed2026

Bi-compartmental CSF-serum analysis of NfL and GFAP differentiates central and peripheral pathology in neuroinfectious diseases: A monocentric real-world cohort study.

Neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), established biomarkers of neuroaxonal injury and astroglial pathology, are frequently only assessed in blood, which limits conclusions regarding their origin. Bi-compartmental analyses of CSF and serum may help differentiate central or peripheral origin of biomarker elevation. Moreover, studies on NfL and GFAP in distinct neuroinfectious disease (NID) phenotypes, particularly those based on real-world cohorts, are limited. This retrospective monocentric study analyzed CSF and serum from patients with (meningo-)encephalitis/myelitis (TI+; n = 48), meningitis (TI-; n = 80), (cranial) nerve palsies/polyradiculitis (PND; n = 61), and 113 non-neuroinflammatory/non-neurodegenerative controls. A bi-compartmental model using scatter plots and simple linear regression was applied to assess the origin of blood biomarker levels and discriminate between central and peripheral pathology. CSF and serum NfL and GFAP z-scores were significantly higher in TI+ compared with TI- (CSF-GFAP p < 0.001/sGFAP p = 0.0083; CSF-NfL p = 0.003/sNfL p = 0.0004). TI+ and PND differed only in GFAP levels, which were higher in TI+ (CSF-GFAP p = 0.0049/sGFAP p = 0.003). The overall group effect (p ≤ 0.003) and principal findings remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, QAlb, and time since (symptom) onset to LP. Bi-compartmental analysis revealed simultaneous elevation of CSF and serum NfL in TI+, indicating predominantly central origin, whereas PND demonstrated a shift toward higher sNfL levels suggesting peripheral origin. Higher clinical severity (modified Rankin Scale 3-5) was associated with elevated serum and CSF GFAP and NfL (sGFAP p = 0.012/sNfL p = 0.002; CSF-GFAP p < 0.0001/CSF-NfL p = 0.0001), which also predicted unfavorable outcome at discharge (sGFAP p = 0.006/sNfL p = 0.004; CSF-GFAP p = 0.003/CSF-NfL p = 0.012). NfL and GFAP were associated with brain/myelon involvement in NID, predominantly reflecting central pathology. Despite strong CSF-serum correlations, bi-compartmental approaches provide additional insight into biomarker origin and disease compartment.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

The hidden threat from food-derived carbon dots: Formation, biodistribution, and potential health risks.

Food-derived carbon dots (CDs) are a new class of carbon-based nanoparticles generated during the thermal processing of food matrices. These nanomaterials have been extensively studied for their unique fluorescence, good biocompatibility, and tunable surface chemistry in food detection, intelligent packaging, and biomedical applications. However, their nanoscale size and high surface activity have raised safety concerns regarding biological interactions, in vivo biodistribution, and potential long-term health hazards. Although CDs have traditionally been regarded as low-toxicity materials due to their favorable biocompatibility, the potential hidden risks of CDs have not received sufficient attention. CDs exhibit dose-dependent toxicity, not only accumulating in various tissues and organs but also potentially inducing oxidative stress and interfering with cellular metabolic functions. Therefore, this review summarizes the advances in sources, synthetic strategies, and core properties of CDs, with a special focus on in vivo biological interactions, fates, and potential safety challenges. In addition, it is proposed that the standardized detection and risk assessment system should be established to further explore the long-term health effects of CDs under real dietary exposure, thereby ensuring their safety and sustainable application.

Carbon Quantum Dots↗

PubMed2026

Design of an innovative framework based hybrid catalyst for simultaneous and sensitive monitoring of food additive and preservative of vanillin and nitrite in direct samples.

As vanillin (VAN) and nitrite (NIT) contamination in the food chain poses substantial threats to environmental and public health, rapid and portable detection is essential. The present study presents the first electrochemical sensor report based on a hybrid composite of Ni-TPA-MOF and MoS2/Co3O4. The oxidation of VAN and NIT exhibited sharp peaks and less over-potential on Ni-TPA-MOF/MoS2/Co3O4/GCE than on control electrode surfaces. On modified composite electrode surfaces, pH and scan rate were investigated for VAN and NIT. Further, the oxidation current exhibited high linearity at VAN and NIT concentrations of 5 nM-1000 μM and 3 nM-1250 μM, with detection limits of 0.102 nM and 0.073 nM (S/N = 3). We also applied anti-interfering ability (five/ten-fold excess of co-interfering compounds) and practical tests to various food-based real samples, with high recoveries of 98.85-102.41%. This study highlights the catalytic properties of Ni-TPA-MOF/MoS2/Co3O4 and demonstrates the sensor as a promising tool for food safety.

Benzaldehydes↗

PubMed2026

Depth-dependent microbial succession and interspecies hydrogen transfer drive pit mud maturation in Chinese strong-flavor baijiu fermentation.

Microbial communities in fermentation pit mud play a key role in determining the quality of Chinese strong-flavor baijiu (CSFB). However, the ecological processes underlying pit mud maturation across spatial and temporal scales remain unclear. In this study, amplicon sequencing and metagenomic analyses were employed to investigate the taxonomic succession, community assembly, and metabolic functions of bacterial and archaeal communities during the transition from fresh pit mud (FPM) to new pit mud (NPM) and old pit mud (OPM). A pronounced depth-dependent succession pattern was observed, with 4 cm representing a critical ecological boundary separating distinct community structures and maturation trajectories. During surface-layer maturation, community assembly shifted from stochastic to deterministic processes, accompanied by homogeneous selection and increasing network complexity. In contrast, stochastic processes remained dominant throughout deep-layer maturation. Metagenomic analyses revealed a functional transition from lactate and acetate production, primarily associated with Lactobacillus in FPM and NPM, to butyrate and caproate production associated with Clostridium and Caproiciproducens in OPM. This functional transition was accompanied by enhanced amino acid metabolism, which was associated with the enrichment of Proteiniphilum and Aminobacterium. Notably, methanogen-mediated interspecies hydrogen transfer (IHT) emerged as a key ecological feature during pit mud maturation. In OPM, IHT networks primarily involving Methanobacterium and Methanosarcina linked methanogenesis with reverse β-oxidation through diverse hydrogen-transfer pathways, reinforcing metabolic interactions underlying caproate production. These findings provide new insights into the ecological mechanisms underlying pit mud maturation and offer a theoretical basis for the directed cultivation of high-quality pit mud in CSFB production.

Hydrogen↗

PubMed2025

Depth-dependent multi-kingdom microbial interactions and biogeochemical cycling genes in eutrophic shallow lake sediments.

Microorganisms are pivotal to lake ecosystem biogeochemical cycles, yet existing research often focuses on single microbial kingdoms or surface sediments, neglecting multi-kingdom interactions and depth-resolved dynamics. To address these gaps, we used metagenomic sequencing to characterize microbial communities and their functional associations across overlying water and 0-45 cm sediments in four shallow lakes of the middle Yangtze River basin, China. Despite increasing bacterial and fungal diversity with depth, the 0-9 cm surface sediments exhibited the strongest multi-kingdom network connectivity and the greatest microbial stability. Functional genes exhibited clear depth-dependent patterns: nitrogen cycling genes, including those involved in dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, were most enriched in the upper 0-9 cm of sediment; methane cycling genes were positively correlated with depth; phosphorus cycling genes and some sulfur cycling genes, such as assimilatory sulphate reduction, declined with depth. Sediment microbial assembly was dominated by deterministic processes, in which the vertical distribution of functional genes was primarily dictated by heavy metals and conventional environmental indicators. These findings highlight depth-specific multi-kingdom microbial interactions and their associations with biogeochemical cycling, advancing lacustrine microbial ecology understanding and providing references for lake conservation under environmental change.

Lakes↗

PubMed2026

A novel urease-producing strain effectively induces cadmium biomineralization under low-temperature stress.

Microbially induced carbonate precipitation (MICP) has been widely used to immobilize Cadmium (Cd) in contaminated soils in mining-affected regions. However, its remediation efficacy under low-temperature stress, as well as the nucleation process that regulates Cd biomineralization via carbonate precipitation by psychrophilic bacteria, has yet to be investigated. Here, we isolated Pseudomonas sp. J-6, a novel urease-producing strain from tailings in high-altitude cold regions, exhibiting unparalleled cold adaptability at 5 °C and achieving 95.85 % Cd removal efficiency by MICP at 10 °C. Furthermore, the coprecipitation process of Ca1-xCdxCO3 was clarified through the continuous observation of the precipitates after the low-temperature MICP reaction. The crystal morphology transitioned from loose vaterite in the early stage to a dense square-block morphology in the middle stage. Cd2+ progressively shifted from a surface-bound state to lattice incorporation, ultimately resulting in the formation of stable Cd-substituted calcite crystals. In this process, low temperatures led to the formation of larger, highly ordered Cd-substituted calcite crystals, thereby strengthening Cd sequestration and its long-term stability. In addition, under low-temperature stress, Pseudomonas sp. J-6 induced MICP reaction decreased the bioavailable Cd in alpine slag soil by 44.85 % and enhanced physical properties. In the freeze-thaw cycles, the remediation efficiency remained stable. This study clarified the biomineralization potential in high-altitude cryogenic environments and the nucleation process of Cd biomineralization by psychrophilic bacteria-induced carbonate precipitation, filling a critical research gap in its application under extreme conditions and highlighting its promise for sustainable remediation of heavy metal pollution under low-temperature stress.

Cadmium↗

PubMed2025

Application of causal discovery of factors driving dissolved oxygen in estuarine environments.

Dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations in estuarine bottom waters are a manifestation of multiple, interacting physical and biogeochemical processes, yet identifying their independent contributions remains challenging. Here, we analyze monthly water quality monitoring data from eight stations across Long Island Sound from 1994 to 2022 using a causal discovery framework (PCMCI+) and transformation of forcing variables. Our goal is to identify and isolate variables that causally influence bottom DO and improve predictive models by minimizing overfitting and multicollinearity. PCMCI+ reveals surface-layer temperature as the most important and consistent negative driver of bottom DO, followed by stratification. Wind events exhibit only brief relief by advection and mixing, while river discharge shows no direct causal link to DO, making it less influential than previously thought. Biogeochemical variables, including chlorophyll-a (Chl-a), nitrate and nitrite, and particulate carbon, influence DO through both contemporaneous and time-lagged pathways, often with signs that shift depending on the process. The derived models were evaluated by comparing skill scores, mean squared error, and Akaike Information Criterion. Both model types perform well, with coefficient of determination values exceeding 0.90 at multiple stations using only 3-5 predictors. Our analysis reveals that the best causal predictors are surface-layer temperature, stratification, Chl-a, and particle carbon. This approach provides a scalable framework for improving prediction models and understanding the mechanistic links that control the seasonal variability of DO in estuarine systems.

Estuaries↗