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PubMed2025

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

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

Soil Microbiology↗

PubMed2026

Prevalence of POMC allele associated with obesity in feline population in Vietnam.

Feline obesity is an increasingly important health problem influenced by both genetic predisposition and husbandry practices. This study investigated the prevalence and phenotypic relevance of the feline proopiomelanocortin (POMC) c.28G > C (p.Gly10Arg) variant in a Vietnamese cat population and evaluated environmental factors associated with obesity. A total of 63 clinically healthy cats were classified as normal weight (body condition score [BCS] 5-6/9; n = 40) or obese (BCS ≥7/9; n = 23). Genotyping was performed using a newly developed PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay and validated by Sanger sequencing. Ventral subcutaneous adipose tissue (VSAT) thickness was measured ultrasonographically as an objective indicator of adiposity. Genotyping revealed a high prevalence of the risk-associated C allele, with 45/63 cats (71.4%) carrying the GC genotype and 18/63 (28.6%) carrying the CC genotype, whereas the GG genotype was not detected, giving a Callele frequency of 64.3%. Obese cats had significantly greater body weight and VSAT thickness than normal-weight cats. Neuter status and ad libitum feeding were significantly associated with obesity, whereas diet type, housing, exercise frequency, and begging behavior were not. Although genotype distribution did not differ significantly between normal and obese cohorts, obese CC cats showed significantly greater VSAT thickness than obese GC cats, indicating an allele-dosage effect on adiposity. These findings suggest that the POMC c.28G > C variant is a useful risk-informative marker and that combining genetic screening with objective fat assessment may support earlier identification and prevention of feline obesity in Vietnam under routine laboratory conditions and guide personalized management strategies in practice.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Enhancement of secondary organic aerosol formation from isoprene photooxidation by ammonia.

Ammonia (NH3) can participate in atmospheric secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation by reacting with organic acids and carbonyl compounds in particle phase, but its influence on the gas phase chemistry remains unclear. This study performed a series of smog chamber experiments to investigate the influence of NH3 on the formation of SOA from isoprene photooxidation by OH radicals. Both gas and particle phase products were measured with a series of state-of- art instruments including a nitrate ion chemical ionization mass spectrometer (nitrate-CIMS) and high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-TOF-AMS). Our results showed that in the presence of NH3 SOA in the chamber significantly increased, along with an enhanced oxidation of isoprene. CIMS analysis further showed that NH3 in the chamber homogeneously reacts not only with gas-phase organic acids but also with gaseous low volatility oxygenated organic molecules (OOMs) to generate extremely low volatility and ultralow volatility NH3-OOMs clusters. Quantum chemical calculation showed that NH3 can spontaneously interact with OOMs to form NH3-OOMs clusters by forming hydrogen bonds with RCOOH, R-OOH, and R-OH. These clusters can promote new particles formation and particle growth through nucleation and condensation, directly enhancing the isoprene SOA production with a contribution of 78% to the enhanced SOA. Moreover, the formation of NH3-OOMs clusters also results in more isoprene consumed by OH radicals, indirectly increasing the SOA production with a contribution of 22 % to the enhanced SOA. Our work for the first time clarified a synergetic effect of NH3 on isoprene SOA formation, which should be accounted for by models.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2026

Proteomic analysis of cisplatin-induced spermatogenesis defects in mice.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin is a crucial chemotherapeutic agent used for treating various cancers; however, its excessive use can cause irreversible damage to the reproductive system, and the protein expression profile of cisplatin-induced testicular injury remains unclear. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with cisplatin at various doses, and testes were collected for histological, immunofluorescence, and proteomic analyses. Germ cell loss and apoptosis were assessed using H&E staining, TUNEL assays, and immunofluorescence for LIN28A, SYCP3, MVH, and CDK1. Label-free quantitative proteomics identified differentially expressed proteins, which were analyzed for functional enrichment and protein-protein interactions. RESULTS: We observed that cisplatin treatment led to smaller testes, reduced sperm count, and a significant decrease in the number of spermatocytes and spermatids in mice. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that cisplatin significantly reduced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), a key spermatogenesis regulator, in the testes. Reduction in CDK1 expression is correlated with spermatogenic arrest, particularly in spermatocytes. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the critical role of CDK1 in cisplatin-induced spermatogenic dysfunction and provide new insights into fertility preservation strategies for patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Integrin-Linked Kinases 1, 4, and 5 participate in cell wall-mediated innate immunity to leaf and root pathogens.

The cell wall integrity (CWI) pathway is triggered by plasma membrane-localized receptors in plant cells and serves to orchestrate responses to cell wall damage by initiating compensatory changes under stressful environments. The essential role of CWI maintenance as part of plants' interactions with pests or pathogens and during growth is well known. Nevertheless, CWI pathways remain to be fully characterized. Here, we show that altered Integrin-Linked Kinase 1 (ILK1) expression causes widespread defects in the transcriptional program activated by the bacterial elicitor flg22, primarily in genes associated with cell wall integrity and immunity. These transcriptional deficiencies are recapitulated in mutant lines with altered ILK4 or ILK5 expression. Analysis of molecular and cellular defenses in ilk mutants revealed reduced callose accumulation in leaves treated with bacterial (elf18) and plant (pep1) elicitors and increased pathogen susceptibility. Histochemical analysis of cell-wall-associated staining across diverse cells and organs of ilk mutants revealed modified lignin-associated patterns in the root xylem and altered calcofluor staining patterns in the seed coat. All ilk mutants exhibited altered root morphology due to mechano-touch and high-NaCl stress. Based on these results, we propose that ILKs contribute to pathways connecting elicitor-triggered immune signaling with cell-wall-associated stress responses and that ILK-related defense functions may extend to the cotton root-nematode interaction, while the mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Cell Wall↗

PubMed2026

Dynamics of soil fungal communities restored with biochar from a quarry site.

Quarrying activities have intensified due to population expansion, leading to landscape degradation and ecological destruction. Quarry restoration is usually mandatory in Hong Kong, China. Although biochar is used for sustainable soil amendment, its effectiveness in restoring quarry soil with poor properties has rarely been investigated. A 24-month field study was conducted to evaluate the ecological feasibility of restoring a quarry site by using native species (that is, Castanopsis fissa and Cyclobalanopsis edithiae) and biochar amendment. The results revealed that after 24 months, the application of biochar increased the organic carbon, phosphorus and potassium of the vegetated soil by at least 120 %, 31 % and 12 %, respectively, due to higher cation exchange capacity and better plant growth. The relative abundance of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota increased by 24 % and 47 % with biochar application when C. fissa was planted, which was likely associated with the improved nutrient cycling and soil fertility. Even though adding biochar to bare soil was found to increase the complexity of fungal co-occurrence networks, biochar application only increased fungal diversity in vegetated quarry soil but usually reduced its fungal richness. Moreover, fungal co-occurrence networks in vegetated soil became less complex, suggesting that biochar potentially helped plants to assemble specific, beneficial fungal communities. This effect is most pronounced in the soil planted with C. edithiae, where the structure of fungal communities after 24 months was significantly different from that at other restoration times. This study identifies key fungal phyla enhanced by biochar in quarry soil and provides an effective strategy for facilitating the restoration and management of degraded lands, especially quarry sites.

Charcoal↗

PubMed2026

LC-IMS-MS profiling of avocado acetogenins reveals tissue-dependent distribution and cultivar-specific metabolic signatures.

This study presents a comprehensive characterisation of acetogenin-related metabolites in avocado using an LC-IMS-MS workflow. A total of 26 metabolites were semi-quantified across peel, pulp and seed tissues from three cultivars (Hass, Bacon and Fuerte). The integration of ion mobility spectrometry enabled the generation of the first experimental database of collision cross section (CCS) values for avocado acetogenins, improving confidence in metabolite annotation. Results revealed a pronounced tissue-dependent distribution, with seeds and pulp as the primary reservoir of several acetogenins, whereas the peel consistently exhibited lower concentrations. In contrast, acetogenin levels remained largely stable throughout ripening. Clear cultivar-dependent differences were observed, with Hass displaying a distinct metabolic profile compared to Bacon and Fuerte. Multivariate analysis confirmed these findings, showing tissue-dependent cultivar differentiation. This study provides new insights into avocado chemical diversity and highlights the potential of avocado by-products as consistent and promising sources of bioactive acetogenins.

Persea↗

PubMed2026

Integrated assessment of biocontrol potential and genome analysis of endophytic Bacillus velezensis MGL-B1 against mango stem-end rot.

Mango stem-end rot is a globally significant postharvest disease that severely threatens the mango industry, primarily caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea. However, information on biocontrol agents targeting this pathogen in mango remains limited. In this study, we isolated and identified a strain of Bacillus velezensis MGL-B1 from mango leaf tissues for the first time, which exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity. Both in vitro and in vivo assays demonstrated that MGL-B1 effectively inhibited the growth of B. dothidea, with an in vivo biocontrol efficacy reaching 83.72 ± 5.10%, comparable to that of the commonly used chemical fungicide thiabendazole. Further mechanistic analysis revealed that MGL-B1 acts by directly disrupting the integrity of the pathogen's mycelial cell membrane. In addition, its released volatile organic compounds (VOCs) also displayed significant antifungal activity, with components such as 2-nonanone, 2-nonanol, and phenylethyl alcohol being confirmed to exert antifungal effects in in vitro fumigation assays. qPCR analysis showed that MGL-B1 treatment significantly upregulated the transcriptional levels of genes involved in plant-pathogen interaction, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and antioxidant defense pathways in mango fruits, with upregulation folds of 16.32, 37.19, and 75.93, respectively; meanwhile, the expression of browning-related genes such as polyphenol oxidase (PPO) was markedly suppressed. Whole-genome sequencing further revealed 14 biosynthetic gene clusters for antimicrobial compounds, including five unknown gene clusters. Collectively, B. velezensis MGL-B1 represents a promising biocandidate strain with multiple antifungal mechanisms and excellent control efficacy, providing a valuable resource for green and sustainable management of mango diseases.

Mangifera↗

PubMed2026

A 7-mm Covered TIPS Reduces Hepatic Encephalopathy Without Increasing Rebleeding in Cirrhotic Patients With Small Liver: A Randomized Study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: International guidelines recommend initiating transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) placement with an 8-mm stent. However, there is an evident lack of randomized controlled trials evaluating TIPS diameters < 8 mm in cirrhotic patients with a relatively small liver. The aim of this study was to determine whether 7 mm-covered TIPS, compared with 8-mm stents, could achieve comparable shunt function with a lower incidence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE). METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, patients with cirrhosis and relatively small liver were randomized 1:1 to receive TIPS with a 7-mm (n = 92) or 8-mm (n = 92) covered stent to prevent variceal rebleeding. The primary endpoint was the incidence of overt HE after randomization. All-cause rebleeding, orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT)-free survival and a composite of these outcomes, were designated as secondary endpoints. RESULTS: Among the 184 enrolled patients, the predominant etiologies of liver cirrhosis were hepatitis B virus infection (56.0%) and alcohol-related liver disease (20.7%). Over a median follow-up of 26.5 months, overt HE occurred in 19 patients (20.7%) in the 7-mm group and 33 patients (35.9%) in the 8-mm group. The 2-year cumulative incidence of overt HE was significantly lower in the 7-mm group than in the 8-mm group (21.4% vs. 37.2%, p = 0.02). Stent diameter, post-TIPS portosystemic pressure gradient, pre-covert HE and MELD-Na score were identified as independent risk factors for overt HE. The rates of shunt dysfunction were statistically similar between groups (8.7% vs. 8.7%, p = 1.0), as were 2-year rebleeding rates (10.9% vs. 9.8%, p = 0.81) and OLT-free survival rates (91.3% vs. 88.0%, p = 0.82). CONCLUSIONS: A 7-mm covered TIPS demonstrated comparable shunt function to an 8-mm covered stents, with a significantly lower risk of overt HE. These findings support consideration of 7-mm TIPS stents for preventing variceal rebleeding in cirrhotic patients with a small liver who are undergoing TIPS. TRAIL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02541825.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

"Everybody thinks that it won't happen to them": A mixed-methods study of HIV prevention strategies among people experiencing homelessness who use drugs.

BACKGROUND: HIV disproportionately affects people experiencing homelessness, particularly those who use drugs. Although effective prevention strategies exist, uptake remains suboptimal in high-risk populations. Limited research has examined how this population engages with HIV prevention strategies and the contextual factors shaping behaviors. METHODS: We conducted a mixed-methods study of adults (≥18 years) experiencing homelessness with recent drug use, recruited from three Boston sites (Feb 2024-Jan 2025). Participants completed a survey assessing HIV prevention strategy uptake. A subsample completed in-depth interviews on factors influencing behavior. Guided by the Theoretical Domains Framework, we coded qualitative data and identified themes to help contextualize uptake. RESULTS: Among 196 participants, mean age was 48; 61% identified as male and 44% as non-Hispanic White. Forty-two percent reported condomless sex, and among those who had ever injected drugs (n = 123), 24% reported syringe sharing in the prior three months. Only 9% reported current PrEP use, and 12% had ever used HIV self-tests. Qualitative findings highlighted perceived control as a key facilitator, while low perceived HIV risk hindered uptake across strategies. Additional barriers varied by strategy and included partner dynamics and substance use affecting condom use, structural constraints affecting syringe use, and knowledge, stigma, and cost concerns affecting PrEP and self-testing. CONCLUSION: In this cohort of people experiencing homelessness who use drugs, HIV prevention strategy uptake was suboptimal, with particularly low PrEP and HIV self-testing use. Qualitative findings suggest that interventions to promote HIV prevention strategy uptake in this population should leverage perceived control, address perceived risk, and target strategy-specific interpersonal and structural barriers.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Intraskeletal Variation in Cortical Bone Quantity in a Medieval Italian Sample: A Multivariate Exploratory Approach.

Bioarcheologists interpret skeletal health by examining variability within and between individuals. Studies of bone loss have generated contradictory and conflicting results regarding the onset and severity of age-related bone loss on a global and temporal scale, perhaps due to mismatched methodologies. Intraskeletal comparisons of bone tissue prove challenging precisely because of heterogeneous baselines in quantity and remodeling of cortical bone throughout the skeleton, as well as evolutionary histories and environmental impacts on growth and development. Here we analyze cortical bone indicators from the rib, metacarpal, and femoral cortical bone in a subset of individuals (n = 72) regions from the medieval Italian archaeological site of Pieve di Pava. To facilitate intraskeletal comparisons across elements with different biological baselines, we standardize cortical bone parameters using z-scores. Variation in relative intraskeletal cortical bone was assessed using accessible multivariate methods (principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis). Results suggest an association between femoral and metacarpal cortical bone values, with stochastic trends in metacarpal and femoral relative bone quantity in relation to the rib bone quantity at the sample level. Our study demonstrates that while intraskeletal analyses are challenging, they are made more robust by synthesizing multivariate methods alongside exploratory data analysis (EDA) methods to tack between sample-level and individual-level scales and variability. Ultimately, we advocate for leveraging multivariate techniques not as a final step, but rather as a means of generating new hypotheses and challenging tendencies to a priori establish typological groups in the research process.

Skeleton↗

PubMed2026

Molecular characterization and biological characteristics of a highly pathogenic recombinant ALV-J strain (HUE2023) with cross-clade gp85 recombination.

Avian leukosis virus subgroup J (ALV-J) has undergone extensive diversification into phylogenetically distinct clades, yet whether recombination between these clades within the gp85 envelope glycoprotein generates variants with altered pathogenicity has received little direct investigation. A field strain (HUE2023) was recovered from breeding roosters displaying vascular tumors. The viral genome was sequenced and subjected to phylogenetic and recombination analyses. The three-dimensional structure of gp85 was predicted with AlphaFold3; electrostatic surface potentials and surface hydrophobicity were computed using the Adaptive Poisson-Boltzmann Solver and the Eisenberg hydrophobicity scale, respectively. Pathogenicity and immunosuppressive effects were assessed in Hy-Line Brown chickens. Recombination analysis revealed that HUE2023 is an inter-clade recombinant derived from Clade 1.1 (major parent: JS14NT01) and Clade 1.2 (minor parent: JS09GY3). A single-residue deletion at position 61 within receptor-binding domain 1 (RBD-1), unique to the recombinant, induced a localized conformational rearrangement that generated a concentrated electronegative surface patch and a contiguous hydrophobic pocket not observed in either parental gp85. Animal challenge showed that HUE2023 is highly pathogenic: female chickens in the high-dose group reached only 61% survival and displayed significant growth retardation (P < 0.05) together with marked immunosuppression. The recombination in the RBD-1 led to local conformational rearrangement, resulting in a concentrated and negatively charged surface area as well as a continuous hydrophobic pocket, which were never present in any of the parental gp85 sequences. These results indicate that gp85 recombination across clades can yield variants with fundamentally altered receptor-binding surfaces and argue for integrating structural surveillance into ALV-J monitoring programmes.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Evolutionary diversification of invertase paralogs couples carbon metabolism and sexual reproduction in fission yeasts.

Dynamic patterns of gene gain and loss play a major role in the diversification of eukaryotes, reflecting adaptation to a broad range of ecological contexts. Reconstructing the evolutionary history of genes provides a powerful framework for understanding how functional innovation shapes life-history traits. Here we report a comprehensive analysis of gene gain and loss across the fission yeast clade, whose evolutionary trajectory remains elusive. Reductive evolution of metabolic genes is a major contributor to species diversification, as observed in other fungal taxa. Notably, we uncovered an evolutionary scenario in which an ancestral gene duplication was followed by lineage-specific loss of one or the other paralog, except in S. pombe, which retained both. We demonstrate that these paralogs encode catalytically-active invertases, named Inv1 and Inv2, with distinct enzymatic properties, localization, regulation, and physiological roles. Inv1 is a secreted enzyme subject to glucose catabolite repression and is the sole invertase required for sucrose assimilation, resembling canonical yeast invertases. In contrast, Inv2 is intracellular, constitutively expressed, and required for inducing sexual differentiation in response to nutrient availability. Overall, these findings reveal an unexpected role for carbon metabolism in modulating the haploid-diploid cycle of fission yeasts, suggesting that diversification of core metabolic functions may contribute to adaptation to environments with distinct sugar compositions.

Evolution↗

PubMed2026

Comparing Clinical and Cytokine Profiling of Genital Inflammation as Predictors of HIV Acquisition in Women.

BACKGROUND: Inflammation in the female genital tract is a key risk factor for HIV acquisition, but it remains unclear whether clinical or immunological measures best predict risk. We aimed to compare HIV acquisition among women with clinically and/or immunologically defined inflammation. SETTING: HIV-uninfected women enrolled in the CAPRISA 004 tenofovir gel randomized controlled trial in South Africa were followed for up to 34 months. METHODS: We analyzed data from 889 women, with cytokine measurements available for 774 participants. Clinical genital abnormalities were assessed at scheduled visits, and 9 cytokines were measured in cervicovaginal lavage samples. HIV incidence was compared across categories of clinical and immunological inflammation using time varying Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for relevant covariates. RESULTS: Immunological inflammation, defined as ≥9 elevated cytokines, was present in 18% (140/774) of women. Among specific clinical signs, abnormal genital discharge (adjusted hazard ratio: 2.67, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14 to 6.23, P = 0.024) and cervicitis (adjusted hazard ratio: 10.34, 95% CI: 2.46 to 43.65, P = 0.001) were significantly associated with increased HIV acquisition. Women with both clinical and immunological inflammation had the highest risk of HIV acquisition, with adjusted hazard ratios of 2.08 (95% CI: 1.10 to 3.91, P = 0.022) and 2.46 (95% CI: 1.21 to 5.03, P = 0.013), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Clinical and immunological definitions of inflammation were each independently associated with increased HIV acquisition risk and combined, they reflected greater susceptibility. These findings highlight the important role of genital inflammation in women's HIV susceptibility, suggesting that clinical signs may provide practical early indicators of risk even as cytokine profiles provide more sensitive measures of underlying inflammation.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Review of regulatory requirements for benefit-risk assessment for medical devices: uncovering existing methodologies.

INTRODUCTION: A positive benefit-risk profile is a prerequisite for the market approval of medical devices. However, regulations are often criticized for providing limited information on benefit-risk assessment (BRA) despite growing expectations for quantitative methods. A clearer understanding of regulatory requirements, existing methodologies, and unresolved issues is needed. AREAS COVERED: Relevant regulatory documents referencing BRA for medical devices were systematically identified, with a primary focus on the European regulation followed by screening to extract BRA‑related requirements and any explicitly or implicitly described methods. The findings were analyzed and consolidated by BRA context, type, objective, methodological description, and implementation, thereby establishing a basis for the BRA methodological landscape. EXPERT OPINION: BRA is not a single concept, but a set of context‑dependent assessments across lifecycle of a medical device. BRA within clinical evaluation framed into BRAs of risk management holds a pivotal role and is supported by the most detailed methodological guidance, although BRAs in other contexts are important. A structured overview of existing BRA requirements clarifies their treatment across regulatory documents. By differentiating BRA contexts, types, objectives, and required methodological detail, the analysis supports a more transparent understanding of BRA and helps identify priorities for methodological refinement and interface clarification.

Risk Assessment↗

PubMed2026

Ramu stunt virus genome reveals previously unreported segments and nucleocapsid domain duplication in Mechlorovirus.

Ramu stunt virus (RmSV), a member of the genus Mechlorovirus within the family Phenuiviridae, was previously described as a six-segmented RNA virus infecting sugarcane. In this study, we re-examined type material and additional isolates using high-throughput sequencing and RT-PCR validation, revealing that RmSV possesses a nine-segmented genome, making it the largest reported in the Phenuiviridae. This expanded architecture includes duplicated RNA segments (RNA 2a and RNA 2b) encoding nucleocapsid-like proteins and two novel segments (RNA 7 and RNA 8). Comparative analysis showed that RNA 2a and 2b share about 84% amino acid identity, while RNA 5 encodes a third nucleocapsid homolog, indicating unprecedented domain redundancy. Structural modeling confirmed that all three nucleocapsid proteins maintain a conserved fold despite low sequence identity, with electrostatic mapping suggesting differential RNA-binding potential. Additionally, RNA 6 encodes a hypothetical protein structurally similar to the rice stripe virus disease-specific S-protein, implicating a role in symptom development. Transcript abundance analysis revealed RNA 6 as the most highly expressed segment across isolates. These findings revise the genomic composition of RmSV, highlight mechanisms of genome plasticity and adaptive evolution in plant-infecting bunyaviruses, and underscore practical implications for diagnostic assay design, resistance breeding, and biosecurity surveillance.

Genome, Viral↗

PubMed2026

Genome-wide identification of CXE gene family in soybean and functional characterization of GmCXE31 in lipid biosynthesis and salt tolerance.

GmCXE31 negatively regulates salt tolerance and lipid synthesis in soybean, and the cxe31-edited lines improve soybean yield and seed quality. Carboxylesterases (CXEs), as essential lipid hydrolases of the α/β-hydrolase fold superfamily, are critical for plant stress responses, hormone signaling and secondary metabolism. The key candidate gene GmCXE31 was previously identified in our laboratory through a genome‑wide association study (GWAS) of soybean lipid‑related traits. In the present study, we further identified 60 GmCXE family genes in soybean. Phylogenetic analysis clustered them into 11 conserved subfamilies. Cis-acting element analysis showed their promoters are enriched with elements related to abiotic stress, growth and hormone signaling, suggesting potential roles in soybean development and stress adaptation. GmCXE31 is highly expressed in seedling roots and responsive to strigolactones (SLs) and salt stress. Functional assays revealed that GmCXE31 negatively regulates soybean salt tolerance: its overexpression reduced salt tolerance in Arabidopsis and soybean under 150 mM NaCl stress, while its knockout enhanced this trait. Lipid profiling revealed GmCXE31-edited lines had higher seed oil content, elevated oleic/linoleic acid ratio and lower saturated fatty acid proportion, which was achieved by regulating lipid synthesis-related genes like GmNFYA. Agronomic trait analysis showed GmCXE31-edited lines had increased nodule number, plant height and single-plant yield at maturity, with opposite phenotypes in overexpression lines. In conclusion, this study elucidates the multifaceted roles of GmCXE31 in coordinating soybean salt tolerance, lipid metabolism and agronomic traits, providing theoretical and genetic resources for salt-tolerant and high-quality soybean molecular breeding.

Glycine max↗

PubMed2026

Diving Deeper Into Mechanisms of Acrylamide-Induced Toxicity: RNA Sequencing Reveals Transcriptomic Alteration and Retrotransposon Expression in Drosophila melanogaster.

Given the inevitability of human and animal exposure to acrylamide, there is increasing concern regarding its potential health risks. While a number of molecular mechanisms have been proposed, the complexity of acrylamide toxicological pathways and interactions remains incompletely characterized. In this study, we employed a transcriptomic approach to investigate the transcriptional responses of Drosophila melanogaster following exposure to acrylamide (100 mg/kg). Our analysis identified 634 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with 362 upregulated and 272 downregulated. Functional analysis revealed these DEGs are enriched in pathways related to reproduction, detoxification, cellular and metabolic processes, signaling, synaptic formation and organization. Notably, acrylamide exposure upregulated the expression of tau and beta-amyloid protein precursor-like genes, both implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathology. An aversive memory test further demonstrated that acrylamide impaired the short-term memory of treated flies. Additionally, acrylamide-induced toxicity altered the expression of nine long terminal repeat retrotransposons, belonging to the gypsy and pao superfamilies. By exploring the potential role of transposable element activity in acrylamide-mediated toxicity, this study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying its effects. Collectively, these findings offer a more comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms and pathways associated with the toxic action and detoxification of acrylamide in D. melanogaster.

Animals↗