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PubMed2026

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

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

Endogenous Retroviruses↗

PubMed2026

Genomic epidemiology of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli across humans, poultry and wastewater sectors in Douala, Cameroon.

BACKGROUND: The global health threat of antimicrobial resistance involves the human, animal and environmental sectors. Data from Cameroon are scarce. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to define extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) rates and associated risk factors across the three sectors in Douala, Cameroon, and to define molecular characteristics of isolates. METHODS: From June 2022 to May 2023, we collected blood cultures from hospitalized patients, rectal swabs from healthy pregnant women, caeca from broiler chickens and environmental wastewater. Samples were screened for ESBL-Ec using CHROMAgar™ ESBL and cefotaxime-supplemented Tryptone Bile X-glucuronide agar. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by disk diffusion following EUCAST guidelines. Whole-genome sequencing was carried out using Illumina technology. RESULTS: Of 628 samples, 374 yielded ESBL-Ec. Prevalence was 54.6% (131/240) in pregnant women, 70.4% (169/240) in chickens and 93.1% (67/72) in wastewater. The proportion of ESBL-Ec among E. coli-positive-blood cultures was 9.2% (7/76). Multi-family household living was independently associated with ESBL-Ec carriage among pregnant women (adjusted odds ratio = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-3.1, P = 0.03). High co-resistance (>70%) was observed for tetracycline, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Sequencing of 32 isolates revealed 45 distinct resistance genes, including blaCTX-M-15 (n = 13, 40.6%), blaCTX-M-55 (n = 11, 34.4%) and last-resort antibiotic resistance genes mcr-1 and bla OXA-181. High-risk sequence types included ST131 (pregnant women) and ST10 (chickens). Notably, ST48 was shared between pregnant women and chickens, and ST155 between pregnant women and wastewater. CONCLUSION: Cross-sectoral ESBL-Ec in Douala exhibits high genomic diversity and alarming resistance. The occurrence of last-resort genes requires immediate One Health surveillance and coordinated interventions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

Effects of adjunctive bifrontal tDCS on depressive symptoms and cognitive performance in major depressive disorder: A randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence for antidepressant effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in major depressive disorder (MDD) is heterogeneous, and cognitive effects remain uncertain. We compared depressive symptoms and DSST performance during active and sham bifrontal tDCS in medicated outpatients with MDD and baseline HAMD-17 ≥ 15. METHODS: In this randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled crossover pilot trial, adults with MDD and inadequate response to an adequate antidepressant trial were assigned to active→sham or sham→active tDCS sequences while continuing antidepressants. Each period comprised 10 sessions over 2 weeks. Active stimulation was delivered at 2 mA for 20 min (anode F3, cathode F4); sham used the same montage with brief ramping only. No washout interval was used. No washout interval was used. The primary outcome was HAMD-17; secondary outcomes were DSST and CGI ratings. RESULTS: Of 38 randomized participants, 32 completed both periods and were analyzed per protocol. HAMD-17 scores were lower during active than sham stimulation (mean difference -3.63, 95% CI -5.86 to -1.40; p = 0.002), but the condition-by-sequence interaction was significant (p = 0.026). No condition effect was observed for DSST (p = 0.261) or CGI-Severity (p = 1.000); CGI-Improvement was strongly sequence-dependent (p < 0.001). In an exploratory first-period analysis, adjusted T1 HAMD-17 scores were lower in the active-first group (adjusted difference -4.90, 95% CI -7.92 to -1.87; p = 0.003). Adverse effects were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Active tDCS was associated with lower HAMD-17 scores, but the pooled contrast was order-dependent and cannot be interpreted as a definitive treatment effect. No DSST benefit was observed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

A prospective crossover study comparing ICCS-recommended and Palmer-adjusted filling rates in children with spina bifida.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate whether the maximal cystometric capacity (MCC) in children with spina bifida (SB) is indeed lower, as predicted by the Palmer formula, and to evaluate the impact of different bladder filling rates on urodynamic parameters. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective, randomized, two-sequence crossover-controlled study included 70 children aged 3-18 years with spina bifida under regular follow-up. In Group 1, the first two bladder fillings were performed at the ICCS-recommended rate, and the third at 75% of that rate (Palmer formula). In Group 2, the sequence was reversed. Urodynamic parameters, including maximal cystometric capacity (MCC), bladder compliance, detrusor activity, filling pressures, and detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP), were analyzed across fillings. RESULTS: Cystometric bladder capacity was lower during fillings performed at the Palmer-adjusted rate compared with those at the ICCS-recommended rate. The proportion of reduced compliance significantly decreased in Group 1 (p = 0.046) but remained unchanged in Group 2. A significant positive correlation was observed between expected bladder capacity (EBC) and measured MCC in both groups (ρ ≈ 0.5-0.6). The highest correlation and agreement were found in Group 1 during the third filling at the Palmer rate (ICC = 0.606). No significant intra- or intergroup differences were observed in detrusor pressure, end-filling pressure, DLPP, or overactive bladder prevalence. CONCLUSION: Bladder filling rate was associated with differences in both cystometric capacity and bladder compliance in children with spina bifida. Fillings performed according to the Palmer formula (approximately 75% of the ICCS-recommended rate) were associated with capacities that more closely approximated age-expected values and with modest differences in bladder compliance. Conversely, faster filling rates did not produce similar benefits. These findings suggest that slower filling strategies may improve measurement consistency and agreement with expected bladder capacity estimates. However, the magnitude and direct clinical impact of these differences should be interpreted cautiously, particularly in light of the potential influence of sequence-related effects.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Ancient DNA and Human Physiology.

Ancient DNA (aDNA) enables the reconstruction of chronologically sampled genomes from ancient humans, animals, plants, pathogens, and microorganisms, as well as environmental DNA, providing a record of biological changes through time. Improvements in short and degraded DNA extraction methods and low-cost sequencing now enable the generation of broad, cross-regional datasets that expand evolutionary analyses from past population demography to biological mechanisms. By tracking temporal shifts of allele frequencies, integrating functional genomics resources (e.g., gene expression, chromatin structure variation), modeling population demography to separate selection from genetic drift, and aligning genetic changes with archaeological, cultural, and climatic data, aDNA has the potential to link sequence variation to physiological function within their temporal and environmental contexts. In this review, we summarize illustrative case studies from aDNA research spanning complex traits, dietary adaptations, and responses to pathogens and other environmental changes, showing how human biology has evolved under multiple selective pressures through time. These dated signals help triage experimental work and expose mechanisms that are rare or absent in living cohorts. Although some challenges remain, such as geographic and temporal sampling disparities, limitations in data resolution and variant detection, and genotype-phenotype uncertainties, rapid methodological progress and stronger ethical frameworks are expanding what can be inferred, making aDNA a promising tool for refining physiological pathways, their timing, and their drivers.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Base editing reversal of radiation sensitivity in NHEJ1 immunodeficiency.

Inherited defects of DNA double-stranded break (DSB) repair can result in radiosensitive/radiation-sensitive (RS) SCID (RS-SCID). We applied base editing to reverse NHEJ1 mutations in patient fibroblasts, exemplifying how this technology can help interrogate RS sequence variants.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2026

[Study of a patient with azoospermia due to variant of MOV10L1 gene].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical and genotypic characteristics of a patient with Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) due to variants of MOV10L1 gene. METHODS: A 27-year-old patient with Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) underwent routine semen analysis. Serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone (P), estradiol (E2), prolactin (PRL), and testosterone (T) were determined by chemiluminescence assays. Peripheral blood samples were collected for G-banded karyotyping analysis. Multiplex PCR fluorescence detection was used to screen for AZF gene microdeletions. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing were performed simultaneously. Testicular biopsy tissues were subjected to Hematoxylin-Eosin (HE) staining to assess seminiferous tubule cell composition, and MOV10L1 protein expression was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Bioinformatics tools were employed to predict the pathogenicity of variants and their impact on protein structure and function. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Guangdong Institute of Reproductive Sciences [Ethics No.: 2023(01)]. RESULTS: The patient's two semen analyses had failed to detect any sperm. Hormone tests indicated elevated FSH (22.32 mIU/mL) and PRL (397.6 mIU/mL), while T (3.68 nmol/L) and E2 (38.32 pmol/L) were reduced. Chromosomal karyotyping revealed 46,XY, and no AZF gene deletion was detected. WES and Sanger sequencing detected compound heterozygous variants of the MOV10L1 gene, including a c.345C>A (p.C115X) nonsense variant and a c.3323C>T (p.T1108I) missense variant, with the former being unreported previously. HE staining showed only Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules, confirming the diagnosis of SCOS. Immunohistochemical staining revealed absent MOV10L1 protein expression in the testicular tissue. Based on the guidelines from American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG), the c.345C>A (p.C115X) was classified as a pathogenic variant (PVS1+PM2_Supporting+PP4), while the c.3323C>T (p.T1108I) was deemed variant of uncertain significance (PM2_Supporting+PP3_Supporting+PP4). Bioinformatics analysis demonstrated that c.345C>A (p.C115X) may cause premature termination of protein translation, while c.3323C>T (p.T1108I) may disrupt the hydrophobicity of the RNA helicase domain, reducing the active pocket volume and decreasing its affinity for MILI protein. CONCLUSION: This study has diagnosed a case of SCOS due to compound heterozygous variants of the MOV10L1 gene, which also enriched its mutational spectrum.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Viral community in Aspergillus spp. isolated from commercially available fermented dried bonito.

Katsuobushi is a traditional processed seafood product used in Japanese-style cooking, and when it is produced through fermentation by fungi, it is called karebushi. The fungi involved in katsuobushi fermentation are collectively referred to as katsuobushi molds. We previously discovered seven novel viruses from katsuobushi molds and determined their genome sequences. However, our previous explorations used only nine fungal strains available from culture collections, leaving the diversity of viruses infecting fungi involved in katsuobushi fermentation unclear. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to isolate fungi from commercially available karebushi and clarify the prevalence of viruses in the isolates. Karebushi produced by three manufacturers was obtained, and 30 fungal strains (including Aspergillus spp.) were isolated from each. Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) fractions were prepared from the mycelia of the isolated strains. Electrophoresis suggested that a relatively high proportion of the isolates harbored dsRNA elements consistent with RNA virus infection (30-70% per manufacturer; 59% overall). Furthermore, dsRNA sequencing identified four novel viruses in isolates of Aspergillus chevalieri and Aspergillus montevidensis: a beny-like virus, a gammapartitivirus, a narnavirus, and a victorivirus, in addition to two previously reported viruses. Notably, this represents the first report of a beny-like virus in Aspergillus spp. This study provides insights into the diversity of viruses infecting fungi involved in katsuobushi fermentation.

Aspergillus↗

PubMed2026

Dealcoholized muscadine wine improved skin elasticity and oxidative stress biomarkers without affecting gut microbiome in women over 40 in a randomized controlled trial.

Muscadine wine has a unique polyphenol profile distinct from that of common wine, and limited research exists on its health benefits. This study aimed to investigate the effects of intake of dealcoholized muscadine wine (DMW) on skin health, oxidative stress, inflammatory biomarkers, and the gut microbiome. Seventeen healthy women were randomly assigned to consume 300 mL of DMW or a placebo daily for 6 weeks, separated by a 3-week washout period, in a randomized, single-blinded, crossover design. Skin health parameters were measured on the face and forearm. Oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers were assessed in plasma. Fecal bacterial DNA was sequenced using shotgun sequencing. DMW did not affect UVB-induced erythema compared to placebo. However, it significantly decreased transepidermal water loss and increased facial gross elasticity. Skin elasticity significantly improved on the forearm, whereas other skin parameters were not affected. DMW significantly decreased plasma levels of matrix metalloproteinase-9 and advanced glycation end products compared with placebo. However, the abundance, diversity, and functions of the gut microbiome were not affected. Polyphenol-rich DMW administered for six weeks improved certain skin health parameters and reduced oxidative and inflammatory stress, without affecting the gut microbiome in healthy women.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Integrative analysis of transcriptome and DNA methylome dynamics during caudal fin regeneration in silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus).

Caudal fin regeneration in teleost fish is a complex, multi-stage process involving coordinated molecular and cellular changes. While the role of epigenetic regulation particularly DNA methylation has been studied in model freshwater species such as zebrafish, its contribution to regeneration in marine teleosts remains largely unexplored. In this study, we integrated transcriptomic and DNA methylomic data to characterize the temporal dynamics of gene expression and methylation during caudal fin regeneration in the silver pomfret (Pampus argenteus). Using RNA-sequencing and reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS) at three biologically critical time points 1, 3, and 7 days post-amputation (dpa), we characterized the spatiotemporal molecular landscape of caudal fin regeneration. These time points capture the key transitional phases of wound healing and inflammation (1 dpa), blastema formation and progenitor proliferation (3 dpa), and regenerative outgrowth with tissue remodeling (7 dpa), enabling robust detection of the major molecular programs underlying epimorphic regeneration. Concurrently, CG-methylome analysis identified thousands of dynamically changing differentially methylated regions (DMRs). A strong global inverse correlation was observed between promoter methylation and gene expression. Integrative analysis pinpointed key regeneration genes (fgf20a, msxb, sox9b) whose expression was associated with dynamic methylation changes in their promoters or gene bodies. We conclude that DNA methylation is a dynamic and key regulatory layer that acts in concert with transcriptional reprogramming to coordinate tissue regeneration, providing new insights into the epigenetic mechanisms underlying complex regenerative processes in teleosts.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

An Update on Inborn Errors of V(D)J Recombination.

V(D)J recombination is the fundamental process by which developing T and B lymphocytes generate diverse antigen receptors, enabling adaptive immunity. This tightly regulated program operates exclusively in lymphoid precursors during G1 phase and depends on the lymphocyte-specific RAG1-RAG2 recombinase to introduce programmed DNA double-strand breaks at recombination signal sequences, followed by repair through the classical nonhomologous end joining (c-NHEJ) pathway. Disruption of any step in this molecular choreography compromises antigen receptor diversity and underlies a spectrum of inborn errors of immunity (IEIs), ranging from severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) to immune dysregulation with autoimmunity and granulomatous disease. In this review, we place disorders of V(D)J recombination within the broader framework of T-cell development, detailing the temporal waves of recombinase activity, chromatin accessibility, and DNA damage responses that guide thymocyte differentiation. We discuss pathogenic variants affecting the cleavage phase [RAG1, RAG2, and the recently identified RAG cochaperone NudC domain-containing 3 (NUDCD3)], end processing (ARTEMIS), ligation and repair (LIG4, XLF, XRCC4, PRKDC), and genome surveillance pathways (ATM, MRN complex, RNF168), highlighting genotype-phenotype correlations and mechanisms driving immune deficiency and dysregulation. We briefly review recent diagnostic advances, including newborn screening using T-cell receptor excision circles, repertoire sequencing, and functional assays, alongside current therapeutic strategies. Finally, we outline key unanswered questions and argue that continued integration of clinical observation with molecular discovery is essential to improve outcomes and deepen understanding of adaptive immune development.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Bioactive peptides for meat quality and preservation: Integrating peptidomics and computational screening.

Bioactive peptides generated from meat proteins, fermented meat products, and slaughter by-products have attracted increasing attention as functional molecules for improving meat quality and preservation. In meat systems, peptides can be produced through endogenous postmortem proteolysis, microbial fermentation, gastrointestinal digestion, or controlled enzymatic hydrolysis of underutilized animal by-products. These peptides are closely associated with key meat science endpoints, including postmortem tenderization, oxidative stability, color retention, flavor development, microbial inhibition, and the valorization of processing by-products. However, although high-resolution peptidomics has greatly expanded the identification of meat-derived peptide sequences, their translation into practical meat applications remains limited by matrix interactions, processing stability, sensory constraints, safety concerns, and insufficient validation in real meat systems. This review synthesizes recent advances in meat-related peptidomics and computational screening, including sequence-based prediction, machine learning, molecular docking, molecular dynamics, stability assessment, and safety-oriented filtering. Particular attention is given to how these approaches can prioritize peptides with antioxidant, antimicrobial, flavor-modulating, and preservation-related functions under meat-specific technological constraints. By integrating peptide generation pathways, mass spectrometry-based identification, in silico prioritization, and meat quality endpoints, this review proposes a stage-gated framework for translating meat-derived bioactive peptides from discovery to application. Future research should strengthen matrix-specific validation, standardized peptidomic reporting, and safety assessment to support the use of bioactive peptides in meat quality improvement, clean-label preservation, and circular utilization of meat industry by-products.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Construction of circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory networks in the intestine of turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) following Vibrio anguillarum infection.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play pivotal roles in post-transcriptional regulation by acting as molecular sponges for microRNAs (miRNAs) within the competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. However, the regulatory mechanisms in teleost immune responses remain poorly understood. In this study, circRNA-miRNA-mRNA networks were investigated in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus) following Vibrio anguillarum infection to elucidate host-pathogen interactions. Through high-throughput sequencing of intestinal tissues, a total of 50 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE-circRNAs) (18 at 2 hpi, 16 at 12 hpi, 16 at 48 hpi), 212 DE-miRNAs (11 at 2 hpi, 70 at 12 hpi, 15 at 48 hpi), and 1774 DE-mRNAs were identified. Functional enrichment analyses (GO/KEGG) revealed significant associations with immune pathways, including the MAPK signaling pathway and gap junction. An integrated circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network was constructed, highlighting key interactions including novel_circ_0002573/DE-miR-27a-3p/FGB and novel_circ_0002423/novel_347/GNE, which may regulate inflammatory and antibacterial responses. The expression patterns of selected circRNAs, miRNAs and mRNAs were validated using qRT-PCR, confirming the reliability of the sequencing results. Importantly, fibrinogen beta chain (FGB) and CXCR4/CXCL12 signaling were identified as critical immune modulators. These findings provide insights of the ceRNA regulatory networks involved in teleost intestinal immunity and provide potential molecular targets for selective breeding of disease resistance in this species.

Animals↗

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

Genome-wide characterization of heat shock protein genes reveals thermal stress-responsive candidates in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are conserved molecular chaperones involved in protein folding, refolding, aggregation prevention, and degradation of damaged proteins. However, the genomic organization and thermal responsiveness of HSP genes in the Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) remain incompletely understood. Here, we performed a genome-wide analysis of the HSP gene family and examined its phylogenetic relationships, structural features, duplication patterns, sequence variation, interaction networks, and transcriptional responses to acute heat stress. A total of 34 HSP genes were identified and classified into the HSP90, HSP70, HSP40/DNAJ, HSP60, and small HSP families. Phylogenetic, motif, gene structure, synteny, and subcellular localization analyses revealed evolutionary conservation and structural diversification among family members. Three duplicated gene pairs were identified, comprising two segmental duplications and one tandem duplication. All pairs exhibited Ka/Ks ratios below 1, consistent with purifying selection of varying strength. Sequence analysis identified 295 nonsynonymous single-nucleotide polymorphisms, of which 12 were consistently predicted to be deleterious by multiple algorithms. Protein-protein interaction analysis indicated enrichment of protein-folding and cellular stress-response functions. RT-qPCR analysis showed significant induction of HSPA4, HSP90AA1, TRAP1, BiP, and DNAJA1 after 6, 12, and 24 h of exposure to 34 °C, whereas DNAJC3 was significantly induced only at 12 h. All six genes reached their highest transcript abundance at 12 h. These findings may provide a genomic framework for HSP genes in L. vannamei and identify candidate genes and variants associated with thermal stress responses.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

Bioprospecting microbial genomes to expand the biocatalytic toolbox of rubber oxygenases.

A set of rubber oxygenases was discovered through phylogenetic analysis and AI-based structural modeling of complexes of the putative enzymes with a substrate mimicking cis-1,4-polyisoprene. Sixteen candidate proteins were selected from thermophilic microorganisms, all sequence-related to the Latex clearing protein from Streptomyces sp. K30 (LcpK30). Sequence truncation and solubility tags were then evaluated to enhance protein expression, with the SUMO tag proving to be the most effective. Including LcpK30, nine heme-containing oxygenases were successfully expressed in E. coli NEB 10-beta cells, purified (35-157 mg L-1 yield) and characterized. Steady-state kinetics revealed significant rubber latex-degrading properties for six of them, with the truncated SUMO-fused LcpK30 (SUMO-LcpK30T) showing activity in agreement with literature. Notably, the catalytic efficiencies of all the expressed homologs lay within one order of magnitude and the oxygenase from Thermomonospora echinospora was found to be particularly promising in terms of activity, especially at high latex concentrations (more than 1% w/v). The analysis of reaction mixtures by both HPLC and HPLC-MS confirmed the oxidation of cis-1,4-polyisoprene to form the expected isoprenoid oligomers (n = 2-12), whose distribution was consistent with the usual endo-type cleavage pattern in all but one case. This bioprospecting effort afforded a platform of new rubber-degrading enzymes with diverse efficiencies and product profiles, capable of adapting to targeted applications.

Oxygenases↗

PubMed2026

Boosting domestic wastewater treatment with quorum signal-augmented heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification bacterial-algal aerobic granular sludge.

The aerobic bacterial-algal granular sludge (ABGS) enhanced with heterotrophic nitrification-aerobic denitrification (HN-AD) bacteria, as a novel symbiotic technology, exhibits fluctuating treatment efficiency and unstable performance primarily due to the unstable symbiotic relationship. This study proposes an innovative approach to strengthening the bacteria-algae symbiosis by introducing exogenous signaling molecules. Concurrently, high-throughput, correlation analysis of environmental factors and metagenomic sequencing techniques are employed to elucidate the enhancement mechanisms of the signaling molecules. The results demonstrate that signaling molecule enhancement boosted total nitrogen (TN) removal efficiency by 24.51 % in the bacteria-algae symbiotic system (X1). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterization revealed that the addition of signaling molecules resulted in more compact aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and markedly improved stability. High-throughput sequencing showed signaling molecules enriched denitrifying bacteria (Hydrogenophaga, Pseudoxanthomonas, Thauera, Zoogloea) and organic-degrading Desulfomicrobium, optimizing microbial diversity and enhancing nitrogen/organic removal. Correlation analysis of environmental factors indicate that the addition of C8-HSL facilitates the enrichment and functional activation of specific genera. Metagenomic analysis revealed that signaling molecules enhanced the system's denitrification performance by modulating gene expression and associated metabolic pathways. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) analysis further confirmed that the signaling molecules upregulated the expression of the napA, nirK, and nirS genes. An increased abundance of the napA gene facilitated aerobic denitrification (NO₃⁻-N→NO₂⁻-N), while upregulated abundance of the nirK and nirS genes accelerated nitrite reduction (NO₂⁻-N→N₂). This study aims to provide theoretical and practical foundations for implementing advanced bacteria-algae symbiotic technologies.

Denitrification↗

PubMed2026

Effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes on periodontal ligament stem cells: An exploratory study.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether exosomes derived from human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) at two osteogenic induction stages (undifferentiated and late-stage) differentially affect periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs), and to explore the potential molecular basis. DESIGN: UCMSCs and PDLSCs were isolated and cultured. Exosomes were harvested from undifferentiated UCMSCs (Exo-D0) and UCMSCs after 14 days of osteogenic induction (Exo-D14). PDLSCs were treated with both exosome types. Proliferation and migration were analyzed using EdU and scratch assays, the latter under serum-free conditions. Early osteogenic differentiation was assessed by alkaline phosphatase staining and quantitative reverse transcription PCR (qRT-PCR). Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified by high-throughput sequencing and further analyzed through Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. RESULTS: Both exosome types promoted PDLSC migration. Exo-D0 enhanced early osteogenic differentiation, whereas Exo-D14 enhanced proliferation but reduced early osteogenic marker expression. Sequencing identified 21 differentially expressed miRNAs (13 upregulated, 8 downregulated). Bioinformatic prediction suggested that the putative target genes were enriched in Ras signal transduction, regulation of kinase activity, and focal adhesion, and further predicted significant enrichment in the MAPK, Ras, and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways, which are central to cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation. CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes from undifferentiated and osteogenically induced UCMSCs exerted distinct effects on PDLSCs, potentially associated with differentially packaged miRNAs. These findings offer a basis for hypotheses about exosome-mediated mechanisms and support matching exosome sources to the intended therapeutic outcome as potential cell-free strategies for periodontal tissue regeneration and alveolar bone repair.

Humans↗