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PubMed2026

Surface shaving proteomics reveals a parasite-encoded protein embedded in the spore filaments of Ameson portunus.

The surfaces of microsporidian spores are frequently adorned with filamentous appendages of unknown origin and function. Although some studies suggest that these structures may be host-acquired, the absence of identified parasite-encoded components has hindered our understanding of their biogenesis and role in infection. Here, we applied surface shaving proteomics to profile the surface-exposed proteins of Ameson portunus -a microsporidian pathogen causing severe myopathy in portunid crabs. Our analysis identified 120 candidate surface proteins. Nineteen of these were highly enriched by both direct shaving and SDS-assisted methods, representing a high-confidence surfome. Among these, a previously uncharacterized protein, designated 8-2.11, was confirmed via immunofluorescence assay and immunoelectron microscopy. It was expressed early in development stage and specifically localized to the spore wall and hair-like projections (HLPs) of microsporidia. Notably, polyclonal antibodies against recombinant 8-2.11 recognized a native protein in spores, specifically labeled the HLP structures, and showed no cross-reactivity with host cells. Our results provide the first evidence of a parasite-encoded protein that is integral to HLP formation, challenging the prevailing hypothesis that these surface filaments are solely host-derived. This study establishes surface shaving as a powerful tool for microsporidian research and highlights 8-2.11 as a promising candidate for future functional studies on spore surface biology and host-parasite interactions.

Animals↗

PubMed2026

A STORM-based protocol for nanoscale imaging and quantitative analysis of protein-associated and phospholipid-associated structures in natural rubber.

Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM) enables nanoscale mapping of molecular components beyond the diffraction limit; however, its reproducible implementation in hydrophobic polymer matrices remains challenging because fluorescence-labeling specificity, fluorophore photoswitching, three-dimensional localization, chromatic registration, and quantitative image analysis must be carefully controlled. This protocol presents a standardized experimental workflow for dual-color labeling, astigmatism-based three-dimensional STORM acquisition, and quantitative analysis of protein-associated and phospholipid-associated structures in natural rubber (NR). The workflow covers sample pretreatment, Cy5 NHS ester labeling of protein-associated primary amines, DiI labeling of phospholipid-rich domains, STORM imaging-buffer preparation, three-dimensional single-molecule localization, dual-channel registration, generation of standardized xy projections, aggregate-size analysis, and projected lateral spatial correlation assessment. Reproducibility is supported by defined acquisition and localization criteria, three independent sample preparations with at least five fields of view analyzed per condition, and unlabeled, single-color, dye-only matrix, and processing-associated Cy5 controls. Mean lateral localization precisions of 11.8 ± 2.3 nm for Cy5 and 13.5 ± 2.9 nm for DiI were obtained, while two-dimensional Fourier ring correlation analysis of the xy projections yielded effective lateral image resolutions of approximately 25 and 28 nm, respectively. Image-based particle segmentation and localization-coordinate-based density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) were applied to standardized xy projections as complementary quantitative approaches. Application of the protocol to untreated, centrifuged, and protease-treated NR samples demonstrated treatment-associated changes in the detected abundance and projected size distributions of protein- and phospholipid-associated aggregates, together with a non-monotonic change in their projected lateral spatial correlation. These observations describe alterations in nanoscale organization but do not, by themselves, establish stable protein-phospholipid complex formation. Unlike previous studies that primarily demonstrated the feasibility of STORM imaging in rubber materials, the principal contribution of this work is an end-to-end, step-by-step protocol incorporating defined controls, three-dimensional localization, image-quality metrics, chromatic-registration procedures, and complementary quantitative-analysis pipelines for non-expert users. The workflow may be adaptable to other hydrophobic polymers and soft-material systems after appropriate optimization and validation.

Rubber↗

PubMed2026

Efficacy of current approaches to non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and the potential impact of artificial intelligence: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide, particularly within Caucasian populations. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantitatively review the current literature on non-invasive diagnosis of skin cancer and evaluate the current evidence to support the use of tools in addition to, or in replacement of clinician face-to-face assessment. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for publications in PubMed, Medline and Embase databases. Articles describing accuracy, sensitivity, specificity and outcomes of their mode of assessment were included. A total of 208 articles met the inclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: This systematic review and meta-analysis showed that the diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence (AI) in the interpretation of dermatoscopic images was high for melanoma diagnosis, basal cell carcinoma or malignancy, in comparison to dermatoscopic assessment alone by clinicians and experts. Although AI interpretation of images demonstrated higher sensitivity for melanoma diagnosis in comparison to clinical assessment combined with dermatoscopic assessment, it is unclear if this is also the case for basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis. Reflectance confocal microscopy, a non-invasive high resolution imaging technique, is known to have a high sensitivity for diagnosing cutaneous malignancy, and this may have applications within secondary care. Therefore, AI could help reduce resource burden and aid in clinical assessment, particularly within primary care settings.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

Transforming Curcuma longa leaf waste into cellulose scaffolds.

The constant dearth of transplantable tissues and organs in India required the development of substitute biomaterials for tissue engineering. Plant-based decellularized scaffolds have become attractive options because of their abundance, ethical acceptability, architectural diversity, and lower risks of zoonotic transmission. Curcuma longa leaves were investigated in this study as a possible source of cellulose-based scaffolding for use in biomedical applications. After cuticle removal, an immersion decellularization technique utilizing sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) and triton-X-100 was developed to successfully remove cellular and nuclear material while maintaining leaf parenchyma architecture. Histology, DAPI staining, scanning electron microscopy, and a notable decrease in leftover DNA content all demonstrated efficient decellularization. When contrasted with native leaves, the resultant decellularized C. longa leaf scaffolds showed significant increase in porosity, water vapor transmission rate and swelling percent, and significantly lower contact angle with an optimum surface roughness promoting cell adhesion. Mechanical test manifest higher tensile strength with decreased stiffness. Fourier transform infrared spectra of leaf scaffold reveals persistence of different components except cuticle but the intensity of different peaks was decreased. The leaf scaffolds showed superior hemocompatibility and excellent compatibility with Madin-Darby canine kidney cells (MDCK) which is demonstrated by cell attachment and proliferation. MTT assay of seeded scaffold showed significantly higher metabolically active cell. In vivo subcutaneous implantation of decellularized scaffolds showed host tissue incorporation, accumulation of collagen, and neovascularization. C. longa leaf scaffolds can be utilized as cost effective and sustainable biomaterials for soft tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

Curcuma↗

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

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

Addressing lignin composition and content via Arabidopsis arogenate dehydratase knockout and over-expression genotypes.

Following the down-selection of 14 Arabidopsis thaliana arogenate dehydratase (ADT) knockout and over-expression (OE) genotypes, the most highly contrasting quadruple knockout adt3/4/5/6 and ADT OE genotypes were subjected to proteomics, metabolomics, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses as needed, with results compared to Columbia wild-type (WT). The basal adt3/4/5/6 stem cross-sections, ∼70% lignin content reduced, exhibited buckled vessel cell walls and partially detached xylary fibers, in contrast to WT and ADT4m/5 m OE genotypes that did not. Anatomical defects primarily resulted from guaiacyl lignin level reductions in vessels with concomitant increased stem syringyl:guaiacyl (S/G) ratios. Phenylpropanoid and various upstream shikimate-chorismate pathway enzyme abundances, as well as specific monolignol oxidases (laccases/peroxidases), generally increased in adt3/4/5/6 at different stem and rosette leaf growth/development stages, relative to WT. Opposite effects were largely observed with the ADT5m OE genotype. By contrast, flavonoid and glucosinolate pathway enzyme amounts varied. Such enzyme abundance increases were overall unproductive as adt3/4/5/6 was unable to restore WT, ADT4 OE, ADT5 OE, ADT5m OE, and ADT4m/5 m OE secondary metabolite (lignin, phenylpropanoid, lignan, flavonoid, phenolic acid, and glucosinolate) levels. Conversely, ADT OE genotypes did not significantly increase programmed lignin levels or alter S/G compositions. In sum, proteomics analyses of adt3/4/5/6 and adt5 'perceived' that lignin and low molecular weight secondary metabolite amounts were not at 'programmed' levels as for WT and ADT OE genotypes but observed increases in relevant pathway protein abundances were futile. Notably though, proteomics analyses did not lead to predicting that lignin and associated biochemical pathways would have reduced metabolite levels, relative to WT and ADT OE genotypes. Genotype adt3/4/5/6, possibly the highest lignin level reduced genotype reported, did not utilize other phenolics to compensate. By contrast, the differential temporal and spatial deposition of cell wall oxidases again indicate the exquisite control over lignin deposition, and our lack of knowledge of precise lignin structure and assembly in subcellular regions of the lignified cell walls.

Lignin↗

PubMed2026

A review into the recent advances in the world of amoebiasis.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Amoebiasis is a parasitic infection caused by Entamoeba histolytica , affecting 10% of the global population. It is a well recognized cause of morbidity and mortality in low-middle-income countries where it is endemic. However, with increased migration and global travel, amoebiasis is now more common in high-income countries, although diagnosis is often delayed or even missed due to lack of awareness of the latest epidemiology and optimal diagnostic testing. This review discusses the evolving prevalence, and the current international guidelines for the investigation and treatment of amoebiasis, focusing on recent advances. RECENT FINDINGS: The recent literature shows that the primary investigations for amoebiasis remain the same, though newer modalities such as artificial intelligence-powered microscopy and metagenomics have been developed recently, which aids the accuracy and speed of diagnosis. Treatment remains the same, though current research has found potential new drugs and drug targets which show promise. SUMMARY: This review reinforces the importance of early clinical suspicion, diagnosis and treatment for amoebiasis. What was once a disease only seen in endemic countries or travel-associated imported cases is now more common and must not be missed.

Humans↗

PubMed2026

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

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

Animals↗

PubMed2026

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

Marine air promotes structural compaction and coating growth of soot aerosols after long-range transport from East Asia.

Soot aerosol, a key global warming contributor, undergoes morphological and chemical transformations during atmospheric transport, particularly in humidified marine environments. This study investigates morphology, mixing state, and aging mechanisms of soot particles collected in the Bohai Sea and Yellow Sea. Transmission electron microscopy analyses reveal that coated soot particles dominate the marine atmosphere, accounting for over 98 % of soot-containing particles, with a mean mixing state index (χ) of 0.83. The fractal dimension (Df) of soot particles is 1.84 ± 0.05 in the Northern Yellow Sea, 1.90 ± 0.08 in the Bohai Sea, and 1.96 ± 0.07 in the Southern Yellow Sea, indicating structural compaction during long-range transport. Correspondingly, the average Dp/Dcore ratios (particle to core size ratio) are 5.3 in the Bohai Sea, 4.2 in the Northern Yellow Sea, and 3.9 in the Southern Yellow Sea. Notably, those ratios are higher in marine environments compared to those observed during continental regional transport from northern to southern China (3.54), suggesting enhanced coating growth in humid marine air. The results highlight the important role of marine atmospheres in accelerating soot aging, which in turn leads to significantly stronger light absorption compared to soot in continental air. Our results highlight the necessity of incorporating compact morphologies, uniform mixing states, and thick coatings into optical models for accurate radiative forcing simulations.

Aerosols↗

PubMed2026

The composition of the periostracum in the razor clam Sinonovacula constricta and the mantle's response to sulfide.

The razor clam Sinonovacula constricta inhabits sulfide-rich intertidal sediments and exhibits remarkable tolerance to this toxicant, yet the role of its periostracum in sulfide adaptation remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the composition and structure of the periostracum proteins, and the response of the mantle to sulfide stress. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the periostracum is approximately 10 μm thick and contains 1.43 wt% sulfur, and proteomic analysis further confirmed the presence of organic sulfur (Cys/Met-rich proteins), suggesting its involvement in sulfur deposition. Using LC-MS/MS, we identified 77 high-confidence proteins from the periostracum, which were classified into six functional categories: enzymes, framework proteins, immune-related proteins, calcium ion-related proteins, other proteins, and proteins with unknown functions. Phylogenetic analyses of representative proteins revealed bivalve-specific evolutionary patterns, with several proteins exclusively present in Bivalvia, such as Unknown protein 2 and 7, which possess signal peptides and low-complexity domains. For the sulfide exposure experiment, razor clams were subjected to three Na2S concentrations (0, 10, and 100 μM). qPCR analysis showed that, compared with the control group, Chitin-binding protein 3 and Tyrosinase were significantly upregulated in the mantle, peaking in the 100 μM group at 48 h (5677.84-fold and 157.20-fold, respectively), whereas Collagen and Cadherin 3 were generally suppressed. This study represents one of the most comprehensive proteomic profiles of the razor clam periostracum and highlights the mantle's potential role in sulfide tolerance, offering insights for sulfur-tolerant aquaculture breeding and bioremediation applications.

Animals↗

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

Interface-dependent V. parahaemolyticus biofilm under varying temperatures, media, and oxygen conditions: implications for seafood safety.

Vibrio parahaemolyticus biofilms play a critical role in pathogen persistence in marine and seafood-processing environments, where oxygen availability, temperature, and surface interfaces vary widely. This study investigated biofilm development by three strains on partially submerged stainless-steel coupons under gas-liquid-wall (GLW) and fully submerged (SM) interfaces. Viable cell counts (log₁₀CFU/cm2) along with normalized protein concentration per viable cell (nProt) and normalized polysaccharide concentration per viable cell (nPol) were measured, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions across a temperature range of 15-30 °C, using tryptic soy broth with 3% NaCl (TSB) and seawater-based medium (SW). GLW biofilms consistently exhibited higher cell counts (6.4-7.3 log₁₀CFU/cm2) compared to SM biofilms (5.9-6.3 log₁₀CFU/cm2), suggesting that enhanced oxygen diffusion promotes bacterial proliferation. Conversely, SM biofilms exhibited significantly higher nProt and nPol levels (p < 0.001), indicating increased production of the extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) matrix under low-oxygen, high-nutrient conditions. Microscopy and three-dimensional surface plot analyses revealed relatively uniform biofilm layers at the GLW interface, whereas SM biofilms formed heterogeneous, tower-like structures. EPS production was further influenced by medium composition, oxygen, and temperature. SM biofilms grown in SW exhibited significantly higher nProt and nPol than those in TSB under aerobic conditions (p < 0.001), indicating enhanced matrix stabilization. Under anaerobic conditions at 15 °C, nProt and nPol were higher, whereas under aerobic conditions, peak nProt and nPol occurred at elevated temperatures. These findings highlight a trade-off between bacterial growth and matrix production and provide insight into biofilm adaptation and persistence in seafood-processing environments. These insights may help develop improved biofilm control and seafood safety management.

Biofilms↗

PubMed2026

Norgestrel drives mitochondrial collapse and plasma membrane impairment in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) sperm by triggering premature acrosome reaction.

The toxic mechanisms of norgestrel (NGT), an emerging marine pollutant, on the sperm from externally fertilized invertebrates remain elusive. This study employed an integrated physiological and multi-omics framework to elucidate how NGT (10 and 1000 ng/L) disrupts acrosome reaction (AR) signaling machinery, thereby impairing the functional integrity of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas, also known as Magallana gigas) sperm. Exposure to NGT triggered a significant, dose-dependent premature AR, characterized by elevated acrosin activity and a loss of acrosomal integrity. Multi-omics integration supports a model in which this premature exocytosis is linked to signaling disturbances, including disruption of calcium signaling and reduced transcript abundance of calmodulin (CaM) and the primary recognition protein zonadhesin (Zan). This signaling interference induced an premature AR, subsequently driving a cascade of bioenergetic and structural failures. At the mitochondrial level, NGT induced abnormal mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) opening and elevated the transcript levels of antioxidant defense genes (e.g., peroxiredoxin-5, PRDX5). These alterations indicate the occurrence of mitochondrial collapse. Concurrently, scanning electron microscopy verified localized plasma membrane wrinkling and pore formation in sperm. In addition, NGT exposure decreased the transcript abundance of cytoskeleton-related genes, including solute carrier family 26 member 6 (SLC26A6), actin (ACT), and tubulin polymerization promoting protein family member 3 (TPPP3). These molecular changes further disrupted membrane phospholipid homeostasis, as represented by altered glycerophospholipid metabolism. At the same time, cumulative cellular stress was associated with decreased transcript abundance of cytoprotective factors (e.g., baculoviral IAP repeat-containing proteins, birc2) and changes in apoptosis-related genes consistent with activation of a caspase-8-mediated apoptotic programme. In conclusion, NGT, as a representative synthetic progestin, exerts reproductive toxicity by interfering with signaling mediators to induce premature AR, which subsequently exhausts metabolic energy and triggers plasma membrane impairment. These findings provide a critical mechanistic basis for the aquatic ecological risk assessment of synthetic progestins.

Animals↗