@article {pmid40894865,
year = {2025},
author = {Masoudi, A and Joseph, RA and Keyhani, NO},
title = {Spatial organization within social ambrosia beetle nests limits spread of infectious disease.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {28},
number = {9},
pages = {113281},
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2025.113281},
pmid = {40894865},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Ambrosia beetles are social, fungal-farming insects that nest within tree xylem. Their close living conditions make them potentially vulnerable to microbial infectious diseases. We show that the insect pathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae effectively infects and kills Xyleborus affinis adults, even within sawdust-based colony habitats. Healthy beetles did not avoid infected nestmates, and increased contact led to higher mortality and reduced offspring; however, larvae and pupae were still produced, even when colonies began with only infected beetles. Diseased individuals and Metarhizium CFUs were concentrated in the upper third of the nest, while surviving adults and brood were found in the middle/lower areas. A beetle symbiotic fungus, Neocosmospora sp. Xa1 was identified, which inhibited Metarhizium growth, potentially aiding in defense. Our findings suggest spatial structuring and microbial interactions within the nest help protect vulnerable brood to support colony persistence, revealing colony-level mechanisms that buffer against spread of infectious diseases, favoring offspring survival.},
}

@article {pmid40894719,
year = {2025},
author = {De Santiago, A and Barnes, S and Pereira, TJ and Marcellino-Barros, M and Durden, L and Han, MK and Thrash, JC and Bik, HM},
title = {Pseudoalteromonas is a novel symbiont of marine invertebrates that exhibits broad patterns of phylosymbiosis.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1101/2025.08.22.671635},
pmid = {40894719},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Despite growing insights into the composition of marine invertebrate microbiomes, our understanding of their ecological and evolutionary patterns remains poor, owing to limited sampling depth and low-resolution datasets. Previous studies have provided mixed results when evaluating patterns of phylosymbiosis between marine invertebrates and marine bacteria. Here, we investigated potential animal-microbe symbioses in Pseudoalteromonas, an overlooked bacterial genus consistently identified as a core microbiome taxon in diverse invertebrates. Using a pangenomic analysis of 236 free-living and invertebrate-associated bacterial strains (including two new nematode-associated isolates generated in this study), we confirm that Pseudoalteromonas is a novel symbiont with substantial evidence of phylosymbiosis across at least three marine invertebrate phyla (e.g., Nematoda, Mollusca, and Cnidaria). Patterns of symbiosis were consistent irrespective of geography (including in Antarctica), with FISH images from nematodes indicating that bacterial symbionts form biofilms in the mouth and esophagus. The evolutionary history of Pseudoalteromonas is marked by substantial host-switching and lifestyle transitions, and host-associated genomes suggest that these bacteria are facultative symbionts involved in nutritional mutualisms. In marine environments, we hypothesize that horizontally-acquired symbionts may have co-evolved with invertebrates, using host mucus as a physical niche and food source, while providing their animal hosts with Vitamin B, amino acids, and bioavailable carbon compounds in return.},
}

@article {pmid40894499,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, Z and Zhao, X and Yang, J and Chen, X and Cai, Y and Shaaban, M and Peng, QA and Cai, Y},
title = {Microbial removal mechanism of chromium and cadmium by humic acid-loaded nano zero-valent iron prepared by liquid-phase reduction method.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1596063},
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2025.1596063},
pmid = {40894499},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Heavy metal pollution is a global issue that has drawn significant attention due to its environmental and health risks. This thesis focuses on the research of highly toxic chromium and cadmium in the environment. It explores the removal mechanism of Cr and Cd contamination using humic acid-loaded nano-zero-valent iron (NZVI@HA) prepared through a liquid-phase reduction method. Additionally, it investigates the interaction mechanism of removing Cr and Cd contamination by synergizing with the Chromium and Cadmium Symbiotic Bacterial Colony (NZVI@HA+Cr/CdMC). The findings indicate that NZVI@HA exhibited optimal removal efficiency for Cr(VI) at pH=2 (85.7%) and Cd(II) at pH=8 (94.8%). The initial concentration of Cr and Cd pollution showed an inverse relationship with the removal rates of Cd(II) and Cr(VI). Moreover, the reaction temperatures were positively correlated with the removal rates of Cd(II) and Cr(VI). Cu2+ significantly enhanced Cr(VI) removal in the water column (p<0.01), whereas Zn2+ notably inhibited Cd(II) removal (p<0.05). In the NZVI@HA+Cr/CdMC system, extracellular polymers (EPS), tyrosine, and tryptophan, through van der Waals forces, facilitated the removal of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) complexation. This reduced the stress of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) on Cr/CdMC, thereby enhancing the removal of Cr(VI) and Cd(II).},
}

@article {pmid40894109,
year = {2025},
author = {Lopez, JV and Pomponi, SA and Hentschel, U and Erpenbeck, D and Pruzinsky, N and Fiore, C and Mulheron, R and Oatley, G and Sinclair, E and Aunin, E and Gettle, N and Santos, C and Paulini, M and Niu, H and McKenna, V and O'Brien, R and , and , and , and , and , },
title = {The chromosomal genome sequence of the giant barrel sponge, Xestospongia muta Schmidt 1870 and its associated microbial metagenome sequences.},
journal = {Wellcome open research},
volume = {10},
number = {},
pages = {336},
doi = {10.12688/wellcomeopenres.24173.1},
pmid = {40894109},
issn = {2398-502X},
abstract = {We present a genome assembly from a specimen of Xestospongia muta (Caribbean barrel sponge; Porifera; Demospongiae; Haplosclerida; Petrosiidae). The genome sequence has a total length of 158.52 megabases. Most of the assembly (99.56%) is scaffolded into 15 chromosomal pseudomolecules. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 18.99 kilobases in length. Several symbiotic bacterial genomes were assembled as MAGs, including Candidatus Poribacteria species, Candidatus Latescibacteria, Acidobacteriota, Actinomycetota Gemmatimonadota, multiple Chloroflexota and the archaeon Nitrosopumilus. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 20,220 protein-coding genes.},
}

@article {pmid40894070,
year = {2025},
author = {Tayeh, M and Sama-Ae, I and Wisessombat, S and Sianglum, W},
title = {Antimigration and Anti-Invasion Properties of Aspergillus aculeatus Extract, an Endophyte Isolated From Capsicum annuum L. on Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Cells: In Vitro Experiments and In Silico Methods.},
journal = {Scientifica},
volume = {2025},
number = {},
pages = {5676577},
doi = {10.1155/sci5/5676577},
pmid = {40894070},
issn = {2090-908X},
abstract = {Endophytic fungi are microorganisms that infect living plant tissues internally without producing obvious symptoms of infection, existing in a symbiotic relationship with plants for a portion of their life cycle. Currently, endophytic fungi serve as alternate sources for the production of new bioactive chemicals with great efficacy. This study aimed to examine the antimigration and anti-invasion capabilities of the endophytic fungus Aspergillus aculeatus extract, isolated from Capsicum annuum L., utilizing in vitro and in silico methods. This study isolated the endophytic fungus A. aculeatus from the leaves of C. annuum L. LC-MS analysis revealed fifty-five active components within the extract. Ten compounds exhibited favorable results in the in silico assessment. Computational predictions indicate that tajixanthone methanoate (-8.80 kcal/mol) and aspernigerin (-12.95 kcal/mol) exhibited high binding affinity against MMP-2. The A. aculeatus extract demonstrated antiproliferative activity with an IC50 value of 286.36 ± 122.57 μg/mL. The extract, at noncytotoxic concentrations, reduced the migration and invasion of A549 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, A. aculeatus extract demonstrated a marked reduction in MMP-2 activity. According to these results, the compounds may serve as antimigration and anti-invasion agents by inhibiting the MMP-2 protein. The results demonstrated that A. aculeatus extract derived from C. annuum L. inhibited A549 cell migration and invasion via reducing MMP-2 activity. The findings indicated that A. aculeatus extract derived from C. annuum L. may be utilized for the treatment of lung cancer.},
}

@article {pmid40893913,
year = {2025},
author = {Pandit, SS and Meganathan, P and Vedagiri, H},
title = {Harmonizing gut microbiota dysbiosis: Unveiling the influence of diet and lifestyle interventions.},
journal = {Metabolism open},
volume = {27},
number = {},
pages = {100384},
doi = {10.1016/j.metop.2025.100384},
pmid = {40893913},
issn = {2589-9368},
abstract = {The gut microbiota, comprising trillions of microorganisms inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract, is essential to human health and disease. Recent research has illuminated the interactions between many components of human physiology and the gut microbiota, including immune function, metabolism, and neurological health. Central to maintaining this symbiotic relationship is the concept of dysbiosis - an imbalance in the makeup and roles of the gut microbiota. Dysbiosis of the gut microbiota has emerged as a significant factor in the pathogenesis of numerous health conditions, spanning from gastrointestinal disorders like inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome to systemic diseases such as obesity, metabolic syndrome, and even neurological disorders like depression and anxiety. While dysbiosis can result from a myriad of factors including antibiotic use, stress, and genetic predispositions, emerging evidence suggests that diet and lifestyle choices exert profound influences regarding the make-up and capabilities of the gut microbiota. In this review, We explore the complex interactions among lifestyle, nutrition, and gut microbial dysbiosis. In particular, we investigate how the gut microbiota can be modified and dysbiosis can be mitigated by dietary patterns, food composition, prebiotics, probiotics, and lifestyle factors including exercise, stress reduction, and good sleep hygiene. Restoring microbial balance and enhancing general health and well-being can be achieved through preventive and therapeutic measures that can be made more effective by understanding how dietary and lifestyle changes might affect the gut microbiota. Through this exploration, we aim to elucidate the possibility of using lifestyle and dietary modifications as tools for managing gut microbial dysbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid40893412,
year = {2025},
author = {Margarita, V and Nguyen, THT and Petretto, GL and Congiargiu, A and Ligas, A and Diaz, N and Ton Nu, PA and Pintore, G and Rappelli, P},
title = {Effect of essential oils from Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus grandis, and Mentha arvensis on Trichomonas vaginalis and role of its symbionts Mycoplasma hominis and Ca. Mycoplasma girerdii.},
journal = {Frontiers in parasitology},
volume = {4},
number = {},
pages = {1610965},
doi = {10.3389/fpara.2025.1610965},
pmid = {40893412},
issn = {2813-2424},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Trichomoniasis, the most common non-viral sexually transmitted disease, is caused by the protozoon Trichomonas vaginalis. T. vaginalis can establish a symbiosis with two bacteria, Mycoplasma hominis and Candidatus Mycoplasma girerdii, whose intracellular presence may modulate several characteristics of the protozoan, including its sensitivity to 5-nitroimidazoles, the only class of drugs currently effective in treating trichomoniasis. The rising prevalence of T.vaginalis strains resistant to metronidazole, the most commonly used antitrichomonal drug, underscores the need for therapeutic alternatives active against the protozoon.

METHODS: In this study, we evaluate the antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from three plants cultivated in Vietnam - Cymbopogon citratus, Citrus grandis, and Mentha arvensis - against thirty T. vaginalis strains isolated from symptomatic women in Italy and Vietnam. We also assess the influence of M. hominis and Ca. M. girerdii on T. vaginalis susceptibility to essential oils and metronidazole, through dedicated susceptibility assays. Additionally, given the importance of lactobacilli in maintaining vaginal health, we investigate the effects of the essential oils on Lactobacillus gasseri and Lactobacillus crispatus. The cytotoxic activity of the oils against HeLa cells was also tested in vitro.

RESULTS: All three essential oils showed effective antitrichomonal activity without inhibiting lactobacilli growth. Among them, C. citratus oil exhibited the strongest inhibitory effect on T. vaginalis, including strains harboring bacterial symbionts. Moreover, the oils demonstrated no cytotoxic activity against HeLa cells at the concentrations effective against the protozoan.

DISCUSSION: The results support the potential of C. citratus essential oil as a natural antitrichomonal agent. Its effectiveness against both free and symbiont-infected T. vaginalis strains positions it as a promising candidate for developing alternative therapies against drug-resistant trichomoniasis.},
}

@article {pmid40891805,
year = {2025},
author = {Cheng, P and Wang, Z and Lu, B and Zhao, Y and Zhang, H},
title = {Effect of different concentrations of gibberellins on antibiotics and nutrient removal using microalgae-bacteria consortia system.},
journal = {International journal of phytoremediation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-10},
doi = {10.1080/15226514.2025.2554172},
pmid = {40891805},
issn = {1549-7879},
abstract = {Phytohormone gibberellins (GAs) were utilized to enhance the removal of tetracycline antibiotics and nutrients from swine wastewater by different algal-bacterial symbiosis. Compared to microalgae monoculture, microalgae-activated sludge, and microalgae-Bacillus licheniformis, microalgae-endophytic bacteria showed better growth, photosynthetic, and purification performance. At 50 mg L[-1] GAs addition concentration, the specific growth rate of Chlorella vulgaris-endophytic bacterial (S395-2) system was 0.331 ± 0.03 d[-1], the maximum removal rate of tetracycline (TC), total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) was 96.31 ± 2.73%, 86.37 ± 8.31% and 87.26 ± 8.42%, respectively. The purification effect was much higher than the level of microalgae monoculture without GAs addition (TC removal of 81.33 ± 7.71%, TN and TP removal of 62.51 ± 5.95% and 64.25 ± 6.13%, respectively). In summary, exogenous GAs simultaneously promoted the resistance and biomass accumulation of algal symbiosis, which supplied a theoretical foundation for the treatment of high-concentration nutrients and antibiotics wastewater.},
}

@article {pmid40891513,
year = {2025},
author = {McCauley, M and Montesanto, F and Bedgood, SA and Miner, C and Plichon, K and Weis, VM and Loesgen, S},
title = {Manipulation of the Symbiodiniaceae microbiome confers multigenerational impacts on symbioses and reproductive ecology of its Exaiptasia diaphana host.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf189},
pmid = {40891513},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Symbiodiniaceae-associated microbiota strongly affect cnidarian symbioses. We systematically reduced the bacterial and fungal communities associated with Symbiodiniaceae to study effects on the cnidarian holobiont Exaiptasia diaphana (Aiptasia). Clonal anemones were inoculated with xenic Breviolum minutum (SSB01) and microbiome manipulated cultures after antibacterial or antifungal treatment. The asexual reproduction of pedal laceration allowed for three generations of clonal aposymbiotic Aiptasia to be included in this study, from the initial adult generation (G0), to the first (G1) and second (G2) generation. We inoculated small and large G1 Aiptasia with algae and monitored onset of symbiosis, rate of algal proliferation, and holobiont characteristics. Sequencing the 16S and 18S rRNA gene regions identified significant differences in the bacterial and fungal communities of the G0 and G1 generations, alongside differences between the size classes of small and large G1 anemones. The microbiome of larger G1 individuals was distinct to the smaller G1 anemones, suggesting a microbiome maturation process. Control B. minutum cultures exhibited a significantly greater proliferation rate in large G1 anemones when compared to antibacterial or antifungal treated cultures, whereas the opposite trend was documented in the small G1 anemones. Although no differences were observed between algal photochemical parameters, or the growth and behavior of G1 juveniles, we observed a significant influence in the production of G2 clones between treatments. Overall, we provide strong ecological implications of manipulating Symbiodiniaceae microbiome, not for the algae themselves, but for the maturation of the host Aiptasia, as well as for the cnidarian holobiont over multiple generations.},
}

@article {pmid40891201,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhou, G and Ding, M and Li, X and Jiang, S and Xia, Z and Xie, C and Zhang, W and Wan, Y},
title = {Genome Assembly of Elysia leucolegnote Reveals the Secrets of Autonomous Photosynthesis and Extraordinary Symbiotic Relationships in Photosynthetic Animals.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70155},
pmid = {40891201},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//This study is supported by Hainan Normal University Talent Research Start-up Fund Project Funding (HSZK-KYQD-202436)./ ; },
}

@article {pmid40891179,
year = {2025},
author = {Orosz, J and Lin, EX and Torres Ascurra, YC and Kappes, M and Lindsay, P and Bashyal, S and Everett, H and Gautam, CK and Jackson, D and Müller, LM},
title = {CORYNE modulates Medicago truncatula inflorescence meristem branching and plays a conserved role in the regulation of arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/eraf386},
pmid = {40891179},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {The CLAVATA signaling pathway regulates plant development and plant-environment interactions. CLAVATA signaling consists of mobile, cell-type or environment-specific CLAVATA3/ESR-related (CLE) peptides, which are perceived by a receptor complex consisting of leucine-rich repeat receptor-like kinases such as CLAVATA1 and receptor-like proteins such as CLAVATA2, which often functions with the pseudokinase CORYNE (CRN). CLAVATA signaling has been extensively studied in various plant species for its developmental role in meristem maintenance. In addition, CLAVATA signaling was implicated in plant-microbe interactions, including root nodule symbiosis and plant interactions with mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. However, knowledge on AM symbiosis regulation by CLAVATA signaling is limited. Here, we report a dual role for Medicago truncatula CRN in development and plant-microbe interactions. In shoots, MtCRN modulates inflorescence meristem branching. In roots, the MtCRN promoter is active in vascular tissues and meristematic regions. In addition, MtCRN expression is activated in cortex cells colonized by AM fungi and negatively regulates root interactions with these microbes in a nitrogen-dependent manner; negative AM symbiosis regulation by CRN was also observed in the monocot Zea mays, suggesting this function is conserved across plant clades. We further report that MtCRN functions partially independently of the AM autoregulation signal MtCLE53. Transcriptomic data revealed that M. truncatula crn roots display signs of perturbed nutrient, symbiosis, and stress signaling, suggesting that MtCRN plays various roles in plant development and interactions with the environment.},
}

@article {pmid40889905,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, MF and Gao, YZ},
title = {Application of [15]N stable isotope techniques to biological nitrogen fixation in terrestrial ecosystems.},
journal = {Ying yong sheng tai xue bao = The journal of applied ecology},
volume = {36},
number = {7},
pages = {1952-1960},
doi = {10.13287/j.1001-9332.202507.010},
pmid = {40889905},
issn = {1001-9332},
mesh = {*Nitrogen Fixation/physiology ; *Nitrogen Isotopes/analysis ; *Ecosystem ; *Isotope Labeling/methods ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) is an important nitrogen source in terrestrial ecosystems. Accurate estimation of BNF rate is essential to accurately quantify atmospheric nitrogen input to natural ecosystems. [15]N natural abundance is commonly used to measure the BNF in symbiotic and associative nitrogen fixing plants, but are highly dependent on the choice of the reference plants. In contrast, the [15]N isotope labeling technique allows precise determination of BNF rates of symbiotic, free-living, and associative N-fixing types, and surpasses the previous methods in studying plant nitrogen fixation strategies, nitrogen transfer processes, and carbon-nitrogen trading between nodules and hosts. The [15]N isotope dilution method is mainly used for plant nitrogen fixation research. Although the [15]N stable isotope probe technique is technically challenging and expensive, it enables the detection and study of N-fixing microorganisms by labeling DNA or RNA, and provides an effective way for assessing asymbiotic microorganism nitrogen fixation rates. The development of [15]N stable isotope technique provides a strong technical guarantee for biological nitrogen fixation research.},
}

*Nitrogen Fixation/physiology
*Nitrogen Isotopes/analysis
*Ecosystem
*Isotope Labeling/methods
Nitrogen/metabolism
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40888447,
year = {2025},
author = {Petinger, C and Crowley, T and Wyk, BV},
title = {Patterns of Transition of Adolescents in an HIV Care Programme in Peri-Urban Cape Town, South Africa: A Photovoice Study.},
journal = {Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care},
volume = {24},
number = {},
pages = {23259582251362908},
doi = {10.1177/23259582251362908},
pmid = {40888447},
issn = {2325-9582},
mesh = {Humans ; South Africa/epidemiology ; Adolescent ; *HIV Infections/psychology/therapy/drug therapy ; Male ; Female ; *Transition to Adult Care ; Focus Groups ; Social Support ; Young Adult ; Photography ; Qualitative Research ; Adult ; },
abstract = {Successful transition from paediatric to adult HIV care programme is a critical developmental milestone in the care trajectory of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). The transition process involves a shift from a structured, caregiver-supported healthcare model to one that requires independence and self-management. This process should be guided and supportive to ensure continued engagement in care and optimal adherence when ALHIV are transferred. This study utilised photovoice methods to explore the transition experiences of ALHIV in the Cape Town Metropole. Audio-recorded focus group data were transcribed verbatim and subjected to reflexive thematic analysis. Three distinctive patterns of behaviour from ALHIV were identified as themes. Type 1: socially reliant, dependent adolescent who heavily relies on family and peer support and struggles with adherence. Type 2: socially disconnected, hyper-independent adolescent, who is self-reliant, seeks solitude, and is generally resistant to external support. We configured a third (ideal) type, who is interdependent and able to self-manage their chronic condition, but within a supportive health care environment that provides positive healthcare and transition experiences. The findings underscore the need for supportive transition models promoting self-management skills, while facilitating a symbiotic relation with healthcare staff promoting sustained engagement in care well into adulthood. We recommend that adolescent or youth friendly services for ALHIV be expanded to support and monitor the transition process and outcomes in the adult HIV program.},
}

Humans
South Africa/epidemiology
Adolescent
*HIV Infections/psychology/therapy/drug therapy
Male
Female
*Transition to Adult Care
Focus Groups
Social Support
Young Adult
Photography
Qualitative Research
Adult

@article {pmid40888030,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, H and Wang, Y},
title = {From Fragmentation to Resolution: High-Fidelity Genome Assembly of Zancudomyces culisetae through Comparative Insights from PacBio, Nanopore, and Illumina Sequencing.},
journal = {G3 (Bethesda, Md.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/g3journal/jkaf204},
pmid = {40888030},
issn = {2160-1836},
abstract = {Zancudomyces culisetae is an obligate symbiotic fungus inhabiting the digestive tracts of aquatic insect larvae, including black flies, midges, and mosquitoes. With a global distribution and high prevalence in disease-transmitting insects, Z. culisetae serves as a model for studying insect gut fungi. A previous draft genome assembly using Illumina short reads provided insights into its genome composition, such as a low GC ratio and evidence of horizontal gene transfer. However, its fragmented nature has limited deeper exploration of the evolutionary mechanisms shaping these gut symbionts. To address this gap, we generated a wealth of genomic resources for Z. culisetae using multiple sequencing platforms, including Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio-CLR (Complete Long Reads), and PacBio-HiFi (High Fidelity). This also provides an opportunity to compare these popular sequencing methods to suggest the optimal approach for fungal genome assembly. Our results suggest that PacBio-HiFi produced the most complete assembly, yielding a 27.8 Mb genome size with 26 contigs, representing the highest-quality genome of insect gut fungi to date. Additionally, we generated transcriptomic data to support genome annotation, identifying 8,484 protein-coding genes. Despite the improved genome quality, Z. culisetae lacks approximately 20% of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologue (BUSCO) commonly found in fungi, reflecting adaptations to its obligate symbiotic lifestyle. This study not only provides valuable genomic resources for insect gut fungal research but also evaluates the strengths and limitations of current genome sequencing and assembly approaches, offering best practices for fungal genome analysis and genetic research.},
}

@article {pmid40885196,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, L and Yang, Q and Liu, M and Lin, S and Hua, W and Shi, D and Yan, J and Shi, X and Hoffmann, AA and Zhu, B and Liang, P},
title = {Symbiotic bacteria mediate chemical-insecticide resistance but enhance the efficacy of a biological insecticide in diamondback moth.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.004},
pmid = {40885196},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Insecticide resistance has been a major challenge for pest management worldwide. Here, we investigated how gut symbiotic bacteria in insects might affect resistance to chemical (organophosphate) and biological (Bacillus thuringiensis) insecticides in different ways to create opportunities for strategic pesticide rotations. Using the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) as the target pest, we demonstrated that long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate insecticide) promotes the proliferation of the gut symbiont Enterococcus mundtii in P. xylostella populations, resulting in chlorpyrifos resistance in field populations across China that correlates closely with the abundance of this bacterium. Metabolic analysis revealed that E. mundtii can directly metabolize chlorpyrifos via a conserved cytochrome P450 enzyme in the genus Enterococcus. However, the accumulation of E. mundtii in the gut of chlorpyrifos-resistant populations may increase their susceptibility to Bacillus thuringiensis toxins, resulting in the increased efficacy of Bacillus thuringiensis in populations with high chemical insecticide resistance. The gut barrier disruption caused by Bacillus thuringiensis promotes invasion of E. mundtii from the gut into the hemolymph, leading to death by septicemia to enhance susceptibility. The study highlights an interaction between resistance to chemically synthesized and biological insecticides mediated by gut symbiotic bacteria and suggests a control strategy involving chemical/biological pesticide rotations that may apply to other cases of resistance to chemically synthesized insecticides.},
}

@article {pmid40885195,
year = {2025},
author = {Grujcic, V and Mehrshad, M and Vigil-Stenman, T and Lundin, D and Foster, RA},
title = {Stepwise genome evolution from a facultative symbiont to an endosymbiont in the N2-fixing diatom-Richelia symbioses.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.08.003},
pmid = {40885195},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {A few genera of diatoms that form stable partnerships with N2-fixing filamentous cyanobacteria Richelia spp. are widespread in the open ocean. A unique feature of the diatom-Richelia symbioses is the symbiont cellular location spans a continuum of integration (epibiont, periplasmic, and endobiont) that is reflected in the symbiont genome size and content. In this study, we analyzed genomes derived from cultures and environmental metagenome-assembled genomes of Richelia symbionts, focusing on characters indicative of genome evolution. Our results show an enrichment of short-length transposases and pseudogenes in the periplasmic symbiont genomes, suggesting an active and transitionary period in genome evolution. By contrast, genomes of endobionts exhibited fewer transposases and pseudogenes, reflecting advanced stages of genome reduction. Pangenome analyses identified that endobionts streamline their genomes and retain most genes in the core genome, whereas periplasmic symbionts and epibionts maintain larger flexible genomes, indicating higher genomic plasticity compared with the genomes of endobionts. Functional gene comparisons with other N2-fixing cyanobacteria revealed that Richelia endobionts have similar patterns of metabolic loss but are distinguished by the absence of specific pathways (e.g., cytochrome bd ubiquinol oxidase and lipid A) that increase both dependency and direct interactions with their respective hosts. In conclusion, our findings underscore the dynamic nature of genome reduction in N2-fixing cyanobacterial symbionts and demonstrate the diatom-Richelia symbioses as a valuable and rare model to study genome evolution in the transitional stages from a free-living facultative symbiont to a host-dependent endobiont.},
}

@article {pmid40884179,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, Y and Feng, R and Zhao, Y and Guo, X and Ding, J and Liu, S and Wang, Y and Zhu, J and Li, X},
title = {Solar-Mechano Symbiosis Dual-Mode Janus Bioaerogel for Context-Adaptive Atmospheric Water Harvesting Beyond Solar Reliance.},
journal = {Advanced materials (Deerfield Beach, Fla.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e12244},
doi = {10.1002/adma.202512244},
pmid = {40884179},
issn = {1521-4095},
support = {22305192//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 52372225//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 22261142666//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 52172237//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; KF2301//Opening Project of Engineering Research Center of Eco-friendly Polymeric Materials, Ministry of Education/ ; //Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; 2024YFF0506000//the National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; 2025JC-QYCX-037//the Shaanxi Science Foundation/ ; 20250425//the Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology Youth Talent Support Program/ ; },
abstract = {Solar-driven sorption-based atmospheric water harvesting (SS-AWH) offers promise for addressing global freshwater scarcity. However, the SS-AWH heavily relies on favorable and sustained solar irradiation; yet real-world solar irradiation exhibits significant spatiotemporal fluctuations, limiting its sustainable application, as non/low-light conditions sharply reduce water productivity. This constraint is fundamentally due to the singleness of the water release pathway via photothermal desorption. Here, a novel dual-mode bio-based Janus aerogel (DBJA) is presented, enabling efficient, all-weather, multi-scenario atmospheric water harvesting via selectively solar-driven and compression-activated water release. The Janus structure optimizes mass/heat transfer between hygroscopic and photothermal domains, achieving the most balanced adsorption-desorption kinetics and compression-recovery strength for solar-mechano symbiosis. Under favorable sunlight, DBJA demonstrates a competitive water release efficiency of 1.32 g g[-1] day[-1] outdoors. Crucially, without solar irradiation, DBJA achieves a total water productivity of 12.80 g g[-1] over 5-cycle adsorption-compression with 98% volume recovery and is stable within 50 cycles. Enhanced physical inlay and multiple chemical interactions ensure limited leakage of Li[+] ions during compression, and the collected water easily conforms to the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water standards. This work provides a flexible approach for sustainable atmospheric water harvesting beyond solar reliance through multi-mode synergy and gradient architecture.},
}

@article {pmid40882880,
year = {2025},
author = {Niu, Z and Guo, H and Li, D and Xu, Y and Liu, J and Xiao, Y and Li, W and Promboon, A and Xia, Q and Goldsmith, MR and Mita, K},
title = {Characterizing the Symbiotic Relationship between Wolbachia (wSpic) and Spodoptera picta (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae): From Genome to Phenotype.},
journal = {Insect biochemistry and molecular biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {104396},
doi = {10.1016/j.ibmb.2025.104396},
pmid = {40882880},
issn = {1879-0240},
abstract = {Wolbachia is a genus of symbiotic bacteria prevalent in arthropods, with diverse effects on host reproduction and fecundity; however, it is unclear how Wolbachia modulates the host reproductive system. In this study, a novel Wolbachia strain, wSpic, was identified in the Noctuid moth Spodoptera picta and its effect on the reproduction of this host was investigated. We sequenced and annotated the 1,339,720 bp genome of wSpic. We identified a total of five WO phage regions in the genome and found no evidence of any plasmids associated with wSpic. Evolutionary analysis revealed that wSpic belongs to supergroup B and has undergone horizontal transmission between S. picta and Trichogramma pretiosum, a wasp parasitoid of insect eggs. The removal of Wolbachia by antibiotic treatment resulted in significantly decreased fecundity and abnormal development of S. picta ovaries, but no differences in egg hatching rate. An integrated transcriptome and proteome analysis indicated that major molecular pathways for Wolbachia-induced reproduction fitness benefits include its effects on insect juvenile hormone, vitellogenesis, choriogenesis, and nutritional metabolism. Our findings demonstrate that wSpic plays a critical role in promoting ovary development and sustaining fecundity in S. picta hosts.},
}

@article {pmid40882272,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, K and Xu, J and Luo, X and Yu, Z and Tang, A and Peng, K and Song, J and Chen, X and Ren, M},
title = {Insights into microalgal-bacterial consortia in sustaining denitrification via algal-derived organic matter in harsh low-C/N wastewater.},
journal = {Journal of environmental management},
volume = {393},
number = {},
pages = {127108},
doi = {10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.127108},
pmid = {40882272},
issn = {1095-8630},
abstract = {Conventional nitrate removal processes are often hampered by insufficient carbon sources for remediating low-C/N wastewater. Herein, a microalgal-bacterial (MB) consortia system was constructed to leverage algal-derived organic matter for sustaining denitrification. The system demonstrated superior nitrate removal performance when assisted by algal-derived organic matter, achieving a 168.62 ± 4.17 % enhancement in nitrate removal capacity compared to the sole bacterial system. Furthermore, Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry (FT-ICR-MS) analysis of algal-derived organic matter revealed that specific components facilitating nitrate elimination included unsaturated aliphatic compounds, aliphatic/peptide-like/amino sugars, lignin-like, and tannin-like substances. Notably, the consortia showed preferential utilization of unsaturated aliphatic (35.21 %) and aliphatic/amino sugars over aliphatic/peptide-like/amino acids (31.05 %) and aliphatic/peptide-like compounds (31.31 %) within the CHO, CHON, CHON2, and CHON3 classes, respectively. Metagenomic analysis identified notable disparities in microbial community composition between the bacterial and MB consortia systems. Moreover, the MB consortia exhibited higher abundances of genes encoding nitrate removal enzymes, including those involved in denitrification, assimilatory/dissimilatory reduction, and L-glutamate synthesis pathways. Genes associated with lignin degradation were also detected, suggesting potential indirect contributions to nitrate elimination. Besides, the MB symbiotic microspheres were successfully fabricated and achieved efficient nitrate removal. These findings provide novel insights into the development of innovative MB symbiotic systems for nitrate removal under harsh carbon-limited conditions.},
}

@article {pmid40881295,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, X and Li, H and Liu, A and Zhang, Z},
title = {Editorial: Microbial symbiosis and infectious disease dynamics in reptiles and wildfowl.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1673344},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2025.1673344},
pmid = {40881295},
issn = {1664-302X},
}

@article {pmid40880884,
year = {2024},
author = {Padilla-Serrato, JG and Soriano-Honorato, LD and Kuk-Dzul, JG and Flores-Garza, R and Torreblanca-Ramírez, C and Campos, E},
title = {Rediscovery of Mesotheres unguifalcula (Glassell, 1936) (Crustacea: Brachyura: Pinnotheridae) with Remarks on the Symbiotic Relationship with its New Host, the Spindle Sea Snail Leucozonia cerata (W. Wood, 1828) (Mollusa: Gastropoda: Fasciolariidae).},
journal = {Zoological studies},
volume = {63},
number = {},
pages = {e44},
doi = {10.6620/ZS.2024.63-44},
pmid = {40880884},
issn = {1810-522X},
abstract = {The symbiotic pinnotherid crab Mesotheres unguifalcula was rediscovered in Acapulco Guerrero, Mexico, and was found infesting the spindle sea snail Leucozonia cerata (Fasciolaridae), a new host record for this crab. A total of 432 snails were collected in 2020, with a prevalence of 77%, well explained by the host width frequency. Monthly prevalence varied from 54% to 90%, and the mean intensity was 1.4 +/- 0.5 crabs per host. The sex ratio of snails was 1:1, and the crab did not prefer to infest males or females. The sex ratio of the crabs was positively skewed towards females. Crabs infested both small and large snails; however, most infested snails ranged between 20 and 40 mm in width. Prevalence increased with the host size: with hosts smaller than 30 mm experiencing an average of 53% infestation, while those from 30 mm to 52 mm averaged 93% infestation. The number of crabs by host varied from 1 to 3; solitary females and males were dominant (51%), followed by heterosexual couples (24%) and other combinations that included homosexual couples and triads, which barely represented 2%. Although there are many heterosexual couples, monogamy is ruled out due to the higher number of solitary males and females and the lower number of heterosexual couples compared to those statistically expected. The available evidence about the life history of Mesotheres unguialcula, like that of other studied species of the subfamily Pinnotherinae sensu stricto, suggests a pure-search polygynandry of sedentary females as its mating system (i.e., larger, solitary, and sedentary females, and smaller males who, in reproductive season, are roaming from one host to another in search of females receptive to copulation).},
}

@article {pmid40877949,
year = {2025},
author = {Gonçalves, CS and Catta-Preta, CMC and Repolês, BM and Ferreira, WRR and Morini, FS and Mottram, JC and Cavalcanti, DP and de Souza, W and Fragoso, SP and Machado, CR and Motta, MCM},
title = {From mitochondrial DNA arrangement to repair: a kinetoplast-associated protein with different roles in two trypanosomatid species.},
journal = {Parasites & vectors},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {366},
pmid = {40877949},
issn = {1756-3305},
support = {APQ-02533-24, BPD-00548-22//Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais/ ; 305299/2022-0//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; E-26/201.011/2021//Fundação Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro/ ; },
mesh = {*DNA, Kinetoplast/genetics/metabolism ; *Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics/radiation effects/metabolism ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics ; *Trypanosomatina/genetics/metabolism ; *Protozoan Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; DNA Replication ; *DNA Repair ; DNA, Protozoan/genetics ; Mitochondria/genetics ; Animals ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: One of the most intriguing and unusual features of trypanosomatids is their mitochondrial DNA, known as kinetoplast DNA (kDNA), which is organized into a network of concatenated circles. The kDNA is contained within the mitochondrial matrix and can exhibit distinct arrangements across different species and during cell differentiation. In addition to kDNA, the kinetoplast contains multiple proteins, including those involved in mitochondrial DNA topology and metabolism, such as the kinetoplast-associated proteins (KAPs). In this work, we obtained mutant cells to investigates the role of KAP7 in two trypanosomatid species, Trypanosoma cruzi and Angomonas deanei, which have distinct kinetoplast shapes and kDNA arrangements.

METHODS: For this purpose, the kDNA replication process and cell morphology and ultrastructure were evaluated using microscopy methods. Furthermore, the proliferation of cells treated with genotoxic agents, such as cisplatin and ultraviolet radiation, was analyzed.

RESULTS: In A. deanei, which contains a symbiotic bacterium, KAP7 seems to be essential, since the deletion of one KAP7 allele generated mutants with a decay in cell proliferation, as well as changes in kDNA structure and replication. In T. cruzi, null mutants exhibited disturbances in kDNA replication, although the overall topology remained unaltered. The use of cisplatin and ultraviolet (UV) radiation affected the ultrastructure of A. deanei and T. cruzi. Cisplatin promoted increased kDNA compaction in both KAP7 mutants, but only in T. cruzi did the proliferative capacity fail to recover after treatment, as was also observed following UV radiation exposure.

CONCLUSIONS: Proteins associated with DNA are evolutionarily conserved and usually perform similar functions in different organisms. Our findings reveal that KAP7 is involved in kDNA replication, but its roles differ in trypanosomatid species: in A. deanei, KAP7 is associated with kDNA arrangement, while in T. cruzi, it is related to mitochondrial metabolism, such as kDNA replication and damage response.},
}

*DNA, Kinetoplast/genetics/metabolism
*Trypanosoma cruzi/genetics/radiation effects/metabolism
*DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics
*Trypanosomatina/genetics/metabolism
*Protozoan Proteins/genetics/metabolism
DNA Replication
*DNA Repair
DNA, Protozoan/genetics
Mitochondria/genetics
Animals

@article {pmid40876856,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhai, H and Liu, M and Zhang, X and Li, X and Hu, B and Li, H and Gao, S and Wei, Y and Sun, W},
title = {Science mapping of root ecology: a bibliometric review covering 2015-2024.},
journal = {Annals of botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/aob/mcaf200},
pmid = {40876856},
issn = {1095-8290},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Root ecology has rapidly advanced as a key discipline for understanding plant adaptive strategies and ecosystem functioning. However, comprehensive assessments of its overarching framework remain limited. This study provides a global perspective by systematically analyzing research power, intellectual bases, and research frontiers in root ecology.

METHODS: We analyzed 35,371 articles from the Web of Science Core Collection using CiteSpace and VOSviewer within a customized bibliometric framework. Co-occurrence analyses based on publication volume, citation frequency, and micro-citation labels revealed the spatiotemporal distribution of research power. Intellectual bases and research frontiers were identified through document co-citation and cluster analyses.

KEY RESULTS: The results indicate a three-phase growth trajectory in root ecology research over the past decade. China (13,027 articles) and the United States (5,679 articles) dominate global academic output. Frontiers in Plant Science (2,721 articles) and Plant and Soil (1,436 articles) are the leading journals in terms of publication volume. Key articles forming the intellectual base of this field were identified and interpreted, encompassing six major aspects, including method standardization and the root economics spectrum theory. The research frontiers were clustered into five core themes - abiotic stress, microbial symbiosis, ecological remediation, functional traits and physiological mechanisms - which were further subdivided into 19 specific research directions.

CONCLUSIONS: Root ecology is evolving from a primarily theoretical discipline toward practical applications. To support sustainable agriculture, ecological restoration, and carbon neutrality, the development of global observation networks and multifactorial stress models should be further advanced.},
}

@article {pmid40875413,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, X and Huang, H and Gu, Y and Li, J and Zhang, X and Liu, T},
title = {Low-Cost IMU-Based System for Automated Parkinson's Subtype and Stage Classification to Support Precision Rehabilitation.},
journal = {IEEE transactions on neural systems and rehabilitation engineering : a publication of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society},
volume = {PP},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1109/TNSRE.2025.3603555},
pmid = {40875413},
issn = {1558-0210},
abstract = {Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder, for which early detection and precise rehabilitation planning are essential to alleviate its impact on quality of life and reduce societal burden. Accurate, automated PD subtype classification and staging play a key role in designing effective rehabilitation strategies while minimizing reliance on intensive expert assessments. Unlike existing automated methods that typically depend on high-cost medical imaging (e.g., MRI) or extensive sensor networks, we introduce a low-cost motion measurement system employing only two inertial measurement units (IMUs) placed on the lower legs. We propose a Symbiotic Graph Attention Network (SGAT)-based algorithm that fuses node features and whole-body features for automated PD subtype and stage detection. By establishing a symbiotic mechanism between the subtype and staging tasks and using adaptive fusion weights, our method achieves outstanding performance-subtype accuracy of 0.91 and staging accuracy of 0.85-validated on data from 46 participants. Notably, the entire detection and recognition process requires merely a simple walking task and incurs minimal time cost. The system's affordability, ease of use, and scalability underscore its substantial potential for large‑scale clinical deployment.},
}

@article {pmid40874126,
year = {2025},
author = {Niu, Y and Shao, Y and Chen, L and Wang, Y and Sun, S and Zhang, X},
title = {Social and environmental determinants of disease uncertainty in obstructive sleep apnea: a dyadic qualitative study on patients and co-residents.},
journal = {Frontiers in neurology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1582173},
pmid = {40874126},
issn = {1664-2295},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent sleep disorder characterized by upper airway obstruction during sleep, leading to significant health issues and reduced quality of life. Despite its increasing prevalence, particularly among middle-aged and older adults, low awareness and treatment rates contribute to a substantial burden of disease uncertainty for both patients and their co-residents. This study aims to investigate the social and environmental determinants of disease uncertainty experienced by OSA patients and their co-residents, focusing on the impact of these factors on health behaviors and access to care.

METHODS: The study employed the theoretical model of disease uncertainty as a guiding framework and utilized the KJ method for data analysis. Using purposive sampling, 13 OSA patients and their 13 co-residents were selected to form dyads. Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants prior to the study.

RESULTS: The analysis of the interview data yielded seven major themes and 19 sub-themes. (1) "The Shadow of Knowing Little"; (2) "The Fog of Night and Day"; (3) "Symbiotic Suffering"; (4) "The Hidden Costs"; (5) "Delay in Seeking Medical Care"; (6) "Complex Choices"; (7) "Vacancies Calling for Attention."

CONCLUSION: The findings underscore that OSA patients and their co-residents face considerable uncertainty related to disease awareness, symptom experiences, medical decision-making, treatment plans, and social support. This uncertainty leads to delays in seeking care and poor treatment adherence. To mitigate these issues, it is recommended to enhance public health education on OSA, improve disease awareness and self-management skills among patients and their families, and better integrate medical resources and social support networks. These interventions should address the social and environmental determinants of health to reduce the burden of disease uncertainty and improve overall health outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid40873703,
year = {2025},
author = {Racioppo, A and Martins, V and Speranza, B and Laranjo, M},
title = {Editorial: Innovative strategies for enhancing crop productivity and soil health using PGPB and nano-organics.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1672604},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2025.1672604},
pmid = {40873703},
issn = {1664-302X},
}

@article {pmid40873650,
year = {2025},
author = {Niu, Y and Feng, J and Ma, J and Xiao, T and Yuan, W},
title = {Targeting the Tumor Microbiota in Cancer Therapy Basing on Nanomaterials.},
journal = {Exploration (Beijing, China)},
volume = {5},
number = {4},
pages = {e20210185},
pmid = {40873650},
issn = {2766-2098},
abstract = {Intra-tumoral microbiota, which is a potential component of the tumor microenvironment (TME), has been emerging as a key participant and driving factor in cancer. Previously, due to technical issues and low biological content, little was known about the microbial community within tumors. With the development of high-throughput sequencing technology and molecular biology techniques, it has been demonstrated that tumors harbor highly heterogeneous symbiotic microbial communities, which affect tumor progression mechanisms through various pathways, such as inducing DNA damage, activating carcinogenic pathways, and inducing an immunesuppressive environment. Faced with the harmful microbial communities in the TME, efforts have been made to develop new technologies specifically targeting the microbiome and tumor microecology. Given the success of nanotechnology in cancer diagnosis and treatment, the development of nanotechnology to regulate microscale and molecular-scale interactions occurring in the microbiome and tumor microecology holds promise for providing new approaches for cancer therapy. This article reviews the latest progress in this field, including the microbial community within tumors and its pro-cancer mechanisms, as well as the anti-tumor strategies targeting intra-tumoral microorganisms using nanotechnology. Additionally, this article delivers prospects for the potential clinical significance and challenges of anti-tumor strategies against intra-tumoral microorganisms.},
}

@article {pmid40872788,
year = {2025},
author = {Jeon, J and Kwon, M and Lee, BC and Kil, EJ},
title = {Comparative Endosymbiont Community Structures of Nonviruliferous and Rice Stripe Virus-Viruliferous Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae) in Korea.},
journal = {Viruses},
volume = {17},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/v17081074},
pmid = {40872788},
issn = {1999-4915},
support = {PJ01556601//Rural Development Administration/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/microbiology/virology ; *Symbiosis ; *Tenuivirus/physiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; Republic of Korea ; Oryza/virology ; Wolbachia/genetics ; Plant Diseases/virology ; Burkholderia/genetics ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; Microbiota ; Phylogeny ; Rickettsia/genetics/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {Insects and their bacterial endosymbionts form intricate ecological relationships, yet their role in host-pathogen interactions are not fully elucidated. The small brown planthopper (Laodelphax striatellus), a polyphagous pest of cereal crops, acts as a key vector for rice stripe virus (RSV), a significant threat to rice production. This study aimed to compare the endosymbiont community structures of nonviruliferous and RSV-viruliferous L. striatellus populations using 16S rRNA gene sequencing with high-throughput sequencing technology. Wolbachia was highly dominant in both groups; however, the prevalence of other endosymbionts, specifically Rickettsia and Burkholderia, differed markedly depending on RSV infection. Comprehensive microbial diversity and composition analyses revealed distinct community structures between nonviruliferous and RSV-viruliferous populations, highlighting potential interactions and implications for vector competence and virus transmission dynamics. These findings contribute to understanding virus-insect-endosymbiont dynamics and could inform strategies to mitigate viral spread by targeting symbiotic bacteria.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/microbiology/virology
*Symbiosis
*Tenuivirus/physiology
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology
Republic of Korea
Oryza/virology
Wolbachia/genetics
Plant Diseases/virology
Burkholderia/genetics
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
Microbiota
Phylogeny
Rickettsia/genetics/isolation & purification

@article {pmid40872311,
year = {2025},
author = {Etebari, K and Tugaga, AM and Divekar, G and Uelese, OA and Tusa, SSA and Vaega, E and Sasulu, H and Uini, L and Ren, Y and Furlong, MJ},
title = {Characterising the Associated Virome and Microbiota of Asian Citrus Psyllid (Diaphorina citri) in Samoa.},
journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/pathogens14080801},
pmid = {40872311},
issn = {2076-0817},
support = {HORT/2016/185//Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Hemiptera/virology/microbiology ; *Virome/genetics ; *Microbiota ; Plant Diseases/microbiology ; *Citrus/microbiology/parasitology ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Phylogeny ; Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology ; },
abstract = {The Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri) is an economically important pest of citrus as it is a vector of the bacterium (Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, CLas) that causes huanglongbing disease (HLB). Understanding the virome of D. citri is important for uncovering factors that influence vector competence, to support biosecurity surveillance, and to identify candidate agents for biological control. Previous studies have identified several D. citri-associated viruses from various geographical populations of this pest. To further investigate virus diversity in this pest, high-throughput sequencing was used to analyse D. citri populations from the Samoan islands of Upolu and Savai'i. Eleven novel viruses from the Yadokariviridae, Botourmiaviridae, Nodaviridae, Mymonaviridae, Partitiviridae, Totiviridae, and Polymycoviridae were identified as well as some that corresponded to unclassified groups. In addition, microbiome analysis revealed the presence of several endosymbiotic microorganisms, including Wolbachia, as well as some plant pathogenic fungi, including Botrytis cinerea. However, the causative agent of HLB disease (CLas) was not detected in the RNA-Seq data. These findings highlight the complex and diverse microbiota associated with D. citri and suggest potential interactions and dynamics between microorganisms and psyllid-associated viruses. Further research is needed to understand the ecological significance of these discoveries, and whether the novel viruses play a role in regulating field populations of the psyllid.},
}

Animals
*Hemiptera/virology/microbiology
*Virome/genetics
*Microbiota
Plant Diseases/microbiology
*Citrus/microbiology/parasitology
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing
Phylogeny
Insect Vectors/microbiology/virology

@article {pmid40872269,
year = {2025},
author = {Britto Martins de Oliveira, J and Barbieri, M and Corrêa-Junior, D and Schmitt, M and Santos, LLR and Bahia, AC and Parente, CET and Frases, S},
title = {Urban Mangroves Under Threat: Metagenomic Analysis Reveals a Surge in Human and Plant Pathogenic Fungi.},
journal = {Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/pathogens14080759},
pmid = {40872269},
issn = {2076-0817},
support = {CNE//FAPERJ/ ; 001//CAPES/ ; BP//CNPQ/ ; },
mesh = {*Metagenomics/methods ; *Fungi/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; Humans ; *Wetlands ; Ecosystem ; Biodiversity ; Mycobiome ; Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Coastal ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change and anthropogenic pressures, which can disrupt microbial communities and favor the emergence of pathogenic organisms. In this study, we applied metagenomic analysis to characterize fungal communities in sediment samples from an urban mangrove subjected to environmental stress. The results revealed a fungal community with reduced richness-28% lower than expected for similar ecosystems-likely linked to physicochemical changes such as heavy metal accumulation, acidic pH, and eutrophication, all typical of urbanized coastal areas. Notably, we detected an increase in potentially pathogenic genera, including Candida, Aspergillus, and Pseudoascochyta, alongside a decrease in key saprotrophic genera such as Fusarium and Thelebolus, indicating a shift in ecological function. The fungal assemblage was dominated by the phyla Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, and despite adverse conditions, symbiotic mycorrhizal fungi remained present, suggesting partial resilience. A considerable fraction of unclassified fungal taxa also points to underexplored microbial diversity with potential ecological or health significance. Importantly, this study does not aim to compare pristine and contaminated environments, but rather to provide a sanitary alert by identifying the presence and potential proliferation of pathogenic fungi in a degraded mangrove system. These findings highlight the sensitivity of mangrove fungal communities to environmental disturbance and reinforce the value of metagenomic approaches for monitoring ecosystem health. Incorporating fungal metagenomic surveillance into environmental management strategies is essential to better understand biodiversity loss, ecological resilience, and potential public health risks in degraded coastal environments.},
}

*Metagenomics/methods
*Fungi/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
Humans
*Wetlands
Ecosystem
Biodiversity
Mycobiome
Geologic Sediments/microbiology

@article {pmid40872079,
year = {2025},
author = {Xia, M and Tang, L and Zhai, H and Liu, Y and Zhang, L and Chen, D},
title = {Genome-Wide Identification and Evolutionary Analysis of the GATA Transcription Factor Family in Nitrogen-Fixing Legumes.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants14162456},
pmid = {40872079},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {32400295//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 0205-6602-A12201//Research Startup Funding from Hainan Institute of Zhejiang University/ ; },
abstract = {GATA transcription factors are crucial for plant development and environmental responses, yet their roles in plant evolution and root nodule symbiosis are still not well understood. This study identified GATA genes across the genomes of 77 representative plant species, revealing that this gene family originated in Charophyta and significantly expanded in both gymnosperms and angiosperms. Phylogenetic analyses, along with examinations of conserved motifs and cis-regulatory elements in Glycine max and Arabidopsis, clearly demonstrated structural and functional divergence within the GATA family. Chromosomal mapping and synteny analysis indicated that GATA gene expansion in soybean primarily resulted from whole-genome duplication events. These genes also exhibit high conservation and signs of purifying selection in Glycine max, Lotus japonicus, and Medicago truncatula. Furthermore, by integrating phylogenetic and transcriptomic data from eight nitrogen-fixing legume species, several GATA genes were identified as strongly co-expressed with NIN1, suggesting their potential co-regulatory roles in nodule development and symbiosis. Collectively, this study offers a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary dynamics of the GATA gene family and highlights their potential involvement in root nodule symbiosis in legumes, thus providing a theoretical foundation for future mechanistic studies.},
}

@article {pmid40871461,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, T and Qi, Z and Wang, H and Zheng, P and Kao, SJ and Diao, X},
title = {Seasonal Variation in In Hospite but Not Free-Living, Symbiodiniaceae Communities Around Hainan Island, China.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13081958},
pmid = {40871461},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2021M702729//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; 41967032//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Coral reefs are increasingly threatened by global climate change, and mass bleaching and mortality events caused by elevated seawater temperature have led to coral loss worldwide. Hainan Island hosts extensive coral reef ecosystems in China, yet seasonal variation in Symbiodiniaceae communities within this region remains insufficiently understood. We aimed to investigate the temperature-driven adaptability regulation of the symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae community in reef-building corals, focusing on the environmental adaptive changes in its community structure in coral reefs between cold (23.6-24.6 °C) and warm (28.2-30.6 °C) months. Symbiodiniaceae shuffling and rare genotype turnover were discovered in adaptability variations in the symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae community between two months. Symbiodiniaceae genetic diversity increased during warm months, primarily due to temporal turnover of rare genotypes within the Cladocopium and Durusdinium genera. Coral Favites, Galaxea, and Porites exhibited the shuffling of Symbiodiniaceae between tolerant Durusdinium and sensitive Cladocopium. Symbiodiniaceae interactions in G. fascicularis and P. lutea exhibited the highest levels of stability with the increase in temperature, whereas the interactions in A. digitifera and P. damicornis showed the lowest levels of stability. Rare genotypes functioned as central hubs and important roles within Symbiodiniaceae communities, exhibiting minimal responsiveness to temperature fluctuations while maintaining community structural stability. The temperature-driven adaptability regulation of symbiotic Symbiodiniaceae could be achieved by Symbiodiniaceae shuffling and rare genotype turnover. The process might be aggravated by concurrent adverse factors, including elevated salinity, pollution, and anthropogenic disturbance. These findings provide insights into how the Symbiodiniaceae community influences the adaptation and resilience of coral hosts to temperature fluctuations in coral reefs. Furthermore, they may contribute to assessing the reef-building coral's capacity to withstand environmental stressors associated with global climate change.},
}

@article {pmid40871434,
year = {2025},
author = {Rincón-Rosales, R and Díaz-Hernández, M and Manzano-Gómez, LA and Rincón-Molina, FA and Ruíz-Valdiviezo, VM and Gen-Jiménez, A and Villalobos-Maldonado, JJ and Maldonado-Gómez, JC and Rincón-Molina, CI},
title = {Analysis of the Bacterial Community and Fatty Acid Composition in the Bacteriome of the Lac Insect Llaveia axin axin.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13081930},
pmid = {40871434},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {22004.25-P//Tecnológico Nacional de México/ ; 21914.25-P//Tecnológico Nacional de México/ ; },
abstract = {Microbial symbioses play crucial roles in insect physiology, contributing to nutrition, detoxification, and metabolic adaptations. However, the microbial communities associated with the lac insect Llaveia axin axin, an economically significant species used in traditional lacquer production, remain poorly characterized. In this study, the bacterial diversity and community structure of L. axin axin were investigated using both culture-dependent and culture-independent (metagenomic) approaches, combined with fatty acid profile analysis. The insects were bred at the laboratory level, in controlled conditions, encompassing stages from eggs to adult females. Bacterial strains were isolated from bacteriomes and identified through 16S rRNA gene amplification and genomic fingerprinting through ARDRA analysis. Metagenomic DNA was sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform, and fatty acid profiles were determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). A total of 20 bacterial strains were isolated, with Acinetobacter, Moraxella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus detected in first-instar nymphs; Methylobacterium, Microbacterium, and Bacillus in pre-adult females; and Bacillus and Microbacterium in adults. Metagenomic analysis revealed key genera including Sodalis, Blattabacterium, and Candidatus Walczuchella, with Sodalis being predominant in early stages and Blattabacteriaceae in adults. Fatty acid analysis identified palmitic, oleic, linoleic, arachidic, and stearic acids, with stearic acid being the most abundant. These results suggest that dominant bacteria contribute to lipid biosynthesis and metabolic development in L. axin axin.},
}

@article {pmid40871425,
year = {2025},
author = {Danilova, OV and Salova, VD and Oshkin, IY and Naumoff, DG and Ivanova, AA and Suzina, NE and Dedysh, SN},
title = {Isolation of Ultra-Small Opitutaceae-Affiliated Verrucomicrobia from a Methane-Fed Bioreactor.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13081922},
pmid = {40871425},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {25-24-00426//Russian Science Foundation (RSF)/ ; },
abstract = {The bacterial phylum Verrucomicrobiota accommodates free-living and symbiotic microorganisms, which inhabit a wide range of environments and specialize in polysaccharide degradation. Due to difficulties in cultivation, much of the currently available knowledge about these bacteria originated from cultivation-independent studies. A phylogenetic clade defined by the free-living bacterium from oilsands tailings pond, Oleiharenicola alkalitolerans, and the symbiont of the tunicate Lissoclinum sp., Candidatus Didemniditutus mandelae, is a poorly studied verrucomicrobial group. This clade includes two dozen methagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) retrieved from aquatic and soil habitats all over the world. A new member of this clade, strain Vm1, was isolated from a methane-fed laboratory bioreactor with a Methylococcus-dominated methane-oxidizing consortium and characterized in this study. Strain Vm1 was represented by ultra-small, motile cocci with a mean diameter of 0.4 µm that grew in oxic and micro-oxic conditions at temperatures between 20 and 42 °C. Stable development of strain Vm1 in a co-culture with Methylococcus was due to the ability to utilize organic acids excreted by the methanotroph and its exopolysaccharides. The finished genome of strain Vm1 was 4.8 Mb in size and contained about 4200 predicted protein-coding sequences, including a wide repertoire of CAZyme-encoding genes. Among these CAZymes, two proteins presumably responsible for xylan and arabinan degradation, were encoded in several MAGs of Vm1-related free-living verrucomicrobia, thus offering an insight into the reasons behind wide distribution of these bacteria in the environment. Apparently, many representatives of the Oleiharenicola-Candidatus Didemniditutus clade may occur in nature in trophic associations with methanotrophic bacteria, thus participating in the cycling of methane-derived carbon.},
}

@article {pmid40871343,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, X and Lu, Y and Liu, X and Gu, Y and Li, F},
title = {Trichoderma: Dual Roles in Biocontrol and Plant Growth Promotion.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13081840},
pmid = {40871343},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Qiankehejichu-ZK [2022] Zhongdian 033//Natural Science Foundation of Guizhou Province/ ; },
abstract = {The genus Trichoderma plays a pivotal role in sustainable agriculture through its multifaceted contributions to plant health and productivity. This review explores Trichoderma's biological functions, including its roles as a biocontrol agent, plant growth promoter, and stress resilience enhancer. By producing various enzymes, secondary metabolites, and volatile organic compounds, Trichoderma effectively suppresses plant pathogens, promotes root development, and primes plant immune responses. This review details the evolutionary adaptations of Trichoderma, which has transitioned from saprotrophism to mycoparasitism and established beneficial symbiotic relationships with plants. It also highlights the ecological versatility of Trichoderma in colonizing plant roots and improving soil health, while emphasizing its role in mitigating both biotic and abiotic stressors. With increasing recognition as a biostimulant and biocontrol agent, Trichoderma has become a key player in reducing chemical inputs and advancing eco-friendly farming practices. This review addresses challenges such as strain selection, formulation stability, and regulatory hurdles and concludes by advocating for continued research to optimize Trichoderma's applications in addressing climate change, enhancing food security, and promoting a sustainable agricultural future.},
}

@article {pmid40871230,
year = {2025},
author = {Iram, N and Ren, Y and Zhao, R and Zhao, S and Dong, C and Han, Y and Zhang, Y},
title = {Deciphering Soil Keystone Microbial Taxa: Structural Diversity and Co-Occurrence Patterns from Peri-Urban to Urban Landscapes.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms13081726},
pmid = {40871230},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {[No.32060011, 32160007, 32260003]//The National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; [Qian Ke He [2020] 6005]//"Hundred" Talent Projects of Guizhou Province/ ; [GNYL [2017]009]//Construction Program of Biology First-class Discipline in Guizhou/ ; },
abstract = {Assessing microbial community stability and soil quality requires understanding the role of keystone microbial taxa in maintaining diversity and functionality. This study collected soil samples from four major habitats in the urban and peri-urban areas of 20 highly urbanized provinces in China using both the five-point method and the S-shape method and explored their microbiota through high-throughput sequencing techniques. The data was used to investigate changes in the structural diversity and co-occurrence patterns of keystone microbial communities from peri-urban (agricultural land) to urban environments (hospitals, wastewater treatment plants, and zoos) across different regions. Using network analysis, we examined the structure and symbiosis of soil keystone taxa and their association with environmental factors during urbanization. Results revealed that some urban soils exhibited higher microbial diversity, network complexity, and community stability compared to peri-urban soil. Significant differences were observed in the composition, structure, and potential function of keystone microbial taxa between these environments. Correlation analysis showed a significant negative relationship between keystone taxa and mean annual precipitation (p < 0.05), and a strong positive correlation with soil nutrients, microbial diversity, and community stability (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that diverse keystone taxa are vital for sustaining microbial community stability and that urbanization-induced environmental changes modulate their composition. Shifts in keystone taxa composition reflect alterations in soil health and ecosystem functioning, emphasizing their role as indicators of soil quality during urban development. This study highlights the ecological importance of keystone taxa in shaping microbial resilience under urbanization pressure.},
}

@article {pmid40870637,
year = {2025},
author = {Qi, Q and Li, B and Zhang, X and Chen, X and Chen, H and King-Jones, K},
title = {Ecological Significance of a Novel Nitrogen Fixation Mechanism in the Wax Scale Insect Ericerus pela.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16080836},
pmid = {40870637},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {CAFYBB2019SZ005//Central Non-profit Research Institution of CAF/ ; },
abstract = {As a sessile wax scale insect, Ericerus pela heavily relies on its host plant for nutrition. While E. pela utilizes the nitrogen-poor plant sap as its primary nutrient source, the mechanisms by which this insect overcomes the nitrogen deficiency are poorly understood. In this study, we first confirm the nitrogen fixation capability of E. pela through isotopic tracer experiments and the acetylene reduction assay, which demonstrate that female adults exhibit an efficient nitrogen fixation rate. High-throughput sequencing further revealed 42 nitrogen-fixing bacterial species in the tissues of E. pela, most notably including Rhizobiales and Methylobacterium as the dominant species converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia. Several critical genes involved in nitrogen fixation, ammonia transporting, amino acid synthesis, and transportation were determined to be transcriptionally active across different developmental stages of E. pela. In addition, the symbiotic fungus Ophiocordyceps-located in the fat body of E. pela-was found to be capable of synthesizing all amino acids, including the essential amino acids required for the survival of E. pela. Taken together, this study demonstrates that E. pela has evolved a highly effective nitrogen acquisition system driven by symbiotic microorganisms, ensuring a sufficient nitrogen supply and enabling it to thrive on nitrogen-deficient food sources. Our findings reveal a unique evolutionary adaptation in which E. pela leveraged both bacterial nitrogen fixation and fungal amino acid synthesis to bolster its growth and development.},
}

@article {pmid40870591,
year = {2025},
author = {Siden-Kiamos, I and Pantidi, G and Vontas, J},
title = {The Journey of the Bacterial Symbiont Through the Olive Fruit Fly: Lessons Learned and Open Questions.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {16},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects16080789},
pmid = {40870591},
issn = {2075-4450},
abstract = {Dysbiosis is a strategy to control insect pests through disrupting symbiotic bacteria essential for their life cycle. The olive fly, Bactrocera oleae, has been considered a suitable system for dysbiosis, as the insect is strictly dependent on its unique symbiont Candidatus Erwinia dacicola. Here, we review older and recent results from studies of the interaction of the symbiont and its host fly. We then discuss possible methods for disrupting the symbiosis as a means to control the fly. Specifically, we summarize studies using microscopy methods that have investigated in great detail the organs where the bacterium resides and it is always extracellular. Furthermore, we discuss how genome sequences of both host and bacterium can provide valuable resources for understanding the interaction and transcriptomic analyses that have revealed important insights that can be exploited for dysbiosis strategies. We also assess experiments where compounds have been tested against the symbiont. The hitherto limited efficacy in decreasing bacterial abundance suggests that novel molecules and/or new ways for the delivery of agents will be important for successful dysbiosis strategies. Finally, we discuss how gene drive methods could be implemented in olive fly control, though a number of hurdles would need to be overcome.},
}

@article {pmid40869242,
year = {2025},
author = {Khatoon, A and Aslam, MM and Komatsu, S},
title = {Role of Plant-Derived Smoke Solution on Plants Under Stress.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26167911},
pmid = {40869242},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {This research was funded by the University-Special Research Grants (Practical application, 2025)//Fukui University of Technology/ ; },
mesh = {*Stress, Physiological/drug effects ; *Smoke ; *Plants/metabolism ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Antioxidants/metabolism ; Plant Development/drug effects ; },
abstract = {Plants are constantly exposed to various environmental challenges, such as drought, flooding, heavy metal toxicity, and pathogen attacks. To cope with these stresses, they employ several adaptive strategies. This review highlights the potential of plant-derived smoke (PDS) solution as a natural biostimulant for improving plant health and resilience, contributing to both crop productivity and ecological restoration under abiotic and biotic stress conditions. Mitigating effects of PDS solution against various stresses were observed at morphological, physiological, and molecular levels in plants. PDS solution application involves strengthening the cell membrane by minimizing electrolyte leakage, which enhances cell membrane stability and stomatal conductance. The increased reactive-oxygen species were managed by the activation of the antioxidant system including ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase to meet oxidative damage caused by challenging conditions imposed by flooding, drought, and heavy metal stress. PDS solution along with other by-products of fire, such as charred organic matter and ash, can enrich the soil by slightly increasing its pH and improving nutrient availability. Additionally, some studies indicated that PDS solution may influence phytohormonal pathways, particularly auxins and gibberellic acids, which can contribute to root development and enhance symbiotic interactions with soil microbes, including mycorrhizal fungi. These combined effects may support overall plant growth, though the extent of PDS contribution may vary depending on species and environmental conditions. This boost in plant growth contributes to protecting the plants against pathogens, which shows the role of PDS in enduring biotic stress. Collectively, PDS solution mitigates stress tolerance in plants via multifaceted changes, including the regulation of physico-chemical responses, enhancement of the antioxidant system, modulation of heavy metal speciation, and key adjustments of photosynthesis, respiration, cell membrane transport, and the antioxidant system at genomic/proteomic levels. This review focuses on the role of PDS solution in fortifying plants against environmental stresses. It is suggested that PDS solution, which already has been determined to be a biostimulant, has potential for the revival of plant growth and soil ecosystem under abiotic and biotic stresses.},
}

*Stress, Physiological/drug effects
*Smoke
*Plants/metabolism
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Antioxidants/metabolism
Plant Development/drug effects

@article {pmid40869153,
year = {2025},
author = {Kwon, EH and Ahmad, S and Lee, IJ},
title = {Melatonin-Producing Bacillus aerius EH2-5 Enhances Glycine max Plants Salinity Tolerance Through Physiological, Biochemical, and Molecular Modulation.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms26167834},
pmid = {40869153},
issn = {1422-0067},
mesh = {*Melatonin/biosynthesis/metabolism ; *Bacillus/metabolism/genetics ; *Salt Tolerance ; *Glycine max/microbiology/physiology/growth & development/genetics/metabolism ; Salinity ; Salt Stress ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Oxidative Stress ; Antioxidants/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Climate change has intensified extreme weather events and accelerated soil salinization, posing serious threats to crop yield and quality. Salinity stress, now affecting about 20% of irrigated lands, is expected to worsen due to rising temperatures and sea levels. At the same time, the global population is projected to exceed 9 billion by 2050, demanding a 70% increase in food production (UN, 2019; FAO). Agriculture, responsible for 34% of global greenhouse gas emissions, urgently needs sustainable solutions. Microbial inoculants, known as "plant probiotics," offer a promising eco-friendly alternative by enhancing crop resilience and reducing environmental impact. In this study, we evaluated the plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits and melatonin-producing capacity of Bacillus aerius EH2-5. To assess its efficacy under salt stress, soybean seedlings at the VC stage were inoculated with EH2-5 and subsequently subjected to salinity stress using 150 mM and 100 mM NaCl treatments. Plant growth parameters, the expression levels of salinity-related genes, and the activities of antioxidant enzymes were measured to determine the microbe's role in promoting plant growth and mitigating salt-induced oxidative stress. Here, our study shows that the melatonin-synthesizing Bacillus aerius EH2-5 (7.48 ng/mL at 24 h after inoculation in Trp spiked LB media) significantly improved host plant (Glycine max L.) growth, biomass, and photosynthesis and reduced oxidative stress during salinity stress conditions than the non-inculcated control. Whole genome sequencing of Bacillus aerius EH2-5 identified key plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-related genes, including znuA, znuB, znuC, and zur (zinc uptake); ptsN, aspA, and nrgB (nitrogen metabolism); and phoH and pstS (phosphate transport). Genes involved in tryptophan biosynthesis and transport, such as trpA, trpB, trpP, and tspO, along with siderophore-related genes yusV, yfhA, and yfiY, were also detected. The presence of multiple stress-responsive genes, including dnaK, dps, treA, cspB, srkA, and copZ, suggests EH2-5's genomic potential to enhance plant tolerance to salinity and other abiotic stresses. Inoculation with Bacillus aerius EH2-5 significantly enhanced soybean growth and reduced salt-induced damage, as evidenced by increased shoot biomass (29%, 41%), leaf numbers (12% and 13%), and chlorophyll content (40%, 21%) under 100 mM and 150 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. These results indicate EH2-5's strong potential as a plant growth-promoting and salinity stress-alleviating rhizobacterium. The EH2-5 symbiosis significantly enhanced a key ABA biosynthesis enzyme-related gene NCED3, dehydration responsive transcription factors DREB2A and NAC29 salinity stresses (100 mM and 150 mM). Moreover, the reduced expression of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) by 16%, 29%, and 24%, respectively, and decreased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydroxy peroxidase (H2O2) by 12% and 23% were observed under 100 mM NaCl compared to non-inoculated plants. This study demonstrated that Bacillus aerius EH2-5, a melatonin-producing strain, not only functions effectively as a biofertilizer but also alleviates plant stress in a manner comparable to the application of exogenous melatonin. These findings highlight the potential of utilizing melatonin-producing microbes as a viable alternative to chemical treatments. Therefore, further research should focus on enhancing the melatonin biosynthetic capacity of EH2-5, improving its colonization efficiency in plants, and developing synergistic microbial consortia (SynComs) with melatonin-producing capabilities. Such efforts will contribute to the development and field application of EH2-5 as a promising plant biostimulant for sustainable agriculture.},
}

*Melatonin/biosynthesis/metabolism
*Bacillus/metabolism/genetics
*Salt Tolerance
*Glycine max/microbiology/physiology/growth & development/genetics/metabolism
Salinity
Salt Stress
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant
Oxidative Stress
Antioxidants/metabolism

@article {pmid40868890,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, M and Zhang, Y and Zhao, Z and Deng, F and Jiang, H and Liu, C and Li, Y and Chai, J},
title = {Bacterial-Fungal Interactions: Mutualism, Antagonism, and Competition.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/life15081242},
pmid = {40868890},
issn = {2075-1729},
abstract = {The interaction between bacteria and fungi is one of the key interactions of microbial ecology, including mutualism, antagonism, and competition, which profoundly affects the balance and functions of animal microbial ecosystems. This article reviews the interactive dynamics of bacteria and fungi in more concerned microenvironments in animals, such as gut, rumen, and skin. Moreover, we summarize the molecular mechanisms and ecological functions of the interaction between bacteria and fungi. Three major bacterial-fungal interactions (mutualism, antagonism, and competition) are deeply discussed. Understanding of the interactions between bacteria and fungi allows us to understand, modulate, and maintain the community structure and functions. Furthermore, this summarization will provide a comprehensive perspective on animal production and veterinary medicine, as well as guide future research directions.},
}

@article {pmid40868558,
year = {2025},
author = {Salazar-Páramo, M and de Santos Ávila, F and Ortiz-Velázquez, GE and Ramirez-Jaramillo, I and Delgado-Lara, DLC and Torres-Sánchez, ED and Ortiz, GG},
title = {Inflammatory Joint Pathologies and the Oral-Gut Microbiota: A Reason for Origin.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {13},
number = {16},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/healthcare13161942},
pmid = {40868558},
issn = {2227-9032},
abstract = {The human gut microbiota, which can weigh as much as 2 kg and harbor 100 trillion bacteria, is specific to each individual. In healthy adults, a balanced microbiota-a state known as eubiosis-can be altered by various factors such as diet and lifestyle. Microbiota imbalance-or dysbiosis-can have consequences for host health. Given that 80% of the human immune system is located in the gut, studies have investigated the role of the microbiota in immune system diseases, including joint and inflammatory pathologies such as rheumatoid arthritis. A better understanding of this pathology might enable the development of new treatments in the future. The microbiota includes all unicellular organisms in the digestive tract, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea. This complex ecosystem is unique to each individual. Associations between the human body and the microorganisms that it hosts can be considered mutualistic, symbiotic, or parasitic. These microorganisms are responsible for essential functions in maintaining health; the microbiota can even be considered another organ of the body. Microbiota composition varies considerably between early life and older age but remains relatively stable for most of a lifespan.},
}

@article {pmid40867596,
year = {2025},
author = {Lushchak, VI},
title = {Symphony of Digestion: Coordinated Host-Microbiome Enzymatic Interplay in Gut Ecosystem.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom15081151},
pmid = {40867596},
issn = {2218-273X},
mesh = {Humans ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology ; *Digestion/physiology ; Animals ; Probiotics ; Prebiotics ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; },
abstract = {Digestion was once viewed as a host-driven process, dependent on salivary, gastric, pancreatic, and intestinal enzymes to break down macronutrients. However, new insights into the gut microbiota have redefined this view, highlighting digestion as a cooperative effort between host and microbial enzymes. Host enzymes initiate nutrient breakdown, while microbial enzymes, especially in the colon, extend this process by fermenting resistant polysaccharides, modifying bile acids, and transforming phytochemicals and xenobiotics into bioactive compounds. These microbial actions produce metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, which influence gut barrier function, immune regulation, and metabolism. I propose two frameworks to describe this interaction: the "duet," emphasizing sequential enzymatic cooperation, and the "orchestra," reflecting a spatially and temporally coordinated system with host-microbiota feedback. Disruption of this symbiosis, through antibiotics, inflammation, diet, or aging, leads to dysbiosis, impaired digestion, and contributes to metabolic, neurologic, cardiovascular, and inflammatory diseases. Recognizing digestion as a dynamic, integrated system opens new paths for therapies and nutrition. These include enzyme-targeted prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics, and personalized diets. Embracing this systems-level perspective enables innovative diagnostics and treatments, aiming to restore enzymatic balance and improve digestive and systemic health.},
}

Humans
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/physiology
*Digestion/physiology
Animals
Probiotics
Prebiotics
*Host Microbial Interactions

@article {pmid40867433,
year = {2025},
author = {Gu, Y and He, J and Huang, W and Sun, B},
title = {Professional Development for Teachers in the Digital Age: A Comparative Analysis of Online Training Programs and Policy Implementation.},
journal = {Behavioral sciences (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/bs15081076},
pmid = {40867433},
issn = {2076-328X},
support = {2025DQJK47//Education Science Planning for Guangdong Province/ ; },
abstract = {In the digital age, online teacher professional development (TPD) has become a key strategy for enhancing instructional quality and ensuring equitable access to continuous learning. This research compares and analyzes Chinese online teacher professional development (TPD) with the United States over a period of ten years, from 2014 to 2024. This study uses a mixed-methods approach based on policy documents, structured surveys, and interviews to investigate how governance regimes influence TPD outcomes for fair education. Both countries experienced a massive expansion of web-based TPD access and engagement, with participation rates over 75% and effectiveness scores over 4.3 by 2024. China focused on fast scaling by way of centralized mandates and investments in infrastructure, while the United States emphasized gradual expansion through decentralized, locally appropriate models. Most indicators had converged by the end of the period, even with these different approaches. Yet, qualitative evidence reveals persisting gaps in functional access and contextual appropriateness, especially in rural settings. Equality frameworks with attention to teacher agency, policy implementation, and digital usability must supplant weak access metrics. A hybrid paradigm presents itself as an attractive means toward building equitable and productive digital TPD environments through the symbiotic integration of China's successful scalability and the United States' professional autonomy.},
}

@article {pmid40865664,
year = {2025},
author = {Mavima, L and Steenkamp, ET and Beukes, CW and Palmer, M and De Meyer, SE and James, EK and Venter, SN and Coetzee, MPA},
title = {Estimated timeline for the evolution of symbiotic nitrogen fixing Paraburkholderia.},
journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108447},
doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2025.108447},
pmid = {40865664},
issn = {1095-9513},
abstract = {The nitrogen-fixing and nodule-forming symbionts of legumes, which belong to the class Betaproteobacteria, are informally known as beta-rhizobia. Thus far, members of this group have only been found in the genera Paraburkholderia, Trinickia and Cupriavidus. In this study, we investigate the poorly characterized evolutionary history of this trait in the predominant beta-rhizobial genus, Paraburkholderia. This was determined in the context of the current evolutionary theories and date estimates of rhizobia, the genus Paraburkholderia and the earth. Evolutionary divergence dates of rhizobial Paraburkholderia as well as their ancestral nodulation states were estimated using over 800 diverse proteobacterial genomes. Molecular dating was carried out using the software BEAST (Bayesian Evolutionary Analysis Sampling Trees) and APE (using the 'chronopl' function). Our results showed that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) of the extant beta-rhizobial species emerged between 2744 and 1752 million years ago (Ma) and later (2135-514 Ma) diverged into the lineages Cupriavidus, Trinickia and Paraburkholderia. However, major diversifications of rhizobial Paraburkholderia occurred in three phases: (i) during the Permian and Triassic periods (400-200 Ma) when Pangaea was fully assembled and its landmass filling up with flora and fauna, (ii) during the Jurassic period (200-150 Ma) when fauna and flora were flourishing in Pangaea, and (iii) during the Cretaceous and Paleogene periods (150-23 Ma) when Gondwana was breaking up. Furthermore, Paraburkholderia were estimated to have acquired their precursor nodulation loci that evolved into their current nodulation loci from different sources between 103 and 48 Ma. Accordingly, our study describes the evolutionary history of rhizobial Paraburkholderia, thus enabling us to understand the past environmental factors that shaped the current geographical distribution of these agriculturally important bacteria, and to identify locations potentially rich in beta-rhizobia.},
}

@article {pmid40757506,
year = {2025},
author = {Min, BR and Lourencon, RV and Nagaraju, I and Pitta, D and Ismael, H and Abdo, H and Chaudhary, S and Hilaire, M and Kanyi, V and Solaiman, S and Puchala, R},
title = {The effect of the forage-to-concentrate ratio of the total mixed ration on ruminal microbiota changes in Alpine dairy goats.},
journal = {Journal of animal science},
volume = {103},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40757506},
issn = {1525-3163},
support = {//USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture/ ; ALX-SRS22//McIntire-Stennis/ ; NR233A750004G103//USDA/NRCS Climate-Smart Commodities/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Goats/microbiology/physiology ; *Rumen/microbiology ; *Diet/veterinary ; *Animal Feed/analysis ; Female ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Bacteria/classification ; Fermentation ; },
abstract = {This study provides the first comprehensive evaluation of the forage-to-concentrate ratio's effects in a total mixed ratio (TMR) on the dry matter intake (DMI) and ruminal microbiome community changes in Alpine dairy goats. Thirty-two multiparous Alpine dairy goats (53.3 ± 1.14 kg body weight [BW]) were used in this experiment. Treatments were arranged in a completely randomized design with two treatments replicated twice, consisting of a TMR diet that contained either a high-concentrate (HC; 60%:40%) or a low-concentrate (LC; 30:70%) diet. Goats were used in a 45-d experiment to assess the effects of feeding different levels of concentrate diets on DMI, rumen fermentation characteristics, and changes in the ruminal microbiome community. The Calan head gate feeders were used to control individual DMI. The present study showed that BW was similar among the diets (P = 0.126), but DMI was lower (P < 0.05) for the LC diet than for the HC diet. The results showed that the most abundant bacterial species were Clostridium spp. (14.8% and 14.8%), followed by Rikenella spp. (8.2% and 9.7%), Prevotella ruminicola (4.1% and 6.3%), Clostridium sp. (3.5% and 4.8%), and Lachnoclostridium eubacterium contortum (3.4% and 1.2%) in the rumen of dairy goats fed HC and LC diets, respectively. According to the Archaeal 16S rRNA gene sequences, the most abundant Methanogen species were Methanobrevibacter sp. (97.3%), followed by M. wolinii (0.1% and 1.0%), Methanobrevibacter spp. (0.9%), and M. smithii (0.1% and 0.6%) in the rumen of Alpine dairy goats fed HC and LC diets, respectively. Our findings revealed that the rumen of Alpine dairy goats fed HC compared to LC diet had a higher or tended to have higher DMI and proportion of Firmicutes (55.0 vs. 49.2%; P = 0.07), Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratios (1.9 vs. 1.31; P = 0.06), Chloroflexi (3.7 vs. 1.4%; P < 0.01), Actinobacteria (3.8 vs. 1.5%; P < 0.01), and Tenericutes (1.3 vs. 0.6%; P < 0.01), respectively. Furthermore, the level of Methanobrevibacter sp. was not impacted by diets (P > 0.05). The alpha diversity analysis confirmed that the richness of rumen bacterial species was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) when dairy goats were fed the HC diet compared to the LC diet. The examination of the richness of both Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, in relation to the relative abundance of microbiota, will help elucidate the structure of gut microbiota as an indicator of animal performance (e.g., milk and meat production).},
}

Animals
*Goats/microbiology/physiology
*Rumen/microbiology
*Diet/veterinary
*Animal Feed/analysis
Female
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Bacteria/classification
Fermentation

@article {pmid40865576,
year = {2025},
author = {Du, Z and Fang, J and Pang, H and Cai, Y},
title = {Utilising rice straw to prepare a culture medium for synthesizing lactic acid bacteria biofilms and regulating silage fermentation.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {133201},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.133201},
pmid = {40865576},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {To effectively utilize crop by-product resources, we developed a low-cost natural culture medium using rice straw as material, successfully synthesized a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) biofilm conducive to silage, and activated LAB activity to drive the silage fermentation process. Commercial freeze-dried LAB strains FG1 (Lactiplantibacillus plantarum) and TH14 (Lacticaseibacillus casei) and their corresponding culture medium, used for the preparation of silage from orchard grass and timothy grass. The crude protein and mineral content in fresh grass was higher than 14.4 % and 3.0 g/kg based on dry matter (DM), respectively, and formed a microbial biofilm structure and symbiotic network dominated by harmful microorganisms. Compared with the control and other treatments, silage prepared using the FG1 medium exhibited excellent fermentation quality, with pH and ammonia nitrogen content below 3.6 and 0.7 g/kg of fresh weight (FW) (P < 0.05), respectively, while lactic acid content exceeded 1.1 g/kg of FW (P < 0.05). The single LAB biofilm constructed using the FG1 medium developed in this study promoted a rapid shift in the silage biofilm community structure from Gram-negative to Gram-positive bacteria. Ultimately, a biofilm structure dominated by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum was formed. This structure effectively regulated the dynamic symbiotic network of silage fermentation microorganisms, increasing the relative abundance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum to 35.4 %, significantly driving carbohydrate metabolism and global and overview map metabolic pathways while inhibiting amino acid metabolic pathways. This study achieved low-cost and high-quality silage fermentation by scientifically designing the biofilm structure of microorganisms related to silage fermentation.},
}

@article {pmid40865219,
year = {2025},
author = {Jia, J and Liu, Q and Wang, T and Zou, B and Xiong, X and Xu, J and Wu, C},
title = {Multiple stressors enhance Microcystis dominance and modulate phycospheric antibiotic resistome in aquatic mesocosm.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {497},
number = {},
pages = {139633},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2025.139633},
pmid = {40865219},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Assessing the response of phycospheric antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) to pollutants such as antibiotics and microplastics (MPs) under the background of climate warming is crucial for understanding ARG fate in aquatic ecosystems. In this work, we conducted mesocosm experiments to evaluate how these stressors influence phytoplankton dominance, phycospheric bacteria, and ARG evolution. Results showed that in Microcystis-dominant ecosystem, a single stressor strengthened Microcystis dominance (up to 82.37 % of total abundance), but only warming significantly enhanced phycospheric bacterial metabolic activity and promoted phycospheric ARG proliferation (1.34-fold higher on day 16). The increased propagation of Microcystis symbiotic bacteria (e.g., Roseomonas and Methylobacterium) and microcystin-degraders (e.g., Pseudomonas and Sphingomonas) drove the spread of ARGs. Though the single treatment of antibiotics (0.85- and 0.53-fold for days 16 and 30) or MPs (0.72- and 0.20-fold for days 16 and 30) decreased the abundance of ARGs, co-treatment with warming reversed this suppression (e.g., 1.55- and 1.96-fold for WA and MW groups on day 16). The results underscore the necessity of considering the combined warming-pollutant effects in ARG ecological risk assessment in natural waters, particularly under phytoplankton succession scenarios. Such insights are vital for managing antimicrobial resistance in evolving aquatic environments under global change pressures.},
}

@article {pmid40865124,
year = {2025},
author = {Hanrio, E and Severn-Ellis, A and Batley, J and Loh, R and Clode, P and Dang, C},
title = {A novel thraustochytrid in vitro isolate from the abalone Haliotis roei in Western Australia.},
journal = {Protist},
volume = {178},
number = {},
pages = {126114},
doi = {10.1016/j.protis.2025.126114},
pmid = {40865124},
issn = {1618-0941},
abstract = {Thraustochytrids are heterotrophic protozoa that can be saprophytic, parasitic, or symbiotic. They have become increasingly important as a potential source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. This study describes the isolation and characterisation of a novel thraustochytrid isolate from the abalone Haliotis roei in Western Australia. Isolate W7B6 was propagated in vitro and characterised using optical and electron microscopy as well as phylogenetic analysis. This thraustochytrid exhibits characteristic cell types of the Thraustochytriaceae family, including small sporogenous cells, cysts, encysted amoebosporangia and amoebosporangia. The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 18S rDNA sequence of the W7B6 isolate indicate its classification within the Monorhizochytrium clade, nested within the broader Aurantiochytrium super-clade. This study adds a new thraustochytrid strain that potentially has significance in the bio-production of long-chain fatty acids.},
}

@article {pmid40863595,
year = {2025},
author = {You, Y and Zhao, S and Xie, B and Li, Z and Gong, W and Zhang, G and Li, Q and Zhao, X and Xin, Z and Wu, J and Gao, Y and Xiang, H},
title = {A Review of Maricultural Wastewater Treatment Using an MBR: Insights into the Mechanism of Membrane Fouling Mitigation Through a Microalgal-Bacterial Symbiotic and Microbial Ecological Network.},
journal = {Membranes},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {40863595},
issn = {2077-0375},
support = {No. 52100036, No. 52270027//The National Natural Science Fund of China/ ; No. ZR2021QE119, ZR2023ME212//The Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province of China/ ; No. QA202140//Open Project of State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology/ ; 2023SYLHY13//the Taishan Industrial Experts Program and the Double First-class Discipline Construction Fund Project of Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai/ ; },
abstract = {Membrane bioreactors (MBRs) have been utilized for maricultural wastewater treatment, where high-salinity stress results in dramatic membrane fouling in the actual process. A microalgal-bacterial symbiotic system (MBSS) offers advantages for photosynthetic oxygen production, dynamically regulating the structure of extracellular polymeric substances (EPSs) and improving the salinity tolerance of bacteria and algae. This study centered on the mechanisms of membrane fouling mitigation via the microalgal-bacterial interactions in the MBSS, including improving the pollutant removal, optimizing the system parameters, and controlling the gel layer formation. Moreover, the contribution of electrochemistry to decreasing the inhibitory effects of high-salinity stress was investigated in the MBSS. Furthermore, patterns of shifts in microbial communities and the impacts have been explored using metagenomic technology. Finally, this review aims to offer new insights for membrane fouling mitigation in actual maricultural wastewater treatment.},
}

@article {pmid40863558,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, DM and Wang, SH and Wang, K and Li, JX and Yang, WQ and Han, XX and Cao, B and He, SH and Liu, WW and Zhao, RL},
title = {Species Diversity and Resource Status of Macrofungi in Beijing: Insights from Natural and Urban Habitats.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {40863558},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {2019HJ2096001006//the Biodiversity Survey and Assessment Project of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, China/ ; },
abstract = {This study systematically documented macrofungal diversity in Beijing, China (field surveys conducted from 2020 to 2024) using line-transect and random sampling. A total of 1056 species were identified, spanning 2 phyla, 7 classes, 25 orders, 109 families, and 286 genera. The inventory includes 12 new species, 456 new records for Beijing, 79 new records for China, and comprises 116 edible, 56 edible-medicinal, 123 medicinal, and 58 poisonous species. Among these, 542 species were assessed against China's Macrofungi Redlist, revealing eight species needing conservation attention (seven Near Threatened, one Vulnerable). Analysis revealed stark differences in dominant taxa between natural ecosystems (protected areas) and urban green spaces/parks. In natural areas, macrofungi are dominated by 31 families (e.g., Russulaceae, Cortinariaceae) and 47 genera (e.g., Russula, Cortinarius). Ectomycorrhizal lineages prevailed, highlighting their critical role in forest nutrient cycling, plant symbiosis, and ecosystem integrity. In urban areas, 10 families (e.g., Agaricaceae, Psathyrellaceae) and 17 genera (e.g., Leucocoprinus, Coprinellus) were dominant. Saprotrophic genera dominated, indicating their adaptation to decomposing organic matter in human-modified habitats and the provision of ecosystem services. The study demonstrates relatively high macrofungal diversity in Beijing. The distinct functional guild composition-ectomycorrhizal dominance in natural areas versus saprotrophic prevalence in urban zones-reveals complementary ecosystem functions and underscores the conservation value of protected habitats for maintaining vital mycorrhizal networks. These findings provide fundamental data and scientific support for regional biodiversity conservation and sustainable macrofungal resource development.},
}

@article {pmid40863553,
year = {2025},
author = {Gao, Y and Huang, S and Zhang, J and Zhu, L and Zhan, B and Yu, X and Chen, Y},
title = {JA Signaling Inhibitor JAZ Is Involved in Regulation of AM Symbiosis with Cassava, Including Symbiosis Establishment and Cassava Growth.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {40863553},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {ZDYF2023XDNY179//Hainan Province Science and Technology Special Fund/ ; },
abstract = {Mutualism between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is imperative for sustainable agricultural production. Jasmonic acid (JA) signal transduction has been demonstrated to play an important role in AMF symbiosis with the host. In this study, SC9 cassava was selected as the research object to investigate the effect of the jasmonic acid signaling pathway on symbiosis establishment and cassava growth in AMF and cassava symbiosis. It was first found that the symbiosis of cassava and mycorrhizal fungi could increase the biomass of both the aboveground and belowground parts of cassava. Secondly, JA content increased significantly in the early stage of AMF inoculation and auxin content increased significantly in the late stage of AMF inoculation, suggesting that JA signal transduction played an important role in the symbiosis between cassava and mycorrhizal fungi. Transcriptome data were used to analyze the expression differences of genes related to JA synthesis and signal transduction in cassava. The MeJAZ gene positively responded to symbiosis between cassava and mycorrhizal fungi. The analysis of MeJAZ gene family expression and its promoter supported this result. Spraying different concentrations of MeJA on leaves could affect the colonization rate and root biomass of cassava, indicating that JA was an active regulator of mycorrhizal formation. PPI prediction and qPCR analysis suggested that the MeJAZ7 gene might be a key transcriptional regulator responding to jasmonic acid signals and regulating mycorrhizal influence on cassava growth and development.},
}

@article {pmid40863539,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, X and Ma, X and Wang, S and Zhang, P and Sun, L and Jia, Z and Zhang, Y and Bao, Q and Bao, Y and Wei, J},
title = {Transcriptomic and Metabolomic Insights into the Effects of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi on Root Vegetative Growth and Saline-Alkali Stress Response in Oat (Avena sativa L.).},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {11},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {40863539},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {32160335//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2023YFF1306004//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
abstract = {Soil salinization limits the growth of agricultural crops in the world, requiring the use of methods to increase the tolerance of agricultural crops to salinity-alkali stress. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance plant stress adaptation through symbiosis and offer a promising strategy for remediation. However, in non-model crops such as oat (Avena sativa L.), research has mainly focused on physiological assessments, while the key genes and metabolic pathways involved in AMF-mediated growth and saline-alkali tolerance remain unclear. In this study, we employed integrated multi-omics and physiological analyses to explore the regulatory mechanisms of AMF in oats under normal and saline-alkali stress. The results indicated that AMF symbiosis significantly promoted oat growth and physiological performance under both normal and saline-alkali stress conditions. Compared to the non-inoculated group under normal conditions, AMF increased plant height and biomass by 8.5% and 15.3%, respectively. Under saline-alkali stress, AMF enhanced SPAD value and relative water content by 16.7% and 7.3%, reduced MDA content by 35.8%, increased soluble protein by 21.8%, and decreased proline by 13.3%. In addition, antioxidant enzyme activities (SOD, POD, and CAT) were elevated by 18.4%, 18.2%, and 14.8%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that AMF colonization under saline-alkali stress induced about twice as many differentially expressed genes (DEGs) as under non-saline-alkali stressed conditions. These DEGs were primarily associated with Environmental Information Processing, Genetic Information Processing, and Metabolic Processes. According to metabolomic analysis, a total of 573 metabolites were identified across treatments, mainly comprising lipids (29.3%), organic compounds (36.8%), and secondary metabolites (21.5%). Integrated multi-omics analysis indicated that AMF optimized energy utilization and antioxidant defense by enhancing phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism pathways. This study provides new insights into how AMF may enhance oat growth and tolerance to saline-alkali stress.},
}

@article {pmid40862350,
year = {2025},
author = {Lirette, A-O and Ishigami, K and Ohbayashi, T and Kikuchi, Y},
title = {Complete genome sequence of Caballeronia sp. strain HLA56-a bacterial symbiont isolated from midgut crypts of the leaf-footed bug Hygia lativentris.},
journal = {Microbiology resource announcements},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0060325},
doi = {10.1128/mra.00603-25},
pmid = {40862350},
issn = {2576-098X},
abstract = {Caballeronia sp. strain HLA56 is a bacterial symbiont belonging to the Coreoidea clade in the genus of Caballeronia, isolated from the midgut crypts of phytophagous stink bug Hygia lativentris. Here, we report the complete 7.78 Mb genome of this symbiont, which consists of six circular replicons containing 7,095 protein-coding genes.},
}

@article {pmid40862159,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, Y and Jiang, L and Zhou, F and Zhang, Y and Fine, RD and Li, M},
title = {The hidden dancers in water: the symbiotic mystery of Legionella pneumophila and free-living amoebae.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1634806},
pmid = {40862159},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Legionella pneumophila, a Gram-negative bacillus, is the primary etiological agent of Legionnaires' disease, a severe respiratory infection. The symbiotic relationship between L. pneumophila and free-living amoebae (FLAs), particularly Acanthamoeba spp., represents a critical intersection of microbial ecology and human pathogenesis. This symbiosis provides Legionella with a protective intracellular niche, enhancing its resistance to biocides, increasing its pathogenicity, and facilitating horizontal gene transfer. These interactions not only boost the environmental persistence and dissemination of L. pneumophila but also elevate the risk of human exposure through contaminated drinking water systems. This review delves into the sophisticated survival strategies employed by L. pneumophila within host cells, including evasion of endocytic pathways, inhibition of phagosome maturation and acidification, and prevention of phagosome-lysosome fusion. By elucidating these mechanisms, we underscore the critical need for in-depth research into the Legionella-amoebae symbiosis and its broader implications for public health. Additionally, we address the challenges and strategies for mitigating environmental risks, emphasizing the importance of innovative approaches to ensure water system safety and prevent pathogen transmission.},
}

@article {pmid40861366,
year = {2025},
author = {Jiang, W and Li, Y and Hu, X and Ma, D},
title = {Reframing individual roles in collaboration: digital identity construction and adaptive mechanisms for resistance-based professional skills in AI-human intelligence symbiosis.},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1652130},
pmid = {40861366},
issn = {1664-1078},
abstract = {Amid the unprecedented wave of AI advancement, AI-resistant professional skills play a significant role in enhancing the effectiveness of human-AI collaboration. However, existing research tends to isolate professional skills from their broader context, overlooking the triadic construction of digital identity recognition through individual motivation, structural position, and knowledge articulation. This oversight weakens the sustainability and adaptability of skill expression, thereby hindering innovation performance in AI-HI (Artificial Intelligence-Human Intelligence) collaboration. Drawing on the entropy weight method, gradient descent algorithm, and a residual-matching decision matrix, this study conducted quantitative modeling of 418 participants in the financial co-production sector from 2022 to 2024. The findings reveal that network centrality (NC; β = 0.04[**]) and proactive personality (PP; β = 0.05[**]) significantly amplify the impact of two key AI-resistant skills-foreign language proficiency (FL) and passion/optimism (PO)-on collaboration effectiveness, through structural empowerment and intrinsic motivation. Furthermore, this study develops a digital identity recognition and classification framework that identifies three distinct groups: core innovators, marginal experts, and low performers. By extending the theoretical model of digital identity construction within AI-HI collaboration, this study also proposes a differentiated approach to talent development and resource allocation based on innovation effectiveness and identity alignment, offering new insights into the advancement of digital human capital.},
}

@article {pmid40860189,
year = {2025},
author = {Shi, X and Xia, X and Xiao, Y and Shu, H and Xu, Z and Liu, M and Shi, C and Zhang, Y and Wei, Y and Gong, Y and Wang, W and Chen, Y and Liu, J and Huang, J and Shi, M and Wang, J and Wu, W},
title = {Ferroptosis-Resistant Adipocytes Drive Keloid Pathogenesis via GPX4-Mediated Adipocyte-Mesenchymal Transition and Iron-Cystine Metabolic Communication.},
journal = {International journal of biological sciences},
volume = {21},
number = {11},
pages = {5097-5115},
pmid = {40860189},
issn = {1449-2288},
mesh = {*Ferroptosis/physiology ; *Adipocytes/metabolism ; Humans ; *Iron/metabolism ; *Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism/genetics ; Animals ; *Keloid/metabolism/pathology ; Mice ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism ; Fibroblasts/metabolism ; Deferoxamine ; Signal Transduction ; Male ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Background: Keloids are a challenging fibrotic disorder with limited treatment options. The study sought to examine the underlying mechanisms of keloid pathogenesis, emphasizing the influence of dermal adipocytes and ferroptosis resistance in driving fibrosis. Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) was employed for determining essential cell populations in keloid tissue. Mechanistic studies assessed iron overload, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) exhaustion, and interferon responses in ferroptosis-resistant adipocytes. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expression and TGF-β signaling activation were evaluated in adipocyte-mesenchymal transition (AMT). Paracrine signaling and metabolic symbiosis between adipocytes and fibroblasts were analyzed. Therapeutic interventions (ferroptosis inducer RSL3 and iron chelator deferoxamine DFO) were tested in vivo. Results: Through single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified ferroptosis-resistant dermal adipocytes as key contributors to keloid pathogenesis, exhibiting iron overload, ROS suppression, and impaired interferon responses. These adipocytes demonstrated elevated GPX4 expression, which mechanistically drove AMT via iron-dependent activation of TGF-β signaling pathways. GPX4-activated adipocytes promoted fibroblast collagen production through paracrine signaling while establishing a metabolic symbiosis: adipocytes exported iron via solute carrier family 40 member 1 (SLC40A1) to neighboring fibroblasts, which reciprocally supplied cystine through cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS)/cystinosin, lysosomal cystine transporter (CTNS) to sustain GPX4 activity. This vicious cycle was further amplified by iron/ROS-mediated suppression of interferon signaling, creating a pro-fibrotic feedback loop. Therapeutic targeting with either the ferroptosis inducer RSL3 or iron chelator deferoxamine (DFO) effectively disrupted this pathological network, suppressing GPX4/AMT while restoring interferon responses and attenuating keloid growth in vivo. This study clarifies a new adipocyte-focused mechanism in keloid development and identifies ferroptosis regulation as a potential treatment approach for this persistent condition. Conclusions: This study reveals a novel adipocyte-centered mechanism in keloid pathogenesis driven by GPX4-mediated ferroptosis resistance, metabolic symbiosis, and disrupted interferon signaling. The findings establish ferroptosis modulation (via RSL3 or iron chelation) as a promising therapeutic strategy for keloids, offering potential new treatments for this recalcitrant condition.},
}

*Ferroptosis/physiology
*Adipocytes/metabolism
Humans
*Iron/metabolism
*Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/metabolism/genetics
Animals
*Keloid/metabolism/pathology
Mice
Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism
Fibroblasts/metabolism
Deferoxamine
Signal Transduction
Male
Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism

@article {pmid40859120,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, H and Wang, Y and Cheng, X and He, Y and Shen, Z and Zhang, W and Pu, X},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi colonization facilitates nitrogen uptake in cotton under nitrogen - reduction condition.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {25},
number = {1},
pages = {1129},
pmid = {40859120},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {32460538//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2024DB015//Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Science and Technology Program/ ; 2023ZD049//Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps Guiding Science, Technology Program/ ; CXBJ202201//Youth Innovative Talents Project of Shihezi University/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology/growth & development ; *Nitrogen/metabolism ; *Gossypium/microbiology/metabolism ; Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Soil/chemistry ; Soil Microbiology ; Biomass ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Cotton is an economically important global crop, the yield and quality of which are strongly influenced by soil nitrogen. Low nitrogen use efficiency poses an important challenge to improve cotton yield and quality. The use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) has been proposed as an effective solution to this challenge. Therefore, we conducted an indoor experiment using a compartmentalized culture system with cotton as the material and established three nitrogen treatments (1 g·kg[-1], 0.7 g·kg[-1], and 0 g·kg[-1]) to investigate whether symbiosis between AMF and cotton roots could improve the nitrogen absorption capacity of cotton.

RESULTS: The results showed that under high-nitrogen, low-nitrogen, and nitrogen- free treatments, the contributions of AMF colonization to root NO₃⁻-N and NH₄⁺-N were 5.89%, 10.10%, 19.92% and 24.35%, 12.37%, 13.16% respectively. Furthermore, the symbiosis between AMF and roots promoted the absorption of soil NO₃⁻-N, NH₄⁺ -N, and dissolved organic nitrogen, and was beneficial for increasing the content of soil readily oxidizable carbon. Additionally, AMF colonization was significantly positively correlated with root tissue density, cotton biomass, and soil microbial activity, but significantly negatively correlated with soil total organic carbon.

CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, under nitrogen - reduction condition, roots will be more dependent on the contribution of mycelium to NO₃⁻-N, and AMF colonization was significantly positively correlated with root tissue density (P < 0.05), suggesting that mycelium may prolong its functional cycle by improving the root structure, thereby reducing the carbon and nitrogen consumption in host organ reconstruction. However, this mechanism needs to be further verified in combination with the direct measurement of root turnover rate.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology/growth & development
*Nitrogen/metabolism
*Gossypium/microbiology/metabolism
Plant Roots/microbiology/metabolism
Symbiosis
Soil/chemistry
Soil Microbiology
Biomass

@article {pmid40858312,
year = {2025},
author = {Schwarz, EM and Baniya, A and Heppert, JK and Schwartz, HT and Tan, CH and Antoshechkin, I and Sternberg, PW and Goodrich-Blair, H and Dillman, AR},
title = {Genomes of the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema hermaphroditum and its associated bacteria.},
journal = {Genetics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/genetics/iyaf170},
pmid = {40858312},
issn = {1943-2631},
abstract = {As an entomopathogenic nematode (EPN), Steinernema hermaphroditum parasitizes insect hosts and harbors symbiotic Xenorhabdus griffinae bacteria. In contrast to other Steinernematids, S. hermaphroditum has hermaphroditic genetics, offering the experimental scope found in Caenorhabditis elegans. To enable study of S. hermaphroditum, we have assembled and analyzed its reference genome. This genome assembly has five chromosomal scaffolds and 83 unassigned scaffolds totaling 90.7 Mb, with 19,426 protein-coding genes having a BUSCO completeness of 88.0%. Its autosomes show higher densities of strongly conserved genes in their centers, as in C. elegans, but repetitive elements are evenly distributed along all chromosomes, rather than with higher arm densities as in C. elegans. Either when comparing protein motif frequencies between nematode species or when analyzing gene family expansions during nematode evolution, we observed two categories of genes preferentially associated with the origin of Steinernema or S. hermaphroditum: orthologs of venom genes in S. carpocapsae or S. feltiae; and some types of chemosensory G protein-coupled receptors, despite the tendency of parasitic nematodes to have reduced numbers of chemosensory genes. Three-quarters of venom orthologs occurred in gene clusters, with the larger clusters comprising functionally diverse gene groups rather than paralogous repeats of a single venom gene. While assembling S. hermaphroditum, we coassembled bacterial genomes, finding sequence data for not only the known symbiont, X. griffinae, but also for eight other bacterial genera. All eight genera have previously been observed to be associated with Steinernema species or the EPN Heterorhabditis, and may constitute a "second bacterial circle" of EPNs.},
}

@article {pmid40856799,
year = {2025},
author = {Pushkareva, E and Keilholz, L and Böse, J and von Berg, KL},
title = {Genetic Diversity and Potential of Cyanobacteria and Fungi Living on Arctic Liverworts.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {88},
number = {1},
pages = {90},
pmid = {40856799},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {PU867/1-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; },
mesh = {Arctic Regions ; *Hepatophyta/microbiology ; *Cyanobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology ; *Fungi/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; *Genetic Variation ; Symbiosis ; Soil Microbiology ; Phylogeny ; Nitrogen Fixation ; },
abstract = {Liverworts often form symbiotic associations with fungi and cyanobacteria, yet the distribution and specificity of these relationships remain largely unexplored, particularly in Arctic environments. This study used metagenomic sequencing to investigate fungal and cyanobacterial communities associated with Arctic liverworts, analyzing photosynthetic parts of gametophytes and their rhizoids with attached soil separately. The results revealed that Ascomycota dominated the fungal community. The cyanobacterial community was primarily composed of heterocytous Nostoc and non-heterocytous filamentous Leptolyngbya, with Nostoc showing evidence of nitrogen fixation, especially in gametophytes, suggesting a potential role in enhancing nitrogen availability for the host. These findings underscore the ecological significance of liverwort-associated microorganisms in Arctic ecosystems, with microbial composition differing between upper and lower parts of plants, as well as between leafy and thalloid liverworts, indicating possible functional specialization.},
}

Arctic Regions
*Hepatophyta/microbiology
*Cyanobacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification/physiology
*Fungi/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
*Genetic Variation
Symbiosis
Soil Microbiology
Phylogeny
Nitrogen Fixation

@article {pmid40855951,
year = {2025},
author = {Chen, NF and Ma, XY and Hong, JS and Luan, JB},
title = {Rickettsia symbionts favor whitefly ovary development by promoting germ cell mitosis.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.70167},
pmid = {40855951},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {32225042//National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of China/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Maternally inherited symbionts can impact the reproduction of their host insects in various ways. The ovary is critical for the successful reproduction of female insects. Such symbionts have strong ovary tropism. Intracellular symbionts depend on host cells for replication and transmission. However, the cellular mechanisms by which symbionts impact insect reproduction through affecting ovary development have seldom been investigated. Our previous work has shown that the facultative symbiont Rickettsia can be vertically transmitted through eggs in the whitefly Bemisia tabaci and Rickettsia increases female fecundity. This study is aimed to explore the cellular mechanisms of Rickettsia symbionts affecting the whitefly fecundity.

RESULTS: We found that Rickettsia symbionts are highly concentrated in the tropharium of whitefly ovarioles. We demonstrated that Rickettsia increases whitefly fecundity by promoting ovary development. Moreover, Rickettsia enhances the expression of cell division genes (Cyclin B1 and CDK1) and germ cell mitosis. Furthermore, Cyclin B1 and CDK1 gene silencing or CDK1 inhibitor treatment reduced the germ cell mitosis, delayed ovary development and decreased whitefly fecundity.

CONCLUSION: Overall, we revealed that Rickettsia promotes ovary development by regulating germ cell mitosis, which enhances whitefly fecundity. These findings suggest that regulating the host cell cycle by the symbiont is important for the maintenance of the intracellular symbiosis. This study provides new insights into the cellular mechanism of symbionts regulating host reproduction. Our study also provides excellent genetic targets for insect control. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}

@article {pmid40855682,
year = {2025},
author = {Goto-Ito, S and Kato, S and Takahashi, M and Sakamoto, A and Yamagata, A and Lee, Y and Ehara, H and Sato, M and Toyooka, K and Ohkuma, M and Ito, T},
title = {Structural analysis of a symbiotic system involving a Nanobdellati archaeon by cryo-electron tomography.},
journal = {Journal of biochemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jb/mvaf049},
pmid = {40855682},
issn = {1756-2651},
abstract = {Nanobdellati (formerly DPANN) archaea are considered as primitive archaeal organisms that often live in symbiosis with archaeal hosts. In this study, we investigated the symbiotic mechanism between a Nanobdellati archaeon, Nanobdella aerobiophila strain MJ1, and its host archaeon Metallosphaera sedula strain MJ1HA, using cryo-electron tomography. In our tomographic observations, we identified a conical attachment organelle at the interface between MJ1 and MJ1HA during symbiosis. This structure consists of a concentric array of short cylindrical shells, consistent with a previous report. Subtomogram averaging, combined with AlphaFold 3 structural predictions, allowed us to identify a potential component of attachment organelles. Additionally, we inferred potential components of the S-layers in MJ1 and MJ1HA based on tomographic data and subtomogram averages. Based on these analyses, we hypothesize that a MJ1 S-layer component may undergo conformational changes to also serve as a component of attachment organelles, warranting further investigation.},
}

@article {pmid40855672,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, B and Liu, Z and Peng, T and Yin, M and Efrose, R and Flemetakis, E and Franken, P and Rennenberg, H},
title = {Revealing the Role of Actinorhizal Symbioses in Ecosystem Nitrogen Dynamics.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70146},
pmid = {40855672},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//This study was funded by Chongqing Science and Technology Commission (cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0002 & cstc2021ycjh-bgzxm0020) and the funding support is acknowledged./ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic associations between plants and microorganisms are crucial to global biogeochemical cycling and ecosystem stability. Mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen (N2)-fixing bacteria are recognized as the two main groups of microorganisms involved in such symbiotic interactions. They not only constitute the most wide-spread symbiotic microorganisms, but also ensure plants to acquire additional N resources directly from the atmosphere. Although plant-microbial interactions, for example, the performance of AM-plant and rhizobia-legume plant symbioses, have been well studied and reviewed in detail previously, still less information is known about these processes in actinorhizal symbioses. The present review is aimed to summarize current knowledge of the interaction of partners in actinorhizal root symbioses, in particular the signalling processes during establishment of BNF, and the specificity of and dependency on different symbiotic partners in this interactions, based on evolution and distribution in the plant and microbial kingdom. The features of nutrient transfer in these root symbiotic relationships and the significance of actinorhizal symbioses for the performance of plants under environmental stress are discussed and compared with AM and rhizobia-legume symbioses. In addition, research gaps in actinorhizal root symbioses research are identified and future research avenues are suggested.},
}

@article {pmid40855059,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, X and Huang, Q and Liu, Y and He, X and Chen, W and Liu, Y and Gan, L and Wei, J and Zhang, H and Chen, T},
title = {Harnessing dual-channel probiotics to synergistically correct intestinal and vaginal dysbiosis after antibiotic disruption.},
journal = {NPJ biofilms and microbiomes},
volume = {11},
number = {1},
pages = {174},
pmid = {40855059},
issn = {2055-5008},
support = {82460297//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Probiotics/administration & dosage ; Female ; *Dysbiosis/therapy/microbiology/chemically induced/drug therapy ; Animals ; *Vagina/microbiology/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects ; Mice ; Limosilactobacillus reuteri/physiology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Helicobacter Infections/microbiology/drug therapy ; Helicobacter pylori/drug effects ; Humans ; *Intestines/microbiology/drug effects ; Lactobacillus crispatus/physiology ; },
abstract = {Antibiotics are widely used to treat infectious diseases, yet antibiotic therapy has been shown to disrupt symbiotic microbiota. Notably, the dosage and duration of antibiotic use for specific infections may exert detrimental effects on microbiota in non-infected sites. Here, we propose a dual-channel probiotic delivery strategy to address gut and vaginal dysbiosis caused by antibiotic therapies. In a Helicobacter pylori infection model, oral administration of Limosilactobacillus reuteri NCU-15 alleviated gastritis and protected the intestinal barrier and microbiota. In a vaginal dysbiosis model, intravaginal delivery of Lactobacillus crispatus NCU-23 reduced local inflammation and apoptosis, restoring vaginal microbial homeostasis. In the entero-vaginal disordered mice, dual-channel probiotic therapy produced synergistic effects by reducing inflammation, inhibiting apoptosis, and reestablishing microbial balance. These findings demonstrate the potential of dual-channel probiotic intervention to modulate gut-vaginal microbiota interactions and offer a scientific basis for developing strategies to prevent or treat antibiotic-induced dysbiosis.},
}

*Probiotics/administration & dosage
Female
*Dysbiosis/therapy/microbiology/chemically induced/drug therapy
Animals
*Vagina/microbiology/drug effects
*Anti-Bacterial Agents/adverse effects
Mice
Limosilactobacillus reuteri/physiology
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects
Disease Models, Animal
Helicobacter Infections/microbiology/drug therapy
Helicobacter pylori/drug effects
Humans
*Intestines/microbiology/drug effects
Lactobacillus crispatus/physiology

@article {pmid40854139,
year = {2025},
author = {Qu, M and Zhang, Y and Woltering, J and Liu, Y and Liu, Z and Wan, S and Jiang, H and Yu, H and Chen, Z and Wang, X and Zhang, Z and Qin, G and Schneider, R and Meyer, A and Lin, Q},
title = {Symbiosis with and mimicry of corals were facilitated by immune gene loss and body remodeling in the pygmy seahorse.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {35},
pages = {e2423818122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2423818122},
pmid = {40854139},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {42425004//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 42230409//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 42376126//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 42006108//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; 42106120//MOST | National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC)/ ; ZDBS-LY-DQC004//CAS | BFSE | Key Research Program of Frontier Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences ()/ ; 2022YFC3102403//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; 2023YFC3108800//MOST | National Key Research and Development Program of China (NKPs)/ ; 2023A1515012165//Guangdong basic and applied basic research foundation/ ; XDB42030204//Strategic priority research program of the CAS/ ; 2024PVA0054//CAS president's international fellowship initiative/ ; },
abstract = {A remarkable example of symbiosis involves the pygmy seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti). It lives obligatorily on gorgonian corals, mimicking their polyps with pink coloration and skin protuberances. Unique for seahorses, pygmy seahorses retain juvenile paedomorphic stunted snouts, resembling the coral's polyps. We analyzed the tiny seahorse's genome revealing the genomic bases of several adaptations to their mutualistic life including substantial reductions in conserved noncoding elements that are associated with genes in the vicinity of those CNEs that are known to play a role in growth and metamorphosis-related pathways. Comparative RNA- and ATAC-Seq analyses during their ontogeny suggest that their stunted snout might result from craniofacial remodeling associated with hoxa2b defunctionalization. This is consistent also with findings from in situ hybridization and CRISPR experiments. Their immune system shows extremely low numbers of MHC genes and additional considerable losses of other immune-related genes. This is likely facilitated by the host coral's antimicrobial metabolites and by the earlier evolution of male pregnancy that requires immunotolerance.},
}

@article {pmid40853994,
year = {2025},
author = {Meesil, W and Sharkey, LKR and Pidot, SJ and Thanwisai, A},
title = {Comprehensive genomic analysis of Xenorhabdus bovienii strain MEL2.2.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {20},
number = {8},
pages = {e0331132},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0331132},
pmid = {40853994},
issn = {1932-6203},
abstract = {The genome sequences of entomopathogenic bacteria and their functional analyses provide valuable insights for genetic engineering to enhance their use as biocontrol agents. In this study, we examine the draft genome of Xenorhabdus bovienii strain MEL2.2, which was isolated from entomopathogenic nematodes in Melbourne, Australia. The genome of Xenorhabdus strain MEL2.2 spans approximately 4.4 million base pairs and has a G + C content of 44.8%, aligning with known characteristics of the genus. Within the genome, 3,823 protein-coding genes were identified. Functional analysis revealed genes associated with nematode symbiosis and insect virulence. Moreover, 15 biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) were detected, potentially responsible for synthesizing various secondary metabolites. Comparative genomic analysis indicated a combination of conserved and strain-specific genes when compared to other Xenorhabdus bovienii strains, suggesting genetic traits that may enhance MEL2.2's adaptability and pathogenicity. Altogether, these findings offer a foundation for exploring the strain's utility in further applications.},
}

@article {pmid40853413,
year = {2025},
author = {Kang, R and Xuan, Z and Tong, L and Wang, Y and Jin, S and Xiao, Q},
title = {Nurse Researchers' Experiences and Perceptions of Generative AI: Qualitative Semistructured Interview Study.},
journal = {Journal of medical Internet research},
volume = {27},
number = {},
pages = {e65523},
pmid = {40853413},
issn = {1438-8871},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: With the rapid development and iteration of generative artificial intelligence, the growing popularity of such groundbreaking tools among nurse researchers, represented by ChatGPT (OpenAI), is receiving passionate debate and intrigue. Although there has been qualitative research on generative artificial intelligence in other fields, little is known about the experiences and perceptions of nurse researchers; this study seeks to report on the topic.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the experiences and perceptions of generative artificial intelligence among Chinese nurse researchers, as well as provide a reference for the application of generative artificial intelligence in nursing research in the future.

METHODS: Semistructured interviews were used to collect data in this qualitative study. Researchers mainly conducted interviews on the cognition, experience, and future expectations of nurse researchers regarding the use of generative artificial intelligence. Twenty-seven nurse researchers were included in the study. Through purposive sampling and snowball sampling, there were 7 nursing faculty researchers, 10 nursing graduate students, and 10 clinical nurse researchers. Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

RESULTS: Five themes and 12 subthemes were categorized from 27 original interview documents as follows: (1) diverse reflections on human-machine symbiosis, which includes the interplay between substitution and assistance, researchers shaping the potential of generative artificial intelligence, and acceptance of generative artificial intelligence with alacrity; (2) multiple factors of the usage experience, including individual characteristics and various usage scenarios; (3) research paradigm reshaping in the infancy stage, which involves full-process groundbreaking assistive tools and emergence of new research paths; (4) application risks of generative artificial intelligence, including intrinsic limitations of generative artificial intelligence and academic integrity and medical ethics; and (5) the co-improvement of technology and literacy, which concerns reinforcement needs for generative artificial intelligence literacy, development of nursing research generative artificial intelligence and urgent need for artificial intelligence-generated content detection tools. In this context, the first 4 themes form the rocket of the human-machine symbiosis journey. Only when humans fully leverage the advantages of machines (generative artificial intelligence) and overcome their shortcomings can this human-machine symbiosis journey reach the correct future direction (fifth theme).

CONCLUSIONS: This study explored the experiences and perceptions of nurse researchers interacting with generative artificial intelligence, which was a "symbiotic journey" full of twists and turns, and provides a reference and basis for achieving harmonious coexistence between nurse researchers and generative artificial intelligence in the future. Nurse researchers, policy makers, and application developers can use the conclusions of this study to further promote the application of generative artificial intelligence in nursing research, policy making, and product development.},
}

@article {pmid40853247,
year = {2025},
author = {Baiju, DC and V M, L and Mondal, R},
title = {From Warburg to Warnings: A Genomic Approach to Oral Cancer Surveillance.},
journal = {DNA and cell biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1177/10445498251371120},
pmid = {40853247},
issn = {1557-7430},
abstract = {Mitochondria, originating from symbiotic ancestors, are acknowledged as the powerhouses of the cell. Their relevance to various cancer types is underscored by altered glucose metabolism (Warburg effect). Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) plays a crucial role in oxidative damage and is a significant contributor to cancer onset and progression. Tobacco and alcohol consumption increases reactive oxygen species generation, inducing oxidative stress that disrupts respiratory activity and mtDNA, thereby promoting carcinogenesis. This review emphasizes the link between mitochondrial dysfunction and cancer, particularly in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), highlighting the role of mtDNA mutations. This review discusses environmental factors, such as tobacco use and human papillomavirus infection, that impact mitochondrial function, stresses the importance of mitochondrial-targeted therapies, and explores the influence of microRNAs (miRNAs) on mitochondrial metabolism in cancer cells. Mitocans and miRNAs have emerged as promising therapeutic agents for OSCC. The subsequent sections delve into recent pivotal research on mitochondria, identifying mtDNA alterations as potential cancer biomarkers. These insights promise new perspectives on noninvasive cancer detection, heralding advancements in cancer therapeutics.},
}

@article {pmid40852815,
year = {2025},
author = {Benrkia, R and Fianu, AE and Ovatlarnporn, C and Olatunji, OJ},
title = {Mediterranean Seaweeds: Bridging Chemistry Knowledge, Microbial Community Profiling, Therapeutic, Nutraceutical, and Industrial Applications.},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.5c06430},
pmid = {40852815},
issn = {1520-5118},
abstract = {Mediterranean seaweeds are a valuable source of bioactive compounds that evolved in response to the region's unique conditions. These compounds, initially serving defensive roles, show strong pharmaceutical potential with antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties. Rich in polysaccharides, polyphenols, and essential fatty acids, these macroalgae are increasingly recognized for their role in functional foods and nutraceuticals. However, research gaps persist, especially in chemical characterization and microbial profiling. The diversity, ecological roles, metabolic capabilities, and nutraceutical potential of the associated microorganisms are still poorly understood. This review offers an overview of the chemical and microbial profiling of Mediterranean seaweeds, emphasizing their pharmacological and nutraceutical value. It highlights the role of symbiotic microorganisms in metabolite biosynthesis and explores strategies to enhance the production of bioactive compounds. By doing so, this review aims to unlock the full potential of Mediterranean seaweeds and their microbial partners for sustainable pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and industrial applications.},
}

@article {pmid40852124,
year = {2025},
author = {Douglas S Stuehler, and Hunter, WB and Qureshi, JA and Cano, LM},
title = {Transcriptomic characterization of Wolbachia endosymbiont from Leuronota fagarae (Hemiptera: Psylloidae).},
journal = {Microbiome research reports},
volume = {4},
number = {2},
pages = {19},
pmid = {40852124},
issn = {2771-5965},
abstract = {Aim: Wolbachia species are among the most abundant intracellular endosymbionts of insects worldwide. The extensive distribution of Gram-negative Wolbachia among insects highlights their evolutionary success and close relationship with many insect host species. This study aimed to characterize a novel Wolbachia strain from the Wild Lime Psyllid, Leuronota fagarae (L. fagarae), to understand its evolutionary relationship with Wolbachia from psyllid pests like Diaphorina citri, the vector of Huanglongbing (HLB). Methods: Wild-caught L. fagarae colonies from Florida, USA, were maintained on Zanthoxylum fagara. RNA was extracted from the salivary glands, heads, and whole bodies of male and female adult L. fagarae. Four cDNA libraries were sequenced using short read technology and de novo transcriptome assembly was performed. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) of nine conserved loci and wsp gene analysis classified the strain's phylogeny, while sequence mapping and functional annotation provided insight into host-microbe interactions. Results: The new Wolbachia strain, designated Wolbachia endosymbiont of Leuronota fagarae (wLfag-FL), was assigned to supergroup B, showing relation to Wolbachia strains of other related psyllids. Transcriptome analysis identified 1,359 Wolbachia transcripts with 465 assigned functions encompassing metabolic and secretion system pathways. Ankyrin domain proteins and a partial bacterioferritin sequence were detected, suggesting nutritional provisioning roles. Conclusion: The characterization of wLfag-FL expands the known Wolbachia host range and informs HLB-related pest biology. Its phylogenetic placement and transcript annotations offer insights into symbiotic interactions, potentially guiding environmentally safe pest control strategies targeting psyllid fitness and pathogen transmission.},
}

@article {pmid40851996,
year = {2025},
author = {Nebieridze, A and Abu-Bakr, A and Nazir, A and Ghosson, A and Minova, A and Uwishema, O},
title = {Microbiome and cardiovascular health unexplored frontiers in precision cardiology: a narrative review.},
journal = {Annals of medicine and surgery (2012)},
volume = {87},
number = {7},
pages = {4255-4261},
pmid = {40851996},
issn = {2049-0801},
abstract = {BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Gut microbiota has a symbiotic relationship with their host. It is known that the gut microbiome has the potential to affect the host and vice versa. Cardiovascular disease and its comorbidities are the leading cause of death worldwide. Patients with various heart conditions have been observed to have a different composition of the gut microbiome. It has been postulated that the gut microbiome and its derivatives exert various effects on the cardiovascular system, termed the gut-heart axis. In this study, we aim to explore how the gut microbiome and the active metabolites produced by these microorganisms affect patient cardiovascular health. Additionally, we will discuss how gut microbiota can become a target for the new era of precision cardiology.

METHODS: Data were collected through the online databases PubMed, Google Scholar, Ovid MEDLINE, and ScienceDirect. Articles regarding cardiovascular health and pathology as well as its overlap with gut microbiome and health were used.

RESULTS: Emerging evidence suggests that gut microbiome has a significant influence on cardiovascular disease through its metabolites, such as trimethylamine N-oxide and short-chain fatty acids, which impact cholesterol metabolism, systemic inflammation, and plaque stability. Targeting said derivatives has proven to provide beneficial results for patients suffering from cardiovascular disease.

CONCLUSIONS: Finding reported here highlights the importance of microbiome in cardiovascular disease and health and suggest that microbiome-based interventions hold promise for prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease. More research needs to be conducted to study more concrete effects of specific microorganisms on cardiovascular health. Multicenter, longitudinal studies with a large sample size will provide the best evidence for clinically significant findings. Using precision cardiology, to target the gut microbiome and its derivatives, with medications like antibiotics, and nonpharmacologic interventions like lifestyle modification and fecal transplantation can positively influence cardiovascular health and help with the effective management of ongoing diseases.},
}

@article {pmid40850781,
year = {2025},
author = {Fukunaga, S and Ratu, STN and Okazaki, S},
title = {Regulation of Root Nodule Symbiosis by Soybean Rj Genotypes and Rhizobial Effectors.},
journal = {Microbes and environments},
volume = {40},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1264/jsme2.ME25027},
pmid = {40850781},
issn = {1347-4405},
mesh = {*Glycine max/genetics/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology/genetics ; Genotype ; *Rhizobium/physiology/genetics/metabolism ; Nitrogen Fixation ; *Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Plant Root Nodulation ; },
abstract = {Soybean (Glycine max) is one of the most important crops worldwide. Root nodule symbiosis between soybean and rhizobia has been extensively exami-ned due to its significance for agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability. Recent advances have enhanced our understanding of the soybean genotypes known as the Rj/rj genotypes, which play a critical role in regulating root nodule symbiosis. Furthermore, the function of rhizobium-secreted proteins, termed effectors, in eliciting specific responses in soybean Rj/rj genotypes has been elucidated. This review summarizes the involvement of soybean Rj/rj genotypes and their corresponding root nodule bacterial effectors in the regulation of nodule formation. We also discussed the potential for manipulating root nodule symbiosis by applying Rj/rj genotypes in soybean breeding programs, which may enhance nitrogen fixation efficiency and subsequently reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural land.},
}

*Glycine max/genetics/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology/genetics
Genotype
*Rhizobium/physiology/genetics/metabolism
Nitrogen Fixation
*Bacterial Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Plant Root Nodulation

@article {pmid40808381,
year = {2025},
author = {Vargas, JJ and Tarnonsky, F and Maderal, A and Podversich, F and Fernández-Marenchino, I and Cuervo, W and Ramirez, V and Novo, S and Fernández-Lehmann, A and Ruiz-Moreno, M and Schulmeister, TM and Ruiz-Ascacibar, I and Ipharraguerre, IR and DiLorenzo, N},
title = {Impact of supplementing different sources of non-protein nitrogen on ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, and microbial protein synthesis in beef cattle consuming a corn silage-based diet.},
journal = {Journal of animal science},
volume = {103},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40808381},
issn = {1525-3163},
mesh = {Animals ; Cattle/physiology ; Fermentation/drug effects ; *Rumen/physiology/metabolism ; Male ; Diet/veterinary ; *Digestion/drug effects ; Zea mays/chemistry ; Silage/analysis ; Dietary Supplements/analysis ; *Nitrogen/metabolism/administration & dosage ; Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Animal Feed/analysis ; Nutrients/metabolism ; Urea/administration & dosage ; },
abstract = {Supplementation of low-protein diets with non-protein nitrogen (NPN) increases ruminal degradable protein and improves rumen fermentation and microbial growth. The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of supplementing urea-biuret (UB) and urea-biuret-nitrate (UBN) mixtures relative to urea (U) on rumen fermentation and microbial N outflow in growing steers. Twelve American Aberdeen steers were used in a replicated and balanced 3 × 3 Latin square design (LSD) with 3 periods of 35 d each. Steers were housed in pens and consumed a corn silage-based diet. Steers were stratified by body weight and randomly allocated to 1 of the 3 NPN supplementation treatments. Treatments were supplementation with U, UB, and UBN, adjusted to the amount of N provided by U when included at 1% of the diet on a dry matter (DM) basis. Intake and feeding behavior were individually recorded throughout the experiment. In each period, steers were adapted to increasing levels of NPN during the first 8 days. From days 19 to 23, feed and fecal samples were collected to assess nutrient digestibility. Samples of blood, rumen contents, and omasal digesta were collected on days 20 to 23. On day 24, rumen evacuation was performed, and subsequently steers were dosed with Co-EDTA and YbCl3 to determine the passage rate of digesta flow. Rumen fluid collection was conducted on days 24 and 25. Steers did not receive NPN supplementation from days 26 to 35 during the washout period. Microbial N flow was estimated for each animal within periods. Intake, digestibility, digesta flow, and microbial N flow were analyzed using a 3 × 3 LSD, while blood and rumen fermentation parameters were analyzed using a 3 × 3 LSD with repeated measures. Steers supplemented with UB tended (P < 0.07) to consume more DM and organic matter (OM) than those supplemented with UBN; however, animals supplemented with UBN tended (P = 0.051) to digest more acid detergent fiber in the total tract. Steers supplemented with U and UB showed greater (P < 0.05) DM and OM flow throughout the omasum than those with UBN. Microbial N flow, microbial efficiency, and the concentration of total volatile fatty acids were not different (P > 0.10) among NPN-supplemented treatments. Steers supplemented with UBN showed lesser (P < 0.05) concentration of ammonia than those with U and UB. In conclusion, novel NPN mixtures have the potential to modify ruminal fermentation without affecting microbial protein outflow.},
}

Animals
Cattle/physiology
Fermentation/drug effects
*Rumen/physiology/metabolism
Male
Diet/veterinary
*Digestion/drug effects
Zea mays/chemistry
Silage/analysis
Dietary Supplements/analysis
*Nitrogen/metabolism/administration & dosage
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Animal Feed/analysis
Nutrients/metabolism
Urea/administration & dosage

@article {pmid40850636,
year = {2025},
author = {Płoszka, Z and Nowak, KH and Tischer, M and Michalik, A and Kolasa, MR and Łukasik, P},
title = {Dissecting multitrophic interactions: The relationships among Entomophthora, their dipteran hosts, and associated bacteria.},
journal = {Journal of invertebrate pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108425},
doi = {10.1016/j.jip.2025.108425},
pmid = {40850636},
issn = {1096-0805},
abstract = {Interactions with microorganisms across the parasite-mutualist continuum shape the biology of insects at all levels - from individual traits to populations to communities. However, the understanding of pathogens infecting non-model insect species in natural ecosystems, or their interactions with other insect-associated microorganisms, is fragmentary. Here, we tested a conceptually novel approach - the simultaneous sequencing of insect, fungal, and bacterial marker gene amplicons - as a means of dissecting interactions among entomopathogenic fungi in the genus Entomophthora and their dipteran hosts in South Greenland. We aimed to describe the taxonomic diversity of Entomophthora, their dipteran hosts, and the bacterial diversity within a set of field-collected dead insects exhibiting signs of Entomophthora infection. Across nine collected dipteran species, we identified multiple Entomophthora genotypes, with strong but not perfect patterns of host-specificity across the five targeted marker regions. Additionally, we found consistent differences in bacterial community composition among fungus-killed fly species and sampling sites. Our results substantially expand the knowledge of Entomopthora diversity and host associations while providing the very first insights into associated bacteria and their potential roles. We also conclude that multi-target amplicon sequencing can be a powerful tool for addressing broad questions about biological interactions in diverse natural communities.},
}

@article {pmid40850578,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, C and Li, A and Ji, B},
title = {Stirring speed optimization for improved microalgal-bacterial granular sludge morphology and performance in complex organic wastewater treatment.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {133187},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2025.133187},
pmid = {40850578},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {This study investigated the morphology regulation and pollutant removal performance of microalgal-bacterial granular sludge (MBGS) under different organic carbon conditions, specifically comparing simple and complex organics. Results showed that MBGS proliferated faster due to filamentous cyanobacteria dominance in conditions of complex organics, requiring higher stirring speeds (300 rpm, 0.128 Pa) to inhibit excessive growth and maintain stability. Optimizing the stirring speed improved granule morphology in the complex group, reducing size and increasing density, which significantly enhanced pollutant removal efficiencies to 90.2 % for chemical oxygen demand, 86.2 % for total nitrogen, and 82.9 % for total phosphorus. Microbial community analysis further revealed that dominant phyla (Bacteroidota, Planctomycetota, Actinobacteriota) contributed significantly to the abundance of key carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus metabolic genes (mqo, GLT1, ppk) under complex organic conditions. This study highlights the need for higher stirring speed to regulate MBGS in complex wastewater, providing practical strategies for optimizing treatment performance.},
}

@article {pmid40850424,
year = {2025},
author = {Liu, T and Lv, J and Bian, B and Wu, Q and Zhou, L and Zhang, S and Song, W and Li, X and Tian, H and Cheng, K and Shi, L},
title = {Postbiotic Limosilactobacillus reuteri cultured with Polygonatum kingianum polysaccharides ameliorates high-fat-high-sugar-deteriorated colitis and associated hepatobiliary disorders.},
journal = {International journal of biological macromolecules},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {147065},
doi = {10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2025.147065},
pmid = {40850424},
issn = {1879-0003},
abstract = {Unhealthy diet exacerbates inflammatory bowel disease and its associated hepatic disruptions. The present study demonstrated the superior efficacy of the heat-inactivated Limosilactobacillus reuteri WX-94 (L. reuteri), cultured with Polygonatum kingianum polysaccharides (PKP postbiotic) in ameliorating a high-fat-high-sugar (HFHS)- deteriorated colitis in rats, which outperforming PKP alone, its symbiotic form, and inactivated L. reuteri cultured without PKP. HFHS deteriorated liver functions in rats following a DSS administration, which were reversed by PKP postbiotic. PKP postbiotic exclusively enriched Prevotella and Lactobacillus while decreasing Escherichia.coil, along with the elevation in fecal short-chain fatty acids, serum bile acids (e.g., taurocholic acid, taurallocholic acid and tauroursocholic acid), indole derivatives (e.g., indolepropionic acid, indoleacetic acid, indolelactic acid) and phospholipids. Mechanistically, PKP postbiotic suppressed colonic inflammation and hepatobiliary disorders through regulating tryptophan catabolism-activated AHR/IL-22 signaling and bile acids-activated TLR4/NFκB/NLRP3 signaling. Furthermore, we utilized human data sourced from Gene Expression Omnibus databases to confirm the involvement of key pathways regulated by PKP postbiotic in the colitis pathogenesis. Mendelian randomization-derived causal associations were observed between PKP postbiotic-elevated indole lactic acid with both colitis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease. Our study presents compelling evidence of a novel property of PKP that augments the health-promoting benefits of inactivated L. reuteri.},
}

@article {pmid40849563,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, Z and Yu, S and Du, X and Yan, X and Xin, Y},
title = {Role of branched chain amino acid metabolism on aging.},
journal = {Biogerontology},
volume = {26},
number = {5},
pages = {169},
pmid = {40849563},
issn = {1573-6768},
support = {7244324//Natural Science Foundation of Beijing Municipality/ ; 82400402//NSFC/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Amino Acids, Branched-Chain/metabolism ; *Aging/metabolism ; Animals ; Homeostasis ; Longevity/physiology ; },
abstract = {Aging is a complex biochemical phenomenon that considerably impacts both individual health and societal dynamics. Recent researches have emphasized the essential function of metabolism in the processes of aging and longevity. Metabolites-chemical byproducts produced by the host organism and its symbiotic partners, including the microbiota, are generated through numerous metabolic pathways. In the last fifteen years, major progress has been made in elucidating the metabolism of BCAAs and the detailed molecular mechanisms that connect BCAAs homeostasis to the aging process. The growing body of literature presents a comprehensive view of the tissue- and disease-specific regulatory mechanisms governing BCAAs and their activation of various molecular pathways. These pathways link fluctuations in BCAA levels to the onset and progression of age-related diseases. This review seeks to consolidate current knowledge on the factors influencing BCAA levels and their metabolic pathways. It further aims to elucidate the molecular mechanisms linking dysregulated BCAA homeostasis to age-related diseases, evaluate epidemiological evidence correlating BCAAs with various cardiovascular conditions, and identify gaps in current understanding that warrant further investigation.},
}

Humans
*Amino Acids, Branched-Chain/metabolism
*Aging/metabolism
Animals
Homeostasis
Longevity/physiology

@article {pmid40849284,
year = {2025},
author = {Yu, Y and Chu, J and Dong, S and Song, W and Xu, C},
title = {Sugar codes for plant fitness: arabinosylation in small peptide signaling.},
journal = {Trends in plant science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.tplants.2025.07.011},
pmid = {40849284},
issn = {1878-4372},
abstract = {Arabinosylation, a critical post-translational modification (PTM) ubiquitous in plants, has received insufficient scientific attention relative to its biological significance. While small secreted peptides (SSPs) are crucial signaling molecules that orchestrate plant growth, stress adaptation, and host-microbe communication, emerging evidence positions arabinosylation as a key regulatory mechanism modulating SSP functionality. In this review we synthesize current knowledge on arabinosylated SSPs, emphasizing their regulatory roles in developmental programming and reprogramming, stress resilience, and symbiotic interactions. We discuss biochemical mechanisms through which arabinosylation enhances peptide biological activity or stability, including receptor interaction modulation, structural stabilization, and proteolytic resistance. We also evaluate future opportunities for leveraging arabinosylation engineering in developing climate-smart crops through targeted arabinosylated SSPs.},
}

@article {pmid40845095,
year = {2025},
author = {Yu, H and Xu, S and Jangir, Y and Wegener, G and Orphan, VJ and El-Naggar, MY},
title = {Redox conduction facilitates direct interspecies electron transport in anaerobic methanotrophic consortia.},
journal = {Science advances},
volume = {11},
number = {34},
pages = {eadw4289},
doi = {10.1126/sciadv.adw4289},
pmid = {40845095},
issn = {2375-2548},
mesh = {Electron Transport ; Oxidation-Reduction ; *Methane/metabolism ; Anaerobiosis ; *Archaea/metabolism ; Geologic Sediments/microbiology ; *Microbial Consortia ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {Anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANME) and sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) form syntrophic partnerships in marine sediments to consume greenhouse gas methane. While direct interspecies electron transport is proposed to enable ANME/SRB symbiosis, its electrochemical properties remain uncharacterized. Here, using sediment-free enrichment cultures, we measured the electron transport capabilities of marine consortia under physiological conditions. Diverse ANME/SRB consortia exhibited high dry conductance close to electrogenic biofilms. This conductance diminished upon exposure to heat or oxygen but was preserved following paraformaldehyde fixation, indicating a biomolecular origin for this electric charge transfer. Cyclic voltammetry revealed redox activity centered at 28 ± 11, 94 ± 6, and 24 ± 7 millivolts for ANME-1/Desulfofervidus, ANME-2a/Seep-SRB1, and ANME-2a+2c/Seep-SRB1+2 consortia, respectively. Generator-collector measurements further demonstrated that these redox components facilitate electron transport over micrometer-scale distances, sufficient to link archaeal and bacterial partners. Collectively, our results establish that marine ANME/SRB symbiosis uses redox conduction, consistent with multiheme cytochrome c, for direct interspecies electron transport.},
}

Electron Transport
Oxidation-Reduction
*Methane/metabolism
Anaerobiosis
*Archaea/metabolism
Geologic Sediments/microbiology
*Microbial Consortia
Symbiosis

@article {pmid40844740,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, J and Zhang, X and Tan, Z and Jiao, J and Zhou, C},
title = {Microbiome-host co-oscillation patterns in shaping ruminal ecosystem from birth to puberty in a goat model.},
journal = {Science China. Life sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {40844740},
issn = {1869-1889},
abstract = {The maturation of the gastrointestinal tract and its interconnected microbial consortia in various ruminant species is essential for their survival and productivity, as this symbiotic group plays a key role in metabolizing phyto-derived feeds into bioavailable nutrients. The rumen mucosa serves as a crucial conduit for complex host-microbiota interplay, while scarce knowledge is available regarding their co-oscillation patterns from birth to puberty. Here, we characterized th overall interaction of five age groups, from 1-day-old to 90-day-old goats. The findings indicated that the composition of the mucosa-attached microbiota underwent significant changes, with Mannheimia, Porphyromonas and Streptococcus taking the lead as the dominant genera at day 1, Akkermansia muciniphila and Lactobacillus amylovorus dominated at day 10, and a mature microbiota characterized by Succiniclasticum ruminis, Ruminococcus albus, Succinivibrio dextrinosolvens, and Fibrobacter succinogenes until day 90. Additionally, the rumen mucosa underwent a three-phase temporal shift during early life, from digestive system to immune development, and finally to nutrient metabolism. Furthermore, the integration of mucosal microbiome and host gene expression profiles uncovered a phase-specific interaction between the microbial community and host epithelium, with the early phase emphasizing digestive and immune development and the later phase focusing on enhanced nutrient metabolism. Collectively, microbiome-host co-oscillation in the rumen mucosa shaped the ruminal ecosystem during early life.},
}

@article {pmid40843366,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, JY and Tang, RN and Wang, JW and Chen, WY and Liu, X and Wang, JW and Li, MY and Jiang, FS},
title = {Gymnadenia conopsea orchid: a systematic review.},
journal = {Frontiers in pharmacology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1595714},
pmid = {40843366},
issn = {1663-9812},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Gymnadenia conopsea (L.) R. Br., a medicinally significant orchid used for millennia in China, is systematically reviewed regarding its botany, resources, ethnomedicinal applications, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and propagation strategies to advance therapeutic utilization and conservation.

METHODS: Using keywords such as "G. conopsea," "phytochemistry," "propagation and breeding," "bioactive compounds," "immunomodulatory effects," and "neuroprotective potential," we systematically searched literature related to G. conopsea plants from databases including Web of Science, SciFinder, PubMed, ACS Publications, CNKI, Wanfang Data, Google Scholar, and Baidu Scholar.

RESULTS: A total of 1,074 papers were retrieved and 133 full-text articles were ultimately selected and comprehensively reviewed. Up to now, over 203 metabolites have been identified in the tubers of G. conopsea, including benzyl ester glucosides, stilbenoids, phenanthrenes, phenolic derivatives, alkaloids and polysaccharides. Pharmacological studies validate its multi-target therapeutic potential across tonification, anti-fatigue interventions, oxidative stress mitigation, antiviral defense, and management of gastric ulcers and silicosis. Despite extensive research on the pharmacological properties of crude extracts, the relationship between specific bioactive compounds and their corresponding pharmacological activities, particularly in vivo, remains poorly understood. Critically, overexploitation and habitat degradation have led to its classification as an endangered species. Current propagation efforts face significant challenges, including low natural germination rates, and dependence on specific habitats and obligate mycorrhizal fungi, precluding the development of efficient large-scale cultivation and seedling production systems.

CONCLUSION: Marked progress has been made in characterizing small-molecule metabolites of G. conopsea, yet comprehensive structural elucidation of polysaccharides remains incomplete. Additionally, research must be intensified on synergistic interactions of bioactive constituents, molecular targets, mechanisms of action, and in vivo metabolic pathways to facilitate development of a quality standard system. For propagation, wild-simulated cultivation should be adopted for resource conservation, while optimizing symbiotic germination techniques is critical to overcome propagation bottlenecks, ultimately enabling sustainable utilization.},
}

@article {pmid40842834,
year = {2025},
author = {Cheng, R and Ying, Z and Yang, Y and Zhang, C and Zhou, W and Zhang, Z and Ding, H and Zhou, Y and Zhang, C},
title = {Changes of intestinal microbiota and liver metabolomics in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) before and after rice flowering in rice-fish symbiosis farmed mode.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1617168},
pmid = {40842834},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {The rice-fish symbiosis farming model (RFFM) has been shown to enhance gut microbial diversity and improve immunity in fish. To examine changes in gut microbiota and hepatic metabolism in yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco) during different rice growth stages, we analyzed samples collected from the pre-flowering (Group P) and after-flowering (Group A) phases. Gut microbiota composition was assessed using 16S rRNA sequencing, with data analyzed using Principal component analysis (PCA), while hepatic metabolic profiles were characterized through untargeted metabolomics using XCMS and metaX for data processing. Our results revealed a significant increase in gut microbial diversity in Group A. Notably, the relative abundances of Pseudomonas and Cetobacterium were significantly lower in Group A compared to Group P, whereas Brevundimonas, Oxyphotobacteria_unclassified, and Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 were more abundant in Group A. Hepatic metabolic profiles also differed between the two groups, with amino acid metabolism and related pathways being upregulated, while lipid metabolism and associated pathways were downregulated in Group A. Correlation analysis using SPSS suggested that Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1, a dominant bacterial group, played a key role in mediating hepatic metabolic changes under the RFFM. These findings indicate that rice flowering in the rice-fish symbiosis system positively influences gut microbiota composition and hepatic metabolism in yellow catfish. Furthermore, Clostridium_sensu_stricto_1 may have potential as a probiotic for improving fish health in this integrated farming system.},
}

@article {pmid40842833,
year = {2025},
author = {Doni, F and Chen, J and Satyan, KB},
title = {Editorial: Advances in beneficial and pathogenic plant-microbe interactions in cereal crops.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1663889},
pmid = {40842833},
issn = {1664-302X},
}

@article {pmid40842674,
year = {2025},
author = {Réblová, M and Nekvindová, J and Hynar, O and Vohník, M},
title = {From seagrass roots to saline soils: discovery of two new genera in Lulworthiales (Sordariomycetes) from osmotically stressed habitats.},
journal = {IMA fungus},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {e157688},
pmid = {40842674},
issn = {2210-6340},
abstract = {As part of an ongoing study of marine fungi associated with seagrasses, we discovered a novel root-fungus symbiosis in the Indo-Pacific species Thalassodendronciliatum from Mauritius. Culturing its mycobionts yielded dozens of morphologically and genetically uniform isolates, all representing a previously unknown fungus. A second undescribed fungus was isolated from saline soils in Czechia. Phylogenetic analyses based on three rDNA markers confirmed both taxa as distinct, hitherto unknown lineages within the Lulworthiales, which are introduced here as Thalassodendromycespurpureus gen. et sp. nov. and Halomyrmapluriseptata gen. et sp. nov., respectively. Both species developed characteristic structures under culture conditions that enabled their morphological characterisation: T.purpureus forms distinctive clusters of dark brown monilioid hyphae, while H.pluriseptata is characterised by holoblastic conidiogenesis and solitary, dark brown, multicellular conidia. Thalassodendromyces clustered in a strongly supported clade with Spathulospora, a parasitic genus of the red macroalga Ballia, while the closest relatives of Halomyrma were identified as the asexual genera Halazoon and Halophilomyces (nom. inval. Art. 40.7). An analysis of published metabarcoding ITS rDNA data from environmental samples in the GlobalFungi database indicated that H.pluriseptata is widely distributed across temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. The species exhibits a strong preference for aquatic biomes, particularly marine and estuarine, with a few records in terrestrial ecosystems. In contrast, no record of T.purpureus was retrieved from GlobalFungi, suggesting narrower ecological specialisation, a close association with its seagrass host, and/or a restricted geographical range. Our findings expand the ecological and phylogenetic scope of the Lulworthiales, bridging marine and terrestrial fungal communities, and highlight seagrass roots as an important source of novel symbiotic marine fungi. Recent discoveries of the Lulworthiales in saline inland soils challenge their marine exclusivity and raise important questions about their ecological plasticity, dispersal mechanisms, and adaptive strategies. In light of current observations, we discuss the taxonomic challenges of the Spathulosporales and the lulworthialean fungi, integrating molecular and morphological perspectives. We address the importance of combining morphological and molecular approaches to accurately delineate new fungal taxa, as well as the value of environmental DNA metabarcoding for uncovering cryptic fungal diversity and enhancing our understanding of fungal distribution and ecological functions.},
}

@article {pmid40842040,
year = {2025},
author = {Prioux, C and Ferrier-Pagès, C and Lamarca, T and Allemand, D and Tignat-Perrier, R},
title = {Heatwave-driven persistent microbes threaten the resilience of Mediterranean coral holobionts.},
journal = {Environmental microbiome},
volume = {20},
number = {1},
pages = {107},
pmid = {40842040},
issn = {2524-6372},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The climate crisis poses a serious threat to octocorals in the Mediterranean Sea as marine heatwaves (MHWs) not only impair coral metabolism but also disrupt the complex symbiosis between the coral host and its microbiome. Since octocorals are the foundation species of the Mediterranean animal forests, understanding their resilience, i.e. ability to recover and survive to MHWs, is crucial to predict their viability under future climatic conditions. Using amplification of 16 S and 18 S rRNA genes for metabarcoding and qPCR analyses to follow the changes in bacterial microbiome and eukaryome as well as host response under stress and recovery conditions, this study provides the first comprehensive assessment of the resilience of an iconic Mediterranean octocoral (the red coral Corallium rubrum) to a mild (19 °C) and more severe (23 °C) heat stress.

RESULTS: The results of this work indicate a stress response of the host to elevated temperatures, even under mild temperature. The eukaryome was highly sensitive to heat stress and underwent rapid structural changes among the dominant microeukaryotes. In contrast, the relative and absolute abundance of the major bacterial symbionts remained stable throughout the stress. However, heat stress led to a significant increase in the abundance of some taxa such as Vibrionaceae that persisted after a week of recovery.

CONCLUSIONS: While the host recovered from the stress, and the microbiome largely returned to its original composition during recovery, the results highlight the persistent presence of some taxa that might compromise the short-term resilience of octocoral holobionts. This study provides new information on how octocoral holobionts respond to MHWs in the Mediterranean Sea. This knowledge is crucial for the development of effective, science-based strategies for coral protection and restauration.},
}

@article {pmid40841061,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, Y and Wang, S and Zhuang, LL and Liu, S and Su, Y and Hu, Z and Wang, X and Cui, S and Peng, G},
title = {The growth-promoting effect and mechanism of microalgae on plants in PAHs contaminated soil.},
journal = {Journal of environmental sciences (China)},
volume = {158},
number = {},
pages = {883-894},
doi = {10.1016/j.jes.2025.02.007},
pmid = {40841061},
issn = {1001-0742},
mesh = {*Soil Pollutants/metabolism/analysis ; *Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/metabolism/analysis ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; *Microalgae/physiology ; *Triticum/growth & development ; Chlorella vulgaris ; Rhizosphere ; Soil Microbiology ; Soil/chemistry ; },
abstract = {Microalgae can effectively degrade polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in water. However, the remediation mechanism of microalgae in PAH-contaminated soil remains unclear. In this study, the growth-promoting effects of wheat by Chlorella vulgaris in PAH-contaminated soil were studied. Structural changes in the rhizosphere bacterial community and the bacterial metabolism were further explored. It revealed that the addition of C. vulgaris promoted wheat's dry weight and height by 10.22 % and 122.15 %, respectively. One explanation was the degradation and transformation of PAHs by C. vulgaris, which relieved the inhibitory effect on wheat growth. Compared with the blank control group, C. vulgaris addition enhanced the degradation efficiencies of phenanthrene (Phe) and pyrene (Pry) by 4.81 % and 8.34 %, respectively (with the initial concentrations in soil of 1.03 × 10[4] and 2.21 × 10[4] µg/g, respectively). The binding state of Phe and Pyr changed to a free state, which facilitated microbial degradation. The Phe and Pyr contents in wheat decreased by 22.23 % and 18.54 %, respectively. The presence of C. vulgaris increased the abundance of Sphingosinomonas bacteria capable of degrading PAHs by 95.24 %. Enzyme activities related to the transport, oxidation, and dehydrogenation of PAHs in the bacterial community also increased. This study demonstrated C. vulgaris' multiple pathways for remediating PAH-polluted soil, including PAH degradation, nutrient and hormone release, and bacterial community adjustment. In conclusion, C. vulgaris addition enhanced the algae-bacteria symbiosis, which was of great significance for the removal of PAHs from the soil and the promotion of plant growth.},
}

*Soil Pollutants/metabolism/analysis
*Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/metabolism/analysis
Biodegradation, Environmental
*Microalgae/physiology
*Triticum/growth & development
Chlorella vulgaris
Rhizosphere
Soil Microbiology
Soil/chemistry

@article {pmid40840251,
year = {2025},
author = {Gui, L and Wang, S and Chen, L and Dou, Y and Fan, Y and Huang, S and Wu, T and Tian, X},
title = {Crumpled polyethyleneimine nanofiltration membranes regulated by thermocapillary effect for efficient magnesium-lithium separation.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {287},
number = {Pt A},
pages = {124352},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2025.124352},
pmid = {40840251},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {The advancement of lithium (Li) extraction from brines is crucial for boosting Li production capacity and meeting the growing demands of emerging energy markets. However, the presence of symbiotic ions, particularly magnesium ions (Mg[2+]), poses significant challenges. Although conventional nanofiltration (NF) membranes have demonstrated considerable potential in magnesium-lithium (Mg[2+]/Li[+]) separation, they often face the inherent trade-off between membrane permeance and salt rejection. In this study, NF membranes with desirable ridge-like structures were fabricated via temperature-gradient-assisted interfacial polymerization. Notably, under the action of thermocapillary effect, the surface morphology of the membranes can be precisely controlled by adjusting the amount of residual aqueous film on the substrate. The separation performances revealed that the unique microscale hollow ridges provided a larger effective filtration area, leading to a substantial improvement in membrane permeance. Compared to conventional polyethyleneimine-based NF membranes, the optimized membrane exhibited a threefold increase in permeance (17.6 L·m[-2]·h[-1]·bar[-1]) while exhibiting a higher Mg[2+] rejection rate (97.6 %) and exceptional Mg[2+]/Li[+] selectivity (SLi[+]/Mg[2+] = 32.2). Additionally, the membrane demonstrated excellent long-term operational and storage stability. These crumpled membranes displayed advantages such as ease of production and high separation efficiency, making them highly promising for practical applications in Mg[2+]/Li[+] separation.},
}

@article {pmid40839311,
year = {2025},
author = {Majhi, P and Prajapati, N and Pradhan, U and Das, SN and Shukla, AK},
title = {Sustainable stress management in crops: unlocking the potential of rhizospheric microbes.},
journal = {Archives of microbiology},
volume = {207},
number = {10},
pages = {233},
pmid = {40839311},
issn = {1432-072X},
mesh = {*Rhizosphere ; *Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/physiology/growth & development ; *Soil Microbiology ; *Stress, Physiological ; *Microbiota ; Symbiosis ; Fungi ; Bacteria ; },
abstract = {Biotic and abiotic stresses pose significant challenges to global agricultural productivity by adversely affecting soil health, plant vitality, and crop yields. These stresses can lead to economic crises, highlighting the urgent need for cost-effective and environmentally sustainable solutions to mitigate their negative impacts. Traditionally, agrochemicals such as pesticides, insecticides, fertilizers, and herbicides have been extensively and often improperly used to protect plants and enhance crop productivity. However, this over-reliance has harmed ecosystems and human health. In response to these challenges, plants have evolved symbiotic relationships with microbes as a natural defense mechanism. Increasingly, attention is being directed toward rhizospheric microbiomes like Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Pantoea sp., Rhizobium sp., Trichoderma sp., Piriformospora sp., Penicillium sp., Aspergillus sp., etc. for their potential to manage pathogens, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and herbivores responsible for biotic stress and abiotic stresses such as drought, salinity, high temperature, and metal toxicity in a sustainable and eco-friendly manner. Validating these microbial interactions through experimental research is essential to understand their effects on rhizosphere biodiversity, soil heath status, plant growth and crop productivity. This review examines the role of rhizospheric microbes in protecting plants against biotic and abiotic stresses through plant-microbiota symbioses.},
}

*Rhizosphere
*Crops, Agricultural/microbiology/physiology/growth & development
*Soil Microbiology
*Stress, Physiological
*Microbiota
Symbiosis
Fungi
Bacteria

@article {pmid40839117,
year = {2025},
author = {Oravecz, O and Xie, Y and Balogh, A and Posta, M and Harms, C and Farkas, E and Borowski, S and Szekeres-Barthó, J and Than, NG and Blois, SM},
title = {Maternal and placental galectins: key players in the feto-maternal symbiotic tango.},
journal = {Seminars in immunopathology},
volume = {47},
number = {1},
pages = {35},
pmid = {40839117},
issn = {1863-2300},
mesh = {Humans ; Pregnancy ; *Galectins/metabolism/genetics ; Female ; *Placenta/metabolism/immunology ; Animals ; *Maternal-Fetal Exchange/immunology ; Placentation/immunology ; Immune Tolerance ; },
abstract = {Galectins, a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins, are critical in regulating feto-maternal interactions during pregnancy. Their evolutionary trajectory is reflected in their expression patterns and diverse functions in embryo implantation, trophoblast invasion, and maternal immune and vascular adaptation, contributing to healthy placentation and uncomplicated pregnancy. Galectin-1 (gal-1), one of the most ancient galectins, plays a pivotal role in feto-maternal immune regulation, acting predominantly from the maternal side to promote immune tolerance, a function integrated early in placental mammalian evolution. In contrast, anthropoid primates introduced a unique set of fetal (placental) galectins (gal-13, gal-14, and gal-16) through birth-and-death evolution, with these genes localized on human chromosome 19. Notably, these primate species have evolved varying degrees of deep placentation, with humans exhibiting the deepest, which facilitates enhanced nutrient delivery to the fetus, particularly for brain development. Placental galectins have been implicated in the evolution of immune tolerance mechanisms that support deep placentation. During pregnancy, reduced expression of maternal galectins (e.g., gal-1) and placental galectins (e.g., gal-13) has been associated with severe obstetric complications, signaling disruptions in feto-maternal tolerance. This review provides a comprehensive overview of gal-1, gal-13, gal-14, and gal-16, highlighting their shared and unique roles in maternal and placental immune regulation and placental development. Additionally, the review explores the potential of maternal versus placental galectins as biomarkers and therapeutic targets to improve diagnostic and treatment strategies for adverse pregnancy outcomes.},
}

Humans
Pregnancy
*Galectins/metabolism/genetics
Female
*Placenta/metabolism/immunology
Animals
*Maternal-Fetal Exchange/immunology
Placentation/immunology
Immune Tolerance

@article {pmid40837223,
year = {2025},
author = {Tang, HM and Zhang, QL and Qiao, X and Dai, MW and Yuan, YS and Tang, XM and Yang, WJ and Jing, R and Li, XC and Zhang, Q and Yan, X and Ma, YC and Huang, YB and Zhou, LX and Long, J and Peng, NN and Cai, CH and Meng, JH and Luo, KJ},
title = {Innexin DNA-binding domains regulate Microplitis bicoloratus bracoviral transcription in symbiotic wasps.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {28},
number = {9},
pages = {113276},
pmid = {40837223},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Bracoviruses have two hosts: symbiotic wasps and infected hosts. Although symbiotic wasps and infected Spodoptera litura larva host bracoviruses, mature virions form only in the wasps after the integrated Microplitis bicoloratus bracovirus (MbBV) proviral genome replicates. However, the associated mechanisms of transcription regulation have not been characterized. Here, we found that innexins (Inxs) of the Microplitis bicoloratus wasp (Mb-Inx1 and Mb-Inx2) contain DNA-binding domains that directly bind to, and regulate transcription promoters of the viral envelope genes MbBVp74 and MbBVe56-1. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that Mb-Inx1 and Mb-Inx2 RNA interference cause abnormal bracoviral virion formation. This led to inhibited virion assembly in wasp ovaries and downregulated envelope genes that are analogous to baculovirus proteins. The ectopic expression of Mb-Inx1 and Mb-Inx2 in the Bac-to-Bac Baculovirus expression system promoted nuclear polyhedra formation. We propose that unique bracoviral transcription strategies regulated by wasp Inx proteins govern virus-wasp interactions.},
}

@article {pmid40837070,
year = {2025},
author = {Bunch, KM and Greeneway, GP and Ansari, DS and Patel, C and Nottmeier, EW and Madhavan, KHS and Pirris, SM and Sama, AA and Brooks, NP},
title = {The symbiosis of robotics, enabling technology and minimally invasive surgery.},
journal = {North American Spine Society journal},
volume = {23},
number = {},
pages = {100769},
pmid = {40837070},
issn = {2666-5484},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Procedural and technical advances in spinal surgery, such as the utilization of minimally-invasive techniques, have evolved alongside the development and distribution of tools such as navigation, robotics, augmented reality (AR), dynamic visualization, and preoperative planning modules. Each innovative advancement in a surgeon's ability to see, measure, and manipulate human tissue entails an improvement or novel application of existing tools. Similarly, given the enormous economic and opportunity costs associated with the research and development of novel technologies, these efforts must be refined to address existing needs and infrastructure gaps. The successful application of enabling technologies such as robotics, navigation, and minimally-invasive techniques, is therefore dependent upon the expansion of new surgical tools and techniques.

METHODS: We review numerous technological advances (Navigation, Intraoperative Imaging, Robotics, Augmented Reality, Computational Planning and Visualization) within the field of spine surgery and demonstrate their mutually beneficial, yet dependent, relationship with one another in advancing spine surgery technology through both expert opinion and published literature.

RESULTS: We provide an overview of several different domains of enabling technology as they pertain to novel applications in spinal surgery and review current uses, limitations, and areas of potential improvement.

CONCLUSIONS: The integration of augmented reality, robotics, visualization and navigational technologies, minimally invasive techniques, and other advanced tools have enabled the surgeon to perform both standard and novel procedures in unique ways.},
}

@article {pmid40836244,
year = {2025},
author = {Yu, LC and Wei, SC and Li, YH and Huang, CY and Pai, YC and Hung, YM and Lai, LC and Ni, YH},
title = {Phenotypic characterization and complete genome of a tumorigenic pathobiont Escherichia coli LI60C3.},
journal = {Gut pathogens},
volume = {17},
number = {1},
pages = {63},
pmid = {40836244},
issn = {1757-4749},
support = {NHRI-EX111/112/113-11108BI//National Health Research Institute, Taiwan/ ; NHRI-EX111/112/113-11108BI//National Health Research Institute, Taiwan/ ; NHRI-EX111/112/113-11108BI//National Health Research Institute, Taiwan/ ; NHRI-EX111/112/113-11108BI//National Health Research Institute, Taiwan/ ; NSTC 113-2320-B002-062-MY3, MoST 110-2320-B-002-011-MY3//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Symbiotic microbes benefit the host, but the emergence of pathobionts leads to disease. An invasive Escherichia coli LI60C3, isolated from mouse colonocytes, shows colitogenic and tumorigenic properties. Despite extensive research on the role of microbiota in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, the genetic markers associated with this pathobiont remain elusive. The objective is to characterize the tumorigenic E. coli through whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and phenotypic assays, and validate their presence in human CRC.

METHODS: The intracellular bacterial counts and proliferation rates of human intestinal epithelial cells were evaluated after exposure to various E. coli strains. Tumor burden was assessed in mice orally administered LI60C3. WGS of LI60C3 was performed on a PacBio Sequel II platform, and the long reads were assembled de novo for gene annotation and detection of virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Bacteria-specific genes were assessed in CRC specimens by qPCR analysis.

RESULTS: A 100-fold increase in intracellular bacterial count was observed in epithelial cells exposed to LI60C3 compared to commensal E. coli strains. LI60C3 resulted in a threefold increase in epithelial cell cycle rate and a fourfold rise in mouse tumor numbers. WGS revealed a circular chromosome of 4,863,930 bases for LI60C3, demonstrating a high sequence homology to adherent-invasive E. coli LF82 (91%) and NC101 (87%) and to uropathogenic E. coli 536 (88%). Two extrachromosomal plasmids, pTra and pCoMb, were identified. While pTra exhibits sequence homology with other commensal E. coli plasmids, pCoMb has partial matches with those found in pathogenic bacteria. LI60C3 is classified as phylogroup B2 and expresses virulence factors, including Type 1 and P fimbriae, contact-dependent growth inhibition system, iron acquisition system, and hemolysin. Unique gene clusters, named Epm and Phz islands, were identified in the LI60C3 genome. The emergence of LI60C3-specific genes was observed in mouse tumors induced by chemicals and gene mutation, and higher levels of LI60C3 markers were validated in human CRC specimens compared with healthy mucosal samples.

CONCLUSION: Genetic signatures of LI60C3 were detected in mouse and human CRC. The comparative genome analysis for LI60C3 helps identify pathobionts and may be used as cancer predictors.},
}

@article {pmid40836206,
year = {2025},
author = {Xiong, Q and Zheng, L and Zhang, Q and Li, T and Zheng, L and Song, L},
title = {Comparative genomic insights into ecological adaptations and evolutionary dynamics of Trebouxiophyceae algae.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {26},
number = {1},
pages = {764},
pmid = {40836206},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {Grant No.2021xjkk0600//Supported by the Third Xinjiang Scientific Expedition Program/ ; },
mesh = {Phylogeny ; *Genomics/methods ; *Evolution, Molecular ; *Chlorophyta/genetics/classification ; *Adaptation, Physiological/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The Trebouxiophyceae is a diverse and species-rich class within the Chlorophyta, exhibiting a wide array of lineages and remarkable variations in morphology and ecology. This group encompasses various lifestyles, including photobionts in symbiotic relationships, free-living forms, and parasitic heterotrophs lacking photosynthetic capacity. Trebouxiophycean algae have attracted considerable scientific interest due to their fundamental biological significance and their promising applications in biotechnology. This study presents a comprehensive genomic analysis of six newly sequenced strains of Trebouxiophyceae, expanding upon a foundation of 25 previously reported high-quality genomes to conduct comparative genomics and evolutionary assessments.

RESULTS: Molecular phylogenetic analyses based on 18 S rDNA and single-copy orthologues confirmed the accurate identification of species. The analyzed strains exhibited variable genome sizes ranging from 2.37 Mb to 106.45 Mb, with GC content varying between 46.19% and 67.20%, and repeat content ranging from 1.67 to 19.73%. Gene family expansion and contraction analyses revealed that the subaerial species Apatococcus exhibited the most extensive expansions, while Picochlorum, along with the ancestors of the parasitic genera (Auxenochlorella, Helicosporidium, and Prototheca) experienced pronounced contractions. Evolutionary analyses using the branch model and branch-site model in PAML indicated that genera with the most marked gene family expansion and contraction also contained orthogroups undergoing positive selection and rapid evolution. Comparative assessments of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), nitrogen transport and assimilation proteins, hexose-proton symporter-like genes (HUP1, HUP2, and HUP3), and C4-related enzymes across 31 Trebouxiophyceae genomes revealed further patterns of adaptation. Coccomyxa was the only genus containing all the ten types of BGCs, while most other genera exhibited relatively fewer BGCs. The nitrate transporter and the urea active transporter were both absent in the three parasitic genera, and urease, the urease accessory proteins and arginase were nearly universally missing in all the species. All the species possessed the HUP1, HUP2, and HUP3 genes, except that HUP2 was absent in Prototheca and Picochlorum, and the relative abundances of the three genes varied among genera. The NAD-ME, and PCK subtypes of C4-related genes were widely distributed in all the samples, while the malate dehydrogenase (NADP+) was identified only in the four freshwater strains belonging to Chlorella and Coccomyxa.

CONCLUSIONS: Expanded gene families, along with the rapid evolution and positive selection genes, likely played important roles in environmental adaption across terrestrial and marine habitat. Conversely, genome streamlining due to widespread gene families likely contributed to the parasitic heterotrophic lifestyles. Additionally, the distribution of BGCs, nitrogen transport proteins and HUP-like genes, and the types of C4-related enzymes perhaps highlighted the potential of Trebouxiophyceae to adapt to complex and varied environmental conditions.},
}

Phylogeny
*Genomics/methods
*Evolution, Molecular
*Chlorophyta/genetics/classification
*Adaptation, Physiological/genetics

@article {pmid40835991,
year = {2025},
author = {Guo, M and Yuan, T and Jiang, L and Zhou, G and Huang, H},
title = {Acclimation mechanisms of reef-building coral Acropora gemmifera juveniles to long-term CO2-driven ocean acidification.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {30655},
pmid = {40835991},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {2018A0303130173//Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province, China/ ; 2023B1212060047//Science and Technology Planning Project of Guangdong Province, China/ ; 2021YFC3100500//National Key Research and Development Project of China/ ; U23A2035//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Ocean acidification (OA) is a major threat to the sexual recruitment of reef-building corals. Acclimation mechanisms are critical but poorly understood in reef-building corals to OA during early life stages. Here, Acropora gemmifera, a common Indo-Pacific coral cultured in in situ seawater from Luhuitou reef at three levels of pCO2 (pH 8.14, 7.83, 7.54), showed significantly delayed larval metamorphosis and juvenile growth, but adapted to long-term high pCO2. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) emerged as a time- and dose-dependent mode of short-term response (3 days post settlement, d p.s.) and long-term acclimation (40 d p.s.), with more DEGs responding to high pCO2 (pH 7.54) than to medium pCO2 (pH 7.83). High pCO2, a presumed threatening seawater baseline for A. gemmifera juveniles, activated DNA repair, macroautophagy, microautophagy and mitophagy mechanisms to maintain cellular homeostasis, recycle cytosolic proteins and damaged organelles, and scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and H[+], but at the cost of delayed development through cell cycle arrest associated with epigenetic and genetic regulation at 3 d p.s.. However, A.gemmifera juveniles acclimated to high pCO2 by up-regulating cell cycle, transcription, translation, cell proliferation, cell-extracellular matrix, cell adhesion, cell communication, signal transduction, transport, binding, Symbiodiniaceae symbiosis, development and calcification from 3 d p.s. to 40 d p.s., when energy reallocation and metabolic suppression occurred for high demand but short-term energy limitation in coral cells undergoing flexible symbiosis. All results indicate that acclimation mechanisms of complicated gene expression improve larval and juvenile resilience to OA for coral population recovery and reef restoration.},
}

@article {pmid40834857,
year = {2025},
author = {Teyssendier de la Serve, J and Gautrat, P and Laffont, C and Lesterps, Z and Huault, E and Guerard, F and San Clemente, H and Aguilar, M and Bensmihen, S and Gakière, B and Frei-Dit-Frey, N and Frugier, F},
title = {The sTDIF signaling peptide modulates the root stele diameter and primary metabolism to accommodate symbiotic nodulation.},
journal = {Current biology : CB},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.cub.2025.07.056},
pmid = {40834857},
issn = {1879-0445},
abstract = {Legume plants form specific organs on their root system, the nitrogen-fixing nodules, thanks to a symbiotic interaction with soil bacteria collectively named rhizobia. Rhizobia, however, do not only induce the formation of these nodule organs but also modulate root system architecture. We identified in Medicago truncatula a previously unnoticed increase in the root stele diameter occurring upon rhizobium inoculation. This symbiotic root response, similarly observed in another crop legume, pea, occurs rapidly and locally after rhizobium inoculation, leading to an increased number of vascular cells. Interestingly, this root stele diameter symbiotic response requires tracheary element differentiation inhibitory factor (TDIF) signaling peptides and, notably, the MtCLE37 TDIF-encoding gene whose expression is increased during nodulation, thus being referred to as symbiotic nodulation TDIF (sTDIF). Indeed, a cle37/stdif mutant is not responsive to rhizobium regarding its root stele diameter increase and has a reduced nodule number. Combined transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that stdif has a defective primary metabolism, notably affecting carbohydrate/sugar accumulation in both roots and nodules. Remarkably, a sucrose or a malate exogenous treatment is able to rescue the rhizobium-induced stele diameter symbiotic response in stdif. This metabolic deregulation is thus instrumental in explaining the altered symbiotic response of the mutant. Overall, this study highlights a novel function of TDIF signaling peptides in legumes plants, which, beyond regulating stele development, also modulates the root primary metabolism adaptations required for symbiotic nodule development.},
}

@article {pmid40834321,
year = {2025},
author = {Busenitz, K and Lundgren, JG},
title = {No effects of human-grade probiotics on Apis mellifera (Hymenoptera: Apidae) health metrics.},
journal = {Journal of economic entomology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jee/toaf210},
pmid = {40834321},
issn = {1938-291X},
abstract = {Dietary-administered probiotics may address poor health and performance in honey bees (Apis mellifera L. [Hymenoptera: Apidae]). Human-grade probiotics are an affordable source of general probiotics. We examined the effects of human-grade probiotics by comparing colony and individual level health and performance between colonies administered a probiotic every other week, and those not given probiotic supplementation (control treatment group). We found that probiotics did not statistically increase individual honey bee health and performance as measured by body lipid level, tibial length, and weight of bees, nor colony performance as measured by monthly assessments of brood area, colony weight, and Varroa destructor Anderson and Trueman (Mesostigmata: Varroidae) mite infestation rate.},
}

@article {pmid40833415,
year = {2025},
author = {Khan, F and Liu, Y and Whitfield, D and Pang, L and Ali, H and Huang, Y and Zhou, F and Hagan, RS and Frenis, K and Rowe, RG and Chen, P},
title = {Macrophage TBK1 signaling drives the development and outgrowth of breast cancer brain metastasis.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {122},
number = {34},
pages = {e2420793122},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2420793122},
pmid = {40833415},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {R01 NS124594/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; R01NS127824//HHS | NIH | National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)/ ; W81XWH-21-1-0380//U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)/ ; P30CA043703//HHS | NIH | NCI | Center for Cancer Research (CCR)/ ; },
mesh = {*Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism/genetics ; *Breast Neoplasms/pathology/metabolism/genetics ; Humans ; Female ; *Brain Neoplasms/secondary/metabolism/pathology/genetics ; *Signal Transduction ; Animals ; Mice ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Cell Line, Tumor ; *Macrophages/metabolism/pathology ; *Tumor-Associated Macrophages/metabolism/pathology ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Cell Movement ; NF-kappa B/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are the predominant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment that promote breast cancer brain metastasis (BCBM). Here, we identify TANK-binding kinase (TBK1) as a critical signaling molecule enriched and activated in TAMs of BCBM tumors, playing an indispensable role in BCBM development and metastatic outgrowth in the brain. Mechanistically, BCBM cell-secreted matrix metalloproteinase 1 binds to protease-activated receptor 1 and integrin αVβ5 on macrophages, leading to TBK1 activation mediated by the nuclear factor-kappa B pathway. Reciprocally, TBK1-regulated TAMs produce granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) to drive breast cancer cell epithelial-mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion, ultimately contributing to BCBM development and brain metastatic outgrowth. Inhibition of TBK1 signaling in TAMs or GM-CSF receptor in cancer cells impedes BCBM development and brain metastatic outgrowth. Correspondingly, the TBK1-GM-CSF signaling axis correlates with lower overall survival in patients with BCBM. Thus, TBK1-mediated tumor-TAM symbiotic interaction provides a promising therapeutic target for patients with BCBM.},
}

*Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism/genetics
*Breast Neoplasms/pathology/metabolism/genetics
Humans
Female
*Brain Neoplasms/secondary/metabolism/pathology/genetics
*Signal Transduction
Animals
Mice
Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor/metabolism
Tumor Microenvironment
Cell Line, Tumor
*Macrophages/metabolism/pathology
*Tumor-Associated Macrophages/metabolism/pathology
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition
Cell Movement
NF-kappa B/metabolism

@article {pmid40833097,
year = {2025},
author = {Staehelin, C and Forsberg, LS and D'Haeze, W and Gao, M-Y and Carlson, RW and Xie, Z-P and Pellock, BJ and Jones, KM and Walker, GC and Streit, WR and Broughton, WJ},
title = {Correction for Staehelin et al., "Exo-Oligosaccharides of Rhizobium sp. Strain NGR234 Are Required for Symbiosis with Various Legumes".},
journal = {Journal of bacteriology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0015725},
doi = {10.1128/jb.00157-25},
pmid = {40833097},
issn = {1098-5530},
}

@article {pmid40833026,
year = {2025},
author = {Li, Z and Lu, Y and Du, P and Zhang, M and Li, D and Xie, F and Chen, D and Lin, H and Li, Y},
title = {A Lipopolysaccharide Lipid A Acyltransferase Gene msbB Is Involved in Soybean Rhizobial Intracellular Colonization and Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation.},
journal = {Molecular plant-microbe interactions : MPMI},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1094/MPMI-02-25-0018-R},
pmid = {40833026},
issn = {0894-0282},
abstract = {Three major components of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in rhizobia, namely core polysaccharide, o-antigen, and lipid A, act as microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) to participate in the symbiosis between rhizobia and legume. Rhizobia have a different lipid A structure from other Gram-negative bacteria. The 3-hydroxy group on the 2' or 3' myristate acyl chain of its lipid A is substituted by a unique very long chain fatty acid (VLCFA). VLCFAs are transferred to lipid A by an acyltransferase MsbB. In this research, we constructed the msbB deletion mutant, complementary, and overexpression strains of Sinorhizobium fredii HH103, and investigated their free-living and symbiotic phenotypes. The findings revealed that deletion of msbB had no impact on the autonomous growth of HH103, yet significantly reduced the resistance of rhizobia to abiotic stresses. The promoter-GUS assays revealed that msbB was mainly expressed at the early stage of nodulation. Quantitative analysis of early infection revealed that the mutation of msbB significantly reduced root hair curling, infection threads, and nodule primordia, suggesting impairment of the symbiotic infection process. The nodulation assay and transmission electron microscopy analysis of nodule ultrastructure showed that msbB deletion led to the formation of ineffective root nodules without colonization of rhizobia, thereby causing a loss of nitrogen fixation capacity. RNA-seq analysis indicated that HH103ΩmsbB inoculation trigger a localized defense response in the soybean root to result in symbiotic deficiencies. Taken together, these results reveal the important role of VLCFAs in soybean rhizobia in the establishment of effective symbiosis and nodule nitrogen fixation.},
}

@article {pmid40832871,
year = {2025},
author = {Fu, J and Liu, Y and Yoshioka, T and Igai, K and Mabuchi, T and Kihara, K and Murakami, T and Lo, N and Ohkuma, M and Hongoh, Y},
title = {Functional division of labor in motility, lignocellulose digestion, and nitrogen metabolism revealed for the Mixotricha paradoxa holobiont.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wraf178},
pmid = {40832871},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Mixotricha paradoxa is a large, cellulolytic flagellate present in the hindgut of the termite Mastotermes darwiniensis. This parabasalid flagellate is unique in its reliance on ectosymbiotic spirochetes for motility. We analyzed the transcriptome of M. paradoxa and the genomes of the ectosymbiotic spirochete Propulsinema mixotrichae ("Treponematales"), the rod-shaped ectosymbiont Synergitannerella mixotrichae (Bacteroidales), and the endosymbiont Endomicrobiellum mixotrichae (Endomicrobiales), all of which are obligately associated with M. paradoxa and were taxonomically described in this study. Mixotricha paradoxa highly expressed genes for diverse glycoside hydrolases (GHs) and likely ferments sugars to H2, CO2, acetate, ethanol, and glycerol. Similar to the case for parasitic parabasalids such as Trichomonas vaginalis, transcripts for biosynthesis of nucleotides and many amino acids were not detected in our analyses of M. paradoxa. Propulsinema mixotrichae possesses genes encoding proteins for the assembly of flagella and for those in pathways associated with chemotaxis and dinitrogen fixation. Such genes are absent in Syn. mixotrichae, which instead possesses numerous genes encoding GH enzymes, which are largely complementary to the GH repertoire of M. paradoxa. Endomicrobiellum mixotrichae appears to provide nucleotides and nine amino acids to its host, which in turn likely supplies three amino acids, including tryptophan, to Endo. mixotrichae. Because bacterial cells, in addition to wood particles, were observed in food vacuoles of M. paradoxa, these ecto- and endosymbionts may be digested by the flagellate host. Overall, the distinct roles of each symbiont highlight the efficient functional division of labor that has evolved in this holobiont.},
}