Search Results (2,012)

Glutaredoxins (GRXs) are small oxidoreductases involved in redox regulation, but the biochemical properties of plant-specific CC-type GRXs remain poorly understood, particularly in legumes. In a previous transcriptomic analysis, two CC-type glutaredoxins from Lotus japonicus, LjGRX460 and LjGRX569, were identified as differentially expressed during symbiosis with nitrogen-fixing rhizobia. Here, both proteins were produced recombinantly and characterized by sequence analysis, structural modelling and in vitro biochemical assays. Phylogenetic and sequence studies confirmed that both proteins belong to the plant-specific CC-type GRX class but differ in active site composition and overall sequence organization. Homology modelling and molecular dynamics simulations revealed distinct conformational properties, including differences in active site accessibility, electrostatic surface distribution and putative oxidation-dependent structural rearrangements. Comparative analyses with representative class I and II GRXs supported substantial structural divergence, suggesting functional specialization. Optimized expression and purification protocols yielded soluble recombinant proteins. Both LjGRX460 and LjGRX569 displayed a strong tendency to form soluble high molecular weight aggregates, similar to the class I control GRX. Enzymatic assays showed low oxidoreductase activity towards classical disulfide substrates compared with class I GRXs, while molecular docking suggested reduced affinity for bis(2-hydroxyethyl) disulfide (HEDS) and preferential interaction with L-cystine. These results indicate that LjGRX460 and LjGRX569 are unlikely to function as classical oxidoreductases and may instead perform specialized regulatory functions. Full article

Microbiome-linked pathologies in humans have significantly increased over recent decades, suggesting that lifestyle changes, particularly those related to diet, have contributed to the disruption of beneficial microbial composition and functions. Specifically, modern processed diets that are low in dietary fiber and high in fat and sugar can lead to the depletion of bacterial taxa over generations and contribute to chronic inflammatory diseases. These pathologies can potentially be prevented by increasing fiber intake, making the promotion of dietary fiber crucial for human health. Despite the recognized importance of fiber integration, there remains a significant gap in the understanding of the use of multiple dietary fibers in food to promote microbiota diversity, as well as which dietary fibers promote specific microbial taxa to restore symbiosis. To address this gap, we conducted an in vitro fermentation study using fecal samples from two individuals. We tested three types of dietary fibers of varying complexity: inulin, pectin, and dextran in a β-glucan–based medium. Samples were collected over a 48 h fermentation period (0–4–8–24–32–48 h) to evaluate temporal shifts in microbial composition and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production. Through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, we found that the introduction of different fibers steered the microbiota of both individuals toward a convergent trajectory by 24–48 h. This result indicated that fiber complexity can reduce inter-individual variation in microbial community structure. Distinct levels of polysaccharide complexity between fiber types modulated specific bacterial taxa, supporting the concept that consuming a diversity of dietary fiber acts on complementary microbial niches. Notably, the observed shifts toward butyrate-associated taxa and reduction of pro-inflammatory lineages with dextran/β-glucan are relevant for pathologies characterized by dysbiosis, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Together, these results underscore the value of incorporating multiple fibers into food production, including fermented foods, to enhance prebiotic properties, stimulate the growth of fiber-fermenting bacteria, and promote microbial diversity. While these observations derive from a controlled in vitro pilot setting, they support the concept that multi-fiber dietary strategies based on complementary fermentable fibers with prebiotic properties may help shift the microbiome away from a pro-inflammatory state. Accordingly, dietary guidelines and public health approaches aimed at reducing chronic disease risk may benefit from emphasizing the inclusion of composite fiber blends rather than relying solely on single-fiber supplementation. Full article

Smart cities have emerged as a strategic approach to enhancing urban sustainability through the integration of digital technologies, intelligent infrastructure, and data-driven governance. However, limited research has comprehensively examined how technological, institutional, governance, and contextual factors interact to influence sustainability outcomes in industrial-city settings, particularly in Saudi Arabia. This study develops an integrated conceptual framework for sustainable smart industrial cities through a qualitative research design based on a systematic screening and synthesis of the literature, complemented by a contextual analysis of the Dammam Metropolitan Area (DMA) as an illustrative urban-industrial case under Saudi Vision 2030. A total of 86 articles, reports, and website materials were identified and screened, of which 49 sources met the inclusion criteria and were synthesized to develop the proposed framework. The analysis examined five interrelated components: smart-city applications, institutional governance, implementation conditions, contextual barriers and opportunities, and sustainability outcomes across three dimensions: environmental, social, and economic. The findings suggest that the effectiveness of smart-city applications depends not only on technological innovation but also on institutional governance, digital readiness, stakeholder participation, integrated planning, and supportive regulatory environments. The study further identifies fragmented governance, limited institutional coordination, cybersecurity risks, and high infrastructure costs as key implementation barriers, while highlighting opportunities associated with Saudi Vision 2030, digital-transformation initiatives, and circular-economy principles. The principal contribution of the study is the development of an integrated conceptual framework that explains the interactions among these five components and provides a theoretical foundation for future empirical validation, as well as conceptually informed guidance for policy development and planning in Saudi Arabia and comparable industrial-city contexts. Full article

Eucalyptus is an important timber species characterized by strong adaptability and rapid growth. However, adverse environmental conditions such as drought stress severely impact its growth and productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi form beneficial symbiotic relationships with Eucalyptus root systems and significantly enhance plant stress tolerance. In this study, we identified 111 WRKY genes in Eucalyptus grandis and systematically characterized their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, gene structures, conserved motifs, synteny, and cis-acting elements. Notably, AM fungal symbiosis significantly enhanced the biomass, plant height, and root length of E. grandis seedlings under drought stress. Through integrated RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses, we identified 12 EgWRKY genes that responded to drought stress during AM fungal symbiosis, with their expression levels significantly elevated in AM-inoculated roots under drought conditions. These findings provide novel insights into the regulatory roles of EgWRKY genes in AM-mediated drought tolerance and establish a foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying WRKY-mediated stress responses in E. grandis. Full article

The symbiotic association between soybean and arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi enhances phosphorus acquisition, improving crop yield and quality. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying nutrient exchange in this symbiosis remain poorly understood. We performed transcriptomic profiling of Glycine max cv. Williams 82 roots across three time points during colonization by Rhizophagus irregularis BEG141, revealing distinct transcriptional reprogramming between mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in pathways related to fatty acid biosynthesis, carbon metabolism, and redox homeostasis. Time-course comparisons further identified DEGs associated with transcriptional regulation, biosynthetic processes, and nitrogen metabolism. Notably, five GDSL lipase genes (GmGELP6, GmGELP29, GmGELP140, GmGELP141, and GmGELP151) exhibited AM-associated expression patterns and were associated with AM-induced lipid-related transcriptional programs. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated disruption of these genes in soybean transgenic hairy roots altered arbuscule development and was associated with reduced expression of mycorrhiza-inducible fatty acid metabolism genes, suggesting that these genes are associated with normal AM colonization and arbuscule development. This study provides a transcriptomic resource and identifies AM-induced GmGELP candidate genes associated with normal soybean–AM symbiosis for future functional and mechanistic studies. Full article

Legume–rhizobium symbiosis is fundamental to sustainable agriculture because it supplies biologically fixed nitrogen, improves soil fertility, and reduces reliance on synthetic fertilizers. However, abiotic and chemical stresses, including drought, salinity, flooding, temperature extremes, heavy metals, and organic pollutants, disrupt nodulation and biological nitrogen fixation, limiting crop productivity and ecosystem sustainability. This review synthesizes current knowledge of the regulatory networks that enable legume–rhizobium symbiosis to adapt to environmental stress. We discuss how stress influences symbiotic signaling, infection, oxygen homeostasis, nitrogenase protection, phytohormonal regulation, antioxidant defenses, exopolysaccharide production, and plasmid-mediated adaptation. We further highlight the roles of root nodule-associated microorganisms and microbial interactions in maintaining symbiotic stability under adverse conditions. Finally, recent advances in multi-omics, genome editing, synthetic biology, and microbial consortia are evaluated for their potential to improve stress-resilient bioinoculants. Collectively, this review emphasizes that resilience of the legume–rhizobium symbiosis is an integrated property of both plant and microbes and identifies key regulatory mechanisms that can be exploited to develop climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural systems. Full article

This study investigates the mechanism of “reverse spatial production” in contemporary urban China by examining the transformation of the Hangou Dawang Temple in Yangzhou. Utilizing a multidimensional framework that integrates Henri Lefebvre’s spatial triad with Michel de Certeau’s theory of everyday practice, the research explores how a state-constructed, secular “cultural landscape” was reclaimed as a living field of popular belief. Data were collected through intensive fieldwork (2025–2026), including participant observation, semi-structured interviews, and digital ethnography. The findings reveal that following the temple’s entrustment to the Taoist Association in 2017, grassroots actors—centered around a Taoist cleric and the local congregation—successfully resacralized the site through the introduction of material media, ritual performances, and social networking. This process dissolved the official spatial discipline of the “landscape island,” transforming it into a substantive religious hub. The study identifies a “Non-Antagonistic Symbiotic Model” of spatial production, characterized by a cycle of top-down construction, bottom-up reconstruction, and mutual negotiation. It argues that the state’s heritagization strategy inadvertently provides a legitimate vessel for religious resilience, while grassroots tactical appropriations allow for the survival of popular religion within modern urban landscapes. This research offers a prototypical case for understanding the resilience of popular belief and the reconstruction of heritage authenticity in the post-secular urban context of China. Full article

Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants. However, both iron deficiency and excess can severely inhibit plant growth and productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been shown to improve plant mineral nutrition and stress tolerance, yet the integrated physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying AM-mediated iron homeostasis regulation, particularly in woody tree species, remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of inoculating Eucalyptus grandis seedlings with the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis on their growth, photosynthetic performance, antioxidant defense, and transcriptional responses under varying Fe supply levels (5, 25, and 200 µM). Our results demonstrated that AM symbiosis significantly alleviated the growth inhibition induced by both low-Fe (5 µM) and high-Fe (200 µM) stress, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, as evidenced by increased net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and PSII photochemical efficiency; under low-Fe, Pn, Gs, and Fv/Fm increased by 33.7%, 42.4%, and 25.2%, respectively. AM symbiosis also significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, and CAT) under high-iron stress, accompanied by reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation; specifically, POD, SOD, and CAT activities increased by 79.3%, 88.7%, and 87.0%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis identified 44 MYB transcription factors that were differentially induced by AM symbiosis under iron stress, among which six genes (EgMYB-2, EgMYB-3, EgMYB315-1, EgMYB315-2, EgMYB61, and EgMYB306) were significantly upregulated by AM under both low- and high-iron conditions, as verified by qRT-PCR. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between the expression of these EgMYB genes and antioxidant enzyme activities as well as photosynthetic parameters, suggesting their potential involvement in coordinating iron stress responses. Overall, our findings indicate that AM fungus enhances iron stress tolerance in E. grandis through a multilevel strategy that includes photosynthetic protection, antioxidant defense activation, and transcriptional reprogramming involving MYB transcription factors as potential regulators. This study provides integrated physiological-molecular analysis and novel insights into AM-mediated Fe homeostasis regulation in the woody tree species E. grandis. Full article

Algorithm-aversion research predicts that consumers prefer human curators to algorithmic ones in subjective decision domains, including taste-based hedonic recommendation. Drawing on the algorithmic-symbiosis paradigm and on assortment-perception theory, this paper identifies a boundary condition on that prediction: disclosing that recommendations are AI-curated rather than human-curated lifts purchase intention in hedonic e-commerce but not in utilitarian e-commerce. The mechanism is a search-side option-breadth inference—the consumer’s attribution about the size of the option pool the curator considered upstream—which is diagnostic in preference-formative consumption categories where consumers build, rather than match, a preference. Three online experiments deployed through a Chinese consumer panel test the framework. Study 1 ($N=228$) finds the predicted Disclosure × Product-type interaction (${\eta }_p^2=0.025$) with the AI-versus-human lift confined to the hedonic cell ($d=0.65$). Study 2 ($N=257$) isolates the option-breadth pathway against trust and competence as competing mediators. Study 3 ($N=519$) extends the design to a second hedonic category, decomposes option breadth into search-side and display-side subdimensions through an eight-item bi-factor scale, tests mentalizing alongside option breadth as a competing mediator, and brings the moderated-mediation test by consumer AI familiarity to conventional statistical power (index of moderated mediation $=+0.065$, 95% CI $[+0.014,+0.118]$). Implications for interactive-marketing practice and algorithmic-disclosure regulation are discussed. Full article

Background/Objectives: Protein phosphatase type 2C (PP2C) family members are key signaling hubs in plants, but their roles in mediating the trade-off between stress adaptation and symbiotic interactions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the function of soybean GmPP2C113, which was identified as a potential regulator linking salt stress responses and symbiotic nodulation, in coordinating these two biological processes in soybean (Glycine max). Methods/Results: The GmPP2C113 gene was cloned, and its subcellular localization, transcriptional activity, and protein interactions were characterized. Expression patterns under salt stress and rhizobial inoculation were analyzed. The biological role of GmPP2C113 was assessed using transgenic soybean plants overexpressing GmPP2C113. GmPP2C113 was localized in the nucleus and possessed transcriptional activation capability and interacted with GmPP2C47. Its expression was strongly induced by salt stress and by rhizobial infection, with the highest levels detected in mature nodules. Overexpression of GmPP2C113 significantly enhanced salt tolerance, upregulated stress-related genes, increased nodule numbers, and promoted symbiotic nodulation under salt stress by inducing nodulation marker genes. Conclusions: These results identify GmPP2C113 as a positive modulator of salt tolerance and reveal its novel role as a molecular node that sustains symbiotic nodulation under salt stress. This provides insight into the coordinated regulation of stress adaptation and symbiosis in soybean. Full article

The intensification of extreme thermal events increases the risk of pest outbreaks and disruptions in agroecosystems, making it crucial to understand how heat waves affect pest performance. This study examined the impact of thermal stress on two dominant aphid genotypes of Sitobion avenae, focusing on their symbionts Regiella insecticola and Hamiltonella defensa. R. insecticola is associated with neutrality in performance, while H. defensa shows no thermal tolerance. We evaluated symbiont-infected and cured lineages during a heat wave, measuring life-history traits. Key findings include: the H. defensa strain incurred increased costs under heat, reducing survival, fecundity, and growth; the effects of R. insecticola strain were predominantly neutral and specific to clones; and Buchnera aphidicola titers correlated with host performance, with H. defensa lineages having higher titers regardless of heat exposure. This suggests that the R. insecticola strain present in Chilean genotypes does not contribute to the resilience of certain clones to thermal stress in Chile, whereas the H. defensa strain imposes performance costs during heat waves. The results of this research pertain to specific strains of endosymbionts, rather than to all endosymbionts within these taxa. These findings emphasize the need to consider symbiotic relationships and thermal physiology in aphid pest management strategies. Full article

Horticultural plants are exposed to multiple environmental stresses that compromise both vegetative growth development and final crop production. Piriformospora indica, a mycorrhizal-like fungus that can be cultivated axenically, promotes plant growth and stress tolerance. There is currently compelling experimental evidence that P. indica is involved in the plant stress response. This narrative review mainly focuses on the ability of P. indica to induce defense responses by enhancing antioxidant enzyme activities, regulating membrane peroxidation, promoting photosynthesis, and reducing the accumulation of ROS, thereby ultimately improving plant stress tolerance. Future research may focus on deciphering the intricate mechanisms by which P. indica, gasotransmitters, and transcription factors coregulate plant growth during stress. Full article

Background: Recent scientific evidence indicates that the oral–gut axis represents a critical interface in host–microbiota interactions, carrying profound implications for both periodontal and gastrointestinal diseases. This scoping review aims to evaluate the reciprocal influence between periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Specifically, the underlying mechanisms of microbial translocation, immune interaction, and metabolite-mediated signaling linking the oral microbiota to gut microbial ecology are critically evaluated. Methods: Studies were selected from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to May 2026. Eligible criteria included in vivo studies written in English and conducted within the last 10 years, whereas human studies involving participants under 18 years of age were excluded. The included studies analyze the effects of oral and gut dysbiosis on the opposing district. Through the database search, 2094 records were identified, and 34 articles were selected based on the eligibility criteria. Results: The included studies demonstrate the interconnection between the oral and gut microbiota. The included studies reveal that predominant oral taxa, specifically Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, alter intestinal microbial composition. In particular, P. gingivalis colonizes the gut, exacerbating both oral and intestinal inflammation by stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via Th17 cell activation. Finally, salivary microbial composition appears to be associated with the presence and status of IBD. Conclusions: Understanding these interconnected microbial ecosystems provides valuable insights that may support the future development of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from periodontitis and IBD. Further large-scale studies with longer follow-up periods are required to standardize potential salivary markers and multidisciplinary therapeutic protocols for the management of periodontitis and IBD. Full article

Anoplophora glabripennis (ALB) is an invasive wood-boring cerambycid that causes extensive damage to hardwood host trees through sequential tissue penetration from the bark to the sapwood. Developmental biology of ALB is well established. However, interactions among its life cycle, environmental contaminants, and fungal associates remain poorly understood. In particular, the ecological relationships among microplastics, entomopathogenic fungi, and the fungal symbiont Fusarium solani (FSSC) within ALB-associated woody tissues remain largely uncharacterized. This review develops a conceptual anatomical framework integrating ALB developmental biology, fungal associations, frass deposition pathways, and potential microplastic interactions within woody host tissues. The framework was constructed through ecological literature synthesis and anatomical reconstruction. To our knowledge, this represents the first conceptual framework integrating ALB developmental anatomy, fungal symbiosis, and potential microplastic interactions within host tree gallery systems. A longitudinal cross-sectional model was developed to illustrate oviposition, larval gallery formation, pupation, and adult emergence in relation to the outer bark, cambium/phloem, sapwood, and heartwood. FSSC isolates previously documented on ALB egg surfaces following oviposition and within ALB frass were examined, thereby positioning the fungal symbiont both within and outside galleries produced by ALB throughout its life cycle. Previous studies have demonstrated that microplastics can be taken up by plant stem tissues and accumulate on the forest floor through atmospheric deposition. This widespread presence suggests that micro- and nanoplastics may penetrate sapwood and heartwood galleries through xylem and phloem flow. These transport pathways may overlap with regions where late-instar larvae actively forage. The integrative framework presented here highlights potential ecological interactions within the gallery microhabitat and provides a foundation for future experimental investigations into contaminant–pathogen–host dynamics in xylophagous insects. While we refrain from proposing specific management strategies, we present a conceptual framework to elucidate how microplastics may serve as incidental contact points for cerambycid anatomy and fungal propagules. We hypothesize that these interactions link microplastic pollution to invertebrate ecology. Microplastics may function as substrates for fungal spores within forest canopies and gallery systems, potentially influencing fungal persistence, contaminant transport, and ecological dynamics within infested forest habitats. Full article

Global trade and climate change are accelerating the spread and impacts of invasive forest pests worldwide. The Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer (Euwallacea fornicatus) is among the most destructive invasive ambrosia beetles, attacking approximately 680 woody plant species across five continents and causing substantial ecological and economic losses. This review synthesizes the current knowledge of PSHB taxonomy, biology, fungal symbiosis, host range, invasion history, surveillance and management. Evidence indicates that eradication is rarely feasible once populations become established, while existing chemical and biological control measures remain of limited effectiveness, making early detection and rapid response essential. This review highlights major knowledge gaps in invasion biology, host susceptibility, fungal interactions and chemical ecology, and identifies research priorities to improve surveillance, risk prediction and integrated management. Advancing these areas will strengthen global biosecurity and enhance protection of forests, urban trees and commercial orchards. Full article