Search Results (401)

Background: Effective and safe sedation is essential in pediatric dental practice to manage anxiety, pain, and cooperation during procedures. Objective: This exploratory systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to synthesize available RCT evidence comparing dexmedetomidine and ketamine across different sedation strategies (premedication and procedural sedation) in children undergoing dental procedures. Methods: This study was conducted and reported in accordance with the PRISMA 2020 statement. A comprehensive literature search was performed across PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect for studies between 1990 and 2026. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included. The primary outcomes assessed were intraoperative and postoperative analgesia, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP), oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and recovery time. A meta-analysis of the extracted data was performed, and the risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool 2. Results: The review included four RCTs involving 178 children, with a mean age of 6.5–9.1 years. Intraoperative and postoperative analgesia did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.09 and p = 0.08, respectively). Pooled analysis showed numerically lower heart rates with dexmedetomidine compared to ketamine, but the difference was not statistically significant (MD = −11.70; 95% CI: −29.27 to 5.86; p = 0.07). Systolic blood pressure was significantly lower with dexmedetomidine (MD = −6.69; 95% CI: −6.91 to −6.47; p = 0.002). Oxygen saturation did not differ significantly between groups (p = 0.35). Two studies were rated as having a low risk of bias. The remaining two had some concerns, related to unverified blinding and lack of outcome pre-specification. Conclusions: Based on limited and clinically heterogeneous evidence, both dexmedetomidine and ketamine appear to be viable options for sedation in pediatric dental settings, though no firm superiority conclusion can be drawn. Further randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes and standardized sedation protocols are recommended to strengthen these findings and inform practice guidelines. Full article

Marine biofouling remains a major challenge for maritime industries, affecting submerged structures and vessels worldwide. The long-standing reliance on biocidal coatings, together with their documented environmental impacts, has led to increasingly restrictive regulations and an urgent demand for environmentally compatible antifouling (AF) solutions. This study evaluates the AF potential and toxicological profile of two nucleoside analogues, hypoxanthine arabinoside (1′) and 2′-deoxyinosine (2′), selected based on the previously reported non-lethal AF activity of the naturally occurring nucleosides adenosine and 2′-deoxyadenosine from cyanobacteria. Both analogues inhibited the growth of Navicula sp. by approximately 60% without inducing mortality and significantly reduced settlement of Mytilus galloprovincialis plantigrades, with EC₅₀ values of 5.50 µM (1′) and 8.54 µM (2′), and no lethality detected (LC₅₀ > 200 µM). At near-EC₅₀ concentrations, both compounds increased acetylcholinesterase and tyrosinase activities, supported by molecular docking results, suggesting involvement of neurotransmission- and byssal formation-related pathways. Proteomic analysis revealed compound-specific molecular responses. No lethal effects were observed in non-target organisms (LC₅₀ > 32 µM for A. amphitrite and LC₅₀ > 50 µM for A. salina), and environmental fate modelling predicted low bioaccumulation and rapid degradation. Overall, substitution of the amino group by a carbonyl group preserved AF efficacy without increasing toxicity, highlighting nucleosides as promising low-toxicity AF agents. Full article

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. radicis-lycopersici (Forl) is the etiological agent of tomato Fusarium crown and root rot (FCRR), a devastating soil-borne disease that severely compromises global tomato production. The pathogenicity of Forl has been increasingly linked to its capacity to produce phytotoxic isocassadiene-type diterpenoids. In this study, Forl was cultured in rice medium to obtain Forl cultures, which were used for the separation and identification of secondary metabolites. After removing the known metabolites, two new isocassadiene-type diterpenoid compounds, namely fusariumic acids I (1) and J (2), were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract. Their structures were identified using spectroscopic data analyses and quantum chemical calculations. This is the first report of the fusariumic acid analogs containing a hydroxyl group at position C–1 in the molecule. Fusariumic acids I (1) and J (2) exhibited significantly inhibitory activities on the hypocotyl elongation of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and sesame (Sesamum indicum) seedlings, as well as on the coleoptile elongation of rice (Oryza sativa var. japonica) seedlings at concentrations from 10 to 100 µg/mL. The discovery of two new phytotoxic isocassadiene-type diterpenoids expanded the diversity of secondary metabolites of Forl. Meanwhile, it provided critical insights into Forl-tomato interactions and the candidate lead compounds for the development of new herbicides as well. Full article

Background and Objectives: Effective postoperative analgesia is essential for enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery. The erector spinae plane block (ESPB) has emerged as a promising regional anesthesia technique, but its impact on postoperative pain control, opioid requirement, patient and surgeon satisfaction, and stress response in obese patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of bilateral ESPB on postoperative analgesia requirements, pain scores, patient and surgeon satisfaction, hemodynamic stability, postoperative stress response, and perioperative hematologic and biochemical parameters in ASA II–III patients with a body mass index (BMI) > 30 undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Study design was a prospective, randomized, single-blind clinical trial. Materials and Methods: After obtaining ethics committee approval (Şanlıurfa Harran University Hospital, date: 23 January 2023; decision no: HRÜ/23.02.09) and written/verbal informed consent, 60 patients aged 18–65 years, BMI > 30, ASA II–III scheduled for elective sleeve gastrectomy were included. Patients were randomized into two groups: those receiving bilateral ESPB (Group E, n = 30) and those without ESPB (Group C, n = 30). Demographic characteristics, ASA scores, comorbidities, and surgical duration were recorded. Preoperative venous samples were collected into hemogram (WBC, lymphocyte, neutrophil) and biochemistry tubes (CRP, cortisol, glucose). Standard monitoring (ECG, SpO₂, NIBP) was applied intraoperatively, and vital parameters (HR, MAP) were recorded throughout. Postoperatively, HR, MAP, Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores at 0, 2, 4, 8, and 24 h, opioid requirement, patient and surgeon satisfaction (Likert scale), postoperative hemogram and biochemistry values, and side effects or complications were documented. All patients received dexketoprofen as baseline analgesia, with tramadol HCl administered as rescue analgesic. Results: All 60 patients completed the study. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding age, BMI, or surgery duration. Comorbidities were similar between groups. Intraoperative and postoperative HR and MAP values showed no significant differences. Postoperative NRS scores at the 0, 2, 8, and 24 hours were significantly lower in Group E compared with Group C. Both patient and surgeon satisfaction scores were higher in Group E. Rescue analgesic (tramadol HCl) consumption in the postoperative ward was significantly reduced in Group E. Cortisol levels, particularly at the 24th postoperative hour, showed a significantly smaller increase in Group E, suggesting a reduced surgical stress response. No significant differences were found between the groups regarding postoperative side effects or complications. Conclusions: Preoperative bilateral ESPB is an effective component of multimodal analgesia in sleeve gastrectomy. The block significantly reduces postoperative pain intensity, lowers NRS scores, improves patient and surgeon satisfaction, and decreases opioid requirements. Additionally, ESPB appears to attenuate the postoperative stress response, as reflected by smaller increases in cortisol levels. These findings support the routine incorporation of ESPB in perioperative pain management strategies for gastric sleeve surgery. Full article

Astaxanthin is a prominent carotenoid with strong antioxidant activity due to its 13 conjugated double bonds and its 3,3′-hydroxy groups adjacent to its 4,4′-carbonyl groups. This red pigment is utilized as a food additive and nutritional supplement, and it also has applications in cosmetics. But the extremely low water solubility of astaxanthin limits its broader commercial application. In order to decrease the hydrophobic property of astaxanthin, we produced 2,2′-dihydroxy derivatives of astaxanthin and its intermediate adonirubin, (2R,3S,2′R,3′S)-2,2′-dihydroxyastaxanthin (1) and (2R,3S,2′R)-2,2′-dihydoxyadonirubin (2), in the cells of Escherichia coli as dominant carotenoids. This result was achieved by using the crtG gene that codes for zeaxanthin/canthaxanthin/astaxanthin 2,2′-hydroxylase, derived from Brevundimonas sp. strain SD212, in addition to astaxanthin biosynthesis genes that carry the Haematococcus pluvialis IDI, Pantoea ananatis crtE, crtB, crtI, crtY, crtZ, and Paracoccus sp. N81106 crtW genes. The singlet oxygen-quenching activities of 1 and 2 (IC₅₀ 4.3 μM and 8.3 μM, respectively) were examined and found to be comparable to that of astaxanthin (IC₅₀ 1.7 μM). Full article

As the largest tributary of the Yangtze River and a core area of the Middle Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, the Han River Basin holds significant ecological importance regarding the impacts of land use and water environment changes on aquatic ecosystems. Existing studies have mostly focused on local reaches of the upper or middle–lower Han River, and systematic investigations into the associations between macroinvertebrate communities and environmental factors at the entire basin scale remain scarce. The niche characteristics and environmental drivers of macroinvertebrate community structure in the Han River Basin, China, were evaluated using a variety of diversity metrics and statistical methods. The results showed that: (1) A total of 91 macroinvertebrate taxa were identified during 2022–2023, with Insecta as the dominant group. Species richness in the upstream reaches increased in 2023, and the degree of differentiation between the upstream and the middle–lower reaches was markedly weaker than that in 2022. (2) Significant interannual differences in macroinvertebrate community structure were detected (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05), and taxa such as Polypedilum sp., Orthocladius sp., and Gammaridae collectively accounted for 35.6% of the dissimilarity among communities. (3) The overall niche breadth of dominant taxa was relatively low, whereas niche overlap decreased significantly in 2023, indicating a community niche pattern characterized by “low competition–high differentiation”. (4) Total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN) were the core water environmental factors driving changes in community structure, while forested land was the key land use factor, and their synergistic effects jointly regulated the composition and diversity of macroinvertebrate communities. Full article

Cancer is a major health concern, with its incidence rate continuing to increase. There is growing interest in the microbiota and its role in carcinogenesis, as it significantly influences physiological and pathological processes. Various aspects of the microbiome have been shown to have both anti-tumor and pro-tumor effects. Advances in techniques such as high-throughput DNA sequencing have greatly improved our understanding of microbial populations in the human and canine gut. We aimed to (1) characterize the intestinal microbiota of healthy dogs and dogs with cutaneous mast cell tumors (MCTs), (2) assess changes in the intestinal microbiota of dogs undergoing electrochemotherapy (ECT) combined with gene electrotransfer (GET) of the IL-12 plasmid (IL-12), and (3) explore possible associations with the expression of immune markers Programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1), Programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), and Granzyme B (GZMB) in MCT tissue. Stool samples were collected from healthy dogs (n = 24) and dogs with MCTs (n = 24) before and after ECT and IL-12 GET. DNA was extracted from the samples, and shallow shotgun sequencing was performed. Immunohistochemistry was performed on the tumors to assess the expression of PD-1, PD-L1, and GZMB. The dysbiosis index, alpha diversity, and beta diversity did not differ between groups. Regarding microbial composition, Bifidobacterium animalis, Corynebacterium variabile, Lactobacillus johnsonii, Pediococcus pentosaceus, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus equinus, Streptococcus intermedius, Clostridium thermobutyricum, Megasphaera elsdenii, and Anaerobiospirillum sp. were found in lower relative abundance in feces of dogs with MCTs, while Bacteroides togonis, Lactobacillus amylolyticus, Prevotella sp. CAG:279, and Megamonas hypermegale were more abundant compared to healthy dogs. Our study provides further insight into the composition of the gut microbiota in dogs with MCTs, where ECT and IL-12 GET did not lead to major shifts. We were unable to establish any association between the expression of immune markers and the microbiota. Full article

Diatoms are recognized as a valuable source of bioactive compounds that can stimulate the immune defense mechanisms of fish. This study aimed to assess the effects of Chaetoceros sp. in modulating the specific and non-specific immunity of red hybrid tilapia through in vitro functional assays, an in vivo feeding trial, and a bacterial challenge. The in vitro experiment (Phase One) examined the immune response of tilapia cells exposed to Chaetoceros sp. extract, while the in vivo experiment (Phase Two) evaluated the immune response following an 8-week dietary supplementation with Chaetoceros sp. powder. In Phase One, an 8 mg/mL concentration of Chaetoceros sp. extract demonstrated an overall enhancement in lysozyme activity and lymphocyte proliferation. In Phase Two, tilapia fed a diet containing 2% Chaetoceros sp. showed significantly improved lysozyme activity, while the 5% supplemented group exhibited a significant increase in lymphoproliferation activity (p < 0.05). Growth performance parameters were generally comparable among dietary groups, indicating that supplementation did not adversely affect growth. Notably, the 2% diet also enhanced fish survivability following a challenge with Streptococcus agalactiae. These findings highlight the immunomodulatory potential of the diatom Chaetoceros sp. as a functional feed additive for freshwater fish, particularly red hybrid tilapia, and suggest its positive impact on fish health management in aquaculture. Full article

Strain 11B20 was isolated from a commercial field of maize (Zea mays L.) located in the Yaqui Valley, Mexico. The draft genome sequence revealed a genomic size of 3,759,824 bp, 41.6% G + C content, 973,288 bp N50, 2 L50, and 29 contigs. According to the 16S rRNA gene, strain 11B20 belongs to the genus Bacillus. Genome annotation revealed 3952 coding DNA sequences (CDSs) grouped into 319 subsystems. Among these, several CDSs were associated with traits related to plant growth promotion, including (i) virulence, disease, and defense (33 CDSs); (ii) iron acquisition and metabolism (28 CDSs); and (iii) secondary metabolism (6 CDSs), among others. In vitro, metabolic analysis (IAA, siderophore biosynthesis; phosphorus solubilization; and tolerance to thermal, hydric, and saline stress) confirmed the genomic background of this strain. Finally, in planta assays showed that the inoculation of Bacillus sp. 11B20 significantly (p ≤ 0.05) increased the root length (48.2%) and root dry weight (35.4%) versus non-inoculated maize plants. Thus, this is the first report of Bacillus sp. 11B20 as a promising beneficial strain for sustainable corn production, and further research is needed to ensure the success of the application of this strain in agriculture. Full article

Recent advances in deep learning (DL) have enabled the integration of diverse biomedical data for disease prediction and risk stratification. Building on this progress, the overall objective of this study was to develop and evaluate a multimodal DL framework for robust multi-label classification (MLC) of major comorbidities in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) using physiological time series signals and clinical data. This study proposes a robust framework for multi-label classification (MLC) of comorbidities in patients with OSA using diverse physiological and clinical data sources. We conducted a retrospective observational study including a convenience sample of 144 patients referred for overnight polysomnography at the Sleep Medicine Center (SleepLab Split), University Hospital Centre Split (KBC Split), Split, Croatia. Patients were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria and data availability. A one-dimensional Convolutional Neural Network (1D-CNN) was developed to process and fuse time series signals, oxygen saturation ($Sp{O}_2$), derived $Sp{O}_2$ features, and nasal airflow (FP0), with demographic and physiological parameters, enabling the identification of key comorbidities such as arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and asthma/COPD. The instruments included polysomnography-derived signals (SpO₂ and FP0 airflow) and structured demographic/physiological parameters. Signals were preprocessed and used as inputs to the proposed fusion model. The proposed model was trained and fine-tuned using the Optuna hyperparameter optimization framework, addressing class imbalance through weighted loss adjustments. Its performance was comprehensively assessed using multi-label evaluation metrics, including macro/micro F1-score, AUC-ROC, AUC-PR, subset and partial accuracy, Hamming loss, and multi-label confusion matrix (MLCM). The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the School of Medicine, University of Split (Approval No. 003-08/23-03/0015, Date: 17 October 2023). The 1D-CNN achieved superior predictive performance compared to traditional machine learning (ML) classifiers with macro AUC-ROC = 0.731 and AUC-PR = 0.750. The model demonstrated consistent behavior across age, gender, and BMI groups, indicating strong generalization and minimal demographic bias. In conclusion, the results confirm that $Sp{O}_2$ and airflow signals inherently encode comorbidity-specific physiological patterns, enabling efficient and scalable screening of OSA-related comorbidities without the need for full polysomnography. Although the study is limited by data set size, it provides a methodological basis for the application of multi-label DL models in clinical decision support systems. Future research should focus on the expansion of multi-center datasets, thereby improving model interpretability and potential clinical adoption. Full article

There is an urgent demand for sustainable agricultural practices that minimize environmental impacts and reduce the reliance on synthetic pesticides and fertilizers. Endophytes represent a largely untapped resource of beneficial microorganisms with multiple potential applications as natural biocontrol agents and promoters of plant growth and development. This paper aimed at identifying new fungal strains and performing a series of preliminary in vitro screenings to evaluate their potential use for plant-growth promotion and antifungal activity. A total of 102 fungal endophytes were isolated from different plant tissues of seven wild relatives of barley (Brachypodium sylvaticum, Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus sterilis, Elymus farctus, Elymus repens, Leymus arenarius and Lolium perenne) that were sourced from 22 contrasting wild habitats. Fungal endophytes were isolated using standard culture-based methods and identified via DNA barcoding of the nrITS marker. Based on a literature search, a sub-group of endophytes were selected and evaluated for indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) synthesis, ammonia production and phosphorous (P) solubilization. From these, 15 endophytes were also tested for antifungal activity against Ramularia collo-cygni, Pyrenophora teres, and Gaeumannomyces tritici. All the endophytes were positive for ammonia production at variable rates, but no P solubilization nor IAA synthesis without L-tryptophan were observed. On the contrary, five promising isolates (2 Daldinia concentrica, Metapochonia suchlasporia, Chaetomium sp., and Ophiocordyceps sinensis) had mean pathogen growth inhibition rates above 80%, compared to the untreated negative controls. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first published report that investigates natural antagonism against Ramularia collo-cygni and expands the list of endophytic strains with natural antagonism on the tested cereal pathogens. Results are discussed in the context of endophytes application to barley cultivation within the European regulatory framework. Full article

Background: Isotomidae is one of the most common Collembola families, comprising 1484 species belonging to four subfamilies: Isotominae, Proisotominae, Anurophorinae, and Pachyotominae, while the subfamilial classification remains contentious and lack of molecular phylogenetic evidence. Methods: We sequenced and assembled the mitochondrial genomes (mitogenomes) of three species (Parisotoma sp., Folsomia sp. 1, and Folsomia sp. 2. Combining these with 10 mitogenomes available from GenBank, we reconstructed the phylogeny of Isotomidae based on a dataset of 13 species representing all four subfamilies. Results: These new mitogenomes, with lengths of 15,741 bp, 16,295 bp, and 16,765 bp, respectively, exhibit the typical metazoan gene set (13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs) and show high structural conservation with other Collembola species. However, phylogenetic analyses based on concatenated protein-coding genes revealed significant incongruence with traditional classification. While Isotomidae was recovered as monophyletic, both Isotominae and Anurophorinae were recovered as paraphyletic. Specifically, Parisotoma sp. formed a distinct lineage closer to the derived subfamilies than to the core Isotominae, and the representative of Pachyotominae (Paranurophorus simplex) was recovered nested within Anurophorinae, suggesting potential subfamilial misclassification or paraphyly. Furthermore, Proisotoma minuta was identified as an independent sister lineage to the Anurophorinae + Pachyotominae clade. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the current subfamily boundaries are not natural and that key diagnostic traits, such as furcal structure, likely reflect symplesiomorphies or various forms of homoplasy-including convergent evolution, parallelism, and evolutionary reversals—rather than unique synapomorphies defining monophyletic groups. This study provides essential genomic resources and highlights the need for an integrative taxonomic revision of Isotomidae that incorporates both molecular and morphological data, with particular emphasis on redefining subfamilies boundaries and reassessing diagnostic morphological traits. Full article

Background: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) typically develops before 40 years of age, but increasing life expectancy has led to a growing number of cases in older adults. It is well known that age at onset may influence disease presentation, comorbidities, and patient outcomes. Objectives: To assess whether age at onset influences SpA clinical presentation. Methods: We analyzed clinical, demographic, clinimetric, and imaging data in 272 SpA patients, grouped by onset age: early (≤40, n = 119), intermediate (41–59, n = 127), and late (≥60, n = 26). All patients had a minimum follow-up duration of 12 months. Their epidemiologic, clinic, and clinimetric data were collected, as well as patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) [Patient Global Assessment (PGA), Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ), FACIT-Fatigue (FACIT-F), SHORT-FORM 36 (SF-36), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire (WPAI), CSI (Central Sensitization Inventory), and Psoriatic Arthritis Impact of Disease (PsAID) questionnaire]. In univariate analyses, differences in categorical variables across onset groups were assessed using Fisher’s exact test; for continuous variables, between-group comparisons were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test (two-tailed) or the Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate, with Bonferroni correction for post hoc analyses. Multivariable regression models were subsequently fitted, adjusting for sex, diagnosis, and disease duration. For binary outcomes, multivariable logistic regression models were used, while multivariable linear regression models (ANCOVA) were applied for continuous outcomes. The overall association between onset group and each outcome was formally tested using likelihood ratio tests, comparing models including the onset variable with nested models excluding it. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Patients’ mean age was 60.0 ± 13.7 years; 55.9% of them were males; and there were 188 cases (69.1%) of psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and 84 cases (30.9%) of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). In early-onset patients, inflammatory back pain (IBP) was more frequent, whereas late-onset patients more often presented with joint swelling. A family history of SpA and psoriasis was less common in late-onset forms. Comorbidities, including osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, hypertension, hyperuricemia, and diabetes, were more prevalent in older-onset patients, resulting in a higher overall comorbidity burden in Groups 2 and 3. Patient-reported outcomes were largely similar across age groups, although work activity limitation was more pronounced in younger patients. Conclusions: Age at onset seems to influence SpA phenotypes: early-onset could favor axial involvement, while late-onset may associate with peripheral arthritis. Late-onset forms are associated with a more severe comorbidity burden, in particular for cardiovascular risk factors. Lung involvement proved to be more prevalent with respect to the general population, so it should be checked in the routinary assessment of SpA patients. These findings suggest that rheumatologists could tailor their routine assessments based on patients’ age at disease onset. Interestingly, work productivity seems more impacted in early-onset patients. All these points highlight the importance of age at disease onset in SpA, guiding toward personalized medicine in terms of follow-up, therapy, and more holistic patient management. Full article

(1) Background: Improving nitrogen use efficiency in peanuts is essential for achieving a high yield with reduced nitrogen fertilizer input. This study investigates the role of the fungal endophyte Phomopsis liquidambaris in regulating nitrogen utilization throughout the entire growth cycle of peanuts. (2) Methods: Field pot experiments and a two-year plot trial were conducted. The effects of Ph. liquidambaris colonization on the rhizosphere microbial community, soil nitrogen forms, and peanut physiology were analyzed. (3) Results: Colonization by Ph. liquidambaris significantly suppressed the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA) and bacteria (AOB) in the rhizosphere at the seedling stage. This led to a transient decrease in nitrate and an increase in ammonium availability, which enhanced nodulation-related physiological responses. Concurrently, the peanut-specific rhizobium Bradyrhizobium sp. was enriched in the rhizosphere, and the root exudates induced by the fungus further stimulated nodulation activity. These early-stage effects promoted the establishment of peanut–Bradyrhizobium symbiosis. During the mid-to-late growth stages, the fungus positively reshaped the composition of key functional microbial groups (including diazotrophs, AOA, and AOB), thereby increasing rhizosphere nitrogen availability. (4) Conclusions: Under low nitrogen fertilization, inoculation with Ph. liquidambaris maintained yield stability in long-term monocropped peanuts by enhancing early nodulation and late-stage rhizosphere nitrogen availability. This study provides a promising microbe-based strategy to support sustainable legume production with reduced nitrogen fertilizer application. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) has a high mortality rate worldwide. Oral and intestinal microbiota members may have an effect on gastrointestinal tumors’ pathogenesis, particularly in CRC. Designed as a pilot study, this study’s aim was to investigate the relationship between CRC and oral microbiota and to identify potential biomarkers for CRC diagnosis. Saliva samples were collected from recently diagnosed CRC patients (n = 14) and healthy controls (n = 14) between March 2023 and December 2023. Microbiota (16S rRNA) analyses were conducted on these saliva samples using a next-generation sequencing method. Phylogenetic analyses, including alpha diversity, principal component analysis (PCA), principal coordinate analysis (PCoA), beta diversity, biomarker, and phenotype analyses, were conducted using the Qiime2 (Quantitative Insights Into Microbial Ecology) platform. Alpha diversity indices (Shannon: p = 0.78, Cho1: p = 0.28, Simpson: p = 0.81) showed no significant difference between CRC and control groups. Beta diversity analysis using Bray–Curtis PCoA indicated significant differences in the microbial community between the two groups (p = 0.003). Examination of OTU distributions revealed that the Mycoplasmatota phylum was undetectable in the oral microbiota of healthy controls but was significantly elevated in CRC patients (CRC: 0.13 ± 0.30, Control: 0.00 ± 0.00, p < 0.05). Additionally, Metamycoplasma salivarium, Bacteroides intestinalis, and Pseudoprevotella muciniphila were undetectable in healthy controls but significantly more prevalent in CRC patients (p < 0.05 for all three species). LEfSe analysis identified eight species with an LDA score > 2, Granulicatella adiacens, Streptococcus thermophilus, Streptococcus gwangjuense, Capnocytophaga sp. FDAARGOS_737, Capnocytophaga gingivalis, Granulicatella elegans, Bacteroides intestinalis, and Pseudoprevotella muciniphila, as potential biomarkers. The results of this study contribute critical evidence of the role of oral microbiota in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer. Alterations in the microbiota suggest potential biomarkers in understanding the biological mechanisms underlying CRC and developing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Full article