Search Results (4,242)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant performance, but how they coordinately influence root metabolism and associated bacterial communities in sweet potato remains unclear. Here, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of Glomus intraradices inoculation on sweet potato seedlings by integrating analyses of rhizosphere soil properties, plant growth and nutrient uptake, root metabolomics, and rhizosphere and endophytic bacterial communities using 16S rRNA gene sequencing with FAPROTAX-based functional prediction. AMF inoculation significantly increased whole-plant fresh and dry biomass, potassium concentration and accumulation, and the accumulation of starch and water-soluble carbohydrates, while no significant effects were observed on dry matter rate or plant nitrogen and phosphorus concentration. In the rhizosphere, AMF reduced soil electrical conductivity and increased organic matter content without significantly affecting pH, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen, available phosphorus, or available potassium. Root metabolomic profiling identified 289 differential metabolites, with enrichment of phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, glycerophospholipid metabolism, porphyrin metabolism, and nucleotide metabolism, together with broad up-regulation of lipid-related metabolites. Bacterial communities showed strong compartment specificity, with the root endosphere displaying lower alpha diversity than the rhizosphere. Higher rhizosphere bacterial Shannon diversity was observed in the AMF treatment, together with compartment-dependent shifts in bacterial community composition; enrichment of endophytic taxa such as Devosia and Niastella was detected following AMF inoculation. Functional prediction further suggested niche differentiation between rhizosphere and endophytic bacteria, together with AMF-associated shifts in carbon- and nitrogen-related functions. Overall, these results suggest that G. intraradices inoculation is associated with enhanced sweet potato growth and enhanced potassium and carbohydrate accumulation in association with coordinated changes in rhizosphere conditions, root metabolism, and bacterial community assembly. Full article

Huanglongbing (HLB), a destructive citrus disease caused by Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas), cannot be efficiently diagnosed at the early stage via conventional detection methods. Most current metabolomic studies on citrus HLB rely solely on the LC-MS platform and mainly focus on sweet orange, while integrated dual-platform metabolomic research targeting Orah mandarin, the dominant cultivated citrus variety, remains limited. In the present study, GC-MS and LC-MS were combined for the first time, alongside multivariate statistical analysis and pathway enrichment analysis, to systematically characterize metabolomic differences between healthy and HLB-infected Orah mandarin leaves. Suspected citrus leaf samples were collected from two major citrus-producing regions in Guangxi and further confirmed by qPCR detection. A large number of differentially accumulated metabolites were identified, which were primarily enriched in carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism pathways. Several candidate biomarkers applicable for early HLB diagnosis were also screened out. This study provides reliable scientific evidence and a theoretical foundation for elucidating the pathogenic mechanism of HLB and establishing field-based early diagnosis techniques. Full article

The ketogenic diet, a high-fat and low-carbohydrate diet, has potential therapeutic effects on various neurological and psychiatric disorders. The diet shifts the body’s energy production in the form of adenosine triphosphate from using glucose to fats. The increased fatty acid β-oxidation results in the production of ketone bodies. This metabolic adaptation changes cellular bioenergetics, especially in the brain, which is highly reliant on energy metabolism. Schizophrenia, a psychotic disorder, and bipolar disorder, a mood disorder, are distinct psychiatric illnesses that can both involve disturbances in mood, cognition, and perception. These disturbances differ in prominence and clinical significance between the two conditions. Although the underlying mechanisms behind each disorder vary, they share some common pathophysiology, such as imbalances in the neurotransmitter system, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative stress. Alzheimer’s disease, a neurodegenerative disorder marked by progressive cognitive decline, shares similar cellular disruptions, along with additional pathological features such as neuroinflammation and neuronal death. Recent studies suggest that the ketogenic diet may exert therapeutic effects by modulating underlying biochemical pathways. Its ability to reduce oxidative stress, improve mitochondrial function, and stabilize neurotransmitter balance may help alleviate symptoms and potentially slow disease progression. Full article

Dietary polysaccharides regulate gut microbiota and exhibit diverse prebiotic activity, which is highly dependent on their structural properties. To explore the underlying structure-prebiotic relationship, this study selectively compared the structural characteristics of Ginseng polysaccharide (GP), Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide (GLP), and Dendrobium officinale polysaccharide (DOP) and investigated their digestive stability and gut microbiota modulation via in vitro simulated digestion and fecal fermentation. Structural analysis revealed distinct differences in molecular weight, monosaccharide composition, and glycosidic linkages among the three polysaccharides. Moreover, GP is partially digested in the upper gastrointestinal tract, while GLP and DOP were resistant to upper-tract digestion. All three polysaccharides differentially modulate gut microbial fermentation, intestinal microbial community structure, and the expression of functional carbohydrate-active enzymes. Specifically, the high glucose content of GP selectively promoted the abundance of genera putatively linked to glucose utilization, including Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium, and Alistipes. GLP preferentially enriched possible genera with galactose-metabolizing ability, such as Blautia, Collinsella, and Megamonas, while DOP selectively enriched microbiota putatively associated with mannose utilization, including Fusicatenibacter and Lachnospiraceae. Taken together, monosaccharide composition is a key structural feature that is closely associated with fermentation efficiency and gut microbial responses to polysaccharides, providing valuable insights for the precision utilization of bioactive polysaccharides. Full article

Background: Effective postprandial glycemic regulation is essential for preventing metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes. While pharmacological interventions like GLP-1 (Glucagon-Like Peptide-1) receptor agonists are effective, dietary strategies using low-digestible carbohydrates (LDCs) may offer a sustainable and complementary approach. Methods: Two human physiological investigations were conducted to evaluate the acute metabolic responses to allulose, 1-kestose, resistant maltodextrin (RD), and fructo-oligosaccharide powder (FOP), administered both in isolation and in conjunction with a reference meal (RM). Results: In Study 1, all tested LDCs elicited minimal plasma glucose responses when consumed alone. In Study 2, distinct metabolic benefits were observed depending on the type of LDCs. Allulose exhibited the strongest effects, significantly reducing postprandial glucose and insulin levels while increasing plasma GLP-1 concentrations. 1-Kestose exhibited significantly lower plasma glucose and insulin incremental area under the curve (iAUC) compared to RM alone, indicating improved glycemic regulation. RD significantly enhanced subjective satiety between 30 and 180 min post-consumption. These findings highlight that each LDC exerts unique physiological effects. Conclusions: Collectively, these results demonstrate that acute LDCs consumption distinctly regulates metabolic responses, supporting their application as functional ingredients in targeted nutritional strategies for managing glycemic and metabolic health. Full article

Background/Objectives: The increasing prevalence of nutrition-related diseases and the limited availability of convenient, metabolically safe, high-protein foods represent a pressing public health challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of four composite animal-derived high-protein ingredients based on collagen enzymatic hydrolysates on physical endurance, feeding behaviour, carbohydrate metabolism, renal function, and behavioural parameters in rats. Methods: Four lyophilised collagen hydrolysate-based ingredients were developed using enzymatic biotransformation of bovine and porcine raw materials, combined with bovine whey protein concentrate, bovine meat trim hydrolysate, porcine blood plasma proteins, and an api-component (Samples 1–4; protein content 87–89%). Ninety male Wistar rats were randomised into one control group and four experimental groups (n = 20 per experimental group, n = 10 controls) and received test samples by intragastric gavage at 3000 mg/kg/day for 40 days. Physical endurance was assessed via a weighted forced swimming test (days 0, 30, and 40); behavioural status by open field, adhesive removal, and marble burying tests; and biochemical parameters (blood glucose, serum urea, creatinine, urinary protein, and GFR) at days 0 and 40. Results: All experimental groups demonstrated a significant reduction in standard chow consumption (19–24%, p < 0.01) without affecting body weight gain. Physical endurance improved significantly in all groups relative to baseline, with the most pronounced effect in the Sample 3 group (+39% at day 40, p < 0.05). Blood glucose levels were significantly reduced across all groups (9–16%, p < 0.05). No adverse behavioural effects were observed. Biochemical markers indicated an adaptive rather than pathological renal response, with elevated GFR in three of four experimental groups (p < 0.05) and reduced proteinuria in the Sample 1 and Sample 3 groups. Conclusions: Forty-day administration of collagen hydrolysate-based protein complexes improved physical endurance and glucose metabolism, reduced food intake without compromising body weight, and did not impair renal function or behavioural status in healthy adult rats. These findings support the potential of such ingredients as functional food components, pending confirmation of long-term safety in extended studies. Full article

In this study, the methane yield, substance conversion rate and microbial community structure of individual components of lignocellulose, synthetic mixtures, and corn straw subjected to different pretreatments (thermal hydrolysis, chemical, biological, and combined pretreatment) during anaerobic digestion were comparatively investigated. The synthetic mixture of cellulose and hemicellulose (MCXY) exerted a positive promoting effect on biomethane production, with a synergistic effect index of 101.51%. The methane yield per volatile solids (VS) of microcrystalline cellulose (MC), xylan (XY), and MCXY reached 320.81 ± 1.85 mL/g VS, 352.70 ± 6.58 mL/g VS, and 340.60 ± 10.94 mL/g VS, respectively. Lignin did not produce biogas in anaerobic digestion (AD) system, and its presence had an inhibitory effect on the methanogenesis of cellulose and hemicellulose, especially that of hemicellulose. Notably, pretreatment significantly improved the methane production potential of corn stover. Deep eutectic solvent-pretreated corn stover (DES_CS) achieved the highest methane yield of 356.57 ± 8.50 mL/g VS, which was 55.46% higher than that of the untreated group. DES pretreatment deconstructed lignocellulosic matrix and distinctly increased DOM molecular diversity, thus providing superior substrate conditions for improving anaerobic digestion performance. Microbial community analysis revealed that DES pretreatment significantly reshaped the bacterial structure, enriching syntrophic taxa over the carbohydrate-degrading Bacteroides found in raw corn stover, thereby fostering a more robust metabolic network for methane production. While acetoclastic Methanothrix dominated the pretreated groups, its synergistic coexistence with hydrogenotrophic Methanobacterium across all digesters facilitated stable dual-pathway methanogenesis. This work can provide a theoretical basis and technical reference for the optimization and application of pretreatment strategies for efficient anaerobic digestion of corn stover. Full article

Background/Objectives: Early nutrition is crucial for postnatal growth and metabolic status in preterm very low birth weight (VLBW) infants; however, the optimal macronutrient proportions remain unclear. We aimed to investigate how early nutrition influences long-term outcomes in extremely preterm (EP) and very/moderately preterm (VP) infants. Methods: We included 120 preterm infants in the prospective follow-up study. Anthropometric and metabolic parameters (fasting glycemia, insulin, and IGF-1) were assessed at birth, on the 28th day after birth, and once a year until 3–4 years (N = 65). Total daily parenteral and enteral nutrient intake was calculated. Standard deviation scores (SDS) for anthropometric measurements were calculated using Swedish growth reference data. Results: Although there was no difference in weight-adjusted macronutrient intake, EP newborns grew more slowly in the first 28 days than VP newborns. At the age of 1 year, the central-to-peripheral subcutaneous fat ratio was higher in children born EP compared to children born VP. No other anthropometric differences were found between groups at 1 year of age, and later between both groups. On the 28th day after birth, infants born EP had higher glucose and insulin levels, HOMA-IR, and lower IGF-1 levels compared to infants born VP. No relation was found between macronutrient intake and increases in weight SDS and height SDS in VP newborns. In the EP subgroup, carbohydrate and protein intake during the first 28 days were directly related to central-to-peripheral subcutaneous fat at 1 and 3–4 years. Conclusions: Early nutrition affects children’s growth up to 1 year of age, while later on, other factors seem to interfere. Higher protein and carbohydrate intake does not have a positive effect on the growth of preterm infants but is related to more central adipose tissue distribution. Full article

Background/Objectives: Protein–carbohydrate interactions are implicated in amyloid aggregation pathways associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Designing glycomimetics that modulate amyloid assembly represents a promising strategy. In addition, the interaction of Aβ_1–42 oligomers (Aβo) with prion protein (PrP^C) activates Fyn kinase and leads to Tau hyperphosphorylation, another process characterizing AD. Thus, we generated a library of phenyl 2-acetamidoselenogalactoside mimetics to evaluate their interactions with Aβo and disruption of Aβo–PrP^C binding, and consequently their potential to inhibit Fyn kinase activation. Methods: The synthetic approach comprised azidophenylselenylation, a modified one-pot Staudinger reduction–acylation, a selective α-glycosylation, and deacetylation. Structural diversity was achieved mainly via acylation or ureation. The compounds were screened for binding to Aβo using STD-NMR, ¹⁹F-NMR, and rapid equilibrium dialysis (RED). ADME properties were assessed through microsomal metabolism and solubility assays, while cytotoxicity was evaluated by MTT assays in human embryonic kidney (HEK) cells. Results: Several compounds bound Aβo in STD-NMR experiments, mainly through aromatic and anomeric protons, and phenyl 2-deoxy-2-phenylureido-1-seleno-α-d-galactopyranoside (34) showed the most consistent response, with >50% increase in relative binding signal in competition assays, demonstrating also some inhibition of Aβo–PrP^C interactions (12%). Selenium at the anomeric position enhanced binding compared to sulphur and oxygen analogs. RED experiments confirmed weak binding interactions, consistent with STD-NMR results. ADME revealed that acetylated compounds undergo microsomal metabolism, whereas deacetylated derivatives displayed high aqueous solubility (>100 μM) and showed no cytotoxicity. Conclusions: Phenyl 2-acetamidoselenogalactosides are a novel class of amyloid-binding glycomimetics. Among them, 34 emerges as the most promising compound, combining favorable solubility, metabolic stability, low toxicity, and measurable interference with Aβo and Aβo–PrP^C interactions, thus supporting further developments toward therapeutic applications in AD. Full article

Accumulation of ionic liquids (ILs) in soil may alter its physicochemical and biological properties. However, the current understanding of their effects on the rhizosphere microenvironment of crop plants remains limited. We examined the effects of two ILs—[Opy]Br and [Omim]Br—which differ in cation structure but share the bromide anion, on maize rhizosphere microbial communities and metabolites at a concentration of 0.6 g/kg soil. Exposure to [Opy]Br and [Omim]Br significantly impaired maize seedling development, with [Opy]Br inducing more severe growth suppression. These phytotoxic effects were also reflected in changes in rhizosphere soil properties. In bacterial communities, [Omim]Br more strongly inhibited membrane transport (e.g., ATP-binding cassette transporters), lipid synthesis, and carbon metabolism, thereby impairing bacterial nutrient uptake and energy metabolism. In fungal communities, saprophytic fungi were activated under both treatments, accelerating organic matter decomposition, whereas pathogens were suppressed, particularly under [Omim]Br treatment. Metabolomic analysis revealed widespread accumulation of amino acids in maize roots following exposure to both ILs, accompanied by significant depletion of the antioxidant glutathione. Carbohydrate metabolism was broadly suppressed, with [Omim]Br exerting a more pronounced inhibitory effect. Hormone levels were generally reduced, with [Opy]Br causing more severe depletion. Overall, both ILs induced oxidative stress, hormonal disruption, and metabolic imbalance in maize. This study provides a reference for evaluating the risks and regulatory potential of ILs in agricultural environments. Full article

Background: Metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) remains incurable despite advances with immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors. Metabolic interventions, such as the ketogenic diet (KD), may modulate tumor biology and systemic inflammation, yet clinical evidence in mRCC is limited. Objective: To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and tolerability of KD combined with systemic therapy in mRCC patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: CETOREIN was a non-randomized, single-center pilot study enrolling 21 adult mRCC patients initiating systemic therapy. KD was initiated concurrently with treatment for up to 12 months, with follow-up at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Intervention: Participants followed a 2:1 KD (≈80% fat, 20% protein + carbohydrates) with dietitian-led counseling, medium-chain triglyceride supplementation, food diaries, and ketonuria monitoring. Outcome Measurements and Statistical Analysis: The primary endpoint was feasibility, defined by diet-related adverse events. Secondary endpoints included adherence, metabolic parameters, and exploratory clinical outcomes (response rate, progression-free survival [PFS], overall survival [OS]). All efficacy-related outcomes were descriptive and exploratory only. Results: Eight patients (40%) completed 12 months on KD, with a mean duration of 7 months. Common diet-related toxicities were diarrhea (55%), weight loss (45%), hypercholesterolemia (40%), and dyspepsia (30%), with no severe events. Early weight loss was modest and transient. Ketonuria correlated with dietary records, confirming adherence. Median PFS was 9.5 months, and median OS was 39 months. Among four patients undergoing cytoreductive nephrectomy, exploratory paired PD-L1 analyses showed decreased expression in three cases; however, these observations are hypothesis-generating only and cannot be attributed to the ketogenic diet. Conclusions: KD is feasible and demonstrated an acceptable tolerability profile in selected mRCC patients, though long-term adherence is challenging. No conclusions regarding antitumor efficacy can be drawn from this small non-randomized pilot study. Future studies should evaluate shorter interventions and optimized dietary protocols in larger randomized trials. Full article

Magnolia cavaleriei var. platypetala ‘Tanchun’ is a newly registered flower variety in China, known for its characteristic floral aroma that intensifies toward full bloom. However, the composition of the volatiles of this aromatic flower remains uncharacterized. Here, we compared the volatile organic compound composition of Tanchun through gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and comparative transcriptome sequencing analyses of the stamen (S), pistil (P), and petals (T) during flower development, i.e., the bud (S1), semi-opened (S2), and bloom (S3) stages. We present a first comprehensive profile of 1395 metabolites from Tanchun’s floral organs. Terpenoids (26.2%) constituted the largest chemical group, followed by esters (17.52%), nitrogen compounds (9.83%), hydrocarbons (8.11%), alcohols (7.97%), aldehydes (6.53%), and others. We found that volatile organic compound (VOC) accumulation was both spatiotemporal and stage-specific. The S1 and S2 transition was characterized by scent notes of green, herbal, and waxy aromas, while the S2 and S3 shift exhibited a richer profile of fruity, sweet, and creamy notes, primarily in petals. A comparative VOC and transcriptomic analysis revealed that petals activate pathways for structural expansion and precursor mobilization, stamens enhance lipid and terpenoid metabolism, and pistils maintain a conserved profile. Importantly, the S1 and S2 transition in petals establishes the biochemical foundation by activating acyl-CoA, phenylpropanoid, and terpenoid synthesis pathways, which enables the activation of the butanoate metabolism pathway at S3, leading to the production of ester-rich compounds that define the floral scent. The transition to full bloom involves a shift to energy-efficient volatile biosynthesis, supported by carbohydrate restructuring and phytohormonal regulation. Our results provide the first comprehensive volatilome and transcriptome resource for ‘Tanchun’, revealing a highly efficient, multi-stage strategy for floral fragrance biosynthesis. This work lays a molecular foundation for future horticultural improvement and biotechnological applications in the flavor and fragrance industries. Full article

Diet plays a critical role in shaping the composition of gut microbiota in insects. Samia ricini, an economically important Lepidoptera insect, is a polyphagous herbivore that offers a useful model for studying dietary effects on the animal gut microbiome. Here, we fed S. ricini larvae with different food plants, Ricinus communis, Ailanthus altissima, and Manihot esculenta leaves to investigate how host plant species influence growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, and the gut microbial community. Our results showed that the Ricinus group exhibited better growth performance. Regarding digestive enzymes, the midgut lipase activity was significantly higher in the Ricinus group than in the Ailanthus group, while no significant differences were observed in α-amylase, cellulase, or trypsin activities among the three groups. Compared to the Manihot group, the Ricinus group showed increased bacterial richness, while the Ailanthus group showed increased bacterial diversity. β-diversity analysis further revealed distinct microbial community structures among all three dietary groups. Specifically, Acinetobacter, Mammaliicoccus, Roseateles, Methylobacterium, Agrobacterium, Faecalibacterium, and Segatella were the dominant bacterial genera. Functional prediction revealed that gut microbes enriched in the Ricinus group were associated with terpenoid/polyketide metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation, and glycan biosynthesis, whereas those involved in carbohydrate metabolism and biosynthesis of other secondary metabolites were higher in the Manihot group. Spearman correlation analysis indicated that Methylobacterium, Methylorubrum, and Agrobacterium were significantly positively correlated with larval weight, while Staphylococcus and Cyanothece_PCC-7424 exhibited negative correlations. Collectively, these findings suggest a potential association between different plant-derived diets, gut microbiota composition, and host growth performance, highlighting the pivotal role of diet in shaping insect gut microbial communities. Full article

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanisms of Lonicerae japonicae Flos (Jinyinhua, JYH) against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-induced pneumonia by integrating lung tissue metabolomics with gut microbiota analysis. Methods: An RSV-infected mouse model was established through intranasal inoculation. Lung pathological changes, viral RNA levels, lung index, and inflammatory cytokine levels were evaluated. Untargeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing were performed to characterize JYH-mediated alterations in pulmonary metabolites and the gut microbiota. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to assess associations between differentially abundant bacterial genera and significantly altered metabolites. Results: JYH alleviated RSV-induced pulmonary histopathological injury, reduced viral RNA levels, decreased lung index and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, and increased interferon-γ (IFN-γ) levels. Metabolomic profiling identified 46 differential metabolites, among which 26 showed a reversal trend following JYH administration. These metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways associated with the synaptic vesicle cycle, lysosomal function, and Forkhead box O (FoxO) signaling. Gut microbiota analysis showed that JYH increased microbial richness and diversity, whereas KEGG-based functional prediction indicated that the differentially abundant taxa were primarily involved in amino acid, carbohydrate, and nucleotide metabolism. Moreover, correlation analysis revealed significant associations between key bacterial genera, including Gemella, Sutterella, and CC_115, and differential metabolites such as pyridoxamine, uridine monophosphate (UMP), and argininosuccinic acid. Conclusions: JYH may protect against RSV-induced pneumonia by restoring pulmonary metabolic homeostasis and modulating gut microbiota composition. These findings provide new insights into metabolite–microbiota interactions underlying the anti-RSV activity of JYH. Full article

Coccotorus beijingensis is a typical gall-inducing insect whose larvae complete their development within enclosed galls, providing a unique model for investigating host–microbe symbiosis. This study aimed to characterize the dynamic succession of the symbiotic microbiota in C. beijingensis across the larval stage (April–August) and pupal stage (September). Using high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we performed a systematic analysis of monthly collected samples spanning the larval and pupal stages. The results revealed significant temporal variation in the structure of the larval microbial community. Bacillota and Bacteroidota were the dominant bacterial phyla throughout development. Although non-core bacterial groups, such as Pseudomonadota, showed pronounced seasonal fluctuations, no clear microbial reset was observed during metamorphosis. Exploratory PICRUSt2-based functional prediction suggested that the predicted metabolic potential of the microbiota may vary across development, with pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and energy metabolism showing higher predicted representation during the middle larval stages. Overall, this study demonstrates that, within the confined gall microhabitat, larval development and seasonal dynamics jointly drive the temporal restructuring and functional adaptation of the microbial community. These findings provide new insights into the symbiotic mechanisms of holometabolous insects and their associated microbiota. Full article