Search Results (7,409)

Coral reefs, essential yet increasingly threatened marine ecosystems, rely on coral–microbiome symbioses for resilience against environmental stressors. This study investigates host-specific influences on bacterial communities in four Pocillopora species (Pocillopora eydouxi, Pocillopora meandrina, Pocillopora verrucosa, and Pocillopora woodjonesi) from the South China Sea. Using Illumina-based 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we analyzed microbiome structures, identified core taxa, and predicted metabolic functions. Results revealed that bacterial composition differed significantly among coral hosts, despite their shared habitat. P. eydouxi exhibited the highest bacterial richness and Shannon index, contrasting with minimal values in P. woodjonesi. A conserved core microbiome of 32 ASVs (1.1% of total ASVs), dominated by Gammaproteobacteria, was shared across all coral species. Host-specific enrichment of probiotic bacteria (Psychrobacter in P. eydouxi and Exiguobacterium in P. meandrina) and pathogenic taxa (e.g., Acinetobacter) was also observed. Functional prediction indicated conserved metabolic pathways across species, particularly amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism. These findings highlight host phylogeny as one of the primary determinants of microbiome assembly, providing critical insights into coral conservation strategies. Full article

A comprehensive comparative analysis was conducted on the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of intact phiLM21-like prophages (phiLM21-LPhs), which currently represent the most prevalent prophages in Sinorhizobium meliloti—a symbiotic partner of Fabaceae plants. Remarkably, the nucleotide sequences of 25 phiLM21-LPhs, identified across 36 geographically dispersed S. meliloti strains, covered no more than 34% of the phiLM21 phage genome. All prophages were integrated into specific isoacceptor tRNA genes and carried a tyrosine-type integrase gene; however, this integration did not exhibit features of tRNA-dependent lysogeny. Only one-fifth of phiLM21-LPhs encoded the minimal set of regulators for lysogenic/lytic cycle transitions, while the remainder contained either uncharacterized regulatory elements or appeared to be undergoing genomic “anchoring” within the host bacterium. The phiLM21-LPhs harbored open reading frames (ORFs) of diverse origins (phage-derived, bacterial, and unknown), yet over half of these ORFs had undeterminable functions, representing genetic “dark matter”. The observed diversification of intact phiLM21-like prophages likely stems from recombination events involving both virulent/temperate phages and phylogenetically remote bacterial taxa. The evolutionary and biological significance of the substantial genetic “dark matter” within these prophages in soil saprophytic bacteria remains an unresolved question. Full article

The severe damage caused by the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea is closely related to its internal microbiota. However, due to the widespread use of antibiotics and their environmental persistence, the specific effects of various antibiotics on the microbiome and fitness of H. cunea larvae remain ambiguous. This study investigated the impacts of three antibiotics (tetracycline, rifampicin, and kanamycin) on microbiome assembly, functional traits, and host fitness. Our findings revealed that each antibiotic distinctly altered the microbial community: tetracycline primarily decreased bacterial diversity (e.g., reduced abundance of Actinomycetota) and suppressed host fecundity; kanamycin lowered microbial evenness (e.g., decreased Bacillota) and diminished pupal weight; whereas rifampicin significantly restructured the community (e.g., increased Pseudomonas and decreased Bacillota), enhanced functional traits such as biofilm formation and stress tolerance, and imposed multidimensional adverse effects on fitness (prolonged developmental duration, reduced pupal weight, and decreased hatching rate). Alterations in microbiome diversity, structure, and function were tightly correlated with the differential impacts of antibiotics on host fitness. This research elucidates the mechanisms by which antibiotics disrupt host–microbe interactions in H. cunea, offering a theoretical foundation for understanding antibiotic ecological repercussions and devising microbe-based green pest control strategies. Full article

The holobiont paradigm, conceptualizing host–microbiome assemblages as functionally integrated entities, has fundamentally altered interpretations of adaptive responses to environmental pressures spanning multiple organizational levels. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on microbiome-host coevolution, focusing on three key aspects. First, it examines the evolutionary origins of holobionts from primordial microbial consortia. Second, it considers the mechanistic basis of microbiome-mediated stress resilience in plants and animals. Finally, it explores the ecological implications of inter-holobiont interactions. We highlight how early microbial alliances (protomicrobiomes) laid the groundwork for eukaryotic complexity through metabolic cooperation, with modern holobionts retaining this plasticity to confront abiotic and biotic stressors. In plants, compartment-specific microbiomes (e.g., rhizosphere, phyllosphere) enhance drought tolerance or nutrient acquisition, while in animals, the gut microbiome modulates neuroendocrine and immune functions via multi-organ axes (gut–brain, gut–liver, etc.). Critically, we emphasize the role of microbial metabolites (e.g., short-chain fatty acids, VOCs) as universal signaling molecules that coordinate holobiont responses to environmental change. Emerging strategies, like microbiome engineering and probiotics, are discussed as tools to augment stress resilience in agriculture and medicine. By framing adaptation as a collective trait of the holobiont, this work bridges evolutionary biology, microbiology, and ecology to offer a unified perspective on stress biology. Full article

The rational design of advanced functional materials with tailored fluorescence hinges on a profound understanding of the complex interplay between a molecule’s intrinsic structure and its local solid-state environment. This work systematically investigates these factors by employing a dual approach that combines targeted molecular synthesis with the subsequent modulation of the fluorophore’s properties within polymer matrices. First, a series of phenylhydrazone derivatives was synthesized, providing compounds with intense, solid-state fluorescence in the blue spectrum (421–494 nm). It was demonstrated that their photophysical properties were intricately linked to the substituent’s nature, which simultaneously modulated their intramolecular electron density and conformational rigidity while also governing their specific intermolecular packing in the solid state. Subsequently, we investigated the role of the supramolecular environment by embedding two fluorophores with distinct electronic profiles into electrospun poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and polystyrene (PS) matrices. Our results reveal that the polymer matrix is not a passive host but an active component; it governs dye aggregation, induces significant blue shifts, and most critically, can impart exceptional thermal stability. Specifically, the PVP matrix shielded the embedded dyes from thermal quenching, maintaining robust fluorescence up to 100 °C. By combining molecular-level synthesis with matrix-level engineering, this work demonstrates a powerful strategy for the rational design of emissive materials, where properties like color and operational stability can be deliberately tuned for demanding applications in optoelectronics and sensing. Full article

Economic challenges place lower-income, economically marginalized families at heightened risk for experiencing financial stress, which is associated with a host of adverse family outcomes. Among lower-income families raising young children, existing economic challenges are often exacerbated by the added needs of children, including child-specific expenses (e.g., childcare) and decreased parental earning capacity. In these families, financial stress may strain the coparenting alliance; however, scant research has explored the association, particularly in families with young infants. Informed by family systems theory and the family stress model, the present study utilized an actor–partner interdependence model to explore the relationship between financial stress and the quality of the coparenting alliance within a sample of 214 lower-income opposite-sex couples with or expecting a new baby. This study further examined potential differences between (a) mothers and fathers, (b) cohabiting and married parents, and (c) those in different parenting contexts (i.e., new vs. established parents, recent vs. anticipated births). Results indicated that mothers’ and fathers’ perceptions of financial stress were negatively associated with their own report of coparenting alliance but not their partner’s coparenting alliance. This association was consistent across couple relationship structures and parenting contexts. Implications for policy and practices are provided. Full article

Extracellular matrix (ECM) bioscaffolds have demonstrated therapeutic potential across a variety of clinical and preclinical applications for tissue repair and regeneration. In parallel, these scaffolds and their components have shown the capacity to modulate the immune response. Unlike synthetic implants, which are often associated with chronic inflammation or fibrotic encapsulation, ECM bioscaffolds interact dynamically with host cells, promoting constructive tissue remodeling. This effect is largely attributed to the preservation of structural and biochemical cues—such as degradation products and matrix-bound nanovesicles (MBV). These cues influence immune cell behavior and support the transition from inflammation to resolution and functional tissue regeneration. However, the immunomodulatory properties of ECM bioscaffolds are dependent on the source tissue and, critically, on the methods used for decellularization. Inadequate removal of cellular components or the presence of residual chemicals can shift the host response towards a pro-inflammatory, non-constructive phenotype, ultimately compromising therapeutic outcomes. This review synthesizes current basic concepts on the innate immune response to ECM bioscaffolds, with particular attention to the inflammatory, proliferative, and remodeling phases following implantation. We explore how specific ECM features shape these responses and distinguish between pro-remodeling and pro-inflammatory outcomes. Additionally, we examine the impact of manufacturing practices and quality control on the preservation of ECM bioactivity. These insights challenge the conventional classification of ECM bioscaffolds as medical devices and support their recognition as biologically active materials with distinct immunoregulatory potential. A deeper understanding of these properties is critical for optimizing clinical applications and guiding the development of updated regulatory frameworks in regenerative medicine. Full article

Pseudorabies virus (PRV) is a highly pathogenic agent that adversely impacts swine populations, leading to considerable economic losses within the Chinese pig industry. Furthermore, the potential for PRV to transmit across species from pigs to other hosts has attracted significant attention. In light of this, the identification of effective antiviral agents against PRV infection is of paramount importance. In this study, we investigated the antiviral properties of Diltiazem HCl (DTZ) against PRV infection in susceptible cell lines. Our results demonstrated that DTZ significantly inhibited PRV infection in both PK15 and Vero cells. Moreover, this chemical compound exhibited antiviral activity against both variant and classical strains of PRV, as well as herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Time-of-addition assays showed that DTZ exerted its inhibitory effect through specific interference with the virus replication process. Subsequent transcriptomic analysis via RNA sequencing indicated that the calcium signaling pathway might be involved in the antiviral properties of DTZ against PRV infection. Specifically, treatment with EGTA or calcium ion (Ca²⁺)-free medium inhibited PRV infection; this inhibitory effect was substantially mitigated upon the reintroduction of CaCl₂. In summary, DTZ effectively suppressed PRV infection in vitro, demonstrating its potential as an antiviral agent against PRV infections. Full article

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is currently the most prevalent cause of chronic liver disease worldwide. Its pathogenesis is complex and not yet fully elucidated but is commonly explained by the “multiple hit” hypothesis, which suggests that pathological behaviours interact with an unfavourable genetic background and the presence of cardiovascular comorbidities. Recent evidence has highlighted a potential role of the gut microbiota in the onset and progression of MASLD to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), potentially driven by epigenetic modifications mediated by microRNAs (miRNAs). MiRNAs are small, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression both intra- and extracellularly. Notably, emerging data suggests a bidirectional communication between the gut microbiota and the host, mediated by miRNAs via exosomes and outer membrane vesicles. The primary aim of this review is to explore the epigenetic crosstalk between the host and the gut microbiota through miRNA expression, with the goal of identifying specific pathways involved in MASLD development and natural history. A secondary objective is to evaluate the potential applications of artificial intelligence in the analysis of these complex host–microbiota interactions, to standardize the evaluation of microbiota and to create a model of the epigenetic changes in metabolic liver disease. Full article

Background/Objectives: Despite the lifting of the COVID-19 public health emergency, SARS-CoV-2 infections continue to be recorded worldwide. The continued prevalence of infection has been attributed to the ability of the virus to evade host immune responses, including neutralizing antibody-derived immunity. The vast majority of antibody escape mutations has been associated with the S1 subunit of the spike protein. The other region of the spike, the S2 subunit, is the most conserved region amongst coronaviruses. We hypothesized that S2-specific antibody levels are modest in vaccinated and SARS-CoV-2-infected patients, resulting in suboptimal neutralization of distant coronaviruses. Methods: Here, we analyzed S1- and S2-specific antibody levels in SARS-CoV-2-infected individuals, including a mixed cohort of those with and without immunosuppression and prior vaccination. Results: We found that S2-specific antibody responses were generally lower than S1-specific antibody responses. Intriguingly, Omicron-S1-specific antibody levels were higher than Wuhan-S1-specific antibody levels despite all vaccinated participants having received Wuhan-spike-based immunogens. This emphasizes the importance of the infecting variant and vaccine immunogen in the production of spike-targeting antibodies and associated hybrid immunity. Although S1-specific antibody levels were generally higher than their S2-specific counterparts, the correlation between neutralization and binding antibody levels was mostly higher in S2- compared with S1-specific responses. Conclusions: We conclude that S2-based immunogens are suitable for the induction of antibody-based immunity against novel SARS-CoV-2 variants but also against more distant coronaviruses, which would support a better protection for the immunocompromised as well as other vulnerable populations. Full article

The introduction of alien insect species is increasingly facilitated by global plant trade, particularly through the movement of ornamental plants. Takecallis nigroantennatus, a host-specific aphid associated with cold-hardy Fargesia bamboo, has recently expanded its range in Europe. To examine its invasion dynamics, we conducted a population-level survey across 13 locations in six countries, sampling individuals from botanic and private gardens, specialized bamboo nurseries, garden centers, and urban horticultural environments in the UK, Belgium, The Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Norway. A total of 117 specimens were analyzed using mitochondrial COI sequences, revealing a single dominant haplotype without geographic structure based on Bayesian and Maximum Likelihood phylogenetic analyses. This striking genetic uniformity indicates a narrow introduction bottleneck, suggesting a single or highly restricted introduction event followed by clonal spread. Despite the species’ ability for sexual reproduction, the data support a founder effect and rapid recent expansion closely linked to the introduction history of Fargesia in Europe. The results are also consistent with a possible time lag between the arrival of ornamental bamboo and the subsequent establishment of its associated herbivore, a scenario that warrants further investigation. Importantly, our study provides a practical framework for applied monitoring and early detection in bamboo nurseries, botanical gardens, and other high-risk introduction sites, illustrating how molecular tools can inform biosecurity and the management of emerging invasive species. Full article

In this paper, we propose a deterministic epidemic model for malware propagation in wireless mobile environments, taking into account the presence of hotspots. Conventional epidemic models for wireless mobile environments typically assume that mobile hosts randomly move in a given area. However, in real-world scenarios, hotspots such as restaurants and universities often attract large gatherings of people. Therefore, the assumption of purely random movement is not suitable for modeling these scenarios. To realistically represent the movement patterns of mobile hosts, we incorporate the influence of hotspots into our model. Specifically, we formulate a system of Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs) that captures the infection dynamics in scenarios where one or more hotspots affect host mobility. Our model introduces non-uniform movement probabilities based on cosine similarity, allowing us to reflect the tendency of mobile hosts to cluster around specific locations. By applying these movement probabilities to the ODEs, our epidemic model provides a more accurate representation of malware spreading behavior in hotspot-affected environments. We investigate how malware propagates through mobile hosts and compare the dynamics between the conventional and our proposed models. Numerical experiments demonstrate that our epidemic model effectively captures malware spreading behavior in mobile scenarios with hotspots. Full article

Botryosphaeria dothidea (Moug. ex Fr.) Ces. & De Not. is a major pathogenic fungus causing stem canker in Idesia polycarpa, posing a significant threat to the growth and survival of its plantations. To elucidate the physiological and biochemical responses of the host under pathogenic stress, this study used two-year-old potted seedlings of I. polycarpa (provenance: ‘Emeishan No. 1’) and conducted artificial inoculation. Dynamic changes in physiological and biochemical indices at different disease stages were systematically monitored. The results revealed a distinct stage-specific response pattern: in the early infection stage, the activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD and SOD) increased rapidly, accompanied by significant elevations in osmotic regulators such as proline and soluble protein. In the mid-stage, malondialdehyde (MDA) content increased, while the levels of photosynthetic pigments—especially chlorophyll b and carotenoids—declined, indicating intensified oxidative damage. In the late stage, antioxidant capacity and osmotic adjustment weakened, and the photosynthetic system was continuously impaired. Correlation analysis further demonstrated significant synergistic relationships among antioxidant defense, membrane stability, osmotic regulation, and photosynthetic function. These findings enhance our understanding of the disease resistance mechanisms in I. polycarpa and provide a theoretical and practical reference for resistance evaluation and precise management of canker disease in woody species. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus is the most common pathogen causing osteomyelitis, a hardly recoverable bone infection that generates significant burden to patients. Osteomyelitis mouse models have long and successfully served to provide phenomenological insights into both pathogenesis and host response. However, direct in situ monitoring of bone microbial pathogenesis and immune response at the cellular level is still conspicuously missing in the published literature. Here, we update a standard pyogenic osteomyelitis in Wistar rat model, in order to investigate bacterial localization and immune response in osteomyelitis of rat tibia upon adding in situ analyses by spectrally resolved Raman spectroscopy. Raman experiments were performed one and five weeks post infections upon increasing the initial dose of bacterial inoculation in rat tibia. Label-free in situ Raman spectroscopy clearly revealed the presence of Staphylococcus aureus through exploiting peculiar signals from characteristic carotenoid staphyloxanthin molecules. Data were collected as a function of both initial bacteria inoculation dose and location along the tibia. Such strong Raman signals, which relate to single and double bonds in the carbon chain backbone of carotenoids, served as efficient bacterial markers even at low levels of infection. We could also detect strong Raman signals from cytochrome c (and its oxidized form) from bone cells in response to infection and inflammatory paths. Although initial inoculation was restricted to a single location close to the medial condyle, bacteria spread along the entire bone down to the medial malleolus, independent of initial infection dose. Raman spectroscopic characterizations comprehensively and quantitatively revealed the metabolic state of bacteria through specific spectroscopic biomarkers linked to the length of staphyloxanthin carbon chain backbone. Moreover, the physiological response of eukaryotic cells could be quantified through monitoring the level of oxidation of mitochondrial cytochrome c, which featured the relative intensity of the 1644 cm⁻¹ signal peculiar to the oxidized molecules with respect to its pyrrole ring-breathing signal at 750 cm⁻¹, according to the previously published literature. In conclusion, we present here a novel Raman spectroscopic approach indexing bacterial concentration and immune response in bone tissue. This new approach enables locating and characterizing in situ bone infections, inflammatory host tissue reactions, and bacterial resistance/adaptation. Full article

Background: The intestinal tract is a host to a high number of diverse bacteria, and the presence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) Enterobacterales strains acts as a reservoir and a source of infection. The interactions between the intestinal microbiome and colonizer Enterobacterales strains influence long-lasting colonization. Aims: In this narrative review, we summarize available data about the intestinal colonization of MDR Enterobacterales strains and correlations between colonization and the intestinal microbiome. Results: Several endogenous and exogenous factors influence the intestinal colonization of MDR Enterobacterales strains. On the gut microbiome level, the intestinal microbial community is composed of the Lachnospiraceae family (e.g., Lachnoclostridium, Agathobacter, Roseburia, Tyzzerella), which indicates a protective role against colonizer MDR Enterobacterales strains; by contrast, a high abundance of Enterobacterales correlates with the colonization of MDR Enterobacterales strains. In specific patient groups, striking differences in microbiome composition can be detected. Among hematopoietic stem-cell-transplanted patients colonized by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacterales, a greater abundance of Bifidobacterium, Blautia, Clostridium, Coprococcus, L-Ruminococcus, Mogibacteriaceae, Peptostreptococceae and Oscillospira was observed compared to patients not colonized by ESBL-producing strains, who had a greater abundance of Actinomycetales. In liver transplant patients, a reduction in the alpha-diversity of the intestinal microbiome in fecal samples correlates with the carriage of MDR Enterobacterales. Conclusions: Intestinal colonization with MDR Enterobacterales is a multifactorial process that involves the MDR strain (e.g., its plasmids, fimbria), host and mucosal factors (e.g., IgA and defensin) and exogenous factors (e.g., use of antibiotics, hospitalization). On the gut microbiome level, the Lachnospiraceae family is dominant among intestines not colonized by MDR strains, but a high abundance of Enterobacterales was correlated with colonization with MDR Enterobacterales strains. Full article