RNA modifications in plant pathogenic fungi: from epitranscriptomics to antifungal strategies.

Traditional antifungal agents such as polyene, azole, and echinocandin antifungals are restricted because of antifungal resistance and off-target effects. Given these limitations, there is an urgent need to explore novel antifungal strategies by identifying alternative targets. RNA modifications, such as mA, mC, mA, mG, sU, acC, and A-to-I editing, hold promise as such targets on the basis of their roles in post-transcriptional regulation in plant pathogenic fungi, affecting RNA processing, stability, translation, and localization.

Bacillus spore germination: Interpretation of the spore germination mechanism and innovation of the inactivation strategies.

Bacillus is a ubiquitous genus renowned for its ability to form highly resilient spores, posing significant challenges to the food industry. As society progresses, the demand for high-quality food continues to rise. While reducing excessive processing helps maintain nutritional value and quality which fits the demands from consumers, it increases the risk of spore contamination.

Dopaminergic Neuron-Specific Tfam Knockout Links Inter-Organelle Miscommunication to Early-Onset Parkinsonism.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic neuron loss, with multiple subtypes existing due to various clinical manifestations. Compared to sporadic PD, early-onset PD is underrepresented due to its idiopathic or familial nature. How mitochondrial instability drives early-onset PD-associated neurodegeneration requires further clarification.

TRABD maintains mitochondrial homeostasis and protects against ischemia reperfusion-induced renal tubular injury.

Mitochondria serve as hubs for many critical cellular processes, and their functions and dynamics are tightly controlled. TRABD is a Tiki/TraB family protein with unknown function. Here, we characterized TRABD as a novel outer mitochondrial membrane protein.

Emerging nanoparticles that target and eliminate cancer stem cells.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a distinct subpopulation within tumors possessing self-renewal and multilineage differentiation capacities, represent the pivotal drivers of therapeutic resistance, tumor recurrence, and metastatic dissemination. The inherent heterogeneity and drug resilience of CSCs render conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy largely ineffective against this population despite their ability to eliminate bulk tumor cells, ultimately limiting treatment outcomes. In recent years, nanoparticles (NPs) have emerged as promising therapeutic platforms for CSCs-targeted intervention due to their unique physicochemical properties and multifunctional capabilities.

Novel Insights into the Mechanisms of Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) Accumulation in Lettuce ( L.): Importance of Detoxification Efflux Carriers.

Perfluorooctanesulfonate (PFOS) contamination in crops threatens food safety and human health. Cultivating PFOS low-accumulation variety (LAV) crops, such as lettuce, can mitigate such risks. However, the mechanisms underlying the accumulation of PFOS in LAV remain elusive.

PPDPF promotes the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma via c-Myc/CD24 axis.

Background: Despite a series of attempts during the last decades, the prognosis for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains poor. Although clinical immunotherapy trials have shown encouraging results, their benefits are limited. This study aims to identify novel targets for immunotherapy in ESCC.

Drought-induced transposon expression reveals complex drought response mechanisms in .

Transposable elements (TEs) are abundant components of plant genomes, yet their transcriptional activity and potential biological roles remain underexplored, especially under environmental stress conditions. This study investigates the transcriptional dynamics of TEs in during drought stress in seed development, aiming to uncover their contributions to stress responses and seed germination. RNA-seq data were analyzed for TE transcriptional activity in wild-type (WT) and CRISPR-edited mutant lines of .

Synergistic effects of combined hypnotic drugs on sleep in mice.

Study Objectives: To investigate the interaction and potential mechanisms of the combined administration of dexmedetomidine (DMED) and eszopiclone (ESZ) on sleep in mice.

Methods: The effects of DMED, ESZ and the combination of the two drugs on the sleep status of mice were investigated by using the loss of righting reflex (LORR) as an indicator, the sleep-related parameters were recorded, and the interactions of the combination of DMED and ESZ on sleep were determined by isobolographic analysis. The effects of DMED and ESZ on sleep structure, the regulation of c-Fos protein expression in the ventrolateral preoptic area (VLPO) and the tuberomammillary nucleus (TMN) and the regulation of neurotransmitter levels were further investigated by combining electroencephalogram/electromyogram (EEG/EMG) sleep phase analysis, c-Fos immunofluorescence, and neurotransmitter content measurements in the brain.

Immunosenescence: signaling pathways, diseases and therapeutic targets.

Immunosenescence refers to the abnormal activation or dysfunction of the immune system as people age. Inflammaging is a typical pathological inflammatory state associated with immunosenescence and is characterized by excessive expression of proinflammatory cytokines in aged immune cells. Chronic inflammation contributes to a variety of age-related diseases, such as neurodegenerative disease, cancer, infectious disease, and autoimmune diseases.

[Development and evaluation of a competitive ELISA based on a porcine neutralizing Fab antibody against Senecavirus A].

Senecavirus A (SVA) is a major viral pathogen causing disease in pigs, and effective monitoring of SVA infection is critical for disease control. In this study, we aimed to develop a reliable ELISA method for rapidly detecting neutralizing antibodies against SVA. We used HEK293F cells to express an SVA-specific porcine Fab antibody and verified the biological activity of the Fab antibody by indirect ELISA, immunofluorescence assay, virus neutralization test, and Western blotting.

Domain Interactions in a Chimeric Dual-domain Lysin Lead to Broad Bactericidal Activity.

Phage-derived lysins represent a novel, non-traditional therapeutic agent against multidrug-resistant bacteria. However, engineering lysins with broad host range remain poorly addressed. Previously, we reported that the chimeric lysin ClyR, which harbors the CHAP catalytic domain of PlyC lysin (PlyCAC) and the SH3b cell-wall binding domain of PlySs2 lysin (PlySb), exhibits an expanded host range.

Natural Variation of a Specific NLR Gene RGA4L Confers Strong Chilling Tolerance in Rice.

Low temperature limits rice geographical distribution. However, japonica rice, characterised by its chilling tolerance, can be planted in high-altitude and temperate regions, and the molecular mechanisms underlying this adaptation remain partially understood. Here, we identified a novel major chilling-tolerant QTL, qCSS12, through map-based cloning using a chromosome segment substitution line (CSSL) previously developed from a cross between the chilling-tolerant japonica rice Koshihikari and the indica rice Nona Bokra.

Integration of bulked segregant analysis and transcriptome sequencing reveals an interaction network associated with cluster buds trait in Brassica napus.

A core interaction network associated with cluster buds trait was discovered in Brassica napus, and indoleacetic acid-induced protein 8 (IAA8) might affect the shoot apical meristem (SAM) development through IAA8-ARF5 complex → DRN → CLV3 pathway. B. napus is one of the important oilseed crops in China.

Clinical Evaluation of a Multi-Component Facial Mask for Moisturizing, Repairing, and Anti-Aging Effects.

Background: Facial masks are commonly used in skincare for targeted and intensive treatment. However, masks that provide only moisturizing benefits have limited functionality and may not adequately meet comprehensive anti-aging needs.

Objectives: To design and evaluate the efficacy of a multi-component facial mask for moisturizing, repairing, and anti-aging effects.

In vivo systematic analysis of microbiota-prebiotic crosstalk reveals a synbiotic that effectively ameliorates DSS-induced colitis in mice.

Systematic identification of prebiotic-microbe interactions is essential for developing precision microbiome-targeted interventions to improve human health. In this study, we developed an systematic screening platform to evaluate microbiota-prebiotic crosstalk and applied it to identify a synbiotic combination effective against dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice. Specifically, we first established a humanized gut microbiota mouse model by colonizing mice with 73 microbial strains, which showed highly abundant and prevalent in the human gut.

Transgenerational Effects of Sublethal Glyphosate Exposure on the Predatory Spider Pardosa pseudoannulata in Rice Fields: From Individual to Population-Level Impacts.

Glyphosate, the most widely used herbicide globally, may inadvertently affect non-target arthropods, including beneficial predators such as spiders. Here, we evaluated the lethal and sublethal effects of glyphosate on spiders (G0) and explored transgenerational impacts on their offspring (G1). Short-term exposure to LC and LC concentrations significantly altered mating behavior and reproductive output in G0 individuals.

Galacto-oligosaccharides enrich galactosidase-encoded rather than all Lachnospiraceae bacteria to redress abnormal gut microbiota and lipid metabolism in pregnancy.

Among the various pregnancy complications, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most prevalent and damaging adverse conditions. GDM is characterised by dysregulated gut microbiota and dysglycaemia. There is a keen search for active ingredients that can modify gut dysbiosis and glycaemic imbalances.

A novel bispecific aptamer targeting LAG3 and HER2 enhances T cell-mediated immunotherapy against HER2-positive cancer cells.

Objective: Malignant tumors are one of the leading causes of human death worldwide. In recent years, immunotherapy has become an emerging treatment method following surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. The study focused on two critical targets: human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), a well-established tumor biomarker overexpressed in malignancies such as non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma, and lymphocyte activation gene 3 (LAG3), an immune checkpoint molecule predominantly expressed on activated T lymphocytes and natural killer cells.

Copy Number Variation Shapes Structural Genomic Diversity Associated With Ecological Adaptation in the Wild Tomato Solanum chilense.

Copy Number Variation (CNV) is a prevalent type of variation affecting large genomic regions which contributes to both genetic diversity and ecological adaptation in plants. The target genes involved in adaptation through CNV in tomato and its wild relatives remain unexplored at the population level. Therefore, we characterized the CNV landscape of Solanum chilense, a wild tomato species adapted to dry habitats, using whole-genome short-read data of 35 individuals from 7 populations.

The StUBC18-StPUB40 pair negatively regulate drought stress tolerance and influences tuber yield in potato.

The ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) is important for protein post-translational modification in plants. E2 (ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme) and E3 (ubiquitin ligases enzyme), key enzymes of UPS, play crucial roles in all aspects of plant development, growth, and environmental stresses. Despite extensive knowledge of UPS roles in crop growth and development, E2-E3 pair functions in potato tuber development and stress responses remain understudied.

Ubiquitination and ubiquitin-like modifications in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease: mechanisms and implications.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a complex metabolic disorder that encompasses a spectrum of conditions, from simple hepatic steatosis to metabolicassociated steatohepatitis (MASH). MASH is characterized by inflammation and accelerated fibrosis progression, which can ultimately lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Given its steadily increasing prevalence, MASLD has emerged as a global health epidemic.

Tumor Microenvironment-Responsive Nanocluster for Time-Resolved Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemo/Thermal-Therapy against Colorectal Peritoneal Metastasis.

Peritoneal metastasis (PM) originating from gastrointestinal cancer was considered a terminal disease until recently. It poses significant therapeutic challenges due to its diffuse nature and barriers to effective drug delivery. While locoregional approaches such as hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) extend survival, their efficacy is constrained by systemic toxicity and tumor thermoresistance.

A smartphone-based genetically recombinant whole-cell biosensor for highly sensitive monitoring of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).

Background: Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are persistent carcinogens widely distributed in ecosystems. Their structural complexity-diverse chlorine numbers and positions-challenges detection using conventional methods like ELISA or instrumental analysis, which are limited to single congeners. Whole-cell biosensors (WCBs) present a promising alternative by enabling multi-congener detection, yet their sensitivity remains constrained by inefficient PCB-sensing proteins.