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Bibliography on: Microbiome

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ESP: PubMed Auto Bibliography 04 Aug 2026 at 01:54 Created: 

Microbiome

It has long been known that every multicellular organism coexists with large prokaryotic ecosystems — microbiomes — that completely cover its surfaces, external and internal. Recent studies have shown that these associated microbiomes are not mere contamination, but instead have profound effects upon the function and fitness of the multicellular organism. We now know that all MCEs are actually functional composites, holobionts, composed of more prokaryotic cells than eukaryotic cells and expressing more prokaryotic genes than eukaryotic genes. A full understanding of the biology of "individual" eukaryotes will now depend on an understanding of their associated microbiomes.

Created with PubMed® Query: microbiome[tiab] NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion

Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)

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RevDate: 2026-08-02

Kim M, Del Duca E, Correa Da Rosa J, et al (2026)

Effect of Abrocitinib on the Skin Microbiome in Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Atopic Dermatitis.

Allergy [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is characterized by microbial dysbiosis, notably an overabundance of Staphylococcus species. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of abrocitinib, a Janus kinase 1-selective inhibitor, on the skin microbiome and clinical outcomes in patients with moderate-to-severe AD.

METHODS: Patients enrolled in JADE MOA (NCT03915496) were randomly assigned to receive once-daily abrocitinib (100 or 200 mg) or placebo for 12 weeks. Skin swabs collected at baseline and Weeks 2, 4, and 12 underwent 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing to determine microbial composition. Disease severity was assessed at the same time points using established clinical metrics. Associations between microbial abundance and clinical metrics, as well as inflammatory and skin barrier markers, were investigated.

RESULTS: Data from 43 patients were included. Alpha diversity increased significantly at Week 12 of treatment with abrocitinib 200 mg. Beta diversity analysis revealed clustering of the abrocitinib groups away from placebo as early as Week 2; divergence continued through Week 12. Staphylococcus and S. aureus relative abundance decreased in a dose-dependent manner from Week 2 through Week 12 of abrocitinib treatment. Changes in skin microbial composition corresponded with improvements in clinical metrics of disease severity as well as immune markers of AD.

CONCLUSIONS: Abrocitinib treatment is associated with beneficial changes in the skin microbiome, notably a reduction in S. aureus and increased microbial diversity. These findings provide insight into the mechanism of action of abrocitinib and the interplay of immunomodulation and the skin microbiome in AD.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03915496.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Jiao Y, Li L, Ji X, et al (2026)

The Role of Gut Microbiota Interventions in the Management of Frailty Syndrome: A Scoping Review and Bibliometric Analysis.

Geriatrics & gerontology international, 26(8):e70734.

AIM: The primary aim of this scoping review is to synthesize fragmented evidence on gut microbiota-targeted interventions for frailty. As a complementary objective, we conducted a bibliometric analysis to map the evolving knowledge landscape of this interdisciplinary field, thereby informing the development of future personalized therapeutic strategies and research priorities.

METHODS: We searched nine databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, SinoMed, and VIP) from inception to July 2025 for the scoping review. A dedicated search of the Web of Science Core Collection (up to September 2025) was conducted for the bibliometric analysis to ensure data consistency. Two reviewers independently screened and extracted data. Bibliometric analyses (collaboration networks, keyword co-occurrence, and research trends) and visualizations were performed using CiteSpace (v6.3.R1).

RESULTS: The scoping review screened 3216 records and included 10 studies. Interventions-probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation-lasted 4 weeks to 6 months. Frailty was mainly assessed using Fried's phenotype, with outcomes covering frailty severity, physical function, gut microbiota composition, and inflammatory/metabolic markers. Bibliometric analysis identified 358 publications, revealing a sharp rise after 2016. China produced the most studies, and the University of Parma was the top institution. Key themes included gut microbiota, frailty, aging, inflammation, and sarcopenia.

CONCLUSIONS: Given the rapidly growing interest, gut microbiota-targeted interventions represent a promising strategy to slow frailty progression. Future efforts should therefore focus on establishing standardized, multidisciplinary assessment frameworks and elucidating the underlying mechanisms to advance precision nutrition for healthy aging.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Liu Q, Chen X, Liu X, et al (2026)

Rhizosphere microbiome differentiation and soil environmental drivers in two Monotropastrum species.

Journal of microbiology (Seoul, Korea), 64(7):e2602009.

This study compared the rhizosphere microbial communities of two closely related Monotropastrum species (M. humile, Mh; and M. humile var. glaberrima, Mhg) and identified key soil factors associated with their assembly. Bacterial and fungal communities were profiled by Illumina high-throughput sequencing, and soil physicochemical properties were assessed across multiple sites in Zhejiang Province, China. The bacterial communities of both species were dominated by Proteobacteria and Acidobacteriota at the phylum level, while the dominant fungal groups belonged to Ascomycota and Basidiomycota. The two plants shared several dominant bacterial genera, including Serratia, Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia, and Bradyrhizobium, as well as common dominant fungal genera such as Saitozyma and Podila. Despite these similarities, species-specific enrichment patterns were observed. The rhizosphere of Mhg contained higher abundances of Acidothermus and Lactarius, whereas Mh preferentially enriched Cedecea, Klebsiella, and Russula. Bacterial communities were shaped by pH, soil organic matter (SOM), available potassium (AK), and available phosphorus (AP), whereas fungal communities were primarily influenced by pH, alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen (AN), and SOM (p < 0.05). These results suggest that both host identity and soil properties contribute to rhizosphere microbial assembly, with clear host-associated differentiation in microbial communities. Notably, the identified host-associated microbial taxa, particularly key mycorrhizal fungi, may serve as potential microbial inoculants, providing new opportunities for the conservation and cultivation of mycoheterotrophic plants.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Han XJ, Jiao TQ, Gao CX, et al (2026)

[Effect of Maxing Kugan Decoction on intestinal flora in bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis rats].

Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica, 51(11):3017-3027.

Based on the "lung-gut axis" theory, this study explored the effects of Maxing Kugan Decoction(Mxd) on inflammation and intestinal barrier and flora in rats with bleomycin-induced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis(IPF). A total of 24 male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups: a control group, a model group, a positive control group and an Mxd treatment group, with 6 rats in each group. After 5 days of quarantine and adaptive feeding, the IPF pathological model was induced by intratracheal instillation of bleomycin under laryngoscopic assistance in the model group, positive control group, and Mxd treatment group. Gastric gavage was initiated after successful modeling, and all SD rats were sacrificed on the 15th day post gavage. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe histopathological changes of lung tissue, while HE staining was adopted to evaluate jejunal pathological changes. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was performed to detect the serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) in rats. AB-PAS staining was employed to determine the number of goblet cells in jejunal mucosal tissue. Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1(ZO-1) and occludin in rat jejunum, and 16S rDNA sequencing was conducted to analyze the intestinal microbiome of all rats. The results showed that the model group exhibited severe damage to jejunal mucosa and lung tissue accompanied by massive inflammatory cell infiltration, while the two treatment groups demonstrated partial structural defects with a small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the lungs and jejuna of rats. Compared with the control group, the model group showed significantly decreased body weight, number of goblet cells, and expression of ZO-1 and occludin proteins(P<0.01), while these indicators were notably increased after intervention in the two treatment groups(P<0.05 or P<0.01). According to 16S rDNA sequencing results, Mxd could regulate the richness and diversity of intestinal flora in rats. KEGG pathway analysis indicated that Mxd regulated pathways such as oxidative phosphorylation, amino sugar, and nucleotide sugar metabolism of intestinal flora in rats. In conclusion, the alteration of intestinal microbiome may be one of the potential mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of Mxd on IPF. Mxd can regulate the structure of intestinal microbiome, increase the abundance of beneficial bacteria, and reduce the number of harmful bacteria, as well as protect intestinal barrier and inhibit inflammatory response.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Lin YS, Ma RZ, Jiang TY, et al (2026)

[Mechanism of Tianma Gouteng Yin in treating early-stage Parkinson's disease based on 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics].

Zhongguo Zhong yao za zhi = Zhongguo zhongyao zazhi = China journal of Chinese materia medica, 51(12):3522-3531.

Based on an early-stage Parkinson's disease(PD) rat model, this study employed 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to investigate the action mechanism of Tianma Gouteng Yin(TGY) in treating early-stage PD. The early-stage PD rat models were established by subcutaneous injection of rotenone for seven days and were randomly divided into a control group, a model group, a positive drug group(levodopa, 50 mg·kg~(-1)), and TGY groups with low, medium, and high doses(9.82, 19.64, and 39.28 g·kg~(-1)), with intragastric administration for seven days during modeling. Behavioral indicators of rats(open field, inclined plane, and pole tests) were determined. The pathological morphology of brain tissue and the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH) and α-synuclein(α-syn) were detected. The levels of neurotransmitters including dopamine(DA), 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid(DOPAC), levodopa, and homovanillic acid(HVA) were measured. The inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) were detected. 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics were conducted on colonic contents to explore the pharmacodynamic effects of TGY and its regulatory mechanisms on gut microbiota and metabolism. RESULTS:: show that TGY can significantly improve motor dysfunction in early-stage PD rats, increase the number of TH-positive cells, inhibit the abnormal aggregation of α-synuclein(α-syn), up-regulate the levels of neurotransmitters, reduce the levels of inflammatory factors in the colon and striatum, thereby exerting a neuroprotective effect. Gut microbiota analysis reveals that TGY can reverse the trends of reduced α-diversity of gut microbiota, increased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio, and increased abundance of pro-inflammatory genera(e.g., Ruminococcus), restore the abundance of beneficial genera(e.g., Bacteroides), and reshape the gut microbiota structure. Metabolomic analysis demonstrates that TGY intervention significantly reverses the differential metabolites in the model group, mainly involving energy and amino acid metabolic pathways such as pyruvate metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. In conclusion, TGY may exert therapeutic effects on early-stage PD by regulating the axis of microbiota, inflammation, and neuronal injury, with energy and amino acid metabolism as the hub, through these metabolic pathways.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Cheng X, Xu M, Wei J, et al (2026)

Cancer drug response and resistance: molecular mechanisms and combating strategies.

Signal transduction and targeted therapy, 11(1):.

Despite remarkable advances in cancer drug treatment, including chemotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy, therapeutic resistance remains a formidable clinical barrier, limiting durable responses and long-term survival. Drug resistance can be broadly categorized as intrinsic, where tumors fail to respond to initial treatment, or acquired, which emerges during or after therapy due to adaptive or evolutionary processes. A comprehensive understanding of the multifactorial and dynamic nature of resistance is essential for improving treatment efficacy. In this review, we systematically examine the molecular and cellular determinants of drug response and resistance across 22 cancer types, highlighting key resistance mechanisms such as compensatory pathway activation, phenotypic plasticity, immune evasion, enhanced DNA damage repair, and the survival of drug-tolerant persister cells. These mechanisms are further contextualized across major therapeutic modalities, supported by clinical trials. We also present emerging strategies to overcome resistance, including rational drug combinations, novel agents, microbiome modulation, adaptive and intermittent therapies and advanced drug delivery systems, each illustrated with representative clinical studies. Moreover, we discuss cutting-edge tools that are revolutionizing resistance research, including single-cell and spatial multiomic profiling, patient-derived tumor organoid and xenograft (PDO/PDX) models, and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered predictive analytics. By integrating insights across molecular, cellular, and clinical dimensions, this review offers a strategic framework for understanding and tackling cancer drug resistance, with important translational implications for the future of precision oncology.

RevDate: 2026-08-02

Yin X, Ramirez L, Lampei C, et al (2026)

Bacterial communities on upper and lower leaf surfaces show distinct seasonal response patterns.

The New phytologist [Epub ahead of print].

Leaf surfaces represent one of the largest microbial habitats on Earth, which can be divided into upper and lower leaf surfaces. Upper and lower leaf surfaces offer contrasting microenvironments that vary through the seasons. This variation has rarely been quantified; however, in spite of it being highly relevant for leaf-microbiome contributions to terrestrial ecosystems, especially forests. To address this gap, we tracked bacterial communities on both surfaces of the same pooled leaves of Quercus robur in situ from spring to autumn, using genetically identical ramets to control host and genotypic variation. We combined 16S rRNA sequencing with analyses of leaf structural and physiological traits to link bacterial taxonomic, phylogenetic, and assembly characteristics. The two surfaces hosted distinct bacterial communities whose divergence intensified through the growing season. Upper-surface bacterial diversity remained relatively stable and was mainly associated with dynamic leaf traits, whereas lower-surface communities showed faster compositional and assembly-related shifts and were associated with both dynamic and stable leaf traits. These contrasting seasonal patterns reveal that within-leaf heterogeneity represents a fundamental axis of variation for bacterial seasonal dynamics, providing new insight into how microhabitat structure and host traits jointly shape phyllosphere functioning.

RevDate: 2026-08-02

Guo Q, Chen X, Duan J, et al (2026)

Sexual dimorphism in root exudation mediates belowground neighbor recognition and shapes rhizosphere soil microbial assembly.

The New phytologist [Epub ahead of print].

Sexual dimorphism in physiological traits is a hallmark of dioecious plants, yet whether these differences extend belowground to mediate neighbor recognition and rhizosphere microbiome assembly remains largely unexplored. Using split-root experiments, [13]C-pulse labeling, and multi-omics with dioecious Populus cathayana, we dissected the interactions between plant sex, root exudation, and microbiome assembly. We demonstrated that male and female plants discriminate neighbor sex by modulating their root exudation. Females perceiving same-sex neighbors upregulated defense-related metabolites, whereas under inter-sexual interactions they shifted toward growth-promoting pathways. Males significantly increased the allocation of newly fixed photosynthetic carbon to the rhizosphere. Specifically, [13]C incorporation into bacterial and fungal phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs) was markedly higher when males grew in female-conditioned soil compared to male-conditioned soil. This male-driven carbon investment fostered highly interconnected cross-kingdom microbial networks with a significantly higher proportion of positive associations. Consistently, females grown under inter-sexual interactions exhibited greater nitrogen contents and higher photosynthetic rates than those under intra-sexual interactions. Our findings demonstrated that sexual dimorphism in root exudation drives the assembly of more complex and positively connected microbial networks, providing a transformative framework for understanding how belowground sexual recognition enhances the ecological resilience and productivity of mixed-sex plant populations.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Azhar AA, Zahanuddin A, Ya'cob Z, et al (2026)

16S rRNA profiling of bacterial communities in the brown dog tick Rhipicephalus linnaei from stray dogs in Perak, Malaysia.

Tropical biomedicine, 43(2):191-197.

Rhipicephalus linnaei is a widespread tick species infesting dogs and capable of transmitting pathogens of veterinary and zoonotic concern. However, its associated bacterial communities remain poorly described in Malaysia. This study profiles the bacterial microbiome of R. linnaei collected from stray dogs in Kampar, Perak, using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region. A total of 360 ticks were collected from 13 dogs, of which 290 were pooled according to life stages and sex for microbial profiling. Shannon diversity indices indicated the mixed adult/nymph pool exhibited the highest richness and evenness (H'=5.4), whereas engorged adult females displayed the lowest diversity (H'=2.35), dominated by Gammaproteobacteria. Principal coordinate analysis revealed distinct microbial assemblages among pools, explaining 72% of total variance. Among 137 detected genera, Coxiella (0.6-34%), Staphylococcus (0.4-29%), Stenotrophomonas (0.3-5%), and Streptococcus (0.02-6%) were consistently found across all pools. Low-abundance but clinically relevant genera, including Ehrlichia (0.64%) and Nocardia (< 0.01%), were detected in adult males. The consistent presence of Coxiella-like endosymbionts across all stages suggests a likely symbiotic role in nutrient provisioning and reproduction. To our knowledge, this is the first 16S rRNA gene-based profiling of the bacterial communities associated with R. linnaei collected from stray dogs in Malaysia. This study highlights variation across pooled tick categories and contributes to improved understanding of tick-borne pathogen ecology within a One Health framework.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Min BR, Genovese G, Spagnuolo D, et al (2026)

The Potential Role of Two Red Macroalgae (Asparagopsis taxiformis and A. armata) That Promote Anti-Methanogenic Activities in Laboratory Conditions.

Animal science journal = Nihon chikusan Gakkaiho, 97(1):e70225.

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of two red macroalgae species (RMS; Asparagopsis taxiformis and A. armata) on rumen fermentation profiles, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, microbiome changes, and anti-methanogenic activities. The two RMSs were included at dietary levels of 0%, 2%, and 4% (as-fed basis) in an in vitro experiment with triplicate incubations (n = 3). Gases were collected using an ANKOM Gas Production system and analyzed for methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) via gas chromatography. The RMS supplementation increased total gas, lactate, butyrate, valerate, hexanoate, heptanoate, 4-ethylphenol production, and AGR (non-glucogenic [acetate + butyrate]/glucogenic [propionate]) ratio (p < 0.01), while reducing production of CH4 (mg/g DM), acetate, propionate, iso-butyrate, phenylpropionate, phenylacetate, and acetate/propionate (A/P) ratios (p < 0.01), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD; % DM) (p < 0.01) as RMS supplementation increased. With both algal species present, there were decreases in Actinobacteria, Firmicutes (p < 0.001), Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B), and Methanobrevibacter sp. (p < 0.01), but increases in Spirochetes, Proteobacteria (methanotrophs; p < 0.001), Candidatus methanomethylophilus alvus (CMC), and non-methanogenic archaea Thermoplasma sp. (p < 0.001) at 2% and 4% DM. Therefore, it may be possible to suppress methanogenesis both directly and indirectly by adding RMS.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Sadowska K, K Hart (2026)

Gut Microbiome and ADHD: A Narrative Review of Clinical Evidence and Practice Implications.

Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 39(4):e70327.

OBJECTIVE: This narrative review evaluates the current evidence on the efficacy of probiotic interventions for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms in both medicated and drug-naïve paediatric and adult populations and assesses the implications for clinical dietetic practice.

DESIGN: A narrative review synthesizing randomized controlled trials and observational microbiome studies in paediatric and adult populations, specifically distinguishing between probiotic monotherapy and adjunctive protocols.

RESULTS: Observational data confirm gut microbiome alterations in ADHD populations, although specific bacterial signatures vary across studies. Evidence from treatment trials demonstrates that the efficacy of probiotics as monotherapy for core ADHD symptoms remains inconclusive. However, specific adjunctive trials combining probiotics with conventional medication have reported preliminary positive findings on symptom reduction, though results remain heterogeneous. Adult evidence is sparse but indicates potential benefits for emotional dysregulation in specific contexts.

CONCLUSIONS: This review concludes that current data do not support universal probiotic supplementation or routine clinical recommendation. However, when families inquire about complementary approaches, the existing literature enables evidence informed guidance within a shared decision-making framework that acknowledges the preliminary nature of current findings and sets realistic expectations.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Fan Y, Guo X, Lyu J, et al (2026)

Hepatotoxicity in the Era of Precision Medicine: Toxicological Mechanisms and Management of Immune and Cell Therapy-Induced Liver Injury.

Medicinal research reviews [Epub ahead of print].

Immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies have revolutionized cancer treatment, yet their success is accompanied by immune-related hepatotoxicity that can range from asymptomatic enzyme elevation to life-threatening liver failure. Unlike conventional drug-induced liver injury, immune-mediated hepatotoxicity arises from complex, therapy-specific mechanisms that remain incompletely understood, creating critical knowledge gaps in risk prediction and prevention. This review incorporates current evidence on the clinical presentation, mechanistic pathways, and risk factors underlying hepatotoxicity across major immune and cell therapy platforms, with emphasis on translating mechanistic insights into actionable management strategies. We systematically examine hepatotoxicity patterns for immune checkpoint inhibitors, CAR-T cell therapies, bispecific T-cell engagers, and tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte therapy, integrating clinical trial data, real-world evidence, and mechanistic studies. Our analysis shows distinct injury mechanisms: T-cell-mediated hepatocyte destruction following checkpoint blockade, cytokine-driven bystander injury during cytokine release syndrome, and emerging on-target/off-tumor toxicity from engineered lymphocytes. Critical risk modifiers include pre-existing liver disease, concomitant hepatotoxic medications, gut microbiome dysbiosis from antibiotic exposure, and host pharmacogenomic variation. We propose three priority research directions: development of predictive biomarkers enabling pretreatment risk stratification, microbiome-directed interventions to preserve hepatic immune tolerance, and implementation of Safety-by-Design engineering strategies that integrate hepatotoxicity prevention into therapeutic design. This review provides a mechanistic framework for transitioning from reactive toxicity management to predictive, personalized prevention, essential for maximizing the therapeutic potential of immune and cell therapies while protecting patient safety in this rapidly expanding treatment landscape.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Li Y, Wang J, Zhang N, et al (2026)

Causal Relationship Between Gut Microbiome and Infectious Mononucleosis: Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Reveals Infectious Mononucleosis-Driven Gut Dysbiosis.

Cureus, 18(7):e111983.

Background To assess bidirectionality between gut microbiota and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-driven infectious mononucleosis (IM), we conducted two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). Given IM's heterogeneous symptoms and evidence linking microbiota to viral infection, this may inform novel prevention or treatment strategies. Methods We employed a bidirectional two-sample MR framework using summary data from 207 gut microbial taxa and 205 metabolic pathways (Dutch Microbiome Project, n = 7,738) and the FinnGen consortium. Causality was assessed via inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, and mode-based estimation. Statistical significance was set at P <0.05 (Bonferroni-corrected), with instruments validated by F-statistics >10. Heterogeneity and pleiotropy were evaluated using Cochran's Q, MR-Egger intercepts, and leave-one-out analyses. Results Forward MR: Several bacterial pathways and taxa were positively associated with IM risk. These include the de novo purine nucleotide biosynthesis II superpathway (odds ratio (OR) = 1.246, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.026-1.514, P = 0.027), anhydromuropeptide recycling (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.014-1.517, P = 0.036), the superpathway of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis (Escherichia coli) (OR = 1.194, 95% CI: 1.019-1.4, P = 0.028), Lactobacillaceae (OR = 1.109, 95% CI: 1.02-1.206, P = 0.016), and Lactobacillus (OR = 1.108, 95% CI: 1.017-1.207, P = 0.019). Conversely, several taxa and pathways exhibited protective effects. These include the glucose-1-phosphate degradation pathway (G1P-DP) (OR = 0.852, 95% CI: 0.731-0.994, P = 0.042), heme biosynthesis from glutamate (OR = 0.809, 95% CI: 0.676-0.969, P = 0.032), the superpathway of L-tyrosine biosynthesis (OR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.811-0.998, P = 0.046), the flavin biosynthesis I pathway (OR = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.672-0.993, P = 0.042), Streptococcaceae (OR = 0.869, 95% CI: 0.779-0.968, P = 0.011), and Streptococcus (OR = 0.844, 95% CI: 0.731-0.937, P = 0.020). Reverse MR: IM was found to causally alter gut microbiome composition. IM was associated with a decrease of beneficial genera such as Roseburia (OR = 0.901, 95% CI: 0.837-0.982, P = 0.016) and Bacteroides ovatus (OR = 0.915, 95% CI: 0.841-0.995, P = 0.038), as well as Streptococcus (OR = 0.876, 95% CI: 0.775-0.991, P = 0.035). Conversely, IM increased the risk of enrichment for Prevotellaceae (OR = 1.107, 95% CI: 1.016-1.210, P = 0.020) and Prevotella copri (OR = 1.096, 95% CI: 1.000-1.200, P = 0.048). Regarding metabolic pathways, IM increased the risk of polyamine biosynthesis II (OR = 1.123, 95% CI: 1.016-1.243, P = 0.024), L-lysine biosynthesis II (OR = 1.094, 95% CI: 1.008-1.118, P = 0.031), and L-lysine biosynthesis VI (OR = 1.083, 95% CI: 1.000-1.172, P = 0.048), while showing a protective association with L-rhamnose degradation I (OR = 0.922, 95% CI: 0.851-0.999, P = 0.046). Conclusion This study provides genetic evidence of a bidirectional causal relationship between the gut microbiome and IM. These findings suggest that IM may influence gut microbial ecosystem structure, characterized by a reduction in beneficial symbionts (e.g., Roseburia) and an enrichment of potentially pro-inflammatory taxa (e.g., P. copri). These findings may inform future microbiota-targeted interventions or risk stratification strategies for EBV-related diseases. Limitations include the European ancestry of study populations and the need for mechanistic validation.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Chang WL, Chen CY, Wu JH, et al (2026)

Association of Gut Microbiome Shifts With Metabolic Alterations in Prediabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Cureus, 18(7):e111964.

Background Early identification and intervention are essential to prevent the progression of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The gut microbiota plays a key role in host metabolism, and its dysbiosis may contribute to metabolic disorders. This study aimed to compare gut microbiota profiles between individuals with prediabetes and healthy adults and to explore their potential metabolic associations. Materials and methods A total of 117 adults aged 18-65 years were recruited, including 57 patients with prediabetes and 60 healthy controls. Demographic data and stool samples were collected. Gut microbiota composition was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 region. To minimize batch effects, raw sequencing data from both cohorts were processed using a unified bioinformatics pipeline. Results Individuals with prediabetes exhibited significantly lower gut microbial diversity (Simpson index, p < 0.001) and distinct microbial composition (Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA), p = 0.001) compared with healthy controls. Additionally, several bacterial genera differed significantly between groups, with 11 genera enriched and four genera depleted in the prediabetes group, indicating a shift in gut microbiota structure associated with prediabetes. Conclusion The gut microbiota of individuals with prediabetes differed significantly from that of healthy adults, showing reduced diversity and altered bacterial composition. These findings indicate that gut microbiota dysbiosis is associated with prediabetes-related metabolic alterations, although causal relationships cannot be inferred due to the cross-sectional design.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Rizaludin MS, Dickschat JS, Raaijmakers JM, et al (2026)

Volatile dialogues between plants and microorganisms.

Natural product reports [Epub ahead of print].

Covering: up to 2026Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are key mediators of long-distance communication in biological systems. While their roles in plant-insect interactions are well established, emerging evidence highlights their importance in plant-microbe interactions. In this highlight, we discuss the biosynthesis and ecological functions of plant VOCs (pVOCs) and their impact on microbiome assembly and function. We examine how constitutive and stress-induced pVOCs shape microbial community composition and how microbial VOCs (mVOCs) influence plant growth and defense by modulating hormonal and metabolic pathways. We further address the bidirectional nature of volatile-mediated interactions and the challenges associated with studying complex VOC blends in natural environments. Understanding these dynamic volatile dialogues provides new opportunities for microbiome engineering and sustainable crop production.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Long S, Yang Z, Zeng C, et al (2026)

Nonlinear response mechanisms of microbial communities to coral reef biogeomorphy in the South China Sea.

Applied and environmental microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

UNLABELLED: To resolve how planktonic microbial composition, assembly mechanisms, and interaction architectures vary across coral reef biogeomorphic states, we sought to identify process-relevant indicators of reef resilience. We analyzed size-fractionated microbiomes from 57 stations in the South China Sea using 16S/18S rRNA amplicon sequencing. A distance-decay model defined a near-coral reef influence zone within 588 m, and reefs were classified into Poor, Moderate, and Good states based on coral density metrics. Results showed that microbial composition diverged significantly between near-coral reefs and off-coral reef zones. Although alpha diversity remained relatively stable, characteristic coral reef amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) showed clear state-associated variation across reef biogeomorphic states. The assembly of coral reef characteristic ASVs was predominantly stochastic, yet deterministic processes strengthened under intermediate conditions, indicating a transitional restructuring phase. Network complexity displayed a hump-shaped pattern, peaking in moderate states, whereas networks in good-condition reefs were sparser but more stable due to cross-kingdom interactions and increased module hubs. Ultimately, embedding microbiome analyses within a biogeomorphic framework reveals nonlinear, state-dependent microbial reorganization missed by standard richness metrics. These responsive taxa and interaction architectures jointly provide mechanistic indicators for diagnosing coral reef health in rapidly changing tropical seas.

IMPORTANCE: Microbial composition, assembly processes, and interaction architecture jointly provide process-relevant indicators of reef condition and resilience across coral-reef biogeomorphic states. Although alpha diversity remained broadly stable across space and biogeomorphic grades, substantial microbial turnover, pronounced state responsiveness of characteristic taxa, and marked shifts in network organization revealed strong state dependence in microbial reorganization. Responsive taxa and interaction-architecture metrics jointly provide mechanistic, process-relevant indicators for diagnosing reef condition and resilience in rapidly changing tropical seas.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Boyaci I, Delice B, Koc F, et al (2026)

Ramadan fasting induces temporal gut microbiome remodeling without metabolic improvement in adults with prediabetes.

Microbiology spectrum [Epub ahead of print].

UNLABELLED: Ramadan fasting is a naturally occurring, time-restricted dietary pattern involving daily abstinence from food and drink from dawn to sunset. In this longitudinal study, we investigated the impact of Ramadan fasting on gut microbiome dynamics and metabolic outcomes in prediabetic individuals, whose responses to fasting can be uniquely altered due to decreased metabolic plasticity. Seventeen adults diagnosed with prediabetes were sampled pre-Ramadan (baseline), end of Ramadan (1-month), and 3 months post-fasting. Gut microbiome was profiled using 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and metabolic and anthropometric measurements were performed. Time-dependent coordinated changes were investigated using network-based approaches. Ramadan fasting was associated with distinct, time-dependent shifts in the gut microbiome. Genus-level richness did not change significantly across time points, while alpha diversity (Shannon and Simpson indices) increased significantly at the end of Ramadan and partially reverted by 3 months post-fasting. Beta diversity analyses showed the greatest compositional separation between baseline and 1-month, followed by partial reversion at 3 months. End-of-Ramadan samples showed the enrichment of facultative anaerobes and selected short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-associated taxa, whereas several butyrate-producing genera increased by 3 months post-fasting, consistent with temporally phased dynamics among SCFA-associated lineages. Despite these microbial and predicted functional changes, glycemic and lipid markers remained largely unchanged, while insulin resistance and adiposity indices increased over time, and microbiome-metabolic relationships did not translate into consistent metabolic improvement.

IMPORTANCE: This study shows that Ramadan fasting is associated with temporal remodeling of gut microbial composition and predicted function in individuals with prediabetes although these changes were not accompanied by clear short-term metabolic improvement. We observed coordinated shifts in bacteria linked to short-chain fatty acid production and changes in overall community balance. However, these microbial changes did not translate into measurable improvements in blood glucose or lipid levels. These findings suggest that microbiome-associated changes occurring during Ramadan fasting may not be sufficient, within the context of prediabetes, to yield measurable short-term metabolic improvement. Behavioral and metabolic restrictions may influence the extent to which microbiome-associated changes correspond with metabolic outcomes, highlighting the need for larger, diet-controlled longitudinal studies.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Li C, A Mitchell (2026)

Nonantibiotic-driven evolution reveals rare but predictable routes to broad antibiotic resistance.

mBio [Epub ahead of print].

Many medications not prescribed to treat infectious diseases have antibacterial activity at physiologically relevant concentrations, raising the risk that chronic administration of such nonantibiotics may inadvertently select for resistance in the host microbiome. However, how frequently such exposures select for adaptations that impact broad drug resistance, including to antibiotics, remains unclear. Here, we systematically evolved Escherichia coli under exposure to 40 antibiotics and nonantibiotics and profiled the cross-resistance of the drug-adapted strains to 21 antibiotics representing all major classes. Our measurements revealed that most drug-adapted strains did not become multidrug resistant. However, five nonantibiotics and three antibiotics emerged as exceptions and were repeatedly selected for broad antibiotic resistance. Whole-genome sequencing of all 168 evolved strains revealed that changes in the regulation of efflux pumps repeatedly underlay broad drug resistance and converged into two key regulatory genes, acrR and lon. Our work suggests that although inadvertent antibiotic cross-resistance is rare, specific nonantibiotics can still potentially pose a risk for the emergence of multidrug resistance.IMPORTANCEMany medications not typically prescribed to treat infectious diseases have potent antimicrobial activity at physiological concentrations. This anti-bacterial activity raises concern that long-term administration of such nonantibiotics might unintentionally select for multidrug resistance, including resistance to antibiotics. Using Escherichia coli, we show that in most cases, these nonantibiotics do not broadly select for resistance to antibiotics in vitro. However, we identified five nonantibiotics that repeatedly selected for resistance to multiple antibiotics through a shared mechanism of action-upregulation of the multidrug efflux pump AcrAB-TolC. These findings highlight that while the overall risk is low, certain nonantibiotics may still contribute to the emergence of multidrug resistance. Identifying these high-risk drugs can help guide safer prescribing practices and inform strategies to limit the spread of antibiotic resistance.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Seo Y, Kim J, Yeom M, et al (2026)

Gut microbiota contributes to the therapeutic effect of acupuncture in atopic dermatitis.

Microbiology spectrum [Epub ahead of print].

UNLABELLED: The gut microbiome is increasingly recognized as a central regulator of immune homeostasis, metabolic balance, and therapeutic outcomes. Atopic dermatitis (AD), a chronic inflammatory skin disease, is closely linked to gut microbial dysbiosis. Traditionally regarded as a neurostimulatory therapy, acupuncture (Acu) has demonstrated increasing efficacy in alleviating AD symptoms and improving gastrointestinal function. These observations suggest that the therapeutic effects of Acu in AD may be mediated, in part, by modulation of the gut microbiome. In this study, AD patients were stratified into responder (R) and non-responder (NR) groups based on clinical improvement. Gut microbiome profiling revealed that R patients exhibited greater microbial diversity and compositional stability, indicative of a more balanced gut ecosystem. Specific taxa, including Alistipes ihumii and Odoribacter splanchnicus, were enriched in R individuals and may serve as microbial predictors of treatment responsiveness. Importantly, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from R donors restored Acu efficacy in a mouse model of AD, whereas FMT from NR donors did not. These findings support the gut-skin axis and highlight the integral role of the gut microbiome in mediating the therapeutic effects of Acu for AD, suggesting potential for microbiome-based personalized treatment.

IMPORTANCE: Increasing evidence supports the gut microbiome's role in modulating treatment responses in atopic dermatitis (AD), but direct evidence linking acupuncture efficacy with microbiome composition has been lacking. Previous studies did not assess causal relationships via fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) or functional metagenomics. This study identifies specific gut microbes associated with acupuncture response in AD and confirms their causal role using FMT. It also links functional metabolic pathways to therapeutic efficacy, offering a mechanism-based insight. Our findings support microbiome-informed personalized acupuncture approaches for AD and suggest gut microbiota as a therapeutic modulator in neuroimmune regulation.

CLINICAL TRIALS: This study was registered in the Korean Clinical Trial Registry (CRIS, registration number: KCT0005422).

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Kulosa M, Belisário-Ferrari MR, Semmler F, et al (2026)

Establishment of an in vitro aerobic bacterial community as a model of the human lung microbiome.

mSystems [Epub ahead of print].

The human lung microbiome is increasingly recognized as a key player in drug metabolism, yet it remains largely understudied. To replicate this complex physiological environment in a controlled setting, we developed a simplified artificial lung microbiome model composed of four representative bacterial species: Pseudomonas koreensis, Rothia aeria, Neisseria cinerea, and Streptococcus downei. We successfully established a stable 10-day co-culture at 34°C using brain heart infusion medium, as validated by quantitative PCR, viability PCR, and conventional microbiological methodologies. Integrated bioinformatic analyses revealed a variety of potential microbe-microbe interactions, which were supported by metaproteomic analysis using mass spectrometry. Our model provides a foundation for in-depth studies, such as, for example, the effects of pulmonary drugs on the lung microbiome, and how, in turn, the microbiome may influence therapeutic outcomes.IMPORTANCEOnce thought to be sterile, the lung microbiome is now understood to host a dynamic microbiome capable of influencing respiratory health and disease. Understanding interactions among the microbes within this community is essential, as these relationships may drive disease progression or foster resilience in both acute and chronic inflammatory conditions. We developed a reproducible lung microbiome model comprising Pseudomonas koreensis, Rothia aeria, Streptococcus downei, and Neisseria cinerea. Simplified models enable controlled studies to dissect specific microbial interactions, laying the foundation for insights into lung microbial ecology. In the future, more complex models will enhance our understanding of microbial roles in disease outcomes, with our platform serving as a basis for testing therapeutic strategies.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Khan MQN, Xiang W-Q, M-X Ren (2026)

Diversity and sources of floral microbial communities.

Applied and environmental microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Flowers serve as a key ecological interface where microorganisms, plants, and pollinators interact, yet the processes shaping flower microbiota remain insufficiently synthesized. In this review, we summarize the current literature on the assembly and distribution of floral microbiota across floral organs through three major transmission pathways: insect vectors, bird visitation, and aerial deposition. We assess the organ-specific distribution and transmission pathways of microbial taxa across nectar, stigma, petals, pollen, and anthers, and estimate the relative importance of each of these vectors in microbial dispersal. Our analysis reveals a strong research bias toward nectar and stigma, which collectively dominate the studies of floral microbiota. Based on the currently available literature, insect pollinators, especially the honeybees and bumblebees, emerge as the most frequently reported agents of microbial transfer by repeated deposition of microbes onto floral organs. Bird-mediated transmission, despite its geographic restriction, plays a key role in ornithophilous systems, whereas aerial deposition appears to have a comparatively limited influence. We also emphasize the effect of floral microbes on flower attractiveness, phenotypic changes, and the systemic microbial movement within plants. This review incorporates flower ecology, microbiology, and pollination biology, and points out how flowers act as microbial gateways between the aboveground and belowground parts of plants, and how flowers remain underappreciated for their role in systemic interaction between plants and microbes.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Bull J, Durham PL, BS Mirza (2026)

Effects of liraglutide on gut bacterial community dynamics.

Microbiology spectrum [Epub ahead of print].

Liraglutide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, is used to induce weight loss. However, limited information exists on liraglutide's effects on the gut bacterial community and their restoration after washout. We investigated liraglutide's effect on the gut bacterial community in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice and whether these changes persist after washout. Twenty-four male C57BL/6J mice on high-fat (HFC) or low-fat (LFC) diets were monitored for 21 days. A subgroup of high-fat mice received daily liraglutide for 14 days (HFL), followed by a 7-day washout. Liraglutide induced significant weight loss by Day 4, which persisted during treatment and partially reversed post-treatment. For bacterial community analysis, 7.1 million 16S rRNA gene sequences were retrieved using Illumina paired-end sequencing. We observed distinct shifts in the gut bacterial community structure during liraglutide treatment, which mostly returned to baseline after the 7-day washout. Using Similarity Percentages analysis, 21 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) were identified as major contributors. Nine ASVs, related to Lactobacillus gasseri, L. paragasseri, L. johnsonii, and Leptogranulimonas caecicola, significantly increased during treatment and declined post-washout. The remaining 12 ASVs, associated with protein- and carbohydrate-fermenting bacteria (Romboutsia, Faecalicatena, and Oscillibacter), decreased during treatment. Comparison across all groups identified 29 ASVs, clustering into seven phylogenetic groups, highlighting liraglutide's enrichment of bile acid- and mucin-associated taxa and suppression of carbohydrate-fermentative genera. These findings demonstrate that liraglutide induces rapid, diet-dependent, yet reversible shifts in the gut microbiome, favoring lactic acid-producing bacteria while reducing fermentative taxa. Such microbial changes may contribute to liraglutide's metabolic effects and provide insight into host-microbiome interactions in obesity treatment.IMPORTANCEObesity and overweight states are intricately linked to the gut bacterial community; however, the effects of common obesity treatments such as GLP-1 receptor agonists on gut bacteria remain unclear. Here, we show that liraglutide, a GLP-1 analog, reshapes the gut bacterial community in diet-induced obese mice relative to untreated obese and lean controls. By including baseline samples when mice were at a normal weight, we distinguished bacterial changes due to the drug from those due to obesity progression, as well as how the community structure is affected during a washout period. Liraglutide treatment selectively increased beneficial gut bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillaceae) under high-fat conditions. These bacterial shifts during GLP-1 therapy may contribute to its metabolic benefits and broaden our understanding of host bacterial interactions in the context of diet and weight management.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Carlson-Jones JAP, Goddard TR, Papudeshi B, et al (2026)

DNA sequencing for microbial surveillance in cystic fibrosis airways: advances, challenges, and clinical translation.

Clinical microbiology reviews [Epub ahead of print].

SUMMARYDNA sequencing has revolutionized microbial surveillance in cystic fibrosis (CF), transforming pathogen identification from culture-dependent to total microbial community identification using molecular-based approaches. Techniques such as 16S rRNA gene sequencing have uncovered the complexity of the CF airway microbiome, while shotgun metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, and viromics now provide strain-level, functional, and viral insights beyond bacterial identification. Despite these advances, key technical and logistical challenges remain, including the processing of high-viscosity sputum samples, overwhelming host DNA contamination, managing large data sets, and the integration of complex bioinformatic outputs into clinical workflows. Emerging innovations such as host DNA depletion protocols, targeted enrichment panels, and adaptive sampling on Oxford Nanopore platforms are helping to overcome these barriers, improving microbial recovery and sequencing efficiency. As cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) modulator therapies are changing the lives of people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), sequencing offers an unprecedented opportunity to track potential microbial adaptation in response. This review investigates current advances, limitations, and translational opportunities in DNA sequencing for CF airway microbiome surveillance, highlighting how these technologies can help reshape research and clinical microbiology in the post-modulator era.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Nyoni NF, Duarte-Coimbra S, Forcina G, et al (2026)

Characterization of the Genital Microbiota in Portuguese Native Goats.

Reproduction in domestic animals = Zuchthygiene, 61(8):e70297.

Evaluating the reproductive microbiome in small ruminant livestock, such as goats and sheep, is crucial for improving breeding performance, promoting animal health, and optimizing pregnancy outcomes. A healthy microbiome in the reproductive tract inhibits infections, regulates immune activity, and reduces the risk of microbial imbalances that negatively affect pregnancy. Understanding this microbiome also supports better disease control, informs advanced animal husbandry practices for goats and sheep, and contributes to global food security. This study aimed to characterize the genital microbiome of three local Portuguese goat breeds-Preta de Montesinho, Serrana, and Serpentina-using 16S rRNA metabarcoding. Samples were collected from 39 goats and, for comparison, seven sheep from a local breed-Serra da Estrela. Microbiome differences were obtained when integrating breed and sex factors in goats. The predominant genera in both vaginal and preputial samples included Fusobacterium, Aerococcus, Corynebacterium, Sediminibacterium, Campylobacter, and Ralstonia. Significant compositional differences were observed across breed, sex, and species as indicated by Bray-Curtis dissimilarity. By characterizing the caprine reproductive microbiota through metabarcoding, this study fills an important knowledge gap and establishes a baseline for future research on disease-associated changes in the male and female urogenital tract microbiota of small ruminants.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Garey KW, JG Hurdle (2026)

Case Commentary: Emergence of clinically relevant fidaxomicin-resistant Clostridioides difficile strains.

Antimicrobial agents and chemotherapy [Epub ahead of print].

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) has limited antibiotic treatment options, with fidaxomicin being the guideline-preferred antibiotic. C. E. Kaple, S. N. Redmond, J. L. Cadum, B. Hausman, et al. (Antimicrob Agents Chemother 0:e00130-26, 2026, https://doi.org/10.1128/aac.00130-26) describe a case of clinical failure in an elderly patient with CDI treated with a pulsed-taper fidaxomicin regimen, in which the MIC increased from 0.05 μg/mL at baseline to 32 μg/mL in isolates recovered during relapse. Relapsing symptoms were eventually resolved only after switching to oral vancomycin. This case, together with other recent clinical reports, may be the tip of the iceberg, signaling that fidaxomicin-resistant C. difficile can arise during treatment and contribute to clinical failure. It further challenges the assumption that high colonic drug concentrations mitigate resistance and underscores the need for improved surveillance and the development of clinically applicable molecular diagnostics to detect fidaxomicin resistance in CDI patient samples.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Ahmed A, Rodini S, Alrubyea F, et al (2026)

Semaglutide-Induced Sarcopenia via GLP-1R-mTOR-Satellite Cells Axis and Muscle-Glucose Feedback Loop Potentially Leading to Refractory Hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Driven Hypothesis.

Problemy endokrinologii, 72(3):60-65.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) like semaglutide have transformed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) management, yet emerging concerns highlight potential risks of accelerated sarcopenia and subsequent metabolic disruptions. This case-driven hypothesis explores a 53-year-old male with T2DM diagnosed in 2014, who experienced progressive glycemic failure despite standard therapies, including metformin, glipizide, sitagliptin, and empagliflozin. Transition to dulaglutide 1.5 mg for 1.5 years followed by semaglutide (titrated from 0.25 to 1 mg weekly starting September 2024) resulted in weight loss from 84 kg to 70 kg by September 2025, accompanied by sarcopenic symptoms (muscle weakness, reduced mobility) and refractory hyperglycemia (fasting glucose 300 mg/dL, HbA1c 9%), persisting post-discontinuation on September 1, 2025, despite metformin and empagliflozin. We posit that semaglutide may precipitate acute sarcopenia via unexpected GLP-1R-mTOR-satellite cells axis crosstalk, disrupting AMPK-mTOR balance to suppress anabolic mTORC1/IGF-1 signaling (potentially by 25-35%) while enhancing catabolic FOXO/ubiquitin-proteasome and excessive autophagy pathways. This could extend to myokine reprogramming (elevated myostatin/GDF15, reduced irisin/IL-15), glucagon/α-cell compensation inducing hyperglucagonemia (15-25% rise), microbiome-bile acid shifts fostering low-grade inflammation (IL-6/TNF-α upregulation by 10-15%), mitochondrial mass reduction (20-25% via AMPK), and NMJ disassembly, collectively impairing muscle as the primary glucose sink (reducing GLUT4-mediated uptake by 35-45%) and initiating a «muscle-glucose feedback loop» with hepatic gluconeogenesis amplification, yielding treatment-resistant hyperglycemia.Supporting evidence from cohorts (e.g., 24-month study showing ASMI/grip strength declines in 432 patients), longitudinal analyses (NMJ degradation with CAF22/NfL elevations in 141 men), secondary trials (9.3% psoas volume loss in 51 MASLD cases), and case reports (fatigue in a 74-year-old, rhabdomyolysis in a 47-year-old) aligns with this framework, as does in vitro data linking GLP-1 excess to kinesin-1/GLUT4 inhibition and ATP depletion (20-30%). This novel hypothesis underscores sarcopenia's role in GLP-1RA-induced metabolic paradoxes, urging prospective studies on muscle-preserving interventions like resistance training or GLP-1R modulators to refine T2DM paradigms and inspire multidisciplinary research into endocrine-muscle interactions.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Li YM, Shao QZ, Ko CY, et al (2026)

Gut microbial dysbiosis in a Southern Chinese cohort of patients with Parkinson's disease.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 119(9):.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting approximately 10 million people worldwide. Growing evidence suggests that gut microbial dysbiosis may be crucial in PD pathogenesis through the gut-brain axis. However, bacterial profiles can vary based on factors like diet, age, and medication use. This study explores gut microbial dysbiosis in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), considering disease severity, age, and medication use.Faecal samples were collected from PD patients (n = 42) and age-matched controls (n = 25) and analysed using 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions. Taxonomic distinctions were assessed with particular focus on short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-producing bacteria. Significant differences in faecal microbiome composition were observed between PD patients and controls. Anticholinergic and dopaminergic agents altered the abundance of SCFA-producing bacteria (Ruminococcaceae, Clostridiales, Blautia). Alistipes abundance was not significantly altered across medication groups in exploratory analyses. The faecal microbiota in PD patients showed modifications related to disease severity, age, and medication use. These changes appeared early and were influenced by medical interventions. This study highlights the intricate gut microbiome-PD relationship, suggesting potential therapeutic avenues and further research directions.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Volz Gonzalez I, Pérez Lleó A, Almenar Llorens P, et al (2026)

Biofilms and disinfection by-products in Mediterranean drinking water networks: effect of temperature on disinfection strategies.

World journal of microbiology & biotechnology, 42(8):.

Biofilms inhabiting drinking water networks can degrade water quality, leading to disinfectant depletion, pipe corrosion and organoleptic issues. In this study, the use of in situ biofilm sampling devices, which enabled sample collection without interrupting the supply, provided insights into physicochemical and biological interactions within a network in Valencia (Spain). The devices were installed in an operational chlorinated network and monitored over a year to assess biofilm dynamics. Water quality was evaluated using standard methods for faecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and pathogens, alongside physicochemical parameters including disinfection by-products (DBPs), geosmin, and metals. Biofilms devices were sampled every 3 months to examine development and biofilm regrowth under seasonal conditions. Bacterial communities were characterised using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and analysed in relation to environmental factors. No FIB or pathogens were detected in any water sample, yet DNA analysis in biofilms (particularly in 6- and 9-month-old biofilms) showed the presence of sequences related with potential opportunistic pathogens including Legionella spp. and Staphylococcus spp. DBPs, increased during warmer months coinciding with higher chlorine dosages and iron and manganese concentrations. A core microbiome formed mainly by species of Pseudomonas spp. and Acidovorax spp. was found in water and biofilm samples. A clear temporal succession in biofilm composition was observed, with diversity peaking at mid-developmental stages, yet regrowth was seasonally independent. The installation of biofilm sampling devices in real networks was effective at monitoring microbial dynamics, providing key information for distribution infrastructure management including optimisation of cleaning and disinfection strategies.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

Buitrago SP, Garzón-Ospina D, Largo-Latorre LS, et al (2026)

Site-specific bacterial microbiome patterns across contrasting anthropogenic settings in the upper Chicamocha River, Colombia: a full-length 16S rRNA gene pilot survey.

Environmental monitoring and assessment, 198(9):.

High-mountain urban rivers in tropical South America remain underrepresented in molecular monitoring studies, limiting the identification of bacterial assemblages associated with local anthropogenic pressures. This study characterized bacterial microbiome composition, diversity, and 16S rRNA gene-based predicted functional profiles at five sites in the upper Chicamocha River, Colombia, representing contrasting settings, including a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP)-influenced reach, a thermoelectric cooling pond, agrolivestock influence, and a downstream municipal-industrial reach. Full-length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing using PacBio HiFi generated 737,344 high-quality reads and 4921 amplicon sequence variants. Bacterial assemblages showed site-specific patterns, with high multisite Sørensen dissimilarity mainly attributable to taxon turnover. Ammonium was the only physicochemical variable significantly associated with community ordination. The WWTP-influenced site showed high relative abundance of the phyla Bacillota and Campylobacterota, particularly of the genus Arcobacter, whereas the cooling pond showed increased representation of the genus Sphingorhabdus. Flavobacterium was most abundant at agrolivestock-influenced sites, while the genera Limnohabitans and Polynucleobacter dominated the downstream site. Functional inference suggested site-associated KEGG profiles, including predicted xenobiotic-biodegradation pathways and categories annotated to membrane transport, motility, and antimicrobial drug resistance. These findings provide a preliminary molecular monitoring baseline and identify candidate taxa and pathways for targeted validation in future watershed surveillance, supporting the development of molecular monitoring strategies for undersampled Andean high-mountain urban rivers.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Maiese K (2026)

Oxidative stress, aging, metabolism, SIRT1, and the gut microbiota: the neurocardiac basis of cognitive loss.

Medical gas research [Epub ahead of print].

FactsCardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis share a neurocardiac basis linked by cellular metabolism and diabetes, indicating the presence of common pathological pathways.Current care remains symptomatic and prevention focused, and interventions targeting shared pathways such as oxidative stress, senescence, and autophagy are lacking.Apolipoprotein E (APOE), glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonism, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) (SIRT1), mitochondrial dynamics, and the gut microbiome are key modulators of the neurocardiac axis and are highly interdependent.Understanding the interactions among ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and apoptosis under comorbid conditions is essential for clinical translation.Open questionsIs oxidative stress a primary driver or a consequence of autophagy dysregulation that links cardiac dysfunction to cognitive decline?Are GLP-1 receptor agonists neuroprotective independent of glycemic control, and what is the optimal timing and disease stage?Which microbial metabolites influence mitochondrial dynamics and senescence, and can microbiome targeting improve both cardiac and cognitive outcomes?Is combined inhibition of ferroptosis and pyroptosis superior to single-pathway blockade, and how can strategies for different comorbidity profiles be chosen?How can APOE genotypes and individual metabolic states guide personalized therapies that simultaneously reduce cardiovascular risk and neurodegeneration? Cardiovascular disease and cognitive loss have a neurocardiac basis. Poor vascular perfusion can impair cognitive function in both Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis. However, a treatment gap exists because current approaches do not adequately address the shared underlying cellular mechanisms responsible for cognitive dysfunction in these conditions. Current treatments for cognitive impairment in diseases such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes often fail to fully address the shared underlying cellular mechanisms. Consequently, the prevailing precision treatment strategy, which focuses on managing symptoms and preventing disease progression, is insufficient. This highlights the urgent need for innovative approaches capable of targeting these common cellular pathways across these diverse conditions. Novel investigations into oxidative stress, cellular senescence, programmed cell death with apoptosis, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and autophagy, cellular metabolism with apolipoprotein E and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonism, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (Saccharomyces cerevisiae), mitochondrial dynamics, and the gut microbiome offer the potential to address the risk factors and clinical treatments for cardiovascular disease and cognitive loss. These pathways are exquisitely dependent upon one another and require in-depth knowledge of the modulatory cellular mechanisms for effective translation to clinical care.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Huang Z, Ng SC, Sokol H, et al (2026)

Precision microbiome medicine and therapeutics: the enabling role of in vitro gut models.

FEMS microbiology reviews pii:8750244 [Epub ahead of print].

The human gut microbiome exhibits profound interindividual variability, challenging the efficacy of generalized interventions and underscoring the need for precision approaches to microbiome-associated diseases. Such strategies require comprehensive, individualized assessment of microbial ecosystems and their functional responses, an objective that remains difficult to achieve in vivo. In vitro gut models offer a promising alternative, maintaining personalized microbial communities in controlled environments and enabling detailed investigation of microbiome dynamics. Complementary microbe-host co-culture systems incorporating human cells further permit mechanistic interrogation of host responses to microbial stimuli. Together, these integrated platforms offer a translational framework for developing tailored therapeutics. In this Perspective, we examine how in vitro gut models can advance microbiome-based personalized medicine, discuss key determinants of therapeutic variability, and outline the relevance, limitations, and future directions of these systems in designing targeted, more effective interventions.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Tjo H, Jiang V, Jeffrey PD, et al (2026)

Structural insights into xyloglucan recognition by an ABC transporter from a Gram-positive, thermophilic bacterium.

The FEBS journal [Epub ahead of print].

Xyloglucan (an α-1,6-xylosyl-substituted β-1,4-glucan) is a major hemicellulose of the primary cell wall of many plants and an important growth substrate for biomass-degrading bacteria in diverse ecological niches, including the gut microbiome and hot springs. In Gram-positive bacteria, xyloglucan is deconstructed into soluble oligosaccharides in the extracytoplasmic space before import by ATP-Binding Cassette (ABC) transporters, but the structural basis for this process remains poorly understood. Here, we identified an ABC transporter for xyloglucan uptake (Athe_2052-2054) in the Gram-positive, plant biomass-degrading thermophile Anaerocellum bescii, which is conserved across the Anaerocellum genus. We solved the apo crystal structure of its extracellular substrate-binding protein (SBP), Athe_2052, revealing a unique tertiary fold found only in a small subset of SBPs that bind complex oligosaccharides. To our knowledge, Athe_2052 is the first structurally characterized ABC SBP known to recognize xyloglucan oligosaccharides. Biophysical analysis showed that while Athe_2052 binds unsubstituted β-glucan chains, recognition of xyloglucan side chains in the binding pocket markedly increases affinity (Kd = 14 nm) for xyloglucan heptasaccharide (XXXG), the principal oligosaccharide released during xyloglucan deconstruction. Molecular modeling revealed that xyloglucan heptasaccharide, owing to its branched substitutions, is bound in a distinct conformation compared to unsubstituted β-glucans. This represents a unique mode of xyloglucan recognition driven by α-linked side chain interactions rather than β-glucan backbone recognition alone. Together, these findings provide the first structural basis for xyloglucan oligosaccharide recognition by an ABC transporter in Gram-positive bacteria.

RevDate: 2026-08-03
CmpDate: 2026-08-03

K SR, LA Y (2026)

A Scoping Review of Machine Learning and Deep Learning Methods for Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis and Analysis.

Journal of visualized experiments : JoVE.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental condition characterized by diverse behavioral, cognitive, sensory, and communication profiles, making early diagnosis and personalized intervention challenging. Recent advances in machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) have enabled the development of computational tools for ASD screening, classification, severity assessment, and intervention monitoring. This review synthesizes findings from 50 recent studies that applied ML and DL techniques to ASD-related datasets, including electroencephalography (EEG), eye-tracking, behavioral video, microbiome, voice acoustic, demographic, and multimodal data. The review addresses three key questions: (i) which data modalities and computational approaches are most frequently used, (ii) how diagnostic performance is evaluated across different study designs, and (iii) what methodological challenges limit clinical translation. The literature is organized according to data modality, algorithmic approach, and clinical readiness. Approaches examined include conventional ML methods, convolutional neural networks, graph neural networks, hybrid deep learning architectures, federated learning, explainable artificial intelligence, topological data analysis, and multimodal fusion. The findings suggest that multimodal and graph-based approaches provide a more comprehensive representation of ASD phenotypes than single-modality methods. Explainability and privacy-preserving learning have also emerged as important considerations for clinical deployment. However, many reported high-performance models are based on small sample sizes, repeated use of the ABIDE dataset, class imbalance, single-site validation, or limited external testing, raising concerns regarding generalizability. Beyond diagnostic accuracy, this review evaluates model interpretability, calibration, scalability, validation rigor, and clinical applicability. Overall, the analysis highlights the need for standardized benchmarks, externally validated multimodal datasets, clinically relevant evaluation metrics, and decision-support systems that complement rather than replace expert clinical assessment in ASD diagnosis and management.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Li H, Wu C, Song X, et al (2026)

Concentration-dependent alleviation of lead toxicity in rapeseed by elevated CO2 is associated with rhizosphere microbiome remodeling.

Ecotoxicology and environmental safety, 323:120535 pii:S0147-6513(26)00865-1 [Epub ahead of print].

Interactive effects of elevated CO2 (eCO2) and heavy metal pollution on plant-microbe systems are critical for predicting ecosystem responses under future climate scenarios. We investigated how eCO2 modulates lead (Pb) toxicity in rapeseed (Brassica napus) and its rhizosphere microbiome using a two-factor experiment with three CO2 concentrations (400, 550, and 700 ppm) and three Pb levels (0, 70, and 400 mg·kg[-1)]. The alleviating effect of eCO2 on Pb toxicity was strongly concentration-dependent. Moderate eCO2 (550 ppm) significantly increased biomass, photosynthetic rate, nutrient uptake, and non-enzymatic antioxidant capacity (glutathione and ascorbate), thereby mitigating Pb-induced oxidative damage. Conversely, 700 ppm eCO2 induced photosynthetic acclimation and provided limited protection. Concurrently, eCO2 reshaped rhizosphere bacterial community in a concentration-dependent manner, enriching stress-tolerant taxa including Proteobacteria and Paenibacillus, and enhancing predicted functional pathways related to carbon and energy metabolism. Mantel analysis revealed strong positive correlations between plant nutrient status and microbial functional potential. We propose a "plant-microbe interaction framework" in which moderate eCO2 increases photosynthetic carbon inputs, fostering beneficial microbial communities that in turn support plant tolerance to Pb stress. These findings highlight the non-linear nature of CO2-heavy metal interactions and provide new insights for microbe-assisted phytoremediation strategies under future climate conditions.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Howard DR, Rashid RB, Ahmed T, et al (2026)

Milk osteopontin alters the infant microbiome to drive DC hematopoiesis and disease tolerance.

Cell pii:S0092-8674(26)00820-2 [Epub ahead of print].

Breastfeeding reduces the risk of severe lower respiratory infections (sLRIs), a leading cause of infant mortality; however, the protective mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we demonstrated that the absence of milk-derived osteopontin (OPN), highly expressed in colostrum, predisposes neonatal mice to viral and bacterial sLRI, consequent to disrupted dendritic cell (DC) hematopoiesis in the developing liver and lung. Amelioration of disease severity by oral OPN supplementation was associated with increased enteric abundance of Lactobacillaceae and elevated levels of serum 3-phenyllactic acid (PLA), a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonist. Supplementation with PLA or the PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone restored lung DC hematopoiesis via airway epithelium-derived chemokine ligand 25 (CCL25)-mediated recruitment of lymphoid-myeloid primed progenitors and induction of a supportive lung niche. PLA-induced DC hematopoiesis and disease tolerance were attenuated by plasmacytoid DC depletion, immunoneutralization of stem cell factor, or genetic deletion of airway epithelial Flt3L. Our findings elucidate a microbiome-host interaction by which milk OPN confers protection against sLRI.

RevDate: 2026-08-03

Reyes-Martínez S, Zapata-Martín Del Campo CM, Tesoro-Cruz E, et al (2026)

Neuropsychiatric disorders and gut dysbiosis: what is the real impact of the kynurenine pathway?.

Neuroscience pii:S0306-4522(26)00530-0 [Epub ahead of print].

The human gut microbiome (GM) influences host physiology through the production of bioactive metabolites. Increasing evidence links GM dysbiosis to neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs), including anxiety disorders, major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia (SCZ), via bidirectional signaling along the gut-brain axis (GBA). Among the pathways connecting gut and brain, the tryptophan-kynurenine pathway (TKP) has emerged as a central inflammatory and neuromodulatory mechanism. During immune activation and dysbiosis, tryptophan metabolism shifts toward kynurenine production, generating metabolites with distinct biological effects. Kynurenic acid (KYNA) exerts neuroprotective actions through NMDA receptor antagonism and reduced oxidative stress, whereas quinolinic acid (QUIN) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) promote excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. Altered KYNA/QUIN balance appears to represent a transdiagnostic feature across NPDs, with preferential QUIN accumulation in mood disorders and pathological KYNA elevation in SCZ, suggesting potential potentially therapeutic relevance. In parallel, the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), activated by tryptophan-derived microbial metabolites, regulates intestinal barrier integrity, immune responses, and neuroimmunometabolic signaling, functioning as a molecular link between the GM, immune system, and brain. This review explores the interactions among GM dysbiosis, TKP alterations, mitochondrial dysfunction, and AhR signaling in anxiety disorders, MDD, BD, and SCZ, highlighting their potential as biomarkers and targets for personalized therapies.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Duru VC, Mustafa BE, Beveridge I, et al (2026)

First in vitro feeding of the Australian marsupial tick, Ixodes hirsti Hassall, 1931, with preliminary microbiome profiling and observations on the nymphal morphology.

Current research in parasitology & vector-borne diseases, 10:100413.

Artificial tick feeding systems (ATFS) provide a valuable alternative to animal-based models for studying tick biology. Ixodes hirsti, an Australian tick species that parasitises marsupials, remains understudied due to challenges in laboratory maintenance. Here, we report the first successful in vitro feeding of I. hirsti larvae, provide preliminary microbiome profiles of unfed larvae and larvae recovered after artificial feeding and present the first molecularly confirmed morphological description of the nymphal stage. Field-collected engorged females of I. hirsti were allowed to oviposit under laboratory conditions. Hatched larvae were artificially fed on blood using silicone membranes supplemented with kangaroo hair and/or kangaroo hair extract. Microbiomes were characterised by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and sequencing of 16S rRNA and cox1 genes were used for morphological and molecular characterisation of nymphs. Membranes treated with hair extract alone yielded the highest attachment rate (71%), whereas kangaroo hair-treated membranes produced superior feeding performance, with shorter time to engorgement (9.26 ± 1.00 days) and a higher engorgement weight (0.91 ± 0.01 mg). Exploratory microbiome profiling showed that fed larval pools had numerically lower microbial richness and evenness than unfed larval pools, although these differences were not significant. A total of 80 microbial taxa were shared between groups, whereas seven and 17 taxa were unique to fed and unfed larvae, respectively. Stenotrophomonas was more abundant in fed larval pools, while Coxiella-like and Rickettsia-like endosymbionts were detected in both fed and unfed larvae. These findings demonstrate that ATFS can be adapted for wildlife-associated ticks with specialised host preferences and provide a practical framework for investigating the biology and microbial ecology of ticks.

RevDate: 2026-08-01

Zammar K, AbuAlrob MA, Ali M, et al (2026)

The gut microbiome and drug-resistant epilepsy: Microbiome-antiseizure medication interactions and implications for pharmacoresistance.

Epilepsia open [Epub ahead of print].

Drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) affects approximately one-third of patients with epilepsy and represents a major unmet clinical need. While traditional hypotheses of pharmacoresistance have focused on alterations in drug targets, efflux transporter overexpression, and intrinsic disease severity, the gut microbiome has recently emerged as a potentially modifiable factor that may function as a systems-level modifier of these established mechanisms rather than a standalone pathway. The gut microbiome harbors a vast repertoire of drug-metabolizing enzymes capable of directly biotransforming orally administered antiseizure medications (ASMs)-including valproic acid, lamotrigine, carbamazepine, and oxcarbazepine-thereby altering their pharmacokinetics, bioavailability, and therapeutic efficacy. Additionally, microbial metabolites modulate host cytochrome P450 enzymes, nuclear receptors, and efflux transporters such as P-glycoprotein, while bacterial β-glucuronidases influence the enterohepatic recirculation of glucuronidated ASMs. Conversely, chronic ASM exposure reshapes the gut microbial ecosystem, creating a self-perpetuating cycle of dysbiosis and pharmacoresistance. This narrative review synthesizes current evidence on microbiome-ASM interactions in DRE, proposes a concrete experimental pipeline for characterizing ASM-specific microbial biotransformation, and outlines a framework for integrating physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling with microbiome data. We discuss clinical implications for epileptologists-including the role of therapeutic drug monitoring in detecting microbiome-mediated pharmacokinetic variability, the concept of microbiome-neutral ASM selection, and earlier deployment of the ketogenic diet as a microbiome-targeted intervention. We highlight the translational potential of pharmacomicrobiomics-the study of how microbiome variation influences drug disposition and response-and identify critical knowledge gaps that warrant future investigation. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: About one in three people with epilepsy continue to have seizures despite treatment. This review summarizes growing evidence that the gut microbiome-the community of bacteria living in the intestines-can influence how seizure medications work by altering their absorption, metabolism, and clearance. The medications themselves can reshape the microbiome in return, creating a cycle that may sustain treatment failure. Understanding this gut-drug relationship may open new paths to personalized epilepsy care through diet, probiotics, and microbiome-guided prescribing.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Gao Y, Z Jin (2026)

Seed-borne bacteria-mediated seedling microbiome assembly: genetic and metabolic mechanisms of salt tolerance.

Archives of microbiology, 208(10):.

Seed-borne bacteria (SbRB) are the initial colonizers of the seedling microbiome, yet their priority effects and community-shaping functions under salt stress have been underexplored. This review synthesizes recent advances in three interconnected areas: vertical transmission and genetic conservation of SbRB; ecological assembly mechanisms driven by priority effects, including niche preemption, environmental modification, and niche differentiation between rhizosphere and phyllosphere; and molecular pathways that confer salt tolerance, with a focus on the potential "pre‑adaptation" and "immune window" mechanisms of SbRB over common rhizosphere plant growth‑promoting rhizobacteria. We further discuss how SbRB recruit and modulate downstream microbiota through metabolic complementation, siderophore‑mediated competition, and host immune reprogramming. Key challenges (low culturability, agricultural disruption, inconsistent field performance) and future directions (flower‑inoculation, synthetic communities, multi‑omics integration) are highlighted. Harnessing seed‑borne bacteria offers a promising strategy for salt‑tolerant microbiome breeding and green agriculture in saline soils.

RevDate: 2026-08-01

Lancaster E, Ai Y, J Lee (2026)

Exploring community-level gut health amidst COVID-19 pandemic: a proposed application of longitudinal wastewater surveillance.

Environmental science and pollution research international [Epub ahead of print].

Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) offers a unique, scalable method to monitor disease burden at a community level by capturing all individuals within a sewershed. While emerging evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 may influence the human gut microbiota, which is essential for health and disease outcomes, most microbiome studies remain limited to the individual scale. Given wastewater's sensitivity to fluctuations in human fecal composition, we propose leveraging WBE as a cost-effective tool to characterize longitudinal microbial shifts in community-level gut microbiota throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In this exploratory study, we analyze wastewater from two central Ohio, USA, cities, Columbus and Newark, which differ in socioeconomic and demographic characteristics. Monthly influent samples (n = 69) were collected from August 2020 through June 2022. Clinical COVID-19 cases were collected from within each sewershed, and SARS-CoV-2 gene concentrations were quantified from wastewater samples. 16S rRNA gene sequencing was conducted to characterize human-gut-associated bacterial communities. We report that wastewater influent exhibits distinct genus-level bacterial signatures reflective of each catchment population. Significant temporal changes in bacterial structure and diversity were observed across both cities, indicating community gut health shifts throughout the pandemic. Several taxa, including but not limited to Collinsella, Megasphaera, and Actinobacteriota, showed notable relative abundance fluctuations that may be linked to infection and warrant further investigation as potential microbial biomarkers. This study demonstrates that urban population-level gut microbiome patterns can be robustly characterized through wastewater influent. Most notably, this 23-month study represents the first effort to examine community gut microbiota structural changes across two cities during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings highlight sewage as a population-level proxy for public health status and disease burden while offering a novel framework for integrating microbiome science into WBE. This study underscores the potential of wastewater surveillance to advance global infectious disease preparedness and population-scale microbiome research.

RevDate: 2026-08-01

Hao Y, Huang Y, Cai H, et al (2026)

Association Between cnm-Positive Streptococci and Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Insights From Oral Health and Microbiome Status.

International dental journal, 76(5):109787 pii:S0020-6539(26)00380-1 [Epub ahead of print].

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: Cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) is associated with various severe neurological outcomes; while oral cnm-positive streptococci are suggested to be involved in cerebrovascular lesions, the specific associative features between these bacteria and CSVD have not yet been systematically investigated. This study aims to investigate the prevalence of cnm-positive streptococci in patients with CSVD and explore the correlation between infection and CSVD severity. By integrating oral health indices and microbiome sequencing, we evaluate the oral hygiene status and microbial dysbiosis characteristics of cnm-positive streptococci carriers. Furthermore, cnm-positive streptococci derived from CSVD patients will be isolated, identified, and subjected to whole-genome sequencing to provide a foundation for future research.

METHODS: To explore cnm-positive streptococci prevalence and its association with CSVD, we conducted a case-control study comparing their oral detection rates between healthy controls and CSVD patients. We also performed 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing of oral plaque microbiota and assessed oral health, including the simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), the decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) index, oral hygiene practices, gingival status, and saliva scores.

RESULTS: cnm-positive streptococci were more prevalent in CSVD patients, correlating with higher OHI-S and microbial dysbiosis. Multivariable regression models (adjusted for demographic/vascular risk factors) linked cnm positivity to periventricular hyperintensities (PVH), deep white matter hyperintensities (DWMH), Fazekas score, and total CSVD burden (not cerebral microbleeds (CMBs)/lacunes).

CONCLUSION: Oral cnm-positive streptococci are independently associated with CSVD phenotypes, particularly those characterized by white matter injury. These findings presents a potential oral-cerebrovascular interaction and imply that managing specific virulent oral strains may be a noteworthy consideration in future clinical research.

RevDate: 2026-08-01

Liao G, Zhu M, Zhang Y, et al (2026)

Mechanism and Active ingredients of Gancao Qinlian Granules in ameliorating ulcerative colitis:integrated in vivo, in vitro, network pharmacology and untargeted metabolomics investigation.

Journal of ethnopharmacology pii:S0378-8741(26)01118-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Gancao Qinlian Granules (GQG) are a granulated formulation of the classical prescription Gancao Xiexin Tang, originally documented by Zhang Zhongjing in the Treatise on Febrile and Miscellaneous Diseases (Shang Han Za Bing Lun, c. 220 CE). This formula comprises six medicinal components: Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (Gancao), the radix of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi (Huangqin), Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (Dazao), the rhizomes of Zingiber officinale Roscoe (Ganjiang), the dried tuber of Pinellia ternata (Thunb.) Breit (Banxia) , and the rhizoma of Coptis chinensis Franch (Huanglian). GQG has been extensively employed in traditional and contemporary clinical practice for the treatment of ulcerative colitis (UC). Nevertheless, its candidate bioactive constituents and underlying mechanisms of action remain incompletely elucidated.

AIM OF THE STUDY: To comprehensively characterize the chemical composition of GQG and elucidate its therapeutic mechanisms against UC through an integrated strategy combining network pharmacology prediction, serum/colon/fecal multi-omics profiling (metabolomics and microbiome), and experimental validation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Initially, GQG was analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS under negative/positive ion modes, with compound identification via mzCloud, HMDB, and literature matching. C57BL/6 mice (n=8/group) were induced with UC using 3% dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) for 15 days. UC-related targets from GeneCard, PharmGkb, TTD, and OMIM were integrated to construct compound-target-pathway networks (Cytoscape 3.10.1). Secondly, GQG (9g/kg/d, 12g/kg/d, 15g/kg/d) or mesalazine (300 mg/kg) was administered orally for 10 days. Disease severity was assessed daily via Disease Activity Index (DAI: weight loss, stool consistency, bleeding). Post-euthanasia, colon length was measured, and histopathology (H&E, Alcian Blue-Periodic Acid Schiff staining) analyzed mucosal damage and goblet cell depletion. Colon IL-1β levels were quantified by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Then, serum, fecal, and colonic tissue samples underwent UHPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap MS-based untargeted metabolomics. Differentially expressed metabolites (DEMs) were identified (VIP >1, p<0.05) and pathways enriched via KEGG. Fecal 16S rDNA sequencing (Illumina NovaSeq) analyzed microbial α/β-diversity and differential taxa (LEfSe, LDA score >3). Subsequently, Integrated component analysis, network pharmacology, and metabolomics data to obtain the mechanism by which GQG improves UC, and verify the related target proteins through IHC and Western blot. Finally, obtain the candidate bioactive constituents in GQG through molecular docking, and verify the efficacy of these bioactive constituents with their targets on a cellular model.

RESULTS: Chemical profiling revealed 121 constituents in GQG, with 53 flavonoids (43.8%) including core bioactive markers (e.g., licoflavone B, licuroside). In DSS-induced ulcerative colitis mice, GQG (12g/kg/d) exerted potent therapeutic effects: reducing disease activity index, attenuating colon shortening, restoring goblet cells, and suppressing colon IL-1β. Mechanistically, GQG remodeled gut microbiota composition and function, increasing beneficial taxa (Muribaculaceae, Lactobacillus). This microbiota restructuring directly drove metabolic reprogramming. Suppression of pro-inflammatory metabolism: purine degradation (hypoxanthine), tryptophan-derived uremic toxins (kynurenine), pathogenic bile acids (deoxycholic acid). Integrative analysis of the microbiota-metabolite axis reveals that GQG extract can regulate the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome cascade through p-NF-κB p65 expression, NLRP3 assembly (NLRP3, Caspase-1), and ASC speck formation. Combined with molecular docking, six key components in GQG exhibit high affinity for critical targets. In vitro cellular experiments demonstrate that these core candidate bioactive components effectively inhibit key targets within the target pathway.

CONCLUSIONS: GQG ameliorates UC by modulating gut microbiota structure and function, restoring microbial co-metabolism (e.g., SCFA synthesis, bile acid homeostasis), and subsequently inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 inflammasome axis. This integrated approach substantiates the ethnopharmacological application of GQG for UC.

RevDate: 2026-08-01

Shukla A, Rughwani D, Aditya AK, et al (2026)

The Impact of Climatic Extreme Temperatures on Gut Microbiome-mediated Cardio-Metabolic Health.

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987) pii:S0269-7491(26)01247-9 [Epub ahead of print].

Climate change increases extreme temperature events, like heat and cold waves. Temperature stress can cause gut dysbiosis, potentially affecting cardiometabolic health. In temperature stress conditions, beneficial microbes like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and favourable metabolites like short-chain fatty acids are observed to be downregulated, while features like Proteobacteria and Prevotella were found to be upregulated. These alterations may lead to upregulation of lipopolysaccharides, trimethylamine N-oxide, and dysregulation in bile acid metabolism, highlighting this as a potential biomarker for disease risk. Furthermore, we discussed mechanistic pathways potentially impacted, including endothelial dysfunction, gut barrier integrity, and energy homeostasis, that link microbial perturbations to metabolic dysfunction and increased risk of cardiometabolic diseases. Moreover, this review proposes potential therapeutic strategies like faecal microbiota transplantation, probiotic supplementation, nanomedicine, and dietary modulation that target the gut microbiome to alleviate the cardiometabolic risks exacerbated by temperature stress. This is the first review to comprehensively synthesize recent scientific findings on the impact of temperature stress in gut microbiome across multiple animal models, and its potential implications on cardiometabolic health.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Zhang X, Ning Z, D Figeys (2026)

Enrichment and Metaproteomic Analysis of Lysine Acetylation in Fecal Microbiome Samples.

Methods in molecular biology (Clifton, N.J.), 3018:155-168.

Among the various posttranslational modifications (PTMs) found in microbiome samples, lysine acetylation is known to be abundant and plays an important role in regulating microbial short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) metabolism. The latter is a crucial microbiome function that significantly impacts human intestinal health. This chapter describes a detailed protocol for lysine acetylomic profiling of microbial proteins in human fecal microbiome samples. The protocol consists of stool sample preprocessing, microbiome protein extraction and digestion, immunoaffinity enrichment of lysine acetylated peptides, and high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis for the identification and quantification of lysine-acetylated proteins.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Lin Z, Zhou D, Jiang J, et al (2026)

The potential role of the lung-brain axis in the pathophysiology of epilepsy: A hypothesis-driven perspective.

Genes & diseases, 13(6):102240.

The pathophysiology of epilepsy remains poorly understood. One of the less explored areas is the role of the lung-brain axis, a sophisticated and intricate bidirectional connection between these two vital organs. Inhaled air pollutants can disrupt lung microbiome homeostasis. This disruption, analogous to gut dysbiosis implicated in neurological conditions, may contribute to epilepsy pathogenesis. Here, we review the existing evidence and theoretical foundations supporting the hypothesis that dysbiosis within the lung microbiota may play a role in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. This includes the links between environmental factors (particularly air pollution) and epilepsy susceptibility; the associations between lung-intrinsic microbiota dysregulation and neurological dysfunction; and the underlying molecular, immunological, and neural mechanisms that enable the lung-brain axis to modulate epileptogenesis. Furthermore, we outline the possible potential pathogenic mechanisms of epilepsy from the perspective of the microbiota-lung-brain axis, offer fresh perspectives on the pathophysiology of epilepsy, and explore potential new research directions related to the lung-brain axis and epilepsy. We propose that a deeper understanding of the function of the lung-brain axis will provide new insights into the etiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of epilepsy.

RevDate: 2026-08-02
CmpDate: 2026-08-02

Zhang E, Yin X, Lu Y, et al (2026)

Characterization of the microbiome and polyphenolic compounds in the medicinal plant Dracocephalum tanguticum.

PeerJ, 14:e21626.

Dracocephalum tanguticum (Maxim) is rich in various chemical constituents and is widely used in traditional Zang medicine. Endophytes play a direct or indirect role in the biosynthesis of active compounds and plant growth. However, little is known about the characteristics of endophytes and polyphenolic compounds in the various organs of D. tanguticum. In this study, high-throughput sequencing and polyphenol-targeted metabolomics were employed to analyze endophytic community diversity and assembly processes, polyphenolic compound content, and their correlations. The results showed that the endophytic compositions of the leaf and stem organs were similar, and significantly different from that in the root organs; however, the endophytic diversity did not differ significantly across the various organs. Actinobacteriota and Pseudomonadota were the dominant bacterial phyla, Ascomycota and Basidiomycota were the dominant fungal phyla in the various organs, while the dominant endophytic genera were significantly different. The endophytic community assembly was influenced mainly by stochastic processes in the various organs. A total of 75 polyphenolic compounds were identified, and the contents of the polyphenolic compounds in the various organs of D. tanguticum differed significantly. The correlation analysis revealed varying degrees of positive and negative correlation between endophytes and polyphenolic compounds. These findings clarify the characteristics of the endophytes and polyphenolic compounds, and lay a theoretical foundation for the identification and application functional microbiomes in the D. tanguticum.

RevDate: 2026-08-02

Grocott SJ, I Novitzky-Basso (2026)

Augmenting immune reconstitution after adult allo-haematopoietic stem cell transplantation: current developments and modifiable determinants.

Current opinion in hematology pii:00062752-990000000-00164 [Epub ahead of print].

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Immune reconstitution after adult allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) shapes infection risk, vaccine responsiveness, relapse and nonrelapse mortality. Advances in graft-vs.-host disease (GvHD) prophylaxis, serotherapy exposure management, cytomegalovirus (CMV) control, functional immune monitoring and adoptive cellular therapy have changed which aspects of recovery can be modified and which augmentors are realistic in current practice. This review sets out what has evolved in adult practice and where intervention can now improve it.

RECENT FINDINGS: GvHD prophylaxis, serotherapy dosing and CMV prophylaxis can increasingly be tuned to individual risk rather than applied uniformly, and exposure-guided and function-based measures are beginning to supplement simple subset counts. Adoptive approaches such as virus-specific T-cells offer targeted immune replacement in refractory viral disease, while thymic regeneration and cytokine-based strategies remain investigational. Updated vaccination guidance and recent immunogenicity data are sharpening humoral monitoring.

SUMMARY: Taken together, these developments point towards a move from numerical subset counts to function- and exposure-guided assessment of immune reconstitution. Several determinants, including serotherapy exposure, GvHD prophylaxis, CMV control, microbiome preservation and selective adoptive immune replacement, now support individualised decisions, although prospectively validated intervention thresholds remain few.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Zhang S, Ren Y, Zhang Q, et al (2026)

Non-pharmacological interventions for lactational mastitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol.

BMJ open, 16(7):e120579 pii:bmjopen-2026-120579.

BACKGROUND: Lactational mastitis is a common inflammatory condition that can adversely affect maternal well-being and is associated with early cessation of breastfeeding. Although antibiotics and analgesics are widely used in clinical practice, concerns regarding antimicrobial resistance and potential effects on the infant microbiome have prompted increasing interest in non-pharmacological approaches. A range of physical and biological interventions, including probiotics, therapeutic ultrasound, acupuncture and manual therapies, have been investigated; however, the comparative effectiveness and safety of these interventions remain unclear. This study aims to systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of non-pharmacological interventions for lactational mastitis.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol is reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. We will systematically search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP and SinoMed as well as relevant trial registries from database inception to March 2026.We will include randomised controlled trials enrolling adult lactating women diagnosed with mastitis. Eligible studies will compare non-pharmacological interventions with usual care, placebo or pharmacological treatments. Interventions involving pharmacologically active agents will be excluded.Two reviewers will independently perform study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. The primary outcome will be resolution of mastitis, defined as the return of body temperature to normal (<37°C) and resolution of localised breast symptoms (eg, pain, erythema and swelling). Secondary outcomes will include inflammatory markers (eg, C-reactive protein), pain intensity (measured using the Visual Analogue Scale or similar validated scales), incidence of adverse events, complete blood count parameters, time to symptom resolution or normalisation of body temperature, incidence of breast abscess and breastfeeding continuation rates.Meta-analysis will be conducted, where appropriate, using random-effects models. Continuous outcomes will be summarised using mean differences or standardised mean differences, and dichotomous outcomes using risk ratios, all with 95% CIs. Statistical heterogeneity will be assessed using the I² statistic. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will be performed to explore potential sources of heterogeneity. Publication bias will be assessed using funnel plots and Egger's test when sufficient studies are available. The certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation(GRADE)approach.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval is not required for this study as it is based on published data. The findings will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD420261347640.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Ma B, Hu H, Lin Y, et al (2026)

Corrigendum to "Technology-enabled integration of single-cell transcriptomics and microbiome data identifies RNA-targetable host-microbiota networks in colorectal adenoma" [SLAS Technology (2025) 100365].

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Tsugaru K, Suzuki S, Miyamoto K, et al (2026)

d-serine as a metabolic immune checkpoint in the tumour microenvironment.

EBioMedicine pii:S2352-3964(26)00286-0 [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: d-amino acids (D-AAs), the enantiomers of proteinogenic l-amino acids, are detectable in mammals, yet their biological roles in cancer immunity remain largely unexplored. Whether specific D-AAs modulate tumour progression or influence responsiveness to immunotherapy in gastrointestinal cancer is unknown. We aimed to determine how D-AAs, particularly d-serine (D-ser), shape the tumour immune microenvironment and affect clinical outcomes in gastrointestinal cancers.

METHODS: Mechanistic studies were conducted using murine MC38 tumours and orthotopic gastric cancer (GC) organoid allografts with or without D-AAs supplementation. Immune landscape alterations were assessed using single-cell RNA sequencing of tumour-infiltrating immune cells, flow cytometry, ex vivo macrophage-T cell co-culture assays, and microbiome manipulation experiments. D-AAs concentrations in plasma, urine, and stool were quantified in healthy controls (HCs; n = 87) and patients with GC across three cohorts (Cohort 1, n = 14; Cohort 2, n = 108; Cohort 3, n = 28). Associations between plasma D-ser levels, disease stage, immune cell infiltration, and clinical outcomes following anti-PD-1 antibody therapy were analysed.

FINDINGS: D-ser promoted tumour progression by suppressing CD8[+] T cell immunity and enhancing SPP1-associated immunosuppressive macrophage signalling in murine model. Across all clinical cohorts, the plasma, urine, and stool levels of several D-AAs, most prominently D-ser, were significantly elevated in patients with GC compared to HCs. Plasma concentration of D-ser strongly correlated with disease stage (I-IV). Elevated plasma D-ser is associated with an immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment and poor response to anti-PD-1 monotherapy in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

INTERPRETATION: This study identifies D-ser as a previously unrecognised immunosuppressive metabolite that promotes tumour immune evasion by increased macrophages and reduced CD8[+] T cell effector function, thereby shifting the tumour microenvironment toward an immunosuppressive phenotype. Clinically, D-ser is a potential metabolite to predict cancer progression and immunotherapy resistance.

FUNDING: This work was supported by The Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Fusion Oriented Research for Disruptive Science and Technology (FOREST)[JPMJFR210P], Grants-in-Aid from the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) (25K10430, 21K18272, 23H02899, 23K27590, 25K22627), KGRI challenge grant, Sakaguchi Memorial Foundation, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (CREST 21gm1510002h0001), and Miyarisan Pharmaceutical Grant.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Gallardo-Escárate C, Valenzuela-Muñoz V, Núñez-Acuña G, et al (2026)

Retraction notice to "The wastewater microbiome: A novel insight for COVID-19 surveillance" [Sci. Total Environ. 764 (2021) 142867].

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Iqbal R, Mehmood H, Hyder S, et al (2026)

Foliar serotonin and allantoin mitigate tellurium toxicity in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) through antioxidant activation and nutrient homeostasis to enhance yield and grain quality.

Plant signaling & behavior, 21(1):2710523.

Tellurium toxicity severely impairs soil health, plant physiology and crop productivity, posing a critical threat to global food security, ecosystem sustainability and human health. The exogenous application of phytohormones and osmoprotectants offers a sustainable strategy for mitigating heavy metal-induced phytotoxicity and restoring agricultural viability. A comprehensive experiment was conducted to evaluate the synergistic efficacy of serotonin (5-HT) and allantoin (ALL) in ameliorating tellurite stress in quinoa plants. Plants subjected to 50 µM sodium tellurite soil drenching were treated with 50 µM 5-HT and 100 µM ALL via foliar spray under a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement and four replications. Tellurite stress alone drastically reduced morphological traits and overall yield, while simultaneously elevating oxidative damage. However, combined 5-HT and ALL application under stress increased grain yield by 90.41%, photosynthetic rate by 78.68%, stomatal conductance by 80.30%, relative water content by 33.52%, and antioxidant enzyme activities by up to 84.86%. Furthermore, it decreased malondialdehyde content by 58.20%, hydrogen peroxide by 61.16%, tellurium root accumulation by 52.48%, shoot translocation by 60.41%, and grain residue by 66.74% compared to stressed controls, while concurrently improving soil microbial biomass carbon by 63.71%, dehydrogenase activities by 88.49%, and available nitrogen by 39.48%. The integrated treatment significantly restored cellular ion homeostasis, enhanced complex root architectural traits, and effectively restricted heavy metal translocation to the edible harvested grains. Consequently, the co-application of 5-HT and ALL is highly recommended as a robust agronomic intervention to safeguard crop productivity, improve soil health, and ensure long-term food safety in severely Te-contaminated agricultural environments.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Rath C, Fursule A, Wong F, et al (2026)

Influence of probiotics on faecal antibiotic resistome in neonates: a systematic review.

Pediatric research [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and its associated complications represent a major global health threat. Probiotics, among the limited available preventive strategies, may play an important role in reducing the risk of AMR.

METHODS: A systematic review of studies assessing faecal antibiotic resistome in neonates who did versus did not receive probiotic supplementation. Databases were searched in October 2025.

RESULTS: Eighteen studies (n = 3496) were included, comprising eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and ten observational studies (non-RCTs). Ten of the eighteen studies (RCTs: 5, non-RCTs: 5) reported significant reduction in the prevalence of faecal antibiotic resistome among probiotic supplemented infants. Five of the eight studies that reported no reduction relied on culture or polymerase-chain reaction-based methods rather than metagenomic analyses. No consistent associations were observed between probiotic dose and strain, or type of milk feeding and resistome colonization. Most included studies were assessed as having a low risk of bias. The certainty of evidence was rated as low to very low.

CONCLUSION: Probiotic supplementation may reduce faecal AMR gene colonization in neonates. Future RCTs should employ standardized study designs and include quantitative assessment of AMR gene abundance, along with clinically relevant outcomes such as sepsis and its associated complications.

IMPACT: The first comprehensive systematic review focused on the effect of probiotics on neonatal fecal resistome and mobile genetic elements, incorporating evidence from 18 studies involving 3496 neonates. Suggests a potential role for targeted probiotic strategies as an intervention for reducing early neonatal antimicrobial resistance colonization, particularly in preterm infants at high risk of multi-drug resistance sepsis. Positions microbiome modulation as a strategy complementary to antibiotic stewardship in tackling global neonatal antimicrobial resistance.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Zhu YG, Zhu D, Chen QL, et al (2026)

Impacts of pollution on the soil microbiome.

Nature reviews. Microbiology [Epub ahead of print].

Soil microbiomes underpin terrestrial ecosystem functioning and drive nutrient cycling, plant productivity and ecological resilience. However, diverse pollutants, ranging from heavy metals and pesticides to plastics, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances and nanomaterials, are reshaping microbial communities in ways that threaten soil health and broader ecological stability. Thus, soils are hotspots of microbial evolution under chemical mixtures. Pollution alters microbial diversity, composition and functional capacity through mechanisms such as direct toxicity, shifts in soil chemistry and selective evolutionary pressures. These disruptions impair nutrient cycling, destabilize plant-microorganism interactions and accelerate the spread of antimicrobial resistance, with cascading effects on food webs and human health under a One Health framework. At the same time, soil microbiomes can serve as indicators of ecosystem stress and as tools for bioremediation and ecological restoration. This Review synthesizes current understanding of terrestrial pollution-microbiome interactions, highlights functional and health implications, and explores how microbiome-informed approaches can guide sustainable soil management and environmental protection under global change, while identifying key knowledge gaps and outlining future research directions for predictive and integrative microbiome-based solutions.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Cuba-Gutierrez L, Invernón-Monedero M, Osuna E, et al (2026)

Application of artificial intelligence in the determination of the postmortem interval: Systematic review of the literature and metaanalysis.

Forensic science, medicine, and pathology [Epub ahead of print].

Accurate estimation of the postmortem interval (PMI) is essential in forensic medicine for reconstructing the timeline and circumstances of death. Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged in recent years as a promising tool to enhance this estimation through the analysis of complex biological data. This study aims to conduct a systematic review of recent advances in AI applied to PMI estimation, complemented by a meta-analysis assessing the predictive performance of commonly used AI models such as neural networks, ensemble models, and random forest, using the area under the curve (AUC) as the primary metric. A literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar for the period 2015-2025, identifying 16 eligible studies. The analyzed models integrated microbiological, proteomic, imaging, and spectroscopic data, achieving over 90% accuracy in several studies. The meta-analysis, based on five studies with comparable data, yielded a combined AUC of 0.94 (95% CI ((Confidence Interval): 0.81-1.08), with no significant heterogeneity or publication bias. These findings highlight the strong potential of AI-particularly when combined with multi-omics approaches-as a precise and robust method for PMI estimation. This approach addresses several limitations of traditional forensic methods, although certain technical and implementation challenges remain to be resolved.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Javid FA, Golčić M, Hrkać AH, et al (2026)

The Relationship Between (Endo)cannabinoids, the Microbiome and Melanoma.

Pharmacology research & perspectives, 14(4):e70304.

Despite advances in targeted and immunotherapy for melanoma, resistance to treatment and severe adverse effects pose significant challenges. This necessitates the development of new treatment strategies, and cannabinoids, because of the extensive preclinical evidence for their cytotoxic action on carcinoma cells in a variety of cancers, can offer a novel therapeutic option when used appropriately. Indeed, the potential therapeutic benefits of cannabinoids were formally recognized in the world and much more recently in the United Kingdom when cannabis-based medicinal products were moved from Schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2001 to Schedule 2 in 2018. This move further encouraged scientists to look at more applications of cannabinoids in different disorders. Although the potential psychoactivity of cannabis as a Schedule 1 drug hinders research, more research could focus on non-psychoactive components such as cannabidiol (CBD) and cannabigerol (CBG). This review summarizes some past and current research on the relationship between the cannabinoid system and the microbiome in patients with metastatic melanoma who undergo immunotherapy. The review also provides a comprehensive background on the function of the cannabinoid system in normal and diseased skin, as well as future directions in using cannabinoids as an adjunct to chemotherapeutics in the treatment of the disease.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Hasanova Z (2026)

Literature Review: Literature Review: Nutritional Management in Hemodialysis Patients.

Experimental and clinical transplantation : official journal of the Middle East Society for Organ Transplantation, 24(Suppl 2):39-43.

Protein energy wasting is a highly prevalent and clinically significant complication in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis, affecting approximately 30 % to 50 % of this population worldwide. Protein energy wasting is associated with substantially increased risk of all -cause and cardiovascular mortality, reduced functional capacity, impaired immune function, and poor quality of life. The pathogenesis of protein energy wasting is multifactorial and involves reduced dietary intake, chronic inflammation, metabolic acidosis, dialysis -related nutrient losses, hormonal and metabolic disturbances, and comorbid disease burden. This narrative literature review synthesized contemporary evidence (2020 -2025) on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, assessment, and nutritional management of protein energy wasting in patients receiving hemodialysis. We highlighted limitations of traditional biochemical markers such as serum albumin and emphasized the importance of multidimensional nutritional assessment using validated clinical tools, including the Subjective Global Assessment and Malnutrition-Inflammation Score, complemented by objective body composition techniques. We also discussed current guideline -recommended targets for protein and energy intake, as well as real -world barriers to achieving these targets. We reviewed and examined evidence supporting oral nutritional supplementation as first -line therapy, along with indications for intradialytic parenteral nutrition in selected patients with severe or refractory protein energy wasting, and the role of micronutrient management, vitamin D repletion, and targeted trace element supplementation. Emerging adjunctive strategies, including omega -3 fatty acids, gut microbiome modulation, and exercise -nutrition synergy, were also addressed. Overall, effective management of protein energy wasting requires early identification, individualized dietary strategies, and integration within multidisciplinary dialysis care models. Future research should prioritize pragmatic trials focused on hard clinical outcomes and personalized approaches to nutritional therapy in this high -risk population.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Sadik O (2026)

Enzymatic Defluorination of Perfluorooctanoic Acid by an Evolutionarily Distinct Haloacid Dehalogenase.

Research square pii:rs.3.rs-10043589.

Here, we demonstrate the successful purification of haloacid dehalogenase type II (HAD-II) enzyme, validating its catalytic capacity to directly mediate the cell-free defluorination of long-chain perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) by systematically cleaving the resilient C-F bond. While conventional remediation strategies rely on energy-intensive chemical methods, biological alternatives are limited to sluggish whole-microbiome consortia. We discovered a novel HAD-II enzyme from Achromobacter mucicolens harvested from PFAS-contaminated lacustrine sediment. Within 24 hours, the recombinant enzyme achieved cell-free PFOA defluorination, releasing 0.55 ppm of free fluoride (17% yield). Structural and phylogenetic analyses reveal that this HAD-II belongs to a deeply divergent lineage sharing only 25% sequence identity with the previously characterized Delftia homologue while preserving the core HAD-like catalytic fold. Comparative molecular docking elucidated that PFOA adopts a productive binding orientation near the conserved catalytic Asp15 within the A. mucicolens active-site pocket. Together, our work establishes a clean mechanistic paradigm for targeted environmental biotechnology.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Kozlova EV, Denys ME, Bishay AE, et al (2026)

Social and neuroendocrine phenotypes reprogrammed by endocrine-disrupting chemicals can be mitigated by Limosilactobacillus reuteri modulation of the gut microbiome-thyroid-oxytocin axis.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology pii:2026.07.18.739173.

INTRODUCTION: Environmental factors are increasingly implicated in the etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are anthropogenic toxicants added as flame retardants to consumer products that have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants and disrupt thyroid hormone (TH) and neuroendocrine systems. We have previously shown that developmental PBDE exposure produces ASD-like traits with involvement of oxytocin (OXT)-thyroid hormone signaling. Limosilactobacillus reuteri (LR), a widely used probiotic bacterium, has been shown to improve social functioning and increase TH and OXT levels in murine models. Therefore, we tested the hypothesis that LR supplementation (LR) prevents PBDE-induced deficits in socioemotional behavior with concomitant modulation of TH signaling genes on hypothalamic OXT neurons.

METHODS: C57BL/6N mouse offspring were exposed to a commercial penta-mixture of PBDE congeners, DE-71, at an environmentally realistic concentration, 0.1 mg/kg/d (DE-71), or to corn oil vehicle (VEH/CON) via their mothers during gestation and lactation. Offspring received supplementation with LR ATCC PTA 6475 (10 [7] -10 [8] CFU/mL, po) indirectly via the dam or continuation directly through adulthood. Unsupplemented controls were given saline.

RESULTS: Fecal microbiome analysis in offspring confirmed colonization of LR at postnatal day (P) 40 and depletion by P104. LR treatment increased plasma total thyroxine in DE-71 and plasma OXT in VEH/CON dams. In DE-71 offspring of both sexes, LR normalized deficient scores on social novelty preference and emotional recognition in adult females and males and deficient long-term social recognition memory (SRM) in adult DE-71 females; DE-71 males were normal. Reduced olfactory dishabituation between two social odors may partly explain the compromised socioemotional behavior produced by DE-71 in an LR-dependent manner. Multiplex RNA in situ hybridization performed on immunoreactive OXT-ergic neurons in the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (PVH) revealed significant upregulation of TH transporter monocarboxylate transporter 8 (Mct8) and downregulation of iodothyronine deiodinase 3 (Dio3) in DE-71 relative to VEH/CON females. This toxicant-induced reprogramming was prevented by probiotic treatment. DE-71 males expressed reduction in Mct8 and Dio3 transcripts on OXT-ergic neurons with minimal LR protection. In the female supraoptic nucleus (SON), Mct8 and Dio3 were downregulated by DE-71 and normalized in DE-71+LR; there were no group effects on transcript levels in male SON. Results of fecal 16S rRNA sequencing indicated reduced α-diversity and altered β-diversity in the gut bacterial community of female but not male DE-71 exposed offspring; most changes were correctable by LR. Alterations in taxa-level abundance caused by DE-71 and reversed by LR were observed in both sexes. These involved Bifidobacterium, Coprococcus, Desulfovibrio, Oscillospira , and Peptococcaceae in females and Desulfovibrionaceae, Rikenella , and Turicibacter in males. Exposed dams showed no detriment in α- and β-diversity while showing reduced abundance of several Firmicutes and Proteobacteria taxa that could be rescued by LR. The relative abundance of Lactobacillus was upregulated in DE-71 males and DE-71+LR males and dams.

CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that developmental probiotic supplementation effectively mitigated organohalogen-induced ASD-like deficits in socioemotional behavior and partially corrected dysbiosis of gut bacterial communities in exposed offspring of both sexes. Concomitantly, PBDEs altered the expression of TH regulatory genes Mct8 and Dio3 in PVH OXT neurons in a sex-dependent manner, suggesting that TH regulation of OXT neuroendocrine cells may modulate the emergence of toxicant-induced ASD-relevant behavior. While LR reinstated normal behavioral outcomes in PBDE-exposed offspring of both sexes, coincident normalization of hypothalamic TH signaling transcripts occurred more broadly in females, indicating the existence of unique parallel processes influencing the preventive effects of LR on ASD-relevant behavioral deficits in both sexes.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

De Santiago A, H Bik (2026)

MeioBIOME: A snakemake workflow for the parallel analysis of meiofaunal genomes and host-associated bacteria/archaea.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology pii:2026.07.23.740139.

Microbes closely interact with every living organism, including meiofauna (i.e., microbial eukaryotes 38 μm - 1 mm in length), and influence the development, life cycle, and evolution of diverse metazoans. Together, meiofauna and their microbiomes, collectively referred to as the holobiont, underpin biogeochemical cycles and drive decomposition of organic matter. However, our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of meiofauna microbiomes are limited, typically owed to low-resolution 16S rRNA surveys, which cannot accurately delineate bacterial taxa. Single-specimen holobiont sequencing can help overcome the limitations of metabarcoding approaches by 1) generating metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of the host microbiome and 2) recovering host single-copy genes (SCGs) to phylogenetically confirm the identity of the host organism. However, most bioinformatics pipelines for the assembly of metagenomic datasets have been developed for the assembly of high-complexity microbial communities of bulk sediment or soil samples (and cannot be used for the assembly of host genomes), rely on co-assembly approaches (which collapses strain-level genomic information of bacterial taxa), and focus on binning either prokaryotic or eukaryotic taxa. Therefore, there is a tremendous need for a computational workflow for the dual analysis of host genomes and their microbiomes. Here, we developed MeioBIOME, a modular Snakemake pipeline for the reproducible analysis of holobiont metagenomes obtained from individually sequenced microbial metazoa. We analyze publicly available single-specimen metagenomics datasets to show the utility of MeioBIOME and recover host-associated symbiont MAGs and host SCGs. Additionally, we integrate state-of-the-art binning algorithms which generate more MAGs than the DOE Joint Genome Institute metagenomic pipeline. We anticipate that MeioBIOME will facilitate studies of phylosymbiosis by generating high-quality host genome skims (to build well-supported host phylogenetic trees) and host-associated prokaryotic MAGs obtained from single specimens.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Dera N, Żeber-Lubecka N, Ziemska-Legiecka J, et al (2026)

Niche-driven microbial architecture in mothers and newborns with minimal cohort influence across anatomically distinct sites.

Frontiers in immunology, 17:1896420.

UNLABELLED: The microbiota plays a crucial role in the functioning of the human body. Several theories have been proposed regarding the origin of the uterine microbiota, including both ascending pathways from the vagina and translocation from the gastrointestinal tract. Numerous studies suggest that, in preterm births, amniotic fluid may contain microbial DNA or signals associated with microorganisms ascending from the vagina, even in the presence of intact fetal membranes, as well as by microbes originating from the placental microbiome.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to comprehensively characterize the maternal and neonatal microbiome across multiple anatomically and biologically distinct niches and to determine the extent to which the structure of microbial communities reflects (i) anatomical location, (ii) maternal-infant relationships, and (iii) cohort-related perinatal factors.

METHODS: The study included eight women who delivered between 34 + 0 and 36 + 6 weeks of gestation, along with their neonates. The control group consisted of eight women who delivered at ≥37 + 0 weeks of gestation and their neonates. Prior to delivery, a cervical swab, an oral (buccal) swab, and a stool sample were collected. After delivery, the following samples were obtained from the neonate: a skin swab, a sample of amniotic fluid aspirated from the stomach, a rectal swab, and placental tissue. To assess microbiota composition, microbiome profiling based on 16S rRNA gene sequencing was performed.

RESULTS: The analysis did not demonstrate significant differences in microbiota composition between late preterm and term pregnancies, in either mothers or neonates.

CONCLUSION: Comparative analysis of maternal and neonatal microbiota suggests a possible association with microbial signals consistent with an ascending vaginal contribution; however, without a detectable influence on neonatal microbiota. Conversely, the findings may indicate a potential association with maternal microbiota consistent with a hematogenous contribution, however, no direct evidence of microbial colonization or transmission can be inferred.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Li Y, Zhu J, Huang M, et al (2026)

Microbiota-innate immune crosstalk drives atherosclerosis: mechanisms, disease progression, and emerging therapeutic strategies.

Frontiers in immunology, 17:1900899.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a complex cardiovascular disease driven by the interplay of dysregulated lipid metabolism, chronic inflammation, and immune dysfunction. Increasing evidence has revealed that the gut microbiota not only regulates host metabolic homeostasis but also actively contributes to the initiation and progression of AS through intricate interactions with the innate immune system. Microbial-derived signaling molecules, including lipopolysaccharides, outer membrane vesicles, extracellular nucleic acids, and TMAO, can activate Toll-like receptors, the NLRP3 inflammasome, and nucleic acid-sensing pathways, thereby promoting inflammatory cytokine production, endothelial dysfunction, and foam cell formation. In contrast, beneficial microbial metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and tryptophan-derived metabolites exert immunomodulatory and vasculoprotective effects through signaling pathways involving FFAR2/3, the AhR, the FXR, and TGR5. Conversely, the innate immune system shapes microbial composition and function through barrier defense, phagocytic clearance, and antimicrobial factor production, establishing a dynamic and reciprocal microbiota-immune interaction network. This review systematically summarizes alterations in microbial ecology and innate immune homeostasis associated with atherosclerosis, elucidates the key molecular mechanisms underlying microbiota-innate immune crosstalk, and examines its dynamic involvement across four critical stages of disease evolution: endothelial dysfunction, foam cell formation, plaque progression, and plaque destabilization and rupture. In addition, emerging therapeutic approaches, including microbiota remodeling, modulation of microbial metabolic pathways, and precision microbiome-based interventions, are comprehensively discussed. The microbiota-innate immune axis provides a novel conceptual framework for understanding atherosclerosis pathogenesis and represents a promising target for future disease prevention, risk stratification, and precision therapeutics.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Fletcher AA, Koberssy Z, Daher J, et al (2026)

Feeding the gut-immune axis: dietary, prebiotic, and probiotic strategies to target persistent inflammation in ART-treated HIV: a narrative review.

Frontiers in immunology, 17:1877822.

People living with HIV (PWH) experience ongoing systemic inflammation driven by gut dysbiosis, epithelial barrier disruption, and microbial translocation, despite antiretroviral therapy (ART). This review examines evidence from randomized controlled trials, mechanistic studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses evaluating nutritional and microbiome-based interventions to reduce inflammation in PWH. Reduced production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) by the gut microbiota has been observed to precede morbidity and mortality in PWH, with SCFAs, mainly butyrate, exerting immunomodulatory effects through promoting regulatory T-cell differentiation via histone deacetylase inhibition and G protein-coupled receptor 43 (GPR43) and GPR109A signaling, suppressing nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB)-mediated pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and enhancing epithelial tight junction integrity. Probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation have demonstrated reductions in inflammatory biomarkers including soluble CD14 (sCD14), lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP), and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP). The Mediterranean diet, omega-3 fatty acids, and polyphenol-rich foods represent an underexplored area as modulators of gut microbiota composition and SCFA production. Existing gaps in the literature include a lack of trials with clinically meaningful endpoints, optimal probiotic strains and doses, and lack of randomized trials evaluating anti-inflammatory dietary patterns in PWH. We propose a research agenda prioritizing Mediterranean diet intervention trials, precision microbiome interventions, and combination approaches integrating dietary modification with microbiome-targeted therapies. Lastly, we provide practical nutritional recommendations for clinicians managing PWH.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Leeanansaksiri W, C Dechsukhum (2026)

Berry-derived Bioactive Compounds as Chemopreventive Agents in Colorectal Cancer: Molecular Mechanisms and Gut Microbiota Interactions.

Journal of cancer prevention, 31(3):127-139.

Berry-derived bioactive compounds are increasingly recognized as promising chemopreventive agents for colorectal cancer (CRC). CRC develops through a multistep process involving genetic, epigenetic, inflammatory, and microbiota-related alterations. Polyphenol-rich berries are abundant in anthocyanins, ellagitannins, ellagic acid, quercetin, and related phytochemicals. These compounds target multiple hallmarks of colorectal carcinogenesis. Experimental studies have shown that berry-derived compounds exert anti-proliferative effects by inducing cell-cycle arrest at the G0/G1, S, or G2/M phase. These effects are associated with modulation of cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK), and CDK inhibitors such as p21 and p27. In addition, they inhibit key oncogenic signaling pathways, including Wnt/β-catenin, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and ERK/MAPK. Berry phytochemicals also promote programmed cell death. Thus, they activate both intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, alter the balance of Bcl-2 family proteins, disrupt mitochondrial integrity, and induce caspase activation. Moreover, berry compounds attenuate chronic inflammation by downregulating expression/production of COX-2, inducible nitric oxide synthase, and pro-inflammatory cytokines through suppression of NF-κB- and STAT3-dependent signaling. Further, they also enhance Nrf2-mediated antioxidant responses. Although parent polyphenols have limited bioavailability, they are extensively metabolized by gut microbiota into bioactive compounds such as protocatechuic acid and urolithins. These metabolites often exhibit comparable or greater anticancer activity and reach physiologically relevant concentrations in the colorectum. Berry polyphenols further modulate gut microbiota composition, promoting beneficial microbes and reinforcing anti-carcinogenic signaling. Altogether, these mechanisms highlight berry-derived compounds as strong candidates for CRC chemoprevention, which merits further clinical investigation.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Cui M, Zhao Y, Y Wang (2026)

Molecular Mechanisms of the Anticancer Activity of the Flavonoid Kaempferol: A Comprehensive Review.

Journal of cancer prevention, 31(3):116-126.

Kaempferol (KAE), a natural flavonoid, has emerged as a promising multi-target antineoplastic agent characterized by high efficacy and minimal systemic toxicity. Moving beyond fragmented descriptive summaries, this comprehensive review provides a highly integrated conceptual framework of KAE's anticancer mechanisms. Specifically, KAE orchestrates tumor eradication by enforcing cell cycle arrest across multiple phases and triggering a complex, interconnected network of programmed cell death. We highlight how reactive oxygen species and endoplasmic reticulum stress serve as central upstream nodes driving the mechanistic crosstalk among apoptosis, lethal autophagy, gasdermin E-mediated pyroptosis, and ferroptosis. Furthermore, KAE actively remodels the tumor microenvironment by inhibiting angiogenesis and repolarizing tumor-associated macrophages, thereby converting immunosuppressive "cold" tumors into immune-active "hot" tumors. Notably, this review introduces the emerging prebiotic-like crosstalk between KAE and the gut microbiome, providing a strong mechanistic rationale for its synergistic application with immune checkpoint inhibitors. As a potent chemosensitizer, KAE also overcomes multidrug resistance and mitigates chemotherapy-induced toxicities. Finally, we critically evaluate current translational bottlenecks-including the disparity between supraphysiological in vitro concentrations and clinical pharmacokinetics, the lack of robust in vivo validations, and the long-term biosafety of emerging nano-delivery systems. By addressing these critical limitations, this review offers strategic perspectives to bridge the gap from preliminary bench research to future precision oncological practice.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Spanoghe L, Quaaden A, Lannoo J, et al (2026)

Practices and perceptions of antibiotic use in canine breeding: a survey among breeders and veterinarians.

Frontiers in veterinary science, 13:1879574.

Antibiotic use in canine breeding, particularly prior to mating, is frequently discussed in practice despite increasing awareness of antimicrobial stewardship and the recognition that the canine vaginal tract naturally harbors a microbiome. Diagnostic uncertainty, especially regarding bacterial culture findings and Mycoplasma spp. detection, may contribute to antimicrobial use in this setting. This study aimed to investigate antibiotic use, bacteriological testing practices, and underlying beliefs among dog breeders and veterinarians involved in canine reproduction. Two anonymous online questionnaires targeting breeders and veterinarians were distributed in Belgium and the Netherlands between October 2025 and February 2026. The surveys collected data on antibiotic use, diagnostic practices, and perceptions regarding vaginal bacteriology and the detection of Mycoplasma spp. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with antibiotic use. A total of 426 breeders and 94 veterinarians participated. Thirty-two percent of breeders reported ever administering antibiotics around the time of breeding, most commonly prior to mating. Forty-nine percent of breeders had ever had vaginal bacteriology performed in their breeding bitches, which was strongly associated with consequent antibiotic use (OR = 4.93, 95% CI 3.14-7.90, p < 0.001). In contrast, most veterinarians reported never prescribing antibiotics to clinically healthy bitches, whereas 27% had done so occasionally. Breeder request, duration of professional experience and use of genital bacteriology were positively associated with antibiotic prescribing in univariable analyses. Lack of knowledge regarding the clinical relevance of Mycoplasma spp. was observed among both breeders and veterinarians, despite frequent testing for it and a tendency toward antibiotic treatment following detection. Antibiotic use in canine breeding is influenced by bacteriological testing, diagnostic uncertainty, and precautionary decision-making. Discrepancies between breeder-reported practices and veterinarian prescribing behavior highlight the complexity of antimicrobial use in this field. Targeted education and improved communication are essential to promote evidence-based reproductive management and responsible antimicrobial use.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Kim EJ, Hwang SY, No K, et al (2026)

Insights into the Relevance of the Interaction between Colorectal Cancer and Gut Microbiota-Derived Metabolites.

Journal of cancer prevention, 31(3):140-152.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is strongly associated with gut microbial dysbiosis, characterized by increases in Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacteroides spp., and reduction in short chain fatty acid producing taxa such as Akkermansia muciniphila, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, and Roseburia. These shifts parallel metabolomic disturbances, including decreased butyrate and immune dysregulation. Several microbial and metabolic markers such as Akkermansia, Faecalibacterium, butyrate, tryptophan metabolites, and sarcosine have demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) values commonly ranging from 0.80 to 0.93 in CRC prediction models. This review integrates current evidence for microbes and metabolite interactions that drive CRC progression and summarizes biomarker studies employing high AUC microbial and metabolite signatures for early detection and patient stratification. We further highlight phytochemicals, including resveratrol, curcumin, and quercetin which mitigate CRC by modulating cyclooxygenase-2 activity, macrophage polarization, inflammatory cytokine signaling, and metabolic pathways, as well as the restoration of beneficial gut microbial communities. These insights support the advancement of microbiome targeted and metabolite informed approaches for CRC risk assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic development.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Van Damme KFA, Hertens P, Sichien D, et al (2026)

TNFAIP3/A20 dysfunction drives innate and sterile hyperinflammation.

Frontiers in immunology, 17:1856810.

Feedback mechanisms regulate immune activation and prevent excessive tissue damage. TNFAIP3, also known as A20, serves as a crucial brake on inflammation, and mutations or haploinsufficiency of this gene are linked to diseases characterized by inappropriate inflammation. In this study, we document highly conserved patterns of cell type-specific gene expression, regulation, and induction of TNFAIP3, and employ transgenic and gnotobiotic mouse models to investigate how adaptive immunity and the gut microbiome contribute to pathology arising from impaired A20 function. Contrary to our expectations, systemic inflammation resulting from Tnfaip3 deficiency in CD11c (Itgax)-expressing cells developed independently of autoreactive antibodies, B cells, and T cells. The microbiome also proved dispensable for disease manifestations in these models. These findings suggest that in diseases caused by insufficient TNFAIP3/A20 activity, autoantibodies may reflect a downstream consequence of disease rather than a causative driver, suggesting autoinflammatory rather than autoimmune pathology. These insights carry therapeutic implications for the treatment of TNFAIP3-associated diseases.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Leclercq L, Kientz G, Lloret E, et al (2026)

Root metabolite profiles support a chemical-trophic filtering hypothesis for genotype- and stage-specific rhizosphere assembly in chicory.

Frontiers in microbiology, 17:1855632.

The rhizosphere is a dynamic interface where plant- and soil-derived factors jointly influence microbial community assembly. In chicory (Cichorium intybus L.), the respective roles of genotype, developmental stage, and root metabolites in structuring rhizosphere communities remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to characterize patterns of microbial assembly and to assess their associations with root metabolite profiles. Rhizosphere and bulk soil from three chicory genotypes were sampled at two developmental stages and analyzed using bacterial and fungal metabarcoding. Diversity metrics, differential abundance analyses, and literature-based functional annotation were integrated with root metabolite profiling to explore associations between microbial taxa and metabolite profiles. Rhizosphere microbial communities associated with chicory differed from bulk soil and were structured by plant genotype and developmental stage. Lower α-diversity at early stages may reflect the selective enrichment of specific taxa, suggesting non-random assembly. Community variation was associated with root metabolite profiles, including primary metabolites and sesquiterpene lactones (STLs). Across development, the microbiome shifted from taxa linked to nutrient transformation and microbial interactions including Nitratireductor, Sphingomonas, and Serratia, toward communities dominated by saprotrophic and organic matter-degrading taxa such as Streptomyces, Pseudarthrobacter, and Lecanicillium. Genotype-dependent differences further suggested that plant genetic background contributed to rhizosphere assembly patterns. However, these relationships are correlative, and the underlying mechanisms require validation through targeted experimental approaches. The observed correlations led us to propose a hypothesis of temporally structured chemical-trophic filtering, meaning that plant metabolites and soil nutrient conditions jointly contribute to shaping microbial communities in a genotype-dependent manner.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

He Q, Zhang P, Chen Z, et al (2026)

Frontier research and clinical application prospects of microbiome biomarkers in autoimmune diseases.

Frontiers in immunology, 17:1752840.

The microbiome is increasingly recognized as a master regulator of immune homeostasis and a key environmental factor associated with the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases (ADs). This review comprehensively synthesizes current knowledge on how microbial communities and their metabolites may contribute to ADs' development through microbial-immune interactions, dysbiosis, and the involvement of viral and fungal components within an integrated inter-kingdom ecosystem. We propose an operational definition of microbiome biomarkers as measurable microbiome-associated features reflecting disease susceptibility, activity, prognosis, or therapeutic response and categorize them into three classes: taxonomic, functional/metabolic, and host-microbiome interaction-derived biomarkers. We critically evaluate the evidence for specific microbial signatures as biomarkers for early diagnosis, disease monitoring, and prediction of therapeutic responses, incorporating evidence grading that distinguishes validated biomarkers from those that remain exploratory and discussing shared versus disease-specific signatures across ADs. The translational potential of microbiome-targeted interventions, including probiotics, prebiotics, and fecal microbiota transplantation, is examined within a personalized medicine framework, with barriers to clinical implementation explicitly addressed. Key confounding factors such as diet, geographic origin, and medication use are highlighted as critical variables shaping microbiome signatures independently of disease. Looking forward, the convergence of multi-omics technologies and artificial intelligence for biomarker discovery, multi-omics integration, and clinical validation promises to unravel the complex microbiome-immune crosstalk, enabling more accurate diagnosis, prognostic stratification, and ultimately, individualized microbiota-informed therapy.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Selvaraj H, Jayaprakash V, Kumar JS, et al (2026)

Altered tryptophan metabolism as a contributor to cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease: a narrative review.

Frontiers in neuroscience, 20:1872778.

Approximately 40% of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) experience cognitive impairment (CI), which is strongly associated with increased mortality. CI is driven by multiple factors, including vascular injury, accumulation of uremic toxins, disruption of the blood-brain barrier, and chronic inflammation. Recent evidence suggests that kidney disease and neurocognitive decline are mechanistically linked through dysregulated tryptophan metabolism. Tryptophan is metabolised through three main pathways: the kynurenine, indole, and serotonin pathways, each producing bioactive metabolites with distinct neurophysiological effects. The hallmarks of CKD include chronic inflammation, gut microbial dysbiosis, and impaired renal clearance, all of which alter tryptophan metabolism. Inflammation drives tryptophan metabolism towards the kynurenine pathway, increasing the formation of neurotoxic compounds that promote oxidative stress, excitotoxicity, and neuronal injury. However, reduced availability of tryptophan for serotonin synthesis impairs serotonergic signalling and neurotransmission, as well as melatonin biosynthesis, thereby contributing to circadian rhythm disturbances and impaired glymphatic clearance. Concurrently, gut dysbiosis and reduced renal clearance promote the accumulation of indole-derived uremic toxins, leading to endothelial dysfunction, neuroinflammation, and disruption of the blood-brain barrier. This review highlights the current evidence of dysregulated tryptophan metabolism in CKD and its impact on the pathogenesis of neurocognitive complications. The review also discusses potential biomarkers and therapeutic strategies, including kynurenine pathway inhibitors, gut microbiota modulation, uremic toxin adsorption, melatonin supplementation and personalised medicine to mitigate cognitive impairment in CKD.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Malmin A, Olsen MVT, Thomseth VM, et al (2026)

Long-term Impact of Intravitreal Injections on the ocular surface; a 2-year follow-up study.

Frontiers in ophthalmology, 6:1829818.

BACKGROUND: Intravitreal injection (IVI) therapy is the most frequently performed intraocular procedure worldwide, with topical povidone-iodine (PVP-I) as the standard pre-injection antiseptic. However, PVP-I has been shown to exert cytotoxic effects on the ocular surface. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of two years of serial anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) IVI on ocular surface parameters.

METHODS: Patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) receiving unilateral intravitreal anti-VEGF injections were examined at two time points, separated by a two-year interval. An aseptic protocol with PVP-I was applied prior to each injection. Tear meniscus height (TMH), bulbar redness (BR), and meibomian gland (MG) loss were assessed using the Oculus Keratograph 5M, with the fellow eye serving as control. For statistical analysis, the related-samples Wilcoxon signed-rank test was applied to non-normally distributed data, and the paired-sample Student's t-test to normally distributed data.

RESULTS: Sixty patients (mean age, 78.6 ± 8.5 years; range, 55-96) were included. Between examinations, patients received a mean of 15.5 ± 6.5 IVI (range, 5-30). A significant increase in mean BR was observed in untreated fellow eyes compared with baseline measurements (1.68 ± 0.47 vs. 1.41 ± 0.46; p < 0.001). At follow-up, BR was significantly higher in fellow eyes than in treated eyes (p < 0.001), and this difference had increased over the study period. Median TMH increased significantly in untreated eyes (0.42 mm [IQR, 0.28-0.57] vs. 0.31 mm [IQR, 0.23-0.47]; p = 0.003), whereas the increase in treated eyes was not significant (p = 0.74). At follow-up, mean TMH did not differ significantly between treated and fellow eyes (p = 0.15). Both treated and untreated eyes showed significant MG loss after two years of serial IVI; however, no significant differences in mean MG loss were detected between eyes in either the upper or lower eyelid at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Eyes receiving repeated intravitreal anti-VEGF injections with preoperative PVP-I antisepsis were significantly less hyperemic than fellow untreated eyes, and this difference increased over two years of continued treatment. Potential mechanisms include a beneficial alteration of the ocular surface microbiome by PVP-I or an antiangiogenic effect of anti-VEGF therapy.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04458012, identifier NCT04458012.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Singh R, Asthana S, Arya A, et al (2026)

The Oral-Brain Axis: Mechanistic Insights Linking Periodontitis With Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases.

Cureus, 18(6):e111856.

Neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), are major causes of disability and mortality worldwide. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic peripheral inflammation and microbial dysbiosis may contribute to neurodegenerative processes. The oral-brain axis has recently gained attention as a biological framework linking oral microbial communities, systemic inflammatory responses, immune regulation, and central nervous system function. Within this context, periodontitis, a prevalent chronic inflammatory disease driven by oral dysbiosis, has been proposed as a potential modifiable risk factor for neurodegeneration. This narrative review examines current evidence supporting the oral-brain axis and its role in the relationship between periodontitis and neurodegenerative disorders. Key mechanisms include systemic dissemination of periodontal pathogens and their virulence factors, persistent inflammatory signaling, blood-brain barrier dysfunction, neuroimmune activation, oxidative stress, and protein aggregation. Particular attention is given to the contribution of Porphyromonas gingivalis and associated virulence factors to neuroinflammation, amyloidogenesis, and neuronal injury. Epidemiological, clinical, and experimental studies linking periodontal disease with cognitive decline, Alzheimer's disease, and Parkinson's disease are also discussed. Current evidence supports a biologically plausible association between periodontal disease and neurodegeneration through interconnected microbial, inflammatory, and vascular pathways. Although causality remains to be established, the oral-brain axis provides valuable insight into potential mechanisms underlying this relationship. Improved understanding of these interactions may facilitate the development of preventive and therapeutic strategies that integrate oral healthcare with approaches aimed at preserving neurological health and reducing the burden of neurodegenerative diseases.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Wu Q, Li H, Niu Y, et al (2026)

Porphyromonas gingivalis sialidase reshapes gut microbiota to affect serum metabolism and splenic immunity: insights from a murine study.

Journal of oral microbiology, 18(1):2710456 pii:2710456.

BACKGROUND: Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis), a major periodontal pathogen can alter the gut microbial composition, serum metabolites and systemic immune status in mice. However, the role of its sialidase in modulating these parameters remains unexplored.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effects of P. gingivalis sialidase on gut microbiota, serum metabolites and their correlations with systemic immune responses.

DESIGN: C57BL/6 mice were orally inoculated with P. gingivalis W83, its sialidase-deficient ΔPG0352 mutant or PBS twice weekly following antibiotic pretreatment. After 40 days, spleen samples were collected for histological examination and cytokine analysis. Faecal samples were collected for 16S rRNA sequencing, and the serum samples were analysed by untargeted metabolomics.

RESULTS: P. gingivalis W83 group exhibited severe splenic inflammation and higher inflammatory cytokine levels than the other two groups. 16S rRNA gene analysis identified 19 differential bacterial genera (including Staphylococcus and Prevotellaceae_UCG-001) between the P. gingivalis W83 and ∆PG0352 groups. Metabolomics detected 12 key differential metabolites mainly involved in energy metabolism and amino acid biosynthesis pathways. Correlation analysis revealed phosphatidylcholine as a central metabolite, positively correlated with Staphylococcus, Prevotellaceae_UCG-001 and IL-1β, confirming its hub role linking metabolic shifts to immune activation.

CONCLUSIONS: P. gingivalis sialidase exacerbated systemic inflammation by reshaping gut microbiota, driving phosphatidylcholine-centred metabolic reprogramming and amplifying splenic immunity.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Ross PA, de Jonge N, Yang Q, et al (2026)

Interactions Between Inbreeding, Fitness and the Bacterial Microbiome in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes.

Evolutionary applications, 19(8):e70308 pii:EVA70308.

Laboratory and field populations of insects can experience a decline in fitness and loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding depression and genetic drift, respectively. Matings among related individuals and small population size may also influence insect host microbiomes with consequences for fitness. In the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegypti, the bacterial microbiome is largely environmentally determined, but recent studies have also revealed host genetic components. We generated a panel of 55 inbred lines from either of two founding outbred populations of Ae. aegypti to test for associations between life history traits, inbreeding, allelic diversity, and microbiome composition using ddRADseq and bacterial 16S rRNA gene sequencing on pools of mosquitoes. Effects of inbreeding were diverse, with severe composite fitness costs in many lines but minimal costs in others despite similar low levels of genetic diversity. We found no strong relationship between major life history traits across inbred lines, suggesting that any costs due to inbreeding were trait specific. Bacterial microbiome analysis of pooled samples from a subset of lines revealed common microbes across lines, with Elizabethkingia, Aeromonas, and Ralstonia being the most abundant. Despite bacterial composition varying widely, there was no clear relationship between microbiome composition and fitness or population origin. However, there were several significant positive correlations between the relative abundance of different microbial taxa across lines. Our results demonstrate diverse impacts of inbreeding on the fitness of mosquito populations but with limited impacts on the microbiome.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Peters Y, Ferrando ML, Zhou C, et al (2026)

A fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota modulates the esophageal microbiome composition in Barrett's esophagus.

iScience, 29(8):116910 pii:S2589-0042(26)02288-1.

Esophageal adenocarcinoma and its precursor, Barrett's esophagus (BE), are associated with a pro-inflammatory, Gram-negative-dominated esophageal microbiome. In a single-arm pilot study, 23 patients with BE consumed a fermented milk drink containing Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota (LcS) twice daily for 4 weeks, based on the hypothesis that this intervention could shift the microbiome toward a more beneficial Gram-positive profile. Post-intervention, metaplastic columnar epithelium showed a significant increase in Gram-positive Firmicutes (p < 0.01) without changes in overall Eubacterial abundance. DNA-based analyses demonstrated a higher Gram-positive to Gram-negative ratio, with Proteobacteria decreasing from 74% to 52% and Firmicutes increasing from 20% to 31%, including enrichment of Lactobacillus. Microbial diversity increased markedly (p = 9.98 × 10[-7]) in squamous and metaplastic epithelium. Notably, BE-associated taxa Prevotella and Haemophilus also increased in both tissue types. Overall, the intervention shifted the esophageal microbiome toward a more Gram-positive and diverse composition, while highlighting complex ecological effects warranting further investigation.

RevDate: 2026-08-01

Solazzo G, Rovelli S, Iodice S, et al (2026)

Effects of Seasonality and Air Pollution on the Nasal Microbiota in Healthy Italian Adults.

Hygiene and environmental health advances, 19:.

Air pollution is a major environmental risk factor for respiratory health, yet its interaction with seasonality in shaping the upper airway microbiota remains poorly understood. We conducted a longitudinal repeated-measures study to investigate whether seasonality modulates the effects of indoor and outdoor air pollution on the nasal microbiota of healthy adults. Twenty-six participants were sampled weekly for three weeks in winter and three weeks in summer. Microbial composition was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing (124 samples) and whole-genome shotgun sequencing (141 samples). Weekly exposure to indoor total suspended particles (TSP) and outdoor pollutants (particulate matter, black carbon, benzene, and carbon monoxide) was assessed using environmental monitoring data. The nasal microbiota was stable within seasons but differed significantly between seasons, with winter enrichment of Moraxella species, particularly among women with children. Across seasons, higher pollutant levels were negatively associated with relative abundance of commensal taxa, particularly Corynebacterium species. In addition, this study identified significant season-pollutant interactions. For example, in summer, commensal bacteria (e.g., Staphylococcus epidermidis and Cutibacterium granulosum) were found to be negatively associated with particulate matter exposure. Among host factors, sex explained the largest proportion of variance in microbial diversity, while household characteristics contributed additional compositional variability. These findings indicate that the respiratory microbiome varies across seasons and is associated with air pollution, suggesting that both seasonality and environmental exposures can contribute to differences in respiratory microbial communities.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Azarbad H, M Alizadeh (2026)

Seed bacterial microbiota: transmission, community assembly, and prospects for engineering heritable functions in crops.

Current research in microbial sciences, 11:100647 pii:S2666-5174(26)00103-3.

Seeds represent specialized, low-biomass microbial niches that facilitate the transmission of the plant-associated microbiota from one generation to another. Residing as both epiphytes and endophytes, seed-associated bacteria contribute to microbial community assembly during the seed-to-seedling transition. Recent integration of single-seed omics and synthetic bacterial communities has moved the field beyond descriptive surveys to identify the microbial drivers of plant germination success and early-life resilience. Despite this potential, the establishment and persistence of seed-borne bacteria are often constrained by competition with soil-derived microbiota. Seedling bacterial community assembly is further shaped by host genotype, domestication history, and maternal environmental conditions. In this review, we synthesize the mechanisms of bacterial transmission from flowering through seedling emergence and evaluate the functional capacity of the seed holobiont. We define the ecological parameters for the successful recruitment of engineered seed-based consortia into the soil-plant continuum, providing an experimental roadmap to move seed-based technologies from the laboratory to the field. Ensuring the functional stability of these heritable microbial traits will be essential for stabilizing agricultural productivity under increasing climatic volatility.

RevDate: 2026-08-01
CmpDate: 2026-08-01

Wang J, Bai L, Leng N, et al (2026)

Neuraminidase-Associated Vaginal Dysbiosis Correlates with HPV Infection Across Oncogenic Risk Subtypes.

Infection and drug resistance, 19:614023 pii:614023.

BACKGROUND: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a major cause of cervical cancer, and increasing evidence suggests that cervicovaginal microbial dysbiosis may influence HPV susceptibility. This study evaluated the association between microbial enzymatic markers and HPV infection across different risk subtypes.

METHODS: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 43,426 women undergoing HPV screening. HPV status and subtype classification (high-, possible-, and low-risk) were determined using standardized genotyping. Clinical and laboratory parameters including age, white blood cells (WBC), red blood cells (RBC), vaginal pH, leukocyte esterase, fungal infection, Trichomonas vaginalis, and microbial enzymatic markers (neuraminidase [NEU], N-acetylglucosaminidase [NAG], β-glucuronidase [GUS], and H2O2), were analysed.

RESULTS: HPV positivity was identified in 20.6% of participants. Neuraminidase emerged as the most consistent independent predictor across all HPV categories (adjusted OR range: 1.437-1.828; p<0.001), indicating a strong association between anaerobic bacterial activity and HPV infection. Age was uniformly associated with increased HPV risk across all models (adjusted OR ≈ 1.014-1.018 per year; p < 0.001). Fungal infection demonstrated a significant protective association (adjusted OR range: 0.636-0.778). Leukocyte esterase and WBC showed selective associations, particularly with high-risk HPV. In contrast, vaginal pH, T. vaginalis, and NAG lost significance after adjustment, suggesting confounding effects. Model explanatory power was modest (pseudo-R[2]: 0.010-0.016).

DISCUSSION: Neuraminidase-associated vaginal dysbiosis is strongly associated with HPV infection across multiple risk subtypes. These findings highlight the potential role of microbial functional biomarkers in understanding cervicovaginal dysbiosis and HPV susceptibility, particularly in populations vulnerable to microbial imbalance and secondary infections.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Kim SS, Cheong JY, JW Eun (2026)

Correspondence to editorial on "Bacteroides eggerthii ameliorates metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease through host-microbe signaling and highlights 2-hydroxyisocaproate as a potential effector".

Clinical and molecular hepatology, 32(3):e361-e364.

RevDate: 2026-07-30

Ha GD, Li Y, Liu Q, et al (2026)

Gut microbiome associations in male reproductive endocrine-skeletal physiology: a taxonomic-resolution Mendelian randomization study.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology pii:S0303-7207(26)00155-3 [Epub ahead of print].

The gut microbiome is increasingly linked to endocrine physiology, but human evidence that individual microbial traits contribute to male reproductive and skeletal phenotypes remains largely observational. We integrated MiBioGen genus-level and Dutch Microbiome Project species-level microbiome genome-wide association studies with sex-stratified steroid traits, sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and heel estimated bone mineral density (eBMD) in a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) screen of 1,204 microbe-outcome tests. The leading male endocrine association linked genetically proxied abundance of the MiBioGen-defined Eubacterium rectale group to greater odds of detectable male estradiol (odds ratio = 1.36; 95% CI, 1.12-1.65; P = 0.00246; eight instruments). This binary endpoint denotes assay detectability above 175 pmol/L, not circulating estradiol concentration. Independent GTEx V10/SuSiE fine-mapping of CYP19A1 expression in subcutaneous adipose provided aromatase-relevant tissue context but did not localize or mediate the microbial association. Complementary associations linked Roseburia hominis with SHBG and Alistipes finegoldii with heel eBMD; the latter was the only study-wide Bonferroni-significant result (P = 6.55 × 10[-8]). A Bifidobacterium longum-female testosterone association attenuated after exclusion of the LCT/MCM6 region, indicating substantial host-diet genetic influence. Across 172 matched genus-species pairs, effect estimates showed little correlation, directional agreement was no better than chance, and no pair shared clumped instruments. These findings nominate the E. rectale group for targeted male endocrine follow-up and show that taxonomic resolution is part of the exposure definition in microbiome MR.

RevDate: 2026-07-30

Li T, Chang Y, Tang S, et al (2026)

The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis in Neuropsychiatric Disorders: Mechanisms, Advances, and Clinical Applications.

Brain research bulletin pii:S0361-9230(26)00349-7 [Epub ahead of print].

Neuropsychiatric disorders are increasingly recognized as systemic conditions arising from dynamic interactions within the gut-brain-immune network. The Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis (MGBA) serves as a central regulatory system orchestrating neurodevelopment, neural homeostasis, and immune-metabolic balance. This review summarizes evidence across seven major neuropsychiatric disorders, Depression, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Alzheimer's disease, Schizophrenia, Anxiety and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, demonstrating that dysregulation of the MGBA constitutes a shared pathological mechanism. On this common basis, we delineate disorder specific neurochemical and immunological features and highlight the clinical potential of microbiota-targeted interventions. Moreover, psychotropic medications profoundly alter microbial physiology, influencing bacterial growth and metabolism, thereby complicating interpretation of MGBA-disease relationships. Future research should define strain-specific therapeutic actions and integrate multi-omics approaches to unravel causal pathways, ultimately enabling precision microbiome modulation in neuropsychiatric medicine.

RevDate: 2026-07-30

Yang JM, Yuan ML, Zhang YY, et al (2026)

[Research progress on the bidirectional relationship between oral infectious diseases and mental health issues].

Zhonghua kou qiang yi xue za zhi = Zhonghua kouqiang yixue zazhi = Chinese journal of stomatology, 61(8):1243-1250 [Epub ahead of print].

Infectious oral diseases represent the most prevalent categories of oral conditions, including dental caries, periodontitis, periapical lesions, and pericoronitis. Their bidirectional relationship with mental health has emerged as a critical interdisciplinary research frontier. This paper integrates epidemiological findings and molecular mechanism evidence to analyze the significant comorbidity and correlation characteristics between infectious oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis, and psychological disorders including depression and anxiety. Oral diseases not only directly impair mental well-being through pain, functional impairment, and social anxiety, but also induce systemic inflammatory responses that disrupt the blood-brain barrier, activate microglia, and alter neurotransmitter metabolism, thereby contributing to functional dysregulation within emotional regulatory centers. The dysbiosis of the oral microbiota caused by infectious oral diseases plays a central role in the vicious cycle of "oral infection-mental health disorders" through the"oral-gut-brain axis", inflammation-mediated neuroimmune cascades, and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis dysregulation. Meanwhile, mental disorders exacerbate oral microbial imbalance and tissue destruction through poor oral hygiene behaviors, xerostomia induced by psychotropic medications, and stress-related neuroendocrine alterations. This paper advocates for synergistically integrate oral clinical interventions with mental health improvement strategies, and for the development of microbiome-targeted precision modulation approaches. It further proposes an integrated health management paradigm that bridges dentistry and psychiatry, providing both theoretical foundations and practical pathways to transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries and achieve holistic oral-mental co-management.

RevDate: 2026-07-30

Wang L, Zhang L, Rillig MC, et al (2026)

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi orchestrate belowground microbiomes in plant holobionts.

Trends in plant science pii:S1360-1385(26)00218-9 [Epub ahead of print].

The traditional model of plant-arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal coevolution, based solely on interactions between plants and AM fungi, became obsolete with the discovery of the critical roles that belowground microbiomes play in the function of mycorrhizal symbiosis. Based on insights into hyphosphere microbiota, we expand the plant-AM fungus-bacterium continuum into a multipartite AM fungal-orchestrated holobiont (H-AMF) framework, where AM fungi integrate plant roots with soil microbiota into a cross-kingdom ecological unit. A division of labor exists among plants, AM fungi, and hyphosphere microbes in the mycocentric H-AMF perspective. We summarize mechanisms by which AM fungi sustain cooperative relationships with plants and hyphosphere microbiota and propose holobiont-scale methodologies to advance understanding of plant-fungal-microbial interactions and their ecological functions.

RevDate: 2026-07-30

Nealon NJ (2026)

Next-Generation Sequencing in Companion Animal Practice for Infectious Disease Diagnostics and Characterizing Normal Microbiomes.

The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice pii:S0195-5616(26)00086-0 [Epub ahead of print].

The purpose of this article is to review and compare the most common and emergent next-generation sequencing methodologies used in small animal veterinary practice, with a focus on their applications to bacterial diagnostics and assessment of the healthy gut microbiome. These methodologies include whole genome sequencing, amplicon sequencing, shotgun metagenomic sequencing, and transcriptomics. Understanding the benefits and limitations of each methodology will help small animal practitioners to make informed decisions for their patients and maximize the utility of each test as part of a complete patient health assessment.

RevDate: 2026-07-30
CmpDate: 2026-07-30

Cho MY, Eom JH, Kim JW, et al (2026)

Site-specific oral microbiome profiles in healthy young Korean women.

Scientific reports, 16(1):.

We characterized site-specific organization of the oral microbiome in 59 healthy, non-smoking women in their twenties using 16S rRNA (V3-V4) sequencing of dental plaque (DQ), mouthwash (MW), and tongue coating (TC) samples (177 libraries; rarefied to 29,853 reads). The order of alpha diversity was DQ > MW > TC (p < 0.001), with mean Observed Features of 227.6, 208.7, and 142.4, respectively, consistent with differences in local niche structure within the oral cavity. Beta diversity (Bray-Curtis; weighted/unweighted UniFrac) showed clear separation by site (PERMANOVA overall p < 0.001), with DQ most distinct from MW and TC. At the phylum level, DQ was enriched for Actinobacteriota and Proteobacteria, whereas Firmicutes predominated in MW and TC, indicating compositional shifts across oral microenvironments. Dominant genera included Streptococcus (20.6%), Neisseria (11.7%), Haemophilus (10.1%), Prevotella (7.1%), Veillonella (6.0%), Rothia (5.1%), and Lactobacillus (4.4%). Site-associated taxa included Cardiobacterium, Corynebacterium, and Campylobacter in DQ; Actinobacillus in MW; and Absconditabacteriales (SR1) and Lactobacillus in TC. TC exhibited the lowest alpha diversity but the highest genus richness (n = 340), indicating an uneven community with many low-abundance taxa. LEfSe identified discriminant taxa, including Rothia, Actinomyces, Fusobacterium (DQ), Streptococcus, and Gemella (MW); and Lactobacillus, Prevotella, Veillonella, and Haemophilus (TC). These results demonstrate pronounced site specificity within the oral cavity of a well-defined healthy cohort and indicate that multi-site resolution is essential for advancing mechanistic and translational oral microbiome research.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-30

Kramer D, Santos Rocha C, Gaulke CA, et al (2026)

Microbiota-derived 10-hydroxystearic acid activates PPARα to restore gut epithelial barrier integrity and enhance anti-retroviral therapy.

Nature microbiology, 11(8):2365-2383.

HIV infection disrupts gut epithelial barrier integrity and mucosal immunity, driving chronic inflammation and disease progression which are not fully resolved despite anti-retroviral therapy. Here we identify the microbiota-derived octadecanoid-hydroxy-fatty-acid metabolite 10-hydroxystearic acid (10-HSA), produced by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, as a key mediator of gut epithelial barrier repair in human intestinal epithelial cells in vitro, ex vivo and in the non-human primate model of HIV/AIDS. X-ray crystallography and transcriptomics combined with functional analyses revealed that 10-HSA directly binds PPARα, inducing lipid metabolism, mitochondrial regeneration and subsequent epigenetic histone crotonylation, thereby promoting gut epithelial renewal. Co-administration of 10-HSA with anti-retroviral therapy in SIV-infected macaques accelerated viral suppression, resolved systemic inflammation, repaired gut epithelial integrity and recovered the gut microbiota. These findings identify a microbiota-derived lipid metabolite-PPARα-histone crotonylation axis that activates gut epithelial regeneration. This study defines a host-microbiome metabolic pathway that restores epithelial-immune homeostasis and enhances the efficacy of anti-retroviral therapy.

RevDate: 2026-07-30
CmpDate: 2026-07-30

Lalhmunsangi J, Sudharsan R, Laldinmawii G, et al (2026)

Comparative microbiome profiling of plant- and animal-derived traditional fermented foods from Mizoram, India using full-length 16S rRNA sequencing.

Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 119(8):.

Traditional fermented foods represent complex microbial ecosystems shaped by substrate composition, indigenous processing practices, and local environmental conditions. However, the microbiomes of many traditional fermented foods from Northeast India remain poorly characterized. In this study, the bacterial communities associated with thirteen traditional fermented foods from Mizoram, India, representing both plant- and animal-derived fermentations, were characterized using full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore platform. Sequencing generated approximately 1.94 million high-quality reads, enabling high-resolution taxonomic profiling of the fermented food microbiomes. The microbial communities were predominantly composed of Bacillota, Pseudomonadota, and Cyanobacteriota, although their relative abundances varied considerably among fermented food types. Plant-derived fermented foods were enriched with fermentative bacterial genera, including Bacillus, Lactobacillus, Lacticaseibacillus, Pediococcus, and Weissella, whereas animal-derived fermented foods showed a greater abundance of anaerobic taxa, particularly Clostridium. Alpha diversity analyses demonstrated higher microbial richness in plant-derived fermented foods, while beta diversity revealed clear substrate-dependent clustering of microbial communities. Functional prediction indicated that metabolism-related pathways, particularly carbohydrate and amino acid metabolism, predominated across the fermented food microbiomes, and LEfSe analysis identified distinct microbial biomarkers associated with plant- and animal-derived fermentations. Collectively, these findings provide the first comprehensive microbiome characterization of traditional fermented foods from Mizoram and demonstrate that fermentation substrate is a major determinant of microbial community composition and predicted functional potential. Although full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing improved taxonomic resolution, taxonomic interpretations were made cautiously at the genus level where appropriate because of the inherent limitations of 16S rRNA gene-based classification.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Devasahayam BRF, McNeil T, Wubet T, et al (2026)

Nanopore sequencing reveals coordinated host and microbiome responses across barley genotypes.

BMC biology, 24(1):.

BACKGROUND: Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) provides a suitable model for studying domestication-driven plant-microbiome interactions. Although wild, landrace, and modern genotypes host distinct rhizosphere communities, the extent to which roots and microbes reciprocally influence each other remains unclear. Here, we applied an integrated multi-omics approach combining long-read metagenomics, root transcriptomics, and plant genomics to understand genotype-specific host-microbiome coordination.

RESULTS: Oxford Nanopore whole metagenome sequencing (WMS) revealed genotype-associated shifts in rhizosphere communities across seasons. Functional profiling showed a conserved metabolic backbone including amino acid metabolism, energy production, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, alongside genotype-dependent variation in carbohydrate metabolism and transport-associated pathways. Genome-resolved analysis through metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) further detailed the taxonomic and functional architecture of key rhizosphere lineages. Root transcriptome profiling identified extensive differential expression associated with microbial perception, signaling, defense, and metabolic processes. Integration of host and microbiome data revealed coordinated molecular patterns, indicating that barley genotypes are associated with distinct microbial assemblages and corresponding transcriptional responses.

CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that domestication has shaped coordinated associations between barley genotypes and their rhizosphere microbiomes, reflected in both microbial community composition and host transcriptional regulation. This work provides new insights into the evolutionary tuning of plant-microbiome relationships and highlights opportunities for microbiome-informed strategies in barley improvement.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Weingarden AR, Dahlberg FS, Broude CN, et al (2026)

Gut microbial composition modulates endogenous food-specific CD4+ T cells in food allergy.

Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950), 215(7):.

The growing food allergy epidemic is thought to be related to changing environmental factors, particularly changes in the gut microbiome. While prior work has demonstrated that food allergy can be modulated by gut microbes, little is known about how food allergen-specific CD4+ T cells are affected by gut microbial composition. Here, we report that food allergy severity differs between mice obtained from 2 different specific pathogen-free mouse vendors (Jackson Labs [Jax] and Taconic Biosciences [Tac]). Mice from Tac develop diarrhea and anaphylaxis after fewer allergen exposures than mice from Jax. Using food allergen peptide: MHCII tetramers, we also find that Tac mice have fewer allergen-specific regulatory T cells in the small intestine compared to mice from Jax with concomitant increase in allergen-specific Th2 cells. In addition, Tac mice have increased intestinal permeability. Increased food allergy severity, phenotype of allergen-specific T cells, and increased gut permeability were transferable to Jax animals via co-housing, which corresponded to a shift in Jax microbial communities towards those found in Tac mice. Our findings demonstrate that food allergen-specific Treg cells can be modulated by gut microbial community composition, which in turn is correlated to food allergy severity.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Simeoni S, Ponziani FR, Gasbarrini G, et al (2026)

Letter: The Microbiome-Mediated Impact of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

He LW, Tang RX, Liu SY, et al (2026)

Host phylogeny and diet shape gut microbiome and virome in wild small mammals of Gongga Mountain, China.

Zoological research, 47(4):1332-1352.

Gut microbiotas play pivotal roles in host adaptation, yet their composition and function in high-altitude small mammals remain poorly characterized. This study investigated how host phylogeny (order-level) and dietary habits shape the gut microbiome and virome of three mammalian orders (Eulipotyphla, Rodentia, Lagomorpha) in Gongga Mountain, a biodiversity hotspot on the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Metagenomic sequencing of 219 samples from 22 species revealed order-specific microbial signatures: Eulipotyphla (carnivorous) harbored higher abundances of potential pathogens (e.g., Helicobacter, Hafnia) and Retroviridae; Lagomorpha (herbivorous) was enriched in cellulolytic bacteria (e.g., Lachnospiraceae, Prevotella) and carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes); Rodentia (omnivorous) showed intermediate traits. We reconstructed 1 385 high-quality metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs), 1 328 representing novel species, and identified 749 viral operational taxonomic units (vOTUs), >80% being Caudoviricetes. Crucially, Retroviridae abundance in Eulipotyphla suggests zoonotic risk. Phage-host network analysis indicated Caudoviricetes regulates cellulolytic bacteria in Lagomorpha. Host phylogeny and diet jointly drive gut microbiome divergence in small mammals. We establish the first gut microbiome and virome resource of small mammals in the high-altitude area of Gongga Mountain, highlighting Eulipotyphla as a potential vector for zoonotic pathogens.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Kerns KA, Naumann AA, Soon LY, et al (2026)

Zinc-stabilized stannous fluoride modulates the periodontal microbiome, reducing Fusobacteria, key Gram-negative species, and overall inflammation within an experimental gingivitis clinical trial.

Journal of periodontology [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a dentifrice containing stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate on subgingival microbiome composition and clinical inflammation during experimental gingivitis, compared with a sodium fluoride control.

METHODS: This investigation was conducted as a secondary analysis of a randomized, parallel-arm, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Clinical resolution of experimental gingivitis was assessed using bleeding on probing, gingival index, and plaque index. Deeply sequenced subgingival plaque metagenomic data were analyzed to compare microbial composition and functional potential between a stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate dentifrice (test) and a sodium fluoride dentifrice (control) over a 21-day experimental gingivitis period.

RESULTS: Use of the stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate dentifrice was associated with depletion of periodontal disease-associated Gram-negative bacteria, including Fusobacterium nucleatum and multiple Porphyromonas and Prevotella species. This reduction in Gram-negative taxa corresponded with shifts in microbial community metabolic functions and was associated with significantly reduced clinical inflammation compared with the control over the 21-day period.

CONCLUSIONS: Short-term use of stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate may provide additional protection against gingival inflammation by limiting the outgrowth of key periodontal pathogens, including the bridging organism Fusobacterium nucleatum, and by altering plaque functional capacity. These effects were associated with improved periodontal health outcomes compared with a standard sodium fluoride dentifrice.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: In this study, we analyzed bacteria within the periodontal pocket using deep metagenomic sequencing to better resolve bacterial species and their functions. Results from this study show that using a toothpaste containing stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate was associated with the reduction of several important Gram-negative bacteria associated with periodontal disease, including Fusobacterium nucleatum and species of Porphyromonas and Prevotella compared with a control toothpaste. These bacteria are well‑known contributors to gingival inflammation and biofilm maturation. When levels of these specific bacteria decreased within the stannous fluoride treatment group, the overall subgingival microbiome shifted which notably persisted during the subsequent 21-day oral hygiene abstention period in this experimental gingivitis model - resulting in significantly lower clinical inflammation. Our findings suggest that even short‑term use of stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate may provide added protection against early gingival inflammation. Notably, stannous fluoride stabilized with zinc phosphate appears to limit the growth of key periodontal pathogens-particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum, an important bridging organism in subgingival biofilms-and may alter the functional activity of dental plaque in ways that support improved periodontal health when compared with a standard sodium fluoride toothpaste.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Adam A, Khan R, Lu B, et al (2026)

Bacillus thuringiensis and nucleopolyhedrovirus combination against Spodoptera litura alters the cigar tobacco leaves microbiome during air curing.

Frontiers in microbiology, 17:1855531.

INTRODUCTION: Spodoptera litura continues feeding on cigar tobacco leaves during air curing, causing substantial economic losses. This study evaluated the synergistic efficacy of a Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) and nucleopolyhedrovirus (NPV) combination for controlling Spodoptera litura and investigated its effects on the bacterial and fungal microbiomes of cigar tobacco leaves during air curing.

METHODS: Laboratory bioassays were conducted to determine the optimal Bt:NPV ratio and evaluate the synergistic toxicity. The selected formulation was subsequently validated under field conditions. Cigar tobacco leaves treated with the optimal Bt-NPV mixture were air-cured for 23 days, after which bacterial (16s rRNA) and fungal (ITS) communities were characterized using Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencing.

RESULTS: The Bt:NPV mixture at a 4:1 ratio exhibited the strongest synergistic activity against second-instar Spodoptera litura, with an LC50 of 0.64 ml L[-1] and a co-toxicity coefficient of 153.8. Bt-NPV treatment significantly altered the leaf microbiomes by reducing microbial richness while increasing microbial diversity and evenness. Compared with the control, treated leaves showed increased relative abundances of Pantoea, Pseudomonas, and Eurotiales, together with reduced abundances of Staphylococcus and Cladosporiales. These findings demonstrate that Bt-NPV treatment effectively controlled Spodoptera litura while reshaping bacterial and fungal community composition during air curing.

DISCUSSION: The synergistic Bt-NPV formulation represents an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for controlling Spodoptera litura during air curing while promoting an ecological framework that may support leaf preservation. However, the direct effects of Bt-NPV-induced microbiome changes on cigar tobacco quality, aroma development, and chemical maturation were not evaluated and should be investigated through integrated chemical, metabolomic, and sensory analyses in future studies.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Tania MNT, Sabrin MS, Mannan MA, et al (2026)

Comparative 16S rRNA Gene Amplicon Sequencing of the Fecal Microbiome in Pet Dogs and Cats of Different Breeds in Dhaka City, Bangladesh: With Preliminary Insights Into Zoonotic Relevance.

International journal of microbiology, 2026:8738439.

Dogs and cats are the most commonly kept pets, and the popularity of different breeds of them continues to increase in Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Pets naturally harbor a diverse gut microbiome that plays a significant role in digestion, immunity, and overall health. Although pets provide valuable companionship, their feces may occasionally harbor bacteria with zoonotic potential. However, little is known about the fecal microbial diversity and its zoonotic relevance in Bangladesh. This study investigated the diversity of pets' fecal microbiome using 16S rRNA metagenomics and explored the zoonotic bacterial taxa. Fecal samples were collected from 24 apparently healthy pets, including 12 dogs and 12 cats, from randomly selected households in Dhaka City. High-throughput sequencing revealed a diverse microbial community comprising 1,148 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) distributed across 20 phyla and 258 genera. Although cats showed slightly higher microbial richness and diversity, both species shared common bacterial phyla such as Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes. Relative abundance of bacterial taxa varied between pet species and among breeds rather than the presence of distinct microbial groups. Furthermore, Enterococcus cecorum, Schaalia canis, Campylobacter helveticus, and Sutterella wadsworthensis were the explored bacterial taxa with zoonotic relevance rather than a direct assessment of zoonotic risk; however, they were very low in number than the dominating bacteria. This study provides the first 16S rRNA-based metagenomic snapshot of the fecal microbiome of 24 urban pets in Bangladesh and highlights the need for routine microbial surveillance and public awareness about zoonoses.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Menon A, Morelli MK, H Hulec (2026)

Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica Bacteremia Associated With Maggot-Infested Ulcers and Tumor Lysis Syndrome in Ohio, USA: A Case Report.

Case reports in infectious diseases, 2026:6760136.

BACKGROUND: Wohlfahrtiimonas chitiniclastica is an emerging Gram-negative bacillus historically linked to larvae of the parasitic fly Wohlfahrtia magnifica. Although most human infections have been reported in Europe and Asia, cases are increasingly recognized in North America.

CASE SUMMARY: A 74-year-old man from Ohio presented with sepsis and maggot-infested decubitus ulcers. Blood cultures grew Gram-negative, oxidase-positive rods that could not be identified at the home institution. The isolate was referred to an outside hospital, where it was initially misidentified as Edwardsiella species before definitive identification as W. chitiniclastica by MALDI-TOF MS (Bruker MALDI Biotyper), confirmed by supplementary biochemical testing, 6 days after the initial culture draw. Additional testing identified the rare anaerobe Tissierella praeacuta. Blood cultures at the home institution also identified Proteus mirabilis and Staphylococcus aureus. The clinical course was complicated by metastatic cancer and spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (uric acid 14.6 mg/dL, LDH 2157 U/L) that improved following rasburicase therapy. The patient received empiric intravenous piperacillin-tazobactam for approximately 24 days, followed by de-escalation to ceftriaxone. Follow-up blood cultures were sterile. Goals of care were transitioned to palliation, and the patient died on hospital day 30.

CONCLUSION: This case illustrates W. chitiniclastica bacteremia in Ohio, USA, and highlights diagnostic challenges including initial misidentification by conventional methods, the importance of MALDI-TOF MS for definitive identification, and possible vector adaptation to regional muscid fly species. The coisolation of T. praeacuta underscores the complex wound microbiome associated with chronic neglected ulcers.

RevDate: 2026-07-31

Niu D, Pang H, Wang X, et al (2026)

Beyond omics: From descriptive profiling to causal and scalable design of fermentation microbiomes.

Fermentation microbiomes play essential roles in food production, feed preservation, waste valorization, and diverse sustainable industrial processes. Although multi-omics and systems biology have substantially advanced our understanding of their assembly, interactions, and functional dynamics, industrial translation remains constrained by fragmented datasets, limited causal validation, and transport constraints during scale-up. Large language models act as upper-level knowledge and workflow orchestrators, accelerating data integration, hybrid AI-mechanistic modeling, hypothesis generation, and perturbation-guided learning. Collectively, these advances enable fermentation microbiome research to move beyond descriptive omics toward mechanism-guided synthetic microbial community design, causal validation, and scalable biomanufacturing.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Ren G, Feng Z, Wang X, et al (2026)

Knowledge mapping and bibliometric analysis of metabolic phenotypes in childhood and adolescent obesity: research hotspots and emerging trends from 2000 to 2026.

Frontiers in public health, 14:1907434.

BACKGROUND: Childhood and adolescent obesity is increasingly understood as a heterogeneous condition in which excess adiposity may be accompanied by distinct cardiometabolic phenotypes. Metabolically healthy obesity and metabolically unhealthy obesity have become important concepts for risk stratification, but the overall knowledge structure and emerging research directions in this field remain insufficiently mapped.

METHODS: Records on metabolic phenotypes in childhood and adolescent obesity published between 1 January 2000 and 20 February 2026 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection and PubMed on 20 February 2026. English-language articles and reviews were independently screened by two researchers. After database merging, deduplication and data cleaning, 4,963 records were retained for bibliometric analysis, including 4,384 WoSCC-retained records and 579 PubMed-only records. CiteSpace 6.4. R1, VOSviewer 1.6.20, R 4.5.2 and bibliometrix 5.4.1 were used to analyze annual publication trends, country and institutional collaboration, author and reference co-citation, keyword co-occurrence, clustering and burst terms. Citation-dependent analyses were based on WoSCC-retained records with complete cited-reference metadata.

RESULTS: Publication output increased overall and showed three broad phases: an initial phase centered on BMI criteria, obesity prevalence and metabolic syndrome recognition; a rapid growth phase associated with insulin resistance, glucose-lipid abnormalities and metabolic heterogeneity; and a recent consolidation phase emphasizing phenotype transition, gut microbiota, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, physical activity, cardiometabolic health and precision intervention. The United States, Spain, China and England were leading contributors, although cross-regional collaboration remained uneven. Co-cited references, author networks and keyword clusters indicated that the field has moved from weight-based classification toward integrated cardiometabolic risk identification, with emerging attention to central adiposity, visceral fat, microbiome-related mechanisms and phenotype-guided management.

CONCLUSION: Research on metabolic phenotypes in childhood and adolescent obesity is shifting from BMI-centered description toward risk-stratified interpretation of metabolic heterogeneity. Future studies should harmonize pediatric phenotype definitions, strengthen multicenter longitudinal cohorts and integrate body composition, fat distribution, insulin sensitivity, liver fat, inflammatory markers, lifestyle exposure and gut microbiota to support early identification and precision prevention of cardiometabolic risk.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Li Z, Wang J, Hong Z, et al (2026)

Mechanistic and clinical investigation of Jiajiang Xuming decoction in multi-modal programmed cell death in stroke-associated pneumonia.

Frontiers in cell and developmental biology, 14:1889833.

BACKGROUND: Stroke-Associated Pneumonia (SAP) is one of the leading causes of sepsis and ICU mortality among stroke patients, attributed to dysregulated immune responses as well as multiple MODES of cell death. Jiajiang Xuming Decoction (JXD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula to treat the symptoms of Wind-Phlegm-Stasis Obstruction Syndrome, blamed for all SAP-related sepsis.

METHODS: A single-centre retrospective cohort study was conducted in 100 ICU patients with microbiologically confirmed sepsis (Sepsis-3 criteria): 58 Stroke-Associated Pneumonia (SAP) and 42 non-SAP sepsis, compared to thirty healthy controls. On admission, Day 3 and Day 7, serial inflammatory markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α PCT CRP) and organ-function indicators were measured (hepatic: ALT AST; renal: creatinine (BUN); cardiac: cTnI† NT-proBNP). Therapeutic efficacy of JXD was evaluated in a propensity-score-matched (JXD n = 29; conventional treatment n = 29) sub-cohort. Mechanistic evidence were derived from scRNA-seq and an in vitro LPS + OGD cell model as well as ferroptosis characterisation (GEO: GSM5319987).

RESULTS: Compared to non-SAP sepsis, SAP patients had significantly higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, markers of hepatic injury (ALT, AST), renal impairment (creatinine, BUN), and cardiac injury (cTnI, NT-proBNP) all P < 0.001; FDR q < 0.001). An AUC = 0.872 for SAP diagnosis with a combination of four markers (PCT + IL-6 + ALT + creatinine) was established. Supplemental JXD therapy provided a significant advantage over conventional treatment in Day-7 clinical improvement rate (72.4% vs. 48.3%, P = 0.048) and shortened ICU stay (12.1 vs. 16.3 days, P = 0.002), along with markers of mode microbiome-related inflammation and injury reduction in this population of patients with acute disturbances post-septic organs (Galluzzi et al., Cell Death Differ, 2018, 25(3), 486-541). JXD basically inhibited apoptosis (CASP3), pyroptosis (NLRP3), necroptosis (RIPK3) in vitro, and reversed ferroptotic death by restoring GPX4, downregulating MDA, as well as inhibiting ACSL4.

CONCLUSION: Multi-organ dysfunction biomarkers independently predicts sepsis sequelae post-SAP (AUC = 0.872)) and track treatments response Conclusions: JXD modulates a number of cellular death pathways in vitro, and markedly improves clinical outcomes in SAP-associated sepsis.

RevDate: 2026-07-31
CmpDate: 2026-07-31

Berríos-Farías V, Guajardo-Leiva S, Gallardo-Cerda J, et al (2026)

Metagenomic insights into potential PET hydrolases from Antarctic soils and rhizospheres.

Frontiers in microbiology, 17:1749101.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is a persistent synthetic polymer that is increasingly detected in terrestrial environments, where it influences soil microbial activity and carbon cycling. Microorganisms capable of hydrolyzing PET and related polyesters constitute a valuable enzymatic resource for developing low-temperature biocatalysts and for advancing the understanding of soil functional adaptation to plastic pollution. Here, we conducted a metagenomic analysis of soil and rhizosphere samples from the Antarctic vascular plants Deschampsia antarctica and Colobanthus quitensis, as sources of microbial enzymes with potential PET-hydrolytic activity. Hidden Markov Models constructed from experimentally validated PET hydrolases identified 152 putative PET hydrolases (pPETHs) spanning multiple protein families. Four candidates exhibited amino acid motifs characteristic of Ideonella sakaiensis PETase, including the conserved alpha/beta hydrolase fold and the Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad. One candidate from a Duganella genome also contained a tryptophan residue associated with efficient product release during PET hydrolysis. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics analyses revealed that candidates retain the core catalytic architecture of established PET hydrolases, while simultaneously displaying structural signatures of cold adaptation. These findings demonstrate the diversity of PET-hydrolase-like genes within Antarctic rhizosphere and soil microbiomes, broadening the current understanding of microbial enzymatic potential under cold, oligotrophic conditions. The identified sequences highlight the rhizosphere as a reservoir of functional diversity relevant to soil biotechnology, cold-adapted catalysis, and microbial strategies for transforming recalcitrant carbon substrates.

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ESP Quick Facts

ESP Origins

In the early 1990's, Robert Robbins was a faculty member at Johns Hopkins, where he directed the informatics core of GDB — the human gene-mapping database of the international human genome project. To share papers with colleagues around the world, he set up a small paper-sharing section on his personal web page. This small project evolved into The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Support

In 1995, Robbins became the VP/IT of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, WA. Soon after arriving in Seattle, Robbins secured funding, through the ELSI component of the US Human Genome Project, to create the original ESP.ORG web site, with the formal goal of providing free, world-wide access to the literature of classical genetics.

ESP Rationale

Although the methods of molecular biology can seem almost magical to the uninitiated, the original techniques of classical genetics are readily appreciated by one and all: cross individuals that differ in some inherited trait, collect all of the progeny, score their attributes, and propose mechanisms to explain the patterns of inheritance observed.

ESP Goal

In reading the early works of classical genetics, one is drawn, almost inexorably, into ever more complex models, until molecular explanations begin to seem both necessary and natural. At that point, the tools for understanding genome research are at hand. Assisting readers reach this point was the original goal of The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project.

ESP Usage

Usage of the site grew rapidly and has remained high. Faculty began to use the site for their assigned readings. Other on-line publishers, ranging from The New York Times to Nature referenced ESP materials in their own publications. Nobel laureates (e.g., Joshua Lederberg) regularly used the site and even wrote to suggest changes and improvements.

ESP Content

When the site began, no journals were making their early content available in digital format. As a result, ESP was obliged to digitize classic literature before it could be made available. For many important papers — such as Mendel's original paper or the first genetic map — ESP had to produce entirely new typeset versions of the works, if they were to be available in a high-quality format.

ESP Help

Early support from the DOE component of the Human Genome Project was critically important for getting the ESP project on a firm foundation. Since that funding ended (nearly 20 years ago), the project has been operated as a purely volunteer effort. Anyone wishing to assist in these efforts should send an email to Robbins.

ESP Plans

With the development of methods for adding typeset side notes to PDF files, the ESP project now plans to add annotated versions of some classical papers to its holdings. We also plan to add new reference and pedagogical material. We have already started providing regularly updated, comprehensive bibliographies to the ESP.ORG site.

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Papers in Classical Genetics

The ESP began as an effort to share a handful of key papers from the early days of classical genetics. Now the collection has grown to include hundreds of papers, in full-text format.

Digital Books

Along with papers on classical genetics, ESP offers a collection of full-text digital books, including many works by Darwin and even a collection of poetry — Chicago Poems by Carl Sandburg.

Timelines

ESP now offers a large collection of user-selected side-by-side timelines (e.g., all science vs. all other categories, or arts and culture vs. world history), designed to provide a comparative context for appreciating world events.

Biographies

Biographical information about many key scientists (e.g., Walter Sutton).

Selected Bibliographies

Bibliographies on several topics of potential interest to the ESP community are automatically maintained and generated on the ESP site.

ESP Picks from Around the Web (updated 28 JUL 2024 )