@article {pmid42509591,
year = {2026},
author = {Mashiguchi, K and Yamaguchi, S},
title = {Recent progress in strigolactone biosynthesis and transport in Arabidopsis and rice.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag352},
pmid = {42509591},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Strigolactones (SLs) are a class of plant hormones that regulate diverse developmental processes and environmental responses. SLs also play important roles as allelochemicals in interactions with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and root parasitic plants in the rhizosphere. Since their discovery as plant hormones nearly 20 years ago, SL biosynthesis, transport, and signaling have been extensively studied, primarily by characterizing mutants with increased shoot branching and by utilizing reverse genetic approaches in various plant species. Emerging evidence has revealed a series of new components of SL biology, expanding our knowledge of how a single plant species produces various types of SLs with diverse chemical structures and how SLs are released from roots into the soil. However, the bioactive forms of SLs that function as plant hormones and the mechanisms underlying their root-to-shoot transport have not yet been clearly elucidated. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of SL biosynthesis and transport in Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. In addition, we discuss the physiological functions of different SL species as plant hormones and rhizosphere signaling molecules, which largely remain unresolved.},
}

@article {pmid42510855,
year = {2026},
author = {Ke, D and Zhou, Z and Song, X and Lin, J and Zhang, K},
title = {GmPP2C113, a Soybean Protein Phosphatase, Positively Regulates Both Salt Tolerance and Symbiotic Nodulation.},
journal = {Genes},
volume = {17},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {42510855},
issn = {2073-4425},
support = {U1904102//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 252300423087//Henan Academy of Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Protein phosphatase type 2C (PP2C) family members are key signaling hubs in plants, but their roles in mediating the trade-off between stress adaptation and symbiotic interactions remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the function of soybean GmPP2C113, which was identified as a potential regulator linking salt stress responses and symbiotic nodulation, in coordinating these two biological processes in soybean (Glycine max).

METHODS/RESULTS: The GmPP2C113 gene was cloned, and its subcellular localization, transcriptional activity, and protein interactions were characterized. Expression patterns under salt stress and rhizobial inoculation were analyzed. The biological role of GmPP2C113 was assessed using transgenic soybean plants overexpressing GmPP2C113. GmPP2C113 was localized in the nucleus and possessed transcriptional activation capability and interacted with GmPP2C47. Its expression was strongly induced by salt stress and by rhizobial infection, with the highest levels detected in mature nodules. Overexpression of GmPP2C113 significantly enhanced salt tolerance, upregulated stress-related genes, increased nodule numbers, and promoted symbiotic nodulation under salt stress by inducing nodulation marker genes.

CONCLUSIONS: These results identify GmPP2C113 as a positive modulator of salt tolerance and reveal its novel role as a molecular node that sustains symbiotic nodulation under salt stress. This provides insight into the coordinated regulation of stress adaptation and symbiosis in soybean.},
}

@article {pmid42511191,
year = {2026},
author = {Pina, IM and Montoro-Espada, S and Morales, D},
title = {Microbial Consortia-Dependent Evolution of Physicochemical, Compositional and Functional Properties in Kombucha Fermentation.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511191},
issn = {2304-8158},
abstract = {In recent decades, kombucha, a beverage produced through the fermentation of tea leaves by a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeasts (SCOBY), has gained considerable popularity and attracted increasing scientific interest. However, the influence of SCOBY composition on kombucha characteristics remains insufficiently explored. In the present study, green tea kombuchas fermented with four different SCOBYs (SCs) were monitored over 21 days through physicochemical (pH), biochemical (total soluble solids (TSS), ethanol, proteins, and phenolic compounds), and microbiological (yeasts, acetic acid bacteria, and lactic acid bacteria) analyses. Based on these parameters, the most suitable bottling time was established for each kombucha (7 days for SC3 and SC4; 10 days for SC1 and SC2), considering acceptable and safe pH values, reduced TSS levels (4.3-4.6 °Brix), ethanol concentrations below 1.2%, and increased protein and phenolic compound contents, all of them differently affected by the SC used. At the selected bottling stages, the kombuchas exhibited DPPH[●] and ABTS[●+] radical scavenging capacities (TEAC values up to 7.7 and 36.7 µmol/mL, respectively) and inhibitory activity against an Escherichia coli strain. These preliminary findings suggest the impact of SC composition and support further studies involving advanced phenolic, microbiological, and functional characterization approaches.},
}

@article {pmid42513947,
year = {2026},
author = {Yao, Z and Zhao, Y and Zhu, L and Zhu, G and Zou, C},
title = {Fungal Communities Within Pitaya Fruit Peel Shift During Ripening and Early Canker Onset.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071441},
pmid = {42513947},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2025GXNSFAA069157 and 2023GXNSFAA026271//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2025YP054 and 2026YT139//Fundamental Research Fund of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {Canker is a major fungal disease that causes substantial yield losses in pitaya (Selenicereus monacanthus (Lemaire) D.R.Hunt, syn. Hylocereus polyrhizus (F.A.C. Weber) Britton and Rose; red-fleshed pitaya). However, how fruit ripening and pathogenesis interactively shape fungal communities in fruit peels remains unclear. Here, we investigated the diversity, assembly mechanisms, co-occurrence networks, and functional guilds of fungal communities in healthy and diseased fruit peels at immature (green) and mature (red) stages of 'Jindu No. 1' pitaya using ITS1 amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed that fruit maturity exerted stronger effects on fungal community structure than disease status, with ripening reducing diversity and increasing dominance. Notably, disease-induced stage-dependent responses: immature communities shifted from stochastic to deterministic assembly under pathogen selection, whereas mature communities maintained stochastic processes despite infection. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that healthy mature peels formed highly complex, cooperative networks with dense positive interactions, while healthy immature peels exhibited fragmented, modular structures vulnerable to invasion. Diseased immature peels displayed intermediate network topology, and diseased mature peels showed disrupted connectivity. Functionally, healthy fruits maintained balanced pathotroph-saprotroph-symbiotroph guilds, whereas diseased fruits exhibited higher relative abundance of pathotrophs and saprotrophs, reflecting a shift from symbiotic nutrient cycling toward necrotrophic pathogenicity and decomposition. These findings challenge the single-pathogen paradigm by revealing canker as an ecological process involving community-wide restructuring. They provide a theoretical basis for stage-specific microbiome-targeted disease management in tropical fruits, emphasizing the preservation of stochastic assembly and cooperative network structures to enhance disease resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42513955,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Gao, X and Jia, T and Chen, D and Zhao, H and Zhang, Y and Hu, J},
title = {Study on the Community Characteristics of the Endogenous Microbiome in Earthworm Cocoons in Composting Systems with Different Base Materials.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071449},
pmid = {42513955},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {41977053//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {This study investigates earthworm cocoons as key vectors for the vertical transmission of symbiotic bacteria, a process that profoundly shapes the gut microbiota of offspring and influences their environmental adaptability. However, systematic knowledge of the internal microbiome communities within earthworm cocoons remains limited. Here, we characterized the composition and functional potential of bacterial communities within cocoons of earthworms collected from three composting systems (fermented coffee grounds, cow manure, and residual sludge) using high-throughput sequencing, together with diversity analyses, dominant taxa identification, and FAPROTAX-based functional prediction. Our results indicated that the composting system significantly affects bacterial diversity and community structure. The fermented coffee grounds system supported the highest species richness, whereas the cow manure system exhibited the greatest diversity and evenness. At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Bacteroidota predominated across all systems, with Pseudomonadota being particularly abundant (62.01-81.41%). At the genus level, Verminephrobacter and Agromyces were consistently dominant, with Verminephrobacter showing particularly high relative abundance, ranging from 22.42% to 51.51%. Although the composition and abundance of dominant phyla and genera varied among systems, the shared OTUs accounted for a substantial proportion of the relative abundance in each sample (54.65-91.84%). Functional predictions revealed chemoorganoheterotrophy as the predominant metabolic function, with relative abundances ranging from 23.87% to 45.42%. Collectively, these findings provide insights into how composting environments shape the bacterial communities within earthworm cocoons, offering a theoretical foundation for understanding the ecological functions of earthworms and their potential applications in ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid42514056,
year = {2026},
author = {Di Gregorio, F and Polizzi, A and Marmo, GM and Angjelova, A and Jovanova, E and Campagna, R and Mascitti, M and Isola, G},
title = {Revisiting the Oral-Gut Axis: Microbial Symbiosis, Dysbiosis, and Bidirectional Links Between Periodontitis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071551},
pmid = {42514056},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {PNRR-POC-2023-12 377 354//Ministero della Salute/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Recent scientific evidence indicates that the oral-gut axis represents a critical interface in host-microbiota interactions, carrying profound implications for both periodontal and gastrointestinal diseases. This scoping review aims to evaluate the reciprocal influence between periodontitis and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Specifically, the underlying mechanisms of microbial translocation, immune interaction, and metabolite-mediated signaling linking the oral microbiota to gut microbial ecology are critically evaluated.

METHODS: Studies were selected from the PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases up to May 2026. Eligible criteria included in vivo studies written in English and conducted within the last 10 years, whereas human studies involving participants under 18 years of age were excluded. The included studies analyze the effects of oral and gut dysbiosis on the opposing district. Through the database search, 2094 records were identified, and 34 articles were selected based on the eligibility criteria.

RESULTS: The included studies demonstrate the interconnection between the oral and gut microbiota. The included studies reveal that predominant oral taxa, specifically Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, alter intestinal microbial composition. In particular, P. gingivalis colonizes the gut, exacerbating both oral and intestinal inflammation by stimulating pro-inflammatory cytokine expression via Th17 cell activation. Finally, salivary microbial composition appears to be associated with the presence and status of IBD.

CONCLUSIONS: Understanding these interconnected microbial ecosystems provides valuable insights that may support the future development of integrated diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for patients suffering from periodontitis and IBD. Further large-scale studies with longer follow-up periods are required to standardize potential salivary markers and multidisciplinary therapeutic protocols for the management of periodontitis and IBD.},
}

@article {pmid42514442,
year = {2026},
author = {Nowak-Zaleska, A and Czerwińska-Ledwig, O and Żychowska, M and Meyza, K and Łoboda, D and Pałka, T and Szlachetka, A and Ziemann, E and Niewęgłowski, T and Kurkiewicz-Piotrowska, A},
title = {Nordic Walking Combined with Time-Restricted Eating Is Associated with Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition in Adults with Obesity-Pilot Study.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142373},
pmid = {42514442},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {022/RID/2018/19//Ministry of Science and Higher Education/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rearrangement of the gut microbiota toward a symbiotic profile may be influenced by physical activity and diet in both healthy and obese individuals. This study aimed to characterize gut microbiota using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and to evaluate the effect of a 6-week Nordic Walking (NW) program combined with Time-Restricted Eating (TRE; 10 h eating window) in individuals with obesity.

METHODS: The study included healthy controls (C; n = 10; 64.7 ± 6.7 years) and individuals with obesity (A; n = 10; 60.0 ± 4.5 years). The intervention consisted of three moderate-intensity NW sessions per week, individually adapted to participants' capacity. Gut microbiota was analyzed using nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V9 regions).

RESULTS: Baseline microbial composition differed significantly between obese and control groups, with Bray-Curtis dissimilarity ranging from 49.98% (phylum) to 65.97% (species) (p ≤ 0.02). After intervention, within-group dissimilarity in the obese cohort (A vs. B) decreased to 25.24-51.86% but was not significant (p = 0.88-1.00). Post-intervention comparisons (B vs. C) still showed significant differences at higher taxonomic levels, including class (44.10%, p = 0.015), order (31.62%, p = 0.022), family (50.48%, p = 0.011), genus (58.09%, p = 0.005), and species (63.47%, p = 0.0003). Alpha diversity showed no significant differences at species and genus levels, but significant group effects were observed at higher ranks, including order (Shannon p = 0.01; Simpson p = 0.01), class (Simpson p = 0.02), and phylum (Shannon p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: The NW + TRE intervention was associated with partial normalization of gut microbiota structure and reduced microbial dissimilarity, suggesting a shift toward a more symbiotic profile; however, differences compared with controls persisted, indicating incomplete convergence after 6 weeks.},
}

@article {pmid42514580,
year = {2026},
author = {Huang, B and Chen, W and Yu, Y and Li, S and Wang, S},
title = {Integrated Physiological and Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal That Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Symbiosis Enhances Iron Stress Tolerance in Eucalyptus grandis.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants15142213},
pmid = {42514580},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {32401548//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2024GXNSFBA010336, 2025GXNSFAA069140//the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province/ ; AD25069066//the Natural Science Foundation of Guangxi Province/ ; //Guangxi Young Elite Scientist Sponsorship Program/ ; //Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Young Talent Subsidy Project (Second Batch, 2025)/ ; },
abstract = {Iron (Fe) is an essential micronutrient for plants. However, both iron deficiency and excess can severely inhibit plant growth and productivity. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi have been shown to improve plant mineral nutrition and stress tolerance, yet the integrated physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying AM-mediated iron homeostasis regulation, particularly in woody tree species, remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of inoculating Eucalyptus grandis seedlings with the AM fungus Rhizophagus irregularis on their growth, photosynthetic performance, antioxidant defense, and transcriptional responses under varying Fe supply levels (5, 25, and 200 µM). Our results demonstrated that AM symbiosis significantly alleviated the growth inhibition induced by both low-Fe (5 µM) and high-Fe (200 µM) stress, enhanced photosynthetic capacity, as evidenced by increased net photosynthetic rate (Pn), stomatal conductance (Gs), and PSII photochemical efficiency; under low-Fe, Pn, Gs, and Fv/Fm increased by 33.7%, 42.4%, and 25.2%, respectively. AM symbiosis also significantly enhanced the activities of antioxidant enzymes (POD, SOD, and CAT) under high-iron stress, accompanied by reduced accumulation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation; specifically, POD, SOD, and CAT activities increased by 79.3%, 88.7%, and 87.0%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis identified 44 MYB transcription factors that were differentially induced by AM symbiosis under iron stress, among which six genes (EgMYB-2, EgMYB-3, EgMYB315-1, EgMYB315-2, EgMYB61, and EgMYB306) were significantly upregulated by AM under both low- and high-iron conditions, as verified by qRT-PCR. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive associations between the expression of these EgMYB genes and antioxidant enzyme activities as well as photosynthetic parameters, suggesting their potential involvement in coordinating iron stress responses. Overall, our findings indicate that AM fungus enhances iron stress tolerance in E. grandis through a multilevel strategy that includes photosynthetic protection, antioxidant defense activation, and transcriptional reprogramming involving MYB transcription factors as potential regulators. This study provides integrated physiological-molecular analysis and novel insights into AM-mediated Fe homeostasis regulation in the woody tree species E. grandis.},
}

@article {pmid42514815,
year = {2026},
author = {Ahmed, SB and Eticha, AK and Cug, H and Dogan, N and Dogan, C and Sismanoglu, S and Elberishy, N and Akgul, Y and Shyha, I},
title = {Kombucha-Derived Bacterial Cellulose Nanowhisker-Reinforced Electroblown Gelatin/PVA Nanofibrous Mats as Candidate Materials for Sustainable Food Packaging.},
journal = {Polymers},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/polym18141764},
pmid = {42514815},
issn = {2073-4360},
support = {KBUBAP-25-DS-186//Karabük University/ ; },
abstract = {The growing demand for sustainable food packaging materials has accelerated the development of biodegradable alternatives to conventional petroleum-based plastic. This study investigates the reinforcement of electroblown gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol (G-PVA) nanofibrous mats with kombucha-derived bacterial cellulose nanowhiskers (BCNWs) to enhance their mechanical, thermal, and surface properties while promoting the valorization of symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY) waste. BCNWs were incorporated into the G-PVA matrix at different loadings, and the resulting nanocomposites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), tensile testing, and water contact angle measurements. The addition of BCNW significantly improved the tensile strength of the nanofibrous mats, with a maximum increase about 120% compared with neat G-PVA nanofibers. SEM images revealed uniform, bead-free fiber structures at appropriate BCNW concentrations, while FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed effective interactions between the nanowhiskers and the polymer matrix. TGA results indicated enhanced thermal stability at moderate BCNW loadings, whereas excessive BCNW content promoted agglomeration and reduced thermal resistance. Furthermore, the incorporation of BCNWs increased the water contact angle to 144.11 ± 1.45°, demonstrating improved surface hydrophobicity. Overall, kombucha-derived BCNWs effectively reinforced electroblown G-PVA nanofibers, producing biodegradable nanocomposite mats with improved performance and strong potential for sustainable food packaging applications.},
}

@article {pmid42516223,
year = {2026},
author = {AlMealla, RK and Edullantes, B and McKew, B and Matthews Nicholass, K and Hepburn, LJ and Greenwood, B and Smith, DJ and Adalah, JJ and Gendron, G and Taylor, ML},
title = {Biogeographical Patterns of Coral-Associated Symbiodiniaceae Across Thermal Regimes Including Trace Molecular Detection of Cladocopium thermophilum (C3-Gulf) in the Seychelles.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {e73941},
pmid = {42516223},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Reef-building corals are under serious threat from ocean warming, which directly impacts their symbiotic partnership with dinoflagellates from the family Symbiodiniaceae; a partnership integral for the survival of coral reefs. Symbiodiniaceae types vary in their levels of tolerance to heat and light, with some reported to enhance a coral's ability to withstand thermal stress. This study investigated the composition and diversity of Symbiodiniaceae across different thermal regimes and latitudinal gradients covering three bioregions: Bahrain (Arabian Gulf-AG), the Seychelles (Western Indian Ocean-WIO), and Indonesia (Central Indo-Pacific-CIP). Coral fragments from 11 coral host species (n = 183 colonies collected; n = 157 retained following sequencing quality control) were sampled across six reef sites spanning these regions. Results acquired through next generation sequencing (NGS) targeting the ITS2 rDNA region identified three main genera: Cladocopium (dominant across all sites), Durusdinium, and Symbiodinium. Observed biogeographical patterns suggested lower Symbiodiniaceae diversity and richness in the higher latitude and more thermally extreme reefs of Bahrain compared to Indonesia and the Seychelles. Shifts in Symbiodiniaceae community composition from thermally sensitive ITS2 types in reefs under comparatively lower thermal stress (Degree Heating Weeks (DHW) ≤ 4°C-weeks) toward more thermotolerant ITS2 types in reefs exposed to higher thermal stress (DHW > 4°C-weeks) were observed. Our results provide the first ITS2-based molecular characterization of Symbiodiniaceae communities in Bahrain and document the widespread occurrence of the thermotolerant C3-Gulf (Cladocopium thermophilum) type across sampled Bahraini coral hosts. In addition, the C3-Gulf ITS2 type was detected at trace relative abundance (0.1%) within a coral sample from the Seychelles extending previous observations beyond AG, although the ecological significance of this low-abundance detection remains uncertain. Overall, the findings provide baseline insights into coral-Symbiodiniaceae associations across contrasting reef systems and highlight how symbiont community composition may vary under differing environmental, thermal, and biogeographic conditions.},
}

@article {pmid42517564,
year = {2026},
author = {Eylenstein, AE and Blanco, FA and Zanetti, ME and Reynoso, MA},
title = {mRNA translational control during root legume symbioses.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag367},
pmid = {42517564},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Root arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS) allows plants to thrive in nutrient deficient environments. This symbiosis shaped land life evolution and allowed the emergence of root nodule symbiosis (RNS). Both AMS and RNS involve the internalization of symbionts -mycorrhizal fungi and nitrogen-fixing bacteria, respectively- either in root ground tissue or in new derived cells. This internalization relies on root cellular reprogramming, which include ectopic cell cycle activation in AMS, or extensive cell cycle activation in RNS. Cell divisions and meristematic activity in the roots are accompanied by ribosome biogenesis and active mRNA translation. Whereas arbuscular infected cells show enrichment in ribosomal proteins (RPs), transcripts encoding RPs accumulate at early stages of the RNS. In addition, specific components of the translational machinery, including eukaryotic initiation and elongation factors, are detected in single-cell transcriptomes of actively dividing cortical cells that will give rise to a nodule primordium. The diversity of heterogeneous ribosomes and their regulatory associated components might contribute to the translation of specific subsets of mRNAs in different tissues, explaining the differences between the transcriptome and polysome-associated mRNAs observed in early RNS. Features of the regulated mRNAs such as upstream open reading frames may have an impact on translation initiation. In addition, evidence suggests that translation is modulated by small and long non-coding RNAs. This review discusses the relevance of translation in association with cellular reprogramming in root symbioses.},
}

@article {pmid42519509,
year = {2026},
author = {Huffmyer, AS and Strand, EL and Hackerott, S and Wong, KH and Becker, DM and Conetta, D and Terpis, KX and Pfab, F and Wong, JM and Dellaert, Z and Oliaro, FJ and Cunning, R and Eirin-Lopez, JM and Roberts, SB and Nisbet, RM and Putnam, HM},
title = {Seasonal Physiological Strategies Reveal Contrasting Host-Symbiont Dynamics Among Dominant Indo-Pacific Reef-Building Corals.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {e74044},
doi = {10.1002/ece3.74044},
pmid = {42519509},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {As coral reefs face declines driven by thermal stress and the breakdown of coral symbiosis (i.e., coral bleaching), restoration efforts rely on coral health and resilience rankings. However, seasonal plasticity in symbiosis and metabolism and the presence of cryptic species complicates data interpretation. Quantifying seasonal plasticity in coral physiology and incorporating genetic identification are essential for interpreting and drawing conclusions from trait-based and fitness-based analyses. To test the effect of seasonal and site variation on physiology, we sampled three ecologically dominant genera, Acropora, Pocillopora, and Porites across three lagoon sites (n = 15 tagged colonies genus[-1] site[-1]) on the north shore of Mo'orea, French Polynesia in January, March, September, and December of 2020. We identified coral host and intracellular Symbiodiniaceae to the highest taxonomic resolution possible and quantified 13 physiological variables. Genetic analyses identified A. pulchra and cryptic lineages in Pocillopora (P. meandrina, P. tuahiniensis) and Porites (P. evermanni, P. lobata/lutea). Acropora pulchra hosted Durusdinium trenchii and Symbiodinium microadriaticum. Symbiont communities differed between cryptic congeners, with P. meandrina hosting Cladocopium latusorum and P. tuahiniensis hosting Cladocopium pacificum, whereas P. evermanni and P. lobata/lutea both hosted Cladocopium (C15), but each with unique C15 profiles. Acropora and Pocillopora displayed seasonal cycles of symbiont density and productivity ("boom and bust") in association with light and temperature, a pattern that may contribute to the greater environmental sensitivity previously reported in these taxa. In contrast, Porites exhibited greater symbiont stability, with temperature-rather than light-showing stronger associations with host physiology. Increased host biomass under cooler conditions, which may provide greater energy reserves, could represent one mechanism contributing to the comparatively greater stress tolerance observed in massive Porites. Collectively, our findings highlight the importance of integrating baseline physiological measurements with host and symbiont genetics when interpreting coral responses across seasons.},
}

@article {pmid42519867,
year = {2026},
author = {Yu, L and Li, J and Plaza, A and Zhuo, L},
title = {Multi-scale Meets Active Learning: A Deep Graph Fusion Paradigm for Hyperspectral Image Classification.},
journal = {IEEE transactions on image processing : a publication of the IEEE Signal Processing Society},
volume = {PP},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1109/TIP.2026.3715847},
pmid = {42519867},
issn = {1941-0042},
abstract = {Deep learning (DL) has attracted considerable attention in the field of hyperspectral image classification (HSIC). However, most DL methods still suffer from two problems: overfitting and oversmoothing, particularly when dealing with scarce labeled samples. A major challenge is that they do not make full use of the relationships among a large number of unlabeled samples and multi-scale information in structural relationships, resulting in the loss of multi-scale information. Moreover, prior information such as labels is not used to explicitly learn and modify the graph structure (including nodes, the sparsity of connections, and edge weights). To address these issues, we propose a novel deep fusion paradigm for multi-scale superpixel graphs (DFSG). Our new DFSG integrates multi-scale graphs (at both the graph-level and the feature-level) to reduce information loss while the re-segmentation based graph correction module adaptively learns new graph structures during the active learning (AL) process. In our proposed iterative updating mechanism, AL and our multi-scale methods help each other, forming a symbiotic unified DFSG-AL framework. Experiments on five real hyperspectral image (HSI) datasets demonstrate that our DFSG-AL can achieve remarkable performance in few-sample HSIC. The source codes will be available at https://github.com/yulong112/DFSG.},
}

@article {pmid42520795,
year = {2026},
author = {Chi, X and Wang, CH and Parisotto, YF and Nyberg, WA and Cabric, V and Gelineau, A and Cao, Y and Owen, DL and Ambjörnsson, J and Mathis, D and Eyquem, J and Brown, CC and Benoist, C},
title = {TCR origin and specificity to environmental or self-antigens on distinct antigen-presenting cells determine peripheral Treg cell differentiation.},
journal = {Immunity},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.immuni.2026.07.001},
pmid = {42520795},
issn = {1097-4180},
abstract = {Peripheral differentiation of regulatory T (pTreg) cells promotes immunological tolerance to obligate non-self, such as food or symbiotic microbes. We examined the relative importance of TCR recognition vs. environmental cues, leveraging CRISPR-based TCR editing of primary T cells with a large TCR panel, assessing pTreg cell differentiation induced by self-, microbial, or dietary antigens. All antigen classes drove stable pTreg cell differentiation, which varied with TCR origin: TCRs derived from Treg cells enabled pTreg cell differentiation more effectively than those from conventional T cells. TCRs recognizing self-, microbial, or dietary antigens elicited distinct pTreg cell phenotypes: Helios[+], RORγ[+], or both. Different TCR-antigen pairs established distinct transcriptional programs. These differences traced to the types of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) involved-food-reactive TCRs depended predominantly on RORγ[+] APCs and self-reactive TCRs depended on conventional dendritic cells. Thus, TCR specificity is a primary determinant of CD4[+] T cell fate and phenotype, integrating antigen specificity and presentation context, providing a framework to design TCR-based tolerogenic immunotherapies.},
}

@article {pmid42521613,
year = {2026},
author = {Kong, M and Lin, S and Ramm, JD and Weir, S and Newton, WP},
title = {Access to Continuity-Strategies for Symbiotic Improvement of Access and Continuity of Care.},
journal = {Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine : JABFM},
volume = {39},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3122/jabfm.2026.260055R0},
pmid = {42521613},
issn = {1558-7118},
abstract = {Family medicine and primary care face ongoing pressures for access, with demand for care overwhelming the capacity to deliver it. Common strategies to maximize access often operate to the exclusion or detriment of continuity of care. During the August 2025 Family Medicine Leadership Consortium meeting, rather than presuming a tradeoff between the two as inevitable, the proposition that family medicine is committed to improving access to continuity of care was put forth.This article summarizes concepts and models for improving access that simultaneously preserve or elevate continuity of care. A full understanding of access requires nuanced data around demand and capacity at the day-to-day level. This data can be used to prioritize both access and continuity by incorporating both into appointment templates, right-sizing panels, and directing capacity to the times of greatest demand. Investing in innovative team models such as those incorporating upskilled medical assistants, or panels shared among small teams of physicians and advanced practice practitioners, allow expanded capacity to deliver access while maintaining continuity. Advanced access scheduling models build on foundations of managing demand and capacity to most efficiently match day-to-day visit capacity to demand and maximize access to the continuity clinician.Improving access and continuity of care do not have to be a zero-sum game-by valuing and centering continuity among access interventions, healthcare systems can shift the paradigm between access and continuity from "either/or" to a symbiotic relationship, with access meaning access to continuity of care.},
}

@article {pmid42502611,
year = {2026},
author = {Fan, T and Wang, LP and Li, J and Yang, MK and Chen, Y and Jin, MJ and Chen, L and Ge, LF and Huang, W},
title = {Role of the MtLUX-MtRVE1 regulatory module in auxin-mediated root development and nodule formation in Medicago truncatula.},
journal = {Horticulture research},
volume = {13},
number = {8},
pages = {uhag124},
pmid = {42502611},
issn = {2662-6810},
abstract = {The circadian clock synchronizes a multitude of biological events with environmental changes, thereby optimizing plant growth and development. In legumes, nodule formation, a pivotal process that sustains symbiotic nitrogen fixation, is one such event regulated by the circadian clock. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the circadian clock's regulation of nodule formation and nitrogen fixation are still poorly elucidated. Herein, we unveil that the core clock gene LUX ARRHYTHMO (LUX) exerts a crucial role in modulating nodule formation and root development via auxin biosynthesis pathways in the model legume Medicago truncatula. Our findings indicate that MtLUX directly associates with the promoter of MtRVE1, a clock output gene involved in auxin biosynthesis, both in vivo and in vitro, thereby repressing its expression. Biochemical and genetic data further corroborate that the MtLUX-MtRVE1 regulatory module adjusts root architecture and nodule formation through the fine-tuning of auxin biosynthesis. These discoveries reveal a mechanism whereby the circadian clock integrates hormonal pathways to regulate nodule formation, thereby linking circadian regulation, auxin biosynthesis, and nitrogen fixation in legumes. This research lays the groundwork for enhancing legume growth and nitrogen acquisition under fluctuating environmental conditions.},
}

@article {pmid42505095,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Q and Bollati, E and Kühl, M},
title = {Heterotrophic feeding and symbiotic state shape the chemical microenvironment, microbiome composition, and activity in the coral gastrovascular cavity.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0244125},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02441-25},
pmid = {42505095},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Coral gastrovascular cavities (GVCs) host diverse microorganisms and, as semi-closed compartments, are characterized by elevated nutrient concentrations and pronounced diel fluctuations in oxygen (O2) and pH. However, their broader chemical microenvironment and associated microbial activities remain poorly understood. Here, we provide direct evidence for active anaerobic metabolism in the GVC of Astraeosmilia curvata by measuring hydrogen (H2), nitric oxide (NO), and nitrous oxide (N2O) production, indicative of microbial fermentation and denitrification. Changes in GVC H2 concentrations in Astraeosmilia curvata and Goniastrea sp. after food particle ingestion suggest that coral feeding activity modulates substrate availability, which in turn influences microbial activity in this compartment. In bleached A. curvata corals, the GVC remained consistently hypoxic and acidic, and anaerobic metabolic processes persisted across the diel cycle, whereas in healthy corals, the GVC became hyperoxic under light, and anaerobic metabolism was suppressed. These patterns suggest a shift in energy and nutrient cycling pathways within the bleached coral holobiont. Amplicon sequencing and PICRUSt2-based functional predictions revealed that the shifts in bacterial community composition correlated with microenvironmental chemical gradients, including the enrichment of putative denitrifying taxa (Alcanivoracaceae, Xanthobacteraceae) in polyps exhibiting elevated NO concentration, alongside predicted metabolic pathways involved in nitrogen and hydrogen metabolism. Together, our findings identify the GVC as a dynamic site of microbial activity that may play an important role in holobiont carbon and nitrogen cycling, with potential implications for nutrient balance and coral resilience.

IMPORTANCE: Understanding interactions among the coral animal host, Symbiodiniaceae, and associated bacteria within specific coral compartments is essential for elucidating the underlying mechanisms affecting the ecophysiology of reef-building coral holobionts, both under ambient and environmental stress conditions. However, most studies in the literature have focused on studying coral-microbe interactions at larger spatial scales, and especially the gastrovascular cavity (GVC) of corals remains underexplored despite its key role in coral processes, such as prey digestion, circulation of resources between polyps, sexual reproduction, and as the pathway for algal symbiont expulsion and colonization. By combining microsensor profiling with microvolume sampling and molecular analysis of the gastrovascular cavity, this study demonstrates strong chemical dynamics in single coral polyps, where spatio-temporal changes in O2 availability enable active fermentation and denitrification within the GVC. Our findings suggest that the GVC is a hotspot of both aerobic and anaerobic microbial metabolism, with potential importance for energy and nutrient cycling in the coral holobiont.},
}

@article {pmid42505793,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhong, H and Li, F and Yu, K and Zhang, J},
title = {Structure of the Gut and Ovary, with Associated Microbiota Across Life Stages in the Striped Stem Borer Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae).},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17070682},
pmid = {42505793},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {LY24C040001//Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2023031//Science and technology planning project of Huangyan District/ ; CARS-24-G-07//China Agriculture Research System of MOF and MARA/ ; },
abstract = {The striped stem borer Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is one of the most serious pests of water bamboo Zizania latifolia. Microbiota dynamics across the life cycle of C. suppressalis are a prerequisite for comprehending the symbiotic relationship between C. suppressalis and its microbiota. In this study, we characterized the structural features of the gut and ovary, as well as the associated microbiota of C. suppressalis. The gut is anatomically divided into the foregut, midgut and hindgut. Notable structural and ultrastructural differences were observed between adults and larvae, the details of which have not been previously documented. Microbial sequencing of gut, ovary, and egg samples revealed variations in relative sequence abundances among these tissues. At the phylum level, Proteobacteria and Firmicutes were the predominant groups. At the family level, Bacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Enterococcaceae, Halomonadaceae, Moraxellaceae, and Streptococcaceae were detected in the gut, ovary, and egg, albeit with different relative sequence abundances. The larval midgut exhibited the highest bacteria diversity among all samples examined. The compositional distribution of bacterial genera varied considerably across developmental stages, diet, and gut compartment, and some genera were identified as core microbial taxa. These findings provide a descriptive account of the microbial community structure associated with different tissues and life stages of C. suppressalis. They also provided important insights into the investigation of insect-bacteria symbioses, thereby facilitating effective biocontrol of this species.},
}

@article {pmid42505841,
year = {2026},
author = {Fuentes-Vielma, J and Sepúlveda, DA and Martel, SI and Briones, LM and Castañeda, LE and Figueroa, CC},
title = {Carrying Regiella insecticola Does Not Impose Detectable Life-History Costs on Dominant Chilean Sitobion avenae Superclones Under Simulated Heat-Wave Conditions.},
journal = {Insects},
volume = {17},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/insects17070730},
pmid = {42505841},
issn = {2075-4450},
support = {ATE230025//ANID/ANILLO/ ; 1210713//ANID/FONDECYT/ ; 1251143//ANID/FONDECYT/ ; 3240368//ANID/ FONDECYT Postdoctoral/ ; },
abstract = {The intensification of extreme thermal events increases the risk of pest outbreaks and disruptions in agroecosystems, making it crucial to understand how heat waves affect pest performance. This study examined the impact of thermal stress on two dominant aphid genotypes of Sitobion avenae, focusing on their symbionts Regiella insecticola and Hamiltonella defensa. R. insecticola is associated with neutrality in performance, while H. defensa shows no thermal tolerance. We evaluated symbiont-infected and cured lineages during a heat wave, measuring life-history traits. Key findings include: the H. defensa strain incurred increased costs under heat, reducing survival, fecundity, and growth; the effects of R. insecticola strain were predominantly neutral and specific to clones; and Buchnera aphidicola titers correlated with host performance, with H. defensa lineages having higher titers regardless of heat exposure. This suggests that the R. insecticola strain present in Chilean genotypes does not contribute to the resilience of certain clones to thermal stress in Chile, whereas the H. defensa strain imposes performance costs during heat waves. The results of this research pertain to specific strains of endosymbionts, rather than to all endosymbionts within these taxa. These findings emphasize the need to consider symbiotic relationships and thermal physiology in aphid pest management strategies.},
}

@article {pmid42506222,
year = {2026},
author = {Huo, W and He, X and Su, J and Dai, L and Qi, P and Liu, Y and Zhang, L and Qiao, T and Li, J},
title = {Telomere-to-Telomere Genome Assembly of Coprinellus disseminatus and Genomic Insights into Its Symbiotic Germination of Cremastra appendiculata Seeds.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12070460},
pmid = {42506222},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {2021YFD1600400//National Key R&D program of China/ ; 2023-ZDLNY-14//Key Research and Development Projects of Shaanxi Province/ ; TZKN-CXTD-08//Shaanxi Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Research and Innovation Team/ ; },
abstract = {Cremastra appendiculata is a medicinally important orchid whose seed germination depends on fungal symbionts. Here, we present the first telomere-to-telomere (T2T) genome assembly of the orchid mycorrhizal fungus Coprinellus disseminatus, comprising 15 gapless chromosomes (54.41 Mb) with 98.80% BUSCO completeness. Symbiotic germination assays demonstrated that C. disseminatus significantly outperformed its congeners C. domesticus and C. radians in protocorm biomass. Comparative genomic analyses revealed highly conserved carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) repertoires among the three species, ruling out CAZyme divergence as the primary driver of differential symbiotic performance. CAFE analysis showed that since its divergence approximately 117.8 million years ago, C. disseminatus underwent substantial gene family expansions enriched in proteasome, endocytosis, adherens junction, and tight junction pathways, suggesting that lineage-specific expansion of these functional modules may have contributed to its superior symbiotic capacity for orchid seed germination. These findings require further experimental validation through transcriptomic and functional genomic approaches.},
}

@article {pmid42506227,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, S and Liu, X and Hu, M and Teng, T and Long, F and Gao, J and Bao, G and Chen, S},
title = {Strain-Specific Effects of Epichloë bromicola Symbionts on Photosynthesis and Chloroplast Ultrastructure in Hordeum bogdanii.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12070465},
pmid = {42506227},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {2026-ZJ-910M//Natural Science Foundation of Qinghai Province/ ; 32260356//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Epichloë endophytes can confer diverse benefits to host grasses, but the differences in effects between strains from different populations are poorly understood. In this study, we compared the impacts of two Epichloë bromicola strains isolated from distinct geographic populations of Hordeum bogdanii: GS1 (from Linze County, Gansu Province) and WS1 (from Wensu County, Xinjiang Province). Through controlled inoculation experiments, we established two new symbionts-HE2 (WS1 transferred to endophyte-free GF plants) and HE3 (GS1 transferred to endophyte-free WF plants)-alongside the natural symbionts GI (GS1-harboring) and WI (WS1-harboring) and corresponding endophyte-free controls (GF and WF). Symbiosis was confirmed by microscopic observation of blue-stained hyphae, re-isolation of fungi, and molecular identification using tef and tub gene sequences. Strikingly, the two strains exerted opposite effects on host photosynthesis. GS1-colonized plants (GI and HE3) maintained normal chloroplast ultrastructure, showed increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and carotenoid contents, and exhibited enhanced net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance, comparable to or exceeding those of control WF. In contrast, WS1-colonized plants (WI and HE2) had deformed chloroplasts, reduced pigment contents, and depressed gas exchange parameters, similar to control GF. Both newly generated symbionts accumulated more starch grains than their natural counterparts, indicating altered carbon partitioning. Phenotypic patterns were consistent across natural and novel associations, suggesting that fungal genotype drives outcomes. Differing physiological effects caused by strains from the same species and the same host but different populations indicate the importance of strain-level selection in agricultural applications. GS1 shows promise as a growth-promoting bioinoculant to enhance photosynthesis and productivity in forage grasses, particularly under marginal conditions. This study highlights how intraspecific variation and local adaptation shape grass-endophyte interactions and informs targeted use of symbionts in sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid42506235,
year = {2026},
author = {Ansari, RA and Egamberdievich, KE and Fayziyevich, BX and Kurbonovich, TM and Enverovna, BL and Raximovna, MT and Babakulovna, RR},
title = {Soil to Cytoplasm: The Mycorrhizal Phosphorus Express and Its Regulatory Steps.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12070473},
pmid = {42506235},
issn = {2309-608X},
abstract = {Mycorrhizal symbiosis shows the most widespread evolutionarily ancient strategy by which higher plants overcome phosphorus limitations in soil. The acquisition of phosphorus by terrestrial plants is fundamentally constrained by low soil mobility and strong chemical fixation. Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis overcomes these limitations through a regulated transport system that regulates phosphate movement across distinct control points such as soil extraction, internal hyphal translocation, and the host-fungal exchange interface. This review provides a mechanistic synthesis of each checkpoint, and evaluates how up- and downregulatory genes, specific phosphate transporter families, and environmental conditions collectively determine symbiotic efficiency. We integrate recent advances in molecular genetics, computational modelling, and artificial intelligence to resolve the spatial and temporal dynamics of phosphate movement from soil to plant cell. The analysis reveals that the phosphorus journey from soil to cell represents a chain of tightly regulated transport events through the multiple checkpoints. Each checkpoint dictates the regulation of phosphorus, and helps in nutrient exchange judiciously. By mapping these regulatory stops, the review establishes a comprehensive framework for the optimization of biological phosphorus acquisition. The review also determines when and why proper symbiosis fails and ways to overcome such critical feature. The synthesis identifies critical regulatory nodes and outlines targeted strategies to enhance biological phosphorus acquisition, optimize crop nutrient-use efficiency, and reduce reliance on mineral fertilizers in sustainable agricultural systems.},
}

@article {pmid42506264,
year = {2026},
author = {Gagou, E and Ben Moumen, M and Chakroune, K and Jaziri, ME and Hakkou, A},
title = {Underground Architects of Resilience: Biodiversity and Role of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) Productivity and Adaptation to Arid Environments.},
journal = {Journal of fungi (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {12},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jof12070502},
pmid = {42506264},
issn = {2309-608X},
support = {PRD-2022-Maroc//Académie de recherche et d'enseignement supérieur/ ; },
abstract = {The date palm is an icon of resilience in arid ecosystems, yet its survival is increasingly challenged by climate change and disease. Belowground, a powerful symbiotic solution exists: Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi (AMF). This review synthesizes eight decades of research, from the pioneering observations in 1940 to contemporary studies, to build a comprehensive understanding of this critical partnership. We explore the vast, largely untapped biogeographic diversity of AMF, from the oases of North Africa to the deserts of Arabia, and detail the physiological and molecular mechanisms that underpin AMF-mediated tolerance to salinity, drought, and pathogens like Fusarium oxysporum. Evidence from individual studies indicates that AMF inoculation can increase plant biomass by more than 100% under specific stress conditions and substantially reduce Bayoud disease severity, although the magnitude of these effects varies with fungal identity, host cultivar, and experimental conditions. We then bridge this fundamental knowledge to cutting-edge biotechnological applications, including the design of precision inoculants and scalable in vitro production systems. We conclude by outlining a strategic vision for future research, focusing on the development of cultivar-specific consortia and the integration of multi-omics, to translate this fundamental ecological interaction into robust, sustainable agricultural solutions.},
}

@article {pmid42507935,
year = {2026},
author = {Ling, L and Wang, S and Tao, J and Pervent, M and Ho, KE and Sciallano, C and Camuel, A and Nouwen, N and Giraud, E and Luo, H},
title = {The free-living wellspring of symbiotic nitrogen fixation in Bradyrhizobium.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {123},
number = {31},
pages = {e2604918123},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2604918123},
pmid = {42507935},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {AoE/M-403/16//Hong Kong Research Grants Council Area of Excellence Scheme/ ; "ET-Nod"; ANR-20-CE20-0012//French National Research Agency/ ; },
abstract = {The evolutionary origin of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis has been a long-standing question. To address this, we focused on Bradyrhizobium, a globally abundant bacterial genus that includes classic symbiotic lineages, which rely on the common Nod factor signaling pathway to form nodules, and close relatives capable of fixing nitrogen in a free-living state. We isolated 88 strains carrying the key genes for nitrogen fixation (nif) from nonlegume environments and analyzed them alongside 586 public Bradyrhizobium genomes harboring these genes to reconstruct a robust phylogeny of nif genes. Analysis suggests that the earliest-diverging nif lineages are members capable of free-living nitrogen fixation, supporting the interpretation that this lifestyle is ancestral. The Nod factor-dependent symbiotic lineages are polyphyletic, with our data supporting at least three independent origins via horizontal acquisition of symbiosis islands. This evolutionary history is reflected in a genomic dichotomy: lineages capable of free-living nitrogen fixation possess a conserved nif island architecture that consistently includes the oxygen-protective gene glbO, whereas the symbiotic nif-associated regions are highly variable and universally lack glbO. Using both loss-of-function and gain-of-function genetic approaches, we show that glbO contributes significantly to nitrogenase activity under free-living conditions, whereas it is dispensable within the protected nodule environment. This work provides a framework for the evolution of nitrogen-fixing symbiosis, supporting the view that free-living nitrogen-fixing ancestors gave rise repeatedly and independently to symbiotic lineages in Bradyrhizobium.},
}

@article {pmid42508025,
year = {2026},
author = {Mandyam, K and Jumpponen, A},
title = {Decoding dark septate endophyte symbiosis: A functional and ecological perspective.},
journal = {FEMS microbiology reviews},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/femsre/fuag035},
pmid = {42508025},
issn = {1574-6976},
abstract = {Plant root microbial symbioses influence plant performance and ecosystem processes. Among these, dark septate endophyte (DSE) fungi are ubiquitous, non-mycorrhizal root endophytes with broad host ranges that facilitate nutrient acquisition, mitigate biotic and abiotic stress, and elicit positive, neutral, or negative plant growth responses depending on host and environmental context. Comparative genomic and transcriptomic analyses provide a robust framework for evaluating DSE lifestyles. Beyond their direct effects on plants, fungal endophytes contribute to soil microbiome networks, soil health, regenerative agriculture, and One Health. Integrating comparative genomics, transcriptomics, microbiome ecology, soil health, and agricultural studies, we present a systems-level synthesis of DSE biology that identifies key knowledge gaps and advances our understanding of DSE ecology and function. Comparative genomic, transcriptomic, and ecological evidence indicates that DSE share molecular and functional characteristics with ericoid mycorrhizal fungi, consistent with a hypothesized transition from saprotrophic toward specialized root-associated lifestyles. Their melanin production, extensive CAZyme repertoires, and broad ecological distribution suggest important roles in microbiome assembly, nutrient cycling, carbon dynamics, soil aggregation, and plant stress tolerance. We conclude by presenting an integrated framework linking plant-soil-fungus-environment interactions that defines core DSE competencies and highlights their importance for ecosystem functioning and sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid42508659,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, J and Zhou, C and Ji, X and D'Alessandro, R and Cheng, S},
title = {Algal-bacterial symbiosis enhances adaptation to nutrient limitation under low light in urban water: Transcriptomic insights into chloroplast-centered metabolic reprogramming.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {135513},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135513},
pmid = {42508659},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {Algal-bacterial co-cultures are promising microbial platforms for maintaining microalgal growth in urban river water without exogenous nutrient supplementation. In this study, a defined Chlorella vulgaris-Ectopseudomonas sp. co-culture and algal monocultures were cultivated in autoclaved urban river water under light intensities of 120 and 60μmol m[-2] s[-1]. Starting from an initial algal density of 1.0 × 10[5] cells mL[-1], the reduced-light co-culture treatment reached the highest algal cell density of approximately 4.9 × 10[7] cells mL[-1] during cultivation, whereas the higher-light co-culture reached a lower maximum density of approximately 3.4 × 10[7] cells mL[-1] and declined earlier. Physiological and biochemical measurements at the Day 5 RNA-seq sampling time point showed that the reduced-light co-culture was associated with higher chlorophyll a content, a higher cellular energy state, and lower oxidative stress responses than the corresponding algal monoculture and higher-light treatments. Day 5 RNA-seq revealed clear treatment-associated transcriptomic separation, with PC1 and PC2 explaining 79 % and 11 % of the total variation, respectively. In the reduced-light versus higher-light co-culture comparison, 2244 candidate genes exhibited higher expression and 1534 candidate genes exhibited lower expression under reduced light. Functional enrichment analysis associated these expression-responsive candidate genes with photosynthesis, porphyrin metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, glycerolipid metabolism, and transport-related processes. These results suggest that reduced light intensity supports more sustained algal growth in the co-culture system and is associated with broad chloroplast-related transcriptional adjustment under non-supplemented urban-water cultivation conditions. Further time-series transcriptomic, physiological, biochemical, and metabolomic analyses are needed to further validate these transcriptome-associated interpretations.},
}

@article {pmid42508718,
year = {2026},
author = {Igamberdiev, AU},
title = {Codepoietic biological evolution: From the origin of life to eukaryogenesis.},
journal = {Bio Systems},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {105901},
doi = {10.1016/j.biosystems.2026.105901},
pmid = {42508718},
issn = {1872-8324},
abstract = {Evolution is an intrinsic property of autopoietic systems, performing natural computation based on the internal formal self-description representing the arrangement of digital and analog coding systems. Autopoietic systems are capable of assigning new values to previously unproven (ambiguous) statements, which occurs, in particular, in conditions beyond the limits of adaptability. This process, defined by Marcello Barbieri as codepoiesis, occurs through the introduction of new codes or the rearrangement of existing ones, increasing the computing power of biological systems. Formally, it corresponds to Gödel numbering, representing a non-conventional algorithm that takes a sentence from a formal system and turns it into a numerical metacode, uniquely encoding each sentence in a given formal system. Ribotype, as a set of RNA molecules, serves as a codemaking component that logically preceded the information-storage (genotype) and metabolic (phenotype) components and determined the codepoietic process throughout biological evolution. In the early stages of evolution, alternative realizations of codepoiesis occurred in the appearance of distinct domains of Bacteria and Archaea. Both bacteria and archaea utilize horizontal gene transfer in evolution; in bacteria, it is constrained by DNA sequence divergence and repair mechanisms, while in archaea, it is more internally driven via the use of unique mechanisms like cell fusion, lower stringency for homology in recombination, and specialized, aggregate-based DNA repair. The interaction between bacteria and archaea in evolution led to different types of symbiotic relations and finally resulted in the appearance of eukaryotic cells, which triggered further complexification and the emergence of multicellularity. It is concluded that the codepoietic process represented the basic driving mechanism of biological evolution from the appearance of the first living organisms to the development of complex behaviour and consciousness.},
}

@article {pmid42509590,
year = {2026},
author = {Yamauchi, T},
title = {Phytohormonal control of cortical layer development in plant roots.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag370},
pmid = {42509590},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Root radial patterning determines the organization of root tissues and is essential for plant growth, adaptation to diverse abiotic stresses, and biotic interactions with rhizobia and symbiotic fungi. In Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), two GRAS family transcription factors, SHORT-ROOT (SHR) and SCARECROW (SCR), control formative cell divisions of cortex/endodermis initial daughter (CEID) cells, giving rise to the single layers of cortex and endodermis. At later developmental stages, additional formative divisions of endodermal cells generate the middle cortex, located between the endodermis and the inner cortex. Phytohormones, including auxin, gibberellic acids, abscisic acid, and ethylene, play key roles in regulating these formative divisions. Although increasing evidence indicates that the SHR-SCR module also plays a central role in regulating formative divisions of CEID (and endodermal) cells in plant species with multiple cortical cell layers, including many important crops, the roles of phytohormones in regulating these additional formative divisions remain largely unknown. Here, I summarize the phytohormonal control of root radial patterning in Arabidopsis, and recent advances in understanding the mechanisms underlying root anatomical responses to abiotic stress in cereals and biotic interactions of legumes, and discuss the potential roles of phytohormones in regulating the development of multiple cortical cell layers.},
}

@article {pmid42500739,
year = {2026},
author = {Mao, R and Pei, M and Jin, X and Qu, D and Yang, J and Su, C and Zhuo, S and Hu, N and Zhang, C and Liu, D and Li, S and Jian, X and Hu, F},
title = {Smart symbiotic lithium-sulfur batteries under extremely low-temperature conditions.},
journal = {National science review},
volume = {13},
number = {14},
pages = {nwag217},
pmid = {42500739},
issn = {2053-714X},
abstract = {Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) fail catastrophically under ultralow temperature due to frozen polysulfide conversion kinetics, with no existing technology achieving high-energy-density operation below -40°C. Here, we report a self-regulating LSB system, the 'smart symbiosis' cell, that activates multifield synergy at interface reaction sites to overcome kinetic barriers under low temperature. This directly modulates the transport of ions/electrons and the spin electron states of reaction sites at the quantum level, enabling wave-shaped charge/discharge profiles and achieving a ratio of 3.11 between the first plateau and the second plateau (theoretical value 3.0). The ultratheoretical capacity mechanism is revealed-magnetic field-induced enhancement of kinetics and interfacial reactions. The pouch cell achieves an energy density of 454.5 Wh kg[-1] (based on total system mass) and 219.1 Wh kg[-1] (with device consumption) at -80°C. This technology could increase the capacity of batteries by 9.5 times at low temperatures with an energy consumption of ∼0.091% °C[-1] of the battery energy, while the conversion retention rate remains as high as 87% after 200 cycles (∼2800 h), and breaks the lowest temperature record. This new battery system opens the door to extremely wide temperature applications for LSBs and could be extended to other batteries.},
}

@article {pmid42502309,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Qian, X and Li, J and Wang, H and Yang, A and Yang, L and Liu, J and Xing, X},
title = {Ceratobasidium sp. GS2 exudates elicit downstream transcriptional and physiological responses in seeds of Gymnadenia conopsea (Orchidaceae).},
journal = {IMA fungus},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {e191381},
pmid = {42502309},
issn = {2210-6340},
abstract = {Orchidaceae is a highly valuable horticultural and medicinal plant family worldwide; however, large-scale propagation and conservation remain severely limited. Orchid seeds depend on symbiotic fungi for germination, and pre-symbiotic communication is essential for establishing a successful association, a process that remains poorly understood. In this study, exudates were collected from the germination-promoting fungus Ceratobasidium sp. GS2 and applied to seeds of the terrestrial orchid Gymnadenia conopsea to investigate downstream responses. Multi-omics approaches, including RNA-seq, metabolomics, and phylogenetic analysis, combined with biological validation, revealed that the exudates elicited transcriptional and physiological responses in G. conopsea seeds, potentially promoting dormancy release. Exposure to fungal exudates increased the levels of brassinosteroids, cytokinins, and fatty acids in seeds. Exogenous hormone application confirmed that brassinosteroids and cytokinins promote fungal colonization and facilitate symbiotic seed germination. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the conservation of symbiotic genes in partially mycoheterotrophic orchids, and functional characterization confirmed the role of GcRAM2 in G. conopsea. These findings provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying orchid mycorrhizal symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid42498773,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhu, WY and Skeparnias, I and Shaukat, AN and Zhang, J and Liu, RJ},
title = {Mitochondrial tRNA biogenesis, modifications and disease relevance.},
journal = {Nature reviews. Molecular cell biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42498773},
issn = {1471-0080},
abstract = {The biogenesis, modifications and function of mitochondrial transfer RNAs (mt-tRNAs) reflect the symbiotic relationship and coordinated evolution between the domesticated organelle and the outer cell. Through evolution, mt-tRNA structures have been severely degenerated, and mt-tRNA-associated proteomes have acquired additional domains and interfaces, leveraging post-transcriptional modifications to maintain functional affinity and specificity. Considerable progress has been made in the past decade in elucidating mt-tRNA structure, biogenesis, modifications and functions. In this Review, we outline how mt-tRNAs are excised from polycistronic transcripts and mature through coordinated actions of mitochondrial processing enzymes. We then examine how mitochondrial aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and mitoribosomes have coevolved to recognize degenerated mt-tRNAs and support a streamlined genetic code. The roles of post-transcriptional modifications in mt-tRNA structure stabilization, mt-tRNA decoding and the coupling of metabolism to translation are also discussed. Moreover, we review mt-tRNA-associated pathologies and emerging therapeutic strategies, highlighting unifying principles that inform efforts to restore coherence of mitochondrial translation.},
}

@article {pmid42493158,
year = {2026},
author = {Fang, Z and Ma, M and Yu, G and Shang, Q},
title = {Capsular polysaccharides of the human gut microbiota: Structural diversity, functional plasticity, and roles in host-microbe mutualism.},
journal = {Carbohydrate polymers},
volume = {388},
number = {},
pages = {125596},
doi = {10.1016/j.carbpol.2026.125596},
pmid = {42493158},
issn = {1879-1344},
mesh = {Humans ; *Symbiosis ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Host Microbial Interactions ; *Polysaccharides/chemistry ; *Bacterial Capsules/chemistry/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Capsular polysaccharides (CPS) of the human gut microbiota are structurally diverse surface glycopolymers whose monosaccharide composition, linkage patterns, charge properties, and strain-specific modifications directly encode multifaceted biological functions. This review systematically examines the CPS structural landscape across major gut commensals, including Bacteroides spp., Lacticaseibacillus spp., Bifidobacterium spp., Enterococcus spp., and members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. We integrate recent findings to show how CPS architecture governs three interconnected functional domains: environmental fitness (resistance to gastric acid, bile salts, antibiotics, and phage predation), immune modulation (engagement of TLR2, Dectin-1, DC-SIGN, Siglecs, and MHC-II pathways to orchestrate regulatory T- and B-cell responses, macrophage polarization, and epithelial barrier maintenance), and ecological integration (cross-feeding and carbon reservoir functions). We identify critical knowledge gaps-most notably, the lack of high-resolution structure-activity relationships that link three-dimensional CPS conformations to specific immunological outcomes, compounded by a persistent Bacteroides-centric bias and underexplored ecological functions. Emerging tools, including cryo-electron microscopy, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance, glycan arrays, and machine learning, offer unprecedented potential to advance the nascent field of CPS structure-activity relationships. We propose that a deeper understanding of CPS structural features, once achieved, may eventually inform the rational design of precision interventions that harness host-microbe mutualism for therapeutic benefit.},
}

Humans
*Symbiosis
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Host Microbial Interactions
*Polysaccharides/chemistry
*Bacterial Capsules/chemistry/metabolism

@article {pmid42498007,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Q and Su, Y and Feng, X and Zhang, N and Li, C and Hu, B and Zhang, S and Zhou, D and Rebenko, H and Wang, S and Cao, G and He, H},
title = {The tripartite framework of parasite virulence: drivers, consequences, and implications for wildlife and public health.},
journal = {Acta tropica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108255},
doi = {10.1016/j.actatropica.2026.108255},
pmid = {42498007},
issn = {1873-6254},
abstract = {Parasite virulence, a key regulator in ecosystems, critically influences wildlife population dynamics and food web stability. Although classical co-evolutionary theory posits a trend toward benign symbiosis, empirical evidence demonstrates that virulence is shaped by complex trade-offs among host, parasite, and environmental factors. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of the drivers of virulence, including host strategies (immune competence, density-dependent transmission, spatial behavior), parasite strategies (transmission mode,within-host competition, genetic diversity), and environmental dimensions (climate change, habitat fragmentation, species invasions). We further examine how disruptions to this tripartite equilibrium can precipitate population declines, biodiversity loss, and increased zoonotic spillover risk. Within the "One Health" framework, we highlight the necessity of maintaining dynamic balance among virulence, hosts, and the environment to safeguard ecological integrity and public health. Accordingly, we propose integrated management strategies to sustain these interactions. This work underscores the interdependence of virulence evolution and ecosystem processes, offering insights for proactive conservation and disease mitigation.},
}

@article {pmid42485577,
year = {2026},
author = {Nascimento, T and Pedrosa-Harand, A},
title = {From assemblies to ancestry: Genomic advances illuminates legume evolution.},
journal = {Genetics and molecular biology},
volume = {49Suppl 1},
number = {Suppl 1},
pages = {e20250245},
pmid = {42485577},
issn = {1415-4757},
abstract = {Legumes are diverse, wide-spread and important both ecologically and economically. These features prompted the establishment of hundreds of genome assemblies as resources to investigate key biological questions. In this review, we introduce the reader to the Fabaceae (Leguminosae) family highlighting the importance and great diversity of this group of plants. The major insights gained from studying genomic variation in the legumes are discussed, with focus on whole genome duplications, ancestral chromosome numbers and key biological novelties such as the ability to fix nitrogen through symbiosis with bacteria.},
}

@article {pmid42485859,
year = {2026},
author = {Simião, RB and Figueredo, CC and Guimarães, BLS and Gomes, MP},
title = {Symbiosis modulates pharmaceutical toxicity and contaminant fate in the Azolla-Nostoc system.},
journal = {Chemosphere},
volume = {410},
number = {},
pages = {145031},
doi = {10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.145031},
pmid = {42485859},
issn = {1879-1298},
abstract = {Pharmaceutical contamination in aquatic environments frequently occurs as complex mixtures; however, the extent to which biological interactions modify the toxicity and fate of contaminants remains poorly understood. Here, we investigated the physiological, biochemical, ecotoxicological, and phytoremediation responses of Azolla filiculoides cultivated in the presence (A+N) or absence (A-N) of Nostoc flagelliforme exposed to hydroxychloroquine (HCQ), ivermectin (IVE), and azithromycin (AZI), applied individually across environmentally relevant to elevated exposure concentrations (0-200 μg L[-1]) and in fixed-ratio mixtures (2 μg L[-1] per compound). IVE induced the strongest physiological disruption, impairing photosynthetic performance, increasing oxidative stress, and destabilizing nitrogen metabolism, whereas HCQ produced intermediate effects and AZI caused comparatively weaker responses. Symbiosis was associated with higher ecotoxicological thresholds for several physiological endpoints, with threshold values differing by up to two orders of magnitude between A-N and A+N plants. Compared with A-N plants, A+N plants generally maintained higher photosynthetic performance, lower oxidative damage, and higher nitrogen-related metabolite concentrations, including elevated NH4[+], glutamate, glutamine, and total-N concentrations. Symbiosis was also associated with differences in pharmaceutical fate in a compound-specific manner. For AZI and IVE, enhanced removal efficiency coincided with lower tissue accumulation, whereas HCQ exhibited both greater removal and higher internal retention under symbiotic conditions. Collectively, these findings indicate that symbiosis modulates pharmaceutical responses, ecotoxicological sensitivity, and contaminant fate in a compound-specific manner, highlighting the importance of biological interactions in shaping ecotoxicological responses and pharmaceutical attenuation in aquatic plant-microbe systems.},
}

@article {pmid42486288,
year = {2026},
author = {Ouyang, L and Hu, Q and Qiu, B},
title = {Fe3O4@Polyaniline Enhanced Algal-Bacterial Symbiotic Granular Sludge for Efficient Pollutant Removal under Low Aeration Conditions.},
journal = {Environmental research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {125310},
doi = {10.1016/j.envres.2026.125310},
pmid = {42486288},
issn = {1096-0953},
abstract = {Aerobic granular sludge is a promising wastewater treatment technology, but its practical application is still constrained by high aeration demand and limited operational stability. In this study, an algal-bacterial symbiotic granular sludge system was developed under Fe3O4@polyaniline-assisted cultivation and evaluated under reduced aeration conditions. Under illumination, algal-bacterial symbiosis was established in the system, and the dissolved oxygen concentration remained at 6.8-7.1 mg/L when the aeration intensity was reduced from 2.5 to 1.7 L/min. Fe3O4@polyaniline-assisted cultivation was beneficial for granulation and biomass retention during start-up, while the algal-bacterial system maintained stable carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal under reduced aeration. Stoichiometric mass balance analysis indicated that bacterial metabolism remained the dominant estimated removal pathway, whereas the relative contribution of algae increased under reduced aeration. Microbial community analysis further showed that bacterial diversity was maintained, while algal proliferation increased at lower aeration intensity. This study offers an energy efficient algal-bacterial symbiotic granular sludge cultivation strategy, presenting a viable solution for sustainable wastewater treatment.},
}

@article {pmid42487143,
year = {2026},
author = {Joseph, RA and Masoudi, A and Keyhani, NO},
title = {Genetic tools for transformation of Xyleborus ambrosia beetle fungal symbionts.},
journal = {Fungal biology and biotechnology},
volume = {13},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42487143},
issn = {2054-3085},
support = {IOS-2418026//Directorate for Biological Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Ambrosia beetles rely on obligate fungal partners for survival, and these associations are emerging as model systems for examining the development and evolution of fungal-animal mutualism. However, genetic tools for the manipulation of such mutualistic fungi remain largely lacking, and consequently the genetic basis employed by these fungi to establish associations with their beetle partners remains almost completely unexplored. Here, we provide methods for protoplast generation and transformation of several major filamentous fungal partners of Xyleborus ambrosia beetles including Raffaela arxii, R. fusca, Harringtonia aguacate, and Graphium ambrosium using reporter constructs driven by the H. lauricola gpd promoter sequence. In addition, we developed inducible expression systems for the beetle symbiont, but plant pathogen, H. lauricola, responsible for laurel wilt disease, and show that these constructs are also functional in G. ambrosium. This work demonstrates the utility of H. lauricola genetic parts in transforming diverse groups of fungi and offers a toolbox for their genetic dissection.

RESULTS: Fungal strains showed sensitivity to hygromycin, and protoplasts derived from the fungi were transformed with plasmids expressing the hygromycin selective marker (HPH) along with either green- or red-fluorescent proteins (GFP/RFP), with expression driven by the constitutive H. lauricola gpd promoter. Transformed strains for the fungal species described above showing expression of either GFP or RFP were obtained. A series of inducible plasmids using the H. lauricola alcAp-RFP-(ethanol) and glaAp-RFP-(maltose) inducible promoters were also tested and validated.

CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide methods and tools for genetic manipulation of a wide range of ambrosia beetle fungal symbionts, including marking cells with fluorescent proteins and use of inducible expression systems. Intriguingly, the method/plasmids developed did not result in transformation of the related Xyleborus fungal symbiont, Neocosmospora affinis. The fluorescent strains developed can be used to monitor symbiotic colonization of the beetle host, fungal development in host galleries, host preferences, and a range of other applications, and promoters may be used for further knockout and expression studies.},
}

@article {pmid42487701,
year = {2026},
author = {, },
title = {Correction: 16S rRNA-based genetic diversity and symbiotic efficiency of indigenous cowpea-nodulating rhizobia from semiarid Eastern Kenya.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1913845},
doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2026.1913845},
pmid = {42487701},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2026.1875429.].},
}

@article {pmid42489497,
year = {2026},
author = {Bagchi, B and Van Vlaenderen, L and Wheeler, T and Provencal, E and Conner, WR and McGuire, K and Cooper, BS and Shropshire, JD},
title = {Temperature-sensitive cytoplasmic incompatibility across divergent Wolbachia partly reflects cifB transcription, not endosymbiont density.},
journal = {Molecular biology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/molbev/msag186},
pmid = {42489497},
issn = {1537-1719},
abstract = {Maternally transmitted Wolbachia bacteria are common in insects, with many strains altering host reproduction through cytoplasmic incompatibility (CI). CI kills embryos fertilized by Wolbachia-bearing males unless those embryos also carry Wolbachia, which favors females with Wolbachia and drives the endosymbiont to higher frequencies in host populations. Strong CI now underpins successful applications that rely on maintaining pathogen-blocking Wolbachia transinfections in vector populations to reduce arboviral disease transmission. Temperature modulates CI strength (the proportion of embryos killed), with consequences for Wolbachia prevalence in natural and transinfected populations. Yet the mechanisms regulating temperature-sensitive CI-strength variation are poorly understood. We quantified CI strength across eight divergent Drosophila-associated Wolbachia strains at four temperatures (18°C-26°C), while characterizing development time, Wolbachia and Wovirus densities, and transcription of the CI-inducing gene cifB. Four of eight Wolbachia strains exhibited temperature-sensitive CI, three of which induced CI at multiple temperatures. Of these three, two expressed significantly more cifB at the temperature yielding stronger CI, whereas testes Wolbachia density did not predict CI strength. Notably, cifB-transcript levels were consistently decoupled from Wolbachia and Wovirus densities, suggesting that cifB transcription is not regulated solely by symbiont abundance. We also report temperature-sensitive rescue of CI, Wolbachia-associated developmental acceleration, and strain-specific Wovirus-Wolbachia covariance. Our findings reveal temperature as a pervasive modulator of Wolbachia-host interactions at multiple levels and extend evidence that cifB transcription partly predicts variable CI strength across strain identities, male ages, and now temperatures. CI variation unaccounted for by cifB transcription points toward additional regulatory or post-transcriptional mechanisms that we discuss.},
}

@article {pmid42490649,
year = {2026},
author = {Aleahmad, P and Ebrahimi, L and Safaie, N},
title = {Biodiversity of Eucalyptus endophytic fungi across different climates in Iran.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {21},
number = {7},
pages = {e0345700},
pmid = {42490649},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Eucalyptus/microbiology ; Iran ; *Endophytes/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; *Biodiversity ; *Climate ; *Fungi/isolation & purification/genetics/classification ; Plant Leaves/microbiology ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {Endophytic fungi are crucial for plant health, but the relative importance of climate versus host factors in shaping their communities is not fully understood. This study investigates the hypothesis that macro-climate is one of the primary drivers of endophytic fungal diversity and composition in Eucalyptus camaldulensis across different regions in Iran. A total of 712 fungal isolates were isolated from leaves, branches, and fruits across five provinces (Alborz, Isfahan, Mazandaran, Qom, and Tehran) spanning arid to humid climates. Cultivation and morphological/molecular identification revealed a clear diversity gradient, with the highest species richness, Shannon diversity, and colonization frequency in the humid province of Mazandaran, and the lowest in the semi-arid and arid provinces of Alborz and Qom, respectively. Community composition shifted significantly along this climatic gradient: arid sites were dominated by stress-tolerant generalists (e.g., Alternaria), while the humid site supported a balanced community of specialists (e.g., Neofusicoccum). Across all climates, tissue type was a consistent secondary filter, with leaves harboring the most diverse communities, followed by branches and fruits. These results demonstrate a hierarchical assembly where climate filters the regional species pool, and host tissue type then fine-tunes the local community. This study provides the first comprehensive baseline of E. camaldulensis endophytes in Iran and highlights the vulnerability of these symbiotic systems to climate change, while also identifying them as a valuable resource for biotechnology.},
}

*Eucalyptus/microbiology
Iran
*Endophytes/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
*Biodiversity
*Climate
*Fungi/isolation & purification/genetics/classification
Plant Leaves/microbiology
Phylogeny

@article {pmid42491599,
year = {2026},
author = {Reyes, MGC and Malik, TG and Hong, KA and Sun, SJ},
title = {Symbionts unmask the latent trade-off between reproduction and survival.},
journal = {iScience},
volume = {29},
number = {7},
pages = {116582},
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2026.116582},
pmid = {42491599},
issn = {2589-0042},
abstract = {Reproductive trade-offs are fundamental to life history evolution, yet their expression is often obscured by individual variation in quality. Symbionts represent a critical environmental factor that may alter these trade-offs, but their impact on the link between reproductive effort and somatic maintenance remains poorly understood. Using burying beetles (Nicrophorus nepalensis) and their phoretic mite (Poecilochirus carabi), with a split-brood design to control for genetic background, we show that mite presence shapes both the magnitude and success of reproductive attempts. Brief physical exposure to mites alone was sufficient to trigger a plastic shift toward higher fecundity, even when mites are subsequently removed, producing brood sizes matching those of permanently mite-associated females. Crucially, survival analysis revealed that mites unmasked a latent trade-off between reproduction and longevity. These findings demonstrate how symbiotic interaction can both induce anticipatory life history shifts and reveal reproductive costs that remain hidden.},
}

@article {pmid42492743,
year = {2026},
author = {Jung, M and Kikuchi, Y},
title = {Gut symbionts: Internal Modulators of Insect Behavioral Ecology.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {101585},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2026.101585},
pmid = {42492743},
issn = {2214-5753},
abstract = {In herbivorous insects, symbiotic microorganisms provide advantages through digestion, detoxification, and essential nutrient supplementation, thereby influencing the internal physiology of insect hosts. These symbiont-mediated changes can subsequently modulate host decision-making processes and manifest as measurable behavioral traits. Across insect-microbe interactions, many symbiotic bacteria occupy a distinct niche, colonizing the gut region. In this review, we summarize the current understanding of symbiont-mediated behavioral modifications related to foraging, chemical communication, and decision-making processes regarding learning and memory, particularly in insects and their gut symbionts. Understanding microbe-mediated behavioral modulation in insects will clarify how microbes function as internal regulators of host responses to external stimuli, ultimately affecting insect behavioral ecology.},
}

@article {pmid42492921,
year = {2026},
author = {Lu, Z and Zhang, S and Song, N and Feng, X and Zhou, Z and Liu, Y and Li, M},
title = {Archaeal Diversity Sheds New Light on the Origin of the Eukaryotic Endomembrane System.},
journal = {Annual review of microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1146/annurev-micro-042524-032136},
pmid = {42492921},
issn = {1545-3251},
abstract = {The emergence of the endomembrane system marks a pivotal milestone in eukaryogenesis, transforming a primitive prokaryotic cell into a highly intracellular, compartmentalized eukaryotic cell. The molecular machinery underlying the endomembrane system has been considered a defining feature of eukaryotes. Yet its evolutionary origin remains elusive. Over the past decade, the rapid expansion of archaeal diversity, coupled with advancements in metagenomic technologies and cell biological characterization, has revealed that many key protein components of the endomembrane system likely originated from the archaeal ancestors of eukaryotes, a specific archaeal lineage that underwent a symbiotic fusion with the mitochondrial ancestor. This review summarizes and discusses the remarkable progress made in these research fields, offering a refined perspective on the origin of the eukaryotic endomembrane system within an updated tree of life.},
}

@article {pmid42493003,
year = {2026},
author = {Ateeque, A and Khalid, MZ and Khalid, MA and Wu, S and Hou, Y},
title = {From insect control to plant resilience: Unraveling the entomopathogenic nematode-driven quadripartite network for sustainable agriculture.},
journal = {Pesticide biochemistry and physiology},
volume = {222},
number = {},
pages = {107184},
doi = {10.1016/j.pestbp.2026.107184},
pmid = {42493003},
issn = {1095-9939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Nematoda/physiology ; *Pest Control, Biological ; Agriculture ; *Insect Control ; Insecta ; Rhizosphere ; *Plants/parasitology ; },
abstract = {Global agriculture faces mounting pressure from insect pests, resulting in significant yield losses and unsustainable reliance on chemical pesticides. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) have long been valued as biocontrol agents for their host-specificity and environmental safety. However, emerging evidence reveals that EPNs function not merely as biological control agents but as central components within a dynamic quadripartite network-encompassing the insect pest, rhizosphere microbiome, and host plant. This review synthesizes contemporary research to decode this interconnected system, highlighting how EPNs, along with their symbiotic bacteria, directly suppress insect immunity through a suite of toxins and the disruption of critical host metabolic processes. Beyond pest mortality, EPNs activity reshapes soil microbial communities, enriching beneficial organisms while suppressing pathogens, and primes systemic plant defenses via induced volatile signaling and key signaling pathways. We further explore how EPNs enhance plant resilience to abiotic and biotic stresses, improve nutrient availability, and integrate into synergistic microbial consortia. By connecting these multilayered interactions, this review reframes EPNs as multifunctional bioagents essential for ecosystem health. Consequently, we provide a translational roadmap for deploying EPNs as keystone organisms in sustainable agriculture, advocating for management strategies that actively cultivate the beneficial quadripartite network they anchor to achieve resilient pest suppression, enhanced soil vitality, and optimized plant health.},
}

Animals
*Nematoda/physiology
*Pest Control, Biological
Agriculture
*Insect Control
Insecta
Rhizosphere
*Plants/parasitology

@article {pmid42477874,
year = {2026},
author = {Oyewole, OA and Oyegbade, SA and Albaqami, A},
title = {Nanotechnology and Plant-Microbe Interactions: Enhancing Symbiotic Relationships for Crop Resilience.},
journal = {Integrated environmental assessment and management},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/inteam/vjag117},
pmid = {42477874},
issn = {1551-3793},
abstract = {The integration of nanomaterials (NMs) with plant-beneficial microorganisms has emerged as a promising strategy to improve crop resilience to abiotic stresses. Evidence from multiple studies indicates that NM-microbe co-application often enhances plant growth, nutrient uptake, biomass accumulation, and stress tolerance more effectively than either approach alone. Under drought and salinity stress, these combinations help maintain ionic balance, particularly higher K+/Na+ ratios, sustain photosynthesis, and reduce oxidative damage by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase. Nanoparticles, including ZnO, Fe3O4, and SiO2, when combined with plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), stimulate root development, increasing water and nutrient acquisition. Additionally, NMs can reshape rhizosphere microbial communities by enriching beneficial taxa such as Pseudomonas, Bacillus, and Trichoderma while suppressing certain phytopathogens. Nanoformulated fertilizers and micronutrients further enhance nutrient use efficiency and may reduce dependence on conventional agrochemicals, supporting sustainable agricultural practices. However, the benefits of NM-microbe integration are not universal. Several studies report that some nanomaterials can inhibit beneficial microorganisms, including nitrogen-fixing bacteria and AMF, at concentrations only slightly above stimulatory levels, highlighting a narrow safety margin. Concerns also remain regarding NM persistence, soil-dependent mobility, trophic transfer through food webs, and potential disruption of soil microbial communities. This review evaluates both the advantages and risks of NM-microbe interactions, emphasizing the importance of dose, soil characteristics, and microbial strain selection. Current evidence, largely derived from short-term laboratory studies, remains insufficient to support widespread field application without long-term ecological monitoring, standardized assessment protocols, and evaluation of economic feasibility for smallholder farming systems.},
}

@article {pmid42481053,
year = {2026},
author = {Qu, H and Pang, K and Gan, T and Loron, CC and Ouyang, Q and Cui, W and Li, G and Yuan, X and Xiao, S},
title = {Fungal-algal associations from the early Ediacaran herald increasing symbiotic complexity before modern lichens.},
journal = {Proceedings. Biological sciences},
volume = {293},
number = {2075},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1098/rspb.2026.0673},
pmid = {42481053},
issn = {1471-2954},
support = {//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province/ ; //Nanjing Institute of Geology and Paleontology, Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; //National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; //Youth Innovation Promotion Association of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; //Leverhulme Trust/ ; //National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Fossils ; *Lichens/physiology ; China ; *Fungi/physiology ; Biological Evolution ; Spectrum Analysis, Raman ; Microscopy, Confocal ; *Chlorophyta/physiology ; },
abstract = {Symbiosis is a fundamental biological relationship and metabolic strategy that drove eukaryotic evolution and shaped early ecosystems. Lichens, as symbiotic consortia of fungi (mycobionts) and photosynthesizers (photobionts), are a paradigmatic example. However, molecular analysis suggests that lichenized fungi did not appear before land plants, and the evolutionary trajectory of fungal-algal interactions before modern lichens remains hitherto enigmatic. Here, we conduct a detailed reinvestigation of the lichen-like microfossils from the early Ediacaran (approx. 600 Ma) Weng'an biota in South China by combining light and confocal laser scanning microscopy with Raman spectroscopy. The fossils are systematically described as Wenganomyces primitivus gen. et sp. nov., characterized by filamentous mycobionts and coccoidal photobionts. Raman spectroscopy of these symbionts and other taxa from the same horizon shows distinct chemospace distributions, indicating different biological precursors. 3D reconstruction reveals two major types of lichen-like interactions in Wenganomyces, i.e. encirclement and tangential contact; these newly identified symbiotic features are comparable with some modern fungal-algal associations. Comparison with extant and other fossil symbiotic associations indicates an early possession of symbiotic ability in fungi, and underscores a developmental spectrum with increasing symbiotic complexity predating the rise of modern lichens, which might have paved the way for lichenization.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Fossils
*Lichens/physiology
China
*Fungi/physiology
Biological Evolution
Spectrum Analysis, Raman
Microscopy, Confocal
*Chlorophyta/physiology

@article {pmid42484344,
year = {2026},
author = {St Leger, RJ and Sheng, H and Hafer, AX},
title = {Lifestyle plasticity and the shared hypocrealean toolkit across Fusarium, Metarhizium, and Trichoderma.},
journal = {Microbiology and molecular biology reviews : MMBR},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0011625},
doi = {10.1128/mmbr.00116-25},
pmid = {42484344},
issn = {1098-5557},
abstract = {SUMMARYFungi in the genera Fusarium, Metarhizium, and Trichoderma (FMT) are traditionally defined by their roles as plant pathogens, insect pathogens, and mycoparasites, respectively. However, these classifications obscure both their shared hypocrealean ancestry and the remarkable ecological plasticity that characterizes all three genera. Across these lineages, plant endophytism appears to represent the predominant ecological state, with frequent transitions among saprotrophy, symbiosis, pathogenicity, and antagonism. Comparative genomics reveals that FMT fungi possess two-speed genomes comprising conserved core chromosomes and dynamic accessory regions enriched in host-interaction and secondary metabolism genes. These architectures support a shared hypocrealean genomic toolkit that has been differentially modified across lineages. In Fusarium, transitions along the mutualism-to-pathogenicity continuum appear to be driven primarily by regulatory plasticity rather than by major changes in gene content. By contrast, Metarhizium and Trichoderma expanded from ancestral pathogenic states toward broader plant associations through horizontal gene transfer, gene duplication, and diversification of host-recognition, signaling, and metabolite-production pathways. Reproductive strategies similarly reflect ecological divergence. Generalist lineages are predominantly clonal, whereas specialists more frequently retain sexual reproduction, facilitating adaptation to predictable hosts and environments. Ecologically, FMT fungi occupy overlapping but distinct niches: Trichoderma dominates stable environments through mycoparasitism and competitive exclusion; Fusarium thrives in disturbed habitats through rapid colonization of stressed plants; and Metarhizium bridges soil, plant, and insect environments through combined root association and insect pathogenicity. Collectively, FMT fungi illustrate how divergent ecological strategies can emerge through differential modification and regulatory deployment of a shared hypocrealean genomic toolkit.},
}

@article {pmid42484354,
year = {2026},
author = {Dong, Y and Gu, Z and Sui, M and Wang, X and Zhu, M and Jiang, Y and Shi, J and Zhang, P and Dion, TH},
title = {Iron-respiring bacteria mediate regulatory mechanisms and pathways of electron donors and acceptors in carbon and nitrogen cycles.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0100726},
doi = {10.1128/aem.01007-26},
pmid = {42484354},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Iron-respiring bacteria play important roles in global material cycles owing to their electron transfer capabilities, yet their electron-transfer connections to carbon and nitrogen cycles in complex environments remain unclear. Through the investigation of sediments, this study found multidimensional associations between the abundance of iron-respiring bacteria and microbial community structure, as well as carbon and nitrogen cycles. At the community level, the abundance of iron-respiring bacteria showed negative correlations with certain populations, implying a potential influence on population expansion through competition for electron donors. Meanwhile, iron-respiring bacteria might have a symbiotic role that promoted the Shannon index. In terms of cycles, iron-respiring bacteria and carbon metabolism mutually promoted each other, with the mdh gene contributing 4.2% to these bacteria. In the nitrogen cycle, the iron transport sit gene was widely present in areas with high ammonia nitrogen concentrations. This spatial coupling suggests that it may provide necessary conditions for iron reduction-coupled anaerobic ammonium oxidation (Feammox). Network analysis revealed that iron-respiring bacteria serve as core nodes coupling carbon and nitrogen cycling functional modules. Through potential pathways such as electron-shuttle mediation and their own multifunctional metabolism, they may promote the synergy of carbon and nitrogen reactions. The abundance of iron-respiring bacteria was significantly positively correlated with the electron exchange capacity (EEC) of sediments (R[2] = 0.797), suggesting their possible involvement in forming long-distance electron transfer networks. This study broadens the understanding of potential coupling mechanisms between iron-respiring bacteria and carbon-nitrogen cycling under varying environmental factors and offers new insights into the management of sediments.

IMPORTANCE: Iron‑respiring bacteria in sediments have the potential to drive carbon and nitrogen cycles through electron transfer. They link these cycles by using organic carbon or ammonium as electron donors and iron or nitrate as electron acceptors. Moreover, these bacteria may also produce mobile electron shuttles and have the potential to build long‑distance electron transfer networks within sediments. Electron exchange benefits the metabolism of surrounding microorganisms, helping them decompose recalcitrant contaminants. By understanding the direction of electron flow, we can learn whether the bacteria convert nitrogen into harmless gases or retain it as ammonium, and whether carbon is released as carbon dioxide or stored as carbohydrates. Understanding this electron‑driven coupling provides a scientific basis for the management of lake sediments.},
}

@article {pmid42484460,
year = {2026},
author = {Cabral, CD and Apaza-Castillo, GA and Lorenzi, AS and Mattiuzzi, PHP and de Alencar, AA and Quecine, MC and de Moraes, MT and Rabêlo, FHS and Mazzafera, P and Tezotto, T},
title = {Temperature-Dependent Root Responses to Water Deficit Modulate Biological Nitrogen Fixation and Rhizosphere Dynamics in Soybeans.},
journal = {Physiologia plantarum},
volume = {178},
number = {4},
pages = {e71029},
doi = {10.1111/ppl.71029},
pmid = {42484460},
issn = {1399-3054},
support = {88887.906771/2023-00//Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior/ ; 1185 PIB//Fundação de Estudos e Pesquisas Agrícolas e Florestais/ ; 7867//Fundação de Apoio à Univesidade de São Paulo/ ; },
mesh = {*Glycine max/physiology/metabolism/microbiology ; *Nitrogen Fixation/physiology ; *Rhizosphere ; *Plant Roots/physiology/metabolism ; Temperature ; *Water/metabolism ; Soil Microbiology ; Soil/chemistry ; Plant Root Nodulation ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Root Nodules, Plant ; },
abstract = {Although soil warming and water scarcity are frequently associated with reductions in soybean productivity and biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), their combined effects remain poorly understood. This study evaluated how soil temperature and water regime influence nodulation, BNF efficiency, plant physiology and metabolism, soil enzymatic activity, and rhizosphere microbial communities in soybean plants grown at two soil temperatures (24°C and 36°C) under two water regimes: well-watered (WW) and water deficit (WD). The WD treatment was the main limiting factor, reducing plant growth, nodule number, and biomass, ureide accumulation, and integrated BNF indices. Surprisingly, nodular efficiency and photosynthetic rate were higher under WD. Root-zone warming under adequate water availability promoted greater plant and nodule biomass, higher ureide accumulation, and increased integrated BNF efficiency despite a reduction in nodule number. In addition, soil warming increased malondialdehyde and citrate concentrations in shoots as well as nodular concentrations of N, P, K, S, and B. Soil enzymatic activities and rhizosphere bacterial community structure varied among treatments, whereas fungal communities remained relatively stable. Overall, water deficit structured BNF limitation, while soil warming modulated metabolic responses. These results indicate that water availability and soil temperature jointly regulate biological nitrogen fixation and soil-plant-microbe interactions in soybeans, highlighting the importance of considering these factors together when developing management strategies under climate change scenarios.},
}

*Glycine max/physiology/metabolism/microbiology
*Nitrogen Fixation/physiology
*Rhizosphere
*Plant Roots/physiology/metabolism
Temperature
*Water/metabolism
Soil Microbiology
Soil/chemistry
Plant Root Nodulation
Nitrogen/metabolism
Root Nodules, Plant

@article {pmid42484909,
year = {2026},
author = {Takamatsu, T and Xie, X and Inoue, MN},
title = {Transcriptomic analysis of oriental tea tortrix infected with male-killing virus.},
journal = {Molecular biology reports},
volume = {53},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42484909},
issn = {1573-4978},
support = {22KJ1247//Grant-in-Aid for JSPS Fellows/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Male ; Gene Expression Profiling/methods ; *Moths/virology/genetics ; Transcriptome/genetics ; Larva/virology/genetics ; Molting/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Male-killing is a reproductive manipulation in which males die at specific developmental stages. Although most known cases are caused by maternally inherited bacteria, recent studies have shown that symbiotic viruses can also induce male-specific lethality. In the tea tortrix moth Homona magnanima, Osugoroshi virus 1‒3 (OGVs; family Partitiviridae) cause male-killing during the larval stage, with infected males exhibiting molting arrest prior to death. Previous work demonstrated OGV-induced male-killing differs mechanistically from that of bacterial symbionts such as Wolbachia and Spiroplasma; however, the underlying molecular basis remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the transcriptional and endocrine changes associated with OGV-induced male mortality.

METHODS AND RESULTS: We performed comparative RNA sequencing of second-instar larvae from normal sex ratio and OGV-infected lines of H. magnanima, focusing on males at the molting stage (the second larval instar, day 2; hereafter L2D2) and the molting-arrested stage (day 6; L2D6). Differential expression and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed male-specific upregulation of Toll/Imd and epidermal growth factor receptor signaling pathways and downregulation of metabolism-related genes. Analysis of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry detected persistent 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) in molting-arrested infected males, whereas 20E was not detected after normal molting in uninfected males. However, expression of the ecdysone-inactivating enzyme ecdysone oxidase was not reduced during the molting stage in infected males.

CONCLUSIONS: OGV infection induces male-specific transcriptional reprogramming and endocrine disruption in H. magnanima. These results suggest that delayed or incomplete 20E clearance is associated with molting arrest, while unchanged ecdysone oxidase expression indicates that additional regulatory mechanisms are involved. These findings provide new molecular insight into virus-induced male-killing.},
}

Animals
Male
Gene Expression Profiling/methods
*Moths/virology/genetics
Transcriptome/genetics
Larva/virology/genetics
Molting/genetics

@article {pmid42485518,
year = {2026},
author = {Ding, R and Sun, X and Wang, Y and Tu, B and Liang, Y and Lin, Q and Zhao, F},
title = {Spatial distribution: Effect of oxygen availability on gut microbiota adhesion and colonization.},
journal = {Journal of food and drug analysis},
volume = {34},
number = {2},
pages = {148-158},
doi = {10.38212/2224-6614.3592},
pmid = {42485518},
issn = {2224-6614},
mesh = {Animals ; Rats ; *Oxygen/metabolism ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification/metabolism/growth & development ; *Colon/microbiology/metabolism ; Feces/microbiology ; Male ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Bacterial Adhesion ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology/metabolism ; },
abstract = {The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in host digestion and immune regulation; however, most existing research relies on fecal sampling, leaving uncertainty regarding whether fecal microbiota can accurately reflect the symbiotic microbial components at distinct gut sites. To address this gap, this study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing to systematically analyze the microbial composition of three spatial compartments in the rat colon: luminal contents, mucus layer, and epithelial tissue. The results revealed notable differences in microbial communities across the three compartments. The luminal contents, which were closely associated with the fecal microbiota, exhibited high microbial abundance, encompassing gram-positive bacteria, gram-negative bacteria, aerobic bacteria, and obligate anaerobes. By contrast, the mucus layer and epithelial tissue were predominantly enriched in gram-negative bacteria and obligate anaerobes, with a marked scarcity of aerobic bacteria. Further analysis indicated that the ACE and Chao1 indices were significantly higher in mucus samples than in luminal samples, whereas tissue samples showed reduced richness but relatively stable diversity. Additionally, Proteobacteria were rarely detected in the lumen but were significantly enriched in the mucus and tissue. These findings suggest that the oxygen content in the intestinal lumen is significantly higher than that of the host-derived mucus layer and epithelial tissue and that this oxygen gradient drives the spatial partitioning of the gut microbiota. Collectively, this study clarifies the spatial distribution characteristics of the gut microbiota and highlights oxygen availability as a key factor in regulating microbial adhesion and colonization.},
}

Animals
Rats
*Oxygen/metabolism
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification/metabolism/growth & development
*Colon/microbiology/metabolism
Feces/microbiology
Male
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Bacterial Adhesion
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
Intestinal Mucosa/microbiology/metabolism

@article {pmid42477531,
year = {2026},
author = {Minasiewicz, J and Jąkalski, M and Martin, ML and Launay-Avon, A and Figura, T and Mleczko, P and Lipińska, MM and Ślusarz, K and Selosse, MA and Delannoy, E},
title = {Environmental context reveals distinct regulatory patterns in field-grown versus in vitro symbiotic protocorms of Dactylorhiza majalis (Orchidaceae).},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-09554-y},
pmid = {42477531},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {No: 183812V//French Government, Campus France Scholarship SSHN/ ; project ThiefHunt GN23-05310O//Czech Science Foundation/ ; Program RVO 67985939//Czech Academy of Sciences/ ; project No: 2015/18/A/NZ8/00149)//National Science Center, Poland/ ; ANR-17-EUR-0007//Saclay Plant Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Understanding orchid mycorrhizas and symbiotic germination has long depended on in vitro models, yet these systems fail to capture the environmental forces shaping natural symbiosis. Here, we use RNA-seq to compare symbiotic and asymbiotic protocorms (the post-embryonic organ characteristic of orchid germination) grown in vitro with those developing in the field, allowing us to resolve how ecological context reshapes early plant physiology and plant-fungus interactions.

RESULTS: Field-grown protocorms broadly aligned with the in vitro symbiotic model, while also showing how environmental signals refine a shared core transcriptional programme. Both symbiotic conditions showed transcriptomic patterns compatible with fungal colonisation but differed in the relative contribution of regulatory, transport, and stress-associated functions. Field protocorms showed stronger activation of membrane transport and wall-associated mechanosensing pathways, while sustaining defence-related regulation at a restrained, metabolically integrated level. Under in vitro conditions, symbiotic protocorms showed enhanced activation of stress-responsive and detoxification pathways compared with field-grown ones. The expression of light-associated plastid differentiation genes was attenuated despite brief culture-related illumination. In contrast, asymbiotic protocorms showed stronger activation of light- and oxidative-stress-related responses.

CONCLUSIONS: Together, these patterns indicate that field-grown protocorms show a more integrated and environmentally modulated transcriptional organisation, whereas in vitro symbiosis is associated with stress buffering and compensatory metabolic responses. By integrating field and laboratory datasets, this work provides a more complete portrait of early orchid symbiosis and protocorm physiology, clarifying both the interpretive power and limitations of current in vitro models.},
}

@article {pmid42472567,
year = {2026},
author = {Shigenobu, S and Michellod, D and Tan, KXY},
title = {Lipid metabolism in the aphid-Buchnera symbiosis: an underexplored dimension of insect physiology.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {101581},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2026.101581},
pmid = {42472567},
issn = {2214-5753},
abstract = {Lipids are essential biomolecules that function as energy reserves, signaling mediators, and structural components of cellular membranes, yet their roles in insect-microbe symbiosis remain poorly understood. In contrast to the well-established contributions of microbial symbionts to amino acid and vitamin metabolism, symbiotic lipid metabolism has received comparatively little attention. Here, we review current knowledge of lipid metabolism in insect symbiosis, focusing on the aphid-Buchnera association as a model of obligate mutualism. Physiological evidence indicates that aphids rely primarily on dietary sterols and endogenous fatty acid synthesis rather than on lipid provisioning by Buchnera. Genomic analyses reveal that Buchnera has lost most canonical genes required for de novo fatty acid synthesis, unsaturated fatty acid production, phospholipid biosynthesis, and fatty acid degradation, while retaining a minimal set of lipid-related functions, most notably cls, encoding a cardiolipin synthase homolog. A functional study further demonstrates that cls is essential for symbiont integrity and host fitness. The aphid host retains a complete lipid biosynthetic capacity and exhibits expansion of key gene families, suggesting a host-dominated metabolic organization. This asymmetric gene repertoire prompts a membrane paradox: Buchnera retains cellular membranes despite near-complete phospholipid auxotrophy. We also discuss how intracellular pathogenic bacteria provide conceptual frameworks for host-supported lipid acquisition and membrane maintenance. Finally, we highlight emerging opportunities offered by host-symbiont lipidomics for dissecting lipid interactions and membrane-centered metabolic integration in intracellular life.},
}

@article {pmid42474988,
year = {2026},
author = {Rice, K and Cooper, S and Bartik, W and Smith, P and Shelley, J and Banner, S},
title = {Toward a specialized competency framework and recognition of the unique context and role of Australian school psychologists.},
journal = {School psychology (Washington, D.C.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1037/spq0000754},
pmid = {42474988},
issn = {2578-4226},
abstract = {There has been a call to establish a nationally consistent school psychology workforce in Australia in response to the growing psychological needs of children and young people. Despite educational settings being the dominant practice setting for Australian psychologists after private practice, there is limited research focused on the specific skills and challenges of the school psychology role in the Australian context, especially in regional and remote areas. This qualitative study aimed to explore what specialist competencies are inherent to the school psychologist role and the challenges associated. Thirteen school psychologists with experience in urban, regional, and remote Australian locations participated in the study. Reflexive thematic analysis identified three themes: (a) system symbiosis, (b) pressure, and (c) adapt for longevity. These themes captured the experiences shared by psychologists as they enter the school psychology context and face unique challenges to which to adapt. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).},
}

@article {pmid42475005,
year = {2026},
author = {Dawson, C and de Meza, D},
title = {Talking the talk, not walking the walk: The coevolution of overconfidence and loss aversion.},
journal = {Psychological review},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1037/rev0000644},
pmid = {42475005},
issn = {1939-1471},
abstract = {A puzzle for evolutionary theory is the existence of two seemingly offsetting behavioral "biases," overconfidence and loss aversion. Overconfidence is a call to action, while loss aversion curbs initiative. The most prominent evolutionary explanation of overconfidence, proposed by Trivers (1976), is that self-deceit arises to better deceive others. Missing from this account is why sincere messages are believed, especially given the widespread prevalence of self-deception. Moreover, if overconfidence is adaptive, why is it at least partially canceled by loss aversion? We propose a signaling theory according to which the role of self-deception is to better inform others. Since the decision error associated with high self-belief is less burdensome for the more able, and the benefit of being perceived as able increases with ability, hardwired overconfidence is a credible signal of true ability. Evidence supports this interpretation. A further implication of signaling is that loss aversion is part of the equilibrium. It partially ameliorates the decision costs of overconfidence, but as it is usually hidden, it does not eliminate its signaling role. "Biases" are thus symbiotic-the payoff to agents from an integrated set of biases is higher than would be the case in their absence. From this perspective, Kahneman's advice that individuals eliminate both overconfidence and loss aversion is poorly founded. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).},
}

@article {pmid42475310,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhu, Y and Huang, L and Xie, C and Chen, W},
title = {A space syntax approach to sustainable design for public spaces in historic cities.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {21},
number = {7},
pages = {e0351744},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0351744},
pmid = {42475310},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Cities ; China ; *City Planning/methods ; *Sustainable Development ; Humans ; Models, Theoretical ; },
abstract = {Historic cities, as carriers of urban culture and history, have spatial organizations and usage patterns that directly impact district vitality and sustainability.Addressing the common problems in historic cities of disconnection between public space functions and resident needs, along with insufficient spatial flexibility, this study takes Meizhou Ancient City in Guangdong, China, as an empirical case. It introduces space syntax theory to explore sustainable design pathways. This theory can effectively reveal the strengths and weaknesses of spatial structures. Combined with field research, it constructs data models to quantitatively analyze indicators such as integration, spatial symbiosis, and intelligibility, diagnosing core problems: single-function spaces, weak road network connectivity, and chaotic spatial cognition. Based on this, it proposes a strategy of "Inventory Integration-Functional Reconstruction Interface Optimization". The results show that after the intervention, the spatial symbiosis and ecological resilience of the ancient city were simultaneously enhanced, contributing to the sustainable development of historic cities. The research validates the scientific supporting role of space syntax theory in the design of public spaces for historic cities. The proposed strategy can effectively buffer disturbances from evolving social demands during the development of historic cities, promoting their sustainable and positive development, and providing a reference paradigm for the renewal of similar commercial-residential mixed historic cities.},
}

Cities
China
*City Planning/methods
*Sustainable Development
Humans
Models, Theoretical

@article {pmid42476992,
year = {2026},
author = {Liao, J and Mao, J and Peng, J and Luo, Y and Zheng, M and Song, L and Chen, C and Liu, L and Niu, S},
title = {Global variation of plant nitrogen acquisition strategies and their responses to decreasing nitrogen availability.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-75889-7},
pmid = {42476992},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {32588202//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; },
abstract = {Plants employ three N acquisition strategies to support productivity: root uptake from soils, symbiotic fixation, and resorption from senescing leaves. However, their global variation and coordination remain poorly understood. Here, we compile 3,193 field observations and use machine learning to map the three strategies and quantify their relative contributions. We estimate that global nitrogen uptake, fixation, and resorption amount to 559.2 ± 56.5 (mean ± standard deviation), 125.5 ± 7.2, and 279.3 ± 5.0 Tg N yr[-1], respectively, representing 58%, 13%, and 29% of total plant N acquisition. Their global variations are primarily determined by temperature and water conditions. Nitrogen uptake dominates globally, especially in warm, humid low-latitude regions, while resorption is more prevalent in arid and cold environments. In contrast, fixation contributes relatively little, with some hotspots in tropical regions and northern high latitudes. Notably, we find significant shifts in N acquisition strategies-from uptake to fixation and resorption-along gradients of decreasing nitrogen availability. These results suggest a spatially coordinated adjustment of plant nitrogen acquisition strategies in response to changing N conditions and offer insights into how coordinated nitrogen strategies shape terrestrial nitrogen cycling and its coupling with the carbon sink.},
}

@article {pmid42477504,
year = {2026},
author = {Lee, D and Lin, CW},
title = {Application of Population-Based Meta-Heuristic Algorithms for Robust Initialization in Mechanistic Pharmacometric Modeling.},
journal = {CPT: pharmacometrics & systems pharmacology},
volume = {15},
number = {8},
pages = {e70301},
doi = {10.1002/psp4.70301},
pmid = {42477504},
issn = {2163-8306},
abstract = {Mechanistic PK/PD models represent complex biological systems in which model parameters are in nonlinear, multidimensional parameter spaces and often require robust optimization informed by experimental data, making parameter estimation a critical yet challenging aspect of pharmacometric analysis. Moreover, optimization methods for nonlinear-mixed effects PK/PD modeling are highly sensitive to initial parameter values, and poor initial estimates frequently result in convergence failure or suboptimal fits. To address the challenges, this study introduces a systematic framework that integrates population-based meta-heuristic algorithms to identify optimal or near-optimal initial estimates that facilitate subsequent nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Nineteen distinct population-based meta-heuristic algorithms, including evolutionary, swarm-based, and bio-inspired methods, were evaluated on two mechanistic ODE-based models: (1) a two-compartment pharmacokinetic model with linear and Michaelis-Menten elimination and (2) the Friberg myelosuppression model. The temporal evolution of model goodness-of-fit over iterations was evaluated for each algorithm, and the effects of population size and iteration number on the algorithm performance were also examined. The results demonstrate population-based optimization algorithms efficiently and autonomously refine parameter estimates over iterations. Jellyfish search optimizer, symbiotic organisms search, and memetic algorithm showed strong performance compared to others with respect to optimization accuracy and computational efficiency across both models. As expected, increasing population size and iteration number enhanced the optimization performance. Overall, population-based meta-heuristic algorithms demonstrate superior capability in navigating nonlinear, high-dimensional parameter spaces, generating robust initial estimates for subsequent modeling workflows, and enhancing convergence stability, computational efficiency, and parameter identifiability.},
}

@article {pmid42471586,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, YT and Jørgensen, B and Cheng, CY and Yeh, CH and Lee, YI},
title = {Extensin-enriched host cell wall specialization restricts fungal invasion while sustaining symbiosis in the mycoheterotrophic orchid, Gastrodia elata.},
journal = {BMC plant biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12870-026-09502-w},
pmid = {42471586},
issn = {1471-2229},
support = {MOST 111-2313-B-002 -015 -MY3//Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan/ ; 110L101001-1 and 110L7448//National Taiwan Univeristy/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Fully mycoheterotrophic orchids depend entirely on fungal partners for carbon and mineral nutrition, yet the structural mechanisms that regulate fungal accommodation within host tissues remain poorly understood. This question is particularly relevant in the Gastrodia elata-Armillaria symbiosis, where the fungal partner is a wood-decaying basidiomycete capable of aggressive host colonization and responsible for root rot disease in many tree species. Here, we examined whether host cell wall remodeling and extensin deposition contribute to the establishment and regulation of the host-fungus interface in G. elata tubers.

RESULTS: Ultrastructural analyses revealed extensive host-derived cell wall remodeling during fungal colonization of G. elata tubers, including localized wall thickening and the formation of hypha-encasing wall domains within fungal-colonized cells and adjacent boundary cells. Comprehensive Microarray Polymer Profiling identified extensin epitopes recognized by JIM20 as the most strongly enriched hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins component following colonization. Immunogold labeling localized extensin-enriched HRGPs specifically to modified host cell walls and interfacial matrices surrounding intracellular hyphae. Quantitative comparison demonstrated that the interfacial matrix surrounding intracellular hyphae was substantially thicker than that reported for arbuscular or typical orchid mycorrhizal associations. Chemical inhibition of HRGPs deposition using 3,4-DHP disrupted interfacial wall formation, resulting in uncontrolled fungal spread into normally restricted tissues, cortical necrosis, and reduced tuber growth.

CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that extensin-enriched host cell wall remodeling establishes a reinforced symbiotic interface that spatially restricts fungal invasion while maintaining potential routes for nutrient exchange. Our results reveal a structural mechanism enabling a fully mycoheterotrophic orchid to accommodate an invasive fungal symbiont, indicating that spatial compartmentalization of host-fungus interactions represents an important mechanism contributing to symbiotic stability.},
}

@article {pmid42472436,
year = {2026},
author = {Lou, J and Xu, T},
title = {A cytotoxic polyprenylated benzophenone arugosin S and antiviral alkaloids from a symbiotic fungus associated with Bufo gargarizans.},
journal = {Natural product research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-7},
doi = {10.1080/14786419.2026.2704051},
pmid = {42472436},
issn = {1478-6427},
abstract = {One new polyprenylated benzophenone named arugosin S (12) together with eight known indole alkaloids (1-8) and three benzoquinones (9-11) were obtained from Aspergillus flavus NJ79, a symbiotic fungus associated with Bufo gargarizans. Structural characterisation of the undescribed compound was accomplished via exhaustive spectroscopic analyses. The in vitro cytotoxic activity of compound 12 against A375, HCT-116, and H23 cell lines was determined by MTT assay, with IC50 values of 0.72, 1.25, and 1.76 μM, respectively. Furthermore, antiviral activity of indole alkaloids was assessed using the cytopathic effect inhibition assay, among which β-cyclopiazonic acid (1) exhibited strong activity against HSV-2 at 50 μM.},
}

@article {pmid42469917,
year = {2026},
author = {Walker, Z and Bippus, AC and Iglesias, A and Smith, SY and Atkinson, BA},
title = {Cretaceous moss-cyanobacteria association reveals trophic interactions in polar forests of Antarctica.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.71428},
pmid = {42469917},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {OPP-1953960//National Science Foundation/ ; OPP-1953993//National Science Foundation/ ; //Chancellor's Office and Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs/ ; },
abstract = {Through symbiotic associations with microbes, mosses play many important ecological roles in terrestrial ecosystems, such as facilitating trophic interactions and nitrogen cycling. However, little is known about interactions between mosses and microbes in past ecosystems. Here, we characterize a permineralized moss with epiphytic cyanobacteria and tubular hyphae from the Cretaceous of Antarctica. The fossil was identified in a calcium carbonate concretion from the Beta member of the Santa Marta Formation Cretaceous (Campanian) from James Ross Island. The fossil was studied using acetate peels and light microscopy. The fossil moss is assignable to Bryopsida. Cyanobacteria trichomes with heterocyst-like cells are present in leaf axils and the perichaetium. In some leaf axils, epiphytic fungi are preserved. The apical perichaetium contains several archegonia; one contains an egg cell while another contains a possible embryo. Fossil epiphytic cyanobacteria demonstrate that moss associations were part of Antarctic polar forests during the Cretaceous. Recognizing their importance in modern ecosystems, moss-cyanobacteria associations likely contributed bioavailable nitrogen to the nutrient cycle of ancient polar forests, which would benefit organisms in different trophic levels. This work reveals long-term stasis in commensal relationships between cyanobacteria and mosses and provides a minimum age for these relationships.},
}

@article {pmid42470666,
year = {2026},
author = {Béchade, B and Lower, SE and Nichols, SR and Dabbert, TJ and Ravenscraft, A},
title = {Species-Specific Bacterial Associations Emerge From Stochastically Assembled Microbiomes in Northeastern American Fireflies.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {14},
pages = {e70473},
doi = {10.1111/mec.70473},
pmid = {42470666},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {//University of Texas at Arlington/ ; //Bucknell University/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Microbiota/genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Species Specificity ; *Bacteria/genetics/classification ; *Fireflies/microbiology ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Stochastic Processes ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; New England ; },
abstract = {Many insects harbour microbial communities that can profoundly influence the biology of their host. Yet, the relative contribution of random exposure (i.e., stochastic) events and deterministic ecological factors in shaping these communities remains unclear for most taxa. We examined microbiome assembly across 344 firefly (Coleoptera: Lampyridae) specimens from the Northeastern United States, spanning 12 species and species groups, and generating a high-resolution dataset through deep 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and quantitative PCR. To formally assess the balance between stochastic and deterministic forces, we applied integrative statistical approaches, including an innovative null-modelling framework based on the normalized stochasticity ratio (NST) index. We hypothesized that firefly microbiome assembly is dominated by stochastic processes driven by unpredictable microbial exposures. Consistent with this, we observed elevated NST values for most bacteria, coupled with high intraspecific variability in bacterial abundance and composition. However, microbiomes were more similar among closely related fireflies and unusually prevalent mollicute strains showed low NST values, species-specific associations and retention across geography and host development. While adult bioluminescence and diet could not be directly linked to microbiome abundance or composition, considering seasonal factors and intra-host anatomy within host species revealed patterns explaining some of the intraspecific microbiome variation. These results show that deterministic processes, likely arising from host-specific microbial filtering mechanisms, act alongside stochastic forces to shape firefly-microbe associations. By integrating broad field sampling with quantitative bacterial load estimates and comprehensive microbiome analyses, this study clarifies how evolutionary history, ecology and chance jointly govern microbiome assembly in a diverse insect lineage.},
}

Animals
*Microbiota/genetics
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Species Specificity
*Bacteria/genetics/classification
*Fireflies/microbiology
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Stochastic Processes
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
New England

@article {pmid42463428,
year = {2026},
author = {Chiva, S and Pazos, T and Montero-Pau, J and Moya, P and Garrido-Benavent, I and Barreno, E and Muggia, L},
title = {Symbiotic Versatility in Action: Trebouxia Diversity Expands the Niche of the Lichen Xanthoria parietina.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {28},
number = {7},
pages = {e70379},
doi = {10.1111/1462-2920.70379},
pmid = {42463428},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {//Conselleria de Educación, Cultura, Universidades y Empleo of Generalitat Valenciana/ ; PID2021-127087NB-100//MICIU/AEI/10.13039/501100011033 (Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, in Spain)/ ; MS21-058 (MCIU)//Next Generation EU/ ; },
mesh = {*Symbiosis ; *Lichens/physiology/microbiology/classification/genetics ; Phylogeny ; *Ascomycota/classification/physiology/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; *Chlorophyta/physiology/classification/genetics ; Biodiversity ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Xanthoria parietina is one of the most widespread and ecologically versatile lichens, yet the diversity of its fungal and algal symbionts and their contribution to its broad ecological niche remain poorly understood. Genetic diversity and phylogenies of both lichen symbionts were inferred from nrITS data. Mycobiont-phycobiont interaction networks were constructed, and ecological niches of associated Trebouxia species were modelled using 19 bioclimatic variables. Phylogenetic analyses revealed high diversity within Xanthoria parietina and clarified the placement of poorly studied species within the genus Xanthoria (e.g., X. monofoliosa and X. aureola s. lat.), and revealed a novel lineage (Xanthoria sp. 'hydra'). All the photobionts belonged to Trebouxia clade A; comprising nine Trebouxia species-level lineages, including the newineage Trebouxia sp. A56. Trebouxia decolorans (A33) was the most frequent photobiont and exhibited the broadest climatic niche, whereas T. solaris (A35) and T. tabarcae (A48) occupied narrower iches. Species-distribution models predicted widespread suitability for T. decolorans across Europe and coastal-Mediterranean suitability for T. tabarcae. Xanthoria parietina displays remarkable symbiont flexibility in associating with multiple Trebouxia lineages within clade A. This flexibility likely broadens its ecological niche and enhances its ability to thrive across heterogeneous Mediterranean environments.},
}

*Symbiosis
*Lichens/physiology/microbiology/classification/genetics
Phylogeny
*Ascomycota/classification/physiology/genetics
Genetic Variation
*Chlorophyta/physiology/classification/genetics
Biodiversity
Ecosystem

@article {pmid42464402,
year = {2026},
author = {Stiffler, AK and Varona, NS and Wallace, BA and Silveira, CB},
title = {Chemical prophage induction selectively removes Vibrio from a pelagic Sargassum-derived multispecies biofilm.},
journal = {Environmental microbiome},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s40793-026-00925-4},
pmid = {42464402},
issn = {2524-6372},
support = {2023349872//National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program/ ; 2023353157//National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program/ ; 80NSSC23K0676/NASA/NASA/United States ; 2424579//National Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Pelagic Sargassum has undergone significant range expansion and dramatic blooms in the Atlantic over the past 15 years. This alga's microbiome provides symbiotic functions that are believed to contribute to its ecological success. Recent research shows that Sargassum-associated bacteria are enriched in integrated prophages compared to the surrounding seawater and that these prophages are inducible by chemical and ultraviolet treatment.

RESULTS: Here, we investigated a Sargassum-derived in vitro multispecies biofilm encompassing the dominant heterotrophic microbial members associated with Sargassum to probe the impacts of prophage induction on the composition of Sargassum microbiomes. Induction was quantified by coverage-based virus-to-host ratios in chemically induced treatments with Mitomycin C and non-induced controls, and the community composition and metabolic profiles were analyzed after Mitomycin C treatment. Chemical induction led to a significant increase in abundance and virus-to-host ratio of viral genomes linked to Vibrio metagenome-assembled genomes. This was accompanied by altered biofilm community composition, with a reduction in Vibrio bacterial abundance that opened niche space for other biofilm members in the genera Pseudoalteromonas, Alteromonas, and Cobetia. The induced Vibrio-associated phages encoded genes involved in quorum sensing, biofilm formation, virulence, and host metabolism. Induction led to the depletion of 17 metabolic modules, including functions related to energy metabolism and nitrogen utilization.

CONCLUSION: Due to the high frequency of lysogeny in the Sargassum microbiome and the susceptibility of prophages to chemical and ultraviolet light induction, these results suggest that prophage integration and induction are mechanisms that contribute to structuring the Sargassum microbiome and its functional profiles, potentially aiding in microbiome flexibility in changing environmental contexts.},
}

@article {pmid42464967,
year = {2026},
author = {Bastías, DA and Kumar, S and Prakash, S and Mace, WJ and Morozova, Y and Johnson, RD},
title = {Water Deficit Does Not Compromise the Resistance to Insect Herbivores in Plants Associated With Fungal Endophytes Able to Produce Bioactive Alkaloids.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70756},
pmid = {42464967},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE)/ ; },
abstract = {Plants growing in nature are exposed to multiple abiotic and biotic stressors that sometimes occur sequentially. We hypothesised that drought will not compromise the resistance levels to herbivores when plants are associated with Epichloë endophytes able to produce bioactive alkaloids. Lolium perenne plants without (nil) and with Epichloë LpTG-3 sp. strain AR37 able (wild type (wt), ∆idtA) and unable (∆idtM) to produce indole diterpene alkaloids were subjected to a drought treatment followed by a challenge with Rhopalosiphum padi aphids at drought recovery. Drought increased the susceptibility to aphids in both nil and ∆idtM-associated plants, whereas it did not affect the aphid resistance in wt-associated plants. Drought increased the aphid resistance in ∆idtD-associated plants, a response that was related to a drought-mediated increase in concentrations of some AR37-derived alkaloids. The negative effects of drought on plants were alleviated through the AR37 symbiosis via host growth promotion associated with increased concentrations of drought protective phytohormones and amino acids (e.g., abscisic acid and proline), and enriched abundance of bacteria belonging to Agrococcus, Chryseobacterium, and Parcubacteria that contain members providing stress protective traits. Our study highlights the key role of endophytes in increasing the performance of plants challenged by abiotic and biotic stressors.},
}

@article {pmid42466047,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, D and Li, F and Lu, D and Yu, W and Jiao, R},
title = {SymCART: a symbiotic cognitive-affective reinforcement transformer for optimizing educational interventions.},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1784203},
pmid = {42466047},
issn = {1664-1078},
abstract = {Emotion and cognition analysis in educational interventions is crucial for enhancing personalized learning outcomes. However, existing models often encounter challenges in multimodal data integration and adaptive strategy optimization. To address these challenges, we propose the SymCART model, an intelligent educational intervention framework that integrates multimodal data fusion with deep reinforcement learning-based strategy optimization. SymCART dynamically adjusts teaching strategies through the collaborative operation of a multimodal perception encoder, dynamic cognitive-affective graph inference engine, and adaptive teaching strategy optimizer, thereby improving student learning outcomes. Experimental results demonstrate that SymCART achieves higher predictive accuracy and more effective strategy recommendations compared to traditional models, with statistically significant improvements in AUC, RMSE, weighted F1 for predictive tasks, and nDCG and ADR for policy/recommendation tasks across the IMPROVE, student learning behavior, and additional validation datasets. Ablation studies further confirm the essential contribution of each module, particularly regarding multimodal fusion and strategy optimization. The SymCART model provides robust support for personalized educational interventions and exhibits broad applicability for emotion and cognition analysis as well as adaptive learning strategies.},
}

@article {pmid42466761,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, T and Zhong, J and He, X and Zhao, Z and Song, T and Zhang, J and Luo, Y and Yao, CJ and Yang, W and Yuan, Y and Wu, F and Tan, G},
title = {Theoretical Screening and Structural Optimization of High-Performing Li2S/Alkaline-Earth Metal Sulfides Cathodes for Advanced Anode-Free Li-S Batteries.},
journal = {Angewandte Chemie (International ed. in English)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e7062131},
doi = {10.1002/anie.7062131},
pmid = {42466761},
issn = {1521-3773},
support = {22479013//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2025CX01012//Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities/ ; 2024CX06047//Beijing Institute of Technology Science and Technology Innovation Program/ ; },
abstract = {Anode-fre Li-S batteries can achieve extremely high energy density and excellent intrinsic safety by circumventing the direct use of metallic Li. However, the actual output performance is largely constrained by sluggish reaction kinetics and severe structural deterioration of Li2S cathode. Here, we report an anchor-encapsulated nanostructure cooperated with alkaline-earth metal sulfides' catalysis to promote Li2S kinetics and simultaneously stabilize sulfur species. DFT calculations are first implemented to screen out an optimized MgS electrocatalyst, then a synthetic paradigm of metallothermic-sulfidation-carbonization via burning LiMg alloy in CS2 vapor is proposed to in situ construct Li2S-MgS@graphene nanocapsules. Systematic studies reveal its integrated anchor-encapsulated structure and synergistic physicochemical interactions among three key components: robust C-S bonding facilitates fast electron/ion transport and stable interface, compact graphene encapsulation alleviates volume change and electrolyte's erosion, and symbiotic MgS bears excellent electrocatalytic effect on Li2S dissociation, greatly reducing activation barrier. Owing to the improvement on electrical, catalytic and volumetric properties, this cathode design enables promising electrochemical performance. It demonstrates a great potential for anode-free Li-S battery and Li2S-MgS@graphene//Cu cell exhibits 823 mAh g[-1] initial specific capacity and 73% capacity retention after 100 cycles. Findings in this work are expected to spark a promising direction for designing high-performing anode-free batteries.},
}

@article {pmid42466884,
year = {2026},
author = {D'Angelo, G and Kleiner, M and Mankowski, A and Cifuentes-Anticevic, J and Violette, MJ and De Anda, V and Mussmann, M and Kröber, E and Dubilier, N and Liebeke, M},
title = {Symbiosis reshapes metabolism of sulfate-reducing bacteria in gutless marine worms.},
journal = {The ISME journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/ismejo/wrag190},
pmid = {42466884},
issn = {1751-7370},
abstract = {Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are widespread in marine and terrestrial environments, where they often form syntrophic associations with bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes. Among the most intimate of these are multipartite symbioses in gutless marine oligochaete worms, which host SRB and sulfur-oxidizing endosymbionts that engage in a syntrophic exchange of sulfur compounds. Despite decades of research on free-living SRB, the metabolic traits that enable SRB to persist in symbiosis, and how these differ across hosts and environments, remain poorly understood. We show that a globally distributed clade of symbiotic SRB, which we named Candidatus Desulfoconcordia, has a conserved core metabolism that diverges from free-living relatives. Using comparative genomics and metaproteomics, we reveal that these endosymbionts retain key traits of SRB such as sulfate reduction, complete oxidation of acetate to CO2, amino acid degradation for nitrogen acquisition, and transport of essential nutrients. However, they exhibit a more oxygen-tolerant metabolism and lack typical nutrient-scavenging mechanisms of free-living SRB. One trait, the glyoxylate bypass, was consistently expressed in situ and may serve both in reactive oxygen species defence and in biomass generation. The expression of oxygen-tolerant pathways, coupled with the loss of nutrient-scavenging functions, indicate specialization to a host-associated, redox-fluctuating environment distinct from that of free-living SRB. The symbiont genomes are also larger than those of free-living relatives, contrasting with genome reduction in many endosymbionts and reinforcing the importance of metabolic versatility. Our findings provide a framework for understanding how metabolic flexibility enables SRB to persist in long-term multipartite symbioses across diverse marine ecosystems.},
}

@article {pmid42468573,
year = {2026},
author = {Booth, W and Veera Singham, G},
title = {Editorial overview: Integrating Evolutionary, Ecological, and Technological Frontiers in a Rapidly Changing World.},
journal = {Current opinion in insect science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {101580},
doi = {10.1016/j.cois.2026.101580},
pmid = {42468573},
issn = {2214-5753},
abstract = {Resistance in pest species is no longer confined to classical genetic mechanisms or agricultural landscapes; instead, it emerges from a multilayered interplay of ecology, behavior, microbiomes, dispersal networks, and human-built environments. Across the manuscripts in this issue, a unifying picture emerges: urbanization and indoor environments act as powerful evolutionary arenas, shaping how pests invade, persist, and adapt to chemical, biological, and environmental pressures. Recent work on indoor pests, including cockroaches, bed bugs, and rodents, reveals how monitoring technologies, behavioral ecology, and microbe-mediated processes influence early detection and resistance management. Studies of long-distance dispersal in mosquitoes demonstrate how human transport networks accelerate the spread of adaptive alleles, including insecticide resistance, while creating spatial mosaics of selection within cities. Research on invasive termites, social wasps, and ants highlights how bridgehead effects, supercoloniality, and urban adaptation interact with microbial symbionts to shape invasion success and resistance trajectories. Meanwhile, emerging insights into microbiome-mediated detoxification show that resistance can arise not only from host genomes but also from microbial metabolism, epigenetic modulation, and environmentally structured microbial communities. Together, these contributions illustrate that pest resistance is an inherently cross-scale phenomenon, from genes and symbionts to cities and global trade routes. By integrating perspectives from molecular biology, invasion ecology, urban entomology, and microbial symbiosis, this issue reframes resistance as a dynamic, multi-dimensional process shaped by human behavior and built environments. Understanding these shared mechanisms is essential for predicting future resistance threats and designing sustainable, evolution-informed management strategies across indoor, urban, and global contexts.},
}

@article {pmid42468635,
year = {2026},
author = {Lin, HY and Chen, YH and Chu, PY},
title = {The RAC1 tripartite hub: coupling metabolic plasticity and immune evasion to dictate breast cancer cell fate.},
journal = {Biochemical pharmacology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {118269},
doi = {10.1016/j.bcp.2026.118269},
pmid = {42468635},
issn = {1873-2968},
abstract = {For decades, the Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1) has been classically defined merely as a cytoskeletal motor driving cancer cell motility and metastasis. However, emerging spatial and metabolic evidence suggests a broader role for this GTPase. This Review proposes the "3C Tripartite Convergence Model," presenting RAC1 as a central integrative node that couples Cellular metabolic plasticity (C1), Cross-cellular symbiosis (C2), and Cold microenvironment sculpting (C3). Rather than a simple signaling relay, accumulating evidence indicates RAC1 may contribute to coordinated metabolic and immune adaptations associated with therapy resistance. We examine evidence linking RAC1 to the glycolysis-oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) switch, facilitates intercellular mitochondrial transfer via tunneling nanotubes, and contributes to lactate-mediated immune evasion. Recognizing that targeted therapy resistance involves spatial and metabolic reprogramming is important for future clinical strategies. While the toxicity of pan-RAC1 inhibitors highlights significant challenges, the development of next-generation strategies-including targeted degraders and the exploitation of synthetic lethal metabolic vulnerabilities-provides a potential roadmap for overcoming immune evasion and metabolic adaptation in refractory breast cancers.},
}

@article {pmid42469764,
year = {2026},
author = {Manzoor, SR and Adnan, A and Zada, M and Contreras-Barraza, N and Salazar-Sepúlveda, G},
title = {Understanding the dynamics: nexus between servant leadership, symbiotic diversity, identity related process and personnel behaviors.},
journal = {BMC nursing},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12912-026-05066-0},
pmid = {42469764},
issn = {1472-6955},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Based on the social exchange theory, this study examines how servant leadership influences the nursing staff's job-related outcomes by fostering perceived member status and interpersonal coordination. Precisely, the study investigates the mediating mechanism of perceived member status and interpersonal coordination in the relationship between servant leadership and job-related outcomes, i.e., job execution, psychological safety, and institutional identification. The study further explores the moderating role of a symbiotic diversity setting (SDS) between servant leadership, perceived member status, and interpersonal coordination. The SDS refers to the workplace environment in which employees from diverse backgrounds collaborate via mutual support. Furthermore, to synthesize the existing literature and validate the link between variables, the study conducted a meta-analysis.

METHODS: We used a multi-source survey design for data collection. Validated measurement scales, i.e., questionnaires, were distributed among the nursing staff and healthcare managers working in the leading hospitals of Pakistan. For estimating the hierarchical nature of data, multilevel modeling was used to evaluate within-group, between-group, and cross-level relationships. In addition, meta-analytic procedures were used to synthesize and validate the relationship between the study variables. For data analysis, we used Python (v3.12) and JASP version 0.16.4.0.

RESULTS: The findings indicate two key process mechanisms, i.e., perceived member status and interpersonal coordination, that partially mediate the link between servant leadership and job-related outcomes. Moreover, a symbiotic diversity setting is found to be a significant boundary condition that strengthens the relationships linking servant leadership with perceived member status and interpersonal coordination.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates that the effectiveness of servant leadership in healthcare is not solely direct but operates via vital relational mechanisms and contextual conditions. The findings indicate that servant leadership improves employee outcomes by fostering social exchange processes, emphasizing the critical role of leadership-driven relational dynamics in shaping workplace functioning.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Not applicable.},
}

@article {pmid42457709,
year = {2026},
author = {Song, JH and Yang, M and Jorge, GL and Kim, D and Agake, SI and Traeger, J and Hu, D and Thelen, JJ and Stacey, G},
title = {Direct coupling of nod factor signaling to vesicular trafficking initiates legume nodulation.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-75535-2},
pmid = {42457709},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {IOS-2048410//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; IOS-2048410//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; IOS-1829365//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; IOS-2048410//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; IOS-1829365//National Science Foundation (NSF)/ ; R01GM121445//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R01GM121445//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; DE-SC0023142 (JJT)//DOE | SC | Biological and Environmental Research (BER)/ ; DE-SC0023142 (JJT)//DOE | SC | Biological and Environmental Research (BER)/ ; RS-2026-25492946//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; RS-2020-NR049590//National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF)/ ; JP23KK0107//MEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)/ ; },
abstract = {Legume-rhizobium symbiosis requires coordinated receptor signaling and membrane trafficking to initiate infection thread formation in root hairs. Here, we identify the soybean Qa-SNARE GmSYNTAXIN111a (GmSYP111a), a close paralog of the cytokinesis-associated protein KNOLLE, as a critical regulator of symbiotic infection. Kinase-client assays and in vivo immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry showed that GmSYP111a is phosphorylated by the receptor kinase GmSymRKβ at Ser-8 and Ser-128. BiFC, co-immunoprecipitation, and kinase assays validated the interaction and phosphorylation. Nod factor perception promoted clathrin-mediated endocytosis of the GmSymRKβ-GmSYP111a complex and its relocalization to intracellular vesicles. Structural modeling and interaction assays suggest that dual phosphorylation exposes an endocytic motif that recruits the TPLATE adaptor; accordingly, non-phosphorylatable mutations impaired internalization, whereas phosphomimetic substitutions induced endocytosis without rhizobial stimulation. GmSYP111a also interacted with VAMP72, linking endocytic recruitment to vesicle fusion. Genetic analyses in soybean and Lotus japonicus established a conserved requirement for GmSYP111a in nodule initiation. These findings define a phosphorylation-dependent SNARE switch that couples Nod factor signaling to membrane trafficking during legume nodulation.},
}

@article {pmid42458828,
year = {2026},
author = {Pastor-Fernandez, J and Manresa-Grao, M and Sánchez-Bel, P and Andrés-Moreno, S and Pozo, MJ and Pastor, V and Flors, V},
title = {Mycorrhiza-induced resistance against Botrytis cinerea in tomato operates through the systemin signalling cascade.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.71418},
pmid = {42458828},
issn = {1469-8137},
support = {//Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area/ ; PID2021-124813OB-C3//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PID2024-162058OB-C33//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; PRE2019-088662//Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi enhance plant resistance against necrotrophic fungi by priming jasmonic acid-dependent defences. Systemin is a solanaceous peptide hormone that mediates resistance against Botrytis cinerea, and JA signalling is critical for this systemin-mediated defence. Mycorrhizal symbiosis primes prosystemin expression in the tomato (Solanum lycopersicum)-B. cinerea pathosystem. Whether prosystemin or systemin mediates mycorrhiza-induced resistance (MIR) against B. cinerea remains unclear. We hypothesise that systemin mediates JA priming during MIR. We integrated transcriptional and phosphoproteomic and physiological analysis with functional validation via prosystemin overexpression and virus-induced gene silencing of key signalling components. Plants treated with systemin, colonised by mycorrhizas, or overexpressing prosystemin exhibited similar levels of resistance. Systemin and MIR primed callose accumulation and JA-related gene expression. Phosphoproteome analysis revealed a strong overlap between phosphorylated proteins induced during MIR and systemin-mediated resistance, indicating that systemin modulates MIR via phosphorylation. Components of systemin signalling, including Systemin Receptor-1 (SYR1), PEPR-like Kinase-1 (PORK1), and kinases MPK1/3, were primed during MIR. Silencing of these genes impaired MIR, indicating that intact systemin perception and signalling are required to express functional MIR. MIR is mediated by systemin hypersensitisation, which primes a kinase cascade regulating downstream JA-dependent responses following fungal infection.},
}

@article {pmid42459144,
year = {2026},
author = {Sriram, S and Alsafar, H and Lusa, R and Wang, Y},
title = {Single-Thallus Genomics of Ejectosporus trisporus, an Unculturable Stonefly Gut Fungal Symbiont.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology},
volume = {28},
number = {7},
pages = {e70380},
pmid = {42459144},
issn = {1462-2920},
support = {RGPIN-2020-04293//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; DGECR-2020-00154//Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada/ ; //TD Undergraduate Research Fellowship/ ; //Centre for Environmental Research in the Anthropocene Undergrad Research Fund/ ; //Mitacs Globalink Research Internship Award/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Phylogeny ; *Genome, Fungal ; *Insecta/microbiology ; Genomics ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology ; Canada ; },
abstract = {Microorganisms play essential roles in global ecosystems, yet much of their diversity, particularly among fungi, remains unexplored due to challenges in culturing and genomic characterisation. Trichomycetes, an early-diverging lineage of obligate gut symbionts of aquatic insects, exemplify this 'microbial dark matter', as most taxa cannot be maintained in axenic culture. Here, we present the first culture-independent genome assembly of Ejectosporus trisporus, an unculturable Harpellales fungus isolated from the hindgut of a winter stonefly (Allocapnia sp.) in Rouge National Urban Park, Canada. Using a single-thallus genomic approach based on multiple displacement amplification and Illumina short-read sequencing, we generated a 29.3 Mb genome assembly with 76.6% BUSCO completeness, comparable to existing culture-based Harpellales genomes. Phylogenomic analyses using 1241 conserved orthologs placed E. trisporus in a well-supported clade with Zancudomyces culisetae and Capniomyces stellatus, confirming its taxonomic position. Scanning electron microscopy further revealed detailed ultrastructural features of thalli, trichospores, and zygospores. This study demonstrates the feasibility of single-thallus genomics for unculturable fungi and provides the first genomic resource for an unculturable trichomycete species. Our study establishes a valuable basis for future large-scale genomic investigations of early-diverging fungi, enabling further exploration of the symbiosis and ecological roles of these cryptic gut-dwelling fungi.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
Phylogeny
*Genome, Fungal
*Insecta/microbiology
Genomics
Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology
Canada

@article {pmid42459387,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Y and Shen, Y and Gu, Y and Yao, Y and Liu, M and He, Y and Wang, Q},
title = {Multidimensional interaction mechanisms and engineering applications of microalgae-fungal microorganism symbiotic systems.},
journal = {AIMS microbiology},
volume = {12},
number = {2},
pages = {298-320},
pmid = {42459387},
issn = {2471-1888},
abstract = {The symbiotic system of microalgae and fungal microorganisms, such as filamentous fungi, yeasts, and lichen-forming fungi, holds great potential in the fields of environmental remediation and bioresource development. Yet, it faces bottlenecks, including unclear symbiotic mechanisms, high energy consumption for biomass harvesting, poor adaptability to complex wastewater, and insufficient system integration. In this review, we systematically summarized the research progress on microalgae-fungi symbiotic systems in terms of germplasm resource exploration, multifaceted interaction mechanisms, and engineering applications. In particular, we focused on the core advantages of fungal pellet-assisted bioflocculation technology in overcoming the energy bottleneck of biomass harvesting, as well as its optimization strategies. The comprehensive performance of this system in wastewater purification, bioenergy accumulation, and high-value metabolite production was also evaluated. By integrating fundamental mechanisms with engineering application outcomes, we aimed to provide theoretical support and technical guidance for the construction of efficient, stable, and sustainable microalgae-fungi biorefinery platforms. Furthermore, we seek to facilitate the translation of this technology from laboratory research to industrial application.},
}

@article {pmid42460643,
year = {2026},
author = {Dhayalan, A and Manoharan, S and Pagadala Damodaram, KJ},
title = {Multifunctional Properties of the Gut Symbiont Enterococcus gallinarum Associated With Eudocima materna Caterpillars in Host Plant Detoxification.},
journal = {Journal of basic microbiology},
volume = {66},
number = {7},
pages = {e70183},
doi = {10.1002/jobm.70183},
pmid = {42460643},
issn = {1521-4028},
support = {F. No. Ag. Edn./27 - 02/NP-NF/2020/HRD//Indian Council of Agricultural Research, New Delhi, India through National Professor/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Larva/microbiology ; *Moths/microbiology ; *Symbiosis ; *Enterococcus/genetics/isolation & purification/physiology/drug effects ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology ; Phylogeny ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; },
abstract = {Gut symbiotic bacteria are highly dynamic and contribute to digestion, development, immunity, detoxification, and environmental adaptation in insect hosts. In fruit-sucking moths (FSM), particularly Eudocima materna (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), adults are destructive frugivorous pests, whereas larvae feed exclusively on toxic plants such as Tinospora cordifolia. This study investigates the gut bacterial diversity of FSM larvae, with an emphasis on their role in host plant adaptation. Nine bacterial strains were isolated, including Enterobacter hormaechei, Klebsiella aerogenes, Mammaliicoccus sciuri, Staphylococcus sciuri, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, and Enterococcus gallinarum. All isolates were subjected to biochemical profiling (sugar and carbohydrate utilization) and antimicrobial susceptibility testing against 12 antibiotics. Among them, E. gallinarum (strain L4), S. sciuri, and M. sciuri exhibited anti-quorum-sensing activity. Notably, E. gallinarum played a key role in host plant digestion and was capable of degrades a ~ 45 kDa protein present in T. cordifolia leaves. GC-MS analysis of methanolic extracts of E. gallinarum revealed several bioactive compounds, including gentamicin A, cyclo (Phe-Pro), isoisopulegol, and gougerotin. Whole-genome sequencing of strain L4 identified genes encoding degradation enzymes (alcohol dehydrogenase, phosphotriesterase), multiple antibiotic resistance genes (YurZ, PptA, CatE, OadB, PycA, and Tdh), diverse metabolic pathways, and secondary metabolite biosynthesis clusters. Subsequently, digestive and detoxification enzymes were identified, including alpha-amylase, serine protease, lipase, chitinase, pectinesterase, carboxylesterase, glutathione peroxidase, and cytochrome P450. Molecular docking analysis showed strong interactions of degradation enzymes with organophosphate insecticides, with binding scores of -6.8 kcal/mol for triazophos and -5.5 kcal/mol for quinalphos. These findings highlight the multifunctional role of E. gallinarum in host plant adaptation and detoxification in FSM larvae, offering new insights into microbe-insect interactions and potential microbial-based biotechnological applications.},
}

Animals
Larva/microbiology
*Moths/microbiology
*Symbiosis
*Enterococcus/genetics/isolation & purification/physiology/drug effects
Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology
Phylogeny
Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology
Microbial Sensitivity Tests
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Inactivation, Metabolic

@article {pmid42460666,
year = {2026},
author = {Fernández-Fernández, ÁD},
title = {Co-option of developmental receptor-ligand signalling in plant symbiosis.},
journal = {Plant & cell physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/pcp/pcag094},
pmid = {42460666},
issn = {1471-9053},
}

@article {pmid42462256,
year = {2026},
author = {, },
title = {Partnering With Doulas in Clinical Settings.},
journal = {Obstetrics and gynecology},
volume = {148},
number = {2},
pages = {e139-e149},
pmid = {42462256},
issn = {1873-233X},
abstract = {Fostering positive and strong partnerships between clinicians and doulas is essential and can benefit patients, clinicians, and the workplace. The evidence suggests that, when doulas are part of health care teams, they improve patients' experiences and outcomes. Doula-clinician partnerships have demonstrated improvements in communication and patient-centered care, accountability in the health care team, and continuity of care for individuals who have given birth. Doula support aligns with evidence-based outcomes and reduces costs to the overall health system. Barriers to doula-clinician partnerships may be addressed with training and policy, as well as approaches that promote collaboration, communication, and accountability. There are opportunities for co-learning and collaboration to embrace the benefits of doulas' roles and to facilitate working together in the most optimal way to improve perinatal outcomes. Obstetricians are uniquely positioned to champion this partnership. This Committee Statement provides recommendations to foster symbiotic collaboration among hospital systems, clinicians, and doulas and to increase knowledge regarding a doula's role and scope of practice.},
}

@article {pmid42462808,
year = {2026},
author = {Bin-Li, and Sun, HD and Liu, M and He, X and Liu, XL and Lu, M},
title = {Establishment of a new germ-free Spodoptera frugiperda model to explore the gut microbiota on larval, pupal development and adult reproduction.},
journal = {Journal of insect physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {105037},
doi = {10.1016/j.jinsphys.2026.105037},
pmid = {42462808},
issn = {1879-1611},
abstract = {Symbiotic microbiota of insects play crucial roles in host development, metabolism, and immunity, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions remain poorly understood, particularly in non-model lepidopteran pests. Traditional germ-free (GF) insect models are primarily generated using antibiotics, which may introduce confounding effects and fail to completely eliminate microbiota. Here, we present an antibiotic-free method to generate GF Spodoptera frugiperda larvae by rearing them on axenically cultured maize. The 3rd to 6th instar GF larvae exhibited significantly reduced weight and length compared to the conventionally reared (CR) larvae, and the developmental period was prolonged. Transcriptomic analysis of 3rd instar larvae revealed significant differences in gene expression between the two groups, especially in pathways related to total carbohydrate, protein, triglycerides metabolism, as well as juvenile hormone (JH) signaling pathway. In addition, three nutritional content and JH titer were tested between GF and CR larvae. Furthermore, GF groups showed lower pupation rate and eclosion rate, reduced pupal weight, and prolonged developmental period, while pupal length was not affected compare to CR groups. Additionally, the ovarian and testes sizes of GF adults were smaller than those of CR adults. Consistently, GF females laid fewer eggs with significantly lower hatching rate compared to the CR females. These findings demonstrate that microbiota profoundly influence egg, larval, pupal development and adult reproduction in S. frugiperda. This study provides a robust framework for microbiota-function research in agricultural pests and expands our understanding of lepidopteran insects and microbiota interactions.},
}

@article {pmid42448797,
year = {2026},
author = {Carrizo, D and Sánchez-García, L and Sánchez-España, J and Prieto-Ballesteros, O and Herreros, I and Schizas, NV and Guzman, G and Gacitua, A and Molina, A and Laguna-Castro, M and Tiemblo, MA and Rivera-Osorio, K and Herrero, ÓE and Baca, V and Wu, AYX and González-Silva, C and Azua-Bustos, R and Palmer, A and Hubric, C and Kowald, WS and Rivera, M and Vargas, C and Wierzchos, J and Azua-Bustos, A},
title = {Discovery of a novel sulfur-oxidizing endosymbiont (Ca. Vesicomyosocius atacamensis) associated with a newly described Archivesica species from the Atacama Trench.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-62097-y},
pmid = {42448797},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {Here we report the microbiome composition and lipid (molecular and isotopic) profile of gills from Archivesica sp. Atacama., a new species of deep-sea bivalve family Vesicomyidae collected at 2839 m depth on the eastern slope of the Atacama Trench. Metabarcoding unveiled that 99.44% of the microbial ASVs (Amplicon Sequence Variant) obtained from this bivalve's gills belonged to Ca. Vesicomyosocius sp. atacamensis, a bacterium closely related to symbionts of other vesicomycoids based on the 16 S rRNA phylogeny (a putative chemoautotrophic sulfide-oxidizing bacterium Form I RubisCO). Additional ASVs included microbes from taxa known for their ability to oxidize sulfur. Consistent with the microbiome composition, the analysis of lipid biomarkers in the gills revealed a high abundance of C16:1ω7 and C18:1ω7 fatty acids, well-known markers of sulfide-oxidizing (thiotrophic) bacterial metabolisms. The δ[13]C values of the bivalve's bulk gills (-35.5‰) and of individual fatty acids (-40.0 to -46.5‰) were typical of bivalves hosting thiotrophic endosymbionts utilizing form I RubisCO for carbon fixation. In addition, nearby sediments showed a significant presence of terminal branched (iso/anteiso C13-C17), mid branched (10Me-C16 and 10Me-C18) and cyclopropyl (Cy17 and Cy19) fatty acids, coherent with sulfate-reducing bacterial (SRB) communities found by metabarcoding. These findings confirm that thiotrophic symbiosis provides energy for the new deep-sea Archivesica bivalve reported here.},
}

@article {pmid42450271,
year = {2026},
author = {Qin, Z and Guo, S and Wang, S and Xu, X and Bai, H and Zhao, B and Liang, C and Dong, K and Gong, X and Tian, Y},
title = {Sublethal Concentration of Chloramphenicol Threatens the Health of Bombus terrestris by Regulating Gene Expression, Altering Enzyme Activity and Disrupting Gut Microbiota.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {13},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms27136004},
pmid = {42450271},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {32360141//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; A3012025077//Yunnan Agricultural University/ ; CARS-44-KXJ13//China Agriculture Research System/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Chloramphenicol/pharmacology/adverse effects/toxicity ; Bees/drug effects/microbiology/genetics ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects ; *Anti-Bacterial Agents ; *Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; },
abstract = {Bumblebees are dominant pollinators threatened by environmental antibiotic residues. This study investigated sublethal chloramphenicol (12 and 120 μg/L) effects on Bombus terrestris after 15 days' exposure. The results showed that chloramphenicol exposure had no significant effect on the survival rate and cumulative food intake of bumblebees, confirming the sublethal property of the tested concentrations. However, chloramphenicol significantly dysregulated the expression of genes related to learning-memory (DopR2, Oamb, NMDA), immunity (abaecin, defensin) and detoxification (cyp9Q6) in bumblebees. High-dose chloramphenicol significantly increased carboxylesterase activity and reduced malondialdehyde content, while superoxide dismutase activity remained unchanged. In addition, chloramphenicol exposure significantly reshaped the gut microbiota structure of bumblebees, reduced the abundance of core beneficial symbiotic bacteria, and increased the proportion of drug-resistant bacteria. Our findings indicate that sublethal concentrations of chloramphenicol can impair bumblebee health through multiple pathways, including regulating gene expression, altering antioxidant enzyme activity and disrupting gut microbiota homeostasis. This study provides multi-dimensional toxicological data and a scientific basis for the ecological risk assessment of agricultural antibiotic residues to pollinator insects.},
}

Animals
*Chloramphenicol/pharmacology/adverse effects/toxicity
Bees/drug effects/microbiology/genetics
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects
*Anti-Bacterial Agents
*Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects

@article {pmid42450490,
year = {2026},
author = {Hsiao, WC and Miyazawa, T and Chang, SJ and Hong, YH and Zhou, YC and Deng, MC and Miyazawa, T and Huang, CY},
title = {Effects of Fermentation and Oxidative Degradation on the Composition, Antioxidant Activity, ACE Inhibitory Activity, and In Vitro Neuroprotective Potential of Soybean-Derived Kefir Polysaccharide-Rich Extracts.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {13},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/foods15132372},
pmid = {42450490},
issn = {2304-8158},
abstract = {Kefir is a probiotic beverage produced by symbiotic bacteria and yeasts. Polysaccharide-rich extracts from yellow and black soybeans (S and B) were obtained and subsequently fermented to produce S-F and B-F. The fermented extracts were further subjected to oxidative degradation using ascorbic acid and hydrogen peroxide to generate S-FD and B-FD. Physicochemical analyses revealed distinct differences in composition, phenolic profiles, and molecular weight among S-F, S-FD, B-F, and B-FD. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated that oxidative degradation altered specific functional group intensities without disrupting the fundamental polysaccharide framework. Fermentation enhanced angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity, and subsequent oxidative degradation further improved this effect. Both fermented and degraded extracts exhibited antioxidant activities, including 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity, ferrous-ion chelating ability, and reducing power, with degraded samples showing greater activity. The effects of the extracts on SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were evaluated in vitro. No cytotoxicity was observed at concentrations up to 400 μg/mL. Treatment at 200 μg/mL increased cell viability and reduced apoptosis in rotenone (ROT)-treated cells. Multivariate analysis further indicated that oxidative degradation enhanced antioxidant and ACE inhibitory activities but may reduce the protective effects observed in SH-SY5Y cells. Overall, soybean-derived kefir polysaccharide-rich extracts show potential as functional ingredients for applications related to blood pressure regulation and antioxidant activity, while their protective effects in neuronal cell models warrant further investigation.},
}

@article {pmid42450580,
year = {2026},
author = {Zamudio-López, A and García-De la Peña, C and Álvarez-Hernández, G and Barraza-Guerrero, SI and Meza-Herrera, CA and Sánchez-Loera, MG and Luna-Zapién, EA and Salazar-Nevárez, DE and Carrillo-Campos, J},
title = {Geographic Variation in the Bacterial Microbiota of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari, Ixodidae) Across Environmentally Contrasting Regions of Mexico.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {13},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15131032},
pmid = {42450580},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {917536//Ministry of Sciences, Humanities, Technology and Innovation/ ; },
abstract = {Geographic and ecological variations are frequently associated with differences in the microbiota of arthropod vectors, with potential implications for pathogen transmission and public health. This study characterized and compared the bacterial microbiota associated with the brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus) across three ecologically contrasting regions of Mexico: Cancun (Quintana Roo), Comarca Lagunera (Durango-Coahuila), and Hermosillo (Sonora). Non-engorged ticks collected from stray dogs were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) sequencing. Amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) generated in QIIME2 were used for taxonomic, diversity, and predictive functional analyses. Proteobacteria dominated all samples, with Coxiella-like bacteria tentatively assigned as Coxiella mudrowiae identified as a dominant taxon across all localities. Significant geographic differences were observed in alpha and beta diversity, with Comarca Lagunera showing the highest diversity and Hermosillo the lowest. Sequences tentatively assigned to Rickettsia rickettsii were detected exclusively in two pools from Hermosillo. Functional predictions revealed a conserved metabolic repertoire alongside geographic variation in pathway abundance. Overall, the results support the existence of a stable symbiotic component accompanied by a geographically variable bacterial fraction associated with ecologically contrasting regions. These findings highlight the importance of geographic context in shaping tick-associated bacterial communities.},
}

@article {pmid42450796,
year = {2026},
author = {Wei, Q and Chen, Y and Yang, H and Du, J and Li, H and Song, Z},
title = {Host-Associated and Environmental Microbiota of Hatchery-Reared Sichuan Taimen (Hucho bleekeri): Community Structure and Functional Profiling.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {13},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani16132089},
pmid = {42450796},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {BL2023/D-88//the Sichuan Zumuzu River Hydropower Development Company, Ltd./ ; NJTCSC25-2//the Open Project of Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory of Fish Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Upper Reaches of the Yangtze River/ ; YSCX2035-011//the Project of Original Innovation 2035/ ; SCCXTD-2026-15//the Sichuan Fresh Water Fish Innovation Team/ ; },
abstract = {The diversity and complexity of symbiotic microbiota in fish may significantly influence the host's physiological, metabolic and immunological functions. In order to understand the microbial assembly in Sichuan taimen (Hucho bleekeri), an endangered fish species in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River, the microbiota of the skin, oral cavity and feces of artificially reared individuals and the microbiota of the rearing water were characterized through metagenomic sequencing. The results demonstrated that Pseudomonadota were shared across the skin, oral cavity, feces and rearing water, suggesting that they may constitute a shared microbial group connecting the aquatic environment and host mucosal surfaces. Based on functional prediction analyses, these taxa were potentially associated with organic matter degradation, nutrient cycling, and microbial and immune homeostasis. Likewise, Actinomycetota and Bacillota were consistently detected across multiple mucosal tissues and were predicted to be associated with nutrient transformation, antimicrobial defense, and the maintenance of mucosal microbial stability. Fusobacteriota were detected solely in feces, suggesting a strong tissue-specific colonization capacity. The alpha diversity of the microbiota did not differ significantly among tissues, and the beta diversity revealed strong clustering of host-associated samples and clear separation from water samples. Functional annotation further revealed that the water microbiota exhibited broader yet more dispersed functional potential, whereas host-associated microbiota showed stronger functional specialization closely aligned with host physiological demands. Collectively, the findings are better presented as baseline information for future comparative and hypothesis-driven studies in Sichuan taimen.},
}

@article {pmid42455010,
year = {2026},
author = {Cronin, TJ and Williams, NC and Fernandez, SM and Taylor, MN and Childress, MJ},
title = {Crayfish and their hidden tenants: direct and indirect effects of ectosymbionts on crayfish behaviors and health.},
journal = {Integrative and comparative biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/icb/icag116},
pmid = {42455010},
issn = {1557-7023},
abstract = {Symbiotic relationships are a vital component of the stability and function of ecosystems. Despite their importance, our understanding of many key symbiotic relationships is rudimentary. Within freshwater ecosystems, crayfish are considered keystone species and ecosystem engineers, in addition to serving as a host to multiple ectosymbionts. Recent studies on crayfish symbioses have primarily focused on branchiobdellidan worms in isolation, showcasing context-dependent mutualistic and parasitic fitness outcomes for the crayfish hosts. However, in natural environments, branchiobdellidan worms often share their crayfish host with other symbiont taxa, such as freshwater ostracods, potentially leading to interactions that may have unique effects on their host's biology. In this study, we used a correlational approach to assess the relationships among ostracod and branchiobdellidan abundances, the direct sub-lethal effects of these symbionts, crayfish health, and crayfish behavioral measures, using regression analyses. In addition, to examine potential interactive effects of our symbiont variables, we used path analyses determining the direct, indirect, and total effects of both symbionts on crayfish health and behavior. We found that ostracod and branchiobdellidan abundance was significantly related to gill scarring on crayfish. Similarly, we found that gill scarring was significantly negatively related to hepatosomatic index, suggesting the possibility of parasitism occurring in these symbiotic relationships under certain contexts. Additionally, our regression analyses indicated symbiont abundance and gill scars were related to both locomotion and grooming behavior. However, these relationships were in opposite directions, suggesting these symbiotic relationships may result in behavioral tradeoffs. While we found no significant indirect effects, the total effects of our path analyses indicated that positive and negative reciprocal feedback loops may occur between symbiont abundance and direct sub-lethal symbiont effects on host crayfish. The results of this study provide further support for context-dependent outcomes in crayfish symbiotic relationships, with symbiont abundance and the direct sub-lethal effects of symbionts as potential drivers of fitness outcomes. However, the correlational nature of the study cannot provide direct evidence of either parasitism or mutualism, indicating that further work is necessary to determine the mechanistic links between both symbionts and their host crayfish. The results of this study highlight the importance of examining direct sub-lethal symbiont effects on crayfish hosts as well as multi-symbiont interactions to understand the outcomes of crayfish symbiotic relationships in natural environments. Additionally, while the study is based on correlational analyses, the findings suggest novel directions for future studies to help further understand the symbiotic relationships of crayfish.},
}

@article {pmid42455378,
year = {2026},
author = {Sharma, L and Khairnar, M and Pansare, A and Medicherla, KM and Goswami, GK and Rahi, P},
title = {Genome sequence-based identification of bacteria nodulating Mimosa pudica growing in the Eastern Himalayas and Western Ghats of India and description of Cupriavidus mimosae sp. nov. and Cupriavidus gehlotii sp. nov.},
journal = {Antonie van Leeuwenhoek},
volume = {119},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42455378},
issn = {1572-9699},
support = {YSS/2015/000 149//Science and Engineering Research Board/ ; },
mesh = {*Mimosa/microbiology ; *Cupriavidus/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; India ; Phylogeny ; *Genome, Bacterial ; *Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Himalayas ; DNA, Bacterial/genetics ; Whole Genome Sequencing ; Symbiosis ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Fatty Acids ; },
abstract = {Mimosa pudica is an invasive weed widespread in India's tropical regions and is nodulated by beta-rhizobia belonging to the genera Cupriavidus and Paraburkholderia. In this study, we characterized three bacterial strains isolated from root nodules of M. pudica collected from the Eastern Himalayan (EH) and Western Ghats (WG) regions of India. Whole-genome sequencing was performed for strain SKND8 (EH), and strains WGtm5[T] and WGlv3[T] (WG). Core-gene phylogeny based on the bac120 gene set placed strain SKND8 with Paraburkholderia caribensis, and average nucleotide identity (ANI) values above 96% and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values above 70% confirmed its identification as P. caribensis. In contrast, strains WGtm5[T] and WGlv3[T] clustered within the Cupriavidus taiwanensis species complex and shared ANI and dDDH values below 96% and 65.5%, respectively, with all validly published Cupriavidus species. ANI values below 95.9% and dDDH below 64.5% between WGtm5[T] and WGlv3[T] indicated that they represent two distinct novel species. The major fatty acids of both strains included C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1 ω7c and/or C16:1 ω6c) and summed feature 8 (C18:1 ω7c and/or C18:1 ω6c). Analysis of the symbiotic genes nifH and nodC indicated that strain SKND8 carries symbiosis genes characteristic of symbiovar (sv.) tropicalis, whereas WGtm5[T] and WGlv3[T] share an undescribed Cupriavidus symbiovar common to members of the C. taiwanensis species complex. Based on the genome-based phylogenetic, genomic relatedness and phenotypic data, we propose two new species: Cupriavidus mimosae sp. nov. for strain WGtm5[T] (= MCC 4888[T] = KACC 22828[T]) and Cupriavidus gehlotii sp. nov. for strain WGlv3[T] (= MCC 4890[T] = KACC 22827[T]).},
}

*Mimosa/microbiology
*Cupriavidus/genetics/classification/isolation & purification
India
Phylogeny
*Genome, Bacterial
*Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Himalayas
DNA, Bacterial/genetics
Whole Genome Sequencing
Symbiosis
Sequence Analysis, DNA
Fatty Acids

@article {pmid42455846,
year = {2026},
author = {Saadani, O and Abdelkrim, S and Taamalli, W and Fatnassi, IC and Mannai, K and Jebara, M and Jebara, SH},
title = {Vicia faba-PGPB association improves soil health as a sustainable strategy to remediate moderately Pb and Cd contaminated soils.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {21},
number = {7},
pages = {e0353746},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0353746},
pmid = {42455846},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {*Vicia faba/microbiology/growth & development/metabolism ; *Lead/metabolism ; *Soil Pollutants/metabolism ; *Cadmium/metabolism ; Biodegradation, Environmental ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Pseudomonas/physiology ; Soil Microbiology ; Symbiosis ; *Rhizobium/physiology ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Phytoremediation is an eco-friendly strategy for heavy metal bioremediation. This study focuses on assessing the potential of faba bean- plant growth promoting bacteria symbiosis in phytoremediation and soil fertility improvement of HMs contaminated soils. Vicia faba L. var. minor Saber 02 was inoculated with a consortium of three efficient and HMs resistant PGPB (Rhizobium sp. CCNWSX0481, R. leguminosarum bv. viciae and Pseudomonas sp.) and cultivated in soil treated with Cd and Pb to establish three contamination levels: uncontaminated (S1), moderately contaminated (S2; 2 mg kg-1 Cd and 100 mg kg-1 Pb), and highly contaminated (S3; 4 mg kg-1 Cd and 200 mg kg-1 Pb). Bacterial inoculation enhanced plant growth and metal uptake, most significantly in the moderately contaminated soil (S2). An increase in shoot dry weight and nodule dry weight was observed after bacterial inoculation mostly in the moderately contaminated soil S2. Furthermore, the effect of bacterial inoculation was particularly pronounced in S2 soil, resulting in significant increases in Pb and Cd accumulation in the shoots by 66% and 441%, respectively, compared to the uninoculated plants. Similarly, inoculated plants grown in S2 soil exhibited substantially higher total heavy metal contents than the uninoculated plants, reaching 179% for Pb and 319% for Cd, respectively. This increase was associated with an enhancement in the concentration of non-protein thiols, particularly in S2 soil, where inoculation increased root NPT levels by 49% compared to the uninoculated plants. Nevertheless, HMs induced a significant increase in roots enzyme such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione reductase. The inoculation further enhancing their activities essentially in S2. Moreover, PGPB considerably reduced total Pb as well as both the total and available fractions of Cd, mainly in S2 soil and increased total nitrogen and available phosphorus content, urease and β-glucosidase activities. The obtained results highlight the effectiveness of V. faba L var. minor Saber 02- PGPB symbiosis in the reclamation of moderately Pb and Cd contaminated soils. The bacterial consortium could be used as biofertilizer to improve soil quality of Cd/Pb contaminated sites.},
}

*Vicia faba/microbiology/growth & development/metabolism
*Lead/metabolism
*Soil Pollutants/metabolism
*Cadmium/metabolism
Biodegradation, Environmental
*Soil/chemistry
*Pseudomonas/physiology
Soil Microbiology
Symbiosis
*Rhizobium/physiology
Plant Roots/microbiology

@article {pmid42457551,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, X and Umemoto, R and Kato, M and Hayakawa, T},
title = {Gut microbiome changes in a captive giant panda with cardiovascular disease.},
journal = {The Journal of veterinary medical science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1292/jvms.26-0042},
pmid = {42457551},
issn = {1347-7439},
abstract = {The interaction between gut bacteria and their host is vital for the early diagnosis and treatment of disease in captive animals. Here, we report a 16S rRNA sequencing-based bacterial profile during the progression of cardiovascular disease and drug treatment in a captive giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca). We observed changes in the composition of bacteria associated with inflammation and regulating nutrient metabolism. Predicted metabolic functions also exhibited alterations. The remarkably reduced gut microbiome diversity, along with the imbalance in community interaction networks, indicated possible gut dysfunction. Our findings represent the first description of gut bacterial changes in a giant panda with cardiovascular disease. Maintaining symbiotic bacteria diversity is crucial for preventing health issues in captive animals and advancing wildlife conservation efforts.},
}

@article {pmid42442563,
year = {2026},
author = {Zeng, Z and Wang, J and Norbu, N and Bonjor, N and Tan, X and Zhang, S and Li, W and Zhang, T and Zhang, W and Qiong, L},
title = {Comparative genomics clarifies phylogenetic relationships and genome evolution in Hippophae from the Qinghai-Tibet plateau.},
journal = {Molecular phylogenetics and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {108690},
doi = {10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108690},
pmid = {42442563},
issn = {1095-9513},
abstract = {The uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and associated climatic oscillations have shaped plant evolution, yet how adaptive strategies diversify along elevational, moisture, and latitudinal gradients within a single clade remains poorly understood. Hippophae (Elaeagnaceae) is distributed along these gradients, with all members sharing Frankia-mediated nitrogen-fixing symbiosis and dioecy. Here, we assembled chromosome-level genomes of H. neurocarpa, H. rhamnoides subsp. yunnanensis, and H. rhamnoides subsp. turkestanica, integrated them with four published assemblies, covering seven taxa (species and subspecies) of the genus. Whole-genome phylogenies dated the major intra-generic divergences to 6.71-2.83 Ma, coinciding with QTP uplift and Asian monsoon intensification during the late Miocene-Pliocene. Two ancient whole-genome duplications (ca. 35-40 and 25-30 Ma) predated the radiation, with retained paralogs significantly enriched in plant hormone signaling, ABA/MAPK cascades, cold-stress response, and reactive oxygen species metabolism. LTR retrotransposons showed a cross-species insertion peak at ∼ 0.2 Ma, and their flanking genes were repeatedly associated with ABA signaling, cold and UV-B responses, and flavonoid metabolism, suggesting a possible link to Pleistocene oscillations. Pan-genome analysis revealed core gene families comprising ∼ 55% of the pan-genome, while variable families differed along ecological gradients, with high-elevation H. tibetana harboring the highest proportion of species-specific genes. Lineage-specific positively selected genes were enriched in DNA damage repair, translational fidelity, and stress signaling. Together, these findings suggest that multidirectional ecological divergence in Hippophae was associated with ancient duplicate retention, transposon-associated regulatory variation, and lineage-specific selection, exemplifying rapid adaptive diversification in plants of the QTP and adjacent regions.},
}

@article {pmid42445889,
year = {2026},
author = {Briggs, A and Petipas, R and Li, X and Friesen, ML and Jack, CN},
title = {Timing matters: Rhizobia strain rankings based on host biomass shift between early and late harvests.},
journal = {microPublication biology},
volume = {2026},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42445889},
issn = {2578-9430},
abstract = {In the legume-rhizobia mutualism, symbiotic success changes with time, complicating early strain quality evaluations. We measured host biomass at three and six months after inoculation of bearded clover (Trifolium barbigerum) with 77 strains of Rhizobium leguminosarum . Across timepoints, strain performance rankings based on host biomass varied: some top strains at three months later declined, whereas initially low-ranking strains ultimately surpassed them. This suggests biological tradeoffs in the timing of nitrogen fixation and the allocation of the host resources. Our results highlight that symbiont function can vary over time and that single timepoint data collection risks inaccurately identifying long-term beneficial strains.},
}

@article {pmid42437401,
year = {2026},
author = {Ottaway, M and Swinnen, J and Ruytinx, J},
title = {Sublethal Cd exposure stimulates Laccaria bicolor x poplar symbiosis formation.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {36},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42437401},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {1193322N//Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek/ ; },
mesh = {*Populus/microbiology/drug effects/physiology ; *Laccaria/drug effects/physiology/growth & development ; *Cadmium/toxicity ; *Symbiosis/drug effects ; Mycorrhizae/drug effects/physiology ; *Soil Pollutants/toxicity ; },
abstract = {Soils have become increasingly polluted with Cd due to industrial and mining activities, as well as agricultural fertiliser usage. Because of its toxicity, plants face significant abiotic stress. Trees found in temperate and boreal forest ecosystems rely on their mutualistic relationship with ECM fungi to alleviate the toxic effects of Cd. In this study, we assessed the impact of Cd pollution on both Laccaria bicolor and its symbiosis with Populus tremula x alba. We investigated the impact of Cd pollution on fungal growth and mycorrhiza morphology, as well as the expression of symbiosis marker genes and ROS scavenging enzymes in presence and absence of a host plant. Results indicate that fungal growth is reduced by exposure to elevated Cd, however symbiosis formation is stimulated. Both symbiosis marker genes and ROS scavenging enzymes showed increased expression upon exposure to Cd, but only in the presence of a host plant. This data suggests that forming the ECM symbiosis is a coping mechanism for both poplars and L. bicolor. This research highlights the importance of the ECM symbiosis in both plant and fungal resilience in changing environmental conditions.},
}

*Populus/microbiology/drug effects/physiology
*Laccaria/drug effects/physiology/growth & development
*Cadmium/toxicity
*Symbiosis/drug effects
Mycorrhizae/drug effects/physiology
*Soil Pollutants/toxicity

@article {pmid42438602,
year = {2026},
author = {Macrander, J and Bennett, A and Statile, K and Rudd, W and Tolman, C and Kuklina, S and Burg, S and Whitton, L and Langford, G},
title = {Stable yet shifting: Early toxin dynamics in typical and atypical clownfish-anemone symbioses.},
journal = {Toxicon: X},
volume = {31},
number = {},
pages = {100260},
pmid = {42438602},
issn = {2590-1710},
abstract = {Among venomous animals, cnidarians represent the oldest metazoan lineage in which venom production and a specialized delivery system are defining synapomorphies. Cnidarians also represent the only venomous lineage for which mutualistic symbioses have evolved resulting in scenarios where mutualistic symbionts may also be targets of their venom. The most iconic example of this relationship is the mutualism between clownfish and their venomous sea anemone hosts. To investigate how symbiont presence and establishment influence toxin gene expression, we used a comparative TagSeq and RNA-Seq approach to quantify venom gene dynamics during the first 48 h of clownfish-anemone symbiosis establishment in five anemone species. Our taxonomic sampling included three typical hosting species (Entacmaea quadricolor, Radianthus crispa, and Stichodactyla haddoni), each representing distinct evolutionary lineages of clownfish hosts, and two atypical Caribbean species (Condylactis gigantea and Stichodactyla helianthus) that do not host clownfish in nature, but have reported to host within the aquarium trade. Tentacle samples were collected prior to hosting, approximately 12 h after initial symbiont establishment, and again 48 h after symbiosis establishment. Our analyses revealed that overall toxin assemblages remained relatively stable during the early establishment phase, with no significant changes in the most highly expressed toxin gene candidates. However, subtle transcript-level shifts occurred within multi-copy toxin gene families, including cytolytic actinoporins and Sea Anemone 8 (SA8)-like toxins. Notably, one C. gigantea actinoporin transcript exhibited a ∼600-fold increase in expression in a single individual, which coincided with two clownfish mortalities prior to successful association, which subsequently decreased after establishment. Comparative sequence alignments suggest that amino acid substitutions in this transcript may be functionally relevant to symbiosis intolerance, as the amino acid substitutions were unique to this transcript, and not found in any other previously described cytolytic actinoporin. Together, these findings reveal that early toxin gene expression in clownfish-hosting sea anemones is largely stable, yet subtly dynamic at the transcript level. This study provides the first comparative transcriptomic insights into the molecular processes shaping symbiosis establishment in clownfish-anemone mutualisms, offering a framework for understanding venom evolution in the context of co-evolutionary interactions.},
}

@article {pmid42439899,
year = {2026},
author = {Teguia Kouam, SC and Goumai Vedekoi, T and Tchapet Njafa, JP and Nguenang, JP and Nana Engo, SG},
title = {Selective Vibronic Excitation for Coherent Energy Transport in Photosynthetic and Agrivoltaic Systems.},
journal = {The journal of physical chemistry letters},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jpclett.6c00994},
pmid = {42439899},
issn = {1948-7185},
abstract = {Partitioning the photonic environment into resonant and off-resonant modes provides a mechanism for dephasing suppression in photosynthetic energy transfer. Aligning the excitation spectrum with underdamped vibronic resonances in the Fenna-Matthews-Olson (FMO) complex prepares vibronically dressed states with reduced coupling to dissipative fluctuations, inducing a biexponential coherence decay: a rapid initial dephasing (τfast ≈ 37 fs) followed by persistent interband coherences extending beyond 1 ps─a >3 time extension of the effective coherence window relative to broadband excitation (τc = 280 fs). This improves forward transfer yields by 39% at 295 K. PT-HOPS/SBD simulations establish that dual-band filtering at 750 and 820 nm targets vibronic resonances while bypassing dephasing-dominated noise. This enhancement is robust against static disorder (σ = 50 cm[-1]), with an ensemble-averaged increase of η = 0.39(4). These results identify selective vibronic excitation as a foundational design principle for coherence-assisted transport. This framework extends to symbiotic agrivoltaic systems, where organic photovoltaics function as active spectral filters to co-optimize excitonic transport alongside the photosynthetic requirements of underlying crops.},
}

@article {pmid42440630,
year = {2026},
author = {Krumsvik, RJ and Høydal, KL and Høydal, ØA},
title = {Position paper on symbiotic intelligence in healthcare: Can AI help us better understand suicidal behavior and prevent suicide?.},
journal = {Frontiers in medicine},
volume = {13},
number = {},
pages = {1848732},
doi = {10.3389/fmed.2026.1848732},
pmid = {42440630},
issn = {2296-858X},
abstract = {Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24 worldwide, yet identifying individuals at risk remains a major challenge. In Norway, suicide rates reached their highest level in 25 years in 2024, underscoring persistent knowledge gaps in national prevention efforts and the need for innovative, interdisciplinary, and supplementary approaches. There are no simple solutions to mental ill health or suicide, and no single factor can adequately explain such complex phenomena; however, it remains crucial to examine how interacting risk factors may increase vulnerability and whether artificial intelligence can help identify emerging risk windows earlier, thereby complementing conventional clinical approaches in this field. The current evidence base suggests a need for increased vigilance in several areas, particularly regarding Gen Z's digital lifestyle, exposure to shock-like societal events, and patterns of alcohol consumption, as these factors may interact in ways that elevate suicide risk. The rapid growth of social media use over the past decade have given both a Werther- and Papageno-effects, raising questions about both the positive effects of social media use and also whether certain patterns of social media engagement may contribute to suicide risk among vulnerable groups. Emerging evidence indicates that shock events in society and extreme media exposure may affect vulnerable individuals indirectly and without conscious awareness, thereby increasing short-term suicide risk. Research from Norway and other countries shows that traumatic events may trigger acute spikes in suicides, influence perinatal outcomes, and affect population-level health indicators such as sex ratios and infant mortality. These "triple-hit" patterns suggest that indirect exposure through media may be more consequential than previously assumed. Additionally, alcohol use may play a significant role in short-term risk escalation by increasing impulsivity, reducing cognitive control, and intensifying emotional distress. International studies show that alcohol use is significantly associated with increased suicidality, and in Norway approximately four in ten individuals who die by suicide have alcohol in their bloodstream at the time of death. Early-warning systems could thus benefit from integrating alcohol-related indicators. This position paper argues that three opportunities are particularly salient. First, the majority of primary studies within this area rely on conventional research designs and analytical approaches, with limited use of artificial intelligence-supported methods that could potentially enhance measurement precision, validity, and reliability in the analysis of complex digital behaviors. For example, AI-based linguistic analysis of social media content may help detect short-term "risk windows" associated with psychological distress, depression, and suicidality. Second, improved access to anonymized, high-quality platform data from technology companies could strengthen population-level monitoring and research. Third, actigraphy and AI integrated with wearable sensors and brief daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA) may capture subtle fluctuations in sleep, stress, heart rate, and activity-patterns that often precede clinical deterioration but may go unnoticed by patients, families, and clinicians. While international studies suggest that AI can enhance short-term risk detection, such systems must neither replace human contact nor override core principles of privacy, consent, and autonomy. Rather, AI should function as a complementary, real-time alert layer (symbiotic intelligence) capable of informing timely and tailored interventions within existing health services. Given current knowledge gaps and the rising impact of shock-related stressors, health authorities should consider piloting AI-supported early-warning systems that are tightly embedded in clinical pathways, e.g., through a new conceptual model presented in this paper. AI alone will not save lives, but small, ethically grounded steps may help identify individuals in rapidly escalating distress before it is too late.},
}

@article {pmid42442203,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, XK and Long, XN and Tang, SS and Zheng, TX and Chen, D and Wei, FG and Wang, YL and Wu, Y and Dai, K and Cao, GH and He, S},
title = {Arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis decouples arsenic risk from saponin biosynthesis in Panax notoginseng (Araliaceae) by reprogramming rhizosphere and root processes.},
journal = {Journal of hazardous materials},
volume = {514},
number = {},
pages = {142971},
doi = {10.1016/j.jhazmat.2026.142971},
pmid = {42442203},
issn = {1873-3336},
abstract = {Arsenic (As) contamination poses a serious threat to the safety and medicinal quality of Panax notoginseng, a high-value medicinal herb rich in triterpenoid saponins. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can improve plant tolerance to metal(loid) stress, but how AMF coordinate rhizosphere processes with host metabolic regulation to reduce As accumulation while maintaining medicinal quality remains poorly understood. Here, we integrated physiological assays, As partitioning and subcellular fractionation, rhizosphere microbiome profiling, root exudate metabolomics, phytohormone quantification, transcriptomics, proteomics, and partial least squares path modelling (PLS-PM) to investigate the effects of Entrophospora etunicatum inoculation on P. notoginseng under As stress. AMF colonization alleviated As-induced toxicity by improving plant growth, photosynthetic performance, and antioxidant capacity. Notably, AMF reduced As accumulation in medicinal taproot, while promoting As retention in fibrous roots and immobilization in cell wall-associated fractions. AMF also reshaped the rhizosphere bacterial community, enhanced glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) accumulation and soil enzyme activities, and altered root exudate and endogenous hormone profiles. Transcriptomic and proteomic analyses indicated coordinated regulation of detoxification, transport, carbon metabolism, phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, and secondary metabolism. In parallel, AMF promoted the accumulation of major notoginseng saponins, suggesting that As detoxification was coupled with preservation of medicinal quality rather than a growth-defense trade-off. PLS-PM supported linkages among AMF colonization, rhizosphere reassembly, As sequestration, host metabolic reprogramming, and saponin accumulation. Overall, our results reveal a multiscale mechanism by which AMF reduce As risk in medicinal tissues while sustaining bioactive compound biosynthesis, providing promising biological strategy for safe production of medicinal plants in As-contaminated soils.},
}

@article {pmid42435755,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhuang, Y and Geng, Y and Guo, X and Wang, C and Sun, Y and Liu, L and Liu, L and Gao, Q and Zhu, X and Cao, H and Zhang, G and Liu, Y and Zhang, G and Chen, B and Zhang, J and Hou, X and Li, X and Zhang, D},
title = {Single-cell Transcriptome Profiling Reveals Gene Regulatory Networks and Key Genes in the Root Epidermis and Cortical Cells Associated with Early Nodulation in Glycine Max.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e76550},
doi = {10.1002/advs.76550},
pmid = {42435755},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {32322062//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32441057//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; ZR2023JQ009//Natural Science Foundation of Shandong Province/ ; SDAIT-28-01//Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System of Shandong Province/ ; SDAIT-28-06//Modern Agro-industry Technology Research System of Shandong Province/ ; },
abstract = {The legume crop soybean forms a symbiosis with rhizobia to fix atmospheric nitrogen (N) in specialized organs called root nodules. However, the mechanisms regulating early infection of the root epidermis and nodule-primordium formation in the cortex for proper nodule formation remain unclear in soybean. Here, we report a single-cell transcriptome analysis of mock- and rhizobia-inoculated soybean roots at 4 days after inoculation, an important control point for autoregulation of nodulation and nodule-primordium formation. We profiled 21,500 cells and detected 12 major cell clusters, and identified 193 infected-cell-specific, 205 epidermis-specific and 180 cortex-specific DEGs. Gene-ontology enrichment and gene-regulatory network analyses uncovered key pathways such as reactive oxygen species-mediated hormone signaling involved in coordinating defense signaling and symbiotic pathways. We also identified and functionally validated an ethylene-activated circuit comprising GmWRKY6.3/6.4 transcription factors and select downstream GmNod19 targets, in which genes act as positive regulators by promoting infection-thread formation during early nodulation, thereby shaping nodule formation. This study showcases how single-cell transcriptomics and gene-regulatory networks provide hypotheses for identification and characterization of previously unappreciated regulatory circuits, broadens our understanding of precise genetic control underlying symbiosis establishment, and underscores how functional diversification of nodulation genes has occurred across legumes.},
}

@article {pmid42437098,
year = {2026},
author = {Lee, JE and Kim, JS and Do, Y and Park, JK},
title = {Physiological and Skin Microbiome Divergence Among Closely Related Anurans Co-Occurring in Agricultural Wetlands.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {e73944},
pmid = {42437098},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Understanding why endangered amphibian species decline while closely related congeners persist remains a central challenge in conservation biology. Host physiological traits and symbiotic microbial assemblages are increasingly recognized as important mediators of species responses to environmental conditions. Unlike broad comparative studies across geographically separated populations, we compared physiological capacity and skin microbiome characteristics among four anuran species, two endangered species and their respective common congeners from two genera (Dryophytes and Pelophylax), at a fine sympatric scale within shared agricultural wetlands in South Korea. Physiological traits, including body size, corticosterone levels, and bacterial killing ability, were structured primarily at the genus level, with species identity explaining 49.6% of multivariate physiological variation. Skin bacterial alpha diversity tended to be higher in common species, although statistically significant differences were not maintained after correction. Skin bacterial community composition also differed significantly among species (PERMANOVA, R [2] = 0.296), whereas Bd prevalence remained comparable across species (75%-85.7%). Microbial network analysis revealed species-specific differences in topology, with highly connected networks in D. japonicus, fragmented structure in D. suweonensis, and intermediate connectivity in both Pelophylax species. Functional prediction analyzes suggested differences in predicted microbial functions among host species. Together, these findings suggest subtle but structured trait differentiation among sympatric species and support integrating physiology, skin microbiomes, Bd infection, and predicted microbial functions as a complementary trait-based framework for amphibian conservation assessment.},
}

@article {pmid42437234,
year = {2026},
author = {Bharati, A and Das, D and Mandal, SR and Kumar, P and Narayan, A and Bisht, RK and Takia, L and Mishra, V},
title = {Applicability of Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Chatbots in Medical Physics.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
pages = {e110649},
pmid = {42437234},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Aim Chatbots are emerging as a new and valuable tool in healthcare, offering a wide range of applications. Their use as a tool in medical physics has immense future potential. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of three artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots - ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini - in response to questions or queries related to medical physics in oncology. Materials and methods A total of 11 questions from the field of medical physics pertaining to oncology were formulated by medical physics experts. These queries were presented to the AI chatbots - ChatGPT 5.2, DeepSeek V 3.2, and Gemini 3.0 - on a predetermined date. Responses were obtained by repeating the same question once for each chatbot. The initial responses were noted and evaluated by three experts based on their correctness, completeness, ease of understanding, reliability, and applicability in the national scenario. Results The mean correctness scores were 3.4, 3.81, and 3.09 for ChatGPT, DeepSeek, and Gemini, respectively. Regarding completeness, the DeepSeek gave the maximum responses, that is, 10 complete responses to the 11 questions. No statistically significant difference was foundin real-world applicability score for the three models. Conclusion In terms of performance metrics such as correctness, DeepSeek gave better results. None of the chatbots were seen to be good enough to replicate human intelligence in metrics such as correctness, completeness, or real-world applicability. A symbiotic collaboration between AI chatbots and medical professionals is essential for enhancing healthcare delivery.},
}

@article {pmid41906342,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, J and Tian, J and Zhang, X and Kong, Z},
title = {Metagenomic Analysis of Soybean Rhizosphere Microbiome in Black Soil: Community Composition and Functional Insights.},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {49},
number = {8},
pages = {4922-4925},
pmid = {41906342},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {XDA28030201//Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/ ; 32241045//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {We performed metagenomic sequencing to analyze the microbial composition and functional profiles of the rhizosphere microbiome in the soybean cultivar Dongsheng 7 grown in black soil at Meilisi, Northeast China. Furthermore, we constructed a microbial genome database and isolated endophytic bacteria from root nodules, providing support for further research and potential applications of the soybean‐rhizobia symbiotic nitrogen fixation system.},
}

@article {pmid42430847,
year = {2026},
author = {Zardi, GI and Lefebvre, S and Goberville, E and Niquil, N and Gribouval, L and Bout-Roumazeilles, V and Nicastro, KR},
title = {Microbial endolithic symbiosis in oysters enhances thermal resistance through shell corrosion.},
journal = {Marine environmental research},
volume = {221},
number = {},
pages = {108252},
doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2026.108252},
pmid = {42430847},
issn = {1879-0291},
abstract = {Extreme temperature events driven by climate variability are increasingly threatening biodiversity and ecosystem functioning. Intertidal ecosystems are particularly exposed to heatwaves, and face mass mortalities, local extinctions, and range contractions among keystone species, with cascading effects on biodiversity, carbon sequestration, coastal defences, and fisheries. Symbiotic interactions play a crucial role in shaping host resistance to environmental stress, particularly thermal stress intensified by climate change. This study evaluated the potential thermal buffering effects of shell corrosion by symbiotic endoliths on the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas) under heat stress. Laboratory and field experiments revealed significantly higher survival rates in corroded oysters, with a significant thermal buffer as high as 9.5 °C in natural settings. Spectrophotometric analyses further showed that endolithic corrosion alters shell optical properties (pale in colour - lightness, chromatic axes and reflectance), linking shell colour shifts directly to enhanced thermal buffering. While similar patterns have been previously observed in mussels, the thermal buffer effect in oysters is substantially higher, highlighting species-specific differences in the magnitude of symbiont-mediated thermal resistance. These findings contribute to a broader framework for understanding how host-symbiont interactions modulate thermal resistance across diverse marine calcifiers, highlighting the adaptive potential of shell corrosion in enhancing resistance to rising temperatures.},
}