@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.},
}

@article {pmid42431953,
year = {2026},
author = {Ma, J and Wang, M and Wang, Y and Wu, Q and Zhou, C and Zhou, Y and Ge, C and Guo, J and Zhao, F and Hao, M and Fan, C and Wen, F and Wang, S and Liu, M and Liu, Y and Shen, H and Li, L and Zhang, T},
title = {A symbiotic skin hydrogel interface enabled by flexible hydrogel network with embedded enhancement structure.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-75372-3},
pmid = {42431953},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {BK20243004//Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Jiangsu Provincial Natural Science Foundation)/ ; 62471465, 62271479, 62401561, 62301555//National Natural Science Foundation of China (National Science Foundation of China)/ ; 2024M762320, 2025M770519//China Postdoctoral Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Wearable electrophysiological monitoring based on hydrogel electrodes is pivotal for decoding the body's "electrical language", yet fundamentally hampered by the unstable mechano-electrical interface between flexible electrodes and the skin caused by dehydration and poor breathability. Here, we demonstrate a symbiotic interface between an embedded-interfacial enhanced breathable conductive hydrogel network (BCHN) and skin for high-fidelity long-term electrophysiological monitoring. By embedding sodium chloride-containing polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel into an oxidized electrospun 3D porous polylactic acid skeleton, a BCHN with embedded enhanced interface featuring dense ion transport pathways and multiple water molecule-adsorbing sites is constructed. Upon application, the breathable (1.85 kg·m[-2]·day[-1], ~3× skin perspiration) flexible conductive hydrogel network with bending stiffness of ~10[-10 ]N·m[2] seamlessly conforms to the microscopic landscape of the skin, forming a symbiotic BCHN-skin interface, which allows BCHN to "breathe" in harmony with the skin to preserve stable hydration and conductivity by dynamically balancing sweat capture, permeation, and evaporation, evidenced by a sustained 55 Ω impedance even at 20%RH. Integrated into a wearable monitoring system, the BCHN electrodes maintain high-quality signals (SNR > 25 dB) for over 30 days, thereby permitting the quantitative assessment and early warning of driver fatigue through long-term electroencephalography analysis.},
}

@article {pmid42432188,
year = {2026},
author = {Nest, C and Henderson, T and Elliott, TF and Ballard, GA and Vernes, K},
title = {Secondary consumption of mycorrhizal fungi by two endangered marsupial carnivores: the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii).},
journal = {Oecologia},
volume = {208},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42432188},
issn = {1432-1939},
mesh = {Animals ; *Mycorrhizae ; *Marsupialia ; Tasmania ; Endangered Species ; },
abstract = {Mycorrhizal fungi form symbiotic relationships that are vital to nutrient and water acquisition by plants, with many mycorrhizal fungi requiring animal-mediated dispersal. Primary mycophagists often have relatively small home ranges, meaning fungal dispersal distances can be relatively short. However, fungal spores can be incidentally consumed and dispersed when a predator or scavenger eats mycophagous prey. These secondary consumers often move greater distances than their prey, which enables the long-distance dispersal (LDD) of fungal spores. In this study, we aimed to determine whether Australia's two largest extant marsupial carnivores, the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus) and Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii), are acting as secondary dispersers of mycorrhizal fungi through the consumption of mycophagous prey. Quoll trapping and scat collection was undertaken at three sites in eastern New South Wales, whilst Tasmanian devil scats were collected opportunistically at three sites in Tasmania. Scats from these predators were analysed for the presence of fungal spores and prey animals. Quolls consumed 20 mammal species, including 14 that were identified as mycophagous. Across all three sites, 72.3% of quoll scats contained fungi, with a total of 77 fungal taxa identified. Quoll scats containing mycophagous mammals contained significantly more fungal taxa than those without mycophagous mammals present. Tasmanian devil scats contained six fungal taxa, with 33% of scats containing fungi, but a small sample size precluded further analysis. Our study indicates that spotted-tailed quolls and Tasmanian devils are both likely to be providing a previously unreported ecosystem service through the LDD of mycorrhizal fungi.},
}

Animals
*Mycorrhizae
*Marsupialia
Tasmania
Endangered Species

@article {pmid42432352,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, X and Chen, J and Tang, Y and Liu, H},
title = {Insights into the Mechanism Underlying the Symbiosis between Seagrass and a Lulworthiaceae Fungus.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s00248-026-02808-0},
pmid = {42432352},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {AoE/P-601/23N//Hong Kong Research Grants Council/ ; MCEF23SC02//Hong Kong Offshore Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal/ ; },
abstract = {Various fungi have been identified in seagrass compartments; however, the exact nature of their interactions with these marine flowering plants remains largely uncharacterized. The partnership between seagrasses and Lulworthiaceae fungi represents a typical and compelling example of such an underwater association. Here, we combine UHPLC-MS/MS, transcriptomics, and plant growth assays to validate the putative symbiosis between the seagrass Halophila ovalis and the Lulworthiaceae fungus Halophilomyces hongkongensis, and elucidate the underlying mechanism of this relationship. We confirmed that H. hongkongensis produces the phytohormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Through transcriptomic analysis, we proposed its IAA biosynthesis pathways. All identified IAA biosynthesis genes were upregulated in seagrass roots/rhizomes compared to rhizosphere sediments, with the tryptophan aminotransferase gene (indole-3-pyruvic acid pathway) exhibiting a significant increase. Furthermore, H. hongkongensis was confirmed as a plant growth-promoting fungus; its culture filtrates promoted Arabidopsis thaliana shoot and lateral root/root hair growth, an effect strongly correlated with IAA production and highly likely in seagrass. Beyond IAA-specific analyses, its upregulated genes were significantly enriched in pathways such as tryptophan metabolism, starch/sucrose metabolism, and DNA replication. Collectively, these results indicate that H. hongkongensis establishes a growth-promoting symbiosis with H. ovalis by upregulating its IAA biosynthesis genes and secreting IAA; in return, the host provides carbohydrates that sustain fungal metabolism and support active DNA replication. This study provides the first mechanistic verification of a seagrass-Lulworthiaceae symbiosis, significantly advancing our understanding of marine plant-fungal interactions. It also demonstrates the first IAA-linked plant growth-promoting capacity of a member from the cryptic marine fungal family Lulworthiaceae.},
}

@article {pmid42432470,
year = {2026},
author = {Lei, T and Fan, YJ and Song, HD and Zhang, XJ and Wang, HL and Song, C and Liu, YQ and Qi, X},
title = {Genomic and metabolic divergence of the primary symbiont Candidatus Portiera between Bemisia tabaci and other whitefly species.},
journal = {BMC genomics},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12864-026-13143-6},
pmid = {42432470},
issn = {1471-2164},
support = {25nya21//Science & Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; 25sfa05//Science & Technology Project of Taizhou/ ; CARS-23-C05//Earmarked Fund for China Agriculture Research System/ ; LMS26C040001//Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: The primary symbiont Candidatus Portiera is essential for nutrient provisioning in whiteflies. Genomic instability is a hallmark of Bemisia tabaci-associated Portiera, but the specific molecular evolutions and their metabolic consequences compared to Portiera from other whiteflies remain unclear.

RESULTS: To overcome the limited sampling of previous studies, we assembled novel Portiera genomes from seven additional B. tabaci cryptic species. Comparative genomic, phylogenetic, and species delimitation analyses were conducted with other publicly available Portiera genomes. Branch-model selection analysis identified differentially evolved genes in the B. tabaci-associated Portiera, which were significantly enriched in amino acid biosynthetic pathways. The composition of essential amino acids biosynthetic pathways was systematically analyzed across Portiera, host nuclear, and secondary symbiont genomes. B. tabaci-associated Portiera formed a monophyletic lineage with larger genomes, lower coding density, and accelerated evolutionary rates, classified as a single species distinct from Portiera in other whiteflies. Twenty-two genes showed significantly different evolutionary rates with enrichment in amino acid biosynthetic pathways. Key genes for lysine and arginine biosynthesis were lost or pseudogenized in B. tabaci-associated Portiera but remained intact in other whiteflies like Trialeurodes vaporariorum. The synthesis of most other essential amino acids was similarly incomplete across all Portiera, relying on host or secondary symbiont genes for pathway completion.

CONCLUSIONS: The B. tabaci-associated Portiera represents a unique symbiotic metabolic architecture where host horizontally transferred genes may potentially compensate for Portiera's genomic erosion, contrasting with the more autonomous Portiera in other whiteflies. This study reveals divergent evolutionary trajectories and metabolic integration strategies in whitefly symbiotic systems.},
}

@article {pmid42433896,
year = {2026},
author = {Llanes, AS and Feregrino-Perez, AA and Campos, MD and Hoffmann, LV},
title = {Editorial: Genomic pathways to plant health: exploring microbial symbiosis and biocontrol.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1898547},
doi = {10.3389/fpls.2026.1898547},
pmid = {42433896},
issn = {1664-462X},
}

@article {pmid42435167,
year = {2026},
author = {Gouveia, L and Serpa, J and Mendes, C},
title = {Metabolism-Driven Modulation by the Human Microbiota: Implications for Cancer Therapy and Emerging Strategies.},
journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology},
volume = {1501},
number = {},
pages = {67-123},
pmid = {42435167},
issn = {0065-2598},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neoplasms/microbiology/metabolism/therapy ; *Microbiota/physiology ; Skin Microbiome ; Animals ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Bacteria/metabolism ; Symbiosis ; Dysbiosis ; },
abstract = {The human microbiome plays a pivotal role in cancer development, progression, and therapeutic response. Epidemiologic studies have established links between microbiome composition and various malignancies, with specific microbial taxa exerting direct carcinogenic effects or influencing tumorigenesis through metabolite production and immune modulation. While the gut microbiome remains the most extensively studied, emerging evidence highlights the significance of microbiomes in other body sites, including the cervix, lung, and skin, which also modulate cancer risk and progression. These site-specific microbial communities interact with local factors, such as human papillomavirus in the cervix or inflammatory pathways in the lung and skin, contributing to carcinogenesis. Importantly, distinct microbial signatures across these niches serve as promising noninvasive biomarkers for early cancer detection and prognosis, offering improved accessibility and patient compliance compared to traditional methods. Additionally, the gut microbiome influences anticancer therapeutic outcomes, suggesting that metabolism-based interventions targeting microbial-host interactions may enhance treatment efficacy. Integrating microbiome research into oncology presents novel opportunities for advancing personalized cancer prevention, diagnosis, and therapy.},
}

Humans
*Neoplasms/microbiology/metabolism/therapy
*Microbiota/physiology
Skin Microbiome
Animals
Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Bacteria/metabolism
Symbiosis
Dysbiosis

@article {pmid42435170,
year = {2026},
author = {Serpa, J},
title = {Metabolic Symbiosis Between Cancer Cells and Endothelial Cells: A Key Driver of Tumor Angiogenesis.},
journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology},
volume = {1501},
number = {},
pages = {165-189},
pmid = {42435170},
issn = {0065-2598},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism/pathology ; *Endothelial Cells/metabolism/pathology ; Animals ; *Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/blood supply ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Metabolic Reprogramming ; Oxidative Stress ; Symbiosis ; },
abstract = {This chapter explores the critical role of angiogenesis in cancer, focusing on the metabolic processes involved in angiogenesis, particularly the metabolic remodeling of endothelial cells (ECs) and the symbiosis between cancer cells and ECs, which drive vascular development. Key topics include the influence of hypoxia and oxidative stress, and the reliance on different metabolic sources on EC function, as well as how various pro-angiogenic factors contribute to tumor vascularization. The importance of metabolic flexibility in ECs and its implications for cancer treatment will also be highlighted.},
}

Humans
*Neovascularization, Pathologic/metabolism/pathology
*Endothelial Cells/metabolism/pathology
Animals
*Neoplasms/metabolism/pathology/blood supply
Tumor Microenvironment
Metabolic Reprogramming
Oxidative Stress
Symbiosis

@article {pmid42435451,
year = {2026},
author = {Lohani, N},
title = {Putting channels in their place: nucleoporins and symbiotic signaling in legumes.},
journal = {Plant physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiag493},
pmid = {42435451},
issn = {1532-2548},
}

@article {pmid42425464,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, S and Bai, Y and Wang, A and Hu, Y and Ho, SH},
title = {When Algammox facing low C/N wastewater: role of microalgae in promoting denitrification to synergically achieve effective water treatment.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {135344},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135344},
pmid = {42425464},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {The partial nitritation-anammox (PNA) process significantly reduces oxygen and organic carbon demands for nitrogen removal, but its nitritation step still relies on mechanical aeration. To advance wastewater treatment decarbonization, we integrated microalgae into PNA process to establish a symbiotic microalgal-PNA (Algammox) biofilm system. Microalgae provide in-situ dissolved oxygen via photosynthesis, reducing aeration dependency. Meanwhile, a biofilm carrier strategy was adopted to protect anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria from light inhibition while enhancing biomass retention. Results demonstrated that Algammox achieved a peak total nitrogen removal efficiency of 98.8%, with an average of 92.6% during stable operation. Microalgae incorporation significantly improved nitrate removal, indicating diversified nitrogen metabolic pathways. Microbial community analysis confirmed that the symbiotic relationship effectively enhanced denitrifying bacteria activity. This work systematically elucidated the complex nitrogen metabolic network of Algammox, including anaerobic ammonium oxidation, partial nitritation, denitrification, and nitrogen assimilation, with the dominant pathway shifting according to community structure. Molecular biological analyses revealed that microalgae significantly upregulated key nitrogen-metabolism genes and enzymes, alongside regulating ATP production, thus successfully resolving the nitrate accumulation in PNA. Algammox is therefore able to achieve efficient nitrogen removal while promoting denitrification, providing an insightfully theoretical and practical foundation for the development of low-carbon, energy-efficient, and nitrate-free wastewater treatment technologies.},
}

@article {pmid42426842,
year = {2026},
author = {Lahrach, Z and Legeay, J and Ahmed, B and Hijri, M},
title = {Effects of rock phosphate on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi-associated bacterial communities and their contribution to phosphorus acquisition in leek.},
journal = {Environmental microbiome},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s40793-026-00934-3},
pmid = {42426842},
issn = {2524-6372},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Inter-kingdom interactions between arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and bacteria are increasingly recognized for their potential to enhance fertilizer use efficiency in agroecosystems. Here, we investigated the effects of rock phosphate amendment and AMF inoculation on phosphorus (P) nutrition in leek (Allium porrum L.), as well as on bacterial communities associated with AMF extraradical mycelium. A bi-compartmental microcosm was used to disentangle root-derived effects from those mediated by AMF mycelium.

RESULTS: Inoculation with Rhizophagus irregularis significantly increased total plant biomass (p < 0.001), while rock phosphate amendment enhanced arbuscule abundance in roots (p = 0.03), leading to higher shoot P content (p = 0.013) and photosynthetic activity (p < 0.0001). Because rock phosphate was the sole P source, these results indicate that P solubilized in the soil was translocated to the host plant via the mycorrhizal pathway. Rock phosphate amendment also significantly altered the composition of bacterial communities associated with AMF mycelium (p = 0.01). Across treatments, bacterial assemblages were dominated by Planctomycetota, Pseudomonadota, Chloroflexota, and Bacillota, with enrichment of Planctomyces and Gemmata in AMF mycelium, and Planctomyces, Gemmata, and Bacillus in soil. The core bacteriome associated with R. irregularis was primarily composed of Planctomycetota and Bacillota, taxa known to form biofilms on AMF extraradical hyphae.

CONCLUSION: These findings demonstrate the pivotal role of mycorrhizal symbiosis in enhancing P acquisition from rock phosphate and provide new insights into AMF-bacteria interactions that are relevant for developing sustainable fertilization strategies.},
}

@article {pmid42427455,
year = {2026},
author = {Laws, M and Burns, ES and Kason, MT and Kijimoto, T and Stajich, JE},
title = {Simultaneous Transcriptomic Analysis of Both Host and Symbiont in Insect-Fungus Interactions.},
journal = {Bio-protocol},
volume = {16},
number = {13},
pages = {e5739},
pmid = {42427455},
issn = {2331-8325},
abstract = {In the last two decades, the field of molecular entomology has seen a shift toward next-generation sequencing techniques as a means of uncovering genetic and developmental processes. However, the standardization of methods is not well-established, and studies for insect-fungus consortia lack established protocols for advanced molecular techniques and downstream analysis compared to approaches applied in model systems involving insect-bacteria interactions. To investigate insect-microbe interactions, RNA sequencing and analysis is often used to identify genes involved in the symbiosis. But such protocols do not often consider insect-fungus systems, which vary significantly in community member abundance and/or fail to describe the details of the process from collection to data processing. This paper will introduce a comprehensive approach for RNA sequencing using two non-model insect-fungus consortia, which lack established, published protocols seen in model systems: the ambrosia beetle mutualism and cicada Massospora parasitism. The protocol includes a detailed TRIzol RNA extraction and quantification, RNA sequencing, and data processing using Nextflow pipeline software. Validation of a range of symbiotic interactions from mutualistic to parasitic is considered to justify this procedure to be utilized in a range of insect-fungus interactions with varied abundances and host interactions. Key features • Stepwise protocol for RNA extraction of samples containing insect and fungal tissue. • Novel dissection technique for beetle pupae. • Acquisition of transcriptomes of both host and symbiont with one protocol. • Direct comparisons of transcriptomes across life stages, stages of symbiosis, and/or by treatment.},
}

@article {pmid42427614,
year = {2026},
author = {Mirchandani, C and Pepper-Tunick, E and Gozashti, L and Russell, S and Corbett-Detig, R},
title = {Ultra-accurate sequencing reveals an extreme transmission bottleneck in a deep-sea clam symbiosis.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.64898/2026.06.29.735038},
pmid = {42427614},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Vertically transmitted symbionts experience progressive genome degradation driven by transmission bottlenecks each host generation that reduce genetic diversity and promote fixation of deleterious mutations. Direct estimates remain rare because inference requires scarce parent-offspring samples and sequencing sensitive enough to detect rare variants. Here, we investigate symbiont transmission bottlenecks in a vesicomyid clam by deeply sampling within-host endosymbiont genetic diversity using two ultra-accurate sequencing methods. Demographic modeling revealed an effective bottleneck size of approximately eight symbionts (95% CI: 1-17 genomes) per host generation. This estimate is sharply reduced relative to prior cytological estimates of bottleneck census size, with important implications for understanding the rate and dynamics of endosymbiont genome degradation.},
}

@article {pmid42429413,
year = {2026},
author = {Leroy, T and Goormachtig, S and Van Dingenen, J},
title = {Unraveling carbon dynamics in legume-rhizobia symbioses: toward a single-cell resolution of symbiotic metabolism.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag342},
pmid = {42429413},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Legumes acquire nitrogen via a symbiotic interaction with diazotrophic rhizobia bacteria. In return for getting fixed nitrogen, plants deliver high amount of photosynthate to the bacteria to support the nitrogen fixation process. Hence, biological nitrogen fixation in legume plants is a highly energy-demanding process that relies on the precise coordination of carbon allocation and metabolism between the host plant and its microbial symbiont. Although significant progress has been made in understanding carbon fluxes during nodulation, how these processes are spatially and functionally organized across different cell types and developmental stages within nodules remains poorly resolved. This limitation has hindered a comprehensive understanding of how carbon metabolism supports the establishment, maintenance, and termination of symbiosis. In this review, we explore the current understanding of carbon transport and metabolism throughout the nodulation process, from early allocation during rhizobial infection to the complex metabolic, transport, and regulatory networks in mature nitrogen-fixing and senescing nodules. We highlight key knowledge gaps, especially regarding cell-type specific and spatial regulation of carbon metabolism. Finally, we discuss how emerging single-cell and spatial omics techniques offer powerful tools to resolve these gaps, enabling a deeper understanding of the metabolic and regulatory complexity that underpins legume-rhizobia symbiosis.},
}

@article {pmid42429586,
year = {2026},
author = {Tian, J and Liu, L and Yu, J and Yu, Z},
title = {Bifurcations and chaotic analysis in a discrete predator-prey model with Ricker map.},
journal = {Chaos (Woodbury, N.Y.)},
volume = {36},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1063/5.0304506},
pmid = {42429586},
issn = {1089-7682},
abstract = {This paper delves into the intricate dynamics of a discrete predator-prey model of the Ricker map, which represents one of the most ubiquitous symbiotic relationships among natural populations. Known work studied the stability of the fixed points and gave all codimension-one bifurcations but no further discussion for codimension-two. In this paper, we investigate the codimension-two bifurcations associated with 1:2, 1:3, and 1:4 resonances. Furthermore, we examine the existence of chaos in the sense of Marotto. The numerical simulations are conducted to verify the theoretical findings and show the periodic behaviors of the system. The occurrence of resonances suggests that predator and prey populations experience periodic or quasi-periodic fluctuations, long-period fluctuations, large-scale population outbreaks, and even chaos when parameters vary.},
}

@article {pmid42429755,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, T and Zhou, Y and Zhong, S and Yang, Y and Pang, W and Cai, F and Chen, H},
title = {Inoculation of Cenococcum geophilum enhances heat tolerance in Pinus massoniana through integrated physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional reprogramming.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0249125},
doi = {10.1128/aem.02491-25},
pmid = {42429755},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Global warming is increasing the frequency of extreme heat events, threatening forest resilience. However, the physiological and molecular mechanisms underlying heat tolerance of ectomycorrhizal (ECM) inoculation in conifers remain poorly understood. This study investigates how the ECM fungus Cenococcum geophilum enhances thermotolerance in Pinus massoniana seedlings. We found that ECM inoculation significantly improved plant biomass and photosynthesis under both normal and high temperatures. Under heat stress, ECM symbiosis reduced oxidative damage by elevating the activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase [SOD], catalase [CAT], and peroxidase [POD]) and promoting nitric oxide (NO) accumulation via enhanced nitrate reductase (NR)- and nitric oxide synthase (NOS)-dependent pathways. Furthermore, ECM colonization reprogrammed proline metabolism, stimulating its biosynthesis through Δ1-pyrroline-5-carboxylate synthetase (P5CS) and ornithine aminotransferase (OAT) while tissue-specifically regulating proline dehydrogenase (ProDH), thereby supporting osmotic adjustment in roots and energy maintenance in shoots. Transcriptomic analyses revealed that ECM primed the host at 25°C by activating defense signaling, reinforcing epidermal structures, and enhancing starch and sucrose metabolism. Under heat stress, ECM induced extensive transcriptional reorganization, upregulating pathways related to membrane lipid remodeling, cell wall modification, and carbon reallocation, while downregulating energy-costly processes, such as oxidative phosphorylation and RNA polymerase activity. This shift reflects an ECM-driven resource reallocation strategy that suppresses ROS production and prioritizes cellular integrity. Collectively, our study demonstrates that C. geophilum establishes an integrated mechanism involving physiological, biochemical, and transcriptional adjustments to enhance heat tolerance in P. massoniana, providing mechanistic insight into ECM-mediated climate resilience and underscoring the potential of using ECM fungi as an ecological tool to promote forest adaptation in a warming world.

IMPORTANCE: This study elucidates how the ectomycorrhizal fungus Cenococcum geophilum systemically enhances heat tolerance in Pinus massoniana by acting as a natural "heat shield," revealing a symbiotic mechanism where the fungus primes the plant's antioxidant defenses, reprograms proline metabolism in a tissue-specific manner, and boosts nitric oxide signaling. Crucially, transcriptomic analysis shows the fungus drives a strategic resource reallocation under heat stress by upregulating pathways for cellular integrity while downregulating energy-intensive processes to minimize oxidative damage. These findings establish a detailed mechanistic framework for fungal-mediated climate resilience, highlighting that enhancing natural partnerships with soil fungi can fortify existing forests against increasing heatwaves by optimizing internal stress management for forest adaptation, offering a practical tool for ecosystem management in a warming world.},
}

@article {pmid42429764,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, K and Zhu, C and Li, K and Hao, H and Zhang, K and Li, Y and Andrews, M and Zhang, J},
title = {Deletion of flgL in Mesorhizobium ciceri USDA 3378 weakened competitive nodulation ability by reducing flagellum formation, biofilm formation, and extracellular polysaccharide secretion.},
journal = {Applied and environmental microbiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e0093126},
doi = {10.1128/aem.00931-26},
pmid = {42429764},
issn = {1098-5336},
abstract = {Mesorhizobium ciceri USDA 3378 has a competitive advantage over the indigenous Mesorhizobium muleiense CCBAU 83963 in nodulating chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in newly introduced planting areas in China. The underlying mechanisms for this dominance remain unclear. A comparison of the genomes of USDA 3378 and CCBAU 83963 revealed significantly more genes involved in flagellum production and cell movement in USDA 3378. USDA 3378 produced flagella, but CCBAU 83963 did not and showed lower motility, biofilm production, and extracellular polysaccharide secretion than USDA 3378. Transcriptome analysis of USDA 3378 under simulated symbiotic versus non-symbiotic conditions showed strong induction of nodulation genes and a broader transcriptional response among genes assigned to quorum sensing, chemotaxis, and flagellar assembly, with flgL (encoding a flagellar hook-associated family protein) being the only upregulated flagellar structural gene detected. A flgL mutant strain based on USDA 3378 (ΔflgL-3378) showed similar growth to USDA 3378 but was unable to produce flagella and exhibited concomitant reductions in motility, biofilm production, and extracellular polysaccharide secretion. Nodule occupancy by USDA 3378 was 100% when co-inoculated with CCBAU 83963. In contrast, nodule occupancy by ΔflgL-3378 was significantly reduced to 39.88% when co-inoculated with the wild-type USDA 3378. However, when co-inoculated with the indigenous strain CCBAU 83963, ΔflgL-3378 still showed a dominant occupancy of 82.8%. Transcriptome analysis of ΔflgL-3378 under the same comparison showed continued induction of nodulation genes and several flagellar system genes, an altered quorum-sensing-associated response, and no detectable chemotaxis-related differentially expressed genes. We conclude that flgL and flagella act as important contributors to the superior competitive nodulation ability of M. ciceri USDA 3378 over M. muleiense in chickpea, although other intrinsic genomic advantages likely contribute to its basal competitivenessIMPORTANCEChickpea is an important legume crop that depends on symbiotic rhizobia for biological nitrogen fixation. In newly introduced chickpea-growing regions of China, Mesorhizobium ciceri USDA 3378 shows a strong competitive advantage in nodulating chickpea compared with the indigenous strain Mesorhizobium muleiense CCBAU 83963, but the mechanisms underlying this advantage remain unclear. This study identifies the flagellar hook-associated gene flgL as an important contributor to the competitive nodulation ability of USDA 3378. Deletion of flgL abolished flagellum formation and reduced motility, biofilm formation, extracellular polysaccharide production, and competitive nodulation ability. However, the ΔflgL mutant still retained higher competitiveness than CCBAU 83963, indicating that additional motility-independent traits also contribute to the basal competitiveness of USDA 3378. These findings improve our understanding of the bacterial traits that influence rhizobial competitiveness and may help guide the development of more effective chickpea inoculants for diverse agricultural environments.},
}

@article {pmid42430218,
year = {2026},
author = {Kuiry, R and Roy Choudhury, S},
title = {Nitrate restricts nonsymbiotic leghemoglobin expression via inhibiting nodule inception proteins in nodules of Arachis hypogaea.},
journal = {Plant physiology},
volume = {201},
number = {3},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiag326},
pmid = {42430218},
issn = {1532-2548},
support = {CRG/2023/004559//ANRF Research Grant/ ; BT/PR53960/PBN/18/23/2024//DBT Research Grant/ ; MoE/STARS-1/508//STARS Research Grant/ ; },
mesh = {*Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/genetics/drug effects/microbiology ; *Leghemoglobin/metabolism/genetics ; Symbiosis/genetics/drug effects ; *Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Arachis/genetics/metabolism/microbiology/drug effects ; *Nitrates/metabolism/pharmacology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects ; Plant Root Nodulation/genetics/drug effects ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics ; Nitrogen Fixation ; },
abstract = {An exquisite symbiotic relationship between legumes and rhizobia leads to the development of nitrogen-fixing specialized organs, known as nodules, in nitrate-deficient environments. By contrast, a high level of soil nitrate negatively regulates the pleiotropic phases of root nodule symbiosis (RNS), including rhizobial infection, nodule organogenesis, and leghemoglobin synthesis. Here, we identified a special group of nodule-specific nonsymbiotic leghemoglobin genes (AhLghs) in the crack-entry legume peanut and investigated their functional role and transcriptional regulation. A comparative transcriptomic analysis revealed that the downregulation of nodule inception (AhNIN) and nonsymbiotic leghemoglobin (AhLghs) genes plays a pivotal role in the nitrate-mediated inhibition of RNS in peanut. Knockdown of AhLghs and overexpression of AhLgh1 resulted in lower and higher leghemoglobin content, respectively, corroborating their roles as positive regulators of nitrogen fixation. Knockdown of AhNINs not only inhibited root nodulation but also decreased leghemoglobin content in peanut. Further, DNA-affinity purification sequencing (DAP-seq) analysis identified various nodulation genes, including AhLghs, as targets of AhNINs. Following the validation of DNA-protein interactions via electrophoretic mobility shift assay, transactivation assays revealed that AhNINs positively regulate AhLgh1 after binding to the NIN RESPONSIVE CIS ELEMENT (NRCE) of its promoter. Our work bridges a critical gap in understanding how nitrate influences nonsymbiotic leghemoglobin expression by targeting rhizobia-induced NINs in peanut and offers a potential model suggesting that the nitrate-NIN-Lgh module might represent a key evolutionary event in fine-tuning root nodulation.},
}

*Root Nodules, Plant/metabolism/genetics/drug effects/microbiology
*Leghemoglobin/metabolism/genetics
Symbiosis/genetics/drug effects
*Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Arachis/genetics/metabolism/microbiology/drug effects
*Nitrates/metabolism/pharmacology
Gene Expression Regulation, Plant/drug effects
Plant Root Nodulation/genetics/drug effects
Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics
Nitrogen Fixation

@article {pmid42430548,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Q and Liu, H and Wu, X and Amde, M and Wu, Z and Zhao, W and Pei, Z and Yin, Y and Song, M and Tan, Z and Rui, Y and Zhang, Q and White, JC and Xing, B},
title = {Nanoplastics Pollution Threatens Sustainable Nitrogen Fixation in Agroecosystems by Disrupting Legume-Rhizobium Symbiosis.},
journal = {ACS nano},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acsnano.6c03667},
pmid = {42430548},
issn = {1936-086X},
abstract = {The rhizobium-legume symbiosis plays a vital role in the global nitrogen cycle. Although microplastics have been shown to affect this symbiotic system, the accumulation and impacts of nanoplastics (NPs) in rhizobia and their root nodules remain poorly understood, particularly regarding the interactive effects of NPs of different sizes on symbiotic nitrogen fixation. This study demonstrated that polystyrene (PS) NPs exhibited a significant size difference effect on rhizobia and their symbiotic nitrogen-fixing association with soybean (Glycine max). We found that both rhizobia and soybean nodules efficiently internalized PS NPs, with differently sized NPs showing mutual enhancement during the cellular uptake of rhizobia. 100 mg/kg of 20 nm PS NPs severely disrupted the symbiotic nitrogen fixation, reducing nitrogenase activity by 51.3% in single exposures and 28.6% in combined exposure to 200 nm PS NPs. This observed disruption caused by 20 nm PS NPs was associated with suppressed nodule formation (26.0% reduction in number, 50.4% decrease in fresh biomass), diminished leghemoglobin content (64.9% reduction), impaired nutrient acquisition (26.5% decrease in nodule Mo content), reduced rhizobia infection efficiency, impaired plant growth, and modified expression of nodulation- and nitrogen-fixation-related genes. These findings revealed that small-sized PS NPs posed a substantial threat to the rhizobium-legume symbiosis, underscoring the ecological risks of NP pollution in agricultural systems.},
}

@article {pmid42420174,
year = {2026},
author = {Dai, J and Xie, L and Cheng, D and Chen, J},
title = {Targeting Trehalose-Glucose Metabolism to Disrupt Symbiont-Mediated Pyrazine Sex Pheromone Synthesis in Bactrocera dorsalis (Oriental Fruit Fly).},
journal = {Journal of agricultural and food chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.jafc.6c04965},
pmid = {42420174},
issn = {1520-5118},
abstract = {Bactrocera dorsalis is an invasive pest causing severe economic losses. Its reproduction depends on sex pheromone-mediated courtship. We previously found that symbiotic Bacillus in the male rectum produce pyrazine sex pheromones (2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine/2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, TMP/TTMP) in a glucose-dependent manner, but whether host trehalose-to-glucose conversion regulates this remains unknown. Here, we show that mature males have higher rectal glucose and lower trehalose than females. Trehalase (Treh), which hydrolyzes trehalose to glucose, is enriched in the male gut and rectum, whereas trehalose-6-phosphate synthase (TPS), which catalyzes the reciprocal conversion of glucose to trehalose, is enriched in the male fat body. Inhibiting Treh pharmacologically or via RNAi reduces rectal glucose and sex pheromone levels, impairing mating success. Conversely, TPS knockdown elevates rectal glucose and sex pheromones, enhancing male competitiveness. Thus, host trehalose-glucose homeostasis controls glucose supply to symbiotic bacteria, directly regulating pheromone-mediated mating. Treh and TPS are promising targets for precision pest management.},
}

@article {pmid42422040,
year = {2026},
author = {Husseneder, C and Jin, T and Chen, J and Sun, Q and Ziesmann, J},
title = {Longitudinal comparison of 16S rRNA gene amplicon datasets of the Formosan subterranean termite gut microbiome: Variation across primers, colonies, time and rearing conditions.},
journal = {Data in brief},
volume = {67},
number = {},
pages = {113030},
pmid = {42422040},
issn = {2352-3409},
abstract = {The Formosan subterranean termite (FST), Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Blattodea: Heterotermitidae) is an aggressive and economically important invasive wood-destroying pest of national and international concern. Its efficiency in destroying lignocellulose is largely attributed to the diverse symbiotic community of microorganisms in the hind gut of the worker caste, consisting of bacteria, archaea and protists. As a global invasive species subjected to changing climate and habitat the FST has become a model for investigating the influence of environmental changes on symbiotic gut microbiota. This dataset represents a pilot analysis detecting colony variation in the gut bacteria community of FST workers from Louisiana, USA, and changes over time when termites were reared under different atmospheric conditions using 16S rRNA gene Illumina NovaSeq 6000 (2 × 250) amplicon sequencing with two different primer sets. The dataset contains 24,499,161 forward and an equal number of reverse sequence reads of the V3-4 (341F-785R) and V4-5 (515F-926R) hypervariable regions. The sequences represent the gut bacteria communities of FST workers from three different colonies, each split into two treatment groups reared in ambient air (ca. 0.04% CO2) vs. 5% CO2 and sampled at 10 time points over the course of two months. The dataset was made public through NCBI's Sequence Read Archive under BioProject ID # PRJNA1446068 [1]. Validation of the dataset is presented in form of denoising statistics (Table 1) and alpha-rarefaction curves (Fig. 1). Rarefaction was performed to show sufficient sequencing depth to capture bacterial richness and diversity and normalize for unequal number of sequences among samples. Sequences were taxonomically assigned in QIIME2 using SILVA 138 as reference database. Lists of all detected phyla and the 10 most abundant Amplicon Sequence Variants (ASVs) are included as Tables 2 and 3. The dataset will be used in follow-up publications to assess how primer bias affects the detection of certain core bacterial taxa in the guts of FST workers and how CO2 concentration in the atmosphere impacts bacterial Alpha- and Beta-diversity. In addition, the longitudinal nature of the data collected over two months enables analyses to assess the extent to which gut microbiota will change over time after termite colonies are brought to the lab and how much microbiota differ between termite colonies collected from the same region. Therefore, this dataset is expected to inform the experimental designs for future studies.},
}

@article {pmid42422728,
year = {2026},
author = {Han, YX and Wang, YL and Ge, MH and Wang, YN and Feng, D and Yang, Y and Wu, DM and Zou, YK},
title = {Ectomycorrhizal mediation of soil carbon sequestration: from carbon allocation to necromass stabilization and priming effects.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1865735},
pmid = {42422728},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi form the dominant symbiosis in many of the world's forest biomes. They exert a seemingly contradictory influence on soil carbon (C), simultaneously promoting C accrual through necromass inputs and aggregate protection, while also driving C loss via enzymatic priming. This review synthesizes current understanding of these dual roles, focusing on: (1) the magnitude and controls of photosynthetic C allocation from host plants to ECM mycelium; (2) the enzymatic mechanisms of SOM decomposition, the rhizosphere priming effect, and the contested universality of the "Gadgil effect" (competitive suppression of free-living saprotrophs); (3) physical and chemical stabilization pathways including the "microbial carbon pump" (necromass accrual) and "mineral carbon pump" (organo-mineral complexation); (4) environmental controls including nitrogen deposition, climate change, and forest management practices; and (5) prevailing research controversies and key methodological constraints-including isotope dilution, spatial heterogeneity of hyphal networks, and uncertain biomarker conversion factors-in quantifying fungal-mediated C fluxes. We identify key knowledge gaps, notably the need for explicit integration of ECM functional traits into ecosystem C models, resolution of the net balance between priming and stabilization under varying edaphic conditions, and a mechanistic understanding of how global change drivers alter ECM-C relationships. Future research should prioritize multi-scale approaches that integrate molecular omics, high-resolution isotope tracing, and process-based modeling to better constrain the role of ECM fungi in forest soil C sequestration and vulnerability. We further highlight that the ecological significance of ECM fungi in the global carbon cycle extends well beyond the well-studied northern forests, encompassing extensive tropical and Southern Hemisphere ECM systems that are subject to fundamentally different nutrient economies and global change pressures.},
}

@article {pmid42423961,
year = {2026},
author = {Melese, M and Wolde-Meskel, E and Gunnabo, AH},
title = {Agro‑ecological and Genetic Drivers of Symbiotic Efficiency of Indigenous Rhizobium etli Strains in Common Bean in Southern Ethiopia.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {83},
number = {9},
pages = {},
pmid = {42423961},
issn = {1432-0991},
mesh = {Ethiopia ; *Symbiosis ; *Phaseolus/microbiology ; *Rhizobium etli/genetics/physiology/isolation & purification/classification ; Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology ; Soil Microbiology ; Altitude ; Phylogeny ; },
abstract = {A total of 36 root‑nodule bacteria were isolated from southern Ethiopia using the Red Wolaita common bean variety, and 26 were authenticated as rhizobia and then screened for symbiotic effectiveness in a greenhouse at Arba Minch University. Among the authentic isolates, strains AMU23, AMU74, and AMU3A had symbiotic effectiveness values of 138%, 117%, and 116.7%, respectively, and were further evaluated along with a commercial strain, HB429, in farmers' fields at varying altitudes with the Red Wolaita common bean variety. The selected rhizobial isolates were introduced by seed inoculation with coal‑based formulations prepared under controlled laboratory conditions, along with a commercial reference inoculant. In the field trial, the native strain AMU23 showed the highest nodule number (138.3), nitrogen derived from the atmosphere (84%), and grain yield (2.24 tons ha[-1]), with superior production‑induced traits and larger effects at the lower altitude (Arguba site, 1160 m.a.s.l.). On the other hand, the strain AMU74 had the highest performance at the higher altitude (Tegecha site, 2174 m.a.s.l.), suggesting that native strains' symbiotic efficiency and yield improvement were influenced by altitude. However, their effectiveness was also influenced by soil fertility parameters and environmental factors. In comparison, the commercial strain exhibited significantly lower grain yield and symbiotic performance (p < 0.05) than the native strains at both locations, yet it still improved productivity, indicating the superior efficacy of the locally sourced strains over the commercial inoculant. A multi‑locus sequence analysis (MLSA) clustered the native strains within the Rhizobium etli-Rhizobium phaseoli species complex, including Rhizobium etli CFN42 and Rhizobium phaseoli VMW4, whereas the commercial strain HB429 clusters tightly with the Rhizobium etli strain HBR51.},
}

Ethiopia
*Symbiosis
*Phaseolus/microbiology
*Rhizobium etli/genetics/physiology/isolation & purification/classification
Root Nodules, Plant/microbiology
Soil Microbiology
Altitude
Phylogeny

@article {pmid42424147,
year = {2026},
author = {Ebel, ER and Kulkarni, AS and Mongad, DS and Olm, MR and Devi, SI and Mir, BA and Ozarkar, S and Sonnenburg, ED and Shouche, YS and Sonnenburg, JL and Dhotre, DP},
title = {Gut microbiomes of tribal communities in India vary with dairy and grain consumption.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {2694242},
doi = {10.1080/19490976.2026.2694242},
pmid = {42424147},
issn = {1949-0984},
mesh = {Humans ; India ; Feces/microbiology ; *Diet ; *Edible Grain/metabolism ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification ; *Dairy Products ; Male ; Adult ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Highly diverse gut microbiomes of non-industrialized populations share similarities with ancestral states of symbiosis and are linked to low rates of chronic inflammatory diseases. Yet there is still limited understanding of the diverse array of non-industrialized gut microbiomes throughout the world, including among the tribal populations of India. In this study, we surveyed dietary and fecal microbiome variation among 76 adults from eight tribal communities in four biogeographic regions of India, including Warli on the western coast, Gond and Madia in the northeast Deccan Plateau, Kabui (or Rongmei Naga) in the northeast hills of the Himalayas, and Balti, Boto, Brokpa, and Purigpa in the northwest Trans-Himalayas. Metagenomic and 16S sequencing of fecal samples identified Segatella, Agathobacter, and Faecalibacterium as core members of the gut microbiome of all populations, with Segatella copri (formerly Prevotella copri) dominant at mean 25%-47% relative abundance. Four Trans-Himalayan populations with diets uniquely defined by dairy and diverse cereals had elevated gut alpha diversity and distinct beta diversity, driven by prevalent and abundant Bifidobacterium as well as taxa shared with the ruminant microbiome. Strains of B. adolescentis present in the dairy-consuming populations were genetically distinct from industrialized strains around the world and encoded CAZymes consistent with selection by dairy and grain consumption. The gut microbiomes of a minority of subjects shared taxonomic and functional features with a previously described sample of Californians, suggesting that the pressures posed by globalization could be impacting the microbiomes of tribal populations. These results highlight the nutritional and microbiological contribution of dairy livestock in shaping gut communities and emphasize the large effect that lifestyle can have on the diversity and function of non-industrialized gut microbiomes.},
}

Humans
India
Feces/microbiology
*Diet
*Edible Grain/metabolism
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Bacteria/classification/genetics/isolation & purification
*Dairy Products
Male
Adult
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
Female
Gastrointestinal Tract/microbiology

@article {pmid42424197,
year = {2026},
author = {Yan, Y and Zheng, S and Zhu, Z and Chen, D and Zhang, W and Zhao, Y and He, K and Zhao, Y},
title = {Aligning Condensed Graph via Hashing: A New Insight for Federated Graph Learning.},
journal = {IEEE transactions on pattern analysis and machine intelligence},
volume = {PP},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1109/TPAMI.2026.3711847},
pmid = {42424197},
issn = {1939-3539},
abstract = {Federated Graph Learning (FGL) aims to maximize the benefits of each graph owner, which is a common form of distributed graph learning under privacy-preserving conditions. As the landscape of local clients becomes increasingly diverse in terms of both model architectures and topological complexities, graph heterogeneity turns out to be one of the significant challenges to efficient collaboration among clients. Beyond existing paradigms, we delve a fresh insight into revisiting FGL as a semantic condensed graph alignment problem in this work. From this perspective, HashFGL is proposed for heterogeneous FGL through aligning condensed graphs via hashing in a symbiotic space. Specifically, the core of HashFGL lies in that it introduces a cross-client symbiotic space to facilitate effective collaboration. Within this space, an efficient hash-based semantic encoding strategy is proposed to model each local client while balancing coordinated resilience and semantic consistency. Furthermore, we derive an elaborate graph condenser based on the above strategy, which condenses original graphs with semantics and structure-preserving property, to maintain the effectiveness of condensed graph alignment for FGL. Formal theoretical analysis further reveals that HashFGL can effectively alleviate the problem of graph heterogeneity. Experimental results on three large-scale graphs, employing standard partitioning strategies and a pioneering, more realistic partitioning that we introduced, demonstrate the efficacy and scalability of HashFGL.},
}

@article {pmid42424536,
year = {2026},
author = {Binci, F and Guarneri, G and Somoza, SC and Vascon, F and Capparotto, A and Di Nuzzo, E and Rago, G and Baldan, B and Cendron, L and Navazio, L and Giovannetti, M},
title = {A symbiotic MLO gene regulates root development via RALF34-triggered Ca2+ signalling in Lotus japonicus.},
journal = {Plant physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiag485},
pmid = {42424536},
issn = {1532-2548},
abstract = {Mildew Locus O (MLO) genes, initially identified as powdery mildew susceptibility factors, are increasingly recognized as multifunctional regulators implicated in diverse processes, including plant reproduction, root thigmotropism, and interactions with beneficial microbes. Recent evidence shows that MLO proteins can act as Ca2+-permeable channels in response to Rapid Alkalinization Factors (RALF) peptides in reproductive cells, pointing to broader roles in Ca2+-mediated signalling. In this study, we investigate the symbiotic clade IV member LjMLO4 in the model legume Lotus japonicus, focusing on its role in root development and responsiveness to LjRALF34 peptides. We show that LjMLO4 expression is strongly induced in root cells colonized by arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, yet loss-of-function mutants exhibit only subtle AM-associated phenotypes. Instead, we uncover a previously uncharacterized function of LjMLO4 as a regulator of primary root growth and lateral root formation, acting even in the absence of AM fungal colonization and in a Ca2+-dependent manner. Heterologous expression in E. coli confirms that LjMLO4 facilitates Ca2+ transport, while genetic and physiological assays demonstrate its contribution to LjRALF34-triggered root growth responses and Ca2+ signalling. Together, these findings identify LjMLO4 as a molecular hub between peptide signalling, Ca2+ transport and root system architecture, highlighting how MLO proteins integrate developmental, nutritional and symbiotic cues.},
}

@article {pmid42415234,
year = {2026},
author = {Shahin, K and Wang, L and He, Z and Lv, B and Van Alin, A and Lo-Man, R and Wu, H and Sansonetti, P and Collard, JM},
title = {A metabolite-dependent mechanism by which Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis promotes Bacteroides colonization.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {2696647},
doi = {10.1080/19490976.2026.2696647},
pmid = {42415234},
issn = {1949-0984},
mesh = {Animals ; *Bacteroides/growth & development/metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Feces/microbiology ; *Bifidobacterium animalis/metabolism/growth & development ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Symbiosis ; Bifidobacterium/metabolism ; Metabolome ; Coculture Techniques ; Bacteroides fragilis/growth & development/metabolism ; },
abstract = {Prokaryote-prokaryote symbiotic relationships influence interactions within microbial communities, affecting colonization, survival, and organization. Unlike competition, consortium species facilitate growth via metabolite cross-feeding. This study explored interactions between two early human gut colonizers: partially aerotolerant Bifidobacterium spp. and strict anaerobic Bacteroides spp., using omics techniques. Promotion of Bacteroides spp. growth by Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis was demonstrated through co-culture experiments in anaerobic conditions. Metabolomic analysis revealed over 150 unique metabolites present in B. animalis subsp. lactis supernatants are absent in other Bifidobacterium species, including 3-hydroxycapric acid, D-alanyl-D-alanine, 2-isopropylmalic acid, and D-glucose 2-phosphate. These compounds served as nutritional substrates, including carbon and nitrogen sources, significantly enhancing Bacteroides spp. growth. In murine models, early colonization by B. animalis subsp. lactis consolidated Bacteroides fragilis colonization (1.7 × 10[4] to 9.7 × 10[6] copy number/g fecal sample) by providing these metabolites as a niche. These findings highlight B. animalis subsp. lactis plays a critical role in gut colonization of Bacteroides spp. via its exclusive metabolic profile, offering insights into partitioned metabolic activity within gut communities and emphasizing the importance of specific metabolites in early microbial establishment.},
}

Animals
*Bacteroides/growth & development/metabolism
Humans
Mice
Feces/microbiology
*Bifidobacterium animalis/metabolism/growth & development
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Symbiosis
Bifidobacterium/metabolism
Metabolome
Coculture Techniques
Bacteroides fragilis/growth & development/metabolism

@article {pmid42416320,
year = {2026},
author = {Xie, H and Zhang, S and Zhu, Y and Shao, S and Yang, P and Li, Z and Zhang, Y},
title = {Cuticular Hydrocarbons-Revealed Functional Groups and Seasonal Acclimation in Sympatric Fig Wasp Mating Assemblages.},
journal = {Ecology and evolution},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {e73976},
pmid = {42416320},
issn = {2045-7758},
abstract = {Interspecific mating can increase when sympatric species mature simultaneously, posing challenges for mate recognition and resource utilization. Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) contribute to desiccation resistance and act as chemical signals in communication. However, it is not sufficiently understood how the CHC traits of sympatric species respond to overlapping ecological, reproductive, and seasonal pressures. This study examines variation in cuticular hydrocarbons among five Ficus semicordata-associated fig wasp species and explores potential links between CHC profiles, mate recognition, and seasonal environmental variation, complemented by male mate-choice assays in two species. Species-specific CHC profiles with sexual dimorphism, combined with male mate choice, are consistent with a potential chemical basis for mate recognition. Species that share resource acquisition strategies (functional groups) tend to exhibit similar CHC patterns. The CHC composition adjusted seasonally among the four dominant species, and these patterns varied among functional groups and between sexes. This indicates that even under shared host and comparable macroclimatic conditions, species and sexes maintain distinct chemical profiles through adjustments in the composition and proportions of CHC. These findings provide a foundational framework for predicting how chemical traits mediate ecological adaptation and speciation in coexisting insect communities under spatiotemporal pressures.},
}

@article {pmid42417415,
year = {2026},
author = {Huang, C and Li, J and Cui, K},
title = {Molecular regulation and physiological response of phosphorus absorption and utilization in woody plants.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag338},
pmid = {42417415},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Phosphorus (P) is one of the essential macronutrients for plants, involved in physiological processes such as growth, development, and reproduction. However, due to its poor mobility and tendency to bind with metal ions and become immobilized, woody plants have long been constrained by low soil inorganic phosphorus (Pi) availability. Woody plants enhance phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) via complex adaptations, and elucidating their adaptation mechanisms to low-Pi stress is critical for formulating forest cultivation strategies. This review focuses on: morphological remodeling, physiological and biochemical regulation, molecular-level control, and the root-mycorrhizal fungal symbiotic system. Current studies have clarified the main pathways of Pi uptake, translocation, and storage in woody plants, as well as the basic morphological, physiological, and ecological response patterns of trees under low-Pi stress. Nevertheless, how Pi affects wood formation, the construction of global Pi signaling pathways, how woody respond to combined stress of Pi and other nutrients, how woody plants select symbiotic fungi, and how Pi is distributed in the root-mycorrhizal remain to be further explored. Future research should shift toward regulating Pi homeostasis under multi-factor coupling, link Pi to woody physiological responses, metabolic pathways, molecular data, and ecological processes, and promote comprehensive understanding of adaptation to low-Pi stress.},
}

@article {pmid42409372,
year = {2026},
author = {Girou, C and Keller, J and Libourel, C and van Beveren, F and Bianconi, M and Dufau, I and Cravero, C and Callot, C and Rodde, N and Cauet, S and Coriton, O and Huteau, V and Delaux, PM and Vernié, T},
title = {Nissolia brasiliensis as a non-nodulating model legume.},
journal = {Plant physiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/plphys/kiag479},
pmid = {42409372},
issn = {1532-2548},
abstract = {The nitrogen-fixing root nodule symbiosis (RNS) is specifically formed by four orders of angiosperms. The largest of these four orders includes the legume family, the Fabaceae. Among legumes, historical model species have emerged, such as the RNS-forming Medicago truncatula and Lotus japonicus, or, more recently, Aeschynomene evenia. By contrast, legume species that have lost RNS have been largely ignored. Here, we describe the first near chromosome-level assembly for a non-RNS-forming legume, the tropical Papilionoideae Nissolia brasiliensis. We compared its genome to closely related legumes and identified genes associated with RNS. Finally, we developed a stable transformation protocol that can be deployed in the future to re-evolve RNS in legumes, a first step toward the goal of engineering RNS in non-legume crops.},
}

@article {pmid42411046,
year = {2026},
author = {Piña Páez, CG and Har, SH and Tabima, JF and Spatafora, JW},
title = {Isolation and Connectivity: Population Structure of an Ectomycorrhizal Truffle in the Fragmented Mountain Landscape of the Madrean Sky Island Archipelago.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {13},
pages = {e70452},
doi = {10.1111/mec.70452},
pmid = {42411046},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {//Oregon Mycological Society/ ; //Sonoma County Mycological Society/ ; //North American Truffling Society/ ; //Puget Sound Mycological Society/ ; //and North American Mycological Association/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/genetics ; *Genetics, Population ; Gene Flow ; Arizona ; *Ascomycota/genetics ; Genetic Variation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; DNA, Fungal/genetics ; Ecosystem ; Islands ; Pinus/microbiology ; Symbiosis ; Climate Change ; },
abstract = {The impact of climate change induced habitat fragmentation on plant species and populations has been studied in numerous systems, but far less is known about how these processes shaped the population structure and demographic history of fungal symbionts. Here, we investigate the population structure and demographic history of ectomycorrhizal fungus Rhizopogon salebrosus, a symbiont of Pinus species, across the Madrean Sky Islands Archipelago (MSIA) of southern Arizona and northern Sonora. Rhizopogon salebrosus produces truffle-like sporocarps and depends on small mammals for spore dispersal. Using genome-wide data from sporocarps and bioassay-derived root tips sampled across seven mountain ranges, we assessed patterns of genetic structure, divergence, and connectivity across this fragmented landscape. We identified strong geographic structuring consistent with island-like population differentiation, accompanied by rare signals of admixture. Genetic divergence among populations increased with geographic distance, and demographic inference supports long-term isolation associated with historical habitat fragmentation, with limited recent gene flow among islands. Together, these results highlight the lasting influence of past climate-driven landscape dynamics on fungal population structure and emphasize the role of geographic isolation in shaping the evolutionary history of symbiotic fungi in montane systems.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/genetics
*Genetics, Population
Gene Flow
Arizona
*Ascomycota/genetics
Genetic Variation
Sequence Analysis, DNA
DNA, Fungal/genetics
Ecosystem
Islands
Pinus/microbiology
Symbiosis
Climate Change

@article {pmid42412246,
year = {2026},
author = {Salminen, A and Kaarniranta, K and Kauppinen, A},
title = {Endosymbiotic theory of aging revisited: Age-related leakage of mitochondrial dsDNA/RNA stimulates cytosolic nucleic acid sensors which remodel the immune network and promote the aging process.},
journal = {Biogerontology},
volume = {27},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42412246},
issn = {1573-6768},
support = {KK333302//Research Council of Finland/ ; },
mesh = {*Aging/immunology ; *DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism/immunology ; Humans ; Animals ; *Symbiosis ; Cytosol/metabolism ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; Innate Immunity Recognition ; cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway ; RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism ; Immunity, Innate ; },
abstract = {About 1.5-2 billion years ago, an endosymbiosis between aerobic α-proteobacteria and anaerobic archaeal cells generated mitochondria, i.e., organelles capable of producing oxidative energy. The bacterial genome was fundamentally reduced and a circular mitochondrial genome evolved containing mainly the genes coding for the subunits of the electron transport chain. Before the symbiotic event, there existed a virus-host co-evolution which involved the development of sensors for detecting dangerous viral DNA/RNA molecules. Endosymbiosis supplied eukaryotic cells not only with an oxidative powerhouse to allow the evolution of more complex multicellular organisms but it also meant that cells now housed an organelle which was able to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) and to leak mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) into the cytoplasm. There is now abundant evidence that during aging and age-related diseases mitochondria are prone to release both mtDNA and dsRNA. In the cytoplasm, mtDNA/dsRNA molecules activate a number of cytosolic nucleic acid sensors leading to the secretion of type-1 interferons (IFN) and many other cytokines which promote an age-related proinflammatory state. Currently, it is known that mtDNA can activate the cGAS-STING pathway, AIM2 inflammasomes, IFI16 receptors, and ZBP1 sensors and in addition mitochondrial dsRNA stimulates RIG-1/MDA5 signaling. Interestingly, there is abundant evidence that all these receptors are drivers of cellular senescence and inflammaging. For decades, there has been mounting evidence that mitochondria have a crucial role in the aging process. We will examine this question from the perspective of evolution and propose that mitochondrial evolution created an endogenic source for the leakage of dangerous mtDNA/dsRNA which subsequently stimulated cytosolic DNA/RNA sensors, an evolutionarily conserved viral defence mechanism. It seems that these two evolutionary events provided not only the basis for the inevitable process of aging but also ensuring the death of parental organisms.},
}

*Aging/immunology
*DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism/immunology
Humans
Animals
*Symbiosis
Cytosol/metabolism
*Mitochondria/metabolism
Innate Immunity Recognition
cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway
RNA, Double-Stranded/metabolism
Immunity, Innate

@article {pmid42414295,
year = {2026},
author = {Scheibel Cassol, G and Shang, C and Westerhoff, P and Song, Y},
title = {Thermally symbiotic integration of osmotic membrane distillation and electrolysis for direct seawater hydrogen production.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-74854-8},
pmid = {42414295},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {3030_010//Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)/ ; },
abstract = {Integrating water purification membranes with electrolysis for in situ hydrogen (H2) production from seawater offers a rapid pathway to net-zero, but is limited by salt crossover and insufficient water production in existing approaches. Here we overcome these limitations by integrating osmotic membrane distillation (OMD) with alkaline water electrolysis (AWE). Driven by dual thermal and osmotic gradients to enhance salt-free water vapour transport, the OMD-AWE delivers a H2 production rate of 60 kg m[-2] day[-1] with excellent stability over 500 h of continuous operation. To eliminate the external heating energy penalty of OMD, we propose a thermally symbiotic architecture that converts the AWE's waste heat to OMD's thermal driving force while OMD simultaneously providing cooling to maintain AWE optimal temperatures, as validated by our thermal-water-hydrogen model. This thermal symbiosis not only makes OMD-AWE energy self-sufficient with energy efficiency of 51 kWh kg(H2)[-1] but also establishes a self-regulating mechanism that phase-locks thermal driving force to fluctuating electrical inputs, synchronising water supply with demand to overcome renewable intermittency. Our approach enables flexible component matching and thermal self-sufficiency at any scale, providing a framework for membrane-integrated electrolysis, demonstrating both technical excellence and economic viability towards a sustainable hydrogen economy.},
}

@article {pmid42414614,
year = {2026},
author = {Suárez, JP and Cevallos, S and Herrera, P},
title = {Multiscale Structuring of Mycorrhizal Fungal Communities of Tropical Epiphytic Orchids.},
journal = {Microbial ecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1007/s00248-026-02830-2},
pmid = {42414614},
issn = {1432-184X},
support = {PIC-13-ETAPA-003//Secretaría de Educación Superior, Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación/ ; },
abstract = {Symbiotic interactions with root-associated fungi are essential for orchid germination, nutrient acquisition and survival, yet the factors structuring these symbioses in tropical epiphytic orchids remain poorly understood. Tropical montane forests provide an ideal system for examining these interactions because steep environmental gradients occur over short geographic distances. We investigated how elevation, variation among populations within elevational belts and host identity shape root-associated fungal communities in the southern Ecuadorian Andes, a region of exceptional epiphytic orchid diversity. Root samples from 699 individuals representing 11 orchid species were analyzed using ITS2 amplicon sequencing. A total of 4,697 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were recovered, including 271 putative orchid mycorrhizal fungi. Fungal richness peaked at mid elevation and declined at higher elevations. Community composition varied significantly among elevational belts, sites and host species, with differences among elevations driven primarily by species turnover rather than nestedness. Despite this turnover, mycorrhizal assemblages maintained a persistent core across elevations, while site-level heterogeneity contributed to fine-scale differentiation. These results indicate that fungal community assembly in epiphytic orchids is structured across multiple spatial scales by elevational gradients, local environmental conditions and host identity. The mid-elevation diversity peak and stronger filtering at higher elevations indicate that orchid-fungus symbioses are highly sensitive to environmental gradients, with potential consequences for their stability under ongoing environmental change in tropical montane forests.},
}

@article {pmid42414863,
year = {2026},
author = {Baroncelli, R},
title = {Beyond static symbioses: genome architecture and endobacterial partnerships reshape arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.},
journal = {The New phytologist},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/nph.71423},
pmid = {42414863},
issn = {1469-8137},
}

@article {pmid42402597,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, L and Hua, G and Pu, L and Cai, N and Tang, J and Mu, D and Xu, Y},
title = {Synthetic microbial communities derived from native niches enhance the high-temperature adaptability of Pinus yunnanensis seedlings.},
journal = {Environmental microbiome},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s40793-026-00924-5},
pmid = {42402597},
issn = {2524-6372},
support = {202401AT070297, 202401BD070001-107, 202201AT070023//Applied Basic Research Programs of Science and Technology Department of Yunnan Province/ ; 32360394//National Nature Science Foundation of China/ ; LXXK-2025D02//Yunnan Provincial First-Class Discipline Construction Fund for Forestry at Southwest Forestry University/ ; XDYC-QNRC-2022-0250//Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program Young Talent Project/ ; 112113//Southwest Forestry University Research Project/ ; 2023Y0734//Research Innovation Fund for Graduate Students of Yunnan Provincial Department of Education/ ; 2024-61//Yunnan Graduate Tutor Team Building Project/ ; },
abstract = {The microbiome rewilding hypothesis suggests that understanding and reconstructing the microbial communities lost through domestication is vital for enhancing seedling quality and adaptability. Therefore, we investigated the structure and assembly of symbiotic microbial communities associated with Pinus yunnanensis, the most significant conifer species in southwestern China, and its dwarf variant, P. yunnanensis var. pygmaea. Subsequently, the functions of these microbes were characterized by inoculating dominant microbes and constructing synthetic communities, and examined their colonization status post-inoculation using amplicon sequencing. The results indicate that: (a) microbial communities are primarily differentiated by niche (soil, roots, needles), followed by geographical location, while trunk form variation has a minimal impact; (b) fungi are influenced by both chemistry and geographical factors, showing dispersion limitation, while bacteria are mainly affected by chemistry, exhibiting homogeneous diffusion; (c) single endophyte inoculation has a neutral to slightly negative impact on seedling growth but enhances resistance to high temperatures; (d) synthetic microbial communities (SynComs), constructed based on the strains' origin and initial functional screening, enhanced seedling growth and provided better protection against high-temperature stress than single strains. (e) one SynCom (SC5), composed of the dominant root isolates Phialocephala sp. (Fun6) and Paraburkholderia sp. (Bac7), significantly increased total seedling biomass by 62% and improved thermotolerance. These findings enhance our understanding of the symbiotic microbial communities of P. yunnanensis and demonstrate the potential of using specific SynComs, such as SC5, as bio-inoculants to improve seedling quality and stress tolerance in nursery production.},
}

@article {pmid42402788,
year = {2026},
author = {Werner, L and Koziol, J and Jung, P},
title = {Linking Biocrust Architecture and Dispersal: Reproductive Ecology of Lichens of the Grit Crust in the Coastal Atacama Desert.},
journal = {Environmental microbiology reports},
volume = {18},
number = {4},
pages = {e70384},
doi = {10.1111/1758-2229.70384},
pmid = {42402788},
issn = {1758-2229},
support = {JU 3228/1-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; INST 252/27-1//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; 514139564//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft/ ; //University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern/ ; },
mesh = {*Lichens/physiology/growth & development ; Desert Climate ; Ecosystem ; Symbiosis ; Spores, Fungal ; Chlorophyta/physiology/genetics ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; *Ascomycota/genetics/physiology ; },
abstract = {Biological soil crusts are essential components of arid ecosystems, yet the establishment and dispersal of lichen-dominated crusts remain poorly understood. In the coastal Atacama Desert, a unique biocrust type-the grit crust-is formed by minute chlorolichens colonising mobile quartz particles. We investigated the developmental stages and dispersal mechanisms of these micro-lichens using high-resolution digital microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and micro-manipulative direct PCR. Microscopic structures on individual quartz grains included melanised fungal micro-colonies, exploratory hyphal networks, free-living green algal colonies and developing lichen thalli. Molecular analyses identified mycobionts of the Caliciaceae alongside photobionts of the green algal genus Trebouxia, occurring in both lichenised and non-lichenised states. The presence of free-living algal cells on grit surfaces suggests that unassociated photobionts function as environmental reservoirs priming symbiosis formation. Our findings support a sequential assembly model in which airborne fungal spores colonise mineral substrates before encountering compatible photobionts. Multiple dispersal vectors-including fungal spores, lichen fragments and algal cells carried by wind and dust-confer high colonisation and recovery potential to grit crust communities, likely driving the rapid turnover, spatial heterogeneity and productivity characteristic of this exceptional lichen-dominated desert biocrust.},
}

*Lichens/physiology/growth & development
Desert Climate
Ecosystem
Symbiosis
Spores, Fungal
Chlorophyta/physiology/genetics
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
*Ascomycota/genetics/physiology

@article {pmid42403241,
year = {2026},
author = {Berger, F and Muth, P and Vahl, WK and Junker, A and Altmann, T and Kopriva, S and Herz, M and Gutjahr, C},
title = {Automated Phenotyping Unveils Trait-Specific Genotypic Variation in Arbuscular Mycorrhiza Responsiveness in Maize (Zea mays).},
journal = {Plant, cell & environment},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/pce.70709},
pmid = {42403241},
issn = {1365-3040},
support = {//Bavarian State Ministry of Environment and Consumer Protection (Germany)/ ; 031B0882J//Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung/ ; //Max-Planck-Gesellschaft/ ; 390686111//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; 456082119//Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)/ ; },
abstract = {Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM), a symbiosis between land plants and fungi that enhances plant mineral nutrition, has potential for application in sustainable agriculture. The extent to which plants benefit from the symbiosis depends on the plant-fungal genotype combination, providing opportunities for breeding symbiosis-optimized crops. Here, we analyzed several plant growth traits and shoot mineral element accumulation of 15 genetically diverse maize inbred lines in response to AM. Plants were grown in an automated phenotyping system, in which randomization produced reproducible shoot surface growth curves. We observed strong variation in AM responsiveness of shoot and root growth in a phosphate-poor alkaline substrate. This substrate caused stunted growth in non-inoculated control plants and a 165% to 633% increase in plant biomass in AM plants. We observed variation among the maize lines in the AM-mediated increase in total shoot content of 24 mineral elements plus phosphate and sulphate. While nitrate accumulated in control plants, it was not detectable in the shoots of AM plants. Growth traits and accumulation of mineral elements were not uniformly correlated across the 15 maize lines. An exploratory ridge-regression analysis showed that RAM was only selectively predictable across traits, indicating that RAM is mostly trait-specific rather than uniformly coordinated across traits.},
}

@article {pmid42404775,
year = {2026},
author = {Mallick, S and Chakkalakkal, GJ and Heryanto, C and Alqassar, JD and Martin, A and Lažetić, V and Eleftherianos, I},
title = {Photorhabdus symbiotic bacteria drive stronger microbiome restructuring in Plodia interpunctella larvae during infection with Heterorhabditis nematodes.},
journal = {Frontiers in cellular and infection microbiology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1838162},
pmid = {42404775},
issn = {2235-2988},
mesh = {Animals ; *Photorhabdus/physiology ; *Symbiosis ; Larva/microbiology/parasitology ; *Microbiota ; *Moths/microbiology/parasitology ; Phylogeny ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics ; *Rhabditoidea/microbiology ; },
abstract = {The insect microbiome can influence host physiology and responses to infection, yet how it changes during interactions with pathogens remains underexplored. The Indianmeal moth, Plodia interpunctella, a major global pest of stored food products, can be targeted for biological control using the entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) Heterorhabditis bacteriophora. Understanding whether H. bacteriophora infection alters the P. interpunctella larval microbiome is crucial, since changes in microbial diversity, measured by alpha diversity indices (Faith's Phylogenetic diversity, Observed Amplicon Sequence Variants, Shannon diversity, and Pielou's evenness), can affect how the infection develops and influence the success of the EPNs as biological control agents. However, the response of the P. interpunctella larval microbiome to H. bacteriophora infection has not been well-characterized. Here, we investigated how the P. interpunctella larval microbiome changes following infection with either symbiotic (carrying the symbiotic bacteria Photorhabdus luminescens) or axenic (lacking bacterial symbionts) H. bacteriophora. Beta diversity analyses (Bray-Curtis dissimilarity, PERMANOVA) revealed shifts in ASV richness (number of observed amplicon sequence variants) and community evenness in the P. interpunctella larvae infected with either symbiotic or axenic nematodes. P. interpunctella larvae were sampled at 36h and 60h post-infection for 16s rRNA sequencing (READS/SAMPLE). We analyzed 150 P. interpunctella larval microbiomes per time point (60 larvae infected with symbiotic H. bacteriophora, 60 larvae infected with axenic H. bacteriophora, and 30 uninfected larvae). Illumina paired-end sequencing of 16S rRNA V3-V4 libraries yielded a mean sequencing depth of approximately 3.76 × 10^5 read pairs per sample. The UpSet analyses of shared ASVs across uninfected larvae and larvae infected with either symbiotic or axenic H. bacteriophora identified distinct ASVs unique to each infection type. LEfSe analysis further identified differentially expressed taxa observed in the microbiome of larvae infected with either symbiotic or axenic H. bacteriophora. Notably, larvae infected with symbiotic H. bacteriophora showed the highest number of unique ASVs, indicating that larval microbiome restructuring correlates with the presence of the symbiotic bacteria P. luminescens. These results indicate that the bacterial symbiont associated with EPNs is an important driver of host microbiome changes during infection, which may influence infection outcomes and the effectiveness of EPN-based biological control.},
}

Animals
*Photorhabdus/physiology
*Symbiosis
Larva/microbiology/parasitology
*Microbiota
*Moths/microbiology/parasitology
Phylogeny
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics
*Rhabditoidea/microbiology

@article {pmid42406114,
year = {2026},
author = {Roshanfekrrad, M and Mercy, L and Schneider, C and Calonne-Salmon, M and Declerck, S},
title = {Pyraclostrobin impairs metabolic activity and phosphorus uptake of the extraradical mycelium of Rhizophagus intraradices more severely than iprodione.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {36},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42406114},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {965496//H2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycelium/drug effects/metabolism ; *Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology ; *Strobilurins/pharmacology ; *Phosphorus/metabolism ; *Aminoimidazole Carboxamide/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; *Hydantoins/pharmacology ; *Glomeromycota/drug effects/metabolism ; *Mycorrhizae/drug effects/metabolism ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; },
abstract = {Pesticide residues are widespread in agricultural soils and may adversely affect arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, key symbionts involved in plant phosphorus (P) acquisition. Most studies to date have focused on pesticide effects either on spores (asymbiotic phase) or on the mycorrhizal plant as a whole. Here, we investigated the effects of two fungicides with contrasting modes of action-pyraclostrobin (quinone-outside inhibitor) and iprodione (dicarboximide)-applied specifically to the extraradical mycelium (ERM) of Rhizophagus intraradices MUCL 49410 associated with Medicago truncatula. To this end, a bi-compartmented pot system was developed, allowing fungicide application at the recommended field dose directly to the ERM, while preventing direct root exposure. Treatments were applied for 30 days (T1) or 3 days (T2) to assess time-dependent responses. Pyraclostrobin markedly reduced ERM biomass (by up to 75%), hyphal alkaline phosphatase activity, and root colonization, particularly arbuscule abundance, indicating severe impairment of mitochondrial function. In contrast, iprodione slightly increased ERM biomass and the proportion of metabolically active spores, and the increase in Pi depletion within the in-growth tube after prolonged exposure, reflecting a possible higher Pi uptake and suggesting a compensatory or mild hormetic response. Overall, pyraclostrobin exerted pronounced inhibitory effects on AM fungal structures and function, whereas iprodione showed neutral to mildly stimulatory effects under comparable conditions. These contrasting responses likely reflect differences in fungicide mode of action and exposure duration. Our findings demonstrate that AM fungal sensitivity to fungicides is compound-specific and underscore the importance of integrating functional and physiological endpoints into pesticide risk assessments frameworks.},
}

*Mycelium/drug effects/metabolism
*Fungicides, Industrial/pharmacology
*Strobilurins/pharmacology
*Phosphorus/metabolism
*Aminoimidazole Carboxamide/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology
*Hydantoins/pharmacology
*Glomeromycota/drug effects/metabolism
*Mycorrhizae/drug effects/metabolism
Plant Roots/microbiology

@article {pmid42408343,
year = {2026},
author = {Varela, C and Walter, TC},
title = {A new species of Acanthomolgus Humes & Stock, 1972 (Copepoda: Cyclopoida) from the Red Sea, Egypt, with an updated key to species.},
journal = {Zootaxa},
volume = {5741},
number = {2},
pages = {353-364},
doi = {10.11646/zootaxa.5741.2.7},
pmid = {42408343},
issn = {1175-5334},
abstract = {The marine copepod genus Acanthomolgus Humes and Stock, 1972 is composed of 48 species of symbiotic copepods that have been collected from different localities of the Indian, Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They appear to be host specific to anthozoan cnidarians including Alcyonacea, Gorgonacea and Telestacea. Herein, we describe a new species, A.humesisp. nov. recorded from the Red Sea, Egypt. This species differs from its congeners based on the morphology of the prosome and urosome shape, antenna, female and male P5 and caudal rami. An updated key to the known species of Acanthomolgus for both females and males of the genus is presented.},
}

@article {pmid42400857,
year = {2026},
author = {Meng, Q and Ma, M and Li, S and Han, X and Jin, T and Jiao, Y and Wang, L},
title = {Structural Variability in Bulk Soil and Rhizosphere Microbial Communities at Different Restoration Modes of Open-pit Coal Mine.},
journal = {Environmental management},
volume = {76},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {42400857},
issn = {1432-1009},
support = {HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; HNMYKJ20-08//Project of Science and Technology from China Huaneng Group Co., LTD/ ; },
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Rhizosphere ; *Soil/chemistry ; *Coal Mining ; Nitrogen/analysis ; *Microbiota ; Bacteria ; *Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods ; Carbon/analysis ; },
abstract = {Microbial communities serve as vital indicators of ecosystem health and play a crucial role in facilitating the restoration of degraded soil ecosystems, acting as key participants in soil nutrient cycling. However, the interaction mechanisms between microbial communities and plants in different soil zones under varying restoration approaches remain unclear. This study focused on a restoration area of a decommissioned open-pit coal mine in an alpine region, comparing the microbial community structure and nutrient characteristics of rhizosphere and bulk soils under two restoration methods: herbaceous vegetation restoration and sea-buckthorn shrub restoration. The aim is to reveal the impact of different restoration measures on the soil-microorganism interactions. The results demonstrated that soil organic carbon (SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available nitrogen (AN), total potassium (TK), and available potassium (AK) contents were significantly higher in the herbaceous restoration area (O) than in the seabuckthorn area (S), by 51.7%, 88.6%, 38.2%, 13.1%, and 4.7%, respectively. Compared to bulk soil, rhizosphere soil exhibited higher microbial community diversity and richness. Furthermore, seabuckthorn rhizosphere microbial diversity surpassed that of herbaceous rhizosphere. Different restoration areas (DRE) significantly (p < 0.05) influenced the relative abundances of Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, and Acidobacteria. The seabuckthorn area showed higher proportions of Proteobacteria (26.48 - 42.86%) and Actinobacteria (28.26 - 45.19%) compared to the herbaceous area. Functional gene prediction revealed that the seabuckthorn area expressed significantly higher abundances of core metabolic functional genes related to energy production and conversion (C), amino acid transport and metabolism (E), carbohydrate metabolism (G), and lipid metabolism (I) than the herbaceous area. Additionally, a symbiotic functional guild comprising animal pathogens, endophytes, lichen parasites, plant pathogens, and wood saprotrophs was formed in the seabuckthorn area. Redundancy analysis (RDA) indicated significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) between Acidobacteria, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, and Ascomycota and the contents of SOC, TN, and total phosphorus (TP). Bacterial networks formed with Actinobacteria as the core hub, comprising 300 edges connecting 50 nodes, while fungal networks were dominated by Ascomycota. Based on these findings, this study proposes a synergistic restoration strategy characterized by "herbaceous-induced short-term priming" coupled with "seabuckthorn-driven long-term stability." This strategy provides a theoretical foundation for the targeted microbial regulation of ecological restoration in mining areas.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Rhizosphere
*Soil/chemistry
*Coal Mining
Nitrogen/analysis
*Microbiota
Bacteria
*Environmental Restoration and Remediation/methods
Carbon/analysis

@article {pmid42398550,
year = {2026},
author = {He, X and Lin, S and Cao, M and Zhang, Y and He, Q and Zhou, J},
title = {Mitigating the inhibition of organic matter to mainstream anammox system via electrolytic-enhanced strategy: Efficacy and underlying mechanisms.},
journal = {Bioresource technology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {135304},
doi = {10.1016/j.biortech.2026.135304},
pmid = {42398550},
issn = {1873-2976},
abstract = {The organic matter poses a considerable challenge to the stability and broad-scale application of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) process in mainstream wastewater treatment. In this study, an electrolytic-enhanced anammox biofilm reactor (E-ABR) was developed to fortify the resilience of anammox system against inhibition of organic matter. E-ABR demonstrated superior nutrient removal when treating domestic wastewater, achieving a total nitrogen and phosphate removal efficiencies of 83.80 ± 3.70% and 94.17 ± 7.23%, respectively. Transmission electron microscopy and cell damage detection revealed extensive membrane rupture and intracellular enzyme leakage in ABR. Conversely, the anammox bacteria-denitrifier symbiotic community established under electrolytic conditions could effectively resist the invasion of excessive heterotrophic bacteria under organic shock loads. The electron transfer (ETSA activity increased by 32.26%) and energy synthesis (ATP synthase content increased by 182.37%) were marked enhanced in E-ABR than that of control reactor (ABR). These benefits enabled the maintenance of an NH4[+]-N removal efficiency of 82.11% in E-ABR, in stark contrast to the mere 44.46% observed in ABR with an influent C/N ratio of 3.0. This study enhanced the theoretical understanding of the mechanisms underlying resistance to organic inhibition within electrochemical bioaugmented anammox systems, thereby offering novel theoretical underpinnings for the application of anammox in mainstream wastewater treatment.},
}

@article {pmid42400260,
year = {2026},
author = {Kim, D and Li, M and Nguyen, TH and Choi, YJ and Jang, S and Kim, M and Kim, YK and Shin, MK and de Guzman, ACV and Park, S},
title = {Vitamin B6 produced by gut microbiome regulates host behavioral phenotypes through dopaminergic metabolism.},
journal = {Gut microbes},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {2695485},
doi = {10.1080/19490976.2026.2695485},
pmid = {42400260},
issn = {1949-0984},
mesh = {Animals ; Caenorhabditis elegans/microbiology/metabolism ; Humans ; *Dopamine/metabolism ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; *Vitamin B 6/metabolism/biosynthesis ; *Parkinson Disease/microbiology/metabolism/genetics ; Mice ; Pyridoxal Phosphate/metabolism ; Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2/genetics/metabolism ; Phenotype ; Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism ; alpha-Synuclein/metabolism ; Bacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification/isolation & purification ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Feces/microbiology ; Disease Models, Animal ; },
abstract = {The gut microbiome modulates host neuropathology, but the mechanisms linking specific microbial genes and metabolites to host phenotypes remain poorly defined. Here, we identify microbiome-derived vitamin B6 (VB6) and its biosynthesis gene as key regulators of host dopaminergic homeostasis. Metagenomic analysis of fecal samples from Parkinson's disease (PD) patients revealed enrichment of biosynthetic pathways for pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (PLP), the active form of VB6, and tyrosine decarboxylase genes. Using E. coli-C. elegans symbiotic models, we demonstrate that the bacterial pdxJ gene, encoding a key enzyme in de novo VB6 synthesis, is essential in regulating host dopaminergic homeostasis. Colonization with pdxJ-deficient bacteria led to reduced host VB6 and dopamine levels, reduced dopaminergic enzyme activity, and altered motor behavior, which were all rescued by VB6 supplementation. In PD-relevant C. elegans models, bacterial PLP biosynthesis modulated α-synuclein aggregation and behavioral deficits associated with human LRRK2 mutations. In mice, colonization with pdxJ-deficient bacteria reduced serum VB6 levels, decreased tyrosine hydroxylase staining in the substantia nigra, and impaired motor coordination, which were rescued by VB6 supplementation. Overall, our results define a bacterial pdxJ-PLP-dopamine axis that links gut microbial metabolism to host dopaminergic phenotypes and suggest bacterial VB6 biosynthesis as a potential modifier of PD risk and a context-dependent therapeutic target.},
}

Animals
Caenorhabditis elegans/microbiology/metabolism
Humans
*Dopamine/metabolism
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
*Vitamin B 6/metabolism/biosynthesis
*Parkinson Disease/microbiology/metabolism/genetics
Mice
Pyridoxal Phosphate/metabolism
Leucine-Rich Repeat Serine-Threonine Protein Kinase-2/genetics/metabolism
Phenotype
Escherichia coli/genetics/metabolism
alpha-Synuclein/metabolism
Bacteria/genetics/metabolism/classification/isolation & purification
Male
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Feces/microbiology
Disease Models, Animal

@article {pmid42400366,
year = {2026},
author = {Rødsgaard-Jørgensen, A and Leal-Dutra, C and Kokkoris, V and Shik, JZ},
title = {Leafcutter Ant Farmers Prevent Loss of Edible Symbiotic Structures by Maintaining Allelic Diversity in Their Multinucleate Fungal Crop.},
journal = {Molecular ecology},
volume = {35},
number = {13},
pages = {e70458},
doi = {10.1111/mec.70458},
pmid = {42400366},
issn = {1365-294X},
support = {CF22-0664//Carlsbergfondet/ ; CNPq 446124/2024-9//Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Ants/microbiology/physiology ; *Symbiosis/genetics ; *Genetic Variation ; Microsatellite Repeats ; *Agaricales/genetics ; Alleles ; DNA, Fungal/genetics ; Phenotype ; Hyphae/genetics ; Cell Nucleus/genetics ; Polyploidy ; },
abstract = {Leafcutter ants farm the domesticated fungal cultivar Leucoagaricus gongylophorus in subterranean nests containing up to hundreds of discrete garden chambers. The fungal cultivar produces edible symbiotic structures called gongylidia (nutritious swollen hyphal cells consumed by the ants) and expresses a form of polyploidy (multiple, genetically distinct nuclei per fungal cellular compartment). Yet, the fungus is also thought to lack the typical innate mechanisms for distributing these nuclei across its mycelial network of connected hyphal cells. Because new garden chambers are seeded by clonal fungal fragments from existing chambers, this raises questions about whether and how nuclear diversity is maintained across chambers within a colony. We hypothesized: (1) that mycelial fragmentation causes genetic and phenotypic instability in isolated fungal cultivar inoculates, but (2) that these variables remain stable when actively farmed by ants. We found that experimentally fragmented fungal isolates in Petri dishes lost gongylidium production and had higher growth rates. Microsatellite analyses confirmed that these phenotypic changes coincided with loss of alleles and fluorescence microscopy showed that gongylidium incompetency coincided with reduced nucleus numbers per cellular compartment. In contrast, natural fragmentation by ants in free-ranging rainforest colonies coincided with minimal genetic divergence across garden chambers, even as divergence increased slightly with chamber distance. By integrating field and laboratory data, these results support: (1) that gongylidium production depends on genetic heterozygosity and multinuclearity, and (2) that ant farmers can maintain this genetic diversity. Resolving these stabilizing mechanisms will be crucial for understanding the genome evolution underlying a naturally selected crop domestication system.},
}

Animals
*Ants/microbiology/physiology
*Symbiosis/genetics
*Genetic Variation
Microsatellite Repeats
*Agaricales/genetics
Alleles
DNA, Fungal/genetics
Phenotype
Hyphae/genetics
Cell Nucleus/genetics
Polyploidy

@article {pmid42400618,
year = {2026},
author = {Yu, J and Jiang, C and Sakai, Y and Mino, S and Sawabe, T},
title = {The Sea Cucumber Holobiont and Probiotics: Recent Progress on Apostichopus japonicus.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {83},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42400618},
issn = {1432-0991},
support = {JP19K22262//MEXT Kaken/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Symbiosis ; *Probiotics ; *Stichopus/microbiology/physiology/genetics ; *Sea Cucumbers/microbiology/physiology ; Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification ; },
abstract = {After the first definition of the term "Holobiont" by Margulis in the introduction of symbiosis as "Association throughout a significant portion of the life history" in 1991 [1], the understanding of holobiont has become an important goal in modern biology today [2]. Recent advances in microbial collection, genome/metagenome/transcriptome sequencings, and bioassays for host-microbes interactions push us towards a fuller understanding of holobiont in various aspects of life on Earth. Historically, holobiont and related hologenome concepts have been tested and expanded through research on marine organisms such as coral, fish, sea cucumber, sponge, and squid. In particular, the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus is a physiologically and ecologically unique marine invertebrate in which the holobiont can be studied with its significant capability of organ regeneration, presence of microbes in coelomic fluid, their mysterious nutrition connected to slow growth, and improvements in seed production for the bio-conservation of endangered and essential fisheries resources. The animals are also important in evolutionary terms on a branch of the Deuterostomia clade sharing ancestry with humans, so we can also compare to and learn from knowledge on the human-microbes interactions. In this review, recent progress in the sea cucumber A. japonicus holobiont studies, and the discovery of probiotics candidates among its pioneer microbiomes are described. By understanding this recent progress, we expect to stimulate new and further perspectives on basic biology, bio-conservation, and sustainable aquaculture of sea cucumber.},
}

Animals
*Symbiosis
*Probiotics
*Stichopus/microbiology/physiology/genetics
*Sea Cucumbers/microbiology/physiology
Bacteria/genetics/classification/isolation & purification

@article {pmid42400638,
year = {2026},
author = {Rashid And, H and Zaidi, A and Rashid, H},
title = {Next Generation Probiotics Challenges: A Road to use as Live Bio-Therapeutics.},
journal = {Current microbiology},
volume = {83},
number = {8},
pages = {},
pmid = {42400638},
issn = {1432-0991},
mesh = {*Probiotics/therapeutic use/administration & dosage ; Humans ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Animals ; *Biological Therapy/methods ; },
abstract = {There is an eminent association between human gut microbiota and health. The eventual footprint on the host depends heavily on the symbiotic relationship between the host and their gut microbiota. Current probiotics mostly available to consumers are drawn from a restricted arsenal of organisms, mostly belongs to various genera of Lactic acid bacteria (LAB). Ever expanding knowledge of gut microbiota and its related constituents is shifting this paradigm, specifically the phylogenetic range and the obscure characteristics of novel biotherapeutics currently under consideration. Due to this, and because their progress is more complaint to a pharmaceutical route with sole purpose of mitigating chronic ailments, rather than a food delivery as they are not designed for conventional use as food or dietary supplements, these microorganisms are repeatedly mentioned as Next Generation Probiotics (NGPs), a notion that coincides with the juvenile concept of live biotherapeutic products. Various nonconventional strains showing probiotic potential includes Akkermansia muciniphila, Prevotella copri, Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Eubacterium halii, members of Clostridia cluster IV and XIV and Bacteroides fragilis. However, major challenge hindering their way to the market is viable intestinal delivery due to stringent survival conditions. In this review, present day outlook on the development and valuation of these strains are covered, along with suggested approaches which stakeholders and industries should consider for better outcomes.},
}

*Probiotics/therapeutic use/administration & dosage
Humans
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome
Animals
*Biological Therapy/methods

@article {pmid42400674,
year = {2026},
author = {Taschen, E and Guillot, E and Plassard, C and Kerbiriou, E and Dezette, D and Taudière, A and Personne, A and Robin, A and Redecker, D and Hinsinger, P},
title = {Contrasting biotic and abiotic drivers of Glomeromycotina and Mucoromycotina mycorrhizal associations in field-grown durum wheat.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {36},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42400674},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {H2020 Research and Innovation Program under grant agreement No 727247 (SolACE - https://www.solace-eu.net/)//European Union/ ; },
mesh = {*Mycorrhizae/physiology ; *Triticum/microbiology ; *Glomeromycota/physiology ; Symbiosis ; Plant Roots/microbiology ; Nitrogen/metabolism ; Soil Microbiology ; Stress, Physiological ; Rhizosphere ; },
abstract = {Mucoromycotina fine root endophytes (M-FRE), although commonly present in cultivated crops, represent a largely overlooked symbiosis, and their diversity and ecological functions under field conditions remain poorly understood. The co-occurrence of M-FRE and Glomeromycotina arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (G-AMF) was assessed in field-grown durum wheat (Triticum turgidum subsp. durum), testing the effects of combined water and nitrogen stress on root colonization and fungal community diversity in roots, rhizosphere, and extra-radical hyphae. The M-FRE colonization was reduced under combined stress but was unaffected by wheat genotype. In contrast, G-AMF colonization varied among genotypes and was insensitive to this combined stress. While G-AMF colonization correlated with root traits, M-FRE abundance was rather determined by soil properties and the applied stress. Colonization by M-FRE but not by G-AMF correlated with nitrogen and phosphorus uptake in plant shoots. Partial 18 S metabarcoding detected 74 G-AMF taxa and 12 M-FRE taxa, some shared across compartments, revealing active growth of M-FRE extra-radical hyphae. Stress had contrasting effects on diversity: G-AMF alpha diversity remained stable, whereas M-FRE diversity declined, with stress driving distinct community structures for both groups. Collectively, our results suggest that M-FRE and G-AMF are structured by distinct ecological drivers, supporting functional differentiation between these morphologically similar symbioses.},
}

*Mycorrhizae/physiology
*Triticum/microbiology
*Glomeromycota/physiology
Symbiosis
Plant Roots/microbiology
Nitrogen/metabolism
Soil Microbiology
Stress, Physiological
Rhizosphere

@article {pmid42400683,
year = {2026},
author = {Gong, S and Xu, X and Jia, LK and Ge, ZW and Yang, ZL and Feng, B},
title = {Root-associated and soil-dwelling fungi in alpine meadows show differential shifts in community assembly mechanisms and interspecific interactions along an elevation gradient.},
journal = {Mycorrhiza},
volume = {36},
number = {4},
pages = {},
pmid = {42400683},
issn = {1432-1890},
support = {202305AB350004//Yunnan Revitalization Talent Support Program: Science & Technology Champion Project/ ; 32170023//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; YNWR-QNBJ-2018-052//Yunnan Ten Thousand Talents Plan, Young & Elite Talents/ ; 2019QZKK0503//the Second Qinghai-Tibet Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research (STEP) Program/ ; },
mesh = {*Soil Microbiology ; *Plant Roots/microbiology ; *Mycorrhizae/physiology/classification ; China ; Altitude ; *Grassland ; *Mycobiome ; *Fungi/physiology/classification ; Ecosystem ; },
abstract = {Soil fungi, as key players in maintaining ecological functioning and stability, have been widely studied in alpine ecosystems. However, prior studies focused mainly on their spatial patterns and temporal dynamics, as well as their driving factors. In-depth research on community assembly mechanisms, particularly how biotic interactions influence this, is lacking. In this study, we collected root samples of an ectomycorrhizal plant, Bistorta macrophylla, and bulk soil around them, along a 4300-4750 m gradient in alpine meadows of Baima Snow Mountain, northwestern Yunnan, China, and obtained ITS2 sequences using high-throughput sequencing, which were subjected to bioinformatic processing and statistical analyses, including differential abundance analyses, inference of community assembly mechanisms and interpretation of co-occurrence networks. Our results reveal that fungal community assembly in soil is influenced more by stochastic processes with the increase of elevation, but homogeneous selection consistently acts as the predominant process in shaping root-associated communities. This helps keep a stable core mycobiota dominated by Cenococcum and Phialocephala, both being melanized fungi, in the root systems of B. macrophylla. Nevertheless, members of the order Helotiales and certain EcM genera consistently act as key nodes in fungal co-occurring networks in both soil and root samples. Further, we find that the elevational change trend of positive correlations between ectomycorrhizal and saprotrophic fungi matches with the theoretical expectation by the stress gradient hypothesis. Our results emphasize the pivotal role of compartment filtering by plant roots in selecting symbiotic partners and shaping fungal correlation networks, and highlight that the stress gradient hypothesis could be applicable in harsh alpine environments.},
}

*Soil Microbiology
*Plant Roots/microbiology
*Mycorrhizae/physiology/classification
China
Altitude
*Grassland
*Mycobiome
*Fungi/physiology/classification
Ecosystem

@article {pmid42393074,
year = {2026},
author = {Happacher, I and Pichler, G and Abt, B and Tagirdzhanova, G and Oberegger, S and Kraihammer, M and Faserl, K and Sarg, B and Decristoforo, C and Türk, R and Winkelmann, G and Talbot, NJ and Brock, M and Kranner, I and Haselwandter, K and Haas, H},
title = {Siderophore production by the lichen fungus Xanthoria parietina supports its algal symbiont.},
journal = {Nature communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41467-026-74988-9},
pmid = {42393074},
issn = {2041-1723},
support = {10.55776/DOC82//Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung)/ ; 10.55776/I6613//Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung)/ ; 10.55776/P32092//Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung)/ ; 10.55776/I6613//Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung)/ ; 10.55776/P32092//Austrian Science Fund (Fonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung)/ ; },
abstract = {Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungal mycobiont and a photosynthetic photobiont. They thrive in nutrient-poor environments; yet the mechanisms underlying their adaptation to iron limitation remained largely unknown. Here, we characterize the iron acquisition system of Xanthoria parietina, a globally distributed lichen-forming fungus associated with the microalgal photobiont Trebouxia decolorans. We demonstrate that the mycobiont produces the siderophore ferrichrome and possesses the full genetic repertoire not only for siderophore biosynthesis, but also reductive iron assimilation, iron detoxification, and regulation. The ferrichrome-synthesizing non-ribosomal peptides synthetase exhibits a lichen-specific compact architecture but retains functionality when heterologously expressed in a non-lichenized ascomycete. Transcriptomic analysis and ferrichrome quantification reveal substrate-dependent regulation of the siderophore system. Importantly, ferrichrome promotes photobiont growth independent of extracellular iron reduction, indicating direct utilization. These findings provide the functional evidence of siderophore-mediated iron acquisition in a lichen symbiosis and highlight ferrichrome as a key mediator of mutualistic nutrient exchange.},
}

@article {pmid42393520,
year = {2026},
author = {Svriz, M and Lanari, E and Spinedi, N and Painefilú, JC and Fracchia, S and Aranda, E and Novas, MV and Dubles, L and Scervino, JM},
title = {Impact of Bisphenol A on root development, oxidative stress, and arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis in transformed root of Daucus carota L.},
journal = {BMC ecology and evolution},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s12862-026-02557-1},
pmid = {42393520},
issn = {2730-7182},
support = {PID2021-123164OB-I00 MCIN/AEI/https:// doi. org/ 10. 13039/ 50110 00110 3//ERDF A way of making Europe/ ; PINI04/B254//Universidad Nacional del Comahue/ ; PICT 00073-2019, PICT 01283-2021 and PICT 02-00940-2022//Agencia Nacional de Promocion de la Investigacion, el Desarrollo Tecnologico y la Innovacion (ANPCYT)/ ; },
abstract = {Bisphenol A (BPA) is a widespread contaminant of increasing concern because of its persistence in soils and its ability to interfere with hormonal regulation. Although its harmful effects on plant roots are relatively well described, its impact on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined how different BPA concentrations (0, 10, 20, 50, and 100 mg L[- 1]) affect transformed carrot (Daucus carota L.) roots, grown either alone or in association with Rhizophagus irregularis. Root growth stopped completely at the highest concentrations (≥ 50 mg L[- 1]), while intermediate levels (10-20 mg L[- 1]) reduced root area, length, and branching. At 10 mg L[- 1], roots still developed similarly to controls, but fungal growth outside the roots and spore formation were already reduced. At a concentration of 20 mg L[- 1], the fungus successfully colonized the internal root despite the absence of external hyphae and a marked inhibition of root growth. In both mycorrhizal and non-mycorrhizal roots, oxidative stress increased at 10-20 mg L[- 1], suggesting that reactive oxygen species (ROS) play a central role in mediating the toxic effects of BPA and possibly in signaling stress responses. Altogether, these results show that BPA disrupts the balance of the plant-fungus relationship, limiting fungal development and altering root physiology, even when colonization persists. Considering the ecological role of AMF, our findings underline the need to include these symbiotic fungi in environmental risk assessments and in strategies aimed at restoring soils contaminated with emerging pollutants. Given the scarcity of previous research, our study provides the first direct assessment of this topic, suggesting that our results may help shape future research in this emerging field.},
}

@article {pmid42394662,
year = {2026},
author = {Virág, E and Zombori, Z and Hóvári, M and Hegedűs, G and Sass, L and Ferenc, G and Dudits, D and Posta, K},
title = {Funneliformis mosseae enhances drought tolerance in maize inbred lines through root transcriptomic reprogramming.},
journal = {Frontiers in plant science},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1808527},
pmid = {42394662},
issn = {1664-462X},
abstract = {Drought is a major constraint on maize productivity, and its increasing frequency due to climate change necessitates improved stress adaptation strategies. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) can enhance plant drought tolerance; however, the integrated mechanisms linking root development, host transcriptional regulation, and microbiome activity remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated these interactions in maize using an integrated phenotyping-transcriptomic-metatranscriptomic approach under controlled greenhouse conditions. Two inbred lines with contrasting drought tolerance (K1, tolerant; K2, sensitive) and their hybrid (KH) were grown under well-watered (60% soil moisture) and drought (30%) conditions, with or without Funneliformis mosseae inoculation. Mycorrhizal colonization reached 51.3-62.5% under drought, confirming effective symbiosis. RNA-seq analysis (FDR ≤ 0.05, |log2;FC| ≥ 1) revealed strong genotype-dependent transcriptional responses, with the drought-sensitive genotype showing the largest number of differentially expressed genes. Principal component analysis identified genotype as the primary driver of variation (PC1: 13%), followed by mycorrhizal status (PC2: 8%). AMF induced distinct, genotype-specific functional reprogramming. The drought-tolerant genotype showed moderated stress responses and maintained metabolic activity, whereas the drought-sensitive genotype exhibited sustained stress signaling and compensatory metabolic activation. The hybrid displayed a non-additive response associated with enhanced root remodeling and symbiosis-related functions. Metatranscriptomic analysis of the non-host root-associated transcript pool further revealed genotype-specific microbial functional activity patterns, ranging from activation to repression. These results demonstrate that AMF-mediated drought tolerance emerges from coordinated, genotype-dependent interactions among root development, host regulatory networks, and microbiome activity. This study provides a holobiont-level framework for understanding crop stress adaptation.},
}

@article {pmid42394844,
year = {2026},
author = {Cui, L and Zeng, Y and Wang, M and Huang, L and Wang, Z and Liu, Y and Zheng, Y},
title = {The oxygen-sensing FixLJ represses nitrogen fixation in Rhodopseudomonas palustris in response to oxygen.},
journal = {mLife},
volume = {5},
number = {3},
pages = {312-324},
pmid = {42394844},
issn = {2770-100X},
abstract = {Biological nitrogen fixation in symbiotic diazotrophs is subject to oxygen regulation by an oxygen-sensing FixLJ two-component system under micro-oxic conditions. However, it remains unclear whether this mechanism is conserved in free-living diazotrophs. In this study, we discovered for the first time that FixLJ strongly inhibits the expression of nifHDK genes that encode molybdenum nitrogenase in response to oxygen. The deletion of fixLJ genes, whose expression was stimulated by oxygen, allowed a free-living photosynthetic diazotroph Rhodopseudomonas palustris to express active nitrogenase and grow diazotrophically even under oxic conditions. The unphosphorylated FixJ protein showed high-affinity binding to the promoter of nitrogenase gene cluster (P nifH) and strongly repressed the nitrogenase expression in response to oxygen. The transcriptional repression of nifHDK by FixJ reveals a new regulatory role for the FixLJ system. In addition, transcriptome analysis suggested that the FixLJ regulatory system also plays a role in the energy metabolism of R. palustris, probably through FixK regulation. This newly identified mechanism is speculated to allow R. palustris to rapidly shut down the synthesis of nitrogenase when exposed to oxygen, avoiding the build-up of nitrogenase with impaired activity due to the lack of protection from oxygen damage.},
}

@article {pmid42395249,
year = {2026},
author = {Patel, SR and Vundamati, VS and Patel, RR and Eriskin, N and Friedrich, CJ and Tila-Cohen, B and Tupikin, D and Pidikiti, AS and Lall, KD and Mayrovitz, HN},
title = {Mapping the Oral Microbiome's Role in Periodontal Disease Progression: A Systematic Review.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {18},
number = {6},
pages = {e110078},
pmid = {42395249},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Periodontal disease is an inflammatory condition characterized by progressive destruction of the tooth-supporting tissues and a shift from a symbiotic to a dysbiotic oral microbial community, rather than by a single pathogen. This review aimed to synthesize current evidence on how alterations in microbial composition, community structure, and functional activity contribute to periodontal disease severity and progression. A comprehensive literature search across four databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase) was conducted. Studies were included if they were peer-reviewed, human studies published between 2000 and 2026, and met the predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Twenty-two articles met these criteria and were analyzed for relationships between microbial patterns and clinical peritoneal outcomes. Across the studies reviewed, periodontal disease severity was consistently associated with compositional shifts in the oral microbiome rather than changes in overall microbial diversity or bacterial load. Increased prevalence and abundance of red-complex organisms, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola, were strongly associated with worsening clinical parameters, whereas Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans showed a stronger association with aggressive disease phenotypes. Functional analyses further revealed enrichment of inflammatory and metabolic pathways, which support the concept of functional dysbiosis as a factor influencing tissue destruction. Interventions that modified local ecological conditions or host-microbe interactions demonstrated improved microbial profiles and clinical outcomes. These findings reinforce the idea that periodontal disease management is not just about targeting a single pathogen; it should focus on restoring microbial homeostasis and regulating the host's inflammatory response. Adopting this approach will help to create a more effective and personalized treatment strategy for the patient that will likely improve their symptoms, help prevent periodontal disease progression, and reduce their risk of developing complications associated with chronic oral inflammation.},
}

@article {pmid42395913,
year = {2026},
author = {Gaspary, JFP and Lopes, LFD and Gaspary, FP and Lopes, EG and Edgar, AL and Camara, EP and Camara, AG},
title = {Mapping the multigenomic human system: structural asymmetry and interface gaps in host-exogenous biological interactions.},
journal = {Frontiers in microbiology},
volume = {17},
number = {},
pages = {1834677},
pmid = {42395913},
issn = {1664-302X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Host-microbiome research has expanded rapidly over the past two decades, generating extensive evidence linking microbial communities to immune regulation, metabolism, epithelial barrier integrity, and neuroendocrine signaling. Despite this progress, the organizational architecture through which exogenous biological signals become integrated into human physiological regulation remains comparatively under-synthesized. In particular, the regulatory interfaces connecting ecological microbial interaction with cellular and systemic physiological responses remain insufficiently integrated within the current literature.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to perform a structured synthesis of host-exogenous biological interaction in order to examine how evidence is distributed across distinct levels of biological integration and to evaluate whether the literature supports a coherent multigenomic interpretative framework for human physiological organization.

METHODS: A prospectively registered systematic synthesis was conducted using a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)-based analytical architecture. Literature searches were organized into three predefined integration layers: functional physiological coupling, regulatory-interface mediation, and explicit genetic-level interaction. Following structured screening and architectural refinement, 168 studies were retained for cross-domain synthesis. Evidence was analyzed through sequential stages of structural mapping, cross-domain convergence analysis, and structural plausibility assessment.

RESULTS: The synthesis revealed a pronounced asymmetry within the evidentiary landscape. Functional host-microbe coupling is extensively consolidated across immune, metabolic, barrier, and neuroendocrine domains. In contrast, regulatory interfaces-particularly membrane-associated signaling environments and microenvironment-dependent regulatory dynamics-remain comparatively under-integrated. Cross-domain analysis identified recurrent stabilization-related processes involving barrier remodeling, immune recalibration, metabolic reprogramming, neuroendocrine coupling, and ecological signal amplification. These mechanisms frequently converged at membrane-associated signaling platforms operating within physicochemical microenvironments capable of shaping cellular decision processes.

CONCLUSION: These findings support a systems-level interpretation in which the human organism may be understood as a symbiotic multigenomic system characterized by continuous signal integration across interacting genomic sources. Membrane-associated signaling interfaces appear to function as important regulatory nodes where ecological signals, host physiological state, and microenvironmental constraints interact to shape long-term physiological organization. Reframing host-exogenous biological interaction within this multigenomic systems perspective may therefore provide a conceptual foundation for future research investigating how stabilized regulatory configurations emerge and persist across human physiological systems.},
}

@article {pmid42397039,
year = {2026},
author = {Ren, Y and Zhu, R and Bao, J and Dong, Z and Yuan, F and Chen, H and Shi, Z},
title = {The combined phytoremediation strategy using arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, rhizobia, and biochar enhances lead tolerance and growth of white clover (Trifolium repens L.).},
journal = {International journal of phytoremediation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-11},
doi = {10.1080/15226514.2026.2695201},
pmid = {42397039},
issn = {1549-7879},
abstract = {Phytoremediation is reliably used to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soils as a green technology. This study evaluates a synergistic approach using arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, rhizobia (Rh), and biochar to remediate lead (Pb)-contaminated soils. Trifolium repens Linn. was used in a pot experiment with treatments using different combinations of AM fungi, Rh, and biochar. The results indicate that a combination of moderate biochar (5%-10% w/w) and dual inoculation enhanced plant growth, biomass, and root development while also mitigating the inhibitory effects observed at a higher biochar dosage (15%). Treatment with 10% biochar and dual inoculation achieved the greatest Pb immobilization by reducing root Pb content by 78.4%, restricting Pb translocation to shoots, and improving plant nutrient acquisition, especially nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). The combined treatment enhanced plant growth, improved N and P acquisition, upregulated key metabolic enzymes, and strengthened antioxidant defenses. Multivariate analyses revealed strong negative correlations between roots P and carbon (C) contents and Pb accumulation, supporting a rhizosphere-level immobilization mechanism. This study demonstrates a practical and sustainable biochar-microbe-plant synergy that reduces Pb toxicity, enhances plant growth, and benefits long-term soil health. These results offer a potential approach for remediating Pb-contaminated fields while supporting environmental quality and resource recycling.},
}

@article {pmid42397066,
year = {2026},
author = {Birt, HWG and Paisey, SJ and Möhl, P and Hind, J and Xu, J and Pickett, J and Tredwell, M and Johnson, D},
title = {Novel Imaging Approaches for Visualising Root-Mycorrhizal Fungal Interactions.},
journal = {Journal of experimental botany},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/jxb/erag309},
pmid = {42397066},
issn = {1460-2431},
abstract = {Mycorrhizal fungi form essential symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating nutrient exchange and promoting plant health. Understanding their interactions can benefit from advanced imaging techniques capable of visualising nutrient exchange and structural colonisation at subcellular resolutions across large sample sizes. This review explores novel imaging approaches that are revolutionising our understanding of root-mycorrhizal fungal symbioses. Several techniques can now visualise and characterise mycorrhizal fungi and associated root structures non-destructively and in three dimensions, for example, X-ray computed tomography (micro-CT), X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. Metabolic processes and nutrient exchange can be tracked through positron emission tomography (PET), fluorescent nanoparticles (FNPs), and the monitoring of electrical signalling. AI-powered image processing software is enabling high-throughput analysis of complex images generated from a range of sources. Mycorrhiza systems are also able to be tracked in-field at multiple scales: hyperspectral imaging can detect mycorrhizal associations at the kilometre scale, while portable MRI imagers can detect changes at the tissue scale. These converging technologies enable the direct, continuous measurement of structural and metabolic root-mycorrhizal fungi interactions, paving the way for a mechanistic understanding of these vital symbiotic partnerships and their impact on plant health and ecosystem functioning.},
}

@article {pmid42398099,
year = {2026},
author = {Lin, GM and Lange, T and Förderer, A},
title = {Structure-informed engineering of plant-microbe interactions.},
journal = {The Plant journal : for cell and molecular biology},
volume = {127},
number = {1},
pages = {e70986},
doi = {10.1111/tpj.70986},
pmid = {42398099},
issn = {1365-313X},
mesh = {Symbiosis ; Plant Immunity ; *Plants/microbiology/immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; },
abstract = {This review critically evaluates how structural biology has enabled interface-informed engineering of plant-microbe interactions, with a clear emphasis on the relative maturity of plant-pathogen research compared with symbiosis engineering. In plant immunity, atomic resolution structures of apoplastic receptors, host targets, and intracellular nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) were already translated into concrete engineering strategies, including altered effector recognition, expansion of specificity, effector-insensitive host variants, and mitigation of autoimmune phenotypes. These studies collectively demonstrate that structure-guided approaches can move beyond descriptive insight to predictive and functional receptor design. Meanwhile, the rapidly accumulating structural information on symbiosis-related receptors, signaling components, and nutrient-sensing pathways indicates that engineering of symbiosis is an emerging new frontier. Structures of LysM receptors, symbiotic co-receptors, calcium channels, transcriptional regulators, and hormone receptors reveal mechanistic parallels to immune signaling, including ligand discrimination, allosteric activation, and signal integration. The manuscript argues that symbiosis engineering can explicitly draw on conceptual and methodological templates established in pathogen resistance, such as interface remodeling, domain swapping, gain-of-function channel variants, and regulatory buffering to avoid deleterious outcomes. By juxtaposing these two fields, the review identifies transferable design principles and current limitations, and outlines how lessons from structure-guided immunity engineering may accelerate rational manipulation of beneficial plant-microbe interactions for sustainable crop improvement.},
}

Symbiosis
Plant Immunity
*Plants/microbiology/immunology
Signal Transduction
Host-Pathogen Interactions
Plant Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry

@article {pmid42398480,
year = {2026},
author = {Shi, D and Liu, T},
title = {Hydroxyapatite-facilitated microalgae-bacteria aggregates enable robust aeration-free nutrient removal from saline domestic wastewater.},
journal = {Water research},
volume = {304},
number = {},
pages = {126382},
doi = {10.1016/j.watres.2026.126382},
pmid = {42398480},
issn = {1879-2448},
abstract = {Microalgae-bacteria symbiotic systems offer a promising nature-based solution for wastewater treatment, yet their application is often constrained by poor biomass retention and limited phosphorus removal. In this study, an aeration-free upflow photobioreactor (UPBR) was developed to demonstrate a hydroxyapatite (HAP)-facilitated microalgae-bacteria system to simultaneously address these two constraints. The system was evaluated under realistic conditions, treating real saline domestic wastewater and considering seasonal temperature variations. Over >250 days of operation, the system achieved stable ammonium, total nitrogen, and phosphorus removal efficiencies of 99.3 ± 1.9%, 96.4 ± 6.0%, and 61.6 ± 11.9%, respectively, together with a COD removal efficiency of 65.3 ± 10.0%, consistently meeting local discharge standards. Stable nutrient removal performance was maintained at temperatures as low as 14 °C, demonstrating strong robustness against temperature stress. Pathway-decoupling batch tests and microbial community analysis consistently indicated an assimilation-dominant nitrogen transformation pathway, with minimal contribution from bacterial nitrification. Meanwhile, dispersed HAP precipitates under near-neutral pH facilitated the formation of mechanically robust, multi-nucleated aggregates with excellent settleability and structural stability. Overall, this study demonstrates that integrating chemical phosphorus removal with assimilation-dominant nitrogen transformation enables an energy-efficient and structurally stable microalgae-bacteria system for wastewater treatment under realistic conditions.},
}

@article {pmid42387026,
year = {2026},
author = {Xu, T and Chen, Y and Zhu, B and Fan, B and Wu, Y and Jiang, Y},
title = {AI agency drives college students' entrepreneurial thinking through human sense of agency in human and ai symbiosis.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-026-60406-z},
pmid = {42387026},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {Y202456238//A Project Supported by Scientific Research Fund of Zhejiang Provincial Education Department/ ; },
abstract = {As artificial intelligence (AI) increasingly penetrates education and entrepreneurial practice, cultivating students' entrepreneurial thinking in a "human-AI symbiotic" environment has become a crucial issue in entrepreneurship education. Based on symbiotic agency theory and triadic reciprocal determinism, this study constructs a theoretical model of "AI agency-human sense of agency-entrepreneurial thinking," using opportunity recognition and creativity as the core dimensions of entrepreneurial thinking to examine how AI agency is associated with college students' entrepreneurial cognition. Based on a sample of 972 college students, the study employs a hybrid research method combining SLR, SEM, and fsQCA. The results show that: (1) AI agency is composed of three dimensions: cognitive support, interaction support, and action support, forming a stable structure of human-AI symbiotic environment in entrepreneurial learning contexts. (2) AI agency is positively associated with entrepreneurial thinking both directly and indirectly through the human sense of agency. (3) High-level entrepreneurial thinking is not associated with a single factor alone but with configurations of multiple conditions, with interaction support and sense of agency playing stable core roles. (4) Furthermore, creativity and opportunity recognition exhibit different generative logics. The study theoretically elevates AI from a tool to a technological partner and capability community in entrepreneurial learning, and provides insights for the design of AI instructional courses in entrepreneurship education.},
}

@article {pmid42387610,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Y and Cheng, Y},
title = {Humanistic thought in medical dao: a cross-cultural perspective of global medical humanities.},
journal = {Philosophy, ethics, and humanities in medicine : PEHM},
volume = {21},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s13010-026-00223-4},
pmid = {42387610},
issn = {1747-5341},
mesh = {Humans ; *Humanism ; *Humanities ; *Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; *Cross-Cultural Comparison ; },
abstract = {Rooted in "the real human being and their practice", the humanistic thought of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) encompasses four core dimensions: the Theory of Valuing Life and Attaining Sagehood, the Theory of Temperament and Human Nature, the Theory of Subject Mutual Benefit, and the Theory of Body-State Synchronism. It provides crucial support for the mutual learning of Chinese and Western medical humanities. The Theory of Valuing Life and Attaining Sagehood resonates with Western bioethics while adding a unique dimension of spiritual self-cultivation; the Theory of Temperament and Human Nature aligns with the precision medicine paradigm and complements the perspective of cultural ethical examination; the Theory of Subject Mutual Benefit firmly opposes the objectification of patients and theoretically expands the Western concept of "patient-centered care"; the Theory of Body-State Synchronism integrates individual physical and mental health with collective public well-being, aligning with the core values of contemporary global health governance. As an ideological system deeply embedded in Chinese civilization, it takes the Qi ontology and Yin-Yang balance as its profound metaphysical foundation, constructing a holistic medical humanistic paradigm independent of the Western biomedical model. In the contemporary academic context where medical humanities are moving toward pluralistic coexistence, the value of non-Western medical traditions has attracted increasing scholarly attention. It can not only enrich the Western medical humanistic tradition through cross-cultural dialogue but also provide solid ethical support for the global dissemination and clinical practice of TCM, ultimately realizing two-way mutual learning, complementarity and symbiosis between Eastern and Western medical humanities across cultures.},
}

Humans
*Humanism
*Humanities
*Medicine, Chinese Traditional
*Cross-Cultural Comparison