Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin can colonize plant tissues as an endophyte, promoting plant growth and defense against pathogens and insect herbivory. Understanding the endophytic behavior of native isolates is important for developing pest management strategies in maize, a crop affected by Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith). This study aimed to genetically characterize a Mexican B. bassiana isolate (Bb-IIAF1-24) collected in Los Reyes, Michoacán, using the β-tubulin gene. The phylogenetic relationships showed that this isolate formed a well-supported clade with other B. bassiana isolates from different countries; however, a low divergence among them was observed. In a second part of this study, the influence of foliar and soil inoculation (1 × 108 conidia mL−1) of Bb-IIAF1-24 isolate on endophytic colonization in maize plants, as well as the effects on plant growth and herbivory by S. frugiperda were evaluated. This fungus was detected in roots, stems, and leaves, but no significant differences were found between root and stem colonization or between foliar and soil inoculation methods. Beauveria bassiana treatment resulted in increased stem diameter in plants when applied to soil compared to foliar application and the control. In contrast, plants subjected to foliar application were significantly taller than those receiving soil application or the control plants. Plants from both application methods experienced lower leaf damage compared to the control. These findings demonstrate the potential of the Bb-IIAF1-24 isolate as an endophytic fungus to promote maize growth and reduce herbivory by S. frugiperda.

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have profoundly affected aquatic ecosystems in urban rivers, with phytoplankton taxa and functional group composition being particularly sensitive to environmental changes. Field surveys were conducted in the Nanming River, Guiyang, in October 2018 and July 2019, with 33 sampling sites evenly distributed across the upstream, midstream, and downstream reaches. The results revealed that: (1) The phytoplankton community comprised 6 phyla, 53 genera, and 61 species, dominated by Bacillariophyta, Chlorophyta, and Cyanobacteria. The community was classified into 20 functional groups, among which B, D, MP, P, and S1 were dominant and exhibited clear spatial heterogeneity along the longitudinal gradient. (2) Analysis of variance indicated that physicochemical parameters were the dominant factors explaining the variation in phytoplankton taxonomic and functional groups, with their independent contribution significantly higher than that of anthropogenic disturbance indicators and geographical factors. Redundancy analysis further identified NH4-N, TP, and TN as key environmental factors. Spearman's correlation analysis further indicated that human activities alter ambient environmental conditions, which are significantly correlated with dissolved oxygen and chlorophyll a levels, thereby driving the differentiation of phytoplankton niches. (3) Functional group succession followed a distinct spatial pattern: upstream areas were dominated by groups P, SN, and Y, reflecting agricultural non-point source inputs; midstream areas were dominated by groups W1, H1, and S1, characteristic of urban complex pollution; and downstream areas were dominated by groups C and X1, indicating cumulative nutrient loading. Collectively, this study elucidates the driving mechanisms of phytoplankton dynamics in karst urban rivers and provides a scientific foundation for water quality monitoring, eutrophication risk pre-warning, and aquatic ecological restoration.

The gut microbiota is recognized as a programmable metabolic organ that governs systemic homeostasis. Recent advances (2023-2025) have pivoted Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) research from a host-centric perspective toward a failure of bidirectional host-microbe metabolic flux. This review evaluates the molecular mechanisms underpinning this shift, focusing on microbial metabolite signaling, virome-mediated modulation, and the emergence of drug-microbiome interactions as critical therapeutic variables. We highlight the transformative role of AI-guided mapping and digital twin simulations in modeling high-resolution metabolic flux and predicting the stability of engineered microbial consortia. By integrating meta-transcriptomics and epigenomics, we characterize the functional plasticity of the microbiome under therapeutic stress. We argue that framing the microbiota as a programmable infrastructure-integrated with AI analytics and metabolic engineering-enables adaptive, real-time interventions. This synthesis offers a blueprint for transitioning from correlative observations toward precision microbiome engineering to achieve sustained metabolic resilience.

The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is the most commonly kept pet lizard and a promising model organism for studies of sex determination and gonadal development. Despite its potential, the morphological basis of gonadogenesis in this species remains poorly characterized. Here, we provide a comprehensive histological characterization of gonad development in P. vitticeps using serial paraffin and semi-thin sections, supplemented by morphometric analyses. Gonadal ridges first appeared at stage S28 as bilateral thickenings of the coelomic epithelium, coinciding with primordial germ cell colonization; by S28/29, a recognizable cortex and medulla were already present. The first morphological differences between male and female gonads appeared at S29/30. In differentiating testes, well-defined testis cords with a central lumen formed rapidly, while the cortex became thin and retained only scattered germ cells. Testicular development was characterized by rapid lumen formation within the testis cords, resulting in their early transformation into seminiferous tubules, followed by elongation and coiling of the tubules, maintenance of a stable tubule diameter, and a transient mitotic arrest of germ cells, with proliferation resuming at stage S36. In differentiating ovaries, the cortex remained thick and multilayered, with a progressive increase in germ cell number reflecting active oogonial proliferation. The ovarian medulla expanded substantially, and from S36 onward, lacunae developed within the medullary cords. No meiotic cells were observed at any examined stage. These results provide an essential morphological framework for future molecular and experimental studies of sex determination and gonadal differentiation in this species and in squamates more broadly.

Craniofacial growth is regulated by a complex interaction of genetic, functional, and systemic metabolic factors. Mechanical loading generated during mastication plays a fundamental role in mandibular development through bone modeling and remodeling mechanisms. In contrast, Type I diabetes mellitus is associated with impaired bone metabolism, which may compromise skeletal growth. Although the independent effects of functional loading and metabolic disorders on bone tissue have been widely investigated, their combined influence on mandibular development remains insufficiently understood. This study primarily aimed to evaluate the effect of Type I diabetes mellitus on mandibular growth in growing rats and, secondarily, to assess the impact of dietary consistency (hard versus soft food) on mandibular development under diabetic and non-diabetic conditions, as well as determine whether diabetes modifies the mandibular adaptive response to increased masticatory loading. An experimental animal study was conducted using twenty-four male Wistar rats aged one month. The animals were randomly allocated into four groups according to metabolic status (control or diabetic) and dietary consistency (hard or soft diet). Type I diabetes mellitus was experimentally induced in the relevant groups using streptozotocin. All animals underwent cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scanning at baseline (Day 1) and at the end of the experimental period (Day 28). Linear measurements were obtained using specialized software following euthanasia. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of diabetes, diet, and their interaction, using appropriate post hoc tests for multiple comparisons. Categorical variables were analyzed using the chi-square test. A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Longitudinal morphometric analysis demonstrated that Type I diabetes mellitus significantly impaired mandibular growth. Diabetic animals exhibited reduced growth rates and smaller final mandibular dimensions compared with controls. Hard diet intake significantly enhanced mandibular development in control animals, reflecting a strong adaptive response to increased functional loading. However, this osteogenic response was markedly attenuated in diabetic rats. Under soft-diet conditions, differences between control and diabetic groups were diminished, indicating that reduced mechanical stimulation limits adaptive growth responses. Significant interaction effects between diabetes and dietary consistency were observed in several morphometric parameters, particularly those related to mandibular body length, ramus height, and condylar position. Type I diabetes mellitus exerts a detrimental effect on mandibular growth in growing rats and compromises the adaptive response of craniofacial structures to mechanical loading. Although a hard diet functions as a potent osteogenic stimulus, its growth-promoting effect is substantially reduced in the presence of metabolic dysfunction.

This study presents a comprehensive data-limited stock assessment of bonga shad (Ethmalosa fimbriata) and lesser African threadfin (Galeoides decadactylus) in the Central Gulf of Guinea using complementary catch- and abundance-based approaches, including Abundance-based Maximum Sustainable Yield (AMSY), Catch-based Maximum Sustainable Yield ++ (CMSY++), and the Bayesian State-space Schaefer Model (BSM). These models were applied because they are suitable for evaluating stock status in data-limited fisheries using catch and abundance information. While AMSY primarily uses abundance information, CMSY++ integrates catch and productivity priors, whereas BSM incorporates state-space error structures to account for observation uncertainty. Catch time series (1990-2021) were extracted from Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) FishstatJ accessed in 2023, with catch values for 2022-2023 cautiously extrapolated from recent trends due to the temporary absence of updated official statistics. Standardized and scaled relative abundance indices from Cameroonian and Nigerian EEZ were used to support model estimation and assess the stock status. For Ethmalosa fimbriata, the results from CMSY++ and BSM yielded an MSY estimate of 126 × 103 t and 95.5 × 103 t, respectively, while for G. decadactylus, MSY from CMSY++ and BSM were 9.1 × 103 and 13.4 × 103, respectively. Stock status indicators suggested the stock was fully exploited based on both AMSY (F/FMSY = 0.83) and CMSY++ (F/FMSY = 1.03) and overfished based on BSM (F/FMSY = 1.77). For G. decadactylus, the analysis based on AMSY suggested an overfished stock state (F/FMSY = 1.2), while under CMSY++ and BSM, the stock is fully exploited. The log scale CPUE was symmetrical within the expected bounds, and the posterior parameter distributions were constrained, indicating that the model passed the convergence test and had robust parameter estimates. The study recommends maintaining catches within MSY-based reference points as the total allowable catch (TAC) and emphasizes the need for improved data continuity, regional collaboration, and precautionary management for long-term sustainability of fisheries resources in the Central Gulf of Guinea.

Sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus) show fleeing, adhesion, and thanatosis patterns upon exposure to various stressors. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these contrasting stress response patterns remain largely unknown. In the present study, we performed a transcriptomic analysis of coelomocytes on stressed sea cucumbers to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms. The RNA-seq results revealed that several matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) family genes, along with HTR4, HRH2, and ADRA1D (which are involved in neuroactive ligand-receptor interactions), were significantly upregulated in the fleeing pattern. These genes may facilitate rapid movement. In the adhesion pattern, PHKA and PGK were significantly downregulated, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly enriched in the longevity regulating pathway, accompanied by downregulation of KRAS and HSPA1. These genes and the pathway may be involved in the reallocation of energy resources during the adhesion pattern. In the thanatosis pattern, DEGs were significantly enriched in the MAPK signaling pathway (including upregulation of ANGPT1 and FGFR1) and in the Rap1 and Ras signaling pathways (with downregulation of key genes: RAPGEF4, RRAS2, and RaLA). These genes potentially contribute to sustaining the thanatosis pattern. These transcriptomic profiles provide novel insights into the distinct molecular signatures underlying each stress response pattern in A. japonicus.

This study examines two articulated peripheral plates of a carettochelyid turtle from the Moghra Formation (Early Miocene, 19.6-18.2 Ma) in Egypt. This research represents the first record of shell pathologies in an African carettochelyid. The specimens were analyzed through detailed macroscopic observation and computed tomography (CT) imaging. To characterize the observed anomalies, a comparative analysis was conducted based on standardized clinical and veterinary osteopathological methodologies. The results revealed significant external and internal structural alterations, including irregular globular outgrowths and internal remodeling evidenced by high-density bone formation. These features enable the identification of pathological conditions that differ from the bioerosive traces and other surface modifications that have been documented previously in the turtle fauna of the Moghra Formation.

In vitro maturation (IVM) is a critical step affecting the efficiency of bovine in vitro embryo production; however, oxidative stress during in vitro culture can impair oocyte quality and subsequent developmental competence. This study investigated the effects of cysteine supplementation on bovine oocyte IVM, redox homeostasis, mitochondrial status, and transcriptomic changes. Bovine cumulus-oocyte complexes were cultured in IVM medium supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, or 125 μM cysteine, and 75 μM was identified as the optimal concentration. Compared with the control group, 75 μM cysteine increased the first polar body extrusion rate from approximately 78% to 81% and improved the fertilization/cleavage rate from approximately 74% to 82%. It also significantly increased the proportions of 2-cell, 4-cell, and 8-cell embryos, whereas morula and blastocyst rates were not significantly affected. At the cellular level, 75 μM cysteine significantly reduced ROS levels and increased GSH content, as indicated by changes in relative fluorescence intensity. JC-1 staining showed that the JC-1 monomer signal decreased from approximately 16.0 to 13.5, whereas the JC-1 aggregate signal increased from approximately 13.2 to 14.8, indicating improved mitochondrial membrane potential status. In addition, lipid droplet fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 11.8 to 13.4, mitochondrial fluorescence intensity increased from approximately 6.0 to 7.0, and cytoskeletal fluorescence intensity showed no significant difference between groups. Smart-seq2 transcriptomic analysis identified 1935 differentially expressed genes, including 1778 upregulated and 157 downregulated genes, which were mainly enriched in translation, ribosomal structural components, RNA binding, oxidative phosphorylation, and metabolism-related pathways. qRT-PCR further confirmed the upregulation of key genes, including NDUFS2, VDAC3, ANXA2, MTHFD1L, and SCD. Overall, 75 μM cysteine improves bovine oocyte IVM quality by enhancing antioxidant capacity, improving mitochondrial membrane potential, increasing lipid-derived energy substrate storage, and regulating genes related to energy metabolism and developmental competence.

Pteridium aquilinum is a globally distributed plant species, highly adaptable to various environments and historically significant as a food source for both animals and humans. This study evaluated the in vivo effects of aqueous extracts from Pteridium aquilinum rhizomes and freeze-dried fiddleheads in a transgenic mouse model of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16)-induced cancer. Rhizome extract was administered in drinking water at concentrations of 0.0125, 0.025, and 0.05 g/mL for 28 days across six experimental groups (n = 5): G1 (wild-type, control), G2 (wild-type, 0.05 g/mL), G3 (HPV, control), G4 (HPV, 0.0125 g/mL), G5 (HPV, 0.025 g/mL), and G6 (HPV, 0.05 g/mL). Freeze-dried fiddleheads were incorporated into the diet at concentrations of 12.5%, 25%, and 50%, also using six groups (n = 5). Humane endpoints, body weight, and food and water consumption were monitored weekly. The rhizome extract was associated with more pronounced biological effects compared to fiddleheads, particularly at the histological and molecular levels. Conversely, freeze-dried fiddleheads were better tolerated. The results indicate that rhizomes were associated with great biological impact under the present experimental conditions, particularly in HPV16 transgenic mice, highlighting a potential synergistic effect with HPV. The potential risks associated with Pteridium aquilinum consumption, as well as preparation methods, should be carefully considered, even for rhizomes which are often regarded as less harmful than other plant parts.