Genomic resilience to sequential environmental perturbations in two sympatric costal fish species.

Amphibian metamorphosis is an excellent model for studying how selective pressures, environmental cues, endocrine signals, and molecular mechanisms influence developmental timing. In this minireview, I discuss key questions about the timing of metamorphosis, including: when and how do larvae acquire the ability to initiate metamorphosis; what historical and current ecological factors influence the optimal timing of transformation; and what are the physiological mechanisms that translate environmental information into a developmental response? From an ecological perspective, the timing of amphibian metamorphosis depends on growth opportunities and predation risks in the larval habitat. Nutrition, through its influence on growth and energy storage, plays a pivotal role in determining when a larva can undergo metamorphosis. Several hormones, whose production is controlled by nutrients, regulate growth and energy balance and promote development of the neuroendocrine system. The ability to initiate metamorphosis requires adequate body size and energy levels, expression of thyroid hormone (TH) receptors (TRs), and a functional thyroid gland and neuroendocrine system. Once started, metamorphic transformation is driven by rising plasma TH concentration. Environmental cues modulate thyroid activity via neuroendocrine stress pathways. The stress neuropeptide corticotropin-releasing hormone is the primary neuroregulator of metamorphosis. It stimulates secretion of both TH and corticosteroids, and corticosteroids synergize with TH to enhance TH bioactivity by increasing TRs and TH metabolism. The combination of habitat quality, which affects growth and energy status, environmental stressors, and neuroendocrine signaling shapes the diversity in body size and larval period length among species and the plasticity in metamorphic timing within a species. Furthermore, many of these mechanisms are ancient and evolutionarily conserved.

The European common toad (Bufo bufo) is undergoing widespread population declines, potentially influenced by multiple environmental stressors, including chemical pollution. This study aimed to link the toad population status and contaminant levels in 20 breeding ponds in Flanders (Belgium). A multi-contaminant analytical approach was applied, using solid-phase extraction (SPE) combined with advanced instrumental methods: ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS) for pesticides and mycotoxins, UHPLC-Orbitrap-high resolution MS for pharmaceuticals, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ICP-MS for high and low-concentrated metals, respectively, and ion chromatography (IC) for nutrients. Across ponds, 25 pesticides, 11 mycotoxins, 13 antimicrobial drugs, 5 antiparasitic drugs, and 11 metals were detected, reaching concentrations up to 114ng/L (pesticides), 88.2ng/L (mycotoxins), 837ng/L (antimicrobials), 26.8ng/L (antiparasitic drugs), and 7382μg/L (metals). Temporal variability was pronounced, with episodic increases in pesticide and metal levels, declining nitrate and sulphate concentrations, and increasing enniatin levels from March to June. Despite frequent co-contamination, no direct relationship was observed between individual contaminant levels and toad population status. These findings suggest that population declines are unlikely to be driven by a single substance, but rather by combined pressures associated with complex contaminant mixtures and other environmental stressors.

Multidimensional riverine biodiversity reveals decadal and sub-decadal effects of hydrological and water-quality changes.

Cold-inducible RNA-binding protein as an indicator for acute hypothermal and salinity stresses in euryhaline milkfish (Chanos chanos).

A standardized developability workflow to rank-order the stability profiles of mRNA-LNP vaccine formulations is described. As proof-of-concept, three experimental mRNA-LNP formulations with varying lipid compositions were benchmarked against a Spikevax® mimic via mouse immunogenicity studies and various stability studies using a "routine analytical toolbox" to monitor (1) chemical integrity of the mRNA and lipid components, (2) structural integrity of the assembled nanoparticles, and (3) functionality (i.e., cell-based transfection assays). Although the four mRNA-LNP formulations displayed overall similar in vivo immunogenicity in mice (mRNA encoding Rabies glycoprotein G antigen), their in vitro stability profiles varied substantially (mRNA encoding luciferase). Functionality losses (i.e., decreasing luciferase expression) upon exposure to different environmental stresses in a common liquid formulation buffer correlated with distinct physicochemical mechanisms (i.e., mRNA degradation at elevated temperatures, and LNP disruption upon agitation and freeze-thaw). Heat-map analysis enabled rank-ordering of the mRNA-LNP formulations' overall stability profiles. Interestingly, further characterization of the four mRNA-LNPs by cryo-EM and ¹H-NMR identified specific structural attributes (i.e., bleb formation and lipid surface topology, respectively) at time zero that correlated with their observed stability profiles. Results are discussed in the context of how a standardized mRNA-LNP developability platform enables identification of mRNA-LNP vaccine candidates with optimized pharmaceutical properties.

DNA damage-regulated autophagy modulator 1 (DRAM1)-induced lipophagy facilitates Toxoplasma gondii nutrient acquisition and infection.

The objective of this systematic review is to provide deeper understanding and insight through combining the results of qualitative research that reported on the effective coping mechanisms used by nursing students to deal with the pressure they face and support their adaptation in the clinical learning environment. All primary qualitative research studies published in English that reported on the coping strategies adopted by nursing students in the clinical learning environment were included. In December 2024, electronic databases including Medline EBSCO, CINAHL, Embase Ovid, Web of Science, ProQuest, ClinicalKey, and Scopus were searched. Retrieved papers were independently reviewed by two authors for selection based on title, abstract, and full text, with both authors agreeing on the inclusion of the papers. The qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and all included reports were appraised using the CASP checklist. The review included 30 studies involving 573 nursing students from 15 countries. The coping strategies identified were problem-solving, sharing and seeking help, determination, giving up, confrontation, self-regulation, proactive coping, positive reframing, avoidance, adaptation to ward culture, and venting emotions. To optimize learning in the clinical setting, nursing instructors, clinical agencies, and curriculum designers must recognize the stressors the students face and help them develop effective coping strategies. Targeted interventions should be implemented to reduce stress and promote healthy coping while creating supportive environments that foster students' growth and provide timely assistance for the learning process.

The effects of climate change and human pollution on ecosystems worldwide are becoming increasingly apparent and are expected to increase disease susceptibility, which could have devastating impacts when keystone species are affected. Habitat-forming kelps are vital ecosystem engineers in marine ecosystems. In the Southern Hemisphere, bull kelps (Durvillaea) shape shallow marine ecosystems, providing habitat, food and shelter for numerous marine organisms. Despite their ecological importance, little is known about kelp diseases and their drivers. Here, we survey various blemishes, potentially indicative of disease, in New Zealand Durvillaea poha populations. Generalized linear mixed modelling was used to explore which environmental and anthropogenic factors might affect blemish prevalence. Our analysis indicated that blemish prevalence may be influenced by combinations of external factors, such as the distance to sewage and river outlets and predominant land use. Our study lays the groundwork for mapping blemishes and their drivers in large, brown macroalgae, an essential step in exploring kelp diseases, improving predictions and protection of marine ecosystems.

Herein, we report the expression of split BURP domain peptide cyclases (BpCs), primarily CamB1 from Ceanothus americanus, in Escherichia coli using the pET22b vector without a fusion partner while retaining their disordered N-terminal region. To our knowledge, this represents the first full-length split BpC expressed and isolated without reliance on a stabilizing fusion tag (e.g., maltose binding protein, MBP). Both CamB1 and ArbB2, from Coffea arabica, were purified and refolded from inclusion bodies, and displayed robust catalytic turnover on a minimal peptide substrate. Copper titrations revealed that catalytic assays using glutathione as the reducing agent require copper far in excess of the stoichiometric number of active sites, with activity plateauing at ∼50-fold excess, likely reflecting competition with nonspecific copper binding or solution speciation. Using ascorbic acid in place of glutathione not only restores but also increases maximal activity, requiring only near-stochiometric copper. Metal impact studies demonstrated that noncognate metals inhibit activity. Zn(II) most severely inhibited BpC function at low micromolar concentrations in enzyme-initiated assays containing Cu(II), Zn(II), and glutathione, but this effect was markedly alleviated in reducing agent-initiated assays and instead resembled the modest inhibition by Ag(I), which fully suppressed activity only near 1mM. These results highlight how assay order influences metal competition at the active site. Given that BURP-domain proteins are implicated in plant stress responses, including tolerance to metal exposure, these findings suggest that Zn(II) and Ag(I) inhibition may represent a biochemical mechanism by which environmental metal stress modulates BpC activity.

Diversity and ecology of the prokaryotic microbiome associated with marine sponges across Antarctica.

How climate stressors intensify antibiotic toxicity: A histopathological study in zebrafish.

Microbial community structure and congruence responses to multiple environmental stressors: insights from a mesocosm experiment

Genome-wide identification of the rosaceae bHLH gene family and functional characterization of PybHLH182 involved in stone cell formation in pear.

Insulin resistance: The central node of convergence between unfolded protein response, diabetes, and cancer.

Male paternal exposure to predatory risk during adolescence alters offspring antipredator behavior and basal HPA axis activity in Brandt's voles.

Apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) is a nutritionally valuable subtropical fruit with high economic importance; however, being highly perishable limits its marketability and profitability. Sustainable preharvest management strategies are essential to enhance fruit quality and resilience to environmental stress. Therefore, a research study was conducted for two consecutive years (2022-2023) using a 4 × 4 factorial randomized complete block design. Apricot fruit trees were applied with four potassium silicate (PS) concentrations (0, 1, 3, and 5 mL L-1) and four glycine treatments (0, 400, 600, and 800 mg L-1), at the fruit set and pit hardening stages. Results showed that moderate PS at 3 mL L-1 with 600-800 mg L-1 glycine significantly improved fruit weight (78%), volume (55%), and yield per plant- (32.8 kg; a 64% increase over the control), while reducing the number of fruits per kilogram by 13%, indicating larger average fruit size. Preharvest decay was reduced by approximately 60%, alongside improvements in firmness (by 100%) over the control, total soluble solids (TSS; 16-19%), TSS-acid ratio (64%), juice pH (0.65 units), and sugar accumulation, compared with control treatment. Antioxidant activity increased by 37%, flavonoids by 51%, proline by 116%, and catalase and peroxidase activities by 22%. Principal component analysis identified 3 mL L-1 PS with 600 mg L-1 glycine as the most effective combination. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic preharvest application of PS and glycine has enhanced apricot yield, fruit quality, and storability, offering an eco-friendly alternative to conventional chemical treatments. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry.

Integrative transcriptomic and genome wide analysis reveals class III peroxidase responses to abiotic stresses in Selenicereus undatus.

Contrasting responses to environmental stresses for macroinvertebrates and benthic algae in subtropic Qinhuai rivers

This study investigates the effects of adding zeolite in concrete mix on the mechanical and durability properties of concrete, aiming to enhance performance and sustainability. Zeolite, a microporous aluminosilicate mineral, is renowned for its molecular sieve properties, which enable it to improve strength of concrete, reduce permeability, and offer environmental benefits by decreasing the cement content required in concrete mixtures. By introducing zeolite as a partial substitute, this research aims to identify the optimal replacement percentage that maximizes structural integrity while maintaining or improving durability. The experimental methodology involves preparing a series of concrete mixes with varying zeolite contents to systematically assess changes in key mechanical properties, such as compressive, flexural, tensile, and bond strength. Durability characteristics are also evaluated, including resistance to acid and base exposure, chloride-induced corrosion which measures the material’s susceptibility to water absorption. The approach combines meticulous material collection, precise mix proportioning, and rigorous mechanical and durability testing to capture the effects of zeolite on concrete performance comprehensively. These insights are expected to contribute to sustainable construction practices by reducing cement dependency and, consequently, the carbon footprint of concrete production. If effective, zeolite could be a promising addition to the construction industry, potentially increasing lifespan of concrete, resilience to environmental stressors, and suitability for eco-friendly infrastructure. Through this research, potential of zeolite as a sustainable additive is highlighted, offering an innovative approach to develop concrete with enhanced structural integrity and extended service life, supporting green building initiatives, and contributing to more durable and environmentally conscious infrastructure solutions.