Biology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Differential Activation of Pro-Survival Pathways by NIX/BNIP3L: An Expression-Level-Dependent Mechanism Governing PC12 Cell Fate During HO-Induced Oxidative Stress.
Ge F, Shu J, Liu Z … +5 more , Ma H, Cai M, Deng X, Zhang H, Wang J
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274518 · Full text
Oxidative stress is a major contributor to neuronal apoptosis and subsequent neurofunctional deficits. This study investigates the dual role of the mitochondrial membrane-anchored protein NIX in PC12 cells, a model for m...
Oxidative stress is a major contributor to neuronal apoptosis and subsequent neurofunctional deficits. This study investigates the dual role of the mitochondrial membrane-anchored protein NIX in PC12 cells, a model for mature neurons. We demonstrate that both overexpression and knockdown of NIX attenuate apoptosis under oxidative stress, albeit through distinct mechanisms. Overexpression of NIX promotes cell survival by activating NIX-mediated mitophagy, which clears damaged mitochondria and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby maintaining redox homeostasis. Conversely, knockdown of NIX reduces apoptosis primarily by diminishing the intrinsic pro-apoptotic function of the protein. Collectively, these findings reveal that NIX expression levels critically gate PC12 cell fate under oxidative stress by differentially activating pro-survival or anti-apoptotic pathways.
BRCA1/2 Reversion Mutations and Cancer Therapy Resistance.
Qi W, Yang G, Zhang Y … +4 more , Han L, Mayo KH, Zeng X, Mo J
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274517 · Full text
Germline loss-of-function mutations in and markedly increase susceptibility to breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Mechanistically, BRCA2 facilitates RAD51 recruitment to sites of DNA damage, whereas BRCA1 regulates ho...
Germline loss-of-function mutations in and markedly increase susceptibility to breast, ovarian, and other cancers. Mechanistically, BRCA2 facilitates RAD51 recruitment to sites of DNA damage, whereas BRCA1 regulates homologous recombination repair (HRR) through double-strand break resection and broader DNA damage response signaling. These insights underpin targeted therapies such as poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors (PARPis), which induce synthetic lethality in homologous recombination-deficient tumors. Clinically, PARPis have demonstrated significant benefit in BRCA1/2-mutated breast, ovarian, pancreatic, and prostate cancers. However, resistance remains a major obstacle, with secondary intragenic mutations restoring partial protein function representing a prominent mechanism. Despite therapeutic advances, critical gaps persist in understanding how specific BRCA1/2 domains and residual protein activities contribute to tumorigenesis and treatment response. In this review, we summarize the structural and functional domains of BRCA1/2, their pathogenic mutation profiles, and therapeutic strategies targeting BRCA1/2-deficient cancers. Despite therapeutic advances, critical gaps persist in understanding how specific BRCA1/2 domains and residual protein activities contribute to tumorigenesis and treatment response. This review emphasizes the need for functional studies of BRCA1/2 variants to refine risk prediction and develop mutation-tailored therapies.
Urban Filter vs. Natural Refuge: Divergent Diptera Community Assembly Mechanisms-Evidence from Beijing, China.
Fang B, Zhang Z, Ding Y … +11 more , Cheng J, Yang J, Zhai J, Chen X, Elsayed AK, Tokuda M, Yang D, Liu Y, Meier R, Wang Q, Li X
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274516 · Full text
Urbanization can act as a powerful ecological filter, restructuring biodiversity through species loss, replacement, and altered resource pathways. While urban green spaces (UGS) are recognized as potential biodiversity r...
Urbanization can act as a powerful ecological filter, restructuring biodiversity through species loss, replacement, and altered resource pathways. While urban green spaces (UGS) are recognized as potential biodiversity refuges, the effectiveness and mechanisms for conserving insect diversity across the urban-to-natural gradient remain poorly understood. Here, we combine full-season Malaise trapping (April-November) with MinION-based DNA barcoding to test two predictions about how urbanization reshapes Diptera communities across five sites in Haidian District, Beijing, ranging from residential areas and urban parks to a nearby shallow mountain reserve (BWM). Based on 5528 barcoded individuals, we identified 686 putative species from 39 families. As predicted, β-diversity between urban and mountain sites was overwhelmingly driven by species turnover rather than nestedness, demonstrating that cities do not simply receive subsets of the surrounding fauna but actively reassemble communities. This filtering effect was, however, trophic-guild specific. Detritivores showed the highest replacement, consistent with a shift from natural to anthropogenic resource subsidies, while predators/parasitoids exhibited significant nested loss, aligning with their hypothesized sensitivity at higher trophic levels. Vegetation structure further clarified these patterns: vegetation density, not plant species richness, was the primary bottom-up driver for herbivore and predator/parasitoid diversity, whereas detritivores were decoupled from living plant biomass. These findings demonstrate that urban and near-natural habitats maintain distinct species pools via guild-specific assembly pathways, highlighting the need for guild-specific conservation strategies for urban biodiversity conservation. Extending beyond compositional analysis, we propose a temporal-abundance framework, classifying species by persistence and abundance, as a diagnostic tool for assessing ecological integrity and guiding conservation in urbanizing landscapes.
Epithelial Sodium Channel in the Respiratory System: A Bibliometric Review of Recent Studies.
Fu Y, Yao Y, Ji HL … +1 more , Nie H
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274515 · Full text
Inhibiting epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) provides clinical benefit in cystic fibrosis treatment, whereas activated alveolar ENaC attenuates acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, seldom biblio...
Inhibiting epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) provides clinical benefit in cystic fibrosis treatment, whereas activated alveolar ENaC attenuates acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, seldom bibliometric analysis of respiratory ENaC systematically evaluates hotspots and trends in ion transport, as well as providing few overviews for researchers. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of respiratory ENaC over the past 40 years, identifying the research frontier and topic evolution. Searching the literature in Science Citation Index Expanded from Web of Science (WOS) and PubMed, a total of 1634 publications in 409 journals, authored by 5457 researchers from 60 countries/regions, were analyzed by CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and sciMAT software. The earliest highly cited article, titled 'Rescue of CF airway epithelial cell function in vitro by a CFTR potentiator, VX-770', had accumulated 1011 citations. The most prolific author, country, and journal were MA Mall, USA, and , respectively. In the most recent phase of annual focus, research areas could be clustered by immunology, cell biology, pharmacology and pharmacy, biotechnology and applied microbiology, and physiology. In summary, this bibliometric research reveals that respiratory ENaC is not only responsible for alveolar fluid clearance, but has converted into a broader modulator in immune-inflammatory responses.
MiRNA Profiling in Plasma Exosomes of Pregnant Cows on Day 16.
Lyu S, Zhai Y, Luan M … +6 more , Chen F, Zhu X, Feng Y, Qiao Z, Shi Q, Wang E
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274514 · Full text
Plasma exosomes have been identified to be involved in embryo development and implantation. In this study, the plasma exosomes of seven pregnant cows on day 16 and seven non-pregnant cows were collected. Exosome miRNA pr...
Plasma exosomes have been identified to be involved in embryo development and implantation. In this study, the plasma exosomes of seven pregnant cows on day 16 and seven non-pregnant cows were collected. Exosome miRNA profiles were revealed by RNA sequencing technology and the abundance of exosome miRNA between them were compared. Seven miRNAs were significantly differently expressed (-value < 0.05, |log2(FoldChange)| > 1), with five miRNAs upregulated and two downregulated in the pregnant cow group. The most significant miRNA was bta-miR-136 (downregulated in pregnant cows, -value < 0.005). A total of 5828 target genes were computationally predicted for the seven miRNAs. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed these targets were significantly involved in several biological processes and pathways associated with embryo implantation and endometrial development, such as cell adhesion, cell junction, focal adhesion, Ras signaling pathway and Rap1 signaling pathway. This study identifies seven differentially expressed plasma exosomes miRNAs on day 16 of pregnancy in cows, with bta-miR-136, bta-miR-199b, and bta-miR-382-3p emerging as candidate miRNAs for future studies on maternal-fetal communication and embryo implantation.
Unraveling Mammalian Biodiversity in a Non-Protected Area in Tibet: Community Diversity, Species Interactions and Conservation Imperatives.
Guo K, Tang Z, Su M … +10 more , Zhang T, Shu F, Li Q, Chen H, Wang C, Zhang M, Yu Y, Chen Y, Zaman M, Xiang Z
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274513 · Full text
Human disturbances, such as habitat destruction and overharvesting, are greatly harming ecosystems and causing significant declines in biodiversity. Although protected areas play a crucial role in conserving terrestrial...
Human disturbances, such as habitat destruction and overharvesting, are greatly harming ecosystems and causing significant declines in biodiversity. Although protected areas play a crucial role in conserving terrestrial mammals, nearly non-protected areas (N-PAs) have similar functions, harbor high biodiversity and ecosystem integrity, and deserve to be protected. To identify the conservation value of mammalian species in critical ecosystems within N-PAs, we conducted a camera-trap survey in Luolong County, Tibet, from November 2019 to June 2023, monitoring 159 sites and documenting 25 mammalian species across 28 similar or dissimilar habitats. We found this area was an integrity ecosystem with higher species richness and diversity in scrub and evergreen forests with notable occurrence of herbivores comprising musk deer, chinese serow, woolly hares and carnivores such as the common leopard, snow leopards, red foxes and stone marten. Mammalian species occurrence increased away from human activities. Different habitats and seasons influenced diversity and species interactions. Key findings include species preferences for specific habitats, such as blue sheep on southern slopes during snow, musk deer in mixed forests, and red foxes avoiding alpine meadows. Habitat type, elevation, and human disturbance significantly impacted species distribution and behavior. The study also found that snow leopard activity time negatively correlates with woolly hare, while common leopards are influenced positively by hares and negatively by brown bears. Red foxes are slightly more active near the chinese serow occurrence areas. Other predators and prey, such as eurasian lynx, gray wolves, musk deer and stone martens show specific seasonal and interspecific interactions, with some relationships explaining small portions of variation. Overall, species temporal detection events are interconnected through complex ecological interactions. These findings improve our understanding of habitat hosting for rare species and the balance of endangered prey and predator communities in N-PAs in Tibet, emphasizing their significance for conservation efforts.
Integrated Transcriptome and Proteome Analysis Provides Insights into the Mechanism of in Response to Drought Stress.
Mo Z, Guo C, Chen S … +9 more , Mu K, Sha S, Ran F, Xie P, Shao C, Ju Z, Liu Y, Yuan Y, Pang Y
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274512 · Full text
Drought severely restricts the growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants. is a water-sensitive and economically important medicinal species, yet its molecular regulatory mechanisms in response to drought remai...
Drought severely restricts the growth and secondary metabolism of medicinal plants. is a water-sensitive and economically important medicinal species, yet its molecular regulatory mechanisms in response to drought remain largely unclear, which is worthy of in-depth investigation. In this study, four-month-old seedlings were subjected to three treatments; normal irrigation (CK), drought stress (DS), and rehydration recovery (RW). Leaf photosynthetic parameters, L-Borneol content, and root physiological indices were determined, and transcriptomic and proteomic analyses were integrated to explore its drought response mechanism. Under drought stress, leaf net photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductance decreased sharply, while intercellular CO concentration increased; L-Borneol content showed a biphasic change, and root malondialdehyde content accumulated continuously, accompanied by significant increases in antioxidant enzyme activities and osmotic regulator contents. A total of 9917 differentially expressed genes and 736 differentially expressed proteins were identified, which were mainly enriched in phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, photosynthesis and other pathways, with photosynthesis-related genes and proteins coordinately downregulated. adapts to drought stress by activating the antioxidant defense system, regulating osmotic substances, and reprogramming photosynthetic networks. The key candidate genes obtained provide important targets for drought-tolerant breeding of this species, and their reliability was verified by RT-qPCR.
Deficiency of Inactive Rhomboid Protein 2 (iRhom2) Attenuates Macrophage Atherogenicity.
Hannemann C, Brettschneider A, van Dijck P … +3 more , Stangl K, Ludwig A, Hewing B
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274511 · Full text
Inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) regulates ADAM17-mediated shedding of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from immune cells. We previously showed that iRhom2 deficiency attenuates early atherosclerosis in mice. This stu...
Inactive rhomboid protein 2 (iRhom2) regulates ADAM17-mediated shedding of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from immune cells. We previously showed that iRhom2 deficiency attenuates early atherosclerosis in mice. This study aimed to characterize the impact of iRhom2 deficiency on macrophage phenotype and function. Bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) from iRhom2 and iRhom2 mice were analyzed for proliferation, phagocytosis, survival of cytotoxic stress, and polarization. Cytokine secretion after LPS stimulation was quantified, and iRhom2 expression under atherogenic stimuli was assessed. Conditioned media from BMDMs (BMDMcM) were applied to human aortic endothelial cells (HAoECs) to evaluate adhesion molecule expression and monocyte adhesion. iRhom2 deficiency did not affect BMDM proliferation, phagocytosis, survival, or polarization marker expression. iRhom2 expression was upregulated in iRhom2 BMDMs by atherogenic stimulation. Following LPS stimulation, TNF-α secretion was decreased and IL-10 secretion was increased in iRhom2 compared with iRhom2 BMDMs. HAoEC expression of adhesion molecules-ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and E-selectin-was attenuated after exposure to iRhom2 compared with iRhom2 BMDMcM. Monocyte adhesion to HAoECs was reduced following treatment with iRhom2 BMDMcM; TNF-α neutralization abolished this effect, indicating TNF-α dependency. iRhom2 deficiency in BMDMs selectively alters macrophage inflammatory cytokine secretion without affecting basal macrophage functions, thereby reducing endothelial activation and monocyte adhesion. These findings identify iRhom2 as a regulator of macrophage-endothelial crosstalk and a potential target to modulate inflammation in atherogenesis.
Genome-Wide Identification and Analysis of BAHD Acyltransferases Involved in Anthocyanin Biosynthesis in .
Zhou P, Gao B, Fei C … +2 more , Luo J, Gong L
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274510 · Full text
(L.) Britt., a medicinal and edible herb, is valued for its diverse leaf coloration, attributed to varying levels of anthocyanin accumulation. The primary anthocyanins in are acylated cyanidin glycosides; however, the e...
(L.) Britt., a medicinal and edible herb, is valued for its diverse leaf coloration, attributed to varying levels of anthocyanin accumulation. The primary anthocyanins in are acylated cyanidin glycosides; however, the enzymes facilitating the acylation process have yet to be characterized. BAHD acyltransferases, known to catalyze such modifications, remain uncharacterized in To systematically identify potential genes that may be associated with this function, we performed a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the BAHD acyltransferase family in . Our study identified 134 genes, which were subsequently analyzed for their physicochemical properties, phylogenetic relationships, conserved domains, motif compositions, and promoter cis-elements. Phylogenetic analysis categorized the genes into six clades, with Clade I being the primary candidate for anthocyanin-related activity due to its enrichment with members known to acylate flavonoids in other species. Promoter analysis indicated a significant presence of cis-elements associated with light, phytohormones, and stress responses. By integrating tissue-specific metabolomic and transcriptomic data, we established correlations between anthocyanin accumulation patterns and gene expression. Through the integration of multi-omics data, six candidate genes were prioritized, with , , and emerging as the most promising candidates. These genes demonstrated predominant expression in leaves, were induced under conditions of high light exposure, and were predicted to be localized in the cytoplasm. To further explore their potential functions, molecular docking analyses were conducted, suggesting that PfBAHD77 may have a preference for highly glycosylated anthocyanins, whereas PfBAHD05 and PfBAHD112 may favor substrates with lower levels of glycosylation. Collectively, these findings provide a preliminary foundation for understanding anthocyanin acylation in and identify several BAHD candidate genes that could be potentially targeted in future metabolic engineering efforts pending further biochemical and genetic validation.
Altered Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype of Human Osteoblasts from Patients with Osteoporosis Enhances Endothelial Cell Migration and Proliferation In Vitro.
Oezel L, Wergen NM, Zimmermann R … +7 more , Popov S, Gürsoy B, Grassmann JP, Benölken N, Kuebart T, Bittersohl B, Grotheer V
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274509 · Full text
Osteoporosis (OP) is a highly prevalent age-associated inflammatory bone disease that remains underdiagnosed and undertreated despite its substantial global burden. OP is characterized by impaired osteoblast (OB) functio...
Osteoporosis (OP) is a highly prevalent age-associated inflammatory bone disease that remains underdiagnosed and undertreated despite its substantial global burden. OP is characterized by impaired osteoblast (OB) function, alterations in the extracellular matrix and chronic, low-grade inflammation associated with aging ('inflammaging'). Initial evidence suggests that the accumulation of senescent cells and their senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) may contribute to disease progression. Additionally, growing evidence indicates a close relationship between osteogenesis and angiogenesis in OP. This study aimed to characterize senescence-associated secretory changes in primary human OBs from donors with OP and to assess their functional impact on endothelial cell behavior. Primary human OBs from donors with OP (n = 15; female: 9, male: 6) and without OP (n = 21; female: 14, male: 7) were analyzed for senescence-associated secretory profiles using ELISA, proteome arrays, and Western blot analysis. The effects of OB-conditioned media on endothelial cell behavior were assessed in endothelial cell migration assays. OBs from donors with OP showed a tendency toward increased senescence-associated features in the β-galactosidase assay, alongside an altered secretory phenotype characterized by increased IL-6, reduced IL-8 and angiogenin levels and decreased expression of extracellular matrix-associated proteins, such as osteopontin, osteonectin, progranulin and thrombospondin-1. Conditioned media from OBs from donors with OP significantly enhanced endothelial cell migration and proliferation in vitro. These findings suggest that OBs from donors with OP exhibit a SASP that may alter the angiogenic microenvironment in the bone.
GnRH Regulates Sex Differentiation in Through TGF-β/MAPK Signaling Pathways.
Huang J, Xu P, Xiao Y … +1 more , Li J
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274508 · Full text
Sex determination and gonadal differentiation are essential for vertebrate development and reproduction. Fish, with both genetic and environmental sex-determining mechanisms, serve as ideal models for exploring environme...
Sex determination and gonadal differentiation are essential for vertebrate development and reproduction. Fish, with both genetic and environmental sex-determining mechanisms, serve as ideal models for exploring environmental effects on gonadal development. The hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis is involved in sex differentiation, but its role as a key mediator in temperature-dependent sex differentiation remains unclear. is an economically important marine fish species along the northern coast of China. It exhibits obvious sexual growth dimorphism and typical temperature-dependent sex differentiation, making it an excellent model for investigating the mechanism of sex differentiation. In this study, individuals of at the sex differentiation stage were treated with a GnRH receptor antagonist and subjected to transcriptome sequencing analysis. The results revealed that GnRH may regulate sex differentiation through steroid biosynthesis, TGF-β and MAPK signaling pathways. We identified several key genes, including , , , , , and , which may affect gonadal differentiation by acting on core sex-determining genes and steroidogenesis. In conclusion, GnRH precisely mediates the process of sex differentiation by modulating the TGF-β signaling pathway, the MAPK signaling pathway, and local gonadal steroidogenic networks.
Dynamic Physical Distortions of Butterfly Pupal Wings: Potential Mechanical Signals from Eyespot Organizers for Color Pattern Determination.
Nakazato Y, Hirose E, Otaki JM
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274507 · Full text
Butterfly wing color patterns are determined in pupal wing tissues, in which the prospective eyespot focus functions as a developmental organizer. Here, we investigated the microscopic structures of pupal wing tissues co...
Butterfly wing color patterns are determined in pupal wing tissues, in which the prospective eyespot focus functions as a developmental organizer. Here, we investigated the microscopic structures of pupal wing tissues containing an eyespot organizer in line with the physical distortion hypothesis. Histochemical staining revealed that the pupal cuticle and epidermis were wavy and thin at 6 h but smooth and thick at 12 h postpupation. The eyespot organizer was associated with the thickest cuticle layer, called the cuticle focal spot. Transmission election microscopy (TEM) revealed that the intervening space (IVS) between the cuticle layer and the cellular apical end was wide at 6 h but narrow at 12 h postpupation. The spatial relationship between cuticle thickness and IVS width was indicative of mechanical buckling of the region adjacent to the cuticle focal spot. Live in vivo imaging revealed that the IVS at and near the eyespot organizer trapped orange fluorescent protein (OFP) injected into hemolymph. Dynamic distortions of the pupal wing epidermis and cuticular surface were detected in live individuals over time. These results suggest that physical distortions of the wing tissue induced by differential cuticle synthesis and subsequent buckling may function as mechanical morphogenic signals from eyespot organizers.
Integrated 16S rRNA Sequencing and Metabolomic Analyses Reveal Gut Microbiota Dysbiosis and Metabolic Perturbations in Neonatal Dairy Calves with Bovine Rotavirus-Induced Diarrhea.
Yu Y, Zhao Y, He W … +3 more , Yu Z, Yang Y, Wang J
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274506 · Full text
Bovine rotavirus (BRV) is a major pathogen causing diarrhea in neonatal dairy calves, yet its impact on the gut microbiome and host metabolism remains incompletely understood. This study integrated 16S rRNA gene sequenci...
Bovine rotavirus (BRV) is a major pathogen causing diarrhea in neonatal dairy calves, yet its impact on the gut microbiome and host metabolism remains incompletely understood. This study integrated 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to characterize the fecal microbial and metabolic profiles of BRV-infected diarrheic calves compared to healthy controls. Fecal samples were collected from 16 Holstein calves (<30 days old), equally divided into a BRV-infected group (confirmed by RT-qPCR) and a healthy control group. Alpha diversity analysis revealed a significant reduction in microbial richness (Chao1, = 0.012) in the BRV group. Beta diversity (Jaccard distance) showed distinct clustering between groups (PERMANOVA, < 0.05). Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) identified a significant enrichment of () and () in BRV calves, whereas healthy controls were enriched in and (both , with also commonly associated with healthy gut communities). Metabolomic analysis via UHPLC-MS/MS demonstrated a clear separation of metabolic profiles. BRV infection was associated with significant alterations in lipid metabolism pathways, notably elevated levels of lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) and lysophosphatidylethanolamines (LPEs). Integrated Spearman correlation analysis revealed extensive and significant associations (|ρ| > 0.6, FDR-adjusted < 0.05) between differential bacterial genera (e.g., , ) and differential metabolites (e.g., glycerolipids, amino acid derivatives), suggesting a close linkage between gut microbial dysbiosis and metabolic remodeling during BRV infection. These findings provide a multi-omics perspective on the interplay between the gut microbiota and host metabolism in BRV-induced diarrhea, offering potential insights for developing microbiota-based diagnostic or therapeutic strategies.
Mechanisms by Which Exercise Delays Brain Aging Through Regulation of the Mitochondrial Quality Control System.
Zhu X, Shi L, Dong Y … +2 more , Sun Y, Jin Q
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274505 · Full text
Brain aging is a complex biological process characterised by progressive neuronal and synaptic decline, in which disruption of mitochondrial quality control plays a central role. This system encompasses multiple synergis...
Brain aging is a complex biological process characterised by progressive neuronal and synaptic decline, in which disruption of mitochondrial quality control plays a central role. This system encompasses multiple synergistic components, including mitochondrial biogenesis, dynamic equilibrium, autophagic clearance, and energy metabolism. Aging induces dysfunction across these processes, precipitating mitochondrial fragmentation, functional decline, and energy crises, ultimately driving cognitive deterioration. Exercise is a promising non-pharmacological intervention for preserving brain health during aging, and its benefits may be mediated, at least in part, through modulation of mitochondrial quality control. Specifically, exercise has been shown to activate key signaling pathways such as AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α, thereby promoting mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic adaptation. It may also regulate mitochondrial dynamics and mitophagy via pathways including cAMP/PKA/Drp1 and AMPK/mTOR. In addition, emerging evidence indicates that exercise may influence brain mitochondrial function through activity-dependent regulation of mitochondrial gene expression and systemic signaling factors. Furthermore, this review discusses potential differences between exercise modalities and highlights future directions for personalised intervention strategies, providing a theoretical basis for the application of exercise in delaying brain aging and preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
Factors Influencing Contamination and Multidrug Resistance in Pork Available at Modern Retail Stores in Urban Southern Thailand.
Prasertsee T, Suriyasathaporn W
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274504 · Full text
BACKGROUND: is a foodborne pathogen that causes human gastroenteritis and is transmitted through the livestock production chain, with contamination occurring in pork across modern retail stores. In this study, we aimed...
BACKGROUND: is a foodborne pathogen that causes human gastroenteritis and is transmitted through the livestock production chain, with contamination occurring in pork across modern retail stores. In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of contamination in pork, characterize antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, and identify associated risk factors in urban southern Thailand. METHODS: A total of 600 pork products were collected and tested for identification by using ISO 6579:2017 and antimicrobial susceptibility. Associations between contamination and risk factors were assessed by Fisher's exact test. A final model was developed using repeated logistic regression with a Generalized Estimating Equation (GEE) approach. RESULTS: The prevalence of contamination was 33.33%, with the serotype Rissen most frequently detected. Store type, packaging type, marketing target, and seasonal variation were significantly associated with contamination. Sealed packaging and products intended for household use were associated with lower contamination risk. High resistance was observed for ampicillin and tetracycline, while the rate of multidrug resistance was 12.5%, and 10.5% of the isolates were pan-susceptible. CONCLUSIONS: contamination varies across pork products and retail conditions; proper handling and thorough cooking are essential. From a One Health perspective, these findings highlight links between animal production, food systems, and human health, supporting integrated strategies to reduce transmission and antimicrobial resistance.
State-Dependent Modulation of Neurotransmitter Systems in Epilepsy: A Mechanistic Framework for Seizure Dynamics and Biomarker Variability.
Narodova EA
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274503 · Full text
Epilepsy is increasingly conceptualized as a disorder of dynamic network instability rather than a static imbalance between excitation and inhibition. However, substantial variability in seizure occurrence, clinical expr...
Epilepsy is increasingly conceptualized as a disorder of dynamic network instability rather than a static imbalance between excitation and inhibition. However, substantial variability in seizure occurrence, clinical expression, and treatment response remains insufficiently explained by existing models. This narrative review examines how neurotransmitter systems contribute to seizure dynamics within a state-dependent framework, in which factors such as sleep-wake cycles, stress, inflammation, and metabolic conditions modulate network excitability. The review identified four key findings: neurotransmitter function in epilepsy is state-dependent rather than fixed; multiple physiological state modifiers shape seizure susceptibility; seizure termination is an active state-sensitive process; and biomarker performance depends on the prevailing brain state. Evidence from experimental and clinical studies indicates that neurotransmitter function is context-sensitive and interacts with molecular pathways, including ion channel function, synaptic plasticity, and neuromodulatory signaling. These interactions influence key stages of seizure dynamics, including initiation, propagation, and termination, and may differ across etiological categories of epilepsy. This perspective also helps explain the limited performance of static biomarkers, as they do not capture temporal variability in network states. Instead, state-sensitive markers and context-aware interpretations of electrophysiological and clinical data may provide more informative insights. Overall, integrating neurotransmitter mechanisms with dynamic brain states offers a more precise perspective on seizure variability and may support the development of individualized, state-aware approaches to epilepsy management.
subsp. : An Unexploited Source of Antioxidant, Antimicrobial, and Cytotoxic Bioactivity.
Sarametidis P, Papadopoulou EA, Katsoris P … +3 more , Aliferis KA, Rochfort KD, Grintzalis K
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274502 · Full text
sp. are small, perennial herbs with a wide distribution across central and southern Europe and Asia. Historically, extracts of these plants have been used in remedies exhibiting cathartic and anthelmintic effects; howeve...
sp. are small, perennial herbs with a wide distribution across central and southern Europe and Asia. Historically, extracts of these plants have been used in remedies exhibiting cathartic and anthelmintic effects; however, their adverse and toxic potential have also been reported. As such, extracts have been trialled as alternative approaches to cancer treatment in rare cases. In this study, a detailed phytochemical characterisation of root extracts from subsp. was performed in parallel with an in vitro assessment of their cytotoxicity and effect on cell phenotype. GC/EI/MS metabolite profiling revealed the complexity of the extract, which exhibited a high relative content of fatty acids (17.98%), with the most abundant group being the unsaturated fatty acids, followed by saturated and hydroxy fatty acids. Bioassays indicated the extract had antioxidant capabilities, while in vitro analysis demonstrated the extract induced a pro-oxidant phenotype that reduced cell viability, inhibited growth in bacterial () and mammalian (human aortic endothelial cells) cell types, and exacerbated pro-inflammatory indices. subsp. contains bioactive molecules that elicit a number of cellular responses, and the therapeutic potential of these molecules warrants further investigation.
Altered Meristem Initiation Is Associated with Increased Expression in a Semi-Dominant Rice Mutant.
Mikami K, Kobukai M, Chiba K … +3 more , Kuwamura M, Nagasawa N, Satoh-Nagasawa N
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274501 · Full text
genes encode important transcription factors that play a crucial role in plant development and are regulated by microRNAs (miRNA). Although previous studies have examined the functions of rice genes using overexpression...
genes encode important transcription factors that play a crucial role in plant development and are regulated by microRNAs (miRNA). Although previous studies have examined the functions of rice genes using overexpression lines, the developmental consequences of increased expression of the rice gene under native regulatory conditions remain unclear. In this study, we isolated a gain-of-function mutant carrying mutations in the miRNA target site of the gene, a member of the HD-ZIP III family, and examined its morphology at multiple developmental stages. Gene expression was analyzed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and in situ hybridization. Our results reveal that ectopic expression of the gene is associated with the differentiation pattern of meristems in rice and that a correlation exists between expression levels and phenotypic severity in the mutants. These findings highlight the importance of precise spatial and quantitative regulation of genes in rice development.
Circadian Transcriptomic Dynamics Identify Transferable Retina-Choroid Expression Patterns in Myopia Development via Multistage Machine Learning.
Watcharapalakorn A, Poyomtip T, Tawonkasiwattanakun P … +3 more , Dewi PKK, Thomrongsuwannakij T, Mahawan T
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274500 · Full text
Circadian regulation has emerged as an important modulator of ocular growth; however, its role in organizing retina-choroid transcriptomic responses during myopia development remains incompletely understood. In this stud...
Circadian regulation has emerged as an important modulator of ocular growth; however, its role in organizing retina-choroid transcriptomic responses during myopia development remains incompletely understood. In this study, we reanalyzed publicly available retinal and choroidal RNA-seq datasets from chick models of form-deprivation myopia using a multistage machine learning framework. A biologically motivated ZT8/12 circadian window was defined from prior published time-of-day transcriptomic evidence and evaluated using feature selection, cross-tissue and cross-stage validation, and external validation in an independent retinal dataset. Machine learning models classified the ZT8/12 window with high performance across onset and progression datasets, and control analyses indicated that this signal reflects a broad transcriptome-wide temporal state rather than a pattern unique to the 53-gene signature. The final gene signature is therefore interpreted as a stable representative subset of the ZT8/12-associated expression state. Cross-species functional enrichment and ortholog mapping suggested hypothesis-generating functional relationships between chicken genes and human orthologs. Overall, this work provides a computational framework for evaluating time-associated expression patterns in myopia and highlights circadian timing as a candidate component of retina-choroid biology requiring further functional validation.
Advances in the Knowledge of the Reproductive Processes of the Critically Endangered Linnaeus, 1758.
Cortés Melendreras E, Martínez-Martínez P, Vera Inglés J … +5 more , Sánchez MÁ, Crespo Montalt A, Fernández-Torquemada Y, Martínez Ortega E, Giménez Casalduero F
Biology (Basel) · 2026 May · PMID 42274499 · Full text
As part of conservation efforts for , a critically endangered bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, laboratory programs have been developed to maintain and breed specimens. However, progress in the ex situ conservati...
As part of conservation efforts for , a critically endangered bivalve endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, laboratory programs have been developed to maintain and breed specimens. However, progress in the ex situ conservation of the species remains limited and challenging. This study aims to advance the knowledge required to establish effective reproductive protocols for , specifically focusing on the population in the Mar Menor lagoon, one of the last two surviving populations along the Spanish coast. The first phase of this study involved characterizing the reproductive events in the lagoon. Subsequently, two ex situ reproduction experiments were conducted under conditions designed to replicate the lagoon's natural environment. Three reproductive events were detected in the lagoon between 2019 and 2022, and five successful spawning events occurred across the two ex situ experiments. The conditions for maintenance, maturation, and induction of the individuals are described. In all cases, the percentage of fertilized oocytes released was remarkably high, suggesting internal fertilization, but not self-fertilization, within the pallial cavity. Additionally, ex situ individuals exhibited simultaneous hermaphroditism, with synchronous maturation and alternating release of gametes, effectively preventing self-fertilization. These findings represent a significant step forward in understanding the reproductive biology of and contribute to efforts aimed at ensuring the species' long-term survival.
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