fastp: an ultra-fast all-in-one FASTQ preprocessor

Transcriptomic insights into Mycobacterium orygis infection-associated pulmonary granulomas reveal multicellular immune networks and tuberculosis biomarkers in cattle

Mycobacterium orygis, a member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), has emerged as a significant contributor to tuberculosis (TB) in cattle, wildlife, and humans. However, understanding about its pathogenesis and severity is limited, compounded by the lack of reliable TB biomarkers in cattle. This study delves into the comparative pathology and transcriptomic landscape of pulmonary granulomas in cattle naturally infected with M. orygis, using high-throughput RNA sequencing. Histopathological analysis revealed extensive, multistage granulomatous, necrotic, and cavitary lesions, indicative of severe lung pathology induced by M. orygis. Transcriptomic profiling highlighted numerous differentially expressed genes and dysregulated pathways related to immune response modulation and extracellular matrix remodelling. Additionally, cell type enrichment analysis provided insights into the multicellularity of the granulomatous niche, emphasising complex cell-cell interactions within TB granulomas. Via comparative transcriptomics leveraging publicly available bovine and human TB omics datasets, 14 key immunomodulators (SOD2, IL1α/β, IL15, IL18, CCL2/MCP-1, CCL3/MIP-1α, CCL4/MIP-1β, CCL8/MCP-2, CCL20/MIP-3α, CXCL2/MIP-2, CXCL10/IP-10, CXCL11, and IFN-γ) were identified as potential biomarkers for active TB in cattle. These findings significantly advance our understanding of M. orygis pathogenesis in bovine TB and highlight potential targets for the development of diagnostic tools for managing and controlling the disease.

Genomic insights into the rapid rise of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ST463: A high-risk lineage's adaptive strategy in China

High-risk lineages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa pose a serious threat to public health, causing severe infections with high mortality rates and limited treatment options. The emergence and rapid spread of the high-risk lineage ST463 in China have further exacerbated this issue. However, the basis of its success in China remains unidentified. In this study, we analyzed a comprehensive dataset of ST463 strains from 2000 to 2023 using whole genome sequencing to unravel the epidemiological characteristics, evolutionary trajectory, and antibiotic resistance profiles. Our findings suggest that ST463 likely originated from a single introduction from North America in 2007, followed by widespread domestic dissemination. Since its introduction, the lineage has undergone significant genomic changes, including the acquisition of three unique regions that enhanced its metabolism and adaptability. Frequent recombination events, along with the burden of bacteriophages, antibiotic resistance genes, and the spread of c1-type (blaKPC-2) plasmid-carrying strains, have played crucial roles in its expansion in China. Mutation analysis reveals adaptive responses to antibiotics and selective pressures on key virulence factors, indicating that ST463 is evolving toward a more pathogenic lifestyle.

Rapid surge of reassortant A(H1N1) influenza viruses in Danish swine and their zoonotic potential

In 2018, a single detection of a novel reassortant swine influenza A virus (swIAV) was made in Denmark. The hemagglutinin (HA) of the virus was from the H1N1 pandemic 2009 (H1N1pdm09) lineage and the neuraminidase (NA) from the H1N1 Eurasian avian-like swine lineage (H1N1av). By 2022, the novel reassortant virus (H1pdm09N1av) constituted 27% of swIAVs identified through the Danish passive swIAV surveillance program. Sequencing detected two H1pdm09N1av genotypes; Genotype 1 contained an entire internal gene cassette of H1N1pdm09 origin, Genotype 2 differed by carrying an NS gene segment of H1N1av origin. The internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 became increasingly dominant, not only in the H1pdm09N1av population, but also in other Danish enzootic swIAV subtypes. Phylogenetic analysis of the HA genes from H1pdm09N1av viruses revealed a monophyletic source, a higher substitution rate compared to other H1N1pdm09 viruses and genetic differences with human seasonal and other swine adapted H1N1pdm09 viruses. Correspondingly, H1pdm09N1av viruses were antigenically distinct from human H1N1pdm09 vaccine viruses. Both H1pdm09N1av genotypes transmitted between ferrets by direct contact, but only Genotype 1 was capable of efficient aerosol transmission. The rapid spread of H1pdm09N1av viruses in Danish swine herds is concerning for swine and human health. Their zoonotic threat is highlighted by the limited pre-existing immunity observed in the human population, aerosol transmission in ferrets and the finding that the internal gene cassette of Genotype 2 was present in the first two zoonotic influenza infections ever detected in Denmark.

Raffinose-metabolizing bacteria impair radiation-associated hematopoietic recovery via the bile acid/FXR/NF-κB signaling pathway

Radiation-associated hematopoietic recovery (RAHR) is critical for mitigating lethal complications of acute radiation syndrome (ARS), yet therapeutic strategies remain limited. Through integrated multi-omics analysis of a total body irradiation (TBI) mouse model, we identify Bacteroides acidifaciens-dominated gut microbiota as key mediators of RAHR impairment. 16S ribosomal rRNA sequencing revealed TBI-induced dysbiosis characterized by Bacteroidaceae enrichment, while functional metagenomics identified raffinose metabolism as the most significantly perturbed pathway. Notably, raffinose supplementation (10% w/v) recapitulated radiation-induced microbiota shifts and delayed bone marrow recovery. Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) revealed a causative role for raffinose-metabolizing microbiota, particularly Bacteroides acidifaciens, in delaying RAHR progression. Mechanistically, B. acidifaciens-mediated bile acid deconjugation activated FXR, subsequently suppressing NF-κB-dependent hematopoietic recovery. Therapeutic FXR inhibition via ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) had been shown to be a viable method for rescuing RAHR. Our results delineated a microbiome-bile acid-FXR axis as a master regulator of post-irradiation hematopoiesis. Targeting B. acidifaciens or its metabolic derivatives could represent a translatable strategy to mitigate radiation-induced hematopoietic injury.

Archaea methanogens are associated with cognitive performance through the shaping of gut microbiota, butyrate and histidine metabolism

The relationship between bacteria, cognitive function and obesity is well established, yet the role of archaeal species remains underexplored. We used shotgun metagenomics and neuropsychological tests to identify microbial species associated with cognition in a discovery cohort (IRONMET, n = 125). Interestingly, methanogen archaeas exhibited the strongest positive associations with cognition, particularly Methanobrevibacter smithii (M. smithii). Stratifying individuals by median-centered log ratios (CLR) of M. smithii (low and high M. smithii groups: LMs and HMs) revealed that HMs exhibited better cognition and distinct gut bacterial profiles (PERMANOVA p = 0.001), characterized by increased levels of Verrucomicrobia, Synergistetes and Lentisphaerae species and reduced levels of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. Several of these species were linked to the cognitive test scores. These findings were replicated in a large-scale validation cohort (Aging Imageomics, n = 942). Functional analyses revealed an enrichment of energy, butyrate, and bile acid metabolism in HMs in both cohorts. Global plasma metabolomics by CIL LC-MS in IRONMET identified an enrichment of methylhistidine, phenylacetate, alpha-linolenic and linoleic acid, and secondary bile acid metabolism associated with increased levels of 3-methylhistidine, phenylacetylgluamine, adrenic acid, and isolithocholic acid in the HMs group. Phenylacetate and linoleic acid metabolism also emerged in the Aging Imageomics cohort performing untargeted HPLC-ESI-MS/MS metabolic profiling, while a targeted bile acid profiling identified again isolithocholic acid as one of the most significant bile acid increased in the HMs. 3-Methylhistidine levels were also associated with intense physical activity in a second validation cohort (IRONMET-CGM, n = 116). Finally, FMT from HMs donors improved cognitive flexibility, reduced weight, and altered SCFAs, histidine-, linoleic acid- and phenylalanine-related metabolites in the dorsal striatum of recipient mice. M. smithii seems to interact with the bacterial ecosystem affecting butyrate, histidine, phenylalanine, and linoleic acid metabolism with a positive impact on cognition, constituting a promising therapeutic target to enhance cognitive performance, especially in subjects with obesity.

Helminth reshapes host gut microbiota and immunoregulation by deploying an antimicrobial program of innate immunity

Helminths can manipulate their host's gut microbiota, with the expansion of the lactobacilli population being a common feature. This process profoundly influences host immunoregulation, yet the underlying mechanisms remain almost unknown. Using a tissue-dwelling helminth model (larval Echinococcus multilocularis) while validating key findings from other helminth infections, we show that helminths harness the antibacterial program of host innate immunity to transform the host gut microbiome and control gut microbiota-mediated immunity. Using multifaceted techniques, we elucidate that cathelicidin-related antimicrobial peptide (CRAMP), derived from the expanded CD11b+CD206+ macrophages rather than the intestinal epithelial cells, is the key component that enters into the gut ecological system and enhances the fitness of Lactobacillus by selectively killing gram-negative microbes like enterobacteria. Furthermore, through in vitro cell culturing and in vivo dietary intervention experiments, we demonstrate that this regulation from innate immunity is boosted via toll-like receptor signaling by helminth's secretory products, which could be sufficiently tuned down by dietary vitamin D through its receptor and cyp27b1. Importantly, using microbiota-targeted treatment methods, we prove that this signaling bolsters gut microbiota-mediated host intestinal Foxp3+ Treg cell expansion and parasite survival and that therapies targeting this signaling are effective in treating infection. We outline a dietary micronutrient-dependent mechanism by which helminths leverage host innate immunity to edit the host gut microbiome and thereby control immunosuppression precisely.

Gut microbiome shifts in adolescents after sleeve gastrectomy with increased oral-associated taxa and pro-inflammatory potential

Bariatric surgery is highly effective in achieving weight loss in children and adolescents with severe obesity, however the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood, and gut microbiome changes are unknown. Here, we show that adolescents exhibit significant gut microbiome and metabolome shifts several months after laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG), with increased alpha diversity and notably with enrichment of oral-associated taxa. To assess causality of the microbiome/metabolome changes in phenotype, pre-VSG and post-VSG stool was transplanted into germ-free mice. Post-VSG stool was not associated with any beneficial outcomes such as adiposity reduction compared pre-VSG stool. However, post-VSG stool exhibited a potentially inflammatory phenotype with increased intestinal Th17 and decreased regulatory T cells. Concomitantly, we found elevated fecal calprotectin and an enrichment of proinflammatory pathways in a subset of adolescents post-VSG. We show that in some adolescents, microbiome changes post-VSG may have inflammatory potential, which may be of importance considering the increased incidence of inflammatory bowel disease post-VSG.

In vitro competition with Bifidobacterium strains impairs potentially pathogenic growth of Clostridium perfringens on 2'-fucosyllactose

Fortifying infant formula with human milk oligosaccharides, such as 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), is a global trend. Previous studies have shown the inability of pathogenic gut microbes to utilize 2'-FL. However, the present study demonstrates that the type strain (JCM 1290T) of Clostridium perfringens, a pathobiont species often more prevalent and abundant in the feces of C-section-delivered infants, exhibits potentially pathogenic growth on 2'-FL. The expression of genes for α-toxin, an activator of NLRP3 inflammasome, and ethanolamine ammonia-lyase, a factor responsible for the progression of gas gangrene, was significantly upregulated during 2'-FL assimilation compared to growth on lactose. However, colony-forming unit of C. perfringens JCM 1290T markedly decreased when co-cultivated with selected strains of Bifidobacterium, a taxon frequently detected in the breastfed infant gut. Moreover, during co-cultivation, the expression of virulence-related genes, including the gene for perfringolysin O - another activator of NLRP3 inflammasome - were significantly downregulated, while the lactate oxidation genes were upregulated. This can occur through two different mechanisms: direct competition for 2'-FL between the two organisms, or cross-feeding of lactose, released from 2'-FL by C. perfringens JCM 1290T, to Bifidobacterium. Attenuation of α-toxin production by the selected Bifidobacterium strains was observed to varying extents in 2'-FL-utilizing C. perfringens strains clinically isolated from healthy infants. Our results warrant detailed in vivo studies using animal models with dysbiotic microbiota dominated by various types of C. perfringens strains to further validate the safety of 2'-FL for clinical interventions, particularly on vulnerable preterm infants.

Identification of candidate genes affecting egg weight trait of Putian Black duck based on whole genome resequencing

Egg weight is a primary economic trait in poultry breeding. Putian Black duck, an excellent local laying duck breed in Fujian Province, includes two different strains, black feather strain and white feather strain. The white feather strain of Putian Black duck is also known as Putian White duck. Except for the different feather colors, these two strains differ in egg weight. In this study, whole-genome resequencing was conducted on Putian Black duck and Putian White duck to explore the differences in the genetic mechanism of egg weight. LRP8, VLDLR, and LPL were identified as key candidate genes affecting egg weight. Mass spectrometry was used to detect the SNPs of LRP8, VLDLR, and LPL. Result indicates that the SNPs of LRP8, VLDLR, and LPL in both populations exhibited moderate polymorphism, and Putian Black duck possessed higher genetic variation and potential selectivity. Association analysis indicated that in Putian Black duck, four SNPs in the LRP8 gene were significantly associated with egg weight. These loci can be used as molecular markers for improving egg weight in Putian Black duck.

Exploring the biological mechanisms of severe COVID-19 in the elderly: Insights from an aged mouse model

The elderly population, who have increased susceptibility to severe outcomes, have been particularly impacted by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), leading to a global health crisis. However, definitive parameters or mechanisms underlying the severity of COVID-19 in elderly people remain unclear. Thus, this study seeks to elucidate the mechanism behind the increased vulnerability of elderly individuals to severe COVID-19. We employed an aged mouse model with a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2 strain to mimic the severe symptoms observed in elderly patients with COVID-19. Comprehensive analyses of the whole lung were performed using transcriptome and proteome sequencing, comparing data from aged and young mice. For transcriptome analysis, bulk RNA sequencing was conducted using an Illumina sequencing platform. Proteomic analysis was performed using mass spectrometry following protein extraction, digestion, and peptide labelling. We analysed the transcriptome and proteome profiles of young and aged mice and discovered that aged mice exhibited elevated baseline levels of inflammation and tissue damage repair. After SARS-CoV-2 infection, aged mice showed increased antiviral and inflammatory responses; however, these responses were weaker than those in young mice, with significant complement and coagulation cascade responses. In summary, our study demonstrates that the increased vulnerability of the elderly to severe COVID-19 may be attributed to an attenuated antiviral response and the overactivation of complement and coagulation cascades. Future research on antiviral and inflammatory responses is likely to yield treatments that reduce the severity of viral respiratory diseases in the elderly.

Gut microbiota drives structural variation of exogenous probiotics to enhance colonization

Probiotics encounter colonization resistance from native gut microbiomes, affecting their effectiveness. Genetic engineering of probiotics lacks universal applicability, as gut microbiotas are highly individualized. Here, we employed probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HNU082 (Lp082) to test whether Lp082 gut-adapted mutants can resolve colonization resistance in a new gut environment. Relying on culture-based methods and metagenomics, two distinct evolutionary clades of Lp082 in mice gut were observed, where one clade, which acquired more mutations, exhibited a longer survival time. However, these Lp082 isolates carrying many single nucleotide variants (SNVs) still exhibited phenotypic inconsistencies, with 13 strains of enhanced acid resistance. Thus, nanopore sequencing was proposed to identify structural variations (SVs). Among them, 12 strains had the Cro/C1-type HTH DNA-binding domain insertion, which enhanced growth and reproduction under bile salt stress, thereby increasing colonization time and quantity in the gut. The gut domestication process can drive probiotics to undergo many SNVs and SVs, thereby enhancing their colonization ability, which provides new insights into the colonization mechanisms and offers an ecology-based strategy.

Wide-spectrum profiling of plasma cell-free RNA and the potential for health-monitoring

Circulating cell-free RNA (cfRNA) has emerged as a promising analyte for disease detection. However, the comprehensive profiling of diverse cfRNA types remains under-characterized. Here, we applied a new wide-spectrum cfRNA sequencing method and simultaneously captured rRNA, tRNA, mRNA, miRNA, lncRNA and all mitochondrial RNA. The cfRNA compositions, size distributions and highly abundant cfRNA genes were analysed for each type of cfRNA. We depicted the cfRNA cell types of origin profiles of 66 generally healthy individuals and found that BMI showed a significant impact on the kidney-derived cfRNA proportion. Three individuals with some liver problems were identified because of relatively high levels of hepatocyte-specific cfRNA. The abundance levels of different genes and RNA types, including mRNA, miRNA and lncRNA, were significantly correlated with the liver function test results. The genes of individual cfRNA variances were enriched in pathways associated with common diseases such as liver diseases, virus infections, cancers and metabolic diseases. This study provided a profiling of cfRNA and displayed the potential of cfRNA as a biomarker in health monitoring.

Unravelling distinct patterns of metagenomic surveillance and respiratory microbiota between two P1 genotypes of Mycoplasma pneumoniae

To unravel distinct patterns of metagenomic surveillance and respiratory microbiota between Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) P1-1 and P1-2 and to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on epidemiological features, we conducted a multicentre retrospective study which spanned 90,886 pneumonia patients, among which 3164 cases M. pneumoniae were identified. Our findings revealed a concurrent outbreak of M. pneumoniae, with the positivity rate rising sharply to 9.62% from July 2023, compared to the 0.16% to 4.06% positivity rate observed during the 2020-2022 COVID-19 pandemic. P1-1 had a higher odds ratio of co-detecting opportunistic pathogens. However, no significant differences were observed in the co-detection odds ratio between children and other age groups in P1-2. This study is the first to demonstrate differences in relative abundance, diversity of respiratory microbiota and co-detection rate of opportunistic pathogen between M. pneumoniae P1-1 and P1-2. Through bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) metagenomic and host transcriptomic analyses, we identified variations in co-detection rates of M. pneumoniae P1-1 genotype with opportunistic pathogens like S. pneumoniae, alterations in respiratory microbiota composition, lung inflammation, and disruption of ciliary function. Consistent with the results of host transcriptome, we found that P1-1 infections were associated with significantly higher rates of requiring respiratory support and mechanical ventilation compared to P1-2 infections (Fisher's exact test, p-value = 0.035/0.004). Our study provides preliminary evidence of clinical severity between M. pneumoniae strains, underscoring the need for ongoing research and development of targeted therapeutic strategies.

Gut microbial dysbiosis exacerbates long-term cognitive impairments by promoting intestinal dysfunction and neuroinflammation following neonatal hypoxia-ischemia

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) is considered as a major cause of long-term cognitive impairments in newborns. It has been demonstrated that gut microbiota is closely associated with the prognosis of various neurological disorders. However, the role of microbiota-gut-brain axis on cognitive function following neonatal HIBD remains elusive. In this experiment, the correlation analysis supported the involvement of gut microbial changes following hypoxic-ischemic (HI) insult in the development of long-term cognitive impairments. Subsequent experiment revealed the involvement of the intestinal dysfunction in the hippocampal neuroinflammation and synaptic injury. In causal relationship validation experiments, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from cognitively normal rats could restore gut microbial composition, improve intestinal dysfunction, reduce the serum levels of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and inflammatory mediators, and alleviate neuroinflammation, synaptic damage and cognitive impairments in neonatal HIBD recipient rats. Conversely, the FMT from neonatal HIBD rats could induce above adverse pathological changes in the normal recipient rats. Moreover, oral administration of anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone (DEX) exhibited the potential to alleviate these detrimental effects in neonatal HIBD rats, with the efficacy being partly reliant on gut microbiota. Further experiment on the potential molecular mechanisms using RNA sequencing indicated a significant increase in the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) gene in the intestinal tissues of neonatal HIBD rats. Additionally, the interventions such as TLR4 inhibitor TLR4-IN-C34 administration, FMT, and oral DEX were demonstrated to modulate intestinal function by inhibiting the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway, thereby exerting neuroprotective effects. Collectively, these findings underscore the contribution of gut microbial dysbiosis post HI insult in activating the LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway, triggering intestinal inflammation and dysfunction, exacerbating systemic inflammation, and consequently worsening synaptic and cognitive impairments in neonatal HIBD rats. Hence, rectifying gut microbial dysbiosis or regulating intestinal function may represent a promising strategy for alleviating long-term cognitive impairments in neonates affected by HIBD.

RNA-seq analyses reveal the relevance of RNAs involved in ribosomal complex to induce mammalian prion protein aggregation and phase separation in vitro

Conformational conversion of cellular prion protein (PrPC) into infectious PrP (PrPSc) is one of the most intriguing processes in modern Biology. It is well accepted that this transition is catalysed by one or more cofactors that lower the energy barrier between the different PrP forms. Among potential candidates, RNA molecules are strong contenders. Our group has pursued nucleic acids, both DNA and RNA, capable of inducing PrP misfolding, aggregation, and, more recently, phase separation, a process proposed to precede aggregation in degenerative disorders. We found that the interaction between recombinant PrP (rPrP) and total RNA extracted from neuroblastoma cells (N2aRNA) results in significant structural alterations. Here, we use rPrP:N2aRNA as a model to search for RNAs capable of inducing full-length murine rPrP phase separation and/or aggregation. N2aRNA was incubated with rPrP and after that, RNA-seq analysis was conducted with RNAs isolated from the insoluble material using two different protocols. We analysed thousands of RNA-seq reads, most of which represented ribosomal RNA molecules. The set of recovered molecules is heterogeneous; nevertheless, three low-complexity consensus motifs within the sequences of RNAs involved in ribosomal complex were identified as significantly enriched in the RNAs bound to rPrP, suggesting that a population of RNAs is responsible for inducing PrP phase transitions. We hypothesize that RNA transcripts enriched in a set of low complexity motif sequences with predicted structural similarities can be involved in PrPC binding. This interaction would lead to phase separation and, ultimately, result in aggregation into scrapie-like species, in a stoichiometry-dependent manner.

Genomic characterization and insights into the belted coat pattern of a local, reconstituted pig population

The Cinghiato pig population originates from a breeding project aimed at reconstituting an extinct local swine breed, historically depicted in frescoes in Umbria, Central Italy. The selection strategy employed a reconstruction breeding program, choosing mating pairs based on the unique coat phenotype represented in these artworks. Unlike the traditional Cinta Senese breed, Cinghiato pigs exhibit a white belt encircling the trunk, while their forelimbs remain black. This study explores the genetic background of the belted coat pattern observed in the heterogeneous reconstituted population. Twenty-two pigs were genotyped using the Porcine GGP 80K SNP BeadChip. Genetic analyses were conducted to assess population structure and diversity, with comparisons made to other Italian pig breeds and wild boars. Findings reveal moderate genetic diversity within the Cinghiato population. Runs of Homozygosity patterns suggest historical inbreeding events. Moreover, several genomic regions were associated with traits relevant to niche pork production, including feed intake, leg conformation, and fat deposition. Polymorphisms were detected in 10 coat color-related genes (KIT, MC1R, ASIP, EDNRB, KITLG, MITF, OCA2, PAX3, SOX10, and TYRP1). Although some candidate variants were identified, this preliminary study highlights the need for further research to clarify the genetic mechanisms underlying the phenotypic variability of belted coat patterns.

Reading of human acute immune dynamics in omicron SARS-CoV-2 breakthrough infection

The dynamics of the immune response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) breakthrough infections remain unclear, particularly when compared to responses in naive individuals. In this longitudinal prospective cohort study, 13 participants were recruited. Peripheral blood samples were collected every other day until day 7 after symptom onset. Transcriptome sequencing, single-cell sequencing, T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing, B-cell receptor (BCR) sequencing, Olink proteomics, and antigen-antibody binding experiments were then performed. During the incubation periods of breakthrough infections, peripheral blood exhibited type 2 cytokine response, which shifted to type 1 cytokine response upon symptom onset. Plasma cytokine levels of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, interferon-γ, and interleukin-6 show larger changes in breakthrough infections than naïve infections. The inflammatory response in breakthrough infections rapidly subsided, returning to homeostasis by day 5 after symptom onset. Notably, the levels of monocyte-derived S100A8/A9, previously considered a marker of severe disease, physiologically significantly increased in the early stages of mild cases and persisted until day 7, suggesting a specific biological function. Longitudinal tracking also revealed that antibodies anti-Receptor Binding Domain (anti-RBD) in breakthrough infections significantly increased by day 7 after symptom onset, whereas cytotoxic T lymphocytes appeared by day 5. This study presents a reference for interpreting the immunological response to breakthrough infectious disease in humans.

Life-course socioeconomic position and the gut microbiome in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL)

Socioeconomic position (SEP) in childhood and beyond may influence the gut microbiome, with implications for disease risk. Studies evaluating the relationship between life-course SEP and the gut microbiome are sparse, particularly among Hispanic/Latino individuals, who have a high prevalence of low SEP. We use the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL), a population-based cohort study conducted in four field centers in the United States (U.S.), to evaluate the association between life-course SEP and gut microbiome composition. Life-course SEP indicators included parental education (proxy of childhood SEP), current SEP (n = 2174), and childhood (n = 988) and current economic hardship (n = 994). Shotgun sequencing was performed on stool samples. Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes was used to identify associations of life-course SEP indicators with gut microbiome species and functions. Parental education and current SEP were associated with the overall gut microbiome composition; however, parental education and current education explained more the gut microbiome variance than the current SEP. A lower parental education and current SEP were associated with a lower abundance of species from genus Bacteroides. In stratified analysis by nativity, we found similar findings mainly among foreign-born participants. Early-life SEP may have long-term effects on gut microbiome composition underscoring another biological mechanism linking early childhood factors to adult disease.

MTD: A cloud-based omics database and interactive platform for Myceliophthora thermophila

Nowadays, biological databases are playing an increasingly critical role in biological research. Myceliophthora thermophila is an excellent thermophilic fungal chassis for industrial enzyme production and plant biomass-based chemical synthesis. The lack of a dedicated public database has made access to and reanalysis of M. thermophila data difficult. To bridge this gap, we developed MTD (https://mtd.biodesign.ac.cn/), a cloud-based omics database and interactive platform for M. thermophila. MTD integrates comprehensive genome annotations, sequence-based predictions, transcriptome data, curated experimental descriptions, and bioinformatics analysis tools, offering a comprehensive, one-stop solution with a 'top-down' search strategy to streamline M. thermophila research. The platform supports data reproduction, rapid querying, and in-depth mining of existing transcriptome datasets. Based on analyses using data and tools in MTD, we identified shifts in metabolic allocation in a glucoamylase hyperproduction strain of M. thermophila, highlighting changes in fatty acid biosynthesis and amino acids biosynthesis pathways, which provide new insights into the underlying phenotypic alterations. As a pioneering resource, MTD marks a key advancement in M. thermophila research and sets the model for developing similar databases for other species.

Heterogeneous microstructure induces floatation in high-rate anammox granules

The floatation of anammox granules can be a serious challenge in practical wastewater treatment, as it can deteriorate reactor performance and cause bacterial loss. To deepen the understanding of floatation mechanism, in this study, both the floating (F-AnGS) and settling anammox granules (S-AnGS) from a high-rate anammox reactor were comparatively investigated. F-AnGS demonstrated 1.6 times higher specific anammox activity compared to S-AnGS, but only 65 % of produced gas could be successfully released, as quantified by anaerobic respirometry. In addition to the overall EPS accumulation, F-AnGS exhibited a heterogeneous microstructure distinct from that of S-AnGS, as revealed by 3D X-ray microscopic imaging at the single granule level. The heterogeneous distribution of EPS, which can form a dense surface layer, was the main cause for granule floatation. The heterogeneous microstructure of F-AnGS can reduce the distance between microorganisms and enhance the metabolic interaction between anammox bacteria and heterotrophs. The abundance of community members did not have a significant variation, but the functional genes related to anammox and partial denitrification pathway were significantly increased, indicating the enhanced nitrite loop in F-AnGS. This study proposed new structural insights into mechanism of anammox granule floatation, suggesting the appropriate activity control of granule-based anammox process.

Nociceptive effects and gene alterations of CMIT/MIT mixture in zebrafish embryos and larvae

Nociception is a critical biological process that facilitates detecting and avoiding harmful stimuli. Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (CMIT) are biocidal agents widely used in disinfectants and cosmetics, however, their effects on nociceptive pathways and neurotoxicity remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated the neurotoxic and nociceptive effects of CMIT/MIT mixtures in zebrafish models. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to CMIT/MIT, and their behavioral and molecular responses to nociceptive stimuli were assessed. Acute exposure (4 -72 h post-fertilization) to CMIT/MIT (15 and 30 μg/L) led to heightened behavioral responses to noxious stimuli, significantly increasing velocity and neuronal activity. Molecular analysis revealed the upregulated expression of nociception-related and inflammatory markers. Subchronic exposure (4 hpf to 28 days post-fertilization) to lower CMIT/MIT concentrations resulted in prolonged freezing responses and reduced the movement in zebrafish larvae. Protein-protein interaction analysis further identified key pathways, including calcium signaling, MAPK, and neuroinflammation, affected by CMIT/MIT exposure. This study provides evidence that even low levels of CMIT/MIT exposure can enhance nociceptive responses by activating sensory neurons and modulating inflammatory pathways, raising concerns about the neurotoxic potential of these widely used biocidal compounds.

Gut dysbiosis from high-salt diet promotes glioma via propionate-mediated TGF-β activation

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of a high-salt diet (HSD), which is commonly found in Western countries, on the progression of glioma. Our research shows that the alterations in gut microbiota caused by an HSD facilitated the development of glioma. Mice fed an HSD have elevated levels of intestinal propionate, which accelerated the growth of glioma cells. We also find that propionate supplementation enhanced the response of glioma cells to low oxygen levels. Moreover, we identify a link between TGF-β signaling, response to low oxygen levels, and invasion-related pathways. Propionate treatment increases the expression of HIF-1α, leading to an increase in TGF-β1 production. Additionally, propionate treatment promotes glioma cell invasion through TGF-β signaling. Our findings suggest that an HSD-induced increase in propionate plays a crucial role in glioma progression by facilitating invasion through the hypoxic response and TGF-β signaling pathways, thereby establishing a significant connection between gut microbiota and the progression of glioma.

Atlas of temporal molecular pathological alterations after traumatic brain injury based on RNA-Seq

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) involves diverse molecular pathological alterations and biological processes in a temporally dynamic manner. However, current knowledge on the various processes during the acute phase of TBI is still rather limited. RNA-seq analysis was performed on brain tissues from C57/BL6 mice at 10 time points(0 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 6 h, 12 h, 1d, 3d, and 7d) following TBI modeling. Subsequently, a bioinformatics approach, Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), was employed to identify characteristic modules, which were then validated using the Mfuzz method. Pathway enrichment analysis was conducted on WGCNA module genes, and hub genes were screened using the STRING database. After exploring the various potential pathways and expression patterns (neuroinflammation, cognition, gliosis and myelin regeneration etc.), we focus on pyroptosis, a inflammatory cell death influencing immune response, for in-depth analysis. RT-qPCR, Western blot(WB) and Immunofluorescence(IF) were used to validate the hub genes and key pyroptosis-related genes(Casp1, Casp11, GSDMD). Additionally, single-cell RNA sequencing data at 7 day post injury(dpi) was also used to validate the expression of the identified hub genes. Our approach to intensive transcriptomic analysis comprehensively reveals the temporal molecular pathological alterations during TBI progression. Pyroptosis may be a key mechanism in the neuroinflammatory process. Intervention strategies targeting specific molecular pathways may offer novel approach for the treatment of TBI.

Analyzing the contribution of top-down and bottom-up methods to the construction of synthetic microbial communities in Jiuyao

The construction of synthetic microbial communities is a crucial strategy for improving the stability of microbial populations and the quality of fermented foods. Jiuyao, an essential saccharification and fermentation starter in Huangjiu production, was the focus of this study. Using metagenomics combined with culture-dependent methods, we identified 11 microbial species involved in Huangjiu fermentation. Through metagenomic analysis and simulated fermentation, Rhizopus delemar, Rhizopus microspores, Rhizopus stolonife, Rhizopus azygosporus, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Wickerhamomyces anomalus and Pediococcus pentosaceus were determined to be the core microbial species driving the Jiuyao fermentation process. A synthetic microbial community was constructed based on these species, successfully reproducing the flavor and sensory qualities of Huangjiu while enhancing fermentation efficiency. This study provides valuable insights into the functional roles of Jiuyao-associated microbes and offers a framework for improving microbial community stability and fermentation quality in Huangjiu production.

Metagenomic driven isolation of poorly culturable species in food

Although isolating microorganisms from food microbiota may appear less challenging than from the gut or environmental sources, recovering all representative species from food remains a difficult task. Here, we showed by metagenomic analysis that several abundant species had escaped isolation in a previous study of ten cheeses, including several previously uncharacterized species. This highlights the ongoing challenge of achieving a comprehensive recovery of microbes from food. To address this gap, we designed a novel strategy integrating metagenomics-based probes targeting the species of interest, coupled with an incremental culturing approach using pooled samples. As proof of concept, we applied this strategy to two cheeses containing species that were not isolated in our previous study, with the objective of isolating all species present at levels above 2% and, in particular, potential novel food species. Through this approach, we successfully performed the targeted isolation of two Psychrobacter and two Vibrio species from the first cheese, and four Halomonas and two Pseudoalteromonas species from the second one. Notably, P. undina and V. litoralis represented, as far as we know, the first cheese isolates characterized for these species. However, we were unable to isolate a novel species of Pseudoalteromonas, with no characterized representative to date, and Marinomonas foliarum, previously isolated from marine environment. Using metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and metagenomic analysis, we discussed the possible reasons for their non-recovery. Finally, this strategy offers a promising approach for isolating a set of strains representative of the microbial diversity present in food ecosystems. These isolates can serve as a basis for investigating their roles in the communities, their impact on product development, safety implications and their potential in the development of starter cultures.

FERONIA interacts with NPL4 to regulate immunity gene mRNA nucleocytoplasmic transport in response to plant immunity

Nucleocytoplasmic transport plays a critical role in the activation of immune mechanisms in plant cells. Fluorescence imaging analysis indicated that a high concentration of rapid alkalinization factor (RALF) suppresses the immune response and can induce nuclear envelope (NE) shape deformation. This phenomenon depends on the receptor kinase FERONIA (FER). Consistently, bacterial infection also affects NE shape. This study presents evidence that FER displays functional interactions with NPL4 and that phosphorylated NPL4 promotes its stability. We reported the identification and characterization of the nuclear localization protein NPL4, which is directly involved in general mRNA nuclear export. FER and NPL4 mutations both affected rhizosphere Pseudomonas colonization levels, suggesting that the interactions between FER and NPL4 are largely indispensable for regulating rhizosphere Pseudomonas colonization levels. In addition, NPL4 altered the mRNA nucleocytoplasmic distribution of immune genes in conjunction with the function of RALF-FER in the suppression of plant immunity. In brief, NPL4, which is downstream of FER is required for innate immunity and mRNA nuclear accumulation of resistance genes in Arabidopsis. Overall, through the analysis of RALF-FER and the nuclear localization protein NPL4, this work provides novel insights into the mRNA nucleocytoplasmic transport of immune genes and plant health.

Genome analysis of manure and soil-dwelling Acinetobacter strains indicates potential health risks associated with antibiotic resistance and virulence factors

The genus Acinetobacter includes opportunistic pathogenic species of increasing clinical importance due to their ability to resist multiple antibiotics and to face multiple environmental stresses. Here, comprehensive whole-genome analysis was used to reveal the presence of genes potentially related to pathogenicity in 11 tetracycline-resistant Acinetobacter isolates from manure of dairy cows under tetracycline and amoxicillin prophylaxis and from soils affected by this manure. The isolates were identified as Acinetobacter pseudolwoffii, A. gerneri, A. gandensis, and A. amyesii and screened their genomes for the presence of genes related to host colonization, infection, or environmental persistence. We detected 164 genes of antimicrobial resistance, virulence factors, mobile genetic elements, or biofilm formation. All isolates were predicted to be human pathogens with high probability (0.7-0.8) and the manure isolates identified as A. pseudolwoffii carried a top-risk human-associated aminoglycoside resistance gene. The phenotypic characterization of the isolates showed that they could all grow at 37 °C, some up to 41 °C, and that they showed differential susceptibility to several antibiotics, with one isolate identified as A. gandensis being multi-resistant. Our analyses suggest that environmental Acinetobacter strains from fresh manure and manured soils possess risky antibiotic-resistance genes and phenotypic traits of clinical relevance indicating potential pathogenicity.

Lactobacillus salivarius alleviated dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in mice by mitigating oxidative stress and inflammatory responses through modulation of the intestinal flora

Colitis is a multifactorial inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involving intestinal barrier dysfunction, immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and microbiota imbalance. Lactobacillus salivarius (L. salivarius), a probiotic with antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, was evaluated in a mouse model of DSS-induced colitis. Treatment with L. salivarius significantly reduced weight loss, colon shortening, and disease activity index, while improving histopathological damage. DSS-induced colitis exhibited significant oxidative stress, evidenced by decreased total antioxidant capacity, increased malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced activity of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px). After the intervention of L. salivarius, MDA levels in colon tissues decreased significantly, while SOD and GSH-Px activities increased significantly. In DSS-induced colitis models, the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (such as TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1β) was significantly increased, while the expression of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was decreased. After the intervention of L. salivarius, the level of proinflammatory factors was significantly down-regulated, while the level of IL-10 was up-regulated. DSS treatment leads to a significant imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, characterized by an increase in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes (F/B ratio). The abundance of pathogenic bacteria (Alistipes, Candidatus_Soleaferrea, Frisingicoccus, Romboutsia, Streptococcus) increased, while beneficial bacteria (Anaerotruncus, Rikenella) decreased. After probiotic administration, the F/B ratio was restored significantly, and the abundance of important beneficial bacteria increased while the abundance of pathogenic bacteria decreased. These results suggest that L. salivarius alleviates DSS-induced colitis by enhancing antioxidant defense, regulating inflammatory responses, and restoring gut microbiota balance. This probiotic may offer a promising therapeutic strategy for managing ulcerative colitis (UC).

Extreme winter environment dominates gut microbiota and metabolome of white-lipped deer

Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) is marked by harsh environments that drive the evolution of unique nutrient metabolism mechanism in indigenous animal gut microbiotas. Yet, responses of these microbiotas to different extreme environments remain poorly understood. White-lipped deer (Przewalskium albirostris), a native endangered species in the QTP, serves as an ideal model to study how gut microbiotas adapt to season and human disturbances. Here, a multi-omics integrated analysis of 16S rRNA, metagenomics, and untargeted metabolomics was performed to investigate the composition, function, and metabolic characteristics of gut microbiota in White-lipped deer across different seasons and living environments. Our results revealed that extreme winter environment dominated the composition, function, and metabolism of gut microbiota in white-lipped deer. The white-lipped deer exhibited an enriched gut microbiota associated with producing short-chain fatty acids in winter, with core feature genera including norank_o_Rhodospirillales, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, and unclassified_c_Clostridia. However, potential pathogenic bacteria and few short-chain fatty acid producers, with core feature genera including norank_f_p-2534-18B5_gut_group, Cellulosilyticum, and Paeniclostridium, showed enrichment in captivity. Pathways associated with carbohydrate metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and immune regulation showed enrichment in winter group as an adaptation to the cold and food scarcity. Among these, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group and unclassified_c_Clostridia contributed significantly to these metabolic pathways. The gut microbiota of white-lipped deer exhibited enrichment in pathways related to intestinal inflammation and enhanced immune regulation to alleviate the stress of captivity. Among these, norank_f_p-2534-18B5_gut_group contributed the most to these pathways. Butyric, valeric, and valproic acids were significantly more abundant in the winter group, while 3-hydroxybutyric and (S)-beta-aminoisobutyric acids were higher in the captive group. Furthermore, enriched metabolites and associated pathways in both groups further supported the inferences on metagenomic functions. This study confirms the key role of specific gut microbiota in adapting to high-altitude winters and anthropogenic disturbances, emphasizing its importance for environmental resilience in wild, high-altitude mammals.

Gut microbiota-derived butyrate alleviates the impairment of mice intestinal integrity caused by Toxoplasma gondii infection

Chronic infection with Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) results in severe damages to the integrity of intestinal barrier, however, both the underlying mechanism and feasible intervention strategies are still little known. Here, we found that both the chronic infection of T. gondii and transplanting gut microbiota from T. gondii-infected mice severely impaired the mice intestinal integrity, which was characterized by significantly decreased thickness of inner mucus layer and down-regulated expression of three tight junction proteins Occludin, ZO-1, and Claudin (p < 0.05). Moreover, T. gondii infection also led to mice intestinal microbiota dysbiosis, especially butyrate-producing bacteria, and significantly changed the expression of several senescence-associated markers, including 6- and 7- fold upregulation for P16, P21, and 6-fold downregulation for Lamin B1 at mRNA levels, and 2-fold downregulation for β-galactosidase at protein levels (p < 0.05). Interestingly, subsequent administration with dietary butyrate could alleviate T. gondii-induced intestinal integrity impairment and cell senescence, revealing a significant increase of the inner mucus layer thickness (p < 0.001), and a remarkable decrease in P16, P21, β-galactosidase expression levels while an upregulation of Lamin B1 expression (p < 0.05). Taken together, our study revealed that T. gondii-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota, especially butyrate-producing bacteria, contributes to the intestinal impairment, potentially via promoting cell senescence. In addition, administration with the metabolite, butyrate, could be a promising therapeutic measure against T. gondii infection.

Phylogenomic analyses revealed a new lineage of house mouse (Mus musculus) in Gyirong Basin of Xizang Autonomous Region, China

In the present study, we collected 20 individuals and 12 individuals of wild mice from the Gyirong Basin of Xizang Autonomous Region in China and Sudurpashchim in Nepal. Phylogeny and genetic structure inferred from different types of genomic markers suggest that these samples all belong to Mus musculus, among which individuals from Gyirong Basin represent a new genomic lineage (named as M. m. gyirongus), and samples from Sudurpashchim represent an intermediate population between the central population and M. m. castaneus. M. m. gyirongus, along with M. m. domesticus and M. m. musculus, differentiated from the central population compactly during ∼ 272,000-251,000 years ago in the interglacial period. Three lineages all experienced continuous population decline before ∼ 70,000 years ago. Then, they underwent population fluctuations at different periods that might have been impacted by climate changes, migration history, and human activities. Genes related to the structure and function of neural synapses, reproduction and development, regulation of cell cycle and carcinogenesis, and immune response have undergone positive selection in the genome of M. m. gyirongus. The discovery of M. m. gyirongus not only helps us to better understand the evolutionary history of M. musculus, but also provides new regional resources for breeding novel laboratory mouse strains.

Mitigating the risk of antibiotic resistance and pathogenic bacteria in swine waste: The role of ectopic fermentation beds

The ectopic fermentation bed (EFB) is used to recycle animal waste, but the fate and dynamic change of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) with biocide or heavy metal resistance genes (B/MRGs) and pathogens remain unclear. We performed metagenomic sequencing on 129 samples to study the resistome and bacteriome in pig feces from 24 farms, comparing these profiles with EFBs from five farms, and one farm's EFB was monitored for 154 days. Results showed pig feces from different cities (Chengdu, Meishan, and Chongqing) shared 284 of 311 ARG subtypes, with over 70 % being high-risk ARGs, and 106 of 114 pathogenic bacteria. Swine farms were heavily contaminated with co-occurrences of risky ARGs, B/MRGs, and pathogenic hosts, particularly Escherichia coli and Streptococcus suis being hosts of multidrug ARGs. The application of EFBs markedly mitigated these risks in feces, showing a 3.09-fold decrease in high-risk ARGs, a 72.22 % reduction in B/MRGs, a 3.95-fold drop in prioritized pathogens, an 89.09 % decline in the relative abundance of pig pathogens, and a simplification of their correlation networks and co-occurrence patterns. A mantel analysis revealed that metal contents (Fe, Mn, and Cu) and time influenced pathogen and ARG profiles. Pathogens, ARGs, and risk ARGs exhibited periodic variations, peaking at days 14, 84, and 154, with 70-day intervals. This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with pig feces and EFBs and demonstrates that EFBs reduce ARG risks by inhibiting their associations with B/MRGs and pathogens. These findings can help guide and improve the management of antimicrobial resistance and pathogenic contaminants in EFB applications to reduce environmental pollution.

Unveiling gut microbiota and metabolic functions contributed to polyvinyl chloride degradation in Spodoptera frugiperda larvae

The accumulation of synthetic plastic waste, particularly polyvinyl chloride (PVC), threatens ecosystems globally. While microbial biodegradation represents a sustainable solution, limited effective PVC-degrading microbial bioresources have been identified. Here, we investigated the gut microbiota of Spodoptera frugiperda larvae, revealing a consistent microbial profile dominated by Enterococcus in both gut contents and tissues. PVC film feeding induced significant microbiota shifts, with functional parallels to PVC powder-fed Tenebrio molitor larvae despite taxonomic divergence. Through enzyme-centric analysis, we found an Enterococcus casseliflavus strain from the gut of S. frugiperda larvae could encode a NAD-dependent oxidoreductase that directly dechlorinates additive-free PVC, representing the first case of enzymatic polymer dechlorination. This enzyme reduced PVC molecular weight (Mn: 12.02 %; Mw: 14.07 %) and notably liberated chloride ions (6.48 mg/L with NADH as a co-factor). Our findings demonstrate the PVC-degrading capacity of S. frugiperda gut microbiota and reveal its dechlorination mechanism, offering an enzymatic candidate for developing novel biocatalysts and engineered microbial strains for enhanced biodegradation. By unravelling insect-associated microbes and enzymes, this work lays a theoretical foundation for their application potentials in sustainable PVC wastes upcycling and microplastic remediation.

Characteristics of microbial carbon pump in the sediment of kelp aquaculture zone and its contribution to recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon turnover: insights into metabolic patterns and ecological functions

The study delves into the microbial carbon pump (MCP) within the sediments of kelp aquaculture zones, focusing on its influence on the turnover of recalcitrant dissolved organic carbon (RDOC). Following kelp harvest, significant alterations in the microbial community structure were noted, with a decrease in complexity and heterogeneity within co-occurrence networks potentially impacting RDOC production efficiency. Metabolic models constructed identified four key microbial lineages crucial for RDOC turnover, with their abundance observed to decrease post-harvest. Analysis of metabolic complementarity revealed that RDOC-degrading microorganisms exhibit broad substrate diversity and are engaged in specific resource exchange patterns, with cross-feeding interactions possibly enhancing the ecological efficiency of the MCP. Notably, the degradation of RDOC was found not to deplete the RDOC pool; as aromatic compounds break down, new ones are released into the environment, thus supporting the renewal of the RDOC pool. The research highlights the pivotal role of microbial communities in RDOC turnover and offers fresh insights into their cross-feeding behavior related to RDOC cycling, providing valuable data to support the future development and application of MCP theory.

Higher order volatile fatty acid metabolism and atypical polyhydroxyalkanoate production in fermentation-enhanced biological phosphorus removal

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) is an established wastewater treatment process, but its wider implementation has been limited by factors like high temperature and low carbon availability. Fermentation-enhanced EBPR (F-EBPR) processes have shown promise in addressing these limitations, but the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. This study investigates the metabolism of higher order (C4-5) volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in F-EBPR systems using a combination of carbon isotope labelling and shotgun metagenomic sequencing analyses. Results show that butyrate (HBu) uptake leads to the formation of both typical (C4-5) and atypical (C6+) polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) through a combination ofβ-oxidation and standard condensation pathways, while the putative role of HBu oxidisers were identified relative to substrate composition in F-EBPR processes. Metagenomic analysis reveals the presence of genes required for higher order VFA metabolism in both polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs). This study also highlights the limitations of current models in describing F-EBPR processes and emphasises the need for improved models that account for higher order VFA metabolism and microbial community dynamics.

Key genes and microbial ecological clusters involved in organophosphate ester degradation in agricultural fields of a typical watershed in southwest China

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are widely used as flame retardants and plasticizers, and they have raised global concern due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and potential toxicity. However, OPE contamination characteristics and microbial degradation mechanisms in agricultural soils remain poorly understood. This study investigated agricultural soils from the riparian zone of the Anning River Basin in southwest China. The concentrations of 12 OPEs were determined using gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The results revealed that the total OPE concentration was moderate, with triethyl phosphate being the most abundant compound. Metagenomic techniques and Bayesian linear regression analysis were employed in combination with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes database to identify potential degradation pathways for triethyl phosphate and tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate. The phoA, phoB, phoD, and glpQ genes, which encode phosphatases, catalyze ester bond cleavage, thereby facilitating the degradation of OPEs. Further microbial interaction network analysis identified core OPE-degrading microorganisms, including Pimelobacter simplex, Nocardioides sp. JS614, Nocardioides daphniae, and Methylocystis heyeri. Additionally, neutral community models indicated that environmental selection drives microbial community structure. In conclusion, this study provides an in-depth understanding of OPE contamination and its microbial degradation mechanisms in agricultural soils, offering theoretical insights for pollution management and remediation strategies.

Role of PRC2 in the stochastic expression of Aire target genes and development of mimetic cells in the thymus

The transcriptional targets of Aire and the mechanisms controlling their expression in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) need to be clarified to understand Aire's tolerogenic function. By using a multi-omics single-cell approach coupled with deep scRNA-seq, we examined how Aire controls the transcription of a wide variety of genes in a small fraction of Aire-expressing cells. We found that chromatin repression by PRC2 is an important step for Aire to achieve stochastic gene expression. Aire unleashed the silenced chromatin configuration caused by PRC2, thereby increasing the expression of its functional targets. Besides this preconditioning for Aire's gene induction, we demonstrated that PRC2 also controls the composition of mTECs that mimic the developmental trait of peripheral tissues, i.e., mimetic cells. Of note, this action of PRC2 was independent of Aire and it was more apparent than Aire. Thus, our study uncovered the essential role of polycomb complex for Aire-mediated promiscuous gene expression and the development of mimetic cells.

Revealing the critical role of rare bacterial communities in shaping antibiotic resistance genes in saline soils through metagenomic analysis

Salinity is considered one of the basic abiotic factors influencing the diversity and distribution of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in soils, yet little is known about the distribution and driving factors of ARGs in naturally saline soils. In this study, metagenomic analysis was conducted to explore the intricate dynamics among soil salinity, microbial community structure and ARGs propagation, with a particular focus on the key contribution of rare potential-hosts of ARGs in light and heavy saline soils. The findings revealed that salinity was significantly negatively correlated with the abundance of ARGs, light saline soils hosted a greater abundance of ARGs than high saline soils, with particularly significant enrichment in genes conferring resistance to multidrug, vancomycin, bacitracin and tetracenomycin C. Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria were identified as primary hosts for ARGs. Notably, rare potential hosts of ARGs play a crucial role in shaping the abundance of ARGs despite their low relative abundance (0.85 %), significantly influencing the relative abundance of ARGs in light and heavy saline soils. The average degree of rare potential-hosts of ARGs was found to be higher in light saline soils (average degree = 45.729 and 25.923 in light and heavy saline soils, respectively), and there was stronger interaction connected between microorganisms (edges = 35,760 and 20,259 in light and heavy saline soils, respectively). Also, microbial community niche width and niche overlap of rare potential-hosts of ARGs in light saline soils were significantly greater than that in heavy saline soils. This work emphasizes the importance of bacterial communities of rare potential-hosts of ARGs on antibiotic resistome, and provides advanced insights into the fate and dissemination of ARGs in saline soils.

Integrated transcriptomics and metabolomics analyses reveal jasmonic acid metabolic pathways for improving the chilling tolerance in cotton seedlings

Cotton (Gossypium spp.) originated in tropical and subtropical regions, spreading to higher latitudes through domestication while retaining thermophilic characteristics. Xinjiang, a major cotton-producing area in China, frequently experiences 'late spring cold snaps' due to its location, causing chilling injury during critical sowing periods. Current research on cotton chilling stress primarily focuses on physiological studies such as evaluations of chilling stress and biochemical indices but lacks systematic investigation into the difference among varieties. Phenotypic screening across seed germination, cotyledon, and seedling stages identified upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) cultivar, Junmian1 exhibits superior cold tolerance relative to the sensitive genotype C1470. Under chilling stress, Junmian1 protects chloroplasts and other cellular structures in its first true leaf to survive the chilling stress. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) analysis pinpointed Module Brown as a chilling-tolerance responsive hub, with subsequent validation via virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) confirming the regulatory roles of GhRBL (Ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase), GhGI (GIGANTEA), and lncRNA MSTR.1631 in cold tolerance. Additionally, integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses demonstrated that jasmonic acid plays a crucial role in enhancing cotton's chilling tolerance at seedling stage. The primary difference in chilling tolerance between Junmian1 and C1470 is attributed to the signaling efficiency of the jasmonic acid synthesis and metabolism pathways. These findings establish JA metabolic engineering as a viable approach for enhancing cold resilience in early-stage cotton seedlings.

Rhizosphere metabolite dynamics in continuous cropping of vineyards: Impact on microflora diversity and co-occurrence networks

The metabolism of the crop rhizosphere affects microflora diversity and nutrient cycling. However, understanding rhizosphere metabolism in suitable crops within arid desert environments and its impact on microflora interactions remains limited. Through metagenomic and non-targeted metabolomic sequencing of rhizosphere soils from one uncultivated land and four vineyards with cropping years of 5, 10, 15 and 20 years, the critical importance of rhizosphere metabolites in maintaining bacterial and fungal diversity was elucidated. The results revealed that Nocardioides, Streptomyces, and Solirubrobacter were the relatively abundant bacterial genera in rhizosphere soils, while Rhizophagus, Glomus, and Pseudogymnoascus were the relatively abundant fungal genera. The composition of rhizosphere metabolic changed significantly during the continuous cropping of grapevines. Dimethylglycine, Formononetin, and Dehydroepiandrosterone were the most important metabolites. Enrichment analysis revealed significant involvement of metabolic pathways such as biosynthesis of amino acids, unsaturated fatty acids, and linoleic acid metabolism. Procrustes analysis highlighted stronger correlations between rhizosphere metabolites and bacterial community compared to those of fungal community. This suggests distinct responses of microflora to crop-released chemical elements across different soil habitats. Co-occurrence network analysis demonstrated complex associations between rhizosphere metabolites and soil microflora, the positive correlations between rhizosphere metabolites and microflora networks predominated over negative correlations. Partial least squares path model indicated that the effect of cropping years on rhizosphere metabolites was greater than that on bacterial microflora diversity. Futhermore, pH, total phosphorus, and alkali-hydrolyzed nitrogen were the key environmental factors affecting rhizosphere metabolites and microbial diversity. These results deepen our valuable insights into the complex biological processes that rhizosphere metabolites influence on microorganisms, and provide strong support for maintaining microbial diversity in farmland soils in arid regions.

Abundance of a metabolically active subpopulation in dedifferentiated adipocytes inversely correlates with body mass index

OBJECTIVE

The cellular composition and functionality of adipose tissue are key determinants of metabolic diseases associated with adipose tissue dysregulation, such as obesity. We hypothesized that distinct subpopulations with unique gene expression profiles and functional characteristics exist within human adipocytes.

METHODS

Dedifferentiated adipocytes (DFAT), obtained by ceiling culture of human adipocytes, were analyzed using single-cell RNA sequencing (10x Genomics). Clustering analysis identified one subpopulation with a particular gene signature containing muscle cell genes which was further characterized by bulk-sequencing and analyzed alongside different cohorts of human adipose tissue.

RESULTS

This subpopulation, named cluster 7 (C7), was isolated by FACS using two specific surface markers: cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) and melanoma cell adhesion molecule (MCAM/CD146). Upon differentiation into adipocytes, the FACS-isolated CD36+/CD146+ cells (C7∗) showed an increased oxygen consumption rate compared to CD36-/CD146-cells (control cells) and non-sorted cells. Bulk RNA-sequencing revealed important pathways regulated in the differentiated C7∗ subpopulation that may contribute to its increased metabolic activity. Furthermore, the relative abundance of this specific cluster varied across eleven different human donors, demonstrating an inverse correlation between the proportion of C7∗ cells and the body mass index (BMI) of the respective donor. Importantly, a subset of genes regulated within this subpopulation also correlates with clinically relevant metabolic parameters, including weight, BMI, glycated hemoglobin, and plasma insulin, when analyzed alongside the gene expression of a large cohort of human subcutaneous adipose tissue (1759 donors).

CONCLUSION

Our results not only characterize DFAT cells derived from human adipose tissue, but also identify a specific subpopulation with increased energy expenditure that may play a role in body weight control. Future efforts to identify possible therapeutic targets or to promote the enrichment or activation of these energy-burning cells in adipose tissue might be useful in the field of cardiometabolic diseases.

Tight orchestration of wound healing phase through metal-organic compounds

Cutaneous wound healing remains a common health problem. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as an advanced therapeutic platform for promoted wound healing. However, there is a lack of MOF particles possessing excellent stability, biocompatibility, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenging ability for tight orchestration of wound healing. Herein, we synthetize therapeutic MOF particles named PgC3Zn and employ them as skin sprays for wound repair. At the inflammatory stage, the pH- and ROS-responsive Zn2+ release of PgC3Zn alleviates oxidative stress and exerts antibacterial and anti-inflammatory efficacy. During the proliferation stage, PgC3Zn promote the migration and proliferation of fibroblasts, the re-epithelialization of keratinocytes, and the angiogenesis of endothelial cells. During the remodeling stage, PgC3Zn effectively facilitate the wound closure and collagen deposition. Moreover, multiple endogenous growth factors have been identified to contribute to the wound healing process. Importantly, PgC3Zn exhibit excellent biocompatibility and remarkably accelerate the healing process in both acute and infected rat full-thickness skin wound models in vivo. Consistently, transcriptomic data illustrate the multi-stage and multi-functional regulation effects of PgC3Zn in promoting wound healing. This study proposes versatile and biocompatible PgC3Zn MOF particles with potentials for enhancing the management of acute and infected skin wounds.

Establishment of an ovarian cell line from tomato grouper (Cephalopholis sonnerati) and its transcriptome response to ISKNV infection

Tomato grouper (Cephalopholis sonnerati) is an economically efficient and nutritious species, whose expansion through factory farming in recent years has been hindered by the frequent occurrence of diseases, limiting the development of its aquaculture industry. The establishment of reliable cell lines is fundamental for conducting comprehensive immunological and virological research on the tomato grouper. In this study, we established an ovarian cell line from tomato grouper, designated TGGO. The TGGO cells were passaged for over 70 passages and cultured in L-15 medium supplemented with 15 % FBS at 27 °C, exhibiting a fibroblast-like morphology. It was determined that the TGGO cells were derived from the tomato grouper through mitochondrial coI gene sequencing. Karyotype analysis determined a chromosome number of 2n = 48. The survival rate of cells cryopreserved in liquid nitrogen for 5 months exceeded 70 % upon thawing. The cells were transfected with the EGFP-N3 plasmid and Cy3-labeled scrambled siRNA, and clear green and red fluorescence were observed. Additionally, the cells exhibited sensitivity to ISKNV, displaying a clear cytopathic effect (CPE) at 24 h post-infection, with viral particles observed under transmission electron microscopy. Transcriptomic analysis of ISKNV-infected TGGO cells showed significant enrichment of differentially expressed genes in pathways related to viral infection, nucleic acid replication, and immune response. Notable pathways include ECM-receptor interaction, PI3K-Akt signaling, viral protein interaction with cytokines and cytokine receptors, ribosome biogenesis, and DNA replication. These findings suggest that the TGGO cell line is susceptible to ISKNV infection and can be used to study this virus. Therefore, the TGGO cell line is anticipated to become a valuable resource for in vitro research on virology and other biological processes in tomato grouper.

Early warning on the potential harmful algal bloom species in Beibu Gulf of South China Sea under the background of climate change and human activity

Human activity and global climate change increasingly affect marine environments, leading to increases in harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by phytoplankton. These blooms pose significant threats to public health, tourism, fisheries, and ecosystems. As an important fishing ground and tourist destination, the Beibu Gulf faces growing environmental pressure. This study sought to assess the phytoplankton community structure and status of HABs, with a focus on potential HAB species. Using environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding, summer and winter surveys at both coastal and offshore waters revealed 66 potential HAB species, 23 of which were newly recorded in the Beibu Gulf. The potential HAB species exhibited greater richness and relative abundance in summer than in winter. Offshore areas showed greater diversity, whereas coastal areas showed greater relative abundance. Temperature emerged as the most influential factor shaping phytoplankton composition, and pH was found to play an important role in coastal areas. Nutrients such as silicate and ammonium are critical for the distribution of potential HAB species. Among the potential HAB species, Cyclotella cryptica predominated in coastal areas during winter, whereas Chaetoceros tenuissimus predominated in summer. Some species that caused severe HAB events in other oceanic regions were first detected in this study, including Margalefidinium polykrikoides, Karlodinium veneficum, and Prorocentrum concavum. This study revealed the diversity and complexity of the phytoplankton community in the Beibu Gulf, emphasizing the critical importance of monitoring and early warning of potential HAB species, particularly those driven by human activities and climate change.

The activity annotation of peach glycosyltransferase PpUGT78B based on engineering bacterial anthocyanin biosynthesis

Glycosylation modification allows the formation of anthocyanin from anthocyanidin, which enhances the stability of anthocyanins and improves fruit coloration and anthocyanin availability as a human functional component. Flavonoid glycosyltransferases (UFGT) are responsible for catalyzing anthocyanidin glycosylation. In the present study, to better clarify peach (Prunus persica L.) UFGT (PpUGT78B) function, an engineering bacterial system was constructed, which used the anthocyanidin synthase (ANS) gene for producing cyanidin with the incorporation of (+)-catechin precursors and further synthesized cyanidin-3-O-glucoside (C3G) with UFGT co-expression. In addition, it was found that expression of fusion proteins with ANS and UFGT could improve C3G production by about 15 %-20 % in engineering bacterial systems. Furthermore, combining the molecular modeling prediction and targeted mutagenesis, this engineering bacterial system linked some residues in PpUGT78B to glycosylation capacity, which involved F210, L148, Q393, G391, and H230, whose mutation resulted in reduced enzyme activity or even loss and also involved F203 and S29 whose mutation resulted in the increased catalytic activity. Subsequently, a natural mutation of PpUGT78B was detected by analyzing 109 peach genome re-sequencing data, and two residue mutants (E82D, V276F) were found in two peach varieties. Further, these two natural mutation sites were confirmed to reduce PpUGT78B activity in engineering bacterial systems. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of the engineering bacteria system in anthocyanin biosynthesis. It offers valuable insights into the functional and structural roles of PpUGT78B, advancing our understanding of anthocyanin glycosylation.

SETD2 regulates oocytes in vitro maturation through histone methylation and maternal mRNA degradation in yak

In vitro maturation (IVM) of oocytes is a vital aspect of assisted reproductive technology (ART), and its proper application can enhance reproductive efficiency. However, owing to the scarcity of research on the IVM of yak oocytes, its application in yak breeding remains underexplored. Therefore, in this study, we conducted high-throughput mRNA sequencing of immature and mature yak oocytes, which revealed transcriptomic changes during the IVM process in this unique high-altitude domesticated animal. Transcriptomic analysis also identified the histone methyltransferase SET domain-containing 2 (SETD2) as a key factor associated with post-translational modifications during oocyte maturation. To determine the role of SETD2 in oocytes, we employed the SETD2 inhibitor EZM0414 during oocyte maturation. Inhibition of SETD2 resulted in a significant reduction in histone methylation levels, lower oocyte maturation rate in vitro, and suppression of maternal mRNAs degradation suppression (P < 0.05). These findings indicated that SETD2 modulates oocyte maturation by regulating histone methylation and maternal mRNAs degradation. Furthermore, suppression of SETD2 markedly reduced the expression of oocyte secretion-related proteins (TSG6 and GDF9) and cumulus expansion-related protein (PTGS2), demonstrating that oocyte secretion and cumulus expansion were positively correlated with SETD2. Overall, our findings establish SETD2 as an essential regulator of yak oocyte maturation via histone methylation and maternal mRNAs degradation.

Genetic diversity of canine coronavirus identified in dogs in yulin city, southern China

The global outbreak of the novel coronavirus has renewed interest in related viral pathogens, including canine coronavirus (CCoV), which causes severe gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and vomiting in dogs worldwide. While cases of CCoV have been reported in China, specific instances in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region-a major center for dog breeding and consumption-have not been documented. In this study, we collected spleen tissue samples from dogs in Yulin city and conducted meta-transcriptomic sequencing. Bioinformatics analysis confirmed CCoV presence in these samples. Furthermore, virus screening and phylogenetic analyses identified the circulation of two CCoV genotypes within the dog population, revealing an overall prevalence of 14.2 %, with CCoV-IIb being the predominant genotype. Notably, two significant recombination events were detected among the analyzed strains. These findings provide valuable insights into the presence and genetic diversity of CCoV Yulin's dog populations, enhancing the understanding of its genetic variation and evolution.

Phylogeny of Palicoureeae (Rubiaceae) based on 353 low-copy nuclear genes - with particular focus on Hymenocoleus Robbr

Members of the tribe Palicoureeae of the coffee family (Rubiaceae) have a complex taxonomic history and have been the focus of few modern systematic studies. The tribe comprises about 1,100 tropical species in ten genera. To investigate phylogeny, we used a target capture approach and the angiosperm-wide Angiosperms353 bait set to produce genomic data for a representative taxon sample of Palicoureeae, with particular focus on the African genus Hymenocoleus. Using coalescent-based inference methods, we find that Puffia gerrardii (recently separated from Geophila) is sister to Hymenocoleus. The deepest split in Hymenocoleus is highly affected by incomplete lineage sorting, possibly as a consequence of rapid speciation during the early evolution of the clade. Remaining interspecific relationships in Hymenocoleus could be confidently resolved and while Robbrecht's traditional infrageneric classification scheme based on floral features is not supported as reflecting evolution in the group, we find that several other features do, e.g. characters of pyrenes and involucral cups. Although not free of challenges, a strong advantage with our analytical approach is that gene tree heterogeneity can be taken into account. Including flanking regions yielded data sets that had the strongest power to reject polytomies and produced less gene tree error, resulting in species trees with higher normalised quartet scores and higher average support compared to trees inferred only from exon data. Presumably paralogous loci are often filtered out prior to species tree estimation but we find that they may contribute important phylogenetic information when using an inference method that actively accounts for them.

Taxonomic reassessment of genomes from a divergent population of Streptococcus suis by average nucleotide identity analysis

Streptococcus spp., including the emerging zoonotic pathogen S. suis, represent a dominant bacterial population in the porcine nasopharynx. Species identification within the Streptococcus genus remains challenging and frequently ambiguous, resulting in indistinct species boundaries. By employing comparative genomic analyses, a previous study categorized S. suis into a central population and divergent lineages, based on the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within core genes and the presence or absence of accessory genes, indicating evolutionary divergence. The divergent lineages were designated as the "out population" in this study for clarity. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of seven putative novel Streptococcus strains isolated from the throats of healthy pigs in China exhibited 100 % similarity to that of the 684_17B strain of S. suis, which clustered in the out population. This study established a threshold average nucleotide identity (ANI) value of 93.17 % for the identification of authentic S. suis. All the 645 genomes from the out population fell below this threshold, indicating that they did not belong to S. suis. Further taxonomic assessment of the 645 genomes from the out population revealed 18 clusters based on pairwise ANI comparisons, using a 92.33 % threshold, determined by pairwise ANI comparisons among the 2422 genomes from the central population of S. suis. These clusters were identified as 12 novel Streptococcus spp. (Streptococcus sp. nov-1-12) and six known Streptococcus spp. by ANI comparisons with type or reference genomes of 98 known Streptococcus spp. The study provides a useful framework for the identification of authentic S. suis and the determination of Streptococcus sp. nov.

Gut microbiota-driven BCAA biosynthesis via Staphylococcus aureus -expressed acetolactate synthase impairs glycemic control in type 2 diabetes in South China

An increase in branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) levels can result in insulin resistance at different stages of type 2 diabetes (T2D), however, the causes of this increase are unclear. We performed metagenomics and metabolomics profiling in patients with prediabetes (PDM), newly diagnosed diabetes (NDDM), and post-medication type 2 diabetes (P2DM) to investigate whether altered gut microbes and metabolites could explain the specific clinical characteristics of different disease stages of T2D. Here we identify acetolactate synthase (ALS) a BCAA biosynthesis enzyme in Staphylococcus aureus as a cause of T2D insulin resistance. Compared with healthy peoples, patients with PDM, NDDM, and P2DM groups, especially in P2DM group, have increased faecal numbers of S. aureus. We also demonstrated that insulin administration may be a risk factor for S. aureus infection in T2D. The presence of ALS-positive S. aureus correlated with the levels of BCAAs and was associated with an increased fasting blood glucose (FBG) and insulin resistance. Humanized microbiota transplantation experiment indicated that ALS contributes to disordered insulin resistance mediated by S. aureus. We also found that S. aureus phage can reduced the FBG levels and insulin resistance in db/db mice. The ALS-positive S. aureus are associated with insulin resistance in T2D, opening a new therapeutic avenue for the prevention or treatment of diabetes.