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The upper elevation of the tree life form (treeline) is explained by temperature limitations in the carbon (C) investment in biomass (the growth limitation hypothesis, GLH). The GLH predicts that tissue concentrations of non-structural carbohydrates (NSC) increase with elevation. This prediction has received mixed support in deciduous species. In addition, other potentially relevant C sources (e.g., inner bark) and sinks (e.g., bark microbiome) have not been considered. We assessed the year-round NSC concentrations in the inner bark, roots and branches of Nothofagus pumilio at the treeline and 200 m below it in the southern Andes of Chile. We furthermore quantified the abundance of bark-associated yeasts and evaluated the relative importance of inner bark's starch and soluble sugars (SS), tree size and seasonality as predictors of the yeast abundance. NSC, starch and SS concentrations decreased in springtime in both elevations. In late spring, NSC, starch and SS concentrations were significantly lower at the treeline than below the treeline for all organs and most so for the inner bark. Bark's starch and SS concentrations were the best predictors of yeast abundance. At the treeline, yeast abundance was highly predicted by the month, peaking in spring. We found support for C limitation in the treeline formation of N. pumilio in late spring, when C reserves were at their minimum concentrations and yeasts' abundance was at their maximum. Given that yeast abundance was mostly predicted by starch and SS concentrations, our results suggest that yeasts act as a C sink, particularly at the treeline.

Controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) induces supraphysiologic levels of estrogen (E2), which have been associated with low birth weight and placental abnormalities in infants conceived through assisted reproductive technologies (ART). Uterine natural killer (uNK) cells play a crucial role in regulating placentation. Elevated E2 has been shown to disrupt both the abundance and function of uNK cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects remain incompletely understood. We established mouse models for supraphysiological E2 exposure and pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (PDTC) treatment. Placental and fetal development were evaluated through histological observation and analysis. The abundance, subtype distribution and cytokine secretion profiles of uNK cells were assessed using flow cytometry and Luminex assays. In vitro co-culture systems were employed to investigate the regulatory effect of decidual stromal cells (DSCs) on uNK cells. Additionally, we examined the roles of decidualization, NF-κB signaling, BMP2, and CXCL8 through pharmacological interventions and targeted inhibition. COS-induced elevated E2 significantly altered the abundance, subsets and cytokine secretion profiles of uNK cells, leading to reduced fetal weight and placental deficiencies in mice. Notably, supraphysiological E2 did not directly affect uNK cells but rather influenced them via DSC-dependent paracrine signaling mechanisms. High levels of E2 inhibited NF-κB pathway activity in DSCs, resulting in impaired decidualization as well as altered cytokine secretion profiles; among these alterations was a confirmed modulation by CXCL8 on the migration of uNK cells. Mechanistically, NF-κB P65 directly binds to the promoter region of BMP2 to regulate decidualization while also modulating CXCL8 secretion by binding to its promoter region. Our findings indicate that the low birth weight associated with COS may be attributed to elevated estrogen levels, which can adversely affect the differentiation and function of uNK cells. This disruption may lead to abnormal placental morphology and functionality. These findings may contribute to the prevention and intervention of adverse pregnancy outcomes related to COS.

Human activities and climate change are intensifying nitrogen loading, hypoxia, and salinity intrusion in estuarine systems, with important implications for nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. However, the interactive effects of these co-occurring stressors on N2O production remain poorly understood. Here, we combined 15N-18O tracing and molecular analyses to investigate N2O production pathways and their microbial regulation in estuarine sediment based on a series of nitrogen-oxygen-salinity incubation treatments and field observations. Results showed that low salinity under weak hypoxia significantly increased the abundance of nirS and norB genes, indicating an enhanced potential for nitrite reduction to N2O, which in turn promoted N2O production, whereas high salinity mitigated this effect by suppressing Pseudomonas abundance. Nitrate input further stimulated denitrification, amplifying N2O production under weak hypoxia treatments. Heterotrophic denitrification was the major N2O production pathway overall, while under severe hypoxia, the contribution of nitrifier denitrification increased and could reach 65.57%. Elevated oxygen promoted complete nitrification, thereby reducing the contribution of the nitrifier nitrification and nitrifier denitrification pathways. In contrast, elevated salinity enhanced nitrifier denitrification and nitrification-coupled denitrification, associated with increased abundance of Nitrosomonas and Nitrospina. Notably, the low salinity and weak hypoxia zone emerged as a hotspot of N2O production, with a doubling of nitrogen input increasing production rates by approximately 78%. Overall, these findings demonstrate that nitrogen pollution, oxygen depletion, and salinity shifts interactively regulate N2O production in estuarine sediments, highlighting high-risk conditions for N2O emissions and providing insights for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions in human-impacted estuaries.

An estimated 1 in 500 people lives with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), a disease for which genetic diagnosis can identify family members at risk and increasingly guide therapy. Variants in the MYBPC3 gene, which encodes cardiac myosin-binding protein C (cMyBP-C), account for a significant proportion of HCM cases. However, many of these are classified as variants of uncertain significance, complicating clinical decision-making. Scalable methods for variant interpretation in disease-specific cell types are crucial for understanding variant impact and uncovering disease mechanisms. We developed a scaled multidimensional mapping strategy to evaluate the functional impact of variants across a critical domain of cMyBP-C. We incorporate saturation base editing at the native MYBPC3 locus, a long-read RNA sequencing-enabled assay of variant splice effects, and measurements of HCM-relevant phenotypes, including cMyBP-C abundance, hypertrophic signaling, and ubiquitin-proteasome function in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Our multidimensional mapping strategy enabled high-resolution functional analysis of MYBPC3 variants in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes. Our massively parallel splicing assay identified novel splice-disrupting variants. Targeted transient base editing generated a comprehensive variant library at the native locus, capturing diverse variant effects on cellular HCM-relevant phenotypes. Integration of functional assays revealed that decreased cMyBP-C abundance is a key driver of HCM-related phenotypes. In parallel, downregulation of protein degradation was observed to correlate with MYBPC3 loss of function, and novel potential disease mechanisms were identified for missense variants near a critical binding domain. Bayesian estimates of variant effects enable the reclassification of clinical variants. This work provides a platform for extending genome engineering in induced pluripotent stem cells to multiplexed assays of variant effects across diverse disease-relevant cellular phenotypes, enhancing our understanding of variant pathogenicity and uncovering novel biological mechanisms that could inform therapeutic strategies.

The Ras-MAPK pathway drives central cellular processes, including cell proliferation and differentiation. How exactly Ras controls differentiation is however not understood. Supported by mathematical modeling and single-cell RNA sequencing we show that K-Ras4B sustains ciliation during differentiation thus restricting commitment of skeletal muscle stem and progenitor cells during asymmetric cell divisions. Modulation of K-Ras4B abundance or expression of oncogenic K-Ras4B-G12C perturb normal differentiation. K-Ras4B, but not N-Ras and H-Ras, localizes to the primary cilium and its abundance there depends on the ciliary trafficking chaperone PDE6D. The presence of B-Raf and active MEK at the base of and active ERK inside the cilium suggests that K-Ras4B is active there. Conditions that localize a K-Ras4B mutant only to the cilium are sufficient to sustain ciliation and normal differentiation. Finally, in vivo modulation of K-Ras4B activity during zebrafish embryogenesis perturbs ciliation-dependent heart-looping. Our results thus imply a novel fundamental role of K-Ras4B in controlling ciliation and differentiation and suggest an explanation for the phenotypic similarities between RASopathies and ciliopathies.

Malaria was the leading cause of morbidity in Timor Leste in the past which gradually declined from 223,002 cases in 2006 to 14 cases in 2020, with zero malaria deaths since 2013 leading to malaria-free certification in June 2025. We compare the changes in vector bionomics due to implementation of vector control methods and other related environmental modifications in the country between 2009 and 2016. Anopheline adults were collected from four sites using seven standard sampling methods in 2009 and 2016: full- and partial-night indoor human landing catches and outdoor human landing catches; cattle-baited net trap collections (CBTC) and cattle-baited hut collections; light trap collections; indoor resting collections and outdoor resting collections; and window trap collections. Enzyme Linked Immuno Sorbent Assay techniques were used for vector incrimination studies and insecticide susceptibility testing were carried out. Anopheles barbirostris and An. subpictus were incriminated as malaria vectors; their estimated entomological inoculation rates were 16.25 and 2.35 infectious bites per person per year, respectively. The abundance of malaria vectors decreased from 2009 to 2016; changes in their resting and biting behaviours were observed with sustained use of targeted vector control measures including long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) in combination. The number of Anopheline species encountered reduced from 13 in 2009 to 9 in 2016. CBTC yielded the most productive collection of all vector species. The biting and resting behaviours of Anophelines changed from 2009 to 2016 with more outdoor biting in 2016 compared to 2009. An. barbirostris and An. subpictus were incriminated as malaria vectors in Timor Leste. The abundance of Anophelines decreased significantly in 2016 compared to 2009 with sustained control methods. Outdoor biting predominated in 2016. Partial-night human landing catches may replace full-night human landing catches as their performances were similar. Adaptation of vectors by resting and biting outdoors, reducing the effectiveness of current indoor-focused interventions especially in a setting which shares a porous land border with West Timor province of Indonesia where malaria is prevalent is a challenge. An Integrated Vector Management approach is combining application of multiple control methods is advocated.

This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation with Guiqi Yimu powder (GYP) on the postpartum health of beef cows and the growth performance of their calves, with an emphasis on immune function, antioxidant capacity, and the bacterial flora. Twenty-two postpartum cows were randomly assigned on the day of calving to either the control group (CON) or the GYP group. The control group was fed a basal diet, and the GYP group was fed the basal diet supplemented with 300&#x2009;g/day of GYP starting on the day of calving. After 7&#x2009;days of supplementation, serum samples from the cows and calves were collected, and antioxidant indices [superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione (GSH)] as well as immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, and IgG) were analyzed. Fecal samples from cows were assessed for gut microbiota diversity and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content; milk samples were analyzed for microbial composition and immunoglobulins. GYP was administered to the cows, and calves were exposed to GYP solely through suckling. Compared with those in the CON group, calves in the GYP group presented significantly greater weaning weights and average daily gains. The calf survival rate tended to increase, whereas the incidence of diarrhea tended to decrease in the GYP group. Among cows in the GYP group, both postpartum conception rates and estrus rates tended to increase; conversely, return-to-estrus rates and semen doses per conception tended to decrease. Serum levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were elevated, whereas malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were reduced (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05) in GYP cows. Moreover, supplementation with GYP significantly increased the serum IgG levels (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05), the milk IgM, IgA, and IgG levels (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05), and the serum IgG levels in calves (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). Analysis of the gut microbiota of these cows revealed that, compared with CON, GYP improved the gut bacterial diversity and increased the relative abundances of UCG-002, Faecalibacterium, norank_f_F082, and Oscillibacter. Furthermore, examination of the milk microbiota revealed that GYP increased the relative abundances of Acetobacter, Lactobacillus, and Prevotellaceae_UCG-003. In addition, compared with CON, GYP significantly increased the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), including acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, n-butyric acid, isovaleric acid, and n-valeric acid, in the feces of postpartum cows (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;0.05). GYP improves postpartum cow health and calf performance via (1) direct antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects, (2) gut microbiota remodeling and SCFAs promotion, and (3) vertical transfer of immunoglobulins and probiotics through milk. These findings support the use of GYP as a functional feed additive for optimizing postpartum management in beef cattle.

Cellulosic textiles, constituting over 30% of global fibre production, are biodegradable but remain challenging to recycle at scale owing to their high crystallinity, chemical finishes, and heterogeneous waste streams. Although microorganisms drive cellulose turnover in natural ecosystems, their potential for transforming anthropogenic cellulosic waste remains largely unexplored. In this study, composting was evaluated both as a sustainable approach to textile biodegradation and a reservoir of cellulolytic microorganisms with biotechnological potential. Biodegradation assays of cotton and lyocell were integrated with shotgun metagenomics and targeted cultivation to identify microbial taxa and enzymes involved in cellulose degradation. Composting trials showed that degradation was strongly influenced by both composting system and fibre composition. Community composting achieved near-complete textile disintegration, while shredded textiles exhibited the highest degradation rates, reaching up to 97%. Shotgun metagenomic revealed a bacterial-dominated community enriched in Actinomycetota and Bacillota and characterised by an abundance of glycoside hydrolases. Culture-based screening recovered 62 microbial isolates, of which Neurospora and Aspergillus exhibited the highest cellulolytic activity (>60%). In vitro assays further showed that cotton was more readily degraded than lyocell, with several isolates achieving&#x202f;>70% mass loss. Metagenomic approach revealed a predominantly bacterial composting community at the sampled stage, whereas cultivation preferentially recovered fungi that, despite their low relative abundance in situ, exhibited strong cellulolytic potential. These findings highlight the potential of composting as a sustainable end-of-life strategy for cellulosic textiles and identify compost microbiomes as valuable reservoirs of cellulolytic microorganisms for the development of sustainable bioprocesses for textile waste treatment.

Enteral protein supplementation improves preterm infant growth, and may impact body composition and the gut microbiota. To identify effects of additional enteral protein supplementation on the gut microbiota and microbial and clinical drivers of body composition. Secondary analysis of a masked randomized trial of additional enteral protein versus standard fortification in preterm infants born 25-28 weeks gestation (NCT03586102). Stool at weeks 4 and 8 underwent 16S rRNA sequencing; functional potential was predicted by PICRUSt2. Body composition was measured by air-displacement plethysmography at 36 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). LASSO regression with multivariable linear regression identified body composition predictors. Among 46 infants, gestational age (p=0.16) and sex (p=0.55) did not differ between groups. The protein group had higher week 4 Shannon diversity than standard fortification (median 1.2 vs. 0.87, p=0.049). Week 4 Shannon diversity was positively correlated with fat-free mass z-score at 36 weeks PMA (r2=0.34, p=0.02). Adjusting for covariates, the protein group had higher Peptoniphilus (&#x3b2;=1.6, padj=0.10) and lower Vibrio CLR abundance (&#x3b2;=-0.98, padj=0.10); 62 predicted metabolic pathways were lower in the protein group (FDR<0.20). In combined LASSO models, Bacillus abundance at week 4 was the strongest predictor of fat-free mass z-score (&#x3b2;=-0.17, p<0.001; R2=0.80) and fat mass z-score (&#x3b2;=-0.31, p<0.001; R2=0.66). Additional protein supplementation was associated with fat-free mass z-score and alterations to the gut microbiota. Clinical variables and microbial variables were key predictors of body composition, suggesting that nutrition, clinical factors, and the gut microbiota jointly contribute to body composition in extremely preterm infants. NCT03586102, https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04325308, registered in March 2020.

Rosa roxburghi Tratt. (RRT) pomace is rich in insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) and polyphenols, but free polyphenols are susceptible to premature loss during digestion. This study constructed an IDF-polyphenol complex (IDF-PP) from RRT pomace via non-covalent adsorption and evaluated its gastrointestinal fate and in vitro colonic fermentation behavior. IDF-PP reduced premature phenolic loss during simulated upper gastrointestinal digestion and enabled a more gradual release during fermentation. Structural analyses showed fermentation-induced remodeling, generating a porous residual matrix while retaining part of the polysaccharide framework. Compared with free polyphenols and IDF, IDF-PP increased short-chain fatty acid production, especially butyrate, and was associated with higher relative abundance of Prevotella-centered Bacteroidetes taxa and Faecalibacterium, together with lower relative abundance of Proteobacteria. Fermentation products also showed enhanced antioxidant and &#x3b1;-glucosidase inhibitory activities. These findings suggest that RRT pomace-derived IDF-PP is a promising fermentation-responsive functional ingredient with potential to modulate gut microbial fermentation.

Hydrocarbon contamination of estuaries poses a major environmental concern because of persistence and ecological toxicity, while nutrient availability often limit natural attenuation by indigenous microorganisms. This study evaluated the effects of glucose and sucrose biostimulation on petroleum hydrocarbon degradation by biosurfactant-producing bacteria from Iko River estuarine sediments, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, using standard physicochemical and microbiological techniques. Heavy metal concentrations of iron (1.43&#xa0;mg/kg), vanadium (1.74&#xa0;mg/kg), zinc (3.28&#xa0;mg/kg), lead (3.01&#xa0;mg/kg), cobalt (0.09&#xa0;mg/kg), and nickel (0.43&#xa0;mg/kg) were below sediment quality guideline thresholds. The mean heterotrophic bacterial abundance was 5.57&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.9 log&#x2081;&#x2080; CFU/g, which was 2.34 times higher than the 2.38 log&#x2081;&#x2080; CFU/g recorded for hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria. Molecular characterization identified the isolates as Bacillus subtilis (MH145363.1), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MZ299002.1), Bacillus cereus (AJ277908.1), Micrococcus luteus (OP848034.1), and Bacillus luti (CP040336.1), showing 99.72-100% similarity to GenBank reference strains. Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibited 64% emulsification activity and reduced surface tension to 31.2 mN/m, indicating strong biodegradation potential. Glucose supplementation increased bacterial growth, with optical density ranging from 0.15 to 1.17 at 20% glucose by days 30-40, compared to 0.10-0.20 in the control, suggesting strong stimulation of microbial proliferation. Sucrose also enhanced growth, with optical density ranging from 0.38&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.01 to 1.01&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.02 at 20% sucrose by day 50, compared with 0.15&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.02 to 0.20&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.02 in the control. Glucose stimulation at 15% improved the abundance of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, with values ranging from 5.30&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.92 to 5.74&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.62 log&#x2081;&#x2080; CFU/mL by day 50, while the unstimulated control declined to 3.94&#x2009;&#xb1;&#x2009;0.45 log&#x2081;&#x2080; CFU/mL at the same time point, indicating nutrient limitation. Sugar amendment enhanced hydrocarbon degradation, with the highest efficiency observed at 10% glucose, recording 59.56%, followed by 5% and 15% glucose at 57.13% and 55.03% respectively, compared to 31.11% in the control. Sucrose treatments also improved degradation, with values ranging from approximately 50% to 67%, although no clear concentration-dependent trend was observed. Simple sugar biostimulation enhanced microbial growth and hydrocarbon degradation, highlighting a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable strategy for the bioremediation of hydrocarbon-impacted estuarine environments.

Hydrogenotrophic methanogens are promising biocatalysts for biomethanation and carbon dioxide utilization, yet their robustness under bioprocess perturbations remains insufficiently defined. We quantified robustness in a Methanothermobacter archaeal strain with proven potential for industrial application across temperature shifts, oxidative exposure, nitrogen depletion, and hydrogen starvation, measured five key cellular functions in batch culture, and derived a Fano factor based robustness metric that links data dispersion to functional stability. Thermal and oxidative stress were the primary constraints on robustness, most notably for methane productivity and lag phase duration, whereas hydrogen starvation increased productivity in some cases without large losses in robustness, and nitrogen depletion had limited effects. Global proteomics revealed coordinated changes consistent with these patterns, including increased ribosomal proteins, trehalose synthesis, chaperones, and redox regulators under thermal stress, and enrichment of PAS and histidine kinase domain proteins under oxidative stress. Structure-guided predictions using Alpha Fold 3 supported the hypothesis that stress responsive proteins may associate with canonical methanogenesis core subunits, as FmdE was predicted to associate with FmdE-like paralogs under thermal stress, while several Mtr subunits decreased in abundance. The combined results identify actionable targets for engineering robustness in methanogenic archaea, including stabilizing multi subunit methanogenesis complexes such as Mtr, tuning PAS and HK sensors to improve redox response, and modulating chaperone and osmoprotection capacity to regulate metabolic functions during temperature fluctuations. As derived future work, mapping protein interactions with abundance profiling may help move proteomics from description to prediction, providing network-informed design rules that complement conventional genome-centered proteomics and guide strain optimization of robust archaeal biocatalysts for biomethanation.

The contribution of human genetics in shaping the abundance of gut microbiota is small, about 5%; however, it can inform about disease etiopathogenesis, including multiple sclerosis (MS). Searching for MS-gut microbiota cross-comparison of reported genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we identified a coincident association of the disease with a commensal - Akkermansia massiliensis-in the selective Fc receptor of secretory IgA gene (FcRL3). Those two signals colocalized, supporting that lower abundance of A.massiliensis may contribute to MS predisposition. In cis, the FcRL3-MS predisposing signal downregulates the FcRL3 protein production and modulates the dynamic intron usage between na&#xef;ve and mature B-cells, which we believe to be the primary molecular mechanism associated with MS risk in this region. The signal also increases the expression of the FcRL5 gene. In trans, it reduces the expression of neuropeptide B/W receptor 1 (NPBWR1) and azurocidin (AZU1), whereas it increases the expression of the tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily, member 13B (TACI). Our view of MS etiopathogenesis suggests that low levels of FcRL3 and A. massiliensis may predispose to MS by causing impaired self-tolerance to commensal microbiota, dysregulation of B-cell function, and immune system effects on the neuroendocrine signaling by AZU1 and NPBWR1 proteins, which may be further investigated as targets for MS.

Microplastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems has emerged as a major environmental concern due to its potential impact on marine organisms and human health. The present study investigates the abundance, characteristics, and polymer composition of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of six commercially important fish and crustacean species collected from the Kochi region, India. A total of 30 specimens representing Macrobrachium idella, Portunus pelagicus, Chrysochir aureus, Etroplus maculatus, Parambassis dayi, and Glossogobius giuris were analysed. Microplastics were extracted using alkaline digestion followed by density separation and vacuum filtration. Identification and characterization were performed using microscopic analysis and Raman spectroscopy. A total of 2201 microplastic particles were detected across all samples, indicating widespread contamination. Among the species studied, Etroplus maculatus exhibited the highest microplastic abundance, while Glossogobius giuris showed the lowest. The majority of particles belonged to the size range of 0-100&#xa0;&#xb5;m, indicating a dominance of smaller fragments. The findings highlight the significant presence of microplastics in commercially consumed aquatic species, raising concerns regarding trophic transfer and potential human exposure. This study provides preliminary region-specific information on microplastic contamination in commercially important fish and crustacean species from Kochi, India. However, further studies with larger sample sizes and expanded geographic coverage are required to better understand contamination patterns and associated ecological risks.

West African savannahs provide habitats to diverse species assemblages, yet remain understudied compared to their East and Southern African counterparts. The Niokolo-Koba National Park in southeastern Senegal constitutes one of the largest remaining protected areas in West Africa and supports a mosaic of savannah and forest habitats with a diverse assemblage of medium- and large-sized mammals. Here, we analysed camera-trap data originally collected to monitor predator presence in the northwestern sector of the National Park. We deployed 37 cameras across 37&#x2009;km2 from February 2022 to March 2023, resulting in 13,080 camera-trap days. We assessed diversity indices and spatiotemporal activity patterns of large and medium-sized mammals across habitat types. Evenness values-the degree to which species abundances are distributed uniformly within a community-were higher in the savannah than in forest habitats, although overall species richness was comparable. Estimated diel activity mostly corresponded with established species-specific behavioural patterns. Our analyses revealed differential use of certain habitat types throughout the day, likely driven by spatially segregated sleeping and foraging sites. Our results provide a reference for future studies and monitoring efforts and highlight the value of the forest-savannah mosaic for the local species assemblage within the larger ecosystem of Niokolo-Koba National Park.

Nocturnal hypertension (NH) is a high-risk, underdiagnosed blood pressure (BP) phenotype strongly associated with cardiovascular morbidity. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is common in patients with NH, promotes vascular injury through sympathetic activation, inflammation, and endothelial dysfunction; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this association in patients with NH remain poorly defined. This study explored these mechanisms using targeted proteomics and endothelial cell models. Adults undergoing polysomnography (PSG) with NH, defined as nighttime BP &#x2265;120/70mmHg at the time of 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring, were included. Fasting blood samples were collected after PSG. Participants were classified as controls, defined as an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) <15eventsh-1, or severe OSA, defined as AHI &#x2265;30eventsh-1; patients with moderate OSA, defined as AHI between 15 and 30eventsh-1, were excluded to maximize contrast between groups. Participants were matched for age, sex, BMI, and nocturnal mean arterial pressure. The Olink&#xae; platform was used to quantify proteins. Differential abundance was assessed using linear models, and sparse partial least squares discriminant analysis was used to identify OSA-associated protein signatures. Endothelial integrity was assessed in cells exposed to extracellular vesicles derived from a subset of participants (n=8 controls; n=8 severe OSA). A total of 58 matched participants were included, with 29 participants per group. Overall, 70.7% were men, the median age was 48 years, and the median BMI was 29.5kg/m2. Twenty-one proteins were differentially abundant and were enriched in pathways related to cell adhesion maintenance and extracellular vesicle composition. A 13-protein signature associated with OSA showed interconnectivity and enrichment for endothelial regulatory pathways. Extracellular vesicles from patients with OSA showed a trend toward increased endothelial barrier disruption compared with controls. In patients with NH, severe OSA appears to be associated with molecular alterations indicative of endothelial dysfunction, providing preliminary mechanistic insight into elevated cardiovascular risk that may help refine risk stratification.

Chitosan oligosaccharide, as a soil amendment, is widely used to cope with various environmental stresses. This study comparatively analyzed the effects of chitosan oligosaccharide-based polymer amendment (COS-PA), ACC deaminase-producing bacterial agent (A1), and their combination (COS loaded with ACC deaminase-producing strains, CAS) on cotton vegetative growth under salt stress. The results showed that the application of COS-PA, A1, and CAS significantly reduced soil pH and EC values compared with the control. Numerically, the CAS treatment showed the most significant effects among the treatments, with soil sucrase, urease, and alkaline phosphatase activities 27.84%, 111.4%, and 33.79% higher than those of the control, respectively. Additionally, this treatment also held significantly higher leaf peroxidase and catalase activities and cotton vegetative growth parameters. Microbial analysis showed that CAS mainly improved soil microecology by changing the relative abundance and composition of fungal (Basidiomycota) and bacterial (Atescibacteria and Actinobacteria) communities. In summary, under the specific conditions of this pot experiment, the CAS application was associated with improved soil enzyme activities and cotton growth parameters. Field validation is required. This study provides a reference for the development of new soil amendments and contributes to the sustainable utilization of salinized lands.

Sweat is increasingly recognized as a valuable, non-invasive biofluid for biomarker discovery, yet its composition depends on the stimulation method. This study aimed to determine how pharmacological induction with pilocarpine compares to physiologically induced sweat through exercise in shaping the sweat proteome. We analyzed thermoregulatory sweat from exercise, pilocarpine-induced sweat, and combined pilocarpine plus exercise sweat. Total protein concentrations were similar across conditions, but pilocarpine markedly increased proteomic diversity, with combined pilocarpine plus exercise sweat showing the highest number of identifications. The core sweat proteome remained stable, while pilocarpine selectively enriched low-abundance proteins involved in vesicular trafficking, cytoskeletal remodelling, and metabolism. Proteins linked to the canonical M3-Gq-PLC-Ca2+ pathway, including AQP5, CALML5, and CLIC1, were consistently enriched, confirming cholinergic activation. Pilocarpine-induced sweat also contained plasma-derived and immune-related proteins, reflecting enhanced secretion and reduced ductal reabsorption. Exercise yields a physiologically relevant but less complex proteome, pilocarpine-induced sweat produces a pharmacologically enriched yet biased profile, and combined pilocarpine plus exercise sweat maximizes protein detection at the expense of interpretability. These findings highlight the critical impact of stimulation paradigm on sweat proteomics and provide a reference framework for biomarker research. This study employed LC-MS/MS to systematically characterize eccrine sweat and delineate how stimulation paradigms-exercise, pilocarpine, and their combination-shape its proteomic landscape. By demonstrating that pharmacological induction profoundly alters protein diversity and composition compared to physiologically induced sweat, these findings establish a critical benchmark for sweat-based biomarker research and highlight the need for paradigm-aware sampling strategies in clinical and translational contexts. Nonetheless, several methodological constraints warrant consideration: the limited sample size (five individuals per group), the exclusive inclusion of women under combined oral contraceptive treatment (21 active pills followed by 7 pill-free days), which restricts extrapolation to naturally cycling women, and the focus on healthy young adults (18-25&#x202f;years), limiting generalizability to older or clinically heterogeneous populations. Despite these limitations, this work provides a foundational framework for optimizing sweat collection protocols and advancing precision approaches in non-invasive diagnostics.

Despite the ecological importance of viruses, our understanding of their evolutionary dynamics in natural environments remains limited. This gap is particularly pronounced for giant dsDNA viruses of the phyla Nucleocytoviricota and Mirusviricota. Knowledge on their population genetic dynamics is mostly derived from a small number of laboratory-based experiments, while patterns in nature are rarely observed. To overcome this limitation, we traced the genetic structure and transcription status of Heterosigma akashiwo virus (HaV) using high-frequency, time-resolved sampling during a host bloom in a coastal area of Japan by integrating cell counting, metabarcoding, and metagenomic and metatranscriptomic sequencing. The results obtained revealed that HaV dominated the giant virus community in most samples, with relative abundance up to 56%. Despite its high abundance, the HaV population exhibited a low level of microdiversity, but had a higher pN/pS ratio than other giant viruses in the study site. Microdiversity increased during the early sampling period, peaked mid-sampling, and decreased during the later period, consistent with rapid diversification during viral expansion, which may be driven by both in situ mutations and the succession of pre-existing minor variants. Several accessory genes, including a glycosyltransferase and an endonuclease, were highly expressed, providing functional evidence consistent with host interaction-driven selective pressure during the bloom. Collectively, these results indicate that HaV population dynamics during algal blooms are shaped by host-driven selection acting on standing genetic variations.