PubMed

Int J Phytoremediation. 2026 Mar 2:1-14. doi: 10.1080/15226514.2026.2635530. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThis study evaluates the effectiveness of titanium dioxide/activated carbon (TiO2/AC) nanocomposites in enhancing the phytoremediation performance of vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides) grown in soil contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), including lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and arsenic (As). Incorporation of TiO2/AC increased the pseudo-total accumulation of PTEs in roots and shoots, with combined uptake reaching 529.98 mg kg-1 compared with 401.31 mg kg-1 in untreated plants. Shoot concentrations reached 277.85 mg kg-1 (Pb), 181.75 mg kg-1 (Cd), and 70.38 mg kg-1 (As). The adsorption behavior of TiO2/AC followed Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, with the Langmuir model showing superior fitting (R2 > 0.99), indicating monolayer adsorption onto homogeneous surfaces. Soil concentrations of Pb, Cd, and As decreased by 92%, 59%, and 70%, respectively, over four months of treatment. Biochemical analyses indicated that TiO2/AC enhanced antioxidant defense responses, increasing SOD, CAT, and POD activities while reducing malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS), indicating effective mitigation of oxidative stress. Metabolomic and proteomic analyses demonstrated enrichment of stress-related metabolites and differential expression of over 2,400 proteins associated with detoxification pathways. These results show that TiO2/AC nanocomposites improve PTE bioavailability and uptake while strengthening plant physiological responses, supporting their potential application in controlled phytoremediation systems.PMID:41770615 | DOI:10.1080/15226514.2026.2635530

Acta Parasitol. 2026 Mar 2;71(2):54. doi: 10.1007/s11686-026-01247-8.NO ABSTRACTPMID:41770444 | DOI:10.1007/s11686-026-01247-8

Biogerontology. 2026 Mar 2;27(2):67. doi: 10.1007/s10522-026-10387-3.ABSTRACTErzhi Pills (EZP), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has demonstrated potential aging-modulating properties, while its mechanisms in modulating immunosenescence remain incompletely understood. Two complementary aging murine models were employed to investigate the anti-immunosenescence efficacy of EZP, providing experimental validation for its translational application in delaying age-related immune decline. Morphological and physiological parameters were monitored and thymic/splenic organ coefficients were calculated. Histopathological evaluation of thymic involution was performed via hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) staining. Flow cytometry quantified splenic T cell subsets (naïve/memory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells). Reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analyzed mRNA expression of key immunosenescence markers (Lin28a, GDF-11, Sirt1, IL-2, IL-17), while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measured serum levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ). Metabolomic profiling further elucidated EZP's bioactive pathways. EZP administration significantly attenuated age-related degeneration in both murine models by restoring thymic and splenic architecture, as evidenced by increased organ coefficients and reduced histopathological damage. EZP rebalanced T cell homeostasis through selective expansion of naïve T cells and contraction of memory T cell subsets, with a pronounced increase in CD8+ T cell populations. At the molecular level, EZP upregulated Lin28a, Sirt1, and IL-2 expression while modulating systemic cytokine profiles-reducing TNF-α and augmenting IFN-γ in the natural aging cohort. These findings suggest EZP mitigates chronic inflammatory aging and enhances immune responsiveness of effector T cells. EZP's anti-aging mechanism was mediated by fatty acid metabolism modulation. This study provides evidence supporting EZP's potential as a novel therapeutic strategy for immunosenescence and warrants further investigation into its clinical translation for geriatric populations.PMID:41770250 | DOI:10.1007/s10522-026-10387-3

Microbiol Spectr. 2026 Mar 2:e0099125. doi: 10.1128/spectrum.00991-25. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTThe food safety landscape faces a significant challenge from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a virulent and antibiotic-resistant foodborne pathogen. This study investigates the antimicrobial properties and mechanisms of cell-free supernatant (CFS) from Bifidobacterium longum FB1-4 against MRSA. The CFS exhibited robust antibacterial activity, achieving a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 5.56 mg/mL and maintaining a bacterial elimination rate of over 80% for 8 h at 2× MIC, demonstrating superior sustained bactericidal efficacy compared to vancomycin. Antibacterial component analysis revealed that while the initial effect is partly pH-dependent, the activity is largely attributable to heat-stable molecules, retaining 90% efficacy after high-temperature treatment. In a food matrix, FB1-4 CFS exhibited impressive bactericidal effects against three MRSA strains, leading to elimination rates of 94.64% at 2 h, 98.02% at 4 h, 99.90% at 6 h, and nearly complete eradication (99.99%) by 8 h. Furthermore, FB1-4 CFS significantly suppressed all three tested MRSA strains (MRSA-43300, MRSA-337371, and MRSA-361194; P < 0.05), mecA expression, increased antibiotic susceptibility, and diminished biofilm formation by 70%. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that FB1-4 CFS modulates two-component systems and quorum sensing, leading to reduced virulence factor expression. In vivo studies confirmed a 90% reduction in MRSA colonization in mouse intestines. These findings provide critical insights into how probiotic metabolites inhibit MRSA, underscoring their potential as natural therapeutic agents in food safety.IMPORTANCEThis study unveils a novel, multi-targeted strategy against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) using the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of Bifidobacterium longum FB1-4. Integrating multi-omics analyses, we systematically demonstrate that FB1-4 CFS acts synergistically to disrupt MRSA's antibiotic tolerance, biofilm formation, virulence (via the SaeR/S system), and core metabolism. This multifaceted mechanism circumvents the resistance risk of single-target antibiotics. FB1-4 CFS also shows significant efficacy in both food matrices and an in vivo model, highlighting its dual potential as a natural food preservative and a therapeutic candidate to combat drug-resistant infections.PMID:41769981 | DOI:10.1128/spectrum.00991-25

Food Funct. 2026 Mar 2. doi: 10.1039/d5fo05136c. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTHigh-fat diet (HFD) consumption is a risk factor for multiple metabolic disorders, including male reproductive dysfunction. Resveratrol (Res), a natural polyphenolic compound derived from grapes and peanuts, has been shown to improve testicular injury. However, the protective mechanism against HFD-induced testicular injury has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to elucidate the protective effects and underlying mechanisms of Res against HFD-induced testicular injury using an integrated strategy combining network pharmacology prediction, metabolomic profiling, and experimental validation. The results showed that Res significantly ameliorated testicular injury induced by an HFD, including reduced sperm quality and impaired blood-testis barrier (BTB) integrity. Furthermore, according to the combined enrichment of network pharmacology analysis and metabolomics study, Res primarily improved HFD-induced testicular injury by inhibiting oxidative stress, regulating lipid metabolism, and modulating glutathione (GSH) metabolism. In addition, Res significantly promoted the expression of NRF2 and GPX4 proteins. These findings suggested that Res modulated the NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway, thereby improving HFD-induced testicular injury. In conclusion, Res attenuates HFD-induced testicular injury by rectifying lipid and glutathione metabolic disorders, mitigating oxidative stress, and activating the NRF2/GPX4 signaling pathway. This work highlights Res as a potential phytochemical candidate for the treatment of testicular injury induced by HFD.PMID:41769824 | DOI:10.1039/d5fo05136c

Br Poult Sci. 2026 Mar 2:1-9. doi: 10.1080/00071668.2026.2625885. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACT1. This study used the Chinese local breed, Gushi chicken, as the model to investigate the ankyrin repeat domain 9 (ANKRD9) gene. This focussed on its biological function in muscle development and regulation of inosine monophosphate (IMP), a key flavour metabolite in chicken meat.2. The dynamic expression of ANKRD9 in breast muscle tissue was analysed using qRT-PCR. Combined with transcriptomic and metabolomic technologies, the regulatory network of ANKRD9 in chicken primary myoblasts (CPM) was elucidated.3. The results indicated that ANKRD9 likely affected cellular adhesion and IMP accumulation. The ELISA assays in CPM confirmed that overexpression of ANKRD9 significantly inhibited IMP metabolism in myoblasts. This suggested this gene has a key role in the negative regulation of IMP.4. These results highlighted the critical role of ANKRD9 in regulating the flavour metabolite IMP. This provides a potential molecular target and theoretical foundation for the breeding of high-quality broilers.PMID:41769753 | DOI:10.1080/00071668.2026.2625885

Ann Clin Biochem. 2026 Mar 2:45632261433354. doi: 10.1177/00045632261433354. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Blood glucose concentrations decrease after blood collection. We recently developed novel blood collection tubes containing inosine added to sodium fluoride (NaF; FI tubes), which effectively inhibit post-collection blood glucose decline. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we examined the mechanism by which inosine inhibits blood glucose consumption by erythrocytes and assessed glucose transporter (GLUT) activity.METHODS: ATP levels were measured in erythrocytes treated with inosine, and metabolomic changes were analyzed using GC-MS. In addition, glucose uptake tests were performed.RESULTS: In patients' blood samples, FI tubes suppressed the post-collection decline in blood glucose levels more effectively than conventional NaF tubes, regardless of baseline blood glucose levels. FI tubes attenuated the time-dependent decrease in ATP levels; however, similar to that in conventional NaF tubes, ATP levels in erythrocytes in FI tubes were nearly zero after 4 h. Metabolic analysis demonstrated a decrease in the levels of glucose and glycolytic metabolites, such as 2-phosphoglycerate and phosphoenolpyruvate, in inosine-treated erythrocytes. Glucose uptake assays revealed that inosine significantly inhibited glucose uptake, indicating suppression of GLUT activity.PMID:41769712 | DOI:10.1177/00045632261433354

Front Nutr. 2026 Feb 13;13:1737860. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1737860. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: To investigate biomarker differences among patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) across body mass index (BMI) types, we analyzed clinical data from 2,013 subjects and serum samples from 402 patients. The clinical characteristics and lipoprotein subclass profiles were evaluated.METHODS: Participants were grouped based on BMI into overweight MASLD (113 participants), overweight controls (107 participants), lean MASLD (83 participants), and lean controls (99 participants). Serum samples from each group underwent nuclear magnetic resonance-based metabolomic analyses, and clinical and omics data were compared between the lean and overweight MASLD groups and paired control cohorts.RESULTS: Our study demonstrated distinct omics characteristics for lean MASLD compared with their overweight equivalents. Metabolomic analysis of the serum from the four groups identified six lipoprotein subclasses with significant diagnostic accuracy (area under the curve (AUC) > 0.7), unique to lean individuals with MASLD. In contrast, overweight patients with MASLD had 13 unique lipoprotein subclasses that exhibited a high diagnostic value. These lipoproteins correlate with clinical parameters, such as uric acid, urea, creatinine, eosinophils, blood glucose, and alanine aminotransferase.CONCLUSION: Lean and overweight patients with MASLD display unique lipoprotein omics characteristics in an Asian population, primarily involving high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) subcomponents, suggesting their potential as effective biomarkers.PMID:41769662 | PMC:PMC12947705 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2026.1737860

Front Nutr. 2026 Feb 12;13:1761992. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1761992. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTThe gut microbiome, a complex consortium of trillions of microorganisms, significantly influences human health through its metabolic activities, immune modulation, and interaction with the nervous system. Diet plays a significant role in shaping the gut microbiome, with plant-based diets promoting the colonization of beneficial bacteria and fiber fermentation, whereas meat-based diet may encourage harmful microbial shifts associated with systemic inflammation. Gut bacteria produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from dietary fibers and those are crucial for energy metabolism, intestinal integrity, and immune modulation. Certain neurotransmitters like GABA and serotonin produced by gut bacteria, play a vital role in the gut-brain axis. Dysbiosis in the gut microbiota have been linked to various psychiatric and neurological disorders like anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Beyond neurological implications, the gut microbiota also linked to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, including obesity, hypertension, and coronary artery disease, as well as colorectal cancer. Imbalances in bacterial ratios, such as Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, can impact metabolism and inflammation. This review (i) elucidates the complex interplay between nutrition and the gut microbiome, emphasizing its implications for human health and disease; (ii) critically examines the methodological and analytical limitations inherent in current metagenomic studies; and (iii) proposes an integrated, multi-layered, systems-level framework for developing predictive models of host-microbe interactions and their pathological significance.PMID:41769655 | PMC:PMC12935949 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2026.1761992

Front Nutr. 2026 Feb 13;13:1769834. doi: 10.3389/fnut.2026.1769834. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: Cultivar background may influence antioxidant-related non-volatile metabolite composition of black tea even under identical manufacturing conditions, but the compositional basis and its relationship to assay-specific antioxidant readouts remain unclear.METHODS: We conducted a controlled comparison of black teas produced from Gougunao No. 2 (G2R) and the traditional Gougunao group small-leaf cultivar (BDZ) using the same processing protocol. Untargeted metabolomics was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC-HRMS) in positive and negative ion modes, followed by differential-metabolite analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment based on the differential-metabolite list. Antioxidant-related properties were evaluated using ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), hydroxyl-radical (·OH) scavenging, ABTS radical-cation (ABTS•+) scavenging, and DPPH radical (DPPH•) scavenging, together with total phenolic content and total flavonoid content.RESULTS: Multivariate analyses showed clear cultivar-dependent separation of global metabolite fingerprints. Positive-ion data highlighted enrichment of amino-acid-related pathways, consistent with higher abundance of 10 annotated amino acids in G2R, whereas negative-ion data emphasized secondary-metabolism pathways centered on flavonoid and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, accompanied by cultivar-dependent phenolic/flavonoid-related metabolic features. Functionally, G2R exhibited higher FRAP and stronger ·OH scavenging activity than BDZ, together with 10-30% higher total phenolics and total flavonoids, while ABTS•+ showed only a small, non-significant difference and DPPH• activities were comparable between cultivars.CONCLUSION: Under the tested conditions, cultivar background is associated with coordinated amino-acid- and phenolic/flavonoid-related metabolic differences and with assay-specific antioxidant indices, suggesting that integrated metabolomics-antioxidant profiling may be useful for quality-oriented cultivar evaluation within the scope of this two-cultivar study.PMID:41769650 | PMC:PMC12946027 | DOI:10.3389/fnut.2026.1769834

PeerJ. 2026 Feb 25;14:e20719. doi: 10.7717/peerj.20719. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTPiper longum and Piper sarmentosum are plants of the Piperaceae family, rich in secondary metabolites, with various medicinal and food values. They are highly similar in morphology, but differ in their medicinal parts and pharmacological effects. To investigate the differences in the medicinal effects between P. longum and P. sarmentosum, it is of great practical significance to study and compare the metabolites of the two species. In the present work, non-targeted Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) metabolomics was used to identify and measure metabolites in roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and three developmental stages of fruit from P. longum and P. sarmentosum. 1,073 metabolites were identified, including 729 metabolites in positive ion mode and 344 metabolites in negative ion mode. We identified differential accumulated metabolites (DAMs) in different tissues between the two species, and found that the DAMs were enriched in phenylalanine metabolism, including the biogenesis pathway of alkaloid and flavonoid. Based on the structural formula of identified substances, we proposed the biosynthesis pathway of phenylpropanoid, alkaloid and flavonoid and profiled the accumulation of each component in different tissues from the two Piper species. This study compares the differences in metabolites between the two species of the Piper genus. It describes the diverse accumulation of medicinal components, providing an informative scientific basis for the efficient utilization and targeted development of two important medicinal and food crops of the Piper genus.PMID:41769409 | PMC:PMC12949584 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.20719

PeerJ. 2026 Feb 23;14:e20721. doi: 10.7717/peerj.20721. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTCoreopsis tinctoria Nutt., known for its vibrant flower colors, possesses significant ornamental and medicinal value, making it a highly promising medicinal flower variety. It is widely favored by consumers as a health tea, with flower color being a crucial quality factor. The growth indicators and pigment content during the flow-ering period were determined in three C. tinctoria cultivars exhibiting different petal colors: 'JS' (entirely golden yellow), 'LS' (golden yellow tops with reddish-brown bases), and 'MS' (entirely reddish-brown). Additionally, a comparative metabolomic analysis of carotenoid metabolites was conducted. The results showed that the three C. tinctoria cultivars exhibited distinct differences in flower phenotypes and growth characteristics. For example, plant height and stem diameter significantly differed among 'JS', 'LS', and 'MS' at various flowering stages. The total carotenoid content of 'JS', 'LS', and 'MS' was mainly concentrated in the early flowering stage (S2), full flowering stage (S3) and late flowering stage (S4), with significant differences observed. 'LS' and 'JS' reached their highest total carotenoid content in stages S3 and S4, respectively. Analysis revealed 58 carotenoid metabolites (seven carotenes and 51 xanthophylls) with abundances that varied significantly by flower color and developmental stage. Of these, 12 metabolites (two carotenes and 10 xanthophylls) were significantly enriched in the carotenoid pathway and exhibited notably high accumulation during the S2 and S3 stages, suggesting their important role in petal coloration variation. This study provides a theoretical basis for understanding the flower color mechanism of C. tinctoria and lays a foundation for the extraction and utilization of its active components.PMID:41769406 | PMC:PMC12939787 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.20721

PeerJ. 2026 Feb 23;14:e20871. doi: 10.7717/peerj.20871. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Pancreatic β-cell proliferation is essential for maintaining the balance of β-cell mass, and an elevated metabolic load can stimulate their proliferation. Numerous studies have shown that a short-term high-fat diet increases metabolic load without affecting insulin sensitivity, thereby promoting the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells. However, the underlying mechanisms of this effect remain to be fully elucidated.RESULTS: A model has been constructed in our study to emulate pancreatic β-cell proliferation induced by a short-term high-fat diet, aiming to scrutinize the underlying mechanisms. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses suggest that the mTORC1 signaling pathway may be crucial in this induced proliferation. Further analysis revealed that rapamycin, a specific inhibitor of the mTORC1 pathway, can inhibit proliferation induced by the short-term high-fat diet.CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the significant role of the mTORC1 signaling pathway in pancreatic β-cell proliferation induced by a short-term high-fat diet.PMID:41769393 | PMC:PMC12939796 | DOI:10.7717/peerj.20871

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2026 Feb 13;16:1716483. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1716483. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTBACKGROUND: Bacterial infections remain a major global health burden, causing significant morbidity and mortality. Despite ongoing advances, prompt diagnosis is still hampered by nonspecific host biomarkers and the inherently slow turnaround of traditional microbiological cultures. These limitations often delay the initiation of appropriate treatments. In recent years, affinity-based proteomic approaches have been explored to address this gap. Among them, the Proximity Extension Assay (PEA) has emerged as a promising multiplexed protein quantification tool, capable of simultaneously measuring hundreds of immune and inflammatory proteins with high sensitivity from minimal sample volumes. Such technologies hold the potential to identify novel biomarkers, thereby improving both diagnosis and patient management in bacterial infections.MAIN BODY: In this systematic scoping review, we examined studies applying PEA-based proteomics to adult bacterial infections. Out of the records screened, ten studies met inclusion criteria. Most were conducted in Europe and North America, relied primarily on plasma samples, and employed commercially available panels enriched for immune and inflammatory mediators. Study quality varied, with some evidence of variability and potential risk of bias. Across the 379 proteins investigated, a subset of proteins were consistently associated with bacterial infections across multiple clinical contexts, whereas others showed limited or no associations.CONCLUSIONS: Current applications of PEA-based proteomics in adult bacterial infections is limited and largely exploratory. Rather than supporting immediate clinical translation, the available evidence suggests the value of PEA-based approaches for informing biomarker discovery. Future research should prioritize well-designed, longitudinal, and pathogen-stratified studies in clinically relevant settings to strengthen evidence robustness and support the rational development of proteomics-informed diagnostic and translational strategies.PMID:41769342 | PMC:PMC12945781 | DOI:10.3389/fcimb.2026.1716483

Front Cell Infect Microbiol. 2026 Feb 13;16:1778329. doi: 10.3389/fcimb.2026.1778329. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is an aggressive malignancy characterized by profound metabolic reprogramming and a persistently poor clinical outcome. Beyond genetic and environmental risk factors, growing evidence indicates that dysbiosis of the oral microbiome is associated with metabolic perturbations observed in OSCC and may contribute to tumor initiation and progression. Microbiome-derived metabolites represent a previously underappreciated layer of cancer metabolism, linking microbial activity to host metabolic states, epigenetic regulation, and immune dysfunction within the tumor microenvironment. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of current evidence highlighting how microbial metabolites shape metabolic vulnerabilities in OSCC through the microbiome-metabolite-host axis. We focus on key metabolite classes, including short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan-derived metabolites, sulfur-containing compounds, and other emerging metabolic intermediates, and discuss their roles in modulating cellular energy metabolism, epigenetic remodeling, oxidative stress responses, and immune evasion. Particular emphasis is placed on the context-dependent and often dualistic functions of metabolites such as butyrate, which can exert tumor-suppressive or tumor-promoting effects depending on microbial source, concentration, and local inflammatory conditions. By integrating insights from metabolomics, microbial functional profiling, and mechanistic studies, this review underscores microbial metabolism as an integral component of OSCC pathobiology. Recognizing microbial metabolites as active metabolic regulators rather than passive byproducts provides a conceptual framework for identifying novel biomarkers and metabolic intervention strategies in OSCC.PMID:41769336 | PMC:PMC12945793 | DOI:10.3389/fcimb.2026.1778329

Mol Breed. 2026 Feb 27;46(3):23. doi: 10.1007/s11032-026-01635-y. eCollection 2026 Mar.ABSTRACTParthenocarpy is an important agronomic trait enabling fruit development without fertilization, contributing significantly to stabilizing crop yields under unfavorable pollination conditions. In this study, the non-parthenocarpic cucumber inbred line 'MT' functioned as experimental material. Unpollinated ovaries were treated with a floral dip agent to induce parthenocarpy, and transcriptomic and metabolomic techniques were used to systematically analyze gene expression and metabolic changes before and after treatment. The results demonstrated that the treated ovaries exhibited substantial swelling, with fruit length and diameter reaching 3.02 and 3.12 times that of the control, respectively. Transcriptome analysis identified multiple differentially expressed genes, and enrichment analysis revealed their significant involvement in pathways including "plant hormone signal transduction", "zeatin biosynthesis", and "tryptophan metabolism". Metabolomics analysis further demonstrated elevated levels of active hormones, including auxin (IAA and IBA), gibberellin (GA4), and cytokinin (dihydrozeatin and cis-zeatin) in parthenocarpic fruits. Integrated multi-omics analysis and quantitative real-time PCR identified seven candidate genes associated with hormone biosynthesis and signaling, among which CsYUCCA6, CsSAUR51, CsAUX22, CsGA20OX1, CsCKX3, and CsCYP735A2 were highly expressed in strongly parthenocarpic materials, while CsGA2OX1 was highly expressed in non-parthenocarpic materials. Further, Agrobacterium-mediated transient overexpression confirmed the positive regulatory role of CsGA20OX1 in cucumber parthenocarpy. This research elucidates the key molecular mechanisms underlying hormonal regulation of parthenocarpy in cucumber and provides valuable genetic resources and theoretical foundation for breeding high-yield and stable-yield cucumber varieties. This study identifies CsGA20OX1 as a key regulator of parthenocarpy in cucumber, demonstrating its role in promoting fruit set without fertilization through integrated multi-omics and transient overexpression analysis.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-026-01635-y.PMID:41769268 | PMC:PMC12949208 | DOI:10.1007/s11032-026-01635-y

Arrhythm Electrophysiol Rev. 2026 Feb 16;15:e03. doi: 10.15420/aer.2025.69. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTVentricular dyssynchrony serves as a cause of heart failure, resulting from impaired electrical conduction within the heart, commonly from bundle branch block or right ventricular pacing. It exceeds structural remodelling to cause significant cellular dysfunction, particularly in aberrant myocardial metabolism, alterations to myocardial oxygen consumption and cardiac efficiency, along with compromised mitochondrial activity. CRT is a therapeutic strategy that is used for the dyssynchronous ventricle by correcting electrical aberrance, while also improving cellular metabolic homeostasis, cardiac efficiency and mitochondrial function. This article provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms responsible for ventricular dyssynchrony-induced cardiac remodelling and its reversal through cardiac resynchronisation therapy, focusing on the influence that these mechanisms exert on cellular metabolism and mitochondrial function. Additionally, it underscores the potential for risk assessment and individualised treatment targeting in dyssynchronous heart failure, using metabolic profiles, mitochondrial function indicators and metabolomic evaluation to enhance the efficacy of CRT and improve patient outcomes.PMID:41769196 | PMC:PMC12937073 | DOI:10.15420/aer.2025.69

Front Neurosci. 2026 Feb 12;20:1776973. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2026.1776973. eCollection 2026.ABSTRACTINTRODUCTION: The relationship between brain metabolism and neurodegenerative diseases is poorly understood. To investigate the pathophysiology of neurodegeneration, we used decrepit (dcr) mice, a mouse model with a mutation in a mitochondrial associated gene (mitochondrial ribosomal protein L3, Mrpl3) that results in reproducible, adult-onset degeneration of the brain.METHODS: Metabolite profiles were determined using 1H magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (600 MHz spectrometer) and ex vivo tissue samples from five brain regions in female and male dcr and healthy control mice (n = 39-44 mice/genotype/sex from 44-145 days of age).RESULTS: The relative concentration of acetate, N-acetylaspartate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, glutamine, and asparagine were decreased in the dcr mice compared to controls (p < 0.05). When the data was disaggregated by sex, the male dcr mice showed decreased relative concentrations of acetate, N-acetylaspartate, gamma-aminobutyric acid, asparagine, and choline-containing compounds compared to controls (p < 0.05) while the female dcr mice had an elevated relative glucose concentration compared to controls (p < 0.05).DISCUSSION: The dcr mice show evidence of significant metabolic dysregulation and add to the existing literature on the metabolic consequences of neurodegeneration. This work motivates future studies to understand the connection between mitochondrial dysfunction, metabolic alterations and neurodegeneration using the dcr mouse model.PMID:41769005 | PMC:PMC12936862 | DOI:10.3389/fnins.2026.1776973

J Parasit Dis. 2026 Mar;50(1):87-96. doi: 10.1007/s12639-025-01814-2. Epub 2025 May 2.ABSTRACTIntestinal parasitic infections remain a significant public health issue, particularly in low-resource settings. They have been linked to poor micronutrient status and body composition, which are critical determinants of child health and development. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to determine the relationship between intestinal parasitic infections and micronutrient status, and whether these differ according to the body composition. Serum concentrations of zinc, iron, ferritin, vitamins A, E, C, D, folate, B12 and CRP, were determined in 269 school-aged children from rural Mexico. Infection with soil transmitted helminths (STHs) and intestinal protozoa was screened in a fecal sample. Anthropometric and body composition measurements were taken. Lower ferritin, zinc and vitamin C concentrations were found in children infected with any STHs or A. lumbricoides compared to parasite-free children (p < 0.05). Children infected with any intestinal protozoa, Endolimax nana or Entamoeba coli had higher concentrations of ferritin and B12 than parasite-free children (p < 0.05). Vitamin E: lipid concentration was higher in children infected with any intestinal protozoa and E. nana. Among the children with high body fat percentage, those infected with STH had lower zinc, and those infected with intestinal protozoa had lower vitamin A than parasite-free children (p < 0.05). STH infection was associated with lower concentrations of ferritin, zinc and vitamin C, whereas intestinal protozoa infection with higher concentrations of ferritin, vitamin E: lipids, and B12. These associations differed according to body fat percentage.PMID:41768916 | PMC:PMC12946578 | DOI:10.1007/s12639-025-01814-2

ACS Omega. 2026 Feb 10;11(7):12266-12280. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.5c11605. eCollection 2026 Feb 24.ABSTRACTAs a systemic chronic inflammatory disease, Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by progressive inflammation and bone and cartilage destruction, leading to significant disability, reduced lifespan, and increased mortality. The clinical use of conventional medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and corticosteroids, is associated with significant adverse effects. Long-term administration may induce various toxicities, such as hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, osteoporosis, and heightened infection susceptibility. While newer biological agents demonstrate improved efficacy, they may elevate risks of serious infections and malignancies. Additionally, a subset of patients exhibit inadequate response to these biologic therapies. Given the limitations of current therapies, identifying safer and more effective therapeutic targets and strategies for RA is imperative. Here, we report the efficacy of Yu-Xue-Bi Tablets (YXB), a classic traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, in treating RA. YXB-treated collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice exhibited improved general health with markedly ameliorated joint integrity and local inflammation. Mechanistically, RNA-seq analysis of synovial tissue revealed that YXB exerts therapeutic effects in RA by suppressing the mechanosensitive ion channel Piezo1. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses suggested that YXB ameliorates metabolic disorders in CIA mice, leading to Piezo1 downregulation, a finding validated in primary macrophages. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that YXB alleviates RA by suppressing Piezo1 expression via metabolic reprogramming, offering a novel therapeutic strategy for the clinical treatment of RA.PMID:41768742 | PMC:PMC12946944 | DOI:10.1021/acsomega.5c11605