Abstract: Ultraviolet (UV) radiation induces DNA damage and oxidative stress in melanocytes, shaping pigmentation phenotypes and elevating photocarcinogenesis risk. Human models that capture donor-specific genetic determinants of UV sensitivity remain limited. Here, we establish a genotype-driven UV response model using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived melanocytes from donors carrying defined MC1R variants. Differentiated cells recapitulated melanocytic morphology, marker expression, and pigmentation consistent with donor sun-sensitivity traits. Following narrowband UVB exposure, UV-sensitive lines exhibited reduced survival, prolonged checkpoint activation, and delayed cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) repair. Mechanistic analysis revealed that the interferon-regulated GTPase MX2 amplifies UV-induced p53 and p38 activation while promoting apoptosis independently of AKT. These findings identify MX2 as a physiological enhancer of DNA damage signaling in normal melanocytes, distinct from its interferon-mediated role in melanoma. Our study provides a human-relevant platform linking pigmentation genotype to UV resilience and supports iPSC-derived systems as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) for mechanistic and translational phototoxicology.

Abstract: Cellular dynamics rely on numerous physical processes, including phase separation, membrane remodeling, stress relaxation, transport and stochastic fluctuation control, which are commonly treated as passive consequences of thermodynamics, mechanics or statistical physics. Here we advance the hypothesis that living systems can actively regulate such processes through biologically produced, reusable agents that act analogously to enzymes, but target physical state transitions rather than chemical reactions. We introduce the concept of enzymatic-like control, defined as the localized and saturable lowering of kinetic, topological or statistical barriers in configuration space by endogenous cellular components. Among the many cellular physical phenomena to which this concept may apply, we focus on biomolecular condensate nucleation and dissolution as a concrete and analytically tractable example. Condensate dynamics are conceived as barrier-limited physical reactions whose kinetic rates can be selectively modulated by putative enzyme-like Phase-Kinetases without altering equilibrium phase behavior. Using hazard-based inference and survival analysis, we present simulations demonstrating how these putative enzyme-like agents could generate small effective free-energy shifts on the order of a few kT, resulting in orders-of-magnitude changes in nucleation rates and yielding explicit, falsification-oriented criteria.Our framework complements existing biochemical and mechanical models by providing a testable perspective on the active regulation of physical dynamics without invoking new chemistry or nonstandard physics. It reframes cellular organization as the selective control of physical state transitions, rather than their passive accommodation within fixed physical laws.

Abstract: Coastal salt marshes are essential for climate change mitigation due to their high carbon storage capacity, which is influenced by soil type, hydrology, and floristic composition. Over the past century, invasive Phragmites australis has displaced native Sporobolus alterniflorus (formerly Spartina alterniflora) across salt marshes on the Long Island Sound, and it is widely hypothesized that its larger biomass and rapid growth enhance soil carbon sequestration. This study tested that hypothesis by comparing total organic carbon stocks and physical soil properties in two southern Connecticut marshes over multiple seasons. Our results show that mean soil bulk density was significantly higher under P. australis than S. alterniflorus at both locations. However, this did not translate to superior carbon storage. Analysis showed significant seasonal effect but no significant overall difference in median TOC between species, indicating that P. australis is competitive in total mass only due to its higher soil density. Notably, Levene’s test for homogeneity of variance was significant (P = 0.039), revealing that P. australis creates highly heterogeneous "hot spots" of carbon storage compared to the relatively uniform distribution found in native stands. These findings suggest that while P. australis invasion results in a more physically dense and potentially resilient marsh platform—relevant for surviving sea-level rise and filtering nutrient runoff—it may simultaneously compromise the stability and uniformity of regional carbon sinks. Management strategies should consider these tradeoffs when prioritizing the protection of native S. alterniflorus for consistent carbon sequestration.

Abstract: Ethiopian finches (Fringillidae) provide a continental-scale system for examining how environmental gradients shape functional trait evolution. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the evolution of beak traits in Ethiopian finches across the country’s highlands, integrating evidence from diet composition, habitat heterogeneity, thermoregulatory demands, and human-mediated environmental change. Beak diversification reflects the interaction of lineage-specific phylogenetic constraints, functional trade-offs, and plastic responses, producing adaptive divergence comparable in magnitude to classic island radiations despite ongoing gene flow. Anthropogenic pressures, including agricultural expansion, habitat fragmentation, and urbanization, interact with natural gradients to favor generalized morphologies while eroding specialized traits. Genetic analyses highlight key loci, such as BMP4 and ALX1, that may enable rapid adaptation to environmental and anthropogenic pressures. This synthesis emphasizes the need for empirical research to test trait-environment relationships and clarifies gaps in current knowledge, providing a framework for future ecological and evolutionary studies in Ethiopian finches, with implications for conservation and management of finch populations in rapidly changing landscapes.

Abstract: Cancer is one of the most significant global health problems and a leading cause of death worldwide. The origins of cancer are diverse and may stem from natural biological processes over time or directly result from anthropogenic activities. The complete elimination of all cancer-causing events within a living organism is highly unlikely. A more promising strategy would be to prevent tumors entirely by making the organism an unlivable environment where cancerous cells cannot survive. Surprisingly, this plausible alternative remains virtually unexplored. For the most part, it is not about the odds of cancer cells emerging in a hostile environment, rather than about their ability to adapt and persist within it. Plants have a broad-spectrum mechanism of defense against pathogens called non-host resistance (NHR), when an entire plant species is resistant to all isolates of a microbial species. While the NHR is effective against pathogens whereas cancer cells are perceived by an organism as “self” or “altered self”, they are still de facto “foreign intruders” since they generate neoantigens, novel proteins absent from normal tissues. Considering this, what are the theoretical possibilities of making a human organism an absolute non-host for cancer? As nearly all basic mechanisms and components of the NHR in plants have similarities to cancer responses in vertebrates, the task might be more feasible than it appears.

Abstract: Background: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder exhibits low- and high-grade papillary forms with distinct prognoses. High mobility group proteins (HMGA1, HMGA2, HMGB1) and miR‑106a‑5p are involved in tumor progression, but their interplay in UC remains incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of these parameters in low- and high-grade papillary UC. Methods: Tissue samples from 80 patients (40 low-grade and 40 high-grade) undergoing transurethral resection or cystectomy were analyzed, with control samples consisting of tumor-adjacent tissues without histopathological alterations obtained from the same patients. HMGA1, HMGA2, and HMGB1 protein expression was assessed immunohistochemically. Gene expression was quantified by real-time PCR, and miR‑106a‑5p levels were measured by droplet digital PCR. Statistical analysis was conducted using Statistica 13.3, applying one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc test and correlation analysis, with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Expression of HMGA1 and HMGB1 was reduced in low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma compared to control tissues, whereas both proteins were significantly increased in high-grade lesions. HMGA2 expression was minimal in low-grade tumors but partially restored in high-grade tumors. Analysis revealed the highest levels of miR-106a-5p in normal urothelium, slightly decreaseed in low-grade tumors, and significantly reduced in high-grade carcers. Conclusions: HMG proteins and miR‑106a‑5p demonstrate distinct expression patterns in low- versus high-grade papillary UC, which correlates with tumor aggressiveness. These molecules may serve as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets. Further research is needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms and validate clinical applicability.

Abstract: Sub-Saharan Africa is undergoing a rapid nutritional and epidemiological transition, characterized by a rising incidence of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) among lean populations. While the "Westernization" of the gut microbiome is well-documented globally, the specific ecological shifts driving metabolic dysfunction in the African context remain under-synthesized. This systematic review aims to catalog diet-driven taxonomic alterations and evaluate their mechanistic link to T2D. A systematic search was conducted following PRISMA guidelines using PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar (2015–2026). Studies were included if they compared the gut microbiomes of urban vs. rural African populations and reported metabolic outcomes. Quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Twelve studies meeting inclusion criteria were identified, representing a pooled cohort of N=6,097 participants across 22 countries. The analysis revealed a consistent "rural signature" marked by the enrichment of fiber-degrading Treponema and Prevotella ("VANISH" taxa). Urbanization was associated with the significant depletion of these guilds and a compensatory bloom of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium. This taxonomic shift was statistically correlated with elevated fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, and diabetes prevalence in urban cohorts. Mechanistically, the loss of Treponema likely compromises SCFA-mediated insulin signaling, while the rise of mucin-degrading Bacteroides may drive metabolic endotoxemia. Urbanization in Africa is associated with the loss of key ancestral microbes that protect metabolic health. Given that commercial probiotics often contain taxa already enriched in urban Africans (Bifidobacterium), we propose that indigenous fermented foods (e.g., Ogi, Kunu), which provide a Lactobacillus-rich acidic niche, represent a more ecologically appropriate therapeutic strategy to restore metabolic homeostasis. All identified associations are observational, and causal inferences cannot be established.

Abstract: As an effective biological control agent,Propylea japonica (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae) preys on aphids, whiteflies, planthoppers, and small caterpillars, playing a crucial role in pest management within agro-ecological systems. However, the lack of population genomic data has hindered efforts to optimize its use in biological control. We anayzed resequencing data from 166 genomes across 29 populations spanning P. japonica’s distribution in China. This study reconstructed the species’ evolutionary history, assessed population genetic diversity and demographic structure, identified the key environmental factors driving adaptive evolution. Meanwhile, we predicted its suitable habitats across different periods using ecological niche modelling methods. The results indicated that North China (G1, Yellow River Basin) was the likely geographic origin of P. japonica. Northern and southern populations show significant genetic differentiation, with adaptive evolution in the south being the major driver. We identified genomic signatures of selection in adaptive genes associated with increased pesticide resistance and thermal tolerance. Over the past 20,000 years, effective population size of P. japonica experienced an early bottleneck during the Last Glacial Maximum period, and a subsequent rapid expansion. These insights are critical for improving the conservation and application of natural enemies, ultimately enhancing biological control in agricultural systems.

Abstract: Anxiety disorders are the most prevalent mental health conditions worldwide, yet current treatments remain suboptimal, with benzodiazepines carrying risks of tolerance and dependence. These limitations motivate the search for novel anxiolytics. Tropical marine macroalgae represents a promising source of neuroactive metabolites. Here, we investigate the anxiolytic potential of Stypopodium zonale using a neuroproteomics-based approach in Drosophila melanogaster. Crude organic extracts were prepared via ultrasonic-assisted extraction and administered acutely to adult flies for six hours. Proteins from fly heads were quantified and analyzed using LC-MS/MS, revealing 66 significantly differentially abundant proteins (fold change ≥ |1.5|, p ≤ 0.05), 72.7% of which were less abundant in the extract-treated group. Principal Component Analysis demonstrated clear separation between control and experimental samples. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) mapped 33 of the differentially abundant proteins to human orthologs and identified significant predicted inhibition of the Protein Kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway. An IPA Interaction Network enabled the construction of a preliminary working model, suggesting that the extract may antagonize Drosophila’s Dop1R2 (DAMB). Overall, this study integrates natural product drug discovery with neuroproteomics in an invertebrate model system, providing a foundation for future behavioral validation and isolation of bioactive compounds from S. zonale.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is one of the most frequently mutated genes in human cancers, with alterations predominantly affecting its DNA-binding domain (DBD). However, the mutational landscape and functional consequences of TP53 variants remain poorly characterized in African populations. This study aimed to characterize mutations in exons 5-6 of TP53 in oral cavity cancer (OCC), prostate cancer (PC), and breast cancer (BC) in a Senegalese population, and to assess their structural effects, functional consequences, and impact on protein–protein interactions with BCL-2. Methods: Seventy-eight archived tumor DNA samples from Senegalese patients with OCC, PC, and BC were analyzed. Variants were annotated using COSMIC and dbSNP databases. Functional impact was evaluated with PolyPhen-2. Structural stability changes (∆∆G) were predicted using FoldX, conformational dynamics (∆∆S_vib) were assessed with ENCoM, and effects on the p53–BCL-2 interaction were analyzed using DDMut-PPI. Statistical analyses were also performed. Results: BC exhibited the highest TP53 mutation frequency, whereas OCC showed greater mutational diversity. Exon-level analysis revealed a significant enrichment of exon 6 mutations in BC. Structural analyses indicated that exon 5 mutations across all cancers and mutations in OCC were predominantly destabilizing and associated with loss-of-function effects. In contrast, recurrent exon 6 mutations in PC and BC, particularly V217L and V218M, were predicted to stabilize the p53 structure. Conformational dynamics differences between exons were significant only in PC. All analyzed mutations were predicted to stabilize the p53–BCL-2 interaction. Conclusions: This integrative in silico study identifies cancer and exon-specific TP53 mutation patterns in a Senegalese population, highlighting exon 6 as a context-dependent hotspot with potential oncogenic implication in PC and BC. Despite its computational nature, the study provides valuable insights that merit further investigation.

Abstract: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an aging-associated neurodegenerative disorder in which dysregulated neuroinflammation drives disease progression. Although long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are increasingly implicated in AD, their mechanistic roles remain poorly defined. Here, we identified a novel lncRNA termed LIMASI (LncRNA Inflammation and Mucous associated, Antisense to ICAM1), that is linked with AD-associated neuroinflammation. LIMASI expression is significantly elevated in postmortem AD brain tissues and in the 3xTg-AD mouse model by qPCR and RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization, and its upregulation correlated with increased β-amyloid plaque burden, tau hyperphosphorylation, and heightened neuroinflammatory activation. Cell-type–specific analyses demonstrated inflammation-inducible LIMASI expression in astrocytes and microglia. In an in vitro model of AD-associated neuroinflammation, viral-mimetic poly(I:C) challenge of amyloid precursor protein (APP)–overexpressing neuroblastoma cells elicited coordinated induction of LIMASI and key inflammatory mediators. Mechanistically, computational RNA–RNA interaction modeling predicted multiple energetically favorable binding sites for AD-associated inflammatory microRNAs (miR-1915-3p, miR-122-5p, miR-155-5p, and miR-150-5p), supporting a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) model in which LIMASI sequesters miRNAs to modulate neuroinflammatory gene networks. Together, these data identify LIMASI as a putative ceRNA strongly linked to AD-related neuroinflammation and suggest that LIMASI represents a promising therapeutic target for modulating neuroinflammatory signaling and slowing AD-associated neurodegeneration.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: African swine fever is currently the most devastating viral disease affecting domestic and wild suids, causing major economic losses and severe impacts on natural populations. Oral immunization could become an important tool to control the panzootic and support wild pig conservation. However, this requires safe and effective vaccines, baits accepted by target species, and vaccine reservoirs that reliably release the vaccine during bait intake while maintaining vaccine integrity. Methods: We evaluated different bait types and vaccine containers in four wild Suiformes species, including Eurasian wild boar. In the same wild boar, we assessed oral vaccination with the live attenuated vaccine candidate “ASFV-G-ΔI177L”. Environmental monitoring approaches were applied to detect potential virus shedding, and vaccine immunogenicity and dissemination were evaluated. Vaccine stability was tested in vitro in two container types under different temperature conditions. Results: Bait uptake and container performance varied between manufacturers and among species. Environmental samples were largely negative for vaccine virus genome, with only a few positive cotton ropes (0.43% of all samples). After oral bait vaccination, 45% of wild boar seroconverted, with a higher proportion in animals receiving the vaccine in the slightly less attractive bait. Vaccine virus dissemination was limited to a small number of organs, including gastrohepatic and mandibular lymph nodes. Conclusions: Our findings demonstrate that wild pigs can be vaccinated orally with “ASFV-G-ΔI177L” while virus shedding appears minimal. Although the tested baits show potential for multiple target species, baits and containers require optimization. Environmental monitoring methods also need refinement for field application.

Abstract: Garlic (Allium sativum L.) cultivars in Korea, particularly the widely adaptable ‘Hongsan’, are challenging to identify in processed forms or seedlings due to the plasticity of phenotypic traits such as clove tip greening, which risks mislabeling and infringement of UPOV breeders' rights. This study aimed to develop a stable SCAR marker for ‘Hongsan’-specific identification using RAPD-bulked segregant analysis (BSA). Sixty Operon primers (>60% GC) were screened against ‘Hongsan’ gDNA versus a non-’Hongsan’ BSA pool (‘Daeseo’, ‘Uiseong’, ‘Danyang’, and ‘Namdo’); OPE-01 consistently amplified a unique 1.3 kb band, cloned and sequenced to reveal a 1,272 bp sequence with translocation junction (878+394 bp), 18 bp insertion, and EcoRI site on chromosome 2 (NCBI GCA_030737875.1). SCAR primers SaH191R/SaH513F produced a specific 545 bp amplicon in ‘Hongsan’, clearly distinguishing it from other cultivars and parental lines, confirming paternal origin (9209). This RAPD-to-SCAR marker overcomes reproducibility limitations, enabling authentication in processing (powders, black garlic) irrespective of environmental factors. The cost-effective and rapid assay ensures industry transparency, quality control, and IP protection for Korean garlic production.

Abstract: Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum), an edible and medicinal herb, has garnered attention for its unique flavor and potential health benefits. Recent research has systematically revealed its enhanced antimicrobial and antioxidant bioactivities after fermentation and explored its potential as a feed additive to replace antibiotics in poultry. However, research on the effects of Chinese chive and its active components on ruminant metabolism, particularly in sheep, remains insufficient. Concurrently, studies have demonstrated that specific fatty acids from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, especially lauric acid, can effectively regulate rumen fermentation and lipid metabolism in sheep, offering new strategies for improving meat quality. This review systematically synthesizes the research findings on Chinese chive, analyzes the existing evidence on how its chemical constituents affect sheep nutritional metabolism, and innovatively explores the potential of combining the bioactivities of fermented Chinese chive juice with the metabolic regulatory properties of black soldier fly fatty acids to synergistically enhance the nutritional status, production performance, and product quality of sheep. Literature analysis suggests that fermented Chinese chive juice, rich in bioactive compounds, could work synergistically with black soldier fly fatty acids to create novel, efficient, and environmentally sustainable ruminant feed additives, although this requires further validation through in vitro & vivo experiments.

Abstract: To decipher the molecular response mechanism of melon to saline-alkali stress, seedlings of the melon cultivar 'Xikaixin' were treated with 50 mmol·L⁻¹ mixed solutions of NaCl and NaHCO₃ at ratios of 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 to simulate saline-alkali stress. Transcriptome sequencing was performed to analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the roots. The results showed that 588, 686, and 1107 DEGs were identified in the 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 treatment groups, respectively, with the proportion of downregulated genes higher than that of upregulated genes in all groups. DEGs were significantly enriched in 50 pathways, categorized into 5 major classes including cellular processes and environmental information processing. Among these, the plant hormone signal transduction pathway showed the highest enrichment level across all treatments. The auxin-induced protein gene MELO3C013403 and auxin response factor gene MELO3C004381 were significantly upregulated in the 2:1 treatment group, making them potential candidate genes for saline-alkali tolerance. In contrast, photosynthesis-antenna protein genes (e.g., MELO3C021567) were significantly downregulated under the high-salt ratio (2:1) treatment. RT-PCR validation confirmed that the expression levels of these three candidate genes were consistent with the transcriptomic data. Therefore, melon may respond to saline-alkali stress by regulating plant hormone signal transduction, photosynthesis, and carbon metabolism pathways. This study provides candidate genes and a theoretical basis for the genetic improvement of saline-alkali-tolerant melon cultivars.

Abstract:

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different exogenous reagents on the propagation efficiency of Acorus tatarinowii rhizome cuttings, thereby providing a reference for its asexual reproduction and contributing to the large-scale cultivation of this species. Methods: Wild Acorus tatarinowii rhizomes excavated from mountainous areas were used as experimental material. Rhizome cuttings were treated by dipping in solutions of gibberellic acid (GA3) at 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg·L^-1; naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) at 50, 100, 200, 300, and 400 mg·L^-1; indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg·L^-1; and potassium indole-3-butyrate (IBA-K) at 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 mg·L^-1. Distilled water (CK) served as the control. After treatment, emergence rate, rooting rate, number of fibrous roots, number of root tips, root length, plant height, number of leaves, and width of the second simple leaf were recorded to evaluate the effects of these exogenous reagents on asexual rhizome cutting propagation of Acorus tatarinowii. Results: Compared with the control, all exogenous reagents enhanced cutting performance to varying degrees. Treatment Tr19 (IBA-K at 100 mg·L^-1) yielded the highest emergence rate (74%), followed by Tr14 (IAA at 100 mg·L^-1) with an emergence rate of 68%. The best rooting rate was observed under Tr14 (IAA at 100 mg·L^-1), which reached 68%. Tr12 (IAA at 20 mg·L^-1) produced the greatest plant height (27.20 cm), followed by 24.39 cm under Tr13 (IAA at 50 mg·L^-1). The highest average number of leaves was recorded under Tr14 (IAA at 100 mg·L^-1) and Tr2 (GA3 at 100 mg·L^-1), at 7.07 and 6.53 leaves per plant, respectively. Leaf width of the second simple leaf was greatest under Tr16 (IBA-K at 10 mg·L^-1), at 0.61 cm. All four reagents exhibited similar effects on fibrous root number, root tip number, and root length, with growth traits under these treatments significantly superior to the control; optimal performance for these root traits occurred under Tr11 (IAA at 10 mg·L^-1) and Tr14 (IAA at 100 mg·L^-1). Correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships among leaf number, width of the second simple leaf, fibrous root number, root tip number, and root length; a strong correlation was also observed between rooting rate and emergence rate. Conclusion: The application of exogenous reagents of suitable types and concentrations, particularly IAA at 100 mg·L^-1 and IBA-K at 100 mg·L^-1, significantly enhanced the emergence rate, rooting rate, and subsequent growth performance of Acorus tatarinowii rhizome cuttings. These findings provide practical implications and reliable technical support for efficient asexual propagation and large-scale cultivation of Acorus tatarinowii.

Abstract: Background/Objectives: Inter-individual variability in lipid response to dietary modification highlights the need for precision nutrition. Current evidence is fragmented and primarily based on a limited set of historical candidate genes. To address these gaps and facilitate broader discovery, this study investigated whether exome-wide genetic variation is associated with changes in LDL cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TAG) following a Mediterranean-style diet. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with 51 dyslipidemic patients who underwent a 2–6 month Mediterranean-style dietary intervention. High-depth whole-exome sequencing (mean 112×) was performed, and a two-tier analytical approach was used: an exploratory exome-wide association analysis to identify novel loci, and a targeted gene-level analysis of the 'Plasma Lipoprotein Assembly, Remodeling, and Clearance' pathway to prioritize biologically plausible signals. Results: The intervention resulted in significant reductions in LDL-C (mean -33.4 mg/dL) and TAG (-17.9 mg/dL). genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified top signals in ABCA2 (LDL-C response, p = 2.05 × 10^⁻5) and ABCA7 (TAG response, p = 5.48 × 10^⁻5). Targeted pathway analysis revealed the strongest gene-level associations for LDL-C change in APOC3, APOC2, and adaptor protein complex subunits AP2A1 and AP2A2 (Simes p = 0.007–0.018; false discovery rate (FDR) = 0.21), while APOB (Simes p = 0.010; FDR = 0.46) was the top signal for TAG change. These loci implicate convergent mechanisms involving triglyceride-rich lipoprotein remodeling and clathrin-dependent receptor trafficking. Conclusions: The results suggest that genetic modulation of dietary lipid response involves distributed effects within biologically coherent pathways rather than single high-impact variants. By combining exploratory genome-wide screening with process-focused gene prioritization, this demonstrates a pragmatic framework for identifying functional candidates to inform genetically guided dietary recommendations.

Abstract: The rising global prevalence of obesity and related disorders, including metabolic syn-drome (MetS) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), highlights the need to better understand the mechanisms underlying these conditions, particularly host–microbiota interactions. While the gut microbiota has been extensively studied, the role of the oral microbiota and its interaction with human salivary proteins remains poorly explored. This study investigated the integrated human salivary proteome and bacterial metaproteome in Brazilian individuals spanning different metabolic states: normal weight, overweight, obesity, MetS, and T2DM. Saliva samples were analyzed using mass spectrome-try-based proteomics to identify differential protein profiles. The results revealed sig-nificant downregulation of the human proteins MYSM1 and GAD65 in obesity, MetS, and T2DM, with negative correlations to BMI, suggesting compromised an-ti-inflammatory functions. In contrast, carbonic anhydrase VI (CA6) was markedly upregulated and positively correlated with systolic blood pressure and glucose levels, indicating an acidic and inflammatory oral environment. In the bacterial metaprote-ome, TrxC-2, UMPK, and RsmH were significantly increased in metabolically com-promised groups and positively associated with anthropometric and insulin resistance markers, reflecting microbial adaptations to oxidative stress and enhanced virulence. Interactome analysis revealed negative correlations between bacterial proteins and MYSM1/GAD65, alongside positive associations with CA6, suggesting a feedback loop between oral dysbiosis and host metabolic dysfunction. These findings highlight the oral cavity as a key site of host–microbiota interaction in metabolic diseases and iden-tify potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets.

Abstract: Reproductive dysfunction in captive‐bred males of the flatfish Solea senegalensis re-mains a major bottleneck for its aquaculture. To clarify the molecular basis underlying these impairments, we performed an integrated analysis of transcriptomes, proteomes and methylomes from gonads of wild-type individuals and first-generation (F1) cap-tive fish of both sexes. Nineteen RNA-seq libraries and eighteen LC–MS/MS proteomes were generated, allowing the quantification of more than 32,000 genes and 2,221 pro-teins. Differential expression and principal component analyses revealed that sex was the primary driver of molecular variation, whereas origin (F1 vs. wild-type) had a more moderate effect. Multi-omics integration showed a partial and compari-son-dependent correspondence between RNA and protein levels, with a marked RNA–protein decoupling in F1 males. Despite this limited concordance, functional enrich-ment analyses identified consistent regulation of key biological processes, including translation, energy metabolism, and reproductive pathways such as gametogenesis, fertilization, and early embryonic development. Within this regulatory framework, previously characterized DNA methylation landscapes in gonadal tissue suggest an additional epigenetic layer modulating the transcriptional potential of reproductive genes, particularly in captive-bred males. F1 males exhibited coordinated down-regulation of reproductive functions across omic layers, consistent with altered post-transcriptional and post-translational regulation. Overall, this study provides the first comprehensive multi-omics framework integrating transcriptomic, proteomic, and epigenetic information in S. senegalensis gonads, offering mechanistic insights in-to the molecular basis of reproductive dysfunction in F1 broodstock and supporting future strategies to improve reproductive performance in aquaculture.

Abstract: Aiming to better understand how botanical products affect non-target organisms, the pre-sent work reviews current literature focusing on the toxicity of botanical pesticides to or-ganisms other than targeted pests, in order to trace a panorama on the future of sustaina-ble agricultural models worldwide, considering the importance of ecotoxicological studies in the development of new pesticides, including the botanical kinds, which are commonly recognized as essentially harmless. The article reviews published works gathered from digital databases and highlights modern tendencies in pest management research and the development of novel bioinputs, while discussing the Brazilian current legislature re-garding agricultural innovations and field obstacles. Nanotechnology techniques are dis-cussed as major innovations employed in the pest control field, and their employment in the improvement of botanical pesticides is addressed and explored. In this work we ana-lyze the factors involved in determining the success of botanical products and their im-portance to the implementation of a more sustainable way to manage crops. The results indicate a significant lack of studies focused on effects of botanical products on non-target organisms, and an increase in studies with nanoformulations.