@article {pmid42166402,
year = {2026},
author = {Peta Martinez, NA and Reinoso Arnaldi, M and Santiago-Rodriguez, TM and Rodriguez-Fernandez, IA},
title = {Microbiota-Based Interventions Differentially Rescue Gut and Social Behavior Phenotypes in <italic>Drosophila</italic> with Kdm5 Deficiency.},
journal = {Developmental neuroscience},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-21},
pmid = {42166402},
issn = {1421-9859},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a lifelong neurological and developmental disorder that is often accompanied by gastrointestinal (GI) issues. The bidirectional communication system known as the gut microbiota-brain axis may help explain how GI dysfunction contributes to neurological symptoms. Loss-of-function mutations in the histone demethylases KDM5A, KDM5B, or KDM5C are found in patients with intellectual disability and ASD. Here, we use a genetically tractable Drosophila model of loss-of-function of the ASD-associated chromatin regulator Kdm5 to investigate how host genetic disruption influences gut microbial composition and social behavior. Previous studies using a Drosophila Kdm5 loss-of-function (Kdm5LOF) revealed gut microbial dysbiosis, reduced abundance of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and impaired social behavior. While L. plantarum supplementation rescued intestinal abnormalities, it did not restore social behavior.

METHODS: We evaluated multiple microbiota-based interventions, including probiotic supplementation with L. plantarum, Lactobacillus helveticus, their combination, and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), to determine their capacity to modulate gut microbial composition and behavior in adult Kdm5LOF flies. Gut bacterial abundance was quantified using colony-forming unit assays and full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Social behavior was assessed using the social distance assay, while anxiety-like behavior and locomotion were evaluated using the open field test. Gut-specific Kdm5 knockdown was used to assess tissue-specific contributions to microbiota and behavioral phenotypes.

RESULTS: Kdm5 deficiency resulted in reduced abundance of culturable Lactobacillus, Acetobacter, and Enterobacter species, accompanied by impaired social behavior. L. plantarum supplementation restored gut microbial abundance in both whole-body Kdm5LOF and gut-specific Kdm5 knockdown models but did not significantly rescue social behavior. In contrast, L. helveticus significantly improved social interaction in Kdm5LOF flies despite minimal effects on gut bacterial abundance, revealing a dissociation between microbial restoration and behavioral outcomes. Gut-specific Kdm5 knockdown phenocopied both microbial and social defects observed in Kdm5LOF mutants. Notably, FMT from healthy donors partially restored Lactobacillus abundance, reshaped gut microbial community structure, and partially improved social behavior in Kdm5LOF recipient flies.

CONCLUSION: Together, these findings identify Kdm5 as a key regulator of gut microbial viability and social behavior and demonstrate that microbiota-based interventions exert strain- and phenotype-specific effects. Our results reveal that restoration of microbial abundance alone is insufficient to rescue social behavior and highlight the importance of functional host-microbe interactions in gut-brain communication. This work establishes Drosophila as a tractable platform for dissecting epigenetic regulation of microbiota-behavior relationships in the context of disruption of an ASD-associated gene and for studying microbiota-based modulation of host physiology and behavior. All experiments were conducted in adult flies, and thus, these findings reflect post-developmental effects of Kdm5 disruption.},
}

@article {pmid42509250,
year = {2026},
author = {Higashikawa, F and Kanno, K},
title = {Individual variability in hydrogen-producing microbes influences the response to hydrogen supplementation on sleep quality: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel study.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42509250},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {No number//Shinryo Corporation (Fukuoka, Japan)/ ; },
abstract = {Hydrogen has been reported to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and its potential health benefits have been investigated. However, to our knowledge, evidence regarding its impact on sleep quality in healthy individuals remains extremely limited. In addition, the influence of inter-individual variability in the gut microbiota on hydrogen efficacy has seldom been studied. In this study, we aimed to assess the impact of hydrogen-rich jelly on sleep quality and examine the influence of gut microbiota on this effect. A total of 44 healthy adults with poor sleep quality were randomized to receive either hydrogen-rich jelly or placebo jelly. No significant differences were observed between the intervention groups in the changes in sleep-related outcomes, including OSA-MA, VAS, PSQI, and STAI scores, in the overall analysis. Notably, when participants were stratified by the mean change in the VAS score for sleep quality, gut microbiota β-diversity showed apparent clustering in the hydrogen group but not in the placebo group. This cluster was explained by the differences in the relative abundance of hydrogen-producing bacteria, such as Bacteroides. Linear mixed-effects model analyses revealed significant interaction effects in the group × H2-producers in the VAS for sleep quality and mental stress, with greater improvement in participants with a lower abundance of hydrogen-producing bacteria. In conclusion, these exploratory findings raise the hypothesis that baseline gut microbiota composition, particularly microbial hydrogen-producing capacity, may modify individual responses to hydrogen supplementation. This hypothesis warrants confirmation in larger studies to explore its implications for microbiome-informed stratification in future hydrogen intervention research.Clinical trial registration: This clinical trial was registered with the University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trial Registry on 27/12/2023 (UMIN-CTR, UMIN000053237).},
}

@article {pmid42509270,
year = {2026},
author = {Chettry, V and Kumar, R and Testa, R},
title = {Biodiversity and natural capital in ecologically sensitive regions.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {},
pmid = {42509270},
issn = {2045-2322},
abstract = {Biodiversity and natural capital support economic systems, human well-being and climate resilience. Yet conservation and planning have focused mainly on visible ecosystems such as forests, wetlands and agricultural landscapes, while overlooking belowground biodiversity and the complex interactions between rural and rapidly urbanizing regions. This Collection analyses species, community and microbiome responses to environmental gradients, management interventions and climate constraints, and the effects of these responses on productivity, habitat quality, ecosystem functioning and natural capital. Several contributions highlight that climate-adapted seed sourcing in grand fir can maintain forest growth and carbon sequestration under changing moisture regimes, and that diverse multi-crops in boreal conditions raise biomass and net energy yields while lowering environmental pressures. Other studies introduce integrated indicators such as habitat quality indices for wetland waterfowl, soil functional networks in shaded coffee systems centred on total organic carbon, and multidimensional niche assessments for zooplankton communities. Together, these papers demonstrate complementary approaches for treating biodiversity as natural capital and for sustaining the ecosystem services that support human well-being, sustainable production and informed conservation and management decisions.},
}

@article {pmid42509322,
year = {2026},
author = {Connors, BM and Thompson, J and Gangan, MS and Quinn-Bohmann, N and Gibbons, SM and Grant, J and Castellanos-Sanchez, A and McCann, JR and Rawls, JF and Venturelli, OS},
title = {Designing fiber-gut microbiome interactions with active learning.},
journal = {Nature chemical biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42509322},
issn = {1552-4469},
support = {R01EB030340//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R01EB030340//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R01EB030340//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R35GM124774//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R01DK133468//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R01DK133468//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R35GM124774//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; R35GM124774//Foundation for the National Institutes of Health (Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, Inc.)/ ; W911NF-19-1-0269//United States Department of Defense | United States Army | U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command | Army Research Office (ARO)/ ; W911NF-19-1-0269//United States Department of Defense | United States Army | U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command | Army Research Office (ARO)/ ; },
abstract = {Identifying synergies between dietary fibers and beneficial bacteria holds promise for precision interventions that optimize gut health, yet these interactions remain largely unexplored. Here we integrate machine learning, Bayesian optimization and high-throughput community construction to investigate how dietary fibers shape health-relevant functions of human gut microbial communities. To efficiently navigate the landscape of fiber-microbiome interactions, we implemented a design-test-learn cycle to identify fiber-species combinations that maximize a multiobjective function capturing beneficial community properties. Our model-guided approach revealed a highly butyrogenic and robust ecological motif characterized by the copresence of inulin, Bacteroides uniformis and Anaerostipes caccae and a higher-order interaction with Prevotella copri. Human fecal communities invaded with model-designed species-fiber combinations displayed predictable gut-beneficial outputs. In sum, we demonstrate a framework for designing synthetic microbial communities with desired functions in response to key nutrients.},
}

@article {pmid42509323,
year = {2026},
author = {Spazzapan, M and Raison, N and Steves, C and Sahai, A},
title = {The urinary microbiome, overactive bladder and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis - mechanisms, diagnostics and therapeutic opportunities.},
journal = {Nature reviews. Urology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42509323},
issn = {1759-4820},
abstract = {Overactive bladder and bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis are prevalent, multifactorial disorders with poorly understood pathophysiology. The discovery of the urinary microbiome has overturned the sterile urine paradigm and created new opportunities for mechanistic and translational research. Increasing evidence suggests that bladder microbial communities are associated with urothelial signalling, immune tone and neural pathways that influence urgency, pain and treatment response. In overactive bladder, Lactobacillus-predominant profiles are associated with lower symptom burden and improved response to pharmacotherapy, whereas Gardnerella-enriched and Pseudomonadota-enriched communities positively correlate with refractory disease. In bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis, microbial alterations are not based on a single pathogenic signature but converge on metabolic and immune dysregulation. Multi-omics studies integrating metagenomics, metabolomics and host immune data are beginning to define functional pathways linking microbial metabolites, epithelial barrier function and nociceptor sensitization. Results from emerging clinical trials suggest that urinary microbiome profiling might enable patient stratification and inform treatment selection, whereas interventions, such as probiotics, oestrogen therapy or dietary modulation, hold potential as adjunctive strategies. Together, these advances position the urinary microbiome as a promising contributor to lower urinary tract health and a potential target for precision urology, although the functional importance and causal role of the low-biomass urinary microbiome in disease remain crucial unresolved questions.},
}

@article {pmid42509522,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, PY and Hsu, TW and Chiang, TY and Huang, CL},
title = {Comparative analysis of root microbiomes in four Swertia species from Taiwan.},
journal = {Journal of plant research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {42509522},
issn = {1618-0860},
support = {NSTC 103-2621-B-006-002-//National Science and Technology Council/ ; },
abstract = {Swertia (Gentianaceae) comprises four species endemic to Taiwan that possess significant medicinal potential. While root microbiomes are known to promote plant adaptation, the microbial ecology of Taiwanese Swertia remains largely unexplored. We investigated the rhizosphere and root endosphere microbiomes of these species using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and predictive functional profiling, integrated with host phylogenetic data. Our results revealed that rhizosphere bacterial communities were significantly more diverse than those in the root endosphere. PERMANOVA indicated that host species and plant compartment significantly influenced bacterial communities, but the high residual variance suggests that much of the community variation remains unexplained by the variables measured in this study. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the root endosphere is more strongly influenced by host phylogeny, with closely related species harboring more similar communities. Functional profiling further demonstrated that the rhizosphere is predicted to be enriched in pathways related to nitrogen fixation and organic matter degradation, whereas the endosphere harbors bacterial taxa potentially associated with pathogen suppression. These findings underscore the multifaceted roles of the root microbiome in supporting the development, stress adaptation, and ecosystem sustainability of Swertia species in Taiwan's unique altitudinal gradients.},
}

@article {pmid42509593,
year = {2026},
author = {Woods, R and Jennings, EF and Smith, L and Almushri, K and Hanson, L and Gamrot, O and Adetunji, A and Oguanya, CV and Imongan, H and John, K and Omuluche, E and Harte, M and Murgatroyd, C},
title = {Effect of Prenatal and Postnatal Stress in Rats on the Gut Microbiome in Adolescence.},
journal = {Journal of neurochemistry},
volume = {170},
number = {7},
pages = {e70530},
pmid = {42509593},
issn = {1471-4159},
support = {BB/W017598/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; //Cancer Prevention Research Trust/ ; //Manchester Metropolitan University/ ; },
abstract = {Previous research suggests that early-life stress (ELS) increases the risk of mental health disorders later in life. It is hypothesised that ELS disrupts the developing gut microbiome, which in turn may alter neuroendocrine and immune system development, thereby increasing disease susceptibility. However, the specific microbial taxa and pathways mediating these effects remain poorly characterised. Here, we used rat models to investigate whether ELS leads to long-term alterations in the gut microbiome. Microbial composition was assessed using 16S rRNA Nanopore sequencing of DNA extracted from faecal pellets of adolescent male and female rats exposed to: (i) early postnatal dexamethasone (DEXA; a synthetic glucocorticoid) or saline control, (ii) prenatal stress (PRS) and controls, or (iii) postnatal stress (POS) and controls. Microbiome structure was evaluated using richness, evenness, dominance and diversity indices. We show that ELS induces model-specific and sex-dependent changes in gut microbiome composition, primarily at the level of overall community structure rather than individual taxa. DEXA exposure produced the most consistent compositional signature, particularly in males, whereas PRS showed minimal detectable effects and POS exhibited a more heterogeneous response characterised by increased dispersion and limited taxonomic shifts. More broadly, these findings demonstrate that integrating beta-diversity analyses with machine learning approaches can identify reproducible microbiome patterns associated with ELS, even in the absence of large taxonomic changes. Applying similar frameworks in larger and longitudinal cohorts will be important to determine how these subtle microbial signatures contribute to long-term physiological outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid42509729,
year = {2026},
author = {Kirillova, M and Dzhalilova, D and Zolotova, N and Kirillov, V and Ogneva, L and Kirillov, M and Portnova, T and Berlizeva, N and Fokichev, N and Makarova, O},
title = {Colon Histophysiological Features and Gut Microbiome in Tolerant and Susceptible to Oxygen Deficiency Wistar Rats After the Prolonged Intermittent Hypoxic Exposure.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom16070935},
pmid = {42509729},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {25-25-00061//Russian Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Systemic hypoxia influences the state of the intestinal epithelial barrier and the microbiome; however, the role of the initial tolerance of the organism to oxygen deficiency in the development of these changes remains poorly studied. The aim of the study was to evaluate the colon histophysiological features and the gut microbiome in rats that were tolerant and susceptible to hypoxia under intermittent hypoxic exposure of varying severity. In male Wistar rats, tolerance to oxygen deficiency was determined according to the Hif1a, Epas1, and Hif3a expression levels in peripheral blood leukocytes, after which they were subjected to intermittent hypoxic exposure at an "altitude" of 5000 m or 7000 m for 1 h daily for 21 days. Subsequently, the state of the intestinal epithelial barrier was assessed using histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical methods, and the microbiota composition was analyzed by PCR. Under normoxic conditions, in comparison with rats that are tolerant to hypoxia, susceptible animals demonstrated a greater volume fraction of goblet cells and a low abundance of Parabacteroides spp. Intermittent hypoxic exposure induced multidirectional changes depending on the initial tolerance and the severity of the regimen. In tolerant-to-hypoxia animals, an increase in the goblet cells volume fraction was detected after the exposure at the 5000 m "altitude", while at an "altitude" of 7000 m, a decrease in the number of cells in the lamina propria of the mucosa and Clostridium perfringens gr. abundance, as well as a reduction in the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio, was observed. In susceptible-to-hypoxia animals, a higher abundance of Clostridium perfringens gr. in comparison with tolerant rats was revealed after the exposure at an "altitude" of 7000 m, with no structural changes in the intestinal wall. Thus, intermittent hypoxic exposure led to a rearrangement of the gut microbiome and the morphofunctional characteristics of the intestinal barrier, and the severity of these changes depended on the initial tolerance of the organism to oxygen deficiency and the severity of the hypoxic regime, which should be taken into account when conducting biomedical research.},
}

@article {pmid42509733,
year = {2026},
author = {Chou, YL and Lin, HJ and Hsu, YA and Lin, ES and Chen, CS and Tien, PT and Chen, JJ and Wu, MY and Chuang, CY and Wan, L},
title = {Vitamin D3 Reshapes Gut Microbiota and Metabolite Profiles in a Rat Model of Inflammation-Induced Myopia.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom16070939},
pmid = {42509733},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {MOST107-2320-B-039-049-MY3//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan/ ; 111-2314-B-039-054//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan/ ; 111-2314-B-039-053-MY3//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan/ ; NSTC-112-2314-B-039-029//National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan/ ; DMR-113-146//China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan/ ; DMR-112-223//China Medical University Hospital, Taiwan/ ; CMU112-MF-49//China Medical University, Taiwan/ ; TTCRD 111-14//Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Taiwan/ ; },
abstract = {Myopia is increasingly recognized as an inflammatory ocular disease. Vitamin D3 is a potential modulator of the gut-eye axis, but its role in inflammation-induced myopia remains unclear. This study investigated whether vitamin D3 supplementation attenuates myopia progression by regulating retinal inflammation, gut microbiota composition, and microbiota-derived metabolites in a TGF-β2-induced myopia model. Three-week-old Brown Norway rats received weekly periocular TGF-β2 injections with or without daily oral vitamin D3, and myopia development was evaluated on days 1 and 21 by axial length and refractive error. Cecal contents were analyzed for α- and β-diversity and taxonomic differences, and day-21 serum underwent untargeted metabolomic profiling of microbiota-derived metabolites, including bile acids and imidazole derivatives; Spearman correlation linked microbial or metabolic alterations with myopia progression. TGF-β2 induced axial elongation, myopic refractive shifts, and upregulated retinal pro-inflammatory cytokines (p-NFκB, IL-1β, TNF-α), while vitamin D3 supplementation markedly attenuated myopia progression and retinal inflammation. Cecal α-diversity did not differ among control, vitamin D3, TGF-β2, and TGF-β2+vitamin D3 groups, but vitamin D3 significantly reshaped β-diversity and reduced the Firmicutes/Bacteroidota ratio. Distinct metabolite profiles were observed, with the vitamin D3 group showing reduced hyodeoxycholic acid and elevated imidazole derivatives (imidazolepropionic and methylimidazoleacetic acids). Vitamin D3 supplementation attenuated myopia progression by reducing retinal inflammation and concurrently reshaping the gut microbiome and its metabolites compared to the control and myopic groups. These results underscore the potential of vitamin D3 to modulate the gut-retina axis as a nutritional approach for mitigating myopia development.},
}

@article {pmid42509738,
year = {2026},
author = {Wali, Z and Neha, and Shahwan, M and Dinislam, K and Shamsi, A and Anwar, S},
title = {Network Biology of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Neurodegenerative Disorders: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom16070944},
pmid = {42509738},
issn = {2218-273X},
support = {NA//Ajman University/ ; },
abstract = {The most persistent biomedical challenges of the 21st century are neurodegenerative disorders (NDs), where molecular alterations lead to devastating clinical consequences and progressive neuronal loss. The prevalence of neurodegeneration is continuously rising and becoming the main contributor to chronic disability and mortality. Despite their clinical differences, many conditions share pathogenic processes, including oxidative stress, protein misfolding and aggregation, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation. Instead of functioning independently, these processes cooperate to form a self-reinforcing network that gradually weakens synapses and ultimately leads to neuronal death. This study redefines neurodegeneration as a disorder of system-level failure by emphasizing poor cellular stress integration. In addition to demonstrating how gut microbiome gene networks impact inflammation and amyloid production, new research highlights the relationships between mitochondrial-lysosomal interactions, endoplasmic reticulum stress responses, and transcriptionally driven synaptic vulnerability. A key molecular topic is the interaction and pathogenic convergence of the JAK/STAT, HIF-1α, and Notch signaling pathways. Under ongoing metabolic stress, prolonged stimulation of this triad increases inflammation, hinders the regenerative processes, and maintains pseudo-hypoxic conditions, explaining why single-target treatments have mostly been unsuccessful. This review also explores progress in fluid, digital, and imaging biomarkers that facilitate early diagnosis and patient stratification, and assesses new disease-modifying approaches such as antisense oligonucleotides, immunomodulators, gene therapies, and small-molecular agents. Artificial intelligence is emphasized as an essential tool for integrating multimodal data, drug discovery and predictive modeling.},
}

@article {pmid42509759,
year = {2026},
author = {Miszczak, MM and Kłosowska-Buryło, K and Pieczyńska, JM and Bielecka, M and Prescha, A},
title = {Mulberry, Gut Microbiota and Gut Functionality: Effects Shaped by Raw Material and Processing Methods.},
journal = {Biomolecules},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biom16070965},
pmid = {42509759},
issn = {2218-273X},
abstract = {Mulberry species (Morus spp.) provide phytochemically distinct plant materials in which leaves are typically characterized by high levels of iminosugars (notably 1-deoxynojirimycin), flavonols/flavones, and polysaccharides, whereas fruits-especially Morus nigra-contain substantial amounts of anthocyanins alongside other phenolic compounds and polysaccharides. Importantly, the composition and biological properties of mulberry-derived products depend not only on species and plant part (leaf vs. fruit), but also on preparation and processing variables, including drying, maceration, fermentation, and extraction, or fractionation strategy (e.g., aqueous vs. hydroalcoholic extracts or enriched fractions). Such technological factors may substantially influence the chemical composition, bioavailability, and functionality of mulberry-derived preparations and thereby modify their interactions with gut microbiota and host metabolic processes. Available preclinical studies indicate that mulberry leaf- and fruit-derived preparations can affect gut microbial composition or activity in experimental models of metabolic dysfunction. Reported findings frequently include enrichment of microbial taxa commonly regarded as beneficial, such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Akkermansia, normalization of dysbiosis-associated microbial patterns, and increased production of short-chain fatty acids, particularly acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These microbial changes are sometimes observed alongside improvements in metabolic parameters such as glucose regulation, lipid profile, adiposity, or inflammatory markers. However, reported responses differ across plant parts, species, and preparation approaches, indicating that phytochemical composition and processing strategy are likely to influence biological outcomes. Interpretation of the current evidence is limited by the predominance of non-human studies and by incomplete or inconsistent reporting of extract composition, processing conditions, and standardization procedures. These factors reduce comparability between studies and complicate mechanistic interpretation of microbiome-related effects. Overall, existing preclinical data support the possibility that mulberry-derived preparations may influence metabolic health through microbiota-associated pathways shaped by both botanical origin and preparative technology. Well-designed human intervention studies using chemically characterized and standardized preparations, together with comprehensive gut microbiome analyses, are needed to determine the translational relevance of these observations and to identify which mulberry-derived preparations offer the greatest potential for supporting gut and metabolic health.},
}

@article {pmid42510534,
year = {2026},
author = {Chen, Y and Zhu, J and Gui, H and Liu, M and Zhang, Y and Wu, Z and Liu, C and Wang, M},
title = {Linking Gut Microbiota, Mitochondrial Redox Dysfunction, and Ferroptosis in Cardiometabolic Diseases: A Narrative Review of Mechanistic Evidence and Redox-Targeted Interventions.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15070803},
pmid = {42510534},
issn = {2076-3921},
abstract = {Cardiometabolic diseases are increasingly understood as disorders involving compartment-specific redox disruption rather than a uniform excess of reactive oxygen species. This narrative review synthesizes evidence for a proposed gut microbiota-mitochondria ferroptosis framework in which dysbiosis-derived lipopolysaccharide, trimethylamine N-oxide, short-chain fatty acids, bile acids, and tryptophan metabolites may modulate mitochondrial reactive species production, antioxidant defenses, iron handling, lipid peroxide detoxification, and inflammatory signaling. The reference set was assembled through searches of PubMed and Web of Science Core Collection, supplemented by targeted Google Scholar searches and citation chaining during manuscript preparation and revision through June 2026 and was organized around microbial metabolites, mitochondrial redox biology, ferroptosis pathways, disease-specific evidence, and redox-targeted interventions. Because this is a narrative synthesis rather than a systematic review, the framework should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating rather than as a systematically validated pathological model. Across atherosclerosis, diabetic cardiomyopathy, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, obesity-associated insulin resistance, chronic kidney disease, and cardiorenal metabolic injury, the most consistent mechanistic links involve mtROS, impaired mitophagy, glutathione/GPX4 and SLC7A11 dysfunction, ACSL4-dependent lipid peroxidation, Nrf2 signaling, NLRP3 activation, and cGAS-STING-associated inflammation, although human causal evidence remains uneven. Importantly, much of the current literature supports local links within this sequence rather than a fully verified dysbiosis-metabolite-mitochondria ferroptosis-organ dysfunction chain in the same study. We therefore emphasize evidence tiers, terminology discipline, and biomarker requirements when interpreting ferroptosis-sensitive injury. Polyphenols, flavonoids, probiotics, postbiotics, melatonin, CoQ10-related strategies, mitochondria-targeted antioxidants, and ferroptosis-sensitive approaches may be most translatable when paired with microbiome, metabolomic, lipidomic, pharmacokinetic, and redox biomarkers.},
}

@article {pmid42510544,
year = {2026},
author = {Song, J and Kong, G and Wang, X and Zhai, Y and Wang, J and Xu, J and Li, C and Liu, W and Han, Y and Han, Z},
title = {Dietary Hydroxy-Selenomethionine Improves Antioxidant Status and Reduces Somatic Cell Count in Dairy Cows: Multi-Omics Insights into Rumen Microbiota and Metabolic Profiles.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15070813},
pmid = {42510544},
issn = {2076-3921},
abstract = {High-yielding dairy cows are highly susceptible to lactational oxidative stress, which compromises mammary barrier integrity and elevates mastitis risk. This study investigated the potential biological mechanisms by which dietary hydroxy-selenomethionine (HMSeBA) alleviates oxidative stress and improves health in dairy cows. Forty Holstein cows were assigned to a basal control group (0.32 mg Se/kg DM) or an HMSeBA-supplemented group (0.64 mg Se/kg DM) for 105 days. HMSeBA significantly enhanced selenium bioavailability in both milk and blood, comprehensively strengthening antioxidant defenses (increased glutathione peroxidase activity, decreased malondialdehyde) and elevated serum immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), accompanied by a reduction in milk somatic cell count, without significantly affecting milk yield, feed intake, or milk production efficiency. Multi-omics analysis revealed that HMSeBA supplementation altered the rumen microenvironment by enriching fiber-degrading genera (Prevotellaceae_Ga6A1_group, Xylanibacter, Segatella) and shifting metabolites, including feed flavonoids, peptides, 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate, and 3-OH-C6-HSL. The positive correlation of ruminal 3-OH-C6-HSL with both blood selenium and these enriched taxa suggests a potential link between microbial activity and host selenium status. These findings indicate that HMSeBA supplementation improves the antioxidant and immune status of dairy cows, accompanied by exploratory, hypothesis-generating shifts in the ruminal microbiome and metabolome. Collectively, these findings highlight HMSeBA as a promising nutritional strategy to produce selenium-enriched milk while safeguarding udder health.},
}

@article {pmid42510625,
year = {2026},
author = {Maiese, K},
title = {Chasing the FoxO in Metabolic Disorders: Novel Considerations for Oxidative Stress, Programmed Cell Death, Wnt, and the Gut Microbiome.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15070895},
pmid = {42510625},
issn = {2076-3921},
abstract = {Lifespan is increasing throughout the world leading to a rise in non-communicable diseases in the global population that impacts over 800 million individuals with metabolic disorders, such as diabetes mellitus. Metabolic disease presents a significant challenge for clinical care since multi-organ disease progression ensues despite a broad array of treatment protocols. The pursuit of innovative strategies with mammalian forkhead transcription factors of the "O" class (FoxOs) and intimately related pathways of aging, cellular senescence, telomere integrity, oxidative stress, programmed cell death with apoptosis, autophagy, ferroptosis, pyroptosis, and cuproptosis, Wnt/β-catenin signaling, Wnt1 inducible signaling pathway protein 1, and the gut microbiome becomes vital to address the clinical hurdles of metabolic disorders. Platforms incorporating novel diagnostics with artificial intelligence and machine learning can further address the underlying mechanisms tied to FoxOs that include the mechanistic target of rapamycin, AMP activated protein kinase, silent mating type information regulation 2 homolog 1 (S. cerevisiae), and glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists that can markedly influence biological outcomes. Given the premise that it is essential to comprehend the intimate relationship that FoxO signaling pathways hold, FoxOs offer an exciting and promising approach to address the clinical aspects of disease onset, progression, and treatment with metabolic disorders.},
}

@article {pmid42510626,
year = {2026},
author = {Mederle, AL and Lascu, A and Manzur, AR and Caraba, A and Staicu, RE and Noveanu, L and Aburel, OM},
title = {Oxidative Stress in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: From Redox Dysregulation to Translational Targeting.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15070894},
pmid = {42510626},
issn = {2076-3921},
abstract = {Oxidative stress has emerged as an important component of the complex pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), where increasing evidence suggests an interaction between redox imbalance, immune activation, epithelial dysfunction, and chronic intestinal inflammation. This structured narrative review critically synthesizes current evidence regarding the biological basis of oxidative stress in IBD, with emphasis on cellular and molecular mechanisms, oxidative biomarkers, therapeutic modulation of redox pathways, and their translational relevance. Current evidence indicates that oxidative stress is associated with immune-cell activation, mitochondrial dysfunction, impairment of epithelial homeostasis, and dysregulation of redox-sensitive signaling pathways. Biomarkers including nitric oxide metabolites, malondialdehyde, myeloperoxidase, total antioxidant capacity, serum thiols, and antioxidant enzymes have demonstrated associations with inflammatory activity, while anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and dietary interventions have been reported to modulate oxidative biomarkers in selected clinical studies. However, substantial methodological heterogeneity, variability in analytical techniques, and limited prospective validation currently restrict their routine clinical application. Moreover, many mechanistic pathways have been characterized predominantly in experimental models, highlighting the need to distinguish biological plausibility from evidence supporting clinical implementation. Overall, oxidative stress represents a promising area of investigation that may contribute to a better understanding of IBD biology and support future biomarker-guided and precision medicine approaches. Nevertheless, further standardized translational and longitudinal clinical studies are required before oxidative biomarkers and redox-targeted strategies can be integrated into routine patient care.},
}

@article {pmid42510634,
year = {2026},
author = {Hwang, JH and Choi, YK},
title = {Protective Effects of Natural Products, Functional Foods, and Probiotics on NSAID-Induced Small Intestinal Injury: A Systematic Review with Mechanistic Considerations of Oxidative Stress and Microbiome Modulation.},
journal = {Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/antiox15070903},
pmid = {42510634},
issn = {2076-3921},
support = {NRF-2022R1A2C1013518//National Research Foundation of Korea/ ; },
abstract = {NSAID-induced small intestinal injury is a clinically significant complication among chronic NSAID and aspirin users, yet effective treatment options remain limited. This systematic review evaluated natural products, functional foods, and probiotics for preventing or treating NSAID-induced small intestinal injury. PubMed, Embase, CENTRAL, and CNKI were searched from inception to January 2026 for randomized studies involving adults with NSAID- or aspirin-induced enteropathy assessed using capsule endoscopy or intestinal permeability testing. Risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2 and ROBINS-I. Due to substantial clinical and methodological heterogeneity, meta-analysis was not performed, and findings were synthesized narratively. Twenty-two studies were included: 21 randomized controlled trials and one quasi-randomized study. Geranylgeranylacetone demonstrated protective effects in three of four capsule endoscopy studies. Lactoferrin, zinc carnosine, and fish protein hydrolysate reduced indomethacin-induced intestinal hyperpermeability. Probiotic effects appeared outcome-dependent, with more consistent benefits observed for capsule endoscopy-based mucosal injury outcomes than for intestinal permeability outcomes. Among randomized trials, three were rated as having low risk of bias, 15 had some concerns, and three had high risk. Overall, preliminary evidence suggests that selected natural-origin interventions may protect against NSAID/aspirin-induced small intestinal injury. However, because the certainty of evidence was generally low or very low, these findings should be interpreted as hypothesis-generating and require confirmation in larger, methodologically rigorous trials.},
}

@article {pmid42510673,
year = {2026},
author = {Dlamini, NH and Kameni, SL and Fan, P and Park, S and Liao, SF and Feugang, JM},
title = {Seminal Plasma Microbiome Composition and Its Association with Sperm Morphology in Breeding Boars.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15141126},
pmid = {42510673},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {6066-31000-015-00D//USDA-ARS/ ; },
abstract = {Semen quality is a key determinant of reproductive performance in breeding boars, and emerging evidence suggests the seminal microbiome may influence sperm function. However, the composition of the seminal plasma microbiome and its relationship to sperm quality remain poorly characterized. This study aimed to investigate the microbial composition of boar seminal plasma and its association with sperm quality. Semen ejaculates collected from Duroc boars were analyzed and classified as Passed (≥70% normal morphology) or Failed (<70% normal morphology). Seminal plasma was isolated by centrifugation and analyzed using 16S/ITS rRNA gene sequencing. The dominant bacterial phyla were Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. The most abundant genera included Porphyromonas, Bacteroides, and Cladosporium. Only the Shannon diversity index was significantly higher in Failed samples for the bacterial microbiome (p = 0.038). Furthermore, correlation analysis showed a negative association between Tenericutes and sperm concentration (r = -0.90; p = 0.014). Linear discriminant analysis identified microbial biomarkers associated with sperm quality, including Rhodococcus, Sphingomonas, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, and Empedobacter. The increased abundance of these genera in Failed samples suggests disruption of the normal seminal microbial community. In conclusion, boar seminal plasma harbors a distinct bacterial and fungal microbiome that is associated with sperm morphology.},
}

@article {pmid42510732,
year = {2026},
author = {Cembalo, G and Turrini, M and Baldi, S and Amedei, A},
title = {Beyond the Human Binary: Decoding Hormone-Immune Plasticity in Transgender Health.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15141187},
pmid = {42510732},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {Sex- and gender-based immune differences have often been interpreted through a male-female biological binary, overlooking how endocrine signaling dynamically shapes immune function. Gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) offers a unique physiological model to disentangle the effects of sex steroids from chromosomal background and examine immune plasticity in contexts relevant to reproductive health. This hormone-informed framework proposes that estradiol and testosterone regulate immune set-points across innate, adaptive, metabolic, and mucosal compartments. Through genomic and non-genomic signaling via androgen and estrogen receptors (AR, ERα/β), these hormones drive distinct immune outcomes: testosterone dampens type I interferon responses in plasmacytoid dendritic cells and reshapes monocyte inflammatory profiles, while estradiol promotes macrophage polarization and enhances T helper1 (Th1) responses. Hormonal effects are closely coupled to cellular metabolism: androgen signaling acts as a "metabolic brake" on Th17 cells by limiting glutaminolysis, a process reinforced by epigenetic remodeling, and is reflected in shifts in the circulating metabolome, positioning metabolomics as a sensitive tool for monitoring hormone-driven immune adaptation. Regardless, hormones also reshape mucosal barriers and reproductive microbiome composition. GAHT alters vaginal and gut microbial communities and their metabolism, influencing mucosal immunity, local inflammation, and reproductive tract homeostasis, with potential implications for fertility preservation, susceptibility to reproductive tract infections, and long-term genital mucosal health. Collectively, this evidence underscores that human immunity is highly responsive to endocrine context. This review synthesizes evidence linking endocrine trajectories, tissue microenvironments, reproductive biology, and social determinants of health, aiming to advance understanding of immune plasticity and contribute to a more inclusive framework of human immune diversity.},
}

@article {pmid42510739,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, X and Zhao, X and Li, H and Wu, Y and Yao, Y and Wang, Z},
title = {Comparative Study on Blood Gas Indicators, Antioxidant Capacity, Intestinal Metabolome, and Microbiome in High- and Low-Performance Tumbler Pigeons.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15141193},
pmid = {42510739},
issn = {2079-7737},
support = {2023B02036//The Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Key Research and Development Project/ ; },
abstract = {The purpose of this experiment is to investigate the differences in blood gas indicators, antioxidant indicators, and lactate content between high- and low-performance tumbler pigeons after exercise, and to use metabolomics and metagenomics techniques to screen for differential metabolites and bacteria related to tumbler pigeon exercise. This experiment selected 12 high-performing (HP) and 12 low-performing (LP) tumbler pigeons, half male and half female, and all pigeons were raised under the same conditions. Three experimental pigeons were grouped for exercise training, with a 20 min training session. The results showed significant differences (p < 0.05) in multiple blood gas parameters related to acid-base balance and gas exchange between the HP and LP groups after tumbler pigeon exercise. In addition, the content of glutathione peroxidase (GSH Px), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) in the liver of the HP group of tumbler pigeons was significantly lower than that of the LP group (p < 0.05). In comparison, the content of malondialdehyde (MDA) was significantly higher than that of the LP group (p < 0.05). The content of lactate (Lac) was significantly higher than that of the LP group (p < 0.05). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed that differential metabolites were mainly enriched in pathways such as biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, starch and sucrose metabolism, and fatty acid synthesis. Intestinal metagenomics analysis revealed that the Corynebacteriaceae, Bacillus, Pseudomonad phylum and Corynebacterium were significant biomarkers with significant differences in the gut microbiota of the HP group of tumbler pigeons (p < 0.05). In summary, there are significant differences in blood physiological parameters, antioxidant capacity, lactate content, intestinal metabolites, and gut microbiota between high- and low-performance tumbler pigeons after exercise. This result provides theoretical guidance and data support for cultivating high-performance tumbler pigeons.},
}

@article {pmid42510753,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, X and Li, Y and Zhang, X and Shi, W and Deng, H and Yi, L and Zhou, S and Yu, D},
title = {Maternal Polystyrene Nanoplastic Exposure Impairs Cardiac Development in Mouse Offspring and Identifies Lactation as a Sensitive Window in Males.},
journal = {Biology},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biology15141207},
pmid = {42510753},
issn = {2079-7737},
abstract = {Maternal exposure to nanoplastics is a growing concern, but its effects on offspring cardiac development and the relative importance of prenatal and lactational exposure remain unclear. Pregnant C57BL/6J mice were orally exposed to 50 nm polystyrene nanoplastics at 3, 15, or 75 μg/g body weight from gestational day 1 to postnatal day 21. A cross-fostering design was used to distinguish gestational exposure from lactational exposure. Maternal polystyrene nanoplastic exposure caused dose-dependent cardiac dysfunction in offspring, including reduced ejection fraction and fractional shortening, increased myocardial injury markers, cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, and fibrosis. Cross-fostering showed that lactationally exposed offspring exhibited more severe cardiac abnormalities than offspring exposed only during gestation, indicating that the nursing period may represent a more vulnerable window. In male offspring, polystyrene nanoplastic exposure was also associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis and cardiac transcriptomic changes. Enrichment analysis identified downregulation of genes related to AMP-activated protein kinase signalling, and integrated microbiome-transcriptome analysis suggested associations between altered gut taxa and cardiac differentially expressed genes. These findings indicate that maternal polystyrene nanoplastic exposure induces offspring cardiac developmental toxicity, with stronger effects during lactation, and suggest the involvement of gut microbial and cardiac molecular remodelling.},
}

@article {pmid42510952,
year = {2026},
author = {H Navia, S and Illescas, O and Silva-Magaña, MA and Juárez-Avelar, I and Terrazas-Rodriguez, M and Vaca-Paniagua, F and Díaz Velásquez, CE and Vega, L and Terrazas, LI and Rodríguez-Sosa, M},
title = {MIF Deficiency Modulates Gut Microbiota Composition and Promotes Colitis-Associated Colorectal Cancer in a Murine Model.},
journal = {Current issues in molecular biology},
volume = {48},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cimb48070712},
pmid = {42510952},
issn = {1467-3045},
support = {CIKAS-FICDTEM25-019//Mexico State Council for Science and Technology (COMECyT)/ ; IN208126//Programa Académico de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT)-UNAM/ ; IV200425//Programa Académico de Investigación e Innovación Tecnológica (PAPIIT)-UNAM/ ; },
abstract = {Intestinal dysbiosis is a hallmark of both inflammatory bowel conditions and colorectal cancer, yet the mechanisms by which inflammatory mediators alter microbial communities and may contribute to tumor development remain poorly understood. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine involved in innate immunity and the progression of inflammatory and neoplastic disorders. In this study, sequencing of the microbial 16S rRNA gene was performed to characterize the fecal microbiota profiles of wild-type (WT) and MIF-knockout (MIF-KO) BALB/c mice subjected to AOM/DSS-induced colitis-associated colorectal cancer (CAC). CAC induction resulted in marked microbial shifts, including increases in Muribaculaceae and Bacteroidota, in both WT and MIF-KO mice. Notably, MIF-KO CAC mice developed more severe disease compared with WT CAC mice. Furthermore, FMT experiments revealed that the fecal microbiota from MIF-KO donors was associated with increased tumor burden in WT recipients under CAC-inducing conditions compared with that in recipients colonized with WT-derived microbiota. Together, these findings suggest that MIF deficiency is associated with gut microbiota remodeling during CAC and support a potential relationship between the MIF-dependent host context, microbial composition and colorectal cancer severity.},
}

@article {pmid42510968,
year = {2026},
author = {Dyachenko, EI and Bel'skaya, LV},
title = {The Mechanism and Pathways of Formation and Modification of Salivary Metabolic Profile in Cancer.},
journal = {Current issues in molecular biology},
volume = {48},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {42510968},
issn = {1467-3045},
support = {23-15-00188-П//Russian Science Foundation/ ; },
abstract = {Saliva is a promising diagnostic fluid for studying diseases, including cancer. Saliva composition can reflect both local processes occurring in the oral cavity and systemic changes associated with distant tumors. This review examines changes in salivary electrolyte, amino acid, lipid, and cytokine profiles, tumor markers, and the oral microbiome in cancer. Collectively, these aspects reflect metabolic, inflammatory, immune, secretory, and tumor-associated processes. Metabolites can enter saliva via the salivary glands, systemic circulation, gingival fluid, extracellular vesicles, and oral cells, as well as directly from the site of disease during localized pathological processes. In tumors not localized in the oral cavity, changes in saliva composition are more often associated with systemic inflammation, altered oral microbiome, metabolic reprogramming, oxidative stress, and tumor-associated exosomes. Individual metabolites have limited specificity and cannot be used as independent diagnostic indicators. A comprehensive multimarker analysis of saliva is of greatest value. This approach can facilitate early diagnosis, identify the risk of disease development and progression, monitor therapy, and understand the biological changes associated with the pathological process, including tumors.},
}

@article {pmid42511027,
year = {2026},
author = {Dong, J and Li, S and Song, J and Ma, Y and Xin, H and Zhang, Y and Zhang, G},
title = {Dietary Laminaria japonica Polysaccharide Alleviates Aged-Maize-Associated Intestinal Oxidative Stress and Systemic Inflammation in Hu Sheep: Associations with Cecal Microbiome-Metabolome Remodeling.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani16142146},
pmid = {42511027},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {ZL2024C016//Heilongjiang Provincial Science and Technology Department/ ; },
abstract = {Long-term maize storage causes oxidative deterioration, but its effects on intestinal redox status, systemic inflammation, and liver-related responses in ruminants remain unclear. Laminaria japonica polysaccharide (LJP) has antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and microbiota-regulating properties, but its efficacy during aged-maize feeding is unknown. This study evaluated whether LJP mitigates oxidative and inflammatory responses in Hu sheep fed aged maize and characterized cecal microbiome and metabolome alterations. Twenty-one Hu sheep (39.05 ± 3.55 kg) were assigned to three diets (n = 7) and fed for 10 weeks (a 14-day adaptation period followed by 8 weeks of treatment): normal maize (CK), aged maize (AM), or aged maize with 0.5% LJP (AML). Compared with CK, AM increased plasma lipopolysaccharide (0.428 vs. 0.379 EU/mL), TNF-α, and IL-1β, and raised ileal reactive oxygen species (248.79 vs. 166.23 fluorescence intensity/mg; p < 0.001) and malondialdehyde (1.87 vs. 1.63 nmol/L; p = 0.006), consistent with systemic inflammation and intestinal oxidative stress. AML lowered these inflammatory and oxidative indices and increased hepatic T-AOC (p = 0.009) and catalase activity (p = 0.013). Integrated 16S rRNA and untargeted metabolomic analysis revealed treatment-associated cecal microbe-metabolite associations. These findings indicate that aged-maize feeding was associated with intestinal and systemic redox-inflammatory changes in Hu sheep, whereas dietary LJP was associated with partial mitigation, potentially involving microbial and metabolic remodeling.},
}

@article {pmid42511028,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, L and Shi, H and Wang, S and Dou, X and Wang, P and Fan, H and Liu, X and Zhang, X and Quan, K and Wang, Y},
title = {Characterization of Fecal Microbiota and Serum Metabolome Variations Across Different Gestational Stages in Hu Sheep.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani16142149},
pmid = {42511028},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {CARS-37//China Agriculture Research System/ ; HARS-22-15-S//Henan Agricultural Research System/ ; },
abstract = {This study investigated the variations in the fecal microbiota and serum metabolome of prolific Hu sheep across different gestational stages to understand their physiological relationships. Fecal and blood samples were collected from 24 multiparous ewes across four stages: non-pregnant and gestational days 55, 85, and 110. Fecal microbial communities were analyzed via 16S rRNA gene sequencing, and serum metabolic profiles were assessed using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based untargeted metabolomics. Serum biochemical analysis showed that pregnant ewes had decreased urea concentrations (p < 0.05), an early-gestation peak in total cholesterol, and a mid-gestation peak in triglycerides (p < 0.05). Fecal microbiota analysis indicated higher alpha diversity during gestation than in the non-pregnant stage (p < 0.05), with Firmicutes as the dominant phylum and stage-specific variations in genera such as Negativibacillus and Monoglobus. Metabolomics analysis identified 68 differential metabolites primarily assigned to lipid, amino acid, and steroid hormone pathways. Procrustes and Spearman correlation analyses showed statistical concordance between the fecal microbial community structure and the serum metabolome. Specific genera, including UCG-005, Alistipes, and unclassified Lachnospiraceae, correlated positively with metabolites such as pregnanediol 3-O-glucuronide and specific sphingomyelins. In conclusion, the progression of pregnancy in Hu sheep is characterized by concurrent shifts in the fecal microbiota and serum metabolites. These concurrent variations correlate with host nitrogen reallocation and lipid parameters, providing baseline reference data for the nutritional management of gestating ewes. These results provide a useful reference for future studies investigating maternal physiology, nutrition, and microbiome dynamics in prolific sheep breeds.},
}

@article {pmid42511119,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, B and Ma, X and He, Z and Liu, J and Chen, P and Wang, F and Xie, J and Lv, C and Pan, F},
title = {Effects of Perilla Seed Extract Dietary Supplementation on Meat Quality, Rumen Fermentation, and Rumen Microbiome-Metabolome of Tan Lambs.},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
volume = {16},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ani16142242},
pmid = {42511119},
issn = {2076-2615},
support = {2023GAAS42//Gansu Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {Perilla seed extract (PSE), a natural resource rich in α-linolenic acid and flavonoids, represents a promising dietary strategy to sustainably optimize rumen fermentation and improve the nutritional profile of ruminant meat. This study evaluated the effects of dietary PSE supplementation on rumen fermentation, microbiome-metabolome profiles, and subsequent meat quality in Tan lambs. Sixty 3-month-old male Tan lambs were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments (n = 15 per treatment) containing 0% (CON), 0.01% (LPSE), 0.03% (MPSE), or 0.05% (HPSE) PSE on a dry matter (DM) basis. In the rumen, the 0.03% PSE inclusion increased the propionate proportion from 20.50% to 23.80% (P-linear = 0.004) and carboxymethyl cellulase activity from 12.45 to 14.85 U/mL (P-linear = 0.007; P-quadratic = 0.045). Exploratory metagenomics showed that 0.03% PSE enriched Prevotella (18.67% to 21.06%) and Ruminococcus_E (1.20% to 2.13%), while decreasing the biohydrogenating genus Butyrivibrio compared with CON (LDA > 2, p < 0.05). These microbial shifts were accompanied by the accumulation of beneficial metabolites (e.g., small peptides and itaconic acid) and up-regulation of the pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathway. Consequently, the 0.03% PSE diet optimized meat quality, decreasing shear force by 12.7% (from 45.65 to 39.85 N; P-linear = 0.005, P-quadratic = 0.018) and drip loss (from 4.82% to 3.85%; P-linear = 0.022, P-quadratic = 0.015), while increasing redness (P-linear = 0.012, P-quadratic = 0.045). Furthermore, it increased meat C18:3n-3 (from 0.62% to 0.91%) and total n-3 PUFA (from 1.12% to 1.52%), while decreasing the n-6/n-3 ratio from 6.76 to 5.13 (P-linear ≤ 0.005 for all). Flavor amino acids also increased (P-linear = 0.008). These findings suggest that 0.03% PSE supplementation potentially improves lamb meat quality by favorably modulating rumen fermentation and microbe-metabolite interactions, highlighting its promise as a natural feed additive, though further validation is warranted.},
}

@article {pmid42511216,
year = {2026},
author = {Ren, T and Li, W and Wen, X and Hu, B and Fang, Z and Hu, B and Wu, W and Zeng, Z and Liu, Y},
title = {Tibetan Tea Drives Baijiu Flavor Formation via Microbial Niche Modulation in Daqu: A Multi-Omics Study.},
journal = {Foods (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511216},
issn = {2304-8158},
support = {2024NSFSC2059//Sichuan Provincial Natural Science Foundation Project Agreement/ ; S202610626104//Provincial Undergraduate Training Program on Innovation and Entrepreneurship/ ; },
abstract = {Interest in using Tibetan tea for fermented food production has increased due to its bioactive components and distinctive flavor characteristics. However, its application in Daqu prepared with Tibetan tea remains limited. This study investigated the effects of Tibetan tea addition on Daqu fermentation and Baijiu flavor formation using integrated microbiome and metabolome approaches. High-throughput sequencing, GC-MS, free amino acid analysis, electronic sensory analysis, and correlation network analysis were performed to characterize microbial and metabolic changes. Compared with wheat Daqu (WD), Tibetan tea Daqu (TD) showed higher microbial richness and enhanced fermentation performance (p < 0.05), with enrichment of functional microorganisms including Sphingobium, Komagataella, and Cyberlindnera, which were associated with enzyme activities and flavor precursor formation. Tibetan tea Daqu Baijiu (TDB) exhibited distinct metabolic profiles, with increased levels of esters, acids, terpenes, and free amino acids, contributing to a flavor profile characterized by ester aroma with sweet, umami, woody, and tea aroma characteristics. Correlation analysis revealed that Tibetan tea-driven microbial restructuring was linked to phenylalanine metabolism, esterification, and phenolic transformation pathways. These findings link raw materials, microbiota, and flavor formation, providing a basis for targeted Baijiu design.},
}

@article {pmid42511468,
year = {2026},
author = {Semlali, A and Al-Zharani, M and Dahdah, M and Chandad, F},
title = {Candida albicans in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma: From Microbial Dysbiosis to Tumor-Promoting Mechanisms and Translational Opportunities.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511468},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {DDRSP2601//Imam Mohammad ibn Saud Islamic University/ ; },
abstract = {Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) remains a major global health burden with limited improvement in survival rates. While traditional risk factors such as tobacco and alcohol are well established, increasing evidence highlights the role of the oral microbiome in carcinogenesis. Among microbial species, Candida albicans (C. albicans) has emerged as a potential contributor to tumor-promoting processes. Clinical studies consistently report increased fungal colonization in oral potentially malignant disorders and OSCC, with associations to disease severity and recurrence. Mechanistically, C. albicans contributes to carcinogenesis through acetaldehyde production, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, epithelial signaling modulation, and extracellular vesicle (EV)-mediated communication. These pathways promote tumor microenvironment remodeling and epithelial transformation. However, conflicting evidence exists regarding causality, suggesting that fungal colonization may also result from tumor-associated ecological changes. From a translational perspective, C. albicans and EV-associated signatures may represent promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets, although further validation is required. This review highlights the emerging role of fungal-host interactions in OSCC and underscores their potential in microbiome-informed precision oncology.},
}

@article {pmid42511476,
year = {2026},
author = {Cannon, M and Peldyak, J},
title = {Xylitol, Mitochondrial Plasticity, the Warburg Effect, and Oral Pathobiont-Associated Immune Evasion in Cancer Hypothesis.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511476},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {The Warburg effect is better understood as regulated metabolic plasticity rather than mitochondrial failure. Many malignant cells retain functional mitochondria while increasing aerobic glycolysis, lactate production, and redox remodeling to support growth, immune escape, and adaptation to microenvironmental stress. Within the context of the cancer microenvironment, this review examines xylitol as a hypothetical metabolic modifier within a broader host-microbe-mitochondria framework. Xylitol, a five-carbon sugar alcohol, is derived endogenously through the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) and the glucuronate-xylulose pathway, and is metabolized efficiently in humans, rats, and pigs through xylitol dehydrogenase (XDH) in hepatic mitochondria and the cytosol; whereas, it is less tolerated by obligate carnivores who lack this enzyme. Preclinical studies show that partial substitution of glucose with xylitol can reduce proliferation and glycolytic markers in oral squamous carcinoma models, and preliminary studies link xylitol to glutathione depletion, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, autophagy-associated death, and altered tumor metabolomics. On the other hand, oral pathogens such as Fusobacterium nucleatum and Porphyromonas gingivalis promote tumor stemness, extracellular vesicle signaling, metastasis, and immune evasion. In addition, Streptococcus mutans, the primary cariogenic pathogen, contributes to systemic bacteremia and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Oral and gut microbiomes modulate macrophage polarization, T cell activity, and the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), possibly promoting cancer immune evasion. The anti-adhesive properties of xylitol may limit pathogen attachment to immune cell receptors, reducing the generation of pro-tumorigenic senescent immune cells. Xylitol also offers metabolic benefits, a low glycemic index, partial insulin-independent metabolism, and potential diabetes-prevention activity that are relevant, considering the established link between metabolic disease and cancer risk. A recent study reported that higher levels of endogenous xylitol were associated with adverse cardiovascular events, but confirmation of this requires large scale prospective studies. The evolutionary dietary context of MIS 6, during which hominin populations in sub-Saharan Africa depended on polyol-rich underground storage organs, provides a biological basis for human tolerance of xylitol. As a result, we hypothesize that xylitol may be a context-dependent metabolic modifier within an integrated host-microbe-mitochondria-cancer stem cell network.},
}

@article {pmid42511508,
year = {2026},
author = {David, DE and Dramba, T and Chiriac, SA and Paraschiv, CM and Grigorasi, G and David, AG and Lupu, VV and Lupu, A and Păduraru, G and Pertea, LI and Temneanu, OR and Esanu, IM},
title = {The Gut-Heart Axis: A Microbiome-Centered Perspective on Heart Failure.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511508},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {In recent years, gut microbiota has emerged as a central modulator of cardiovascular health and disease. This has led to a transition from the old understanding of cardiovascular pathology as a largely cardiac-centric problem to a systemic, multi-organ process. A growing body of evidence demonstrates that changes in the makeup of gut microbes, generally called dysbiosis, are significant in the development and progression of cardiovascular illnesses, including heart failure. Moreover, there are bidirectional interactions between the failing heart and the gut. In heart failure, impaired hemodynamics and venous congestion further worsen intestinal hypoperfusion and barrier dysfunction in a self-perpetuating cycle that exacerbates dysbiosis and systemic inflammation. The gut-heart axis offers a fresh paradigm for illness progression beyond classical neurohormonal and hemodynamic processes. The gut microbiota acts as an endocrine organ by producing bioactive metabolites such as TMAO (trimethylamine N-oxide), SCFA (short-chain fatty acids) and bile acids, which, via several routes, have a serious impact on host health and disease. This narrative review aims to summarize the current evidence for the gut microbiota as a new cardiovascular risk factor, focusing on biological mechanisms and clinical and epidemiological evidence.},
}

@article {pmid42511525,
year = {2026},
author = {Ma, C and Wang, Y and Liu, Y},
title = {GutMGene-Guided Peripheral Blood Transcriptomics Identifies an FLNA-Associated Host-Gene Signal in Diabetic Retinopathy.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511525},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {BE2023665//Jiangsu Province Science and Technology Department/ ; },
abstract = {Diabetic retinopathy (DR) reflects retinal microvascular injury and systemic immune-metabolic stress, and most public DR transcriptomic datasets lack paired microbiome/metabolomic profiles. We used gutMGene v2.0 as a curated microbe/metabolite-host gene prior and integrated it with peripheral blood transcriptomics from GSE221521. Candidate genes were refined by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), repeated resampling, cross-dataset assessment, mechanism scoring, peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) single-cell localization and filamin A (FLNA)-centered single-cell gene regulatory network (GRN) virtual knockout. The gutMGene prior contained 238 host genes; 15 DR-associated genes overlapped this prior, and WGCNA retained ten candidate gut microbe and microbial metabolite-related genes (GMMRGs): FLNA, AKT1, IRAK1, BCL10, CDK6, CTSD, JUP, CXCL1, CXCR2 and IL4R. Resampling prioritized FLNA as the most consistent candidate. Cross-dataset assessment localized the strongest signal to type 2 diabetes (T2D) PBMCs, retinal endothelial cells and advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy with diabetic macular edema (PDR + DME) retinal tissue, with weaker separation in whole blood, broad retinal tissue and six-donor type 1 diabetes (T1D) PBMCs. FLNA virtual knockout predicted cell-context-dependent perturbation of immune-related transcriptional programs, including IL4R in DR B cells and CTSD in DR monocytes/NK cells. This prior-guided study identifies FLNA within a ten-gene GMMRG set as a circulating host-response signal that links curated microbe/metabolite-host records to immune-vascular and cytoskeletal remodeling in DR.},
}

@article {pmid42511589,
year = {2026},
author = {Ciaușu-Sliwa, D and Capotă, R and Bostănaru-Iliescu, AC and Năstasă, V and Mareș, M},
title = {Molecular Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota-Immune System Crosstalk: From Mucosal Architecture to Adaptive Immunity Programming.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511589},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {The mammalian gut microbiome functions as a metabolically active immunological organ and has co-evolved with its host to maintain systemic homeostasis. This review integrates current evidence on the molecular mechanisms governing bidirectional microbiota-immune communication, emphasizing evolutionary conservation, receptor-mediated signaling, and translational implications. Microbial structural ligands and metabolites-including short-chain fatty acids, bile-acid derivatives, and tryptophan catabolites-engage host receptors such as G-protein-coupled receptors, FXR/TGR5, and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), thereby regulating epithelial barrier integrity, regulatory T-cell differentiation, Th17 polarization, mucosal IgA production, and systemic immune tone. Riboflavin-derived metabolites presented via major histocompatibility complex class-I-related molecule (MR1) further shape mucosal-associated invariant T-cell development (MAIT), illustrating metabolite-driven immune system programming. Dysbiosis induced by antibiotics, dietary perturbation, or aging disrupts these molecular networks, promoting chronic inflammatory, metabolic, autoimmune, and neuroimmune disorders. Comparative analyses across mammalian systems underscore conserved pathways of host-microbe coadaptation and immune education. Therapeutically, microbiota-modulating strategies-including probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), postbiotics, and IgY-based passive immunotherapy-aim to restore immunometabolic signaling. Emerging in vitro and in silico platforms further provide mechanistic precision while supporting ethically aligned translational research. Collectively, these insights position microbiota-derived molecular signaling as a central determinant of adaptive immune architecture and a targetable axis in precision immunotherapy.},
}

@article {pmid42511590,
year = {2026},
author = {Tankiewicz, M and Niciejewski, K and Dydecka, A and Topka-Bielecka, G},
title = {The Fruit Biome: Biofilm Dynamics and Consumer Health Risks with Focus on the Apple (Malus domestica) as a Model System.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511590},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {01-30026/0010494/01/322/322/0/2026//Ministry of Science and Higher Education/ ; },
abstract = {Fruit surfaces serve as ecological interfaces that support diverse microbial communities, where biofilm formation by spoilage organisms and human pathogens contributes to postharvest safety concerns. Although fruit-associated microbiota and chemical residues have been widely investigated, the interactions between surface microstructure, residue dynamics, and microbial persistence remain insufficiently integrated. This review synthesizes current knowledge by considering three key processes: temporal succession of microbial communities, structural vulnerability of the fruit surface, and chemically mediated selective pressures. Using apple (Malus domestica) as a model system, we examine how structural features such as lenticels and cuticular microdamage interact with pesticide residues to facilitate microbial retention, sequestration, and internalization. Evidence indicates that pesticide residues may act as selective stressors and, in some cases, potential metabolic substrates, thereby enhancing microbial persistence and tolerance to sanitization. These combined factors contribute to the formation of a high-persistence surface environment. Integrating microbiological, chemical, and plant structural perspectives, this review provides a mechanistic basis for the limited effectiveness of conventional decontamination approaches and highlights the need for multidisciplinary postharvest strategies to improve produce safety and shelf life.},
}

@article {pmid42511630,
year = {2026},
author = {Yoon, Y and Hwang, J and Yang, CM and Moon, M and Lee, JJ and Lam, KHS and Castro, JC and Suryadi, T and Suhaimi, A and Lee, J},
title = {Psyllium and Glucomannan as Viscous Fiber Modulators of the Gut-Microbiome-Incretin Axis: Molecular Links to Metabolic Inflammation, Barrier Function, and GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511630},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Dietary fiber is an under-consumed nutritional substrate that supports gut microbial metabolism, intestinal barrier integrity, enteroendocrine signaling, and cardiometabolic regulation. Among dietary fibers, psyllium and glucomannan are clinically accessible viscous, gel-forming soluble fibers with distinct but complementary physicochemical profiles. This narrative review examines how these fibers act through luminal viscosity, nutrient diffusion, bile acid and cholesterol handling, short-chain fatty acid production, epithelial barrier support, enteroendocrine L-cell signaling, and low-grade metabolic inflammation. Psyllium has the strongest clinical support for stool normalization, glycemic modulation, and LDL cholesterol reduction, whereas glucomannan provides marked viscosity and water-holding capacity that may support satiety, lipid modulation, and weight-management strategies when appropriately hydrated and tolerated. We also discuss the emerging nutritional context of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist therapy, in which appetite suppression, reduced meal volume, delayed gastrointestinal transit, and constipation may reduce dietary fiber intake and fermentable substrate delivery to the colon. The pain- and mood-related implications are framed as hypothesis-generating extensions, because direct clinical evidence that psyllium or glucomannan improves these outcomes remains limited. A psyllium-centered, selectively glucomannan-supported strategy may help close the fiber gap and support bowel function, microbial metabolite signaling, and cardiometabolic stability during modern metabolic and weight-loss therapies.},
}

@article {pmid42511698,
year = {2026},
author = {Biasin, A and Sarro, G and Confalonieri, P and Salton, F and Confalonieri, M and Abriani, A and Campisciano, G and Comar, M and Tierno, D and Tonon, F and Adrover, A and Venditti, C and Grassi, G and Grassi, M and Abrami, M},
title = {Pilot Study on the Use of Low-Field Nuclear Magnetic Resonance as a Noninvasive Tool for Monitoring Mucus in Obstructive Lung Diseases.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511698},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {CUP J53D23002200006//Ministry of Education, Universities and Research/ ; CUP J93C24002040002//Regione Autonoma Friuli Venezia Giulia/ ; },
abstract = {Patients with muco-obstructive lung disease (MOLD) exhibit chronic bronchitis and inflammation, along with a progressive decline in lung function. Lung monitoring is typically performed using spirometry, especially by measuring the forced expired volume in the first second (FEV1). However, the limitations of spirometry motivated the exploration of alternative approaches. The spin-spin relaxation time (T2m) and the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1m) of sputum water hydrogens were measured using low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) in 38 MOLD patients and 16 controls. The levels of TNFα/IL-6, the sputum microbiome composition/amount/indices and FEV1 were determined in parallel. We also investigated the correlation between T2m/T1m and the disease index (ID); ID, calculated relying on patient FEV1/TNFα/IL-6/bacteria concentration Cb values, is a measure of the patient's distance from the average healthy control. We observed the following significant correlations: T2m/T1m with ID, T2m with Cb, a potential correlation of T2m with the bacteria genera Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, T2m with the Shannon index, which reflects the broadness of the bacterial community in the sputum, and T2m with TNFα. FEV1 did not show any correlation. Our noninvasive/radiation-free/portable method of T2m/T1m measurement shows potential value in monitoring lung conditions in MOLD patients and may contribute to improved clinical decision-making.},
}

@article {pmid42511708,
year = {2026},
author = {Green, RS and Diaz-Infante Morales, D and Schott, EM and Charbonneau, MR and Ballok, AE},
title = {A Defined Synbiotic Produces Immunomodulatory Metabolites, Engages Gut-Immune Pathways Relevant to Inflammaging, and Supports Healthy Aging in a Nematode Model.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511708},
issn = {1422-0067},
mesh = {Animals ; *Synbiotics/administration & dosage ; Humans ; *Caenorhabditis elegans/immunology ; *Healthy Aging/drug effects/immunology ; *Inflammation/immunology ; *Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects/immunology ; Longevity/drug effects ; Immunomodulation ; Aging ; Intestinal Barrier Function ; },
abstract = {Chronic low-grade aging-associated inflammation, or inflammaging, is a central pillar of age-related decline in quality of life. Inflammaging is partially mediated by impaired intestinal, immune, and microbiome function, and it has been hypothesized that probiotics could be used to promote healthy aging. SBD121, a defined synbiotic containing food-derived microbial strains and prebiotic fibers, has previously been shown to improve grip strength in male rats, an important indicator of healthspan, and is under evaluation in a clinical trial of 143 newly diagnosed rheumatoid arthritis patients (NCT06005220). However, the mechanisms underlying its potential benefits have not been determined. Here, we examined the function of SBD121 in microbial, cellular, and animal models relevant to inflammaging. SBD121 inhibited the growth of potential microbial pathogens, produced immunomodulatory metabolites in vitro, and improved human intestinal cell barrier function under both basal and challenge conditions, while reducing inflammatory chemokine secretion following inflammatory challenge. SBD121 also reduced the secretion of multiple chemokines in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated human intestinal and immune cells. Finally, SBD121 improved survival and locomotor activity in a C. elegans longevity model, providing evidence of benefits to lifespan and healthspan. Together, these data demonstrate that SBD121 exhibits beneficial microbial, epithelial, immune, and longevity effects and support continued investigation of SBD121 as a candidate intervention for healthy aging.},
}

Animals
*Synbiotics/administration & dosage
Humans
*Caenorhabditis elegans/immunology
*Healthy Aging/drug effects/immunology
*Inflammation/immunology
*Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects/immunology
Longevity/drug effects
Immunomodulation
Aging
Intestinal Barrier Function

@article {pmid42511743,
year = {2026},
author = {Tanaka, M and Detregiachi, CRP and Catharin, VCS and Mazuqueli, ESB and Galhardi, CM and Zutin, TLM and Hirata, M and Quesada, K and Catharin, VMCS and Haber, RSA and Miola, VFB and Barbalho, SM},
title = {Mechanism-First Psychobiotics: Fermented Vegetables, Dairy, and Soy for Depression and Anxiety.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511743},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Depression and anxiety are increasingly understood to involve systemic biological processes, where chronic stress, immune dysregulation, and vascular dysfunction converge on brain-relevant symptoms. Fermented foods are widely studied as psychobiotic candidates, yet results remain inconsistent because products vary in chemistry, viability, sodium, and biogenic amines, and trials often rely on broad symptom outcomes without exposure verification. A major gap is the lack of a reusable, mechanism-first framework that links what a product delivers to barrier, endothelial, and neurovascular target engagement. As a narrative and conceptual review rather than a systematic review, the article integrates mechanistic evidence into a conceptual framework rather than undertaking quantitative evidence synthesis. It addresses that gap by treating fermented vegetables, dairy, soy, and selected Brazilian cassava ferments and artisanal cheeses as metabolite-engineering platforms mapped onto a tri-barrier remodeling axis from gut epithelium to endothelium and platelets to the blood-brain barrier. We synthesize dosing-resolved metabolite modules, including short-chain fatty acids, tryptophan-derived indoles, bile acids, neuroactive small molecules, and peptide and exopolysaccharide fingerprints, and align them with interpretable readouts for permeability, endotoxemia proxies, endothelial activation, immunothrombosis, and epigenetic aging pace. Here we highlight how this modular framework converts heterogeneous food studies into testable exposure hypotheses, guides comparator design and phenotype stratification, and clarifies why null results can be informative. To maintain a focused scope, the review uses selected fermented-food families as representative test platforms rather than attempting a complete survey of global fermented foods. The emphasis is therefore placed on mechanisms, exposure verification, and trial-design principles that can be transferred to other products.},
}

@article {pmid42511801,
year = {2026},
author = {Cheng, A and Ee, KP},
title = {Deciphering Stress Resilience in Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.): From Current Advances to Emerging Opportunities.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511801},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {FRGS/1/2024/STG01/UM/02/1//Ministry of Higher Education/ ; },
abstract = {Black pepper (Piper nigrum Linn.), one of the world's most economically important spice crops, is increasingly challenged by climate-related stresses, emerging pests and diseases, and declining soil health, all of which threaten its productivity and sustainability. While previous reviews have predominantly focused on black pepper genomic resources, breeding strategies, and disease management, the integration of multi-omics technologies, microbiome science, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance its stress resilience has received comparatively limited attention. This review synthesizes recent advances in the molecular mechanisms underlying black pepper responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, with emphasis on omics approaches (such as genomics and transcriptomics), as well as the roles of beneficial microbial communities in enhancing stress tolerance, nutrient acquisition, and disease suppression. We further discuss emerging microbiome-assisted strategies, including the development of beneficial microbial consortia and targeted manipulation of microbial functions, for enhancing black pepper resilience under changing environmental conditions. In addition, we explore how AI-driven analytical approaches can integrate complex multi-omics and microbiome datasets to unravel the complex molecular networks governing black pepper-microbe interactions under stress conditions and accelerate precision breeding. By integrating genomics, microbial ecology, and AI, this review presents a systems-level framework for understanding and improving stress resilience in black pepper. This interdisciplinary perspective highlights new opportunities to accelerate the development of climate-resilient cultivars and advance sustainable black pepper production.},
}

@article {pmid42511815,
year = {2026},
author = {Nardelli, C and Nunziato, M and Di Maggio, F and Gelzo, M and Boccia, G and Maione, F and Peltrini, R and Carbone, F and Caldora, F and Corcione, F and De Palma, GD and Pilone, V and Castaldo, G and Matarese, G and Salvatore, F and Bruzzese, D and Sacchetti, L},
title = {CCL2: A Pro-Inflammatory Driver and Candidate Diagnostic Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer Patients.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511815},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {RF-2010-23183729//Ministero della Salute/ ; CIRO project//Regione Campania/ ; DD 366/2018//Regione Campania/ ; 63/2024 and 32/2025//Regione Campania/ ; },
abstract = {Chronic inflammation and immune remodeling are key features of colorectal cancer (CRC) development and progression, particularly because of the high level of microbiome presence. Among inflammatory mediators, CCL2 has been implicated in the recruitment of monocytes and tumor-associated macrophages, supporting its potential role as a marker of CRC-associated inflammatory remodeling. Therefore, we evaluated nine circulating inflammatory mediators, including CCL2, to assess their potential diagnostic value in patients with CRC. The study included 96 individuals, comprising 52 CRC patients and 44 healthy controls. Plasma cytokine levels were measured using the ProteinSimple Ella microfluidic immunoassay platform, and analyses were also stratified according to sex and BMI category (BMI < 25 vs. ≥25 kg/m[2]). Patients with CRC had significantly higher levels of CCL2 and IL-6 than healthy controls (p-value < 0.001), regardless of gender or overweight or obesity, confirming a chronic pro-tumor inflammatory profile. Among all markers, CCL2 showed strong exploratory diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.918, 90.4% sensitivity, and 90.9% specificity (cut-off 436.5 pg/mL). This study highlights the central role of CCL2 as a candidate marker of systemic chronic inflammation associated with colorectal cancer.},
}

@article {pmid42511820,
year = {2026},
author = {Jakoniuk, M and Kler, K and Kler, A and Rak, K and Ponikowska, M},
title = {NK Cell Disfunction in Atopic Dermatitis: A Missing Link Between Type 2 Inflammation, Microbial Dysbiosis and Antiviral Immunity.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511820},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a prevalent chronic inflammatory skin disorder driven by epidermal barrier defects and dysregulated Th2 cell responses. While therapies primarily address adaptive immunity, the role of Natural Killer (NK) cells remains underappreciated. This review analyzes NK cell dysfunctions in AD pathogenesis, evaluating their contributions to compromised skin immunity, microbial dysbiosis, and secondary infections. Accumulating evidence reveals a systemic deficiency of mature, cytotoxic CD56[dim] and NKp80+ NK cell subsets in peripheral blood, correlating with disease severity. Within the cutaneous microenvironment, Staphylococcus aureus subverts defenses by utilizing leukocidins to lyse mature NK cells, while superantigens drive an aberrant, pro-inflammatory CD57[-]NKG2+ phenotype, exacerbating inflammation. Furthermore, localized exhaustion of functional NK cells and failure to produce interferon-gamma directly explains AD patients' unique susceptibility to severe viral complications like eczema herpeticum. Importantly, treatments such as dupilumab and gut microbiota transplantations demonstrate that these NK cell aberrations are reversible, shifting immunity toward a normalized regulatory state. In conclusion, the NK cell compartment represents a vital regulatory axis bridging innate and adaptive immunity. Targeting this axis, particularly through IL-15 superagonists, offers a promising therapeutic frontier to suppress type 2 inflammation and restore antimicrobial defenses.},
}

@article {pmid42511831,
year = {2026},
author = {Küçükkasap, T and Yavuz, A and Kuran, Ö},
title = {Fermented Foods, Functional Nutrition, and Maternal Gut Microbiota During Pregnancy: Molecular Mechanisms and the Maternal-Infant Microbiome Axis.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511831},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Pregnancy is associated with profound metabolic, hormonal, and immunological adaptations accompanied by dynamic alterations in maternal gut microbiota composition and function. Emerging evidence suggests that maternal diet is a major regulator of these microbiota-related changes and may influence maternal-fetal health through microbial metabolites and host signaling pathways. Fermented foods and functional dietary components, including prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and polyphenols, have gained increasing attention because of their potential to modulate gut microbial diversity, intestinal barrier integrity, inflammatory responses, and metabolic homeostasis. Mechanistically, these effects are mediated through pathways involving short-chain fatty acids, G protein-coupled receptors, nuclear factor kappa B signaling, histone deacetylase inhibition, and immune cell regulation. Altered microbiota-associated signaling has been linked to gestational metabolic disorders such as obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, and preeclampsia, as well as fetal immune and metabolic programming. Particular emphasis is placed on the maternal-infant microbiome axis, highlighting how maternal nutrition and microbiota-mediated signaling may influence microbial transmission, fetal programming, and early-life microbiome development. This review summarizes current evidence regarding pregnancy-associated gut microbiota alterations and discusses the molecular mechanisms through which fermented foods and functional nutrition may influence maternal and fetal health outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid42511834,
year = {2026},
author = {Khalil, M and Mahdi, L and Madani, A and Arzouni, A and Lanza, E and Piazzai, C and Marino, M and Portincasa, P},
title = {Neuroglobin: A New Player in the Gut-Brain Axis.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511834},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {PNRR-MAD-2022-12375639//PNRR-MAD-2022-12375639 - Missione 6/Componente 2/Investimento 2.1 'Rafforzamento e po-tenziamento della ricerca biomedica del SSN' EU - Next Generation EU CUP B93C22001860007 and EU CUP J83C220020300007./ ; },
abstract = {Neuroglobin (NGB), initially identified for its oxygen-binding capacity in neuronal tissues, has emerged as a multifunctional protein involved in neuroprotection, oxidative stress regulation, and mitochondrial homeostasis. Although its functions have been extensively studied in the central nervous system (CNS), its potential role in the gut-brain axis (GBA) remains largely unexplored. The GBA integrates neural, endocrine, immune, and metabolic signaling between the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, and growing evidence from microbiome, neurobiology, endocrinology, and nutrition research suggests that several pathways involved in GBA signaling may also influence NGB expression or activity. However, direct experimental evidence, particularly from in vivo studies, remains limited. This hypothesis-driven review integrates evidence from diverse fields to explore the possibility that NGB may represent a molecular link between gut-derived signals and neuroprotective mechanisms. We summarize current knowledge of NGB biology and discuss indirect evidence indicating that microbial metabolites, dietary phytochemicals, and hormonal mediators, including estradiol, may converge on pathways associated with NGB regulation. Based on these observations, we propose a conceptual framework in which NGB could participate in gut-brain communication while emphasizing that this hypothesis requires experimental validation. By bringing together findings that have not previously been considered within a unified context, this review highlights key knowledge gaps, opens new perspectives on the potential involvement of NGB in the GBA, and provides a foundation for future mechanistic studies in neurodegenerative and neuroinflammatory disorders.},
}

@article {pmid42511843,
year = {2026},
author = {Rajarathinam, B and Nair, PV and Murali, N and Lekshmi, G and Sajeev, AK and Pillai, AB and Thomas, A and Hely, S and Arun, K and Prakash, V and Nair, BG and Venugopal, P and Aradhya, R},
title = {Antibiotic Class-Specific Effects on Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Microbiome Disruption, Risk, and Recovery.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {27},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42511843},
issn = {1422-0067},
abstract = {Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory diseases resulting from complex interactions between host genetics, environmental factors, immune dysregulation, and the gut microbiome. Among environmental exposures, antibiotics have emerged as important factors of IBD risk and disease course because of their profound effects on intestinal microbial communities. This review synthesizes current evidence on the class-specific effects of antibiotics on IBD, integrating epidemiological, mechanistic, and clinical studies to examine how different antibiotic classes influence disease susceptibility, progression, and microbiome recovery. Current evidence indicates that antibiotic-associated IBD risk varies according to antibiotic class, cumulative exposure, age at exposure, and antimicrobial spectrum, with broad-spectrum and anti-anaerobic agents showing the strongest associations. Mechanistically, antibiotics promote dysbiosis by depleting beneficial commensal bacteria, disrupting microbial metabolite production, expanding pathobionts and the intestinal resistome, and impairing epithelial barrier integrity and immune homeostasis. The review also discusses microbiome-preserving and microbiome-restorative approaches, including antimicrobial stewardship, fecal microbiota transplantation, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, postbiotics, and dietary interventions, as potential strategies to mitigate antibiotic-associated dysbiosis. Overall, the evidence highlights the class-specific effects of antibiotics in IBD and underscores the importance of microbiome-informed antimicrobial stewardship and precision therapeutic strategies to optimize patient outcomes while minimizing long-term disruptions of host-microbiome homeostasis.},
}

@article {pmid42511923,
year = {2026},
author = {Armega-Anghelescu, A and Vlad, DC and Muntean, C and Flangea, C and Zara, F and Mituletu, M and Vlad, T and Dumitrascu, V},
title = {Enhancing Targeted Colorectal Cancer Therapies with Natural Products: Mechanistic Pathways.},
journal = {Biomedicines},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines14071448},
pmid = {42511923},
issn = {2227-9059},
abstract = {Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide, with a significant proportion of patients presenting with metastatic disease (mCRC). While molecularly targeted therapies, including anti-EGFR and anti-VEGF agents, have improved survival outcomes, their efficacy is often limited by drug resistance, toxicity, and high costs. There is a growing need for sustainable strategies to enhance therapeutic efficacy. Methods: This review explores the emerging role of plant-derived compounds as synergistic adjuvants. Specifically, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for English-language articles published between January 2004 and June 2026, using combination of terms related to colorectal cancer, metastatic disease, anti-EGFR/anti-VEGF targeted therapy, phytochemicals/natural products, and gut microbiota; both primary studies and reviews were eligible. Results: Targeted therapies such as cetuximab and bevacizumab are the standard of care but face challenges related to RAS/BRAF mutations and primary tumour location. Clinical data demonstrate that while cetuximab improves overall survival in patients with RAS wild-type, left-sided tumours (median OS 31 vs. 26 months; HR 0.76, p = 0.012), progression-free survival remains comparable to that of bevacizumab. Concurrently, natural products like Vitis vinifera, Dendrobium candidum, and quercetin demonstrate significant preclinical potential in inhibiting angiogenesis, inducing apoptosis, and modulating the tumour microenvironment. The gut microbiome, particularly Fusobacterium nucleatum (whose reported prevalence varies widely across cohorts and reaches up to ~98% of CRC tissues only in selected series), has emerged as a key factor in chemoresistance. It should be emphasised that the great majority of the phytochemical-targeted therapy combinations discussed here are currently supported primarily by preclinical (in vitro and animal) studies rather than by clinical trials. Conclusions: Integrating evidence-based phytochemicals with conventional targeted therapies is a mechanistically compelling and potentially sustainable strategy that may enhance therapeutic efficacy, help overcome resistance, and mitigate adverse effects in mCRC management. However, because current support is largely preclinical, these combinations should be regarded as hypothesis-generating and require validation in prospective, biomarker-stratified clinical trials before clinical adoption.},
}

@article {pmid42511942,
year = {2026},
author = {Rybczynski, B and Maslyk, M and Pruc, M and Janeczko, M and Niewiadomska, I and Szarpak, L},
title = {Microbiome-Informed Precision Electroconvulsive Therapy: Oral-Gut-Immune Signatures and Seizure Biology as Candidate Predictors of Response-A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Biomedicines},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines14071467},
pmid = {42511942},
issn = {2227-9059},
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is among the most effective treatments for severe major depression, treatment-resistant depression, psychotic and bipolar depression, catatonia, and selected psychotic disorders. Yet response, remission, seizure adequacy, and cognitive tolerability remain difficult to predict for an individual patient. This review examines whether oral and gut microbial signatures can inform precision ECT as contextual biological markers, rather than as standalone explanations of ECT efficacy. Methods: A structured narrative PubMed/MEDLINE search was conducted on 1 May 2026 and supplemented by targeted manual searches of Crossref, Google Scholar, journal websites, and reference lists updated through 17 May 2026. Evidence was grouped as direct human ECT-microbiome studies, indirect human ECT biomarker studies, preclinical electroconvulsive shock (ECS) studies, and mechanistic microbiome-gut-brain literature. Results: Direct human ECT-microbiome evidence remains very limited and currently consists of two small prospective cohorts with sufficient microbiome data, totaling approximately 25 patients across studies, plus one single-patient case report. In severe or treatment-resistant depression, a pilot oral microbiome study with sufficient microbiological data from 14 patients reported higher pre-treatment oral alpha diversity in responders than in non-responders, without a consistent global oral microbiome shift after ECT. In schizophrenia, a small stool microbiome cohort of 11 patients suggested that baseline Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus proportions may relate to symptom improvement, although sample size and confounding preclude firm inference. Conclusions: Microbiome-informed precision ECT remains a biologically plausible research direction, but current human evidence supports only cautious evaluation of baseline microbial context as a candidate predictor, not clinical microbiome-guided ECT, mediation, or microbiome-modifying intervention. The strongest current biological bridge comes from inflammatory markers, particularly baseline CRP and IL-6. Preclinical ECS studies support gut inflammatory, motility and vagal mechanisms, but they cannot substitute for human validation.},
}

@article {pmid42512032,
year = {2026},
author = {Buttà, M and Sucato, A and Capra, G},
title = {Unfolding the Semen Microbiota: Implications for Male Infertility.},
journal = {Biomedicines},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/biomedicines14071557},
pmid = {42512032},
issn = {2227-9059},
abstract = {In recent years, the growing interest in microbiota, supported by increasing evidence from next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based studies, has led to the hypothesis that multifactorial conditions such as male infertility may have their bases in its imbalance. Despite rapid advances in the field over the past decade, findings remain fragmented and sometimes inconsistent. Furthermore, analyses frequently exclude non-bacterial components, such as viruses (e.g., human papillomavirus and herpes simplex virus), protozoa (e.g., Trichomonas vaginalis) and fungi (e.g., Candida spp.), with a few studies focusing on the influence of individual components. This review provides an integrative and critical synthesis of current knowledge on the composition and functional relevance of the male reproductive tract microbiota, including both bacterial and non-bacterial components. Particular attention is given to the methodological strengths and limitations of NGS approaches, the main bacterial taxa identified in seminal samples, and the emerging roles of viruses, protozoa, and fungi. The review also explores proposed mechanisms linking microbial dysbiosis to impaired spermatozoa function, the potential anatomical origins of seminal microorganisms, and evidence for microbiota exchange between sexual partners. By integrating recent data and addressing underexplored components beyond bacteria, this work provides a coherent framework to support future research on the role of the seminal microbiome in male infertility.},
}

@article {pmid42512167,
year = {2026},
author = {Cheong, YL and Lim, JH and Mat Hashim, MH and Saidin, NS and Samson, SA and Che Ibrahim, MK and Lim, HL and Ariffin, FD and Lee, HL and Ahmad, NW and Omar, A and Lim, KH},
title = {Research Trends and Collaborative Patterns in Wolbachia and Aedes aegypti Studies: A Scientometric Analysis.},
journal = {International journal of environmental research and public health},
volume = {23},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {42512167},
issn = {1660-4601},
abstract = {Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) is the primary vector for dengue, Zika and chikungunya, which represent major global public health concerns. The use of Wolbachia as a biological control agent in Ae. aegypti has gained significant international attention following the successful establishment of field-released mosquitoes in Australia, Malaysia, Brazil, Indonesia and Singapore. This study presents a comprehensive scientometric analysis of the research landscape of Wolbachia and Ae. aegypti. Data comprising 662 English-language publications from 2000 to 2025 were extracted from the Scopus database. Analytic tools, including VOSviewer and R-based Biblioshiny, were employed to quantify author productivity, transcontinental collaboration networks, thematic evolution, research gaps and future directions, while Bradford's Law of Scattering was used to identify core dissemination channels. Publications have shown a steady upward trajectory since 2000, with an overall relative growth rate of 0.3%, while annual citations peaked in 2009 and 2011 (3337 and 3460 citations, respectively). The dataset strictly conformed to Bradford's distribution (0.16% error), identifying PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases (11.9%) and Parasites and Vectors (5.6%) as the core journals. Global research networks are predominantly led by Australia and the United States, supported primarily by the National Institutes of Health (14.8%) and the National Health and Medical Research Council (14.2%). Crucially, thematic analysis using a methodological triangulation approach demonstrates a progressive maturation in the field, shifting from foundational laboratory mechanisms toward large-scale deployment logistics and microbiome dynamics. Overall, this study highlights the intellectual landscape, underscores the vital role of global collaboration, and provides strategic insights to guide future evidence-based policies in Wolbachia-Aedes aegypti research.},
}

@article {pmid42512456,
year = {2026},
author = {Dabboussi, N and Debs, E and Bouji, M and Kassab, R and Bou Khalil, R and Fares, N and Rafei, R},
title = {Integrated Inflammatory and Gut Microbial Signatures in Major Depressive Disorder: A Case-Control Study.},
journal = {Brain sciences},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/brainsci16070681},
pmid = {42512456},
issn = {2076-3425},
support = {NCT05646784//Lallemand (Canada)/ ; FM441//Saint Joseph University/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is increasingly recognized as involving inflammation and the microbiota-gut-brain axis. Few studies have simultaneously assessed systemic inflammatory markers and gut microbiota composition within the same cohort while accounting for metabolic confounders. Moreover, data from Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) populations remain limited, restricting our understanding of how diet may influence neuroimmune-microbiome interactions in depression. This study aimed to investigate associations between MDD, systemic inflammatory markers, and gut microbiota composition in Lebanese adults. To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind in Lebanon, as well as in the MENA region.

METHODS: In this cross-sectional case-control study, we examined circulating inflammatory markers and gut microbial profiles in 46 adults with DSM-5-confirmed MDD and 25 healthy controls. Plasma C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured, and the gut microbiota composition was characterized using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Multivariable models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), Mediterranean diet adherence, and fluoxetine exposure.

RESULTS: Depression status was not independently associated with CRP or IL-6 after adjustment, whereas BMI emerged as a significant determinant of systemic inflammation. At the genus level, MDD was associated with the enrichment of Dorea, Lachnoclostridium, Collinsella, Bilophila, and Klebsiella and the depletion of Christensenella, Mitsuokella, and Victivallis, independent of inflammatory biomarkers. Alpha diversity did not differ between groups, while beta diversity showed modest metric-dependent differences, primarily driven by presence/absence-based measures.

CONCLUSIONS: Specific microbial taxa may contribute to gut-brain signaling pathways implicated in MDD and systemic inflammation. Further longitudinal and mechanistic studies are required to clarify causal interactions within inflammation-microbiome networks in MDD.},
}

@article {pmid42512539,
year = {2026},
author = {Llanes-Cervantes, BA and Cruz-Ramos, JA and Barón-Cárdenas, ME and Zepeda-Olmos, PM and López-Verdín, S and Vargas-López, JM and de la Mora-Jiménez, E},
title = {Cognitive Impairment Associated with Chemotherapy: Neuroimmunological Interactions, Gut-Brain Axis, and Therapeutic Approaches.},
journal = {Brain sciences},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/brainsci16070765},
pmid = {42512539},
issn = {2076-3425},
abstract = {Chemotherapy is a treatment designed to contain or eradicate neoplastic cells; however, patients may experience various treatment-related adverse effects. Chemotherapy-related cognitive impairment (CRCI), clinically referred to as "chemobrain," is a frequent complication with a duration ranging from months to years, affecting between 17% and 70% of cancer patients. These cognitive deficits not only impair social, educational, and occupational functioning but may also impact survival outcomes, possibly by interfering with medication adherence and health-related behaviors. Emerging evidence has converged on an integrative cascade in which chemotherapy-induced systemic inflammation, intestinal dysbiosis, blood-brain barrier disruption, microglial/astroglial activation, and impaired hippocampal neurogenesis act in sequence rather than as independent pathways. Underlying pathophysiological mechanisms include neuroinflammation, reduced neurogenesis, loss of dendritic spines, oxidative stress, hormonal changes, epigenetic modifications, and mitochondrial dysfunction. In contrast, repair mechanisms involve complex glial responses, particularly those of astrocytes and microglia. Emerging studies suggest a link between changes in the microbiome and cognitive decline, demonstrating the importance of bidirectional communication in the gut-brain axis. Current research seeks to determine appropriate tests to identify chemobrain. Therefore, several biomarkers, such as GFAP, S100β, and isoprostanes, have been proposed to assess chemobrain, alongside screening tools such as MoCA, MMSE, and CAB-CF, to evaluate cognitive impairment and enable early detection. Pharmacological candidates-including lithium, fluoxetine, methylphenidate, modafinil, metformin, agomelatine, and melatonin-as well as nutritional and lifestyle interventions such as physical exercise, omega-3 fatty acids, curcumin, probiotics, and traditional Chinese medicine formulations-have been investigated, predominantly in animal models. These remain candidate, not validated, therapies; clinical evidence in CRCI populations is limited, heterogeneous, or absent, and well-powered randomized controlled trials are required before any recommendation can be issued. However, optimal strategies for symptom improvement remain unclear, as various approaches have yielded mixed outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive overview of chemobrain, focusing on its molecular mechanisms, interactions with the gut-brain axis, and potential therapeutic targets to improve the quality of life for cancer survivors.},
}

@article {pmid42512634,
year = {2026},
author = {Alves Ferreira, JM and Tukaiev, S and Giannouli, V},
title = {Gut Microbiota and Ageing: Mechanisms, Age-Related Diseases, and Therapeutic Perspectives.},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {14},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42512634},
issn = {2227-9032},
abstract = {Population ageing has intensified interest in biological mechanisms that influence healthspan and susceptibility to age-related diseases. Among these mechanisms, the gut microbiota has emerged as an important modulator of immune, metabolic, and neurophysiological processes involved in ageing. This narrative review critically synthesises current evidence regarding age-related alterations in gut microbiota composition and function, their relationship with inflammaging and the hallmarks of ageing, and the potential role of microbiota-targeted interventions in promoting healthy ageing. A comprehensive narrative literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science, focusing primarily on human observational studies, longitudinal cohorts, mechanistic investigations, and interventional trials published in peer-reviewed journals between 2010 and 2025. Priority was given to studies examining older adults, frailty, longevity, and microbiota-mediated mechanisms relevant to ageing biology. Current evidence suggests that ageing is frequently associated with reduced microbial diversity, depletion of beneficial short-chain fatty acid-producing taxa, altered intestinal barrier integrity, and increased abundance of pro-inflammatory microorganisms. These alterations are linked to inflammaging and may contribute to neurodegenerative, cardiovascular, metabolic, musculoskeletal, and joint diseases, including osteoporosis, sarcopenia, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. However, causality remains incompletely established in humans, and substantial inter-individual variability exists. Studies of centenarians suggest that preservation of specific microbial metabolic functions may be associated with healthier ageing trajectories. Dietary interventions, particularly Mediterranean-style diets rich in fibre and polyphenols, alongside exercise, prebiotics, probiotics, and emerging microbiota-targeted therapies, show potential to modulate these pathways. Despite significant advances, major challenges remain regarding causality, reproducibility, standardisation of microbiome analyses, and personalised therapeutic implementation. Future longitudinal multi-omics studies and precision microbiome interventions will be essential to clarify the translational role of the gut microbiota in healthy ageing and age-related disease prevention.},
}

@article {pmid42512808,
year = {2026},
author = {Ahmet, RAM and Nascu, AG and Camen, GC and Obleaga, CV and Mirea, CS},
title = {Fusobacterium in the Gut-Breast Axis: Interpreting Systemic Dysbiosis in a Romanian Breast Cancer Cohort.},
journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)},
volume = {62},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/medicina62071266},
pmid = {42512808},
issn = {1648-9144},
abstract = {Background and Objectives: Fusobacterium nucleatum, an oral anaerobe well-established as an onco-pathogen in colorectal cancer, is increasingly implicated in extra-colonic malignancies, including breast cancer. Despite growing mechanistic evidence, the taxonomic composition of fecal Fusobacterium in breast cancer remains poorly resolved, particularly regarding genus-level signals that may precede Fusobacterium nucleatum enrichment and their relationships with clinicopathological and demographic variables. This study aimed to quantify Fusobacterium (Fs) fecal abundance in a Romanian breast cancer cohort, assess its independence from environmental and demographic factors, and evaluate its association with disease-specific parameters, including TNM staging and BRCA mutational carrier status. Materials and Methods: This retrospective case-control study enrolled 99 women at the University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Craiova between October 2020 and June 2025, comprising 57 breast cancer patients and 42 healthy controls. Fecal samples underwent 16S rRNA gene sequencing targeting the V3-V4 hypervariable regions. Bacterial abundance was encoded ordinally and analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test, the chi-squared test, Spearman's Rank Correlation, and Kendall's Tau test, with stratification by residential environment, age, commensal co-occurrence, and cancer-specific variables. Results: Fs abundance was highly significantly elevated in breast cancer patients relative to controls (Mann-Whitney U: p = 2.433 × 10[-12]; chi-squared: p = 1.548 × 10[-13]), with no significant associations identified with residential environment or patient age across all stratified groups. No significant correlations were identified with tumor size, lymph node involvement, or metastatic status. A statistically significant differential abundance was observed between BRCA mutation carriers and non-carriers (Mann-Whitney U: p = 0.00029; chi-squared: p = 0.00076). Conclusions: Fecal Fs abundance demonstrates cancer-specific enrichment independent of demographic and environmental determinants and is significantly associated with BRCA mutational status, positioning it as a candidate non-invasive biomarker and mechanistic contributor within the gut-breast dysbiosis axis, warranting prospective multi-center validation.},
}

@article {pmid42512907,
year = {2026},
author = {Burlui, V and Ichim, DL and Tomița, DI and Visternicu, M and Ciobica, A and Gheban, MD},
title = {Holobiontic Intercellular Relationships Between the Oral Cavity and the Rest of the Human Organism: A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania)},
volume = {62},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/medicina62071365},
pmid = {42512907},
issn = {1648-9144},
abstract = {The holobiont represents a fundamental concept in modern biology, defining the organism as a complex unit composed of the host and its symbionts (microbes, viruses) that live together, forming an integrated biological system in which the host and microbes collaborate and influence each other (genetically and metabolically) and evolve as a single entity, rather than the host evolving in isolation. It is recognized that the health and functioning of the host fundamentally depend on its microbiome, consolidating the entire assembly as a unit of evolutionary selection with a shared genome called the hologenome. The oral microbiota plays an essential role in maintaining homeostasis and in modulating epigenetic processes, having unique characteristics due to the oral environment and microbial diversity. The aim of this narrative review is to explore how the oral microbiota interacts with host cells through microbial metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), extracellular vesicles, and cellular signaling pathways, influencing prenatal and perinatal development as well as overall health. By critically integrating current evidence, this narrative review provides an updated conceptual framework linking the oral microbiota, the holobiont concept, epigenetic regulation, and prenatal and postnatal life. It advances the interpretation of the current literature by bringing together molecular, immunological, and developmental mechanisms that are commonly discussed separately, highlighting the oral microbiota as an active epigenetic regulator within the human holobiont. The effects of oral dysbiosis on both local and systemic health are analyzed, including inflammatory responses, periodontal health, and the risk of chronic diseases or cancer. In addition, the importance of maintaining microbiome homeostasis starting from the gestational period is discussed, in order to prevent epigenetic disturbances that may affect fetal development and postnatal oral health. Collectively, the available evidence supports the biological relevance of the oral holobiont in health and disease while highlighting its potential clinical implications. However, further mechanistic and longitudinal studies are needed to validate these associations and to clarify the causal pathway underlying host-microbiota interactions.},
}

@article {pmid42513087,
year = {2026},
author = {Pachura-Hanusek, N and Banaszkiewicz, S and Lewandowska, K and Burek, A and Szumny, A and Tabiś, A and Bania, J and Kupczyński, R},
title = {From Composition to Function: Lime Essential Oil (Citrus aurantifolia) and (R)-(+)-Limonene and Their Impact on Rumen Microbiota, Fermentation, Methane Emission and Blood Metabolic Parameters in Dairy Cows.},
journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {31},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/molecules31142403},
pmid = {42513087},
issn = {1420-3049},
support = {2020/39/B/NZ9/02741//National Science Centre/ ; },
abstract = {In this study, we characterized the chemical composition of lime essential oil (Citrus aurantifolia) by GC-MS and evaluated the effects of lime essential oil and its major constituent, (R)-(+)-limonene, on rumen fermentation, methane production, microbial community structure and metabolic responses in dairy cows. In vitro assays were used to establish effective doses for in vivo application. In vivo supplementation with lime essential oil on day 14 significantly increased ruminal pH (6.96 vs. 6.66; p < 0.05), total VFA concentration (4.84 vs. 4.11 mg mL[-1]; p < 0.05), serum glucose (3.92 vs. 3.63 mmol L[-1]; p < 0.05) and bicarbonate concentration (26.75 vs. 22.35 mmol L[-1]; p < 0.05), indicating improved fermentation efficiency and buffering capacity. Metabolic profiling revealed elevated glucose and reduced non-esterified fatty acids, suggesting enhanced energy utilization and decreased lipid mobilization, without adverse effects on liver enzymes (AST, ALT, GGT), lipid profile or acid-base balance. Rumen microbiota remained stable and was dominated by Bacteroidota and Bacillota; no significant changes occurred in alpha or beta diversity. (R)-(+)-limonene selectively reduced the abundance of Methanobacteriota (p = 0.04). Methane concentrations were not significantly affected. Both additives exerted beneficial, dose-dependent effects on rumen function and host metabolism and show promise as natural feed additives in dairy cows.},
}

@article {pmid42513197,
year = {2026},
author = {Raiciu, AD and Eremia, MC and Vladu, MG and Petrescu, MM and Miu, DM and Săvoiu, GV and Sha'at, F and Pavaloiu, RD},
title = {Microbial Inulinases: Characterization, Properties, and Potential Contribution to Metabolic and Nutritional Health.},
journal = {Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {31},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/molecules31142519},
pmid = {42513197},
issn = {1420-3049},
support = {PN-IV-P7-7.1-PED-2024-0703, no. 30PED/2025//Ministry of Education and Research, UEFISCDI/ ; },
abstract = {Microbial inulinases are enzymes produced by bacteria, yeasts, and fungi that can hydrolyze inulin into fructose and fructooligosaccharides (FOSs). The article discusses the various types of inulinases (exo- and endo-inulinases), microbial sources, biochemical properties, and optimal activity conditions, which are critical for their use in biotechnological and food processes. Special emphasis is placed on inulin degradation products, particularly FOSs, which are known for their prebiotic properties. They promote the growth of beneficial intestinal microbiota, helping to maintain digestive health and improve nutrient absorption. Compounds produced by inulinases may play an important role in the prevention of metabolic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemias by modulating the microbiota and regulating energy metabolism. In conclusion, microbial inulinases are a promising biotechnological tool for developing nutritional strategies to prevent metabolic diseases and improve overall health. Recent evidence demonstrates that advances in recombinant expression systems, enzyme engineering, immobilization technologies, and microbiome research have substantially expanded the industrial and biomedical potential of microbial inulinases. This review highlights emerging trends toward sustainable enzyme production, precision nutrition, and microbiome-targeted functional foods while identifying current limitations and future research priorities.},
}

@article {pmid42513246,
year = {2026},
author = {Summers, EG and Perez, OD and Sayed, CJ and Petukhova, L},
title = {Exposome Versus Genome in HS: How Do We Currently Explain Where Disease Arises from?.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42513246},
issn = {2077-0383},
support = {K01AR075111/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; R01AR080796/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; 5R01AR083790/AR/NIAMS NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with marked clinical heterogeneity and a multifactorial pathogenesis. Environmental and lifestyle factors, including obesity, tobacco exposure, microbiome dysbiosis, dietary patterns, and plastic-associated endocrine disruptors, have all been linked to HS risk or disease severity. However, these exposures alone do not fully explain why only some individuals develop HS, why age at onset and severity vary substantially, or why disease occurs in patients without major identifiable environmental burden. In parallel, genetic studies have demonstrated that inherited susceptibility is a central component of HS pathogenesis. Rare loss-of-function variants in γ-secretase complex genes cause a small subset of familial, autosomal dominant HS, while genome-wide association studies have shown that population-level risk implicates pathways involved in epithelial differentiation, follicular biology, immune signaling, and cutaneous inflammation. Recent work further suggests that common and rare genetic risk may converge on shared biological mechanisms, including γ-secretase-related signaling. While nature vs. nurture arguments dichotomize genetic constitution and environmental exposures, current evidence supports a model in which genetic susceptibility interacts with environmental exposures to shape HS risk, clinical expression, and disease progression. In this review, we examine the evidence supporting both exposomic and genomic contributions to HS and argue that the disease is best understood as arising from their intersection rather than from either domain alone.},
}

@article {pmid42513316,
year = {2026},
author = {Cannon, M and Peldyak, J and Reynolds, PR and Bikman, B},
title = {Cyclic Altitude Training, Mitochondrial Health, and the Oral-Airway Axis: Intermittent Hypoxia Between Adaptation and Disease.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42513316},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {Mitochondria regulate cellular energetics, redox balance, apoptosis, and inflammatory signaling in oral, airway, and systemic tissues. Hypoxia is a powerful modulator of mitochondrial function, with effects ranging from adaptive hormesis to overt injury. Cyclic altitude training, most often delivered as intermittent hypoxic exposure or intermittent hypoxia training (IHT), has been proposed as a strategy to improve mitochondrial efficiency and exercise performance. By contrast, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) exposes patients to uncontrolled chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), a pattern increasingly linked to endothelial dysfunction, ceramide-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction, insulin resistance, systemic inflammation, oral dysbiosis, and periodontitis. This narrative review covers intermittent hypoxia, mitochondrial biogenesis, hypoxia-inducible factor signaling, OSA, periodontitis, oral microbiome shifts, nitric oxide biology, and smoke-related mitochondrial injury. Appropriately dosed IHT can increase mitochondrial biogenesis, improve mitochondrial morphology, and augment oxidative capacity through pathways involving PGC-1alpha, hypoxia-inducible signaling, mitochondrial dynamics, and reactive oxygen species-dependent hormesis. In contrast, CIH in OSA promotes oxidative stress, sympathetic activation, endothelial injury, and inflammatory signaling and is associated with worse periodontal status and altered salivary microbiome profiles. Controlled IHT and OSA-related CIH, therefore, represent opposite ends of a hypoxia continuum, and mitochondrial health connects sleep-disordered breathing, periodontal inflammation, environmental exposures, and systemic cardiometabolic risk within a single conceptual frame. Sphingolipid signaling-particularly hypoxia- and toxicant-driven ceramide accumulation-connects CIH, inhaled environmental exposures, mitochondrial fragmentation, and the development of insulin resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42513424,
year = {2026},
author = {Gherbon, AM and Frandes, M and Roman, D and Gherbon, A and Goguta, LM and Timar, R and Albai, O},
title = {Metabolic Syndrome and Periodontitis-From Shared Mechanisms to Interdisciplinary Care: A Narrative Review of Clinical Evidence.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
pmid = {42513424},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {Background/Objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS), defined by abdominal obesity, dysglycemia, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and insulin resistance, markedly increases the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Affecting an estimated 25-30% of the global adult population, MetS represents a major and growing public health challenge. A growing body of evidence supports a significant bidirectional relationship between MetS and oral health, particularly periodontitis. The present study aimed to synthesize current evidence on the pathophysiological mechanisms, epidemiological associations, interventional outcomes, and clinical implications of the bidirectional relationship between metabolic syndrome (MetS) and periodontitis. Methods: A narrative review following the SANRA framework was performed. PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for articles published in January 2021-March 2026 using MeSH and free-text terms including "metabolic syndrome", "periodontal disease", "insulin resistance", and "oral microbiota". Eligible studies included original research and systematic reviews in English with full-text availability; animal and in vitro studies were included if directly informative of mechanistic pathways. Results: A total of 64 references were selected for inclusion. Shared mechanisms include chronic systemic inflammation, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, adipokine imbalance, endothelial dysfunction, and oral-gut microbiome dysbiosis. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies show that MetS components are independently associated with higher prevalence and severity of periodontitis; meta-analyses report pooled odds ratios of 1.7-1.9 compared with metabolically healthy controls. Non-surgical periodontal therapy produces modest but significant reductions in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and systemic inflammatory markers. Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors may alter oral microbiota composition and cause mucosal changes, while glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists may increase caries risk through gastrointestinal side effects and xerostomia; both drug classes warrant proactive dental monitoring. Conclusions: The bidirectional relationship between MetS and oral health supports integrated screening and interdisciplinary management. Routine periodontal assessment should be integrated into the metabolic risk management pathway, and dental professionals should screen patients with severe periodontitis for metabolic risk factors. The oral microbiome emerges as a promising target for future mechanistic research and therapeutic intervention. Recognition of oral health as an integral component of metabolic health may improve risk stratification, prevention, and long-term patient outcomes. Large-scale randomized controlled trials with standardized endpoints are needed to establish causal directionality and optimize combined therapeutic strategies.},
}

@article {pmid42513562,
year = {2026},
author = {Hau, HM and Jahn, N and Karitnig, R and Hasenhütl, SM and Sucher, R and Stiegler, P and Laudi, S},
title = {Microbiome-Targeted Modulation in Renal Transplantation.},
journal = {Journal of clinical medicine},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/jcm15145648},
pmid = {42513562},
issn = {2077-0383},
abstract = {The gut microbiome has emerged as a critical determinant of health and disease across virtually all organ systems. In the context of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and renal transplantation, mounting evidence reveals a complex bidirectional relationship between the intestinal microbiota and kidney function-commonly referred to as the gut-kidney axis. Patients with CKD harbor a profoundly altered gut microbial ecosystem characterized by reduced diversity, depletion of beneficial commensal organisms, and expansion of pathobiont taxa capable of generating uremic toxins and pro-inflammatory mediators. These perturbations are further compounded by the uremic milieu itself, dietary restrictions, frequent antibiotic exposure, and the use of immunosuppressive agents following transplantation. The gut-liver-kidney axis adds an additional layer of complexity, linking hepatic metabolism, bile acid signaling, endotoxemia, and systemic immune activation to the progression of renal disease. Gut-derived metabolites-including short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), and tryptophan-derived uremic solutes such as indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate-serve as molecular mediators of inter-organ crosstalk and have been identified as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets. A growing body of literature supports the diagnostic and prognostic utility of microbiome composition and its metabolic signatures in patients with CKD and those undergoing renal replacement therapy. Therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring microbial homeostasis-encompassing dietary interventions, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), bile acid-based therapies, and novel pharmacological approaches-hold considerable promise for improving outcomes in CKD and transplant recipients. Importantly, the bidirectional relationship between immunosuppressive drugs and the gut microbiota has emerged as a clinically significant determinant of both microbial ecology and drug pharmacokinetics: each major immunosuppressive agent class-corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, mycophenolate mofetil, and mTOR inhibitors-induces characteristic dysbiotic patterns, while in turn, the microbiota modulates drug bioavailability through enzymatic biotransformation (notably bacterial beta-glucuronidase activity affecting mycophenolic acid enterohepatic recirculation) and modulation of host drug-metabolizing enzymes. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of microbiome dysbiosis in the setting of renal disease and transplantation, examines the mechanistic underpinnings of the gut-liver-kidney axis, details the multifaceted impact of dysbiosis on transplant outcomes-including allograft function and rejection, infection, post-transplant diabetes, and cardiovascular complications-and critically appraises the translational potential of microbiome-targeted interventions. We conclude by highlighting ongoing challenges and future directions toward personalized, microbiome-informed clinical care.},
}

@article {pmid42513897,
year = {2026},
author = {Druzhinin, VG and Baranova, ED and Demenkov, PS and Zhivotovskiy, AS and Matskova, LV and Larionov, AV and Avdeev, KS and Yuzhalin, AE},
title = {Features of the Intestinal and Respiratory Microbiome in Colorectal Cancer Patients in Western Siberia.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071392},
pmid = {42513897},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {25-15-20012//Russian Science Foundation/ ; 02/2025//Ministry of Education of Kuzbass/ ; },
abstract = {To perform the first concurrent characterization of gut and respiratory microbiome profiles in colorectal cancer patients from Western Siberia, Russia. We analyzed synchronous fecal and sputum samples from 40 treatment-naive colorectal cancer patients and 45 healthy controls using 16S rRNA gene (V3-V4) sequencing and QIIME 2-based bioinformatic workflows. While alpha-diversity indices did not differ significantly between groups, beta-diversity analysis revealed substantial compositional differences for both ecosystems. Colorectal cancer patients exhibited gut enrichment of Proteobacteria, Fusobacteria, Fusobacterium, Odoribacter, Lachnospiraceae_UCG-010, Erysipelatoclostridium, Parvimonas, Finegoldia, Clostridium and Bacteroides (Bacteroides fragilis), alongside sputum enrichment of phyla Bacteroidetes and Actinobacteria, as well as genera Neisseria, Prevotella, Lactobacillus, Rothia, Nocardia, Leptotrichia, Campylobacter, and Helicobacter. Stage-associated shifts included elevated Akkermansia in gut microbiomes of patients with advanced-stage disease and higher Campylobacter in early-stage sputum. These findings identify distinct gut-respiratory dysbiotic signatures in a previously understudied population. Our results underscore the potential of dual-compartment microbiome profiling for developing non-invasive biomarkers and require validation in larger, multicenter cohorts to elucidate mechanistic links between respiratory dysbiosis and colorectal carcinogenesis.},
}

@article {pmid42513902,
year = {2026},
author = {Yu, C and Zhang, M and Xing, W and Dong, X and Li, R and Qu, Y and Chen, S and Xu, F and Feng, F and Meng, J},
title = {Regulatory Mechanisms of Microbial Consortium Inoculant SynCom-SASW01 in Modulating Rhizosphere-Endophytic Interactions and Enhancing Drought Resistance in Wheat.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071396},
pmid = {42513902},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2023YFHH0028 and 2026YFHH0073 and BR251306//Department of Science and Technology of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region/ ; },
abstract = {Driven by increasingly severe drought stress associated with global warming, this study investigated a synthetic microbial community, SynCom-SASW01, with strong stress tolerance and plant growth-promoting potential, and systematically elucidated its mechanisms for enhancing drought resistance in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Dual-site field trials demonstrated that SynCom-SASW01 significantly alleviated drought-induced growth suppression, increasing grain yields by 10.42% and 8.52% at the Hohhot and Hulunbuir sites, respectively. This improvement was primarily associated with increased effective tiller number and enhanced root vigor. Physiologically, inoculation promoted root proline and glutathione accumulation and enhanced antioxidant enzyme activities, including superoxide dismutase, thereby reducing malondialdehyde levels. Environmental analyses showed that the consortium established rhizosphere "micro-reservoirs" through exopolysaccharide secretion, improving soil relative water content and the availability of alkali-hydrolyzable nitrogen and phosphorus. High-throughput sequencing revealed that SynCom-SASW01 reshaped the endosphere microbiome through early colonization priority effects, selectively enriching beneficial taxa such as Pseudomonas. Functional prediction indicated upregulated branched-chain amino acid biosynthesis, promoting osmotic adjustment and redox homeostasis. These findings provide a microbiome-based strategy for stabilizing wheat productivity in arid regions.},
}

@article {pmid42513907,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, B and Jia, S and Chen, L and Zhang, M},
title = {Dynamic Bacterial Communities, Resistome-Virulome Coupling, and Biomonitoring Paradigms at Direct Sea Discharge Outlets: An Integrated Microbiome Perspective for Coastal Pollution Control.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071401},
pmid = {42513907},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Direct sea discharge outlets served as critical conduits for urban sewage and industrial wastewater disposal, playing dual roles as pollutant dilution channels and hotspots for pathogens and antibiotic resistance genes. Traditional monitoring approaches relying on physicochemical parameters and fecal indicator bacteria failed to capture the latent and cumulative risks posed by complex microbial communities. In this review, a holistic microbiome perspective was adopted to systematically synthesize current knowledge on the bacterial community dynamics, assembly mechanisms, resistome-virulome coupling patterns, mobilome-associated risk characteristics, and emerging biomonitoring strategies in direct sea discharge outlets. By integrating high-throughput multi-omics technologies with ecological network analysis and machine learning, we delineated a paradigm shift from cataloging microbial presence to deciphering functional interactions, risk propagation dynamics, and proactive surveillance strategies. Furthermore, under the "One Health" framework, we discussed emerging research frontiers and future challenges in managing pollution at discharge outlets, aiming to provide a scientific basis for environmental risk management in coastal zones.},
}

@article {pmid42513909,
year = {2026},
author = {Luo, D and Ponsero, AJ and Wright, K and Baker, DJ and Telatin, A and Townsley, C and Giotis, ES},
title = {Microbiome Stability in Wild and Rehabilitated Insectivorous Bats Revealed by Shotgun Metagenomics.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071403},
pmid = {42513909},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {MR/Z506242/1/MRC_/Medical Research Council/United Kingdom ; RGS\R2\242527//Royal Society/ ; BB/X011054/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; BB/CCG2260/1/BB_/Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council/United Kingdom ; },
abstract = {Wildlife rehabilitation can alter host-associated microbial communities, yet the effects of temporary managed care on the gut microbiome of insectivorous bats remain poorly understood. We used shotgun metagenomic sequencing to investigate gut microbiome composition in wild and rehabilitated bats from Yorkshire, United Kingdom. A total of 25 faecal metagenomes were analysed from four bat species (Myotis daubentonii, Pipistrellus pipistrellus, Nyctalus noctula, and Nyctalus leisleri), including wild baseline individuals and bats undergoing temporary managed care for 1-49 days. Microbial community structure clustered primarily according to host species and roost location, with no significant separation associated with rehabilitation status. Among bats in managed care, bacterial alpha diversity did not differ significantly with time in care (H = 2.30, p = 0.32). Archaeal communities displayed markedly lower interindividual variation than bacterial communities (coefficient of variation: 12.2% vs. 41.8%), indicating a highly conserved archaeal microbiome across hosts. Rehabilitated bats exhibited modest compositional shifts in bacterial communities, including increased relative abundances of Yersiniaceae and Lactobacillaceae and reduced abundances of environmentally associated taxa such as Pseudomonadaceae and Erwiniaceae. These changes may reflect controlled dietary provision and reduced environmental exposure during care. Overall, no marked rehabilitation-associated differences in gut microbiome diversity or community structure were detected under the current sampling design. These findings are consistent with microbiome stability during temporary managed care, although longitudinal studies are required to confirm microbiome dynamics within individual bats. Nonetheless, this study provides an initial baseline for future microbiome-informed wildlife rehabilitation studies.},
}

@article {pmid42513926,
year = {2026},
author = {Jin, YJ and Yoon, JA and Ryu, YJ},
title = {Burning Mouth Syndrome, the Oral Microbiome, and Lactic Acid Bacteria: A Comprehensive Review of Clinical Features, Microbial Dysbiosis, and Probiotic Therapeutic Potential.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071420},
pmid = {42513926},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Background: Burning mouth syndrome (BMS) is a chronic orofacial pain disorder characterized by persistent intraoral burning recurring daily for at least 2 h over more than 3 months, without explanatory mucosal or laboratory findings. It affects 1.7-7.7% of the population, predominantly perimenopausal and postmenopausal women, and conventional pharmacotherapy offers only partial relief. Aim: This narrative review examines the associative and mechanistic evidence linking the oral microbiome to BMS and evaluates the rationale for lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as a candidate therapeutic strategy. Methods: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for English-language literature on BMS, the oral microbiome, and probiotics, supplemented by mechanistic data from related conditions. Results: BMS patients may exhibit a compositionally distinct salivary microbiome, with reduced alpha diversity in psychiatric-comorbid subsets, though findings are heterogeneous. LAB, particularly Lacticaseibacillus paracasei, show antimicrobial and immunomodulatory properties relevant to oral homeostasis, but direct clinical evidence in BMS remains scarce and largely preclinical. Conclusions: Current evidence is predominantly cross-sectional and associative; the oral dysbiosis-BMS link and the therapeutic potential of LAB should be regarded as hypothesis-generating, warranting biomarker-anchored, strain-specific randomized trials.},
}

@article {pmid42513933,
year = {2026},
author = {Alanazi, F and Abdulwahed, AM and Alrezaihi, A and Marie, MAM and Aljasham, AT and Farzan, R},
title = {Genomic Evidence for Mobile-Element-Associated Resistance: Predicted MOBH-Family Relaxase Sharing and Adjacent ICE-Cassette Architectures in the Pseudomonas guariconensis Clade.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071428},
pmid = {42513933},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Waed Programme W25-87//King Saud University/ ; },
abstract = {We analysed nine Pseudomonas guariconensis-clade genomes from environmental and clinical sources across four continents to test whether carriage of acquired resistance is associated with the acquisition of mobile elements. FA-1, our tick-derived anchor from Hyalomma dromedarii on Saudi camels, sits at 87.52-87.94% ANI to the other genomes on the longest external branch of the core-genome ML phylogeny. In the current NCBI type-strain ANI taxonomy check, FA-1 is conspecific with the recently described Pseudomonas shiyinii type strain ST4 (98.05% ANI). The recently reported Vietnamese hospital-wastewater isolate KNHN1 groups within the sensu stricto clinical clade alongside USA-Nashville and India at 99.7%/99% (SH-aLRT/UFBoot) support. Across the nine genomes, three distinct carbapenemase architectures emerged: Dao (chromosomal KPC-2 + NDM-1 + AFM-5), Ethiopia (chromosomal NDM-1 × 2 + plasmid VIM-4), and Korea (plasmid VIM-2). Dao and Ethiopia chromosomes share a MOBH-family relaxase signal, extending the MOBH marker to the clinical compartment. MBL-positive genomes carried more mobile elements (Dao 55; Ethiopia 22; Korea 16; 16-55 hits) than MBL-negative comparators (0-8 hits), an unadjusted descriptive observation (n = 3 vs. 6). Ethiopia presented an integron-rich chromosomal and plasmid architecture (six structures), while Dao carried IS-bounded transposon islands on the chromosome. Three of four Dao chromosomal ICE predictions and one Ethiopia ICE prediction lay 27-50 kb from IS-bounded carbapenemase loci; a fourth Dao ICE was standalone and the major Ethiopia NDM-1 + OXA-10 cassette lacked an adjacent complete ICE prediction, indicating descriptive ICE-cassette proximity rather than functionally demonstrated mobility. Together, these findings are consistent with mobile-element acquisition as a plausible route for the emergence of clinical resistance within this clade, with environmental relatives retaining empty insertion sites at the AMR-cassette locus.},
}

@article {pmid42513938,
year = {2026},
author = {Patteril, C and Pezzella, C and Puca, P and Di Vincenzo, F and Lopetuso, LR and Laterza, L and Napolitano, D and Cammarota, G and Papa, A and Gasbarrini, A and Scaldaferri, F},
title = {Rewriting Inflammation in IBD: Lipidomics from Pathogenesis to Clinical Application.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071432},
pmid = {42513938},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Lipids (sphingolipids, fatty acids, phospholipids, and lipoproteins) are vital to intestinal barrier integrity, as precursors for pro-inflammatory and pro-resolving mediators and undergo remodelling through host microbiome interactions. Accumulating evidence implicates the Western diet-high in long-chain saturated and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and low in omega-3-in both the onset and progression of IBD. In contrast, microbiota derived lipid metabolites, including short-chain fatty acids and secondary bile acids, contribute to mucosal homeostasis and immune regulation. This review is structured around three interconnected pillars. First, we classified lipidomic alterations in IBD across major lipid classes: sphingolipids, fatty acids, phospholipids, and lipoproteins by integrating host, dietary, and microbiome contributions. Second, we examined the potential of lipidomics in IBD as a source of prognostic, diagnostic and therapy response biomarkers. Third, we critically assessed the challenges that currently limit clinical implementation including analytical variability, pre-analytical confounding, small cohort sizes, and the lack of prospective validation. Addressing these barriers will be essential to fully realise the potential of lipidomics in advancing personalised care for patients with IBD.},
}

@article {pmid42513942,
year = {2026},
author = {Song, Q and Song, X and Deng, X and Liang, J},
title = {Strain-Specific Fungal-Bacterial Co-Inoculation Regulates Rhizosphere Microecology and Plant-Soil-Microbiome Responses in Conifer Seedlings.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071436},
pmid = {42513942},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2023-ZJ-904T//Qinghai Provincial Natural Science Foundation Team Project/ ; 31670649, 31700564//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Hei [2023] TG19, Hei [2024] TG04//Central Government Forestry Science and Technology Extension Demonstration Project/ ; },
abstract = {Beneficial fungal-bacterial interactions are important drivers of rhizosphere microecology and plant-soil functional coupling in conifer seedling systems, but their strain-combination-specific effects remain insufficiently understood. In this study, Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica seedlings were inoculated with three plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) strains, Serratia plymuthica A13, Acinetobacter lwoffii A07, and Pseudomonas koreensis A20, the ectomycorrhizal fungal strain Suillus luteus N94, and their corresponding co-inoculation combinations. Seedling growth, root architecture, plant nutrients, soil nutrients, soil enzyme activities, bacterial and fungal communities, differential taxa, network key taxa, and plant-soil functional indices were analyzed. Different inoculation treatments produced treatment- and trait-specific responses, with several N94-PGPR combinations showing advantages in particular growth, root, and soil functional traits, while some single-inoculation treatments also showed distinct positive effects. N94_A20 showed the greatest increases in seedling height, total dry weight, soil available phosphorus, and soil multifunctionality, whereas N94_A07 showed the strongest root architecture response and relative interaction index. Co-inoculation also reshaped rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities and generated treatment-specific microbial enrichment patterns. Massilia, Ramlibacter, Holtermanniella, and Naganishia were positively associated with plant-soil functional indices. These results indicate that PGPR-N94 co-inoculation promotes conifer seedling growth through coordinated changes in root architecture, nutrient acquisition, soil biochemical function, and rhizosphere microbial community assembly.},
}

@article {pmid42513947,
year = {2026},
author = {Yao, Z and Zhao, Y and Zhu, L and Zhu, G and Zou, C},
title = {Fungal Communities Within Pitaya Fruit Peel Shift During Ripening and Early Canker Onset.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071441},
pmid = {42513947},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2025GXNSFAA069157 and 2023GXNSFAA026271//Guangxi Natural Science Foundation/ ; 2025YP054 and 2026YT139//Fundamental Research Fund of Guangxi Academy of Agricultural Sciences/ ; },
abstract = {Canker is a major fungal disease that causes substantial yield losses in pitaya (Selenicereus monacanthus (Lemaire) D.R.Hunt, syn. Hylocereus polyrhizus (F.A.C. Weber) Britton and Rose; red-fleshed pitaya). However, how fruit ripening and pathogenesis interactively shape fungal communities in fruit peels remains unclear. Here, we investigated the diversity, assembly mechanisms, co-occurrence networks, and functional guilds of fungal communities in healthy and diseased fruit peels at immature (green) and mature (red) stages of 'Jindu No. 1' pitaya using ITS1 amplicon sequencing. Our results revealed that fruit maturity exerted stronger effects on fungal community structure than disease status, with ripening reducing diversity and increasing dominance. Notably, disease-induced stage-dependent responses: immature communities shifted from stochastic to deterministic assembly under pathogen selection, whereas mature communities maintained stochastic processes despite infection. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed that healthy mature peels formed highly complex, cooperative networks with dense positive interactions, while healthy immature peels exhibited fragmented, modular structures vulnerable to invasion. Diseased immature peels displayed intermediate network topology, and diseased mature peels showed disrupted connectivity. Functionally, healthy fruits maintained balanced pathotroph-saprotroph-symbiotroph guilds, whereas diseased fruits exhibited higher relative abundance of pathotrophs and saprotrophs, reflecting a shift from symbiotic nutrient cycling toward necrotrophic pathogenicity and decomposition. These findings challenge the single-pathogen paradigm by revealing canker as an ecological process involving community-wide restructuring. They provide a theoretical basis for stage-specific microbiome-targeted disease management in tropical fruits, emphasizing the preservation of stochastic assembly and cooperative network structures to enhance disease resistance.},
}

@article {pmid42513953,
year = {2026},
author = {Rodriguez Coyago, ML and Berrezueta Reyes, IN and Vega García, MM and Lima Tola, EF and Bravo Torres, WD and Alvarado Cordero, JJ},
title = {Ecological Dynamics and Functional Classification of Nanosynbacter lyticus Strain TM7x in the Human Oral Microbiome: A Literature Review.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071447},
pmid = {42513953},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {The TM7x strain is a genetic variant of the bacterium Nanosynbacter lyticus, which belongs to the Saccharibacteria phylum within the Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) or Patescibacteria group. Its biology differs significantly from that of other bacterial phyla, and its ecological role in the oral cavity remains largely undefined. Through a organyzed and comprehensive literature review, we aim to define the role this bacterium plays within the oral ecosystem. We identified relevant studies from primary sources, including scientific articles from preclinical and clinical studies obtained from three digital databases. The bacterial strain TM7x is an obligate epibiont that exhibits autonomous energy metabolism and utilizes a type IV pili system to adhere to its direct host, Schaalia odontolytica. It interacts with its host in two stages: initially as an epipatobiont and subsequently as an episymbiont. TM7x plays a complex ecological role by modulating the host's metabolism and structure toward a less virulent phenotype resistant to phage attack, while also influencing the human host through immunomodulation and tissue protection. This organism has transitioned from being considered 'biological dark matter' to a key model for understanding coevolution within the human microbiome. Its ability to protect the host from phages, induce protective biofilms, and suppress destructive inflammatory responses suggests its potential role as a speculative modulator of human oral microbiome homeostasis, although direct clinical confirmation in human subjects is still lacking.},
}

@article {pmid42513955,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, J and Gao, X and Jia, T and Chen, D and Zhao, H and Zhang, Y and Hu, J},
title = {Study on the Community Characteristics of the Endogenous Microbiome in Earthworm Cocoons in Composting Systems with Different Base Materials.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071449},
pmid = {42513955},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {41977053//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {This study investigates earthworm cocoons as key vectors for the vertical transmission of symbiotic bacteria, a process that profoundly shapes the gut microbiota of offspring and influences their environmental adaptability. However, systematic knowledge of the internal microbiome communities within earthworm cocoons remains limited. Here, we characterized the composition and functional potential of bacterial communities within cocoons of earthworms collected from three composting systems (fermented coffee grounds, cow manure, and residual sludge) using high-throughput sequencing, together with diversity analyses, dominant taxa identification, and FAPROTAX-based functional prediction. Our results indicated that the composting system significantly affects bacterial diversity and community structure. The fermented coffee grounds system supported the highest species richness, whereas the cow manure system exhibited the greatest diversity and evenness. At the phylum level, Pseudomonadota, Actinomycetota, and Bacteroidota predominated across all systems, with Pseudomonadota being particularly abundant (62.01-81.41%). At the genus level, Verminephrobacter and Agromyces were consistently dominant, with Verminephrobacter showing particularly high relative abundance, ranging from 22.42% to 51.51%. Although the composition and abundance of dominant phyla and genera varied among systems, the shared OTUs accounted for a substantial proportion of the relative abundance in each sample (54.65-91.84%). Functional predictions revealed chemoorganoheterotrophy as the predominant metabolic function, with relative abundances ranging from 23.87% to 45.42%. Collectively, these findings provide insights into how composting environments shape the bacterial communities within earthworm cocoons, offering a theoretical foundation for understanding the ecological functions of earthworms and their potential applications in ecological restoration and sustainable agriculture.},
}

@article {pmid42513959,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Liu, Y},
title = {Mechanisms of the Oral-Gut Microbiota Axis in Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071453},
pmid = {42513959},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {82571088//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 2024-1-2141//Capital's Funds for Health Improvement and Research/ ; YSP202301//Beijing Stomatological Hospital, Capital Medical University Young Scientist Program/ ; },
abstract = {Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), including preterm birth, preeclampsia, low birth weight, recurrent miscarriage, gestational diabetes mellitus, and fetal growth restriction, remain major threats to maternal and offspring health. Increasing evidence links the maternal microbiome to pregnancy health, but most studies have examined individual microbial niches rather than their interactions. The oral cavity and gut are anatomically and immunologically connected and form a bidirectional oral-gut microbiota axis through microbial trafficking, immune signaling, and metabolite-mediated feedback. Emerging studies suggested that oral dysbiosis, periodontal inflammation, and gut microbial remodeling were associated with APOs, although direct causal evidence in human pregnancy remains limited. This review summarizes pregnancy-related remodeling of the oral-gut microbiota axis, evaluates clinical and experimental evidence linking oral and gut dysbiosis to APOs, and discusses potential mechanisms, including microbial translocation, immune and inflammatory activation, metabolic remodeling, epigenetic regulation, and outer membrane vesicle-mediated signaling. Candidate biomarkers, probiotic and dietary intervention strategies, and current translational limitations are also discussed. Overall, the oral-gut microbiota axis offers a useful framework for understanding microbiome-associated APOs, but standardized sampling, longitudinal cohorts, and mechanistic validation are required before clinical application.},
}

@article {pmid42513969,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, Y and Long, P and Wen, N and Zhang, M and Li, J and Yan, X and Xiao, Z and Yang, K},
title = {Integrated 16S rRNA Sequencing and Metabolomics Reveals Niche-Specific Microbiome and Metabolome Changes Associated with Toxoptera aurantii Infestation.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071463},
pmid = {42513969},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {QKHMS[2026]846//Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Department/ ; QKHQN[2025]392//Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Department/ ; QKHZK[2023]480//Guizhou Provincial Science and Technology Department/ ; ZSKHZ [2024]136//Zunyi Municipal Bureau of Industry and Science and Technology/ ; },
abstract = {Toxoptera aurantii is a globally distributed piercing-sucking pest that severely threatens tea production. While the direct damage caused by aphid feeding is well documented, the systemic effects of infestation on plant-associated and soil microbial communities remain poorly understood. Here, we employed full-length 16S rRNA gene sequencing and untargeted metabolomics to investigate the influence of T. aurantii infestation on the microbiota of tea plants (Camellia sinensis) and rhizosphere soil across four sample compartments: aphid bodies, healthy leaves, aphid-infested leaves, and root-zone soil. Our results revealed pronounced niche-specific microbial assembly patterns. The aphid microbiome exhibited the lowest diversity and was dominated by obligate endosymbionts, including Buchnera aphidicola and the secondary symbiont Serratia symbiotica. Soil harbored the highest microbial diversity with a balanced phylum-level structure. Aphid infestation significantly reduced phyllosphere microbial diversity (Shannon index) and shifted community composition, with a decline in a sequence putatively assigned to Methylobacterium brachiatum and a modest increase in a taxon assigned to the opportunistic plant pathogen OTU assigned to Dickeya chrysanthemi. This pattern suggests a hypothesis that aphid infestation may create conditions permissive for such opportunistic pathogens, although experimental validation is required. Concurrently, infestation was associated with profound metabolic reprograming in tea leaves, including upregulation of defense-related flavonoids and terpenoids and downregulation of several primary metabolites. Notably, the phyllosphere of infested leaves showed reduced microbial diversity and an increased relative abundance of a 16S rRNA sequence assigned to Dickeya chrysanthemi, while certain plant-derived antimicrobial metabolites were decreased. These patterns suggest a possible association between aphid infestation, altered antimicrobial metabolite profiles and increased relative abundance of Dickeya-assigned sequences. These findings demonstrate that T. aurantii infestation triggers a systemic response in the aboveground compartments (aphid and leaf), while the soil compartment maintains a distinct and highly diverse microbial community that serves as a potential reservoir. The study characterizes microbial communities across these three compartments without inferring infestation-driven soil remodeling. This study advances our understanding of tripartite interactions in tea ecosystems and provides a basis for developing microbiome-based strategies for sustainable pest management.},
}

@article {pmid42513988,
year = {2026},
author = {Barreto, IR and Eugénio, A and Cristóvão, M and Rodrigues, F and Santo, CE and Brandão, I},
title = {From Food Systems to Gut Microbiota: Dietary Substrates, Microbial Exposure and One Health.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071482},
pmid = {42513988},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Food systems are usually discussed in terms of nutrition, food safety, productivity, sustainability or emissions. Less attention is given to the microbial dimension of the farm-to-fork pathway and to the way food systems shape the dietary substrates, food matrices and microbial exposures that reach the gut. Soils, plants, foods, processing environments, animals and the human gut all host microbial communities that influence nutrient cycling, plant performance, food characteristics, metabolism, immune regulation and ecological resilience. This review examines how food systems may modulate gut microbiota and microbiome resilience within a One Health framework. Evidence from soil, crop and food microbiome studies suggests that local conditions and farming practices can leave detectable microbial signatures on plants and edible tissues. However, the soil-food-gut continuum should not be understood as a simple transfer route. Microorganisms and microbial products are repeatedly filtered by plant traits, farming systems, animal-production interfaces, harvesting, processing, storage, preparation and host physiology. The review also considers how this continuity may be weakened or redirected. Agricultural intensification, pollutants, post-harvest processing, antimicrobial use, ultra-processed foods, additive mixtures, low-fibre diets, early-life microbial disruption and reduced contact with environmental biodiversity may alter microbial communities at different points of the food system. Antimicrobial resistance is also discussed as a functional microbial trait that can circulate across human, animal, food and environmental interfaces. One Health approaches to food systems should therefore combine microbial risk control with microbial stewardship: protecting useful microbial diversity and function while preserving food safety. The aim is not to maximise microbial exposure, but to understand which microbial functions matter and how food systems can support gut microbiota resilience across environments, foods and hosts.},
}

@article {pmid42514016,
year = {2026},
author = {Dhakal, R and Krömker, V and Van Amburgh, M and Moritz, N and Brøkner, C and Neves, ALA and Woudstra, S},
title = {Nutritional Strategies to Mitigate Heat Stress in Cattle: A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071511},
pmid = {42514016},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {3195-00021B//Innovation Fund Denmark/ ; },
abstract = {Heat stress is a growing concern in cattle production systems due to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events driven by climate change. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the multifaceted impacts of heat stress and focuses on nutritional strategies to mitigate its effects on ruminating cattle. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Heat stress adversely affects cattle physiology, behavior, rumen function, and overall productivity, particularly in dairy animals with high metabolic activity. During heat stress episodes, changes in the microbial population have been reported; however, there is no clear consensus, as findings vary widely among studies depending on diet, feed intake, animal type and experimental design. This variability limits the ability to draw general conclusions regarding changes in the rumen microbiome driven by heat stress. In this context, dietary nutritional intervention strategies offer a practical and scalable approach to enhance thermotolerance and maintain performance under heat stress conditions. Key nutritional strategies include modifications in diet composition to reduce metabolic heat production, with some approaches carrying potential risks to animal health, e.g., increasing dietary energy density through concentrates while minimizing forage content. Supplementation with rumen-protected nutrients like amino acids, vitamins, and minerals can be used to support immune function, antioxidant capacity, and metabolic stability. Polyphenols and betaine contribute to oxidative stress reduction and gut integrity, while probiotics may be used to improve rumen fermentation and nutrient utilization. Sensor technologies, including rumen boluses and wearable devices, offer the potential to monitor physiological responses to heat stress in real time and offer opportunities for precision feeding and early intervention. Most published studies only cover short periods of heat stress, and there is a lack of in vitro models simulating rumen hyperthermia. In parallel, future research should therefore prioritize longitudinal, in vivo trials that integrate physiological, metabolic, and microbial responses to understand the long term and systemic effect of heat stress. In addition, controlled trials in commercial settings are necessary to prove the transferability of results to commercial herds. A multidisciplinary approach combining nutritional, environmental, and technological strategies is likely to play an important role in safeguarding cattle welfare and productivity in a warming climate.},
}

@article {pmid42514031,
year = {2026},
author = {Nazarova, V and Kamzayeva, N and Kozhakhmetov, S and Kushugulova, A and Terzic, M and Bapayeva, G and Primbetov, B and Imankulova, B and Aimagambetova, G and Kim, Y and Kongrtay, K and Kadroldinova, N and Galym, M and Makhambetova, S and Nurgaliyeva, K and Abdiyeva, Z and Zhumakanova, Z and Akhmetova, S and Amirkhanova, Z and Smagulova, B and Tastanova, A and Ukybassova, T},
title = {Tiered Functional Screening Identifies an Autochthonous Vaginal Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strain with Probiotic Potential.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071526},
pmid = {42514031},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {BR24992853//Committee of Science of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan/ ; },
abstract = {Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection drives cervical cancer, a leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in low- and middle-income countries; its clinical course is shaped by the cervicovaginal microbiome, in which Lactobacillus-dominated communities are associated with enhanced viral clearance. Despite this, vaginal probiotic interventions often demonstrate limited colonization efficiency, and autochthonous strain libraries from Central Asia remain absent. We applied a tiered functional screening workflow to a collection of 235 vaginal lactic acid bacterial isolates recovered from 400 women undergoing routine gynecological examination in Astana, Kazakhstan. The workflow sequentially filtered isolates on (i) antimicrobial activity against seven urogenital indicator pathogens using the deferred antagonism assay, (ii) surface adhesion by the Brilis erythrocyte assay, and (iii) biofilm-forming capacity by crystal violet retention and laser-capture-microdissection (LCM) microscopy. Species-level identification of the selected candidate was performed by whole-genome shotgun sequencing followed by Kraken2 taxonomic classification. From 235 isolates, three rounds of phenotypic filtering identified four broad-spectrum antimicrobial candidates (127-3, 127-4, 107-2, 107-4) with non-overlapping inhibitory profiles against seven urogenital indicator strains. Adhesion phenotyping segregated candidates into low- and moderate-adhesion groups, with none reaching the high-adhesion threshold. Among all four candidates, only strain 127-4 produced a reproducible biofilm-associated signal (crystal violet retention OD490 = 0.09 ± 0.07 at 24 h; 0.08 ± 0.03 at 48 h), consistent with early surface attachment under static conditions. Whole-genome shotgun sequencing assigned 97.81% of classified reads to Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, supporting preliminary identification of the selected isolate as L. plantarum strain 127-4. Composite ranking confirmed 127-4 as the only isolate combining broad antimicrobial activity (5/7 indicators), moderate adhesion (specific adhesion index, SPA = 2.95), and a detectable biofilm-associated phenotype. We report the first systematic functional screening of autochthonous cervicovaginal lactic acid bacteria from a Central Asian population and identify L. plantarum 127-4 as a probiotic candidate with an integrated trait profile rarely identified through single-criterion screening approaches. Beyond candidate identification, this work establishes a transferable workflow for assembling functionally annotated vaginal Lactobacillus collections from underrepresented populations, providing a foundation for future population-specific probiotic interventions targeting cervicovaginal health.},
}

@article {pmid42514041,
year = {2026},
author = {Cagle-White, B and Carpenter, RE and Vincent, A and Kominek, E and Krouse, A},
title = {Rethinking Vaginal Microbiome Resilience: A Conceptual Multi-Omic Framework.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071536},
pmid = {42514041},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {The vaginal microbiome is often interpreted through static taxonomic patterns. Yet microbial composition alone does not explain why some communities resist perturbation, recover after disruption, or transition toward dysbiosis. This narrative review synthesizes evidence that vaginal microbiome stability is shaped by endocrine phase, epithelial substrate availability, microbial functional capacity, mucosal tone and candidate host modifiers. High-estrogen states, particularly pregnancy, are associated with epithelial maturation, glycogen accumulation, low vaginal pH, and Lactobacillus-dominant communities, whereas postpartum, lactational, menopausal, and other hypoestrogenic states are associated with reduced epithelial support and increased vulnerability to diverse anaerobe-rich configurations. We review the linking of the estrogen-glycogen-Lactobacillus axis, focusing on microbial functions involved in glycogen degradation, lactate production and biofilm persistence, and host pathways that may modify mucosal responsiveness. Direct human genotype-to-vaginal-microbiome stability evidence remains limited; therefore, host genetic features are treated as candidate modifiers rather than validated clinical predictors. We propose a conceptual multi-omic hierarchy for organizing endocrine, epithelial, microbial, immune, temporal, and candidate host-modifier domains relevant to vaginal microbiome resilience. This framework is hypothesis-generating and requires longitudinal, phase-resolved human validation before quantitative prediction or clinical application.},
}

@article {pmid42514049,
year = {2026},
author = {Song, Q and Song, X and Deng, X and Liang, J},
title = {Microbial Diversity and Genome Analyses Provide Insights into the Role of Pseudomonas marginalis A39 in Improving Drought Tolerance in Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071544},
pmid = {42514049},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {2024-084//Qinghai Provincial Kunlun Talents Program for Leading Talents/ ; 2023-ZJ-904T//Qinghai Provincial Natural Science Foundation Team Project/ ; 31670649 and 31700564//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Hei [2023] TG19 and Hei [2024] TG04//Central Government Forestry Science and Technology Extension Demonstration Project/ ; },
abstract = {Drought severely constrains the growth of Pinus sylvestris var. mongolica, but the role of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria in forest drought responses remains insufficiently understood. This study evaluated whether Pseudomonas marginalis A39 alleviates drought stress through plant physiological regulation, soil functional improvement, and rhizosphere bacterial community shifts. Strain A39 was first assessed for drought tolerance and plant growth-promoting traits in vitro. A greenhouse pot experiment was then conducted under graded drought levels with or without A39 inoculation, followed by analyses of plant growth, physiological traits, soil nutrients, enzyme activities, rhizosphere bacterial communities, whole-genome features, and drought-responsive gene expression. A39 tolerated low water potential and showed multiple growth-promoting traits. Under severe drought, A39 inoculation increased seedling height, ground diameter, aboveground dry weight, and underground dry weight by 83.58%, 47.69%, 37.14%, and 41.67%, respectively. It also increased total chlorophyll content and CAT activity by 30.38% and 40.20%, while reducing MDA and proline accumulation by 33.71% and 35.40%, respectively. A39 improved soil nutrient availability, with available nutrients increasing by more than 35%, and altered rhizosphere bacterial communities, with enrichment of taxa such as Pseudarthrobacter and Pseudomonas. Soil sucrase, available potassium, and total potassium were key factors associated with bacterial community variation. Genome annotation and qRT-PCR analysis identified candidate genes potentially related to nutrient acquisition, phytohormone production, oxidative stress defense, and osmotic adaptation. These results indicate that A39 inoculation is associated with improved drought performance of P. sylvestris var. mongolica, supporting its further evaluation as a candidate microbial inoculant for forest drought management.},
}

@article {pmid42514051,
year = {2026},
author = {Suzuki, H and Jang, S},
title = {Editorial for the Special Issue "The Urban Microbiome".},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071546},
pmid = {42514051},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Microbiome research encompasses "external microbiomes"-those residing outside the human body, particularly within urban and man-made environments (the built environment) [...].},
}

@article {pmid42514052,
year = {2026},
author = {Sbarra, F and Garello, M and Visca, A and Sevi, F and Aloi, F and Tabacchioni, S and Costanzo, M and Di Gregorio, L and Colantoni, E and Nolfi, L and Mondy, S and Cocolin, LS and Spadaro, D and Varese, GC and Bevivino, A},
title = {Assessment of Stability of Preservation Techniques for Strawberry Soil Microbiomes: Exploring the Biotechnological Relevance for Sustainable Agriculture.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071547},
pmid = {42514052},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {IR0000005//European Union-NextGeneration EU, M4C2, PNRR SUS-MIRRI.IT/ ; CN00000022//National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) of the European Union, M4C2, AGRITECH/ ; },
abstract = {Preserving ex situ soil microbial communities is essential for bacterial biodiversity conservation in microbiome biobanking, accurate microbiome research, and future biotechnological applications in sustainable agriculture. The effect of three soil preservation methods-cryopreservation at -80 °C, refrigeration at 4 °C, and lyophilization-on the viability, diversity and metabolic functionality of the soil microbiome was evaluated using soil from untreated and solarized strawberry fields stored at 0, 6 and 12 months. Microbial viability, ecological strategies, functionality, and diversity were assessed using plate counts, r/K strategist profiling, BIOLOG EcoPlates, and 16S rRNA/ITS gene amplicon-based sequencing, respectively. Cryopreservation outperformed the other preservation strategies by generally maintaining total bacterial counts, especially in control soil, preserving the balance between oligotrophic and copiotrophic communities, and sustaining high alpha diversity indices over 12 months. Refrigeration provided moderate preservation, though microbial viability and community stability declined over time. In contrast, lyophilization significantly reduced microbial abundance, altered community composition, and diminished metabolic diversity and substrate utilization. Beta diversity analyses confirmed that cryopreserved samples remained similar in microbial structure to the initial timepoint, while lyophilized samples diverged substantially. Functional analyses also revealed reduced metabolic activity in lyophilized soils, underscoring the negative impact on the microbiome's ecological roles. Overall, the results of this study identify cryopreservation as the most effective storage method for maintaining soil microbiome integrity, providing critical guidance for preserving soil samples in microbiome research and sustainable agricultural biotechnology.},
}

@article {pmid42514069,
year = {2026},
author = {Severino, A and Rondinella, D and Varca, S and Schepis, T and Porcari, S and Bisegna, P and Margarita, E and Barbaro, F and Pecere, S and Maresca, R and Feliciani, D and Funaro, B and Latiano, A and Palmieri, O and Azzarone, A and Cesaro, P and Salvi, D and Treppiccione, C and Piccinno, G and Segata, N and Spada, C and Gasbarrini, A and Ianiro, G},
title = {Feasibility and Compliance of Stool Collection for Future Microbiome-Based Colorectal Cancer Screening: Preliminary Findings from a Prospective Multicenter FIT-Positive Cohort.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071564},
pmid = {42514069},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {Italian Ministry of Health under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 6 Component 2, Investment 2.1 'Enhancement and strengthening of biomedical research of the Na-tional Health System', funded by the European Union - Next Generation//Ministry of Health/ ; My First AIRC Grant 2025 of the AIRC (project 32405)//Italian Association for Cancer Research/ ; Next Gen Clinician Scientist 2024 of the AIRC (project 30203)//Italian Association for Cancer Research/ ; Fondo Italiano per la Scienza of the Italian Ministry of Research (project FIS00001711)//Governo Italiano/ ; (project ERC-StG MicroRestore-101221279)/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; project DONATE ERP-2022-23682517//Ministry of Health/ ; },
abstract = {Colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a major global health burden, and early detection through population-based screening programs significantly reduces both incidence and mortality. Although gut microbiome-based biomarkers have emerged as promising non-invasive tools for CRC detection, limited evidence is available regarding patient acceptance and compliance with microbiome-based screening studies, factors that may influence their future implementation in clinical practice. We conducted a preliminary analysis of an ongoing multicenter, prospective observational study designed to develop a gut microbiome-based diagnostic tool for CRC and advanced colorectal adenomas in fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-positive individuals. The primary objective of this preliminary analysis was to evaluate patient acceptance and compliance with participation in a microbiome-based study within an organized CRC screening setting. Secondary objectives included describing the clinical, endoscopic, and histopathological characteristics of the enrolled cohort. FIT-positive individuals referred for screening colonoscopy at participating Italian centers were screened for eligibility, underwent colonoscopy, and were invited to provide a stool sample for microbiome analysis. A total of 315 individuals were screened, of whom 212 (67%) were enrolled. Among eligible patients, 90% agreed to enroll after receiving study information. Overall, 200 (94%) of enrolled individuals completed the required study activities, including stool sample collection and colonoscopy, indicating high compliance with study procedures. Colonoscopy was performed in 209 patients (99% of enrolled patients). CRC was detected in 7 patients (3%), and advanced colorectal adenomas in 39 (18%), while 86 (41%) colonoscopies were negative. The positive predictive value of FIT was 3.35% for CRC and 18.66% for advanced adenomas. In our preliminary analysis, patient acceptance and compliance with microbiome-based sampling were high among FIT-positive individuals undergoing CRC screening. These findings support the feasibility of conducting microbiome-based studies within organized screening programs. Analyses aimed at developing and validating the microbiome-based diagnostic tool are currently ongoing and are beyond the scope of the present report.},
}

@article {pmid42514071,
year = {2026},
author = {Harati, R and Karaduman, AB and Karaca, H and Korkut-Celikates, B and Guven, M and Baysal, M and Aydogan-Kilic, G and Kilic, V and Atli-Eklioglu, O and Ozkul, C and Ilgin, S},
title = {Timing-Dependent Effects of Prebiotic-Probiotic Supplementation on High-Fat-Diet-Induced Testicular Dysfunction and Gut Microbiota Alterations in Rats.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071566},
pmid = {42514071},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {BGT-2023-24//Anadolu University/ ; THD-2026-3390//Anadolu University/ ; },
abstract = {Obesity is a chronic metabolic condition characterized by low-grade inflammation and oxidative imbalance and is strongly associated with impaired male reproductive function. This study investigated whether prebiotic-probiotic supplementation could prevent or attenuate high-fat diet (HFD)-induced metabolic inflammation-associated reproductive toxicity in male rats. Animals were assigned to four groups: normal diet (ND), HFD, HFD with concurrent prebiotic-probiotic supplementation from the onset of feeding (P-HFD), and HFD followed by supplementation initiated after 5 weeks (HFD-P). Evaluations included body and reproductive organ weights, sperm parameters, testicular histopathology, reproductive hormones, oxidative stress and inflammatory biomarkers, and gut microbiome composition. HFD feeding induced pronounced reproductive impairment, evidenced by reduced relative testicular weight, disrupted spermatogenesis, decreased LH levels, elevated TNF-α, a paradoxical increase in intratesticular testosterone despite reduced LH, and marked gut dysbiosis, characterized by shifts in microbial community structure along with reduced microbial diversity. Prebiotic-probiotic supplementation did not fully restore microbial richness or return the microbiota to an ND-like configuration; however, concurrent supplementation induced more pronounced taxonomic restructuring than delayed supplementation. While P-HFD did not show significant improvements in sperm parameters or LH, it exhibited clear histological preservation of testicular structure, reduced TNF-α, and partial normalization of testosterone, indicating attenuation of HFD-induced inflammation-associated testicular toxicity rather than complete functional recovery. In contrast, delayed supplementation produced no meaningful improvement in reproductive, hormonal, or microbiome-related outcomes and, in several respects, more pronounced testicular inflammation and structural degeneration than HFD alone. Collectively, these findings indicate that intervention timing is critical: concurrent administration conferred greater structural and anti-inflammatory protection against HFD-induced testicular damage, whereas delayed intervention was insufficient-or even counterproductive-once testicular injury was established. This timing-dependent response highlights the potential of microbiota-targeted strategies as supportive, timing-sensitive approaches for mitigating obesity-related male reproductive toxicity.},
}

@article {pmid42514073,
year = {2026},
author = {Xu, S and Deng, S and Shi, J and Huang, M and Shi, R},
title = {Rhizosphere Microbiome Dynamics Associated with Root Rot in Polygonatum kingianum Coll.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071568},
pmid = {42514073},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32260720//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Polygonatum kingianum Coll. (PKC) is a valuable medicinal herb native to Yunnan, China, but its yield and quality are severely threatened by root rot. To elucidate the rhizosphere microbial dynamics associated with this disease and to identify location-transcending patterns, we collected rhizosphere soils from healthy and diseased PKC plants at three planting bases in Lincang, Qujing, and Kunming. Soil properties were measured, and bacterial (16S rRNA) and fungal (ITS) communities were characterized by amplicon sequencing. Geographic origin emerged as the dominant factor associated with microbial community structure, with soil moisture, organic matter, and nutrients all showing significant associations. The effect of disease on microbial diversity was site-specific. Nevertheless, LEfSe analysis identified cross-location-consistent indicator genera: Acidiferrimicrobium and HSB_OF53_F07 were enriched in healthy soils, while Burkholderia-Caballeronia-Paraburkholderia and Rhodanobacter were enriched in diseased samples. At the trophic mode level, a consistent pattern was observed: diseased rhizosphere soils had higher relative abundance of pathotrophic fungi and lower abundance of symbiotrophic fungi compared to healthy soils. However, at the finer guild level, no individual guild showed statistically significant differences after FDR correction. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a striking structural reorganization: healthy plants harbored a fungus-dominated network (57.04% fungi), whereas diseased plants shifted to a bacterium-dominated network (55.71% bacteria), accompanied by an increased proportion of negative correlations. Redundancy analysis (RDA) and Mantel tests further confirmed that soil physicochemical properties, rather than health status, were the primary factors associated with microbial community variation (Mantel's r = 0.725 for bacteria, 0.768 for fungi). Collectively, this study provides the first systematic evidence of cross-location common microbial shifts and network reorganization associated with PKC root rot. These findings offer a microecological basis for developing green prevention and control strategies against this devastating disease.},
}

@article {pmid42514077,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, A and Ran, D and Shen, Z and Rojba, M and Zhang, J},
title = {The Gut-Lung Microbiome Axis in Alveolar Stem Cell Regeneration and Lung Repair.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071572},
pmid = {42514077},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {The mammalian respiratory system stands as a frontline barrier, constantly exposed to environmental insults, balancing defensive immunity with gas exchange. Historically considered sterile, the lung harbors a dynamic, low-biomass microbiome that evolves continuously in response to pulmonary pathologies. Accumulating evidence underscores that respiratory health and structural recovery are not autonomous but are critically integrated with distal microbial systems, especially the intestinal tract, through the gut-lung axis (GLA). This review characterizes the GLA as a bidirectional communication highway fueled by immune pathways, microbial metabolites, and direct microbial translocations. During acute or chronic injuries, such as COVID-19, COPD, asthma, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) and lung cancer, the gut microbiota serves as a remote metabolic "rheostat". It delivers pivotal signaling molecules, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and tryptophan metabolites (indoles), that could shape the local microenvironment in which the respiratory epithelium undergoes functional repair or maladaptive, fibrotic remodeling. Mechanistically, gut-derived butyrate enhances mitochondrial activity in alveolar epithelial cells, while resident progenitors, such as Alveolar Type 2 (AT2) cells, depend on intact mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation for proper regenerative differentiation. Conversely, critical lung illness disrupts this homeostasis via a "pathological circuit," where severe pulmonary inflammation drives gut permeability, fecal dysbiosis, and the subsequent translocation of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs, such as LPS) or gut-associated bacteria back into the pulmonary circulation. This review highlights the systemic nature of lung regeneration, which likely depends heavily on intestinal health through the GLA. Ultimately, leveraging these remote microbial networks through precision postbiotic supplementation, dietary priming, or microbiota transplantation represents a crucial frontier in precision medicine to promote definitive alveolar repair.},
}

@article {pmid42514102,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, L and Munikumar, S and Yi, J and Staal, M and Venema, JH and Elzenga, T},
title = {A Fusarium Isolate from a Salt Marsh Improves the Salinity Tolerance of a Commercial Cultivar of Festuca rubra via Enhanced Root K[+] Homeostasis.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071598},
pmid = {42514102},
issn = {2076-2607},
abstract = {Salinity poses a major threat to sustainable agriculture and coastal ecosystems, resulting in a substantial loss of plant productivity and biodiversity. Although some coastal grass species exhibit natural adaptation to saline conditions, the physiological mechanisms underlying salt tolerance remain incompletely understood, particularly regarding the contribution of plant-associated microorganisms. In a previous study, a commercial cultivar of red fescue (Festuca rubra ssp. rubra cv. Rafael) was shown to be salt sensitive when grown hydroponically, whereas wild populations of F. rubra commonly occur in coastal salt marshes (possibly ssp. litoralis). We hypothesized that this difference in salt tolerance is partly associated with beneficial fungal plant interactions. To test this hypothesis, we investigated whether inoculation with a fungal isolate designated Fusarium sp. 1 and isolated from F. rubra growing on a salt marsh along the Dutch Wadden Sea coast could improve the salinity tolerance of the commercial cultivar. The results showed that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 alleviated the salt-induced growth inhibition. At 100 mM NaCl, shoot and root biomass were partially restored relative to non-inoculated controls, accompanied by a significant increase in the shoot-to-root ratio. To investigate the physiological basis of this response, we applied the Microelectrode Ion Flux Estimation (MIFE) technique to quantify Na[+] -induced K[+] efflux in roots. Inoculated plants exhibited improved K[+] homeostasis, characterized by a reduced instantaneous Na[+]-induced K[+] efflux and a faster recovery of root fluxes. Moreover, inoculated plants grown at 50 and 100 mM NaCl displayed 333% and 397% greater net K[+] influx, respectively, compared with non-inoculated controls. Our results indicated that inoculation with Fusarium sp. 1 improves the salinity tolerance of F. rubra, likely through enhanced root K[+] retention. These findings suggest that commercial F. rubra cultivars remain responsive to beneficial microbial associations and highlight the potential of exploring plant-microbe interactions from naturally salt-adapted environments to improve salinity resilience in grasses and potentially other crops.},
}

@article {pmid42514107,
year = {2026},
author = {Wu, X and Han, S and Wang, Y and Chen, X and Liu, S and Li, M and Lin, S and Feng, L and Guo, X and Li, Z and Hao, H and Wang, X and Huang, D and Feng, L and Liu, B and Wang, L},
title = {2'-Fucosyllactose Attenuates Fusobacterium nucleatum Virulence and Modulates the Oral Microbiota.},
journal = {Microorganisms},
volume = {14},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/microorganisms14071603},
pmid = {42514107},
issn = {2076-2607},
support = {32370194//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32130003//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82372267//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; W2512084//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 82572591//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32070133//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; 32470111//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; JCYJ20220530164604010//Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission/ ; JCYJ20230807151559009//Shenzhen Science and Technology Innovation Commission/ ; 25ZXZSSS00710//Key Laboratory Major Project/ ; },
abstract = {Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. nucleatum) is a key periodontal pathobiont associated with oral inflammation. This bacterium forms biofilms and expresses adhesins that facilitate its adhesion to and invasion of gingival epithelial cells. These processes disrupt the epithelial barrier and trigger oral inflammation, and in some cases, systemic inflammation. Conventional antimicrobial strategies predominantly depend on the utilization of antibiotics. Nevertheless, this can result in the proliferation of drug-resistant strains and the disruption of the oral microbiome equilibrium. As the predominant human milk oligosaccharide, 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) demonstrates considerable promise in inhibiting pathogenic bacterial adhesion and fortifying epithelial barrier function, mediated by its characteristic structural and bioactive attributes. In this study, we showed that 2'-FL attenuates the expression of virulence genes in F. nucleatum, reduces biofilm formation, and suppresses the bacterium's ability to adhere to human gingival epithelial cells (HGECs). Furthermore, at the transcriptional level, 2'-FL suppressed F. nucleatum-induced inflammatory cytokine overexpression in both HGECs and RAW 264.7 macrophages, and upregulated barrier-related proteins (ZO-1, Occludin) and MUC-1 gene expression in HGECs. In vivo studies demonstrated the inhibitory effect of 2'-FL on F. nucleatum-induced periodontal injury in Balb/c mice. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing analysis demonstrated that 2'-FL modulated oral microbiota composition of healthy volunteers and significantly reduced the abundance of Fusobacterium.},
}

@article {pmid42514135,
year = {2026},
author = {Deaconu, DM and Gradisteanu Pircalabioru, G and Savu, O},
title = {Maternal Microbiome in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutic Perspectives.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {42514135},
issn = {2075-1729},
abstract = {Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disorder of pregnancy, driven by rising maternal age, obesity, and complex metabolic-inflammatory interactions. Emerging evidence implicates the maternal microbiome as a key modulator of metabolic adaptation during gestation; however, its precise role in GDM pathogenesis remains incompletely defined. This narrative review synthesizes current knowledge on microbiome alterations across gut, vaginal, and oral niches, focusing on their contribution to insulin resistance, metabolic endotoxemia, and immune dysregulation. GDM is consistently associated with reduced microbial diversity, depletion of beneficial taxa (e.g., Akkermansia, Bifidobacterium, Faecalibacterium), and expansion of pro-inflammatory pathobionts, which collectively may impair intestinal barrier integrity and promote low-grade systemic inflammation. These mechanisms are linked to altered insulin signaling and adverse maternal-fetal outcomes. In parallel, microbiome-derived metabolites and early taxonomic signatures have been proposed as potential biomarkers for first-trimester risk stratification, offering an opportunity to overcome the limitations of late diagnostic approaches such as the oral glucose tolerance test. Despite these advances, most available evidence remains associative, with substantial heterogeneity across studies and limited mechanistic validation. The clinical utility of microbiome-based interventions-including dietary modulation, prebiotics, and probiotics-remains promising but inconclusive, with outcomes highly dependent on individual, microbial, and methodological factors. Overall, the maternal microbiome represents a compelling but still evolving target in GDM research. Future progress will depend on standardized methodologies, longitudinal multi-omics studies, and the development of precision medicine approaches capable of integrating microbial, metabolic, and host data. Such advances may enable earlier diagnosis, targeted prevention, and ultimately the disruption of intergenerational metabolic risk.},
}

@article {pmid42514156,
year = {2026},
author = {Schulze-Makuch, D and Bartholomäus, A and Arens, FL and Mangelsdorf, K and Wagner, D},
title = {Small-Scale Mineral and Microbial Heterogeneities near a Fumarole at the Furnas Hydrothermal Zone on the Azores.},
journal = {Life (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {16},
number = {7},
pages = {},
pmid = {42514156},
issn = {2075-1729},
abstract = {The Azores are characterized by intense volcanic activity, creating unique environments such as fumarole sites, where geothermal gases and high temperatures drive distinct chemical and biological processes. To investigate small-scale heterogeneity within such a site, six visually distinct samples were collected within a 30 cm radius at an active fumarole on São Miguel Island. The samples were analyzed for elemental and mineralogical composition, bacterial lipid biomarkers (PLFAs), and microbial community structure using a novel DNA separation technique to specifically target the living microbiome. Despite mineralogical similarities across all samples-predominantly composed of alunite, alkali-feldspar, and quartz-significant microbial heterogeneity was observed. Both PLFA and bacterial iDNA analyses revealed distinct microbial communities associated with specific conditions indicated by the specific colors: red and brown samples were dominated by Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota, yellow and green by Thermoplasmatota and Actinobacteriota, and white and gray by Crenarchaeota. Interestingly, the gray samples exhibited a broader microbial composition, sharing some taxa with all other samples. These striking color variations are likely driven by differences in both specific mineral composition and microbial pigmentation, reflecting localized biogeochemical processes. Our findings demonstrate that extreme microbial heterogeneity can occur over remarkably small spatial scales within fumarolic systems, underscoring the complex interplay between chemical and biological factors in these dynamic volcanic habitats.},
}

@article {pmid42514308,
year = {2026},
author = {Sasson, G and Hosmer, C and Korzenik, J},
title = {Dietary Therapies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Their Effects on Disease Activity and the Gut Microbiome.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142240},
pmid = {42514308},
issn = {2072-6643},
abstract = {The rapid rise in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) worldwide parallels urbanization and Westernization, including a shift towards the Western diet. This evolving epidemiological landscape shines a spotlight on the contributions of the environment to IBD pathogenesis and has generated particular interest in the role of diet as both a therapeutic and preventative strategy. Although epidemiologic studies have identified dietary risk associations and dietary intervention studies have demonstrated symptomatic benefit, the specific dietary components that influence disease course and the complex mechanistic pathways through which they act are incompletely understood. In this narrative review, we examine the clinical efficacy of dietary therapies studied in IBD and discuss their effects on gut microbial composition and function, recognizing the heterogeneity of evidence across dietary approaches and the evolving nature of this field. We also discuss emerging evidence linking diet, microbial metabolism and immune response, and consider how a better understanding of these interactions may inform future therapeutic strategies, optimize dietary interventions, and support the development of precision nutrition approaches in IBD. Overall, current evidence suggests that dietary therapies may benefit selected patients with IBD and are associated with changes in the gut microbiome, although their mechanisms and optimal clinical application require further study.},
}

@article {pmid42514368,
year = {2026},
author = {Naito, Y and Yasuda, T and Kitae, H and Mizushima, K and Ouchi, N and Adachi, A and Kamitani, T and Narumoto, J and Kitani, T and Matoba, S and Inoue, R and Takagi, T},
title = {Joint Dietary and Gut Microbial Profiling and the Fatty Liver Index in Community-Dwelling Older Japanese: A Cross-Sectional, Hypothesis-Generating Analysis from the Kyotango Longevity Study.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142300},
pmid = {42514368},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {JPJ009842//Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries/ ; JPMJPF2210/JPMJPF2403//COI-NEXT/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Diet and the gut microbiota are each associated with hepatic steatosis, but their joint variation and shared explanatory contribution are rarely quantified in older Asian community-dwelling populations.

METHODS: In 701 non-heavy-drinking Kyotango longevity cohort adults, habitual diet (BDHQ; 31 food groups) and stool 16S rRNA microbiome (47 genera; CLR-transformed) were related to the fatty liver index (FLI) by canonical correlation analysis (CCA), reduced-rank regression (RRR), and bootstrap mediation; FIB-4 was a secondary exploratory outcome.

RESULTS: Four dietary patterns and four microbial clusters emerged. CCA revealed multivariate diet-microbiota co-variation (four significant canonical correlations; r = 0.40-0.46; all p < 0.05). Combined RRR (n = 697 with complete FLI data) explained 11.1% of FLI variance in-sample (permutation p = 0.006), although cross-validated R[2] was negative, reframing the model as hypothesis-generating rather than predictive. Bootstrap mediation suggested that 12.6% of the diet-on-FLI effect was carried by the microbiota (95% bootstrap CI excluding zero). Of 1457 FDR-corrected food-genus pairs, one was significant (fruits × Eubacterium eligens; r = +0.202, q = 1.0 × 10[-4]).

CONCLUSIONS: In this cross-sectional, hypothesis-generating analysis with no individual-level predictive utility, dietary patterns and gut microbial composition co-vary and jointly relate to FLI. The findings describe population-level covariance patterns for future prospective diet-microbiome intervention testing; external validation in independent cohorts is essential.},
}

@article {pmid42514389,
year = {2026},
author = {López-Yerena, A and Pinto, V and Stella, BM and Yaşar, E and Camafort, M and Vives-Giralt, MQ and Casanovas-Garriga, F and Ruiz-Leon, AM and Estruch, R and Casas, R},
title = {Unhealthy Diets, Unhealthy Futures: How Modern Eating Patterns Endanger Maternal and Offspring Health.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142320},
pmid = {42514389},
issn = {2072-6643},
abstract = {Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are increasingly prevalent in global diets and have been consistently associated with adverse health outcomes. Their consumption during sensitive life stages, such as pregnancy and early childhood, raises significant public health concerns due to potential intergenerational effects. This narrative review critically examines the impact of UPF consumption during pregnancy and early life, with a focus on maternal and child health outcomes, including alterations in gut microbiota composition. Accumulating evidence indicates that UPF consumption is linked to increased risks of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and all-cause mortality. During pregnancy, high UPF intake is associated with poorer diet quality, excessive gestational weight gain, increased inflammation, and unfavorable neonatal outcomes, including altered microbiota transmission and impaired neurodevelopment. In early childhood, UPFs were linked to microbiota dysbiosis, obesity, micronutrient deficiencies, and allergic conditions. Notably, maternal dietary pattern strongly influences the early and sustained incorporation of UPFs into children's diets. Overall, UPF consumption during pregnancy and early childhood represents a modifiable risk factor with far-reaching health implications. A deeper understanding of the dietary-microbiome-health axis is essential for developing effective nutritional strategies to optimize maternal and child health outcomes and reduce long-term disease risks.},
}

@article {pmid42514393,
year = {2026},
author = {Ermolenko, E and Sitkin, S and Alferova, L and Novikova, N and Gladyshev, N and Orlova, V and Zalicheva, A and Demchenko, E and Ergashev, O and Suvorov, A},
title = {Autoprobiotic Supplements Attenuate Obesity and Improve Gut Microbiota, Carbohydrate, and Lipid Metabolism in Patients with Metabolic Syndrome: A Pilot Trial.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142324},
pmid = {42514393},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {075-00397-25-03 (1022041101032-1-1.6.2; FGWG-2025-0010)//Institute of Experimental Medicine/ ; },
abstract = {Background/Objectives: A pilot study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment with autoprobiotic bacteria from indigenous, non-pathogenic Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae strains in patients with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Fifty patients with MetS (sex-matched, aged 42-63 years) were randomized to an experimental group (Ap, n = 26) that received autoprobiotics grown in nutritional mix SuproPlus 2640 and a control group (Pl, n = 24) that received SuproPlus 2640 for 20 days. Results: The effects of therapy on anthropometric and biochemical parameters, as well as the gut microbiome, were assessed on days 14 and 28 after the autoprobiotic course. Autoprobiotic treatment reduced the severity of obesity symptoms and led to decreases in serum glucose and glycated hemoglobin (HbAc1) levels and partial normalization of the lipid profile. An intergroup comparison revealed lower concentrations of HbAc1 and triglycerides in blood serum when comparing samples taken from Ap and Pl groups on day 28 after therapy. qPCR showed a reduction in the numbers of Bacteroides fragilis group, Streptococcus spp., and Ruminococcus spp. in the Ap group. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results provided a longitudinal model for relative abundance analysis of the observed taxa, and comparison between dynamic parameters indicated a more favorable trend in the Ap group, with a decrease in the relative abundance of Oscillospiraceae UCG-003 and an increase in that of "Prevotellamassilia" observed only in this group. Longitudinal microbiota analysis using the coda4microbiome package demonstrated that the most pronounced microbiome shifts occurred in the Ap group, with the genera Senegalimassilia, "Prevotellamassilia", Streptococcus, Paraprevotella, and Anaerobutyricum contributing substantially. Conclusions: Autoprobiotic Enterococcus spp. may affect the gut microbiome and is potentially effective for treating MetS.},
}

@article {pmid42514397,
year = {2026},
author = {Andreae, MC and Clark, WA and Sterrett, J and Adkins, J and Moorman, JP and Cartwright, BM},
title = {Intestinal Microbiome, Fecal Fermentation Profile, and Health Indices in HIV-Positive Men Versus Normal Controls Without HIV.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142328},
pmid = {42514397},
issn = {2072-6643},
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Many HIV-positive (HIV+) males receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) experience metabolic complications, including non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); lipodystrophy; and intestinal dysbiosis, often characterized by a Prevotella-rich enterotype. Gut microbial fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which play important roles in host metabolism. This study investigated the relationships among HAART, anthropometrics, diet, intestinal permeability, gut microbiota composition, and lipodystrophy in HIV+ males.

METHODS: Forty males aged 23-60 years were enrolled, including 19 HIV+ participants recruited from the East Tennessee State University (ETSU) Health Infectious Diseases Specialty Clinic and 20 HIV-negative (HIV-) controls recruited through standard methods. Participants provided a stool sample for 16S rRNA gene sequencing, SCFA analysis by gas chromatography, and proximate analysis, and completed a food frequency questionnaire. Lipodystrophy-related measures included body mass index (BMI), hip-to-waist ratio (H:W), and liver health assessment using FibroScan. Blood samples were collected by venipuncture. Serum markers of intestinal permeability, including Claudin-21, flagellin, and intestinal fatty acid-binding protein (IFABP), were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS: HIV+ males exhibited significantly higher H:W ratios (p = 0.001) and hepatic steatosis (p = 0.0047) than HIV- controls (Welsh's t-test). Concentrations of isobutyrate (p = 0.0024), isovalerate (p = 0.0008), and valerate (p = 0.0329) were elevated in HIV+ participants, whereas butyrate (p = 0.0014) and total acetate/propionate/butyrate (APB) (p = 0.0046) were higher in HIV- males (Welsh's t-test). HIV+ participants also showed greater abundances of Prevotella and Lachnospiraceae (Analysis of Compositions of Microbiomes; ANCOM). Retrospective analysis revealed that all HIV+ participants were men who have sex with men (MSM).

CONCLUSIONS: HIV+ males demonstrated distinct gut microbiome profiles, altered SCFA production, and markers of disrupted lipid metabolism. These findings provide a foundation for future investigations of microbiome-metabolism interactions in HIV+ MSM.},
}

@article {pmid42514414,
year = {2026},
author = {Wierzbicka-Rucińska, A},
title = {Beyond BMI: Personalized Nutrition in Obesity, Normal-Weight Obesity, Metabolic Syndrome, and MASLD.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142345},
pmid = {42514414},
issn = {2072-6643},
abstract = {Background: Personalized nutrition, also referred to as precision nutrition, is an emerging approach that integrates genetic, metabolic, phenotypic, behavioral, and environmental characteristics to develop individualized dietary strategies. Obesity, metabolic syndrome (MetS), and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represent interconnected disorders with substantial inter-individual variability in disease development, metabolic risk, and response to dietary interventions. Although body mass index (BMI) remains widely used for obesity classification, it does not adequately capture differences in body composition, fat distribution, or metabolic health. Consequently, individuals with normal-weight obesity (NWO), characterized by excessive body fat accumulation despite a normal BMI, may remain unidentified despite increased cardiometabolic risk.This narrative review critically evaluates the current evidence on the potential role of personalized nutrition in the prevention and management of obesity, MetS, MASLD, and related cardiometabolic abnormalities. Particular attention is given to five major domains: nutrigenetics, gut microbiota, metabolic phenotyping, body composition assessment, and digital health technologies, with emphasis on their current clinical applicability and limitations. Methods: A structured narrative review was performed using PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify English-language studies (2003-2026) on personalized nutrition in obesity, normal-weight obesity, metabolic syndrome, and MASLD. Eligible studies were selected according to predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, and 31 publications were included in the qualitative synthesis. Results: Current evidence suggests that personalized nutrition strategies may contribute to improvements in body weight regulation, insulin sensitivity, lipid metabolism, and liver-related outcomes; however, the magnitude and consistency of these effects remain variable. The integration of genetic, metabolic, microbiome, and phenotypic information may improve individual risk stratification and help identify high-risk groups, including individuals with NWO who may not be recognized through BMI-based assessment alone. Emerging approaches involving multi-omics technologies, microbiome profiling, wearable devices, continuous glucose monitoring, and artificial intelligence-based tools provide promising opportunities for individualized dietary interventions. Nevertheless, limitations related to methodological heterogeneity, insufficient standardization, limited external validation, and the scarcity of long-term pragmatic clinical trials currently restrict their routine implementation. Conclusions: Personalized nutrition represents a promising but still evolving approach for addressing obesity and its metabolic complications, including MetS and MASLD. While the integration of biological, phenotypic, and digital information may support more targeted dietary recommendations, current evidence does not yet fully establish the clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of these approaches in routine care. Future large-scale, longitudinal, and well-designed randomized controlled trials are required to determine which personalized nutrition strategies provide clinically meaningful benefits and for which patient populations.},
}

@article {pmid42514425,
year = {2026},
author = {Shuvo, MSH and Kim, S and Jo, S and Ahmed, I and Aziz, MT and Yoon, Y and Sarafraz, F and Oh, S and Nam, GT and Lee, J and Im, Y and Park, SY and Gong, SY and Kang, MG and Jang, SH and Kwon, SH and Seo, H and Song, HY},
title = {Enhancement of Gut Microbial Homeostasis by a Post-NGP Phocaeicola vulgatus.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142355},
pmid = {42514425},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {RS-2023-00219563//Ministry of Science and ICT/ ; P0027492//Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy/ ; NA//Ministry of Employment and Labor/ ; NA//Soonchunhyang University/ ; NA//G-LAMP/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Humans have long consumed lactic acid bacteria-based fermented foods, and this empirical experience has led to the development of probiotic-based functional foods and therapeutics. However, conventional development strategies have largely focused on commonly used probiotic strains to prioritize development efficiency and safety, resulting in limited functional innovation. Although research on next-generation probiotics (NGPs) has expanded in recent years, there is an increasing need for post-next-generation probiotic (Post-NGP) strategies that address subsequent stages of microbiome modulation.

METHODS: In this study, Phocaeicola vulgatus PMC94 was isolated and characterized as a Post-NGP candidate, and its effects on gut microbiome balance were evaluated using ex vivo human gut microbiota culture (ex vivo HGMC).

RESULTS: Dysbiosis induced by commonly encountered therapeutic agents was significantly alleviated by co-administration of PMC94. This restorative effect on gut microbiome imbalance was more pronounced than that observed with conventional probiotic strains. To elucidate the mechanistic basis underlying these effects, additional analyses were conducted using a human gut microbiome simulator (HGMS). PMC94 selectively suppressed Proteobacteria while promoting balanced proliferation of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, thereby restoring gut microbial homeostasis. This pattern of microbiome modulation was consistently supported by in vivo mouse experiments. Furthermore, these changes were associated with increased production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), as well as immune modulation and reinforcement of gut barrier function. The safety of PMC94 was confirmed through a 2-week repeated-dose toxicity study.

CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, these findings demonstrate that P. vulgatus PMC94 is a promising Post-NGP candidate capable of restoring and strengthening gut microbial homeostasis.},
}

@article {pmid42514433,
year = {2026},
author = {Liu, H and Kuang, X and Zheng, X},
title = {Seasonal Affective Disorder and the Microbiota-Gut-Brain Axis: Circadian Disruption, Tryptophan Metabolism, and Psychobiotic Potential of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142364},
pmid = {42514433},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {32171172//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Youth Program//Shanghai Easten Talent Plan/ ; },
abstract = {Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a recurrent mood disorder associated with reduced photoperiod exposure and circadian disruption during autumn and winter. Emerging evidence links SAD to alterations in serotonergic signaling, neuroimmune activity, metabolism, and the microbiota-gut-brain axis; however, the causal relationships among these systems remain incompletely understood. A structured search of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus identified relevant publications from 2000 to 2025, with clinical and preclinical evidence evaluated separately. Proposed links between circadian misalignment, inflammatory signaling, and tryptophan metabolism toward the kynurenine pathway are based largely on associative and preclinical findings rather than confirmed mechanisms in SAD. The microbiota-gut-brain axis in SAD is likely bidirectional, as seasonal changes in feeding behavior, physical activity, and circadian phase may themselves influence gut microbial composition and function. Accordingly, microbiome alterations in affective disorders may reflect both potential upstream modulators and downstream consequences of disease-related behavior. Psychobiotics have been proposed as modulators of gut-brain communication in affective disorders. Among candidate strains, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus GG (formerly Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG; LGG) has shown effects on intestinal barrier function, immune signaling, and host tryptophan metabolism in preclinical studies. However, evidence derives largely from animal or non-seasonal depression models, and direct evidence in SAD is lacking. Thus, LGG should be considered a mechanistically plausible candidate for future investigation rather than an established therapy. This review synthesizes evidence on circadian regulation, serotonergic and tryptophan metabolism, and microbiota-gut-brain interactions in SAD, and highlights mechanistic gaps for future studies.},
}

@article {pmid42514435,
year = {2026},
author = {Marano, G and Valle, EL and Carriero, G and Brisi, C and Traversi, G and Mazza, O and Sani, G and Mazza, M},
title = {Sleep as a Transdiagnostic Target in Psychiatry: Prebiotics, the Gut-Brain Axis, and the Gap Between Mechanistic Plausibility and Clinical Evidence.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142366},
pmid = {42514435},
issn = {2072-6643},
abstract = {Sleep disturbances are highly prevalent across psychiatric disorders and represent both a clinical feature and a potential transdiagnostic therapeutic target. Growing evidence suggests that the gut microbiota may contribute to sleep regulation through immune, metabolic, circadian, and neuroendocrine pathways. Prebiotics, defined as selectively utilized substrates that confer health benefits through modulation of host microorganisms, have received increasing attention as nutritional strategies capable of influencing the gut-brain axis. This narrative review summarizes preclinical and human evidence on prebiotic interventions in relation to sleep-related outcomes and psychiatric symptomatology, with particular attention to short-chain fatty acids, circadian regulation, inflammatory pathways, stress-related hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis activity, and microbial metabolite signaling. Preclinical studies suggest that selected prebiotics may influence sleep architecture, stress resilience, neuroinflammation, and behavioral phenotypes, particularly under conditions of stress or sleep disruption, but translation to human populations remains preliminary. Available clinical studies are limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneous prebiotic formulations, variable doses and intervention durations, inconsistent microbiome methodologies, and frequent reliance on subjective sleep measures rather than polysomnography or actigraphy. Therefore, current evidence supports prebiotics as biologically plausible and generally well-tolerated adjunctive strategies, but not as established treatments for insomnia or psychiatric symptoms. Sleep may provide a clinically meaningful transdiagnostic framework for future nutritional psychiatry research, provided that adequately powered randomized controlled trials integrate objective sleep assessment, standardized microbiome and metabolomic profiling, and clinically relevant psychiatric outcomes.},
}

@article {pmid42514442,
year = {2026},
author = {Nowak-Zaleska, A and Czerwińska-Ledwig, O and Żychowska, M and Meyza, K and Łoboda, D and Pałka, T and Szlachetka, A and Ziemann, E and Niewęgłowski, T and Kurkiewicz-Piotrowska, A},
title = {Nordic Walking Combined with Time-Restricted Eating Is Associated with Changes in Gut Microbiota Composition in Adults with Obesity-Pilot Study.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142373},
pmid = {42514442},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {022/RID/2018/19//Ministry of Science and Higher Education/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Rearrangement of the gut microbiota toward a symbiotic profile may be influenced by physical activity and diet in both healthy and obese individuals. This study aimed to characterize gut microbiota using next-generation sequencing (NGS) and to evaluate the effect of a 6-week Nordic Walking (NW) program combined with Time-Restricted Eating (TRE; 10 h eating window) in individuals with obesity.

METHODS: The study included healthy controls (C; n = 10; 64.7 ± 6.7 years) and individuals with obesity (A; n = 10; 60.0 ± 4.5 years). The intervention consisted of three moderate-intensity NW sessions per week, individually adapted to participants' capacity. Gut microbiota was analyzed using nanopore 16S rRNA sequencing (V3-V9 regions).

RESULTS: Baseline microbial composition differed significantly between obese and control groups, with Bray-Curtis dissimilarity ranging from 49.98% (phylum) to 65.97% (species) (p ≤ 0.02). After intervention, within-group dissimilarity in the obese cohort (A vs. B) decreased to 25.24-51.86% but was not significant (p = 0.88-1.00). Post-intervention comparisons (B vs. C) still showed significant differences at higher taxonomic levels, including class (44.10%, p = 0.015), order (31.62%, p = 0.022), family (50.48%, p = 0.011), genus (58.09%, p = 0.005), and species (63.47%, p = 0.0003). Alpha diversity showed no significant differences at species and genus levels, but significant group effects were observed at higher ranks, including order (Shannon p = 0.01; Simpson p = 0.01), class (Simpson p = 0.02), and phylum (Shannon p = 0.02).

CONCLUSIONS: The NW + TRE intervention was associated with partial normalization of gut microbiota structure and reduced microbial dissimilarity, suggesting a shift toward a more symbiotic profile; however, differences compared with controls persisted, indicating incomplete convergence after 6 weeks.},
}

@article {pmid42514455,
year = {2026},
author = {Conde-Pipó, J and Lavilla-Lerma, ML and Achalandabaso-Ochoa, A and Conde-Rienda, T and Mariscal-Arcas, M and Martínez-Amat, A},
title = {Baseline Oral Microbiota Richness Is Associated with Training-Induced Improvements in Relative Handgrip Strength in Older Adults.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142386},
pmid = {42514455},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {1260735//Convocatoria Financiación Regional I + D + i - Programa Operativo FEDER Andalucía 2014-2020/ ; },
abstract = {Background: Considerable inter-individual variability exists in exercise-induced adaptations among older adults. Although microbial ecosystems have been linked to muscle function and physical performance, the role of the oral microbiota in exercise responsiveness remains unclear. Objective: To explore whether baseline oral microbiota characteristics are associated with training-induced changes in relative handgrip strength (rHGS) in older adults. Methods: This preliminary exploratory longitudinal study included 18 community-dwelling older adults who completed a 16-week supervised exercise intervention. Oral microbiota composition was assessed at baseline using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Participants were classified as responders when ΔrHGS was >0 and as non-responders when ΔrHGS was ≤0; this operational threshold did not account for measurement error or clinically meaningful change. Associations between baseline microbiota variables and ΔrHGS were examined using group comparisons, Spearman correlations, FDR correction, and exploratory linear regression models. Results: Responders showed higher baseline bacterial genus richness than non-responders at the nominal level (86.15 ± 8.90 vs. 71.60 ± 13.32; p = 0.023), although this difference did not remain significant after FDR correction (pFDR = 0.069). Baseline richness was positively associated with ΔrHGS (ρ = 0.578, p = 0.012, pFDR = 0.036) and remained associated with ΔrHGS in exploratory sensitivity models. Genus-level findings did not remain significant after FDR correction and were interpreted as exploratory candidate signals. Conclusions: In this preliminary cohort, greater baseline oral microbiota richness was associated with larger improvements in rHGS after exercise training. These hypothesis-generating findings require confirmation in larger studies with functional microbiome assessment before causal or predictive interpretations can be made.},
}

@article {pmid42514463,
year = {2026},
author = {Fleischer, A},
title = {Natural Taste Modulators and Microbiome-Aware Nutritional Support for Immunotherapy-Associated Dysgeusia: A Translational Perspective for Precision Supportive Cancer Care.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142393},
pmid = {42514463},
issn = {2072-6643},
support = {TWINSIGHT-12//Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung/ ; },
abstract = {Dysgeusia is a clinically consequential, but still under-standardized, toxicity of cancer treatment. In the immunotherapy era, taste disturbances are increasingly relevant for patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors, chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapies and T-cell-redirecting bispecific antibodies, with G protein-coupled receptor family C group 5 member D (GPRC5D)-directed treatment in multiple myeloma representing a particularly instructive high-burden model. We performed a structured critical narrative review with evidence mapping. PubMed/MEDLINE was searched from database inception to June 2026, complemented by citation tracking in Google Scholar, ClinicalTrials.gov searches and guideline documents relevant to oncology nutrition, oral supportive care and cancer-related taste dysfunction. Search concepts covered cancer-related dysgeusia, immunotherapy-associated oral toxicity, GPRC5D/talquetamab-associated dysgeusia, oncology nutrition, oral-gut microbiome biology, natural taste modulators and miraculin-based interventions. Dysgeusia can reduce appetite, food enjoyment, dietary diversity and protein energy intake, thereby contributing to weight loss, malnutrition risk, distress, social withdrawal and, in severe cases, treatment modification or discontinuation. Available evidence is heterogeneous: general cancer-treatment-associated dysgeusia is supported by broader observational and interventional literature; immunotherapy-associated dysgeusia is less systematically characterized; and GPRC5D/talquetamab-associated dysgeusia represents the most clinically visible and target-specific immunotherapy-associated phenotype. Emerging pilot data suggest that dried miracle berry or miraculin-containing products may improve selected taste perception and nutritional parameters in cancer-related dysgeusia, but direct evidence in immunotherapy-associated dysgeusia is not yet established. We, therefore, propose a claim-disciplined precision supportive-care framework integrating systematic taste phenotyping, early nutritional risk assessment, oral health evaluation, microbiome-aware but hypothesis-generating endpoints, individualized flavor and texture adaptation, cautious use of natural taste modulators in selected patients and iterative monitoring of patient-centered outcomes. Future trials should test whether dysgeusia-focused nutritional and taste-modulating supportive care interventions can improve intake, quality of life and treatment persistence without compromising immunotherapy safety or efficacy.},
}

@article {pmid42514472,
year = {2026},
author = {Carlone, J and Sgrò, P and Parisi, A and Fasano, A},
title = {From Mechanisms to Practice: Gut Microbiome-Based Strategies for Supporting Recovery in Elite Athletes.},
journal = {Nutrients},
volume = {18},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/nu18142403},
pmid = {42514472},
issn = {2072-6643},
abstract = {Recovery in elite athletes represents a critical determinant of performance and health outcomes. The gut microbiota has been proposed as a modulating factor for recovery through anti-inflammatory mechanisms, oxidative stress management, sleep regulation, and biosynthetic potential for essential micronutrients. This review examines the mechanisms linking gut microbiota composition and function to athletic recovery and critically evaluates the evidence supporting its application in sports medicine. Athletes appear to harbor a more enriched microbial biosynthetic potential, with substantially greater numbers of high-biological-impact synthases involved in the production of vitamins, amino acids, and bioactive metabolites. Short-chain fatty acids, particularly butyrate and propionate, have demonstrated anti-inflammatory effects in preclinical studies, with emerging evidence in humans. The gut-brain axis has been proposed to modulate recovery by regulating neurotransmitter production and controlling circadian rhythms. Sport-associated microbial signatures seem to reflect metabolic demands, with endurance athletes showing enrichment for Prevotella and Veillonella, while strength athletes tend to harbor higher levels of proteolytic bacteria. Probiotic interventions with multi-strain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium formulations have reported reductions in inflammatory markers, improvements in oxidative stress biomarkers, and enhanced sleep quality in small-scale randomized controlled trials involving athletic populations, and improvements in self-reported sleep quality in a controlled, non-randomized study in elite athletes. Optimizing gut microbiota composition and function offers a promising complementary strategy for enhancing recovery in elite athletes. Potential applications that require prospective validation include sport-specific probiotic interventions, nutritional strategies to enhance short-chain fatty acid production, and the integration of microbiota assessment with traditional recovery monitoring. Further research is needed to establish standardized protocols and identify predictive biomarkers of individual response to microbiota-targeted interventions.},
}

@article {pmid42514595,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, LJ and Ji, F and Qi, SY and Li, QF and Zhao, M and Xu, CJ and Li, YT and Zhang, AL},
title = {Pine-Extracted Volatile Oils Suppress Root Rot in Psammosilene tunicoides Through Direct Antifungal Activity and Rhizosphere Microbiome Modulation.},
journal = {Plants (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {15},
number = {14},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/plants15142228},
pmid = {42514595},
issn = {2223-7747},
support = {No.20254916CE340047//Yunnan Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicine Processing/ ; },
abstract = {Frequent outbreaks of root rot in Psammosilene tunicoides W. C. Wu & C. Y. Wu severely compromise the quality of its medicinal materials and hinder its large-scale cultivation. Interestingly, wild P. tunicoides growing under pine trees rarely experience this disease. To explore the potential basis of root rot suppression, we evaluated the direct antifungal activity of pine-derived volatile oils and the associated changes in the rhizosphere microbiome. GC-MS showed that pine turpentine was dominated by α-pinene (45.50%) and longifolene (28.20%). In vitro assays confirmed its highly efficient inhibition (81.65-94.71%) against major root rot pathogens in P. tunicoides. Beyond direct antifungal effects, metagenomic analysis indicated that volatile oil (SYR) treatment was associated with shifts in the rhizosphere microbiome, including increased relative abundances of potentially beneficial taxa, such as Paenibacillus, Trichoderma, and Geosiphon. Pine volatiles might be associated with shifts in the rhizosphere microbial community of P. tunicoides, potentially involving plant-mediated changes in root exudation and the enrichment of certain beneficial microbes. However, it remains to be further elucidated regarding the specific mechanisms underlying these community changes. Functional prediction of the microbial community suggested a predominance of metabolic pathways, secondary metabolite biosynthesis, and flagellar assembly in the SYR group. Conclusively, pine volatiles may contribute to root rot suppression through two potential processes: direct pathogen inhibition and beneficial microbiome enrichment. This study provides a theoretical basis for establishing sustainable agroforestry co-planting systems for P. tunicoides.},
}

@article {pmid42514643,
year = {2026},
author = {Nassar, N and Tharwat, M and Tayel, A and Tariq, M and Khan, YM and Alshanbari, FA and Khan, IM},
title = {From Gut to Gain: The Microbiome's Contribution to Broiler Health and Productivity.},
journal = {Veterinary sciences},
volume = {13},
number = {7},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/vetsci13070633},
pmid = {42514643},
issn = {2306-7381},
support = {QU-APC-2026//Qassim University/ ; },
abstract = {The gut microbiome plays a central role in regulating nutrient utilization, immune function, and disease resistance, thereby directly influencing growth performance and feed efficiency. Existing microbiome modulation strategies, including probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, and antibiotic alternatives, are critically evaluated. Despite their reported benefits, the effectiveness of these approaches often remains inconsistent across production systems. Evidence suggests that this variability is largely driven by complex interactions among microbial communities, host factors, and environmental and management conditions, which are frequently overlooked in conventional intervention-based approaches. To address this gap, this review proposes an integrated microbiome-host-environment framework that links microbial ecology with host physiology and production conditions. The framework provides a systems-level perspective for understanding the factors governing microbiome stability and production responses, offering a basis for more targeted and reliable microbiome management strategies. Finally, current challenges and future research priorities are discussed, including the integration of multi-omics technologies, precision nutrition, and data-driven approaches to support next-generation poultry production systems. By emphasizing the interconnected nature of microbiome regulation, this review contributes a conceptual foundation for improving broiler productivity and sustainability through more consistent and effective microbiome optimization.},
}