Sesterterpenoids: sources, structural diversity, biological activity, and data management.

Reviewing the literature published up to October 2024.Sesterterpenoids are one of the most chemically diverse and biologically promising subgroup of terpenoids, the largest family of secondary metabolites. The present review article summarizes more than seven decades of studies on isolation and characterization of more than 1600 structurally novel sesterterpenoids, supplemented by biological, pharmacological, ecological, and geographic distribution data.

RNase P cleavage of pseudoknot substrates reveals differences in active site architecture that depend on residue N-1 in the 5' leader.

We show that a small biotin-binding RNA aptamer that folds into a pseudoknot structure acts as a substrate for bacterial RNase P RNA (RPR) with and without the RNase P C5 protein. Cleavage in the single-stranded region in loop 1 was shown to depend on the presence of a RCCA-motif at the 3' end of the substrate. The nucleobase and the 2'hydroxyl at the position immediately 5' of the cleavage site contribute to both cleavage efficiency and site selection, where C at this position induces significant cleavage at an alternative site, one base upstream of the main cleavage site.

Impact of water stress to plant epigenetic mechanisms in stress and adaptation.

Water is the basic molecule in living beings, and it has a major impact on vital processes. Plants are sessile organisms with a sophisticated regulatory network that regulates how resources are distributed between developmental and adaptation processes. Drought-stressed plants can change their survival strategies to adapt to this unfavorable situation.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1697-1780.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from accumulated snow sediment sample. , on leaf spots of . , on submerged decaying wood in sea water, on , as endophyte from healthy leaves of .

Evidence for Peroxisomal Redundancy among the Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase Isoforms of Arabidopsis thaliana.

The oxidative pentose phosphate pathway (OPPP) plays an important role for the generation of reducing power in all eukaryotes. In plant cells the OPPP operates in several cellular compartments, but as full cycle only in the plastid stroma where it is essential. As suggested by our recent results, OPPP reactions are also mandatory inside peroxisomes, at least during fertilisation.

Dynamics of predator-prey system with the consequences of double Allee effect in prey population.

A underlying complex dynamical behavior of double Allee effects in predator-prey system is studied in this article to understand the predator-prey relation more intensely from different aspects. We first propose a system with the Caputo sense fractional-order predator-prey system incorporating the Allee effect in prey populations to explain how the memory effect can change the different emergent states. Local stability analysis is analyzed by applying Matignon's condition for the FDE system.

Bacterial community dynamics in a biofilm-based process after electro-assisted Fenton pre-treatment of real olive mill wastewater.

In this work, the effect of the electro-assisted Fenton (EAF) process on the bacterial community of a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) for olive mill wastewater (OMW) co-treatment with urban wastewater (UWW) was investigated. According to metagenomic analysis, pre-treatment by EAF, while removing total phenols (TPHs) up to 84 % ± 3 % and improving biodegradability of OMW from 0.38 to 0.

Transcriptome analysis reveals the different toxic mechanism of three HBCD diastereoisomers to Brachionus plicatilis based on chemical defensome.

The emerging contaminants hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) are proved to exhibit highly reproductive toxicity to marine rotifer Brachionus plicatilis, but how about the toxic differentiation among three diastereoisomers of HBCD, and what's the possible hidden mechanism? B. plicatilis was exposed to different concentrations of HBCD diastereoisomers, and the results showed that α-, β- and γ-HBCD exhibited various toxicity on it, the adverse effects on individual life history traits included shortened lifespan, shortened body length and reduced offspring number. Population dynamics analysis showed that the maximum population density and time to reach it were also significantly influenced.

An expanded phylogenomic analysis of Heterolobosea reveals the deep relationships, non-canonical genetic codes, and cryptic flagellate stages in the group.

The phylum Heterolobosea Page and Blanton, 1985 is a group of eukaryotes that contains heterotrophic flagellates, amoebae, and amoeboflagellates, including the infamous brain-eating amoeba Naegleria fowleri. In this study, we investigate the deep evolutionary history of Heterolobosea by generating and analyzing transcriptome data from 16 diverse isolates and combine this with previously published data in a comprehensive phylogenomic analysis. This dataset has representation of all but one of the major lineages classified here as orders.

Within-host evolution of a transcriptional regulator contributes to the establishment of chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

As an opportunistic pathogen, Pseudomonas aeruginosa can cause both acute and chronic infections that are notoriously difficult to treat. However, the mechanism underlying acute or chronic P. aeruginosa infection remains unclear.

Seascape Genomics of Red Abalone: Limited Range-Wide Population Structure and Evidence for Local Adaptation.

Characterising patterns of genetic diversity including evidence of local adaptation is relevant for predicting and managing species recovering from overexploitation in the face of climate change. Red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) is a species of conservation concern due to recent declines from overharvesting, disease and climate change, resulting in the closure of commercial and recreational fisheries. Using whole-genome resequencing data from 23 populations spanning their entire range (southern Oregon, USA, to Baja California, MEX) we investigated patterns of population connectivity and genotype-environment associations that would reveal local adaptation across the mosaic of coastal environments that define the California Current System (CCS).

Population Genomics Reveals Local Adaptation Related to Temperature Variation in Two Stream Frog Species: Implications for Vulnerability to Climate Warming.

Identifying populations at highest risk from climate change is a critical component of conservation efforts. However, vulnerability assessments are usually applied at the species level, even though intraspecific variation in exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity play a crucial role in determining vulnerability. Genomic data can inform intraspecific vulnerability by identifying signatures of local adaptation that reflect population-level variation in sensitivity and adaptive capacity.

Influences of plant maternal effects, chemotype, and environment on the leaf bacterial community.

Plant individuals within a species can differ markedly in their leaf chemical composition, forming so-called chemotypes. Little is known about whether such differences impact the microbial communities associated with leaves and how different environmental conditions may shape these relationships. We used Tanacetum vulgare as a model plant to study the impacts of maternal effects, leaf terpenoid chemotype, and the environment on the leaf bacterial community by growing plant clones in the field and a greenhouse.

Increasing microplastics pollution: An emerging vector for potentially pathogenic bacteria in the environment.

Microplastics (MP), plastic particles <5 mm, are of global concern due to their worldwide distribution and potential repercussions on ecosystems and human well-being. In this study, MP were collected from the urbanized Susurluk basin in Türkiye to evaluate their vector function for bacterial biofilms, both in the wet and dry seasons. Bacterial biofilms were predominantly found on polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), which constitute the most common MP types in the region.

Nutritional and Sensory Properties of Meat Analogues: A Current Overview and Future Considerations.

For centuries, meat has been a staple in the human diet, cherished for its rich protein content, vitamins, appealing texture, and umami flavor. The future supply is, however, tenuous as the global population continues to grow. Additional issues regarding animal welfare, adverse health effects, and the environmental impact of meat production have accelerated the development of meat analogues (MAs) over the last decades.

Single-Larva RNA Sequencing Reveals That Red Sea Urchin Larvae Are Vulnerable to Co-Occurring Ocean Acidification and Hypoxia.

Anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions have been increasing rapidly in recent years, driving pH and oxygen levels to record low concentrations in the oceans. Eastern boundary upwelling systems such as the California Current System (CCS) experience exacerbated ocean acidification and hypoxia (OAH) due to the physical and chemical properties of the transported deeper waters. Research efforts have significantly increased in recent years to investigate the deleterious effects of climate change on marine species, but have not focused on the impacts of simultaneous OAH stressor exposure.

Large-scale and long-term wildlife research and monitoring using camera traps: a continental synthesis.

Camera traps are widely used in wildlife research and monitoring, so it is imperative to understand their strengths, limitations, and potential for increasing impact. We investigated a decade of use of wildlife cameras (2012-2022) with a case study on Australian terrestrial vertebrates using a multifaceted approach. We (i) synthesised information from a literature review; (ii) conducted an online questionnaire of 132 professionals; (iii) hosted an in-person workshop of 28 leading experts representing academia, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and government; and (iv) mapped camera trap usage based on all sources.

Biodegradation of acetaminophen: Current knowledge and future directions with mechanistic insights from omics.

Acetaminophen (APAP), one of the most frequently used antipyretic and analgesic medications, has recently grown into a persistent organic contaminant of emerging concern due to its over-the-counter and widespread use. The excessive accumulation of APAP and its derivatives in various environmental matrices is threatening human health and the ecosystem. The complexity of APAP and its intermediates augments the need for adequate innovative and sustainable strategies for the remediation of contaminated environments.

Ecological Drivers of Evolution of Swine Influenza in the United States: A Review.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) pose a major public health threat due to their wide host range and pandemic potential. Pigs have been proposed as "mixing vessels" for avian, swine, and human IAVs, significantly contributing to influenza ecology. In the United States, IAVs are enzootic in commercial swine farming operations, with numerous genetic and antigenic IAV variants having emerged in the past two decades.

The long way from raw data to NAM-based information: Overview on data layers and processing steps.

Toxicological test methods generate raw data and provide instructions on how to use these to determine a final outcome such as a classification of test compounds as hits or non-hits. The data processing pipeline provided in the test method description is often highly complex. Usually, multiple layers of data, ranging from a machine-generated output to the final hit definition, are considered.

Pitfalls in gut single-cell eukaryote research.

Gut single-celled eukaryotes (GSCEs) are found in billions of people worldwide, but we still know little about their functions and relationships in human gut ecology. Lately, retrospective analysis of bacterial data obtained by next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods has been used to identify links between GSCEs, gut bacteria, host metabolism, and host phenotypical traits, suggesting possible direct or indirect associations to favorable gut microbiome features and other health parameters. Here, we highlight some of the pitfalls related to the research strategy typically used so far and propose action points that could pave the way for a more accurate understanding of GSCEs in human health and disease.

Recent advances in the synthesis and application of biomolecular condensates.

Biomolecular condensates (BMCs) represent a group of organized and programmed systems that participate in gene transcription, chromosome organization, cell division, tumorigenesis, and aging. However, the understanding of BMCs in terms of internal organizations and external regulations remains at an early stage. Recently, novel approaches such as synthetic biology have been used for de novo synthesis of BMCs.

Siderophore synthetase-receptor gene coevolution reveals habitat- and pathogen-specific bacterial iron interaction networks.

Bacterial social interactions play crucial roles in various ecological, medical, and biotechnological contexts. However, predicting these interactions from genome sequences is notoriously difficult. Here, we developed bioinformatic tools to predict whether secreted iron-scavenging siderophores stimulate or inhibit the growth of community members.

Donor-Interacting Arylated Carbazole Self-Assembled Monolayer Enables Highly Efficient and Stable Organic Photovoltaics.

Carbazole-derived self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) are promising materials for hole-extraction layer (HEL) in conventional organic photovoltaics (OPVs). Here, a SAM Cbz-2Ph derived from 3,6-diphenylcarbazole is demonstrated. The large molecular dipole moment of Cbz-2Ph allows the modulation of electrode work function to facilitate hole extraction and maximize photovoltage, thus improving the OPV performance.

The Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot for ferns: Updated phylogeny, hidden diversity, and biogeography of the java fern genus (Polypodiaceae).

The Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot is renowned for its rich biodiversity, including that of vascular plants. However, the fern diversity and its endemism in this hotspot have not been well understood and so far, the diversity of very few groups of ferns in this region has been explored using combined molecular and morphological approaches. Here, we updated the plastid phylogeny of the Java fern genus with 226 (115% increase of the latest sampling) samples across the distribution range, specifically those of three phylogenetically significant species, , .