Frontiers in Microbiology最新文献

{"title":"Dynamics of microbial contamination and hygiene risk points in the production of ready-to-eat Yao meat.","authors":"Minjun Liu, Yaowen Zhang, Xia Chen, Fangzhe Ren, Mingshu Xu, Honggang Lai","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1829503","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1829503","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products processed under mild or low-temperature conditions are particularly susceptible to microbial contamination. In this study, culture-based methods combined with 16S rRNA gene sequencing were applied to investigate microbial contamination dynamics and identify hygiene risk points throughout the production of Yao meat in a central kitchen in eastern China. The highest microbial loads were observed during the thawing stage, with total viable counts reaching 6.08 ± 0.30 log₁₀ CFU/cm² and coliform counts of 3.35 ± 0.57 log₁₀ CFU/cm². Although cooking significantly reduced microbial levels, a marked increase during the packaging stage indicated post-processing contamination associated with inadequate hygiene control. High relative abundances of potentially spoilage indicator taxa, including <i>Chryseobacterium</i>, <i>Campylobacter</i>, and <i>Pseudomonas</i>, were detected during the kneading stage, suggesting their contribution to downstream contamination. Source tracking analysis revealed that approximately 78.32% of the microbial community in the final product originated from the thawing and kneading stages. In contrast, <i>Bacillus</i> spp. dominated the end product without a clearly identifiable source, indicating the presence of uncharacterized contamination routes. Overall, these results identify critical hygiene risk points during Yao meat production and provide insights into microbial contamination patterns in traditional RTE meat products.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1829503"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13144047/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836014","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"<i>Bacillus halotolerans</i> Strain 105 enhances wheat growth and suppresses diverse phytopathogens under saline conditions: an integrated genomic and phenotypic study.","authors":"Hu Liu, Yuyun Gao, Hongmin Liu, Kaili Wang, Fangying Wang, Yu Zhang, Zhitong Jiang, Qingmin Chen, Jun Wang","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1812027","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1812027","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Soil salinization and phytopathogen infection threaten global crop productivity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria that alleviate abiotic stress while suppressing disease offer a sustainable solution. We aimed to identify a strain with robust salt tolerance, broad-spectrum antagonism, and effective root colonization. A novel halotolerant bacterium isolated from plant rhizosphere at an artificial lakeside was evaluated for plant growth-promoting and biocontrol capacities through phenotypic assays. High-quality whole genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis were used for functional annotation. The results showed that Strain 105, identified as <i>Bacillus halotolerans</i>, exhibited exceptional tolerance to NaCl concentrations up to 14% (w/v). Under 200 mmol/L NaCl stress, inoculation significantly enhanced wheat seedling growth, increasing root length by 20% and plant height by 18% compared to controls. Strain 105 displayed strong <i>in vitro</i> antagonistic activity against four phytopathogenic fungi that infect crops during the growing period, three postharvest phytopathogenic fungi, and three pathogenic bacteria. Genomic analysis revealed a 4.2-Mb chromosome encoding four key functional modules: (i) osmoprotective systems for glycine betaine and proline metabolism; (ii) an indole-3-pyruvate pathway for indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis; (iii) multiple secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters (e.g., iturin, fengycin, bacillibactin, and bacilysin); and (iv) a complete set of genes for chemotaxis, biofilm formation, and root adhesion. In conclusion, the multifunctionality of <i>B. halotolerans</i> Strain 105 arises from the synergistic interplay of genetic modules, enabling it to thrive in saline conditions while promoting plant growth and suppressing diverse pathogens. Strain 105 is a promising candidate for developing next-generation microbial inoculants for sustainable agriculture in saline-alkali soils.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1812027"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13143960/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gut microbiota and uveitis: exploring novel mechanisms of inflammatory ocular diseases via the gut-eye axis.","authors":"Qing Gao, Meng Xiong, Shunhua Zhou, Jing Lu, Baoping Ren, Qinghua Peng, Meiyan Zeng, Houpan Song","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1749111","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1749111","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Uveitis is an inflammatory ocular condition that primarily affects young adults and is often associated with systemic and autoimmune disorders. This disease primarily affects intraocular structures such as the iris, ciliary body, and choroid. Clinically, it manifests through a series of symptoms, including eye redness, pain, and blurred vision, which significantly impact the quality of life for patients worldwide. Recently, the role of gut microbiota (GM) in the immune regulation and pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases has garnered significant scientific interest. This study aimed to investigate the potential association between GM and uveitis, with the objective of demonstrating novel mechanisms underlying inflammatory ocular diseases through the emerging concept of the \"gut-eye axis.\" Current research suggests that gut dysbiosis may influence the immune status of distal organs via various pathways, including molecular mimicry, modulation by microbial metabolites, disruption of intestinal immune homeostasis, and compromise of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Building on these mechanisms, we further explored innovative therapeutic strategies targeting GM and its metabolites, including probiotics, prebiotics, antibiotics, immunomodulators, phage therapy, fecal microbiota transplantation, and dietary interventions. This review systematically examined the association between GM dysbiosis and uveitis pathogenesis, offering new insights and directions for future research in this emerging field and establishing a theoretical foundation for developing targeted therapies based on the modulation of the microbiome.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1749111"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13143938/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147835995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bibliometric analysis of genetically engineered bacteria in tumor therapy.","authors":"Yanmei Zhu, Yilin Yin, Yaqi Li, Qinghua Wang, Yu Chen, Ke Gu, Rui Yang, Min Zhou, Daozhen Chen","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1794032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1794032","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The utilization of bacteria for tumor treatment has a long-standing history. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of genetic engineering technologies, genetically engineered bacteria have attracted widespread attention in tumor-related research; however, to date, no bibliometric analysis has been reported for this field. In this study, bibliometric methods were employed to comprehensively evaluate the current research status, hotspots, and development trends of genetically engineered bacteria in the tumor field. Studies focusing on genetically engineered bacteria and tumors were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection (WOSCC) database and the Scopus database, and bibliometric and visualization analyses were conducted using R, VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, and CiteSpace. Finally, we discuss the current limitations and challenges associated with the application of genetically engineered bacteria in the tumor field. Future research should focus on improving the safety, targeting capability, and clinical feasibility of engineered bacteria, as well as systematically investigating the interaction mechanisms among different therapeutic modalities, in order to promote the clinical translation of genetically engineered bacteria for tumor treatment.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1794032"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141310/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836064","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Enhancing sanitation efficiency in red meat processing: a novel enzymatic approach.","authors":"Anna Macdonald, Argenis Rodas-Gonzalez, Tim McAllister, Xianqin Yang, Claudia Narvaez-Bravo","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1818470","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1818470","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Residual organic matter on food contact surfaces (FCS) in meat processing plants promotes bacterial attachment and persistence, compromising meat safety and quality. Conventional hot-water cleaning (55-60 °C) can exacerbate this problem by heat-setting proteinaceous residues, leading to the formation of conditioning films that protect microorganisms from subsequent sanitation. A low-temperature, enzyme-based cleaning strategy was specifically designed to disrupt meat-derived residues before thermal fixation occurs, representing a departure from conventional heat-dependent cleaning regimes. A targeted enzyme screening approach was used to identify formulations active at reduced operating temperatures (40-50 °C) and neutral pH, conditions compatible with energy-efficient cleaning-in-place systems. A protease-lipase combination was selected and evaluated on stainless steel and conveyor belt materials contaminated with beef residues. Surface swabbing assays (ATP and protein) quantified the hygienic properties of surfaces post-treatment, showing that the enzyme treatment reduced the frequency of detection of protein on both surface types and reduced ATP levels by approximately 93% on FCS (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). To address microbial persistence beyond residue removal, the formulation was further optimized by incorporating cellulases and an amylase to target extracellular polymeric substances within <i>Escherichia coli</i> O157:H7 biofilms. The enzymatic cocktail reduced biofilm mass significantly (<i>p</i> < 0.0001). There was no statistical difference between negative control wells and enzymatic treatment wells (<i>p</i> = 0.3060), demonstrating near eradication of the biofilm matrix. Enzymatic cleaning regimes show great promise for sustainably enhancing food safety practices in meat processing plants, with lower operating temperatures and more mild solution pH.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1818470"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13139102/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836028","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial dynamics along nutrient flow and removal in an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system.","authors":"Dzung Nguyen, Ofer Ovadia, Matan Masasa, Andrea Tarnecki, Nathan P Brennan, Nicole R Rhody, Kevan L Main, Lior Guttman","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1781931","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1781931","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Microbial community assembly in marine integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA) systems remains poorly understood, particularly across interconnected extractive compartments spanning spatial and temporal scales. Two-step biofilters that incorporate seaweeds and multi-species biofilms (periphyton) are widely used to remove excess nitrogen and phosphorus from aquaculture effluents while simultaneously generating protein-rich, edible biomass. Variations in nutrient composition along these biofilters suggest that microbial diversity and functionality may be differentially shaped within the system. To address this knowledge gap, in this study, using the 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing technique, we examined the assembly and potential functions of aquatic microbial communities along the treatment of marine effluent by <i>Ulva fasciata</i> and periphyton, where species selection may occur spatially through microbial colonization of the different plant substrates or through changes in water-nutrient content. At the same time, we assessed temporal dynamics by the weekly changes over 5 weeks. Community structure and functionality demonstrated that environmental heterogeneity primarily determined dissimilarity among microbial communities across the biofilter's compartments. Microbial beta diversity of periphyton, <i>Ulva</i> thallus, and rearing water was distinct over time. This confirmed the important role of environmental selection despite hydraulic homogeneity caused by the high dispersal rate of running water within the interconnected biofilters. The periphyton microbial community harbored the highest alpha diversity, followed by the water microbiome and <i>Ulva</i>-associated microbiota. In terms of functional potential, nitrogen and sulfur metabolism were generally higher in periphyton than in the water and <i>Ulva</i> assemblies. While nitrate reduction by periphyton is associated with the high prevalence of genes involved in denitrification, the <i>Ulva</i>-microbes interaction benefits the alga through bacterial dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonia. Overall, these findings provide novel insights into the spatial and temporal dynamics of microbiomes in integrated culture systems, contribute to optimal IMTA designs and microbial management in holistic mariculture.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1781931"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13139120/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Resistance to clinically important antibiotics and reduced susceptibility to disinfectants in the pandemic ST398 methicillin-susceptible <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> from Austria.","authors":"Adrienn Gréta Tóth, Olga Makarova","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1734430","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1734430","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong><i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> is a frequent coloniser and pathogen of humans and animals. The prevalence of human-associated methicillin-susceptible <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (MSSA) belonging to the pandemic sequence type (ST) 398 has been increasing globally; however, there are regional variations, with a high prevalence in France and a low prevalence in neighbouring Germany. Transmission within the community is thought to play an important role in its spread, as well as the presence of the <i>scn</i> gene, a marker of human adaptation.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Environmental swabs were plated on Columbia sheep blood agar. A hemolytic isolate was identified as <i>S. aureus</i> by MALDI-ToF, and was tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to antibiotics using the Vitek 2 system and to disinfectants via broth microdilution. It was whole-genome sequenced using Illumina and bioinformatically analysed with respect to antimicrobial resistance genes, virulence-associated genes, ST, <i>spa</i> type, plasmids, prophages, and phylogenetic relationships with 273 other MSSA ST398 strains.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>An MSSA strain belonging to ST398, of a yet-undescribed <i>spa</i> type (succession of repeat codes: 08-83-34-25), was isolated from a household in Vienna, Austria. The isolate was phenotypically classified as resistant to clindamycin and erythromycin, and as susceptible to levofloxacin under increased exposure, according to EUCAST guidelines. In addition, it had reduced susceptibility to the disinfectants benzalkonium chloride and chlorhexidine. Whole-genome sequencing revealed the presence of antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated genes, including the <i>ermT</i> gene, located on a plasmid, and the <i>scn</i> gene, found on the StauST398 prophage. The isolate clustered most closely with human- and animal-derived isolates from France, almost all of which contained the phage-associated <i>scn</i> gene.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These preliminary results, based on a single isolate, demonstrate that an antibiotic-resistant <i>S. aureus</i> with potentially mobile antimicrobial resistance and virulence-associated genes belonging to MSSA ST398 is present in Austria. Further expanded surveillance efforts are needed to accurately assess its prevalence in the community. The reduced susceptibility to disinfectants in this strain is concerning, as it may negatively affect mitigation efforts. Its relatedness to other European isolates from humans and animals calls for a One Health approach to surveillance.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1734430"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13139333/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diagnostic accuracy of self-collected menstrual blood for high-risk human papillomavirus testing for cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and cervical cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.","authors":"Xuechao Ji, Xuexia Ji, Shaomin Chen, Xibo Wang, Xueliang Liu","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1782917","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1782917","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Human papillomavirus (HPV) test is the most commonly used method for cervical cancer screening, but the participation rates remain low in many countries. Self sampling menstrual blood (MB) high-risk HPV (hr-HPV) test may offer a solution to this issue. The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the accuracy of MB HPV test in detecting cervical cancer and cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane) were searched for articles published through October 23, 2024, with the following search terms: (men strual blood OR menstruation) AND (human papillomavirus). Observational studies (e.g., cross-sectional studies, retrospective studies and prospective studies) that reported cervical histopathological biopsy outcomes in women undergoing self-sampling MB HPV testing were included. Data extraction was performed by two independent reviewers according to the PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses were conducted based on sensitivities and specificities and corresponding 95% Confidence intervals (CIs) using bivariate random-effects model and hierarchical summary receiver operating characteristic (HSROC) model. The risk of publication bias and heterogeneity were also assessed. Data were analyzed from October to November 2024.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Seven studies involving 1,672 adult women were included. The overall sensitivity and specificity of hrHPV testing from the MB samples for the diagnosis of CIN and cervical cancer were 0.96 (95% CI = 0.74-1.00, I² = 86.14) and 0.53 (95% CI = 0.11-0.91, I² = 98.24), respectively.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The evidence from this meta-analysis, which includes women with and without CIN and cervical cancer, shows the high sensitivity and low specificity of the MB hrHPV test. Further large-scale diagnostic studies that combine multiple testing modalities are recommended to support and validate the application of the MB hrHPV test.</p><p><strong>Systematic review registration: </strong>https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD42024605195, Identifier CRD42024605195.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1782917"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13142701/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147835651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"From the 3rd to the 7th year after straw return, different straw-returning practices drive shifts in soil fungal community composition, functional differentiation, and the reconfiguration of community assembly processes.","authors":"Rui-Zhi Liu, Xiao-Ya Zhao, Xiao-Yu Zhao, Wen-Shan Zhao, Shu-Ping Hu, Rui-Ping Li, Xiao-Fang Yu, Ju-Lin Gao, Qinggeer Borjigin","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1808010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1808010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In long-term straw-returning systems, a year-scale understanding of how contrasting tillage practices shape soil fungal succession and community assembly remains limited.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Based on a long-term field experiment, we investigated soil fungal communities using ITS sequencing during years 3-7 after straw return (2020-2024) under farmer shallow rotary tillage (CK) and three treatments: deep ploughing return (DPR), subsoiling straw return (SSR), and no-tillage mulching return (NTR). Fungal diversity, community composition, functional guilds, and assembly pathways were evaluated by integrating functional guild assignment, co-occurrence network analysis, and null-model metrics (βNTI) with a neutral community model.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Fungal <i>α</i>-diversity showed a pronounced mid-term increase (years 4-5; +18-40% in Shannon index) and stabilized thereafter (variation <15%), indicating a transition toward community equilibrium. Community composition exhibited directional turnover, with Ascomycota decreasing (~31-44%) and Basidiomycota increasing (up to ~226-228%). By year 7, clear treatment-specific differences emerged: Ascomycota was higher in DPR than in SSR (+62.96%), whereas Blastocladiomycota increased markedly in NTR (4.49-31.40-fold). At the genus level, DPR enriched <i>Trichosporiella</i> (up to 29.74-fold higher than NTR), while <i>Solicoccozyma</i> was more abundant in SSR and NTR (2.94-3.00-fold higher than DPR). Functionally, DPR increased symbiotic guilds (+90.81%), whereas SSR and NTR showed higher pathogen-associated guilds (e.g., SSR 1.63-fold higher than DPR). Network analysis revealed that NTR formed the largest network but with stronger pathogen-associated signals, whereas DPR showed higher cooperativity (93.61% positive edges) and stability. Assembly analyses indicated overall stochastic dominance, with increased deterministic processes in NTR in year 5 (βNTI > 2). The neutral model showed moderate fit (R² = 0.5132), with greater deviation under NTR. Soil microbial biomass, enzyme activities, soil organic matter, and moisture were key drivers of community shifts.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>These results demonstrate that contrasting straw-returning practices regulate fungal succession through compositional turnover, functional differentiation, and assembly reconfiguration, providing insights for optimizing straw-return management and promoting sustainable cropland systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1808010"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13141306/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147835974","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An MKT1 domain protein is dispensable for erythrocytic stages of <i>plasmodium falciparum</i>.","authors":"Baishali Chakraborty, Samantha M McGee, Sudhir Kumar","doi":"10.3389/fmicb.2026.1770301","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2026.1770301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The life cycle of <i>Plasmodium falciparum</i> is complex, involving asexual and sexual reproduction in humans and mosquitoes, respectively. The parasite transmission from humans to mosquito vectors requires the formation of female and male gametes through gametogenesis. The MKT1 domain proteins are key molecules involved in posttranscriptional gene regulation and cellular differentiation in protozoans, plants, and animals, and the presence of an MKT1 ortholog suggested a possible role in stage differentiation in <i>Plasmodium</i>. Here, we report that <i>Pf</i>MKT1 was expressed in both asexual and sexual stages. Parasites with a <i>MKT1</i> gene deletion (<i>P. falciparum Pfmkt1¯</i>) proliferated asexually similar to wildtype NF54 parasites and differentiated into gametocytes forming mature male and female gametocytes. Further analysis showed that <i>P. falciparum Pfmkt1¯</i> gametocytes underwent gametogenesis to form male and female gametes and showed no apparent defect in flagellar gamete formation. This study identifies that MKT1-like protein is dispensable during asexual and sexual stage development.</p>","PeriodicalId":12466,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Microbiology","volume":"17 ","pages":"1770301"},"PeriodicalIF":4.0,"publicationDate":"2026-04-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC13139092/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147836074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}