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63 papers

Gut microbiota and aging: current understanding and future perspectives.

Lan M et al. · Jun 25, 2026

Aging is a complex biological process characterized by progressive functional decline at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels, accompanied by increased susceptibility to chronic diseases. Accumulating evidence indicates that the gut microbiota plays a critical role in shaping aging trajectories and age-related health outcomes. This review systematically summarizes current research progress on the relationship between gut microbiota and aging. We first describe the characteristic alterations of the gut microbiota during aging, including reduced microbial diversity, shifts in core bacterial taxa, and profound changes in microbial metabolite profiles such as short-chain fatty acids, bile acid derivatives, and tryptophan metabolites. We then discuss the mechanistic links between gut microbiota dysbiosis and age-related functional decline, focusing on immunosenescence and inflammaging, gut barrier dysfunction, metabolic disorders and oxidative stress, as well as endocrine and neuroendocrine regulation through gut-organ axes. In addition, major internal and external factors influencing gut microbiota composition in the elderly, including diet, medication use, lifestyle, host immunity, and living environment, are reviewed. Finally, we summarize current and emerging gut microbiota-targeted anti-aging intervention strategies, such as dietary modulation, probiotics, prebiotics, postbiotics, fecal microbiota transplantation, and natural product-based approaches, and discuss future research directions and clinical translation challenges. Overall, this review highlights the gut microbiota as a key modifiable factor in aging biology and underscores its potential as a promising target for promoting healthy aging.

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Investigating Thermotolerance of Thylakoid Processes in Two Cotton Species using Rapid Induction Fluorescence.

Adegbenro CO et al. · Jun 25, 2026

High temperatures can hinder stand establishment, seedling growth, and photosynthetic processes in cotton. Yet, interpretations of thermotolerance in thylakoid processes often depend on whether measurements follow chronic or acute heat exposure, and species-level differences in these responses remain poorly characterized. This study evaluated the effects of chronic high temperatures (40°C/30°C) on key thylakoid processes in four-week-old Upland and Pima cotton seedlings and assessed their acclimation potential using rapid induction chlorophyll fluorescence across a range of incubation temperatures. As these processes were inferred from OJIP parameters rather than direct measurements of photosystem activity, they are interpreted as fluorescence-based indicators of thylakoid function. Chronic heat enhanced photosystem I (PSI)-related parameters in both species, with Upland exhibiting larger increases (44%-46%) compared to Pima (39%-40%), whereas photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry remained largely stable under chronic heat, declining by less than 2% at 40°C and by 6%-8% at 45°C under acute exposure. Acute temperature responses closely mirrored chronic patterns, and Upland showed higher thermal optima for PSI quantum yield and overall performance (40°C) than Pima (35°C), suggesting greater PSI electron-sink capacity. Collectively, these fluorescence-derived results suggest that PSI-related processes distinguish species-level thermotolerance in cotton. Upland's stronger enhancement of PSI acceptor-side capacity under both sustained and transient heat exposure points to a more robust acclimation strategy, whereas Pima shows limited PSI adjustment despite maintaining PSII efficiency. These findings clarify how thylakoid processes respond to heat across timescales and may help guide the development of heat-resilient cotton as growing-season temperatures rise.

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

A cell atlas of the developing human outflow tract of the heart and its adult aortic valve derivatives.

Leshem R et al. · Jun 25, 2026

The outflow tract (OFT) of the heart carries blood away from the heart into the great arteries. During embryogenesis, the OFT divides to form the aorta and pulmonary trunk, creating the double circulation present in mammals. Defects in this area account for one-third of all congenital heart defect cases. Here, we present comprehensive transcriptomic data on the developing OFT at two distinct time points (embryonic and fetal) and its adult derivatives, the aortic valves, and use spatial transcriptomics to define the distribution of cell populations. We uncover that distinctive embryonic signatures persist in adult cells and can be used as labels to retrospectively attribute relationships between cells separated by a large timescale. Single-cell regulatory network inference identifies GATA6, a transcription factor linked to common arterial trunk and bicuspid aortic valve, as a key regulator of valve precursor cells. Its downstream network reveals candidate drivers of human cardiac defects and illuminates the molecular mechanisms of both normal and pathological valve development. Our findings define the cellular and molecular signatures of the human OFT and its distinct cell lineages, which is critical for understanding congenital heart defects and developing cardiac tissue for regenerative medicine.

Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology