13 October 2025

Modulation of carbon-to-nitrogen ratio shapes the microbial ecology in a methanol-fed recirculating marine denitrifying reactor

"This study demonstrates that a well-established biofilm can maintain effective denitrification under varying C/N conditions, enhancing the flexibility and efficiency of denitrification systems for treating marine wastewater. This is particularly valuable for sustainable management of closed-circuit systems, reducing reliance on specific carbon sources and improving operational resilience."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

13 October 2025

Dynamics of the hindgut microbiota of the Japanese honey bees (Apis cerana japonica) throughout the overwintering period

"This study reveals how gut microbiota shift during overwintering in Apis cerana japonica, identifying increases in key bacterial genera and novel candidate species. It highlights the microbiome's potential role in cold stress tolerance, offering insights for probiotic development and improved overwinter survival in honey bees."

Travis Beddoe, Handling Editor

10 October 2025

Antimicrobial activity of Andrographis paniculata intimate wash and commercial formulations against vaginal pathogens using the broth microdilution method

"This work introduces a promising herbal-based intimate wash with high antimicrobial efficacy, supports the preservation of beneficial vaginal flora, and provides a comparative analysis with commercial products. It also highlights the need for further studies to validate its clinical potential, contributing to advancements in women’s health and the development of natural antimicrobial agents."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

1 October 2025

Rhodelphis edaphicus sp. nov.—a new lineage of predatory archaeplastids from agricultural soil

"The discovery of Rhodelphis edaphicus sp. nov., a new predatory protist from agricultural soil, expands the known diversity of Rhodelphidia within the photosynthetic Archaeplastida supergroup. As the first soil-dwelling rhodelphid, it reveals novel morphological features and a broader ecological range, offering insights into early eukaryotic evolution, plastid development, and the origins of algae and land plants."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

19 September 2025

Microbial communities inhabiting the surface and gleba of white (Tuber magnatum) and black (Tuber macrosporum) truffles from Russia

"This study explores the microbial communities of Tuber magnatum and Tuber macrosporum truffles, identifying key symbionts like Geotrichum spp. and Proteobacteria (e.g., Bradyrhizobium) using 16S and 18S rRNA sequencing. These microbes aid in mycorrhizal establishment, spore dispersal, nutrient cycling, and xenobiotic degradation. The findings, including the first record of T. magnatum in Russia, provide insights for sustainable truffle cultivation by replicating these symbiotic interactions in vitro."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

29 August 2025

A mini-review of the relationship between intestinal microecology and acute respiratory distress syndrome

"By identifying the gut microbiota as a critical factor in ARDS pathogenesis, the review opens avenues for innovative diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, addressing a major gap in ARDS management and potentially improving patient outcomes in critical care."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

22 August 2025

Kinetics of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies and hematological parameters in hospitalized pre-vaccination COVID-19 patients in Peru

"This manuscript delivers a detailed longitudinal portrait of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM kinetics in a pre-vaccination Latin-American cohort, revealing that IgG plateaus between days 10-15 while IgM wanes after day 10 and linking these patterns to lymphopenia, neutrophilia and elevated inflammatory markers in severe ARDS. It goes beyond descriptive serology by integrating those immune metrics with hematological data into a nomogram that predicts in-hospital mortality with AUCs up to 0.97, offering clinicians an early, evidence-based triage tool. Filling a geographic and ethnic data gap, these findings establish a baseline against which post-vaccine or variant-driven immune profiles in South America can be judged, refine global understanding of COVID-19 immunopathogenesis, and advance biomarker-guided management strategies for future respiratory pandemics"

Juan Alpuche, Handling Editor

15 August 2025

Epidemiology and genetic characteristics of Clostridioides difficile isolates in Northwest China

"This research fills critical knowledge gaps about C. difficile in Northwest China, offering actionable data to reduce the burden of this pathogen in healthcare settings. It also contributes to global efforts to combat CDI by adding to the understanding of its genetic and resistance profiles in underrepresented regions."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor

12 August 2025

Antigenic and mutational insights into the Nipah virus G glycoprotein: implications for viral entry, host specificity, therapeutics, and vaccine development

"This article is highly important as it provides a timely and comprehensive review of antigenic and mutational insights into the Nipah virus (NiV) G glycoprotein. Its significance stems from addressing a critical global health threat posed by NiV, a pathogen with high mortality rates and no approved treatments or vaccines. The review's impact on the field is substantial as it synthesizes crucial molecular mechanisms of NiV pathogenesis, particularly concerning viral entry and host specificity. This detailed analysis is vital for guiding the rational design and development of much-needed vaccines and therapeutics, offering foundational knowledge that will accelerate future research efforts in this urgent area."

Reema Singh, Handling Editor

29 July 2025

Factors associated with incomplete latent tuberculosis infection preventive treatment in Sabah, Malaysia

"The study in Sabah found a lower proportion of incomplete preventive treatment among LTBI patients compared to prior research. It recommends targeted interventions to address groups at higher risk of incomplete treatment, focusing on social determinants like healthcare accessibility. A prospective study is suggested to assess these interventions' impact on improving treatment completion rates."

Rodolfo García-Contreras, Handling Editor