Reliable differentiation between androgen receptor (AR) agonists and antagonists is essential for endocrine-disruptor screening in food safety assessment and environmental monitoring. Here, we developed a fluorescence-based biosensor utilizing ligand-induced conformational changes within the AR ligand-binding domain (LBD). Molecular dynamics simulations combined with the ABACUS protein-design method guided the introduction of a cysteine mutation into the critical helix 12 region of AR_LBD for site-specific fluorescent labeling with the 5-Iodoacetamidofluorescein. The optimized receptor-engineered biosensor showed a slight fluorescence decrease upon binding to the agonist dihydrotestosterone. In contrast, antagonist flutamide binding induced a substantial further reduction in fluorescence intensity. Specificity validation demonstrated that non-target compounds failed to induce any detectable fluorescence changes in the sensor. Additionally, practical applicability tests confirmed the capability of the biosensor to reliably detect and distinguish AR agonists and antagonists in environmental and food matrices. This biosensor enables rapid and reliable differentiation between AR agonists and antagonists for food safety and environmental monitoring.

The study pioneered a triple-channel fluorescence detection method for highly sensitive measurement of uric acid (UA), in which triple-emissive cyan carbon dots (TCDs) were adopted as the fluorescent probe. The TCDs exhibited three emission peaks at 346, 417, and 511 nm upon 300 nm excitation. Notably, the introduction of UA resulted in a clear and varied quenching of TCDs fluorescence across all three emission channels, thereby establishing a triple-channel sensing paradigm for UA detection. The probe demonstrated a linear response over a broad concentration range of 0.0-450.0 μM, with an ultralow detection limit (LOD) of 0.054 μM. Remarkably, the vivid fluorescence color transition from cyan to blue enabled the construction of a portable smartphone-assisted sensing platform and disposable test paper device, achieving LODs of 2.20 and 5.61 μM, respectively. Moreover, these multi-mode sensing platforms have been successfully employed for the determination of UA in human urine samples, achieving satisfactory analytical results. This work highlights the great promise of triple-emissive CDs as multi-channel visual probes, constituting a remarkable advance for on-site UA monitoring in practical applications.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a systemic metabolic disorder closely linked to disrupted host-microbiota interplay. Current first-line drugs (e.g., allopurinol) primarily target urate synthesis but lack tissue-repair capabilities and cause long-term adverse effects. Although microbial metabolites circumvent the inflammatory risks of live probiotics, the urate-lowering mechanisms of Kluyveromyces marxianus fermentation metabolites remain largely uncharacterized. Here, we integrated in vitro bioassays, in vivo animal experiments, and multi-omics profiling to elucidate the anti-hyperuricemic efficacy of an ethyl acetate extract from K. marxianus XZ1. In vitro, the XZ1 extract exhibited significant antioxidant and xanthine oxidase (XOD) inhibitory activities. The cell-free extract exerted a dual-action mechanism: directly suppressing urate synthesis by inhibiting XOD and adenosine deaminase (ADA) activities, and enhancing systemic urate clearance through bidirectional regulation of renal and intestinal urate transporters (upregulating excretory ABCG2/OAT1 and downregulating reabsorptive URAT1/ GLUT9). Integrated 16S rRNA sequencing and untargeted metabolomics revealed these systemic benefits are driven by gut microbiota remodeling, forming a "microbiota-short-chain fatty acid (SCFA)-gut-kidney urate transporter" regulatory axis. The intervention enriched SCFA-producing taxa, normalized fecal SCFA profiles, strengthened intestinal barrier integrity and reprogrammed host purine and redox metabolic networks. Collectively, K. marxianus XZ1 fermentation products lower uric acid and protect against HUA-induced multi-organ injury, inflammation, and oxidative stress. These findings highlight its potential as a safe, industrially stable, and multi-target functional food ingredient for early dietary intervention in asymptomatic hyperuricemia.

Luminescent materials often face trade-offs between efficiency, stability, and dynamic responsiveness, which limit their performance in advanced optoelectronic devices and bioimaging. Supramolecular chemistry offers a strategic solution by precisely modulating non-covalent interactions, enabling assemblies to suppress vibrational relaxation via conformational locking, enhance intersystem crossing through triplet-level tuning, and optimize energy transfer, thereby improving quantum yields and emission lifetimes. This review highlights synergistic supramolecular mechanisms that bridge molecular design and photophysical regulation across perylene bisimide materials, aggregation-induced emission luminogens, perovskite materials, room-temperature phosphorescence materials, and organic nonlinear optical materials, alongside their applications in luminescent displays, bioimaging, and information encryption. Despite notable advances, biocompatibility and signal stability remain challenging. AI and biohybrid approaches offer pathways toward programmable emission control.

The global popularity of ready-to-eat (RTE) meat products continues to rise due to their convenience; however, this trend also brings potential risks, since RTE meat products can be susceptible to microbial contaminations by various foodborne pathogens or spoilage bacteria. This study is focused on comprehensively investigating the bacterial contamination of RTE meat products in Yangzhou, China with both cultivable and high-throughput sequencing (HTS) approaches. In addition, risk-related phenotypes of the strains in RTE meat products, including biofilm formation, bacterial motility, and spoilage enzyme production, were also explored. Results showed that 90 strains collected from 25 RTE samples belonged to 20 and 50 different genera and species. The genus of Bacillus was the most dominant, accounting for 40% of total isolates, followed by Salmonella (10%), Pseudomonas (10%), and Staphylococcus (7.8%). HTS analysis revealed a markedly distinct bacterial population, with Streptococcus and Acinetobacter being most dominant in RTE meat products. Most of the meat-derived strains were identified as strong biofilm formers with high swarming (0.87-5.35 cm) and swimming (0.88-7.89 cm) activity, and had good capacity to produce proteases (0.88-4.87 A/h & centerdot;mL at 28 degrees C, and 0.82-1.21 A/h & centerdot;mL at 7 degrees C) and lipases (4.25-83.12 nmol/min & centerdot;mL at 28 degrees C, and 6.28-45.93 nmol/min & centerdot;mL at 7 degrees C). This work offers novel insights into the potential microbiological risks of strains in RTE meat products, and further promotes the development of advanced methods for RTE meat product preservation.

This work pioneered a triple-channel probing strategy for ultra-sensitively detecting of quercetin (QRT) using triple-emissive CDs (TE-CDs) as a fluorescence reporter. The TE-CDs featured triple emission at 350, 415, and 485 nm under 290 nm excitation. Specifically, the introduction of QRT induced differential quenching effects on each emission band, thereby fostering a novel triple-channel sensing approach for QRT detection. This reporter demonstrated a linear detection range of 0.0-60.0 μmol L-1 and an ultralow limit of detection (LOD) of 0.06 μmol L-1. Notably, QRT triggered a bright-to-dark cyan color transition, facilitating the development of a smartphone-integrated platform and a disposable paper device with LODs of 0.49 and 0.72 μmol L-1, respectively. The proposed sensing platforms were successfully applied for the detection of in diversified food samples with satisfactory results. This work underscored the significance of TE-CDs as a triple-channel visual reporter, marking a pivotal advancement in enabling on-site detection of QRT.

Vibrio mimicus is a foodborne pathogen that contaminates aquatic products and causes gastroenteritis in humans. The flagellar protein FlgK is required for flagellar assembly and motility in several bacteria, but its role in V. mimicus remains unclear. In this study, we constructed an in-frame flgK deletion mutant and a complementary strain to investigate the biological functions of FlgK. Transmission electron microscopy revealed a complete loss of flagellar structures in the ΔflgK strain, which was restored upon complementation. Loss of flgK exerted no significant impact on bacterial growth yet abolished swimming motility entirely and diminished biofilm formation capacity. The ΔflgK strain exhibited significantly decreased adhesion to prawn, crayfish, plastic, glass, and stainless steel compared to the WT strain. Consistently, flgK deletion reduced colonization and pathogenicity in the prawn host. Transcriptomic analysis revealed extensive downregulation of flagellar biogenesis pathways accompanied by coordinated alterations in genes involved in transport processes and central metabolism in the ΔflgK strain. Collectively, these results demonstrate that flgK is indispensable for flagellar assembly, motility, and virulence in V. mimicus, and that its loss induces broad physiological adaptations that impair food-related persistence and host colonization, identifying flgK as a potential target for aquatic food safety interventions.

The predictive reliability of LAB-based biocontrol is often compromised by the disparity between planktonic models and structured food matrices. We investigated the competitive dynamics between Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP4) and Salmonella enterica (N25) in liquid versus alginate-encapsulated systems across N25:LP4 initial ratios (1000:1-1:1000). Logistic, Weibull, and Lotka-Volterra models quantified growth/decline kinetics and interspecific competition. Spatial structure markedly attenuated competitive intensity: at a 1:1 ratio, the apparent competition coefficient (α21) decreased by 44% from 2.58 (liquid) to 1.45 (encapsulated). Simultaneously, the pathogen's apparent net growth rate (r1) shifted from negative (-0.730 h-1) in liquid to positive (0.979 h-1) under encapsulation, indicating a transition from inactivation to growth despite LAB presence. Validation in UHT milk supported that chemical buffering and diffusion constraints jointly shape pathogen persistence. These findings show that broth-based models can overestimate biocontrol efficacy in structured environments, highlighting the need for matrix-specific correction factors for quantitative microbial risk assessment.

Monitoring of specific chemical compounds is essential for a diverse array of applications, ranging from environmental protection to clinical diagnostics. Laccase-based biosensors have gained significant prominence within this landscape, providing a platform for the rapid, sensitive, and in situ quantification of phenolic substances. In the last few decades, numerous studies reported the detection of chemical compounds by using laccase-based sensors. Electrochemical biosensors have received widespread attention due to their rapid detection, compatibility with mobility and miniaturisation, high sensitivity, and strong controllability. Furthermore, because of their unique catalytic biorecognition and simultaneous signal amplification, enzymes such as laccase have attracted renewed interest as recognition elements in biosensing design. Hence, this review primarily focuses on laccase-based biosensors developed from 2021 to 2025 for the detection of numerous analytes significant in food analysis, clinical diagnostics, and environmental pollution. The study aims to provide a comparative evaluation of recent advancements in laccase-based biosensing, including sensor type, materials used, immobilisation techniques, sensitivity, and detection limits for target analytes across multiple applications. The challenges and future perspectives of laccase-based biosensors were also discussed. The advent of nanomaterials paved the way for the development of laccase nanozyme-based sensors. Hence, the review also provides an overview of laccase nanozymes, which are becoming popular as rapid, cost-effective detection techniques for a range of analytes, successfully overcoming the stability and high-cost constraints of natural enzymes.

Listeria monocytogenes, a hazardous foodborne pathogen, poses severe threats to public health, particularly under low-temperature and cold-chain conditions. This study developed a cold-adapted nanozyme, iron/manganese-based metal-organic framework (Fe/Mn-MOF), and systematically evaluated its enzyme-like properties and antibacterial performance against L. monocytogenes under low-temperature conditions. The Fe/Mn-MOF was synthesized via a conventional solvothermal method and was discovered to display multifunctional nanozyme behavior, emulating the catalytic activities of oxidase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase. Notably, the Fe/Mn-MOF retained high catalytic activity even below freezing. Based on its robust enzyme-like activities, the Fe/Mn-MOF was applied for the inactivation of L. monocytogenes. Quantitative results demonstrated significant bacterial reduction and biofilm inhibition at all tested temperatures compared with temperature-matched controls. The antibacterial mechanism was attributed to the enhanced generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) through enzyme-mediated catalysis. In addition, the Fe/Mn-MOF depleted intracellular reduced glutathione (GSH) by oxidizing it to glutathione disulfide (GSSG), thereby disrupting the antioxidant defense system of L. monocytogenes. These synergistic effects resulted in biofilm formation inhibition, cell membrane damage, and leakage of intracellular proteins and nucleic acids. Furthermore, the antibacterial efficacy of the Fe/Mn-MOF was validated in a food-model system under low-temperature conditions, demonstrating its potential as a cold-adapted nanozyme for controlling L. monocytogenes in cold-chain food safety applications.

Soybeans and radishes are among the most widely consumed vegetables, rich in high-quality proteins and soluble functional polysaccharides with significant nutritional complementarity. However, the low bioavailability, nutritional value, flavors and health benefits have largely restricted their high-value utilization. In the present study, the soybean/radish mixed-substrate was initially established to investigate the alterations of their phytochemical, flavor characteristics, and biological activities during fermentation. Firstly, several Bacillus strains were screened for fibrinolytic activity based on soybean/radish mixed-substrate using casein agar and fibrin plates. As a result, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens indicated a high fibrinolytic activity of 8279.91 U/mL at the optimum fermentation conditions (24 h, 35 °C, and 5% soybean powder). B. amyloliquefaciens significantly modulates the content of total protein, sugar, phenol, and increases antioxidant activity, along with an improved flavors including 2,5-dimethylpyrazine, acetoin, phenethyl alcohol, and 2-octanone. To evaluate the health benefits of fermented products of B. amyloliquefaciens, κ-carrageenan induced mouse tail thrombus model was employed. B. amyloliquefaciens and/or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum significantly decreased relative length of tail necrosis, accompanied by alleviated histopathological damage, reduced levels of thromboxane B2, hyperlipidemia, and inflammatory cytokines. 16S rRNA sequencing showed fermentation products of B. amyloliquefaciens and/or L. plantarum enhanced relative abundance of Bifidobacteriaceae, Muribaculaceae, and decreased that of Desulfovibrionaceae. A total of 26 metabolism-related differently expressed KEGG Orthology (KO) genes were identified, involving biosynthesis of secondary metabolites and cofactors, indicating underlying metabolism-regulatory capacity. Collectively, this study exploits the potential of soybeans and radishes as the next generation of sustainable foods, improving quality, flavor, nutrition, and health values.

Pseudomonas kielensis is one of the key psychrophilic bacteria that is known to cause food spoilage. Bacteriophages have been demonstrated to be a promising alternative to suppress the growth of spoilage bacteria in the food industry. This work isolated and characterized a novel lytic phage phiPKYZU08 targeting P. kielensis PK-YZU08. The Autographiviridae family phage phiPKYZU08 has a short tail (16.05 nm length) and an icosahedral head (49.85 nm diameter), and exhibited a burst size of 226 PFU/cell, 10-min latent period, and 30-min burst period. This phage had a 43,378 bp dsDNA genome containing 52 open reading frames (ORFs), which showed 81.18% homology with that of Pseudomonas agarici phage phiNV3 but without virulence or antibiotic resistance genes. However, phage-resistant strains were observed after a period of phage treatment, and phage-resistant variants showed higher biofilm-forming abilities. RNA-sequencing results revealed 12 KEGG pathways associated with energy metabolism were upregulated, while the pentose phosphate pathway, sulfur metabolism, and ABC transporter were significantly downregulated. To overcome phage resistance, a combined treatment of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum LP03 extract (across a concentration from 12.5% to 100%) with phage phiPKYZU08 (106 PFU/mL) showed synergistic interaction on the regrowth of P. kielensis PK-YZU08, with complete inhibition (100%) on bacterial growth after 12 h, 24 h, and 48 h treatments. Even the lowest L. plantarum LP03 extract concentration (6.25%) with phage phiPKYZU08 treatment maintained an antibacterial efficacy of 79.06% at 48 h, 71.63% at 24 h, and 56.60% at 12 h. The synergistic mechanism is mediated by three primary pathways, including (1) direct bacteriostatic activity to suppress bacterial growth, (2) inhibition of biofilm formation to compromise bacterial community integrity, and (3) suppression of phage-insensitive mutants to mitigate resistance evolution. Overall, this multi-target strategy offers an innovative and effective approach for controlling Pseudomonas in the food industry.

Prophage is known as a reservoir of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence among Staphylococcus aureus; however, the mechanism of prophage regulating the pathogenicity and fitness of foodborne S. aureus isolates remains poorly understood. In this study, 91 S. aureus strains were isolated from retail meat samples (Yangzhou, China), and their AMR, virulence, genomic sequences and prophages were analysed. A high prevalence of multidrug resistance (53.8%, 49/91), strong biofilm production (44.0%, 40/91), SE production (17.6%, 16/91), and phagocytic resistance (25.3%, 23/91) was observed among the S. aureus isolates. The genome sequences of the 91 isolates comprised diverse antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), virulence factors (VFs), mobile genetic element-associated proteins, and prophages. Notably, phage SapYZUs631 was induced from a S. aureus isolate YZUstau63 and absent of ARGs and VFs. The lysogeny of SapYZUs631 significantly enhanced biofilm formation, reduced phagocytic resistance, and decreased AMR in S. aureus hosts. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that multiple VFs, ARGs and Agr quorum-sensing genes were significantly differentially expressed between SapYZUs631-lysogenic and parental strains. Thus, lysogeny of SapYZUs631 mediates the pathogenicity and fitness of foodborne S. aureus by regulating the expression of VFs and ARGs via the Agr quorum-sensing system, providing critical insights into the pathogenic mechanism of S. aureus contamination in the food processing chain.

This study investigated the valorization of pitaya peel powder (PPP), an agro-industrial byproduct, as a functional ingredient to enhance bread's nutritional quality and reduce food waste. PPP of varying particle sizes (D50)-large (415.8 μm), medium (183.7 μm), and small (60.3 μm)-was incorporated into bread at 5 % and 10 % levels. Particle size reduction significantly influenced PPP composition, leading to reduced bread specific volume and increased hardness, while maintaining consumer acceptability. Finer PPP particles increased bread's total phenolic and dietary fiber contents, as well as resistant starch, while reducing rapidly digestible starch, thereby lowering the estimated glycemic index. Microstructural analysis revealed that smaller PPP particles weakened gluten network by disrupting protein aggregation, consequently modifying starch digestibility and textural properties. These results highlight the potential of finer PPP particles to improve bread's nutritional profile and glycemic response, offering a sustainable strategy for developing healthier bakery products through agricultural waste upcycling.

Biofilm-inspired encapsulation has recently emerged as a promising strategy for enhancing the viability of probiotic microorganisms during processing, storage, and gastrointestinal transit. However, the underlying molecular and structural mechanisms remain insufficiently understood. This study investigated and characterized biofilm formation by Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NN4-1 on a sterile stainless-steel coupon and within sodium alginate gel beads. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) showed that encapsulation supports dense, 3D biofilm architectures enriched with extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Comparative proteomics analysis demonstrated that encapsulation preserved certain biofilm-associated features while incorporating additional adaptive roles related to long-term stability and stress resistance. A total of 908 upregulated proteins, primarily involved in translation, biofilm formation, central carbon metabolism, and stress adaptation, were identified in encapsulated biofilm relative to biofilm, which is higher than the changes observed between encapsulated biofilm and planktonic cells (787) and between planktonic and biofilm cells (59). Molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations showed stable interactions between sodium alginate and adhesion-biofilm-related proteins, with binding affinities of-8.9 kcal/mol,-7.7 kcal/mol, and-5.9 kcal/mol for GAPDH, MucBP, and LPXTG-anchored domain, respectively. These results offer mechanistic insight into how encapsulation preserves biofilm-derived properties, providing a rational basis for developing next-generation probiotic delivery approaches with enhanced viability against harsh conditions.

Maize bran (MB), a nutrient-rich milling by-product, was separately solid-state fermented by Limosilactobacillus fermentum, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, and Pediococcus pentosaceus strains. Subsequently, their effects on the structural properties, bioactivity, and chemical composition of MB were investigated. Compared to the others, L. fermentum rapidly promoted acidification of MB with the relative content of volatile 3-methylpentanoic acid reaching 32.92% after 24 h and significantly enhanced the hydroxyl radical scavenging rate by 58.92% after 48 h. L. plantarum fermentation exhibited an excellent water solubility index (33.33%), swelling capacity (254%), total phenolics (3.95 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g), and ABTS•+ scavenging rate (90.45%) and had high relative contents of volatile 3-furaldehyde and vanillin at 16.06% and 2.14%, respectively, after 48 h. Notably, all strains significantly increased the contents of essential and branched-chain amino acids at 48 h and 72 h. Meanwhile, MB treated with P. pentosaceus for 72 h, with high contents of sweet (1125.33 mg/kg) and hydrophobic amino acids (1609.8 mg/kg), total phenolics (4.01 mg GAE/g), and volatile 2-furanmethanol (8.16%), exhibited a strong DPPH• scavenging rate (74.49%) and water absorption index (42.21%). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis revealed significant metabolic modulation, predominantly including amino acids, saccharides, fatty acids, benzoic acids, hydroxycinnamic acids, and their derivatives. Furthermore, L. plantarum, L. fermentum, and P. pentosaceus significantly enriched cofactor biosynthesis, pyrimidine metabolism, and phenylpropanoid biosynthesis, respectively. This study highlights the potential of fermented MB as a functional ingredient with food and nutraceutical value.

The survival of probiotics during transit through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) remains a significant challenge, limiting their in vivo functional efficacy. Microorganisms often resist adverse conditions by forming biofilms. Leveraging this property, the current study introduces a novel biofilm-inspired encapsulation approach using single- and multilayer-coated sodium alginate gel beads (SAGBs) to promote in situ biofilm formation by Lacticaseibacillus paracasei NN4-1. Comparative analyses were conducted to assess bacterial viability in SAGBs, planktonic cells, and biofilm cells under simulated GIT conditions. In vitro studies showed enhanced resistance in SAGBs, with a survival rate of 81.48% compared to unencapsulated cells. Additionally, biofilm encapsulation increased biochemical production, yielding average protein and polysaccharide concentrations of 0.633 mg/mL and 1.056 mg/mL, respectively. The scanning electron microscope revealed clusters of bacterial colonization inside the SAGBs. Whole-genome sequencing revealed multiple genes associated with biofilm formation, stress tolerance, adhesion, acid, and bile salt resistance. Multilayer of SAGBs reduced bacterial leakage by 52.52%, slowed small-molecule diffusion, and slightly improved textural properties without compromising bacterial metabolic activity or growth. Furthermore, SAGBs exhibited markedly higher survival (99.43%) than planktonic (76.3%) and biofilm cells (77.5%) after 21 days of refrigerated storage in milk. This approach offers promising applications in designing next-generation functional foods and targeted probiotic delivery systems, warranting higher viability of probiotics under adverse conditions of the GIT.

Abstract Maize bran is a nutrient-rich byproduct with limited applications. This study evaluated the impact of co-culture fermentation using yeast and lactobacillus strains on bran functionality. The findings indicated that co-fermentation for 72 h significantly improved the microstructure, hydration, and oil absorption properties of bran. Soluble proteins increased the most during single-yeast fermentation for 24 h. Yeast and Pediococcus pentosaceus co-fermentation for 72 h increased total phenolics by 1.42-fold and exhibited the strongest reducing power (4.50 mg/g), DPPH• (32.37 μmol/g), ABTS•+ (298.00 μmol/g), and •OH (68.42%) scavenging activities. Yeast and L. fermentum presented the second most total phenolics, DPPH•, and •OH scavenging activities. Single-yeast fermentation for 48 h demonstrated the highest iron chelation rate at 43.52%. Yeast and L. plantarum exhibited superior total flavonoid content (1.95 mg/g). Further, fermentation treatments modified the flavor profile, with increased phenylethyl alcohol and 3-methylbutanoic acid contents. These results provide valuable insights into the potential of co-fermentation to enhance maize bran functionality.

The microbiota-gut-joint axis influences systematic and local inflammation via the gut microbiota. Our previous investigations have revealed that hyaluronic acid (HA) with specific molecular weight (MW) affects the human gut microbiota in a simulated batch fermentation system. However, the structure-property relationships and mechanism by which HA alleviates rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by modulating the gut microbiota remain unexplored. In this study, collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) Wistar rats received HAs of different MWs (2 kDa, 300 kDa, 3000 kDa) by oral gavage. HAs MW-dependently improved osteochondral health and cartilage injury, characterized by alleviated foot swelling, enhanced motor capacity and reduced pro-inflammatory mediator levels. Muti-omics analysis of the gut microbiota and joint transcriptomic studies revealed that HAs regulate the gut microbial composition, interactions, phenotype and intestinal barrier functions. High-MW HA upregulated beneficial bacteria (i.e., Lactobacillus, Clostridium sensu stricto 1 and Turicibacter) and arginine and proline metabolism while inhibiting harmful bacteria (i.e., Desulfovibrio and the NK4A214 group) and ECM-receptor interactions. Furthermore, alleviation of RA symptoms and similar characteristics of the gut microbiota were observed in a pseudo-germ-free (PGF) rat model after fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from donors of the high-MW HA group. These findings proved that the gut microbiota mediates the anti-rheumatic effect of HAs on the microbiota-gut-joint axis, providing a new opportunity to understand the structure-property relationships in RA therapy.

The development of resistance to antibiotics and bacteriophages highlights the necessity of alternative therapy for Staphylococcus aureus. This study aimed to explore the utility of temperate phages as a biocontrol agent against multidrug-resistant (MDR) S. aureus. Four S. aureus temperate phages were successfully isolated, and their biological features, genomic properties, and antibacterial effect against S. aureus and biofilm were characterised. Phage SapYZUs891 exhibited relatively high titre (1.7 × 1010 PFU/mL), short latent period (5 min), large burst size (554 PFU/cell), strong pH (4–10) and thermal stability (25–70 °C), and a broad lytic spectrum (47.3