Biology (ISSN 2079-7737) is an international, peer-reviewed, quick-refereeing open access journal of Biological Science published by MDPI online. It publishes reviews, research papers and communications in all areas of biology and at the interface of related disciplines. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. There is no restriction on the length of the papers. The full experimental details must be provided so that the results can be reproduced. Electronic files regarding the full details of the experimental procedure, if unable to be published in a normal way, can be deposited as supplementary material.

Biology is an international, peer-reviewed, quick-refereeing open access journal of Biological Science published online by MDPI. It covers all areas of biology and related disciplines, publishing reviews, research papers, and communications. Our aim is to encourage scientists to publish their experimental and theoretical results in as much detail as possible. There are no restrictions on the length of the papers, and full experimental details must be provided to ensure reproducibility of results. If the full details of the experimental procedure cannot be published in the usual manner, electronic files can be deposited as supplementary material.

《Biology》是一本国际性的、经过同行评审的快速审稿开放获取期刊，专注于生物科学，由MDPI在线出版。期刊涵盖生物学及相关学科的所有领域，发表综述、研究论文和通讯。我们的目标是鼓励科学家尽可能详细地发布他们的实验和理论结果。对论文的长度没有限制，必须提供完整的实验细节，以便结果可以被复现。如果实验程序的完整细节无法以正常方式发布，可以将电子文件作为补充材料提交。

Biology

Drosophila melanogaster imaginal discs are larval internal structures that become the external organs of the adult. They have been used to study numerous developmental processes for more than fifty years. Dissecting these imaginal discs for collection is challenging, as the size of third-instar larvae organs is typically less than 1 mm. Certain experimental applications of the organs require many cells, which requires researchers to spend several hours dissecting them. This paper proposes an alternative to dissection in the form of a mass enrichment protocol. The protocol enables the recovery of many wing imaginal discs by grinding large quantities of third-instar larvae and separating the organs using filtration and a density gradient. The wing imaginal discs collected with this protocol in less than three hours are as well preserved as those collected by dissection. The dissociation and filtration of the extract allow the isolation of a large amount of wing imaginal disc cells.

Marion Hoareau

Juliette de Noiron

Jessie Colin

Isabelle Guénal

Mass Purification Protocol for Drosophila melanogaster Wing Imaginal Discs: An Alternative to Dissection to Obtain Large Numbers of Disc Cells

Sphagnum is a fundamental ecosystem of engineers, including more than 300 species around the world. These species host diverse microbes, either endosymbiotic or ectosymbiotic, and are key to carbon sequestration in peatland ecosystems. However, the linkages between different types of Sphagnum and the diversity and ecological functions of Sphagnum-associated microbiomes are poorly known, and so are their joint responses to ecological functions. Here, we systematically investigated endophytes in Sphagnum palustre via next-generation sequencing (NGS) techniques in the Erxianyan peatland, central China. The total bacterial microbiome was classified into 38 phyla and 55 classes, 122 orders and 490 genera. The top 8 phyla of Proteobacteria (33.69%), Firmicutes (11.94%), Bacteroidetes (9.42%), Actinobacteria (6.53%), Planctomycetes (6.37%), Gemmatimonadetes (3.05%), Acidobacteria (5.59%) and Cyanobacteria (1.71%) occupied 78.31% of total OTUs. The core microbiome of S. palustre was mainly distributed mainly in 7 phyla, 9 classes, 15 orders, 22 families and 43 known genera. There were many differences in core microbiomes compared to those in the common higher plants. We further demonstrate that the abundant functional groups have a substantial potential for nitrogen fixation, carbon cycle, nitrate metabolism, sulfate respiration and chitinolysis. These results indicate that potential ecological function of Sphagnum palustre in peatlands is partially rooted in its microbiomes, and that incorporating into functional groups of Sphagnum-associated microbiomes can promote mechanistic understanding of Sphagnum ecology in subalpine peatlands.

Baiying Man

Xing Xiang

Junzhong Zhang

Gang Cheng

Chao Zhang

Yang Luo

Yangmin Qin

Keystone Taxa and Predictive Functional Analysis of Sphagnum palustre Tank Microbiomes in Erxianyan Peatland, Central China

Using fluid-structure interaction algorithms to simulate the human circulatory system is an innovative approach that can provide valuable insights into cardiovascular dynamics. Fluid-structure interaction algorithms enable us to couple simulations of blood flow and mechanical responses of the blood vessels while taking into account interactions between fluid dynamics and structural behaviors of vessel walls, heart walls, or valves. In the context of the human circulatory system, these algorithms offer a more comprehensive representation by considering the complex interplay between blood flow and the elasticity of blood vessels. Algorithms that simulate fluid flow dynamics and the resulting forces exerted on vessel walls can capture phenomena such as wall deformation, arterial compliance, and the propagation of pressure waves throughout the cardiovascular system. These models enhance the understanding of vasculature properties in human anatomy. The utilization of fluid-structure interaction methods in combination with medical imaging can generate patient-specific models for individual patients to facilitate the process of devising treatment plans. This review evaluates current applications and implications of fluid-structure interaction algorithms with respect to the vasculature, while considering their potential role as a guidance tool for intervention procedures.

Faiz Syed

Sahar Khan

Milan Toma

Modeling Dynamics of the Cardiovascular System Using Fluid-Structure Interaction Methods

Background and aim: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a rare multisystem autoimmune disease developed by autoantibody production against human neutrophilic granulocytes, including proteinase-3 (PR3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO). The management of AAV patients is difficult due to the multiorgan involvement, high rate of relapse, and complications of immunosuppressive agents that make it challenging. This study aims to investigate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) therapy in patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) or microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) subtypes. Method: The PubMed/Medline database was searched for any studies related to RTX therapy in ANCA-associated vasculitis (GPA and MPA subtypes), from inception to 1 August 2022, and proceeded in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Results: Our search resulted in 1082 initial records. After the elimination of review papers, irrelevant studies, and non-English records, 223 articles were included, and the data related to the efficacy and safety of RTX therapy were extracted. Several randomized and non-randomized studies showed that RTX is an effective treatment option for patients with AAV. Most of the studies showed the very effective effect of RTX in controlling disease in AAV patients, including pediatrics, adults, and elderlies, although RTX cannot completely prevent relapse. However, maintenance therapy helps delay the disease’s relapse and causes sustained remission. Not only the licensed dose (375 mg/m2 intravenous per week for 4 weeks) could induce disease remission, but studies also showed that a single infusion of RTX could be effective. Although RTX could resolve many rare manifestations in AAV patients, there are few reports showing treatment failure. Additionally, few sudies have reported the unexpeted worsening of the disease after RTX administration. Generally, RTX is relatively safe compared to conventional therapies, but some serious adverse effects, mainly infections, cytopenia, hypogammaglobinemia, malignancy, and hypersensitivity have been reported. Conclusions: RTX is an effective and relatively safe therapeutic option for AAV. Studies on the evaluation of the safety profiles of RTX and the prevention of severe RTX-related side effects in AAV patients are required.

Mohammad Amin Habibi

Samira Alesaeidi

Mohadeseh Zahedi

Samin Hakimi Rahmani

Seyed Mohammad Piri

Soheil Tavakolpour

The Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab in ANCA-Associated Vasculitis: A Systematic Review

Accelerated neurocognitive decline after general anesthesia/surgery, also known as perioperative neurocognitive disorder (PND), is a widely recognized public health problem that may affect millions of patients each year. Advanced age, with its increasing prevalence of heightened stress, inflammation, and neurodegenerative alterations, is a consistent contributing factor to the development of PND. Although a strong homeostatic reserve in young adults makes them more resilient to PND, animal data suggest that young adults with pathophysiological conditions characterized by excessive stress and inflammation may be vulnerable to PND, and this altered phenotype may be passed to future offspring (intergenerational PND). The purpose of this narrative review of data in the literature and the authors’ own experimental findings in rodents is to draw attention to the possibility of intergenerational PND, a new phenomenon which, if confirmed in humans, may unravel a big new population that may be affected by parental PND. In particular, we discuss the roles of stress, inflammation, and epigenetic alterations in the development of PND. We also discuss experimental findings that demonstrate the effects of surgery, traumatic brain injury, and the general anesthetic sevoflurane that interact to induce persistent dysregulation of the stress response system, inflammation markers, and behavior in young adult male rats and in their future offspring who have neither trauma nor anesthetic exposure (i.e., an animal model of intergenerational PND).

Ling-Sha Ju

Timothy E. Morey

Christoph N. Seubert

Anatoly E. Martynyuk

Intergenerational Perioperative Neurocognitive Disorder

Bidirectional communication between the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral organs and tissue has been widely documented in physiological and pathological conditions. This communication relies on the bilateral transmission of signaling molecules and substances that circulate throughout the body and reach their target site(s) via the blood and other biological fluids (e.g., the cerebrospinal fluid, the lymph). One of the mechanisms by which these molecular messengers are exchanged is through the secretion of extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are known to mediate cell-to-cell communication by delivering biological molecules, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, and various other bioactive regulators. Moreover, EVs can cross the blood–brain barrier (BBB), enabling direct communication between the periphery and the brain. In particular, the delivery of microRNAs (miRNAs) can modulate the expression profiles of recipient cells, thereby influencing their functions. This review synthesizes current findings about the brain–periphery cross-talk mediated by EVs-delivered miRNAs. Although this mechanism has been definitively shown in a few cases, much evidence indirectly indicates that it could mediate brain–peripherical organs/tissue communication, especially in pathological conditions. Therefore, understanding this process could provide valuable insights for the treatment and management of neurological and systemic diseases.

Giuseppa D’Amico

Adelaide Carista

Olga Maria Manna

Letizia Paladino

Domiziana Picone

Silvia Sarullo

Martina Sausa

Francesco Cappello

Alessandra Maria Vitale

Celeste Caruso Bavisotto

Brain–Periphery Axes: The Potential Role of Extracellular Vesicles-Delivered miRNAs

脑-外周轴：外泌体递送的微小RNA的潜在作用

Ectomycorrhizal (EM) associations are essential symbiotic relationships that contribute significantly to the health and functioning of forest ecosystems. This review examines the biotic factors that influence EM associations, focusing on plant and fungal diversity, host specificity, and microbial interactions. Firstly, the diversity of host plants and ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) is discussed, highlighting how the richness of these organisms affects the formation and success of EM symbioses. Next, host specificity is explored, with a focus on the complex relationships between EMF and their host plants. Microbial interactions are examined in depth, with sections on both positive and negative influences of bacteria and different fungal groups on EM formation. Overall, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the biotic factors that shape EM associations, offering insights into the mechanisms that underpin these critical ecological interactions and their broader implications for ecosystem management and restoration.

Belkacem El Amrani

Insights into the Biotic Factors Shaping Ectomycorrhizal Associations

生物因素塑造外生菌根共生关系的见解

Global warming has led to rising water temperatures, posing a significant threat to fish survival. Understanding the mechanisms by which fish respond to and adapt to temperature variations is thus of considerable importance. This study employed high-throughput 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatics to investigate changes in the intestinal microbiota of the kaluga sturgeon (Huso dauricus) under four temperature conditions (19 °C, 25 °C, 28 °C, and 31 °C) and its relationship with adaptation to high-temperature stress. The results indicated that temperature variations caused significant changes in the intestinal microbiota. Over time, differences in the microbiota structure became more pronounced under different temperature conditions, and within-group variability gradually decreased. At higher temperatures, the relative abundance of Sphingomonas significantly decreased, while that of Clostridium sensu stricto 1, Cetobacterium, and Plesiomonas exhibited a significant increase in relative abundance. Upon the cessation of rapid mortality under various high-temperature conditions, the intestinal microbiota structure and composition became highly similar, with Clostridium sensu stricto 1 dominating both in terms of composition and relative abundance, suggesting a central role in adaptation to high-temperature stress. This study preliminarily confirms that the high-temperature adaptability of Huso dauricus is closely related to the structure and composition of its intestinal microbiota, with bacteria such as Clostridium sensu stricto 1 playing an important role. These findings provide new scientific insights into enhancing fish adaptability to high-temperature stress.

Ruoyu Wang

Yutao Li

Yining Zhang

Sihan Wang

Zheng He

Dingchen Cao

Zhipeng Sun

Nianmin Wang

Ying Zhang

Bo Ma

Exploring the Adaptation Process of Huso dauricus to High Temperatures Based on Changes in Intestinal Microbiota

基于肠道菌群变化探索施氏鲟适应高温的过程

Connexins are a family of transmembrane proteins that form membrane channels [...]

Mario Maalouf

Adelaide T. Gaffney

Bridger R. Bell

Robin M. Shaw

Exploring the Potent Roles of an Internally Translated Truncated Connexin-43 Isoform

探索内部翻译的截短型连接蛋白-43异构体的强大作用

Ion channels are essential for mineral ion homeostasis in mammalian cells, and these are activated or inhibited by environmental stimuli such as heat, cold, mechanical, acidic, or basic stresses. These expressions and functions are quite diverse between cell types. The function and importance of ion channels are well-studied in neurons and cardiac cells, while those functions in pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) were not fully understood. Some sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, transient receptor potential channels and mechanosensitive Piezo channels are found to be expressed and implicated in pluripotency and self-renewal capacity in PSCs. This review summarizes present and previous reports about ion channels and their response to environmental stimuli in PSCs. Furthermore, we compare the expressions and roles between PSCs and their differentiated embryoid bodies. We then discuss those contributions to pluripotency and differentiation.

Taku Kaitsuka

The Unique Roles of Ion Channels in Pluripotent Stem Cells in Response to Biological Stimuli

离子通道在多能干细胞对生物刺激响应中的独特作用

Abbreviation
Journal Impact	3.75
Quartiles(Global)	BIOLOGY(Q1)

Publication Information	Publisher: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)，Publishing cycle: Monthly，Journal Type: journal，Open Access Journals: Yes
Basic data	Year of publication: 2012，Proportion of original research papers: 87.93%，Self Citation Rate:5.60%， Gold OA Rate: 99.59%
Journal Fees	$Details
Average review cycle	网友分享经验：first decision to authors ~17.5 days after submission; acceptance to publication ~3.1 days
Average recruitment ratio	网友分享经验：quick review and publication, high-level EBM board

Biology

Journal Citation Format

A journal article with 1 author

A journal article with 2 authors

A journal article with 3 authors

A journal article with 5 or more authors

Books Citation Format

Thesis Citation Format

Web sites Citation Format

Patent Citation Format

Staying up late manually editing references? ivySCI automatically matches journals and helps you generate references with a single click.

Share Submission Experience