The prevalence, evolution, and disease risk of pathogenic tick-borne viruses (TBVs) remains poorly understood in northwest China and adjacent countries, which are endemic for several TBVs of public health importance. Herein, we perform meta-transcriptomic sequencing of >9600 ticks collected across this vast geographic area to identify 92 RNA viruses and assemble 1567 viral genomes from 28 different tick species, including ten human- and mammal-infecting TBVs. Tacheng tick virus 1 (TcTV-1), Tacheng tick virus 2 (TcTV-2), Tamdy virus (TAMV), and Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) are the most common human-infecting TBVs detected. We also report several pathogenic TBVs not previously identified in China (Burana virus and Bhanja virus), Kazakhstan (TcTV-1), and northwest China (Wad Medani virus and Alongshan virus). We predict a significant increase in the number of high-risk regions for the four major tick vectors of pathogenic TBVs, and the distribution of TAMV, TcTV-1, TcTV-2, and CCHFV, with 65.4% of the counties in this region identified as high risk for CCHFV. Therefore, the real disease burden caused by TBVs in northwest China and adjacent countries may be more underestimated than appreciated, and we call for strengthened field surveys and epidemiological surveillance in this vast region.

Equine piroplasmosis (EP) is an important tick-borne disease of equids, caused by Theileria equi, Theileria haneyi, and Babesia caballi. Nonetheless, there has been a scarcity of systematic reports on EP parasites in donkeys in Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia. In this study, piroplasms were screened in 1900 blood samples from imported donkeys from the Osh Oblast (southwestern Kyrgyzstan) by targeting partial 18S ribosomal RNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Through molecular and phylogenetic analyses, all positive samples were sequenced to identify the species and genotypes. The results indicated the presence of both B. caballi and T. equi, with prevalence rates of 8.4% (160/1900) and 12.2% (232/1900), respectively. By amplifying part of the Erythrocyte Merozoite Antigen 1 (EMA-1) and Rhoptry-Associated Protein (RAP-1) genes, B. caballi genotype B and T. equi genotype A were identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on piroplasm infection among donkeys from Kyrgyzstan.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is emerging as a major global public health problem. Researchers are developing and implementing various anti-AS strategies. This study aimed to investigate gut microbiota and metabolite changes associated with elevated serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c). Mice were divided into two equal groups: Group C (mice with gut microbiota from healthy subjects) and Group B (mice with gut microbiota from AS). At the end of the 8-week study, blood samples were collected for blood lipid analysis; rectal feces were collected for microbial 16S rRNA sequencing analysis and metabolomics analysis. Our results showed that the B group significantly increased serum lipid levels of LDL-c. However, no statistically significant differences were observed in the richness and diversity of the gut microbiota, but we observed an increase in the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes and an increase in the abundance of Parabacteroides Goldstein. In addition, untargeted metabolomic analysis of fecal samples revealed 128 metabolites that were differentially expressed between groups C and B. Notably, group B was found to have significantly increased levels of metabolites involved in lipid metabolism pathways, such as estrogen glucuronide, ginsenoside f1, Pe (16:1e/14,15-epete), and prostaglandin E1. Those data highlight the importance of understanding AS from the gut microbiota perspective and establish a foundation for future research on AS.

This study aims to screen and identify potential atherosclerosis (AS) biomarkers associated with common plasticizer exposure, providing a basis for future investigation into targeted therapeutic strategies. AS-related datasets (from public databases) and common plasticizers (ATBC, DEP, DMP, DOP) were used. First, plasticizer-related genes (PRGs) and AS-related genes (ASRGs) were ascertained from public databases, respectively. Biomarkers were then determined through differential expression, machine learning, receiver operating characteristic (ROC), and gene expression analyses. To further explore the biological mechanisms underlying AS, functional enrichment, immune infiltration, molecular docking, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses were conducted. In this study, AR and CCR2 were recognized as biomarkers for AS, with AR showing significantly lower expression in AS samples and CCR2 demonstrating significantly higher expression. These biomarkers were co-enriched in the "cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction" pathway. Additionally, 5 immune cell types with differential infiltration were ascertained, with regulatory T cells showing a strong correlation with both biomarkers. Molecular docking revealed favorable binding between the biomarkers and ATBC, with a particularly moderate binding energy of -7.1 kcal/mol between CCR2 and ATBC. MD simulations confirmed the stability of the CCR2-ATBC complex. Finally, scRNA-seq analysis ascertained vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and T lymphocytes as key cell types in AS, with dynamic expression patterns of AR and CCR2 observed during their differentiation. Our study identifies AR and CCR2 as biomarkers linking plasticizer exposure to AS. These findings elucidate potential molecular mechanisms and offer promising directions for future experimental validation and therapeutic exploration.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are significant enteric pathogens that affect a wide range of animal hosts, posing potential zoonotic risks. Wildlife–livestock interfaces are increasingly recognized as key settings for pathogen spillover, yet molecular epidemiological data from Xinjiang, China, remain limited. In this study, 191 fecal samples were collected from wild rodents and sympatric artiodactyls on the northern slope of the Tianshan Mountains in Bortala Prefecture, Xinjiang. Nested PCR targeting the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp. and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of E. bieneusi was performed, followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Selected Cryptosporidium ‐positive samples were further characterized at the actin and hsp70 genes. Overall, Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi were detected in 5.8% (11/191) and 4.2% (8/191) of samples, respectively. Four Cryptosporidium genotypes were identified, including chipmunk genotype V, ground squirrel genotype II, C. rubeyi , and C. xiaoi . Rodent‐adapted genotypes predominated in long‐tailed ground squirrels and gray marmots, whereas C. xiaoi was detected in yak. While SSU rRNA and actin genes showed consistent clustering for several isolates, discordant phylogenetic signals at the hsp70 gene suggested the possibility of coinfections. Four E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, including the zoonotic genotypes A, BEB6, XJHT4, as well as a novel genotype, XJWR1. The detection of genotype A in both rodents and sheep suggests potential interspecies transmission occurring at shared grazing sites. These findings expand the molecular evidence on Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi in Xinjiang and highlight wildlife–livestock interfaces as potential hotspots for pathogen exchange in transboundary pastoral ecosystems.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Although mitochondria’s role in AS is recognized, effective molecular targets are lacking. This study investigated mitochondria-associated signature biomarkers in AS, providing insights for mechanistic research and targeted therapy. AS-related transcripts were retrieved from public databases. Bioinformatics analyses (differential expression, machine learning, and expression verification) were integrated to screen biomarkers, and a nomogram was constructed. The functions, immune features, and single-cell expression (cellular landscape) of the identified biomarkers were analyzed. The L-lactate dehydrogenase B and SLC25A4 genes emerged as mitochondrial signature biomarkers in both tissues and blood samples from patients with AS. The nomogram exhibited robust performance in predicting the prevalence of AS. Notably, these biomarkers were significantly involved in pathways associated with the pathogenesis of AS, such as the Toll-like receptor pathway. Compared with the findings in control samples, 27 types of immune cells exhibited increased infiltration in AS samples, and the biomarkers generally displayed a strong negative correlation with these infiltrating immune cells. Nine cell types were annotated at the single-cell level, among which vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) represented the key cell population, being characterized by high pyruvate metabolism activity. Furthermore, VSMCs were primarily engaged in cell–cell communication with macrophages. Additionally, the expression profiles of the biomarkers exhibited an inverted U-shaped dynamic pattern corresponding to the expression changes in VSMCs. This study identified two mitochondrial signature biomarkers, preliminarily revealed their potential roles in AS, provided new insights for targeted therapy research, and laid a foundation for unraveling mitochondria-related pathological mechanisms in AS.