The human microbiome plays a central role in modulating the immune system and maintaining immunophysiological homeostasis, contributing to the prevention of immune-mediated diseases. In particular, the gut microbiota is a key ecosystem for immune system maturation, especially in early life. This review aimed to analyze the molecular and cellular mechanisms linking the microbiome to immune and neuronal functions, as well as the impact of dysbiosis and emerging therapeutic strategies targeting the microbiome. The analysis was based on scientific databases, prioritizing studies published since 2000, with special emphasis on the past decade. The microbiome influences immune signaling through microorganism-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Additionally, microbial metabolites—such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), tryptophan derivatives, and secondary bile acids—exert significant immunomodulatory effects. The intestinal epithelial barrier is also described as an active immunological interface contributing to systemic regulation. The literature highlights innovative therapies, including fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT), probiotics, and microbiome editing with CRISPR-Cas technologies. These strategies aim to restore microbial balance and improve immune outcomes. The growing body of evidence positions the microbiome as a valuable clinical and diagnostic target, with significant potential for application in personalized medicine.

The infant oral microbiome is a complex and dynamic microbial community that undergoes various transformations during human development. From birth, these microorganisms are modulated by factors such as birth type, nutrition, oral hygiene, hormonal changes, and environmental and socioeconomic conditions. These elements interact continuously, shaping the diversity and stability of the oral microbiome and consequently influencing the oral and general health of individuals. The main objective of this study was to review the literature on the evolution of the oral microbiome at different stages of growth, with special emphasis on the maintenance of dental homeostasis and prevention of pathologies such as caries and periodontitis. A bibliographic review of scientific databases was conducted, focusing on the last decade. In general, oral microbiome dysbiosis increases the risk of oral diseases and systemic conditions. Diet, parental practices, and horizontal transmission of bacteria from caregivers have been shown to modulate and influence the composition and functioning of the infant oral microbiome. Despite these advances, gaps remain in our understanding of the impact of the pediatric oral microbiome on long-term comprehensive health. Therefore, longitudinal research is needed to understand the development of the oral microbiome and its potential role in early prediction, prevention, and treatment of oral and systemic diseases.

Worldwide, there are reports indicating that sheep raised in insular systems spontaneously consume seaweed. In the southern hemisphere, there exists Durvillaea antarctica, a brown seaweed that possesses minerals and fatty acids that could improve some aspects of sheep production and meat quality, respectively. However, the consumption of this algae in lambs has been scarcely studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of Durvillaea antarctica meal on the growth performance, blood profile, and meat quality of fattening lambs. Thirty Araucana Creole lambs were housed and allocated to three pens. One pen served as a control, while the remaining two were supplemented with diets containing 5% and 10% Durvillaea antarctica meal. After 9 weeks, the animals were slaughtered. The dietary treatments did not significantly affect body weight and blood biochemical parameters. However, changes were observed in meat quality traits, including increased redness and reduced luminosity in the loin for the high inclusion treatment, in addition to slight alterations in pH and lower lipid oxidation in lambs’ meat fed Durvillaea antarctica. Furthermore, the meat from lambs supplemented with Durvillaea antarctica exhibited increased levels of linoleic acid and arachidonic acid, along with higher monounsaturated fatty acid content and a reduced omega-3/omega-6 ratio. This study shows that Durvillaea antarctica can be used to feed lambs without impairing growth or production parameters, which has been little studied. It is possible that this brown seaweed could be considered a natural additive to improve the quality and nutritional value of lamb meat. The effect of this seaweed on other ruminant models could be addressed in future studies.

Aquaculture faces structural constraints linked to input sustainability, animal health, and a persistent reliance on fishmeal and fish oil, alongside the intensive use of antibiotics in high-density production systems. In this context, edible fungi have emerged as promising functional ingredients, primarily due to their content of structural polysaccharides, particularly β-glucans and chitin. This review synthesizes recent evidence on the dietary inclusion of fungal-derived compounds in aquafeeds for commercially relevant species. Overall, these bioactive components have been associated with beneficial effects on growth performance, feed efficiency, antioxidant status, and disease resistance in species such as Oncorhynchus mykiss, Salmo salar, and Oreochromis spp. However, the magnitude and consistency of these responses remain highly variable across studies. Such variability is primarily attributed to differences in the structural composition of the ingredients, their physicochemical form, processing methods, and their compatibility with host digestive physiology, all of which influence functional bioavailability and the resulting biological responses. Consequently, their biological effects are context-dependent and should be interpreted according to ingredient characteristics, host species, dietary inclusion level, and experimental conditions rather than assuming a universal dose–response relationship. Effective implementation will require advances in matrix standardization, detailed structural characterization of bioactive compounds, and validation under industry-relevant conditions.