The ontogenetic changes of the scallop Patinopecten yessoensis from Dalian, China, were studied during four stages (3, 6, 12, and 24 mo) using a geometric morphometric method and cross-validation method for evaluating the utility of the classification. The results showed that they exhibited characteristically different ontogenetic trajectories within a space defined by test size and shell shape. Landmark and semilandmark analyses were applied to successfully determine the stage of the individuals with approximately 89.04% accuracy. Moreover, each stage had a typical shell shape. The distinction of these patterns was assigned to the circularity and symmetry of the disc and the symmetry of the auricles: the 3 mo shells had a circular disc and asymmetrical auricles, and the 6 and 12 mo shells showed a more elongated disc and more symmetrical auricles, whereas the 24 mo shells showed an elongated disc and relatively small, symmetrical auricles. The ontogenetic shell form changes (size + shape) of P. yessoensis reflected the life history characteristics, which could potentially be used for age stage identification. The results provide a reference for determining the growth stage of P. yessoensis during fisheries and aquaculture management.

The Ylistrum japonicum is a commercially valuable scallop known for its long-distance swimming abilities. Despite its economic importance, genetic and genomic research on this species is limited. This study presents the first complete mitochondrial genome of Y. japonicum. The mitochondrial genome is 19,475 bp long and encompasses 13 protein-coding genes, three ribosomal RNA genes, and 23 transfer RNA genes. Two distinct phylogenetic analyses were used to explore the phylogenetic position of the Y. japonicum within the family Pectinidae. Based on one mitochondrial phylogenetic analysis by selecting 15 Pectinidae species and additional outgroup taxa and one single gene phylogenetic analysis by 16S rRNA, two phylogenetic trees were constructed to provide clearer insights into the evolutionary placement of Y. japonicum within the family Pectinidae. Our analysis reveals that Ylistrum is a basal lineage to the Pectininae clade, distinct from its previously assigned tribe, Amusiini. This study offers critical insights into the genetic makeup and evolutionary history of Y. japonicum, enhancing our knowledge of this economically vital species.

Capulus danieli, a distinct member of Capulidae, with a limpet-shaped shell, exhibits a unique ecological behaviour by attaching and drilling onto the shells of scallops, distinguishing itself from other members of the gastropod class, offering a compelling case for evolutionary and ecological study. This study initially obtained the complete mitochondrial genome of C. danieli through second-generation sequencing. In addition, 25 species closely related to C. danieli were selected to establish phylogenetic analysis using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) methods. Furthermore, a divergence time tree of Capulidae was constructed based on the analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of 11 Capulidae species. The results showed that the mitochondrial genome of C.   danieli is similar to most known neogastropods, confirming the first record of this species in China. The phylogenetic analysis also revealed a close evolutionary relationship between C. danieli (Family Capulidae) and Ficus subintermedia, Ficus variegata (Family Ficidae) within the Order Littorinimorpha. The divergence time estimation suggested that C .  danieli diverged approximately 52.29 million years ago. The genus Capulus of mollusks exhibits morphological plasticity, adapting their form to better suit their parasitic lifestyle. This adaptability may aid in their survival and reproduction on various hosts. The adaptive changes in the shell morphology of Capulus species in response to the morphology of their host shells can be considered an example of co-evolution.

The Ylistrum japonicum is a scallop of commercial significance, renowned for its capacity to undertake long-distance swimming. A total of 150 individuals were collected to explore the connections between morphological traits and quality traits and to determine the nutritional components of the adductor muscle. The results showed a robust positive correlation between morphological traits and quality traits, with certain variations in the intensity of the correlation depending on gender. For both female and male individuals, the most significant factor directly influencing the quality traits was shell width, and shell length had the greatest indirect influence on the individual quality traits. The nutritional results of the adductor muscle of Y. japonicum showed that the moisture content was 80.17%, the ash content was 1.43%, the protein content was 16.93%, the fat content was 0.67%, and the carbohydrate content was 0.80%. Furthermore, a total of 17 amino acids and a total of 23 fatty acids were detected. The study’s findings contribute to the understanding of the quality traits and nutritional value of Y. japonicum, laying a basis for the development of selective breeding strategies aimed at boosting the species’ aquaculture potential.

With increasing environmental pollution and a high incidence of respiratory infections, pulmonary nodules (PN) are being detected more frequently. Although most are benign, they are often accompanied by chronic inflammation and localized fibrosis, which may predispose patients to progression toward idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). However, the biological relationship between benign pulmonary nodules (BPNs) and IPF remains poorly understood. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the shared molecular mechanisms and identify potential biomarkers linking BPN and IPF, with the goal of elucidating the pathogenic transition from BPN to IPF. In this study, microarray data from GEO datasets were systematically analyzed to explore shared molecular mechanisms, immune infiltration characteristics, and potential early intervention strategies linking BPN and IPF. Differential expression analysis, protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks, weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), and integrative machine learning approaches identified MME and ANKRD23 as key hub genes associated with the transition from BPN to IPF. Both genes demonstrated strong diagnostic performance, with Area Under the Curve (AUC) values exceeding 0.7, and were significantly correlated with immune cell infiltration, particularly effector memory CD8⁺ T cells. Functional enrichment and gene set enrichment analyses indicated that these genes were mainly involved in immune-related processes in BPN, while in IPF, ANKRD23 was linked to cytoskeletal organization and genomic stability, and MME was enriched in profibrotic pathways such as TGF-β signaling. The diagnostic value of these biomarkers was further validated in a bleomycin-induced IPF mouse model using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). In addition, drug–gene interaction prediction and molecular docking analyses highlighted several naturally derived compounds with favorable binding affinity and anti-inflammatory properties, among which folic acid, curcumin, and arbutin emerged as promising candidates for safe early intervention. Collectively, these findings identify MME and ANKRD23 as potential biomarkers for early identification of BPN patients at risk of developing IPF and provide a theoretical basis for early diagnosis and targeted preventive strategies.