Search Results (512)

Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a fundamental parameter for characterizing the growth of tea (Camellia sinensis L.). However, in rugged mountainous regions, the combined effects of topographic relief and canopy structural heterogeneity severely constrain the accuracy of UAV-based multispectral LAI retrieval. This study develops an integrated framework combining topographic correction with interpretable machine learning to improve LAI estimation. We utilized a UAV multispectral dataset collected during the peak growing season from a typical tea-growing region in Fujian Province, China (altitude range: 58–186 m), comprising a total of 90 samples. Three topographic correction methods, including Sun–Canopy–Sensor (SCS), SCS with C correction (SCS+C), and Minnaert+SCS, were evaluated in combination with Linear Regression (LR), Decision Tree (DT), Random Forest (RF), and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models. Results indicated that the SCS+C algorithm outperformed other methods by effectively accounting for direct and diffuse radiation components, thereby reducing topographic dependence while maintaining radiometric consistency across heterogeneous surfaces. The XGBoost model combined with SCS+C correction achieved the highest performance (R² = 0.8930, RMSE = 0.6676, nRMSE = 7.93%, MAE = 0.4936, Bias = −0.0836). SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis revealed a structure-dominated retrieval mechanism, in which red-band textural features (Correlation_R) exhibited higher importance than conventional vegetation indices. Compared with previous studies that primarily focus on either topographic correction or model development, this study provides quantitative insights into the underlying retrieval mechanisms. This framework improves the precision of tea LAI retrieval in complex terrains and provides a robust methodological basis for digital management in mountainous agriculture. Full article

Multivariate carbon and oxygen stable isotope analyses combined with chemometric methods were employed to investigate Aquilaria sinensis samples collected from six major regions in China (Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture and Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province; Zhongshan City and Maoming City in Guangdong Province; and Danzhou City and Chengmai County in Hainan Province). Isotopic δ-values were analyzed across different wood parts (longitudinal and north–south orientations), chemical fractions (de-extracted wood and α-cellulose), and geographical origins. Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Support Vector Machine (SVM), Decision Tree, and Random Forest were applied to screen and classify the samples. Four discriminant models were successfully established, achieving a maximum accuracy of 85.7% for distinguishing Aquilaria sinensis from different regions, and 88.1% for discrimination at the provincial level. These results demonstrate that stable isotope signatures, when combined with chemometrics, provide a reliable technical approach for the traceability of incense wood and offer a reference framework for verifying the authenticity of Agarwood and related plant-derived materials. Full article

Background/Objectives: The medical mushroom Ophiocordyceps sinensis (Caterpillar Fungus), known for its ability to enhance “vitality,” is one of the most popular medicines in Asian traditional medical systems. According to the Chinese Pharmacopeia, O. sinensis is standardized for its adenosine content, the precursor of ATP, which mediates numerous physiological and pathological processes in many diseases. The related fungus of order Hypocreales, Cordyceps militaris, and its major bioactive constituents, 3′-deoxyadenosine (cordycepin), also exhibit pleiotropic biological activities. This review aims to provide a rationale for the adaptogenic and resilience-supporting effects of these medicinal fungi and to align food and drug regulation in Western countries. Methods: In this narrative review, we integrated results from chemical, pharmacokinetic, network pharmacology, preclinical, and clinical studies of O. sinensis, C. militaris, and cordycepin using network pharmacology and bioinformatics tools. Results: Across studies, recurrent mechanistic hubs included PI3K–Akt, AMPK–mTOR, MAPK, NF-κB, apoptosis, and adaptive stress-response signaling pathways, linking immune regulation and metabolic homeostasis. Experimental studies confirmed modulation of cytokine production, kinase signaling, and mitochondrial regulators. Clinical meta-analyses demonstrate consistent adjunctive benefits in renal and pulmonary disorders, although heterogeneity in preparation and methodological limitations remains significant. The review reveals controversy regarding the bioavailability of cordycepin in vivo and its concentration in vitro studies, raising the hypothesis that cordycepin may act as a driver, triggering the organism’s adaptive stress response in stress-induced and aging-related diseases. Pharmacokinetic data indicate that systemic cordycepin concentrations after oral administration remain in the nanomolar range, suggesting that some predicted molecular interactions may occur indirectly or through systems-level mechanisms. The review, for the first time, suggests establishing a regulatory category for resilience-supporting physiological modulators to align food and drug regulation in the EU with contemporary systems biology, thereby complementing the work of EFSA, EMA, FDA, and Asian authorities. Conclusions:O. sinensis, C. militaris, and 3-deoxyadenosine share a common adaptogenic mechanism for maintaining homeostasis of cellular and integrated biological system functions. The systems-level network analysis and reductionistic molecular ligand preceptor pharmacology provide complementary approaches for understanding the multi-target bioactivity of these fungi. This review clarifies conceptual and regulatory barriers to recognizing resilience-supporting interventions and informs future regulatory innovation. Full article

Cheliped regeneration in the E. sinensis is a tightly regulated physiological process, yet the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying sexual dimorphism during regeneration remain unclear. In this study, we combined morphological observation with transcriptomic analysis to systematically investigate the regenerative stage characteristics and sex-related differences. The papilla stage 4 dpa was identified as a pivotal transitional stage, bridging initial wound healing and cellular dedifferentiation (2 dpa) with subsequent redifferentiation and morphogenesis (7 dpa). Morphological sex-based differences characterized by larger regenerating chelipeds in males became prominent by the late stage (28 dpa). Notably, the molecular foundation of sexual dimorphism was found to be established at 4 dpa, significantly preceding the emergence of phenotypic differences. This early divergence was driven by sex-dimorphic endocrine networks: males exhibited preferential expression of genes such as Fem-1c-like, Cyp2L1-like, CpAMP1A-like and Nedd4-like, while females showed enrichment in elevated aromatase activity. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) identified the Hox gene Antp as a core hub regulator, exhibiting high co-expression with key epidermal-related genes such as Cht6, Cht2-like and more. Its suppressed expression at 2 dpa aligned with the requirements for dedifferentiation, whereas its peak at 4 dpa indicated a crucial role in orchestrating appendage patterning and exoskeleton assembly. RNA interference (RNAi) knockdown of Antp resulted in obscured differentiation between the propodus and carpus in both sexes and confirmed its regulatory control over downstream targets including Ubx, Bmp2-like, and CpAMP1A-like. This study suggests a putative hierarchical regulatory model in which systemic hormonal signals may integrate Antp and other sex-biased regulators to potentially facilitate structured limb regeneration. These findings offer tentative novel insights into the interplay between developmental plasticity and sex-based regulatory divergence in decapod crustaceans. Full article

Background: The root of Schisandra propinqua (Wall.) Baill. var. sinensis Oliv is a traditional ethnomedicine in China; it was widely used to treat abscesses, sores, carbuncles, rheumatism, and so on. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the bacteriostatic mechanism of the ethyl acetate extract from the root of Schisandra propinqua (Wall.) Baill. var. Sinensis Oliv (Xiao Xue Teng) against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25923 (S. aureus ATCC 25923). Methods: Bioactive bacteriostatic constituents in Xiao Xue Teng were identified through Hybrid Quadrupole-TOF LC/MS/MS. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923 was determined using the microbroth dilution method. A time–kill curve analysis was used to evaluate the bacteriostatic effects. SDS-PAGE coupled with nano-liquid NanoLC-ESI-MS/MS, real-time PCR, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to study the bacteriostatic mechanism of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923. Results: The MIC of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923 was determined to be 15.625 µg/mL. The translation initiation factor (IF-2) and elongation factor (EF-Tu) were significantly decreased in S. aureus ATCC 25923 after treatment with Xiao Xue Teng, while the proteins SodA and AhpC were obviously increased. The intracellular levels of total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) were significantly increased (p < 0.01) after the treatment with Xiao Xue Teng. Concurrently, the activities of SOD, CAT and GSH-Px were significantly increased (p < 0.01). Moreover, cellular swelling and shrinkage were observed using SEM. Conclusions: The bacteriostatic mechanism of Xiao Xue Teng against S. aureus ATCC 25923 was related to eliciting oxidative stress, inhibiting protein synthesis and enhancing cytoplasmic membrane permeability. Full article

Copper oxide nanoparticles (CuONPs) have received considerable attention because of their wide range of applications, particularly in the development of antimicrobial materials for medical, environmental, and industrial purposes. However, conventional synthesis routes often involve the use of toxic chemicals and environmentally harmful conditions. To overcome these limitations, green synthesis strategies have been developed as sustainable alternatives through the use of natural reducing and stabilizing agents. In this study, Citrus sinensis leaf extract, which exhibits high antioxidant capacity, was investigated for green synthesis of CuONPs, followed by their subsequent incorporation into a chitosan polymeric matrix. The optimal synthesis conditions were achieved at a pH of 7.0 using copper(II) acetate monohydrate (Cu(CH₃COO)₂·H₂O) at a concentration of 10.0 g L⁻¹ and a calcination temperature of 300 °C. The resulting CuONPs exhibited a heterogeneous morphology, with average particle sizes ranging from 20 to 30 nm, and demonstrated satisfactory antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The incorporation of these NPs into chitosan yielded composite materials with enhanced antimicrobial performance, highlighting the added value of polymer–NP hybrid systems. Although these composite materials were not evaluated under realistic operational conditions, the optimized green protocol provides a robust methodological basis for future studies targeting water disinfection and other environmentally relevant technologies. Full article

A liver fluke, Clonorchis sinensis is a representative fish-borne parasite infecting humans, and sensitive detection in fish hosts or aquatic environments is important for monitoring infection sources in endemic areas. Conventional diagnostic methods based on microscopy or conventional PCR often show limited sensitivity, particularly under low-parasite conditions. In this study, we developed a high-sensitive and species-specific molecular marker and established a real-time PCR (qPCR)-based diagnostic method targeting metacercariae isolated from freshwater fish, representing the transmission stage of C. sinensis. Primers and a hydrolysis probe targeting the mitochondrially encoded cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene were designed, and all primer combinations produced stable amplifications with single melt curves in C. sinensis-positive samples. Among them, one combination was finally selected as the optimal marker due to its high specificity, including validation against mixed trematode samples to confirm species-specific detection. The qPCR assay showed excellent linearity (R² = 0.998), with a detection limit of 10¹ copies per reaction and a quantification limit of 10² copies per reaction. In addition, the assay successfully detected C. sinensis DNA in environmental water samples spiked with metacercariae, demonstrating its applicability to aquatic samples for environmental surveillance purposes. Compared with conventional PCR, the developed qPCR method in this study exhibited markedly improved sensitivity in fish-derived samples. Overall, this qPCR assay provides a robust diagnostic tool for laboratory analysis and has potential utility for environmental DNA-based monitoring of clonorchiasis risk areas within a One Health framework. Full article

Revegetation is recognized as one of the most effective strategies for the ecological restoration of tailings ponds. However, a systematic understanding of how both plant colonization time and plant type shape the microbial functional potential for coupled biogeochemical cycles remains insufficient. Here, we collected 24 samples comprising bare tailings and rhizosphere tailings from four dominant plant species (Miscanthus sinensis, Pinus massoniana, Lespedeza bicolor, Patrinia villosa) colonizing a lead–zinc mine tailings pond to investigate the effects of revegetation on the contents of carbon (C), nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) and microbial functional genes related to their cycles. The results showed that revegetation significantly increased the C, N and P contents in the rhizosphere tailings (p < 0.05), and these increased with plant colonization time. Compared with the bare tailings, the contents of C, N and P increased by 1.10 to 4.12 times, 1.06 to 4.84 times and 0.63 to 7.30 times, respectively. Furthermore, revegetation significantly enriches microbial C-, N- and P-cycling genes. The abundance of C fixation, organic degradation, nitrate reduction and organic P mineralization genes in tailings significantly increased after revegetation. Additionally, revegetation substantially enhanced the density, links and average degree of the network of microbial C-, N- and P-cycling genes. Pathway analysis using partial least squares path modeling indicated that revegetation positively affected microbial C-, N- and P-cycling genes, which were regulated by plant type and colonization time. Collectively, these findings suggest that revegetation can substantially enhance the biogeochemical cycling functions of microorganisms in tailings while also promoting their coupling. Full article

The fungal pathogen Metschnikowia bicuspidata causes “milky disease” in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis), which poses substantial challenges to sustainable aquaculture development considering the current lack of effective treatment interventions. To address this issue, in laboratory validation, we developed two rapid recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) detection methods for M. bicuspidata in E. sinensis targeting the histone acetyltransferase B-type subunit 2 gene (HAT-B2): an electrophoretic assay (RPA-AGE) and a colloidal gold lateral flow dipstick assay (RPA-LFD). We optimized RPA-AGE and RPA-LFD protocols for specific pathogen detection. Target detection was achieved within 35 min using RPA-AGE (30 min amplification at 37 °C followed by 5 min agarose gel electrophoresis), whereas RPA-LFD provided results in 15 min with high specificity (10 min amplification at 37 °C plus 5 min strip reading). Both methods exhibited exclusive specificity to M. bicuspidata, with no cross-reactivity with six pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Aeromonas hydrophila, Candida albicans, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and Microsporidia sp. The detection sensitivity of both platforms reached 4.8 copies/μL in laboratory validation. For field testing, the detection results from 30 field samples showed that although the 70% detection rate was lower than the 83.3% achieved by quantitative PCR, these approaches surpassed the detection rate of conventional PCR (53.3%). Notably, the RPA-LFD platform is applicable under field conditions as no specialized equipment is required. These rapid, sensitive, and specific detection systems provide practical tools for the early diagnosis and containment of M. bicuspidata infections in aquaculture settings. Full article

Carotenoid-based pigmentation is crucial for the ornamental and commercial value of the cherry shrimp (Neocaridina denticulata sinensis). While several genes are known to influence carotenoid metabolism, the genetic basis for specific color strains remains largely unexplored. Here, we functionally characterized NinaB-like, a homolog of a carotenoid oxygenase, in cherry shrimp pigmentation. We employed qPCR to gain gene expression profiles, utilized RNAi technology to analysize the relation between its expression level and carotenoid accumulation, and performed GT-seq to identify genotypes of different color strains. Significant differential expression of NinaB-like was observed not only across distinct color strains but also during embryonic development of cherry shrimp (p < 0.05), peaking at the red strain and post-larval stage of cherry shrimp. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of NinaB-like resulted in a marked increase in red pigment deposition at the metanauplius and pre-zoea stages, confirming its role as a negative regulator of carotenoid accumulation. Importantly, we identified two tightly linked, non-synonymous SNPs (927C > A and 935A > C) within the NinaB-like coding region that exhibited a strong association with body color. Our study provides the first functional evidence that NinaB-like is a negative regulator of carotenoid degradation and a major genetic determinant for body color in cherry shrimp, providing new insights for genetic breeding and biological research. Full article

Matcha tea (Camellia sinensis (L.) Kuntze) is a Japanese powdered green tea characterized by an exceptionally high content of health-promoting compounds. It is produced by shading the tea plants for 21 days prior to harvesting. It can be consumed both as an infusion and as a whole powder form. The present study aimed to analyze the micro- and macronutrient composition of matcha tea infusions (traditional and daily) brewed with water at different temperatures, as well as that of matcha powder. Samples were analyzed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OS). Two types of matcha infusions were analyzed: daily and traditional, prepared at 25 °C, 70 °C, 80 °C, and 90 °C in addition to matcha powders. The results demonstrated that both infusions and matcha powder are sources of the tested elements (potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, zinc) and may complement a healthy, balanced diet. The type of tea significantly affected elemental content, while brewing temperature did not significantly influence the mineral composition of infusions. Taken together, these results indicate that matcha represents a nutritionally relevant beverage whose mineral profile may contribute to dietary quality and support physiological functions related to metabolic health. Full article

Clonorchis sinensis and Metagonimus spp. are prevalent parasites in Korea, and accurate diagnosis is essential because treatment dosages differ between infections. However, their eggs are morphologically similar under light microscopy, making differentiation difficult and dependent on examiner expertise. To address this limitation, we evaluated an artificial intelligence (AI)-based automated microscope solution for the simultaneous detection and discrimination of both parasites. Microscopic images from 170 stool samples were analyzed using an AI system based on You Only Look Once version 5. The annotated dataset comprised 9455 egg images (6494 C. sinensis and 2961 Metagonimus spp.), randomly divided at the slide/patient level into training (6862), validation (1301), and test (1292) sets. Diagnostic performance was evaluated using mean average precision, confusion matrix analysis, and correlation with conventional microscopy. The model achieved a classification accuracy of up to 97.8%. C. sinensis showed higher recall and F1 scores, whereas Metagonimus spp. showed higher precision and specificity. Species identification showed complete concordance with conventional microscopy, and egg quantification was strongly correlated. These results indicate that the proposed AI system may serve as a supportive diagnostic tool comparable to conventional microscopy. Full article

Background/Objectives: The arrangement and positioning of genes on chromosomes are non-random in plant genomes. Adjacent gene pairs often exhibit similar co-expression patterns and regulatory mechanisms. However, the genomic and epigenetic features influencing such co-expression, particularly in perennial crops like tea (Camellia sinensis), remain largely uncharacterized. Methods: Firstly, we identified 771 specific neighboring gene pairs (SNGs) in C. sinensis (YK10) and investigated the contributions of intergenic distance and gene length to SNGs’ co-expression. Secondly, we integrated multi-omics data including transcriptome, ATAC-seq, Hi-C and histone modification data to explore the factors influencing their co-expression. Thirdly, we employed logistic regression models to individually assess the contributions of nine factors—ATAC-seq, H3K27ac, Hi-C, GO, distance, length, promoter, enhancer, and expression level—to the co-expression of SNGs. Finally, by integrating co-expression networks with metabolic profiles, several transcription factors potentially involved in the regulation of catechin metabolic pathways were identified. Results: Intergenic distance was significantly negatively correlated with co-expression strength, while gene length showed a positive correlation. Furthermore, these two features exerted synergistic effects with threshold characteristics and functional significance. SNGs marked by either ATAC-seq or H3K27ac peaks displayed significantly higher expression levels, suggesting that epigenetic regulation promotes co-expression. In addition, correlation analysis revealed that the expression of certain SNGs was closely associated with catechin accumulation, particularly epicatechin gallate (EGC) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), highlighting their potential role in modulating tissue-specific catechin levels. Conclusions: Collectively, this study reveals a multilayered regulatory framework governing SNG co-expression and provides theoretical insights and candidate regulators for understanding metabolic regulation in tea plants. Full article

The two-spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, is a major agricultural pest whose control is increasingly constrained by resistance to synthetic acaricides. This study evaluated the long-term field efficacy of three commercial entomopathogenic fungal (EPF) biopesticides—Velifer^® (Beauveria bassiana), Metab^® (B. bassiana + Metarhizium anisopliae), and Botanigard^® (B. bassiana)—against larval and protonymph stages of T. urticae on two host plants, Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens) and sweet orange (Citrus sinensis). Two foliar applications were conducted during the 2023 growing season (25 May and 25 July), and mite populations were monitored for 140 days after the final application. A randomized complete block design was used, and efficacy was calculated using the Henderson–Tilton formula. All EPF treatments significantly reduced mite populations compared with the untreated control throughout the monitoring period. Velifer consistently achieved the highest suppression of larval populations, particularly on C. sinensis, with efficacy comparable to the chemical standard. Botanigard showed more gradual but sustained population reduction over time, whereas Metab exhibited lower but stable efficacy in all cases. Treatment performance was strongly influenced by host plant species and mite developmental stage, with larvae consistently more susceptible than protonymphs. On C. sinensis, Velifer achieved the highest larval suppression (84.6%), comparable to the chemical standard abamectin, while Botanigard and Velifer were most effective on C. sempervirens. Survival analysis confirmed isolate- and host-dependent differences in hazard effects over time. These results demonstrate that EPF-based products can provide sustained, long-term suppression of T. urticae under field conditions, supporting their integration into integrated pest management programs. Full article

The MATα_HMGbox and HMG-box_ROX1-like domains of the MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 proteins, respectively, play essential roles in DNA binding and the subsequent regulation of gene transcription, controlling Ophiocordyceps sinensis sexual reproduction. Alternative splicing, differential occurrence and transcription of the MAT1-1-1 and MAT1-2-1 genes have been demonstrated in Hirsutella sinensis (GC-biased Genotype #1 of the 17 O. sinensis genotypes), suggesting self-sterility under heterothallic or hybrid outcrossing. In this study, the MATα_HMGbox domains of MAT1-1-1 proteins in wild-type Cordyceps sinensis isolates were shown to cluster into 5 clades in the Bayesian clustering tree and belong to diverse stereostructure morphs under 19 AlphaFold codes. The HMG-box_ROX1-like domains of MAT1-2-1 proteins, on the other hand, were shown to cluster into 2 branched Bayesian clades and belong to stereostructure morphs under 25 AlphaFold codes. Correlation analysis revealed that 1–3 amino acid substitutions in the DNA-binding domains of the mating proteins resulted in altered hydrophobicity and secondary and tertiary structures of the DNA-binding domains of the proteins, especially altered stereostructures of the hydrophobic cores formed by 3 critical α- helices within the functional domains of the proteins. Fungal origin analysis revealed possible heterospecific fungal sources of mating proteins with stereostructure variations in wild-type C. sinensis isolates, suggesting that alterations in DNA binding function and the subsequent regulation of mating-related gene transcription are involved in ensuring the accuracy and genetic diversity of heterothallic and hybrid reproduction of O. sinensis during the lifecycle of the C. sinensis insect–fungal complex. Full article