Search Results (2,319)

Endo-β-1,4-mannanases (MANs) are glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) enzymes that degrade cell wall mannan polysaccharides and participate in plant growth and stress adaptation. This gene family has not been systematically characterized in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Here, we identified 24 TaMAN genes (TaMAN1–TaMAN24) genome-wide and analyzed their phylogeny, gene structures, chromosomal distribution, synteny, and promoter cis-acting elements. Expression profiles under biotic and abiotic stresses were investigated using public databases, salt-stress RNA-seq, and RT-qPCR. TaMAN proteins (386–475 aa) were mainly predicted to localize in the extracellular space. Phylogenetic analysis divided them into three groups, with Groups II and III representing monocot-specific expansions. Family expansion was driven primarily by whole-genome duplication, supplemented by tandem duplication on homoeologous group 6. Promoters were enriched in hormone- and stress-responsive cis-acting elements (ABRE, as-1/CGTCA-motif, W box). TaMAN1, TaMAN5, TaMAN8, TaMAN9, TaMAN16 and TaMAN19 were significantly induced by powdery mildew, while TaMAN3, TaMAN4 and TaMAN19–TaMAN22 rapidly responded to salt stress. This study provides candidate genes for disease-resistant and salt-tolerant wheat breeding. Full article

Fungal mycoparasitism, where one fungus preys on another, offers a sustainable, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic chemical fungicides in agriculture and conventional antifungal therapies to manage clinical pathogens. The budding yeast Saccharomycopsis schoenii has emerged as a compelling model for contact-dependent, necrotrophic predation. Belonging to the CUG-Ser2 clade, its obligate predatory lifestyle is characterized by extensive genomic restructuring, including the loss of the sulfate assimilation pathway, which couples methionine starvation to a predatory behavioral switch. In this review, we highlight recent comparative genomics and functional studies as they relate to S. schoenii predation. For example, S. schoenii uses rewired mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, actin-based penetration pegs and a large tandem expansion of secreted aspartic proteases (SAPs) to breach prey cell walls. Analysis of its genome reveals structural adaptations, including AT-rich regional centromeres and dispersed mating-type (MAT) loci. The more we learn about S. schoenii’s contact-dependent attack, the greater the opportunities to deploy S. schoenii as a safe, mycotoxin-free biocontrol agent against both multi-drug-resistant Candida auris and post-harvest Penicillium molds. Full article

Auxetic polymers offer a route to deformation-activated sealing by transforming axial deformation into lateral expansion, enabling controlled conformity and retention within perforated structures. This paper presents the design-space-guided optimisation of a multi-material polymeric auxetic plug for mechanically activated sealing of circular perforation surrogates relevant to military ground-vehicle structures using a controlled thin-wall surrogate validation framework. The sealing combines an SLA-printed Elastic 50A photopolymer auxetic body with TPU 95A load-transfer and priming components. A parameterised re-entrant unit cell was optimised using response-surface design of experiments coupled with nonlinear finite-element analysis. The optimised geometry, with a height of 6 mm, length of 5 mm, strut thickness of 1.25 mm, and re-entrant angle of 31°, achieved a predicted negative Poisson’s ratio of −2.66 under 20% axial strain. Experimental validation using additively manufactured unit cells confirmed the intended auxetic deformation response. The optimised structure was then integrated into a multi-material plug and tested against a solid polymer benchmark, achieving sealing to approximately 22 kPa with improved anchoring across the tested 22–25 mm perforation range. The results establish a mechanism-driven pathway from polymer auxetic unit-cell optimisation to plug-level pressure-sealing performance, demonstrating the potential of multi-material auxetic architectures as deformation-activated sealing systems for temporary repair of perforated military ground-vehicle structures. Full article

Iron (Fe) deficiency and cadmium (Cd) contamination often co-occur in agricultural systems, yet the way in which Fe deficiency modulates Cd translocation remains unclear. Here, we investigated root cell wall modifications mediating Cd accumulation in two peanut cultivars with contrasting Fe deficiency tolerance. Fe deficiency significantly increased root Cd concentrations in both cultivars but reduced Cd translocation to shoots, an effect more pronounced in the tolerant cultivar Silihong. Cell wall analysis revealed cultivar-specific compositional changes: pectin and cellulose increased under combined Cd exposure and Fe deficiency, while hemicellulose (HC1) decreased. Negative correlations between Fe and Cd accumulation in roots, cell walls, and their components indicate competition between these two metal ions for binding sites in root cell walls. Increased pectin content under combined stress enhances Cd sequestration, while reduced HC1 content facilitates Fe mobilization to shoots. Transcriptomic analysis identified hub genes associated with cell wall modification, including pectinesterases (PME2/4/29/63), beta-galactosidases (BGAL3/5/8), polygalacturonases (PGs), pectin acetylesterases (PAE8), xyloglucan endotransglucosylase/hydrolases (XTH8/31) and laccases (LAC7/11/15). Under combined stress, Silihong exhibited superior Cd immobilization, characterized by higher Cd accumulation in HC1 and cellulose fractions, stronger induction of PME, PAE8 and LAC genes, and greater suppression of XTHs, PGs, and BGALs. Our findings demonstrate that Fe deficiency restricts Cd translocation by remodeling root cell walls, increasing pectin and cellulose while modulating hemicellulose integrity, thereby creating an expanded apoplastic reservoir that traps Cd. This structural detoxification mechanism, operating downstream of uptake transporters, identifies key cell wall components and regulatory genes as potential targets for breeding peanut cultivars with improved food safety. Full article

Valued for their lightweight, high strength-to-weight ratio, and energy absorption, sandwich composites were adopted across multiple industries. This paper evaluates the static and dynamic mechanical performances of sandwich configurations exploiting carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) and quartz fiber-reinforced polymer (QFRP) composite skins bonded to hexagonal Nomex^® or compliant Flex-Core^® cores. Skin thickness varied negligibly; therefore, this study focused on skin type and particularly core architecture influence on mechanical behavior. Three-point bending and flatwise compression tests evaluated flexural stiffness, core shear strength, and core compressive strength. DMA analysis was used to characterize their temperature-dependent viscoelastic response through the storage modulus, loss modulus, and damping factor. QFRP/Nomex emerged as the optimal configuration achieving the highest flexural stress, outperforming CFRP/Nomex by 14%, while restricting strain to 2.4% (compared to 7% for CFRP). DMA (Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer) analysis showed that QFRP/Nomex exhibits the highest storage and loss moduli. Observing the energy at break, CFRP/Nomex^® sandwiches stand out in their ability to absorb 60% more energy than QFRP/Nomex^® before total failure occurs, showing an overall superior energy absorption of CFRP skins. Conversely, flatwise compression tests revealed that QFRP/Flex-Core^® excelled in yield and compressive strengths, outperforming CFRP/Nomex by 10% and 8%, respectively, due to superior elastic matching. DMA damping profiles confirmed that the geometric compliance of curved Flex-Core^® cell walls in conjunction with QFRP skins accelerates structural yielding under shear and viscoelastic energy dissipation prior to chemical softening. This work highlights that sandwich structure design critically depends on managing core architecture and skin-to-core stiffness mismatch. Full article

Total flavonoids (TF) from Artemisia argyi, a traditional edible-medicinal Asteraceae herb, were extracted via a food-grade ternary deep eutectic solvent (TDES, Glycerol/Levulinic Acid/Xylitol = 1:1:1 molar ratio, 30% w/w water) under ultrasound assistance. A hybrid response surface methodology–genetic algorithm–artificial neural network (RSM-GA-ANN) model optimized parameters to deliver a maximum TF yield of 107.7 mg/g—1.5–1.8-fold higher than conventional hydroalcoholic extraction. Greenness was quantified by AGREEprep (score = 0.70) and MoGAPI (score = 80/100), confirming the method’s sustainability, with TDES retaining >84% extraction efficiency over three reuse cycles. Molecular dynamics simulations revealed TDES forms a more stable hydrogen bond network with plant cell walls (average H-bond lifetime: 101.279 ps vs. 46.698 ps for 50% ethanol), a finding validated by density functional theory calculations showing TDES establishes 7–9 hydrogen bonds with cellobiose (the cellulose repeating unit), far exceeding ethanol’s 1–2 hydrogen bonds. Purified TF exhibited potent radical-scavenging activity (DPPH IC₅₀: 0.176 mg/mL; ABTS IC₅₀: 0.159 mg/mL) and multipotent enzyme inhibition (α-glucosidase IC₅₀: 55.31 μg/mL; acetylcholinesterase IC₅₀: 0.618 mg/mL; pancreatic lipase IC₅₀: 0.125 mg/mL). TF also suppressed HCT116, A549, and HepG2 proliferation (IC₅₀ ≈ 50 μg/mL) and protected HepG2 cells against H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage. As an in silico probe, the predominant quantified flavonoid eupatilin (3.64 mg/g) docked to xanthine oxidase (−7.78 kcal/mol vs. allopurinol −6.86), offering a structural hypothesis for XO interaction without attributing mixture bioactivity to a single compound. This TDES-based platform offers a scalable, green route to valorize A. argyi for functional food and nutraceutical applications. Full article

β-1,6-Glucan is a functionally crucial polysaccharide of the fungal cell wall, although typically less abundant than β-1,3-glucan and chitin, its content, chain length, and branching vary considerably among species. Structurally, it serves as a covalent cross-linker tethering the external mannoprotein layer to the internal β-1,3-glucan-chitin network, contributing to cell wall integrity and plasticity. Biosynthetically, unlike chitin and β-1,3-glucan, which are synthesized by the plasma membrane-associated synthases, β-1,6-glucan biosynthesis depends on a multi-protein cooperative network spanning the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), Golgi, and cell surface, whose core catalytic machinery remains incompletely defined. Genetic and in vitro reconstitution studies have begun to delineate the contributions of ER-resident proteins (Kre5, Big1, Cwh41/Gls1, Rot2/Gls2, and Cne1), Golgi-localized Kre6/Skn1 family members, and cell-surface components (Kre9, Knh1, Kre1, and Kre11). Functionally, its biological roles are established by two complementary lines of evidence, namely enzymatic digestion by endogenous or exogenous β-1,6-glucanases and inactivation of the biosynthetic machinery. Collectively, these studies show that β-1,6-glucan is essential for cell wall architecture, GPI-anchored protein localization, fungal growth, morphogenesis, and virulence, and acts as a potent immunomodulatory molecule at the fungus–host interface. Elucidating its structure, biosynthesis, and function will advance fungal cell wall biology. Full article

Cell-wall polysaccharide O-acetylation contributes to cell-wall assembly, organ development, and plant–pathogen interactions, but the cucumber TBL gene family remains poorly characterized. Here, 37 CsTBL genes were identified genome-wide and analyzed using phylogenetic, syntenic, conserved-motif, gene-structure, promoter, protein-structure, Gene Ontology, and transcriptome approaches, followed by RT-qPCR analysis after powdery mildew inoculation. All CsTBL proteins contained the conserved GDS and DxxH motifs, whereas accessory motifs and predicted structural features varied among clades. Intraspecific analysis identified dispersed, WGD/segmental, and tandem duplication categories, and cross-species synteny was more extensive with melon than with Arabidopsis. Homology-derived annotations associated CsTBL genes with cell-wall polysaccharide metabolism, Golgi/endomembrane compartments, and O-acetyltransferase activity, including six genes assigned to xylan O-acetyltransferase-related annotations. Expression profiling revealed tissue- and developmental-stage-dependent patterns, whereas the publicly available powdery mildew RNA-seq dataset provided descriptive temporal expression profiles in Podosphaera xanthii-inoculated samples. Independent RT-qPCR analysis using time-matched mock controls revealed distinct post-inoculation responses among six selected genes. Relative to the corresponding mock controls, CsTBL2 was consistently repressed; CsTBL15 showed transient induction at 1 dpi followed by repression; CsTBL24 exhibited a biphasic response; CsTBL25 was induced at all sampled post-inoculation time points; CsTBL26 showed progressive induction; and CsTBL30 reached its highest observed expression level at 3 dpi. Integrated functional annotation and expression evidence highlighted CsTBL26 as a priority candidate for further functional characterization, while CsTBL24 and CsTBL25 represented fruit-associated candidates with distinct powdery mildew responses; CsTBL30 remained an additional strongly infection-responsive candidate. These findings provide an evolutionary and expression-based framework for the functional characterization of the cucumber TBL gene family. Full article

Aortopathies in autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARD) include a spectrum of aortic pathologies—including aortitis, aneurysms, dissections, and insufficiency—primarily caused by systemic inflammation. This comprehensive review investigates the clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, diagnostic modalities, and management strategies across various rheumatic diseases associated with aortopathies such as large vessel vasculitis (e.g., Takayasu arteritis, giant cell arteritis), connective tissue diseases (e.g., systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic sclerosis) and less common conditions (e.g., relapsing polychondritis, Cogan’s syndrome, Behçet’s disease, IgG4-related disease). Disease-specific pathophysiologic mechanisms of aortic wall inflammation and remodeling, including granulomatous and lymphoplasmacytic patterns and mixed inflammatory infiltrates, are described. Diagnostic imaging modalities—such as CTA, MRI, and PET/CT—are evaluated for their roles in detecting active inflammation, assessing structural complications, and guiding clinical decision-making. Histopathological findings provide insight into disease-specific vascular changes. Management strategies focus on the use of glucocorticoids, disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs), and biologics, including IL-6 and TNF-α inhibitors, with an emphasis on patient-centered approaches, multidisciplinary care, and timely surgical intervention for complications. Evidence gaps include optimal screening intervals and the role of novel biomarkers in risk stratification and in monitoring disease progression, highlighting the need for early recognition, frequent monitoring, and aggressive management of aortic involvement in rheumatic diseases to prevent life-threatening complications. Full article

Sortase A (SrtA) enzymes covalently anchor surface proteins to Gram-positive bacterial cell walls, promoting colonization and virulence. In Streptococcus pneumoniae, previous studies identified both a domain-swapped dimer and an active refolded monomer, but the active enzyme has not been characterized at the structural and residue-specific level. Here, we performed quantitative proteomic comparisons of wild-type and SrtA knockout strains that confirmed the loss of multiple LPxTG-containing virulence factors, including ZmpB, NanA, and IgA1 protease, consistent with an essential role for SrtA in surface protein anchoring. To enable mechanistic studies, we established a biochemical framework to produce monomeric Streptococcus pneumoniae SrtA by refolding and developed a gel-based assay using recombinant substrates to monitor catalytic activity. The refolded monomer, but not the swapped dimer, catalyzed cleavage and transpeptidation of a canonical LPxTG substrate in a metal-independent manner under the conditions examined. We further report high-resolution NMR backbone assignments for the active monomer and identify substrate-induced chemical shift perturbations that localize to the active site. Together, these findings provide an integrated proteomic, biochemical, and NMR characterization of monomeric, catalytically active Streptococcus pneumoniae SrtA and reveal residue-specific interactions with a canonical LPNTG recognition peptide. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable, non-animal-derived, and low-allergenic protein alternatives has driven research into innovative sources such as microalgae. This review focuses on three key microalgal species Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina), Chlorella vulgaris, and Tetraselmis chuii. It examines their cell wall structures, protein content, and amino acid profiles. Protein extraction methods, including physical, enzymatic, and chemical approaches, are critically discussed. Downstream purification techniques aimed at improving protein purity and quality are also reviewed. Protein characterization methods are discussed, highlighting their relevance to food applications. The potential applications of microalgal biomass and protein extracts in food and beverage products are evaluated, with consideration given to their functionality, safety, and regulatory aspects. Despite significant advances in this field, further research is essential to optimize extraction and processing technologies, facilitate their integration into mainstream food production, and improve overall process efficiency. Full article

Decades-old enterprise-resource-planning (ERP) systems lock operational data inside unstructured, human-readable reports, forcing slow, costly, error-prone manual re-keying. Because multimodal large language model (MLLM) capability is uneven, deploying MLLMs for extraction means trusting outputs without a labeled reference. We test this with a within-document controlled experiment on 400 controlled-substance stock-ledger documents (2951 records, 11 fields, predominantly Thai) from a Thai pharmaceutical factory, comparing trained human double-entry against four open-weight MLLMs (2 × 2 design: vendor × architecture) via OpenRouter. Human double-entry left 14 discrepancies against the adjudicated gold standard, none common to both operators. The strongest model, Qwen3-VL-32B-Instruct (Dense), reached 93.95% cell accuracy; among these four models, field accuracy varied more across vendors, whereas structural completeness differed consistently between dense models (0 missing records) and Mixture-of-Experts models (up to 51 of 2951 dropped). Deterministic accounting invariants flagged 0.61% of its records, leaving the unflagged majority 94.1% accurate across all 11 fields; adding calendar rules flagged 4.61% and raised residual date accuracy from 92.1% to 95.9%. We report both operating points and recommend the extended level where date fidelity is regulatory-critical. The pipeline is 13.5–29.4× faster in wall-clock terms and 97.5–99.5% cheaper. Gold-free, rule-based verification thus locates where MLLM reliability holds, giving human–AI collaboration quantified, disclosed residual risk rather than an implied guarantee. Even at the more conservative operating point, unflagged records average 94.5% accuracy across all 11 fields but only 43.7% on the free-text Remarks field, which the triage cannot check; the results support risk reduction and the localization of review effort, not unrestricted regulatory reliability across all fields. Full article

In this study, laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 steel plates with dimensions of 50 mm × 50 mm × 2 mm were fabricated using a laser power of 206 W, a scanning speed of 900 mm/s, a hatch spacing of 90 μm, a layer thickness of 30 μm, and an interlayer scanning rotation of 67°. The specimens were then subjected to solution treatment at 900–1100 °C for 30 min and at 950 °C for 30–120 min. Unlike previous ultrasonic studies on additively manufactured metals, which mainly focused on defect detection, elastic-constant characterization, or residual stress evaluation, this work investigates whether solution-treatment-induced changes in grain size and dislocation density can be quantitatively reflected by laser-ultrasonic attenuation and further correlated with yield strength. Laser ultrasonic nondestructive testing using a 1064 nm pulsed laser with a pulse width of 8 ns and a pulse energy of 500 mJ was combined with metallographic observation, EBSD characterization, XRD analysis, tensile testing, and microhardness measurement. The results show that the solution-treated samples retained a single-phase γ-austenitic structure, while microstructural recovery, weakening of PBF-LB-induced cellular substructures, and partial annihilation of cell-wall dislocations led to a reduction in KAM-derived dislocation density from 2.04 × 10¹⁴ m⁻² to 1.45 × 10¹⁴ m⁻² and a decrease in yield strength from 466.9 MPa to 407.4 MPa. Within the present dataset, the EBSD-equivalent grain size showed an apparent positive correlation with ultrasonic attenuation, while the KAM-derived dislocation density showed an empirical negative correlation with ultrasonic attenuation. However, ultrasonic attenuation should be interpreted as a combined microstructure-sensitive response rather than as a response controlled only by EBSD-equivalent grain size or dislocation density. Based on the empirical correlations among ultrasonic attenuation, EBSD-equivalent grain size, KAM-derived dislocation density, and yield strength, a preliminary attenuation-based calibration model was established for the present solution-treated samples. The model should be regarded as an in-sample empirical calibration within the present experimental range rather than a general Hall–Petch-based predictive model. The model showed good in-sample fitting performance, with (R²) values higher than 0.85 and a maximum in-sample fitting error of 3.85%. However, because the model was established and assessed using the same eight solution-treatment conditions, it should be regarded as a preliminary calibration model within the present experimental range rather than a general predictive model. This study demonstrates the potential of laser ultrasonic attenuation for non-contact evaluation of microstructural and mechanical-property variations in solution-treated PBF-LB 022Cr17Ni12Mo2 steel. Full article

It is essential to design electrode structures which simultaneously ensure mechanical strength and facilitate rapid sodium-ion transport to enable practical and large-scale sodium-ion battery (SIB) applications. In this study, we report a novel anode material featuring a cross-linked architecture composed of MoS₂ reinforced internally by catalytically derived CoS₂@C-supported carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and externally by commercial multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). This dual-reinforced configuration effectively prevents MoS₂ layer aggregation, enhances structural integrity, and establishes continuous conductive frameworks for efficient electron transmission. Additionally, it offers ample ion-diffusion pathways and mechanical resilience to buffer volume changes during cycling. Density functional theory (DFT) simulations reveal that the modified MoS₂ structure exhibits a significantly reduced sodium-ion diffusion barrier, contributing to enhanced charge-discharge kinetics. The CoS₂@C/CNTs@MoS₂@MWCNTs electrode achieves remarkable cycling stability, retaining 395 mA h g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ for 2000 cycles. In situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) along with kinetic analyses confirm a pseudocapacitance-dominated storage mechanism. Furthermore, full coin-type cells assembled with Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ cathodes demonstrate excellent cycling performance, demonstrating the practical potential of this design strategy for advanced SIBs. Full article

Cibotium barometz (L.) J.Sm., a medicinal fern, relies on three interconnected processes for in vitro propagation: spore germination, ordered gametophyte development, and successful initiation and early establishment of the sporophyte generation. However, during aseptic subculture, gametophytes frequently deviate from this developmental trajectory. The predominant abnormalities include filamentous arrest, thick fan-shaped blades, and irregular spatulate blades, all of which were associated with reduced archegonial maturation and subsequent sporophyte establishment. In this study, developmental time-course observation, paraffin-section histology, and medium-regulation experiments were integrated to establish a diagnosis–recovery–initiation framework for Cibotium barometz gametophytes. Spore germination and gametophyte development were divided into eight practical checkpoints: spore imbibition, spore-wall rupture, rhizoid emergence, rhizoid elongation, filamentous prothallus, lamellar prothallus, cordate gametophyte, and sporophyte formation. The ontogeny of archegonia was delineated into six histological stages, ranging from the initial-cell stage to the pre-fertilization stage. Based on an integrative assessment of population appearance, individual morphology, and anatomical sections, abnormal gametophytes were classified into three diagnostic categories. Filamentous arrest manifested as wool-like or thread-like growth patterns, featuring persistent chain-like cellular organization and failure to develop a two-dimensional blade. Thick fan-shaped blades showed pronounced enlargement and thickening; section images revealed narrow, densely packed cells, accumulation of storage compounds, and localized wall thickening, a pattern consistent with, but not sufficient to demonstrate, a preferential shift toward vegetative proliferation. Irregular spatulate blades were narrow and asymmetric and showed morphological and histological features suggestive of disrupted tissue polarity. Although archegonial initial cells or primordium-like structures were intermittently detected, they infrequently advanced to mature archegonia. Medium treatment significantly affected arrest rate, hypertrophy rate, sporophyte initiation, and mean young-sporophyte height (p < 0.001). Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with IAA, 6-BA, and activated carbon was associated with the highest arrest rate, whereas full-strength MS medium was associated with the most pronounced hypertrophy. Among hormone-free subculture treatments, 1/2 MS + activated carbon gave the highest sporophyte initiation rate (71.45% ± 9.16%); the same formula also performed well in primary hormone-free cultures (70.54% ± 9.07%). Correlation analysis showed a strong positive association between sporophyte initiation rate and mean young-sporophyte height (r = 0.935, p < 0.001), while arrest and hypertrophy were negatively associated with sporophyte initiation. These results support evaluating in vitro propagation using quantified developmental outcomes—arrest rate, hypertrophy rate, sporophyte initiation rate, and mean young-sporophyte height—rather than biomass alone. Under the tested conditions, hormone-free 1/2 MS + activated carbon was associated with the most favorable recovery outcomes; the underlying mechanisms require validation by quantitative histology, gene-expression analysis, endogenous-hormone profiling, and direct measurement of compounds adsorbed by activated carbon. Full article