Search Results (315)

Traditional sweet pepper germplasm represents a valuable source of variation in fruit quality traits for hybrid breeding and sustainable production. Although hybridization has mainly exploited heterosis for yield and related traits, its effect on fruit quality remains underexplored. In this single-year study, traditional Spanish genotypes and their hybrids, derived from crosses with modern virus-resistance donor lines, were evaluated in two organic environments in southeastern Spain: open-field conditions in Valencia and greenhouse conditions in Murcia. Sugars, vitamin C and flavonoids were determined by HPLC, while red and yellow-orange carotenoids were assessed spectrophotometrically. Genotype × environment responses, heterosis, principal component analysis and trait correlations were also evaluated. Genotype explained substantial variation in sugars, vitamin C and carotenoids, whereas environment was the main factor for flavonoids. Significant G × E interactions were detected for all traits. Sugars and vitamin C differed less between the two environments, while flavonoids and carotenoids tended to reach higher levels in the open-field trial. Positive mid-parent heterosis was more frequent than best-parent heterosis, highlighting P10 × P5 in sugars (26%, open-field), P6 × P10 in vitamin C (33%, greenhouse), P9 × P10 in flavonoids (82%, open-field) and P10 × P2 in carotenoids (87%, open-field). These results identified promising traditional genotypes and hybrids with high internal fruit quality under the tested conditions, although multi-year confirmation is needed. Full article

Madhuca indica J.F.Gmel. holds significant economic and industrial value due to its applications in traditional and modern medicine. Its oil is especially important for biodiesel production, owing to its high acid value and suitability as a non-edible feedstock. However, propagation is difficult due to low seed germination, seed recalcitrance, and poor rooting of stem cuttings, limiting large-scale multiplication through conventional methods. To address these limitations, a regeneration protocol using nodal explants was developed. Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium augmented with BA (5.0 µM) and NAA (0.5 µM) produced a maximum of 7.10 ± 0.11 shoots per explant with an average shoot length of 4.53 ± 0.22 cm after six weeks. Rooting was achieved on half-strength medium supplemented with IBA (1.0 µM), resulting in 4.83 ± 0.17 roots per shoot and a root length of 4.50 ± 0.20 cm. In vitro-derived plants were successfully acclimatised in Soilrite with an 82.3% survival rate. The explants were derived from aseptic seedling material, representing juvenile rather than mature elite donor sources. Direct shoot bud development was verified by histological examination. Within the resolution of the employed marker systems, no polymorphism was found utilising RAPD and ISSR markers. SEM showed similar leaf surface characteristics, and physiological and biochemical studies were carried out throughout acclimatisation. A partial overlap in metabolite composition with qualitative and relative quantitative differences between mother and in vitro-derived plants was shown by GC–MS-based profiling. Overall, the study establishes a reproducible regeneration system for M. indica, providing a basis for further optimisation and conservation-oriented applications. Full article

Early and late leaf spot (ELS and LLS), caused by Passalora arachidicola and Nothopassalora personata, are major constraints to peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production. Durable resistance in cultivated germplasm remains limited due to the crop’s narrow genetic base. Wild Arachis species represent an important but underutilized source of resistance. This study aimed to identify and prioritize wild introgressions associated with foliar disease resistance in advanced peanut backcross lines derived from the induced allotetraploid BatSten1 (Arachis batizocoi × A. stenosperma)^4x. A population of advanced backcross lines carrying reduced wild genome content (~5% to ~1% across advancement) was evaluated through four years of field trials for LLS severity and yield, complemented by detached-leaf bioassays to dissect resistance components for both ELS and LLS. Genome-wide SNP genotyping, combined with mixed-model analysis and association mapping, identified introgressed regions influencing disease response. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) detected loci on chromosomes A06 and A09 associated with LLS resistance, explaining approximately 25% and 11% of phenotypic variation, respectively, with evidence of additive effects between loci. Component-level analyses further revealed both resistance- and susceptibility-associated introgressions. Although tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) incidence was evaluated in field trials, exploratory GWAS did not detect significant marker–trait associations, indicating that genetic components associated with this trait were not resolved under the conditions tested. Overall, these results expand the understanding of the genetic architecture of leaf spot resistance beyond traditional donor sources and provide a framework for prioritizing beneficial wild introgressions while minimizing linkage drag in peanut pre-breeding programs. Full article

We report the synthesis of the new compound 2-chloro-4,5,6,7-tetrafluoro-2-(methylthio)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione (Compound 3), which presents an important type of fluoro-containing heterocycles and is a useful intermediate product in organic synthesis. The structure of the compound was confirmed by the NMR and elemental analysis. A quantum-chemical comparison (DFT) of 2-chloro-2-(methylthio)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-dione (with C-H bonds, compound 4) and its 4,5,6,7-tetrafluoro derivative (with C-F bonds, compound 3) at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level in THF showed that the introduction of four fluorine atoms into the benzene ring causes a systematic shortening of the C=O, C-Cl, and C-C bonds of the five-membered ring, as well as an almost twofold decrease in the dipole moment. Replacing hydrogen with fluorine leads to a simultaneous stabilization of the frontier orbitals and a narrowing of the HOMO–LUMO energy gap, while the electron affinity increases by 0.39 eV and the electrophilicity index increases from 2.77 to 3.24 eV, making compound 3 a strong electrophile. Analysis of donor–acceptor interactions (NBOs) and condensed Fukui indices confirms that perfluorination selectively increases the electrophilicity of the sp³-carbon center of C-Cl, making it more susceptible to nucleophilic attack. At the same time, the isodesmic reaction with 1,2,4,5-tetrafluorobenzene yields a positive free energy change (ΔG = +13.4 kcal/mol), indicating that the increased reactivity of compound 3 is kinetic rather than thermodynamic in nature. The synthesized 1,3-indandione derivative thus represents a promising precursor for tetrafluoroninhydrin and can be considered a biologically active compound. Thus, perfluorination of the indandione skeleton is an effective tool for targeted enhancement of electrophilic properties without fundamentally changing the geometry of the molecule, which opens up prospects for the design of new highly reactive reagents. Full article

Folate is a central nutrient in one-carbon metabolism, contributing to nucleotide biosynthesis, methionine cycling, methyl-donor supply, and epigenetic regulation. In animals, the intestine is both a principal site of folate absorption and a key target organ for folate action. This narrative review focuses primarily on livestock, poultry, aquaculture species, ruminants, and animal-source food enrichment, while also using rodent, human, and in vitro studies as mechanistic or translational evidence. We synthesize evidence on folate absorption, transport, and metabolism and evaluate the mechanisms through which folate influences intestinal health. Available evidence suggests that adequate folate supply may support epithelial renewal, tight-junction integrity, mucosal immune balance, antioxidant capacity, gut microbiota stability, short-chain fatty acid production, and epigenetic regulation of intestinal development. These effects have been reported in poultry, pigs, fish, ruminants, rodents, and maternal–offspring models. However, the evidence is uneven across species, and dose–response relationships, folate forms, bioavailability, and species-specific requirements remain major limitations for translating current knowledge into animal production. Future studies should compare folic acid, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, natural reduced folates, microbiota-derived folate, and folate-producing probiotics; quantify the contribution of microbiota-derived folate to host methyl-donor pools; and develop precision strategies that integrate folate with other one-carbon nutrients, probiotics, and product-enrichment technologies. Full article

Tissue engineering using the self-assembly approach represents a promising technology. However, age-related reductions in extracellular matrix deposition by stromal cells limit the mechanical robustness of reconstructed tissues what can be critical for midurethral sling reconstruction. Indeed, stress urinary incontinence predominantly affects women over 50 years of age and is commonly treated by implantation of midurethral slings, whose synthetic versions have raised concerns regarding safety and long-term tolerance. In this study, we investigated whether biochemical modulation could enhance collagen deposition and mechanical properties of self-assembled dermal tissues reconstructed from female donors of different ages. Dermal fibroblasts were cultured in the presence of ascorbic acid, and the effects of hormonal supplementation, metabolic and hypoxia-related stimuli, and insulin signaling activation were evaluated using collagen quantification, histological analyses, and mechanical testing. Fibroblasts derived from younger donors deposited significantly more collagen than those from older female donors. Among all tested conditions, insulin like growth factor 1 (IGF 1) markedly increased collagen deposition in a dose-dependent manner, including in fibroblasts from women over 50 years of age, whereas β-estradiol and progesterone had no significant effect on collagen content. Although β-estradiol slightly increased tissue thickness, only IGF-1 supplementation resulted in substantial improvements in perforation strength, stiffness, displacement at break, and toughness. These results demonstrate that IGF-1 is a potent enhancer of extracellular matrix production and mechanical performance in dermal tissues reconstructed by the self-assembly approach, and represents a promising strategy to improve the development of biological midurethral slings. Full article

A transition-metal-free method for the selective hydroxylation of o-fluorobenzamides has been developed, providing efficient access to salicylamides under basic conditions. The reaction proceeds with KOt-Bu and H₂O in DMSO, affording the desired products in good to excellent yields with broad functional group tolerance and high ortho selectivity. Mechanistic studies indicate that the reaction critically depends on the hydrogen-bond donor ability and conformational flexibility of the amide. This work provides a practical approach to salicylamides and related derivatives and highlights hydrogen-bond-controlled reactivity in nucleophilic aromatic substitution. Full article

Photocycloaddition reactions provide an efficient strategy for converting alkenes into structurally complex and high-value molecules that are often difficult to access under conventional thermal conditions. Herein, two readily accessible triarylamine-based imine molecular cages possessing distinct cavity environments were investigated as supramolecular photocatalysts for reactions of pyridinium-masked enol (PME) substrates with unactivated alkenes. Spectroscopic studies are consistent with the formation of electron donor–acceptor (EDA) interactions between the electron-rich cage frameworks and electron-deficient PME substrates. Upon blue-light irradiation (450 nm), these charge-transfer assemblies undergo photoinduced activation, likely involving single-electron transfer, N–O bond cleavage, and subsequent radical generation. The resulting radical intermediates participate in formal [4 + 2] cycloaddition reactions to afford tetralone derivatives under metal-free conditions. Comparative studies revealed that the two cages produce distinct product distributions and selectivities, suggesting that subtle variations in cage architecture and confined supramolecular environments influence the fate of reactive radical intermediates and the balance between productive cyclization and competing side pathways. While the detailed mechanistic origin of these effects remains unresolved, this work demonstrates the potential of covalent organic cages as structurally tunable platforms for modulating EDA-mediated photochemical reactivity and radical selectivity. Full article

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a central feature of aging, driving bioenergetic decline, increased oxidative stress, and increased vulnerability to neurodegenerative diseases. Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) and iPSC-derived neurons provide powerful models to study these processes. Ginkgo biloba extract GBE LI1370 (GBE) has demonstrated antioxidant and mitochondria-protective properties in preclinical models, including improvements in mitochondrial membrane potential, reduction in reactive oxygen species, and enhanced neuronal survival. However, its effects on mitochondrial function in human iPSCs and their differentiated derivatives in the context of aging have not yet been investigated. This study evaluated the mitochondrial protective effects of GBE (100 µg/mL) in an established iPSC-based model of aging and in neurons and astrocytes derived from aged iPSCs. Mitochondrial parameters, including ATP production, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mtROS), superoxide levels, and mitochondrial respiration, were assessed. Aged iPSCs exhibited reduced ATP production and MMP, together with increased mtROS and superoxide levels compared to young controls. Astrocytes derived from aged iPSCs also displayed mitochondrial dysfunction. Treatment with GBE for 24 h increased ATP production and MMP, reduced oxidative stress, and improved mitochondrial respiration in both young and aged iPSCs, as well as in aged iPSC-derived neurons and astrocytes. These preliminary donor-based findings support further investigation of GBE-associated mitochondrial responses in human donor-derived cellular models of aging and warrant validation in larger donor cohorts. Full article

Annually, there are more than two million deaths from liver disease. This is driven by organ inflammation and scarring, leading to a decline in function and regeneration. Frequently, this can develop into decompensated liver disease, resulting in the loss of physiological balance and toxin build-up within the body, with an increased risk of patient mortality. Currently, there are no approved medicines for the long-term treatment of liver cirrhosis. The only successful treatment option for end-stage liver disease patients is donor organ transplantation. However, patient requirement outstrips the number of donated organs. To address this bottleneck, researchers around the world have developed cell-based prototype systems to restore failing liver function, with some in clinical trials. Although significant progress has been made, no mainstream commercial liver assist products are available for routine clinical use. In this study we developed a stem cell-derived vascularized liver tissue implant prototype from pluripotent cells. The liver tissue was produced from a stem cell line that is banked at clinical grade, and displayed stable and mature liver function over a 6-week period in vitro. This included decreasing levels of the fetal marker, alpha-fetoprotein, when the serum albumin increased. This was further supported by stable alpha-1-antitrypsin secretion and cytochrome P450 function. Following the establishment of stable liver tissue, it was delivered as a cell product or attached to an electrospun polycaprolactone scaffold, to form a tissue implant. Next, cellular material was quality-controlled, and subsequently shipped to a contract research organization for external in vivo validation. The transplanted liver tissue functioned when implanted into the kidney capsule and subcutaneously, remaining functional for up to two weeks in vivo. Full article

dTDP-L-rhamnose (Deoxythymidine diphospho-L-rhamnose) is a crucial active sugar nucleotide that serves as the key glycosyl donor for the synthesis of rhamnose-containing polysaccharides in bacteria, holding broad application potential in pathogen-associated molecular mimicry and vaccine development. In this study, the rhamnose synthase gene cluster (Pa-RmlABCD) was successfully cloned for the first time from the marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans Hao 2018. Four key enzymes—Glc-1-P thymidylyltransferase (Pa-RmlA), dTDP-glucose-4,6-dehydratase (Pa-RmlB), dTDP-4-keto-6-deoxyglucose 3,5-epimerase (Pa-RmlC), and dTDP-4-keto-rhamnose reductase (Pa-RmlD)—were heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. A one-pot four-enzyme synthesis system was constructed, and the successful synthesis of dTDP-L-rhamnose was verified by Q Exactive Focus. After correction for recovery (92% ± 2%), the actual yield reached 3.47 mg/L with a conversion rate of 53.4% ± 1.1%. Combined with bioinformatics analysis, tertiary structure modeling, and molecular docking simulations, the sequence characteristics, substrate binding modes, and catalytic mechanisms of Pa-RmlABCD were systematically elucidated. By characterizing the marine-derived Pa-RmlABCD system and achieving efficient one-pot synthesis, this work opens up a new avenue for the sustainable production of dTDP-L-rhamnose, with the potential to alleviate the current industrial supply constraints. Full article

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system and is the leading cause of neurological disability. Currently, the main strategy for MS therapy is the use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). If low-efficacy DMTs are ineffective, patients are transferred to high-efficacy DMTs, which possess more severe side effects associated with immunosuppression. Therefore, the search for new add-on therapies for MS that can enhance the effect of low-efficacy DMTs is relevant. Curcumin, being a natural polyphenol, has immunoregulatory properties and a favorable safety profile. In addition, micellar forms of curcumin can increase its bioavailability. We studied the effect of micellar curcumin on clinical and laboratory parameters in patients with MS receiving low-efficacy DMTs (IFN-β). Methods: Sixty patients with MS and a suboptimal response to IFN-β were randomized (1:1) into two groups: the IFN-CUR group, which received add-on therapy with micellar curcumin (containing curcumin and Tween 80 as a solubilizer) for 6 months, and a control group (IFN group), which received IFN-β alone. The 6-month treatment period was followed by a subsequent 6-month follow-up off curcumin treatment (DMTs only). Results: The proportion of patients without relapses in the curcumin add-on group increased significantly after 6 months (from 57% to 90%, p = 0.007), and the risk of exacerbation was significantly lower compared to the control group (HR = 0.2; p = 0.03). The treatment was associated with EDSS score stabilization, a positive effect on depression (p = 0.05), and a reduction in plasma IFN-γ levels (p = 0.02). A decreasing trend in MRI lesion activity and reductions in specific microbiota-related markers, including the Eggerthella lenta-associated marker (i16a), were also observed. In ex vivo cultures, curcumin significantly inhibited IL-6 production in macrophages derived from patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy donors. Conclusions: Add-on therapy with micellar curcumin may enhance the efficacy of IFN-β, improving clinical outcomes and modulating inflammatory and microbial parameters in MS patients with a suboptimal response to IFN-β treatment. Full article

Background/Objectives: Healthcare activities contribute significantly to climate change and environmental pollution. The demand for bone grafting is increasing, and the biological properties of bone substitute materials are critically important. A methodology aimed at preserving BMPs may offer an opportunity to improve the biological properties of donor cadaver-derived bone grafts. The aim of this study was to conduct a life cycle assessment of the BMP-preserving approach used in allograft production in order to enhance the environmental sustainability of bone grafting. Methods: Following primary data collection at the West Hungarian Regional Tissue Bank, environmental impacts were assessed using the OpenLCA software and the ReCiPe v1.03 (2016) midpoint and endpoint impact categories. A sensitivity analysis was also conducted under six alternative scenarios to evaluate which changes would have the greatest beneficial effect on environmental impacts. Results: The greatest environmental impacts of allograft production were observed in the categories of material resources: metals and minerals, terrestrial ecotoxicity, and climate change. The climate change impact was 66.759 kg CO₂-eq. The environmental impacts of the production process also had a significant influence on human health, with a total DALY value of 6.58 h. The impacts were primarily driven by electricity consumption and the chemicals used; however, in several impact categories, waste management also contributed substantially. Conclusions: Transitioning to more sustainable energy sources (e.g., wind power) would substantially improve the environmental performance of allograft production. Further research is needed to identify more sustainable alternatives for the chemical agents used during processing. Full article

Soil salinity remains a major constraint to rice productivity, particularly during early developmental stages when plants are highly sensitive to osmotic and ionic stress. In this study, we evaluated 201 genetically diverse rice genotypes from the 3K Rice Diversity Panel to investigate stage-specific mechanisms of salinity tolerance and develop machine learning-based predictive models for rapid phenotypic screening. Morphological and physiological traits were measured under control and saline conditions at germination and early seedling stages to derive Stress Tolerance Indices (STIs). The average membership function value (AMFV), calculated from multi-trait STI profiles, effectively captured variation in salinity responses and enabled classification of genotypes into five tolerance categories. Genome-wide association analysis using high-density SNP markers identified 36 significant marker–trait associations, including potentially novel SNPs on chromosomes 1 and 12. Several loci co-localized with candidate genes (LTR1, LGF1, OsCPS4, OsNCX7, and OsNHX4), while functional SNPs within genes (OsDRP2C, RLCK168, and OsMed37_2) and non-synonymous variants (qSVII11.1 and qSNaK3.1) further supported their candidacy in salinity tolerance. Mining favourable SNPs of causal genes identified superior multilocus combinations consistent with STI-based phenotypic patterns, with genotype 91-382 emerging as the strongest performer, exhibiting enhanced Na⁺ exclusion, K⁺ retention, and biomass resilience across developmental stages. To address multicollinearity among STI traits, we applied cross-validated LASSO (germination) and Elastic Net (early seedling) models, achieving high predictive accuracy and revealing a developmental shift from biomass-driven tolerance at germination to ion-regulatory processes at the seedling stage. Independent validation showed strong agreement between predicted and observed AMFVs. By integrating physiological indices, GWAS-derived SNP signals, and regularized machine learning approaches, this study provides a robust framework for identifying elite donors and accelerating breeding for salt-tolerant rice. Full article

Water-soluble fullerene derivatives such as fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₂₄ are promising candidates for nanomedicine applications, yet their effects on innate immune cells remain poorly characterized. We investigated the interaction of fullerenol with human neutrophils isolated from healthy donors, exposed to concentrations of 0.25–200 μg/mL over 24–72 h. Using multi-parameter flow cytometry, we assessed viability, apoptosis, phagocytic activity, and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, complemented by cell-free DPPH radical scavenging assays. Fullerenol was taken up by neutrophils in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. No significant cytotoxicity was observed up to 100 μg/mL, while viability declined at 200 μg/mL. Phagocytosis of opsonized E. coli was preserved at lower concentrations, though a statistically significant negative correlation with fullerenol concentration was detected at higher doses. In cell-free assays, fullerenol scavenged DPPH radicals with an EC₅₀ of 48.90 ± 10.02 μg/mL, exhibiting slower kinetics than Trolox or ascorbic acid. Critically, fullerenol suppressed intracellular ROS production by >33% at 50 μg/mL following PMA stimulation of neutrophils. These findings demonstrate that fullerenol C₆₀(OH)₂₄ combines potent intracellular antioxidant activity with a favorable neutrophil safety profile, supporting its potential application in oxidative stress-related conditions. Full article