Search Results (22,947)

Camellia oleifera is a significant woody oil tree species native solely to China. The bud–seedling grafting technique has been widely applied to this tree due to its significant advantages in improving propagation efficiency and shortening the growth cycle. However, the healing process and its underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms during interspecific heterografting in Camellia remain poorly understood. In this study, we established both homografting and heterografting systems using C. oleifera bud seedlings as rootstocks, grafted with scions from C. oleifera, C. meiocarpa, and C. weiningensis. We systematically investigated the response patterns and differences in metabolites and gene expression before and after grafting healing through endogenous hormone detection, LC-MS untargeted metabolomics, and transcriptomic sequencing. The results showed that the grafting survival rates between C. oleifera and the other species were high (>88%), indicating strong compatibility. Metabolomic analysis revealed that differential metabolites, such as Gibberellin A53, Sophoramine, and Morellin, accumulated significantly with prolonged grafting time, and interspecific grafting combinations exhibited specific highly expressed metabolite profiles. We integrated multi-dimensional data comprising hormone levels, differential metabolites, and DEGs. A “hormone-gene” interaction network was constructed using WGCNA. The analysis revealed that key hub genes, including CYP73A, F3H, CHS, LHCA1, and LHCB5, were significantly correlated with flavonoid biosynthesis and elevated iPR content. We hypothesize that these genes enhance graft healing capacity by regulating secondary metabolism and hormone signaling pathways. The identified candidate genes, phytohormones, and metabolites provide potential molecular markers and regulatory targets for evaluating graft compatibility, selecting suitable rootstock–scion combinations, and optimizing grafting and propagation practices in C. oleifera, providing a crucial theoretical basis for superior cultivar breeding and the investigation of graft compatibility mechanisms. Full article

Urban green infrastructure design faces growing challenges posed by climate change and urbanization, necessitating precise, site-specific plant selection. Existing approaches rely on general guidelines and lack integration of environmental data with reproducible decision-making methods. This study proposes a data-driven parametric framework combining Grasshopper with environmental analysis plugins (Ladybug, Honeybee, Gismo) and a custom rule-based plant suitability model. A botanical database of over 100 species was developed to encode environmental requirements, growth characteristics, and maintenance parameters. The system processes site-specific solar radiation, soil conditions, microclimate, and water availability to evaluate plant–environment compatibility and generate spatially explicit planting configurations. The framework was validated in an urban case study, demonstrating improved alignment between plant requirements and site conditions and reduced selection time compared to conventional approaches. Integrating environmental data with parametric tools supports more transparent and reproducible decision-making in climate-responsive urban vegetation design. Full article

FOXO/DAF-16 is involved in stress resistance and metabolic regulation, but the molecular mechanisms of its interaction with hypoxia remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the anti-hypoxic effects of Poecilobdella manillensis bioactive peptide (PMP) and to investigate whether IIS/FOXO acts as a key node in mediating the regulation of oxidative stress and metabolic reprogramming. In the chemical hypoxia model of Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) induced by sodium sulfite, PMP treatment improved the survival status and movement, feeding, and reproductive ability of hypoxic C. elegans, and significantly increased their survival rate. It also reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipofuscin levels in C. elegans, enhancing their tolerance to oxidative and heat stress. In the terminal normobaric hypoxia mice model, PMP intervention prolonged the survival time of hypoxic mice, alleviated the damage of heart, lung, and brain tissues, and increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and glutathione (GSH) levels, and decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in serum and tissues of mice. ¹H-NMR metabolomics analysis showed that PMP treatment reversed hypoxia-induced abnormalities in key metabolites such as glucose, lactic acid, glutamic acid, and taurine. Next, we utilized C. elegans mutants deficient in daf-2, age-1, akt-1, daf-16, and hsp-16.2, and further observed the nuclear translocation of DAF-16 in DAF-16::GFP C. elegans. The results showed PMP induced DAF-16 nuclear translocation and upregulated the expression of downstream SOD-3. Key metabolites representing antioxidant and energy metabolism were measured in the daf-16 mutant C. elegans. The results showed that PMP intervention failed to restore the levels of glucose, lactic acid, glutamic acid, and taurine in the mutant. Finally, 12 peptides containing antioxidant-related bioactive amino acid residues in PMP were screened by UPLC-Q-Exactive-MS and peptide biological activity prediction. Among them, molecular docking showed that KPPGP had a good binding with FOXO1. In conclusion, in C. elegans, PMP activated DAF-16/FOXO by inhibiting the Insulin/insulin-like growth factor-1 signaling (IIS) pathway and regulated redox homeostasis and metabolic reprogramming to resist hypoxia injury, and this protective effect was also observed in mouse models. IIS/FOXO can be used as a key node to regulate oxidative stress and energy metabolism under hypoxic conditions, and the identification of KPPGP provides insights into the screening and study of bioactive peptides in natural products. Full article

Ajania achilleoides, a wild species with strong environmental adaptability, is a valuable germplasm resource for genetic improvement and functional gene studies. However, efficient in vitro regeneration and genetic transformation systems for this species remain undeveloped, limiting functional gene characterization and genetic improvement of this valuable germplasm resource. In this study, leaf explants were used to establish an efficient regeneration system by evaluating different combinations of plant growth regulators and to develop an Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated genetic transformation system for A. achilleoides. MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg/L 6-benzyladenine (6-BA) and 1.0 mg/L α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) achieved the highest adventitious shoot regeneration rate (99%), while 1/2 MS medium containing 0.5 mg/L indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) was optimal for rooting, resulting in a 100% rooting rate. Critical hygromycin concentrations for shoot regeneration and rooting selection were determined to be 25 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. For transformation, the best results were obtained with a 3-day preculture, bacterial suspension at OD₆₀₀ = 0.2, 30 min infection, and 2-day co-cultivation. PCR and sequencing confirmed the successful integration of the target genes into the genome, yielding three positive transgenic lines with a molecular confirmation rate of 30%. This study establishes a stable and efficient regeneration and transformation system for A. achilleoides, providing a platform for functional gene analysis and molecular breeding of wild chrysanthemum species. Full article

Drought stress triggers significant adaptive responses in plant morphology and physiology. As a representative xerophytic genus, Zygophyllum possesses distinct drought-adaptive traits in morphology, anatomical structure and physiological metabolism. This study examined the responses of three Zygophyllum species (Zygophyllum fabago, Zygophyllum brachypterum, and Zygophyllum obliquum) to progressive osmotic stress induced by 20% PEG-6000 over 28 days under controlled conditions. Among the three species, Z. brachypterum displayed the greatest tolerance, as evidenced by its lowest wilting rate, longest root elongation, and more stable leaf anatomical traits under stress, despite a general decrease in all measured structural parameters across species. Physiologically, Z. brachypterum showed the smallest reduction in leaf water content (5.99% vs. 13.51% in Z. fabago and 20.31% in Z. obliquum), the smallest increase in relative electrolyte leakage (126.72% vs. 172.84% and 162.91%, respectively), lower excised-leaf water loss, and sustained higher photosynthetic rates during later stress stages. It also accumulated the lowest levels of total reactive oxygen species (ROS) and malondialdehyde (MDA), alongside the highest proline content and the highest activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT). Based on a comprehensive evaluation integrating multiple morphological, anatomical, photosynthetic, antioxidant, and osmotic-adjustment indicators through principal component analysis and membership function analysis, the drought-resistance ranking at the seedling stage was determined as Z. brachypterum > Z. fabago > Z. obliquum. The superior tolerance of Z. brachypterum was associated with its more stable leaf structure, enhanced water retention, sustained late-stage photosynthesis, and stronger antioxidant and osmotic adjustment capacities. These findings provide physiological insights into PEG-induced osmotic stress tolerance in Zygophyllum seedlings. Full article

Urban trees are important biological carbon pools in cities, yet their standing carbon stocks and the associated methodological uncertainty regarding their evaluation often vary among functional spaces. This study assessed 2442 individual trees representing 148 species in 116 standard 20 m × 20 m plots in the core urbanized area of Qingdao, China. Individual-tree carbon stocks were estimated from diameter at breast height, tree height, wood basic density, and allometric equations and were analyzed across urban functional units (UFUs), DBH classes, and species. Under the baseline Chave model, the sampled trees stored 153.337 Mg C, equivalent to 562.237 Mg CO₂, with a mean carbon density of 33.047 Mg C ha⁻¹. Residential districts contributed the highest total carbon stock, whereas public affairs service districts had the highest carbon density. Trees with DBH ≥ 40 cm accounted for only 3.93% of individuals but contributed 29.50% of the total carbon stock, and the top 20 species contributed approximately 79.0%. Alternative China-specific equations increased total estimates by 9.38–11.24% but covered only 10 of 148 species and 21.38% of trees at most; the UFU ranking and the main size- and species-contribution patterns remained unchanged. A root-to-shoot parameter sensitivity analysis likewise affected absolute estimates but not relative patterns. These findings support conserving mature trees, maintaining medium-sized trees as future carbon reserves, and targeting greening improvements to low-carbon-density functional spaces while recognizing the uncertainty inherent in absolute carbon-stock estimates. Full article

Helichrysum arenarium (L.) Moench is a European native species typically associated with dry, sunny, sandy, and nutrient-poor habitats. In European herbal practice, preparations from H. arenarium inflorescences are traditionally used for the symptomatic relief of digestive complaints. Polyphenolic constituents, particularly flavonoid and chalcone derivatives, are among the most characteristic compounds detected in the inflorescences. Intensive harvesting and degradation of natural habitats have increased pressure on wild populations. Since H. arenarium is legally protected in many countries, biotechnological approaches for plant biomass production represent a promising alternative. In the present study, shoot and callus cultures were established, and detailed extract profiling was performed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode-array detection and electrospray ionization multistage mass spectrometry (UHPLC-DAD-ESI-MS³). Cytotoxic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-collagenase, and anti-hyaluronidase activities were also evaluated. In vitro-derived materials were compared with inflorescences and shoots of the maternal plant. The analyzed materials showed pronounced tissue-dependent metabolic differentiation. The highest callus growth rate was observed for the Ha-C-1 line, which also accumulated the highest levels of chlorogenic acid (25.80 ± 3.09 mg/g dry extract) and isochlorogenic acid A (55.83 ± 13.78 mg/g dry extract). Apigenin was detected in the inflorescence extract, reaching 3.55 ± 1.42 mg/g dry extract. The extracts did not markedly affect HaCaT viability at 15.63–500 µg/mL, while the strongest bioactivities were observed for inflorescence and maternal plant extracts. Full article

Background and Objectives: Accurate diagnosis of intestinal parasitic infections remains essential for patient management, surveillance, and control programs. The Mini Parasep^® and Mini Parasep^® Solvent-Free (SF) fecal parasite concentrators were developed to improve laboratory safety and simplify stool processing; however, their diagnostic performance has not been comprehensively synthesized. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the diagnostic sensitivity of Mini Parasep^® for detecting intestinal parasites in human stool specimens. Materials and Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted in Ovid, Embase, Scopus, PubMed, Nursing & Allied Health Premium, and Google Scholar from database inception to the final search date. Studies evaluating Mini Parasep^® or Mini Parasep^® SF in human stool samples and reporting sufficient data to calculate diagnostic sensitivity were eligible. A composite reference standard, defined as positivity by any diagnostic method used within each study, was accepted as the reference standard. Pooled sensitivity estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using random-effects models. Subgroup analyses were performed according to parasite species, study design, geographic region, country, and participant characteristics. Results: Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria. Overall, Mini Parasep^® demonstrated good sensitivity for detecting any intestinal parasitic infection, with a pooled sensitivity of 82.4% (95% CI: 61.0–93.4%, I² = 95.3%, 6 studies). Among pathogenic protozoa, pooled sensitivities were 78.9% (95% CI: 39.3–95.6%, I² = 43.7%, 4 studies) for Entamoeba histolytica, 76.3% (95% CI: 34.8–95.1%, I² = 71.1%, 4 studies) for Giardia duodenalis, and 74.4% (95% CI: 60.4–84.7%, I² = 0%, 2 studies) for Blastocystis spp. Among soil-transmitted helminths, sensitivity was highest for Ascaris lumbricoides (92.8%; 95% CI: 88.4–95.7%, I² = 0%, 2 studies), followed by Strongyloides stercoralis (73.7%; 95% CI: 50.2–88.6%, I² = 0%; 3 studies), hookworm (53.6%; 95% CI: 33.3–72.8%, I² = 23.1%, 5 studies), and Trichuris trichiura (39.4%; 95% CI: 8.6–81.8%, I² = 74.8%; 3 studies). High sensitivities were observed for Taenia spp. (89.0%; 95% CI: 74.0–95.8%, I² = 0%; 3 studies) and Schistosoma mansoni (92.8%; 95% CI: 86.9–96.1%, I² = 0%, 2 studies), whereas sensitivity for Opisthorchis viverrini was moderate (56.8%; 95% CI: 35.1–76.1%, I² = 88.8%, 7 studies). High heterogeneity was observed for several parasite-specific analyses. Conclusions: Mini Parasep^® demonstrates good overall diagnostic sensitivity and performs particularly well for A. lumbricoides, S. mansoni, and Taenia spp. However, diagnostic performance varies substantially across parasite species, with lower sensitivity observed for hookworm, T. trichiura, and O. viverrini. Mini Parasep^® represents a practical alternative to conventional concentration techniques for routine stool examination, although complementary diagnostic approaches may be required when detecting low-intensity infections or parasites with lower recovery rates. Full article

The sustainable management of urban pruning residues is increasingly important for promoting circular bioeconomy practices and reducing green waste disposal. This study evaluated the composting potential of pruning biomass from 18 urban tree species (11 deciduous and 7 coniferous) and assessed the effects of biomass type and feedstock ratio on compost quality. Plant residues were composted with fresh cow manure using two compost ratios: V1 (700 g manure + 100 g plant biomass) and V2 (700 g manure + 700 g plant biomass). Compost quality was evaluated through pH, macroelement (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and total microelement (Mn, Cu, and Zn) and heavy metal (Pb, Cd, and Ni) concentrations. The composting ratio was the primary factor controlling compost properties. V1 produced alkaline composts (pH 7.96–9.42) with higher nutrient concentrations, whereas V2 generated composts with pH values closer to neutrality (7.39–9.44). Increasing the proportion of plant biomass reduced macronutrient concentrations, with total N ranging from 2.23% in V1 to 0.72% in V2, and potassium decreasing by 50–80% relative to V1. In contrast, micronutrient concentrations increased in V2, reaching 1142.7 mg·kg⁻¹ Mn and 481.1 mg·kg⁻¹ Zn. Total heavy metal concentrations also increased with greater biomass incorporation, although values generally remained low; the highest Ni concentration (15.77 mg·kg⁻¹) was recorded in Paulownia tomentosa compost. Species-specific responses were observed for nutrient release and metal accumulation, highlighting differences between deciduous and coniferous feedstocks. The findings demonstrate that compost quality is primarily determined by the manure-to-biomass ratio, while tree species influence nutrient dynamics and trace element accumulation. Composts with higher manure proportions are suitable for nutrient enrichment and acidic soil amelioration, whereas biomass-rich composts provide enhanced micronutrient contents but require monitoring of heavy metal accumulation. Full article

Soil degradation in vineyards represents an increasing concern. Among vineyard management practices, under-row weed control is often performed through mechanical methods relying on equipment that may negatively affect soil health, highlighting the need to evaluate more sustainable solutions for soil preservation. This study, conducted during the 2024 growing season in Palaia (Pisa, Italy), aimed to evaluate and compare three under-row weed management strategies, each characterized by the implementation of two weed control interventions. One strategy was based on low-impact soil tillage, consisting of two operations: a first intervention performed with a rollhacke and a second one with a blade weeder. The other two strategies relied on weed cutting without soil disturbance from the implements: one involved two interventions with an under-vine mower, while the other included two interventions with a wire mulcher. No significant differences were observed in terms of weed biomass among the tested strategies, although the tillage-based solution generally resulted in greater weed height (41.31 cm), yet always below the cluster zone. In terms of total weed cover, the mowing-based strategy achieved the highest value (28.33%). The mowing-based strategy also showed higher species richness (2.17) compared with the mulching-based strategy, and a higher Shannon index (0.25) than both other strategies, highlighting the potential ecological value of this approach. However, from an operational perspective, the tillage- and mulching-based strategies proved to be the most efficient, both in terms of operating time (2.54 and 2.02 h ha⁻¹, respectively) and fuel consumption (10.63 and 11.47 kg ha⁻¹, respectively). On average, these two strategies reduced operating time and fuel consumption by 73.79% and 74.39%, respectively, compared with the mowing-based strategy. Full article

(1) Background: Candida-positive cultures in pregnancy and the postpartum period are frequently identified in obstetric and gynecological practice. This study evaluated species distribution and associated maternal and obstetric variables in amniotic fluid, vaginal discharge, and lochial cultures. (2) Methods: A retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional comparative study was conducted at the “Cuza Vodă” Clinical Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Iași, including Candida-positive samples collected in 2024 (242 amniotic fluid, 2020 vaginal discharge, and 827 lochial isolates). Fungal identification was performed using Sabouraud and chromogenic media, with species-level identification in most cases and classification as Candida spp. when differentiation was not possible. (3) Results: Candida albicans predominated across all compartments (69.8%, 55.35%, and 66.9%, respectively), followed by non-albicans species, mainly Pichia kudriavzevii. Vaginal discharge cultures, obtained from both pregnant and non-pregnant women and analyzed after stratification by pregnancy status, showed multiple significant associations with maternal and obstetric variables; apparent associations with fetal variables were largely attributable to the inclusion of non-pregnant women and were not retained within the pregnant stratum. Amniotic fluid and lochial cultures demonstrated limited associations. Older maternal age was the only consistent independent correlate of non-albicans Candida isolation, whereas the remaining associated variables were compartment-specific. Multivariable models identified compartment-specific correlates of non-albicans Candida isolation but showed limited discriminatory performance, with low sensitivity in most strata. (4) Conclusions: Candida species distribution is compartment-dependent, with greater clinical heterogeneity in vaginal discharge and more limited patterns in amniotic fluid and lochia. These culture-positive findings support species-level identification for microbiological surveillance and provide perinatal microbiological context for future integrated maternal–neonatal studies; because antifungal susceptibility and neonatal outcomes were not assessed, no therapeutic or neonatal inferences can be drawn. Full article

Plant diseases have long been considered a major threat to global food production systems. Therefore, early diagnosis is vital to mitigate the risk of these diseases. This task can be challenging, as the number of harmful diseases is substantial. One technology that has gained widespread interest is artificial intelligence, specifically deep learning, which is used to identify plant diseases using leaf patterns. This paper presents two deep learning models, a custom CNN model and a transfer learning model based on the DenseNet-121 architecture. Experiments were carried out using the PlantCity dataset, which consists of twelve subsets of diverse crop species representing fruits, vegetables, and grains with variations among the subsets, including the number of classes, the subset sizes, class distribution, and visual complexity of disease symptoms. The two models were evaluated using multiple metrics, including accuracy, loss, precision, recall, and F1-score. Explainable AI using the LIME technique was deployed to better interpret the acquired results. Results showed that the developed transfer learning model based on DenseNet-121 had superior performance over the CNN model, with accuracies ranging from 86% to 99% across eleven experimented crops. In order to perform an independent experimental validation for the developed model, future work will focus on constructing a local crop dataset captured from Iraqi fields to evaluate the developed models based on the local environment. Full article

Salt stress significantly constrains plant growth and development, with the root system serving as the primary organ for sensing and responding to salinity. Poplar (Populus spp.), a widely cultivated tree species, plays important roles in urban greening, windbreaks and sand fixation, and various economic sectors. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of the salt tolerance of root systems of six different poplar cultivars. Key physiological indicators—including root activity, ion homeostasis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging capacity, and nitric oxide (NO) content—were evaluated under saline conditions. Our findings indicate that the salt resistance of the six cultivars follows the order: P. simonii > P. cathayana > P. tremula × P. alba ‘717’ > P. deltoides × P. euramericana ‘Nanlin 895’ > P. deltoides × P. euramericana ‘Bofeng 3’ > P. alba × P. glandulosa ‘84K’. Furthermore, a transcriptomic analysis was performed on the most resilient species, P. simonii. These results reveal that P. simonii primarily orchestrates its salt stress response through the modulation of MAPK cascades and nitrogen metabolism pathways. This research provides theoretical support for elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the salt stress response in poplars and offers a foundation for the molecular breeding of salt tolerant poplar varieties. Full article

Background/Objectives: The long-spined sea urchin Diadema antillarum is a keystone herbivore whose grazing maintains Caribbean coral reefs; basin-wide mass mortalities in 1983–1984 and 2022 have made genomic resources a conservation priority, yet no nuclear genome existed for the species. We aimed to generate the first nuclear reference and to resolve the high heterozygosity that complicates genome assembly in broadcast-spawning marine invertebrates. Methods: For the assembly, we combined PacBio HiFi, Oxford Nanopore, and Illumina sequencing. Genome size and heterozygosity were estimated by k-mer profiling. We compared standard and haplotype-aware assembly strategies (hifiasm), evaluated completeness with BUSCO, and annotated repeats using a species-specific RepeatModeler library. Results: k-mer profiling estimated a haploid genome of ~703 Mb with 2.52% heterozygosity. Standard assembly then produced an inflated 1.75 Gb assembly (98.4% BUSCO-complete but 84.4% duplicated), indicating retention of both haplotypes. Haplotype-aware reassembly separated this into a collapsed primary assembly (1.03 Gb) and two phased haplotypes (0.95 and 0.89 Gb), each comparable in size to the chromosome-level congener D. antillarum (886 Mb). BUSCO completeness reached 99.0%, with single-copy orthologs rising to 85–90%, and reference-free consensus quality reached QV 44.5 (Merqury; initial assembly). This genome is repeat-rich (42.84% repetitive; 29.96% unclassified). Conclusions: We provide the collapsed primary assembly together with both phased haplotypes as a haplotype-resolved reference for D. antillarum, establishing a foundation for immunogenomic, comparative, and population-genetic studies and for monitoring and restoration of this ecologically critical species. More broadly, the study shows that haplotype-aware assembly is essential for resolving such highly heterozygous genomes and delivers the genomic foundation needed to guide the conservation of this keystone Caribbean reef species. Full article

Hereditary neuromuscular disorders in dogs can be difficult to classify since variants in different genes can result in similar clinical signs or variable phenotypes can be associated with the same DNA sequence variant. A disorder known for many years as Dancing Doberman Disease, suspected to be neuropathy or neuromyopathy, is characterized by repeated lifting and shifting of the pelvic limbs while standing and frequent sitting. More recently, Doberman Pinschers have been identified with a different and more severe phenotype characterized by a crouched stance and bunny hopping gait in the pelvic limbs that is termed duck walking. Dogs with both phenotypes show pelvic limb weakness, muscle atrophy, and fatigue, and clinical signs can progress to involve the thoracic limbs. These distinct phenotypes were evaluated clinically, histologically, and by whole-genome sequencing and genotyping a large cohort of affected and unaffected Doberman Pinschers. The same homozygous missense variant in AGRN (Dog 10K Boxer Tasha chr5:56,346,611,G>A; p.R1710H, XP 038377340.1) was associated with both disorders. AGRN encodes Agrin, an essential synaptic protein, that mediates clustering of acetylcholine receptors on the post-synaptic membrane at the neuromuscular junction. Variants in AGRN are associated with a congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS) in humans. This is the first report of a CMS in dogs associated with an AGRN variant and expands the spectrum of known CMS genetic risk factors in this species. This study also highlights the importance of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) to accurately classify neuromuscular diseases as forms of CMS, which is not possible based on clinical presentation alone. Full article