Search Results (2,640)

Seed physical dormancy, also known as hard-seededness, is a characteristic commonly found in higher plants, which functions to prevent water and oxygen from passing through the impermeable seed coat. Background: Notably, seed dormancy has emerged as a critical factor in the domestication of leguminous plants. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a globally cultivated high-quality legume forage crop, while the seeds from different varieties maintain varying degrees of hard-seededness. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying physical dormancy in alfalfa seeds remain poorly understood. In particular, the regulatory mechanisms at the transcriptomic level remain unclear, which has hindered the breeding process of varieties with low hard-seededness. Methods: In this study, we performed global transcriptome analysis to discover the genes specifically expressed in the alfalfa seed coat and provide insights into alfalfa seeds’ physical dormancy domestication traits. RNA sequencing was performed on various alfalfa tissues, including roots, stems, leaves, flowers, and seed coats. Results: This analysis led to the identification of 4740 seed coat-specific expressed genes, including key genes such as KNOX4 (a class II KNOTTED-like homeobox gene), qHs1 (encoding endo-1,4-β-glucanase), GmHs1-1 (encoding a calcineurin-like metallophosphoesterase), and KCS12 (β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase). In addition, several seed coat-specific transcription factor families were identified, including ERF, B3, and NAC, among others. Furthermore, a comparison of gene expression profiles between seeds with and without physical dormancy revealed 60 upregulated and 197 downregulated genes associated with physical dormancy. Crucially, functional enrichment analysis demonstrated that these genes are predominantly associated with lipid metabolism pathways, particularly those involved in the formation of “monolayer-surrounding lipid storage bodies.” Conclusions: This key finding suggests that the establishment of physical dormancy is closely linked to the biosynthesis and deposition of specialized lipid-based layers in the seed coat, which likely constitute the primary barrier to water penetration. Our study thus provides fundamental insights and a valuable genetic resource for future functional studies aimed at deciphering and manipulating physical dormancy in alfalfa. Full article

Toxin–antitoxin (TA) modules represent sophisticated regulatory networks that have evolved from simple plasmid maintenance factors into multifunctional genetic modules orchestrating bacterial stress responses, pathogenesis, and ecological adaptation. This review highlights a compelling correlation between the abundance of toxin–antitoxin (TA) modules and bacterial pathogenicity, as exemplified by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb), which encodes 118 TA loci—significantly more than the fewer than 10 found in closely related saprophytic species. The clinical significance of TA modules extends beyond traditional stress response roles to encompass antimicrobial persistence, where systems like VapBC and MazEF facilitate dormant subpopulations that survive antibiotic therapy while maintaining chronic infections. Recent discoveries have revealed TA modules as sophisticated bacterial defense mechanisms against bacteriophage infection, with DarTG and ToxIN systems representing novel antiviral immunity components that complement CRISPR-Cas and restriction–modification systems. The immunomodulatory capacity of TA modules demonstrates their role in host–pathogen interactions, where systems such as VapC12 in M.tb promote macrophage polarization toward permissive M2 phenotypes while inducing anti-inflammatory cytokine production. Large-scale genomic analyses reveal that TA modules function as drivers of horizontal gene transfer networks, with their signatures enabling accurate prediction of plasmid community membership and serving as determinants of microbial community structure. The biotechnological applications of TA modules have expanded to include genetic circuit stabilization, biocontainment device construction, and multi-species microbial community engineering, while therapeutic strategies focus on developing multi-target inhibitors against conserved TA protein families as promising approaches for combating drug-resistant bacterial infections. The evolutionary conservation of TA modules across diverse bacterial lineages underscores their fundamental importance as central organizing principles in bacterial adaptation strategies, where their multifunctional nature reflects complex selective pressures operating across environmental niches and host-associated ecosystems. This review provides an integrated perspective on TA modules as dynamic regulatory elements that support bacterial persistence, immune evasion, and ecological versatility, establishing them as genetic elements with truly “many faces and functions” in prokaryotic biology. Full article

This study revisits a recently proposed member of the truncated positive family of distributions, referred to as the positively truncated Student’s-t distribution. The distribution retains the structure of the classical Student’s-t distribution while explicitly incorporating a kurtosis parameter, yielding a flexible three-parameter formulation that governs location, scale, and tail behavior. A closed-form quantile function is derived, allowing a novel reparameterization based on the pth quantile and thereby facilitating integration into quantile regression models. The analytical tractability of the quantile function also enables efficient random number generation via the inverse transform method, which supports a comprehensive simulation study demonstrating the strong performance of the proposed estimators, particularly for the degrees-of-freedom parameter. The entire methodology is implemented in the tpn package for the R software. Finally, two real-data applications involving PM2.5 measurements—one without covariates and another with covariates—highlight the model’s robustness and its ability to capture heavy-tailed behavior. Full article

Two-component systems (TCSs) are widespread in bacteria and archaea, with only limited presence in eukaryotes. These signaling mechanisms detect environmental changes and adjust gene expression to survive and adapt. In this review, TCSs were examined within the Pasteurellaceae family, focusing on how closely related organisms employ similar systems to regulate infections and stress responses. Comparative analysis revealed that homologous TCSs can differ markedly in the signals they detect and in the genes or virulence factors they control, underscoring the functional diversity that has evolved even within this family. Inconsistencies in nomenclature across studies are also identified, which complicate data integration and cross-species comparisons. Given these challenges, the need for unified naming conventions and broader, system-level analyses is highlighted. It is further proposed that emerging computational tools—including molecular modeling, molecular dynamics, and neural network-based analyses—offer powerful strategies to predict signaling interactions, identify conserved regulatory models, and clarify how these systems contribute to bacterial adaptation and pathogenicity. Full article

Background: Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a serious complication of diabetes mellitus, and its inability to heal is closely linked to vascular pathology. However, the specific molecular regulatory networks involved remain unclear. This study hypothesizes that tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) may be associated with endothelial dysfunction in DFU. Methods: RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was performed on DFU (n = 3) and healthy foot skin (n = 3) samples. Bioinformatics analysis identified differential expression of tsRNAs, with the ten most significantly differentially expressed tsRNAs validated by qRT-PCR. Target gene prediction and GO/KEGG enrichment analysis were then conducted on the four tsRNAs that demonstrated significant differential expression, as confirmed by qRT-PCR. Results: The results revealed that there were 49 differentially expressed tsRNAs between the two groups of samples. qRT-PCR validation confirmed that the expression trends of ten tRNAs were consistent with sequencing results. Among these, the 4770 potential target genes of four tRNAs exhibiting significant expression differences primarily encompassed the cell growth factor family and the Smad protein family. GO analysis revealed that the target genes were located mainly in the cytoplasm and organelle membranes and functioned by specifically binding to DNA in the transcriptional regulatory regions. KEGG pathway enrichment revealed that the differential tsRNAs were closely associated with pathways involved in cytoplasmic lysis and phagocytosis and the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway. Conclusions: This study systematically reveals the differential expression profile of tissue-specific tsRNAs in DFU tissue, thereby enriching the molecular pathological theory underlying the poor healing capacity of DFU. It also provides experimental evidence for the clinical translation of tsRNAs as early diagnostic markers for DFU. Full article

Background: Ilex verticillata belongs to the genus Ilex of the family Aquifoliaceae. It has extremely high ornamental value, and its drought tolerance is crucial for expanding its cultivation range. Therefore, studying the metabolic regulation mechanism of I. verticillata in response to drought stress at different stages under natural drought conditions provides a basis for the expanded cultivation of I. verticillata and important theoretical support for the drought-resistant breeding of woody plants. Methods: Two-year-old cutting seedlings (0.3~0.4 m high) of I. verticillata were used as experimental materials. A control group (normal watering) and a drought treatment group (natural drought after watering by the basin immersion method) were set up. Leaves were collected at the non-drought stage, and after 10, 20, and 30 days of drought and 1 day of rehydration for metabolomic analysis. Results: I. verticillata showed an obvious gradient of physiological responses under drought stress: the relative water content and chlorophyll content of leaves decreased gradually from the normal level and increased gradually after rehydration; the activity of antioxidant enzymes and the content of malondialdehyde increased continuously with the extension of drought stress and decreased significantly after rehydration. Metabolomic analysis revealed that the content of most lipid metabolites was down-regulated in the early stage of drought, which might reduce peroxidative damage by decreasing lipid synthesis; all lipid metabolites were up-regulated in the late stage of drought to alleviate stress by enhancing membrane stability; most lipid metabolites remained up-regulated after rehydration, promoting membrane structure reconstruction. Conclusions: The lipid metabolism of I. verticillata under drought stress presents a typical “first inhibition then promotion” pattern. Glycerophospholipid metabolism is a common metabolic pathway under both drought and rehydration conditions, which proves that this metabolic pathway is closely related to the drought-resistant characteristics of I. verticillata. Full article

β-glucan is an important component of crop cell walls, and its chemical structure is closely related to its physiological function. Among them, (1,3;1,4)-β-glucan (mixed-linkage β-glucan, MLGs) is a unique type of β-glucan in graminaceous crops. In recent years, the identification and functional analysis of the β-glucan synthesis gene family have provided key molecular targets for quality improvement of crops. This review systematically examines the classification, structure, and function of the β-glucan synthetic gene family, focusing on the regulatory network. This will lay a theoretical foundation for the further improvement of the β-glucan content in crops. Full article

During a survey of plant litter-associated microfungi in Guangdong and Jiangxi Provinces, China, several specimens that have carbonaceous ascomata were collected. Morphological characteristics combined with multi-gene (LSU, SSU, and tef1-α) phylogeny revealed that they belong to the Aigialaceae, Astrosphaeriellaceae, and Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae families. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted using Maximum Likelihood (ML) and Bayesian Inference (BI) approaches. Caryospora pruni and Pseudoastrosphaeriella zingiberacearum are introduced as new species, and Astrosphaeriella bambusae, C. quercus, Fissuroma caryotae, and Neoastrosphaeriella aquatica are introduced as new host records. In addition, Caryospora minima is synonymized under C. aquatica based on close morphological and phylogenetic relationships. All the newly introduced species fit well with their respective generic concepts and can be distinguished from closely related species in their morphology and DNA molecular data. The new host records also provide similar morphological characteristics to their respective type species, and multi-gene phylogeny analyses also offer evidence for their placements. In addition, we compiled the geographical distribution and host associations of species in Aigialaceae, Astrosphaeriellaceae, and Pseudoastrosphaeriellaceae. This provides a database for future studies to understand the ecological interactions and geographical variations. Full article

To broaden the scope of research on the characteristics and evolutionary relationships within the heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) family, encompassing its non-canonical members, amino acid sequences of Hsp70-12, Hsp70-13, and Hsp70-14, alongside those of traditional Hsp70, were collected and analyzed. The findings indicate that, during the evolution of metazoans, the various Hsp70 groups diverged from one another. Specifically, Hsp70-12 emerges as the least conserved member, as evidenced by structural alignment data and the Ka/Ks ratio. It not only represents the most distantly related group to traditional Hsp70 but also stands out as the sole alkaline group within the family. In contrast, Hsp70-13 exhibits a close evolutionary relationship with traditional Hsp70, albeit with the notable loss of its C-terminal domain. Hsp70-14 occupies an intermediate position between Hsp70-12 and Hsp70-13. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that these groups diverged prior to the advent of invertebrates. Furthermore, five conserved motifs within the ATP-binding domain of Hsp70, which serve as distinguishing features for Hsp70 groups, were identified. The diverse characters of the non-canonical Hsp70s are probably related to their special cellular location and tissue specificity. Together, the results of this research will help identify and categorize Hsp70s. Further research that aims at identifying additional non-canonical Hsp70 members and elucidating the distinct characteristics and functions of these molecular chaperones will enhance our comprehension of the origin and evolutionary trajectory of the Hsp70 family. Full article

This study examines dual-area load–frequency control (LFC) in the context of significant renewable energy integration, energy storage systems (ESSs), and collective electric vehicle (EV) involvement. We propose a RBBMO-FO-FuzzyPID+PI(1+DD) hybrid controller in which fractional-order fuzzy regulation shapes the ACE, while an auxiliary PI(1+DD) path adds damping without steady-state penalty. Across ideal linear plants, 3% governor-rate constraints (GRC), and stressed conditions that include contract violations in Area-2, renewable power variations, and partial EV State of Charge (SoC 50–70%), EV participation yields systematic gains for all controller families, and the magnitude depends on the control architecture. Baseline methods improve by 15–25% with EVs, whereas advanced designs—especially the proposed controller—benefit by 25–45%, revealing a clear synergy between controller intelligence and EV flexibility. With EV support, the proposed controller limits frequency overshoot to 0.055 Hz (a 20–55% reduction versus peers), caps the nadir at −0.065 Hz (15–41% better undershoot), and attains 3.5–4.5 s settling (25–61% faster than competitors), while holding tie-line deviations within ±0.02 Hz. Optimization studies confirm the algorithmic advantage: RBBMO achieves 30% lower cost than BBOA and converges 25% faster; EV integration further reduces cost by 15% and speeds convergence by 12%. A strong correlation between optimization cost and closed-loop performance (r² ≈ 0.95) validates the tuning strategy. Collectively, the results establish the proposed hybrid controller with EV participation as a new benchmark for robust, system-wide frequency regulation in renewable-rich multi-area grids. Full article

Background: Complementary feeding has traditionally relied on traditional spoon feeding (TSF), in which parents gradually introduce semi-solid foods under close supervision. More recently, Baby-Led Weaning (BLW) has become popular, promoting infant autonomy in handling solid foods. To address concerns regarding choking and nutritional adequacy, the Baby-Led Introduction to SolidS (BLISS) method was developed. Some families instead adopt autonomous responsive feeding, which combines structured guidance with respect for the infant’s self-regulation. Although concerns about foreign body aspiration (FBA) persist among caregivers and pediatricians, current evidence shows that, when conducted safely, BLW may not increase this risk compared with TSF. This study investigated the prevalence of complementary feeding practices and their perceived relationship to FBA, exploring perspectives of caregivers and primary care pediatricians in Emilia-Romagna, Northern Italy. Methods: Between March 2022 and May 2024, 149 parents and 126 pediatricians completed anonymous questionnaires. Results: Among parents, 67% initiated complementary feeding at ≥6 months; 43.6% reported autonomous responsive, 32.8% BLW, and 23.5% strict TSF. Pediatricians more frequently endorsed flexible approaches: 61.1% supported autonomous responsive feeding, 37.1% BLW, and 12.7% TSF. Notably, strict TSF was applied by 23.3% of parents, almost twice the proportion recommended by pediatricians. Suspected choking episodes were reported by 41.6% of parents but showed no significant association with feeding method or demographic factors. Conclusions: BLW and related flexible practices are increasingly adopted and, when implemented safely, may not increase FBA risk. Pediatricians appear to recommend BLW, or hybrid approaches, more often than parents apply them, suggesting possible gaps in communication and shared decision-making. Full article

Sesame bacterial wilt, caused by the pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum, is a major constraint for continuous cropping. Deciphering the defense mechanisms of sesame is therefore essential to the development of novel and effective control strategies. The Non-expressor of Pathogenesis-Related 1 (NPR1) plays a key role in regulating salicylic acid (SA)-mediated systemic acquired resistance (SAR). In this study, we reported that leaf treatments with 50 μg/mL benzothiadiazole (BTH) resulted in increased protection of sesame against Ralstonia solanacearum. We clarified the structure, expression patterns, and function of a NPR1 homologous gene, SiNPR1, in sesame. The SiNPR1 gene open reading frame comprises 1758 bp, and it encodes 585 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that SiNPR1 is closely related to NPR1-like in Olea europaea and clustered with other members of the families Monocotyledon and Dicotyledon. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) results demonstrated that the expression of the SiNPR1 gene was organ-specific and could be induced by BTH. The yeast two-hybrid assay confirmed that SiNPR1 directly interacts with SiTGA2. In conclusion, these results suggest that SiNPR1 plays a pivotal role in the BTH-dependent systemic acquired resistance in sesame. Full article

Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) is an important legume forage. Its anthocyanidin reductase (ANR) catalyzes the conversion of anthocyanins to epicatechins. This conversion reaction is not only a key step in the biosynthesis of proanthocyanidins (PAs) but also directly influences both forage quality and stress resistance. Here, we systematically identified 67 ANR gene family members in autotetraploid sainfoin for the first time. Using bioinformatics approaches, we analyzed gene structure, conserved domains, motifs, and cis-regulatory elements of the identified ANR genes. In this study, phylogenetic analysis revealed that the ANRs clustered into 11 distinct clades, with genes within the same clade predominantly originating from closely related species within the same family. Significant collinearity with Arabidopsis thaliana, Glycine max, Cicer arietinum, and Medicago truncatula further revealed the conserved evolutionary path of this gene family. RT-qPCR analysis showed differential expression patterns of OvANRs in root, stem, and leaf tissues. For instance, OvANR19 was significantly induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), with its expression upregulated by 79.7-fold and 3.8-fold in roots and by 16.2-fold and 31.3-fold in leaves. Furthermore, subcellular localization analysis confirmed that representative ANR proteins were localized in the cytoplasm. This study lays a foundation for molecular breeding aimed at enhancing stress resistance and forage quality in sainfoin. Full article

This paper investigates an infinite-horizon optimal consumption and investment problem for an agent who consumes two types of goods: necessities and luxuries. The agent derives utility from both goods but faces a ratcheting constraint on luxury consumption, which prohibits any decline in its level over time. This constraint captures the irreversible nature of high living standards or luxury habits often observed in real economies. We formulate the problem in a complete financial market with a risk-free asset and a risky stock and solve it analytically using the dual–martingale method. The dual problem is shown to reduce to a family of optimal stopping problems, from which we derive explicit closed-form solutions for the value function and optimal policies. Our results reveal that the ratcheting constraint generates asymmetric consumption dynamics: necessities adjust freely, whereas luxuries exhibit downward rigidity. As a consequence, the marginal propensity to consume necessities declines with wealth, while luxury consumption and portfolio risk exposure increase more sharply compared to the benchmark case without ratcheting. The model provides a continuous-time microfoundation for persistent high consumption levels and greater risk-taking among wealthy individuals. Full article

Background: Management of patients in closed-door intensive care units (ICUs) is often associated with limited family visits and a highly technological environment, which can lead to patient deconditioning through altered circadian rhythms and depersonalization, contributing to psychological distress in addition to physiological distress. In recent years, there has been a shift in trends in the management of ICU patients with an emphasis on more social and psychological support, with the option of an open-door ICU. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the role of humanized care through social and psychological support in improving patients’ outcomes through the concept of open-door ICUs. Methods: This systematic review was conducted under the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. Six databases were searched (LILACS, SciELO, PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Dialnet) using a strategy based on MeSH and DeCS terms. Studies published between 2018 and 2025, in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, were included. Fifty studies were selected and analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding techniques. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD420251080952). Results: Three main categories emerged: (1) Patient and Family Perceptions of ICU Care; (2) flexible visitation and technological mediation; and (3) humanization-centered care. These factors were linked to improved emotional well-being, reduced anxiety, enhanced communication, and stronger trust between families and healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Based on the results of our systematic review, we emphasize the importance of adopting humanized care practices in open-door ICUs. In particular, strategies like flexible visitation, emotional and spiritual support, respectful communication, and family involvement contribute to compassionate, patient-centered care. We recommend institutional policies that need to be designed that support humanization for patients and families. Full article