Search Results (4,822)

The remarkable plasticity of plants is best exemplified by the capacity of their somatic cells to regenerate entire organs or the organism itself. The molecular and cellular events underlying this ability are complex and multifaceted. The initial phase leading to cell cycle reactivation is often called dedifferentiation. This process is triggered either by wounding or exogenous hormone application. In this opinion paper, I propose that the dedifferentiation of mature somatic cells is a two-step process. It involves a transition into a transient senescence-like state induced by stress and/or signals emanating from dying cells. This state entails the loss of genetic information required for cell differentiation, resulting in a critical cellular condition. In the absence of subsequent proliferative signals, dedifferentiating (senescing) cells become committed to programmed cell death. Exogenous and/or endogenous plant hormones, such as auxin and cytokinin, might override this pathway. This rescue step, in most cases, activates cell divisions to replace lost cells/tissues. If cell division is maintained, it may result in callus formation. A callus is not an undifferentiated, homogeneous mass of cells. It is an unorganised tissue with at least some cells having ground-tissue-like molecular identity and high developmental potential. A callus might also form from pre-existing competent cell populations, e.g., pericycle cells, with no senescence-like intermitting state. It is discussed whether this “one-step” callus-formation pathway can be considered dedifferentiation. Full article

Grasslands are ecosystems of global importance; in Peru, they represent more than half of the country’s territory. However, few studies have been conducted on high Andean grasslands. The objective was to study morphological, productive, resource allocation, and nutritional characteristics in five populations of Festuca dolichophylla grown under similar conditions. Populations that originated from Huancavelica Community and University, Junín, Pasco, and Puno were grown in Huancavelica Community in a randomized block design. After twelve months, a uniformization cut was performed, and five months later they were evaluated. Morphological characteristics, productivity, and resource allocation were analyzed with ANCOVA, the nutritional characteristics were analyzed with one-way ANOVA (considering population as a factor). Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found for morphological characteristics such as height, number and length of stems, and number of inflorescences. The resource allocation was 13.8% root, 18.4% crown, 29.2% culms + sheaths, 34.8% blades, and 3.8% inflorescence, with no differences between populations (p > 0.05). The Puno population stood out for its greater biomass, linked to more stems and inflorescences. Nutritional characteristics varied among populations in terms of crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, acid detergent fiber, and in vitro dry matter digestibility. These findings are useful for selecting populations in revegetation or genetic breeding programs. Full article

To address the issues of coarse-grained thread allocation and difficult load balancing in compiler automatic parallelization for processors, this paper proposes a loop-block-level automatic parallelization method for compilers based on an iterative compilation mode, using the SWGCC compiler on the Sunway platform. An automatic parallelization method that independently sets the number of threads for each loop block is designed within the SWGCC, which allocates threads to each parallelizable loop block in the program at a finer granularity. Meanwhile, iterative compilation is combined with a genetic algorithm to iteratively optimize the optimal thread group. Through operations such as the chromosome encoding of thread allocation schemes, weighted mutation operations based on loop execution proportions, and fitness function-guided population evolution, the optimal thread combination is efficiently searched for the loop block thread allocation algorithm. Experiments are validated on the Sunway processor using the SPEC2006 test suite. The results reveal that the loop-block-level compiler automatic parallelization algorithm combined with the evolutionary algorithm achieves a maximum performance score improvement of 19% and an average performance score improvement of 4% compared to the baseline automatic parallelization algorithm in the tests. Full article

Single-cell transcriptomics has redefined our understanding of cancer by exposing the complexity of tumor ecosystems and their therapeutic vulnerabilities. scRNA-seq studies have identified lineage hierarchies, immune evasion programs, and resistance-associated states across solid and liquid tumors, informing biomarker development and drug discovery. Advanced computational frameworks integrate these data with longitudinal profiling, RNA velocity, and network diffusion to prioritize targets and predict therapeutic response. Emerging multi-omics approaches further expand the scope of precision oncology by linking genetic alterations, protein-level markers, and spatial context to functional states. This narrative review aims to synthesize current applications of single-cell transcriptomics for target discovery, highlight computational frameworks that translate high-dimensional data into actionable insights, and explore how multi-omics integration is shaping future directions. By bridging molecular complexity with target prioritization, these approaches hold promise for translating single-cell insights into clinically actionable biomarkers and therapeutic strategies for personalized cancer treatment and rational drug development. Full article

Richter transformation (RT) represents a rare but highly lethal evolution of chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL), most frequently manifesting as diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Despite therapeutic advances in CLL, DLBCL-RT remains characterized by rapid progression, profound treatment refractoriness, and short survival with conventional chemoimmunotherapy, underscoring the need for a refined biological and therapeutic framework. A defining feature of RT is clonal relatedness: most cases arise through linear or branched evolution of the antecedent CLL clone and carry an inferior prognosis compared with clonally unrelated cases that resemble de novo DLBCL. Recent multi-omic data further indicate that clonally related RT commonly originates from minute, transformation-primed subclones detectable years before clinical emergence, shifting RT from a late stochastic event to an early-established evolutionary trajectory. At transformation, recurrent genetic lesions of TP53, CDKN2A/B, NOTCH1, and MYC cooperate with B-cell receptor-associated programs, epigenetic reconfiguration, and metabolic rewiring toward OXPHOS- and mTOR-driven states, collectively promoting genomic instability and aggressive growth. In parallel, RT develops within a profoundly immunosuppressive microenvironment marked by PD-1-expressing malignant B cells, PD-L1-rich myeloid niches, exhausted T cells, expanded regulatory T cells, and M2-skewed macrophages interconnected by redundant checkpoint and cytokine networks. Therapeutic strategies are rapidly evolving, including pathway inhibitors, immune checkpoint blockade, T-cell-engaging bispecific antibodies, CAR-T therapies, and antibody–drug conjugates. This review integrates current insights into RT pathogenesis, immune escape, and emerging therapies, highlighting opportunities for biomarker-driven patient stratification, rational combinations, and earlier interception of transformation-prone disease. Full article

Seed aging during storage represents a major challenge to global food security and germplasm resource conservation. Long-lived mRNAs, which are crucial for initiating germination after storage, have poorly understood regulatory mechanisms governing their stability. In this study, we identify the RNA-binding protein OsGRP3 as a key positive regulator of rice storability. Initially, we demonstrated that Arabidopsis AtGRP7 enhances seed vigor following aging. Phylogenetic analysis identified OsGRP3 as its closest rice homolog. Two independent OsGRP3-overexpression lines showed markedly improved germination rates and seed viability after extended artificial aging. Physiological assessments indicated that OsGRP3 mitigates aging-related damage, as evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and electrolyte leakage, consistent with better membrane integrity. RNA-seq analysis revealed that OsGRP3 overexpression attenuated the transcriptional disruption induced by aging. Moreover, under non-stress conditions, OsGRP3 directs a transcriptional program involving 404 genes implicated in DNA replication, gluconeogenesis, and essential amino acid metabolism. This reprogramming correlates with a state of heightened stress preparedness, exhibiting a pattern of correlated transcriptional regulation. Our findings establish OsGRP3 as a conserved RNA-binding protein that enhances seed storability, and offer a promising genetic target for improving storage tolerance in rice. Full article

In the past, large-scale school trips were mainly conducted with standardized schedules, resulting in limited educational impact and making it difficult to reflect students’ interests. In response, modern education is increasingly adopting small-scale, theme-based school trips that consider students’ interests, academic levels, and career paths. This approach, organized at the class level, focuses on customized experiential programs that enhance autonomy, satisfaction, identity formation, and career exploration. However, a major drawback is that teachers must manage the planning, including theme selection, site arrangements, and schedule coordination, which places a heavy operational burden. To address this issue, we designed EduTrip, a school trip itinerary recommendation system. This system allows users to input conditions such as travel themes, types of activities, group size, budget, and preferred destinations. It then automatically filters appropriate locations and activities, and uses clustering and genetic algorithm-based optimization to generate practical and efficient schedules that account for travel and stay durations. The goal is to reduce the teachers’ workload and provide students with more personalized and feasible educational travel experiences. Full article

Sapium discolor is a valuable native species in southern China, valued for its rapid growth and vibrant foliage, and widely used in ecological restoration and landscaping. To identify superior propagation materials with fast growth and red leaves, regional open-pollinated progeny trials of 10 elite trees were established in Nanping, Sanming, and Zhangzhou (Fujian Province) in 2015. Growth (tree height and diameter) was monitored from 2015 to 2023, and leaf color (the proportion of red in leaf color) was assessed in 2024. The species showed early fast growth, with mean tree height and diameter at breast height (DBH) reaching 7.98 m and 9.99 cm at six years, then slowing. Family-level phenotypic variation was limited. ANOVA revealed highly significant differences among families for growth traits from 2016 onward and for leaf color in 2024. Broad-sense heritability was moderate for 2023 tree height (0.3839), DBH (0.1879), and 2024 leaf color (0.2102), with low narrow-sense heritability, indicating non-additive genetic effects. Clonal selection based on genotypic values achieved notable genetic gains, especially for growth. One superior clone combined improvements in height (13.1%), diameter (10.1%), and red coloration (8.3%). These results highlight the value of clonal selection and the need to consider genotype × environment interactions in breeding programs. Full article

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a severe genetic neuromuscular disorder caused by bi-allelic deletions or pathogenic SMN1 variants. Early diagnosis through neonatal screening is essential for timely therapeutic intervention, significantly improving clinical outcomes. In August 2022, a pilot neonatal screening program for SMA was launched in Romania, aiming to assess feasibility and impact. Objectives are to present the preliminary results of the ongoing SMA neonatal screening pilot program in Romania, evaluating its effectiveness in early detection and referral for treatment. The program started in August 2022 with four maternity hospitals and has progressively expanded to 28 maternity hospitals nationwide. Dried blood spot samples from newborns were analyzed for SMN1 gene deletions using real-time PCR. Positive results were confirmed through genetic testing, and affected infants, along with their families, were referred for further medical evaluation and early therapeutic intervention. Approximately 60,000 newborns have been screened since the program’s inception, and 12 newborns tested positive for SMN1 deletions, resulting in an estimated incidence rate of 1 in 5125 live births. All confirmed cases were promptly referred for specialized care, with early access to disease-modifying therapies. The program has faced challenges in logistics, parental awareness, and equitable access to treatment, but its expansion from 4 to 28 maternities demonstrates increasing feasibility, suitability, and acceptance. Conclusions: The Romanian pilot neonatal screening program for SMA has successfully identified affected infants early, proving its feasibility and clinical impact. The ongoing expansion suggests a strong foundation for a future national program, which could significantly improve early SMA diagnosis and patient outcomes in Romania. Full article

This review examines the status, challenges, and future trajectories of global mussel aquaculture within the blue food system. Despite steady production growth, mussels’ relative contribution to total bivalve output has significantly declined over recent decades due to disproportionate expansion of oyster, clam, and scallop sectors. A major geographical production shift has occurred, with Asia, spearheaded by China, emerging as the dominant region, supplanting traditional European producers while the Americas rapidly ascend. China’s overwhelming dominance in overall bivalve production starkly contrasts with its underdeveloped mussel sector, where growth lags behind other bivalves despite substantial absolute increases, reflecting a fundamental restructuring of species composition. The industry faces interconnected sustainability constraints: persistent vulnerabilities in spat supply stemming from environmental variability, hatchery limitations, and disease transmission risks; escalating environmental stressors including climate change impacts, harmful algal blooms, pollution, and pathogens; structural flaws in value chains characterized by fragmented production, market volatility, and underutilized byproducts; and governance challenges related to spatial access and licensing inefficiencies. This review advocates for a comprehensive strategy to boost the mussel aquaculture. These encompass advancing hatchery technology and genetic breeding programs, implementing ecosystem-based management such as multi-trophic systems and AI-enhanced environmental monitoring, restructuring value chains through producer cooperation and high value product diversification, and establishing science-based spatial planning frameworks with streamlined governance. Addressing these challenges holistically is critical to position mussel farming as a resilient pillar of sustainable blue food production capable of reconciling ecological integrity with economic viability and social equity. Full article

With the rapid development of oyster farming and the emergence of new varieties, the identification and evaluation of genetic resources have become fundamental to the effective utilization of oyster germplasm resources. To evaluate the impact of selective breeding on the germplasm of Crassostrea ariakensis, this study conducted genetic structure analysis on five successive generations including four generations selected (F1 to F4) focusing on both fast growth and high glycogen content and one base population (F0) based on partial mitochondrial cox1 and rrnL gene sequences. Results showed that the 649 bp cox1 and 488 bp rrnL sequences exhibited (A+T)-biased composition and showed positive AT skew. A total of 12 haplotypes were found for the cox1 sequences, while only three haplotypes were detected for the rrnL sequences. However, among the F1 to F4 populations, only three cox1 haplotypes and two rrnL haplotypes were observed. Based on cox1 sequences, the values of the haplotype diversity index, average number of nucleotide differences, and nucleotide diversity index all decreased progressively from F1 to F4, indicating a reduction in genetic variation due to selective breeding. All populations exhibited a low level of nucleotide diversity (<0.05). In addition, the intra-population genetic distance declined from F0 to F4, with significant genetic differentiation between F0 and F1, as well as between F0 and F4 (p < 0.05). In contrast, only the F0 and F4 population had multiple rrnL haplotypes, and no statistically significant genetic differentiations were observed based on rrnL fragments (p > 0.05). The AMOVA results showed that intra-population genetic variation exceeded inter-population variation, regardless of whether it was assessed using the cox1 gene or the rrnL gene, indicating that substantial genetic diversity persists within populations despite multiple generations of selection, and complete genetic differentiation across generations has not been achieved. These findings indicate that the selectively bred lines retain considerable genetic potential and can serve as a valuable resource for future breeding programs. Full article

Laryngeal squamous carcinoma is a major type of head and neck cancer. Despite a wide range of treatment options, it remains a challenge to identify which ones are the most effective for which groups of patients. One solution is to analyse selected biomarkers. In this paper, biomarkers are divided into distinctive groups according to the molecular pathways analysed or specific molecules within the cell or in tissue fluids. The paper provides a description of these groups, including genetic and apoptosis-associated factors, factors regulating angiogenesis, cell structure regulators, immune factors in the form of programmed cell death ligand (PD-L1), hormone receptors, molecules involved in growth factor pathways, and cell cycle regulators. Representative examples are discussed for each of these groups, indicating their potential usefulness in staging, assessing tumour aggressiveness, and making a prognosis. Full article

Background/Objectives: Accurate estimates of variance components are essential in breeding programs. In this context, the main objective of this study was to estimate variance components for growth traits in the Montana Composite^® beef population, which was developed in Brazil by crossing various taurine and indicine breeds. After 30 years of selection, the impact of recombination, heterosis, and inbreeding may have influenced the genetic background of the population. Methods: We analyzed data of birth weight, weaning weight, post-weaning weight gain, and yearling weight using 124,255 phenotypic records, 193,129 pedigree records, and 3911 genotyped individuals. Ten single-trait animal models (M1–M10) were compared, differing in the relationship matrix (pedigree- or genome-based relationships) and the inclusion of direct/maternal breed composition, heterosis, and recombination effects. Results: Models incorporating genomic information consistently yielded better fit and lower residual variances than pedigree-based models, highlighting the advantage of genomic information in capturing Mendelian sampling and realized genetic relationships. The inclusion of heterosis effects improved model fit and led to a partial reallocation of genetic variance from additive to non-additive components. In contrast, the inclusion of recombination effects in the models minimally influenced variance component estimates. Nevertheless, more complex models affected animal rankings and altered the breed composition of top-ranked selection candidates, with selection overlap between pedigree- and genomic-based evaluations ranging from moderate to high. Conclusions: Overall, genome-based models accounting for breed composition, heterosis, and recombination provided the most robust variance component estimates and the best support for long-term selection goals in the studied tropical composite beef cattle population. Full article

Vitellaria paradoxa subsp. paradoxa C.F.Gaertn., is one of the most important components of sub-Saharan agroforestry systems, providing to rural communities, especially women, with socio- economic, environmental, and nutritional benefits. Despite its importance, the species is threatened and remains semi-domesticated. To better preserve and improve this resource, the genetic diversity and structure of 88 mother trees originated from Senegal and Burkina Faso were studied by analysing 17 phenotypic traits and 3196 SNP markers. The results revealed similar level of observed heterozygosity (Ho) between the Senegalese and Burkinabe populations (Ho = 0.16), whereas the average number of alleles per population (Na) and the expected heterozygosity (He) ranged from 0.33 to 0.34 and 0.38 to 0.39, respectively, indicating moderate to low genetic diversity. Furthermore, the polymorphic information content ranged from 0.15 for Senegal to 0.25 for Burkina Faso. Both ADMIXTURE and cluster analysis delineated our collection into two groups depending on the origin. The AMOVA showed that the highest fraction of variation was within individual, indicating a very low genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.0006) between population. At the phenotypic level, the G2 cluster representing the Senegalese genepool recorded the highest performance in terms of nut and kernel attributes, cariten and unsaponifiable matters contents, while higher crude fat, Diglyceride, Triglyceride, and Triacylglycerol Mono Stearoyl Olein Stearin contents were observed in the Burkina Faso collection (G1). The present findings on the species’ genetic diversity and genetic structure constitute a good start to strengthen the species tree improvement and conservation programs. Full article

Depression and osteoporosis frequently co-occur, presenting a significant and increasing clinical challenge, especially among older adults. Growing research highlights the bone–brain axis, a complex bidirectional communication network connecting the skeletal and central nervous systems, as a central mechanism linking these conditions. This review comprehensively examines the current knowledge of the molecular and cellular pathways within this axis that contribute to depression–osteoporosis interactions. It details how depression promotes bone loss through sustained hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis activation, sympathetic nervous system overactivity, and chronic low-grade inflammation. This review also explores how bone-derived factors, including osteocalcin, lipocalin 2, and extracellular vesicles, cross the blood–brain barrier to influence brain function by regulating hippocampal neurogenesis, serotonin signaling, and neuroinflammation. This bidirectional communication is modulated by circadian rhythms and genetic factors. Understanding these pathways offers critical insights into the shared pathophysiology and reveals promising therapeutic targets. Interventions such as neuromodulation, customized exercise programs, and novel treatments focusing on bone-derived signals show potential for simultaneously addressing both mood disorders and bone health deterioration. This review emphasizes the need for an integrated system-based approach in clinical care that moves beyond traditional specialty-focused treatment to improve overall health outcomes, particularly for vulnerable elderly individuals. Full article