Search Results (34,044)

Estrogen (E2, 17β estradiol) is recognized for its regulatory role in numerous genes associated with energy metabolism and for its ability to disrupt mitochondrial function in various cancer types. However, the influence of E2 on the metabolism of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells remains largely unexplored. In this study, we examined how E2 affects mitochondrial function and energy production in CRC cells, utilizing two distinct CRC cell lines, HCT-116 and SW480. Cell viability, mitochondrial function, and the expression of several genes involved in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) were assessed in estrogen receptor α (ERα)-expressing and ERα-silenced cells treated with increasing concentrations of E2 for 48 h. Our results indicated that the cytotoxicity of E2 against CRC cells is mediated by the E2/ERα complex, which induces disturbances in mitochondrial function and the OXPHOS pathway. Furthermore, we identified two novel targets, RPS2 and TMEM177, which displayed overexpression, hypomethylation, and a negative association with ERα expression in CRC tissue. E2 treatment in CRC cells reduced the expression of both targets through promoter hypermethylation. Treatment with 5-Aza-2-deoxycytidine increased the expression of RPS2 and TMEM177. This epigenetic effect disrupts the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), resulting in decreased activity of the OXPHOS pathway and inhibition of CRC cell growth. Knockdown of RPS2 or TMEM177 in CRC cells resulted in anti-cancer effects and disruption of MMP and OXPHOS. These findings suggest that E2 exerts ERα-dependent epigenetic reprogramming that leads to significant mitochondria-related anti-growth effects in CRC. Full article

Climate change and unsustainable agricultural practices are triggering land degradation in semi-arid Mediterranean regions. Organic amendments, such as mulching materials, have shown promising potential to mitigate these impacts by improving soil chemical, physical, and biological properties, while enhancing grapevine growth and productivity. This study evaluated the effects of wheat straw mulch (M) and wheat straw combined with biochar (MB), together with vineyard topography (bottom vs. top), on grape chemical and phenolic composition in four Vitis vinifera L. cultivars (Syrah, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, and Antão Vaz) grown in the Alentejo wine region. Grapes were sampled separately at top and bottom topographic positions, and classical and phenolic parameters were analyzed. The application of M and MB significantly modified must composition, mainly through changes in nitrogen and sugar levels across topographic positions. Only MB exhibited stronger effects, enhancing must quality, while MB and M reduced bottom–top variability. Similar patterns and positional effects were observed for phenolic and color parameters. Both organic treatments lowered total monomeric anthocyanin concentrations, although positional differences with wheat straw mulch were found. The results highlight that combining soil management with topography and variety response can optimize grape phenolic composition and promote sustainable viticulture through targeted, site-specific mulching strategies. Full article

Inadequate intake of Fe and Zn is prevalent in a large part of the world’s population, and agronomic biofortification has been a strategy to improve the nutritional quality of food and, consequently, the nutrient intake by people. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of Fe and Zn concentrations in the nutrient solution on the morphophysiological traits, nutritional quality, and biofortification of two cultivars of baby leaf lettuce in a deep water technique hydroponic system. Two experiments were conducted, one with ‘Vanda’ lettuce (green) and the other with ‘Luminosa’ lettuce (reddish). Six treatments were evaluated, in a 3 × 2 factorial scheme, corresponding to the concentrations of Fe (2.0, 4.0, and 8.0 mg L⁻¹) and Zn (0.06 and 0.24 mg L⁻¹), with four replicates. ‘Vanda’ proved to be more productive, while ‘Luminosa’ has a higher nutraceutical value. The growth traits, yield, and leaf contents of carotenoids and anthocyanins of both cultivars were not influenced by the increase in Fe and Zn concentrations in the nutrient solution. There was a 25% and a 33% increase in the content of phenolic compounds in ‘Vanda’ and ‘Luminosa’, respectively, when the Fe concentration increased from 2 to 8 mg L⁻¹. The Fe content in ‘Vanda’ was influenced only by the Fe concentration in the nutrient solution and increased by 13% between 2 and 8 mg L⁻¹ of Fe. For ‘Luminosa’, there was an interaction, but the highest Fe contents in the shoot were observed with 8 mg L⁻¹ of Fe, which were 24 and 38% higher than those obtained with 2 mg L⁻¹ of Fe at Zn concentrations of 0.06 and 0.24 mg L⁻¹, respectively. The study showed the importance of evaluating the biofortification for cultivars. While ‘Vanda’ baby leaf was biofortified only with Fe, ‘Luminosa’ was biofortified with both micronutrients. Full article

Enhancing agricultural green total factor productivity (AGTFP) under ecological and environmental constraints is essential for advancing green agricultural development in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region. Using panel data from 13 prefecture-level cities from 2001 to 2022, this study applies a super-efficiency EBM model incorporating undesirable outputs together with the Malmquist–Luenberger index to measure AGTFP. Global and local Moran’s I indices as well as the spatial Durbin model are then employed to examine the temporal evolution, spatial disparities, and spatial interaction effects of AGTFP during 2001–2022. The findings indicate that: (1) From 2001 to 2022, the AGTFP in the BTH region grew at an average annual rate of 7.7%. This trend reflects a growth pattern primarily driven by green technological progress in agriculture, while substantial disparities in AGTFP persist across different subregions. (2) the global Moran’s I values show frequent shifts between positive and negative spatial autocorrelation, suggesting that a stable and effective regional coordination mechanism for green agricultural development has yet to be formed; (3) the determinants of AGTFP exhibit pronounced spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and the fundamental drivers of the region’s green agricultural transition increasingly rely on endogenous growth generated by technological innovation and rural human capital; (4) policy recommendations include strengthening benefit-sharing and policy coordination mechanisms, promoting cross-regional cooperation in agricultural science and technology, and implementing differentiated industrial layouts to support green agricultural development in the BTH region. These results provide valuable insights for promoting coordinated and sustainable green agricultural development across regions. Full article

Strawberry is widely cultivated due to its short growth cycle, high yield, and significant profits. In high-latitude cold regions, the planting area of overwintering strawberry has expanded rapidly in recent years. However, although daytime temperatures inside solar greenhouses rise quickly with solar radiation, plants are frequently subjected to persistent nocturnal low-temperature stress (nocturnal temperature below 10 °C). This stress restricts photosynthesis, delays growth, and markedly reduces yield. Therefore, accurately evaluating the tolerance of strawberry varieties to low nocturnal temperatures is crucial for unheated overwintering production in cold regions. This study selected Snow White, Benihoppe, and Kaorino as experimental materials for overwintering cultivation trials in a typical cold-region solar greenhouse. We measured and analyzed growth and development, photosynthetic characteristics, phenological traits, and fruit yield. Based on photosynthetic physiology and phenotypic traits, we constructed the Photosynthesis–Fluorescence Index (PFI), the Production–Phenotype Index (PPI), and the Nocturnal Cold Tolerance Index (NCTI). The results showed that Kaorino exhibited significantly higher values in all three indices compared with Benihoppe and Snow White. After exposure to low night temperatures, Kaorino exhibited rapid photosynthetic induction, strong maintenance of PSII activity, vigorous growth, early maturation, and high yield. Moreover, all three composite indices were strongly and positively correlated with total yield (R² > 0.97), demonstrating their effectiveness in distinguishing the nocturnal low-temperature tolerance of strawberry cultivars. These composite indices provide a scientifically robust method for selecting suitable cultivars for unheated overwinter strawberry production in high-latitude cold regions. Full article

To screen efficient microbial coating formulations and explore their effects on the growth of alfalfa and soil properties, ‘Gannong No. 3’ alfalfa was used as the experimental material. A single-factor randomized block field experiment was conducted with eight treatments (CK as bare seeds, BC as adhesive filler coated agent, J1-J3 as rhizobium agent, growth-promoting bacteria agent, and rhizobium plus growth-promoting bacteria seed soaking, respectively, B1-B3 as rhizobium, growth-promoting bacteria, and rhizobium plus growth-promoting bacteria coating agents, respectively). This study analyzes the effects of different microbial coating formulations on alfalfa, including its production performance and nutritional quality, as well as on soil properties. Comprehensive analysis shows that the growth-promoting microbial coating (B2) is the optimal formulation. It can simultaneously optimize alfalfa production performance, enhance nutritional quality, improve soil particle composition, and increase soil enzyme activity, achieving a synergistic improvement of both alfalfa and the soil ecosystem. Its application effect is significantly better than other treatments and can provide important theoretical support and practical reference for the development and application of efficient microbial seed coatings in high-quality alfalfa cultivation. Full article

The invasive perennial weed Ambrosia confertiflora (Burr ragweed) is widespread across various climatic regions in Israel and neighboring countries. This study examines how temperature affects the development of the plants’ aboveground and underground organs, as well as biomass allocation. We hypothesize that temperature influences how the plant distributes resources, thereby modifying its phenotypic morphology and contributing to its spread. Plants were grown in a phytotron under four seasonal temperature regimes (10–16 °C, 16–22 °C, 22–28 °C, 28–34 °C, N-D, 14 h light). We measured above- and belowground biomass, growth form, leaf size, and the interaction between temperature and apical dominance. Our results show that biomass allocation varies with temperature and developmental stage. During early growth, resources are primarily directed toward shoot development and leaf production. As plants matured, they shifted more resources to underground structures, eventually balancing allocation. At lower temperatures, plants invested more in underground growth while the shoot remained in the rosette form. In contrast, higher temperatures favored aboveground growth. Ambrosia confertiflora demonstrates significant phenotypic plasticity in response to temperature variation, affecting plant height, leaf morphology, and resource allocation in both shoot and underground tissues. Understanding how temperature drives these changes is critical to understanding the spread and ecological impact of this highly adaptable weed. Full article

Conventional and organic agriculture can both cause soil microbial community structure (SMCS) destruction, infertility, and abandonment. The application of soil productivity-improving biofertilizers is a sustainable practice that requires holistic knowledge, including complex biointeractions, diverse microbial metabolism, and culture requirements, the last of which rely on methodology and technology. In this study, a holistic culture-based and meta-analysis approach was employed to explore pristine and domesticated soils for presumptive plant growth-promoting (PGP) bacteria. Various soil samples were logistically acquired and processed using enrichment and heat alternatives. Morphologically diverse isolates were streak-purified and analyzed for 16S rRNA bacterial identification. Meta-analysis of PGP bacteria in domesticated environments was conducted using Google Search and NCBI PubMed. Soil fertility was analyzed for the pH and nitrogen/phosphorus/potassium (NPK) contents using biochemical tests. Notably, 7 genera and 15 species were differentially recovered, with Bacillus being the most prevalent and diverse in species. Conversely, Aeromonas, Lactobacillus, Lelliottia, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus were found only in pristine soil. While soil pH was consistent in all pristine soil samples, NPK contents ranged widely across the pristine (i.e., P/K) and domesticated samples (i.e., N/P/K). These findings could enhance biofertilizer SMCS, function, and effectiveness in the agricultural productivity needed to feed the expanding population. Full article

Currently, renewable energy projects are growing, and one of the critical unforeseen consequences that has emerged is curtailment. This study focuses on characterizing a full dataset of real operational curtailed electricity from wind energy projects in one-hour time steps, obtained through Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition over the years 2022 and 2025 of operation in Chile. The case study is based on the national electrical system of Chile, and the analysis incorporates both curtailment patterns and more significant features. These results can ultimately be used as an input source for annexed projects, such as energy storage systems or green hydrogen production. The total installed capacity increased from 3.0 GW to 5.0 GW during this period, representing a 66% expansion, while energy generation increased by only 22%. Curtailed energy increased from 7% to 13% of total potential output, equivalent to approximately 3.4 TWh of unused clean energy. Location analysis reveals that around 60% of generation and curtailment occur in northern Chile, where grid congestion is most pronounced. Monthly trends show a pattern that combines a linear upward increase associated with growth in installed capacity and a cyclical seasonal component driven by resource variability. These findings highlight that curtailment has become a structural limitation for renewable integration, primarily due to insufficient transmission expansion and system flexibility. Full article

Phosphorus (P) is an essential nutrient in plant development, but its availability in the soil is often limited due to chemical fixation and poor solubility. This study presents the development, characterization and evaluation of a novel granular bioinoculant formulated with Aspergillus tubingensis (P-solubilizing) and Trichoderma virens (P-mineralizing) using clinoptilolite (CZ) as a carrier to improve P bioavailability. The formulation process included the evaluation of the proposed components, the standardization of conidia production in different media cultures and conditions, the elaboration and characterization of the bioinoculant and its evaluation in plants. In this study, in vitro analysis demonstrated the synergistic effect of the components, showing that in all treatments with dual inoculation and CZ, the amount of soluble phosphorus (SP) was higher than in their counterparts (from 27.8 to 36.8 mg·L⁻¹). A concentration greater than 1 × 10⁹ CFU·mL⁻¹ was obtained by standardizing the production of conidia in different media (PDA, V8-Agar and Molasses Agar), which were then used to produce granular batches containing at least 2 × 10⁷ CFU·g⁻¹. Furthermore, the size (88% of the granules measured <4.5 mm), purity (<2 CFU·g⁻¹ in 10⁻⁴ dilution), and moisture content of the prototype granules (3.3–3.8%) were confirmed to be within established international quality parameters. Plant evaluations in chili and tomato demonstrated the formulation efficacy, showing an increase in both soluble and foliar P content (with at least 30% more than controls), alongside improvements in all parameters evaluated that are related to plant growth promotion (with at least 15% more growth than controls). The development of this formulation prototype represents a focused effort toward process standardization and optimization required to validate developed formulations, thus promoting the advancement of applied biotechnology. Full article

As an alternative to confronting the actual challenges in the conventional agriculture, Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) and hydroponics arise as sustainable alternatives, allowing for an efficient use of resources during green-leaf crop production. Considering a Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic wall-system and two different ranges of light spectra provided via LED technology, this study evaluated their impact on the yield and efficiency during the cultivation of Swiss Chard crops (Beta vulgaris var. cicla) based on an analysis of morphological and nutritional characteristics. The experiment was developed in a growth room chamber, which was monitored and controlled under an IoT scheme, mainly focusing on the lighting treatments; treatments T1 and T2 were defined with the LED Barina 42W and LED MURFURN 70W, correspondingly. The results show no significant differences between both treatments in most morphological cases; however, the foliar area was significantly larger in treatment T1 than in treatment T2. Additionally, the nutritional quality of treatment T1 showed higher concentrations of carbohydrates, proteins, minerals, Ca, and K. Conclusively, the light spectrum composition provided by the lighting system influences the chard physiology, favoring the nutrient concentration under red–blue spectrum combinations. Full article

Resveratrol is a natural polyphenol found in plants that has attracted significant research attention for its antitumor potential. With the continuing research on the tumor microenvironment and metabolic reprogramming, the roles of resveratrol in tumor cell metabolism and immune cell function have gained increasing attention. Recent studies have shown that resveratrol disrupts tumor cell metabolism and prevents tumor cell growth and metastasis by inhibiting metabolic processes such as glycolysis and fatty acid production. Furthermore, resveratrol regulates immune cells such as T cells, macrophages, and natural killer cells and enhances antitumor immune responses. In this article, we report the recent research progress on the use of resveratrol for tumor therapy. Specifically, we focus on its regulatory effect on tumor metabolism and the immune microenvironment and discuss its potential in combination with a new therapeutic strategy. Full article

The dairy cattle sector is a critical source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and must transition to low-carbon farming to meet global climate goals. However, a systematic synthesis of the evolution and future trajectories of GHG emissions research in this field is still lacking. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis to elucidate the research evolution, hotspots, and future trends in GHG emissions from dairy cattle farming. The results showed a steady linear increase in publications (R² = 0.80), with the highest average annual growth rate of approximately 45.9% (2009–2014). The United States (91), Italy (68), the Netherlands (58), Germany (51), and Ireland (45) were the most productive countries, accounting for 60.2% of the global total. Both institutional (0.0347) and author (0.0069) collaboration densities in the global network are low, indicating a lack of a tightly integrated collaborative framework. The research hotspots evolved from foundational themes (e.g., agriculture, grasslands; 2005–2010) to environmental pressures and mitigation (2010–2020). A recent thematic shift (2020–2025) is evident towards specific mitigation strategies like rumen fermentation, sustainability, and fertility, indicating a field oriented toward low-carbon, high-efficiency transformation. The analysis underscores the critical perspective provided by life cycle assessment for this transition. This study provides a comprehensive map of the research landscape, highlighting future priorities. Grounded in a holistic life cycle assessment framework, future work should integrate technology, management, and policy to steer the global dairy industry towards a sustainable future that balances environmental health with economic viability. Full article

Breast cancer is a significant public health concern, with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) being the most aggressive subtype characterized by considerable heterogeneity and the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) expression. Currently, there are no practical alternatives to chemotherapy, which is associated with a poor prognosis. Therefore, developing new treatments for TNBC is an urgent need. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and redox adaptation play central roles in TNBC biology. Targeting the redox state has emerged as a promising therapeutic approach, as it is vital to the survival of tumors, including TNBC. Although TNBC does not produce high levels of ROS compared to ER- or PR-positive breast cancers, it relies on mitochondria and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) to sustain ROS production and create an environment conducive to tumor progression. As a result, novel treatments that can modulate redox balance and target organelles essential for redox homeostasis, such as mitochondria, could be promising for TNBC—an area not yet reviewed in the current scientific literature, thus representing a critical gap. This review addresses that gap by synthesizing current evidence on TNBC biology and its connections to redox state and mitochondrial metabolism, with a focus on innovative strategies such as metal-based compounds (e.g., copper, gold), redox nanoparticles that facilitate anticancer drug delivery, mitochondrial-targeted therapies, and immunomodulatory peptides like GK-1. By integrating mechanistic insights into the redox state with emerging therapeutic approaches, I aim to highlight new redox-centered opportunities to improve TNBC treatments. Moreover, this review uniquely integrates mitochondrial metabolism, redox imbalance, and emerging regulated cell-death pathways, including ferroptosis, cuproptosis, and disulfidptosis, within the context of TNBC metabolic heterogeneity, highlighting translational vulnerabilities and subtype-specific therapeutic opportunities. Full article

With the historical and consistent population declines of the eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), restoration projects commonly deploy plastic bags (polyethylene) filled with recycled oyster cultch. Oyster cultch bags are utilized as material to stabilize sediment and provide a substrate for oyster larval recruitment, which provides a habitat for associated organisms and decreases marsh erosion. In addition to the plastic mesh bags utilized to contain oyster cultch, this study also utilized three different biodegradable oyster bag material types (biopolymer, basalt, and cellulose) to determine (1) the influence of bag type on oyster population dynamics, (2) bag durability over time (<1 year), and (3) the cost–benefits for each bag type, calculated via a Weighted Product Model (WPM), within a subsection of the West Galveston Bay Estuary, Texas. For bag type, the results suggested that plastic bags were the most resilient, followed by biopolymer, basalt, and cellulose bags. Plastic bags supported the highest oyster abundance and growth, demonstrating their effectiveness for establishing breakwater reefs. The WPM analysis indicated that plastic bags are inexpensive to deploy and, due to their longevity, are easily monitored over time. However, degradation of plastic bags may introduce microplastics into the environment, posing ingestion risks for bivalves. Whereas the nature-based solutions degraded quickly, inhibiting continuous monitoring, yet the loose cultch may facilitate the natural formation of reefs over time. The results highlight tradeoffs between maximizing oyster recruitment and growth, minimizing environmental contamination, and balancing ecological performance with material sustainability in oyster reef restoration practices. Full article