Search Results (1,390)

Chronic kidney disease is increasingly recognised as a systemic disorder with important neurological consequences, including cognitive impairment. However, the field remains challenging because CKD-related cognitive decline involves diverse uremic toxins, overlapping vascular, inflammatory, metabolic, endothelial, and neurodegenerative pathways, inconsistent cognitive screening practices, and no unified treatment strategy. Within this context, the kidney–brain axis provides a useful framework for integrating renal dysfunction, toxin retention, systemic inflammation, blood–brain barrier disruption, and cognitive vulnerability. Of these mechanisms, uremic neurotoxicity offers a biologically credible connection between compromised renal clearance and cerebral dysfunction. Retained solutes such as indoxyl sulfate, p-cresyl sulfate, indole-3-acetic acid, trimethylamine-N-oxide, urea, guanidino compounds, lanthionine, quinolinic acid, and homocysteine may induce endothelial injury, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction, excitotoxicity, and glial activation. Although these pathways are supported by experimental and translational studies, direct causal evidence in humans remains limited, and most clinical data should currently be interpreted as associative rather than definitive proof of causality. These processes converge on neuronal and synaptic vulnerability and may elucidate the distinctive cognitive profile associated with chronic kidney disease, particularly deficits in attention, processing speed, and executive function. This review summarizes the most recent evidence on the epidemiology and clinical phenotype of cognitive impairment in chronic kidney disease. It also discusses the molecular and cellular mechanisms of uremic neurotoxicity and examines new biomarkers of the kidney–brain axis, including neurofilament light chain, glial fibrillary acidic protein, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tight junction proteins, and uremic toxins. However, these biomarkers remain insufficiently validated for routine clinical use, as their interpretation is complicated by reduced renal clearance, systemic inflammation, comorbid vascular disease, methodological heterogeneity, and the lack of longitudinal studies linking biomarker changes to cognitive outcomes. Therapeutic strategies targeting uremic toxins remain compelling from a mechanistic standpoint, but they are not yet fully developed in clinical practice. Subsequent research ought to amalgamate toxin profiling, cognitive phenotyping, neuroimaging, endothelial and inflammatory biomarkers, alongside patient-centered outcomes. Integrating cognitive assessment into nephrology care may enhance risk stratification, collaborative decision-making, and personalised management for patients with chronic kidney disease. Full article

To investigate the regulatory effects of salt-tolerant plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) on crop growth under salt stress and to identify superior bacterial resources for saline–alkaline soil improvement, the maize variety Ningdan 33 was used as the experimental material. Strain XJ-33, a salt-tolerant PGPR isolated from saline–alkaline soil in Ningxia, was selected for inoculation. Based on morphological observation, physiological and biochemical tests, and 16S rRNA gene sequencing, the strain was identified as Pseudomonas glycinae. This strain can tolerate extreme conditions of up to 10% NaCl and a pH of 11.0, and exhibits multiple plant growth-promoting traits, including the production of siderophores and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), as well as ACC deaminase activity. The results showed that inoculation with XJ-33 significantly promoted the growth of maize seedlings under salt stress. Compared with the control, inoculated plants exhibited significant increases in plant height, root length, and biomass (both fresh and dry weights), with the most pronounced increments observed in shoot and root dry weights, which increased by 82.61% and 81.63%, respectively. Physiological and biochemical analyses revealed that leaf SPAD values, chlorophyll content, and nitrogen content increased by 15.00%, 13.18%, and 18.47%, respectively, following inoculation. Additionally, root activity (indicated by dehydrogenase activity) was significantly enhanced. In terms of stress physiology, inoculation improved the osmotic adjustment capacity of the plants; the levels of soluble sugars, soluble proteins, and proline in both leaves and roots increased significantly, whereas the malondialdehyde (MDA) content, an indicator of membrane lipid peroxidation, decreased significantly. Furthermore, the antioxidant enzyme system was positively modulated: superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities were significantly elevated in both leaves and roots, while peroxidase (POD) activity decreased. In conclusion, strain XJ-33 exhibits robust salt tolerance and strong plant growth-promoting capabilities. It can alleviate salt-induced damage in maize by regulating osmotic balance, enhancing antioxidant defenses, and promoting nutrient uptake, thereby demonstrating significant application potential for saline–alkaline soil improvement and the development of microbial agents. Full article

Early detection of contrasting water-stress types is important for understanding plant stress responses and improving water-stress management in forest seedlings. In this study, three-year-old Pinus tabuliformis seedlings were exposed to control (CK, 75–85% of field capacity), drought (D, 25–35% of field capacity), waterlogging (WL, water level flush with the soil surface), and water flooding (WF, water level 2 cm above the soil surface) treatments. Each treatment included 15 independent seedlings at each sampling date, resulting in 420 seedlings across four treatments and seven sampling dates. Needle water potential (Ψw), total chlorophyll content (Chl), maximum photochemical efficiency (Fv/Fm), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), abscisic acid (ABA), and electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) parameters were measured to compare the temporal responses of physiological and electrical traits under different water conditions. EIS showed clear treatment-dependent changes under all stress treatments, with larger changes observed under WF and WL than under D at the treatment levels and durations evaluated in this study. Based on the present discrete sampling schedule, the real (Re) and imaginary (Im) components showed statistical separation among the four treatments in all six pairwise comparisons of the four treatments on Day 7, whereas ABA and Ψw showed separation on Day 11, Fv/Fm on Day 18, and IAA and Chl on Day 25. These results indicate that Re and Im showed treatment-dependent divergence at earlier evaluated sampling dates than the selected physiological variables. Exploratory CLAFIC analysis further indicated group-level spectral separation between CK and WL/WF on Day 3 and between CK and D on Day 7. Overall, EIS-derived features may provide useful information on early electrical responses of P. tabuliformis seedlings to contrasting water conditions. However, further validation using independent datasets, standardized measurement procedures, and field or nursery conditions is required before EIS can be applied as a practical tool for water-stress assessment. Full article

The growing demand for sustainable agricultural inputs has encouraged the development of biotechnological alternatives based on microbe-derived enzymes and bioactive metabolites. In this study, co-fermentation strategies involving different Trichoderma strains were investigated as a process-based approach to enhance the production of enzymes and plant growth-promoting metabolites with agricultural relevance. Distinct culture media compositions and inoculation strategies significantly affected microbial performance and biocatalytic outputs. Optimized co-culture conditions resulted in enhanced conidiation, microsclerotia formation, siderophore production (up to 95%), phosphate solubilization (up to 419 mg mL⁻¹), indole-3-acetic acid synthesis (0.60 mg mL⁻¹), and increased activities of chitinase, β-1,3-glucanase, and protease. Metabolomic profiling by GC-MS revealed the induction of diverse secondary metabolites associated with antimicrobial activity and plant–microbe signaling. Overall, the results demonstrate that Trichoderma co-fermentation is an effective biotechnological strategy to intensify enzyme and metabolite production, highlighting its potential for the development of multifunctional bioinputs for sustainable agricultural applications. Full article

To induce embryogenic callus from Pinus thunbergii vegetative organs, and deeply understand the internal mechanism of the process, an orthogonal experimental design of three factors and four levels and proteome analysis were adopted. The results showed that the optimal medium was douglas-fir cotyledon medium (DCR), containing 2.5 mg L⁻¹ 2-4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ 6-benzylaminopurine (6-BA), 0.3 g L⁻¹ polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), 0.5 g L⁻¹ acid casein hydrolysate (CH), 0.5 g L⁻¹ L-glutamine, 1.0 g L⁻¹ inositol, 6.0 g L⁻¹ agar and 20.0 g L⁻¹ sucrose. Microscopic examinations revealed a distinct embryogenic-like callus (EC) structure, and these ECs finally achieved redifferentiation. Analysis of the interactions between factors detected that although the 6-BA concentration alone was not significant, it became a significant effect factor when interacted with 2,4-D (p < 0.05). Peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and soluble sugar (SS) of EC were significantly higher than those of non-embryogenic callus (NEC), and label-free quantitative proteomics analysis showed that different types of PODs including peroxidase 4, phospholipid hydroperoxide glutathione peroxidase, and cationic peroxidase 1 in EC were significantly up-regulated, and they were involved in antioxidant biological processes, located in the intercellular region, and performed molecular functions such as heme binding, so POD was a suitable and stable physiological marker for EC. Four up-regulated proteins in EC included glutathione S-transferase, chalcone flavanone isomerase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase and endoglucanase. Five EC-specific proteins included indole-3-acetic acid-amido synthetase GH3.1, indole-3-acetate O-methyltransferase 1-like, cytokinin dehydrogenase, MLP-like protein 423 and 2-methoxy-6-polyprenyl-1,4-benzoquinol methylase. These proteins are also potential EC molecular markers. Among these proteins, glutathione S-transferase is beneficial to prevent cell death in EC, while indole-3-acetate O-methyltransferase 1-like and cytokinin dehydrogenase are beneficial to promote EC redifferentiation. Full article

Background/Objectives: Probiotic interventions are widely used to improve intestinal health; however, comparative evidence on multi-strain formulations with different potencies, particularly when combined with plant-based complexes, remains limited. This study evaluated the effects of two probiotic blends containing phytonutrients: PBP1, comprising Lacticaseibacillus strains, and PBP2, comprising Lacticaseibacillus, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium strains. The effects on bowel function, microbial metabolites, and gut barrier-related markers were investigated. Methods: In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, participants received PBP1, PBP2, or placebo for 8 weeks. Stool patterns (7-day Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) diary), fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), tryptophan metabolites, zonulin, and gut microbiota were assessed at baseline and Week 8. Efficacy was evaluated by comparing each intervention group with the placebo group. Results: Both PBP1 and PBP2 significantly increased the proportion of normal stool types (BSFS types 3–5) compared with placebo (p < 0.05). Fecal SCFA levels, including acetate, propionate, and butyrate, were significantly increased in both intervention groups. Notably, butyrate levels were significantly elevated compared with placebo. Fecal tryptophan levels decreased, while indole metabolites showed increasing trends, with an inverse correlation observed between tryptophan and indole, particularly in the PBP2 group. Fecal zonulin showed a decreasing trend, with significant reductions in participants with 25.0 ≤ BMI < 30.0 kg/m². Microbiome analysis revealed preserved alpha diversity with selective compositional shifts, including enrichment of Lactobacillus-related taxa. Conclusions: Supplementation with PBP1 and PBP2 improved bowel function and was associated with changes in microbiome-derived metabolites, including SCFAs and tryptophan–indole metabolism, with BMI-dependent changes in barrier markers. These findings suggest a potential role of microbiome-mediated metabolic modulation in intestinal health. Full article

N-acetylserotonin methyltransferase (ASMT) is among the key enzymes involved in the final steps of melatonin biosynthesis. Here, we have shown that inactivation of ASMT in A. thaliana results in reduced endogenous melatonin levels, modulating other plant hormone pathways and affecting stress-related responses. Transcriptomic analysis of the asmt-null mutant revealed that the differentially expressed genes were predominantly enriched in terms associated with auxin responses and signalling, as well as with abscisic acid (ABA)-mediated stress responses. In addition, the expression of genes involved in the ethylene, salicylic acid, jasmonic acid and brassinosteroid pathways was altered in the mutant. Assays of a β-glucuronidase (GUS) construct in which a fragment containing 1000 bp upstream of the ASMT start codon was fused to the GUS reporter gene confirmed that ASMT is involved in the responses to ABA, gibberellic and indole acetic acids, trans-zeatin, ethylene and epibrassinolide, which is consistent with the results of the in silico analysis of the ASMT promoter. Furthermore, the expression of a number of genes, such as SLG1, HIS1-3, AtAIRP1 and several LEA genes, whose transcriptional regulation is associated with water management and contributes to impaired tolerance to dehydration stress, was altered in the mutant. The pleiotropic effects of ASMT gene disruption facilitate the identification of new potential melatonin targets and provide insights into the specific mechanisms of melatonin action. Full article

The aim of this study is to develop and comprehensively evaluate the efficacy of an innovative formulation of a biological preparation consisting of a bacterial consortium (Serratia proteamaculans B5, Pseudomonas putida D7 and Lysinibacillus sp. S1), embedded in a pullulan polysaccharide matrix, as an agent for inducing systemic resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) to phytopathogenic stress caused by Fusarium graminearum. To optimize the product’s protective efficacy and minimize the pesticide load on the agroecosystem, a reduced dose of Fundazol (50% of the standard rate) was incorporated into the formulation. The constituent strains exhibited high indole-3-acetic acid production (53.29–69.2 μg·mL⁻¹) and strong antagonistic activity against phytopathogenic fungi, with inhibition zones reaching up to 32.5 mm. Pot and field trials were conducted to comprehensively assess the effect of the biological product on the stress tolerance of barley plants. Pre-sowing seed treatment reduced proline accumulation (by up to 2.3-fold), maintained photosynthetic pigment levels, and increased field germination to 79%. Under infectious field conditions, treatment with the biopreparation contributed to the stabilization of yield structure parameters (treated plants exhibited increases in height and biomass of 9–21%) and the improvement of grain quality indicators. Overall, the results obtained demonstrate the potential of the developed biopreparation as a component of comprehensive protection strategies and as an inducer of plant priming mechanisms. Full article

Cacti thrive in arid and coastal environments partly through associations with beneficial endophytic and rhizosphere bacteria; however, current knowledge remains limited. This study aimed to assess the diversity of cultivable bacteria associated with Opuntia dillenii and evaluate their potential as Plant Growth-Promoting (PGP) agents. Endophytic bacteria were isolated from cladodes and roots, while rhizobacteria were recovered from rhizosphere soil. Bacterial isolates were identified using morphological characteristics and 16S rRNA/gyrB sequencing, followed by screening for PGP traits, pH and temperature tolerance. A total of 31 isolates were obtained, including 23 endophytes and 8 rhizobacteria, mainly affiliated with Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, and Proteobacteria. Bacillus (35.48%) and Priestia (32.25%) predominated, with Priestia flexa as the most prevalent species. The most frequent PGP traits were phosphate solubilization (80.65%), proteolytic activity (70.97%), siderophore production (67.74%), and nitrogenase activity (64.52%). The highest phosphate solubilization indices were observed for strain R3 (3.41), R6 (3.39) and S6 (3.21), whilst the highest indole-3-acetic acid yields were recorded for C9 (172.88 µg/mL), R11 (96.22 µg/mL) and C3 (90.94 µg/mL), and the strongest siderophore production for C3 (30.37 mm), C7 (27.96 mm) and S7 (27.88 mm). These findings highlight O. dillenii-associated coastal bacteria as promising resources for plant growth and plant stress resilience. Full article

Silver maple is a fast-growing, adaptable tree that often frequents wet places and thus can play an important ecological role in replanting schemes. For this, robust, high-quality seedlings are essential. In other tree species, improved seedling quality has been achieved by treating with a combination of humic substances (HSs) and bacterial strains capable of synthesizing auxin phytohormone; the benefit being attributed, without clear supporting evidence, to changes in phytohormone concentrations in the plant. To clarify the uncertainty, we conducted assays of hormones in silver maple seedlings treated with HSs and appropriate bacteria. We hypothesized that any positive additive effects between HSs and bacteria may be due to the ability of HSs to bind phytohormones. This hypothesis was tested and confirmed by using optical absorption spectra of auxins, humic acids, and their combination, as well as by modeling their interactions. The combination of humic substances and bacteria resulted in an approximately 1.5-fold increase in auxin content in roots, accompanied by a marked increase in root weight and length. We suggest this is likely the outcome of HSs binding to bacterial auxins and delivering them to plant roots. Concentrations of cytokinins and abscisic acid also changed under these treatments, which may help explain observed increases in photosynthesis and improved water balance. Full article

Baikal skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) is one of the most important herbs used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. The main objective of the research was to micropropagate and introduce the most vigorous lines into garden cultivation. Eleven lines representing individual genotypes were selected and propagated using nodal segments. 6-Benzylaminopurine (BAP) at 1.0 mg L⁻¹, alone or with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) at 0.1 mg L⁻¹, was the most effective for shoot regeneration. Significant variability in multiplication rate (2.5–6.4 shoots per explant) was observed among the lines. Shoots were successfully rooted (97.9%) and then acclimatized. After six months of cultivation, 113 well-developed plants representing all genotypes were obtained. Depending on the genotype, the final survival rates ranged from 26.9 to 80.0%. Flow cytometry (FCM-DAPI) analysis confirmed the ploidy stability of the micropropagated plants and ISSR markers revealed notable variability among the lines. Moreover, a polymorphism level of 36.4% was detected within line SB_6, whereas the other two analyzed lines (SB_3 and SB_7) maintained in vitro for four years showed no somaclonal variation. Therefore, genetic stability must be monitored, particularly in long-term cultures. In subsequent studies, the acclimatized lines will be evaluated for root yield and phytochemical content under garden conditions. Full article

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is intricately linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis and tryptophan (Trp) metabolic dysregulation. This study aimed to clarify the role and mechanisms of 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 in suppressing colorectal cancer through the regulation of gut microbiota and Trp metabolism. Azoxymethane/dextran sulfate sodium (AOM/DSS)was employed to induce a CRC mouse model, followed by treatment with 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 at 100 mg·kg⁻¹·day⁻¹ for 6 weeks. 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 significantly reduced the disease activity index (DAI) score, restored colon length, and decreased tumor count. 20(S/R)-Ginsenoside Rh1 ameliorated gut dysbiosis by increasing gut microbial diversity and elevating the prevalence of beneficial bacteria, including Lactobacillus, and stimulated the production of indole derivatives, including indole-3-propionic acid (IPA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), and indole-3-lactic acid (ILA) by enriching Trp -metabolizing bacteria such as Lactobacillus reuteri. These changes further activated the AhR/CYP1A1/IL-22 and PXR/TLR4 pathways, upregulated the expression of intestinal tight junction proteins, suppressed the secretion of proinflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IFN-γ, and elevated the levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. Furthermore, 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 reduces the serum kynurenine (Kyn)/Trp ratio, downregulates the expression of forkhead box P3 (FoxP3), a marker of regulatory T (Treg) cells, and increases the number of CD8⁺ T cells by inhibiting the expression of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1 (IDO1) in colonic tissue. In conclusion, 20(S/R)-ginsenoside Rh1 showed potential anti-CRC activity, with our study observing links between its action and gut microbiota structure regulation, Trp metabolism modulation, AhR/PXR-mediated intestinal barrier activation, and IDO1-related immune suppression reversal. Full article

Nutgall tree anthracnose, caused primarily by Colletotrichum species, acts as a primary bottleneck restricting the sustainable development of the Rhus chinensis industry. Developing green biocontrol strategies by screening molecular targets for novel fungicides is highly imperative. A strain designated as Serratia plymuthica WF63 was isolated from healthy R. chinensis tissues. The strain exhibited broad-spectrum antifungal activity and multiple plant growth-promoting (PGP) traits, including the production of protease, cellulase, and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). In vivo experiments revealed that S. plymuthica strain WF63 achieved a biocontrol efficacy of over 50% against anthracnose pathogens (Colletotrichum nymphaeae and C. fioriniae) and demonstrated significant plant growth-promoting effects. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis, combined with in vitro toxicity validation of pure compounds, identified hexahydro-2H-pyrido [1,2-a]pyrazin-3(4H)-one as a core antifungal component in the fermentation broth, with a half maximal effective concentration $\left(E{C}_{50}\right)$ of 133.88 mg·L⁻¹ against the target pathogen. These findings not only highlight S. plymuthica strain WF63 as a promising antifungal biological agent but also suggest that the specific nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound may serve as a candidate scaffold for further fungicide optimization, pending comprehensive ecotoxicological evaluation. Full article

The scaffold protein RACK1 (Receptor for Activated C Kinase 1) integrates signaling and translation, acting as a core component of the 40S ribosomal subunit. It binds activated Protein Kinase C (PKC) isoforms and membrane receptors. We used an auxin-inducible degron (AID2) system in human HAP1 cells to selectively deplete the free (cytoplasmic) pool of RACK1. The engineered RACK1–mAID–mClover3 fusion was rapidly degraded in the cytoplasm upon addition of 5-phenyl-indole-3-acetic acid (5-Ph-IAA), while the ribosome-bound pool remained detectable in ribosomal fractions, indicating that ribosome association makes RACK1 relatively less accessible to AID2-mediated proteolysis. Upon activation of PKCβII with phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA), imaging at defined time points revealed closely matched kinetics of PKCβII membrane recruitment and membrane-proximal enrichment of ribosome-bound RACK1, peaking at ~10 min. Our data support a model in which activated PKCβII engages ribosome-bound RACK1 at membrane-proximal sites, consistent with a diffusion–capture mechanism in which PKCβII first accumulates at the membrane and then captures ribosome-bound RACK1, thereby recruiting the translational machinery to sites of signal input for membrane-proximal translation. These findings provide new insights into the spatial organization of translation. Full article

Tomato is susceptible to various fungal pathogens, including Alternaria alternata and Curvularia spicifera, which can cause extensive post-harvest losses. Chemical fungicides have limited effectiveness in controlling post-harvest fungal pathogens and pose risk to human health and the environment. Therefore, this study assessed indigenous isolates of three species of Trichoderma (Tr1: T. longibrachiatum; Tr2: T. harzianum; and Tr3: T. asperellum) as biocontrol agents against two fungal pathogens in vitro and in vivo and determined their physicochemical analysis and plant-growth-promoting traits. The three species of Trichoderma exhibited catalase production in vitro, while T. longibrachiatum and T. asperellum showed the highest potential for plant-growth promotion by producing indole-3-acetic acid and phosphate solubilization but not nitrogen-fixing capability. T. harzianum showed lower potential in these traits. Mycelial growth was found to be maximum (5.77–12.27 cm) at 30 °C and a pH of 7–9, but inhibition (2.60–5.13 cm) was recorded at the highest temperature (45 °C) and pH (11). In vivo, studies on tomato fruits indicated that T. longibrachiatum and T. asperellum significantly (p < 0.05) reduced lesion diameters of A. alternata by 53.60% and 48.71%, respectively, and C. spicifera by 55.58% and 56.19%, respectively, relative to the infected control. Besides their antifungal efficacy, the three species of Trichoderma enhanced tomato seedling growth, particularly at 1/10 filtrate dilution, and improved fruit quality parameters by increasing firmness and nitrate content, while reducing oxidative stress. Physicochemical analysis indicated that Trichoderma-treated fruits had better firmness, pH, and nitrate value coupled with a reduction in oxidative stress (reduced malondialdehyde content) compared to pathogen-infected controls. The indigenous isolates of the three species of Trichoderma provided high efficacy as biocontrol agents of the two fungal pathogens that cause post-harvest losses of tomato, suggesting that biological control can replace synthetic chemicals in preserving tomato under storage conditions and contribute to agricultural sustainability. Full article